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Subway
Haylen's senses were immediately bombarded as he and Simon entered the Subway shop. A swirl of tasty aromas wafted into his nose, and he could almost taste the sandwiches on his tongue. The air was cool and crisp inside the building, and seeing as it had been built recently, it still had that brand-new clean look to it. Even if it was a mere Subway shop, it was a nice change from their shadowy, dreary dorm room, especially on such a rainy afternoon.
Surprisingly enough, the place wasn't too crowded, but just pleasantly so. A few students lingered around the counter, pondering what to order, while two more groups were seated at tables against the wall.
Good.
There aren't too many people here, but there's not like, just one other person, either.
I don't want Simon to be overwhelmed right now, but I don't want him to have too much space to think, either, so this is ideal.
...God, he doesn't have friggin' social problems! That's me! I'm being mental!
Simon is making me go crazy... crazier...!
Haylen's stomach grumbled, and he came to realize that he was pretty hungry. "Hey, let's order some stuff. Come to think of it, we haven't eaten yet today."
Or for the past three weeks, for that matter.
As the two of them waited in line to order their sandwiches, Haylen found himself wanting to just be near Simon, to be close to him as though he'd be 'protecting' him.
Protecting him from what?
Holy hell! He doesn't need me to be a friggin' leech! I need to step off!
Snorting at his own psychotic thoughts, Haylen wrapped a limber finger through one of Simon's beltloops, pressing his lips to the other boy's earlobe. "Sorry," he breathed thickly, "it's just.. even in here, you're too friggin' tempting."
Stop being such a horndog.
Jesus Christ.
Everything is wrong with me.
Grinning as he pulled away, Haylen planted a small kiss on Simon's honey-flecked cheek, not really caring if anyone saw. If a single person were to comment, he wouldn't mind. After all, he did have tendencies to avoid conversations at all costs, trying to mostly keep to himself.
Except for around Simon.
He's just an exception for everything, I guess.
Sigh.
He should probably consider himself a lucky kid.
He's being mostly spared of the cruel cold Haylen.
Hah.
The place was a nice not too loud, not too calm spot for Simon to just, try and forget his current broken heart. He wasn't actually hungry but didn't protest when Haylen suggested going to purchase some food. After all, he'd been worried about his roommate following this forced diet for the past three weeks. It was better to just, try and eat something. It's not like a little extra strength couldn't hurt either.
Problem was..l the new and improved lovey dovey Haylen. He'd just been abandoned by his family because of his orientation, a part of him still inclined to just, lock that closet, run back home and pretend for the next so many years to be nice and straight. And there Haylen was, making public demonstrations of affection with him.
"Haylen..." he said under his breath, a little embarrassed.
Blood raced to his cheeks, matching the still puffy eyelids on his face. The way he stood, closed and reserved was pretty different from his regular self, all hunched up, twisting in a way that gave him the looks of someone trying to self implode. As he withdrew a little from Haylen, his eyes nervously scanned the room, seeing two kids at one of the table giving them a bit of an outraged look, while a girl behind them just giggled away. Right in front the couple hadn't noticed them, the girl busy imitating Haylen on her own boyfriend.
Ok so it's normal for them.
But not for us.
I'm being judgmental against myself.
Again.
And with 'cause.
I think.
He couldn't help but feel gay people were still something taboo, to be hidden in back rooms for no one else to see... It was the result of all he was seeing from his surrounding, magnifying the impact of his parent's reaction. But these events always had effects that came in phases, and this was the first one. This secluded withdrawal from the rest of the world. Shame, embarrassment, loneliness. But he wasn't alone, so why push away the person helping him in this?
For the sake of this lot?
Because they'll think I'm a freak?
Why the hell should I even care!
I ..don't want to be ridiculed all my life..
He was struggling inside, but he needed just one little trigger to move to phase two, and that was the look the young girl, about their age behind the counter gave them when they arrived. It had nothing negative about it, complete acceptance. If anything, he could swear she found them cute, ogling at them the way anyone would at the new couple that had preceded them.
"What can I get for you boys?" she asked in rather cheerful voice.
For the first time of the day, Simon's face brightened with a genuine smile, showcasing his pearly whites in a silent thank you. After all, at his old school he had a gay friend that wasn't bashed at all the time.
That's right, the kids that point the fingers are just too ignorant to get that we're just he same.
Who cares!
On thus, he moved to phase two, placing a strong arm around Haylen's shoulder, bringing him back to his side with a bit of a challenging attitude toward the rest of the crowd. It was a very fast 'recovery', even if surely temporary, but he'd enter the 'screw them all' zone. If they didn't like what they saw him as, they could all look elsewhere.
"I'll just have turkey bacon melt with the works." he said to the lady, sounding much more confident even though his voice was still a little rasped from the damage his throat had undergone during his crying fits.
"Of course, and you?" she asked, looking at Haylen with her bright smile still on.
Haylen's insides warmed as he felt Simon wrap his arm around his shoulder, grinning at the girl behind the counter when she asked for his order.
"Uhh... I'll just take something with like... cheese, and lettuce I guess," he requested with a wink. "I don't really prefer meat."
Except for S-
Don't even.
...whattt? I was gonna say.. salami..
Uh huh. Sure.
Heh.
"Gotcha," the girl giggled, quickly assembling both of their sandwiches and collecting her pay. As Haylen dragged Simon over to the drink fountain to fill their cups, he gave the other boy the quickest little peck on the cheek.
He didn't miss the sideways glance that Simon gave him as they selected sodas from the fountain. "What?" he snickered mischievously. "I gotta snag lil' kisses whenever I have a chance. You're lucky I don't full-out pounce on you..." As he continued with his rambling, his voice became less and less flirty and more and more seductive. "I don't wanna put on a show, but you're gonna have to sit at a different table than me if you don't want my hands on you."
Give him a break.
It's your first friggin' time being out together, and it's not even really supposed to be a 'date' or whatever. It's a 'friendly outing.'
Yeah, and I would know a lot about 'dates' and 'friendly outings'... 'cause I went on them so often back home and all.
Well, if you count the clubs and hookers...
Don't even try.
Amused and perplexed by his own internal dialogue, Haylen sat at the first empty table that he saw, making a conscious effort to make Simon feel perfectly okay with this entire situation. He plopped down carelessly, just as he assumed any normal kid hanging out with his friends would, and took a small bite of his sandwich.
"So, uh," he began, glancing fleetingly at the redhead across the table. "I... sorry I suck at everything. I mean, being social and all. It's not really my forte."
More like not at all.
Nibbling tentatively at his cheese-and-lettuce sub, Haylen glanced about the little shop, not sure whether he should talk or not. No matter what he thought about, it always led back to two things: either a) the incident with Simon's parents, or b) more... inappropriate things. Involving Simon.
No matter what, he sure couldn't start a conversation using either of the two subjects.
So he sat quietly, observing Simon as he ate. He wondered how the boy could be so... nice to look at, and at the same time, have a pretty relaxed personality. Sy seemed like the kind of kid who could get along with almost anyone, as long as they stayed on his good side.
Obviously. If he got me to warm up to him, then I'm sure he's golden as far as being personable goes.
Maybe he could give me some lessons on normalcy.
"This is pretty nice, I guess," Haylen finally mumbled awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. "Especially if you take away all the people."
Hi everyone, my name is Haylen Vega. I've been anti-social, cold, and pretty selfish for about... eh, seventeen years. And I don't know how to stop.
Just like he had assumed this little outing of theirs had calmed his mind, allowing him to relax and focus on more trivial events life threw at people on a daily basis. The choice of food and dealing with Haylen being both too social and not enough in the face of public. Ok maybe not so trivial.
Doesn't really annoy me.
Actually right now doesn't bug me at all.
Sure, he'd agreed that he wasn't going to hide who he was, not today. But the fact that he was gay didn't mean it also made him an exhibitionist, and he'd have to get that across ... a bit of a difficult concept when faced with how adorable Haylen was currently acting. There was something so attractive and endearing about his social clumsiness that made it that much more difficult to acknowledge the rest of the world around them.
"Yes it is nice. And just ignore them, at least in a sense." he said taking another bite of his sandwich.
Apparently this little social scene, the interaction with the waitress, with Haylen, his more "official coming out" was more envigorating than he'd imagine. Even if just for the moment, he was able to compress that ball of despair looming in his stomach, cover it up with the positive effect of all the little small things, like a little peck on the cheek, the taste and scent of fresh vegetables and bacon, the impression of being desired. It was great for the general moral. He knew it wouldn't hold forever, which is why he didn't look ahead, living in the moment, just for now.
"You know, not everyone judges you. Maybe if you tried to despise them a little less, not always assume that they are bad mouthing you in your back, it'll be easier to tolerate a place full of people."
He continued on, eating a little bit more of his sandwich. He was thought good manners and valued them highly, therefore he remained silent after taking another, bigger bite off of his sandwich, leaning a hand politely in front of his mouth to hide his chewing. Meanwhile, he observed Haylen across taking nibs of his food, chewing, his jaw defining the muscles to every detail with every clench of his teeth.
This guy is just irresistible....
Either than or I've become seriously perverted.
He tried shaking off the alluring sight sitting on the other side of the table by lowering his eyes to his soda cup, sipping a mouthful to help down the food. But the technique failed miserably, the vision lingering behind his eyelids, making him shift uncomfortable on his seat.
Well, I'm almost done my food and ...
He looked around, finding that their seat was a little secluded in a corner of the mini restaurant. Not enough to do anything big but, maybe enough to satisfy his current need to indulge in some attractive activities.
...no one can see if I just tease a little..
The shadow of a smug smirk could be glimpsed on his rosy lips, flicking his eyes back to Haylen as he divided what he could and couldn't do. The game was called, "who'll cave in first and drag the other back home". Trying to hide his intentions, he sneaked another bite of his sandwich, repeating the hand gesture to hide his chewing, being more than half done, his stomach quiet with the satisfaction of something to digest. It was under the table that the game begun, slipping a foot, subtly and softly up Haylen's ankle, brushing up, slowly, barely touching the fabric of his tight jeans with the tip of his shoes. The corner of his lips dug in from behind his hands as he playfully bit his bottom lip, unable to hold back his amusement, eyes hinting anticipation.
This is going to be one tough game...
The grin spreading onto Haylen's pouty lips was inevitable as he felt Simon's foot knocking against his own.
Oh, footsies, is this?
So he wants to play a game? A game of resistance, I guess?
Oh well.
It's gonna be short-lived.
I'm terrible at winning games.
Taking one last sip of his drink, Haylen leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and peering into Simon's eyes with a smirk tickling his mouth. "You're a troublemaker," he decided, reaching one hand under the table to squeeze Simon's kneecap. "And boys who misbehave aren't allowed to play these... amateurish games. The need to be punished; shown the right way."
Haylen rose from his seat, walking around the table and grabbing Simon by his pale forearm. He yanked him to a standing position and briskly dragged him to the men's bathroom at the back of the Subway, leaving their trash at the table and receiving a few suspicious looks along the way.
I don't care what they think.
I just want to show naïve little Simon here how to really play a game.
The two boys burst into the bathroom, finding it completely and thankfully vacant. Haylen shoved Simon into the larger handicapped stall, backing him into the corner against the wall. "Bad boys need to be taught a lesson," he murmured, his breathy voice slinking into Simon's ear. "They can't play silly games and expect to get away with it... here, I'll teach you an even better game. This is how you play..."
Without haste, Haylen began nipping at Sy's defined jawline, tracing his tongue all up and down the redhead's chin. "First, you take a little taste..."
As he worked his hands beneath the thin fabric of Simon's shirt, Haylen was almost positive that he heard the bathroom door swing open, followed by the clacking of footsteps.
Ah shit, a person.
...only adds to the thrill, yes?
A satisfied grin perched itself atop Haylen's moist lips when he heard the intruder let out a half-surprised, half-entertained gasp. He'd probably spotted their two pairs of feet in one stall, and seeing as Simon's breathing and Haylen's dirty little words weren't exactly at a low volume, it was easy to believe that the interloper got the gist as to what the two of them were doing.
Heh.
I wonder if he'll stick around to listen to the audio.
...stop acting like you're in some grimy little venue and get on with this 'game'.
"Second," Haylen breathed, running his hands down the hard muscles of Simon's belly, "you do something like this here maneuver..."
In one swift movement, Simon's shirt was over his head, his milk-skinned spine slamming back against the tile wall. Haylen kissed along his bare chest, interspersing suggestive words as he went.
As he worked his pierced mouth over the taut skin of Simon's ribcage, Haylen caught a few words from outside the stall. Finally, the intruder spoke up.
"Kids like you disgust me," the man mused in a gravelly tone. "I worry for your generation."
"Thank you," Haylen said, just loud enough so that the man would hear as he exited the bathroom. "I enjoy every minute of it."
Hoping that Simon wouldn't be alarmed, Haylen quickly amended the situation, pressing a sloppy kiss to the boy's lips. "Don't listen to him," he murmured. "He's just jealous that he's never done this. It's always the closet-dwellers that make the snide comments..."
Don't ruin the mood, damnit.
Listening to his conscience, Haylen ceased his senseless talking and got back to their sensual little 'game'. He gripped desperately at Simon's hips, digging his fingernails into the bone, and in a matter of seconds, swapped their positions. He found himself with his clothed back flush against the wall, swarmed by the other boy's body heat and trapped between his arms.
"Your turn, I'd say," he gasped, his heart racing. "You've still got a chance of winning. Show me what you've learned."
There was no hesitation when Haylen pulled him away from the table. He felt a little shy but it only added to the thrills of this delinquency, following Haylen and trying to not glance back to the few people who noticed them. It wasn't like anyone was about to follow them anyways.
Slammed into the large handicap stahl, his eyes glossed over with a thick layer of desire, wishing only to be taken right then and there, to enjoy the sin at it's most raw form, enjoying the adrenaline that was brought on by the possibility of getting caught.
They didn't get too tease one another very long before another set of feet joined in the bathroom, stopping with both tips in their direction. At a glance it became rather obvious that he was listening in. Simon's longing began to cloud over with nervousness and discomfort, but even if he wasn't as fluid and receptive as moments ago, he did nothing to stop Haylen, hoping that maybe the lustrous black shoes would just walk back out. Which they did, but not without leaving a comment that succeeded in making a small breach in Simon's defenses.
Shit.
That's embarrassing.
He began to act colder and just as he was about to protest, stop Haylen's mouth from covering his, his words reached him and and ignited something he needed to cling on right now.
Why should I care?
I don't know him so it doesn't matter if he hates me!
He wanted to fully believe his own statement but couldn't really get into it, doubt still present, something nagging, something Haylen quickly drowned in a few additional skin on skin contact. With a muffled moan, every ounce of resistance gave in, no longer disturbed by small traffic, alone in this large spacious stahl.
"Hahaha....what I've learned?! I've learned that I had already won when we were sitting at the table!" he mused, pulling Haylen and flipping the dominant position around, now being the one pinning the other to the wall, pushing Haylen's chest against the cold tiles.
Imitating a similar movement done previously on him, he removed Haylen's shirt without much difficulty, hanging it on the coat hook in a simple throw before pressing the naked skin of his chest against the boy's nude back, his abs firmly pressed against the darker boy's lower spine, trailing his hands along the hem of his low-cut jeans and then slithering them up his chest, surrounding him while playing a set of moist lips where his shoulder met his neck. As he began to talk he remained his mouth very close to the skin so that Haylen would be able to feel his warm breath on him.
"Admit it, I won..." he teased before avidly returning to kissing the base of his neck, vigorously moving lips and tongue up to the ear lobe.
Haylen's responsive moan had been enough of an answer, and Simon took no time to claim his prize.
Fifteen minutes later, the boys were exiting the stahl buttoning their jeans, facing their mess of hair in front of the mirror. Simon smiled at his reflection, enjoying the little after glow he wore on his freckled cheeks before slipping his shirt back on.
"Well that was fun."
With a nod of agreement towards Simon's comment, Haylen started back towards their table, which had been so lovingly cleaned by one of the staff members and was now free of trash and half-eaten sandwiches. The moment he sat down he rested his elbows on the table, perching his chin on his left palm and gazing lazily at the redhead across from him.
I guess he's a good pick for a first-ever 'friend' or 'confidante' or whatever.
He's nice and stuff. And hot.
I just wish I could look at him without thinking of all these pleasantly torturous things... I'm beginning to wonder when my body will just rebel and stop working entirely.
Hah. That's gonna be a sad day for everyone.
"Thank god it's Saturday," Haylen piped, picking at the cheap enamel cover of the tabletop. "I don't think I'd be able to manage school tomorrow. I'm sure you could empathize."
With an all-knowing grin, he winked at Simon, all the while biting flirtily at his bottom lip. "We should probably get outta here soon. They might kick us out for being too 'taboo' or something. God forbid."
Rising to his feet, Haylen led Simon to the exit of the Subway shop, stopping directly outside to stand on the cement steps. A slight breeze lifted tendrils of his dark hair to tickle at his cheeks, and the pale autumn sun shone in his eyes. It was cold, but not painfully so - just that fall chill, cool and crisp.
It's pretty nice outside.
As sad as it is, I kinda forgot what daytime looks like.
God.
That sounds terrible and agoraphobic.
As I tend to.
"I love the fall." Haylen quickly decided that he was awful at trying to make conversation, and instead began to ramble, since it seemed to be the only kind of talking he was good at other than types that shouldn't be mentioned around innocent ears. "Everything is so.. calm, I dunno. It seems like the entire world is at a sort of standstill, you know? There's a constant breeze, but it doesn't move anything, and the trees just mind their own business, changing into shades of red and orange. And it always smells so good, no matter where you are... like cornfields and dry leaves and apples..."
Shut up.
Just shut up.
You sound like a babbling idiot.
No one likes a babbling idiot.
...not that I'm unfamiliar with being hated...
Haylen scoffed internally at himself for being such a downer at a time like this, when nothing really mattered and he didn't have to worry.
That's always how he kind of felt when he was around Simon. Carefree and liberated, like he could just let everything go.
It was something he still wasn't used to.
But it was a pleasant change.
"You know," he began, squinting to keep the sun from his eyes, "I think things are gonna be okay, even with everything that's happened lately. Honestly, I do... and that's the first time I've ever said that and actually believed myself. You should feel special - you just witnessed a historical moment."
Where did that come from?
I dunno.
But it's true... maybe things will turn out alright.
With rusty hair and a burnt red shirt, Simon simply appeared like a perfect fit in the fall scene, mixing and matching the coloring leaves of the few surrounding trees. Even the richer tone of the sunlight was complimenting his golden tinted skin, creating a certain glow about him.
Standing by the steps, he just took in a deep breath, looking to the open space, at peace. It was as if the traffic of students coming and going were just part of the background, in a different world, part of the large canvas he was admiring with those soft jade eyes.
It feels like he's right.
Right now, it does feel like everything will be alright.
With one of the warmest smile he could bring up, the kind that can only come to one's lips naturally, without an ounce of effort, he looked sideways to Haylen, his head slightly tilted, voice echoing his state of serenity.
"I guess I am lucky then. I'm glad you're happy...or something close to it."
Even if just for now.
I contributed to that.
Better.
You let me contribute to that.
I need to take care of people.
To be useful.
"Thanks." he added, keeping the reason for his gratitude enigmatic.
Plus helping in that way is always fun.
Hahaha.
His inner thought reflected some hint of amusement in the the lines of his face, and he felt some surge to just, get moving. To do something thrilling, something fun, anything. He grew a little restless, his tranquility slowly leaving, at least on he physical level. His body was itching for action...a different kind of action.
I need to do something but what?
....
I know!
His little smile maturing into a brilliant grin, he looked to Haylen, eyes wide. Simon almost gave the appearance of a little child about to announce they were going to the toy store.
"There is something I want to do, I'm sure you'll enjoy it!"
Without waiting for any level of response, he grabbed Haylen's hand, not at all bothered by appearances in this fling of enthusiasm and dragged him behind him to the Parking of the Front Lawn.
