Chapter Text
Larry could remember when he and Sal met. It was the best thing to ever happen to him. Sal came into his life and they became inseparable. Lisa, hism other loved Sal as if he had always been there, and Larry himself, well. That was another story for another time, dudes.
Was it? Larry watched Sal speak in front of the class. He knew Sal hated giving presentations, but Larry loved seeing him up there. Sal’ head bobbed when talking, his pigtails moving back and forth as his blue eyes scanned the class nervously. There was a bit of a break in his voice. It wasn’t metal to say, but Larry found Sally absolutely adorable.
Sally had to be the most metal of all their friends, yet he was the sweetest, most down to earth guy he knew. Sal would talk to homeless people like no one else he knew. Larry could see them feel alive again. They often would go even and volunteer at the shelters, homeless and animal alike.
Larry would feel nervous when ever Sal would make and hold eye contact with him, but Larry would refuse to break it. He could tell as Sal’s shoulder’s relaxed when he spoke, as if he was speaking to Larry. The classroom always seemed to vanish whenever they found each other lost in their staring contest.
“Thank you Sal, that was a interesting report on.. Zombies.” The teacher seemed uninterested and not amused, almost as if she knew Larry had been the one to give Sal the project idea in the first place.. She wasn’t wrong, Larry was guilty for handing off the idea to Sal.
The bell run, and the students made their way out, and so would he, if the teacher hadn’t stopped him from following Sal on the way out. “Larry? Could.. I have a moment. It’ll just be a second.”
Larry opened and closed his mouth, giving a shrug to accept his fate for whatever it was he did now. Sal even stuck around like a true friend before the teacher gently ushered him out, closing the door.
“Great.. Uhm. Larry.” The teacher began, leaning against her desk. “I can’t help but notice you've been.. Distracted, lately. Is there something on your mind?”
Yes, there was something. Sally was on his mind. “No Miss. Just been thinking about the new Sanity’s Fall concert that’s coming this spring.” she wasn't buying it from the look on her face, so she continued.
“Is it about your father, Larry?” He couldn’t resist groaning out loud, bringing his hands to his face. No. Miss. It wasn’t about his dad. “... Perhaps it’s about Sal Fisher?”
Larry’s eyes widen, and he stuffed his hands heavily into his hoodie’s pockets. No. Nope Miss. Wasn’t about Sal.. Again, her face didn’t give off that she was convinced, and instead gave an almost, knowing, sad smile.
“Larry.. If there is something happening there, it is none of my business. But know that if you run into any trouble, come straight to me, okay? I know this class isn’t your favorite, neither am I likely your favorite teacher.. But you can trust me with this.” What was she implying? Larry made steady eye contact with her, her face was… Genuine. She wasn’t lying about whatever she was implying. “Do you understand, Larry?”
“... Yeah. Miss. I think I do… Uh.. Thanks..?” Larry was uncertain what sort of bond had been made, the contact breaking when the door squeaked open and Sal’s covered face peeked around the corner of it.
“I’m sorry Miss. Is Larry in trouble? We’re suppose to meet up with friends for lunch and we’re running late.” Sal’s voice was light and innocent. The voice he normally used with authority figures to come off harmless. Larry loved it.
Larry loved him.
“Oh! Of course.” Miss straightened her posture. Gently tapping her finger against Larry’s forehead in a friendly manner. “Get out of here, Larry. Go with your friends and enjoy your lunch. Remember what I said.”
Miss knew, and Larry had a feeling he could trust her. He waved her hand away gently with a laugh, and flashed her one of his true, Larry fashion smiles. Don’t betray him, please. “No worries Miss, I will. Thanks!” With that, he’d run off out the door grabbing Sal’s hand.
On the way to their spot, Larry and Sal chatted the whole time there. Sal was curious what the teacher was asking Larry, but Larry managed to quickly make up it was about his dad and mom. Something about the Miss being worried.
“She seems like a nice teacher” Larry admitted, giving Sal’s hand a gentle squeeze. They weren’t afraid of the stares some of the school gave them, tho it did fill Larry with worry what would happen if any of the bullies got the balls to mess with them.
“That’s good. Sal hummed thoughtfully, squeezing his hand in return, sending butterflies through Larry. How would Sal even react? Honestly, Larry pondered if he should just tell him and get over with it. Sal wasn’t the kind of guy to judge.
“Hey S-” “Sally! Larry! Hey!” Oh.. that voice. The boys turned and saw Chug running up to them, seeming excited over something. Aw geez. Sally gave Larry a quick, questioning look with his eyes before they gave full attention to the hefty boy. “Did you guys hear??”
“Hear… What?” Sally questioned, subconsciously swinging his hand with Larry’s. A habit that Sal normally did if holding hands while talking. “We just got out of class.”
“They’re giving away some tickets for the dance tomorrow since some kid paid a butt load of money!” Chug shifted his weight from side to side, looking excited. “We should all go! It’d be really fun! You can wear a cute dress and we guys can dress our best pants or something!”
“Sally isn’t--” “Sure Chug. That sounds great, right Larry?” Sally looked up, innocently yet firm at Larry. It was no secret Chug had been mistaking Sal for a girl, but Sal didn’t seem up to ever correcting him, probably to save the boy from embarrassment. Also he just did not care, at all, when people misgendered him. After a moment of eye conversation, Larry turned his head to Chug. “Uhm.. Right. Really fun, super metal.”
Chug watched the two of them, curious whatever that eye conversation was about, but blew it off. “Great!” He hummed, crossing his arms, puffing out his chest. “I’ll go get the tickets then, since they’re free. See you guys after school!”
There went any courage he had of telling Sal his feelings, but, with lunch coming to an end, Larry was going to have a fun time pointing out Sally didn’t have a dress to wear if he was going through with this.
That was, until after school Sal revealed his plans all along.
“I can’t believe this.” Larry groaned, pressing his hand to his face. They had got the tickets, found Todd and Ashley was going as well.. And now Sally was trying on his mom’s, Lisa’s dresses. “You can’t be serious.”
“Shut up, no peeking.” Sally huffed through the bathroom door. Every once in awhile a dress would sail out past him, followed by a quick clicking of the door. “I want to wear a dress to the dance, I think it’d be comfortable seeing as we’ll be surrounded by over heating bodies.”
Larry mimicked him in a high pitched voice, sitting down next to the bathroom door outside. “I just can’t believe my mom has old dresses that fit you. Personally, if you’re going to wear anything, at least wear a skirt. You could even borrow one of my shirts and look a little metal.” Larry teased, putting his hands behind his head. He wasn’t being serious.
What he wasn’t expecting was Sally’s head poking out, his hair down over bare, slightly scarred shoulders… And.. Oh god. “Eyes up here.” Sally teased, Larry could feel him smirking behind that prosthetic of his. “That’s actually a good idea. Do you think you mom has a black mini skirt I could wear? Go grab one of your shirts, Sanity’s fall. I know you have like 20 of them.”
Slam. the door closed again and he could already hear his mom rummaging in her room, having overheard the boys. Fuck.
School the next day passed quickly, some of the girls were wearing their best gowns already, while some of the guys even tried to work up last minute courage to ask the girls to dance with them. Well. Larry and Chug were not one of these boys, neither was Sal wearing the skirt his mother found him or shirt, saying he’d put them on before the dance. Todd and Ashley looked stunning compared to them at lunch.
Larry dragged his feet into a classroom with Miss. The teacher he knew as Miss, at least. That’s what all the kids called her, and she was young, beautiful. Full of energy yet always calm about it. “Miss?”
“Oh? Larry is something the matter?” Miss turned her attention to the confused boy, watching him carefully as he made himself comfortable in a desk. “What’s happening?”
“I was thinking about what you said yesterday.” Larry admitted firstly, running his hand through his hair. “I decided to try to tell Sal.. But..”
“But…?” She hummed, watching Larry’s expression. “You lost the nerve last second?”
“Kinda, I was interrupted. Now we’re going to the dance, and Sal’s going to be in a skirt..” He groaned, laying his head on the desk. “Sal has no care, at all what other’s think of him! I worry someone might try to bully him! Not that more than half the school even knows his gender for sure.” The pigtails really threw off a lot of the staff and students.
“Really?” Miss smiled, almost humored by something as she delicately covered her mouth, seeming to look past Larry and into a memory. “That’s.. Sweet. Really sweet.” She whispered, shaking her head to bring herself back.
“I can only offer that you try again, Larry. He’s a good lad. Even if he doesn’t return your feelings he won’t judge you for them.”
Larry leaned back in his chair, staring at the desk deep in thought. “I guess.” What if the universe kept stopping him? Try harder. That’s what his dad told him. Never give up. Determination lit up in his eyes, getting up from the desk, grinning at Miss.
“That’s boy.” Miss smiled, walking over to him and patting his back. “Get on outta here. I have papers to grade. Go get ready for the dance.”
Dance. Right. Larry threw his bag down on his bedroom floor. Eyes scanning his room. Did he have anything nice to wear? He really didn’t. Oh man. This was lam. Larry ran his hands through his.. Hair. He had hair. Long hair.
Larry ran into the bathroom and began to get to work on the fanciest ponytail he could do, going as far as to have his mother help. It was pulled back, and tied in a simple black ribbon of hers, and with his naturally baggy eyes he wouldn’t have any need for major makeup for the look he was going for.
Even if he wanted to cover his damn freckles. Ugh.
Running out back, Larry felt the wind blowing his pony tail around. He had to get into the tree house to find one of his father’s suit jackets. It’d been so long, he could only hope it had the smell of the tree house and not his father.
… the black jacket still smelt like his dad. Larry sat on a crate, staring at the once large jacket. Now it would be only a little big on him. Christ. He remembered dressing in his father’s clothes before he… Left. Larry felt stinging in his eyes, trying not to fall into the hole. He had places to go, to be.
Think of it as him being with you.” a voice, one he couldn’t quite place. “He’s always with you.. And he’ll be with you tonight as you wear that.”
Huh… Larry felt a weight lifted as he stood and slid the jacket on. It was black, and went well with the dress shirt he had underneath. That voice was right.. His father was with him. He should be crying anyways, he had a friend to admit his feelings too!
Climbing out of the tree house, Larry went back to his room, finishing up getting ready. He’d have to go pick Sal up from upstairs, which was no problem with a elevator in their building.
Chug was already there waiting outside when Larry made it, grinning at how nervous chug looked. The boy still had his hat on, but did his best to wear clean, nice clothes. “Looking sharp there, dude.”
“Yeah?” Chug straightened, the clothing he had was flattering for his form. Larry hated how the boy got teased at school for his weight, he looked good. Even if he ate unhealthy. “I don’t look…?”
“Dude, you’re fat and handsome. C’mon.” Larry softly elbowed his side, seeing the turmoil in his eyes. “You look great, Chug. You’re going to blow a lot of girls away.”
“Thanks Larry.” Chug relaxed, a smile appearing on his face.
“Are you guys done flirting? We should be heading out.” Oh.
Oh. Gods. Sweet Thor strike him down. His heart hammered. Saly had his usual pigtails, but curled with each held in a black ribbon. His shirt was loose on Sal’s small frame, bunching up at the bottom, revealing his slight pudge. Oh Larry loved his slight pudge.
His mother’s mini skirt on him didn’t look bad either, and Sal decided to go along with thin leggings for the dance. That was good, as he couldn’t imagine Sal being completely comfortable showing a lot more skin he already was. The short sleeved shift covered his shoulders, but there were specks of scars along his arms.
Dog marks. Larry had a feeling they were, at least. As he could only assume it had been a dog that attacked Sal when he was younger.
“Y-you look great Sally!” Chug stuttered, and Larry could only managed a choked up thumbs up.
They then met up with Todd and Ashley outside the apartments. They walked in a group to the school. Sally and Ashley holding a conversation better than previous times. As Sal got use to her presence, he managed to keep his calm around her.
Larry felt envious, but he would never wish harm upon Ashley. Ash made Sally happy, and if they ever got together Larry would be their biggest support, he decided. Chug elbowed Larry lightly in the walk to catch his attention.
“Do you think Sally is a lesbian for Ashley?” Oh. Oh god. The laughter Larry had erupted, interrupting the conversations. Even Todd had over heard and had to take his glasses off. Chug looked offended, but something seemed to click when he looked over at Sal and ashley, looking back at Larry he began to laugh too, his cheek dusted pink.
“I hate you guys.” Chug murmured once they got there. Sal had been apologizing the entire time.
“I didn’t care when you called me a girl, I’m sorry I never corrected you, I just..” Sally looked fretful, worried. But Chug jsut smiled at him, shaking his head.
“I never asked, it’s okay, Sally! I always had suspicions. Don’t worry, we’re still good.” Sally seemed relieved, and chug looked more confident than ever. Larry was happy he had finally put two and two together, even if it was from Larry’s and Todd’s rude laughter.
“You just owe me a dollar.” Chug grinned, walking into the gym with Ashley and toss, leaving Larry and Sal waiting at the entrance to hand in their tickets.
“Damn. I feel bad, I hope he doesn’t think we were playing a joke on him.” Sally pulled at the bottom of his shirt. “He’s a really nice guy and--”
Larry gently took Sal’s hand, leading him into the gym completely, “Relax..” Larry murmured, smiling down at Sal. “He knows Sal.. You’re a kind guy, you never went out of your way to hurt anyone.”
Sal looked up surprised at Larry. Larry could tell Sal was smiling from the way his eyes crinkled behind the mask. His hands were warm…
All night Larry wanted to dance with Sal, but everyone else did first. Chug had took Sally out dancing first, stepping on each other’s feet but still had fun, nonetheless.
Ashley was perfect in the way she moved, but Sally couldn’t keep up with her steps, which ended up with two flustered teens. Well then.
Todd had originally not wanted to dance with anyone, but watching him awkwardly step on Sal’s sneakers was kind of cute. His freckles were brightened from his red face.
Larry excused himself to step outside the gym, able to hear the music still he lit up himself a cigarette, inhaling deeply before blowing out. Ah.. Larry closed his eyes, head craned looking up at the sky.
“Larry?” Sally had followed him out, walking up beside him. “Are you okay?”
“Huh? Yeah.” Lary was a little surprised, but smiled none the less, keeping the cigarette between his fingers. The ember glow from it just barely lightening up the area around them. “Just came out for a smoke.. Finished dancing with Todd?” He teased.
“He kept stepping on my feet.” Sally sighed, likely pouting. “He really had two left feet. Even Chug was able to keep up.. Even if I stepped on his feet a lot.” “You also didn’t dance with anyone. What, afraid of squishing us?”
Larry had to laugh, looking at Sal who pressed his hands to his hip like a girl would, he imagined. Being in a skirt really brought out Sal’s expressive side. “Nah, I just don't want to blow you guys outta the water with my moves.”
“Prove it.” Sal didn’t miss a beat, stepping up to Larry. “I bet you can’t dance better than what we did.” Ohho. A challenge. Larry took a long drag of his cigarette, dropping it in the grass and crushing the lit but with his foot. Putting out the light.
“Fine. Come here.” Larry stepped forward, gently taking Sal’s hands, trying to ignore his heart speeding up. The music was perfect, the breeze, the night. They moved in sync, keeping their eyes on one another's. Larry lost track of time.
The danced in the grass, listening to each other’s breath, Sally only stepping on Larry’s shoe every once in awhile. They slowed to stop as the moon shone brightly down on them. Now. the perfect time was now.
“Sally.. No.. Sal.. I…” Larry whispered, gently pressing his hand to Sal’s face, his heart racing. Sal was looking up him with bright, beautiful blue eyes. Larry could almost see the skin around them behind the mask. Was Sal blushing?“I-”
A shriek came over the school, and loud spurts of water as sprinklers came up from the ground surrounding them, causing the boys to scream and shout in surprise from the cold water. The gyms began to drain of wet students and teachers alike.
“Someone.. Pulled the fire alarm.” Sally managed, all before erupting into laughter. Larry couldn’t resist. Laughing too. The boys were being soaked in the grass as the sprinklers in the yard had continued on, watching as Todd, Chug, and Ashley soon appeared out of the school, soaked to the bone. The went over to join them, to get out of the sprinklers to hear what happened.
They would have to wait, then. Wait for the fire truck to check everything out, see who did it.. Wait for rides. The group of friends stood there laughing and chatting at the ordeal.
“What were you trying to tell me, Larry..?” Sally finally managed to ask Larry, whispering to him as they watched the fire truck pull up to check the school.
“I uh..” Shit. “I.. Uh.. I forgot.” God dammit. Sally didn’t look convinced, but didn’t pry. He laced his fingers with Larry’s watching the men walk into the building.
He lost the nerve. Again.