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David shut his locker and was pleasantly surprised to see Exer casually leaning next to him. All other noise in the crowded high school hallway faded away, and it was as if only Exer existed.
David laughed lightly, for no reason, just happy to see his boyfriend. “Hey, Exer.”
Exer beamed back and David swore he could see bright little stars dotting around his hair, he was just that beautiful.
Exer delicately brushed his hand against David’s, just a little touch. In a bro way. And then quickly pulled away, blushing even at that small contact. “What’s up, David?”
“I was just getting my Spanish textbook…” David smiled. “How about you?”
“Nothing. Buuut I was wondering if you were– uh— maybe, free this Sunday?” He cleared his throat awkwardly.
“This Sunday? I think so.” David grinned, “Why, is the group getting together or something?” (Sometimes he could be so oblivious, but that’s probably one of the reasons Exer fell in love with him in the first place.) David began walking to his class, not wanting to be late because he couldn’t stop flirting with his boyfriend.
“No, it’ll be just us.” Exer said.
David blinked. “Just us?”
“Just us.”
Sure, David and Exer had hung out plenty of times alone, but after that kiss in the rain… God, he felt like
everything
was different– in a good way, of course– like a dull black and white painting suddenly splashed with a rainbow.
This week has created a whole new world for David. Exer had seen him in more vulnerable situations than even Brenda had. That was really saying something, as the twins have dealt with everything together. With Exer, well, first it was the magic attack and the almost kiss and then the ACTUAL kiss. And the rain, and the fireworks but then the bullies and the blood and pain and–
“Day? You with me?”
David blinked again, hard, erasing those dark memories away. Smiling again, a little fake but what else could he do? “This Sunday, just us?”
Exer bumped his shoulder. “Yup.” He couldn’t even meet David’s eyes because he suddenly became sheepish.
“What do you have planned?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Oh?” David smirked.
“Yeah. Can I pick you up at six?” Exer asked, rubbing his neck.
David’s eyes twinkled and he properly took Exer’s hands in his own. (Exer seemed to be the one who initiated contact, but David the one who truly followed through). The hallways were empty, the students long gone to their fourth period class. “Yeah, pickup at six sounds good.”
“Okay.” Exer tried to hide his sunshine-y smile and failed fantastically.
Their hands lingered for a moment, before Exer pulled apart timidly to get to class.
“See you then.”
~ ~ ~
HONK HONK
It was six and Exer was waiting patiently for David to come out of the house. The weather couldn’t have been better. The sun began to set, turning the sky beautiful shades of blue and orange and pink. There were birds flying overhead and a few other people walking along the sidewalk. The neighborhood was quiet and peaceful. Exer took a moment to appreciate the sight.
Not a second later, David appeared in the front door. Exer realized that, no matter how beautiful the weather and neighborhood was, David surpassed that in a million ways. He was wearing a pastel yellow-orange buttoned shirt tucked into skinny jeans, with a silver chain belt to match a silver ring on his middle finger. His hair was fluffy and combed into a perfect wave.
David closed and locked the door before quickly walking to Exer, who was leaning just the right amount of seductively against his car.
“Have you been waiting long?” David asked as he got to his boyfriend.
“Nope. Just got here.” Exer was so distracted and really wanted to kiss David. He didn’t, though. Maybe at home…
Exer snapped out of his gay intrusive thoughts. He hopped into the car and began the engine.
As they drove, David asked questions excitedly, like “So, where are we going?” and “Why did you choose this place,” and “Can I at least pay for dinner?”, to which Exer shut them all down, “It’s a surprise, I told you already!” and “Part of the surprise, Day.” and “Don’t worry about it. I’m treating you.”
The general mood was as light as a pleasant dream. Both were so excited (and nervous) about this whole dating thing. Still, they laughed and flirted like it was the height of their times. In many ways, it was.
They pulled up to an arcade. Fantastically bright lights blazed, DANGER ZONE , since apparently that was the name of it. David had never been to this arcade before, so he looked at his boyfriend in wondrous awe and confusion.
“It’s new. I thought we’d have fun..?” Exer smiled shyly. David beamed and hooked his arm into Exer’s. Together, they entered the arcade.
~ ~ ~
The first thing Exer realized about David was that he was good at arcade games. Exer was a fairly competitive person himself, and David surprised him by absolutely obliterating him in air hockey. He wasn’t even shy or a good sport about it. It was “HA, LOSER!” this and “OH WELL, MAYBE NEXT TIME, SUCKER!” that. And then he would excitedly bounce to a new game. Exer couldn’t even be mad at him because he looked so happy and carefree.
There was a shakes-and-burgers restaurant connected to the arcade, so they had dinner there. Exer insisted on paying for both their meals (he wanted to be a gentleman). David laughed and played along with it.
It seemed like this amazing night could never end. Exer didn’t want this to end, he didn’t want to leave this safety and joy with his boyfriend.
~ ~ ~
The pair decided on a lit up tile game for their last game of the night. It was fairly late, and David didn’t want to worry his mother and Brenda by staying out too late.
“I’m going to totally win this one.” Exer declared as they stepped up to dance.
“Suuure, if that helps you cope,” David laughed. Exer wasn’t really winning any of the games they did, so it was likely David would (again) beat him.
Exer only smiled. God, David was beautiful.
David went to push “Start”, when he stopped abruptly.
“What’s taking so long over there?” Exer joked.
“I…”
Exer went to stand beside him. He followed David’s fearful gaze and realized the school jocks were laughing around a game of air hockey. Those guys were pretty rude, Exer never hung out with them much when he played basketball. They seemed to take a liking to bullying nerds and–
Wait.
Oh.
OH.
Those fucking boys were the fucking assholes who beat up my boyfriend, Exer realized. The happy mood was gone. Torn down.
Ruined.
He immediately saw red and unconsciously balled up his fists to punch the lights out of them, because they made Day cry; they made him suffer. Those guys were going to pay with their lives and after Exer was done with them, they were going to wish they were in hell instead.
But then.
Shit.
David was making quiet whimpering sounds. His chest was heaving, eyes screwed close, like if he couldn’t see them, they’d go away, and Exer’s anger suddenly dissolved. As much as Exer wanted to punch those bullies, David really needed help now. He needed him.
But, shit, what could I do?
Exer dropped down to David’s level so they were both sort of crouched on the arcade carpet, and hesitantly held out his hand.
“Day? What’s wrong?” Exer made an effort to appear soft and gentle. He spoke quietly and kept a distance.
“I– Don’t– please – don’t hurt me–”
“I’m not going to hurt you. I promise.”
David still wouldn’t look at him.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry– just – leave, you should leave, I’m sorry ,” David sobbed.
“I’m not leaving you.” Exer’s heart was breaking, shattering into pieces.
“Don’t hurt me, pleaseI’msorry notagain– no more–”
Exer’s voice cracked, “ Day . You’re okay. I’m here. I would never hurt you.”
David didn’t answer, just curled into a shaking ball; head buried in his arms on his knees.
Exer waited a couple minutes, panic starting to build up, twisting in his gut terribly. But he refused to allow the green to creep in his vision. Because he had to take care of David, and a magic attack would make things so much worse.
“Day.” Exer tried again, soft and sweet. David whimpered but looked up. His eyes were wide and red in the corners.
“Do you want a hug?”
He shuffled a little closer, and David didn’t move, just took large breaths in an attempt to stay calm. Exer slowly moved to put his arm around David, and relief flooded through him when David melted into his arms.
“You’re okay. I’ll protect you.”
“I’m
sorry
.” David repeated miserably.
“What could you possibly be sorry for, sweetheart?”
“I–I
ruined
it.” David cried, “You– you planned it, and I– I ruined it, I’m sorry. It’s my fault”
Exer made shushing sounds and ran his fingers through David’s hair. He gently pressed a kiss to his forehead. “You didn’t ruin anything, David. Those bullies did.”
When Exer said, ‘bullies’ David visibly flinched and Exer mentally berated himself on why he must be such an idiot.
“Let’s go outside, yeah?”
He nodded weakly and clutched Exer’s chest when he got up.
The couple walked outside and David seemed to relax a bit. It was quieter outside the arcade, and not as stuffy. And, of course, they were out of sight from the bullies.
Exer led David to a vacant bench close by to the entrance. He continued to rub his boyfriend’s back, run his fingers through David’s hair softly, letting David clutch his sweater and take deep rattling breaths to stop the crying.
After what must have been half an hour of silence, Exer patted David’s hair and asked cautiously, “You okay, baby?”
David responded by promptly blushing hard and turning his head inwards, towards Exer, hiding his face. “...Still not used to the pet names.” he mumbled into Exer’s chest.
Exer laughed lightly, cupping David’s face and placing a kiss on his forehead. Somehow, it was possible for David to blush harder.
“Sorry for that.” David muttered, suddenly guilty again. He realized the sky was dark and the lights out front were on, it must have been 8 already, at least. An evening wast–
“Hey, get out of your head,” Exer said abruptly, causing David to stop, “None of that apology stuff. You have literally nothing to be sorry for.”
David frowned. His eyes were dry and itchy and he wanted water. His throat was raw and his nose was stuffy. He felt awful. He felt like a burden.
“Day, it’s really okay. I wouldn’t trade this for anything else in the entire world. I love you so much, and you’re so strong and handsome and caring and amazing.”
“But–”
“No.” Exer said firmly (but affectionately). He got up and stretched, and David tentatively got up as well. He couldn’t look Exer in the eyes.
“What a–”
“ David .”
“...Okay. Okay, sorry.” David whispered, finally beginning to smile a little.
“Come here, you,” Exer chuckled, yanking David forward and hugging him fiercely. David sighed happily and nestled his head in his boyfriend’s arms. Safe and warm. They protected him.
“I love you, too.” David breathed.