Work Text:
Exer and David had just gotten home from a fun date. While they couldn't be too openly in-love at the skating ring or while getting food and ice cream, they certainly enjoyed each other's company all-the-same. No more pining, no more confusion. Just a mutual, secret love. Though, Ronald and Brenda knew. And Pamela was definitely catching on.
"Dad, I'm home!" Exer announced as he entered his house. "David's with me too!"
"Hi Mr. Campbell!" David greeted.
While neither of them heard nor saw Harry, there was a least one person-or being-happy to see them.
"Meow!" Lucy-furr sounded as she rushed over to jump into David's arms.
"Awww, kitty!" The blonde happily held her while she nuzzled against his cheek. "Did you miss me, baby? I missed you too! Muah, muah!" He said while kissing her furry, little forehead. Exer greeted her too by scratching her chin.
Over the break, Exer visited David more than the other way around. David said he felt more like himself since an idiot abused him, though. So, this date was to commemorate his progress.
While David continued to pamper Lucy with affection, Exer looked around. "Huh...dad are you home?" He called again, no answer. "Oh, there's a note!" Exer approached a piece of paper on the kitchen.
"Yeah? What's it say?" Asked David, he attempted to put Lucy down but she meowed in protest. Attempt failed.
Exer read for a bit before saying: "Oh, he's helping at the foster care again. He says he'll be back close to 10 since there's a staff meeting too. C'mere, Lucy!"
David passed the Kitten over to Exer. She licked his fingers while he booped her nose. "What time is it now, 6?" Asked David. "We have a while before he gets back, then."
Resting Lucy on his shoulder, Exer nodded in agreement. "Yeah, do you still wanna watch a movie?"
"Cheeuh!" David exclaimed. "But uh...not a scary one this time? I want something more relaxing." He clarified.
"Meow!" And as though by command, Lucy caused three VHS tapes to appear in front of the boys.
"Gosh, I can see her magic too!" David exclaimed.
"Sorry," Exer apologized. Though-of course- it wasn't his fault. "Thanks for the ideas, girl, but try not to use your magic for right now."
"Mrrr?"
"David needs time to process a few things." Exer explained further. Lucy meowed again and jumped down. "Alright, what did she pick?" Exer asked David.
The blonde snorted. "Pft, some Disney flicks."
"Disney? Wait is there..? There is! Dude, I used to love "The Fox and The Hound" as a kid! I think I was 9 when it came out? Man, I almost forgot about it haha." David swooned at the smile Exer gave while speaking about his beloved, childhood movie. "Do you wanna watch it? Oh, you probably want a "real-person" movie, right?"
"No," David answered. "I actually don't remember much about this one. We can watch it!"
"Rad! But here? Or upstairs?" Exer asked further.
David thought for a bit. "Hm...upstairs! So I can try on all your clothes." He explained with a smirk. Exer snorted.
"You still haven't given me back my sweater! Or my jacket!"
"I'll trade them back to you!" Said David.
"With my own clothes!?"
David kissed Exer's cheek and pulled him upstairs while holding his hand. "With whatever works for you."
In Exer's room now, he pushed in the VHS tape and the boys watched as the ever-familiar blue, animated, Disney logo appeared on the T.V. "Oh, I forgot! Do you want popcorn?" Exer asked.
"Mm...nah. I'm still full from the pizza earlier."
"Yeah? Me too. They always get stuck in my teeth anyway." David nodded to Exer's point. After stretching, Exer placed his hand back on the floor where he and David were sat. Something cold touched his knuckles. "Huh? Woah, holy sugar!" Exer exclaimed.
"What!?"
Exer held up a small, metal container. "My altoids! I was looking everywhere for these! I guess they fell out of my jacket when I was rushing." He opened it and took one for himself. "Want one?"
"Mmhm!" So, David took one too.
They continued to watch the movie, gradually getting closer to each other as they cuddled on Exer's floor. At some point, Exer layed his head on David's shoulder, and they held hands under a blanket.
Exer scooted himself even more towards David. "Day, do you know why I'm so lucky?" Exer asked.
"Pft, why?"
Exer wrapped his arms around the blonde. "Because my boyfriend has the best hugs in the world!" He said with a smile.
David happily squeezed Exer back. "Awww, your boyfriend sounds pretty cool. You know what my boyfriend does?"
"No, what does he do?"
"He gives the best kisses in the world!" David answered. Exer blushed at the compliment. Little, neon green flowers floated around his head too, but David tried to ignore them.
"Hehe, really? Where...here?" Exer asked, kissing David's forehead.
"Yeah, but not just there." Said David.
"Oh, then here?" Exer asked again, kissing David's cheek multiple times. His curly hair brushed against David's face.
"Hehehe, that tickles! His kisses are great there, but in other places too."
Exer pulled himself back a bit. "Oh, then maybe..." He held David's face in his hands softly. "Here..?" Before leaning towards David's face.
Closer...
Cloooosseeeerrrrrr.
Then just kissed him on the nose. The curly-haired boy gave a sly grin as he stared back at his boyfriend's face. David's cheeks were completely red as he pouted. "God, he's so cute when he pouts," Exer thought to himself.
"Aww, don't be mad, Day. I know where you want your boyfriend to kiss you."
"You better, because I know where my boyfriend lives!" David huffed.
"Pft," Exer brushed his thumb over the corner of David's lips. "Here." Then finally, he shared a kiss with David on the mouth.
Pleased, David kissed back, holding Exer's waist. For a moment, he thought to himself how happy he was that it was skinny enough to grab.
They continued to kiss each other though, needing to break for air every now and then before reconnecting.
By the time they found each other in Exer's bed, with Exer teasing his fingers under the hem of David's shirt, they finally broke up and looked at each other. Wide-eyed, red-faced, sweaty, and panting for air.
Exer, who had partially straddled David with his arms immediately got up. "Oh, man! I'm so sorry, I wasn't trying to go so far!"
David, equally flustered, responded: "No, no, no! It's fine! I think I was the one who l-lead us, um, here haha!"
"I should've asked first before, um," somehow, his face got even darker, "t-touching you like that. Day, I'm so sorry!"
"I think I groped your butt at some point. I swear, it's ok!" David yelled back. They looked at each other.
Exer snorted first, David followed suit. The couple let their nerves die down as they laughed wholeheartedly. David pulled Exer's hand to lie by him again. Once he did, the blonde nuzzled himself on Exer's chest and intertwined their hands. Exer gave a kiss atop David's forehead.
"I'm so lucky to have you, David. I wouldn't want to do anything to mess that up."
"Please, I'm the lucky one!" David retorted. "But...should we...maybe..?"
"Talk...about..?" Exer continued.
David nodded and sat up. "I feel like we should, that's not the first time we got a little *ahem* carried away."
Exer sat up too. "Yeah, let's talk about it."
The boys sat across from each other on the bed with their legs criss-crossed. Their blushes had yet to leave as one waited for the other to speak. They ended up talking simultaneously.
"Well I-"/"I think that-"
"Oh, sorry! You first!" David offered.
"N-no, it's fine! You were saying?" Exer said.
"...Well...I...I guess I think we should share how much we've already experienced? Like um, have you ever-Oh, God!"
"Huh, David!?" Exer called. "W-what happened?"
"No, nothing! Just my stupid brain. I was gonna ask if you've ever...done it. But I suddenly thought about you and Brenda..." David couldn't help but grimace at that intrusive thought.
"Oh, no! We never-"
"Exer, it's ok. I wasn't going to bring this up to judge you, you were dati-"
"Seriously, David, we hadn't. In our own way, we had to sneak around a lot too. Most of the time, we only had a few minutes together at school. Nothing got, um, s-sexual between us. Or between me and anyone else, for that matter." Exer admitted. He had been looking away as he spoke, but he glanced over at his partner.
David looked genuinely surprised. "R-really? I believe what you said about Brenda but...nothing? Not with your other exes?"
"Pft, sure we were popular, but I wasn't the "pretty boy" every girl was fighting over. I only dated one other person besides Brenda and that's all it was. A few dates. After that we just...stopped? Ah, I barely remember her, that was back in sophemore year. I was really obsessed with myself..." As Exer trailed off, he watched David give an increasingly guilt-ridden face. "Day?" The blonde's sad eyes stared back at him. Exer placed his hand over David's. "Aww, David, please don't make that face. I um, I knew you had, and that's ok! Like you said, we're not bringing this up to judge each other. Just to...understand, right? And know where we are..?"
David's eyes became a bit teary, but he blinked them away. "S-sorry, I don't know why I feel bad about it." He said with a nod. "You're right, though. I...I have. Well, uh, sort of anyway." As David looked at Exer again, the other waited for him to further explain what he meant. "Some of my exes showed me a few...things they could do..." The blonde's face became pink-tinted and so did Exer's. "But it never lead to, y'know, sex. Mariah was the ex that pressured me the most to go all the way and we had just started dating so...I had enough! That's why I ended it so quickly with her. It wasn't just her though, a lot of the girls I dated assumed I'd be into s-..."it" from the get-go. And while a few respected me when I said I'd rather wait, the others..." David swallowed. "They mocked me for that. Like it was so weird for a guy to actually want to slow down! I hated it! I...had some good experiences too, don't get me wrong. But, most times I'd try something with my exes just to please them. Thinking I'd-I don't know-get into it eventually? But really, I didn't always want to..." And so, David looked back at Exer.
This time, Exer appeared to be in shock. Small, lightning bolts surged around his head. "Holy shit!" He yelled outright, much to David's surprise. David thought Exer was upset that he had multiple past experiences until he asked: "Who!?"
"Huh?"
"Who pressured you into that shit? Was it Dahlia? Nancy?"
"Uh...Exer, what're you-!?"
"I bet it was Heather Sinclair, she used to spank you in the hallways!"
"Exer, what are you talking about!?" David was finally able to ask.
The boy gave a worried look. "David, you don't...don't you get it!?" Since David only continued with his confused face, Exer went on. "David..." Tears welled up in his eyes. "David, oh my God! From what you said, those girls....assaulted you! They were using you!" He said. The lightning bolts grew ever stronger.
"W-what?" David choked out. "Exer, that's not a thing! Please calm down, ok? Sure, guys can assault guys, but it's not possible for girls to-"
"David, did you want to?" Exer interrupted.
David gave no response.
"You said you didn't. Did you feel pressured into it?"
David gave no response.
"If you said no, did they stop? Or keep going!?"
David gave no response once more, but it looked like he was coming to a similar conclusion.
"Damn it! You were going through that and I didn't even realize it! What the hell was I doing!?" Exer stood up and began to pace the room. The color green grew within his irises.
"We never talked about this! Their actions weren't your fault!"
"Oh my God, oh my God! I put my hand up your shirt!" Exer realized, holding his head in his hands. His eyes were now completely green.
"Ah, shit! Exer, I literally grabbed your ass!" David retorted.
"I liked that!" Exer yelled.
"And I liked your hand up my shirt too!" David yelled back. "Can you please sit back down? Your magic is scaring me..."
Exer took some deep breaths, waiting for the lightning bolts to dissappear and for his eye-color to revert back to normal. While breathing out, he calmly sat himself on the bed again. "...David," Exer called, "you deserve respect. You deserve to feel good too, y'know that? I'm actually really glad you had those fun experiences. I'd rather hear that 1000 times than know even one person took advantage of you for being "the guy." I'm so sorry some of those girls ignored your wishes." Exer offered his hand to hold, David took it.
With a heavy sigh, David released some tears. "Shit, I'm sorry. I guess I never realized that was...that they..."
"Don't apologize. Let it out, Day." Exer encouraged.
David crawled over and cried into Exer's chest. Easing burdens and resentment he hadn't even known were there. Exer rubbed his back and "shushed" him lovingly. Soon, the resentment David felt for his exes merged with the resentment he held for his biological father. From that point, the pressure in his chest grew astronomically. "Ugh, it hurts!" He shouted, beginning to hyperventilate at the memory of his father yelling and beating him. "Stop it, stop it! Leave me alone!" David commanded, pushing himself away from Exer. He stood on his own away from the bed.
Exer had certainly let him go at this point. All he could think to do was encourage the breathing techniques his father and therapist taught him. Somehow, he knew David, was no longer just thinking about his exes. "David, he's not here!" He informed. "Can you breathe with me? Can you try!?"
"I-I don't know!" Said David, gasping for air. "Exer, I'm scared! I'm so scared!"
"I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere! You're safe, you just need to breathe, David! Breathe in, ok? Inhale." Exer simulated inhaling himself for David to copy, he did this for 5 seconds. David followed as best he could. "Ok? Um, good! Now, out." He said as well, exhaling for 8 seconds. Again, David mimicked him. "Keep going David, I'll do it with you."
And they did, David folllowed Exer's lead until his breathing had slowed on its own. "Fuck! I thought I was getting better! I can't keep having these stupid panic attacks!" David exclaimed. Lying back down, he brought himself closer to Exer. The blonde hoped he'd engulf him in his warmth again. "Sugar, I didn't mean to yell..." said David quietly.
"You were angry. You have every right to be angry, David." Exer obliged David's inner feelings by embracing him.
With a happy sigh, David said: "I really am the lucky one. It's a good thing I have the best boyfriend in the world." He lightly picked up Exer's hand and kissed it. Gently placing it back where it was once he was done.
Exer rubbed David's shoulders. "Are you ok? Do you want some water?" David shook his head on Exer's lap. "Ok...can I kiss you? Um, on the head, I mean."
David smiled. "Of course you can, there's hardly anything you could do that I wouldn't like, Exer."
Several tender, forehead kisses later, Exer said: "David, we don't have to talk about sex right now, especially if it hurts you." He chuckled. "Hell, I'll be ok if we never even do it. I just want to be with you." David looked up at Exer, his body feeling warmth and butterflies at the same time. Exer traced his hand on David's jaw line, ending with his pointer finger tilting up David's chin. "When we're together, I don't ever want you to feel pain, ok?"
David stared in awe. The sincerity of Exer's voice gave him a boost of confidence. Still on the bed, he stood on his knees, his height now trumping Exer's.
"David?" The blonde kissed Exer all around his face, including Exer's side temple. While doing so, he lightly twirled his boyfriend's curly hair with his fingers. "Hehehe" Exer giggled, puckering his lips when David briefly pulled away from him. However, instead of kissing his mouth after-which Exer had expected David to do-David targeted Exer's neck next. "Mmf!" He exclaimed with a jump. Unfortunately, this was followed by his body tilting back. "Woah, wait!"
But it was too late, the force caused them both to fall off the bed with a *thump*.
Fortunately, David was able to quickly protect Exer's head with his hands. He was now directly on top of him. "Oof, ow! S-sorry Exer! Are you ok?"
Exer could barely speak, stuttering multiple times before finally reaching: "Y-Yeah, I'm ok!"
Now that he confirmed Exer's well-being, David took in their situation. Exer had suddenly grown bashful and red while he was beneath him, and the fall lifted his shirt up ever so slightly. "Geez, why are you so hot!" David yelled with a pout, squishing Exer's face. "Ugh, I'm sorry. We said we'd talk things out first and I just...pounced on you! I wasn't trying to start anything, I swear! I just wanted to kiss you some more." He explained.
"...Do it again."
"H-huh?"
"It...it felt good. I want you to do it again." Exer repeated.
David stalled while waiting for Exer to possibly retract his statement. Instead, Exer wrapped his arms around him, looking David right in the eye. Given that Exer's unwavering body-language matched his words, David felt certain it was safe to continue. The two briefly shared a sloppy kiss on the lips before he went back to Exer's neck.
Audibly, it was clear that Exer wasn't lying. And while David couldn't see it, neon green hearts and flowers began to spin around the both if them. However, as Exer held onto David-automatically trying to get as close to him as he could-the teens noticed something.
David raised his head and looked down at himself. "OH SUGAR!" He yelled, quickly backing away from Exer and pulling his shirt over his pelvic region. "I promise I didn't know I was-!! Wait Exer, you too?!" David pointed out.
Exer looked down this time. "AH!" Now, in a similar fashion, he backed up against the wall and tucked his knees against his chest. Successfully hiding his physiological response.
The two boys stared at each other, rosy-faced and dumbfounded.
"I...I can um, get us some ice packs?" Exer offered.
"Y-yeah, that sounds good! Go do that." Exer prepared to get up, but paused when he realized he'd have to drop his knees. David went into the same position Exer had, but crossed his arms over his head. "I'm not looking, go 'head!"
Touched by the gesture, Exer yelled: "Be right back!" As he ran out of the room.
"Sugar, sugar, sugar!" Exer thought to himself. "I can't believe I got-...and David got-! Agh, crap! Now moving feels so awkward too!" He had to though, as he grabbed two sandwhich bags and filled them with ice. "Ok, ok, relax Exer! You're boyfriends! And dad says erections are just a normal response during puberty...wait, I'm 18." Exer closed the second bag of ice. "You know what? This is still normal! I mean, we like each other, and David's hot. And he said he thinks I'm hot too. And..." Exer thought about the feeling of David's mouth on his neck. "Ugh, this is not helping! I need to hurry up and-"
"AAAAHH!" He heard David scream.
"Huh, David!? I'm coming, don't worry!"
Right as Exer reached the top of the stairs he heard David say: "Geez Lucy, find somewhere else to sleep!" and close the door again.
Exer found Lucy in the hallway, eyes half-lidded as though she had just woken up. After yawning, she noticed Exer holding the ice bags. "Meow?"
"Wait...were you sleeping under the bed this whole time!?" Lucy blinked. Exer sighed and said "Um, ok. Go nap in dad's room, Lucy. David and I have to figure out some stuff." He opened his door to enter his room, but as he closed it, he saw Lucy with a rejected look on her face. "Aww, c'mon Lucy-furr! Go rest! We'll play with you later. Promise!" And so, Exer closed the door.
David was still on the floor with his knees propped up. Exer pulled his shirt over himself with one hand and gave David an ice pack with the other. He walked to the other side of the bed and sat down, placing the cold bag by the base of his stomach. "Whew!"
"Ah! It's so cold! This'll work, all right!" Said David on the other side of the bed.
"Haha, yeah! For sure!"
They sat in silence for a while, aside from "The Fox and The Hound" still playing in the background.
"Exer?" David called.
"Yeah?"
"...I want to have sex with you."
Exer's face grew beet-red and the green flowers bloomed again, but David couldn't see it. "You are not helping the situation, pal!"
The blonde snorted. "Pft, sorry. I didn't mean right now, of course. I just meant...I know you're the one for me. So, even though I'm not ready today-and I um, I honestly don't know when- I know that it's you I want to be with. With sex...with anything, really. I just want to be with you too."
"....*sniffle*"
"Huh, are you crying!?"
"S-sorry, I'm just really happy you said that." Exer smiled to himself, wiping away a happy-tear. He heard David chuckling from behind him. "I don't think I'm ready either." He continued. "To be honest, I'm not even exactly sure...how?" David became beet-red this time.
"You don't know how!?" He repeated.
"Wait, wait! Ok, I know how! My dad expla-"
'YOUR DAD KNOWS!?" David yelled, turning to see Exer on the other side of the bedroom floor.
"Shit, no! Let me explain! I...admitted to my dad that I "might be" attracted to guys too. Only talking about me, though. I didn't say anything about us! I honestly don't even remember how it came up. But...at some point he explained the common way guys go about it and how to stay, y'know, safe."
"Oh..." David felt his body relax. "Man, Mr. Campbell's so cool. I bet it's great to have a dad you can actually talk to." After fiddling with a loose string from the carpet, he asked: "So...did he say anything you think I should know too? For us?"
Exer thought back to the conversation. "W-well...he said that guys actually need to use condoms too."
David quirked an eyebrow. "But, we can't get each other pregnant?"
"Yeah, but...the good ones can also protect against STDs. We talked about the AIDS epidemic after that. I didn't know so many people were dying, David..."
"Oh...all my father said when he mentioned it was that they deserved it. For being "disgusting." Linda had just shared that her brother tested positive and he didn't comfort her all! Not to mention, her brother is married!"
"Yeah! I hate that people just assume it only happens to gay people. They actually called it "GRIDS" at first, can you believe that?"
" "GRIDS"?" David asked.
"Gay-Related Illne-wait, no. Immune...Immune-something Syndrome. Anyway, it was a dumb, misleading name!"
"Geez, people really hate us, huh? Ah, I miss Linda now too...I wonder how she's doing." Said David, the low tone in his voice made Exer decide to revert the topic.
"Um...well going back to why we should use condoms, dad mentioned that since it's, y'know, the "anus" it's better to have a barrier there anyway."
"Ah, yeah. That's fair. Wait, what about the oil?"
"Oil?"
"B-because, um, I think guys would need something to make going at it...smoother, right?"
"Oh, like a lubricant? Yeah, definitely that too! Dad said lubricants should be water-based, though. If it's oily, the condom might tear, apparently."
"Woah..." David chuckled a little, easing Exer's mind. "Cheeuh, man! You're like an expert, then!" He heard Exer laugh himself. "What did you even mean when you said you "didn't know how"?"
The boy blushed. "I meant...I wasn't sure which role I would, um...be playing..."
"...pft!"
"David!"
"Hahahaha! You're so cute, Exer. Are you "relaxed" yet? I sure am."
"Yeah, I am too." The two peaked over the bed and made eye-contact. Then, they went back on top of the sheets and layed next to each other. "So uh...did you already have an idea about who'd..?"
David shook his head. "The only exposure I had to guys doing it was by..." he cleared his throat, "finding um...a magazine on accident."
Exer snickered. "Damn...wait, so when you mentioned "the oil"..?" David hid his face in a pillow. "Geez, David! You horndog!"
"I was curious, ok? A-Anyway, where would we even buy those things? The corner store nearby?"
Exer cringed. "Oof, did you forget? Jackson's family owns that store! I can't look his sweet, little tía in the eye while holding condoms and lube!"
The blonde cackled at the thought. "Hahaha! Right, I forgot. She would probably ask you who the "lucky lady" is too!"
"Ugh, I'd die! Hahaha!"
Once their laughter died down, David sighed and said: "Yeah...but really, I'm not ready to think about going that far yet. But, um, someday I'd be open to..." He brushed his icy fingers against Exer's wrist, "...using my hands?"
Exer's heartbeat nearly jumped out of his chest. After nodding, he said: "Yeah, and since you like my kisses so much, I wouldn't mind kissing you..." He interlaced his fingers with David's and brought their hands close to his face. The action managed to feel both warm and cold. "...lower someday."
David watched as Exer kissed the back of his hand. The thought of what he was referring to made his whole face overheat, though. "Ah, Exer! You're gonna make me need the ice bag again!" David cried.
With a turn of his hand, Exer exposed David's palm and kissed the middle of it. "Yeah? Maybe you should go get it!" He said with a smirk. David hit him with a pillow. "Oof!"
"We said later, punk! You don't wanna get me worked up again! Ah, hey!" Exer swung a pillow back at David.
"Oh yeah? What're you gonna do if I don't listen? Woah!" Exer ducked another swing from David.
"Come find out, coward!"
The two continued their pillow fight, laughing and knocking over small objects on Exer's surfaces. Credits for "The Fox and the Hound" rolled on the T.V. screen.
"Hello? Exer? I'm home!" The boys heard Harry shout from Downstairs.
"What? Is it 10 already?" Exer asked.
"It can't be, the movie just ended!" David answered.
"The staff meeting got cancelled, so guess what? I bought take ooouuuttt!" Harry sang-songed.
David and Exer went downstairs. "Hey dad, welcome back!" Said Exer.
"Hi Mr. Campbell!"
"Oh, hey kids!" Harry greeted, Lucy happily purred in his arms. "I had a feeling you'd stop by, David. Please, have dinner with us! I bought Chinese food!"
"Really? Rad, dad!" Said Exer. He tried to grab the bag, but Harry stopped and studied him.
"Hm..." Hummed the man.
"Huh? What is it?" Exer asked.
"Exer, is that a rash on your neck?"