A/N: Thank you very much for reviewing!
"This is...beyond tacky..."
"But that's what makes a prom fun!"
Flynn seriously doubted that. The whole gymnasium had been turned into party hell; streamers and balloons littered every wall along with an obnoxious amount of posters that read 'Congratulation Class of 20XX!', the lights dim enough so that they reflected off of the disco ball that hung from the ceiling. This caused small, bright circles to bounce off every inch of the large space, the blonde's eyes having to adjust slightly to such an odd setup. All in all Flynn really found it to be horribly low budget, but then again he wasn't expecting much given that it was just a high school prom.
Could the decorating committed have done a better job? Absolutely. Should someone have been shot for allowing such an atrocity to burning itself into his memory? Without a goddamn doubt in his mind.
It just further proved that he shouldn't have been there, that he was better off spending his Friday night doing something better with his time. The blonde had spent the last week dreading the day of the prom, only because the foreboding feeling that had overtaken him seemed to become worse the closer the day became. At first he thought it was just him making up more excuses, but it became rather clear that what he was feeling ran deeper than that. Of course he brought up his uneasy feeling with Estelle, who told him that he was probably over thinking situation a bit more than he should've been.
She insisted that he not to think of the prom as a silly dance, but as a celebration of their class finally making it out of high school. Yeah that probably would've helped, and he was rather grateful for having her to talk to. He'd admit that after coming out to her things had changed slightly, but it was mostly just her new found curiosity about him that seemed to be the cause. She liked to ask him if he had ever found any guy in the school attractive, Flynn blushing a bit as she told her about all the guys he had looked at from afar because he knew he shouldn't have acted on his interests. This always seemed to sadden her though, probably because she felt that he deserved to ask out anyone he wanted to without having to feel shame.
But that was just the way the world worked...and there was no use crying over split milk when there were only a few weeks left in his high school life anyways. When they had graduated he'd do whatever the hell he wanted when it came to when it came to his social life, but as far as dating went...well, he wasn't too sure about that. He found the prospect of falling in love to be horribly boring, especially when he could skip the whole dating process and get to the meat of the situation if he visited the bar. Flynn would, however, keep his thoughts about love and sex to himself, because the last time he said anything about love being a 'waste of time' the older man didn't hold back when he slapped him across the face.
Before the blonde could do anything to retaliate the glare Yuri gave him was enough to make him back down, and his comment about how it was better to 'be in love than slowly became a sex addict' pretty much caused all words he had wanted to say to die right in his throat. What the hell was his problem? And what did he mean 'slowly become a sex addict'? Flynn was a healthy teenage boy with a healthy appetite for sex, there was nothing wrong with that, and he was well aware that he possessed enough sense to stop himself if things became out of hand.
After that the older man didn't speak to him for the rest of the day, the atmosphere in the apartment so heavy that he found that it was best if he just left for a bit. Sometimes he really didn't understand Yuri...but if the blonde kept working he wouldn't have to worry about that. Things at the bakery had picked up since he had started working there, and he had little trouble attracting female customers. He wasn't really fond of the way the girls fawning over him though, but as long as they bought something he really had no room to complain. Of course a few oddballs walked into the shop, and the only thing Flynn could do was pray they hurried up and got the hell out of there.
Of course through all the weirdos and overly enthusiastic girls he did receive one customer that did surprise him slightly, and at first he really thought said visitor belonged in the first category of people. When anyone came in Flynn always smiled and greeted them, but as he did so he couldn't help but feel that he had met the potential customer before. The other person merely stared at him, not a word said as the blonde tried his best to remain professional. It was rather unnerving, but he made sure not to say anything that would make it seem like he wanted the strange male in front of him to hurry the hell up and leave.
After a few attempts to get him to buy their new baked good the strange man pointed at him, saying that he was the 'person living with Yuri'. Flynn instantly tensed up. No one other than Judith was supposed to know about that...so how did this guy? The older man might've had a habit of telling people things that the blonde really didn't want getting around, but he didn't think he'd tell just anyone about their living arrangements. The strangers merely stared at him again, head tilting to the side which allowed his long locks to fall off of his shoulder. Long locks that almost looked white...now he remembered when he had seen the abnormal man before.
He was the very man Flynn had seen walking out of Yuri apartment, and even if he had no business doing so he inquired just who he was and what his relationship to the other male was. The man introduced himself as Duke Pantarei, Yuri's editor, and as the blonde began to really think about it everything started to make sense. Duke had visited the other male's apartment to pick up his manuscript, which explained the large envelope he was carrying that day. He wasn't sure why but Flynn felt a strange sense of relief when finding out that man was merely his editor, and the more he thought about
it that he finally figured it out.
It would've been awkward as hell if he had been Yuri's boyfriend, but after thinking about it further he had never actually heard the older man speak about a lover of any sort. In fact...he hadn't seen anyone enter that apartment other than him, or for that matter heard him speak to anyone over the phone that didn't have the name Judith or had something to do with his book. It was...strange...but the blonde didn't allow himself to dwell on it longer than needed. Getting personal with Yuri had never been in his best interest, and he was already treading on dangerous waters with his new found behavior around the longer haired male.
He had become slightly more friendly with him, his irritable side still very much there but because his tolerance for the other male's antics had gone up he felt much less inclined to snap at him. This wasn't good...at all. Becoming friends with Yuri meant his moving out might've been delayed, and the blonde knew that it was in his best interest to leave the longer haired male's apartment. If he stayed he'd only continue to act completely out of character, not to mention that he still felt he was intruding on Yuri's personal space by being there. He was just a visitor...Flynn had never thought that living with the longer haired male would be permanent solution to his problems.
Now that he had gotten himself a job and thus a way to support himself of course he'd move out, but with his friendliness towards Yuri becoming more apparent there was bound to be some kind of problem. He didn't want any sort of attachments to make him second guess his decision; in the beginning he was quite sure that if the older man asked him to stay he'd flat out refuse, but with their current situation...he wasn't sure. That was the scary part. The blonde didn't like that he was already starting to feel uncertainty when it came to a decision he had made so long ago, one he had been sure he'd go through with without any sort of hesitation. What the hell was wrong with him?
After buying a dozen petites fours the older male's editor inquired how his and the older male's relationship was going, and when the word 'boyfriend' slipped out of his mouth Flynn quickly stopped him. The mere thought of him potentially dating Yuri made him livid, but because he was in front of a customer he managed to hold himself together. As pissed off as he was he also found it to be quite humorous, the blonde knowing that it would be a cold day in Hell before something like that ever happened. He told Duke that that there was nothing going on between the two of them (leaving out the part about their casual encounters), adding that he was just staying there until he found his own place.
The clearly older man gave him a small 'I see', a look of contemplation forming on his face before he spoke again. Flynn was a bit startled when Duke asked him if the other male was 'in good heath', not exactly sure how to answer such a question at first. What...did he mean by that? People didn't normally ask that unless the other party was sick or troubled, and the blonde hadn't seen Yuri in either of those states recently. But then again he hadn't really bothered to look and see if the longer haired male was acting off...In the past he hadn't really cared to know what Yuri was thinking or feeling, but...maybe he should've invested a little more of his time into doing just that.
Since he wasn't exactly sure what Duke was talking about he merely said that the other male was fine, Yuri's editor giving him a 'that's good' before he paid and left the shop. Even as hours passed the blonde couldn't get those words out of his head, aggravated that something so minor had been on his mind for most of the afternoon. If there was indeed something wrong with Yuri that was his business, because even if he found out what it was what would he do? Flynn always believed that if he couldn't actually help the problem then it was probably best to just stay out of it, and it was this very logic that prevented him from speaking to Yuri the moment he returned to his apartment.
But even with him keeping his mouth closed it didn't stop him from observing the other male, making sure he was as discreet as possible. The blonde only noticed little things, the way he tucked his hair behind his ear before he began to type, the slight tilt of his head to the side whenever it seemed he'd come to a mental block, the sway of his hips and the soft humming he gave off whenever he cooked...Flynn noticed all of it. After a while he decided to drop his surveillance and as soon as he did the longer haired male confronted him, asking just what he had found about him that was so interesting. He merely kept his mouth shut, knowing that the last thing he wanted to do was lie.
Of course because he had fallen silent the other male used his usual tactic to get him to speak, which consisted of him getting extremely close to his face and asking him oh so nicely about what was on his mind. Just because had slept with the older man didn't mean that the words 'personal space' had become foreign to him, the uncomfortable feeling that overtook him whenever Yuri became so close proving that. Like always he was easily broken, Flynn absolutely hating how the other male could do that do him. He merely asked if there was something bothering him, the older man backing up a bit before giving him a small 'hm...' as he seemed to think about his words.
When he told him that he was rather upset that they had discontinued his favorite strawberry scented shampoo the blonde damn near left the apartment, feeling rather annoyed that he had wasted so much time thinking that Yuri was troubled. But when Duke's words made popped into his head again, and he couldn't help but wonder if...the older man had just lied to him. That just didn't seem right, especially given how unnaturally open the longer haired male was about everything. Even with the uneasy feeling he had the blonde decided to bury everything he felt, hoping that what he was planting wasn't some kind of seed of destruction that would come to haunt him later on.
Things became rather hectic the week of the prom, and it was mostly due to Estelle over thinking things and Rita pretty much egging her on to do so. She wasn't doing it because she felt any ill will towards Estelle or anything like that, she was without a doubt doing it just to mess with the blonde. Flynn understood where it was coming from; he had proven her wrong by presenting her with a signed copy of the book Yuri had promised her, the brunette left completely speechless as she stared down at the signature. It probably wounded her pride, and as such she was getting back at him because of that.
The spent at least a hour in the bridal boutique looking for the right corsage that would go with her dress, the shop apparently having an unlimited supply of the damn things so Estelle had a hard time choosing. When she finally chose one Rita conveniently spoke up and announced that she too needed to find a corsage, Flynn wanting to groan in annoyance so badly. It was probably one of the only times where Yuri's idiotic comments were actually wanted, anything to distract him from the sheer boredom he felt. But the longer haired male was off grocery shopping, leaving him to bear the annoyance of the evening all by himself. The next day wasn't any better, Estelle freaking out about what hair style she should've been wearing for the upcoming event.
Flynn tried to tell her that the style she usually wore would've been just fine, but he might as well have said it in a foreign language because the look she gave him clearly said that she hadn't comprehended his words. He really, really didn't understand women...and he was rather happy that he wasn't going to by dating any for as long as he lived. But this didn't mean he'd never have to deal with them. He spent three hours at Estelle's house looking over magazine after magazine of hairstyles, and even Rita seemed to be greatly bored by all of this. At least the longer haired male was there, deflecting most of the attention off of him because Flynn didn't know a damn thing when it came to hair.
He took care of his own, but outside of washing it he had no clue what was 'in' or considered fashionable. It wasn't too surprising that the older man knew a thing a two about topic at hand, especially given how well he took care of his own. Yuri washed his hair three times a weeks, always using the same shampoo and conditioner, always blowing his hair dry on the low setting so he 'didn't damage it' and it always took over forty-five minutes for everything to be done. It didn't even take that long for the blonde to wash Repede...But that was probably the burden that came with having long hair, though Yuri admitted that cutting it wasn't an option.
The day after that Estelle scared the living hell out of him when she called him up randomly, frantic, damn near in tears and refusing to tell him anything until he came over. Flynn knew he was being a good friend by rushing over there to check on her, but couldn't help but feel a small pang of annoyance when he was told that she had merely ripped her dress. He would've suggested her taking it to the tailor, but somewhere through her hysterical explanation he had made out that because the tailor was backed up she wouldn't get her dress back until after prom. Well that certainly left them in quite the predicament...He only called up Yuri because he believed the older man had far more connections than he did, and he was pleasantly surprised when he was told the Judith was the person they needed to turn to.
It took a hour for the both of them to arrive, and all the while Flynn had been spending his time reassuring the smaller girl that everything would be okay. Upon arriving the female bartender went to work, telling them all that the rip was actually not as bad as it looked (which was good since he didn't even want the think of what state Estelle would be in if it was unable to be fixed). The blonde watched as Judith worked, her nimble fingers feeding the needle through the fabric in such a way that she made it seem effortless. Yuri told him that she'd always been good at sewing, and she was the main person he turned to whenever he ripped whatever article of clothing during a fight. Goddamn him for perking his curiosity...
The blonde wasn't all that surprised to find out that Yuri got himself quite a few fights with people who disliked the fact that he was so open about being gay, and the longer haired male was strangely prideful that he had never lost a single one. Of course even if we won his clothes and body obviously took a beating, which was when he turned to Judith for assistance. Flynn really couldn't help but feel slightly horrified at how lightly he spoke about the abuse he had gone through in high school, because he was sure that he wouldn't have been able to handle such stress. He was already under a tremendous amount of it by not telling everyone around him about his sexuality, so he couldn't even think about what would happen if he came out to everyone.
He wasn't even sure if he'd make it to graduation...
The day of the prom things were...oddly calm, and it was because of this that his uneasy feeling once again returned. Much like Estelle had done the longer haired male told him that he was probably over thinking things, but when it came from him Flynn couldn't help but worry even more. He knew the more he ignored the feeling the more it would eat away at him, and upon embracing it he found that it was all directed towards Yuri. That wasn't surprising...however, his sudden fixation on the older man was. He was constantly staring at him, especially when it was time for them to leave and pick up Estelle and Rita. And then it dawned on him...he was observing the older man to make sure he didn't fuck up.
The situation was different now...Yuri wasn't just driving to his school to pick him up, oh no, this time he would be mingling the people Flynn had spent four long years with. So much couldn't gone wrong at any moment, which was why the blond was going to make sure the damage was kept to a minimum. He'd watch him like a hawk, and even if it cost him part of his pride and dignity he'd made DAMN sure Yuri didn't mention anything about their living situation or the fact that either of them were gay. Of course he was momentarily distracted by the ridiculously decorated gym, wanting to leave so badly after having laid eyes on it.
"It's like...disco hell..." He really couldn't help but agree with Rita, who still stood with her arms crossed and looking as if she wanted to be there as much as he did.
"It's not that bad! Oh, they're taking picture! Come on!" He watched as Estelle ran off, the poor brunette being dragged along with her as her 'I don't wanna!' shouts fell on deaf ears. Looking over his shoulder and at the door Flynn contemplated running, because he obviously didn't belong there and the fact that he lacked an actual date further proved that.
"No point in running now, Blondie."
"I know that..."
"Good, so at least pretend you're having a good time- o-ow."
Flynn pinched the offending hand on his shoulder, making it clear that any kind of physical contact was out of the question. Yuri just laughed a bit while saying that he'd be a 'good boy' for as long as he could, this further fueling Flynn's desire to watch him closely. It was probably a little odd of him to be following the longer haired male around so closely (to the bathroom, around the gym and everywhere else), but it was the only way he could easily track him. The place was packed, so if he let Yuri go off by himself there was a good chance he'd lose him in the crowed. That wasn't going to happen.
"Whoa, wait a minute, Blondie," He was a bit startled when the longer haired male stopped him from getting himself a cup of punch, "Don't drink that, it's spiked."
"Huh? That's just a myth...people don't go around pouring alcohol into punch bowel during prom-" Before Flynn could finish he spat out the small amount of liquid he had just sipped, an overwhelmingly strong, bitter and burning taste completely overtaking his mouth. Shit...someone really had spiked it.
"Ugh, and they used shitty vodka too..." Yuri scowled a bit as he took a sip from his cup, but the blonde was far more concerned that the other male had been right more so than the fact that cheap booze had been used.
"W-We have to do something about this."
"Why?"
What the hell did he mean 'why'? What if Estelle or Rita got a hold of that stuff? What if someone got themselves seriously injured because they were unknowingly intoxicated? Yuri just shook his head, saying that anyone would have to be a damn fool not to notice that there was something up with the punch. Okay...he'd give him that...but what about Estelle and Rita?
"They're wearing white," Flynn wasn't sure why that would matter, so he had asked for further elaboration, "No girl would risk staining their prom dress when it's that color, especially given how freaked out Estelle was about it being ripped."
Okay, so he did have another point...Tossing his cup in the nearest trashcan he still felt that something needed to be done about the punch, though when Yuri told him that he probably should've had some to 'loosen himself up' his mind instantly clicked over from concerned to annoyed. But the more he thought about it the more he began to think that maybe it wasn't that bad of an idea; he was there solely because Estelle had wanted him to be, but just because he was there unwillingly didn't mean he couldn't actually have a good time. He just needed...assistance. After pick up another cup of the now obviously spiked liquid, he started at it for a good while, having not at all been pleased with its taste beforehand. But he'd have to get it down this time...even if it meant gagging.
"Don't even think about it, Blondie." Before he could even get the rim of the cup to his lips it was removed from his hands, the longer haired male staring at him was that goddamn 'know-it-all' look on his face.
"Then don't tease me like that..."
"When have you ever listened to a thing I've said? Don't start now just because booze is involved."
"Just...shut up." It was the only retort he could come up, hating how true the other male's words were. He really had no right to touch the stuff given that he was underage, and he'd probably just make a fool of himself while mildly intoxicated...but he wasn't sure how else he was supposed to loosen up.
Clinching his fists a bit he told Yuri that he needed to stop teasing him and give him an actual solution to his problem, the longer haired male placing a hand on his hip before he gave out a small 'hm'.
"Well...you could dance with me."
"Wha-?" Before he could finish the older man had grabbed his wrist and was pulling him towards the dance floor, Flynn instantly panicking. He quickly stopped the two of them from moving any further, telling him that them dancing completely violated their no touching rule for the night.
"See, that's the problem, you worry over the smallest things-"
"This isn't small goddammit! I don't want to be seen dancing with another guy!"
"...What's the worst that could happen...?"
For one he could be shunned by everything in school, leading to his last few weeks at school being his most difficult. Yes, he knew the whole true friends were the one who'd accept him for who he was, but high school life did not work like that. Even if he had friends there were outnumbered by the people who would hate him just because he was gay, and there was no telling just what kind of lows they would stoop to show just how much they disliked what kind of person he was. Flynn didn't want to be looked at like he was some kind of freak, didn't want to suffer in the last few weeks of his high school life because he finally decided to stop being such a goddamn liar.
Ripping his hand away from the older man he outright refused to be seen on the dance floor with him, and Yuri once again tried to convince him that he was merely being a stick in the mud. This was not him being a 'stick in the mud', this was him protecting what little of his normal high school life he had left. And then he remembered...he wasn't like the longer haired male; he was the kind of person who would do anything that would lower himself to the image of what was considered 'normal' by the masses, even if it meant becoming a dirty liar who hid behind a persona to keep everyone around him happy. His true self was locked away for the greater good...
"If that's the only thing that head of yours can think up, then forget I ever asked you a thing..." He knew his words had a bit more bite to them than he was probably intending, but he was no longer in any kind of mood to deal with Yuri's bullshit.
"What the hell is your problem-?"
"My problem is that I'm not like you." Flynn wasn't quite sure which version of that statement he was going for, the one that made Yuri look good or bad, but his mouth remained firmly shut after he had spoken. The two of them just stared at one another, the blonde not wavering in the slightest until he heard a familiar voice calling out to him.
"Hey, I didn't expect to see you here, Flynn."
Shit...of course the one person he didn't want to run into would be there. Slowly he turned around, facing Raven with a strained smile he hoped wasn't too noticeable. When the older teacher spoke Flynn was already going over at least ten lies to explain the longer haired male's existence and why he was there in the first place. When the inevitable 'how his your mother doing' question came up he tensed a bit, wanting Raven to just ask what the hell he really wanted to. Had she snapped at him? Had he been to the hospital lately? Had the police been called? These were all the things Raven wanted to ask, but instead he would side-step the main issue and make it about his mother.
The older teacher actually wasn't inquiring about her, he was asking if she had been beating him again.
"She's just fine..." The only thing he could do was mutter, hating when people weren't straightforward with him. Wait...when had he started hating that...?
"Well shit, didn't expect to see your old ass here."
Wait...what?
"Eh? Shouldn't you be off writing more books I have little interest in reading?"
Wait...WHAT? He could only stare at the two as the continued their (friendly?) banter, so completely lost that his head began to hurt. So...Raven knew Yuri...? But how? The longer haired male had never once mentioned anyone by the name of Raven or Damuron, and he certainly didn't recall the older teacher saying anything about anyone named Yuri Lowell. He tried catching their attention, but it seemed that he needed to stop being so damn meek because they had little interest in what he was trying to say.
"Excuse me! I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation but what the hell is going on...?" The two of them finally stopped talking and looked over at him, slightly confused as to why he was shouting.
"Huh? Oh you see- hey...what exactly are you doing here with this guy, Flynn...?"
Shit, his cover was about to be blown, and things wouldn't have ended up that way had the two of them not known one another. The blonde couldn't lie and say that Yuri was merely a college student he was tutoring, or that he was a distant cousin that had come out of the woodwork's...he had become helplessly stuck. No...he needed to think...there was always a way out, always a lie he could tell to get out of having to fess up to something. Think...think! When he quickly glanced over at the longer haired male his eyes grew, feeling so stupid that he hadn't thought of using his celebrity to his advantage.
"A-Ah, you caught me...The truth is that I'm a really big fan of Mr. Lowell's work, so I asked him to come to prom with me as a special guest since his book has been so popular around the school." Perfect...now all he needed was for the longer haired male to agree with him, the dumbfound look he had on his face not fazing him in the slightest.
"...Yeah...what he-..." Flynn stared at him for a bit longer, but when it became far more apparently that something was amiss the false smile on his face slowly began to diminish, "You know...I'm pretty damn sick of lying for you, and I especially don't feel like doing it for you now..."
The blonde wanted to say something, but he could only mimic the other male's previous expression as whatever had he wanted to utter died right there in his throat. What...the FUCK was he doing? The side of his mouth twitched, not completely sure if he was trying to fake a smile once more or if he was trying to look threatening. No...NO! Yuri was not going to fuck things up just because he happened to know Raven, and as he grabbed the longer haired male's wrist he planned to make him understand. But nothing ever went as planned when the other male was involved.
"You see, this kid here actually isn't that big of a fan, he just wanted me to come because his friends dared him to ask me."
"I..." The blonde opened to mouth to reply but it took him a moment to form the correct words, "Um...what he said..."
"It's not nice to lie Flynn, if you don't like his work, which I don't blame you for, it's okay." Flynn could only nod as he watched the older teacher laugh a bit, not completely sure if he had been a part of some kind of big joke or not.
"Anyways, me and this guy here are gonna have a little dance, oh, and tell Duke I said hi." He was back to his usual protesting self when he was dragged near the dace floor with the other male's arm around his neck, not at all forgetting that he had explained why the two of them dancing was off limits.
"I already told you-"
"Dance with me or I'm snitching to Raven about everything."
"...You wouldn't dare..."
The smirk the other male was giving him meant that it was probably best to no challenge him. With eyes wide he contemplated just giving in versus fighting the longer haired male tooth and nail, each option leading him to so much unwanted attention. Dance and been seen as a oddity or fight back and make an unnecessary scene...hell, if Yuri hadn't come at all he wouldn't be in such a situation, he wouldn't have to choose which situation would make his look less like a fool.
"...You're a goddamn bastard, you know that..."
"So you've told me multiple times." Yuri voice didn't seem to waver in the slightest as he spoke, most likely immune to his insults by now. His throat tightened when the dace floor was in view once more, and quite inconveniently a slow song was playing.
This was utter bullshit...
Biting down on his bottom lip, so hard in fact that he knew it'd probably bleed if any more pressure was added, he was forced onto the one place he knew he'd feel completely uncomfortable. When asked if he wanted to 'lead' Flynn didn't want to speak, so over the situation that it wasn't even funny. There was another reason he didn't want to be anywhere near that damn area...Flynn didn't know how to dance. Even when he visited the gay bar the only time he even considered treading onto the dance floor was when he was looking for a potential lay, and even the he never once thought of moving to the music since he, well, didn't know how to. Not only was he about to be seen pressed up against another male, but he was about to be humiliated on the grandest scale by his lack of skills.
"...I can't dance, so..." He trailed off a but, knowing that some kind of joke was going to come his was.
"Oh...that's fine, I'll lead then." His body was jerked forward after that, the older male's right hand holding his while his other hand was placed on his shoulder. The blonde really wasn't sure what to do with the other, but Yuri soon forced it on his side which is where it stayed.
"This is so-"
"Shut up, Flynn."
He instantly shut his mouth when a foot came in contact with his, a small curse escaping his lips in the process. After growling a bit he allowed his body to be moved any way the other male saw fit, hating whenever he caught something staring at him from the corner of his eye. Goddammit...what were they going say about him on Monday? It was undeniable that there wouldn't be something said about him, he just hoped it wasn't devastating. He'd hate Yuri for life if something horrible happen. The longer haired male winched whenever he stepped on his foot, Flynn muttering a small 'sorry' every time. He didn't know what the hell he was doing!
But never once did the longer haired male yell at him, tell him he was doing horribly or made any sort of effort to discourage him. He was just...moved to the rhythm and hummed as he did so. He was still greatly uncomfortable about the whole thing, but as he watched Yuri continue on he had to wonder...why was he trying so hard tonight? In the past if Flynn put his foot down about any kind of physical contact he usually backed off without so much as a second word, but this time...he seemed pretty adamant about keeping him close, at least in this instant. What was so different about this time...? Was it because he was at school and surrounded by his friends?
"You're not too bad once you get the hang of it." Flynn could only mutter a small 'whatever' as the music began to die down.
"...How exactly do you know Raven...?" His eyes weren't focused on the longer haired male in front of him but on the people behind him, the ones giving him looks as they danced with their opposite sex partners.
"Ah, I know him through my editor, they're a pretty weird pair." Pair...? The word replayed itself over and over again until he could help but ask for it's true meaning.
"They're dating of course."
...DATING?
"Wait, so Raven is-" The hand that he been on his shoulder was quickly slapped against his mouth, further proving the conclusion he had come to. Raven was...? How could he not have noticed? Well...it wasn't like being gay was noticeable for some people, so him being in the dark about the person who had been in his life for so long wasn't all that surprising upon thinking about it.
It was just...odd to learn about.
"If you were actually truthful with people this kind of stuff wouldn't be so surprising, don't you think?" He was being smug again...but at least he had a point. There were people around him actually willing to be there for him, but he was far too proud to seek out their help.
No...it wasn't pride...it was pure cowardice...As this dawned on him he couldn't help but feel the pit of his stomach nearly drop, hating just how much the other male was making him realize about himself. Flynn believed he was better off putting himself into a deep state of denial so he could at least continue on with the way things were, about how he really felt about his father's death, wanting to be free to do as he wished and his mother. He didn't want to face the reality that he was currently living in.
When the music had stopped he quickly removed himself from the longer haired male's presence, deciding that it was about time he surrounded himself with a different crowd. Of course he had to drag the longer haired male with him, still not at all okay with him being alone. Upon finding Estelle and Rita he tried to act happy, but the more he thought about everything the more his smile began to fade.
"Flynn, is something wrong...?" Her question didn't surprise him in the slightest, but he didn't smile like he usually did when answering her.
"I'm not sure...but I'm sure I'll be okay...okay?" That time he did smile at her, and instead of it being a false one it was a genuine gesture to show her that everything would be okay at some point.
They talked a bit more before Raven managed to find them again, this time inquiring if everything was all right. Flynn merely nodded, not exactly wanting to speak or look him in the eye. He kept his head down, making sure to his answers were short and to the point. He was sure people noticing his sudden behavior change, and of course Yuri just had to do something to send the whole situation in a completely different direction.
"Blondie, don't you have something to talk about with Raven?"
"Not at that moment..."
"Aw, come on, just tell him you're g-"
"SHUT YOUR GODDAMN MOUTH!"
Oh no...he wasn't going to allow the longer haired male to make him come out when surrounded by so many people. He tolerated the dancing because he had managed to convince himself that it would've been interrupted in a different way than just two guys being close, but someone saying that he was gay could only be taken at face value. He became close to the other male's face, telling him even if he was trying to be playful there was a line he shouldn't have crossed, said line having to do with his sexuality.
This apparently didn't reach the older man, made apparent when he brought him closer and kisses him full on the lips. His body froze completely, eyes wide and mind going into overdrive. This could not be happening...he must've knocked himself out on the dance floor and was currently having a dangerously vivid dream. Yeah...that sounded about right, because there was no way in hell he was currently be kissed by Yuri Lowell of all people. But everything began to shatter when he finally focused on the world around him; people were staring, Estelle and Rite were shocked, Raven had conflicting emotions on his face and blonde could only stare in horror.
"Come on Flynn, you really-"
He didn't hear anything the longer haired male said after that, probably because he had punched him square in the face. He seemed to go down hard, but the blonde could've cared less about the prospect of Yuri cracking his skull on the hardwood flooring. Flynn was worried about Flynn for once, and as the buzzing noise in his head began to die down he could hear his self panting hard, hands shaking tremendously.
Run...
"Flynn...w-what's going on-?"
Run...
"Flynn-?"
RUN...
So he did. He ignored everything around him, panting harder as he sprinted for and out of the double doors that took him directly outside. He stumbled a bit but quickly regained his balance, breath still coming out in ragged pants as his legs continued to carry him away from his school. That place was no longer safe...Yuri having defiled it with his stupid antics and unpredictable behavior. He hated him...but more so hated the fact that he had allowed that bastard to even set foot anywhere near the building that night. Everything was so messed up, his head spinning in such a way that the buzzing noise made itself known once more. Run...the only thing he could do was run.
But in the brief moment of lucidness that had suddenly struck him he reminded himself that he needed somewhere to actually go, and now that the place he had been hiding out in for months was off limits (he did NOT want to see Yuri's face) he needed somewhere to go. After said moment passed the insane idea that his own home was the only place he could go to made itself known, but he didn't at all dismiss it. If it meant there was a locked door between him and the older man, dealing with his mother didn't seem all that terrible. So it was decided. His feet knew the way, so he merely allowed them to carry him all the way there.
When finally stopping he had to slump against the door, legs burning in such a way that he almost felt like collapsing and crying out. But there was as chance that his mother was actually asleep, and waking her up was the last thing he needed at the moment. If she was indeed knocked out, be it from her pills or the exhaustion of trashing the house again, it meant he could at least get himself a few winks of sleep before he decided just what he wanted to do from there on out. He could no longer stay at Yuri's place...He slowly made his way into the house, checking the kitchen before he decided to crash in his (most likely) disheveled room.
His mother was there, head pressed against her folded arms with her gold lock sprawling themselves along her back and the smooth wooden surface of the table she was asleep at. Flynn stared at her before going to his room, the urge to tend to her dying the moment that nights events replayed themselves in his head. He needed...to lie down. His bed...yes, he needed to get to his bed. Before he knew it he was walking into his bedroom, ignoring the absolute devastation of the entire space. Sweeping a hand over his torn sheets he removed anything that would hinder the peaceful sleep he so desperately needed, finding soon after that he had cut his hand on something in the process.
It wasn't deep, but he still didn't feel the need to do something about it...he just stared...He didn't feel anything, and what was far more concerned was the fact that he didn't care that he did. Sleep...he was thinking too much...sleep was the only thing that should've been on his mind. Plopping down in his bed he did just that, wanting nothing more than silence to engulf him. And it did. He believed he didn't particularly dream about anything, which was a good thing because he was sure he'd only replay that nights events. Why did that bastard have to-? No...he wasn't going to think about that anymore...
How many hours had passed...? Upon waking up with a groan he only knew it had been 'some time', and as he ran his fingers through his hair he wanted to know where the hell that annoying noise was coming from. It had forced him awake, but in the blonde's groggy state he couldn't quite identify just where it was coming from. It was like...a tapping noise, but it wasn't constant. Sitting up he looked over at the window just in time to see something hit it, Flynn staring a bit before opening it. As he did so another something him square in the forehead, the blonde having to hold the spot as he muttered a small 'ow'.
Looking down he could see that it was...a rock?
"Ah, sorry."
Fuck...Looking out of the window he saw none other than the person who had caused him so much goddamn grief. As soon as he witnessed the longer haired male open his mouth he shut the window, ignoring the muffled voice he heard from the outside of his house. No...he wasn't in the mood to deal with him at the moment, because the urge to go and outright strangle him was only thing Flynn wanted to do upon seeing his face. The tapping continued, but now that he knew where it was coming from and who was causing it he could easily ignore it.
"FLYNN, GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE! I DON'T THINK YOU WANT ME SHOUTING YOUR PERSONAL BUSINESS LIKE THIS SO YOU BETTER COME BACK!"
That on the other hand...Yanking the window back open he glared at the older man before, as always Yuri looking as if he had done nothing wrong.
"...Get away from my house before I call the cops..."
"Would you just listen-?"
"No! I don't have to listen to a goddamn thing you have to say, not after you fucked up my life!"
"What are you talking about?"
Sometimes it was beyond frustrating speaking with Yuri. Racking his fingers though his hair once more he tried to calm himself, because he didn't want to yell and alert anyone of their conversation.
"You seriously think that kissing me in front of everyone won't have any consequences for me? You're insane if you think so!" He kept his voice down, but made sure to get across just how infuriated he was.
"What? No one saw-"
"You're goddamn idiot if you think no one saw!" He was so close to slamming the window close once more, knowing full well that Yuri would probably never fully understand where he was coming from.
"Okay, fine...I'm sure a few people saw...but is it really so bad?"
He did not just say that...
The blonde quickly told him that not everyone was like him, that not everyone wanted to tell the world about their sexuality because they actually feared the repercussions. Annoyance seemed to cross the other male face, but he didn't care, he still continued on with his tirade. It was amazing how much how much he had been keeping in, telling the longer haired male about how his lack of understanding and irritating behavior kept pissing him off to the point where moving out was the only option he could conceive. Yes...he had told Yuri he would be moving out at some point, and he didn't feel a single ounce of guilt as he said it.
"...Are you done talking, Flynn...?"
"Fuck you-!"
"No, fuck you, Flynn! Oh boo-ho, you're life sucks, well guess what? You're not the only one in the world with a shit life! And don't you dare say I have no idea about the hell that comes with being gay!" He was beyond mad, the blonde could tell that much, and he couldn't help but be a little taken aback by it.
"That still doesn't change that fact that you outed me in front of everyone!" Yes, that fact would still remain the same, but as he stared at the still infuriated Yuri he felt as if he had just said something rather stupid.
"Oh please, Flynn, you'll just lie your way out of it like you always do, so don't even start with that."
He hated how right the longer haired male was...because come Monday he would be lying to save his life...and everyone would believe him. He was in the heat of the moment so he hadn't really thought anything through, and upon actually thinking about it he really could've just said that either one of them were just drunk and it just happened by accident.
"Well, I...I-I..." Nothing...he couldn't think of a thing to say to the other male.
"You know what? Whatever...just do what you want, move out, get mad at me, bitch and moan, I don't care, I'm going home." And with that Yuri took his leave, the blonde sprinting out of his room for some unknown reason as he did so. Maybe it was because it just didn't feel right to leave everything on such a sour note, even if who he was dealing with was Yuri.
"W-Wait." Flynn had managed to catch up just as the older man had started his car, the blonde having to go up and knock on the window to get his attention.
"...What do you want...?"
"Just...I-I'm sorry, I said some really nasty and stupid things, I wasn't thinking..."
"...And?"
"Please just...take me back...to your place."
The older man stared at him long and hard, but his look softened after a while, his body slumping in his chair as he gave off a long sigh. Flynn didn't move until he heard the 'click' of the lock, quickly going over to the passenger seat door before slipping in. Before moving Yuri told him to call Estelle at some point, emphasizing that she was rather 'upset' with his actions. That's right...he had said that he wouldn't run away from her anymore, and what had he done? Run. He was such an idiot...so he would apologize to her properly at the next day.
Too much had happened in one night, and the only thing Flynn wanted to do was get back to the place he knew he'd be comfortable in. Yeah...even if Yuri rubbed him the wrong way sometimes, his apartment was a place he could be at ease because he felt...safe. The air wasn't tense when silence fell upon during their car ride, greatly enjoying it after having such an fucked up shouting match the two of them had gone through. The blonde really knew how to make a fool of himself...and maybe if he really didn't get so worked up over everything he wouldn't have to turn himself into one. He should've, as the older man had said earlier in the night, 'loosen up'.
"...Why did you kiss me...?"
"Hm?"
"Why did you kiss me?"
They had just stopped at a red light, so he felt that it was all right for him to ask about something that had been bugging him.
"Ah well...I guess I just wanted to shut you up. You were pretty loud beforehand."
Short and to the point, pretty much what he had expected out of the longer haired male at that point. He didn't question it because he knew that was just the way Yuri was, and he was rather content with that. After arriving the blonde took his usual spot on the couch, Repede watching him silently from his sprawled out position on the floor. He didn't feel like having another staring contest so he merely made himself comfortable, which was rather challenging since he was still wearing his tuxedo. He'd change later.
"Want me to sing you a lullaby, Blondie?"
"I'm not in the mood for jokes." He listened as the longer haired male laughed, and from the direction his voice had come from he could tell that he was moving to his room. The sound of shuffling caught his attention, and from that he knew that Yuri was changing out of his 'formal' attire.
For some reason seeing the other male looking like an actual adult was just odd, even if he was only wearing a pair if slacks a black dress shirt. His hair had been tied back in a ponytail, which he didn't usually wear unless he decided to work non-stop so it was a little strange to see him sport one outside of the apartment. Sitting up a bit he watched as Yuri removed his pants, leaving him only in his boxers as he went retrieve his night clothes. He was doing it again...Flynn was watching the other male far too intently for his liking, but at the same time he couldn't look away.
Even after all of the times they had had sex, the blonde hadn't really noticed Yuri's body before. He was far more concerned with getting off than how he looked, but now that he was actually looking he noticed quite a bit about the longer haired male. He just watched, not completely sure what he felt as his eyes traveled down his neck and stopped at his lower back. Ah...maybe he was just tired...but first he had to look away in order for him to sleep. When Yuri was finally done dressing he felt that he could finally pry his eyes away from the now clothed older man, quickly deciding that maybe he should've gone at least one round with the large dog.
But as he began staring at Repede he couldn't help but notice how hot his cheeks felt. Maybe he was coming down with something...
A/N: This chapter probably would've gone up sooner had all hell not broken loose last week with the weather, thus leading me to lose all power. As always reviews are welcome.
