Sorry these updates are getting so slow but my ideas are running kind of dry at the minute because I have a stupid cold...
Tala was awoken two nights after Bryan had arrived in the abbey by a scream. He thought at first it was Bryan, so he got up and went over to find the other boy still asleep. Another scream sounded from outside and he went to investigate, opening the door of his bedroom and padding off along the corridor, his socks making no noise on the tiled floor. He peeped round the corner and felt his mouth drop open. Gaver was pinned up against the wall, his hair askew, and-
"Boris, please!"
"Boris!" Another voice. Adrik appeared, looking furious. "We had a deal, Boris. Leave him alone." Like some kind of hunting animal, Boris flung Gaver aside and grabbed Adrik, crushing him against the wall and smashing their lips together. "Adrik! NO!" Screeched Gaver, standing and trying to pull Boris away. Tala crept further around the corner, heart thudding in his chest.
"Adrik!" Gaver grabbed Boris' arm and tried to yank him away, but the older Russian just flung him to the floor, snarling.
"Go back to bed."
"NO!" Tala watched Gaver burst into tears. "Adrik...why?" Adrik looked away, hanging his head.
"If I didn't...someone else would have to."
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"Because you aren't allowed to know, you little bastard. And now, you know too much!" Boris yelled. A shot sounded, echoing around the corridor. Tala made his hand into a fist and bit it hard to stop himself from screaming. Gaver was thrown back against the wall, gasping and choking. Adrik slipped himself out of Boris' arms and knelt down beside him, grasping his hand. "A-Adrik..."
"Shh, don't talk now. You're getting out of here now, you don't have to worry." Gaver choked in another breath, jerking. "You're going to heaven, Gaver, where all the angels live and you'll be happy for the rest of time. You'll be able to see your sisters again." Gaver made a gargling noise and Adrik bit his lip firecely, drawing blood. "You're going to heaven, Gaver. You're going to be happy. You're going to-" Gaver jerked once more and lay still. "You're going to heaven..."
As Adrik knelt next to Gaver, Boris grabbed him by the shoulders, hauling him upright. "Come on then."
"Boris...how can you be so cold?"
"Just get up, you whore." Adrik stayed where he was for a second, then kissed Gaver's forehead before getting up and glaring at Boris.
They walked away, still not noticing the redhead peering round the corner at them. Tala ran back to his room, then on a whim clambered into Bryan's bed, cuddling up with him and starting to cry.
"Tala?"
"Nnnh."
"Tala, you're in the wrong bed. Tala!" Tala opened his eyes and found Bryan lying next to him, looking heartily puzzled. "Are you sick or something?"
"No..." Bryan giggled.
"Then get out of my bed or you'll be a -gay-." Tala blinked.
"What's a gay?"
"It's a boy who kisses other boys and goes to bed with them!" Bryan said, with a tone of horror in his voice. Tala cocked his head to one side, thinking. Then he laughed, leaning over and kissing Bryan's cheek. "Now we're both gays!" He giggled. Bryan squealed and pushed him away, but Tala rolled on top of him and pinned him down, sticking out his tongue. "Beat you." Bryan wriggled and glared, then blew out his breath all in a rush.
"I don't want to be a gay, Tala. Mama didn't like them."
"Well..." Said Tala, wanting to show off even thought he didn't really understand what gay meant. "I do."
"But Tala..."
"She wouldn't mind, I'm your friend!"
Just then the door clicked and Adrik walked in, yawning. "Morning Tala." The young redhead found himself at a loss for what to say, and then it struck him. Adrik had kissed Boris. That meant that Adrik was a gay! "Adrik..."
"Mm?"
"Are you a gay?" Adrik stopped mid yawn, looking flustered.
"Where did you hear that word?"
"Bryan." Tala realised that he was still holding Bryan down and let go of him.
"Do you know what it means?"
"When boys kiss each other." Tala replied loftily, bouncing on the bed. Adrik sighed.
"That's one way of putting it I suppose. But being gay is when two men are together like a mother and father, only not."
"So I'm not a gay if Tala kisses me?" Asked Bryan fearfully. Adrik laughed softly.
"No." After much consideration, Tala decided to ask what had been gnawing at his mind since the previous night.
"Is Boris a gay?"
"...Yes."
Adrik watched Tala's expression grow anxious and felt his own nerves tug with worry as well. Surely Tala couldn't know...could he? He was just curious about a new word...wasn't he? Doubtfully, he waited as the two younger boys dressed then led them down to breakfast.
R&R please!