Chapter 33: Defiance
Hi everybody – we're back. Sorry for the delay and we hope you still keep reading our story. Anyway, there's a real shocker in store in this chapter! Daryl's growing up.
By the way, if you like what we wrote or even if you don't, we would really appreciate it if you could drop us a comment and/kudos. Even if it is about how we can improve.
Thanks x x x
Eric and Daryl kept each other company on the way home from school as usual that sweltering Friday afternoon. The summer break was mere weeks away but Eric was leaving early for his vacation and this time they didn't talk as much as they usually did. Daryl's gut was heavy with the disappointment of not being allowed to go with him and his family to visit some of his relatives abroad. Lucky him.
After all, Daryl no longer gave a shit about his school leaving exams and it wasn't like he was going to miss anybody else there.
His dad had outright refused to let him go even though Eric's wealthy family over in Europe had said that they would pay for his flight and visa plus all expenses once he got there. In fact, they were so rich that they could pay for everyone, including Eric and his parents. Instead, Will told Daryl that he didn't deserve such a treat without giving him a reason and that was that. But Daryl thought he knew one of the reasons:
Dixons don't do charity.
Merle had done his very best to try and persuade him to agree on Daryl's behalf, saying that it was a golden opportunity - how else could Daryl afford to go abroad when he'd never even been out of the state? But the old bastard was stubborn, retorting that he didn't want a son of his – especially such an 'impressionable' and 'vulnerable' boy like Daryl – hanging around with a bunch of 'rich prick Spics' and 'snobs' who would put ideas into his head before he came back.
'They're Italians, not Spics, Dad!' Daryl had retorted, earning him a slap. But not too hard because Merle was there. He growled at Will and pushed Daryl behind him anyway. He'd gone back to doing that whenever he thought dad was getting ready to go on the rampage.
'Italians, Hispanics – they're all the same! Mafia. Or why else do you think they're rich! Criminals! Don't want you hanging around them! Sure, they can act all friendly until you rub them up the wrong way, and then they'll hurt you, son!'
'What the …?' Both brothers shook their heads at the same time, confused by this.
Daryl knew their crazy dad had mainly done this to fuck with his head, and that he was extremely overprotective of him sometimes which really was no wonder when you thought about it. So did his older brother who had almost started a fight with Will because of it. Even though Merle wasn't too happy about the friendship with Eric for some reason, he was always on Daryl's side.
Sometimes his big brother was hard to get a handle on. But most times Daryl could read him like an open book. At first, Merle had just appeared a little surly whenever Daryl mentioned his friend and he knew that Merle was jealous of Eric and he did feel a little guilty. But on the hand he reasoned that his brother should understand why he was spending so much time with him because obviously they wouldn't see each other all summer. And Merle could see him anytime – well when he wasn't away working, that was. As time passed, getting closer and closer until the summer vacation, he started to act like their dad did before he blew a fuse. He constantly snorted, narrowed his eyes and even uttered snarky remarks whenever Daryl announced his departure to his friend's.
He'd just figured Merle was pissed because he didn't have nothing much to do around the house and he was alone with their father. Even the girls he used to screw seemed to have dried up for some reason and the drugs and booze-fuelled parties seemed to be few and far between. The household chores that Daryl had done most of the time while Merle was absent was now forced on him, and Daryl rightly guessed he wasn't thrilled about them either. Sure, Merle didn't mind work, but he was still lazy nonetheless. In exasperation, Daryl promised to spend more time with him after Eric was gone but Merle just scoffed and that was that. Doesn't he realise that Eric saved me and kept me sane when he couldn't be there? Daryl thought to himself. Thought but didn't say – he didn't want another punch-up between Merle and their father but most of all, he didn't want his brother to feel even more guilty than he did.
The last day of school for Eric had arrived and was too quickly over. For Daryl, anyway. Neither he nor his parents seemed to be worried that he'd be missing his finals. Rogers had come up to them, ostensibly to wish Eric 'farewell and good luck for the future'. Then, looking all concerned, he had turned to Daryl to ask him something but he blanked him and quickly left with the others. No way was he going to left alone with that creep again. But now Daryl forced his mind to return to the present as he and Eric arrived at the boarded-up store where they had to go in different directions, signalling their parting stop.
Eric and his parents were leaving early for Atlanta by car the next morning and from there they'd get a flight to L.A. International and then on direct to Italy, so no time for his friend to come round. They still had a lot of packing and organising to do. Daryl swallowed down his anger at his dad and cursed the fact again that he was still only 16 and under his father's control. No chance to for them to move out and get their own place together somewhere like he and Merle had talked about for a long time now – they both knew that their dad would never let him go. But he'd have to when Daryl turned 18 but that seemed ages away. In spite of his bitter feelings, Daryl plastered a smile onto his face for his friend's sake and besides, he was genuinely happy that one of them was getting out of that shithole for a few months to have fun. Eric seemed to read his mind and he could tell that he was slightly panicking over their imminent farewell as well.
'There's always next summer', the other boy reassured him. 'My folks said the offer's still open whenever you want to and we usually go every year. Just hope your dad keeps his fuckin' fists to himself.' He growled and clenched his own to his side, momentarily resembling someone Daryl didn't recognise.
'It ain't so bad.' Daryl replied, trying to make himself feel better as well as Eric. 'I got Merle anyways and he won't do nothin' while he's around.'
But he wasn't so confident on both counts yet he didn't want Eric to spoil his trip with worrying. Still, something about his fierce protectiveness over him reminded him of someone and Daryl suddenly felt a strong impulse to reach out and hold onto him and never let him go. Thinking about having to spend most of the summer faced with his dad and his increasingly dangerous temper; and the fact that it probably wouldn't take long before Merle had to leave for yet another job the rate the old bastard was getting through the cash, made his stomach clench in dread. No doubt seeing all his hard work being squandered was adding to Merle's bad mood too.
Plus, there would be no place to run to and get away from him if something bad happened.
Relief flooded him that Eric was just as disappointed as he was and that he felt the same way. Feeling emboldened by this somehow, Daryl took a step closer to him again. 'Ya know, it's really not that big of a deal. 3 months ain't so long and we'll be free - no school but I'm sure gonna miss your dumbass.'
'Yeah…You stay out of trouble, ya hear?'
There was something about his words and the expression he wore when he said them – Daryl still can't explain what the hell got over him as he uncharacteristically hugged Eric to him. He thought it was probably the whole prospect of living with his violent and unpredictable father for a whole 3 months and maybe without Merle and all his other worries, trivial by no means – that made him do it.
Before he knew it their faces were inches apart.
He didn't usually tolerate this level of physical closeness outside the family. Well, he guessed Eric patching him up in his room a little more than a week ago had a lot to do with it and that he trusted him now. When Daryl finally released him, they just stood there frozen in time, looking at each other sadly, blue eyes melting into brown.
'I'll think about ya, usually gets pretty boring over there. Ain't no fun people those relatives of mine. Ya won't miss a thing.' This time, Eric moved to put his arms around him and whispered in his ear.
Daryl smiled at that, feeling too comfortable to move from his spot. He tightened his grip around the other boy, his right cheek flush against Eric's left. A slight move from Eric's side and Daryl's mouth was dangerously close to his. Losing his shit altogether he gave Eric a quick peck on the lips. But realising what he'd just done, he immediately backed off, mumbling apologies and looking away. 'Sorry – didn't mean to do that. What the fuck just came over me…?'
But Eric didn't move away in disgust and anger, threatening to never speak to him again or maybe punching him in the face like Daryl was expecting but he smiled back at him!
'I don't mind.'
'What…?'Daryl whispered, slowly raised his head and met his eyes again. His own eyes were wide in shock but before he could speak again, Eric interrupted him by grabbing him and kissing him. No little peck on the lips neither this time.
Daryl kissed him right back and it wasn't long before they were so into it he nearly forgot to look around for anyone watching. Last thing he needed was this getting back to his dad, proving his suspicions.
He broke away and at the disappointed look on Eric's face, he whispered, 'Not here. My old man might be around...ya never know...'
Eric grinned. 'Feels good bein' bad, don't it?'
It did, Daryl thought with a touch of defiance. This is why he beat the crap out of me and now I'm doing it. Come to think of it, this was kind of like giving his dad the finger.
The proof that he could stand up to him, even if it was only behind his back - made him bolder. Eric laughed as Daryl grabbed his hand and dragged him behind a tree down the little path separating two houses that was now conveniently empty.
As soon as they got there, Eric took the lead and shoved him almost roughly against the wall.
'I ain't gay.' He hissed. Ya the only guy I could imagine doing this with.'
Daryl grinned. 'Me too. Don't tell anyone but I always had the hots for Andrea...', he replied as Eric wound his hand in his hair and twisted it gently, sending electric sparks running up and down his body.
'Yeah – everybody knows. You weren't exactly subtle about it.'
'Shut up!' Daryl laughed a little and ducked his head.
'Aw…you're so cute when you're embarrassed!' Eric teased and kissed his cheek.
'Fuck you!' Daryl retorted and shoved him, only half playfully..
The other laughed and lowered his mouth teasingly.
'Wow!' Daryl breathed as Eric lips claimed his again.
He reached tentatively under his shirt and when Eric didn't object, he dared to run his hands up and down his torso. Strangely, he found himself automatically checking for raised rough patches of skin or bumps but of course Eric didn't have scars like him.
Or Merle.
Daryl didn't know whether to feel relieved or disappointed.
What the fuck's wrong with me? He thought to himself not for the first time that day.
Eric distracted him from his panicky thoughts as he responded by smiling more into the kiss as his hands slid under Daryl's shirt, gripping his hips that miraculously were the only parts of him that weren't hurting too much. His tongue probed Daryl's mouth just as gently as Daryl had explored his skin under his shirt.
'You remember where the bruises are?' Daryl breathed in surprise as they took a short breather.
Eric nodded, but said nothing, never once did he let go. When he eventually did, however, it was only to lean back against the wall looking at Daryl as if he was searching for answers.
When he found none, Eric leaned forward again, pressing kisses to the corner of his mouth making Daryl laugh. 'Well, that was stupid, now I'll really miss ya.'
Daryl chuckled at that and playfully shoved him away.
But Eric's hands were back, keeping him close: 'Where do we go from here, huh? What does this mean?'
'We'll get to that when you come back. But for now, there's really no reason to stop, is there?' Before Eric could respond in words, Daryl's lips claimed his, at the same time all the worries seemed to vanish if only for a little while.
But his mind wouldn't have been at rest if only he had looked a bit to the left further down the street - someone was watching, and that someone was not happy with what he just witnessed.
Not happy at all.
