Benny met up with me and we walked to my house. On the walk, we passed a bunch of houses that were recently built. They were new and clean but they looked empty. I saw a man behind his house discussing a matter with his gardener. Something looked familiar about him, and I couldn't put my finger on it. I saw, with utmost horror, as the man turned around, revealing his all too familar face. He looked over at us with a twisted grin, knowing that his face was one most memorable, and only because it was etched with fear into our minds, particularly Benny's. Benny's eyes widened as he saw the man's face, and he covered his face with his hands, dropping down on his knees, trembling.

I saw him and my heart clenched, tying itself into a knot at the sight. I went down on one knee and looked in his eyes, putting his my hands on his shoulders.

"You'll be okay. If he comes within three feet of you, I'll get him, don't you worry." He turned to me and looked in my eyes through his fingers.

"Do you promise?"

"I promise." He turned back toward the man.

"I believe you." I smiled, and it dropped as I too, turned toward the man. His twisted smile still on his face. I wrapped my arms around Benny and pulled him tight, but at this point he was frozen, too afraid. He didn't smile, his hands still over his eyes and his mouth a straight line. It was like holding a mannequin, but I knew even if he wasn't showing it, he needed the warmth and would be in worse shape if I let go of him.

The man waved off his gardener and strode over to us. I could practically smell his sense of alpha male.
"And just what do you fags think you're doing here?" He spat, his voice full of pure hatred and glass, cutting at Benny's heart as I wiped his spit off my forehead.

I stood in front of Benny, ready to combat any punches he might throw.

"We have a right to live in this town. If you do anything to us, because we love who we want to love, then I'll call the police, and they'll take you away." I said in a warning tone.

"Ugh. How disgusting. A man should be strong. Stand up and step away from mop-top over here. Be a man, even if you're acting like a woman." He walked over to Benny, and put his hand on Benny's arm. Benny flinched, I lunged forward.

"If you hurt him, I'll-"

"Relax. I'm not going to hurt him. This boy is a stick figure. I don't know how his shoulders support his head. His arms are twigs, and his legs are longer twigs. His waist is a figment of my imagination and his abs are non-existent. Is this boy even healthy? He doesn't look it. Look, I'm only one person. Only one of the many peple you will undoubtably meet who do not approve of your sexuality. I think it's digusting, and wrong, but I can't control you, so if you don't to end up like you did last time, eat something. Maybe you'll be able to take more hits. Now, leave, before I get angry and slap you."

I was still a bit dazed by his show of seemingly kind advice. Benny didn't need any incentive to get away from the man, however. He was running toward my house, and I had to catch up with him.

"Benny *pant* Wait *pant*What did he mean?" I said, catching my breath.

"You know full well, Ethan. The anorexia..? I didn't know it was that obvious. I'm so sorry. I'm an embarassment to you. You deserve someone with less issues.." I grabbed his hands.

"Benny, you know better than to talk about yourself like that. Look, no matter what, I love you. Okay?" I kissed him roughly on the lips and he smoothed it out to a point of smooth, sleekness. He blushed and a small smile appeared.

"I love you more."

"I will always protect you. No more harm will come to you. Not ever again. You can sleep soundly." Benny nodded.

There might be more people like that, but right now, I was holding hands with my boyfriend, and I was happy.