Author's Note: I have heard a rumor about Operation: GIRLFRIEND that has me in a right fit. Oh, and congrats, Teh-Drabbler. For getting the reference correct, this story gets updated (I may end up using trivia to decide what to update from now on…very convenient)

Can't erase what I feel, malchik gay

Timothy grumbled, slinging the bag of garbage over his shoulder and lumbering under its weight. He glanced across the street and frowned. That was John Wink's house. So why, if John had said that he had to be home early, were no lights on? He pushed the black plastic bag down into the trash can, wondering.

After school today, a boy had come up to him today. Timothy wasn't sure what he'd meant, but the boy kept asking where his 'boyfriend' was. Timothy was very thrown off. The boy had looked so cruel, and if a teacher hadn't shown up a second later, Timothy was scared of what may have happened. He had no idea what it was, he just knew that it would be bad.

He sighed as he headed back into the house. He usually had to have someone to take care of him, due to his short stature and misshapen hands. His dexterity was highly limited. It hadn't been a problem when he was little. John Wink usually held everything for him, reached all the things that were up on the higher shelves…and Annie would usually make him laugh, even though it rarely seemed like it was her intention. Still, the group had had fun together.

He went inside and watched out the picture window, watching twilight slowly turn to pitch black darkness, watching as a dark shape suddenly darted by, ducking inside the house across the street. Was that John? He asked himself, already knowing the answer. The horns, the size…everything made it so obvious. "Mother, I'm gonna go see John!" There was no answer, and so he assumed there were no complaints from his mother.

He headed across the street, but did not bother to knock. Like with the old days, he let himself in. John was sitting in the living room, sitting almost fetal like on the couch, his chin resting on his knees.

"John? What's wrong?" Timothy sad down beside him and put one of his almost paddle-like hands on John's back. John shook his head. "C'mon…we're friends. You can tell me."

"There have never been that many before," It seemed to John that his voice came from somewhere else. It did not feel like his own. It was weak, kind of unsure of himself. He immediately snapped into himself. "My apologies, Timothy," It struck Timothy at that moment just how odd John's speech patterns had become. They were not a child's. Not even a teen's. Much too mature. It scared Timothy a little. "It doesn't matter.."

"Yes, it does!" Timothy cried, his voice the polar opposite of John's. While his friend had great composure, Timothy was still learning to restrain himself. "You don't look beat up…"

"I run fast," John said simply. "I shouldn't have stayed out so late."

"Why would they want to hurt you?" Timothy asked, unable to comprehend this. The only people who ever irritated Timothy were children, but that was because they were just annoying. He had never thought about hurting one before, and couldn't really understand anyone's wish to hurt John. He certainly hadn't hurt anybody else. "C'mon, John. You know me. You can tell me."

"Can I really?" John turned to face him so quickly that the hair was momentarily swept away from his eyes. There were tears in them. Timothy nodded.

"You can tell me anything."

"I'm gay," John waited for the reaction. The inevitable scooting away. Yelling, making fun of…anything. But what followed was silence. He found that somehow worse. "Well?"

"Are you joking?" Timothy put his hands together and studied them closely.

"No."

"Then why's it a big deal?" Timothy said, pushing his glasses up on his nose. "I'll still be your friend. But I do have to get home…it's way too dark out for me to be outside. Goodbye, John. I'll see you tomorrow. Thanks for trusting me."

As Timothy exited, John studied him closely, feeling something creep into his mind…it was a simple thought, but from his mind it moved to his heart and stayed locked there. That moment of acceptance not only brought his feelings for Timothy Fibb back…it amplified them a hundred times over.