DISCLAIMER: I don't own Hoot. But I did rent it from Movie Gallery. So it is currently in my DVD Player.

YAY! Chapter 3 Remix!

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Chapter 3: First dates and Past horrors

Roy, Mullet, and Bea spent the rest of the afternoon at Roy's house. Near nightfall found them in the living room watching Animal Plant reruns. Mullet was on the couch with Roy cradled to his chest. Bea sat in the recliner, watching the clock.

"I've got to go make dinner for my dad." she got up and walked to the door. "See you guys tomorrow."

She walked out, closing the door behind her. Mullet sighed as he realized they needed to be heading out as well. He softly kissed Roy's neck to get the brunette's attention.

"mhm?" Roy tilted his head slightly to give Mullet better access.

"We need to be going as well."

Roy sighed as he closed his eyes. Then he reluctantly got up from the couch and turned the TV off. Mullet sat up and stretched, while Roy checked to make sure everything was off.

"Let's go." Roy smiled at the blonde.

Mullet stood up and they walked out the door together. Mullet went to get the bike while Roy locked the front door. Once again Roy rode on the handlebars and they were receiving stares from neighbors. Roy let out a sigh and Mullet frowned at Roy's unease.

Might as well give them something to talk about. he thought to himself.

So he leaned forward and began to nibble on Roy's neck again. Roy squirmed under his mouth but Mullet didn't mind. He'd learned today that Roy was very ticklish on his neck. Roy began trying to stifle his giggles and Mullet kept nibbling while attempting to focus on the road. They were so preoccupied that they didn't notice when they passed Officer Delinko's cruiser.

The officer in question couldn't help but stare at the two. Moments later he realized who was on the handlebars. Little alarms were going off in his head as he mistook that Roy was in danger. He pulled out behind them and turned on his lights. It took Roy about a minute to figure out the police car was following them.

"Mullet we need to go faster."

Mullet looked back and increased his speed. He suddenly turned off into an alleyway, Officer Delinko missed it and had to back up. But by the time he had made it into the ally, Mullet and Roy were out of sight. Delinko was very much aware that Roy's parents were out of town.

They had asked him personally to keep an eye on Roy. Not wanting to betray their trust, he decided he would work this out himself. He wouldn't tell anyone about this, not yet. First, he had to find out who that blonde haired kid was. He slowly began patrolling the streets hoping to see them again.

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Roy sighed as they reached the Molly Bell. Both hoped off the bike and climbed up, then went down to the galley. Roy instantly fell on the bed and Mullet fell on top of him. Roy emitted a rush of air from being squished. It was getting late and Roy was tired.

"Time to go sleep." Roy mumbled.

"Why?" Mullet looked at the brunette.

"Tired." Roy yawned.

Mullet got up and gently picked Roy up. Roy protested, swinging his arms about. But calmed when Mullet set him down on the bed with his head on the pillow. Mullet got in with him and pulled the blanket up to their chests. Roy snuggled closer and quickly fell asleep. Mullet smiled into the brown hair and fell asleep himself.

In the morning, Roy awoke to find himself alone. He burrowed deeper under the blanket to find warmth. It wasn't the same without Mullet though and he decided to get up. He looked around blinking in the bright light. He wondered where Mullet had gone.

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Beatrice was watching her brother as he ran towards the gazebo. He had asked her to meet him there yesterday to discuss something important. Something was worrying him but she didn't know what.

"What's up, Bro?" she said casually trying not to show her concern.

"I need to talk to you about something." he nervously looked around.

"What is it?"

"How many dates have you had?" the question caught her off guard.

"Enough to know a thing or two, why?" it eased her to know, that it wasn't anything too serious.

"How many would you say you enjoyed?" she raised her eyebrow but answered anyway.

"About two of them." she could tell where this was going.

Mullet looked tense now. "What made them different?"

Bea thought about it. "Well… I guess because the guy was focused on me and cared about my feelings. He would show me a good time and we had fun. We enjoyed being in each other's company."

Mullet visibly relaxed. "Anything specific?"

"Take Roy somewhere were you know he'll have fun but you'll be able to enjoy just being with each other."

Mullet wasn't surprised that Bea had figured out what he was getting at. It was important that his and Roy's first date be special. A flyer tacked to the pole caught his eye. He walked over and snatched it off and began to read. It was advertising a carnival that was in town, opening night would be tomorrow.

Bea saw the smile forming on Mullet's face and decided to stop it.

"You can't go!"

"Why not?" he looked up frowning.

"One, you don't have the money. Two, your supposed to be in hiding. Three, my dad and your mom are taking me that night."

The smile was back on Mullet's face almost instantly. "I have money, don't worry about that. I'll lay low so no one will see me. Besides no will recognize me anyway."

"What about the fact your mom is going?' Bea was sure she had him there.

But the look on Mullet's face became more determined. " I can avoid her easily enough."

Bea sighed and looked at her stubborn brother. " Fine, I can see you'll take Roy whether I approve or not."

"You know me well."

She smiled at him. "You must really care about him."

"I do." his whisper was almost too soft to be heard,

She heard regardless and left Mullet to dwell in his thoughts. The carnival would be the perfect first date. He couldn't help but smile to himself. He was sure Roy would love it. Sure, I'll have to watch my back and escape to the shadows every once and awhile.

But a bonus was Roy would be in those shadowy places with him, not that he was being perverted or anything. Just being alone with Roy could take his breath away. He knew Roy would want to take it slow, besides he was in no hurry. He planned on being with Roy for a long time. Thinking of Roy made him remember, he needed to get back to his boyfriend before he got worried.

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Roy had finally decided to go look for Mullet Fingers. He was worried, it had been nearly an hour since he'd awoken and Mullet was still gone. He left through the golf course and was going to see if Mullet was at the Owl Sanctuary. Roy wasn't really paying attention as he trotted across the golf course. You'd think by now he would have learned.

"FOUR" came the familiar call, then " HEY KID!"

Roy looked up just in time to get hit in the head… again. Lucky for him, Mullet was walking his way when it happened. When Mullet saw him hit the ground, he was instantly by his boyfriend's side. He needed to get Roy back to the Molly Bell before the golfers got there. The chances of that seemed pretty slim, seeing as how they were already almost half way there.

He picked Roy up quickly and rushed to the relative safety of the bushes. After laying Roy down at the edge of the campsite, he found his bag of cottonmouths and eased his way back to the edge of the brush. The four golfers stood near the bushes, calling for the boys to come out.

"Hey kids!" one shouted.

Mullet opened his bag and poured some of the cottonmouths out. He ushered them towards the golfers.

"Look!" one the golfers had spotted the snakes.

"Cottonmouths! Let's get out of here!" they all turned tail and ran back to their club cart.

Mullet couldn't help but laugh quietly to himself as he watched them flee. He went back to the campsite and picked Roy up. He took him to the Molly Bell's galley and laid him down on the bed. Mullet smiled to himself, Roy had yet again been attacked by a golf ball. Ever since Roy had started coming to the golf course, he had always got hit by a ball before he could leave. That's why he usually never went through the golf course any more. He really must have been worried about me to forget that fact. Roy started to stir and opened his eyes.

"Mullet!" he threw himself at the other boy in a frenzy.

Mullet found himself in a fierce hug. He didn't mind though and hugged Roy back.

"I'm glad you missed me."

"Where'd you go?" Roy looked up at him.

"That's a surprise! You'll find out tomorrow."

Roy pouted and Mullet kissed him softly. He lingered a moment longer, Roy smelled so good. He looked down into the shorter boy's eyes. He went back in for another kiss. They separated so they could breath.

He switched his attention to Roy 's throat. Roy gasped and reached up to grab two fistfuls of Mullet's blonde locks. Roy then leaned his head back to expose his entire throat. Mullet took full advantage and kissed him from his chin to the base of his neck. Mullet let his fingers slip into Roy's shorts and touch the soft skin hidden beneath. Roy pushed into the blonde's firm touch.

Mullet's other hand snuck it's way up the brunette's shirt. Roy let his own hands tug at the hem of Mullet's shirt. Mullet leaned back and pulled his shirt over his head. After tossing it across the galley he went back to Roy. Roy wrapped his arms around the blonde's neck. Mullet vaguely recalled his thoughts on taking it slow but he disregarded them now.

Mullet began easing Roy's shorts down his slender hips. Roy grasped Mullet's face and smashed their lips together. Mullet's attempts at taking off Roy's shorts was stalled by Roy wrapping his legs around the blonde's back. Roy squirmed as Mullet turned his attention back to Roy's shorts and suddenly everything changed. Roy pushed Mullet away and collapsed on the bed.

Mullet stared in surprise at the trembling figure on the bed. Roy was letting out choked sobs every time he breathed. Mullet slowly crawled to his side and stroked his hair gently. Roy jerked away from the contact almost immediately, Mullet felt hurt. Roy had never acted this way before when they touched.

Mullet wrapped his arms around Roy and pulled him closer. Roy was shaking violently as Mullet cradled him to his chest. Mullet rocked back and forth as he waited. After five minutes of silence, Roy spoke.

"I'm sorry." He whispered.

"It's ok, I understand." He continued to rock Roy back and forth.

"No, I owe you an explanation."

"If you insist." Mullet forced a smile for Roy's sake.

"I think I made a mistake…" the brunette stopped not being able to finish.

Mullet tensed instantly fearing the worst. "What do you mean?"

"I thought I could but I can't. I'm not ready for this."

"I'm sorry Roy , if it seemed like I was rushing you. Please give me another chance, I don't want to lose you."

"I need to go check on the house. I'll be back." he rushed from the galley leaving a distressed Mullet behind.

Mullet sat on the bed with his head in his hands. This was not good, he had thought things were fine. Roy was hiding something from him. Whatever it was had caused the reaction he had just witnessed. He didn't like that Roy was so troubled. What he did had reminded Roy of something or someone.

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Roy pedaled furiously trying to get home. Why did I do that? His mind screamed at him. Things were so good until an image of him flashed through his mind. The problem was Mullet reminded Roy of him.

Their not the same, Roy thought firmly. He was protective, possessive and abusive. Mullet may have been protective but he was neither of the other two. Mullet was compassionate and kind. Why did he remind me of the other?

I've hurt Mullet because of him! Roy almost cried at the thought and turned around. Forget about the house, I have to apologize to Mullet! His mind was in overdrive and nothing else mattered but Mullet. He would tell Mullet the truth no matter how much it hurt.

He nearly collided with the Molly Bell as he jumped off his bike. Not seeming to care, he climbed the ladder and rushed to the galley. Mullet was sitting on the bed, head in hands. Roy rushed over and hugged him.

Mullet was a bit taken back. Roy had just left and was already back. The smaller boy seemed to hold on for life.

"I'm sorry! I was being stupid!" the words burst from Roy's mouth before Mullet could say anything.

"It's ok, Sweet." He held Roy as if fragile.

"I need to tell you why."

Mullet just nodded and waited. Roy began to tell him about the other. How he would hit and insult him whenever a chance arose. How he was possessive and made Roy 's friends leave him. How he wasn't able to talk to certain people because of him. Roy said how controlling and angry he would become if he disobeyed him.

"We weren't even together....." Roy whispered softly at the end.

Mullet took this all in and hugged Roy closer.

"But why did I remind you of him?"

"It's a silly reason actually."

"Your secret is safe with me." Mullet whispered as he nuzzled Roy's cheek.

"It's the feeling of being vulnerable."

Mullet just hugged him closer. "I didn't mean to make you feel that way."

"I know, it's just old habits die hard."

"Did he make you feel vulnerable too?"

"Yes, but it was different. You make it ok, he made it into my weakness."

That's the last they talked of it. Roy looked sad, so Mullet cheered him up.

"Guess where we're going tomorrow?"

Roy smiled at Mullet's enthusiasm. "Where?"

"You have to guess!"

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"It's probably the last thing I'd think of."

Roy laughed as Mullet pouted, before saying;. "We're going to the carnival that's in town!"

"I didn't know there was one in town."

"Tomorrow is opening night and I want to take you."

Roy's brow furrowed as other things came to mind. "But…"

Mullet cut him short. "Don't worry about any of that. Just relax and tomorrow the fun begins."

TBC

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Did you like? Well let me know if you like the remix. I figured I'd add more to the moment before Roy just randomly shoves Mullet away. Because now I'm sure you'll resent me even more for it. I aim to irritate. =D RXR.

MUTT