So kila asked for Jake getting bullied on his own. So, um, the bullies at McKinley aren't exactly the most creative bunch, so they don't do anything particularly original. Or maybe it's just that I'm not very imaginative when it comes to torturing my characters.

Warnings for more slurs and bullying etc.

Having hopped off the bus, Jake hurries across the parking lot to reach the front entrance. He wants to get to his locker as soon as possible. Wants to beat Ryder there, so he can watch him as he arrives. Like he does every day. Because Ryder meets him at his locker every day.

Jake's lost in thought, so he's not really paying too much attention to where he's going. He doesn't notice the crowd of jocks that have surrounded him until the taunting starts.

'Hey Puckerman, fabulous day isn't it?' The other jocks laugh at the way the word is emphasised.

'Yea,' another jock adds, 'I'm just feeling so gay today.'

The rest of the group turn on the guy for a moment to laugh at him. Jake takes the opportunity to try to sneak away, but a burly guy steps in front of him and grips onto the shoulder of his shirt. 'Not so fast, fag.'

'Don't go running off to your little boyfriend just yet,' Bobby taunts. 'We know other places where you belong better.' The group's starting to move now, the guy who has hold of Jake forcing him along. Jake stumbles slightly, but manages to regain his balance.

'Here we go.' It's Phil speaking now. 'Home, sweet home. Just where garbage like you belongs.' They've come to a stop, and Jake looks around him nervously. They're standing in front of the dumpster, and realisation quickly dawns on him. He's heard of this happening before. Any fear he'd been feeling has now trebled in size. He's officially freaking out.

There's a guy on his other side now, gripping at his other shoulder. Jake doesn't have a chance to think any further before he's being bodily lifted, and thrown into the dumpster. He lands with a clanging thump that knocks all the air out of him. There's barely any garbage in the bin, and he lands half on the metal floor. It hurts like a bitch.

The jocks are still talking to him. 'Yah know, we'd chuck your boyfriend in there too, if we weren't worried you'd start fucking like rabbits.' The taunts are about to continue, but Jake hears a distinctly feminine voice instead.

'Oi, knuckleheads, leave my boy alone.' Jake hardly dares to believe it's really her. 'Otherwise I'll start spreading it round that someone gave me chlamydia. And I'll make sure that I name drop a half dozen possibilities.' Apparently, that's all the threatening they need, because Jake can hear them shuffling off.

'You alright?' Two heads are peering down at him; Kitty and Joe.

He grimaces in reply, unable to speak. His breathing is still slowly coming back to him.

'Well, can you at least stand? We need to get you out of there.' Jake slowly pushes himself to his feet, stumbling slightly but eventually getting his balance. As he leans against the side, Joe hauls him out, Kitty helping.

The moment he's on solid ground he collapses down, propping himself up against the dumpster. Vaguely, he notices he's crying.

There's a squeal from above him, and Sugar's diving towards him, ready to envelop him in a hug. She pulls up short though when she notices his tears.

'What's wrong?'

'I need Ryder.' It comes out as a weak, pathetic whisper, but Jake really doesn't care. He just really needs his boyfriend.

'Unique's already gone to find him.' Jake just nods his head in understanding. Sugar has attached herself to him now in a tight hold that is keeping him together. He kinda feels grateful for her.

He forces his eyes open when he hears his name being shouted. Ryder is hurrying over to him, his face filled with panic and worry. When he reaches the group, he falls to his knees in front of Jake, gripping at his shoulders with concern.

'Shit, babe, are you ok?' Jake just nods in response, but he can feel more tears flowing over.

Distantly, Jake hears someone say, 'We're gonna leave now,' but he doesn't really register. He's too busy staring into Ryder's eyes, trying to ground himself, restore order. Ryder must realise that, because he just stares back, not even blinking. His hands run up and down over Jake's arms, warm and comforting.

Eventually, Jake is able to look away. He looks at the ground as he begins to speak. 'I was so scared.'

'I know, babe, I know.' His hands are still running up and down his arms. 'Do you wanna go somewhere more comfortable? We can wag homeroom.'

He nods in response. Ryder gets up quickly before holding his hands out. Jake lets himself be pulled up. Using the momentum of it, he falls into Ryder, letting himself be wrapped up in a hug. He hides his face against Ryder's chest. Ryder's strong arms are around him, and all he can smell is his boyfriend. Finally, he finds himself feeling completely safe.

'I love you,' he whispers, pulling his head away slightly, so that Ryder can hear him.

Ryder kisses his forehead before replying. 'I love you too. But you need to clean up. You smell terrible.'