The three friends walked to Pizza Hut from the batting cages. Locke said he'd pay for lunch, since Zell was paying for the movie snacks, on top of having paid to spend time at the batting cages. Selphie was buying the movie tickets. "Pepperoni and mushroom." Said Selphie to the waiter.
"Extra cheese and pepperoni." Locke said. Zell didn't really care either way. "I'll just share with them." He said. The waiter told them they'd be served in a moment and he walked to the counter to fill their orders. The three of them were silent, not knowing what to say to each other as far as a face to face went.
Selphie swung her leg sideways, kicking Zell's foot to get his attention. "Say something." Her eyes shouted at him.
Locke watched their interaction and smiled; pulling a couple of napkins free from the dispencer, he used them to hide his amusement by wiping away grease.
"Where'd you used to live?" Asked Zell. After getting a couple napkins as well.
Locke looked at Zell replying. "Fishermans Horizon. My dad subliminally made us live out there; but he's not really my father just my stepfather."
'He's such an open book,' Thought Selphie approvingly.
"What about your birth dad, do you know where he is?" Asked Zell.
"Tch. Don't make him out to be a hero, that drug addicted bastard." But he said it with more attitude than anger.
"Here you are." The waiter said placing a tray in-front of them with a large pitcher of Pepsi.
"Thank you." The female member of the trio replied. She cocked her head back and forth before saying. "Although, what did he do aside from bring it to us."
Locke chuckled to himself grabbing a slice of the extra cheese and pepperoni, Selphie took two of the sausage and mushroom, and Zell grabbed one of each.
"So, go on with the story. Was he abusive, too, or just a crackhead?" Asked Selphie. She then feeling a sharp jab on the side from Zell's finger. "Ooow." She mouthed, giving him a glare.
"It's okay, I don't mind at all." Locke reassured the blond to keep them from banging each other up the entire meal. "He was just a dead-beat druggy, so my mom left him. We were in the midst of searching for a place, and my mom met my second dad at a market, when she was buying a shrimp platter. She liked him, and he told her where he lives and what he does. Next thing you know, we moved to F.H. She and Conrad reconnected, and they've been tight since." He paused adding. "Although, the family fun times I can do without."
"Who couldn't." Selphie remarked.
Zell huffed in disbelief. "What, am I part of the only disfunctional family in Dollet?" Selphie and Locke looked at Zell while he spoke. "My parents never do any of that with me. My mom's a nervous wreck, when she's not trying to better my life, and my dad... I don't even wanna get started on him."
Locke's mouth twisted to the corner of his face. He could imagine what that must be like. Sliding his foot forward, he touched the tip of his sneaker with Zell's; however the distracted blond jerked it back thinking it was an accident. He looked embarrassed, and the red-rimmed ears was telling.
"You know what pisses me off," Selphie was saying, in her own little world. "They never have the right pizza seasonings anymore." Oh yeah, she was lost to the world. But, it was a perfect distraction from the current conversation.
By the middle of the meal, Locke was picking sausage from Selphie's half and sticking them onto his own, she didn't care too much, she was only in it for the mushrooms, and she has had her fill with four. Zell ate the rest of her half. And Locke ate enough, leaving just one of his behind.
After paying for the pizza, the three of them left for the movies to see Underworld. It was Selphie's choice since she was buying the tickets. They didn't buy that much to eat during the movie because they were still full from lunch. And the brief moment to just pal-around and walk about didn't refresh their appetite by much. At the most they got a large box of Dots to share, a few packets of Sugar Babies and a large Sprite also to share.
Locke and Selphie were really into the movie; Zell couldn't tear himself away from Locke. His scent was drifting into his nose! It was maddening! He smelled a lot like cinamon, so there was a good chance he was wearing 'Inferno' which was the newest cologne on the market.
'Why would he wear cologne just to hang out with friends?' Zell wondered. Leaning closer to his crush, Zell took another whiff. 'I wonder if it gets stronger when you're hot?' Shaking his head, he backed away from Locke. 'This is pathetic, I've gotta calm myself down before I end up doing something stupid.'
Settling back in his seat, Zell watched the movie with them, finding it a little boring because he'd missed most of the plot due to sneaking glances at Locke.
"Ohhh wooow!" Selphie cheered as low as she could. It sucked for her to have to whisper. "That was so cool."
"Yeah." Agreed Locke. They watched as the female vampire shot holes in the floor around her and fell through. Locke and Selphie jumped up from their seats shouting: "Awesome!" with their fists in the air. Sitting back down, Locke placed his hand on the arm rest and felt Zell's beneath it.
He quickly pulled it back whispering. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay." Zell whispered back, while thinking. 'Sorry for what, making part of my dream a reality.'
Locke rested his hands in his lap, making a boat out of them. Selphie glanced to the side over at Zell and then over to Locke. 'Time for me to go.' She touched her watch and set it to beep in three minutes. In the meantime, she finished the rest of the snacks by herself because the boys had stopped eating, out of what she figured was shy discomfort.
Beep, beep! Beep, beep! Selphie looked down at her watch. "Shoot, I have to go." She stood. "My grandmother's coming to visit, and I'm supposed to be there for the whole: "look how big you've grown" deal."
The pair watched her get up and grab her little carry backpack from the seat. "I'll see you guys tomorrow, okay?" Adjusting the straps she waved then headed out. "Enjoy the rest of the movie."
Zell shook his head in disbelief. 'That girl is good, I'll give her that. I could have never come up with the grandma thing.' Locke was fidgiting next to him, getting Zell's attention. "What's up?"
"What time is it?"
Zell pressed the indiglow on his watch. "A little past one thirty." He let go the botton, putting them back in the darkness again.
Locke still seemed a little anxious over something and he finally said. "You wanna go?"
Zell thought he would never ask. Standing up to show that he obviously does want out, they dropped their boxes and things to the floor and walked out into the afternoon of the day. The two of them travelled quietly along the streets. The quiet came from being too shy or the avoidance of what they were afraid might slip out. Wondering where they were, Zell looked up at the street crossing. 'Lansing.' He mentally noted, hearing Locke sigh beside him.
"Zell..." He trailed off.
Zell could wait for the question. Whatever was the question, he would answer truthfully.
"What we were talking about before, the other day after school... Did youuu...?" He wet his lips and looked down. More silence until. "God I wish there was an easier way to say this." The brunet said out of nowhere.
"Say what?" Zell asked.
"What do you think of...?" Again Locke trailed off on him.
'Whaaat?' Zell pleaded. 'What do I think of what?'
More silence. They continued their walk just looking straight ahead and not saying anything. A stray dog walked by, sniffing both of their hands before wandering away. 'Just come right out and say it.' Locke coaxed himself. He looked over to Zell, who was looking down at his shadow. "Zell..." When he turned his head upon hearing his name, Locke spit it out. "I... I like men."
Zell's eyes widened hearing that. He had to have been mistaken. "Locke, did you..."
"I see my house." The brunet cut him off. "I better get going."
Zell's shoulders slumped, and he mumbled. "Oh."
Locke patted him on the back and ran ahead a bit. Stopping suddenly, Locke turned around and shouted. "Hey, Zell!" The called turned to face him with question. "What I look for in a person is good-looks, a nice personality, and they have to be someone who doesn't mind doing some of the stuff I'm into and I can do some of the stuff they're into."
Zell smiled and shouted back. "Sounds like we've got a thing for the same type of people!"
Locke shook his head, backing up as he talked. "No, just for each other!" After that was out the brunet waved, turned around and ran to his house.
"He did say it..." Zell couldn't hide the huge grin on his face behind a house. He's smiling that big. His heart even started hurting in his chest. "Locke's gay..." He whispered; liking the way it sounded from his mouth he whispered it again.
...
Zell ate his dinner as though it was the best tasting stuff on earth, when it's really just average. He even ate the carrots - - and he hates carrots! Floating up the stairs Zell collapsed onto his bed, turning the lights off. "Locke Cole," He sighed out, closing his eyes.
He gently rubbed his abdomen then his hand gradually found its way up to chest, and he brushed at his nipples with his thumb, lightly up and down.
"God, I need you." Zell breathed out.
He continued to fondle his chest, brushing scissored fingers past the perked buds. Zell's blue eyes opened and he looked beside him to where an imagined Locke was seated, watching him. He was wearing the clothes he'd first seen him in; a tantalizing look in his hazel eyes; his hair laid over his face making his half-lidded gaze a reaper. God did he look sexy.
Locke leaned forward in the chair; reaching out with his finger he traced the back of Zell's hand, gently pursuing it to go lower. Zell could only comply by lowering his hand and unzipping his jeans. He and Locke reached into the opening beginning a tug of war with his penis as the rope.
Locke removed his hand and let it explore deeper within Zell's pants by grabbing his balls and giving them a rolling squeeze. "Uuuhhh." Zell breathed out.
Knock! Knock! The door burst open popping Zell's thought bubble; he quickly yanked his hands from his pants and looked in the direction of the door.
"Zell honey..." His mother was saying as she walked in.
"What the fuck, mom, I'm getting dressed." He sat himself up on his elbows. "Can't you wait to be invited in?" He mildly yelled at her.
Brandy put her hands up in self-defense, and backed out saying as she went. "Alright, alright. I was just gonna ask you if you wanted dessert, sheesh."
When the door closed again, Zell let his head drop back down on the pillow and he sighed loudly. He looked back over at the chair and, of course, Locke was gone. 'I am sad... I'd better call Selphie, though. She's probably wondering if I got back yet.' Picking up his phone, he pushed the speed dial and waited for her to answer.
After three rings she picked up the phone trying to rip the sound tape with a single. "Yyyyeeesss?"
"Selphie! I have the best news!" He rolled over onto his stomach, and supported himself on his elbows as he spoke. "When we were walking home from the movies, Locke told me that he's into guys!"
Selphie screamed in a low tone before saying. "Oh, that's so great! Does that mean you two are gonna get together now?" She asked, hoping the answer was "yes".
Zell replied that he didn't know about all that, but maybe they could see each other on Sunday. "Speaking of which... Thanks for leaving us alone at the theater; you're a standard babe."
Selphie laughed to herself. "Remember that on my birthday, when you walk into an expensive store."
Zell nodded and said. "I will." Scooting up to a sitting position, he moved the blinds with his fingers and looked out the window. "Open your blinds."
Selphie sat up in her bed and pulled the string to the blinds. They waved to each other.
Zell pulled his blinds up as well, and sat up onto the window seat. "I think I'm too excited about all this, though; I don't wanna lose him like I lost Cloud." Zell was saying.
Selphie waved the words away, shaking her head. "You didn't lose Cloud, he moved." She heard Zell make a sound of: Whatever.
"It's the same difference." He retorted for his emotions on the subject. "Besides that, I nearly got caught masturbating while imagining the guy watching me. Hopefully mom didn't see anything I was doing." Selphie broke into a fit of laughter. "It's not funny. I never would have lived it down, especially if my father found out."
"Oh puleeze, like he never did it as a kid." Selphie commented.
"I'm sure he didn't; my dad is so homaphobic even touching himself is gay. You know, cause he's a man."
Selphie laughed even harder this time.
Zell tried not to but he started laughing, too. "It is funny. How can people be so stupid sometimes?" He wondered out loud.
"I don't know..." She paused a moment. "So, are you gonna ask him out tomorrow - - just the two of you? Cause I'm hanging out with Rin' tomorrow, and I can't chaperone you two. Meaniiiiing..."
"Meaning what?" Asked Zell, although he knew perfectly well what she was getting at.
"Meaning nothing. Have fun like boys, do and you'll tell me aaaall about it." She said.
"Ha. You don't have to tell me that, you know I call you every night."
Selphie made a sound to agree, then said. "Yup, cause you're not my boyfriend." She made kissy sounds through the phone and Zell did the same. "Bye, I'll see you at school." Selphie said goodbye as well and they hung up.
'Time for dessert.' He thought climbing under the blanket. Jeans down, gender out, he latched on and pleasured himself.