Disclaimer: I do not own AFI or anyone mentioned here or around them. This is not their true biography, this is simply fiction. Luv.
The story:
Jade marched his way across the yard and stormed into the kitchen just as Hunter and Adam walked into the very same room. Hunter looked up, eyes wide.
�Oh shit! See, Adam? I told you we shouldn�t have taken the pimp mobile! He�s gonna kick our assess now!� He pretended to cower as Jade advanced.
�Look, Jade,� Adam held up his hands defensively. �We just needed it to go pick up a spare tire, that�s all. We would have asked you but you would have said no.�
Jade stopped a foot in front of Adam, the latter finally taking in his teary-eyed glare. �Hunter,� Jade muttered to him, �why don�t you go get started on the tire. I need to talk to Adam right now.�
"Y-yeah, sure.� Hunter looked back and forth between the two, clearly not too eager to miss the action, but not willing to stay within Jade�s anger too long.
�What�s up?� Adam asked quietly when Hunter finally left.
�What�s up?� Jade sneered. �What�s up with you ditching Davey like that? You betrayed him. Left him to get his ass kicked by Michael Dunn. What the hell was that about?�
�Oh.� Adam looked infinitely tired and sad at the same time. So much so that Jade�s prosecution faltered slightly. �That.� he lowered his eyes to the side and folded his arms. After a minute, he looked out the kitchen window at the back yard.
�Yeah, that!� Jade recovered and snapped with viciousness. �You forget or something?�
�Yeah, I did, as a matter of fact.� Adam said, but without the usual bite to his voice that came when he was annoyed. �Look, Jade, this isn�t any of your business, really. What happened on that playground is between me, Davey and Michael Dunn. You should stay out of it.�
Jade�s jaw dropped and he made a disbelieving noise at Adam. �What the- fuck you! No! Don�t you tell me what or what not to do, you coward!� at this, Adam flinched and squeezed his eyes shut. �How can you tell me what to do when here you go betraying your best friend? Huh? You LED Michael Dunn and all those little fuckers to Davey! How could you?? He TRUSTED you! You know he�s still hurting on that? Oh, he loves you, Adam, he does, he worships the ground you walk on. But you betrayed him. You sold him out.� Jade�s voice went unnaturally low. He took a step backward as if trying to distance himself from his friend.
Adam�s jaw tightened and he glared up at Jade. As he did, the first of several tears slid down his cheek. �I said for you to stay out of it. You won�t. Then I�ll tell you why I did it. But why hear me out? You heard Davey out. You�ve known me longer. You�ve met him only yesterday and you�d believe the worst shit of me.�
Jade�s complexion burned a faint red. �I�ll hear you out. Davey needs to know why. He�s. . . damn, Adam. He�s hurting. You should hear it in his voice. He�s heart broken.�
�And I�m not?� Adam gave a wistful smile. �Davey was my best friend. I hurt him. For months he wouldn�t talk to me. For a couple of years he would avoid me at all costs. But he was still my best friend. I wish to god I had stood up to Michael that day, but I didn�t. I couldn�t. Not with Davey on the line.�
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Michael Dunn had Adam cornered. He had waited until he spotted Adam trying to make his escape down a side hall to go join his little �boyfriend� behind the cafeteria. Then Dunn had the other boys surround and corner him.
Adam looked at all five boys standing around him, blocking him. �What�s going on?� He asked, looking at Eric Madison. The boy frowned and quickly looked away as if he were embarrassed to even be here.
�Nothing, Adam,� Michael Dunn sneered. �What�s going on with you?�
�Nothing.� Adam shrugged carelessly, meaning it.
�Uh, huh.� Dunn nodded, not believing it. �Haven�t seen you for a while. Was thinkin� you were trying to ditch us or sumpthin�.�
Adam frowned. �You guys were the ones who ditched me! You guys left me. So I found a new friend. You guys can do whatever you want. I�m going to go play.� He tried making his way out of the circle but they held steady and pushed him back in.
Adam glared and tried again. No go, they simply pushed him back in. Dunn sneered. �I know what you do, Adam.� he said, freezing Adam�s blood cold, �I know what you and that faggot do behind the cafeteria.�
�Don�t call him that.� Adam shook with fury. But Dunn ignored him.
�I know what you do. I�ve seen you doing it yesterday. But these guys, they don�t believe me. They don�t believe that you kiss boys.� at this, Adam turned a deep red. He looked around at the circle around him and saw glares. All except Madison, who was still hanging his head, eyes down cast.
�So,� Dunn said, relishing his commanding power, �you�re going to show them. Isn�t that right, Adam?�
�Fuck you.� Adam said through gritted teeth.
�Watch your mouth, asshole.� Dunn glared. �You do as I say. Or else the little faggot gets it. You understand? You kiss him, or me an� the guys are gonna beat his queer-boy ass into the ground. And maybe we�ll spit in his hair, too. Won�t be so nice after, will it? Maybe we should put a ball of gum in it? Won�t he be liking his head shaved, huh? Think about it, Adam. You might be able to hold your own in a fight, but he won�t. Do it, or we see he get�s hurt bad.�
Adam glared back at Dunn�s hateful blue eyes. What was he going to do? What could he do? Kiss Davey and prove to his �friends� that he, Adam, kissed boys? Or refuse and get Davey beaten up and his hair, his best feature so far, (according to Adam), cut off? How would Davey forgive him?
He could never hurt Davey. He would have protected him to the very end of their lives. He inhaled deeply. �If I kiss him, will you promise not to hurt him?� Adam asked quietly.
Dunn grinned broadly. �Yeah, sure. Just kiss him, queer. And prove to these guys you�re a fruit.�
�I�m not a fruit. And neither is Davey.� Adam glared at Dunn, then at the other boys. He turned and walked past Madison, who gave him no resistance. He led the way to their area behind the cafeteria, Dunn and the others following close behind.
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Adam wiped his face on the back of his hands. Jade looked down, suddenly ashamed of his behavior. �You. . . couldn�t. . .� he said slowly.
�No,� Adam said, laughing sadly. �I couldn�t hurt him. I didn�t know Dunn was going to hurt him anyway. I didn�t know they would all kiss him. If I�d known. . . I would have killed him right there.� His voice was dead and filled with conviction.
Jade looked up. �Adam, you�ve gotta talk to Davey. He�s still thinking. . .�
Adam shook his head. �He won�t believe me. He�ll just think it�s my attempt at trying to get out of him being mad at me.�
Jade nodded. �Then I�ll tell him.� he started out. He stopped at the hand on his arm.
�Jade,� Adam said softly. �Please, let it go. Just let it go. And don�t listen to anymore of this story. It�s the past. And it hurts. It hurts him. What he went through, all those years ago. He�s had it worse than anyone in this town. If he tries to talk again, get him side tracked, will you? I don�t want him thinking about old shit that�ll get him hurting again.�
Jade looked into Adam�s eyes. �Yeah, sure.� he nodded, then walked out, leaving Adam to watch him go.
Outside, Jade sat back down at the table, across from Davey. He sat in the exact same position as when he left; head down and resting on his forearms. �See?� Davey whispered to Jade. To him it sounded as if Davey were crying. Indeed, when Davey looked up, his eyes were overflowing and he sniffed occasionally. . . But he was smiling, also.
�Didn�t I tell you he was a great guy?� Davey whispered.
Jade�s mouth opened. �You heard? You heard what he told me?� Jade looked but saw the kitchen window still shut tightly.
Davey smiled and tapped his temple. �He broadcasts without knowing it sometimes. I got snips of what he was thinking, but it was enough. Dunn threatened him by trying to hurt me, that right?�
�Yeah, but he couldn�t let you get hurt.� Jade nodded, grinning. �So he made Dunn swear not to hurt you. Very valiant, I might add.�
�Yes, it is.� Davey smirked happily and gladly blushed before hiding behind his forearms again. Jade laughed and patted Davey�s head lightly.
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After Hunter�s unsuccessful attempt at using Adam�s car jack, Adam himself had to get to the tire himself.
�You�re missing a piece.� Hunter told him. �I don�t know how the fuck you can use this fucking piece of shit jack without something missing.�
Adam scowled at him, not really in the mood to play. In his head, more old memories were trying to resurface. He had to battle them back down. �It�s not missing anything. You just don�t know how to use one.� Adam slipped it under the edge of the car and hooked the arm in. He pumped up and down a few times, lifting the car slightly. �See?� he said, �it�s working.�
Hunter glared at him before leaving to find better company. Most likely the television.
Adam unscrewed the nuts and switched tires but accidentally knocked the nuts across the floor in the process. They scattered underneath the car and to the far wall beyond. �Fucking. . .� Adam let fly a string of curses under his breathe. As he lay flat on his stomach and began reaching for the first bolt, he felt a touch on his back leg.
�You were always better at the creative curses than I was.� a voice amused quietly. A voice thick with held-back emotion. Shit. Davey.
�Why are you thinking like that?� Davey asked quietly, running his boot along Adam�s leg. Adam looked up to see Davey leaning against the counter table behind him. Although his eyes were red-trimmed, he was smiling broadly. �Wouldn�t you rather think like this?� his foot moved up and slid between Adam�s legs. Grinning devilishly, he pressed slightly.
�Fuck.� Adam hurriedly moved Davey�s leg out of the way. He got up to his knees and frowned at him. �Davey, what are you doing? Jade or Hunter could come in at any minute!�
Davey smirked. �Not really. I sent them to go get some ice cream. Actually, it was more like Jade�s idea. He said we needed some alone time.� Davey moved away from the counter to stand directly beside Adam. He wrapped his arms around him. �I missed you Adam.� He leaned down and kissed his forehead.
�I missed you, too, Davey.� Adam said, putting his hands on Davey�s hips. �But I. . . I can�t. . .�
�Shh,� Davey smiled down at him, �I know what you can and cannot do. Come on. We�ve only got ten more minutes before they come back. You wanna do it in here or upstairs?�
�Davey!� Adam said, shocked, but still able to laugh. He stood up, attempting to try and get away from Davey.
�Oh, no you don�t!� Davey laughed and pushed him up against the car. �I�ve waited long enough.� he leaned in and caught Adam�s lips in a quick, teasing kiss that made Adam almost follow after.
�No fair.� Adam whispered. �You�re a fucking tease.�
�That I am.� Davey said, leaning his body close. His eyes sparkled darkly. �You remember, that time in the tree house? When you wanted to play doctor? You still think I�m a tease?�
Adam flushed and laughed. �I forgot about that. But I didn�t hear you complain, now did I?�
Davey�s grin dropped to peer at Adam seductively. �Why on earth would I complain?� he moved to whisper in Adam�s ear. �You were fucking me senseless. Got me shouting your name. Did you WANT me to complain?� His hand slipped between Adam�s legs and gave a slow stroke.
Adam shuddered. �Shit, Davey. . . don�t. . .� his hands gripped Davey�s sides painfully but Davey only moaned low in his ear.
�Come on, Adam.� Davey�s voice came out begging, �come on! Fuck me! You know you want to!� he laughed low and thickly, tickling Adam�s neck. �Or do you want me to suck you off instead?�
With his hand still moving across Adam�s jeans and the steamy words he was whispering in his ear, Adam could have died right there. He was so turned on he could have blown his heart in two from all the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He involuntarily pulled Davey closer, trapping his hand between them.
�If I fuck you,� Adam whispered, deciding Davey needed some of the same treatment, �it�ll take longer than ten minutes and you won�t be able to STAND afterward for several days. IF I fucked you.� He trailed a tongue along Davey�s ear to make him shudder. He felt Davey�s hand squeeze him out of need and decided this was the point he had been waiting for.
Davey was at a complete loss when Adam suddenly pulled away and stepped out of his reach. �Wha-?� Davey whispered, voice still full of lust. He watched in a daze as Adam went and grabbed the broom to sweep out the scattered nuts.
Davey�s face burned in silent anger. His jaw shut with a snap and he strolled out without a noise. Adam, glanced up in surprise to see Davey gone. �Shit, Davey,� he whispered out loud, �I was only teasing.�
In answer, Davey slammed shut the bathroom door. . . at the opposite end of the house.
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Jade was disappointed to find Adam�s car parked outside of the garage, fixed. He had been hoping their make-out session would have at least lasted longer than five minutes.
�Why you look disappointed?� Hunter asked as they made their way inside. �You still thinking about that chocolate swirl ice cream? I told you, you should have gotten that instead of this butter pecan crap.�
�Hey, I like butter pecan, foo!� Jade said. He was also let down when he spotted Adam sitting in front of the television and no Davey in sight.
�Hey,� Jade asked him quietly while Hunter went to the kitchen, �how�s it going?�
Adam snorted. �Not great. He�s mad at me.�
Jade sighed. �How long�s he been mad?�
�Couple minutes after you left. Do me a favor and see if he�s still mad, will you? For some reason he still likes you.� Adam took his eyes wearily away from the television set to settle on Jade.
Jade smirked. �Everyone likes the Jade-man. You have to admit,� Jade said, walking down the hall, �you like him, too.� He left with the retreating sound of Adam�s chuckles.
******************
Knock, knock. Jade rapped against the bathroom door.
�I said no, Adam!� Davey yelled shrilly.
Jade laughed. �It�s not Adam. It�s Jade.� The door immediately unlocked and Davey pulled Jade inside. Once he was in, Davey shut and locked the door again.
�Sorry, Jade.� Davey apologized. �Just that I don�t think I can stand him right now.�
Jade watched Davey sit back down inside the dry bathtub, legs folded. �There�s still room.� Davey smiled hopefully as he gestured to the other end.
Jade grinned. �I�d love to.� He moved to sit and adjust comfortably. �You know, Adam�s about the cleanest guy I�ve met. Either that, or he hasn�t taken a bath in years!�
Davey chuckled. �No, Adam likes showers. He uses the one next to his bedroom, you know, the half restroom, half closet type thing?�
�Really?� Jade asked, frowning. �Huh. I didn�t know that.�
�Yeah, he only uses this one for shaving and for shitting. I hope he has to go bathroom soon.� Davey smirked and went back to the book he was reading. Jade couldn�t see a title but the cover was old and worn through years of use.
�What you reading?� Jade asked.
�Tales of Hoffman.� Davey grinned. �You know, this has always been one of my favorites? The first story, the one about the android made of wood? How no one noticed she sounded like machinery until she sneezed? Oh, yeah, sure, they SAID they noticed, but that was only after her secret came out. Those jerks.�
Jade laughed. �I�ve never even heard of Hoffman, dude. Sure, I think I might have come across something like that sometime, but. . . nope. Doesn�t ring a bell.�
Davey gasped at him, appalled. �What? No! You�ve got to read it! I love it! I�ve had this copy since I was little. Here, take it and read it.� he shut the book and handed it to Jade.
�Oh, hey, I didn�t mean for you to--�
�No, take it!� Davey assured him. �I�ve read it so many times already, it�s insane. Just read it, okay?�
Reluctantly, Jade took the book. �Thanks, man.� he looked around. �So, what have you been doing in here all this time? Reading?�
�Naw,� Davey said, smiling faintly. �I got the book a few minutes ago. Been sitting here staring at the tile, waiting for Adam to come knocking. You know, he hasn�t! Not once! That�s why I shouted at you through the door. I thought it was him, keeping his thoughts quiet.�
�Humph.� Jade nodded, then smiled evilly. �You at least get him interested?�
Davey looked to the side. �I think I did. Well, for a time I did. Surprised him a little at that, though. You know, he�s always been the one to. . . well, to start things. I was always too shy to do anything that bold. Even if it was just Adam.�
Jade squirmed happily. �Ooh! OOH! Tell me! Tell me!�
�Tell you what?� Davey asked, perplexed.
�Tell me about the first time.� Jade said, �tell me about the first time you two got busy.�
Davey turned pink. �Oh, well, I�m not sure if Adam would like me to talk about that. . . wait, let me ask him.� To Jade�s surprise, he didn�t get up, but squinted slightly.
Jade realized what he was doing. �No! Wait! Don�t tell him!� Immediately Davey stopped.
�Why not?� he asked quietly.
�Because,� Jade relaxed when he saw that Adam wasn�t going to come charging through the door, �he told me not to ask you. He told me to let it go.�
�He did?� Davey asked slowly, �you mean, he doesn�t want me to talk about it?�
Jade shook his head. �Only because he thinks it hurts you. Does it? I mean if it does, I won�t ask you anymore.�
�Huh, oh, no, no it doesn�t hurt me.� Davey looked thoughtful. �I just thought he might not be very comfortable knowing I was revealing all these things about us.�
�Well,� Jade said slowly, �if you tell them to me, I won�t tell anyone else. And if we don�t tell Adam, he won�t know we�re talking about him, right?� He frowned. �Does he listen to your thoughts a lot?�
Davey shook his head. �Only what I let out. Adam never barges in unless he thinks I�m in danger or when. . . never mind. I don�t know what I�m saying. But no, he won�t know what we�re talking about unless I let him know.�
�Good,� Jade stood and held his hand out to Davey. �Come on, we�ll talk where it�s more comfortable.� Davey stood and followed Jade out of the bathroom.
Adam and Hunter were sitting in the living room eating ice cream. Adam looked up and saw Jade and Davey holding hands. He glared. �What are you up to?� he asked.
Jade gave his usual bland expression. �Oh, it�s okay, Adam, we�re just going into your bedroom to make out.�
�Oh, okay.� Adam nodded and went back to eating his ice cream. Davey laughed and followed after Jade. �Don�t get the sheets dirty.� Adam called out to them, �I have to sleep there, you know.�
�Uh huh, gotcha.� Jade nodded to him, then pulled Davey into the room. He shut the door and kicked off his shoes before leaping on the bed. Davey did likewise.
�So,� Jade said as they settled into laying side-by-side on their stomachs, �tell me, you get top or bottom?� He laughed when Davey punched him playfully.
�Ah, you pervert!� Davey laughed also. �That�s not funny. God, you know, come to think of it. . . never!� he gasped in shocked realization.
Jade�s eyes widened. �Never? Never top?� Davey shook his head. �Wow. Adam�s a jerk. But can you blame him? You�ve got a nice ass.� Jade looked back to make sure.
�Really? You think so?� Davey looked also. �You think that�s what he likes?�
�Sure.� Jade nodded, giving him a love tap on said area. �Firm! Nice. Adam likes firm ass. Another point in your favor. Now, tell! No more sidetracking!�
Davey sighed. He thought a moment. �Hmm, well, you know, we were just a couple of kids, really. I mean, at first, I avoided the hell out of Adam�s way. I never wanted to talk to him any more, let alone see him. But it was lonely. And Adam was the only friend I had, the only person who cared about me as much as I cared about him. It was just. . . inevitable that we�d end up talking again.�
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Eleven year old Adam stopped his bike by letting his sneakers scrape along the ground. Eric Madison stopped beside him also. �What�s up?� he asked.
Adam looked back at the store. He watched the little girl walk away holding two bags of groceries. �I know her.� Adam said, then peddled after. Eric shrugged and followed.
�Hey!� Adam called, catching Davey�s attention. Davey looked up and stopped, seeing who it was.
Today, he wore a simple flower dress with sneakers. His long blond hair was set in fading curls: they still had curves but they were going limp now. They had probably been set the day before, or possibly the one before last. Also, the fringe of bangs over his forehead helped obscure his face. He looked like he wanted to keep walking but miraculously stayed still until Adam came up alongside him.
Adam looked at the bags. �You need some help? I got a basket on the back, see?� he gestured behind him.
Davey looked, then nodded. �Okay.� he said quietly. He put one of the bags in the basket and held onto the other.
�You want a ride?� Adam asked. �You can give the other bag to Eric. He won�t drop it! He can ride a bike with no hands!� Eric demonstrated, smiling for the girl he did not recognize in the slightest.
Davey smiled but shook his head. �Wearin� a dress.� he said softly, swishing the garment back and forth.
�Oh, yeah.� Adam frowned, but only briefly. �Okay! I�ll just walk you home, then! Put the other bag in the basket and I�ll walk my bike!� Davey hesitated, then did as Adam wanted.
They started walking, Adam surprised where Davey was headed. He�d never been to his house before. �So, how�ve you been?� He asked.
Davey gave a brief shrug and smiled up at him shyly. �Dunno. Okay, I guess. You?� His voice hadn�t lost that pre-pubescent tone so Eric didn�t raise any doubts.
�Okay, too.� Adam said. He looked down. �Uhm, Fluffy died.�
�I. . .� Davey was about to say, �I know�, but realized Eric didn�t know they�re secret, �. . .uh, I heard. I�m sorry, Adam. She was a great kitten. How�d she die?�
Adam shrugged, still looking down. �Er, well, you know that brown bird that was always shitting on my dad�s car? Fluffy finally caught it a couple months back. That�s when she died. She choked on it.�
Davey nodded his understanding and looked away. Eric rode his bike in a circle and moved up to Davey�s other side. He smiled at him. �So, what�s your name?� he asked.
Adam frowned, thinking Eric would recognize Davey by now. �Eric!� he said, �this is D--�
�Dominique.� Davey cut in. He grinned broadly at Eric. �My name is Dominique. You�re Eric.�
He grinned goofily. �Yeah, I am. You going out with anyone?�
Adam�s jaw dropped. What the hell--? But Davey giggled. �Yeah, I�m going out with Adam.� to get him to stop his gaping, Davey gave him a nudge. A sharp one.
Adam cleared his throat. �Er, uh, yeah. Dominique�s going out with me.� he gave a glare at Eric, who shrugged it off.
�Whatever.� Eric said. But to Davey. He whispered. �Hey, when you dump him, I�ll be your boyfriend.�
�HEY!� Adam cried out, but Eric gave him a laugh and took off back the way they had come. Adam watched him go while Davey laughed.
�That was funny.� Davey said.
Adam looked at him and started walking again. �Yeah, it was.� he chuckled. He gave the small boy a sideways glance. �Dominique?�
Davey rolled his eyes. �That�s my crazy bitch mom. My name�s David Dominique. I only use the first name. I was supposed to be Danielle Dominique but my dad had the people at the hospital change it. Actually, my middle name is only an initial, D. My mom�s the one who calls me Dominique.�
Adam nodded. �That�s one crazy bitch.� He looked around and saw the neighborhood was steadily becoming worse and worse. �Uh, Davey? You live around here?�
Davey nodded. �Yeah, just down this street. That last house, see the one with the car in front? That�s my dad�s. he�s had it since high school. He says it�s a classic. He�s tryin� to fix it up. But that�s only when he has his friends over and they get to drinking too much. You wanna come in for a snack? I bought some food.� he pointed back at the bags.
And because this was just another way to continue talking to Davey, and because a growing boy like Adam was constantly hungry, he immediately agreed. �Okay.�
They went to Davey�s house, past the grass in the front yard and the spider webs lacing the far corners of the porch beams. Pots that once might have once held plants at one time lined either side of the porch, holding dark, mysterious vegetation that quirked Adam�s disgusted interest, but he didn�t think it was safe to get too near any of it. Davey took the bags from Adam�s bike and led the way inside.
The inside of the house was not much different. The worn, shabby and dirty orange carpet was littered with crumbs and dried, caked mud. The couches were ripped in certain places, and covered unsuccessfully with dingy pillows and torn blankets. Someone, most likely Davey, had tried to clean up recently. There were no cups or plates of food on the coffee table, but there were stains of recent eating still on the table in the form of water rings from glasses and actual food stains. There was also a stench to the place; a sort of ground in muskiness that acquires in places that don�t often get aired out. Adam compared Davey�s house to his own and was immediately grateful for his mother�s insistence on cleanliness. He bit his lower lip and looked away from the mess to follow Davey into the kitchen.
Mostly everything was at eye-level to Davey and Adam. This was weird at first, since Adam was used to getting a chair for certain things in his own house, but he remembered that it was mostly Davey, not Davey�s mother, using this kitchen.
Davey took the grocery items out of the bag and began to put them into the cluttered and somewhat dirty refrigerator, unaware of Adam�s inspection of his habitat. Trying to ignore everything, Adam helped.
�Sardines?� Adam asked, taking out the first thing in the second bag. �You eat these?�
Davey looked at them and shrugged. �Uhm, sometimes. I dunno. I just got what I thought looked nice. And that I can open with the ring on top. My dad likes them. He eats them with crackers.�
Adam looked into the bag and pulled out three more cans of sardines which, Davey instructed, went in the cupboard beside the sink, on the bottom. Next, out of the bag came a jar of peanut butter, a jar of mayonnaise, a pack of beef jerky, three packs of non-matching Kool-Aid a loaf of bread and a bottle of mustard.
Frowning, Adam looked at the things Davey was putting away from the other bag. Two non-edible things were a single roll of toilet paper, and a pack of razors, the last most likely for Davey�s dad. The rest consisted of a box of cereal, a box of crackers and a bag of marshmallows. Adam picked up this last and looked at Davey.
Davey smiled widely. �Oh, yeah, heh. See, I got the little ones this time. They last longer.� he took the bag of marshmallows and the bag of beef jerky and put them in the refrigerator, along with the mayo and the bread.
�So, uh,� Adam looked around, �your mom sent you to the store for all this stuff?�
�Huh?� Davey looked around at him, �Oh, no! No. My mom, she. . .� he paused, then looked up at his friend. �Hold on, I�d better make sure she�s still asleep.� he silently ran out of the room. Minutes later, he came back, smiling. �Yeah, she�s asleep. But we�d better not get too loud or she�ll wake up. My dad leaves money on the tv for me to get food. I make my mom eat when she�s in a good mood. If not, it�s just me eating. My dad eats at his work. Or at the bar. We�ll eat sandwiches, okay? That�s my favorite.� he pulled out plates and utensils from the cupboard and drawers. These were, to Adam�s surprise, very clean.
Davey heard this and looked from Adam to the plates. �I wash them in the morning. I�m getting better at them so long�s I can take my time. You like mayo?�
�Sure.� Adam nodded. Davey got the bread, and peanut butter. He slathered one bread with peanut butter and started on the other when the phone hanging on the wall began to ring.
�Shoot!� Davey muttered and went leaping to answer it. �Hello?�
While Davey talked, Adam began slathering mayonnaise on one of his breads.
On the phone, a woman�s voice says, �Hello, dear.� It�s oddly familiar. �How are you?�
�Uhm, okay, I guess.� Davey answered. And since he figured it was the polite thing to do, asked, �and how are you?�
There was a sound of delight. �Ah! Just great! How�s school going this year? Make any friends?�
�Yup.� Davey glanced a smile at Adam. �His name�s Adam. He�s my best friend.� Adam nodded in agreement, now attacking his peanut butter and mayo sandwich with eagerness.
�Adam? How precious!� the woman on the other side said. �I�m so happy to hear that, dear. How are you at your school work? Are you getting by?�
�Uhmm,� Davey moved to finish making his sandwich, and becoming distracted by watching Adam shove the rest of his own into his mouth, pieces of bread sticking out. Davey chuckled. �Hee, hee.�
�So?� the woman asked in Davey�s ear, �Are you going to answer me, David? How are your grades?�
�Oh,� Davey said, �Uh, I got a B in math! I woulda got an A but Adam kept asking for answers an� I took too long. Uhm, I�m getting an A in everything else. I don�t think my new teacher likes me. He keeps giving me the seat in the corner by the closet.�
�Why does he do that?� She asked curiously.
�Adam,� Davey whispered to him, �why does he do that?�
Adam glared into the fridge, looking for and finding a can of soda. ��Cause he�s a prick.�
��Cause he�s a prick.� Davey repeated into the phone.
The woman laughed. �Oh! Oh dear! I think I like your friend, dear. Tell him I said hello.�
Davey nodded. �Adam, she says hello.�
But Adam frowned. �Who does?�
Davey paused. �I don�t know.� to the phone, he asked, �who is this?� there was a slight clicking sound, then the phone went dead. Puzzled, Davey put the receiver back on the wall.
Adam had downed half the can. �Who was it?� he asked after burping loudly behind his cupped hand.
Davey shrugged. �Dunno. They hung up.�
Adam froze. �You dope! Why�d you talk to them for so long? They coulda been kidnappers wanting to know if you�re alone! They kidnap you like that!�
Davey looked horrified. �B-but she sounded nice! And I THOUGHT I knew her. Thought I heard her talking before.� his eyes went distant. He was brought out of this quickly with the sound of the front door opening and closing. Davey looked up sharply at the clock on the wall.
�Fuck!� he swore. He turned frightened eyes on Adam and whispered urgently. �Adam! My dad�s home! You can�t be here! I don�t know why he�s early, but that�s him! Quick, go out the back door before he comes in!� Davey was already pushing him toward the door with the window.
Adam went. Before he was completely out, he turned back. �Thanks for the food, you want to come to my house tomorrow?� it being the weekend, he figured Davey might not have anything to do.�
Davey smiled faintly. �Sure.� then pushed him out and shut the door.
Adam ran to the front of the house and picked up his bike and headed home, smiling.
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Inside, Davey set both plates in the sink just as Frank walked in. �Who the hell was that, you little shit?� the man demanded. His voice didn�t have the usual slur, so that meant he was sober.
�Wh-who?� Davey asked, turning slowly to look at him. He wore his filthy work overalls stained with grease, oil and dirt, with his name stitched to the front. His face and hands were similarly soiled and he had several days worth of stubble on his cheeks and chin.
�Don�t act stupid, you little dumbass.� Frank growled, marching in and reaching into the sink. He moved the first plate to reveal the second. He glared at Davey. �Who was it?�
Davey swallowed in a dry throat. �M-my friend, Adam. He helped me carry the groceries home, so I. . . we ate a sandwich. That�s all, I swear.�
Frank�s teeth bared slightly. �He drink my beer?�
Davey shook his head frantically. �No! No!�
Frank finally looked Davey over. He laughed cruelly. �She dress you in that? Ha ha! That stupid whore. Can�t tell the difference between pussy and dick. Well, aren�t you cute? Ha ha ha! You wearing those pretty panties, too? Let�s see.� he reached down and lifted Davey�s dress.
Yelping in terror, Davey snatched it back down and jumped back several feet. He didn�t realize his mistake until Frank looked up at him, glaring. �No, no, I�m sorry, I-I�m s-s-sorry!� Davey began to cry as he watched Frank undo his belt, wrapping one end around his fist and leaving the other to swing freely.
�You tell me no?� Frank asked dangerously. �You tell me I can�t?� Swing, WHACK! Swing, WHACK! �You little dipshit! You fuckin� tellin� me NO?!� swing, WHACK!
Davey cowered against the counter with both hands shielding his head. He received two more hits before Frank grabbed his arm and pulled him forward. Davey�s eyes stared in pure fright into Frank�s black ones filled with hatred. �You fucking little queer. You fucking tell me no? You don�t ever, EVER tell me NO again! I do as I please and no little fuck is going to tell me what I can and can�t do, you understand? UNDERSTAND??� he shook Davey to emphasize his point.
Davey wailed slightly, then nodded vigorously. The tears trailed down his face and he trembled with fear. Frank was very unpredictable when angered. There was a good chance Davey might end up too beaten to get up again.
Frank saw the complete submission in Davey�s eyes and grinned ferally. �That�s better, you fucking shit. You�d better be afraid. You�d better remember this the next time I want something. Now, let�s see those panties.� Instead of lifting his hem, Frank turned Davey around and unbuttoned the back of the dress. With a few movements, and to Davey�s horror, Frank stripped the dress off of him.
Frank turned him around and held the dress up for him to see. �You see this? You�re not getting it back tonight. You�re being punished, David. You�ve been bad. You�re going to go the rest of the night without clothes. Just those stupid fuck girls� panties you got on. You understand? You�re not getting this dress back. You�re not putting anything else on, either. Maybe this time you�ll understand. Maybe this time it�ll sink in. You disobey me again and this will happen, only outside, understand? And I�ll let everyone have a chance to send you to hell, got it?�
Sniveling, Davey nodded slowly. �Good,� Frank said, walking out, �Now get me my dinner, and hurry up about it. And make sure you open two cans of sardines this time. I�ve worked up an appetite.�
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�Oh, god,� Jade whispered. While telling the tale, Davey had taken refuge in the safety in his arms, sniffing back the oncoming tears. Jade spoke into his black hair.�Oh, geez, please say Adam didn�t come back after that. Or that you had to go back outside or something!�
Despite the remembered horrors of that night and all the others, Davey laughed. �No, ha ha, he didn�t come back. And I didn�t leave the house. The mail carrier came but Frank went to get it himself. I think he must have realized he shouldn�t use the threat of making me go outside unless he really needed to.� Davey wiped at his face and looked up at Jade. �Look, I�m sorry, you didn�t need to hear all that. You wanted to hear about our first time. That was the next day. I just. . .�
�Needed to get it out.� Jade finished, smiling softly. �I understand. And I don�t mind. It�s actually helping me understand a few things now.�
�About me wearing make-up?� Davey whispered, face once again buried in Jade�s chest.
�About Adam always feeling he�s got to protect you.� Jade whispered. �It�s because he couldn�t then. Not the time before with Dunn, or with your parents. But he can now.� He gave Davey a brief squeeze and kissed the top of his head.
We could have been lovers, Davey thought faintly at the back of his mind, in a different world, under different circumstances, we could have been lovers. He understands me so much, and I know he would give his love freely and set no boundaries. I could have loved this man back with just as much force.
But Adam. He loved Adam. He lived for Adam. Just the thought, the hope of seeing Adam once again had helped Davey get through some of the hardest times of his life. Times when he was nearly gave up. . .
Davey hugged Jade back and kissed his freckled neck. �Thank you Jade. You don�t know how much that means.� he wiped at his face again and cleared his throat. �It happened the next day. It was windy that night and it blew in one of the longest lasting storms of that year. . .�
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Davey, now wearing clothes, jeans and t-shirt, stood in the living room, staring out the picture window. Normally, he wasn�t allowed to open the drapes but it was raining outside and there weren�t many people out that would be able to see in.
The rain was calming, soothing. It fell in sheets that soaked the yard and darkened the black pavement of the road. Puddles formed on the ground and rippled with every new drop to come in contact with it. Davey stared at these until he realized he was looking through his own reflection in the glass. His hand came up and touched the mark Frank�s belt buckle left on his cheek. He got off lucky, he knew. Some parts of him still hurt and he couldn�t move his arm a certain way or it jarred with pain, but he was lucky it hadn�t been worse. The only problem now was not being able to see Adam. With the rain now coming in torrents, Adam�s mother wouldn�t�
Davey�s jaw dropped slightly when he caught sight of the jacket-clad boy coasting through the rain. He purposefully found each puddle and slammed through, creating brief, miniature walls of water with his front tire.
From underneath his hood, Adam peered up at Davey and grinned. He gestured to the largest puddle by the garage. Davey grinned and nodded encouragingly. Adam turned his bike around, gathered plenty of space to pick up speed, then gave it his all. The splash was definitely to the largest so far. The water came up as high as Adam�s head and drenched the ground to either side. A cheer of victory escaped Davey�s mouth before he could clamp a hand over it. Davey waited several seconds but he heard no noise from upstairs.
Adam heard him and turned to grin at him as he rode up to the porch. He sat on his bike as Davey opened the door and stood with him on the porch.
�Hey, what are you doing?� Davey asked, clearly excited. �You�re mom let you come out in the rain?�
Adam smiled and nodded. �Yeah! I told her I was going to come and play with you, but she said we could go to my house. She said something about me being on a rescue mission. I think she wants you to come visit so she can treat you like a brat.� He smirked.
Davey smiled shyly. �She does?� he lost his smile though, seeing the rain getting harder. �I don�t have a jacket. And my dad took the only umbrella.�
Adam grinned. �Don�t worry. You can use my jacket. And,� he reached behind him in the basket. �Here. I brought this incase you might wanna use it.� It was a large umbrella.
Davey watched Adam take off the jacket. �But what about you? Won�t you get sick?�
�Naw!� Adam helped Davey put on the overly large jacket and even zipped it up for him. �I never get sick! My dad says I�m healthy as a horse!� He lifted the hood and securely his friend�s hair inside. �There! Now we can go! Open the umbrella! I�m going to be pushing the bike.�
And they started off, after Davey locked his front door, that is. He walked on the sidewalk, being extra careful not to dirty or get Adam�s jacket any more wet than necessary. Adam, however, trudged ankle deep in the rushing water of the gutter.
Davey saw this and frowned slightly. �You�re gonna get sick.�
Adam laughed. �No I�m not. I told you, I never get sick.� He tilted his head up, shut his eyes and left his mouth open wide to catch the falling droplets of water. Davey concentrated on the wet concrete and how not to slip.
Adam splashed some more water and suddenly had a brilliant idea. �Hey! You know what I wanna do right now?�
Davey grunted. �Go swimming.� It was the one thing Davey didn�t want.
�Yeah!� Adam cried out happily. He hopped a leg over his bike and pushed off. Alarmed at being left alone, Davey gave an �Eep!� before rushing after.
Adam remembered Davey was on foot so slowed down. He coasted along and suddenly stopped. He waited until Davey stopped also before speaking. �You know where?�
Davey had to look at his face before he knew. He nodded. �Yeah. Mr. Hobson�s. he just got through filling it with water last week, before they said the storm was coming.�
�Exactly.� Adam grinned evilly and took off once again. This time, Davey didn�t follow. Instead, he turned right and cut through two houses. He walked without hurry to the brown gate guarding Mr. Hobson�s back yard and leaned against the fence to wait.
Adam came, finally, braking with his sneakers on the slick grass. He frowned at Davey. �Hey! How�d you get here so fast?�
Davey pointed a thumb behind him. �The shortcut. Don�t think about it. You can�t fit the bike through.� He watched Adam lean the bike within the safety of Mr. Hobson�s hedges. No one would see it unless they were looking for it, or if they got too close. Mr. Hobson was a retired marine sergeant who took great care to terrorize both children and adults who trespassed on his lawn. He especially liked calling the cops on anyone going near his brand new swimming pool. Thus, it became every child�s favorite swimming hole. The punishments alone were well worth the excitement and danger.
Adam began picking the lock at the gate with care not to make too much noise. Davey watched, coming to realize that on his own, he never would have had enough guts to do any of this. Adam was leading him through a life of evil and wickedness. He was. . . bad. He was. . . contagious.
Adam froze, hearing this. He looked back up at Davey and grinned. �Thanks.� he nodded sincerely. Davey smiled back, meaning it. With a glint to his eyes and back straight with pride, Adam got the door open and stood back. He took the umbrella from Davey and folded it. He tossed it behind the bushes with the bike. They could pick up both later. Right now, however, they had to be extra sneaky.
Adam made a motion for Davey to follow. He led the way through the side flower beds, crawling underneath each window just incase Mr. Hobson happened to be looking out any of the windows and finally came to stand up at a corner of the building that was windowless.
Davey joined him in a minute, standing also with his back to the wall. �Okay,� Adam whispered to him, �here�s the plan. We run, jump in and as soon as Mr. Hobson comes out shouting, we run like hell in different directions over the back fence. Got it?� Davey nodded. Yes, he got it. In fact, this plan wasn�t new. It was what they always did. The only thing that would stop them was if there were too many boys swimming at once. Then the getaway was jeopardized. But with only Davey and Adam, it would be fairly easier.
�Okay. . . ready. . . get set. . . GO!� Adam cried out and pushed away from the wall. Davey did likewise and began running. They followed the path to the back yard and saw that all the windows facing the back had all their blinds drawn. Only Davey noticed this. Adam kept his eyes on the wide expanse of blue water rippling with fresh rain drops. He thought no more as he reached the edge, then brought his legs up in a joy-filled cannonball.
Davey slowed down and looked back at the house. It was unusually quiet. Mr. Hobson should be out by now. �Never mind!� Adam called back to him as soon as he resurfaced. �Davey! We lucked out! Come on! Jump in!�
Davey did as he said and leaped in. In mid-air he remembered he was still wearing Adam�s jacket. Frantically, he reached out for the surface. �Adam! Your jacket!� Davey wailed, sputtering water out of his mouth.
�Fuck it!� Adam swam over and helped Davey out of it. They tossed it to the ground at the edge of the pool. �Come on, look what I can do!� Adam cried out in the noise of the rain. He drew breathe and dived under. Davey did likewise and watched him swim to the bottom and plant a palm briefly on the concrete. Davey grinned and let air bubbles escape his mouth. Adam saw this and grinned, also. They swam around in circles, breaking only to catch more air at the surface, then quickly coming back down again.
It was some time later that Adam noticed something at the bottom of the pool. [ A/N: it was Mr. Hobson!! AACCCKKK!!!! ha ha ha!! Sorry, can�t help myself sometimes.] It was actually a shoe. Davey�s shoe. Adam smiled tight-lipped and dove down to retrieve it. He looked around under water but didn�t see any sign of his friend.
Adam broke to the surface and looked around. There was Davey, sitting at the edge of the pool, crossed-legged and staring down at nothing. He had Adam�s damp jacket wrapped around him and his face was pink, eyes at half-mast. �Davey?� Adam asked, swimming over to him.
Davey stirred slightly. �Adam? I don�t wanna swim no more.�
Adam nodded. �Okay, that�s all right. You dropped your shoe.� He moved Davey�s leg aside and helped him put it back on. He touched Davey�s cheek. He was burning. �Davey, let�s go, okay? I think we should get inside now.�
Davey nodded. �Okay. I don�t wanna swim no more, Adam.� He whined softly and pulled himself out of the water and moved heavily, water drenched clothed limbs to help Davey slowly stand up.
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It took time to get to Adam�s house. How long, neither of them knew. Knowing his mother would get mad if she saw Davey�s sluggishness, (she always went crazy over �little Davey�s� welfare), Adam led Davey to the back yard and up to his club house. It was in the only tree in the backyard and was barely large enough to hold two boys. Usually, Eric Madison was the only one allowed to come up and read comics with Adam, but Eric was visiting his grandmother for the week so it was just Adam. Right now, hopefully it would include Davey.
Adam led him to the ladder and guided his hands to the nailed boards up the tree. He tried pleading and nudging but Davey simply stared at the tree before him. �Come on, Davey, please!� Adam tried once more, this time sending a little, urgent mental tap.
Davey woke slightly and realized what was wanted of him. He slowly began to climb, though Adam had to climb right underneath him incase he should signs of stopping or wavering.
At last, they made it inside the tree house. In one corner was shoved a crate that served at a table and here and there were scattered action figures, baseball cards and various other things. The best thing it had, Adam thought, was a roof to stop them from getting rained on.
�Wait here, Davey.� Adam said, �I�m gonna go get some towels. You wait here, okay?� Davey laid down in the middle of the club house and nodded. No sooner hand he closed his eyes had Adam shook him awake again.
�Davey, Davey wake up.� Adam said. �My mom knows we�re up here. She saw me getting the towels. She said you can�t stay in the wet clothes. She says you gotta get dry and warm. Look, I�ll help you.� He untied Davey�s shoes and set them in the corner, along with his socks and the jacket. He pulled the white shirt up and off of Davey; the boy�s arms moving up to help out of instinct rather than conscious thought. Adam even managed to get Davey�s pants off btu came immediately to trouble when he tried for his underwear.
Davey brought his attention sharp back and pushed Adam away with weak but stubborn effort. �No!� Davey whined. �I�m gonna go to hell!�
Adam grit his teeth. �You hafta, Davey! Mom says so! You going to tell my mom no?� He saw Davey pause slightly but then he shook his head in refusal. Adam sighed. �Davey, you�re not going to go to hell. I promise, okay? I was going to tell you this later, but now�s a good time. I talked with Miss Haley. She�s my Sunday school teacher. Y�know what she said? She said you�re not gonna go to hell for touchin� down there. She said that your mom and dad just told you that so you wouldn�t play with yourself.�
�What?� Davey asked in disbelief.
�It�s true!� Adam nodded. �And this came from Miss Haley, the minister�s daughter! So she would know, Davey. She knows all about heaven and hell.�
At this, Davey looked upset. Was that the truth? Was that why they told him he couldn�t show anyone? Because they thought he was doing dirty things? How could they think that of him? Davey looked down at the towel in Adam�s hand and realized how tired he was. He took the towel and glared at Adam. �Turn around. I�m not taking any chances. I wanna go to heaven.�
Adam did as he was told and waited almost forever before Davey said, �Okay.� He turned around again and saw Davey sitting in the corner, curled against his bean-bag chair, towel wrapped around his waist. Adam picked up Davey�s underwear, some sort of frilly thing with pink hearts, and tossed it in the corner. Adam then undressed himself and used his towel not to wrap around himself, but to dry off his hair first. Davey looked up and saw Adam shamelessly sitting cross legged, naked as the day he was born.
�You�re going to hell.� Davey said sadly.
�No I�m not.� Adam said quietly, surely. �Miss Haley said there ain�t nothin� wrong with showing skin in front of family indoors.�
�But we�re outside, an� I�m not your family.� Davey said weakly.
�We�re INSIDE the tree house.� Adam argued, �and my mom always says that she wished you were hers. She�s always going on how much she�d be happy I had a little brother just like you. Get�s my dad worried. He get�s this kind of face when he hears her.� Adam made an expression that was both comical and disturbing.
In his exhaustion, Davey simply grunted. He shifted and began drifting off. Adam looked at him. �Davey, you warm enough? Mom says I gotta keep you warm. You want my towel?�
�You�re not gonna use it?� Davey asked. In answer, Adam wrapped his towel around Davey�s upper half and hugged him close. Davey moved slightly and gave Adam room to lay beside him. Adam grunted and beat at the bean bag until he was satisfied.
Davey began drifting off again, but he was soon bothered once more when Adam got up and shut the window flap. He settled back down. A minute later and Adam adjusted the towels. Having had enough, Davey grabbed Adam�s hand and forced it to lie still.
�Okay, okay.� Adam whispered in his ear and laid back down. He shifted slightly, then shifted again. And again. Davey�s eyes shot open, but he didn�t reproach Adam for the nuisance. Instead, he simply lay there with silently, eyes going vacant.
�Hey,� Adam whispered, �hey, Davey, you awake? Davey, look, something funny�s happening. Davey, will you look at this?�
Davey looked over his shoulder and�
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At this point, Jade commenced at laughing so hard he fell off the bed. Davey, the twenty-eight year old one, peered over the side of the bed, smiling down at him.
�Oh, oh,� Jade began having trouble breathing, �oh, god!! Don�t tell me, oh, no! Ha ha ha!!� he broke off, seeing Davey nodding, and burst into laughter again.
�Yeah,� Davey smiled wistfully and spoke above Jade�s hysterics, �our first time was an accident. And I was sick with pneumonia. But Adam seemed to like it.�
It took Jade some time to calm down. �You. . . you said you had pneumonia?� he said breathlessly, �was it seriously pneumonia?�
Davey nodded, helping Jade to get back up on the bed. �Yeah, it was. And I was sick for almost three weeks after that. But I still liked that first time. I don�t think I would have changed it for the world.� He smiled in remembrance, making Jade burst with fresh laughter.
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