Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2003 22:32:26 -0500 From: Rhaven Subject: Bug Chapter Three This story contains strong language and sexual content between boy/boy and boy/man. For more stories and poems, please visit: www.rhavenlore.com Jesus was whipped. I'd never figured why he was, he just was. Before that everyone seemed ta like him pretty good, but then they decided for some reason they changed their minds. It ain't fun, it hurt like heck. It say'd in the bible that he had ta drag a pole through the streets, while his friends ran and hid, just like Virgil did. That day that Ma Thornton got all loony and whipped me, I remember thinkin' I was right where I belonged. It were a scary feelin', knowin' that I didn't deserve anythin' but that stinkin' pain. I wonder if that's what Jesus thought. he ain't done nothin' wrong, didn't deserve that whippin' he got and wonderin' why his friends weren't helpin'. Now that I think about it, all his troubles started when a guy named Judas kissed him. CHAPTER THREE Bug woke up feeling strange, in a strange room, lying on a strange bed. He was on his stomach and when he tried to move, sharp needles of pain attacked him. "Doncha go a movin' now." A Strange soft voice said. "Where am I?" Bug said, his voice muffled through the pillow. He was too tired and weak to lift his head. "Ya's in Mr. Daniels house. My name is Dandelion. but everyone just calls me Dandy." Bug managed to spy the boy standing next to the bed. The wiry boy had skin as dark as chocolate and a smile that lit the room. "I'm I. goin' ta die?" Bug asked, although the fear of the answer made his body quiver. "Shuck no, of course ya ain't gonna die. Ya just been hurt real bad. Jeff say's that old fat woman had lost her wits and lucky he don't call the sheriff." Bug wanted to comment, but he slipped back into the painless world of unconsciousness. "He's awake again." Bug heard the boy named Dandelion whisper. "Bug?" Another voice, deeper and tenderer. "Bug, how do you feel?" Bug lifted his head, this time with less pain; he even managed to smile once he saw Mr. Daniels leaning over him. "I.I'm sleepy." He heard himself say and couldn't imagine how he could still be tired. It felt as if he had been in this bed to years. "You sleep as long as you want." Jeff said with a joyful grin. Bug could feel the man touch his back gently. "You've healed nicely. The doctor says he hasn't seen such a good patient in years." Bug nodded and smiled again, he closed his eyes as Jeff lovingly massaged the kinks out of his shoulders. Bug awoke again, feeling he was sleeping his life away. He cautiously moved his head and it was stiff and sore, but not enough to stop him from sitting up. He had to steady himself as he swung his legs over the side of the bed, his head swirled as if somehow, the world had flown off its axis, but he refused to lie back down. For the first time Bug was able to see some of the damage Ma Thornton had inflicted on him. His forearms had large whelps of red and black, he could only imagine what his back looked like. From the slow throbbing pain he was feeling, Bug knew she had done a job on him. Slowly he tested the floor, making sure his legs were strong enough to stand. Carefully Bug stood; he swayed, knees weakening, but managed to grab the footboard of the bed before he fell. Carefully he released the footboard and tested his sturdiness; he took a step and didn't fall. Another step and still he was standing. Bug took this opportunity to get a look at his surroundings. He also suddenly realized he was only wearing underwear and apparently not his. With each move he made, the briefs slipped further down, as if it was trying to stealthy sneaking away. Bug yanked up on the elastic band, pulling them up passed his bellybutton. Now he felt secure enough to look around. The room was something that belonged in a palace. The walls were covered in a rose design wallpaper, white and pink everywhere. Even the furniture reflected the soft colors of the walls. Bug carefully walked over to the double doors and found himself standing on a balcony facing the lake. "Wonderful." Whispered Bug. "Oh my goodness, ya is up and walkin'!" Bug swirled around and almost lost his balance. "Um. Hi." Bug grinned and quickly pulled his underwear higher on his hips. "Ya are Dandy, right?" "That's right." Dandy said proudly. Bug looked the boy over. He was skinnier than he remembered. What amazed him was Dandy's shirt. Despite the fact, he was the thinnest kid, Bug had ever seen, the shirt was too small for him. It didn't even stretch down far enough to cover his stomach, though Dandy's pants seem made for someone twice his size, the combination made Dandy look comical. "Is ya feelin' all right?" Dandy said with honest concern. Bug nodded that he was. He looked around the room once again. "How long have I been here?" Dandy stepped closer to him eyeing him as if seeing him for the first time. "Ya been here four weeks." Bug stumbled, shocked from this revelation of being in bed for four weeks. Dandy quickly grabbed Bug's arm to keep him from falling. "Ya was hurt mighty bad, it took ya some time to heal properly. But ya back has healed nicely. real nicely." Bug allowed Dandy to lead him out of the room and into the hallway. Bug was feeling weak again, drained from the realization of how hurt he was. Dandy took Bug into a small bathroom. "I know Jeff wanted to be here when ya'd wake up, but he was called away to Mr. Bear's farm." Dandy helped Bug sit down on the edge of the tub. "He been stayin' by ya side night and day. Ain't never seen him fret so much." Bug watched as Dandy turned on the water. The dark boy adjusting the temperature until it was just warm enough. Then Dandy without a thought pulled Bug's underwear down to his knees. "Whatcha doing?" Bug yelped with surprise and slapped at Dandy's hand. "Don't get bashful with me." Dandy laughed. "I been givin' ya a sponge bath fer a month now. Ya ain't got nothin' to hide, that I haven't washed a hundred times. Heck, I've even wiped ya behind just like ya ma did when ya was a baby." Bug blushed, but didn't protest anymore as Dandy completely pulled off his underwear and then helped him into the wonderfully warm tub. Dandy handed Bug a bar of soap that smelled like flowers and foamed up so much that Bug looked at the bar amazed. Dandy took a seat on the toilet and patiently watched Bug bath. "Jeff got a nice house here, don't he." Dandy said with a wide smile. "Do ya.do ya work for Mr. Daniels?" Bug asked, finding it odd that this black boy continually referred to Mr. Daniels by his first name. "Heck no, Jeff and I are best friends. I got my own room here, though I don't use it much." Dandy said laughing, losing Bug on the personal joke. "Jeff is the nicest person I ever met. He takes me in when my brother was killed." "Ya brother?" Bug asked as he carefully washed his arms, the bruises were still tender and raw to the touch. "Yeah, my brother. he'd raised me once my ma died. But he done got himself killed." Dandy looked away from Bug before he continued. "He got himself in a fight with some Sherman boys." Bug nodded, feeling Dandy's pain. "Could ya. could ya help me out of the tub?" Bug whispered, feeling embarrassed for his weak body. Dandy smiled again and carefully lifted Bug to his feet. Once out of the tub, Dandy started drying Bug off with a huge towel that was so soft, Bug wasn't sure it was real. He laughed, feeling comfortable for the first time since climbing out of Mr. Daniel's bed. Bug watched Dandy diligently dry him off and couldn' t help but love this new friend. He tried to imagine Virgil or Ma Thornton being this caring, but that was an image that didn't exist. Dandy carefully patted dry Bug's backside, stopping only to check that Bug wasn't in too much pain. "Let's get ya back ta bed." Said Dandy as he wrapped the towel around Bug's waist. "Not too much excitement for ya first day up. Got plenty of time to have fun." Bug didn't say anything, but he was exhausted. He's legs ached and the longer he stood the more his back throbbed. By the time they had made it back to the bed, Bug was more than happy to lie down. "Hang on, doncha want some undies on?" Dandy asked as Bug climbed into bed. "I don't care." Bug said, thinking of nothing else but the soft pillow. "Don't matter ta me." Dandy laughed and took a seat in the rocking chair next to the bed. "Do ya know how ta swim Dandy?" Bug asked as his eyelids grew heavier. "Why sure I do." "Could ya teach me sometime?" "Won't be no trouble." With that, Bug surrendered to sleep once again. Bug dreamed of his books, Ma Thornton standing among the flames, laughing, swinging her blazing stick. Bug tried to get away from the devil of a woman, but his legs were being held down, something from the fire had reached out and grabbed him. Slowly, a form rose, covered in red-hot embers and smoldering. Ma Thornton laughed so hard, that blood poured from her mouth. 'Ya Pa's back.' The wicked woman barked. Then Bug realized whom it was holding him down, it was Papa, exploded head and all. Bug screamed, throwing his pillow across the room at his night demons. He sat up quickly and looked around at the dark room. "Just a dream." He said for reassurance, but couldn't help but look behind him, making sure nothing was sneaking up on him. He jumped out of bed, forgetting his weak legs and stumbled towards the door. He needed something to drink; his mouth was as dry as dust, his body soaked in sweat. Once in the small bathroom, Bug turned on the faucet and drank hungrily. He splashed water in his face in an attempt to wash away the nightmare that was still lingering there. Finally, he turned off the water, though he still was thirsty and the nightmare danced around him, calling his name. He shivered as a cool breeze attacked his sweaty body and looked up from the sink. In the door way a dark form lingered there, staring at him. Bug screamed, falling to the floor and kicking at the black phantom of his father and demon of Ma Thornton. "NO MA THORNTON PLEASE! NO!" Bug begged, hiding his face with his hands. "Bug! Bug it's all right. Everything is all right." The figure knelt down next to him, scooped him up and hugged him hard. "Bug it's me, Jeff. You're safe here; no one is going to hurt you here." The man whispered gently as he held Bug firmly. "J..J..Jeff?" Bug said through chattering teeth, his body trembling violently, his heart pounded, threatening to burst. "That's right, it's Jeff. You're safe." Jeff said into Bug's ear and then kissed it caringly. "Jeff." Bug dared to say again, loving the sound of the name, the way it tickled his lips. He was crying now and squeezing Jeff as hard as he could, trying his best to lock himself around the man, so that he'd never be able to let go. "You are burning up." Jeff said pressing his lips to Bug's forehead and with a acrobats dexterity, Jeff held onto Bug, who was wrapped around him like a new shirt and managed to turn on the water in the tub. Bug let out another scream as the cold water licked at him. It attacked his heated body with a merciless vengeance. Bug forced himself to remain in the tub, looking up at Jeff's reassuring eyes, his magical smile, his gently hand that stroked his head, as if Bug was a stray puppy. Finally, Bug stopped shaking, his muscles relaxed and he even managed to smile. Like Dandy, Jeff diligently dried him off, wrapped the towel around his shoulders and carried him back to his room. "You gave me a fright." Jeff said, not putting Bug into bed but keeping him in his arms as he sat down in the rocking chair. "Sorry." Whispered Bug. "No need to apologize." Jeff whispered back. They didn't speak again for a while as Jeff rocked back and forth, holding Bug tightly, who was curled up like a baby. In fact, Bug did feel like an infant again and he loved it. He loved being pampered like this, he loved being held. He couldn't remember ever feeling so safe in his life and being naked, he couldn't care less. He was naked as a baby, and it felt right. Morning came unannounced. Bug forced open his eyes and looked up into the face of his protector. "Good morning." Jeff said cheerfully. "Ya held me all night?" Bug almost felt ashamed, for being so much trouble. "All night.every night. always." Jeff said mysteriously and smiled. "Are you feeling better this morning?" Bug did a mental examination of his body. His back hurt, his arms throbbed and he had a slight headache. "I'm feeling fine." He said grinning, his body may hurt, his insides felt better than they had in years. Dandy burst into the room, skipping across the wooden floor with an unbalanced stop. "Is everythin' okay?" Yelled Dandy. Bug giggled at the sight of the boy in his shining white boxers. "Everything is fine." Assured Jeff, squeezing Bug tighter. "Ya sure? When ya weren't in bed. I thought.I thought somethin' terrible had happened." "Bug just had a rough night, that's all." Jeff said casually. "Thank glory." Dandy sighed with relief and slipped his arms around Bug. "Ya can't imagine the terrible thought I had." Bug blushed, unable to stop himself from smiling. "Never had a double hug before." Bug laughed, though he could have cried from the wonderful feeling. "Expect many more around here." Said Jeff and he finally released Bug. "I think you're well enough to join us for breakfast this morning." "I am kind of hungry." Bug confessed rubbing his stomach. "But can I have something ta wear? Don't think ya want me eatin' in the nude." Dandy laughed and gave Jeff a wink. "Don't think Jeff would mind." Dandy said under his breath, but quickly shut up seeing Jeff's expression. "Dandy grab him something please." Jeff carefully lifted Bug off his lap and stood him up. Once Bug had slipped on more baggy underwear, oversized pants and a shirt, they headed downstairs. "Sorry about the clothes." Jeff started explaining. "Bought those without knowing exactly what size you were. Once you feel like it, we' ll pick out something that fits better." Bug looked down at himself and pouted out his lips. "I like these, they're just fine." The downstairs of the house were more impressive than the upstairs. It was an art museum in glowing splendor. Everything seemed to sparkle in its rich glamour. Each room they passed was bigger than any house Bug had ever been. He wondered why someone needed so many rooms, one with a fireplace, one with a heavy dining table, one with an important looking desk and many more. It just seemed to him, that someone started building and couldn't stop. They finally arrived in the kitchen, which had a small comfortable table and more appliances than Bug thought existed. An old woman worked hurriedly in the midst of the gadgets, with smells floating about that made Bug think of Christmas. "'Bout time ya'll get up." The woman barked, but quickly softened her wrinkled face to a smile. "Land's sake.oh Heaven about, our angel is awake and walkin' among de livin' again." "Bug." Jeff said snickering. "Bug this is Miss June." Bug tried to smile; but it was hard to see past the wrinkles of Miss June, she had to have been the oldest person he had ever seen. Her black skin had faded to gray with wrinkles on her wrinkles. Miss June shuffled across the room and gave him a hug that squeezed the air from his lungs. "Glory be boy, it's good ta see ya up and walkin'." She said smiling so hard her eyes seemed to disappear in gray folds of skin. "Come on Miss June, boy's got to breath. " Jeff laughed. Finally free from the woman's hug, Bug followed Dandy and Jeff to the table. "Smells good Miss June." Dandy said licking his lips. "Miss June cooks for us on the weekends." Dandy explained to Bug as if he had asked the question. "I've tried to get her to move in with us." Jeff began, but Miss June stopped him. "Ya Mam and Pap give me a fine house, it be disrespectful fer me not to live in it." She said as she carried plates of food to the table. "Anyways ya'll do fine without me. Mr. Daniels is a wonderful cook." She gave him an extra large smile and returned to the kitchen. "Miss June was Cook for my parents." Jeff said as he cooped a huge pile of scrabbled eggs on Bug's plate. "I learned everything there is to know about cooking from her." Bug watched in wonder as Jeff added a slice of ham, toast and grits to his plate. He ate as if it was his first meal in years, licking the fork and plate until it sparkled. With them all finished, Miss June cheerfully started clearing off the table; she hummed some hymn as she did it. It was all too relaxing for Bug, sitting there with a full stomach and surrounded by smiles. "Maybe you should take a nap." Jeff suggested as he stood up. "Do I have ta?" I feel like all I've been doin' is sleepin'." However, even as Bug said this, he yawned, betraying himself. "Take the boy out on de porch." Miss June yelled from the kitchen. "The mornin' air be good fer him." Jeff and Dandy agreed it was a good idea and Jeff led Bug outside. Weeping willows populated the yard, swaying together in a silent ballet. The porch surrounded the house on all sides, Jeff lifted up Bug and placed him on a large swing and then sat down next to him. Dandy reappeared, this time fully clothed in his tight shirt and baggy pants and sat at the other end of the swing. "Gonna be a hot one today." Dandy said looking out across the yard. Bug yawned again, and silently cursed. He didn't want to sleep anymore, why wouldn't his body listen to him? "Lie down." Jeff said pushing gently on Bug's shoulder. Bug didn't argue, though he thought about it. He laid his head in Jeff's lap and felt Dandy grab his legs, resting them in the thin boy's lap. "Mr. Parkes said he should have three new calves tomorrow." Jeff said to no one in particular. "Wanted to give me one." "Whatcha gonna do with a calf?" Dandy laughed. Bug tried to listen to the casual conversation, but everything started to blur. Jeff slowly massaged his shoulder and Dandy held tightly to his legs, all was good in the world as he rested there in his safe cocoon of love. Bug napped, dreaming of willow trees and ham, Dandy and Jeff, and happiness.