Date: Sun, 8 May 2022 08:30:28 -0700
From: Dave <outinwest@gmail.com>
Subject: The Society Boys Part 187

The Society Boys
By Connor Matthews

Welcome to the next chapter.  The one after the previous one.  If you're
not saving up to buy a few litres of gas, please consider donating to Nifty
so that you have something to read whenever you need stress relief.  Happy
reading.


Chapter 187

"Load up!  Everyone to the boat show!"  Colin announced after we'd all
gathered the next morning after breakfast.  If this had been the car show
we would have taken as many of the most expensive cars we could, but since
it wasn't, we minimized the number of vehicles, while still trying to look
cool.  We still wanted to make it a fun day, so we rolled out the Chitty
Chitty Bang Bang car.  Wonder if we can get a shorter name for it.  The
Chitty car, sounds wrong.  The Bang car, sounds like we'd always be parked
on a ledge overlooking the city somewhere with a bumper sticker that starts
`if this car be rockin'...  Whatever, we don't take it out enough for it to
be something to lose sleep over.  We also pulled out the 1929 Dusenberg and
the Rolls convertible.  Colin said it's a Phantom Drophead, but trust me,
it's a Rolls Royce convertible.  I mean if we're going to look at buying a
boat, we need to look like people who could afford a boat.

We kept the three cars together as we rode to the stadium, and turned a few
heads.  I'm sure the Chitty Car was getting the most attention, but I'm
guessing the Dusenberg was attracting a view or two on its own.  Now these
cars are death traps.  No shoulder seat belts and no air bags.  Probably no
hi-tech crumple zones either.  I figure we get hit, we die.  No pressure.
Those in the Rolls would be safe, and could at least be available to
identify which body parts belong where, and to plan the funeral for the
rest of us.  See how my mind works.  One minute I'm thinking of what type
of boats we're gonna see, and how many we can get on it for a wild sex
party, the next I'm dying in a fiery crash in a movie car.

The stadium looked busy, which I guess for an ocean city, makes sense.  You
probably wouldn't have a giant boat show like this in Saskatchewan.  Now a
farm equipment show, those would be massive!  Nothing says `fuck me, I'm
sexy' like a John Deere combine.  Again, maybe in Saskatchewan it does.
What do I know?

"Are we really gonna buy a new boat, Colin?"  J.J. asked.

"We're gonna see what's available.  Ours is getting a little old now, and
since our family is getting so much bigger, maybe a more spacious boat
would be nice," he replied.

Ours handles 12 people.  How much bigger would we really need?  Or maybe
boats are like cars.  When your kid gets old enough to borrow the car all
the time, you look at a second one, or in our case, your 38th one.  So
maybe we need a spare boat in case the kids are out on a date in one. Blake
on a date might need the 12 person boat.

Once we got passed the entry, the kids rushed to the souvenir stands to
look at stuff.  Sure, we have multi-million dollar boats to look at, and
they want boat flashlights and brochures.  Kids are fucking stupid.
J.J. wanted a sailor hat, which meant James, Trevor and Travis also wanted
one.  Wait until they wear them on the boat and start fighting over who's
the captain.  We naturally bought them, and they really did look cute.  We
avoided the other clothing booths as I don't need an all-white outfit,
especially at this time of year.  That would be way too gay, even for me.
Fine, I'll pick a few up on the way out, but girl they better be form
fitting!

There were plenty of boats outside the stadium as well as inside.  I was
actually surprised at just how big some of the yachts were that were
inside.  Maybe they just flooded the stadium before the show and sailed
them in.  Now that I'd pay to see.  We figured we'd start with the smaller
boats first.  These were more the type that you could hook to the back of
the pickup and take to the lake.  Motorboats, jet boats and such.

"Maybe one of these would be nice if we took trips to the interior," I said
to Colin as we looked them over.  The kids were running all around every
boat they could find.  Not sure what they were looking for, but they seemed
fascinated.

"I'd just rent a boat if we were going someplace like that.  There's always
someone at a marina willing to let you borrow their boat for the right
price."

As we moved around the stadium, the boats got progressively bigger, with
many propped up and supported so you could walk up and get on board.  I
laughed at the first one as James stood at the top of the stairs with his
hat on.  One by one the other kids climbed the stairs and asked for
permission to come aboard, before saluting.  James returned the salute and
gave them permission.  Of course, he didn't stop there, he made all of us
do it before we got on board as well.  This was cute the first time, but
kids being kids, at the next boat Trevor was the captain and we began
again.  J.J. and Travis also needed a turn at the next boats.  I was glad
we hadn't more kids or this was going to be a very long day.  It was
seriously cute when another family with kids were required to salute and
ask permission before boarding.  Fortunately, they were good sports about
it.

"This is our boat," I said as we approached the next one.  We all read the
specs on it as if we'd never seen a SportRiva 56 before.

"Look like they've made a few improvements," Colin said as he checked over
the details, and just for fun we boarded to look around.  It was mostly the
same with just a few cosmetic changes.  Personally, I liked ours better.
"I wonder if the beds are as comfortable.  Wanna go try them out?  You can
be on top," I said quietly to Colin.

He laughed.  "If we didn't all get thrown out for indecent exposure, or
worse, we'd at least be expected to pay for the bed."

"Worth it," I nodded.

We passed by a section dedicated to other water craft.  Like the dinghy's,
jet skis and personal submarines, which for the record are seriously cool.
They also had all the other things such as water-skis, tubes, life jackets
and a billion other things that you could use while yachting.  Not one
booth had cute semi naked cabin boys for sale, or even to rent.  I guess
that'll be the booth I set up for next year.

We finally headed outside to the larger yachts.  Now these were impressive.

"DAD!  Check this out.  It's the same make as the boat we have now just way
bigger!"  Blake announced as he pointed to the one that had his attention.

"Good eye.  I've actually been looking at that one," Colin nodded as we all
headed towards it.  "There's the Domino Super 88 and the Florida 88.  One
is a convertible, the other isn't."

"We should get a convertible," Blake said quickly.  "Put the top down,
cruise the open waves looking for hot naked chicks...or dudes.  Dudes are
fine too."

"Actually, I like the Domino Super 88 better.  It has the flybridge so we
can go up to the top deck when the weather is nice, or down a deck to the
main bridge if the weather is bad.  Lots more room."

"Two bridges?" So we could both drive," he grinned.

"I can already see that being an issue," I smiled at their enthusiasm.  The
boat was certainly much more impressive than the one we had.  Just looking
at the specs on the board, it held 20 people whereas the one we had now had
an occupancy of 12.  It was also much bigger at almost 27 metres (88 feet,
which is how I think it got the 88 at the end of the name.  Our current
boat is only 17 metres.  I'm guessing if I converted that, it'd be 56 feet?
Like the 56 in that name too.  Seems stupid since no one really uses feet
as a measurement anymore.  Well...almost no one.

"It has five bathrooms," Troy announced as he read over the specs, "and it
even has 3 double beds."

"Nice.  So much more space on this one," I said as we all proceeded to
board her (sorry, him) to explore.

"Check this out," Troy said as he went behind the boat.  "It has the garage
for another boat in the back of it just like the boat we have, just way
bigger."

"We could easily get a dinghy and a Sea Doo in there!"  Kyle announced.

"Nice!"  Blake said giving him a high five.  "Hey Dinghy!!  There's a place
for you on this boat," he yelled to Ben, who just gave him a finger in
return.

"That gives us more options when we go out," Colin agreed.  "Lots of
additional space for those, inflatables, and the skis."

This boat definitely had a lot more of everything, and if we ever go broke
and lose the house, I could be comfortable living here instead.

Colin was reviewing everything about this boat, more than he had with any
of the others.  I went up and gave him a hug from behind.  "I'm guessing
from the active interest; this is a boat you really want?"

"It is.  I'm thinking this is a good step up from what we have, yet feels
familiar at the same time, without looking pretentious."

"So, when are we buying it?"  I said as I gave him a kiss on the cheek.  He
turned around and gave me another kiss as we hugged.

"Gross!" Blake said as he approached.  "Kids present.  Get a room."

"How would that stop you from barging in?"  I asked as we broke apart, then
gave each other a knowing look before reaching out to grab Blake and
sandwich him between us.

"Help!  Child abuse," he said unconvincingly as we continued to give him a
dual hug and crush him the best we could.  I grabbed his head and began
kissing him on the cheek.  Colin leaned in to kiss him on the other one.
"Help, I'm being infected with gay ebola!!" he said half giggling as he
tried to complain.

"Gay ebola?  Really?"  Colin asked.

"Fine.  Gay cooties!"  he said as we released him just as a salesperson man
approached.

 "Gentlemen.  Are you interested in buying a boat like this, or just
dreaming?"

"We're interested!"  Blake said quickly.  "We already have the Sport Riva
56, but this is way cooler."

"Yes it is," the salesman grinned at Blake enthusiasm, as he watched
J.J. and the others crawl all over the boat.  You could almost see his
anxiety level growing the more they touched.  He was probably trying to
remember where he'd put the antibacterial wipes, and his nerve tonic.  I'm
sure that's a thing.

"I'm debating between this and the Florida," Colin said going into business
mode.  "Do you have the list price on both?"

He looked at the information he had with him.  "List for this one is
$11,900,000 and for the Florida is $9,750,000."

"How much was ours, Dad?"  Blake asked looking at him.

"Not that much," Colin said quickly.  "List is high.  Does that include
taxes and delivery?"

You could almost see the salesman's brain begin to work.  He had a fish on
the line... appropriate, being a boat and all.  "Yes.  That's the price all
in.  It also includes the upgraded motors and all the options.  You could
get the price down by taking some of the enhanced features out."

"No, I'd want it fully loaded.  I'll also want the projection screen
attachment and projector for the deck."

The man looked at his information again.  "I don't see that listed, but I
can look into it for you."

"It may not be a factory item, but I could send you the specs of what I
want so that it could be built in before delivery.  What's the timeline for
it if we order one?"

"If you want one specifically customized, we could have one in 8 months for
you.  If you want to have it customized yourself, we could arrange delivery
in three months."

"Could we just take this one?" Blake asked.  "Put it in the water and we'll
drive it to our dock."

Colin laughed.  "We'll keep looking around, but see if you can speed up the
delivery date.  Do you have a card?"

The salesman handed one over along with the sales information and
additional spec sheets on the boat, obviously reserved for the more serious
buyer.  Blake quickly took them and began thumbing through everything.

"Do you sell Sea Doo's as well or do we have to buy those from someone
else?"  Blake asked staring at the man who had no idea if he was supposed
to be dealing with Blake or Colin.  I was enjoying watching them.

"We don't sell them directly, but we could easily get them for you if you
wanted them in the boat for delivery."

"We would," Blake said nodding.  "We'd need two, and a dinghy.  The RIB
style, not some crap one.  It'd need dual outboards, powerful enough to go
waterskiing with, but small enough to fit in the back of the yacht along
with the Sea Doos."

The sales guy looked at Colin and I.  Colin just smiled and shrugged.  "You
heard the man.  Two Sea Doos and a Dinghy as well.

"I'm thinking the Sea Doo, grt 230 and wake pro 230," Blake said quickly.
"You writing this down?"

I almost snorted a laugh as he said it.  The salesperson didn't seem to
know if Blake was serious or just fooling around with him.  What he didn't
realize is that as soon as we announced we were going boat and car
shopping, Blake would have gone right to the computer to start researching
what he'd want.

"If we get two different ones Dad, J.J. could drive the smaller one and I
could use the bigger one."

"Why don't we just buy everyone their own?"  Colin asked sarcastically.

"Nah, the boat doesn't have space for that many, Dad.  We only need two
good ones to keep in there.  Do you have one of your business cards Colin?"
Blake said lifting his hand up and snapping his fingers as if to demand
one.

Colin pulled out his wallet and gave him the card.  Blake asked the
salesman for his pen and wrote on the back of the card.  "That's Colin's
personal cell phone number.  We'll be looking around at other boats for a
while.  Please call if you find any information on these."

Colin took it from here.  "My son is right.  We'll be around for a bit yet.
I'm definitely interested in this boat, but your list is pricing this out
of consideration.  See what you can do, and give me options on delivery.  I
don't mind if we have to pay a little extra to expedite the production."

Didn't he just say that the price was too high?  Now we're fine to pay more
to get it customized the way we want.  Like a street hooker who requires
condoms, but offers to go bareback for double price.

"I'll see what we can do for you ummm..." he looked at the card
"...Mr. Worthington."

"Come on Mr. Worthington," I teased.  "We have other boats to explore.
That one over there is twice this size," I said pointing to a massive
yacht.  How the fuck they got it to the stadium parking lot is beyond me.
Thank god the marina is only spitting distance from here.  Like Olympic
type spitting.

As we all left the boat to head for the next one, Blake ran up in front of
us.  "So is that the boat we want?"

"It's the one I like the best so far." Colin nodded.  "What do you think of
it?"

"I like it.  It's got good bones.  Like the 56, just more...well...more
everything."

It has bones?  Maybe from the last owner who got lost at sea.  Gilligan?

"I'd agree.  Not so big that we're going to have to hire a full-time crew,
but not so small that we're crammed in when we take everyone out in it."

"So what's the plan?  How hard do we work that guy over to get it?" Blake
asked.

Coin laughed.  "Damn, I'm going to have to get you an office at the firm.
You're one tough businessman, Blake."

"I pay attention.  I'm not just good looks and a big cock, ya know?"

"You're mostly that," I said interjecting.

"Yeah, but that and SO much more!" he chuckled.  "I'm thinking we hold out
for the Domino Super over the Florida.  Only old folks would want something
named Florida.  And I'm talking WAY older than you guys.  What did that guy
say the list was?"

"Eleven five," Colin replied, "and the Florida nine seven five."

"Let's put the Florida on the back burner for now.  I figure we can get him
to bring the price of the Domino down to eleven," Blake said as if he were
now in charge of everything financial for our household.

Colin laughed.  "He's actually giving us a good price as is.  If he's
including tax and delivery, that puts the price of the yacht around
$10,600,000 with 1.3 million in taxes.  I was figuring on 10.5 for the
yacht itself.  So he's already in the ballpark."  Colin said putting his
arm around Blake's shoulder as they walked and discussed strategy.  When
did Blake become Colin?  I miss a lot by only sticking my dick into things
and not my nose.  Wait, that sounded better in my head.  By not paying
attention, I miss out sometimes.  That's how I meant that.

"So why did you tell him he was too high?  I mean the price, not him
personally," Blake clarified.

"Never settle on the first offer.  If he started there, he has room to
maneuver.  The more he gets over their minimum price, the higher commission
he'll make.  He has to decide the sweet spot between it being worthwhile to
sell to us, or to walk away."

"How do you know the sweet spot?"  Blake inquired listening intently.  I
was walking just behind both of them looking at their asses.  Something
about a sweet spot was running through my head at the moment, and my dick
was already getting excited, and my nose was ready to get into this.

"That's not for us to decide.  That's his job.  We go in armed with basic
knowledge and negotiate the fuck out of it."

"Yeah.  That's what I'm talking about.  If he can find us the dinghy and
Sea Doos, maybe we can get him to include those in the price too, huh?"

"Now you're thinking like a Worthington-Masters," he grinned.  "How would
that benefit both of us if he was to do that?"

"Ummm...not sure."

"Think.  Who could get a better price for the other accessories?  Him or
us?"

Blake paused as we walked up the stairs of the next yacht.  We'll call this
the mega yacht.  I wouldn't want this one. It feels sort of like a floating
hotel, not the nice family type yacht.  "Oh...he would.  He could get them
wholesale, right?"

"Exactly.  He pitches the price to us including the retail value of the
dinghy and Sea Doo which inflates the perceived value.  Then he discounts
it on paper to make it look like we're being offered a much more
substantial discount."

"But we don't fall for that, right?  We call him out and make him do
better?"

"No, we'd go with that.  You want the salesperson to feel like he's having
a few wins in the negotiation."

"Okay, so what price would get us signing on the dotted line?"

"I figure the additional items would run a buck, buck and a half retail..."

"In matchbox versions at Value Village," Blake chuckled.

"A hundred to hundred fifty thousand," Colin clarified.  So we set our
target at $11,350,000 with the dinghy, Sea Doo, projection system, taxes
and delivery all in.  With a delivery of no more than two months and he's
got a deal."

"Did you just do all that in your head?" I asked Colin, staring at the two
of them.

"It's how us bidness people roll, Dad.  Right, Colin?"  Blake grinned.

"That's how we roll," Colin agreed.

"Bidness?  Really?"  I said shaking my head.

"What if he won't match what you're prepared to pay?"

"Then we go direct and bypass him completely.  We might not save much and
it could give us more work to get it here.  With a salesperson handling
things, he'll stick with you until the boat is in the slip and you have the
keys for the inspection."

"Somewhere there's a joke I there about your slip showing, but I'll can't
see it yet.  I'm hearing that it might be worth that little bit extra to go
through him," I said to make sure I was following along properly.

"It is, but not at the negotiating part.  If he works hard to get the right
price and earns the sale, then it's worth tossing him some bank to provide
the extra service, once the deal is closed.  He'll pocket the entire
amount, not just a commission percentage."

"Damn, business is complicated," I said shaking my head.

"Not as complicated as getting our taxes back for this purchase.  We'll
have a few company parties on it to allow us to write it off as a business
expense and work a few other angles so that we at least cut the tax burden
in half."

We'd spent time searching mega-yacht, and while it was impressive, it truly
wasn't us.  That was made clear by the waitresses dressed up in sexy navy
outfits handing out little finger food and drinks.  I guess if you can
afford this boat, a few sales incentives help.  Not helping me though, as
all the servers were female.  Not a cute guy to be seen.  What kind of a
boat would this be?  Yuck!  Put a half dozen Abercrombie and Fitch models
on here and I might buy the fucking boat myself.  I think this one was
almost twice the length of the one we just looked at, and almost 30 million
dollars.  For that price my models are gonna need to be naked, and putting
out the entire time we're at sea.

We had finished looking around the mega-yacht and were heading for the next
one when Colin's phone rang.  It was the salesman from the other boat.
Colin put it on speaker for us.  Makes it easier than me putting my head up
to his other ear to listen.

"I've been able to look into the items your requested and if you have a few
minutes, I'd be happy to present our pricing to you," he said.

"We can come back to the boat.  Are you still there?"

"Yes.  I'll look forward to seeing you again." The call concluded, and
Blake seemed the most excited.

"We got this, Dad.  You want me to handle the final negotiations?  What's
our walk away number?"

"Anything above eleven six and we're out.  Anything under eleven three
five, make the deal.  Between those two and you can negotiate and have some
fun," Colin said smiling as he held my hand.

"So we're just letting our 14 year old negotiate to spend eleven million
bucks?"  I said looking at him, wondering if the emergency psych ward at
St. Paul's has any openings we could arrange for him.

"Would one of the jet ski boats be mine?"  J.J. asked as he listened to us.

"Yeah, but we'd share them with the family when we went out.  Mostly they'd
be just for me and you though," Blake replied before anyone else could
answer.

"Cool," he nodded, seemingly satisfied that he'd negotiated his own deal.
The salesman was waiting on the deck of the boat when we arrived back.

"I've researched the Sea Doos and dinghy that you expressed interest in,
however there's not enough space to accommodate them all and have the size
you want.  You could reduce the size of each and have just enough space to
get them in, but it might not give you the power you want.  Ideally, you
could have the dual motor dinghy with the Wake Pro 230 Sea Doo.  Or have
the two Sea Doos and forgo the dinghy."

"Blake?" Colin said looking at him.

"Hmmm... tough choice.  I'd like two Sea Doos so we could race, but on the
other hand I like the dinghy as it could take us right to shore if there's
no dock to moor at.  I'd go with the dinghy and Wake Pro."

"Agreed," Colin nodded.  "Okay priced with dinghy and Wake Pro."

"So the Domino Super 88 lists at $10,700,000 fully loaded before taxes.
The Sea Doo is $20,000 and the Zodiac Rib is $77,900 with the dual motors.
There is of course the 12% tax on top of all that. Which all sold
separately would come to $12,093,000.  We can include the projection system
as well, but to speed up delivery and not make it a custom build, we'd
arrange to have it installed after you took possession of it.  The delivery
fee would be included in the final price as well.  Roughly a
thirty-thousand-dollar charge."

"And the delivery time for what you have available?"

"We can have it to you in ten weeks.  So those are the list prices.  Now we
do the deal," he said looking pleased with himself for having shown us the
retail pricing of everything.

"We'll include the Sea Doo and zodiac into the price of the boat which will
also eliminate the tax on those items for you.  Additionally, we can reduce
the overall price of the boat from $10,700,000 to $10,300,000 bringing the
overall price down from $12,093,000 to $11,536,000, saving you over half a
million dollars."

Blake looked at Colin eagerly as it was inside the range he'd been given to
negotiate.  This seemed to be giving Colin and Blake boners, they were so
excited.  I needed to sit down.  Colin spends 12 million dollars like he
was buying a burger.  I buy a super-size burger like I'm spending 12
million dollars.

Blake pulled out the calculator on his phone and did some quick numbers.
"Drop the price of the boat another hundred thousand and I think we're
getting closer to making a deal," he said looking back up.

"I'd agree with that," Colin nodded, and then jumped in to help out.
"Remove the delivery fee from the price and tack it on separately.  That'll
avoid the taxes on that amount.  Speed up the delivery by a week and we
have a deal. We'll also agree to have the projection system installed after
the delivery."

The salesperson, looked at some papers, did some calculations and really
put on a show as if this were taking his kids out of private school.  When
he looked up, he stared at Colin intently.  "I think we can make that
work."

Blake looked at Colin, who gave him a small nod.

"Excellent, then we have a deal," Blake said, grinning from ear to ear,
reaching out to shake his hand.

"You drive a hard bargain young man.  You do your father proud.  I may go
hungry over this deal, but I'm glad we were able to get you want you
wanted."

"Thanks.  Me too," Blake said looking very pleased with himself.

I have a coupon for McDonalds if you need it," J.J. offered politely.

"I'm good thanks."

"When you have the papers drawn up, have them couriered to my office.  The
address is on my card.  Include the bank wire information as well please."

"I can have it all to you first thing in the morning.  Thank you for your
business, and I'm sure you'll have plenty of great voyages ahead."

"We will," Blake said quickly.  "Are we gonna have to get another slip for
the new boat?"

"No, we'll sell the other one before this one arrives.  Are you interested
in making commission selling a boat privately?"  Colin asked the man.

"I would if you're in need of someone."

"We do, and since you're familiar with these boats, I'm sure you could get
us a good price.  Let's talk tomorrow and set up a time for you to have a
look at our boat."

"I'll contact you in the morning.  Perhaps I can bring the papers around
personally and see your other boat at the same time."

"Sounds like a plan," Blake nodded.  "I'm in school all day, but perhaps
after 3, or if you're only available in the morning, I can miss a few
classes.  I only have Math and Econ tomorrow morning."

"Are you taking or teaching Econ?" The salesman laughed.  "You've obviously
been paying attention."

"I have to, or we'd be broke the way Dad spends money," he said patting
Colin on the back.  I laughed.

"Isn't that the truth."

Now that Colin's itch to spend money was complete, we spent another hour
just enjoying the show and seeing what else they had to offer.  I bought
Colin his own captain's hat to match the boys.  It was cute to see them
lined up behind Colin like he was the admiral and they were required to
follow his lead.  We also bought a few new lifejackets.  Since we could
have more people on this new boat, that seemed to make sense.  The boys
were happy to wear the jackets home.  If False Creek floods while we're in
the stadium, the boys will be safe.  Personally, I'd just climb on board
one of the boats and prepare to float out of here.

We ended the day by heading for dinner, and in keeping with the theme of
the day, went to the Boat House restaurant.  We got the boys to leave their
lifejackets in the cars, but we agreed to let them wear the hats.  Blake is
at that age where he wants to do the kid things, but his teenage brain also
wants to be an adult, so you could almost see the conflict over whether to
wear his or not.  When J.J. said he should, it was solved.  He led by
example for his kid brother. They weren't allowed to wear them at the
table, as we're not savages, but apparently we do whine when being told to
do something we don't like.  That's still a thing at 5 years old.

It had been a fun day and our bank account was down eleven million dollars,
which means we're going to have to tighten our belts for a while.  It'll
take over half a month to make that money back.  We'll be on pizza and
water rations until then.  Oh don't get me wrong, the pizza will be flown
in from Italy, and the water will be Acqua di Cristallo from Fiji, but it's
the symbolism that's important with belt tightening.

"Good news," Colin announced Monday after he got home and kissed me.  If I
don't get the kiss first, then I'm really not interested in his news.  "The
salesman showed up with the papers for the boat and informed me that one of
their customers cancelled their boat purchase after it had already been
built."

"Wow.  That IS good news," I replied somewhat sarcastically.

"I know, right.  He said that means that our delivery schedule is bumped up
from two months to one."

"Nice!"

"I took him to the marina and gave him the authority to sell our current
boat. He figures we'll get a good price for it, perhaps more than we paid
for it in this current market.  We'll go down in a couple days to take our
personal items off the boat."

"Excellent, I'll go buy the champagne to launch the new boat.  I'll just
get cheap shit for that though.  We'll save the expensive stuff to drink
afterward.

"Sounds like a plan to me."

"You know what we should do is have a competition to name the new boat.  We
didn't give the old one a name, but I'm sure the boys would love to have a
say in it.  Winning name gets to crack the champagne across the bow."

"Great idea," he grinned as I got another kiss.  Note to self.  Great ideas
lead to kissing.  Plan more great ideas.

We pitched my super great, most excellent idea to everyone at dinner.

"Boys, we need to come up with name for the new boat," I said once everyone
was seated.  Winning name gets the honour of christening the boat."

"How do you do that?" J.J.asked.

"You smash a bottle of champagne over the bow," Ben explained.

"Like break it?  Won't that dent the boat?"

"No," Colin smiled.  "They're designed to handle tough conditions out on
the sea."

"Yeah, you never know when you're gonna come up out of a wave and run right
smack into a bottle full of alcohol," Ben replied with a smirk.

"Any ideas?"  I asked.

"Blake's beauty!"  Blake announced quickly.  I don't think that represents
all of us, but no one said anything as we all thought of names, basically
ignoring Blake's first attempt.

"Bare Adventures," Ben smiled.  "For when we go to Bare Island."

Troy nodded.  "Not bad.  How about High Society?  Then we can say we're
going out in High Society."

"Seems pretentious," J.P. replied.  Pretentious?  As opposed to a 12
million dollar boat?  Okay.

"What about Discovery?"  I suggested.

"Figures the Star Trek guy would suggest that," Colin chuckled.  "Surprised
you didn't go straight to Enterprise."

"That's overdone in naming ships and boats.  Figured Discovery was more
appropriate."

"Slippery when wet!"  Blake yelled out.  "Could apply to the boat and all
of us when we're on board."

Troy chuckled.  "How about `Ports to Colin'.  Get it?  Colin...call
in. Ports to call in."

"If we're going there, then we should name it Ben Dover, and we can all
ride it repeatedly," J.P. suggested.

"Don't need a boat for that," Ben grinned as he stuck his tongue out at
J.P.

"J.J., you got any ideas?"  Blake asked.

"My friend told me one when I told him we bought a boat.  Dunno if I'm
allowed to say it though.'

"Dude we're at home, you can say anything you want," Blake told him.

"Ummm...Piece of Ship," he said quietly.

Colin laughed first.  "That's hilarious.  I can here it now.  Let's go out
in the Piece of Ship.  Dock the Piece of Ship over there."

"Where is the Piece of Ship?"  Troy added.

"Doesn't this Piece of Ship go faster?"  J.P. included.

J.J. was smiling from ear to ear that we were engaged with his suggestion.
"Permission to come aboard the Piece of Ship!"  he giggled.

"Now you're gettin' it," Blake laughed.  "Any other suggestions?"

The names kept coming and as you can imagine when you get boys together,
things go downhill fast. We heard Salty Wood, Sea Buoy or Buoy Magnet, YOLO
Buoy.  We had a lot of Buoys.  Bluetooth Ferry.  I personally liked it when
Blake said we were all smart, so playing into J.J.'s suggestion he pitched
Ship for Brains.

"I think we should keep it classy," Colin suggested when names pitched were
Deep Swallow and For Play.  "We should also avoid names that could attract
an element that may be offended and set out to damage the boat in protest.

"So `For Play' is out, but `Ship for Brains' is still in?"  J.P. laughed.

"So is Piece of Ship," Blake said, supporting his brother.

J.J. giggled to himself as he looked at his phone.

"What?"  Blake asked looking over.  J.J. showed him his phone and they both
laughed.  "Okay, we got it.  No way anyone can come up with better than
this!  Ready?"

"We're ready," I remarked as we waited as if he were about to give birth.

"The Queen Ferry!  Spelled f-e-r-r-y, not the other kinda fairy, but we'd
know the innuendo implied."  They both smiled as if they'd conquered the
world.

Colin nodded.  "I could live with that.  Like a play on the Queen Mary, but
a ferry to Bare Island, and a shuttle for all you queens.  It works on a
whole lot of levels."

We quickly shot down any names that would single out one family member as
we wanted it to be inclusive.  You know, all PC and shit.  I didn't even
pitch White Boner Hunter.  Seemed a little off colour.  Blake whispered in
J.J.'s ear and he nodded excitedly in agreement.

"J.J. and I think to keep it fun and family friendly that we go with Just
Us League.  You know like Justice League, but spelled Just Us instead."

"I like that," Troy nodded as did Ben and J.P.

"Seems we have a winner.  All in favour of naming the boat Just Us League,
raise your hand," Colin said.  It was unanimous.  Maybe because we were
pretty much over thinking up new names, and partially because we didn't
want it to become something like Hairy McCracken, or the now historical
Boaty McBoatface.

"Who gets to smash the champagne?"  Blake asked.

"I think since the two of you came up with it, then how about you both do
it?  We could get two bottles and you each smash one?"  Colin suggested.
That proves we love them equally.  That's a total parent thing to say,
regardless of whether you lean one way or the other.  I suppose you do love
your kids equally on the big scale, but when it comes to likeability, that
pendulum swings wildly.

Once the meeting broke up, Colin said he'd go contact his graphic designer
to come up with the logo for the boat.  All I heard was that we had a
graphic designer.  I think we have someone for everything.  If I needed a
left-handed, one legged, kangaroo trainer, we probably have one on standby
somewhere...and a kangaroo in need of training.

A few days later, Blake came flying into the house earlier than I'd
expected, scaring the crap out of me while I was studying. "DAD!"  He said
screaming as he ran in the door.  I jumped up to find out what was wrong.
Usually, only people being chased by Godzilla scream like that while
running full speed.  I hoped that wasn't what was happening here.

"Darcy's in the hospital!"  He said sounding panicked.

"Why?  What happened?"  I asked concerned... but relieved that we weren't
about to fight a large, building crushing, creature.

"I got a text from someone at his school that some kids at school pushed
him down the stairs so hard that he ended up breaking his leg."

"Oh my god.  That's terrible."

"Can we go visit him?"  Blake asked quickly.

"Of course.  Do you know which hospital he's at?"

"Yeah.  Children's hospital.  I just gotta grab some stuff for him first,"
he said running off to his room.  I texted Colin to let him know what was
happening and he quickly offered to meet us there.  I asked if he could
pick J.J. up at school instead.

"What's all that?"  I asked, as Blake returned a few minutes later with a
backpack full of stuff.

"Just some things so he doesn't get bored.  I got my old laptop so he can
play games, some graphic novels, Gatorade, and a change of clothes
especially shirts and boxers."

"Wow, that's really thoughtful.  I'm sure his parents would have taken him
stuff too."

"Maybe, but parents don't know what kids like so I figured I'd take him
some of my stuff.  Oh, can we stop and get some karate magazines for him
too?  He'd probably wanna keep up with stuff while he's getting better."

"Sounds good.  Let's go."

We jumped in the car and raced over to the hospital, stopping to grab some
magazines first.  Of course, that also included a ton of junk food that
Blake thought he might like, and several other things.  I wasn't sure if we
were visiting hospital or stocking an apartment.  After finding out what
room he was in, we made our way there.  Why do hospitals all smell the
same?  Plus, they're boring as fuck.  Buncha sick people all lying around.
If they want these people to get better, they should make it more fun.  In
fairness, the Children's hospital had a lot more personality than the
regular hospital.  At least they were making an attempt to have it seem
less scary.

"Hi Darcy," Blake said as soon as we saw him.

I was actually shocked seeing him with his leg propped up in a cast that
went just past his knee, and a thousand wires coming out of him like he was
some high-tech experiment.  He also had several visible bruises on his
face.  The rest of him was covered in a blanket.

"We brought you some stuff," Blake said quickly as he threw his backpack,
and the bag of stuff, on the bed beside Darcy.

"Thanks.  It's been kinda boring since I woke up.  I had super weird dreams
with the medication they give you.  I seriously gotta get some morphine to
take home with me.  This shit is lit!"

"I'm guessing it's helping with the pain?"

"I'll say.  I'll bet I could take my whole leg off and not even notice."

"You might notice that," Blake said as he began unpacking as if he were
moving in.  "Let's get some selfies of you all busted up."  He grabbed his
phone and put his head beside Darcy to take several pictures.  Good to know
that's his first concern.  The selfie for his social media.

"What happened exactly.  We didn't get any details," I asked to be sure we
had the right story.

"I fell down the stairs at school," he said quietly.

"Fell?  That looks like a pretty serious cast for just falling.  It's okay
to tell us," I assured him.

"It was the bullies, again.  One of them got down behind me while another
pushed me backward over the guy.  They did it too close to the top of the
stairs and I bounced all the way down.  I probably would have been okay,
but I hit a really big kid who landed on my leg while it was half under me.
They think that's what did the most of the damage."

"Is it just one break?"  I asked looking at how serious the cast appeared.

"I think so, plus a cracked knee cap.  They said it should take me several
weeks to heal.  They're keeping me here for a couple days to check for
other injuries I might have, like internal bleeding or concussion."

"Do you know if there are blood clots, or loose bone fragments floating
around that may cause a tear in an artery?" Blake asked.  "Did they send
you for a CT scan to ensure you don't have a subdural hematoma?"

"Blake, despite what Web MD may make you believe, you're not actually a
doctor.  Just let the real doctors do their jobs."

"I do, but you gotta know shit, or they might miss it while they're focused
on his leg."

"I think they know what they're doing.  When you have your own white coat
and stethoscope, you can order all the CT scans and MRI's your little brain
can handle.  Are you in pain, Darcy?"  I inquired, feeling the pain in my
own leg as he explained how he'd gotten his injury.  Blake returned to
focus on his phone as I talked to Darcy.

"No.  That morphine stuff is amazing.  Hey, at least the bullies didn't
pants me this time," he said trying to joke.

"Are your parents here?"  I asked looking around for signs of them.

"My mom was here to sign paperwork when I first got here, but she went home
as she said she had things to do before her book club came over."

I shook my head.  If this was Blake or any other member of our family, they
would have had everyone around constantly to ensure they were looked after.
Doctors and nurses would be mobilized to react at a moments notice.  What
could be more important than being there for your kid?

"I'm actually surprised Layne isn't here.  Does he know?"

"No.  He's on some small vacation thing with his parents.  I think it's a
church thing," Darcy replied.  "I'll tell him once he comes home."

"Ah the old church retreats.  The place where the sheeple gather for super
brainwashing fun," I said flippantly.

"There!" Blake announced suddenly as he looked up from his phone.  "I have
a white coat and stethoscope on the way.  Prime will have it here this
afternoon.  That sure busted your whole burn, huh Dad?  Oh Darcy, I got you
a bunch of cool stuff," Blake said as he began handing things over after
pulling the rolling table up to Darcy.  "I figured parents wouldn't bring
you a laptop as they don't know how important that is to a kid, so I
brought my old one for you.  It's got some cool games on it and then you
can get on the internet too."

"I'm surprised you're not watching TV," I said, as Blake went through
everything else he'd brought.

"My mom said it's too expensive to hook up TV or the internet, so I've just
been watching You Tube on my phone but I'm almost out of power."

"What type of phone is it?"  I asked.  He showed me and it was the same
fruit brand as mine, so I told Blake to run to the car and get the spare
charger we had in there.  He took the key fob and ran off.  While he was
out of the room, I moved closer to Darcy.  "What really happened?  You
don't get bruises on your face and eye from falling down stairs?"

"They attacked me in the hallway and called me a little fag boy.  Said I
should be in elementary not high school. The guy that I said pushed me,
didn't really push me, he sucker punched me in the face first, then punched
me several more times before the other guy got down behind me.  I have tons
of bruises all over.  I flew backward down the stairs, and I'm pretty sure
a lot of the other scrapes and cuts are from the stairs as I felt my face
hit them on the way down.  They pretty much picked the biggest stairs to do
it.  I don't think they meant to break my leg, but they thought it was
funny to see all my stuff fly everywhere.  When the bigger guy landed on
top of me and I screamed, they laughed and then took off pretty fast."

"Did you report it?"

"Not yet.  I wasn't sure I should.  It'll only make things worse."

"It's time to report it.  Escalating it to this level is beyond a simple
prank of pantsing someone in gym class, or knocking their books out of
their hands.  This is serious, dude.  You have to report it.  This was
assault.  Were they calling you a fag because they know you're gay, or just
using it as an insult."

"I think just an insult.  I think they would have made more specific
remarks if they knew I was gay."

"True.  Did anyone record what happened?"

"Tons of people did.  It'll probably be going viral right now."

"We'll get subpoenas for those videos.  You should really fuck them up and
come out at school as well. That way their comments move into hate crime
territory."

"I dunno.  That seems like it would piss them off more.  Maybe now they
won't touch me again since they saw how bad it was."

"I doubt it.  Kids like that get empowered by seeing how much they can hurt
someone without consequences.  This needs to be reported to the police."

"Don't call the police.  I'll let the school know when I get back.  Thanks
for bringing me this stuff.  It was kinda getting boring around here."

"I'll make sure you get TV and internet before we leave.  It's stupid that
you don't have it."

"It's okay.  I have the magazines and computer now.  I'll be fine.  It's
too expensive."

"You let me worry about that.  Plus, you're missing the Bachelorette."

He laughed.  "I don't watch that.  I barely watch much TV, but it'd be nice
to see some movies."

"I think if you look on the laptop, you'll find Blake has a few in a folder
somewhere.  I'm sure there will be one or two you'll like."

"Thanks for coming to visit me."

"I'd have been here sooner if I'd known.  You know you can text me anytime
if you need help, right?"

"I know but I didn't want to bother you or anything.  You've already been
so nice to me.  I don't even really remember getting here.  The paramedics
showed up at school and that's all I remember until I woke up in bed here."

"Were either of your parents here when you woke up?"

"No.  I was all alone, and I didn't know where I was at first.  One of the
really nice nurses told me and stayed with me most of the time until my
head stopped spinning."

I felt my blood pressure rising.  Good thing I wasn't hooked up to one of
those machines, it might have exploded.  What sort of shit parents wouldn't
be right there with their kid when he wakes up from surgery?  Or for that
matter, being outraged that someone beat their kid up. Consequences be
damned, I'd have ripped limbs off any kid that hurt our family.  It'd be
like a Monty Python skit with the torso sitting on the ground screaming
that it's just a flesh wound.  "I'm sorry we weren't here sooner.  Maybe
make us your emergency contact for anything in the future.  As soon as
Blake heard, he raced home from school and demanded we come over here, but
only after grabbing stuff so you wouldn't be bored."

Darcy smiled.  "You guys are so awesome."

Blake raced back in the room panting slightly.  "Got it!"  He said as he
held up the cord.  "Now you won't run out of power.  Oh, by the way I
signed you up for TV and Internet while I was downstairs.  I also made sure
you had a movie channel.  I put it on my emergency credit card Dad, `cause
this is pretty much an emergency."

"Good idea.  I told Darcy I'd make sure we had that for him before we left.
Looks like we were thinking alike."

"Dream on Dad.  I'd have to lose a billion brain cells to think like you,"
he giggled, getting a smile out of Darcy as he grabbed the remote and
pressed the button to turn on the TV showing Darcy that it was now up and
running.  "They gave me your internet password too," he said handing over
the paper with information on it.  "Oh dude, I brought you some shirts and
underwear in case you need them.  I'm not sure if you can have them or not,
but it's probably better than the hospital gowns that expose your whole ass
to everyone."

"I'm surprised you don't wear one to school then," I joked to Blake.

"Please!  They're hardly cool enough for school.  That's why I have my jock
underwear.  That shows off my ass just fine thanks."

We heard a small giggle from behind the curtain, so Blake peeked around the
corner.

"Hi," the small voice said.  "I'm Toby."

"Blake.  "What are you in for?"  Blake asked, sounding like they were all
incarcerated.

"I have to get my tonstuls out."

"Why?"

"I dunno.  They just gotta do it.  I told the doctor I'd be okay if he
wanted to give them to some other kid who needed them, but he said they
don't."

"Have you met Darcy yet?"

"No, he just woke up.  He was being pretty funny with the nurse though."

Blake pushed the curtain open.  "This is Darcy.  Darcy, you have a
roommate.  Toby.  How old are you?"

"Seven and a half...almost."

"Are you allowed to leave your bed?"  Blake asked him.

"Yeah.  Mainly to pee and stuff.  They don't want me to wander around in
case they lose me or something."

Blake looked at Darcy.  "How do you get up to pee?"

"I don't.  I have a catheter in which takes care of it."

"Ummm, what's a catheter?"  Blake asked.

I was about to explain, but Darcy replied first.  "It's a tube they put
into your penis so when you have to pee, you can just go and it collects in
a bag on the side."

Blake quickly looked at the side of the bed.  "Cool.  Can I see it?"

Darcy shrugged.  "Sure, if you want."

Blake pulled up the sheets and looked under.  "They taped a plastic tube to
your penis?"

"It actually goes up the penis and into your bladder," I explained.

"Oooofff!  Does it hurt?"  Blake said, his face showing the dislike of the
idea.

"Nope, but I can feel the tube when I touch my penis."

"Who put it in there?"

"I dunno.  I woke up with it in.  A guy nurse was in just before you guys
got here checking on me, and asking if it was causing me any discomfort.
He's kinda cute," he grinned.

"Oh god, that'd be the worst.  Did you get a boner when they put it in?"

"I dunno.  I think I was unconscious."

"Ummm, what happens if you... you know...get a boner while that's in
there," Blake whispered to him as he reached over to feel it.

"I dunno, but if you keep touching it, we may find out pretty fast," Darcy
warned with a whisper.

"Blake, leave it alone will ya?"  I said pulling his hand back, and letting
the covers go back over Darcy.

"What happens if you need to poop?  Do you have a tube in your butt too?"

"No.  They said I just need to call for a nurse and they'd help me.  So far
I haven't had to go, so I dunno how they do that."

"They might just help you out of bed and to the bathroom?"  I guessed.

"Hopefully.  Pooping in bed would be awful."

Toby giggled as he listened excitedly to the two older boys.

"Maybe we stop talking about pooping, and you can show Darcy what's on the
computer."

"You wanna come over and watch too, Toby?"  Blake offered.

"Sure," he beamed.

"Can he share your bed?"  Blake asked Darcy, who nodded and moved over to
make room for his smaller roommate.  The boy climbed in beside him, and
they went through the movies on the laptop to find one they'd both like.

"Do they really put a tube in your penis?"  Toby asked, looking confused
after having thought about it a while.

"Yeah, otherwise he'd pee the bed," Blake explained as if he were now the
resident expert on catheters.  "Wanna see it?"

I chuckled.  "Blake!  You can't go around just showing Darcy's penis to
everyone."

"Why?  We're all boys.  Don't be such a prude Dad.  Darcy doesn't mind, do
you?"

"I guess not," he said looking at me.  Blake lifted the covers to show
Toby.

"Whoa!  Glad I don't have that.  Does it hurt?"

"No.  It just feels uncomfortable mostly."

"I wouldn't want that.  I'd rather have diapers," Toby commented.

"Yeah!  How come they don't do that, Dad?"  Blake asked.

"How do I know?  Do I look like a nurse?"

"Kinda," he said looking at me.  "From this angle anyway.  You'd be good at
putting these in," he teased.

"Shut up!"  I grinned getting a similar grin from Darcy.

A male nurse walked in as the boys were checking out the catheter.  "Time
for some vitals boys.  Toby, hop back in your bed for a second, and you can
come back when we're done."

The younger boy jumped into his own bed, exposing his ass to all of us.
Blake of course never misses the opportunity to point out the obvious.
"See, hospital gowns don't hide your butt.  That's why I brought you some
boxers."

The nurse took Toby's vital signs before moving over to Darcy.  "Was there
a problem with your catheter?"  He asked as he took the temperature in the
ear.

"Nope.  Blake was just showing Toby what one looked like."

The nurse just smiled and looked at me.  I shrugged.  "I guess they're not
as reserved as adults."

"Isn't that the truth."

"How's the leg feeling?  Any pain?"

"A little.  I can feel it throbbing."

"Dude," Blake whispered.  "He's talking about your leg in case you're
confused."

"Blake!"

"Dad!" he mocked.

"It's my face and chest that kinda feel sore the most," Darcy replied.

"Just do your best to ignore the itching if you can.  I'll get you some
cream for the cuts and bruises which should help.  Let's take a look at
your chest, shall we?  Can I ask the two of you to leave while I examine
him?"

"They're cool.  They can stay if they want," Darcy said quickly.  The nurse
nodded and pulled the front of Darcy's gown down over his chest.  I almost
gasped at how many bruises he had.  Blake looked at me, almost with tears
in his eyes.  I put my arm around him gently.  The nurse listened to
Darcy's breathing and put the gown back in place.

"Dinner is in half an hour.  It looks like you now have a few things to
keep you busy."

"Yeah.  Tons of stuff," Darcy agreed.

Toby was watching his own TV while he waited, and appeared as though he'd
been well looked after, as he had lots of things scattered around.  "Your
mom and dad around somewhere, Toby?"  I asked as the nurse checked him over
quickly.

"Yeah.  My mom is here.  She just went to get some food.  Then my dad will
visit tonight after work.  Can I come back over now?"

"Sure," Darcy replied.  Toby scrambled into bed next to him, and the three
boys started their movie.  I excused myself and went to find the nurse that
had just been in there.

"I was wondering if your records show how this happened?"

"Are you family, sir?"

"No.  My son is Darcy's best friend."

"I'm sorry.  I can't discuss a patient's records with anyone other than a
parent or guardian."

"Right.  Of course."  I paused and wondered if I was doing the right thing
or not.  "It's just that he told everyone that he fell down stairs at
school, but that's obviously not what happened.  It was a hate crime attack
by some older, and much bigger bullies.  He's let us know of that before.
Can you somehow make sure that's on the record and investigated?  I won't
interfere if Darcy doesn't want to pursue it, but someone should know."

The nurse looked at the computer screen in front of him.  "I can't say
anything officially, but it was noted here that the injuries aren't
consistent with someone who just fell.  In cases like that, someone will
follow up.  It's just procedure in case of child abuse."

"Good.  Thank you," I said.  "Make sure that if police get involved, they
get security footage from the school.  That's all I can say about it as
Darcy told me in confidence."

"I'll make a note," he replied.

When I got back to the boys, they all looked super comfortable next to each
other, like they'd been friends for years.  Toby was snuggled up against
Darcy, while Blake had propped himself up on the chair right beside the bed
as they watched the movie.

"I have games and all my links to videos and stuff.  My old homework folder
is on this computer, but you probably don't need that.  I only keep my past
assignments in case I need stuff from it later.  There's no porn though.
When you got snoopy parents, you don't wanna keep stuff like that on your
laptop, and you gotta remember to clear your browser history a lot."

Darcy laughed.  "You know your dad is right there."

"Oh please!  He never clears his search history.  You should see the stuff
I find."

"Why are you using my computer?"  I asked.  "And more importantly how do
you know my password?"

"Uhhh, duh.  It's Blake and my birthday.  Not really original Dad.  You
might as well just use `password' or 1234."

Darcy laughed.  "God, I'd be murdered if my parents found stuff like that
on the computer.  I'm not even allowed to use it in my room."

"I'd sue!"  Blake replied.

I was really proud of Blake.  He was the type of guy that didn't hesitate
to help someone in need.  I truly hope he never loses that part of his
personality.  I almost jumped out of my skin when a man entered and barked
at me.  "Who are you?"

"I'm Justin, and this is my son Blake, and you are?"

"I'm Darcy's father," he replied.  Toby quickly scrambled out of bed and
ran back to his own, obviously figuring he'd be in trouble if he stayed.

"Step father...Carl!"  Darcy snapped quickly.

"How do you know Darcy?  I thought he didn't have any friends," he said
callously.

I already didn't like this guy.  Shouldn't his first questions have been
about Darcy?  "Darcy's been spending time with Blake teaching him
additional karate.  When Blake heard he was hurt, he wanted to come over."

"I hope you're charging for karate lessons.  I'm not paying for your
lessons so you can go and teach everyone else for free," he said looking at
his son.

Before Darcy could reply, I spoke up.  "Blake is in the same dojo as Darcy
so they have just been training together.  With Darcy being older, he's
helping Blake with some of the things he's more advanced at."

"I'm guessing some people will do anything to avoid paying for extra
things," he replied.  Wow, now I know why Darcy doesn't want to antagonize
the bullies at school.  He's got one at home to teach him what happens when
you fight back.

"Blake's a friend, Carl.  We do karate together because we both like it,"
Darcy told him quietly.

"Whose computer is that?"

"It's Blake's," Darcy replied.

 "Well don't break it.  You can hardly afford to replace it."

"It's okay, sir.  It's my old one.  I don't really need it anymore.  I
brought it so that Darcy wouldn't be bored in here."

"That was thoughtful of you, but don't leave it with him.  He's not
responsible with other people's things, and I'm not paying to fix it.
Darcy, I dropped by to tell you that since you're going to be in here for a
few days, your mother and I are going to take a trip while you're not at
home.  If we're not back by the time you leave here, you know where the key
is, and we've given permission for you to sign yourself out."

"Ummm, sure.  Did you bring my phone charger?  I asked mom to bring it next
visit," he asked, not letting on that we'd already given him ours.

"No, I didn't have time to go look for that.  God only know where you'd
keep it in that mess you call a room.  Ask to use one of the hospital
phones if you need something, and don't be a nuisance to people."

So, he doesn't want Darcy borrowing anything, unless he's too fucking lazy
to bring it?  I think I know exactly where to begin to improve Darcy's
life.  Which military division has the rule `one shot, one kill?'  Probably
snipers.  Let's use that as our go to solution for this asshole.

He stood looking at the boys and shook his head.  "No wonder they think
you're a sissy.  Being in bed with other boys isn't going to help that.
I'm guessing that karate isn't worth the price after all.  I thought it was
to defend yourself against crap like this."

"It is, Carl, but I got jumped, and didn't have time to respond before they
pushed me down the stairs."

"Well, I hope no one else got hurt.  We don't need to get sued for injuring
other kids.  When we get back, I'll let you know if you'll be returning to
that karate nonsense."

I'd had enough.  "May I see you outside for a second?"  I asked standing
up.  Darcy shot me a look as if begging me not to get involved, but I
couldn't just sit back and listen to this.

"Make it quick.  I have the wife waiting in the car.  We don't get away
very often."

Holy shit.  Brain to hands --- unclench fist.  Fist to brain --- can we hit
him now?

"I don't know much about Darcy's life, but maybe you want to tone it down a
bit and be more concerned about the fact that your son is being bullied at
school, and has just been seriously injured as a result.  Maybe some
compassion?"

"That's why he's taking self defense classes.  Compassion is for the weak
minded.  He needs to learn to stand up for himself and not cry over
everything like a little sissy.  How about you raise our son your way and
I'll raise mine my way.  I seriously suggest you don't leave anything with
him that you'd want back again.  He's got a long way to go to learn
maturity."

"Seems to run in the family," I said under my breath.

"WHAT?"

"Nothing.  Have a nice trip.  I'm sure Blake will be happy to keep your son
company?"

"Yeah, I can see how happy he'll be to do that," he said as he turned to
leave, then I heard him mutter to himself.  "Fuckin' fags are everywhere
nowadays."

Fucking fags?  I think he meant that as an insult, but technically if
they're not fucking, then they're pretty much straight.  Now call me a
pussy licker, and I'm gonna kicky your ass, no matter how much bigger you
are than me.  No way I'd want that label.  I returned to the room and
smiled as the boys had settled into their movie, with Toby having returned
to lie beside Darcy again, apparently now the best of friends.  Darcy
looked up at me, and I forced a smile for him.  I really wanted to rush
down the hall with a baseball bat and beat Carl to the point where he was
forced to be in hospital with no visitors for a few weeks.  What a prick.
If I EVER even get one tenth as bad as that, I hope someone will put me out
of my misery with a bullet to the head.  We'd have to schedule a trip to
the States for that though, as I wouldn't have a clue where to get a gun
here.  Not criticizing, just stating a fact.  While they watched the movie,
Toby quizzed Blake and Darcy about Karate, and they happily educated him
about it.

A short while later a woman entered and just smiled.  "Toby, what are you
doing?"

"Hi Mom.  I'm watching a movie with my friends.  This is Darcy.  He's got a
broken leg and that's Blake.  He's just visiting with his dad."

"Justin," I said standing up to greet her.

"Shawna.  Toby, you're not bothering the boys, are you?"

"No Mom.  They invited me to join."

"That's nice, but be careful.  You don't want to hurt Darcy."

"I won't Mom.  I'm even being careful not to lie on his pee tube.  They put
it in his wiener so he doesn't pee the bed," he explained.  Now another
expert on catheters in the room.  "I don't want one of those if they ask
though.  Wanna see it?"

"No.  That's a pretty personal thing, Toby.  Not something you just show to
visitors."

"Paying attention, Blake?"  I grinned.  "Might as well pull up a chair," I
told her.  "I think the boys are settled in for the long haul."

"Looks like it.  It's nice that they're getting along.  A hospital can be a
scary and lonely place for a child."

"That's true, although the staff seems nice enough.  Toby says he's in for
his tonsils?"

"Yeah.  I think he's more excited about the ice cream afterward though."

"Isn't that the universal bribe?"

She laughed.  "I think it might just be.  What happened to Darcy?"

"The official version is that he fell down the stairs."

"He did all that from falling down stairs?"  She asked shocked.

"I understand another kid fell on him when he landed," I replied being as
vague as possible.

"That's terrible.  I hope he'll be alright."

"Me too."

We talked for a bit while the boys enjoyed the movie, and the more Toby
hung out with Darcy, the more comfortable he seemed to get.

"Does Toby have any brothers or sisters?"  I asked.

"Not yet.  We're thinking of having another, but we're waiting to see how
this one turns out," she joked.  Toby looked at her and grinned.

"I turned out good, Mom."

"Yes, so far you have."

"I don't want a sister though.  I'd like a brother.  Maybe a big brother."

"Not really how it works, but I'm sure you'd be happy with either."

"No.  I'd rather have a brother," he said definitively.

"We'll be your brothers while you're here," Blake offered, getting a giant
smile from Toby.

"That's nice.  Thank you, Blake.  Feel free to send him back to his own bed
if you need rest though, Darcy."

"He's okay.  He's not taking up a lot of space," Darcy replied.

"Yeah Mom.  Good thing I don't have a pee tube in me or I wouldn't be able
to go nowhere."

"Go anywhere," she corrected.

"Huh?  Where do you want me to go?"

"Nowhere.  I was correcting you.  You said you wouldn't be able to go
nowhere.  It's you wouldn't be able to go anywhere."

"Oh.  But I CAN go anywhere because I don't have a pee tube," he clarified.
My head is starting to hurt.  I wonder if they have spare line so I can tap
into that morphine.

"Mmhmmm.  Maybe we'll have to put one in you at home so I know where you
are all the time," she smiled.  He just giggled.  "Are your parents coming
to visit you, Darcy?"

"No.  My step dad came in and said since I was in hospital for a few days
it would be a good chance for them to go take a short vacation to be by
themselves."

Shawna just stared at me with a look that said it all.  I just shrugged.
"I met him earlier.  It's better that he's not here.  Trust me."

"Toby.  Your dad will be here after work.  Do you want him to bring you
anything?"

"Ummm...maybe some comics and my Playstation.  Could he bring the remote so
I can Netflix and chill tonight too?" he asked innocently.

Blake burst out laughing.  "And you call me precocious."

"Technically, I never called you that.  I just explained it."

"I don't think they have Netflix here, but we'll bring you the laptop and
some comics.  Maybe you'd like your Spiderman pyjamas too?"

"NO WAY, Mom!  You have to wear your hospital stuff when you're here.  They
gotta see your butt," he said almost giggling.

"Well, you do have a cute little butt," she teased.

"MOM!!" he whined.  "You're embarrassing me."

"Don't worry, Toby.  Darcy's got a cute butt too.  That's why they make him
wear a hospital gown as well," Blake said quickly, getting a smile from
Toby and a blush from Darcy.

"I'm just surprised Blake hasn't asked for a gown," I quietly said to
Shawna.  "Boys."

We hung out until the movie was over, and when the boys started looking for
something else to watch, I figured it was time to go.

"Blake, how about we leave them to get some rest?"

"I should stay Dad.  With his parents away, he might need someone," Blake
reasoned.

"Toby's father and I will be here, Blake, and it looks like he's not
getting rid of Toby anytime soon," Shawna offered.

"Yeah.  It's okay, Blake.  It'll be boring for you to just hang around
here," Darcy agreed.

"I'll be back first thing in the morning though.  I'm not gonna go to
school, so I can hang out all day."

"And who said you're not going to school?"  I asked with a bit of a smirk.

"Like I could concentrate knowing that my friend is in the hospital almost
dead."

"I'm almost dead?"  Darcy asked looking at Blake, trying not to laugh.

"Shhhh...if he thinks you're dying, I get to miss school."

"You know I can hear you, right?  Fine, you can miss school, as long as you
get your homework assignments from someone."

"No problem.  I can have one of the guys let me know.  Do you want me to
bring you some other movies?"

"Do you have Deadpool?"  Toby asked quickly.

"Nice try, young man.  Just because you're in hospital doesn't mean you get
to watch an R rated movie," Shawna said quickly.

"Okay.  How about Avengers?"

"We have that.  I'll bring all the Marvel movies," Blake offered.  "We can
have a superhero day.  Buttman and PeeTube boy!"

"I'll be Buttman," Darcy said quickly.

"No fair.  I'm Buttman.  You're Pee Tube Boy," Toby said sitting up to
defend his superhero status.

Shawna laughed.  "See what you started, Blake?"

"He does that.  Alright, we'll see you tomorrow Darcy.  Call if you need
anything, even if it's in the middle of the night, okay?"

"Sure.  Thanks Justin.  Thanks for coming to visit me and bringing me all
this stuff."

"Sorry you have to be in here, but once you're released, we'll look into
making things better for you.  I promise."

We gave him a hug and said goodbye to Shawna and Toby as well.

 As we walked down the hall towards the elevator, Blake almost jumped in
front of me.  "Okay, Dad.  Let's go over to Darcy's school and start
kicking some serious ass."

"That'll have to be up to Darcy and his parents, but don't worry, we'll
help."

"Yeah.  I'll get a posse together and we'll show those bullies."

"So your idea of solving violence is with more violence.  Is that the
Canadian version of a good guy with a gun beats a bad guy with a gun?  A
good guy with violence, beats up a bad guy with violence?"

"Damn straight.  Kick their asses repeatedly until they get the message
that the power of the many beats the power of the one, or the few."

"I think you've paraphrased an old Vulcan saying, but I kinda like it."

"Dad, I'm super fucking mad right now, and I wanna hurt those guys as much
as they hurt Darcy," he said honestly and calmly.

"I know what you mean buddy, but we gotta do this the right way or we're no
better than they are," I said using my calm parental voice.  In my head, I
was already planning to use the `Q' to grab those pricks, drag them into an
alley and show them just how revengeful a bunch of fags can actually be.
Not one of those douchebags would ever bully a kid again.  I guarantee it.

When we got home, we told everyone else what had happened, and they all
appeared to side with Blake on this one; that a good collective beating
might just be the remedy for bullies like this.  A leg for a leg; to make
an old saying fit.

"We'll go visit Darcy tonight," Kyle offered with everyone else agreeing
that they should go as well.

"You might not want to overwhelm him with everyone showing up at once.
He's not used to having many people around, so we should take turns," I
suggested.

"J.P. and I will go first so I can get back to do my homework," Ben
offered.  Kyle and Chance said they'd take the next hour, with Troy
volunteering to stop by tomorrow morning.  Colin said he'd go in with Blake
and I tomorrow as well.  Darcy is gonna have so many visitors that he'll be
begging for alone time.

Blake, Colin and I were hanging out together in the great room when Ben and
J.P. got back from their visit.  J.P. sat down beside me.  "Darcy's doing
okay.  He says he's just sore and itchy.  He appears to have made a friend
in there."

"Yeah, Toby.  Cute kid."

"I'll say.  He insisted that I was you and had just gone home and changed
my hair colour.  I explained that we were triplets and that there were
three of us, but he was still pretty sure I was you."

"You should come with us in the morning so he can see both of us at once,"
I suggested.  "Did Darcy want us to bring him anything in the morning?"

"No, but he's decided to call the police and file assault charges."

"Good.  Best to do it now while he looks like he does.  We should throw a
few hints in to child services to about his step father.  I'm sure he's not
a good influence.  What kind of parents go away while their kid is that
injured in hospital?"

Colin shook his head.  "I know we sure wouldn't if anyone here got hurt.
They'd have to drag me out of the hospital if it was Blake in there."

"That's why I'm going to be there all day for him.  He shouldn't be alone,"
Blake nodded.  "What if one of the bullies gets past the guards to try and
finish him off once they learn he might testify against him."

"This isn't an episode of Law and Order, Blake," I assured him.  "Nothing
like that is gonna happen, and there are exactly any guards."

"You never know Dad.  If bullies hate fags as much as those guys, then we
may have to put Darcy into witness protection until they're all behind
bars."

"First, please get the facts correct so that you don't blurt that out by
accident.  They're not picking on Darcy because they think he's gay.  He's
not told anyone that but us.  They're picking on him because he's much
smaller than they are.  Truly pathetic, but the normal mentality of a
bully.  They won't pick on someone their own size or larger.  They pick on
smaller, and potentially weaker, ensuring their victory."

"Bullies think it makes them look more intimidating if they beat people
up," Blake nodded.  "I'm not kidding Dad.  Give me ten minutes with any of
those assholes, and one shot to the nuts, followed by a palm thrust into
the base of their nose, and that shit ends instantly.  Darcy and I will
start working on a plan tomorrow to make sure he's safe from now on."

"I think you're just doing it to get the day off school, but I'm glad
you're being that good a friend," I said giving him a hug.  "But no revenge
vigilante action.  Let's deal with it properly."  While Blake tries to act
tough on the outside, he's a pretty emotional kid, so he ended up sleeping
with us and cuddling most of the night.

In the morning, we headed off in various cars to meet up at the hospital.
That's the most expensive part of being in hospital.  The cost of parking.
If someone was in for a few days it could easily cost 10 to 20 bucks a day
PER CAR.  I mean if you were in a week, you might end up with a bill of a
hundred dollars.  Thankfully you don't have to pay for anything else, or
that shit could get out of control, although now that we don't have to pay
health care premiums anymore, it kinda makes up for the parking charge.  It
was ridiculous paying $75 a month to cover the three of us.  I think single
people used to pay like $37.50 a month if it wasn't covered by their
employer.  Now we had extra money for our morning latte's, and car
collection.  We all met up in the lobby of the hospital and made our way to
Darcy's room.  His face lit up as the four of us entered.

"Hi guys!"  He said.  "Anyone got a super long knitting needle or pokey
thing to get inside my cast.  I itch like a crazy person."

"I could go see if I can find something," Blake offered and ran off to
investigate.

"Hi!"  Toby said from the far bed waving at us.  Both his parents were with
him.

"Hey Toby," I said going over to him with J.P., and said hello to the
parents as well.  "I understand you thought we were trying to trick you
yesterday with J.P. showing up."

He just smiled as he looked at us.  "Yeah, I didn't know you had someone
else that looked like you."

"We even have another identical brother too.  He'd really confuse you as he
has blond hair like mine and you can't tell us apart at all."

"How come your hair is black?"

"He's the black sheep of the family," I added quickly, with his mom just
grinning.

"He's kidding Toby.  I had to dye it for a movie I'm in.  I'll change it
back to blond once the movie is finished shooting."

"You're an actor?  Cool?  Do you know Deadpool?"

His mom laughed.  "He's obsessed with seeing those movies."

"No, I don't know him, but I've met lots of other actors.  Speaking of
movies though, I know Blake brought lots for Darcy to watch, and I'm sure
he'd love to share with you."

"I gotta go to have my tonstuls out today.  They said that I might only
wanna sleep afterward, but when I wake up I could watch movies.  I'd even
share my ice cream if he wanted some.  Would you want some of my ice cream
later, Darcy?"  He yelled over to him.

"I'd love some," Darcy replied.  "You'll be hungry by then though, so you
may want to keep it all for yourself."

"Probably," he grinned.  "I'm not allowed to have anything to eat or drink
today before I go to the operation, so I'm super hungry already."

"Don't worry buddy.  Once it's over you'll be able to eat anything you
want?"

"Anything?  Like chips and ice cream and chocolate and pop?"  He said as
his eyes went wide.

I looked at his mother and grinned.  "Well, anything that your mom & dad
say you can have of course."

"Oh," he said not quite as enthusiastically.

"Don't worry honey, you can have all the ice cream, Jell-O and pudding you
can handle for the next few days until you get better," his mom assured
him.

"Okay, but chocolate and strawberry ice cream, and chocolate pudding, and
maybe orange jell-o.  I don't like that stipashio flavour."

"Pistachio," she corrected.

"Yeah, that.  I always get that word wrong.  Same as
cimmanom...cimmamum...that stuff."

"Cinn-a-mon," his mom said slowly.

"I don't like it anyway, so I don't really need to say it," he reasoned.

Blake returned saying that the nurses wouldn't let him have anything to
scratch with, but they'd be in later to check on him and give him a pill to
help.

 "Dad, can I join karate with Blake and Darcy once I'm all better?"

"We can talk about it once you get home," his father said.  "This will
probably be just another fad you try and then quit once we buy you all the
equipment.  Like hockey and baseball.  You have an interest for five
minutes and then give up.  We have a garage full of things."

"I wouldn't quit Dad.  I only need a white suit and a belt.  You don't even
need shoes, right Darcy?"  Toby asked looking for support.

"Right.  If he did want to learn, I have old gi's that he could use until
he figured out if he liked it."

"Thank you, but I have a feeling in 48 hours, he'll have picked a new hobby
that he wants to try," his dad grinned.

"No I won't Dad.  I could go with Blake and Darcy and they could teach me,
right guys?"  He asked, almost pleading, as he looked at them.

"Uh, he'd be welcome to go with us if you wanted, or we could come over and
show him stuff before he joined so he'd know if he liked it or not," Darcy
replied.

"That's a very kind offer boys, but I couldn't ask you to do that."

"We don't mind, right Blake?"  Darcy asked looking at him.  "I mean I
wouldn't be able to do anything for several weeks until my cast comes off,
but I could be the sensei and Blake could be Toby's partner to show him the
basic stuff.  If he liked it, he could join the dojo.  If he didn't, then
at least he'd know and it wouldn't cost anything that way."

"Please Dad!  They're my friends, and if I learned to be a ninja, I'd be
super quiet and you'd never have to worry about me getting in your way as
ninjas are supposed to be invisible."

Blake laughed.  "You looking forward to me being a ninja, Dad?"

"Why do you think we're letting Darcy tutor you in addition to playing for
lessons.  We're trying to speed up the whole process," Colin joked.

"If Toby did join karate before Darcy got better, I could take him to the
dojo for you.  One of my family always drives us there and back, and if
not, then I use the car service," Blake offered.  "Just in case that
helps."

"The car service?"  Toby's father asked.  "Like Uber?"

"No.  We use a private service.  My dad uses it for work mostly, but I can
use it if no one else is available to give me a ride places," Blake
explained.  He left out the part where he uses it to impress his friends,
or just to look cool when the multi-million dollars worth of cars in an
underground garage just don't do it for him.

"Please Dad.  I promise on my whole life that I won't quit this time," Toby
begged.  "Darcy and Blake will make sure.  They can even be like my big
brothers and boss me around to make sure I stick with it."

His dad laughed.  "That might actually be interesting to see.  Tell you
what, we'll discuss it once you're back home.  How's that?"

"That's okay.  Yay!  I get to be a ninja with you guys," he said excitedly,
looking at Blake and Darcy.

"I said we'd see," his father reiterated.

"Yeah, but that always means yes.  If you meant no, you always say no.  If
you mean yes, you say, we'll talk about it later," Toby reasoned.

Shawna laughed.  "He's got you there.  Guess you're not a sneaky as you
thought, honey."

"Guess not."

"Can I go over and watch a movie with them until they come to take me away,
Mom?"

"It's fine by me, but you'll need to ask Darcy first.  He's got lots of
visitors already."

"Can I come over and watch the movies?"  he asked looking at Darcy.

"Of course, buddy."

Toby leapt out of the bed, completely carefree about the fact that his gown
really wasn't covering his backside at all, and jumped in bedside Darcy.
He made sure to enter from the side that didn't have the tube hanging over
the bed.

J.P. and Colin told Darcy that they'd see him later and told him to get
well soon.  Colin gave me a kiss as he left and Toby giggled as he watched
us.

"How come you kissed another boy?"

"He's my husband.  We're married."

"Oh.  That makes sense," he nodded and turned back to the movie, then
looked at Blake.  Do you have two dads, Blake?" he inquired having
processed everything.

"Yeah.  Only one good one though.  He just left."

"Rude!"  I said pushing him on the shoulder.

"See.  Child abuse.  You're all witnesses.  I'm just kidding.  They're both
awesome dads...most of the time."

"And you're a good son too...most of the time...just not on days ending in
a `y'."

"Bite me," he chuckled.

A nurse came in about 20 minutes later.  "Okay Toby it's time to get you
ready to go have your tonsils out."

"Can I wait until the movie is over?" he asked looking at her.

"Sorry, but the doctor is waiting for you, and I think he'd be disappointed
if he doesn't get to see you.  You can watch the rest of the movie when you
get back, I'm sure."

"Of course, Toby.  We'll watch a different one, and when you get back,
we'll finish this movie," Darcy offered.

"Okay, but they said I might be sleepy after I get back, and I won't be
able to talk so well for a couple days until my throat gets better."

"No problem!"  Blake grinned.  "You can text us whatever you wanna say so
you don't have to talk."

"I don't have a phone," he replied.

"You can use mine and text it to Darcy.  Then when I leave, you can just
share Darcy's to pass notes."

"Cool.  Okay. I guess I gotta go now.  I'll see you guys when I get back.
How long will I be gone?"  He asked the nurse.

"It'll be a couple hours."  He jumped back in his bed and the nurse closed
the curtain to take vitals and prep him.  I like how she talked to him and
didn't use scary words like surgery, operation or cutting out your throat,
or scalpel, or side effects may include death...that kinda thing.  I saw an
ad once that said that listed side effects of a medication and the last one
was death.  Immediately under it, it said if you experience any of the
above symptoms, inform your doctor immediately.  I can hear the call now.
`Hi, doctor.  Yeah, I experienced death from those pills you gave me.
Should I stop using them?'  That just gets me going on other stupid
warnings.  Like on a box of cashews...'may contain nuts'...really?  MAY
contain?  If I'm paying 20 bucks for cashews, it damn well better have nuts
in it.  Or the warning on sleeping pills...'may cause drowsiness'.
Again...may?  If it doesn't, I might as well have just saved money and
bought Skittles.  The best one is the Q-tip warning where it says not to
use it in your ear canal.  It's a fucking Q-tip.  If you don't believe me,
go to your bathroom right now and check.  I'll wait.  It's a damn good
thing I use those only for cleaning inside my penis.  I usually use a fork
to clean my ears.  No warnings on those fuckers.  What's next?  Warning on
fingers...'not to be used in your nose.'

Once they wheeled Toby out on his gurney, Shawna said she'd see us later as
he was going to take a break before he came back.  Probably a good idea.  A
7-year-old back from surgery isn't going to be excited that Blake and Darcy
are there.  He's only going to want his mom, and I know she'll be doing
anything she can to help make him feel better.  I've never had my tonsils
out, but I've seen kids that have.  I'm basically just as I arrived from
the factory.  Just with a couple of after market additions.  The two
tattoos.

I left the boys to go get something to drink, and when I got back, I
couldn't help but smile.  They'd both fallen asleep together.  It was
really kinda cute.  Even the nurse agreed when she came in to check vitals.
Hospitals normally have a sixth sense.  They wait for you to fall asleep
before they come in and wake you up to check you over.  Or better yet, wake
you up to give you something to help you sleep.  I mean after all, if it's
time for your pill, it's time for your pill!

Darcy and Blake were back awake and watching You Tube videos when a very
tired looking Toby was wheeled back in.  He wasn't the same chipper boy
that had left.  They lifted him into bed and pulled the curtain around him.

"Your throat is going to hurt for a couple of days while it heals, Toby, so
don't try to speak," the nurse explained.  "If you want anything, just push
the button to call someone and we'll be here.  "If he needs a pad of paper
to write on, I can bring that for him," she offered his mother.

"That's okay.  I'm going to let him use the phone to type out any
messages," Shawna replied.  "Either his father or I will be here if he
needs anything."

I looked over at Darcy who had obviously heard and looked a bit sad.  I
might just be imagining it, as that's how I would have felt if my parents
weren't around while I was in hospital.  Once the nurse left, we heard
Shawna telling Toby to just get some sleep, and when he woke up he could
have some ice cream.  It wasn't long before she pushed the curtain back
slightly.

"I know he likes to see out when he's awake," she explained.  "I put a
phone beside his bed for him if he wakes up before I get back.  I'm just
going to let his father know how things are going," she told us.

"Poor kid.  Is he okay?"  I asked.

"I don't think he's fully conscious yet," she replied.  "It'll probably hit
him when he tries to swallow anything.  I understand the first couple of
days are terrible.  Hopefully he'll enjoy the ice cream or popsicles."

"I'm guessing the coldness of it helps numb the throat a bit.  I guess it's
a good thing that kids like ice cream," I said.

"Isn't that the truth.  He has my number in the phone if he wakes up.  Feel
free to call me if I'm not back and he's looking for me, if you're still
here.  I won't be long."

"No worries.  I have a feeling we'll be here a while unless Darcy gets sick
of us," I assured her.

I went back to my own phone and played some games as Darcy and Blake
interacted together with the laptop.  Shawna returned long before Toby woke
up and when he did, he was a very unhappy kid.  Gone was the fun, excited,
and happy boy of earlier.  He looked over at us and just waved gently to
acknowledge us.  Blake got off the bed and went over to see him.

"You need anything, buddy?  We saved that movie for you when you feel like
watching it," he said.

"Don't try to talk sweetheart, just type it in the phone or text to him if
you want to say anything," Shawna said quickly.  He picked up his phone and
texted to Blake who read it on his own phone.

"Sorry.  Does it really hurt?"  Blake asked.

Toby just nodded slowly, and texted again.

"Yeah, I think `cause it'll be nice and cold it'll make it feel better.
Make sure you eat tons of ice cream & popsicles since they're free," Blake
suggested.

Toby texted once more.

"Only come over when you feel up to it.  We'll be here," Blake smiled and
went back to Darcy's bed.

It was early afternoon before Toby appeared to get bored and sent a message
to his mom, who nodded and looked over to us.  "He wants to know if you
want to watch the movie now?  Which I'm guessing means he wants to know if
he can come over there."

Darcy replied.  "Sure!  Of course, Toby.  Bring your ice cream."

Toby smiled and got out of the bed to slowly come over and crawl in beside
Darcy.

"This might be a good time for me to go get some lunch," I suggested.
"Blake, do you want something?

"Nah, I had some of Darcy's.  He couldn't eat it all," he replied.  "Plus,
we're watching a movie, Dad."

"You feel like lunch, Shawna?"

"Would you be okay if I left for a bit, Toby?"  She inquired.  He just
nodded and went back to watching the laptop.

"I guess a movie with the boys trumps mom," she said with a little smile.
"Text us if you need anything."

We headed down to the hospital cafeteria, which was actually pretty nice
considering it was hospital food.  "How's Toby doing?  It's gotta suck
having an operation at that age."

"He's really complaining about how sore his throat is, but he's coping.
He's a pretty happy kid most of the time so I think it's hurting me more
than him seeing him in pain like this."

"True.  I feel for Darcy too, and he's not even my kid."

"What's the story there?  His parents went away on vacation while he was in
hospital?"

"I don't know, but I could never do that.  I met his step father and he
spent more time blaming Darcy for the inconvenience of him being in
hospital than anything else.  Basically, blaming him for getting hurt."

"What did happen, if you don't mind me asking?"

"He gets picked on at school for being smaller and quieter than most kids
his age.  The bullies took it a bit too far this time and this happened."

"That's terrible.  Are charges being pressed?"

"I hope so.  I told Darcy he should contact the police and file a report,
but I get the impression his step father and mother don't want to be
bothered with it."

"I'd be all over the school if anything like that happened to Toby," she
said quickly.  "How old is Darcy?"

"He's 16."

"16?  I thought he was around 13.  I guess I'm as guilty as the kids at his
school for assuming he was younger than he looks.  I thought he and Blake
were the same age."

"No.  Blake's 14.  They're in karate together and became friends.  Darcy is
teaching Blake a few things for his next level belt."

"Forgive me if I'm out of line, and feel free to tell me to mind my own
business, but you don't look old enough to have a son Blake's age."

"Awww thanks.  I'm actually 54."

"No you're not!" she laughed.

"No, I'm not.  I'm 23.  Blake had a family tragedy when he was a lot
younger and we were the only other family available, so we adopted him.
While he's my son legally, he's more like my little brother in age.
Sometimes I have trouble remembering that.  He's grown up so fast that I
wonder how he's 14 already."

"Well from what I've seen he seems like a nice young man, which speaks well
of you and your husband.  I can tell he looks up to you."

"On good days.  On most days, he's a typical teenager.  Parents suck and
are always stopping him from living his life."

"You mean it goes into the teenage years as well?"  Shawna laughed.  "Then,
just when they become interesting people, they move out?"

"Yeah, but like my own parents say, after 21 we come back and realize how
smart our parents were in the first place.  I have had to get advice from
my parents a lot as we dealt with Blake.  It's amazing how much they know."

Shawna laughed.  "I don't think I'd be ready to handle my 23-year-old
coming to me with advice about his teenage son.  I'd still be thinking of
him as a teenager myself."

"Maybe that's why we get such good advice.  They're still in the parenting
phase," I smiled as we ate.  We shared a few stories and it made for a
pleasant lunch.  When we returned to the room, Shawna smiled and pointed.
Toby had fallen asleep with his arm around Darcy and his head on his chest.
She silently asked if she could take a picture and got a thumbs up from
Darcy.

"He fell asleep like five minutes after you left," Blake whispered to us.

"If he's bothering you, I can carry him back to his own bed," she offered.

"No, he's okay.  It's kinda cute.  I don't have any kid brothers," Darcy
whispered.

We sat in a chair over by Toby's bed and watched.  "That's actually pretty
adorable.  Until he was taken for surgery, he couldn't stop talking about
Darcy and Blake.  He told his dad they were his roommate big brothers."

"If it keeps them happy, I say go for it," I smiled.

"Me too.  I think you'll do just fine at being a parent, Justin."

"Thanks.  Some days I wonder."

The next day both Darcy and Toby were getting paroled...sorry...released,
from hospital.  Darcy was happy to be able to go home, but Toby was less
than enthusiastic as he was enjoying the time he was spending with Darcy
and Blake.  I guess when you don't have siblings this is pretty normal.
Once you have a brother or sister, the novelty gets old quick.

As we arrived at the boy's room, we saw two police officers leaving.  My
heart jumped a beat in fear that something else may have happened.  I've
seen movies.  The bullies return, or hire a hitman to take Darcy out so he
can't testify against them.  Police just look dumbfounded and say it's a
shame, but he shouldn't have allowed himself into that situation, or blame
the cop guarding the door for going to pee.  We didn't have a cop at the
door, so it wouldn't be that.  I quickened my pace.

"Hey Darcy. Toby," I said as we rounded the corner.  "Were those cops
leaving your room?  Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, they were just taking my statement about the attack.  They said to
make sure I had the pictures and any medical reports handy if this went to
court."

"If?  This is going to court.  Those guys will be paying for this."

`I don't think it will from what the cops said.  They're pretty much
treating it like a kid fight that went wrong.  They pretty much intimated
that it would be the school looking after it."

"We'll see about that," I said directly.  "How are you doing today Toby," I
asked looking at the younger guy.

"Throat is still sore," he said raspy and quiet.

"Keep downing that ice cream and jell-o.  You'll be better in no time.  I
guess both of you get to go home today, I hear."

"Yeah," he said even quieter as he looked down.  "Will you still teach me
karate, Darcy?"  Toby asked looking over at the two older boys.

"Of course.  As long as your mom and dad say it's okay," Darcy replied.
"Blake will have to do the teaching until my leg is completely healed."

Toby turned his head to look at him mom, and without words, she knew what
he was saying.

"If Darcy and Blake are willing to show you, I'm sure we could arrange time
for you to visit to see if you'd really like it or not."

Toby grinned and gave everyone a big thumbs up.

"We promised we'd teach you little dude, so we will," Blake added.  "Once
you start, you'll love it.  One of the best things you can learn."

"You have our numbers from all the texting, so call us when you're free,"
Darcy told him.  "We can come over to your place if you want and show you
what karate is all about."

"Cool," Toby whispered again.

"Rest your throat, honey.  The less you strain it, the faster you'll heal,"
Shawna said sweetly to him.  Now that's a proper parent.  I'm sure Darcy's
step father would have been like `speak up boy, no one can here you if you
don't project like a man.  Shake if off.  A sore throat is just nature's
warning that you're sucking too much cock!"  Which would be totally as
fucking stupid as he is.  I mean everyone knows there's no such thing as
sucking too much cock.  Duh!

"We'd love to teach Toby karate," Blake added.  "It's been fun meeting you
and hopefully Darcy can be the big brother you wanted."

Toby just grinned and nodded.

The nurse came in and looked over Darcy's stats.  "I think it's time to get
you home Darcy.  I'll send someone in to remove that catheter and we'll get
you on your way.  Do you have someone to help you get home?"

"We'll take him home," I said quickly.  Like what?  You think we're gonna
leave him standing at the curb with his crutches trying to hail an Uber, or
however you get those.

"Thanks," Darcy said with a smile.  At least his parents had the foresight
to give him permission to sign himself out before they went on a vacation.
Otherwise he could have been stuck in hospital until they returned.
Although being 16, he might have been able to sign himself out regardless.
Not sure on what age they can make their own decisions.  According to Blake
it should be 12.  I think it used to be 10 when he was 10, but now that he
has his little brother asking for things, somewhere along the line, the age
changed to 12.  My guess is at 12 the age will change again.  Wait until
J.J. wants sex and Blake suddenly finds that age 16 is the correct time for
that.  Oh, how we become our parents even without realizing it.  Now can
someone PLEASE bring me a cardigan?  There's a chill in this hospital.

She left and it was only a couple moments later when the male nurse, or
orderly, appeared.  Maybe he was their penis tube remover specialist.
There's a lot of specialists in hospitals.  "If I could ask you both to
step out," he requested as he pulled the curtain around Darcy.

"I wanna watch and see what happens," Blake complained.

"Blake's my best friend.  He's seen my penis lots," Darcy explained.

"Can I watch his pee tube come out?"  Toby asked from his bed.

"No.  That's a private thing," Shawna replied quickly.

"No fair.  Blake gets to see it."

"I ignored the conversation between Toby and his mom, and looked at Darcy
and Blake.  Up to the two of you, but I'm leaving," I replied.  "The last
thing I need to see is that."  I got up and moved out of the way as the
curtain was pulled the rest of the way closed.

"So I'm just going to remove your catheter," the nurse said to clarify why
he was there.  "I'll pull it out quickly and it only takes a second.
You'll feel a bit of tingling once it's out."

"How long will it be before he can use his penis again?"  Blake asked,
always the curious one.

The nurse gave a small laugh.  "It doesn't affect his penis.  It only
allowed him to stay in bed instead of having to get up all the time."

"Ummm, we were just wondering if that thing stopped him getting erections,
because he hasn't had one since he got here.  Should he see a doctor or
something?"

You could almost hear the nurse trying to refrain from laughing, but to his
credit he was professional.  "No, it doesn't affect that.  Usually you
don't get an erection because there is very little exciting about being in
a hospital.  You don't feel well, so that's the last thing you focus on
while in here."

"Oh. That's good," Darcy said commenting on it for the first time.

"Okay, you ready?  Let's get this out."

There was silence and then I heard an `Oooohhhh!' from Blake as if he'd
witnessed something gross or painful.

"Hold shit!  That was all the way inside your penis," he commented.  "How'd
it feel?"

"Weird.  Like I had something tickling the inside of it."

"You may experience a bit of a burning sensation the first few times you
urinate," the nurse explained.

"He can take penicillin for that though. Right?"  Blake suggested, applying
his newly acquired doctor skills, apparently.

The nurse did laugh at that.  "No.  It only stings while he washes away the
lubricant used to insert the catheter.  It's usually fine after the first
time you go."

"Dude, we should try that on me when we get home.  Can you just use normal
lube like the stuff for anal sex?"

"Blake!" I warned from behind the curtain.

"What?" he said back to me.  "I'm asking a medical professional what type
of lube you use to put a tube inside your penis."

"You don't put anything in there.  That's a hospital thing. Not a you being
curious with friends in your bedroom thing," I warned.  Shit, this is
great.  Now my 14-year-old is planning on trying sounding with his friends.
How do you explain that to a doctor when they all come down with the same
urinary tract infection?

"Some days, you'd think he just didn't know me," I heard him say in a lower
voice.

"There you go, all clean and ready to go," the nurse said to him.

"Wanna go try to pee and see if it burns?" Blake suggested.  "I could help
you get there.  Are you gonna be able to hold it okay, or do you have to
keep both hands on your crutches?"

Darcy laughed.  "No I can do it by myself thanks."

The nurse reopened the curtains and went to the door to bring in a pair of
crutches.  He unwrapped them and put them aside.  "Let's get you up on your
feet while I'm here and set these up for you.  Have you ever used crutches
before?"

"No. Never," Darcy replied.

"The biggest mistake people do is to use their arm pits as the place to
take the weight.  That will be uncomfortable.  Take all the weight on your
hands and just allow the top of the crutch to rest under your arms for
stability."  He helped swing Darcy around to a seated position, and Blake
quickly moved around the bed to be ready in case he was needed.  I told him
to stay out of the way as I'm sure the nurse doesn't need someone under
foot.  I mean this is what he does, so I figure let him do it.  "Take your
weight on your good foot and I'll help you up.  I apologize in advance if I
touch any sore points on you, but just let me know if I'm hurting you."

"I'm pretty tough.  I can handle it," Darcy said bravely as he was helped
to his feet.

 As soon as he was upright, he was told to steady himself while holding
onto the nurse.  I dunno about Darcy, but I definitely would have reignited
my erection if I'd had to hold onto the guy.  A cute caring male nurse in
scrubs.  It's number 31 on my fantasy list.  I know.  I hear you...another
of Justin's lists.  Deal with it.

The nurse reached for one of the crutches and brought it up against Darcy
to measure.  Then he turned it upside down, made an adjustment and turned
it around again.  He showed Darcy how to hold it and support himself while
he adjusted the second one.  He gave Darcy a bit of instruction and let him
try taking a couple steps.

Toby gave a little giggle from where he was on his bed.  Blake turned to
look at him.  "What's funny?"

"He's now Buttman," Toby giggled louder.

"Toby!" His mom said trying not to break out in a smile herself.

"What?  They laughed at me when my butt was showing, Mom.  Now Darcy's butt
is showing."

"You're the Buttman twins," Blake added, which wasn't helping.

"Can everyone stop saying butt?"  Darcy said as he tried to focus.

"You prefer we say the other word with a 7-year-old in the room?"  Blake
said bluntly.

"No, obviously not.  Maybe we can all stop talking about my butt."

"What fun is there in that?"  Blake chuckled.  "I'm just glad there was no
tube back there to pull out too."

"You're not the only one," the nurse said casually, getting a laugh from
everyone.  "You're doing fine with the crutches.  You'll get the hang of
them soon enough.  I'm sure you've been told already, but if your leg gets
itchy, don't stick anything down there to scratch with.  You could break
the skin and get a major infection."

"How do I deal with it?"  Darcy asked seriously.  "It was like crazy itchy
a few times."

"Best way it to blow cool air into it.  Not warm or hot though.  You can
also tap on the outside of the cast where the itch is and that should help.
Even though you have a fiberglass cast, we recommend you avoid getting it
wet.  Do you normally take a shower or bath?"

"Shower," he replied.

"It's best if you take a bath and keep the leg elevated out of the water.
This will prevent anything running down inside and causing skin
irritations."

"Can I just put a plastic bag over it and tape it shut?"  Darcy asked.

"We don't recommend that, but you could once in a while.  There is always
potential for water to leak inside the bag and run down your leg."

"I could help you with showers," Blake offered.  If we put the leg in a big
garbage bag and use duct tape.  That would be good.  Then I could hold a
towel around your leg to make sure nothing leaks."

"Seems like a lot of work," Darcy replied.  "I could just lie on the shower
floor with my leg sticking out into the bathroom."

"You'd be like a merman stuck on land, flopping around.  Maybe we could
just wash you with a cloth or something."

"Boys, I'm sure we'll figure that out once Darcy gets home.  How about
listening to instructions and let this man get on with his job?" I said
quickly before this turned more detailed.

"If you go out in the rain, make sure that the pants you're wearing cover
the top of the cast to ensure nothing leaks inside the cast."

"We could just duct tape that too," Blake suggested, getting a nod from
Darcy.  "What if we get stuck in like a flood or something where water does
get in his cast.  What should he do?"

"In that specific event, once it was over, you'd be best to come back here
and get the cast replaced.  It likely just wouldn't be water inside the
cast at that point."

Blake laughed.  "Dude, you could have fish in there flopping around."

"Gross.  Could you imagine?  That would tickle like crazy," Darcy chuckled.

"It would make you forget about the itching."

"Boys.  Focus please."

"Bottom line is, keep the cast dry and don't put anything inside it.  No
powder, knitting needles or sticks, pencils etc.  Before you know it, the
cast will be off and you'll be back to normal," the nurse explained.

"Will he be able to play soccer once it's off?"  Blake asked.

"It'll take a couple weeks of muscle training to get back to normal, but
you should be able to resume all activities after that."

"See buddy!  There's a positive.  You could never play soccer before!"  He
chuckled, pleased with himself that he'd gotten that old joke out there,
albeit barely.

"Will my leg be all super hairy like sasquatch?"

"No.  There may be more hair than you're used to at first but it'll return
to normal after a while.  You may also notice difference in muscle and bone
mass, but again, this will get better with time.  You'll also see dry skin,
but a warm bath or lotion will help with that."

"Don't worry, we got stuff at home to get rid of the hair if it's super
bad," Blake offered.

"Do you have any other questions?"  The nurse asked.

"Ummm...not really.  What do I do with the crutches once I'm done with
them?"

"You can return them to us for recycling or to the Red Cross or Salvation
Army."

"Cool. Thanks."

"You can go ahead and get dressed when you're ready, and someone will be by
to ensure you're good to go."  The nurse made sure Darcy was okay before he
left, and Blake moved next to him in case he needed anything. "I got you
some clean clothes to wear because yours were all kinda covered in blood."

"Shit, really?  My mom is gonna kill me.  Does blood wash out?"  He asked
looking at me.  At least the boy is smart enough not to ask Blake.

"Not easily.  I think if you get it while it's wet, it's easier.  That's
okay though, we'll get you some new clothes and just get rid of those ones.
No need to have a reminder around."

"I brought some sweatpants that I figured would stretch over your cast,"
Blake explained.

"Thanks.  Should I get dressed now?" He asked.

"I would," I replied.  "That way when they come around to say you can go,
we can leave before they change their mind," I said partially joking.

I pulled the curtain around him for privacy, explaining to Toby that it was
just so he could change.

"That's okay.  My mom does that to me sometimes too.  She says boys
shouldn't run around without clothes all the time.  I do sometimes, but not
all the time," he said in a hoarse whisper, getting a warning from his mom
again to not use his voice as much.

"Mom's know best," I smiled. I didn't bother to let him or Shawna know that
even at 20, boys are still fine running around without clothes.  I think
for most guys, there's a period between 13 and 16 where they're a little
self conscious as their bodies change, so you may not get as much nudity.
After that, they're showing off whenever they can.  Apparently at our house
we're missing that phase and go straight from the `I don't care if I'm
naked' phase of a little kid, to the `look at me and how much of a man I
am' phase.

Once Darcy was dressed, the curtain opened and he was sitting on the bed
with Blake beside him.  Toby had already gotten dressed earlier, so he went
to sit beside the two teenagers.  It was cute seeing him sit there and not
say anything.  Like being with them made him one of them.

Blake took Toby's phone and typed into it before handing it back.  "There,
I put all our info into your contact list so you can call or text us
whenever you want."

Toby just smiled and gave Blake a thumbs up, then rethought it, and gave
him a hug instead.

A doctor arrived in the room and asked if he could give Darcy one last
quick examination.  He looked over Darcy's face, probably checking out the
bruises to see if there were gangrenous gashes that may become further
infected leading to amputation of the head.  I've seen Chicago Med and
Grey's Anatomy...I know stuff.

"Are the ribs still sore?"  He asked as he put his stethoscope against
Darcy's chest just inside his partially open shirt.

"Yeah, but the itching in the cast makes me forget about them," Darcy
replied somewhat humorously.

"They'll heal on their own over time.  Just don't do anything to aggravate
them.  Wrestling would be out," he grinned.  "The itching can be a problem,
but cool air and some tapping on the cast should help."

I think they've all been to the same cast school.

"I want you to see your family doctor in a week.  Good luck to you and I'll
sign off that you're ready to leave."

"Thanks Doc," Darcy grinned.  "So I can leave?"

"You can leave," he clarified.  Now how about you, young man?  Shall we go
over to your bed and take a look at your throat?"

Darcy gathered his things together as Blake went over to watch the doctor
shine his light in Toby's mouth.

"You're doing fine Toby.  Looks good.  A few more days of ice cream, jell-o
and pudding, and you'll be back to eating normal food."

"Yeah, your throat looks really cool, Toby," Blake assured him.

"Blake!  Will you get over here and leave him alone.  I'm sure the doctor
doesn't require your expert medical opinion, Doogie!"

"Who's Doogie?"

"Never mind.  Just come over here."

"You looking forward to going home, Toby?"  The doctor asked.

"No," he replied quietly.

"No?"  The doctor asked surprised.

"He's been enjoying having roommates and experiencing older brothers."

"Oh, I see.  Well I'm sure you have lots of friends at home that will be
eager to see you."

He nodded, and the doctor informed them that they were cleared to leave
when they were ready.

As soon as he left, Blake and Darcy took their turn to say goodbye to him.
It was almost heartbreaking as you could see how unhappy Toby was.

"Don't worry Toby, we'll all hang out again.  After all, you can't learn to
be a ninja on your own," Darcy assured him.  "Call me when your throat is
all better and we'll plan a day to hang out.  As long as your parents are
okay with it."

"We're fine with it," Shawna assured them.  "Although it might be a while
before you're able to return to your karate Darcy."

"I'll just be the instructor.  Blake can do the actual karate."

"We'll plan a time to have you boys over to the house sometime soon, then.
It was nice meeting all of you," she said politely.

"We enjoyed both of you as well," I replied.  "Boys, I guess it's time to
get out of here."

There was another round of goodbyes as Blake grabbed all Darcy's things for
him. As we made our way out, Darcy paused to say goodbye to the nurses he
knew, and they wished him well in return.  It was taking longer to say
goodbye than the length of the entire hospital stay, but we finally made it
to the car.  I'd deliberately brought the SUV as I figured it'd be easier
for him to climb into.  I had already surmised we'd be the ones to check
him out as his parents didn't really seem that interested in anything that
took time away from them.  `Chad' and `Karen' seemed focused on their own
needs.

"Would you like to go home or stay with us until your parents come back?"
I asked once we were in the car.

"I'd like to stay with you if you're okay with that.  I mean it's not like
Mom or Carl would hang out with me, but at least they'd be there if I
really needed help."

"Then we'd love to have you stay with us for as long as you want."

"Yeah!  I could help you with the showers and stuff so that your cast
doesn't get wet," Blake added.

"Should we stop and get you both some lunch on the way home?"

"I could eat," Darcy replied.  "Hospital food isn't that good.  I mean it's
not as bad as you see in movies, but it's not exactly my type of food."

"It's not really anyone's type of food," Blake said, somehow the
expert. "McDonald's or Wendy's?"

"Wendy's.  I'd like one of their salads."

"What?  Dad, we should get him back to the hospital right away.  I think he
still has a concussion.  Maybe a brain bleed.  It could be a subdural
hematoma."

"Or he could just like salad," I said, as I chose to ignore the request to
return to hospital.

"No one our age likes salad, Dad.  It's almost a requirement that we
dislike them so that parents have something to insist we eat to ensure
they're being parental."

"I also like the chicken fingers," Darcy added, "and a Sprite."

"Sounds like a good meal to me.  Blake you good with Wendy's?"

"I'm fine with it.  But if just one leaf of a salad touches my Bacon
Pretzel Pub triple, someone's gonna need another cast."

"Are you actually bullying your friend, considering what he's just been
through?" I teased.

"It's not bullying. It's physics."

"Physics?"

"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.  Salad touching
my burger is the action.  Ending up in a cast as a result is the reaction.
Physics."

"Not sure that's how it works," Darcy replied grinning.  "It'd be more like
some of my salad goes into your burger, and the tomato falls out in order
to make space for it."

"Why would my tomato fall out?  I like tomato."

"Since when?"  I asked, surprised.

"Since always.  Did you know that a tomato is a fruit, much like Dad, but
it's usually considered a vegetable, also like Dad," he chuckled as he
insulted me.  "Dad...you're a tomato!"

Darcy laughed.  "Don't tell anyone that a tomato is a fruit or we'll start
finding them in our fruit salads."

"Again with salads?  Did they give you an injection of something?  Did they
put a tracking chip in your I.V. too?"

"What?  I can like salads."

"Exactly.  Just like you enjoy your own boogers, Darcy can enjoy what he
wants," I said casually.

Darcy howled from the back seat.  "Now that's burn!  Good one Justin."

"What?  Now I can't like boogers?"  Blake said not letting the burn get to
him.

It quickly brought our conversation to an end and we swung through Wendy's
and ordered what they wanted and headed home to eat it.

"Would I be able to take a shower?"  Darcy asked once they were done.  "I
haven't had one in three days.  I must smell pretty gross."

"You actually smell fine," I assured him.  "But I'm sure a shower would
feel good to freshen you up.  How about you boys go up to Blake's room, and
I'll grab a garbage bag and some duct tape to seal off that cast."

"You'll be the man from Glad!"  Blake joked as the boys headed for the
stairs.  I cleared the rest of Wendy's off the table and grabbed a couple
of the large garbage bags, and found the duct tape.  We always had it handy
in case Blake began running off at the mouth.  It was an easy way to seal
that up.  Oh my god, relax!  I'd never really duct tape his mouth.  I'd use
it to tie him to a chair or the bed, and I'd use the ball gag to shut him
up.  I'm not a monster.

I made my way up to Blake's room and found both boys waiting.  "Let's see
if this bag is big enough," I said holding it up.

"Ummm...is the plan to just put my leg in, or my whole body," Darcy laughed
as they checked out the large bag.  I'd picked the extra big one just in
case.

"I wanted to make sure we fully covered it," I said as I got down to pull
it over his foot.  I secured it thoroughly at the top and then put a bit
more tape around the middle and bottom to make the bag less cumbersome.
"Let's go see how that works."

"I'll get the water started," Blake offered as he ran to the bathroom.  I
assisted Darcy.

"I thought the cast looked bad, but the garbage bag over it just looks
silly," he commented.

"True, but it'll keep you dry and ensure your skin doesn't become
infected."

"True.  That'd be worse than the cast."

In the bathroom, I recommended Darcy not let the full blast of the water
hit the leg with the cast on it, suggesting instead that he stand the
opposite way and let it hit his other side.  He slowly moved into the spray
with Blake right in there with him.

"You can stand there and wash your hair, Darcy.  I'll use the scrubber
thing for the rest of your body," Blake offered.

I'm sure a straight guy would have assured Blake that he was fine doing it
by himself, but being that Darcy was gay, he just enjoyed the attention.
Blake didn't hesitate to ensure the first place he wanted clean was the
penis.  As he grabbed it, Darcy went almost instantly hard.

"Someone's horny.  Looks like the catheter thing didn't break your boner,"
Blake grinned.  "When's the last time you nutted one out?"

"Like four days ago," Darcy replied.

"Way too long buddy.  You could get a backlog and end up in hospital again.
I think I should take care of that for you, so you stay healthy."  Without
further comment, Blake dropped to his knees and sucked Darcy into his mouth
as he used his free hand to soap up Darcy's exposed leg at the same time.

"And on that note, I'll leave you boys to your fun.  Just be careful not to
break the garbage bag.  When you're finished showering, dry off completely
first.  Then remove the garbage bag.  That'll ensure no water runs down
your body and into the cast."

"Good thinking," Darcy agreed, almost with a sigh as he leaned partially
against the wall.  Blake was really into what he was doing now, as he was
just as hard as Darcy.

"I better leave before I find myself wanting to join in," I smiled.

"I'd be okay with that," Darcy grinned as he looked at me.

"I'm sure you would, but we know how that would go.  I wouldn't be able to
resist fucking that incredible ass, and then Blake would want to get fucked
as well, then he'd insist that he fuck you and before you know it, it's
tomorrow and we're still in the shower."

"I like it when you fuck me," he said continuing to smile.  "Both of you.
I mean you guys have such big penises and for some reason they feel really
good."

"Who's better, me or Justin," Blake asked pausing the blowjob.

"I can't answer that," Darcy replied.

"That means it's me," Blake reasoned.  "He doesn't want to insult you
because this is your house and he's polite."

"Sure Blake.  Whatever helps you sleep at night," I smirked.  I needed to
make a quick dick adjustment as I was beyond hard just looking at Darcy,
and specifically his enticing ass that seemed to be winking at me
seductively.  I wanted to slam him hard against the wall and bone the hell
out of him, but I figured he still needed time to heal before I drilled
him.  "Have fun boys, but don't stay under the water too long.  You don't
need the leg sweating inside the garbage bag either."

I turned to leave and smiled as I heard Darcy give a loud moan.  I'm
guessing Blake resumed the deep throating.  You have no idea how much
willpower I was summoning right now.  That boy's ass is his best asset, and
there has never been a time I've seen it that I didn't get hard.  Usually I
can control myself, but the one time I can't is when he's lying face down
on the bed with the legs partially open.  All reasoning, common sense, and
willpower leave at once, and I grab the lube for the express ride.  I've
fucked a lot of cute asses, and he's no better than a lot of guys, but for
some reason the shape and look of his ass drives me crazy.  Once I'm in,
he's just another fuck, but looking at it, playing with it and rimming him,
drive me over the edge.  I sort of know how an addict must feel.  I can
resist his ass if I don't touch it, but the second I do, there's no way I'd
stop until I was balls deep and flooding his bussy with my hot load.
Learned that `bussy' is the abbreviation for boy pussy.  Not sure it'll
catch one, but I'll try it for a while and see what I think.

I wondered if I should go down and stand in the walk-in freezer for a
while.  Might help reduce swelling.

A short while later Blake was back downstairs.  "How's Darcy after the
shower?"

"He feels better.  He's pretty tired though, so he's taking a nap."

"Good.  The more he can get some proper sleep, the faster he'll heal.  This
is a much better environment to sleep than a hospital.  He'll be more
relaxed."

"Oh, he's relaxed alright.  He hasn't been laid in like five days.  It's
actually amazing how fast your ass tightens back up if you don't use it for
a while.  I got him to cum a few times so that should help him sleep."

"I'm sure he appreciated the help, but don't keep waking him up to have sex
with him.  Let him actually get as much sleep as he needs.  He's not going
to heal very fast with you slamming him into the bed every couple hours," I
warned.  You gotta set boundaries for your teenagers or they run amuck.

"We already talked about that, as he is still really sore.  We both agree
that making out and blowjobs are okay, but he doesn't think he could handle
me lying on top of him to fuck, so we're gonna wait to do it that way.  We
figure if he's standing bent over, he should be okay."

"Or...and try to maybe control yourself for a day or two, just don't fuck
him until he's fully healed."

"Too late for that advice Dad.  Oh, but we both agree that since cum is
full of protein that it'll probably be good for him, so we're gonna make
sure he gets lots.  Whenever I need to bang one out, I'll just make sure I
do it in his mouth so he can get the benefit of it.  If he needs to cum,
we'll just get it all over his body and rub it into the skin so it will
help the bruising get better.  I'll let the other guys know not to waste
their cum either.  The more Darcy can get, the faster he'll recover."

"So you're going to have a cum crusted friend in your bed?  Won't that be a
bit gross?"

"Sometimes you gotta do things like that for the greater good, Dad.  We all
want Darcy healthy again so we can all go and kick some bully ass.  I'm
sure with how horny everyone is here, he'll get more protein than if he ate
a dozen chickens and fish."

"I'm sure.  But the priority is to let him get rest, not make him a cum
dump for the neighborhood."

Blake laughed.  "Nice one.  Like I'd invite the whole neighborhood.  Just
those that live here, and maybe Colton next door, and Stone of course."

"Of course," I said shaking my head.

"Probably Layne will wanna help too once he knows.  They say mental health
is as important to healing as anything, so having his boyfriend in bed with
him should really speed things along."

"Who are the they that says mental health is important?" I asked with a
grin.

"Duh...the internet experts on Reddit.  I looked it up and they all say
it's important.  Except the one guy who thinks metal wrist bands and a nine
volt battery works better.  I'll research that, but haven't yet."

"Blake, you do realize that some of that advice might, and I say MIGHT be
coming from people who aren't experts in the field of mental health,
right?"

"I know that, Dad.  Mostly it's just Americans trying to help each other
out since they can't afford to just run to a doctor every time a relative
or friends is in need of something.  They share their experiences to save
each other money.  I figure if you read all the comments, there will be a
common opinion or two that stick out above all others, and those are
usually helpful.  Not like I'd be getting a voodoo doll to target pain
points.  Did you feel anything earlier?"

"No."

"See, it doesn't work," he grinned.  "I'm gonna let Darcy sleep for now and
I figure maybe we'll watch a movie later when he wakes up.  If you need me,
I'll be in your room doing my homework."

"Do you need help with it at all?"

"My homework?  It's math and social studies, are you any good at those?"

"I can turn the pages or read the questions," I offered.

Blake laughed.  "Thanks.  I think I'd probably get it done faster on my
own."

He disappeared until it was basically dinner time.  As each person got
home, I advised them that Darcy was here for a day or two, and they all
offered to help if we needed anything.  I left out Blake's suggestion,
despite knowing it would be something he'd bring up himself soon enough.  I
heard the boys coming down the main stairs and it wasn't like the usual
stampede sound to meals.  This was a much slower pace and had a lot of
narration as Blake assisted Darcy as if he were just new to walking.

J.J. had been helping me set the table and turned to look at me as the boys
approached.  "Whoa, you got a cast?  Cool.  Did you break your leg doing
karate?"

"Hey J.J., no, I fell down some stairs," he said giving the abridged
version to our 10-year-old.

"That sucks," he said as he went to check it out.  "How long you gotta wear
it?"

"About eight weeks," he replied.

"That's like forever.  Sorry you got hurt, Darcy."

"Thanks, J.J."

Everyone welcomed Darcy and assured him that if he needed anything, just to
ask.  I think he liked the attention, but I'm sure he could have done
without the bruises and broken leg to get it.  I let Darcy know that he
could use one of the guest rooms if he didn't think he'd get proper sleep
in Blake's.  He said he liked having Blake for company.  Let's see if he
feels the same after 10 guys have nutted in and on him for the next couple
days.

A few of the guys left to watch a movie after dinner, while Colin and I
curled up with a good book.  And by book, I mean You Tube videos.  J.J. had
gone with Blake and Darcy which was a good sign, and I'd warned Blake to
make sure he was giving J.J. equal, if not more, attention than he was
giving Darcy.  I was almost surprised when everyone headed off to bed early
for once, but happy that Blake was paying attention and giving his friend
such good care.  I went upstairs to make sure J.J. was settled in bed and
paused when I heard Blake reading to him.  Is 10 too old for bedtime
stories?  I mean I figure once they can read for themselves, put them in
their room, fling a few books in with them and close the door.  Awww, who
am I kidding?  If Blake would let me, I'd probably ready him bedtimes
stories, although I doubt `The Mating Habits of Rabbits', would help him
get to sleep easier, and Snow White and the Seven Little People, would send
the wrong message to a 14-year-old.  That just says it's okay for a cougar
to have sleepovers with groups of guys.  I let them have their bonding time
and chose to head to Blake's room to ensure Darcy had everything he needed.
Strangely, getting Darcy a toothbrush wouldn't have been high on Blake's
priority list.

I was almost surprised to find Darcy in the spare bed, instead of Blake's.
"You comfortable enough?"  I asked as I entered the room.

"Yeah, really comfortable.  Mostly.  Except for the itchy cast crap, and
the sore ribs.  I usually sleep on my stomach or side, but both of those
are uncomfortable with the injuries, so sleeping on my back is the easiest,
but I find it more difficult to fall asleep like that."

"Would some additional pillows help at all if you slept on your stomach?"
I asked.  "Maybe positioned a certain way, they could ease the pressure on
the ribs."

"I could try it," he agreed.  "Blake thought I could take a Tylenol or
something to make the pain less."

"The doctor said that would be okay, so I can get you one of you'd like," I
offered, and he took me up on it.  I grabbed the pill and some pillows to
help him out.  By the time we finished stuffing pillows in various places
to try and help, he had begun laughing pretty hard.  "What's so funny?"  I
asked.

"Nothing.  Except that my ass is kinda in the air like I'm waiting for
visitors.  If Blake comes in and sees me like this, I'm not gonna get a lot
of sleep."

"Not just Blake buddy.  I'm considering breaking my own rule about not
mounting you."

"You don't have to have that rule.  I meant it earlier when I said I liked
it when you guys fucked me.  Ever since you taught me about sex, I think
it's amazing."

"Now you know why the planet population is almost 8 billion.  If sex wasn't
fun, there'd be less people getting pregnant."

"Hope I don't get pregnant," he chuckled.  It was nice to see that despite
everything he hadn't lost a sense of humour.

"I think you're safe.  I have some cream that is supposed to help scars
heal a little better.  Would you like me to rub some on you?"  I offered.

"Sure.  Anything to help me get better faster is welcome.  Blake said I
just need protein."

"That's just so he can justify more sex with you," I laughed.  "I think
you'd do just as well with an egg."

Darcy laughed loudly.

"What?"

"I just thought about where Blake puts his protein in me and I'm not sure
I'd want an egg shoved up there instead."

Now it was my turn to laugh.  "Point taken."  I left him for a minute to go
get the cream I had.  I'd read about it online and bought some just in
case.  I mean when you have kids, you need to be prepared for anything.  I
already have the Blake defense fund set up for bail, lawyers, bribes to
jurors/judges.  That sort of thing.  When I got back, Darcy was lying on
his back with the covers pulled up to his waist.  I carefully, and gently,
rubbed the cream anyplace I saw a cut or bruise.  Not sure if this helps
with bruises, but it couldn't hurt wither, so I made sure to get them all.
I pulled the covers down and checked his good leg, which had a few scrapes.
"That should help a bit.  You want to turn over and I'll do your back?"

He very slowly turned as I gave him a hand and you could see that it was a
bit more painful this way than on his back, so I worked quickly.  Mostly I
worked fast because seeing his ass exposed, and rubbing his back, was
making me horny. I did rub his ass cheeks a couple times, and feeling those
firm globes made me want to mount him so badly that I almost gave in to the
temptation.  When I watched myself grab both cheeks and pull them further
apart than they normally were, I had to summon inner strength that I didn't
even know I had.  I felt my head lowering towards the inviting hole and
almost fought and entire battle with my mouth telling it not to stick my
tongue out.  It was like a civil war in there.

Reasoning finally won out and I gave his ass a little pat.  "Okay, that
should cover it.  Turn over again and you can get some sleep."

Once again, I assisted him in turning over to get settled on his back.  I
smiled when I saw that he had also reacted to my rubbing his skin.

We both looked at it at the same time.  He adjusted himself slightly as I
pulled the covers over him.  "Sorry.  I kinda got hard when I thought you
were gonna fuck me when you pulled my ass cheeks open."

"Never apologize for being erect, Darcy.  That just means there's something
that excited you.  Personally, I'd never want to know a boy who didn't get
hard.  How boring would their lives be, never letting anything affect them?
Oh, and for the record, if it wasn't painfully for you to be lying on your
stomach, I would have been inside you.  I'd offer to take care of that
boner for you, but I have a feeling Blake will be in in a few minutes, and
he'll almost certainly help you out."

"He will," Darcy nodded.  "For sure he will.  I'd be worried Blake was sick
if he didn't suggest sex 10 times a day."

"Me too, I'm afraid," I nodded.  I said goodnight and left him to sleep.
Nothing will do more for him than a few nights of good restful sleep.  I
made sure to repeat that to Blake before he headed to bed himself.

Colin and I talked for a while about everything going on.  Mostly Darcy and
how we were going to help him with the bullies; to J.J. and how he appeared
to be settling in a little more each day.  We were still concerned that
there were no additional signs of memories, despite being around Blake
more.  The saying `time heals all wounds', maybe true, but there needs to
be some quantification on just how much time and what kinds of wounds as
this shit was taking forever.

In the morning, our routine was back to normal with everyone preparing for
school or work.  Blake walked beside Darcy as he hopped down the stairs
slowly.  Surprisingly, they both reasonably awake and fresh.  "Hopefully
the bed was more comfortable than the hospital bed," I said as we sat down
to eat.

"It was, but I it's tough to sleep with the cast on.  It's upper annoying."

"I can imagine.  Good thing it wasn't a full body cast," I joked.

"How would you go to the bathroom in a full cast?"  Blake inquired.

"I think they leave access," I replied with a smile.  "I mean they'd have
to, right?"

"Maybe they put in trap doors that open," J.J. supplied as a suggestion,
which was funny to imagine.  Spin the latch, drop the door and reach in for
the penis.  Not sure how you'd poop, but maybe you'd help lie the guy down
between two benches, like reverse planking, and put a portable toilet under
him.

"How do you feel today?"  Kyle asked as we ate breakfast.

"Still really tired, and the leg feels so heavy when I try to move it.  My
ribs still hurt a lot, but I think I'm getting better."

"That's good," he nodded.  "Let me know if I can do anything to help."

"You can join my posse when we go to bust some bully skulls," Blake said
quickly.

"I wish we could, Blake, but not sure that's the answer," I replied
quickly.  "Darcy, don't worry about staying awake all day.  Nap if you feel
tired at all.  The more rest you give your body, the faster it can focus on
healing itself."

"Oh, he'll be tired for sure.  After last night, he'll sleep really well
all day...if you know what I mean," Blake grinned evilly.

"I'm sure we all know what you mean, Blake," Troy assured him.

"Well, you'll be able to sleep all day without Blake interrupting you," I
said.  "I'll be here in case you need anything, but when you need sleep,
just sleep."

"Does the cast hurt?"  J.J. asked.

"No.  It's just itchy and heavy, so it's annoying," he replied.  "I don't
recommend falling down stairs."

"I won't.  Well, I mean I have before, but my mom said that younger guys
are more bouncy than older guys."

"As you get older, your bones harden so they become more brittle," I said
providing my Wikipedia level of knowledge to my younger charges.

"Can you still do karate in a cast?"  J.J. inquired.

"No.  For now I'm benched for all type of activities like karate.  Can't go
swimming either, so that sucks.  Once my ribs heal, I can probably lift
weights to keep my strength up, but not right now.  Speaking of karate, I
already got a text from Toby asking when we can go over."

"Guess he misses you guys already," I smiled.

"I told him maybe Saturday morning if we're both healed enough by then.  He
said his throat feels tons better already, so he's excited to learn
karate."

"I'm free if we want to go over there," Blake offered.  "I mean we
promised, so I'm guessing we should make sure we don't disappoint him.  Oh,
I have tons of lounge pants you can wear over your cast if you get cold.
Most of them are cool enough that you could go out in them too.  Even to
school, as long as you pick the right shirt to go with them.  I can help
with that.  Maybe I should stay home from school to help Darcy adjust,
Dad."

"Darcy will be fine without you.  You're going to school," I said bluntly.

Blake shrugged.  "Can't blame a guy for trying.  What are you guys gonna do
all day, apart from sex?"

"No, that's all we had planned.  Just six hours of non-stop action while
you're at school.  We'll probably use your bed and get it all sweaty and
sticky."

Some of the others laughed as Blake stopped and stared at me as if trying
to read my mind, then looked at Darcy.

"Blake, Jesus, I'm kidding.  We didn't make plans for anything.  Darcy is
going to want to stay off his feet, so likely we'll watch a movie, maybe
play some video games, smoke some pot."

"Really?"  Darcy and Blake asked at the same time.

"NO!  Not really!  Wow."

"Who's driving me and J.J. to school today?"

"I am," Colin said from beside me.  When did he get there?  "Good morning,
babe."  He gave me a kiss and grabbed a coffee in his travel mug.  He
already said good morning to me when we woke up.  I can still feel it.
Then he said it again in the shower.  I like being acknowledged so much.
It's good for my ego.

Blake, J.J., and Colin headed out and I was left to babysit Mister McHoppy.
Darcy finished breakfast and stood up to start clearing the table.

"I got those Darcy.  No need to struggle with dishes and crutches," I said
taking them from him.

"It's okay.  I'd have to do it if I were at home, so I don't mind."

"No need to tempt fate.  I'll carry the dishes."

"You don't have to stay with me if you have things to do.  I'm okay," he
assured me.

"I don't mind.  I like hanging out with you.  Anything specific you'd like
to do today?"

"Not really.  I'm sort of tired, so nothing energetic," he said as we both
sat back down.

"There goes the day of sex I had planned," I joked.

"That's what made me tired in the first place," he laughed.  "But just so
you know, I'd be fine just lying there if you wanted my ass."

"Are you hitting on me?"  I asked putting my arm on his shoulder.

"Yeah," he said with a sheepish grin, and blushing slightly.

"I thought you'd have had enough sex, having spent the night with Blake."

"I did, but it's different with you," he said sounding more sincere.

"How's that?"

"I dunno.  I mean you are both really good at sex, but it's different.
Blake knows what he's doing, for sure, but he has sex to just have sex and
get off.  When you do it, it feels like you are more into me than the sex.
You make my whole body feel it.  I know that doesn't make sense, but it's
just how it feels.  I mean you both make me cum really hard, but with you
it's like my whole body explodes at once."

"I think that comes from experience and age," I replied.  "Guys your age
just enjoy the feeling of the sex whereas when you get older, you're used
to it, so you can take your time and really enjoy the person you're with.
Blake may seem like he's been having sex his whole life, but he's really
only been this sexually active for a year.  It's seems longer, trust me.
So while he acts like he knows everything, he's still at phase where the
goal of sex is to get in, get off and get out."

"I think I'm at that phase too.  Maybe because I started late?"

"You didn't start late.  Trust me, there are plenty of 16-year-old guys
that haven't had sex.  I'm going to bet that all those bullies you
encounter haven't been laid.  That's why they have so much testosterone to
use on the guys they pick on."

"So, I should arrange to get them laid and they'll calm down?"

"Maybe," I laughed.  "Although I suggest you not offer that.  Calling them
out for being virgins might not reduce their aggression.  I'm sure if you
talk to your friends, you'll find most of them talk about getting laid, but
probably haven't when you get to the truth."

"I don't really have any friends at school, but I know some guys who
definitely haven't had sex.  You can tell the way they talk about it."

"I'll let you in on a little secret.  At least it was supposed to be a
secret, but I think Blake overheard and has taken to ensuring everyone
knows."

"Which is?"

"As gay guys it's our job to ensure all straight boys get laid," I said
trying not to smile too much.

"Huh?  How?  Or why?"

"They need help to get started, and guys talking to guys about sex is way
easier than guys talking to girls about it.  Hell, most straight boys
barely know how to talk to a girls about anything.  So, we get them horny,
suggest a blowjob, and once we've activated their sex drive, there's no
stopping them."

"By that reasoning, wouldn't that lead to a whole lot of sex crazed boys
trying to get girls, no matter what the cost?  Wouldn't gay guys get blamed
for all the unwanted advances of straight boys on girls?"

"Darcy, buddy.  That's not our problem.  That's a matter for their doctor
and pharmacist.  Our job is to blow them, and maybe teach them how to fuck
if they're interesting enough."

"And by interesting, you mean...?"

"Cute.  I mean cute," I nodded with a grin.

"Got it, and what if you think he's straight but you accidentally activate
a gay guy in the process?"

"That my friend is both a win and a loss at the same time," I said
continuing our fun conversation.  I hope he realized we weren't being
serious, or there could be a lot more beatings in his future.

"How?"

"It's a win because once you activate a gay guy with a blowjob, you've
pretty much got yourself a regular fuck buddy whenever you want one.
However, it's a loss because now you have competition for blowing straight
boys."

"Somehow I don't think there'd be a shortage of those," he said, looking at
me thoughtfully.

He's probably right.  Once you blow them once, it's like being on the
voice.  You could pick them blind by not knowing what they look like.
Mainly in their pants, I mean.  But once they're in your selection, chances
are you'll get to work with them again...and again...

"Can I ask you something serious, Justin?"  He asked as he stared right
into my eyes.

"Of course.  Anytime."

"The only gay guys I really know are you guys and Layne, and of course all
those guys at the Academy school."

"That seems like more gay guys than most people know," I smiled.

"True, but I'm wondering.  Are all gay guys into sex with every other gay
guy?  Seems like there's just a whole belief that if you're gay and you
meet someone else who is, you're sort of expected to end up in bed
together."

"Not so much expected.  More like a perk," I replied.  "But no, you are
really only going to want to have sex with someone you like, or at least
have some attraction to.  I'd say that on average gay guys have more sex,
because guys in general are hornier, so put two together, and you've
doubled your interactions."

"I get that, but wouldn't that just mean that you'd have more sex with your
boyfriend, than say a straight couple?  But it seems like all gay guys are
hooking up with all other gay guys, even if they have boyfriends."

"I'm not sure why that is, but it could be because sex isn't seen the same
way as it was in the past.  It's more free now.  From listening to some
older guys talk, I think it's also a residual affect from when they used to
have to stay in the closet.  When they did find another gay guy somewhere,
they hooked up as it was a chance to be with another guy.  The old bird in
the hand scenario.  The more it became acceptable, the more hooking up
happened and we never really stopped.  Not that I'm complaining."

"That actually makes sense. I just sort of wondered why."

"But just for the record, you don't have to be like that if you aren't
comfortable with it.  You are absolutely allowed to be monogamous.  Is that
what you'd prefer?"

"No, I was just curious.  Maybe later I'd want to just be with one guy, but
right now, I sort of like seeing how others have sex.  I think it kinda
makes me feel special when someone hits on me.  Is that weird?"

"Of course not, enjoy it.  It's only a problem if you get a stalker that
you don't like, and it gets creepy.  You've come a long way in a short
period of time.  When I first met you, you were really depressed and
lonely.  Look at you now.  Much happier, with friends who all like you, and
even a boyfriend.  That's some serious progress."

He smiled.  "Mostly thanks to you.  Who knows what would have happened if I
hadn't met you?"

"I'm guessing you'd still be a virgin," I teased again.

He laughed.  "There no question about that.  I figured I'd be a virgin for
the rest of my life."

"Now look at you.  People almost fighting over you as soon as those clothes
come off."

"Not quite," he grinned.

"I think you're still underestimating yourself.  I'm sure Layne would
agreed.  Speaking of your boyfriend, have you talked to him yet?"

"No.  He isn't allowed his phone while they're away, but he comes back
today."

"So he doesn't know yet?"

"No.  He's gonna freak out."

"Blake and Layne may get a posse together and go after the bullies once
they both start talking."

"I hope not.  I wouldn't want to see them get hurt.  Those guys are pretty
big, and mean."

"I agree.  I want the police and the school to deal with this.  Do you
think your parents will go to school to talk to the principal with you when
you return?"

He looked at me as if I suddenly lost all mental faculties.  "I doubt my
mom and step dad would show up for my funeral."

"That seems harsh, but I don't really know them.  Colin and I would happily
stand in for them if they say they won't go.  You need someone to stand up
for you."

"Thanks.  I should ask them first though, right?"

"Definitely.  I'd also ask them if they'd object to us helping you out.
That way there's no backlash."

"Cool.  Ummm...I've been looking things up online and I'd like to ask your
opinion about something."

"Sure. Fire away."

"If the bullies knew I was actually gay, do you think they'd still keep
picking on me?"

"I don't know them, but I'm guessing they're the type of assholes that pick
on others that are different than they are.  Right now, they're going after
you for being smaller than others.  Being gay might not deter that.  They
may be smart enough to know not to call you a fag in order to avoid it
being a hate crime, but it's likely that their bullying continues unabated,
depending on the punishment they receive for what they did to you."

"So you're saying I shouldn't come out, right?"

"Not at all.  Coming out will likely boost your status at school.  Girls
will pay more attention to you, and boys will be split.  Some will be happy
for you, others may react negatively, but from what I've seen, most of your
generation is okay with it now.  I think that there are a lot that may
actually be there to support you."

"So, you're saying I should come out?"  He asked frowning slightly.

"Darcy.  Coming out is a very personal thing.  No one can tell you when
it's time to do it, or not do it.  Honestly, it shouldn't even be a thing.
You fall for who you fall for.  Do you see yourself coming out in school?"

"If you'd asked me several months ago, I'd have said I'd have taken this to
my grave, but ever since I met all of you, I'm starting to become excited
at the idea of being able to be myself.  I see how comfortable all of you
are, and Blake is the coolest guy ever, and everyone knows he's pretty much
into anyone.  He even turns every insult around on someone.  It's a skill
I'd love to learn.  I know you can't tell me if I should come out, but if I
were going to do it, hypothetically, how would you do it if you were me?"

"Hypothetically, I'd just let people figure it out.  If I were you right
now, I'd have my boyfriend help me on my first day back to school.  I'd let
him walk me to my locker, and then in a crowded hallway with my heart about
to beat out of my chest and my palms sweating, I'd give him a really
amazing kiss and thank him for helping you."

Darcy gave a big grin.  "That's kinda how I see it in my idea fantasy
world.  Then there'd be exploding confetti in the entire hall and the
school band would appear and play some gay themed song.  Maybe a Gaga
tune."

"Nice," I laughed.  "That would be like a gender reveal party, except for a
gay coming out.  If you think that might be too much to handle, I'd tell my
best friend first, and then slowly let it slip to other friends, until it's
eventually not a thing.  Those are the two typical ways.  Either a rip the
band-aid off and announce it, or go slow, one person at a time."

"I'm not sure I could do it over and over again.  I'd rather do it once and
brace for impact.  Then it's out there and over with."

As we talked, his phone rang.  "Oh shit!  It's Layne.  What do I say?"

"You tell him everything.  He's your boyfriend.  No secrets, ever," I said
quickly.

He answered the phone on speaker mode.  "Hi Babe.  You back from the church
thing?"

"Hey!  Yeah...praise the lord!" he giggled.  "Prayed that I'd get home fast
to see you.  I guess that shit does work.  Miss me?"

"You know it.  More than anything.  Ummm...I have something to tell you
though."

"Oh shit.  Was I gone too long?  Are you breaking up with me?"  Layne said,
sounding serious.

"No. Nothing like that.  I just thought I should tell you that I got hurt
at school a couple days ago."

"Are you okay?"  He said quickly.

"Not really.  It was pretty bad."

"How bad.  What happened?"

"The bullies attacked me and pushed me down the stairs," he said, giving
the big picture details.

"Fuck!  Those assholes.  How badly did you get hurt?"

"Pretty bad.  They broke my leg and bruised several ribs.  I also have tons
of scratches and bruises."

"Oh my god.  I'm so sorry that happened to you.  Are you in the hospital?"

"I was, but I'm out now. My parents went on a short vacation, so I'm
staying at Blake and Justin's place."

"Good.  That's better than any hospital.  Do you have a cast?"

"Yeah, up past my knee, because my kneecap was also cracked."

I heard Layne sniff as he replied.  "I'm on my way, babe.  I'm gonna get
you to tell me who they were and I'm going to teach them a lesson they'll
never forget.  Does Blake know everything?"

"He does.  So do the other guys here," Darcy replied as he looked at me.

"We got you babe.  Those assholes won't be able to bully a leaf by the time
we're done with them.  Did you call the police?"

"Yeah.  Not sure what they'll do, but everyone said I should report it.
Not sure that just won't get me beat up even more."

"It won't.  I'll make sure of it.  I'll be there in 30 minutes.  No fucking
way I'm going to school today."

"You don't need to miss school.  I'll still be here tonight."

"Like school is more important than you.  Fuck that.  I'm coming
over. Plus, dude! I haven't seen you in like five days.  I've been at
church camp with no privacy at all.  I'm horny as fuck.  Oh...are you still
able to have sex in your condition?"

"I am.  I miss you too. I really miss you.  I spent last night here and all
I thought about was when you were going to get home."

Layne laughed underneath another sniff.  "That's all you thought about?
Did you sleep in Blake's room?"

"Yeah," he nodded as if Layne might be able to see that through the phone.

"Then you're lying," he chuckled.  "There's no way you slept with Blake and
though only about me."

"I said I slept in his room, not with him," Darcy tried to clarify.

"Oh, I know what you said babe, but are you telling me you DIDN'T have sex
with him?  This is Blake we're talking about."

"No, I'm not telling you that.  I'm pretty sore all over but me and Blake
experimented with some positions that I could handle."

"Figured.  You gonna show me those positions when I get there?"

"Of course.  I can't wait.  But don't be super shocked when you see me,
okay?  I still look terrible."

"Babe, you could be a zombie and you'd still look amazing to me.  Are you
there alone, or is anyone else there?"

"Justin is here.  He stayed home to make sure I was okay.  Blake wanted to
as well, but he was overruled."

"I could see that.  Cool.  Tell him I'm coming over and I'll see you soon.
Love you babe."

"I love you too," Darcy replied, which brought the conversation to a close.
He looked at me and I saw the emotion in his eyes.

"I had a feeling that the second he found out, he'd be by your side," I
said supportively.

"I should probably take a shower before he gets here.  Would you help me?"

"Of course.  Let me grab another bag for the leg."

I quickly grabbed a couple and helped him up to the shower.  After we
secured his leg, I helped him shower.  Mainly doing his other leg and back.
He was able to reach everything else.  He turned to face me at one point
and smiled at me as he looked down to show off his erection.

"Do you get a boner every time you get a shower?" I said as I took hold of
it and gave him few strokes.

"Not all the time, but lots, and definitely when I shower with another
person."

"Normally, I'd take you right here, but since your boyfriend is coming
over, I think he should get the benefit of it.  I mean the poor guy hasn't
been laid in five days.  He's gonna need you at your full potential."

He reached out and took hold of my penis and licked his lips.  I almost
laughed, and if he hadn't been in a cast, I'd have pushed him to his knees
to suck it.  "We better get you dried off and dressed before Layne gets
here, or he's liable to arrive to find my cock in you."

"I think he'd be okay with that.  At least he'd know I wasn't totally out
of action."

"I have a feeling he'll find that out soon enough anyway."  I leaned in to
give him a proper kiss and he almost melted against me, but I had stopped
before we went any further.  We shut off the water and I dried him off
before removing the bag from his leg.

"What do you think I should wear?  Like should I put on lounge pants, or
just shorts and let Layne see my leg?"

"I'd go with shorts.  Let him see the cast first thing.  You'll get all the
emotions out of the way faster."

"Good idea. Should I wear regular shorts or just underwear?"

"I'm guessing you're going to get laid, so I'd just wear some really nice
boxer briefs and a good t-shirt.  I'd normally suggest a tight-fitting
shirt, but with the cuts, bruises and sore ribs, it'll probably be more
comfortable with a looser shirt."

"I'd agree with that," he nodded as we returned to Blake's bedroom so he
could get dressed.  I helped him back downstairs and we timed it pretty
close to perfect, as five minutes later, Layne was at the door.

As soon as he saw Darcy, he reacted.  "Oh baby!  I'm so sorry," he said
rushing over to give his boyfriend a big hug and kiss."

"Owww," Darcy said as Layne pulled him in tighter.  "Sorry, my ribs are a
bit sore at the moment."

"Oh god!  Sorry!  I didn't mean to hurt you," he said letting go quickly.

"You didn't.  I'm just sore all over right now.  I'm sure I'll be way
better in a couple days.  Don't cry, Layne.  I'll be okay," he said
reaching up to wipe the tears off Layne's face.

"I just hate seeing you all beat up like this.  I'm so gonna teach them a
lesson about picking on others.  You point out the assholes who did this,
and I'll fuck them up so bad their own momma's won't recognize them, or
even want them around any more."

"I know how you feel," Darcy replied as Layne moved in to give his
boyfriend a more gentle hug and another kiss.

"You shoulda called me the second you were in trouble.  I'd have come home
to be here with you."

"Thanks, but it would have been boring.  I was just laying in hospital for
a couple days. Blake and Justin came to visit and I had a roommate there
who was pretty cool to hang out with."

"I still should have been here.  Who was your roommate?"

"A kid named Toby. He's seven years old and was there to get his tonsil
out.  He sort of adopted Blake and I as his big brothers."

"Nice.  You said you always wanted a brother."

"Don't worry, you'll get to meet him.  Blake and I promised to teach him
some karate."

Layne looked at Darcy's leg.  "I'm guessing that won't be for a while huh?
How long is it gonna take for you to recover from this?"

"Cast will take about eight weeks before it comes off, then the doctor said
it could be three to six months before my leg is fully healed.  He
recommended I do lots of walking and some light weights to help build
muscles, but not to do anything in karate that requires me to use my leg."

"Hi Justin.  Thanks for letting Darcy stay here," he said finally
acknowledging me.  I didn't mind being ignored under the circumstances.
His first and only priority was to his boyfriend.

"Anytime," I nodded.  "How was the exciting world of church camp?"

"Riveting!  After days of bible study, I now know how to stone people in
seven languages," he laughed.  "I seriously can't believe people sit around
studying the bible that much and haven't yet picked up on all the
contradictions in it.  They treat each chapter like it's the only one in
the book, and ignore all the others."

"Without starting our own in-depth analysis on religion, I'll just say that
I agree with you and leave it at that.  You find any cute, sexually
repressed boys there to play with at least?"

"Find them, sure.  Play with them, no.  They're all too scared of their
parents to try anything.  Most of them even deny jerking off.  I admitted I
did it, which in hindsight seemed like a rookie mistake."

"Why?"  Darcy asked.

"I got sent out for a whole lecture on how masturbation is a sin as it
requires impure thoughts.  They made me read Leviticus chapter 15 about how
unclean I was.  As punishment I was sent to do laundry and wash my entire
room down," he said with a small smile.  "I did learn though that after
eight days of not masturbating I was supposed to take two doves or two
young pigeons to a priest to be sacrificed."

"You're kidding?"  Darcy asked wide-eyed.

"He's not.  That Leviticus idiot sounds like one of those deranged far
right-wing assholes."

Layne just nodded in agreement.  "Like where am I supposed to find two
doves, and more importantly, how do I know how young a pigeon is?  I'm not
a bird expert.  Totally fucks with the mind that God is okay with us
killing two animals but not with masturbation.  Especially considering it's
an important part of being a guy.  If you don't ejaculate regularly, you
stand a bigger chance of getting prostate cancer.  So God wants us to kill
birds and get cancer.  Seems like we need to vote for a new God guy."

"That would be a fundamentally bad idea.  We could end up with some crazy
power tripping politician.  Then we're all fucked," I laughed.  "Sounds
like whatever they were trying at camp probably didn't have the result they
were looking for."

"I dunno.  Some of the games and activities were fun.  Wouldn't recommend
the place as a holiday destination.  I'm just glad to be home."

"Where you can masturbate freely?"  Darcy said with another grin.

"Masturbate?  Sure.  But mainly so I can have sex with my boyfriend."

"I'm pretty sure there's something in the bible that says you can't do
that," Darcy teased.

"Okay, I'll follow the teachings.  You wanna play chess or something?"  He
said easing back from Darcy.

"Fuck that.  Help me upstairs and I'll show you some of the position Blake
and I figured out wouldn't hurt me."

"Do you mind if we go upstairs, Justin?"  Layne asked.

"I'm shocked you're not already there," I grinned.  "Have fun boys.  Just
remember Blake gets home about 3:30, so if you're still going at it, he's
probably gonna want to join in."

"We'll try to be done by then," Layne chuckled.  "That's like 5 hours.
That should be about right."

As Layne helped Darcy up the stairs, I heard the concern he had for him,
and it was nice that the boys cared for each other this much.  Once Blake
and Layne get to talking about this together, I have no doubt they'll come
up with plans to retaliate.  I really don't want them doing the old eye for
an eye thing, but in the back of my mind, I'd be ready to join them and
give those assholes a taste of their own medicine.  I can already see them
with their own crutches, and an eye patch, a white bandage wrapped wound
their head, broken arm and torn clothes, with mud marks on their faces.
Not sure why mud or torn clothes, but a vision is a vision.

I figured I had time to do a few things around the house, like build an
extension to the deck, or throw up a guest house.  Then if they still
weren't back, I could maybe repave the driveway with a trowel.  I'd keep
myself busy.  I was trying really hard not to think of those two cute guys
up there going at it, as I really wanted to join in.  You know how it is
when you're mature and considerate like I am, you have to sacrifice some
things for the benefit of others.  Plus, let's face it, I'm not really
gonna take Darcy home without having boned that cute ass at least once.
I'm just pacing myself.

To my surprise the boys appeared a couple hours later, looking like they
maybe had just gone up to play chess.  Neither looked exhausted or had
messed up hair, and the only one walking funny was Darcy.  Probably due to
the cast.

"You guys hungry?  I was thinking of making grilled cheese sandwiches.  You
in?"

"I could eat," Darcy replied.

"Me too," Layne agreed.  "I can help make them.  That's one thing I know
how to cook really well.  Do you just slice the cheese or shred it?"

"As Blake would say, I cut the cheese...a lot!"  I laughed.

"Shredded is better.  Where do you keep the shredder?"

"In the cupboard," I guessed.

"Which one?"  Layne asked looking around.

"In the one with all the shredder type things," I replied shrugging.

Darcy laughed.  "You don't know where stuff is in your own kitchen?"

"I'd find it.  I just don't know EXACTLY where it is," I said defending
myself.  Layne looked though several cupboard and found it in a big drawer
with other cooking things like the big glass jug with the red lines on it
to measure things.  There was also the silver spaghetti strainer and other
things, but I never used most of them.  We made lunch and Darcy insisted on
helping as he put out the plates and drinks.  No disrespect at all, but it
took him longer to do that than it took for Layne and I to make the
sandwiches.

Once we sat down to eat, Layne started the next conversation.  "So me and
Darcy were talking upstairs..."

"How is that possible with a cock in your mouth?" I teased.

"We talked after," he grinned.  "Darcy told me you guys talked too."

"Don't we all?"  I said generically.

"I mean specifically about coming out.  Which is like insane, because the
whole way back from camp, I was thinking the same thing."

"You were thinking that Darcy should come out?"  I asked amused.

"No.  That I should come out and not be so afraid of my parents anymore.  I
have to live my life, not theirs."

"You are at that age where you start to test boundaries and develop your
own sense of being," I agreed supportively.  "How would you see that
going?"

"Me and Darcy discussed it and we both think that kids at school would
mostly support us and have no problem.  It's our parents that would likely
freak."

"I think my mom would be okay if Carl wasn't around, but he's such a
redneck he'd probably react badly, or even violently.  Best I could hope
for is that he'd throw me out," Darcy said quietly.

"My parents would take me to church for some sort of exorcism," Layne said
partially chuckling, but obviously serious.

"Then you have to ask yourself, is it worth it?"

"I think we both agree that it is," Layne replied, with Darcy nodding.
"What do you think?"

"As I told Darcy, when and how you come out is a very personal thing. It
should only happen when you, as an individual, are ready for it."

"I think we both want to, but are scared of our parent's reaction.  If it
goes bad, could we stay here if we get thrown out?"

"You know you're always welcome here, Layne, but with the current situation
with your parents, this will be the first place they'll look.  If they find
you here, they could make serious problems for all of us, and especially
J.J.  For you, going to your uncle's would be the best, since you spend six
months of the year there anyway.  Steve would be your strongest ally in
being able to help with your parents."

"My parents would likely get a court order to send me to a church thing to
have them pray the gay away."

"Maybe, but there are laws against that now, so you could fight it.
Remember, what they think is a punishment, is likely to be something you
might enjoy.  Like I've heard of parents sending their gay kid to military
or boarding school to toughen them up.  I say go for it.  A building full
of other boys who live together.  How could that be bad?  Or send you to
some pray the gay away thing?  With OTHER gay kids.  How much easier could
they make it to find others to fool around with?"

"Yeah, not sure that's how it works.  I think they put you in a room by
yourself and keep giving you ice baths every time you react to seeing
another boy naked.  Not a fan of ice baths.  Or worse, they lock your cock
in a chastity thing so I couldn't even get to it."

"I'm pretty sure that's illegal."

"It's only illegal if they get caught and you can prove it," he said
logically.  So sad but so true.  "I'm definitely gonna come out though.  I
think at 16, I'd have a good strong case for emancipation."

"Actually, you'd have a better case than most, considering your parents are
currently in court spewing their hate of gays.  The ministry would side
with you in a heart beat."

"Would they send me to a foster home, or would I be able to live with Uncle
Steve?"

"I have no way of answering that but considering the fight your parents are
having with the Ministry right now, I'd say they'd avoid letting you get
sent to care.  As long as Steve doesn't reveal that he's gay, you could
probably stay there.  In my opinion.  Darcy, we don't know how your parents
will react, but if things don't go well, you can definitely stay here.  We
don't have any sort of dispute with your parents, and if they actually make
you leave, then I doubt they'd care where you go.  As harsh as that sounds.
But we'd make sure you were always safe.  Both of you."

"Then it's decided.  Darcy, if you want to come out when you go back to
school, I'll proudly go with you and let people know I'm your boyfriend.
Then I'll march straight over to my place and tell my parents I'm gay and
to stop their bullshit.  Does anyone have kevlar that I could borrow?"

"Are we really gonna do this?"  Darcy asked looking nervous and excited and
panicked all at the same time.

"I want to, if you want to. I think it'd be good for us to do it together
so we can support each other."

"I'm there for you as well," I offered.  "Hell, I'll drive you the two of
you to school and you can hold hands right out of the car as you cross the
quad."

"I think I'll need my hands for the crutches, but thanks.  I think it'd be
good to have you there in case we need a getaway car," Darcy said with a
grin.

"I somehow doubt you'll need a getaway car.  I doubt the locals will
suddenly get hot tar and flaming torches to come after you with."

"Maybe we shouldn't come out," Layne said suddenly.

"Due, I was joking.  No one is going to attack you," I said, recanting my
statement quickly.

"No, not that," he laughed.  "If you come out at your school, and I don't
go there too, you're gonna have all these cute in the closet guys hitting
on you, and maybe you find someone better than me.  At least while you're
in the closet you're all mine."

"And Blake's and Justin's and the other guys that live here, and the
Academy school, and..."

"Okay. Point taken," Layne said as they hugged gently again.

"No one is better than you," Darcy assured him.  "I guess I should ask.  If
we are gonna come out, are we going to be exclusive or are we still going
to have sex with other guys too?  Which do you want to do?"

"I'm fine either way.  What do you want?"

"I'm fine with either too," Darcy said, as neither of them committed to a
strategy.  "Which way do you think is best, Justin?"

"Oh no!  I'm not getting into the middle of that one.  That's 100% between
you two.  You know what it's like when you're in an open relationship as
you've both been around here enough to see it in action, and of course the
benefits."

"What are the downsides?"  Layne asked.

"That depends on your relationship.  If it's strong enough and you have an
understanding of what you will and won't be okay with, there are no
downsides. Realistically, you could have sex with someone that you find
much better than your partner.  You might find someone that you have more
in common with, so find yourself being drawn to that person, perhaps over
your current boyfreind.  That's a possibility in any type of relationship.
Let me ask you this.  As your relationship stands right now, would you get
jealous if your partner was off having sex with someone else?"

"I think I might," Layne admitted.

"Really?' Darcy asked sitting up to pay closer attention.  "Me too!"

"Layne, were you upset when you heard Darcy was over here and may have done
something with Blake last night?"

"No way.  I figured he would if he slept over."

"Same," Darcy added.  "If it were Layne over here, I mean.  I guess since
we both have sex with you guys, we're not jealous."

"Probably true.  So is that the line you'd draw?  You'd both have to want
the guy?"

"I think that'd be fair.  What do you think, Darcy?"

He shrugged.  "Not sure.  I mean if you introduced me to some guy and asked
if I liked him, I might think you'd already had sex and wanted me to like
him so you could do him more."

"I'd never do that.  If I met someone, I'd be honest and say that I had a
boyfriend, and that the only way we could do anything is if he met you
first and we all got along."

"Same.  So we're only gonna do other guys if we do them together?"  Darcy
asked for clarification.

"I could offer to be your test subject to see how that would go," I said
smiling.

"Does that kind of relationship work, Justin?"  Layne asked as they both
looked at me.

"It can.  I mean it's going to be a bit difficult to find other boys your
age that might be willing to jump right into a three-way as a first date."

"What if don't do the three-way?  Maybe we introduce the guy to our
boyfriend and then we have a regular two-way, while the other guy watches?"

"Yeah, that's worse," I laughed.  "Offering advice to you, but with the
understanding that I'm staying out of this; if I were in that kind of
relationship, I'd have specific rules."

"Like what?" Darcy inquired.

"Well, or starters, if I saw a cute boy I thought was hot, and figured
might be available, I wouldn't approach him by myself.  I'd have my
boyfriend with me as we introduced ourselves. That way he'd know I had a
partner, but I'd be open and say that we both liked him.  Let him know up
front and together that we're available if he's into that.  He may
instantly take you up on it, or he may need time to think it over.  In
either case, you've been honest about expectations up front.  At the worst,
you get no one to take you up on the offer, and you still have each other"

"I like that," Layne nodded.  "Or we could just go over to the Q Academy,
take our clothes off at the door and go through them all one by one."

"Or that!" I laughed.

"I'm good with that too," Darcy nodded.  "I think everyone of those guys
has extra hormones or something.  When I went over there, I couldn't
believe how open they all were with each other."

"Go there with Blake," Layne laughed.  "It's a 20 person orgy before the
door closes."

"So when are we gonna do our big coming out thing?"  Layne asked as we
finished up lunch.

"I was thinking that maybe I should do it when I return to school.  We go
together.  People will already be talking about me as a result of the
attack, so I'm sure I'll be getting attention anyway.  Might as well go
balls out."

I laughed.  "Maybe not balls out."  They both laughed.

"You know what I mean.  Lots of people will be shocked to see what I look
like when I return, so I should go back while I still have scars and
bruises.  That might get some sort of reaction to help everyone realize
they should stand up to the bullies to make it stop."

His reasoning made sense.  The bigger the shock value, the more likely
they'd see some sort of action taken. On that note, I made a
recommendation.  "Then is the first day back the best to come out?  You
might be taking focus away from the bullying incident and make the fact
that you're gay the bigger event."

"He's right, Darc," Layne agreed.  I'd still go with you when you go back,
but maybe only as a friend.  Then after a few days and all reactions to you
die down, we show up as boyfriends and get you back on the top of the new
cycle."

"Deal.  But, I'm not sure I want to be a news cycle.  You do know that if
we do anything like kiss or hold hands, we'll have a thousand pictures of
us online in a matter of minutes."

"Perfect, but let's beat them to it.  We've already got tons of pictures of
us together, so the day before we come out, we'll post everything on our
social media sites and take control of the narrative."

"I don't have social media sites.  I've never really had anyone to follow
them before," Darcy said quietly.

"Dude, let's set that up.  Let's get you an Instagram page and a Tik Tok.
We'll upload everything we've got in our phones and keep it private until
the night before.  Then we go live as a couple.  We can even make a video
about us getting ready to tell the world.  It'll be the event of the week."

"Probably only to us.  I doubt it'll even register as the event of the
morning," Darcy laughed.  "We'll probably get bumped off the feed with the
first baby goat licking a puppy video that shows up afterward."

"True, but then who doesn't like baby goats and puppies?  I could lick you
in our video if that'll help," Layne teased.

"Don't you dare.  But I think we should kiss in the video.  What do you
think?"

"Definitely.  I say we kiss, then pull each other's shirts off before we
fall back onto the bed out of camera sight, just before the video goes
black."

"That might be a little much for your coming out video," I interjected.  "A
quick kiss at the end would be nice, but don't be more graphic than that.
Wait until you see the types of responses you get first.  I'd make
additional follow-up videos to let your subscribers know how the journey is
going.  Both good and bad.  It could be a really interesting documentation
of your journey together."

"Awesome.  We're gonna do that.  Maybe we could get Blake to be our
cameraman."

"Mmmm...if you involve Blake, don't let him take over the narrative, or
he'll have you making a triple X porn before the week is out.  It also goes
to the reminder not to post nudes either.  That means no sending each other
dick pics even."

"We know that," Darcy replied.  "I mean it's stupid that I can't send my
boyfriend a nude pic, especially when we see each other all the time, and
it's my body."

"I'd agree, but that's not really the point of the law.  It's so that if
something happened between the two of you, you couldn't use the pictures as
revenge and send them out to everyone.  Or if your phones got hacked, no
nudes, means there's no chance of them being taken and sent out."

"True.  We don't do that anyway," Layne nodded.  "Like Darcy said, we see
each other naked enough in person."

"I didn't say `enough', I said all the time," he grinned.  Maybe one day if
we live together and never wear clothes, it'd be enough."

"I was going to suggest that we watch a movie this afternoon, Darcy, but
now that Layne is here, it sounds like you boys have a better plan."

"We could still watch a movie," he offered.

"I think your plan to set up social media is better.  If you need extra
pictures, I'm sure I have some of both of you that I could send."

"That'd be good," Darcy nodded, with Layne agreeing.  "You should come help
us."

And with that suggestion, the three of us headed back up to Blake's room
and used his computer to work on Darcy's Instagram and Tik Tok accounts.
The both took a look at Blake's pages as examples and I have to admit I
hadn't been paying much attention to what Blake posted.  I figure he tells
me everything anyway, so what would be the need.  But he sure knows how to
work the content.  He had thousands of followers and there was no mistaking
from his plenitude of pictures that he was into both guys and girls.  There
were no nudes, but that was about all there wasn't.  He had pictures of
himself in his speedos at diving, with just as many with him
shirtless...for no apparent reason.  He's gonna have every horny teen from
here to the middle of the Congo looking at him and wishing they knew him in
person.

"That's how you do media content, Darcy," Layne said as they scrolled
through Blake's feed and read the posted comment and the reactions from his
followers.

"Shit!  It's like he has no negative comments at all," Darcy said as they
reviewed everything.

"I'm sure he'll have some, but they're buried behind all the positive
stuff.  This is how you build your brand Darcy.  We should get some
pictures of you all beat up and shit."

"I have some of those from the hospital," I offered.  "Figured you might
need them for the police as evidence."

"Good thinking," Layne said as if he were the expert on this subject.
"What we gotta do is post your oldest pictures first so they drop into the
correct timeline.  Anything you got when you were younger?"

"Sure tons.  I think I even have some from back when I was like 12."

"Good.  Find those and let's start...Holy shit!  Look at this picture,"
Layne said suddenly.  "Blake's totally got a boner in this one."

We all focused on what he was showing us.  It was a fairly recent picture
that he'd obviously staged.  Sienna and another boy were standing a short
distance behind Blake, and they were kissing.  Blake was looking at them,
shirtless. Obviously to improve the sexy quality. He was wearing fairly
tight beige pants, and with the angle he was standing, it was a pretty
visible bulge.  If you didn't know him, you could argue that the pants were
just creased funny and the picture was just overly flattering.  Those that
did know him could clearly see that he was erect.  I'm pretty sure he was
so hard that you could make out that he was circumcised.  I think the idea
of the picture was to let is followers know that it turned him on to see
his girlfriend with another person.  In this case, another guy.

"Fuck, I wish I were that cool and outgoing," Darcy said as they stared at
the picture and read the comments.

"Me too, "Layne nodded.  "Blake's in a league of his own though.  You'll be
cool once we get people to know more about you.  Hey check this out.  This
is him on the set of his TV show.  Those are cool pics."

"Surprised he's wearing clothes for them," I joked.

"Blake looks amazing whether he's fully dressed or naked," Layne replied.
"I'm hoping he lets us go on set with him once he's back to filming."

"If he doesn't," I can arrange that for you," I assured them.  I mean I was
technically part of the cast, being that J.P. was playing all three of us.
If that logic didn't work, then Colin owned the studio, which by the
marriage laws of my head, meant I owned it too.  I know, that makes me
sound like one of those deranged military wives that believes that if her
husband is a colonel she is too, or that she's entitled to the same
discounts he is.  You're not!  You're just a lazy bitch.  Great, now I just
called myself a lazy bitch.

The boys began uploading pictures and tagging them with appropriate labels
and quotes before moving to the next one.  Slowly but surely, they moved
the timeline to current day things.  The first picture they posted of
themselves together seemed to be emotional for them.  The one that got them
the most worked up emotionally was two pictures where they were holding
hands and then kissing.  Layne leaned over to kiss Darcy as a result of it.

"I'm so nervous," Darcy admitted.  "The whole world now knows I'm gay."

Layne laughed.  "Not quite yet.  First you don't have any followers yet,
and your account is set to private while we get it uploaded.  But as soon
as you make it public and get some followers, you're gonna be popular
dude. First thing we'll do is show Blake when he gets home.  As soon as he
follows you, and you follow him back, you'll get thousands of subscribers
almost immediately.  With me and Blake linking to you, all our followers
will want to check you out too.  Then all you gotta do is follow back the
people you like and before you know it you have over a hundred thousand
followers like Blake.  I'm not that aggressive with my social media, so I
only have like a couple thousand following me, but that's enough.  Plus I
have no gay stuff on there yet.  My parents have access to my account, so
until I tell them, I'm not going to post that.  Once I do come out though,
I'm changing my password and access to lock them out, and I'm going full
fag on here."

"Nice.  What does full fag look like, exactly?"  Darcy asked.

"Like this," Layne said as he shoved his hand down the back of Darcy's
underwear to feel up his ass as he leaned in to kiss him.  Both boys moved
onto their sides and began making out.  Hands moved to crotches and they
were off again.

"You boys want me to leave, or take pictures for the sites?"

"Take pictures, then join in," Layne said in a horny pant, breaking
momentarily from Darcy.  "I'm sure we both need another good fucking."

I'm sure they do.  I grabbed Darcy's phone as it would be easier to upload
appropriate pictures from there than from mine.  I snapped several shots of
them together, making sure they were family friendly. Well open minded and
accepting, family friendly.  That meant that the shots were waist up and
didn't show hands inside underwear.  That's more pg-13 stuff.  I'd finally
lost my battle to willpower and took my clothes off, which led to my next
task, which was to fully strip the two boys.  I almost grabbed the camera
to take pictures of their two steel hard erections saying hello to each
other.  It wasn't long before Layne and Darcy were 69ing together on their
sides.  Darcy's cast leg was on the bed while his other one was bent at the
knee giving Layne and I full access to his pleasure centres.  Layne sucked
his dick, while I went to work rimming him.  A couple times, Layne and I
met in the middle to share Darcy's balls. We eventually switched places to
continue, before I spun around to kiss Darcy while Layne sucked both of us.
I debated scissoring with Darcy and trying to convince Layne to sit on both
cocks at once, but I think I'll save that for the session when we celebrate
his cast coming off.  That needs to be an epic gang bang.

I did fuck both of them, as it would be rude not to in this setting, and
from the moaning and the jettisoned loads of cum, I think they enjoyed
themselves.  We cleaned up and returned to the project.  The boys were
still at it when Blake burst into the house and crashed into his room like
he was storming the death star.

He dropped his backpack and smelled the air.  "I knew it!  I knew you guys
were gonna have sex.  Hey Layne!"

"Hey Blake," he said sitting up to greet him.

"That's no fair.  How come Layne got to miss school to stay over here, and
I had to go?"

"Because I'm not Layne's parent, but I am yours.  And anyway, the boyfriend
gets that special dispensation for the first day.  The same as you did at
the hospital."

"Oh yeah.  I guess it's kinda fair then.  What you guys doing?"  He asked
as he pulled off his shirt and dropped onto the bed with us.  Both boys
began to laugh.  "What's so funny?"  Blake asked looking confused.

"You!"  Layne replied.  "We were setting an Instagram account for Darcy and
looking at yours as an example.  You have more picture shirtless than do
with a shirt.  Now we see why.  You get home and the first thing you do is
to take it off."

Blake shrugged and smiled.  "Sex sells boys.  Show `em what they want and
you'll get followers.  If I could get away with my assless underwear shots,
I'd have posted them too."  He quickly looked at me.  "Relax, I don't post
those.  I have one Tik Tok with a teasing bit of ass crack as I showed off
that underwear collection, but nothing full cheeks.  Those shots I only
show people in person, and don't worry, I don't have full nudes...yet."

"Not until 18," I reminded him again.

"I know.  Last thing I need is to lose followers by going to jail for a
couple years and having to endure a cell with Ripsaw and Bone Crusher."

"Bone Crusher got out last week.  Hole Ripper is there now," Layne joked.

"Oh, then I'm fine," Blake said almost giggling.

"Hey Blake," Darcy said, speaking up.  "This picture...is that your pants
or do you really have a boner?"  He asked as he pulled it up.

"What do you think?"  Blake grinned.  "I love that picture.  Gets tons of
comments."

"No shit!"  Layne laughed.  "That's a boner, no question."  Darcy nodded in
agreement.

"Yeah, it's totally the bone.  Everyone argues over that either saying it's
fake and photoshopped, or that it's just the way the pants are folded.  No
one seems to believe that it's actually me, saying the bulge it too big."

"I can solve that," Layne grinned as opened his own account on his phone.
Once he posted the comment and we saw it appear on Blake's computer, it
read, `It's real.  He's on my swim team.  Horses are jealous.'  "There now
the debate is solved."

"Yeah," Blake laughed.  Now I'm gonna get more comments asking to prove it.
See Dad. One nude pic would resolve all this shit."

"I'll alert Chainsaw that you'll be arriving next week," I laughed.

"That's Ripsaw," he smirked.  "Mr. Ripsaw to you.  When did you guys last
have sex?  There's still a strong smell in here."

"About 30 minutes ago," Darcy replied.  "Sorry.  We should have hit the
room with Febreeze."

"It's cool.  My room has smelled way worse.  Sienna wanted to come over and
say hi, but I told her that she should wait until you'd recovered a bit
more."

"I'm pretty much okay, except for being sore and itchy," he replied.  "As
long as no one hugs me too tight, or bounces on me."

"Sor...rreee!" Layne mocked as he gave a big grin.  "I was just happy to
see you.  You know I'd never hurt you on purpose."

"I know.  I actually didn't mind.  I totally missed you too."

"God!  Are you guys just gonna eye fuck each other, or actually fuck?  I've
been in school all day and feel like an oak farmer."

"Huh?"  Layne said frowning as he looked at Blake.

"Dude!  I've been working with hard wood all day.  Time to lumberjack the
shit out of this thing," he said grabbing his crotch.

Darcy was next to look confused.

"I mean let's get it down boys!"  He chuckled.

"Blake, how about you go have a cold shower while the guys continue their
project?" I suggested.

He just shrugged and asked to see what they had.  "You know your site's not
live yet, right?  No one can see it to follow you."

"We know," Darcy replied before they explained the plan to Blake, who was
almost more excited about it than they were.

"Let me know if I can help you guys with that.  I'd love to be there when
you come out," he said bouncing around on the bed like he was on fire.  We
should arrange a party at the Academy.  They throw the best coming out
parties anywhere.  Their rule is that everyone that attends has to have sex
with you to celebrate you.  Having the two of you come out at the same
time, while being boyfriends.  That shit could be epic."

"I'm surprised you haven't come out four of fives times by now then," I
joked.

"No need.  I have status, so I'm invited to everything."

"What sort of status?"

"Lots.  First, that I'm just me with wicked tons of followers.  Knowing me
is to know my fans too, so you're popular by association."

"Oh brother," Layne said rolling back on the bed as if done with the idea.

Blake ignored him and continued.  "Then I've been over there lots, so they
all know me already.  Of course, there's also the fact that you guys own
the place, so they see me as a V.I.P. anyway.  I can go places a lot of
them can't."

See...military wife...or son in this case.  "Like?"  I asked, mainly to
figure out what areas we needed to secure.

"Like I'm not telling you.  Having access to secret spaces is sometimes a
good thing.  You'd know that with the adult playroom downstairs, right?"

"Touché.  I'll give you that."

Blake turned back to the site they were setting up for Darcy.  "I like the
pictures of you when you were younger."

"I haven't really grown a lot since then though.  That's the only problem
with that."

"Sure you have.  You look way more mature now.  You were cute as a kid, but
now you're just hot," Layne added.

"Thanks babe," he said as they kissed.

"I think you're hot too," Blake said leaning in for his appreciation kiss,
which they happily gave him.

"Darcy, you have all the pictures I have with you in them, so I'm gonna let
you boys work on your project while I go sort out dinner.  You staying
Layne?"

"I wish I could but my parents always expect me straight home after school.
I only have about an hour today as they think I'm at Young Leaders
meeting."

"What's a young leaders meeting?"  Blake asked, as his interest piqued.

"It's not an evil society to take over the world, so I doubt it would serve
any of your ambitions," I said patting him on the back.

"Oh.  Never mind then."

"Anything you guys want for dinner?" I asked the other two.  "And not pizza
for once."

"Chinese?"  Blake suggested.  "You like that Darcy?"

"Sure.  Chinese is fine.  I pretty much like everything."

"Saliva covered sausage is his favorite," Blake chuckled as he looked at
me.  "I know. I know.  Blake, shut up."

"Nice to see you're learning."  I got up and left the boys alone.

 As I headed down the main stairs, I smiled when I heard Blake.  "Who am I
fucking first bitches?"  Apparently he's gonna lumberjack the shit out of
them.  Or are they lumberjacking him?  That really wasn't clear.

Layne headed home a short while later after he'd given Darcy a nice hug at
the door and promised to be back tomorrow after school.  We ate dinner once
everyone got home and we heard from Darcy that his parents would be home
tomorrow evening.

"Does that mean you're going home?"  Blake asked concerned.

"I dunno.  I guess I should, but I'd rather stay here. I don't wanna
overstay my welcome though."

"Dude!  No one overstays their welcome here.  Like ever.  I mean look at
Justin.  He's still here and it's been years."

"I'll text my mom and ask her if I should come home or if I can at least
spend another night," he replied.

The boys said they were going to finish their project upstairs, and
disappeared for the rest of the night.  I didn't check on them but I
figured farmer Blake would probably have taken care of the mighty oaks
before retiring for the evening.

The next morning, both boys came down for breakfast.  Blake was looking
extra today as he had his hair slightly slicked back, dressed really nicely
and had some jewelry on.  I hope he never goes for several earrings all
around his ears or a nose piercing.  He's too cute to mess up like that.
He did however have three different length chains on and five rings on his
fingers.

"What's with the look, Blake," Colin asked before I could.

"What?  A guy can't take care of himself and look stunning?"

"Are you wearing makeup?"

"Just a little concealer as I had bags under my eyes this morning.  We
didn't get as much sleep as we should have," he grinned.  "Then I put some
foundation on to smooth it all out.  Oh, and I put a bit of bronzer so I
didn't look too pale.  Do you think it's too much?"

"Not at all.  It looks pretty natural.  How'd you learn to do that?"

"Sienna.  She has tons of makeup and she got me the stuff and showed me how
to use it.  I don't do it all the time as it's good for our pores to be
able to breathe, but this stuff has moisturizer in it so won't dry my skin
during the day.  I'd only wear it when I don't have gym class.  Today is
more a selfie kinda day."

I laughed.  "That's a thing?  Selfie day?"

"Duh," he said as they both sat down.  I was really surprised at how much
of a difference it really did make.  It was like how the Coyle twins
started out.  Their video started with the two identical boys just being
You Tubers, then quickly morphed into their coming out to everyone,
followed by them really letting go to be themselves.  Over the years they
progressed and matured to the point where they're now full drag queens.  I
prefer them as natural boys as they're a bit over the top for me, which is
saying something, but they're living their life on their terms.  How could
that be bad.  Blake has gone from curious to gay to pansexual, omnisexual
ambisexual, and not doubt other, to the guy now sitting before us in light
makeup, and honestly looking more sexual than all of us in the house
combined.

"So why the glow up today?  Kyle asked.

"Darcy is going back to school today and I figured I'd go with him.  Might
as well put on my best show.  This is a whole other school.  They should
see me at my best."

"Dude!  You can't go to school naked with a boner," Darcy teased, causing
everyone to laugh.

"Well not on the first day, I can't!"  Blake said shaking his head as he
ate.

"Ummm, I thought you were gonna wait until your parents came home and go in
with them together," I asked concerned.

"I was gonna, but when I texted mom last night, Carl texted me back and
told me to get my ass back to school or I'd be stupider than I already am."

"Fuck I dislike that guy," I said in a low tone.  "Did he actually say
stupider?"

"Yep. He's the king of irony," Darcy said with a grin.

"Don't worry, I do too.  I guess I can just go back and deal with things in
the office myself."

"Have you even heard back from the police?"  Colin asked.

"No.  I think they're probably waiting for me to go back to school to deal
with it there."

"I had an idea if you'd like our help," Colin said to him.  "I'm guessing
that us standing up for you won't get far considering we're not your
parents or guardians, but if you were represented by counsel, they'd take
you a lot more seriously.  Especially since you're 16, and not a little
kid."

"Counsel?  You mean a lawyer?  I can't afford a lawyer," he said slightly
defensively.

"You let me worry about that.  Would you like that type of help?"  I asked.

"I think so.  But does that mean we'd sue the school or something?"

"No.  We want the school to know we're serious about them enforcing their
current policies which makes the bullying and intimidation at the hands of
the bullies, against their own rules.  If they don't follow through and act
with appropriate punishment, we'll ensure we do."

"What do you think the school should do?"  Darcy asked.

"I'm going to recommend to the lawyer that he insist the school review
video footage of the boys involved and see just how many times they use
their tactics on others.  Once that's determined, the boys need to be
expelled.  If it's inconclusive that they attack others, or if no one will
come forward, then we'll insist on a lengthy suspension, compensation from
those that attacked you, and recompense from the school for allowing it to
happen."

"Yeah!  Get a shit load of that recompense!"  Blake said loudly.  "What's
recompense again?"

"The same as compensation.  Making amends," Troy clarified.

"Yeah.  Get that for sure!"  Blake nodded again.

"Let me see if I can get someone to meet us at the school," Colin said as
he got up from the table and made a call.  He returned a couple minutes
later.  "It's all set.  Sam is going to send one of his junior associates
to meet us.  Obviously, it doesn't need all his weight on something like
this.  Just the threat of any action should spur the school into reacting
faster."

"Thanks.  I'll pay you back," I promise," Darcy said as he looked at Colin.

"Nothing to pay back.  Just get better and stand up to them, so they never
hurt you or anyone again."

"Done.  This is some of that fool me once shit, right?"

"Right," Troy agreed.  "Fool me once shame on you. Try and fool me twice,
you going down, bitch!"

"Not sure that's how the saying goes," Chance laughed.  "But I like that
version."

By the time we were in the car to head for school, Darcy was beginning to
look a lot more nervous.  He was putting on a brave face for us, but you
could see his anxiety growing the closer we got.  We parked in the handicap
spot, despite not having a sticker to do so.  I figure if anyone comes for
us, they'll regret it. We're here to stop bullies...even Karens if we have
to.

As promised, a lawyer, or really well-paid teacher in a suit was waiting
for us.  Colin greeted him and confirmed he had the story.  "We'll leave it
with you," he said as he introduced Darcy.

"Darcy, I'm your lawyer now, so I work for you.  I'm here to speak up for
you and give you advice, but you are free to accept or reject it as you see
fit."

"I understand.  I think if I just let you talk, it's best though, right?"

"Usually correct, but feel free to add details if I miss anything.  This
should only take a couple minutes. Arriving back at school with legal
representation will ensure the administration takes this as seriously as
you do.  It was a smart move on your part," he said praising Darcy, who
just smiled.  "You ready?"

"I'm ready."

"Then let's go get you some justice."

Darcy thanked us with a hug and asked if it were still okay if he came back
to our house tonight as he wasn't ready to go home until tomorrow.
Needless to say it wasn't an issue.  The two guys turned to head to the
school and Blake quickly followed.

"Where are you going?"  I asked.  "This has nothing to do with you at this
point."

"Like I'm gonna miss this.  Wait here and I'll be back in five," he said
running up to them.  Their little group was attracting more than their
share of attention.

I leaned against Colin as we rested against the car to wait.  "Thanks for
doing that for Darcy.  I think it's going to go a long way to let the
school know how serious he is."

"I think so.  I'm guessing by the end of the day we'll hear a thing or two
about plans."

"Maybe you should sick that lawyer on Darcy's step dad.  That prick sound
like as big a problem as the bullies."

"I'm sure we'll see fireworks from him, especially once he learns that
Darcy hired a lawyer.  I've seen that type many times and it's always the
same.  They become annoyed that we interfered, then belligerent as they
insist they are capable of looking after their own kid.  That will be
followed by some sort of parental aggression against Darcy for involving
them in this.  It won't be pretty, but when it's all over, things will have
gotten a lot better for Darcy.  It may just have some hardships along the
way."

"I'm not sure Darcy needs that.  The boy was on the edge when I first met
him and I'd hate to see that emotional disconnect return."

"Emotional disconnect?  You really are becoming a shrink."

"How do you feel about that?" I chuckled as I gave him a sideways hug while
we continued to wait.

It was barely ten minutes before Blake and the lawyer exited the school
with Blake leaping around like he had mice in his pants.

He almost raced over to us as the came closer.  "Holy epic fucking shit
balls!"  He said loudly.  "You shoulda seen it.  I want this guy to
represent me every time I get into trouble."

"Every time?  Don't you mean any time?"

"Dad, it's me.  It's gonna be more than once, let's face it right now," he
said with a giant grin.  Pretty hard to argue with logic, I suppose.

"How'd it go?"  Colin asked the lawyer.

"I'd say they were surprised by Darcy having legal representation with him.
You made the right call, Mr. Worthington.  It appears as if they had been
contacted by the police and were planning on just letting this slide as an
unfortunate accident with boys playing a prank."

"Seriously?"  I asked somewhat shocked.  "Any mention of other incidents?"

"I didn't want to get to specific with them and give away any strategy we
may require going forward, but I assured them they needed to take another
look at the boys in question, or I'd return with a subpoena for student
records and video surveillance.  I gave them 48 hours to respond, so I can
advise you at that time."

"No need.  Darcy is your client, so you can liaise directly with him.  You
may get interference from his step father at some point, but I believe
Darcy is old enough to keep you as his lawyer despite parental objections?"

"You're correct.  I'll make that clear should the need arise."

"Oh that's not the most epic part.  Tell him what Darcy said," Blake
appearing to almost be ready to pee himself.  The lawyer never got a chance
to respond, which I'm guessing for a litigator is unusual.  "Darcy said
they have repeatedly called him a fag, queer and a sissy when they've
attacked in the past.  The principal said that was just normal boy talk
that they didn't condone, but it happens.  Then Darcy said it was
unacceptable and he was considering pressing hate crime charges against the
school and the bullies as he was gay, and it was obviously a vicious sexual
orientation attack.  I almost peed, but I gave him a hug to prove it."

"He came out?"  I asked wildly surprised as I thought he had a different
plan.

"Only to the principal, but it still counts that he said it out loud.  The
principal wanted to know who I was since I didn't go to their school."

I told him that any relationship Darcy and I had was private and between
the two of us, but I would stand by him through all of this.  I didn't say
boyfriend or anything. I just implied it.  He got the message loud and
clear."

The lawyer finally managed to get a word in as Blake took a deep breath to
get caught up.  "After we left the office, I warned Darcy about playing the
gay card as he did reveal that he's not let anyone at his school know he
was gay, therefore it could backfire on him.  For now, I think it's best we
just concentrate on the pattern of bullying from these four boys involved
in this situation.  If I may, I've seen these situations before.  If Darcy
does wish to come out to others, I recommend he wait until we've resolved
this issue. We wouldn't want there to be an opportunity to take focus away
the actual assault."

"We'll let him know.  I think he actually planned on doing it sooner rather
than later, but we'll advise him to wait.  He wants to come out to his
parents.  Is that still okay?" I inquired.

"I'm sure that will be fine.  I mean even if it comes to light that he is
gay, it won't change anything, I just don't want him to make that the issue
as we'd be shot down before we could start."

"Understood," Colin nodded.  "Thanks for coming on such short notice."

"Anytime, Mr. Worthington.  Happy to be of assistance.  I'll be in touch."

He left and Blake was standing there grinning.  "Oh my god!  That was so
amazing.  The lawyer just stood there calm and professional as he gave his
instructions to the principal as the what he wanted.  The principal
genuinely seemed concerned about Darcy, which was nice, but like the lawyer
said they'd basically considered the incident closed.  Shit's open now.  I
had such a boner when Darcy said he was gay.  It was like a huge moment for
him.  I don't even think he knew he'd done it until after he said it."

"I'm thinking he was using some of your energy to help him deal with this.
I'm glad you're his friend, Blake," I said putting my arm around him.

"Me too, Dad.  Now let's get me to school before my followers wonder what
happened to me."

"I'm sure they won't issue an amber alert if you're not around for five
minutes."

"No shit, but they might start unfollowing me.  That shit really spirals
and before you know it, you have less than 20,000 followers and you're
roaming alleys looking for food in dumpsters."

"Wow, that went downhill fast," I laughed as he drove him to school.  When
he got out of the car, it appeared to me like his reputation was intact as
several people came up to greet him.  In a teen movie, this would be a case
of the girls wanting to be with him and the guys wanting to be him
scenarios.  Of course, that's an 80's teen movie on basic cable.  In
Blake's world this is a 21st century movie on HBO Max, rated R.  More like
the girls wanting his fashion and makeup tips and the boys just wanting his
actual tip...and shaft.  It's like a Gossip Girl reboot without any gossip.

After Darcy returned home from school, he filled us in on what had taken
place all day.  We knew the first part thanks to Blake and his lawyer, but
Darcy gave us his version.  He left out the part where he'd come out to the
principal, which was totally his prerogative to do so.  My guess is that it
was adrenaline that gave him the ability in the moment.

"I had tons of people coming up to see how I was.  Didn't even know half of
them, but I guess the word spread pretty fast.  Not sure I liked that much
attention, but they were all pretty supportive.  I never saw the guys who
did this at all, so I think for now they're keeping a low
profile...hopefully."

"That's good.  I recommend keeping your phone doing at least voice
recording while you're in school in case you do get some confrontation."

"I did already.  I have a pocket in my backpack for my phone that works
perfectly with the camera.  Everyone wanted to know who Blake was, so that
was sort of interesting."

"What did you tell them?"  I inquired.

"The truth.  He's a fuck buddy who goes to karate with me during the week
and sleeps with me on the weekend."

I looked at him and could see from the expression on his face he was
kidding.  "I'm guessing that will save you from officially having to come
out then."

"I'm joking.  I said he was a friend who was helping me.  Although I did
say we did karate together."

The boys had a pretty quiet evening and mainly just watched a movie and
played video games.  The next day things ramped up a bit.  Which in terms
of us gays, means dra...ma!  Colin heard from the lawyer by mid afternoon
and relayed that the school had reviewed the reviewable stuff and the main
ring leader bully had been expelled while his tag along mini-posse got
suspensions.  He'd asked Darcy if he wanted more actions taken, but since
the problem had now been solved, he decided it was all he needed.  I think
we were busy patting ourselves on the back when we got a text from Blake.

`Heard from Layne. Its going down now!'  This was followed by a string of
emojis that meant whatever was going down was pretty major, or sexy.  I
wasn't sure.

`wats going down?'

`it!  the big it.  Bitches, it's happening.'

Is it me, or is this not actually any clearer?  `gr8.  Enjoy. Or
don't...whichever is appropriate.' Happy face with tongue out to side, live
long and prosper sign, a thumbs up, clapping hands and a brain emojis.
That seems enough.

`Wtf?  Darcy is going to tell his parents he's gay!  Layne and me r going
to support him.'

`Call me'

The phone rang seconds later with a facetime request.  "What's up?" he said
grinning as he moved to show me that Darcy and Layne were with him.

That's a good idea to make sure I don't blurt something out inappropriate.
"Darcy, if you've decided that it's time to tell the parents, this might be
something you want to do in private.  I don't recommend having friends with
you.  Your parents should have the ability to react to the news on their
own."

"God, Dad.  It's not like we're going to go in and sit on his lap licking
his ear as he tells them.  We'll do that afterward," he said as the other
two laughed.

"We're not doing that," Darcy said quickly.

"Yeah, we're only going to wait outside to support him. We'll only rush in
if we hear gunshots," Blake said staring at me.

Darcy shook his head.  "Even if it goes bad, it'll not be that bad.  Plus
we don't even own a gun.  Best we have is a kitchen knife, and some
seriously unsharp scissors. I'm gonna talk to them about everything.  The
bullying, karate, being gay.  Get it all out and see what happens.  Carl is
gonna shit Buicks, but I think my mom will be understanding."

"We'll be here for you if you need us.  I hope it goes well for you.
Blake, you and Layne can help Darcy get home if he needs it, but I suggest
you leave after that."

The call ended, and in person it seemed much less dramatic than Blake's
texts.  Blake was home in less than an hour and plopped down hard beside
me.  "This day was so extra.  I'm exhausted."

"Drama queen," I laughed.  "How'd it go at Darcy's?"

"No idea.  We made sure he got home okay and we left.  He figured it was
best to tell his parents on his own.  I guess he liked your advice."

"Hey, what can I say?  It won't be long before I have my own TV therapy
show."

"I'd watch that.  It'd be a comedy/horror, right?"

"Little shit," I said pulling him into a head lock.

"Bitch, please.  My hair is still on point, don't be messing it up.  I'm
gonna be taking selfies later as the sun goes down over the ocean.  Should
be lit."

"Or not lit if you wait too long," I added logically.

We didn't hear from Darcy that night, which either meant things went well,
or he was in the trunk of their family car being driven out to some remote
ditch.  Personally, ditches are a really bad choice for bodies.  With the
real estate market the way it is, you know they'll dig up everything
eventually.  I'd use the ocean.  No chance of them finding anything out
there.  I mean there's still a whole airplane filled with people still out
there somewhere.  Scary.

J.J. came and joined us, asking about Darcy, and filling us in on his day.
Seems like him and Quinn are having a fight, which at ten years old
probably means they'll be over it by the time school starts tomorrow.  It
appears they are arguing over whether Fanta Orange or Crush is better.

"Fanta for sure," Blake said quickly, instantly weighing in on the subject.
Rookie move.  You find out which side J.J.  is on and agree with him, since
he's your brother.  Fortunately Blake chose correctly.

"That's what I say," J.J. beamed at being vindicated.  "Quinn says Crush is
better.  He's an idiot."

"You both have your own opinion.  That's fine.  You can still be friends
and disagree," I assured him.

"How?  When I go over to his house and have sleepovers and he offers me
pop, I have to drink Crush.  Gross!"

"Or you could drink something else."

"No way!  I like orange."

"Bro, he'd have to drink Fanta when he's over here, so pretty much makes it
even," Blake reasoned.

"Is that the extent of your fight?"  I asked to be sure.

"Mostly.  He thinks Blake is a better big brother than Layne."

"Okay, I officially like the kid.  Good choice of best friend," Blake
nodded giving J.J. a fist bump.  I noticed that J.J. didn't look at Blake
and just went quiet.  This could be a tougher one, but fortunately Blake
missed the silence and J.J. didn't elaborate.

Darcy texted me in the morning to give me a quick update that he'd
chickened out and hadn't come out to his parents.

I simply replied with an `in your own time.  No rush.'  He explained that
things were calm when he went home so he didn't want to disturb that yet.
The school hadn't called them about the situation, so as far as they were
concerned it was over.

Except of course for the whole cast thing, and him covered in cuts and
bruises, but other than that, things were normal.  Seriously what kind of
parents are like this?  I'd have taken that school to pieces if Blake got
hurt, and then I'd refill the holes I'd made with the bodies of the
bullies, and seal them into the new concrete.

We were having dinner when Blake's phone went off and he looked at it.  I
was going to remind him not to use his phone at the table, but we don't
have that as a rule, so...yeah...no point.  "Dude!  No way!  It's gonna
kick off now!!"

"What's happening?"

"Layne just texted that Darcy had a bit of a meltdown at home and just came
out to his parents...while Layne was there and announced they were
boyfriends."  He quickly called Layne with Facetime.

"What's happening right now?"  Blake asked as we all eavesdropped.  Is it
really eavesdropping if someone has their phone on speaker loud enough for
everyone to hear?  I always think it'd be good to carry an airhorn for
those assholes who do it in public. They start a loud conversation on the
phone, you blast the airhorn until they go away.  Maybe that's just a me
thing.

"Dude, it was lit.  I was hanging out at his place and his parents came
home and started ragging on him about something, and the next thing I knew
Darcy screamed at him that he was gay and that I was his boyfriend and that
the bullshit he was spewing was a hate crime.  We then went up to his room.
I had no idea if I was more scared or proud of him for that.  I almost shit
myself when his step dad came up and told me to leave."

"Did you?"  Blake asked.  "Is Darcy okay?"

"I think so.  He said he would be, and his step dad seemed super calm when
he asked me to leave.  I couldn't really argue and stay, so I left but told
Darcy I'd call him later to check up."

As they were talking, Blake's phone went off again.  "Dude, hang on.
Darcy's calling."  He tapped his phone a few times to link him to the call.
You good, bro?"

"Yeah, surprisingly all's well.  I thought for sure shit was gonna splatter
when Carl came to my room, but he was actually decent.  He apologized for
calling me gay names and said he didn't mean it like that. He was just
trying to make me a man and stand up for myself.  Then he talked about
school and my cast.  That was basically it."

"So, he's cool with you being gay?  What did he say about me being your
boyfriend?"  Layne asked.

"Nothing.  I mean he didn't really say anything, except to apologize for
calling me all the gay names.  I have no idea if they're cool with it or
not, but at least he didn't freak out and toss me out of the house.  Maybe
once he gets over the shock of it he will, but for now he's kinda actually
decent.  Never seen him apologize to anyone for anything.  I think I
shocked him so bad I broke him.  Hope it sticks."

I was going to say we were all proud of him, but as far as he knew he was
only having this conversation with Blake and Layne.  They both said they
were happy for him and then moved the conversation to something else
entirely.  Coming out situation now old news.  At this pace, Darcy will be
going to school in drag by next week.

I hope Carl remains calm once he understands what it means to have a gay
son.  No more calling people little sissies, or fags.  No shaking your head
in disgust when you see a gay character on TV or at the mall, and
definitely no freaking out when a cock comes through the glory hole in a
public bathroom.  Okay, maybe that's still a freak out incident, especially
if you're straight.  We'll give him leeway on that one.  Darcy is on his
way to living a life that is truly his.  I have a suspicion that Layne's
coming out might not be as easy.  We'll need to watch for the white church
van to pull up at their house early one morning, and be ready to intervene.
I'll get my fastest shoes ready.



End of Chapter.

That's a lot of shit to unpack.  Damn.  Now we wait for the boat to be
delivered, Darcy and Layne to come out to everyone, and Toby to start
Karate lessons.  All of this while we're working on getting J.J.'s memories
back and fighting off the Campbells attacks on democracy.  Well, attacks on
us as parents... pretty much the same thing.  Comments always welcome at
outinwest@gmail.com and watch for announcements of new chapters at
twitter.com/outinwest.