When Love & Hate Collide

"So, what are we doing this weekend?" Billy asked as he and Joel sat down on the wall. “After we get done at the hospital, that is.”

"Uhm..." Joel flushed bright red, staring at the floor as he pulled his lunch from his back. "I'm kinda grounded."

"Kinda grounded?" Billy echoed, raising an eyebrow. He folded one leg under him, not taking his eyes off Joel as he bit into his sandwich. "For the whole summer?" He asked, face falling at the thought

Joel shook his head. "I don't think so. Mom didn't say. Well, first she said the whole summer but now… I'm not sure. Monday night, she came in from work and uh... Benji and I were.... Well, we were fighting and..."

"Whoa, slow down Joel!" Billy laughed, placing one hand on Joel's knee. “You and Benji fight all the time.”

“This was physical,” he admitted quietly. “He… He said some stuff about Paul and uhh.. I lost it” Joel sighed and shook his head, shrugging one shoulder lightly

“What was he saying? Or don’t I want to know?” Billy asked, nibbling on his lower lip.

“Just his standard variety of bullshit.”

“Oh. You OK?” Billy shuffled forward, cupping Joel’s cheek in his hand, thumb running over his bottom lip.

Joel nodded, leaning into the touch . “Yeah, mom pulled us apart before things got too far. She grounded both of us for the whole summer but then when she found out why we were fighting she said she‘d be more lenient - probably only a couple of weeks but she hasn‘t decided yet. ”

“Good.” Billy smiled at Joel, relieved when the smile was returned. He glanced quickly around the courtyard before leaning forward and kissing Joel lightly on the lips.

Joel whimpered softly, sliding forward on the wall to sit closer to Billy, his hands sliding around to cup the back of his boyfriends head as he deepened the kiss. His tongue slipped past Billy’s pliant lips, slowly exploring his mouth, tongue teasing him into responding. He moaned into the kiss when Billy sucked on his tongue, one hand running up the inside of his thigh. Squirming, he felt his cock stirring in his pants and broke the kiss, tongue running over his red, swollen lips. “Billy…” he whispered, eyes wide and cheeks faintly flushed.

Billy blinked. “Wow. Uhmm… not that I’m complaining but what was that for?”

Joel’s blushed deepened, the tips of his ears turning pink. He stared down at his feet as he spoke. “I need a reason to kiss my boyfriend?”

Billy laughed and tipped Joel’s chin up with his fingers, meeting his eyes. “No, of course not.” He kissed him quickly on the lips. “But you’ve never… not in public, not like tha….” He trailed off, face lighting up. “You.. You called me your boyfriend.”

“That’s what you are, isn’t it?”

“Definitely,” Billy agreed. “But again with the not hearing you say it.” He grinned shyly. “I like hearing you say it,” he decided.

A matching grin spread on Joel’s face as he leaned over and kissed Billy again. “I’ll have to say it more often then.” He picked up his bag from the ground. “Come on, or we’ll be late for class.”

Billy sighed and rolled his eyes “Yeah,” he agreed unenthusiastically, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “Class.”

“Look on the bright side,” Joel laughed. “It’s English - means your with me.”

“Good point.” Billy grinned, pulling Joel close for a quick hug. “Suddenly, class doesn’t seem quite so bad.” He reached for Joel’s hand, their fingers tangling together as they stood up.

“Look at the little lovebirds,” Benji sneered, arms folded across his chest. “How cute.”

“Benji!” Joel squeaked. He swallowed hard, dropping Billy’s hand. “It’s not… I… We…” His breath caught in his chest, and he could feel his face turning bright red.

“Don’t worry Joel. I know exactly what it is.” He turned to Billy and pushed him to the ground. “Should’ve known you’d have something to do with this, Martin. ” Grabbing his arm he roughly pulled him to his feet. “Now, get the fuck out of my sight before I do something you’ll regret. And stay the fuck away from Joel - he doesn’t need your kind!”

Tears shining in his eyes, Billy opened and closed his mouth, words failing him as he looked from one twin to the other. “I…” He sighed when Joel mouthed the word ‘go’ but nodded, backing away slowly, not breaking eye contact with him.

Benji sighed and looked over his shoulder. He took one step towards Billy. “You still here?” He asked menacingly, raising one fist.

“N… No.” Billy replied, turning on his heel and running toward the school door.

“Some friend you got there, Joel.” Benji laughed, sitting down on the wall, and pulling Joel down next to him. “Running off that like. Anyone would think I was scary or something.”

“What do you want, Benji?”

“Nothing,” Benji smiled innocently. “Just came to see my brother.” The smile faded replaced by a disgusted look. “Only I find him making out with another guy.”

“I…”

“I didn’t say you could speak, you little freak! Benji spat, his fist connecting hard with Joel’s face, knocking him backward off the wall. He laughed at Joel’s yelp as he hit the grass. He picked Joel’s bag off the floor and emptied it over the ground before stalking off.

Wiping away his tears, and the blood from his nose, Joel quickly grabbed his things and shoved them in his back. “Benji, wait!” He ran after his brother. “I can explain.”

Grabbing Joel’s arm, Benji slammed him back against a wall, laughing at the smack of his head hitting the bricks. “I don’t want you to explain anything to me,” he hissed into Joel’s fact. “In fact, I don’t want you to come near me ever again. Fucking queer fag!” He turned and walked away, hands in his pockets as Joel slid down to the floor, head in his hands, unable to hold back his tears any longer.