Chapter Ten

In the safety of his bedroom, Buzz sat silently upon the bedclothes as he contemplated what had just happened. He knew there would be harsh words exchanged, but this was far from what he had expected. So much Ripp had dropped on him in the space of a couple of hours; he made no secret of his friendship with Johnny, which he could just about tolerate, but to see them kissing… and now it turned out he had gone much further with others before him. Sharing a bed with however many men, over how long a period of time… Just the thought was enough to send a shiver up his spine, yet the words had pierced his heart like a bullet.

“I needed love and I wasn’t getting any, what was I meant to do?!”

It may have seemed as though he merely sought a scapegoat, although Buzz couldn’t deny that there was truth in what he had said. So hopeful he had been that Tank would follow in his footsteps, he was able to dismiss Ripp and his lazy ways as nothing more than a nuisance… he had, in essence, ignored him, and now both father and son had paid a hefty price for that act of negligence. Would he have given away his innocence so readily, if he hadn’t felt the need to compensate for what he’d been lacking at home? How long ago did this happen? Ripp was still only a child at fifteen…

No, scratch that, I don’t even wanna know. Any time before now would be too soon…

“Now you remember you’re a father?”

More strong words, from the same boy. He had wondered then what he had meant, yet now it began to make sense. That bullet had left a hole, an entry wound that wouldn’t heal, as it lodged deep with, and had embedded itself in his being. How he longed for it to leave, to provide an exit wound that would free all this pain that festered inside. The exit wound may always be worse, but at least he wouldn’t be carrying it around with him, rattling and clinking against the other shells he had stored over the years.

Someone, please, cut me open so I can cry…

Don’t be so soft, man! Tears are for the weak!

They’re not! They’re the only way I can release this poison inside…

Use the punch-bag if you’re that desperate!

The punch-bag doesn’t work! Sure, it’s a quick fix, but it’s no release…

The sound of doors closing and familiar voices pulled him from his inner commotion. Rising to his feet, he opened the door a little, not too much, but enough for him to catch a glimpse of what was going on. His eyes instinctively narrowed at the sight of green flesh, but frowned at the presence of luggage. Ripp was clutching his right arm as though it was badly hurt, and the blond alien boy held him in his arms, in that same loving way he’d once held Lyla. Buck was going with them, all three of them leaving with this alien family. Green hands carried the bags as they departed, and the front door closed.

Buzz fled his initial hiding place, moving the curtain aside a little to watch the proceedings outside from a safe distance. Sure enough, the cases were stashed into Peter’s car, with Ripp being helped into the back seat. He definitely looked more hurt than he’d first suspected, but in the dim light of night he couldn’t see the extent of the damage. One thing was certain, however.

Great, the final insult… all three of my children, staying with aliens.

You know what? I’ve had it with you. That shallow mind of yours is what drove them away!

You’re sounding like Ripp now… and her. In fact that’s probably where he gets it from.

Is that such a bad thing? What’s the alternative… this? You’re completely alone now. No Tank to back you up – not that he would if he was here now.

Yeah, ‘cause Ripp got to him…

Tank’s lucky, he has that kind of brother. What of you, an only child with a brutal father… or is that him talking now?! Was that him who’s most likely put Ripp in hospital?

How do you know he’s gonna wind up in hospital?

Did you see the way he held his arm? … Oh damn, I’ve just had a nasty thought… with Johnny and Peter with them, it’s obvious they know what happened. Supposing word gets to the hospital?

… Fuck… you know, just this once I think you’re right…

Buzz was now alone in the house, with the night drawing in. The sky outside was clear, but inside the clouds were gathering full force, a storm of confusion, anger, hatred and fear brewing as Buzz began to pace the room like a caged tiger. Such powerful emotions that often ran rampant through his being, but this time aimed at only one person – himself.

“You fucking idiot!!” he yelled at himself, “For the sake of a disobedient teenager, you’ve put your fucking job on the line?? Why didn’t you go up to your punch-bag if you were so pissed off?!”

Because he was there, and because he was the cause of the anger. Such a simple answer, so simple he’d forgotten all sense of ethics in his bid to vent his frustration… just like his own father had done so many times before. In a way, he was relieved that he was now alone, for them but also for himself. They needed somewhere safe to stay, away from the ticking time-bomb that he had plainly become, while he needed some space to finally rearrange the tangled web of thoughts in his mind. Ripp had continued where Lyla had left off in trying to break the cycle of hatred and violence. He had succeeded already with Tank, and just a few days ago had promised to try the same with him. Those very words now hung in the air like mist, that only part of his mind wished to blot out.

“I finally knocked some sense into Tank… and you’re next, Mister.”

“Whatever it takes,” Buzz vowed, anxiously gripping the curtains as he contemplated his predicament, “Whatever it takes to get my family back.”

After much discussion, it had been decided that it was better for Buck to be dropped off at his new home, and Tank with him so the boy would have a sense of security, someone whom he knew and trusted to take care of him. Now, it was just Peter and Johnny accompanying Ripp in the waiting room, the latter tightly gripping his hand as he waited to be seen. Despite all that had happened, however, Ripp felt torn between what he knew to be right and the message given through blood.

“Look,” he began softly, “He’s not gonna get into trouble is he?”

Both father and son turned suddenly to face him, neither understanding the reasoning behind this question.

“He’s just kicked the shit outta you… your words!” Johnny exclaimed.

“It was me who caused it!” he told him, “I was shouting at him, calling him names…”

“You had good reason to!” he started, but Peter hushed him.

“That’s beside the point,” he said, before turning to Ripp, “Listen kid. None of this is your fault, okay? That man is like an untamed beast, it only takes one trigger at the wrong time…”

“If I hadn’t fucked up…” he started, lowering his head.

“You didn’t mess up,” he soothed, but this time Ripp was adamant.

“I did!” he exclaimed, “Not only getting caught kissing a guy, ‘the enemy,’ no less, but I blurted out something else I really shouldn’t have…”

Johnny studied him for a moment, wondering if he should hazard a guess or let Ripp explain. He decided on the latter.

“What do you mean?” he asked suspiciously.

Ripp looked at him with sorry eyes as he replied.

“About me not being a virgin…”

His fears confirmed, Johnny’s head dropped in despair.

“Oh, Ripp…” he uttered, nursing his brow.

“I know,” he accepted, “It just slipped out… I’m sure that was part of it…”

“You didn’t tell him why, did you!?”

“I was angry…”

“Hold on, hold on,” Peter intervened, “All sorts of things come out when you’re angry, and it’s usually the home truths you’d keep to yourself if you were calm.”

“Tell me about it,” Ripp muttered.

“So you didn’t mess up,” he reassured, “If anyone’s guilty of that, it’s him. You have a punch-bag upstairs, he had somewhere to vent without hurting anybody.”

“Ripp Grunt?”

Ripp looked up at the call of his name and rose from his seat, Johnny with him.

“They’re gonna ask what happened, aren’t they?” Ripp hedged with uncertainty.

“Of course,” Johnny confirmed, before draping his arm round his shoulder, his expression serious as he continued. “Listen sweets, if you don’t tell ‘em, I will. That guy needs serious help, and this may just be the only way to get it to ‘im.”

Ripp suddenly stopped in his tracks, his head snapping sharply into the direction of his lover’s face as something broke inside him. His response surprised even himself given all that had happened.

“Don’t, please!”

Johnny stared in disbelief at his battered boyfriend, unable to comprehend why he’d ask such a thing.

“Ripp…!?”

“Please Johnny, I…” He trailed off in thought, considering how best to continue as he presented his case. “I don’t even know why, but I love him…”

Johnny’s heart cracked as he understood the problem. Would he be any more able to turn his father in if he had done similar to him?

“Oh Ripp,” he muttered, taking him into his arms, “Of course you do, he’s your father…”

“Don’t say anything, please,” he whimpered as he clung to him.

Johnny said nothing for a while, silently holding him close as his eyes shut in a mixture of affection and despair. Surely he must know the truly right thing to do, yet his heart blocked the path to justice, even to seeking the help they all so dearly needed.

He kissed his head while combing his fingers through his hair, before speaking softly into his ear.

“Listen,” he began, “It’ll be okay, I promise. If this goes through the proper channels, you’ll get all the support you’ll need…”

Ripp abruptly burst out of character at his words, his voice raising as he roughly pushed him away.

“I don’t need a fucking therapist!!” he yelled, “I need a father!”

So saying, he started to back away. Johnny began to slowly advance, trying to reason with him, but the barrier wouldn’t be broken. He noticed that they were slowly increasing in speed, before finding himself breaking into a sprint, grateful that he was fitter and more active as he soon firmly grabbed his shoulder. Ripp instantly ground to a halt as he let out a stifled yelp of pain, and Johnny took the chance to circle round to face him as he lay his other hand on his free shoulder. His hold loosened, but not much, and he quickly figured why his grip had hurt – given that he would never want to clutch him that tightly, it was pretty obvious.

“I just found a bruise your father gave you!” he reminded him, “What you need is love, security… didn’t you go playin’ around to try to make up for that?”

“Look,” Ripp uttered, his fight now waning as tears took over, “He’s never done this before…”

“But now he has, and he’ll do it again…”

“That’s why Tank got us all packing…”

“That’s not the point! Do you really want that in a father?!”

“He can be nice when he wants to be…!”

“Sure,” Johnny agreed, “Which is why he needs help. He’ll be just as reluctant to accept it as you are, but it’s the only way you’re gonna get your father back, Ripp. Now please, let me do the right thing.”

“I did it myself with Tank…”

“It worked on Tank because he hadn’t been ‘fully conditioned’ into his way of thinking,” Johnny pointed out, struggling now to keep hold of his patience as he felt it begin to slip, “Your Dad beat the crap outta ya just ‘cause you dared to challenge him. There ain’t no way are you gonna do this by yourself; he needs a professional who ain’t clouded by personal ties.”

Ripp’s head bowed as the words struggled to gain entry into his troubled mind. Meanwhile, Johnny’s gaze wavered as he spotted the doctor approaching, although thankfully for them he remained quiet.

“You also have a suspected broken wrist, which ain’t gonna treat itself,” he reminded him. “Well, it might, but it’ll heal funny. Try playin’ drums with that…”
Ripp looked back up at him with tear-stained cheeks. Johnny lifted his hands to his face to brush them away, praying to anyone who’d listen that his pleas were finally starting to filter through.

“I’m only speakin’ like this ‘cause I care about you,” he told him gently, “I know you love him, and he probably loves you, but until this gets sorted out he won’t be able to show it.”

“I just want my family back, Johnny…”

“Then let us help you,” the doctor offered, advancing slowly. His sullen expression told the boys he’d overheard their conversation, and Ripp was left with his head lowered in defeat. Even if he ran now, the doctor still had enough to go on to report him anyway. Ripp had been backed into a corner, and he knew it.

The doctor grimly finished taking his notes, while Ripp was slumped in his chair, trying in vain to control the sobs now working their way up his throat. It wasn’t long before he gave it up as a bad job, releasing the dam he’d tried to build and letting the tears gush forth, sobbing helplessly into his good hand as Johnny held him close.

“I’m sorry baby,” he uttered, kissing his temple, “It had to be done, for all your sakes.”

“How many children are there?” the doctor asked.

“Three,” Johnny replied, “Ripp’s in the middle at fifteen, Tank’s sixteen, and Buck’s ten.”

“And you say Buck saw all this happen?”

Ripp managed to nod as the tears slowly began to dry.

“That’s bad news,” the doctor told him, before changing his approach. “Look, it is hard when you’re in the middle of it, but your boyfriend’s right; we can’t let this go unchecked. There’s already lasting damage in all three of you, and as long as this is allowed to continue, it’ll happen again. This way you can all get some real help, him included. You will be able to get your family back, but only if you let us help you.”

“There’s a heart in there somewhere,” Ripp told him, “I know it’s there, he can be so nice to the others…” He trailed off as his head lowered, bitterness beginning to build inside as he felt the true meaning of what he’d just said.

“Nice to the others,” he repeated sourly, his brow furrowing into a scowl.

“Not to you?”

“Tank’s his favourite,” he explained, “Or at least he was until I managed to rescue him…”

“Rescue him? From what?”

“From becoming a clone of Dad,” Ripp explained, raising his head with the strength of conviction. “He knew what was happening to him, but he needed help to stop it – he’s been so much different since…!”

The doctor straightened up in his seat, a triumphant smile on his face.

“You said a mouthful there,” he told him.

“I did?”

The doctor leaned forward, partly to take Ripp’s bad arm so that he could investigate further.

“This sounds like a legacy thing,” he explained, “We see this all the time. The abused becomes the abuser; conditioned into what he’s been taught to be right, he then tries to instill that in his children. He knows no other way to work.”

“Abused…?” Ripp checked, before reacting badly to the prodding of his inflamed wrist. The pain lessened as the doctor worked his way up his arm, allowing him to focus more on what he’d been told.

“Dad got hit too?” he pondered aloud, tears of empathetic pain now pricking at his eyes. Was this all it boiled down to, that in becoming who he now was, he’d suffered as much, or even more than Tank had? This begged another, bigger question; if this “untamed beast” was what he’d been moulded into, what lay beneath? What was his father really like, and was it possible to bring back at least some part of that person?

With all the questions racing round his mind, Ripp came to what he hoped would be the right decision.

“Whatever it takes to get my father back,” he told him in a hushed tone, concern now an added ingredient to the concoction of emotions raging through his heart, “And to make sure Tank can be truly saved.”

“Guess this means I won’t be able to practice for a while,” Ripp acknowledged sadly.

“Don’t worry about that,” Johnny reassured him, “Thought it was broken somehow, just from the way the doc couldn’t even touch it without you shriekin’.”

“Mm,” Peter mused, before facing him full on. “Don’t worry about your father, okay? He needed to be reported, it’s the only way you can all get the help you need.”

Ripp nodded slowly, as the same message from different people began to soak into the sponge of his mind, adding weight to his decision earlier.

“You just work on gettin’ better,” Johnny told him, pecking his forehead, “We’ll be back tomorrow, okay?”

Ripp nodded again, this time accompanied by a glimmer of a smile.

“Thanks,” he said softly.

“No problem, Ripp,” Peter smiled back.

“Look, Johnny,” Ripp began, watching his partner with apologetic eyes, “I’m sorry about earlier…”

“It’s cool,” Johnny accepted, “You were scared, I know that. It’s gonna be okay though, really.”

He bent forward, initially to kiss his lips until his gaze met with the bloody mess upon them. Ripp sensed his intentions as his head rose, and reached out for him as he spoke.

“Please,” he uttered, “Kiss me…”

“Won’t it hurt?”

“No more than my wrist is right now,” he reminded him.

Smiling dryly in reply, Johnny wiped away the blood from Ripp’s mouth and leant close to place a tender farewell kiss on his lips, caressing his cheek. Ripp responded by clutching his hand as he did so.

“See ya,” Johnny said, brushing his fingers affectionately against his partner’s nose before he left.

With Buck being young enough to innocently be able to cuddle up to Jill, and Ripp’s reserved sleeping spot being the other side of Johnny’s double bed, Tank was left with the spare room. Not a problem in itself, he was used to sleeping alone, only he didn’t usually see his father in such a blind rage he’d assault any of them. Just the throbbing of his eye was enough to remind him of that… and then there were the nature of the words exchanged. He had expected him to be angry at the truth that one of his sons preferred men to women, not to mention the fact it was someone he’d been taught to hate for his colour, but what took Tank by surprise was the flash confession that his little brother was already a man. He’d certainly kept that quiet, even as they’d grown closer – when did this happen? His reason why cut him the deepest – he had no love at home, so he sought it elsewhere. Back when Tank was bound tightly inside the army coloured jack-in-the-box… he had only recently been freed, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that this had happened some time before. Ripp definitely spoke as someone with experience when he fought back against their father. His previous musings about Johnny triggered an alarm in his mind, too. Taught to hate him for his colour… so what of Ophelia? Was it just as well that his new relationship never got mentioned? There was something else on top of all that, come to think.

Damn it Tank, why did you just stand there while he had a go at Ripp? Why didn’t you say something?!

‘Cause it would have made things worse?! Would I have even been able to get a word in?!

Ripp would have known you were on his side, and so would Dad…

Oh yeah, like that would’ve helped any.

Okay, fine. At least square it with Ripp when you see him next. You owe him that much.

Of course I will. Can I get some sleep now!?

You know… the amount of times we’ve had these talks and the barriers came up… you’ve done great, be proud.

Only ‘cause Ripp helped.

You never listened before.

I know… I guess I was just sick of it all… damn, there’s so much more I need to tell him… I wanted to when we got back, but never got the chance…

You know the most frightening thing in all this? Dad could’ve killed him… you could just have saved his life.

It was no good. No matter how much he tried to shake off the night’s events so sleep would eventually come, it just wasn’t going to happen. Tank was left hunched up in his bed, rubbing at his eyes, and wincing as he forgot himself and caught the swollen area around his right eye. Sighing to himself, he slumped over his knees as he grumbled in annoyance.

“I ain’t gonna sleep tonight, am I?!”

Suddenly a thought animated him into life, springing him from his bed and over to the light switch. As the bulb bloomed into life, Tank’s eyes screwed shut at the sudden invasion of bright light, and for a moment he stood by the switch as his vision accustomed to the glare in the room. Not bothering to dress further than the shorts he’d slept in, his eyes locked onto another object in the room, the therapeutic qualities brought with writing his non-fiction piece pulling him towards it. There was so much he needed to get out of his system.

There was only one way he was going to clear his mind of the night’s powerful events, and with the weekend now upon him, he had nothing at all to lose.

Chapter Nine

Ripp swallowed hard at the sight of their father in the doorway with his arms folded, impatiently drumming his fingers on his arm as he waited. He looked anxiously across at his brother, who could only eye him apologetically as he laid a hand on his shoulder.

“Been nice knowing you,” Ripp whimpered.

“Come on,” he uttered, “Best get it over with.”

Buzz didn’t mince words, allowing a minimal span between them getting inside and him telling Ripp exactly what he thought of the matter.

“I don’t know which is worse,” he fumed, “Going round with other guys, or dating the enemy…!”

“He’s not the enemy, Dad!” Ripp bit, “I wish you’d get that crazy idea outta your head about those guys!”

“He’s alien, and he’s male!?”

“Well spotted!” came the sarcastic reply.

“Don’t talk back to me!” he yelled, “What the fuck are you doing with a guy?! What did I say about this?!”

“What did you say about what?!” Ripp retaliated, “About something that’s part of some of us, that we can’t even help? I’ve been biting my tongue ever since I found out…”

“And when was that exactly?”

“I found out when I was ten,” Ripp explained, “And before you ask, only reason I knew so soon, was getting sent to the principal after chasing boys in a game o’ kiss-chase. Lucky he knew what he was dealing with; Johnny weren’t so lucky.”

“You stay away from him, you get me?” he ordered, “Go find yourself a human girl to…”

“I’ll do no such thing!” Ripp snapped, “You can’t ask me to suddenly like girls when it’s not me! It’d be like me tellin’ you to go datin’ guys!”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Buzz snarled.

“Yeah, figured you’d say that.”

“It’s not natural! Besides, do you have any idea what happens between two men?!”

“I know exactly what happens, thanks,” Ripp told him, glaring defiantly up at him, “Next time you’re jerkin’ off, put a finger up your ass an’ let me know how you find it…”

“Don’t be so damn disgusting!” Buzz yelled, “I’ll do no such…!”

His voice trailed off as he realised just what he had said. Both him and Tank eyed the youth suspiciously, although Tank decided to remain quiet for now – the situation was bad enough, especially if Ripp was implying what he thought he was.

“How do you know what it feels like?!” Buzz asked slowly.

Despite himself, Ripp’s cheeks began to burn as he gazed at the floorboards.

Nice going genius. As if you weren’t in enough shit for kissing a green guy, you go and drop this on him too.

“Um…”

“You’ve been fucking other men??” he exploded, before turning to Tank. “Did you know about this?”

Tank meekly shrugged and shook his head, plainly as shocked as their father.

“I needed love and I wasn’t getting any,” Ripp whimpered in a hasty bid to justify his actions, tears beginning to prick at his eyes, “What was I meant to do?!”

“What’s that supposed to mean?!”

“Oh come on!” Ripp protested, now growing angry, “You and Tank were being assholes – you still are in fact…”

Ripp never finished his sentence. The force from his father’s fist sent him flying, crashing to the hard, unforgiving floor. Before he had time to register what had happened, Buzz was upon him in a frenzy.

“I’ve just about had it with you!!” he roared, unleashing a raw anger with his feet as they kicked and stomped at the cowering bundle on the floor. “You will insist on pushing…!”

Tank was left fighting the paralysis of shock as he watched the monster that he’d nearly become, starting to cry out at him in the only way by now that he knew how to.

“Dad!! Dad, stop, please!!”

Words do nothing alone, of course. Realising this, Tank instinctively moved to grapple with him as he continued his pleas, trying frantically to pull him off his brother.

Buzz flinched as he felt his son’s grip, his view becoming distorted as he spotted the person gripping his arm. There was a look of anger, a glint of a knife, a flash of pain…

“No!!” he cried out, blindly hitting out with his arm, “Get off me!!”

Tank staggered backwards, a hand to his face. Buzz froze as his left hand clutched at his chest, slowly drifting back to the present as he regained his bearings. His breathing quickened as a trembling hand raised to his mouth, his bruised knuckles beginning to ache as he looked across at his oldest son. Only now did it dawn on him what had happened, at least with the young man before him.

Tank continued to nurse his throbbing eye, but gazed at his father in a mixture of confusion and fear. Immobilised by the shock of all that had happened, he could only watch as the imposing figure in front of him began to back away, his head slowly shaking from side to side in an apologetic manner, his lips moving as if to form words, but with no strength left inside to carry those words forth.
Looking from one son to the other, Buzz suddenly broke into a run, grateful for his bedroom being on the ground floor as he burst inside and loudly closed the door.

With the danger now passed, Tank managed to pull himself free from the spell holding him captive, now studying the fallen figure of his brother.

“Ripp?” he checked, gingerly nudging his arm.

Ripp’s eyes slowly opened, groaning as he began to stir.

“Thank God…”

Tank reached out to aid him as Ripp tried to prop himself up, placing weight onto his right hand as he did so. A sharp pain shot through his arm in protest at his efforts.

“Aaagh!”

“Whassup?” Tank quizzed as he continued to help him to a sitting position.
“My wrist,” he complained as he instinctively hunched his injured arm close to his body.

Tank looked down at his chest, where he was holding his right arm. His wrist was swollen and bruised, and a brief examination of the area caused another yelp of pain.

“Shit,” he muttered to himself, before an all-too familiar voice carried through the air, a voice he’d hoped he wouldn’t hear.

“Ripp!!”

Tank’s already splintered heart suffered another crack as he heard him, the look on the young boy’s face hinting that he’d witnessed the whole sorry incident.

Tank ushered him towards them where he promptly took his younger siblings into his arms, allowing the tears to flow as he stroked their hair.

He didn’t allow them too long, however, as his practical side soon came into play, sweeping the sadness aside as he realised there were things now they had to do.

“Is he okay?” Buck asked, looking back at Ripp.

“He’s hurt his arm,” Tank told him as he beckoned them all to their feet, “Go pack your things, okay? We’re gonna get outta here.”

Buck nodded eagerly as his oldest brother helped Ripp to his feet, before his little legs carried the youngster quickly up the stairs to his room where he bolted himself inside.

Tank guided Ripp up the stairs with an arm draped over his shoulders, feeling his body quake under his touch as they made their way to Ripp’s room. Once locked inside from any other danger, Ripp fell once more into the strong arms of his brother, enjoying the secure warmth of his touch as he clung to him with his good hand.

“It’s okay,” Tank soothed, holding him tightly as he ran his fingers through his hair, “I’ll look after you, okay?”

He pulled him away after a while, clutching his head affectionately as he continued to speak softly to him.

“Come on,” he encouraged, “Let’s get this arm rested, huh?”

Ripp nodded as he allowed himself to be escorted to his bed, whereupon he let his legs cave in under him, sending him plummeting into the springy softness of the mattress. Tank plumped up the pillow and laid it on his lap, instructing him to rest his wrist upon it, before finding a suitcase and asking about the belongings he’d want packed.

After giving all the answers he needed to, Ripp’s left hand dived into his pocket, now incredibly grateful for owning a mobile phone.

“Aaaaaaw, that’s great news!” Jenny grinned, after Johnny had enlightened her on the day’s events. Her love-struck son continued to beam from ear to ear as he piled more food onto his fork.

“Yes,” Peter smiled, his eyes sparkling as he began to tease, “Should’ve seen them on the way there; couldn’t keep their hands off each other!”

With a mouthful of food, Johnny easily ignored the juvenile mocking of his younger sister, instead watching her with playfully narrowed eyes as he swallowed part of his food.

“Hey,” he chided with a grin before swallowing the rest of his mouthful, “You wait ‘til it’s your turn Miss!”

Giggles erupted from the table as they continued to eat, before the chorus to Iron Maiden’s Die With Your Boots On played from Johnny’s back pocket.

“Whoops,” came the meek remark as he pulled out his phone, “’S’cuse me…” He trailed off as he studied the display, a soppy grin spreading across his face.

“Hello Ripp!” Peter chuckled, but the merriment diminished on the change in his son’s manner.

Eyeing his Dad with a look of concern, Johnny became frantic as he answered the ringing, feeling his heart begin to race in panic.

“Hey baby,” he greeted, “Everythin’ alright?”

“Hey sweetie,” came the reply, which instantly struck Johnny as troubled. Not only was it quiet, but there was a slight tremolo in his voice that could only be present through shock.

“Hold on, I’m usin’ the speaker,” he decided, glancing at his parents.

“Good idea,” they all heard him say. Even without seeing him, the older members could tell that something bad had happened.

“What’s wrong?”

There was an anxious sigh before he started to speak.

“He went crazy!” he told them, “We had this big fight, and then he started kicking the crap outta me…”

“What??”

Johnny glanced up at his parents, who looked just as horrified as he was. Peter quickly rose from the table, ignoring the remainder of the food on his plate.

“I’m picking you all up,” he announced, “Hold tight, okay?”

“Thanks,” Ripp replied, before a slight wince could be heard, “Tank’s packing my stuff right now… my wrist’s killing me…”

“Your wrist?” Johnny looked up, but Peter was too far away to hear. By the sound of things, Ripp had turned on his speaker too, as Tank’s voice could now be heard.

“He fell badly on it I think,” he explained, “We’re gonna have to get it looked at, it could be broken.”

“Oh, great,” Johnny moaned, now rising from the table to search out his father.

“Look, you guys hang in there, okay? I’m comin’ too, we’re gonna get you outta that place.”

“Thanks so much,” he smiled in reply, “I love you, Johnny.”

“I love you too,” came the reply, “See ya in a bit, okay?”

“That’s the last of it,” Tank finalised, “You ready?”

Ripp wearily nodded as he pocketed his phone, while Tank walked toward the door and pressed an ear to the wooden surface. On detecting no signs of movement he gingerly opened it, his head bobbing outside, turning this way and that as he scanned the landing. Satisfied that the danger had passed, he returned to Ripp’s bed and picked up his bag.

“Come on then, let’s go.”

Ripp nodded, scooping up his injured limb into his good arm as he followed his brother out of the room. He watched as Tank made for Buck’s room, disappeared inside and re-emerged with another bag. He led Buck along the corridor to join Ripp, and all three of them crept down the stairs, hoping that their father wouldn’t be anywhere in sight. No movement could be seen or heard, although light peeked under the door of his bedroom.

“Let’s jus’ hope he stays there long enough for us to leave,” Tank remarked in a hushed tone as they sat down, not wanting Buzz to overhear anything that would be said.

“You okay?” he checked hesitantly, eyeing Ripp’s face.

Ripp scoffed bitterly at what he took to be a silly question.

“I feel like Dad marched his whole legion over me,” he growled, before spotting the bruise on his brother’s face. “What happened to you?”

“I tried to get him off you,” Tank explained, before frowning a little. “Somethin’ was wrong though… somethin’ in his eyes, like he was somewhere else…”

“What do you mean?” Ripp quizzed, growing puzzled.

“I dunno,” Tank shrugged, “He had a hand to his chest, where he has that scar…”
“Huh,” Ripp remarked with a frown, “Odd…”

“Very odd,” Tank agreed, unnervingly rubbing his head as he eyed him, “I dunno… I think he’s losin’ it. Never in my life have I seen him act like that…”

Chapter Eight

Original photo from Bloodstock's official website

The group got separated in their rush to get amongst the crowd, which was growing by the minute as the show got into full swing. Tank, not having been in this environment before, at first looked about himself apprehensively as various spectators began to immerse themselves in the music, and on watching Ophelia doing the same he couldn’t help but smile.

Feeling his eyes upon her, she paused in her cheering as she gazed back up at him, chuckling at his serious character.

“It’s a festival!” she exclaimed, “Relax!”

Tank merely shrugged, with his smile now hinting that he had no idea how to do so.

Shaking her head knowingly, she clutched hold of his wrists and shook his arms about in an effort to loosen them. Tank watched with fond fascination as his now limp limbs swung back and forth, while secretly enjoying the touch of her skin against his.

The sound of loud cheering a short distance away turned their heads as they sought out the source, and on finding it Tank laughed in his surprise at the sight greeting him, of his younger brother sat upon his lover’s shoulders and… showing off, Tank mused as he watched.

Ripp was by no means oblivious to whatever stares he attracted, instead basking in the attention as he yelled happily, air-drumming and head-banging from his seat upon Johnny’s shoulders. Ripp’s body shook from the instability of his perch, as Johnny was laughing as he watched him, and occasionally he needed to lay a hand on his head to steady his balance.

“Come on you,” Johnny chuckled when he lowered him to the ground, letting his green hand linger as it slid up Ripp’s back. His smile slipped as he looked about himself, resentment tugging at his heart on spotting other straight couples plainly enjoying the company of each other.

“You okay?” Ripp checked, his hand on his shoulder and sneaking a squeeze as he spoke.
“I miss it already,” Johnny told him, still watching them, “You don’t realise how much you take this public display thing for granted, until you can’t do it anymore.”

As the show went on, Tank found it harder and harder to resist the electrifying atmosphere about him, and as the show continued, he was as lost in the performances as everyone else. By the time it was over, he was drenched in sweat with an aching neck, but also care-free and happy.

“Whew!” he exclaimed as he slowly drifted back to Earth, mopping his brow. “That was…!”

Ophelia giggled as she looked at him, noting the grin still upon his face.

“How does it feel?” she challenged as the crowds began to disperse.

“Wow…” he replied, searching in vain for the right words, “Incredible doesn’t begin to cover it…”

“Now you know why we do these things,” she grinned, “To let go.”

Tank glanced with a smile at her, while wiping his top across his glistening chest.

“I’ll have to remember that one,” he said, frowning a little as he pocketed his top. “Beats the punch-bag, that’s for sure.”

“Yeah,” she agreed, her grin becoming an affectionate smile as she eyed him for a moment, before slinking closer to his side.

“You know,” she murmured, “There’s so much more than you let on… I’ve seen a different side to you lately, and I love it.”

Tank turned to her with uncertainty in his eyes, feeling his heart begin to pound in his chest. His breathing became shallow as he struggled to keep on top of the conversation.

“Feels great to be able to show it,” he smiled, only just managing to stay in control of his tongue.

Ophelia smiled at his anxiety, finding the signs on display easy to read as it became clear that he’d never been in this position before.

“Relax,” she purred, her hands taking hold of his and guiding them round her body, before gliding hers across his midriff.

Tank began to perspire for a different reason as he hesitantly moved his hands round to her back, her small frame like a doll held in his strong arms. His fingers felt a section of exposed flesh between her top and trousers, which they began to stroke curiously as her arms folded around him, bringing them closer.

“I’ve never done this before,” he confessed, “I got no idea what I’m doing…”

“I know,” she smiled, moving her head closer to his, “I’ll show you.”

The feeling of her soft lips against his stirred new feelings in him, his eyes closing as his arms drew her nearer still, a fire igniting in his soul that shed light as well as heat to melt the icy wall encasing his heart. So used to cold and darkness he had been, that the warmth now felt was immense, and as he grew more confident in his actions, the flames engulfed his entire being as they gripped each other tightly, their lips beginning to caress each other while they continued to embrace.

“Awesome!” Ripp proclaimed, beaming from ear to ear as the snapshot sound played from his phone. Johnny cackled in delighted disbelief as he watched them.

“Wow,” he smiled, “How long’s he bin likin’ her then?”

“Longer than he’s let on, I’ll bet,” Ripp replied, a mischievous sparkle in his eye, “Least he’s saved me a job!”

“Oh yeah?” the green youth quizzed with a smile, flicking a stray lock of brown hair from his lover’s face.

“Yeah,” came the reply, before he realised that they had moved dangerously close together given that Johnny still wanted to remain undercover. Or did he? On noting the loving look in his eyes, Ripp decided to check.

“Thought you wanted to stay in the closet?”

“Pssshh,” came the indignant reply, “You really think they’re gonna keep quiet?! Angela’s a pussycat compared to her.”

“Yeah, I know…”

“Besides, I’ve been thinkin’,” Johnny murmured, snuggling up to him, “Why should we miss out on this kinda thing just ‘cause we’re both guys?”

A grin slowly spread across Ripp’s face as Johnny took him into his arms.

“I’ve been asking that since I was old enough to start dating,” he replied, sweeping blond hair from Johnny’s face as they tightened their grip on each other.

“I was happy to show my affections before, even if it was with a girl,” Johnny continued, “but this is somethin’ else… not just ‘cause you’re a guy, but ‘cause you’re so damn amazin’…” He felt himself become overwhelmed with emotion as he ran a loving hand across Ripp’s face. “I dunno why I never saw it before, but…”

“S’okay,” Ripp uttered, feeling overcome himself as he ran his fingers delicately across Johnny’s cheek, “You assumed you were straight, you had no reason to think any different.”

“Now I’m seein’ you in a whole new light,” came the choked reply as he gazed into the blue pools of Ripp’s eyes, “I love you…”

The words played like the sweetest music he had ever heard, pushing him over the edge into the salty waters as they fell from his eyes.

“Oh Johnny,” he whispered, “I love you so much…”

Green fingers brushed away the tears from his face, before in one movement the two boys melted into each other, sharing the strongest burning blaze either of them had ever experienced.

Tank smiled happily as their lips parted, his eyelids sliding open to reveal the mirrors within reflecting the glow of his awakened soul. They remained in a firm embrace as their noses stroked each other for a moment, before he allowed himself to bask in this new feeling of emotional freedom as he inhaled deeply, his head tilting back as his eyes closed for a second time. He exhaled slowly, unaware of the fascinated observation of his new girlfriend as his eyes slowly opened, before he made known what thoughts accompanied his actions.

“Ah, freedom,” he grinned blissfully, “Freedom from hatred, anger… boy does this feel good!”

The euphoria was catching, with her gently tugging his head back to meet her gaze as she smiled broadly.

“It shows,” she told him, genuine delight shining through in her whole manner, “It’s wonderful to see, Tank, I’m so happy for you.”

An excited giggling escaped his lips, accompanied by tears of joy as he pulled her into a hug.

“Damn,” he uttered as they broke away, “That guy’s awesome… why I never saw it before I dunno, but…”

“You mean Ripp?” she checked.

“Yeah,” he confirmed, looking about him, “I really need to…”

He trailed off as his searching eyes located the young man in question, a knowing yet loving smile playing upon his lips as he watched him enjoying an intimate moment of his own… a very public, intimate moment, he suddenly realised.

“Hey, Philly,” Tank began, “Ain’t that the guy who was so scared about getting pulled outta the closet?”

“Yeah,” came the equally slow reply, “Least it was last time I checked…”

“Funny,” Tank mused sadly, “I kinda don’t wanna go back in…”

“Me neither,” Ripp agreed, “but then I hate it there anyways. Just easier now I’ve got my other brother back.”

Tank’s head turned to his younger brother before reassuringly patting his leg. Ripp returned his gaze briefly, before looking across to Johnny who now was in the front seat, after they’d decided to let Tank and Ophelia have a chance to cuddle up together on the way back. Ophelia now had been dropped off, leaving just the male teenagers in the car, with the older alien again stepping in as a chauffeur.

“Better go I guess,” he muttered, not hiding the reluctance in his voice at having to do so.

“Yeah,” Johnny acknowledged, holding out a hand in a parting gesture.

Ripp leaned forwards to clasp it, propping himself up on the backrest as they firmly gripped each other’s hands. He dived forward in one stroke, placing a lengthy goodbye kiss on Johnny’s lips as their eyes closed, their mouths brushing together as the others in the car looked on.

As Peter turned to eye his son however, he froze. Movement out of the corner of his eye triggered warning alerts in his mind, and on recognising the figure in the glass behind Ripp, he quickly moved to nudge him in the waist.

“Johnny…”

“Hm?”

Johnny’s eyes opened at the interruption, and almost instantly locked onto the now moving character in the rear window. His eyes grew wide as he drew a large, sharp breath, his hand frantically pulling free from his lover’s grip.

“What’s wrong?” Ripp quizzed, thoroughly puzzled.

Before he could receive an answer, there was a frantic rapping on the window, and on seeking out the source, his face fell like a stone.

“Oh no…” Tank commented on following his gaze. Thinking quickly, as his brother slumped back into his seat, he lay a hand on his shoulder as he spoke.

“I got him,” he told him, “I’ll see if I can’t clear the path for ya.”
All Ripp could do in reply was nod as Tank got out of the car.

“Go easy Dad,” Tank began, but Buzz was in no mood to listen.

“Inside, now! Both of you!!” he barked at him, glancing furiously into the car before storming back into the house.

Tank stared after him in despair, but also unease. No matter how much Ripp had managed to antagonise him in the past, never before had he seen him this angry.

“I’m so dead,” Ripp whimpered.

“Look,” Peter offered quickly, “If you need a place to stay, you’re more than welcome at ours.”

Ripp gazed back at his boyfriend’s father, wearing a smile of sadness, fear and gratitude as he felt himself beginning to tremble.

“Thanks,” came the barely audible reply, before the car door opened. Tank’s head ducked into the vehicle just enough to assure him it was safe to leave, before holding the door open wide.

“Good luck,” Johnny uttered apologetically.

“Thanks,” Ripp answered as he left, “I’ll need it.”

“I’m scared,” he admitted, not daring to look back at the now foreboding building they called home.

“I know,” Tank soothed as he pulled him into his arms, “I’m right here for you, okay?”

Ripp managed to nod as he clung desperately to his older brother, tears staining his cheeks as his racing mind could only anticipate certain doom.

“Look, Dad, um… I really don’t think leavin’ ‘em like this is a good idea,” Johnny confessed, “I didn’t like the look on his face, or the way he knocked on the window…”

“Me neither,” Peter admitted, “I must admit, he didn’t look that mad even when I had him in a headlock.”

“Can’t we just… hang around somewhere?” Johnny pleaded, “I don’t like this Dad, I’m worried all hell’s gonna break loose in there…”

“Me too Johnny,” Peter agreed grimly, “but if we linger in the doorway, all we’ll do is make things worse.”

Chapter Seven

The Jack-in-a-box

A jack-in-the-box is a toy for children, the little tin brightly colored to appeal to young eyes. The handle, when turned, plays a melody, until the doll inside springs from the box to create innocent surprise in the child.

There is a box that doesn’t work as expected, however. The handle is never turned, the box painted not with bright colors, but khaki and green. Every so often it twitches and jumps, its prisoner growing impatient to be released. After a while of shaking the box the doll gives up, and retreats to a corner where it sits huddled like a desolate child, wondering if that time will ever come.

Once in a while, a crack of light shines into the box, the lid opened by curious fingers. Gentle eyes peer into the cold prison, catching maybe a glimpse of this little doll, its arm outstretched as it gazes with pleading eyes up at those gazing down on it.

“Help me, please,” it whimpers, tears welling at its eyes, “Get me out of here!”

The box is cruelly snatched from the clutches of whoever holds it, the lid closed. Its chance at freedom gone once more, the doll sobs into its knees, longing desperately for the light of the outside world, to see past the cold walls and experience love, warmth, respect… none of which can be found in this harsh place.

The doll is me. My prison is the empty shell my father has become, and what he aims to make of me. The eyes from outside belong to my brother, the only one in the house who can see the doll inside, the person I truly am and wish to be. My father plucks me from his grasp just as he manages to open the lid, snapping it shut on his fingers and causing him to wince in pain. Gone are the cries and the tears that pain used to trigger, they merely build inside my brother and I. Those cries from my inner self reverberate around the metal walls, distorting and becoming rage, hatred, aggression, electrifying the container and hurting all who touch it.

Only recently has the handle been turned. In the absence of our father, the momentarily unguarded box has been picked up, its harmful shielding neutralized by the loving hands of my brother as he plays patiently with the toy. The melody has never been heard, but now sounds so beautiful and serene, wiping the tears from my cheeks and bringing a smile to my face for the first time. The feeling is alien, but more than welcome as I finally spring forth from the metal tin keeping me captive. The light hurts my eyes, but is worth getting used to.

There is much to learn in this world, and I only hope the spring can be detached from my feet, to grant me the true freedom to try.

The English teacher hastily dried the tears from her cheeks as she placed her fingers in the pages, closing the exercise book on them to check the name upon the front cover. She made a mental note to keep the student behind after their next class for a quiet word, and made another to find out about the help this student so plainly needed.

“Seven days to the woooolves; where will we beeeeee wheeeen they coooooome…”

Ripp continued to sing and endeavoured to encourage Tank to join, aware of their father’s disapproving gaze but not caring. Tank just giggled as he watched, but Ripp’s mirth was infectious and before he could stop himself, he began to hum along as his hands tapped on his legs.

“Just take care out there, huh?” Buzz chipped in with concern, “Who’s taking you?”

Ripp’s smile slipped from his face as he addressed him.

“Friend of mine,” he replied stiffly.

“What friend is this?” Buzz challenged, growing suspicious.

“Just a friend,” came the evasive reply.

Moments later a familiar car pulled up, its horn honking beckoningly at the two teenagers, who eagerly left as Buzz peered out of the window to catch a better glimpse of the vehicle. His eyes narrowed as he recognised it, and started after them.

“You’re not going with the Smiths!?” he yelled at them, growing frustrated at their unresponsiveness. “Hey!!”

“Laters!” came Ripp’s cheery farewell as he boarded their mode of transport for the day.

Tank had decided, deliberately on seeing the passengers, to take the front seat, and had barely sat down before addressing the retired alien at the wheel.

“Go!” he commanded, looking back through the window at their advancing father. Peter had only to follow his gaze for a moment before obliging, leaving his foe in the dust as he stared angrily after the departing car.

“Phew,” Tank sighed as he gazed out of the window once more, “That was too close!”

Johnny gave a little titter as Ripp turned back round in his seat, having given a gleeful wave at his father as they left.

“He probably thinks we’ll get taken away to some spaceship or somethin’,” Ripp giggled, before turning the subject back to the now impending festival as he began to drum on his legs. The mood was catching, and Tank watched with an intrigued smile as his brother, Johnny and Ophelia began to sing, the two boys in the back playing invisible instruments as they did so.

“I’d love to see you on the real thing,” he remarked dryly.

“Hey, you’re welcome to join us next rehearsal if you like,” Johnny invited.

“I might just do that,” Tank agreed slowly, a fond smile taking hold of his lips, “When is it you practice, Tuesdays?”

“Yep,” Ripp replied, continuing to air-drum and catching Johnny with a stray swing of his arm.

“Hey!” Johnny nudged teasingly, “Do I look like a drum kit?!”

Ripp wore a cheeky grin at his complaint, responding by flicking his wrists in a drum roll as he turned to face him, bopping his blond mop with a pretend drumstick. Smiling knowingly, Johnny replied by clutching his fingers.

“Now whatcha gonna do?!”

Ripp laughed as he struggled softly against his grip, his other arm diving toward his waist in the hope of prodding his ribs. Johnny’s honed reflexes were faster, and his free arm moved swiftly to grab his hand.

“Hah, at my mercy now!” he proclaimed triumphantly.

Ripp chuckled at first, until he grew aware of a gentle squeezing of his hands. Johnny’s expression had changed too, and as Ripp studied him his heart skipped a beat, upon noting a sparkle in his green eyes.

“You make it sound like a bad thing,” he half-whispered in reply with a wistful smile. His hands twisted in his grip to return his caresses as he fanned the flames he’d struggled for so long to control.

Johnny didn’t respond with words, just an affectionate smile as he felt his heart begin to race, consumed by the inferno now raging within his heart. The smile faded as he moved closer, aware that Ripp was doing likewise, and gently tugged his arms towards him to bring him nearer still.

Their breathing became deeper as their noses brushed against each other, their eyelids slowly gliding shut at the feel of their breath on each other’s faces. Johnny’s head tilted to the side as he moved to place a lingering kiss on Ripp’s lips, releasing a hand to sweep the long brown hair from his face. Their arms slowly encircled one another before their lips parted for but a moment, the two boys manoeuvring themselves to get a better hold of each other as they once more tasted the flavour of each other’s mouths. Their grip tightened as their lips locked together, Johnny pulling him closer and onto his lap as their hands began to wander, with little moans of delight rising from their throats that drowned out even the loudest of sounds.

Ophelia watched with an ever-growing grin, silently pumping her fist as she did so. Tank gave a quiet little chuckle as he noticed her, guessing that she’d made plans for such a thing to happen, before he wore a fond smile of his own as he too watched them in their loving embrace. He felt an inward relief at learning that Ripp’s affections weren’t wasted, although in the way Johnny had hugged him back that day, he started to wonder if he too had maybe hinted at which boat he was really on.

In the slow-moving traffic, another car was inching its way along the road past theirs, its stereo blaring heavy metal from its speakers. The car carried a group of teenagers, two of them being Lilith Pleasant and her partner, Dirk Dreamer, who were also now enjoying a tender moment, before their friend in the front turned to face them. The couple broke away just in time to find him wearing a look of amazement and disgust, gesturing frantically behind them.

Frowning in bewilderment, they turned to follow his gaze, and their faces dropped at what they saw.

“Oh my God…!” Dirk remarked slowly.

Lilith opened her mouth about to agree, but something about one of the males in the back of the other car jumped out at her. For a start there was the unnatural tint to his skin…

“Johnny Smith??” she checked aloud.

“No way!!” her boyfriend exclaimed, taking a closer look. “Who’s that other guy?”

“Looks like… Ripp Grunt, I think,” she observed, “I know Angela said he was on the other tree, but then she comes out with some shit sometimes…”

“Not this time it seems,” their friend confirmed, scanning the other seats in the car. “Definitely Ripp, I see his big brother… who’s just sat there watchin’ it goin’ on!? I’m surprised he ain’t about to kill ‘im!”

“Whoops,” Dirk uttered, ushering their attentions back to the two in the front of their own car.

Ophelia’s smile slipped as she noticed they’d attracted an unwelcome audience, and prodded the half-alien’s ribs, causing him to flinch involuntarily and give a muffled shriek as he pulled away from Ripp’s grip.

“What?!” he complained, but as his head turned to face her, he caught sight of the other car, his face falling as he recognised the occupants.

“Oh…”

Ripp slid off his lap as he followed their gaze. As they gave them another passing glance, Ripp delivered the same cheery wave he did to Buzz. It seemed to work, as those in the other car hastily turned back round in their seats.

Tank didn’t see his brother’s antics however, preoccupied with the passengers of the passing vehicle. Still they turned back round occasionally, causing him to scoff a little before he opened the car window wide, muttering something to himself as he leaned out of the vehicle to give a piercing whistle.

Eventually it was answered, when Lilith leaned out of her window to face him, gesturing vaguely with one arm as she did so.

“You don’t like it, don’t watch!” Tank bellowed, partly to be heard above the music and partly to cover the now growing distance between the cars.

Johnny watched from the back with intrigue, now gripping the hand of his new love.

“Is this the same guy who tried to beat the shit outta me last week for bein’ green?!”

“No,” Ripp grinned as he leaned his head back to address him, propping his head on Johnny’s shoulder. “That’s the whole point.”

His message delivered, Tank ducked back into the car, noticing the impressed glance from their driver.

“True ain’t it?” he shrugged.

“Certainly is,” Peter agreed, before addressing the younger Grunt in the back. “I don’t know what magic you worked on this guy, but don’t suppose it’d work on you-know-who…?”

“That’s the plan,” Ripp agreed, his face falling into a frown, “Tank was just a warm-up compared to what I’m gonna face with Dad, but I have to try.”

The excitement was mounting as they made their way through the ticket booths and onto the festival grounds. Tank was quickly becoming discontent however, if only for a practical reason.

“Damn,” he complained, clutching his belly, “I’m hungry…”

Ripp merely sniggered in reply, before following with spoken words.

“What else is new?!” he teased.

Tank clipped the back of his head in reply, a knowing smile on his face.

“Hey, don’t start on me!” Ripp retaliated playfully, swiping with his arm.

Tank laughed as he easily dodged, before another voice joined the longing for sustenance.

“I’m getting kinda hungry myself,” Johnny frowned.

“Me too,” Ophelia agreed.

Ripp gave an exaggerated sigh as he looked about them, showing his mild annoyance at being outnumbered. That feeling didn’t last when a growl sounded from his own stomach.

“Damn,” Ripp surrendered, “Okay, where’s the nearest burger bar…?”

“That’s better,” Ripp grinned, before eyeing his brother, “Happy now?”

“Mm-hmm,” came the muted reply as Tank nodded, chomping happily on a mouthful of food.

“Oh hello,” Johnny acknowledged sullenly, the mood dropping as his eyes locked onto familiar faces.

Ripp’s face fell as the couple advanced, neither of them hiding their contempt for the two male lovers at the table.

“Howdy!” he greeted sarcastically, “Enjoy the show as you passed, did ya?!”

Johnny inched forwards with a more serious manner as he addressed them.

“Listen,” he told them, “You didn’t see us there, got it?!”

Lilith arched a disapproving eyebrow, but it was Dirk who replied.

“Shoulda thought about that before,” he told him, “I can think of better places to suck face with another guy, than crawling down a public highway.”

“I mean it!” he snapped, “I only found out about myself a coupla days back.”

“Thought it was odd,” Lilith mused, before looking across at Ripp, “What about you? Been a fag long have ya?”

“The term is gay,” Ripp corrected sourly, “or homosexual. Besides, I missed the part where that’s any of your business.”

Lilith curled her lip, before Dirk ushered them away. The others watched them go with the same scorn they’d been greeted with.

Johnny scowled as he propped himself up on the table they’d been sitting round, not convinced that his own secret would remain so for much longer.

“Hey,” Ripp soothed as he approached, “They ain’t worth it.”

Johnny glanced at him before back in the direction the other two had left. Sighing in resignation, he shrugged to himself as he straightened up, running his fingers through his fair hair.

“Guess not,” he remarked, before the sound of cheering and amplified speaking could be heard. Suddenly he burst from his spot, the others easily catching up in their own delight.

“Hey!” he cried happily, “Don’t start without us!”