How It Goes - Part 10
#10 of How It Goes
Frequency illusion is a frustrating phenomenon. Often when I stumble upon a new word or phrase, it does pop up everywhere I did not expect it to.
Especially in the Harry Potter books. I can appreciate J.K. Rowling's vocabulary thanks to frequency illusion.
This part is the longest one posted thus far. Content-wise, I am quite pleased with it. It showcases a particular trait in Scott. It also shows some character development in an unlikely individual, or at least I hope so. It references some of my favourite franchises.
Perhaps most notably is the introduction of a particular hitherto aspect of the world which has not been mentioned previously. Admittedly, I am not certain if I will manage to handle it well enough.
What is a story without a challenge?
"This is just about the gayest thing I've seen."
The theme to the Steamy Bathhouse thrums from the speakers in the corner. Theo scratches under Scott's chin, and hugs him tight as he sits in his lap. Scott murmurs softly, and haphazardly switches his focus between pressing into the bear's lap and watching the game.
"You mean to say gay bathhouses aren't commonplace in video games?"
"If they are, I've been playing the wrong games," Theo snickers. One hand brushes over the wolf's thigh, and with the other one he continues playing. "Am I doing well?"
"Yeah," Scott murrs. "But Kanji can be a bit of a bitch."
"In the submissive sense, or just as a boss?"
"I figure both," Scott grins. He nuzzles up to Theo's chin.
"I think I'll go back and save now, though." Theo nuzzles Scott's ear, and within the minute the PS3 shuts down.
"What do we do now?"
Theo smirks, and grinds up against Scott's rear. He then gently turns him over and lays him down on the couch, pressing his growing manhood against Scott's balls. The wolf flushes. "More?"
"Nah," Theo says, crawling over Scott to nuzzle his neck and cheek. "I am completely and utterly spent. Just, you make me really, really fucking hard."
Scott blushes even brighter as he rubs the bear's chest. Theo lays down next to Scott and pulls him into a slobbery snog. Scott grinds against his stomach and he moans as he, too, grows harder. When they break apart they both pant hard. Theo reaches down and grabs his own cock, and he shifts his hips until it rests next to Scott's.
"I can't believe you're thicker than me," Theo mutters, almost happily.
"You're a lot longer, though..."
"Not that much. Couple of centimetres at most."
"Does size matter that much?" Scott licks at Theo's chin.
"Nah. I mean, I guess it matters if you don't want to break somebody in half. And, well, you have size queens like Amy." Theo kisses Scott on the forehead. "I, uh. Really love sucking your cock."
"I love sucking yours too," Scott murmurs.
"It..." Theo mutters. "I...it feels like I'm free, y'know?"
"Muh?"
"Well... all my friends. I mean, faggots and cocksucker and all that? Here I'm one of them and they didn't care. Well, apart from Stewart, but he was always a dick." Theo wraps an arm around Scott's head. "I was always scared and worried about the... the gay side."
"Is that the dark side's flamboyant younger brother?"
Theo snorts and starts laughing.
"I like that you're honest with yourself," Scott murrs against his ear.
"I am so happy you asked me out, Scott," Theo murrs back, as he stops laughing. "I have never felt this way about anyone before..."
Scott flushes and lays both paws on the bear's chest, pressing up against him. "Me neither..."
Theo wraps both of his arms around the wolf and holds him tight. Scott basks in the bear's warmth and buries his face into his neck. They both sigh in unison.
Theo's phone starts to play the Imperial March, as it rattles across the battered coffee table. The bear groans. "I have to get that..."
Scott looks longingly at Theo, who straddles over him with some difficulty. "Colton? Oh. Yeah, of course, paintball. Only..."
He looks at Scott, his face tight. Scott smiles weakly. "You should go."
"You sure?"
Scott nods as he gets up from the couch to stretch.
"You don't reckon you could give Scott a lift home on the way to the building?" Theo asks, as he starts to wander about the room. "Where do you live again, Scott?"
"5thBainton Road."
"He says Bainton..." Theo sighs. "Where's that?"
"Next to the tennis courts. Wolfson."
"Yeah, near Wolfson? Right, yeah. Half five? Isn't that a bit early? Oh, yeah, I can see that. Okay, see you soon." Theo hangs up and tosses his phone on the table. "Colton will give you a lift home before we pick up the others."
"Thanks," Scott nods. "I should get dressed."
"Yeah, me too. I need to find my gear too, should be here somewhere..."
"Hullo," Colton greets them, his spiked collar absent, and most of his piercings gone too. Theo gets into the front seat. Scott slips into the back seat, pushing aside a crate filled with paintball guns. "Mind the guns, won't ya?"
"Yeah, sorry."
"Bainton, was it? Point the way when we get there." Colton waits for Scott to put on his seat belt before he starts driving. He casts a glance at Theo. "You look like you got your dick sucked."
Theo grows still. He glances at Scott, who simply looks exasperated and his voice is flat."Yes, I sucked his cock."
"'Oy, didn't think you had the guts to say that. My bear Magnus, way to go!" Colton grins, raising his hand for a fist bump. Theo begrudgingly obliges. "You suck him off too?"
"Holy shit, we are not having this conversation," Theo groans, and he buries his face in his hands.
With a chuckle, Colton slips into an empty lane. "Just curious, s'all. I mean, if either of you were up to it I wouldn't mind some head m'self."
There is a long silence. Scott breaks it. "Didn't know you were gay,"
"I'm not. I just like head." Colton laughs. "Does it matter who does the suckin'? Figure guys are better at it too."
"Look, gays don't lust after every dick in the vicinity," Theo sighs, rolling his eyes.
"Shame. Give me a holler if you ever want to," He glances over at Scott. "Ain't as big as Magnus, but at least you won't choke. This road, yeah?"
"This road, yeah," Scott nods. He pauses. "Do you lay onto every guy?"
"Just you two," he grins. He adds to the bear, "Don't give me that look, you think I'd get mad if you told me to stop?"
"Stop it already then," Theo sighs. "Fuck sake, Colton."
"Always so prickly, isn't he?"
"You know a great deal about his size," Scott voices.
"Showers, man. You hear of them, yeah?"
Scott shrugs. "I didn't realise you two showered together."
"Wha? Gym showers, you idiot. Sometimes after gym he'd stay behind. Walked in on him wanking one time, and there it was in all its glory." Colton snorts. "Did you choke on it?"
"Holy shit, I think I'll leave the car at this rate," Theo exclaims, and he gestures wildly. "Which house is it?"
"That one over there," Scott points. Colton stops the car next to the pathway. "Thanks for the lift."
"Hey, no worries."
Scott steps out of the car, into the gentle wind and soft rain. Theo lowers the window.
"Sorry if I made you uncomfortable," Scott says apologetically.
"It's fine, I'm just..." Theo reaches out and tugs at the collar of Scott's shirt. "C'mere."
Scott is pulled down, and Theo kisses him softly, slowly. When he breaks the kiss his face is red.
"I'll see you later?"
"Of course," Scott smiles.
"G'evening to ya," Colton calls. As Theo rolls up the window, Scott waves farewell, and he heads home.
Before he even gets to unlock the door, Scott can feel the floor pulse with a heavy bass. Taken aback, he opens the door to hear a house track and soft moans from the living room. He glances at the entryway to see only Brian's jacket and shoes. Locking the door behind him, Scott treads towards the sound.
A bull is fucking a wolf rather loudly, with whines and groans accompanying Sweet Nothing. In the couch spread-eagle, Brian sips a beer and jerks his cock. Oblivious to Scott, he huffs and reaches for the bottle of lube on the coffee table.
"Didn't realise you were into gay porn," Scott says flatly as he gazes on the telly. Startled, Brian drops the lube and almost his can of beer.
"Shit, Scott, you scared me." Brian looks embarrassed, yet he reaches down for his dick to stroke it slowly.
"Are you drunk or do you just not care?"
"We're roommates, aren't we?" Brian shrugs.
"What if I'd brought Theo? Or Tom?"
Brian flinches. "Yeah, okay, maybe best suited for my bedroom. Only I didn't expect you home so soon."
"I didn't expect you'd be drinking this early."
Brian sighs, and kicks back into the couch. "Shit, Scott, can you not make me feel guilty?"
"Sorry." Scott looks at Brian. "You really have no qualms with being naked and hard, do you?"
"Does it bother you?"
"You know that sensation when you learn a new word, and suddenly you see and hear it everywhere? Frequency illusion? I'm having that right now with sex."
Brian taps the seat next to him. Scott slips over the back of the couch and sits down next to the bull. "When did that start?"
"Remember the mouse from yesterday? Amelia? She fucked Theo. And then when we got back to Theo's, we..." Scott trails off, and leans into Brian. "And then Colton gave me a lift here, and he could not stop talking about us blowing him. Theo almost flipped."
"Colton?That Colton? Colton of the douche gang?"
"When did you adopt Tom's vocabulary?" Scott asks quietly. "But yeah, him."
"He's gay?"
"No, he just really likes having his cock sucked. In his own words, 'does it matter who does it suckin'?"
"I figure I agree more and more with that sentiment," Brian mutters.
"You're coming to terms with being bi?" Scott gestures to the telly.
Brian looks at Scott, almost resentfully. Then he sighs again. "Yeah. Hence the gay porn. Didn't think I'd be so uptight about it, but I guess Tom opened my eyes. I was drunk throughout most of it, but, I sobered up about halfway through. Honestly, I enjoyed fucking his tight little tail."
Scott glances at Brian's crotch. "I can tell."
Brian looks confused for a moment, before he realises his cock's still hard. "Yeah, sorry about that. I should probably hit the shower and rub this one out. Unless you'd like to..."
The bull's voice trails off. Scott simply stares at him, his lips thin and hard.
"Yeah, never going to happen, is it? Sorry."
Brian rises from the couch. Wobbly in his step, he heads towards the bathroom. Scott glances at the coffee table and into Brian's bedroom, his gaze faltering at the sight of all the beer cans.
"You are positively glowing."
Scott looks up from his Renaissance: A History of Art. Cecil grins down at him, and gestures at a chair. "Mind if I?"
"Not at all." Scott lays the book down. "What do you mean I'm glowing?"
"Just something about your face... Oh! Did you..."
Scott sighs and lowers his gaze to the book. Cecil's excitement withers.
"Did I... say something wrong?"
"Frequency illusion."
Cecil hums for a bit.
"Sex happened, suddenly it's everywhere?"
"Nailed it," Scott looks up, his ears still halfway splayed. "How was your weekend?"
"Spent it in London."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, dance seminar. Figured a trip to London would be neat." Cecil rummages through his backpack. "Also went to a gay bar. No sex," he adds. "But jegus, there are a lot of horny fuckers out there."
"Sounds like an experience." Scott dips his nose back into his book.
"You ever seen one of those films with a really, really seedy taverns? Was a lot like that. Not much to be said of modesty either." The bunny smiles weakly. "I get why it was the première spot for hook-ups, though."
"No sex," Cecil adds when Scott looks up again. "Still a bona fide virgin in every way."
"Sorry," Scott mutters. "Having one of those days."
"A bad one?"
"My weekend was great. This is the fallout."
Cecil looks at Scott for a long while. Eventually he reaches out his hand and rubs Scott's cheek. The wolf is taken aback and meekly pulls away. "Muh?"
"You looked like you needed one," Cecil says sadly. Scott blinks, bewildered, before he lowers his gaze.
"Yeah, I do. Just..."
"I should've asked. Sorry."
Scott nods. Cecil tilts his head and grins.
"Should I give your muzzle a rub?"
"Yeah." Scott smiles weakly. "Please."
"Oh, which reminds me. Did you read today's paper?"
"No?"
Cecil and Scott walk through a soft layer of melting snow.
"Dragons. There's a family moving here."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Apparently a PhD in medicine who's coming to hold seminars. Uni's going to explode."
"Never seen one in real life." Scott looks up at the sky. Grey clouds stretch from one end of the horizon to the other.
"Me neither." Cecil rubs his chin. "It's weird, isn't it? It's all so exotic and everybody's going wild, and yet it's just a family moving here like any other."
"I considered taking sociology to learn more about them," Scott admits. "But, like you said, it's not like a family of wolves, or foxes, or... whatever moving here is a big deal. Why should dragons be?"
"So we've consequently concluded that it's just overhyped bullshit?"
"Was it hyped in the papers?"
"Front page! Biggest font, blurred pictures!" Cecil gestures in an exaggerated manner. "Dramatic headlines!"
"Which paper?"
"All of them!"
Scott rolls his eyes. "Overhyped bullshit."
"Final verdict! Court is adjourned!" They grin at each other. "Oh, we're at Sesame's already."
"It's on me today," Scott says, wiping snow off his brow.
"Haha, I figured."
They enter the warmth of the shop. The place is bustling with young adults, and the air buzzes with idle conversation. Cecil finds a table as Scott places the order.
"You ever roleplay?" Cecil asks as Scott comes to the table with their burgers.
"Muh?"
"Roleplay? Tabletop? The anti-social nerd cliché?"
"Oh. No, I haven't."
"Well, only I saw this on the bulletin board in this comic shop in the street next to mine." He finds his phone and fiddles with it for a bit. "Not that one, not that one, definitely not that one... here we go."
Cecil shows Scott a picture:
Looking For More
Group of three looking for two more for a World of Darkness campaign. Located in Summertown. Newbie-friendly. Gay-friendly.
If interested in details, feel free to call or send an email to...
Scott hums for a bit. "Sounds interesting."
"Was thinking of sending an email, hear what it's about. But I think I'd prefer if you'd join too."
"Why me?"
"It's not like I have any other friends." Cecil's smile is melancholic. Scott contemplates for a moment.
"Yeah, I think I'd give it a go."
Cecil perks up, and his grin is massive. "Yay! Great!"
Tom scrubs a couple of dishes when Scott enters the kitchen. The otter looks and his eyes, rather forlorn, lights up. "Scott..."
"We have a dishwasher," Scott points.
"I know. I needed the distraction."
"Did something happen?" Scott walks over to Tom.
"No. Just my brain going completely mad. I can't stop thinking." Tom sighs. "I can't stop... When I'm not in a daze I keep crying."
Scott slips his arms around Tom's chest and nuzzles at his neck. The otter leans into Scott and slumps.
"I miss Brian," Tom mutters. "But every time I think about him it feels like something's tearing me apart from the inside."
Scott licks the otter's neck softly. "Want to go destroy me in MvC3?"
"Yeah..."
Scott waits for Tom to slip away from the embrace. After a long while he eventually does. Scott nuzzles his chin. "There's somebody I think you'd like to get to know better."
Tom looks a bit reluctant. "Who?"
"Cecil. The bunny from the other day?"
"I don't know..."
Scott rubs Tom's cheek softly. "He... he doesn't have any other friends."
Tom blinks and sighs. "... Yeah, okay."
"Go set it up, I'll take care of the dishes."
The otter heads into the living room. Scott tidies the kitchen before he finds his phone. He searches through the contact list until Cecil flashes at the screen.
The doorbell rings. Scott softly nudges Tom aside, and rises from the couch. Tom whimpers softly. "Should I pause?"
"Can I win at all?"
"...No."
"Yeah, thought so," Scott says flatly. He brushes his hand across Tom's cheek with no less affection, before he goes to answer the door. Cecil stands outside, coated in powder snow."
"I found the house," he says with a cheer. He brushes off the snow before he enters the warmth of it. "Your house is enormous. Are your parents rich?"
Scott averts his gaze. "Dad's not lacking in money, no."
He gestures to the coat stand. Cecil hangs his coat up on one of its branches, before they make their way to the living room. Tom is huddled in the corner of the couch, and he looks warily at the bunny.
"Hello. Doing better, I hope?"
Tom looks away. Scott picks up the otter and takes his place in the corner, before he sits Tom in his lap. Cecil looks at them both curiously as he takes a seat on the opposite end. He glances at the telly.
"MvC3? I'm already a fan." Scott gestures to the controller, and Cecil picks it up. "Standard battle, yeah?"
Tom nods, and enters the character select screen.
"So how long have you two been friends?" Cecil asks between mouthfuls of pizza.
"I moved here when I was seven," Scott looks at Tom.
"Yeah, we met through..." Tom sighs. "Through Brian. We... were best friends, suddenly there was a new wolf in the street."
"So you all grew up in this neighbourhood?"
"More or less. Brian's family moved three streets over seven years ago or so."
"Sounds nice. I grew up in Wallingford. Then my best friend moved to Headington, and my parents helped me get an apartment in Southumberland." Cecil finishes the crust of his slice. "Then ... stuff happened."
"What stuff?" Tom asks, consuming his fourth piece.
"Stewart was my best friend," Cecil says sadly.
Tom's eyes narrow as he swallows. "As in, Stewart of the douche gang? Stewart the cunt?"
"Homophobic cunt," Cecil corrects him, with a sigh. "When I came out to him, he almost broke my arm before he knocked me unconscious. He'd wrecked half my apartment when I woke up."
"Did you report him?"
"Of course I did. His parents were livid, my parents were furious, there was an enormous spectacle. I got a large sum for reparations from his parents, and he got a restraining order." He stares at his fresh piece of pizza. "I wish I'd never told him."
"Why did you?" Scott asks.
"He was always so...Well. Homophobic. I thought maybe it'd change if he found out somebody he knew was gay. Turns out I was wrong."
"When did this happen?" Tom adds curiously.
"December. His parents settled it outside of court. They still keep in touch." Cecil grimaces. "They disowned Stewart. It's all kinds of fucked up."
"I figure he deserved it," Tom says coldly.
"It's still pitiable," Scott mutters.
"Depressing issues aside," Cecil continues, perking up. "What about your families?"
"My parents kicked me out for being gay," Tom says flatly.
"My mum died ten years ago," Tom adds sombrely. Cecil goes stone-faced, opens his mouth to talk, and then closes it.
"I...I have no idea how to respond to that."
"It's fine," Tom mutters.
"Is that why you're living here?"
"Yeah." Tom glances out the window. "Scott's dad took me in."
"That's good, though, right?"
Tom doesn't move for a while. When he speaks, his heart isn't in his voice. "...Yeah."
Scott and Cecil both look at each other. The bunny glances at the clock. "Well, thanks for the pizza, but I really should be off. Early up for school and what have you."
"Yeah, I'll show you out." They both rise from their chairs, and head out into the hallway.
"Thanks for inviting me!"
"Thanks for coming."
"I hope Tom cheers up soon. I like him." Cecil smiles. "Muzzlerub?"
"Muzzlerub." Scott raises his muzzle. Cecil rubs his cheek and the underside of his snout, and Scott murrs.
"I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?"
"Yeah. G'night."
"Aren't you going to your apartment?"
Scott has been watching Tom practise in MvC3 and SF4, on occasion fiddling with his 3DS. "No, I wanted to spend the night with you."
"Oh..." Tom splays his ears and lowers his head. "Why?"
"Because I want to." Scott closes his handheld.
"Why do you bother with me?"
"You're my best friend." Scott puts the console on the small table next to the couch and scoots closer to the otter. Meekly, Tom looks up at the wolf, as Scott places a hand on his cheek.
"I liked Cecil," Tom whimpers.
"He said he likes you too," Scott says softly.
"Really?" Tom's eyes look alive for a moment before he looks away.
"Really."
Tom shakes his head. "I... I couldn't..."
Scott says nothing and gently rubs the otter's cheek and chin. "Should we get some sleep?"
"Yeah..." Tom presses his head against Scott's chest, and he sighs quietly.
Scott's alarm buzzes at seven o'clock exactly. With a yawn, he opens his eyes to find the rare morning sun beam its light through the curtains. Next to him, Tom is shuffling about.
"What are you doing?" Scott murmurs, as he rubs his eyes. Tom stops shifting and curls up a bit.
"Nothing," he mutters.
Scott scoots up against him and hugs him. "Sleep well?"
"A bit. Kept waking up."
"You didn't kick me in the face, at least."
Tom shifts a bit more. "Scott..."
"Mrr?"
"I... I don't feel like we're brothers."
"What do you mean."
"I mean... I want you." Tom shifts a bit until he's on his back. One hand is covering his crotch underneath the duvet. "And it's my head being stupid, 'cause... I think it's about the attention..."
Scott nuzzles his ear quietly. "What do you want to do right now?"
"Snog you."
Scott presses against Tom, who shifts again. He glances at Scott, before he lets his hand run down his chest, down to his crotch. "Are you..."
"Hard? Yeah."
Tom turns his head. Scott smiles weakly at him. "Can... can I?"
Scott bumps his nose against the otter's. There is a glimmer in Tom's eyes as he presses his lips against Scott's, pressing his paws against the wolf's chest. He shifts sideways until his cock brushes across Scott's belly. The wolf wraps his arms around Tom, and he slowly rolls onto his back, with Tom on top. Their tongues touch as they slobber against each other's muzzles. When the kiss break, there is no laughter.
"This..." Tom says softly, his voice on the edge of breaking. "This isn't going to happen, is it?"
"Not the way you want it to," Scott whispers, his voice sorry. Tom's face is one of resignation as he closes his eyes with a sigh, and he rolls off of Scott. For a long while they both lay there, and gaze up at the ceiling. Eventually, Tom shifts to the edge of the bed.
"I can't do this, Scott. I want you, but it's... more because I hope you can fill the void? It confuses me, all the affection, the cuddling, the hugs... I don't think I can do that. I don't want it to continue."
Scott sits up right, his voice half a whimper. "Did... did I do something wrong?"
"No, Scott." Tom turns his head to look at him. Scott scoots over to the edge of the bed. "You did nothing wrong."
Scott touches the otter's chin. Tom looks at the wolf with a smile, before he bends forward to kiss him again - a soft kiss that leaves them both forlorn.
"I'll always be here for you," Scott whispers, their noses still touching.
"Thanks. I just need to... to sort myself out."
Scott leans forward and nuzzles his cheek softly, before he nods and gets up. "I need to get ready for school."
Scott's in the doorway when Tom calls out. "I'm going to join you."
Surprised, Scott glances at the otter. "You're sure?"
"I'm sure." His smile is one Scott hasn't seen for a long time.
"Love you, Tom."
"I love you too, Scott."