Stellar Tomorrow

After the three day weekend, school was back in session, and Ciaran was eager to get to school. He felt absolutely awful for forgetting someone who was such an important person in his life, so he was determined to make it right.

If only it were that easy.

Ciaran and Vale were chatting by Vale’s locker, instead of going to class. The school day hadn’t started yet.

“You still feeling crappy?” Ciaran asked and Vale shrugged as he put his math and English books into his backpack and closed his locker. They had already confirmed being late with the teacher, since they promised that they’d show a new student around. 

“Well, well, well…. Look who it is.” another voice became audible and Vale visibly tensed up. Ciaran turned towards the source, and saw a tanned guy with crimson hair and huge muscles. His silver eyes were locked onto vale, and his lips curled into a smile. “Vale, fancy meeting you here.”

“Travis.” Vale folded his arms and glared at the tanned male. “Let's go, Ciaran.”

“Not so fast,” Travis grabbed Vale’s arm as he began to walk away. “You owe me answers.”

“I told you we were over and that’s that.” Vale attempted to yank his arm out of his grasp, but Travis grabbed his other arm and pinned him to his locker.

“Oh, and who’s this dude?" Travis looked over Ciaran and snarled. “He’s your new boy toy, huh? Such a shame that your locker is located in the wing of the school with no teachers in it, huh? If I caught you during the summer, this would have been easier, with no chance of expulsion for me and my boys, but you certainly made it hard, Vale.”

It was then that Ciaran and Vale noticed a group of boys had begun to make their way over them. One grabbed Vale’s hands, the other grabbed his feet, and the third grabbed Ciaran’s arms. Travis let go and reached into his pocket for a knife.

“I’ll let this new boy toy watch as I mark you.” He got onto his knees and used his left hand to lift Vale’s shirt up. Vale closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and braced for the pain of the knife carving into his pale skin. It never came through, and Ciaran broke free of his restrainer’s grip and kicked Travis. The knife cluttered the ground. Vale managed to loosen the grip on his legs and kicked the two that were holding him.

Vale muttered curses under his breath and let out a deep breath.

The new student’s scream alerted them to the fact that the school’s ‘No Tolerance’ policy screwed them over.

- - - - -

One week of out of school suspension, for self defense. This meant that Ciaran would not be able to talk for Thyme until the suspension was over.

Their only saving grace was the ‘Mom Squad’ pact, made by Vale’s mother, Ciaran’s mother, and Ezzy and Alicia’s Aunt Katie, who were going at the school for it’s dumb policy.

“Who was that Travis dude? Your ex?” Vale nodded in response. He had been completely silent since they were called into the principal’s office.

“Put on a movie you like,” Ciaran said. “We’ll watch it together. That’s what Thyme and I did when she was upset.”

Vale grabbed the TV remote and went through his recordings, finally selecting Steven Universe: The Movie. They sat, taking in the movie for a while, before Vale suddenly spoke. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Ciaran looked at him. “It’s not your fault. Breaking up with that guy was a good idea. He seemed pretty abusive.”

“I know that. Now you can’t talk to Thyme though.” Vale frowned. “I’ve pretty much been a burden these past few days. I get sick at the carnival, and you decide to take care of me instead of going off with Ezzy and Alicia to have fun. Then I get us suspended because I chose the wrong guy to date over the summer.”

“Vale,” Ciaran locked eyes with Vale, “I don’t care about that! I care about your well being. I know we haven’t known each other for that long, but you’re my friend. I would have done it even if I was a passerby. Right now, the thing that matters is you. Thyme can wait until I can get to her.”

Vale turned away and looked at the TV. He let out a sigh. “Tell me about Thyme.”

“Well, she’s the child of Grine. It was different for her, since Grine has multiple children, and he and the other deities sort of… leave their kids or drop them off. It’s weird.” He frowned. “Other than that, she has a type of autism. I don’t understand it, but I feel like I always knew she was different. We would play all the time. Everyone thought she was weird, so I was her only friend. I bet when I left she was all alone.”

“I see,” Vale said, not looking at him. “Ezzy and Alicia don’t know about Travis. This summer they went on a trip. Travis and I were acquaintances at first, we had each other’s contact info for a group project. He invited me to a party, and we hooked up. I can’t say I was in the right state of mind, but I guess we just sorta called it official and started hanging out. He wasn’t my first boyfriend, so I knew things weren’t right with how he was treating me. I broke it off as soon as Ezzy and Alicia got back.”

“I hate people like that,”  Ciaran nodded, grabbing Vale’s hand. “You’re okay, right?”

“....I,” He paused, “...maybe.” Vale turned to look at Ciaran. “I don’t cry, I never cry. Ezzy and Alicia haven’t seen me cry, ever. The last time was right before I met them. What is it about you…” he faulted.

“If you need to, go ahead.” Ciaran sent him a gentle smile. “It’s okay, yeah?” He opened his arms.

Vale let out a breath, and fell into Ciaran’s embrace, and cried for the first time in years.

- - - - - - -

After their emotional bonding moment, Vale and Ciaran stayed in Vale’s room and watched TV and played video games. Eventually this got boring.

“What do we do now?” Ciaran asked, looking at Vale who was lying down beside him.

“I dunno,” he muttered. “I don’t wanna get up but there’s nothing to do in this room.” He picked up the remote and turned off the TV, before stretching his arms.

“Well, we can chat. We’ve sorta been doing that anyways though.” Ciaran muttered, getting up off the bed. “You want something to eat?”

“No.” Vale said, sitting up and grabbing Ciaran’s arm. “Just stay here,”

“Why should I?” Ciaran sent a teasing glance towards Vale as he got back on the bed.  “You owe me for it, though.”

“What do I owe you?” Vale asked, as Ciaran smirked, moving his face closer to Vale’s and-

Vale jerked his face away, eyes widened. ”What are you doing?”

“Oh, shoot, sorry. I didn’t think,” Ciaran blurted out, pulling away. “I shouldn’t have, I’m sorry.”

“I… I was just surprised.” Vale muttered, averting his gaze, “You can do it again. I guess.”

“You’re sure?” Ciaran asked, and Vale nodded. His hands reached up to caress Vale’s cheek and he slowly brought their lips together.

“Vale! Mom made you two lunch!” Valerie barged into the room, and paused.

Quickly, Ciaran pulled away from the kiss, and both of their faces were flushed red.

“....Dang it! I owe Dad 20 bucks!” Valerie frowned in defeat. “Go eat lunch! Then you can resume your little make out session.”

“Give us a second,” Ciaran said, and Valerie nodded, closing the door.

“What are we?” Vale asked as Ciaran ran fingers through his blue hair.

“Boyfriends, I guess.” Ciaran hummed, giving Vale another quick peck on the cheek. “C’mon.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Vale smiled a little bit as he got off his bed and walked out of his bedroom with Ciaran.