To Be Bad?

Rebellion

Trigger Warnings- swearing, walks of religion, bars, gay bars, alcohol,

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     Patton Elijah Hart was raised in a good catholic family. He always followed the rules he was given, but from the time he was born, he would never be enough. In this society, some people are born with uncanny abilities. However, these skills are frowned upon and controlled in an attempt to "keep the peace" as world leaders would say. So the day Patton spoke and it ended in his mother's inability to control her own will, was a day his family concluded he must be Satan's puppet. They prayed and prayed for this little boy to be spared but their prayers were never answered. Patton stayed different.

     Now Patton was twenty-three, he was sick of the church, he was sick of confession, and most of all he was sick of trying to be perfect. But after being conditioned to act a certain way your whole life, you don't know any different. He decided that maybe it was time to do the unthinkable, act out, be rebellious, break the norms as some may say. So, he did what anyone, would do in his situation. Patton spent days thinking about it, building that confidence he so desperately needed. After a long self-reflecting journey he'd finally gotten that boost, he decided that he was ready.

     Patton found himself hovering outside the door to the closet bar he could find. He knew there was no reason he couldn't enter, legally he was of age. But those thoughts telling him this was unrighteous lingered in the back of his mind. Choosing to ignore these thoughts he rushed in immediately overwhelmed by thundering music. The smell of sweat and alcohol burned his conscious mind, making him feel waves of guilt wash over him. Makeup pigment and glitter are all he can see through the blinding colorful lights. A sea of people dances together sloppily in a drunken haze. Patton now finds himself wishing he had stayed outside, but there was a slightly giddy feeling coming from it all. Knowing what he was doing wouldn't be approved of made him take those steps further into the building.

     Patton finally found himself on a sticky worn-down barstool as he sat uncomfortably not quite knowing what to do. He fidgeted with friendship bracelets that dangled loosely on his wrist the other halves waiting to be found.

     "Hey there cutie what can I getcha," a bartender said suddenly, snapping Patton from his daze.

     He was quick to think up an answer, "Uhhh an ice water with a lemon? Ooh! Can I have a cherry too!?"

     "Yeah of course" the stranger looked Patton up and down before quickly completing his rather odd order. He placed it in front of him, "are ya waiting for someone?"

     "Thank you, and um nope I'm not why?" Patton asked slightly tilting his head at the man's question.

     "You just seem a little lost," they answered with a shrug, "and the only people who usually order a water are flat out drunk or the designated driver"

     Patton ate the cherry he'd been given before replying nonchalantly "Well, I don't drink, I just felt rebellious is all."

     "Right right. Well does the cute rebellious boy have a name?" He shamelessly flirted with a smirk on his face. This man could see innocence written up and down the guy sat before him.

     Patton choked on his water, shocked at what he heard. "Um, Patton?" He said hesitantly, what on earth was happening. "Did- did you call me cute?" he sputtered out

     They snickered at the reaction, "Well Patton I did. The names Remus," they leaned on the back counter to put some distance between the two.

     Patton's eyes widened like saucers. "Bu- but you can't... that's that's not? That's not allowed?" he said rather lost and unnerved by what was said to him

     Remus stared blankly for a few moments then laughed, "You're joking right? Do you know where you are Squirt?" He gestured around at the crowd. A few male exotic dancers on the stage entertaining the people who weren't too busy dancing or making out in some shady corner.

     Patton hesitantly looked around. Honestly, he was an idiot, there were men wearing makeup and not a woman in sight. Guys were kissing, well kissing was the nice word for it, in every free space. He was in a homosexual bar! Oh, God forgive him. His little rebellious stunts are going to land him in hell. Was this the devil tempting him to commit a homosexual act with this attractive bartender? Wait No why was it working? Patton shut his eyes and did the only thing he knew how to. He began to mumble out a prayer, begging for his forgiveness.

     Remus continued to stare. It was both entertaining and offensive so he decided to be a tease about it. As any normal person who didn't believe in god would be, "Are you praying? Oh honey it's too late for that. You are going to be with me burning in hell"

     Patton looked at him mortified. "That's not how it works right?! I can just tell father during confession and it'll be fine. As long as I don't give in to temptations I'm not being homosexual."

    "Oh so you're tempted?" they replied crossing their arms, "maybe this is just the place for you"

     "It's not normal to be tempted?" Patton asked, voice wavering, now freaking out. "No, it is! It's normal. It's the devil whispering in my ear like everyone's told me since I've been able to walk."

     Remus ran a hand through his hair as he shook his head, "uh no last time I checked it's not normal to be attracted to men Squirt. It may be the devil, but it's definitely not normal"

     "I'm going to hell!" Patton whisper yelled. "Good heavens, how do I get rid of it? I can't keep it it's sinful."

     "I know a perfect way to get rid of it" He turned around and grabbed a rum bottle and shot glass. They put it in front of Pat and poured the shot, "Here I'll even make it better for you" he plopped a cherry into the drink.

     "How is this going to get rid of it? " Patton eyed the shot glass wearily. "This seems like it'll just makes it worse."

     "It'll you know" he gave a little hand motion, purposely avoiding answering the question, "you know help"

     "Are you the devil you seem to want me to make bad choices..." He said incredulously

     Remus burst out laughing and profusely nodded, "Yes yes I am the devil, I'm honored you noticed"

    "That's not funny but can I actually get rid of my homosexualness?" Patton asked desperately he did not spend his life trying to be perfect only to have it ruined by a cute bartender.

     "Yup all you gotta do is take the shot, go up to the stage, give the dancers some tips and give in to your gayness." He gave a wink

     Patton looked at Remus in shock "I can't give in to the gayness or whatever you called it! Thats literally the opposite of what I need. Thats a forever sentence in hell. Maybe, I just bury it deep down and pretend it doesn't exist"

     "Or maybe you could realize that your religion is pathetic in thinking loving someone is a sin and go fuck a man" Remus offered

    "I can't- it's -I just" Patton stumbled over his words furiously. "I gotta go," he said before running out of the bar with the full intent of never coming back

     Remus shrugged and took the shot himself.