Being Different

Some Like it NOT!

A/N: Hi YAH!!! Darius goes over the specifics with the students while keeping an eye on Randy and his son. As they participate, Mick and Damien train together and Randy...well...

Damien POV

To my surprise, Randy had enrolled us in my father's defense classes which were an hour before football practice. My father watched bemused at this fact as we entered the studio in the next building.

He had spread out some Judo mats on the floor and stood there checking off our names on his clipboard. We had been told beforehand to dress comfortably so all the participants were in tee shirts and sweatpants. We had also removed our socks and trainers. Once my father had ticked off all our names, he shifted onto the main mat, and sat cross-legged, facing us.

"Welcome to the first of your 8 classes in self-defense. My name is Darius and I will be your instructor for the duration. I want you all to relax so let's do a series of stretches to get started, shall we?" My father winked at me. He then beckoned to us all to stand, and we did our stretching exercises as told, following my father's movements throughout.

"Geez, I didn't know how supple your dad is...For a buff guy he sure can stretch!" Randy leaned over and whispered to me. The others had overheard his remark and snickered loud enough for my dad to hear.

"Care to enlighten us, Mr. Crum? I expect your full attention and focus right now, so no talking please" My dad indicated to Randy which rendered a blush out of the poor guy. I couldn't help but smirk because Randy's blushing went all the way up to his ears, which I thought was kind of cute.

My father took us through our paces, learning the correct stances which I already knew from my own training back at home. He then paired us, sneakily separating me from Randy on purpose to which such action made me roll my eyes and chuckle quietly. I could see how it disturbed Randy greatly because he naturally assumed that he would obviously partner with me.

I was quite pleased to partner with Mick who had become one of my closest friends, as well as fellow teammate. I was careful with Mick but I could spy Randy out of the corner of my eye, especially when Mick had his arm firmly wrapped around my waist in order to try to throw me.

Now Randy had a jealous streak which could not be curbed at times, this being one of them. "Hey, what's with the hands Mick? Watch what you're groping there, pal!" Randy barged in on us while we were practicing the assault and throw move.

"Okay, that's enough practice. Let's see what you've all learned so far. Randy, would you do the honors of starting the practice round?" My father had seen the commotion Randy was causing and abruptly stopped the practice, motioning to Randy to take to the floor with him.

"Focus on me Randy. I am going to attack you and I want you to try and throw me, okay?" My dad shot a stern look at Randy who was still scowling at Mick who was seated next to me. But then, in a flash, dad came at Randy and he was totally unprepared for the blow which caused Randy to fall full force onto the mat.

"Oops, okay...You were supposed to be paying attention Randy. What's wrong with you?" My dad gently grabbed Randy by the arm, helping him up off the mat.

"Sorry, sir...I lost my focus, I guess..." He apologized, scratching the back of his neck.

"Let's try that again, and this time, focus!" My father saw the gleam out of the corner of Randy's eye as he looked at me. Mick had thrown a friendly arm over my shoulder which meant nothing but Randy was taking this all the wrong way. Mick looked upon me not only as a friend but a brother and I simple reciprocated because I had felt the same way.

This time my father really came at Randy, expecting him to be able to fight back, but again my dad easily tackled the guy to the mat once more. My dad sighed outwardly, pulling Randy up from the mat yet again.

"Okay, everyone. Take your partners to specific mats across the room and practice together. I will come around to each of you to see if you've been able to understand and use the technique that I had just demonstrated with Mr. Crum. Let's go!" My father clapped his hands and we each grabbed a spot on the mats around the room.

Mick came at me and I easily threw him over my shoulder. Then I came towards Mick and he threw me over his shoulder as well. We slapped palms, congratulating each other when Randy rushed over without warning, tackling Mick to the mat which knocked the wind out of him. I shoved Randy off of Mick, helping the guy into a seating position while Mick caught his breath.

"Hey, HEY! What the hell is going on here? Randy, what are you doing over there when you're supposed to be partnering with Robin? What's going on?" My dad rushed over to see if Mick was hurt. He instantly pulled Randy off to the side and gave him a good scolding out of earshot from the others. But they could see how angry my father was.

After reprimanding Randy, dad came over to check on Mick, who seemed fine but a little flustered after Randy's attack. Randy stood to one corner, sulking. I was furious at Randy for being jealous over Mick when the guy did nothing wrong.

After the class was over, we went to get changed into our football gear. But dad made sure that Mick was up for practice since Randy did tackle him quite hard. Mick reassured my dad that he was used to Randy's tackles, even worse ones on the field and that he was good to go to football practice.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Mick and I were practicing our moves and you come over acting like some big gorilla who just got his mate stolen! Are you out of your damn mind?" I whispered, yanking Randy's arm as we stood beside our lockers grabbing our gear.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me, okay?" He seemed uneasy, as he fidgeted with his helmet.

"Mick is a very good friend and I don't want to lose that friendship on account of you being ridiculously jealous, is that clear?" I wagged a finger at him, as I pulled out my own stuff.

"Okay, I get it...I'm really sorry, babe..." He offered remorsefully.

"Babe? Since when did you start calling me, babe? You should be apologizing to Mick, you idiot...go over there and just tell him that, okay?" I couldn't be mad at the guy for long since he melted me with those puppy dog eyes of his.

I relented and gave him a playful punch on the arm, before pushing him over towards Mick who was seated on one of the benched putting on his football cleats. I watched the small exchange of words between the two guys and I knew that Mick had a good heart and was a forgiving soul. Mick even patted Randy on the back as a kind gesture in acceptance of his apology. The guy came back grinning widely.

"See? What did I tell you? Mick's a nice guy" I said, smiling at Randy as he came back.

"Yeah, real nice...but he'd better not lay a hand on you...cause you're mine..." He growled suddenly crowding the small space we stood in, pulling me close to him as he nuzzled into my neck. This sudden show of possession had me a really worried. Was I really that into Randy? Was I ready for this relationship even after all the stuff that dad found out about Randy's dad?