Beauty King [boyxboy]

Chapter 6

"Where are we?" I rubbed my arms to gather heat. It was surprisingly cold out on a summer day, and I was only dressed in a thin white shirt and some jeans. The wind was blowing in my ear, and I had to raise my voice to allow myself to be heard above the din.

"On the roof." Stefon yelled. "What?" I strained to hear. Stefon chuckled and guided me to sit at a corner. After a moment, the wind quietened down and Stefon spoke, "We're on the roof of the hotel. I often come here when I need inspiration. Of course, and also when I'm sad or need to be alone etc." I looked out at the scenery and breathed. "It's amazing." I whispered. I sneezed lightly, causing a light smile to tingle on Stefon's lips as he took off his parka jacket and wrapped it around me.

"Well yeah, my mother first brought me here when I was a kid. Now, I'm 21, but I still like coming here. It's really peaceful. Helps me forget about my problems." "What problems?" I asked casually, because I really didn't know what to say. Stefon's eyes darkened and he stood, exasperated, "Nothing, the point is, you might be able to find out your talent here."

"Well I hope so too." And we spent the rest of the time, chucking stones over the ledge, in a quiet and nice peace, with a little bit of new understanding.

***

When dinner was over, everyone spent the rest of the time sorting out the Autumn wear clothes. We had to settle all the clothes by tomorrow, so that they would be able to be done by pageant night on Sunday. After looking through Fashionising's Colours for Fall 2013, Marco envisioned a trench coat which was what they called "grass green tones of nightfall", with a simple white shirt underneath, and really dark teal pants. To lighten up the look, a scarf the colour of autumn leaves is added to complete the look, providing a warm and fuzzy contrast to the dark twilight background.

I really liked the idea and because we were done so early, I was able to leave by half past nine. I skipped happily to my room, and leaped onto my bed. I was still wearing Stefon's jacket. I pulled the hood up, letting the smell of him overtake me. He smelt like a husky mix of mint and cinnamon and I really liked it. I wondered why he kinda looked faraway on the roof today.

Finally, I decided that I should take a shower. Reluctantly, I removed Stefon's jacket and headed in. I took my time, singing Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger" and Mike Posner's "Please Don't Go" at the top of my lungs. When I was done, I slipped into my jammies: a worn out band shirt and pyjama bottoms. I stepped out of the bathroom, still humming under my breath when I felt someone watching me from the corner of my eye.

Stefon was looking at me, an amused smile hanging on the corner of his lips, and an interested twinkle in his eye. My cheeks flushed red and I climbed onto my bed, "Well goodnight." I was about to settle myself to sleep when Stefon spoke. "Wait, I made you some hot tea. You have to take care of yourself you know, make sure you don't get sick before your big pageant night."

A tingly feeling filled my chest. Stefon made tea for me..? Wow, that was nice. I slipped into my bunny slippers and padded to the table where he had set the mug down. I took a slow sip. It was really good. Made me feel all warm inside. "Thanks." I smiled at Stefon genuinely, holding the mug with both hands because it kept my hands warm.

Stefon smiled back and spoke. "I heard you sing just now, you're a really good singer. I think that should be your talent for the pageant." I bit my lip hesitantly, I didn't know. I hadn't sung in public since... Since I was twelve and I had confessed to my crush through a song. At that time, I didn't know how not everyone accepted homosexuals, and I was publicly humiliated. I wasn't just rejected, people started making fun of me and calling me names and I had to move to another part of the State.

I shook my head, looking down and scuffing the floor with my slippers. "I don't think so..." I said softly, setting the mug back on the table. But Stefon wasn't about to take no for an answer. For the second time that day, I found myself being dragged to the roof.

***

Stefon's POV

I didn't know why, but I just felt that I should help January. I didn't know him that well, but something about him, made me want to protect him. Sheesh, the pageant world was vicious, and he was going to get eaten alive, what with being so innocent and all. And... He had said I was a good singer the other day. I knew he had said it softly, but I had heard.

So guitar in hand, and Jan in the other, I headed up the stairs to the roof. It was dark out, stars speckled the sky, and the moon hung low. As soon as he saw the sight, January's eyes widened, and he broke free of my grasp. He ran excitedly around the roof, whooping and giggling. "Look Stefon! I can touch the moon!" January cheered, jumping and pretending to grab the moon. I chuckled at his childish antics and walked to his side, easily "touching the moon." "With my 185cm height, I can reach the moon way easier than you can." I teased, causing January to huff and pout, crossing his arms.

I ruffled his hair and took a seat on the floor, holding my guitar in place. "So, what do you wanna sing?" At the mention of singing, the smile was wiped off Jan's face. "Come on Jan, just for fun ohkay? No pressure." I assured him. Uncertainly, January plopped beside me and we started singing Avril Lavigne's "Fall to Pieces", with my guitar in accompaniment. His voice was sweet, and filled with emotion. I couldn't help but cast my glance to him every now and then.

January noticed and stopped, giggling. "What? Why you staring at me huh?" He made fun of me, poking my ribs, causing me to jump. I batted his hands away playfully. "Hey stop dude, I'm ticklish. Besides I saw you sniffing my jacket earlier. What's with that?" I teased, raising an eyebrow curiously. At that mention, January blushed, poking me once again, mumbling. "Oh so you were spying on me earlier as well?" He perked up, having found more things to make fun of me.

We lost track of time, tossing smart remarks back and forth, and pretty soon, the playful banter evolved into a poke fight. I found out that January was even more ticklish than I was, squealing and squirming every time I jabbed him. When we ran out of breath, we lay on the floor on our backs, staring at the sky.

"Hey play Train's "Drops of Jupiter" please?" January piped up softly, and I nodded, reaching for my guitar and starting to strum. January sang, voice like an angel and I chimed in time to time, in harmony. The song ended and I looked at January, head bent down, his fringe covering a part of one of his eyes, face flushed. I didn't understand. "January," I approached the topic cautiously. "Why won't you sing for the talent segment of the pageant?"

At that, January fell silent and curled into a ball. I laid my hand on his shoulder and said gently, "January, what's wrong?" Then I felt him tremble. I lifted his head and saw that tears were streaming down his face. He was crying, silently. Immediately, I enclosed him in my embrace, keeping him safe in my arms. It just felt like the right thing to do. I just felt like I should. I stroked his back comfortingly, whispering soothing words into his ear.

When he had calmed down, he spoke. I didn't cut in, just held him, just heard his story, of what had happened when he was twelve, and understood. I felt his pain.   

I told him of my mother. How wonderful she was and how she had always understood and supported me in everything I did. Of how when I got made fun of being different when I was 8 she had brought me up to the roof for the first time. Then I told him about my father. Of how he was a drunkard, a gambler, a troublemaker. How he made my family fall apart. And always hitting my mother. Until one day, he really did hit her until she died. How I was a murderer's son. How I moved out when I was 15. How I never met someone who could make me open up like he did. And in just two days, I felt like he understood me more than anyone else who had ever knew me.

And he felt my pain.