WINGS

CHAPTER TEN

Lunch had been satisfying, despite a few wandering eyes. But the place had been so busy, Mason didn't seem as bothered as any looming judgement got lost in the crowd. Afterward, they were walking off their lunch when Mason noted that Brent's always stayed close beside him. It was because his nightly college classes were held in the local high school building, he hadn't really associated with anyone in town except when he went to work. He just hoped Brent wasn't trying to prove a point. Still, Mason couldn't deny it was a little awesome to see a grown man cower away when Brent called him out. At least Brent had the muscle and skill to back it up.

As they walked along, Mason felt the weight of Brent's stare and turned at him. "What?"

"Don't let them get to you," he said, abruptly.

"I'm not," he said, pretending to look at things in the street windows.

"Liar. I can see it all over your face," he said, wrapping his arm over Mason's shoulder, pulling him close again. "Just leave the jokers to me, huh? I don't have a problem telling them where they can stick their opinions." Brent watched, and immediately took the silence as a sign. He stopped and pulled Mason to face him. "Hey," he said, "I mean it, I got you."

"I just..." he paused, feeling almost as cowardly as the vendor Brent had confronted earlier.

Brent studied him, he hadn't considered the obvious. He weighed in over the fact that Mason was a virgin up until a short time ago, which meant he probably didn't have much experience in the public eye. "Shit. I really fucked this up for you, didn't I? I'm sorry, Ace. This is my fault. I didn't even bother to ask you. I didn't stop to think how uncomfortable you felt because of me. Awe, baby, as much as I wouldn't mind kissing you in front of the whole world, I get it. I'll understand if you don't want me touching you in public."

"Brent, it's not that I don't want to, just...I don't know what I'm saying," he said, exhaling indecisively.

Brent turned his hard look over the town, a moment later he turned back around to face Mason. "Okay. Here it is. I want you to know I'll support whatever you want to do. I'm not mad, no hard feelings. I promise. So. I'll leave it up to you. Whether it's holding hands or hugging each other, or even just a kiss, which is going to be absolutely brutal for me, but I'll do whatever you want." Brent went to throw his arm around him but stopped himself with an inflicted sigh. Instead, he shoved his hands in his pockets, making his refrain obvious.

"You're doing that guilt thing, again. Aren't you?"

"What? Nah, not a guilt thing. I told you I'm okay with it. Come on." He played it off and threw a nod forward like it was nothing. Brent inwardly smiled as he broke the silence. "Now it'll probably be a little obvious that I'm pouting this whole time, but I won't hold that against you. Because you know, I just want whatever makes you happy." He hissed through his teeth. "But I will say, I can't be held responsible if you start missing me," he smirked and shrugged. "I'm just saying." After a few steps along the sidewalk, Mason sighed and glimpsed up Brent, acting as innocent as can be. "What?"

Mason shook his head. "You can be an ass. This is very serious Brent."

"Serious." Brent nodded. "Oh, I know." He began playing his miserable card. "Yep." He breathed, "Never, said it wasn't." He kicked at the sidewalk like it was dirt. 

And how could Mason not laugh at his poor display of pouting? "Well, could you stop being so damn charming about the whole thing. I mean, I'm not as confident as you are." Mason's voice faded. "I'm a little scared. I have heard about those hate crimes you know."

Brent looked down at him with all seriousness. "You're right. Hate crimes are real, but so is the way I feel about you. I was just trying to make you feel safe, hoping that you could find enough trust in me to protect you. Mason. You gotta know, I promise, I won't ever let anything happen to you."