Self Inflicted

Chapter 4: Baseball and Pencil Sharpeners

When they were out on the field, Mrs Jennings picked teams, obviously keeping Billie and Mike on the same team.

Knowing them since they first came to this school paid off, she knew they were practically joined by the hip. She also knew that if they were in opposite teams, they weren't happy so they just sulked and didn't join in. It was easier to keep them together than apart.

Their team were fielding first, so Mike and Billie ran out to the field, trying to catch the ball as they laughed and generally had a good time. Mike was loving it, his thoughts were on the game and nothing else, until he actually caught the ball.

Billie had been so close, but Mike's height advantage made it easier for him. So he reached out further than Billie could and caught the ball perfectly, laughing when Billie yelled.

"Fuck you! I was so close!" He folded his arms and Mike grinned, turning around and getting ready to throw the ball, but suddenly fell to the ground when Billie tackled him.

Everything happened so fast, his arm was under him and he felt a crack before his arm started burning, and then after that he only felt pain. He cried out in pain and Billie frowned, rolling off him quickly.

"Sorry! Did I hurt you?" He rolled Mike over. "Your arm?" Mike nodded and clutched his arm tight. "Just take the bandage off and Mrs Jennings can take a look. I'll stay with you."

"No." Mike snapped, determined that the bandage was staying on. There was no way Billie was seeing his arm. "It's fine. It feels better."

Billie nodded but looked concerned, helping Mike up. "Tell me if it still hurts okay?" Mike nodded and the bell went, so they went inside and got changed.

They quickly changed, Mike hiding his arm the whole time like he was used to now. He didn't want to slip up, especially not in front of Billie.

Next class was Math, and Mike and Billie sat together like always, trying to help each other through algebra.

"So, in that case, x equals..?" Mike asked, watching Billie.

"...Milk?" Billie suggested, and both boys erupted in laughter.

The teacher; Mr James, smiled at them. He was reasonably young, mid 20's so was popular with the kids. Watching Mike and Billie laugh at simple little things that aren't even that funny made him laugh, too. Childhood is a precious thing, but he could see these two being friends for life.

When the bell went, the boys jumped up and grabbed their bags, Billie picking up most of the equipment.

"Hey Mike can you get that sharpener for me?" Billie asked, and Mike nodded and picked it up.

Mr James watched him as Mike examined the pencil sharpener before putting it into his pocket instead. He watched the two boys leave and said nothing.

----------------------------------

"Mikey can we climb our tree? Pleeeeease?" Billie begged as they walked down the path.

"Yeah okay." Mike cupped his hands around Billie's foot and lifted him up to get him into the tree. His arm still hurt like hell but he didn't want any medical attention, or attention in general.

Once up, Billie reached for Mike's hand and helped him up. This was a routine they were used to at this point.

Once they were settled, the boys leant on each other and talked about nothing and everything all at once. They had an amazing talent of being able to understand each other through looks and no words.

Billie was the only one Mike felt comfortable silence with. The pair could sit there for hours, completely silent yet having a conversation.

They sat until the shy went black and the first tiny white dot appeared.

"First star Mikey. Make a wish." Billie mumbled, clearly already tired.

"Okay. Done."

Billie looked up at him. "Did you wish that I'd be your bed slave for sexual fantasies?"

Mike let out a laugh but still blushed. "No. Come on. Home." He slid out of the tree and reached for Billie, catching him as he dropped. Billie climbed behind him and onto his back.

"Stay at mine tonight?" He mumbled, resting his head down onto Mike's shoulder and letting his arms drape around Mike's neck.

"Sure." Mike smiled and started carrying Billie home, not at all bothered about the fact he had to carry him.

He wanted to be as close to Billie as he could be.

When they got to Billie's, Mike went upstairs with him and set him on the bed, getting two pairs of sweatpants from the draw and getting onto his knees. He started unbuttoning Billie's pants but stopped when Billie looked up.

"No complaints." He winked, and lay down again. Mike blushed and tugged Billie's pants off, pulling sweatpants onto him. He stood up and changed into the other pair of sweats before climbing into bed with Billie and pulling him into his arms.

"Night Mikey. Love ya." Billie yawned, already practically asleep.

"Love ya too." Mike rested his head on Billie's and they both fell asleep.