Crown-less Kings

A Pepsi for the Birthday Boy

I think Rey was still remembering what happened at the steakhouse more than he should for his own good. Whenever we would walk in the hallways, our hands brushing against each other, and a person looks at us weird, I feel him tense slightly. He never pushes me away or says anything, but I know he's still hearing the nasty words repeat in his head. 

I knew what it was like, it happened to me not too late after I came out. It is shocking. And kind of scaring. You never forget your first bad experiences. I can still feel the shaky feeling I did nearly four years ago when I remember it. But I also know that it will happen again as long as he's dating a man in public, and sadly he's going to have to learn to push it away and keep living however you want.

Luckily, Rey had his birthday bash to keep his mind off it. The Dyke's decided to let their kids have the house and throw a little party for their birthday, so they booked a hotel in the city that Rey works. The twins and I forced Rey to take Friday night off so he could stay home for the 1/3 part of the party dedicated to him.

I'd already greeted Reagan and Riley at their lockers with a party horn, balloons and streamers all over their lockers with an evil smile. And then I started singing happy birthday so everyone else in the hallway joined in spite of not actually knowing what was going on which made it even funnier. Reagan looked mad and Riley's face was as pink as a peach. 

I shift on my feet and bite my lip when I see Rey coming down the hallway with Marvin blabbering on about something. But Rey sees me and doesn't take his eyes off me. I bite my smile back and Marvin keeps talking.

"Oh," About five feet from me, Marvin finally realizes I'm at Rey's locker looking kind of suspiciously, "Hi Barkley."

Marvin and I have actually been getting along better as of late, sometimes when Rey doesn't have to sleep for work, Marvin goes over and I occasionally join them in video games or Mcdonald's runs. I'm just really glad that Rey is getting a friend back.

I tilt my head and give him a quick nod, "Hello Marvin. Sorry to interrupt whatever you were rambling about, I just want to give Rey a quick present to Rey before class."

Marvin just rolls his eyes, "I'll catch at the second period, lover boy," and walks away. I'll have to thank him for that later.

I smile and press a hasty kiss to his lips because I just can't help it anymore, and then take a step back, "Ok. So I'll give you your actual presents later. But I was getting the twins Starbucks and I didn't know if you would want Starbucks so I grabbed this."

And then I present him with a bottle of Pepsi and a small bottle of barbeque sauce. His eyes widen at the sight of them and I bite my lip again so I don't squeal or something.

His eyes flick to mine, his lip twitching up and I can't hold back I giggle anymore. 

"Thanks, Barkley. Best present I think I'll get this year," He takes the Pepsi from my hand, "But I actually have an obligation when it comes to Pepsi."

I raise my eyebrows and pretend to be surprised, "Oh, really? I had no idea."

"Yeah," His lips twitch again and he leans in. He presses his lips to mine slowly, savoring the contact before pulling back again, "Thanks."

I shake my head, my cheeks flushed, "Uh, you know, I totally forgot but I actually can't just give you this sauce. Yeah, its some rule some weirdo made up that you can't have barbeque sauce without kissing. I mean, I don't make the rules-"

He cuts me off with another kiss. His lips smile against mine and someone coughs behind us. We pull apart, both of us partially blushing at the feeling of being caught.