blue hair and bruises.

9 - Daddy Issues

"Travis, can I have a word?"

Travis shifted uncomfortably in his place. He was left alone in the kitchen with Henry, Sal nowhere to be seen. Henry gestured for him to sit. He slowly placed himself at the table.

"How's your arm?" Henry asked gently with a nod. Travis briefly glanced at his arm.

"Um, better," he replied, "Sal is much better at this than I am."

Henry nodded again. "Y'know, none of his previous friends would've done what he's done for you. Sad, isn't it? But it's just the harsh reality of it."

Travis was puzzled. He wondered where this was going. Why did he want to talk? 

"Travis, I'm going to tell you what I told that other boy."

Other boy? What?

"See, Sal obviously doesn't have a lot to say - not verbally, at least - and he doesn't really enjoy the presence of strangers, but despite all of that, he's quite a social kid. I'm sure he'd talk your ear off if he could bring himself to find his words. That said, he's as anxious as they come. In the past, his so-called 'friends' would leave once they realised just what his problem was. Usually, he'd be unfazed by this. The problem was that he'd already grown attached. After that, he just got accustomed to being alone. I need to make sure, for the sake of my son's mental state, that this doesn't happen again. If you are to get involved with him, can you promise me you won't abandon him? Would you do for him what he's done for you? It really is time for him to have real friends around."

Travis fidgeted with his fingers awkwardly. "Well, I probably would, to return the favour, y'know?" he began, "He's probably the only person who listens to me and my stupid issues. But  I never planned on being his friend. He just... found me."

"Ah, but that's what separates you from young Larry. The key word is if."

Oh... it was Johnson.

"Larry took an interest in Sal. He didn't have to approach him, but he did. He likes Sal. He likes his company. He took on board everything I said and assured me that he wasn't about to abandon him. You, however, have no real obligation to stay. Sal approached you, which is pretty amazing, considering he very rarely approaches anyone first. If you choose to keep a distance, he'll understand, but he'll want to look out for you from that distance. I think he saw something in you. I don't know what. He won't tell me. But he saw something."

Travis was confused. He didn't have a something. He was just some asshole in his grade, who pushes people out of the way and calls them names. What could Sal have seen? What made him care?

Henry broke the momentary silence. "Y'know, he's nearly sixteen years old," he stated. "I was a teenager once. The times haven't changed completely. Most kids his age are enjoying their days of puppy love and high school romance. Sal hasn't ever had a girlfriend or a boyfriend, only crushes. Maybe it's time he gets out a little more."

"Wait," Travis interrupted, "is he...?"

"Oh. He's bi."

"And... you're okay with that?"

"Of course. In this day and age, why wouldn't I be?"

Travis looked down. "My father always told me that God hates... those people. He says they're disgusting."

Henry chuckled. "God also said not to judge others. I think your dad has more of a personal bias he's teaching you."

~

After Travis had left that afternoon, Henry sat on the couch watching TV with the cat. 

A paper airplane graced his vision and landed on the cat. He looked towards its origin. Sal was standing there, arms crossed again. Henry smiled. "What did I do now?" he asked rhetorically, picking up the airplane and unfolding it.

What did you say to Travis?

"The same as I said to Larry. Well, a little different."

Sal groaned.

"I'm just looking out for you, bud. Don't hate."

The boy then proceeded to lightly punch his dad in the arm. Henry looked at his son's hand.

"Travis also told me to make sure you're dressing your own wounds too. Didn't wanna say it to your face. He's kinda awkward, isn't he?"

Sal sighed and relaxed noticeably. He placed himself next to the cat.

~

On his short walk home, Travis thought back over the events of his afternoon. In particular, he noticed the stark difference between Sal's father and his own. Henry was very gentle with his son. He was patient and understanding with him and cared deeply for his well-being. This was something Travis could only dream of having with his father.  It was at this point that he really realised just how starved he was for affection. He could see his mother every once in a while, but somehow it wasn't enough. He wanted more.

Travis then thought about Sal. He thought of how the boy had begun to break down his barriers, and just how pathetic it was that he could do that so easily, after such a short amount of time. Damn this kid, getting in his head.

When he approached his front door, he was overcome with the desire to return to the Fisher household instead. When he opened the door, the house was already drenched with the rancid smell of alcohol. He tried his best to subtly retreat to his bedroom.

"Where did you go today?" 

His father's voice stopped him in his tracks. With bated breath, he walked over and stood nervously by his father's recliner.

"School told me you pulled a vanishing act," the man continued sternly.

"T-there was an incident at school," Travis replied, "I was with a friend. He was... helping me." A firm hand gripped his wrist. He winced.

"Those are different clothes."

"M-mine got dirty."

"You're not sneaking around with some little sodomite, are you?"

"No, he's - I'm-"

"No, sir."

"...no, sir."

Travis made a weak attempt to pull away, but the man tightened his grip. The boy bit back a pained yelp.

"Make yourself useful. I need another can."

((A/N: Ugh sorry every chapter just gets suckier. Sorry for the slow plotline. Sorry for the inconsistent updating schedule. 

If you haven't noticed, there are some low-key venty things about this story. Thanks for reading. I didn't expect people to read it.))