I Would Take A Beating For You

My boy

Julius

I wake up with Richie next to me. I try getting up but he's holding on to me. His stuffed animal collection is on his side of my bed. I've enjoyed the past few days of Rich being here. Call me cliché but I think I love him. Like truly love him. I just lie there. Never wake up something that cute when it's sleeping. "Morning Julius." Richie says sleepily after about 15 minutes.

"Morning babe." I say running my fingers through his hair. Damn, he has great bed head. "You sleep good?" I ask smiling at my boyfriend. "Splendidly." Rich says. "You are an amazing snuggler." He says rolling over to be closer to me. "Thanks Bleeder." I say. "Not you. Grey. Well I guess you're OK." He laughs. I flick him playfully.

We stare eachother for a couple seconds before getting up and getting dressed. It's saturday so we dont have school. We head downstairs. Mom and Jayla are in the kitchen. "Hey sis, hey Mom." I say kissing Jayla on the cheek.

Mom is cooking. "Wow, this is a family of morning people." Richie says sitting down next to Jayla. We all share a laugh. We eat breakfast. "Hey Rich. We should go out for a walk. Get some fresh air instead spending all day inside." I say looking out on the usually sunny outdoors through my bed room window.

"Sure. That sounds fun." Richie says. His phone rings. "Oh just let me get this and we can go." He says walking out into the hall. I nod and sit patiently. "Just leave me alone! It's my life!" I hear Richie shout. I know it's ot my place but I stand and listen against my bedroom door. "Mom. I'm telling you! He beats me! The fact that you even remotely think that I'm lying shows what type of mother you are! You're putting some asshole who just appeared out of thin air before your own son!" Richie says aggressively.

"I'm not telling you where I am, I'm not telling you who I'm with and I am sure as hell not coming home as long he's there. Go to hell, Christina." Richie say before hanging up. I walk out. "That sounded rough." I say. Richie looks at me. "Yeah. Sorry you had to hear that." He says

"Rich your mom seems really upset." I say. "Maybe you could at least let her know you're safe." I say. "She misses you man." I add. "I miss her too, Julius." He sniffles. "I miss everything about home." Richie says tearing up. "I'm really scared, Julius." Richie cries into my shoulder.

I "Why dont you call the cops?" I ask. "I'm a witness." I add. "Steve's a cop." Richie sighs. Our town is small and everybody knows everybody. And everyone thinks Steve is A+++ person.

"So you're literally trapped." I say blankly. "Yep." He huffs. "Damn." I say. I nudge Richie lightly. "Wanna go for that walk now?" I ask. "Yeah. That sounds nice." Richie replies with a faint smile.

Richie

We walk around the neighborhood. "Julius?" I ask breaking our comfortable silence. "Yeah?" Julius says. "What's that necklace all about? I've never seen you without it." I ask, motioning to a small glass ball around Julius's neck. "Oh. This? It's my Dad." He says looking down at the necklace. "Huh?" I ask. "My Dad died 3 years ago. It's just some of his ashes in a little thing. I put it on a chain and sl my Dad can always be with me." Julius explains.

"Wow. My Mom just put my Dad in the ground." I say. "Oh. I thought your parents were just separated." Julius says. "Nope. Gas line blew at my Dad's office building. He went to work 7 years ago and never came home." I say. "Man. I'm sorry that must have been tough." Julius says.

"Thanks. How'd your Dad die? If you don't mind me asking." I ask. "He hung himself. Him and My Mom really got into it one day and he just...snapped. He never seemed depressed he was always so happy. I wish we saw it coming." He says.

"Ouch." I say. "Look at us being the "Dead Dad club"." Julius laughs. "Members for life." I half laugh. "We are so messed up. But like perfectly messed up." Julius says wrapping his arm around me.

We get back to the house and head up to Julius's room. "Hey Rich, I think I'm gonna hop in the shower." Julius says, unzipping his jacket. That's cool ba- What are you doing?" I ask noticing that Julius has taken his shirt off.

"What? You're my boyfriend. You can see my goods." He chuckles. He is jacked. But no like gross ripped. He's buff but not huge. "Dude, what is your gym routine?" I say walking up to him. "Don't got one. I guess I'm just naturally toned." He says.

He is beautiful. "Okay I'm gonna take that shower. You coming?" He asks. "Like in the shower with you?" I ask. I'm kinda excited but scared at the same time. "I mean if you want. You're my boy." He says.

Julius

We hop in the shower. That's right. Me and my boyfriend showered together. I see all of the bruises and cuts Steve gave him. That dick, I'll kill him. Richie seemed scared at first but know seems relaxed. I can tell he feels safe when I'm around.

We get out. "Hey you got a blow dryer?" He asks. "Yeah." I say digging through my drawer. I hand him the blow dryer and he turns it on. He looks majestic. I have never realized he has so much hair. Dark thick luxurious hair.

We get dressed and sit on my bed. "Hey Rich." I say. "Let's 'play ask a question'." I add. "What's that?" Richie asks. "A game my Mom made up. We just rapid fire ask and answer questions about eachother." I explain. "OK. What's your middle name?" Richie starts. "Rome. What's yours?" I answer

"Tegan. What's your favorite color?"

"Blue. What's your favorite food?"

"Don't have one, I'm too indecisive. What's your biggest accomplishment?"

"Second place at the state spelling bee. What's your biggest phobia?"

"Spiders. Dogs or cats?"

"Why not both? Coke or Pepsi?"

"Neither, I don't have time for cavities. How much do you love me?"

"More than I love myself. How much do you love me?"

"More than Billie Eilish. Can I kiss you?"

I respond by kissing him passionately. "I love you." I say. "I love you too." Richie responds his cheeks red. "I think you're the most interesting person I've ever met." He says, pushing his hair out of his face. "Thanks." I smile.

I love my boy.