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- 03/11/2016
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
Timothy’s Terrible Prompt Stories - 45. Prompt 246 What now?
A Rob POV chapter, going back in time a bit in relation to the previous chapter.
“What now?” Rob muttered under his breath as he entered the locker room and saw most of the baseball team in the middle of a heated discussion.
Practice had gone well, their coach had still been pleased with the win on Saturday, and everyone was in a good mood. The assistant coach had concentrated on Jazz, making sure he rested his wrist in between working on his pitching. Rob had helped out by batting whenever the pitching coach took them out to the mound to test specific pitches. Jazz had a wicked curveball. Mitchell had stayed with them, together with the junior catcher, Tobias, who had gotten a lot of work with the two guys taking turns.
Rob couldn’t help smirking at his own thoughts, which in another context would have a very different meaning. He had no doubt Eric would pitch in his relationship with Nelson, but would he also catch? The dark-haired junior had boldly stated he was versatile, and Rob had noticed Eric’s shock at the time. But since they had sorted out the matter in private, he still didn’t know what his younger brother thought about this part of having a boyfriend. He smirked again at the memory of walking in on Eric making his boyfriend moan; yeah, his little brother was a true Perry – hot, determined and irresistible.
Rob had walked towards the knot of players, while indulging in this fun speculation, and now pushed through team members arguing with or watching the two main protagonists facing each other. Somehow, he wasn’t surprised to see the red hair of Jasper, but he didn’t expect him to be naked apart from a towel round his hips. Across from him stood Chris who was still in his baseball uniform. Mitchell stood next to Jasper and he had his arm around Tobias who looked as if he was about to faint. Rob wanted to curse the coach for delaying him on the field with questions about matters that could have waited.
“If I don’t object to anyone looking, why should you?” the redhead was saying.
“I don’t want him perving on me!” Chris shouted.
“As if anyone wanted to look at your scrawny ass and useless junk.” The words fell out of Rob’s mouth before he could stop himself, and everyone went dead quiet. He could almost feel Jazz trying to decide between rolling his eyes and laughing. Well, Chris probably didn’t even jerk off, he was so uptight.
Mitchell was the first to gather his wits, and Rob made a note he owed the clever starting pitcher. “OK, seriously now, have any of you ever been made uncomfortable by someone looking at you here?” They all knew he didn’t mean the general checking out of other guys.
There was a general murmur of denial, but Rob could feel the situation was still volatile. Was Tobias gay? He’d never thought about it, but the guy was quiet and mostly kept to himself, even among the juniors. He was a good catcher, threw precise balls to the basemen and was doing well on learning the signals, and suggesting the best pitches for the batters the team faced. But the kid looked so terrified, his brown eyes huge, he might decide to give up baseball rather than having to deal with any future trouble.
“No? Well, that’s what I thought. In fact, I’ve heard the problem’s normally the other way, with gay guys feeling intimidated and uncomfortable with locker room talk and behavior.”
“That’s ridiculous. They should simply stay away or man up.” Ryan’s voice took the focus away from Chris for a moment, but Rob quickly brought it back.
“Since you’re the only one with a problem, Chris, why don’t you leave? We need Tobias on the team a lot more than you, and this is even truer for next year.”
“Why should I leave? He’s the one causing problems with his evil, perverted ways.”
“What exactly do you mean by evil?” Rob knew everyone expected him to punch Chris again, but since it hadn’t helped the idiot see the light, he saw no point in getting thrown off the team and suspended for fighting in school.
“Lusting after other men—”
“You mean gay?” Rob interrupted, and Chris nodded and seemed to brace himself for a punch.
“Did Tobias say he was gay?” Out of his eye, he saw the junior in question shake his head frantically.
“No, but the way he kept looking at Jasper while he undressed…” Chris’ disgust came across loud and clear.
“Oh, so you’re familiar with how to look at guys if you find them attractive? I wonder why?” This question from Jazz brought out a few grins, chuckles and comments from most of the group around them. Chris wasn’t stupid enough to react to the taunts, and Rob waited for the moment the noise died down.
“The only evil here is you looking for guys to point fingers at. Who will be next?” He gestured around, and the tension spiked again.
“I say you need to leave now and not come back, before you destroy our baseball team with your stupidity and hate.” Jasper pronounced the final verdict.
“I agree.” Mitchell and Rob spoke together, and several other people in the group backed them up.
“Just fuck off, Chris.” – “Jazz is right, get out.” – “We don’t need your holy shit here.” – “Go home.”
There were plenty of people who kept quiet, and Ryan was nowhere to be seen. But it was clear the majority of speakers, and most importantly of the popular jocks, were on the side of Jazz and his two senior wingmen.
Rob made sure not to sound triumphant. “We’ll forget about this if you do. But there had better not be any rumors or gay-baiting going around. Goes for all of us, right?” He knew the story would get out, but hopefully no one would gossip about Tobias. Jasper seemed to be thinking along the same lines.
“I’m sure none of you want to find out how Nelson would react to anyone being bullied on this issue.” His smirk was fiendish and had several people cringing. Nope, no one wanted to face Nelson in a righteous rage.
The trio stayed behind as everyone except Tobias scattered to get showered or go home. The catcher’s legs suddenly buckled under him, and only Mitchell’s arm around his shoulder saved him from dropping to the floor.
“Whoa, buddy, sit down,” he said as he guided the shaking teen down on the bench next to them.
“Th...thanks,” the pale junior stuttered. Rob sat down beside him and patted his shoulder. Jasper stood in front of them, and there was no mistaking the slight blush bringing color back into Tobias’ face. It came as he glanced up at the almost-naked body of the frowning redhead.
“For Chrissakes, Jazz, will you get some clothes on and stop flaunting your stuff! Go find Carolyn if you want to get laid.” Rob made a shooing gesture and tilted his head slightly towards Tobias to indicate he would deal with the shaken catcher.
“Rob, we need to…” Jasper began, and then shrugged. “Right, I have to get out of here; I promised to pick up Nelson and Eric. We’ll talk later.” With that he unhitched his towel and strode into the shower area to be met with catcalls and good-humored ribbing. His answer was indistinct but undaunted.
“Hey, I … help … hot. Look all … touching … reserved for … Carolyn sure…” A roar of laughter followed, and Rob and Mitchell grinned at each other. Trust Jazz to appreciate the attention.
Tobias put his head in his hands and muttered, “Shit.” His short dark hair curled damply at the back of his neck and around his ears.
Rob was sure his face changed too, as Mitchell developed a worried expression.
“Uhm, Tobias, you did know Jazz has a girlfriend, right?”
“What? Oh, yeah, of course. Carolyn is in my class, she’s really cool.” He suddenly sat up straight and looked from one to the other. “Wait, did you think I was crushing on Jazz? Dude, no way, although I’ll admit he’s good looking.”
Rob was surprised when Tobias shook his head and managed a laugh, even though his blush was getting more pronounced. It was obvious he meant what he was saying. Was he straight after all, or simply sensible enough not to crush on straight guys? No matter, this wasn’t the time or place to get to the bottom of the story.
“OK, let’s get cleaned up.” He stood up and began shedding his clothes. Mitchell moved over to his bag and did the same, but Tobias hesitated. Rob deliberately stripped completely before he faced him.
“Look, dude, you’ve showered with us plenty of times before. Don’t act any different, or that idiot will win. Whether you’re straight, gay or bi, it doesn’t matter. You’re part of the team and you belong here. Anyone who has a problem with that can go fuck themselves.”
Somebody cleared his throat behind Rob, and the blond teen turned his head to see their coach stand in the door to the locker room. 'Oh shit, now what?'
If you want to know what Jasper said in the shower, check out this post in the story discussion topic.
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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