Parity - 11. Veikko - "All Of You"

"So I don't know about all you girls out there, but I'm not big on Summer! I mean, pit stains aren't exactly in right now, and I'm always a hundred per cent paranoid that I'm looking like a hot mess! LEGIT! MMM, but it is the time of year when all the tall, cute boys wear their tank tops and tight shorts and stuff. Who doesn't love that? OH WAIT, I know! Me! Because the only person I get to see without his clothes on is this loser over here. Can you see him? If I just... there! You see this? Reima! In his undies ALL THE TIME. Never bothers to put on clothes like a person, no! No that would be ridic, hey Rei?"

"If I knew you were gonna broadcast me to the world I would've worn my sexy undies."

"See? DO YOU SEE what I have to put up with? Gawwwd. Tragic, right? And for those of you who think it'd be easier because he looks exactly like me, nuh-uh, it does not! So, this, aside from a brief winter spell in Helsinki, has been my summer! I see Rei naked more than I see myself naked. Do you know how weird that is?"

"Veik, PLEASE don't say stuff like that!"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't need more people commenting about twincest and stuff!"

"Oh, those people are so wrong. Not just about the twincest, I mean mega-ew, but like, do you think someone like me couldn't do better than someone like Reima? Insulting much? You know he was just the draft copy, right? I was the finished product! The one after they worked out all the kinks with the prototype! It's obvious, right? Look at him!"

"How is that even true? You guys know Veikko literally translates to 'brother,' right? Our parents gave me a name, then this dickhead comes along, and they go 'ahh... we'll just call him brother!'"

"I'd love to tell you he's full of crap, but that's true. Still, I'd appreciate if he wore a pair of pants at some point. Oh, Rei! I need you for something!"

"Whaaat?"

"Can you do me a huge favour?"

"Me being your brother is the huge favour!"

"Firstly, gross. Secondly, come and show everyone your feet."

"My feet? What?"

"Do it!"

"Why would I do that?"

"People send in requests to see my feet all the time, but I don't swing that way. So you're gonna do it! It's basically the same thing. Oh, come on! Since you're naked all the time anyway, what's the difference?"

"No! Now I feel all objectified! Nope. I'm out!"

"Close the door, dumbarse! Well, it was worth a shot! So, in other news, I have a new admirer! It was super weird at first because... well, we have a history! He was kind of a bully for a long time, and now he's so disgustingly sweet that I'm pretty sure he's giving me diabetes as a way of killing me slowly. No seriously though, he's an artist! And look! Look what he drew for me! And he gave it to me before school a few days ago, and he said he was giving me some flowers, and look! It's a drawing of him giving me flowers! It's that the cutest thing ever? Oh my gosh, I'm blushing just talking about it. How talented is he? It's gorgeous! He's still in the hospital right now, bless him.

"Now, as you all know, I'm not exactly a popular kid in school! I'm queerer than a three-dollar coin, and some people don't like that. Plus, I'm a bit of a queen and I rub people up the wrong way! I know that. I'm trying my best to work on it! So this boy - I'll call him Orochi because of his REALLY hot tattoo - he stood up for me when someone was getting rough with me! And then he got beaten up for it the next day, which sucks, right? I mean, there is an element of karmic justice there. He did beat me up once, but that was a long time ago, and people change, you know? He's still kind of a douchebag, but since school started he's been... I dunno how to describe it! He's just such a... cutie. He makes me feel special.

"I don't mean to gush like some tragic loser, but... seriously! Isn't he the biggest cutie pie in the world? He looks just like this sketch, by the way! I mean, dark, brooding emo is totally not my scene, but I suppose there's an exception to every rule. He has all these piercings, too! I mean, I'm ambivalent about them, I guess? It'd be stupid of me to say I don't like piercings because I have one in my tongue. See? Oh wow, I look like a feral with my tongue out. Soz. MMM, why am I single again? Oh, right! I'm a feral. So, if you happen to be watching this, Orochi - who am I kidding? Of course you are! Well, you know I'm too shy to say this to your face, but... I hope you're doing well and you're back in business soon! I miss you.

"While we're on the topic, the other guy I did like - the one I liked for a long time - he found someone else. And I want to be happy for him... but it's so hard to let go, you know? He meant everything to me. He still does! I think maybe he always will. And if this new guy makes him happy... I suppose I need to be happy for him too. I get so jealous, and maybe I let that get in the way sometimes. We talked, though! And I'm feeling better about stuff... and things. Reima, as much as he's a complete tosser, always makes me feel better! I wish he'd wear some clothes! Agh!

"So, I do have a few questions I wanna answer! Firstly, OvertMelon, I love your username! So, you want to know why I never speak about my sister? That's... that's a rough one, babes, but I'll answer it anyway. My little sister Jonna was eight when we lost her. She battled cancer all her life and it's not easy to talk about it. She was a doll, though! I loved her to bits and I still think about her! So if you guys want me to talk more about my sister, then maybe I'll start doing it! I miss her a lot, you know? She was terrific. Thank you OvertMelon!

"VeikkoLuvR wants to know whether... hehe, I'm a top or a bottom! Why do I get this question so often? Like, do you guys even listen? I'm a walking stereotype, babes! Bottom, all the way! And your name is the cutest!

"Supperstar01 is asking how they should come out to their family. Well, I dunno, babes! I don't know what it's like in your family, you know? MMM, I'm sorry, I can't answer that in this video right now, but I tell you what, you send me an inbox with that username and we'll talk some more! Hang in there, Supperstar! Is... is it meant to be superstar or... is that a typo? Hehe, never mind! Yeah, so message me! I'll get back to you, and we can have a chat, and we'll work it out together.

"Sorry, it's been a short video tonight! I've got a mountain of homework to do and stuff... well, I'll make it up to you guys in a couple of days, how about that? I wanna dress Reima up like Snow White, but he's not so keen on it. I'm sure if we get a thousand votes, we can make him change his mind! Thanks for tuning in, you gorgeous people! Have a great night, bitches! Veikko loves you! Mwah!"

Veikko smiled to himself. The camera did favour him, didn't it? He'd just finished editing the video he'd recorded last night, and he hit the upload button. He'd been doing this since he was thirteen years old, shortly after he'd come home from the hospital after... his extended stay there. The webcam was his diary. A place he could be himself. He poured out his heart to the computer, and then he uploaded it to YouTube. It wasn't that he intended to become an internet superstar - or supperstar? He laughed to himself. He just wanted to put his voice out there. To be heard. He never expected to become such a hit online. After his videos expanded from venting to games, funny rants and responding to the fans who watched him, he became very popular. Funny, he thought sadly. I'm a loser in real life. Everyone hates me. But online, they think I'm a hero. If I weren't so broken... if I could stop pushing everyone away... would they think I'm a hero as well?

"Oi," Reima interrupted him grabbing him by the shoulders and making him yelp in surprise. "Mrs Daivari's here."

"Already?" Veikko sighed. He wasn't sure he was okay with her coming for dinner. Vilma was starting to pressure him to talk about things that... he'd rather not discuss. He worked hard to forget. He didn't want to remember.

"Yeah but she's chilling downstairs," Reima was looking cute in his button shirt and tight blue jeans - clothes he stole from his brother. Veikko had to grin. Reima did look nice when he wore Veikko's clothes. It's not fair, he thought. Why does Rei look so much better in my clothes when we're physically identical? It sucks. "You alright, baby brother?"

"AHH Rei, why do you call me that all the time?" Veikko spun around in his chair and grinned at him. "Three minutes is hardly enough time for you to call yourself my big brother!"

"But you're the baby!" Reima teased and grabbed Veikko's arm, hoisting him up and out of his chair.

"Yeah maybe, but only because your fat arse fell out of her first," Veikko pushed him playfully.

"Early bird gets the worm, baby brother!" Reima pushed him back with a laugh.

"So? The early worm gets killed and eaten by the bird!" Veikko tackled his brother down to the bed and the two started laughing and wrestling together. It wasn't quite an even match. Reima was the stronger and more athletic of the two, having played sports since he was younger, so he invariably won when the two scuffled. Reima wound up on top, pinning his brother's wrists to the bed on top and using his free hand to tickle Veikko's ribs until he submitted.

"Who's the baby?" Reima challenged him with a malicious smirk.

"I'm the baby!" Veikko giggled uncontrollably and Reima let him go with a smile from ear to ear. The first thing Veikko did was get up and embrace Reima in a warm hug. He loved Reima. He was the best brother and friend anyone could ever have. I'm so lucky!

"You're doing okay today?" Reima happily squeezed his brother back and then gently rested his forehead against Veikko's. Immediately, Veikko felt... secure. Warm. Straight guy or not, Reima knew how to make his brother feel happy, loved and safe.

"I am," Veikko sighed. "You always make me feel better."

"Good!" Reima tickled him once more for good measure. "Cuz I love you!"

"You're a loser, but I love you too!" Veikko squealed and pushed his brother away. "C'mon, let's go downstairs while you still look like you're not homeless for a change."

Francine Daivari was one of the very few people Veikko ever talked to about his problems. She was the school counsellor and Psychology teacher, and he liked her a great deal. She was patient and friendly, and she never pressured him to talk. The psychiatrist that Vilma took him to was such an invasive bitch that it was all Veikko could do not to tell her to go fuck herself. Francine let him talk on his terms when he was ready, and that was what Veikko needed. There were so many things he worked so hard to forget, and he wanted to leave them behind. Those psychiatrists and therapists that Vilma tried to bring him to only wanted to drag up the past, and he couldn't do that. He couldn't live through that again. Still, the news he received today threw him for a loop. That's why she was coming to dinner tonight, just in case Veikko - and Reima - needed to talk about it.

"Hey boys!" Francine was a beautiful woman, Veikko thought. She was of Arabic descent, a tall, brown-skinned woman with very long black hair worn often in a plait. She was already sitting down at the dining room table in Jonna's old seat, sipping from a glass of white wine. Vilma was in her place, sipping from her own. The boys' mother was looking very presentable today, in a nice, figure-hugging red dress and her chestnut hair done up on top of her head in a pretty bun. Jonna looked exactly like her, Veikko thought with a smile. All three of the kids did. The twins took after her, particularly with their hair and eyes. The room smelled of pork roast, and Veikko's mouth watered immediately. It was his favourite. Reima's as well. Vilma didn't look too happy about the news either. Why would she? She'd been affected by everything as much as her sons.

The meal progressed reasonably well. No incidents. Veikko enjoyed himself. His mother was a terrific cook, and she spoiled him. Reima ate far too much and made himself feel sick. The twins did not bicker or argue. The news only brought them closer together. Vilma, too. They were a unit. A trio.

"So, who wants to talk about the elephant in the room?" Francine finally asked, and Veikko's belly suddenly felt empty in spite of the obscene amount of pork and roast potatoes he'd gorged on. Dread filled the place where only moments ago, his mother's love had kept him warm, secure and safe.

"I don't think anybody wants to talk about it," Vilma muttered, sipping down her fifth or sixth, maybe seventh - Veikko lost count - glass of wine. She was drunk now. "It's best that we do, though. Right?"

"They shoulda killed him," Reima grimaced, his words thick with hatred. "They shouldn't have put him in protection. Fuck him. I wish he were dead."

"Don't we all?" Vilma sighed sadly, and Veikko echoed with a sigh of his own.

"So, Jackson will be released on parole in just under two weeks," Francine explained, and Veikko felt faint. He knew eventually this day would come, but he was not ready for it. He never would be. While that man lived, he would never feel safe again. Not really. "He can't come within five hundred meters of any of you, though, thanks to the restraining order. Jackson has agreed that he will not try to contact any of the three of you, okay? If he does, he will go back to prison with extra charges."

"What if he comes after me?" Veikko suddenly felt alone and scared. Memories and feelings he'd worked so hard to bury were starting to come back to him.

"He won't," Francine reassured him and reached across to touch his hand. For nearly everyone else, he would take his hand away and maybe slap her. But Francine Daivari was unique to him. Francine, Reima, Dom and Vilma. And Maverick, he supposed. Maybe Selena, if she wasn't a bitch.

"But what if he does??" Veikko reiterated and began to hyperventilate. Fear shot through him. Pure terror. Reima was there, though. Immediately. Always. Forehead to forehead. As they did in utero, as they did nearing their seventeenth birthday.

"Then I'll kill him!" Reima reassured his brother. They were kind words, of course, but Veikko didn't believe them. Reima had nary a menacing bone in his body. Veikko saw the scar where his ulna bone had once pierced the skin. No. All he could see now were the bruises. Blood. Bone. His tongue instinctively licked over the caps on his teeth. The ones that had been broken. He tasted blood and shuddered. Reima was warm, though. Feeling his brother's face against his... it filled him with love. Hope. Joy. I have him, and he has me. Forever.

"We'll work everything out next week, I think," Francine's frilly pink blouse was ridiculous, but it looked good on her. "Tonight though, I'm here to make sure that we all get on the same page. I think all three of you would benefit from speaking to a professional."

"Like you?" Reima asked, gently rubbing his brother's back. It felt nice.

"Sure! You boys can make an appointment to see me at school any time you like, and Vilma, you always have my number, alright? But... this is a big deal for you all. I think perhaps you might benefit from speaking to a psychiatrist," Francine gently explained. Oh, so that's it, hmm? We're above your pay grade, so you want to throw us off to some stranger? Ahh, no thank you!

"I think that's a great idea," Vilma mumbled and nodded. She was not doing well with the news of her ex-husband's upcoming release from prison. "For the both of you, too."

"Yeah, alright," Reima gave an easy shrug. Pfft. Getting sensitive, private information from him was like getting wet jumping into the ocean. He'd spill his guts to any random stranger on the bus if he were so prompted. Everything was easy for him! He was prettier and he liked sports and he was straight and popular. Everyone loved Reima. Even Kellan McFuckface. Me, though? No. Everything's harder for me!

"No!" Veikko stubbornly refused. No way!

"Here we go," Vilma sighed, unhelpfully. Thanks, Mum. Have another glass, you drunk fucking slag.

"You sure?" Reima whispered much more helpfully in Veikko's ear, but Veikko's emotions were already in turmoil.

"I said no!" He violently recoiled and slipped away from the table, slamming the kitchen door behind him.

Why does everyone always insist on dredging up the past? Did they ever stop to think that maybe he was trying to keep it suppressed for a fucking reason? They weren't the one beaten half to death. I was! They have no idea what it's like! Can't they leave well enough alone? Ugh! He caught a glimpse of himself in the hallway mirror after he stomped up the stairs and his heart briefly stopped. Bloodied. Broken. Blackened. No. No no no. That's not me. He looked away and shut his bedroom door behind him. I need to throw that fucking mirror out. I'm done! I'm so done. Is it any surprise Dom dropped me like a sack of spuds when someone better came along? Frankly, I was lucky to have him as long as I did... and I never really had him, did I?

"Veikko," Francine's gentle voice broke through the door, and she knocked.

"Can you not?" Veikko shouted at her angrily, and then he remembered who she was. Mrs Daivari. She always did her best to do right by him. He needed to be nice to her because she was one of the only true allies he had. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I know you're upset," she replied gently. "I want to talk, alright? I won't pressure you into doing anything you don't want to do."

"Alright," Veikko perched on the end of his bed, tracing the scar on his forearm. It was so ugly. I'm ugly. I'm a mess. A fucking disgrace.

"Do you mind if I sit with you?" She slowly approached, closing the door behind her. He nodded, and some tears began to well in his eyes. "Oh, Veikko. You know you can talk to me."

"I do," he whimpered, and she sat close enough for him to smell the hickory-scented perfume she often wore. "I just can't, though."

"It's hard, isn't it?" Francine sighed and clasped her hands together.

"It's stupid!" Veikko exclaimed, his fingers never once leaving the scar tissue on his forearm. Pain. "Why would I want to talk about that shit? Why does everyone keep trying to make me?"

"I won't make you do anything you don't want to do," Francine shrugged. "Can I say one thing, though? Will you let me do that?"

"UGH, I suppose," Veikko sucked his teeth and rolled his eyes.

"Something truly awful happened to you," she looked at him, but he did not look back at her. Eye contact was something he didn't do anymore. Only with Reima and Dom. "Something that should never happen to anyone. When somebody goes through what you did, it leaves wounds. Not just on the outside," she gently touched the hand he was using to play with his pink scar. "But on the inside as well. Sometimes those wounds on the inside can get infected, and they make life a living hell. Talking about the past sucks, but the infection doesn't usually go away on its own. You need to peel off the scab and clean it out before it can ever heal properly. That's why I want you to talk to someone. I think you could benefit a lot from talking to a psychiatrist about post-traumatic stress, because I see you, Veikko. You're suffering. Do you see why I'm telling you this?" She put her hand on his, and he sniffed.

"I'll think about it," Veikko mumbled, his arms hugging himself. It's scary. It was all scary. "I mean it, okay?" He added when he saw the uncertain look on her face. "If you come with me, and Rei too, maybe I'll give it a go. A real go. Can I sleep on it?"

"Well, it's not like I could deprive you of sleep until you made that decision anyway," she laughed. "That'll be splendid. When you're ready, you come and tell me, and we'll make an appointment together, okay? I'll be there the whole time, and I'm sure Reima will be happy to help. We love you. All of us."

"Thank you," Veikko spoke truly and honestly. Open and genuine. "Is it okay if you leave now?"

"Sure. Have a think," Francine smiled and respectfully got up. "I'll be at school tomorrow if you need me, and you have my number if things get on top of you. Oh..." she paused and looked at the sketch Maverick gave him. It was stuck to the wall opposite the boy's bed. Maverick, proffering a handful of Japanese spider lilies. Veikko looked at it quite often and blushed. He may even have pleasured himself to it one and a half times. Looking at it again... he felt warm inside. "That's a nice picture," she said, but there wasn't an ounce of sincerity in her voice.

"Yeah! Maverick drew it just for me," Veikko told her happily, and she looked at him. She didn't look happy. Ugh. She always hated Maverick.

"That was sweet of him. Goodnight, Veikko. I better get home to my husband before he starts to miss me too much," Francine said on her way out, and she smiled as she shut the door. Veikko's eyes drifted back to the picture on the wall. Oh, what a cutie. Kellan McLeod was going down for what he did. Maybe Maverick didn't remember who beat the shit out of him, but Veikko fucking knew. If only he didn't stay behind in that lesson to help Reima catch up, Maverick might never have had his head kicked in. Ugh. That fucking cunt is going down, Veikko thought angrily. He looked at the eyes in the picture before him. It's alright, Mav. I won't let them hurt you like that. You might have amnesia, but I never forget a fucking thing. A vibration from his phone distracted him from his thought patterns.

Maverick: < Yo I want attention! >

Veikko: < Ahhh, you always want attention! >

Maverick: < Can you come entertain me? ❤️ >

Veikko: < It's a bit late cupcake, I'm sorry. >

Maverick: < I'm not that far away! Cmon! >

Veikko: < It's two bus trips! No ty, kthxbye. Tomorrow after school? >

Maverick: < I'm just outside your window, come out! >

Wait, what the fuck? Veikko sped over to the window by Reima's bed and peered out the window. It was dark now, only the last licks of the sun keeping the sky a beautiful lapis blue on the western horizon. He scanned the yard and fence underneath, and some movement caught his eye. A wave. Seriously?

Veikko: < AHH YOU ARE NOT JUST BEING A STALKER RIGHT NOW!! >

Maverick: < Come on out! I miss you >

Veikko: < Are you here to kill me? lel >

Maverick: < lol no I wanna see you x come down already! >

Veikko: < You SO owe me for this! Give me a moment >

Excitement flooded Veikko. Oh my gosh! Is Maverick here to see me? How does he knew where I live? He's out of the hospital? Oh! I look horrible! Aw my god, I look like shit! Argh. Why now? Briefly fixing his hair in the mirror, trying his best to ignore the images that flickered before him, he then snuck downstairs and out the back door, making sure he made as little noise as possible. Reima seemed to accept Maverick as a potential suitor for his brother, but both Vilma and Francine would happily tear him apart for what went on a couple of years ago.

"Took you long enough!" Veikko heard that gravelly voice and turned towards it, a smile already on his face. Maverick was leaning on the fence, arms folded and the moon shining on his terrific blue hair.

"Excuse you!" Veikko snapped back at him, gingerly approaching. He liked Maverick, and he knew Maverick liked him back, but that didn't mean Veikko's instincts told him this boy might turn on him at any moment. He broke my nose, he reminded himself. "You're lucky I came out at all! What are you doing, being a giant creep or something? Where does it end with you?"

"Aw, I missed you too, babe!" Maverick teased, opening up his arms and beckoning Veikko forward. Veikko couldn't help himself. He walked up and let the Japanese boy hug him nice and tight. He smelled intoxicating. Like... Maverick. Veikko felt warm and safe in those arms and hugged him back. Oh, it was gorgeous!

"It's not like I'm super mad to see you or anything," Veikko mumbled into the boy's warm neck. "But, like, why are you here right now? How did you find my house?"

"I saw your video when you uploaded it," Maverick released him and used his fingers to gently stroke Veikko's cheek, sending fire through his nerves with but a simple touch. "Orochi likes you too, you know. And hey, it's not like it's hard to find you, Carlisle. You've checked in here on Facebook a million times. It's like ya want someone to stalk you."

"So you admit you're stalking me!" Veikko poked him in the chest, and Maverick snickered.

"Maybe a bit," he answered honestly. "I can go if ya want."

"That'd be nice!" Veikko told him, and he was surprised when Maverick shrugged and went to take his leave. "Okay, fuck you! Stay just a bit longer?"

"I'd like that," Maverick grinned, and Veikko flushed. Why wasn't he like this two years ago? Why did he have to be such a horrible dickwad?

"How are you?" Veikko asked. He'd visited early on Saturday morning out of concern for Maverick's well-being, but that was a secret. Dom could never know about that. He would never forgive him. "They let you out? Do you remember anything yet?"

"I don't remember shit," Maverick shrugged sadly. "I dunno why. I know I really like you, though. I have for ages."

"Take care of yourself," a woman's voice broke their conversation up. Francine Daivari was walking with Vilma down the driveway to her car.

"Hide!" Veikko ordered, and dove behind the row of yellow rose bushes Vilma tended to every afternoon after she came home. Maverick, confused, did as he was told and ended up crashing into Veikko, the two of them laughing as quietly as they could.

"Who is she? Why are we hiding?" Maverick whispered, holding on to Veikko for dear life in case he was seen in enemy territory.

"Mrs Daivari. She came to talk and shit," Veikko explained quietly, letting Maverick's bare arms cuddle him close. Doesn't he get cold? Veikko wished he put on a jumper, but Maverick was here in a tank top and the feel of his bared arms was making the smaller boy colder by association.

"Daivari? She's a teacher at our school, yeah?" Maverick asked, and Veikko could see in the dim light of the moon that the boy's brow furrowed underneath his mop of blue hair. He's so beautiful.

"She teaches psychology. You're in her class!" Veikko watched as Francine hopped into her car, shut the door and started it up. "Wow, you did take a bad hit to the noggin, didn't you?"

"A few!" Maverick chuckled. "Memory should be back soon or something. I'll be good. Especially now that I'm hidin' in the garden with you."

"MMM yeah, that's not a story I think we need to tell!" Veikko turned to look at Maverick, who was already looking longingly at him. Oh!

Maverick came forward and gently pressed his lips against Veikko's, and the smaller boy didn't stop him. He kissed back. This is the first time I've kissed someone who isn't Dom, he thought with a flash of excitement. He almost felt like he was cheating on the Maori boy. Never before had he touched, kissed or even thought about another boy. It was Dominic Faye. Only Dominic Faye. Now, though, he thought only of Maverick Matsuda. The strange but gorgeous and charming boy who couldn't seem to get enough of him. We kissed twice, Veikko thought as Maverick's tongue began to lick and probe at his lips, begging for entry. Veikko tasted sweetness on Maverick's tongue and the metal of his lip piercings. It was heaven. Once, Dom was holding him down for me when he broke my nose and I kissed him to prove a point. The other time, he forced the kiss on me to even things out. Now, I don't think I ever want this to stop!

Veikko, naturally submissive, lay back on the grass and Maverick was on top of him, their bodies so hot together, fitting so well. Veikko loved feeling the slight but muscular boy on top of him. The blue hair, teased and smelling of hairspray, trickled down from the boy's head like blue lava and caressed Veikko's neck and chest. Maverick kissed him on his forehead, his nose, his cheek and then his lips again, each of his hands holding one of Veikko's wrists to the grass with a secure grip. Although Veikko was paranoid about being so potentially helpless, he loved it. Sex with Dom was always amazing, but it was so vanilla! Not being able to move with Maverick right now, even in the soft soil of the earth underneath the stars and the moon, was hot as hell. Maverick seemed to think so too.

"If you ever want me to stop, say 'fuck off' and I will," Maverick seemed to be reading his mind, pausing his ravaging and looking Veikko in the eyes. Maverick's eyes were strange. They had a sharp, austere angle, but the eyes themselves, almost black, were so soft and sweet. That's three people now. Three people he could happily look in the eyes. Maverick was one of them.

"Why 'fuck off?'" Veikko giggled, testing Maverick's strength by struggling to free his wrists, but the boy was much stronger than he looked. That sent blood rushing to Veikko's dick.

"It's very... Carlisle," Maverick heard those words, and even if Veikko did not truly mean them, he let go of the boy's wrists. "You're such a queer."

"Excuse you! You're the one sticking your tongue in a queer!" Veikko wanted so badly to feel the boy's tongue in his mouth again. It tasted so sweet! Maverick had been eating lollies or something before this spontaneous visit. It wasn't a surprise. In fact, Veikko often saw Maverick with some sweet or lollipop in his mouth.

"And I loved it," Maverick lowered his head and used his tongue to lick at Veikko's lips once more.

Veikko took the opportunity to initiate another deep tongue kiss. One that went from seconds to minutes. He didn't know how long the two were out there in the chilly night, Maverick's body on his, their tongues wrestling together and their hands roaming up each other's shirts. It felt like forever, but also as though only it lasted no time at all. When Maverick began to grind his hard cock against Veikko's equally hard cock, that was enough.

"Fuck off," Veikko ordered him, and Maverick did so, retreating and sitting up on his knees. He looked annoyed. Well, fuck you for real, then. I'm not some cheap slut you can fuck around with outside my house, thanks.

"What's wrong? Did I hurt you?" Maverick asked him, and Veikko shook his head.

"No, I just... it's a bit... I'm not ready," he admitted shyly. "Okay, maybe I like you. MAYBE. And I liked kissing you a lot. You're an amazing kisser. But do you mind if clothes stay on for a bit?"

"What? You want to kiss some more and fool around later?" Maverick asked, fluffing up his hair with his left hand. It was a habit Veikko found simply adorable.

"Maybe not tonight, if that's okay," Veikko didn't want to hurt the boy's feelings, particularly when they were getting along so well. "I think you're awesome, but I have no idea what you want with me, Mav. Am I just some quick fuck that you want or do you want more with me?"

"Why do you want to talk about this stuff?" Maverick sniffed, but it wasn't from emotions. Maybe he has allergies? We are in the middle of the fucking garden, after all. "Don't you just wanna be in the moment?"

"You hurt me," Veikko told the boy honestly, and Maverick cocked his head. Veikko didn't know what he was thinking, so he kept talking. "You hurt me for such a long time, Mav. I don't even know why you did all the things that you did. Now, you're stalking me and kissing me and getting bashed for me. I don't get you. What do you want from me?"

"I want you," Maverick replied after a short pause. "All of you."

"Do you mean that?" Veikko asked, his insecurity starting to flare up. No way someone like him wants someone like me. "If you just want to fuck, you can tell me. I won't be sad about it."

"Of course I wanna fuck you," Maverick looked at him as though he were foolish, but he got off Veikko's body and lay down next to him, his hand finding Veikko's and holding it. It was so warm. "I wanna do everything to you! That doesn't mean I gotta do it now, though. You drive me crazy, alright? I haven't been able to get you outta my head for a long time. I want you, okay? You and me. Whatever I've gotta do to prove it to you, I'll do it. I'll never hurt you again, aight? And I'll never let anyone else hurt you either. If you want me back, of course. So... do you want me?"

"Yeah. I want you so bad," Veikko laughed, and Maverick laughed too, leaning his head over and tenderly kissing Veikko on the cheek.

"You wanna be my boyfriend? Maybe?" Maverick asked, and Veikko was shocked at the boy's frankness. Do I? Maybe I do. Dom will never want me. Dom only wants Topher.

"Yeah, okay!" Veikko kissed Maverick on the lips again. "This is awesome!"

"It is," Maverick smiled so happily. He looked like an angel in the moonlight. A dark angel, but an angel nonetheless. I like him a lot. At least, most of me does. The part of me that hates everyone thinks this is a bad idea.

"I do come with some provisos, though!" Veikko reminded him, touching him on the nose. Maverick screwed up his face so cutely that Veikko wanted to keep him forever.

"Like I told ya!" The boy replied with a happy laugh. "Whatever you want, I'll do it."