Monday, November 12, 2018.

A sixteen year old Seven Solace sits at the bleachers on the football field, watching the football players practice after school was done for the day. He was never super into football, so he didn’t just go to watch them play. He went because he likes one of the boys on the team.

Thomas Ledger. He was the golden boy of the school. Was nice to everyone, all the teachers loved him, he was the best on the team, and yet he was single.

Seven watches the football fly through the air as Thomas catches it and starts to run. His blonde hair flowing in the wind as he runs is everything to him. However, Seven knows he’s probably only paying attention to Thomas because he’s trying to forget about Logan.

It’s been a few months since they’ve called it quits on their friendship. Seven knows it’s kind of his fault that they’re not friends anymore, but he doesn’t want to associate himself with people who won’t defend him. Especially over a girl. Seven would’ve defended Logan any step of the way. Maybe that’s why it hurts so much.

Seven loved Logan more than he’s probably loved anyone before. He even dreamt about him some nights. About how sweet he was, about how he used to give Seven presents for Christmas even though Seven couldn’t afford any for him, about how they did everything together. Sometimes Seven even thought they could be more than friends, but now that would never happen so he tries to forget about Logan as much as he can.

Eventually, the football team finishes practicing and everyone starts going their own ways. However, Seven stays on the bleachers, smoking a cigarette. He’s not ready to go home yet anyway.

Seven eventually notices that Thomas is walking up to the bleachers and his mind starts to panic. All that goes on in his head is “Ohgodwhatthefuckishedoing-”

“You’re on the bleachers every day that we practice and yet you never say anything.” Thomas starts up a conversation. Seven manages to play it cool even though he’s super anxious.

“What? I can’t enjoy football? Also, I’d doubt anyone on the team would want to talk to the trans guy, right?” Seven asks, scoffing to himself. However, to his surprise, Thomas didn’t know.

“What? I didn’t even know you were trans.” “Really?” Seven asks, fully catching him by surprise. Thomas nods. “I mean, look at you, dude. You’re 5’11”, you have stubble, and you’re decently muscular. I would’ve never guessed.” This makes Seven smile for the first time in a very long time. He could actually see himself being friends with Thomas.

“Where you headed?” Seven asks, hoping that they can talk more. Thomas smiles and readjusts the backwards cap on his head. “I was just gonna go out for some food. You’re welcome to come if you want.”

Seven shrugs his shoulders knowing he doesn’t have the money to go out and eat. He has to help his dad pay the bills this month so he can’t really spend anything. Thomas notices this.

“Come on… I’ll pay. I could use the company.” Thomas finishes up the conversation as he walks down the bleachers. Seven chooses to go with him. After all, what could really go wrong?

–

Thomas ends up taking Seven to a Chick-Fil-A. Thomas ordered a chicken sandwich and waffle fries while Seven just ordered a Coca-Cola, not wanting to spend Thomas’s well earned money. However, Thomas wants Seven to eat so as he bites into his chicken sandwich, he slides Seven over the waffle fries.

“Listen, I don’t want your money, man.” “You’re not getting my money. I offered to take you to eat and I’m sharing my food with you. That’s all. Take it.” Thomas tells him, still munching down on his chicken sandwich.

Seven looks down at the fries, realizing he hasn’t eaten in a few days. He finally accepts the food and starts eating the fries.

“Thank you. Now, why have I only seen you on the bleachers? I never see you in school.” Thomas tells Seven, questioning why. Seven shrugs as he eats another fry.

“I go to school, but I skip it most of the time. If I’m not skipping, I try to avoid everyone. My old best friend still goes here, and I try not to talk to him, so…” Seven trails on. Thomas nods his head as his hands contain half of his sandwich left.

“Is there a reason you guys don’t talk anymore?” Thomas asks another question. Seven nods, preparing to talk about something he hasn’t talked about since the day it happened.

“Uh… Yeah. You know Cindy Thatcher? Well, we both liked her. So, one day I went up to her to go ask her out and he followed behind me. She laughed in my face and pretty much told me I wasn’t a real man. He didn’t stick up for me and they started dating.” Seven finishes. He starts chugging his Coca-Cola, trying to feel less awkward/uncomfortable.

After Seven shares the story, it looks like something clicks in Thomas’s head. “Oh! Your best friend was Logan Adler? Yeah, he and Cindy are still dating. I’m sorry, man.” Thomas looks down. Seven nods. “It’s fine, it’s whatever. Fuck him anyway, right?”

Thomas nods along with what Seven said and he realizes he’s finished his sandwich and that Seven probably isn’t gonna touch any more of the waffle fries.

“Do you mind if I walk you home?” Thomas asks, hoping Seven says yes. Seven smiles at the offer. “Yeah, you can take me home, Ledger. I feel like your boyfriend and we’ve only known each other for an hour.” Seven jokes. Thomas chuckles as they both get up from their seats.

–

A bit later, Thomas and Seven end up on the street where Seven’s house is. As they walk down the street, Seven stops walking and stares at Logan’s house. The window to his bedroom is open and Seven can see Cindy, nude, on top of Logan. However, he can’t really see Logan. Or his face, anyway. He just sees his body under Cindy’s.

Thomas catches Seven staring and snaps him out of it. “I get that you hate the guy, but maybe don’t stare at them while they’re having sex.” Thomas says. Seven nods and scratches the back of his head. “Yeah, yeah… sorry.” He apologizes as they walk on.

They reach Seven’s house and they both walk up the stairs. Thomas attempts to go in, but Seven stops him.

“You’re not coming into my house.” “Why?” Thomas asks with his feelings slightly hurt. He’d let Seven into his house.

Seven sighs and rubs his forehead. “I just… I don’t really have a nice house, okay? And my dad’s not the most welcoming. I’d just rather not have you in there.” Seven tells Thomas. Thomas drops it and nods.

“Okay, I get it. Can I at least have your number though?” Thomas asks, getting a slight hint of blush on his cheeks. Seven smirks. “Why does a guy like you want my number? Usually jocks avoid me.” Seven states. Thomas scratches the back of his neck.

“Well… I liked today a lot. I don’t really hang out with anyone but the other jocks and some of the popular chicks, and they’re usually stuck-up and petty. You’re not like that at all. You’re different. You say what you’re feeling and you stand up for what you like. I’ve never met someone like that and I’d like to keep in contact with you. That’s all.” Thomas finishes.

This makes Seven feel really nice. Seven smiles and nods. “Alright, Tommy. You got a pen?” Thomas takes the pen he had sitting on his ear and he hands it to Seven. Seven takes Thomas’s arm and lifts his sleeve up. He begins to write his number on his arm.

Thomas smiles as Seven finishes. He puts the pen back on top of Thomas’s ear. “Text or call me whenever you want, okay?” Seven tells him. Thomas nods. “I will. Goodnight, Sev.” Thomas says as he walks down Seven’s porch stairs.

Seven smiles as he watches Thomas walk away with his sleeve still up. He’s falling in love already and he knows it, but he keeps that to himself and he’s thankful he finally has a friend. It also helps that Thomas is popular so maybe Seven won’t be as much of an outcast.

As Seven’s smiling, he walks into his house and sees his dad, Gregory, sitting on the couch with beer cans surrounding him again. Great.

Seven tries to ignore him by being quiet and trying to walk down the hallway to his room, but his dad catches him.

“Kid! Come back and get me another beer.” His dad says, fully drunk. Seven nods and sighs, having to do what his father says.

Seven walks over to the fridge in the kitchen and pulls out one of the beer cans from the fridge. He walks over to his dad, but doesn’t want to see or talk to him, so he throws the can for his father to catch.

However, with his father being so drunk, he doesn’t catch it and the can hits his head. This gets Gregory extremely angry as Seven realizes what he’s just done.

“You want to throw cans at me, huh?! You ungrateful fuck!” Gregory yells as he gets up and throws the can at Seven as hard as he can. The beer can hits Seven’s head and it spills open, drenching Seven in beer.

As the beer can hits the ground, Gregory marches towards Seven and grabs him by his shirt. “I wish I never fuckin’ had you.” Gregory tells Seven. Seven tries to push his dad off of him, but it doesn’t work. It just makes him more angry.

Gregory pushes Seven to the floor. Before he hits it, his head bangs off of the counter and then he drops. He feels blood drip down his head as his father gets on top of him.

“I do everything around here and all I asked for was a fuckin’ beer!” Gregory yells as he starts punching his son. Seven throws up his arms to protect his face but it doesn’t work when Gregory punches him in his ribs.

Seven yells in pain as his arms get drawn away from his face to his ribcage. Gregory then starts punching Seven as hard as he can in his face.

Those three minutes feel like an eternity as Greg keeps wailing on him. Eventually he gets off of his son and just looks down at him. Seven’s completely still but also shaking like crazy. Blood drips onto the floor as Gregory looks down at his son.

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“Maybe that’ll teach you to give your pa some respect, huh?” Gregory says with a smile as he reaches into the fridge to finally grab himself a beer.

As Greg makes his way back to the couch, Seven tries to get up from the floor. It takes a bit, but he eventually succeeds and limps back to his room.

Seven makes sure not to slam his bedroom door as he closes it. He then takes his bloodied beer-soaked shirt off and looks at himself in the mirror.

He looks as bad as expected. His ribs are bruised, his head is dripping blood, he has a black eye and a split lip, and his knuckles are bruised from trying to fight his dad off. On top of all of that, he smells of beer and he hates beer.

As he’s changing out of his clothes, he hears his phone start to ring. Considering he just gave Thomas his number, he assumes it’s him and he answers the FaceTime call.

It is Thomas. He’s in bed with his shirt off and his blonde hair’s dangling in front of his face. Hot.

“Hey, you.” Seven starts off with. Two things Seven forgot though. He forgot that he changed out of his clothes and not into them, so all he’s in are his boxers and he also forgot that his dad just beat the shit out of him so Thomas can see how fucked up he looks.

“Seven, what the fuck happened?!” He asks, worried. He only left about ten minutes ago. Seven shakes his head. “Don’t worry. I promise I’m okay.” “No, you’re not. Also, you shouldn’t go to sleep if your head’s bleeding like that. Let me come over. Please. I’ll sneak in through a window or something.” Thomas begs Seven. Seven eventually nods.

“Yeah, okay. Fine. Behind my house, there’s a window you can climb through if you can get up onto the roof. You’re tall and the roof isn’t that high. You can climb it.” Seven tells him. Thomas nods and hangs up. Seven smiles but gets anxious. He doesn’t want Gregory finding about about Thomas.

–

A few minutes pass and Seven hears tapping on the roof. He’s hoping his dad’s blacked out as he opens his window for Thomas. He climbs through the window and he lands in Seven’s room quietly.

“It looks way worse than it did over the phone. At least you’re still hot.” Thomas compliments Seven. Seven smirks and nods.

“So, you gonna clean me up, pretty boy?” Seven asks, trying to flirt a bit. They did just meet today, but he’s taking his chances. Thomas smirks and grabs some stuff out of his backpack. Bandages, paper towels, and alcohol pads.

“Come sit down.” Thomas orders Seven as he sits on his bed. Seven sits down next to him and Thomas grabs a paper towel.

“I have a question.” Thomas mumbles as he wiped the dripping blood off of Seven’s face with the paper towel. “Ask.” “I thought trans guys needed top surgery or something. Your chest is flat and I don’t see any scars-” “Hormone blockers. I never grew boobs, thanks.” Seven says, slightly irritated.

Thomas sets down the bloody paper towel and he grabs the alcohol pads. “I’m sorry, it’s none of my business. I was just curious.” “I know, I just don’t want to talk about that.”

Thomas takes the alcohol pad out of the packet and looks at Seven. “This is gonna sting.” Seven chuckles. “It can’t hurt worse than what already happened.”

Thomas takes the alcohol pad and starts to wipe it against the wound. Seven winces because of the pain. “I’m sorry.” “Don’t be. You’re helping me.”

He continues to wipe the pad against the wound as Thomas keeps asking questions. “Your dad did this to you?” Thomas asks in a low voice. Seven shrugs. “Yeah, but it’s my fault. I hit him with a beer can.” “Getting hit with a beer can and getting beat almost to death isn’t comparable, Sev.”

For some reason, this makes Seven angry. Thomas acts like he’s some sort of victim. No, it’s his fault. It’s his fault his dad beats him. It’s all his fault.

“You’ve only known me for a day, Ledger. Don’t start talking about my family.” “You’re right. I’m sorry.” Thomas apologizes. This makes Seven confused. Why isn’t Thomas trying to argue with him? Why did he just apologize?

“It’s my fault anyway.” Seven mumbles. “No, it’s not.” Thomas says clearly. Seven looks into Thomas’s pretty blue eyes as he finally patches him up with bandages.

“It’s never anyone’s fault they’re getting abused, Seven. Don’t say that.” Thomas tells Seven.

For a minute, they take a moment to just stare into each other’s eyes. Thomas’s crystal blue eyes that shine in the sunlight. Seven’s chocolate shaded eyes that are surrounded by his soft brown skin.

There’s too much tension between them, so Seven decides to break it. He’s not letting it go this time.

Seven moves closer to Thomas. He loops his fingers between the blonde hair behind Thomas’s head and kisses him. Their lips brush together as Seven realizes that Thomas didn’t pull away. He thought he would’ve. He never thought anyone liked him that way.

In fact, Thomas enjoys it so much that he grabs Seven by his waist. He twists his body and positions Seven under him. Seven groans in pain though because of his bruised rib.

“Sorry.” Thomas apologizes as he pulls away from the kiss. “I don’t care, it’s okay.” Seven practically whispers as he goes in to kiss him again. However, Thomas stops him. “I’m not gay by the way.” Seven smirks. “Whatever, man. Just fuck me.”

Thomas was lying to himself because right then and there, he starts unbuckling his pants as Seven pulls him in by his brown leather jacket to kiss him again.

Thomas successfully gets his belt off and he pulls down his pants. He flips Seven over as Seven groans a bit because of the bruises. He moves Seven’s boxers down and inserts himself inside of him, causing small moans from both of them.

Downstairs, Gregory hears everything. The moaning, the groans, the bed banging up against the wall, everything. He doesn’t care though. If Seven wants to get fucked by a guy, he doesn’t care. At least the kid’s getting fucking laid.

–

Daylight shines in through the window and onto Thomas and Seven’s faces. Thomas doesn’t wake up, but Seven does. He squints because of the light and he throws his arm up in front of his face.

He realizes that Thomas’s arms are wrapped around him and they’re in his bed, naked. Seven then tries to remember everything from last night.

He knows they hung out and Thomas took him home. Then his dad beat the shit out of him. He can confirm that part because he can definitely feel it. After that, Thomas came to his house and Thomas then also came somewhere else.

Seven moves out of Thomas’s arms and sits up on his bed. The pain his body is experiencing at the moment is so bad, but he’s so happy that Thomas actually liked him back. However, Thomas did say he wasn’t gay and Seven doesn’t fully believe that.

All of a sudden, Seven feels the bed start to move. He looks behind him to see Thomas waking up. Thomas opens his eyes and Seven smiles.

“Morning, Ledger.” Thomas pushes himself up from the bed with his arms and Seven can see how muscular Thomas actually is. How lucky to be screwing a football player.

“So…” Thomas starts, sitting on the opposite side of the bed, “I enjoyed last night. A lot.” Thomas informs Seven. Seven smiles.

“Yeah, it was good. I liked it too.” “No- I mean, not just the sex. I enjoyed everything about yesterday. I liked going out to eat with you and I liked cleaning you up. I liked sleeping next to you and I liked waking up in the same place.” Thomas explains.

Oh, so Thomas actually likes him. Like, likes him likes him. It’s not just for sex. That’s shocking.

“Is this you asking me to go out with you again?” Seven asks. Thomas takes a second but nods. “Yeah, if you’ll let me.”

Seven smirks and gets on top of Thomas, both of them still naked. “I thought you weren’t gay.” “Oh, fuck off.”

Both of them smile as they lean in for a kiss, but they both hear someone walking down the hallway. It’s Gregory.

“Fuck!” Seven whisper-yells as he quickly gets off of Thomas. However, as soon as he does, his dad opens his bedroom door and sees the both of them in bed together, nude.

“Quiet the fuck down next time, alright?” Gregory tells both the boys as he takes a puff of his cigarette. They both nod and stay silent.

Gregory nods back and takes the cigarette out of his mouth. “Here,” he tells Seven, “take it.”

Seven takes the cigarette out of his dad’s hand and starts to smoke it. Gregory closes the door and walks away. Seven’s just thankful he didn’t yell or get violent.

–

Monday, July 3, 2023.

7:38 PM

It’s been four years since Thomas and Seven started dating. Both of them are with Thomas’s parents, Jean and Connor Ledger. They’re celebrating Thomas’s twenty-first birthday.

The only problem is, out of the four years they’ve been dating, Thomas has not ever told his parents that they were together. He was first afraid of his parents kicking him out, but now that he’s moved out, he’s afraid they’ll never talk to him. So, they have to act like friends.

Seven hates it though. He hates it so much. He plans on proposing to Thomas as well, but he wants Jean and Connor to know.

“Seven, do you want to cut the cake?” Jean asks him, holding the knife in her hand. “Of course, Mrs. Ledger.” Seven responds, taking the knife from her hands.

Seven looks down at Thomas’s cake. He wanted a Superman cake, so he got one, although it seems childish. Thomas has always loved Superman though. The idea of him helping out of the goodness of his heart and staying a good guy is what draws Thomas to him.

Seven cuts into the cake while Thomas smiles and gets excited about eating his Superman cake. Piece by piece, Seven hands out cake to all of them. Even he chooses to eat a piece.

“So, how’ve you boys been over the summer?” Jean asks, wanting to start a conversation. “Yeah, you two finally get girlfriends?” Connor jokes, although it makes both of them uncomfortable, especially since they’re dating each other.

“Uh… No, but our summer’s been okay.” Thomas tells his parents while stuffing the Superman cake in his mouth.

“Oh, that’s good. What’s been going on with you, Seven? Have you seen your mom lately?” Jean asks. Seven nods. “Yeah, actually. I got to see her last time I went up to New York. It was nice. Her boyfriend’s pretty nice, too.” Seven explains. Jean smiles and nods.

“That’s good. I’m glad you saw her. She’s a nice lady.” Jean tells Seven.

As time passes on, Seven and Thomas talk more and more with Jean and Connor. Eventually, it starts to get late.

10:02 PM

“Okay. Mom, dad, Seven and I are gonna start getting back home if that’s okay.” “Yeah, that’s fine, sweetie. I love you both.” Jean tells them, hugging them both. They hug her back.

“I love you too, mom.” Thomas says back. After Jean backs off, Connor goes in for the hug, but only hugs Thomas.

“Happy birthday, champ.” “Thanks, dad. Goodnight, guys.” Thomas says to them both as they walk out of the door.

Seven keeps thinking about it. Should he propose now? He has the ring in his pocket and they’ve been dating for years. Thomas has also talked about how much he’s always wanted to get married. Why not do it on his birthday?

“Tommy, I need to talk to you.” Seven says as he stops walking. Thomas stops too and turns back to look at Seven.

“What’s going on?” Seven takes Thomas’s hands into his as he looks into his eyes. He wants this to be as romantic as it possibly can.

“You know, ever since we first met, we had a connection. I liked how sweet you were and you liked how I spoke up for myself.” Seven starts as Thomas chuckles. “Yeah, and I still love that about you.”

“Yeah. So, obviously we love each other. We’ve been through thick and thin together. We’re like Bonnie and Clyde at this point. So, I want to show you how much you actually mean to me.” Seven says. Thomas is confused until he sees his boyfriend get down on one knee.

Seven pulls the ring out of his pocket and shows it to Thomas. “Will you marry me, Thomas Andrew Ledger?”

Tears start to well up in Thomas’s eyes as he smiles. “Yes… Yes!” Thomas says as he takes the ring from Seven and kisses him.

Seven and Thomas both smile until Seven realizes he has to tell Thomas one thing.

“But… you have to tell your mom and dad.” The smile drops off of Thomas’s face. “You know I can’t do that.” “Tom, you’re a grown man now. You don’t even live with me because you’re too fucking closeted. This is all I ask you.”

Thomas gets upset and just starts walking back to the car. This makes Seven angry.

“Are you serious, Thomas?! You can’t do this one fucking thing for me?!” Seven yells at him. Thomas turns back to look at Seven.

“Everytime we’re having a good moment, you have to ruin it by bringing this up.” Thomas yells back. Seven scoffs. “Maybe I wouldn’t do that if you just told them.”

Thomas shakes his head. “Everything’s a goddamn argument with you.” “Then leave! All you do is betray me like everyone else, so fucking leave and give me back the ring!”

Thomas throws the ring on the ground and he starts walking away instead of to the car.

When that ring hits the ground, Seven realizes what he’s done wrong. “Wait, Tommy. I’m sorry. Please come back, I didn’t mean that.” But Thomas doesn’t come back. He keeps walking away.

“Tommy, please! You’re everything I have left! I can’t lose you…” Seven yells, but Thomas keeps walking. Seven just stands there, crying. He’s officially lost everything.