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Darren was... amazing.
Ca$h couldn't fathom how it was possible for someone so beautiful to be living in this shitty shitty world, and that he got to be alive at the same time as them. Shit, Darren was the only reason Ca$h even went to school anymore. Seeing their face, hearing them laugh, those little things gave him life. Due to SLT and Darren working at the diner, Ca$h had been able to see them more often and he still couldn't believe Darren wanted to hang out with him, wanted to be his... friend? Shit, Darren had asked him to come to Mardi Gras with them. Ca$h couldn't be happier.
After the show, Ca$h followed others to meet Darren, but before he could get closer to congratulate them, he saw a dude coming toward Darren and hugging them. Ca$h stopped in this tracks. Shit. What had he been thinking? Of course Darren had someone special in their life from their own group of people. A group of people that welcomed everyone as they were. That celebrated diversity and created a safe space for anyone trying to figure out their identity. A group of peoole that didn't punch you in the face for making a mistake.
Ca$h turned around and wandered off. What was he doing here, pretending to be a part of this wonderful world that would accept him for who he was? He was just trespassing, and come Monday he'd find himself again in the middle of a heist, a fight, or whatever Chook would have in mind this time. Come Monday, Ca$h would still be paying his debt in any way that was assigned at him.
Though, if it wasn't for the brothers, he'd probably already be locked up, just like his mum. They were his family, and even though he found himself in trouble every other day, he owed them that. They had saved him, looked after him since he was a boy. He couldn't just walk off. Besides, he needed the money to take care of Nan.
A small voice in the back of his head that whispered in his ear every now and then, said: You want out. You want them to stop. You want to stop. How many shops were there to rob before they'd get caught? How many cars to crash, how many people to hurt? How long would it take for them to find another girl to snatch, and this time actually hurt her?
Ca$h felt sick.
Like he'd manifested him there, Ca$h saw Jayden in front of him, dealing something to some dude. He froze. Of course they had business at Mardi Gras. How hadn't he realized this night wouldn't be free of them?
Jayden noticed him, raised a brow, and came closer. Ca$h readied himself for mocking, bashing, a fist to the face, but what he wasn't ready for was a small smile that formed on Jayden's lips.
"Chook is a psycho, bro", Jayden said, shook his hand, and left.
Ca$h was shocked. He wasn't in trouble? A small laugh escaped his lips. He couldn't believe his luck.
"I thought I did pretty good."
Ca$h turned around and saw Darren behind him.
"Oh, yeah! Fucken oath. You was a proper gee up", he said.
"Right. Yeah, I slayed", Darren said, not quite meeting his eyes. "Then I look around and... you were gone."
"Yeah, I wanted to talk to you but you were busy", he started. "You were talking to that other lad."
Darren looked confused. "Jacob?"
"Yeah, I just... I didn't want to interrupt."
"Interrupt what?"
Ca$h didn't know what to say. He didn't want to make assumptions but he also didn't want to come between Darren and... Jacob.
Darren must have caught on because they said: "Oh my god. Nothing's happening there. Tonight or any other night in the indefinite future."
Ca$h chuckled, surprised, relieved, happy. "Okay."
Something caught his eye. A big. Glowing. Golden. Dick. He had an idea. "Oi. Let me make it up to you."
He took Darren's hand, lead them to the dick, snatched it, and ran.
They made their way through the thick crowd, going left and right, trying to distract the predator from its prey. No one was following, not even the dick owner. Ca$h thought if it was due to the countless times he'd run from the police, the shop owner, the gas station clerk, that now made him run. Only this time, he didn't run for his mates or his freedom. This time he ran for fun.
The giant dick lighting their way, they found themselves on the other side of the venue. They stopped to catch their breath, laughing.
"Did you see her arms? She would've bashed us!" Ca$h laughed.
Darren chuckled. "Stupid."
Ca$h handed the golden dick to Darren and they took it. Ca$h was full of adrenaline, and for once, it felt good. He couldn't take his eyes away from Darren, their face beaming, so radiant, so beautiful.
"Can I kiss you?" he asked before he had a chance to chicken out. Darren looked at him with something in their eyes he couldn't quite read.
"Yes, please", they said.
Ca$h touched his hand on their cheek, something warm fluttering in his stomach. Gently he leaned in and placed his lips on Darren's. Their lips were soft and sweet. His heart felt full.
He pulled back just a little to see if this was ok, if Darren was ok, if they were ok.
Darren's lips gave him the answer when they met his again, and again, and again.
When they pulled back, Darren leaned their forehead against his own, before pulling him into a hug. Ca$h wrapped his arms around them, keeping them close. He smiled.
He was happy.