Albion led Fenner to a bench situated under a large oak tree, the sound of the river rushing in front of them. Albion leaned against Fenner, resting his head on his shoulder. Fenner wrapped his arm around his boyfriend, tucking his hand in his waist.

“I used to get bullied a lot, when I got outed. I’d meant to come out to one close friend, but someone overheard, and everyone found out. It wasn’t too bad to begin with - they’s wreck my things, and spit at me or whatever, but then they started beating me up. I was too scared to tell anyone,” he said, closing his eyes in attempt to keep his tears in his eyes.

“Then one day, it got particularly bad, and the main bully, a right wanker called Jared,” he said laughing a little. It was cold and harsh, rather than his usual sunny giggles. “Well he decided it’d be a great idea to throw a glass bottle at my head. It shattered, and got in my eye.” Images flashed through his mind, he could hear his own screams again. He felt Fenner’s grip on him increase a little; he could feel Albion’s fear.

After a moment, and a deep breath, he continued.

“Anyway I had to have surgery, and they think I’ll be able to see more than I can now, just might take sometime. Obviously, after this, my mum found out about the bullying, and I ended up coming out to her, but she was pretty ok with it. I think she felt bad that she hadn’t been able to help me when I was going through that. Shortly after the surgery, we moved here, and then when I felt like I could try again, I started school, and met you,” he said, kissing Fenner’s neck softly.

“You have no idea how much you helped me, Fen. I felt like I had to act happy, for my family’s sake, or they’d worry more. But, when I started hanging out with you, I was genuinely happy.” He smiled, glancing down at where Fenner was holding his hand. “Thank you. I love you.”

Fenner pulled Albion in to a tight hug as Albion began to sob, memories flooding his mind. Fenner stroked his back soothingly, talking to him calmly as he himself tried to bite back tears. “Thank you for telling me. I love you, Albie. You’re safe now, and I swear I’ll never let anyone hurt you like that again.” Albion clung to his shirt, shaking in Fenner’s arms.

Once Albion had calmed down a little, Fenner spoke again. “Can I tell you about my first boyfriend?” Albion nodded, resting his head on Fenner’s shoulder again, lacing their fingers together. “He was this guy I had a crush on for like a year. He was pretty popular, and was friendly to everyone. We got pretty close pretty quick, and then he told me he was gay.”

Fenner shifted in his seat, kissing the top of Albion’s head. “I couldn’t believe it, I was so surprised. Anyway, I confessed to him, and we started to go out. But the next week, I went invisible and he forgot me. I always knew he’d forget me, he’d forgotten me every month without fail for a year, but we hadn’t been close then. I thought somehow, now we were together, something would change that.

“Obviously, that ain’t how it works. I was pretty torn up about Ollie forgetting me, so afterwards I distanced myself from everyone, scared to lose someone again. But then, this annoying little shit turned up, and he refused to let me mope around on my own, and you have no clue how grateful for that I am.” He gave Albion’s hand a light squeeze, as Albion brought them up to his mouth to place a kiss on Fenner’s hand.

“Can’t believe you managed to make me fall for you, so hard and so quickly - we’ve literally been together for 3 weeks, only known each other for 5. That’s pretty wild,” Fenner said with a laugh, as Albion pecked him on the lips. “Maybe it’s a soulmate thingie,” he said with a grin.

“In all seriousness though, I know I couldn’t control forgetting you, but I’m really sorry I did - probably rubbed salt in a freshly healing wound. I can’t promise I won’t forget you again, but please don’t give up on me,” he booped Fenner’s nose, “I’d say we make a pretty good team.”

Fenner smiled, pecking Albion on the lips a few times before standing with him. “Better get you home or your mum might freak. Plus I should reintroduce myself.” Albion grinned, swinging their hands in between them.

—————

Fenner waved his boyfriend and his mother goodbye at their door, before sauntering home, a large smile spread across his features. His mind suddenly went to Albion’s treatment at his last school, and he thought about the boy who had blinded him. I swear to God, if I ever see that piece of shit I’ll smash his face in, Fenner thought darkly.