With a slight smirk, Rory watched how Adam put away his bike in a rack. He never did so. His hands slipped into his pockets while he waited until his date was ready. The smile around Adam's lips was nervous, but nevertheless, it lit up his face. Rory thought it was a beautiful smile; it was a shame that the boy was so reserved he only showed that smile sporadically. The kiss however had changed him; he was looking dreamily and the thought that Rory was the reason for that, caused a tickle in his stomach. He hadn't fallen in love with the boy yet, but he really liked him and he had a better feeling about this than about every other date he'd had in the past. Maybe things were indeed different when you already knew each other. Until he started dating Adam he had always liked boys at their first meeting, but now, he started to hope that it was also something that could grow.

"Ready?" he asked when Adam came to stand next to him.

The boy wiped his hands to his jeans. "I'm nervous, isn't that stupid? Except for with you I've never been on a date, and last time, we weren't, you know... clingy." His cheeks turned red. "I'm afraid of how people will respond to us."

"We don't have to do anything," Rory shrugged. "We can just have a beer and talk, hmm?"

Adam had never dated someone before and Rory understood his doubts. His own experiences hadn't given the boy much hope either. Yet, Adam hadn't lost his friends and family when he came out.

"They uh... They also have bars for... for people like us, right?" Adam said quietly. "At least there they won't stare at us."

"People like us?" Rory answered annoyed. "We're not some special kind of people. It makes no sense that we wouldn't be allowed to have a beer in a bar just because we don't like girls."

Adam dropped his eyes. "I know that but..." He sighed. "People do believe we're different."

Rory shrugged his shoulders. Not his problem.

He had been to a gay bar one time, and he'd hated it. Half of the men were super extravagant and answered to every prejudice. Sure — they should do whatever they liked, but Rory didn't feel the need to join them.

"Believe me, you won't feel comfortable around there either. We're just gonna have a drink and then we'll see, okay? If you're really into it we can go to a gay bar after this, but to be honest; last time I lost my interest in the place within five minutes."

The two boys entered the bar and shoved behind the bar. There were two screens showing a soccer match; the game would be over within fifteen minutes.

Rory just got his beer when he saw a familiar face on the other side of the bar.

Shit.

Quickly, Rory turned his back towards the boy, hoping he wouldn't be noticed.

"What's going on?" Adam asked.

"Nothing," he muttered. He looked around, slipped off his barstool, and sat down at a table in the corner, a little less in plain sight. A little flashy Adam looked around while sitting down across from Rory. He wasn't stupid, of course he knew something was going on.

"I saw a classmate," Rory said. "Who doesn't exactly like me."

To put it mildly. Rory was even inclined to go to a different bar, but the thought immediately called up a fierce resistance inside him. He had just as much right to be here as everyone else, although he was sure Patrick would claim the opposite once he saw Rory sitting here — with a boy.

After two more beers, Rory's thoughts let go of Patrick, and his eyes no longer wandered off. He rather looked at Adam, he concluded. To the expectant glistening in his eyes when Rory told him a story, to the little smile that seemed to be reserved for him alone.

"You ever been drunk?" Rory wondered after describing quite energetically how he and a friend had disposed all paving stones from his friend's garden, the first time he was wasted.

As expected, Adam shook his head. "No, never." He hesitated. "You don't think being drunk is sinful?"

Rory swallowed an annoyed sigh. Now and then he was really in for a theological discussion, but not always, and especially not when they were hanging out in a bar.

"I think alcohol addiction is wrong — just like every other addiction — but being drunk every once in a while? Well, it sometimes just happens. I don't see any harm in it. Man must live a little. Drink a bit, chat a bit, flirt a bit..." He wiggled his eyebrows. "And..."

Suddenly, his arm was yanked backward roughly. A strong hand pulled him on his feet, squeezing his arm.

"What the fuck are you doin' here, de Jong?"

"De Jonge," Rory corrected him before knowing it.

"You don't belong here, faggot. You have your own gang-bang party on the other side of town."

Rory stumbled over his feet when Patrick pushed him backward.

"We're not bothering anyone man. We're just talking, just like everyone else."

"I don't care. This is my bar and I don't want to see your faggot face around here. Fuck off."

"I'm just fine right here," Rory answered with an angry frown. "If you can't keep your eyes off me you should leave yourself."

Patrick grabbed him by the collar, pulling Rory's face close to his. "You would like that huh? That I can't keep my eyes off you? And not only my eyes..."

It took Rory a superhuman strength not to spit his classmate in the face. Yeah — there had been a time he'd wanted to feel Patrick's hands. Once, there had been a kink in his brain, causing him to have feelings for this asshole, but that time was long gone. Placing his hands against Patrick's chest he tried to push him away, but the boy was much taller than he.

"Keep your filthy faggot hands off me," Patrick grumbled. "I'm telling you, leave or I will kick you out myself."

Fingers slipped around his wrist, they were shaking. "Come on Rory," Adam's nervous voice sounded. "Let's go."

Rory tore his arm away. "No!" he said, without looking aside. He kept his burning glance aimed at Patrick. "I won't be bullied. I have just as much right to be here as you. If you're homophobic, that's your problem and not mine."

Patrick laughed scornfully. "This is my hangout. If I tell you you don't belong here, I speak the truth."

"Rory... Come on, let's just leave!" Once again, Adam pulled at his arm.

"No!" he answered fiercely. "It's because of narrow-minded assholes like him that..."

He had turned his head towards his date — which he shouldn't have done. Now, he didn't see the blow coming. A fist hit his temple and he fell upon the table. Their glasses fell on the ground and shattered.

"Leave," Patrick grumbled.

"Rory..."

"Shut up!" he snapped at Adam, pushing himself away from the table. "Just stand up for yourself for once! We didn't even touch each other, we did nothing someone might see as offensive! There is no sign telling visitors that gay people are not welcome."

Adam flinched because of his outburst, but Rory didn't care. He clenched his fists, even though he knew he probably looked ridiculous because he was two heads smaller than his former friend.

Patrick snorted disdainfully. "What are you going to do, you baby. You wanna fight? I'll beat the shit out of you."

Rory noticed that everyone had gone quiet; they were all watching them. People started to gather around them; although it was still early, some had drunk enough to be in for throwing some fists.

"Who's that, Pat?" another boy asked, leaning his arm on Patrick's shoulder. His mocking glance wandered across Rory's face. "Isn't it bedtime for you, little boy?"

Rory clenched his jaw. He didn't care how many people would gather around them; he wouldn't let them chase him away.

"Rory lost his way to the gay bar," Patrick answered. "Look, his faggy boyfriend is already bawling his eyes out."

Rory snapped his head aside. Indeed; Adam's eyes were full of tears and his face was pale. Patrick's words made the boy flinch. For a moment Rory was torn between wanting to protect Adam and ravenous anger, but the last emotion overcame. Screaming, he launched himself at the much taller boy; despite his limited length he knew how to use his fists.

Patrick's friend started to laugh. "Damn, that little guy has quite a temper."

His mocking voice made Rory kick the guy's knee. He screamed when Patrick grabbed his hair, pulling back his head and punching him right in the face. "You really are a stubborn piece of shit, huh? You gotta lean your place, brat. Nobody wants you here.'

Patrick pushed him away, Rory stumbled and fell against a chair. Something warm slipped out of his nose, he tasted blood but he was too furious to feel the pain. There was only a deep sense of injustice inside him. He was already banished from the place he'd grown up, he wouldn't allow it to happen again!