Rigby smiled as he walked down the hallway of Broad River academy. If anyone had told him that during his junior year he would befriend his childhood crush and finally get a friend, first he’d be confused why anyone was talking to him in the first place then he would have laughed in their face. He could barely believe he and Alfred had been friends for a year now, technically one year, two months, one week, two days, 18 hours, 45 minutes, and 28 seconds. Rigby laughed to himself he actually had no idea how long exactly they had been friends but it was fun to make up what it was. He knew it had at least been a year since he had pulled him out of that locker and became his friend. He could never ask for anything more. Rigby blushed as the image of them kissing popped back into his head. Well, he could definitely ask for that, but it wasn’t fair for him too think those thoughts when he had no idea if Alfred was gay or not.

“Whatcha thinking about fag? Sucking some random whore’s digusting cock?” Patrick cackled, his comment snapping Rigby out of his thoughts.

“You would know, guess you've seen your dad’s dick too. Pretty disappointing.” Rigby blurted out as his brain flashed red warning lights. Rigby gulped as he saw the anger flare in Patricks eyes. Oh god he had fucked up majorly, what had gotten into him! He had never fought back before, especially not with Patrick.

“I-i’m oh god.” Rigby stuttered out as Patrick grabbed him by the shoulders.

“What did you say to me you little gay prick?” Patrick snarelled as he slammed him against the lockers.

“I-i-i uh I said your dad’s dick is pathetic, which makes sense because it created you.” Rigby blurted out as he felt his legs give out a little. God he was just digging his grave a foot deeper with every word.

“You’re gonna regret that you disgusting little fag!” Patrick shouted as he swung at him. Rigby flinched and closed his eyes but the pain never came.

“Wha?” Rigby gasped as he opened his eyes and Patrick’s grip released him.

“Didn’t I tell you to leave him alone Patrick?” Alfred’s voice boomed through the hallway.

Rigby slid down the lockers and stared up at Alfred who was holding into Patrick’s wrist. Patrick’s face was twisted in pain as Alfred twisted his wrist, it was obvious that Alfred was stronger and the only way Patricks wrist would survive is if he lets go.

“H-he started i-it.” Patrick gasped through the pain as Alfred looked down at Rigby.

“N-no! I didn’t! H-he shouted at m-me first and i-i, well i did say some pretty mean things, b-but i wasn’t thinking and i-i-i didn’t mean too!” Rigby said as he started shaking a little.

What if Alfred didn’t believe him, what if he left like everyone else because he didn’t believe him. He couldn’t lose Alfred, god he couldn’t leave him. Rigby stared at the ground as tears filled his eyes, he had really messed up hadn’t he?

“I believe you Rig’s” Alfred said calmly as Patrick glared at him.

“Now,” Alfred said, turning his attention back to Patrick. “You’re going to leave Rigby alone from now on. If I hear one word about you hurting him or anyone else I won't hesitate to break your wrist.” Alfred said as he let go of Patrick’s wrist and slammed him against the lockers.

“You know the code Al, can’t kill one of your own.” Patrick chuckled as he glared up at Alfred.

“I never said I'd kill you, I'll just get you close,” Alfred said as he turned and helped Rigby off the ground.

“It’s alright, he shouldn’t bother you anymore,” Alfred whispered as he gently set him on his feet.

Rigby was almost stunned as he wiped the beginning of his tears out of his eyes. What the hell did Patrick mean by the code and one of his own? Were they related? Or part of some weird cult or something? Oh god what if he was in love with a mobster or something? Rigby chuckled to himself as Alfred checked to see if he was alright. This wasn’t one of those silly romance books where the love interest was secretly in the mafia or something.

“I-i-i’m fine it's ok.” Rigby stumbled out as Alfred let out a sigh of relief. Rigby felt blush flush across his face, he had been worried about him. Not only that he had come to his rescue, just like the knights in shining armor in his stories.

“Well I’m glad you're ok. If you’re ever in trouble don’t hesitate to call out for me. I’ll always come to your side.” Alfred said with a smile as Rigby felt his knees grow weak. He must be dreaming at this point there was no way this was reality.

‘“Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Oconnor. My room please.” Mr.Matthews huffed as he peeked out of his classroom door.

“Looks like we're in for it this time.” Alfred chuckled as Rigby smiled and shook his head, they were definitely getting a stern lecture from him for fighting in the halls again. Luckily it was Elias who dealt with them and every lecture ended with “just don’t do it again.” and they were sent off.

“Now I’m sure you two already know why we're having another chat?” Elias asked as he sat down at his desk and Rigby and Alfred walked into the room.

“There’s been another incident with us getting into little spats in the hallway and even though the people are older than us in age they are still underclassmen and therefore we are to be the bigger people here.” Alfred and Rigby said in unison as Elias raised an eyebrow at them.

“As it may be true that Patrick is older than you, however you are correct he is still an underclassman and you are expected to be the bigger people and the role models. However, that's not what I brought you in here for.” Elias said as they both gave him a shocked look.

“W-what do you mean? Is there something else we did?” Rigby asked as his heart started to race, he couldn’t have his dad’s boyfriend snitching on him too his father. He would be grounded within minutes.

“No, no, you two did nothing wrong. I just wanted to say this outside of a setting where I have to be professional.” Elias said as he cleared his throat. “I’ve been waiting years for someone to put Patrick in his place, even after suspending him all those times I've never been able to get rid of him. However today you boys finally put him in his place and it was fucking amazing.” Elias said, smiling at them.

“Wow thanks Mr. Mathews!” Alfred said as he beamed with pride.

“I know your friends with Patrick but honestly you're better off without him, kid.” Elias said as he gently patted Alfred’s shoulder as he nodded back at him.

Rigby agreed completely, Patrick was an egotistical prick who had been held back twice so far and probably more. Alfred didn’t deserve to be caught up in a crowd like that, even he could see what a bright future he had ahead of him.

“Now, back to class with you two, I’ll see you in seventh period and not a word of this to anyone.” Elias said to them with a quick wink as he dismissed them.

“Well that went way better than I expected!” Alfred chuckled as they walked down the hallway.

“It really did, I honestly was terrified that entire time.” Rigby said laughing along with him as he relaxed. He had thought he was going to die back there or at least end up in the hospital.

“Well luckily you have me here to protect you.” Alfred said as he gently nudged Rigby’s shoulder. He blushed, his childhood crush was his protector. This was better than anything he could have ever imagined.

“Well I’ll see you tomorrow after school and during Matthew's class.” Alfred said as he ruffled Rigby’s hair and walked off to his next class.

“See you then!” Rigby called back as he basically skipped back to class.

One good thing about going to Broad River academy was how it worked, the people there sucked ass but the system was at least good. Once you reached high school you kept the same teachers for your main studies every year. Since freshman year he’s had Mr. matthews for english, Mr. Donnelly for science, Mrs. Clark for Math and Mr. Hargrove for social studies. The nice part about keeping the same teachers was you gotta know them over the years and the classroom became a more welcoming environment to be in. especially since all the same kids were in the classes with you so you got to know people over the years as well. It had its down sides as well, like enabling more of his social anxiety so he didn’t have to talk to new people or put himself in uncomfortable situations. However it did make it so he had the same class and same period as Alfred all throughout high school.

“YOU BITCH!” Elinor Chapman screeched in the hallway as Rigby jumped from the sudden noise.

“Wha..” Rigby barely got out before Elinor rushed him like a bull and tackled him to the ground.

“Fucking little bitch! I told you what would happen if you didn’t leave my Alfie alone!” Elinor screamed out as she began to pummel into him. His brain could barely register what was happening as her fists rained pain upon his body.

“GET OFF ME YOU PSYCHO WHORE!” Rigby shouted as he shoved Elinor off of him and quickly scrambled to his feet. His mind was screaming at him to run, escape, flee, anything but stay there. Rigby began to run down the hall as he suddenly ran into someone.

“Rigby are you alright?” Elias asked very concerned as he stabilized him. He began to sob as he latched onto him, he was so lucky he had bumped into Elias.

“Rigby your bleeding what happened?!” Elias asked as he inspected Rigby’s bleeding nose and lip. His nose was way worse than his lip was but he already knew he was going to have a ton of bruises from today.

“YOU LITTLE FAG GET BACK HERE AND SUFFER YOUR CONSEQUENCES!” Elinor screamed as she flew down the hallway.

“ELINOR!” Elias shouted, his voice booming and echoing through the halls. Elinor immediately halted and her rage defused like a fire at the bottom of the ocean.

“M-mr. m-Mathews! I-i-i was j-just…” Elinor stammered as she tried to come up with a good excuse.

“Principal's. Office. Now.” Elias growled as Elinor just shut her mouth and ran off.

“Come on, let's get you to the nurses office.” Elias whispered as he gently led Rigby down the hall.

“T-thank you..” Rigby whispered as Elias gave him a weak smile.

“Listen kid, there are gonna be a lot of people who hurt you over the years. They're going to say mean things and do mean things. However, it's all worth it if you believe that what you have is worth the pain. I should know, I've been after your father for as long as I can remember.” Elias said as he rubbed Rigby’s back.

“W-was the pain worth it?” Rigby asked as Elias ruffled his hair.

“Every minute of it, kid, every minute.” Elias said as they made it to the nurse's office.

Rigby nodded his head and walked through the door. Was every minute of this pain worth it?