Chapter Five (Tristian)

I didn't stay home once Ace dropped me off.

I just grabbed some cash and decided to make another candy run. I was also running out of microwave meals, so I made a mental note to grab those as well as I locked up my apartment and headed downstairs past the other apartments. I could faintly hear the couple four doors down screaming at each other over their baby. The husband went to my college and left his wife at home with the baby. They were younger than me and I felt sorry for them.

I walked past the schizophrenic that liked to go the mail boxes and touch each one of them before announcing some dribble about no ghosts before leaving. I stepped outside, relieved to breath in some air. It wasn't as nice as country air, but it was better than apartment air.

I was about to leave as I fished into my bag for my Gameboy when I suddenly felt someone's eyes on me and jerked my head up, almost dropping my game when I saw Anthony there, leaning against the side of the apartment building. He was wearing another silk Italian suit, a pair of black sunglasses on his head. A few people who passed looked at him in awe and flirtatiously, but I just looked away immediately. Of course, ignoring Anthony was a lot harder than I would've hoped.

"Hey, Tristian! I stopped by last night after you got out of work, but you weren't home. Where'd you go?" He asked nosily, but keeping his voice casual and calm. He slid his hands into the pockets of his pants, but he kept walking closer so he was almost bumping into me. I shut my game off and gave up ignoring him. I'd have to be mean, even though I really didn't want to.

"It's really none of yer business, Anthony. I ain't obligated to tell you were I been." I replied coldly. Anthony blinked, glancing at me before smirking.

"Ouch! That was cold, Tristian. I thought we were friends."

"I don't 'member sayin' we was friends."

"I thought it was unwritten."

"No, Anthony. Yer just usin' me to replace Vic cuz he and Ace hate you." I responded flatly, about to walk forward again, but Anthony stepped in front of me. I felt a chill course up my spine as I took a step away from him. He watched me closely and I could tell he was getting pissed from the look in his eyes, but his smile stayed plastered to his face.

"Using you? Tristian, I'm hurt. I actually like you. A lot. Enough to invite you out several times, but you keep turning me down. I'm not the one being rude here. You are. You need to work on your social skills." He sighed with a shrug.

Part of me felt stung by that. Yea, I wasn't the greatest talker in the world and I had the tendency to be sort of clueless and shy sometimes, but I didn't mean to be rude. I was only trying to get Anthony off my case and I hated myself for feeling guilty about getting nasty with him. I didn't say anything in response, though. Just bit my tongue as Anthony studied my face a little more before frowning suddenly.

"There's someone else." He decided. I blinked and stared at him in disbelief.

"What're you talkin' about?" I asked. Anthony snorted rudely and glared at me now, leaning in closer so I could smell the booze on his breath. Oh God. Someone really needs to report this guy. If I did it, I had no doubt he'd probably kill me for it, somehow. I'd seen way too many movies to know that.

"That's why you keep turning me down, right, hick? You found someone else's dick to jump on and you thought I wouldn't find out." He stated. I twitched at the insult and glared back at him. He wouldn't hurt me here, not in public, so I had to take my chance while I still had it.

"I ain't a hick, asshole! I bet yer life's savin's that I'm smarter than you! And I think I fuckin' told you that I ain't no fuckin' homo! So leave me alone before I call the cops!" I snapped angrily, making Anthony reel back in surprise. Several people on the sidewalks stopped to stare and I suddenly felt the self-consciousness return with a vengence as I stepped away from Anthony.

Forget it.

Candy wasn't worth dying over. I whipped around and bolted back inside the apartment, slamming the door shut behind me when I heard Anthony bark my name. I went right past the schizophrenic, who cried out at almost being bumped into. I ducked onto the stairs and went right up to my room, almost smacking into the wife from the apartment further down. She snapped at me, but I ignored her and went right to my room, slamming the door shut and locking it.

I took a deep breath, then threw my bag off onto the small velvet blue sofa in front of the flat screen before I reached for the phone. Just as I did, someone knocked on my door. I almost thought it was Anthony, but Anthony wouldn't dare follow me right to my room with the cameras outside watching. I nibbled my lower lip and went up to the door, peeking through the peephole.

My jaw dropped when I saw Rex standing out there, looking out of place in his purple shirt and black jeans, scanning the ceiling for a while. I hesitated.

Why would I let him in? He practically molested me and kept insisting I was gay when I most certainly was not. There was also the fact that he was cocky and rude.

At the same time, he was huge. Rex was almost seven feet tall, right? Anthony wasn't that big. Anthony wouldn't even come near me if Rex was around.

So I had to choose who was worse.

Anthony or Rex.

Anthony, the alcoholic with some serious mental problems that was obviously going to hurt me sooner or later.

Or Rex, the crazy homosexual that jacked me off at my best friend's house.

I hesitated, my hand cupping the doorhandle before I squirmed for a second, then reclutantly pulled the door open just a little bit to peer out. Rex smiled when he saw me, lighting up like a Christmas tree.

"Hey, Tristian. Mind if I come in?" He asked. I nibbled my lower lip and glanced up and down the hallways just to make sure Anthony was risking everything just to bug me before I stepped aside, letting Rex in and shutting the door quickly behind him, locking both the locks.

"Have any weird visitors lately?" Rex asked, raising an eyebrow when I turned around to see him staring at me. I glared at him.

"This apartment has crazy people." I answered flatly. Rex smirked knowingly, folding his arms over his chest.

"Anthony's been bugging you." He stated. I stared at him in surprise before I realized what must have happened. Rex was Vic's friend and Vic probably told Rex all about Anthony and his issues. Part of me was glad that I wouldn't have to repeat any of it. At the same time, I was sort of annoyed with Vic for spilling my secrets. It made me wonder what else he could've said to Rex.

However, Rex didn't let on any further and just scanned my apartment now. It wasn't anything special and certainly not to a rich guy like Rex. The apartment was about medium-sized with the living room being the main area with a bar that led to the kitchen. A short hallway led to my bedroom and the bathroom, but that was about it. The living room wasn't decorated fancy either. Just a regular velvet sofa, flat screen, a bookcase, and a movie case that was overflowing with DVDs.

"Nice apartment." Rex complimented anyway as he took a seat on the sofa. I shifted uncomfortably, not quite knowing what to do now. I had just planned on letting him in for a while to scare off Anthony. I'd never actually had guests before. Even Ace didn't come over because my apartment was so boring. The only time he came over was to help me move in.

"Do you mind if I have something to drink?" Rex asked at last. I blinked.

"Oh, yea. Uh, I'll get it. What'll ya have?"

"Mm, just water would be fine." He answered. I nodded slowly and went into the kitchen. I was actually surprised Rex was teasing me or anything. Did he finally decide to give up or something? No, he couldn't have, otherwise, he wouldn't be over here in the first place.

Which brought that question to my lips instantly.

"What're you doin' here anyhow?" I asked as I poured the water and brought it out to him. He smiled, taking a sip and relaxing on the sofa. I stayed standing to avoid any more touchy feely from this guy. Rex glanced up at me.

"I came to visit. You looked so freaked out this morning. Not to mention just now. Vic told me Anthony's been hounding you lately. Have you called the cops?" He asked, looking around the apartment again. I shifted uneasily, trying to find something to mess with, so I chose the ends of my sleeves, tugging on the loose threads.

"No. I ain't willin' to risk that. Anthony'll probably come and... do whatever he's plannin' to do if I do that. Not to mention, he's a professor at my college. If I were to turn him in, his fanbase would probably tear me to pieces." I mumbled, making Rex scrunch up his nose.

"An alcoholic stalker freak is a professor at a college with a fanbase?" He asked in disgusted disbelief. I nodded miserably and finally decided to plop down on the sofa, rubbing my temples.

"It ain't right neither. Vic told me he's been doin' it with a couple of his students too. I mean, I don't have him as a teacher since that ain't my department, but I still see him 'round and since Vic rejected him, he's been hangin' on to me since he knows me most." I complained, running a hand through my hair and leaning on the arm of the sofa as I sat back. Rex nodded thoughtfully, setting his water on the glass coffee table.

"That does suck. And it seems like that man is just one bag of illegal. Relationships with students, attempt rape, stalking. You could get him big time if you turned him in. You don't have to be scared of him, Tristian."

"Course you'd say that. You ain't never met someone three times yer size." I grumbled, tilting my head back to stare up at the ceiling for a while. Rex sighed.

"Tristian, if you want him to leave you alone, you have to risk it. Besides, I'm sure the police will send in bodyguards." He offered, but I shook my head in aggravation, slumping down further on the sofa, resting my legs on the coffee table.

"Just what I need. More people buggin' me."

"They'd be helping you, which is what I'm doing right now and you let me in."

"Yer different."

"Different how?"

"Just... Just cuz." I grunted and started to heave myself up from the sofa to avoid the awkwardness, but I felt Rex's grip on my wrist and he whipped me around, jerking me down on top of him. My skin tingled and I got goose bumps as I landed in Rex's lap, his hands catching my hips to hold me still when I went to leave.

"You let me in," Rex began with a wicked smirk, "You let me in, even after what I did last night. You fell for it when I asked you something this morning and you let me kiss you. You keep talking about how you're not gay. If you're so straight, why do you keep setting yourself up for me? Are you really just that much of a tease?" My cheeks felt hot as Rex studied my face intently, his lips still curled into a smirk as his hands cupped my ass.

"I-I ain't gay! I told you--"

"You're just in denial. Why are you so scared of being gay, Tristian? No one's going to hurt you. Hell, all your friends are gay, so what does it matter?" Rex asked, cocking his head. I squirmed in his arms, trying to shove his hands away, but he gripped me tighter. I gritted my teeth and just smacked my fists down on his arms uselessly.

"I ain't scared of nothin' neither! I just ain't a homo! Just cuz yer all homos don't mean I am too." I insisted. Rex cocked a brow at me.

"Did you totally ignore what I said last night? Everyone's a little gay deep down inside. It just takes someone to bring it out and that's what I'm doing for you. You are gay, otherwise, you wouldn't have let me touch you last night."

"I didn't let--"

"Are you kidding me? You didn't try to shove me back at all. You can't possibly be that physically weak."

"You--"

"I may be strong, but I wouldn't put all my effort into molesting you like that. If you were serious about wanting me to stop, I would've stopped, but I know you're not. You're just playing the denial game because it's easier. You want to avoid the problem as long as you can because you think it'll go away, but it won't. That's exactly what you're doing with Anthony too. You think if you ignore him long enough, he'll go away. You don't want to create drama, when really, you are. Sure, it's unintentional, but it's there anyway. There's always drama somewhere in life. You might as well get used to it."

I felt like he had just wormed his way into my head. I could feel my temples throbbing again as his words echoed in my ears. How did he know? How did he know what my tactics were? Was I that obvious? No, because then Ace would've pointed it out. Vic too.

I didn't understand. Why was Rex so intent on convincing me?

"Why do you care?" I asked at last. Rex laughed, then reached up and took my face in his hands. I shivered, his skin warm against mine as he pulled my face closer.

"Isn't it obvious, country boy? I adore you." He responded, then dipped his head closer to mine. His lips touched mine gently for a second before he kissed me harder. I squirmed a little in his lap because I couldn't decide whether I wanted this or not. I didn't want to admit I liked another man.

It was weird! I'd dated girls before, looked at girls before. Why was it suddenly men that seemed more intent on getting in my pants? I wanted to be just like everyone else and out of the picture, like I always was. It was so hard to do that, though, with Rex kissing me.

I couldn't think straight anymore. The only thing I could focus on was Rex's tongue scaling every corner of my mouth, his teeth clicking together with mine at one point. I felt like he was stealing all my oxygen, my lungs aching for air before I caved in and panted. Rex ran his hands down from my face, along my throat and arms. I felt more goose bumps rising on my skin as Rex settled his hands on my hips, having sunk into my jeans.

His hands felt hot on my bare skin as he cupped my ass, pulling me up closer against him so our chests were touching. I just squeezed my eyes shut tightly, hoping this was just some screwed up nightmare that wouldn't last much longer.

I'd wake up in bed, scold myself for being a disgusting pervert, then go on with the rest of my day, trying to forget this terrifying nightmare.

But when I opened my eyes just a little, I saw Rex watching me intently, his eyes like fire. I felt scorched and hot, my breathes still coming out in harsh pants. Rex smirked, brushing his nose against mine as he pecked a kiss on my lips.

"Not so bad now, is it?" He murmured. I didn't know what to say. If I said it was awful, I'd be lying. If I said it felt good, I'd feel disgusting. I just sat there in his lap, trying to catch my breath and hope that some oxygen would clear my head enough so that I realized what was happening was terrible.

Rex didn't give me a chance and swung me around, making me gasp as I hit the sofa and he was on top of me. I immediately pushed my hands on his chest when he went to lean down. He smirked, grabbing onto the back of the sofa and using his other to prop him up over me.

"You're still trying to play that game? Denial is a nasty thing." He warned, then brought his knee up into my groin. Not hard, but enough to make me gasp. He rolled his knee against my crotch, making my arms tremble in the effort to keep him away. Rex smiled down at me as I panted, my legs twitching as I drew my knees up. He didn't stop grinding his knee into my bulge, removing his hand from the back of the sofa to reach down, pulling my shirt up.

"No!" I protested, but I still didn't move my arms from his chest, struggling to keep him up. He shrugged, smiling anyway and reached down, pinching my nipple. I gasped and my arms almost gave out, but I managed to keep them straightened as Rex pinched and poked at my nipple. At the same time, he didn't cease to grind my crotch.

My head was spinning and my vision actually got fuzzy for a second as my breathing came in short, sharp pants seconds later. My body ached and it took me a moment to realize that I was rubbing myself against Rex's knee desperately, my arms bending at the elbow. Rex smiled down at me, his lips touching mine and his tongue taking over my mouth again.

I moaned, my arms collapsing at my sides as Rex finished massaging my groin, his hands sweeping up to brush the sweaty hair out of my face. I held my breath as everything seemed to clear up for a moment and it hit me what I had just done.

My face felt red hot with shame as I went to put my arms back up and shove him back, but he caught my hands and pulled them over my head on the arm rest of the sofa.

"Do I need to make you come again to realize that you're gay?" Rex asked me, looking perplexed that I hadn't caved in.

"That wasn't fair," I protested angrily, writhing and trying to rip my hands away from him, "I didn't want that...!"

"Then who was the one humping my leg?"

"I-I wasn't...! I didn't--"

"Will you quit fighting me? Are you that terrified of admitting it to yourself? What are you so scared of?" Rex questioned me seriously. I breathed hard, glaring up at him and trying to come up with an excuse, but I honestly had none. I was scared, but I didn't know what. I had no one to judge me for it, at least, I didn't think so. Maybe I was scared of it hurting? Or maybe just change.

I wanted things to go back to the way they were. I didn't want any problems and who knows? I might change my mind and Rex was too clingy. He wouldn't let me change my mind.

I didn't answer him, though, just kept my lips pursed. Rex sighed, using his free hand to brush the hair out of my face, his eyes studying me intently.

"I have an idea. Maybe you're the slow type," He said at last, making me frown, "How about we try something smaller?"

"What's smaller?" I asked sourly, narrowing my eyes, but obviously it didn't do anything to intimidate him. In fact, he just smirked and kept brushing his fingers through my hair. It felt strange, his fingertips scraping my scalp gently and his fingers gliding through my hair. I tilted my head a little, pretending to be uncomfortable when... really... I just wanted to feel his hand more and I cursed myself to Hell for it.

"A date," Rex answered at last, making me blink in surprise, "Let me take you on a date. We'll go wherever you want, my treat. We can see a movie, go to dinner, shop, visit the museum. Take your pick." I frowned.

"What's that gonna prove?" I demanded, trying to worm my hands away from Rex's grip again, but he just tightened, making me wince. Rex smiled.

"That you like me."

"And if I don't like it?" I challenged. Rex laughed, cocking his head as he stared down at me in amusement.

"Trust me. You will like it." He assured. I wasn't reassured by it, but for some reason, I was sincerely considering his offer. Something about Rex was making me curious and I was done trying to get him off my ass. It didn't work before, why would it work now?

"I wanna see the new Spiderman movie and eat at the Old Country Buffet afterwards." I informed, waiting for him to accuse me of being ridiculous or strange. Instead, Rex beamed brightly enough to be mistaken for the sun.

"Your wish is my command."

My wish is a death wish, I realized with a grimace.