Steppin Out - The Beginning Years

He cowered as the fists hit him repeatedly; he could hear the jeers of “FAG!” screamed at him while fists and feet struck him repeatedly. He wished he would just die… No one would come down here. No one would hear his screams. He gave up, knowing being as small as he was he had NO chance.

The last thing he remembered hearing was someone screaming, whether it was his own voice or someone else wasn’t something he would know till he came to again. The blackness enveloped him like a blanket and all the pain went away.

Aikrii dreamed of the past, the sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of his uncle and then again the physical abuse at the hands of his dad who beat him once he found out his son was gay. His mother Marie tried to stop her husband’s abuse and protected her son, though a bit too late at least it was something; they both got away.

Aikrii was living on the edge wondering who would hurt him next, or if he’d cross paths with his violent father. He remembered his mother’s words.

“I’ll always love you not matter what you become, who you are regardless what anyone thinks, you will also find love for yourself” He was depressed a lot and finding “someone” wasn’t in his agenda at the moment.

He stirred and felt the throbbing in his head, and groaned. He lifted his hand which felt like a brick was tied to it; to feel the lump he was sure he had on his noggin. He felt warmth on his arm that restrained him from moving. He tried to speak but couldn’t. The soothing voice he heard wasn’t one he recognized but it did stir emotions of the school where he was just beaten at, he panicked.

“Hey! Hey!”

He heard, and then warmth covered him restraining him lightly... Aikrii paused...someone was hugging him? He tried to open his eyes... The small slit he was able to wedge opened through the bruising was just enough for him to notice he was in a hospital. He was safe! He turned his head to see the arms that were holding him from moving. The violet eyes and red hair he was startled to see next to him was an odd yet welcoming surprise. It was Mani, one of the senior high students he knew of. He was also one of the top martial arts students for their school. Mani pulled back, and spoke.

“I didn’t want you to hurt yourself any worse than those damn kids did.” Mani brushed a strand of Aikrii’s brown hair from off his face and continued to speak.

“I walked in on them beating you,” he sighed “I put the run to them and had the school call the police; all eight of them are being charged. They nearly killed you.” he said, dread and concern in his voice. Aikrii was shocked to hear him say that and in the manner he said it. He tried to talk but couldn’t his throat hurt... he moaned and grunted...trying to get Mani’s attention.

Mani knew what he wanted; he slowly raised the head of the bed so Aikrii could see and then passed him a note pad and a pen.

Aikrii wrote. ‘You saved me?’

Mani nodded his head. “Most know who I am and ran pretty fast, the cocky ones who thought they could take me on learned the hard way.” he looked at the floor.

“I despise bashers, and unfortunately the two I hurt saving you will only be keener on beating on anyone who’s not like them.”

Aikrii wrote again. ‘Mirror please.’

Mani looked at him and said... “Ummm, I don’t think that’s a good idea Aikrii, you’re a sight for sore eyes...”

Aikrii growled and poked the page with his pen sharply... Mani got the point and realized this little fella won’t back down till he gets what he wants. So he fetched the mirror.

He was thinking; ‘I lived. I am still here...why?’ He looked in the mirror that Mani passed him and then a tear escaped his swollen eyes. His face was so badly beaten the only eye he could see out of looked like a big red marshmallow. The other eye was so black it looked like someone painted his face. Above his eyebrow was cut really badly and he could see the stitches that had been put there. He put the mirror down slowly, and picked up his pen and pad again and wrote one word.

‘Why?’

Mani sadly looked at him.

“What? Why did they beat you? Why did I save you? Why did you live?”

‘All’ he wrote.

“I can only assume why they beat you, and its called ignorance and intolerance, some don’t understand we’re born this way it’s NOT a choice like everyone always thought.”

Mani paused placed his hand on Aikrii’s arm and took a deep breath and continued.

“Why did I save you? It’s what I had to do out of respect of any fellow human being. It was the right thing to do.” “Everyone.” he stressed “deserves respect no matter what, even people like you and I.”

“Why did you live? I have no idea; maybe this is what destiny had planned for you. All you have to do now is decide what to do with the second chance you’ve been given.”

Aikrii was stunned to hear the words, “Like you and I.” He always pegged Mani as a “Jock” man, and boy was he ever wrong. He just realized he judged him the same way the boys had judged him. He felt ashamed for being like that. He reached out and touched Mani’s arm and then wrote again.

‘Thank you.’

The attempted smile was something that seemed to make Mani realize he found the one person he wanted to make smile more. Aikrii’s heart found the peace it had been seeking for a long time, Aikrii fell asleep. Mani rested his hand on Aikrii’s arm and very tentatively and gently stroked his head, humming to him watching the badly beaten boy sleep.

Aikrii’s mom walked in on the tender scene and slowly backed away allowing Mani to his own accord. Her son was sleeping she’d come back she thought, but Mani noticed her.

“Hello Mrs. Orati.” He said as he stood extending his hand to shake hers.

“Hi, I didn’t mean to disturb you.” she said.

“By all means think nothing of it; he is after all your son first.” Mani said with a smile. She smiled widely and took his hand then shook it before she hugged him fiercely.

“Thank you! The police told me you saved my boy.” she said pulling back and smiling at Mani.

Mani blushed and scratched his head.”Umm, I was only doing what was right ma’am.”

“You’re not only handsome, you’re modest too!” Marie said as she touched his face and gave him a pinch “You’re a hero in my eyes. My son has been abused enough.” She looked down at her son’s sleeping form and kissed his forehead gently.

“Even his own father beat him for who he is.” A tear escaped her eye as she brushed the hair from his face; she continued “Parents don’t beat their kids for being normal but some do when they are not what is considered the norm, where is the humanity in that?” the words rang true and with the sadness of a million spilled tears.

“Mrs Orati,” Mani said softly “You’ll not need to worry about your Aikrii again, he will be well protected now that he knows he’s got a second chance. I think he will be a lot tougher not only mentally but physically. I’ll see to it.”

Marie looked at Mani and smiled again and without a word kissed his cheek and walked from the room. For the first time in a long time Mani felt more than mere acceptance and from the woman who made him blush not only once but twice. He knew he’d see her more often and looked forward to it. He looked down at the still sleeping Aikrii and then paged a nurse.

The hospital was patient with Aikrii over the next two weeks as he healed. Mani never left his side and got pardoned from classes but continued to do his class homework and studies as needed and encouraged Aikrii to do the same. Aikrii was more than happy to have something to do since he wasn’t permitted to roam since he had a severe head injury and only when Mani was around and pushed him in a wheelchair was he permitted to go anywhere. Over the two weeks in the hospitals care had brought Aikrii closer to Mani, something he never expected to happen. He was happier for it he even seemed to thrive and heal faster as well.

His doctors told him within a few weeks he’d be up and out of the hospital if he kept up the wonderful recovery. This enlightened Aikrii’s spirits. He smiled a full smile and it made Mani’s heart not only melt but ache too. Mani knew he’d be out of here soon and on his own, it made Mani wonder if he had a chance to keep him close after Aikrii was free of his hovering. His answer came that evening.

Aikrii knew Mani was crashed in the uncomfortable hospital cot next to his own bed, despite feeling safe it hadn’t fended the nightmares from coming. Those terrifying memories; one of his uncle forcing himself upon him, the searing pain as well as betrayal. The sting of the cane from his father’s harsh blows and the cries of “fucking little faggot!”

“Die you useless little bastard!” Ringing in his ear. He whimpered and cried out in his sleep, but his bad dreams subsided as he felt warmth enveloped him. Unlike the darkness he was so use to suffocating him; this felt good. He saw violet eyes and a subtle flash of red, followed by a smile. Arms were opened for him, welcoming him and he slid right into the awaiting arms and snuggled right in the safe sensation lulling him back to comforting dreams.

Mani had heard his cries and knew Aikrii was having bad dreams. He got out of the cot and noticed Aikrii trashing, he crawled into the hospital bed with Aikrii and wrapped his arms around him with the heavy blanket he had with him. Aikrii calmed, he murmured soothing tones and caressed Aikrii’s head. He was soothed and calmed once again. He looked down at him and felt his heart melt; he finally knew where he wanted to be. He knew his heart would break if Aikrii turned away from him now; he’d grown attached in the last two weeks. Aikrii started to cry in his sleep; Mani shushed him and stroked his head again. Aikrii awoke with a start... he felt the warmth and wondered why it was there that’s when he realized there was a body next to him, he looked up and seen Mani. He smiled and snuggled in again. He murmured,

“Thank you.”

Mani looked down at him and spoke in a hushed tone.

“Anytime... anytime.” with that he lightly kissed his forehead and smiled down at him.

Aikrii smiled back, he was accepted here and there wasn’t anywhere else he wanted to be. He reached up and touched Mani’s face and then slid his fingers into his hair and then down around his neck. Sliding himself up to eye level to Mani he looked into violet eyes and softly spoke,

“I mean it, thanks for accepting me. For being here, for understanding, for everything.” His green eyes staring into Mani’s own violet ones held all the feelings he had and Mani could see them all. He felt he had gone on a trip to the moon and back in Aikrii’s eyes.

He never thought Aikrii felt the same till that moment, when Aikrii’s actions spoke louder than words. He slowly leaned forward pulling Mani’s head down towards him. What possessed him to do this on his own was beyond him, he was never the one to initiate anything being as shy as he was, but this felt so right. The kiss itself was heart stopping, breathtaking and caused Aikrii’s heart to burst with a flood of emotions.

Mani on the other hand was so enthralled, shocked, happy all rolled in one he encouraged Aikrii to continue. The kiss deepened and their breaths grew heavy Aikrii felt Mani’s fingers in his hair and nipped his lip in excitement, Mani chuckled before pulling back.

“Oh! I’m sorry if I hurt you.” Aikrii stammered, dropping his eyes to Mani’s chest

“Not at all!” He said chuckling and raising Aikrii’s face to his “I’m just thrilled to see you being so free, lively and well happy. It’s nice to know I wasn’t the only one getting attached.”

Aikrii blushed and stammered. “I-I’m not usually this...ummm... at all.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Mani said with a smile in his heart and a grin on his face. “Man you’re cute when you blush!”

Aikrii laughed loudly and then yawned...“I-I’m getting tired again.”

He pulled Aikrii forward and kissed him again on the forehead and snuggled in, both fading into a blissful sleep. That’s how the morning shift nurse found them, curled up together with Mani wrapped around Aikrii like a security blanket.

Smiling she pulled the curtain around them so they could have some privacy. She contacted Aikrii’s doctor and asked when he was allowed to go home, she figured the couple would enjoy some alone time outside of hospital walls. The two men were discharged that day hands clutched together, both Steppin’ out into the sunlight to face the world together. Mani wrapped his arm around Aikrii’s shoulder as they walked to the car lot.