Page 63 of Storm Bound
I took a step closer, but Adam raced across to them.
“Who do you think you are, you little shits, huh?”
“Oh, guys, watch out. Grandpa is going to throw a tantrum.”
“If anyone is making a mockery of this show, that’s you. Because if you think your behavior is what the show is all about, then you’ve completely missed the point. You’re making fools out of yourselves. And instead of perpetuating that same bullshit the straight bullies are, you should be doing better. If you can’t, don’t dare call yourselves fans,” Adam shouted, making some of the crowd stand around to watch our interaction.
“God, how pathetic,” one of them said. “If I want to dress up like some geek when I’m fifty, please shoot me, guys.”
I pulled at Adam, trying to get him away. There was no point arguing with these assholes. They were young and privileged, and they weren’t raised any better.
“Oh look, how sickening. The gimp and the grandpa are a couple. I’m gonna barf.”
Adam turned to me with shock and frustration written across his face.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” someone from the crowd shouted, and I huffed, ready for another fight.
But when I turned to find the source, they were looking at the group.
“Yeah, go get a life, you losers,” someone else shouted.
“You don’t belong here,” the same person as before said.
“We don’t belong here? What about those losers?” one of the guys from the group said, pointing at us.
A loud wave of disdain roared through the crowd.
“Do yourself a favor and get lost.”
“You’re no Hearty fan with that behavior.”
“Someone needs to go back to school and learn some manners.”
“That’s a shameful attitude from people in the LGBTQ community.”
One by one people around us stood up to the pathetic young men until they were booed off and ran off with their tails between their legs.
Everyone cheered, and even though we were the center of attention, I allowed myself the pleasure of taking in the camaraderie of the fandom.
I’d always felt it online, but I’d never experienced it in real life. Then again, I’d never been bullied at an event before.
“Thank you,” we said to the other fans, and soon we were on our way.
“Thank you for standing up for me,” I said when we were walking side by side again.
Adam grimaced.
“What are you talking about? Isn’t that what boyfriends do?”
“Well, yeah, but I’m your master. I’m supposed to protect you,” I said.
It sounded stupid as soon as it came out of my mouth.
“Uhm, I would hope we’re more than just a master and a boy. Just because you’re my master doesn’t mean we’re not equals,” he said.
“I know. I know. I didn’t mean it that way. I appreciate you standing up for me. It was cute.”
He raised an eyebrow.
