The Cliche High-school Experience | Mako
(This is an AU set in 1980’s high-school. TW: Bullying, homophobia/homophobic slurs)
Merlin switched on the tiny flashlight he kept on his car keys and held the book on the Salem witch trials up to where he could read. He’d probably be locked in this locker for quite some time. He hated high school. Every day it was the same. Some big, dumb jocks pushing him into lockers and giving him wet willies and calling him names. Fag, queer, homo…to Merlin it was so childish, but still…hurtful. Merlin told himself he didn’t care, but he did. He just hoped that in college or trade school or whatever came after this was better. Everyone told him it would be, after all. He’d have friends and he wouldn’t get picked on for his differences. In fact, that’s what would make him stand out. Make him successful.
Merlin was so focused on reassuring himself that he didn’t even hear the voices from outside the locker, discussing something. There was a loud bang as someone kicked the locker Merlin was in and the locker door popped open, causing Merlin to tumble out onto the floor. He looked up and there stood the three boys who’d shoved him in there in the first place, looking sullen, and just beyond them was the newest addition to the football team–Akio Sunohara. He was a transfer from some country in Asia and even though he’d only gotten to Salem High two months ago, he’d already secured a spot on the school football team and a place at the “cool kids” table. In other words, just the kind of arrogant prick that Merlin had come to despise. Merlin awaited whatever worse fate would come now that he’d been released from the locker-prison by the tall, emotionless male, but it never came. Instead Akio barked at the other three to “get to class” then started heading the other direction as they scurried away. He stopped short, then looked at Merlin, who hadn’t moved from the floor. There was no emotion, no care in Akio’s eyes as he stared at the other, “You too,” he said, then continued walking without another glace at Merlin.
Over the next week Merlin put together that Akio made the other three release Merlin from that locker and continued to instill in them what seemed like an anti-bullying policy. More and more the jocks left Merlin alone and anytime they started to pick on him, Akio was there to tell them to knock it off. For whatever reason, they listen to Akio–not that Merlin was complaining. He just wanted to know…why? What purpose did this serve Akio?
Then one day after lunch, Merlin was walking down an empty hall–he was in the library and accidentally had stayed too long, making himself late to his next class. He was hurrying so fast that he didn’t even watch where he was going as he turned the corner and bumped right into someone, spilling his own books everywhere. It was Akio. Merlin’s throat tightened, worried that he would surely receive some sort of punishment for knocking into Akio, “S-Sorry,” he said, pressing his back against the wall. This somehow made Merlin feel safer, like he can’t be attacked from behind.
Akio looked at him and then put one hand on each side of Merlin’s head, successfully trapping Merlin against the wall. Akio leaned down so that he was eye-level to Merlin, Akio’s breath warm against Merlin’s lips, “Can I kiss you?” he asked, his face still showing no emotion.
Merlin was startled to say the least. This must be some sort of joke right? Merlin’s eyes looked left and right, scanning for other jocks or a camera or something. This must’ve been some sort of prank. Get the “fag” to admit to what he was, take photos and send it around so that there would be more reason to tease him, right? But still…Merlin was curious and his heart thumped hard in his chest. Akio had never bullied him and had stopped others from doing just that…why start now? Merlin swallowed hard, “Y-Yes,” he finally answered.
“Good, I wouldn’t want to do anything you’re uncomfortable with,” Akio mumbled huskily as he drew closer to Merlin, pressing his lips against Merlin’s. The kiss was both soft and strong. Soft, like he didn’t want to frighten Merlin, but strong, like he wanted more. Merlin kissed him back, giving him a little more.
Finally Akio pulled away, his tongue flicking out just a little to lick his own lips, “You taste nice,” he said to Merlin and Merlin flushed. He couldn’t think of a thing to say, so he stayed quiet as Akio pushed himself off the wall and walked away, leaving Merlin to stare after him.