TIME WARP: Panic... Kiss! (Gryphon)

[Deleted]

Set in 2006

Why weren't kids allowed to play tag on the play structure? That was such a dumb rule, and everyone did it anyway! So what if someone fell and scraped themselves up every now and then - it was good for them, toughened them up. Ten-year-old Phoenix thought so, at least. Or, rather, he didn't even really think about it at all, other than that it was fun, especially with one of his best friends.

"You can't get me, dimple-face!" the scrawny stick of a boy squeaked, darting underneath a slide and scrambling up the steps to one of the many bridge-structures, laughing as he looked behind him to make sure the other Asian boy wasn't right on his tail. Phoenix wasn't extremely fast, but he was small, so he was good at darting in and out of little spaces and wiggling just out of reach.

As soon as a recess monitor spotted them, though, it'd be timeout for them. But Phen didn't care in the moment - all he cared about was scrambling away from Gryphon's reaching hand, which was surely getting closer by the moment!

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryph would have to agree with Phoenix, this was fun! He giggled as he chased after the other boy, looping through the structure as swiftly as his could. He was slightly bigger than Phen, but that didn't mean he was any slower.

"I can and I will, Phennie!" he proclaimed back, catching up bit by bit by the second. When Phen went under the slide, Gryph went over it, and ran right in the direction of his best friend as soon as he came into sight. He held out his hand and ran as fast as he could, laughing like there was no tomorrow. He liked playing with Phoenix, because neither of them cared about the rules, as long as they were having fun. And they'd run from monitors before, they could do it again.

Gryphon clambered up the bridge structure and followed after Phen -he was so close! He stretched just a little further, ran just a little faster, and... "TAG! You're IT!" he shouted, as his hand met Phoenix's arm. Promptly, he turned and darted in the opposite direction, off of the bridge and away from his friend. He had always been better at tag anyway.

[Deleted]

"Neverrr!" tiny Phoenix cried back, doing his best to stay ahead of his friend. He loved being at school - it was so much better than being at home, where there was nothing to do but stare out the window of his mom's apartment, or try to amuse himself inside. He'd always been a sort of sickly kid, too - he had a habit of catching colds and such often - but out here on the playground with his best friend, he felt like he could fly.

He was panting heavily when he looked back again, squealing as he saw how much Gryphon had caught up. His scrawny little chest was rising and falling rapidly as he skittered along the structure, realizing too late he'd made a mistake - he was trapped and couldn't wiggle away here! Soon enough, he felt Gryph's hand tap his arm and scrambled to a stop, whining as he turned and darted after his retreating friend. "Not for long!" he called back, skinny legs pumping as he fought to catch up again.

Little did either of them know, an adult was just around the corner, and would surely catch them in the next couple seconds. Phoenix knew he was at a disadvantage with his small size, but dangit, he was running his hardest. "I'm... Gonna get you back!" he panted, stretching out his arm towards Gryph's back.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryphon just laughed in response to Phen's cries, he was totally going to win this game. He really liked playing with Phen, it was a shame his friend couldn't ever come round his house. It was too big and yeah, he could talk to Fi and play with her, but it wasn't the same. Thomas had been round his house a few times, but he was quite... he always had his head in a book. Not that that was a problem... but it was EXTREMELY BORING! And Phen was fun, and funny, and nice, and he actually talked to you! It was just a terrible shame.

Gryph giggled as Phoenix squealed in fear, smirking and continuing to keep up his fast pace. The rule about playing tag here was stupid, why didn't anyone else break the rule?

He scrambled away, trying his best to keep away from his friend, who was catching up slowly as Gryph grew a little tired. He ran back around towards the slide, near a corner of the building nearby... and he stopped and turned slightly pale. "Phen, Phen, teacher!" By this point the other boy had probably caught up and Gryph was tapping his shoulder to get his attention. He panicked and stood frozen, unsure of what to do as the adult caught sight of them.

[Deleted]

Yeah, Phoenix was way more fun than Thomas! Well, he was fine and all, but he wouldn't even play tag with them! How lame was that? He was too afraid of getting into trouble, or something. Whatever! Phen didn't care if they got caught too much - the punishment would only be temporary, but the bonding between him and Gryph would last forever, he was sure.

Well... As long as he could catch up, that was!

He ran as fast as he could manage, adrenaline making his legs move quick, and saw that he was catching up. "Hah! I'm gonna get-" Phen nearly crashed into Gryph as he suddenly stopped, confused until his friend started speaking in a panic. "Oh sh..." Phen didn't finish the word (his mom had told him it was bad), but he froze, too, for a moment. The teacher apparently caught onto what they were doing and started heading their way with a glare.

"Hey, are you guys playing-?" Before the woman could finish, Phoenix grabbed Gryph's arm and pulled, tugging him in the opposite direction towards a fence not too far away, where there were lots of trees and bushes they could hide in. "C'mon, Gryph, I don't wanna get detention this time!" he hissed, and started running that way as fast as his little legs would take him

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryphon's thoughts were very similar to Phen's. He didn't expect to stick to Thomas for the rest of his time at school, but he knew he and Phoenix were gonna stick to each other like glue.

Gryph ignored Phen's cries of almost victory; his thoughts were too consciously consumed on the teacher coming their way. He gulped and stood like a perfect statue, until Phen began tugging on him. He did a double take, swivelling around to where Phen was running and followed him hurriedly. He didn't care too much about detentions, but if Fi found out... he was done for. She'd take away his PlayStation! He REALLY didn't want that!

He scrambled in the direction of Phen and slowly caught up, until they had both reached the trees and bushes. Gryph fell behind them and panted like a dog, turning back and peeking over the greenery to see where the teacher was. He hoped she was distracted enough not to come after them

[Deleted]

Phoenix glanced behind him to make sure Gryph was following, and, seeing he was, poured on a little more speed. The teacher wasn't running, but she was walking pretty fast, and Phen was glad when they got far enough away that she went out of sight behind the corner. He knew it wouldn't be that way for long, though.

"Hurry!" he hissed, as though they weren't already putting on full speed; soon Gryph was next to him, and they made it to the shrubbery. Phen practically dove behind a bush next to his friend, his breath as ragged as Gryphon's, his eyes wild and full of adrenaline and panic.

"You see her!?" he gulped, watching as Gryphon peeked around the bush. If she was coming, Phen would... He wasn't sure what he'd do. They'd be done for, for sure!

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryph looked back as he bolted away; that teacher looked pretty angry. He held back a whimper and let his legs do the work as he followed Phen's footsteps.

Gryph scowled a little when Phen hissed out his words, "What d'you think I'm doin'?" He whispered in reply. He galloped along in reply to Phen's orders though, the fear in his mind pushing him forward forcefully.

Gryph put a finger to his lips and made a 'Sssh!' noise, before turning back to look over the hedge. The teacher was... there. But she was just looking around, she hadn't seen them, it seemed. "I see her, but she hasn't seen us." He breathed back, his words separated slightly from his body trying to recapture his breaths. Her line of vision swung around though, and he ducked back behind the hedge as quickly as he could, gasping. She couldn't have seen them, she couldn't have!

[Deleted]

Phen's lips snapped shut as Gryphon shushed him, and his hands twisted together worriedly, hating that he couldn't see what was going on. He could look too, he supposed, but then she'd know they were both back there if she was looking! "Well!?" he hissed quietly, and let out a breath as Gryph said she had't seen them. Good, that was good.

But then Gryphon jerked down, gasping, and Phen's eyes widened. "Did she see you!?" The look on Gryph's face said it all, though, and anxiety shot through Phen's body again. He felt like he was in one of those movies where the guy and the girl were about to face some awful danger that they might not come out alive in, and so in a moment of desperate passion they would lean in an kiss and...

Phen grabbed Gryphon's face and pulled it in, planting his mouth firmly against his friend's. He had no idea what he was doing or why he was doing it, but he held it there for a moment of panic, then another moment of confusion, and then pulled away, cheeks flushed deeply. Gryphon was a boy, what was he... What was Phen doing!? "I-I-I don't know why I did that," he squeaked, scrambling back a little. Shit, was Gryph gonna be mad!?

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

OK, Gryph didn't mean to sound so harsh when he shushed his friend, but he still didn't want to risk being caught, and he was sure Phen felt the same way! He grunted slightly at Phoenix's tetchiness, and half relaxed like he did, before he was frozen behind the bush facing away.

He couldn't tell if the teacher had seen him... the chances were 50/50, it seemed. But he didn't want to take any chances, so he sat quietly, and shook his head. Then nodded it. Then put his head in his hands for a second. He hoped Phen was dealing with the stress a little better. But he wasn't expecting what happened next.

Gryphon's eyes widened at the hand contact on his cheeks and struggled slightly, confused as to what was happening. He stopped squirming once his realized, but he was still shocked, and didn't know whether or not to be glad when Phen pulled away. He looked at Phen in disbelief and confusion, "Why-" He began to ask, but Phoenix came up with an answer before he could finish his question. He tried to unscramble his thoughts.

It wasn't bad. Well, that was from what little he knew, but it didn't feel bad... he looked up, a little calmer, and smiled at Phen, trying to let him know it was alright silently, as he heard footsteps approaching them and he tensed up again.

[Deleted]

Why why why... Phoenix was so confused. He'd... He'd never really thought of doing that before (had he?), but then again, he hadn't thought of doing it with anyone else. He was only ten, for crying out loud - girls still had cooties! And boys.... Boys were fun to play with, and talk to about boy things. Phen'd never seen a boy kiss another boy on TV before, either... Had he just broken some kind of rule? Were boys not supposed to do that? His stomach sunk, and the guilt settled in deeper. He was awful!

"I'm sorry," he squeaked, unsure of what else he should do. Phen was staring at the ground, still blushing. When he finally risked a peek up, he saw that Gryph was... Smiling? He blinked, then blinked again, and offered a shy smile back. Thank God, he hadn't ruined their friendship! At least, it didn't appear like he had. They'd... They'd have to talk about this later. Right now, Phen heard the teachers's footsteps too, and he grabbed Gryph's hand again. Maybe if they bolted again, she wouldn't follow this time.

"Come on!" he hissed, tugging Gryphon along with him. He raced behind the brush as fast as he could manage, and looked back to see the teacher looking over the bush they had been hiding behind. Her gaze turned as she saw them running away, and an exasperated look came over her face. She wavered, then turned and walked away. Apparently she had determined their breaking the tag rule wasn't bad enough that it was worth her chasing them all around the playground for.

Phoenix stopped behind a thick tree trunk, chest heaving, and flopped to the ground. "I think... We're good..." he panted, leaning back against the tree. He was having a hard time looking at Gryphon, and fell silent, wondering if his best friend was going to bring it up.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryphon was just confused. He wasn't angry, upset, disgusted; he just didn't know what to think. He'd never seen a boy kiss another boy either, but if a boy would risk getting cooties by kissing a girl, surely kissing a boy was safer?

Gryph just shook his head at the apology, he would talk about it later. When he could actually talk without the fear of getting caught. He watched as Phen raised his vision... and he was glad when the other boy smiled back. Hopefully, he knew that this wasn't a problem.

He let himself be pulled up a little, and then snapped out of his minor daze so that he could let his legs work. He dashed away and just followed Phen: his major concern was deciphering their situation.

He slumped behind a large bush when they were far enough away, as Phen announced their 'safety'. He panted, "Good." He gave himself a few seconds to catch his breath, and then sat up properly, turning towards Phoenix... who was silent. And wouldn't look at him. "Phen...?" He wondered if the other boy was sad or something. Or maybe there were boy cooties!

Nah, that would just be stupid.

He frowned. He wished he knew what to say... but his words just didn't come.

[Deleted]

They were fortunate that the teacher had decided not to chase after them in regards that at least they wouldn't get into trouble. But now Phen felt awkward, alone with his friend after what he'd just done. He'd never felt awkward around Gryph before, and now he couldn't even look him in the face. It was... Weird.

He winced a little as Gryphon said his name, expecting some sort of demand for an explanation, but that was all he said. Phoenix peeked up at him, hoping he'd be able to read into Gryph's facial expression enough to know how to respond. He really didn't look mad.... Which was a relief.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled again, his breath finally beginning to even out. "I-I was panicking and I suddenly remembered something I saw happen in a movie and I wasn't thinking...." He curled his knees up against his chest, wrapping his arms around them and resting his chin on his knees. "D... Do... Can boys... Kiss other boys?" he asked anxiously, his voice a nervous squeak. "I-I've never seen that happen before, what if I get in trouble...!?" He hid his face, embarrassed beyond belief.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryphon could feel a slight tension in his chest and his face contorted slightly. What... what was that? He looked over at Phen, who was still acting strangely. He didn't like the... unknown-ness of all of this. He just DIDN'T LIKE IT!

He just wanted some answers when it came to all this. Was it... was it allowed to kiss boys? Why did Phen do it? He was just... befuddled.

He tilted his head at the repeated apology and listened intently at the boy's explanation, folding his legs underneath himself. It made sense. Kind of... what did Fi call it... 'Monkey See Monkey Do'? Except Phen wasn't a monkey. But all the same, it was along those lines, right? He frowned as Phoenix hid his face. He thought for a second, partially-knowing that the wrong words could make Phen worse. He tapped the boy's leg, waiting for him to look up or show his attention in some way before speaking, "I... I don't know either. But... um... if it's... bad... I'll take the blame too." He wasn't sure what else to say. He felt his cheeks get warm and he turned his head away a little, "I... I didn't not like it. Like... I dunno." He scratched the back of his neck instinctively and kept his vision away from Phen. He really didn't know what else to do.

[Deleted]

Maybe they could just forget about this and move on. Phoenix hoped s- well, he didn't entirely hope so, because even though he didn't know what the consequences for kissing someone of the same gender was, it... Had felt kinda nice. Phen couldn't say he never wanted to do it again, though he'd never admit it.

Phoenix peeked up as he felt Gryph poke his leg, offering only one scared eye as his friend spoke. He didn't know what to say; Gryphon was being incredibly sweet, and Phen risked lifting his face a little more. He'd... Take the blame too? "But you didn't do anything," he protested. "That's not fair." Gryph had just sat there and took it. When he continued, though, Phen's face heated up all over again and he looked away, too. "I... Didn't not like it.... Either...." he mumbled, unsure of what else to say. He raised his hand up and pressed a small finger against his mouth, imagining that soft pressure again.

"D'you, um-" Before Phen could say more, the bell that ended recess rang out across the playground, and Phoenix winced. Were they gonna get in trouble? Would someone be able to tell what they had done? Could adults see those things? Whatever happened, they needed to go. Phen lifted his skinny form and reached a hand down to his friend, pulling him up as he peeked around the bush where students were lining up to go back inside. "Guess we gotta go," he sighed.