FIC: Sunset Ave. (10/?)
Title: Sunset Ave. (10/?)
Fandom: The Green Mile AU
Character(s)/Pairing(s): Billy/Percy
Rating: M
Disclaimer: I don't own either Billy nor Percy, just the plot and everyone else in it.
A/N: Finally another update!
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Sunset Ave.
Chapter Ten
Square One
Kenny’s face was flushed red with anger; he looked about ready to explode as he grabbed the scruff of Billy’s collar and yanked him to the ground. Billy raised his arms above his head, trying to prevent the blows raining down on him, kicking out and yelling.
Maggie was screaming, trying to pull Kenny off her son, but the bigger man just threw her back. Jessie sobbed, holding a wailing Teddy to her chest and trying to calm him. ‘Yer draggin’ this name through the fucking dirt!’ Kenny snarled, spittle falling from his lips as he physically shook Billy hard. He backhanded the boy across the face, chucking him down again. ‘Yer make me fucking sick and when I’m done with yer, yer little queer, I’m goan get my shotgun and blow that pervert’s face off!’
Jessie cried, turning away. Merely ten minutes before, she’d finally had enough of Patrick and kicked him out, telling her family every thing had that happened. Billy coughed, spitting blood onto the wooden floor and Kenny kicked him in the face, sending him reeling backwards.
White spots sparked in his vision, his nose feeling big and bulbous on his face. Billy blinked, trying to clear his vision but it seemed impossible, as Kenny grabbed him and dragged him through the house. ‘Kendal, no!’ Maggie yelled, grabbing Billy’s arm and attempting to pull him back. ‘Leave ‘im be. It wasn’t his fault!’
‘Shut the fuck up, woman,’ Kenny snarled, shoving her backwards. ‘He was a bad one from the start. Don’t try and sugar-coat it.’ He kicked open the front door, throwing Billy out. Wharton rolled down the porch steps, managing to get unsteadily to his feet, hacking up blood before he turned a swollen eye to his father.
‘Fuck yer,’ he spat. ‘I don’t need yer. Don’t need any of yer!’ Kenny came forward, his fist against Billy’s jaw causing the boy to stumble over.
‘If I see yer here again, I’ll kill yer!’ he raged, fists shaking in his fury. ‘We don’t what no queers here!’
‘Good, cause I don’t want to be here!’ Billy yelled, voice hoarse. Maggie opened the wire door, tears in her eyes, but no she said nothing. Teddy could still be heard screaming instead the house. ‘Good riddance t’ the lot of yer!’ Billy yelled, as he turned and headed away from the farm, the eyes of his parents following him. As soon as he got out of sight, he raced down the road, not stopping until he arrived at the Wetmore household. He hammered against the door, not stopping until it was pulled open. The nigger lady stood in the doorway, dark eyes widening in surprise at the sight of him. She took a step back as Billy stumbled in, coughing, hands reaching out to grab something before he fell.
Irene pushed away from the table instantly as Billy tumbled to the floor, his legs giving out. ‘Odessa, get a bowl of hot water and a cloth,’ the older woman said firmly. ‘Percy, get a chair.’ Billy could hear movement as Percy grabbed the chair and Henry Wetmore lifted the injured boy to his feet. With a heave, he sat him on the chair. Billy took a gasp of breath, coughed and wheezed a little.
‘Come on, son, what happened to you?’ Henry asked, as Irene began to dab at his face with a damp cloth. Billy winced, but before he could reply, Henry had looked up at the door. ‘Can I help you?’
‘Is this a bad time?’ asked a deep, rolling voice and Billy partly turned in his chair to see a black vicar stood, hands clasped in front of him. His eyes fell to Billy, before realization filled his dark eyes. ‘Actually, I think this is an ideal time.’
‘What’s going on here?’ Henry demanded.
‘Can we go somewhere private?’ The Priest asked.
‘Look, if you have something to say, then spit it out!’
‘Fine,‘ the Priest said with a resigned sigh. ‘At church, Miss Odessa here told me about some happenings between your son and his friend.’ Irene glanced at Percy and then back at the large black man.
‘Our son is a fine boy. What misgivings are you accusing him of here?’
‘Ma’am,’ the Priest said, ducking his head a little. ’What I’m about to say…’
‘For the Lord’s sake,’ Henry snapped, getting to his feet. ’Say it already.’
‘Your boy has been involved in sexual activities with this young man,’ he said. Shocked silence met his words and the Priest sighed. ’They were involved with each other. Odessa saw it with her own eyes!’ Irene had gone pale, a hand coming up to cover her mouth. She looked across at Percy.
‘Is this true?’ she asked faintly. Henry turned to stare at him. Percy took a step back, cheeks flushed.
‘No!’ he blurted out, refusing to meet Billy’s gaze. ’No! That’s wrong and sinful. They’re lying. They’re in it together.’
‘But, your house m-’
‘Are you calling my son a liar?’ Henry said, voice threatening. The Priest met his glare full on.
‘I’m merely stating facts, Sir.’
‘How dare your kind come in here and make up sick stories about my son. I want you outta her enow!’
‘Mr Wetmore,’ the Priest started, but Henry took a step forward.
‘I said get out! I’m not having a Negro in here, spreading stories about my… my boy’s not like that!’ He turned, staring at Odessa. ’Get out. You’re fired! I don’t want to see you around these parts again!’ Billy got to his feet, unsteady for a moment as he looked at Percy. He opened his mouth to say something, but he didn’t know what to say. Percy glared back at him, fists balled at his sides.
‘Get out my house!’ Henry yelled again. He grabbed Odessa’s arm, forcing her to stumble out the house. Then, he looked at Billy and he saw Kenny in his anger. ’I don’t want you t’go anywhere near Percy again! You disgust me, boy. I outta lynch your ass.’ He held open the door and Billy sent Percy a look full of hate that Percy took a step back. He stalked out, shoving past the Priest and Henry slammed the door shut.
Irene still looked pale, as if she’d faint any moment and Henry put his hands on his hips, dark hair falling out of place. ‘Percy, go to your room.’
‘ But-’
‘I SAID GO TO YOUR ROOM, GODDAMN IT!’ Percy scuttled up the stairs, kicking off his shoes and climbing into his bed. He pulled the duvet over his head, blocking out the moonlight coming through the open window. His squeezed his eyes shut until it hurt, face damp from his hot breath.
‘…Why would the Priest lie, Henry?’
‘My boy is not…. Is not a faggot!’ Percy covered his ears, not wanting to hear the sound of his parents. He wasn’t queer. He wasn’t into that.
What had he done?