[Milliways]: Posner's Reward

[smallgayjew]

Although he did spend an extra day (or two) in Milliways, Posner eventually makes his way home, still beaming, hoping he doesn't smell like champagne. His parents are beyond proud. Even his uncle claps him on the shoulder and says how proud he is

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[pushtheboatout]

Dakin is feeling expansive. Generous, even. (And very non-rigid and undefined by traditional sexuality.)

"Now look, everybody," says Dakin as he catches Posner around the neck, "this is known as Posner's reward."

He hugs Posner, tight but briefly.

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Surprised as he is, pleased as he most definitely is, Posner cannot let this stand.

The embrace is so very short that he has no time to react, no time to reciprocate. He frowns as Dakin pulls away.

"Is that it? The longed-for moment?"

[pushtheboatout]

Dakin is dumbfounded, but only for a moment. Why wouldn't Pos be pleased? Didn't he want, you know, gestures?

"What's wrong with it?"

[smallgayjew]

"It's too fucking brief!" Posner complains, pouting just a bit. "I was looking for something more..." he pauses to find the right word, "lingering."

[pushtheboatout]

"Go on, Stuart!" "Stuart, Stuart!" They other boys start applauding and hooting, and Timms and Lockwood push them together.

Dakin goes in for a hug--and then changes his mind at the last minute. They've had some good conversations lately, after all, and it feels like another one of those subjunctive moments.

Which is why Dakin kisses him instead of, no matter how affectionate, a mere hug.

There's even a little tongue. Then not so little.

[smallgayjew]

For all his hopes, Posner had most definitely not been expecting that. He's a bit more prepared this time, though, so his shock does not render him paralytic. After only a brief hesitation, he quite enthusiastically returns that kiss.

(He's rather good at it. He's had a bit of practice.)

The other boys hoot and whistle and cheer them on, and by the time they break away, Posner is breathless, his face flushed.

Still, he manages to gather himself enough to nod to the helmet in Dakin's hand as Akthar congratulates him. "And what's this? Hector's reward?"

[pushtheboatout]

"I thought I would," says Dakin, holding up the helmet like Hamlet contemplating Yorrick's skull. "It's only polite. For old time's sake."

"Just don't go past the lollipop lady," says Scripps.

[smallgayjew]

There's laughter at that, of course. Even Posner, still reeling (still beaming) from that kiss, manages to join in.

The man himself appears as they head out, ready to make their final exit, and Rudge says, "Sir. Is the jackpot still going?"

"Why?" says Hector, looking better pleased with himself that Posner has seen him since the day he broke down in class in front of them all.

"I've got something," Rudge answers, and Posner is not the only one to look surprised.

"Just you?" Hector asks

"Yes."

He smiles and spreads his arms as if in welcome. "I'm listening."

And then Rudge does something that Posner isn't sure he's ever seen before. Not Rudge on his own, at least.

He sings:

At school they taught me how to be
So pure in thought and word and deed
They didn't quite succeed
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common too
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
It's a sin.

[pushtheboatout]

Rudge is singing?

"He doesn't know that," says Timms. "You can't expect him to know that."

"I do," says Rudge simply.

"And anyway, it's crap," Timms goes on.

"So is Gracie Fields," says Rudge. "Only that's his crap. This is our crap."

Hector interrupts, "Excuse me, children. Even though I am easy to overlook, I am here. Unsurprisingly, I do not know the song in question."

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"Pop is the new literacy, sir," quips Akthar. "I read it."

"In which case, I am now illiterate," Hector offers. "But Rudge is right...his crap or my crap, it makes no difference. So, in another reference to our ancient popular culture, I say, 'Give him the money, Barney!'"

There's a brief moment of congratulatory back-patting. Someone finally won the kitty.

And then Felix comes in, and slow though he may be most of the time, it doesn't take him long to spot the helmet.

"What is this? A boy in a motorcycle helmet? Who is it? Dakin? No, no, no. Under no circumstances." He looks a bit like he's close to an aneurysm. "Hecotr, I thought I'd made this plain. Take somebody else...take..." He casts about for a suitable replacement.

Dunkirk. Alamein. Lollipop ladies.

"Take Irwin."

[pushtheboatout]

"Irwin?" says Hector skeptically as Irwin domes down the stairs.

But Irwin's in a good mood, too. Hm. "Sure," he says, "why not?"

Dakin pulls him aside for a moment as the other boys congratulate Hector. "Do you want my Tudor Economic Documents?" he asks with a little eyebrow arch, Man To Man

Irwin laughs. "Fuck off," he says, "fuck right off," and puts on the helmet.

He climbs into the motorcycle behind Hector, who starts the motor up, and they speed away as the boys run along behind, cheering them.