Daniel pulled two beer bottles out of his bag and handed one to Rusty who was sitting next to him. "I think they're still kind of cold."
"Thanks," Rusty murmured, opening the drink and downing a huge gulp. Daniel watched him with a more intense gaze than was probably necessary.
"Hey, man...are you gonna be okay?" Daniel asked softly. He set his unopened drink down between his legs. Rusty looked down at the ground, trailing his fingers over the rim of the bottle.
"Yeah, I'll be fine," Rusty mumbled in reply. He tossed his hair out of his eyes, showing Daniel a right eye that was beginning to bruise. Daniel also noticed the scabbing cut on his friend's lip and the red marks on his exposed arms.
Daniel was quiet for a moment.
"Are you sure?"
"Look, I'm fine, okay? He'll cool down in a couple hours and probably fall asleep in front of the TV," Rusty snapped. "I'll go home at about two or something." Rusty picked up the beer bottle and idly traced the bottom of it over the concrete they were sitting on.
"Rus, you have to do something. It's getting serious...your dad is hitting you; what if next time you can't get away?"
"I told you I'll be okay! Why can't you ever stop worrying about me, Dan? I can take care of myself! I don't need you!" Rusty threw the beer bottle and it shattered against the ground, beer exploding everywhere. He covered his face with his hands and began to shudder. Daniel only flinched as the bottle broke, but he immediately moved closer to his friend, wrapping a gentle arm around his shoulders.
"Rus..." he whispered, trying to bring him closer. "Rus...it's okay. I'm here, I'm not gonna leave you."
Rusty turned into Daniel's open arms, pressing his face into his chest. Rusty held him close enough to smell the shampoo in his friend's hair. Daniel continued to whisper Rusty's name soothingly, his lips barely touching the soft strands of hair.
After Rusty's shuddering died down, he slowly pulled back, but not completely as he leaned up and pressed his lips to Daniel's. His steady hand now drifted to Daniel's shoulder, clutching it gently.
Daniel did not pull away despite his surprise. His lips flowed over his friend's as easily as if they had always been lovers.
After a moment, Rusty pulled away completely, looking up at Daniel's face.
"Don't let me go home tonight..." he whispered, the urgency and fear in the tone of a child's.
Daniel did not even have to take time to think of a response. A short nod was sufficient.
