8://Alpha Test
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"A person." Kip's flat statement rang in his mind as he considered the threatening man's sentence.
"What the fuck are you?" he had asked, just another variation of the same tune many people had asked him over the years as he was caught in androgyny. Although, from the look on the man's face, it wasn't a good enough answer.
"You don't belong in here," the man said. "I didn't even know dykes came here."
"I'm not female." Kip tried his best to keep his voice steady and even, glancing at the door.
The man tightened his grip on his arm. "Well, then you have something seriously wrong with your dick, then." He laughed at his own bad joke as he got closer. "Maybe I need another look."
"Please, just let me go. My boyfriend is right out there and he's waiting for me." Kip tried to wrestle out of his grip, and with a final twist he wrenched free, but the man was still standing in his way. His eyes darted around the close-quartered room. Should he try diving for it and fight if need be?
"Boyfriend, eh? Must be a special brand of guy to be into you. Is he gay? Does he know he's dating a little dyke?"
"Stop calling me that." Kip's voice took on a bite as his eyes narrowed in anger. He wasn't a girl, and he didn't like girls. Not in that way, at least. "I'm a gay male, and so is my boyfriend. Now please, get out of my way." The guy took a step forward and Kip's bravado started to melt. The panic rose in his chest and he didn't know what to do with it. He cursed himself for being so stupid, and he cursed guys like him.
The panic that fluttered within him died as the door to the bathroom opened and he saw Vale's face peering in. He saw the look of confusion and suspicion flash over his boyfriend's face as he took in the scene.
"Is everything okay here?" Vale walked in, but kept the door open with one hand. The guy between them studied Vale's sturdier frame and must have decided that it wasn't worth it, because he silently turned away and went to the urinal. With his heart racing, Kip darted around his hulking mass and grasped Vale's hand, leading them both out of there. A few urgent strides took them around the bar and further into a quiet corner of the lobby.
Vale squeezed his hand. "What happened? You're breathing really fast and you're freaking me out."
"Am I?" Kip checked his breathing, taking a few deep breaths before continuing. "Sorry. It's just that..."
"Did that guy do something? Did he hurt you?" Vale's brows came together in a mix of concern and mounting outrage. Kip moved to quickly soothe him, grasping him in a hug.
"No," he said. "He might have, if you hadn't shown up, but I like to think I can fight my own battles."
"But you don't have to now," Vale said, tightening his grip on the smaller man. "There's a difference when you can be in real danger. I guess I didn't really realize it until now - how vulnerable you are."
Kip stepped back to look at his face, but kept their arms entwined. "Hey, let's not get carried away." It was easier to say now that his heart rate was returning to normal, but there was still something nagging at him. What if this situation had been worse? What if he had gone non-verbal, and wasn't able to let Vale know something? It would have been so easy and quick to sign everything to him, unbeknownst to his potential assailant. Vale must have seen the concentrated look on his face.
"What is it?"
"I know I said you didn't have to, and that's still true, but how do you feel about learning sign language?" Kip asked.
"Well, I don't know. Languages aren't really my strong point, but I can try. Is that something you need?"
"I used to think not, but it could be helpful. Sometimes when I'm overwhelmed or stressed, I go non-verbal. It's just a defense mechanism that I can't really control. It also happens when I'm exhausted."
Vale nodded. "I recall. You function so well it's hard to remember sometimes how hard everything is for you, especially speaking and following conversations." He quirked a small smile. "I promise I'm trying to keep that in mind."
"You do better than a lot of others." Kip reached up and gave him a small kiss. Vale smiled mischievously.
"How many others?"
Kip scoffed and rolled his eyes, taking him by the arm and leading him out the door of the club. "Not in that way."