I Love Some Canon Gay

“I think this should be right,” Baz said quietly- yet apparently loud enough for Snow to hear- as he turned around in his seat to glare at Baz. Ms.Petty checked the problem and his answer before giving him a nod.

“Nice work, Basilton,” she sent him a small smile and then made on her way back to her desk. Baz gave Snow- who was still glaring at him, the imp- a smug grin. Snow rolled his eyes and turned harshly in his seat back to his own page.

***

Simon hated the way Baz Pitch could get under his skin so easily. He gripped his pencil harder, tongue poked out in concentration as his mind relayed the steps to properly find zeros of the function. How Baz had managed to complete the first problem in two minutes was beyond him- and the words Penny had told him in the beginning of the year reverberated in his mind. Just because he can do something great doesn’t mean that you’re not doing good as well, don’t let him stop you from doing your best, Simon. And so Simon attempted to push all thoughts of the long-haired git from his mind, focussing solely on the headache-inducing number of x’s on his page to solve for.

By the time he completed the series of problems they were given the bell was about to ring, and most students had already gathered their things into their bags. Simon’s head popped up when the screeching of Baz’s chair disrupted him from his thoughts. He watched in curiosity as the boy left the room a minute early, not even giving Ebb a glance as he strode out of the room seemingly without a thought. Simon gaped at Ebb, silently asking for an explanation, she smiled and shrugged.

“It’s not my place to tell you, Simon,” was all she gave him before the bell truly did ring, and Simon was rushing to get everything in his pack and racing out the door.

***

Baz walked quickly in the few minutes he had before all of the students would be let from their classes to go to their next ones. He was thankful to Ms.Petty, who had understood his situation and offered a solution that had certainly saved him one or two times. For Baz, walking through the halls of his school to his next class took more strength than it really should. Ever since it was revealed that he was gay, he’d occasionally gotten shoved unceremoniously and had unkind words whispered and taunted in his ear. Leaving early allowed him to avoid it all, and Ms.Petty was one of the only teachers he had who let him do so.

He greeted Niall as he sat down at their lunch table, grinning as his friend launched into a story about how his modern government teacher had gotten drunk the previous night and made hilarious posts to their school’s website. Baz shook his head as he laughed, and was too caught up in his conversation that he didn’t notice the now silent lunchroom, or the football player standing behind him.

*** Simon felt uneasiness churn in his gut as Higgins approached Baz, and most of the room seemed to notice it too, a spell of silence overtaking everyone. For a reason he couldn’t place, Simon wished for the smile and laughter that was just there to reappear on Baz’s face. Baz was now realizing that everyone was staring at him, and looked behind himself briefly before Higgins grabbed him by the color and lifted him like he was nothing.

Simon gasped as Baz struggled under his grip, a kick to Higgin’s groin eventually getting him to let go.

“Niall’s one of our best players, we don’t want a queer like you messing him up,” Higgins snarled, and Simon felt anger scorch through him. Baz stood up from where he had been dropped to the ground and brushed off his pants casually before he chuckled.

“I didn’t realize having a gay friend affects one’s football skills,” Baz replied.

“Back the fuck off,” Niall gritted his teeth at Higgins.

“What, defending your boyfriend now?” Higgins first approaching Baz was shocking in itself, but nothing could’ve prepared Simon to watch Baz reel back his arm and hit Higgins right on the nose. Higgins stumbled back a few steps, clutching his bleeding nose with his fist. “You’re gonna pay for that, faggot,” Higgins snarled. Simon jumped up from his seat, and ignoring Penny’s protests, he ran forward and punched Higgins in the gut as he stepped forward to harm Baz.

“Stay the fuck away from him!” Simon shouted, Higgins glared at him, and was about to stand back up to retaliate before a teacher stepped between them, ending the fight.

***

“I’m glad they let us off the hook,” Snow said. He had his elbows on his knees and hands clasped like he was going to pray. Baz eyed Snow suspiciously.They were sitting outside of the principal’s office, the three highest officials in their school currently berating a bleeding and bruised Higgins for approaching Baz. A curl fell right over Snow’s eye, and Baz resisted the urge to tuck it back for him.

“You call one month’s detention ‘off the hook’?” Baz asked, Simon shrugged.

“Could’ve been expelled,” He replied, he was chewing his lip in concentration again.

“This is your fault, you know-” Baz started, but he was cut off.

“What? It was your ass who punched him first, I was just trying to stop him from killing you- which- no offense- but he totally could,” Simon rambled.

“I didn’t need you to protect me, as much as it hurts your ego for me to say it”

“Oh, my ego-” Simon was cut off as the door beside them squeaked open, a grim looking Natasha Pitch eyeing them both.

“Come back inside, please,” She said, her tone was clipped, and Baz hated it when she spoke to him in her “teacher voice”.

“Higgins has something he would like to say to you both, and I believe you two have something to say to him as well,” She gestured to Higgins, who was red in the face.

“I’m sorry I called you inappropriate things, that is not the conduct we have at Watford,” He mumbled robotically, looking all the part like he did very much not mean the words he had just said.

“And I’m sorry I punched you in the face as a response,” Baz replied, tone just as cool as his mother’s.

“Yeah, er- me too, for punching you in the stomach and all,” Simon muttered quickly.

“You all know your punishments, dismissed,” his mother stated. Baz knew he would get a mouthful at home, but was thankful that she didn’t call him in her office right away.

***

“Baz!” Simon called, with a nod from Ebb, he followed the Pitch out of the classroom and into the empty hallways. “Wait up!” They hadn’t spoken since the “fight” (though one couldn’t really call it one)- two days ago.

“What do you want, Snow?” Baz asked, not stopping his brisk pace. Simon had to quicken his stride to keep up with the taller boy.

“Er- could you help me in maths?” “Could I do what?” Baz asked incredulously.

“I’m falling behind and you’re the best in class- also I think punching the same guy we both hate makes us closer than algebra 2 rivals, yeah?” Baz stopped walking to turn and raise a brow at Simon.

“Algebra 2 rivals?”

“Well- yeah, but now I need your help- and I helped you against Higgins- whether you wanted me to or not,” Simon replied. Baz groaned out a fine through gritted teeth and Simon pumped his fist in the air with a victorous “Yes!”

“You’re a bloody mess, you know that, Snow?” Baz had chuckled, and in that moment Simon couldn’t understand why that made his heart beat a bit faster in his chest.

***

“You never did tell me why you helped me that day,” Baz told him randomly. They were sat in the library, peering over the study guide Ebb had given them for the test tomorrow.

“I dunno, felt like the right thing to do, I guess,” Simon answered with a shrug, he circled his answer on the page and sighed when Baz shook his head.

“I’m not a damsel in distress, Snow,” Baz replied, “Look at the divisor,” He nodded to the page and Simon gasped in realization before he began to solve the question again.

“Well duh, but that doesn’t mean I can’t bash Higgins in the gut if I want to.” Simon was smiling as he glanced back up at Baz, and his eyes widened as Baz grinned back.

“What?” Baz asked inquisitively.

“Nothing- er- just think I’ve mucked up the division again,” Simon answered quickly. Baz looked at his work.

“Yeah, you did”

***

“Snow?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you care?”

“Care about what?” Simon turned to look at Baz. They were lying on Simon’s messy bed after completing a study session, Simon not wishing to admit the heat that had flooded his cheeks when Baz had sat- somehow gracefully- onto his bed, wrinkling his nose slightly at the crumpled sheets and proceeding to  tie his hair up into a bun.

“That I’m gay,” Baz stated simply, and Simon froze.

“No? I mean- I wouldn’t ask you to tutor me if I had a problem with it,” Simon answered. Baz was giving him a strange look.

“Ok,” He was smiling now, “I’m glad,” Baz said, and Simon felt a well of happiness go up through his chest. It was the way that Baz’s eyes gleamed and crinkled as he smiled, so truly beautiful that Simon couldn’t stop the revelation that poured from his mouth.

“IthinkImightbegaytoo,” He said too quickly.

“You- what?” Baz stuttered, he was looking at Simon like he was a madman.

“I- I think I’m gay,” Simon whispered. He didn’t know why he was telling Baz of all people first. Maybe it was because he knew that Baz wouldn’t be homophobic- for obvious reasons- but also that he felt like he could trust the boy.

“Have you told anyone else?” Baz asked. And Simon flushed, turning away.

“No,” He mumbled.

“Then why me?” Baz asked.

“‘Cause,” Simon said, focussing his attention on his hands that sat on his lap.

“Cause I’m the only other out person you know?”

“No- cause- cause you’re you,” Simon said desperately.

“I’m- what are you saying?” Baz questioned and Simon huffed in annoyance.

“You’re you,” was all Simon mumbled again before he was looking back up and grabbing Baz’s shoulder, tugging him into an awkward and chaste kiss. At first Baz didn’t react, and Simon froze in fear, before plush lips were moving tentatively against his own. Simon sighed happily into Baz’s mouth, before he pulled back a few seconds later.

He had been hoping to become worthy- worthy in the eyes of the Mage- that he could fight and not disappoint him or anyone else. He had also been hoping that maybe doing so would prompt the Mage allow him to spend his summers at Watford rather than the home, but that was out of the question now.

He let his tears fall, angry at himself, angry at the Mage, angry at his parents for leaving him so- so alone. He choked on a sob and let himself curl up, stuffing his face into his pillow as his shoulders shook and his body heaved. He would’ve gone to Penny, but he felt he was so obviously pathetic, and he was worried that she would think the same as the Mage. He knew truthfully that Penny would never do that- but the fear still clung to his heart.

He had become so lost in his despair, that he didn’t hear or notice the door to his room swinging open.

***

When Baz opened his door, he had not been expecting to find Snow curled up in his sheets like a child, body racking with obvious cries as heart-wrenching sobs echoed out through the room. The sight alone made Baz want to cry as well. A deep pain clung to his chest, it hurt him more than he would admit to see Simon in pain.

He exhaled sharply, bracing himself as he walked over to the boy. He gently placed his hand on Simon’s shoulder, just barely keeping himself from reeling back as Snow sat up quicker than he had expected him to. His eyes and face were red, so much so that you could barely see the freckles dusted over his nose and cheeks.

“What, Baz,” Simon croaked, his voice was horse and he sniffed harshly, glaring up at him weakly and oh-so pitifully.

Baz didn’t say anything in return. He simply sat down beside him on the bed. He then cupped Simon’s cheek, embarrassment flushing his face as he felt Simon’s cheek heat impossibly warmer under his hand. Simon’s eyes widened and his mouth fell slightly open, his still falling tears rolling down right into it. Baz wiped one away with his thumb.

“I can’t ensure that everything will be alright for you, Snow,” He said after a moment, and Simon furrowed his brows. “But it won’t remain like this forever,” He continued. Simon looked at him, and Baz didn’t know if he was gonna punch him or just keep staring at him.

“W-why are you-” Simon muttered but Baz shushed him. Baz put his hand on the flat of Simon’s chest and pushed him down back gently onto the bed. He pulled the blankets up to Simon’s chin, and wiped more tears from his face with his fingers. Simon seemed in such a shock- and Baz let himself card a hand through those curls once before he took a step away.

“I’ve had enough cries to last a lifetime, Snow. It always helps to have someone, even if you hate them,” Baz said. Simon kept giving him that look, but then lifted a hand out from under his blanket, and held it out inquisitively. Baz stared at it for a moment, then pressed his own to Simon’s. A warm rush ran through him as the pads of Simon’s fingers trailed over his palm, before reaching up shortly and linking their fingers. Baz sat on his own bed, keeping their hands linked, not missing the firm squeeze Simon gave him, as though he were worried Baz would let go instantly.