#may 1984

Set directly after this Wordcount: ~480

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“It was Alex, wasn’t it?”

Gwyn’s question is a bit unexpected, interrupting the silence they’ve fallen into while AC/DC plays out of the background. They’re lying side by side on top of Tommy’s sheets, just staring at the ceiling while they come back to level after the afternoon’s revelations. 

“What was?”

“He made you realize that you’re, y’know…” she trails off, but the implication is clear. 

“Is it that obvious?” Tommy asks, resigned.

“Only because I know what to look for, with the power of hindsight.”

He sighs. “Do you remember the day Flash threw that peach at you?” he asks, realizing a moment too late how mean that sounds. “I mean— of course you do, but like, after that part.”

Gwyn laughs at him. “You mean when he called Flash out on his shit and decided to give up any semblance of social status to sit with us? No, it doesn’t ring a bell, actually.”

Tommy rolls his eyes. “Anyway, that’s what made me realize, I guess. I liked that it wasn’t really about me, that he just wanted to do the right thing, y’know?”

He feels Gwyn shrug. “I guess.”

“I just—” He makes a noise somewhere between a frustrated groan and embarrassed whine. “He looked so fucking happy to be there, and I’ve never wanted to kiss someone so badly in my life.”

“Ugh, I can’t believe you fell for a jock,” she teases. “I don’t think we can be friends anymore.”

“Oh yeah? And who was your lesbian awakening then? You’re friends with me, so your taste in women can’t be that good,” he retorts, sitting up to look at her.

“MJ,” she answers easily, like her answer requires no justification, which is pretty much the truth.

“I stand corrected. Fair enough.” He flops back down onto the mattress. 

“I think I always kinda knew,” Gwyn says after a pause. “Other girls would get excited about holding hands with boys on the playground or go on and on about the newest heartthrob actor, and I just kinda went along with it.”

“I thought people were exaggerating,” Tommy replies. “Like it was some big inside joke or something. It took me a long time to realize I was thinking about Alex the way people talk about their crushes. I guess now I know why I liked watching Christopher Reeves run around in tights so much.”

“Speaking of tights, are we gonna talk about the other thing?”

“If we must.”

Gwyn rolls over, propping herself on her elbow so she can look down at him. “So Spider-Punk, huh? How’d that happen.”

Tommy shrugs. “I mean, I didn’t want to be a superhero, if that’s what you’re asking. But it’s a long, absolute bummer of a story.”

US Vogue May 1984

Striped raw silk nightie. By Luciano Soprani. Belt by, Miss Ellen Ruth Levy.

Nuisette en soie grège rayée. Par Luciano Soprani. Ceinture par, Miss Ellen Ruth Levy.

Photo Eddy Kohli

Judge Dredd No. 7.

A reprint series from Eagle Comics.

Cover by Brian Bolland.

Cover dated May 1984.

Colour cover shown below.