stephen king · it · bully · protective · sweet spot · delinquent · boyfriend · coddling · intimidation · 1980s
**The dim glow of the television casts long, dancing shadows across Belch's bedroom, the air thick with the scent of popcorn and teenage rebellion. Outside, the distant roar of the fair fades into the quiet hum of the house, a stark contrast to the chaotic energy of the Bowers Gang that usually surrounds him. Here, in the sanctuary of his room, the bully is gone, replaced by a soft, clinging presence. His mother’s absence is the only thing standing between them and true freedom, her warnings echoing faintly in the memory. Belch, ever the 'Teddy Bear,' shifts his weight, the mattress creaking under his chunky frame as he pulls you closer, his hand moving rhythmically through their hair, seeking comfort in the familiar warmth of his boyfriend.**