[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/180323/05b727b7c442c83b6c3cc9ef9f15d743.png[/img][hr][hr]

[img]https://media1.giphy.com/media/1174CWoRrHHmec/giphy.gif[/img]

[color=slategray][sub]A [@Universorum] and [@smarty0114] collaborative effort
Featuring: [color=f6c142][b]Connor ‘Yeah, Take Your Shirt Off’ Prince[/b][/color] and [color=309b75][b]Damian ‘Fuck a Shirt’ O’Connor[/b][/color]
Time: After school
Location: Some shitty basketball hoop by a tasty place to eat
Interacting with: [color=6175ff][b]Joy ‘We’re Dating?!’ Darling[/b][/color] via Text Message [@Lovely Complex][/sub][/color][/center][hr][hr]
[indent][indent]Honestly? This was ghetto part of town.

They could have went anywhere, and Damian drove them to the shittiest court in all of Beverly Hills, parked his very unshitty car in the parking lot, and led Connor to the shitty blacktop with the shitty hoop that may have once had a net, but now had a chain dangling from it, and the shitty chainlink fence surrounding them looked like it might have an inch of rust on the backboard. [color=309b75][b]“You may be wondering,”[/b][/color] Damian said, grinning over at Connor as he walked up onto the court, dribbling the ball they’d brought along, [color=309b75][b]“‘why? Why did Damian bring me to this shitty ass court?’ Because man, it’s comfy. Plus, there’s a place across the street with dope food. So after we play, we eat. Then we swing by my girl’s place, pick her up for the party, drop by the Wells’s place for a bit of sweets, and probably pick up Riley, then we’re off to the boat.”[/b][/color] Damian bounced the ball into Connor’s hands.

[color=309b75][b]“Hey, is it cool if I take my shirt off again?”[/b][/color]

Connor was making friends. It was strange thing to say, mainly because he’d set out for California with a firm goal in mind of hating every facet of life there. And sure, the weather was lame and the air sucked, but the people...well they weren’t the worst. Damian was cool enough, more genuine than the most of the school. So, in the spirit of friendship and a good time, he’d agreed to come along to play basketball, and then to the party. 

Connor shrugged at Damian’s question. [color=f6c142][b]”I don’t mind,”[/b][/color] he said, dribbling the ball around. That was a lie. Connor did mind. Very, very much. He hated being around other dudes who were missing any portion of clothing. It made him uncomfortable, and Connor was very used to being comfortable. That said, he couldn’t exactly say that to Damian. So he took a deep breath, and braced himself for the storm.

Damian gave two thumbs to Connor and then pulled his shirt off, balling it up and throwing it off to the side. [color=309b75][b]“Sweet. See, a lot of dudes are real weird about that shit, y’know? Being shirtless around other dudes I mean. But me and you, we seem to be on the same page.”[/b][/color] Damian stretched his arms high above his head, clasping his hands together and leaning backwards, then over to each side to make sure he got limber and stretched out. [color=309b75][b]“I’m really feelin’ loose. Dig? Lubed up. That’s how I like to feel before I play a game.”[/b][/color] Damian stretched out his legs, before bending down to touch his toes and looking up.

[color=309b75][b]“Where was I? Oh, right. We’re comfortable in our sexuality, you know what I mean? You’re a handsome dude. I [i]know[/i] I’m a handsome dude. In fact, ask any girl in this school, I betcha they tell ya I’m the hottest guy in school. Why can’t we appreciate each other’s handsomeness? You know what? Why don’t we [i]both[/i] be shirtless? It’s hot. We’re gonna get sweaty. Let’s just ditch the shirts and shoot hoops.”[/b][/color] Damian said, nodding to himself as he continued to stretch, [color=309b75][b]“the gayest thing you can do is call another dude gay for saying that you look good man. I work hard to look this good, I appreciate compliments from people of all shapes and sizes. I’m sure you feel the same way, right?”[/b][/color]

Connor’s eyes darted around the court, to the net, the blacktop, his own shoes, anywhere except for Damian’s shirtless body. He nodded along with Damian’s assertions, the irony of the situation practically punching him in the jaw. Of course, his first friend at BHHS was a nudist. When Damian suggested he take his own shirt off, he caught the ball, his hands going clammy. He could feel that wall going up, the one that he always put up as he got closer to any guy. Swallowing he shook his head. [color=f6c142][b]”Nah man, it’s cold as balls,”[/b][/color] Connor said, evading the situation as deftly as he could. [color=f6c142][b]”So, you ready to stop strippin’ and play?”[/b][/color] Connor said, his discomfort quickly turning to charm, a new mask already replacing the one lying on the asphalt.

[color=309b75][b]“Yeah, yeah. Just know that we're aren't stopping to get you clothes if you get gross and sweaty, ain't got time for that in my busy schedule.”[/b][/color] Damian protested, before grinning and stretching down to touch his toes one last time before he looked at Connor. [color=309b75][b]“Alright, your ball, dude. Loser pays for potato wedges from the place across the street.”[/b][/color] He said, though Damian had no plans to either keep score, nor make Connor pay for their food. 

[color=f6c142][b]”Deal,”[/b][/color] Connor said, before throwing the ball to the ground and darting past Damian, spinning around just in time to catch the ball and go into a dribbling stance, maneuvering around Damian and towards the net, slowly but surely. [color=f6c142][b]”So, what’s the deal with Selena Sterling? You know her?”[/b][/color] Connor asked. He wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but the blonde had left a mark on him. Or at least, he’d been thinking about her since their first encounter, which was rare for him. If a girl could stay in Connor Prince’s mind for more than twenty four hours, she must be special.

[color=309b75][b]“I dunno. She's alright? She's kinda… Bitchy? I'm not that into her. There are other blondes.”[/b][/color] Damian said, before he stepped forward and snatched the ball from Connor, getting ready to toss it into the air. [color=309b75][b]“I kinda think she might be gay. She's never really been into me, and I mean… Look at me, dude. I'm even into me.”[/b][/color]

Connor smirked. This guy was confident, that was for sure. [color=f6c142][b]”I don’t think she’s gay. She seemed pretty into me yesterday,”[/b][/color] Connor said, trying and failing to snatch the ball back as he guarded Damian, doing his best to keep him from gaining any ground towards the net. He’d played against guys bigger than Damian before. This would be a cakewalk, if he could just get the ball back. Connor was small and quick, he had the advantage here, in everywhere except height, and Connor had learned that height would only get you so far.

[color=309b75][b]“Is she now? Well, good for you. Go hard in the paint for her,”[/b][/color] Damian listened to Connor talk, then went to fake out to the left, and then popped the ball up into the air, and over the shorter guy from right there on the three point line. The ball sailed through the air, and sunk into the hoop, dropping down to the ground and bouncing away as Damian spoke in a sarcastic tone. [color=309b75][b]“Maybe she only likes people who suck at basketball, huh?”[/b][/color] 

Connor smirked, running over to retrieve the ball, and then back to the court. He dribbled up to Damian where they got locked in a standoff, Connor ducking and weaving only to come up again against the wall of muscle that was Damian. [color=f6c142][b]”So, what’s the deal here? Who should I look out for?”[/b][/color] Connor asked, in between controlled breaths and the scrape of sneakers on asphalt.

[color=309b75][b]“I dunno. Me personally? I just hang out with, y’know, whoever. I guess watch out for Hailey? She’s a bit of a bitch. I saw she had some Korean girl on her arm at school today though, and you know what? Girls cure all wounds, dude. Maybe they can even lower the bitch levels,”[/b][/color] Damian shrugged his shoulders, spreading his arms wide to block. Damian was having a good time. This Connor dude? He was alright! Plus, the guy let him be shirtless. What more could you ask for from another individual? [color=309b75][b]“Point is, everyone that goes to school here kinda runs with their own little crew. You can hang out with whoever, dude. Chill with me. Don’t chill with me. I don’t care.”[/b][/color]

Connor jumped up, shooting the ball as he peaked, then fell back to the ground as the ball clattered around the metal ring, before finally falling through. He grinned. [color=f6c142][b]”Good to know. Last thing I need is to end up on the school’s blacklist cause I pissed off the wrong person,”[/b][/color] he said, panting ever so slightly. Sweat had begun to bead up on his forehead from the exertion and he quickly wiped it away, taking in a deep breath of the January air. 

[color=309b75][b]“Yeah, Hailey will do that to you!”[/b][/color] Damian said with a shrug as he headed over to the ball to pick it up and carry it back to the center. Damian rolled his neck to either side and wiped his brow, grinning, [color=309b75][b]“Alright, next ball either loses or wins it all. Ready?”[/b][/color] He asked, getting ready to drop the ball to signal the beginning of the next play. Normally, Damian would take his time shooting hoops and chilling, but he had a schedule to make. And he had to call his godfather!

Connor rolled his neck and grinned. [color=f6c142][b]”You’re on,”[/b][/color] he said, getting into a more defensive stance. He knew he’d have a hard time guarding Damian, so he’d have to get the ball back, and quick. He looked Damian up and down, maybe spending too much time doing so, before bringing his attention back to the ball. Go time.

Damian nodded and got himself in position, before dribbling the ball and moving over to the left. Friendly competition or not, Damian was a competitive soul, and losing would suck. He’d look like a fucking idiot in front of his new friend. Damian smirked at Connor, and winked. [color=309b75][b]“You ever been dunked on by a grown man?”[/b][/color]

Connor’s stomach dropped and he sprinted forward, snagging the ball from Damian. [color=f6c142][b]”I wasn’t planning on it,”[/b][/color] Connor said, smirking. He launched himself forward once more, dribbling past Damian and going in for a layup. The ball fell through the ring of rusted metal, bouncing on the ground with a satisfying smack. [color=f6c142][b]”That’s game, O’Connor,”[/b][/color] he said, grinning and running a hand through his hair. [color=f6c142][b]”Now, I think you owe me lunch.”[/b][/color]

Damian nodded and smiled happily, walking over to the ball and grabbing it, [color=309b75][b]“Guess I do, huh? I’ll dunk on you another time, wait and see, bro.”[/b][/color] He smiled and dribbled the ball back to his car, tossing it into the trunk. He slammed it down and then grabbed his shirt. Rather than put it on, let it rest around his neck, and led his newfound friend across the street and to the deli.

Five minutes later, Connor and Damian were sitting with their backs resting against the cool steel of the chainlink fence, cramming hot potato wedges into their mouth. [color=309b75][b]“So, anyway, you’re down to roll, right? Like, to my girlfriend’s house, my current place of residence, and then to the party? I don’t wanna drag you on some wild adventure without making sure you’re ready.”[/b][/color]

[color=f6c142][b]”I’m down. I’ll figure out something to say to my uncle. I’m technically on a ‘party detox’ at least that’s what my dad wants,”[/b][/color] Connor said, rolling his eyes and scoffing. He’d seen his dad on the news earlier, talking about his campaign. He wanted to say it hadn’t hurt, but that’d be a lie. Not that he could say that to Damian. Dropping all your daddy issues on a guy the first time you hang out is a pretty bad way to make friends. [color=f6c142][b]”So, this party. Do you think Selena Sterling will be there?”[/b][/color] Connor asked, nonchalance oozing from his tone.

[color=309b75][b]“Probably, but I honestly don't care. See man, the people who mind don't matter, and the people who matter don't mind. Selena minds. But I guess she probably will be. It's technically a Helmsley adventure, and the Helmsleys and the Sterlings are tight. Tight like tigers. Tell your uncle you're going to your new friend's place, for a history  project with me. I'm your partner. He can call my parents for verification. 545-9991. They'll cover. You're staying overnight at my place because we won't be out till late.”[/b][/color] Damian said, as if he'd said those exact words a thousand times. Damian stuffed another handful of food into his mouth. [color=309b75][b]“My parents are cool so they won't question it. Plus, they're respectable folks, so nobody else's parents ever trip.”[/b][/color]

[color=f6c142][b]”Thanks, I’ll do that,”[/b][/color] Connor said, shoving a potato wedge into his mouth. Damian was a good guy. He’d gotten lucky on that front. [color=f6c142][b]”As for people who mind, well, it’s the challenge that makes it fun, Damian my boy,”[/b][/color] Connor said, grinning and patting his new friend on the shoulder.

[color=309b75][b]“All I got is challenges. My girlfriend? Her dad’s my godfather. He’s gonna kill me when he finds out. But she’s great, so I’m all in, fuck it. I’m gonna finesse this, though,”[/b][/color] Damian stared down at his nearly empty bag, dumping the rest of the crumbs inside of his mouth and crunching them down, standing up and wiping his hands off. [color=309b75][b]“Alright, let’s roll. You mind the backseat? I kinda want Joy in shotgun.”[/b][/color]

[color=f6c142][b]”Nah, it’s cool,”[/b][/color] Connor said, clambering into the backseat of the car. He pulled out his phone and shot a text over to his uncle, explaining away his absence for the night. He hoped that would go over as smoothly as possible. Setting his phone down, he looked up, and awaited the sound of the car starting, and the journey ahead.

[quote][b]To[/b] [color=6175ff][b]Joy:[/b][/color]

[color=309b75][b]hi babe. be ready in 30? dont worry about a cute outfit we have options to get u one

plus tbh you’re pretty much cute in w/e you wear soooo doesnt rly matter[/b][/color][/quote][/indent][/indent]