Los Tres Cholos

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Practice safe sex.

Do not distribute or reproduce this document, all or in part, without express permission of the author. (c) April 11th, 2002, Anfernee Williamson.

LOS TRES CHOLOS

"Yeah, and bring that new kid around, ok?"

Hector nodded a little at the request. Little was on his mind right now. Other than getting himself out of this heat and somewhere where personal comfort was even on the list of possibilities. Even though he was decked out in the same street uniform as him; oversized blue jeans, and white tank top, Flaco seemed to hold himself with a cool that Hector envied. The bigger kid wasn't in any way as able to hide the fact he was boiling under the afternoons sun.

"So go find him," Flaco commented bluntly. "Ill meet you back at my place. Cool?"

"Yeah, cool."

Flaco gave him that handshake, the one that made him feel uneasy. The 187th Street Locos one, even though Hector wasn't a member. He tried to shake off the unnerving feeling that came with it, as Flaco headed back out of the school. He settled his mind on other things, like finding the kid Flaco had told him to hunt out. Like getting himself out of this heat.

1pm.

Bradford.

Dead in the middle of summer.

Hector was unsure why they had even bothered going through the motions of coming into school today. Knowing that night was only a brief respite from the overwhelming heat that baked the huge sprawl of a city. Knowing full well that the next day would be just as bad. Hector would have stayed at home himself, if not for the feeling that he should make some effort to attend the classes.

Whatever that meant. If it even did anything other than give him some place to sit for the day.

The sun continued to beat down on the spread school of Clifton Memorial, as Hector began to make his way back towards the inners of the buildings. The humanity of youths fell like some lethargic blanket about the broken buildings, trying to keep from the suns blazing fingers in what was their lunch break. Hardened veteranos hung in clumps in the prime shadowed areas, claiming by presence what was theirs. Other students, half kids speaking in broken English, a gathering of girls, catching up on the latest gossip, among the many others of the school kept to the order of the day. Sheltering where possible. Moving, if needed, but never more than a slow pace.

The air almost boiled in Hector's lungs as he breathed. It was only a further distraction, with the many others. He kept his mind on his one true goal. Forgetting the folly of why he'd bothered coming in today. Knowing that Flaco's plan to skip the rest of the day would offer him some moniker of comfort from the unrelenting burn of the sun.

The big youth looked older than what he really was, but at Clifton Memorial, it wasn't strange to find youths that were as old as they looked. School was more often than not a formality. A place to be. Perhaps a place to escape the troubles of home. At least during the heat waves of summer in Bradford, the factions of Los Locos became too lethargic to cause trouble. Clifton was too far from any of the Purebreed areas of Bradford for that to be a factor. So school at this time of the year was at least a safe haven from whatever danger they might have been leaving at home.

Hector looked old enough to be one of those who kept at school. Despite the poor grades and being held back. Those few who hung there for their own reasons, rather than leave. Or those who stayed, but never attended class. There was more than just learning to be done at Clifton Memorial, from what little teaching their was done.

Hector was a big boy. Sweat had already plastered his tight white tank top against his body. In some ways it was only keeping the slick stickiness against him. His oversized blue jeans, worn and tattered about their long legs where countless hours had walked them into the ground, hung heavily about his hips. They only made his legs feel more and more like lead, as he pushed through the oppressive heat.

Sweat glistened on his all but bald head, making his light features gleam. His features were full, thick. His thick black eyebrows giving him a maddened look whenever he frowned, one that looked not to be messed with, coupled with his size. But more often than not, the youth was more his age. With the benefits, or disadvantages, that came with a body beyond his age. His brown eyes looked nervous, quick. Alert. He looked unconfident, like his size was just something that was, not something he acknowledged or knew.

His size didnt give him confidence to do more than lower his eyes from those ranks of cholo veteranos. He passed them quickly, something that made him wince, as he felt the heat searing within the hold of his heavy jeans. Despite the heat, it was almost uniform, especially to those 187th Street Locos. All heavy stares, black bandannas. Hard, muscled bodies in tight tank tops. Skin darkened by the touch of tattoos. Most were too old to be here, but in Clifton, the heart of Locos territory, Clifton Memorial fell into the heart of what was 187th Street Locos turf. He felt their eyes.

Come home.

Hector kept his eyes elsewhere. Did his best to keep his head up. He lived with this every day of his young life so far. What was expected and right was part of him, like knowing how to breath. But it never made the task more easy. He continued to walk past the veteranos, sheltered there in the shadow of one of the bigger buildings, yet still no less victim to the heat. They all looked so hard, despite it. Hector looked like he belonged in their ranks, if not only on his size.

Rounding one of the central areas of the school, Hector pulled his glance up. Checking the few places he hoped Joaquin was, rather than have to search the whole school for him. At the moment, every young kid here with a slightly dark complexion was starting to look like him. His breath came in dry pants as he continued to search.

There. No. There!

Hector began to make his way over towards the group of younger boys. Sweating under the heavy hand of the afternoon sun. He recognized Joaquin easily. He seemed to stand out naturally among the small group. His young features were strangely handsome, in a way that caught Hector a little off guard. The older boy continued to make his way over towards them, not realizing how quickly he was descending on the group, as a couple of the kids gave him cautious glances. One stood up.

"Hector!"

"Yeah, Joaquin," Hector stopped short of the group. He noticed one standing, staring him over like he was a veterano, despite the lack of colors. The bigger youth realized how quickly he had headed over, nodding lightly at the kid.

"What's happening?" Joaquin asked. It looked like it was an effort to get up off the ground, anything was at the moment.

"Flaco wants you to come over," replied Hector. Joaquin smiled, looking enthused.

"What, right now?"

"Yeah right now. Hes already heading back home."

Joaquin looked a little unsure at that point. "What, hes left school?"

"Yeah, we both leaving. Better than staying around here," Hector commented. He regretted just standing here, doing nothing. But then moving around was little better. "Going back to his place for the rest of the day."

Joaquin looked lightly about the rest of his gathered friends, unsure, but seemingly eager to please Flaco for whatever reason. "He's not coming back?" he ventured.

"Not today," Hector shook his head. He got impatient. "You coming or not?"

"Yeah, yeah, Im coming," Joaquin dusted himself off. The field out back of the main building where Hector had found him was little more than a field of dust. What was left of any sign of grass was dried and brown. The other kids, especially the one still staring Hector over, looked displeased to be losing their alpha.

"Ill catch you homeboys later," Joaquin commented, taking a few light shakes from a few of the kids.

"You skippin' just like that?" it was the standing kid who asked, his Spanish poor and broken. Hector could see that Joaquin was looking more guilty at the questioning. As if it was what little he could do to hide it.

"Yeah, its just one afternoon," replied Joaquin. The kid looked resolute, unconvinced. "Its ok."

"Im gonna tell your moms!" shot one of the kids still sitting. The smile dissolved all of the threat as little more than a joke. The weedy, standing kid still looked displeased, all but standing down Joaquin. Hector felt like he should be somewhere else. He felt like an adult breaking in on some kids game.

"Nah, its not ok, homeboy," retorted the kid. "You just too good to hang with us anymore, right?"

Joaquin frowned, "No."

"You hanging with them older kids more," the kid was unrelenting. "Like we no good for you anymore."

Hector noticed that a few of the other kids, sitting there in the dust, were looking up at Joaquin expectantly, at this confrontation. Hector had seen that sort of look before. He knew he was guilty enough of it himself. Hanging quietly on every one of Joaquin's words. The kid was as charismatic as he was attractive, Hector could feel that like the sun on his bare, slicked skin.

"I just got stuff I need to do."

"And you gonna skip school?" the kid looked annoyed at Hector. He was the reason his homeboy was leaving. The reason he was doing things that the kid obviously didnt like.

"Its just school," Joaquin defended. "Its just one afternoon."

Hector looked at those other kids. Listening in on every one of Joaquin's words. The weedy kid was struggling to form his words, his Spanish worsened by his mood.

"You wanna get you them colors," he said quietly. Joaquin looked hard. "Wanna gang bang like my big brother and get shot."

"Back off, Chavo," Joaquin commented, looking a little annoyed, like a kid badgered by his parents. "I just got things to do."

"Maybe hes just not a kid like you anymore," Hector interjected, more just getting tired of standing around while Joaquin tried to explain things to his homeboy. "Maybe he wants to hang with someone more his age."

The comment looked as if it bit deep into the weedy kid. Chavo was staring daggers at him with those almost black eyes. His expression looked as hard and twisted as even the most deepest of the veteranos. Given a few more years, Hector would have been backing off, as if he were Loco. But as it stood, the bigger kid just felt guilt at the comment. But whatever Flaco wanted, Hector did. He didnt question.

"Ill hit you back after school," Joaquin reassured Chavo. The kid was already moving off from his group, to Hector's side. Chavo looked unconvinced.

"You aint coming back after school."

"Forget it," Hector muttered. He put a hand on Joaquin's shoulder, guiding him away. He just wanted to leave. The burning sweat under his clothes proved as constant reminder that every second here was another second he wasn't out of the heat.

Hector decided to take the quicker way out of the situation, rather than the quicker way out of school. Out over the field of dust that was supposed to be Clifton Memorials sports field. Long since dried into a parched remnant of what it once was. In some ways it was a blessing there was no wind, to whip the field into a choking dust bowl. In others, a curse. At least the wind may lend some respite from the heat. The burning sun above laying Bradford below into hues of brown and gold. New temple to the sun god.

Hector headed down into the storm drain, and back up its other side. The border of the school. Leaving behind the half day wasted already. He noticed that Joaquin was silent. Still walking just behind him. The kid looked contemplative. Hector knew what was on the boys mind. The confrontation perhaps just reminded him of what he was doing. For Hector, it was a long time since such simple things were right or wrong. He'd lived the few years longer to know that there were new truths. Attending school, although he still felt the pangs at times, was not one of those most solid truths.

"Who was the kid," asked Hector. He more wanted to break the silence, but lacked the tact to think perhaps it was a poor choice of subject. Hector was distracted by the heat, and Joaquin good looks. The kids shirt was open on his smooth brown body. A tone that looked natural to this heat.

"Ah, Chavo," Joaquin replied, meandering up the graffiti covered side of the storm drain. "Hes ok. He just worries a lot."

"He wants you around, huh?"

"He just doesn't want me talking to you older boys," smiled Joaquin. That alone took Hector off guard. That expression was smooth.

"It true what he says?"

"About what?"

Hector stepped through what remained of the fence and headed into the tattered back yard of one of the schools neighbors. He'd come this way before, played brief trespasser to get back onto the streets beyond the school.

"About you spending more time with us ... the older kids."

Joaquin shrugged his shoulders a little. Hector's sexual side was being distracted more by the youths appearance. He'd only seen him a few times in passing. Only found out yesterday that Flaco knew him.

"I don't spend that much time with you all," he commented, dismissively.

"You want to join the Locos?" Hector's tone was almost conspiratorial. He felt like he was in danger just invoking that name. Felt like his life was on the line even asking that question. He didnt mean to make it sound like an offer. Like he was one of them. It chilled him, like the way Flaco shook his hand.

"Its not even about that, Chavo just doesn't get it," Joaquin commented. There was that smile again. "I just like hanging out with you guys every now and then."

"But would you?" Hector pressed. He didnt want to press it too much further. Joaquin looked contemplative for a moment.

"Nah, I don't think so. My moms would kill me if she thought I was gangbanging." the kids tone was straight forward and confident. A lot like the way he carried himself.

"What about skipping school?" Hector felt guilty, not only that he was, but that he was part of the reason Joaquin was.

"No big deal," replied Joaquin. He looked like he was trying to play it cool, a far away look in his eyes.

Hector glanced the youth over as he fell in step beside him. The pair of them were back on the street, the school behind them, but the endless sprawl of Clifton far from gone. As far as Hector knew, it was his whole world. It spread as far as the burning rays of the sun, far above. As far as he knew, everything those sharp beams touched could have been Clifton. Somewhere far on the horizon, the huge black monolith of Bradfords downtown hung. It was almost like another world, certainly one that Hector had never known beyond something in the distance.

His eyes fell down along Joaquin's body as they walked, for a few moments. He had to wonder at why Flaco wanted him to bring the kid along with him. Although he found himself happy of his presence, at least in a base, sexual way. Joaquin was nice. Nah, he was more than that. To Hector, Joaquin was more than that. Not that he would ever admit it, not in his darkest dreams. That wouldn't be what he was bought up to. But in his mind, the most muddled and messy parts of anywhere where he grew up, this truth shone more hot than the sun.

It made his dick stir.

Joaquin looked almost untouched by the ways of Clifton, at a first glance. One of the new entrants to the broken education that was Clifton Memorial, he was one of the schools youngest. Certainly too old to be hanging with kids Hector or Flaco's age, in that unwritten social guide. One that would probably be doing so out of admiration, but Hector could see that that was far from Joaquin's young mind. The way he carried himself was something beyond a boy his age. Not one easily swayed by others opinions or orders.

His face was boyish, that smooth, brown complexion that looked like the blessing of the sun, rather than the hot curse of it that Hector felt today. It was the gentle, comforting sort of brown that made one happy. His smile, whenever it touched those full lips, came easily, without hesitation or thought. Eyes that sparkled, even under the shade of his white visor. A thick crop of curls contrasted sharply against the white.

Joaquin's sense of dress was far from the cholo stylings that even Hector swayed to. Smart kid, at least in this weather. A loose, patterned white shirt lay open on his smooth chest, still coming into its own in his early teens. Baggy, long shorts, tan in color. Rough looking sandals. The size of his clothes made Hector wonder if his parents bought them for him to grow into, or if he had an older brother that he got the hand downs from.

"You know Flaco?"

The question pulled Hector from his lust laden stares. The youth nodded, "Yeah. Him and me go back a long way."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, sure. We lived next door to each other for as long as I can remember," Hector replied dismissively, watching the kid closely. He didnt see much more than Joaquin's easy cheer.

"Hes 187 right?"

Hector nodded, "Yeah he is. I thought you said that you didnt want to join the Locos?"

"I don't. I just wanted to know where he claimed," Joaquin walked lightly at Hector's side, the bigger youth almost ponderous in the burning heat. It was starting to make him dizzy again. "You both live there?"

"No, we around the corner, but hes got brothers in 187."

Hector's eyes were back on the pavement before him. He felt his hot, boiled breath tight in his throat as he thought about that alone. 187 spread. Whether it was what it stood for in the police handbook, or what it stood for in Clifton. The 187th Street Locos spread like black on the browns of the ghetto there. He felt their inevitable fingers, every time he was with Flaco. Their hand on his shoulder almost. They spread to everything eventually.

Come home.

"That must be hard," Joaquin said, the statement sounded strange almost. Hector shrugged his big shoulders.

"Its life."

"You hang with them a lot?"

"As much as Flaco does," Hector replied. He didnt see the childlike admiration that he expected in Joaquin's gaze at that mention. 187th was it. It was hardcore. It meant something not only in Clifton. It meant something in Bradford. Beyond just meaning Locos.

"How you know Flaco anyway?" Hector asked.

"I saw him the first day of school," Joaquin said. The two of them turned yet another street corner. No thought. Hector knew these streets well. "I just walked up to him and started talking. He seems pretty cool."

Hector raised one of those thick eyebrows, "Just like that?"

"Just like that," the kid glanced over at him. "Why?"

"You usually walk up to Locos and just start talking?"

"That don't make them no different," replied Joaquin. Hector was more surprised than anything at the youths attitude. He wondered briefly if he was from around here. "Plus, he was friendly enough."

"What about Chavo?"

"I've known him a while. Last few years I think. Our moms know each other."

"No, I mean you going to see him after school?" Hector asked. Flaco was who he always saw after school. Unlike the other youth, he didnt always skip. Joaquin smiled a little, smooth and almost seductive to Hector's glance.

"I don't know. Its no big thing," he explained. "I like Chavo. But I like Flaco too. Your pretty cool too."

Hector flushed a little, taking it to mean more than what it was. He liked Joaquin too, but in ways more base than friendship at the moment. First impressions that went straight through to his young sex. A sex that buzzed hotter than even Bradfords burning summers, an almost continuous heat. One that he found himself relieving at every opportunity. By himself more often than not.

Beyond that, he found himself admitting that Joaquin was some strange sort of kid. Pretty cool non the less. It only made him wonder more why Flaco wanted him along.

Hector pushed down another of Clifton's flat, endless streets. The walk from Clifton Memorial, to where Flaco lived felt more like a walk through a desert. There seemed something strange about seeing the streets at this time of the day, as if it were something that a kid his age shouldn't be seeing. There was still the slight giddy thrill, the niggling guilt of skipping school. But more and more Hector found himself just wanting to get into the shade. A few more streets and that hope would be promise, and reality.

The streets almost felt like some sort of lost ghost town. Like the ones you always saw in those westerns. Except instead of the lost piano music, every now and then you heard the sound of Spanish. Perhaps a song, singing over some strangely familiar melody. It drifted through the empty streets a lot like the two youths. The occasional person, rare adult influence, could be seen. Sitting in the shade. Hanging out yet more washing.

Hector and Joaquin barely got more than a passing glance. The sun crippled all. It punished movement with burning heat. It controlled and proclaimed in its blazing, unrelenting ways. A force more powerful in Bradford than even the gangs. During its rule, the gangs did as it wanted. The gangs stayed slow. Dulled. Baking under the boiling heat of the true rule of Bradford during the summer. The slow passage of sweat was something that Hector knew intimately. It was the suns mark where the Locos black and white bandanna was theirs.

Bradfords gang life drew to almost a trickle. Who wanted to draw up weapons against Purebreed or Loco, when the punishment was moving out into that heat?

Hector barely even gave the house next door a glance as he pushed open what passed for a front gate of Flaco's house. He kept his head low almost, his own house next door casting a seductive shadow over him. The invitation was ignored, as the big youth lead Joaquin the rest of the way to where he knew Flaco would be waiting. Where shelter would be waiting.

The house was a solid brick one, identical to his own. To any in the street. Unattractive. Simple. Functionable. Hector could hear the sound of music coming from one of the windows, a small one right next to the ground. Flaco's room, under the house which housed his whole family. Four brothers, and two sisters. Hector saw two of them, shouting noisily as they rounded the side of the house. Only kids about six or seven. Joaquin seemed to smile warmly as they ran passed, Hector pressing on towards where they had come. Obviously shooed out again from where they had to sleep with Flaco. Hector knew, he'd slept there often enough himself. Sometimes there wasn't enough room and he'd sleep just outside.

Hector felt little better for the shadows between the two houses, divided only as an afterthought by some remnant of a fence. He ignored the presence of his own, and stepped down the steps into what served as Flaco's room. The lanky latino was already sprawled out on his bed, a small, battered desk fan serving to do a little to keep him comfortable. Hector almost drooled when he set eyes on it, wondering where Flaco had got it from.

"You took you time," Flaco called out. "What took you so long."

"Couldnt find him," replied Hector, not really sure how long it had taken.

"Hey Joaquin. What's up?"

The youth entered into the small room. Barely a bedroom, other than it was large enough to house two single beds. A small stereo, well past its time was set up on top of the rooms only dresser. There was little room for much more, let alone the three boys, without sitting on the beds. Flaco stood up for Joaquin, slapping him a handshake. It scared Hector when he saw it. Flaco was too liberal on who he did that with. Outside brotherhood of Locos.

"Hey, Flaco."

"Hector found you ok?" Flaco asked, the obvious.

"Yeah, no troubles. What you guys up to?"

Flaco smiled a little, "Nothing. What else? Just thought you might like to chill out of the sun a while with us? You know. Out of school and all that shit?"

"Yeah, that's cool," Joaquin replied, already inviting himself to sit down on the other bed. Flaco didnt seem to mind.

Hector took his turn taking handshakes from Flaco. He felt a little hardened as the youth looked at him. Those eyes pierced. They looked right to the places that Hector held secret, but he knew from a lifetime of being with Flaco that his every secret was no less safe with him than in the depths of his soul.

Flaco was hard. Like nails. More like the concrete that made up the beaten house that lined the street here like every other. Just as undistinguished by the outside world, but individual to those who knew. A skinny boy, Flaco was just a few years older than Hector. Hector looked his age anyway, because of his appearance and size. Flaco was a lightweight next to Hector. The way the two hung out together, it almost looked like Hector was his overbearing minder, if not for the young look in Hector's eyes.

Flaco wore the same clothes as Hector, almost the same size despite the difference there. His tank top, a fresh one, from what Hector could tell, hugged his wirey frame with no less tightness however. Extenuating those slight curves, baring his tattooed arms. His features were light, looking almost as skinny as his form. Pale. A black cap, backwards, worn over his gang bandanna, tied with exacting attentions. Further declaration beyond his rag, and his tattoos, a thick beaded necklace, tight to his neck. One gray. Eight white. Seven black. Repeated in loop.

Glasses, in surprisingly good condition, perched on Flaco's nose. On anyone else it might have diminished the hardness in ones appearance. The subtle threats of Flaco's tattoos. His colors. His affiliations. Thin frames and clean lenses. Hector barely gave them any other thought. What there was of Flaco's true hardness came in those eyes. The stared at him, cut straight through whatever he raised to hide himself inside.

Come home.

"don't be so tense," Flaco said to Hector. The bigger youth nodded lightly, his eyes still low. "Chill a while, homes. Come and sit here by the air. You think about that thing we was talking about?"

"No."

Flaco just nodded in reply, as he sat down where Flaco had been moments before. He noticed the magazine down the side of the bed, and dresser, guessing what Flaco had been doing in their absence. Nothing hit to him as clearly as the breeze that ran across his wet features. It was like stepping into a freezer by comparison.

"You like these tats, homes?"

Joaquin was sitting still on the other bed, obviously looking at that which Hector almost knew by heart. He glanced over, still not seeing that undying admiration that he'd seen in the eyes of Joaquin's young friends. More a steady interest, as he looked at the older boys many tattoos. Hector was basking in the cool breeze supplied by the battered fan. It squeaked rhythmically as it spun, but he barely noticed it next to the hard Spanish rap that escaped the small stereo.

"They pretty mean," Joaquin said. Flaco was standing next to his bed, like he could really be standing much away from it in the small room. He turned his arm as the youth looked more closely to one on his right arm.

"That ones for my boy Wicked," Flaco pointed out, the younger boy nodding, looking enraptured. The mention made Hector's heart just that little more heavy for the moment.

"What's this one?"

"that's the girl I want, homes," chuckled Flaco, a little. Hector watched for the smile he knew Joaquin would give. It warmed him, as much it did the kids face. "I got a better one right here."

Hector rested back, as Flaco pulled off his tight tank top carefully. Peeling it up his skinny body to expose the rest of his darkened skin. The other words and patterns, pictures that danced about his pale skin there on his torso. The youth pulled it off in a practiced motion that didnt disturb his glasses or cap. Joaquin let out a noticeable show of admiration. Hector thought to pull of his own wet tank top, but didnt want to draw to his own total lack next to Flaco's tattooed skin. He thought to sit there quietly for the while, to maybe make himself a little more comfortable when taking off his tank top wouldn't draw attention to his absence of tattoos.

He saw Joaquin's eyes move to those three scars. They were hard to miss among the darkened parts of his tattoos. Hector saw the kid notice them, the way his eyes widened just a little. How he didnt say anything further.

"Yeah, check it out close right there, homes," Flaco said, pointing out another tattoo. Joaquin began checking out the youths side closely. Hector could tell that Joaquin, for all his confidence, seemed new at this. He wasn't surprised.

"Damn, does it hurt?"

"What? Getting them?" Flaco replied.

"Yeah. Does it hurt getting them?" Joaquin was looking at Flaco's skinny chest, the trail of Spanish there. "You got lots."

"Nah, it doesn't hurt, homes. Well, maybe a bit at first, but you harden up," replied Flaco. He turned a little, as Joaquin continued looking them over closely, as if surveying a fine art.

"Whos this one to?"

"Solo," Flaco said with a smile. He pointed over in Hector's direction, the bigger kid trying to look a little more alert. The rest, like the sun before, was making his lethargic. He was where he wanted to be right now. "that's my boy."

Joaquin glanced over at Hector. "That your name?"

Hector nodded, "Yeah."

"How long you had that one for?"

"Years now," Flaco said. The single word was tattooed right there on the ball of his left shoulder, thick letters. Hector felt Joaquin's expectant glance.

"You got one of Flaco's?"

Hector flushed a little, "Nah, not yet," he defended, a little lost for words.

"Your boys got you tatted up on his arm, that's too cool!" Joaquin said, glancing back at Flaco's arm. Hector saw a little of that kiddish admiration now.

"Yeah, my boys just a little too soft to be getting all tattooed up like me, homes," Flaco said, giving Hector one of those good natured glances. The big youth felt a little shamed for the lack. Even without his shirt off, this alone showed the absence. "But Im gonna get him around to getting up his courage."

"Well, if it don't hurt too much ..." Joaquin began. He was still looking over the other tattoos, Flaco just standing there.

"They hurt good enough," interjected Hector, quickly. He didnt like feeling as if he were soft. Knowing Flaco alone gave him plenty of juice, but this was pushing past just appearance and position.

"I think they would," replied the kid. Hector was a little surprised he didnt continue pressing him. Flaco would have. "Especially as much as you have."

"First ones always the hardest," Flaco said. He took a seat down on the bed next to Hector. The big youth turned the fan a little as soon as he did, lending a little of the cool. "But after that, you know what to expect. You want to get yourself one, lil homes?"

Hector raised one of those thick eyebrows, looking over in the young kids direction. Joaquin was sitting back down on the bed as well, the three of them doing what they could to survive out of the heat of the day. At least in this brick basement, it was a little easier.

"Nah, my moms would kill me."

Flaco laughed a little, "Then you just don't tell her," he suggested.

"She'd find out."

"She know your skipping school today?"

Hector saw a little of that guilt that he still felt himself sometimes, reflected in Joaquin's smooth young features. The boy looked as if he was thinking about how best to respond to that, but eventually that very smooth smile crept across his face.

"No, but that's different. that's not getting a tattoo."

Flaco shrugged his skinny shoulders, beside Hector. "Its about the same thing."

"Its just one day," Joaquin said. "Plus, its too hot. And its just history. I don't like history much. Plus, I feel like hanging out with you two."

"Ah, you'll do ok, homes," replied Flaco. Hector felt like he might tussle his hand through Joaquin's hair, like an older kid might do to a younger one, but the skinny youth looked like he was scant about to move for anything right now. "Less trouble hanging out here rather than Memorial anyhow."

Hector continued to watch Joaquin as the youth lay slumped somewhat on the bed opposite. The way he was sitting, his shirt was hanging back off his body. Smooth. Beautifully brown. He found himself aroused anew, his eyes travelling lightly over Joaquin's young stomach and chest. The baggy shirt fell back just enough to expose one of his nipples. Nothing seemed more soft and inviting than that soft part of brown skin, darker in part than any other part of the kid there.

The big youth stirred just a little to sit upright. Drag off his still partly wet tank top. He felt the sweat on his body, the sensation of the air blowing across the wetness. It made him shiver almost, a strange sensation. Hector expected to hear something from Joaquin, perhaps a question about why he had no tattoos. No scars, especially the ones like Flaco had. But the small room just dipped into an even more stunning silence as the CD in the stereo finally finished. Drenching the room in an all encompassing quiet. All that could be heard was the squeaking of the fan.

Hector let out a hot breath, relaxed at least for the coolness across his body. There was a softness in his pale torso that he recognized in Joaquin's body. Where Joaquin was younger than him, and he bigger, he had little in the way of strength that his size might suggest. He tossed the sweaty tank top passed where Flaco laid back on the bed next to him. It caught on the bed end, hanging haphazardly. Hector didnt really care. All that mattered was the coolness. The silence didnt bother him. In fact he liked it. Liked that Flaco and him could sit in silence for hours, and still feel no need to speak.

Hector's eyes had barely settled back along the smooth curves of Joaquin's young body when he heard Flaco speak up. His tone seemed a little more quiet next to the last question he had asked when the kid had been looking at him.

"You looking at my scars, homes?"

Hector saw Joaquin just merely nod. There was something very young about the way he did that. The thought made Hector harden a little. He glanced over at what Joaquin had obviously still been staring at while he'd been looking the kid over. The three obvious scars; one in Flaco's chest, another near his stomach, the other in his right shoulder. Still distinctly round. They were signs of something that could never be removed. Memories that could never be wiped from ones memory. Unlike the colors Flaco wore, they were etched almost in his soul.

"They a bit meaner than these tats, aint they," Flaco asked. Hector raised a thick black eyebrow, watching between the kid and his friend.

"Yeah. I bet those hurt."

Flaco's tone sounded a little more solemn, a little less quick to explain than he had on the tattoos. Hector wondered if as much would come out in explanation, as had before. He looked at the scar on Flaco's chest. A pang of guilt and pain hit him. He still remembered. He felt almost wrong that Flaco bore so many signs of his friendship with him, and yet he bore none. He felt weak next to the older boy.

"Yeah," Flaco replied. "They aint like the tats, lil homes. Taking on bullet don't make it any easier to take the next one." Joaquin looked a little wide eyed, as if he hadn't realized they were scars from being shot. Hector thought perhaps he did, despite his expression.

"How you get them?"

"Way anyone gets shot," said Flaco. He was smiling a little, but it did little to push the chill from Hector's memory. "I was taking care of business. Looking after the neighborhood."

"187?"

"187th Locos all the way, lil homes." Flaco smiled, throwing a sign Hector knew by heart.

"I feel safe hanging around you two," said Joaquin. Hector realized the kid was looking at him. Flaco chuckled.

"Even when I've been shot up full of bullets?"

"Yeah! Especially then," Joaquin replied, still slouched back on the bed opposite. It was like none of them wanted to move. Not even in the slightly lessened heat of the basement. "You been shot ... three times. You still alive. Its like you cant die!"

"You get lucky," said Hector. Flaco looked as if he was about to say something. "doesn't mean next time you going to be lucky too."

"Yeah, Solos right, lil homes," Flaco agreed, with a nod. "I got lucky."

"But it hasn't stopped you, right?"

"You mean banging?" Flaco asked.

"Yeah."

"Nah, 'course it aint," Flaco smiled again. Hector could hear the mantras even before the kid said them. "Live and die for Locos, homes."

"Yeah, well that's why I feel safe around you two," Joaquin replied. He smiled that smooth smile. Nothing in the barrio looked quite like that to Hector. "Because you can protect me."

"Its just about looking out for your friends, homes," Flaco said. He was rubbing idly at his stomach. Hector noticed the glance in his direction. He thought about that bullet scar in Flaco's chest again. He almost felt a pain like he had taken it himself. Right there.

Joaquin just seemed to nod, content to just sit there in the new silence that surrounded them. Hector was feeling more than lethargic now. The air from the fan, even as small as it was, had done quite a bit to dry the sweat on his soft body. It even lessened some of the heat that he felt still wearing his oversized jeans. He felt the slight flush of heat still in his groin, as he looked back over at the kid. He felt a growing lust. He wondered if it was the heat, or Joaquin that seemed to make his head light, as his eyes started to travel familiar patterns across the youths exposed body.

It settled down on the boys baggy shorts, as his mind played fantasy for the while. The heat, the lust. The somewhat cool breeze blowing across his body made him feel sleepy.

Hector felt himself wake with a start, wondering if he had fallen asleep or was just starting to nod off. Nothing seemed to move there in the relative silence of the small basement room. He saw that Joaquin had fallen asleep also, or at least closed his eyes. He looked peaceful beyond what Hector had seen in a long time. There seemed to be little other than a quiet contentness in Joaquin's resting expression. All he could hear was the squeaking of the fan, the soft sound of his breathing, and that of the other two boys.

Hector glanced over at Flaco, feeling his body cramping a little from the inactivity. The way that he was lying. His expression changed to one of surprise as he saw that the other boy was still awake. His hand down the front over his oversized jeans. His belt already undone. Flaco's eyes were closed also, but his hand moved smoothly. Slowly. Rhythmically in his jeans. Bringing himself a quiet and gentle pleasure in the unending heat of the afternoon.

Hector felt himself stir within his own baggy pants. Partly from seeing Flaco right there beside him, jacking off slowly. But partly from the fact that Joaquin was laying just across from them. Asleep still, Hector checked quickly with a glance. There some to be some raw thrill atop his lust for the kid. The fact that his close friend was doing what he was so shamelessly. Without permission or word, or expectation. He felt himself start to push up hard in his heavy jeans.

Flaco's eyes were still closed as he paused his lay work. Tugged a little at his jeans with his hand, slipping it out of his pants momentarily. The button on his baggy pants gave with little protest, followed by three of the buttons of his fly. Exposing his black boxers below. With a motion seeming almost as practiced and perfected as the one that had pulled of his tank top, Flaco pulled his boxers down. Enough to free his hardened cock. Drooling freshly with his excitement.

Hector felt like his breath was trapped in his throat. As if he was watching uninvited. Flaco's eyes were still closed. Perhaps he thought that he was still asleep. Hector shifted a little on purpose, cleared his throat to make it more obvious, but Flaco seemed unrelenting. Unashamed.

His hand pulled up along that bowed length. Skinny still, but with a flanged knob of a head, cut cleanly. The wetness there looked inviting. As if perhaps it were some coolness not yet tapped in this parched desert. It leaked in an ample stream from his long slit, dripping as he pulled at his ribbed shaft. Worked his lean fingers down towards his baggy nuts, his scant, somewhat thin pubes. They contrasted almost violently against his paleness there.

"Relax homes."

Flaco's voice was little more than a whisper, Hector nodding. He saw Flaco's dark eyes, felt them. It wasn't like he hadn't seen Flaco's cock before. Or not seen the boy playing with himself when he got bored and the situation allowed. It wasn't like he hadn't done ... things with Flaco. Things that stayed in those dark parts of his soul only Flaco's eyes penetrated to. The youth had shared more than a few things with him. More than that tattoo, and scar. More than even just a childhood together.

Hector moaned a little as Flaco's hand wandered over towards his groin. Tugged a little at the hardness there. In the same way that Hector felt clumsy sometimes with his body, like it wasn't truly his. Something that he wasn't old enough to know how to use at times, his dick felt the same way. His big body like his clothes, large enough so that one day he might grow into them. Every time he got hard, he felt that clumsiness renewed. Especially when someone else touched him there.

"Yeah, I still got plenty I haven't shown you yet, lil homes," Flaco said, still groping at Hector's loose pants. The big youth pushed him back a little, suddenly embarrassed as he realized Joaquin was not only awake, but staring straight at Flaco's exposed cock.

"Oh, man."

"Yeah, you like that?"

Hector felt himself grow hot in the face when he saw Joaquin's wide expression. Embarrassed only lightly that he had probably caught Flaco tugging at his own arousal, but more embarrassed that Flaco was exposed in front of the kid. Joaquin truly looked as young as he looked, with that expression. It was one of wide eyed disbelief. Admiration. Amazement. Seeing tattoos and scars were one thing. Seeing another boys dick looked like one thing Joaquin's cool, calm nature wasn't ready for.

"Why don't you pull out yours, lil homes," Flaco suggested. "We can compare sizes."

Hector stared over at Joaquin, staring at the boys shorts again. Looking for some hint that it might be turning the boy on. He wanted Joaquin to be turned on. He wanted to see the kids hard on. Even though he was embarrassed, there was a hard part in him that wanted to see Joaquin as exposed. Wanted to be with him sexually to quench the lust he felt.

"Its just something we do when we bored," continued Flaco, holding himself so that he pointed straight up towards the ceiling. "Solo. Pull our your dick so that our lil homes can see."

"Huh?"

"Pull out your fucking dick, homes."

Hector didnt question. Didnt think twice. He unbuckled, unzipped and hauled out his cock. A thick, lazy firmness that drooped rather than stood out of his thick shock of pubes. A cock that was on loan to him, much like the rest of his big body. Joaquin's eyes widened more. Seemingly impossible, until Hector saw it. His dick was more the shade of Joaquin's skin, darker than the rest of his pale form.

"Your first time seeing a cock, lil homes?" Flaco's tone was almost a little too cool for Hector's liking. He just sat with his dick in his hand, Flaco was still stroking his.

"Nah ... I've seen dicks before," Joaquin replied, quietly. Hector could tell that was a lie, but the subtle tell tale signs seemed lost on Flaco.

"What, you seen your brothers?"

"Sure."

"Well, we just like your brothers, so its cool," Flaco pointed out, his hand squeezing lazily back up his length. "Its cool, right?"

"Yeah." Joaquin's eyes were stuck between looking at Hector's, or looking at Flaco's. Hector couldnt help himself, as he felt his dick burn with arousal hotter than the heat he'd endured the whole day, at the hands of the sun.

"Sure, we all brothers, here, lil homes. So why don't you pull out yours? Show us what you got?"

Hector watched Joaquin closely. Still part of him aroused. Part of him feeling like Flaco's blunt and straight forward ways weren't what a kid like Joaquin needed. Despite having seen his first dick, two of them even, the youth seemed to suck up whatever he was feeling and thinking to concentrate on the task at hand. He started to undo his shorts. Hector felt himself drooling, his eyes fixed on Joaquin's groin. He felt a little disappointed when the kid finally dragged out his own cock, far from hard.

Joaquin looked uncomfortable, to say the least, managing somehow to drag his shorts down in his slouched position to get himself free. His cock hung limp in his hand, seeing uninterested. Hector throbbed at the mere sight, the completion of his fantasies enough to keep his lazy dick engorged despite the lack of physical attention. He felt his breath going dry in his throat again, his mouth opening a little as he continued to stare.

"Get it up, homes."

Joaquin stood up, his shorts dropping down. His baggy boxers clinging to his hips. The room wasn't wide enough between the beds there. The youths dick at eye level with Hector. He licked his lips subconsciously, catching himself. Lowering his eyes. His own baggy pants seemed to be burning up a new inferno for him, even though they lay open on his boxers and dick.

"Nah, I mean get your dick up, lil homes," Flaco clarified. "Not get up. Get IT up. You know how to jack off right?"

"Yeah ..."

Hector reached out, and wrapped his hand about Joaquin's limp dick. Squeezing it upwards into hardness. He kept his head low, still embarrassed for himself. Now more for Joaquin. He felt exposed and weak before the kid, but he felt weaker at Flaco's continued questions. Ones that Joaquin seemed to be lying to. He pitied Joaquin, wondering at how confused he must be right now. Two older kids opening up their pants and pulling out their dicks. Jacking them off, if that wasn't bad enough. Hector frowned a little, giving him that don't mess with me look. The kid had to learn sometime.

"Yeah, get him all stiff, Solo," Flaco commented. Hector could see that he was back to jacking himself off. His fingers a little wetter with his drool. "That the first time anyones ever done that for you?"

Hector glanced up at the youth, but Joaquin didnt lie this time. His reply was breathy, as he experienced the heady new sensations at Hector's hand, "Yeah, it is."

"Feels pretty fucking nice, thought, right lil homes?"

"Yeah, it does."

"Keep treating him, Solo. You doing him good."

Hector kept at the gentle touching. Joaquin was big enough for his age, a truth that was obvious once the older boy had done sufficient to ease him into hardness. A dark shaft, tight nuts, a broader, uncut head. The thickness of his pubes seemed to make him seem more dark there, his cock the same gentle, smooth brown as the rest of his body. Hector could see that the kids legs were weak with the touch. Soft moans escaping his lips. He pulled the youth about so that he could sit between the two of them on the bed. He pulled Joaquin's boxers down properly.

Flaco shifted a little, unappreciative, but eventually making more room on the bed. Shoving his glasses up a little with his free hand. Hector felt himself flush a little more as Joaquin pressed against him in the lack of room there. He got himself a little more comfortable, letting go of his own cock, letting it fall in its lazy arc. He glanced up nervously at Joaquin, expecting to feel that embarrassment continue to burn in his cheeks, but the youth seemed to be taking it with a renewed coolness. As if realizing that if this was what it took to hang with the older boys, then so be it. Hector wondered if it was just Joaquin's ever calm way. It scared him.

"That ok?" Hector asked quietly, still working gently on Joaquin's cock.

"Yeah, man. Its real nice."

"Cool."

"Yeah my boy knows how to take care of that stuff, lil homes," Flaco commented with a grin. "Gets plenty of practice when hes out roaming by himself."

Joaquin laughed at the joke, but Hector wondered if he really understood it. He just kept his hand working gently on Joaquin's dick. The youth looked as if he was enjoying it more than anything. Staring now at Flaco's cock. Mostly because he was leaning a little more in that direction. Hector started to tug at his own member again, staring hotly at Joaquin's chest again. Drinking in his lustful, hot breaths.

"I bet you aint never fucked a girl yet, right?" Flaco asked, still playing lethargically with himself.

"Nah, I aint done anything like that." Hector wondered how he'd not learnt how to jack off yet, but let that settle with his other unanswered questions about the kid.

"Stick with us, lil homes," replied Flaco quietly. "You'll get yours before too long."

"What's it like?"

Hector almost chuckled nervously at that ever curious nature. Even when he was having his dick pulled on. He kept the pace real slow, more just touching and feeling Joaquin than really jacking him off. He wondered how the youth would feel shooting for the first time.

"Fucking a girl? Its sweet, homes," Flaco replied. "When you put your dick up inside her cunt that first time, its like heaven. Like your first time jacking off almost, but heaps better."

Joaquin's eyes seemed a little heavy with the idea, more probably the sensations in his young member. As if he was trying to imagine what that might really be like. Hector guessed he had no idea on the dynamics. He guessed that Joaquin had never seen pussy before. Flaco quickly confirmed that one.

"You ever seen a girls cunt?"

"Nah. Never seen anything like that," Joaquin replied quietly, with a light moan. His hand moved down and seemed to try mimicking Hector's motions. The big youth let him take over.

"Pass me that magazine over there, Solo."

Hector grabbed up the magazine left dropped down between the dresser and the bed. It was a bit of a stretch from the position he was in, but he eventually snagged it and passed it over to Flaco. Something still make him a little strange looking at girls, especially naked. Flaco seemed to have the guts more for it than him. The skinny teenager was already paging through it, as if looking for something.

"See, right there. that's what a girls pussy looks like," Flaco commented. He paged again, "And there."

"Woah!"

"Oh, you aint never seen their tits, neither, huh lil homes?" asked Flaco, casually.

"Nah."

"Well, see that's what a girl looks like. Pretty hot." Hector glanced down, seeing that Joaquin was still playing with himself slowly. Like everything this far had only been show, and he really did know how to jack himself.

"And that right there ... see. that's what it looks like when you got your dick in her," Flaco continued to explain. He flipped through a few more pages and found some better pictures of the act.

"You ever done it before?" Joaquin asked, trying to keep his tone casual.

"What you think?" Flaco asked with a grin. This time he did actually tussle Joaquin's thick curls, knocking his visor down a bit over his eyes. "I've fucked plenty of girls, homes. Just ask my boy."

Joaquin glanced over at Hector. Hector felt like he had to stop playing with his dick now that the kid was paying attention to him. Joaquin's hand had slowed a little during the questions. The subsequent pictures in the battered, well loved magazine.

"You ever fucked girls cunts?" Joaquin asked, coming off sounding like a veterano again. The words sounded strange coming from his lips that first time.

"Yeah, a few," Hector said. He didnt bother elaborating beyond that. But Joaquin asked him a question that made him blush a little more.

"Was it good?"

"Yeah, it was good. Girls pussy is always good," Hector replied. Part of him knew it was the truth. He wasn't so sure when he said the next. "Like Flaco said, stick with us and you'll get plenty of pussy."

"Is it easy to do?"

Flaco laughed a bit, "You can watch next time I get some, lil homes. You'll get the hang of it quick enough." Flaco's tone changed a little, catching Hector off guard. "Hey! Little brothers. Get the fuck out of there! Go back upstairs to your momma."

Hector glanced up at the window, seeing the two little faces quickly pull away, giggling lightly. They quickly faded as the little footsteps pounded away on the dried dirt outside. Hector felt that quick flush of embarrassment again. Flaco's tone quickly returned to its normal.

"You can keep this if you want," Flaco said, handing Joaquin the battered magazine. The youth was too busy with himself. Discovering he had a brand new toy, one that was with him no matter where he went. But he took the magazine in hand, with the reverence that seemed to come with it. "Just don't let your moms see it, ok?"

"Sure. Thanks, man."

"that's ok, lil homes," Flaco replied. "When you done with that one, I can lend you some of my others. Just keep it hidden, ok?"

"Yeah, ok."

Joaquin let it aside for a moment, obviously working at his climax. Discovering the warm new pleasures that came with that too. Hector was busy too, himself, just staring at Joaquin. The heat, the situation. His arousal. They all contributed to the fire in his own lazy cock. The older boy began to work himself gently again as he stared at Joaquin. He was still looking at him with all the lust of a guy looking at a schoolyard crush. But at the same time, the big youth was wondering if this was truly Joaquin's first time. How did he manage to come off so cool?

"Get back there a little so you can lean back," Flaco said, encouragingly.

Hector was already moving his hands to help the youth back so he could lean against the wall. He found his hands pulling at Joaquin's baggy shirt too. He felt another warm flush as Joaquin let him, the oversized garment slipping back to expose the youths smooth brown body. Hector's breath was hotter than even the feeling in his groin. He was sure his eyes were as wide as Joaquin's had been when he'd first seen Flaco's dick. He helped Joaquin back into a more comfortable position, not minding in the least that it ended up with the younger boy leaned more against him than the wall.

"You doing pretty good there, lil homes," commented Flaco, still working himself. "Playing it pretty cool with the older boys, huh? I think you gonna do ok with us, homes."

"Thanks," Joaquin replied. Hector could see him beaming a little with that youthful enthusiasm that he expected to see more often from him. The older youths spare hand was already reaching back over to Joaquin's nuts. He gasped a little, but encouraged the extra touching.

"Yeah, work his nut a bit for him, Solo."

"Thanks man ..."

Hector smiled a little as Joaquin over at him. His hand was already slowing again on his dick. With Hector touching him there, feeling the pleasure that anothers hand bought him, it seemed to pale the pleasures he bought himself. There was so much more that Hector wanted to do right now. His eyes ran hungry over Joaquin's body, barely noticing Flaco sitting right there next to him. But it was Flaco's presence that kept him at bay. Kept at bay those raging hormones that burned within him. That guided his hand even now in what little he did. He started to fist Joaquin's dick. The youth was moaning quietly against him

Hector noticed Flaco's own hand was working quicker. The room filled with the sounds of their quiet arousal. Wet sounds of hot flesh and moisture. Gentle gasps and moans. Hector felt as if the breeze from the squeaking fan did nothing to cool him now that a more fiery heat consumed his body. His soft flesh pushing against Joaquin where he sat there against him. The fire outside the room in the endless barrio seeming nothing next to the fire within, and the fire within the bodies of the three youths.

Hector worked at his lazy cock, but it seemed second to the more firm masturbation that he played across Joaquin's dick. All that seemed to matter right there and then was the youth. Getting him off. Damn whether or not he was new to this. All that mattered was the pleasure. Hearing the youths groans. Feeling his body. Staring at his cock. Touching it as intimately as if it were his own. He wanted it as his own.

Flaco let out a sharp moan, a thick stream of white splashing down across his abs. A second, hard throb coloring across his chest, leaving a pale streak against his skin and tattoos. Hector quickened his pace on Joaquin for some reason that he didnt quite realize. Perhaps because whenever he jacked with Flaco, he always tried to hit at the same time. Maybe to cover the surprise that he saw on Joaquin's face as the youth stared at the thick rain of cum that was already starting to trickle down the sides of Flaco's body.

It was only a few strokes more before Joaquin let out a whimper and starting cuming. Hector felt himself on the brink as the youths thick seed colored across the smooth brown of his body. Pulsing out of his cock, still tight within Hector's grasp. Hector felt the rhymic quivering of the youths member, as Joaquin painted streaks across his body. Contrasting the rich brown with white. The youth whimpered quietly, quivering slightly against Hector's hot body.

Hector's own orgasm paled in comparison to what he had felt and seen in the boy. A blunt and base pleasure next to the beautiful sensations and warmth that he had felt in Joaquin's. His hand was still locked about Joaquin's dick, his other hand squeezing the cum from his own. It felt nothing like the gentle curves he felt against him. The quiet gasps, and soft touch of his skin. Compared to Joaquin's orgasm, Hector felt like his own was a let down. Second to what he had truly wanted as he worked with his hand.

"Here."

Flaco passed the white to Joaquin, in part wiping it up his abs to staunch the cum that had fallen there. Hector caught his breath, Joaquin still very much doing so himself. Doing what he could to wipe up the rewards of his efforts. The youth was strangely quiet, seemingly content. Hector realized with annoyance what Joaquin was holding in his hand, as he felt his cum running down the sides of his stomach.

"Hey, Flaco. that's my tank top!"

"So, its all good, homes," Flaco replied. "Aint like its gonna get cold anytime soon."

Hector frowned, annoyed still. He helped Joaquin despite it. "You didnt have to go use my clothes."

"Fuck that. Its all I had. You wanna get up get a towel?" questioned Flaco. "You cool to if you want. One right over there." Hector didnt even bother looking to see if it was true. He believed the skinny boy.

"Next time don't use my clothes," Hector replied. He started to mop his own cum up all the same, the tank top already wetter with the cum now than it had with the sweat he'd gathered out in the sun. Flaco seemed to ignore him.

"Feels pretty good to have someone else do it for you, lil homes," the latino said.

"Yeah, I know. You guys always do this stuff?" Joaquin asked. "I mean ... when you aint at school and stuff."

"Its something to do," replied Flaco. His pants still lay open, his cock flopped limply over on one side. Hector knew he wasn't shy in the least. "We don't always do it, when it gets too hot. You get them feelings. We all friends, nothing wrong with doing it."

"You going to be off school tomorrow?" Joaquin asked. Making plans for tomorrow already, Hector noticed. Maybe he just liked this jacking off stuff more than his cool demeanor let on. Flaco just shrugged.

"See what happens. Cant really tell," Flaco raised an eyebrow. "What? You liking this shit, lil homes?"

"I like hanging with you two," commented Joaquin rather calmly. Hector could tell he was hiding something. He guessed it was the pleasure side of it. Flaco put a hand on the youths shoulder.

"You can hang with us whenever you like. As for doing this," Flaco gave Joaquin a rather firm expression. Something that belonged back on the street, not here. Not between friends. "Jacking off and shit. Well, its best not to be blabbing to yo lil friends we doing all that."

"No, I wouldn't do that." he replied. Hector saw that Joaquin wasn't affected in the least by Flaco's glance. Hector would have withered under it.

"Nah, I know you wouldn't."

Flaco bent over to loosen his shoes and kick them off. He stood up between the beds, his baggy jeans dropping in a second. Carried down his skinny legs by their weight. He kicked them off, dropped his boxers, before taking a place up on the other bed. Joaquin was watching him, his eyes moving as quickly as Hector's had when he had first seen Joaquin naked. He was still half hard, despite cumming, with the youth sitting still naked beside him.

"Gimme a lil of that air, fucker," Flaco commented to Hector, pushing his glasses up with a finger. Hector turned the tiny fan about so that it was pointing towards the other bed.

He felt the sudden heat in the absence of the fans frugal movement of air. Joaquin was just staring at Flaco's naked body, as he slouched there on the other bed. As if he were sitting there decked out in all his cholo clothing, rather than as bare as he was right now. Even if he was still wearing his colors, cap and tight necklace. He looked comfortable, but then he always did, Hector noted. He'd never been with Flaco before when he was with another guy. Well ... not like this. Not sexually, with another guy in the room. He felt the absence of Joaquin's weight as the youth stretched out a little in the room made. The youths cock was hanging limp and lazy.

"Plenty other things we can do if you still feeling horny, homes," Flaco said, his voice quiet. "If you can keep your mouth shut."

Hector didnt appreciate the heavier words, but Joaquin looked as unaffected by them as everything else. In fact the youth looked almost as relaxed as Flaco, lazed out there. Taking up ample space on the bed, looking as if it weren't nothing to be naked. Doing what he had to to hang with the older boys. Joaquin just nodded to Flaco's comment.

"Why don't you suck his cock, Solo."

Hector flushed warmly at the suggestion, glancing over at Joaquin. The youth just looked back at him with an easy expression. Not showing anything. He looked like a pro, as cool as any of the veteranos. The big youth figured that Joaquin probably didnt have a clue what Flaco was suggesting. At least not what it would be like, beyond working out what he meant. He just gave him that easy look. Hector admired those sparkling eyes. They held him in a far easier and simple way than Flaco's piercing and commanding gaze. Those lips enticed him, as Joaquin just lay slouched back on the bed casually. Waiting.

"Yeah, suck my cock, Solo."

Hector burned with surprise. He was sure that his pale features were burning a bright red, that both of the youths would have noticed it in a second. Flaco's suggestion had taken him off guard, but hearing Joaquin all but order him down did something far greater. There was no way this kid could be new to this. No way at all. His tone sounded so confident. So firm. Hector withered under the smooth words as quickly as if they had been Flaco's. He moved, feeling his heavy jeans slip off his ass as he came about on the bed. He started to spread Joaquin's smooth brown legs, feeling his dick coming up heavy again between his legs. As he glanced up at the boy he saw those eyes. Saw that which gave Joaquin away.

Joaquin had no idea what was going on. Those sparkling brown eyes were wide with anticipation. Inexperienced surprise. The youths body panting with a sensation finally given form and word to him.

Joaquin was more cool, more calm than anyone Hector had ever known. He was a veterano well before his days. Hector wondered if he was the only one who saw that.

The big youth spread Joaquin's legs a little wider as his half hard dick lolled over to one side. Already growing again with the stimulation of Hector's touch. Hector was wishing the fan was back on them, his body burning with the embarrassment still, feeling the heat of the afternoon as strongly again as the heat between their two young bodies. He felt his lust blazing within him again. Fuck anything but this. He wanted to get more of Joaquin than the kid knew was possible. Even if he didnt give on and acted like he'd done it all before.

"Yeah, that's nice shit Solo. Treat our new lil homes like you treat me," Flaco commented brashly, Hector feeling a new embarrassment set in. "I know you in for some real sweet head, homes. No bitch ever gave me head like my boy Solo."

"Yeah ..."

Joaquin's breathy reply was anything but confident as Hector slipped his mouth down over his cock. He felt the presence there within the wet embrace of his lips, moaning as he slipped himself further down on the boys hastily hardened cock. Part of him was bitter, as he took Joaquin's dick in his mouth. Starting sucking on him.

'Try acting like this is all cool now, homes. Try acting like you hard now you got me sucking your dick like you never felt before.'

"Oh, Solo ..."

"Yeah, lil homes," Flaco commented quietly. "Nice aint it?"

"Oh fuck ..."

"Let him do you, homes. Just lay back and enjoy it."

"Solo ..."

Hector moaned a little as he began the rhythmic thrust of his lovemaking there. He pushed down in an expert stroke, taking the kid into his throat, burying his nose deep in his pubes. Hector felt and heard the response. Joaquin was shaking again, like he had when Hector had first touched his dick. Hector's hands roamed up lazily across Joaquin's smooth brown body, slouched up against the end of the bed there. He pulled back, sucking about the youths head. His hands taking in what only his eyes had, hungry and possessed.

Joaquin's hands finally found their way to Hector's head. The big youth felt them about his all but bald head and neck. blindly feeling at the cause of his burning pleasure. Hector pulled back a little to lick at Joaquin's hard and wet length. His cock slapping heavily against his skin for a moment as it escaped his mouth. He felt the strong musk of the kid there, as his nose stayed in close. As he lowered his mouth down towards Joaquin's balls.

Hector was conflicted in so many ways. He wanted to prove to Flaco that the kid wasn't as cool as he thought he was. He wanted to pleasure Joaquin in ways that he knew he'd never felt. To release his burning lust against the youth in whatever way he felt like. But something deeper, more base wanted him to treat him well. A way that reminded Hector of that smooth smile, seductive almost in its honesty. Those bright eyes. Somewhere deep beneath all that cool and calm was a kid. One that Hector still remembered of himself, long passed. One that Hector wanted to treat well his first time.

Joaquin's hands still continued to rub and stroke at his neck, the youths legs wide open. Hector used the brute strength of his body to pull Joaquin back, almost under him, to lay him back on the bed rather than against the end of it. Pushing the youths legs back, he started to lap at the kids balls more freely, where they hung there. He heard the hot pants Joaquin breathed, the powerful, but gentle moans. He let his licking lower a little more, smelling the thick aroma of Joaquin's ass. The youth whimpered somewhere beyond him, Hector barely heard.

Hector kicked off his shoes, hastily. One of them hit something hard, but he didnt look back, getting himself out of the loose confines of his jeans, then his boxers. Making himself naked. He stared down at Joaquin, laid back there on the bed before him. His visor had fallen off, or the youth had taken it off. Baring his short back and sides. The thick black curls of his mop of hair. Hector felt that almost pained burn of lust, caught in the deep grip of sexual attraction to the youth.

Joaquin stared back. Pretense of toughness or understanding absent. Hector noticed that giddy, kid like admiration that seemed so gone from Joaquin's vocabulary so often. That smooth smile spread slowly across the youths brown features. Hector wondered what it felt like to be in love.

Barely dwelling on Joaquin's smooth features a few mere seconds, Hector moved back down to Joaquin's dick. His own was hanging heavily, hard again, yet in that lazy way it did. Rather than the solid, intense hardness that penetrated his lips. This time Joaquin's hips rose to meet his mouth. The youth learning quickly what best bought him pleasure. He heard the whispered groan escape Joaquin's lips. Felt his hand at the back of his head again as the youth began to thrust upwards again. Hector guided the kids hips, easing him into a gentle thrust. Teaching him what came natural to him, with his older, heavier body. Joaquin began to take over the thrusts, gasping in a tone that spoke of his unbelieved satisfactions.

If Flaco was doing anything more than just staring, Hector didnt know. He remembered lightly that the other boy was still in the room. Remembered that they were both lying on Flaco's bed, in the still smoldering heat of the day, and their sex. The sweat came quickly to their two bodies, Hector could smell it lingering there with the scent of their maleness. Of their aroused sexual foreplay. Hector let the youth thrust up again and again. He wanted more than just to give Joaquin a blow job. His own dick, his own body, older physically than his age, craved more.

He wanted Joaquin.

Those smooth brown curves, so soft. That smile, more smooth and soft than anything.

He wanted to fuck Joaquin. No ... make love? He wondered how that felt.

He wanted to impress them both. Flaco especially.

He sucked, feeling the thrust of Joaquin's hips. Hearing the tight moans. Smelling the thick musk of his most male part. Hector felt himself getting dizzy, wondering if it was the sex, or the heat. He breathed in thick pants through his nose. His nostrils flaring as he continued to take Joaquin's growing thrusts. Time slowed, it seemed, into a burning, thick molasses. One that make his body sweat like rain. Ran over him in a slow passage of pleasure that burned and seethed in his cock. He gagged a little, choking on Joaquin's eager pushing. Feeling his hands like hot cinders on his head.

"... fuck ..."

Hector moaned in reply, his head swimming. His hands explored Joaquin's body intimately. He wondered at what had broken in him to have ended up like this. Feeling the wants within him. Perhaps it had just been too much. Finally being able to have the thing he wanted. Beyond just Joaquin's smooth body. He craved this, but he craved what else more. He sought it in any place in the barrio he could find it. He dreamed that it was here.

"Fuck him ... cmon Solo ..."

Hector finally heard the words. realized that Joaquin and Flaco had been talking. Both youths voices low, Joaquin's heavy with his lust and new found experiences in Hector's sexual touch. Hector gasped as Joaquin's still rigid cock slipped momentarily from his mouth. The air rushed into his lungs in pants. He shook lightly, but for different reasons than Joaquin, who was still quivering under his hands. Hector looked up the youths body. His eyes red and heavy. Joaquin was staring back, his own wide in disbelief.

"Show him what it feels like, Solo ... show him how I make you feel, homes."

The tones were low and conspiratorial. Hardened in that strange, macho way that occupied everything in the barrios. Hung like the thick fog that hung about Hector's head. The heat. The smells. The sensations. Hector felt drunk. Or high. Yet different. He struggled to place the feelings. Wondering again if this was what love felt like. Somewhere, somehow, Hector had found the momentum to pull one of Joaquin's legs right back, exposing the youths ass. The big youths lust and pent horniness pushed him on as he lowered his mouth to Joaquin's puckering softness there.

Hector felt Joaquin's hands wander from his head, felt the movement above him there. He battered back Joaquin's hands from his dick, denighing him the easy pleasure that accompanied his hungry mouth. He felt the resistance as Joaquin pushed back, groaned unappreciately. Hector renewed his efforts, pushing Joaquin's leg back further as he probed his tongue within the kids funky hole.

"Raw and dry, lil homes," Flaco said, quietly. "Show me you a man, not a boy. Men like we are."

Hector's nose took in the heavy smells of Joaquin there, feeling the youth still struggling lightly, more now with the strange new sensations that came with this stimulation. Hector probed and pushed, letting his raw lust take him in as deeply into the act. Had it been anyone else, Hector would never have gone this far. He maintained staunchly within himself that he wouldn't even under the orders of Flaco. But given that a situation like his had never come up before, the true test was still there. Hector wanted this, though. He could feel in Joaquin's body, hear in his moans, almost smell and taste in his body, that Joaquin wanted it too.

'Please want it like I want it.'

Hector fumbled with his cock, clumsy again as he struggled to control his big body. It frustrated him, now especially, as he worked his cock. Wondered at how best to proceed as his lust just pulled him up over Joaquin's young body. He looked down into Joaquin's smooth face, wide eyed and overcome with the realities of sex first felt. Hector felt Joaquin's hands on his shoulders, rubbing, encouraging. Part of him could see that he still had no idea what was going on. Not from what Flaco was saying. Every new act one that Joaquin could never have guessed. Only covered in lack of knowledge by those smooth, cool expressions.

Hector spat on his hand, rubbing along his cock. Then again. His breath fell hot against Joaquin's chest as he stared down over the youths body. This was so far difference from the other times. If it had been a girl. The sensations were different. The feelings were different. Everything was. He wanted to get off. His dick and body, the youth still so much growing into it, into the urges that it supplied, wanted to get off. But this was a guy. It was Joaquin. It was different.

Hector found himself unable to spit up too much more, his mouth so dry. He clumsily pushed himself against the youths ass hole, with his broad head. He saw Joaquin's eyes widen in both surprise and partly in disgust and disbelief. He wanted to say something, to tell the youth it would be cool. But his throat was too dry. The words stayed trapped in his burning lungs. The sex and afternoon heat deprived him of the comfort and coolness. Joaquin let out a yelp as Hector pushed forward, all too eager.

"You a man, aint you, lil homes?" Flaco asked casually, still sitting on the bed. Hector saw that he was playing with himself again.

"Yeah, Im a man."

"Fucking show me your a man, homes. You saying that hurts?"

Hector frowned. This wasn't some test. It was different. It was sex, or love. Or something in between. Hector didnt know. He couldnt work out the difference between the emotions that he felt inside. Even with his older body, it didnt come with the comprehension of the feelings it gave him.

"Nah, it don't hurt," Joaquin replied, calmly. Hector didnt like that. Not the way the youth firmed his face, in that veterano way.

"Then what you waiting for, Solo. Treat him like I treat you," stated Flaco.

Hector pushed again, seeing Joaquin's youth features twist. Like a youth trying his hardest to make like a cut didnt hurt. Yet this cut drove deeper than any, as Hector began to work his way into the only slightly prepared softness there. He saw Joaquin's bright eyes widen as his own did. Both feeling different sensations, none less powerful than the others. The tight softness there beckoned Hector. Pulled him on further as he began to work his cockhead in slowly, guiding his partly soft erection with his free hand. The other keeping Joaquin's leg back.

"Is it like this with girls ...?" Joaquin asked, pained and dry. The timing struck Hector as odd.

"No," he replied quietly, breathy. "It'll feel real good. Just give it a bit. I promise. Better than having your dick in a pussy." He wondered at the last part.

Hector lowered his gaze to Joaquin's smooth chest as he began to start humping himself inwards. The tightness was too intense. It almost hurt his cock. The fact that his hard ons were more soft than stiff made the going even more harder. Not having the hardness before his hips as he thrust made the tightness only that more difficult to breach. Frustration set in too quickly as Hector frowned, that look that made him look annoyed. The sort of look that any of the older veteranos would give, in disapproval to anyone passing by. He cussed lightly as an overly eager shove caused Joaquin to start sharply.

"Relax."

Hector heard the word only when Joaquin said it again. It surprised him, drew his eyes back up to the youths. That same smooth, confident expression greeted him. Soothed the frustration that was starting to eat at him. There was a strangely deep acceptance in Joaquin's sparkling gaze, though wet with the held tears of his pain. A slow, smooth smile spread that seemed to comfort Hector more. The youth winning him over with that calm manner that he would follow into Purebreed territory. He saw the hints of pain in Joaquin's face, but they seemed second to the gentle, easy expression that spread so easily across his features.

Hector carefully renewed his efforts, finding the way as tight, but a little easier on his confidence. Joaquin's body still betrayed his calm nature, tight and hard, mirroring the natural rejection of his ass hole. Hector felt himself hardening a little more, firming his length as he started to fuck a little, in an effort to loosen the tightness there. Working with his length what he had tried to ease open with his tongue. The more than ample sweat of the boy there and Hector's spit helped in part to help the passage.

"It feels nice," Joaquin said, breath hot on Hector's skin. The older boy saw a little of the confusion, a little of the pleasure. Perhaps more just hoped, on what Hector had promised.

"Ill make it feel better," replied Hector.

He tried not to let himself fall too heavily along Joaquin's body. It burned against his naked skin. Joined there in the act of sex. It reminded Hector too much of the time when he had been like this. On this same bed. Flaco where he was right now. The way had been so less easy. He wished that Flaco had been as comforting as Joaquin was. In those few words. Those easy expressions. Another lit his way as he started to thrust a little more, feeling his nuts rest against Joaquin's tight ass hole. It felt like the kid was trying to crush his cock within that tight muscle. He could tell Joaquin was trying to heed his own advice though. He could feel in that hard, hard ring, that Joaquin was trying to relax. Despite the pain he knew he must be feeling, and hiding.

Hector felt a little of his concern start to wear off as he felt the tight pleasure that came from having himself inside Joaquin. The hot press of his naked form against his. He had what he wanted, as the most base of levels. He had what he wanted when he had stared at Joaquin's young body on the walk home. Right now he had all that, as he began to start thrusting more firmly, his big body starting to work a little more easily as he moved into the rhythms of sex. He could feel those urges, thick and heavy, like the heat that hung on his sweat slicked skin. Those base urges to rut.

Joaquin's hands seemed to burn a hotter passage across his wet back as Hector thrust inside the boy. He ached with the needs that he began to sate within Joaquin's ass. His heavy gaze taking in the mix of emotions beneath him. The pleasure. The disbelief. The deep satisfaction. The pain, gently easing into the endless rhythms of their intercourse. Hector felt a sudden wetness seeping between them, like Joaquin had peed himself. Feeling the uncontrolled shudders of the youths body as he tightened and clenched about Hector's big cock. The hot, breathy, disbelieving moans. There were words in there that Hector couldnt understand. Ones that Joaquin was ill equipped to speak.

Hector put his arm about Joaquin's shoulders, feeling the hot embrace of the youth about his own. His hips seemed to pump with a mind of their own, harder, fuller. Driven by those same base lusts that he felt staring at the kid. Feelings and wants satisfied finally. Fully. As he took what he needed, his mind wanting more. Wanting in part to give Joaquin what he sought himself. That cold, endless search that had him wandering the barrios. Away from that place that laid so close to Flaco's tiny bedroom.

Hector let out a pained moan as he felt his climax lingering. First on his nuts, then almost painfully close at the tip of his cock. The heat there was a warm and pleasurable one. One that he felt only in part within the embrace of Joaquin's smooth body. Beyond that, the unrelenting and uncaring heat of the world beyond. Within Joaquin's ass, the heat there was pleasure. The more further from, the more it was pain. Hard, rather than the softness there. He felt his own heat, burning at the end of his organ. The sudden, almost pained release as he began to shoot inside the youth. Joaquin was gasping almost as deeply as him.

Hector felt himself whimpering, more like Joaquin had before. His body quivering from the climax. He felt more hands on his body than made sense, then heard the rude voice. Interruption far too soon.

"Get off him, Solo."

Hector pulled himself back, annoyed at the quickness of it all. This wasn't like jacking off. You couldnt just shove your cock back in your pants and be done. But he pulled slowly from Joaquin's ass all the same. The firm order one that appealed to his sense of right. His sense of following. Joaquin seemed less affected by the blunt end than himself, as he saw the youth. Flaco was right beside the bed, dick in hand. He could see on Joaquin's smooth features the understanding of implication.

Hector felt himself pop free of Joaquin's tightness there, the youth grunting a little. He settled back against the other end of the bed, burning from the heat, the sex. He was sweating, far worse than he had outside in the sun. The heat here was a far more raw and sexual one. He still felt dizzy. Thought strangely satisfied as he rested back, panting. Watching as Joaquin eased back. Flaco coming down on top of him, handling his cock. Joaquin's young hand was already up about the older boys dick. Hector saw that acceptance and cool in Joaquin's eyes as the boy took Flaco into his mouth.

"Yeah, you know what I want, lil homes," Flaco commented, failing at cool where Joaquin always succeeded. The older youth could barely contain the pleasure that washed across his skinny member. "You a smart kid, you know the game."

Hector watched as Flaco began to thrust into the youths mouth, holding Joaquin's head straight for the task. Joaquin's hands steadied himself against the bed and the older youth, doing in part his best to suck and pleasure Flaco where he had had no experience at all. Other than what he had received at Hector's mouth. Hector looked at Flaco. All hard, skinny. Those tattoos danced dark patterns over his pale body. He saw the black and white bandanna under his black cap, still backwards on his head. Perfectly placed.

The subtle, yet blunt messages rung true within Hector. He felt the question burn within him again as he saw what he did before him. Knew in his heart what would follow. He saw something of himself there in Joaquin, knowing in part what this was about. Three homeboys sitting around on a hot afternoon. Perhaps true. Perhaps even spurred to release bored and horny feelings within in the easiest way possible. Something as innocent as that, Hector saw and felt different within Flaco's words. His actions. As he thrust deep within Joaquin's all but eager mouth. He wondered if Joaquin saw it, hating that he seemed to see what others didnt.

The question just kept coming back. He heard Flaco's words. Saw them in those tattoos. In that tight, beaded necklace that the skinny youth wore. The act that played out before him, as he lay back, feeling the pillow at the small of his back. He saw it deeper as he saw those scars on Flaco's body. That one on his chest.

Come home.

Home where he would find everything he needed. Everything he searched for when he roamed. The thing that gained him his nickname, with Flaco at least. He saw that tattoo there on Flaco's shoulder, feeling it hit deeper within him. Basing it so firmly in reality. It stood right there before him. There was everything that he searched for right there. Yet still he delayed on the answer that he knew would take him the distance he needed.

Hector looked at Joaquin, his face still frowning lightly. His mind thinking over the eternity of situations and thoughts. Far too much for his young mind to comprehend and sort correctly. In a world where only the base, blunt ideologies worked. Seeing Joaquin there, feeling the atmosphere that had descended on that small, hot room, Hector was just reminded of all the times before. The look he saw in the veteranos eyes. The promise. The one that he saw in Flaco every day. In that scar on his chest.

Flaco let out a deep, hard groan, Joaquin doing his best not to choke on the older boys seed. He spluttered, Flaco still keeping his hand on the back of his head, keeping his head in close to his groin. The sounds of Flaco's spend moans, and Joaquin's quiet choking filled the room. Eventually dying to leave just the sound of the squeaking fan. Hector watched as Flaco pulled himself out of Joaquin's mouth. The boy had a trail of cum running to his chin. Hector guessed that Joaquin saw things as clear as he did. He wondered if it was a good thing that he saw them so early. Even that smooth, boyish smile didnt seem to banish the thoughts from Hector's head, as Joaquin looked up at Flaco.

"Consider yourself jumped in to our lil posse homes. We got your back now."

Joaquin looked a little surprised, as if not understanding, or expecting, "Really?"

"Sure. You can hang with us whenever," Flaco said. Everything was a test, why didnt Hector remember. Was that all this had been to him? "I know you cool."

"Thanks, man," Joaquin was beaming. Flaco gave him that Loco handshake. The ironies there weren't wasted on Hector. "Ill do what it takes to hang with you two, you cool."

"Yeah, you know it, lil homes," Flaco was already wandering back over towards the other bed. Sitting down naked. Spent. Satisfied for now. Back within the embrace of the fans only warm breeze.

"that's it? That was easy, man."

"It aint always gotta be hard," replied Flaco, from his place.

Hector just sat there silently for the moment. He spent a moment of movement within the heat that still lingered to gather his pants back up. Slip them on. He knew he wanted what Joaquin had just got. It seemed enough at the time, but the need was deeper than that. Hector shrugged it off as he buckled his belt and settled back down on the bed, shirtless. Joaquin was resting back, still naked, looking all the part of a hardened cholo. Despite the lack of clothes. Flaco looked as if he was going to sleep already. Sleeping it off like a dog, just fresh from sex with his bitch.

It wasn't long before the same heat and lack of energy hit Hector. The big youth felt tired from the days efforts. The sex especially had only drained him further, where the heat had sapped his strength and will to stay at the school. It seemed like a world away right now, as he lay back on the bed. It was a lot later when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Warm. Comforting. Hector dreamed that it was something else, in his slumbering state.

"Solo."

"Hmmm?"

"Wake up," the whispered voice was almost seductive. Hector opened his eyes, Joaquin over him. Dressed. Nude magazine in hand.

"What's up?"

"I have to get back home," Joaquin said, seeming that responsible youth that had surfaced a few times previous. "My moms will kill me if she thinks I wasn't at school the whole day."

Hector looked over at Flaco. He didnt have to, he could hear the youth snoring. Propped, probably very uncomfortably, against the wall where he had fallen asleep. He looked strange there, naked. Asleep. Hector knew it was too easy to fall asleep in this heat, with the relative comfort that no clothes provided. Joaquin beckoned for him to follow him outside. Hector's body moaned in protest as he managed to pull himself up and follow the kid outside.

The heat hit him like a brick, almost as unwelcome as the building that Hector saw as soon as he stepped out of the basement bedroom. He ignored what was next door, but was unable to do so on the smoldering heat. Had it really been that cool indoors? Being out in it again, even as the sun was starting to dip below a shimmering horizon, only reminded Hector of the difference. He found himself staring at Joaquin's ass as the two of them wandered towards the sidewalk.

"Today was cool, man," Joaquin said. His voice broke the silence of the streets, seeming a shout next to his whispers. "I really liked hanging out with you two."

"Even the ..."

"Fuck yeah," the kid was smiling, broadly. "We all brothers now, right?"

Hector nodded, "Yeah, I suppose we are. But you don't have to suck me for me to be your brother." Hector felt mean saying it, only worsened by his ponderous form. Joaquin just shrugged.

"I liked it. I like hanging with you two," the youth said. He had the magazine rolled up in one hand. "And doing all that was fun too."

"As long as you remember ..." Hector pointed out again. "You need anything you can come to me. You don't need to do it for me to be there for you."

"I know," said Joaquin. The older youth was a little surprised, the kid looked as if he understood a lot more than he gave on. "I like you, man ... I mean, you like the brother I never had, Hector."

Hector just nodded a little. He didnt know exactly where he was going with what he was saying. There was something beyond the hormones that wanted to smooth everything over. Smooth over Flaco's rough edges and treatment.

"You cool too."

"You gonna be going to school tomorrow," Joaquin asked. "If you are ... well, we can walk together. Ill come by."

"Yeah, ok. You know where I live." Hector didnt even gesture in the direction. He didnt want to give it even that much recognition, but he knew Joaquin would come to the right place all the same.

"Cool. Ill see you then, Hector."

"Ok then, Joaquin," he replied. He wondered at why Joaquin called him that, when Flaco called him Solo. Even when the kid had called him Solo during the sex. The kid was already wandering off down the sidewalk, waving lightly. Hector headed back inside. He felt the one last call as he entered the shadow of the building next door.

He ignored it.

Flaco was still snoring loudly when Hector got back inside. He felt the cool of the indoors again. Things sounded deadly silent, despite the fan. He dropped himself down lightly beside the skinny youth. He knew Flaco too well, well enough to know he would sleep and snore probably for what was left of the day. He knew Flaco like a brother. He put a hand on the youths chest, feeling the heat of his body as he sat there next to him. Strangely, the touch seemed to stir Flaco. He usually slept heavier than that.

"What's up, homes? Joaquin gone already?"

"Its late, man. Almost six," Hector replied.

There was a silence, almost tense. Hector found his fingers toying with the scar on Flaco's chest. It made him think, more than anything. His voice wasn't as firm as he would have hoped, when he finally spoke again.

"You know what we were talking about before?"

"Yeah, sure homes."

Hector took a deep breath, "Im in."

There was another long silence, Hector feeling as if there was a weight lifting off his shoulders. He still felt fear, a horrible, deep fear that seemed to exist everywhere in the barrio. But there was also a strange feeling of comfort, like being in the arms of a lover. In the arms of a close brother, who would look out for him no matter what. Flaco's body felt hot against his own, the older boy pushing his hand into that handshake. Perhaps not so forbidden now. Hector heard Flaco's appreciation, the sound almost of relief in his voice.

"Welcome home."