The Bad Boys Boy

There's A Good Lad

5. INT. CONNOR AND XAVIER’S FLAT, LONDON, ENGLAND - LATER

XAVIER: “I told you I was sorry! How the f**k was I supposed to know the kid was gay? Let alone-that he was going to come out to us like, like that!” (Throws hands up in exasperation, throwing the dish towel down onto the counter. Crosses arms over his chest)

CONNOR: (Glaring) “I told you to finish the dishes. Keep going.”

XAVIER: (Groans, falling forward against the counter) “You know my nails aren’t made to slathered in dish soap. I just got a manicure two days ago.” (Pouting)

CONNOR: (Shakes head) “Dishes. Now.”

XAVIER: “We have a bloody dishwasher, for f**k sake!” (Glaring at Connor)

CONNOR: (Takes a step forward) “We’re also supposed to have respect for others, but you’re lacking that. Therefore, were lacking a dishwasher for the week.”

XAVIER: “I’m an adult, Connor. Twenty-four. You can’t punish me. I make my own decisions.” (Leaning forward, arms bracing the counter edge)

CONNOR: (Hums) “You’re right.”

XAVIER: “Damn well I’m right.” (Huffs. Stands up, crosses arms)

CONNOR: “I make my own decisions as well. Might make the decision to call your mum. Know she’s been wanting to come up for ages now.” (Crosses arms)

XAVIER: “You won’t.”

CONNOR: (Nodding) “I will.”

XAVIER: (Scoffs) “You bloody won’t.”

CONNOR: “I bloody will.”

XAVIER: (Groans, brings hands to run down his face. Curses under his breath) “Fine-f**k. Fine! I’ll do the dishes, just-” (Takes a breath) “Don’t call me mum. I can’t deal with that s**t right now.” (Shakes head)

CONNOR: (Throws apple at Xavier) “You tit. Don’t speak about your mum that way.” (Sighs)

XAVIER: (Picks up apple from floor, shrugs. Takes a bite) “Oh don’t talk s**t. You know I’m right. Mum, Char, Molly-oh-don’t even get me started on the twins. Both sets.” (Faux exasperation)

CONNOR: (Sighs) “Xavier.”

XAVIER: (Chewing apple) “Connor.” (Mocking)

CONNOR: (Shaking head) “Mate, be serious. Don’t talk about your family that way. I tolerate s**t from you but I won’t tolerate that. If you’re going to be a prick f**k off and do it in your room. Alone. Even then just-just,” (Shakes head) “Don’t do it. They love you. You love them. You know how s**t they would all feel if they heard you talking like this? It would break them.”

XAVIER: (Shakes head, looking up) “I don’t…” (Trails off, letting arms drop by sides. Clenches fists)

CONNOR: (Walks around counter, steps into kitchen) “They look up to you. All of them. From Ed to your mum. You’re their big brother. Her son. Their everything.” (Xavier closes his eyes) “I look up to you to Ave, I always have. But lately,” (Pauses) “Lately you haven’t been that same person.”

XAVIER: (Chest shudders) “I know. f**k, I-I know. It’s just-I,” (Voice breaks)

CONNOR: (Makes way to Xavier, placing right hand on his left shoulder) “Hey.” (Xavier shakes his head, tear falling from his eyes. He clenches them shut tighter) “Aves.” (Mumbling) “You’re alright. You’re alright. We all f**k up. That’s apart of life. No one is expected to be perfect all the time.”

XAVIER: (Shakes head frantically, more tears falling) “I-,” (Connor pulls him into a tight hug, arms wrapping around his torso. Xavier latches on to him, pulls arms tight enough so they overlap onto his arms around Connor’s neck) “I’m sorry.” (Chokes) “I’m so sorry.” (Buries head further into Connor’s neck)

CONNOR: “Thank you.” (Shuts eyes) “Thank you. I know you’re not trying to be so, so like you have been. I know you’re struggling. I’m here for you. If you want to talk, I am. You don’t have to carry all of this-whatever this is-alone. Even, therapy-there’s therapy, if you don’t want to talk to me. Something, anything. Just please, please just help yourself. If you don’t want me to help you, help yourself. I hate seeing you this way.” (Voice thick with emotion)

XAVIER: (Pulls out of Xavier’s hold, shakes head. Wipes eyes, dusts off) “I’m alright.” (Shaking head) “It’s just been a hard few weeks. Work and all.” (Connor shoots him a pointed look) “Really, I am. I’m going to request some time off. Get my head back on right.”

CONNOR: (Sighs) “Will you at least consider therapy?”

XAVIER: (Smirks) “I think dish therapy will do me quite well this week.’

CONNOR: (crosses arms) “Come off it.”

XAVIER: (Frowns, arms dropping to his side. Mumbling) “Connor.”

CONNOR: “Fine. I’ll drop it,” (Holding pointer finger up) “For now.”

XAVIER: (Throws head back in exasperation) “Out. I’m going to do the f*****g dishes.”

CONNOR: (Grinning) “I knew they would grow on you.”

XAVIER: (Glaring) “Out!” (Throws dish towel at Connor)

6. INT. COFFEE SHOP, LONDON, ENGLAND - MORNING

BARISTA: “Milo?” (Places coffee on bar)

MILO: (Walks to bar, gabs drink. Smiling) “Cheers. Have a nice day, love.” BARISTA: (Smiling) “You as well.”

7. EXT. STREET, LONDON, ENGLAND - CONT. [ON THE PHONE - ONE SIDED CONVO.]

MILO: (Walks out of shop. Holds the door open for a couple, smiling. Lets the door fall shut, turning to the street. Turns head back and forth, furrowing eyebrows before turning right. Walks halfway down pavement, phone rings. Reaches into back pocket, checks caller, smiles. Clocks green button [to answer]. Brings phone to ear) “Mum. Morning. Sorry, I forgot to ring earlier. I’m out to grab coffee.” (maneuvers around crowd on pavement) “Morning Mike! Nice to hear your voice again It’s been a bit, hasn’t it?” (Chuckling) “Actually, I’ve got plans. That guy I told you about yesterday? He and his mate, they uh, invited me for breakfast. I’m heading to my flat now. Heading over to theirs in twenty or so.” (Nods head. Eyebrows furrow, frowning) “What? You just got on! I can spare a few.” (Sighing) “Alright. I’ll phone you later then.” (Smiling) “Right then, love you both.” (Grinning wider) “I told you he’s just a friend! He’s straight! It’s, we’re not,” (Groans through his smile) “Yeah, yeah. Love you.mLater. (Pulls phone away from ear. Clicks red button [ends call]. Stops at crosswalk. Spinning in a circle) “RIght then. Maps it is.” (Sighs, unlocking phone)

8. INT. CONNOR AND XAVIER’S FLAT, LONDON, ENGLAND - MORNING [LATER]

CONNOR: “You teach yourself to cook like this? Is it a family thing?” (Arms crossed, watching Milo)MILO: “No, no. Actually, uh. I grew up without my dad. Always wanted to step up and make my mum and sister proud, do something for them. I’m the baby, so they were always the ones working hard and all that. I glued myself to online tutorials for hours. Got a bit addicted after that.” (Chuckles)CONNOR: “Sick. I can just pass as decent. If that.” (Both laugh) “You bake too yeah?”

MILO: (Nodding, mixing ingredients in glass bowl with whisk) “Mum is actually a big baker. Figure now looking back it was sort of a stress thing, an escape. I bonded with her over it from when I was young.” (Places bowl down. Discards whisk into sink. Heads to stove with bowl) CONNOR: (Smiling) “My mum loves to bake too. Though I doubt I’m even an inkling as good as you. Never been the most graceful in the kitchen.”

MILO: (Chuckling) “Come on then. You can’t be as tragic as you’re making yourself sounds.” CONNOR: “No, you’re right. I can get by. Xavier on the other hand,” (Shakes head) “Him in a kitchen is lethal. Utterly disastrous. You don’t want to witness that.” MILO: (Moves ingredients in pan around. Sets gas on low and puts down spatula. Grabs bread, making way over to the toaster) “I feel like you may be talking it up a bit.” (Eyes Connor, teasing)CONNOR: (Eyebrows raise, chuckling) “No mate, honest. He set our hotel room on fire once in an attempt to make toast. Bloody toast.” (Throws hands up) “And that’s just one example.” MILO: (Frowns) “How do you catch a room on fire while making toast?” (Eyebrows furrow)CONNOR: (Grinning) “I couldn’t tell you.” (Shakes head)XAVIER: (Walks into the dining room. Stretching arms above head) “I swear that dishwater f****d my cuticles. You owe me a fresh manicure, Connor.” (Grumbling, drops body heavily into the head chair)CONNOR: “Oi. Cry me a bloody river. You’ve still got a weeks worth of dishes.” (Smirking)XAVIER: (Crosses arms on top of the able. Dropping head to fit between arms) “Six days, I’m counting last night.” CONNOR: (Laughing) “Whatever, mate. I’ll get you a manicure in six days.” XAVIER: “You can f*****g bet you will.” (Voice muffled by arms)CONNOR: “Be more presentable, AVes. We’ve got guests.” (Mock scolding)

XAVIER: “Whoever you are, f**k off somewhere besides my flat.” (Groaning)

MILO: “Uhm…” (Trails off, bites lower lip nervously. Tugging bottom of shirt) CONNOR: “t**t. Pick your head up and apologize.” (Throws grape at Xavier. Xavier flips him off blindly) “Be a proper host. Lest you want more dish duty. (Raises eyebrows)

XAVIER: “You s**t. Seven days is my limit. For this lifetime.” (Picks head up, glaring at Xavier) CONNOR: (Sends pointed look to Xavier) “Are you going to say hello?”

XAVIER: “Dan, if you-” (Locks eyes with Milo) “Oh.” (Clears throat) “It’s you.”MILO: (Blushing) “Uh, yeah. Mhm, yeah, it’s me. Hi.” (Plays with fingers)XAVIER: (Shakes fringe out of his face) “Well…” (Raises eyebrows) “Morning, Milo.”MILO: (Glances shortly at Xavier) “Morning.” (Mumbling)XAVIER: “How are you doing this fine morning? Chipper, are you? Quite the cook you are then, yeah?” (Grins exaggeratedly)

MILO: “I, uh, yeah I cook.” (Breathes out) “Have for, have for a while now. And bake. I bake too. My mum taught me. How to bake, that is. Cooking was me.” (Picks at shirt sleeve)XAVIER: “Isn’t that sweet.” (Mocking)

MILO: (Flushes, shrinking in. Arms wrapping around his torso) “Yeah.” (Mumbles)CONNOR: “Oh belt up, Xavier. No need to be a prick, yeah?” (Glaring)XAVIER: (Sighing) “Whatever, mate. It’s too early for your,” (Waves him off) “This.”

CONNOR: “It’s too early for your s**t attitude. Drop it.” (Crosses arms)

XAVIER: (Stares at Xavier, shaking head) “Fine.” (Almost inaudible. It falls silent)

MILO: “Uhm, breakfast is done.” (Motioning to the dishes full of food on the counter) CONNOR: (Grinning, walks to pat Milo on shoulder) “Mental, mate. Let’s bring it over yeah?” (Grabs two dishes, heading over to dining room table)MILO: (Smiles shyly) “Yeah, okay.” (Picks up stack of three dish plates and balances a bowl of food in other hand)

CONNOR: (Setting down dishes in the center of the table) “Aves, why don’t you go grab the last two plates? Help out a bit.”

XAVIER: (Rolls his eyes. Standing up) “Alright.”

MILO: (Sets down plates in front of three of the chairs. Puts plate down by dishes) “Let me grab the silverware.” (Turns back and heads towards the kitchen. Bumps into Xavier, eggs fall all over the floor, some sticking to their clothes) “s**t! I’m so sorry Xavier. I didn’t see you, wasn’t, f**k-here,” (Hastily reaches out ot wipe at egg on Xavier’s shirt)

XAVIER: (Eyes cast down to watch Milo’s hands) “Cheers.” (Tone flat, mocking)

MILO: “I really, truly am sorry. I, let me get napkins? A towel? Nevermind that, none if will work. I can grab you a new shirt, since I’ve ruined this one.” (Huffs)

XAVIER: (Chuckles) “It’s egg. Nothing a wash can’t fix, love.” (Connors eyebrows raise behind Milo)

MILO: (Blushes pink) “I, erm-” (Closes eyes, taking breath) “Right. Right, yeah, sorry.” (Hands stilling on Xavier’s chest)

XAVIER: “You alright there?” (Flicks eyes down to Milo’s hands, then back up)

MILO: “Uhm, yeah, I’m alright. Sorry, I just, I-” (Shakes head, drags in a nervous breath)

XAVIER: (Chuckles) “You’re cute.”

MILO: (Blushes red, eyes training downwards) “Erm, thank you?”

XAVIER: “Your welcome.Now if you’d excuse my leave for a bit, I’ve got to go change my shirt.”

MILO: (Nods jerkily) “Of course, yeah. Sorry again.”

XAVIER: (Crinkles eyes) “Oi. Stop apologizing. I told you not to worry about it.” (Calling the last words louder, over shoulder, walking out of dining room)

CONNOR: “You look proper stressed, Milo. Xavier really is fine, take his word for it. No need to fret over it anymore. It was an accident. Yeah?” (Raises eyebrows, Milo nods his head) “Right then. Come dig in with me. I’m not waiting for that fucker to get out here. He’s probably switching into an entirely new kit, and I’m starved.”

MILO: (Laughs, walking towards table. Takes seat) “Right.”

9. INT. CONNOR AND XAVIER’S FLAT, LONDON, ENGLAND - CONT. [AFTER BREAKFAST]

CONNOR: “I can’t believe you ate three plates full. You’re another species.” (Eyes Xavier, who is draped across the right side of the large couch in the living room)

XAVIER: (Frowns) “Don’t bring me down for my eating habits, con. You’re hurting my heart.”

CONNOR: “Oi! Who said I’m tearing you down? If anything I’m fascinated. You deserve praise, that was shocking. Truly, I aspire to be like you one day. Even just a bit.”

XAVIER: (Throws pillow at Connor’s head) “Don’t patronize me, fucker.” (Connor laughs) “If I’m being frank, I might have overdone it a bit.” (Chuckles)

CONNOR: “Milo, I’m hiring you to make brekkie everyday. Cheers.”

MILO: (Chuckling) “Right, I’ll put in in my schedule.”

XAVIER: “Lunch and Dinner as well. Just serve me full time. I’ll pay well. Unless you make s**t food.” (Closes eyes, hugs throw pillow to chest)

MILO: “It’s not like I need a credible paying job, or summat.” (Smiling)

XAVIER: (Scoffs) “The industry is corrupt. Capitalism is s**t. I’m doing you a proper favour.”

MILO: (Thors hands up in mock defense) “Right, right. Cheers to that, mate. I owe you.”

XAVIER: “Suppose you do. Cutting this months pay for my noteable human decency I’m projecting the honours of to you.”

MILO: “That’ll do. Cooking could never be something I’d complain over.”

XAVIER: “Baking as well. I’ve upped the requirements, it’s a package deal.”

MILO: (Shakes head in amusement) “No arguments here.”

XAVIER: (Peeks from behind the throw pillow, smiling) “There’s a good lad.”

MILO: “Mum always says that about me. Must be true then.”

XAVIER: (Throws pillow towards other end of couch, landing on Milo) “Course you’re a mummies buy. I should have known.”

CONNOR: (Perks up, frowning) “Oi, there’s nothing wrong with that.”

XAVIER: (Groaning) “Don’t even start. You’re going to give me a headache. I’m surrounded by two corrupt men.”

CONNOR: (Rolls eyes) “Don’t give me that s**t. We both know you’re a bigger sap than I am.”

XAVIER: “You’re offending me here, Connor. ’M wounded. Wounded.”

MILO: “I’ll bet ten pounds your soft at heart. Too charming not to be.” (Hugging throw pillow to his chest, turning to sit-legs criss cross-facing Xavier)

CONNOR: (Raises eyebrows) “Yeah? What’s brought you to this conclusion then? Pray tell.”

MILO: “You’re being incredibly nice today. You even called me cute. No one who’s a prick at heart would be acting like you are. Never gotten as many compliments on bloody potatoes as you gave me at breakfast.” (Chuckling) “Then again, can’t take it all to heart. Seems a bit like you’re overcompensating for last night, I assume.”

XAVIER: “Erm-” (Eyes downcast, fiddling with jumper sleeve) “I-right, okay.” (Clears throat, sitting up straighter)

CONNOR: “Right then. I’ll be out, Sophia’s calling. Well, she’s not. That’s a lie. Though she will be soon. But. You guys are obviously due a proper chat. Text me if you need anything, Aves. Grab my number off him, Milo. Don’t be afraid to shoot me a message. Please do, truly.” (Stands, heading out of the room) Cheers, lads.” (Door shuts)

XAVIER: (Huffs a short laugh) “Always the subtle one, he is.

MILO: “I wasn’t exactly subtle either. Sorry about that. I wasn’t-My intentions weren’t to seem like I’m upset with you. I’m not. I-erm, I’m past it. Dust under that mat and all that.” (Smiles hesitantly, arms tightening around the pillow)

XAVIER: (Shaking head) “None of that. We’re adults. Con’s right, we ought to have a proper chat about this.”

MILO: (Nods, swallowing harshly) “Right.”

XAVIER: “So I was a right t**t last night. I’m saying this earnestly. I was completely in the wrong with how I acted towards you. It wasn’t my place to talk to you that way. You did nothing to deserve it, no one deserves to be treated so awful.” (Pauses)

MILO: “Wasn’t all too bad. And Connor talked to me out in the hall a bit about why you were so upset. I respect where you’re coming from, honestly. I get it.”

XAVIER: (Frowning) “What did he say?”

MILO: (Shaking head) “Nothing too personal. He was pretty vague, really. Just about how your sisters dealt with things back home or summat. Homophobia, that is.”

XAVIER: (Nods slowly) “Right, yeah. Brutal, what she’s been through. It’s-” (Eyes grow glassy)

MILO: “Hey, it’s alright. You haven’t got anything to explain to me.”

XAVIER: (Wipes under his eyes, shaking head jerkily) “No, it’s erm-it’s fine. I’m fine, I mean. This is about you. I treated you like s**t, and I’m so, so sorry. I know-I can think of how that must have felt with you and I just-” (Tear drops from his eye) “I don’t know what else to say. I’m so sorry. It was disgusting, how I talked to you, everything about it. You didn’t have to come out to us, I forced that, and I’m so angry at myself for doing that. That’s your moment. You deserve to choose when you come out, who you come out to, how you do it. Everything about that is yours. And I went and f****d that because I couldn’t get my head out of my f*****g arse for five minutes and I’m sorry.”

MILO: “Thank you.”

XAVIER: (Scoffs) “For what? Being prick? Not sure I deserve much praise for that, mate.” (Eyes studying his hands)

MILO: “No really-look at me.” (Xavier looks up) “Thank you. You were a bit rude. And the way you handled the situation might not have been the most appropriate. But. You’re aware-you-” (Shakes head) “You know you were wrong. And you know why you’re wrong. There’s genuine guilt on your end, and knowing you weren’t coming from a bad place in why you acted as you did helped soften the blow a bit. You’ve made it clear you value who I am as a person, and everything that comes with that. Which includes me being gay. So thank you for that.” 

XAVIER: “Of course. Of course I do. Your sexuality is isn’t a defining characteristic of you. It’s just another fact. I mean that in the sense that yes, it’s important, and I recognize it is, but it shouldn’t be something that causes a riot. It’s another thing to learn about you. It’s naturality of yours.”

MILO: (Smiling) “I told you that you were soft at heart.”

XAVIER: (Smiles bashfully) “Come off it, I’m trying to be serious.”

MILO: (Nods) “Which I respect. A lot. Speaks measures for your character. I’m proper convinced you’re a right minded lad. It’s always something I’m afraid of. I’m walking around in a world of unsurety. So even though I might not have particularly planned to come out to you, I’m glad I did. It’s a nice feeling, to know people are supporting you. Whether their close ones or not.”

XAVIER: “I would like to get close with you. Built a true relationship. If you’re up for that, of course.”

MILO: (Beams) “I would really like that, yeah. But. Don’t feel inclined to, if this is still in regards of last night. You’ve done more than make amends.”

XAVIER: “This isn’t about last night anymore. I wouldn’t offer that up if I didn’t truly intend on fulfilling the task. That wouldn’t be fair to either of us.”

MILO: “My admiration of you is only growing.”

XAVIER: (Chuckles) “So that’s a yes then?”

MILO: (Tosses pillow at Xavier, barely hits him) “It’s a past yes, you dolt.”

XAVIER: (Purses lips) “First subject were addressing in this friendship.”

MILO: “I’m listening.”

XAVIER: “You’re throwing skills are atrocious. Absolutely terrible. Therefore you have bad coordination. Which means your foot coordination must be even worse than your hand eye. That is something I cannot accept. Footie is my world. Entirely.”

MILO: (Scrunches eyebrows in confusion) “I threw a pillow at you and you directed the conversation to football?” (Xavier chuckles) “That’s a talent. Purely.”

XAVIER: “I take pride in it. I’m a conceited man.”

MILO: (Scoffs) “Far from it.”

XAVIER: “Now that I’m not inclined to be nice to you and we’ve established a friendship, it’s every man for himself. Connor can tell you some horror stories if you want to wait to make official of your decision.”

MILO: “I think I’ll take a step into the unknown.”

XAVIER: (Chuckles) “There’s a good lad. It’s more fun that way. At least in my opinion.”

MILO: “If you piss in my tea I’ll never forgive you.”

XAVIER: “First, tea, that’s correct. Acceptable. Keep it that way. I don’t ever want to hear of your coffee habits again. They’re unattainable if we’re proper friends. Which we are. Second. You will forgive me. My face is too charming to leave behind.”

MILO: “You’re right.” (Crosses his arms) “Then I’d have to piss in your tea as well.”

XAVIER: “You wouldn’t dare.”

MILO: “Who says? Pray tell.”

XAVIER: “Me. I tell. You’re too soft to piss in someone’s tea. Bet you don’t even dream of hurting a fly.”

MILO: (Raising eyebrows) “I’m taking offense to that.”

XAVIER: “No you’re not.”

MILO: “Maybe I’m not.” (Grinning)

XAVIER: “So you’re most definitely not.”

MILO: “Not even in the slightest.”

XAVIER: “See? I was right. Always am. Unless I’m not. Even, I practically still am. A gift and a curse I deal with.” (Props feet up on the couch, feet almost touching Milo’s thighs) “Right then. Bake me something, will you? I have a feeling I’ll be in the mood for something sweet once this breakfast settles.”

MILO: “Only if you ask nicely.”

XAVIER: (Rolls eyes, sits up and movies so he’s sat next to Milo. Places a hand on his knee, fluttering eyelashes) “Will you please bake me something, love?” (Tone soft, Milo having to lean in a bit to hear)

MILO: (Flushes red, eyes wide. Nodding head jerkily) “Erm-I-yeah. Of course. Yeah. I can-now? Or-right, or later? Whatever. I can do whichever. Just tell me.”

XAVIER: (Grinning) “How about later, babe. Sounds good, yeah?” (Squeezes Milo’s knee)

MILO: (Squeezes eyes shut, nods head. Opens eyes) “Yeah, yeah later sounds good. Perfect.”

XAVIER: “What do you want to know then?”

MILO: “You.”

XAVIER: (Throws head back, letting out a loud laugh) “I thought Connor was bad at being subtle. If only.”

MILO: (Blushes) “I-I meant to say you choose. Not you. Not that like, I don’t-” (Groans) “Just forget I ever spoke.” (Head lolls forwards)

XAVIER: “Where’s the fun in that?” (Milo looks up, glares) “There’s a good lad.” (Cooes, tone teasing. Reaches out and squeezes one of his cheeks)