Long Story Cut Short (2016 version)

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Long Story Cut Short, not to be confused with the episode of the 2020 animatic series, is a script styled story written by Saveraedae about Benjamin and Jonathon, and how their dad's homophobia affects them. It is confirmed that this story is non canon, as of 2018, and is a relic of the 2016 TMS era of the series. Originally, it was put into a compilation book (that has since been deleted,) but in 2017, was given its own book. (Which has been unpublished since 2018)
=Story=
It was a surprisingly warm pre-spring day. The day before it had just rained. Benjamin looked at his calendar. It was March 21st. "Oh no." he thought, as he knew the day ahead of him was Mark's birthday. Time for Mark to expect love from him. (More than he already does)*
Ben: *long, deep sigh* Oh dear God. Why does Mark have to have a birthday?
Jon: You thinking about Mark's birthday again...?
Ben: Yeah... You know how he always acts on his birthday.
Jon: Yeah...
Ben: *sighs again* But it's just a day I guess. *he starts to walk to the door of their bedroom and he opens the door reluctantly, not knowing if he's going to see his parents fighting or not. he doesn't, and instead sees his dad, Dominic standing in front of him* *he sighs once more* Hey, Dad
Dominic: Hi, Benjamin, what've you been up to lately?
Ben: Oh. Nothing interesting. *he rolls his eyes*
Dominic: *starts to stare at Ben's hair* Nothing interesting huh?
Ben: *shakes his head no*
Dominic: I'll tell you what, son, I want you to get a haircut.
Ben: *a look of shock* What!? No, I like my hair!
Dominic: Benjamin, Why do you want your hair so long!? Are you gay or something!?
Ben: *he starts to blush, not wanting to say another word* *he notices his mother, Summer coming over*
Summer: Dominic, let him do whatever he wants, he's 16, and he's smart; he can have choices.
Ben: Th-thanks?
Dominic: No, he needs to stop looking so gay~ I don't want any of our sons to turn out like that.Ben: But DAD!
Dominic: Don't argue with me, Benjamin. Go and get a haircut and don't come back until you have one! Understand?
Ben: *he starts to growl angrily* FINE. HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY!! *he dashes to the door and leaves while slamming the door*
Jon: ...
Summer: *sighs* Dominic, look at what you did now! No wonder why neither of our sons are ever happy!
Dominic: Summer, Benjamin needs to get a haircut. Has he ever?
Summer: I believe the last time was.. *recalls for a moment* 11 years ago...
Dominic: Like I said. He needs one. *he begins to contemplate for a moment* Hey Jonathon!
Jon: *is slightly startled, but answers from the other room* Y-yes?
Dominic: Come here.
Jon: *he begins to slowly walk to his dad, feeling sorry for himself as usual* Yes...?
Dominic: Jon, you ever think that you're gay?
Jon: ... *he looks away, not wanting to answer, and instead does nothing*
Dominic: JON. Answer or I'll... Ask you about cheesecake!
Jon: *he starts to look up, a look of complete terror in his eyes* YES, YES, I AM! *he started to talk a little faster* MY BOYFRIEND IS KENNY AND WE'VE BEEN DATING FOR 10 MONTHS! *he covered his face, as it was completely red*
Dominic: Oh, yeah Jon? You are? How about your brother?
Jon: He-he's been dating Asher fo-for a few days now...
Dominic: You know what? Go on with your brother!
Jon: *runs out really quickly and starts to cry to himself*
Summer: *walks away from Dominic, not even wanting to try*
****
Ben: *grumbles angrily to himself*
Jon: B-Benj-BENJAMIN!
Ben: *he turns himself around angrily, but lightens up as he sees his brother crying* Jon what's wrong this time?
Jon: I'm SORRY, but... I-I told... Dad that... You were dating Ash...
Ben: WHAT!?
Jon: D-don't freak out...
Ben: DON'T FREAK OUT.
Jon: Ben...
Ben: DON'T FREAK OUT?
Jon: Um...
Ben: DON'T FREAK OUT!? How am I supposed to NOT freak out!? Now I have to go get a stupid fucking haircut just because our dad is homophobic!
Jon: I'm sorry-
Ben: And now he knows about ME actually being gay...
Jon: Oh.. Um.. He knows I'm dating Kenny now too... I mean.. I... Was...
Ben: Wait, what? You 'were'? What'd you do, break up with him?
Jon: N-no... Not yet...
Ben: Wait, why would you do that!? You're so happy together!
Jon: B-because Dad doesn't like us dating...!
Ben: That MAN... *he pushes open the door to a Barbershop and sees Asher's mom, Brenda, while Jon goes the other way to go see Kenny*
Brenda: Oh hi there, Ben! What can I do for you today?
Ben: *he knows he is crying since he can feel the tears running down his face* I-I need a haircut...
Brenda: You don't look very happy... You ok there?
Ben: No, I'm not, my dad doesn't like that I'm dating your son!
Brenda: Oh, Ben, you aren't breaking up with him, are you?
Ben: No, no, I'm not. Ash is a good guy. My dad isn't though...
Brenda: I'm sorry, Ben, I hope everything works out. How long you want it cut?
Ben: it's not ME who wants it cut... But... I g-guess shoulder length...
Brenda: Alright then, I'll see what I can do for you~
Ben: *sighs*
****
*it starts to get a bit dark*
Jon: *takes a deep breath as he knocks on Kenny's door*
Kenny: *opens it* Hi, Jon! What'cha up to?
Jon: *feels more tears in his eyes* Oh... Oh... Me? I'm... Fine.
Kenny: You don't look like it...
Jon: that's because I'm not...
Kenny: What happened this time?
Jon: *he gets down a little lower to hold Kenny's shoulders* don't get the wrong idea... W-when I say this... I still love you... B-but... I have to... *he began to talk a little faster* Break up with you, sorry...
Kenny: What? Why?
Jon: B-because... My- I...
Kenny: Well?
Jon: I HAVE TO LEAVE, KENNY... *he sniffs as he runs away*
Kenny: Jon? JONATHON!?
Ava: *she looks at Kenny since she had just walked to the door from the inside of the house* What happened?
Kenny: I don't know... I think Jonathon just broke up with me...?
****
Brenda: Ok, Ben, are you ready to see what I've done?
Ben: Not really... But can you show me anyway?
Brenda: Sure thing. *hands him a mirror*
Ben: *he looks into it, then tearing up*
Brenda: Did I do ok?
Ben: You did a great job, it's just... My hair... My lovely, long, soft hair~ *he began to shed his tears*
Brenda: Aw, Ben, I'll tell you what; no need to pay me. This one's on the house, ok?
Ben: T-thank you... *he starts to leave* *he notices that Jon arrived by the outside* *he opens the door* Jon... *he steps out and shuts it* My hair...
Jon: *quickly hugs him* MY LIFE!
Ben: I'm so sorry, Jon, this is all my fault...
Jon: N-no! It's DAD'S!
Ben: Yeah, you're right... *sighs* I HATE my haircut...
Jon: I think it- l-looks kind nice on you, Ben...
Ben: UGH. Imagine how Mark's gonna be!
Mark: *had just been happening to have been waking down the sidewalk* Did someone say my name?
Ben: Oh GOD no... *he pushes his brother in front of him and hides behind him*
Mark: Well?
Jon: *he sniffs and wipes his tears off* I did...
Mark: Oh. What'dya need, man?
Jon: *he begins to panic a bit* *he points to where Mark came from* LOOK AT THAT DISTRACTION OVER THERE WHEREVER YOU CAME FROM!
Mark: *he looks*
Ben: *completely runs away before Mark turns around*
Mark: You mean that resturaunt...? Yeah, I came from there. My dad's kinda the boss, remember...? I left Leon there one time... *Mark's expression turns from neutral to shocked* Leon. LEON! I LEFT HIM THERE ALONE, I COMPLETELY FORGOT! *he begins to run off*
Jon: *sighs*
Kenny: Jonathon, turn around.
Jon: AAAH! *jumps forward and turns around*
Kenny: Tell me why you broke up with me!?
Jon: Um... M-my dad is homophobic as you know, so... he asked me if I was... That... So I answered honestly...
Kenny: Jon, why should it matter?
Jon: I LIVE THERE! And he made Benjamin get a haircut!
Kenny: *he starts to smile and tried to hold in his laughter* Wait, Benjamin got a- *he returns to seriousness*
Jon: I'm sorry, Kenny...
Kenny: It isn't about that anymore, Jonathon, I think your dad is a really bad role model... Are you sure you want him around?
Jon: I really don't... But if my mom and divorce, then they'll split Ben and me apart...
Kenny: Oh...
Jon: Yeah, so I guess it's best if we stay split apart. *he turns away* Goodbye, Kenny.
Kenny: *he grabs his arm* No Jon. Not goodbye. 
Jon: Stop it, Kenny, you're-
Kenny: I don't care! Jon, I can help you through this! Somehow. I know it! I can, Jon!
Jon: *starts to tear up* No you can't!
Kenny: I've helped you your whole life! What makes you think I can't now?
Jon: *sits down* I just know!
Kenny: that's what you always said! But I refused, Jonny! I always kept trying to help you! And I'm NOT going to stop now!
Jon: Kenny, please, just give it a rest... All of us; Me, you, Ben, Mark; we'll all four be somewhere in a few years. Alone. Kenny, you can't know someone your whole life.
Kenny: Yes you can, Jon, I-
Jon: GO AWAY! JUST GO AWAY! Please... *he added*
Kenny: I told you... I'm not gonna give up on you!
Jon: Please, just do it now and get it over with!
Kenny: No.
Jon: STOP IT KENNY! Stop being so patient with me!
Kenny: Nope~
Jon: KENNY!!
Kenny: That's my name~
Jon: *he has tears in his eyes again* Kenny! KENNY! Why? Why do you want to help me so badly!?
Kenny: *sits down next to him* Because I love you, Jon. And don't you ever forget that... *he leans in to kiss Jon*
Jon: *surprised at the moment* *blushes*
Kenny: Now let me tell you how I'm going to help you... But there's a big risk you've got to take...
****
Ben: *sighs as he walks through the door of the house* I'm home...
Summer: Oh my God, Ben, I'm so sorry...
Ben: It's not your fault, Mom...
Summer: I know, but it really was your decision, not your father's!
Ben: It's fine, it's fine... *he starts to walk to Jon and his room*
Dominic: *walks in there* So Ben, you got your haircut?
Ben: *nods*
Dominic: Did you break up with Ash?
Ben: No, and I'm not going to.
Dominic: If that's so, then get back out of here.
Ben: YOU told me that if I get a haircut, I can come back in here. I got a stupid haircut!
Dominic: It's not short enough!
Ben: I DON'T GIVE A-
*Jon and Kenny walk up behind Dominic*
Kenny: Mr. Washington...?
Dominic: What do you need, you homo!?
Kenny: I need to talk to you. It's about Jonathon here.
Jon: *sighs*
Dominic: No, you can't date him, bye.
Kenny: That wasn't what I came here to talk about, Sir...
Dominic: Then what do you want!?
Summer: *walks in to see the conversation*
Kenny: *takes a deep breath* Are you aware that your son is a self-harmer...?
Dominic: What? No he's not, get ou-
Jon: Yes I am... And it's because of YOU... *he starts to sniff a little*
Ben: Wait, Jon, are you really-!?
Jon: Yes... I am...
Summer: Jon, why didn't you ever just-
Dominic: Well PROVE IT.
Jon: Al-alright... *he slowly unzips his jacket* *he takes it off* *he sighs*
Ben: Is that why you always wore sleeves!?
Summer: Jonathon, why didn't you ever tell anyone!?
Jon: I told Kenny...
Ben: Why only him? Why not your brother!? Or your mother!?
Jon: Kenny's the only person who... Helped me not kill myself already... I just thought it'd be fine to... You know... R-relieve my pain...
Ben: How are you relieving pain by inflicting pain!?
Jon: It's hard to go into details...
Kenny: *sighs* Well Jon, I'm proud of you for finally facing something...
Jon: y-yeah... Thanks... Thanks, Kenny!
Kenny: No problem, just remember what I said.
Jon: Ri-right..
Summer: *grabs Kenny's hand* Kenny. Thank you. I don't know what would've happened if I hadn't known about that. Thank you... I think you'd be a wonderful match for Jon.
Kenny: W-wow, really Mrs. Washington?
Summer: Kenny, you can call me Summer if you want~! *she hugs him tightly*
Jon: I'm so glad I met you, Kenny...
Kenny: *still in a hug with Summer* I'm glad I met you too, Jo-
Dominic: STOP TRYING TO MAKE A SCENE. ALL OF YOU. NONE OF THIS MATTERS!
Summer: *puts Kenny down* Dominic, our son could've died, and you're saying that's not important!?
Dominic: Well a gay child's not a son of mi-
Summer: You know what Dominic, if all we ever do is fight, then let's just end it here. GET OUT.
Dominic: But-
Summer: YOU'VE GOT 20 SECONDS BEFORE I CALL 911; 1, 2-
Dominic: FINE, FINE, I'M GOING! *he leaves* *its still dark*
Kenny: Oh well I guess we can all have a happy ending after all~
Benjamin: I don't get one, Mark's birthday is tomorrow...
*they all laugh for no apparent reason and because they laugh at the end of old sitcoms for some reason*
Category:Stories