Author's Notes: This story's dedicated to all the people who hate Valentine's Day because of what it's turned into. This is the actual story behind V-day. With that said, happy Valentine's Day and enjoy the story!
The Real Deal
"Valentine's Day is stupid," Snipeshooter declared. "Everywhere I tried to sell today, all I could see were people kissing."
Tumbler made a face. "Gross. Cooties."
Slider gestured for the other boys to gather around, and when they had, he whispered, "Do you know what I saw? I saw Mush kissing a girl. And they were holding hands."
"EWWW!" all the boys shrieked.
"Valentine's Day is stupid," Les said finally. "Let's promise to never kiss girls when we grow up."
As one, the boys all spat into their hands and did a massive spit-shake.
A quiet cough behind them made them all gasp and turn.
"Oh, it's just you, Crutchy," Boots said. "I thought it was Mush."
Crutchy decided to ignore that it was 'just' him and said, "I couldn't help but hear what you guys were saying about Valentine's Day. Do you really think that's true?"
"Well, yeah," said Slider. "It's just nasty."
Crutchy smiled and shook his head. "Why don't you guys have a seat? I think I can tell you the real story behind Valentine's Day." He sat down on his bed and the younger boys clustered around him.
"A long time ago," he began, "even before Kloppman was born, a man named Valentine lived in Italy. He was a priest. About this time, the pope-that's the head of the Catholic church-decided that the only way people could get married was with his approval. This cost a lot of money, and it meant that some people couldn't get married because they couldn't afford it.
"Well, Valentine thought that what the pope was doing was mean and selfish. He thought that everyone should be allowed to get married. So, he started marrying people behind the pope's back-illegally.
"This went well for awhile, until someone ratted on him, and the bulls came and arrested him. They put him in jail and decided that he had to be killed. The date for his execution was set-February 14th. Legend has it that on the day Valentine was set to be killed, the couples he had married received a card. No one knows for sure what was on the cards, but they were signed, 'Love, your Valentine.'"
Crutchy let his voice trail off and looked at his audience. They stared at him, wide-eyed and completely enraptured.
"Is that the end?" Tumbler asked finally, his small voice breaking the silence.
Crutchy nodded. "So before you guys say that Valentine's Day is nasty, just remember what one man gave up for love." There was a creak from behind, and Crutchy looked up and smiled. "'Scuse me, guys. My valentine just got here." Grabbing his crutch, he hoisted himself to his feet and hobbled out.
"D'you think that was true?" Les asked once Crutchy had left.
"Crutchy don't tell lies," Snipeshooter admitted.
The boys sat in silence again, most pondering what Crutchy had told them. Only Slider looked worried.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Boots asked.
Slider looked up, biting his lip. "It don't mean we have to kiss girls, does it?"
The boys belong to Disney, I just like to borrow them. Now review, please!