Tw for some harsh words and misogyny I think? This is gonna be a rough chapter 😭

--

Keith knew the schedule well. Study, sports, pray, eat, sleep. It was this way since he was a little boy. But today was different.

"Briana, you know what you have to do, get to it. Keith, don't you cut back on any of your work."

Briana stared blankly at her mother, nodding obediently. Like a puppy.

"Yes, mom," Keith replied quietly. He wanted nothing more than to just rot in his bed all day, but he knew they'd find out somehow. Somehow. He glanced over at his little sister, feeling bad for everything that was put on her.

His father stepped out of the bedroom, a suitcase in hand. "Finally, there he is. I trust you two to take care of this house, alright? We're only going for a few days. If I see anything broken or tempered with-" She cooled herself before continuing, straighting out her long business skirt. "You know how I get."

Keith and Briana nodded in unison. Trained robots.

Their parents left without a word. Keith was used to it by now, not receiving any affection from his parents. But it stung everytime, despite his efforts to push his feelings down.

After a while of standing there, listening to the car pull out from the parking lot, Keith sighed and turned to pick up his little brother, Charlie. He was a sobbing mess as usual.

"Sh, shh.. Briana, can't you quiet him down or something?" It was embarrassing, asking your little sister for help on something like taking care of a baby, but his parents never taught him.

Briana quickly got on her tippy toes to carry him, craddling him and trying to calm him down. Part of Keith wanted to reach out, to help her, but he couldn't. It was her role, as his parents said. It wasn't his fault he was born a male.

He ruffled her hair, the gesture playful, but his expression sad. He quietly walked to his room, the sounds of Charlie's cries filling the empty space.

His phone rung. Reluctantly, he picked it up, already assuming it was Yehl. She was the only person to ever really call him.

"Hello?"

"I'm outside your house."

"Oh. Okay." Usually, this would be a concerning call to receive randomly, but this was Yehl. She was always a little ominous.

Immediately, he heard the front door open. He climbed out of his bed, unknowingly rushing for the door.

"Yehl!-" He called out, before getting interrupted by his whole body getting pushed to the floor by her weight.

She was on top of him, hugging him tightly. Keith laughed and got up, ignoring the pain in his head. He must've hit the floor or something.

He immediately hugged back, taking her with him when he steadily got up. "Ha, why are you so happy to see me?" He said with a small grin. He was just as, if not more, excited to see her. A whole day with no distractions to be with a girl like her? Wonderful.

"Oh, nothing really.. Just that you texted me last night, talking about how you would be oh so lonely when your parents left the house.." She grinned. Though, it slowly faultered as she saw a little girl holding a baby in the corner. "You have siblings?"

Keith looked back. He'd completely forgotten about them. "Oh, yeah! That's my little sister, Briana. And my little brother, Charlie. He cries a lot," He said stupidly.

Yehl quickly went over to her, holding her hand out. "Hi, I'm Yehl!" She said happily. "Keith's.. Friend."

Brianas eyes narrowed, holding Charlie closer to her. "I know what you are." She spat back.

Yehl was a little bewildered, but she quickly shook it off with a small chuckle. "Ah, okay. Well, it's nice to meet you." She looked down at Charlie, her expression softening a bit. "Has Keith been helping with little Charlie here?"

Briana shook her head. "No."

Yehls head snapped back at Keith, her eyes wide. "Keith! You can't be laying all this on a little girl!"

Keith shot his hands up defensively. "I- it's not my fault," He claimed quickly. "I just- I don't know how to take care of a kid!"

Yehl sighed and shook her head, grabbing him by the collar of his T-shirt and dragging him closer to Briana. "Could we take care of him for a minute? You just rest."

Briana stared at her, puzzled. But eventually she handed her Charlie, hesitantly watching to see what'd she do. If anything happened to him, all the blame would be put on her.

Yehl began her baby 101 lesson. "My sisters only a year younger than me, but I had to babysit kids a ton for some quick cash when I was younger," She explained, bouncing Charlie up and down a little.

Keith really didn't feel like being taught this, but he listened anyway.

--

"And that-" Yehl set Charlie down to rest in his crib. "Is how you take care of a baby." It was dark outside now, she'd seriously spent the whole day babysitting. For free.

Keith was a little shocked and grossed out, but he managed a awkward smile. "Hah.. Fun. But do I really need this knowledge?"

Yehl looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Duh. Isn't your mom just about ready to pop out another one? You have to help a little."

"But that's her job," Keith explained further. "Right?"

Yehls face softened a bit.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing. Don't worry about it."

--

Her body is pressed up next to me, so close. Her tongue- its exploring my mouth so forcibly, it's like she's eating me alive. Can't breathe.. I need to breathe... But it feels to good. Maybe we should stay like this forever. She pushes me down, holding me down like a predator catching it's pray. Its not right.. She's smaller than me. Why do I let her get the upper hand? God, it's hot in here- I must look so flustered right now. I-

Yehl pulled back suddenly the line of saliva keeping them connecting breaking. Like a twig snapped in two. She stares at him for a moment, her eyes look hungry. Starving. But she refrains.

"That was.." Keith paused. "That was intense.. Like a movie," He pointed out stupidly. He really was such a nerd. "Everytime you kiss me, it feels like your about to eat me alive."

Yehl let out a soft chuckle, her face resting in the crook of his neck.

"I guess I'm just a aggressive kisser," She responded softly. "Oh, and you need to open your mouth more,"

Keith sighed, ignoring that tingling feeling inside from having her so close. "Mm.. Wouldn't that be weird, that being the first sight you see once you pull away..? Having your mouth open like a dead fish at the dentist office.. Especially for a guy. Sounds silly." He giggled.

Yehl giggled, too. "It doesn't matter what stupid facial expressions you do, cause I'd love you no matter what. Even if you really are stupid sometimes."

Keith smiled. "Does that mean we're officially together now?"

"No, but let's go ahead." She suddenly sat up, clearing her throat. "Would you, Keith, take my hand in dating? Forever and ever? Eternally? In other words-" He tone got softer. "Would you date m-"

"No!" Keith suddenly yelled, grabbing her shoulders and sitting up too. "I need to ask you out. So, would you, Yehl, take my hand in-" His brain blurred as he tried to remember what she said. "You know. Would you date me?"

Yehl sighed. "No idea why you have to be so persistent, but.. Yes. I will date you."

Keith let out a exaggerated giggle, like a school girl, kicking his legs in the air as he hugged Yehl tight.

--

Keith layed his head on Yehls chest, letting his hair be played with as some show played in the background. Yehl seemed to like it.

"Shouldn't you be heading home?"

Yehl shook her head. "I told my dad I was sleeping over at Esperanzas place," She explained with a smirk.

Keith sighed. "Garvey's gonna be pissed."

"Mm.. Yeah,"

They sat in silence for a while, just watching the tv screen. But something just couldn't escape Keith's mind. Reluctantly, he sat up on the bed, staring at Yehl directly. "Why do we always end up like this? Like, me resting my head on you I mean. You touching my hair. You kissing me and hugging me."

Yehl raised a eyebrow. "Is.. Is that a problem?"

"No, no! I love it. It's just.. I should be doing that to you! It's not fair that you're having to take on the man's role in this relationsh-"

"Woah, woah! What are you even talking about?" Yehl looked bewildered. "Men's role?" She scoffed.

"Well, you know. It's traditional."

"Keith.. What do you keep blabbering on about? All these.. Roles stuff. We don't need roles. We need what comes naturally," She said softly, running a hand through his hair and gently pushing some behind his ear. Comfortingly. Too comfortingly.

"D-dont," Keith protested weakly. Yehl immediately pulled her hand away, her eyes wide with concern and confusion. "What's wrong? Has something been bothering you?"

"I just.. This feels wrong. Almost as wrong as dating another dude." He said without thinking.

"Keith!" Yehl gasped. "How could you say that? Our best friends are gay."

Keith had forgotten about that. "Oh.. Yeah. Im- I'm not homophobic or anything, I just.." He paused. "It's unnatural-"

Yehls eyes narrowed. "What nonsense has your parents put in your brain? You never cared before."

"You don't get it. It's just- shit, this is basically being gay! I- I shouldn't be letting you do this stuff. It's my role-"

"But do you like the thought of being dominant? Nothing on the receiving end at all? Not even for platonic things?" Yehl interrupted. Her eyes were soft.

Keith thought for a long while. "A little. But. Not much." He sighed. "But that doesn't change how wrong our dynamic is, I mean, if my parents found out-" His breath picked up, his Hazel eyes widening.

Yehl quickly saw the signs of his distress, pulling him in for a hug. "Keith.. If your parents find out, to hell with them. I love you. And if they love you, too, they'd be fine with me, my ethnicity, and my being."

Keith's breathing slowed, but tears slowly filled his eyes. As much as he tried to push the feeling down, he couldn't help but reflect on how his parents reflected their twisted ideals on him. On his sister. It hurt inside- cut deep, not being able to show your emotions ever. Crying and being weak was for girls. Being strong and reliable was for boys.

He could barely handle being gifted something pink. If his parents found out- there would be hell to pay. When Yehl painted his nails.. That was the only time he was freely "feminine" in any way with someone. Because he trusted her. Loved her. But the feeling was soon replaced with dread, knowing someone would see. Not even his parents. Anyone. They couldnt see, they couldn't know. They couldn't see that he was vulnerable, and cried sometimes, and actually hated sports, despite being "naturally gifted", as his mother said. No one could know the true him.

"Stop it." Keith said firmly, tears catching in his throat as he pushed Yehl away.

Yehl quickly scurried away, there was something in those eyes. Those big, doe, brown eyes. She looked scared. He scared her.

"Leave already." He said, holding back tears. "And maybe learn your goddamn place." He spat out, eyes narrowing at Yehl like she was a enemy. A opponent.

Yehl quickly got up, shakingly grabbing her bag and taking a few steps backwards. She'd never seen this side of Keith, he never got angry like this. And.. And he was a bigger guy. Years of sports really helped his figure, but obviously he wasnt some body builder or something. He could hurt her, pretty easily. And she..

She was terrified. She shouldn't have to be so nervous- this was her boyfriend. Her lover. He was just upset.

But.. It reminded her to much of her past relationships, the relationships where they'd claim to love her yet only use her for release, hurt her if she tried anything else.

She was horrified. Not of being hurt. But of finding out if he was like that. The one boy she trusted, truly trusted, the one she was so so grateful for after years of wanting true love. But was it all perfect, happy glitter rainbows? She wanted it to be so. She wanted everything to be okay, to never have to worry about her troubles or problems. But most of all, she wanted Keith to be happy. This wasn't his fault.

She sniffled, reaching for the door knob as she glanced at Keiths piercing eyes. She couldn't bare to look.

"I.. I love you," She said softly. She didn't expect a return. She quickly headed off, thank goodness she had her own car. She probably would've walked even if not. She didn't want to be there another second.

How did this all go to shit?