L: There's a massive party going on and I didn't get invited

K: How come

L: I don't know

L: I only found out because I'm still on one of their snapchat stories 

K: I'm sorry

L: Is it bad I still don't regret coming out

K: Nope

K: They weren't really your friends if they don't accept you

L: But I'm lonely

L: Can I come over

K: Lance

K: We went to one dance together I'm not sure I'm comfortable with you coming to my house

L: But that's what friends do :(((

K: I've never had a friend before how would I know

L: If you don't want me to go to your house can we go for a walk

L: I can steal some of my dad's alcohol

K: I've never drunk before

L: There has to be a first time

L: But don't feel pressured, we can just walk sober

K: Nah fuck it. Get the drinks, I'll meet you at the park near school in ten minutes

L: Great

“Hey,” Lance murmured, dropping into the seat beside Keith on the bench. Despite the bench being long enough to sit three people, Lance sat close enough to Keith that their thighs touched. “I brought vodka.” He held out a plastic bottle filled with clear liquid that looked like water. “Try it.” Keith twisted the lid off and was hit with a smell that certainly wasn’t water. With one sip, he was pulling a disgusted face with a scrunched up nose and closed eyes. Lance burst into laughter before taking the bottle and drinking some himself. His reaction was much less extreme.

“How do you drink that? It’s disgusting!” Keith exclaimed, though it didn’t stop him from reaching for the bottle again.

“I’ve been to my fair share of parties.”

“Sometimes I’m glad I’m not popular.”

“You get used to the taste after a while.”

“I’m not sure I believe you,” Keith took another sip and it was just as horrible as his first two. “Do you want to talk about it or something?”

“Talk about what?” Lance asked, despite being well aware of the elephant in the room (or, rather, elephant in the park). “I don’t know,” He ended up saying after another long sip of vodka. “Why didn’t they invite me to the party? Is it that bad to be trans?”

“I can’t believe people are still transphobic.”

“I know… It’s not even just them. My family hate me.”

“I’m sure they don’t hate you.”

“They do, trust me,” Lance glanced down at his lap to hide his shining eyes but Keith still saw the tear drip down his cheek. “Mama won’t stop calling me my deadname and she looks at me like I’m a stranger all the time. It hurts, Keith… it really does.”

Subconsciously, Keith reached out to put a hand on Lance’s thigh. “I’m sure it does hurt but it’s going to be okay. You’re going to find people who accept you for who you are.”

“But what if I don’t? What if everyone hates me forever?” Lance’s voice wobbled but, with some sort of inner strength, he was able to hold back a loud sob. It was a sad sight as it suggested he spent many nights trapped in his room having to hold back sobs and silently cry. For a moment, it reminded Keith of himself.

“They won’t and do you know how I know that?”

“How?”

“Because I accept you. I won’t be the only person in your life to accept you for who you are.”

“Thanks, Keith.”

And, you know what, it might have been the alcohol in their system but, once they met eyes once again, Keith thought about kissing Lance.