Warning: discussed sexual activity

~

"Boo!"

Startled, Randy quickly pulled away from Keith's embrace as he heard the familiar, agitating voice of his younger brother following the sound of the bedroom door opening.

"God, will you shut up?" Randy snapped as he turned his head around to face him.

"Get a room, why don't ya!?" fifteen-year-old Sully shot back, his turquoise eyes flaring with fake annoyance. It was clear that they were trying to keep in a smile.

"We're literally in our room!" Randy yelled back. "Now scram!"

Sully groaned loudly and slammed the door shut. Randy rolled his eyes in response. That boy was so nosy. But thoughts of how he was going to trap his brother in a headlock later disappeared as Keith took him by the chin and turned him towards him.

"Sorry about that," Randy muttered.

"Don't worry about it," Keith responded, and he smiled.

Randy leaned into Keith's hand as he cupped it around his cheek. It was a Friday evening, and he and Keith were both nearing the final quarter of their junior year of high school. He had invited Keith over about an hour earlier, saying that he needed to talk. As soon as Keith had arrived, Randy had bolted from where he was waiting on the front porch, grabbed him by the collar, and brought his lips to his. It had been raining outside, and Keith had dropped his umbrella to hold Randy properly as they made out. Their first kiss - messy, but still beautiful and exhilarating. Randy was still reeling from it internally.

Now, Randy and Keith were sat next to each other on the bed in the room Randy shared with his brother. Their hair was still damp. Randy's mother was making dinner downstairs: he could smell it. Mmm, empanadas con pollo. His stepfather would be home soon, too, so the family could sit down together and have a nice meal. But now, Randy wanted to cherish this time with the boy he wanted to be more than best friends with.

"They're only doing it on purpose to annoy you." Keith went on. "Besides, it happened all the time with me when I was dating Liu."

"Whaddya mean?" Randy asked. His brow furrowed at the mention of Keith's ex boyfriend.

"His little brother would sometimes barge in on us at the wrong moment," Keith explained, and he cringed slightly.

Randy groaned. He remembered Keith's last relationship clearly, as it had ended merely four days prior. Liu Woods was the outcast at their high school, and Randy had been forcing him to pay him in exchange for Randy and his brother Sully not beating him up. When Liu and Keith had gotten together, Randy had kicked Liu out of the friend group. But it hadn't taken too long - only a month - for Randy to realize that Keith was only dating him to make him jealous, as he was going out with a rich girl at the time. Randy had broken the relationship with her off as soon as he put two and two together.

"What was it like, dating Liu?" Randy asked. He had been avoiding asking the question, as he knew he wouldn't like the answer no matter what it was. But the curiosity was burning inside him.

Keith bit the inside of his cheek nervously. He seemed rather conflicted.

"It . . . well, it wasn't bad," Keith began at last. "He wasn't abusive, or anything like that, and he never forced me to do anything with him."

Randy heaved an internal sigh of relief. Good. He loathed the idea of Keith being treated like crap by anyone.

"I know he bought you some expensive stuff," Randy mumbled.

"Yeah, he took me to Hot Topic once, and Spencer's." Keith responded. "He insisted on buying me a few things 'cause he just wanted to be nice. I got a few cool chokers and a couple band shirts.

"He wasn't a bad boyfriend, we just weren't good for each other." Keith went on. "Besides, most of our hangouts just consisted of awkward conversations, getting high, or . . . y'know - doing the nasty."

Randy felt his jaw clench, and he lowered his head. Liu's gaunt, green-eyed face swam in front of him in his mind. If only Randy had gotten to Keith first. If only he hadn't been so dumb and had admitted his feelings. If only he had kissed him first. . . .

"Randy, d'you - only want me for the sex?"

Randy's head bolted up. Keith looked almost sad, his indigo eyes peeking through his wavy black bangs.

"No!" Randy cried out. He grabbed Keith's hand with both of his. "You're more than your body. I love you for who you are on the inside."

The words had left Randy's lips before he had realized it, and he felt the color rush to his face. Right on cue, Keith's pale face turned pink as well.

"R-really?" he asked, eyes wide.

Randy swallowed. His stomach swarmed with butterflies - no, birds. Birds who were all twittering joyously.

"Yeah," he answered. "I love you, Keith."

Keith's face broke into a smile, and Randy's heart jumped. How wonderful it was to see that smile. He felt Keith squeeze his hands as their eyes met.

"I've loved you since the moment I first saw you," Keith said. "E-ever since the day we met, I've felt . . . drawn to you. I don't think I developed actual feelings till we were like, ten, but . . . in a way, I've always loved you. And I don't think I'll ever stop."

Randy couldn't help but smile back, affection gushing up inside of him. His brown eyes darted to Keith's lips.

"Can we try that kiss again?" he asked. He hadn't asked for consent earlier. Even though Keith had kissed him back, he didn't want to make that mistake once more regardless.

"Of course," Keith answered.

Both teenagers leaned in, their lips meeting in the middle. Randy felt warmth surging through him, a cozy, comfortable warmth. He reached up to hold the back of Keith's neck, pulling him back in again when Keith broke away for a breath of air. He felt Keith's hands on his waist as he pulled him closer to him. He moved his free hand up and down Keith's back, gently stroking his spine. Slipping his tongue into Keith's mouth, he caught a taste of salt that reminded him of chips. Hearing Keith's slight whimper caused his heart to skip a beat.

Randy felt lightheaded. This was . . . amazing, way better than making out with his ex girlfriend. A feeling of safety washed over him as Keith held him and smothered him with love, and he welcomed it with open arms. He had wanted to do this for a very long time.

When Randy finally pulled away and opened his eyes, he was almost out of breath. He rested his head on Keith's shoulder, nestling his face into his shirt. He felt Keith's arms tighten around him.

"Wow," Randy said at last, breathlessly.

"Was I good?" Keith asked.

"Yeah," Randy responded. "It felt awesome. Ten times better than Brittany."

Keith stroked Randy's back, drinking in his presence. Holding Randy made him feel so safe, like nothing and no one could ever hurt him again - not even his mother. And it felt validating to know that he was a better kisser than Randy's ex, whom he hated like a first grade girl hates cockroaches.

"I love you," Keith said softly.

Randy lifted his head to bury it in Keith's neck, starting to pepper it with kisses.

"I love you, too," he said in between kisses. Keith could hear the smile in his voice.

It was as though all of Keith's birthday wishes had come true all at once. He held Randy even tighter, never wanting to let him go again. He had always been unwanted. But now, the person he loved most in the world finally wanted him back.

"So, you wanna be my bitch or what?" Randy asked as he pulled away from Keith's neck. He looked up at him as they held each other, and their eyes met. Randy was smirking.

"Of course," Keith replied, and he couldn't help but giggle. "Thank you so much."

"For what?" Randy asked, chuckling slightly.

Keith swallowed. He felt his eyes begin to burn.

"For loving me."