I really didn't touch this story for months wow I suck. Writer's block SUCKS. Hope it was worth the wait. I shouldn't take as long to write the next one. Also I don't like the chapter title but oh well

For a prestigious school like Foxfire, a lot of unexpected things happened. Or, unexpected to most of the world, since Keefe was often the cause for them. So when it came to Foxfire, not many things were a surprise to him. Whether it was Gulons in his locker- okay maybe not his locker- people fighting, but one thing that Keefe hadn't expected to see was Dex on the brink of tears.

It's not like it was the first time that he'd seen Dex cry, there was the time that Dex's invention had gotten Fitz stabbed, and that moment in Everglen when they were both feeling heartbroken. But that was it. It was probably because he wasn't there when Dex needed it most.

Actually, there was another time he remembered Dex looking so sad. Back before they had officially met, back before Sophie had come to the Lost Cities and befriended all of them. When Dex would sit alone in the cafeteria, during the rare days that he was unable to eat lunch with his mentor.

Keefe shook his head. He may not have been there for Dex in the past, but he was going to be there for him now. As a friend, boyfriend, whatever was needed from him.

"Dex, are you okay?" He whispered, gently resting a hand on his shoulder.

He turned around, a fake smile plastered on his face. Keefe was all too familiar with them.

"I'm fine! Perfectly fine!"

Keefe didn't need to be an empath to know that was a lie. Slowly, he hugged Dex, and got the both of them to sit down. From there, he had Dex sit in his lap, while said boy buried his face in the crook of Keefe's neck.

"I didn't think others would have such strong reactions to us," Keefe said. Dating someone of the same gender was definitely different, but there was nothing wrong with it. "Who did this? Who told you something so horrible that you're crying?"

"It's... it's nothing," Dex mumbled, hastily wiping his tears.

"Who was it?" Keefe repeated, because it wasn't nothing. "Who do we need to kill?"

Obviously Keefe wouldn't actually kill another elf. But it was the thought behind the words that counted.

"Keefe..." he sighed. "Your father wants us to break up."

Keefe clenched his fists. Seriously? "He what?"

"He-"

"I mean," he took a deep breath. "What the f*ck is he thinking? When did he tell you this?"

"Last night," Dex admitted. "I went to call you with my imparter, but he answered it. He told me to never call you again."

"I want your imparter for now. You'll have it back tomorrow."

Keefe cursed. He took my imparter and tried to get Dex to break up with me! He had no right to do that! I should be the one who gets to choose who I want to date. Really father? Just because you f*cked up with your life partner doesn't mean yo-

He was pulled out of his thoughts as the arms that were around him squeezed tighter. Anger wasn't going to be useful. Dex didn't need anger, he needed comfort.

"What do you want?" Keefe asked.

"I... I want to date you," Dex replied. "Bu-"

He laid a finger on the boy's lips. "No buts. I want this too. What's so difficult about that?"

"I just want you to be happy. I don't want you to be mocked or scorned constantly. I can handle it, I'm already used to it. But it would hurt to see you go through the same pain. You deserve better."

"I froze yesterday. I didn't go to comfort you yesterday. Did I make you think that I had regrets?"

Dex looked at him, his eyes wide. "No. But you deser-"

"I want to make it clear to you. I have no doubts. We were having a test earlier, and I have my answer. I know what I want Dex, I want to be with you. You make me happy. So doesn't that mean that I deserve you?"

Despite the pink flush that appeared on his face, Dex relaxed. "If you want this, I want this too. But what do we do about your father?"

The atmosphere had been a little relaxed just earlier, as it was just about them. But that question reminded Keefe of the entire reason why he was having the conversation in the first place. But this was a question that needed to be answered.

"You could always disobey him," Ro suggested, startling them both. "It's hilarious scaring you all like this."

"I actually forgot you existed," Dex murmured.

"If being able to terrify people wasn't my favourite thing to do, I'd be offended by that."

"Is that really your favourite thing?" Lovise asked.

"Obviously. But as I said, you should just not do as he says."

"I wish I could," Keefe said solemnly. "But I made him a promise."

Ro scoffed. "I didn't know you made an agreement with him as to who you date. Or to do everything he says. I thought it was just to not ditch him. And this 'I wish attitude isn't like you, Lord Hunkyhair."

Keefe opened his mouth to make a reply, since he didn't like what she was saying. But the sound of laughter- rich, beautiful laughter stopped him, and he couldn't help but just stop and listen. He didn't even realize he was staring fondly at Dex until his name was being called.

"Oh- huh sorry about that. I was just captivated by your laughter."

Dex stared at him, before he smiled softly, his cheeks flushing red again. Then he looked away. "I laugh!"

"I'm sure you do, it's just the first time I've paid attention. What was so funny anyway?"

"It wasn't even that funny, I just forgot that your nickname was Lord Hunkyhair. I just found it hilarious."

"Glad to know you like it more than others." He glanced at Ro.

"What a subtle jab at my sense of humor," Ro replied, picking at her nails.

"Is this what goes on every time you two have a conversation?" Lovise asked.

"Yeah, until he stops being a dumb*ss."

"But he's my dumb*ss," Dex defended, draping an arm along Keefe's shoulder.

Keefe scoffed, because he knew that this time he was blushing. He could not allow that. "I can't tell if I'm offended by that or not."

"It's sickeningly adorable," Ro replied. "But again, you might want to talk about this whole mess. I have a few options."

"Okay, share."

She crossed her arms. "Not with that tone, I won't."

Keefe frowned. "Please share, oh beautiful ogre princess bodyguard of mine."

She laughed. "Please, never do that again. First option, listen to his demands... which... no. Two, knock him unconscious and keep him away from you, which-"

"Ro, I don't think those are good options," Lovise chided.

"The second option is fun though! They're just wimpy elves!"

"Excuse me!?" Both Keefe and Dex guffawed.

"I'm not wrong though. But since I'm the only one who agrees to go through with it, that's a no. Third, pretend to listen, then secretly date. Or my favourite, just ignore him, as a massive f*ck you." She yawned. "I've been too nice today, you two figure this out."

"So what should we do?" Dex asked. He looked around, then muttered a curse when the hallways were empty. "We'll talk later, I need to get to class." He got up, but Keefe took his hand.

"Stay with me?" Keefe asked. "You've already missed some of the class."

Dex squeezed his hand. "I'd love to, but I can't do that. My parents are accepting, and they love you, but they won't like it if I ditch class."

He pouted. "I'll miss you, Dexy!"

Dex laughed, the same blissful sound of joy. I could listen to that a lot. "I'll see you soon, you dork."

Man I keep telling myself it's gonna get angstier but I really love writing all this tooth rotting fluff and I just can't bring myself to let these poor babies suffer!

Also I had a crack thought that Keefe would say 'excuuuuse me princess' to Ro. (Yes, it's from the LoZ cartoon, and yes I watched every single episode multiple times).

...I'm making this happen here. Oh stars prepare for a fluff chapter (not now, but later on) of them watching the LoZ cartoon (I literally don't know anything about the universe, but I watched this so...)