Birthday Boys

April 24th

Hello, my darlings~!
I couldn't help but to move forward with our precious boys.
I do plan to have another mini-oneshot but I just want this agonizingly slow burn to boil over already!
Alas, it doesn't seem to escape me...
Enjoy~3

Today was the Keith's birthday. Best of all, it was a Friday.

His party was planned for that following day, Saturday. Under normal circumstances, that would be the his and Pico's usual day to hang out and do whatever they wanted. However, this week was going to be different. He set his party for Saturday, and invited his two good friends, Darnell and Cherry and, of course, the final person that would bring light to his special day, Pico.

Since that night of February 14th, during their sleepover, Keith had an epiphany about the redheaded ginger. Those feelings he was experiencing from throughout their friendship had manifested into something greater. It started out so small. He didn't even realize it at first.

A pulling sensation told him to talk to the quiet male. He was always sitting by himself but took the plunge when he managed to catch him alone in the library. That is when it began. The moment they shook hands in greeting, it all came tumbling down from there.

The feelings escalated further when he spotted the smaller male pass out during lunch. It still nearly broke his heart to this day that no one seemed to care about the freckled man. Not one person acknowledged how weak he was. No one even bothered to check up on him in his condition. He was nearly skin and bones when Keith carried him home.

That day was when it officially became a snowball rolling down a mountain. Ever since then, they communicated on a regular basis. Keith got to know Pico in a way that no one else did. He knew what he liked and didn't. They hung out every Saturday at Keith's place. They would play games, watch movies, or just simply talk and enjoy each other's company. The cyan-haired male was the one who mostly did the talking, but Pico listened and gave responses when applicable.

He saw a different side of the redhead when his friends came over sporadically on that Saturday. Keith had been peeling away the layers of protection that the smaller male had up for weeks. He was more open and expressive, albeit he was still really shy and secluded most of the time. Although, whenever it was just the two of them Pico seemed to open up only in Keith's presence. He spoke and smiled more. He was nearly an open book over text messages. The blue boy was so proud of the accomplishments of pulling Pico out of his shell. Although, all that came to a near crashing halt on that day in January.

Darnell came over and nearly derailed his whole escapade of making the ginger feel welcome. It was a harsh smack of reality that hit him and worse of all, Pico. He will never forget those tears that ripped his heart from his chest. The horrid ache that bled from that wound. He hid away once again. All of that effort to help lure him from his shell, nearly crumbled in a blink of an eye.

It took a month of continuous effort to try and pull him back out again with very little leeway. However, after that sleepover, something changed. In fact, something amazing happened.

A stark realization struck Keith like an arrow through the heart.

He was in love with Pico.

All of the times they spent together. The conversations they would have over the phone just talking about nonsense. The tears that were shed on that day in January. The time that they sat together on the couch and watched a movie in the comfort of each other. The vision of seeing that scar that held so much about the other, and that Pico shared a piece of his traumatic past with him. The smile that would take his breath away every single time.

There was no use denying it anymore. After that day, during their sleepover, everything emerged and reared its beautiful head at the feelings that took him over. Keith was awe-stricken, and it completely made him change his outlook on his sexual preferences. He still likes girls and even considers Cherry a really pretty one. He has never, once, liked a guy in the same way. Not until that freckled redhead came along and completely shattered his glass walls that he didn't realize were up.

Pico wasn't very feminine at all. Unless one would count his constant blushing fits. Keith truly adored that quality about him. His stature was masculine, but he was still very skinny at least. Thanks to the blue boy's constant attention to force him to eat unhealthily at his home, he has gained a few pounds easily since their time together. He will never forget that day when he saw his real condition behind that shed whilst he was unconscious. Luckily, during their sleepover, he did manage to take note on his improvement when he changed into his pajamas and after their moment together.

Keith still remembered that feeling of the strike to his heart at seeing the other man smile like that. That was when his defenses were completely down, and he accepted it. Those tears that rolled down his cheeks, and how grateful he sounded when he made that promise still buzzed in the back of his mind. He will forever keep that promise until the day he dies.

Happily, the blue boy was keeping tabs on Pico secretly and took note of how he no longer had a fully sunken in stomach on that day. He was still very skinny, and probably only weighed about ninety or so pounds, based on his guesstimate from when he carried him up the stairs. It was much better than the supposed seventy to eighty pounds that he guessed from before when he was barely functioning. His ribs no longer were showing, but he still was too skinny to be healthy. He was aiming for above a hundred before he would start slowing down a little on the fatty foods. Keith himself is around a hundred and thirty the last time he actually weighed himself, that is. No thanks to his bad eating habits while having the ginger over, he has probably gained a little himself. He can't exactly expect Pico to eat chips while he eats a salad after all.

He has only known the other man for several months at the most, but that feeling only grew so much stronger than anyone he has ever encountered before. Stronger than any girl he has ever met, in fact. Keith didn't even think that he was attracted to boys at all. His time spent in gym, he wouldn't blink an eye at them dressing or being naked in front of him. Now, just thinking about the other male in such a scenario, had him hot and bothered. It was odd how he suddenly felt attracted to Pico in such a short amount of time.

Was it his freckles? His small stature? He was definitely a male in all of the categories. It just seemed to baffle Keith completely. He ended up with a conclusion of it being his personality that may have drawn him in. That shyness that would practically be a beacon in the blue-haired male's night, shined from the others. He was so unique, especially with those eyes. That might have been the first thing that attracted Keith to the other man. Darnell thought that he looked weird with his near white eyes, and Cherry said he looked rather scary. However, Keith could see what others could not.

Those gorgeous irises would have him staring intently and with such longing, it made even himself look odd at catching himself looking for too long. He could see the way the iris was outlined with a shadow to help define them much better. In the sunlight, he could see a bit of color glimmering through in a spectrum against the white background. It was subtle, and probably a part of his imagination, but it still made his heart flutter. No matter how many hours the smaller male seemed to get of sleep, it looked like he had permanent bags under his eyes. They were not as prominent as bruises as when he first met him all those months ago, but it is still visible. Now it just looked like shadows under his eyes at best. It seemed like he was actually getting more sleep at night.

The way he always wore the same outfit everyday was also rather charming. In fact, he noticed that those outfits were actually slightly different. One of his green shirts were actually a sweater turtleneck, while another one was a little darker in green and was just a regular turtleneck shirt. His pants were nearly identical, but he did know that some pairs would have pockets on the sides near his knees and some didn't. It was the little things that he would catch about the other that made him feel rather obsessed at times.

What Keith felt was the most attractive was his smile. He would do anything possible to see him lift those lips in happiness. It made a quiver go through his heart whenever it was accompanied by his laugh. That deep voice of his, scratchy as if he barely spoke at all or was an avid smoker. It almost had him turning into a hopeless romantic at times. It would be over the simplest things, too. A funny movie or seeing Keith react to an action on a video game he was playing. Those moments were so special to him, he would actually take a moment of silence for himself to appreciate the sound.

To his dismay, however, Keith was unsure how to approach this conundrum. He didn't want to just come out and blurt that he is completely in love with the smaller man to his face suddenly. With Pico's disposition, he would be more likely to run right back into his shell or worse. He may never talk to Keith again. The blue boy didn't think he could handle that. He would spiral into a deep depression that he didn't know if he could escape from. With the few months that he has known the other, he has grown so close.

Keith wasn't exactly certain if Pico was even into men at all. It's not like he ever came out and told him his sexual preferences right out of the gate. Although, the blue boy did notice that Pico didn't seem too fond of the opposite sex. Whenever they would talk about girls, he seemed very indifferent to any topic involving them. A straight male would, at least, give a comment or notice a particular feature about a girl. They're pretty or smart. Or even a sexual feature, such as talking about their breast or rear size and inappropriate or snide remarks about bedding them. The ginger didn't say much of anything. Just mostly along the lines of sidestepping the conversation and just agreeing with whatever Keith would say. Not making his own statement about the topic.

Never, once, has the blue boy brought up the concept of talking about men in the same light. Maybe Pico was completely straight and mentioning something along those lines would derail their friendship completely. Sadly, the ginger would never start or end conversations; that job was regulated to the taller male. The redhead was naturally very shy, but he was more open when he was alone with him. During those nightly phone calls, Keith would be the one to initiate everything. There was nothing that gave any idea on what side of the fence Pico would be on, if any at all. The only indicator with anything, was that stunning blush that would grace his face whenever Keith would interact with him. That was chalked up to just embarrassment in the taller male's eyes, he believes.

Now, Keith has turned eighteen. To his dismay, he still stayed at a distance with his feelings. It was difficult to not express his affection to the other male, but whenever he did, Pico would never shy away from it. It warmed his heart, but at the same time, it left a burning sensation. He felt like it was an unrequited love of sorts, unknown if the smaller male was even attracted to guys. Keith would never be too heavy-handed, but it would be the little things that would make his own heart flutter in his chest.

Sometimes, the blue boy would give him a hug in greeting whenever he would come over. He would share food and drinks with the other. They would brush hands while walking home from school. The subtlety was all that Keith wanted to acknowledge. If the blue-haired boy couldn't fully open his heart to the other, this would be the best he could get and enjoy any moment possible. Especially, when that wonderful smile would decorate his face in the process. It always sent a shock of a reminder to his system on how hooked he is to this boy. Whenever he would question himself about wondering why he may be into men, all he needs is those gorgeous eyes to look up at him and present that amazing smile. That is all of the evidence he needs to pull him back in the thick of it, happily.

Today was a big day, after all. Keith smiled as he quickly grabbed his backpack and put on his shoes. He could vaguely hear his mother shout "have a good day at school" as he dashed out the door. The highlight of his day already standing at the end of his walkway waiting for him.

That familiar strike to his heart thrummed happily in his chest as he took a second to pause and admire the other, but only for a moment. "Pico! Hey, Dude!" Keith happily chirped, jogging up to the redheaded ginger. He fell right into his usual debacle that he gets into every single time they meet in a new day. Looking over the other, he noticed that Pico wore a lighter lime-green short-sleeved shirt this time. His usual beige khakis adorned by those worn red sneakers. That amazing smile adorning his freckled face. Every single day, he was reminded how hopelessly in love he was.

Pico's arms were of a new venture for Keith. He only managed to see him topless once during their moment together at the sleepover, and he was too focused on his scar to notice anything else he could memorize about the other. Light orange hair feathered his arms from what he could see, and it made it all the more adorable with the little freckled dots that decorated them. They were of a little darker skin tone than the paleness on his arms, but not as dark as the ones on his nose and cheeks.

Pico gave a soft smile up at the overeager blue-haired man as he ran up to him for their usual walk to school together. That didn't start happening until the start of March. Keith would ask him on a near daily basis if he could walk with him to school too. Eventually, the ginger gave in after the blue-boy started to guilt-trip him into coming along. Using every excuse in the book possible to convince the other to join. It isn't like he resisted too much; he just didn't want Keith to waste his mornings. However, he was assured on multiples occasions that their time together was of no waste in his book.

"H-Hey, Keith." Pico has learned to speak a little more confidently in the presence of the, now, older male. Giving a glance to the side, he prepared for the hug he was sure to receive. "Happy Birthday..." That was spoken in a low and caring tone, watching as those sparkling emeralds shone with a gracious smile attached.

The birthday boy couldn't prevent the blinding smile from the elation that filled his heart. He couldn't contain his excitement and reached down to envelope the smaller man in a tight hug. It wasn't enough to hurt him, but one that had the other pressed against him without much room to move. "Thank you, Man." He felt the smaller wrap his own arms around his torso in response, and a musical chuckle filled his ears. That fluttering in his heart nearly hurt, as he pulled away just enough to look down at the other. Those incredible eyes looking back up at him.

The younger lifted his shoulders, slightly, arms still around the other. It was a harsh reminder for himself as well, having those caring eyes look down at him made his own chest constrict with a deep longing. "Of course... Um... I-I mean, you're welcome, Keith." His personal demons vanished once again in the presence of the taller male. His entire world seemed to be brighter, especially when he was in the blue boy's arms.

Green locked onto white for a moment before both glanced away, fully separating. Keith raised a hand to the back of his neck, and Pico raised one to his own shoulder. A flush erupting on both of their faces, as Keith was the first to clear his throat with a light laugh. "W-We should get going. Don't want to be late for school."

Looking back at those gorgeous, near luminescent, pearl irises, Keith's breath hitched in his throat for a moment. They sparkled up at him with a deep laugh echoing from those thin lips. A smile formed on his face, that blush still decorating under those adorable freckles. He saw that pale hand grip a little tighter onto his green shirt, "Ok." He spoke through that smile, making the older male nearly swoon.

They both made their way to school, just like every morning since March started. Keith was sure to talk the smaller boy's ear off the entire way, as usual, although Pico never seemed to mind. As they walked side by side, there was one oddity that caught his attention. It was well into spring, and rather warm out. When spring first started and they were walking to or from school, or just hanging out on their Saturdays, nothing majorly different. The only major difference was that Pico would now wear short-sleeved green shirts instead of his turtlenecks. Same pants, and shoes, but a different shirt for warmer weather.

It was just within the past week that he noticed something weird. Pico stopped wearing his light-blue gloves once the weather permitted that he didn't need them anymore, which is understandable. However, within the past few days, he noticed that he started wearing them again. He didn't bring any attention on him but did take notice of the change in attire. It wasn't any colder this week than any other, in fact, it was getting warmer instead. Was Pico anemic? Did he have poor circulation? It was so odd that he would suddenly start wearing those gloves again so randomly. It also prevented him from feeling the others skin on his own hand whenever they would brush next to each other during their walks.

He only saw the other male outside wearing them, and worse off he always hid his hands under his desks during class and lunch. He was unable to see if he wore them in school or not. Even today, he still wore them. Another oddity was that he seemed to be favoring his left hand particularly. During their hugs he would feel his right hand apply more pressure than his left. That was a weird thing to notice, but it was outside of his normal behavior. Pico was mostly right-handed from what he gathered, but the ginger did tell him that he was ambidextrous. He said that when he was writing something, he would use his left, but whenever he did crafts or artwork, he would use his right. Keith found that fact to be incredibly amazing, especially when he proved it on one of their Saturdays together.

It made Keith worry a little over what could be troubling the other. He never mentioned it, much too intimidated to scare off the other male in case it was something personal. Perhaps at his party tomorrow, he can gather enough courage to ask directly, when everyone else was busy eating or playing a game. Or maybe, when his other two friends would leave, and he would spend more alone time with the ginger. He always stayed until about six in the evening on most Saturdays, sometimes later than that. The worry was eating away at birthday boy.

~ O ~

They made it to school, and this is where their routine would be forced to take place under Pico's request. They would split and Keith would go to one side of the school entry while the ginger would go to another. The older male always needed to go to his locker at the far end of A hall, and then he would go to his first period class. No wonder Pico always made it to class before anyone else did. They always arrived as soon as the school would open and before any buses would arrive. At least it gave them a moment of peace together in first period.

Pico would go right up to class first, as usual, and Keith would follow shortly behind when he got his things for class from his locker. They would lock eyes as soon as the blue boy would walk in, the ginger giving off his genuine smile that would make his heart do back-flips. Keith was so glad that Pico managed to emerge from his shell again after the fiasco in January. It took a couple of months, but they were well on the road to a full recovery and then some.

Lunch time was relegated to the ginger always attending to his usual spot, still as a statue. Keith managed to ask why Pico never went back to the library, and the answer was simple but rather depressing. The shy male stated that he didn't want people to notice that Keith would be following him into the library. Or possibly ruin the blue-haired males' reputation if he was caught with a "nobody" like him. This was a direct quote, and it broke the older male's heart in two. That was why they always met in secret behind the shed and split when they were on the school grounds when walking to school.

Keith tried to tell him that he didn't care what others think, but Pico was firm with his statement. With a deep sadness, the blue boy went along with his wishes. However, he did correct the other man in his definition of himself. Pico never was a "nobody" to him and the larger male made sure to staple that correction. Keith made it very clear that he was a wonderful person and a fantastic friend. He never forgot the other's pearl eyes soften at that. A gentle "Thank you" whispered from his lips in gratitude.

Keith walked from his locker to the cafeteria, already seeing his friends standing near the bathrooms off to the side for him. "Happy Birthday, Keith!" They both nearly shouted as they locked gazes when in reach. The blue-haired man smiled brightly at his two best friends gave him a three-way hug as he approached them.

"Thanks guys!" He felt so blessed to have these friends in his life. As of recently, however, an empty piece was growing more prevalent in his heart. He knew what that was but would never say it out-loud. His best friend of over a decade ruffled his cyan locks without his signature hat on, to Keith's dismay. Cherry wrapped her arm around his and cuddled with the trio happily.

"The big one-eight! How's it feel to be a man, my Dude?" Darnell blurted. He was not eighteen yet since his birthday fell in July, making Keith the oldest in their group by a couple of months. Cherry's birthday was in September, and she was still a year behind both the blue boy and Darnell since she was in eleventh grade.

Keith gave a curt laugh at the proud statement. "Well, not much different, really. Still feel the same as I've always had." He lightly scoffed. The trio making their way to their regular table to enjoy his first lunch as a legal adult. They made light conversation, Keith mostly mentioning what he plans to do for his party tomorrow as they all found their usual spot.

The first thing that the blue boy always did was turn his attention from the group to the solitary ginger just two tables away. As expected, pearl locked with green, as Keith lifted a hand lowly to give a gentle smile and wave to the other. Pico smiled softly back, making his usual rounds of looking to make sure no one was looking before lifting a hand against his chest and scrunching his fingers in a shallow greeting. This time was no different, as the ginger went right back to staring at his desk, except for his smile that was still plastered on his face. That was what made this day much better to Keith.

He was still upset that Pico would never join their group but understood why. He was considered an outsider, of sorts, in their school. The smaller male already had concerns about tarnishing Keith's and his friend's reputations, it only made sense that he still upholds his standoffish nature until the school year ends at the very least. However, the blue-haired male already tried to pull the other to their group, but he strongly refused. Keith even tried a guilt tactic to see if he would be willing to do that for his birthday. Just one day, that is all he wanted was to be blessed with the ginger's presence during their break period. With hesitation, Pico still refused. After that, Keith no longer bothered him about that topic again.

"So, Man, what do ya wanna do for your birthday tomorrow?" Darnell perked the question, his attention mostly focused on his food. A long pause of silence only disturbed by the chatting of other students in the cafeteria, made himself stop eating and look up completely. The only thing he saw was the other man, seemingly, in a trance of some sort. His cheek in his hand as his elbow rested on the table, lunch forgotten. His gaze and attention solely focused on a familiar ginger in the distance not even knowing that he was being stared at. The softest of sighs left his body, as he shifted a little to blink at what he was looking at. "Ay, yo, Keith!" He tried to gain the others attention with little progress. "Dude!" He swept the others arm that was holding his face up away, nearly knocking him onto the table with a startle.

"Wha-huh?!" Keith nearly jolted, as he caught himself and jerked his attention on his two friends. Cherry's interests were peeked, as she lifted her brows in suspicion. A deadly smile lifted at her lips in thought, as Darnell successfully managed to have the birthday boy pay attention. "Wait, what did you say again?" A tint of pink danced across his cheekbones at the onslaught of embarrassment from getting caught.

The girl in the group has noticed these actions tended to become a pattern recently. A look of longing would grip their friend on a near daily basis. His attention would be more struck towards that ginger a few tables down. Before, it was just odd staring, almost curiously. Then that staring turned into worried glances after that day he finally admitted that he met Pico in the library when he vanished from the cafeteria after claiming to use the restroom. After that Friday when they left him to care for the passed-out redhead was when it started to get more noticeable.

That was when he started to give gestures and smiles over to the loner on a near daily basis. That is until their particular issues that occurred in January. After that day, those glances of slight happiness turned sour quickly. Keith had an aura of sadness that enveloped him during their time at lunch. His looks over at the ginger only brought on that thick atmosphere of awkwardness dripping with despondency.

After the week of valentine's day, Keith's attitude did a complete one-eighty. He was back to his happy self, once again, but this time it was different. There was something about him that made both Cherry and Darnell curiously look over at the blue boy in wonder. He was still his usual, chipper, self; however, there was a specific lightness in the air whenever he would be in the same area as the ginger. His entire composition would be altered in a strangely familiar way to the brown-haired female in the group. She had seen this behavior before but didn't want to admit to anything without evidence.

"I said, what do you wanna do for your birthday tomorrow, Dude?! Damn, what's gotten into you lately?" Darnell nearly pouted, irritation laced in his voice at having to repeat himself. The tallest of the group folded his arms with his stern frown at the birthday boy across the table.

Keith's blush darkened a little at the accusation for his recent mood shift. It seemed that his friends were starting to get suspicious. "U-Uh! O-Oh yeah! Well, I thought it would be fun to bring out the Rock Band kit, just like old times, remember?" He stuttered, trying to keep himself from going redder at the thought of the ginger just a couple of tables down. "A-And what are you talking about?" He tried to play it off as best as he could, digging into his meal finally.

Darnell's eyes squinted, "That's cool, I guess, but don't try and dodge me, Dude. You've been so caught up in staring at that kid ever since he showed up." He accused, making sure to lay his side down before starting up again. "I know he's your friend and all that good shit, but it has been getting worse, Man! Is there something going on with you two?" He asked, making sure that his suspicions were accurate. He was frightened that this ginger would still be out to get their little group. He'd still seem like the kid to shoot up a school in his opinion, but he knows better than to say that in front of his best friend.

Light green eyes widened, his pace starting to quicken. "Wh-What!? I-I don't have a-. What I m-mean is that we-. I-It's not like-... Th-There is nothing going on!" Keith couldn't think coherently, a million thoughts rushed through his mind at once. The red on his face darkening out of embarrassment. Looking over at his two friend, Darnell's gaze sharpened while Cherry's had a small glimmer that made him fidget in place. Keith accidentally dropped his juice box, a small bit of contents spilling on the off-white table, before he cursed lightly and picked it back up. It was a nice distraction for him to focus on something else than the accusatory stares darting at him.

Cherry took that opportunity to pull Darnell next to her and whisper in is ear. He gave her an odd look, as she nodded with assurance. With a shrug, the tallest pulled out his phone to give it a glance, making sure to do so with stealth so no teachers were watching. "Whatever, Man. I gotta take a leak and check some shit out. Don't wait up." The dark-haired male put his phone back into his pocket before packing his lunchbox and stood up.

Keith glanced up after cleaning his small mess, slightly confused by the sudden dismissal. "A-Alright, Dude? I'll see ya tomorrow, right?" He nodded off with a small smile, watching the other lift a fist. The attitude change really jarred him, but he was glad to be out of the spotlight for now at least. Keith lifted his own fist in farewell, giving their signature bump goodbye.

"Yeah, Man." Darnell grinned a little, as he gave a small glance over at Cherry. "See, ya, Cherry." She gave him a wink back. A small chill rolled up his spine at that look. She was on the prowl and was glad to be out of her hunting view. Her new gaze was set on their particular birthday boy it seemed, as he felt sorry for what he was about to go through. Giving a backwards wave, he set off to to the bathrooms to do as he promised. To keep out of their conversation.

Bright blue eyes gleamed alongside of a near sinister smile, as Cherry played with an empty wrapper as her gaze locked onto nervous greens. "BF... Can I ask you something?" She tilted her head innocently, that smile turning into a seemingly crooked grin.

Keith's heart rate sped up a little, feeling like a preyed animal being watched by a predator. His nerves got the best of him, as a that familiar hand raised back up to his neck as he shifted in place. "Y-Yeah, GF, what's up?" The older male tried to play off his fears with a kind smile. He tried to start up eating again, hoping that it would help distract him from the unsettling pits in his stomach.

"Weeeell..." She started, tossing the empty wrapper to the side so that she could join hands under her chin. "Prom is coming up in a couple of weeks..." She gave her innocent smile up at that jittery frame. She was planning this as she went, hoping that Keith would fall into the trap easily. He was rather gullible at times, especially when it came to Cherry leading the way. "I was wondering if you were going to attend for your senior year." She stated rather than questioned him, hoping he'd take the bait.

Keith blinked, raising his shoulders and lowering his arm to show off his bravery a little. "U-Uh, well... I was g-going to ask you out, just like last year." He stated, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. When he spoke, he couldn't help but to dart his gaze back over at the ginger with a pang of guilt to strike his heart. It isn't like he meant to say that, but the statement felt hollow.

She gave a small grin higher and shook her head with a few 'tsks' in disapproval. "Sorry, Keith..." She chirped, making sure to pronounce his name this time. "Don't mean to ruin your birthday, but this girl is going with Darney." She assumed that Keith would have thought to ask her out. They've been going to prom together since he has been in tenth grade, it was sadly becoming natural. She needed to form the trap now before it got too close to prom and then nothing could be planned out accordingly. "He asked me earlier this week."

Dark green eyes widened a little in shock. "O-Oh... You're going with Darnell?" He tried to sound disappointed, but in reality, his heart seemed to restart itself and stutter in his chest. He couldn't miss out on his senior prom night. Both he and Cherry had been attending prom for the last two years, he missed out on his ninth grade one. He just assumed that they were going to go together and was going to bring it up the week of prom to her just like before. This time, he felt like the strings were being cut to his routine and it both frightened and excited him.

Nodding her head, she had the trap set and was ready for the bait. "You're not going to the prom this year?" She lured, making sure to sound as innocent as possible. Her hands went to her cheeks in a near shocking motion for effectiveness in pretending to be surprised.

The blue boy started to nervously fidget more, as he pulled his shoulders up higher to try and hide it. Another glance over at his ginger, helped calm him further. "I-I... I want to go, really, I do. B-But I can't go by myself. That would kinda suck..." He was being extremely honest about that. It was a poor choice of words, but his brain was barely functioning. His entire plan was derailed in a blink of an eye. He was planning on just taking Cherry and finishing off his senior year with a satisfactory end and graduate happily. It seemed that life had other plans.

"Hmm..." Cherry pondered, falsely. Putting a finger on her cheek in thought, she looked around curiously trying to pretend to offer other girls. "Well, there is Dena, or Nene? Those two are not seeing anyone for prom yet." She slyly put down, to see what his reaction would be. Both girls are great choices and even she is surprised that they are still single.

A minor grimace lifted onto Keith's face at the thought. Not that he didn't like either girl, but they just weren't his type to start. "Nah. I was never really into them. They're nice and all, but I don't want to ask them to prom." His particular type involved people more along the lines of orange-haired individuals. Keith blushed lightly at the thought, knowing exactly what his mind conjured up for him like a neon spotlight.

Giving another grin, Cherry rolled a shoulder in preparation. "Alright then, did you have anyone special you wanted to bring to the prom?" The bait was laid for the taking. She folded her fingers, her chin resting on them as she anxiously awaited his response.

The blue boy swallowed thickly. What was she trying to get at? Maybe she was looking to see who he would bring so that her and the other girls would get to chat about how to impress their man the best way possible. "U-Um... I... Actually... Don't... Know..." His dulled emeralds took a longing look over at his right. His precious ginger still sat completely still as ever, unaware of the attention he pulled from the older male. Noticing that he was staring, Keith yanked his gaze back to bright blues, a stunning blush creeping back on his face. They sparkled with a gleam that he was familiar with whenever she found something incredible. Whether it would be a pretty outfit at the store or some gossip on the latest topic to buzz around school. The taller male decided to take a swig of his drink to help calm his racing heart at least.

Cherry giggled lightly, knowing she may have a bite. She took the plunge. "What about Pico?"

Keith felt his entire throat close as the liquid dropped right into his lungs instead. Nearly tossing his drink down on the table, he flew right into a coughing fit, even catching the attention of nearby students with questionable glances and glares for interrupting their free time. He tried to cover his mouth to help hack up the juice that threatened to suffocate him as he tried repeatedly to take a breath in whenever possible. His face was completely beat red in color, but it was excused for the chocking he was receiving as tears started to gather in his eyes as they scrunched closed in agony.

The brown-haired girl easily sat back and smiled devilishly. Taking a sip of her own drink in a satisfactory win and looking over at the questioned male a few tables down, as she waited for Keith to gather himself from her new discovery. Pico's attention was on the birthday boy across from her, a worry-stricken look crossed his features as he glanced over to Cherry in question. She gave a smile and a gentle wave to him, as he creased his brows in further concern at how relaxed she was in comparison.

Managing to calm himself from his coughing fit, Keith took multiple gulps of breaths in to help get himself under control. He did not just hear her say that. Glancing his teary emeralds up to her completely stoic sapphires, he noticed that she was glancing over to his right, and he couldn't help but to look as well. Not that he cared about the other students, but to his dismay, Pico's attention was solely on him out of concern. Those beautiful pearls looked on in bravery at him, silently asking from a distance if he was alright. Swallowing a bit of saliva from his fit, he gave as good of a smile as he could with his near drowning lungs. He mouthed an "I'm ok" as obviously as he could over to his ginger, but that only made him frown further and tilt his head a little in question. To his luck, Pico seemed to have bought it, moving his gaze down to his table again, only to give a glance or two back up in worry.

Once he was sure that Pico wasn't paying attention, Keith wiped an arm across his eyes to clear out the leftover tears before locking onto her. "What did you just say...!" He whispered, now trying to deflect the attention that he gathered accidentally. Looking down at the table, he made another mess in spilling some more of his juice, but he didn't bother cleaning it up now.

Cherry put her own drink down and folded her arms across her chest in a sly manner. "You heard what I said." She stated confidently. However, she planned to drag this out as far as she possibly can kicking and screaming all of the way. "What about Pico?" She spoke clearly, it wasn't like the other students knew of the other kids name anyway. The bait was taken, but Keith was dodging the trap as best as he could.

"Wh-What!? I mean-." Emerald eyes glanced around their vicinity to make sure that no one was looking, before leaning in to whisper. "Cherry...! Why would you ask something like that?" He whispered harshly, making sure to enunciate her name that he rarely stated unless it was serious. "I-I'm not even into guys...!" His heart ached terribly at those words that left his mouth. It was enough to cause him to wince slightly like he was stabbed in the chest it stung so badly. He had to keep himself from looking over at the statue of a man that sat a few empty tables away.

Cherry tilted her head at that proclamation, taking it with the largest grain of salt in existence. She raised a brow with a grin. "Keith." She sternly spoke, like a mother disciplining a child. "Say what you'd like, but I can see something." She gave a small shrug. "Just because you are called BF to me, doesn't mean you can't be a little B-I, too~." She grinned wider, as those emeralds blinked in shock. "And besides, I can tell he really likes you..." She added that last part to prevent any and all rebuttal he could possibly say.

"I-I'm not-!..." Keith stuttered lightly, his gaze faltering on the forgotten lunch he packed. "Not..." His voice was fading. The lie that he couldn't live anymore was hammering away at him. With every word of denial he spoke, it only made his ache worse. The quiet was only filled with the sounds of other students chatting and his own losing battle. Looking back up at victorious sapphires, he glanced back over at the lonely ginger. "Do you really think so?" He asked, tossing that in the air to see what she said.

"I knew it..." Cherry thought with a hidden smile behind her hand. "Of course, I do, BF~." She spoke with sincerity. Those slightly glassy emeralds locked back onto her. He looked rather defeated, like he was playing this game of tag for a long time and was just tired. It was quite sad looking. How long has he had this crush on the loner orange-haired male? "I mean~... Have you seen the way he looks at you? I'd call that quite smitten myself." Keith fell into the trap. "How long have you liked him, Keith?"

The older male gasped, his face blushing furiously at her suggestions. He wanted to badly to believe what she said, but it just didn't seem likely. His hand raised to the back of his neck, in a familiar fashion of nervousness. "I... I've liked him for a while... A few months really... I didn't actually realize that I-." He sighed, unsure if he could say it completely outloud. He has lived in denial of these feelings for so long, it felt weird to speak it. Looking up with confidence, face still flushed, green locked onto blue. "I love him, Cherry. I really do."

With a gasp of her own, the brown-haired girl lightly flushed at the fluttering in her own heart at seeing such a truthful and open statement. "Oh, my, God~..." She spoke so quietly, as she covered her mouth in shock, eyes widening. "Are you serious~...?! Please tell me you are~...!" She nearly bounced in her seat, leaning forward.

Rolling his hand from behind his neck down to his front, he looked back over at his internal crush, oblivious to his confession. Even though he was practically internally screaming at himself for speaking such a taboo subject outloud, his heart leaped for joy. The ache dissipated almost instantly, and a buzzing warmth spread through his body, making a tingling feeling float around him. "I am..." Keith spoke, a smile broke out on his face, finally admitting defeat and allowing the floating feeling to envelop him as he looked upon his secret crush.

A squeal interrupted his daydream, and he glanced over at Cherry to see what was wrong. She waved her hands to her face, as if to fan herself, and leaned in with the largest smile he's ever seen on her. "Ohmygod, Ohmygod, Ohmygod! BF~! That is so cute~! You have to ask him to prom~!" She sternly spoke, making sure to drop her girlish act when the last sentence left her lips.

Keith reached his hands out to quietly shush her to not grab any extra attention. "Shhh! GF...! No, I can't do that...!" He whispered harshly. "Besides..." He dejectedly looked back at his isolated ginger, a sigh broke through, his heart feeling like it was splitting in two. "I don't even think he is into guys, really. There is no way I am going to ask him out to prom." This felt like a complete unrequited love scenario, and it deeply broke his heart at the thought. "I'll just skip out on prom this year."

"I'll ask him for you!" Cherry piped in, quickly. Keith was caught, but he was fading too fast in confinement. She didn't anticipate him to be down so abruptly. "I can ask him for you during my sixth period that I have with him!"

The blue boy's eyes widened, as he jerked back at his ex with a look of dread. "No!" He nearly shouted, catching the attention of others, this time actually giving him a dirty look. Even if he wasn't looking, he could feel the gaze of those precious pearls lock back onto him. He didn't acknowledge it this time, as badly as his heart fluttered in his chest to do so. "Please, Cherry..." He stated quieter this time, lowering his voice to a whisper. "Please don't... I don't want to lose him as a friend..." His mind went straight to when Darnell called him a psycho right in his home. Seeing him breakdown into tears like that and the aftermath that occurred. This will be much worse if he disrupts the balance, he's kept with Pico all of this time. "I don't know if I can... I-If I can take it..."

Guilt laid heavily onto the brown-haired female at the table, as she gasped "Oh, Keith..." Their birthday boy had the love bug terribly, as she witnessed tears lace his eyes. His gaze locked onto the table to keep from fully breaking into tears. He knows that if Pico never speak to him again, his whole world will crumble in an instant. With every intake of breath he took, it was shuddered, and made his shoulders shake. "Okay, okay, I promise, hun... I won't say anything, I swear it..." She couldn't stand to see him cry, especially on his birthday.

Looking back up at soft sapphires, he knew that she would keep her word. A small smile lifted his lips happily. "Th-Thanks-." The bell to end lunch erupted from the speakers, startling him from his conversation. Following protocol, Keth immediately turned his attention to Pico as he already was darting from the room with a brisk walk.

Keith gasped, as this particular time, it seemed to be in slow-motion. He saw those incredibly beautiful eyes glance up at Keith's own emeralds, a deep aura of concern laced his face as he continued his pace past where he sat. As quickly as it came, Pico dropped his sight back onto the ground to prevent anyone from taking notice and nearly raced back to his class, the first one out of the cafeteria as usual. The ginger was sure to question him after school.

Cherry already had her stuff packed, but she sat and waited for Keith. His green met blues and she smiled softly at him. His tears were drying better, as he tried to blink them away as best as he could. "I still think he likes you, BF~." She spoke quickly, giving a taut smile over to his shocked form. Keith broke out in a stunning blush as he lowered his head into his hands with a groan in defeat.

~ O ~

The end of the day rolled by faster than Keith had anticipated. Normally, he would be extremely excited about dashing out those cafeteria doors and towards the shed out by the bleachers. Especially on a Friday, and that goes double for today since it was his birthday. However, today he was slightly dreading the randevu meeting.

This was the first time Keith had ever admitted that he was actually in love with Pico with actual words that he spoke. It was always thoughts that would race in his mind, or his imagination going wild on him. Holding hands with him, spooning and cuddling on the couch as they watched a movie together. Kissing him... Yet, those thoughts would only escalate in the privacy of his own bedroom, to his slight horror. It wasn't the first time he has woken up with a wet dream about the other man. Those are extremely embarrassing, and he hides that with shame.

Being rather lethargic, the birthday boy tread slowly from his locker. He packed his things in his stuffed backpack to procrastinate indefinitely on Sunday with, as usual. Making his way out those incredibly familiar doors, he spotted that oh-so familiar shed that held the man of his dreams behind it. Normally, he would be sprinting towards it. So excited to greet the other man for their walk back home, but this time it was a conversation that he didn't want to happen.

Taking a deep breath, Keith started his walk towards the shed. He could feel his feet dragging on the sidewalk as it eventually turned into grass under his shoes. The closer he got the more nervous he became, until he stopped just before turning the corner, gaze locked on the ground. He debated whether or not to turn back now and just text Pico that he took the bus today. On the other hand, if he did that the ginger may get the wrong idea that he may be mad at him again. That look on his face from before was burned into his memory, and he already stated that the smaller male would never make him upset.

Keith's sight was suddenly covered up by a sea of orange hair, as another person suddenly turned the corner and collided into him, gently. He heard a gasp escape the other man, as he stepped back a little and blinked up at him a few times. "S-Sorry...! Uh... Keith?" That voice alone had the said boy's heart rate increase exponentially. Looking back at those amazing and beautiful eyes, the blue-haired man was instantly reminded of his previous dilemma now thrown out the window. The love of his dreams in front of him once again, the lightness of his heart making him dizzy.

Keith tried to play off his worry and gave a small smile back to ease the ginger as best as he could. "H-Hey there... Sorry, I'm late." It was already too late to back down now, he couldn't escape even if he tried. "You ready to go?" He tried to rush past the conversation, or at least delay it as much as possible. From the looks of the shocked ginger, he didn't seem ready at all.

"You were worrying me... Is... Everything alright...?" Keith noticed the smaller man raise a freckled arm up to his shoulder, that hand covering the known scar under a lime-green shirt. Thanks to the blue boy's teachings, Pico was becoming more confident in speaking to him, he was using that same skill against him now. It was clear that the ginger was just about to go looking for him since he was so late. He probably had no choice now since the majority of the buses were already gone.

A sting struck through his heart at making the other man worry so much about him. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. Cherry was just giving me a hard time at lunch today, is all. No biggie." He did his best to pretend like everything was alright, but now that he has announced his love to his own two ears it took even more effort to keep himself contained. His hands were itching to reach out and hold the other, or at least his hand. The thudding from his heart was too prominent in his chest, making the longing ache seem worse.

Pico stood there, a itching feeling of needing to comfort came over him. He was always the one in which Keith would be there in his time of need. Whenever he was upset or crying. The blue boy would be there to hold him and whisper positive phrases at him. It was mostly sporadic, and Keith would just jump right in, and he never fought back with any of it. Would he be ok on the receiving end?

Taking the plunge, Pico stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the taller male. It was rather difficult due to his backpack, but it was the action that meant the most. He pressed himself against Keith as best as possible, resting his head on his left collarbone. It wasn't very easy for someone of his height to comfort the taller male, but he hoped that he could still appreciate the effort. "I'm sorry she did that..." He started, unsure on how to make the other feel completely better because he wasn't there during the conversation. "I-I'm sure that... Whatever she said... She didn't mean it..."

Keith was nearly breathless during the interaction. Pico has never, once, initiated a hug before. Every single time, the taller male was the one to start and most of the time finish them. Instinctively, his own arms wrapped around that familiar and smaller figure. His heart flipped in his chest, that deep ache coming back full force once again, especially at the words he spoke. That deep voice that would send shivers up his spine, normally, now spoke so honestly that it made his entire body shake in near agony.

He couldn't agree with Pico, as much as he held his tongue. He doesn't know the context of the conversation from lunch, so he only made an assumption that she spoke negatively. However, he didn't understand that what he stated was the complete opposite of what he actually wanted. Tears filled his vision at the pain that struck his tender heart at his words. He didn't mean any of it, unaware of the situation, but it still burned deeply. He couldn't contain a sharp gasp, as his shoulders jumped.

That made the other man's shocked gaze jerk up, leaning back a little to look up at his face. "Keith?! Keith, what's wrong?" Pico, for the first time in a while, spoke sternly and with a strong sense of fear that he has never witnessed from the smaller man. That deep voice, now raised in crescendo with worry. While the taller one's arms stayed wrapped around his ginger, Pico unraveled his own to reach up to Keith's face. The feeling of those thin gloved fingers on his face brought the ache down a notch but it still hurt.

Pico was awestruck, unsure of how to help his savior in his time of need. Today was his birthday of all days, and normally, he would be the one to dry his tears. Now the tables have turned, but Keith wasn't much of a talker of his own personal demons, just like the ginger himself. He was sure that whatever may have been troubling the other man, he would have spoken about it as soon as he got the chance.

The smaller male used his thumbs to brush away the falling tears as best as he could, the fabric absorbing the liquid easily. His hands still stayed on his face, as they looked at each other, Pico trying his best to understand what was wrong. "I-I'm sorry, I-If I said something, w-wrong...! Please don't... Don't cry, Keith...!" The smaller male was desperate, almost making himself cry just from witnessing his salvation breakdown like this. He wishes that he could read minds and know what was bothering the older male so badly for him to burst into tears.

The notion of the other man trying his best to comfort him made another layer of pain erase from his heart. Trying his best to smile through the stabbing ache, Keith leaned down, forcing the hands on his face to maneuver to wrap around his neck instead. The pain was subsiding further with every touch and gentle notion that was subtly given. Nearly crushing the other against him, the taller male rested his chin on the smaller scarred shoulder. "You didn't say anything w-wrong..." He tried to be strong, for both of them, but it was so much harder when he was a sentence away from admitting his feelings.

Pico was forced to stand on the tips of his toes to accommodate the larger man's height. He was so much taller, that he tried his best to wrap his arms around the other's shoulders and neck with extra effort, but it was what Keith wanted. He felt the other man's hand press against the back of his head as he held him closer, if possible. He heard him speak again, this time much softer. "Just please... Don't leave me..." The older man spoke, desperately, making Pico glance over at the sea of neon-blue hair in complete worry.

Cementing his stay, Pico stood taller on his toes and gripped tighter around the neck he held onto. "I-I won't...! I promise... I will be there for you, too... Whenever you need me..." He echoed back, always remembering what Keith told him on that faithful night during the sleepover. He could feel the other take a shocking breath in, as he sobbed quietly, feeling the tears dampen his shirt as it smeared from his chin. His legs were starting to hurt from standing on the tips of his toes, but he promptly ignored the pain. Keith was more important than that slight discomfort.

Keith gripped him tighter in response, hopefully not harming the other, but his pain was so intense that he couldn't help it. That same phrase that he, himself, spoke to the ginger shot right back at him. It was spoken in such honesty, that deep voice echoing in his ear, ringing with comfort. All he could conjure up past the sobbing was a weakly sprouted, "P-Pico..." that left his throat in vain. This heartache felt like the beating organ was being ripped from his chest.

It was Pico's turn to be the savior of Keith's world now, and he didn't want to let him down in the slightest. He had to stay strong, just like how the blue boy would for him whenever he was weak.

Suffice to say, they were late getting home that day.

Thank you so much my dear readers~!

As always, I would love to hear a lovely comment. It is what truly keeps me going, for our precious boys. Well, one of them anyway ;). Keith is now a manly-man~! Do not worry, as a small spoiler, the next chapter is literally called "April 25th."
We have to celebrate Keith's party, right?
I already have the structure completely settled and I just have to hunker down and write it.
Just a warning to my lovelies... There will be more angst in the next chapter, but it is wholesome at the end.
What will Pico get Keith for his birthday?
Leave some guesses below~!
3