Writing gay little fics about my own characters and naming fics after sad pieces of literature as a joke are two things I will never stop doing. Although I will definitely do more of the former than the latter, in fact, you'll see a handful of other Khary fics in the near future including another one that came out today called "A Decent Man." So sorry to the BH6 fandom eventually I will write about something other than my most special guy.

Even though Khary was the one about to go on stage, Hiro was the one who was sweating bullets. In the months since he had reunited with his childhood friend, Hiro's feelings had changed from friendly to romantic. In those same months, he'd surmised that those feelings were unrequited.

They had practically worn a couple's costume for Halloween and Khary still seemed utterly oblivious.

Tonight was his Hail Mary. He had come to see Khary perform as Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest, armed with a bouquet of white roses. Maybe Khary would catch on, or maybe their relationship would remain platonic forever.

Hiro had decided when he'd picked out the roses, that that would be okay. He liked having Khary as a friend, he couldn't risk that over his silly feelings.

Of course, there was a chance that this was already too big of a risk. But he couldn't focus on that right now, or else he would never get through the play. So he got his ticket and his program and went to sit down.

He saw Wasabi, Khary's older brother, in the front row with his partner, but he didn't say anything or go up to him. He wanted to be as inconspicuous as possible, and if Wasabi asked about the flowers he would chicken out. He'd already had to stave off his aunt's embarrassing encouragement and Megan's meddling.

He just had to make it through the play.

All of his nerves only tripled when the curtain opened and Khary took to the stage. Khary stole every scene he was in as well as all the air from Hiro's lungs. It was awesome. It was intimidating. Hiro was petrified.

During the intermission, Wasabi and Rafael came over to where Hiro was sitting with Aunt Cass, Megan, and Megan's girlfriend, Juniper. It was clear Wasabi clocked the roses but he didn't say anything, instead gushing about Khary's performance.

Hiro only managed to say, "He's clearly in his element," before his throat closed up again.

"The Ginger men were born to perform," Rafe said, a teasing smile on their face. "You should see Wes dance."

Wesley "Wasabi" Ginger looked flustered, "Yeah, not going to happen. I'm not like you or Khary, I don't belong on a stage."

"Rafe, you perform?" Aunt Cass asked, and Hiro was endlessly grateful for the distraction.

"Oh, some. It's not my main gig, but I'm classically trained," Rafe said it so casually that it didn't sound like bragging when it came from them.

"They're amazing," Wasabi said, not afraid to brag about his partner.

"The first time Wes asked me out was at one of my recitals. He showed up with flowers and said that he wanted us to be like a little family."

"Don't expose me," Wasabi said, a little embarrassed.

"That's adorable," Aunt Cass said.

Hiro sank deeper in his seat. How was he going to top that confession? Did it seem like he was copying Wasabi?

He felt out of his depth.

"I can't do this," he mumbled to himself as Wasabi and Rafe went back to their seats.

Megan was on him in an instant. "Nuh-uh. You are not chickening out on me now, Hiro. Our friend is up there acting his ass off and you are going to give him those roses and tell him how incredible he is."

"What about everything else?"

"Forget about everything else! Tonight is about him. You don't have to make it about you and him if you're not ready."

"Okay. I'll give him the roses." And that would be that. No jeopardizing his friendship, no confessing his feelings. It would be fine.

Megan smiled. "Good."

Hiro was still nervous, but he tried to ignore it and just focus on the play. Hiro hadn't watched a lot of plays but this one was delightful. It was outlandish and silly while still being dramatic and funny, and it was clearly a lot of fun for all of the performers. Khary especially looked like he was having a great time on stage.

It was so hard not to be in love with someone so full of passion and life. Hiro felt lucky that Khary was his friend. As he approached the star with roses he had to remind himself that he didn't need anything more.

"Hiro! You came!"

"Of course I came, you were out of this world."

Khary grinned and took a bow.

"Uh, I- we got you these," Hiro said, handing Khary the bouquet.

Khary's eyes widened. "Oh, wow! I've never gotten flowers before. Wes, look what Hiro got me!"

Wasabi looked over and gave Khary a thumbs up, not interrupting the two teens.

"Thanks for the flowers, Hiro. It means a lot."

Hiro smiled tightly. It did mean a lot, it meant more than Khary could ever know.

"Of course. You deserve them. It was really amazing, watching you up there."

Khary was silently buzzing, keeping his eyes focused on Hiro as he rode the leftover high from performing.

"I am really glad you came," He finally said, wrapping his arms around Hiro in a surprise hug.

Hiro hugged back, feeling hopeless once more.

This hug felt more intimate than any first kiss or first date could. He had come here to get over Khary, but how could he, when they were so close?

"This is not about us," Hiro thought, but it was. It always was. And he would wait as long as he needed to for Khary to realize what the roses meant.

It may not take as long as you think, Hiro!

As someone who brought my high school crush roses when he was in a musical (he was part of the orchestra) in an attempt to get over him, I know what Hiro is going through. Godspeed, Hiro.