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“Okay, I don’t care what any of you say, but you sounded awesome!” Biana shrieked as the boys finished playing their latest song. “Best you’ve ever played, in fact.” The brunette had quickly become their biggest fan after they’d started playing for an audience, constantly stopping by rehearsals, screaming about them to everyone she met, and nominating herself Crystal Gambit’s manager–and she actually did a pretty good job; half the gigs they’d landed wouldn’t have happened without her.
“You say that every rehearsal,” Fitz grinned. “The sentiment is appreciated, though.”
“Oh, you were kind of awful,” Biana replied, “but the rest of you rocked it.”
Fitz scowled, and the others laughed, but in truth, Fitz was probably the best musician out of all four of them. Or the best singer, at least–his voice was amazing.
“But, Tam,” Biana continued, spinning around to face him, “you killed on the drums. I have no words.”
Tam gave her a small smile. If he was being honest, he never really knew what to do when Biana–or anyone really–complimented him.
“Thanks, Bi.”
“And the new song you wrote,” Biana pressed, “what are you calling it again? You kept talking about it and now I’m excited so–”
“Wait,” Keefe interrupted, holding a hand out to stop Biana from rambling. “New song? What new song?”
Fitz looked just as confused as Keefe, but Dex knew exactly what Biana was talking about, and at least the periwinkle-eyed boy had the sense to save Tam from confessing. “Biana’s talking about that song Tam showed us earlier,” Dex lied. “Y’know, the work in progress. It’s a rough draft, Bi, and Tam’s only written the chorus.”
Biana caught on quickly and her eyes widened as she realized her mistake. “Oh. Oh. Yeah, for some reason I thought it was finished… um, but the chorus was great! I’m looking forward to the rest of it. Anyway, uh,” she grabbed her backpack and her brother’s arm, “Fitz and I should probably get going. Mom wants us home a little earlier today.”
“Thanks for the save,” Tam whispered to Dex as Fitz and Biana left.
Dex winked. “No problem. I know you aren’t ready to sing him the song yet.”
“Well, actually… I’m planning on confessing soon. Just not in front of an audience.”
“Well, good luck. Not that you’ll need it.”
“I’m going to need all the luck I can get, Dex.”
Dex snorted. “Come on. Everyone can see the way you two look at each other. Honestly, it’s surprising you two aren’t dating already.”
Before Tam could stammer out a response, Keefe slung his arms around both him and Dex. “Guys, don’t leave me out of this secret,” the blond pouted. “I’m lonely.”
Tam rolled his eyes, but really he was trying not to blush at how incredibly close the two of them were standing together. He was not going to think about how Keefe’s arm was around his shoulder, how Keefe smelled like vanilla, and–
Shut up, brain, Tam commanded himself.
“Shit,” Dex muttered, looking down at his watch. “You guys are gonna have to leave… Mom’s insisting that we go out for dinner, sorry...”
But one look in his direction and Tam knew that Dex wasn’t the least bit sorry, that he didn’t have to go anywhere, and that this was all an act to get Keefe and Tam to be alone.
“Don’t worry about it,” Keefe said cluelessly. “Bangs Boy and I have some things to discuss.”
“Do we?” Tam cocked an eyebrow.
“Yes,” Keefe said stubbornly, dropping his arm from Tam’s shoulder and grabbing his hand instead, dragging him out of the garage and outside. “Come on, come to my house–Elwin’s making dinner, he won’t mind if there’s another person.” Keefe smiled and Tam’s heart started doing cartwheels.
Honestly, Keefe, Tam thought as he stared at their intertwined hands. I’m already in love with you, so stop making me fall even harder, goddammit.
Before he knew what he was doing, Tam pulled out of Keefe’s grip and studied his reaction. Keefe seemed fairly indifferent to it, though his brows seemed to furrow a bit… but maybe Tam was just imagining things. Maybe it was all just wishful thinking.
But… every passing touch, every soft smile. It always felt like there was something more between every glance they shared, every word they said. There was more to the two of them, more to their relationship than they were admitting.
“Since when do you have an acoustic guitar?” Tam asked as they entered Keefe’s messy bedroom.
“Well, you started learning,” Keefe said with a one-shouldered shrug. “I couldn’t let you one-up me, now could I?”
Tam rolled his eyes. “Always a rivalry with you.”
“Only with you, Bangs Boy, you’re special that way.” Keefe winked. “Anyway, what’s that song Biana was talking about? The one you haven’t shown to me and Fitzy?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Tam fibbed.
Keefe looked at him with raised eyebrows. “You’re really gonna try and hide it? Come on, dude, I know you–and I know whatever you’ve written will be even better.”
“It isn’t a song for the band, it’s… it was just something I wrote.”
“So there is a song! But even if it isn’t for an audience, or even for the four of us to play, I want to hear you. So,” Keefe gestured to his guitar, “can I hear it?”
Tam hesitated for a second. Was he really ready to do this? Ready to confess? Yes, he thought. I’m tired of him not knowing how I feel. I’m tired of not knowing if he feels the same.
He summoned courage, strummed the opening chords on the guitar, and started to sing.
There’s something that I’ve been meaning to say
A truth I’ve been hiding for who knows how long
My heart holds a secret, it’s been kept locked away
And you might think it isn’t real, that I’ve got it wrong
But I think I kind of love you
When I’m lost in the dark, you’re my light
I know how cliche it sounds but it’s true
I promise, it’s true that I love you
I know after this you might hate me
And I won’t blame you if you don’t feel the same
But I had to tell you, had to set these words free
Because I think you like me too, so can we stop playing this game?
I think I kind of love you
When I’m lost in the dark, you’re my light
I know how cliche it sounds but it’s true
I promise, it’s true that I love you
Why do we keep dancing around our feelings?
Why do we keep pretending that this isn’t real?
Because it is
I know it is, and I know you know too
So can we maybe just try this
Try this and see where it goes?
I think I kind of love you
When I’m lost in the dark, you’re my light
I know how cliche it sounds but it’s true
I promise, it’s true that I love you
Tam opened his eyes, watching Keefe’s expression, worried of what he might say. This is it, it’s over, a voice inside told himself, but another part said, You did it.
“Was,” Keefe said softly as he connected the dots, “was that about me?”
Tam nodded slowly, still studying Keefe’s face. “Um. Yeah, yeah it was. And… it was all true.”
Keefe shook his head dazedly, not saying anything, just staring at the floor.
“Keefe? Say something, please.”
The blond looked up to meet Tam’s eyes, and Tam gulped, wondering if this was it, when he was rejected, when his heart was broken, when–
Suddenly Keefe’s lips were on his and they were kissing and oh.
The kiss was everything. It was soft, and sweet, and filled with yearning and love and dreams and felt like fireworks. He tastes like vanilla, Tam noted.
Keefe pulled away for breath, and Tam felt a teensy bit disappointed, but that feeling was lost in the thought that Oh my God, I just kissed Keefe Sencen.
“In case you haven’t noticed,” Keefe whispered softly, “I love you too.”
Tam felt euphoric at his words, it was all he’d been wanting to hear for he couldn’t remember how long. “Do you know how long I’ve been wanting to do that?”
“Enjoyed that kiss, huh?”
“Just shut up and kiss me again, will you?”