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Elijah’s helping Ken get ready for a date.
A date with one Brenda Miller.
And Ken has a problem.
This problem is not the fact that he doesn’t want to go on the date. This problem is also not that he doesn’t want to be around Elijah. Seriously, like half of their class believes they have some weird-ass rivalry going on. Ken can assure anyone that that is not the case. Sure, Elijah does occupy his mind. But so does Brenda. He thinks about both of them in very not-hateful ways!
But back to the present tense, away from his ever-confusing mind. Now he’s focusing on staying still on his bed. The same one Elijah sits on as he sets Ken’s hair.
“What if she hates me after this?” Ken asks.“I don’t think that’s possible.” Elijah answers as he runs his hands through Ken’s hair. Ken gives him a look that conveys ‘really?’ “Yes, really. You’ve got your whole weird thing going for you.” That makes Ken shove Elijah so hard he almost falls off of the bed. “It’s charming! I swear. It’s your weird charm.” Elijah throws his hands up.
“You think I’m charming?” Ken makes his question teasing, but the actual thought of Elijah finding him attractive makes him feel-
“What I think isn’t important.” Elijah says. He gets off of the bed to grab something. Ken has a feeling he’s avoiding the real answer. He doesn’t know if he’s grateful or not for it.
Elijah returns with a can of hairspray. “Now we’re back on track.” He uses one of his hands to shield Ken’s eyes from the hairspray. Thanks to the light in the room, Ken can see the way Elijah’s nail polish reflects on his other. It’s simple, clear except for silver glitter speckled throughout. Fitting, Ken finds.
He can’t stop staring at Elijah, he realizes. His nails, his hair, his eyes, his fucking lips-
“Are you wearing lipgloss?” As soon as Ken realizes what he said, he puts a hand over his mouth. Great, now Elijah is going to think he’s a weirdo who stares at people too much. Awesome.
“Lipstick and lipgloss, actually. I try to even out the tone of my lips when I can.” He speaks it like it’s normal for him. Well since his lips have looked the same since the day Ken first saw him (not that he’s been looking at him that closely!) he can assume that’s correct.
“You want some?” Elijah pulls a tube seemingly out of nowhere. He probably had it in his pocket. Ken wouldn’t be able to deduce that because he’s been staring at him like a creep!
He should say no. Key word here: should. But he doesn’t. Why? Fuck if he knows. He has a problem saying no to pretty boys and girls, sue him.
“Um- yeah. Sure.” He tries for nonchalant, but he knows he failed. Elijah doesn’t notice it. At least, Ken doesn’t think he does.
So Elijah leans in, close-close as he applies the lipgloss. He’s hyper focused on the act, as if getting the motion right is all that matters.
Ken tries to think about Brenda. Y’know, the girl he’s about to go on a date with. He tries to think about her gorgeous fiery red hair, her show stopping blue eyes, her attitude that she says was inherited from her mom. It’s somewhat fruitful. But he still can’t stop thinking about the boy right in front of him.
He thinks about kissing Brenda. Not on their first date, of course. He has some class and manners, thank you very much. Maybe on the second date they could hold hands and kiss on the third. Seems like a good plan.
Then his mind switches to kissing Elijah. Just leaning in and taking it. Finding out what flavor lip gloss he would be wearing that day (he’s wearing vanilla today, Ken notices as he tastes it on his own).
Then his mind melds into the concept of him kissing the both of them. And- okay, that is a concept he is not ready to unpack in the slightest.
“Okay, you’re done.” Elijah announces as he puts the cap back onto the tube. “With my skills, you might just get kissed on your first date.”
Ken leaves, and as he does, he swears Elijah’s eyes trail him the whole way out. But maybe that’s just his mind making tricks.
~~~~~~~
“Damnit, Eli! What did I say about using the window without warning? You could get hurt.” Jackson chastises as he helps Elijah inside. “This is above warnings! I am having a crisis, and I need to consult you.” Elijah says, half out of breath. “This couldn’t wait until tomorrow?” Jackson asks. The look on Elijah’s face portrays ‘does this look like a problem for tomorrow?’ “No. Also, I have forty-five minutes. I have cupcakes in the oven.” That’s when he reveals he took the handheld timer with him. The stress baking clues Jackson in.
“Oh, okay. Serious crisis, then.” Jackson sits on his bed. He pats the spot next to him. “I’m in listening mode now. Talk.”
“Have you ever been in love with two people?” Is what he blurts out. He watches Jackson think about it. “Well I’ve had crushes on two people. I don’t know if I would call it love, though.” He states. His tone is reasonable, unlike Elijah’s. “Can I ask who this is about?” “Who do you think? The only two other people in my class schedule who are worth looking at.” “So I can rule out Norman.” Jackson snorts at the end of the sentence, and Elijah hits him with the pillow for it. “Kidding, kidding! I’m being serious now.” He says in between Elijah’s hits.
That’s when Elijah starts talking again. “At first, it was only this one person,” Jackson gives him a very knowing glance. He’s probably figured it out by now. Curse his best friend. “And he was all sweet and dorky and I think I knew I had a thing for him from the start. But then!” Elijah pauses for dramatic effect. “There was this second person. She walks in the room and everyone looks at her. I see why! She’s a living Barbie doll. She’s beautiful.” Elijah falls back on the bed. “So it’s just amalgamated into this huge mess where I’m stuck feeling like a lovesick idiot.” He smashes his face into the pillow. “I’m pathetic.”
“You’re not pathetic. You’re just very very into them.” Jackson puts a hand on his back. “And by them, I mean Brenda and Ken.” Elijah pulls his face up from the pillow. “Dude, I know you. I got it.”
“You want to know something really embarrassing?” Elijah almost whispers. “When it pertains to you? Always.” Elijah hits him for that. Then he says “I almost kissed him. Today.” Jackson seems confused. “I’m failing to see the embarrassment?” “When I was helping him get ready for his date with Brenda.” He finishes. Jackson’s face morphs into one of understanding.
“Elijah.” He can hear Jackson exhale. “I didn’t! Kiss him. I just put my lipgloss on him.” He explains. “You have to realize how that sounds.” “Well how else am I supposed to say it? It’s what happened.” And it’s true. But to say that it was just putting on the lip gloss, that would be a big lie.
They were just so close. Elijah swore that they were going to do something, that Ken was going to
Kiss or do something, anything. But nothing happened. So he stood there, and watched as he left.
Because they were just friends. Good friends. Friends who don’t kiss each other while one of them is about to get with the girl of his dreams.
But he can’t get over how Ken looked at him- like he was something to admire, something to love. How he had to snap himself out of it, as if he was going to do something if he didn’t increase their distance.
It's been haunting him for the past couple of hours, if he’s being completely honest.
“What do you want, Eli? Do you want me to tell you to move on or- or do you want to do something about it?” Jackson questions. Elijah ponders on it for a minute. Because way to throw the loaded question around, Jackie.
“I think I want them. Both of them. Romantically.” He’s almost surprised at his admittance. Almost. “Wow, that sounds so weird.” He adds with a chuckle. Jackson shrugs. “Love is weird in general. That’s why there’s no instruction manual for it.”
“You’re so wise. When did that happen?” He asks.
“Same time when you got taller.” He retorts.
“Y’know I love you, right?” He leans into Jackson’s side. “I love you too, you dork. Even if you have questionable taste.” Jackson wraps an arm around him. Elijah scoffs. “Uh, have you seen Brenda?” “Not her.” “Okay, Ken’s a bit weird. But it works for him.” He defends. Jackson rolls his eyes.
“You’re out of time, by the way.” Jackson gives him the handheld timer. It must’ve fallen off the bed in their roughhousing. He reads it. Ten minutes left. Just enough time to get home. “Call me if you need anything.” Jackson tells him. “I will. Promise.” With that, Elijah hops out of the window.
What does he do now?
~~~~~~
Ken was on cloud nine walking home from his date. They went to see a movie (which he cannot remember the plot of, for uh, reasons) and then they got slushies and it was great. Amazing, wonderful, outstanding; all of the good adjectives he could think of at the moment.
And yes, he did get asked to a second date.
But as amazing as it was, there was still an issue. Not with Brenda, no, never. He just thought that the date would…make him forget. That sounds weird. Maybe because he feels weird.
He can’t stop recalling what happened earlier that night. The physical proximity he had with Elijah, and the could’ve-been-a-kiss. How it felt like he was struck by lightning when Elijah used his hands to brush away stray strands of hair and there was skin to skin contact.
It’s the same way he felt when Brenda kissed him on the cheek at school. Or when she giggled after he kissed her hand tonight. Or when she leaned in close during the movie.
God, he’s such an oddball. Why is he thinking these things? He should be happy, for crying out loud!
Oh, hell. Whatever. He’ll deal with his thoughts tomorrow. That way he’ll have all day to wonder what is going on in his glorious mind.
He walks up the stairs to his apartment when he sees an- open door? That’s strange. It’s then he realizes it’s Elijah’s apartment. Still strange. People don’t leave their apartment doors unlocked around here.
Something tells him to walk inside. Like that one scene with the princess and the spinning wheel. That one scene where she’s enchanted to come closer, closer, closer.
He shouldn’t. Actually, he really shouldn’t. He shouldn’t allow himself to be close to Elijah again. Not until the butterflies in his chest calm down.
To repeat: he shouldn’t go in there.
But he does. He pushes the door open, and warm light basks him. At least whoever’s here is awake. He walks in, shutting the door behind him. He can’t see anything from this view because of the way the walkway was constructed. It’s different from his apartment. He can hear what sounds like a bad soap opera on the television, though. Some man begging for forgiveness, or something along those lines.
He walks a bit further and that’s when he sees Elijah. Stirring a bowl of something as he watches the show. He mixes with practiced ease, at least from what Ken can tell. He doesn’t seem to notice him either.
“I know you’re there.” Is what Elijah says, not even looking in his direction. How? “You’re not exactly the quiet type.” He still hasn’t turned his head. Still, Ken reveals himself.
“God, are you psychic or something?” “Or something. Here, try this.” Then Elijah’s putting a spoonful of something in his mouth. It tastes good, really good. “What is that?” “Frosting. Apple-cinnamon flavored. You like it?” Elijah asks as he puts the bowl down.
Like it? That stuff tastes like it came from heaven above. Listen, if this (baking) was a common occurrence for Elijah then Ken’s starting to understand how he gets people to swoon.
“Dude, I’ll be completely honest: I would give up my left kidney for this stuff.” He answers. “Why the left?” Elijah inquires as he grabs another spoonful. “Me and my right one have a special bond. You wouldn’t get it.” Ken flourishes dramatically. Elijah giggles. Ken’s heart totally doesn’t skip a beat.
“Not to ruin the vibe, but don’t you have a curfew?” Elijah nods to the clock. Which, crap, he totally did. One he was totally past now. “Yeah, you’re right. I don’t want to leave, though.” His words feel unusually raw as he says them. Because it’s another admittance that he still wants to be around Elijah. It’s proof that he’s trying to be strong but he’s coming to realize he is so weak and only a man. A weak, weak, man.
“If you go, I’ll give you a cupcake.” Elijah hands him one that’s already frosted. “You’re resorting to bribery? That’s low.” Ken scoffs, pretends to be offended. “Well then it’s a good thing I never considered myself of high value.” He displays a smirk on his face, a playful one. God,If he only knew what Ken thought of him.
“Oh and take one for Brenda.” He hands him another one. Her name feels like cold water down his back. His mind recalls that he was on a date with her not two hours earlier. A bitter taste floods his mouth, because frankly, what the hell is wrong with him?
He thanks Elijah for the cupcakes and walks out of the apartment without any fanfare. He walks into his own apartment and puts the cupcakes in a plastic container with his name written on them. He has siblings, remember?
Then he goes into his bedroom and screams into his covers. He hopes that maybe if he makes his voice leave him, it’ll stop letting him slip up like this.
He dreams of dirty blond hair and sky blue eyes.
~~~~~~
Brenda always knew she had a good intuition. She doesn’t remember when this skill arose, exactly. Maybe it’s when she was climbing the social hierarchy or always being the polite (read: mediator) one in her old friend group.
In short, she knew when something was up.
Specifically with her boyfriend (are they boyfriend a girlfriend yet? She’ll have to ask) and Elijah. They’ve been keeping their distance for the past couple of days. It’s not prominent in this class, on the account of Elijah’s assigned seat being across the classroom, but it is in their other ones. Especially in gym class, because now Elijah’s only been talking to the student council jerks which…ew.
They used to egg each other on during dodgeball and mess with each other like she’s seen guys typically do. Because that’s what guys who are friends do! But now there’s this big metaphorical chasm around them and it’s making everything weird. It’s so quiet and it’s kind of worrying Brenda.
Did they get into a fight? That’s a possibility. Ken looks like he’s hiding something, but she can’t read Elijah.
She would continue trying to unravel this debacle, but her thoughts are immediately shut down by the teacher handing her quiz back. That’s when an idea hits her.
“Hey, you got an 85! Nice job.” Ken praises. “Not my best. What’d you get?” “Ninety-one.” “Guess working together really helps us.” Brenda notes.
Then it hits her as she glances over at Elijah, who’s reading some history book (apparently he’s into history, she remembers Jackson saying something about that).
Working together, now that’s a solution. No, it’s the solution!
“I have an idea.” She announces. She looks at Ken, who seems to be doodling a dragon on his paper. “What is it?” “Just let me work my magic. You trust me, yeah?” Brenda runs her hands through his hair as she asks. “I would be stupid if I didn’t.” He answers, his cheeks pink. Gosh, he was just so sweet. Brenda adores him.
But enough doting on Ken. There will be plenty of time for that later. Now, she has a plan to execute.
She stands up from her chair and saunters over to Elijah. She stands right in front of him and Elijah puts down his book. She puts on her sweetest smile, the one she knows works on people. “You’re sitting with us.” She states, plain and simple. Elijah looks confused. “Is that allowed?” He asks her. Brenda pretends to think for a moment, like she hasn’t already made up her mind. “That doesn’t matter. Come on, with me.” She states again in a tone fitting for a cheer captain. This time, he listens. She walks away with him following behind.
She all but drags him to the table and makes him sit. Nevertheless, Elijah listens and sits down. Ken looks up from his drawing. She can practically feel the tension. She doesn’t think it’s a good thing, but it does give her more to think about.
But she doesn’t make them talk. She of all people knows what happens when the truth comes out in unsavory ways. Truth be told she’s not that kinda gal. She’s not one for the screaming confessions.
Instead she sets the topic. “We need to think about the next project.” Ken looks at her perplexed. He’s clearly confused on why she did this. To be honest, she doesn’t exactly know why either. “The one with fairytales, yeah?” Thank god Elijah gets the hint. Or maybe he’s just talking about the project. Again, she hasn’t been able to decipher him yet.
“Right. So. Fairy Tales. We’re supposed to make a performance out of one.” Brenda lays it out. “How does this relate to history?” Ken questions. Brenda shrugs. “I don’t know. To be honest I think the teachers are running out of ideas.”
“How about we go down to the costume storage room? If this school has one.” Elijah proposes. “That’s a great idea! I’m gonna go talk to the teacher for a pass.” With that, Brenda gets up from the table to sweet talk the teacher.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work on this teacher. Guess her constantly being late (because this school is a freaking maze-) did cause him to be wary. Which, whatever. She can adjust her plans.
She finds there is a positive side to it, though, when she hears the two of them speaking behind her.
“Sorry I was weird last night.” She hears Ken start.
“You weren’t. Trust me, I’ve done crazier stuff.”
“I can’t see it.” Ken laughs. Then Elijah laughs.
“You can ask Jackson! It’s a wonder I don’t get caught as much as I should.”
“Mhm, it’s the face. You look very Prince Charming.”
That comment makes her turn her head. She watches Elijah put on a wide grin, one that’s vastly different from his typical smirk.
“Well I’ll have you know I’m actually a siren. Yeah, I steal the souls from unsuspecting people.” He lets a chuckle slip out.
They just fit together. Like how she and Ken do. Their banter is fun and lighthearted. She kind of wants to smile at them. But she guessed that would give away that she was eavesdropping, so she didn't.
“So, we can’t go right now. We’ll have to go after school.” Brenda tells them. “Yeah, we can meet after you guys practice.” Ken offers. Elijah turns his head to face him. “How did you know I had practice today?” “I see you out on the field.” Ken says. “Oh so you’re saying you like watching me play?” Elijah tilts his head, artificially sweet. Brenda swears she sees Ken flush. “That’s not what I said.” “Because it sounds like you’re taking the time out of your day to stop and stare at me.” Elijah continues. Looking every bit of a siren. “That’s not- whatever. Jackson’s right, your ego is huge.” Ken goes back to his drawing with that.
They make plans to meet up later, and Brenda makes a note to talk to Ken about whatever that was.
~~~~~~
Brenda gets out of cheer practice half an hour early, on the account of all the girls that wouldn’t stop fighting. They kept arguing with her that the dance for the winter games were stupid and that they didn’t need to learn them. Brenda should’ve told them to quit the team if they didn’t want to do their duties, but that isn’t a very ‘leaderly’ thing to do. So instead she ended the practice, in the hopes of not further wearing down the team's relationship and also her patience.
After changing out of her uniform, she decided to make her way out to the baseball field. Ken said he would meet them there anyways. When she arrives, she decides to walk up the bleachers. Each of her steps echoes against the metal, most likely making her presence known. But instead of someone else asking her why she’s here, it’s the opposite.
“Why are you here?” She asks as she notices Jackson. “What do you think?” He turns his gaze down. “Elijah.” She says as she notices him.
“Can I?” “Go ahead.” Jackson taps the spot next to him. She sits down.
“This is going to sound weird. Like, super out of left field for me.” She chuckles at the end at her baseball pun. “But I need information on Elijah.” Jackson raises an eyebrow at that. As he should. “What kind of information? I’ve known him for years, I need you to be specific.” She doesn’t think she would’ve gotten this far. “Like information that would be…of interest to me.” Yes, she does realize how weird that sounds.
She watches Jackson’s face flicker with something knowing. Like he’s connecting the puzzle pieces. But unfortunately, Brenda doesn’t even know what the picture on the box is, so she’s clueless.
“He plays a lot of sports. Baseball, soccer, and surfing in the summer.” Brenda remembers that Ken can surf too, and that’s not a bad mental image. “He likes baking, especially for other people.” Makes sense. She remembers overhearing him saying something about it to Jackson. “And he’s kind of oblivious. Don’t get me wrong, he’s smart. But sometimes you need to spell it out for him.” She has a feeling that is the most important fact she learned.
Just as Brenda is about to thank him for his help, he stops her. “Come on.” He says. “Where are we going?” She has to ask. “Not far at all.” He promises. Vague. She sees where Elijah gets it from.
He was right, though. They didn’t go far. In fact, they went right down the bleachers and onto the field. “Hey, Eli!” That catches Elijah’s attention. He pulls his baseball cap off. He runs a hand through his hair.
“Yeah?” He looks like a dog, the way he tilts his head. A fluffy and golden one. It’s cute. He’s still holding his baseball bat. “Brenda told me she wanted to learn how to hit a ball. So you should teach her.” If Brenda’s shocked expression wasn’t enough, she could see Elijah wearing a similar one. Jackson was the outlier here, wearing a smile.
She watches Elijah grab Jackson around the wrist. Not harsh in any way, it’s gentle but noticeable. They take a couple steps away and they have what Brenda can only describe as a ‘whisper-fight.’
Then they come back in earshot. “You’re still coming to my game?” Elijah’s tone is hopeful. “Of course. In fact, I’ll meet you later today.” With that, Jackson begins to make his exit. But she does hear him say “you got this.” She isn’t sure who it’s directed to.
That leaves the two of them alone. Why does she feel so nervous?
“I know how to hit a ball, for the record.” Brenda asserted. “Never said you couldn’t.” Elijah hums. “In fact, I’ll prove it to you right now.” She grabs the bat of his hands. Elijah stands there, impressed. “Well come on! Go get a baseball so I can display my awesomeness.” Brenda enunciates it with a hair flip. “I’m going, I’m going!” He puts his hands up in surrender.
He returns with three baseballs. “I’m going to go on the mound and I’ll throw them. Let’s see if you can put your money where your mouth is.” He explains. Brenda visibly rolls his eyes at him. Elijah just smirks.
He throws the first ball, and it’s a hit. Not a good one, though. It ends up in the dirt after she hits it.
The second one is a complete miss. She can see Elijah laugh, even though he’s turned his back. Bad hit. Not a bad laugh, though. Not at all.
Elijah puts his arm in his last one, and to their surprise she hits a home run! She beams as she watches the ball fly out of view. It’s probably never going to be found again, but who cares?
“Guess you were right.” Elijah resigns as he moves closer to her. “I usually am.” She reassures him. Elijah clicks his tongue. “Alright. Remind me to never underestimate you again.” “I think you already know.” She puts a hand on her hip.
There’s this silence between them after that. Brenda realizes she’s never really had a one on one conversation with him. So she tries to use the information she’s gained.
“So you have a baseball game? When is it?” “Tomorrow. Uh, you can come if you want. No pressure, though.” Elijah rubs his neck. She doesn’t think she’s ever seen him nervous. “Sorry, I have a football game to cheer at tomorrow.” She tells him. “Right, I get that-“ she cuts him off. “But I do want to come to one of your games. Eventually.” She promises. It’s true, she really does want to see him play. She’s heard he’s sort of a star player through the grapevine.
“How about this?” She doesn’t know what causes her to do what she does next. She undoes her necklace and wraps it around his, clasping it. It’s gold and simple, with a heart in the middle. “I’ll get it from you at your next game.” “Are you sure you want to give this to me?” His voice is tentative. But she feels firm in her decision.
He wraps his fingers around the charm. She thinks it looks perfect on him. They’re close. Super close. She steps back.
That’s when she realizes she’s feeling something new. This isn’t like Ken, where it took her a couple of months to process it all. This is fast, and kind of sudden; where Ken was all slow and sweet. Which she guesses does make sense, they are two different guys after all.
But she doesn’t hate this. Should she?
She doesn’t know if it’s love. After all, this is her first real interaction with Elijah. But there is definitely something simmering here. She isn’t all that scared, if she’s being honest. Elijah’s not a bad guy (as much as she thought upon their first meeting). He’s caring, athletic, and a bit nerdy. He’s a great friend too, she’s seen him around with Jackson.
She doesn’t think she can handle the rest of this conversation, though. She needs some time to think and collect herself before she moves forward. Or backwards. Anything that involves her going anywhere.
“When’s your next game?” She asks. “Saturday. I’m playing all weekend.” He says. “Okay. I’ll see you Saturday, then.” She confirms in a way that totally isn’t awkward at all. She turns her back and walks back into the school.
Well, what’s a girl to do now?
~~~~~~~
They don’t end up meeting for rehearsal that day. They agree on the next day, and that day has come. They also decide to work on the set first, because apparently they need to at least make one background for this project. At least the drama department keeps their paint supply stocked at all times, despite only holding two big shows a year. It’s also a good thing Ken’s on great terms with the drama kids, which means they get free reign.
All three of them are sitting on the floor, currently in the process of painting this entire huge thing of paper gray. It’s a process, alright?
“You know the paint is supposed to go onto the paper, right?” Elijah asks. That’s when Ken gets a good glance at himself, gray paint covering his hands, knees, even has spots on his face. “Really? But gray is my color.” Ken flourishes. “We both know that’s not true. Come here, I’ll get it off.” Elijah gestures for him to come closer. Ken listens.
Elijah uses his clean hand to wipe Ken’s cheek. Ken takes the opportunity to take in Elijah. Gray tank top and black jeans, with a gold necklace. Brenda’s necklace to be specific.
Now don’t get it twisted, it’s not like Brenda was hiding this secret from him. She told him the minute he got out of detention that she had talked to Elijah and gave him the necklace. When he had asked her why, she had shrugged. He wasn’t mad at her. It would be a little hypocritical of him, anyways. He would’ve done the same thing.
Elijah’s confusion. The good kind. Like when you get into the whirlpool part of a water slide and you're moving every which way. But in the end you don’t regret it, in fact you want to go again. And again and again and again-
Elijah’s hand on his face is kind of messing with his train of thought. Makes him all jumbled. At least he doesn’t have to hold a conversation right now.
“And done.” Elijah says. Ken doesn’t know if he got all of it off, regardless he’s feeling flustered. He feels like he needs to run, but that wouldn’t help anything.
Thank god for Brenda Miller.
Ken watches as a decent amount of paint gets thrown onto Elijah. Elijah laughs and wipes his face. He yells something about it getting in his mouth and he gets another hit of paint for it.
“Oh it’s on!” He claims. He runs after Brenda with the paint brush and Brenda bolts out of the auditorium.
It leaves him alone with his thoughts. Or, he thought he was alone.
“So what’s going on between you three?” He sees Timothy appear from the shadows. Ken sits back in mock-fear. “Jesus Christ. Is this your new hobby? Hiding in the shadows?” Timothy rolls his eyes. “You’re deflecting. Stop it.” He sits down next to him.
“Even you can tell, huh?” Ken sighs. He feels like this is going to be a long talk. Or feel like one. “Yeah, because I have eyes, dumbass.” He snarks. “So how deep into this are you? From a kiddy pool to the deep end.” He offers. Ken thinks. “How about the deepest part of the ocean? The one where they have all those underwater volcanoes.” “Wow.” Timothy seems a bit shocked by his answer. Not entirely, though. This makes him wonder if he’s been hiding his feelings as well as he thinks.
“I really like them, Tim. I really do.” “Oh I know. I’m not here to poke fun at you.” There’s a pause.
“Elijah likes you, definitely.” Timothy says. “You don’t know that.” Ken says. “I have my reasons.” He says, all self-assured. “You’re not going to tell me, are you?” Ken tries. “Nope.” Timothy pops the ‘p’ At the end. “Then can you at least give me some advice?”
“It’s all in the small things.” Then he stands up and goes somewhere Ken can’t seem to follow. Great, vague advice, that’s exactly what he needs. He needs clarity, not riddles!
“Goddamnit.” He mutters to himself. He puts his hands in his head. Why is he such a mess? He doesn’t even know where to start with any of this.
“Ken!” It’s Elijah’s voice that makes him look up. “Come on! And bring the paint with you!” Elijah yells at him from across the auditorium.
And because it’s Elijah, of course he listens. Or, if you want to be a romantic, his heart listens. He grabs a tube of paint and runs to follow Elijah.
He finds him at the mural in the middle of the school. It's their school mascot, with each senior's handprints around it. It’s tradition or something. He doesn’t really remember anything about it, only that Timothy told him it was a pain in the ass to do.
“Why are we here?” He asks Brenda, who he finds near the mural. She also has several paint marks on her. “Don’t ask me.” She cocks her head towards Elijah.
“Your name isn’t on the mural.” Is what he says. “Yeah, I kind of forgot to do it.” Ken shrugs. “Then let’s do it now.” Elijah proposes. “We?” “Yes? I’m a senior too.” That is a fact.
Elijah takes the tub of paint from him. He puts a good amount on his hands and rubs it in. Then, he slaps his hands on an empty space, leaving two distinct handprints.
“Give me your hand.” Elijah instructs. Ken just nods dumbly and holds out his hands. He presses his hand against his. Ken’s trying to stay calm. But if he’s being honest here? He thinks he’s going to die here. He would be happy, actually. Hell, if he gets to hold both Brenda and Elijah’s hand at the same time he would be in heaven.
Elijah presses Ken’s hand against the wall, right next to his. He’s still holding his hand when he takes it off the wall. He’s still holding it when he turns to talk to Brenda, who’s been watching this play out the entire time.
“Hey Brenda, where’s yours?” Elijah asks. “At the top. I got David to put me on his shoulders.” She points upwards, and Ken sees it. At the top, two hot pink handprints, with a set of identical blue ones to the right. Probably her brother’s, Ken concludes.
He stares at Elijah (who thankfully doesn’t notice), who has the biggest smile on his face. Elijah moves to try and get Brenda with the paint again, and Brenda laughs so hard she snorts. God, they’re a pretty picture. Ken loves them so much it hurts.
Oh.
Oh, that’s it, isn’t it? He’s in love. Heart stopping, head-over-heels infatuating love with them. It shouldn’t shock him this much, but it still makes him feel like the air has been knocked out of him.
“Hello? Helloooo? Ken?” Elijah snaps his fingers in front of him. “Yep- yeah, I’m here. Totally focused.” Ken taps his mind as if that’s supposed to make it more believable. Elijah doesn’t pry. “Brenda was saying we should go to the storage room to look for stuff.”
So they go to the storage room.
~~~~~~
This had to be a test, he thinks. This has to be the universe messing with me for some karmic intervention. Seriously, can’t a guy have a crush on two people at once in peace?
Elijah coughs as he opens another box. He swears a layer of dust covers him. What is this box from, the 50’s?
“Okay, at this rate I’m just surprised we’ll be able to find actual working props. All of them might disintegrate in our hands.” Elijah says through another cough. “Yeah I don’t think any adult has been down here. Ever. It explains why everything is just thrown into random boxes.” Ken chuckles.
“Wanna do something fun?” Elijah asks.
“What did you have in mind?” Ken looks up from his box.
“How about quid pro quo? An eye for an eye. Or more like a truth for a truth.” Elijah proposes. He grabs (what he thinks) is a dagger, only for it to be a bowling pin. He throws it aside. “I’ll even let you go first.”
He’s always been one to take risks. He loves it. Walking the line across the cliff and hoping he doesn’t fall. Riding the biggest wave he can just so he can surf longer. Jackson says it’s an adrenaline thing.
But this is different. This is way more risky than his usual antics. This time he might end up with more than just a sprained ankle, this time he might lose actual people. It makes him anxious, but not enough that he wants to stop. Jackson also says that’s one of his fatal flaws.
“Uh, okay.” He watches Ken’s eyes dart around the room. He’s nervous too. Elijah doesn’t know if that makes him feel better.
“Are you in love with Jackson?” Ken blurts.
Well out of all the questions he was expecting, this wasn’t one of them.
“No? I- no. Not at all.” Elijah’s sure his face is funny. “Jackson’s my best friend, that’s it.” Elijah rubs a hand over his face. Then he says something really stupid. “I’m actually into someone else right now. Well, that’s not completely accurate. Whatever.” He adds. He sees shock overtake Ken’s face. “Do I get to know who?”
No, no you don’t. Because it’s you, you beautiful idiot. You and your gorgeous girlfriend. And if I told you I don’t think I could handle what results because of it.
“You already used your question.” Is what Elijah tells him. He leans on the table, which creaks underneath him. Is everything in this room archaic?
“Now I think it’s my turn.” “Shoot, then.” Ken goes for an air of nonchalance, but Elijah knows the truth.
“Do you talk to Jackson about me?” He asks. “Only once. It’s how I found out when you played.” It seemed like the honest answer, and that was it.
“I want another question.” Ken exhales. “I’m not just going to hand it over.” Elijah tilts his head in the same way he did when they were sitting close. “I’ll fight you for it.” Ken insists. Elijah gives him a weird stare. “Not like a fist fight! But look what I found!” He pulls two swords out of the box in decent condition.
Another weird stare. Ken keeps going. “Think of it as a rehearsal. Get it? Because you’re the prince and I’m the dragon in the play. So I thought, y’know, two birds with one stone.” He holds up the swords again. It’s an offer.
One Elijah would be an idiot to accept. Or an idiot not to accept.
So he takes the sword, of course. He wasn’t going to be able to turn it down, not when Ken looked at him like that.
“Wait I don’t know how to-“ He was about to say he doesn’t know the first thing about sword fighting, but Ken cuts him off. “Okay go!”
He does the only thing he knows how to do: run. He’s not a fighter, alright? Not physically at least.
He makes sharp turns around the table to avoid Ken. When he can’t turn around anymore he turns to blocking. But everytime he tries to hit he learns that Ken might be a pro at this.
“I have to admit, you’re not half- bad.” Ken snarks. How is he not out of breath? Elijah’s an athlete, but this is wearing him down. He’s also running out of options, fast.
So he does what the only logical thing to do is: hop on the thirty-year old table. It creaks and Elijah’s worried it’ll break. Luckily it doesn’t.
“This is your great plan?” Ken gestures to the table. “Mhm. Because I know you won’t be stupid enough to come and get me.” He’s breathing heavily now, finally catching his breath. Ken is doing the same, and Elijah notices his hair is all fluffed up from their tussle. He’s so cute. Elijah wants to kiss him. But he also wants to win.
Unfortunately for him, he left one thing unaccounted for. That thing is that yes, Ken really is that stupid and he will try to grab Elijah from the table. And also unfortunately that table does not withstand the both of them (it doesn’t break thank god) as it tips over. It sends both of them tumbling.
It ends with Ken pinning him down.
Listen. Elijah never admitted to having a strong sense of impulse control. He is one who easily gives into temptation, even if patience is the way to go.
Right now there’s a constant stream of noyesnoyesnoyesno on if he should just push himself up on his shoulders and kiss Ken. He could. He should. He would.
“Tell me. Please?” Ken’s voice sounds desperate, unlike anything he’s heard before. “I promise I won’t say anything to anyone.” He adds.
Elijah shakes his head, hopes the words won’t accidentally pour out of him. “I can’t.” “Why not? Is this one person really all that special?” He closes his eyes as he speaks. “It’s two. Not one.” He’s sure he hears Ken gasp, or maybe a sharp inhale.
Then the door burst open. Ken gets off of him (thank goodness), and Elijah sits up.
“I need Elijah!” Brenda exclaims. “Why Elijah?” Ken questions. “Because I need to go pick out a dress and you’ll just tell me ‘I look beautiful in everything.’” “You do look beautiful in everything.” Ken states it as a truth. He sees Brenda flush before clearing her throat. “But that’s not very helpful right now. Elijah, with me.” She grabs Elijah by the arm and just like that, he’s whisked away.
~~~~~~
What did she just walk into? She’s sure it isn’t what it looks like, because it looks like they were about to make out. If she hadn’t seen the props strewn everywhere she would’ve been certain.
After ten minutes she knows she’s found the perfect dress. The only issue is there is a huge amount of tying to do on the sides of the arms. It’s to achieve the floral look or whatever. She isn’t able to tie it because she has to use both of her hands, something she can’t do with it on.
Which is where Elijah comes in. Someone who thankfully knows how to tie the dress with care. He does it effortlessly, too. She thinks he really knows his stuff.
He won’t so much as glance at her, and that is an issue. She assumes it’s because of earlier. Elijah just keeps his eyes on the laces.
“You’re into two people?” Brenda questions. Elijah’s hands freeze. Okay, Brenda, probably not the best conversation opener. She backtracks. “I don’t mean it in a bad way! I just- I didn’t know you could do that.” She didn’t, really. She never considered it an option. But now she has Ken and she could have Elijah…
“I didn’t either, for the record. But it’s not like I had a choice.” Elijah admits. “Is it hard? Being in love with more than one person?” “No. Loving them is easy. But if you made me confess to them I’d probably pass out.”
“Well I don’t see why these two wouldn’t like you back. I think they would be stupid not to.” Brenda tells him. He doesn’t answer her question, though. “You’re all done.”
Brenda moves in front of the mirror and spins around. Dang, she’s a real life princess!
“You look like you want to say something.” She notices out loud. “Some things are better left unsaid.” Elijah says. “Pretty please?” Brenda pleads, all saccharine-sweet. Elijah sighs and smiles. “I’m just now understanding how artists can stare at their muses for so long.”
Brenda wonders if Elijah’s a poet of some sorts. Who the hell just pulls one of the most breathtaking compliments out like that?
“And I don’t understand how you’re still single when you have such a way with words.” Is she being flirtatious? Maybe. But from the way Elijah’s avoiding her eyes tells her that it’s working. He has the prettiest pink flush on his cheeks. It’s different from Ken who goes bright red.
Both boys are so different. There’s no overlap from their looks to their personalities. Brenda doesn’t think she loves Elijah, but she has a feeling that could be changing soon.
She wants them both, plain and simple.
And right now she wants to kiss Elijah. But she can’t do that now. She has to talk to Ken about it first.
The things she can’t do are currently outnumbering the things she can.
“I’m going to go show Ken my dress.” She states, bunching the fabric up so she can walk in it. “He’ll love you in it.” Elijah remarked. Brenda knows it. Guess she’ll go two for two. As she’s about to walk out she turns to him.
“Wear my necklace tomorrow.” She tells him. She knows he’s wearing it today, even though it was hidden under his top for a while.
Elijah doesn’t answer. Or maybe he does, but she doesn’t stick around to hear it.
~~~~~~
They’re cuddling in Brenda’s bed when she brings it up.
“I have a crush on Elijah.” She says as she buried her face in his chest. She’s wearing her favorite pink hoodie that he thinks she looks amazing in. Ken takes a sharp breath in. Brenda moves her head up. “Do you have anything to say about it?” Her tone is anxious. Knew ants to wash her worries away.
“Uh, welcome to the club?” He says. He expects Brenda to be shocked, but she isn’t. “I knew it!” She whisper-yells. “Come on, I wasn’t that obvious.” “Yes you were. You were literally flirting with him in class.” “That’s how I talk to you!”
“Ken. I want you to rethink what you just said.” Brenda puts her hands on his shoulders.
“Oh.” Ken realizes.
“Yeah, ‘oh.’” She repeats.
“So…what now?” Brenda gets a glint in her eyes.
“I’m glad you asked! I have this great plan. So-“
~~~~~~
“Are you guys ready?” Elijah calls out. The other two call back in agreement. “Okay, I guess we’re doing this.” He mutters to himself. Elijah adjusts the crown on his head again. It was a bit too big for him so he had to put Bobby pins in it for it to stay.
Brenda walks into the backstage area, and Ken follows shortly after. He's not even in his costume fully. He’s only in his undershirt and black pants. “You said you were ready.” Elijah’s tone is flat. “Don’t ever trust him when he says that.” Brenda remarks. “Says the lady who took an hour to do her hair.” Ken retorts. “I’m ready, aren’t I?” Brenda gestures to her dress. “Almost.” Elijah reaches into his bag. “Every princess needs a tiara.” He states matter-of-fact. He moves to gently push the tiara into Brenda’s hair. It glimmers in the light.
“We’re going to have the best reenactment ever.” Brenda announces. “Don’t you just lay there?” Elijah recalls. “I’m literally Sleeping Beauty.” As if the pink dress and tiara didn’t give it away. Brenda gives a twirl to enunciate her words.
Elijah stares at himself in the mirror. Brenda must notice his face. “Hey, I’m serious. You’re going to be great.” “I know, I know.” “Is it the kiss?” Elijah nods. “It doesn’t have to be weird.” Brenda tells him. “But it is. I’m kissing you in front of your boyfriend. That is weird.” Elijah lays it out.
“It’ll be fine. I promise it isn’t as weird as you’re making it out to be.” She assures. “You’re right.” Elijah resigns. “I often am.” Brenda hums.
And for good measure, she gives Elijah a peck on the cheek. She walks out of the backstage area, and Elijah’s left alone.
~~~~~~
It was all going to plan. Key word: was. Past tense.
It was going great, in fact. The scenes were going smoothly and the audience seemed to enjoy it.
Until the kiss scene. Now, everyone knows how Sleeping Beauty ends: the prince kisses her, she awakes from her slumber, the day is saved. Cue the confetti and sparkles.
They weren’t supposed to actually kiss. They were supposed to do a ‘stage-kiss’ where a hand covered them so it just looked like they were kissing.
But Elijah was just so pretty. Even prettier up close. Brenda wanted to kiss him for real.
So she did. She put his lips against his. She could feel him tense up and for a minute she thinks she has it wrong. But he kisses back.
It’s a good kiss. Brenda would do it again, and she would like to do it again as soon as possible.
And then it’s over and they move on. The rest of the play is a blur, and the audience applauds them at the end.
Brenda rushes to Ken, who gives her a twirling hug. “You did great, princess.” The pet name has never seemed so fitting. He presses a kiss to her forehead. “Ah, well Elijah did awesome, too!” She says. Ken nods. “That is true. Where is he?”
They check the backstage, nothing. The front, nothing.
Where was he?
~~~~~~
“I’m not letting you run away from this.” Jackson states. It echoes in the stairway. Elijah can hear his footsteps as he gets closer and closer.
“It’s too late for that.” Elijah says. He looks up at the ceiling and blinks away his tears. Why is he about to cry? “I fucked it all up.”
Jackson sits down next to him. “No you didn’t. Not even close.” “Yes I did. I ran away, like an idiot. All because I couldn’t face them.” He admits. “Well there’s still time to go back.” Jackson says. Elijah stares at him like he’s grown a third head. “There is! And they want to see you. They’re worried.” He promises.
Elijah inhales.“What if I’m just something to mess around with? What if they get bored of me? I don’t want to get my heart broken.” He voices his fears out loud. Fears he would only ever tell Jackson. “Well, if they do turn out to be major jerks who only played with your heart, I’ll beat them up.” Jackson makes a punching gesture. “No you won’t.” Elijah laughs. Jackson laughs with him. “No I won’t. My fighting days are over. I will be forever petty for you, though.”
“I should go to them, should I?” Elijah thinks out loud. Jackson supports the decision. “Definitely. It’s better to take the shot than to never take it at all.” “Okay, I’m going to need to know where you’re getting all these nuggets of wisdom from. You’re too smart now.” Elijah insists. “It comes naturally.” Jackson proclaims. He really loves him at that moment, more so than usual.
“Can you walk me to them?” It’s a childish request. One that Jackson indulges in. “Always. Come on.” He offers his hand. Elijah uses it to pick himself up.
One walk that feels way too long later, they’re a few yards away from Brenda and Ken.
“Call me when you can, okay? So I can make sure you’re not dead in a ditch.” Jackson says. Elijah rolls his eyes. “Yeah, I love you too.” Jackson walks away after that.
Then he walks to Brenda and Ken. He doesn’t know what he’s expecting, but it’s definitely not Brenda leaping into his arms. Elijah catches her, of course. How fitting they are, a Princess and her Prince Charming.
“Dude we thought you’d died or something.” Ken smiles at him. “Sorry, I was being an idiot. Jackson had to come and knock some sense into me.” Elijah apologizes. “Well you’re back now. I’m glad you are.” Ken rubs the back of his neck with his hand. He’s sure he hears Brenda huff at their flirting.
“Put me down! I have to tell you our great plan.” Brenda giggles. Elijah obliges, placing her down gently.
“Sleepover.” Is all she says.
“Sleepover?” Elijah asks.
“Don’t try objecting, man. Once she’s set on it, there’s no stopping her.” Ken says. Elijah shrugs.
“Alright then, sleepover it is.”
~~~~~~
Brenda’s the only one still getting un-ready, brushing out her curls with a brush in front of her vanity. Elijah and Ken lay on her bed.
“She really is a real life princess.” Elijah observes. “I’m not disagreeing there.” Ken hums.
“Hey, uh, sorry if I was being a bit of a creep. Back when you were helping me get ready for my date.” Ken starts. Elijah looks at him genuinely confused. He also expresses as much. “What are you talking about?” “I was being weird! I wouldn’t stop staring at you.” He explains. “I thought that was because you thought I was hot.” Elijah still looks confused.
“I do! Think you’re hot. I promise.” Ken sputters through his words. Elijah giggles. “Well thank you for the confirmation. For the record, you’re not too bad to look at either.” Ken doesn’t answer, just pulls a piece of hair in front of his face. He can feel his cheeks heat up.
“If it wasn’t already clear since we’re sharing secrets now: I’m into both of you.” Elijah confesses, loud enough that Ken knows Brenda hears it. While he had a sneaking suspicion, it was great to get confirmation. “Really?” Ken pushes further. “Since I first met you. Love at first sight. I thought you were as sweet as a sugar cube.” Yeah, he gets it now. Why about five separate girls have asked Elijah out even though he’s only been here for a month.
Maybe he really is a siren. Leaving people dizzy and love-drunk. Ken doesn’t seem to care. It just makes him want to kiss Elijah more and more.
So he says as much. “I want to kiss you so bad.” “The feeling is mutual.” Elijah says. “Well…” “Just come here, Ken.” Elijah all but orders. Let it be known if it was either Brenda or Elijah telling him to jump he would ask how high.
Elijah looks Ken over once, twice. Then he grabs him and kisses him. Jeez, his dreams did disappoint, because the real thing is so much better. He’s on cloud nine over here and he doesn’t want to stop, not even to come up for air.
They do pull apart eventually. Because humans need oxygen, apparently. Overrated in comparison to kissing Elijah in Ken’s humble opinion. Ken licks his lips. “Strawberry.” Elijah fixes his gaze. He pulls out the tube he keeps in his pocket. “You’re right. Jeez, you think about kissing me a lot?” and “All the time.” Elijah giggles again. “I like that you’re honest. I’ll kiss you again for that.” The lip gloss tube falls off of the bed.
So he does. Elijah loves his head down to kiss his neck and- he might actually die from this. He’s going to flatline right here on his girlfriend's bed because his boyfriend (is that what Elijah is to him? He hopes to god he’s right) is too attractive.
“You’re going to kill him.” Brenda says as she walks over. Oh, right, she’s here. And now Ken can see them together. They’re gorgeous.
Goddamn he’s one lucky man. He doesn’t know what he did to get this much good karma, but he’s got to keep doing this.
“I’m going to go take a shower. You two behave.” Brenda leans down and gives Ken a kiss on the other side of his neck before she goes to the bathroom. That’s it, he’s done for. R.I.P Ken Okamoto, died by being too loved.
A little later, Brenda joins them. They make this weird three person arrangement of Brenda in the middle. It seems fitting, pun intended.
As always, Ken can’t keep his mouth shut. Brenda can tell he’s about to ask something stupid. She tries to stop him but fails.
“So like, what is going on between you and Jackson? Like you say ‘I love you’ and you’re all clingy.” Ken says. “I’m not in love with him, if that’s what you’re asking. That slot is currently occupied by you two.” Elijah tells him. “That makes sense.” Ken concludes. He watches Elijah chuckle, like he’s hiding something. “But he is my ex-boyfriend.”
Hold up, what??
“You’re messing with me.” He has to be! “I’m serious! Seven months in sophomore year. But we decided we were better off best friends.” Elijah explains. “I’m totally asking Jackson about this later.” Ken decides out loud. “That’s great, but can you two stay still? I want to cuddle.”
So that’s what they do. You would think it wouldn’t work between the three of them, but it does. Ken assumes this is what heaven is like. Pure bliss and content.
He falls asleep and dreams of his lovers.
~~~~~~
Brenda wakes up to one side of the bed being empty, and Ken on the other. She grabs the red scrunchie off of the side of the bed and ties up her hair. She smells cinnamon, for some reason. She decides to go downstairs to investigate.
She treads lightly as she goes down the steps. She walks to the kitchen and finds Elijah. Elijah, who is currently eating something that must be the source of the heavenly scent.
“What is that?” She points to what Elijah is holding. “Strawberry cinnamon rolls. You want one?” Elijah offers. Brenda looks at them. “Where did you find these? I’ve never heard of them.” She inquires. “Oh, I made them.” Elijah admits.
That is…actually very attractive. Brenda can’t speak for that, obviously. She’s been banned from the kitchen for a while after her attempt at making cookies.
Brenda takes one and bites into it. It’s so good. “If I let you stay over will you make these for me?” “As long as you have the ingredients. I’m starting to think I’d give you everything.” He phrases it as a confession.
Everything, huh? Brenda likes the sound of that.
“Even a kiss?” She asks. “That does fall into the category of everything. So, yes.” Elijah says.
So she finishes her food and kisses him. It’s a very nice kiss, and now Brenda’s allowed to do more than just play dead.
“Were you guys kissing without me?” She turns around to see Ken. “Now this is what I call a wake up call.” He chuckles good-heartedly.
“Elijah made breakfast.” Brenda tells him. She props herself up on the kitchen counter. “Do not tell me that unless you want me to kiss him silly. I almost did over those cupcakes.” Ken remarks. “You made cupcakes? And I didn’t get one?” She wants to be peeved but she isn’t. “I promise I’ll make you as many as you want.”
She guesses this is her life now. Two lovely boyfriends who dote on her and treat her like a princess. In return, she’ll love them right back. She kind of wants to go back to herself a couple weeks ago and knock some sense into her. Though, if she’s honest, she would even believe herself. She knows it sounds like something straight out of a dream. Something that only happens in other places and something that only happens to other people.
She was excited about this. For them. The three of them. They’re going to be good at this, she can tell. This might just be one of the best decisions she’s ever made in her life.
She hopes they last. With the way she looks at them and the way her boyfriends look at each other, she thinks they’ll be alright. And if this is all a vision or a mirage or a delusion, then don’t wake her up.
She’s happy right where she is.