The Prankster Team (A Keefex Story) [DISCONTINUED]

[Oneshot]- Realities

Alrighty! Oneshot #1! This takes place during the timeskip chapter, before anyone leaves for the Elite Levels. It's possible that I might contradict the chapter or future ones, but it was a scene I wanted to write for a bit now (aka, not a request, but purely self-indulgent)

(I also think I wrote half of this in a half-asleep state, so if it makes no sense, oops?)

"So, I've been thinking about something lately," Sophie began. "I guess, about the way things have turned out so far when it comes to our relationships."

"What about it, Foster?" Keefe asked, feeling way too comfortable with his head in Dex's lap. 

"I know that the elves have their problems with homophobia and amatonormativity-"

"Wait," Biana cut in. "What's that?"
"It's about how our society puts too much focus on romance," she explained.

"Ugh," Marella groaned. "I hate that. It's like… it's like friendship doesn't even matter, as if it's something that can't be permanent. It's seen as inferior."

"They're both mutual declarations of love and trust," Linh agreed. "The Councillors aren't allowed to have a romantic partner because they fear that the Councillor will be biased, but don't we show bias to our friends?"

"Well apparently, we're expected to always prioritize our partner over our friends," Tam sighed.

"And there's such a fine line between friendship and romance," Marella pointed out. "Other than the fact that there's attraction, what even is the difference?"

"It can't be much, because I've been attracted to people without wanting to date them," Biana chimed in.

"Attraction is kind of a large category of its own," Keefe added. "I'm romantically attracted to Dex, but I'm not attracted to him in… the other way."

"I have more to say about this topic," Sophie said. "Let me introduce you to a thing called queerplatonic relationships."

"A what?"

"It's like…" she paused, trying to find the words. "It's not an in-between but, hmm, think of it as colours. Yellow is for friendship, pink for romance, but a queerplatonic relationship is whatever colour you and your partner want it to be. Some people might cuddle, some might like cheek and forehead kisses, some might actually kiss on the lips, and some might have… I think you get what I'm trying to say. The lines are blurred."

"I was about to ask if that sounds just like a best friend," Fitz admitted. "But it's different than that, isn't it? It's like a romantic relationship, without the romance. But it's not the same as a usual friendship either."

"Holy sh*t, that sounds great!" Marella said. "I've always thought that if I don't want romance, I might as well not bother with a relationship. But honestly, I think I would like to be with someone. It doesn't even matter if they're in this group or not."

Linh nodded. "I'm a fan of romance, but I think a queerplatonic relationship with someone would be nice. I guess we'd all have to see where things go."

"Y'know, this wasn't actually the direction I planned to take this conversation, but I think it was enlightening," Sophie said.

"Ooh, what else does Foster have to bestow upon us?" Keefe asked.

She hummed. "I was talking about society, and their insistence on relationships being a certain way. There's also a huge focus on monogamy."

"What's that?"

"It's the idea of having a relationship with just one person."

"Wait, you can date more than one person?" Biana asked.

"As long as everyone agrees, yeah! And I was thinking about it recently, as Keefe"-- she turned to face him--"when you confessed to me, I did kind of have a crush on you."

"So you're saying that if we'd all agreed, both him and I would have been dating you?" Fitz asked. "Would I have been dating him too?"

"The relationship is defined by what everyone agrees with. So Person A, B and C could all date each other, or A and B could both date C, while A and B are friends. There can be even more people too."

Keefe hummed, then thought that over. He supposed that he wouldn't have minded if Fitz was dating Sophie, as long as he got to date her too. "Hey Fitzy, do you think you could've had a crush on me?"

He sat up so he could see Fitz's reaction. It was mostly a joke, so he was surprised to see that his lips quirked and tilted his head, a sign that he was lost in thought.

"I think… I think that I could have. It's something that's never been an option to me, but we've supported each other. I don't think it would have been that hard to fall in love with you."

"If you wanna date him Wonderboy, you're gonna have to prove yourself to me first," Dex deadpanned.

Both Fitz and Dex laughed, and Keefe couldn't help but smile.

"I think one boyfriend is enough of a commitment for now," Keefe said. "But I think in some alternate reality, it could have worked out."

"Maybe," Fitz agreed. "But I'm happy with how things have turned out here."

"Yeah," Keefe murmured, moving so he could lay in Dex's lap again. He sighed contentedly as his boyfriend started running his hand through his hair. "I'm happy too."