Cute, Cozy, Queer Stories

Part 27: Ken & Melody

Ken looked into the mirror. And laughed.

Even before he transitioned, he never would've worn anything like the sparkly pink gown he currently wore. It wasn't easy to find a dress that actually fit his mountainous shoulders, but he managed to find one; it was sleeveless and loose around the shoulders, with a sloping neckline, and a silhouette that was fitting, but not uncomfortable. It would've been attractive, but the bright pink, glittery fabric was probably too much for most people. For Ken's mission, it was perfect.

Striking a pose, he took a sassy selfie in the mirror and sent it to Melody.

What can I say? I do what I'm told LOL

See you soon

He sent the text to his sister, took a deep breath, and gave his unorthodox reflection a rueful smile. "Here we go." Grabbing his phone, wallet, and keys to the rental car, he left the hotel room.

Thankfully, there was no one in the hallway or the elevator. Riding the elevator down to the lobby, Ken pulled uncomfortably at the hem of the dress. Fuck, these things are uncomfortable. Who invented this shit? Looking down at his bare legs, dusted with dark hair, and the white sneakers over his feet, he was glad he took the second part of Viktor's advice and decided to forgo high heels. I guess I'm not exactly the target audience for this stuff.

His phone buzzed.

OMG that's amazing!!! I can't WAIT to see their faces!!

Looking down at the text from Melody, Ken smiled. Melody had volunteered to not invite their parents if it meant Ken would come to the wedding. She had stayed in better contact with their parents than he had, though that wasn't saying much. From her description, they talked maybe once a month; she told them surface-level details about her job, hobbies, and pets. She and Ken talked at least once a week; they shared their relationship dramas, dreams for the future, things they hated about the crazy times they lived in, things they feared.

Crossing the hotel lobby towards the parking lot, Ken felt every eye on him. He marched onward, unperturbed.

It was a perfect summer day for a wedding; warm and sunny, with a light breeze. Ken parked the rental car at the edge of the already mostly-full lot, under a shady tree. To the right, a band of sandy shoreline introduced a small lake, glittering in the sunlight. In front of the lot, a stone path wound up through widely-spaced trees, up to a wooden building, festooned with white and lilac streamers and bouquets. It was a beautiful park that seemed tailor-made for big events, and Ken guessed it probably was.

Other guests—women in long, swaying summer dresses or bouncy peplum dresses, men in khakis and jackets or dark suits—made their way in pairs up the path, towards the building.

Ken pulled in and released a deep breath. As he stepped out of the car, he remembered Viktor's words; Malicious compliance. Fuck 'em.

He strode up the path with the breeze cooling his legs and a smirk on his face.

When he entered the large, open building, most of the room turned, most of them with wide eyes. Ken looked beyond them; two sets of large doors were open on the opposite side of the room, showing a glimpse of white chairs arranged in neat lines and an arch of lilacs and daisies at the end of a long aisle.

Ken motioned towards the closest person, a woman in a long, swaying purple dress with long, dark hair and gentle eyes. "Excuse me, do you know the bride is? I'm her brother."

The woman cocked her head. "Ken?" A small smile, knowing, but not unkind, quirked her red lips.

"Uhm, yeah. Do I... How do you...?"