The house at the Crossroads (BxB)

If There's Anything Left To Heal

The thunder roared simultaneously as Karlos spoke that Gabriel failed to catch what he said.

"Come again?"

"I said I'm gay," Karlos said loudly

"Oh..."

"Yeah..."

Gabriel's knowledge about the term was limited. In a secluded town, like they were in, the idea was frowned upon. Thus, only a few were brave enough to come out and be themselves. And every person Gabriel knew was gay had one obvious thing in common.

"So, you like to dress up as girls do?"

"No! No. It's not like that. It's not always like that."

"Then?"

"It's just, I just, I like...boys."

"Boys..."

Right, Josie and Patpat, some of the gay people he knew, were attracted to people of the same gender. He had a quick flashback about the time when Josie was bullied because of it.

"Yeah, boys like you."

"Like me?"

"I mean, I mean boys in general."

"...You mean like Uncle Allan?"

"What? No! Boys my age. I like boys my age, not old men."

"So...boys like me?"

"Yes!" he said too enthusiastically, then realizing what he just did, yes lowered his voice back, "I mean, yeah, boys like you."

They both blushed.

"Was it because of what I said? That you were weird for dreaming that you kissed me?"

Karlos was now chewing on his lower lip and would not look at Gabriel in the eye.

"Yeah. Sorry, it was probably immature of me."

"Nothing to be surprised of," Karlos glared at him, "But you don't have to feel bad for being offended. I...I'm sorry. I wasn't careful of what I was saying."

"Nothing to be surprised of." They both snorted. "Another step closer to friendship?"

"Think whatever you like."

Karlos chuckled.

The rain finally stopped and only then they did notice the leak in the ceiling. A pool of water had already formed below it.

"I should fix that as soon as possible," Gabriel said.

"You should. But for now, you rest."

Gabriel nodded.

"Would you...would you rather I stay in the study room in the meantime?"

"Why would you do that?"

"It's just...after finding out I'm gay, won't you feel uncomfortable sleeping in the same room with me?"

"Why would that be?"

"I..."

"Then there's nothing to be uncomfortable with. You being gay doesn't change anything."

Karlos smiled, then nodded.

"I still don't like you the same."

Karlos laughed. Gabriel has never felt so serene.

Karlos slept on the futon. Although Gabriel insisted he was fine with sharing the bed, Karlos admitted he was worried he might nudge Gabriel's wounds while he's asleep.