Death, Darkness and Serenity

Fourth: "More gays"

I pulled Shaleen away, my cheeks red. She looked at me with a bit of confusion in her eyes but didn't stop me.

"What's wrong? Was I too rushed?" She asked. I shook my head, just needing to catch my breath.

"No, no. I-uh I just need to catch my breath. Don't worry." I smiled slightly at her, as she smiled back, her face easing up. It took a little while but my breath came back to its normal pace. I hesitated before telling her that my breathing was normal again, not because I didn't want her to keep going. I absolutely wanted her to keep going but the others could wake up at any moment and I didn't want them to see us. 

"Do you want to continue?" She asked, I nodded but said,

"I think we should go though, haha......The other could wake up soon." Shaleen nodded but I could tell she was slightly disappointed. Our fingers intertwined as we began walking back. By the time, we arrived everyone was awake and waiting for our return. Kenna saw us first and had a stern look on her face.

"Do you think she's mad?" Shaleen whispered to me, I shrugged. Kenna was always having some sort of expression that made her seem or look mad, it was weird. As we came closer, Opil, Gwanda, Wither and the others were all huddled togather, whispering and talking. Opil and Gwanda had excited expressions on their faces as they saw us, seeming to 'fan-girl'. Wither must've told everyone that we were together. Maybe that's why Kenna looked mad. But then again, when Gwanda and Opil came out, Kenna didn't seem to care all that much. Honestly, she didn't seem to care at all. Then, why did she look like that?

"So, you two are dating now, hm?" Kenna said, as we came to a stop in front of her. Her gaze fell to our intertwined hands.

"Uh, yes." I replied, nervousness seeping into my voice. Kenna's gaze came back to our faces as she sighed.

"Alright. Just don't make-out on missions, okay?" I almost burst out laughing. That's what she said to Gwanda and Opil. Their faces were hilarious. Shaleen's face turned red as she nodded. I also nodded. We then walked away to the rest of the group. Gwanda and Opil stood up and began flooding us with questions.

"When did you find out you liked each other? How long did you know? Was it a secret? Did you kiss?" Gwanda began spilling out with questions when Opil squeezed her hand. We just shrugged as answers to her questions, not really knowing answers to them. It was kind of in the moment. Shaleen burst out with her confession and I just told her after she told me. It wasn't some big thing. Kenna cleared her throat as we turned to her.

"Alright, enough about them. We need to find a way to get out of here." She said, beginning to walk away. We all rushed to follow her. Gwanda whispered in my ear as we walked behind Kenna.

"Y'know....Kenna is transgender?" I almost stopped in my tracks. Kenna is trans? Kenna? She just seemed like a really strong female. 

"Really?" I whispered back, she nodded. I wanted to say something to Kenna but obviously she didn't want everyone to know, so, I held my tongue. Gwanda then whispered after a while,

"Also, I'm non-binary and use they/them. Could you use them please?" I was shocked but nodded and smiled. I could have guessed. The way sh-they dressed, it wasn't feminine or masculine either. I smiled to myself. This group was so diverse. And everyone was so accepting. At least almost everyone. The four boys in the back whispered amongst themselves, occasionally looking up ahead at Opil, Gwanda, Shaleen and me. I strained to hear them then I heard,

"Honestly, I don't understand why they're still here. Like we don't need more gays." I stopped and turned to the boy.

"We don't need more gays, huh?! What's wrong with being gay? HM?!" I had no idea why I was so mad at him. Everyone stopped and turned to face me and the boy, interested. 

"Listening in on our conversation? That's so g-"

"What? It's so what? Gay?" He hesitated. 

"Uh-yeah." A smirk grew on his face as I tried to hold myself in place, almost shaking from how much I wanted to punch him.

"It's so weird to be a girl and like girls. Like why?" 

"WHY?! YOU LIKE FUCKING GIRLS!" I yelled. He didn't seem to care.

"I know, I do. But that's because I'm a boy." He looked at Shaleen who was trying to pull me away, "You're better off dead." That was it. I pulled my arm away from Shaleen's grip and swung my fist towards his head. There was a loud thud as it made contact and he fell. The side of his head was now bleeding out.

"Fucking say anything about my girlfriend again, I dare you. I'll fucking beat your ass."