Picture Us

Mini story 1 - Tam's story

TW!! Homophobia, drinking, mention of hookup?? arguing, breakup?? (NOT KAM) 

This took too long to start writing, I apologise

It had been around 6 months since they had begun officially dating, something that had been stuck in the back of his mind ever since Tam had that fight with his parents in the hospital; his mention of a past ex, who seemed to be a massive dickhead. He'd been thinking about it much more recently and had given it a few months for them to settle into their relationship before asking about it. Tam promised he'd tell him when he was ready, and eventually he was.

"Keefe, are you free?" Tam called out, peeking into kitchen, where Keefe was digging in their fridge for his second energy drink of the day.

He stopped searching for a moment, "yeah, pretty much. What's up?" he asked, before resuming his hunt.

Tam shrugged casually, "I'll tell you about Dom now" he replied, waving him over.

Keefe gave up on his search, and followed him over, taking a seat comfortably on the couch. Their proximity was one that wasn't unusual, there were concepts of personal space, zero execution.

Tam took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts a little more than he already had as Keefe took his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"Back when I was in my final year of high school, I dated this dude, Dom for a while... as you know. He was in his first year of college" he started, his voice strong. Keefe nodded silently, knowing Tam would appreciate the silent support.

"He got involved with the wrong people and went to parties, did substances and tried to get me to do the same stuff, it was a lot of pressure" he paused, his expression morphed into one of subtle anger, at himself and at Dom "I said no at first, to everything, but as a dumb teenager they got the best of me and I caved"

Tam looked at Keefe, part of him was expecting him to give him a look of absolute disgust, but he also wasn't surprised when Keefe's expression was one of sympathy, understanding even. Keefe gave him a reassuring smile, wrapping arm around him, letting him continue.

Tam's mind calmed more, "I did it more and more, hardly came home at night, I honestly thought it was just me wanting to, but it was all false validation" he sighed, continuing "Linh- she begged me to stop, so I slowed down, but I was so focused on Dom that I never stayed like that"

"I get that, obviously I don't get it- I know, but you're so amazing" Keefe said quietly, squeezing his hand.

Tam smiled at him, clearly pissed off with past-Tam, "well, our parents fought a ton with both me and Linh" his voice trailed off, pondering his next words "mainly with me. They hated that I lived like- that and blamed it on me being with a guy" he laughed, rolling his eyes at his parent's bigotry.

"That's... stupid, to say the least" Keefe commented, still processing the new information, his expression a mix of anger and sympathy.

~~~~~~~

They'd been kicked out on their 18th birthday after Linh came out. Their parents cried, screamed and threw things, asking where they went wrong. It was infuriating, where they went wrong was when they refused to love their kids.

"I can't believe this... get out" muttered Quan, pointing towards the door. Tam stood there dumbfounded, his face twisting into that of pure rage. "You spoiled today. I don't need any more queer children"