One Last Rose

Chapter 8 - Babysteps

Damon's pov

We sat on my bedside, still holding each other, afraid that if we let go we would crumble down.

Suddenly Keith froze in my arms and pulled away, his face expressed shock. "You have a girlfriend! What are we doing?! We can't betray her like that! You can't give up your normal life for some so-called feelings you appear to have for me and..."

I silenced him with a little smile and shook my head. "My life has never been normal." He stared at me with a puzzled look as I sighed. It was too early to tell him, but I didn't have to lie.

"When we moved here, I already knew I was gay. But I wanted to start over again. Anna is nkt my real girlfriend, she is a childhood friend and she was happy to help me out."

"So, we're not batraying her by... feeling what we feel?" He asked. "As a matter of fact, I think she will be happy for us, whatever we are or will beome." I reassured him. He blushed at the last part of my sentence.

"What are we exactly, Damon?" Keith asked unsure. "We are whatever you want us to be." I said. Having feelings or a boy was new for him, and having the feelings retured was new for the both of us. But I would be there for him whenever he needed me.

"Do your, uhm, parents know?" I nodded. "Keith, I'm sure you're full of question because this is new to you and I want you to know that you don't have to go through this alone." He shot me a thankful smile.

"I need to tell my mom." He said and bit his lip. "How did you do that?" He asked. I was silent for a moment, remembering how I told my family.

"I was confused and crying when I realised I had feelings for a boy. And my mom found me in my room. I thought I was sick and hated myself. As far as I was concerned, boys were supposed to like girls. She calmed me down and accepted me for who I was. At dinner I told the rest of my family. I will never forget the way my father looked at me. The tears rolled down my cheeksand my mom held my hand, but he looked at me with such a tender smile. Lucy and Sam did not really understand at first, but later on they started to understand. Tony thought it was a bit weird nd Drake just slapped my shoulder which was his way to tell me everyhing was fine. I think that helped me get through the period of acceptance." I told him.

He nodded thoughtfully. "This will sound crazy, but, do you think your mother would mind if I-I praticed with her?" I chuckled. "Of course she won't mind. But I have to warn you, she will be smiling like a madman and put two and two together." I told him and he shrugged with a smile.

"But before that I have to ask another few things." Keith said and he looked serious. I wiped the smirk from my face. "Anything." "How are we gonna do this, Damon? Im inexperienced and I don't know how to deal with this. I don't want you to wait for me or get annoyed by me or anything like that."

"Keith, for the record, I've never been in a relationship before. This is just as new for me as itis for you. We don't have to rush things. We'll be taking babysteps, starting with you accepting yourself and promise me you take all the time you need."

Keith sighed and I took him in my arms again, I felt him relax as he leant on me. "You'll be fine." I whispered in his hair. "I can't believe this is really happening. I was hoping for so longit was you who sent the roses, but I had to break my heart over and over again because you had a girlfriend." His sad voice hurt me.

"I am so so sorry Keith." I said softly and he sat back up. "Don't be. I guess I understand why you wouldn't tell. But knowing it was you, makes me feel so happy that everythinh else is fading away. Your poems touched me, including the one I found today."

Now it was my turn to blush. Writing poems wasn't something I really talked about. "Do you also wrote poems that are not about me?" Keith said with a smile. I chuckled amd nodded.
"Yes, although I don't really talk about it. I think I use poems to collect my thoughts or express my feelings. I'll show them to you one day."