Riverdale Oneshots

40) Mevin

*TRIGGER WARNING: HOMOPHOBIC SLURS*

"Hey," Kevin says as he meets Moose by his locker.

"Hey, good morning," Moose says and then looks around the hallway before placing a short kiss on Kevin's lips.

"Becoming more brave, are we?" Kevin asks, referring to the kiss.

"Actually," Moose says, "my dad isn't here today and I don't see anyone on the football team in the hallway right now."

"I don't understand why you think the football team is going to hate you for liking guys. If anyone is going to be an ass about it maybe Chuck but other than that I know Archie would have your back if anything was ever said."

"I'm just, I don't know, scared I guess," Moose says.

"You have nothing to worry about," Kevin says. "I'm here for you and your friends are here for you. Screw what everyone else thinks."

"Kevin," Moose says, "to be honest, I just don't think I'm ready to just blatantly tell everyone that we are in a relationship. I like you a lot but I just need some time. Hopefully you understand."

"I understand," Kevin says. "I was in your position once too, remember. When your ready just let me know. I won't try to make it too obvious until then."

Moose smiles. "Thanks I really appreciate that."

"I've got to get to class but I'll see you later, okay?" Kevin says.

"Yeah," Moose says, "see ya."

Kevin walks one way and Moose walks the other.

Throughout the day Moose kept thinking about coming out. Kevin doesn't deserve to not be able to show him affection but coming out to people isn't just a walk in the park. Coming out is like walking through a park where the trees are all on fire and the sidewalk is made of quicksand and people are staring at you as you drown in the quicksand and they just walk right past you, unaffected but pretending that somehow by you drowning it's affecting them. That's what coming out is like and it sucks. At least that's what it feels like right now. The football team Moose could handle but his parents are a completely different story.

After school Kevin and Moose met at their usual spot at Pop's but today felt different and Kevin couldn't quite figure out why.

"Hey," Kevin says and places his hand over top of Moose's, "is everything okay?"

"Yeah," Moose says. "I'm okay, I've just been thinking a lot today."

"Thinking about what?" Kevin asks while comfortingly rubbing his thumb back and forth over the back of Moose's hand. Kevin could tell that Moose was nervous about something.

"Coming out," Moose says.

"To who?"

"Everyone. My family, specifically my parents. The school. Not necessarily tell them but just be open with our relationship. The thought of being able to hold your hand in the hallway and kiss you goodbye before we head our separate ways for class just makes me want to tell everyone and get it over with so I can just be myself." Moose sighs.

"I get it. I want to hold your hand everyday but I don't because I know how important this is to you. Whatever you choose to do, I support it," Kevin says with a small smile.

"I think I'm going to tell my parents tonight," Moose says.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Kevin asks.

"Would you? I'm actually really scared."

"Yeah, do you want to go now to get it over with?" Kevin asks.