Krosis poked his head out from behind his mom’s legs and looked at the strange little boy. He had never seen him before, but his mom was talking to Krosis’ mom, so maybe he did know him. He was looking at Krosis shyly, but he had a friendly smile on his face.
Krosis laid his ears back and curled his tail around his ankles. He squeaked as his mom pushed him out in front of her gently. “Go on Kros, say hello to Vokun,” she said.
He shook his head and blushed bright red. His mom gave him a stern look. He shyly faced the new kid. “H-hi,” he mumbled.
“Hello,” Vokun whispered, playing with his feathers. He looked away a moment, towards the playground, and then back at him. “Do you like swings?”
Krosis nodded shyly, and his mom laughed softly. “Go play, Kros. Dystopia will be here soon with her mom, so don’t worry about missing her,” she cooed, nudging him softly.
Vokun held out a hand with a small smile. “Come on,” he insisted quietly.
Krosis reached out and took his hand shyly before letting the little boy pull him towards the swings.
Once there, Vokun found two right next to each other. “Are you gonna be my new friend?” he asked hopefully, sitting on a swing. Krosis smiled shyly and nodded, getting into the swing next to him.
Vokun smiled. “I like you, Krosis. I hope we’ll be best friends.” Krosis smiled and nodded, then perked his ears and someone came running towards them.
“Kros!” Dystopia yelled happily, her tail streaming behind her. Krosis smiled and jumped out of the swing, hugging Dystopia before turning and pointing at Vokun with a smile on his face.
Vokun came over, ears tilted back shyly. “Hello,” he whispered. Dystopia smiled.
“Hi! Are you Kros’s new friend?” she asked.
He nodded. “We were gonna swing if you wanna join us.”
Dystopia smiled. “No, I’m okay,” she said as Krosis climbed back into his swing. “I’m Dystopia, but you can call me Dys”
“I’m Vokun,” he murmured before joining Krosis again. “You wanna see who can swing higher?!” he asked excitedly.
Krosis nodded, flapping his little wings slightly in excitement.
Vokun grinned. “Then what are we waiting for?” he asked, using his wings to help him get started.
Krosis began pumping his legs to get going and giggled while Dystopia stepped back.
Vokun giggled as he looked over at him. “I bet I’m gonna win,” he teased. Krosis smirked and began to flap his wings for a little extra push.
Dystopia kept looking between them to see who was getting higher.
Vokun looked back at her. “Who’s winning?!” he called, copying Krosis now.
She shrugged. “Looks the same to me."
Vokun pouted. “Well someone’s gotta win,” he said softly.
Krosis let out a small whimper and stopped swinging to suck on his finger.
“Oh no! Did you pinch your finger again?” Dystopia said, coming up to him.
Vokun frowned and stopped, flaring his wings so he slowed down faster. “Are you okay?”
Krosis whimpered and tears began to well up in his eyes.
Vokun moved over and hugged him. “Come on, let’s go get your mom,” he said softly. “She’ll make it better.”
Krosis shook his head no and sniffled. He then wiped his tears away and grabbed Vokun’s hand, pulling him over to the sandbox.
Vokun laughed softly. “Okay, we can make a castle together,” he said happily.
Krosis smiled and Dystopia ran back to grab their sand toys from where their moms were all talking.
Vokun smiled at him. “You don’t talk much, do ya?” he asked.
Krosis shook his head no and looked up shyly. “I s-stutter,” he mumbled.
He continued to smile. “That’s okay. I do it too sometimes when I get nervous.”
“R-really?” Krosis said. “That's c-cool.” He smiled shyly.
Vokun hugged him. “I’m glad we’re gonna be best friends.”
Krosis nodded happily “Me too,” he said, beaming.
Krosis sat anxiously at his desk. Vokun wasn’t here yet and he was beginning to get worried. He laid his ears back and looked at the clock. The hands weren’t pointed to where the bell would ring, but they were close. He looked back at the door again and bit his lip softly.
Vokun came in a moment later, his wings folded to hide his body as he made his way to his desk. His ears were laid back and he seemed nervous.
Krosis leaned forward as Vokun sat next to him and smiled. “W-where were you?” he mumbled. “I thought you weren’t going to s-show up.” He shifted in his seat and pulled at one of Vokun’s feathers softly.
He smiled shyly. “Well I didn’t want to... but my momma made me,” he murmured. Krosis flicked his ear.
“W-why not?” he whined.
Vokun folded his wings against his back, revealing a pink cast on his arm. Krosis let out a whimper.
“W-what happened?” he whispered, concerned.
“I fell off my bike Saturday,” he mumbled. “I’m okay. I just gotta keep this cast on for a few weeks.”
Krosis pulled Vokun into a hug. “I’m glad you’re okay, I don’t know w-what I would do without my b-best friend,” he mumbled before letting go.
“I wouldn’t leave you alone forever,” he promised with a smile. “No matter what.”
Krosis smiled and then looked at the pink cast. “W-why pink? Didn’t they have other c-colors?” he asked, poking it softly.
“Yeah,” Vokun answered shyly, ears laid back, “but pink is my favorite color.”
Krosis smiled. “We should get matching best friends shirts that are pink,” he said with a smile.
Vokun grinned. “That would be the best,” he agreed in an excited whisper as the bell rings.
Vokun couldn’t stand still as he waited for Krosis after school. Summer was finally here, and he couldn’t stop thinking of all the plans they’d made for it.
Krosis sighed and walked slowly over to where he had promised to meet Vokun. He had put it off for so long that now summer was here and he still hadn’t told him. The final bell for the last day of school was still echoing through the halls and Krosis wished that it wasn’t over yet.
Vokun grinned at him. “Krosis! Where have you been?!” he asked, running over. “We have to get our summer started or we’ll never have time to do everything we wanted!”
Krosis sighed softly. “Hey Vokun... we can’t hang out this summer,” he said softly, making Vokun frown as his ears fell back against his skull. “I have to go spend the summer at my dad's house on the west coast.” He looked at Vokun sadly.
“But... we had so many plans...” he whispered, wings drooping. “Why are you even going there, anyway? I thought you didn’t like him.”
Krosis growled softly and kicked a rock away from them. “I don’t, but mom says I have to. It’s part of their divorce agreement.” He looked up. “We can still hang out today. I won’t be leaving until tomorrow,” he said with hope in his eyes. “Mom said we could even have a sleepover if you help me finish packing.”
Vokun smiled. “Yeah, I’d like that a lot. We can make microwave s’mores and camp in your backyard, just like we wanted.”
Krosis smiled and grabbed Vokun’s hand, dragging him towards the front doors “Let’s get going then!” he said happily, his wings rustling under his backpack.
Vokun giggled. “I have to go home and get some clothes first!” he reminded him. “I’ll bike over as soon as I’ve got them, okay?”
Krosis sighed. “Okay, I’ll see you in a little bit then?” he said, stopping next to the bike rack.
“Or you could come with me,” Vokun offered. “It won’t take long so your mom shouldn’t get mad at you.”
Krosis smiled. “Okay! We can have your mom call my mom when we get there so she knows,” he said as he unlocked his bike.
“I’m excited,” Vokun admitted as he did the same, then mounted his bike. “Now come on, I’ll race ya home. Whoever wins gets the first s’more!” he called as he raced away.
Krosis followed him happily. “Wait up! My legs aren't as long as yours!” he called at Vokun.
Vokun laughed. “Then pedal faster!” he teased. Krosis pumped his legs but still couldn’t quite catch up.
Krosis paced around the living room anxiously. It had been almost three months since he had seen his best friend and these last few minutes were the worst of it all.
“He will be here soon. Just relax Kros,” his mom said with a light laugh. “You weren’t even this excited to see me,” she teased.
A knock sounded on the door, and a moment later Vokun walked into the living room. His eyes widened on seeing Krosis. “You’re a giant!” he said with a playful whine.
Krosis blushed and ran a hand through his hair. “W-well, I hit my g-growth spurt” he stuttered shyly.
Vokun grinned. “I’m just surprised. I thought I’d be taller than you forever,” he teased, moving over and hugging him tightly. “I missed you.”
Krosis blushed even more “Yeah well I guess the tables have t-turned.” he said happily. He hugged Vokun and then laughed. “It’s weird a bit, isn't it?” he said, looking down at him for the first time ever.
“Yeah,” he answered with a slight pout. “But at least I’m still taller than Dys.”
Krosis laughed. “Yeah, I bet you are, she’s been short forever,” he said.
Vokun sighed. “Yeah, but she isn’t back until tomorrow,” he pouted. “She had to go to a band camp for three weeks.”
Krosis rolled his eyes. “She’s such a nerd,” he muttered. “But at least she’s our nerd.”
“Definitely,” Vokun agreed with a giggle, finally letting him go. “I’m glad you’re here. It’s been soooo boring the past two weeks. Everyone’s been busy.”
Krosis blushed softly and smiled back. He wondered if Vokun knew what gay really meant, instead of just an insult they yelled at kids they didn’t like.
Vokun took his hand. “Come on, I’ve got a surprise for you.”
Krosis perked his ears and smiles. “A surprise?” he mumbled, following Vokun.
“Yeah. You know how we said we wanted a treehouse?” he asked, dragging him outside and towards his house.
Krosis smiled and easily kept pace with Vokun, and was happy that he hadn’t let go of his hand “Yeah. Don’t tell me you’ve actually built one?” he said, his wings opening slightly.
Vokun laughed. “My dad and I built it this summer. Dys helped a bit too. I thought we could use it for homework and stuff, since we’re a little too old for pretend.”
Krosis felt a twinge of jealousy. “That’s so cool! I can’t wait to see it. You must’ve had so much fun!” he said.
Vokun blushed. “Well yeah, mostly, ‘cept for that time Dys fell on top of me and ‘accidentally’ kissed me.” He laughed. “I’m pretty sure it was an accident.”
Krosis laid his ears back. “Oh,” he said, trying hard to hide his disappointment. “So do you think she likes you?” he asked, not nearly as excited as he was before.
“Dys? Are you kidding?! She’s like my sister. There’s no way she likes me like that. Just... ew!”
Krosis smiled slightly and nodded. “Yeah, That would be pretty weird,” he mumbled. He sighed softly and folded his wings in. He was afraid that if he told Vokun how he really felt he wouldn’t want to be his best friend anymore.
Vokun looked at him curiously. “Is something wrong?” he asked, taking him into the backyard. In the branches of the large oak rested a large tree house with a rope ladder up to it.
Krosis smiled. “No, nothing's wrong, but that looks amazing!” he said happily. “I can’t wait to go up there. Do you think I might be too tall?” he asked, looking at Vokun.
Vokun grinned. “Then let’s go!” he said happily, moving over to the ladder. “And nah, we made it big enough for my dad to be up there - had to so he could build it - and he’s a lot taller than you.”
Krosis smiled and then followed Vokun up the rope ladder. He climbed inside and stood up happily. “We could have the coolest sleepovers out here,” he said excitedly.
Vokun smiled at him. “And there’s a hatch in the roof to watch the stars, too,” he added. “So it’s definitely gonna be perfect when we have our back-to-school sleepover Saturday.”
Krosis smiled. “Yeah, it will! I can’t wait, can you?” he said.
“No, definitely not,” he answered, sitting in a beanbag. “Hey Kros, are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been acting a little weird today.”
Krosis sat in the other large bean bag and sighed. “Yeah, I just feel like I missed out on a lot. And I feel like my summer was wasted just sitting around at my dad’s house,” he said
Vokun shook his head. “You didn’t miss a ton. I spent all summer on this to surprise you when you got back, and Dys was at camps off and on. I missed you, sure, but you didn’t miss anything exciting here.” Krosis sighed again
“Well, It would've been better than getting the talk from my dad, and then even worse when he talked to me about being gay.” He sighed heavily,
Vokun shifted his wings and ruffled his hair. “Yeah... I got it too. Apparently, we’re gonna turn out to be delinquents if we don’t get it, huh? That’s what my dad said.” Krosis smiled.
“Yeah. My dad had a long talk with me about how I would be such a disappointment if I was gay, and how my mother would never be able to forgive me. I feel like he's trying to scare me into liking girls when I don’t really like anyone right now,” he said, lying slightly.
Vokun sighed. “My dad said he’d disown me if he found out I so much as thought about liking a guy. It’s a mess,” he muttered.
Krosis rolled his eyes. “I don’t know why it’s such a big deal. Liking a guy, I mean. As long as we are happy it shouldn’t matter, right?” he vented.
“Yeah, but apparently our parents don’t get that,” he muttered. Vokun looked up at him shyly. “I know you said you didn’t like anyone but... if you did, who do you think it would be?”
Krosis blushed and was glad Vokun couldn’t see his face. He struggled to think of a random girl from school. “Uh, probably Ella, She’s kinda cute I guess,” he mumbled, blushing. ‘There's no way I could ever mention that I have feelings for him now.’ he thought.
Vokun shrugged. “Yeah, I guess,” he allowed.
“What about you?” Krosis asked shyly.
“I dunno,” he answered evasively. It was a lie, but maybe Krosis wouldn’t notice.
They both jumped as Vokun’s brother poked his head in. “What are you losers doing?” he said.
Vokun growled softly in annoyance. “Just catching up. What do you want?”
His brother slid himself into the tree house and smirked. “Don't be so defensive, princess,” he growled. “My girlfriend is coming over, so you guys had better stay out of the house for awhile, and you better not tell mom or dad that she was over here while they were at work.” He snarled before vanishing again.
Vokun sighed and moved over, watching for when he gets off the ladder before starting to roll it up. “I hate him so much,” he grumbled. “He gets away with anything he wants and thinks he’s better than me because he’s older.”
Krosis sighed and helped Vokun put the ladder away. “Yeah, and it’s totally unfair that he and his friends gang up on us. Even now that I’m taller I think they would still beat us up,” he said sadly. He then looked around the tree house. “Do we have any snacks stashed up here?” he mumbled.
Vokun laughed. “You and your food,” he said with a smirk. He moved into a smaller room and came back with a box of smaller bags of chips in different flavors. “Mom made cookies too, but those are in the house, and I’m not going anywhere near it.”
Krosis smirked. “Well, since it’s just your brother, I think I could snatch them?” he said with a goofy grin. He was dying for a chance to show off to Vokun.
He smiled. “Go right ahead. If he pulls out your feathers don’t blame me,” he teased. “I’ll stay here and start planning your funeral.”
Krosis rolled his eyes. “Let’s hope his girlfriend keeps him busy,” he said before jumping down from the treehouse, spreading his wings to soften the landing. He pulled his wings back in and ran towards the house. When he reached the back door her turned and beamed at Vokun before sneaking inside.
Vokun shook his head in amusement, then sighed. He found a notebook and started writing a love letter.
Krosis slowly crept into the kitchen. He smiled when he saw the cookies on a plate and moved to grab them when suddenly a female’s voice echoed through the spacious room. “I’m guessing you’re Vokun's friend?” Krosis whirled around shocked to see Rhylin’s girlfriend standing there, looking at him in annoyance.
He blushed brightly and laid his ears back. “Uh, I-I-I’m just here f-f-for the cookies,” he stuttered, embarrassed.
She rolled her eyes. “Then take them and get out of here,” she answered, watching him with a slight glare.
Krosis grabbed the plate, slunk out through the back door and ran back to the tree house. Vokun hadn’t put the ladder back down so Krosis opened up his wings and jumped. Flapping them vigorously, he perched in one of the larger windows. “Hey, I’m back.” He smirked.
Vokun closed the notebook in his hands quickly. “I could have put the ladder down for you,” he murmured. Krosis shook his head and then yelped as a rock hit his back. He ducked into the tree house and saw Rhylin, who looked furious.
“I told you to stay out of the house,” he snarled, and Krosis hid to avoid the rocks.
“I think we should leave it up, and be happy your brother can’t fly,” he murmured.
Vokun laughed and picked up the rock. He moved over to the window and threw it back, hitting Rhylin in the shoulder. “I’m calling mom at work if you don’t leave us alone!” he called with a dark grin. Krosis laughed and they both peeked out the window when they heard the back door slam.
Vokun laughed again. “I’m debating calling her anyway,” he admitted. “I get sick of this. He’s done this all summer to me, and to Dys when she’s here.”
Krosis snorted. “I’m surprised he hasn’t tried to hook up with Dys, your brother’s such a sleaze,” he said, making Vokun giggle and roll his eyes.
“Oh, he’d try, but Liza would have his head for it.”
Krosis laughed and then held up the cookies. “Want one? I would hate to have gone through all that for nothing,” he said.
Vokun nodded and took two. “You know I can’t resist my mom’s peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.”
Krosis nodded and he bit into one. “What do you wanna do today?” he asked. Curiously, he saw the notebook in Vokun’s beanbag and perked his ears. “What's that?” he murmured.
He snatched it up as he sat down. “Nothing!” he answered quickly.
Krosis shrugged. “Alright.” He slouched back into his beanbag.
“How boring was your summer?” Vokun asked, nibbling on one of his cookies.
Krosis groaned. “It was awful. When my dad wasn’t lecturing me about my piercing, he was at work or on the phone with his girlfriend,” he said, pulling softly on his own earring.
Vokun smirked. “I think your piercing is handsome,” he countered. “I wish you hadn’t had to go. My summer was the worst.” Krosis winked and they laughed.
“Yeah? Did your dad lecture you all summer while building this?” he asked. “I bet he tried to nudge you into liking Dys huh?” he said.
He groaned. “And just about every girl that I saw this summer from school. He wouldn’t shut up about it.”
Krosis groaned and rolled his eyes as he ate another cookie. “That sucks. I'm sorry.”
Vokun smiled. “As long as you’re here, I can handle it,” he promised softly.
Krosis sighed and knocked on the door again. Rhylin opened it and rolled his eyes. “Hey twerp, you here to see your boyfriend?” he teased.
Krosis pushed past him. “Whatever. Is Vokun in his room?” he said and Rhylin growled softly.
“Yeah,” he muttered before heading back to the living room.
Krosis made his way to Vokun’s bedroom, then knocked on the firmly closed door. “Go away Rhylin,” Vokun muttered.
Krosis laughed softly. “Yeah okay,” he murmured before opening the door slightly. “What about me? Can I come in?” he teased lightly.
“I guess so,” he said glumly. Krosis entered the room and closed the door behind him.
“You okay? I haven't seen you in a few days,” he asked softly, sitting in Vokun's desk chair.
Vokun shrugged, staring out his bedroom window from his seat on his bed. “I guess.”
Krosis fiddled with one of his feathers. “Are you sure you’re okay? I haven't seen or heard from you in almost a week. You won’t come to school, and you won't answer the phone.
“I had a cold,” he dismissed. “I’ll be back Monday.”
Krosis laid his ears back. “Okay. I don’t have any plans for the weekend, do you wanna hang out?” he murmured.
Vokun’s ear flicked and he turned around. His eyes were cold, emotionless. “Why would I want to hang out with you?” he asked harshly. “You’re gay. Gays are disgusting.”
Krosis laid his ears back, his heart shattered. “How did you find out?” he whispered, confused, before standing up. “I’m so sorry” he mumbled before rushing out of the room, tears streaming down his face. He quickly went home and shut himself in his room.
Vokun watched him go with ears laid back, then turned back to his window. Tears filled his eyes in a moment as he curled his wings around him. “No, I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I just broke our hearts.”
Krosis stood as the final bell rang. This year had flown by in a colorless blur. He grabbed his backpack and began walking out of the school. He looked down to check his phone and ran into someone.
“Krosis...” they whispered. “Can we talk?”
Krosis laid his ears back and looked down at Vokun. “There’s nothing left to say Vokun. You made it clear back in September that we can’t be friends,” he murmured before moving around him and walking down the street to the street they lived on.
“If you’d just let me explain?” he called out.
Krosis whirled around with a snarl. “What is left to explain? The truth is out, I’m gay, okay? And we both know that you think gays are disgusting,” he sighed heavily. “Look, I’m leaving, I’m going to live with my aunt, upstate. So don’t worry about having to be around someone like me anymore,” he said.
Vokun frowned. “Krosis, I...” he trailed off, looking away. His ears were laid back, wings drooping. “Well.... I wanted to give you something but if you’re leaving... I guess it doesn’t matter.”
Krosis looked at him sadly. “What would you even have to give?” he murmured before walking away.
Later that night Krosis twitched his ear as something softly hit his window. He opened it and saw Vokun standing in his backyard with something under one arm.
He rolled his eyes and hopped out the window, opening his wings and gliding to the ground. He landed softly and stood with his arms folded. He didn’t say anything.
Vokun’s tail curled around his body shyly. “I um... I wanted to see you one more time,” he whispered.
Krosis laid his ears back. “Why?” he whispered, his wings still out and arched ominously behind him.
He seemed to become smaller, maybe in fear. He held out a box wrapped in silver paper.
Krosis looked at him, confused, and lowered his wings slightly. “What's that?” he asked curiously.
“It’s what I wanted to give you,” he said softly. “Earlier. Even if you never open it... you should have it.”
Krosis reached his hand out. Without saying anything he gently pulled the medium-sized box from Vokun’s hands and looked at it sadly. He tucked it under his arm before turning and opening his wings, the golden cream feathers glowing softly in the light from the house.
He was suddenly hugged tightly from behind. Krosis let out a small whimper and gently pushed Vokun away before leaping up and crawling back through his window.
“Goodbye, Krosis,” Vokun called softly. “I’ll never forget you.”
by Weeping_Angel }Y{ » Wed Aug 30, 2017 5:24 am 
