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The phrase “Do you wanna meet up after school?” would sound normal coming from any of his friends, right?
Nope! Wrong. When Exer says it to Ken one day, they just stare at him for a second making sure that it was them that was being asked.
Outside of art class—the only class they have in common—is when Exer asks it. Last period of the day. He looks a bit worn down, hair slightly unkempt, dark circles under his eyes, and honestly he could’ve done better than that outfit, but Ken wasn’t one to judge.
Instead of answering directly, they smile nonchalantly and ask, “What’s the occasion?”
Exer shrugs nonchalantly, yet it’s clear he’s worried about the response. “I dunno, I just thought it would be cool to show you the green now that my arm’s been healed. It’s also a good way to . . . take my mind off things,”
Ken lifts an eyebrow. Well, that’s not vague at all, they think sarcastically.
“What kinds of things?” he pushes.
“I could tell you about it later, probably,” Ken watches a bead of sweat slides down Exer’s temple.
It sounds almost like a challenge and Ken is gladly willing to accept. “Alright,” they smile again, bold this time. His parents won’t notice him missing and his siblings won’t care. “Where did you wanna meet?”
So that’s how they end up at the infamous lake on a lazy April afternoon. There’s a giant boulder that Exer is sitting on, and Ken joins him upon arrival.
“O-kayyy so. I didn’t really think this through.” Exer admits. “It’s not like you’re gonna be able to see the magic when I use it. I guess you could see the results . . .” he thinks aloud.
“Let’s start with that. What do you mean by results?” they ask for elaboration. Ken still doesn’t really know Exer, so they’re deciding to go with being polite before blundering into the friendship with his usual feral-raccoonness.
“It’s better to just show you.” At this, Exer smiles.
He stands up, shakes his hands out, and scans the grassy forest floor for anything he can use his magic on. There are a few branches, lots of fallen leaves as if it was still autumn, and of course the rocks. The rocks are a no-go, so Exer decides on some branches.
Please let this work, he thinks to no one in particular, just to whoever’s listening.
Ken steadily stands up, too. They watch the scene patiently.
Exer almost feels the weight of the branches. He wraps his mind around them, as if wrapping his arms to carry them. Really, though, the green mist does it all. The branches slowly lift off the ground. Damn, this is harder with multiple assets.
Wow, was there really a time when Exer could do this easily?
Ken gasps behind him.
The branches float bouncily in the air in front of them like performing a show. He allows himself a small smile. At least his magic is good for one thing.
That thought alone sends him into a spiral of what-ifs and arguments and green sparks and now the branches are falling and Exer feels himself slipping—
A hand firmly grasps his arm, preventing him from falling. Exer turns his head behind him.
Ken’s there, a concerned look spreading across their face.
When they speak, their voice is steady. “I have reasons to suspect you’re not doin’ too great. Wanna talk about it before you fall off this boulder and break your arm again?”
Exer nods quickly, “Yeah, that sounds like a plan,”
Back on the boulder they sit, Exer resting his elbows in his knees as he fiddles with his fingers, Ken cross-legged picking at his fingerless gloves. It’s like a trademark of his, Exer notices.
“Sooo,” Ken begins. “Somethin’ on your mind?”
Exer breathes out. “Uhm, someone close to me . . . we . . .” Ken nods for him to keep going. “We had . . . a falling out.” he summarizes.
Ken blinks. “You and David broke up?”
The way that he asks it so blatantly makes Exer laugh, surprising the both of them. Laughing until it goes on too long it becomes awkward for Ken to watch. Finally, Exer manages, though teary-eyed and downcast, he still manages to get out, “Yeah. Yeah, we broke up.” With the back of his hand, he wipes his face. “What with the situation with his father and all the magic stuff, he was constantly stressed. I guess it was all he could think about when we were together, so it put a strain on our relationship.”
“Oh,” Ken says. Mostly because he doesn’t know what else to say, but he realizes that’s not enough so he adds on ever so swiftly, “And here I am, thinking that your magic is the coolest thing ever.” Seriously, why does anyone ever trust him with deep talks if this is what spills out of his mouth?
Somehow, this makes Exer lift his head and chuckle lightly. “Well, it’s a nice change of pace, I think.” He snaps his mouth shut right after because as soon as he said it, it sounded almost just a tiny bit flirtatious. Not exactly what I was going for. He hopes Ken doesn’t think so, too.
Is it really unfortunate if he does, though?
“Hah, almost sounds like you’re hitting on me, Ex. Why not get to know me first?” Ken jokes, then immediately cringes because fuck this is not the time for that shit. Wait, did they just use a nickname for him?
Instead of laughing, frowning, or even crying, which are all things Ken expects, Exer just has a thoughtful look on his face.
“You have a point. It’s odd I trust you with my magic, but I don’t even know your favorite color,” Exer notes.
Ken takes this as an opportunity to hard U-turn this conversation to small talk.
He gestures to his own hair streaks, shrugs and answers “Green,” like he can’t help it. “Though I like red, too. Yours?”
“Normally I would say sky blue,” The curly haired boy pointedly angles his head to the sky, barely visible due to the evergreen trees embracing everything above them. “Now, though . . . I like green, too. Even if it reminds me of my magic. I guess it just depends on my mood.”
Is Exer dead-set on turning every convo into deep chats? Or is it only with Ken? He doesn’t know which answer he’d prefer.
“Understandable. What about favorite foods? Personally, I could go for some tempura or onigiri.” Ken muses.
“Anything from Cup O’ Cat, really, haha,” Exer chuckles a bit, but it sounds so genuine. Ken finds he much prefers that over nearly anyone else’s laughter. “I know what tempura is, but what’s the other thing you mentioned?”
“Onigiri? It’s like a rice ball with seaweed. I like to put tuna in mine,” he answers. “Dude, I hear you on the Cup O’ Cat food, I’ve been a loyal and faithful customer for years and that’s not changing any time soon,”
This makes them both laugh. Ken stops just a second before Exer and that one second of watching the brunet laugh at a joke he made causes his heart to speed up just a bit and it’s enough for him to realize his feelings are way ahead of him already.
Welp. Shit.
But it’s alright because Ken can still crack jokes even with his heart thump-thump-thumping and Exer still laughs just as easily and real.
After this event, their hangouts become the usual. At the school field, in Cup O’ Cat, at each other’s houses, and of course at the lake, doesn’t really matter. They keep one another in good spirits. They distract each other when the other or both feel down, they lift each other back up. Not even just metaphorically, because on one occasion Ken is sent flying about a hundred feet in the air. It was awesome.
One day, maybe two months after the first meet-up, they end up staying at the lake a little longer than intended, which Exer mentions when they see the sun setting in the roots of the trees. Ken thinks this is his cue to leave, but Exer has other ideas.
Today, he is wearing a T-shirt with the Ocean Kings logo and strategically ripped jeans. It’s a hot look on him.
“C’mon,” This time the shorter is the one who grabs the other’s arm. Not too firm, but not too gentle. Steady. “The sunset is beautiful from the lake.”
And he’s right.
There are less trees on the other side which allows all of the colors to reflect on the water, bending and warping with every little wave. Blue, yellow, orange, pink, red, and the green of the trees.
“Huh,” Ken smiles as he flicks a pebble into the water. “This is almost romantic,”
Nothing comes from Exer’s mouth, but his cheeks do a deeper color. Ken notices.
Ken also notices when small green sparks resembling flowers fly seemingly out of Exer’s hair. There’s a split second of confusion, followed by understanding, then a devious idea.
“Ex?”
“Yeah?”
“D’you wanna use your magic?”
“For what?”
“Just anything.”
Exer doesn’t have much of a problem controlling or using his magic anymore, but he’d prefer to leave the ability dormant. However, he won’t pass up an opportunity to practice. How else to keep it tame?
He smirks and repeats, “Anything?”
“Sure!” Ken says, knowing Exer will make it a trap.
“Well, alright,” The brunet shakes out his hands, miniature sparks zapping the air. He begins writing in the empty space, the lettering loopy and glowing green. Slowly, Ken reads what it says.
I like Ken Okamoto.
When he’s done, Exer smirks confidently. “Ha, try reading that, Ke—”
“I like you, too.”
This stops them both in their tracks.
“What?” Exer breathes out.
“Okay, so, I’m pretty sure I can see your magic now. At least for the past 20 seconds. Should I be worried about my well-being?” Ken rambles.
“Uh, I think we need to backtrack. What do you mean you like me?”
“I mean I like you. Like, I have a crush on you. Like, my favorite part of my day is when we talk.” Are his hands shaking? At least his voice isn’t. “Just your- your presence makes me feel so comforted.” He takes a breath. “You really have no idea,” Ken looks out to the lake. “the effect you can have,”
Exer’s brows furrow and his smile tightens on one side, as if getting ready for a match. “Well, I know the effect you can have. Ever since we started meeting up, I’ve felt more confident. Almost like my old self, but not stuck-up this time. And you always find ways to make me laugh, especially when I'm having a particularly bad day.”
“I just say whatever’s on my mind, honestly,” Ken admits.
“So you’re just naturally a funny person?” Exer quips.
“ . . . oh,” they realize.
“Yeah. ‘Oh’.” he repeats with a kind smile.
Silence. Not awkward, but definitely filled with emotion. Simultaneously, the two boys scoot closer to each other and smile when they do. Being the shorter one, Exer rests his head on Ken’s shoulder. They watch the last sliver of sun disappear together.
Wind blows, rustling leaves, and mussing up their hair. Now that nature’s breath has broken the silence, Ken speaks.
“I think it’s kinda funny you wrote ‘I like Ken Okamoto’ and thought it wasn’t even a little bit corny,” he chuckles.
“Okay, looking back, I guess it was.” Exer responds. “But I didn’t expect you to read it.”
“Fair enough,” he says. “You’re still very corny, though,”
The wind blows again. Exer, wearing only a T-shirt, shivers.
Time to pull out some charm. I suppose, thinks Ken.
“Ex, you’re shivering, do you want my hoodie—?”
“Yes.”
Ken laughs loudly, but shimmies out of his hoodie anyways. His shirt rises a bit, and Exer is totally not watching what are you even talking about, are you on drugs? So, Exer receives the hoodie, puts it on, and . . .
“Holy ssssugar I think this is the most comfy I’ve ever been,”
Ken doesn’t have an immediate response to that.
“So, are we . . . you know . . .?” they try.
“No, I don’t know,”
With a suspicious eyebrow raised, Ken eyes Exer to see if he’s joking. The brunet has a smug grin plastered on.
“You know full well what the fuck I’m talking about!” They’re attempting anger, but that’s kind of hard when they’re blushing and hiding a smile.
“Nooo,” Exer denies. He’s smothering a laugh. “Why don’t you just tell me?”
“You know what? Fine! Okay, alright, fine.” Ken stands up and dusts themself off. They sit back down in front of the other boy. “Will you, Exer Campbell, be my boyfriend?”
“Yes!” Exer answers, as if he was holding it back for a long time.
A pause. Then—
“. . . Now what?” asks Ken. “I’ve never dated before; I don’t know what to do!”
Exer chuckles.
“That’s not helping!” they whisper-shout, embarrassed.
“I mean . . . we could . . . maybe . . .” Exer leaves the rest up to interpretation.
“Could maybe what?” Ken played dumb.
“You dare use that against me?” said Exer with mock anger.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Ken snickers. “But go on,”
“Mm, never mind.” He pointedly looks away.
“No, please? I promise I won’t make fun of you again. Just say it,” they tug on Exer’s sleeve gently. “C’mon, Ex, pleeeaaase—”
“Well, now that we’re boyfriends—”
“Partners,” corrects Ken with a smile. And it’s the most simplest thing, but also the most beautiful thing to hear coming from him.
“Now that we’re partners,” Exer nods. “we could—should, even—do more couple-y things,”
“An example would be . . . ?” they grin.
He lists them on his fingers as he goes, “Go on dates, kiss, use pet names for each other, kiss, maybe tell our friends we’re dating, kiss, and—don’t call me crazy for this—but we could even make out,”
Ken suppresses a laugh. Ultimately, he fails. “That wasn’t subtle AT ALL!”
“It got the point across, didn’t it?”
“Dork.”
“Doofus.”
“Your doofus,” Ken leans in closer.
Exer finds himself doing the same, all the way until their lips connect.
It’s soft, and tastes a bit like coffee for Ken. He immediately wants another kiss.
For Exer . . . well you know that feeling when you think something just went really bad, but turns out everything is alright or even better than before? That’s kind of what he feels. So much relief and love for the boy in front of him.
When they part, Ken speaks, “I’ll admit, kissing you was not on my 1990 bingo card,”
“I’m gonna electrocute you on purpose.” Exer threatens through a smile.
“No, wait, I take it back!” Ken exclaims. Then he pauses. “Hm. Actually, death by electrocution would be a bomb way to go,” he considers.
“You’re impossible,” Exer shakes his head, barely visible in the dim light. He takes notice. “We should probably start heading back now,”
“Oh yeah,” they agree.
Exer stands up first and offers Ken a hand.
“What a gentleman,” they muse as they take it. “Only fair I return the favor. Want me to walk you home?”
“If you don’t mind,” he answers.
Ken responds with another kiss, this time on the cheek.
“Never,” he assures him.
They walk away from the obsidian lake and sky and trees, hand in hand.
Epilogue
“So, that theory was actually right?” Jackson asks. “If your feelings towards someone are strong enough then they’ll see your magic?” He’s practically scratching his head at the thought.
Exer shrugs, but not in a disappointed manner. “How else do you think Ken’s able to see it now?” The shorter teen rummages through his locker. He’s searching for something in particular, but can’t seem to find it.
“I . . . don’t know.” He looks extremely confused, one eyebrow still raised like that explanation isn’t enough. Or isn’t right, not to him.
Personally, Exer doesn’t care, because he doesn’t mind. He actually likes that Ken can see his magic. Just another thing that’s special between them. Add it to the list.
Where is the damn thing he’s looking for?
Jackson sighs, shrugging and shaking the thought out of his mind. “At the very least, we can keep brainstorming later.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Exer shoves aside some expensive school textbooks (that turned out to be useless). Where is it?
“Did you hear about the house party that one of the jocks is hosting? It’s supposed to be ‘the bomb’, direct quote from David,”
Oh, yeah. David. How is Exer supposed to tell his ex-boyfriend (and best friend of a decade) that he’s dating someone new? As far as he knew, David hadn’t found anyone new. Maybe he isn’t looking. Is that a good or bad thing?
“Will he be there?” asks Exer.
“David?” Jackson says immediately, because he must already know.
“Yeah.”
“Pretty sure. He was the one that told me about it in the first place. I’m going with Pam as my date, since it seems that the jocks are mostly using the party as an excuse to flaunt their girlfriends.” Jackson chuckles, shaking his head.
Finally, Exer finds it. Ken’s sweater. Suddenly, if not oddly, he feels calmer with it in his hands, rubbing the soft fabric between his fingertips. Ken had let him borrow it for a couple days, but now it no longer smelled like him, so Exer is planning on trading it for a different one.
He really is corny, isn’t he?
“Are you planning on telling David about the two of you?” Jackson asks, voice slightly softer.
Exer thinks on it, chewing the inside of his cheek. “I probably don’t have much choice in that aspect,”
“How do you mean?”
He just needs one word. “Ron.”
Jackson nods in understanding.
Because Ronald is smart, has been giving him suspiciously smug smirks for weeks, and may have already told David about Exer’s . . . situation with Ken.
Is it worse to hear that kind of news first or secondhand?
____________________
Why did they come to the party again?
Loud music, blaring lights, crowded spaces, and drunk dancing isn’t exactly Exer and Ken’s forté. The Halloween party was a different story, mostly Exer only remembers the drama with his magic. Nothing like that will be happening this time since it’s back under his control, but that situation left a bad imprint of parties on him. On the drive here, Ken had mentioned that he only really liked it because of the spooky themes and there wasn’t any under-aged drinking.
This party is different. Very.
Almost immediately after arrival, the two were confronted by the rest of the detention group (Jolie and Timothy) along with PB & J (Pamela, Brenda, and Jackson).
No sign of David. Or Ronald for that matter. Jackson said he didn’t think Ronald would be attending.
Then one of the jocks brought several six-packs of beer, and yelled: “THE REAL PARTY’S HERE!”
That should’ve been their cue to leave, but Exer had led Ken to an empty room, and, well . . . things escalated a little bit.
Exer is sprawled on top of Ken, kissing them hastily. Ken’s head hits the back of the couch and he returns the kisses with enthusiasm, cupping his lover’s face gently in one hand. Green sparks bounce around them, surrounding the couch in light green mist. The magic is activated by strong emotions, is it not?
When Exer decides to use tongue, Ken damn near dies on the inside and he makes a small and embarrassing squeak. Exer chuckles in that deep tone of his and Ken can’t find it in himself to care all that much for anything other than just kissing him back.
Then the door opens and they hear a gasp. All activities stop right then and they turn to see who it is.
David stands in the doorframe, with a very surprised expression. “. . . Hi?”
Well. That’s about as good as a reaction Exer could’ve hoped for.
“Hey, Day . . .” Exer cringes. He mentally tries to squash some of the green sparks into nothingness. They’re stubborn and won’t go away. “Uh, what’s up?”
“Well.” David begins, his lips a thin line. Is he mad? Jealous? He looks between Exer and Ken and back again. He shrugs with one shoulder and vaguely motions to the green mist. “I hear love is in the air.”
Ken snorts, which just proves the fact that Exer’s type was people with horrible taste in humor.
“David!” Exer laughs unexpectedly. “That was a horrible joke, man.”
“You don’t appreciate my material, dude.”
“What—” Exer groans internally.
He didn’t expect to be caught with Ken, and especially not by David, and now he was embarrassed and felt guilty and also wanted to go back to 20 seconds ago when his lips were on Ken’s and oh great sparks of different emotions were flicking through the air and—Calm down. He took a deep breath, and smelled Ken’s sweater, the collar so close to his mouth. I’m calm.
Exer pulls himself together and grins cheekily, “What are you doing here, anyways? Ever learned how to knock?”
David rocks back and forth on his heels awkwardly. “Sorry, dude. I heard from someone that there was something going on between you two so I was gonna ask, but—” He shrugs and laughs awkwardly. “I guess I don’t need to ask.”
“And I’m assuming that someone is Ronald?” Ken says.
David rolls his eyes playfully. “Hah, yeah. Please don’t be mad at him, you know he can’t keep good gossip for very long. Anyways,” he clears his throat. “Uh, I’ll let you guys get back to . . . that. And, no, Ex, I’m not mad at you for moving on, I honestly was starting to forget we even dated, so. Yeah. And, uh, Ken—if you break Ex’s heart I’ll stab yours, yadda yadda yadda, blah blah blah, see y’all later?” He salutes them goodbye and shuts the door behind him.
Exer turns to Ken. “He won’t actually stab you.”
“Well, I’m not very keen on breaking your heart either way. So. I think we’re safe with that.”
Exer chuckles warmly, and nestles into the crook of Ken’s neck. He intertwines one of his hands with the other’s, and holds on tight in a comforting way.
Exer plants a soft kiss near Ken’s collarbone, which immediately sends pleasant shivers down his spine, and green sparks flowering everywhere.
“This is good,” Exer whispers, voice just a tad hoarse.
Ken isn’t sure if he meant the conversation they just had with David, the kissing, or the holding-hands thing. But he agrees.
This is good.