Archive of Our Own

It was late evening at Blueberry Academy. The inky darkness of the Terarium was lit by hundreds of glimmering stars, as well as the faint glow of the silvery moonlight that filtered through the windows. The faint sound of wild Kricketots chirped softly beneath the canopy of artificial constellations, their song blending harmoniously with the distant rustle of the long, fresh grass.

Florian and Kieran were laying together on Kieran's bed, Florian's strong arms wrapped around Kieran's middle as Kieran leaned back into Florian's embrace. They'd been official for a little over five months now, and nobody knew about their relationship except for them. Kieran had been the first one to confess: he could still remember the way he'd nearly dropped the Poké Ball holding the matching Applin Florian had traded him, as well as the way his fingers had dug into his sweaty palms and how his voice had cracked as he stammered and blubbered on about how he'd fallen for the boy who had taken everything away from him, crushed his dreams, and yet had still been able to build him up and turn him into a better person.

And yet Florian had never laughed. Not once.

Instead, he'd accepted Kieran's feelings, had listened patiently and said nothing as he'd looked on with the most tender expression Kieran had ever seen.

Even now, lying together in the soft warmth of Kieran’s dorm room, Florian held him with that same quiet gentleness. One of his hands slid down and lazily traced circles against the back of Kieran's hand. The touch was absent-minded, almost sleepy, but it made Kieran’s stomach flutter every single time.

“So, what did you want to talk about, Kier?” Florian murmured, gently jolting the other boy out of his thoughts.

Kieran went quiet for a moment before he spoke again. “I, well...” he started, before bowing his head and letting out a soft sigh. Florian noticed this, and his hand moved until it was covering Kieran's own one. “Y'know how our relationship has been a secret between us?” Kieran asked.

Florian looked slightly puzzled before he answered: “Yeah?”

“Well, I...” Kieran gazed up at the ceiling before blinking a few times. “I want to tell my Sis about it, but...” He trailed off, not finishing his sentence.

A few moments passed before Florian pressed gently: “But what?”

Kieran opened his mouth. Closed it. Then, after a few moments, he suddenly blurted out: “I don't know how she'll handle it once she finds out. What would she say if she found out that her baby brother likes girls and boys?” There was a slight quiver in Kieran's voice as he said those words, and he felt Florian's arms tighten around him protectively.

Florian was quiet for a few seconds after Kieran’s words left his mouth. It wasn’t the awkward kind of silence, though. It was the type of silence Kieran was already used to: calm and steady, like the gentle rise and fall of his breathing.

Then Florian shifted slightly, resting his chin on Kieran’s shoulder. “Kieran,” he murmured. “Your sister loves you more than anything. I don’t think finding out that you’re bisexual is going to suddenly change that.”

That made Kieran wince slightly, and his fingers curled tighter around Florian’s hand. “You don’t know that for sure.” he mumbled.

“No, I don’t,” Florian admitted, and his thumb brushed slowly over Kieran’s knuckles. “But from everything you’ve told me about Carmine… she gets loud when she cares. She has no filter. She gets protective. Sometimes too protective.” A tiny smile tugged at his lips. “But she’s always rooting for you.”

Kieran stared up at the dimmed ceiling lights, his chest tight with worry. “What if she thinks I’m weird?”

Florian immediately frowned. “Kieran, you’re not weird,” he said firmly. “There’s nothing wrong with you. At all. You are not weird for having a different sexuality. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with you just being you.”

For a moment, Kieran couldn’t answer. His throat felt strangely tight, and tears prickled behind his eyes in a way he absolutely hated. He swallowed hard, his fingers shaking slightly against Florian’s hand.

Because the truth was, he had been scared.

Not with Florian, never really with Florian, but with others. With how people looked up to him. With the high expectations everyone had for him. With the possibility that if Kieran said those words out loud—I like boys too—something about him would suddenly become different in everyone else’s eyes.

He’d suddenly become different in Carmine’s eyes, too.

Carmine had always been his safe place growing up, but she was also… Carmine. Loud. Intense. Impossible to predict sometimes. And the thought of her possibly disowning him made those traitorous tears finally trickle down Kieran’s cheeks.

“What if she gets mad at you?” he mumbled, sniffling softly and wiping hastily at his eyes.

Florian blinked slowly before a frown formed on his face. “Huh?”

“She already threatened you before we started dating,” Kieran clarified weakly. “Multiple times.”

“Oh, that!” Florian let out a snort and grinned against Kieran’s shoulder. “That was before Carmine and I became—and these are your words, not mine—best friends. I doubt she’d do anything like that now.”

“How do you know that?” Kieran asked.

“Because she told me that she’d like me to support you no matter what.” Florian murmured before he leaned down and kissed Kieran’s exposed shoulder. “Anyway, just know that she probably wouldn’t react badly if you do end up telling her.”

Kieran turned around slowly and gave Florian a resigned look before replying, “Okay.”

Florian and Kieran exchanged smiles before Florian reached out to gently wipe at the remaining tears on Kieran’s cheeks. “Seriously though,” he continued. “If you want to tell her, I’ll support you. And if you decide you’re not ready yet, that’s okay too.” He paused. “You don’t owe anyone a confession if you’re not comfortable with it.”

Kieran nodded softly as he leaned in closer and took one of Florian’s hands in his own. “Yeah, I know that…”

A few beats of silence passed between them before Florian spoke again. “Everything will be okay, Kier. I promise.”

Kieran felt a wave of relief flood through him. Slowly, carefully, he leaned forward until his forehead rested against Florian’s.

“Thanks, Flor,” he whispered.

At that, Florian smiled before leaning in to give Kieran a quick kiss. “Anytime.”

The moment Florian stepped off the bus alongside Kieran and Carmine, the heat hit him like a physical force.

Kitakami was just as Florian had remembered: the sweltering summer humidity combined with the harsh glare of the sun made it almost unbearable, but there was something wonderfully nostalgic about how small Mossui Town was. It was even smaller than Cabo Poco, and it lacked the same coziness of home, but every time Florian visited it felt like he was reliving the day he met his boyfriend again.

Florian adjusted the strap of his bag on his shoulder and exhaled slowly. Yep. Still hot as hell.

Beside him, Carmine groaned dramatically and tugged at the collar of her uniform. “Ugh, I forgot how crazy summers here are.”

“You say that every year,” Kieran replied before rolling his eyes.

“Because it’s true!” Carmine protested.

Florian let out a soft snort at that, earning an offended look from Carmine.

“Oh, don’t you start,” she quipped.

At that, Florian laughed. “I didn’t even say anything!”

“Your face said enough.”

Carmine walked forward, leading the group onto the path that led them to Carmine and Kieran’s home. “Grandma and Grandpa are at Peachy’s right now, so they left the key with me.”

“Oh yeah! Please thank them on my behalf for having me once again,” Florian said, his tone softer and warmer this time.

“Oh, stop being so formal! We’re friends. Of course you can stay with us.” Carmine smiled, a real, genuine smile.

A year ago, Florian would never have imagined that he and Carmine would end up like this. Back then, she’d glared at him like she wanted to punt him off Oni Mountain just for stepping onto Kitakami soil. Now she was inviting him into her home for the summer break without a second thought. Life was weird sometimes.

Florian’s eyes drifted over to the taller boy beside him. Kieran seemed quieter than usual. Not upset quiet, but nervous quiet. He couldn’t help but notice the way Kieran kept fidgeting with the sleeves of his jacket despite the heat. The way he’d open his mouth like he wanted to say something before stopping himself.

He knew what Kieran was thinking about.

I think I wanna tell her while we’re here.

The memory from a few nights ago surfaced in Florian’s mind, along with the anxious look in Kieran’s eyes afterward.

Florian’s chest tightened.

Without thinking much about it, he let his hand brush briefly against Kieran’s as they walked side-by-side. Just for a second: the tiniest touch hidden between the movement of their arms.

Kieran startled slightly before glancing at him. When Florian smiled faintly at him, the tension in Kieran’s shoulders eased almost immediately.

Carmine, thankfully, remained oblivious as she continued talking animatedly about preparations for the upcoming festival.

“… and then Grandpa volunteered me to help carry supplies tomorrow,” she complained. “Which is ridiculous, because Kieran’s perfectly capable of helping too.”

Eventually, the three of them reached the siblings’ grandparents’ house nestled near the edge of town. Carmine unlocked the door, sliding it open with practiced ease before immediately kicking off her shoes near the entrance.

“I call first shower!” she announced loudly.

“You always call first shower!” Kieran complained.

“Because I’m smarter than you.”

“That’s not what smart means!”

Florian laughed quietly under his breath as he slipped his own shoes off. The familiar scent of the house surrounded him instantly: wood polish, old tatami mats, incense, and something sweet lingering faintly from the kitchen that reminded Florian of freshly-made mochi.

Homey. Warm. Safe.

Kieran stepped beside him after setting his shoes neatly near the doorway. For a brief moment, their shoulders brushed together, causing Kieran to jolt slightly.

“You okay?” Florian murmured quietly enough that Carmine wouldn’t hear.

Kieran hesitated. Then he nodded once. “Tryin’ to be.”

Florian’s expression softened immediately.

Before he could answer, Carmine suddenly leaned back out from the hallway and pointed at them dramatically. “And don’t just stand there flirting or whatever. Help me unpack!”

The words hit both boys like a well-aimed Thunderbolt.

Kieran froze completely. Florian nearly choked on air.

Carmine just blinked. “… Why do you both look like that?”

Kieran made a strangled noise while Florian felt sheer panic shoot straight through his body as he tried desperately to keep his face neutral. “Look like what?” he asked carefully.

Carmine narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “Like a Deerling in headlights. You’re acting weird. Both of you.”

Kieran looked moments away from passing out. Florian’s eyes darted around as he felt his face grow hot. This wasn’t going according to plan at all.

“Okay, you know what? There is something.” Florian cleared his throat nervously before his eyes settled back onto the girl in front of him. “Uh, Carmine, there’s something Kieran wants to tell you.”

At that, Kieran’s head whipped around and he smacked Florian’s arm. “Florian!”

“Am I supposed to have a bad feeling about this?” Carmine gave her brother a puzzled look before she stepped closer. “What is it, Kiki?”

“I…” Kieran trailed off, unable to finish his sentence. He licked his lips as his eyes darted around, looking at everything except for Carmine. His mouth went dry as he felt anxiety clawing its way up his chest. “I, um…”

Florian cast Kieran a worried look as he watched the other boy shrink into himself, his face contorted with anxiety. Slowly, Florian breathed in and exhaled before moving closer to where Kieran was standing. His hand reached out to grasp at Kieran’s, causing the taller boy to jerk up in shock and turn toward him. Florian gave him a soft, reassuring smile and nodded, gently reaffirming that everything was going to be okay. Because it was.

Carmine’s expression shifted almost immediately the second she noticed Florian holding Kieran’s hand, but Florian kept his hand firmly wrapped around Kieran’s, his thumb brushing against Kieran’s knuckles in silent reassurance, steadying him like an anchor during a heavy thunderstorm.

When Kieran finally felt ready to continue, he stared straight into Carmine’s eyes, his firm grip on Florian’s hand tightening. “So, um, y’know how some guys don’t only like girls? Well, I’m one of ‘em, Sis. I like girls and boys. And the truth is…” Kieran let out a shaky breath. “Florian and I have been together for over five months now.”

Carmine stared at them for several long seconds, her expression unreadable. Kieran’s face burned hotter than the Kitakami summer outside. Beside him, Florian winced slightly but didn’t let go of his hand.

“Oh my god,” Carmine whispered.

“No, wait, I can explain—” Kieran started frantically, but his voice cracked halfway through.

“You two have been dating for five months?!” Carmine looked between them again, utterly bewildered.

The room went dead silent. For one horrible moment, Kieran looked like he might throw up, and Florian felt like the ground was going to swallow him up.

Carmine slapped both hands against her forehead dramatically. “Are you freaking serious right now?! No wonder you guys have been sneaking around at school for so long!”

“We weren’t sneaking!” Kieran protested.

“You literally kept it secret!”

“Because I was scared!”

The words burst out before Kieran could stop them.

Silence followed immediately afterward.

Both Carmine and Florian froze. Kieran looked like he wanted a Dondozo to swallow him whole.

His fingers curled around Florian’s hand as he stared at the tatami mat beneath his feet. “I didn’t know how you’d react,” he admitted quietly. “I thought that maybe you’d think I was weird or somethin’.”

The second those words left his mouth, Carmine’s entire expression changed. Gone was the outrage. Gone was the shock.

Instead, she looked almost hurt. “Kiki…”

Kieran still couldn’t look at her.

“You seriously thought I’d hate you for that?” she asked softly.

Kieran swallowed hard. He couldn’t form any words with his mouth, and he continued gazing at the tatami mat under his feet.

Carmine stared at him for another second before suddenly marching forward. Kieran panicked internally for approximately half a heartbeat before Carmine grabbed him by the shoulders.

“Kieran,” she said firmly, forcing him to finally look at her. “You are my baby brother. Nothing is going to change that. Ever.”

Kieran blinked rapidly, trying to ignore the stinging sensation of his eyes filling with tears.

Carmine’s grip softened slightly. “I don’t care if you like girls, boys, both, neither, whatever. I just care that whoever dates you treats you right.”

Kieran felt his eyes sting again, and this time he couldn’t stop the tears before they slipped free.

Carmine noticed immediately. “Oh, Kiki…”

Before Kieran could react, Carmine pulled him into a tight hug. He froze for a second before his hands came up and clutched at the back of her shirt.

“You idiot,” Carmine mumbled against his violet hair, her voice gentler now. “You never had to be scared of me.”

That completely broke whatever composure Kieran had left. A choked sob escaped him as he hugged her tighter. “Thank you, Sis…”

From a short distance, Florian smiled softly at the scene, not wanting to interrupt.

A few moments passed before Carmine finally pulled back just enough to glare over Kieran’s shoulder at him. “And you.”

Florian straightened immediately like a soldier being inspected.

“You’re helping carry the festival supplies tomorrow.”

Florian’s eyes went wide with shock before he regained his composure and sighed dramatically. “Oh, there it is.”

Carmine snickered as she pulled away from Kieran and stood up. “You’re dating my brother now. That means you get extra labor.”

“That hardly seems fair.”

“Life isn’t fair. Get used to it.”

Kieran laughed wetly through his tears while Florian let out a groan toward the ceiling.

And somehow, standing there in the warm little house in Mossui Town with the people he loved most, Kieran realized Florian had been right all along.

Everything really was going to be okay.