Wow can you believe it?!? An update this soon!! Somehow, yes, this is FandomQueen713 being productive XD.

I'm desperate for rep so a lot of this chapter includes one of my favorite headcanons, bisexual!Tam. If that bothers you, please kindly refrain from saying anything rude/homophobic about that specifically, thank you *bows*

I don't really have anything else to say here so um, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I'm too lazy for this even though its tradition at this point so uh hi I own nothing *finger guns*

A stroke. Then two. Soon enough, colors covered the entire background, aside from the cliff painted along the bottom corner. Hues of blue and purple, indigo streaks and a grayish blue clouding areas, created a galaxy space background. He kept adding more paint, releasing his anger in harsh, jerky motions.

Keefe was tired of his dad. Tired of dealing with the disappointment and hurtful words, tired of having to return every night to him. He was also hurt by his mom, who avoided the house as often as possible. Gisela Sencen wanted nothing to do with her husband nor her son. She was never seen, or at least, very rarely seen by them. The last time had been when Keefe was 16. She'd told him that she loved him very much (Keefe only internally scoffed at that; if she loved him, she'd want to be in his life) and hoped he would follow in her footsteps.

Gisela Sencen was an actress, and a somewhat well known one at that. Though, the media didn't know anything about Keefe or Cassius. Gisela claimed that she wanted to keep them away from that kind of life, but Keefe was skeptical. After all, Gisela kept pushing Keefe to pursue something acting related as a career, while his father hated the idea. Honestly, every conversation on Keefe's future led to conflict and arguing. His mom wanted him to go into the show biz, his dad wanted him to be practical and become a computer scientist or doctor, and Keefe? His opinion didn't matter, as Keefe was frequently reminded.

Another slather of paint. Lighter colors now, thrown in, splattered across, creating a few stars amidst the dark void of the galaxy.

'Keefe, don't be an embarrassment.'

'Why can't you just be selfless and please your parents for once?!'

'Stop wasting our time and money. Stop throwing away your life.'

Keefe gripped his paintbrush tightly, the words echoing in his mind. He dipped the brush into the black acrylic paint, starting to freehand paint in a figure's silhouette sitting on the edge of the cliff. Their hand was reaching out, fingers curled as though trying to grasp something, legs dangling over the edge.

"Failure."

"Useless."

"Nothing."

A bit longer until the sky had dried. Then, he wrote in bright white paint along it, the words blending more and more into the sky as he continued, until fading to nothing.

He murmured softly, reading the words aloud. "Fix me. You're my only hope."

Line break————————————

"Welcome to Sweet Treats! What can I get for you today?"

"Good choice, good choice. I'd personally recommend the apple cinnamon tart if you enjoy this." He fixed an easy smile as he handed the change back towards the girl, probably a few years older than him.

He waved forward the next customer, slipping into another conversation.

He was just going through the motions - laughing, smiling, occasional flirting - as always. Fitz was getting all the food and delivering them, Keefe handling the register. It was a good system and got them fairly well. After all, Keefe was good with small talk and making sure the other was comfortable and smiling. Fitz was better with more systematic things— so gathering the items, and delivering them to the customers, refilling the case full of desserts, all of that was easy for him. They always had shifts with one another, since they worked best that way. It was more Fitz's idea, aligning his shifts with Keefe's random ones. After all, Keefe always scheduled around his college lesson timings, while Fitz wasn't at college, already planning to go into his father's business, so he was simply taking a year off. His father, Alden Vacker, was a successful guy in the technology industry, and Fitz always planned to join his dad, though his father would support any decision his children made as long as they were happy and safe.

Must be nice, Keefe thought bitterly, before forcing the thought away. Fitz's life wasn't perfect either, contrary to common belief, and it was rude for Keefe to be so envious, it wouldn't help anyone to do so.

"Hey!"

Keefe glanced up from where he was glaring at the counter, only to see the 17-year-old Linh smiling at him. She was wearing a pretty white dress with blue swirls, and her eyes were flitting about eagerly. "I didn't know you worked here! I mean, I knew Fitz did, but I've never came, or asked him about who else he worked with. I would say long time no see, but it's only been a few days." Linh giggled happily.

Keefe opened his mouth to respond, becoming his joking self again, before he was cut off by another voice. Ugh.

"Linh, let's just get this over with. What do you want?" Tam stood there, arms crossed and wearing almost entirely all black clothing: black combat boots, dark jeans, and an open jacket over a black MCR shirt. He even had fingerless gloves, for God's sake. It was California, why was he wearing gloves?! The only thing redeeming about him was his slightly cool silver bangs, though it was probably just some unoriginal emo cult thing.

"Nice to see you, Linh." Keefe said, blatantly ignoring Tam's presence. "Would you be interested in a mini blueberry tart? Or maybe a brownie?"

Linh hummed in response, gaze flickering excitedly over the different treats in the case.

Tam cleared his throat. "Where's Fitz?"

"Why do you care?"

"Because he's someone I can tolerate, unlike you." Tam didn't even sound like he was trying to be insulting, just casually honest as though he didn't care how Keefe reacted. He probably didn't, honestly.

"He's over there, by the table in the back." Keefe answered, giving up on making a comeback. Linh finally let out a decisive hm and pointed at the mini cheesecakes, and Keefe nodded his agreement, letting her know they were good. Tam continued staring where Fitz was, not bothering to continue his conversation with Keefe or help Linh choose.

"Hey, Fitzenator!" Keefe called out, catching his friend's attention (and choosing to ignore the eye roll and instead focus on his slight smile as he approached.)

"What do you want, Keefe? I just found one of the girls who was in my history class last year, so I was just talking with.." Fitz trailed off as he caught side of twins. "Oh hey! Finally came to visit?" He grinned, looking where Keith gestured and placing the food for Linh in a small box to take. "Good to see you both."

Linh gave a nod in greeting, smiling warmly. Tam scratched his neck, glaring down after a brief moment of eye contact as a sign of acknowledgment.

Fitz turned back towards Keefe. "Cool, so I'm just going to go back to her. Stina was my partner for a project, I really should catch up with her." Fitz tried for a bright smile, maybe trying to be more flirty like Keefe? "And possibly meet up with her. After all, she was a great person to talk to, I'd love to hang out sometime." He paused, "if she'd be okay with that. I'd hate to intrude.."

Keefe shoved him in the general direction of the table. "Yeah, yeah, Vacker, go find her." That was enough encouragement for Fitz, it seemed, as he hurriedly made his way back. Keefe turned back to the counter, catching sight of anger and maybe even a pout on Tam's face, before he looked away.

Huh. "Do.. you know Stina?" Keefe asked cautiously. Maybe she was an ex or something and Tam felt awkward for hearing Fitz talk about her?

Tam rolled his eyes. "No." His voice was tense, constricted.

Keefe raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you-"

Linh burst into a fit of laughter. "Well, Tam, it took Keefe longer than everyone else to figure out, so you might be getting better at keeping it a secret!" She was unable to stop grinning wildly. "He made it a whole 5 days before figuring it out! 5 days!! You're getting better at this!"

Tam glared at his twin, now clearly blushing as he scowled. "Shut up, he probably wouldn't have figured it out if you didn't say anything!" Tam turned his glare towards Keefe, before slowly speaking. "You.. do know, right?"

Keefe furrowed his eyebrows. Tam was blushing once Fitz talked about hoping Stina would give him her number. And looked away and poured, as though upset. Yet he didn't know Stina..

And Tam had immediately asked where Fitz was when they walked in. When Fitz showed up, he was acting fairly awkward, when just moments before he was fine. And the way he'd gazed almost longingly at Fitz was reminiscent of how Keefe looked at Sophie.

Oh.

Oh.

Tam narrowed his eyes. "What, have a problem with it?"

"No! It's cool." Keefe said awkwardly. He was being honest, he had no problem with the idea that Tam liked Fitz and all. Keefe has just.. never really been in this kind of situation.

Linh looked between him and Tam, as though unsure whether to step in before a fight broke out or run. Tam stared straight at Keefe for a few more seconds, before nodding. "Okay. I believe you.. I really hope I'm not making a mistake with that."

"You're not, Bangs Boy. It's chill. Just wondering why you'd like the Fitzer instead of me." Keefe gave a large wink and finger guns, making it clear he wasn't going to act any different simply because Tam was here.

"Ugh. Just because I'm bi doesn't mean I'm idiotic enough to like.. that." Tam vaguely gestured at Keefe.

"Not deserving enough, you mean."

"Don't push your luck, Sencen. Just be glad I didn't tell anyone your little secret on what exactly you were drawing."

"You wouldn't dare, Song." Both Linh and Tam visibly winced.

"Don't call him that. Or me. Please, we'd rather not be associated with that name." Linh quietly said, biting her lip.

Oh.. others within the group had parent issues. Keefe would definitely respect that. "Ah, okay. I get it. For the record, I'd prefer not being called Sencen, but you know."

Fitz rushed back. "I think we're going to hang out later!" He whispered happily.

Yikes, Tam's glare would probably burn through the ground at this point.

Keefe casually shifted the conversation, hoping to avoid whatever a bitter Bangs Boy would do if the current topic kept up. "Sweet, well, anyways, are we planning on doing anything later?? Meet up with the rest of the group?" Especially Sophie, he wanted to add, but said nothing. It would be way to obvious if he brought her up..

Linh shrugged, still leaning against the counter. "I think Biana's been wanting a sleepover with everyone for a while, so that might happen, I don't really know of anything else."

Fitz hummed in understanding. "Yeah, I haven't heard any ideas so that's probably it for now. Though Keefe and I are going to hang out around 4, hopefully my sis and Soph left the house but knowing them.. they're probably there. We can ask Dex to join I guess. You both can come over if you want? "

"No!" Tam blurted out. At Fitz's surprised look, he cleared his throat. "I mean, Linh and I are busy after this. Just stopping by to say hello." Linh looked confused but slowly nodded, going along with this as Tam continued, snatching Linh's arm and started to walk (more like stomp) out the door. "My sister and I actually have to go right now, nice talking to you both."

And I thought I had emotional issues.

"Oof."

"Yeah, Tam's like that a lot. He'll be nice but suddenly get really protective or upset, I don't know. You'll get used to it though."

"I'm sure."

"Whatever, Keefe, go back to playing with the register or whatever." Fitz teasingly shoved him in the general direction, grabbing a wet cloth and wiping down the counter. "30 minutes and then Marella and Wylie will begin their shift, and we can leave."

30 minutes, then to his math lecture. And after that, back home to his dad. Fun.

"Can't wait."

Line break——————

"This is Gisela Sencen, I'm most likely busy right now. If there's an emergency, please leave a message after the tone, and I'll check back later-"

Keefe sighed as he hit the hang up button. Why he kept trying this, he had no idea. His mom had assured him she would try to always be free for him and wanted to be there in any way she can. Yet, of the 23 times he'd tried calling this past year, no matter what time, there was no response. No acknowledgment. Nothing.

His dad sometimes FaceTimed with her, Keefe knew, when he heard their voices late at night. But they were rarely kind words, it always turned to arguments. Keefe knew that was likely the reason his mom had left and decided to give up everything for acting, leaving them behind, but he couldn't help but blame himself. After all, it had only been 7 months after he was born that she'd looked into going other places for her career. By the time Keefe's age was 5, she had been a side character in 3 well known films. Her career took off, and she never seemed to regret it.

Though his father definitely regretted Keefe, at least, at times. After all, the constant hatred and lectures telling Keefe to stop failing him said plenty about the bond between father and son.

Keefe hesitated, before clicking on another contact. He had added the contacts of everyone in the squad (he was trying to call them the Black Swan Squad - because hell yeah that name was awesome- but no one else seemed to agree on the ingenuity). Yet he'd never really messaged or called anyone. Besides, it was 2 am right now. He didn't know what he was expecting when he texted her. The constant in his spiraling life, the new constant who somehow made him forget about everything except for what was right in front of him.

SencenYourFeels: hey it's your fav winner at the arcade competition ;)

FosteringSkills: But I'm not texting myself

FosteringSkills: oh wait, I'm texting the one who's still salty about losing

FosteringSkills: hey, Keefe

SencenYourFeels: wow your up rn?

FosteringSkills: you're*

FosteringSkills: Yeah, I couldn't sleep

SencenYourFeels: oh god you're one of those texters

SencenYourFeels: and yeah same

FosteringSkills: And here I thought winning you a gulon would help you sleep

SencenYourFeels: You just got lucky smh

SencenYourFeels: And don't insult Mrs Stinkbottom like that she's trying her best

FosteringSkills: I'm not lucky just more skilled than you

FosteringSkills: R.I.P your ego

SencenYourFeels: whatever next time I'll win

FosteringSkills: keep telling yourself that Sencen

SencenYourFeels: i will

FosteringSkills: so I haven't really gotten to know much about you

SencenYourFeels: ooh so you want to ;))

FosteringSkills: dont make it weird, just tell me some stuff about yourself

SencenYourFeels: um not much about me. I'm at college, work a part time job with Fitz at a bakery, I ride a motorcycle. That's about it

FosteringSkills: what are you majoring in?

Keefe paused. Should he tell her? Not even Fitz really knew, since Keefe was a master at escaping out of questions.

Whatever, just go for it.

SencenYourFeels: art

FosteringSkills: Wow cool. I'd love to see your art sometime

And this was getting too close to her finding out about his recent topic of paintings. Distract, distract, distract...

SencenYourFeels: you see beautiful art whenever you hang out with me

FosteringSkills: ?

SencenYourFeels: my face ;D

FosteringSkills: Oh god go 2 sleep Keefe

SencenYourFeels: YES I MADE MYSTERUOUD MISD F STOP BEINH HER GRAMMSTICALVSELF

FosteringSkills: see, I know I should be offended and/or argue back but I'm still stuck on how badly you typod that

SencenYourFeels: shh

FosteringSkills: Goodnight Keefe

SencenYourFeels: k, enjoy dreaming of me ;)))

It was pretty fun to text Sophie like this. She thought it was harmless fun, and responded back teasingly. It was a form of playful banter. This.. he could get used to this.

Don't, she'll find someone better. They always do. Don't get attached.

It seems he was already too far gone to stop himself. Keefe had a crush on Sophie. Why? What made him start liking her? He had no idea. Maybe her competitiveness and willingness to go against him in challenges, forming a friendship full of banter between them. Maybe it was her know-it-all personality that was tied to her humbleness. Maybe it was her pretty blonde hair and brown eyes, her short self that was filled with so much passion and fire. Maybe it was simply her eagerness, desperation to prove herself. Whatever it was, Keefe had fallen hard. Though, he would never admit that to her.

He was not willing to lose her. That much was definite. He'd be whatever she wanted, and if it was only friendship? Keefe would accept that, he just needed to be in her life.

A new message flashed across the top of his screen, notifying him of something.

[unknown number: This is Gisela Sencen's assistant. I apologize that she couldn't get back to you, I will let her know that you called, and make sure she calls you back once she gets the chance. Thank you!

He'd seen that message enough times already. Yet more empty promises. More reminders that his mother couldn't care less about him. No one really did, in the end, did they?

Keefe stared out the window of his bedroom, staring out at the night sky.

If I were to disappear, would anyone notice?

And there ends this chapter! Don't get used to such consistent updates lol, but um, I'm hopefully not going to disappear for 3 months like last time XD

Mm this is a headcanon rant thing about bi!Tam so feel free to skip this paragraph, or bear through this with me XD. Okay, so I see Tam as bi, and elves look down on LGBTQ relationships, as they're so focused on reproducing and all that during Matchmaking. I always saw it as when Linh was kicked out from the Song household and the Song parents wanted to pass Tam off as an only child, trying to make him appear as the perfect kid, he made it clear he was bi and a twin, and that they'd have to accept that or he was out. And so he left, being the rebellious angsty teen who was standing up for himself. And I will always picture Fitz as gay. He'd never shown attraction towards the girls who gave him gifts and stuff at school, barely acknowledged them. And yes, I know he did try and kiss Sophie, but I always imagined it as him trying to convince himself he could like girls. Fitz isn't an idiot, he probably figured out that Sophie, his cognate, liked him, and tried to make a move. But I do think fitz truly sees her as a sister and no more. Every "romantically-coded" Sophitz moment all seemed too forceful of Fitz trying to be attracted to her but not completely genuine. And it would make sense that he'd want to be straight, being the "Golden Child", expected to continue the Vacker family line and all that. I think Fitz and Tam could really help each other, too. Fitz is always trying to please others, particularly his parents, while Tam left them and has a view of love tying into acceptance, which is why he cut his family out of his life. They're opposites- one being all rebellious and seen as beneath others, the other being 'perfect' and seen as above. Together, I think Fam (great ship name, I know) could fix the anti-LGBTQ prejudice that elves would have. So yeah, Fam is a KOTLC OTP of mine, and honestly there is so little representation- there's like 3 poc and no LGBTQ rep - and I'm just really hoping that changes. Long rant over ~

Wow that was long lol sorry. Um, on to the reviews?!

Keefoster0208: Tysm for the review and ahh I'm glad you liked it! And yes, I live for the Kam frenemies relationship thing XD. Thank you! And haha, you didn't have to wait long for Chapter 4, I hope you enjoyed it!!!

BuddingWriter101: EEE I'm so glad you liked it! (And Keefe is always cute XD) Also, for once, I can say you didn't have to wait too long! Thanks so much for the review!!

TheOriginalPercabethChild: Ahh you're going to make me blush! I'm so glad you liked the chapter, I'm really not that great dhdhdhdh but thank you, and the update was actually soon so I hope you enjoy~ (and as always, thank you so so much for your review!!)

gogurt-from-a-gogurt-tree: Yay, I'm so glad you like it so much! And ahh, I'm blushing thank you!! Also, I DEFINITELY SHIP FITZ X DEX TOO (but I ship Fitz x Tam more oops so I hope you enjoy this too!). And aghh I really wish there were more KOTLC LGBTQ ship fics out there.. maybe I'll have to change that XD. I'd definitely be up to writing a Ditz fic sometime.. anyways, I'm so glad you liked the fic, thank you so much for your review, I look forward to the next one!!

Little Strawberry fruit: Ahh thank you so much and I've started adding a sprinkle of Fam (Fitz x Tam) so I hope you enjoy XD. Thank you so much for reviewing!

I have no idea how soon I'll update, but I'll try to be more consistent with it. Anyways, hope you enjoyed, I'd love it if you left a review *wink wink, nudge nudge*. Favorite, follow, review, all that! Remember, I love criticism as long as it's constructive!

~ FandomQueen713