The Prince (A KOTLC Selection Fanfiction)

Chapter 23

"Wait-" I pause, "Wait, wait, wait, what?" 

I stare after the empty doorway, hoping that Tam would come back and explain everything.

But he doesn't.

So, of course, I chase after him.

By the time I get to his room, I find him sitting on the bed, looking sad. No, not sad. Pensive? 

"Tam," I gasp, out of breath, "What the he-"

He sighs, pulling me into his room using shadows, and closing the door. There's a soft click as the door locks, and I stumble, a bit disoriented.

"I'm guessing you have questions." 

"Obviously!" I grumble as I sit next to him.

We sit in silence for a few moments. I swing my legs back and forth. Tam tugs on his bangs. Then I finally break the silence.

"So." I say quietly. 

Tam gives me a raised eyebrow.

"You're gay." I mumble.

Tam nods. "Very."

I nod.

Tam nods.

"Okay then!" I give him a crooked grin, "What, did you think that would change anything? We're still friends."

Tam mumbles something that sounds like 'oh thank goodness'  before giving me a tight hug. I blink, surprised, before reciprocating it.

I gently disentangle myself. "If anyone says anything mean to you, I'll fight them." I say fiercely.

Tam sighs, seeming to deflate upon himself as he curls up into a ball, tugging on his bangs. "Well, you'll have to fight my father, then."

"What?" I ask him, a bit confused.

"And my mother." He adds quietly.

"What?" I growl, glaring like the floor has personally offended me. I sit back down next to Tam.

"Tell me what happened." I grumble. Then, noticing his sad look, I add in a 'please'.

"It's simple, really." Tam murmurs. "They already hated me enough for being a twin, but being gay really set them over the edge."

His father must have hurt him, both physically and emotionally. His father had hurt Tam, my Tam.

My fists clench as I stare at the dark bruises under Tam's eyes. This had probably kept him up at night.

"You okay?" He asks, suddenly noticing my irritation.

I wave a hand airily. "I'm fine. The better question is how are you?" 

Tam sighs. "I'll be fine."

Quan Song, however, would not be.

I flip through the crystals on the Leapmaster, looking for one. I try to keep quiet, but the clinking of the crystals accompany the nighttime noises outside.

"Choralmere. . ." I murmur, "Where is it?"

"Keefe?" A sleepy voice called, "What are you doing?"

I jump. "Oh, hi, Tam!" I say in an uncomfortable voice. "What are you doing?"

Tam frowns, rubbing his eyes. Despite the fact that he looks pretty tired, he's dressed like he normally would. 

Then I hear more footsteps. "Oh, no." I grumble.