Author-chan giggled like an insane happy person when she wrote the title for this.

How can I possibly giggle at this. It's like I'm putting my favorite imaginary boyfriend on a stick and dipping him into a steaming pot of glorious gayness-

--

  [YN] was Keefe Sencen's best friend. They did everything together. They practiced their talents together. They played base quest together. They even defied their parents together. Keefe had been searching for a new best friend after Fitz decided to spend more time with Sophie and he didn't necessarily like Dex too much.

  [YN] was amazing. He had [YHL] [YHC] hair in [YHS]. He was a [YT] and was in [YFL]. (*casually fills this in for Harry Styles*)

  Keefe's favorite part about [YN] was that they were nearly the same height. Only Keefe was a tad bit taller/shorter. (*imagines dom!Harry and sub!Keefe* I'm gonna cry-)

  "Keefe! Bro!"[YN] called into Candleshade. Keefe's eyes widened and he stuck his head out of his room door. He plopped himself onto the stairs and watched as it only took a second to be placed right in front of his best friend.

  [YN] grinned his gorgeous white grin at Keefe, making the Empath a little jittery. Even though [YN] was smiling, Keefe could feel his uneasiness.

  "You know, you should never hide your emotions from an Empath. We might not see it, but we can still feel it."Keefe deadpanned.

  [YN]'s proud smile faded. He looked down at his hands. "I don't know what you're talking about Keefe. Let's go, Fitz and Sophie invited us to play base quest."He muttered, eyebrows furrowed.

  As he walked out the door, Keefe jumped and grabbed [YN]'s hand. He had no second thoughts. He was bombarded by the male elf's negative feelings and they almost sucked him under. Keefe locked gazes with his friend's [YEC] hues, seeing the pain he felt shine through them plain like the sun in the sky.

  For [YN], Keefe didn't have to be a Telepath to know what was on his mind. His eyes told him everything, a window to his deepest secrets, fears, sorrows, and regrets. [YN] tried to pull his hand away but to no avail. He collapsed against his best friend in a heap of tears.

  "Lora broke up with me."He cried. At this point, Keefe could tell [YN] didn't care about being embarrassed because of crying.

  "Why?"

  "She said I hung out too much with you. I never paid attention to her. I thought she was the one Keefe!"

  Keefe growled a little.

  He never liked Lora. She always gave him dirty looks and hogged [YN] all to herself. He knew she wasn't the one.

  As Keefe examined [YN] sobbing against his chest, he realized something that disturbed him something fierce. He never approved of any of his girlfriends. Not a single one. He always said there was something wrong with them. Personality wise, ability wise, even appearance wise sometimes! But [YN] never listened once.

  And now his heart was torn 101 ways.

  What disturbed him wasn't how he never liked any of his girlfriends. He was disturbed because he couldn't figure out why.

  He was pulled out of his contradicting thoughts by [YN]'s agonizing wails. "Please strangle me, Keefe. You said you're my friend, right? Then do me a solid and kill me right here. Put me out of my misery."He heaved.

  Keefe rapidly shook his head and felt tears welling up in his own eyes.

  "No. That's not a real friend. Live..Live for yourself, Lora was a terrible person and didn't deserve you anyways."He whispered, cooing into his ear.

  Keefe lowered himself, taking [YN] with him as he slid down the wall to sit. [YN] curled up in his best friend's lap.

  Keefe watched as the brunette/blonde/redhead/raven slowed his crying till it stopped. He nuzzled his head into the crook of Keefe's neck and sighed contentedly. The blonde smiled sweetly, sensing his friend calming down. He kissed his forehead and pulled him closer to his body.

----

Keefe's POV

  For base quest, I was paired up with Sophie. Because we decided it'd be fair if each of us got one of the powerful Telepaths. I got lucky with Foster..

  "Keefe, I'm no Empath, but there seems to be something bothering you."Sophie said.

  I looked up, cocking a brow. "Really?"She nodded."Well, I'm fine Sophie. I don't know what you're talking about."I waited for the go, looking everywhere but the brown-eyed elf I came to adore. As a friend.

  "You just called me Sophie. You never do that. What's wrong, Keefe. I'm being serious."She persisted, her nose scrunching up in frustration.

  I didn't have the willpower to laugh.

  "You can read my mind, why don't you figure it out for yourself."I muttered bitterly. I turned towards Sophie and lowered my head. I flipped my fringe out of my face.

  Sophie hesitated and I moved closer insistently. She put her fingers to my forehead and I felt something tickle my brain. When Sophie was finished, she pulled away with wide eyes. I nodded slowly.

  "Keefe.."

  "There's gotta be something wrong with me, Soph. I was planning to go to Elwin after this game. I have to me sick. I can't possibly be this delirious when I'm not sick. I'm terrified out of my mind, I'm going to be completely honest with you. I've never been this scared since Fitz was.."I didn't have to finish. I started hyperventilating.

  Sophie put her hand on my shoulder reassuringly."Whatever happens Keefe, just know that I'll always be here."

  Fitz gave Sophie the go and she stepped away. Before she started running, I grabbed her hand. It didn't feel like [YN]'s. Hers was petite and cold. While his was big and warm.

  "Nobody must know."I said.

  "But Fitz-"

  "Nobody must know."

  Sophie frowned at me and crossed her arms. I gave a defeated sigh.

  "Sophie, I know you guys are Cognates. But this isn't your secret to keep. It's my secret you're keeping. It shouldn't affect anything, he doesn't need to ask you. He has to find out through me."I patted her head when I let go of her hand. And base quest commenced.

Timeskip brought to you by: Equal Rights from Connor4Real

  Sophie and I won Base Quest several times. How? I could feel [YN]'s anxiety from miles away.

  I took [YN] home to [YHN].
 
  When I got back to Candleshade, I saw Elwin perched on my couch. I sighed with relief. Sophie gave him an "emergency call" for me. Elwin frowned when he stood to examine me. "You don't seem to be dying right now, so I can't quite figure out what I'm doing here. Keefe, I have a life. Don't call me for stupid things."

  "Elwin no! This is serious."I yelled as he went for the door.

  He turned around and looked at my distressed face. "Alright. Sit down."

  I hopped down onto the couch and started to blab on and on and on to Elwin about why I felt sick. In the end, his expression was unreadable. Even for me, I couldn't detangle his knots of emotions. I wouldn't have been able to figure out with rubber band to start with on the rubber ball. They all look the same color but I know they all mean something different, probably. Elwin stood and sighed, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

  "Keefe, there's nothing wrong with you."

  I scowled. How was that possible?

  "Not medically at least."

  Good.

  "How do I say this? You're still young, Keefe. And usually you shouldn't make these decisions before you receive your perfect match list. Especially the one you're starting to experience now. Dear God, you could be shunned even worse than bad matches and twins or triplets. I'm just going to say that, whatever the outcome of your decisions may be, Keefe, I'll support you every step of the way if nobody else will."

  I felt myself smile. But I quickly stopped, scolding myself because I shouldn't be happy.

  "Don't force yourself backwards. And don't force yourself forwards. Force yourself to do what you think is best for your heart and soul, not your mind."Elwin ruffled my hair and left me standing there.

  Everybody I could trust with this gave me the exact same response. I knew I wasn't okay, and I wanted someone to fix me. It was hopeless looking to friends..

Timeskip yet again

  "I don't really care."Tam muttered his reply.

  I sat up on the wooden chair at the table in his little home and glared at him."So I wasted 10 minutes on that whole spiel?"

  He looked up, straight from where he was making dinner for Linh, who was sick. Then grinned a little as he looked back at me."No, not really. Now I know the real reason you wouldn't let me read you. Keefe, that's not exactly dark potential."

  My face went beet red and I threw a spoon at his head. He caught it and placed it on the counter. Tam put down the knife and heaved a sigh. He turned to face me, tears rushing down his face. I was shocked.

  I never took Tam as a cryer.

  "To be honest.."He massaged the hilt of the knife as he picked it back up.

  "I was hoping you'd never come to me this way. I hoped you'd come for an entirely different reason, but with the same mindset."

  Woah.

  "I know how you feel. I was terrified at first, thought there was something wrong with me. But I realized there wasn't any going back. It just felt so right. It felt right for me to feel this way because it actually made me happy. I sure don't want to tell the girl who finds out I'm her Number One on her matchmaking list that I'm not what she thinks I am. I don't want to tell Linh. I feel like everyone will see a monster if I shed this skin."

  He was sobbing by this point. He sat down in front of me and took my hands into his.

  "Keefe, if this is how you actually feel, you need to go forward and pursue the dreams your emotions are giving you. I can't believe it, an Empath confused by his own feelings."He gave a dry weary chuckle.

  "Tell [YN]. Don't be afraid."He kissed my knuckles and I nodded. As I left his house, I began to concoct a perfect plan.

ANOTHER TIMESKIP TO [YN]'s HOUSE

  I knocked on the door, holding something behind my back. I wasn't an intruder like he was, I didn't go sticking my head into doors that weren't mine. Even though it was kinda cute..

  [YN] answered the door with a smile on his [ST] face. "What's up, bud?"

  I took in a deep breath. I pulled a ukulele from behind my back. He stared at it in confusion with his captivating [YEC] eyes. I slowly strummed it before going full out with my plan.

"I know I don't look like the kind of guy,
Who'll look at a dude and sigh,
Like he's Prince Charming,
And I'm the servant boy that wants a try

But he's got a beautiful heart,
I didn't realize he hooked me from the start,
A kind loving soul,
Everyone takes him for granted

[YN]
I think I'm in love with you,
[YN]
There's nothing I could do,
Without you,
Here by my side
[YN]

I can't help it,
I've known him for years,
He's got a heart bigger than the sun,
And it's finally clear

I don't care what everyone says,
A bad match, a misfortune,
What's it matter to them,
I'm fine if you're with me

[YN]
You're the guy that makes my heart sing,
[YN]
Don't you want to hear those bells ring?
[YN]...
You'll always be my everything,
I can't hold this any longer..."

  When I looked up, I felt a wave of emotions when I saw his tears. Shock, passion..longing.

  "So, whaddya say?"