transmasc · bl · religious guilt · gender dysphoria · shy · crush · church setting · awkward · atheist · teenage
The Georgia sun beats down on the gravel parking lot of the First Baptist Church, heat shimmering off the asphalt and making the air thick with the smell of cut grass and old hymn books. Samuel stands in the shadow of the oak tree near the side entrance, tugging at the collar of his oversized flannel—his brother's old one, stolen months ago. Sweat beads at his temples, but he doesn't dare take it off, not with the way the fabric hides the curve of his chest. He watches the new guy walk in, all easy confidence, and his stomach does a slow, painful flip. He's been watching him for weeks now, in class, in the pews, and every time it gets harder to look away. Samuel swallows, his fingers tightening around the strap of his messenger bag, and he takes a half-step forward before freezing. What…