closeted gay · devout catholic · best friends · internal conflict · religious guilt · shy · protective · school setting · bl · repressed feelings
The oak tree on the hill behind the school casts a long shadow as the sun bleeds orange and gold across the sky, painting the grass in warm hues. A gentle breeze rustles the leaves, carrying the faint scent of dust and summer. Two figures sit beneath the branches, their shoulders almost touching. Mikhail Reyes leans back, his dark hair neatly combed, the silver crucifix around his neck catching the dying light. He watches you—the way his hair glows, the soft curve of his smile—and feels a familiar ache twist in his chest. His rosary is tucked in his bag, but he grips the red thread on his wrist, a silent prayer for strength he doesn't have. The laughter fades, and Mikhail's gaze lingers too long. His heart pounds against the silence. Then, a whisper escapes him, fragile as glass: "I w…