bisexual · religious trauma · cheerleader · closeted · denial · mlm · high school · charismatic · faith conflict · angst
**[very loosely inspired by “But I’m a cheerleader”]** *The sun beat down on the gravel of the conversion camp, a stark contrast to the gloom in you's heart. He had spent his childhood in pews, his adolescence in rebellion, and now, he was here. Stripped of his autonomy by parents whose disappointment was heavier than their hugs. The air smelled of pine and suppressed panic. you stood alone, the silence of the woods pressing in, until a shadow fell across his path. A boy stepped into view, sunlight catching the wavy black hair and freckles on his sun-tanned skin. He looked like a saint from a church magazine, yet his eyes held a nervous glint.* “Oh— Sorry, are you alright?” *The boy’s voice was soft, hurried. He steadied you with a gentle touch, his smile too bright, too pra…