#kalebbarrie

guess who's a published fiction author 🤓

Chapters: 12/18 Chapter 12 Word Count: 6,883 Fandom: Original Work Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Uptight Librarian Desperate for Love/His Next-Door Neighbor He Accuses of Having Sex Too Loudly, Original Male Character/Original Male Character Characters: Original Male Character(s) of Color, Original Female Character(s) of Color, Original Trans Character(s) Additional Tags: Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Friends With Benefits, Reality TV, Miscommunication, Self-Esteem Issues, Coming Out, Internalized Homophobia, Internalized Biphobia, Depression, Panic Attacks, Sexual Dysfunction, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, anorgasmia, Hand Jobs, Blow Jobs, Anal Sex, Light Angst, Humor, Eventual Happy Ending, Getting Together, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Dissociation, Implied/Referenced Homophobia, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Hospitals, Alcohol Sneak Peek and Summary:

Gavin shuffles in his socks into the light, grunting, “Don’t listen to Billy. He’s personal best friends with the fire department.”

“I should have left you in that stupid wheelchair at the stupid hospital,” Billy retorts without missing a beat. He’s currently losing a battle with a blunt paring knife to slice spring onions evenly.

“With the way you’re dealing with those ingredients, it seems I might be going right back, anyway,” Gavin grouses. “Why are you still here?”

“Oh, sorry. Should I have just stolen your precious car to go to work?”

“Fair point.” Gavin turns to his sister, who is blandly amused. “And why are you still here?”

“I’m sorry for caring about you, dickwad.”

“Sorry. I mean—that’s not what I meant.” He groans and drags his hands down his face. “I’m not exactly excellent company right now.”

“Great! I’ve known this about you for twenty-seven years.”

Billy doubles over the chopping board, snorting.

Izra's presence brings to the fore how homophobia and lack of communication have isolated Billy from his family. Come Saturday, he and Gavin pull through to present their cake to the judges, but not without repercussions in the shape of Billy's insecure ex Connor ridiculing him for it.