We’ll Be Young Forever

Before both boys knew it, all those weeks they spent sleeping through the whole day because the nights prior they had been wrapped in blankets cuddling while watching movies, were gone. As well as those hot days when they would hang out downtown, being their dumb selves sitting by the beach or merely roaming San Diego’s streets while eating ice cream. Nothing ever felt more right than that but sadly for them; summer was gone and it hurt both of them a lot.

Kellin didn't know how he would handle not being able to contact his best friend as often as he was used to but he figured as time passed, it would get easier. It had to, right? But right now all he could think about was how much it hurt him to see his best friend go. He couldn't handle the way Vic looked at him with sorrowful eyes while both of them got the mexican’s backpack out of his parents' car.

"Stop that." Kellin mumbled, walking by Vic's side while both boys stepped further into the airport, trailing right behind Vic’s family who were looking for documentation.

"Stop what?" The eldest played dumb, holding Kellin's hand in his own and squeezing in what was intended to be a comforting way.

The blue eyed boy sighed and stopped, turning to face his best friend. As much as he tried to stop himself from shedding unwanted tears, he couldn't help it. With bottom lip quivering and big fat tears rolling down his cheeks, Kellin let go of Vic's hand and turned away from him, hands on his hips while he looked up and willed himself to calm down but it was useless, he was shaking uncontrollably no matter how much he tried to keep it together.

It hurt Vic to see Kellin that worked up but as much as he wanted to, he couldn't let this opportunity go so he did what he thought was best, which was hold the youngest close to his chest. Rubbing circles up and down Kellin's sides and feeling the youngest shuddering in his hold while whispering soothing things in his best friend's ear, Vic couldn't help but feel sadness take over his body.

"Hey, calm down." The mexican said, kissing behind the pale boy's neck and not missing how Kellin’s skin arose into goosebumps, making him smirk. "I'm coming back you know? It's not like I'm dead. I promise I'll call you whenever I can and I’ll write letters, maybe I'll even send postcards so please don't be sad." He said, swaying them side to side, creating a simple rhythm that somehow soothed the raven haired boy.

"It's just so hard." Kellin sighed, turning in Vic’s arms and looking straight into his eyes with sorrow soaking his features. And in that moment Vic felt his heart breaking.

“I know.” The oldest sighed, moving his right hand away from Kellin’s hip so he could wipe the tears adorning the pale boy’s cheek; the youngest leaning against his touch. How would Vic be able to survive God knows how much time without holding his best friend? He didn’t know and that mere thought had his heart clenching with longing already. “But hey. I promise I’ll be back, alright? Don’t worry.”

Merely nodding, Kellin hid his nose in the crook of the mexican’s neck, sighing sadly and trying to brem Vic’s cinnamon scent in his mind so it would never be long gone. Unfortunately, someone clearing their throat broke them out of the tight embrace, making Kellin’s cheeks flush red when he noticed it had been Vic’s parents who had interrupted them so he opted for pulling apart quickly and standing awkwardly next to the eldest.

Meanwhile, Vivian looked between boys with a knowing smile. As a mother, she noticed the way his son looked at the youngest boy and she often had to hold back smiles whenever she looked at Kellin, catching him with that look of adoration in his big blue eyes when looking at Vic. It wasn’t that hard to put the pieces together but she’d wait until either of them were comfortable enough to tell her. With that thought it mind, she smiled sadly at both boys and spoke.

"Vic, we need you to come with us so you can get your boarding pass and document your luggage."

Without another word, the Fuentes family and Kellin walked to the counter where they checked the mexican's luggage, the pale boy trying to hold back tears of sadness. It was all becoming too real. Vic was leaving and Kellin didn't even know when he was coming back. It could be years for all he knew. Sighing, he followed all of them through the gates until they heard the lady in the speakers calling passengers to board Vic's flight.

He knew that was it and with that mere thought, he couldn't help but let silent tears fall down his cheeks while giving the Fuentes' family some space. He stood back, watching them say goodbye to their oldest son. He watched the way Mama Fuentes blessed the long haired mexican with a concerned frown on her forehead, while Vic had a nostalgic smile playing on his lips, or the way Papa Fuentes tried to assure his wife everything was going to be alright and how their son was old and smart enough to know what he was doing.

However, what caught Kellin's attention the most was Mike. The youngest of the brothers was standing looking the scene unfolding in front of him trying to act tough, but when Vic approached him; that facade instantly fell. The tallest of the brothers clung onto his oldest brother like his life depended on it. It was like when they were kids all over again; Mike running up to Vic whenever something frightened him. And Kellin couldn't help but smile widely at the memory.

Wiping his cheeks, Kellin took small steps towards Vic after both brothers had said their farewells; Vic standing there with a an anxious look on his face. And in that very moment, Kellin knew the mexican was at least a little bit scared of that the future held for him. The eldest could try and fool everyone else but Kellin. They'd been best friends for so long that the youngest could read him like a book by then.

"Hey, everything's going to be alright." Kellin spoke softly, Vic turning his head to the sound of Kellin's voice looking like a deer caught in headlights. Sighing, the oldest nodded and hugged his best friend much like the youngest had done earlier; closing his eyes and trying to memorize Kellin's sweet scent into the depths of his mind. Vic couldn't describe the way he smelt, but he knew there was a hint of Vanilla scent hidden somewhere.

The mexican wanted nothing more than to bring his blue eyed friend along with him but he knew better than that. He knew Kellin wasn't old enough to just drop his studies and follow him to the end of the world. Not that the youngest wouldn't do such thing for him.

Reluctantly, the eldest pulled away when he heard he final call from the speakers. Smiling sadly, he looked into Kellin's eyes for the last time, and unsuccessfully, tried to wipe his pale cheeks from the never stoping tears leaking from his eyes. Under his parents' watchful gaze and heart pounding against his ribs; the oldest pecked Kellin's lips shortly.

To say the blue eyed boy's cheeks were flushing would be an utter understatement. He couldn't believe the oldest had done that in front of his parents but he had no time to dwell on that thought, the sound of Vic's voice bringing him back to reality instantly.

"I love you." The eldest whispered, never looking away from Kellin's eyes and the pale boy couldn't stop the fluttering going on in his stomach when listening those three words leaving Vic's lips. "And I'm coming back for you, you just wait."

Not being able to respond in fright his voice would crack, Kellin settled for nodding his head quickly; Vic's small smile making the action all worth it. And with a small wave to his family; the oldest turned around to walk further into the gate without a second glance.

Sighing, Kellin looked back at the Fuentes family, who were looking at the gate just as sadly as he was. He remembered that small peck Vic gave him before leaving and suddenly his cheeks were burning red, making him squirm under their stare but walked towards them nonetheless. He couldn't exactly hide from them but he wondered if they were okay with whatever thing they had been doing. What if they weren't though? Kellin knew Vic's parents didn't know about his sexuality and he couldn't bear the thought of being treated differently just for loving a boy.

Not having more time to dwell on those thoughts, he suddenly noticed Mike's hand placed in what was intended to be a comforting way on his shoulder. He figured that maybe the youngest was trying to help him feel less shitty which is why he smiled in gratefulness weakly, getting an equal gesture from the slightly taller mexican.

Kellin wasn't as close to Mike or the rest of Vic's friends as he was to the oldest but he knew they cared about him nonetheless, which is why he appreciated the effort they put to make him feel less sad. He appreciated the fact that they tried to distract both of them from the fact that Vic was leaving by the end of summer by being their dumb selves at the park or in the Fuentes household. Specially Jaime.

Kelllin wasn't fond of the spiky haired mexican at first, being wary about him but growing to like him as much as he liked Mike and Tony when he noticed he meant no harm. Soon enough, Kellin realized Jaime was the cheery one of the group, always trying to make everyone smile and although it bothered him a little at first, he grew to appreciate him a lot. He liked spending time with Jaime listening talk about nonsense. It was interesting somehow.

The Fuentes family and Kellin walked back to their car, the blue eyed boy being entertained by the passing scenery. He didn't want to cry or feel sad anymore but he couldn't help but reminisce about the past couple of weeks. He wished nothing more than to be able to go back and do it all over again. He wanted to go back to those evenings Vic and him spent at the beach, counting stars and talking about the future or just remembering their childhood wrapped in each other's arms.

He knew it was just the beginning of it it all and somehow, among all the sadness surrounding the event, this experience should make their relationship stronger. He just wished he could be strong enough for what was about to come their way.