The Only Exception

“I’m leaving for tour tomorrow,” Kellin sighed with his hands planted firmly on his hips and pain present in his eyes. He glared hard at Vic, who sat on the bed with his legs crossed underneath him and his hands placed down in his lap. The older male refused to meet Kellin’s burning gaze, knowing that he would most likely fall apart the second they made eye contact. Vic felt bad, of course, but he wasn’t used to this feeling before. He didn’t know how to act so instead of fighting or telling Kellin what was on his mind, he sat in silence with his eyes glued to the bed as Kellin huffed in front of him.

“Seriously?” Kellin spoke up again when Vic did nothing except shift the position he was in so that his feet were no longer falling asleep underneath his small frame, but instead dangling off the bed before him. All Vic could do was shrug, still adamant on keeping his eyes away from Kellin’s always piercing blue ones. “You’re just going to sit there? Are you really not going to say anything to me? Vic, look at me!”

The hurt that laced Kellin’s voice was clear, and Vic felt horrible for the way he was acting. Unfortunately for the two of them, the fear that Vic carried around within him was much stronger than anything else he could feel at all.

Kellin dropped to his knees at the side of the bed and grabbed onto Vic’s hands with his own cold ones. Lovingly, he laced their fingers together and willed Vic to finally look up at him, offering a gentle smile he hoped would coax the older of the two into talking. He was desperate; scared wishing that Vic would open up to him. He tried everything from being a loving and caring boyfriend who would cook him dinner and sing him to sleep at night to giving him time and space whenever he needed it. Kellin was never clingy, no matter how much he wanted to be and he was always there whenever Vic needed him. The first time Kellin introduced the other boy to his family, he did it with pride – smiling wide and holding Vic’s hand with joy. Kellin loved him in every way that one person could love another. But Vic never said a word.

“Please say something,” he whispered but it was like Vic didn’t want to listen. “God damn it!” Kellin yelled fingers untangling from Vic’s so he could pull at his own hair in frustration.

“I’m sorry, Kellin,” Vic finally croaked out, head hung low in shame. “I wish I could be what you needed. I really do.”

“You are, Vic!” Kellin cried, throwing his hands over his face and dragging them down. “I’m proud to call you my boyfriend. I love you with all of my heart and you make me the happiest guy on Earth. But it’s like you’re afraid to show the world that you’re happy. That you’re in love…” Kellin paused mid rant as a thought stuck his mind; a laugh of defeat pouring out from him. “Maybe that’s it,” he sighed sadly. “Maybe you’re not happy.”

“That’s not true,” Vic shot back quickly. That was probably the farthest thing from the truth. Kellin made Vic very happy; the happiest he had been in years. That’s what he was afraid of. He only wished he could voice that to Kellin.

Kellin shook his head and began pacing around the room again. He thought hard about it, chewing on his bottom lip until the skin started break beneath his teeth. Stopping in front of the window, he leant against the edge and crossed his arms. “I think it might be,” he finally spoke. “We’ve been together for two years and you still can’t say that you love me. I’m beginning to think that you don’t.”

Vic didn’t know what to say. Was Kellin right? No, he couldn’t be. Vic adored the younger boy with everything; he just wasn’t used to whatever feelings were churning in his stomach lately. He didn’t know how to show what he felt, or comprehend whatever it was.

“Kellin, I-”

“Don’t,” Kellin cut him off with a wave of his hand. “Just-just go downstairs, Vic. I need some time to think.”

Vic wanted to protest, but the words wouldn’t come out. His thoughts froze as he stood from the bed on shaky legs. He felt awful and there was a nervous pang in his chest that felt like Kellin might finally break things off with him. If that happened, he wouldn’t know what to do. They shared a home and a life and if Kellin were to leave him, he would be completely lost. He didn’t want to aggravate the youngest anymore than he already had, so with much regret he left the room and went downstairs to join the many guests they had invited over for Kellin’s going away celebration.

He reached the bottom of the stairs and looked around the sea of people. An uncomfortable feeling crept up on him, but he had to push that away. Maybe being down here with the noise and commotion would somehow clear his head. If he focused on the important things, maybe he could find an answer.

“Vic!” The male turned at the sound of his name, smiling fondly when he saw his friend, Jaime, walking towards his direction. Drink in hand, he was grinning wildly as if he had already downed a few of the signature cocktails Vic created in Kellin’s honor – some blend of Vodka and various fruit flavors. “Where’s Kellin? Isn’t he coming down to party?”

Vic frowned, but decided that he could trust Jaime. Drunk or not, the man was a loyal friend and he would probably have some useful advice for him. “We, uh, had a fight?” Vic wasn’t sure if it was strong enough to be classified as a fight, but Kellin did ask him to leave the room so he supposed it was good enough.

“Dude,” Jaime scowled. “What did you do this time?”

“What makes you think it was my fault?” Vic shot back, even though it was true.

Jaime raised his eyebrows, giving him a look of disbelief. The boy had been around the couple long enough to know that Kellin treated Vic like a king, always doing whatever it took to make the older one happy. He knew that when they fought, it was most likely because of something Vic did, or in this case, didn’t do.

Vic simply nodded and sat down on one of the empty bar stools. He patted the one next to him to have Jaime join him. He felt like it was best to maybe talk about it and Jaime seemed like the best person, even if he wouldn’t remember this very conversation come morning.

So, Vic spilled his guts, letting Jaime know everything that he just couldn’t say to Kellin no matter how badly he wanted to. And it felt nice to be able to let it all out; every single detail.



When Vic was a child, he was a big believer in love. Everything he witnessed between his parents – the starry eyes and tender embraces – told him that love was a powerful thing and that more importantly, it was real. His parents were living proof of that. He would watch the two of them dance in the living room on rainy days, for no reason other than the fact they were happy. And Vic saw the joy in his mother’s eyes when his father would bring her home flowers after a long day at work. It was beautiful; they were beautiful. And when Vic saw them, he could only wish that one day, hopefully, he would feel that way, too.

So, it came as no surprise that four years later, when his parents went through a nasty divorce, the dark eyed boy’s hope fizzled out and he became angry, bitter, and most of all, skeptical. He was barely a teenager then, still unaware of how the world truly worked and the fact that people could actually change. Apparently people fell out of love all the time and that astounded him, but he accepted it. He just never thought that two of those people would end up being his parents.

The estranged couple tried to explain the situation to Vic and his brother, Mike, but it seemed impossible for the young boys to understand. After ten years of a beautiful, happy marriage, they just weren’t in love anymore. And the boys couldn’t wrap their heads around that.

After the divorce was finalized, it became smooth sailing. Kind of. They had settled on a custody agreement that would let the boys live with both parents every now and then as long as neither parent moved out of the school district. It worked fine for the most part, other than the fact that Vic felt lost. He didn’t have one home anymore, he had two and that didn’t feel right to him.

He knew that there was nothing he could do, so instead of rebelling or growing a temper like any other boy would do, he kept it all inside. Every emotion or thought stayed bottled in him; closing him off from anyone or anything that tried to get too close.

When Vic turned 16, he finally got his license. That weekend he was with his father. Deep down, it upset him that his mother couldn’t be a part of the very important milestone, but he knew she’d get to experience others so he let it go at the time. The three boys had celebrated with an expensive dinner, paid for by their father. That day, Vic was allowed to drive everywhere and it was at that moment, when they were leaving the restaurant and cruising the sunny streets of downtown California with the windows down, he felt free.

When they got back to his father’s small home, Vic wasn’t ready to give up that feeling just yet. He liked the way the wind felt jostling his hair about and he liked that he was the one in charge of the radio now. It was like a passageway to being a real teenager and he loved it.

He made the decision to drop Mike and his father off at home and then after gathering a few things, he’d go out to meet his friends and brag about how he was a licensed driver. The possibilities were endless.

It happened when Vic was leaving the house again, he went to the backyard to say goodbye to his father when he heard the soft cries coming from the usually tough man. The sight surprised him and he stayed hidden behind a tree, out of view so his father wouldn’t know. Vic watched his shoulders move up and down and closed his eyes when he heard a curse slip past his father’s lips.

It was unlike anything Vic had ever encountered before. His father was always so strong, so stoic that watching him fall apart like this broke his heart. He knew the reason; he didn’t even have to wait for his father to yell out his mother’s name. It didn’t matter how long you’ve been separated from someone, he gathered, some days the feelings just come rushing back to you. With that, Vic backed away and left his father in peace, never bringing it up again.

When Vic was 18, he was getting ready to leave for college on the other side of the country. All of the boxes were packed, his room now bare, and more than anything he couldn’t wait to escape and start over new. He felt guilty about leaving his family behind but he knew they’d be alright. This was a change that Vic needed. They completely understood that.

He was with his mother in the basement, grabbing the last few boxes to take to the car when she produced an old photo album. Probably something she had forgotten about. He stood beside her as she flipped through old, tattered pages and watched as her fingers traced each photograph. Here they were a happy family, his mother, his father, his brother, and himself. Everyone was right where they belonged and when his eyes flicked from the book to meet his mother’s, he could see the longing she held for those times to come back.

Gently, he placed a hand on her arm to bring her back to reality. “Why don’t you stop thinking about him?” He asked quietly.

“Oh, Victor,” she frowned and closed the book lightly. “It’s not that simple.”

“Yeah it is,” he countered with a shake of his head. “It’s been a while, ma. You should be able to forget.”

She sighed softly and put an arm around his shoulder. Vic was legally an adult now, but she supposed that there were things he still didn’t grasp. That was understandable. It was a deep topic. Vic was still youthful at heart. “Your father is always going to remain a part of my life, not only because of you and your brother, but because he is part of my history. Without him, I wouldn’t be the woman that I am today. And the same can be said for him. Just because we’re no longer in love, does not mean that I can’t still think about it.”

The way she spoke touched something within him, but it wasn’t a good something. He could see the heartache and the pain that read across her face every time she flipped a picture or any time she said her ex-husband’s name. She wouldn’t let herself forget for whatever reason and it terrified him to the core. The fear grew so strong that at that moment, he made a promise to himself that he wouldn’t let himself get that way. Even if that meant staying away from love for good.

When Vic was 22, he graduated college. He had no real plans for the future and to be honest, he didn’t even know what he was going to do with his degree, but it felt nice to be able to finish something. That night, he went out to the bar with a few of his friends for a celebration. It was a quiet place, one they went to enough to give them a regular booth with a regular waitress.

Vic ordered his usual with no thoughts that the night would be any different from a previous night where they had gone to the establishment, graduating or not. He assumed it would all be the same – drunken conversations and a bunch of useless bickering – the usual for them. And the night had been heading in that direction.

But then, he saw him.

He was a bright-eyed boy, with thick dark hair and a smile that lit up the entire bar. From where Vic sat, he could see him on the stage adjusting the microphone and he noted how calm and relaxed the boy looked, like being on stage was his second home. They locked eyes for only a brief moment, but it was enough to make Vic feel uncomfortable.

That boy, couldn’t be older than 21, if that, made him feel nervous and for what reason? Vic had no idea. He wasn’t exactly a stranger to dating. He swore off the whole love thing but he still had his dates, his hookups, just like a regular guy would. He would just always end the relationships before they got too serious. There was something about this person in particular, though, that had his curiosity heightened.

As the night went on, Vic could not stop watching the blue eyed boy on the stage. He wasn’t alone, accompanied by another gentleman with an acoustic guitar, but he was certainly the most noticeable. Vic couldn’t decide if it was in fact his stunning looks, or his soft feminine voice, but there was something about him that drew everyone in. When he sang, he put everything in to it and when he smiled, you could see his confidence. He was definitely different.

Vic thought it over before the song ended and when the boy said goodnight to the crowd, Vic decided that maybe it wouldn’t be a bad thing to get to know this person, even if his intentions were to only take the boy home for a night and send him packing right after. He didn’t have to know that, though.

He waited for the right time to make his move and when the stranger sat down at the bar, he decided that was perfect. Excusing himself from his friends, he sauntered his way to where the boy sat, checking his phone before sliding it into his pocket. Vic cleared his throat and leaned against the bar, flashing his winning smile in hopes that this perfect stranger would fall for it.

Luckily, he did and that night was the night that Vic met Kellin Quinn.

He was the lead singer for a band, he was exactly 21, and he thought Vic was the most beautiful thing, ever. After that night, Vic had really expected Kellin to be gone the next morning. Their conversation kind of insinuated that Kellin was also a one night stand type of guy. Yet that next day when Vic woke up with the worst kind of hangover (courtesy of the shots Kellin kept buying him), he was somewhat pleasantly surprised that Kellin was still fast asleep in his bed.

That feeling wore off though after Kellin woke up and started talking. Vic really thought he’d be able to shake him, get the boy to go away, but he just wouldn’t budge. Instead, Kellin latched onto Vic like he was the greatest thing to ever exist and he couldn’t let go.

And he didn’t, because one year later Kellin had fallen head over heels and two years later, they were sharing an apartment in the city. Vic was furious with himself for breaking his promise of getting too close. He was fine being alone, learning to survive with no one but himself, but then Kellin came along and everything changed.



“Wow,” Jaime finally commented after Vic told his back story. It wasn’t all that interesting, he thought, but Jaime being drunk definitely had altered his mind a little more in favor of it. “So, you love him or you don’t?” Jaime asked confused.

“I don’t know,” Vic shrugged, thinking over the promise he made to himself. Were there exceptions to the rule and could Kellin possibly be that one? Some said that growing up, Vic let his parent’s divorce interfere with his life too much, but when he literally idolized his parents and put all hope into their relationship, watching it crumble and fall apart really toyed with his mind.

“Well,” Jaime said placing a very unstable hand on Vic’s shoulder. Leaning in closer he slurred, “What does your heart tell you?” A loud giggle erupted from him as he said the cheesy line and Vic couldn’t help but laugh back. It was stupid and foolish, but Jaime was always a genius. And the question made complete sense.

Vic grabbed a shot from the bar, downing it instantly before standing up and taking a deep breath. “Jaime, go get Kellin. There’s something I need to do.”

Vic left his friend at the bar in hopes that he would go and do as he asked and he made his way to the living room where he had a stage set up for a few performances. He was a ball of nerves, thinking if this was even a good idea or not. What if he made a fool out of himself? Or worse, what if he poured his heart out to Kellin and then one day, much like his parents, they would just fall apart.

He couldn’t think like that anymore. Not when he had the most incredible and perfect person in his life. Kellin was different; he was understanding and patient, loving and smart, and he was passionate and beautiful. He was all of the things Vic could ever want and more and he knew now more than ever, that it was time to change. Kellin was leaving tomorrow and Vic had to let him know how he felt.

He reached for the microphone provided, making sure that it was on so everyone could hear him properly. It might have been a better idea to tell Kellin this in private, but Kellin said so himself, Vic was afraid to let other people in and let everyone know that yes, he was happy. So this was actually perfect.

He scanned the room and smiled when he saw Kellin make his way downstairs, followed closely by Jaime. The paler boy looked annoyed and from where Vic stood, he could see the redness that rimmed his eyes. Vic hated the sight and he only hoped that what he was about to do could make all of Kellin’s hurt disappear.

The blue eyed boy stopped whenever he reached the edge of the room, mouth opening slightly in shock when he saw Vic standing there with a very nervous smile on his face. Minutes ago he had been up in their room, going over everything that had happened for the past two years and for a very brief second he thought about leaving, but the thought quickly disappeared. He loved Vic with all of his heart and nothing would ever take that away. When Jaime came to get him, he was very confused, but humored the drunk, hyperactive male and followed him out of the room the second he said something about Vic.

“Hi Kellin,” Vic said into the microphone, startling himself at just how loud it really was. As much as Kellin tried to fight it, he couldn’t help but smile at least a little bit. Vic was too cute for his own good. “Uhm, I had Jaime go get you because, well, because I had something that I wanted to say before you left and I thought…” he stopped rambling, his nerves taking over. One look at Kellin’s soft gaze and they all vanished. This was what he was meant to do. “…I thought that now was the right time, which is why I’m standing in here front of all of these people, some I don’t even know.”

The room fell silent, everyone’s eyes now on Vic, but he ignored the stares. His gaze remaining focused on the most important person in the room. Well, at least until a cough in the front row startled him. He jumped back, tearing his gaze away from Kellin’s and stared at the man down below him. “Like this guy,” Vic pointed for example. “I have no idea who he is.” The man opened up to give his name, but decided better of it. Now was not the time.

Kellin chuckled at the scene and started to very slowly make his way closer to the front of the stage. He gave Vic a look that told him to continue and not back out now, so that’s exactly what he did, clearing his throat to speak again. He made eye contact with the raven haired boy stepping closer to him and he smiled.

“I love you, Kellin,” he said into the microphone. Kellin immediately stopped walking, eyes going wide when he lifted his head to see Vic standing there. Not only did Vic finally admit to loving him, but he did so in front of a large crowd of people. He couldn’t even begin to explain the feelings that were rushing inside of him. “And I promise you do make me happy.”

Kellin swallowed the lump in his throat and tried to keep a poker face. Inside he was ecstatic, but he wanted to remain cool and collected in front of everyone.

“I love the way you laugh at me when I can’t figure out how to work the television and I love when I wake up in the morning and hear you singing in the shower. I love that you always smell like strawberries and when you hug me, I know that you’ll never let me go. I love it when you play with my hair and I love it when you kiss me to sleep at night. I love the way your body molds perfectly to mine and I love your smile and I love your laugh. You’re intelligent and talented and the most genuine and sarcastic person I think I’ve ever met and I fucking love that about you. I love everything about you from your bad morning breath to your annoying little habits to your cocky attitude and more. I love you, Kellin Quinn. I always have.”

Vic stopped when he felt his cheeks wet. He was so lost in his words that he hadn’t even realized he started crying. Part of him felt like it was stupid, but when he peered down and saw Kellin standing in front of him, in nearly the exact same condition, he knew that it was anything but.

“I grew up as the type of person who never thought that love would last,” Vic breathed. “I saw my parent’s relationship fall apart and how broken and damaged they both were afterwards and I never thought that anything would be worth that kind of pain, but then I met you, Kellin and you are the only exception.”

Kellin stood there speechless as his eyes continued to water. Heavy breaths flowed in and out of his body, just wanting so desperately to run up to the man on the stage and wrap him tightly in his arms. He always knew that Vic’s parents had gotten a divorce, but what Vic failed to mention was that it played a very big part in his life. If Kellin would have known, he would have acted differently; he wouldn’t have tried to push Vic into anything. Those thoughts were all put on hold though when Vic got off of the stage and stopped right in front of him.

He cupped his face in his hands, brushing away Kellin’s tears and smiling warmly. “And I’m finally starting to believe again,” he whispered, “because there is no other way to describe what I feel for you other than love.”

Kellin didn’t waste a second, grabbing Vic by the collar of his shirt and connecting their lips in a desperate, love filled kiss. He wanted to make sure it would be something that Vic would never forget; that would tell him he was serious about this, about them.

“I love you, too, Vic,” Kellin said when they pulled apart. “More than I can form into words, more than I’ve ever loved another human being in my life. And I promise that I will never, ever fall out of love with you. I don’t think I could even if I tried.”

Vic smiled and wrapped his arms around Kellin’s waist. “I know that you have to leave tomorrow, but I just wanted you to know that.”

“Thank you,” Kellin smiled, his nerves put at ease. Tomorrow morning he could get on that bus with a happy heart and high hopes that when he returned, Vic would still be there.

“Thank you, Kels,” Vic sighed in content.

And from that moment forward, Vic knew it was possible to believe in love again. No matter how hard he tried to fight it, Kellin was the one. The only exception.