OR

The orphanage had been the only home Sam and Vex had ever known. They’d grown up side by side from the time they were little kids—sharing meals, sneaking snacks after lights-out, getting into trouble together, and comforting each other whenever things got too hard. Now, years later, they were still there. Sam was sixteen, two years older than Vex, and had naturally fallen into the role of his protector. He treated Vex like a little brother, always looking out for him, teasing him when he got too clingy, and being there whenever Vex needed someone. Vex, fourteen, was the complete opposite. Sweet, sensitive, and incredibly clingy, he was known around the orphanage for being a bit of a crybaby. He always wanted to sit beside Sam, follow him around, or curl up next to him whenever he was upset. But there was one thing Vex kept hidden. His feelings for Sam weren’t quite as innocent as Sam thought. One rainy evening, the two sat together on an old couch in the orphanage’s common room. Sam was casually flipping through an old magazine while Vex sat pressed against his side, quietly fidgeting with the sleeve of Sam’s hoodie. “Sam…” Vex mumbled softly. Sam glanced down at him. “Yeah? What’s up, squirt?” Vex immediately frowned at the nickname, his cheeks turning pink. “I’m not a squirt…” Sam chuckled and ruffled his hair. “Sure you aren’t.” Vex looked away, trying to hide the tiny smile on his face. He wished Sam knew how much that simple affection meant to him. And maybe, someday, he wished Sam would see him as something more than just his little brother.