trigger warning for abusive relationships depicted

Evan tapped Connor's shoulder as he walked over to him, smirking.

"Remember, we can't do too much couple shit in public. R-Restrain yourself." He tried taking a little dominance, blowing a kiss and batting his eyes as the lights dimmed for a final dress rehearsal. The director enthused about Evan's choice of costume, having cast a gay couple in the first place and wanting to make a bigger impression on crushing the gender roles if she could.

It seemed like no time had gone by when Evan was hugging Zoe and Alana again, then the lights dimming after the final number. Connor had seemed just a little more passionate in their performance, and Evan knew it was since he hadn't been able to hold or to kiss Evan all day, which was far too long for the taller boy who craved physical attention.

Connor and Evan had a moment to themselves as they left the auditorium, and as they exited the school in the near pitch black darkness they shared a simple kiss.

"That skirt was pretty hot, Hansen." He teased, wrapping his arm around Evan's waist as they walked through the cold fall wind. Evan leaned into the touch, accepting his warmth gratefully.

"I missed kissing you all day."

"We didn't do it that much before-" Connor played it off, scoffing a little before Evan cut him off with another kiss.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Evan whispered, kicking at rocks as they walked down his street and pausing at the end of the driveway.

"I think... You're gonna do great. We're gonna do great, all of us." Connor's voice wavered, and Evan caught it almost immediately.

"Your dad's coming?" The small nod Connor gave made Evan frown, knowing the other struggled with his father.

Larry tried to be a good dad, but he fell for all the typical parent traits. He didn't want to believe his child struggled, and he wouldn't be the one to get help for him. It hurt Connor everyday really, but Cynthia would do her best to try and figure out a million ways to try and reach Connor. She had too much time on her hands really, opposite to Heidi who seemed to have no time.

The smaller things that bothered less was that Larry wasn't current with the times. He would have his set schedule that he followed since he was in his thirties, and he certainly wouldn't accept any sort of queer happenings. He would open the paper with his coffee and frown to see some sort of pride event or even a guy wearing a dress of some sort. The fact that he would see Evan in a skirt and kissing his lips would upset him greatly, but he didn't care as much as being accepted as much as being kicked out. Cynthia was his last chance of getting any help, she was the rich wife of Larry and could pay for therapy or medication.

"It's gonna be okay... And if he doesn't like it, it's gonna suck. B-But you're going to have put on an amazing performance and we can come back over to my place and rehearse some dead girl walking, y-you know?" Evan blushed at his own words, knowing they sounded quite childish but nevertheless causing Connor to blush and laugh softly.

"Something to look forward too... I love you, Ev." He said casually, looking up to the stars above them and watching his breath disappear into the cold atmosphere. Evan stood on his toes, kissing Connor quick and deep.

"I love you too." He whispered, seeing a light flick on in his house and running quickly inside. Connor watched smiling foolishly before walking away slowly, loving every second he could see Evan.

Evan rushed in to see his mom smiling tiredly, holding a paper bag in her hands.

"I tried to keep them warm... The hospital had those sugar cookies you loved so much as a kid!" Evan smiled widely, embracing his mother in his arms tightly and hugging her.

"Thank you... I-I love you. I love these." He giggled, taking the bag from Heidi's hands and opening it to the familiar smell. The cookies were simple, but since he was in the hospital a lot as a kid just watching his mother work or coming in for visits about his anxiety, he had learned to love the cookies he was given at the end of each day. They reminded him of simple and quite beautiful times, taking a bite out of it and smiling. Heidi placed a hand on her heart, happy her son was going to act as the lead in the school's biggest production of the year.

"You know I'm so proud of you no matter how well the show goes, right?" She sat down on the couch, patting the cushion next to her to invite Evan to sit. Evan was quick to accept, leaning his head on Heidi's shoulder as he curled up next to her.

"I-I've really worked hard, mom. The director let me wear a skirt today... For Ver-"

"For Ronnie. You're going to blow the whole room away... You could be on broadway someday, honey." She murmured as she stroked Evan's hair, a little thing that seemed to calm him down since he was a child. Heidi had a small idea of what happened with Will, having had him over for a few dinners before and noticing how he disappeared quite suddenly and how Evan would come home with more bruises or run past her crying. She saw Connor appear slowly into his life and watched it happily become healthier each day, a more true smile coming on his lips when he would walk out the door to school to see the boy instead of a dreadful smile.

"If I'm on broadway... I won't get too see you at all." He frowned, earning a small laugh from Heidi. She held him tighter in her arms, kissing the top of his head.

"Don't worry about me, Evan." Evan fell into her arms, smiling as his eyes fluttered shut softly.

"I love you, mom." He mumbled before he fell into a sleep, exhausted from the week of heavy rehearsal. Heidi smiled, moving so they could both fit on the couch and resting her head on a pillow behind her. The soft wind blowing outside lulled her to sleep, smiling as she let her eyes rest.

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a.n: filler kinda. next chapter is gonna be better i promise !!!
edit: TTHANK YOU FOR 30k HECK THATS SO MUCH I AM SO HONORED