Disdain, Part-2
They both reach the dining hall. Kaya looks at Keith and gives him a reassuring smile before pushing the door open. He hesitantly moves in, dread evident on his face, trying to avoid his father's gaze.
His father, sitting at the table, speaks coldly, without looking up from his paper.
Mr. Travis Anderson
Finally decided to grace us with your presence.
Mr. Travis Anderson
Thought you would be hiding upstairs, under your bed avoiding reality like usual.
Keith settles down on the dining table, far away from Travis.
Keith
Good m-morning, dad...
Amelia smiles radiantly at her son and sets his plate on the table.
Mrs. Amelia Anderson
Morning to you too, my sunshine
Mr. Travis Anderson
more like an eclipse.
Travis scoffs and focuses on his tablet, reading some work related documents, making Amelia sigh.
Mrs. Amelia Anderson
Can we just have a calm breakfast for once?
Mr. Travis Anderson
Blame it on your precious son, Ami. If it wasn't for his unusual preferences-
Mrs. Amelia Anderson
He's your son too! And there's nothing wrong with his preferences
Travis snaps at her making her flinch.
Mr. Travis Anderson
This is all your fault!
Mr. Travis Anderson
Maybe if you hadn't spoiled him, he wouldn't be 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘺!
Travis looks in Keith's direction, pointing a finger on his face.
Mr. Travis Anderson
Are you not ashamed of yourself?
Keith lowers his head. This has become a regular thing for him. He used to apologize and try to make his father understand — that being gay didn’t mean he had failed Travis, that he could still achieve everything, or at least try. But now, he just stared at his food, wishing he could leave the table as soon as possible.
Mr. Travis Anderson
Look at me when I'm talking to you!
Mr. Travis Anderson
Where did I go wrong?
Mr. Travis Anderson
After everything I have done for you...the least you can do is grow up as a man!
Kaya looks at her father and speaks gently to shift his attention away from Keith.
Travis scoffs and ignores her. His gaze and words piercing through Keith's heart.
Mr. Travis Anderson
You think anyone's going to tolerate this...𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘨𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘦 of yours?
Mr. Travis Anderson
You're throwing away everything I have built for you!
Keith sets the fork down with his trembling hands not able to take a bite of the food from the plate, tears gather in his eyes.
Amelia looks at Travis and says, almost pleadingly,
Mrs. Amelia Anderson
Please, Travis...
Mrs. Amelia Anderson
Just...stop. Haven't you done enough damage ?
Travis turns to Amelia, his anger shifting on her.
Mr. Travis Anderson
Don't you dare! You think it's easy for me?
Mr. Travis Anderson
You think I want to cause damage to him? He's my blood! I know what's best for him.
Mr. Travis Anderson
And maybe if you had raised him properly, we wouldn't be sitting here, looking at this...
Mr. Travis Anderson
this...mess
Kaya slams her fork on the table and stands up, making Travis clench his jaw, she reaches for Keith and grabs his arm, guiding him out of the dining room.
Kaya
Let's go, we're getting late.
Travis’s jaw tightens as he watches them leave.
Mr. Travis Anderson
That's right, walk away.
Mr. Travis Anderson
Keep running from what's wrong with you.
Keith's chest tightens as he follows Kaya out of the dining room, every step feeling heavier as his father's words echo in his mind.
Amelia’s lips tremble. She glances at Travis briefly, her eyes filled with quiet disappointment, "This isn’t the father you promised you’d be.” She gets up and leaves, making Travis groan with frustration.
Kaya stops in the hallway, her face filled with quiet anger and sadness.
Kaya
I'm sorry... I'm so sorry Kai...
Kaya
You shouldn't have to go through with this...
Keith speaks, his voice trembling, struggling to keep his composure.
Keith
Thanks... for being there...
Keith
I just...i don't know how much longer I can keep doing this...
Keith
𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴...it just...it feels like something inside me is breaking.
He clutches his chest, taking a shaky breath.
Keith
My chest...it hurts so much...
Keith
It hurts with every breath I take...
Kaya pulls him into a hug, and he doesn't resist, his shoulders shaking as he finally lets go, the tears streaming down his face.
He whispers as his voice cracks.
Keith
It just...it hurts so much, Kaya
Keith
I don't know how to make it stop.
Kaya holds him tighter, her own eyes filling with tears as she gently rubs his back, doing everything she can to keep him from falling apart completely.
Kaya
Shh...it's ok. I'm here.
Kaya
I've got you. You're not alone, no matter what dad says...
She wipes his tears. Her soft voice breaks slightly.
Kaya
I know it hurts—I know...
Kaya
And you know, you're strong...
Kaya
You're brave and kind...you're exactly who you're meant to be...
Keith's breathing slows just a little as her words reach him. He just nods at his sister as tears keep trickling down his face.
Kaya cups his face in her hands gently.
Kaya
And I'll keep reminding you, as many times as you need to hear.
Comments
Aishi OwO
Phenomenal!
2024-11-11
1