Bi Boy

Trying to think more on the sexuality of characters and past flings. Portia has a list as she’s not afraid of going for what she wants, where as Edwin is too shy and tempermental for anything lasting. In middle school there were rumors he had a crush on Portia and to fix that he asked out another girl with a poem in a very heart felt way to 1. Prove he wasn’t into Portia 2. Get over it. The girl knowing he was kinda the outcast shy kid thought it was so funny she read the poem out loud during lunch. Edwin ran out embarrassed and that was the last time he tried to pursue anyone. Portia realized what had happened and cut off the girls ponytail, earning herself detention. Portia did it because she felt bad for Edwin, and she had hoped the rumors were true… only to see he liked someone else and she was VERY jealous.

Portia goes on to give him his first kiss etc. trying to think of when he began to question his sexuality, or if he ever really questioned it at all since he’s more of a ‘let’s not think about that rn’ type. He had a good ‘friendship’ with a guy at the garden center, unlike Portia’s very aggressive, upfront flirting, this was a bit more slow burn subtle, and Edwin soon looked forward to seeing his ‘friend’ they’d talk all the time, he was nice, Edwin missed/logic’d out cues, perhaps in his awkwardness gave some cues of his own… until the garden center hunk was set to move for a new start, and said goodbye to his will they won’t they situation. It’s a small town, Portia saw his van in the parking lot and went to bully her favorite foe only to see him locking lips with the hunky gardener. She minded her own business, and so is the story. I think Portia and Edwin accidentally see the worst part/most formative events in each others lives, like Portia finding out her mom had left, Edwin’s mentor/grandfather passing, Portia returning with a gf, Edwin’s business exploding, and this would be a moment where true colors, at least Portia’s are shown because she’s mean but she’s a homie! He isn’t ready to face that, and struggles with toxic masculinity, gender acceptance, etc a lot from just how he was raised and bullying in school… when he’s older he comes to terms and accepts it, on his own terms. Portia thinking perhaps she had it wrong reels back the flirting, but eventually it comes back up. Maybe outside a party they have a quiet conversation about it, Edwin asking how she knew, and she said she always did, she just does what she wants and makes her happy. She comes from a very supportive family (dad’s side) and wasn’t afraid. Edwin’s story is very much becoming comfortable in one’s skin and doing things to make yourself comfortable, not just accepting being miserable or wallowing in it. He becomes more confident, but is a very private person and keeps things to himself but is happy. Portia is very outwardly pansexual. Edwin is bisexual.

Portia and him share a cigarette before she chastises him outside the wedding. He asks why she didn’t bring a date. She says she didn’t feel like finding anyone and is tired of dating. She asks if he’s seeing anyone… he says no. She asks if he knows what he wants now. He shrugs, not totally understanding the question. Big component is he doesn’t know what he wants until he does aka eventually realizes wants portia but doesn’t understand in what capacity until finally he is like ‘I want her to be my gf’ vs Portia knows exactly what she wants (him) but realizes maybe she shouldn’t just go for what she wants all the time since he could maybe do better… that make sense?

Also trying to decide how they get together, if she kisses him, or asks if she can or if he wants to kiss her, or if he accidentally leans in, trying to think of the spiciest outcome…

anyway! That’s the tea.