WAR BETWEEN RELATIVES
SUMMARY: You attended the Kardashian-Jenner Christmas Eve party with Kendall, but instead of sticking by her side, you spent most of the night with the kids. Kendall noticed, and got a little jealous especially when she found out one of her nieces had a crush on you.
WARNING: nothing, pure fluff
YOU’VE never been the kind of person who likes to show off. You stay quiet—on social media, and even more so in real life. No matter how much your managers and countless others urge you to be more visible, more present, more out there, you simply can’t force yourself to blend in with the noise and perform like everyone else.
Social media is a vast world. It helps people; it helps careers. You’re grateful it exists—after all, it’s where you rose, where your name traveled, where you became known as a singer-songwriter. It gave you a voice that reached far beyond what you ever imagined. But with that fame came something else: a life far more public than you ever wanted.
And because you’re low-key by nature, the more you retreat, the more people want you. Fans ache for glimpses of you. Paparazzi trail your shadow, hoping to catch even the smallest detail they can turn into a headline. The irony? They almost never succeed.
Being low-key isn’t just a preference for you—it’s a craft. A quiet game you’re very good at. To you, low-key means being elusive, moving unseen, mastering the art of subtlety.
Sneaking away. Slipping through moments unnoticed. And truth be told, you enjoy it—far more than anyone realizes.
You love staying hidden during your free time—when it’s no longer about fans or what they call fan service. You treasure anonymity, the quiet, the freedom of being unseen. And maybe—just maybe—that’s one of the reasons Kendall fell in love with you. You’re a celebrity, yet your life remains a riddle, a mystery no one can fully solve.
No one truly knew you until Kendall stepped into your world. She knows you. And you know her. Both of you are low-key, calm, effortlessly chill—but undeniably fun to be with. That’s how you clicked. That’s how the relationship began.
Being part of the same industry, each with your own following and noise trailing behind, you made a conscious choice to keep your love private. A secret shared only with those closest to your hearts. And those people are the Kardashian-Jenner family—only them, and no one else.
Of course, fans began to suspect something. They caught you on what looked like a date at a restaurant you were certain you had rented out just for the two of you. Paparazzi snapped a photo—nothing dramatic, just the two of you talking, existing in the same space.
Naturally, the media pounced. Half of them sensed something real, something more. The other half denied it outright, insisting you were just friends, even labeling you both as very straight—which couldn’t be further from the truth. People love pretending they know you, even when they don’t.
But have you ever confirmed anything to the media about the relationship? No.
Because first of all, you’re afraid it might ruin Kendall’s image as a supermodel. You know how unforgiving the world can be, how unkind it still is to queer people. Second, neither of you is out. And it’s not easy to tell the world you’re in love with someone whose appearance is like a literal goddess.
And last, most important of all, you don’t want your quiet, hard-earned harmony to be swallowed by media chaos. Your life was peaceful the moment you came into this world, and you don’t want to shatter what’s left of that calm, even if fame already cracked it when you became a singer.
As you’ve always said, the media is the most terrifying, and most useful, thing that exists.
So no. There was never going to be a public announcement. It never crossed your mind. Not once.
Not until tonight.
Not until you saw your girlfriend walking around the Kardashian-Jenner mansion in nothing but pajamas, dressed just like everyone else, as if she belonged nowhere else but here, helping her family with something.
You were invited to celebrate Christmas Eve with them, what was supposed to be a family-only gathering. Just the sisters and their devastatingly beautiful, kind, and loving mother.
But Kris Jenner herself invited you, saying you were part of the family now. She may, or may not, have invited Kylie’s new boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet, too. And Kourtney’s husband, Travis Barker.
So you’re relieved you’re not the only one who isn’t blood-related. Still, a small part of you misses Scott. He was the first to welcome you, even without sharing blood with the family himself.
At least his kids are here. Your favorite kids, aside from Tantum, of course. Tantum will always sit at the top of the pyramid of your favorite third-generation Kardashians. Sweet kid. The best, really.
“Tell me one reason why can’t I have at least one TikTok with her?” North asks—the teenager you’ve grown close to, maybe because her rebellious phase mirrors one you survived yourself.
“She can’t, baby. People will assume she’s dating Aunt Kenny,” Kim says, helping Khloé and the other kids bake cookies.
“Well, it’s not like I’d announce she’s dating my aunt. And if they assume—so what? It would be the truth,” North presses. “Why bother hiding when it’s just two people in love? There’s nothing wrong with that.”
The words land like a quiet slap of reality. She's right you thought.
“That's a cap,” Penelope adds, helping Kendall, Mason, and the others set up the enormous Christmas tree. “What’s wrong with a woman being in love with another woman?”
On the other side of the room, you’re holding Stormi when you glance at Kendall. She’s already looking at you.
You can’t read her expression. It’s unfamiliar. And even after six months of dating Kendall Nicole Jenner, she still surprises you. Usually, she never hesitates to express what she feels. But now, something is holding her back. And you don’t know what it is.
For a moment, longer than it should be, no one answers the two curious teenagers. No one can. Because the question is yours to answer. Because those two teenagers are right.
“Nothing is wrong with that,” you finally say, breaking the breathless silence that blankets the mansion. “It’s just...that people still aren’t used to it. They’re not open-minded about these things, at least, that’s how it looks from where I stand.”
You make your excuse—and every eye in the room turns to you. Even Travis and Timothée are watching now, their expressions soft with pity. Because deep down, they know the truth: they get to announce to the world that they’re dating a Kardashian, and you don’t. All because you’re a woman who loves another woman.
Because in society’s eyes, a same-gender relationship is still branded as wrong, as sin—when it has always been nothing but love. You didn’t choose this to be defiant. You simply fell in love with a woman.
And it isn’t your fault that feelings don’t come with an off switch.
As the words leave your mouth, your gaze drifts back to Kendall. Her jaw is clenched now, tight, restrained—holding back everything she wants to say but won’t. You see it clearly this time.
“Why do you care what other people say?” North presses, her voice steady, fearless. “You are you. Don’t let their words control your life.”
Another truth. Another clean hit to the chest.
Kendall nods, silently backing North up. And that’s when it clicks, you finally understand what her heart has been screaming while her mind keeps it locked away.
You’ve never really talked about this with Kendall, but you know her. When she loves, she loves loudly. She likes to show off. She likes the world to know who she’s with. Yet with you, she’s quiet.
People ask her if she’s in a relationship. She can’t say no, because she’s with you. But she can’t say yes either, because outing your relationship on her own would be selfish, careless, unfair.
“I don’t care if people hate me for dating a woman,” you say honestly, finally breaking eye contact with Kendall and turning to North. “But I can’t tell people I’m dating your Aunt Kenny if it means they’ll hate her. They’re not open-minded with this kind of topic yet... so there's an 80% chance people will loathe her to see us date... and I don't like that.”
North’s smile spreads—genuine, but sharp with understanding.
“So you’re not afraid to come out because people might hate you,” she says slowly. “You’re afraid they’ll hurt my aunt. You’re protecting her.”
“That’s exactly what I’m trying to say,” you reply, smiling back.
And the moment the words settle, the entire room lets out a collective aww, leaving you flustered, exposed, yet strangely lighter than before.
“Aww, that’s so sweet of you!” Kris says, ever the dramatist, her eyes misting as she pulls you into a hug. She thanks you for being such a good girlfriend—to your girlfriend. Praise follows from every corner of the room, people admiring how you chose Kendall before yourself. Khloé, of course, breaks the softness with humor.
“Aww—anything but a ring and a wedding. Get out of my house!” she yells, tossing a handful of M&M’s your way.
You catch one with your mouth effortlessly. The kids gasp, delighted, and just like that, the moment shifts. Laughter replaces sentiment. Attention rerouted. Topic changed.
As the adults drift off to prepare for the Christmas midnight countdown, you end up with the kids—alongside Timothée, who’s basically a kid himself, teaching them silly M&M tricks Mason sneaked from his mom. You join in, showing off your own: circling the candy across your knuckles, tossing it into the air, catching it cleanly with your mouth. The kids try. They fail. They beg you to teach them. You do, gladly.
But somewhere between the laughter and sugar, you feel it—something off.
At first, it’s North. She’s nowhere to be found, which isn’t strange. She disappears like that sometimes, off doing her own thing. She’s a teenager. Comes with the territory.
Then you notice Penelope.
She isn’t playing. She’s tucked into the corner of the couch, quietly eating, watching the rest of you with calm, distant eyes. And the sight of her hits you in a familiar place.
She reminds you of Kendall.
Kendall does that too—slips away when her social battery drains, choosing solitude to recharge her spirit before rejoining the world. But with Penelope, you know it’s more than that. Distance, at that age, carries weight.
You know the truth.
That kid has a crush on you.
Her mother mentioned it when you were first introduced to the family. You noticed it too—the way the kids swarm you like you’re Santa Claus come early. All of them, except Penelope. She keeps her distance. Always watching. Always quiet.
Just like Kendall once did.
Before you ever dated, Kendall watched you the same way—from afar, silently, with something unmistakably close to admiration.
So you walk over to Penelope. No ill intent. No lines crossed. You just want to be close, to belong to this loud, loving family, and maybe, in a small but meaningful way, make a teenager’s world a little brighter.
Because having a crush on someone older, and having that crush gently acknowledged, not encouraged, not dismissed—just seen… That’s a rite of passage. And Penelope deserves that piece of her teenage story.
“Are you good?” you ask, sitting beside her.
Penelope looks at you like she’s been caught doing something illegal—eyes wide, cheeks blooming red. You give her a small smile, gentle and sincere.
“Y-yeah. I’m good,” she stutters. She even scoots a little farther away, as if your shoulders brushing was a scandal of its own.
God—you almost laugh. She’s that red.
“Then why aren’t you joining the fun?” you ask softly. “Is solitude more comfortable? Can I join you?” You pause, amused. “No pun intended.”
She says yes again—still a stuttering mess. It’s adorable. Painfully so. You notice how she steals glances at you when you look away, and the moment you turn back, she pretends you don’t exist.
She’s like a teenage version of your girlfriend—who’s currently in the kitchen, helping out and probably butchering a cucumber again.
“I heard you wanted one of my albums signed,” you say. “That’s on your wishlist, right?”
Penelope nods, eyes glued to the M&M in her hand, too shy to meet your gaze.
“You could’ve just told me,” you tease lightly. “Santa isn’t going to break into my house, hand me your gift, then ask for change.”
“Santa isn’t real,” she mutters, then adds, “and Mom said I should buy it instead of asking you… to support you.”
You frown. That’s not how you want people to support you—but you know how this industry works. Still, this kid? She’s family now.
“There are lots of ways to support me,” you say gently. “You don’t have to spend your money. Next time you want an album signed, just call me or Auntie Kenny. We’ll give it to you.”
She finally looks at you. Her smile blooms, bright and unguarded.
“Really?” she asks.
You nod. She squeals and throws herself into your arms, hugging you tight. The room notices. Everyone does—including Kendall, and of course, Penelope’s mom. Kourtney raises an eyebrow, amused. “Penelope, don’t steal Auntie Kenny’s girlfriend. You don’t want her entering Christmas girlfriend-less.”
“Mom, shut up!” Penelope groans, pulling away and hiding her face with her hands as laughter fills the room.
Kendall blinks, confused. “What are you guys laughing about?” she asks, looking at you like an innocent puppy.
“Penelope has a crush on Aunt Y/N,” Mason says casually.
“MASON, SHUT UP!” Penelope yells. “I hate you guys!”
She bolts, running upstairs to hide. North finally reappears and volunteers to go after her. You want to help—but you’re drained. So you just call out after her, voice loud and sincere.
“It’s okay, Penelope! I don’t mind!”
You hope it’s enough. Because you know how mortifying that kind of moment feels, and you’d never want her to feel ashamed of something as simple as admiration.
“You guys are evil for that,” you say, laughing along with them. The teasing lingers for a bit before the conversation drifts elsewhere. Nearly half an hour passes before Penelope returns with North. As soon as she sits beside you, you check on her.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine… I’m sorry about that.”
You shake your head, genuinely unfazed. “Don’t be. Having a crush is normal. There’s nothing embarrassing about it—trust me.”
“She’s right.”
You look up to see your beautiful girlfriend walking toward you. Kendall doesn’t hesitate—she settles onto your lap, facing her niece.
“There’s nothing wrong with having a crush,” Kendall says gently, stroking Penelope’s hair. “It’s normal. It’s part of growing up.”
North, half-absorbed in her phone, casually chimes in, “That’s 100% legit. I used to have a crush on her before Aunt Kenny even introduced her as her girlfriend. Heck, even Mason likes her.”
That catches you off guard. You look at Kendall, waiting for confirmation—but she’s just as surprised.
“Really?” Kendall asks. “You guys had a crush on my girlfriend?”
North hums and shrugs like it’s nothing.
Kendall scoffs. “Unbelievable. Am I the only one in this room who didn’t know you all liked my girlfriend?”
Her voice rises slightly, and you can’t help but giggle. Instinctively, Kendall wraps her arms around you, possessiveness slipping through—soft, instinctive, and ridiculously adorable.
“Pfft, not that big of a deal, Aunt Kenny,” North says.
“Actually,” Kendall replies, “it is a big deal. Because now I can’t trust any of you around my girlfriend. What if one of you steals her from me?”
“Kenny—” you start, but Mason cuts in.
“No one can, Aunt Kenny. Trust me. I tried.”
You turn to him, brows furrowed. “When?”
“I DM’d you before. You ignored me. Not even a seen.”
Whether it’s truth or bluff, you don’t care. You just laugh it off.
“Good,” Kendall says firmly, tightening her hold on you. “No one’s stealing my girlfriend. None of you.”
“Oh baby, relax,” you tease, pinching her waist. She complains, squinting at you. “Hey—don’t do that. And no, I won’t stop. Stay out of this. This is a war between relatives.”
You grab her waist and turn her fully toward you.
“And you already won,” you murmur. “So why bother warning your enemies?”
The words come out softer—lower—more intimate than you intended. You lean in and peck her nose.
“I suggest you take the prize and quietly walk away from the war.”
You seal it with a quick kiss. Kendall flushes instantly, cupping your face, about to kiss you back until...
“Please get a room,” Kylie interrupts. “Travis and Kourtney’s PDA is already enough. Give us a break.”
“Oh please,” Khloé says. “you’re the one to talk when you have a partner as well. Kendall, Kylie, Kourtney—get out of my house. I don’t need to see couples being affectionate, it's disgusting!”
“Oh, you’re just jealous the teacher rejected you,” Kourtney shoots back.
“Ohhh, burn,” you say loudly—accidentally in perfect sync with Mason, North, and Timothée.
“I know,” Khloé snaps. “And that’s exactly why you shouldn’t shoot your shot.”
“Honestly, you should,” you add casually. “Because I did—and look what I got.”
You stand up suddenly, lifting Kendall effortlessly into a bridal carry.
“Oh my God!” she yelps, clutching you tighter and lightly smacking your chest.
Kim walks in with trays of cards, rolling her eyes. “Okay, we get it. You all have partners. Khloé and I don’t. Let’s just get this night over with—Christmas is almost here.”
And so the night goes on.
The Kardashian-Jenner family fills the house with laughter—games, kids sprawled asleep on couches, and later, just the adults, wine in hand, talking about life.
A life you finally allow yourself to imagine.
A life where you can stand beside Kendall and say—out loud, to the world—that she’s yours.
And she is the best thing that ever happened to you.
Even if she’s dead serious about this so-called war between relatives.
Which is funny.
And somehow—will never ever not be funny.
But yeah, she's dead serious about her war between relatives.