ONE-SHOTS

I'm Coming (out) - the Simpsons

WARNING: sadness and death. This is a Simpsons one-shot, requested by @WonderGirl1059 . It is a Smithers x Burns confession (I ship them as well). Set in Springfield, in the Springfield General Hospital. Burns is very ill here (but don't worry, I won't kill him off :p). From the point of view of Smithers. Enjoy!

I rushed through the crowded streets, heart pounding in my chest. I'd just got the news. The news that Mr Burns was ill. That he was dying.

My eyes were hot with tears as I wiped them. Putting out a hand, I hailed a taxi. "To the hospital," I said quietly, hoping the driver couldn't hear the choke in my voice. "Sure," he said, flooring the accelerator. I rubbed my eyes.

It was Homer who told me. Homer Simpson, from sector 7G. The only man he ever forgot the name of. I'm surprised he told me actually - he detested Mr Burns and distrusted me. I'd have to give him a bonus. $10 should do it.

"Here you go," the driver said. I dropped a bundle of dollars on the seat and ran out of the car. It was pouring with rain, which I'd barely noticed earlier. The rain mixed with the tears on my face, which was good. I never liked people seeing me cry.

I ran up to the desk in reception, wiping my face clear. "Mr Burns, please."

"Sure. Two flights up, the furthest door on the left."

"Thank you." I walked up the stairs, found the door. The Monty Burns Room was on a plaque fastened to the door. I smiled through my tears. Steeling myself, I pushed open the door.

A frail figure was lying on the bed. Skin pasty and pale, almost bald. Face serene and unmoving. For a moment, I thought he was dead.

I rushed to his side. "Mr Burns?" He didn't stir. "Sir, I need to tell you something."

If there was any time to do it, it was now. While he was asleep, nearing the gates of death. When we were alone, and he wouldn't make fun of me because he wouldn't remember. I let myself cry, the droplets flowing fast down my face. The only nurse in the room left us. We were alone.

"Sir, I've loved you for a long time. You were my boss, my mentor, my support. When you got shot it felt like I did too. When you fell ill this morning the world collapsed around me. A world that I can't live in without you.

"I doubt you ever knew, and if you did you never cared, but I'm gay. And I really, truly love you. I don't know how I'll survive without you. I just know that I love you more than life itself.

"Goodbye, Monty." I couldn't say another word. Tears choked me off, constricting my throat so all I could do was weep. I closed my eyes, let them fall, fast, furiously, into my lap. Every tear burned my face, my throat, my hands, so I let myself cry.

Suddenly I felt something touch my hand. Soft skin with hard bones underneath. I knew that touch.

My eyes snapped open. Mr Burns was awake, eyes fixed on mine. "Smithers, I never knew you felt that way."

"I'm sorry sir." I managed to say, eyes downcast.

"Don't be." He smiled, though it clearly hurt him. "You, too, are my reason I come to work every day. If you hadn't come today I would have given up. You gave me hope."

A strange warmth spread inside me. It made my tears dry, my throat clear. I smiled.

"Though I may not love you in that way, I do truly love you too, Smithers. You are an ally, the only friend I have ever bothered to keep. And in time, I can grow to love you as more than a friend. I know it."

"Thank you, sir." I didn't know what else to say. Had he just said he loved me? I didn't know Charles Montgomery Burns loved anyone, except money and his old teddy bear Bobo. To hear that... it filled me with unexplainable happiness.

"Thank you for coming to see me today, Waylon." I jumped. He'd used my first name. "Now I know I will survive this."

I couldn't stop a smile as I walked back home. I loved Monty Burns.

And he loved me back.

Thanks for the request @WonderGirl1059 ! It was very fun to write and I hope you and everyone else enjoyed it! Sorry it was quite short. Requests are still open, so feel free to put one in the first chapter!!