The Mystic Hearts Series

Chapter 27- Nora

It took several days to journey back to town from the forest. The herd agreed to take us to the forest's edge, & then leave us there. They would miss us, of course, but city life was not their scene, they much preferred the forest.

On the day we finally arrived in town, the whole town seemed to be there to welcome us. It was... kinda surprising. Given that growing up, I had felt so unwelcome there, it was kinda refreshing to see them welcome us back with open arms. Both me & Cal were surprised.

Several people welcomed us back & soon the crowd parted & Amery stepped forward. I gasped, both of us coming over to hug him. He was dressed in a modest suit, an outfit befitting of a Chieftain & he commanded a respectable presence. Everyone seemed to look at him when he walked. It was kinda shocking to see. I mean... Amery had been so shy when we were growing up, but to see him now... So confident & such a good leader... I couldn't be prouder of my baby brother.

He smiles down at us. "It's so great to see you guys again. I have so much to tell you guys... This town has just... become so warm & welcoming to everyone... Well, you can probably see that, but yeah..." He gestured around & it's then that we both noticed. There weren't just humans in the crowd. There were a few Draconi & elves as well, everyone getting on well & smiling. Cheering & waving Pride flags [hell yeah! :D]. Socializing. It was amazing. I couldn't help feeling... proud. Of what my little bro had accomplished & how great our town had seemingly become. He smiled reassuringly at us. "You guys are safe now... We all are..."

Cal raises an eyebrow in his direction. "'We'?"

He smiles nervously. "That's kinda 1 of the things I wanted to tell you... To tell everyone actually..."

Cal's eyebrows knit together. "O-ok. Question- have you told anyone that me & Nora are...?"

He shakes his head, frowning slightly. "No. I... wasn't sure if you wanted me to..." [Yes, consent is important, people B). Don't out people.]

She smiles brightly. "Oh, well... Might as well get it over with now... If you're ok with that..." She turns to me & I smile & nod certainly.

"Yeah, do we have a microphone or something...? I'd rather tell everyone at once that we're together than have to do it over & over again..."

He smiles brightly. "Well, ok- You can make your announcement, & then hand it over to me. I have 1 too..." He turns to the crowd & someone hands him a microphone. He gives it to us, smiling at us nervously.

Oof, they're all about to come out, that's terrifying. Reminds me of when I came out to my friends. My knees were shaking, I was so nervous, even tho it turned out ok. When I came out to my older sis it wasn't so scary bc I already knew she was LGBT (at the time she'd known she was bi, but not trans yet). It's really been a long journey, & a lot of the times, it is for us LGBT people. I didn't even know it were possible to be gay until, like, freshman/sophomore year of high school, I didn't know it existed (1 of the reasons representation is important). Then I figured out I'm panro/grace, but it took forever to figure my gender out. A similar thing happened to my older sis, she figured out her sexuality before her gender. But I'm lucky I have so many LGBT friends, both online & irl, as well as my sisters. I mean, granted, I'm not out to my family (parents, extended relatives, etc), besides my sisters, but you can't have it all.

What I'm trying to say is that it takes a lot of bravery to get through what we get through as LGBT people, & I'm just glad I can truly be myself on here. Y'all are amazing & loved :) <3