fluffy - axel x mark

12- coming out

After the match, everyone had left the changing room except Mark and Nathan.

"Mark?"asked Nathan.

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry if this comes across as rude, but are you gay?"asked Nathan nervously.

Mark laughed. "Yeah, I thought it was obvious. I don't try to hide it you know. Why did you ask?"

"Well, I kind of already knew that, but I just wanted to confirm,"Nathan said.

"Why? I don't see how it matters,"Mark shrugged.

"Well, it's actually kind of the reason I joined the team. There's not many out gay people at our school,"said Nathan. "I just-"

He paused. "Mark, I'm pretty sure I'm gay too."

"It's always nice to have another one of us on the team,"Mark hugged him.

Nathan smiled. "Thank you! How did you become absolutely sure that you don't like girls? That's the part I'm struggling with."

"I don't know. I'm just pretty sure I don't. But if you're not sure, it's ok. Sexuality is fluid, you know,"Mark said.

"How do the comments not get to you?"Nathan blurted out.

"What? Are people talking about me?"

"No. Not you in particular anyways. People saying random homophobic stuff. How does it not bother you?"he asked.

"I try not to surround myself with those sort of people,"Mark shrugged. "I know it's not always possible, but I manage most of the time. Their opinions don't really matter to me. But it's easy for me to say that. I'm not really a sensitive person."

"Oh,"Nathan sighed. "But you're on a football team?"

"None of them care. They shouldn't. If you want to talk about it, they won't say anything,"Mark said.

"Um, I'd rather you keep this conversation between us,"Nathan sighed. "I'm not ready to come out to everyone yet."

"That's understandable,"said Mark. "I didn't really have a coming out conversation though. It doesn't have to be a big deal. I usually just say stuff like 'that guy is so hot' and they either agree or they don't."

"Do you find Axel hot?"Nathan asked suddenly.

Mark froze. "What?!"

Nathan grinned. "You do!"

Mark knew he was blushing so he tried to cover his face.

"I kind of lied. I didn't hear anybody talk about you being gay. But I knew as soon as Axel started taking his shirt off you went bright red,"Nathan said.

"Ok fine. I'll admit it,"Mark sighed. "Just don't tell anyone. For the same reasons. It's embarrassing as fuck."

"It's weird. Having a crush on a guy is not the same as having a crush on a girl,"Nathan said. "When guys have a crush on a girl, they just talk about it enthusiastically. But whenever I have a crush on a guy I just want to dig myself into a hole and die."

Mark laughed. "Yeah it is like that, isn't it."

"Do you wanna walk me home?"Nathan asked.

"Yeah. You're funny. I like you already,"Mark giggled.