almost | taylor swift au

chapter 7

A few hours later, a sleepy Austin and Taylor have dragged themselves down to the breakfast table. Neither have gotten very much sleep, but they did crash eventually, once they were too tired to keep their eyes open anymore.

They sit around the table while Scott and Andrea tell their children about their time at the event last night, about all of the people who say hi who Taylor hasn't seen since she was ten. Eventually, though, they both know that it's time to bring up the difficult topic. Austin clears his throat uncomfortably, and Taylor gives him a reassuring nod, reminding him that it's all going to be alright.

"Mom, dad," the young man speaks up "I... we've some things to speak with you about."

"What's up you two?" Scott asks, looking between his children and immediately noticing their concerned faces.

Taylor looks to Austin. The two had agreed that he'd go first, and Taylor can use hers to divert the attention if it needs to happen.

"Um... this is all just... a great big story," he sighs, running his hand through his hair. "I guess I should start from the basics. Mom, Dad... I'm gay."

Scott and Andrea's faces soften as their son speaks. "Oh, sweetheart..." Andrea murmurs. Taylor can see tears forming in Austin's eyes.

"I just... I don't want you to see me differently because of it... but I just needed to let you know for the rest of this because I really really need your help with something."

Andrea is tearing up too as Austin keeps talking. "We never would, honey. We love you so much, no matter what. No matter who you love."

Scott, not as swept up in the emotions of things, looks to Austin. "What do you need help with? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," he instantly assures his dad. He turns to his mother. "Mom, it's okay. I'm fine, really. This doesn't need to be a big, emotional thing." He tries to convince her, but really, the words are also for himself.

Taylor hates this. She hates having to see her baby brother have to face all of this on his own- but there are some things that just aren't her place to help him with. She could help him to learn how to ride a bike, how to bake cookies. But this- this is his battle to fight. She knows that and wants to respect it.

"So... I've been dating this guy for the last few months. It's a huge secret because his family can't know he's gay... but he's just really struggling."

Austin launches into the story that Taylor already heard him relay last night. As he speaks, Taylor watches the faces of her parents grow more and more concerned. She can tell deep down that they don't know what to do either. They don't know how to help Seb, but she can tell that they're going to do whatever it takes.

"Okay..." Andrea sighs at the end of Austin's story. "This is all... it's a big deal. You know that, right?"

Austin nods. "I know. But he's going to be eighteen in a month. I just don't know if he's going to have the courage to get out, even when he does have the opportunity. He won't be able to do it alone. And I can't let him keep going on like this."

"No. It's your responsibility as a partner to help him when he's struggling like he is," Scott nods. "I'm really glad that you came to us."

As they all talk, Taylor pokes at the waffle on the plate in front of her. All of this talk about dating, about relationships... it scares her. Her parents are so supportive of Austin. She knew that they would be- there was never a shred of doubt in her mind. All that they want, more than anything, is for him to be happy. He hasn't slipped in the piece of information about his major change yet, but she knows that in the same way, that won't matter a bit to her parents. They just want him to be successful- something that he would be as both a businessman or a teacher- and happy- something that he would only be as the latter.