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Finding Peace Before Dawn

- Friday. March 6th, 2043.

The next few days following Tony's death passed just as normally as any other days would in the Jackson community.

Despite everyone's grief over losing a beloved member of the family, they had all collectively agreed to keep moving through the motions of daily life, knowing that it's what Tony would have wanted.

"Are you and Lev still up to talking with me?". Joel asked Rocky as everyone gathered in the dining hall for lunch.

Rocky looked over at Lev, who eagerly nodded his head at Joel's offer. "I guess we are".

"Alright, who feels like talking first". Joel said as he looked between the father and son duo.

"Where would I even start?". Lev asked quietly.

"Well, what was being around the Seraphites like?". Joel asked, trying to give the young man a place to start.

"Terrible". Lev replied with a shudder. "The only time I felt safe was when I was around Rocky".

"What about Yara?". Joel questioned carefully.

"Our relationship was never the greatest since she had a hard time understanding who I was". Lev said with a sigh.

"You guys did manage to make up though eventually, right?". Joel asked.

"Yeah, but then she ended up sacrificing herself shortly after". Lev replied. "I don't know why she couldn't see how much happier I was when I came out".

"What did she do when you told her about how you felt?". Joel asked curiously.

Lev turned to Rocky with his brow raised, obviously wanting him to answer for him. "First she screamed at him and then she hit him across the face, I intervened before she could do anything else".

"Listen kid, I'm not defending her freaking out on you like that but you kinda have to see it from her perspective, you guys were raised in an environment that didn't accept people like yourself and she was scared for you". Joel explained as gently as he could.

"She could have just told me that instead of hurting me". Lev retorted, crossing his arms with a frown.

"You're right, she could have, but she probably didn't have the right words is all". Joel replied.

"I guess that makes sense". Lev mumbled, uncrossing his arms and sitting up straighter.

"And what about your dad? What did he think when you came out?". Joel asked with a nod in Rocky's direction.

"He was happy for me but he was scared for me too since he knew that my mom and everyone else wouldn't react well". Lev replied.

"And your boyfriend Aaric, what was he like?". Joel asked, hoping his line of questioning wasn't upsetting either of his friends.

"He was great, we were a lot alike so it was easy for us to connect and eventually enter a relationship". Lev replied, a blush creeping up his cheeks at the mention of his former boyfriend.

"And you guys were together for about six months right?". Joel asked.

"Yeah". Lev confirmed. "We were so happy together... and then Emily found out".

"How do you think she found out?". Joel asked cautiously.

"I have no idea". Lev shrugged. "But when she did, It was horrible, then she went after Rocky".

"What did she do to you?". Joel asked, looking over at a tearful looking Rocky.

"She asked me if I knew what Lev was". Rocky recalled. "And when I used the word trans she burned me with that cattle prod".