𝐻𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒, 𝐻𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒

~"A-Are you kicking me out?"~

D A M I A N
*A few hours earlier*

I was walking home, going through my plan of how I would tell my parents about... well... me. I thought of all the outcomes, all of them just made me even more terrified. I tried to think of all of the good outcomes... only one really. God, I'm just gonna make myself back out of this, but I need to tell them... they need to know.

But Cooper's words came to my head. "They are your family Dude, it shouldn't matter whether you like dick or not. If they truly care about you, they'll treat you the same, they'll treat you like family." He was right, they are family... they'll still treat me the same right?

I walked into the house, it was empty since Mum and Sad were going to be at work for a while yet. I decided that I'll make dinner tonight, hoping that will add to my chances of having my parents accept that I'm gay.

I decided to make some spaghetti bolognese, one of their favourite meals. I started to make dinner, adding a bit of extra flavouring to the meat, just how Mum and Dad like it. As I was cooking, I heard the front door open. "Hey bud, we're home. What can I smell?" I heard Dad say as he walked into the kitchen, a smile crossed over his face as he saw I was making his favourite. He gave me a hug from behind, ruffling my hair. I swatted his hand away, letting out a laugh as he walked away.

I couldn't help but smile at that, they won't treat me any differently right? God I hope not.

Once I finished dinner, I set up the table. "Mum! Dad! Dinner's ready! Get it before it's cold!!" I said, Mum and Dad made their way into the dining room, smiling as they sat down to eat.

They started talking about work as they ate, I took that time to motivate myself, to build up my confidence. They're family, they're your family, I told myself. All you have to do is say it, just a few words, nothing you haven't done before.

"Mum, Dad." I muttered out, they continued to talk, I guess I wasn't loud enough. I took a deep breath. "Mum, Dad." I said louder, the stopped talking as they glanced at me. "What's the matter bud?" Dad asked, a concerned look on his face.

"I-I uh- I have something I want to tell you guys..." I said, beginning to fiddle with my hands which were sitting in my lap. "Of course! You can tell us, we'll listen." Mum said, I looked up at them nervously. "I just- I don't want you guys to hate me or anything..."

"Damian what's wrong? Are you okay?"

"I'm gay." I blurted out, I couldn't look up as I spoke. I kept my head down, not knowing what would happen. "Damian-" Dad started but he was cut off by Mum. "You're lying!" She said angrily, I lifted my head up to look at her, my eyes widening slightly. "I-I'm not lying! Why would I lie about that?" I said, I could feel my heart rate kicking up, do they hate me?

"You're lying, you aren't gay." Mum tried to convince me, I shook me head. "No, I am! I am gay and I'm perfectly fine with it-" My voice left me as I felt a sting on my cheek, snapping my head to the side. "Amanda!" My Dad shouted at my Mum, I slowly turned my head back to see her standing, glaring holes into my head as she had clenched fists.

"I did not raise my son to become one of those lowlife assholes! You are not gay! You will not be gay! You are straight! A boy, you are attracted to girls!!" Mum shouted at me, I felt tears well in my eyes as my lip trembled. I shook my head, Mum shook with anger as she lifted her hand to hit me again. I closed my eyes, turning away from her and shielding my face.

I waited for the hit to come, but it didn't. I looked up to see Dad holding Mum's wrists tightly, a burning hatred in his eyes as he looked at her. "Damian, wait outside for me." Dad said, I quickly got up from my seat, rushing outside and sitting on the porch.

God, I've fucked up so bad. They both probably hate me so much, they probably don't want me anymore. I sat crying, not even aware of Mum and Dad shouting inside. After what felt like hours, Dad came out with a duffle bag.

I looked up at him, feeling as though my heart stopped. My throat felt dry as tears blurred my vision. "A-Are you kicking me out?" I asked, Dad turned to me, vigorously shaking his head. "God no! I'm not kicking you out Damian."

"D-Do you hate me?" Dad shook his head, crouching down in front of me and holding my face in his hands. "Damian... I could never hate you, I love you far too much. I'm proud of you! I'm happy you've found out what your preference is! And it doesn't bother me whether you like boys, you're still my son, always. But right now... I think it's best you stay with Cooper until I sort your mother out, I don't know why she acted out like that. But she hit you and I'm not okay with that. The second it's sorted out, you can come back. But I don't hate you Damian, far from it. You're my son and I'm always going to love you."

I felt tears rolling down my face as I nodded, Dad gave me a final hug and kiss on the forehead before going back inside. I stood up and grabbed the duffel back, wiping away my tears as I walked to Cooper's house.

I walked straight inside, keeping my head down as I shut the door. "Hey mom." I heard Cooper say, I let out a small laugh. "Pretty sure I don't have a vagina to birth you from." I said, trying to add humour to the situation but I couldn't hide the sadness in my voice.

Cooper shot from his seat, turning to face me. He saw my face, he stood there with wide eyes and his jaw on the ground, I made my way over to him. He looked at my cheek again before he finally spoke. "W-What happened?" Cooper whispered.

I let out a small sob as I remembered Mum hitting me, my fingers drifted over my now stinging cheek as I looked at the ground. After a second, I looked back up at Cooper, my eyes glazing over with tears.

"Mum hates me."