sixwordstories | (no subject)

Yeah... That's why it's important to do whatever you can to keep things good and happy with your family. [frowns a little, thinking]

Well, not everything, I mean, you have to be your own person, too! Like, I mean, if, I dunno, like, okay, if you really wanted to quit your band to concentrate on your solo stuff, say, your brothers would probably be mad for a bit, but they'd get over it, because you're family!

[raises his eyebrows] Yeah, probably. Though I think they'd be angry for more than just a bit. It's okay though, I have no plans on going solo so that's not something I worry about. But sometimes you do have to do whatever it takes to keep your family happy, even if it means sacrificing some of your own happiness.

I sort of agree, I guess, in that it's good to compromise if you can, but it sounds really dubious when you say it like that! Making yourself unhappy to make other people happy just makes everybody unhappy in the long run, I think!

It can be really, really complicated sometimes. I'm not making myself unhappy exactly, I'm still very happy just... keeping a secret from my family because I know if they'll find out, they might not want to be my family anymore.

Are you a vampire?

[smiles a little and chuckles while shaking his head] No, I'm not a vampire

Then I'm pretty sure whatever it is, you're family won't mind that much!

There are plenty of things that could make your family want to disown you, especially your very religious family. Though I am glad that I'm not a vampire at least.

Are you an atheist? Wait, no, hang on, are you gay? Ohhhh, I probably shouldn't even ask that, should I? Sorry! That was a bit personal! But, um, well, I don't know your family at all, so I can't really say, but I do think you'd be surprised at what completely unexpected things parents can come around to being okay with!

[blushes and bites his lip] Well, I'm not an atheist.

Kevin did surprise us with how accepting he was, that was very unexpected...

'Us'?

[winces at his slip] Uh well.... Joe's gay too and told Kevin and it surprised us how well he took it. Kevin doesn't know about me though.

You should tell him! I mean, not just because he took it well, but because he'll find out sooner or later, and then he's going to be mad that you didn't trust him to tell him after Joe already did! Unless you're not okay with it yourself? I guess it must be kind of weird, or, I dunno, that's the wrong word, but no one expects to turn out gay, I don't think! ...I kind of feel like I'm being rude again, sorry!

You're not being rude, it's alright. I'm okay with it but it took me longer to be okay with it than Joe did. It also took me much longer to actually be able to say it out loud. I will tell Kevin someday... I just don't know when. I want him to know the truth about me, I'm just afraid. I know he's alright with Joe but I don't want to overwhelm him with the idea of two of his brothers being gay.

He's already married, so that's grand-kids sorted out at least! And you said you had a younger brother, too? He's not gay, right?

Frankie? [can't help but laugh] I don't know, he just turned 10. But statistically speaking, I highly doubt he will be.

Actually, the more older brothers you have, the more likely you are to be gay, because of, um, actually, I'm not sure why! It had something to do with natal hormones or something! But it's not a foregone conclusion or anything! I know someone who has five older brothers and he's straight! It's kind of funny, really, because he has this totally obvious crush on this friend of his, who's a girl, and she has one on him too, but neither of them has worked out the other does, so they pretend they don't, and then have incredibly awkward conversations!

... I hope for everyone's sanity that Frankie doesn't turn out to be gay. I can't imagine 3 our of 4 brothers being gay happens very often. Aww, they'll figure it out eventually. Liking someone is always awkward if you're not sure they like you back, no matter what age you are.

And sometimes they seem to like you back but still won't go out with you! Girls are weird! I suppose boys are weird too, though! I guess you've never had a boyfriend, though, huh? That'd be pretty hard to keep secret!

Girls can be very confusing, I've dated a couple. I actually have had a boyfriend... just broke up with him recently but I'm with someone now. It's very, very hard to keep it secret but it's possible.

You need Joe not to be related to you, and then you could date each other! Although, I suppose, if you weren't related, you wouldn't live or work together, so that doesn't work together! Also, it suddenly occurs to me that that's a completely inappropriate thing to say and not the sort of thing you'd want to think about! Sorry! Sometimes I forget I'm speaking out loud!

[visibly pales and starts shaking a little, hoping the younger boy doesn't realize he'd just stumbled on the truth]

[blinks at him, confused] Are you okay? Is it me? Sorry, I didn't mean -- wait, do you need a shot? We've been talking for ages! You should test your blood sugar! Do you want some juice? You don't want to get sick on your birthday!

[knows its not his diabetes but he's glad for the change of subject, not wanting to keep talking about the idea of him dating Joe because that was in fact what he was doing]

Yeah, I should actually check my levels. If there's juice around, that'd be good [busies himself with pulling his meter out of his bag and pricks his finger to squeeze a drop of blood onto the strip, still pale]