“You alright kid?”

Prices voice startles you from your thoughts as he takes a seat on the bench beside you. For a moment you say nothing, the two of you listening to the crickets chirping and the distant voices of your too-loud colleagues. You should tell him you’re alright. That you’re fine. But somehow you just… can’t.

“Out with it. I can practically hear the gears turning in that head of yours” he says finally, arms crossed over his chest. He doesn’t look at you fully. Just tilts his head back to stare at the stars. You study his profile for a few beats, the words getting caught in your throat. Then you just say it.

“I like men” you blurt quickly, not giving yourself a chance to second guess what you’ve just admitted.

He huffs out a laugh, giving you a sidelong glance.

“Is that all?” he says simply.

You nod.

“Are you just telling me to tell me? Or do you want me to tell you what I think?” he asks.

“I want to know what you think.”

He sighs, sitting up a bit straighter.

“I think the only thing that matters is that you live your life without compromise. Don’t sacrifice bits and pieces of yourself just because some people don’t like what they see. Because I see you. Your team sees you. And you do not bend. Or break” he wraps an arm around your shoulder, pulling you into his side. The embrace is warm. Familiar.

“I think the man sitting next to me… I think he’s exactly who he’s supposed to be.”