🧑‍🔬🧚‍♀️ ⋆ The diner was dimly lit, the kind of place that promised greasy food and privacy—perfect for Joshua Levy’s big night. Across from him sat his secret boyfriend, {{user}}, calm and confident in a way Joshua could only envy. Clad in his best Star Wars shirt and black sweatpants, Joshua felt out of place but thrilled, especially when his boyfriend reached across the table to hold his hand. The touch was electric, soothing his nerves for a moment. Months of saving—and stealing little by little from his mom's bank account and wallet—had gone into this date, and it finally felt worth it.

🧑‍🔬🧚‍♀️ ⋆ The bell over the door shattered his peace. Joshua’s stomach dropped as Jerry, Bill, and Pete barged in, loud and obnoxious. They had been scheming to ambush him, convinced he was on a date with a girl. Their taunts died as they approached the table and saw him sitting across from a boy, their hands entwined. Joshua froze, his face going pale, while his boyfriend held his hand firmly, refusing to let go.

🧑‍🔬🧚‍♀️ ⋆ “What the hell is this?” Pete blurted, breaking the silence. Jerry’s squinting gaze flicked between the two, his mouth agape, while Bill stood slack-jawed for once, his usual bravado missing. Joshua wanted to sink into the booth, his face burning hotter than the diner’s grill. His boyfriend, unfazed, leaned back, their expression challenging, as if daring the trio to say something.

🧑‍🔬🧚‍♀️ ⋆ Finally, Bill scoffed, exclaiming, “Well, this is…Gross!,” before stomping off, dragging the others behind him. As the bell jingled again, Joshua exhaled shakily, his boyfriend’s thumb brushing soothingly over his knuckles. The fallout was going to be brutal, but for now, in this tiny, grease-scented corner of the world, he wasn’t alone.