(Michael and Charlie are 18.)

(Edit: Ngl forgot where I was going with this at first, so I thought of the ending and just decided to go for it. This was supposed to be uploaded in Pride Month, but I honestly forgot about it up until now 💀💅🦑.)

          Michael sighed heavily, leaning against Charlie's bedroom wall. He looked up at the ceiling, closing his dark brown eyes. "Charlie I'm bOOOOOOOOORED!!!" He suddenly shouted, causing said female to jump. She sighed, looking over her shoulder at him. "Must you shout?" She asked. "Besides, I have to finish my homework. Just chill out." Michael huffed dramatically, beginning to think. "How close are you to finishing?" He asked, glancing over at his friend.
          "I have five questions left."
          "uuuUUUUUUGH," Michael groaned, slouching against the wall. Charlie smirked slightly at her friend's theatrics, writing on her paper. "During your little tantrum, I got two done," she hummed, trying to prove that it'd be quick. "It's just math."
          " 'Just math'. Who the FUCK says 'it's just math'?? Math is hard as shit," Michael went on. "It's literally the type of math our dads do for the robots. It's not difficult at all," Charlie responded, scribbling on her paper to write the answer out. Michael let out an annoyed huff, looking around Charlie's room. "Hurry up before I go bother the boys," Michael threatened, Evan and Sammy being in Sammy's room.
          "Please don't," Charlie hummed, writing on her paper again. "See? I'm done–"
          "Oh good! C'mon," Michael said from suddenly beside her, grabbing her wrist. "Wha– Jeez, okay okay," Charlie mumbled, Michael's hurrying down the stairs. "Daaaad, me and Charlie are going outside!" Michael called as they grew close to the door.
          "Kaaaay, don't die!" William called, snicker leaving Michael as he dragged Charlie out the door.

         
          "Why did you wanna drag me out here so badly?" Charlie asked as she watched Michael balance on a fallen tree. "'Cuz I wanted to tell you somethin'...in private," Michael admitted, beginning to seem a bit nervous. While he hated to confirm he was nervous at times, it was hard to hide. Especially from Charlie, for she could tell at an instant. "Ooookay, tell me what?" She asked, knowing now that Michael was being serious. "Well– look I–" Michael scoffed slightly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Just...don't freak out alright?"
          "You telling me to not freak out is making me think you did something bad, Michael...," Charlie responded, worried eyes staring into Michael's as her brows furrowed. "I didn't do anything bad. But I did do something." Michael muttered those last words, only loud enough for Charlie to hear. "Mike, you're not entirely convincing me–"
          "I kissed Wilson," Michael blurted out, face going bright pink as he confessed what he did to his best friend. "Wait WHAT?" Charlie asked, eyes widening as her mouth fell agape. Michael tensed, burying his face in his hands. "I–I kissed him!" He said, voice slightly muffled.
          "Oh my g– when?!" Charlie asked, approaching the flustered male. Michael looked back up, his cheeks bright red from embarrassment. "Gah..like two days ago," Michael responded, looking at Charlie. He was surprised to see the wide smile on her face. "Miiiiike, how?! How'd it happen???" Charlie asked, grabbing his arm and shaking him excitedly. This honestly wasn't the reaction he was expecting to get from Charlie. He took a deep breath.
          "We were hanging out with the others, but they had to go early. Anisa had band practice, and Jacob had some doctor's appointment," he started. "So we just decided to go into the woods cuz we were bored, and...he..confessed to me." Michael seemed a bit ashamed. As if he thought he had done something wrong. "Obviously I felt the same way but...you know how my family is with that shit," Michael said, locking his glossy eyes with Charlie's.
          Charlie bit her lip. She knew of Michael's other family members having a history of being homophobic - on William's side of the family. William himself admitted that he had acted the way he did since his family would push him to, but he knew it was wrong and set out to change.
          "Michael...," Charlie said softly, resting a hand on his arm. "All that matters is that your parents and siblings accept you."
          "How do you know for sure that they will?" He asked, tears bubbling in his brown eyes. Charlie's expression was sympathetic. "Have they ever given you the impression that they wouldn't?" She asked. Michael blinked, glancing down. "...no," he muttered.
          "See?" Charlie asked. "Besides, your aunt is a lesbian isn't she? If they accepted her, they're bound to accept you."
          "But what if they don't?" Michael asked. His voice was quiet, voice cracking slightly. "What if they kick me out and never want to see me again?'
          "My dad will let you move in," Charlie responded. Michael looked at her. "...you're serious?" He asked.
          "Of course I am, Michael," Charlie said gently. "You're my best friend, I love you more than anything. If things go South, I'd do anything to make sure you're oka–"
          Charlie was cut off by Michael's body suddenly slamming against hers, his arms wrapping tightly around her figure. Michael gripped her hood tightly, burying his face into her shoulder. He began to sob. Charlie closed her eyes, hugging him back and rubbing his back soothingly.

          "Uh....m–mom? Dad?" Michael asked, walking out from the archway and into the dining room. William and Amelia looking up and turning their attention to their son. "What's up, kiddo?" William asked, Michael fumbling with his fingers nervously. "Uhm....I–I need to talk to you guys about something," he said, looking down at his hands. William and Amelia exchanged worried looks, taking note the Michael wasn't acting like his usual self. Amelia looked back at Michael. "Have a seat, honey." Without another word, Michael listened and took a seat at the table with them. "What do you need to talk to us about?" Amelia continued, talking sweetly. One of the many things William adored about his wife.
          "U–uhm," Michael said, still refusing to look up at them. "I....I'm." Tears swam in his eyes, lip quivering slightly. William and Amelia both tensed. William even leaned over the table a bit, resting a hand on Michael's. "Hey. Buddy, talk to us," he said. "What's wrong? Why're you crying?" Michael finally looked up, locking his eyes with William's. He felt his anxiety dimmed a bit at the worried look in his eyes. Michael hiccuped slightly, looking back down. "I–I'm dating a b–oy," he said, almost inaudible. It went quiet for a second.
          "Oh, Michaaael," Amelia said, standing from her chair and immediately standing beside her son. "Honey, it's okay," she cooed as she side hugged him, William also approaching. Michael screwed his eyes shut, beginning to cry. He felt as William rubbed his back, his mother stroking his hair gently. "Michael, look at me," William said as he crouched next to his son, the male hesitantly opening his eyes and looking into his father's. William grinned. "We love you," he said, hand resting on Michael's shoulder. "Nothing is gonna change that. Ever." Michael sniffled, nodding slightly. William ruffled his hair. "You're always gonna be me little pirate, matey," William said in his mock–Foxy voice, earning a laugh from Michael. He used the ends of his sleeves to wipe his eyes, sniffling again. Amelia was smiling brightly, crossing her arms as she leaned back against the table. "So," she hummed. "Who's the lucky boy?" Michael looked up at her, his cheeks going a bit pink. "Uh– Wilson," he responded. "Oh! Your friend?" She asked, Michael nodding. William furrowed his brows.
           "The Chrsitian boy?" He asked, watching as Michael's eyes widened slightly. He hissed. "Yeaaaaah.....guess I'm a bad influence, huh?" He asked, causing both of his parents to laugh. Michael grinned, glad that he didn't have to go for Plan B.