Chapter Text
While Joe ate dinner with his parents, Nicky and Bas decided to look around town.
"I have one thing on my list," Nicky said. "I want to find some gifts for my family."
"Sounds like a plan," Bas replied. "But could we not start with that?"
Bas pointed at a vendor on the corner.
"I don't think you should eat from that," Nicky said. "It's never good to eat seafood which has been exposed to the heat."
Nicky looked around and saw that Bas was already eating the seafood.
"Want some?" Bas asked. "It tastes good."
"I think I will pass," Nicky replied. "I'm still full after lunch."
At dinner, Joe was trying to find the right moment to share some news with his parents.
"Joe?" Frankie asked. "Is something on your mind?"
"I would be lying if I said no," Joe replied. "Could we take it after eating dessert?"
After eating, they all went to the beach, and when Joe was sure he was all alone with his parents, he told them that he was gay. And just as it had happened when Nicky told his family he was gay, Joe's parents wrapped their arms around him and told him they still loved him.
"Thanks," Joe said. "For still loving me."
Martha cupped Joe's cheek.
"We will always love you, Joe," Martha said. "You're our son, and if anyone ever gives you any problems because you are gay, you tell us."
"Your Mom is right," Frankie added. "Have you told Bas and Nicky?"
"No, I am still waiting for the right moment, if I can find it," Joe replied. "But I will try to do it before we go home."
Joe's phone rang.
"That was Nicky," Joe said. "It turns out that Bas ate seafood exposed to the heat and is now talking with the toilet."
By the time Joe graduated, Bas was almost back to his old self again.
"Remember to drink all the water, Bas," Martha said. "It will help you."
"On it," Bas replied. "And for your information, I'm never eating seafood again."
"Nonesese," Nicky replied. "When you get to Rome the next time, I will show you a place where you can eat seafood without getting ill."
"Let's have that talk when we get to Rome," Bas replied. "Okay?"
Nicky nodded, and they watched Joe graduate with honour. When Joe found his parents and friends, Martha kissed his face.
"Oh, I'm so proud of you, Joseph," Martha said. "Why did you not tell us you would graduate with honours?"
"I wanted it to be a surprise," Joe replied. "Surprise."
They all laughed.
"Listen, I have to take a photo with the rest of the class," Joe said. "Then we'll eat dinner."
"I hope it's okay that I decline dinner," Bas replied. "I'm not sure I can keep dinner down."
"We'll figure something out," Martha replied. "Go, Joe, we'll see you later."
Two days later, Joe found Bas sitting in the sand, looking out at the ocean.
"Hi," Joe said. "Where's Nicky?"
"He is trying to stand up on a surfboard," Bas replied. "He is there."
Bas pointed at Nicky and a surfer out in the water.
"And before you ask, he has only been standing up for less than four seconds so far," Bas said. "But he is having fun."
They watched Nicky fall into the water again, laughing. Joe forced himself not to look at Nicky in his swimwear, and at Bas instead.
"Bas," Joe said. "I need to tell you something?"
"Oh, are you finally ready to come clean about cheating in Uno five years ago?" Bas asked. "Or is it big news?"
"I didn't cheat in Uno, it was you," Joe replied. "And yes, you can call it big news."
Joe took a moment.
"I think you should know before we move in together that I'm gay," Joe said. Bas nodded. "And why are you so calm?"
"Because I have known for years that you're gay," Bas replied. "And I also know that for as long as you have been gay, you have had a crush on Nicky."
Bas looked at Joe.
"I have no problems with you being gay," Bas said. "We're still cool."
"I'm glad to hear it," Joe replied. "But how did you know I'm gay, because I only figured it out when I started at college?"
"I saw signs of you being gay ever since you were fifteen," Bas replied. "And those signs only became clearer to me when Nicky joined us that summer."
"I don't follow," Joe replied. "What do you mean?"
"That summer, you did everything to be near Nicky without him noticing it," Bas replied. "When we went to the cinema, you made sure that Nicky sat in the middle and was holding the popcorn bucket, so you had an excuse to touch his fingers."
Joe thought about what Bas had just said.
"I understand better now what happened that summer and the following summers," Joe said. "But I can reassure you, I am over Nicky."
"Are you sure about that?" Bas asked. "You might have tried to hide it, but I saw how angry you got when Nicky talked with whoever he is dating."
Bas and Joe saw Nicky fall into the water again.
"Listen, Joe, I won't tell you how to live your life as gay, because I don't know anything about it," Bas said. "But I am asking this of you. Please be honest with Nicky when you tell him you are gay and how you are feeling towards him. Or else I could fear I could end up in the middle of something I haven't asked to be a part of."
"I promise to be honest," Joe replied. "I owe it to Nicky."
"Good," Bas replied. "So, when will you tell it to Nicky?"
"I don't know yet," Joe replied. "I need to figure that out."
"Just don't take forever," Bas replied. "Or else I'll kick your ass."
Joe didn't tell Nicky he was gay while they were in Hawaii. Joe did it first, three years later.