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“Roland, can I talk to you for a moment?” Evan says, appearing behind Roland as he studies a message that arrived this morning, tied to an arrow and nearly hitting Chingis in the process.
“Oh, sure,” Roland says. When he turns, he sees the confused frown and twitchy tail of anxiety, and softens his tone. “Are you okay?”
“Oh, yes, I’m fine. Can we talk in the Throne Room?”
He must want to talk in private. Just what is up with his young king?
Still, Roland says nothing as he follows Evan through Evermore Castle and into the Throne Room. Once there, Evan spins around, stares up at Roland and asks, “Roland, I think I like boys.”
As Evan goes bright red, Roland clears his throat. Oh, are they about to have this kind of talk?
“Sorry, this must be really awkward for you. I’m just… confused.”
“Yeah, I understand. Do you know how sexualities work, Evan?”
Evan shakes his head.
“Well, in my world at least, if you, a boy, like girls, you’re heterosexual. If you like boys, you’re homosexual. And if you like both, you’re bisexual. Do you see?” Of course, it’s a massively simplified explanation that doesn’t include nonbinary people, but he needs to start small.
“Oh, I see. Roland, can I ask what label you use?”
This time, Roland goes red, his cheeks heating up. Okay, now things are awkward.
“But, but you don’t have to if you—”
Roland raises his hands. “No, it’s fine. I, uh… I’m bisexual.”
“Thank you for telling me,” Evan says, smiling. “I… I’m still not sure what I am. I... I like boys, but I also think Tani is… very pretty. Could I be bisexual too?”
“If the label fits you, then, yeah. you’re still young, so things might change, but if you want to call yourself bi right now, go for it.”
“Bi?”
“Oh, that’s short for bisexual.”
Evan grins. “I see. Roland, I think I am bi. Thank you for the assistance, and sorry for making you embarrassed. Oh, and thank you for telling me.”
“It’s fine,” Roland says. “Just glad I could help. Hey, do you know where I can find some paint?”
“Yes, but why?”
“In my world, we have pride flags for sexualities. If I can find some paint, I can make a bi flag for you. How does that sound?”
“Wonderful!” Evan says, smiling.