Work Text:
𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒐
• ———— •
To anyone, it was another normal day. The weather was calm, clouds floating serenely against the gentle blue. The sun sometimes peeking out in it’s friendly demeanour.
Students sat in classrooms, focused on their teachers droning on about math, English or science.
People worked, walked, drove around town or sat down to eat, chattering with friends like it was any other day.
To Anya, who was currently sprinting down the hallways, her long, black hair whipping behind her, it wasn’t a normal day. Romeo hadn’t replied to her texts and when she burst into his secluded area in the library, she paled seeing all of his stuff left behind; but Romeo nowhere in sight.
Her shoes slammed against the glossy wooden floor, a rare glimpse of a teacher was immediately forgotten as she whizzed on by, ignoring their demands to slow down.
She only stopped when she found a particular classroom, the door was orange, the plaque had since fallen off, but it once read ‘G2.3’.
She slammed open the door, it whacked off the wall covered in student’s art.
Everyone silenced, the teacher snapped around, jaw slack in surprise. Then her eyes turned icy.
“Anya-!”
“Not right now” she practically growled, scanning the row of pupils until finding Moreau.
He was situated towards the back, surrounded by his football friends. He cocked his head, eyebrows furrowed in concern. She cursed. Has no one read the fucking news? she thought to herself angrily.
“Moreau, get over here” she said in a tone brooking no argument. Instantly Moreau stood up, as if she had the authority of the damn principle, hurrying towards her.
“Anya-“ the teacher tried again, she threw her a glare.
“Check the fucking news. I don’t care what you have to say, this is a fucking emergency” she cursed like a sailor, dragging Moreau out of the room and yanking shut the door. She could see through the slightly yellowed window students whipping out their phones, gasping at the headlines. Some laughed, some looked genuinely worried. The teacher did her best to control the sudden ruckus.
“What’s going on?” Moreau panicked.
Anya crossed her arms, “Moreau, right now, I don’t give a shit about how you feel or anything you might have to say about this” she started off, chin jutted out sternly. “But you have to drop your fucking mother. I don’t care if you ‘still love her’” she emphases slightly mockingly, “she doesn’t love you. And you’re an idiot for thinking you might get somewhere with her. Because of her, your boyfriend's life has been destroyed, and I swear to god-“ she said, voice dropping an octave. “If you still give a single fuck about that woman after what she did to him, I’ll never let you see him again” she threatened passionately, a fire burning in her eyes.
Moreau was frozen, his lips parted around an unspoken word. He didn’t know what to say; but he knew what to do. Taking out his phone he checked the news, although he supposed he already knew, to see headlines upon headlines broadcasted to the thousands.
Breaking: Princess Elizabeth Diaz-Mountchristen-Windsor Not The Girl We Once Knew?
Princess Elizabeth Outed As Trans?
Princess Elizabeth Takes After Her Fathers In Shocking, Unexpected Outing
He swallowed thickly. The word Princess almost burned him, the misgendering, the titles, it showed no concern, no sympathy for what Romeo’s going through. It’s all about money; bringing in the most clicks with the catchiest slogan.
He could throw up; but he realised this wasn’t about him .
“Shit. Oh my god” he whispered.
“Your mom did this,” Anya stated coldly.
“How do you know?” He rushed through the first article for anything, but skimming the words too fast to pick up a single clue. His hands shook.
“Because she was boasting about it to my mom” she hissed, “and my mom is homophobic as fuck, but even she’s pissed. She liked Romeo, which is a first for any friend I’ve had! And she’s working on it- I think. That’s fucking irrelevant, she told the whole suburb before even going to the press. And now she’s on a flight to Wisconsin to live there forever” she finally uncrossed her arms, watching horror passover Moreau’s face. She paused.
“What… what?” He said quietly.
Anya stepped back, “you didn’t know?”
“No- I- I…” his mouth dried, “she- yesterday, she- we made cookies together. She was kind, she- she said she was leaving for a while but she didn’t- …” his heart twisted and shattered, he knew it, of course he knew it, he knew she was planning to do something otherwise she wouldn’t have been so nice. She was faking it. Louring him into a false sense of security so she could pull off this elaborate outing without him being none the wiser.
He felt his stomach clench, bile rising in his throat. Hurriedly, he swallowed.
Guilt wrenched at him.
For once, Anya actually felt a bit bad. She and Moreau had grown a little close over the time spent together. They’ve never really had a moment alone, only when Romeo leaves them for short periods of time, and generally Anya didn’t do empathy, or sympathy. But, at the very least, she could express pity. It was in the forefront of her mind Moreau lost both his parents and had to deal with the emotional turmoil that came with it, but at the same time she cared increasingly more for Romeo than him.
“Guess I’m the one to break the news. Yeah, she moved to Wisconsin. Apparently she met someone, can’t remember his fucking name, but he has two kids. Daughters. Five-ish. She’s going to become a step-mom. And forget all about you” she added more so as a realised afterthought.
Moreau made a broken noise, covering his face. His shoulders quivered. Anya pressed her lips together.
“You can cry later, right now we have to find Romeo”
Moreau heaved in a breath, nodding. “You’re… you’re right. Let’s go”
Even if he was a bit slow, they hurried through the entire school, talking with Romeo’s security to help in the search. They usually didn’t follow him around and were simply dotted across the building, but with Driss helping, it didn’t take long to discover him.
He had taken one of the lesser populated hallways to a broken fire exit. When he pushed open the door, the alarm didn’t sound, and everyone remained peacefully unaware as he cradled himself in the cool, outside air, pressed against the wall beside the door, hyperventilating.
“Romeo, fuck, Romeo” Anya said with the most emotion she’s ever had, falling to her knees and wrapping an arm around his shoulders. He was tense, face wedged into his knees, arms securely locked around his shins. His body was shaking uncontrollably. He wasn’t responding.
“Where are his parents?” Anya hurled towards Driss.
“They’re driving over now. ETA, ten minutes” he replied after checking his phone.
Anya cursed, then dragged her eyes to Moreau who almost seemed afraid to be so close to his boyfriend.
“Moreau,” Anya said warningly. He snapped back to the moment and kneeled beside her, gently coaxing Romeo’s hands away from their ironclad grip.
“Baby, baby, hey” he whispered soothingly, voice shaky. “Can you hear me?”
Romeo took in an audible breath, his shoulders followed the movement. Slowly, slowly he began to unfurl himself, starting with his arms falling to his sides then his legs peeling away from his chest, and his face, his beautiful, red, puffy face, stained with tears and dried blood above his top lip. He had a nose bleed sometime since discovering the news and now.
“Baby…” Moreau whispered, distraught. He shuffled close for Romeo to crawl into his lap, pressing his face against his shoulder and crying , which was a harrowing sound in of itself, but the sight along with it made all of their hearts clench.
They sat for ten minutes, Anya against the wall, scrolling through her phone, Driss pacing, constantly checking his own devices for Henry and Alex’s arrival.
Moreau and Romeo remained silent. They didn’t move, didn’t speak, just held each other, because right now was the worst moment of both of their lives and they didn’t know how to help themselves, let alone each other.
Henry and Alex came. Another member of security was hurriedly leading them over. They were stricken in concern and barely concealed rage.
“Sweetheart” Henry gasped, falling into a jog as soon as he saw his son, his sweet son, ruined by one action from another person.
Moreau allowed Henry to take him, watching as he effortlessly lifted him into his arms. Romeo curled into him like they were missing puzzle pieces. Alex allowed himself to join in the hug for a few seconds before whirling around to Moreau.
“What happened?” He asked, voice icy.
Anya stood up, dusting off her jeans.
“Moreau’s mother outed him,” she said coolly.
Moreau’s head dropped.
“She’s moving to Wisconsin today,” she added.
For the first time since they found him, Romeo made a noise other than crying. He sounded upset nonetheless, but as he lifted his head and turned to speak, they were all aware the idea of losing Moreau was the only thing that brought him back.
“You’re moving?” He croaked, sounding destroyed at the possibility.
Moreau’s face remained directed towards the floor, “I don’t- I don’t… I don’t know” he replied, his voice barely audible.
“He’s not. She left him behind. She met someone, he has kids. She’s starting again, basically” Anya shrugged, then took a menacing step towards Alex. “And if you give him shit, I will fucking punch you” she said, shocking both Moreau and Romeo who never, ever saw Anya sticking up for the former. “He’s an idiot” she continued, “a huge fucking idiot for ever thinking he had something with her. But it’s obvious he had no part in any of this, and if you give him even an ounce of blame, you, Diaz, are a fucking asshole”
A silence stretched between them. Alex stared at her hard, she met his gaze with the same heat, crossing her arms and bowing her head just slightly.
Alex looked down at Moreau. His hands grasped the opposite elbow, visibly trying to keep himself under control, possibly berating himself because Romeo is in such a worse position, and he has the gal to act so distraught for his own problems?
“Fuck” Alex cursed quietly, stepping back from Anya. He looked at Henry who had tears brimmed in his eyes, gently rubbing Romeo’s back.
Finally, he faced Driss. “Tell the school we’re going home”
“Yes, sir. Just Romeo?”
Alex hesitated, “no. Moreau and Anya, too”
“Yes, sir,” Driss nodded before he left.
Alex bent down to Moreau’s height, gently placing a hand on his shoulder, nudging him until he lifted his head to meet his gaze. It was softer. Concerned.
“Need a place to stay?” He offered. Moreau sobbed and fell into his arms.
On the walk to the car, Henry catered for Romeo, Alex supported Moreau, and Anya walked behind them, keeping an eye out for any stranger gasping to take a picture of their family.
Their car windows were black out, preventing anyone on the streets from snapping a photo of Romeo illegally sitting in Henry’s lap, their seatbelt disregard. Alex drove, Moreau and Anya remained silent in the backseats.
To them, the day felt sluggish. Like they were moving through molasses to get to one place from the other. Romeo only made a noise when he began crying, Moreau was in the same predicament, Anya felt too furious to even speak, only throwing her anger towards trolls on the internet.
Alex and Henry either took phone calls or ignored them. They had taken Romeo’s phone, although it had already died from the overwhelming notifications.
Philip, Bea and Catherine were doing their part to settle the rilled up, British nation. Rose, Jane and Matilda all sent their love and promises to visit soon.
June and Nora had visited briefly, Ana and Vivi were taken out of school when students wouldn’t stop asking questions. They both adamantly refused to answer any, but it was still too overwhelming for them to have a normal school day.
Alex and Henry appreciated their company, but admitted too many people might make Romeo upset. They’d come back later in the week, they had said.
“I’m really sorry about this, baby” Moreau whispered, the two were cuddled on his bed, having been for the past few hours. Anya was downstairs talking with Henry and Alex about what they were planning to do.
Romeo was gazing at the ceiling silently, long since he had stopped crying. Mulling over his thoughts, if the look in his eye had anything to say. Moreau had sent short texts to the cousins at Romeo's request; he wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone right now.
He sighed, reaching up to brush some of his hair back.
“I was expecting it” he finally murmured, “I mean, how long could I have really kept it a secret…?” He trailed, resting his head against Moreau’s shoulder. They both laid on their back, the blankets halfway up their bodies. The clock slowly switched from three fifty nine to four o’clock.
“I know, but it’s still-“
“I was only keeping it for you” Romeo cut him off, Moreau blinked, turning to face him.
“I was going to come out on my seventeenth, remember? I just wanted to keep you safe. Maybe I could have come out on my own terms. I’m not… upset “ he admitted slowly, “it just freaked me out. That’s all. Because I was scared for you, but apparently I didn’t need to be” he added, bitterness seeping into his tone.
Moreau frowned, sitting up. “I didn’t know she would do this, baby”
Romeo sat up too, still pointedly not facing him. “I didn’t imply you did, but you said she’d kick you out if she ever found out” he said.
Moreau opened and closed his mouth, awkwardly shrugging. “I-I just assumed-“
“Can I ask?” Romeo cut him off again, “did she ever explicitly state she would kick you out, if you were gay?”
Moreau paused, because no, she didn’t. He assumed she would, because she has expressed her displeasure for gay people before. Multiple times, in fact. But he never knew for sure if she’d ever go as far as to physically remove him from his home. And considering she’s moving to Wisconsin, she never actually did kick him out. Just left him behind, which she would have done even if he was straight.
Anya’s words echoed in his head.
All he wanted was something with her. He was stuck in his own sorrow of losing another parent to realise Romeo mattered more than that. Romeo meant more to him than she does. He was just scared, and didn’t try to work on it.
Not once.
“Not- no, no she didn’t” he admitted quietly.
Romeo made a noise, turning even further away from him. Moreau frowned deeply at the back of his head.
“Right,” he muttered.
Moreau rubbed his neck, “I’m- I’m sorry-“
“For what? Lying again this morning? Even after you promised you wouldn’t? I don’t care if you don’t want to tell me things, Moreau. I asked you to stop lying. You’re worrying me, what if you lied about other things too? You said you were okay we weren’t doing anything sexual, was that a lie too? What’s the truth, Moreau?” He snapped, whirling to face him, his eyes burning.
Moreau’s lips parted slightly, eyes watering. “No, no, baby, I-“
“Stop calling me that when you’re lying to me” Romeo echoed.
Moreau shrunk in on himself, crossing his arms over his chest. “I wasn’t lying about the sex. I don’t mind. I promise. This morning I- I was happy because me and mom made cookies the day before. It was stupid. I should’ve known she was trying to get on my good side. But that’s… that’s why I was happy” he said earnestly, eyes glued to the quilt below them.
Romeo let a breath out through his nose. A tense silence settled between them.
“Final question?”
Moreau nodded slightly.
“If you had the choice, would you move to Wisconsin with her?”
Moreau’s reply was immediate, “no” he said, “I love you. I’ve always loved you more than her. I just- I just thought I could have both…” he trailed on an exhale, “because I miss my dad so much” he sobbed, covering his face. “And I-I wanted a chance with her. But I couldn’t. And now I have you, and Alex, and- and Henry. And I just-“ he cut himself off to heave, sniffling deeply through his nose. “I don’t know,” he finished. “But I’d stay here. With you. Every time”
Romeo looked over to him, Moreau saw tears in his eyes. A moment later Romeo was in his lap, arms around his shoulders, hugging him with force. Moreau made a broken noise, shakily hugging him back.
The daggers of fear that once pierced his heart during the entire exchange settled into something smooth, bandaging him, slowly making him whole again as Romeo held the pieces together.
“I love you” Romeo whispered into his ear.
Moreau smiled watery, “I love you too”
“I just made a post to Twitter,” Romeo said, reading over what he wrote for the millionth time, even if it’s already out there for everyone to see.
Anya tsked, “the notes app screenshots…”
“I needed space!” Romeo defended.
“I think it’s fine, baby,” Moreau smiled next to him. He helped Beta read it after he finished the first draft. Romeo smiled and kissed his cheek.
“Thank you, babe”
“Ugh” Vivi groaned in disgust.
He and Ana were sitting opposite them on the brownstones kitchen counter, Anya between them.
“Living the single, jealous life” Ana cooed towards her sister who shot her a side glare.
“Maybe if they weren’t all over each other all the time-“
“You would be the exact same-“
“Choke if you think I’d let a man touch me”
“Vouch” Anya chimed in. Vivi smirked, Ana rolled her eyes.
“Argue all you want, you’re still pan” Ana said teasingly. Vivi scoffed.
“Tis but a curse”
“At least you’re not the default,” Romeo grinned at Anya.
The glare Anya sent at him shut him right up. Moreau watched the exchange and laughed heartily.
A few days had come and gone since the outing. Moreau wanted to call his mother, he did, but every time he picked up the phone to do so, he realised he didn’t need to. He wasn’t obligated to keep trying with someone who obviously didn’t want him to try.
He blocked her number last night, earning a languid kiss from his boyfriend.
Henry and Alex had been accommodating to him, helping him move his things over and making Romeo’s space into a shared one. (Which he didn’t mind at all). Seeing his stuff intermingled with Moreau’s made his heart sing and tears well in his eyes.
Alex did sit down with him to talk. They discussed legalities and possible grounds to sue for child neglect, considering Moreau was seventeen, his mother’s current actions are illegal. And if he wanted, by contacting the police, they could force her to let him live with her.
He declined, he didn’t want anything to do with his mother for quite some time, and simply wanted to stay with Alex and Henry.
Alex, very easily (and filled with relief) obliged.
Now that the press had died down, statements were being released. The royal family in Buckingham made a very long, very supportive message, spoken directly from Queen Catherine herself.
Next, Romeo was allowed to post something himself. He had a large online following (which he admittedly didn’t tend to much), but the replies pouring in from his post told him all he needed to know.
They supported him.
Ellen was also going to release a statement, leaving Henry and Alex last. They were planning a whole speech to not only go into Romeo’s situation, but their own too, to finally express how they truly felt about it.
Romeo wanted them to do nothing less.
One good thing from this entire situation is seeing his name. Instantly, articles changed from his dead name to Romeo, and he couldn’t have been more thrilled about it.
Admittedly, he had taken some time off of school, they were all waiting until Moreau and Anya could sense everyone had calmed down and moved on before putting him back in that environment.
The school board understands and he’s being sent work by email, which still sucks, but better than being there.
“And your seventeenth birthday is just two weeks away,” Vivi pointed out wistfully. “If it did come out on your birthday, would’ve been super fucking creepy”
Romeo snorted, “it doesn’t matter. At least it’s out there, I guess”
“Still, it’s horrible” Ana frowned, squeezing his hand. “You’re really brave, Romeo”
He smiled, blushing. “Thank you…”
“And amazing, and incredible” Moreau continued, punctuating each compliment with a fat kiss against his cheek. He laughed, shoving at his chest.
“You’re lying again”
”Oh shut up!” He exclaimed, falling into a fit of giggles.
The three girls watched on, Vivi and Anya rolled their eyes while Ana smiled blindingly.
“Are they being gross again?” Alex guessed, walking up behind them and squeezing Romeo in a hug.
“No!” Ana dismissed, “they’re being cute”
“They’re being gay “ Vivi said between a cough, Anya snorted out a laugh.
“Just jealous,” Moreau mused, gasping after Anya slapped his wrist.
“The royal cousins are coming over soon” Alex moved on with a fond eye roll, standing beside Moreau and casually laying an arm around his shoulders. He settled in his chair, smiling cutely.
“Jane? Fuck yes “ Anya hissed.
“How can you be straight?” Vivi said, turning to her.
“Pussy doesn’t do it for me” she shrugged almost solemnly.
“What about boobs?” Ana smirked.
Anya tilted her head to the side, “boobs. Yeah. Boobs are good”
Laughs chorused around the room.
“Don’t let Henry hear. Might give the poor guy a heart attack” Alex grinned, knowing Henry was walking into the room as he said this.
“Talking about boobs again?” He said flatly, rousing the table in another laughing fit. Alex turned to him and held out his arms, smiling toothily. Henry rolled his eyes and gave him a chaste kiss, squeezing his waist.
“Alright, alright” Alex said, grabbing their attention. “As much as this is an interesting conversation, we need to steal Romeo”
He blinked up, “oh?”
“I don’t think I should be left alone with them,” Moreau instantly piped up. Alex scoffed.
“You’ll be fine” he ruffled his hair, Romeo happily jumped down from the bar stool and took Henry’s hand, allowing himself to be led out, all the while Moreau complained, insisting that the girls would kill him.
Romeo heard vague assurances from Ana as Vivi and Anya laughed almost evilly.
Inside of Alex’s office Romeo plopped down into the armchair. He’s noticed since the outing he’s felt… better. A little bit, anyway. It definitely lifted the stress of coming out from his shoulders, at the very least.
“Me and your father have been talking” Henry began gently, “and we think you should start the treatment sooner, rather than later”
“We’ve noticed you haven’t acted yourself, and we want you to be comfortable, sweetheart” Alex added, crossing his arms. “What do you say? We can book appointments right now. All we need is your permission”
“No pressure” Henry finished, both of them smiling softly.
Romeo looked between them; he did want to start the treatment. He wasn’t so scared anymore, because he wouldn’t have to worry about doctors outing him, or people realising he looks and sounds more manly as time went on. In fact, it was the perfect time. He couldn’t live like this anymore.
It was too much, he couldn’t stand his own reflection, though usually tried to keep that to himself.
He didn’t want anyone to worry. And this was the ideal opportunity to never have to let them worry.
He smiled, big and broad.
“Yes, please”
And it was set.
• ———— •
𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒃𝒚𝒆