Chapter Text
Elliot had been working at the youth center for a few years now, so he recognized the look on the boy hovering by the door. It wasn’t unusual for someone to have to work up the courage before they pushed their way in through the double doors. It’s why the center had switched to glass last year, so the person working at the front desk could see if someone was struggling outside and offer them some support to walk through the door. It wasn’t unlike luring in a stray cat: approach cautiously and offer something they wanted with no strings attached.
Elliot decided to give him a few more minutes. It was easier to help someone who asked for it themselves. Rushing out there might spook him and put him on the defensive. If it had the added bonus of giving Elliot enough time to finish the last of his engineering problem set, well that’s just convenient. Elliot turned back to his notebook, but kept an eye on the boy who had taken a tight grip on the straps of his backpack. A few more seconds of deliberation and he set his shoulders and grabbed the door handle to push his way inside. Elliot put down his pencil to give the boy his whole attention.
“Welcome. I’m Elliot.” He got up and walked around the desk. “Is this your first time here?” The boy looked surprised at being addressed directly and readjusted his grip on his backpack. He looked somewhat familiar, but after a few moments he nodded, so Elliot must have seen him somewhere else before. Fear was evident in his posturing, so Elliot mentally dialed back his energy as to not spook him any further.
“Wonderful. I’m glad you’ve stopped by. Newcomers are always welcome here. What’s your name?” The boy’s eyes widened at the question as if he wasn’t expecting to have to identify himself. Elliot started to feel his own worry for the boy at that. This wasn’t a teenager shy about coming into a youth center to kill some time during the Christmas break while his friends are away on holiday. This was someone looking for help.
The boy took a deep breath. “I’m Simon.”
“It’s nice to meet you Simon. What can I do for you today?” Elliot thanked his years of improv classes as he fought to keep the worry off his face. It wouldn’t do to let Simon feel pitied. Light and friendly was the way to go.
“I think I need help.”
Elliot started to nod. “Well it’s a good thing that’s what I’m here for. Can you tell me what you need help with?”
“Um, I’m not sure…” Simon’s eyes started darting around the room until they landed on something on the wall. Elliot turned. The pride flag. The one he had hung in the lobby for this very reason. Sweden may be one of the most progressive countries in the world when it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights, but that doesn’t mean everyone feels that way. Teenagers are still at the mercy of their families and anti-discrimination laws can’t force parents to accept their child. Elliot would know. He looked back at Simon who seemed to realize he’d been caught staring. Simon cleared his throat. Elliot gave him a gentle smile.
“You don’t have to tell me if you aren’t comfortable. You’re welcome to just spend time here no questions asked. But if you want to tell me I’m all ears.”
Simon gave a little nod to himself. He shrugged off his backpack and opened it up. He pulled out a tabloid magazine. It was a little unorthodox, but Elliot had used far stranger means of communication to get a teenager to open up so he was prepared to accept whatever Simon showed him. Simon hesitated for a moment and then handed the magazine to Elliot.
Of course, Elliot thought to himself. The cover had a headshot of Prince Wilhelm next to a still from the sex tape that appeared to be of him. The prince had gone on television two weeks ago to deny it was him, but that hadn’t stopped the less reputable tabloids from milking the story for all it was worth. It didn’t really matter if it was the prince or not, as long as it looked enough like him for them to write their headlines with just enough homophobia to be salacious. They didn’t seem to care about the impact it might have on LGBT youth struggling with their identity, like the boy in front of him. Then it clicked. Elliot looked at the other boy in the photograph and then back up at Simon.
Simon gave him a little smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Like I said, I think I need help.”