Chapter Text
(Pattern looked at his parents nervously in the dining room. They've been asking questions lately, and he figured they needed to know the truth sooner or later.)
Pattern: mum, [email protected]'m...ummm...
Major (the father): it's okay, son. take your time.
Pattern: i'm g...g...
Nebula (the mother, growing impatient): GUH-WHAT? WHAT ARE YOU SAYING??
Pattern: i'm g@y! i +hink guys @re cu+e! i'm no+ in+eres+ed in girls like +he o+her boys in my cl@ss @re!
Nebula (disappointed, but calm): ...OH. I SEE. YOU'RE…GAY.
Major: ha! i knew it!
Nebula: YOU DID? HOW?
Major: remember when he and primrose played with dolls, and he made 2 of the male ones kiss?
Nebula: WELL, IT MIGHT'VE BEEN BEFORE…
(Awkward short pause.)
Nebula: BEFORE HE REALIZED THAT MOST MEN DON'T DATE EACH OTHER.
Major: the trip to the museum. the mannequins in lisa's. don't forget about the time he-
Pattern (shrinking in embarrassment): ok@y! ok@y! we get i+, d@d!
Major: you're right; that last one i was about to mention was a strange one. forgive me, my boy.
Nebula (suddenly angry): THIS WHOLE SITUATION IS STRANGE! YOU- (points at Pattern) -ARE STRANGE!
Pattern (starting to get upset): mum. ple@se.
Major: honey. listen to me. this is something that he can't help. i know this isn't the future you envisioned for him, but maybe… (attempts to lighten the mood) …our future grandchildren could have some fun gay uncles?
Nebula: STOP IT! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANY MORE OF IT. I'M GOING UPSTAIRS.
(And so, she does. Major turns back to Pattern, who had been silently sobbing not long after his mom showed her true colors.)
Pattern: does mum h@+e me, d@d?
Major: no. no no no. i believe not, pattern. i just think she needs time to calm down, and then hopefully apologise for her behaviour.
(All of a sudden, there were tiny footsteps. Turns out a 4-year old Matchh was eavesdropping the whole time.)
Matchh: WHAT IS 'GAY', AND WHY IS MUMMY SAD?
Pattern: i+'s…where @ guy likes @no+her guy, or @ girl likes @no+her girl, +he s@me w@y +h@+ one merm@id liked @ prince. @s for mum? she needs +ime +o process +hings.
Matchh: OKAY! I LIKE THE MERMAID. AM I GAY?
Major: umm…we'll talk about that in a few years, sweetheart. at your age, you needn't worry about romance. go give your brother a hug, alright? he's been through a lot today.
(Matchh and Pattern hugged. A few seconds later, Major turned it into a group hug. Nebula tiptoed down the stairs, looking at the trio with guilt. Sooner or later, she'll find a way to make amends.)