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Jack went to the door, trying not to show his grandmother his real emotions, namely the anger that simmered inside him. He felt the tension as soon as Lizzie introduced Rayane to his grandmother. As he kissed his boyfriend and immersed himself in conversation with him, he didn't notice Viviane standing there watching them, turning his head his fears were confirmed. She was shocked. He hadn't seen such a reaction to his orientation in a long time. He looked at Rayane and seeing the way he lowered his head, he realised that he too was affected by the situation. Jack decided not to ignore what was happening, but to fight for his right to be who he was. Each subsequent remark from his grandmother turned him on even more than before. He realised that she had a stereotypical view of homosexual relationships, but the anger didn't subside. Memories from the past immediately popped into his head, how scary it had been then to admit his orientation, to experience the mountain of judgement, to be bullied. He remembered the look in Jordan's eyes and his reaction when he'd made the camming out. Jack had decided with certainty then that he could stand up for himself, and now for Rayane, to never again experience the feelings he had at that moment in his life. He thought it wouldn't happen again, but walking out of the flat he felt ashamed, dirty and wrong again. That judgemental look that saw him not as a person but as a pervert who had taken the wrong path. Jack realised it wasn't true, but something had hit him so hard in that moment.
Running out of the driveway, Jack turned his head back and met the gaze of Rayane, who was walking behind him. His gaze was thoughtful and a little sad. Jack knew that right now they were thinking about their past, about the judgement they had suffered. Rayane understood him. Rayane walked over to Jack and put his arm around his shoulder.
"Don't mind her, she's just too old to understand us" Rayane tried to reassure him.
"That's not the point... Did you see the look in her eyes? She was disgusted to see us together. Tell me you saw it, too" Jack replied, looking into Rayane's eyes.
"Yeah, I did, but maybe she didn't really expect it, after all, spending all those years in prison, coming out and then seeing two guys kissing is a bit stressful" Rayane said with a chuckle.
"I don't know, I feel like she's judging us. I can't be in the same room with her if that's the case. I just don't understand how people are capable of judging for love"
Rayane pulled Jack against him.
"I remember Karim being surprised when he found out about me too, but in the end, everything went well, he just needed time to realise it"
"Yeah, but... Rayane, I'm used to people being mostly oblivious to orientation, but it turns out not always"
"Jack, it's gonna be okay"
"I'm sorry you had to see that"
"Hey, it's okay" Rayane said stopping Jack "We're in this together. Just give her time"
"Okay, maybe you're right"
Rayane called Jack to the cinema tonight to have fun and forget about the situation. He saw his boyfriend walking around all day tense and decided to take him to a comedy. He was glad that after the film Jack's mood had lifted and he didn't seem to care as much about the situation anymore. After the film, the guys went to Jack's flat. It was late, they quietly went into the flat and headed to their room and then went to bed.
The next morning they got up and went to breakfast. The whole family was already sitting at the table, including Viviane. Jack poured coffee for himself and Rayane and then joined the conversation. He noticed that Viviane hardly looked at him and looked away immediately when he looked at her. This alarmed Jack. At this time the whole family was discussing how Leo was doing after his video call.
"It's been a long time since I've seen him. It's good that he's okay" Jack said.
"Yeah, he says he's made a lot of friends" Audrey replied.
"Rayane and I were just going to go over there the other day, he'd written that he wanted to learn to skateboard and Rayane to help"
"Do you two want to go to Leo's?" Viviane asked.
"Yes, we want to go tomorrow, instead of PE" Rayane replied.
"Does Leo know that you two are together?" Viviane asked.
"Yes, what's the matter?" Jack asked.
"I just don't think the child should see you two kissing and...and everything"
"And everything else? Okay...what's the problem?" Jack asked.
"You could be setting the wrong example for the relationship"
"Oh, here's the thing, so our relationship is the wrong example for the child, and looking at us could make him gay. Right?" Jack raised his voice. Rayane took Jack's hand under the table and looked him in the eye.
"That's not what I was going to say"
"What did you mean to say? That we're wrong? That our relationship is wrong? ‘I've got it perfectly clear" Jack said confidently.
"Yeah, you're right. I think your relationship is wrong, and it's strange that the others don't think so. Two guys can't be together, much less love each other"
"But here's how... So you think Rayane and I are in it for the benefits or something, not because he saved me in the worst time of my life and still does. If I love someone of my own sex, I'm spoilt" Jack continued.
Rayane looked into Jack's eyes and for the first time in a long time he saw that look when Jack was fighting for something important. This time for their right to love each other.
"If anything, homosexuality is formed from birth, so we can't make Leo gay if that's what you're worried about" Rayane encouraged.
"Please stay out of the conversation, I'm talking to Jack right now"
"He has the right to speak, you don't have to shut him up!" shouted Jack.
"Jack...please" said Audrey
"Mum, are you serious? Am I saying something wrong right now? Are you really supporting her?"
"No, but don't make things worse" Audrey said quietly.
"Jack, I just can't understand how two guys can love each other. It's unnatural. You're young and you don't know what love is. You're playing games. I don't know why you do it" Viviane said.
"We don't know about love. Okay. I'm sorry, but I can't keep quiet anymore" Rayane objected "Just so you know, I fell in love with Jack when he couldn't see anything, when his face was all scratched up and he didn't look his best, and you really think I could have chosen him at that moment to play a game? I fell in love with him at first sight and it was the best choice of my life - Rayane was quiet - And probably for the game, Jack put up with all my problems, was with me when I was unbearable and helped me through the worst period of my life. We just like playing games, don't we? I'd give anything for this guy, and you have no idea how happy I am to have him. So don't talk about how we don't know anything about love"
Jack squeezed Rayane's hand tighter and looked at Viviane.
"We've been through a lot of things, and we're still together, in a happy relationship that not many heterosexual couples have. So you shouldn't question our love" Jack supported Rayane`s.
Viviane replied nothing. There was silence at the table. Jack got up from the table.
"Thanks for breakfast Mum" Jack said ironically.
The boys went into the room. Jack sat down on the bed and took a deep breath. Rayane sat down next to him.
"Why do we have to prove anything to anyone? Prove obvious things" Jack asked, looking out the window.
"You can't prove anything to some people" Rayane replied.
"I've spent my whole life being judged. I hoped that it wouldn't happen again, that I wouldn't have to be ashamed of myself, ashamed to be who I am, but no. The worst part is that it's happening in my family"
"You don't have to be ashamed of yourself. We have something that a lot of people don't have, and those people will always be jealous of us and try to hurt us, okay?" said Rayane stroking Jack's knee.
"Okay... So I didn't look my best, huh?" Jack said with a smile.
Rayane laughed.
"You looked fine, only your fly was unzipped, I meant fly" Rayane smiled back.
"You're a dickhead"
"I know" Rayane laughed.
"Rayane, you're my best choice in life too. Thanks for being there for me" Jack looked sadly at Rayane "I couldn't have done it alone today"
"You're not alone"
"Can I stay with you for a while? I can't live with a man who despises me" Jack asked.
"Are you still asking? Of course we'll go to my place, you're not staying here. By the way, I've been staying with you for two months, and it's time for me to return the favour...but we'll have to take your bed back, you're too wide" Rayane pushed Jack to the side. Jack laughed and reached up to kiss Rayane's lips.
"I love you!" Jack said.
"I love you too"