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Summer was without a doubt Phillip's favourite time of year. For many reasons. He liked warm weather, the bakery got more foot traffic and of course his gorgeous boyfriend Benoit started wearing shorts more often, which was probably his favourite reason.
It was a really nice day. Phillip woke up to the one person he truly cared about in this world, and it was Sunday, so the Bakery was closed. He was enjoying breakfast in the kitchen (which Benoit had made as Phillip's cooking skills were entirely limited to baking.) and just thinking about the past couple years. He and Benoit had been together for 3 years now. It felt unreal how he could love someone so much, and have them reciprocate that.
Just as his thoughts started to go to his happiest of places (the thought that one day he'd be able to marry Benoit) the phone rang. Phillip rolled his eyes. He got up from his seat and walked over to the phone, taking it off the wall. "Hello, Phillip Smith speaking." Phillip said, scratching his head.
"Oh hello honey! Your pa and I were wondering when you're coming over?"
His mother's voice rang through Phillip's head. How could he forget? He told them he would come over and they set this date, weeks ago! God, Phillip felt so stupid. As much as they annoyed him, he knew he should go and see his parents. He got off the phone eventually after his mother rambling about how much she was excited to see him.
Phillip groaned as he walked over to the couch and slumped himself on it. Benoit reached his arm out and pulled Phillip closer. Phillip leaned his head on his boyfriend's shoulder. His perfect day with Benoit had been ruined. And for what? Lunch with two people he barely cared about? "What's going on? Who called you?" Benoit asked, tucking a small piece of hair behind Phillip's hair behind his ear.
"My mother. I'm supposed to have lunch & dinner with her and pa today. I completely forgot about it though, and it's really annoying me. Because I don't wanna go. My plans for today were stay in bed and kiss your lips until we both fall asleep." Phillip explained, looking up at Benoit. The other man chuckled a bit and sat up more straight. "As much as your plans sound absolutely perfect, I wonder if I could make lunch & dinner with your mum ever so slightly if I was there…?" Benoit asked.
Phillip sat up and genuinely looked shocked. "Really? You wanna meet my parents?" Phillip asked. Phillip had already met Benoit's mum. But that was completely different. Shirley Blanc could not be more different to Phillip's parents. She knew about him and Benoit and she completely supported. She was nurturing, doting and had like 4 dogs. Shirley was literally a human angel compared to Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
"What do I tell them about you? I don't know how they feel about y'know.. this" Phillip said, nervously fidgeting with his fingers. Benoit took his arm back and held Phillip's hand. "Well then we will cross that bridge when it comes." Benoit said, reassuringly, lifting their hands to his mouth and pressing a small kiss to Phillip's finger.
Margaret and David Smith lived in a small, rural town in Pennsylvania, meaning it didn't that long to arrive. Phillip had chucked on a shirt and tie for the occasion and Benoit was in his usual get up, with a dark blue theme. They got out of the car and Phillip took a deep breath. Benoit pulled him into a short, readying hug before they made their way to the door. Margaret opened the door and at first she just had a lovely smile on her face at seeing her son. Then, she noticed Benoit.
Benoit introduced himself as Phillip's friend, shaking Mrs. Smith's hand. The two of them walked into the house and Phillip and Benoit sat down on one of the couches, Margaret and David on the other. Benoit so deeply wanted to just hug Phillip and kiss his head to make all the worries go away but he knew there was no chance in any lifetime he could get away with doing that as Phillip's "friend".
David was the one who bought it up.
"So, Phillip. You've never brought around any of your friends before, what's special about this bloke?" David asked, not exactly in the nicest tone. Phillip groaned quietly. "He has a name, Pa, it's Benoit. And he's not just my friend." Phillip said, taking the moment. He looked over at his boyfriend, who smiled that ridiculously sweet smile, which made Phillip sure he could do this.
"What do you mean he's not just your friend, darling?" Margaret asked curiously. Benoit put his hand on Phillip's shoulder, a way of saying 'I can answer this'. Benoit straightened himself in his position and looked from Margaret to David to Margaret to David. "Well, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. We both have something to tell you. Phillip and I have been in a romantic relationship for the past 3 years." Benoit said, grabbing Phillip's hand and holding it tightly.
Margaret reacted first. She gasped, holding her hand to her chest. David pulled her in, as she quite literally wept into his chest. "I don't think she took that very well…" Phillip whispered to Benoit, who just sighed. David sat up more straight and looked directly at Phillip. "Son, are you saying you're a.. a.. homosexual?" David asked.
Phillip sighed and looked down at his feet in shame. He shouldn't have let Benoit talk him into this. He knew this was going to happen, he wish he hadn't. Benoit on the other hand, looked at Phillip and then at the squabbling David. Benoit stood up and glared at David.
"Y'know what? Shut up, you old fool! Your son just opened up to you about something very dear to him and the best you can do is yell at him?? Who cares if he's different to your ideal image of a son? He's in love but all you can focus on is the gender of who he's in love with. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Both of you." Phillip had never seen Benoit get that angry before. He was never a very angry man, especially around Phillip. But it made Phillip feel warm inside that his boyfriend was willing to shout at his parents.
Benoit took Phillip's hand and dragged him out of the house. Outside, Benoit took Phillip's cheeks in his hands and stared into his eyes. "Are you okay, love?" Benoit had never called Phillip a pet name before, both had never really used them, but Phillip loved it already. He didn't answer Benoit's question with words and instead pressed a small kiss on his lips.
Later that night, they sat on the couch eating dinner. Phillip looked over at Benoit, who also looked over and gave Phillip one of his specialty sweet smiles he reserved just for Phillip. "Thank you for today. I don't think I could've ever spoken to my parents that way." Phillip said, returning the smile. Phillip then kissed Benoit, nice and full. Their dinner eventually laying forgotten on the coffee table.