Ours
Fear-ish
The first time Roger encounters homophobia, he isn't even with Edilio; he's with Justin. Justin, after coming home to their joint houseboat ecstatically bouncing and talking about some wall he wants Roger to paint on, takes Roger by the hand and practically drags him to the place he's talking about. The two of them are walking through Edilio's makeshift town on Lake Tramonto (Roger is astounded that he's the only one who calls it Edilio's and not Sam's) when they pass by Lisa Montgomery, one of the few remains of the despicable Human Crew. Lisa looks up at Roger, who has a good five inches on her, and smiles a sickly faux-sweet smile; a smile Roger knows means trouble. Roger pulls Justin closer to him, trying to skirt around her without any trouble. Although Roger and Edilio have been trying to keep their relationship on a secret, need-to-know basis, he knows very well of the rumors floating around, and it is obvious from Lisa's expression that she has heard, and somehow verified, said rumors.
"Aw, isn't that sweet", Roger hears a nasal, honeyed voice call from his left, "You're holding his hand! But, of course, that isn't the first male hand you've held, is it?" Lisa's voice turns grating and strident as she calls him a couple of vulgar words that cause unwelcome tears to come to Roger's eyes, but thankfully don't fall, and Justin, not understanding the words, but comprehending her tone, to turn around and call Lisa a "meanie-head-poopy-face".
"Come on, Justin" Roger instructs the younger boy, "Let's go." The two change destinations, heading to Edilio's houseboat, the whole way Justin asking Roger to explain Lisa's lecture, and Roger being unable to answer him.
After a few minutes, they arrive to find Edilio and Dekka on the deck of the White Houseboat, discussing some kind of strategy. Edilio can tell something's wrong with just one glance.
"Babe," he says as he walks up to embrace Roger, patting his back and murmuring words of comfort as the pent up tears start to fall. Dekka and Justin look over with a mix of fascination and worry, then look at each other, and ask their questions at the same time. As Dekka inquires what happened she hears Justin ask her the definitions of some very impolite words she herself has been called sporadically for about five years, and she understands Roger's distress.
"Well, Justin, as you've probably figured out, those words aren't very nice. You see, many people are jealous of people who are in love, especially if it's not the type of love they are used to, like Roger and Edilio's love. A lot of times, these people who are jealous, are mean to the people whose love shines, and call them words like that."
Justin nods, understanding Dekka's explanation, as Roger's tears run out, and he picks his head up from Edilio's chest. Edilio takes Roger's face in his hands.
"Don't you worry your pretty, little mind," Edilio tells him, "People throw rocks at things that shine, but this love is ours."
And that is exactly the quote that Roger decides to paint on the wall Justin had been trying to show him earlier.