Challenge Number/Title: 04 - A Rainbow Flag
Date Posted: 2/712

Fandom: Twilight
Rating: T
Genre: AU
Content Descriptors: Slight drama, slight comedy
Character Pairing: Emmett and Esme

Disclaimer: I, obviously, am not Stephanie Meyer.

I miss those times when all you had to do be forgive by someone was to overplay your cuteness and apologize. There was no getting spanked, or even being yelled at, just good old-fashioned scolding because I was just a little boy who didn't know any better. I wish I could rewind back to that time.

Because I've royally fucked things up.

And no, I'm not talking about the "I-accidentally-broke-your-very-expensive-vase" type of fucked up. God, if only that's what really happened. I'd actually be a little relieved if I had because compared to what I did, that's nothing. What I did is more like "Mom-I'm-sorry-I-hid-from-you-that-I-have-a-girlfriend-and-married-my-girlfriend-via-Vegas-and-didn't-even-invite-you" type. However that isn't what I really did, although, I did hide a secret from her.

And the secret was that I preferred a man's genitalia over a woman's pussy.

Shit. I can't even say the word inside my own head. What the hell is wrong with me!?

"Nothing," he says beside me. I hadn't realized that I'd spoken my thoughts out loud. He looks at me, pity and sympathy clear in his features. If I didn't love him, I'd probably punch him in the jaw which would make his nose even more crooked. "Just take a deep breath. Be honest with her. And be sure to say it gently. You can do this, Emmett."

He's right. I can fucking do this.

My parent's house comes into view. No way. I don't have enough guts to break my mother's heart. For fuck's sake, I'm an only child! I'm pretty sure she's counting on me to continue the family tree. I guess there's always the option to impregnate a woman and have her carry my child, but not be my wife.

I've officially lost it.

He pushes me out of his car, and I wave goodbye to him. He drives off as soon as I set foot on the worn out porch. Why didn't I make him come with me?

Oh right, that wouldn't exactly soften the blow. It would probably give my parents both a heart attack, and that's the one of the things I definitely don't want to happen.

All right, Emmett, you can do this. You have a penis which means that you're a manly man. Sure, it's not exactly manly to want to give another guy a blowjob, but…

I even suck at giving myself pep-talks. Speaking of sucking… No! Focus. This is not the time or place to think of the mind-blowing sex you had last night, Emmett. Instead, imagine the impending doom you're about to experience. The door opens mid-way to lecturing myself.

"Hey, Mom!"

"Em, you're early!" My mom steps out of the house to hug me very tightly. She kisses both of my cheeks, gives me a brief one-over, before ushering me into my childhood home.

Needless to say, it still looks the same—well, except everything seems to be a lot smaller than I remembered. I blame it on my growth spurt which is thanks to the genes my dad gave me. Even the furniture with the blue against the dirty white is still there. Being creative is definitely my forte, and I had known since that the second I took up finger painting when I was little.

There are more pictures than before, that's for sure. I think the whole living room is a three-dimensional album. Oh look, there's me with my high school prom date, Bella. I do look ruggedly handsome in my graduation photo—four years of my life I'll never get back. Naturally, my mom would display the nude photos of baby Emmett. I have got to tell her to take those down.

She settles down next to me, letting my dad take control of the kitchen. Mom has never been the type to prepare and cook food for people, or herself. And then the endless stream of questions begins. I try to answer them as best as I can, giving out truths and half-lies here and there.

When is the right time to tell your mom that you're gay and proud of it?

Seriously, people who have accomplished that should write a step-by-step guide. It would certainly make some men leave their closet behind them for good. And maybe if they did, their family and friends would support them or at least understand better than if they hadn't. It's decided then. I'll write that kind of book if I somehow manage to survive through this.

My hands are very sweaty. Yet, my mom doesn't notice this, even though she squeezes them to make me focus. I've really got to pay attention to what she's saying. Wait—did I hear her right? She wants to introduce me to someone great?

Oh fuck me.

Not this again. How many more dates do I have to endure before my mom knows the truth? Sure, the women she sets me up with have great personalities, but they don't have the one thing I actually want in a partner. I quickly deny my mom's request, making up a flimsy excuse of how busy I am. The disappointment can be seen plainly on her face despite her awful attempt at smiling.

I must say Dad has great timing, and the smell of his extremely praise-worthy roast beef is in the air. My mouth is watering. We move into the kitchen and our conversations flow. By that, I mean a shitload of questions about my college life, work, friends, and all the stuff parents usually interrogate you with. I gobble down a portion of food in a matter of minutes, relishing its' great taste. With the amount of food they feed used to me daily—when I was still living under their roof, and not in a dorm like I live in now—I'm quite surprised I'm not obese, but Dad does make the best roast beef and mashed potatoes.

"So son, what happened to that Rosalie woman you had as a partner for that project you did or something?"

Quickly, I swallow the mashed potato I was eating. It really is the best food I've ever eaten. To be honest, I don't understand why I ever left home to have junk food in exchange for the divine dishes my dad cooks. "She's great. We're actually working with two other people for our thesis. She's a great friend, and actually sends her regards." Yes, Dad, friend. Only a friend…well, more like a best friend.

My mom beams. "That's great. Tell her she has to visit for Thanksgiving, and I won't take no for an answer. The same goes for you. Although, I do hope you bring your girlfriend next time." She knows very well I've never mentioned having one.

Oh other gay guys who've graduated from fully coming out of the closet, is this a sign? Is this supposed to be the rainbow after a rainy day?

They're both looking at me, happiness radiating off the both of them. It has been a while since the three of us have been together as a family, and I make a mental note to change that. My parents have been wonderful, the kind children wish they had. Can I really break their hearts? A few of my friends are part of a family that's broken. I don't want my own family to be that way.

I put my fork down and stare at them meaningfully. "I…I have something to say."

My dad encourages me with a small nod. A part of me has always known that perhaps he understands me in more ways than one, and I now have that confirmation. So, I face my mom. She doesn't have a clue judging by her puzzled eyes. She sends a quick glance to her husband before looking at me and holding my hand.

I pray to whoever is watching this to give me strength and make me say the right words to convey my meaning. Because I don't have a fucking clue what I'm going to say. Brain, don't leave me on my own now!

Breathing deeply, I say, "Mom, I-I don't know how to say this, but…" I pause. She encourages me with a tiny squeeze of her hand. I lick my lips. "Mom, I'm so so…incredibly sorry." I say this because I am. Out of both of my parents, it's her that badly wants a grandson or daughter—a mini half-version of me, she would always say. Sadly, I will never be able to give her that.

"What do you mean, honey?"

"I'm not—" A lump forms in my throat and my vision is blurry. "I'm sorry, I can't…" I pull away from her.

Please don't reject me. Please don't hate me. I'm sorry. And I'm back to being a little kid frightened of being abandoned.

"Go on, son. Say what's on your mind."

"Emmett?"

I grab both of her hands, holding them tightly in mine. It might be the last time. "I'm gay."

There, I said it. Two words that have the potential to ruin my family.

My dad and I carefully watch her reaction. Unsurprisingly, she looks stunned, but no words left her. And my heart breaks a little at this.

"I'm so sorry, Mom. I tried to tell you before, when I finally realized why I'm not interested, but then with school and your work, it just didn't seem to be the right time. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. Mom?"

"How long have you…uhm…known this?"

It isn't a questioned I expected her to ask. Actually, I thought by now she would leave the room or yell at me. "Uh, since last year." I waited for her to say something, anything. "I have a boyfriend, Mom. He's a great guy. We met when I went to a club near my campus and…"

Emmett, shut the fuck up! This isn't how I imagined I would introduce my boyfriend. I wanted to wait until she got used to the idea of having a gay son who loves fashion just as much as her. Stupid, fucked up brain!

"What's his name, son?" Bless my dad for trying to make things better. So, I answer his question, but still continue to eye her. Finally, she reaches for my hand. Shit. Maybe she'll say she can't accept me and is going to disown me.

"This isn't right, Emmett."

And there goes the pieces of my already shattered heart. I knew it. I try vainly to hold back the tears that threaten to spill over like a river dam. My own mom can't accept who I am. This is the end of my family. I know there's some sort of saying out there that gay people are extremely positive and cheerful, but my feelings are anything but that. In fact, I'd say it's more close to sadness and despair. Shit!

"You should've told me then."

I squeeze her hand, sorrow probably evident in my eyes. "I know, Mom. I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you and dad, but I didn't know how to say it and when to say it until now."

I expect her to leave and never come back, or to be forced to give her a small amount of time to process the information which will then take a year without any communication between us to pass before she will willingly see me next again. I definitely wasn't expecting that slipped out of her mouth next.

"Is he cute?"

Dad chuckles. "Emmett has good taste. He always has."

"Well, is he?"

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I…at least I think so."

"When can we meet him?"

And she smiles. The happiness is still there, and on both of their faces too. I think I might've just died of the pure bliss. I'm pretty sure rainbows are spewing out of my entire body.

God, how I love my mom.

My dad too, of course.

Authoress' Note: Thanks again to Teresa for everything!