First and foremost, for Ash to celebrate her wedding day. I love you!

Also for

Insane House Competition: "I won't leave you."

365 Prompts Challenge: gay

Showtime, "Finale": "That's enough."

Sticker Challenge: Write about a Weasley

Bath Bomb Appreciation: Heart 2 Heart, write about two people having a heart to heart

Happy Newt Year, nibbles: Ron Weasley

Word Count: 669


Hugo takes a deep breath. He has to do this. There's no reason for him to feel so nervous; his family has always shown him love and kindness. Nothing will change that.

At least he hopes not. Hugo doesn't know if his family has ever encountered anything like this before.

His heart races painfully in his chest, and Hugo sucks in another deep breath. His anxiety doesn't fade; his hands continue to tremble, and his face suddenly feels feverish.

"Hu?" his father calls, hurrying over, lips pulled into a frown. "Are you okay? You look sick."

"I…" Hugo trails off, wringing his hands together. It should be easy to say. Two words and just as many syllables. And yet they seem to stick in his throat. "Dad, can I talk to you?"

"Of course. I was just about to fix a bowl of ice cream. Want some?" the older man asks.

"Sure."

Maybe the sugar will help. Hugo isn't sure if it's a logical thing to think, but he doesn't care. At the very least, the cold, sweet chill of the ice cream should make him feel better.

His father places two bowls on the kitchen table, and Hugo takes a seat. He drags his spoon over the frozen treat, amusing himself for a moment by tracing little lines in the ice cream.

"What's wrong?"

Almost reluctantly, Hugo looks up. "Why, uh, why would you think something's wrong, Dad?"

His father's lips quirk into a half smile, and he shakes his head. "Your mum used to accuse me of being terrible at reading people," he laughs softly. "I tried to learn. Still not quite up to speed, but you're my son. I know when something is bothering you, kid."

Hugo bites the inside of his cheek, still swirling his ice cream around. His dad loves him; it should be easy. He lifts the spooky to his lips, taking a bite of the soft, frozen cream. "You'll love me no matter what, right?" he asks.

His father chuckles. "You're sister got engaged to a Malfoy, and I still love her," he tells Hugo.

The sixteen year old nods. He doesn't point out that his father eventually came around to liking Scorpius. "I… Dad, I'm gay."

For some reason, he expects some sort of fall out. At the very least, he assumes his father's face will turn red and splotchy like it usually does when he gets upset. Instead, his father just nods, a proud smile on his face. "Well, that's unexpected," he says. "A good sort of unexpected, mind you."

"You're not going to throw me out?"

"Throw you out? Why? Because you love someone?" His father waves a dismissive hand and pushes his bowl aside before climbing to his feet. He walks to the other side of the table and rests a hand on Hugo's shoulder. "You're my son, and I love you. I won't leave you."

"Even if I like boys?"

"I'll admit it's a shock. I always imagined you growing up and falling in love with Priya Goldstein, as close as you two are," he admits. "But you're happy, right?"

Hugo doesn't even have to think about his answer. He's spent years trying to discover himself. He's been afraid and disgusted, but now he's finally come to terms with who he is. It's been a struggle, but he's proud of his identity, and he could never be happier. "Of course."

"That's enough. That's all a father could ever want, Hu. Now, eat your ice cream. No son of mine is going to waste a perfectly good dessert."

"You're one to talk," Hugo teases, gesturing at his father's half-finished bowl that he abandoned.

His father considers for a moment before nodding. "You make a good point."

And as they sit together in a comfortable silence, eating their ice cream, Hugo can't help but smile. He had been so afraid for nothing. Everything will be okay. He is loved and accepted, and the world has never looked so bright.