Disclaimer: see ch 1
"Scott, can we… Can I talk to you?" Scott looked at Bobby, who had unshed tears in his eyes.
"I stink. You sure you can handle that?" Bobby nodded. "Ok. What's up?"
"Can we go somewhere more private?" Scott looked around and saw his team scattered around.
"Lake ok? I know it's after dinner, but it won't be nice outside for much longer." Bobby nodded and followed Scott outside to the large pond. Scott sat and gestured for Bobby to join him.
"Thanks," Bobby said quietly.
"So what's up? You need a break from the DR with senior year stresses?" Bobby shook his head and started to cry. "Bobby? Bobby, you're ok. I was kidding- I know you can handle-"
"I'm gay," he said putting his head in his hands. "Roberto found out and said-"
"Said what?"
"That you'd kick me off the team and not let me train with everyone because I'd make the guys uncomfortable, and-"
"How long have you been my teammate?"
"Over a year," Bobby said, sniffing.
"How long have you had an idea that you were gay?"
"Since before I first came here. But I swear-!"
"And in any of that time, have you ever made someone uncomfortable because of your sexual orientation?"
"I don't… I don't think so?"
"Then why would that change? What, because you've admitted it? Bobby… I knew when I met you that you'd go far. I pushed you because you needed to see that for yourself. You've known me for a while now. Have you seen me screw something like that up?"
"Not really…"
"So you admit that I didn't make a mistake with trusting you?"
"You didn't. I promise, I'll try to change-"
"Dude, if you like guys, you like guys. You don't see me telling the other guys to stop liking girls because it makes them uncomfortable- though I should probably tell Ray to back off of Amara a bit… But it doesn't bother me. If someone tells you it bothers them, then come to me and I'll set them straight. Er… you know what I mean," he grinned.
"It doesn't bother you?"
"It bothers me that you thought Roberto was right about how I'd react. I mean- I got my girlfriend pregnant. I think I'm safe to talk to." Bobby chuckled.
"Thanks, Scott. But I promise, I'll try-"
"You be anyone but yourself and we'll have problems, Drake. Don't let it consume your every waking thought, do your drills, go on missions… Just do what you need to do to feel like you. Unless it's a murdering rampage, I'll support you."
"What if it's the Brotherhood?"
"Mm… Don't get caught," Scott grinned.
"It really doesn't bother you?"
"When I went to the future with Nathan, you… You took care of me. I was scared and you helped me. I don't take that lightly, Bobby. And even though that won't happen the same way, I will never forget it. Being gay doesn't… It doesn't change you in my eyes. But, just like with everyone else, if I don't think whatever guy you date is good enough, I'll say something. I've told Jean, I've told Kitty, hell, I've even told Sam. I won't hold back," he said as he stood up. He held his hand out to Bobby and Bobby took it, also standing.
"Thank you."
"For treating you like a person? No thanks are necessary, Drake."
"Will you, um, help me announce it?"
"If that's what you want to do," Scott shrugged. "Personally, I don't think it's announcement worthy- that came out wrong." Scott ran a hand through his hair. "I meant that you should keep being you. If you want to tell people, then you tell them. Don't feel pressured to keep it quiet or to announce it to the world- it's your life. But if you want the X-Men to know, then yeah. I've got your back, ok? Whether you just want to say it, or throw a party. I'll… order food instead of cooking. You're welcome."
"Thanks, Scotty."
"Thank you for coming to me. I'm sorry Sunspot is giving you a hard time. I'll talk to him."
"You don't have to-"
"We're hated enough outside of the mansion. We don't need to add tension in it."
"Is that why Emma left?"
"Excuse me?"
"We could all see it. When she was here, you…"
"I what, Drake?"
"You were happy. Like with Maddie. I thought for sure you'd start dating. But hey. I wasn't the only one living a lie." Bobby patted Scott's shoulder and walked away, leaving Scott bewildered at the lake.
He somehow made his way up to his suite, seeing Warren playing with his children. He blinked and then took a breath.
"I think I'm going to go see Emma after I put the kids down."
"About effin time!"
"Warren!"
"What?" Warren said, looking innocently at him. Scott rolled his eyes.
"I'm going to shower, and then it's their bedtime."
"Got it. I'll get them in their pajamas." Scott thanked him and grabbed pants and a pair of boxers from his drawers in his room before stepping into his bathroom. He started the water and stared at himself in the mirror while it was heating up.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," he murmured before getting in the tub and under the stream of water. He quickly washed himself and got out, dried his hair and body, and stepped out of the bathroom. Warren was reading to Nate and Carolyn in their room. Scott pulled on a shirt and quietly walked in.
"The prince slashed through the thorns and found himself in front of the evil dragon. He fought and fought, finally defeating it. The prince jumped on his horse and ran all the way to the castle, where the princess was sleeping. He found her and kissed her. The princess woke up and they got married and lived happily ever after. The end." Scott smirked and mockingly clapped.
"Pwen-cess Em? Pwens Da-dee?" Warren looked at Scott with a raised eye.
"Even your toddlers can tell."
"Hush." Scott walked in all the way and hugged Nate and Carolyn to him. "I love you. I'll see you in the morning." He helped them in their beds and covered each of them up, turned on their nightlights, and led Warren out of the nursery, closing the door behind him.
"I've got them," Warren said. "Go hop on your horse and get your princess."
"Lame. But thank you."
"Go." Scott grabbed his keys and took off. He got to his car and started it up, peeling out of the garage towards the city. The entire drive, he practiced his speech. When Scott parked, he took a shaky breath and got out, briskly walking to the Hellfire Club. He opened the door, nodded to the usual bouncer, and went to the bar.