Walking Dead: To Be Loved
Chapter 19 of my Walking Dead story, enjoy.
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Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Walking Dead or its characters.
Chapter 19: The Hardest Step
Carl ran a hand through his hair, sighing as he contemplate what he was about to do. He turned to Mikey who stood next to him, looking over at his own house.
"You sure you wanna do it this way. I can come with you, support you…" Carl suggested.
Mikey shook his head. "It'll be...quicker, if we both just tell them at the same time...I know you've got my back Carl, that's all I need."
Carl nodded slowly. "Alright then, here goes. I...I'll text you when I'm done, you do the same?"
"Yeah, I will, promise." Mikey told him softly.
So, taking a hold of each other's hands, they kissed softly before finally separating and heading for their respective houses, ready for their toughest challenge yet regarding their relationships, coming out to their families. Entering his house Carl took a deep breath, he knew it was easier to do this today as it meant he only needed to do it once, his dad had a rare day off and was home with his mom. Sure enough he soon found them in the living room with the TV on. Stepping into the room he bit his lip, unsure how to begin. At that moment however Lori looked up.
"Carl, welcome home, how was school?" She asked at once, smiling.
Carl smiled softly. "It was good mom, um, do you and dad have a minute?"
Rick nodded. "Sure son, what's up?"
He had both their attention now, but he wasn't sure exactly how to go about what he wanted to do.
Finally, deciding to just get on with it he cleared his throat and spoke.
"Well, I...I've been meaning to say it for a while now...I, um…" He composed himself and finally. "I'm bi and, and I've been dating Mikey for a while now."
Silence followed his remarks and Carl felt the fear begin to gnaw at him. That was until Lori broke it.
"Carl you, then, wait, when did you and Mikey start…?" She stammered.
Carl explained and Rick put the pieces together. "So, after what Brandon Rose did to the two of you."
"Yeah." Carl confirmed. "I mean, we'd been feeling something before that, it was just the, just the trigger I guess."
Finally Rick smiled and stood up, walking over to Carl and hugging him.
"D-dad?"
"I'm glad you were honest with us Carl, it's a lot for you I know, wondering if you could trust us. But...you did it." Rick explained.
Lori finally smiled too, nodding. "Your father's right Carl; I just...I'm worried for you, I mean, after what that...boy did to you two. Aren't you-?"
"I was, but not anymore." Carl explained firmly.
Lori sighed. "I just don't want you to get hurt."
"There's no escaping getting hurt mom, what matters is I be myself, right?"
"Yes, that's right." Lori said. "If I could get up easily right now I would trust me."
Grinning Carl saved his mother the trouble and hugged her.
"Did you...have the ultrasound today?" Carl asked.
"Yes, it's a girl." Lori replied.
Joy filled Carl, not only had his coming out been well-received, if with some justified fears from his mother, he was going to have a baby sister too. Then he saw his father's expression and realized there was more news.
Entering his own home, Mikey took a deep breath, his nerves already starting to get the best of him.
'C'mon Mikey, pull it together, you and Carl both planned this, you know what to do…' He told himself.
But all the same, that didn't mean he wasn't afraid. Still he did his best to remain calm as he entered the living room and found his father there.
"Hi dad."
Nicholas looked up and smiled upon seeing Mikey. "Hey Mikey, how's it going?"
"Good, yeah, um...do you know where mom is?" He asked.
"I think she's upstairs at the moment." Nicholas replied. "Why?"
Mikey took a deep breath, this was it. "I need to talk to you both, it's kinda important."
"Ah, okay, just a moment." Nicholas replied before walking over to the stairs. "Paula?"
"Yes, what is it?" She called back.
Nicholas explained. "Mikey needs to talk to us, are you busy?"
"Nothing that can't wait." Paula replied.
She soon could be heard coming down the stairs and soon joined her husband, smiling at her son. Although they both noticed his return smile was strained.
"Is, everything alright, Mikey?" Paula asked worried.
Mikey swallowed. "Um, we should sit down."
They did so, Mikey taking the other sofa opposite them, nearest the door of the living room. He didn't even realize it himself, but had subconsciously tried to give himself an escape chance if things went south.
Mikey fidgeted for a moment before sighing.
"Well, I...I've been meaning to say it for a while now...I, um…" He said, not realizing he was echoing Carl. "Carl and I...have been dating for a while now and even before that I had a crush on him. I...I'm not attracted to girls, but to boys and…"
"Mikey are you...saying what I think you're saying?" Nicholas gasped.
Mikey bit his lip, but nodded. "I...I…"
Paula smiled softly and immediately moved over to his side, surprising him.
"Mikey, you have nothing to be scared of. We're glad you told us, but don't be afraid. We're here for you." She explained.
Nicholas then joined them. "Exactly son, you will always be loved and accepted here. Although I might have to have a little talk with Carl."
Mikey groaned at that. "Dad…"
They all laughed, Mikey with relief that things hadn't been as bad as he feared. After more reassurances and hugs from his parents he was up in his room and flopped down on his bed, quickly texting Carl.
"Went well, my parents were really accepting, I'm just glad we managed this."
Carl replied a short while later. "Me too, mine accepted things too, although mom was a little worried about the danger we'd likely face."
"Well, that's understandable at least, she still accepts us though, right?" Mikey queried.
"Yeah." Carl confirmed, then more news. "Oh and dad just told me, Brandon and his friends are officially expelled from school now. Shouldn't be long either before he'll be officially charged with what he did to us."
Mikey smiled at that, sending one last reply. "Good, now we can finally put it behind us."
Still smiling he put his phone down, glad that another hurdle was dealt with.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.