This story follows Marco's coming out journey following the Pride episodes. I know it's old news by now but it's just such a fun time to write about. Please read and review. The reviewers for my first story, the Space Between, encouraged me to write more and this story is the result!

Living Colour

Chapter 1: To Be or Not to Be

"But Marco, what about Dylan?" Ellie's persistent question kept creeping up in Marco's head. Dylan was the complicating factor – the constant reminder. Hot, confident Dylan smiling at him with his sparkling blue eyes. Each time Marco passed him in the hall, watched him throw a frisbee, take off his sweatshirt, Marco's resolve to be nothing, to not be either gay or straight, seemed to weaken. Because Dylan represented what was possible. No, no. Not like that. Marco couldn't let himself think that way. Sure, he was totally attracted to Dylan, who wasn't? But that's not what he was talking about – the possibility of a boyfriend. Can you imagine? A boyfriend? No. Dylan was proof of the possibility of actually coming out and being gay. And somehow, each time Dylan smiled at him, he just wouldn't let Marco forget it.

"I know, Hazel. Really, Spinner has got to deal. I told him that it was hard for me too when Dylan first came out. I mean, so he's gay. It's not like he's a different person." Paige vented her frustration with Spinner before she noticed Dylan walk into the living room.

"Who's gay?" Dylan immediately asked.

"Oh, jeez. Hazel, Dylan just walked in. Gotta go."

"So?.." Dylan waited.

"So Dylan, you were right. Marco is gay. And Spinner is not dealing well at all. I think he'll come around but…"

Dylan tuned out. 'He's gay. Marco is gay. Paige just said so. I thought so but I didn't know if Marco was ready to think so. But Paige said so. He's gay. Marco's gay.' Paige's voice faded as Dylan's mind raced with the answer to the question he'd had since he sat with Marco on the rocks that day at the beach.

"Hello? Earth to Dylan. Are you listening?"

"Yeah, sorry. …That's great. I mean not that Spinner's being lame. But that Marco's coming out. That's cool."

"Of course you'd think so. New potential for you. Another cute guy joining your team…"

"Paige stop. Why do you always have to think like that. I mean of course I think Marco's cute, who wouldn't? But you know how overwhelming coming out is. I'm just happy to have another gay guy to talk to."

"Sure Dylan. Whatever you say." Dylan rolled his eyes at her.

'He's gay, he's gay, he's gay – why am I being so lame about this?.' Dylan couldn't stop thinking about Marco coming out all through the next day at school.He hadan overall feeling of excitement and when he couldn't figure out why he was giddy, he'd stop and there it was – Marco is gay. Dylanknew hewanted to connect with Marco but thought better of the direct approach –

"Hey Marco. So I hear you're gay." Don't think so.

"So you ARE gay. I thought so." Good way to scare someone.

"Glad to hear you're gay too." Umm – maybe Marco isn't feeling so glad right now.

Dylan laughed at himself, but was relieved when he ran into Paige, Ellie and Marco talking at the Dot. Perfect opportunity. Now he could just be casual. Paige was already on topic.

"Spinner's going to get over it, Marco. You'll see. He's just got to figure out that being gay isn't so different from being straight."

"Yeah, Paige. Except the whole I think guys are hot thing that he can't seem to handle." Marco sighed as Dylan walked up to the table.

"Yeah, that always drove me crazy when I was coming out. Why it bugs people that a guy thinks another guy is hot-"

"Oh - Hey Dylan." Ellie gestured for him to sit down, eyeing Marco interestedly. Marco blushed, looking quickly up at Dylan and then down again.

Marco's heart started beating quickly. He had never actually discussed being gay with another gay person. 'Well, I guess he knows I'm gay now.. I think that's a good thing…but I haven't exactly been so nice to him lately.' Marco thought about how he treated Dylan after the hockey game. But Dylan didn't seem to be leaving him alone, much to Marco's relief.

"Hey guys. ..Hey Marco. Is it okay if I sit?"

"Of course." Ellie moved over giving Dylan the seat across from Marco. Marco was still blushing.

"Yeah, it's so lame. I mean from my perspective, it's the best thing ever to have a brother who I can talk to about guys. I wouldn't change it for the world…Dylan, do you remember when I first figured out that your being gay meant that you had an opinion on which stars were hot?"

"Yeah, you were hilarious. I mean you were only twelve so you have to be forgiven. But making me rate each actor in your Teen Bop magazine was pretty funny. I'm glad you've gotten over that whole Luke Perry/90210 thing."

"You're one to talk Mr. I want to marry Tom Cruise," Paige laughed.

"Tom Scientoligist Cruise!" Marco teased as he started to relax.

"Yeah, that was before he went all weird scientology on us. I prefer reality to TV stars these days, anyways. I do still like the dark and mysterious look, though."

"What about you, Marco?" Ellie encouraged him to join the banter.

Marco blushed, "Umm…I don't know…I haven't really thought about it," Marco looked up at the skeptical faces around him, "well, okay, if I think about it, I would always re-play any Brad Pitt scenes over and over again," Marco paused and laughed at himself, "and maybe, it isn't really because he's such a great actor."

Everyone laughed. Marco looked at his friends and realized that for the first time since Ellie pushed him out of the closet that day at the beach, he was feeling just the slightest bit good about himself.

"Hey guys, I gotta get home for supper," Marco said.

"I can take you home," Dylan interjected, hopefully not too quickly.

"Uhh…sure," Marco answered hesitantly.

"You coming Paige?" Dylan added, not wanting Marco to feel cornered.

"You know, I just remembered that I have something to do at school. So why don't you pick me up here on your way back," Paige gave a satisfied smile.

"Okay. Let's go Marco."

'Alone with another gay guy. Alone with another gay guy who I know is gay and who knows I'm gay.' Somehow, when Ellie knew he was gay, Marco still felt that he could turn back, stay comfortably in the closet even though Ellie knew. But now that Dylan knows, now that the words have been said, Marco knew this time that they couldn't be erased.

Marco turned to Dylan as they drove towards Marco's house. "So…you obviously know I'm gay too."

"Yeah…I guess it's obvious after our conversation at the Dot. But yeah, Paige told me."

"Look Dylan. I'm really sorry for the way I treated you after the hockey game. I was just freaked out…coming out is overwhelming. And the gay bashing didn't help. Well, I guess you know that. I didn't really mean it when I told you to leave me alone. So yeah,…I'm really sorry."

"No worries, Marco. Yeah, I know what it's like. It's already forgotten." Dylan pulled into Marco's driveway and looked at Marco.

"I am glad that you weren't serious though," Dylan smiled warmly at him. "Don't take this the wrong way, but after Ellie liked you, and Spinner's weirdness, it probably feels like no one wants you to be gay. So I just want you to know that I do. I mean, I'm glad you're gay."

Marco turned bright red and smiled shyly at Dylan. "Thanks, Dylan…Really." Marco left the car unable to suppress the goofy smile on his face. He said a quick hello and went straight to his computer to text Ellie.

NOLabels: So Marco, how was the ride home? What about Dylan?

Baddaboom: You can't stop asking that, can you? …Well, he did say that he is happy that I'm gay. But don't start getting the wrong idea, Ms. Nash. It's not like that. But you know what, Ellie? After having that fun conversation at the Dot, and hopefully having a gay friend, I can tell you that for the first time maybe ever, I might actually be starting to be okay that I'm gay…So yes, you win. I guess I'm not nothing. I'm coming out. I'm gay.

NOLabels: I'm all smiles, Marco. Love you.