Dare // Taegyu

tw// depictions of homophobia
-------------

When Taehyun got home, his mom was the first thing he saw.

"Welcome home Tyun. How was school?" she asked with a sweet, motherly smile. Taehyun's eyes instantly watered at the sight as his mind drifted off to the phone call he had with Hueningkai on his way home.

"M-mom.. I have something to t-tell you and dad. Like, n-now," he confessed with a shaky voice.

"Honey, what's wrong? Did something happen at school?" The worry in her eyes drove Taehyun over the edge. He couldn't do this. The boy wanted out. He'd feel too guilty if he went through with it.

Taehyun just shook his head and ran to his room, tears threatening to break the dams he built in his eyes. He needed to collect himself if he wanted to face his parents. He freshened up in the bathroom and put on some comfortable clothes before deciding to call his best friend for a quick pep talk.

The call ended with Hueningkai saying, 'Good luck! If you get kicked out you can always come stay with me!'

Taehyun honestly didn't even want to think of the possibility. It's not like that could ever happen anyways, right? His parents loved him just fine now, what about him would change after coming out? Nothing, really. But he hoped his parents wouldn't think of him any differently.

Hesitantly, he walked out of his room and into the dining room where he assumed his parents were waiting for him. As Taehyun guessed, both his parents were sitting at the table discussing something. What news he had to share, Taehyun guessed.

He took a seat in front of his parents, the sound of his chair scraping against the floor disrupting their conversation. "Mom.. dad," he started.

He bit his lip out of anxiousness. "I-I'm gay." There. He did it. He's ripped the bandaid off. He looked down at his lap before closing his eyes. He didn't want to see their reactions.

"YOU'RE WHAT?!" His father abruptly stood up, his chair flying back into the wall behind it. Taehyun winced at the sound but looked up to face his father nonetheless.

"I DIDN'T RAISE YOU TO BE A FILTHY HOMOSEXUAL. YOU ARE MY SON. AND NO SON OF MINE WOULD EVER TURN OUT TO BE A HOMOSEXUAL! A SINNER."

Taehyun felt tears prick the corners of his eyes from the man's words. His heart stung. He loved his father. They didn't have much of an exceptional relationship, but he didn't hate the old man. So for him to react like this hurt Taehyun.

Deeply.

The man stormed off stomping and the slam of a door was heard not too long after. Taehyun let himself break down as he laid on the table and buried his face in his arms. His shoulders shook violently with the continuous sobs. It was only when a hand was placed over his shoulders he realized that his mother hadn't uttered a single word.

"I don't know where exactly I went wrong... But even after all of this, you're still my baby boy.." Her voice cracked at the end and she laid her head on Taehyun's shoulder blade.

The two cried together for a while, never changing positions. Until Taehyun called out for his mother and her head instantly shot up.

"Thank you. Thank you so much, mom. I love you. So, so much," the boy sobbed as he leaned in to hug his mom.

"Baby, I love you too. Nothing is going to change that." She paused for a second. "...I'm sure your father will come around soon.. I'll talk to him, okay?"

Taehyun nodded, really only focused on his mother's embrace. "And mom?"

"Hm?"

".. A-a boy asked me out today.." he said with rosy cheeks. "B-but I said no because of you guys.."

His mother frowned. "Aw, baby. Did you like the boy?" Taehyun nodded, "A lot.."

Her frown deepened. "Honey I'm so sorry. You shouldn't have to say no because of us. You're an adult now. Your father and I should've come to terms with that a lot earlier.. If you really like him, you should go for him. Just hope he hasn't moved on already, hm?"

"I hope not.. I really like this boy, mom.." Taehyun sighed into her neck.

"Aigoo~ Look at my little boy all grown and in love now.." She pinched the boy's cheeks.

"Momma~ Cut it out!"

"Sorry, sorry. My little Hyunnie is just so cute." She sighed. "I'm about to start on dinner. Wanna help?"

"Yes!" Taehyun quickly replied. "I miss cooking with you."

"Ah, my little boy. Let's get to it then."