I am so tired, so bloody tired of hiding. I hate this, and damned if I care what happens next. To hell with the consequences! I want to say it, I'm going to say it and to blazes with everyone else!
I'm gay! I'm a homosexual man! I get turned on by guys! I would practice sodomy if I found someone I liked enough!
I will shout it from the tallest buildings, the biggest mountains and the loudest PA systems in existance. I will declare it to the world and the colonies. I don't want to hide who I am, what I am, what I believe, what I feel, what I do.
I am a person. I am a young man with long braided hair and black clothes. I used to bring Death with nasty big pointy scythes and beam sabers, and now I'm a high school senior, hidden in obscuring prejudicial fog.
I'm tired of guys mocking me and girls laughing at me. I'm tired of the whispering and the pointed fingers. I'm tired of being quiet and reserved when I've never been good at it.
I'm a bad ass, self-confirmed and proud of it. And I hate hiding.
My name is Duo, and I am a homosexual!
A soft knock on the door brought Heero's attention away from the limp braided figure on the bed. A gentle eyed blond stood at the door.
"How is he?" Quatre mouthed.
"Not good," Heero mouthed back. Quatre beckond him and Heero looked back at Duo, then ran a hand softly over his bangs, trying not to move the bandaging.
Heero stood and went to the door, opening and closing the door silently. He stood so he could watch Duo even as Quatre began to speak.
"Heero, what happened exactly, I wasn't there..."
"Duo..." Heero closed his eyes in pain. "He was being bullied by a group of football players, one called him a faggot. Duo said 'I am gay, so what?' And that's when they started pounding him. There were too many, and I wasn't on time to do more that pull them off him. I was too late, it's my fault..."
"Heero," Quatre said sternly. Heero opened his eyes, the orbs wet with tears. "You can't blame yourself for their intolerance. Even you can be overwhelmed." Quatre smiled at him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Duo was very brave, speaking first for the rest of us. We can only follow in his footsteps and make being gay something to be proud of."
"It's not just that. In Japan, this wouldn't be a problem, it wouldn't be shameful. Why is it different here?" Heero asked bitterly.
"I can't answer that Heero, only those who believe it is shameful can answer that. I'm going to visit with Duo. Get some rest, your strength will be needed later." Quatre kissed Heero's cheek softly, and Heero returned with a hand stroking Quatre's cheek. Quatre smiled and stepped into Duo's room.
The End
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