"We need to break up."

Remus stared at Dee with an unreadable expression. "What do you mean?" he asked, internally hoping that he had misheard him. Dee looked down, swallowing harshly. "I said that I'm breaking up with you," he said, his voice cracking slightly. Remus' heart dropped, his throat immediately tightening. "What? Why?" Remus asked quickly. "I...I can't explain. But we can't be together anymore." Remus felt a single tear fall down his cheek. He wiped it away quickly before Dee could notice. The pair stood in an uncomfortable silence until Remus finally spoke.

"Did I do something wrong?"

The fear and sadness in Remus' voice was enough to break Dee's heart. His head immediately snapped up. "No, no you didn't do anything. You're perfect," Dee said quickly. Remus looked at him with a hurt expression. "I don't understand," he admitted softly. Dee took a deep breath, thinking hard before responding. "I have something to tell you," Dee finally whispered. Remus furrowed his eyebrows but nodded, allowing him to continue.

"I never told you how I got the scar on my face. I probably should have, but better late than never I guess," Dee started, scratching the back of his neck out of nervousness. When Remus didn't say anything, Dee continued. "I was out one day with my moms when it happened. We were walking back home and these guys...they just started harassing us. Calling my moms a bunch of messed up stuff because they were gay. Nothing we hadn't dealt with before, though. But then it got physical. They attacked my moms and held me back. I couldn't do anything except watch them beat my moms. I finally got loose and hit one of the guys. They...well they didn't like that. So they...um..." Dee trailed off with tears in his eyes, gesturing to his scar. Remus looked at him with wide eyes. Before he could speak, Dee continued. "Just...seeing those guys beat you up and not being able to help...it broke me, Re. I...I can't be in that situation again. I'm sorry, but I can't. I'm not strong enough," Dee finally finished, a quiet whimper leaving his throat.

Remus swallowed harshly, taking in the new information. Part of him was angry. Angry that Dee was leaving him. Part of him was so sad. Sad because he was losing one of the only people who loved him. But more than anything, he understood that it didn't matter what he felt. He couldn't make Dee stay. That wasn't fair to him. So he just nodded. "Okay," Remus whispered. Dee looked up at Remus sadly. "I'm so sorry, Remus," he said softly. Remus shook his head, ignoring the tears falling down his cheeks. "It's okay. I understand," he reassured. Dee looked at him for a moment longer before stepping back. "Right, um, I'll see you later," Dee mumbled. Remus just nodded. His throat was far too tight to respond. Dee lingered for another moment before turning and walking away from the house.

Remus watched Dee walk away until he turned the corner. He turned on his heel, shutting the front door behind him. Remus stood still in his spot, squeezing his eyes shut as he willed himself not to cry. Before he could calm down, he heard a voice from the kitchen ask, "Re? You okay buddy?" Remus tried to respond, but all that came out was a soft sob. Patton was at his side in a second, standing back slightly in case he was panicking and didn't want to be touched. Remus whimpered softly before hugging Patton tightly, burying his face in his chest. Patton immediately pulled him close, holding him tightly. "Hey, hey, it's okay. What happened Re?" Patton asked softly. "D-Dee," he whimpered. Patton furrowed his eyebrows. "What happened with Dee?" he pressed. "He broke up with me," Remus managed out through his tears. Patton's expression saddened, his grip tightening slightly.

A few moments later, Logan emerged from the kitchen cautiously. He hadn't wanted to overwhelm his son, but he also could stand by while he was hurting. He walked over to the pair, his heart clenching at the soft whimpers coming from his son. He stood there for a moment, unsure of what to say. He soon realized there was nothing he could say to make it any better. The damage was already done. So he just rubbed the boy's back, comforting him as well as he could.

The family stood there for a few minutes, Remus letting out the heartbreak he was feeling. Finally, he pulled back, wiping his eyes quickly. "Sorry," he said softly, his voice tired. "It's okay, bud. There's nothing wrong with crying," Patton reassured. Remus nodded, standing awkwardly. "Do you want to talk about it?" Logan asked. Remus shook his head, his eyes staying downcast. "That's okay. Can we do anything for you?" Logan asked. Remus shook his head again. "No, I'm okay," he responded. Both Patton and Logan knew that wasn't true, but they decided not to press it. If he wanted to talk about it with them, he would.

"Is it okay if I go upstairs? I just want to be alone.." Remus asked softly. "Of course, hun," Patton responded, brushing the boy's bangs back softly. "Thank you," Remus whispered, lingering for a moment before walking upstairs. Once he was upstairs, Logan and Patton shared a concerned look. "I hope he's going to be okay," Patton finally said. Logan nodded softly. "He will be. He's strong," Logan responded, wrapping an arm around Patton to comfort him. Patton leaned his head against his shoulder, attempting to push down his growing concern.

Upstairs, Remus laid on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Silent tears fell down his cheeks, his body shaking slightly. He was used to people leaving him. He was used to people getting sick of him. But he really thought Dee was different. Of course, he knew that Dee said it was because of what had happened at the school. And maybe that was true. But a voice deep down told Remus that Dee just got tired of him and didn't want to be dragged down by him anymore. Even though that thought broke his heart, he couldn't say that he didn't understand.