Saturday was consumed by Robin's simmering rage. The once anxious, melancholic energy that had enveloped him was now replaced by burning anger.

After speaking with Ashley, Robin was certain Yohan had been flirting with him before. There was no other way to see it. He felt like an experiment that Yohan had bailed on when things had become too real, and he couldn't believe he had blamed himself for the situation. It was clearly all Yohan's fault. Robin knew he was entitled to feel wronged, but the fact that Yohan was now flirting with Jemma, as if he'd gotten bored of his little queer experiment and wanted to get with a girl to confirm he was straight, was the infuriating cherry on top.

Pathetic.

Letting out his anger to Ashley had made him feel ever so slightly better, but Robin was still pissed. Angry at himself for even allowing himself to think Yohan might be into him and that there was something between them, but also angry at Yohan for getting his hopes up. For touching him, being kind to him, almost kissing him, and then abandoning him.

How dare he...

By Sunday morning, the night's sleep and conversation with Ashley had left him feeling slightly calmer than the day before. Yet, the tension coiled in his muscles remained, especially with the impending Monday looming ahead, knowing he'd have to face Yohan once more. Determined to ease some of the pent-up stress, he opted for a run, hoping to let the rhythmic motion untangle the knots within him.

At nine in the morning, with the sun casting a bright blue hue over the sky, he was certain Kate was still in bed. Pacing around his room proved futile; he needed to move, to let his body stretch and breathe.

Slipping into his running shorts and shirt, he laced up his trainers and made his way to Kate's room, hoping she would join him for some company. As expected, the door was shut, giving no signs of life.

He knocked three times, growing impatient with each rap. On the fourth, unable to wait any longer, he slowly creaked the door open. The room lay shrouded in darkness, the curtains drawn tightly shut, though a faint sliver of light fought to escape through the fabric, casting a dim glow across the room.

In the midst of this dimness, he could discern a slight mound under the covers on the bed. A groan emanated from the heap, confirming his suspicions.

"Go away... I'm trying to sleep." A voice came muffled from under the duvet.

"Come on, Kate, Sunday morning run, like we used to? It'll be good to get you out!" He urged, his tone hopeful.

Some more groans came from under the blanket, as the lump seemed to move and shift.

"I don't wanna go... go without me," Kate replied, her voice still heavy with sleep.

"I don't want to go alone; come on, it'll be fun; it's a beautiful day!" He persisted, trying to coax her out of bed.

"Since when have you been so chipper? You've been in a foul mood all week," Kate retorted, her irritation palpable even beneath the covers.

"You can't say anything, K! You're always grumpy; now come on," he said, grabbing a corner of the bedsheet and whipping it off her, revealing her bundled-up body tightening, trying to maintain some of the warmth of the blanket that had now left her. Her body was shivering dramatically.

"Hmmmmm," she groaned, opening one eye to peer up at Robin. "Fine, but give me 30 minutes to allow myself to be conscious at least." Her body shifted as she spoke, swivelling to sit upright in her bed. Her hands rubbed her eyes, trying to wipe away the sleep.

"Aight, but I'm setting a timer!" Robin teased, retrieving his phone from his running shorts pocket. He tapped into the clock app and set a timer before shoving the phone in Kate's face. "Thirty minutes starts... now!"

"You're such a fucking child," she muttered, rolling her eyes as she rose from the sunken mattress. "Leave then so I can get ready!" She shot him a deadly glare.

"Alright, alright!" he said, shuffling backward towards her bedroom door. "But the clock is ticking," he teased, letting the phone with the timer screen be the last thing to leave the room.

♡.﹀﹀﹀﹀.♡

Robin and Kate's running shoes rhythmically slapped against the concrete pavement as they jogged side by side, their breaths synchronised with the steady beat of their feet. The vibrant scene of Bristol Harbour unfolded around them, a picturesque backdrop to their morning run.

The sunlight danced across the water, casting a sparkling effect that illuminated the harbour's charm. Boats of various sizes bobbed gently on the waves, their hulls reflecting the shimmering rays of the sun. A group of enthusiastic individuals propelled themselves through the water in colourful canoes, their laughter echoing across the harbour.

They passed by clusters of dog walkers, Sunday morning strollers, and cafe patrons, each group immersed in their own leisurely activities against the backdrop of the bustling waterfront.

Amidst the vibrant scene, Robin's attention was momentarily caught by a canal boat adorned with a rainbow flag proudly displayed in its window. The sight momentarily disrupted his stride, causing him to stumble before quickly regaining his jogging rhythm.

What if I told... Kate?

The question swirled in his mind like a persistent whisper as they ran. He stole a glance at her, her hair in a high ponytail, bobbing up and down as she ran, wearing a baggy T-shirt and running shorts, panting slightly as her arms swung from side to side with each stride. A delicate sheen of sweat adorned her brow, yet her eyes sparkled, reminiscent of the same bright gaze he had seen when she entered the world—his little sister, his little baby sister.

Surely she would understand... be supportive...

As they reached a bench, Robin halted his stride, prompting Kate to continue running a few steps ahead before noticing his pause. Turning back, she cast a playful glance at him.

"Come on, Ro, tired already?" She teased, jogging on the spot to maintain her momentum.

"Um, Kate, can I talk to you about something?" Robin's voice held a hint of seriousness, causing her to cease her jog and regard him with curiosity. With one eyebrow raised, she stood still, awaiting his words.

"Um, what about?" she inquired as Robin settled onto the bench, still catching his breath.

"Sit down, Kate," he urged, patting the space beside him. She complied, her expression shifting to one of mild concern as she settled in beside him.

They sat there for a moment in silence, staring out at the ripping water in front of them. He tried to calm down his breathing, allowing each breathe to follow the same flow as the whistling wind that seemed to drift through the air. Seagulls squealed loudly, a group of them fighting over some leftover chips on the ground, panicking in their screeches as they fought over the scraps. A large boat sounded its horn as it disrupted the calm waters, causing them to splash up and leave ripples all along the water.

He took one last deep breath.

I can do this... Just say it.

"Kate... I–I'm gay."

He dared not look at her, his eyes staring forward as he saw the reminiscence of boat-disrupted water moving and shifting on the surface as it passed by.

"I know."

What did she just say?

He whipped his head around to look at her.

"What?!" He echoed his thoughts, the word coming out in a high-pitched squeak as he stared wide-eyed at her sister, who was staring forward. She turned to look at him, a soft smile on her lips as she observed his shock.

"What? What do you mean, what?"

"What do you mean, you know?!" He stated, bewilderment crossing his face as he looked at his sister.

"Robin, come one, it's not a hard one to figure out that you're a bit..." She lifted her left arm with her fingers pointed towards the sky, then let her wrist go limp, flopping her hand down.

"Fruity"

"Fruity!? I am not fruity!" Robin protested, still unsure how to read her response.

Kate let out a snorting sound, clearly trying to contain some sort of her laughter as Robin tried not to descend into a panic.  

"Robin, look..." She said, clearly trying to stifle her giggles to resume the serious conversation. "You were always wanting to put on my princess dresses when we were little, even though they clearly didn't fit you; you refused to play with the Scalextric kit dad got you for Christmas that year and only wanted to play with my dolls house; AND you always wanted to be a mermaid when we played pirates? Like, I had my suspicions quite a few years ago."

Robin couldn't find the words to respond; he just stared at his sister wide-eyed, his gaze drifting back to the water. It stood there now, calm and serene, with not a single ripple to disturb its surface. The reflection of the clear blue sky gave the scene a tropical air, with the water shimmering in the sunlight.

"Oh..." He managed; his voice was barely a whisper.

"Not to mention, you never seemed to actually like any of your girlfriends..." Kate continued, her tone tinged with a hint of accusation.

"I mean..." Robin began, but Kate cut him off.

"And the walls are thin in our house... I heard you talking about that boy at your school to Ashley on the phone the other day."

"That was a private conversation, Kate!"

"Well, maybe you shouldn't talk so loudly then!" She retorted sharply.

A silence settled between them, punctuated only by the gentle swish of a passing canoe.

Feeling his heart rate quicken once more, Robin mustered the courage to pose a final question. "So... does that mean you're okay with it, y'know, with me being gay?"

"Of course, Robin. Why wouldn't I be?" Kate's voice was soft, and her expression was one of genuine care as she met his gaze. "I love you, Robin. I just want you to be happy. Thank you for finally telling me."

With Kate's words, the nerves that had held his tears at bay finally relented, and a broad smile spread across his face as a few salty tears trickled down his cheeks.

"Thank you, Kate," he managed to whisper, turning to face her. Her arms extended, inviting him into a hug. Without hesitation, he leaned in, burying his face in the crook of her neck as she enveloped him in a tight squeeze.

He didn't care if he was publicly crying or that he and Kate had never been the hugging type, but this meant a lot to him. More than Kate might ever know. He was accepted by his little sister, and that's all he could have wished for.

They broke free, and Robin wiped away his tears with the back of his hand and let out a final deep breath of air, a calmness washing over him. A slight tension he always felt in his left shoulder appeared to soften and become relaxed.

"So... why are you telling me now? Is it because you have a boyfriend?" Kate teased, gently shoving him with her own shoulder. "Maybe that boy you and Ashley were talking about, ey?"

Robin felt the slight panic bubble up in his stomach again, Yohan's short, sharp words ringing in his ears.

'I don't want to fucking see you...'

"No, he..." He muttered, "It was just... Yeah, it turns out he was a prick."

"He didn't hurt you, did he, Robin?" A look of concern crossed Kate's face.

Not physically, but mentally and emotionally, he fucked me up.

"No, he didn't." Let out a nervous laugh. "Turns out, I let my mind think I could possibly have a chance, but he's straight, so..."

"Ah, I see. I'm sorry, Robin. Don't let him get you down, yeah?" She shuffled slightly. "Have you told mum and dad yet? Yanno... that you're gay?"

"No, only you and Ashley know; it was Ashley that suggested I tell some more people... But I'm not going to tell them yet, okay? I need a bit more time. Can you please keep this to yourself, Kate?"

"Of course, Robin."

As he sat there on the bench, the weight of the conversation with Kate lifting from his shoulders, Robin couldn't help but feel a sense of relief washing over him. It had gone better than he had ever dared to hope. Kate's acceptance and her unconditional love had surpassed his expectations, leaving him feeling lighter and freer than he had in ages.

"So, Kate..." he began, his voice tentative yet tinged with newfound confidence. "Is everything alright with you? You haven't seemed like yourself recently."

He observed Kate's reaction carefully, noting the subtle shift in her demeanour. Her lips parted as if to respond, but then closed abruptly, her gaze turning away from him as she rose from the bench.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Come on, let's finish this run!" She deflected, her tone brisk as she moved to leave.