The thing about camping is that you usually wake up earlier than you would if you were tucked up in the comfort of your own bed. Mother Nature and her offspring of wild animals and birds make sure of that. And that's exactly what happened when Robin felt his eyes flicker open to the sound of squawks and the blinding light of what felt like the entire sun consuming their yellow tent. 

    Blinking, momentarily forgetting where he was, he soon remembered. Partly due to a slight twinge he could feel in his lower spine from basically sleeping on the ground rather than his soft mattress he was used to, but also due to the fact he had a boy—his boyfriend, lying next to him, sleeping peacefully. 

    He turned quickly to check the time on his phone that was plugged into a power bank he had brought. 6:32 am. Far too early to be awake. Especially when he had only gone to sleep roughly five hours earlier. And even more so due to the—frankly, exhausting—activities he and Yohan had gotten up to that night. 

     It turned out Robin was right to be prepared, although it didn't seem Yohan was expecting quite that prepared. Not that he complained. But Robin was also not expecting his first time doing the proper-do to be outside, on a blanket, in the middle of the forest under the stars, with a belly full of cheese. And yes, it was slightly awkward, and it wasn't quite the romantic 'sweep me off my feet and take me' moment he had imagined. But it was still perfect. In all the ways it could be when the person who was doing those things to him was Yohan. His now, boyfriend. 

    He turned back to his boyfriend, who was snoring lightly now. A tiny sliver of drool had escaped the side of his mouth as he slept. They'd unzipped both their sleeping bags to use them as a big, makeshift duvet. Robin, clad only in his boxers, felt the morning chill creep in, so he scooted closer, nuzzling into Yohan's chest.

    "Good morning," the chest rumbled.

     "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. I'm just cold."

     "Come closer, then," the chest said once more and wrapped his arms around Robin, pulling him into a warm, bear-like hug. Robin breathed in Yohan's familiar scent—a mix of lingering deodorant and the faint musk of sweat from yesterday. It was comforting, and he could have stayed like that forever.

     At some point, he must've dozed off again, because the next thing he knew, he woke up, freezing. Yohan was gone, and he could hear the faint sound of footsteps coming from outside the tent.

    I'm going to get murdered. 

    The thought flashed through his mind as he heard the unmistakable sound of the tent zipper being undone. A moment later, Yohan stepped inside, clad in red plaid pyjama bottoms and a grey fleece, holding two steaming mugs.

     "Coffee," Yohan grinned as he kicked off his shoes at the entrance and crawled back into the tent and under their makeshift duvet. "Hope you don't mind it black. We didn't bring any milk."

    "Black's fine," Robin lied, accepting the mug gratefully. The need for caffeine outweighing his picky tastebuds. "Does it at least have sugar?"

    Yohan winced. "Forgot that too. Sorry."

     "It's fine, really." Robin smiled, shimmying himself up into a sitting position, wrapping a part of the sleeping bag around his shoulders, and cradling the warm mug in his hands.

     They sat in companionable silence for a moment, sipping their drinks. To Robin's surprise, the bitter, unsweetened coffee wasn't as bad as he'd expected. Maybe because it was made by someone sweeter.

     Yohan was the first to break the quiet.

     "Last night—" he started. "Was fun. Like, really fun."

     The memory that flooded his mind caused him to blush as he stared down into the dark liquid, catching his faint reflection in the mug. "Yeah," he agreed, a soft nervous chuckle escaping as he said it. 

     "And the thing you did with your—" Yohan made a vague, suggestive gesture with his hands, "—just, wow."

     Robin's cheeks went even redder. "Okay, okay, no need for details. That's embarrassing."

     Yohan blushed in return. "Sorry. I just... wanted to make sure you, like, had fun too. That you don't regret anything."

     Robin smiled reassuringly, shaking his head. "I don't regret anything, Yohan. Don't worry." He paused, the corner of his lip turning upwards in a smirk. "If anything, I regret doing that thing with my—" He copied Yohan's earlier vague gesture. "Because you came so—"

    "Alright, alright!" Yohan flailed a bit too vigorously as he cut Robin off, accidentally spilling some coffee onto their sleeping bags. "Shit."

    Robin laughed and scooted closer until their shoulders touched. The tent flaps fluttered gently in the breeze, giving Robin a clear view of the water a few meters away, sparkling in the morning light. He smiled and leaned his head on Yohan's shoulder, who wrapped his arm around him.

     "I think I'm going to come out to my parents," Robin said, the thought having just formed and slipping out at the same time.

     Yohan glanced down at him. "Oh? You think you're ready?"

     Robin nodded, watching as a duck landed with a soft splash on the lake.

     "Yeah, but..." He hesitated. "Would you, like, be there? When I do it?"

     Yohan squeezed his shoulder a little tighter.

     "Of course, if that's what you want."

     "Maybe we could even do it today, yanno? When we get back," Robin added, running his thumb along the rim of his mug. "While I'm still feeling brave enough."

     "I know I don't know your family all that well, but I really think they'll be more than okay with it, Robin."

     "I know. It's not like my parents are homophobic or anything. I know they'll accept me." Robin sighed as he watched a second duck join the first. Their wings flapped at each other, disrupting the still water, until they apparently calmed down and began to swim in tandem with each other. "It's just... I've been in the closet for so long, pretending for so long, that I'm scared. What if they're, I don't know, disappointed?"

     "Why would they be disappointed?"

     "Because they won't get the whole 'wife and kids' thing. Out of me and Kate, I feel like I've been the one to do, yanno, big things. To do well, to make them proud." Robin paused, fidgeting with his mug. "And being gay doesn't really fit into that mould."

     "Who says it doesn't?"

     Robin sighed again. "I don't know... society, the world. All that crap."

     "Well," Yohan said firmly. "That's exactly what it is—crap. And I don't know about you, but I think I'd make a great wife."

     Robin nudged him playfully with his elbow. "Hold your horses; we've only just become official boyfriends." The word still felt new, foreign even, but it carried such a warmth he couldn't help but smile as he said it.

     "Only messing," Yohan grinned, lightly bopping his forehead with Robin's and letting it linger there for a second. "Don't worry, I'm not about to propose or anything."

    They both finished their coffee, the comfortable silence filling the space between them. Robin got dressed while Yohan tended to the fire, using an old portable camping stove to cook breakfast. It looked even more ancient than their tent—if that was even possible. But somehow, Yohan managed to make a decent bowl of porridge with honey drizzled on top.

     The rest of the morning passed in a blur of soft conversations, shared laughter, and the occasional make-out session, as if Mother Nature herself had taken the day off to let them enjoy their little world undisturbed. Her ray's shining down on the two of them. Yohan suggested going for a hike, but Robin quickly declined, citing both his lack of interest in exercise right now and a stronger interest in spending as much time wrapped in Yohan's arms as possible.

     Before they knew it, time had slipped away, and it was time to pack up. They managed to disassemble the tent, and looking at it for a second time, Robin was grateful that the weather had blessed them with a rare, calm night. They bundled their belongings into their bags—far less organised than when they'd arrived, but neither of them seemed to care—and made their way back to the car, which they were relieved was still there, undisturbed. The trip home felt shorter somehow, even with a quick stop for burgers at a service station.

     As the streets outside the car window became more familiar, the mood inside shifted. The easy chatter from earlier had faded into a quiet tension. Robin had started picking at his thumb, which now looked angry once more after a break from abuse during their trip. Yohan turned onto Robin's street, parking in the same spot where he'd picked him up the day before. The engine's soft hum faded as Yohan pulled the handbrake.

     "How are you feeling?" Yohan asked, turning to Robin.

    "Nervous," Robin admitted, his fingers fidgeting in his lap.

     Yohan reached over, grabbing his hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

     "It'll be okay. Promise."

     They stepped out of the car, Robin gathering his things as they walked toward the front door. Before Robin could even reach for his keys, the door swung open.

     "Robin, Yohan! You're back! Did you have a nice time?" Robin's mum beamed—she must have been watching from the window—pulling him into a hug so tight that he dropped one of his bags.

     "It was fun, thanks, Mum," Robin mumbled as she squeezed him.

     When she finally let go, she looked between the two boys' eyes expectantly. After a beat too long of silence, Yohan nudged him gently, reminding him why they were really here.

     "Actually, Mum..." Robin began, his voice catching slightly. "Is Dad home? And Kate? I need to, uh, tell you all something."

     His mum's eyes flickered between him and Yohan again, her face shifting from beaming to slightly concerned.

     "Oh no, you didn't take mushrooms, did you? Are you still having a bad trip?"

     "Jesus Christ, Mum, no!"

     "Oh, right. Of course not." She laughed, clearly relieved—although perhaps a little disappointed. "Your dad and Kate are upstairs. I'll get them." She glanced at Yohan, smiling warmly. "You're coming in too, Yohan?"

     "If that's okay," Yohan replied.

     "Of course, you're always welcome," she said before turning on her heel and heading upstairs.

     Robin and Yohan exchanged a glance before stepping inside, making their way to the living room. They sat on the sofa, side by side. Robin's shoulders hung low, and he felt a little too aware of his breathing. It felt as though someone had just thrown a weighted blanket on him, dragging his lungs down. But Yohan was there, and rather than allowing his thoughts to spiral to a million possibilities about how badly this was about to go, he kept his attention on the feeling of Yohan's shoulder, pressed up against his. 

     It was a Sunday, which meant his dad was home from work and Kate, like always, was likely holed up in her room watching some random show on her laptop. His mum returned to the living room first, followed by his dad in jeans and a polo instead of his usual uniform. Last came Kate, wrapped in her own uniform, her oversized Oodie.

     Robin's parents settled on the couch adjacent to Robin and Yohan, and Kate settled herself crossed-legged on the floor. All eyes fixed expectantly on Robin. His throat tightened.

     "Your mum said you've got something to tell us," his dad started, his voice tinged with that usual scepticism he had when he thought one of his children might have done something wrong.

     "Yeah, I do," Robin said, surprising himself that he was even able to speak. 

     Kate shifted from cross-legged to drawing her knees up under the wearable blanket, leaning her back on the TV stand.

     "Is it about you being—" She clamped her hands over her mouth suddenly, eyes wide. "Sorry. You should say it."

     The thud in his chest was getting louder. Quicker.

    No turning back now.

    He nodded, took a deep breath, and stared at the floor.

    "Mum, Dad," he began, his voice quieter than he intended. "I've—" Deep breath.

     "I've been meaning to tell you this for a while—" Why did the room feel so small all of a sudden? "And really hope you don't like, care, or anything." He was stalling. "But I, well—"

    Come on, just spit it out.

     "I don't like girls, like romantically."

     Close but not quite. Try again.

     "And... well, I'm gay." 

     The room fell silent.

     "And I'm his boyfriend," Yohan added gently, reaching over to take Robin's hand. The tension in Robin's body caused his reflexes to flinch involuntarily, but the warmth from Yohan's touch seemed to melt some of the ice keeping his body rigid away, and he allowed his fingers to interlace with his. 

     "Oh, Robin," his mum spoke first, her voice soft. He still didn't dare look up at her, keeping his gaze fixed on the carpet. It really could do with a hoover. "That's okay, darling. We had our suspicions—" She paused, and Robin spotted his father nod from the corner of his eye. "But we were never quite sure. And that's more than okay."

     Summoning his courage, Robin looked up at her. His mum was leaning forward, her face warm and reassuring. His dad, however, wore an expression Robin couldn't easily read—though to be fair, his dad often looked like that.

     "Thank you for telling us, son," his dad finally said, the words slow and careful, as if he were testing them out. "I can't say I know much about being gay, or what that means exactly." He hesitated, clearly searching for the right words. "Well, I know it means you like boys." Another awkward pause. "But I hope you never felt like you couldn't tell us. For any reason."

     That did it. The tears Robin had been holding back began to spill, his vision blurring as those words hit him harder than he'd expected. It was probably the kindest thing his dad had ever said to him. 

     "Thanks," Robin sniffled, wiping at his eyes with his free hand. "I told Kate a few months ago."

     "And what did I tell you?" Kate piped up, a small smile on her face. "Mum and Dad would be fine with it. I knew they would."

     "I know, I know," Robin mumbled, his voice trembling as he tried to keep steady. "It's just... I was so worried you'd be... disappointed."

     "Disappointed?" His mum shook her head, her eyes soft with sympathy. "Honey, we would never be disappointed in you. Especially for something you didn't choose."

     His dad nodded and pushed up his glasses with his index finger. "You're still our son. Nothing's going to change that."

    Robin let out a soft, relieved laugh, tears still brimming in his eyes.

    "Thank you," he whispered. There was a wave of weight lifted from him. Like someone had physically removed chainmail from his body that he had been lugging around for years. He looked at both his parents and then turned to smile at Yohan, who was staring back at him with such a look of warmth and reassurance, he couldn't quite describe it. 

    Then, as if on cue, his mum's focus shifted to Yohan, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

    "So... you're the boyfriend, huh?" She smiled. "I have to say, that part surprised me a bit more than my son being gay."

     Robin didn't need to look at Yohan to know he was blushing fiercely.

    "Uh, yeah, I am," Yohan stammered. His palms had suddenly become quite sweaty in Robin's.

    "So, you're gay too?" Kate asked, her eyebrows raised. Less so in a curious way, but more interrogatory. 

    "Not... exactly." Yohan shifted awkwardly, clearly wrestling with how to explain himself. "I just know I really like Robin. Like, a lot. It doesn't really matter that he's a boy. If he were a girl, I'd like him just as much."

    Robin's mum gave Yohan a warm, approving smile.

    "Well, I'm happy you two found each other." She leaned forward, taking both of their free hands into hers, one in each. Her expression was filled with genuine affection. "You seem like a lovely young man, Yohan, and I'm glad it's you who has captured my son's heart. Welcome to the family."

    Yohan's response was delayed, as if the words took a second to register.

    "Uh—uh, thanks," he mumbled, still clearly overwhelmed. Robin turned to look at him and noticed, although he wasn't completely certain, that Yohan's eyes looked like they were welling up too, but no tears escaped. 

    They spent a little more time talking as a family, his parents asking a few gentle questions—how long Robin had known, and how Yohan came into the picture. Robin and Yohan shared just enough to satisfy their curiosity without going into too much detail, keeping things light. Thankfully, Kate kept quiet about the parts Robin knew she was aware of but definitely didn't want their parents knowing.

    Soon enough, it was time for Yohan to head home. Robin's mum gave Yohan a warm hug, while his dad shook his hand firmly, nodding in quiet approval. Kate gave him a simple nod of goodbye, a hint of a smile on her face.

     The family left them to it, allowing Robin and Yohan a moment to say their private goodbyes. As the front door clicked shut behind them, the air between them felt different—quieter, more intimate. Robin leaned against the doorframe as Yohan stepped down the front step, for once making him the shorter one. 

    Yohan smiled as he looked up at him.

    "I'm proud of you."

    Robin smiled back, a little shy under the praise.

    "Yeah, it went well. Better than I expected."

    "Your family's lovely."

    "I know. But they can be annoying."

     "I can see that." Yohan chuckled, then paused, his expression shifting as if he were mulling something over. He seemed unsure, and it made Robin curious.

     "What is it?" Robin asked, prodding his chest lightly with one finger.

     Yohan hesitated, his face contorting slightly in discomfort, as if he already regretted what he was about to ask.

     "Well," he began slowly. "In a couple of weeks, it's the anniversary of my grandma's death. And I know I don't have a family like yours to introduce you to. He trailed off, glancing down at his feet before meeting Robin's eyes again. "I know she's gone, but would you come with me? To visit her grave. To like, introduce you?"

     The eyes that looked up at Robin were what he could only describe as vulnerable puppy dog eyes. He could tell this meant more to him than Yohan was letting on. Without missing a beat, he leaned in closer, taking Yohan's hand in his.

    "Of course I will," Robin said, his voice gentle. "I'd love to meet her."

    Yohan exhaled, as if releasing a breath he'd been holding. He smiled, and this time it reached his eyes.

     "Thanks, Robin. She would have loved you."

     "I don't know about that, but I'm sad I didn't get the chance to meet her, like, properly." He paused. "Will your granddad be coming? Will I get to meet him?" 

    Yohan's face dropped back to its discomfort state. "Unlikely, I—well—I like to try and stay out of the flat on that day; he can get a bit—" He appeared to be struggling to find the right words. "He can just be a bit, much. More than usual."

     "I see."

    "You'll meet him at some point." He haltered. "Just—just don't expect the same kind of warm welcome."

    He glanced away for a moment. 

     "Anyways," Yohan tried to brush off the awkward tension that had seemed to settle between the two of them. "I better go; I'll text you, okay? And see you at school on Monday?" 

    "Yeah, see you, Yohan." 

      And this time, without even caring if anyone was looking or not, Robin leaned down and kissed him goodbye.