Among the Stars

Seventeen

They sit like that for a long time, just talking. They had barely ever really talked before, only briefly, but Milo didn't actually know Logan. But in here, on the floor of Milo's spaceship, words came easily. They talked and talked until the person outside was long gone, but they didn't plan on moving anytime soon. When it was getting a bit darker, Milo was sitting so close to Logan that if he moved any closer they wouldn't be able to talk anymore.

"Can I ask you something?" Logan spoke up, and Milo nodded quickly. Whatever it could be, Milo would most likely be okay with it.

"How did you come out to your parents?"

"I... What do you mean?" Milo responded. He didn't really know what Logan was asking. "Come out of what?" Milo wondered if this was another thing his planet did differently.

The corners of Logan's mouth perked up and suddenly he was laughing. "It's just a saying," Logan said, trying to maintain his giggles. "Like when did you tell your parents you liked boys? You mentioned having a boyfriend before."

"I didn't have to come out," Milo answered; he spoke slowly because it felt like this was a sensitive subject for Logan. "There is no difference between having a boyfriend or a girlfriend on Musca."

"Oh." Logan simply said, his smile gone. "I wish it was like that here." He signed, letting out a small laugh, but it didn't sound happy.  

"What happened?"

"Here on earth, liking someone from the same gender is a touchy subject. Even if it's mostly officially accepted in Britain, it's still 'not normal', and people get called out on it a lot. My-My parents didn't take it well, either." Logan's smile fell and Milo could see he was holding back tears. "I mean, I'm talking to them again and I guess they've accepted it now, but when I told them I was gay they yelled at me. For years, it was like I wasn't even their son..."

Logan started crying quietly and Milo didn't answer with words. Instead he inched even closer until their legs are entangled and he can lean forward to wrap his arms tightly around Logan. He held him close, and stroked his back with both hands to calm Logan down. Milo couldn't imagine what it must feel like to have this happening to you, but seeing how Logan reacted it must be one of the worst things ever.

His eyes still wide opened, Milo rested his head on Logan's shoulder and felt Logan do the same. They were almost melted together, and Milo couldn't quite believe it. It was nothing like a romantic embrace, but it was an embrace and Milo didn't want to let go. Ever.

Logan's body felt soft and warm and so comforting Milo kind of wanted to start crying too, but he had to stay strong for Logan.

"Thank you..." Logan whispered into Milo's shoulder and Milo could only nod. Without wanting it to, he inched back and retracted his arms from Logan's back so he could reply.

"I'm sorry you went through that. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you," Milo signed. He could've been there, he's had Logan's picture for a long time. If he had acted earlier, maybe he could've been there for Logan. But he hadn't, and that made Milo feel guilty in the weirdest way possible.

"Don't be sorry. It happened a long time ago."

Milo nodded again, and glanced up to the surveillance camera, where he could see only darkness. "What time is it?"

"Almost nine in the evening," Logan said, looking on the screen of his phone, and he smiled a bit. "We've been here for almost six hours." To confirm what Logan had said, his stomach rumbled loudly.

"Want to grab some dinner?" Logan asked, and Milo nodded as fast as possible, before Logan changed his mind.