Felix is a 26 year old man who lives in Japan and he is an only child. He works at a grocery store about 15 minutes away from his house. He lives with his two parents who are mostly supportive of his decisions. Sometimes, they don’t understand things that he says like sexuality but it has never been a problem until now. Felix has always wanted to move to America since he’s heard they are very accepting there and it is the ideal place to live. He also has not told his parents about Chris and they think he is just Felix’s best friend.

Chris is a 27 year old man who is Felix’s boyfriend. He is an author who is slowly rising to fame. He lives alone in his house but has considered asking Felix to live with him since he knows about Felix’s parents. He is out to his parents and sister and they are completely supportive. He wants to move to America but has not mentioned it to Felix as he’s afraid Felix will break up with him. 

Although Japan is a relatively nice place to live, there is a lot of homophobia compared to other places in the world. Of course, there’s homophobia everywhere but it seems less obvious in America. Which is why the boys wanted to move there. To have a better life there and make that their permanent home. 

One night, Felix was talking to Chris on the phone. At first it was about random funny things, but something was really bothering Felix, and Chris could tell.

“Something wrong, Felix? You keep staring off into space and you just seem- I don’t know. Distant?” Chris said.

Felix stayed silent for a few seconds before taking a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking about coming out to my parents and also telling them about you. I’ve always wanted to: you’ve known this. Thing is, I just don’t think I can keep it a secret anymore.” 

Chris thought about what to say. Does he encourage it? Discourage it?

This is one of the hardest things to do when you love someone, Chris thought. Giving them the right advice, but also making sure it’s genuine. 

“I-I.. Well.. I think you should do it if it makes you feel happy. Although before you do it, think about the positives and the negatives. How will they react? You know for a fact I don’t mind. We’ve been together- what- 6 years now? So whatever you want to do, I’m fine with.”

“Thank you, Chris. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“I think I’m going to do it tomorrow morning, then. Before I have to go to work.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Felix yawns. “It’s getting late. I better go to bed before I can’t wake up in the morning, haha.”

“Alright. Call me if you need anything, anytime. You know I’m always here for you.” 

“I know, I know. Bye.”

“Bye.”

They hang up and Felix goes to sleep. 

In the morning, Felix is very anxious to tell his parents. What WILL they do? He hopes they’ll at least try to understand. He loves Chris so much sometimes he can’t even put it into words. To at least endure it until he’s ready to move out is all he wants. 

Felix takes a deep breath and looks at himself in the mirror. He still needs to get ready.

After he does his morning routine, he meets his parents down in the kitchen. His dad is making breakfast and his mom is drinking coffee, like always.

“Hey Felix, hope you don’t mind some waffles and eggs before you go to work,” Felix’s dad says.

“You know I don’t mind. I love your cooking!”

Felix’s dad laughs and continues cooking. Felix sits down at his normal chair across from his mother and mentally prepares himself.

Felix’s dad gives everyone their food and they eat in comfortable silence. Felix washes the dishes and then sits down.

“Can I tell you guys something?”

“Of course, Lix. Is everything okay?” His mother asks.

“Yes, it’s just.. Well.. I.. uh… Sorry, give me a moment.”

Felix’s mother puts a hand on her son’s hand. “It’s okay, take your time.” 

“I’m dating Chris and I identify as bisexual.” 

Felix looked down at his lap. His mom removed her hand from his. When Felix looked up, she seemed surprised.

Felix’s dad got up and charged up the stairs. He heard lots of banging so he and his mom went to inspect it. Felix’s dad was packing up Felix’s stuff. 

“Dad? What are you doing? Dad!” 

Felix’s father didn’t answer, just continued packing up his stuff. He fit as much as he could into a suitcase Felix had and handed it to him.

“I won’t have this kind of stuff in my house. Leave NOW.”

Felix got the suitcase and rushed past his mom’s outstretched hand. He called Chris and explained what happened through chokes and sobs while driving over to Chris’s house.. 

“It’s okay, Felix. Just get here as fast as you can and we can continue the conversation here, okay?”

“Okay,” Felix said with some difficulty. “I’m almost there. About 5 minutes away.”

“Alright. Are you in the right headspace for me to hang up until you get here?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, I love you.”

“Love you too, bye.”

Felix reached there quickly like he said he would to see Chris waiting outside. He smiled at Felix as he got out of the car. Chris went inside and sat on the living room couch.

“Still the same house, huh?” Chris joked as Felix closed and locked the front door. 

Felix smiled at him as he put his stuff by the couch and sat down. “Yeah. Have you eaten yet?”

Chris chuckled. “You just got kicked out of your own house and you’re worried about me?”

“Perhaps…”

“I have not eaten yet, but I’ll probably just buy something. Don’t worry about it.”

Felix got up and started preparing to make breakfast before Chris got up to stop him. “I love your cooking, but I want you to take it easy, okay?”

“Alright.. I’ll be up in the room if you need me.” 

A month later…

“Hey Felix, can I talk to you about something?”

Anxiety rose up in Felix’s chest. “Of course. What’s up?”

Chris sat down next to his boyfriend on the couch and put Felix’s hands in his. “I have an aunt in America that’s willing to let us live with her until we can find our own place. America, Felix! We can both live there together and start a life there. Doesn’t that sound exciting?”

Felix sat in silence for about 30 seconds. “I…I think that would work.” He smiled.

Chris wiped a happy tear away and hugged Felix for a long time. “Do you want to leave today or tomorrow?”

“Let’s get it done as soon as possible.”

The men packed their stuff and Chris went outside to call his aunt to tell her. She said she would see them when they get there and to stay safe.

Chris hung up the phone as soon as Felix stepped outside. “Wait- Chris. Before we leave, can I.. Can I say bye to my parents?”

Chris obviously did not like that idea, but he loved Felix and wanted to be happy. “Sure, we can stop by.”

Chris drove by the house. When they stopped, Felix took a deep breath. “Be back soon.” He said as he got out of the car. He rang the doorbell and waited.

“Who is it?” His mother’s voice hit like a hammer to his head. 

“It’s Felix.”

He heard her quickly swing the door open and his heart ached seeing his mom like this. She had obviously been working very hard at her construction job because her arms and legs were splattered with bruises and cuts and grime. Her hair was up in a half-done bun and her hands seemed rough from work.

“Hi, Mom. How’ve you been?”

She turned away. “Come inside, then we’ll talk.”

Felix’s mom motioned for him to sit down on the couch. “I’ve been good, to answer your question. Dad is out with his friends. He’s been distant ever since you… ever since he kicked you out. I also packed the rest of your stuff since I didn’t like how it was so messy.”

Despite the situation, Felix resisted the urge to smile. Still the same old clean freak, he thought.

“Okay, I’ll take it with me.”

“With you?”

“Ah.. I came here to tell you that I’m moving to America. With my boyfriend, Chris.”

“What?!”

“He has an aunt that will take us-”

“Felix Lee, you are NOT leaving to go live with your boyfriend’s aunt. Do you understand me?”

Felix was surprised. He had thought this would be easy. Felix looked through the window at Chris and hoped that Chris understood.

Chris got out of the car. Thank god he understood, Felix thought. 

“Excuse me? Miss Lee?”

“Chris, what you’re doing is beyond crazy. You are not going to take my son to a foreign land!” Felix’s mom stood up. “Get out! Felix, you stay. Chris, bring his stuff here.”

“Mom, wait. I’m 26 years old. Can I not make my own decisions?” Felix questioned.

“You can, but not this. I won’t allow it.”

“Let him go.” 

They all turned to see Felix’s father in the doorway. “If he wants to leave so badly, let him. He’s old enough to know what he wants, Annie.”

Felix’s mom sighed out of frustration. “Fine. But,” She turned to Chris. “If you ever hurt my son, I will come to America myself and deal with you my own way.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll see you guys….whenever I see you. Bye, Mr. and Ms. Lee.”

Felix looked at his dad, but Felix’s dad wouldn’t even look at him. “Go on and stop staring at me.” He waved his hand dismissively. 

Felix was a bit sad, but he was mostly happy. He held hands with Chris as they walked out the door and to the car. 

“At least it went okay..?” Chris chuckled.

“It went great, in my opinion. At least she let me go. I just wish my dad would say more to me…. I mean, I haven’t seen him for a whole month and he acts like I barely exist just because of how I identify.”

Chris started up the car and drove while he talked. “Just give him some time. I think he’s still surprised…”

“How much more time does he need?”

“Depends on the person. Your dad? I would say at least a few months. Your mom seemed like she didn’t agree with him about how he acted, though.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Her body language.”

“Huh..” Felix was puzzled.

They spent the rest of the ride to the airport talking about random things. When they arrived, they booked their flight right on time. 

“Are you excited?” Chris asked after they got settled in. 

Felix leaned back on his neck pillow. “I am. I went to America once to visit my grandma when I was 6, but besides that I haven’t been there… and I forgot what it’s all like, really.”

“I’ve visited there many times to see my auntie and let me tell you, it’s amazing. I see so many gay couples walking out in the open. No one bothers them, either. Everyone is in their own little bubble.” 

Felix laughs. “That does sound amazing. Why don’t you try to get a bit of sleep? I can tell you’re working too hard on your books because you have bags under your eyes.”

“You’re right. Goodnight, Felix.”

“It’s daytime.. So good morning.”

Chris laughed and put his seat back to lay down. In a few minutes, he was snoring, which gave Felix time to think.

Why did his dad act like he didn’t love him anymore? Maybe it was a mistake to come out… but he’s the happiest he’s ever been, and he’s with the love of his life. He hopes his parents will come around to it eventually. Like Chris said, give them time. That is a lot to accept, so maybe he’s asking for too much…

Felix doesn’t remember when, but he dozed off. He wakes up and it’s already nighttime.

“Good night, sleepyhead.” Chris giggles.

“You’re really continuing to write your book on the plane?”

“I have to. Oh, you know,” Chris takes his reading glasses off. “While you were sleeping, a woman next to me said she loves my work. I signed her copy of Lily. I sometimes forget that I’m an author.”

“That’s so cool! You’re like a celebrity now.”

“Ha ha. Yeah, right.”

They talked and slept the rest of the way there. 

Chris woke up Felix. “Wake up Felix, we’re here.”

Felix looked out the window and was pleasantly surprised. It was beautiful… but his heart already ached for home. 

They got out of the plane and Felix was like a lost kid in a candy store. He was amazed at how beautiful America was. 

“Come on, Felix. I know it’s pretty but let’s settle down in my auntie’s house first.”

They went to Chris’s auntie’s house and Felix was glad she was nice. 

“Sorry, my house is a little messy, but perhaps you boys can help?”

“So.. what you’re saying is… I was too lazy to clean up by myself and want you two to help.” Chris said.

Chris’s aunt laughed. “You know me so well. Place down your things in the kitchen and meet me in the living room.”

“Well, she’s funny.” Felix said as they put down their things. 

Chris chuckled. “You’ll love her.” He put his arms around Felix’s waist and quickly kissed him. “How do you feel, though?”

“I feel fine.. I am missing home a little bit though. Just give me about a month and I think I’ll be okay.” 

“Alright.” Chris smiled as he let go of him. “Let’s go to the living room.”

They walked to the living room and sat down across from Chris’s auntie. 

“It’s wonderful to meet you, Felix. You can call me auntie, or Ava. Or maybe even both!” She laughed. “I know it’s a lot, moving to a new place, but just try not to get overwhelmed. Take it slow. I moved here from Japan when I was 25. Don’t tell anyone but,” She leaned in. “I’m 47 now. Pretty old, huh?” Ava laughed. “Anyways, I hope you enjoy living with me until you find your own house. I’ll help you find a job and all the other important things. Got all that?”

Felix smiled a real smile. “Yes, Auntie Ava. Thank you so much.” He got up and hugged her, and Ava patted him on the back.

“See, Chris, you should be more like this too. You like cooking, Lix?”

“Yes! I really enjoy cooking and baking… I wish I could be a chef one day.”

Ava nodded. “A good one. Don’t let him go,” Ava grabbed onto Chris’s ear while he swatted her hand away.

“Trust me, I’m not going to.” Chris looked at his boyfriend lovingly. 

“Alright, let me show you your guys room.”

She led them upstairs and showed a large room with a king sized bed. It was almost completely empty with only a few furniture items. There was a decorative plant on one of the dressers.

“By the way, that plant is real! I expect you guys to take care of old James.” Ava said.

“Thank you so much.” Felix smiled.

“No problem. Unpack all your things, and I’ll be back in a few hours. I got some errands to run.”

“Stay safe.” Chris kissed her on the cheek and walked her out the front door. He came back up about 5 minutes later.

“You know, I feel really good about this now, even if I still do miss home.” Felix said while unpacking his things. 

“Mm.. that’s good. I hope we can create a wonderful life here.”

Felix agreed. What things would be waiting for him here, he wondered. But he knew one thing, he would be happy as long as Chris is with him.