#slurs tw
I really hate having to ask, but I’m desperate. My first post lost traction so I’m starting anew. I have a job but it pays minimum wage and my stepdad has been stealing 50% of each of my paycheck since I was 16, for “rent.” He is physically and verbally abusive and makes my mental illnesses a million times worse. I cannot transition at all while in this house. If I put on makeup or fem clothes he screams how I’m a p*ssy or a f*ggot and threatens to kick me out on the streets. He slaps me around when he gets drunk, which is happening more and more often. I know it’s the holidays, but if someone could help me fund a safe living situation, it would be the best present I ever received. If you cannot donate, please share this post so it can reach people who can.
I’m so sorry, I would donate if I could, but I don’t have anything to give. I really hope things get better.
In other news white people ain’t shit.
“I am sorry to have to say that the vast majority of white America are racist, either consciously or unconsciously.” -MLK (1967)
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Note: Sorry. I just haven’t been in much of a writing mood recently. I think I’ve gotten it all out in October (or it’s my Saturn Return or Sun in my 12th house). These are all just short one shots but I swear I’ve been trying to make them as fluffy as possible. No whump at all.
Tags: Hugs, Treehouse, Hiding, Family
“Welcome home."
Luigi smiled as he kissed his wife.
"Your son has been hiding in the treehouse since he came back from school.”
“Oh, my son now, is it?"
"You know he only listens to you.” She stuck out her tongue at him.
Luigi headed back outside and towards the treehouse. “Leon, it’s almost time for dinner. Your mother has asked you to clean up."
There was silence from the treehouse.
Luigi sighed. He hoped the treehouse would take his weight. The last thing he needed was it crashing down on him. He climbed up the steps. "Leonzio."
The boy hurriedly wiped his tears when he saw him.
"What’s wrong?"
"Nothing."
"You were crying.” Men don’t cry. He nearly continued. He took a breath. That wasn’t the right thing to say. And he swore his wife would murder him if she found out he ever told their son that.
“No, I wasn’t.” He protested, even though his eyes were red. A large bruise formed around his right eye.
“Who did that?” Luigi growled. He stopped and took another breath. He could not lose his temper.
“Some boys in school. They called me a fag and hit me."
Luigi sighed, forcing back more rage. "Which boys? I’ll talk to their parents-”
“Please, don’t."
"And if they decide to hurt you again?”
“Cat has already threatened to break their bones if they do."
Luigi bit back a chuckle. That girl was too violent for her own good. But Luigi was one to talk. "That’s good, isn’t it?"
"Do you know how embarrassing it is to be defended by your little sister?” Leone hugged his knees to himself. “Why am I so pathetic?"
Luigi sighed and pulled himself into the treehouse. It creaked. Maybe not the smartest idea. He sat next to his son and the floorboards creaked some more. Definitely not the best idea.
"I’m sorry."
"What are you apologizing for?"
"For being so weak."
Luigi’s chest panged at that. It was familiar, apologizing to a distant father who was never happy with anything they did. What would his father say in this situation? Man-up. Stop being weak. Luigi sighed. He hated how close to the tip of his tongue all that was. He wanted to run and grab his wife. She was better at all this emotional crap. Luigi was going to say the wrong thing. What was the right thing to say? What would he have wanted his father to say? ‘You’re not weak.’ No… what would Pavi have wanted their father to say? "It’s ok to be weak."
Leon looked at him and looked down.
"I don’t think you’re weak. But if you feel like you are, it’s ok to be."
"It’s not what a man should be."
"Your mother would say that’s the toxic masculinity talking."
Leon didn’t say anything.
"Do you think your sister is too much of a tomboy?"
"No, she’s cool.” Leon hesitated. “Don’t tell her I said that."
"I won’t. But it would be nice if she heard from her big brother how cool she was."
"She won’t let me hear the end of it."
"Maybe. But you’d make her day."
Leon smiled. He was a sweet kid.
"You know, your Uncle Pavi was like you when he was young."
"Really? But he seems so confident now."
"He would cry all the time too."
"Did you threaten everyone who would pick on him too?"
Much more than threaten but Leon didn’t need to know that. "Yeap."
"Did you tell him it would be ok to be weak too?"
Luigi sighed. No. He called him a fag and told him to man up as well. "No. But I should have."
"Dad, I need to tell you something.” Leon refused to look at him. He kept his gaze on his fidgeting hands.
“You can tell me anything, Leonzio."
His voice turned small. "Those…those boys were right. I…I think I like boys.” His voice faded to almost a whisper.
Luigi froze. He was not equipped to handle this. His son was a f- No, he wasn’t fucking finishing that sentence. He took a breath. His son liked boys. Ok. He was still the same boy he’s always been. He- He was not equipped for this. “Does your mother know?"
Leon nodded.
Luigi took another breath. Ok so his wife has dealt with some of it. He just had to deal with his part. "Were you afraid to tell me?” He would have been terrified. Fuck. He’d have never told his father. Rotti would have…
“No. I just didn’t want to disappoint you."
'You’re disgusting.'
Luigi placed a careful arm around his son. "Why would that disappoint me? It doesn’t change who you are. It doesn’t change that you’re my son. It doesn’t change what a sweet boy you are; who seems to understand your mother’s mood swings more than I do; who knows exactly how to talk to your sister when she’s upset. You’re a bright, perceptive boy. And I am so proud of you."
Leon shook at his words.
Luigi pulled him closer to him. "I’m proud of you. I’m sorry I never said that more. I’m not…I’m not the most expressive person. But I’m trying to change. You know you can tell me anything, right?"
Leon nodded and hugged him.
"I’m sorry if I ever made you feel like you weren’t enough. You are more than enough.” He was more than Luigi deserved.
“No, it’s not…it’s not like that. I…just sometimes the way you talk to Uncle Pavi…I…"
It was just habit. Luigi wanted to protest. Luigi sighed. "You’re right. It isn’t right for me to talk to Uncle Pavi that way nor right for me to call him… I can’t promise it won’t slip out. But I’ll try to stop. I don’t…I don’t mean it. But it still isn’t right. I’m sorry.” He wondered how much he’d hurt his son with all the things he’d said. How many times had he called his brother a fag while his son was in the room? It didn’t matter if Pavi didn’t mind…his son did.
“Dad, it’s ok."
"No, it’s not. The word is wrong. Just know that when I use it on Uncle Pavi, it’s full of affection, not anything else. But it’s still wrong."
"It’s ok. I mean it’s just a generation thing right? Back in the old days, it was alright."
"How old do you think I am?"
"Gen X?"
Luigi just stared his son down. "I’m fucking Gen Z and don’t you forget it."
Leon grinned.
Fuck. "Don’t tell your mother."
"You know Cat already curses like a sailor right?"
Luigi sighed, "Yes. Your mother is going to kill me."
"I mean she probably comes from a generation where women aren’t allowed to curse and-”
Luigi stared at his son. “Again, how fucking old do you think we are? Your mother swears a lot as well. She’s just better at censoring herself around you two. And she doesn’t have to deal with the f-” Luigi’s face fell. He nearly said it again.
“Fop?"
Luigi grinned and ruffled the boy’s hair. "Come on. We should go for dinner before the food gets cold.” He stood and the floor creaked once more. Luigi grimaced. “But maybe next time hide in your room? I swear this thing is not meant for adults."
Leon nodded. "Dad.” He looked down. “Thank you."
He hugged his son. "I love you."
"Love you too, dad."
