“They were killed for being fairies, when we lived outside of Northknot. Elsa was there and she got me and we fled,” Quinn explained, not wanting to use that to make her feel like she had to forgive them. They just wanted to be completely honest now, “Ask me,” they said, “I’m taking my sobriety seriously so I can’t lie or it’ll set me back. I’ll tell you right now that all the affection was real but if anything wasn’t real, I’ll tell you, just ask.”
Quinn was about to respond to her about the letting them in comment but then she spoke again and they stopped. Why had they never thought about that before? Of course she would understand. Part of the reason they’d starting drinking and doing drugs in the first place was the fear of coming out as non-binary to their parents. They had been fortunate enough to have supportive parents, that didn’t mean it was the same for Illiris. They stared at her wide-eyed, wanting to pull her into them and hold her but they didn’t want to push their limits, “You could have died same as me though,” they pointed out, realising only now that tears were now spilling down their face. They could harm themselves without many qualms but someone they loved hurting? That hurt them more. They were glad that she reached out for their hand because they weren’t sure how much longer they’d go without contact, “I’m sorry,” they said, squeezing her hand gently, “I wish your parents understood you,” Quinn nodded vigourously, “Absolutely. I’ll send you a text when I have even the smallest craving. I promise.”
“She saw it happen?” Illiris asked. “I’m glad you both fled and came here, because I’m glad I got to meet you and it might not have happened otherwise. I’m sorry though, that you had to go through that. Nobody should have to.” Illiris looked at them with a small frown. “Was there anything at all that wasn’t real? No specifics, but in general?” she asked, a little afraid of the answer, but she was asking regardless.
She saw the way they were looking at her, but she didn’t comment on it. They were processing, she assumed, much like she had to with the things they told her. “Maybe I could have, but I didn’t, nor did I ever come close,” she pointed out in return. She sighed. “You don’t need to cry. It’s okay,” she said softly. “Yeah. Me too. Not a day has passed since the day I told them where I stopped wishing,” she admitted. “Nothing like being twelve and knowing who you are but not having the ones meant to love you understand.. And then being thirteen years old and having your parents want you gone because you’re such a disappointment,” she said with a sad chuckle. “I lived with my aunt for years because they gave up guardianship. That was when I was able to transition, because my aunt actually gave a shit,” she explained. “I don’t tell people this because people don’t understand, and people don’t need to know. But I can’t give you shit for keeping things from me if I do the same.” She nodded slowly. “You better.”
