Chapter Text
Tim took a deep breath. Before he could exhale, the door swung open and he let out a surprised squeak. Cass stood in her doorway and smiled brightly when she saw Tim's terrified face.
"Sorry!" she exclaimed. "You okay?"
Tim took another breath, exhaling properly this time. "Yep. Just had a tiny heart attack, that's all!"
Cass giggled quietly. "Come in!" she signed.
She stepped away from the door so Tim could enter the room. He closed it behind him and the two siblings flopped down onto Cass's bed.
"So, what's up?"
"I have um," Tim paused, fidgeting with the soft fabric of his sweats. "I have a thing I want to tell you."
Cass nodded encouragingly.
Tim shut his eyes tight. "I'm bi," he blurted out. "I'm bi."
He pryed his eyes back open just as Cass grabbed his hand. She pointed to herself, smiling gently but giddily. "Me too!"
Tim laughed. "Really?"
"Yes!" Cass nodded furiously, squeezing Tim's hand. "Don't be scared, please." Cass pressed a calloused hand to her brother's cheek and he leaned into the touch.
"Okay," he said, still smiling. "Okay, I won't."
They sat like that awhile. Just the two of them, brother and sister, always there for each other. Always.
"So," Cass' eyes twinkled mischievously and she began to sign. "Any reason you are telling me now? Anyone…special?"
"Cass!" Tim pushed her over, feigning frustration.
His sister just fell back and giggled. "Well?"
Tim sighed. He fiddled with the fraying hem of his shirt. "Well yeah…"
Cass shot up. "I knew it! So? Do I know them? What is their name?"
"His name's Bernard," Tim smiled shyly. He told Cass all about the boy and she sat through it. She nodded and smiled and commented when necessary. Tim didn't feel nervous or annoying. Not once.