A Very Special Announcement

Jun drummed their fingers on the kitchen table. “Sooo… What’s on the schedule?”

“IIII can’t really think of anything pressing that needs to be done!” Emil poked the side of his head. “We already did jet training today, and there’s nothing around the ship that needs fixing.” He laughed. “Things sure do get done quickly when I’m not the only one doing them! I’m glad I finally assigned you guys jobs!”

“So are we.” Jun replied. “And like… Really guys, I can’t thank you enough for being so cool about all of this.” They looked at Emil across the table. “You especially were really smooth about getting this set up! Thanks, dude!”

Emil covered his face. “I-It’s nothing, really!” He winked. “I just wanna make sure everyone’s as comfortable as can be, ‘specially since we’ll be stuck together for a while.”

“An admirable goal!” Roxie commented. “You should be proud of yourself!”  

The blond covered his face some more. “Nooooo! It’s all Jun and Aiden! They’re the ones who were brave enough to come out. I just gave them the stage, that’s all.”

Jun noticed Mia seemed to be mulling over something the entire time.

Roxie also noticed. “Mia, what’cha thinkin’ about?”

“Oh!” Mia seemed caught off guard. “Um… I was just thinking. Well, Jun, Aiden, I agree with Emil that coming out was a really brave thing to do, and, um, I was just thinking maybe--I mean, I don’t wanna make a whole announcement about it, but I figured if you guys were able to do that and it work out okay, maybe...I can?”

“Miaaa?” Roxie leaned forward, beaming. “You’re nonbinary too?”

“Wh-No, no.” Mia corrected. “But what I was meaning to say was--I’ve never told anyone this before, but. Um.” She smiled nervously. “I guess I’m the local lesbian of the ship!”

“Oh my gosh, I didn’t know!” Roxie clapped. “I’m so happy for you!”

Jun was also pleasantly shocked. “Oh sweet!”

Leon clapped. “Cool!”

Aiden gave two thumbs up.

At the front of the table, one couldn’t help but notice Emil drawing a long, excited gasp. “Whaaaat? You’re gay too?”

“Emil?” Mia asked. “Wait, you’re also--?”

“Yeah, I’m gay!!” The lieutenant burst with joy. “I never thought I’d get the chance to talk to someone like me! I’m so psyched right now!!”

“O-oh wow.” Mia seemed flustered by the intensity of his reaction. “I-I didn’t know I would have that kind of effect.” She smiled. “You’re the first I met too!”

“You didn’t know I was pan?” asked Roxie.

“You’re pan??” Mia’s eyes widened.

“I’m pan!!”

“She’s pan~” Jun did jazz hands in their friend’s direction.

“Whaaat?? Nice!!” Emil cheered.

“Yaaay!” Leon stopped mid-clap, looking slightly embarrassed. “Ah, what does that mean?”

“I have no idea either!” the lieutenant admitted.

“Fret not! I was prepared to explain.” Roxie closed her eyes sagely. “I only mean to say that gender is not a factor in who I court. Theoretically, I could date anyone.”

“Ohhhhh!” Leon lifted his head up. “Kinda like my brother. He’s bi!”

“Yeah, kinda like that!”

“I wish he could be here right now...” He mused. “It’d probably be really great if he could see a buncha people like him. I should text him about it later!”

“Hnnnnnnnn!” Jun held up a finger. “Probably be best if you didn’t use specific names or identifiers.”

“Yeeeeah.” Emil winced. “I get what you’re going for, but not all of us are out and open yet, and this is a preeetty small ship. There’s not too many of us to choose from. If word spread, it... might not be good for some of us.”

“Oh! I’m sorry!” the rookie apologized.

Emil shrugged. “No problem, you weren’t aware! Not to stereotype, but going off of that, I’m guessing youuu’re--actually, why don’t you say?” He held up his hands. “I-If you’re comfortable, that is! Don’t wanna force anybody.”

“Oh no, that’s fine!” Leon scratched the side of his head sheepishly. “Were you going to guess I was straight?”

“Yes.”

Leon laughed. “You’re correct!”

“Cool!” Emil returned the laughter. “And Jun? Aiden? What about you guys? Actually… Would it even be possible for you to be straight or gay ‘cuzza your gender and everything?”

Aiden shrugged. “I’ve only been nonbinary for like 5 minutes, don’t ask me.” 

Everyone looked toward Jun.

“Well…” They began. “I have heard other nonbinary people refer to themselves as gay, but I’ve never seen any say they’re straight. They might exist? I dunno, that’s a convo for a nonbinary person who actually feels attraction because I… don’t.”

“You don’t… experience attraction?” asked Leon.

“Nope! I’m ace.” Jun already knew they would have to continue with an explanation. “Short for asexual. Though, theoretically, I could be able to experience romantic attraction and not sexual attraction... if I were not also aromantic. Some people can be one and not the other, but I’m both!”

“Same here.” Aiden raised a hand.

“Yeah! Like, before either of us knew about any of this stuff, or even that those words existed, me and Aiden had a conversation that basically ended up in us figuring out we weren’t complete weirdos for not being attracted to anyone.”

“Something similar happened to me, actually.” Mia spoke up. “I didn’t know the words either until much later, but for a while, I thought I wasn’t attracted to anyone. That is, before I found out I was a lesbian.”

“Woooooah! The same happened to me but, like, in reverse!” Jun told her. “I thought I was a lesbian for a while. We’re like, opposite twins~ High five!”

Mia meekly high fived Jun, then shook hands.

“Interesting!” the lieutenant reacted. “I had no idea that was even a thing! I only know the first four letters, haha… But that’s so cool! I’m so glad I get to learn new stuff from you guys! Jun. I know you keep thanking us and stuff, but you really set off a chain reaction. I don’t think any of us woulda had the courage without you...”

“Yeah!” Roxie shouted.

“Yeah.” Mia reacted more quietly, but the heartfelt look on her face conveyed more than volume ever could. 

Aiden casually tilted his head. “I wouldn’t have figured it out if it weren’t for you.” 

“Aww guys, I… Really, I don’t know what to say.” Jun couldn’t deny how happy they were to see so many out and proud people around them, but they felt wrong taking all the credit. “ I’m really proud of you all. I mean, I couldn’t force you guys to come out. You did it yourself!”

Love filled the room as many ‘aww’s, ‘thank you’s, and other words of positivity were passed between each of the crew members.

“You guys are all really great, I think!” Leon praised. “I’ve never been the only straight guy in a group before. It’s really cool!”

“Haha, you’re not the only one!” Emil paused after saying this, a dawn of realization showing on his face. Jun had a sinking feeling they knew what it was. The lieutenant quickly recovered his smile. “You and the captain can keep each other company!”

Jun looked to their right, where Aiden sat, making a peculiar face. He looked to be deep in thought.

“For the record.” The bearded ranger drove a finger down on the table’s surface. “If somebody has a problem with any of you--Not you, Rookie, you’re straight, no one’ll bother you--If anybody has a problem with any of you, send ‘em to me.”

Silence followed.

“Um...Thank… Thank you?” Mia spoke softly. “Thank you.” She repeated, in a more confident voice.

“We’ll protect you too!” proclaimed Roxie.

Aiden was taken aback. “Wait, wh--?”

“Yeah, br--” Jun realized ‘bro’ might not be the best term for him anymore. “Yeah, bud.”

“I don’t-- I don’t need-- Okay.” With a huff and a slump of his shoulders, Aiden’s ego was defeated. For now.

“I may not be much of a fighter--” Jun was thankful that Leon didn’t notice Aiden mouthing ‘You have the least to lose!’, “--but if any of you guys need a distraction or someone to listen, I’m here!”

“Yeah…” Emil muttered. “Yeah!” He stood up. “We’ve all got each other’s backs here, right? We shouldn’t have anything to worry about!” He surveyed everyone seated before him. “I know it’s only been a coupla weeks, but I’ve come to appreciate each and every one of you guys!” Vigor filled his eyes so much, he had to close one of them. “Just know I’d be willing to fight for you.”

He sauntered to the front door. “Anyway! I remembered I had a little business to take care of. Stay beautiful, everyone!”

The lieutenant left the room with a sense of purpose in his step and warmth lingering in the room. He seemed so strong. Leon mumbled something about how cool he was, as usual; the others didn’t say anything, but Jun could tell they all felt it. Afterwards, most of the kitchen dwellers scattered to their own devices: Roxie and Leon left for the gym, and Mia retreated to her dorm. This left Jun and Aiden alone at the table.

“Today was eventful, wasn’t it?” Jun asked.

Aiden grunted. He rested his chin on his hands, not looking at Jun or anything else in particular.

“Yeah, I think it was cool, too! So,” they quieted down, “what brought that on?”

He looked at them, mildly confused.

“The hero speech.”

Aiden stared at the front door Emil exited out of. “...I can’t believe I’ve gotten attached to the little goofball.”

Jun chuckled. “Aren’t we all?”