The Second Hardest Choice

"She's right."

I've never thought that two words could cut so deep that they make my insides turn to ice, but hearing Rouge tell me that as she performs her next-day checks from the injection. I'd explained Sienna's concerns, as well as her offer of support, but I didn't expect such a deadpan response.

"What? You think we should just run away? Abandon our family?" I ask my aunt, trying to remain still as she draws blood. "How is that the right answer? It's just avoiding the issue. Mum and Mama won't suddenly be more accepting a year from now." I argue, as I lose a completely different type of bodily fluid from yesterday.

Rouge sighs, focusing on her task. "It's not about acceptance; it's about stress. Right now, your parents have too much going on; add this to the pile, and they're liable to crack under the pressure. Best case scenario, they don't take you seriously, they begrudgingly ignore your relationship and secretly wait for you to break up." She explains. "Worst case scenario, they snap and disown the both of you. Now, I don't believe my sister would do that, but people aren't themselves when they're dealing with shock."

Rouge's explanation makes sense, so if we stay as we are, we're at best not respected and at worst cast away... That does sound like a lose-lose scenario. "Okay, but how does going help?" I ask. "Surely that would just agitate them more?"

I can finally move again as Rouge puts away her apparatus. "Immediately? It doesn't. But it would help your parents compartmentalise; they can deal with the funeral, then offload the house, and then they have the capacity to actually listen to you. To actually understand." She clarifies. "It's a harder option in the short term, but long-term it'll mean they understand just how serious you are about this. It's the only way you can let them be genuinely happy for you."

I frown. I thought Rouge would shut down any doubts I had, but now... Now I have more than ever.

*

"She's wrong."

Oh, son of a bitch, this is getting infuriating. As I clean the kitchen with Rosie, which thankfully isn't as big a job as it could have been thanks to Marie's preparations, I explained the situation with Sienna. My sister apparently does not share Rouge's opinion.

"Any chance you could elaborate? I've kinda got a devil and an angel on each shoulder." I request, throwing some discarded packets of lube in a bin bag.

"She's just wrong. Running doesn't solve anything, Mum and Mama will either accept it or they won't, but they can't do anything about it. Marie and I aren't running away. Hell, Grandfather disapproved of Mama being gay, and she still stood her ground." Rosie rants, part of me thinks she's only so steadfast so that she doesn't chicken out on telling Marie her feelings.

I throw the bag into the bin and turn back. "That's different, being gay isn't the same as being in a relationship with your sibling. Neither are cousins, for that matter. I told you, they'll be happy for you. The thing being, me and Poppy are both their kids, there's no degree of separation." I point out. "Honestly, I can take anything they throw at me, but... It's not that Poppy couldn't, it's just... That I don't want her to have to. I want to look after her, and staying would invariably cause her pain."

Rosie leans her mop against the wall. "Look... I feel kinda responsible, since it was my feelings that started this whole thing, so... Just know that whatever you choose, you have my support." She tells me as she gives me a big hug. It might be the most non-sexual touch I've had from her since this whole thing began. "Also, if you hurt my baby sister, I don't care how big your dick is, I will cut it off and mount it on my wall like a hunting trophy."

I don't bother to point out that we're triplets, so none of us are the baby, but instead I just reply with a sigh.

"If I hurt her, I'd want you to."

*

Poppy leans on my chest as we lie in bed. I know Sienna's offer is weighing on both of us, but I still don't know what the right answer is.

"Marie thinks we should go." Poppy informs me softly, I guess she's been looking for advice too. "But Trish says if we really believe in us, we should stay and fight for it." She adds, sounding slightly annoyed at the mixed advice. I know that feeling.

"That tracks." I snort. "No one can seem to agree... I guess it's up to us to make a choice. What are you thinking?" I don't want to put this all on Poppy, but getting her opinion is important. Poppy sits further up and presses her lips to mine, apparently giving her another moment of contemplation before coming to her decision.

"I think I love you."

Externally, I'm very calm. Internally, a large parade complete with musical performances marches through my heart, as Poppy's face goes as red as her namesake. "I mean... You know, if that's okay?" She rambles, and I stop her with another kiss.

"Well, I know I love you." I inform her. "This whole thing wouldn't be as difficult otherwise. I can't bear the idea of being without you."

Poppy hugs me tightly as she whispers into my ear. "I love you. I trust you. I'll follow whatever path you choose. All that matters to me is being in your arms." Her words light a fire in my heart and soothe it at the same time. I don't entirely understand it, this power she gives me, but...

"I know what to do."