50 Kiddos and a Semi-Absentee Father (another Ameridad fic)

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California was hanging out in his room, bein himself, just chillin.

So one can understand how confuddled he'd be when Oregon burst into his room looking sick.

"Cali I need your help," Oregon said breathlessly while locking Californias bedroom door.

"With what?" California asked, slightly concerned. Oregon sat down on Californias bed and took a deep breath.

"I didn't know who to tell and... I figured you were my safest bet... Cali... I...," Oregon stuttered.

"You......?" California prodded. Oregon took a deep breath.

"Um... so... you're my favorite brother out of all my brothers and-,"

"Ok ok, no need to soften the blow. Plus, we both know Washington is your favorite," California joked. Oregon chuckled, wiping away tears. "What's wrong?" California asked gently, holding Oregons hand.

"...Washington is gay, right?" Oregon asked.

"Mhm,"

"...maybe I'll tell both of you...," Oregon said. California nodded and texted Washington. Within minutes, Washington was knocking at Californias door.

"Hey, is everything ok?" Washington asked upon being let in.

"Oregon says he needs to tell us something," California said. Oregon took a deep breath.

"And you two won't make fun of me," Oregon said, trying to look courageous. California and Washington shook their heads. "I-I.... I am.... non-binary!" Oregon announced. California nodded, and Washington immediately dug a non-binary pride pin out of his pocket.

"What? Do you keep those on you all the time?" California asked.

"I'm always prepared for another sibling to join the Lgbtq+ club," Washington said, handing California a gay pride pin. Oregon still looked a bit shaky, so California helped them sit back down.

"Aw, no need to look worried! C'mon, here's your pin," California said, pinning Oregons pride pin on their shirt. Oregon nodded, their breathing calming down and a smile growing on their face.

"Yeah... yeah... coming out is just intimidating... it's awkward too... because like.... It's kinda like pulling off a mask in front of people who've only ever seen the mask... they still know it's me, but the change still takes some getting used to," Oregon said. California nodded, and pulled Oregon in for a hug. Washington didn't join because touching people is yucky.

"Cali...?" Oregon said after a while.

"Mhm?"

"What are those pill bottles for?" Oregon asked, pointing at the pills in Californias slightly opened drawer in his nightstand. California got noticeably fidgety.

"Oh... so... y'know how I used to puke when I was really sick? So I can feel better?" California asked. Oregon nodded. "So... dad says that's bad for me... so I use laxatives instead now... they help me feel better...,"

"How can being on the toilet all day sh*tting out everything you eat possibly make you feel better?" Washington asked. California was silent for a moment.

"...I feel sick whenever I eat,"

"Cali, you barely eat-,"

"Because I don't feel good when I eat,"

"Ok but how do you feel exactly? Like, what do you mean by 'sick' and 'bad'?" Washington asked.

"I just feel bad. I don't know. I feel like I just did something I shouldn't have done and I need to get rid of it. And I need to do it to live so it's just... a viscous cycle," California said. Washington gave California an incredulous look.