For Those We've Lost - [Sequel]

Part 2 - Chapter 4

Dex sighed, placing his bag on the table in the hallway. It was surprisingly quiet in Rimeshire, but that was probably because Lex and Bex were helping his father out in their shop.

"Rex? Are you home?" Dex glanced around the living room to see if he could find his younger brother.
"Mhm. In the kitchen" The yelled response was muffled, presumably because the walls were still frozen over after Lex had a tantrum the other day. He frowned as he made his way towards the kitchen.

"How are you?" He ruffled Rex's hair, who was sitting at the island inside their kitchen.
"School was okay... I guess." Rex took the cookie that Dex had offered him. "I ditched study hall and ability detecting though." He sniffed. "I can't be bothered to go anymore."
"Rex..." Rex glared at him.

"There's no point going" Rex bit into his cookie aggressively. "And I'm done with everyone giving me knowing or pitying stares."
Dex pursed his lips. "You can talk to me about anything, you know that, right?"
Rex was silent for a second. "I know."
"I'm really worried about you." Dex broke the silence after a few minutes. Rex stared intensely at the bench in front of him. "I- I want to know if you are okay."
Rex gulped as he noticed that his older brother's eyes were slightly red.
"I'm sorry, I just..." Rex trailed off.

Rex took a deep breath. "I promise, I'm fine." Rex said, looking at Dex. "I have some new friends, they...they're really helping me go through some stuff...like, you know, my...talentless thing."
Rex decided to not tell Dex about the possibility that Rex actually had an ability, especially since Dex would ask further questions about how he found out and Rex just didn't have the energy.

Dex tilted his head slightly. "...Lex and Bex did mention they've seen you with a girl." Dex began, his voice turning from thoughtful to more playful. "Do you have a girlfriend-?" Dex grinned, about to tease Rex.
Rex's cheeks heated up. "What? No! She's...she's just a friend." Rex mumbled, looking away from Dex.
Dex smiled. His brother seemed to at least have a crush on this mysterious girl.

A short silence overcame them until Rex spoke up again.
"Uhm...I do have something I'd want to tell you too." Rex said, wringing his wrists. "I-it's just...I dunno, I think I'm more comfortable with you knowing right now. And I've been keeping it in for a while now..."
Dex furrowed his eyebrows slightly. "What's up bud?" Dex asked softly.
Rex took a deep breath.

"So...uhm... I'm pretty sure, like 99% sure, that I'm...genderfluid." Rex said, looking at Dex.
Dex blinked. Rex wasn't sure how his brother would react.
"That's when...you go by all the pronouns, right?" Dex furrowed his eyebrows.
"Sorta." Rex shrugged. "Some days I feel like a boy, other times like a girl, and sometimes I'm neither." Rex explained.

"And...were you afraid of telling me? Did you think that I'd resent you for being that way?" Dex asked, still noticing the nervousness in Rex's eyes.
Rex shrugged again, avoiding eye contact.
"...Rex, buddy, I'm literally gay. It'd be weird if I wasn't accepting of you." Dex smiled. "Mom, dad, Lex and Bex also wouldn't hate you, y'know? Our family only cares about our happiness, not about the 'societal norms' we have in the Lost Cities."

Rex's heart felt a little less heavy and he smiled slightly. He looked up at Dex, who was still smiling at him.
"Just...let me know what pronouns you want me to use for you from now on, okay?" Dex said softly. "Maybe I can use them subtly in front of our family to see if they get the hint too." Dex winked at Rex.
Rex let out a small giggle. "Pfft...thanks Dex." Rex said softly.

"...You're the best big brother in the world."
Dex was a little surprised. Dex stepped closer to Rex and pulled him into a tight hug.
"You can always talk to me, Rex." Dex whispered softly. "I just want you to be happy. I want to make sure you're okay."
Rex could hear Dex trying to hold back tears when he spoke. Rex hugged Dex back.
"I'm okay." Rex said quietly to Dex.

They hugged like that for what felt like forever, but they both seemed to need this hug.

Part of Rex wanted to tell Dex more, but...he knew he couldn't. If Dex knew he was part of The Order, Rex didn't know how Dex would react, but he was certain that it wouldn't be positive.

~~~~~

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