Chapter Text
“Ah, fuck” is a perfectly reasonable response when your phone rings at eleven twenty-eight pm and you were already half asleep, thank you very much. Even so, when Ian saw that it was Maggie Fuller calling, they picked up immediately. She was a friend in university. They only had the one class together, but they grew close during that semester, and there is little Ian wouldn’t do for her. “Hello?”
“Hey, Ian? I’m sorry- I didn’t realize how late it was and I was working on... Hey, I know it’s late, can I vent to you?”
“Hey, Maggie, what’s going on, are you alright? I haven’t heard from you in a while, I was starting to get worried.”
“No, no I’m not alright. I- I don’t know what to do, I’m so scared, and none of my other friends will even talk to me right now...”
Ian sat up in bed, pulled a blanket around themself, and padded out on tired legs to grab some water. “Hey, take a breath, start from the beginning. What’s going on?”
“Remember Madalynne? My preteen daughter? Well, he came out as trans at home about two months ago.” The Fullers live in small town Utah, Maggie having gone out of state for school. Realizing the danger that Maggie’s son was in, Ian made a small, sympathetic sound, not wanting to interrupt. “His name is Jake now. I told him it wasn’t safe, that he had to stay in the closet until he’s an adult or until everything blows over, but he thought he could trust his friend. His friend told her parents, and now we can hardly go anywhere without being harassed. The church made it clear we’re not welcome, Miss Taylors spat in Jake’s face, the school’s up in arms. It... it’s not good. On top of that, Tim’s no longer in our lives. He gave Jake a black eye, me a concussion, and last I heard he’s run off with a teenager who will, and I quote ‘not turn her back on God the way you heathens have, be an obedient wife the way you ought to be.’ I knew I had to keep Jake safe, so I started looking for jobs out of state right away, and I’ve got one, I start at a library in LA in a week, but I can’t find a place that I can afford and so either I stay here and lose the job or I move to somewhere safer and I’m homeless. Legally we’re not in any danger yet, I looked it up, but I remember what they did to poor Cynthia when she ran off with her girlfriend. I don’t know what to do, Ian, I’m so scared.” Maggie burst into tears.
Ian sighed, trying to collect their thoughts. Dozens of headlines and articles whirled through their head about new laws that could threaten Jake’s safety, and they had to fight against their own panic to calm their friend. “Maggie, I am so sorry you’re going through this. You’re doing an amazing job, and you don’t deserve anything that’s happening to you. Whatever you need, I’m here, to the best of my abilities.” Ian paused for a moment so that she could absorb their words, then continued. “You said your new job’s in LA, right?”
“Yeah, yeah, it is.”
“I moved to LA a few years ago for work. I’ve got a spare room, you and Jake can stay as long as you need. It will be a bit tight, but it’s better than nothing. I’m texting you the address now. We can even see about a storage locker for the stuff we can’t fit here.” Ian heard Maggie making noises, but couldn’t tell what they meant. “Maggie, what does that sound mean? I really can’t tell what you’re saying.”
“Oh, Ian, I- I wouldn’t want to impose, that’s such a generous offer-”
“It’s not imposing at all. I could do with some company. So, when can I expect you?”
“God, just a few minutes ago everything was falling apart, and here you are giving me hope again... Bless you, Ian. I- we need a day or two to pack, Lord knows what I’ll do with all the heirloom furniture... tell you what, how’s about you give us two or three days to sort out what we need to move to yours. Then I’ll see about getting the rest into storage and selling the house.”
“That sounds like a good idea. Just let me know when I can expect you, and I’ll get the time off work to help you get settled in. My boss will understand.”
“Oh, Ian, thank you so much. You’ve really saved my life. I- I just wish-” she broke down into sobs again.
“That none of this was necessary? That you could stay in the town you grew up in. That your husband still loved you?”
“All of that,” Maggie said between sobs, “I just didn’t know how to say it.”
“I’m sorry that it’s come to this. Just remember, you’re never alone, not so long as I live.”
Ian stayed on with her a little longer, offering comfort where needed, until, exhausted, they both went back to bed.