Sander

Amanda and Sander leaned against the northernmost garden fence, laughing heartily at nothing in particular. Rain soaked their shirts, and their trousers were stained with mud. They were completely shoeless, and in all honesty, a wee bit clueless, too. It was a torrential Tuesday night in Edinburgh, and they were enjoying the moment in spite of the dramatic, miserable weather.

Danny called out to them from across the garden, his voice barely audible over the downpour. They thought he was telling them to take cover in the tent, although they weren't entirely sure.

The tent was big enough for all five of them—Danny, Amanda, Sander, Justin, and Tanya—even if it was pitched slightly askew. One of the pegs was missing, replaced by a thick stick driven deep into the earth with a camping mallet.

"Come on!" 

Danny urged, before retreating into the dry.

They followed his lead, still laughing. Sander danced and skipped in the rain, their hair now completely soaked, heavy strands falling into their eyes. They caught droplets on their tongue.

*********

Danny handed Amanda a towel as they ducked inside, and she began drying herself off immediately.

"Darling, could you be a dear and get my back?"

Amanda asked, returning the towel to Danny with a wink. He rolled his eyes fondly and obliged her request.

After changing into dry clothes, Sander sat back down in a pair of oversized joggers and a shrunken t-shirt that exposed their midriff. The words "I'M SEXY & I KNOW IT" were boldly displayed across their chest, and they felt an immediate pang of discomfort. This was the first time they had ever worn anything like this around their friends. They stared down at their bare feet.

Justin and Tanya were sorting through their wet gear in the corner, occasionally chuckling at something on Justin's phone.

"You alright, Sander?" Amanda asked, noticing their silence.

"Um, yeah. Actually, I have something I need to ask."

"Ooh, okay. Shoot."

"So, um... I have a friend who is non-binary and also pansexual, and they don't know how to tell their friends. They're worried that their friends will think less of them. How would you go about doing this?"

"Intriguing," Danny said, settling down beside them while Justin and Tanya looked up from their corner. "And this 'friend' has come to you asking for advice?"

"Um, yeah, yeah. And I didn't know what to say."

"Well," Amanda began, "if it were me, I'd tell them that they are loved and supported and that we'd help make them feel happy and safe."

"Yeah?" Sander asked thoughtfully. "I guess I'm probably being silly. That's what I should tell them. Thanks."

"Is that all you wanted to ask?" Danny's voice was warm and inviting. The question hung in the air.

They know, don't they? "Asking for a friend?" That was the oldest trick in the book. In their panic, Sander just blurted out something they had been bottling up for so long.

"Um... I... I..."

"We know, babe. We know." Amanda rested a hand on their shoulder, noticing the tears forming in Sander's eyes.

"I'm sorry," they croaked.

"For what?" Danny asked.

"You literally have nothing to apologise for. Or is it figuratively? I always get those two mixed up. Sorry—now's not the time for that question. The point is, you're an amazing person. And your 'friend' is too."

He used the word "friend" again. He wanted them to say it, didn't he? He wanted to hear those words from them.

"That friend thanks you," they muttered, managing to choke out a small laugh. "I... thank you."

"Come here."

Amanda threw her arms around them, squeezing tightly.

"Is there room for more?" Justin asked as he and Tanya moved closer.

The five friends embraced in the cramped tent, rain still drumming against the fabric above them.

"I love you guys," Sander whispered.

"We love you too," Tanya said softly.

"So, when you're ready, of course, what are your pronouns? They, them?"

"Yes. They, them."

"Perfect," Danny said.

"Now, who wants hot chocolate? I've got a thermos somewhere in this mess."

Outside, the Edinburgh rain continued to fall, but inside the tent, everything felt warm and right.