The tap on your window almost made you jump out of your skin.

"Ryujin!" You quietly spoke as you got out of bed and opened the window, allowing for your girlfriend to come inside. "What are you doing here? It's after midnight. My parents are just down the hall."

She quietly closed the window before she wordlessly pulled you into her arms to give you the biggest hug that she could.

"I missed you."

You closed your eyes as you held her tight, feeling all of your worries and stresses fade instantly as you melted into the warmth and comfort of her embrace.

"I missed you too."

She pulled away from the hug a moment later so she could kiss your lips, making you melt even more.

"I know it's late and I know your parents are just across the hall but I couldn't go any longer without seeing you." She explained and you just took her hand to bring it to your lips for a kiss before walking to your bed with her.

You're head over heels for each other. You've been together for a few months now but no one but the girls and her family knows.

You have to always be safe and stay as private as possible.

Not just because she wants to keep your relationship private and out of the public eye, but also because your parents are extremely against that.

It's been a secret you've kept for the longest time.

You like girls... a lot.

Your parents are against that though and despite being an adult and being able to make your own choices now, you're still so afraid of them finding out, especially because you're still trying to get on your feet so you can get out on your own soon and get far, far away from them.

So sneaking around is not uncommon for the two of you, sadly.

"Baby? What are you thinking about?" Ryujin wondered as she noticed how quiet you'd become.

She knows by now that you're most quiet like this when you're caught up in your thoughts and she wanted to know what they were.

She stroked your cheek and your eyes met, allowing for you to see the sparkles inside of them.

"You."

She smiled a little, her forehead falling onto yours.

"I'm crazy about you and I'm tired of hiding and sneaking around."

"I know. I am too." She sighed. "You know, you can always come stay with the girls and me, at the dorms. It's no bother."

It's a conversation that's been coming up a lot lately.

She knows how much of a toll it's taking on you to have to hear your parents talk so negatively about people in the lgbt+ community, especially since you're part of it.

She knows you want to get out of here because you're afraid of them and what they'd do if they found out, despite you being an adult.

"Can we talk about that later?"

"Of course. What do you want to do?"

As soon as the words left her lips, yours were touching hers and she couldn't help the soft sigh that escaped from her mouth.

"I see." She smirked as she gently pushed at your shoulders, making you fall back onto your bed.

If making out is what you wanted to do, Ryujin wasn't going to argue about that. She was more than happy to be able to spend some time with you just like this, always feeling more than happy to make you feel loved and spoil you with as many kisses as your heart desires.

She hovered over you and her lips moved passionately against yours while you slipped your hands beneath her shirt, fingertips brushing across her soft skin.

But to your horror, only a few seconds later, your bedroom door opened.

You and Ryujin quickly pulled away and noticed your parents standing in the doorway.

"What is this? Who are you?" Your father yelled as he looked between you and Ryujin.

"Y/N... were you just kissing a girl... in your bed?" Your mother asked and you rolled your eyes over her shock and disgust.

"Look, I can explain-" Ryujin began to explain as she attempted to find a way to cover for you.

But you were tired of this and you'd been caught and now, you don't even want to try and deny it.

"Yes." You interrupted. "Yes, I was. Because this is my girlfriend, Ryujin."

Your parents went silent before looking at each other in shock.

"What did you just say?" Your father asked.

"You already heard me." You said. "But if you want me to repeat it, I'm more than happy to. This lovely, beautiful girl here is my girlfriend. Her name is Ryujin."

"Girlfriend?" Your mom chuckled. "Honey, I don't think you realize just how gross that is."

"Gross?" You scoffed. "What's so gross about it? That I'm not straight? That I'm in love with a girl? That I'm not going down the same path you both envisioned I would? That I'm not the perfect person you wanted me to be?"

Your dad covered his ears while your mom tangled her fingers in her hair as if she was stressed and frustrated.

"Mom, Dad, listen to me loud and clear - I like girls and I'm in love with Ryujin. This girl right here is the one I'll most likely spend my life with. Like it or not, we're happy together and nothing you do or say will ever change that."

It was silent for a moment before your father clenched his jaw.

"Get out!" He screamed. "Get your stuff and get out of this house!"

"Sir-" Ryujin started but your dad continued to yell.

"You shut it!" He yelled at her. "You better get out of my house as well!"

You got up and began to pack your things up and Ryujin happily helped.

"We'll come back for more another day, even if it means calling the police to help us do so." You said. "Right now, I want to leave."

"Okay." Ryujin agreed as she picked up some of the bags.

"Disgusting." Your mother grumbled as you and Ryujin left your old room.

"We raised you better than this." Your father said and as you kept walking, Ryujin froze.

"You did? Then why has she been into girls for years now?" She asked as she looked your parents in the eyes. "She just never told you that she's into girls because she knew you'd react this way. But, all along, this is who she's always been and this is who she always will be."

Ryujin smiled to herself as she continue walking behind you, now going to the door.

"You're going to regret this, y/n!" Your dad yelled.

"No. I definitely won't regret any of this. Now I can be myself and I can be free." You said as you opened the door and walked outside.

Ryujin loaded your things into your car as quickly as she could.

"You know, for the longest time, I was so afraid that you'd find out about me liking girls and me falling in love with Ryujin but it's not so bad after all. Because now, I'm free. I don't have to hide anymore and I don't have to wonder about what's going to happen. Love is love and, finally, I can be happy and tell the whole world that I'm in love with the most beautiful girl in the world and there is nothing you can do to stop me!"

You got into your car and Ryujin sat in the passenger seat.

You locked the doors, kept all the windows up, and turned on the radio so you couldn't hear a thing your parents were screaming at you as you backed out of the driveway, not even caring to hear what it is they were going on and on about.

"So, should we talk about you staying with me and the girls at the dorms for a while now?"

You chuckled as you began to drive down the street.

"Yeah. I think it's about time we do."

Ryujin grinned.

"Are you okay?" She asked as you pulled up to a red light a moment later.

"Yeah. I'm great." You smiled. "I feel a lot better now that I don't have to worry about them finding out. I know we can't be public right now still but I feel a lot freer and a lot less afraid than I was. I feel happier than ever."

"Me too, my love." She beamed as she leaned over and kissed your cheek, so happy to see you happy.

Everything was going to be okay, no matter what happens, because you've always got Ryujin by your side.