Frankie was about to call it a night when his phone started ringing. It was Rex. The tone of his voice was unmistakable; he was crying.

"Hey, my mom got mad at me while I was showering. She slapped me and kicked me out. I...I have no clothes on, please help", Rex squeezed through sobs.

Frankie quickly grabbed his keys and raced to Rex's house. His heart pounded with worry for Rex, and anger towards his unsupportive parents.

He found Rex outside his house, visibly shaken, quickly covering himself with his arms, tears streaming down his face.

"Don't look at me, Frankie", Rex pleaded, a note of embarrassment cutting through his sobs. Frankie's heart broke at the sight of his beloved feeling so humiliated.

"Your clothes won't fit me", Rex said, sniffing and wiping away his tears. Frankie nodded, quickly brainstorming other options.

"My older brother Hudson is overweight. I'll ask him", Frankie said, already dialing Hudson's number.

As they waited for Hudson, Rex started insulting himself, talking about his weight with scorn. Frankie felt a rush of protectiveness over him.

"Don't say that, Rex. You're perfect the way you are", Frankie comforted him, holding his hand. "We all have our own battles, yours make you stronger."

Hudson arrived shortly, offering Rex some of his clothes without asking any questions. The relief on Rex's face was apparent.

As Rex put on Hudson's clothes, Frankie made a call to Jessica, Rex's sister. She was the only one in Rex's family who accepted and supported him.

Jessica was furious but promised to handle their parents. Frankie knew they could trust her. She had always stood by Rex, even when their parents didn't.

Rex managed to muster a small smile as he thanked Hudson. It was not perfect, but Frankie knew it was a start. They would get through this, together.

As Frankie drove Rex to his place, he held Rex's hand tightly, reassuringly. Silence enveloped the car, heavy but necessary.

Frankie's family welcomed Rex with open arms. They were a tight-knit bunch, and Rex was, after all, one of their own.

Over dinner, they engaged in light chatter, careful not to bring up the earlier incident. Instead, they focused on making Rex feel as comfortable as possible.

Frankie found Rex alone in the living room after dinner, looking more composed. "Better?" Frankie asked, hoping he had found some calm.

Rex nodded, offering a genuine smile this time. "Much better, thanks to you", he admitted. And Frankie knew, they were indeed stronger together.

Over the next few days, Frankie and his family made sure Rex was comfortable. They included him in everything, silently promising him a safe space.

Rex's frustration with his parents lessened gradually. He still had Jessica's support, and now he had Frankie's family too. He wasn't alone anymore.

With time, Rex found himself laughing more often. The self-loathing was still there, but it didn't consume him anymore. He was learning to love himself.

As for Frankie, he stood by Rex through it all, reassuring him with his love, understanding, and acceptance. They faced their struggles side by side.

Their relationship remained a secret, but the support they received from their siblings was immense. They had allies in their secret battle.

The scars of this experience would remain, but so would the strength they discovered within themselves. And that was worth every challenge.

Secrets, they had, many. Struggles, they faced, plenty. But they also had each other, and support, in abundance. And that made all the difference.