Frankie was at home, sprawled across the ancient, beat-up couch when his phone buzzed. It was Rex. His heart fluttered. But then he saw the time. It was past midnight. He answered.

"Frankie," Rex sobbed on the other line. "I need you. Can you... can you come to the parking lot by the old diner? I'm..." He trailed off before breaking into a fresh wave of sobs.

"I'm on my way," Frankie said. He didn't care it was past midnight or that his family was semi-important in their small town. Rex needed him. That was all that mattered.

Frankie quickly threw on a jacket and went to his beat-up truck. As he drove through the quiet town, his mind raced. What had happened to Rex?

The old diner came into view, and Frankie's stomach tightened when he saw Rex. His shirt was missing, and he covered himself with his arm, his face streaked with tears.

He stopped the truck and ran over to Rex. He took off his jacket and draped it over Rex's shoulders. "What happened?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Rex recounted the deeply unsettling events with his father. The anger in his mother's voice. The slap. "She... she blamed me, Frankie," he choked out, "as though I was the inappropriate one."

Frankie felt a surge of anger. How could anyone blame Rex for something like that? His family's ignorance and prejudice made his blood boil.

"We're going to get you out of there, Rex," Frankie said. Rex started to protest, but Frankie silenced him. "No arguments. You're not safe there anymore."

Rex, overwhelmed, broke down again. Frankie gently wrapped his arms around him, whispering reassurances. For the moment, they had each other. And that was something.

Frankie loaded Rex's few belongings into his truck. As they drove away, he felt a strange mix of relief and worry. What next? He glanced over at Rex, who was asleep. Whatever it was, they’d face it together.

Over the next few days, Frankie helped Rex settle in. His family didn't ask too many questions, which was good. But he knew they were curious, probably suspicious.

Rex started to feel safer, but his self-consciousness still lingered. Frankie noticed small things - the way Rex held his arm across his chest, the way he avoided mirrors. But he didn't bring it up. He just showed Rex extra kindness, hoping it would help.

Frankie's family gradually grew accustomed to Rex's presence. Rex even managed to connect with Frankie's sisters, and they were kind to him, a stark contrast to his own family.

One afternoon, when Frankie's parents were out, Frankie gathered his siblings. He decided it was time to share his secret. Rex was not just his friend. They were in a relationship. The room fell silent.

The siblings took it surprisingly well. They promised to keep the relationship a secret, knowing their parents' opinions. Frankie felt a sense of relief. They were not alone in this anymore.

Rex was nervous but relieved. He felt accepted, a feeling so foreign but comforting. Despite the circumstances, he felt like he was slowly becoming a part of Frankie's family.

Weeks turned into months. Rex and Frankie had fallen into a routine, and everything seemed to be going well. But there were moments when Frankie would catch Rex looking distant and worried.

One day, Frankie finally asked Rex what was bothering him. Rex looked at him for a long time before speaking, "What if your parents find out about us, Frankie?"

Frankie had considered this. He knew it wouldn't be easy. But when he looked at Rex, his heart was certain. "We'll handle them together, Rex. Just like we have been doing everything else," he said.

Rex nodded, trying to believe in Frankie's words. But the fear of rejection, of not being accepted, was deep-seated. He hugged Frankie tight that night, the silence echoing their shared worries.

Over time, the fear receded, replaced by the simple joy of being together. They stole moments of affection, holding hands under the dinner table, sharing secret smiles. They built a world within a world.

And so, Frankie and Rex navigated the complexities of their hidden relationship, the anxiety, the joy, all of it. Their secret was their bond, their strength. Their love, a beacon in the overwhelming darkness.

Each day was a small victory, each moment of understanding a sign of progress. And through it all, they had each other. For now, that was enough. For now, they were enough.

Life continued in its odd, unpredictable way. But Frankie and Rex held on tight, navigating the rough waves together. Secrets may part lips, but they also bind hearts. And Frankie and Rex were bound, irrevocably and profoundly, in love.