Cecil can't wrap his head around it. "So they just kicked you out? For loving a boy?"

"Yeah, my parents are really religious, they thought it was unnatural, you know."

"No, I don't know! What could possibly be unnatural about love?"

Carlos sometimes forgets that in Night Vale, nothing is unnatural. "I don't know. I really don't know." He's blinking back tears. "I'm sorry, I've never told anyone this. I thought maybe I could handle it by now but I guess not."

Cecil just grabs him and hugs him tightly. "It's okay. Even if your parents don't think so, I know you're perfect."

Carlos says nothing, just continues crying quietly into Cecil's shoulder.

With every tear, Cecil can feel himself getting angrier and angrier. "You know what? Do you have your parents' phone number? I need to speak to them."

"No. No no no no no. You do not want to talk to them."

"But I—"

"No."

"But—"

"No. I really appreciate the thought, but it's better to just accept that they'll never understand."

Cecil doesn't argue, just holds Carlos closer to him, his head still fuming at the parents who will never recognize Carlos as the flawless man he is.

The next night, Carlos, assuming the subject has been dropped, turns on his radio only to hear Cecil's voice saying "Before the news, ladies and gentlemen, I must bring you this very important editorial on the subject of parents. Parents, you should always love your children, no matter what. Even if they turn into a beautiful decorative vase every other Tuesday, or if they communicate only through a pattern of yips, or even if they fall in love with someone you don't like. Because, after all, parents' love is the best way to keep the sheriff's secret police from taking your kids, and we don't want that, do we? Parents, go give your kids a hug and tell them you love them. Right now. I'm serious, if you don't do it, I'll send Intern Amanda to your house and she'll hug them for you."

Carlos smiles through his tears. Right now, it doesn't even matter that his parents don't love him. Because Cecil does love him, and that's all he needs.