#calmly explaining LGBTQ+ concepts to a smol child

[popcorn-plots]

"Master Wong is cheating on you."

Stephen looked up to see America staring at him with wide eyes. Stephen blinked. "What?"

"Master Wong... he's cheating on you."

"And... how did you... come up with that?" Stephen asked, pressing his bookmark into the pages. He closed the book and set it down as America swallowed.

"I saw him and Master Stark kissing. Yesterday. And two days ago, you were kissing Master Wong." America whispered.

It took Stephen a second to realize what was happening. America nearly jumped out of her skin when Stephen burst out laughing.

"Cheating? Nah." Stephen finally choked out. America's eyebrows furrowed as Stephen wiped away a tear.

"Then what..."

"Alright, America. Me and Master Wong are married, yes?"

"Uh... yeah."

"Well... I am also engaged to Master Stark."

"Huh?" America tilted her head. "How does that work?"

Stephen chuckled. "Well. I love Wong. I also love Tony. I love both of them, so I decided to marry both of them."

"Then why did Master Wong kiss Master Stark?"

"Because Master Wong and Master Stark love each other. And they both love me. Does that make sense?"

America frowned. "I... guess so. But isn't that cheating?"

Stephen hummed. "No. Not in this case. You see, cheating is what happens when someone... breaks the rules. If I was only married to Master Wong and then I kissed Master Stark without telling Master Wong, then I would be cheating." America still looked kind of confused. "Its like... playing a game and not following the rules."

America nodded. "Then... Master Wong knows you kiss Master Stark?"

"Yes. Me, Wong, and Master Stark have a polyamourous relationships. It's when someone has more than one romantic partner at the same time, but everyone knows about it and agrees."

"So... you and Master Wong and Master Stark..."

"Agreed on the rules before we started playing a game. So everyone knows what's going on." Stephen explained.

America folded her arms. "That makes sense."

"Good. Do you have any more questions?"

"I.. I don't think so."

Stephen smiled and picked up his book. "Good. If you do have any questions, you can always ask me."

"Okay. Thank you, Master Strange!"

"Of course. Goodbye, America." Stephen smiled, waving back as America giddily ran out of his office.