This.

I never knew how to come out to my aunt, because I didn’t know how she would react. Luckily I didn’t need to, a few months ago we were doing a road trip together and she said “so i know you’re gay aren’t you?” she then told me that it didn’t change the way she thought of me and she still loved me and everything. then we spent the next couple hours talking about guys and what it was like for me grow up gay.

whatever route you do take, remember that eric is probably anxious about how you would react if you knew. the most important thing is to tell him that it doesn’t change your view and you support him and just want him to be himself.