Snakes and Ladders

Chapter 14: Not All Endings Have Happily Ever Afters

Tony stood there gawking at Emilia. His cheeks the color of strawberries. His clothes rumpled, and his golden hair mussed from his previous steamy make out session. But despite knowing he probably looked like a hot mess, Tony couldn't help but think one thing in his startled state.

Shit his secret was out.

To be honest, Tony didn't even know how it happened. One moment he was chatting with Arthur, and in the next blur of an eye they were almost full out having sex on the forest floor.

But Tony had to admit, all of those one night stands must have paid off, because Arthur was a fantastic kisser. No wonder the guy was so far up the list. Adding to his Greek god looks and frame, it made him a serious contender in the lower ranking royals, such as earls, dukes, and viscounts.

Not saying any words, Tony shattered the uncomfortable silence when he began to tug Emilia away from Arthur, to a more secluded area.

He felt the flimsy twigs snap easily under his feet as he effortlessly weaves through the trees and branches of the vibrant green forest.

Emilia didn't say a word as he kept hauling her along. Tony inhaled the fresh air in content regardless of the situation he'd been caught in. Tony might have not liked camping per day, but that didn't mean he hated nature.

He loved the sweet musty smell of blooming flowers, the birds chirping and singing, and most of all the fresh blue lakes that always seemed to appear as clear as glass. He cherished it all.

Really the only thing he detested with a burning passion was bugs. Like why Mother Nature? Why did you have to ruin nature with those creepy crawly creatures?

Tony stopped walking when he hit his destination. Astronomical bright stars floated over a gorgeous turquoise lake. Small ripples coursing through the ever changing pellucid water. The bright moon casting a silver glow upon it.

He began to take off his shirt, which almost instantly made Emilia panic.

"Umm what are you doing?" She asked, her voice meek.

He gave her a warm smile "I'm taking an evening swim"

"At eleven pm?"

"Hence the word evening. You coming?" Tony asked as he threw his shirt to the ground, revealing a solid six pack.

Emilia eyes bulged at his half naked body, taking in his perfectly sculpted muscular torso, and lean but strong broad shoulders.

Tony didn't mind, or maybe he just didn't care. He was use to the constant attention he got.

He waded into the shallow water, trying not to shiver at the glacial coldness of it. Not two seconds later, Tony heard a yelp behind him and knew that Emilia had joined him at his invitation.

Tony glanced back to see Emilia shivering, her arms crossed, and teeth chattering in her sports bra and shorts.

He extended a hand to her, which she gripped thankfully as they headed farther into the frigid depths.

For awhile none of them talked, both just played in the lake, relishing the feeling of being able to act like a child again. They just laughed and playfully splashed one another, initiating competitions to see who could hold their breath the longest. Tony won, to Emilia's disappointment. Through all this time, Emilia didn't once bring up her encounter with Tony and Arthur.

Finally, at one am, they swam towards the docks. Tony lifted himself up, before pulling up Emilia as well. Both dangled their feet off the ledge as they stared out towards the pregnant moon.

After a couple of more peaceful minutes, Tony began to talk, the words smoothly flowing out of him.

"I was never one for keeping secrets" He said his blue eyes intently fixated on the lake before him. Emilia sat with her arms laced in front of her, patiently waited for him to continue.

"I-I was a horrible liar after all. My mom and dad committed a good amount of time making sure that all Vasiliou boys grew up to be 'proper' dignified gentlemen" Tony continued his voice differing between anger and misery.

"You see..." He turned to face Emilia, blue-green gaze meeting brown.

"My parents are one for tradition. They absolutely loathe the idea of homosexuality. At first I tried denying that I was possibly gay. I mean" he sucked in a breath "what would my parents have said? So I did the next best thing. I buried my feelings deep within my heart" Suddenly his face twisted into one of despair.

"But...I couldn't bury my feelings forever. My parents found out when I was fourteen, shortly after having just had my first relationship with a guy" His lips quirked up into a smile. "His name was Joshua Welsh, and I was absolutely smitten about him"

Emilia grinned seeing the star struck look in Tony's eyes.

"After I had my first kiss with him at the beginning of freshman year, I made a promise to myself" His expression became more grave. "That I would never let my parents find out"

"But that didn't happen" Emilia guessed softly

He shook his head sadly "No. It did not" A tear fell down his cheek, which he quickly wiped away. "I forgot that my parents know nearly everything. I was stupid to think that they wouldn't discover us" Tears were free falling down his face. This time, Tony didn't even try to withhold them, his eyes becoming a glossy sea green.

"I had never seen my dad look so disappointed in me before" he said quietly sorrow drawn on his face "the words my parents said that night...." he shuddered "It was like all those past fourteen years were thrown away. They looked at me like I was a stra-stranger" He choked on the last words, barely keeping it together.

Emilia put a comforting hand on his shoulder. He ran a hand through his golden hair repeatedly before resuming.

"After that night they signed me up for conversational therapy, in a attempt to alter my sense of sexuality. It didn't work obviously, I still have weekly therapy sessions" His lips trembled at what he was about to say next. "I was forbidden from every seeing Joshua again"

"What?!" Emilia asked her voice raising in outrage "They can't do that!"

He snorted "They're my parents, of course they can"

"From then on I went back to the old me before I discovered I was gay. I tried to be as perfect as possible in front of my parents. I basically attempted to become a replicate of my older brother, Warren. Perfecting the behavior and attitude of a gentlemen to any girl I met. Always being polite, never talking out of turn. Acting like what my parents wanted me to be. A true heir of the Vasiliou family name"

"Throughout high school, from my etiquette and manners I earned the title, the Golden Boy"

"So you never told anyone? Not even the other Five?" Emilia asked, stunned.

"No one besides you. I loosen up around them, and drop a few of my polite antics around the Five, but I was never comfortable enough with them to reveal my secret" He admitted with a shrug.

Emilia blushed "Now I feel bad. For walking in on you. If I hadn't-"

Tony held up a hand, stopping her.

"No, I'm actually glad you found me. It feels so nice to tell someone my real feelings instead of clipped scripted responses" A dazzling grin crossed his face, pearly teeth shining in the moonlight.

"I'm glad I met you Emilia Wentz"

"And I you"

Tony pulled her into a warm embrace, any previous shivering from the water vanishing. He eventually let go, but put a muscular arm around her neck in place.

For the rest of the night, the two teens, now friends snuggled together in each other arms, watching the luminous moon until both fell asleep in one another's arms.