Anthony’s head throbbed as he pried his eyes open, his vision blurred and his thoughts clouded with the remnants of last night. The dim light filtering through his curtains revealed a room strewn with clothes and an unmade bed, evidence of his restless night. He felt an ache that was as much in his heart as it was in his temples, and he grimaced, recalling how he’d tossed and turned for hours, haunted by memories of the party, the alcohol, and—most of all—Kenny.

That kiss.

Anthony’s stomach twisted as he remembered the way his chest had tightened, his world shrinking to the feel of Kenny’s lips against his own. The exhilaration, the fire, the rush—all of it had felt so powerful, so raw. But then the confusion had set in, filling every corner of his mind. Did Kenny like him? Was the kiss just a reckless, alcohol-fuelled mistake? And why had Kenny kissed Carissa just before? The questions swirled, leaving him tangled in a mess of emotions.

Dragging himself out of bed, he splashed cold water on his face, trying to wake himself up and rinse away the tears that had dried on his cheeks. His reflection stared back at him in the mirror, eyes red and swollen, a ghostly version of himself that seemed as lost as he felt. It was obvious he hadn’t slept, and the realisation that he’d need to face his parents made his chest tighten with dread. He didn’t have the energy to explain any of it—not to them, not to himself.

Reluctantly, he made his way downstairs, moving slowly, almost like he was in a dream. The familiar warmth of his home was usually comforting, but today, it felt stifling, a reminder of how out of control he felt. His parents, Johnny and Daniel, were already in the kitchen, chatting over coffee. They looked up as he entered, and their conversation halted, replaced by concern that etched itself into both their faces.

Johnny was the first to speak. “Anthony… you look like you haven’t slept at all,” he said, his voice filled with gentle worry.

Daniel frowned, setting down his coffee cup and giving Anthony a once-over. “Are you alright? You don’t look well,” he added, his tone softer than usual. Anthony could tell they both knew something was wrong.

“I’m fine,” he mumbled, avoiding their eyes as he headed toward the fridge. He grabbed a carton of orange juice, though his appetite was non-existent. He just needed something to do, something to distract him from the way his parents’ eyes seemed to pierce right through him.

But Johnny and Daniel weren’t easily deterred. They exchanged a look, and Anthony could feel their worry growing. He’d always been close with his dads—they knew him better than anyone, and he knew they wouldn’t drop this without a real answer.

“You don’t look fine, son,” Daniel said gently, stepping closer. He placed a comforting hand on Anthony’s shoulder, a steady, reassuring presence. “Whatever it is, you can tell us.”

“Dad, please…” Anthony said, his voice wavering as he tried to hold back the tidal wave of emotions rising within him. He wasn’t ready to talk about it. Not yet.

“Anthony, you’re obviously not okay,” Johnny interjected, his voice firm but filled with concern. “Whatever it is, we’re here for you. You don’t have to go through it alone.”

The sincerity in his voice shattered the last of Anthony’s resolve. All the pain, the confusion, and the hurt he’d been holding back crashed over him, and before he knew it, his shoulders were shaking, tears spilling down his cheeks. The walls he’d built around himself crumbled, and he let out a choked sob, his voice barely audible as he finally spoke.

“I… I don’t even know where to start,” he whispered, his words catching as he tried to piece together the storm raging inside him.

Without hesitation, Daniel pulled him into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around him in a way that was both grounding and comforting. Johnny came over, placing a reassuring hand on Anthony’s back, his presence a quiet reminder that he wasn’t alone.

“Take your time, son,” Johnny said softly. “We’re here, whenever you’re ready.”

Anthony closed his eyes, the warmth of his parents’ embrace giving him the courage he needed. He took a shaky breath, his mind racing as he tried to find the words to explain everything. He felt as if he was standing on the edge of a cliff, unsure of how to articulate the confusion, the heartache, and the fear that had consumed him since last night.

“It’s about… Kenny,” he finally said, his voice breaking. The admission hung heavy in the air, and he felt his dads’ arms tighten around him, their silent support giving him the strength to continue.

“Kenny?” Johnny repeated, a hint of surprise in his voice. He and Daniel exchanged a quick glance, a wordless understanding passing between them before they returned their focus to Anthony.

Anthony took a shuddering breath, his voice barely above a whisper as he confessed, “We… we kissed last night.” He felt his cheeks flush, his heart pounding as he forced the words out. “But before that, I saw him kissing Carissa, and I… I don’t know what to think anymore. I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel.”

Daniel’s hand rubbed soothing circles on his back, a comforting gesture that helped to ease the ache in Anthony’s chest. “I can’t imagine how confusing this must be for you,” Daniel said softly. “But I want you to know, there’s nothing wrong with feeling what you feel. Love and attraction aren’t always simple—they’re messy, they’re confusing, but they’re real.”

Johnny nodded, his voice warm and understanding as he spoke. “Son, it’s clear that this means a lot to you, and it’s okay to feel hurt. If you have feelings for Kenny, that’s not something to be ashamed of.”

“But… what if it was just a mistake?” Anthony choked out, the fear gnawing at him. “What if he doesn’t actually care about me, and it was just the alcohol or… or some stupid impulse?”

His dads exchanged a sympathetic glance, and Johnny sighed, rubbing a reassuring hand along Anthony’s arm. “Anthony, I know how scary it can be to feel vulnerable, to put your heart on the line. But the only way you’ll ever know how he really feels is by talking to him about it.”

Daniel nodded, his gaze filled with understanding. “If Kenny’s feelings are genuine, he’ll be honest with you. But you deserve someone who respects you and cares for you in the same way that you care for them.”

Anthony’s head spun with their words, a mixture of relief and fear settling within him. “But… what if he doesn’t feel the same? What if I’m just setting myself up to get hurt?”

Johnny’s expression softened, his voice gentle yet firm. “You can’t control how he feels, but you can control how you handle it. Sometimes, love doesn’t work out the way we hope. But that doesn’t mean you’re unworthy of love, or that there’s something wrong with you. It just means it wasn’t meant to be.”

Anthony felt a fresh wave of tears welling up, but this time, they were tears of gratitude. He could feel the unconditional love and support radiating from his parents, grounding him in a way he hadn’t realised he needed. The confusion was still there, but for the first time, he felt a glimmer of hope, a sense that maybe, just maybe, he could navigate this storm with his heart intact.

He let out a shaky breath, his voice trembling as he whispered, “Thank you… both of you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Johnny smiled, pulling him into another hug. “You’ll never have to find out. We’re always here for you, Anthony. Whatever happens, we’ll always have your back.”

As they sat together in the quiet of the kitchen, Anthony felt a warmth and security he hadn’t felt in what seemed like ages. It was as though the weight on his chest had lifted slightly, replaced by a gentle reassurance that he wasn’t alone in this, that his parents would be there for him, no matter what.

They spent the next few hours talking, not just about Kenny but about life, love, and all the complicated emotions that came with it. His parents shared stories from their own youth, tales of heartbreak and confusion that made Anthony feel less isolated, less lost. They reminded him that love wasn’t something that could be easily defined or confined to a single set of rules; it was complex, and sometimes, it was painful. But it was also one of the most beautiful things a person could experience, and he didn’t have to face it alone.

By the time the conversation wound down, Anthony felt a sense of peace, a newfound clarity that helped to ease the tangled emotions inside him. He still didn’t have all the answers, and he knew he’d have to face Kenny eventually, to confront the mess of feelings between them. But for now, he was content to let himself feel, to let himself be vulnerable, and to know that, whatever happened, he had a support system in his family.

As the evening drew to a close, Johnny placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “You know, no matter how this turns out with Kenny, I want you to remember one thing: You’re loved, exactly as you are. And nothing will ever change that.”

Anthony smiled, his heart swelling with gratitude. “Thanks, Dad and Papa. I needed to hear that.”

Daniel chuckled softly, ruffling Anthony’s hair. “And hey, if things get complicated, just know you have a team behind you. Relationships might be messy, but we’re right here, helping you figure it out.”

Anthony let out a small laugh, feeling the warmth of his dad’s arm around his shoulder. For the first time in days, he felt a little lighter, a little less lost. He didn’t have all the answers—didn’t know what he’d say to Kenny, didn’t know how things would end up between them—but he was beginning to see that he didn’t have to have everything figured out right away.

That night, as he lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, he replayed the day’s conversation in his mind, feeling an unfamiliar calm settle over him. He didn’t have to rush; he didn’t have to pretend. He could feel what he felt, take the time he needed, and go through this at his own pace.

And whatever lay ahead—whatever answers or heartbreaks or surprises—he knew he could face them. He had a family who accepted him unconditionally, who had his back, and who made him feel seen, loved, and understood. It was enough for now, enough to close his eyes with a sense of peace as he drifted into sleep, knowing that, somehow, he was going to be okay.