"Emilio Murkmere. Tobias's boyfriend."

In an instant, Tobi had Emilio by the shirt and dragged him out the front door before anyone could say anything. Once they were outside, Tobi let go of him. Emilio opened his mouth to say something, but Tobi snapped "Not here." He walked into the woods and Emilio ran to catch up.

Tobi led in silence as they walked farther into the forest. Emilio began to get nervous. Tobi hadn't said anything since they started walking.

"Tobi..." Emilio said.

Tobi didn't reply and Emilio couldn't think of anything more to say, so he fell silent again.

Tobi was upset, to say the least. Why had Emilio said that? He'd done research; didn't he know what kind of trouble that would get Tobi in— get them both in?

Tobi didn't know where they were going or what he was going to say. He just wanted to get away from the church. He'd think of something to say on the way there.

How was this going to go? What could he say that wouldn't mess everything up? He needed Emilio to take back what he said, but Tobi knew that asking for that wouldn't go over well.

"You're not bringing me out here to kill me, right?" Emilio joked awkwardly, tying to dispel the tense silence.

"Can we not do this right now?" Tobi asked quietly. "I need to think."

"Right." Emilio let the silence engulf them once again. He needed to think too.

He's not out. Tobi's not out.

Why had he assumed that? Why had he thought that that's what this visit had meant?

You usually don't introduce your boyfriend before coming out.

But Tobi wasn't usual. Tobi was special. That's what was alluring about him. Emilio should have known better. Known Tobi better.

He cursed himself in his head. Vanessa had told him not to mess it up and now look what he'd done. Why hadn't he just kept his mouth shut?

Tobi's feet carried him to an unknown destination.

Why is it so hard to think of something to say? Why are relationships so hard? You're not meant for this. You're meant to be alone.

Tobi's heart ached at the thought. After having someone, he didn't want to be alone again.

It's up to Emilio, Tobi told himself. If he doesn't want to be in a secret relationship, he should be allowed to leave.

They came upon a clearing and Tobi realized where he had been taking Emilio. He stopped walking and stared into the trees. Emilio came up behind him and stood silently, waiting for Tobi to collect his thoughts. After a few more minutes, the silence became unbearable.

"Why did you say that?" Tobi asked at the same time Emilio said, "You're not out."

"Of course not!" Tobi snapped, then brought his voice down again. "Only Mattias knows."

"I had assumed. I don't know why. I'm sorry."

Tobi nodded and was quiet for a moment, thinking how best to word his next sentence. "I need you to take it back."

Emilio looked shocked. "What?"

"Say it's not true. Say it was a joke or something. I don't know. Just take it back."

"They're not going to believe it."

"They'd rather believe that than I'm gay!" Tobi shouted.

Emilio took a step back. "I can't take it back."

Tobi gave a frustrated growl and dragged his palm over his face. "Of course. I knew you'd be like this. Why not? Why can't you just say it's not true?"

"I'm beginning to think you want it to not be true," Emilio said.

"Well when you act like this—" Tobi sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I'm sorry. I just... can't be out right now."

"Why? Maybe it's time."

"That's not your decision to make, Emilio."

Emilio placed his hand on Tobi's shoulder. "What are they going to do to you?"

Tobi froze. "I- I don't know."

"You don't think maybe it's time to be honest with them? With yourself?"

"I can't be out, Emilio! I just can't! You know what type of people they are!"

"Not really," Emilio said.

"Don't lie—" Tobi's eyes were stormy and cold as he gazed at Emilio— "I've seen your research. You know much more than you're supposed to."

Time seemed to freeze. Tobi had seen the research. When? How long had he known and not said anything? Tobi wasn't supposed to have seen that.

Shit. Shit, shit, shit!

"When did you find it?"

"Today. Where did you get all the information from? I never told you all of that."

"I found it on the internet."

Tobi thought for a moment. Who had put the information there? One of his siblings? Who else knew?

Tobi shook his head. He was getting distracted. It wasn't important who put the information on the internet. What was important was Emilio taking back what he said.

"Emilio, please. You have to tell my father you didn't mean it."

Emilio frowned. It didn't sit right with him to say it wasn't true. What happened that Tobi was so desperate to appear straight to his family? Does it have something to do with his scar? Emilio wondered.

"Were you out before?" he asked.

Tobi gave him a look. "I already told you that I'm not out."

"Right, but did something happen to make you this scared of coming out?"

"You're overthinking this."

"How did you get your scar?"

"That's none of your business!"

"I'm right, aren't I?" Emilio mumbled.

He stared into Tobi's eyes, hoping to find some kind of answer in them. He wanted so badly to be wrong— for Tobi not to have gone through that, but even his fears being confirmed would be something. Then he could help. He could heal the damage that was done. That was his job, wasn't it?

Just let me do my job.

But Tobi's eyes didn't betray any answers. They were cold and blank and empty.

"Tell me what happened and I'll take it back."

"Based on your research," Tobi said coolly, "I'm sure you can assume."

It was almost an accusation.

"I only did the research because you never tell me anything!"

Tobi didn't reply. He dropped his gaze to the floor and was quiet, thinking things over.

"You don't want to be in a secret relationship? I guess that makes sense."

"I don't want to be in a relationship where the other person doesn't trust me."

Tobi nodded.

"Tell me what happened. Prove you trust me."

Tobi gripped at the hem of his shirt, twisting it in his hands anxiously. There was too much pressure. He couldn't see an outcome where Emilio would stay. He had too much baggage. He was too dark. He didn't want Emilio to be scared of him.

"I can't," he mumbled, desperately trying to keep his voice from cracking.

"Then if you can't trust me, maybe we should break up."

A/N Happy Wednesday (?? It's felt like Thursday all week). Though, I guess it isn't really happy. Six more days until I'm off school. Thank god. Only a few more exams to take and then I'm free! Chapter title from "I Slept With Someone in Fall Out Boy and All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written About Me" by (you guessed it) Fall Out Boy. I love this song. Vote and leave comments (but please don't attack me, I promise it will get better)! See you all next Wednesday!