Chapter 31: Ur So Gay

BRADLEY

I am nervous.

So far, I have fought like hell to win my matches in the tournament. I came to the Capital with a clear purpose of finding my mate, and I refuse to go home until I meet them. That means I cannot lose, or I am out of contention to be King Lucius' heir.

I am being supported by my uncle, my roommate for the tournament, who turned out to be a total sweetheart with a deadly knowledge of Kung Fu. He is shy and has seen his fair share of abuse, judging by the scars on his back. I grew closer to him even in just a few days of rooming together.

I have come to like my stay here in Château Blanc, the King's official residence. The bed is great, the suite is fancy, and there is even a wellness center that His Majesty had built where it used to be a prison cell in the basement.

There is a gym we can use, a fantastic indoor heated pool - which we cannot use - and a steam room, among other amenities. The food is great and free, we are offered three meals a day. We can enter and leave whenever we want because there is around-the-clock security - as long as we don't forget our identity badges, which permit us to enter our suite.

I might have had a small trifle with the Crown Prince, but hopefully, that is in the past now.

Speaking of Elton, we shared a different kind of heated moment earlier today when we used the steam room together. Both of us were nude, sitting on a towel, enjoying the hot temperature. Let me tell you, I nearly drooled staring at his perfect physique.

For some reason, I was flooded with impure thoughts, which made me pitch a tent right beside him. I was so embarrassed by this, and yet Elton barely registered it. He was not offended or insulted by that at all. He treated me like any other boy, he did not make fun of me or make me feel inadequate - which is a first since I've been here.

He even followed me to the locker room, where we took a shower side by side like we were high school students. I was very impressed by how chill he proved to be when it suited him. I wish I could say I was not swayed by his devilish good looks and impressive physique, but I was.

I have never reacted to a male body before in the way I reacted to him. It's weird when I think about it. I had to resist the urge to masturbate during the shower, only because I didn't want to freak him out. There is only so much a prince can forgive...

But that really got me hot and bothered, and it made me forget the fact that I was on probation, possibly facing criminal charges for pricking my opponent's underarm with the Sai. Goddess, I am so angry at that perspective that it makes my blood boil just to think about it.

I dried myself up, got dressed, and left the wellness center, but not without stealing a glimpse of Elton's body as he did the same. I still don't know why his naked body would make me react the way it did. I guess there is something about me that I have yet to figure out.

After lunch, I returned to my guest suite, where I waited for my uncle to arrive or to hear from the review board led by Colonel Armstrong. I returned my sisters' calls, who congratulated me on winning again. They told me that in my old high school, everyone was watching the tournament, and they were all rooting for me to win.

As a matter of fact, the whole town of Cedar City in Utah is having 'watch parties' to cheer me on during the match. My mother was not pleased when she saw my opponent coming so close to slashing my throat. At one point, she turned her gaze away from the screen.

She was so apprehensive for my sake that I was moved by her words. I reassured her that we were discouraged from attacking any vital organ and that I didn't know why that guy got away with it. I didn't tell my family about my probation because I didn't want to scare them. My sisters were so excited for me that I didn't want to break the spell.

I would feel like the biggest loser if I were to return home without even having the chance to be properly eliminated, to fight my way out of it. To wash out on a technicality seems so... unfulfilling. Again, I am not someone who thinks the rules don't apply to them.

I am not delusional, I genuinely don't feel like I broke any rules.

The afternoon set, and I had yet to hear anything regarding my stay in the competition.

Soon, it would be time for another meeting at McCarthy Hall, and I didn't even know if I should attend it or not. I guess I will find out soon enough, but until then, I have to act like I belong here.

Colin and I talked when he returned from his trip downtown with a few shopping bags.

He told me that his mother wired him some money now that he had won his first two matches. His father still bet against him winning last night, but he had to give the money he lost to his mate, who in turn wired it to her son.

It is mind-boggling to me why any father would bet against his own son, but Colin told me that he said that he would never amount to anything in his life. Honestly, what the actual fuck?

"What could you possibly have done in 19 years to make him think that?" I was flabbergasted.

"I hope you don't kick me out of the room when you hear this, but the truth is I am gay. And when he learned that about me, he gave me the biggest beating that I'll never forget. Then he said I was a disappointment to him and thanked Goddess he didn't have to pass down the pack's leadership to me." Colin spoke with tears in his eyes, breaking my heart.

I hugged him for a moment, feeling the uneasiness he was going through right now.

"Why would I kick you out of the room?" I frowned at him, puzzled.

"Because you wouldn't want to share a room with someone like me?" He spoke, vulnerably. It was tearing me apart that a father would do that to his son. I am heartbroken!

My dad might be gone, but I highly doubt he would ever judge me if I were gay. This is preposterous!

"Colin, first of all, this isn't my room to kick you out of. Second, there is NOTHING wrong with you. Do you understand me? Nothing! You are a great kid who, frankly, I don't want to face in the tournament. I shouldn't be saying this to you, but I don't think I can win against you. Be that as it may, you are perfect just the way you are. Being gay is just one part of what makes you - a tiny part that has nothing to do with your character. You are absolutely perfect just the way you are. You don't have to change or hide anything from me. I would never judge you, especially for being gay. Come on!" I ranted, pissed off that anyone would think that was detrimental.

In tears, Colin thanked me for being a friend to him, especially now that he was alone in this big city. I told him that he was a great guy and that the fact that his father had sent him to the tournament was actually a blessing in disguise.

He doesn't need to let his narrative determine how he lives his life. He is free now.

Later that evening...

The remaining contestants were assembled inside McCarthy Hall at the scheduled hour for another round of the cutthroat competition. I wonder what is next, or better yet, if I will leave here in handcuffs.

As usual, Colonel Armstrong was surrounded by military personnel who were coordinating the live event. A few soldiers were carrying boxes like yesterday, so I am thinking of props.

"Good evening, gentlemen. Before I tell you about tonight's challenge, I must address something first. Last night, during a match, one of my soldiers flagged a contestant for the use of excessive force which consequently would mean that criminal charges could be filed against him." Armstrong addressed the crowd, turning all their gazes toward me.

"I have watched the recording of his fight with a panel of soldiers, and I am now confident to declare that..." As he was speaking, one of the soldiers close to him dropped a handcuff on the floor. The noise disrupted his speech and turned all our attention to that.

Armstrong glared at the soldier, who blushed under the scrutiny.

He already has the handcuffs ready to imprison me? What the fuck!? *gasp*

A|N: BOOM!

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Love,

Léo.