With the basket in her hand, the two of them walked deeper into the forest. The autumn air was crisp, and the forest was a stunning display of oranges, reds, and yellows. Leaves crunched beneath their feet with each step, and the sun filtered through the branches, casting soft light onto the path. Small streams trickled nearby, creating soothing sounds, and the cool breeze carried the earthy scent of fallen leaves and damp soil. It was a perfect, peaceful autumn setting.
"It's beautiful here," Alex said amazed, as he took in the scenery.
"I know, right?" Ember smiled. "But I wasn't sure if you'd be into the picnic idea."
"I love it," Alex said sincerely. "And I'm really grateful that you understand I didn't want to look ridiculous out in public."
"You've already been through so much," Ember replied softly and kind. "I didn't want to make things harder for you."
They walked further into the heart of the forest, the quiet murmur of the streams accompanying them along the narrow path.
"Do you know this place well?" Alex asked, glancing over at her. Noticing that the colors of autumn matched the hair and clothing of Ember.
"Yeah," Ember smiled, a nostalgic look in her eyes. "I used to come here with my parents when I was little—though it was always in the summer."
"It must be beautiful then too," Alex said, picturing it in his mind.
She giggled softly. "No, the real magic is in autumn. There's something about the way the leaves change, the air feels different, you know?" She smiled at the memory. "But it was still fun to play here in the summer."
"I bet," Alex grinned.
After a pause, Alex spoke again, his voice more careful. "Do you miss your parents?"
Ember hesitated, her smile faltering slightly. "I... no, not really. I mean, I can still message them or call whenever I want. I just can't tell them the truth about my job."
"At least they treat the girls better than the boys," Alex muttered, a tinge of bitterness in his voice.
"Yeah," Ember agreed quietly. "I just wish it would all end. But... I don't know, she's so powerful, Alex. It's not just a handful of people watching. There are thousands—thousands of people out there enjoying this madness."
"I know," Alex said, his heart heavy.
For a while, they walked in silence, letting the peaceful sounds of nature wash over them. Birds chirped faintly in the distance, the soft rustling of branches in the wind creating a calming atmosphere.
"Okay, eyes closed," Ember suddenly said, breaking the quiet.
Alex smiled and closed his eyes, trusting her as she took his hand and led him a few steps forward. When she finally told him to open his eyes, he gasped softly.
They had arrived at a serene lake in the middle of the forest. The water was still, reflecting the vibrant colors of the autumn leaves as if the world had been dipped in gold, orange, and red. A cozy blanket had already been laid out at the edge of the lake, with the picnic basket sitting on top, waiting. The scene was intimate and perfect, like a secret hidden from the rest of the world.
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"Wow, Ember," Alex said, feeling warmth spread through his chest. "This place is amazing... you did all this for me?"
Ember blushed, suddenly feeling shy. "Uh... yeah," she said softly, hoping it wasn't too much.
Alex sat down beside her, still taking in the beauty of the view. "It's perfect," he said quietly.
Their picnic was simple but perfect. Ember had packed cheese, crackers, fresh fruit, and a few sandwiches. She poured them both tea from a thermos as they talked about lighter things. Alex shared some fun memories from his past, and Ember did the same. As they talked, the weight of the past few days seemed to lift from Alex's shoulders. For a brief moment, he could forget the nightmare of the Sissy Games—the twisted competitions, the humiliation, the daily struggles to avoid being embarrassed in front of friends and family. Here, with Ember, none of that mattered. He could just be Alex.
They ate their sandwiches, and after a while, Alex sighed contentedly. "This is so relaxing," he said, his voice softer now.
"You deserved it," Ember replied with a smile. "Care for a drink?"
"Of course," Alex said, watching as she opened a bottle and poured them both some wine. They continued to chat, laughing and joking as the afternoon passed. Every now and then, Ember caught Alex staring out at the lake, lost in thought, but she didn't say anything. She knew he needed this—time to just be himself, without the fear of games or punishments hanging over him.
As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the water, Alex leaned back on his hands, gazing up at the sky. "You know..." he began, his voice quiet, "I don't think I've felt this peaceful in a long time."
Ember smiled, lying back on the blanket beside him. "I'm glad, Alex," she said softly. "This place is special to me. I've only ever shared it with my parents."
Alex turned to look at her, she is a beautifull as the scenery. He was so gratefull for her taking him. "It's special to me now, too," he said. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Ember."
Ember blushed, her heart fluttering. Before she could respond, Alex continued, "I've been wanting to ask you something for a while now... You're so sweet and kind to me. I can't imagine a day without you. Ember... would you be my girlfriend?"
Ember's heart raced, and she couldn't hide her happiness. She moved closer to Alex, her eyes shining. "I'd love to," she whispered, before leaning in and kissing him. It was a long, intense kiss, full of the emotions they had kept hidden for so long. Alex wrapped his arms around her, and Ember held him tightly, both of them lost in the moment.
