Chapter Text
December bled into January and with limited time before the season started they all went their separate ways to spend time with their families before they got too busy to see them.
Anthony couldn't help being a little jealous that both Aaron and Tony were experiencing comfortable, warm weather while he was stuck in 30 degree weather, at best. But on the upside he got to spend time with his parents and Olivia and that more than made up for the crappy weather.
Anthony's second to last day before he headed down to Tampa was a Sunday. It was a self imposed deadline, but he'd already bought his ticket to ensure he couldn't be persuaded to stay longer. Although if he were being honest Anthony was kind of ready to leave. As seemed to be the norm these days, Michael had made his feelings on Anthony's relationship abundantly clear and tried to cover his dislike with false assurances of trust and respect. Unable to hear it anymore Anthony had made a point of avoiding his father for the last day and a half, relatively easy as Michael had worked the day before, but with Michael off and the weather gross they were stuck in the house together and keeping his distance was becoming more and more difficult.
It was snowing again. Michael was up in his office. Olivia was stretched out on the couch with her headphones on, eating dry cheerios and watching TikToks on her phone. And after hearing Michael head into his office and close the door Anthony had left the safety of his room and was keeping Isabelle company while she prepped dinner.
Anthony sat at the island, elbow on the counter, chin propped in his hand, eyes unfocused. He hadn't heard from either Tony or Aaron since the morning and neither of them were answering their phones, which was fine, they were busy doing family stuff, but he missed them.
"What's wrong?" Isabelle asked, setting a mug of tea in front of him. She leaned against the opposite side of the island from him, concern etched into her features, her own mug clasped in her hands.
"How'd you know something's wrong?" Anthony answered her question with one of his own, idly spinning his own mug in a slow circle with one finger on the handle as he spoke. She smiled softly and reached for the cookie jar on the other end of the island. She pulled it close and popped the lid off, pulling two chocolate chip cookies out and offering one to him.
"A mother always knows." He smiled a little and accepted the cookie. "Now, what's wrong?" Anthony sighed and focused all his attention on the cookie in his hand.
"I'm just so tired of having the same circular conversation with Papa." He took a bite of his cookie, refusing to look at Isabelle.
"What conversation is that?" Anthony sighed and took another bite of his cookie. "I'm not sure I've ever seen someone look so glum while eating a cookie." Isabelle tried for a joke, but Anthony didn't even crack a smile, "what conversation, honey?"
"The one where he tells me he trusts me and respects my judgement and then follows it up with a but and about a million reasons why that's not actually true. He just wants to tell me all his concerns and I get it, but he-he won't listen and I don't know what to do." He took a deep breath and finally met his mother's eyes. "I know he'll probably never be on board with me dating them both and I can deal with that, but not if he's going to keep reminding me constantly why it's a bad idea and how much he doesn't like it." He put both elbows on the counter and put both hands on the back of his head, threading his fingers through his hair. "It's reaching a point where I feel like I'm getting backed into a corner and I'm going to have to make a choice between Aaron and Tony, and Papa. And I don't-I don't want to do that, but I will if I have to." He said the last part softly, almost a whisper.
"You won't have to make that choice." Isabelle said firmly. Anthony looked up at her and was surprised by the anger in her eyes. "Not if I have anything to say about it." She rounded the island and pulled him into a hug, rubbed his back and called him her baby in Tagalog, let him go, then still looking furious walked toward the living room.
"When the timer goes can you turn the heat off under the eggs and reset the timer for ten minutes?" She asked as she left the kitchen.
"Yeah." He said it soft enough he doubted she heard. He listened as she climbed the stairs, almost stomped.
-/-/-/-
"Michael Thomas Volpe!" Isabelle pushed the office door open hard enough it bounced off the wall. Michael turned in his chair, brows furrowed in confusion.
"Something wrong, Bella?" He asked. She strode forward and leaned down so he couldn't look anywhere but her face.
"I just had a conversation with Anthony you'd better hope to God I never have to have again and that I never have to with Olivia ever."
"Bella, I don't-"
"Uh-ba-ba I'm not done." She cut him off, "I understand your fears and your worries when it comes to Anthony, I really do, but you can't push them on him. He's tired of you piling on the reasons why his relationship is a bad idea and you don't like it. He feels like you're pushing him into a corner and forcing him to choose, them or you. He didn't tell me what he'd choose, but I doubt it's you." She took a step back and crossed her arms, "you owe him an apology. You need to make this right. I know you love him and he knows that too, but he's also fed up with your bullshit and I don't blame him."
"Why didn't he say something?" Exasperation replaced the anger on Isabelle's face.
"You don't think he tried? He's talking in circles trying to make you understand and you won't listen. Shut your mouth, open your ears and fix this. Before it's too late." She stepped aside and waited for him to get up. "He's in the kitchen."
-/-/-/-
The aroma of dinner filled the kitchen and living room, ginger and onions. Anthony was standing by the sink running cold water over the boiled eggs.
"I owe you an apology." Michael said. Avoiding his father was one thing, blatantly ignoring him and thereby disrespecting him was quite another and while Anthony was upset, he still loved Michael. So he turned around to face him. He stayed quiet, not knowing what he'd even say if he spoke. "I've let my fears and my concerns get the better of me. I want to trust you. I want to trust your judgement, but apparently that's easier said than done." Michael sighed and ran his hands through his hair then started pacing. "I'm not sure I'll ever be ok with this." Michael admitted, stopping to meet Anthony's eyes. Although he'd suspected as much, actually hearing it hurt more than Anthony had expected. "But," Michael continued, "that's my burden to bear. I should never have made it yours. And I'm-I'm sorry."
"I'm-" Anthony started, then stopped, trying to determine the most respectful way to phrase his response. "You don't have to like it. I just don't want all of our conversations to devolve into you telling me why don't like my relationship and trying to sugar coat it by telling me you trust me and respect my choices. Because it doesn't feel like it's true." He pulled in a slightly shaky breath and continued, "I don't want this to always be a-" he gestured up and down in the space between the two of them, "wall between us. And I don't want to have to choose." He blinked hard, "please don't make me choose."
"Oh mio ragazzo, I would never force you to make that choice. And I'm sorry you felt like I was." Michael pulled Anthony into a hug, "and I'm sorry I let this come between us." Michael let him go, "I love you, kiddo. And I'm afraid I haven't been showing it well recently." He gave Anthony's shoulder a squeeze. "Forgive me?" Anthony smiled, just a little, and nodded.
"Yeah. Of course."
-/-/-/-/-
"Hey." Aaron said as stepped into their hotel room, pulling his suitcase behind him. Anthony practically threw himself into Aaron's arms. Aaron grunted, but hardly moved.
"Missed you." Anthony murmured into Aaron shoulder. Aaron smiled and wrapped both arms around Anthony.
"I missed you too, baby." Anthony turned his head and smiled at up at him and happily accepted when aaron leaned down to press their lips together.
"Turns out I've gotten very used to sharing a bed and it's hard to sleep alone now." Anthony admitted, letting Aaron go so he could step further into the room and start settling in.
"Mm, yeah I know what you mean." Aaron wrapped his arms around Anthony again and didn't hesitate to return the smile he got for doing so. He captured Anthony's lips in a searing kiss and backed him toward the bed, gently laying him down and leaning over him. "I love you." He said softly, leaving a trail of kisses down Anthony's neck, using all his self control not to give in to the urge to leave a plethora of hickeys in his wake.
"I love you too." Anthony sighed.
"Well, damn. You're a few minutes late and everyone has fun without you." Tony said as he walked in. Anthony could tell without looking at him that he was pouting.
"Stop pouting and come join us." Aaron beckoned him over and Tony lost the pout, a toothy grin taking its place.
"Like I'd do anything else." He pulled Aaron into a kiss before leaning down to give Anthony the same treatment, "hi sweetheart." He murmured.
"Hi."
"God, you're fucking beautiful." He kissed Anthony breathless and when the broke apart Aaron took his opportunity to push Tony down onto the bed beside Anthony.
"You're pretty damn gorgeous yourself, baby." Aaron promised, face so close to Tony's their noses were brushing. "I love you." He glanced at Anthony making it clear it was directed at the both. Anthony pushed himself up on his elbows and studied them for a second.
"I would choose you." Anthony blurted, then flushed and fumbled for an explanation
"What? Like a fucking Pokémon?" Tony snickered. Aaron let his head fall against Tony's shoulder as his own shoulders shook with laughter. Anthony huffed a laugh and shook his head. "Aaron! I choose you!" Tony mimicked holding out a pokeball and Aaron laughed harder, Anthony joining in.
"I just mean," Anthony tried to clarify when the laughter died down, "no matter what happens I'd always choose you, both of you," he glanced between them, "over everything else."
"Anthony!" Tony grinned, "I choose you!" He held his arm out like he had a pokeball again, laughing harder than was needed. Anthony grabbed a pillow from the head of the bed and smacked Tony in the face with it. "For real though," He schooled his expression into something closer to seriousness, "you'll always come first." He glanced between Aaron and Anthony.
"Unless I get a hand on your dick and then all bets are off." Anthony countered. He grinned and then laughed. Tony pushed Aaron off and then rolled over so he was holding himself over Anthony.
"Let's put that to the test, yeah?" And, well, who was Anthony to argue?