You may be wondering why I decided to end the story here. I can even hear some of you already trying to convince me to continue by saying something like "there's so much potential with this story!"

It also could cause a ton of headaches, judging by how people have responded to this fic in the past. And that goes for both the reviewers, and me.

Plus, even ignoring how there might be a little bit of real life playing a part in this (which I won't elaborate because it's something private), I just don't know how to continue this story in a way that will cause minimum controversy, AND not wind up turning into a full-on Yaoi, which could anger even more people. Or not, but I'm not gonna take the risk.

Still, I was glad I got to write this, and that some of you did manage to enjoy it. I'll admit, I was gonna add this to the "Valentine's Day Weekend" deal I did back in February, where I posted stuff for an entire week, and it was only going to be for a one-shot. I decided to apply the "story evolution" theory or whatever it is and turn this into a full story, but real life simply had other plans, and now I'm just gonna let it be a three-shot. But hey, it was fun while it lasted, right?

So, let's get going to the very last chapter of "Conflicted Feelings," which has become doubly meaningful after the reviews I've gotten XD.

Let's go!

And so, the day came, the day where Paige and I were going to have our "date" at Gus' Games and Grub. It feels weird going back to that place now knowing what Paige's real gender is, but hey, if it helps us grow closer, it's worth a shot, right?

Although, I may be in a bit of trouble when it comes to conversation, 'cause Paige has to stay quiet and not say a single word, lest his voice gives away his true gender. And now that I mention that, he did remain silent the first time we met, too. However, if you were to ask me, I don't think there's anything wrong with his voice. It sounds perfectly fine to me.

But, again, I can understand his worries. Sometimes, it's better to be safe rather than sorry.

Oh well, no reason to stall anymore... let's go.

Lincoln and Paige stood outside Gus' Games and Grub, holding hands as their hair blew in the wind.

"Are you ready, Paige?" Lincoln asked.

The blonde guy silently nodded and gave Lincoln a thumbs up, and the duo were about to enter... until they noticed they were holding hands. They quickly separated them, not wanting anybody to get the wrong idea, and went inside soon afterwards.

However, the first thing they saw once inside, was that the place was much more crowded than usual, with most of the arcade cabinets and tables being occupied. Luckily for the duo, though, nobody turned to look at them.

"Oh no, there's too many people in here," Lincoln scratched his chin and looked everywhere. "M-Maybe we should-"

However, just as the boy panicked, Paige gently jabbed his shoulder and shot a reassuring look once Lincoln turned to look at him. And his reassuring smile gave the white-haired boy enough relief to calm down.

"You're right, Paige, I need to be more positive," Lincoln grabbed Paige's hand. "So, what would you like to do first?"

Paige took a look around the establishment, and seeing the one game he wanted to play was occupied, he pointed at the next best thing: The counter. Lincoln nodded in agreement, and they promptly walked there, with Lincoln getting a better look at the woman behind the counter once they reached it.

"Welcome to Gus' Games and Grub," the woman turned around and revealed herself to be Lori. "How can I-Oh, my, literally, goodness!"

"Lori, you're still working here?!" Lincoln exclaimed in shock. "I-I thought you quit the job after the "Chandler's birthday" fiasco!"

Paige tilted his head and raised an eyebrow, which Lincoln quickly noticed. "Oh, right, Paige, this is one of my sisters, Lori. She's the oldest one of them."

"And I guess I should assume you're the Paige that Lincoln was talking about?" Lori clasped her hands and smiled with joy. "I'm so glad you two managed to work out whatever issue you had between you. And, if I may say so myself, you look really cute. Anyway, what brings you to Gus' Games and Grub today?"

Lori narrowed her eyes and smiled teasingly, "Specially with my little Lincoln?"

Paige blushed and looked away, prompting Lincoln to answer, "She's shy and doesn't speak much, Lori, so I'll answer for her: We wanted to hang out here because last time we did, back when I still had my funk over Ronnie Anne, this place cheered us up so much, and we'd like to relive that feeling again."

Lincoln turned to guy and asked, "Right, Paige?"

Paige turned to Lori and nodded with a smile.

"Well, we got a neat selection of plates for our customers today," Lori clasped her hands with a smile. "There's the "Opposites Attract," salad with meat; Where one side has a ton of meat in it, while the other is a delicate salad. We also have a smoothie big enough that it would take both of you drinking it in order for it to go down, with a dual bendy straw as well!"

"You're just making stuff up, aren't you, Lori?" Lincoln asked, making the young woman flinch. "Because I don't see those things on the menu."

"W-Well-"

"And besides, last time I tried to get special orders from you, you needed to work overtime, and I had to work your overtime shifts to set things right," Lincoln added with a stern tone. "I've learned from that experience, Lori, so for your sake, you may give me as many special orders as you want, but I won't take advantage of your generosity again."

Paige smiled proudly at Lincoln, and Lori did the same as Lincoln noticed the smile and returned it, with a little blush as well.

"Alright then, you're the customer, you're the one who gets to pick," Lori folded her arms. "So, what would you like to order?"

Paige quickly glanced at the menus, and whispered to Lincoln's ears soon afterwards:

"A chicken nugget salad for me."

Lincoln nodded and turned to Lori, "A chicken nugget salad for Paige, and a burger and fries for me."

Lori wrote that down in a note, then walked to the back to hand the order while Lincoln and Paige went to take a seat. Luckily, despite the crowded environment, there was an empty pair of seats just close to the exit, with a window that allowed the pair to see the exterior world through it. Of course, they sat down, and Lincoln and Paige took a quick look outside

"You know, if this place wasn't so crowded on the inside, we could just talk about anything we wanted here, and people wouldn't listen to your voice," Lincoln remarked, with Paige nodding in agreement. "Speaking of which, I don't think your voice sounds that masculine, Paige. I mean, I like it, but it doesn't sound like it would... you know."

Paige turned back to Lincoln with a curious look, which Lincoln returned as he tried to figure out what was Paige trying to say to him. If only he could read looks, he'd be able to fill the silence that was taking over their little space, at least until their order was ready-

"A chicken nugget salad and a burger and fries, coming up!"

"Well, that was quick," Lincoln remarked as Lori put both plates on their table. "I mean, it's barely been a couple minutes."

"It's just an easy dish to make, Lincoln," Lori replied, rolling her eyes as she walked away. "I mean, it's not like I literally thought you were going to order that in advance."

Lori gave the pair a wink, and they simply shrugged it off and started to eat.

"Anyway, as I was saying, I don't think your voice sounds that masculine, and I don't say that to offend you," Lincoln remarked, getting Paige's attention. "I honestly like your voice. It's rather... I don't know how to describe it, but it calms me down, you know?"

Paige smiled, picked a nugget from his salad using his fork, then leaned it towards Lincoln. The white-haired guy, surprised at the act, glanced between the nugget and Paige before outright asking, "D-Do you want me to eat it?"

Paige blushed, and nodded with a little smile, causing Lincoln to blush as well. The boy ate the nugget, and grabbed his cheek as he suddenly moaned in delight, making Paige flinch and back away a little, his smile intact.

Once the moaning stopped, Lincoln got an idea and offered Paige a bite out of his burger. Paige glanced the burger, then Lincoln, and then closed his eyes and took a bite out of it, repeating what Lincoln did afterwards: Put a hand on his cheek as he moaned in delight. Seeing they had the same reaction, the boys laughed a bit, while Lori watched them with a pleased look.

"Aw, those two are so adorable together," Lori said to herself, before she noticed the Dance Battle game nearby. "In fact, perhaps it's time I literally give them a little test?"

Lori walked to the game, and gently hit it, somehow causing it to change it's screen. Now, rather than the normal logo in a blue background, the background became pink, and little hearts fell from the top of the screen as an acoustic version of it's music played. It also reset the highest score to zero, with the accompanying sound catching Lincoln and Paige's attention.

The latter, looking particularly interested in the game, quickly ate his salad, with Lincoln doing the same, if only just in case Paige was gonna gesture him to do the same. Ymmediately afterwards, he grabbed Lincoln's arm and took him with him to the boys' bathroom.

And as if the location wasn't awkward enough, what with Paige trying to pass off as a girl and all, what Paige asked next made the awkwardness even worse:

"Let's play a round in the couple's edition in Dance Battle!"

"You want to play that now, Paige?!" Lincoln asked in return, calming down when he heard his voice echo in the room. "L-Listen, I know you really like that game, but have you forgotten we're supposed to be having a short, simple date? I mean, I'd love to play Dance Battle with you, I like the game too, but... it's really risky to do that, don't you think?"

Paige frowned and put a hand on Lincoln's shoulder before giving him a pleading look. "Please, Lincoln, I want this "date" to go out on a high note, and what better way to do it than playing a game as popular as Dance Battle together?"

Paige leaned closer and rested his head on Lincoln's chest. "And besides, there's a chance we'll get the new high score too. That would be nice too, wouldn't it?"

Lincoln thought about it, and as the idea started sounding appealing to him, he turned back to see Paige still holding the pleading look, but now it had a little, shy smile, making the boy blush and come to a decision.

"Alright, Paige, let's do it," the boy stated. "But on one condition: We only play one round, and that's it."

Paige nodded, and then the door opened, revealing Chandler being the one who opened it.

"Making out with your girlfriend, Larry? In the boys bathroom?" the boy asked in disbelief. "You two are bold! Though, I wonder whether the bolder one of the relationship or your girlfriend is."

"O-Oh right, I forgot we were in the boys bathroom," Lincoln sheepishly laughed, "D-Don't worry, Chandler, we'll get out of here in a moment!"

"You better do so for your own sake, Larry," Chandler folded his arms and sternly looked at the duo as they walked away. "I mean, imagine if someone else had seen you with your girlfriend, they would've freaked out in an instant! Be more careful where you go make out, okay?"

Lincoln and Paige stopped, Lincoln nodded rapidly, and then the pair ran out of the bathroom as fast as they could... before running back in to wash their hands, then leave once more. And as they walked towards the game, they took the chance to chat a bit:

"You know, back when my friend Ronnie Anne still lived here, we once played Dance Battle together," Lincoln remarked. "We played after I avoided her for an entire dance, since my sisters set me up for 4 individual dates with some girls."

"Wait, couldn't you cancel some of those dates?" Paige inquired in confusion. "Why did you have to date them all at the same time?"

Lincoln sighed. "I'd rather not talk about that right now, but if you want, I can take you to my house so you can meet my sisters. They can tell you about it."

"Nah, it's fine," Paige turned back to the screen. "For now, let's just focus on playing the game."

Lincoln nodded and turned back to his screen. Someone pressed the start button, and the game begun by the iconic announce shouting:

"Let's get lovely!"

Lincoln and Paige covered their mouth and held back their laughter, while the other people just laughed outright. Soon afterwards, the boys got in position, and romantic music played as Lincoln and Paige put all their focus towards the screen, just in time for the arrows to pop up. So they began dancing, following the rhytim along the way, and catching glimpses of each other as they tried to stay focused on the game.

However, as the duo came closer and closer to victory, Lincoln and Paige couldn't help but feel there was something... different, about the situation. They got closer to each other, and something clicked with Paige as Lincoln grabbed his waist, and put his hand behind him before gently lowering him, just as the final arrows popped up.

Now, everything: The music, the looks they gave each other, and just the sheer joy Paige felt in that moment as the game proclaimed their victory to the surrounding customers, it was all just so romantic, one way or another. Specially when Paige felt his heart skip a beat as he and Lincoln kept looking at each other, with Lincoln's calm, yet joyful, victorious smile warming Paige's whole being, and bringing a smile to his face as well.

It was in that moment, Paige knew the date had definitely ended with a bang. But he still wanted to try something, so he leaned closer, moving a little to Lincoln's right...

And planted a kiss, right on his cheek.

Everybody nearby gasped, Lori nearly dropped the order she was taking to another table. Once the duo returned to reality, they exchanged worried looks before Lincoln looked around, seeing the people around him cheer for him soon afterwards, and then he turned back to Paige, whose look just screamed "I'm sorry" in regret.

Lincoln took a deep breath, gently released Paige, and the duo slowly walked out of the building, running as far away from it as they could, until they were back in the park. And for some reason, though there were some people, it wasn't quite packed, though the boys still hid and kept their voices low as they spoke.

"Paige, I'm so sorry that happened!" Lincoln stated, rubbing his forehead as he added, "I should've-"

"Lincoln, please, don't pin the blame on yourself," Paige interrupted, catching Lincoln off-guard. "I mean, I started the kiss, and the mood was way too romantic not to get lost in the moment, what could we have done to prevent it?"

Lincoln scratched the back of his head as Paige added, "B-Besides, it was just a little kiss on the cheek! There's nothing wrong with that, right?"

However, though Lincoln wanted to try and calme paige down, he himself felt too conflicted to really put it into words. However, there was one thing he could at least mention to the guy, so he took a deep breath, and said:

"...Paige, if we keep this up between us, our relationship could go even further, and knowing how people tend to make a big deal out of anything, no matter how small it is, I'm kinda worried about what this could entail in the near future-"

"Thank goodness I'm not the only one."

Lincoln flinched and saw Paige sporting a relieved look, before explaining:

"You weren't the only one, Lincoln. When I actually gathered the courage to write the letter, I was extremely worried of how things would go. There was always a chance either you or I could take things way too far, or even for the truth to be revealed, and that sent shivers down my spine every time I thought about it."

Paige twiddled his fingers and looked away, blushing as he added, "But... when it comes to our time together... I really enjoyed it. The fries, the moments, the dancing... it was all nice up until-"

"Kiss or not, it was nice in general, Paige!" Lincoln pointed out, getting Paige's attention. "What matters the most is that we had fun while it lasted. And... I'm really happy about that."

"I'm happy too..." Paige looked at the ground and folded his arms behind his back. "Say, Lincoln, I can more or less tell we're not gonna be dating again, but do you think we could... you know, still be friends?"

"Sure, I'd love that," Lincoln extended a hand towards Paige. "Would you like to... how do I put this? Would you like to hold hands while we walk back home?"

"How about we do something a bit less awkward and fist bump first?" Paige giggled.

Lincoln nodded in agreement, and the duo shared a fist bump, then exchanged relieved looks and smiles before they walked off into the sunset, holding hands for the first, and maybe last, time.

So, yeah... that practically happened. Paige kissed me. He didn't kiss me on the lips, but the fact he kissed me at all... I felt my heart race once I realized what was going on. And that's not even taking into account what could've happened had he kissed me on the lips! I mean, maybe I would've made an exception for him, or at the very least try to stay calm, but I'm quite certain everybody else would've gone nuts.

We've been friends ever since, and Paige's secret is still intact, nobody knows his true gender... or is it sex? I don't think I ever once thought about which of those two words is the correct one context-wise. But bottomline is, his secret's safe with me, and so's our friendship.

And finally, what can I say about my "conflicted feelings?" I haven't thought about them, to be honest. I've kept them to myself, because lord knows the kind of mess my sisters would make if they found out about the truth. But, if you were to ask me about Paige... well, there's one thing I want to make clear:

If Paige's happy, then I'm happy too.