FIC | The Covenant < Something About You < PG16
Title: Something About You
Fandom: The Covenant
Pairing: Reid Garwin / Tyler Simms
Rating: PG16
Summary: Tyler's going away to college, and Reid thinks he's blown his chance. Tyler returns, but how does it all play out?
Note: This is really cheesy, and it gets kind of fluffy towards the end. I just have some bad writer's block, lately. Written for my 10_fics table, prompt number 001 -- crush. Table found here.
Warnings: Slash, some language, mild stuff.
Disclaimer: No harm, no foul.
Words: 2,834
[ my 10_fics table]
SOMETHING ABOUT YOU
Reid Garwin rarely considered anybody his crush -- a crush was exactly how it sounded, it was someone you really liked, but someone you never approached for fear of being...well, crushed. Reid never really had that kind of fear. If he liked a girl, he'd let her know. Sometimes it turned out good, sometimes it didn't; and when it didn't, who cared? It was just a girl. Not like he had plans of getting married or anything.
But before he turned eighteen, all of that changed. He discovered that not only was he crushing on someone, but it was a person he'd never have expected.
He'd never really seen anything wrong with his relationship with Tyler. They were best friends, it was just natural for him to crave Tyler's attention and company, right? He liked spending time with Tyler, and Tyler liked spending time with him. Where's the harm in that?
And that's when he'd had the dream. It'd been the night before his eighteenth birthday, and even he could admit, he was a little nervous about his approaching Ascension. Ever since he'd learned about the Power and how he was able to wield it, Reid had been waiting for, anticipating the day he'd Ascend. But when the time finally came, he was scared. And even if he didn't have to say it out loud, Tyler had known, and he'd attempted to make Reid feel better. You know, corny jokes and comforting (but not gay, don't get him wrong) words.
When Reid had fallen asleep, Tyler had then invaded his dreams. And when Reid had woken the next morning, things were different between them. As days went on, even after he'd experienced his (not completely terrifying) Ascension, Reid's realization of his feelings just grew stronger and stronger. So naturally, they grew apart -- how exactly was Reid supposed to act around Tyler now?
It isn't that Reid has a problem with the possibility that he could be bisexual, not at all. Just the fact that he likes his best friend.
And now, Tyler's going to be leaving for a college that Reid hadn't been smart enough to get into.
Reid doesn't know what to say as he and Tyler share their last night at Nicky's, Caleb and Pogue having already left after saying their goodbyes. Tyler's staring at the table top, his hands in his lap, and his bottom lip between his teeth -- the bottom lip that Reid's had so many dirty thoughts about. Reid sighs heavily, taking a sip of his drink, and looking around the club as he bounces his leg under the table.
"So," Tyler says, his voice barely audible.
"So," Reid agrees.
Suddenly, Tyler looks up, and his crystal blue eyes are sharp. "Dude, are you pissed at me or something?" he asks, and despite the fact that he's angry, there's still the baby-faced Tyler beneath the cool façade.
"What?" Reid asks, feigning a scoff.
"You've been such a jackass to me for the past few weeks, and I don't get it," Tyler says, sounding just a bit like he's whining. "If I did something wrong, I'd rather you let me know then ignore me like this."
"I'm not ignoring you," Reid smirks, cocking his head some. "I'm here with you, aren't I?"
"It was Caleb who invited me," Tyler says. "I have a feeling that you could've cared less whether I showed or not."
"Shut up," Reid rolls his eyes, shaking his head and lowering his gaze.
"Don't tell me to shut up," Tyler practically hisses. "We've been best friends since we were kids, brothers. I'm going away for at least a year, and you're treating me like I'm not even here."
Reid's jaw tightened, and he swallowed hard, trying not to let his frustration get out of hand. "You have no idea what you're talking about, Tyler," he says.
"Just because you Ascended doesn't mean you can be a dick," Tyler snaps.
Reid has to wince now. He's not used to seeing Tyler angry, and it just goes to show that Tyler had matured a little, especially since he's almost nineteen-years-old.
"I knew this would happen," Tyler continues. "Either this or you turning into Chase."
"Shut up," Reid says again. "Just because you Ascended doesn't mean you know everything. Maybe I've been a little distant for a...few...months or so, but I have good reason to be, okay?"
"No, not okay," Tyler says, and Reid almost groans -- why did the youngest Son have to be such a woman sometimes? "Talk to me, Reid. That's why we're friends, that's what friends do."
"It's best if you not know," Reid says simply.
Tyler shakes his head, crossing his arms over his chest and looking away. Reid watches the profile of his crush for a moment longer, before sighing and looking down at his lap, where his hands have balled into fists.
"Tyler," he says slowly.
The younger man looks to him, raising his eyebrows expectantly.
"I'm gonna miss you," Reid says, struggling with the words. It's the best he can do in the hopes that Tyler calms down, if not just slightly. "... A lot, okay?"
"Have a hell of a way of showing it," Tyler says.
"I'm just pissed," Reid says. "Not at you -- at myself for not being able to go with you. My parents were able to put me into Spencer, but fuck this fancy college you're going to -- I don't think Britney Spears could afford to go."
This makes Tyler crack the smallest of smiles, which instantly makes Reid feel like a weight's been lifted. "I told you," he says, "If all you'd done was tell me you didn't want me to go, I'd go to a different school; I got a billion offers.'
"I want you to get the best you can get," Reid says slowly. He then scoffs again, pretending to be cool -- seems like that's what he was always doing, "If anyone deserves it, it's you baby boy. You or that over-achiever, Caleb."
Tyler's smile now turns into a grin, and he looks away again, licking his lips. There's the longest of pauses, before he turns his gaze back on Reid. "It is pretty fancy, isn't it?"
Twenty minutes later, the two of them are in Nicky's parking lot, stopped at Tyler's SUV. Now that Reid's got his own car, he doesn't need to rely on Tyler to take him home anymore -- that's kind of a disappointment. Especially considering that this is the first time in ages where he hasn't felt too awkward around Tyler.
"I leave in the morning," Tyler says, the streetlights making his pale skin glow in the night.
"Figured as much," Reid says shortly.
"I'll try to call you when I get there?" it's a question, surprisingly.
"Sure," Reid says with a shrug.
"I can't believe I'm going away," Tyler says, and now he's smirking slightly. "The more I think about being away from you guys, the crazier the idea sounds."
Reid tries not to be too offended at the fact that Tyler's said, 'you guys' instead of just 'you.' He nods his head, putting on one of his lazy grins.
"What?" he asks, "Don't think we'll be able to make it without you?"
"Oh, I know you won't be able to," Tyler laughs.
After a momentary silence, Tyler extends a hand. When Reid takes it, Tyler pulls him into a one-armed embrace -- it's quick and meaningless, but it makes Reid's heart pound hard and heavy in his ears. His breathing hitches in his throat, and he hopes Tyler doesn't notice.
"I know you don't like this emotional stuff," Tyler says in Reid's ear, his breath on Reid's skin driving the older man crazy, "But you know I can't help it."
Reid fights the urge not to wrap his arms around Tyler completely, to pull their bodies tightly together and never let go. Instead, he pretends he's annoyed, and after a second, gives an irritable sigh. With a chuckle, Tyler pulls away and steps back.
"See you later, man," Tyler says, turning away to open the driver's side door of his truck.
Reid takes a deep breath, chewing on the inside of his cheek, and as Tyler starts to climb up into the seat, Reid feels about ready to burst. He can't help it.
"Hey, Tyler," he says, too quick to be casual.
Tyler glances at him, looking a bit worried, and Reid can only stare blankly for a few moments. Then he shakes his head, and swats at the air with one hand, popping his jacket collar with the other.
"Forget about it, dude," he says. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
Tyler passes Reid a last grin, before pulling the door shut. Feeling like his bubble's just been burst, Reid turns on his heel and starts towards his rusty Mustang.
Of course, when Tyler tries to call the next day, Reid doesn't have it in him to answer it.
One year seems like forever. Longer than forever.
Tyler eventually stopped calling, and both Caleb and Pogue just assumed that the two had had a falling out. Neither of them brought it up, most days. It didn't feel like the Sons without Tyler, and sometimes, Reid woke up feeling like a part of him was missing. Of course, that was the faggy emotional stuff that he hated, so he pushed it all away.
Sitting alone at Nicky's, staring into his soda moodily, he knows Tyler's back in town -- he can feel it. He glances at his cell phone, which is sitting on the table in front of him, but he knows Tyler isn't going to call him. He heaves one of the most empty sighs he can muster, and goes back to his drink, wishing he'd snuck some alcohol in, since he isn't yet twenty-one.
But then something happens.
There's a short jab in his chest, kind of like a jolt. He turns in his chair, gaze immediately seeking out the entrance of Nicky's, and in the doorway, looking at least two years older than what Reid remembers, is Tyler Simms. His hair is lighter, his jaw seems more defined, and his shoulders are more broad.
Reid doesn't think, he only acts.
He stands up, barely remembering to grab his cell phone and stuff it into his pocket, and he moves across the bar floor. Tyler spots him immediately, of course, and as Reid nears him, no doubt a look of concentration on his face, his brow furrows.
"Reid --" Tyler starts to say as the older man reaches him, but his voice cuts off as Reid grabs his shoulders and pushes him back out the door.
Tyler's trying to voice a protest, but Reid doesn't particularly care. It's almost as if something else has entered his body and is taking control of it, and he knows this is something he has to do. He pushes Tyler up against the wall outside Nicky's, and as Tyler's looking at him like he's growing an extra head, Reid leans in and presses his mouth roughly against the other man's.
Tyler's whole body stiffens, his arms straight down at his sides. Reid doesn't make this last any longer than it has to, and he starts to pull away. But suddenly, Tyler's moving against him, and not in the bad way. Tyler's lips part, and his head turns slightly so that he can slant his mouth against Reid's. Reid reaches up and cups Tyler's face in both of his hands, and deepens the kiss.
As he pushes his tongue into Tyler's warm mouth, it's everything he'd expected it to be.
They kiss like savages, devouring one another's mouths, and Reid grinds his body against Tyler's firmly -- he can't help it. This is over two years of pent up sexual frustration, and he almost doesn't know how to act.
But as all moments are wont to do, this one starts to die.
Reid pulls away, looking into Tyler's eyes, which have a dazed expression to them, dazed yet full of raw lust. Enough to make Reid come in his jeans.
"Before you ask," he says gruffly, "This is why I haven't answered your calls. This is why things were so weird between us before you left. This is what I meant when I said it was best if you didn't know."
One of Tyler's hands is moving in small circles on Reid's back, but suddenly it stops. A different look comes to his face, the look that Reid expected, and respectively, he backs up slightly.
"Wait a minute," Tyler says, even his voice sounds different, or maybe it's just because it feels like it's been so long since Reid's heard it. "You expect that to make up for it? You treated me like shit because you liked me, and a kiss is supposed to make things better?"
"It's a start," Reid says.
"You're unbelievable," Tyler says. "I came here tonight to tell you how pissed off I am at you -- don't try and change my mind with this. You might've always been an asshole, but you really proved it over the year."
"I'm sorry," Reid says, though he remembers -- Tyler's like a woman, he knows Tyler's going to make this worse than what it really is. "Apparently you can't understand how hard it was for me, having these feelings for you."
"You don't ignore me because you feel for me," Tyler says shortly. "You. Talk. To. Me."
"And what would you have said had I told you I liked you, Tyler?" Reid asks, now growing angry. So what if it was his own fault that all this had happened? Tyler wasn't perfect either. "Things wouldn't have been the same."
"Things aren't the same anyway," Tyler says. He glares at Reid for what feels like an eternity, and then he shakes his head. "And you don't know how I would've acted if you'd told me," he sounds offended. "I'm even more pissed that you would assume such things about me, Garwin."
He only ever uses 'Garwin' when he's truly upset. Reid feels a little guilty, though he doesn't exactly know why -- he's not used to the feeling.
"I'm back for the summer," Tyler says suddenly. "Maybe if you can pull your head out of your ass, maybe I'll be able to forgive you. Until then, I don't even want to see you."
Tyler turns on his heel and strides carefully, confidently, across the parking lot. Reid stands there, feeling really stupid, and can only watch as Tyler drives away, pointedly not looking at him.
Reid didn't know what he was expecting to happen, but it certainly wasn't this.
Reid doesn't know how many days pass before he sees Tyler again.
It's a Tuesday night, rainy and blah, and he's laying on his couch watching some new cartoon or another, and there's a sudden knock at the front door. He sighs, closing his eyes, and he fully plans on not getting up to answer it. He thinks it's probably just the landlord again, looking for last month's rent.
Another knock.
"Go away," Reid groans, not caring who it is anymore.
"It's me."
Reid sits bolt upright on the couch, looking to the door with wide eyes. It seems to take him forever to climb to his feet, and he shuffles to the door quickly. He hadn't been paying too much attention, so he hadn't felt Tyler arrive -- it was a big shocker.
Hand on the knob, he pauses just briefly.
Tyler's wet, his hair dripping, and his tee shirt clinging to his body. There's a troubled expression on his face, and when Reid opens the door, he straightens. Reid opens his mouth to apologize, but before he can utter a syllable, Tyler's lips are on his. The kiss is rough, hungry, and his hands settle on Reid's waist as if they belong there.
"I'm sorry," Tyler says, as if it's his fault. "Let's start over. Tell me how happy you are that I'm back."
Reid breathes in deeply, hands on Tyler's face again. "I'm so happy you're back, baby boy," he says.
Tyler gives him a quick kiss, then says, "Tell me how much you missed me."
"More than anything."
Another kiss. "Now tell me you have feelings for me, tell me like you should've told me three years ago."
Reid's grinning now. "I like you Tyler, you're the only guy I'd go queer for, and I want you -- to be with you -- more than you'll ever know," he says.
Tyler grins as well. "Good," he says. "Because believe it or not, what I would've said then, and what I'm saying now, is 'I like you too,' Reid."
The older man leans in, this time taking the initiative, and bites gently at Tyler's bottom lip. A noise stirs in Tyler's throat.
"All good now?" Tyler asks.
"All good."
"Clean slate?"
"All clean."
END.
Fandom: The Covenant
Pairing: Reid Garwin / Tyler Simms
Rating: PG16
Summary: Tyler's going away to college, and Reid thinks he's blown his chance. Tyler returns, but how does it all play out?
Note: This is really cheesy, and it gets kind of fluffy towards the end. I just have some bad writer's block, lately. Written for my 10_fics table, prompt number 001 -- crush. Table found here.
Warnings: Slash, some language, mild stuff.
Disclaimer: No harm, no foul.
Words: 2,834
[ my 10_fics table]
SOMETHING ABOUT YOU
Reid Garwin rarely considered anybody his crush -- a crush was exactly how it sounded, it was someone you really liked, but someone you never approached for fear of being...well, crushed. Reid never really had that kind of fear. If he liked a girl, he'd let her know. Sometimes it turned out good, sometimes it didn't; and when it didn't, who cared? It was just a girl. Not like he had plans of getting married or anything.
But before he turned eighteen, all of that changed. He discovered that not only was he crushing on someone, but it was a person he'd never have expected.
He'd never really seen anything wrong with his relationship with Tyler. They were best friends, it was just natural for him to crave Tyler's attention and company, right? He liked spending time with Tyler, and Tyler liked spending time with him. Where's the harm in that?
And that's when he'd had the dream. It'd been the night before his eighteenth birthday, and even he could admit, he was a little nervous about his approaching Ascension. Ever since he'd learned about the Power and how he was able to wield it, Reid had been waiting for, anticipating the day he'd Ascend. But when the time finally came, he was scared. And even if he didn't have to say it out loud, Tyler had known, and he'd attempted to make Reid feel better. You know, corny jokes and comforting (but not gay, don't get him wrong) words.
When Reid had fallen asleep, Tyler had then invaded his dreams. And when Reid had woken the next morning, things were different between them. As days went on, even after he'd experienced his (not completely terrifying) Ascension, Reid's realization of his feelings just grew stronger and stronger. So naturally, they grew apart -- how exactly was Reid supposed to act around Tyler now?
It isn't that Reid has a problem with the possibility that he could be bisexual, not at all. Just the fact that he likes his best friend.
And now, Tyler's going to be leaving for a college that Reid hadn't been smart enough to get into.
Reid doesn't know what to say as he and Tyler share their last night at Nicky's, Caleb and Pogue having already left after saying their goodbyes. Tyler's staring at the table top, his hands in his lap, and his bottom lip between his teeth -- the bottom lip that Reid's had so many dirty thoughts about. Reid sighs heavily, taking a sip of his drink, and looking around the club as he bounces his leg under the table.
"So," Tyler says, his voice barely audible.
"So," Reid agrees.
Suddenly, Tyler looks up, and his crystal blue eyes are sharp. "Dude, are you pissed at me or something?" he asks, and despite the fact that he's angry, there's still the baby-faced Tyler beneath the cool façade.
"What?" Reid asks, feigning a scoff.
"You've been such a jackass to me for the past few weeks, and I don't get it," Tyler says, sounding just a bit like he's whining. "If I did something wrong, I'd rather you let me know then ignore me like this."
"I'm not ignoring you," Reid smirks, cocking his head some. "I'm here with you, aren't I?"
"It was Caleb who invited me," Tyler says. "I have a feeling that you could've cared less whether I showed or not."
"Shut up," Reid rolls his eyes, shaking his head and lowering his gaze.
"Don't tell me to shut up," Tyler practically hisses. "We've been best friends since we were kids, brothers. I'm going away for at least a year, and you're treating me like I'm not even here."
Reid's jaw tightened, and he swallowed hard, trying not to let his frustration get out of hand. "You have no idea what you're talking about, Tyler," he says.
"Just because you Ascended doesn't mean you can be a dick," Tyler snaps.
Reid has to wince now. He's not used to seeing Tyler angry, and it just goes to show that Tyler had matured a little, especially since he's almost nineteen-years-old.
"I knew this would happen," Tyler continues. "Either this or you turning into Chase."
"Shut up," Reid says again. "Just because you Ascended doesn't mean you know everything. Maybe I've been a little distant for a...few...months or so, but I have good reason to be, okay?"
"No, not okay," Tyler says, and Reid almost groans -- why did the youngest Son have to be such a woman sometimes? "Talk to me, Reid. That's why we're friends, that's what friends do."
"It's best if you not know," Reid says simply.
Tyler shakes his head, crossing his arms over his chest and looking away. Reid watches the profile of his crush for a moment longer, before sighing and looking down at his lap, where his hands have balled into fists.
"Tyler," he says slowly.
The younger man looks to him, raising his eyebrows expectantly.
"I'm gonna miss you," Reid says, struggling with the words. It's the best he can do in the hopes that Tyler calms down, if not just slightly. "... A lot, okay?"
"Have a hell of a way of showing it," Tyler says.
"I'm just pissed," Reid says. "Not at you -- at myself for not being able to go with you. My parents were able to put me into Spencer, but fuck this fancy college you're going to -- I don't think Britney Spears could afford to go."
This makes Tyler crack the smallest of smiles, which instantly makes Reid feel like a weight's been lifted. "I told you," he says, "If all you'd done was tell me you didn't want me to go, I'd go to a different school; I got a billion offers.'
"I want you to get the best you can get," Reid says slowly. He then scoffs again, pretending to be cool -- seems like that's what he was always doing, "If anyone deserves it, it's you baby boy. You or that over-achiever, Caleb."
Tyler's smile now turns into a grin, and he looks away again, licking his lips. There's the longest of pauses, before he turns his gaze back on Reid. "It is pretty fancy, isn't it?"
Twenty minutes later, the two of them are in Nicky's parking lot, stopped at Tyler's SUV. Now that Reid's got his own car, he doesn't need to rely on Tyler to take him home anymore -- that's kind of a disappointment. Especially considering that this is the first time in ages where he hasn't felt too awkward around Tyler.
"I leave in the morning," Tyler says, the streetlights making his pale skin glow in the night.
"Figured as much," Reid says shortly.
"I'll try to call you when I get there?" it's a question, surprisingly.
"Sure," Reid says with a shrug.
"I can't believe I'm going away," Tyler says, and now he's smirking slightly. "The more I think about being away from you guys, the crazier the idea sounds."
Reid tries not to be too offended at the fact that Tyler's said, 'you guys' instead of just 'you.' He nods his head, putting on one of his lazy grins.
"What?" he asks, "Don't think we'll be able to make it without you?"
"Oh, I know you won't be able to," Tyler laughs.
After a momentary silence, Tyler extends a hand. When Reid takes it, Tyler pulls him into a one-armed embrace -- it's quick and meaningless, but it makes Reid's heart pound hard and heavy in his ears. His breathing hitches in his throat, and he hopes Tyler doesn't notice.
"I know you don't like this emotional stuff," Tyler says in Reid's ear, his breath on Reid's skin driving the older man crazy, "But you know I can't help it."
Reid fights the urge not to wrap his arms around Tyler completely, to pull their bodies tightly together and never let go. Instead, he pretends he's annoyed, and after a second, gives an irritable sigh. With a chuckle, Tyler pulls away and steps back.
"See you later, man," Tyler says, turning away to open the driver's side door of his truck.
Reid takes a deep breath, chewing on the inside of his cheek, and as Tyler starts to climb up into the seat, Reid feels about ready to burst. He can't help it.
"Hey, Tyler," he says, too quick to be casual.
Tyler glances at him, looking a bit worried, and Reid can only stare blankly for a few moments. Then he shakes his head, and swats at the air with one hand, popping his jacket collar with the other.
"Forget about it, dude," he says. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
Tyler passes Reid a last grin, before pulling the door shut. Feeling like his bubble's just been burst, Reid turns on his heel and starts towards his rusty Mustang.
Of course, when Tyler tries to call the next day, Reid doesn't have it in him to answer it.
One year seems like forever. Longer than forever.
Tyler eventually stopped calling, and both Caleb and Pogue just assumed that the two had had a falling out. Neither of them brought it up, most days. It didn't feel like the Sons without Tyler, and sometimes, Reid woke up feeling like a part of him was missing. Of course, that was the faggy emotional stuff that he hated, so he pushed it all away.
Sitting alone at Nicky's, staring into his soda moodily, he knows Tyler's back in town -- he can feel it. He glances at his cell phone, which is sitting on the table in front of him, but he knows Tyler isn't going to call him. He heaves one of the most empty sighs he can muster, and goes back to his drink, wishing he'd snuck some alcohol in, since he isn't yet twenty-one.
But then something happens.
There's a short jab in his chest, kind of like a jolt. He turns in his chair, gaze immediately seeking out the entrance of Nicky's, and in the doorway, looking at least two years older than what Reid remembers, is Tyler Simms. His hair is lighter, his jaw seems more defined, and his shoulders are more broad.
Reid doesn't think, he only acts.
He stands up, barely remembering to grab his cell phone and stuff it into his pocket, and he moves across the bar floor. Tyler spots him immediately, of course, and as Reid nears him, no doubt a look of concentration on his face, his brow furrows.
"Reid --" Tyler starts to say as the older man reaches him, but his voice cuts off as Reid grabs his shoulders and pushes him back out the door.
Tyler's trying to voice a protest, but Reid doesn't particularly care. It's almost as if something else has entered his body and is taking control of it, and he knows this is something he has to do. He pushes Tyler up against the wall outside Nicky's, and as Tyler's looking at him like he's growing an extra head, Reid leans in and presses his mouth roughly against the other man's.
Tyler's whole body stiffens, his arms straight down at his sides. Reid doesn't make this last any longer than it has to, and he starts to pull away. But suddenly, Tyler's moving against him, and not in the bad way. Tyler's lips part, and his head turns slightly so that he can slant his mouth against Reid's. Reid reaches up and cups Tyler's face in both of his hands, and deepens the kiss.
As he pushes his tongue into Tyler's warm mouth, it's everything he'd expected it to be.
They kiss like savages, devouring one another's mouths, and Reid grinds his body against Tyler's firmly -- he can't help it. This is over two years of pent up sexual frustration, and he almost doesn't know how to act.
But as all moments are wont to do, this one starts to die.
Reid pulls away, looking into Tyler's eyes, which have a dazed expression to them, dazed yet full of raw lust. Enough to make Reid come in his jeans.
"Before you ask," he says gruffly, "This is why I haven't answered your calls. This is why things were so weird between us before you left. This is what I meant when I said it was best if you didn't know."
One of Tyler's hands is moving in small circles on Reid's back, but suddenly it stops. A different look comes to his face, the look that Reid expected, and respectively, he backs up slightly.
"Wait a minute," Tyler says, even his voice sounds different, or maybe it's just because it feels like it's been so long since Reid's heard it. "You expect that to make up for it? You treated me like shit because you liked me, and a kiss is supposed to make things better?"
"It's a start," Reid says.
"You're unbelievable," Tyler says. "I came here tonight to tell you how pissed off I am at you -- don't try and change my mind with this. You might've always been an asshole, but you really proved it over the year."
"I'm sorry," Reid says, though he remembers -- Tyler's like a woman, he knows Tyler's going to make this worse than what it really is. "Apparently you can't understand how hard it was for me, having these feelings for you."
"You don't ignore me because you feel for me," Tyler says shortly. "You. Talk. To. Me."
"And what would you have said had I told you I liked you, Tyler?" Reid asks, now growing angry. So what if it was his own fault that all this had happened? Tyler wasn't perfect either. "Things wouldn't have been the same."
"Things aren't the same anyway," Tyler says. He glares at Reid for what feels like an eternity, and then he shakes his head. "And you don't know how I would've acted if you'd told me," he sounds offended. "I'm even more pissed that you would assume such things about me, Garwin."
He only ever uses 'Garwin' when he's truly upset. Reid feels a little guilty, though he doesn't exactly know why -- he's not used to the feeling.
"I'm back for the summer," Tyler says suddenly. "Maybe if you can pull your head out of your ass, maybe I'll be able to forgive you. Until then, I don't even want to see you."
Tyler turns on his heel and strides carefully, confidently, across the parking lot. Reid stands there, feeling really stupid, and can only watch as Tyler drives away, pointedly not looking at him.
Reid didn't know what he was expecting to happen, but it certainly wasn't this.
Reid doesn't know how many days pass before he sees Tyler again.
It's a Tuesday night, rainy and blah, and he's laying on his couch watching some new cartoon or another, and there's a sudden knock at the front door. He sighs, closing his eyes, and he fully plans on not getting up to answer it. He thinks it's probably just the landlord again, looking for last month's rent.
Another knock.
"Go away," Reid groans, not caring who it is anymore.
"It's me."
Reid sits bolt upright on the couch, looking to the door with wide eyes. It seems to take him forever to climb to his feet, and he shuffles to the door quickly. He hadn't been paying too much attention, so he hadn't felt Tyler arrive -- it was a big shocker.
Hand on the knob, he pauses just briefly.
Tyler's wet, his hair dripping, and his tee shirt clinging to his body. There's a troubled expression on his face, and when Reid opens the door, he straightens. Reid opens his mouth to apologize, but before he can utter a syllable, Tyler's lips are on his. The kiss is rough, hungry, and his hands settle on Reid's waist as if they belong there.
"I'm sorry," Tyler says, as if it's his fault. "Let's start over. Tell me how happy you are that I'm back."
Reid breathes in deeply, hands on Tyler's face again. "I'm so happy you're back, baby boy," he says.
Tyler gives him a quick kiss, then says, "Tell me how much you missed me."
"More than anything."
Another kiss. "Now tell me you have feelings for me, tell me like you should've told me three years ago."
Reid's grinning now. "I like you Tyler, you're the only guy I'd go queer for, and I want you -- to be with you -- more than you'll ever know," he says.
Tyler grins as well. "Good," he says. "Because believe it or not, what I would've said then, and what I'm saying now, is 'I like you too,' Reid."
The older man leans in, this time taking the initiative, and bites gently at Tyler's bottom lip. A noise stirs in Tyler's throat.
"All good now?" Tyler asks.
"All good."
"Clean slate?"
"All clean."
END.