Mediocrity 50% [Brallon: Deja Vu, Book 1]

10.5

Dallon kicks off his shoes, turning on the lights to the apartment. He and Ry had driven home in complete silence, promising that they would talk when they got back home. Well, they were back home now, and now Dallon would have to open up.

"I'm sorry." He starts, immediately, pouring a glass of water and sitting down on the couch. Ry sits across from him, crossing his legs and facing Dallon attentively. Ry has a small reassuring smile on his face; just trying to make his best friend feel better.

"Nothing to apologize for. Now tell me what happened." Ry said, patting Dallon lightly on the leg, putting as much comfort and love into the gesture as he can muster. He can tell Dallon needs it right now.

"I feel stupid now. Yes, I did get rejected, but Brendon didn't realize. I feel bad for getting upset about it when I shouldn't have." Dallon said, looking away, an ashamed flush covering his face and neck. His eyes flutter shut, far too tired for their own good.

"Well, what did he say? You just told me that he rejected you, and then gave me no explanation at all. You- and I don't mean to guilt trip, but you promised me you would try to communicate better." Ry asked, pursing his lips and trying to pry the answers to his questions out of Dallon. They needed to have this conversation.

"I know, and I haven't done a good job of that. I just got so overwhelmed, because I was happy for once. I was actually happy, and now things keep piling up, and I'm on probation at work because I had a depressive episode, and now Spencer's mad at us and I feel like everything's my fault, and I think I made Brendon uncomfortable, and I've been ignoring him for nothing and he's probably never going to trust anyone ever again because I hurt him and I feel so badly about it." Dallon said, seemingly all in one breath. He voiced his spiraling thoughts, everything that he could think of in that moment. It felt good to get off of his chest.

"Hey, it's not your fault. You needed time, and there is no fault in that. You are human. You are a good person, and I don't want to hear a word out of your mouth that says otherwise. I love you, we all love you. Now tell me what exactly he said and exactly what happened that night." Ry reiterated.

So Dallon does, he explains every detail he can remember, even though that bittersweet happiness feels like it was a forever ago. "And then he said 'this isn't a date, right'? And I- I got nervous and flustered and I said no, and that's my fault and I feel like an idiot."

"Hey, you're not an idiot. You're perfectly fine, this is all perfectly fine. You are a good person; you have not done a single thing wrong. Neither has he. This is all a huge misunderstanding that blew up out of both of your control. This is not your fault, and it's not his either. You two need to talk, eventually. I don't blame you for taking time to yourself, I think you need it right now. Just don't shut me out." Ry said, placing two firm hands on Dallon's shoulders.

"What about Spencer?" Dallon said, clutching onto Ry's wrists.

"Spencer has his own... issues to deal with, and they do not include you. He said he was fine with us, so he's fine with us. And I hope to God he knows that you have done nothing wrong." Ry said, his eyes flicking aways and back, then focusing back on Dallon's. Eye contact was important sometimes.

"I'm sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry for, love." Ry said in return, hugging Dallon tightly.

The key turns in the lock of Dallon and Ry's apartment door. Spencer opens the door, three cups of hot coffee in a tray in his hands. Their signature orders. He freezes like a deer in headlights, then relaxes.

"So, I guess I should explain some things, huh. I'm sorry I blew up on you, it all got to be too much." Spencer said, hanging his head a little.