~sidemen oneshots~

Distant

//poly sidemen//

⚠️Tw: Panic attacks, miscommunication, low self-worth (??)(lemme know if I'm missing any!)

Let me reiterate, none of this is based on reality! I want to really emphasise that for the part about ethans past relationships, this is purely fiction!

Word count: 3139

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Something was up. Specifically with the youngest of the group. Everyone had noticed.
They all spent most evenings with at least one other from the group, Harry especially as he hates sleeping alone but as of recently he'd been going back to his and Cals flat, no invite for anyone else to join him and no response to the others when they asked him to stay over.
While some were getting suspicious others were getting worried, a few knowing they had nothing to worry about in terms of cheating.

They were having a talk of sorts in JJ and Simons flat, Harry wasn't not invited per-say but he once again made quick work of going back to his own flat alone.

"I'm just worried about him," Simon says, biting at a loose hang nail, a nervous habit he developed a couple of years ago. Tobi reaches up to grab his hand, Simon only then realised his actions and flushed slightly from embarrassment. Though Tobi only gives him a soft smile, the worry about Harry is still clear on his features, he cradles the hand in his own.

"Me too, I think we should just talk to him. Be honest and tell him that," Tobi suggests to which a few others nod.
It's quiet for a moment.
"You don't think he's...?" Ethan says quietly. Jjs head snaps up to look at him, "no," he says firmly.
Ethans the main believer in the cheater possibility, his own insecurities leaking through more than ever as a result of being cheated on in his previous relationships.

"JJ just think about it for a sec-" he doesn't let Ethan finish, "no fuck that. He's not cheating on us," Simon uses his free hand to rub soothing circles on JJs back, shushing him softly.
"It's alright jide," he whispers to the other man.
However JJ is clearly upset and is about to argue when Vik speaks up.
"Jides right Ethan, Harry wouldn't do that. And JJ," he looks from Ethan to JJ, "Ethan's dealt with people who've cheated in the past remember?" Vik squeezes the hand that was holding Ethans, "so for his mind to wander there is while not necessarily accurate, is fair." His logical words calm the situation down immensely.
JJ nods, looking slightly guilty now for assuming the worst.
"I just...I miss him," he says sadly.
"Why don't we call him, tell him to come over so we can figure out what's going on?" Josh wonders out loud to the group. A few look hesitant, worried about the outcome, but agree upon seeing everyone else's opinion.

Jjs the one to text Harry, all of them knowing that Harry was most likely to acknowledge his or Josh's texts faster as a result of their more dominating nature that Harry loved.
They were completely accurate in that sense as the response he got was almost instantaneous, like Harry was waiting for someone to text him.

The reply time almost makes JJ uncomfortable, not even himself used to how fast that was. He feels guilt slowly start to claw at his throat.

Harry says that he's on his way, JJ starts to think maybe he should have used the groups message suggestion of, "hey Haz, everyone's here and we want to see if you're free to come over and chat :)" rather than his own, "need you here ASAP."
Yeah, he definitely could have phrased that better.

They talk amongst themselves for the few minutes it takes for Harry to get there, deciding who would take the lead, not considering how the boy might react to all of this.
They hear the bell ring and JJ is up on his feet in seconds, rushing to the door.
When he opens it the sight before him breaks his heart. Harry is standing their looking sickly pale with a red blush around his nose and eyes. It looks like he's been crying.
When JJ glances down he sees that his hands are shaking too.
"Uh, are-are you alright?" His quiet voice stutters, JJ notices his lack of eye contact.
"Wha-? Yeah, yes I am alright are you?" His words are filled with concern for the boy who stands there looking small and vulnerable.