Wrightworth Oneshots

You're Joking.

Warning: mentions of bullying & being outed

"Quick," Phoenix shouted over the howling wind and the deafening sound of the rain hitting roofs, cars and streets.
The air was warm and smelled of dust and wet earth. Big, heavy drops of water splashed onto their heads and the pavement beneath them as they ran towards Phoenix's apartment.

"I did tell you we should have brought umbrellas," Miles reminded him. He didn't seem angry, though. In fact, it looked like he was enjoying himself.

Phoenix laughed. As unpleasant as the feeling of wet socks was, this thunderstorm was just what he'd needed. It had been a hot and humid day, and this kind of rain just made you want to dance in the street and jump into puddles.

"Something funny?" Miles couldn't hide his own smile. His eyes sparkled with joy as he picked up the pace, grabbing Phoenix's hand and pulling him along.

"Ack!" Phoenix almost slipped, but used Miles' hand to hold himself up. "Don't just yank on my hand like that," he laughed. "If I slip, you're coming down with me!"
It was like they were kids again. Phoenix's heart ached when he thought about the high school and college years that they'd missed out on experiencing together.
But moments like this showed him it was never too late.

They finally reached the apartment building, scrambled inside and slammed the door shut. Phoenix's apartment wasn't that far up, so they took the stairs, still at full speed. Phoenix unlocked the door and they stumbled inside. It took all of Phoenix's willpower not to go straight for the sofa, but he didn't want it to get wet and dirty.

For a moment, they just stood there, catching their breaths, hair and clothes clinging to their skin and dripping all over the floor.
Just when they were breathing normally again, they looked at each other - and broke out into laughter once more.

It took a while for them to calm down completely. Phoenix sighed.
"I guess I'll get us some dry clothes," he chuckled.
A few minutes later, he stepped out of the bathroom, wearing sweatpants and a Steel Samurai t-shirt.
"Your turn. You can take a shower if you want." He handed Miles some dry clothes and started to clean up the puddle they'd left by the door with a towel.

While he waited for Miles to shower and change, he plopped down on the sofa and turned the TV on.
Soon, Miles stepped out of the bathroom and made himself comfortable next to him.
"Feels good to be dry and clean again," he said.

"Yeah," Phoenix agreed. "Though I kinda liked the rain. Reminded me of when we were kids. And it cooled me down nicely."

Miles sighed. "When we were kids, huh? I wonder how many of these moments we missed because we lost touch..."

Phoenix nodded slowly.
"I was thinking the same thing earlier." A heaviness hung in the air between them.
"But hey," Phoenix said, trying to sound more cheerful, "we've still got so much time to make up for that. And I don't plan on letting you go again."
He realized what he'd just said.
Fuck.
Didn't plan on basically professing my love either, and that's how that worked out.
"I mean-"

"I'm glad you said that," Miles interrupted him. "I don't plan on leaving again. At least not without you." He stared at the TV again, avoiding Phoenix's eyes.
"I really like you, Phoenix."

The world came to a screeching halt.
Phoenix blinked. "...huh?"
He thought he must be imagining things. Did Miles really just say that?

"I-..." Miles shook his head. "Forget it. Forget I said anything."

"No, Miles, did you..." Phoenix hesitated. "Are you saying you... like me?" The emphasis on the word like left no room for interpretation.

Miles turned his head towards him, but only looked him in the eyes for a split second before dropping his gaze to his hands.
"Yes..."

"You're joking," Phoenix said. "Right? You're making fun of me."
His thoughts flashed back to when a guy in high school had pretended to like him after hearing rumors about Phoenix's sexuality. It had been pretty obvious that Phoenix had had a crush on this guy, so he'd asked Phoenix to meet up in private and "confessed" to him, tricking Phoenix into admitting to it. Then he'd pulled a disgusted face, told Phoenix he was "just kidding" and called him a "freak" before telling their whole class about it. Even though most of his classmates had been surprisingly chill about it, Phoenix had felt so humiliated and heartbroken.
And now, he thought it would happen all over again. Tears shot into his eyes.

"What?" Miles' voice pulled Phoenix out if his thoughts.
"Phoenix, I..." He gently put his hand on Phoenix's forearm. "I would never do that."
He sounded hurt and confused, but also concerned for Phoenix. His brows were furrowed and his eyes looked sad.
"Why on earth would you think that?"

"So... you mean it?" Phoenix wiped his eyes before the first tear could fall.

Now Miles took both of Phoenix's hands into his and squeezed them tightly. He looked into his eyes with the most sincere expression Phoenix had ever seen.
"Yes, of course I do."

Phoenix took a deep, shaky breath.
"Good, because I-..." The words got stuck in his throat and he was overcome by the overwhelming urge to sob, throw up and sink into the floor. His body wanted to protect him from saying these words ever again.

It's okay this time, he told himself. It's real.

Phoenix took another shaky breath.
"I r-..." He swallowed. "I really like you, too," he choked out.