𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 • 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

chapter eight

bruce was in a very giddy mood the next day, of course. he had forgotten about the background research he was going to do on the two boys, as he was mildly distracted. finney was glad to see him in a good mood. bruce and finney were currently sitting on the library floor, debating on what to do. "well, we could go to that garden spot, like usual?" finney offered, and bruce shook his head. "no. we do that everyday— it's getting boring." finney frowned. he didn't think that it was getting boring. infact, he quite enjoyed going out there just the two of them. it was their thing — atleast it used to be their thing. but it wasn't really just their spot anymore, was it?

"well, what else did you do before we started hanging out?" he questioned. "i read— but that's not a two person activity, and you can only read the same books so many times before there's no point." finney nodded in agreement. he sighed, laying down. "you've done this for seventeen years?" bruce laid beside him. "well, kinda- i wasn't exactly reading all these books and running through the garden until i was like eight." he chuckled, turning his head so he could look at finney. finney looks back. "yeah, i suppose a two year old probably wouldn't be reading books about how long koi fish live, yeah?" finney gave an amused grin, laughing softly.

bruce laughed as well. "maybe i was a gifted kid, don't make assumptions." he huffs softly, a teasing tone in his voice. he smiled back at finney. finney smiled more. he loved his smile — actually, he really loved everything about the other boy, if he was being honest. but, what felt like the perfect moment, didn't last long.

bruce sat up. "god— this floor sucks. kinda hard on the back." finney frowned, although he plastered on a smile when bruce looked in his direction again. he sat up as well. "yeah, it is hardwood floor, which is usually hard."

"ah- right." bruce chuckled sheepishly. "anyways.." finney started. "did you see vance last night?" he asked. a bright blush spread across his face. "ah—" he wasn't sure whether he should tell finney or not. "yeah, i did, actually." he smiled, going over the memories of the night before. "mm, right. did anything, uhm, interesting happen?" bruce hesitated, before shrugging. "nah, not really. nothing important. uhm, we just, ya know, talked." finney narrowed his eyes at bruce. "oh, fun." bruce nodded. "yeah— let's, uh, let's talk about something else."

finney let him change the subject and bruce started rambling about something. although, finney wasnt listening. he wasn't listening because he knew bruce was lying. he knew he was lying any simple minded person would be able to read bruce's emotions currently and easily see the blush, as well as the fact that he saw them last night. he'd seen bruce sneak out, and he knew that of course it was going to be to see vance. it took everything in him not to say something — to object. but now he just didn't understand why bruce wouldnt tell him.

he thought about saying something about how he knew, but he decided against it. it probably wouldn't end well for him, and the last thing that he wanted was to argue with bruce.

"finney?" bruce spoke a little louder than before, trying to regain the other boys attention. "eh? oh-" finney looked at him. "sorry, what?" bruce sighed. "you zone out a lot. anyways, i said, why did vance drop out of the academy?" finney frowned. why did the conversation keep making its way back to vance? nonetheless, finney tried his best to answer the question. "uhm, i honestly dont really know." he shrugged. "decided he wasn't cut out for it, i guess. i dont know. like i said, he was always getting into trouble, i didnt really think he was gonna graduate, anyway."

bruce nodded along as he spoke. when finney finished, he hesitated before asking another question. "uhm.. why do you hate him?" finney sighed. it was clear if he have an answer like he did the other night, the question would just come up again. "i dont hate him." that was a half lie. he didnt hate him, until he came into his life and stole the one good thing he had. "he just— he got into a lot of trouble, and he had a habit of dragging me down with him. i almost didnt graduate because of him. he knew i had priorities, but he didn't care." finney shook his head. "i'm worried he's gonna do that to you, bruce."

finney gave a sympathetic look, but bruce shook his head. "no, no. he's changed. he's better. he wouldn't–" he shakes his head again. "he wouldn't 'drag me down' with him." finney chewed on the inside of his cheek. "i know it seems like that, but you seem to forget that he is still a literal criminal, bruce." bruce sighed — an annoyed sigh. "you don't get it, finn, he cares about me."

"of course that's what he wants you to think!" finney crossed his arms. bruce shook his head. "but what if he actually loves me as much as i love him? why is that so hard for you to comprehend? what, are you jealous?" bruce scoffed. finney practically winced, it felt like salt in an open wound. his eyes widened slightly. he wasn't used to bruce being like this. he inhaled. "no, of course not, i just dont want to see you get hurt. i'm worried for you." bruce sighed again. "i'm sorry, finney. i didnt mean to sound so rude—"

finney shook his head. "it's fine. forget it. i think i have stuff i need to get to, sorry, bruce. it was nice hanging out with you, i'll see you in a little." finney said as he stood up. he needed to be alone for a little. "finney- i'm sorry—" bruce started, but finney held a hand up. "don't worry about it. i'll see you in a little." he repeated. he left the library, giving a small wave to bruce as he did so.

bruce watched him leave, a frown crossing his face. god, he felt like an asshole. but at the same time, he didn't understand why finney couldnt see what bruce saw in vance. he put his head in his hands. surely finney would come around soon, right? of course he would, they were friends, and their friendship definitely couldn't end over some stupid disagreement about a boy.

as finney left the library, all he could think about was bruce almost kissing him a couple nights ago. had it meant nothing? he felt so confused. so confused and hurt.
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no i will not let finney be happy