LOVERS from STRANGERS || BRANCE (Bruce x Vance)||FINISHED

2

VANCE POV

   I stood in the doorway to the stairs that lead to my room, or the basement. I was allowed to leave, unlike my dad's previous victims, but if we're being honest, I knew where I was gonna end up. Dead. In the basement of the house across the street. "Dad, I'm going back to the store tomorrow." He nodded, "yeah yeah, whatever. Your uncle Max is coming over tomorrow though. Make sure you remember to tell him hi when you get back." He said. "Yeah. Whatever." I walked down the stairs to the sound proof room. With very little in it. Dad wouldn't let me buy anything for my room because we move around way too much. I wouldn't be moving this time though. I'd be dead before I got the chance.

   I fell asleep, thinking confidently that I would die soon.

   "Vance, wake up." I heard my dad's voice call from upstairs. "Coming dad." I shouted back. I walked up the stairs to see my dad standing in the walk way, shirtless. "Dad- wha-" He slapped me across my face before I could say anything else. "You've been a naughty boy." I remember the line from his earlier victims, victims I could prevent. I could've stopped. He hit me again and there was an endless ringing in my ears.

   I woke up to the sound of ringing. Guess it wasn't just the dream. I glanced over at the phone. Bruce. I knew it had to be him. He's the only one with the number to the phone in my room. "Hello." I said, sounding very, very tired. "Oh, I didn't mean to wake you up, Vance!" Bruce's sweet voice called through the phone. "What? No, I've been awake for hours." I laughed sarcastically. He chuckled. "Well, wanna go to the convenient store?" I smiled at the way he said 'convenient.' He could call it anything else. 'The store.' Or something like that, but he called it a convenient store. It was cute, all things considered. "Yeah, just let me get dressed, I'm kinda in my underwear right now." I said, wiping my eyes. "Oh..." I could hear the flustered-ness in his voice. He was definitely red behind the phone. And I knew what was going through his head. I smirked. "Unless you want me to come in nothing but my boxers?" I questioned, sounding innocent. "What- I- no!" He sounded so flustered, it was adorable. And the line went dead. I laughed and went to grab some clothes from the one wooden dresser I had in my room. Once I was dressed I walked outside and started the van. I drove to the convenient store, knowing I'd be there first. Given, Bruce had to ride his bike.

   I wasn't waiting long before a sweating Bruce walked through the door. "You look like the ride here was tough. Maybe I should come pick you up next time." I said, leaning against the pinball game. He smiled. "Yeah, maybe." I turned to reveal the game, in which I displayed for Bruce to play. He tensed. "You know I'm no good." I nodded. "I do, but I wanna see what you learned. Unless you are more fond of the player still." I said, winking. Bruce gave me that smile. The smile that told me I should run away. The smile that screamed that he was playing me, but I didn't care. "Actually, I am. Would you like to play the game for me? Show me how it's done, big boy." He ran his hand down my biceps. I turned a bright red and shook my head, it was my way of trying to not seem all giddy and flustered. "Yeah, sure, whatever." I said, trying to sound cool, but failing miserably.

   I stood in front of the game and played until I remembered to ask Bruce something. "Hey, you play baseball, right?" Bruce looked up from the game. He was standing there, propped up against the game, with his arms crossed, looking confused. "Yeah, why?" He questioned. I shrugged. "When's your next game?" I asked. "Um, next week, Wednesday." He smiled. I nodded. "I'll come." In all honesty, I hated baseball, but I liked Bruce so I'd endure it for him. "Really?" He sounded surprised. "Yeah, why wouldn't I?" I asked, tilting my head. He chuckled. "It's just, you don't seem like the type of guy to...I don't know...like baseball? I guess." He tilted his head and put it against the game. "What? No! I love baseball. With the bats and balls and bases. And the other things." He chuckled. "Okay, well,, I'm more fond of the player." I said, shaking my head to avoid the flustered look. He smiled.

   A week later I was dressed and ready to drive to the game. I started the van and pulled out of the driveway when I saw Max get pushed outside. He approached the car. "Can I come to the game with you?" He asked, he actually seemed sober for once. "Why?" I asked, he shook his head. "Your dad has to work and apparently he doesn't trust me at his house alone." I held back a snicker and the urge to say 'I don't blame him' and let him come with me.

   "Alright, Max, I like this guy. Like, really like this guy. Do not embarrass me." I said before we got out of the truck. He nodded and smiled. "I'll stay in here if you want." I bit my lip, thinking about the possibility for the open space of the van. "You know what why don't you walk to the store? I'll pick you up when the game's over." Max nodded and hopped out. I knew I wasn't getting anywhere with Bruce, but it didn't hurt to be prepared.