Multifandom X Reader Stories

Everything but Us- Ant Voughn

The thing about you and Ant was that everyone knew. Everyone. It wasn't even a question at this point—if there was a party, you were there together. If you were hanging out, he was right next to you. It was like you two were the same person in two different bodies. Same humor, same attitude, same energy. It was almost annoying how perfect you were for each other, yet somehow, nothing had ever happened.

But no one doubted it would. Not until Harper kissed him.

And he kissed back.

You didn't even find out the usual way, through whispered gossip or someone's offhand comment. No, it had to happen in the middle of a game of truth or dare, in front of everyone. One of the mean girls, Mia, had smirked as she leaned forward, her voice saccharine-sweet.

"So, Ant, tell us. Did you and Harper hook up?"

Silence.

And that was enough of an answer.

You didn't react right away. Just laughed, shrugged, and said, "It's fine, we're not together." It was the only thing you could say without your voice cracking. But that didn't stop the way your stomach twisted, or the sting of betrayal in your chest. You'd been so sure that what you had with Ant was different. Even if you weren't together, you were something, right?

Apparently not.

So, you stood up, flashing a grin that didn't quite reach your eyes. "Gonna go find Darren. He's more fun than this game anyway."

Darren, bless him, was immediately ready to be your escape. He threw an arm over your shoulder and walked you toward the other side of the party, away from the stares, the murmurs, and most importantly—away from Ant.

Ant didn't chase you. Didn't run after you to explain or even try to fix things. That, somehow, hurt more than the kiss itself.

Monday.

You avoided him. You weren't cruel about it—just distant. You didn't wait for him at lunch, didn't text him during class, didn't laugh at his dumb jokes like you always did. And the worst part? He let you.

Day after day, he let you slip further away.

By Friday, you were convinced that maybe what you had with Ant wasn't as special as you thought. Maybe he didn't miss you as much as you missed him. Maybe it was always just you, holding on to something that was never really there.

So, at yet another party, you let yourself have fun. You let yourself flirt, let someone else take up your time.

That was, until Ant suddenly appeared at your side, blocking the guy who had been chatting you up. His expression was unreadable, but his jaw was clenched, and his hands were shoved into his pockets like he was barely keeping himself from doing something reckless.

"Seriously?" he muttered under his breath, just loud enough for you to hear.

You raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"Him?" Ant scoffed, tilting his head toward the guy, who was now wisely backing away from whatever was about to unfold. "You're seriously into him?"

You blinked at him, anger flaring in your chest. "What is your problem? You don't get to be mad, Ant. You don't get to stand there and act like—"

"Like what? Like I care? Because I do!" His voice was sharp, his usual carefree demeanor cracking. "I care so much it's actually driving me insane. But you wouldn't know that because you won't even look at me anymore."

Your breath hitched, but you folded your arms, refusing to let your emotions take over. "You let me walk away, Ant. You didn't say anything. You didn't even try."

"Because I didn't know how to fix it!" He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling roughly. "I messed up, okay? Harper kissed me, and yeah, I kissed back, but it didn't mean anything. It was over before it even started because the second it happened, I realized it was a mistake. I told her I love you."

The words hit you like a shockwave, knocking the breath from your lungs. "You... what?"

He stepped closer, his voice softer now, raw with honesty. "I love you. I've loved you for so long, and I was scared of messing this up. Scared that if I told you and you didn't feel the same, I'd lose you completely. But I already lost you this week, and it was the worst fucking week of my life. So, if you hate me, fine. If you never want to talk to me again, fine. But you deserve to know the truth."

Your heart was pounding, emotions swirling between anger, hurt, and something dangerously close to hope.

"You can't just say that, Ant," you whispered, voice unsteady. "You can't just—"

"I can, and I mean it," he interrupted, taking another step forward. "But I need to know if I already ruined this for good."

For a long moment, you just stared at him, searching his face for any sign that he was lying, that this was just another line. But there was nothing but sincerity in his eyes, nothing but desperate honesty in the way he looked at you.

And maybe, just maybe, you weren't ready to walk away from him yet.

Taking a deep breath, you met his gaze, voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't know if I can forgive you right away."

He nodded. "I'll wait as long as it takes."

"But I do know one thing." You exhaled shakily, finally allowing yourself to smile just a little. "You're an idiot."

Relief flooded his face, and he let out a short laugh. "Yeah, I know."

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough to start again.