Who Knew

Chapter8.

Badly Explained.

Ryan ran a hand through his hair as he stared at the naked Bryce in bed sleeping. Thoughts had ran through his head about what he was doing to the boy and it had began to eat at him. It was always something new. Ryan threw on his clothes and escaped the room in hopes of also escaping the guilt which had built up in his stomach.

"You're just using him."

"You don't love him."

"Don't you think of Jonathan when you see him? His eyes..his lips.."

The voices had began to whisper hurtful things that Ryan wishes he could unhear and not have to deal with it. They were starting again. Ryan knew if he told Bryce about his problems he'd lose him for good so he kept to himself like always. After meeting Jonathan yesterday Bryce came home with a bunch of bags, lunch, and a bottle of whiskey hidden in his bag causing both men to get drunk and what had happened after that was a blur.

So when Ryan awoke with a headache the size of Russia and his clothes missing he could only assume the worst.

Ryan closed the door as he shoved his hands in his coat pocket; the sun was just rising in the distance creating a canvas. He could feel the autumn air hit his cheeks causing him to give a slight shiver as he watched the sun rise slowly. Each inhale he made was like taking a bite of thick ice.

His hazel eyes darted to the left as he checked out the swing on his front porch, staring at it as if it'd move. Sighing, he made his way to it and took a seat. He allowed the swing to sway back and forth as his harsh thoughts continued to tear down his wall brick by brick.

Closing his eyes as if to hide from the pain he coughed a cough that scratched at his throat. It was sore. His hands cup his head as he began to shake it side to side.

"Just using him Ryan."

"What's wrong? Don't you love him?"

"Liar! You lied to him! To them both!"

There they went again, whispering in his ears like a bug. Ryan stood from the swing and jumped off the porch causing his feet to sting a little. Jonathan seriously had messed with his head until he hit a wall.

---

Bryce awoke alone in bed causing him to pull himself out of it and get dressed. His head and body aches with throbbing pain but that doesn't stop him from searching for his boyfriend who should've been right beside him when he awoke. It was almost eight in the morning so he was indeed worried, Ryan never got out of bed before right unless it was work.

Bryce entered the living room and called out in hopes of getting a reply, "Ryan?" Silence. "Ryan!" More silence had passed causing him to hold himself for a moment until he saw Buddy sitting by the wooden door causing him to make his way to him and give him a pat. "You want out?" The dog cocks its head to the side causing Bryce to open the door and watch the dog go running out.

He closed the door and gave a sigh. He knew something was bothering Ryan but didn't know what it could be or was. He grabbed his phone off the table and dialed Ryan's number, only to hear it ring from the kitchen. Bryce followed the constant ringing until he found Ryan's phone sitting there vibrating while it repeated the same tone over again and again.

'Well..' He thought as he grabbed the phone and slid the screen causing it to unlock instantly and a missed call box to pop up. He hit okay and seen a message from Jonathan which just so happened to be from last night. As much as Bryce wanted to ignore it he found his curiosity was peeked by what he could want from Ryan.

Ryan knew all about Jonathan. He knew that he was the reason Ryan went down in the first place and was the one who sent him into depression for years on end. Of course he didn't hear this from Ryan but he did hear it from Michelle. Michelle always talked about Ryan before Bryce had met him so of course he had to meet him somehow then he just so happened to join Michelle's game session where he finally got to talk to him.

He clicked the phones screen and te message opened.

Delirious: Glad we got to hang out Ohm. I really missed you bro..

Bryce furrowed his brow as he clicked the back button wanting an explanation for this. At first he thought he was talking about the sleepover but as he backed up he found out they had hung out yesterday which explained why he called and asked for a time. Bryce felt hurt and betrayed by his lover. He slammed the phone down on the table and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

---

Ryan opened the door and Buddy flew past him and onto the couch where he saw Bryce sitting watching tv. His first thing to do was smile but something told him that was a bad idea when the look on Bryce's face didn't change. It was as solid as steel and emotionless.

"Where you been?" Bryce never turned his attention to Ryan as those words left his lips. "Went for a walk..you okay?" Now Ryan was concerned.

"Ryan where did you go yesterday?"

"No where why?"

"Well that's not what your phones says but.."

"You went through my phone?"

"Why couldn't you tell me Ryan?"

Silence. Ryan had no answer to that question because he didn't want to tell Bryce the truth. So he his head in annoyance.

"Exactly." Bryce went to get up but his wrist was grabbed causing him to spin around. "I'm sorry..I didn't want to interrupt Michelle and your shopping okay? I was gonna invite you but you said it'd take three hours.." Bryce frowned and hugged Ryan, accepting his lie.