Tripping Down 12 Steps Into Malibu

Three Is A Crowd

Ryan was warned that his father would be in the cafeteria waiting for him today. As he was most visiting days. Ryan normally wasn't in the mood to see his father. So he'd busy himself with something else for the hour. Pretending he didn't know what day it was. But his father must have felt that was going to happen again today. So he got a staff member to personally walk his son to see him.

Smart man.

Surprisingly, the pushy act didn't bother Ryan... that much. He'd been in a good mood since confessing his incoming feeling to his roommate. Well, sort of confessing them. It wasn't easy to tell someone you didn't know that long that you were developing feelings for them. He did what he could and Brendon got the message. He even played along with the stupid candy.

He also wanted to be in the cafeteria today to see the way Brendon and Dallon interacted. He didn't know what the deal was between the two since the tall idiot left the county. Since he and Brendon connected more personally. He didn't have the guts to ask. Besides it wasn't his business. He'd instead watch them today and come to his own conclusion about where their relationship was at.

Brendon was still in the bathroom brushing his teeth when Ryan left. He walked into the cafeteria and spotted his father immediately. His old man looked slightly surprised to see him.

He noticed Dallon too but tried to act like he didn't. He was sitting only a few tables away. His anxious eyes stuck on the door where they came in from. Seeing how excited the other man was to see Brendon shifted his mood. He was frowning when he sat down at his father's table.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"It's because the tall man is back, isn't it?"

"No." He met his concerned gaze with his own impassive one. "What tall man?"

"You know what tall man. I haven't seen him for weeks and you've been happy. Now he's back and you're-"

"Drop it, dad."

And he did. Ryan was surprised that he actually listened. Then he remembered the scene he made last time his father wouldn't change a subject. No one wanted a repeat of that. Not even him. He looked down at his hands.

"Do you need anything?" His father's voice was softer. Cautious.

"What?"

"Do you need me to bring you anything? Clothes? Shoes? Soap?"

"Some candy."

"Candy?" He repeated. "Since when do you like candy."

"Since now."

"Okay. . . What kind of candy?"

Ryan felt when Brendon walked into the room. Was that normal? That couldn't be normal. He didn't have to turn around to know the other man was present.

"M&Ms."

Dallon sprung up from his seat. Brendon came into his side view. When Ryan saw Brendon staring at him, he turned to mimic the look. Ryan's father kept his concerned gaze on his son. Worried how he'd react to the guy he was crushing on spending time with his boyfriend.

Dallon was impervious to the tensity in the rooms around him. He leaned down to kiss Brendon like he always did in greeting. Brendon's head turned before he realized what he was doing. Causing his lips to slide across his cheek.

"Okay?" His confusion was brushed off with a smile. "How are you?"

"I'm fine."

He didn't sit back down until Brendon did. "I missed you."

"I saw you Friday." He wrung his hands in his lap. Nervous.

"I-I know. But I'm still allowed to miss you, right?"

"It's not against the law." He shrugged. Discomfort growing the longer he stayed in the room with the two men he cared about.

"No, it is not." Dallon mumbled. His spark dying down. "And you missed me too I hope."

"Don't I always?" Avoiding the question was better than lying when he wasn't sure of the answer.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah."

"Is this still about me leaving? I can't apologize enough for that. B-But guess what? I payed up all our late bills. And the car note. Money won't be a problem for a while. Maybe ever if I keep the job." He was babbling. "I can't wait to take you shopping when you get out of here-"

"I have enough things." Brendon didn't want to talk about the future. He needed to change the subject. "You cut your hair?" His fingers toyed with a stray lock of hair on Dallon's forehead.

"Just a little. Do you like it?"

"It looks nice." He blended it into the rest of his hair.

Dallon smiled at the familiar contact. Brendon smiled too. A natural reaction to seeing the taller man happy. But only for a second before he was looking towards Ryan again. His roommate was watching him. Slowly, his hand was pulled away.

Dallon noticed.

He grabbed a hold of Brendon's hand before he could sit it in his lap. Their fingers were intertwined. Dallon felt his hand tense in his but he didn't let go.

"What? Am I not allowed to hold my fiancée's hand?"

"I didn't say that."

"Good." His knuckles were brought to his lips. His eyes slid to the man watching a few tables away.

"Dad, thanks for coming." Ryan stood up.

"No problem." He didn't try to stop him, he saw what Ryan saw. "I'll bring your candy."

He muttered a thank you. Disappearing out of the room without another glance in Brendon's direction.

Just because he wasn't looking at Brendon, doesn't mean Brendon wasn't watching him. He turned completely in his seat to see him leave. He stood to follow after him. Dallon didn't let go of his hand.

"Something's wrong." Brendon explained.

"He's okay."

"No. He looked upset."

"Then i'm sure a counselor would be more than happy to help him."

"He hates the counselors." It was said like that was something Dallon should know already.

"Brendon." He started sternly. Tugging on his hand in order to gain his full attention. It worked. "I'm glad you're building a bond with your roommate, but I never get to see you. I'm living in hell without you. The two days a week I get to see you are all I look forward to. Sits back down."

A conflicting emotion decorated his features. But he sat down. Dallon let out the breath he was holding in.

"I'm sorry." Brendon sighed. "That was so inconsiderate of me."

"It's okay. Thank you for staying."

"Of course."

"I love you."

"I love you too." He ran his hand down his face. Pausing when his palm was shielding his lips.

A/N: You guys have legit waited   going to keep updating way more frequently as a thank you for your patience with my writer's block ❤️