bad liar // ned roche + conor masters

so close

after the slight awkwardness of weasel's absurd rumor, ned and conor had subconsciously stopped standing as close together as before, stopped smiling too long at each other.

ned secretly misses the way conor used to tap on his fingers whenever they passed each other in the halls, or when ned was feeling especially shitty and he'd try to cheer him up. or the way conor would drag him down to that still amazing room full of vinyl records and history in the middle of the night, just to strum mediocre chords and talk and laugh until they had no choice but to sleep. he missed it all.

but he thought it was at least a little bit worth it, just to see weasel's annoyed/disappointed face when he sees the respectable amount of space between them, the limited amount of touching and lingering eye contact.

he had suddenly lost the source of his crude jokes, and ned was living for it.

victor, bless his heart, grins at weasel and glances at ned and conor. "what's the matter, weasel? haven't got any new jokes to say today? thought they called you the class clown for a reason other than the fact that you look like one."

the people sitting around them at the lunch table 'oooh'. weasel glares at victor, but stays silent.

they all laugh again at that, and ned cracks a grin. yup. just a bit worth it.

~

once everyone got tired of poking at weasel, they head back to their rooms, pushing and shoving at each other jokingly.

"honestly, ned, thanks for being such a good sport about this." conor says sincerely, sitting on the edge of ned's bed. ned smiles at him, sitting next to him and shoving at his shoulder playfully.

"of course, conor. it's honestly really fun to see weasel so...quiet. he looks constipated," ned snorts, and conor grins at him, ducking his head shyly.

"you know," ned says suddenly. "i really wish you'd stop acting so why when you laugh. you do have a very nice smile, conor."

conor flushes pink, looking up at ned again and smiling slightly. "thanks, ned. you do too. you look so happy when you smile, it makes me want to smile too."

ned says nothing, just continues smiling and staring at his blushing friend.

"ned." conor whispers, looking at the floor and wringing his hands nervously.

"what is it?"

"i feel like kissing you."

"then kiss me. honestly conor, all that time playing rugby must be taking a toll on your brain."

conor looks away, crossing his arms childishly. "fine, i changed my mind, then."

ned grins again, turning more towards him and beinging his hand up to cup conor's chin. "conor," ned says in a sing-song voice, turning his head slowly back towards him. his eyes are shining brighter than ever, and ned thinks he can look at them for the rest of his life.

they're leaning in, and conor's lips are so close to ned's, but then someone is barging through the door and they're jumping a mile apart, ned picking up his guitar from it's spot near his nightstand and pretending to tune it. victor keels over, hands on his knees and breathing heavily.

"conor...meeting...in five," he gasps, chest heaving.

ned presses his lips together, trying not to laugh. "go on, i'll see you soon."

conor looks over at him apologetically, looking torn, before nodding and getting up to follow victor out the door.

ned supposes he'll have to wait to see what heaven is like.

~

i am so so sorry for not updating, i've just had a hectic few weeks haha. happy holidays everyone!