Just Do It (TannerBraungardtxDylanMitchell)

6: Stomachs Knotted With Butterflies

The next day, they were different. Dylan finally let it sink in that the boy he's spent the last several years of his life with would be living in this beautiful city and he would be back in dismal Kansas. That made him unbelievably sad, and standoffish. He stood in the background, trying not to form any rash opinions about the extravagant houses they toured.

Tanner noticed the sudden disinterest and it made him feel so guilty. He tried to act like nothing had changed. Of course everything had, though. He was going to be leaving his best friend.

It was right after their third tour of the day when Tanner lost it. The house was huge- bigger than the one back home. It was elegant and far beyond what they needed. The Braungardts were in love with it. Dylan had stood in the foyer the whole time, pretending to read a brochure the realtor provided.

They were driving around a small suburb of Los Angeles in search of a restaurant for supper. Dylan was quiet, staring out the window. It really pissed Tanner off.

When Kim pulled into a McDonald's parking lot and parked, Tanner took a hold of Dylan's shirt sleeve and hauled him out of the van. Everyone walked away as they stood in place. Tanner glared an evil stare with his arms crossed over his chest.

"You're really not okay with this, are you?"

He ignored the blonde.

"Fucking look at me, Dylan, and tell me why you're acting like this!"

Tanner stood so close Dylan only had to raise his eyes a couple of inches to meet his. He swallowed the icy lump in his throat. He knew he couldn't evade the topic forever.

"No, I'm not fucking okay with this. Yeah, I'm so happy you're getting help, but don't fucking expect me to be happy about having to be without you for god knows how long. We've hardly gone three days without seeing each other since sixth grade, and once you move here, I will miss you so much."

He took a few steps back and turned around. He was surprised all that came out. It shocked them into silence. They both took soundless deep breaths to steady their emotions before either of them could speak again.

"If there was any other way, we would do it. Believe me. I don't want to leave you. It's the last thing I want. But this is the only way, and it's temporary. Before you know it, I'll be back, happier than ever, and I'll never leave you again. Okay?"

"Okay, but-"

"No buts! That's all there is to it. I hate the thought of leaving you, but I need to do this. Please, see it from my eyes."

Dylan truly felt stupid. "I'm sorry."

They embraced, the hug lingering longer than necessary until Kim announced they were ready to go. Tanner pulled away and looked at his friend.

"It's going to be okay, you asshole."

The tension between them dispersed just like that. Dylan was still upset about the situation, though it had somewhat simmered down. They took their to-go bags, and hopped into their seats.

After their fast food supper, the family decided to walk the beach. Dylan trailed barefoot behind Tanner through the soft, fine sand as the sky turned a brilliant orange with the beginnings of the sunset. He gazed at the scrawny blonde boy with his dark eyes, full of admiration. Tanner was smiling in a way that made Dylan smile and his heart pound.

They didn't talk much or look at each other as they wandered down the beach. The moment wasn't extraordinary, or worth committing to memory, but the way both their stomachs knotted with butterflies made it remarkable. Tanner knew he would always remember the way he felt in that moment, standing barely an inch from his favorite person in the world. Dylan didn't understand what he was feeling. It was a strange concoction of emotions he couldn't name.

"Let's sit." Tanner said.

So they sat. The sand held warmth from the day. The warmth matched the blush in Dylan's cheeks. He didn't understand why it was there.

Their legs were bent, knees gently knocking one another. Tanner awkwardly stretched his arm out, flexing his fingers, before intertwining them with Dylan's and settling their hands in his lap.

They side-eyed their hands, then glanced in opposite directions. The brunette tried to wrap his mind around this- holding hands with his best friend, which he had done a million times before, but this time, it didn't feel quite so platonic. It only got worse when Tanner rested his head on Dylan's shoulder. Every affection meant something new.

Dylan involuntarily coughed, causing them to suddenly pull apart and him to nearly hack up a lung. Tanner laughed softly, patting his back.

"Way to ruin the moment."

"Whoops."

Tanner glared at him with an unconvincing smirk that was more fond than anything. Dylan feigned an expression of innocence, then turned his head to look anywhere but at Tanner. Embarrassment warmed his cheek once again and he wanted to cry.

"Hey, look at me."

A soft touch from rough fingers turned Dylan's head when he refused to look at Tanner. He blinked, attempting and failing to avoid eye contact with the deep blue eyes staring into his soul. Eventually he had no choice but to look at him.

"I-I um..."

Tanner pull the brunette's chin down the tiniest bit and so very cautiously leaned in. He closed his eyes so he wouldn't see the rejection he was anticipating, and was surprised when he felt Dylan's lips on his.

The moment it started, the kiss was over. It was like an electric shock, the way they pulled back from each other. Dylan's eyes went wide and he immediately knew they just fucked up their entire friendship.

Their second kiss was soft and slow and sweet. One mouth was nervous against the other's cautious lips. When Tanner's hand slipped to the back of his neck, Dylan became all to aware if his lanky limbs. He had no idea where to put his hands, and settled for Tanner's hips before he could over think it and ruin it.

Tanner's mind completely melted. He lost all train of thought and concept of time. So when they leaned away to breathe and he came back to reality, he was surprised to see the sun still hadn't fully set.

"Whoa."

"Yeah. Whoa."

Dylan decided this must be what being on drugs felt like: Utter elation, panic, butterflies, nausea, and giddiness. The sensation was undescribably wonderful and awful. It was simultaneously being the greatest and the worst thing he had ever experienced.

Tanner just felt euphoric.