Hidden in MacDonald Hall

1980s film related things

Bruno paced his room for the third time this morning since talking to the gang. Who knows how long Boots had been in that pool. His fingers are probably wrinkly by now, scratch that, his whole body definitely looks like a prune if he's been swimming this whole time! It's almost lunch and Bruno is itching to have a proper conversation with his dearest friend.

The confession was shocking and Chris' observation was dead on. Bruno does care for Boots, in a way that he convinced himself was just a deeply rooted friendship. They did get too handsy, with the arms draped over the shoulders and tight hugs after a dispute. Their eyes would always find each other in a crowd when they were separated for longer than ten minutes. Their worlds revolved around each other, day in and out and Bruno is baffled it took him this long to notice. He is oblivious. He truthfully couldn't imagine a life without Boots! That may seem dramatic, but they're inseparable friends who just so happened to fall for each other along the way.

Which is why Bruno found himself yanking open his door and marching down the dormitory hall. Elmer was on his way to lunch with Wilbur and paused to look behind him,

"Bruno! You've emerged from your sulking. Do you have a plan in mind? Care for our assistance?"

"Thanks, buddy," he squeezed his shoulder briefly as he kept his pace, "but I think this is one Operation I can do on my own!"

Elmer looked after him as he continued on and smiled over at Wilbur.

"Our little boy is growing up."

Elmer laughed and elbowed Wilbur,
"Gross!"

______________________________

When Elmer and Wilbur arrived into the dining hall, they both shared a confused look as they noticed Bruno in his regular seat with Boots' empty directly next to him.

"Did it really take three minutes and point eighty two seconds to mend things?"

Bruno looked over at the pair as they sat down and he shook his head,
"It didn't happen yet."

"Okay wait, I know that smirk..."

"You all know my smirk. Boots' is just better at reading it."

Elmer gave a knowing look to Wilbur and they noticed Bruno shake his head,
"Yeah enough of those looks too! I know you know I am into Boots. Is that really a secret anymore?"

Elmer shrugged, "kind of was just for you. All the other boys figured."

"Well," Bruno slammed a fist onto the table; in a commanding way not angry, "after this, the message will be pretty clear."

"What are you quite planning?"

"Operation nineteen-eighties-horror-film."

"Excuse me?"

"I mean it kind of rings but the horror film is if it goes horribly wrong."

With that Bruno clambered onto the table, the plates and silverware rattling with his movement. His two friends, along with the rest of MacDonald hall, looked up at him in confusion and intrigue. He crouched down briefly to pick up his iPhone and stood back up; facing the entrance of the dining hall.

"You were never subtle with your Operation names," Elmer admitted.

"Or very subtle with any of his plans ever. This is Bruno we're talking about."

"That's right, go big or go home, that's the Bruno motto," he looked down at the two from his stance on the table.

"You've never said that. It's also not even trademarked by you, which means it's not officially owned-..."

"Elmer," Bruno hissed as he scrolled through his phone.

"You have approximately seven minutes before The Fish gets a whiff of this plan and tracks you down."

"Thanks Elmer, start the timer."

Almost like a miracle, Boots strutted into the dining hall and immediately froze in his tracks; linking eyes with Bruno. The latter smiled brightly and held his phone above his head like a boombox while a song blasted through his speaker: It Takes Two by Yo Cappa.

The hall was completely slack jawed; it was comical. What seemed like a romantic gesture turned into a deliberately awkward moment for Bruno. He wanted to embarrass himself while making this announcement, so Boots wouldn't feel the same from his admission of how he felt before.
Bruno walked his way down the long table and hopped off once he reached Boots' and swayed to the music,

"It takes two to make a thing go right," he recited, "and it takes you to balance me out. It take you Boots to make me realize my true feelings. I'm so sorry I hurt you, buddy. I wish I saw the signs, I'm so out of it sometimes."

"Sometimes?"

"All the time. I'm focused on myself, my plans and I drag you into them without ever considering your feelings. The last plan I have definitely proved that."

"Can you..," Boots reached over and grabbed Bruno's phone. He lowered the volume and set it onto the table, "that was unnecessarily loud for this conversation."

Bruno smiled softly and rubbed the back of his own neck, "I really like you Boots."

"Only you could take a romantic idea and make it so Bruno-ish."

"Is...is that an insult?"

"Never. Saying something is 'Bruno'ed is definitely a compliment. You're so compelling and intriguing."

Bruno smiled at Boots warmly before hugging him tightly, "forgive me," he quietly pleaded into his shoulder.

"Always."

The pulled apart slightly and stared at each other; their eyes burning into the other's. The room was silent, all the boys completely focused on this interaction. A voice clearing made them pull away quickly, as Boots turned around to face where the noise came from.

"Hear, hear to Bruno and Boots," Sturgeon held a cup above his head in the doorway and the boys around them cheered. As he took a sip, he then made a 'come along motion' to Bruno,

"Lets go, Walton."

Bruno didn't look fazed and he smiled again at Boots and went to follow Sturgeon. Boots squeezed his hand before letting go. Bruno walked out of the dining hall with all eyes on him. He paused in the doorway as he throws his hands up to silently cheer with the cafeteria with a huge grin on his face.

It was Fish clearing his throat after a while that got Bruno to continue walking to his office.

Operation Status : Success.