Just Do It (TannerBraungardtxDylanMitchell)

20: Sat In Silence

Dylan tried to move on, but he got a decent night's sleep and woke up feeling empty. He showered and had a breakfast of toast and Dr. Pepper, but the hole in his chest had yet to disappear. So, he texted Quentin to come over, then resided in the corner of his bed where he numbed his mind with stupid YouTube videos that couldn't even make him smile anymore.

He felt like shit because he couldn't bring himself to be a supportive boyfriend. He just couldn't. He didn't understand why his life was unraveling at the seam like it was. He felt even worse because, without an ounce of motivation in his body, he couldn't bother to do a single thing to try and make it better.

Quentin walked in with a smile that Dylan immediately recognized. It was the awkward, toothy smile that meant I have a secret but I can't tell you. Dylan would normally press him with questions. Quentin grew worried when Dylan glanced at him, then back at his essay without a hint of emotion on his face. Quentin sighed. This so wasn't worth fifty bucks.

"You look like shit."

Dylan merely shrugged.

"Seriously, when was the last time you slept?"

"Um. Three days ago?"

Quentin shook his head.

"Don't even start. I'm fine."

He wasn't fine. He couldn't move on.

Quentin sat down with him to work on his own essay, checking his phone every ten seconds to see if Tanner had texted him yet. The blonde was back in town. He had said he would be seeing his cousins and grandparents first thing today. He would go around to all their houses before surprising Dylan, but Quentin just wanted him to hurry up.

"Dylan, you should go shower. You look like shit." He reiterated and earned a glare.

But the brunette set his laptop aside and stalked off to the bathroom. He had to admit, it felt nice to wash away to sweat and sadness from the last few days. As the warm water poured over him, he imagined all the shit that he had bottled up flowing through his veins and out his fingertips. He felt better.

It was also nice to put on some clean clothes.

"Dylan!" Quentin yelled the second the bedroom door started to open. "Go get me some food!"

Quentin sighed in relief when the door closed and he heard retreating footsteps. Then he turned around to face the window and grinned. Crouched on the ground with a wicked smile stretched across his face was Tanner. He wore red Gucci shorts and a pink tank top. He looked ridiculous but Quentin had never been happier to see him.

"Finally. I thought you were never gonna get here."

"Aw, I missed you too."

They spoke in low voices so as to not give Tanner away as he hide between Dylan's bed and the wall. Quentin resumed his position, looking down to hide his suspicious expression.

Dylan returned with a bag of Doritos in hand, clueless as ever.

"This is all we have. I couldn't-"

He lost his voice when Tanner jumped out of nowhere. He froze as the chips hit the carpet. Then suddenly Tanner had his legs and arms wrapped around Dylan. It took a minute, but eventually Dylan comprehended what just happened and hugged his boyfriend, burying his face in his neck.

"Surprise, babe!"

"I don't...I don't I understand." He leaned back to take it all in. "What the fuck?"

Tanner hopped down and stood on his own two feet again, smiling radiantly up at the beautiful face he had missed so much.

"I wanted to surprise you." He smiled innocently.