×-R e p l a c e d-×

Chap. 12 | The Reason

Tyler quickly followed Evan before he could even lock him out of the room. The shorter didn't have the time to make his escape so he just sat there on the bed, face in his palms as he tries to relax himself. The taller man slowly sat besides him and carefully placed his hand on the other's back as a comforting gesture only for Evan to pull away just as he made the contact.

Evan stood up and began pacing once more, a mannerism he had every time he's troubled. Tyler frowned, he doesn't know how to start the conversation but he does know that it will be a very heavy one.

"Fuck-!" Evan suddenly shouted, placing his hands on his raven hair and gripping his locks as he tried to pull it away. "I knew I shouldn't have done that! I shouldn't have taken advantage of you- this, I just thought that I could- I-..." He glanced at Tyler with hurt in his eyes. His eyes turned puffy and his skin turning red,

"Evan..." Tyler spoke, worry laced in his voice. Evan knew the moment he held the taller one's drunken body he had brought a problem to himself. He knew that if he only controlled the way he feels he could just avoid all of this from happening. He was filled with guilt yet at the same time, he enjoyed it. He enjoyed the feeling of their bodies touch, the way the other would hold him and vice versa. The sensation he feels and the knot in his stomach. It just feels so right yet so wrong.

He enjoyed it so much even it's just a way to soothe their problems away even just for a moment.

So when he heard Delirious talk to Tyler about him being just a temporary replacement, it pained him. It was a like a pie being thrown straight at his face. He should've known. He knew that Tyler had always loved Craig. He knew how special that cheerful man it is to him yet here he was, fooling himself into thinking that Tyler could maybe love him the way he loved Mini.

"It is true though, right? I'm just this... Replacement for the meantime! What am I even thinking that you, of all people, could love me back? I should've known. It's basically my fault and here I am, paying for it!" He continued to rant, flailing his arms around trying to make sense. Just as he said that, the blue eyed man suddenly stood up and took the man in his arms. Burying his nose in Evan's hair, taking the time to smell his scent.

Chocolate syrup and a bit of sweat from all the rants.

He then exhaled for eight seconds but still not letting go of the other. "Yes, it is true that I loved Craig. And he would always be in a special place in my heart, and I know that you know this." He started, he could feel his boss stiffen, taking in the truth. "But," he interjected, his body a little bit shaking, "I've also loved you..."

Evan's brown orbs widened, he looked up to be greeted by teary blue ones. Tyler continued, "ever since we formed this shitty group of a gang, I h-have feelings for you... And gosh, I've told Mini a thousand times of how I felt about you... How I had always loved your laugh, your voice, and your smile. About how I hated it so much when you let that clown bitch join the crew. How you've spent so much of your time on him more than me." He admitted, closing his eyes, his hands never leaving Evan's body. "And when I noticed you were better off without me, I gave up." Tyler took a deep breath and slowly let his arms fall to his sides, "I gave up and Craig helped me cope with it. He made me smile every time I see you with that masked dude. He promised he'll stay, as a friend and as a boyfriend."

He spoke, remembering the times he and Craig had done together. "That's why he'll always stay someplace special in my heart, Ev... I thought you and Delirious would hook things up considering on how much you guys always flirted. I never thought that it would end up like this," he paused. Pressing his lips tight and forming a straight line, he gently placed his hand and caressed the other's cheek. "I've always loved you."

Evan's heart exploded in a thousand pieces from the word he never thought he would hear from Tyler. Tyler, loved him?? How could he be so oblivious?? He thought that Tyler liked Craig more than him so he never took the chance. Funny how the tables have turned. Evan took Tyler's hand and stared at his eyes with so much emotion. "Tyler, I know Craig means so much to you, but would you kindly accept me too? We've had a rough start and I want to start over."

Tyler's frown turned upside down, he now has one of the brightest smile you could ever see. Embracing Evan once again, he could feel the Canadian hug back.

Their cheerful moment soon stopped when a buzz came from Evan's phone. He slowly took it out, having to glance at Tyler every once and a while and turn to see who had texted him.

Speaking of the devil, Luke had finally replied.