Feeling.

Are We There Yet?

Tay sits down across from Bright at The Apan, and Bright pretends not to notice the knowing look in his best friend's eyes.

"Yes?" Bright finally says after a long chug from his beer bottle.

"How's Tine?" Tay asks, setting his beer down and crossing his arms over his chest.

"He's fine," Bright says. He spares a quick glance over at the table of the rookies in the corner. Metawin, Gun and New seem to be involved in a heated game of quarters. Win is laughing, his arms in the air as he cheers for one of them. He looks back at Tay and shrugs. "Why, what's on your mind, Tay?"

Tay sighs dramatically. "You know you don't have to feel guilty, right?"

That was unexpected. "What do you mean?" Bright asks, though he tries to keep his tone casual.

"I love Win. He's like family to me and I understand that he has a lot going on emotionally. I know that you really care about him, but you don't need to feel guilty about moving on," Tay says.

"I don't feel guilty," Bright says quickly.

"Sure, okay, brother. Anyways. I just wanted you to know that I only want the best for both of you. If you two can't make it work, that doesn't make your friendship any less important, you know?"

Bright is about to mock his friend but then sighs, leaning back in his seat, and laughs dryly. "When'd you get so wise?"

Tay laughs easily. "Well… break-up will do that to ya," he says.

Bright frowns. Tay's boyfriend left him a month ago and he's recovering pretty well considering, but it's still hard to watch.

"Tine… he's… easy."

Tay starts to make a crude joke but Bright cuts him off.

"I mean… what you see is what you get. He doesn't hide anything. He doesn't lose his mind every time he opens up to me. He's just… simple."

"Bright… you'll figure it out. Just relax. I'd say keep it up with Tine if it's worth your while. You deserve to be happy. If you are happy…" he trails off and grabs his beer, walking over to the dart board.

Bright looks back over at Win. It's his turn to throw the quarter on the table. He's giggling in the way that lets Bright know he's already pretty buzzed, and it's adorable.

Bright turns Tay's words over in his head. He knows he deserves to be happy. Is he happy? He can't tell.

"What's going on in that head of yours?"

Bright jumps at the voice, tearing him from his own thoughts. "Hey," he says, a smile plastered on his face as Tine leans forward and places a kiss on his cheek.

"Hmm… long day," he says.

"So… what's with you and that rookie from your birthday the other night?" Tine asks as he slips his jacket off. Gotta give the boy credit, he doesn't beat around the bush.

Bright sighs. "It's a long story. He's a close friend of the family."

"And…?" Tine asks.

Bright looks over at Win one last time and this time, Win is looking back at him. When he meets Win's eyes first, they're hurt. But when Win registers his gaze, he gives Bright a small smile, and a tiny wave of his hand.

Somehow, all in one look, Bright knows that Win's trying to give him his blessing from across the room. Win's trying to let him know that he's okay.