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it was the last day of high school. a big day for some people. most kids were gushing about how much they’d miss each other. others were excitedly talking about college or moving out or whatever was there to look forward to. not robert.
no, robert only had one thing on his mind. and he was trying so hard to ignore it. he was trying so hard to squish the butterflies hammering against his ribcage. he was trying so hard to cool his flushed cheeks and slow his racing heart. but how could he when he was only 5 feet away from fucking ted cruz and this was the last time he would see him and why does he have that look in his eyes and oh god he’s walking closer.
“hey luke. glad i got to see you before we leave” ted cruz says with a smirk. he acts so casually, as if he has no idea the effect he has on robert. as if nothing changed between them. robert’s manages to mutter something in response. he’s not even sure what he said. all he can focus on is trying not to remember the Incident. it’s to no avail. memories come flooding into his brain. the taste of cheap vodka. ted messing with his hair. warm, hazel eyes staring so invitingly at him. and then warm, surprisingly soft lips pressed against his.
robert’s blush deepens and he’s unable to look ted in the eye. why is he here? he should just leave and stop prolonging on his misery. rip the bandaid off. but he can’t. he can never be the one to leave ted. ted’s hold on him is stronger than gravity. the realization that this really will be the last time he sees that stupidly handsome face. it’s his last chance to do something. anything. it’s asinine and will probably ruin his life. but it’s all he can do to hold on to the fantasy.
he looks up directly at ted’s face with a desperate, almost feral look in his eyes.
“are you really gonna act like nothing happened? like there’s nothing between us?” robert asks, his voice cracking. ted’s eyes widen but he remains silent. “i know you remember it. i know it wasn’t just a way to experiment or some kind of weird joke”
“luke… i can’t”
“yes you can! this has to be worth something” robert inches ever so slightly closer to ted.
“teddy, please” ted just stays silent as robert closes the distance between them. robert looks up at ted with an irresistible look in his eyes.
their lips meet once more, but this time there’s no alcohol easing that electric buzz robert feels. no, he feels it all. robert kisses with a deep, desperate intensity. ted kisses back, more hesitantly at first, before giving in. there’s a level of sadness in the kiss. they both know it’s not just any kiss, but their last one. a kiss goodbye.
after what feels like an eternity, they come apart. robert gazes into ted’s eyes one last time.
“i really have to go now”
“please, stay just a few more minutes. teddy”
ted just shakes his head.
“good bye luke. have a nice life”