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As the Flowers awaken from their dreamless rests, so too do the feelings of the Lovers.
Friends were amazing. Jane always stood by that fact. They were always there for you, ready to either beat someone up, comfort you, or simply hang out.
> TT: Jane.
> TT: I fucked up.
Oh how wonderful to start a day, receiving those two messages at 3 in the morning. By the time Jane had gotten around to replying, it was well into the day, her morning being fully wrapped up by 9 am.
> GG: Dirk, what do you mean by “I fucked up.”
> GG: And better question, to what degree of fuck up are you implying.
Jane was at her desk, happily enjoying a warm cup of tea (blueberry blessings, a wonderful blend to start the day off right) while preparing to finish up some university assignments. Curse her business degree for being postponed so late.
> TT: I mean, it could be worse.
> TT: I’m not bleeding this time.
> GG: Oh joy. If that was the case I would not wash anymore blood out of your clothes. Seriously, how can you bleed so much and still be deemed ‘healthy.’ Especially after last time.
That last time had been an accident involving moving machinery, ill placed hands, and one program going ary. Dirk was lucky he still had all his fingers. Jane took another sip while Dirk worked out what exactly he was going to say.
> TT: There is no other way to put it.
> TT: I like Jake.
Jane blinked, setting her glass down first before using both hands to reply.
> GG: Dirk.
> GG: Did you only just figure this out?
She could have sworn she could hear Dirk’s guttural yell from miles away. It’s either he was just that defeated, or she knew him so well that her mind could replicate his reaction.
> TT: Jane. How long have you known.
> GG: Nice answer: Recently when you’ve been acting like a mess and making goo goo eyes whenever he breathes.
> TT: The not nice answer?
> GG: When Jake first wore swim trunks in 10th grade.
> TT: Fuck.
It would be a lie to say Jane was not enjoying every second of it. She’d been watching Dirk slowly fall in love with Jake for so long that it was starting to get infuriating. It had taken so much self control not to grab their heads and either hit them together or guide them into a kiss, depending on the day, just to expedite the process.
> TT: Wait, if you knew, why didn’t you say anything?
> GG: It’s the best IRL Drama. Why would I even dare to ruin the process of self realization and discovery when I could instead watch it in real time instead of reading about it.
> TT: I see.
> GG: Also it's revenge for the times you stole my nice pens in highschool.
> TT: I paid you back!
> GG: Interest, my dear friend, is a merciless system! Of which I will reap the benefits until the well is dry!
> TT: How cruel of you.
> GG: Cry me a river, Strider. You’ve done the same.
> TT: Touche
Jane lifted her glass once more, taking a drink.
> GG: So?
> TT: So what?
> GG: When are you going to tell them? You are going to confess, right?
> TT: …
Inhaling deeply so as to not absolutely destroy one of her oldest friends, Jane slowly typed out her next reply.
> GG: Dirk Strider, you are going to confess, *right?*
> GG: This is your closest friend, someone who’s been with you through thick and thin. You know everything about each other, all the way down to what texture of briefs you both enjoy.
> GG: If you pass up this opportunity, you are giving away the dream partner everyone wants and yearns for, and someone else will snatch him up.
> GG: You and I both know he has a line of people who’d love to be in your position, and I swear to anything you hold holy, if you just shrug it off and wave this away, I will actually just make you go missing.
> TT: Are you actually threatening me?
> GG: For fucks sake Strider, yes. I am.
> GG: I’m that serious about this.
> TT: But what if he doesn’t feel the same, or what if we do date and he finds that I am insufferable.
> GG: Dirk he has helped change your IV, was there when you went through that awkward stage of T, and took care of you when you were recovering from top evene when you didn’t need help anymore.
> GG: There is nothing you do that he hasn’t either witnessed or done himself.
Dirk stopped replying for a bit after that, leaving Jane to her own thoughts as she looked over the messages again. She was a little harsh, but there had been so many times Dirk had let these opportunities go because he was worried it wouldn’t go as he hoped. She had to be harsh otherwise he’d just mope in his room (and of course she was always sent in after him, mostly because she did the exact same thing.)
> TT: I’m just not sure how.
> GG: Easy. Don’t do this shit over text messages. Let it come up when you both hang out. You could even try to do it at a group hangout. I’m sure Rox and I could be distracted for a bit.
> TT: But that interrupts the group time.
> GG: Dirk honey I love you.
> GG: But me and Rox used to make out during hangouts when you and Jake were doing other things.
> TT: I KNEW IT.
> TT: By the way, how’s that going?
> GG: We’re talking about labels soon. This break was really good, seeing as we both had time to work on ourselves. They are a lot happier now and so am I.
> TT: That’s great.
> GG: Hold on. How dare you change the topic.
> GG: You Devious Man.
> TT: Drat I was so close.
> TT: I do have to go for a bit though. Dave needs a ride and his car is still in the shop.
> GG: Fine, you’re off the hook for now.
> GG: But I expect you to message me once you are back.
> TT: I promise. Bye Jane.
> GG: Bye Dirk.
– – – – –
> GT: roxyroxyroxyroxy
> TG: jakejakejakejake
> GT: So.
> TG: so.
> GT: Grab your pillow. Youre gonna scream and i dont want to subject your neighbors to what comes next.
Heading Jake’s warning, Roxy leaned over and set a pillow in their lap for easy access.
> TG: hit me with it.
> GT: I like dirk.
> GT: *Like* like him.
> GT: A lot.
Roxy was pretty sure they broke a sound barrier, even with their face shoved in a pillow as a new record was set for the highest note they could hit.
> TG: DETAILS JACBE
> TG: TEL
> TG: ME NEED
> TG: NOPW
> GT: Okay okay!
> GT: If i’m honest, i think ive liked him for a bit
> TG: i mean yeah
> TG: even i knew that
> TG: but *whyyyy* do you think so?
> GT: Hold on hold on. You knew already?
> TG: jakey i love you like my own kin but you are not subtle.
> TG: do i need to pull up the time when you ranted to me about how frustrating d was but it just turned into a rant about how “perfect” he was?
> GT: NO
> GT: I mean uh.
> GT: Thats not necessary.
> TG: ‘s what i thought.
> TG: now spill.
> GT: So uhm…
> GT: I went by his house yeah? To drop off some of his jacket that i borrowed a few weeks ago.
> TG: again, romantic as heeeeeell that he gave you his jacket when we were heading home.
> GT: REGARDLESS
> GT: I dropped it off and he uhm
> GT: Well it was unexpected and he uh
> TG: omg
> TG: nakey?
> GT: NO!
> GT: Good heavens no oh my lords roxy!
> TG: awww
> TG: if you didnt get to see his mini me then why are you so flustered!
> GT: First of all please dont call it a mini me.
> TG: ;P
> GT: Second of all he wasnt naked but he wasnt fully clothed either.
> TG: LE GASP
> TG: YOU SAW HIM SHIRTLESS
> GT: I did.
> TG: OMGOMGOMG
> TG: soooo how’d he loook?
> GT: Too nice. I shoved the jacket into his arms and hurried away before he could say anything.
> TG: awww jakeeeyyy
> TG: thats so cute!
> GT: It was horrifying!
> GT: I should have given him a heads up at the very least!
Roxy moved to their stomach, kicking their legs behind them. “They’re such a dork.” They muttered to themselves. “Respectful nervous dork.”
> TG: and miss out on the strider gun show?
> TG: im glad you didnt le thim knwo
> TG: fuck
> TG: let him knwo
> TG: knwo
> TG: KNOW
> TG: there we go.
> GT: Roooooxy
> TG: jaaaaaake
> GT: Focus on the main issue!!!
> TG: oh yeah
> TG: is it really an issue?
> GT: IM IN LOVE WITH MY BEST FRIEND.
> GT: HOW IS THAT NOT AN ISSUE.
> TG: see we have dfferent views.
> TG: me personally? thats so adroable and sweet.
> TG: yall are like the best tv show ever.
> GT: ROX
> TG: right right sorry
> TG: okay so feelings bad in this situation.
> TG: why?
> GT: Why?
> TG: yea!
> TG: why are they bad?
For… security reasons, Rox took a quick screenshot of their messages and sent it to Jane. ‘they’re so dorky.’ They giggled as they awaited their replies, finding this whole situation the most entertaining thing ever. ‘Gog, at least I’m not the only one getting these messages.’ Jane had attached a screenshot of her messages with Dirk and Roxy couldn’t help but burst into another fit of giggles. “Oh my gosh this is perfeeect!!!!” Attention suddenly shifted as Jake replied.
> GT: I think its cause hes just been there so long it feels wrong to change things.
> GT: Like. I feel like it would ruin it.
> TG: jake I love you so very much as a friend.
> TG: but what the fuck.
> GT: What?
> TG: ruin it? by making it closer and more intimate?
> TG: you dumb bitch.
> TG: no
> GT: :(
> GT: Im a dumb bitch?
> TG: right now? yes.
> TG: love you
> TG: but that is so dumb
> GT: Aw…
Roxy snickers as they roll over on their bed, belly up and now precariously holding their phone. Many drops have occurred in this position, and many more will happen.
> TG: you arent ruining it by confessing. if he rejects you, then you can still be friends.
> GT: But what if he doesnt want to be friends…
> TG: ill find a way to convince him ;3
> GT: Roxy!!
> TG: tehe
> GT: Okay okay. I can do this.
> GT: How do i do this?
> TG: wait till its just you two then… BAM, romance him!
> TG: you got the charms for it!
> GT: Uggggh this is so hard.
> TG: oh i know it will be ;)
> GT: ROXY
> GT: Okay yep we end this conversation here. Good night lalonde.
> TG: niiiiiight stud!
A warm blessing, as things begin to heat up.
Dirk flopped down onto a laid out towel, face down, before letting out a long groan. “Jane, I'm doomed.”
“Mhm, and what led you to that conclusion.” Jane, who was simply trying to read her book under the comfortable shade of the umbrella they set up, didn’t bother to look over at Dirk as she turned the page.
“Too hot.”
“Too hot? Elaborate.”
Her answer was Dirk pointing at Roxy and Jake, both standing at the shore talking with their surfboards under their arms, already soaked. Dirk groaned into his towel. “Why do they look so good in swim trunks? Why don’t I look that good in swim trunks? Why do they always look good when they’re soaked but I look like a soggy towel!?”
Jane patted Dirk’s head sympathetically. “Welcome to the reality of hot people. They always look good.”
“It’s unfair.” Dirk settled on, rolling onto his side to face Jane. “ They’re unfair.”
“I’m guessing you haven’t gotten a chance to tell them then?”
Dirk’s expression was response enough. Jane chuckled and shook her head. “How bad was it?”
“They just made me short circuit. They laughed, smiled when I was talking and were perfect.” He hung his head. “They’re always so perfect.”
“There there, Strider.” Jane set her book down. “We’ll find a way to get them eventually. Let’s let it rest today, okay?” Dirk practically melted onto the towel, groaning again. “We seriously need to get this done as soon as possible though. It’s weird seeing you this much of a wreck. Now come here, I need help applying sunscreen and I already know you didn’t apply any since we got here.”
“Did too.”
“Shut it and grab the bottle loverboy.”
A nice spot of cool air for those who cannot handle the heat of exploration.
“Oi, mourning party, stop staring into the flames like you want to jump in.” Rox plopped down beside Jake, who had their knees pulled up against their chest, staring blankly ahead. “Jaaaake. What happened, why are you so distant?” Roxy’s smile dropped and they set their drink down to their side, turning to face Jake. “Come on, you aren’t usually this out of it.”
Jake sunk their head between their knees. “I don’t think Dirk will like me back.” They admitted. “We’re friends, really really good ones, and I got so close earlier, in the maze, to admitting I liked him, but he was so happy, and smiling wide for once, and laughing, and I just got worried that if I confessed it would ruin the mood and-and-”
“Easy there English, you’re spiraling again.” Jake leaned to the side, falling against Roxy. They wrap their arm around the ball of feelings Jake had become and rubbed their side supportively. “Let’s take some deep breaths, okay?”
A comfortable silence fell over the two of them as they watched the fire lap across the logs with the occasional spark and snap. Jake tugged their coat closer to their chest as their breath finally slowed to a natural pace. “Why does this have to be so hard? Can’t it be like those rom coms where it's magical and perfect and not…” They gestured in front of them as they tried to figure out the words. “Icky and messy.”
“I mean, it can still be magical and perfect, but if it was like the movies, think about how fake and superficial that would be.” Roxy reasoned, glancing over at Jake. “It’s so much better when you overcome the hurdles and do it yourself.”
Jake shrunk a little more, grumbling. “I guess you’re right.”
“Plus, if you were in an actual rom com, you could get stuck in a love triangle, and not the fun ones where they all realize they have two hands.” That brought out a laugh in Jake. “Like, seriously! They can all be happy and kiss and cuddle, they don’t need to fight for the affections of one person when they could just as easily share and be happy all together!”
They lost themselves in conversation once more as the topic of love triangles came into question, leading them to spiral into a debate about which movies were worse. Such riveting debates were interrupted when Dirk and Jane rejoined the group, taking their seats.
“What has you both so excited?” Dirk questions as he passes Roxy a thermos to refill their drink with something warm.
Roxy started before Jake got a chance. “They’re trying to convince me that Avatar of all things is a romance movie!”
“It is! That’s like, a key factor in the main plot!” Jake argued, grinning. Jane shook her head.
“That’s not what makes a movie a romance. Any plot can have romance, but there are certain factors or aesthetics that need to be present.” Jake glared at Jane.
“How dare you take their side!” Thus began Jane and Jake bickering about what constitutes a romance film. Roxy caught a glimpse of Dirk’s face and their heart fluttered with excitement. He was only staring at Jake, and it was soft. It was warm and caring and utterly infatuated.
Oh. Oh Jake will be just fine.
Chilly nights lead to warm moments as friends become closer and closer.
“ Please, Spare him! Take me instead!”
Roxy mimicked the dramatic line to Jake as the two broke into a fit of giggles. Dirk and Jane both fought off their own chuckles as they kept their eyes on the TV ahead of them, though they did break into smiles.
Movie nights, never anything better.
There came a moment where Jake checked their phone to see a message from Dirk, sent when the movie had begun.
> TT: I need to talk to you later.
> TT: Alone. It‘s important.
Jake’s stomach dropped. Oh fuck, had he seen something? Was this something they did wrong?
> GT: What happened
> GT: If i did anything im so sorry!
Dirk felt the buzz and glanced down. Oh no, he hadn’t meant to make Jake worry.
> TT: No no it’s nothing like that.
> TT: Calm down dude.
> GT: Then what do you mean important? Alone?
> GT: Is it cause i have been distant lately?
Well, Jake had been distant, but Dirk was not helping either in that field.
> GT: Its shitty i’m so sorry
> GT: I need to be a better friend.
> GT: Ive been so worried about me me me and havent taken time for you
> TT: Jake.
> GT: And youre just such a good friend
> GT: And im. me.
> TT: Jake!
> TT: Dude, seriously, stop talking shit about yourself.
> TT: I literally could not ask for a better boyfriend.
When he typed that out, Dirk could have sworn up and down that he had only typed friend. In a fun little twist of fate, the actual word he had hurriedly written was vyfriend, which had autocorrected to boyfriend for some forsaken reason. Dirk was too busy to notice, focusing back on the movie without checking over his messages.
There was a notable pause in responses from English, before a single word was repeated back.
> GT: Boyfriend?
Dirk glanced back at his phone and felt everything shut the fuck down. He pulled the texts up and reread his message, a sick feeling in his stomach not mixing well with the burning panic and embarrassment flooding his mind. How did he manage to mess this one up? The one person to message that to!
> TT: FRIEND
> TT: FUCK
> TT: AUTO CORRECT
> TT: IGNORE
> TT: JACOB PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF THE MUSES IGNORE.
Dirk sunk into his chair, hands shaking as he watched Jake’s little icon stare up at him, antagonizing him. Was this it? Had Dirk just ruined their friendship? Surely Jake would look past this, right? It’s not like they hadn’t joked about this before but that was with others and it was always Rox or Callie who started it! He was about to work himself into a nervous fever when a gentle ping pulled his attention back to the message log.
> GT: I mean.
> GT: If we are being completely honest and transparent here, or as you put it,
> GT: ‘Prostrating the deepest darkest secrets to your bro’
> GT: I wouldnt exactly *mind* being that.
> GT: That is if you are actually okay with it.
> GT: Shitnickers if you are not ignore these please
> GT: Clear the chat log
> GT: And we can go back to just friends, yeah?
Dirk just stared at the messages, eyes wide and unable to form a coherent thought. Jake… wouldn’t mind being his boyfriend? Dirk could have sworn Jake was friendzoning him. Like when Jake always reassured over and over how platonic things were, or when Jake acted so distant after Jane started instructing him on how to make advances, or…
“ Oh Fuck. ” Jake had been making advances this whole time. Was that why Rox was always giggling whenever Dirk talked about Jake? That little shit-
“ What’s wrong D?” Jane leaned over, worried as she noticed his distress. Shit he probably looked like a mess, red and shaking while looking down at his phone. He muttered something about it being nothing. Jane was about to press further when Rox elbowed her, gesturing across the room to Jake. The two share a look, grinning, before looking back up at the movie. Scheming Fuckers.
> GT: Dirk?
> GT: Buddy you with me?
> TT: Jacob, do you know how easily you can make a man have a heart attack?
Jake started full body laughing, drawing everyone's attention to them. “Sorry- sorry.” They held up their hands. “Caught me off guard.”
> TT: Caught you off guard? YOU DON'T OPEN WITH I WOULDN'T MIND
> GT: To be honest and fair, this is not my forte.
> GT: Ive never been the one initiating this sort of thing.
> TT: Haven’t you dated people before?
> TT: This shouldn’t be new to you.
> GT: Dating apps and being asked out in highschool is a lot different than asking your best friend if they would like to be your date Dirk.
> GT: These things are hard to bring up naturally.
> GT: And i didn’t want to mess up our friendship with some stupid overreaching confession.
> TT: Okay fair point.
Dirk glanced over at Jake, making eye contact with them. It seemed they both were having a hard time with this confession.
> GT: Perhaps we should try this again?
> GT: After the film, face to face, and not over messages.
> GT: Somehow messages are worse.
> TT: Agreed. We’ve got like half a movie left.
> GT: Enough time to gather our words and settle our nerves.
> TT: Exactly.
> TT: Now get off the phone, English.
> TT: Rox is trying to read your messages.
Jake turned around and slapped Rox’s knee, glaring as they snicker and sink back into the couch. They turn off their phone and tuck it away, attention back on the movie. Dirk joined in, trying to gather his composure once more and focus on something other than the racing of his heart and the sinking feeling in his stomach. How could someone turn him into a wreck so easily? Lords, he was so far gone at this point.
Roxy and Jane were quick to clean up and hurry off, something about personal matters to worry about (Dirk saw them go into the bushes, they were not as smooth as they thought. However, that meant Jake and Dirk were left alone as Jake was about to leave. They were on the front door step, bag in hand, looking back into the house at Dirk.
“Was there anything else you wanted to talk about Dirk?” Jake called back, smiling. Oh, right. He agreed that they would talk about feelings and junk. Dirk approached Jake, leaning on the doorway.
“So… how long?”
Jake started chuckling immediately. “That’s where you’re starting?” A raised eyebrow lent no mercy to Jake. “Fine, awhile now, only fully realizing it for the past year.”
So Dirk wasn’t alone in that. “Same here.” Awkward silence filled the area, with Dirk slipping his hands into his pockets.
Jake spoke first, thankfully. “So, are we partners? Or are we just kinda testing things out?”
“We can be partners, if that works with you.”
“I like partners.”
“Then it’s settled. Jake, will you be my partner?”
Putting on a dismissive attitude, Jake crossed their arms and looked around. “Hm… I don’t know. You’re kinda mean and rude.”
“Oh and you’re such a saint?”
“Why yes, I am only kind and sweet,” They retorted in feign dismay and disbelief.
“Let’s call up Caliborn then, I’m sure he’d love to talk with y-”
“Woah ahaha, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves there!”
“So will you?”
“... After much consideration, yes Dirk. I will be your partner.”
Dirk offered his hand out, but instead of taking it, Jake pulled his wrist and dragged him down into a kiss. Cheering erupted from the bushes as the two melted into the kiss. It felt right. Roxy was right, the build up made it worth it. As they pulled away, Roxy and Jane rose up from the bushes.
“Told you I was right!” Roxy yelled, getting not one but two middle fingers as the two stuck their tongues out at them. Maybe things weren’t so bad with messy pinings. The payout seemed to be very rewarding, in this case at least.
As all things begin, so too must they conclude. Flowers bloom, the sky brightens, and new love is given room to grow.