Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Some quick ground rules.

- AGE APPROPRIATE SHIPPING ONLY.
If their ages don’t touch, neither should they.

- This is NOT for NSFW (most I’m willing to go is second base.).

- For the love of GOD please don’t be weird in my comment section.
And don’t cause fights either. This is purely for fun.

- Relationships can be anywhere from experimenting to dating.
The world is your oyster.

-ISTFG if I see y’all shipping Reese with Chris or something I’ll smite you.

-Again, I reiterate. AGE APPROPRIATE. No aging people up or down to fit the ship. They are their canonical ages.

-I also haven’t seen anything past World Tour in years, and have yet to actually watch the reboot.

SO DROP A PROMPT BELOW!

ALSO!!!!!

Fanfics based of the series is always welcome, I’d love to see how you guys would write Reese.

PLEASE.

BE. NORMAL.

Chapter Text

It had started a couple days after Reese’s arrival at Playa de Losers.

They’d been relaxing around the main area when someone brought up the game ‘Kiss, Marry, Kill’.

And,being the teenagers they were, they all settled for a game.

Courtney was still pretty pissed at Harold, so her response was immediately to kill him, kiss Geoff and marry DJ.

Then it got to Reese.

Noah. DJ. Geoff.

Reese took a swig of his soda as he surveyed the three.

“Hard to choose…I’d kill Geoff, sorry man..”

“Aw man…”

“Then I’d marry DJ and kiss Noah.” Reese took another drink.

That answer…

Honestly surprised everyone.

“You’d kiss NOAH?” Courtney scoffed.

“Don’t underestimate the nerdy boys.” Reese gave a small smirk “the quiet ones use their mouths better. Maybe he could use that smart mouth for something else.”

“Damn! Way to go geek!” Eva clapped bush a bit too hard on the shoulder in excitement.

Not that he noticed.

He was honestly stunned by the answer Reese gave.

Kiss…him.

Him.

They went a few more rounds before calling it a night, and Noah cornered Reese in the kitchen, almost getting decked for sneaking up behind him but luckily he dodged it.

“Sorry…sorry. Instincts.” Reese apologized “you need something?”.

“Was that some kind of a joke?” He asked defensively “saying you’d rather kiss than kill me? Let’s face it, those two are better options.”.

It HAD to be a joke.

“Would you rather I kill you?” Reese laughed “besides. Why would I joke about that?”

“Because you’re friends with DUNCAN.”

“And? Just because we’re friends doesn’t mean I’m just like him. Besides…You’re not bad looking. And you’re funny. I’m sure you’ve made plenty of girls…or guys happy.”

“But WHY.”

Reese paused “Dunno. You’re kinda cute I guess. Not usually my type but you’ve got a charm to you.”

“Me. Charming.” Noah said sarcastically.

“Yep. Why are you so hung up on this? It’s just a game.”

“I’m not hung up on it!”

“Dude. You’re acting like you WANT to kiss me.” Reese dumped the last bottle into the recycling bin.

Reese studied his face for a second, but shrugged “but whatever you say man.”.

He turned to walk, only for Noah, in a surge of unusual confidence…

Yanked Reese up by the shirt and kissed him.

Reese definitely been caught off guard at first, but then smiled into the kiss.

Reese…was good.

Not that he had anyone to compare it to, but he wasn’t sloppy.

——-

Reese had been caught off guard by the sudden kiss, but relaxed into it.

He was right, Noah wasn’t bad.

A novice, but not terrible.

Reese pulled away with a grin on his face

Noah’s face suddenly felt warm and his stomach turned.

The kiss had been good…he enjoyed it.

“Noah? You okay?” Reese’s usually stony face morphed into a rare emotion of softness.

He never noticed just how expressive Reese’s eyes were before.

“I’m…good. See you tomorrow bye!”

Noah sped off before Reese could respond.

——

He kissed Reese.

He liked it.

Reese apparently liked it too, he was half sure that was Reese trying to flirt, but something felt weird.

His skin felt loose but tight all over. His stomach felt bubbly and his head was fuzzy and his hands felt shaky.

He kissed a guy.

He kissed a guy.

He kissed REESE.

Oh god everyone knew Duncan liked him.

He was so DEAD.

A knock at the door startled him.

“Noah? It’s Reese.”

The words “come in” tumbled out before he could think.

——

Reese sat next to him on the bed “you okay? You kind of ran off.”

“I’m doing just peachy. Can’t you tell?”

Reese shook his head “get it out of your system?”

Noah mumbled something but looked away from him.

“You’re not a bad kisser.”

“That’s not it.”

“Is it because you kissed a guy?” Reese asked.

Noah shook his head “I kissed you. Duncan likes you. I’m DEAD.”

“Noah. Duncan might like me, but I don’t like him like that. We’re just friends.“

“But-“

“Ah.” Reese held up his hand “and he’s not going to do anything. He learned his lesson not to mess with my relationships.”

“…relationships?”

“If you’re up for it.” Reese shrugged “unless you want something more casual.”

Him?

“Me. You like ME.”

“Yeah.” Reese admitted with a smile.

“…Oh.”

“You’re kinda cute. You’re funny. Smart. I like that in a guy.”

Him.

Reese liked HIM.

“So…you want to kiss me.” Noah asked slowly.

“Yep.” Reese popped the ‘p’ with a grin “Like I said, not bad…but I think it needs a bit more…practice.”

For a guy so dense, Reese was smooth.

“But, if you don’t want to. That’s fine. Didn’t mean to give you a whole crisis there.”

“As if you were the first one to make me question my sexuality.” Noah scoffed “pucker up Freckles.”

Reese just smiled big and leaned in to kiss him.

Fuck the million, he got a boyfriend!

Chapter Text

Reese found Tyler at a secluded spot on the beach.

Far away from the others, as if he was hiding.

“Hey man…” Reese called “you okay?”

Tyler was startled and looked up and looked like he might run.

“I just want to talk.” Reese held his hands up.

He relaxed and avoided Reese’s gaze.

“There’s nothing to talk about.” Tyler mumbled “you already know.”

“What Alejandro did wasn’t okay.” Reese sat beside him “you didn’t deserve to be outed like that.”

Tyler had his chin resting on his knees, and looked over “you’re not mad at me?”

“Mad at you? No. Mad at Alejandro? Way worse than mad.” Reese reassured “you’re not going to get in trouble at home are you?”

Tyler shook his head “lots of the guys don’t mind that kinda stuff…ma and dad don’t either.”

Reese looked relieved “that’s good. Glad you’ll be okay at home.”

A beat of silence.

“You can’t help how you feel about someone ya know. Duncan couldn’t help it either.”

“Yeah but you two are DATING now. So it’s different…you can’t like me back.”

Reese looked confused “I’m not dating Duncan…what made you think that?”

“Wait...You’re NOT dating Duncan? You’re so close!”

“Yeah. We are.” Reese nodded “we DID date for a while, but…we broke up. About a month before the season started.”

Reese sounded a bit sad and Tyler knew that small pang of pain he must of felt.

“He’s not trying to get back with Courtney or anything.” Reese added “he’s just taking time to sort himself out.”

“I’m sorry…you guys were good together.”

As much as that hurt Tyler to say, they were.

”It’s fine.” Reese waved a hand “can’t make someone be ready for a relationship. We’re still friends though.”

“Oh…wait.” His words caught up to him “so…”Tyler looked at him out of the corner of his eye “you’re single?”.

“As a dollar note.” Reese nodded in confirmation “and about ready to start dating again.” He smiled a bit,

“What about you?”

Tyler froze.

He hadn’t expected THAT.

“Oh…Me and Linds?”

Reese nodded.

“We…broke up. Not cause I like you.” He quickly added “just…grew apart I guess.”

“Aw. Sorry Tyler. I know you really liked her.” Reese put a hand on Tyler’s shoulder.

Reese was touching him.

“It’s fine. She was okay with me liking you…I still like you…If…that’s okay?”

There it was. A real confession.

Reese smiled and slid a bit closer to close the gap “more than okay.”.

Reese hand was on top of his.

That was a MOVE.

….what.

“What.” Tyler asked dumbly.

“You said you liked me? Well…” Reese smiled at him (Tyler loved it when Reese smiled) “I like you too.”.

WHAT.

“What?!” Tyler jumped back from him “and you didn’t TELL me?”

“You were dating Lindsay. Who am I to break someone up. I didn’t know you two broke up.”

Tyler chewed his bottom lip “How long?”

“Not when we first met, I thought you were cute…but I didn’t want to date someone on the same team as me. It would’ve gotten weird if we argued and had to sleep in the same cabin. Then I broke that rule when me and Duncan dated last season. But if I had to guess…it was mostly around the beginning of this season?”

Reese ran a finger through the sand “and I didn’t know you were into guys. So I didn’t say anything. Didn’t want to make it weird between us.”

“Me either.” Tyler fiddled with his thumbs “I…didn’t know until I saw you…after…” he gestured to Reese.

Reese paused.

“No! Not like that! I know you’re a guy!” Tyler quickly corrected himself “you just got hot is all!”

Tyler was turning red “I mean- You got muscles now and you’re so strong and I bet you could lift me!”

He was really putting his foot in his mouth.

“I mean you just look healthier! You were so small before! Well you’re still small but now you’re fit-“

“Tyler…breathe.” Reese “I know what you mean. I didn’t exactly scream masculine before.”

“What?! No! You were SO masculine! It’s just…I dunno. How you are now? You’re not wound up….” He looked down “I…like that you’re not like that anymore. You looked tired all the time. Sad. Mad.”

Oh.

“That’s…really sweet.” Reese smiled softly, and Tyler’s heart almost beat out of his chest “I can see why Lindsay liked you so much. You’re a really good and sweet guy.”.

Wait.

“If you’re single…and I’m single…” Tyler thought for a second before beaming “then WE can be single together!”

Reese tried not to laugh.

Tyler wasn’t the brightest bulb in the box, but he was definitely the sweetest treat in the kitchen.

He was almost in Reese’s face, on his knees and had his hands clenched in the air in excitement.

“Is…this your way of asking me out?” Reese laughed.

Tyler nodded quickly.

He had to act FAST before someone else found out Reese was single and swooped him up!

He FINALLY had a chance!

Reese pecked his cheek “I’d like that a lot Tyler.”

If Tyler had a tail, Reese was sure it would be wagging.

“So…we’re boyfriends?”

“If you want, yeah.” Reese nodded.

“I HAVE A BOYFRIEND!” Tyler cheered “wait does that mean we can…”

Tyler leaned in closely and Reese wondered for a moment if Tyler was going to proposition him right there…

“Cuddle?”

Oh god that was so cute.

“Yes.” Reese kissed the tip of Tyler’s nose “we can cuddle all you want.”

“And hold hands?”

“Yep.”

“And hug?”

“Uh huh.”

“And…kiss?”

Reese gave him a soft smile and pressed his lips to Tyler’s “yes. We can kiss.”

Tyler broke into a big grin and bolted upright and took off towards the plane.

“Tyler!” Reese yelled after him “where are you going!?”

“TO TELL EVERYONE!”

Reese couldn’t help it.

He broke into a big laugh.

Chapter Text

When Reese set his mind on something, it was really hard to try to convince him otherwise.

And right now that something was winning a panda plushie from a claw machine.

He and Noah had been walking through the arcade when they found it, and Noah had pointed out how cute the panda was.

Which made Reese drop what he was doing to try to win it for him.

Only to get frustrated each time the stupid claw dropped the damn thing or just barely grasped it.

“Reese. You really don’t have to do this.”

“I already wasted twenty bucks trying to get it. You want this panda? You’re GETTING this panda.”

“You can buy one at literally any toy store in the mall.”

“It’s the PRINCIPLE of the matter. I’m winning you this panda!”

Noah just shook his head in exasperation as Reese furrowed his brow in concentration.

He look kinda…cute like that.

Brows furrowed and tip of his tongue sticking out as he maneuvered the crane.

“Almost there…” Reese muttered.

A little more to the right…

A bit back….

Right over it…

“I love you you sentimental dork.” Noah smiled.

He froze as soon as the words left his mouth.

Reese hit the button, startled by the sudden declaration.

They hadn’t said that yet and they’d been dating almost six months.

Noah was mortified.

It had just slipped out!

“ I mean - I- UH…I..”

Reese’s face was flushed but he looked...happy.

“I…I love you too.”

They just looked at each other.

The words hung in the air.

“Sorry I wasted your time on this stupid claw machine.” Reese gave the machine a light kick.

“Reese…”

“I should’ve gave up after the third attempt. These things are impossible.”

“Reese.”

“It’s just a panda! We can go to Make-A-Creature and get you one-“

“REESE.” Noah put his hands on Reese’s shoulders “you got it.”

“Got….what?”

“The PANDA. Look.”

Reese turned.

The panda was awaiting in the drop off.

“Oh!” Reese bent over to grab it “this is for you.” He held the pandas out with a proud smile, his cheeks flushed.

Noah took it in his hand.

Reese looked it over proudly “do you like it?”

Noah looked it over.

Cheap. Mass produced. Poor quality.

Nothing special looking and just a generic panda plush.

“I love it.”

Chapter Text

Brick had tried to be quiet when he was getting ready for his morning work out.

Reese was still sleeping, as usual. He usually got up around 7am and the clock current read 5am.

Reese was really…something.

He was tough, but under the rough exterior, he was really…sweet. Protective.

At least to the people he liked.

Reese was an old contestant, and had been dragged back to island by Chris, who Reese said had begged for him to come back, to be a medic.

They’d seen him on tv, and had witness his good and not so good moments.

Reese was a lot of things.

Loud. Sometimes aggressive. Athletic. Strong. Did NOT tolerate people’s disrespect.

Scott had made ONE nasty comment too many and had woken up dangling from a tree branch the next morning with Reese threatening to beat him like a piñata if he didn’t straighten up his attitude.

In short, people were fucking TERRIFIED of the dude, especially after seeing the sheer feats of endurance and strength he was capable of.

But he wasn’t a bully and called people out when jokes went too far and almost punched out Lightning for bullying Cameron before Chris stepped in to prevent it.

But he was also pretty well liked and was friendly with mostly everyone.

Especially Brick, who he seemed to take a liking to.

Reese never made fun of him, and had supported him when he said he wanted to be a fashion designer.

He didn’t laugh when he admitted to being afraid of the dark like the others had, instead Reese admitted to being afraid of storms.

He’d been absolutely MORTIFIED when he wet his pants in fear, and despite his best efforts to hide it, Reese had noticed immediately something was wrong.

But he had just offered his jacket to cover himself up until he could get changed and never mentioned it, except for when he stood up for Brick when Jo mocked him.

When his secret had been revealed, Reese took the he heat off of him by saying that he got his first period in white skinny jeans at school, and wasn’t THAT worse than wetting your pants?

They bonded over shared interests and got to really talking.

They actually had a lot in common.

It had started out like a normal day, them exercising together.

Yoga was actually a pretty good warm up.

No one else had been around, it was just the two of them.

They’d been in cool down, and chatting about something Brick can’t remember…

When Reese had asked if could kiss him.

He’d been too stunned to speak or even move, but his heart almost beat out of his chest in elation.

Reese…was a surprisingly gentle kisser.

And he LIKED kissing him.

A lot.

“Honey? You okay?” Reese’s tired voice brought back to the present.

“Huh?”

“Your thoughts are very loud mi amor.”

“Oh…oops. Sorry.” Brick laughed “I’m just going for my work out.”

Reese just blinked at him tiredly “and since you’re up…Do you want to come with me?” Brick continued.

Reese normally went for an afternoon run everyday, while Brick preferred to do his workout in the morning.

“Brick…it’s early….”

Brick turned on the puppy eyes he knew Reese was weak to “please?”.

Reese just smiled and rolled his eyes, throwing the blanket off of him “okay okay, give me ten minutes and I’ll be right down.”

“Yes!” Brick lumped his fist “you’re the best! Love you!”

“Love you too.” Reese leaned up to kiss his cheek as walked by him to get to the bathroom.

It was hard to believe they’d been together for almost three years.

Chapter Text

One month of dating and Trent had nothing to show for it.

Nothing physical at least.

Sure he and Reese had been on DATES, but they hadn’t really exchanged anything to really solidify their relationship.

Trent was going to write a song for Reese, but the minute he put pen to paper he felt so lost.

They were a much to say about Reese.

If Trent had written down every detail he could’ve written an entire symphony orchestras worth of songs.

They’d been through so much.

How could he condense his boyfriend into one song?
——-

Two hours and Trent was about to consider scrapping the idea and doing something else because NOTHING was sticking.

He tapped his pencil rhythmically in threes, which slowly started to form a beat.

He scrambled for his guitar and set up his microphone to catch his voice so he could write it down.

He strummed a bit, and mumbled the lyrics, erasing and scratching as he went until he had a solid base for it before going it over and over and over again.

Trent stared at the paper again before strumming his guitar.

“I love the way you speak your mind
You’re smart and funny and really kind

You know what I’m thinking, even if I don’t make a sound.

You’re the greatest guy that I’ll ever find around.

I knew I liked you
When I barely knew your name.
And then you said ‘hey’ and I’ve never felt the same.

You can’t see how great you are,
but I know I do.

I just want you to believe me when I say that it’s because I love you.”

It was one of his better songs, and he was actually pretty proud of it.

It WAS the first song he wrote for a boy after all.

All that was left to do was perform it.
——-

Reese loved how much of a cheesy dork Trent was.

Reese had never been one for romantic comedies, but Trent did and they watched them together pretty often.

And Reese hated to admit it but they were starting to grow on him a bit.

They’d been dating for a month and Reese had set up the living room (and kicked Chef and Chris out of the house because those two were nosy as hell.), with a few bowls of snacks a stack of romantic comedies.

The lights were dimmed a bit, the volume at just the right decible.

Everything was going smoothly and all Reese had to do was give Trent his gift.

Reese was reworking the cover art for Trents albums, something that would fit his style and genre while working in his personality.

He had to pull three all nighters and almost put his fist through the printer because it kept stalling and saying it needed more cyan ink, but it was done.

All that was left was to present it to Trent and have a nice quiet date.
——

The nerves had wracked his body so much Trent had stalled at the front door, hand still poised above the doorbell.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine.

As the last few chimes rang out, Trent almost mentally kicked himself for it, but stopped himself.

Reese understood. Reese wouldn’t be mad.

Reese would remind him to take deep breaths and hold his hands to squeeze.

It was okay.

The door swung open and Reese smiled up at him and stood on tiptoes to give him a kiss on the cheek before letting him inside.

The place was sensory friendly now, and Trent felt a surge of love rush through him.

Because Reese DID understand. He understood more than anyone Trent had ever met.

Reese prioritized him over mostly anything.

When Trent had panicked at the fair at the sight of a mime, Reese hadn’t laughed. He took him to a different area, even though Reese would miss out on a ride he wanted to go on.

Trent would call Reese during storms to help ground him and keep his mind busy on anything he could think of.

He…loved Reese.

He really really did.

“The first movie of the night is something my prima Lucía recommended, she says it’s super romantic and mushy.”

“Wait!”

Reese froze, hand still poised over the DVD.

“I…I have something for you. I wrote you a song.”

Reese sat down with a smile “and I have a present for you too….you want to go first?”

“No no…you go first.” Trent waved his hand.

Reese handed him a folder that had been on the table when he arrived with a small smile “I hope you like it.”.

Trent opened it and his eyes went wide.

It was amazing.

Green gradient letters popping on a black background, with a white outline and Trent’s guitar highlighted by the shadows.

“This is amazing! How long did this take?!”

“Not long.” Reese smiled “but I wanted to make you something special. You mentioned needing new cover art for your albums so I tried my hand at it.”

“This is DEFINITELY going to be it. This is so amazing! I love it!”

His gift seemed so minor now, but it was now or never.

Trent took a deep breath and handed Reese the MP3 player with a shy grin.

He couldn’t have lifted his guitar all the way to Reese’s, as much as Trent would’ve loved to serenade him like in the movies, it wasn’t that practical.

But tent would do it one day.

He watched Reese’s face change as he listened to the song, and when it was over Trent’s gut swirled with anxious anticipation.

Only to have Reese lean in close with a dark face but a big smile “I love it as much as I love you.”

“And?” Trent asked slowly.

Reese kissed him on the lips, only pulling away for a moment to smile at him.

“As much as you love the new album cover cariño.”.

Chapter Text

Tyler thought his heart was going to beat out of his chest as he hovered his hands above the keys.

He hadn’t played in forever but he had talked such a big game in front of Reese that he backed himself into a corner and now had to show off his “mad piano skills”.

Of which he barely had because he stopped playing after he broke three pianos by accident during his practices before.

They sat at the piano and Reese hadn’t stopped smiling and it was VERY distracting for him because Reese hardly ever smiled, not really, and it was so hard to concentrate when he was RIGHT beside him.

Especially when he was so close could smell Reese’s Eucalyptus and Jasmine shampoo!

“Well?”

Reese’s amused voice brought him back to reality.

“Are you going to show me?” He grinned.

Tyler nodded and put his fingers on the keys, which resulted in a loud ear splitting shriek of the keys because he pressed too hard.

Like he had when he last practiced and before he took up sports.

Tyler’s face lit bright red and he swiftly tried to regain his composure to try again.

The consecutive two tries ended the same way.

Reese’s face cringed at the noise and he gently took Tyler’s hands off the keys “you know how you hold my hand?”

“Yeah?”

Reese held Tyler’s hands above the keys “remember how you’re always really loose and gentle?”

Tyler nodded slowly.

“Do that with the piano. Pretend it’s me.”

“You…want me to…hold hands with a piano?” Tyler cocked his head like a puppy.

“No, Mi Luz, just touch the piano like you would me, understand?”

Tyler still had his head tilted and eyes wide in confusion.

Reese gingerly set Tyler’s hands on the keys “just follow my lead okay?”

Reese gently pressed on Tyler’s fingers to make the keys play, steadily guiding them.

Slowly the notes began to ring out and Reese began to sing.

“Do mi sol do

Do sol mi do

Every truly cultured music student knows

You must learn your scales and your arpeggios

Finger music ringing from your chest

And not your nose

While you sing your scales and your arpeggios”

Oh! Tyler knew this song! It was from one of Reese’s favorite movies!

He quickly joined in,

“If your faithful to

your daily practicing

You will find your progress

is encouraging

Do mi sol me

do mi sol me fa la sol, it goes

When you do your scales

and your arpeggios”

Reese smiled at him and slowly took his hands off Tyler’s so he wouldn’t notice, still singing along with him.

“Do mi so do

Do mi sol do do sol mi do

Do mi sol do do sol mi do”

Tyler’s fingers pressed the keys without Reese’s aid and he didn’t even seem to notice, and they still kept singing together.

“Though at first it seems

as though it doesn't show

Like a tree,

ability will bloom

and grow

If you're smart

you'll learn by heart

what every artist knows

You must sing your scales

And your

arpeggios~”

The last note faded and Reese clapped and Tyler smiled as Reese pecked his cheek, only for his face to change to befuddlement as he looked down to see his hands weren’t held by Reese’s anymore.

“When did that happen?!”

Reese grinned at him “right after the second verse. The rest was all you, Mi Luz.”

Tyler’s confusion went immediately to joy “I did it? By myself?!”

Reese nodded.

“And I didn’t break the piano this time?!” Tyler threw his arms up in excitement “score one for the Ty-man!”

Reese leaned into his side as Tyler slowly returned his hands to the keys as the notes to “Ma Belle Evangeline” slowly drifted out.

It was really amazing to see what a confidence boost and encouragement could do.

Chapter Text

“BABE! BABE LOOK!”

Reese looked up from the book he was reading to see Tyler finally accomplishing the handstand he’d been attempting all morning.

“Looks great sweetie!” Reese called “be careful of the-“

SPLASH!

“…pool.”

Reese walked to the side of the pool just as Tyler came spluttering up to the surface.

His cheeks were bright red from embarrassment and he looked sheepish “I’m okay!”.

“I’d hope so.” Reese laughed as he sat down, sipping his feet into the cool water “is that what you wanted to show me?”

“No…” Tyler leaned in close “but it did work.”

“What worked?”

Tyler just grinned and gently yanked on Reese wrists, effectively pulling him into the pool.

Reese shook his hair and spit out the mouthful of water “Tyler!”.

Tyler pulled him closer “what?”

Reese couldn’t find it in himself to be mad “you got me.” he laughed lowly.

He leaned in and pecked Tyler on the cheek, making him go pink but have a really dopey smile on his face.

Reese then took the opportunity to dunk him “and you left yourself open.”.

“Hey! No fair!”

“Plenty fai-“

Reese let out a shriek as Tyler wrapped his arms around him “Tyler! Tyler put me down!”

“No way!” Reese could hear the smile in his voice “you’re just gonna go back to that book! Stay in the water!”

”Okay okay!” Reese conceded “I’ll stay!”.

”Promise?” Tyler teased, his fingers tickling Reese’s sides.

“Okay! Okay! I promise!” Reese laughed “I promise!”.

Tyler lowered him back into the water, but still held Reese close.

Reese turned in his arms and laid his head on Tyler’s chest, still wet from the impromptu swimming. He could feel the cold of the water. Smell the chlorine. And could hear Tyler’s steady heart beat.

Ba-dump. Bad-dump. Ba-dump.

“You’re so silly…” Reese closed his eyes “I love you.”

“Love you too.”

BadumpBadumpBadump.

“How about we continue this inside? That show you like should be on soon.”

“Crazy Monster Mash Super Fun Game Show?!”

“The very same. But we can only watch it if we get out of the pool.”

“Let’s go! I love the opening credits!”

Tyler pulled Reese along side him as they ran back into the Playa de Loser house.

Once they got dried and settled onto the couch with their snacks, Reese laid his head back on Tyler’s chest, and felt his arm wrap around him.

Strong. Warm. Safe. Steady.

His heartbeat setting a soft simple but steady melody that would calm him down on a bad day.

Ba-dump. Ba-dump. Ba-dump.

Chapter Text

Ever since the season began, it was kind of obvious Tyler was into Lindsay.

Really obvious actually.

But that switched when Reese had finally been worn down by Duncan to join their game of soccer.

Or as Reese called it, fútbol.

And it turns out, Reese was REALLY good at the game.

He easily dodged when one of them tried to get the ball and ,since they were taking turns being the goalies, almost effortlessly stopped them from scoring a good 90% of the game.

Tyler had been on goalie and Reese was heading right for him, he righted himself, ready to block and show them he wasn’t useless in sports as he seemed, only for the ball to smack him right in the face.

Hard.

His head swam and he was seeing stars and his nose REALLY hurt.

“Oh my fucking god I’m so sorry!” Reese was kneeling beside his head “Tyler can you hear me?!”

Tyler blinked a few times. Reese’s head blocked out the sun, but was being framed by the sunlight, making him look ethereal.

He could see the big worried brown eyes staring down at him, scanning for injury.

He was so close he could see the freckles on his face.

He looked…pretty.

Not like Lindsay. Just…he didn’t have the words.

Really nice looking.

He liked being looked at like that.

It was like he was in a trance. Like he could stare at those big eyes forever.

“Is he concussed or something?” Duncan’s voice ruined the imagery and everything else’s seemed to fade back into normal.

“I’ll take him to the med tent. Can you stand?”

Tyler nodded and pushed himself to his feet, feeling a bit light headed “I don’t think you’re concussed but it’s better safe than sorry…on that I’m SO fucking sorry about that. I didn’t mean to aim towards your face.”

“It’s okay…” he murmured.

His heart was beating out of his chest and everything felt light again. It wasn’t like this with Lindsay.

He liked Lindsay, liked being with her. She was sweet and funny and so nice…

But Reese was smart. Funny. Nice.

Looking at Reese made him feel so…so different. Like he was liking deep into his soul.

“You’re quiet. Is everything okay?” Reese asked as they walked.

“I think you’re nice.” Tyler muttered.

“Oh…” Reese seemed taken aback by that “thanks? You’re nice too.”

“You’re funny. I like that. I like you.”

“I like you too.” Reese smiled.

A smile from him, a genuine one at that, wasn’t common.

Tyler liked that he could make him smile for real.

——

Reese sat with Tyler while he was being checked out, but that made it hard to focus so Chef gave him the boot.

He must’ve made a face or something because Chef just hummed at him, like he knew something he didn’t.

——

He was given the okay to go back to the game, but the game had pretty much ended. DJ and Geoff were lazily kicking around a ball, Harold had left to do whatever. Duncan was hovering over near where Reese was drawing in the shade.

It wasn’t unusual but something felt…different this time.

Something cold and ugly in his stomach as he watched Duncan lean in closer to Reese, who looked like he was explaining the picture.

He turned on heel and stomped off the the cabins.

——-

A couple days later he knew exactly how he felt and he was terrified because he only liked GIRLS until that point, and Reese was a boy.

But being near Reese made him feel good. Reese never forgot his name or laughed at him, never mean or cruel or rude. Vulgar, yes. Reese could cuss people out like no one’s business.

But he had moments where he was so nice. Kind. Tyler would even say…sweet.

Reese didn’t make fun of him for being scared of chickens, or DJ sleeping with his teddy bear or when he wrote long winded letters to home or when one of them ranted about something. He was always looking out for people.

And apparently had people looking out for him because Duncan seemed to notice just how Tyler was feeling and it felt like he was making a point to rub it in his face about how close Reese and him were.

He wasn’t mad Reese was friend with Duncan, he liked Duncan and Reese could be friends with whoever. But seeing them act all couple-y stung like a thousand bees.

Tyler’s fists clenched and unclenched at his sides but he approached them.

Reese looked up and seemed happy to see him, and Duncan had a big grin on his face that he only got when he was up to something.

“REESE HAS SOMETHING TO TELL YOU!” Duncan announced as he ran off.

“ASSHOLE!” Reese called after him.

“Tell me…what?”

“It’s nothing!” Reese answered quickly “it’s stupid just forget about it!”

“Cmon…tell me! Please?”

“Tyler-“

“Please?”

“…fine. Okay.” Reese took a deep breath “Let’s say…I really like this guy. He’s really sweet and funny and a total goofball.”

That…didn’t sound like Duncan.

“well…we kinda had this moment. As dumb as it sounds. But he’s really into this girl and I don’t want to ruin that for her. Or him.”

“Who…is it?”

It couldn’t be DJ or Duncan, DJ wasn’t really into anyone and ‘sweet’ and ‘goofy’ were NOT adjectives used to describe DUNCAN.

Geoff, maybe? Owen? Cody?

Reese avoided his eyes, suddenly deciding the sand was more interesting.

“Please! I promise I won’t tell! Not even Lindsay.”

It was so subtle. So subtle he thought he imagined it.

But Reese had flinched at the name.

“That’s what this is about. I know you like her and she likes you and I don’t want it ruin anything.”

Tyler’s heart beat faster. He knew he wasn’t the smartest guy, but even he knew what THAT meant!

“Oh.”

“It’s dumb. Like I said. So just forget it.”

Reese was off before Tyler could say anything.

——

Tyler had to break the news to Lindsay.

He expected tears. Yelling. More tears.

What he DIDN’T expect was her saying-

“Oh. Is it cuz you like Rich? I mean, he’s SO cute but totally not my type but if he’s yours that’s okay!”

“You’re…okay with that?”

“Uh huh! Now we can be BFFs again!”

“Well…thanks?”

“Bye Taylor!”

——

Reese was laying face down in his bunk.

“It couldn’t have gone that bad.” Duncan tried.

“I fucking choked.” Reese’s voice was muffled but still heard “then I ran away like an idiot. Who does that?!”

“Cmon, I know he’s into you. You can’t keep doing this.”

“Shut. Up.”

“I’ll take that as ‘you’re right Duncan, you’re so smart and amazing and you’re going to be best man at our wedding.’.”

Reese groaned into his pillow.

The door bust open and admittedly startled the hell out of both of them.

“REESE! I LIKE-“

He saw Duncan sitting on his bunk and froze.

“…you.” Tyler finished slowly.

“Well my work here is done. Bye losers.”

Reese threw a shoe at Duncan as he left, only for Duncan to duck and slam the door shut behind him, the shoe smacking the wood and falling back down and bouncing under Harold’s bunk.

There was bit of awkward silence.

“So..I told Lindsay…and she’s okay with me…ya know.”

“And you?” Reese asked.

Tyler slid just a bit closer on Reese bunk.

“I like you too…thought it was obvious.”

“Duncan knew. He always knows. He wouldn’t stop pestering me until I told you.”

“When were you going to tell me?”

“Never. You liked Lindsay and she like you so that was that…”

Tyler felt a bit sad at that. Reese being sad would make him sad.

“I know you said you’re not going to date anyone in the cabin. But I think I’m willing to let that rule go if you are? If that’s okay?”

Reese laughed a little “are you asking me out?”

“Uh..yeah. I am! Yes!”

Reese sat up in bed and he was so close Tyler could make out every freckle that dotted his face. Every golden fleck his his eyes. The slight curve to Reese cheeks and nose.

Tyler leaned closer and their lips met chastely.

It was…slow. But good.

Reese’s lips were soft and he could smell his shampoo. Eucalyptus and Jasmine.

They pulled away a bit flushed “so…”

“So…” Reese repeated.

“Boyfriends?”

“Boyfriends.” Reese confirmed.

Chapter Text

Reese knew the signs of building stress anywhere.

He also knew just how much of a diva Chris could be. Chris wasn’t malicious, he was just really picky.

Noah had been running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to get everything done and if the bags under his eyes were any indication, he was going to-

“-THEN MAKE IT YOURSELF!”

There was the sound of a shattering glass then angry stomping as Noah almost bulldozed right through him and would’ve if Reese hadn’t jumped out of his way.

“Noah? Are you-“

“I’m FINE.” He snapped.

Reese flinched at the sharpness a bit, Noah wasn’t usually very expressive but now he looked like he was in the edge of a breakdown.

Reese didn’t follow him when he stormed off, maybe a bit of time to cool off would do him so good.

——-

It hadn’t and Reese was started to frat the ends of his sleeves worriedly.

He had to do…something.

He just didn’t know WHAT.

Reese quietly sat at a table in the green room, debating on how he was going to go about it.

He’d always found Noah funny. He was kinda cute and Reese found his sarcasm endearing. Smart.

Reese’s type.

But Reese knew he wasn’t Noah’s type.

As in, Noah was straight.

And Reese had been burned more than once by liking straight boys.

“Reese! There you are! Have you seen Noah?” Cody poked his head in “we can’t find him and Chris is pitching a fit.”

“Not since earlier.” Reese shook his head.

Cody groaned and slumped at the table “great. First he runs from his feelings then he runs from us!”

“….excuse me?”

Cody covered his mouth “I wasn’t suppose to say that! You can’t tell him I told you!”

“Told him what?” Geoff asked as he strolled in.

“That he has like a missive crush on you?” Cody sighed “he’s going to KILL me!

Geoff shook his head “glad we can finally talk about it. It was so obvious even Lindsay picked up on it!”

“What are you two even talking about?” Reese stood up “that’s not funny! Did Duncan tell you? ‘I can keep a secret’ my ass!”

“What are YOU talking about?”

“Oh come on, you two just waltzed in here and started talking about Noah having a crush on me? Not funny!”

“It’s true!” Cody pushed back.

“We’re not trying to be funny!” Geoff agreed “everyone knows he does!”.

“Obviously not!” Reese was getting mad now “you can’t just make stuff like that up!”

“What are you screaming about? I can hear you all the way down the hall.” Noah’s nonchalant voice came from him.

“They’re saying you have a crush on me-“

“CODY!” Noah glared at the other guy “what the hell?!”

“I’m sorry!”

Reese just looked at Noah “wait…you…do?”

“As if you didn’t know.” Noah scoffed “I’m sure this blabbermouth told you all about it.”

“I…” Reese was at loss for words.

“I didn’t know you…liked me. Like that.”

Cody and Geoff were slowly inching out of the room, leaving the two alone.

“God…the delinquent was right.” Noah slumped into a seat beside Reese “you are dense.”

“Duncan’s not a delinquent. He’s a really good guy when you get to know him!” Reese defended, Duncan was a bit rough around the edges but he was a good guy.

“I’m sure you two are VERY happy together.” Noah crossed his arms over his chest.

Reese let out a laugh “me and Duncan? As if.”

“Oh please everyone knows he likes you.”

“That doesn’t mean that I like him. He DID like me, but that was just a passing thing. If anything he’s been trying to set me up with the guy I like.”

Noah blinked “who?”

Reese averted his eyes a bit.

“Oh god please say it’s not Owen I don’t think even he knows he’s bisexual.“

“No, it’s not Owen.” Reese played with a coffee stirrer. Might as well be upfront “it’s you.”

“Haha. Funny.” Noah narrowed his eyes “if this is your idea of a joke then-“

“It’s not. I mean, I never got the chance to really say anything, you got voted out early in season one and last season you weren’t in the cast. We didn’t even talk much the few chances we DID get…”

Noah had to admit, Reese had him there. They hadn’t talked that much, but Reese seemed like a decent guy to him.

“So my question is…when did you start liking me like that?” Reese had begun spinning his necklace around.

“Oh…I guess when you showed just how competent you were. Thought you were another Duncan at first. But you’re smarter than people gave you credit for.”

Reese felt his face heat up a bit, he wasn’t used to be complimented like that.

“When did you start liking me?”

Reese leaned against his hand “the dodgeball challenge. I heard you talking and making those jokes. You’re funny.”

“Wait. Back in season ONE? That was months ago! Why didn’t you SAY anything?”

Reese just shrugged “I kinda assumed you were straight. So I didn’t think I had a chance. I mean, guys don’t exactly fall over themselves trying to ask me out. Matthew was the only real boyfriend I had.”

“Seventeen years, looking like that and you’ve only had ONE boyfriend?”

Reese gave him a look that Noah couldn’t quite interpret “guys usually stop being interested when I say I’m trans. Matthew was the only one who didn’t care about that. Well, he cared but he didn’t mind. I know a few people liked me, but they all stopped liking me.”

That was…kind of sad to hear.

Reese was pretty, objectively speaking. Not Justin levels of gorgeousness but he WAS attractive.

Tanned skin, freckles that dotted his cheeks and nose. His eyes were really the focal point, big and deeply brown. A soft face.

It didn’t match his personality, Reese was tough as nails, but his face was soft.

“-ah. Noah?”

“Huh?”

“I asked why didn’t you say anything. About liking me.”

“Besides the fact you’re out of my league? I never had the chance. First you dated Matthew and then you started dating Duncan-“

“I didn’t date Duncan. I was helping him through his sexuality crisis. He had a crush on me, yeah but like I said. I don’t like him like that. He’s my friend.”

“Oh.”

There was bit of silence “I’m sorry about how Chris acts. He’s not normally like that I swear. He just gets…antsy when it comes to the show. This is his whole life.”

“Doesn’t mean he gets to be a dick about his coffee.” Noah grumbled.

“At least you try. Chef just pours it straight black, no creamer or sugar or flavoring. I thought Chris was going to puke when he took a sip.”

Noah let out a laugh, which made Reese smile.

“Next time he gets like that mention that Chef could always make his coffee. Better yet, be me and say he shouldn’t be drinking it at all. Doctors orders. Make him tea. It drives him crazy, but he’ll do it if you say I asked him to.”

“Why does he listen to you?”

Reese shrugged “I really don’t know. Usually he only listens to Chef. He knows I care about him though.”

Reese did care about people, even if he didn’t show it often.

Noah felt something touch his hand and saw Reese’s hand by his.

That was awfully bold of him, but Noah could be bolder and he was not one to be topped like that.

He put his hand over Reese’s.

“I do like you. Cody and Geoff are just morons.”

“I like you too.”

They were slowly leaning in when Reese’s pocket buzzed.

‘Tell Noah to bring me my coffee’

“Looks like they blabbed to Chris. We should go before he comes looking.” Reese stood up, hand still interlocked with Noah’s “Don’t worry if Chef tries intimidate you about this. His bark is worse than his bite.”

Reese handed Noah his phone and Noah grinned, Chris answered immediately.

“You‘ll get your tea when I’m done talking to my boyfriend. Give us fifteen.”

Chapter Text

To say Cody was panicking would be an understatement of the century.

He had assumed Reese was a girl when he first saw him. He was short and soft looking, and he thought Reese was kind of nice looking but not as pretty as he found Gwen.

So the info that Reese was a BOY hit Cody like a tsunami.

Reese had been BORN a girl, but identified as a boy. He would be staying in the BOYS cabin on his team.

And Cody LIKED how he looked. A lot.

Which Cody could’ve definitely pushed past if he tried, which he had, redoubling his efforts with Gwen no matter how many times she dismissed him.

Which had gotten him a lecture from Reese about respecting boundaries and how ‘no’ was ‘no’ the first time around and if he didn’t cut it out he’d make sure Cody was voted out next.

Which was pretty plausible.

Reese had managed to sway Owen to his side with treats, Beth and Lindsay by standing up to Heather (they liked him way more than they were scared of her) which also earned Leshawna’s favor because they both disliked her and Gwen would’ve been glad to get rid of Cody.

Trent could probably go either way, he liked both Cody and Reese but with Cody’s behavior to Gwen there was a good chance he was in Reese’s favor.

Which meant Cody was outnumbered and if he wanted to stay on the show, he HAD to stop.

But then again…being off the show meant he probably didn’t have to see Reese again or acknowledge any of those feelings he brought with him.

Then again he wanted to win. Badly.

So he elected to just ignore those feelings and address things in a future therapy session in his thirties.

But that had not lasted very long.

It had been the obstacle course challenge designed by Chef.

Which meant it was more like bootcamp.

Cody was obviously the weak link, even OWEN was doing better than he was.

It was dark. He was cold, tired, hungry and sore and he had mud in places mud shouldn’t be.

It had been his fifth go around on the wall and he was right behind Reese, who had just made it to the top and he made the mistake of looking up directly at Reese.

Which proved to be his undoing because in his haste to back up, he let go of the wall when he realized how close he’d been.

He hadn’t expected Reese to reach out and grab his arm, and pulling him back and up towards him.

Their faces were so close Cody could make out the freckles on Reese’s sweaty and dirty face, and the flecks of gold in his eyes.

Once Reese had made sure Cody was okay they both went on their way, but Cody was distracted by the moment.

Reese wasn’t bad looking by any means, he was actually quite nice looking. Not like Justin had been, he’d been gorgeous and everyone agreed on that.

He was just really nice to look at and the fact he stayed behind with Cody instead of going ahead stumped him. He could’ve just left Cody behind and secured himself  win while Cody would get the boot for being last if they lost.

They’d been on the next go around when Reese spoke up.

Chef was distracted by Harold eating it in the mud, so he couldn’t reprimand them for talking.

“You okay dude? You kinda…worried me last round.”

Cody swallowed “I’m fine! Totally fine! Everything’s great!”

Nailed it!

Reese didn’t look convinced and all it took was him crossing his arms and giving him a look that made Cody unravel.

“Okay so when I first met you I thought you were a girl but you’re not and I don’t know what to do because you’re so nice and good looking-“

“Whoa whoa whoa!” Reese raised his hands “slow down. Let’s back this up a bit. I can get how you’d…assume that. I’m not exactly the pinnacle of muscles and masculinity. Thanks for correcting yourself, not a lot of people do that.” Reese looked around to make sure no one could see them or listen in “what was that last part?”

“You’re…good looking. Not girly but I’ve only ever liked girls and well…then you told us you were a boy, ya know…but now I’m so confused right now ‘cause I still like you!”

Cody let out a sight of relief. That felt amazing to get off his chest.

“Cody…is that why you were being weird to Gwen?”

Cody nodded with a groan.

“Well…it explains a lot….” Reese sighed “what you’re feeling is pretty normal. I still have those feminine attributes I can’t get rid of yet. Can’t exactly add ten inches to my height, change my face shape, deepen my voice and grow muscles overnight.”

“It’s not that…I liked you even AFTER I knew you were a guy…but I only liked girls….I like GWEN! I never thought of guys like that!”

Reese gave him a sympathetic look “I know. It’s confusing. I thought that because I was a boy I was suppose to like girls, but I don’t. I’ve only ever liked boys. Only will ever like boys. I can’t imagine how you gotta feel.”

“What do I do?” Cody sounded so pitiful.

Reese peeked around the wall and saw that Chef was now looking around for them, so they better wrap this up.

“You don’t have to do anything.  If you’re not ready to think about or explore this yet, then don’t. There’s no rush.”

Reese looked back “we really should get back before Chef finds us and pushes us harder. I don’t want to clean the bathrooms.”

Cody had silently followed Reese back onto the field, slipping in undetected thanks to whatever Duncan had done to invoke Chefs wrath.

——-

After bootcamp had been declared over, and after many showers to wash the experience away, Cody stumbled back to the cabin to talk to Reese.

They had won the challenge because Reese had had the idea of pulling each other forward and helping each other up and down the obstacle course.

But his mood was a bit…not sour but Cody hadn’t been in the mood to celebrate with the others.

He felt BAD for almost causing his team to lose because it had been so close of a call. They BARELY won.

So he went to find Reese. Reese gave pretty solid advice and would probably know how he could move past this or at least talk him through it.

He opened the door and both Cody and Reese nearly jumped out of their skin at the sight of each other.

Reese was only in a binder and boxers and had rushed to cover himself on instinct while Cody let out a VERY manly yelp and slammed the door.

A few minutes later he got the okay from Reese to enter again.

Cody opened his mouth to apologize, flustered and red in the face but Reese raised a hand.

“You don’t have to apologize man. It was an accident. Did you need something? Thought you guys were out celebrating the win at the campfire.”

“Not in the mood.” Cody slumped onto his bunk “I can’t stop thinking about…you know.”

Reese sat beside him “it’s not your fault. You can’t control that kinda stuff.”

“I almost fell off the wall and cost us the challenge because I was distracted by you!”

“Distracted?”

“Like how everyone would stop what they were doing around Justin…I can’t help it.”

Was Reese getting closer?

“Cody…have you ever kissed someone before?”

Cody was pretty sure that ONE ear kiss he gave Noah while asleep didn’t count, and Reese would definitely know if he lied (Lindsay had said it was like he had ESPN or something.).

“No…have you?”

Reese was a bit closer “nope. Most guys go running when they find I don’t have the…equipment. It’s a bummer but it doesn’t stop me from trying. I’ll probably meet the right guy eventually.”

Reese was definitely closer now, the we’re almost nose to nose.

“Stop me if you’re uncomfortable.” Reese’s voice was low and softer than Cody had ever heard it before.

Then he felt lips on his.

Kissing.

Reese was KISSING him.

At first there was a rush of panic, but he found himself responding to it.

It was over within a minute but the effect had been instant.

“How was that?”

Cody just nodded with a big smile on his face.

“You don’t have to decide NOW who you’re into. Be it girls. Guys. Anyone. But I’m here for you dude. It’s hard not knowing.”

The kids hadn’t really answered anything, but it had been enjoyable and Cody had been into it.

It was a shame Cody had been eliminated in the next challenge, but he felt a bit more sure of himself thanks to that kiss.

Chapter Text

No one really knew what Justins deal with Reese was.

Reese was nice enough to just about everyone, even Heather at times.

It was rare Heather and Reese didn’t get into at least ONE argument a day but the days they were civil were pretty nice.

But for some reason Justin had decided Reese was his rival and was stealing his thunder with his…everything!

No one was that nice AND pretty AND smart.

It really didn’t help that Reese was either oblivious or just straight up ignoring when Justin was challenging him.

It also didn’t help Reese didn’t know how attractive he was to others, whether it be personality or looks.

While Justin had a supermodel look, Reese had something a bit more of substance than that. He listened to others and respected their input (most of the time, but even when he thought it was a dumb idea he was always nice about it.). But one thing everyone agrees on was his eyes. The big brown eyes that were so expressive, like a baby deer.

Most of the girls lost interest (but some still liked admiring him) when they found out Reese wasn’t into girls, which everyone initially thought was the issue.

Reese taking the girls attention away that is.

But it had apparently been more than that because now that a couple guys were showing interest in Reese, Justin didn’t like that either.

Which was odd because as far as Justin was aware, he was straight.

He just doesn’t like Reese getting all the attention! That’s all!

Or maybe it was because Reese hadn’t fallen for his charm or good looks and brushed off Justin at the beginning of the summer.

Justin was used to getting his way and had NOT taken being snubbed very well.

Reese hadn’t even called Justin ugly.

In fact he said that while Justin was very good looking, he wasn’t attracted to him.

That Justin wasn’t his type.

But to really understand, you’d had to go way back to the beginning.

The very first day they all set foot on Camp Wawanakwa.

The day they jumped off a cliff.

——

Everyone had been mesmerized when Justin had been carried to shore by the sharks, who seemed enchanted by his good looks.

But Reese hadn’t even been looking in his direction after he was sure Justin wasn’t being ATTACKED by the sharks, he did look a bit impressed he managed to charm them though so Justin counted it as a win.

Reese was overlooking the cliff and seemingly judging the distance of the jump he was about to make.

Probably questioning if he would or not.

Reese had only noticed Heather behind him when he felt her hands push hard on his back, sending Reese tumbling over the side and plummeting straight down into the water.

He had managed to land okay, but hitting the water like that stung like a bitch.4

When he surfaced, Reese knew he wasn’t in the safety circle, because he could SEE it in front of him.

The he felt something brush his foot and before he could even move, he saw a shark coming closer.

Punching it in the face had honestly been instinctual.

He only got two hits in before it fled and Reese swam as fast as he could to shore before the other sharks could make a move.

Everyone was staring when he finally made it and started to shake the water from his hair.

He must’ve looked awful because everyone was just looking.

But that had NOT been the case.

To the others, it was something out of a movie. The guy slowly emerging from the water, wet clothes clinging in the best ways. And the sexy pushing back of the hair?

It had practically been in sexy slow motion like in ‘Baywatch’.

Reese had given them all weird looks, but shrugged it off. The spell only seemed to be taken away when Chef handed Reese a towel and covered himself up.

Which might’ve been the start to Justins tirade.

Because after that, no matter who it was, Justin got mad when people would fawn over Reese, who seemed absolutely oblivious to the attention or he just didn’t care.

Everyone had forgotten about what Justin had managed, because punching a shark had been so COOL and him emerging from the water like that?

But Reese had been more concerned about hurting the shark than how he looked.

Reese was getting all the attention he could ever WANT and he didn’t even care!

——-

After that?

No matter what it was, Justin made it a point to challenge Reese in just about anything.

Sometimes Justin won (and Justin would gloat).

Sometimes Reese won (and he was a good sport which annoyed Justin even more.)

Sometimes they tied.

Which pissed Justin off the most.

Him and Reese were pretty evenly matched in just about everything but looks.

He HAD to prove he was better than him! He didn’t even like guys but to Justin it was the principle of the matter!

It wasn’t until the end of the summer, everyone one by one getting voted off that Justin realized something.

Reese didn’t even seem to really NOTICE anyone liked him, unless they straight up told him.

And even then he was so genuinely kind when turning them down.

Some girls had still held out hope for him or just liked admiring him, some even offering tokens of affection.

But it had mostly been the guys doing dumb shit in hopes of winning him over or winning his affection through gifts.

But while Reese found Geoff’s puppy demeanor charming, or how sweet Owen would be saving him a muffin from breakfast, or Tyler trying to do tricks to impress him and only end up injured, hell even when it became blatant Duncan was into him…

Reese remained oblivious or turned them down gently.

Over the course of the show, Justin knew that Reese really was as genuine as they come.

He really was kind and smart and funny…

And pretty.

He wasn’t a supermodel type of gorgeous, but he wasn’t unattractive.

Justin could admit that.

His personality only helped matters.

Reese wouldn’t leave anyone behind, even if they weren’t on his team. Not on purpose.

He shared snacks his family sent. He actually listened when people spoke to him and he could reply accordingly.

He wasn’t scared of anyone (except probably Chef) and wasn’t afraid to make his opinion known. He was tough at nails with a soft side people didn’t get to see that often, despite his laidback attitude.

He was worthy competition….

But Reese wasn’t the enemy Justin thought he was.

or that the feelings of jealousy hadn’t been towards Reese.

It was a shame he only realized that too late.

They’d been in the finals together, and for once Justin tried something new- being humble.

‘May the best man win.’.

It had been so close of a race. They’d been neck and neck for most of it.

Justin had pulled ahead last minute, summoning every ounce of strength he had.

and it worked.

Justin had crossed first and Reese hadn’t,  coming in about ten seconds behind him.

He’d been eliminated.

Justin had won.

Reese held out his hand, he wasn’t even mad he’d lost, especially to Justin of all people “congrats man.”

“You too.” But winning had felt somewhat bittersweet.

——

They’d all been packing to leave, and Reese was in the room he’d been sharing with Duncan for the past few days (who was now back with Courtney after Reese had given him the talk a couple weeks or so ago.) when he heard a knock and turned to see Justin in the doorway.

“Hey.”

Reese nodded and waved him in “hey. Need something?”

“I just wanted to say…I was wrong.”

Reese blinked “about what?”

“You. I thought you were doing it on purpose. Trying to hog all the attention. Trying to one up me at everything.” Justin sat on the edge of the bed “I was wrong.”

Reese just raised a brow at him and Justin continued.

“You were worthy competition and I’m sorry for writing you off like that.”

Reese smiled “you were great competition too. At least you gave me a challenge. The rest of the guys kept trying to take it easy on me, and that kinda sucked. I wanted to win on my own ya know. So thanks.”

“I have to admit…I was kind of jealous.”

Reese immediately halted and his head whipped back to face Justin.

Justin backpedaled a bit.

“All the attention you were getting, everyone stopped paying attention to me and they were practically throwing themselves at your feet and you didn’t even care!”

Not the whole truth but Reese seemed to accept it.

“I have a lot to work on right now. I can’t put someone through my emotional baggage I haven’t even sorted through yet.”

Justin didn’t look him in the eye, finding out all of that while they were on live television had caught him and everyone else off guard.

With the way Reese acted you’d never know something was wrong.

Reese never stopped trying and he didn’t put anyone down who was doing their best to keep up.

All while Justin was focusing on all the attention Reese was getting from everyone.

“If it helps…” Reese smiled “I think you gave some of the guys their own moment where they questioned their sexuality. You’re leagues more attractive than I am. Believe it or not some of the guys were way more into you than they were me.”

“…Really?”

“Can’t say who exactly…but yeah. They only went after me because I’m more approachable than you. You’re a model and I’m just some guy.”

“You’re more than just some guy.” Justin leaned back in his hands “you’re Reese.”

Reese rolled his eyes but his smile didn’t waver.

But he did hold out his fist “friends?”

Justin very lightly fist-bumped it.

“Yeah. Friends.”.

Justin knew deep down that’s all they probably would ever be. He’d realized his feelings too late and now Reese would see him as nothing more.

But st least they were friends.

Chapter Text

Reese had been chilling on the couch reading a magazine while listening to a rerun of ‘The Golden Girls’ when he’d gotten the call.

Chris had gone out to buy full sized candy for the trick or treaters, stating they weren’t going to be egged and TP’d again like last year (when Chris had gotten fun sized and ran out halfway through the night).

Chef had said he was going to get ‘supplies’ and left it at that and Reese decided to not ask questions so he wouldn’t be counted as an accessory.

He flipped open his phone on the fourth ring “hello?”

“Hey babe, what’re you up to?”

Duncan’s voice made him smile.

“Not much. Reading a magazine. Watching TV. What about you?”

“Planning out our Halloween. Ma is making me taking David trick or treating. Tryna find a way out of it.”

Reese switched off the TV “aw lay off him, I wish I got to go trick or treating as a kid.”

There was a stretch of silence and Reese wondered if Duncan accidentally hung up on him.

“You’ve never been trick or treating?”

“Nope.”

“Like…NEVER?”

“I always had to go to parties that weren’t even for kids. By the time those were done I was always exhausted. And we don’t really celebrate Halloween in Spain like we do here. So I never got the chance.”

“….I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“Wait what-“

“I’m on my way. There’s no way you’re missing out on this.”

“Duncan!”

The phone beeped and Reese just stared at it.

What the hell was that about?

——-

Duncan didn’t live THAT far away all things considered. They lived in the same city, but it was still quite a bit of ways to get there.

But when a beat up black Chevy Cavalier pulled up in the driveway, Reese knew it was Duncan.

Reese ran to the door, swung it open and all but jumped into Duncan’s arms.

They didn’t see each other as often as they liked, but they chatted over the phone almost every day.

But it was always amazing seeing him in person.

“Missed you too.” Duncan lifted him off the ground and into a kiss “but we should get going before they’re all gone.”

“What’s all gone?” Reese asked, bending over to put his shoes on.

“The costumes! We have to get you a good one before they sell out.”

Reese gave him a look of puzzlement “…why?”

“Because I am taking YOU trick or treating.”

Reese crossed his arms “don’t you think we’re a bit old for that? We’re 18. Not 8.”

“Don’t think about it, it’s going to be so much fun I promise! And if it isn’t we have eggs on standby.”

“Duncan!”

“Kidding, kidding…mostly.”

Reese playfully rolled his eyes and locked the door behind them.

——

Reese stared at the wall of costumes, suddenly feeling a bit overwhelmed.

He’d worn costumes before, but he’d never worn one for Halloween that his parents didn’t approve of. And it was usually something adorable that would get him attentions and compliments. Like princesses or something cutesy.

But now it was a wall of variety where he didn’t even know where to start.

“Take your time babe.” Duncan’s hand was looped into his, squeezing gently as they looked over the selection.

Witch. Werewolf. Nurse. Princess. Killer Nurse. Doctor. Rockstar. Evil Doctor….

Reese had, after a bit of deliberation, on a classic vampire costume and even found red contacts to complete the look.

Duncan seemed to approve and he gave Reese s big grin of encouragement.

“Great choice. Let’s see how you look!”

——

When they got to the house, Reese went upstairs to put on while Duncan waited downstairs, where he kept eyeing the door.

Who knew when Chris or Chef would get home.

They might’ve been technically adults, but it would still be weird to have them come home to find Duncan there just sitting in the living room.

Even though he was an adult, Reese still asked them permission to have people over.

Mostly out of respect, it was their house and Reese was still trying to recover from the absolute shit show that was World Tour, so they were in no hurry to give him the boot.

(Chef definitely appreciated that Reese was the one who managed to hide the credit cards where Chris couldn’t find them for 3 AM online purchases he’d forget about in a week. You try convincing customer service to return a jumbo flailing arm inflatable tube man.).

———

After twenty minutes, Reese still hadn’t come down.

Duncan was getting just a bit worried, so he went upstairs to check on him.

“You alright in there?”

“I’m not coming out. This was a mistake.” Reese’s voice was muffled.

“What? Why?”

“I look STUPID, that’s why.”

“It can’t be that bad.” Duncan reasoned, it looked fine on the packaging.

Reese was still a bit insecure in how he looked, last season opened his eyes to his he was perceived by others and he didn’t like being gawked at by anyone BUT Duncan.

“Come on babe, I bet you look great!”

“…fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you!”

There was a click and the doorknob turned, swinging the door open and-

“Holy shit.” Duncan’s eyes raked Reese up and down.

He looked GOOD, even in a cheap costume.

The fabric of his white sleeved shirt visible under his red vest that dipped into his pecs, and was off the shoulder and the front being held together by string.

The black tight pants were right in all the right places, and Reese found a pair of red leather boots and his fingers were covered  WITH the jewelry.

The red contact made his eyes REALLY stand out.

“Well?” Reese held his arms out “what do you think?”

A lot of things, but none of them coherent.

Duncan swallowed as he tried to think of an actual answer.

“Hot.”

Reese rolled his eyes at the response “you think I look good in anything, don’t you.”

“Not my fault you’re so good looking.” Duncan wrapped his arms around Reese and brought him in close.

———

It was officially Halloween night.

Reese had been so nervous but he pushed it down and attempted to reapply the eyeliner he messed up on three times already.

Duncan arrived later that day to pick him up, he had to sit in silence with Chris and Chef for twenty minutes while Reese finished up.

“I don’t care if you have to egg someone’s house, he’s going to have fun.” Chris pointed at Duncan “that pillowcase better be full when he gets home.”.

Chris had been ecstatic at the news (and a bit disheartened at the fact Reese never went trick or treating before).

They even gave him an old pillowcase for the ‘proper experience’.

“He’s going to, I swear.” Duncan nodded quickly.

That seemed to satisfy him, and if it didn’t they’d have been interrupted anyway by Reese’s entrance.

He looked….amazing.

It really wasn’t fair how good he looked, Duncan had to admit his pirate costume paled in comparison.

But Reese was DEFINITELY pulling off being a vampire.

Like, hot damn.

“Home by tomorrow morning. No drinking unless you have a ride home.”

No one even argued with Chef about that.

“Yessir.” Duncan took Reese by the hand “let’s go before all the good candy’s gone.”

“I still think it’s weird we tell kids not to take candy from strangers, but on Halloween it’s okay.” Reese took a bit of his candied apple, that he snagged off a tray as he passed, with a loud crunch.

“Come on, for one night just be a teenager. Call us if you need a ride.” Chris was practically pushing them out the door.

“We’re trick or treating. Not going to a frat party.” Reese rolled his eyes “but fine.”

Chris shut the door on them and locked it in response.

——-

The first couple houses were immediately suspicious of them, even though they had David with them, but begrudgingly gave them all a couple pride of candy.

“So you’ve NEVER done this before?” David asked, the cape of his WWE costume flapping in the wind as they walked.

Reese shook his head “I haven’t. But now is a good time as any, right?”.

A few actually seemed happy to see them having a good time, and not in the way that caused property damage.

Then David opened his mouth at the next stop.

“This is his first time!” David pointed to Reese who was embarrassedly trying to shoo his hand back down “he’s never been trick or treating!”

The look on the older woman’s face was a mix of shock and a bit of sadness.

Reese still felt bad that she gave him half a bowl of candy, even after three more houses.

——-

By the time 10 pm rolled around people stopped answering doors and the streets were emptying, so they called it a night.

David had fallen asleep on the ride home, and was still sleeping peacefully when Duncan walked Reese to the door.

“Thank you.” Reese was standing in the porch, and was now eye level with Duncan, and gave him a quick kiss on the lips “I had a great time.”.

“Glad to hear.” Duncan smiled into the kiss “you do look amazing tonight….I’m happy you went out with us.”

“Me too. This was so much fun….I can’t believe I missed out on this….thank you.”

“I love you.”

Unshed tears threatened to spill, Reese still wasn’t used to hearing those words.

“I love you too-“

S P L A S H

They both screamed as cold water drenched them both, and looked up at the triumphant cheer of…

Chef.

Who was dressed in all black and now holding an empty bucket triumphantly above his head.

“What the hell man!” Duncan yelled.

Chef looked closer and looked surprised to see them.

“Sorry bout that. Thought you were those little punks from up the street.”

So THAT was what he’d been up too.

Reese wiped his face, smearing the make up and making him look like a raccoon “talk to you later?”

“Yeah…”Duncan smiled a bit “love you.”

“Love you too.”

Once Duncan’s car had pulled completely away and he was sure he wouldn’t hear, Reese turned his ire to Chef.

“Seriously?” He called up in exasperation.

“Next year I’ll get out my night vision goggles.”

Besides the unexpected SHOWER, Reese had had a really nice time.

He already couldn’t wait for next year.

Chapter Text

The fire alarm had startled Trent out of his bed at a godforsaken hour for who knows what reason, and now the entire dorm was standing in the lawn while the firefighters went room by room.

The only upside was that the hot guy from three rooms down was standing next to him-

And holy shit he was just in his boxers.

Trent’s eyes flicked him up and down. Tan skin and shaggy cut dark hair, still messy from sleep. Even in the lowlight of night Trent could make out the freckles on his face thanks to the flashing lights of the fire trucks.

The guy looked annoyed and tired, arms crossed on his chest with a pinched expression.

He had two parallel scars on his chest, just under his pecs and just as Trent was trying to wonder what they were, the guy spoke.

“Can I help you?”

Trent was startled and tried to think of an excuse for his staring “sorry! It’s just uh…I think you’re really…” how could he answer without sounding like a creep?

The guy was giving him an expression that was telling him to hurry up.

“I was just wondering what your name is? I mean we never really talked before. I’m Trent.”

The guy looked down at Trent’s hand and with a small sigh, took it and gave it a handshake “Reese. Duncan’s roommate.”.

Duncan HAD mentioned he lucked out in the roommate department, cleaned up after himself, kept his stuff on his side of the room, and even COOKED or brought home food for them to share.

This stud was THAT guy?

“Go ahead and ask, I know you want to.”

“Huh?” Trent asked in confusion.

Reese wordlessly pointed at his chest, at the scars.

“Oh…I don’t wanna…be rude?”

“It’s fine man. Top surgery.”

It took a full thirty seconds for Trent to realize what he was saying.

“Oh.”

Trent swallowed “that’s…that’s not why I was staring.”

“Oh really?” Reese raised a brow “then what’s the reason?”

“Goddammit HE THINKS YOUR HOT.” Duncan groaned loudly “damn. It’s painful listening to you two, ya know that right?”

“Oh shut up, like you’re any better.” Reese playfully scoffed.

Trent’s face was hot in embarrassment at being called out like that.

“Go bug your boyfriend.” Reese pushing Duncan in the opposite direction, towards a muscular and very exasperated looking black guy “I’m sure DJ would love to tell me about all the mushy shit you two get up to when I’m not around. He already told me about the dog you helped him sneak in.”

“Haha. Funny. Hilarious.” Duncan grumbled as he sulked off.

“He’s the worst sometimes, but he’s my best friend and roommate so what can I do.” Reese sighed “where were we?”

“I…I was going to chicken out of asking you out but now I don’t think that’s an option.”

“I’m game if you are.” Reese smiled “not often I get cute boys asking me out.”

“And that’s a shame.” Trent joked back.

They chatted for forty five minutes until they were given the okay to go back inside, and even then Trent walked Reese to his room in the dorm.

Reese had given him his phone number and Trent was on top of the world!

“What’s got you so happy?” Cody asked, he’d been waiting ten minutes for Trent to get back.

“Love my man. Love.”

Chapter Text

Reese didn’t have anything against Christmas itself.

It was bright and colorful and one of the few times a year where people seemed to care about others (even if it was sometimes just out of pity or superficial-ness to make themselves feel better.).

Not that long ago he’d been holed up in a shelter, a dingy tree set up in the common area decorated by ornaments that had been made by hand in the rec room or donated. Paper decorations making the crowded and bland rooms seem almost cheerful.

But there was only so much cheer paper men and snowflakes and cracked ornaments could bring.

There were usually small gifts passed around, usually toiletries or blankets for the teens and adults and donated toys for the kids.

When Reese had first arrived he’d gotten a small puzzle of a reindeer he’d solved more times than he could count before he passed it onto someone else.

Even the food was even slightly better.

That was around the time he’d gotten his first binder. He’d scrimped and saved every penny he could get his hands on, and bought it on sale second hand.

Technically third hand, if that was a thing since one of his friends let him use their credit card (he paid them back in cash) and address to ship it to.

It was small and the purple star design slightly faded by time, but it was HIS.

But when he got older, he became…indifferent, to the holiday.

As soon as the new year rolled around people would just go right back to ignoring him and everyone else.

He didn’t have family and he didn’t have genuine friends.

So what was the point when there were kids who needed this day more than him?

It felt selfish to want something more when there were kids who’d kill to have the generic teddy bears from the drugstore around the corner.

But that changed when he was finished with Total Drama, the second season at least.

They’d wrapped up in late August, just in time for him to start working on his GED in early September.

And he worked his ASS off to attend classes, getting an official identification card (that had been kind of hard to explain to Chris on how he got a fake ID.), learning to drive properly (Chris had looked so green after he’d taken Reese on a practice drive) and getting a part time job just so he didn’t feel like leech (even if Chris and Chef said he wasn’t, it was hard to shake the feeling).

He’d been so caught up in just adjusting, he’d been blindsided by how fast Christmas came.

Suddenly the house had been decorated from top to bottom, and a giant Christmas tree was right by the fireplace so covered in ornaments it was a wonder how it hadn’t collapsed under the sheer weight of them.

Every street corner as well, lawns with ornaments and blow up decorations, window decals and lights.

Ships now pushing sales as low as they could go while still being profitable and cafes boasting about peppermint lattes and Christmas cookies.

Everyone had scattered to the winds after the second season, Duncan was stuck at a ski resort with his family for the holiday.

They’d been attempting to call and IM back and forth as often as possible, but the internet and reception there was shoddy at best so it was only once a day every other day.

But it felt so good to talk to him, it kinda sucked being so far apart (the Taruns HAD invited him along, but Reese declined because he hadn’t wanted to intrude in their family vacation, and he was still sore from the top surgery.) but Duncan and him were going to meet up as soon as they got back.

But for now he was trying to avoid a migraine from all the peppy music and bright lights.

There was only so much Mariah Carey a guy could handle, and it had been playing everyday after every other song for the past week and a half.

Reese attempted to sneak out the door, but Chris spotted him.

“Reese! Just the guy I wanted to see!” He was holding a plate of…something.

It looked undercooked and burnt at the same time, and was so deformed he wasn’t sure what he was looking at.

“Gingerbread cookies. I bet this guy from the network I could do better than him and I’m going to rub it in his face.”

“You…do that man.” Reese tried to back away, having a feeling where this was heading.

“Want to try one?” Chris held up a charred remnants of what was once an innocent gingerbread man who probably had had hopes and dreams of having a gingerbread family and gingerbread house before Chris got his hands on him.

“I’d love to, but I’m suppose to meet you with Owen, Tyler and Lindsay.” Reese really didn’t want to hurt Chris’ pride by saying the cookies looked and probably tasted bad (Chris NEVER read instructions for anything) but his hand hovered over the plate, but he internally braced himself “I guess I can take a few to go.”

He really hoped salmonella wouldn’t be the thing to do him in.

——

The cookies tasted as bad as they looked and as soon as he was a good distance away from the house he chucked them in the nearest dumpster.

Reese lowered his scarf and looked around the bustling mall.

He spotted Lindsay right away, near the fountain and chatting with what he hoped was a person and not a mannequin (it had happened more than once and somehow she never learned.).

“Reese!” Lindsay waved big “over here!”.

The mannequin turned and to his utter relief it was Tyler, dressed in a sweater that looked like Christmas got drunk and went on a shopping spree on a small budget.

“Oh my GOSH.” Lindsay clenched her hands together “this is going to be SO amazing! There’s so many sales!”

Reese looked around “where’s Owen?”

“Food court. Said he’d meet up with us later.” Tyler jerked his thumb upstairs.

Reese shook his head with a smile.

Of course.
——

Shopping with Lindsay was exhausting, the girl was bouncing from store to store with endless energy paying no mind to the fact Tyler was about to collapse from the weight of carrying her bags.

“Why don’t we take a break? I could really use a pretzel.” Reese asked, adjusting his grip on his shopping bags.

He’d gotten Heather for Secret Santa and in a small act of petty revenge he’d gotten her a $200 gift card to the Khaki Barn (the purple haired girl at the front desk seemed to find the whole thing hilarious.).

He’d gotten every else a gift too and planned expressing it to them overnight so they’d have it by Christmas.

But he did have to have Tyler distract Lindsay for ten minutes so he could get her gift engraved (she loved little personal touches like that), a delicate charm bracelet that jingled and twinkled in the light.

Getting Tyler’s was easy, all he had to do was point Tyler to the jerseys and Reese could snag him a pair of sneakers.

The auburn haired girl at the counter rang him up before Tyler even knew what was happening and Reese was pulling him away and out of the store.

Duncan…was oddly hard to shop for. This would be their first Christmas together and as cheesy as it was Reese wanted to get him something special.

“I’ll meet you guys in the food court, I need to get something real quick.” Reese pointed back.

Tyler and Lindsay nodded, joining hands as they climbed onto the escalator while Reese turned and backtracked, glancing at the stores as he went.

The first place was the ‘Spin This’ but as soon as he saw the very frazzled woman screaming something into her phone he backed away and continued on.

He thought of going to one of the tech store but computers weren’t really Duncan’s thing, which was good because Reese knew next to nothing about them and a clerk looking to make a sale would definitely take advantage of that this time of year.

He sighed and readjusted his bags.

This was going to take awhile.
——-

He’d been so lost in thought he hadn’t noticed the blonde guy skateboarding towards him until it was too late. Sending both of them crashing to the floor.

“Sorry dude!”

Reese pushed himself up “it’s fine, my fault anyway. Wasn’t paying attention.”.

Luckily none contents of his bags spilled out.

“Dude, it’s Christmas what’s got you all like, mopey?”

“Shopping for my boyfriend.” Reese explained “but I’m having a bit of trouble.” He looked down at the skateboard.

“Nice ride.”

The blonde looked down at his board with a grin “totally. Smoothest baby ever!” He then looked Reese directly in the face, almost scrutinizing “you look really familiar…”

Reese tried to brush past, he didn’t have time to deal with Total Drama fans right now “thanks. Sorry for making you crash, but I gotta go. Malls closing early and I NEED to find a gift.”

The blonde scratched his head but shrugged and hopped back on the board and skated off, much to Reese’s relief.

——

Reese slumped into a seat at the food court, Owen was at a kiosk trying a bit of everything and Tyler and Lindsay were getting them lemon squishys at the Big Squeeze.

Twenty minutes of looking and he still couldn’t find a good gift.

He knew he should’ve shopped back in October.

“Yeesh dude, what’s eating you?” A voice beside him made him look up.

The purple haired girl from The Khaki Barn.

“Can’t find a Christmas gift for my boyfriend.” Reese slumped onto his hands “and the mall is closing in two hours.”

She shook her head before pausing “did you say boyfriend?”

“Yeah. Problem?” Reese didn’t want to snap but he want exactly in the greatest of moods.

“No.” The girl raised her hands “no problem, but I do know some guys who might be able to help.” She turned to her table “hey guys! Come over here!”

Before Reese could process what was happening he was surrounded, and a couple of them looked familiar.

“Oh hey, you’re that guy with the weird friend.” The auburn girl pointed to him.

“Yeah. That’s Tyler, he’s a bit energetic.” Reese laughed as Tyler cheered on Owen who was eating a pile of corn dogs.

“So boyfriend shopping. How long we’ve been talking?” The short blonde haired girl leaned close.

“Caitlin!” The purple haired girl crossed her arms.

“What? It’s important!” Caitlin crossed her arm.

“She’s right Nikki. A big gift too early makes you look desperate and clingy.”

Nikki rolled her eyes “what kinda stuff is he into?”

Reese sipped his lemon drink “kinda like you and him.” He pointed to the skater who almost ran him over earlier “dressed and acts punk. Lots of piercings.”

“If I can interrupt, I’d say go big or go home.” The tall blue haired guy crossed his arms with a grin “tis the season of giving.”.

“From the heart!” Caitlin added “guys love those gifts!”

“I’m with Caitlin on this one.” The guy with twists agreed.

“Of course YOU do Wyatt you’re all mushy gushy sensitive.”

“Uh guys?” The auburn girl tried to get their attention.

“How about a skateboard?” The blond skater held his up “this baby is sweee-eeet!”

Reese can sense the building frustration of the Penalty Box employee growing.

After a minute or two of the group squabbling back and forth Reese tried to think of something Duncan would like.

“He likes a lot of stuff…but he says he likes spending time with me the most.” Reese said aloud.

That made Caitlin squeal and Jen, he learned was the name of Penalty Box girl, go ‘aw’.

“And to answer your question, we’ve been together since the end of July.”

“Six months?! Now that’s a big deal that’s like, half a year!”

“It IS half a year Caitlin.” Jen rubbed a hand to her face.

“Exactly! This is MAJOR.” The girl put her hands on her hips.

As if on cue Reese’s cellphone rang.

Duncan.

Shiiiiiiit.

”Speak of the devil.” Reese flipped his phone open.

“Hello mi faro.” Reese answered.

“Hey babe, just found a good signal and thought I’d check in.”

“I’m good. How are you doing? How’s skiing?”

They went back and forth for about five minutes before Duncan’s mom realized who he was on the phone with and commandeered it to ask Reese what that hot chocolate recipe his Nana made was.

Reese laughed as he heard Duncan trying to get his phone back, but apparently his mom was stronger than she looked and managed to keep him away long enough to write it down.

When he got his phone back, Reese could hear the sulking in Duncan’s voice.

“I miss ya you know. A lot. Wish you came with us.”

Reese smiled even though Duncan couldn’t see “I miss you too mi faro. We’ll see each other soon. I love you.”

“Lo….ou….oo.”

“Duncan?” Reese asked “I can’t hear you.”

It was a bit staticky but Reese could sorta make out a response that resembled “love you” before the signal was cut out.

He had forgotten about the people surrounding him and now they were just looking at him.

“What?”

“That is literally the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.” Caitlin sniffled.

“What’s fair-oh?” Jude asked “the dude who ruled Egypt?”

“First of all Jude, that’s pharaoh.” Nikki corrected “second of all, he said faro. It’s Spanish.”

“Oooooh.” Jude nodded “for what?”

“…lighthouse.” Reese sounded like he was on the verge of epiphany “oh my god I know what to get him! Thank you!”

Reese bolted for the escalator, and when his friends saw him running off they went after him with Lindsay running surprisingly fast in wedged boots.

“We didn’t…do anything.” Jen muttered.

“No, we helped him chill for a bit and get his head on. You saw who he was with, dudes probably stressed to hell and back.” Nikki shrugged.

“Wish we caught his name. Dude seemed cool.” Jude spin his board on his finger.

“It’s Reese.” Wyatt answered, and at the blank looks he got he reiterated “from Total Drama Island? The show? The guy who was bleeped out the most?”

“We…met a celebrity?” Caitlin tossed the lemon hat down “danggit!”.

“Why didn’t you SAY anything!?”

“Why didn’t you guys notice?”

“…fair point.”
——-

Reese startled the employee by bolting into the store and heading towards the back.

There it was!

He paid and was out of the store before his friends could even enter.

“For such a small guy…you run very fast.” Owen gasped.

“What did you get him?!” Lindsay peeked into the bag and squealed “he’s going to LOVE that! Group hug!”

A wave of relief flooded over him.

He did it.

He found a gift for Duncan with time to spare, and now all he had to do was get it engraved.
——-

By Christmas morning Reese was woken up to a barrage of texts thanking him for the gifts, even Heather thought hers was probably sarcastic.

Owen got a gift card to Pizza Palace Buffet.

Gwen got some fancy watercolor paper.

Heather got a gift card to the Khaki Barn.

LeShawna got a pair of hoop earrings.

Geoff got some custom decals for his new skateboard.

Izzy got noise canceling headphones for her woodworking she’d taken up.

DJ got a autographed cook book from Chef Ramsbee.

Lindsay got a bracelet.

Bridgette got vegan all natural board wax.

Trent got a guitar pick Reese got custom made with a train symbol on it.

Harold got The Art of Mentally Messing With Enemies by Anonymous.

Courtney got a law book.

Sadie and Katie got matching BFF necklaces.

Beth got a book of Spanish poetry, she wanted to learn the language and thought it sounded romantic.

Cody got a song book to help him with his keyboard.

Tyler got a fancy pair of sneakers.

Justin got a basket of skincare products from a brand Reese almost gagged at the dollar amount, but he knew it would be worth it to see Justin happy.

Noah got a book set of mystery novellas.

Eva got a yoga set and some mediation tapes, taking Reese’s advice from the previous season.

and Ezekiel…had also been hard to shop for but Reese had gotten him a new toque.

Chris had gotten a bottle of fancy mud mask.

Chef had gotten an apron that instead of saying ‘Kiss the Cook’ it said ‘If You Can Read This You’re Too Close’.

Reese had gotten some nice things too and it felt…good.

Knowing he had friends who cared about him so much.

Duncan was special though. He’d gotten a necklace of a lighthouse with a neat little feature: the lamp part lit up, and Reese had a little message on the back: ‘you’ll always be mi faro’.

Just as Reese was helping clean up the wrapping paper he’d gotten ambushed my Chef as Chris wrangled a sweater over his head.

“Told you he’d look great!” Chris grinned, mussed up from Reese fighting him off but clearly pleased.

A Christmas sweater.

An ugly Christmas sweater.

An ugly Christmas sweater of an unsettlingly ugly reindeer.

He loved it.

Chapter Text

Reese had been starting at his screen for so long the lines of his essay were beginning to blur together.

He sat back in his chair and rubbed his eyes.

That energy drink he had earlier was starting to crash, but he HAD to finish this essay before Friday.

He’d already gotten an extension from his professor from when Lindsay gave him food poisoning from her homemade sushi for her Culinary class last week.

He couldn’t afford to ask for ANOTHER!

Reese sighed and sat forward again, only to be interrupted by a knock on his door.

“It’s open!” Reese called, not taking his eyes off the screen.

“Just came to check on- SWEET SASQUATCH OF SASKATCHEWAN!” Owens eyes widened at the sight of the war zone that used to be Reese’s dorm room.

“What happened?!” Owen gestured to the mess of empty cans of soda, wrappers and empty styrofoam containers of instant noodles that now littered the floor.

Reese turned and looked down “I’m going to clean that up in a minute. I’m just trying to finish this essay for my Psych. Class.”

“I thought that was due LAST week?” Owen kicked a pile of empty cans out of his way to get closer to his boyfriend.

“That was BEFORE Lindsay gave me salmonella. The professor gave me an extension on it.” Reese turned back to the computer “I just have to crank out a few more paragraphs and then do an edit and I’m done!”

Owen was now close enough to see Reese up close, and he didn’t like it like he usually did.

He looked so…exhausted.

“When was the last time you slept?” Owen asked tentatively, already not liking the answer.

“Uuuh, what day is it again? Tuesday?” Reese asked, hitting save and turning to Owen again.

“Try Thursday.” Owen corrected.

“Then two days ago.” Reese shrugged before his eyes widened in panic as realization hit him “wait this is due TOMORROW?”.

He checked the time and his heart almost stopped, it was almost five PM! This was due at midnight!

He slammed his face into his hands, he was so screwed.

“Hey hey, don’t worry! I’m sure the essay’s fine!” Owen tried to reassure him.

“It can’t just be FINE, it has to be GREAT!” Reese groaned.

Owen easily lifted him out of the chair into a big hug “I know it’s great, because you’re writing it!”.

“You’re just saying that because you’re my boyfriend. You’re obligated to encourage me and my horrible, awful, probably going to fail me, essay.”

Owen hugged him tighter and Reese closed his eyes and hugged back, it felt good. They hadn’t had a chance to be this close in weeks, their schedules hardly allowed it because of their classes.

There were only so many times Culinary Science and Criminal Science crossed paths.

It felt good to be held and breath in his cologne, and the slight leftover scent of whatever he had for lunch. Maybe pizza?

The very thought made his stomach growl.

“When was the last time you ate?” Owen asked, not letting go of Reese.

“I had instant noodles a few hours ago. I think.” Reese muttered.

“Then that’s that, let’s go!”

“What? Go where?” Reese head lifted from the soft pillow of Owens chest.

“Out for lunch! Dinner? Dunch? Linner?”

“Owen!” Reese struggled to break free from his boyfriends grasp “I have to finish this essay!”

“You can finish AFTER! C’mon pleeeease?” Owen batted his eyes at Reese, who sighed knowing Owen wouldn’t drop it or HIM until he caved.

“Alright alight, fine. Just let me get a shower first.” Reese smiled softly in defeat.

“Awesome!“ Owen dropped Reese gently on his feet.

“You’re lucky you’re cute. I’d have kicked you out by now.” Reese grabbed a towel from off his dresser.

“You wouldn’t. You LOOOOOVE me!”

That he, indeed, did.

——

Reese cringed when he saw his reflection. His hair was a mess, he looked pale, which left his usually vibrant tan a sickly pale-brown, and he had more bags than the Toronto Pearson airport.

And he most definitely-probably smelled bad.

Luckily he hadn’t been wearing his binder the last few days, he’d been held up in his apartment like a mole, weaning his baggiest clothes, or else he’d probably be dealing with some pretty nasty side effects.

He turned away from the mirror and stepped inside the shower, turning it on as hot as it would go.

——

A shower actually did make him feel better.

At least a lot less gross than he was feeling before.

He stepped out of the bathroom with a towel around his chest, “Owen?” He called out.

“Still here!” Owen called back, “not looking! Promise!”

Reese stepped into his room and instinctively tugged the towel higher, even though Owens hands were over his eyes and he was turned around.

Respectful as ever.

He pulled a binder out of the drawer, one that zipped up, not his favorite but he was in no mood to wrestle with one at the moment.

It was like that shower made him realize how hungry he was.

He pulled a green t-shirt over his head and  was just tugging a pair of sweatpants over his boxers when he gave Owen the go ahead to turn around again.

“See? You already look so much better!” Owen kissed his still wet hair.

Reese rolled his eyes playfully as he grabbed his keys “where we heading? Chinese? Pizza? Italian?”

“It’s a surprise~” Owen singsonged.

That coming from Owen, could mean a lot of things.

—-

The afternoon sun almost blinded Reese as they stepped outside, he had to blink a few times to get his bearings after being in his dim room.

Owens hand eagerly grabbed his as they made their way down the street.

Reese squeezed back, it was nice to be so close, almost made him stop worrying about his essay.

They walked for a bit, the weather was actually really nice and the sky was clear, the sunset just beginning to settled over campus.

And Owen still hadn’t told him where they were going.

It definitely wasn’t going to be fancy, neither of them had that kind of cash at the moment and both of them were pretty underdressed.

They talked the whole walk, catching up and swinging their hands between them.

“I missed you mi bombón. Sorry I’ve been so busy lately.” Reese leaned into Owen.

“I missed you too. It’s not your fault, we’ve both been busy!” Owen squeezed Reese’s hand gently in reassurance.

Reese squeezed back.

“Here we are!” Owen pulled Reese forward to hole in the wall restaurant, it didn’t look too busy but it did have just enough customers for Reese to know it was good.

“This is my FAVORITE place. They have the BEST pho on campus. Just the two of us, my treat.”

That..actually sounded really good.

“Thank you mi bombón. This look amazing.” Reese had to stand on tiptoes to kiss Owens cheek, who turned a cute shade of bashful pink.

“Aww, anything for my boyfriend…”

——

The pho WAS amazing.

Reese thought he’d be sick of noodles by now, but this stuff was mouthwatering.

Perfectly seasoned broth and thinly sliced meat and veggies with perfectly soft but firm noodles.

He hadn’t even noticed how hungry he was until he was practically drinking the broth from the bowl.

Owen was watching with a smile on his face, a grin really, and Reese knew he’d been had.

“Alright, this place IS amazing…” Reese is agreed “thank you.”

“Oh the date isn’t over yet!” Owen grinned “we still have dessert!”.

Reese looked over the menu and pointed to the green cake “this looks good.”.

Owen looked over and nodded “honeycomb cake? It’s not very sweet. Are you sure?”

Reese nodded ”yeah. It looks good. Sounds good too.”

“Then that’s what you’re going to get!” Owen smile big at him.

——

It was just as delicious as it looked, light and airy and slightly spongey, with coconut flavoring and something else Reese didn’t recognize.

They thanked the staff for the meal and paid, holding hands as they left.

“Thanks Owen…today really made me feel better….I love you…”

“Awwww…I love you too….”Owen hugged him tightly.

Owen dropped him off at the dorm with a kiss and a promise from Reese to take him out after he finished this essay.

Reese closed the door behind him and decided to clean up a bit, and by the time he finished it was almost seven pm.

He sat back in front of his computer with a sigh as he began typing again, eyes flicking between his notes and his research sources.

And unlike earlier, the words seemed to pour out of him. Like a faucet turned on and he couldn’t stop.

And just like that, it was done. His essay was finished, edited twice over and turned in just past eight thirty WITH a confirmation email from his professor that he’d received it.

All he had to do now was wait for it to be graded…

And call his amazing boyfriend.

Chapter Text

Reese sighed as he scanned the beach and water, not much was going on today, as usual.

He supposed that was a good thing, people not drowning or dying of heat stroke and all that, but the boredom was getting to him.

Bridgette had left fifteen minutes ago for her break, and without her to talk to there wasn’t much else he could do BUT sit there.

Then he heard a voice from below the lifeguard tower and leaned over, seeing Geoff l was leaning against it with a big smile talking to a brunette girl in a bikini.

Reese didn’t mean this in a bad way because he really like the guy, but Geoff was a dumbass.

Reckless and a bit of a show off. He was also pretty cute, like a golden retriever with how sincere he was.

Really sweet, but definitely not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

“So you’re like, a totally amazing surfer?” The girl questioned, hands on her hips.

“Well yeah, totally!” Geoff bragged “I go out all the time!”

Bridgette said the last time she and Geoff went surfing he ended up with a sunburn and a concussion.

“I’d love to see you out there sometime!” The girl smiled big “there’s suppose me some killer waves out there today!”

“Yeah, totally!” Geoff nodded “it’s nothing the Geoff-man can’t handle.”.

And like a peacock he strutted to the rental area for body board and surfboard and the like.

This was gonna be good.

——

The girl, who Reese learned was named Laura, and Geoff had paddled out five minutes ago and seemed to be having a pretty deep conversation.

Reese alternated between watching them and the rest of the beach, and when Laura pointed towards the horizon there was a pretty decent wave heading their way.

Reese could see the brief nervousness on Geoff’s face through the binoculars but he readied himself and swam towards it with Laura cheering him on.

A few others had stopped to watch as well, joining in on the cheers.

But just was Geoff stood up, it quickly became evident he misjudged his timing and was smacked full force with the full weight of the wave, knocking him clean off the board and into the water, smacking himself in the head with the board in the process.

Shit.

Reese blew his whistle and grabbed a rescue buoy from the wall and practically jumped off the tower to get to the shoreline.

People had to practically jump out the way was Reese dove into the water and towards where Geoff was floating.

Their size difference was a bit of a hurdle but Reese wouldn’t have passed training is he wasn’t capable of it.

On the way back, Reese spotted a pretty sizeable knot on the size of Geoff head where his board had smacked him.

That was definitely going to hurt tomorrow.

——

When they finally reached shore a crowd had formed as Reese laid Geoff on his back to begin CPR.

First he checked Geoff’s airways for anything that could block it before checking his pulse.

Strong and steady.

The on-call medical staff was on their way, just in case Geoff had gotten water in his lungs or something.

“Cmon man, you’re not going to be a spot on my record.” Reese leaned over with a stick of smelling salt and cracked it under Geoff’s nose.

It took a moment, but his eyes slowly opened, adjusting to the bright sunlight.

“Can you hear me?” Reese asked.

Geoff blinked up at him dumbly, “uh huh.”

He paused for a second, “are you an Angel?”.

Reese shook his head “not an Angel, just a lifeguard. Are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere?”

“…M’head….” Geoff groaned.

“Yeah…you took a pretty nasty hit out there.” Reese confirmed “can you sit up? An ambulance is on their way to check you out.”

“M’fine!” Geoff insisted “just a bomb or soemthin’…”

“Cmon man you might be concussed or something.”

“Did I at least look cool?” Geoff asked

Reese looked to where Laura was standing, shaking her head with a relieved expression on her face.

“Uuuh…I don’t think so man…” Reese shook his head….

“Awww….” Geoff groaned in disappointment before looking back up at Reese.

“You’re really cute ya know…”

Reese was taken aback by the comment. Usually his rescues didn’t call him cute.

“…thank you?”

Where was Bridgette when you needed her?

“Alright folks let’s step back!”

Speak of the devil.

“Is he okay?” Bridgette asked.

“Seems fine. He might be concussed. Better send him to the hospital to be safe.” Reese replied.

Bridgette nodded in agreement “hey Geoff, can you stand?”

Geoff nodded and Reese and Bridgette helped him to his feet, he seemed fine but it was better safe than sorry.

Why were the dumb ones so cute?

——-

As Geoff was ring loaded into the ambulance and the crowd dissipated, Reese was heading back to the lifeguard tower to resume his shift.

Geoff must’ve thought he was out of earshot because the next thing he heard was -

“Hey Bridge! Is he single? Can you tell the new guy he’s really hot? And give him my number?”

Bridgette blinked before a small smile quirked her lips as her eyes flicked to Reese “oh Reese is definitely single….I’ll be sure to pass it along Romeo.”

“Wouldn’t I be Julia?”

“Juliet,” Bridgette corrected “and it’s nice to see you’re well enough to make jokes. I’ll be sure to tell him.”

“Yes?” Geoff pumped his fist “awesome!”.

Reese felt his face warm a bit as he hurried to the station, like he didn’t overhear.

Well…it wasn’t everyday he saved a a cute guy.

And it wasn’t everyday a cute guy was interested in him.

Chapter Text

Reese had just gotten out of the shower and was ready to take a nap before heading to the elimination ceremony, when he saw the paper on his bed.

‘Meet me on the dock before the elimination ceremony. I need to tell you something.’

- Trent

Reese wrinkled his nose in confusion, what the hell could Trent want to talk to him about?

As far as he was aware they weren’t having issues, Trent had been cool about him bunking with them and Reese had set him up with Gwen (Cody had tried and for his effort got a combat boot to the head.)

And if they WERE, then one of the other guys would’ve said something.

…Right?

——————

Even though the moon was bright, Reese still almost tripped in the dark.

And sure enough, Trent was waiting for him.

And he looked pretty…nervous.

“Hey.” Reese waved “so…what did you want to talk about?”

Trent gestured for him to sit down and Reese complied, Trent sat next to him, their feet hanging over the dock side by side.

“I just wanted to say I really appreciate your help with Gwen.” Trent rubbed the back of his neck “really. It was cool of you.”

“I sense a ‘but’ coming.”

“But,” Trent continued, “someone else said something to me…and I kinda reevaluated some stuff. That I didn’t consider. Before.”

Trent was getting kinda…close.

What was he getting so close?!

“I mean when I first saw the note, not gonna lie it kinda wigged me out. Never had a guy be into me before….”

Note?

“You got a note from a guy? Who?” Reese asked.

There were a few of the other guys who were into dudes, but they weren't out like he was.

Who could’ve written it?

“Someone cool…and funny…” Trent was getting REALLY close now, “and smart.”

“I-“ Reese was cut off by Trent finally closing the distance.

Kissing.

Trent was kissing him.

FUCK. FUCK. FUCK. FUCK. FUCK. FUCK.

Reeses body finally caught up with his brain and he shoved Trent back.

Hard.

“What the hell man!?” Trent braced himself so he wouldn’t fall off the dock.

“What the hell yourself! Why the fuck did you kiss me!? Is THIS why you wanted me to meet you here?! What about GWEN?!”

Oh God. This was going to crush her. She was going to kill him.

“Dude. Chill. It’s fine.“ Trent held his hands up “ I talked to her. She said it was all good. I mean, she was pretty upset you didn’t tell her first but-“

“Tell her WHAT?!”

He was so fucking confused right now.

“That you like me? She said if you’d told her, she’d have backed off.”

“But I didn’t! I don’t! I mean I do, but Gwen…What the hell is happening...”

”But…your note.” Trent held up a piece of paper “you said…”

“I didn’t write a note. I wasn’t EVER planning on telling you.”

Oh god this was so goddamn awkward.

They both sat there in silence for what seemed like forever, the sound of the waves hitting the shores and the distant sound of animals being the only noise they heard.

“Well…if you didn’t write it…who did?”

“I don’t know but when I find out who I’m going to KILL them.” Reese was gripping the wood of the dock so hard he could feel it digging into his skin.

“I’m so sorry…I didn’t mean to…ya know…”

“It’s….fine.”

Well this sucked.

“Look, Gwen is totally okay with it. I wouldn’t have done it if she wasn’t. It’s just…when I got your…, the” he corrected “note, it opened my eyes. Never really considered it until…”.

“Is she really?”

“Took a page out of your book. We talked. A lot. And yeah she was a bit mad but…she gets it. Said something about us being happy.”

“I just wanna know who the hell wrote that damn note, because it sure as hell wasn’t me.”

Trent tapped his fingers on the dock.

“Is it true though?”

Reese looked down “yeah….it is.”

He only ever wrote about this in his journal. And none of the other guys seemed like the type to snoop like that.

And the only person with an actual grudge who’d even consider doing something like this was….

“Fuck.” Reese put his head in his hands “Heather.”

“What’s she got to do with this?”

“Can you think of anyone else who'd do this? She hates me and she hates Gwen. Probably thought Gwen would get pissed. Heather’s done shit like this before, she read Gwen's diary on stage, remember?”

“Well…Gwen’s not. For the record.”

Reese gave him a look.

“Yeah. Right. Sorry. So…what are we going to do?”

“I don’t know.” Reese groaned “but at least Gwen doesn’t want my head on a pike.”

“Nah. She’s more into medieval stuff. She’d probably burn you at the stake.”

Reese scoffed and shoved him lightly.

“Are we good?” Trent asked.

“Yeah. We’re good.” Reese sighed.

“And?”

“And what?” Reese asked.

“What about…us? This.”

Fuck.

“I…like you. I do.”

“And I like you too. Really.” Trent sounded relieved.

“Well…what do you want?” Reese asked.

“A date….is that…okay?”

Oh.

“Uh…yeah. Definitely!” The knot in Reese’s chest was starting to loosen.

“Cool cool cool. So…” Trent trailed off, scoring closer again.

“So?”

“Can I kiss you? Without you pushing me this time?”

Reese rolled his eyes, but smiled “yeah…but let’s wait until after the elimination ceremony. Don’t want anyone using this as ammo, thinking you’re cheating on Gwen with me.”

“Yeah…you’re probably right. See you later?”

Just as they reached shore Reese stood on his tiptoes and pecked his cheek “see you later.”.

———-

He wasn’t going to lie, the look on Heather’s face when she saw them sitting next to each other AND the smile and thumbs up Gwen gave them?

Hilarious.

Chapter Text

Reese had been acting weird lately.

Before Spring Break, Reese had been complaining about his mouth hurting (Tyler had gone in for a kiss and Reese had recoiled so hard from the shooting pain that he almost head butted a lamp).

Chris had taken him to dentist (and according to Noah, it had taken Chef physically dragging him to the car, practically kicking and screaming, to get him to go).

No one heard from him since, until he showed up at school, and it was like he was avoiding everyone.

He was even avoiding the cafeteria!

It wasn’t complete dead silence, Reese still texted them all but whenever someone tried to talk to him, he kept it brief and his head down.

He wasn’t even talking to DUNCAN, and he was his best friend.

“Reese! You’re still coming to football practice right? Coach says those protein bars you made are really helping us improve!” Tyler grinned excitedly “and I could use my boyfriend there…”

Reese nodded, but kept his mouth clamped shut.

Tyler’s smile dropped.

“Are you…mad at me? Wait…is it your birthday!?” Tyler ran hand through his hair “no wait that’s in July…anniversary? No thats next month…”

Reese shook his head vigorously.

“Oh good. Though I was in trouble there. So…” he leaned in as suavely as he could “will you be there?”

Reese nodded quickly before turning away from him “ Lothe you bye!”

Reese rushed off down the hallway, leaving Tyler there dumbfounded.

Reese sounded…off.

What was that about?

——-

Practice had gone amazing, and Reese was right there on the bench supporting him.

And maybe Tyler had wanted to show off a bit.

Usually Reese loved to see Tyler during practice, especially when they were allowed to goof off for a bit.

Never failed to make Reese laugh.

Unfortunately he seemed to have misjudged his throw, because his perfect spiral landed perfectly -

ON HIS BOYFRIENDS FACE.

“Reese!” Tyler bolted over to where Reese was now laying on the ground, holding his head “are you okay?!”

“I’m thine….I think?” He lisped, before sitting up.

The afternoon sun glinted off something metallic and shiny in Reese mouth.

“You got braces?”

Reese covered his mouth with his hand “uh...yeah.”

“Can I see?”

Reese pursed his lips.

“C’mon! Please?”

Reese threw his head back and sighed but nodded and opened his mouth.

Sure enough, there were braces with bright blue blue and pink bands.

“I’d justh’ temporary. Dentith’ thaid I grind my theeth.”

“What?”

“Grind my theeth. Misthaline. ‘Th why they hurt.” Reese pointed to his jaw “and throm threth. I get my bite guard the bite ‘th thithed.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Reese looked away from him, eyes down “I wath embarrthed. ’th NEVER needed braceth. I look thupid.”

“No you don’t! Is this why you were acting weird?”

Reese just shrugged.

“I had braces! And Beth has them. They’re helping right? I mean…You look…good.”

Reese face felt hot.

“Really? Even with a metal mouth?”

Tyler leaned in and nodded “they look cool on you! I like the colors! I picked red for mine.”

“Well…you’re not tho bad yourthelth.”

Tyler leaned in closer, hoping to snag a kiss in the moment -

“YO TYLER! STOP FLIRTING AND GET THE DANG BALL ALREADY!” a guy yelled from across the field “MAKE OUT WITH HIM ON YOUR OWN TIME!”

“SORRY! COMING!” Tyler called back “talk to ya later?” He asked.

“Yeah.” Reese smiled “lothe you. Have a good practithe.” He pecked Tyler’s cheek.

Tyler’s buddies were making kissy noises at him as he returned to the field, fake swooning and all and Tyler could practically see Reese’s eye roll from across the field as he packed up.

He could see his smile though, the sun glinting off the metal.