Work Text:
It's late at night, Isaac is recording another you laugh you lose, everyone is joking around and playing with filters as usual. Tanner has been hiding his exhaustion as much as he could, hoping the recording process will be over soon. It was a really long day at work today.
He starts dozing off until an odd laugh squeaks out of Larry, waking him up. Larry is once again losing it over some sound effect, tanner can't help but smile, Larry is just so goofy, it's adorable. Grunk mistakes Tanner's sweet smile for a laugh, which gets him out. but it's a good thing I guess, gives him an excuse for why he was smiling at Larry. About 30 minutes later Isaac is finished with the video and everyone is saying their goodbyes. Thank god, now he could get some sleep.
Laying in bed, Tanner thinks about today's video, he's confused. unable to name or place that warm feeling in his chest he felt earlier from seeing Larry's smile. This was the first time that's ever happened to him, and he wanted more.
The boys kept playing games and video chatting like always. Tanner felt a rush of excitement whenever he heard Larry's laughter. He tried to ignore it but Memories of their time together flooded his mind. Making him realize how often he sought after Larry's amusement, and how warm his smile made him feel. Yet, in Tanner's mind, Larry was just a friend—nothing more, and he resolved to keep it that way.
about a month later, Tanner is getting ready for their trip to meet each other. excited to see all his best friends in one place. but to his disdain, hes especially excited to see larry, who texts him before he gets on the plain
larebear: "fly safe! I can't wait to see you!!"
bigT: "me too! see you there! :)"
larebear: "yippie! :3"
Larry is so cute, he thinks to himself. blushing and burying his head in his hands in embarrassment that he actually thought that.
His plane landed, and he entered the airport, where he met up with some of the boys as they waited for Larry and the others. Finally, they spotted Larry, who sprinted toward them, practically bouncing with excitement. He embraced each of his friends warmly, leaving Tanner for last, which sparked a tinge of jealousy in him. I mean, who would be jealous? Not me... To mask his envy and avoid seeming overly eager for a hug, Tanner playfully scooped Larry up and swung him around, teasing him about his height.
They gathered everyone from the airport and headed to the rental house. As they drove, Tanner found himself stealing glances at Larry, unable to resist. His smile is already so breathtaking over video, but in person, Tanner feels like his heart might stop every time Larry so much as chuckles. He found that whenever he makes a gay joke Larry plays along, making Larry laugh A LOT. It stung a bit, but it makes it easier to deal with his feelings, disguising his feelings under the guise of humor. At least he could enjoy Larry's smile and the closeness they shared—much more than he ever expected to feel comfortable with.
As the trip progressed, the boys continued their usual antics, and Tanner found that using humor to hide his feelings had become second nature. One night, they decided to do a live stream, and everything was going smoothly until Larry unexpectedly sat in Tanner's lap. Tanner yearned to wrap his arms around him, but he fought the urge to not appear overly affectionate.
At one point, Nick jokes that it looked like they were about to kiss. Tanner froze for a moment, heart racing, before Larry playfully grabbed his face and pretended to lean in for a kiss. The closeness was overwhelming for Tanner, but he reluctantly played along for the sake of the live stream. But as soon as the act was over, he quickly got up and retreated to the bathroom to collect himself.
Tanner stared at his reflection in the mirror, his face flushed a deep cherry red. He splashed cold water on his skin, trying to soothe the heat rising inside him as he stood over the sink for a moment, grappling with his thoughts. The jokes had gone too far, and yet they had become a familiar part of their dynamic—something he felt he couldn't just abandon without warning.
He knew he had to completely erase his feelings for Larry; the longing was becoming suffocating. Tanner chastised himself for being so greedy, for letting desire cloud his judgment and misinterpreting Larry's innocent responses to the jokes as something more. He needed to push those feelings aside, to forget the way Larry's laughter sent his heart racing.
"I'm not gay," he muttered under his breath, convincing himself with each repetition. "Larry might be bi, but that doesn't mean he'd ever have feelings for me. We're just friends." The mantra echoed in his mind. a desperate attempt to regain composure as he took a deep breath and tried to calm the storm of emotions raging within him.
Tanner kept his distance from everyone for the rest of the night, claiming he was simply tired. The laughter and camaraderie continued around him, he participated but he had to force out any laughter. As the days went by, he maintained the playful banter with Larry, but it was only when the cameras were rolling; off-camera, he pulled away, creating an emotional chasm that Larry didn't seem to notice. The group kept busy, exploring and adventuring, their days filled with laughter. When the trip finally came to an end, the air thick with a mix of joy and melancholy, they all embraced one another for one last time as they prepared to head to their respective flights.
Tanner's heart raced as he approached Larry, his mind swarming with conflicting emotions. He wrapped his arms around Larry in a tight, lingering hug, desperately hoping this would be the moment to end their ongoing charade.
"You okay? Starting to think you might actually want to kiss me," Larry joked, laughter dancing in his voice.
Tanner pulled back from the embrace, gripping Larry's shoulders tightly as he searched his face for any hint of sincerity. But there was none; the lightheartedness remained, and it felt like a jagged reminder of his own restraint. With a forced smile, he ruffled Larry's hair affectionately, a final attempt to bridge the gap between them before turning away. As he walked toward his flight, he felt the weight of unspoken words and unacknowledged feelings pressing on his chest, the bittersweet taste of what could have been lingering in the air.
He starts responding to Larrys chats less, responding once every few days. hoping to forget about his crush before they see each other again.
The videos do great, and a lot of people express their enjoyment in Tanner and Larry's dynamic, each comment, each like, igniting a fresh wave of guilt within Tanner. He knew deep down that this couldn't be the end; he would have to maintain the act for the foreseeable future, a burden that grew heavier with each passing day.
About two weeks later, amidst laughter and brainstorming, Nick and Isaac proposed the idea of moving in together to create more irl content. The thought was enticing, and they all readily agreed, enthusiasm in the air as plans began to take shape. However, as the date approached, Tanner felt an unease creeping into his chest. The prospect of living together—just a few months ago, he would have been over the moon. Now, it filled him with a sense of dread that he couldn't shake.
In a futile attempt to distance himself from these unsettling feelings, Tanner had begun completely ignoring Larry's texts. He hoped the silence would help him forget the crush that had become a heavy weight on his heart, wishing that the space would ease the tension that simmered beneath the surface. But with every unanswered message, he felt like he was further entrenching himself in the very feelings he sought to escape. The countdown to their reunion loomed ominously, and Tanner's anxiety blossomed like an unwelcome shadow.
larebear: "hellooooo tanner? you there?"
larebear: "tannerrrrr why aren't you answering me?! :(("
larebear: "are you okay?"
Tanner stared at the screen of his phone, the dim glow illuminating his conflicted expression as he scrolled through the flurry of messages from Larry. With a heavy sigh, he turned the device off, tossing it onto the bed.
The thought of facing Larry, of pretending that everything was fine when it felt like his world was unraveling, was overwhelming. Instead, he forced himself back to the task at hand: packing his things for the impending move.
A week later, Tanner found himself in the new house, surrounded by cardboard boxes and the chaos of unpacking. The sound of the boys yelling and laughing drifted up from downstairs. Yumi sounding especially loud. as usual. Tanner couldn't help but chuckle to himself at the mental image of their chaotic energy—a whirlwind of mischief and merriment that felt worlds away from his brooding thoughts.
As he finally descended the staircase, taking a moment to breathe before rejoining the fray, Tanner felt his heart race at the prospect of seeing Larry again. When their eyes met across the room, time seemed to freeze for a second. Tanner felt a rush of emotions—elation, anxiety, hope, and apprehension—sweeping over him in a tidal wave. Larry's face broke into a warm, disarming smile, the kind that could melt away the coldest of fears.
"Did you finish unpacking already?!" Larry called out, his voice filled with genuine enthusiasm as he approached Tanner. The air buzzed with the energy of anticipation as their friends turned their attention to them, waiting for the interaction. They've all been acting normal but it'd take a fool to not notice tanners tense mood as of late.
Tanner managed a smile, though it felt a little strained. "Not yet, just got bored" he replied, shoving his hands into his pockets in an attempt to appear casual. Inside, his heart was racing and his mind was a jumbled mess.
Larry stepped closer, his warm gaze searching Tanner's face as if trying to read beneath the surface. "We were just about to go get you! Gonna go get some food, do you wanna come?"
"Oh sure," he replied. The group prepared to go and set off to a nearby burger joint. Upon arrival, Nick, Isaac, and Yumi decided they wanted something different and split off, leaving Larry and Tanner alone. They ordered their food and settled at a table. For a few moments, they ate in silence until Larry broke the quiet. “This place is fantastic! We should come back here with everyone!” he exclaimed.
“Yeah, it’s pretty good,” Tanner replied flatly, his gaze fixed on his burger.
Larry paused mid-bite and glanced at Tanner, his brows knitted in concern. “Are you alright? You seem a bit quiet.”
“I’m just tired, sorry,” Tanner replied, still not meeting Larry’s gaze.
“You don’t get enough sleep, man. You always seem half-asleep.”
“Yeah, I guess I just need more rest,” Tanner said, taking a bite of his food, subtly indicating that the conversation was over. Larry studied Tanner for a moment before returning to his meal.
Once they finished eating, they headed next door to find the rest of the group gathered at a bench, enjoying pizza. They joined in, and Larry quickly shed his earlier concern, diving into the lighthearted banter of the group.
Nick pulled out his camera, asking if he could film a vlog. He began recording, and everyone fell into their familiar routine. Tanner plastered on his fake smile for the camera, continuing the charade he felt compelled to maintain. He laughed along with the others, but as Larry joined in with the jokes, Tanner couldn’t help but notice that Larry’s smile appeared forced as well.
A knot of guilt twisted in Tanner’s stomach. It was his fault Larry wasn’t his usual cheerful self—all because he couldn’t shake his own stupid feelings.
A week later
It's 2am, tanner tossed and turned in bed, unable to find sleep. Finally, he got up and stepped onto the porch. He found a bench to sit on and gazed at the stars above. Lost in thought, he felt tears welling up and began to cry. Suddenly, the door beside him clicked open, and a familiar head of fluffy black hair poked out.
“Tanner?” Larry called softly, peering into the darkness.
Quickly, Tanner wiped away his tears, hoping Larry wouldn’t notice. “Larry, what are you doing up?” he asked quietly.
“I could ask you the same,” Larry replied. “I was in the kitchen getting some water when I saw you walk out. Can’t sleep?”
“Yeah, I don’t know why. Just restless, I guess.”
Larry stepped outside and moved closer to Tanner, pausing as if unsure. “Can I… stay out here with you?” he asked, and at that moment, the wind rustled gently around them.
Tanner looked up, the moon casting a serene glow around Larry, his black hair dancing softly in the breeze. It felt like a scene from a movie. Struck by the moment, Tanner could only scoot over and pat the space beside him.
“I can’t sleep either,” Larry admitted, a sheepish grin on his face. “I played too many horror games, and now I’m just anxious.”
Tanner chuckled. “Maybe you shouldn’t play horror games right before bed!”
Larry raised an eyebrow, surprised by Tanner’s sudden cheerful mood. “You’re right! But it was such a good one, though!” He leaned in a little. “Have you heard of 'The Whispering Shadows'? It totally freaked me out!”
Tanner laughed again, feeling lighter. “I think I saw a trailer for that! Was it really that scary?”
“Oh man, the jump scares were insane! I nearly threw my controller across the room when the creepy doll appeared.”
“Dolls? Seriously? C'mon that's like basic horror game shit shouldn't you be used to that by now?” Tanner chuckled
Larry rolled his eyes. “I know but this one was different I swear!” As Larry animatedly explained the plot twists and scares, Tanner found himself engrossed. They chatted more than they had in a while, mostly about games, but that didn’t matter to Larry. His best friend was finally speaking to him again; it felt like old times.
They continued to talk and laugh until Larry stifled a yawn, stretching his arms overhead. “Wow, I didn’t realize how late it was.”
“Looks like you’re getting tired,” Tanner said, glancing at Larry with a teasing smile. “You should try to sleep now.”
“I’ll wait for you to get tired too. I don’t want to leave you all alone out here in the dark,” Larry replied playfully, puffing out his chest. He jokingly kissed his non-existent muscles. “You need a big, strong man like me to keep you safe!”
Tanner raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Aww, you’d do that for little ol’ me?...But let’s be honest, you’re the one who really needs protection!”
With a burst of energy, Tanner lunged at Larry, tackling him playfully. Laughter erupted as they began to wrestle, their friendly banter echoing into the night. In a sudden move, Larry jumped on Tanner, sending them both tumbling to the ground. Tanner found himself on top of the smaller boy. Larry looks up at him, nearly nose to nose.
They're too close. Tanner could only think how much he wished it wasn't a joke anymore, their playful flirtations—sitting on laps, teasing touches, the near kisses—could be something real, something more than mere jokes. Overwhelmed by the intensity of his feelings, He backs away. “Sorry..” he says, standing up and starts walking away.
"Tanner, wait! what's wrong?" Larry says, standing up and grabbing onto Tanner's arm.
"Nothing, I'm just tired," Tanner replied, his voice flat and unconvincing
"That's what you always say," Larry shot back, the hurt creeping into his tone. “I'm not going to ignore it anymore. you've been acting weird for months, ignoring me…” he pauses and lets go of tanners arm. “You're not even looking at me…did I do something wrong?" The tremor in his voice cut through Tanner like a knife.
Time froze as Tanner processed Larry's words. He hadn't expected Larry to notice, let alone care about the distance he'd created. But as Tanner watched Larry's expression falter, his gaze dropping to the floor and his arms wrapping around himself. a wave of guilt crashed over him. Tanner felt his heart shatter at the sight of his friend beginning to shake, vulnerability radiating from him.
"No! No, you didn't do anything wrong!" Tanner blurted out, rushing forward and wrapping his arms around Larry, desperately pulling him into a comforting embrace. "I'm sorry i- its me. it's my fault. I've kind of been going through something I didn't mean to take it out on you.”
Larry looked up at Tanner, his hand settling firmly on Tanner's back, gripping him tightly "What is it?" he asked, his voice steady and earnest.
Tanner hesitated, the words swirling in his mind. "Uh, it's something I'd rather handle on my own," he replied, the weight of his secret pressing down on him.
With a playful but firm punch to Tanner's arm, Larry responded, "and look how that's been going for you.. just tell me, you know you can talk to me about anything."
Silence hung in the air as Tanner struggled to find his voice. Larry, sensing his hesitation, pulled away from the embrace and took hold of Tanner's shoulders, shaking him gently. "Tanner."
Tanner opened his mouth to speak but faltered, caught in the depths of Larry's warm, rich brown eyes. They shimmered with concern and understanding, the bond forged through years of friendship grounding Tanner. The nervousness that had consumed him began to fade, replaced by the realization that this was someone he could trust implicitly.
"I... I think I'm going through an identity crisis," Tanner finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
"What? Why?" Larry's confusion deepened, his brow furrowing in concern.
"I'm... um, I don't think I'm straight. I don't know if I ever have been." The confession tumbled out, heavy yet liberating, leaving Tanner feeling exposed yet oddly lighter as the truth hung between them.
Larry's eyes widen and he suddenly starts laughing, normally tanner would take offence to him laughing when he just told him his deepest secret. Instead, it makes him feel warm, and he realizes how much he missed being close to Larry. he starts laughing too.
“I'm sorry! It's just- i really didn't expect you to say that” he chuckled, the sound fading as he processed Tanner's words. "Why were you so scared to tell me? It's not like I'd be mad, dude. im literally bi”
"It's not just that, I think I was mostly afraid to say it out loud, to actually admit it," Tanner replied, glancing away.
"Honestly, I totally get it. I felt the same way when I first started questioning things about myself,"
Tanner took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, it's like I built this whole identity around what I thought I knew, and now it's all kind of falling apart. All because of one boy..." He paused suddenly, eyes widening as he realized he had let slip that he had a crush. He quickly covered his mouth, He prayed Larry wouldn't ask who it was but…
“Oh? Do you like someone?” He smiled and wiggled his eyebrows. “Who is it? Do I know him?”
Shit
“Uhm- i guess- i guess you could say that yeah. But I can't tell you” Tanner stammered, his heart racing.
Larry looks at him for a moment, pondering something. He sighed. "Alright, you don’t have to spill it. But I’m really glad you shared that with me. It's nice knowing I'm not the only queer person here. And… whoever it is, I bet they feel the same way about you." He paused, glancing away. "You're… really charming, you know."
Tanner couldn’t see Larry’s face clearly, but he thought he spotted a hint of a blush. It was probably just wishful thinking, but he was grateful Larry was looking away; his own face was burning at the compliment. Charming? Really?
“I—uh—thanks,” he managed to stutter, his mind racing with flustered thoughts. He nearly lost it when he realized Larry had been holding onto his arms for the entire conversation, those hands firmly gripping his biceps. Part of him wanted to pull away, but another part sensed that Larry actually wanted to be close to him.
It didn’t feel like the right moment to confess his feelings, but maybe there was still hope. Larry seemed to notice his grip as well; he quickly released his hold and shoved his hands into his hoodie pockets, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Well, uh—we should probably try to get some sleep now," Larry said, a hint of pink still dusting his cheeks, his nervous gaze flickering to the side.
"You’re right. It must be almost 4 a.m.," Tanner replied with a sigh, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling in. He reached out, ruffling the smaller boy's hair affectionately, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Thanks for keeping me company."
Larry looked back, his face a shade of crimson, and Tanner couldn’t help but notice the sparkle of awe in his eyes. Was Larry actually flustered? The thought made Tanner's heart flutter.
“you're welcome," he smiled
The next morning;
Tanner woke up feeling surprisingly lighthearted. Sure, he was still hiding his feelings, but something about last night just felt right. He padded downstairs, finding Larry and the guys sprawled on the couch, engrossed in a YouTube video. Tanner rummaged through the fridge for an energy drink, cracking it open with a satisfying fizz before plopping down next to Larry.
“Morning!” he chirped.
“Morning? Dude, I’ve been up since 6, and it’s 12 now!” Nick groaned from across the room, sounding like he’d just run a marathon.
“Sorry, not all of us are sweats like you. I needed my beauty sleep!” Tanner shot back, rolling his eyes. While Nick launched into a rant about his latest workout routine, Tanner caught Larry stealing glances at him from the corner of his eye. Feeling playful, he turned and winked, watching Larry’s face turn a delightful shade of crimson before he quickly looked away.
Who knew he’d actually be flirting with Larry? And that it would make him blush like that? Just the other day, he’d felt like a yearning mess, too afraid to be in the same room as him. But something about Larry’s vibe last night had given Tanner the confidence to go for it. And judging by Larry’s reaction, maybe, just maybe, he was into it too. And to think all it took was for him to be honest with himself.
As the conversation winds down, everyone resumes watching YouTube, taking a moment to relax before their day's plans unfold. Later, the group heads to an arcade for one of Nick's vlogs. They split into pairs: Isaac and Yumi form one team, while Tanner and Larry make up the other. Nick moves between the two groups, capturing the fun on camera. Excitedly, Larry spots a game he's interested in and practically drags tanner behind him.
Nick accompanied the two of them. wandering through the vibrant, noise-filled arcade. They spent about 15 minutes trying their hands at various games. A few racing games, several claw machines, their hopes of winning plush prizes dashed as they struggled to coordinate their efforts. Then, the 3 grown men squeezed themselves onto a small carousel, the vibrant painted ponies barely accommodating their adult frames. Their laughter echoed as they barely fit. Next, they discovered an axe-throwing game. they took turns flinging their axes at the target. Nick was the only one who could hit it, rewarding them a hefty amount of tickets.
As they roamed further, Larry spotted a flashy Lightning McQueen racing game, his enthusiasm infectious as he pulled Tanner toward it. Nick's camera at the ready, The pair settled into the game seats, and in a goofy display, they began to act overly affectionate for the amusement of Nick's vlog. Tanner draped his arm around Larry’s shoulder, a cheeky grin plastered on his face. Larry leaned forward dramatically, pretending to steal a kiss.
After that, Nick decided he should get some footage of the rest of the group. He walks away, leaving Tanner and Larry alone, entangled in the fake car seats. This time, Tanner doesn’t retreat as he had been doing; instead, he inches closer, prompting a look of disbelief from Larry. Yet, Larry remains where he is.
“What should we do now?” Tanner asks, tilting his head toward Larry, their faces just inches apart. Larry takes a moment to study Tanner’s features, his gaze lingering a heartbeat too long on his lips. “Um, I don’t know, whatever you want to do,” he replies softly, almost a whisper.
“Hmmm,” Tanner locks eyes with him, a smirk playing on his lips as he holds their faces near. He notices the faint blush spreading across Larry’s cheeks. After allowing the tension to hang in the air for a moment, Tanner finally breaks their gaze. “I think we still have plenty of points left on the card; let’s go win some tickets,” he says casually, deflecting the moment.
Larry sits there, momentarily stunned by how abruptly their moment of closeness ended. “Y-yeah, let’s go,” he stammered, his face flushed crimson.
Tanner can't help it anymore, seeing Larry get so flustered. He needed to keep teasing him like that.
With a playful grin, they both rise and dive into a series of arcade games, eagerly chasing after tickets. They jump from one machine to another, laughter ringing out as they compete for every point until the card finally runs dry.
by then they regrouped with everyone else. Yumi is visibly irritated, clearly struggling in an intense air hockey match against Isaac. With every loss, his frustration mounts, and he shoots an indignant glare at Isaac, who simply responds with a cheeky middle finger while effortlessly dominating the game. Nick, behind the camera, channels his inner sports commentator, narrating the match.
Once the match was over, Nick swung the camera around to focus on Larry and Tanner. “You’re back! Did you win anything?” he asked.
“Dude, yes! We scored so many tickets!” Larry exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “Did they manage to get any?”
“Not really,” Nick replied with a chuckle. “They mostly stuck to racing games and air hockey. And Yumi just kept losing.”
From a distance, Yumi shouted back, “Isaac was cheating!”
After explaining their adventures to each other they all headed to the prize counter, the bright lights of the arcade reflecting off their eager faces.
Isaac and Nick pooled their points together in a bid for candy, Meanwhile, Yumi presented his prize—a weird little squishy lizard toy that wiggled and jiggled in his hands, drawing laughter from the group. Tanner and Larry came to a decision: if they combined their tickets, they could snag a stuffed animal. After some deliberation, they chose a big, fluffy calico cat plush.
“What should we name our son?” Tanner asked playfully, a grin spreading across his face as he watched Larry giggle at the silly notion.
“How about Bartholo-mew!” Larry exclaimed, punctuating the “mew” with a wink and a playful cat paw gesture.
Tanner felt his heart flutter; Larry was just too adorable. “That sounds perfect!” he beamed.
That granted some teasing from the rest of the group, calling them husbands. With the camera rolling and fixed on them, tanner jokingly gets on one knee and takes larry's hand
“I do!” Larry cried dramatically, playing into the bit. As the laughter faded, Nick shifted the camera to capture the other guys. Tanner got up, brushing dust off his knees, glancing at Larry, who was staring at him again, with a flicker of sadness in his eyes.
“Hey, you okay?” Tanner asked
"Huh? Oh! Yeah! Why wouldn't I be?" Larry chuckled, a bit too quickly, as he hurried to rejoin the group. But Tanner sensed that the laugh was hollow, a façade rather than the warm, genuine sound he knew so well.
A familiar unease settled in Tanner's chest. He couldn't shake the thought that maybe the bit was affecting Larry in the same way it was affecting him. A twinge of guilt washed over him as he considered the possibility; the last thing he wanted was to inadvertently cause Larry any distress. Yet, he reminded himself, there could be countless reasons for Larry's feelings—discomfort didn’t have to indicate romantic interest.
"Stop getting ahead of yourself," he murmured silently to himself, lost in spiraling thoughts. As he walked alongside the group, his mind raced, the laughter of his friends fading into a blur. He felt a strong urge to have a heart-to-heart with Larry, but he knew he needed to wait. To ensure that these feelings weren’t just a passing whim, he decided he'd conduct some tests on larry's reactions.
After leaving the arcade, the group decided to grab a bite to eat at the diner Larry and Tanner visited before. The diner had a classic American charm, complete with red vinyl booths and retro decor inspired by the 60s. Soft, warm lighting bathed the space.
Larry and Tanner slid into a booth side by side. Across from them, Nick and Isaac took their seats, with Yumi joining them by pulling over an extra chair. The menu offered an array of comfort food, and they all placed their orders, the friendly waitress writing it down with a smile. Meanwhile, Nick continued recording their gathering for the vlog.
As their meals were served, laughter and chatter filled the air. Tanner occasionally draped his arm around Larry's shoulder. At one point, they shared a french fry, lady and the tramp style. The usual gay “act”. However, as soon as Nick turned the camera away, Tanner would subtly pull back, studying Larry’s expression closely. At times, Larry’s gaze would turn vacant, as if he were lost in some distant thought, his eyes clouded with a faraway look, other times he stared at tanner. He pretended not to notice it from the corner of his eye but the boy looked hurt, like something was ripped away from him. And he'd sit with a slight angry pout.
Once they finished eating, the group gathered and piled into the car. Nick took the wheel, with Isaac perched in the passenger seat, while Larry settled in the middle, sandwiched between Yumi and Tanner. He stared down at his hands, enveloped by silence, his usual vibrant self noticeably dimmed. Occasionally, he would force a halfhearted laugh at the group's lively banter, but it felt more like an obligation than true enjoyment. That was enough for tanner, it was time for the final test to uncover the truth behind Larry’s feelings.
Tanner leaned closer, wrapping his arm around Larry's shoulders with a gentle embrace. He reached down and picked up Bartholo-mew, placing the plush toy carefully on their laps. With a comforting tug, he pulled Larry closer, resting his cheek softly atop Larry's head.
“I'm so tired, you don't mind do you” he asks
Larry stiffened momentarily, as if caught off guard. "I don’t mind," he replied, but the tension melted away as he relaxed into Tanner's hold, nuzzling his face into the crook of Tanner’s neck. Although Tanner couldn’t see Larry's expression, he could feel the gentle press of a smile against his shoulder, a reassuring warmth that made his heart flutter.
In that instant, Tanner felt a surge of certainty wash over him; this had to mean something. Everything—the way Larry leaned into him, the softness of his touch—told Tanner that Larry had to like him back. and as they sat together, the world around them faded, leaving just the two of them in a bubble of comfort and unspoken affection.
Once they returned home, everyone either headed to their rooms for sleep or dove into a video game. Hours passed, and by around 1 AM, the house was quiet, the usual sounds of yelling and laughter replaced by silence. Tanner, however, hadn’t joined his friends; he lay in bed, contemplating how to approach Larry for what felt like ages. Finally, with a resolve that surged within him, Tanner decided it was time to confront his feelings.
Slipping quietly from his room, he wandered towards Larry’s door, but when he opened it, he found the room unoccupied. moving on to search the kitchen and the living room, they were both equally deserted. Just as Tanner felt a tinge of frustration creeping in, he caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of his eye.
Through the glass window that framed the porch, he spotted Larry. Leaning against the railing, he was bathed in the silvery glow of the moonlight, his silhouette outlined against the star-speckled sky. He looked peaceful, his gaze lost in the vastness above, as if he were searching for answers among the constellations. Tanner couldn’t help but admire him for a moment, his heart racing as he took in the sight. He reminded himself of his purpose and stepped forward, ready to finally speak his mind.
He gently cracked open the door and called out, “Larry? What are you doing out here?”
Larry jumped in surprise, spinning around with wide eyes. “Oh my God, Tanner! You scared me!” He placed a hand over his heart, trying to calm himself. Once the shock faded, he turned back to the serene view, his expression shifting. “Nothing, just thinking.”
“Can I join you?” Tanner asked, taking a step closer.
Larry paused for a moment, a hint of sadness flickering across his face before he turned away again. “Yeah, that’s fine,” he replied, his voice tinged with melancholy.
Tanner moved to stand beside him, leaning against the railing. “You okay? What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing major, just… stuff,” Larry said, his gaze fixed on the stars twinkling in the dark sky.
Tanner felt a pang of concern wash over him. He longed to reach out, to comfort Larry and help him through whatever was on his mind, but it seemed Larry wasn’t ready to share. In an attempt to offer solace, Tanner wrapped his arm around Larry’s shoulder, but Larry jerked away abruptly, creating a space between them.
“How's it going with that guy you had a crush on? Are you two dating yet?” Larry asked, his tone irritated.
Tanner was taken aback; hes never seen Larry like this before . “Uh—n-no. No, we’re not. I actually wanted to talk to you about that—”
Larry interrupted sharply. “Why? So you can use me as your guinea pig? Just because I’m bi doesn’t mean you can practice being gay with me!”
“What? Larry, no, that’s not—”
“Do you have any idea how much that hurts?” tears welled in Larry’s eyes. “Tanner, I love you! I’ve loved you for years! And every time I thought maybe you felt the same, you just disappeared and avoided me! I’m tired of this endless cycle. Just ask out that guy and stop getting my hopes up!”
Tanner took a deep breath, feeling both fear and determination surge within him. “Will you go out with me?”
“What?” Larry blinked, confusion and annoyance etched on his face.
“You said to ask out the guy I liked.”
“Wait, what? Are you joking?” Larry's brows furrowed, Refusing to believe it.
“I don’t just like you. I love you. I’m sorry for being so distant. I thought you wouldn’t ever like me back, so I tried to push my feelings away.”
Larry was stunned, tears brimming in his eyes. “All this time…” His voice trembled as he covered his mouth in disbelief.
“All this time, you loved me too. I can’t believe I’ve been such an idiot; I should’ve told you sooner—”
Before he could finish, Larry leaped into Tanner’s arms, wrapping his arms around his waist and burying his face in Tanner’s chest. “...You couldn’t have known. It’s my fault too. I never said anything.”
Tanner held him tightly, feeling the warmth of their embrace.
“I love you,” they both said in unison, the words hanging in the air between them. Larry lifted his face to meet Tanner's gaze. “Can I… kiss y—” he began hesitantly.
Before he could finish, Tanner gently cupped Larry's face and pulled him into a deep kiss. Larry melted into the moment, every worry slipping away. They parted, foreheads resting together, breathing the same air.
“So, wanna be boyfriends?” Tanner asked, a hopeful smile playing on his lips.
Larry chuckled softly. “Yeah, let’s be boyfriends.”
The two boys stood there under the starlit sky, feeling as if the world had finally found its brilliance.
the end :3