Chapter Text
The cafe was quiet. Well actually it wasn’t, it was packed with people, the perfect place to be alone. Everyone too involved in their own worlds, their own conversations to notice anyone else. The sounds of multiple groups talking at once filling the room. All Shane could hear was the faint drone of distant noise. Like he was light years away from the other people.
It was just him and Hayden, sitting across from one other at a small table in the corner. Shane felt numb. This wasn’t just a catchup with his best friend, No this meeting had a purpose. Shane hated these. These meetings under false pretenses, where Hayden pretended to want to catch up, to talk, but really it was for something else. To pry, to peel back the layers and look at something private, something that was Shane’s. Something that was supposed to be for him and him only.
“He made you cry again” Hayden stated, like he was repeating the weather. Matter of fact, borderline emotionless if you didn’t know him any better. Shane’s eyes shifted to his hands folded neatly in his lap before landing back on Hayden. “Hayd I’m not-“ “doing this?” Hayden finished the sentence. “Yeah I know. You never want to talk about it, you never want to handle it.” “Because there’s nothing to handle!” Shane was getting frustrated now. His hands running through his hair. Why would Hayden not believe him, why would no one just give it a rest. It wasn’t that bad, not really, it just-. “Shane, hey buddy you’re spiraling. Breathe”
Shane did, taking deep breaths, following his friend’s lead. Eventually he was back inside his body, thoughts running normally. Hayden’s face was set in a tighter line than it was originally. Clearly still displeased.
There was a moment of silence. “I hate seeing you like this. Seeing him affect you like this.”
Heat rose to Shane’s cheeks, it anger not embarrassment. “He didn’t make me have a panic attack in the middle of a cafe Hayden. You did” he realized after he said it that his tone was probably harsher than it should be. Hayden had the decency to look embarrassed at least. “I’m sorry I didnt-“. “Yes you did Hayd. You did. You sit here and you accuse me of lying and you don’t believe a word I say. Did you invite me here to catch up like you said or is it just to accuse my boyfriend of shit because you don’t like him.” Shane sounded hostile, he knew that. But maybe he needed to.
Hayden sighed, giving in. His eyes were soft as he scanned Shane’s face. “Ok, you’re right. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you upset. You’re right I shouldn’t accuse him of things if I don’t know the full story.” Shane’s chest felt lighter, the frustration melting off his face. He wasn’t expecting an apology, it was refreshing. “But-“. Oh there it was, the “but” “You have to see it from my side too. You’re my best friend. I love you bro, Jackie does too. We’ve tried to get to know him I swear, but it’s like he doesn’t want us too. He barely lets you out of his sight. And, I swear I’ve seen you cry after he pulls you into the corner to talk Shane. Like multiple times.” He paused, his eyes shifting, “and I promised Jackie I wouldn’t tell, but I know I heard him call you a bitch the other day. You have to admit, to us it looks weird. It looks… concerning.”
Instead of frantically denying it or getting angry, Shane blushed. Hard. His cheeks were a rosy pink, eyes darting down before rising back up. “You heard that?.” Hayden nodded, confused. “Right. Uh look. Sometimes, when two people love each other very much and they want to make things interesting in uh, yknow, the bedroom, they-“ “oh god!” Hayden threw up his hands. “Ok enough! I don’t need to hear it.!” It was Hayden’s turn to blush, a deep red. “You mean to tell me it’s a sex thing?! The bossing you around, the names?”
Shane just blushed darker, hiding his face behind his arms, nodding. “I like it ok. Quit judging me!” “I’m not judging you! I just- why the hell didn’t you- you’ve been worrying me to death Shane!”
Shane hid behind his hands, letting out a groan. “I didn’t know that’s why you didn’t like him! I thought you just made up your mind that you hated him and chose to bring it up everytime we went out! I didn’t know you had noticed… you know.” Hayden groaned again. “I seriously thought he wasn’t treating you right man.” “What can I say, I like it rough.” “Oh ew ok enough. Some things are still sacred dude.” The boys laughed, the tension between the two dissolving. On the table Shane’s phone buzzed, he ignored it.
Hayden had left, the pair hugging it out and promising to meet up soon. On the table his phone buzzed again.
Ilya: Where the fuck are you?
Ilya: Hello? Answer me dammit
Shane: I was with Hayden, at the cafe. I didn’t hear my phone buzz.
Ilya: whatever
Ilya: hope his dick tasted good.
Ilya: stupid bitch
Shane put his phone face down on the table, and tried not to cry.