Chapter Text
He jumped from the top step of the bus with a grin on his face, earbuds in he was humming to a song as he headed to the park, starting his morning run in the bright sunshine, other runners going unnoticed. His mind was a million miles away as he stopped at a bench to grab a drink. Stretching his legs he looked about, eyes stopping as he caught sight of a man grinning at him. Figuring it was a fan he gave a small wave before continuing on his jog, he had seen the taller man before, thought he was cute, with his freckled face, eyes a soft brown. He started to pay more attention after that day, noting the man rode on the same bus of a morning. He blushed whenever he noted the others stare, but Bryce always looked away.
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He was running one day, cursing himself silently as he heaved in a labouring breath, stopping to take a drink his eyes moved over the park, his flushed cheeks reddening as they caught sight of a shorter man, strawberry blonde hair falling in eyes he wanted to drown in. His knees felt weak as the other jogged over to the bench he was at. Nodding with a tight smile he took another sip of water before jogging off. Wishing not for the first time he could just say hi. Cursing himself for a fool once more he headed home.
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Bryce was sitting at his computer playing with friends, he had his camera on and the biggest grin was on his face as he tried to escape the junkyard they were in, shaking his head as he was slaughtered, he sat back and stretched arms above his head. He looked over at his guitar and hummed a tune before busting into some silly lyrics. Earning groans from the other three, he was quickly told to shut up. He had fun playing games with them but his passion was music. After the game finished, he linger in the call til only two of them were left.
Frown tugging at his lips as he tapped nervous fingers on his desk. “Hey, can I ask you a favour.” The other could see him, but despite having played together he had never seen the masked gamers face. He knew his friend and knew he would give an honest opinion.
“Sure Bryce. What’s up, everything ok?” Ohm leant back in his chair, he had never seen Bryce so nervous, he was biting his lower lip and it looked cute.
“Yeah, would you listen to a new song I made and tell me what you think?” Fingers picking at the arm of his chair as he waited.
“I’d love too, go for it.” Bryce looked over at the camera, about to ask ‘really’ he stopped and went to grab his guitar, sitting back down he took several breaths before starting to play and sing.
Ohm sat in shock, he had heard Bryce play before but never an original. He wondered why he played games when he had so much talent, then the words filtered into his head and a silent tear slide down his cheek. Gripping the arms of his chair he was glad Bryce couldn’t see him. Trying to steady his voice, he spoke softly. “That was amazing Bryce, you should play more often.”
Bryce shook out his fingers as he finished, looking over at the black screen he smiled. “Thanks Ohm. I’m glad you liked it. I have to go and meet some friends. Call you tomorrow?” He was back on his computer shutting things down. “Sounds good, talk then.” Ohm ended the call quickly and sat back, a sick feeling in his stomach, he knew he had feelings for the other, but the song was a love song for a girl, and he was sure that Bryce was straight. Groaning he set programs working and rose to grab food. Trying to turn his thoughts onto other things, sleep was hard to come by that night and he woke still tired.
After most recording sessions they would talk together, Bryce often playing what he was working on at that time, Ryan listening silently, offering his advice or just words of encouragement. He knew he had feelings for his best friend, but the amount of times in game he said he liked girls, his music also showing his preference, Ohm shut it all inside.
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Delirious said through the call “Great game guys.”
Ohm “Oh yeah, want another?”
Bryce “Sure, same one?”
Cartoonz “Sounds good to me.”
It was a typical conversation between his friends as they played. But he was struggling to keep his emotions together, He had seen Bryce this morning, watched him run in the park. He wanted to say hi and introduce himself but was afraid he would be rejected. ‘Better to be known as the masked gamer’ than be rejected by his best friend. Shaking his head Ohm finished his own run and headed home.
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Like any other day, he had run that morning before working as per his daily schedule. Later recording a game with his friends, he was grinning as they joked. “So who wants to die first?” Delirious asked in a creepy voice. “Your not catching us Bitch” Cartoonz said as his character took off. Ohm was cursing as he took a wrong turn. Shaking his head Bryce kept working on a generator. After they finished recording, they made plans for the next day, the other two leaving quickly, Bryce was about to speak but realised that Ohm had already left the call. Sighing as his friend seemed to be busy once more he got ready for bed.
The next day he woke with a frown and knew he needed to talk to someone, calling a friend they agreed to meet at the park. Letting out grin as she ran up to him, they slowed down to a walk and talked as they continued. “Hey so I have a friend and..” Looking over at him she grinned. “Aww Bryce has a crush.” Teasing softly she stopped them at a bench and pulled him down beside her. “Tell me about him.” Sitting on the bench he spoke softly, a sad smile on his lips as he spilled out his heart.
He loved playing video games with his friends. He had finally found a group that liked his style of play and friends that laughed at his jokes. The bunny rabbit was so cute, true he didn’t know what he looked like, had never even seen a glimpse of him. But his laugh, his jokes and teasing had Bryce blushing at odd moments, a flutter in his stomach. He knew he liked his Ohm yet He was nervous of what the other would say if he ever found out, so he wrote love songs for a female and played them to the one he had a crush on.
“I don’t know what to do, I’ve never even meet him.” He finished and leant his head on her shoulder. Wrapping him into a hug she offered him her advice. Neither took notice of the runner who had stopped not far away. Didn’t see him rub a hand over his eyes and hurry off, Ohm’s heart heavy he cursed himself like he always did for falling for the younger man. Heading home he decided he needed to be alone and recorded by himself.
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Feeling better after talking to his friend, Bryce had a shower then decided to see who wanted to play, inviting the others into a skype call, it wasn’t long before they were all lost in a game, all but Ohm who hadn’t answered. The next day he texted his best friend.
Bryce “Hey you up to play something today?”
Ohm “Sorry already got a game planned with the guys.”
Bryce “That’s cool. Maybe tomorrow?”
Ohm “Sure Brycey-poo. Got to go.”
Bryce “Okay, talk later Bunny.” The other was always busy recently. Sighing he knew it was probably for the best, he needed to stop having feelings for his best friend, a man who probably had someone in his life anyway.
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He hadn’t realised just how much he was drawing back from the group, or that it had been noticed, Til Bryce called him one day. Running a hand through his hair he sat on his couch watching TV. “Hey Bryce, what’s up?”
Bryce “Nothing with me, is everything ok with you?” Concern in his voice.
Ohm “Yeah everythings fine, why’s that?” He tried to play cool.
Bryce “Well you seem to be busy a lot lately, we haven’t really gotten to talk.”
Ohm “I have stuff going on outside of games that’s all.” He flicked the channels and tried to calm himself. “Real life and all that.” He let the lie slip from his lips, knowing it was because he was getting too attached to the younger man.
“I just thought, maybe you didn’t want to play with me, us, anymore.” Bryce bit his lip and flushed. He knew that the other must have a life outside of YouTube.
Ohm “It’s not that.” Taking a breath he finished lamely. “I got to go, I’ll talk later.”
Bryce “Yeah okay, Bye.” The call was abruptly ended and left Bryce feeling empty.
They were suppose to be recording that day, but Ohm never showed up, he had told the others something had come up. Yet his next video that Bryce watched while curled up in bed was a solo gameplay. Drifting to sleep with a heavy heart he thought. ‘Would you be wondering like this if it was anyone else?’ but he knew the answer was no, he wasn’t in love with his other friends, just the bunny rabbit.