Work Text:
“Well, I apologize, but it's not my fault!” Lucas snapped back.
“I clearly think it is. God, you're hopeless.” Carson glared at Lucas, seemingly angry over whatever he had just done.
“Or maybe,” Lucas said, tapping Carson's forehead as if knocking on a door, “you're just dumb?”
Carson smacked his hand away, which only made Lucas laugh.
“Well, I–!”
Carson was cut off by a third person suddenly stepping right beside them.
“Both of you need to stop arguing for once,” Atlas deadpanned. “If I wanted to watch people fight, I would've gone to a debate club or a boxing ring.”
The remark snapped them back to reality. Carson and Lucas suddenly remembered they were, in fact, still standing outside in public, surrounded by passing pedestrians.
“Well then, I will be talking with Allisa.” Carson says before going to find Allisa
Atlas sighs watching his brother go.
“Dude, you're being like– painfully obvious.” he squinted his eyes at Lucas, clearly as puzzled on how Carson didn't pick it up yet.
“He probably just doesn't get it?..” Lucas makes an excuse for him.
“Well whatever it is, I'm tired of seeing you two fight. It's like this stupid dance you two do instead of owning up to it! I am tired of being the ‘peace maker’..” Atlas sighs, slumping forward as he demonstrates his exaggerated tiredness, Lucas pats his back, shaking his head in pity.
“He’ll get it someday..” Lucas sighs, someday is an understatement. He thinks to himself.
“Someday or never..” Atlas shakes his head, already tired of watching them both.
As Lucas watched Carson and Allisa talk, he wondered if Carson– even in a little bit. Would at least like him back, After all they fight like cats and dogs.
Atlas– hearing Lucas not saying another word. didn't wait for a response. He just shook his head, gave Lucas a light clap on the shoulder, and headed off toward the rest of the group, leaving Lucas alone in the low hum of the crowd.
Lucas leaned back against the cool brick wall of the building, shoving his hands into his pockets. Across the sidewalk, Carson was still talking with Allisa, gesturing with his hands the way he always did when he was all worked up.
Every part of him told Lucas to drop another Rude comeback line the second Carson got back— to keep the truth safe of course. But watching Carson laugh at something Allisa said, a quiet exhaustion took over.
No more jokes. No more rude comments. If Carson was going to hate him, Lucas at least wanted it to be for the truth.
Carson finished up his conversation with Allisa and turned around, Spotting Lucas still standing by the wall, He strode back over, crossing his arms over his chest and putting on a smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Back so soon?" Carson said, his tone dripping with imperfect confidence. "Surprised you didn't find someone else to annoy while I was gone."
Lucas just sighed, slowly. It made Carson’s chest tighten with a sudden, huge spike of nervousness.
“What?” Carson snapped, crossing his arms tighter. “Cat caught your tongue?”
“No, it’s not that.” Lucas shook his head. He pushed himself off the cool brick wall, closing the distance between them until he was standing directly in front of Carson.
Carson’s smirk flickered. He took an instinctive half-step back, his throat dry. “Then why are you staring at me like that? Look, if this is some stupid setup you and Atlas planned, just say it—”
“It isn't a setup, Carson, and you know it—”
“Then why are you acting like this?” Carson cut in, his voice rising, pitched with a defensive edge. “You don't just stop talking mid-fight! You’re— you’re making it weird, Lucas. Just hit back with a comeback like you always do and stop acting like whatever this is actually matters!”
“Do you really think I’d waste this much energy on someone I didn't care about?” Lucas said, his voice quiet, grounded, and stripped of every joke he’d ever hidden behind. “You’re supposed to be the smart one, Carson. Act like it.”
Carson froze, his jaw snapping shut. “Care about? You fight with me every single day!”
“Because it’s the only time you actually look at me!” Lucas shot back, reaching out to catch Carson by the jacket sleeve before he could pull away.
Lucas sighs as he realizes Carson won't get it yet.
"I'm not messing with you. I haven't been messing with you for months.”
Lucas starts.
“I don't fight with you because I hate you, I fight with you because it's the only time you actually look at me.”
“If I could– or maybe if you would. I would've told you sooner, but I didn't want to ruin whatever we had.”
Lucas sighs once again, looking away. But Carson speaks up.
“Lucas.. Do you like me?”
“What do you think?”
“...”
Lucas laughs humorlessly, shaking his head, not sure how Carson would deflect it now.
“Ill let you figure it out now.”
Lucas walks away, leaving Carson with the confession.