Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Simon knows he's had regrets. Who hasn't? Especially with the whole 'one who got away' typical bullshit people go through. For Simon, the one that got away wasn't ever really his to begin with. It's more of a yearning for a person he can't have. Guess that's unrequited. He knows it's a shock that he himself had someone he yearned for. People look at him either terrified or they look him up and down with curious eyes, sometimes with a glint of hunger.

He doesn't want any of them though. No. Simon knows that the one who's just out of reach is far away and he can admit he is probably chasing a ghost at this point. He hasn't talked to him in years. And, ok, Simon will admit that he used to be a stalker but not in a following him home; no, by looking at his socials but it's not like he can send a message to him and ask how his day was or how life has been treating him. He stopped doing that years ago.

Simon's therapist told him that it wasn't healthy to keep attachments to the past. So he stopped. It doesn't help that Simon is friends with said person's twin brother, which, yes, Simon should've cut him off to help with his journey of moving on but it's difficult to cut off Colt Seavers. Trust him, he has tried. He used to ask Colt all the time about him but then after a long conversation with his therapist, he told Colt not to tell him anything.

Which, to Colt and Jody's credit, they held him to that. Even when he would drunkenly ask, they would tell him "You can't ask us that remember?". Which would lead to Simon whining and groaning. He honestly doesn't know how they're still friends with him after all this time.

So Simon doesn't know what he was expecting when he saw the fancy envelope in his mail box waiting for him when he came home that day. He just thought that it was one of his clients thanking him for helping them plan their dream wedding, to which he always gets such lovely notes and sometimes flowers and a bottle of wine that he ends up drinking all of it in one sitting, trying to not repeat himself by going onto social media to stalk his ex friend like he's someone wanting to see how their ex is doing without them in their lives but no. His face dropped as he read who it was from and what it was.

An engagement party invite. He reads the names on the invite over and over again, thinking that maybe if he reads it over and over that it will change into a different name but he doesn't have that magical power.

Ryland Grace and Tom Ryder.

Ryland Grace, his ex-childhood friend who he lost contact with when they went to college. The Ryland Grace who Simon fell for their senior year of high school. The one that Simon knows that if he wasn't such an asshole to him because he was a jealous son of a bitch, Ryland Grace would probably, hopefully, greeting him as he walks in, kissing him in greeting, asking how Simon's day went. Simon can be hopeful for once even if he isn't that optimistic. He is more realistic with his expectations. That's why he and Ryland worked well as friends.

Ryland would bring him up into the clouds with him, encouraging him to not be so serious all the time. Sure, Ryland did have the attitude of having realistic expectations every now and then but Simon used to enjoy the times where he would be dragged along on an adventure with the twins.

Simon shakes his head softly to himself as if scolding himself. He's been getting better but now this shows up? He sighs heavily before looking at the invitation again and he recognises the second name.

Tom Ryder. He was engaged to that celebrity frat boy who throws parties every night and gets drunk like it's his last night on earth. Mr ego bigger that his fucking head. Famous action star. That Tom Ryder? He is the complete and total opposite of Ryland. He is a party animal where as Ryland has always been a goody two shoes. Even if he did take a pill from a stranger in college, most of the time that Simon knew him, he would always worry and say "we're going to get in trouble!" Whenever him and Colt did something stupid.

Simon can't believe it. This has to be a dream. No wait- a nightmare. A dream would be something nice. This doesn't feel nice, it feels horrible. He falls back onto his couch and stares at the invite that's open on his coffee table. He feels a lot of feelings swirling around his chest that he can't put a name to.

He should be happy that Ryland is getting married. Simon shouldn't be feeling these feelings because he hasn't talked to him in years! But yet, it's all Simon can feel. He hates it. He hates that after all these years he is still hung up on Ryland Grace. That feeling of jealousy blooming in his chest? He shouldn't be feeling like that. Simon should be stomping on that flame before it catches in the forest of his mind, setting it alight. Why should he care that Ryland is getting married? Simon has no right to be unhappy about it but he feels as if he shouldn't be too happy. Ryland moved on with his life so Simon should move on to.

So why hasn't Simon? Why is Simon still clinging onto a distant memory of a happier time? Fuck this! He needs to talk to someone about this. He needs to get out of his head. Simon grabs his phone and calls the one person he can think to. Colt. Which luckily for Simon, Colt answers right away as if he knows Simon was going to call him.

"Hey. What's up?" Colt answers in a tone that Simon knows he does when he's about to lie about something. Simon can also hear him shuffling around, probably making coffee as Simon knows that man lives for two things. Coffee and Jody. It almost makes him want to gag at how lovesick Colt is but Simon knows realistically hes said that sappy crap about Ryland whilst drunk so he has no room to talk.

"Don't 'what's up' me! Why did I just receive an invitation to an engagement party? Not anyone's engagement party but your brother's, who I haven't talked to in years?!" Simon tries to say calmly down the phone but he's freaking out a bit. Why has Ryland invited him? Does he know that Simon has had feelings for him in the past and is doing this because he wants to rub it in his face that he has found someone, whilst Simon has been hung up on him for years now? Simon gets up from the couch to start pacing his living room, feeling like he can't stand or sit still, like he is a wolf stalking the perimeter of his enclosure like they do at the Zoo.

No. Ryland would never do that. He would honestly rather walk on hot coals then do that. But then again, Simon hasn't talked to him in years so who knows? Maybe Tom Ryder has had an affect on him. Maybe changed Ryland into a snobby asshole.

"He finally did it? I thought he wasn't brave enough to send it." Colt lets it slip and then it sounds like he panics. "I mean-"

"So you knew?" Simon says through gritted teeth. "And you didn't think to warn me?!" Simon threads his fingers into his hair a bit, tugging slightly. Even if he wanted to go, he can't face him. He was such a fucking asshole the last time they talked that he would've been shocked if Ryland didn't want to see him ever again. The invite on the table feels as if it's mocking him, telling him that if Ryland didn't want to see him ever again then why did he get an invite?

To which his brain not so helpfully supplies the answer with "Well, you are a wedding planner now and he is getting married. You have to remember that you're a pretty famous wedding planner. So maybe that's the reason you got an invite."

"Simon, listen to me. Ryland wants you to come. Trust me." Colt tells him like he is stating a fact. "He's been talking to me about you recently."

Simon pauses his pacing at that. "He- he has?" Simon feels a bloom of hope in his chest. Maybe, just maybe, they could become friends again? Simon would take just being friends again. He's not opposed to it. Plus it would be nice to catch up, see what's new in Ryland's life other than the fact that he is getting married. Even if it's to the biggest douchebag in the world and Simon has, unfortunately, worked with some asshole douchebags who want their wedding's to be perfect.

He can't blame them, to be honest. It's a special event but the clientele he works for are big named celebrities that want to post these photos on Instagram or send them to news outlets to show off to their fans. And Simon supposes that he shouldn't complain as he has gotten a lot of business from those posts, as well as been asked for interviews about his business.

Hell, he has a lot of partnerships with other high end vendors and sometimes can get special favours from them but his personal favourite clientele to work for are the ones with a small budget. Why? Because he knows what it's like to not have money for these type of things and he wants to make them as special as possible for the happy couple.

If he gets asked to be Ryland's and Tom's wedding planner then he will make it as special as possible. Even if it will make him die on the inside.

"Yes. Would I lie to you?" Colt scoffs.

"Yes, you would actually. Remember the time you lied to me as a kid, saying that if you held a buttercup under your chin whilst lying it will tell if you're lying or not?" Simon points out. He hears Colt laughing on the other side of the phone.

"Yeah well, you were so gullible." Colt chuckles. "But seriously, Simon, Ryland wants you to come. Even if you have to deal with Tom Ryder. Although now you know how I feel everyday having to see him at work."

"Oh I get it. This is just a ploy for you to make me miserable. Extra miserable since I'll have to see him again." Simon mumbles after pausing at a childhood photo of him and Ryland with Colt doing the bunny ears behind both of their heads. "I don't know if I'm ready to see him again, Colt. I might skip this party. RSVP no." Simon could say he was busy with work to come. Ryland won't know unless Colt tells on him.

Then Simon would have the fear of Ryland turning up to his office and dragging him there. Not that Simon wouldn't mind that if it were to happen.

"Oh no! You're not getting out of this. You need to woman up and face him! I'm sick and tired of being in the middle of this!" Colt almost yelled down the phone. "Besides, I need you there as a buffer to deal with Tom."

Then, he says the one thing that makes Simon stop in his tracks. "I will bring Jody into this and she will come to your apartment whether you're dressed or not and drag you in whatever you're wearing to that damn party."

Simon huffs a laugh but sighs.

Colt continues. "Listen man, I get it. You and Ryland had a stupid argument and said things you didn't mean but you have to admit, you're both as stubborn as each other." Colt points out. "But there was a time where you two were stuck together. Like you couldn't find one without the other."

"Yeah and you were also a part of that group too." Simon points out.

"Yes I know but even then in high school! You two would always be hanging out. At one point I thought you two were together." Colt jokes. "Hell, I think everyone thought you two were together."

Simon feels his face turning red. "What- no- we weren't- why would people think that?!"

"Because man! It was obvious!" Colt just argues. "So, you're going to find a nice outfit to wear to this party and you are coming and you're going to talk to my brother like the adults you are." Colt huffs before adding "and me and Jodes are picking you up in our car so you can't sneak off and leave halfway through."

Simon scoffs. "As if I can't call an Uber." He mumbles.

"You do that and I'm siccing Jody on you. You know how scary she is." Colt admits.

"Oh? I'm gonna tell her you said that." Simon smirks as he finally looks away from the photo he was staring at.

"You tell her that, I'm telling Ryland you plan on not coming." Colt argues. "Plus what's the worse that could happen?"

Simon can think of a million ideas. One of them being him being laughed at when he shows the invitation, saying it was one big prank. "Fine. I'll go. But if anything and I mean, anything goes wrong or I find out that the only reason I've been invited is because Tom wants to hire me as their wedding planner, I'm storming out."

"And that is totally fair!" Colt agrees. "I've got to go. We're preparing for a stunt but I'm serious man, Ryland wants you there. He wants to see you again."

Simon doubts that but he doesn't say anything to Colt to argue the fact. Colt knows Ryland probably even better than Simon does at the moment. They say their goodbyes and hang up. He looks around his empty apartment and then at the invitation on the coffee table, still laying where he placed it.

Oh, Simon is so screwed.

Simon will not admit how long it took him to pick out a shirt to wear. He ended up going with just a black button up shirt that he is now realising how tight it is against his chest. He threw in a suit jacket that he tends to wear during meetings and when he is with clients.

Colt and Jody kept their word of picking him up. He's currently sat in the back seat like he's a kid with his parents dropping him off at a party he doesn't want to go to. Simon did buy a bottle of wine and some flowers and when Colt tried to comment on it, Simon just brushed him off and said "I t's a gift for the happy couple." Even if he wanted to throw up at saying that.

Not because he's disgusted just from nerves. Also the fact that this is going to be seeing Ryland. Maybe he could open the car door whilst it's going and run? No because Colt is almost as fast as him. He'd probably be tackled to the ground.

As they get closer to this banquet hall that Simon knows all too well as the big hall celebrities book for parties, he still feels nauseous. He knows it's nerves and he should shake it off but if he throws up before they actually set foot into the hall then Simon is going to be embarrassed. Although he could play it off as him eating something bad? Having food poisoning is a good enough excuse.

"Don't even think about it." Colt tells him.

"What? I didn't say anything." Simon mumbles.

"No but you're thinking so loud I can hear your thoughts." Colt mumbles back and Simon huffs.

"I'm not thinking that loudly." Simon argues back albeit weakly when Colt and Jody look at him in the rearview mirror and he sinks into his seat a bit as they park.

Simon gets out of the car and Colt tells him "If you run, I will chase after you."

"I know. I thought about it." Simon jokes. "Thought about opening the door as you're driving."

"There's no way you could land that stunt." Colt laughs as he smacks his arm.

"I could! If your dumbass does it, I probably can." Simon huffs a laugh as Colt pulls an offended face. Simon knows that if he keeps teasing Colt, they will end up wrestling and everyone will stare at them.

"Come on you two. Let's go inside before you start fighting." Jody sighs as she opens the trunk of the car to get the gifts for the gift table.

Simon goes to help her and whispers "You sure it's not too late to turn back now?"

Jody turns to him and adjusts his suit jacket and smiles softly at him. "You'll be ok, Simon. Like Colt has said, Ryland has been talking about you recently."

Simon looks down. "I want to believe that but you remember the last time we saw each other. You both were there."

Jody nods softly and replies "I know." She sighs. "How about we make a deal? You stay here for two hours and try and talk to Ryland and if you still want to leave, I will take you home. Deal?"

Simon sighs. He knows there's no point in arguing with Jody. "Ok fine. But I'm only staying to bully Colt and the free alcohol."

"But you're going to at least try and talk to Ryland?" Jody asks him with a pointed look and arms crossed.

Simon sighs softly and looks down before looking back up at her. "I will try." Jody smiles and places a bag in his hand and a bouquet.

"Good. Now let's go." Jody tells him before shoving stuff into Colt's arms and they follow her inside. Simon and Colt find the gift table and it's huge with expensive gifts that Simon can guess half of them won't ever be used.

The thought of how easy it would be to steal from this party keeps his mind off of the impending doom. Luckily he hasn't been spotted yet so he grabs a glass shoot of champagne and finds Jody and Colt and chats with them and their colleagues.

He can do this. Simon can stay and enjoy some good food and drinks and maybe some good conversations with some new people. Even if he is still secretly in his head planning a heist to not think about the one person he is here for.

"Simon?" He hears the sort of familiar voice saying his name. Simon instantly snaps out of his thoughts as he turns from the group to see Ryland Grace standing there with a slight smile on his face.

Simon's first thoughts are of how beautiful he looks in his button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up his forearms. How his hair looks free, making it look messy but still put together, glasses that he still wears, on his face framing his eyes, making them look like a version of Katsushika Hokusai's The Great Wave at Kanagawa, hauntingly beautiful. The same eyes that Simon adores and would want to stare into for hours without ever stopping.

They both stand there just staring, Simon can't get his words out. Like they're stuck in his throat. Colt must've noticed as Simon feels him pushing him towards Ryland.

"Ryland- Hi-" Simon starts to say but he cuts himself off when he feels Ryland's arms around him, holding him close. Simon's eyes widen in shock before he soon returns the hug. Not wanting to just keep his arms to his side, making Ryland feel awkward and pulling away too soon.

Simon closes his eyes and thinks back to the moments in senior year where they would hug like this, clinging to each other, afraid the other was going to float away. Like seahorses against the tide, just wrapping their tails together so they don't lose one another.

But they did let go, didn't they? That's why Ryland is marrying Tom Ryder, famous action star and playboy instead of the future Simon has dreamed of with Ryland. He shouldn't be thinking about that right now.

"I'm glad you came, Simon." Ryland whispers into Simon's shoulder and he adds "I've missed you." Simon feels Ryland's hand slightly stroking his shoulder and Simon has to try his hardest not to melt into the hug.

He always uses to enjoy Ryland's hugs in the past. He would always put all his love and warmth for the person into the hug like that person matters to him.

"I've missed you too, Ryland." Simon whispers back before they pull away, reluctantly in Simon's case. Simon then adds with a smile "Congratulations on your engagement."

Simon notices his face drops for a millisecond before Ryland smiles and says "Thank you! I can't believe it." It's like he has a mask on and it feels wrong. This doesn't feel right. He may not of been around Ryland for years but he knows what a genuine happy smile looks like from Ryland. The way his eyes would scrunch at the corners, his cheeks would've been risen up from how wide he was smiling. Simon would also take a note of how his cheeks would've turn pink slightly.

That smile is just wrong. There isn't any of that and it's made Simon a little concerned. He almost wants to ask if Ryland has been replaced with a clone.

"Me either." Colt speaks up and Simon forgets that it isn't just the two of them in this fancy banquet hall that doesn't seem like Ryland's tastes at all. "Especially with that jack-"

"Ok ok Colt!" Ryland panics as he scolds like a teacher would and that makes Simon laugh softly. Tom soon comes over and wraps his arm around Ryland's waist and pulling him close.

"Colt! Jody! I'm so glad you guys could come!" Tom says with a massive smile like he has won a prize. The same 'prize' Simon has wanted for a really long time and wishes he had more time to catch up with Ryland.

Tom sets his sights on Simon and Simon instantly feels his stomach fill with dread. "You must be Simon? Ry has told me a lot about you!" Tom holds out his hand and Simon begrudgingly smiles and shakes it like he would with a client. "You're not what I expected if I'm being honest."

Simon almost wants to ask him what he means by that but he bites his tongue. "I am. Good to meet you." Simon soon let's go and he can feel Colt and Jody's eyes on him.

"Jody told me that you're a wedding planner?" Tom asks as he looks Simon up and down and he can feel the judgemental look Tom is giving him. Simon knows that look. He knows he doesn't look like your stereotypical wedding planner. He's a fucking ex-con with a missing arm and burn marks on his face and neck for fuck sake! "You don't look like a wedding planner." He scoffs.

Simon can feel his anger rise but he takes a few breaths before he says something he's going to regret. He really wishes he could say that he is actually the top wedding planner for celebrities and has been recommended more times than his fucking ego self entitled ass has made action movies or any movies in particular to this asshole.

"Well I am." Simon mumbles softly. He watches Ryland's eyes light up a bit and Simon knows that's his real smile.

"You did Colt and Jody's wedding a few years back, didn't you?" Ryland asks but Simon knows that Ryland knows the truth. He remembers seeing Ryland at the wedding and he felt that feeling in his chest after all those years.

He remembers watching him drunkenly dance on the dance floor and doing the rubber chicken dance and Simon couldn't help but smile at his ex friend/crush's antics from the back where he could watch without being spotted. The fact Ryland didn't spot him was shocking as he wasn't really subtle.

"He did! He was amazing!" Jody says with a smile. Simon knows where this is going and he knows that look she's gotten in her eye. It's the one of mischief. Simon has seen it many of times when the two of them would set a small prank up to mess with Colt. "You should hire Simon to help out with the wedding! He'd do amazing!"

"Best in the business." Colt slaps a hand on Simon's shoulder hard. "He's worked with all the big celebrities."

Simon winces and says "Guys-" he doesn't know what to say to say no in a nice way. He doesn't want to have to deal with Ryder! Besides it will be awkward to spend that much time with Ryland.

"It's true. This guy is Simon Fischer. Like Colt said, best in the business at what he does." A woman suddenly appears and only Simon jumps, as if the other's are used to her appearing out of nowhere. She leans in and whispers in Tom's ear about something that causes Tom's eyes to light up.

"That's Gail, Tom's agent. You're going to have to deal with her every now and again." Colt whispers in Simon's ear.

"Wait, what do you mean going to?" Simon whispers back.

"Gail is one for opportunities. If you say no, she will keep trying to convince you so it's best you agree. I know it sucks, but there isn't a way around it." Colt whispers before adding "Think of it this way, you'll get to spend more time with Ryland." Colt teases him and Simon will admit that his heart flutters at that thought as he looks over at Ryland who is talking to Jody off to the side. Tom still has his arm wrapped around Ryland's waist as if not wanting him to go far.

Tom finally speaks up as if it his own idea and not the woman- Gail's who's now drinking a Diet Coke through a straw in a big ass cup. Where did she even get that cup? Did it just appear in her hands? Is she a magician? Simon has so many questions. He didn't think this is how the night would go.

"I mean, it would just be you planning it, Sweetheart as I'm going to be busy filming over the next few months." Tom says and it leaves a bad taste in Simon's mouth at hearing him call Ryland 'sweetheart' like that. His heart does that thing again at hearing the fact that him and Ryland would be spending time alone. Would they even get the chance to clear the air? Simon would want to apologise or have the opportunity to. It's the least Ryland deserves.

Simon sees the way Ryland's face changes to a bit of a hesitated look but it changes to a small smile. "Oh! Uh, if it's ok with Simon?" Ryland looks at him and adds "I know we haven't talked in a while but-" Simon knows he's about to ramble nervously and by the look on Tom's face, he probably didn't know that him and Ryland knew each other.

Simon cuts him off before he could argue with himself. "I'd love to!" He sounds too eager so he coughs and says "I would love to, Ryland." He can hear Colt snort and he kind of wants to elbow him in his stomach but he hears a small yelp from him so he suspects that Jody must've smacked his arm hard. Simon mentally face palms himself. He's going to regret that later but in this moment, Ryland is smiling at him with his glasses hanging off his ear. How he managed that, he doesnt know but Simon finds it endearing.

"Wonderful! I will get your information right now-" Gail comes over like she is going to pull him aside to get his information but Ryland steps in before Simon can tell her that he wants to wait until later to talk about this. Simon really isn't in the mood to talk business right now. Right now he wants to just get drunk.

"Not right now. We're at a party to celebrate, not talk business. Plus, I want to talk to Simon for a bit. This can wait." Ryland points out before turning to Simon to ask "you have a business card, right?" That makes Simon pause because this is how the two of them used to act before the blow up that if Ryland ends up bringing up at some point tonight, Simon is going to dodge it. He isn't ready for that conversation. Simon nods and pulls one out from his pocket. He always keeps a few in his pocket for events like these. They're mostly networking for him but he genuinely wants to just chill out and not talk business.

Ryland takes it from his hand, their fingers brushing against each other and Simon feels stupid for his skin tingling at that slight touch. He can pretend to be just friends with Ryland. He is not wrecking this marriage for his own happiness. Ryland whispers "thank you." To him before handing the card to Gail.

Gail leaves slightly satisfied and Tom offers to go get Ryland a drink which he happily accepts and Tom kisses him before leaving. Ryland sighs as he leaves and turns back to the group. "We should keep you on set, Ry. Handling Gail would be much more easier." Colt jokes and Ryland rolls his eyes at that before turning to Simon.

"Sorry about that. She can be pushy." Ryland explains.

Simon waves him off slightly. "It's fine, Ryland. I should be used to networking at these types of events but I'm never really good at it." Simon shrugs whilst rubbing the back of his neck. "But you seem to be at ease at these events." He tries to joke.

Ryland chuckles softly as he smiles at Simon. "Eh, I'm just used to entertaining teenagers so this is a walk in a park honestly." Ryland shrugs. "Still not good at talking to large crowds. I'd take a group of teenagers who are judging me over adults any day."

Simon laughs at that softly, feeling slightly more at ease at that. It's like no time has passed whatsoever between them and they're falling back into routine. "Better you than me honestly. I just know I'd get the evasive questions. Although adults just whisper and stare, atleast teens and kids have the bravery to ask politely the questions they want to know."

Simon notices how Ryland's face slightly changes when he says that to a sad look on his face. Simon knows he's changed a lot since Ryland last saw him. He lost his arm in an accident and has some burn scars on his face but he's moved on.

Partly anyways.

They both go silent and it feels so awkward between them. It's uncomfortable. Simon knew he spoke too soon. Metaphorically speaking as he only thought it, not saying it out loud. Plus, Simon can feel Ryland staring at him but most specifically his scars and prosthetic arm before he looks away again.

"So, Ryland! Anything new in the science world?" Colt asks as if sensing the tension. Simon forgot Ryland is a doctor of science. Or maybe he pushed it out of his memory because thinking about it causes him to remember that night. A night he longs to forget.

Ryland looks away from Simon at that question. "Oh! Uh, I'm currently teaching my kids about sound waves at the moment-" Ryland excitedly starts to explain before Tom comes back and hands hm a drink. Simon can feel Tom looking him up and down again and Simon feels like he is under a microscope in a way. Simon doesn't hear anything Ryland is saying because it sounds muffled as he stares back at Tom. Simon feels a gentle hand, probably Jody, on his own and he look towards her slightly.

"Excuse me. I'm uh, going to get another drink." Simon suddenly says as he walks away from the group, feeling the eyes of everyone on him, following him as he leaves. He moves through the crowd of people and excuses himself, saying. "Sorry, excuse me" as he moves past them. He feels as of he needs fresh air, it is really stuffy in this gigantic hall. Man, how many people did they invite?! He knows that half or mostly all of these people must be Tom's colleagues and friends. Simon catches a glimpse of who he thinks is Rocky and his partner. Luckily they don't spot him as he sneaks out the front doors. He leans up against the wall of the building and takes a few deep breathes to try and calm himself. The cold air feels nice as he was starting to get sweaty in there.

"Simon?" He looks to his right and sees Ryland standing there with a slightly worried look painted on his face. Simon watches as he tries to figure out what to do with his hands.

"Needed some air. I'm fine." Simon kind of says in a snippy tone that he kind of scolds himself for using. "It is too stuffy in there." He feels Ryland standing awkwardly beside him, they're almost touching they're that close but it's still far enough. Simon wants to make a joke that it's just like their relationship but it's not true. There's this awkward silence that is swallowing the two of them whole, threatening to pull them under the waves. Simon hates it.

"I know what you mean." Ryland says awkwardly. God Simon hates this small talk bullshit. "But it's nice that I can come out here and talk to you for a moment." Ryland adds before turning towards him and Simon turns to face him. This is probably the moment where Ryland asks him politely to not be their wedding planner as it would be too awkward and with the fear that the two of them will have a blowup argument. Which, Simon totally understands as they're not exactly cordial at the moment. They're more like strangers who are meeting for the first time and have ran out of things to talk about.

"Yeah?" Simon asks him softly but also in a tone that sounds like he is nervous. Maybe Ryland is going to ask him what his mind is thinking. But then again, if he was going to ask Simon that, why is he smiling a soft smile at him? Simon is so fucking screwed.

"Yeah with Tom around, I can't really talk to you about this." Ryland awkwardly rubs the back of his neck. "Plus I knew he kind of wanted to ask you that question but he can be really rude about asking-"

Simon feels his heart drop before he notices Ryland is staring at his arm. Simon lifts his prosthetic arm against his chest a bit self consciously. He is used to stares, in fact, he can deal with them half the time but from Ryland? Simon can't. "Just spit it out already." Simon mumbles trying to bite back his anger a little. He watches Ryland's eyes widen before he sees him nod slightly.

"About the argument-" Ryland starts to say and Simon tenses a bit. This feels worse than him asking about his arm. "I wanted to-"

"Forget it, Ryland. I don't-" Simon sighs before catching his thoughts and telling him "I want to forget that argument. I know I was an asshole but we shouldn't talk about this on a night that's supposed to be about you." Ryland looks at him and Simon hasn't seen that facial expression in a while.

"I know that but what if I want to?" Ryland objected. "Especially since we're going to have to spend a lot of time together planning this wedding." He sighs as he adds "I don't want it to be awkward, ok? Because if it's awkward and either Tom or Gail notices then they'll question us about it."

Simon frowns at that a little bit. He has heard stories of how bad Tom Ryder can be from Colt. How he is mostly in his own little world but how bad can his agent be? "So the only reason you want to talk about this is because you don't want to answer questions?" Simon asks as he closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose slightly. "So if it wasn't for them,we realistically, wouldn't be having this conversation?" Simon can't help but feel his heart break at that although he guesses he shouldn't of really gotten his hopes up at becoming friends with Ryland again.

"We would've if I wasn't too terrified to actually have this conversation before this point." Ryland mumbles slightly. "Colt kept on telling me to reach out before this-"

"Oh so you're scared that if we had this conversation that I'd blow up like the last time?" Simon scoffs slightly at that.

"I didn't say that, Simon. I know it's in the past but we should at least-" Ryland frowns and argues which makes Simon want to scoff again.

"You've always been so stubborn." Simon mumbles as he pushes himself off of the wall he was leaning against. He really wants to leave, have an excuse of saying he wasn't feeling too good but then he would be running away from this and in all honestly, Simon doesnt want to keep running. "You should go back inside. They'll probably be asking where you are."

"Simon, please can we talk about this-" Ryland pleads.

"Ryland, it's in the past. I've changed from that stupid college kid. I can pretend that none of this happened and we both can have a reset." Simon argues back. "We can reintroduce each other, pretend we've just met, whatever is easier. But I will tell you this now." Simon turns to look at him with his full body. "The day we actually discuss that moment will be the day I'm ready to. I'm not ready now and I don't want to think about it right now. This is a boundary I'm putting into place." Simon honestly feels proud of himself for saying that because at this point, past him would've blown up. He watches as Ryland nods in agreement as he processes what Simon has just said.

"Ok." Ryland agrees.

"Ok?" Simon asks hesitantly but Ryland nods softly.

"Yes. I can do that." Ryland replies. Simon sees Ryland get an idea by the look on his face as Ryland holds out a hand for Simon. "Hi. I'm Ryland Grace."

"What are you doing?" Simon questions as he slightly tilts his head as if Ryland has gone mad.

"Well, you said you wanted to pretend it didn't happen so I thought it would be easier to do it as a kind of a reset?" Ryland shrugs as he goes to pull his hand back.

Simon looks at him for a long time before he lets out a laugh. Simon should've guessed that only Ryland would do something so ridiculous. He can't remember the last time he has laughed this much. Probably when he was at a sleepover at their house as kids when Ryland told him a science joke that was so funny to little Simon that milk came out of his nose. It burned like a motherfucker but it was worth it to see Ryland's eyes light up at Simon holding his sides.

Soon Simon calms down and takes a few deep breaths and says "Sorry. Only you could think to do this." Simon snorts before taking Ryland's hand in his and shaking it. "Hi, I'm Simon Fischer. Nice to meet you." He awkwardly says, Ryland's hand feeling warm in his. The last time Simon held his hand was on a field trip to the science museum as kids and Ryland was dragging him around excitedly and telling him facts about everything they look at. Even more facts and how it works than the museum gives you. Simon could've listened to Ryland talk and talk for hours back then.

Ryland laughs softly which makes Simon's cheeks feel warm. "It's nice to meet you too, Simon." Ryland then asks him "would it be weird for me to say that I think your long hair suits you? I knew you wanted to grow it out back in-" he pauses before he shakes his head. "You know, but I think you look good." He rambles nervously.

Simon feels his heart flutter at that and his cheeks warming up again. He only has his hair up in the bun he always does to seem more professional and put together when he is talking with important clients. Usually he either has it in a ponytail, half up and half down or he just has it down with some sort of hair band to keep it out of his face but only when he's at home. He has gotten better at not hiding hid scars behind his hair. Thanks to therapy, he has spent a lot more time building confidence back up after everything that happened. "I- thank you, Ryland." He softly replies as he doesn't know what else he can say let alone should say to that.

They both stare at each other for a moment and the silence is now only a little awkward now. Before Simon can say anything else, Colt comes out of the building. "There you two are! Ry, it's almost time for yours and Tom's speech."

"Oh sweet Christmas!" Ryland rushes back inside leaving just Colt and Simon out there.

"I honestly thought you had done a runner." Colt jokes which makes Simon huff a laugh.

"Oh I'm so sorry that I needed some air. It's so stuffy in there. Plus I felt like I needed a smoke." Simon shuffles into his jacket pocket to grab one and starts to smoke.

"I'm honestly surprised you weren't doing that when Ryland came out here to follow you." Colt huffs as he is now standing beside Simon where Ryland once was.

Simon blows some smoke away from Colt before chuckling softly. "You know how he reacted when you smoked in college." Simon sighs. "Plus tonight has already been…" he pauses to think of the right word.

"Too much to handle?" Colt offers helpfully. "Although I did hear you laughing loudly from in there." He smirks and Simon turns pink and shoves him playfully which makes Colt laugh.

"Fuck you." Simon grumbles softly.

"You wish." Colt jokes as Simon takes another drag of his cigarette. "Besides, you probably still wish it was-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence, Seavers." Simon almost growls and Colt laughs softly as he holds his hands up in surrender.

"I won't! I won't! But come on man, you have to admit to yourself that you're still hung up on my brother." Colt points out.

"I'm not." Simon tells him with a blank expression on his face. He knows there's a small voice at the back of his head telling him that he is lying but he isn't going to tell Colt or anyone the truth. Simon knows he's had relationships in the past just to get his mind off of Ryland. Hell! Simon has been in love with him since senior year of high school but that should be in the past. So why doesn't it feel that way?

"I know you're lying Fischer. We have been friends since we were kids but I know not to push my luck with this conversation." Colt watches Simon as Simon puts out his cigarette with his foot.

"I'm not lying." Simon grumbles as he blows the last bit of smoke he had in his mouth out and sighing. "It's the truth. I've moved on. End of discussion." Simon pushes himself off of the wall. "We better go back inside. Or otherwise we're going to miss the speeches."

"Oh I know it off by heart by now. I've heard Tom practicing it in his trailer. That and his speech for anytime he wins an award." Colt jokes. "Same fucking thing."

Simon snorts a laugh as the two go back inside, just in time to hear everyone clapping for both Ryland and Tom standing on the stage. Ryland looks awkward up there whilst Tom is revelling in the applause. Simon can definitely tell what Colt means as Tom looks like he has rehearsed this multiple times whereas Ryland looks as if he's not only about to throw up but looks as if he's accidentally just walked on stage.

The room soon stops clapping after Tom waves them the stop. The room still feels buzzy with whispers but it's mostly quiet. Colt and Simon find Jody who is standing next to Rocky. Jody whispers at the two of them "Where were you two?"

"I needed a smoke. Sorry, Jody." Simon whispers back at her. He can feel Rocky staring at him. Well, more like glaring at him as Simon can feel as if he's trying to burn the side of his face with his glare. Simon doesn't blame him, honestly, he would've done the same. He also adds in a whisper "I didn't want to smoke in front of Ryland. You know how he would be and by the looks of things, he doesn't need the stress of me smoking on top of that."

They look back at the stage where Tom has his arm around Ryland's waist as he starts to talking. "Thank you, thank you! We both want to thank you all for coming to this party to celebrate us getting engaged." Everyone claps and cheers and Ryland looks as if he wants to sink into the floor and disappear.

"Watch this, he is going to make a joke about how it may look like they rushed into things, he wouldn't of changed it for the world." Colt whispers and Jody hits Colt's chest as he wraps an arm around her waist. Simon watches the two of them before looking back at Ryland who is looking at him back. Simon feels warm all over again but if anyone asks he will blame the people around him that are close to actually touch him and he feels uncomfortable.

Simon tunes back in to hear Tom say something whilst facing Ryland with a smile on his face. "I can't imagine anyone up here other than you, Ry. I can't wait to marry you." The crowd makes an 'aww' sound and Simon seriously wants to roll his eyes but he sees Colt's fingers count down from three, when they hit one, Tom tells the crowd "I know we rushed into this but when you know, you know. Plus I have to tie down this piece of ass before anyone else could."

The room all laughs except, Ryland, Simon, Colt, Jody and Rocky and his partner Simon has yet to know the name of. Simon feels uncomfortable with Tom calling Ryland that. It's dehumanising. He knew from Colt and Jody's tales of the infamous Tom Ryder and news oulets that the guy is a massive douchebag but Simon thinks he would at least have the decency not to call Ryland that.

Simon wishes he could say something, anything to him that wouldn't result in him being angry and ending the interaction with him punching Tom. He isn't a violent man usually but come on, have some fucking decency! That's your future husband for fuck sake! If that was Simon up there, he'd probably be crying at the fact he got so lucky having Ryland to love him and how he would want to spend the rest of his life with him just having a quiet life together. But Simon isn't the one up there, is he? No. He is watching from the sidelines. He should be content with that, and he is. Even if he realistically is lying to himself.

The room once again goes quiet as Ryland is handed the microphone and he is looking around at all the eyes staring at him. Simon sees Colt give a thumbs up whilst Rocky gives a thumbs down. That's a bit odd but Simon wasn't going to question it because he is looking at Simon. Simon mouths 'you've got this' at him and manages a small smile and he watches Ryland smile at him before taking a deep breath.

"Thank you all, like Tom said for coming to celebrate us. I hope you all have been drinking responsibly and eating food from the caterer we hired." Ryland starts to say before adding "I hope you all have enjoyed yourself tonight and I hope you all get home safely after this."

That's all Ryland says before handing the microphone back to Tom who hands it to the DJ after yelling into it "but for now, let's get this party started!" And the music starts blaring out of the speakers. Simon wants to go talk to Ryland but when he looks to watch where he went, he has lost sight of the taller man. How Simon could loose him in a crowd when he is probably taller than most people here is beyond him.

"I'm going to go find Ryland." Colt yells over the loud music. "I'll bring him outside to say goodbye if I can!" Colt leaves and Jody nods and holds onto Simon's arm so they don't loose each other in the crowd. Once they're outside, the cold air hits them and Jody curses slightly at the cold.

"Fuck it I knew I should've brought a jacket." She holds her arms around her and Simon gives her his jacket for now.

"I hope Colt finds Ryland. I need to get his number." Simon tells her. He notices the look she gives him and he turns pink. "It's so I can get in contact with him for the wedding planning!" He argues.

"Sure. You know you could ask any of us for his number?" Jody has a smile on her face like she knows something he doesn't.

"I know but from the sounds of it, the two of you have been the go between for us because Ryland wanted to invite me tonight…. I'm not risking either you or Colt- mostly Colt- blowing up and saying 'oh my god! Just message each other! I'm not your carrier pigeon!'" Simon sighs as Jody chuckles softly.

"I mean, he is right but I do understand why you told him not to tell you anything about Ryland." Jody admits but then gets a wide smile on her face. "Wait a minute. Your business cards have your business number on them. That means you want to give him your own personal number!" She almost exclaims.

Simon shushes her and turns red. "Yes ok! I want to give him my personal number because I want to try and be friends again."

"Just friends?" Jody whispers.

"Yes. Just friends. You know I've moved on as much as I can. This is the final push I needed to not feel that anymore." Simon tells her because it's partly true. He's not going to have the risk of having his heartbroken again because he was an idiot and tells Ryland in person that yes, he is still in love with him and that he hasn't left his thoughts since the last day that they saw each other in person.

Or the fact that Simon used to lay awake at night thinking about the what ifs of it all. That's why he can't watch romance movies. He just ends up being plagued by horrible thoughts and he feels pathetic. He can help couples plan their weddings because it makes him happy and like he is doing something good for a change but having to plan the man he used to love's wedding? No, he's totally screwed.

He can be cordial. He can do that. Just pretend that Ryland and Tom are just a regular couple that want his services to help plan a wedding. Luckily though, Simon knows which vendors to contact. He has a lot of connections from over the years of being in the industry.

Jody hums softly at him, pulling him out of his thoughts. "You've already got vendor ideas you can go to cooking up. So you can make sure Ryland's wedding is perfect for him." She tells him as if she can read his mind.

"How did you-" Simon asks her a little surprised. He shouldn't really be too shocked as Jody has this way of knowing everything. He guesses it's the writer and director in her.

"Sorry it took so long! Ryland can't come and say goodbye. Tom wants him to keep talking to these Hollywood big shots about some shit." Colt sighs. Simon feels disappointed at that but he notices he's holding a folded piece of paper in his hand.

"What's that?" Simon asks a little curiously and he notices how Colt gets a massive shot eating grin on his face.

"Oh nothing." He teases as he holds the piece of paper between his two fingers. "Just Ryland wanted me to give you his number." Colt holds out the two fingers for Simon to take the folded piece of paper.

"I don't like that grin you have." Simon mumbles before taking the slip of paper, unfolding it to see Ryland's handwriting.

Simon. I'm sorry I couldn't give you your number in person and I know I have your business number but I know you probably don't always have your work phone on you so I'm giving you my personal number.

Ryland.

His number is at the bottom of the paper. Simon has to reread it to make sure he has it correct. He looks up to see Jody and Colt are waiting for him to react but Simon just slips the piece of paper back into his trouser pocket. "Thank you for giving this to me." is all Simon can think to say as he keeps his face neutral.

Simon will admit that yes, his heart did flutter a little bit but it's not like in a romantic way! More in a 'oh my god he wants to be friends again! I'm so happy to have him in my life again' kind of way. Simon has grown and matured. He has other friends, sure but most of the time it just feels like all they talk about is business. He doesn't go out really and drinks with these people.

Last time he went out with Jack and Ava, he got blackout drunk and woke up with tattoos on V line. They're both vines which Simon has to admit, blackout drunk him has some taste but he decided he's never going drinking with the pair again. Now the trio goes out to restaurants or rage rooms.

They walk to the car and as soon as Simon gets in the backseat, he pulls his phone out to add Ryland's number to his contact list. He spends a good amount of time trying to think of a name to add to the contact and in the end decides "Ryland Grace" is appropriate enough. Not too friendly that it seems Simon is eager to be friends with him again but friendly enough that he can have plausible deniability.

He opens up a new message conversation and thinks long and hard what he's going to type. He might be overthinking this. A simple 'hey this is Simon. Thank you for letting me have your number' is a more than reasonable to send to someone who used to be your friend.

But then again, what if it's too much? Fuck, Simon is overthinking this too much! Simon groans and rubs his face.

"What's wrong? You got my brother's number. You just need to shoot him a text." Colt asks him as he turns to face Simon, Jody joins in, the car is still running but parked.

"What if I'm overthinking this text?" Simon asks as he types what he wants to say. The send button mocking him as his thumb hovers over it.

"Just send what you think is right Simon." Jody tells him gently.

Simon sighs at that before deleting what he wrote.

Simon:

Hi Ryland it's me, Simon. I hope you're doing ok. Sorry I couldn't say goodbye to you tonight but I'm looking forward to being your wedding planner.

No he can't send that! That's ridiculous. He deletes the last part, keeping in the apologies for not being able to say goodbye in person. He adds something different though.

Simon:

Hi Ryland it's me, Simon. I hope you're doing ok. Sorry I couldn't say goodbye to you tonight. I hope you're doing ok. It looked like you wanted to throw up on stage.

Simon sighs and before he could delete that last part, his thumb presses send.

Simon feels his heart drop in that moment. Oh no. Oh fucking shit on it! Ok he needs to stay calm for about 30 minutes. Then he can go into his apartment and go panic in peace.

He keeps his face neutral as Jody and Colt drive him back to his place. Simon sees that Ryland hasn't looked at it yet, maybe he has time to delete it before he notices? No. It says it has been sent. Fuck. Simon bounces his leg nervously. Ryland is going to think he's an idiot and ask Tom to reconsider using Simon as their wedding planner.

Fuck why does he mess everything up? Simon knew it was too good to last-

"Simon? We're here." He hears Colt say and he looks up to see they're outside of his apartment building.

Simon shakes his head. "Sorry. Was in my own little world there." Simon makes sure he has everything before Jody hands him back his jacket. "Thank you for the ride. Text me to make sure you get back safe."

"Of course. Have a good night, Simon." Jody says with a smile and Simon nods softly.

"You too." Simon replies as he heads into his apartment.

Once he closes the door behind himself, he takes a few deep breaths. He needs to ground himself. Simon crouches down and he feels some tears in his eyes as he swallows the saliva building up. All this because of a stupid text he accidentally sent to Ryland. He's probably going to not see it until tomorrow morning which that thought doesn't help Simon whatsoever.

Tonight has been a lot for Simon, he will admit. Normally at these events he'd come home, shower, maybe run himself a bath if he wants to fully treat himself and then curl up in bed with a book but tonight is different. Of course it is! Because usually at these events, Ryland isn't there. He isn't there to try and become his friend again. He isn't there almost pressing into his side, making Simon laugh so hard his ribs hurt.

Ryland wasn't there to give him his number. Fuck he should go the fuck to sleep. Maybe this is some dream that he's going to wake up the next morning with no new messages in his phone and no new contact. Simon wipes his tears with the heal of his hands, almost digging them into his eye sockets as if trying to stop the tears from falling anymore. Once he has soothed himself, he gets up and walks more into his apartment after locking up.

He does his nightly routine and sits up in bed reading his book. He can't actually remember what the book is about, mostly because he's a slow reader. Simon is still reading the same paragraph for god knows how long, when his phone buzzes on the bedside table.

Simon doesn't want to think about how fast he grabbed his phone to check the notification. He can't help but feel his heart fluttering at the sight of Ryland's contact on his screen with a new message. Simon eagerly opens the message before he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

The messaging app is open on his phone when he opens his eyes, on Ryland's contact. Simon is brave and finally looks at the message. He can do this.

Ryland Grace:

Hi Simon! It's me but you already knew that as you messaged me first. I'm glad to see your message. I'm also glad you didn't keep this strictly professional and I did? I honestly felt like I was going to but in a weird way, you grounded me.

Oh. Oh Simon grounded him? Simon feels like he is so screwed. Simon puts his phone down in his lap and covers his face with his only hand and groans. A soft "Damn it" escapes his lips before he is suddenly picking up his phone after feeling a soft buzz. Ryland sent him another message.

Ryland Grace:

I just realised that you're probably asleep by now. I honestly would be too. Goodnight Simon.

Simon smiles softly at his phone at the idea of Ryland being sat up in bed, sending him a good night message. Simon wishes he didn't take off his prosthetic for the night as then it would be a lot easier to type out a message but he is going to try. Although he supposes he could use speech to text. He presses the microphone and says "I was about to go to sleep. I'm currently reading or well trying to read this book but I feel as if my eyes won't stay open." Which is a lie. Simon's mind is just racing a mile a minute after the events of tonight. He continues to talk out loud. "You should probably get some sleep, Ryland. I will text you in the morning. Goodnight. Or as you would say as a kid to me see you later alligator." He double checks the message before he sends it, making sure there wasn't any mistakes. Luckily there was only a few he needed to sort out before he sends off the message.

He yawns and softly blinks like a cat. Ok yeah, time for bed. He puts his personal and work phones onto charge since he has a client meeting tomorrow. Maybe he shouldn't have drank that much but he guesses that is his future self's problem. Sleep ends up taking him easily after he sends that message. Luckily Simon can at least sleep in as his meeting isn't until later that day.

Simon is currently waiting outside of the first business they have to plan for. Ryland had texted him that Tom would be joining them and for whatever reason, Gail is joining too. Why Tom's agent would be along with the couple is beyond Simon but he did warn Jack. Luckily Jack promised to be on his best behaviour, which, for him, is him being silent and stoic. He trusts Jack not to say shit about anything.

Simon has already gotten a message from Colt jokingly wishing him luck to which, Simon just sent a middle finger emoji to him. Although now he is going to regret that as he watches the three of them walking up. Simon can't help but watch their different walks. Tom walking with confidence and the swagger of a movie star, Ryland walking as if he is nervous but also like he is expecting to trip any moment whilst holding Tom's hand with Gail trailing behind the two of them like a dog who follows their owner everywhere, always getting under your feet.

Time for Simon to go into work mode. "Good afternoon." Simon smiles and Ryland smiles back at him. Yeah Simon is definitely screwed.

"Sorry we're late." Ryland apologises. "Traffic is kind of a nightmare."

Simon shrugs "It's fine. Let's go in." He leads them inside and Gail appears beside him.

"Is this guy the best in the business?" Gail asks him in a bit of a tone that Simon does not like in the slightest.

"Yes. I always show the best of the best." Simon tells her as a matter of fact. The clipboard in his hand. Is this how Jody and Colt feel when on set? Yeah, Simon definitely wishes he didn't reject Colt's good luck. They walk into the empty restaurant. Simon enjoys coming here when he can but he has been here for many a date that have either ended horribly or good enough because simon really enjoys the person's company until it turns sour. Simon has never really been good with relationships if he is being totally honest with himself.

"Take a seat here. I'll let them know you're here." Simon tells him with a smile. "Hope you brought your appetite! Jack makes the best food in the business." Simon can't help but brag about his friend, ok? Plus it's true. Jack makes the best food in the business.

Ryland smiles and says "I know I did." And they stare at each other for a lingering moment. Before Simon looks away, cheeks turning pink as he holds the clipboard he has in his hands to his chest before turning to go find the man in question.

"This place is nice. Simple." Tom says as he looks around. "Nothing fancy."

Simon knows if Jack heard him say that, he would probably stare at him with a bit of a death glare and then Simon would probably get a call later that night from him, drunkenly yelling with a thick Irish accent telling him that Tom Ryder can go fuck himself for his snobbish behaviour and honestly? Simon is looking forward to it. It honestly makes Simon smile wider at that thought as he stalks off to go find the man in question. Simon ends up finding him in the kitchen commanding the staff like he is a scary pirate captain. Simon feels bad for his staff but they do end up producing some really delicious food. Jack actually has a cooking scholarship that he gives out to help the people who work for him get a degree in the culinary field. He is a good guy when he isn't yelling but Simon knows as soon as he steps in front of the group waiting, the man goes stoic. Barely a word out of him, it is crazy.

"Jack." Simon just says and the man whips around like a dog who has heard their favourite word. "Afternoon."

"Well, don't you look like youre already irritated at something." Jack jokes before coming over and hugging Simon tightly like hes trying to get all the air out of his lungs like a stress toy before patting his back hard. "I'm guessing they're already here?" He folds his arms in front of his chest.

"Yeah. His agent is there too. Colt told me good luck this morning and now I wish that I accepted it." Simon sighs as he pinches the bridge of his nose. "But that's in the past. Smells amazing in here."

"It does, doesn't it? Got some food that I think might satisfy the couple." Jack puffs out his chest proudly and confidently.

Simon smirks at that. "Oh? Well I bet you $50 that you would only be able to satisfy Ryland." Simon knows that it's wrong to bet on this when its easy money for him. Ryland used to be able to eat anything happily, especially whatever Jack has cooked up. No one can resist his food. He sees Jack get a look on his face.

"You think I'm going to take that bet when, one, you know my food is irresistible to anyone, don't fucking try me. Two, it's Tom Ryder, the man who is nutariosly known as the biggest diva in hollywood and known for yelling at wait staff for bringing him the wrong food, which if he does that to any of my staff, I will give him a piece of my mind and you will have to hold me back." Simon laughs at that before Jack continues. "And last but not least, point three, You know this Ryland guy. I have heard many a tale from you about him-"

"Shut up-" Simon almost growls. "You are not to say anything to him because if you do, I know where you live motherfucker. I will beat you with a pillow." Jack knows Simon is joking. They've had this relationship for a while so it would be concerning if he didn't know Simon was joking.

Jack laughs at that and teases "oh? You're going to beat me with a pillow? What are you? A preteen girl at a slumber party?" Jack smirks at him as he laughs.

"Oh you're such an asshole." Simon rolls his eyes before he asks "but seriously, you won't say a thing? Professional as we're at work?"

"You've got it old capitan! Won't say a word about nothing." Jack jokingly salutes him which makes Simon rolls his eyes and groan.

Simon flips him off as he leaves and he can hear Jack laughing from behind him as he walks out to see the three of them sat down. "Sorry about that. Jack should be out soon. Just got some loose ends to tie up. Making sure everything is perfect." Simon can still hear Jack laughing and Simon wants to hit him with his clipboard.

Tom waves him off dismissively. "It's fine."

Scratch that thought. Instead of wanting to hit Jack with his clipboard, he wants to hit Tom. Simon sits on the other side of Ryland and sighs softly.

"I'm sorry about him." Ryland leans over and whispers to Simon. "He is kind of stressed about this and having to film. It would've been easier if I just planned everything and he just needed to show up for the ceremony." Ryland partly jokes.

"It's fine, Ryland. Besides, you shouldn't have to plan this shit alone. It's unfair for you to be the only one stressed out." Simon whispers. "Besides, weddings are supposed to be both of your choices." He shrugs.

Before Ryland could answer that, Jack comes out and stands in front of the table. He looks like he's going to present a dish to Gordon Ramsey. "Good afternoon. The name is Jack." He nods at the group slightly. The room falls silent as they wait for Jack to say something more.

"Nice to meet you, Jack." Ryland says awkwardly, trying to break the tension. "I'm excited to see what you have cooked up." Simon can't help but snort at Ryland because he sounds like a judge in a cooking competition. Simon slaps a hand over his mouth and takes a few deep breaths. He feels Grace nudging him and he looks to see that Ryland is trying not to laugh himself.

A woman comes over and she is smiling widely. She's dressed in a black button up shirt, trousers and has an apron on with a towel over her shoulder. Simon recognises her as Olesya Ilyukhina, Jack's new and really impressive bartender. "Hi! I'm Olesya! I'll be your bartender if you decide to have a really cool party where you have signature cocktails."

Tom sits forward at that. "What kind of cocktails?" He asks and Simon makes a note onto his clipboard at that as a just in case.

"They will be ones named after moments of the happy couple" she gestures to both Ryland and Tom before continuing. "There will also be some drinks that would pair well with the food old Captain Jack here has thought up of."

Simon watches Jack nod at the group before he signals for the waiters to come out with the potential starters. "I can adjust anything if you request it." Jack kind of grumbles, plates placed in front of the group.

Simon kind of can guess what's been placed in front of them on the table but Jack comes over and hands them the menus that he did a mockup of with all the food options on them.

"This is a mini caprese skewers with fresh basil and balsamic glaze." He points at the plates as he tells them what they are. "And this is a shrimp cocktail with lemon aoli, and the final plate is a bruschetta with tomatoes, basil and mozzarella." The three of them start to eat and Simon feels like a bit of a creep for watching them eat but he really shouldn't. He's on a job after all. He can just grab a burger on his way home. Maybe, if he asks Jack nicely, he will cook him something.

Simon hears Ryland humming satisfied at the the bites of each thing. He only focuses on him but he notices Gail and Tom are reacting positively which kind of shocks Simon if he's going to he truly honest. "I love these. Especially the bruschetta." Ryland happily says with his eyes lighting up. Simon can't help but smile at that.

It's the same look Ryland had as kids when Simon would buy him science books with all the money he pooled from doing some yard work as a kid. Ryland would hug him tightly and say "thank you thank thank you!" Over and over and it would make Simon embarrassed but then the two of them would look through the book together and he would listen to Ryland reading out loud. Simon would give anything to be back there again.

"These are really good. Maybe a soup or something instead of the bruschetta?" Gail suggests as she eats a bit more of it. Tom nods as if he is only just going along with whatever Gail says. Simon again, frowns at that slightly before fixing his face and turning to Ryland.

"What do you think, Ryland?" Simon asks to take his opinion in account. It feels as if he won't be getting many of the choices if Gail is gong to be tagging along. It's like she's planning her own wedding. Luckily, Simon has dealt with many a such parent like that who tags along in the decision making process and overtakes the appointments because they think just because they're paying for the wedding, they should get a say. It's worse when it's a mother of the groom. They're extra worse because they think that their baby boy is being taken away from them.

"Oh! Uh, honestly I really love the bruschetta. It would definitely be better than soup but that depends really on what the other courses." Ryland rambles a bit and Jack, for the first time in front of a client, smiles a small smile and Simon almost wants to point it out and go 'aha! You stone faced bastard! I saw that!' But then, knowing Jack, he would point out that usually the smiles Simon puts on for clients is fake but the one he has on his face is the first real smile that Simon has given.

Jack nods and gestures for the wait staff to swap the plates over. Simon is always in awe at the attention to detail in plating Jack and his staff have. Especially on the day of the actual wedding, rushing around, trying to make sure the food all comes out all at the same time. It's really a dance, a dance that Simon knows he would never be able to do. He couldn't deal with the chaotiness of it all, hence why he is a wedding planner, not a caterer.

The smell of the food is just mocking Simon as he knows he can't try anything. He doesn't get a say in what the couple picks for their event. Jack gives him a look as if to tell him to come find him after. Simon is thankful because if there is one thing Jack likes to do, its stuff food into your hands and demand you eat. Honestly, it can be a pain when you've already eaten and you have an Irish goblin? No leprechaun is better, in your ear telling you that you should eat. He is like a grandma who tells you that you need to eat. Simon can't really complain if all the complaining comes with delicious ass food.

"We have a herb-crusted chicken breasts with garlic mashed potatoes, a grilled salmon with lemon dill sauce with wild rice pilaf and for any vegetarian guests we have a vegetarian lasagna with spinach, ricotta and marinara sauce." Jack explains as they watch the others try the food again.

They all hum and Tom frowns at the vegetarian option. "Doesn't taste as nice as a regular lasagna. What's the point?"

"Because we have to let other people have options, Tom. Not everyone is a carnivore like you." Ryland points out whilst turning to him.

"Can we have a steak on the menu? Steak is much more delicious than salmon." Tom pouts like a toddler.

"He is right. The salmon isn't optional really and you know how much he likes is steak." Gail looks at Ryland and her tone suggests she's trying to convince Ryland that it is his idea.

"I get that, Gail but as far as I'm concerned, you can probably add a steak dish to the menu as some people don't like steak." Ryland says as if stating a fact. "Plus, I'm pretty sure Jack can make a steak dish." Ryland turns towards Jack to look for confirmation to which, Jack nods.

Simon makes a note of that to give to Jack later for the order. Tom scoffs softly. "Why don't we just get rid of the vegetarian option? I'm not going to eat it." He points out as if he is stating the obvious.

"Rocky and Adrian are vegetarian. Did you forget that?" Ryland asks him and Simon stays quiet. "Because they're a part of the guest list. They're my guests too, not everyone on the whole guest list is there for you."

"I thought they said they couldn't come?" Gail asks. "It's fine that they are!" Simon frowns at that a bit and catches the eye of Jack in the corner of his eye. Jack has the expression that he is done with this appointment already and honestly, Simon doesnt blame him. He will probably try and pull Ryland aside at the end of this and ask if he is ok.

"I can make a steak dish but I'm keeping the vegetarian dish if that is what needed. It will be extra" Jack speaks up and they all look at him. Ryland nods and eventually Tom sighs and agrees. Simon makes a note and he can feel Ryland tensing beside him.

The rest of the appointment goes well and Tom and Gail are chatting and Ryland is texting someone. Now's his chance. Simon makes his way over and asks "Hey, you ok? That was uh, pretty intense."

Ryland looks up from his phone and his frown softens a little as he sees its Simon. "Yeah. I'm fine. Just- thank you. For today. For your help?" Ryland rubs his face before adding "although I realised you didn't eat with us?"

"Oh! Yeah I normally don't need to have an opinion on the food as it's not my special day. Plus Jack tends to stuff containers of food in my arms before I leave. I have so many of them in my fridge. It's like I never have to buy food ever again." Simon jokes and it gets a laugh out of Ryland. Simon then adds "don't worry. I'll make sure the vegetarian option stays."

"Thank you. I know Rocky and Adrian will be thankful for it. I know I am." Ryland tells him with a smile, shoulders now relaxed a bit. "And I'm sorry you had to see me blow up a little like that." Ryland rubs the back of his neck.

"It's ok. I thought it was kind of badass. Plus, you have the excuse that he was being a dick, forgetting your friends are coming." Simon shrugs softly. "The desserts luckily will be covered by Carl. He's the best baker I know but that's not until later down the line."

"Good to know. I was wondering about desserts." Ryland chuckles softly and Simon smiles at him.

"Well, I know this place seems fancy ass but Jack makes the best luxury milkshakes. I can see if he will make you one before you leave?" Simon asks him. He knew Ryland wouldn't be able to resist them even if he tried.

"I would love one! Please!" Ryland nods eagerly. "Only if it's ok with Jack?"

"I'll ask him." Simon gestures towards the kitchen. "You still love chocolate, right? Loads of whipped cream?"

"You still remember how I like my milkshakes? Even after a decade?" Ryland asks him softly, in an almost whisper.

"Of course. How could I forget that you love mixing in the whipped cream into your milkshake?" Simon says as a matter of factly, cheeks turning pink. "You're the only person I knew who used to do that." Simon chuckles softly as he grips his clipboard softly to ground himself.

"I'm sure you probably have had other people in the past decade who do the same." Ryland tells him as he has his hands on his hips, looking down then back up at Simon. Simon feels is heart flutter at that.

"No. Usually they always grab a spoon and eat the whipped cream first. Like I get that you do that with an ice cream sundae but you at least have a little bit of ice cream on the spoon! Like I would be fine if you had a little bit of the milkshake on your spoon too but eating just the cream first-" Simon rants a bit and stops when he hears Ryland laughing a bit too loudly and Simon can't help the flush creeping up his neck and face.

"Sorry- I'm-sorry" Ryland divulges into giggles and Simon joins in. Soon Ryland manages to calm himself down. "I'm sorry for laughing but that was a very passionate rant about whipped cream." He giggles at the end and Simon definetly knows he is screwed. There's a pause before Ryland softly says "I've missed this, Simon."

Simon's eyes widen a little at that admittance before they soften softly. Simon feels his heart beating crazily and he is genuinely lost for words. "I've missed this too, Ryland." They both stand there staring at each other before Simon speaks up. "I should, uh, go get you that milkshake." Simon takes a step back and gestures to the kitchen awkwardly.

"Oh! Yeah, I'll let you go talk to Jack." Ryland replies awkwardly like he said something wrong. Simon turns and leaves him standing there as he makes his way to the kitchen. He almost bumps into Jack and Oleysa who look as if they were peaking through the kitchen door window.

"Where you fucking watching?!" Simon almost squeaks in embarrassment. He covers his face with the clipboard and groans. He hears Oleysa chuckle.

"You know, I don't have too much context on whatever this is but that was something." She says with a smirk on her face. "Also, is that how you flirt? Seriously? You need to up your game."

"I wasn't- I wasn't flirting with him." Simon tries to protest as he pulls the clipboard down from his face only to be met with Jack's face that he gives when he calls bulshit. "Don't give me that look, asshole!" Simon snips at him.

Jack doesn't say anything but turns to his kitchen staff and goes "Add a chocolate milkshake to what I ordered. Extra whipped cream." Before he turns back to face Simon. "You know that you're flirting with an engaged man whilst you're helping him plan his own wedding, right?"

"I wasn't! Ryland is just my friend, ok? That's it. Nothing more." Simon sighs and rolls his eyes, tapping his fingers against the back of the clipboard.

"You know he looked a bit sad when you said that you had to come in here, right?" Olesya points out and it makes Simon's heart drop a bit.

"Wait, you heard out conversation?!" Simon frowns and Jack and Oleysa give each other a look between each other before they look back at Simon and it gives Simon his answer. Simon sighs and says "you are not to say shit."

"Oh I'm not going to." Jack tells him with his arms crossed over his chest. "All I'm going to say is that this is going to end with you broken hearted because the amount of times I've heard you talk about him over the past decade whilst you're drunk, you are still hung up on the dude." Hack shrugs as if he has stated a fact.

Simon sighs and says "I know and I thought-" he groans as he whispers slightly "I thought I was over this. Thought I would never see him again, you know? It's still awkward but I don't know man." He looks down at his feet. "He wasn't even mine to begin with anyway. Why would he be mine right now?"

"Because you're way better than that douchebag." Jack points out easily. "You weren't the one pouting because you wanted a steak dish on the menu instead of keeping the vegetarian option when he knew that his friend's are that."

"Oh yeah, that was a really awkward fight to witness." Oleysa kind of winces. "Also, what kind of person forgets something like that?" To which both Simon and Jack shrug. "It didn't help with that, that lady wasn't really helping. It was like two against one." She ends up adding. "I had to go take a shot of vodka and I usually never do that for parents who do that."

"Oh Gail isn't Tom's mom. That's his agent." Simon tells them nonchalantly as he looks down at the notes he made, adding to them when he remembers little something extra to add. Simon knows adding chocolate milkshakes to the menu will seem weird but Ryland wouldn't mind.

Right?

"Wait that was his agent?!" Jack asks shocked. "Also, what do you mean you took a shot of vodka and not offer me one?" He turns to Oleysa.

"Yeah. Colt told me the other day that for things like this, she's always there when Tom isn't on set." Simon frowns as he keeps his eyes on the clipboard. "She's apparently like a helicopter parent who wants everything perfect but isn't one of those he needs to be perfect, everyone else does." The smell of the food that is being cooked is making his stomach growl.

"Aha! Dick! You told me that you ate before this!" Jack points at him as if he had caught him in a lie.

"I did! Not my fault this took a few hours. I was honestly just going to grab a burger on the way home or something. I have a lot of meetings today. Racing here, there and everywhere. I know I'm gonna sleep well tonight." Simon mumbles the last part.

"Well it's a good thing that I'm making you a to go bag of food. And you are taking it! Even if you have to eat either in your car or in a parking lot." Jack grumbles as he goes behind to wash his hands to help them pack up the food faster.

"Ok ok. I will accept it." Simon chuckles as he is handed the chocolate milkshake that was for Ryland. "Thank you. I'll be right back."

As Simon leaves he hears Jack yell "you better asshole!" Simon laughs at that as he finds Ryland is talking to Tom and Gail. Luckily, Ryland notices him and his eyes light up and it makes Simon chuckle softly.

"Here. One order of chocolate milkshake." Simon says with a smile as he hands it to him, hands brushing against each other. He watches as Ryland instantly uses the straw to mix the whipped cream into the milkshake and it makes Simon smile, feeling a bit of nostalgia watching him do this action.

"Thank you! Looks delicious!" Ryland says with a massive smile on his face before he asks "how much do I need to pay Jack for it?"

Simon waves him off a bit. "It's on me." He tells him softly. "Think of it as an apology for not having dessert." Simon jokes as he watches Ryland take a sip and his eyes lighting up.

"I think I just had a religious experience." Ryland jokes as his eyes lighting up still like he is a kid in a toy store. Simon laughs softly at that.

"I told you they were good." Simon teases. "I've also come to say goodbye as I have a few more meetings today. Need to rush to help them actually set up for a wedding, go home and get changed and then help make sure nothing goes bad." Simon chuckles softly.

"Sweet fudge, you're a busy man Simon." Ryland's eyes widen in shock this time. "Do you ever have time to relax?"

Simon shrugs. "When wedding season is over I do but even then I'm just making sure that all my employees get paid. I tend to take a vacation when I can but I like my work. Keeps me occupied." Which is the truth. Simon loves his work but his schedule is so hectic and busy, he sometimes wishes he could relax and not think about work.

"Well, maybe you can let me know when you're free?" Ryland asks as he is still mixing the whipped cream into the milkshake before taking a sip again. "I kind of want to grab dinner with you? Properly catch up?"

Simon feels his heart flutter again in his chest at getting dinner with Ryland. He knows in his mind that it will just be to catch up like Ryland just said but his heart is fluttering with hope. "I would love too." He says softly as if not trusting his voice. "I can send you a message once I've checked my schedule? If you let me know when you're free?"

Ryland smiles and nods. "Of course! I'll definitely-"

"Ryland, let's go." Tom tells him from the door of the restaurant.

"I'm coming!" Ryland turns to him before turning back to Simon. "He's got to go but I will definitely hold you to that." Ryland smiles at him. "Thank you again for the milkshake."

"Of course. I'll see you in a few weeks." Simon nods at him slightly.

"Hopefully a bit before then." Ryland tells him with a soft laugh as he starts to walk away.

"Hopefully!" Simon smiles and says softly. "Bye Ryland."

"Bye Simon." Ryland waves at him and Simon waves back as he watches the three of them leave, leaving Simon standing in an empty restaurant.

He doesn't hear Jack sneaking up on him until he hears a "yeah, you're fucked." Simon turns to his side and sees Jack standing beside him with a bag in his hand and a to go drink cup of coffee.

"Fucking hell! Don't do that!" Simon jumps and groans. "And before you say anything, it's just dinner. Nothing more."

Jack gives him a look and Simon knows that look all to well. Jack hands him the bag and hot coffee cup and Simon gives him the notes he made. Jack reads them and raises an eyebrow slightly. "Chocolate milkshakes? They didn't ask for that."

Simon blushes pink and says "not a word. It's supposed to be a surprise."

"You don't usually do that for clients." Jack looks at him and Simon wants the floor to swallow him whole.

"I know." Simon mumbles.

"You know you're going down a steep slope with this?" Jack points out. "This is risky and if it blows up, I will be there for you." Jack then pauses before saying "right after I say I told you so."

Simon sighs "I know you would. I wouldn't expect anything less from you." Simon shuffles a bit before taking back the notes. "I'll send you these later so you can have the order." Jack nods and walks him to his car.

"Hey." Jack tells him as Simon is slipping the notes into the folder he has in his passenger seat. "Me and Ava….we're here for you man, ok?"

"I know you two are but honestly, I'm fine. Like I've said before, I'm over it." Simon shrugs. "Even if I need to get shit faced with the two of you after all of this even though the last time I did that, I ended up with a tattoo I don't remember getting."

Jack laughs at that and jokes "Who knows! Maybe when we do get shitfaced again, you'll get your nipples pierced."

"Oh fuck you." Simon laughs as he lightly shoves him and Jack does the same before they hug each other. "I'll talk to you later man."

"You better! Feels like you've been avoiding us lately." Jack pats his shoulder.

"Yeah well, I've just been busy. Speaking of, I have to rush across town. For some reason, Ava can't deliver these and no one from the couple's family can come pick them up."

"Well, you better hurry the fuck up then." Jack laughs as he lets Simon get in his car and drive away.

On his way to Ava's shop, his phone rings and he sees it's Colt. Fuck. He's probably calling to bug him about how the meeting went. Well, it'll probably keep his mind off of what the fuck just happened, he guesses.

He answers the call. "Colt, I'm kind of in a hurry so make this quick." He says as he groans, making sure he's going the quickest route.

"Well, hello to you too I guess." Colt jokes. "Just got off the phone with Ryland."

Simon tenses at that. Oh god Simon crossed a line, didn't he?

"Seems that him and Tom got into an argument." Colt tells him.

"I know, I was there. Why are you calling me?" Simon grips the wheel. He thinks he might know why.

"Because I want to hear it from your side. That and Ryland said some things." Colt says nonchalantly.

"What kind of things?" Simon asks almost nervously. Simon knows he's going to bring up the milkshake.

"Well, for starters, how busy your schedule seems to be and how he joked its more busier than mine and Jody's." Colt tells him and Simon huffs out a laugh.

"Well, probably? I mean, wedding planning and filming a movie are two completely different things." Simon points out whilst rolling his eyes.

"They are but he also brought up the fact that not only did you get him a chocolate milkshake just the way he likes it and even remembered the little detail of him mixing the whipped cream into it like the weirdo he is." Colt starts.

"He isn't weird." Simon argues.

"Oh he is. I know, I'm his twin. At least one of us has to be normal." Colt jokes.

"Oh neither of you are normal." Simon jokes. "You set yourself on fire and jump from buildings for fun. That's the least normal thing about you."

"Anyway!" Colt says a bit too loudly, causing Simon to wince a bit. "As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted! Ryland said he asked you out for dinner?"

"First of all, you're the biggest drama queen known to man." Simon jokes.

"Oh fuck you, Mr I have secretly written letters to my brother and kept them all sealed in a box. What are you? A teenage girl?" Colt jokes back.

Simon groans and says "I told you to never bring that up again, Seavers!" He then tenses and groans softly before he says "and he did but it's strictly to catch up. Not anything nefarious about that."

Colt hums as if in disagreement but he doesn't push.

Simon doesn't know why he says it but he adds. "I hate Tom Ryder and it's only been one fucking appointment." He hears Colt laugh at that.

"Yeah he's an asshole." Colt tells him. "He thinks he's better than everyone. Real stick up his ass but he wants to seem like he's this cool frat boy who is innocent."

"He's a fucking toddler, Colt! He full on fucking pouted when Ryland said not everyone likes steak as if it was news to him! The way him and Gail talked to him I just-" Simon makes a frustrated noise. "He just doesn't seem like Ryland's type at all. Don't you think?"

"And you would know what that is, do you?" Colt teases with a smirk. "And I know like I have said before, I have tried everything to convince Ryland to leave him but he says it's complicated and when I try and push him to tell me he just brushes me off." Colt sighs before he then gets an idea. "Maybe you could-"

"Nope." Simon stated before Colt could even finish the sentence. He knows how that conversation will go and he doesn't want a repeat of the last time. "You know how that ended the last time I tried to have a similar conversation. You saw that aftermath of that. How would it look if I tried?" Simon sighs shakingly, not wanting to think about it. Sometimes he swears he hears the echoes of Ryland telling him that he never wants to see his face ever again. Simon then adds. "He would end up telling me that I'm sticking my nose in something I shouldn't be doing and that I have no right to even ask him that."

"You're right. I'm sorry." Colt sighs and rubs his face. Simon can hear him fall back onto a couch with a soft oof. "It was worth a shot." Colt groans before he adds. "Fuck knows I have tried to rope Rocky and Adrian into it but even they said that they couldn't get through to him either. It's strange. Normally Ryland listens to reason but now? It's like he doesn't want to listen." Colt then mumbles "it feels like he wants to talk to me about this but he can't. He knows he can trust me, right?"

"Wait he isn't talking to you about it? You tell each other everything." Simon frowns at that. He knows the twins would tell each other everything as kids. Hence why if Simon had a secret and told one of them, the other would know within the week. Which is shocking when Simon remembers that one drunk night where he confessed to Colt that he had a crush on Ryland at a college party before the incident.

"Yeah well, recently he hasn't been telling me shit. Actually, it feels like he's been avoiding me." Colt sighs. "I know I'm guilty of doing that when I had my accident but I just-" Simon nods softly as Colt adds "he is a stubborn asshole but I just want him to talk to me."

"That's why you're twins. Both as stubborn as each other to be honest. Why do you think I was dragged to so many bad ideas?" Simon jokes to try and lighten the mood as he parks up. He has a little time to try and at least eat something quickly.

"And in my defence, you used to do those bad ideas with me and then we'd both give Ryland a heart attack. Although, I guess you two dragging me to the science museum almost everyday one summer is payback." Colt jokes and Simon can hear the smile return to his face. Simon stuffs the food Jack gave him happily and sighing.

"And also in my defence, you two were the only friends I had back then. Plus you secretly loved the science museum. Especially the tube thing where you could fake skydive." Simon jokes with his mouth partly full. "I remember Ryland telling you that if you were to skydive as an adult, you would send him to an early grave."

Colt laughs at that and tells him "He still doesn't know I have. He thinks that film I did where I actually had to skydive for a stunt was someone else." Simon snorts at that before Colt says "but in all seriousness, if you do go out to dinner with Ryland, don't think about it too much. He told me he was worried he crossed the line when he said something to you?"

Simon freezes. Ryland thinks he crossed the line? Was it when he told Simon that he missed this? Missed Simon? Simon feels his heart drops. "He didn't. It just caught me off guard." Simon admits. The way Ryland smiled at him, told him that he missed the thing between the two of them. It made Simon have a little hope in his chest. He felt as if that teenage hope he had of Ryland feeling the same has come back but he, as a adult, needs to extinguish that small flame of hope before it turns into something he can't control.

Simon knows he'll end up slipping up at any moment. Simon checks the time and says "fuck ok I've got to go, I'm running a little behind."

"Ok go! And remember what I told you. Don't stress about it ok?" Colt tells him as if he knows something that Simon doesn't.

"I hate when you use that tone because it means you know sometime that you won't ever tell me what it is." Simon groans.

"And you're correct about that but if it makes you feel any better, Jody doesn't know-" Colt says down the phone.

Simon hears a "doesn't know what, Seavers?" And then a squeal from Colt which makes Simon burst out with laughter. "Be safe Simon!" Jody tells him closer to the phone now.

Simon can hear Colt's panting as he says "fucking shit, Jody! Warn a guy next time!"

"Oh but you're so cute when you're scared." Jody says in a tone that sounds like she's smirking.

Simon fake gags "I'm hanging up now. Bye." And he hangs up. Simon finishes the last bites of food and makes a mental note to thank Jack for it before leaving his car to pick up the flowers.

Simon knows that Ava is going to not like Tom in the slightest. Especially since Jack, the fucking loud mouth, told her behind Simon's back who this appointment is for. He's already gotten messages from her calling him an idiot for taking Ryland on as a client and not given him to one of his employees under him. Which, yes, Simon could've done that but lets be real here. Simon would keep checking in with the employee who he gave the assignment to the point that they probably would've gotten annoyed by him micromanaging them.

Also because, not to toot his own horn or anything, he's the best at dealing with difficult clients. Simon is strong enough to take their abuse and have them, what was that phrase Ryland used to say? Ah! Roll off of him like water on a duck's back. Simon sighs softly. Maybe he's been talking to Ryland a lot more than usual or well, as much as he can when he isn't busy with work. Fuck his schedule honestly. It's a fucking pain! Simon still hasn't taken Ryland up on the offer of dinner yet.

He had gotten there atleast fifteen minutes before Tom and Ryland were set to arrive. Simon knows he can go inside and wait but then he'd have to face the wrath of Ava. And he just knows that he is going to be reemed like a wet cloth if he steps a foot in-

"Are you just going to stand out here because you're too chicken shit to face me?"

Simon jumps at least ten feet as he turns to see Ava standing in the doorway with her shoulder against the doorway, arms folded in front of her chest. Speak of the devil.

"Oh I was." Simon lies as he checks his phone as if she will just go away, back inside and forget everything. Maybe it would make Ryland appear sooner. "But they're going to be here soon-"

"We both know that's a lie, Fischer. Get your pathetic ass inside." Ava gestures behind her.

"I am not pathetic-" he tries to weakly argue and Ava just gives him a look and Simon sighs.

"Don't make me drag you in here." Ava warns him.

Simon jokes "you wouldn't-" then he feels her hands on the back of his jacket dragging him inside like he is a toddler who won't move, arms folded being stubborn, stomping his foot saying 'no!' when their parents drag them away from the toy store they want to go into.

The door slams behind them and the bell rings and Simon hears it to signify is death. That bell is a death bell to him. He is walking into his execution. Whelp! It was fun while it lasted. Make sure Ryland gets the box of letters he has hidden in his closet. He is eventually let go by Ava and he straightens his jacket and shirt up. "I just did, bitch." He hears her say as she returns to her spot behind the counter. "Now start talking, asshole."

"You could be a bit nicer about it." Simon mumbles as he places the clipboard and notebook onto the counter and groans. "I know Jack told you. That's the only reason why I was dragged in here."

"Yes and the reason I dragged you in here is because I knew that you wouldn't come in here and use the two of them as a buffer. And then after the appointment, you wouldn't run out of here telling me with the excuse that you have another client when I have your schedule, motherfucker." Ava taunted as she places her hands on top of the counter. "You have five minutes to explain yourself why you're doing this to yourself when you once told me and Jack that you would never hypothetically, take him on as a client."

Simon sighs and covers his face before saying "it's complicated, ok?"

"Hm, no. Not good enough." Ava countered which causes Simon to groan loudly.

"What do you want me to say?! The fact that I wouldn't trust any of my other employees with this assignment because I know I would be an anxious fucker about it." Simon admits out loud for the first time. "And because Colt told me he had been asking him about me and I got that little spark of hope, you know? It doesn't help that when he saw me again, he hugged me tightly. He looked" Simon pauses before saying with a little bit of hope. "Happy to see me again." He looks up at Ava who is watching him.

"You remember what he said to you the last time you saw him before all this mess?" Ava asks him. Simon looks down at the counter and sighs.

"I do." Simon sighs again and he maybe in his feelings but can't he have a little hope? "But that was different, Ava! He had every right to say that to me. I was a massive dick, all because he made a new friend and was spending less time with me." Simon feels frustrated as he rubs his face. "He was stressed about everything, working in the new labs, spending more time there studying and he had made a new friend. I should've- I should've been excited or him but it felt like he was pulling away from me, Ava." Simon has some tears in his eyes and he groans "motherfucker! Fucking shit balls ass!" He blurts out as he tries to stop the tears before adding "I knew I was partying a lot and I tried to get him to join me but he would just snap at me.'

"And you got pissy about that and started an arguement." Ava points out because she has heard this story a million times over.

"Yes and that lead to the big blowup." Simon groans. "Which, again, you already know so why the fuck are you asking me this?"

"Because if you keep helping them plan this wedding and not give the assignment to someone else, you're going to act all sappy and then I'm going to get a message from you late one night saying you still love him and he is marrying the douchebag that is Tom Ryder. Then I would suggest to you that you should object to the wedding and then you will whine and moan about how you don't know if he even likes you back. Which to then, me and Jack will have to hear you complain drunkenly that you will never end up finding someone like Ryland and then decide that you're going to die alone because you seriously think you can never let yourself be happy." Ava rants at him. "Have I got that right?"

Simon looks at her and frowns. "You didn't have to call me out like that." He mumbles.

"I did because you need a reality check. And because I am preparing you for your future heartbreak." Ava tells him before adding "and because I am going to be a petty ass bitch and if Tom fucking Ryder decides that he knows best when it comes to flowers, I'm tearing him a new asshole."

"Please don't. I don't need Ryland to have a new possible reason to hate me." Simon begs. "Maybe dial it down from a ten to at least a seven?"

Ava sighs. "Fine. Fine!" She groans as if its the most difficulty thing she has to do.

It makes Simon smirk as he teases "you secretly like me." To which Ava throws a pen at his forehead.

"Fuck you, you dick." Ava tells him which Simon knows is from love. His and Ava's relationship is more like siblings if anything. Which, Simon has never had a sibling before but he has had watched Colt and Ryland act as kids and sometimes now as adults, now that he's back in Ryland's life again.

At that moment, the bell by the door goes off and Simon turns to see who has entered. Simon feels himself relax when he sees Ryland smiling at him and Tom looking around the small floral shop. He can feel Ava watching Tom as if she is stalking her prey and he turns to giver her a look and she backs off slightly.

"Morning!" Ryland says with almost too much enthusiasm for early in the morning. Simon should've gotten Ava a coffee before he came here as a bribe to her to be on her best behaviour. "This place is beautiful."

"Morning." Simon says, standing up straight from where he was leaning against the the counter slightly. He watches Ryland smell one of Simon's favourite flowers that he gets from Ava for his apartment. He watches Ava put on a smile he knows is fake as she never smiles but to everyone else it looks real. "Oh! Uh, this is Ava. She's the best florist I know. She's like magic when whipping up floral arrangements and bouquets." Simon can brag about his friend. Even when said friend is a dick to him, lovingly of course.

"Hello." Ava nods at them and Tom and Ryland make their way to the counter and Ryland is standing close to Simon. Simon can feel the heat from Ryland on his arm and he has to try his hardest not to lean against him.

"You're the florist?" Tom asks Ava and Simon can see that he is already getting on her nerves already.

"Yes, I am." She says a bit snippily and Simon tenses a little but she then pulls out the massive binder she has with photos of every single bouquet she has made as well as just wedding arrangements. Ava doesn't tend to brag a lot but when she does, to everyone thinks she's just being egotistical. "These are examples you can flip through."

Ryland thanks her with a smile and he looks nervous as if Ava is going to snap at him and Simon doesn't blame him. He was like that with her the first time they met. Tom looks at the binder for a bit and then asks "can't you do something classic? Just red roses?"

Ava looks as if she wants to say something snippy before Ryland asks "I was hoping we'd maybe do something different? I mean, everyone has red roses on their wedding day. Why not have something unique?" He offers as a solution.

"What he said." Ava nods towards Ryland. "What about daffodils?"

"Those weird yellow flowers?" Tom frowns. "Just them? That would be a bit pathetic, don't you think?" Simon thinks he is wrong. But he also knows what Ava is trying to imply. He knows flower language because Ava once spent a drunk night out telling him about all the different ways you can say shit with flowers. She also once admitted that she has made bouquets for husbands who order two, one small one for their wife and a bigger one for their mistress and she makes sure that the flowers for the mistress in flower language is all the flowers that mean horrible things. She's petty like that and when she told Simon that, he thought it was hilarious.

But Simon knows what daffodils mean. They mean unrequited love. Simon knows what Ava is doing and just hopes to whoever is watching him from above, hopefully his mother, that Ryland won't know that fact.

"I think daffodils are beautiful." Ryland speaks up. "It may not be traditional but I love it." Simon can see Ryland is looking at him with an expression he hasn't seen before. It makes Simon feel hot all over.

"But what flowers even go well with them? See, roses and baby's breath goes well together." Tom argues a bit. "It should be traditional, right, Ryland?"

Simon watches Ryland tense a bit before he says "you know that it's not just your wedding, right?"

"I know and I'm trying to make it easier before I have to leave for filming again." Tom points out. Simon wants to tell him that it may make it easier but it doesn't mean he has to be a dick about it. Honestly, it kind of sounds like Tom just wants to marry himself.

"And like I've said before, roses are usually used for tradition, yes, but they're also not really unique. Almost everyone has roses at their wedding in one way or another." Ava tries to bite back the snark in her tone. "So if you want something traditional, then you should-"

"Why don't we have some roses? I wouldn't mind having the daffodils." Ryland tries to defuse.

"It would have to be white roses." Ava mumbles and Simon makes a note of it.

"Fine. As long as there are roses I don't care." Tom folds his arms across his chest and Ryland looks tensed and a little stressed. Simon makes a mental note to message Ryland later that day asking if he wanted to grab dinner. Luckily he remembered that he is free tonight and in Simon's opinion, it looks as if Ryland needs a break.

Simon can't imagine him going from dealing kids all week to then coming home and having to deal with the manchild known as Tom Ryder. Simon jokingly thinks it's a miracle that Ryland hasn't killed him yet or gone insane. But then again, Simon doesn't think Ryland could with how he's keeping his temper in check. He did always have a bit of a temper on him. Maybe working with kids has helped his temper simmer down a lot, causing him to blow up less.

Maybe Simon telling Ryland he can grab dinner with him tonight will cheer him up. Simon will take him to his favourite diner. He can guess that Ryland wouldn't want anything fancy, plus Simon is craving the fuck out of a burger right now.

"So, white roses and daffodils?" Simon asks, looking between the couple and Ava.

"Yes but add sedum." Ava tells him without looking at him, still glaring at Tom. Simon makes a note of it in the notebook before looking back up at the three of them.

It's awkward for a moment and Simon almost wants to break the tension but Ava speaks up. "Anything else? Flower wise I mean."

"Yes! We wanted to get flowers for our suits?" Ryland asks almost awkwardly and Simon just wishes the tension from before would just dissipate.

"Good. I can do that." Ava smirks before going to the back to make mock up of ones.

"I feel like she was staring into my soul." Tom mumbles and Simon can't help but snort at that. He feels Ryland elbow his side and Simon looks at him slightly and Ryland is trying not to smile. It feels like they're kids trying not to laugh at the teacher saying Uranus.

Simon tries to keep a neutral face but it's difficult when you have someone beside you who is also trying not to laugh. It feels as if they're kids have a secret that no one else can know about it them, giggling as people walk by, watching them curiously.

"She has that gift. Means she is just trying to see the vibe of what flowers to pick for you individually." Simon tries to say with a straight face. He knows its a lie and he thinks Ryland is starting to catch onto the fact that it is a lie.

"I wonder what flowers she will pick for me." Ryland says curiously and Simon looks fully at him, leaning onto the counter slightly.

"Well, it's normally a process. Ava is like a witch." Simon says with a straight face, a gleeful look in his eyes.

"So she was secretly casting a spell or some shit on me?!" Tom asks with some seriousness. Well actually, all seriousness. Simon can't help but snort because the amount of times Ava has dressed up as a witch for Halloween over the years kind of makes Simon wishes that she keeps a witch hat in the back and he hopes that in that scenario, she would come out wearing the hat and act as if she had it on the whole time. Simon should suggest that to her. Ava would probably find it funny. Although she would probably hate that she didn't come up with the idea herself.

Probably why her and Stratt get along well. A match made in heaven, like two scary dogs who are intimidating as all hell but once you get to know them- yeah, no it's still scary but hey! At least you know that if you're ever in trouble, they will have your back. More Ava than Stratt but she has her own process for these things. It's probably why Simon's type is the complete opposite of them. Maybe that's why Simon's type are nerdy talkers who he could listen to for hours.

Ava comes back with two mock boutinears and places the one in front of Tom and Ryland. No witch hat, damn. Better luck next time.

The one in front of Tom has a mock orange, snapdragon, lavender and a begonia. Which, if Simon remembers has meanings behind them. He can hear Ava's voice echoing in his head. "Lavender means distrust, mock orange means deciet, snapdragon means Deception and a begonia means beware."

Does Ava secretly have the power to talk to people in their minds? She is staring at Simon. Although she'd probably keep that trick a secret if she did. Simon tries not to smile too widely to give anything away but it does feel like someone who has instantly clocked that Tom is a bad person and when you try and tell another person that, they will turn to you and say "oh that person is great! Why don't you trust them?" But you just tell them that you don't have a reason but it isn't until they show their true colours do people believe you. Simon gets that vibe from Tom Ryder but then again, he's always had that vibe whenever someone mentions Tom around Simon. Especially talking about his movies. He's a good actor, don't get Simon wrong, but there's just something.

Something Simon has to think about later, right now though, he can see some recognition on Ryland's face as he stares at the flowers and Simon is trying to guess just by his face what ones he knows. Ryland makes a sound like he wants to laugh but he can't as if he won't let himself.

Simon chuckles softly as Tom says "it looks….different….I thought it would be the same flowers were going for?" He remarks. "Isn't that what it usually is?"

"Yes but I thought it would be different if you both had flowers that would bring out the personalities of you." Ava lies as she points to each flower. "This means strength, this one means loyalty, this means devotion and that one means love at first sight."

Simon knows she's lying but he can't help but laugh and he slaps a hand over his mouth. "Sorry. I uh, thought of something funny." Simon breathes through his nose as he closes his eyes. He can feel Ryland shuffling beside him and their arms brush against each other.

"I think it's perfect." Tom soon comes around to it. "What about Ry's?"

Simon opens his eyes back up as Ava points to the one meant for Ryland. Simon thinks it's perfect but it doesn't matter what he thinks, it's up to Ryland.

The flowers for Ryland's are a Protea, daisies, a tulip and a dahilia. If Simon were to add anything, it would be a sunflower. Ryland has always been like a sunflower to him, bright and joyous and they're Simon's favourite.

"It's beautiful. I love it." Ryland smiles at her. "Thank you." He says genuinely to Ava. Simon can see the look on her face at him saying that. A slight smile threatening to be painted on her face but she looks like the Mona Lisa right now. A pretty badass version on the Mona lisa in Simon's opinion.

"Do you want to know what they mean?" Ava offers to tell him but Ryland shakes his head.

"No, thank you. Like I said, they're beautiful and I love them." He tells her and Simon makes a note of the flowers Ava picked out. Not that she needs his notes anyway. She has the memory of a hawk.

"Shouldn't we be matching though?" Tom asks.

"Not usually? I mean, sometimes the groom has the flowers on is suit that the bride has in her boquet but some couples have different flowers that they picked because they personally hold those flowers as something personal to them." Ava points out.

Simon nods "yeah, it's become trendy." Simon honestly hates saying that to convince clients but if he knows one thing about Tom Ryder, the word 'trending' actually means something to a celebrity like him. Especially since, Tom's eyes light up at the word like a dog who heard their favourite word.

"Yes! Let's do it." Tom exclaims like he thought of the idea. Wow that man is easily influenced. Maybe it's his ego telling him that he could get more popular and still in the headlines but for something good instead of his typical party animal behaviour. "We better get going if we want to get to the airport in time." He threads his fingers into Ryland's and they leave. Simon watches them leave and he sees Ava is about to say something to him.

"I'll be back." Simon goes out the front and sees that the two have disappeared as if they just did a magic trick. Simon sighs and thinks that whilst he is out here, he might as well smoke before he talks to Ava.

He is dreading it, if he's being honest with himself. Simon manages to light one and take a drag of it before he hears Ryland asking "You smoke?"

Simon looks towards him and said "thought you were gone without saying anything?"

"No, I uh was going to come back in to say goodbye to you but I saw you out here." Ryland tells him, placing himself beside Simon. "Tom is in the car, I said I'd be a minute."

Simon nods and doesn't say anything and takes another drag of the cigarette in his fingers,blowing the smoke away from Ryland before getting the courage to say "I was actually going to see if I could talk to you before you left." Simon kind of shuffles on his feet as if he can't stay still. He's nervous, ok?!

"Oh? You did?" Ryland asks him like he is nervous of what Simon is going to say to him.

"Nothing bad! I just-" Simon promises before he asks. "I was going to see if you're free tonight? I uh, kind of want to take you up on that offer for dinner? It's the only time realistically this month I'm free."

"You remembered I asked you out for dinner?" Ryland turns pink as Simon smokes again.

"Well, yeah. It's to catch up right? Plus, I know a good spot that's not only casual but has the best milkshakes there. Hell, probably better than Jack's but don't tell him I said that." Simon chuckles softly. "Plus, I thought you wouldnt want a fancy place to go as you're probably sick of all this fancy shit by now." Simon huffs and Ryland laughs softly.

"First of all, I don't think any milkshake would beat the one Jack made, I dream about that milkshake nightly." Ryland jokes but has a hint of seriousness in his tone of voice that makes Simon laugh before Ryland continues. "And second of all, I wouldn't mind a chill evening. You're right though. If we had it my way, it would be a small ceremony with just friends and family. No fancy videographer to video it for social media like Tom wants. Just a photographer to take intimate photos that we might post to social media or just have them framed but-"

"Tom wants it to be extra because its him?" Simon asks softly. "But you should at least have a say in how small the ceremony is. I mean, he won't be here half the time to make the decisions with you. You could sneak somethings in for yourself. You know I won't tell him anything you want to secretly add." Simon really wants to admit to adding the chocolate milkshakes to the menus behind their backs but he refrains from doing so.

"Yeah, but it's for a good reason." Ryland tells him as his phone buzzes and he sees its Tom telling him to hurry up. "I've got to go but I'll text you when I'm free? You might have to pick me up from my place though. I can't afford a car on my teacher's salary."

"Of course. Although I would've thought that Tom would've brought you one?" Simon raises his eyebrow.

"Oh he did but he wanted to buy me one of those space ships of a car." Ryland jokes as he starts to walk away. "But I'll see you later? I'll send my address later."

"Of course. See you later, Ryland-gator." Simon smiles but then he realises what he said and he wants the floor to swallow him whole but Ryland smiles widely whilst chuckling.

"In a while, Simon-dile." Ryland tells him as he waves and leaves down the sidewalk. Simon can't help keep the smile on his face as he waves back, watching him leave.

He's then left alone with his thoughts until Ava comes out the back door as if she had been listening in. "Ryland-gator? Really?" She raises an eyebrow as she holds out her hand for a cigarette that Simon will give her.

"Yes. And I thought you were quitting for Eva?" Simon asks.

"I could say the same thing Mr. Ryland once scolded Colt for about an hour once for smoking so I would never ever smoke because the mere concept of him being disappointed in me would send me to an early grave." Ava scoffs softly as she lights up a cigarette, taking a drag.

"Touché." Simon raises his eyebrow, finishing his cigarette and sighing.

"So, you're going to take him to dinner? You know that's a dangerous thing you're doing." Ava points out, head against the wall as she looks up into the sky.

"Ava." He warns. He doesnt have the energy for this conversation if he is being truly honest with himself. "It's just a catch up dinner. Just casual."

"Casual is what I called my previous relationship and I ended up fucking her." Ava tells him with a scoff.

"But that's not going to happen between me and Ryland." Simon points out, bright red at the thought of that happening before he has to scold himself. "He's getting married, Ava for crying out loud! I'm no homewrecker."

"Yeah but you want to though." Ava jokes. "He doesn't seem like the cheating type but if he was to ask you, would you?"

"I'm not answering that." Simon tells her. Now, Simon won't say that he has thought about it in the past but if he is being truly honest with himself, he'd tell Ryland that he has to break up with Tom. In reality though? Simon knows Ryland wouldn't look at him like that so this scenario that Ava is pitching to him hypothetically wouldn't be a possiblity. Simon has scars, and he isn't celebrity like Tom Ryder, not interesting other than helping other people celebrating their love. Simon's love life is fucking shitty and always has been. Even if he was lucky enough to find someone who makes him feel all the feelings he has been feeling towards Ryland over the years, it wouldn't be fair towards them if Simon did get into a relationship with them. The phrase "distance makes the heart grow fonder" is his heart's motto and Simon reveres it. He wishes he could stomp on the small flame torch that won't ever seem to go out no matter what he tried.

Maybe the only way for his heart to stop this flame from spreading was to watch Ryland go through with the wedding. Then he can pull himself backup and finally move on.

"Once again, I have to be the bad guy to tell you that you should keep your distance from him." Ava states. "That and the fact I told you to burn those love letters years ago. Maybe then you wouldn't be in this position where you're chasing a potential what if. You can be friends with him, fine. I get that. You've honestly been so melodramatic lately it's been getting on my nerves but I'm telling you this because deep down I care about you in my own way."

"I know you do and trust me, I'm just as frustrated as you at this point. I don't know why all the feelings I felt as a kid all through until college have come back to me like I've been hit with a baseball bat multiple times." Simon groans softly as he rubs his face frustatingly. "I honestly feel like a piñata whose been beaten by kids excitedly and they're so close to having the candy spill out onto the floor in front of them whenever I'm around Ryland." Simon tries to joke.

"I feel like you'd be a fish shaped piñata. Maybe an eel or something." Ava tries to lighten the mood and it helps a little bit. "Why don't every time you feel close to either saying something stupid or like you're close to spilling your guys, excuse yourself to the bathroom and text me or Jack."

"You'd do that?" Simon asks her in a bit of a shocked tone.

"Yes, but you owe me either a bottle of wine or some cigarettes." Ava jokes but Simon knows she's telling the truth.

"Got it captain. I better go grab my stuff. Do you need the notes I wrote?" Simon pushes himself off of the wall, Ava following in suit after putting out the last of her cigarette.

"Nope. Just send the email like you always do. I'll remember what I did for that douchebags. God I really get a bad vibe from the dude." Ava states as a fact.

"Yeah, I don't like him either. I know Ryland can do so much better and I'm not just saying that because, well you know. He is my friend first afterall." Simon points out. "But Colt told me that he has tried to talk him out of it but Ryland seems to pull away from him. They used to tell each other everything." Simon shrugs as he follows her inside. "Everything has changed and it just feels like I don't know what's happened."

"Well, you did say it's been a decade since you last spoke, right? People do change in that time. Maybe he has." Ava offers as Simon grabs his things to make his way home to get ready for dinner with Ryland. Simon supposes that she has a point but he isn't going to tell her that.

"Maybe. I'll send you a text later?" Simon makes his way to the front door and opens it, bell ringing.

"Yeah, you better. You know Eva is gonna want to know all about this." Ava jokes.

"I forgot how much of a fucking gossip you two are." Simon rolls his eyes and sighs. "Later."

"I am not a fucking gossip, Butcher." Ava flips him off and tells him "later and remember! Don't get too close!"

"I won't" Simon yells as he lovingly flips her off. Butcher was a nickname he was given when one of Ava's previous partners dragged her to a pottery class so obviously, before that date, she dragged Simon to one so Ava can look better than she already was. Simon tried to make a vase but it looked like he took a knife to someone's and absolutely butchered it. Hence why she's given him the nickname "Butcher."

Simon hates it because he seriously tried his best with that vase. Simon gets in his car and as he is about to start it, his phone buzzes and he picks it up and sees its Ryland.

Ryland Grace:

Hey Simon! Can't wait for tonight!

Simon smiles at the message and feels his cheeks turn pink at how much his heart flutters. He also sees Ryland sent his address too.

Simon:

Hey Ryland. I can't wait too! I hope you brought your appetite for greasy diner food.

Well there goes that decision to slightly distance himself from him. He's screwed himself over. Damn it. Simon get a hold of yourself.

Simon is parked outside of Ryland's apartment. He texted Ryland that he was outside and he texted back that he's almost ready. He will admit that he put on too many different casual outfits only to settle for jeans, a white cable sweater and his leather jacket but now he thinks that he just looks like a 1950's greaser. Simon thinks it would be funny if Ryland was Sandy and he was Danny zuco but if he was Danny, he'd never pretend not to know him like in the beginning of the movie or treat him like Danny does in that movie.

God that movie kind of aged a bit badly. Maybe they're like Harry and Sally? That seems more accurate.

Simon looks up and sees Ryland coming out of his apartment building and Simon gets out with a smile. "Hey."

"Hey! Sorry I made you wait. I was on the phone with Rocky but everything's fine now." Ryland apologises as he stands in front of Simon and it looks as if he's debating on hugging him again like last time.

"It's all good. I wasn't waiting that long." Simon shrugs and he notices Ryland's hands fidgeting a bit. "You ok?" He frowns a bit. "You're fidgety." Simon catches himself staring at him and hates how little he wants to stop himself. He eventually looks back up from where he was staring at his hands, back up to Ryland's face.

"Oh! Uh, yeah." Ryland pauses and then asks "this is gonna sound weird but could I hug you? Please?"

Simon's eyes widen a little but he nods. "You can-" as soon as he starts that sentence, Ryland's arms are instantly around him and Simon returns the favour. He feels warm against Simon's body and it feels so nice.

"Sorry if this is weird. I've just- I've missed hugging you." Ryland tells him as he pulls away. "Again. Sorry if that's weird."

"Not weird. Not weird at all. I've uh, missed hugging you too." Simon awkwardly admits because it's true. He may not be a hugger but Ryland's hugs just feel like home to him.

Ryland blushes pink and smiles at him softly. "I'm glad." They stand there awkwardly and Simon reads the shirt Ryland is wearing that's partly being covered the fox cardigan he is wearing. Ryland shows the shirt when he notices Simon trying to read it and Simon snorts. It has a diagram of an atom on it and it says 'I got my ion you'

"That's a really stupid shirt." Simon tells him as he is actively laughing.

Ryland joins in and starts laughing too. "It's my good shirt!"

"Uh huh, and how many 'good shirts' do you have?" Simon snorts. He watches Ryland blushes pink as they get in the car.

"For your information, it's not my fault my brother buys them for me for a birthday present each year" Ryland jokes as he then adds "also my students buy some for me on the last day of the school year. This one I'm wearing was one a student brought me and I love it."

Simon smiles. "That's actually really sweet." Simon can imagine Ryland opening the gifts from his students with tears in his eyes and telling them all that even thought they wont be in his class next year, he won't ever forget them. It makes Simon smile more than he is already. "So, how was your afternoon? After this morning?"

Ryland sighs and rubs his face. "Just Tom saying he thinks Ava put a spell on him because he think he has developed a cough."

That makes Simon burst out with laughter and he can feel Ryland staring at him. "Sorry- sorry- that's just so stupid because for a few Halloweens, she has dressed up as a witch and I thought that she would eventually come out in a witch hat." Simon tries his hardest to keep his eyes on the road as he drives them to the diner he has in mind. "It is something she would do if I'm being honest."

Ryland chuckles at that. "I feel like Ava owns multiple witch hats, am I correct?"

"Yes she does. I joke to her she isn't going to have anywhere else to wear them and she told me once that she goes to those witches seances but I don't think I really believe her. Ava tends to say things that sound like jokes but she says them with a straight face and you're trying to figure out if she's serious or not? I've been friends with her for almost five years now. You'd think I'd of figured it out by now." Simon jokes at the end.

"I get that. Rocky's partner Adrian is like that but they're kind of the opposite? They can say things in a soft tone and I don't think they mean it but it sounds backhanded?" Ryland tries to explain. "It is funny because Tom doesn't realise this fact but even then, Rocky and Adrian rarely hang out with just the two of us. They, uh, kind of hate Tom."

"I mean, he doesn't exactly give off a good vibe. I may not know Rocky that well as-" he trails off and the car goes quiet. They both don't say anything for a while until they arrive at the diner.

"Oh! I know this place! I used to come here a lot to meet up with my friend who works in government." Ryland tells Simon as they get out of the car. "But it's been a while as she's been sucked into her work."

"Understandable. I know my schedule has been hectic lately. Hence why I asked if you were free tonight." Simon tells him as he stretches.

"I think your job is pretty cool." Ryland admits as they go inside and find a booth to sit opposite each other and Ryland continues. "You get to help couples make their day of celebrating their love special. Plus you get to know what the couple likes and don't likes in the span of a few months."

"That is true but then you have the ugly side of my business which is having to deal with either overbearing parents who want everything their way since they're paying for it, mothers who think they're loosing their precious baby boys who are in all fact a manchild, the brides who want everything perfect, which I don't blame them as usually its stressful as fuck, or the dads that go to the dress appointments and tell the daughter they need to fully cover up and not show any skin." Simon sighs but then adds. "I will admit, watching the bride and or groom try on dresses or a suit, that's my favourite appointment."

"Really?" Ryland asks him and Simon nods.

"Yeah. You get to see their personality in what they choose to wear on their day. Besides, if the Groom is really trying, they pick out an interesting suit to wear instead of just an all black tux." Simon smiles as they both look at the menus. "I once had to go suit shopping with two grooms. They didn't want the other to see what they picked but they both had different choices from the other but they somehow matched? It was sweet actually. Got to be one of my favourite weddings I've ever done."

"That sounds really sweet, Simon." Ryland smiles a soft smile. Simon blushes pink under Ryland's gaze and smiles back with a shy smile. They looks at the menus and Ryland makes a comment of "they've definitely changed the menu since I was last here." He chuckles softly.

A waitress comes over to take their order and Simon orders a burger with fries and a decaf coffee.

"You're brave for having decaf." Ryland jokes and Simon chuckles softly.

"Yeah I know I need to work on a few details." Simon admits. "They can wait though. Besides, it would be rude of me to stand you up."

Simon lets Ryland order and when the waitress leaves, Ryland smiles softly and teases "well, I feel honoured."

Simon chuckles softly and smiles even more than he has in a long time. "Yeah, I mean, all it is, is me sending some emails. Nothing interesting. Well, some interesting. Got an email from a Groom asking me to put a password on for each service because the other groom's mother keeps trying to secretly change things behind their back."

"Oh sweet cheese that's horrible." Ryland exclaims softly. "Luckily I don't think anyone would do that for mine."

"Still, it's just a precaution. Most of the time its not needed." Simon shrugs as their drinks come. A decaf coffee for him and a chocolate milkshake with extra whipped cream for Ryland. "But this dinner isn't about wedding talk. You said it was to catch up?" Simon asks.

"Oh! Yeah. I mean, we haven't talked in almost a decade so I think it would be nice to talk. How have you been over the years?" Ryland asks him as he mixes the whipped cream in and Simon adds some milk and sugar.

"It's been a journey, you know? A lot of growth. I mean, I have my own wedding planning business, as you know but I've made a lot of connections." Simon shrugs. He doesn't know what else to say other than that.

"That makes you sound like you've become a mob boss." Ryland jokes and Simon huffs a laugh softly before taking a sip of his coffee and it burns his mouth a bit.

"Maybe I am." He jokes. "This family business is very cutthroat." And it makes Ryland laugh some more.

"Imagine trying to deal with kids. Their gossip and drama is the reason I don't need to watch reality shows." Ryland jokes before he takes a sip of his milkshake and his eyes light up. "Wow, that is good. Maybe even better than Jack's."

"Told you. Although that man hears everything." Simon snorted softly. "I swear, I once said something on a date about him, the next morning I get a message from him saying that he knows I said something."

"Your friends are intimidating." Ryland noted.

"Eh, they're like intimaditing dogs. People think by the look of them that they're these big attack dogs who are easily set off but in reality? They're loyal as anything. They stuck by my side during my accident even when I tried to push them away." Simon admits to him and he can feel the ache on his left arm as if it's reminding him of that day. "But I don't like talking about it."

Simon moves his right hand to rub against his left where his stump is currently in his prosthetic arm, under his white cable knit sweater. He had taken off his leather jacket as it's pretty warm in the diner.

"I can't wait for you to tell me about it. I won't pressure you." Ryland leans over to place his hand on top of Simon's prosthetic hand that's on the table and Simon wishes he could feel the warmth of Ryland's hand on it.

"Thanks, Ryland. Maybe uh, you can tell me about your work for a change? I feel like I've been talking about me a lot." Simon jokes and Ryland smiles at him with a soft caring smile and it makes Simon's heart flutter like a butterfly in a field of flowers.

"Of course!" Ryland then adds "most of it might be teenage drama though."

"Honestly? I don't mind it. Better than wedding drama. Some of these couples act like teenagers the way they argue over petty things." Ryland chuckles. "So, there's this girl in my class but is kind of oblivious to people liking her, her name is Ryleigh. She is friend's with this other girl, Sarah. Recently, they've ben fighting and I've been trying to get them to talk about it but they're avoiding each other. If I try and partner them up for a group project, it ends with a screaming match."

"That's not good." Simon frowns. "Maybe they just need time?" Simon offers as a solution. It feels all too familiar, this situation, Ryland is telling him about.

"I've tried giving them time but when one of them says anything, they're so snippy we each other." Ryland sighs. "Multiple teachers have had that problem with them. Parents have been talked to but they're avoiding each have no idea what's going on either because the girls won't talk to them about."

"That's really odd." Simon drinks some of his coffee.

"Yeah. But in a lighter note, the module I'm working on for my class is really interesting!" Ryland smiles widely, eyes looking excited.

Simon smiles at that and teases "I feel like you're excited about it because it's something you love." Which makes Ryland turn pink as he nods.

"It might be. I've been trying to make it interesting and engaging for my kids." Ryland huffs a laugh.

"Honestly, Ry, as kids you kept me engaged with your fun facts and deep dives. Why do you think I passed science? You're a natural teacher." Simon points out as if stating a fact because he is. Simon may of been interested in a little bit of science but Ryland really helped him grow that interest. Like he was watering a sprout, hoping it would grow and blossom into a flower. "Especially since I learned more from you than I did from the teachers."

"You're sweet, Simon." Ryland is blushing softly and Simon tries not to read into it too much. "I am glad that I helped you when we were kids. Even if you would just be dragging around the nerdy scrawny kid with their twin brother who had a death wish."

"Hey, I'd chose you to be my friend over anyone else." Simon sniffles softly and tilts his head slightly whilst looking at him. "I'm honestly surprised you were my friend all those years growing up. You and Colt."

"Of course. You were so cool, Simon. I mean sure, you and Colt almost gave me grey hairs at a young age-" Simon laughs at that before Ryland continues "but I wouldn't change that for the world."

Simon feels his heart flutter more at that. He feels that if his heart keeps fluttering like a baby bird learning to fly then its going to fly like a bird out of his chest. "I feel like as a teen I did see at least one grey hairs because of us going into an abandoned building to go ghost hunting." Simon chuckles softly. "You only joined me and Colt that night because you wanted to prove us wrong."

"And because Colt told me and I quote, 'you could finally live your dream of being Velma from Scooby-Doo'." Ryland huffs softly.

"Yeah and even then, me and you turned into Shaggy and Scooby with you jumping into my arms when we heard a bang." Simon laughs softly.

"If I recall correctly, you were the one to jump into my arms." Ryland laughs as their food arrives. It's only then that Simon realises that Ryland didn't move his hand from on top of his prosethic hand. Simon feels his cheeks turn pink at that.

"Even if it was just a raccoon that jumped out and scared the shit out of the three of us." Simon huffs as he shoves a fry into is mouth. Simon also remembers the fact that the twins argued who Simon would've been out of the mystery inc gang. Colt suggested Daphne to which, Simon scrunched his nose up as before then, Colt told them that he is Freddy. Ryland had made a comment about how Simon would look good in purple and it made Simon turn bright red. It's also part of the reason Simon saved up to buy a purple suit in case he did get the courage to ask Ryland out to prom. Which he didn't but him and Ryland did sneak out early to go order burgers at the diner and drive to the lookout to watch the city of stars above them.

"Yes and Colt still believes to this day it was actually a ghost raccoon." Ryland laughs as he starts to cut his pancakes.

"Yeah but Colt is gullible. You could tell him some shit so ridiculous and he'd still come and ask you if it's real." Simon jokes. "Also the mount of times he fell for the whole it says gullible on the ceiling." Simon snorts softly, taking a bite of his well deserved burger and humming happily.

"God I'm excited for these pancakes." Ryland laughs as he takes a bite. "Although I might steal some of your fries."

"Just like Prom night." Simon says fondly. A little too fondly for his liking. He shouldn't be reminiscing about the past but isn't that what this whole dinner is about? It's to catch up, get to know each other again but it feels like a first date. Simon shouldn't be thinking about it being a date. Ryland is getting married, even if it is to someone who's a massive asshole.

"I remember. You threw a fry at me and told me to stop but I somehow caught it in my mouth." Ryland points out.

"Yeah and for someone surprisingly clumsy, you managing to do that without falling off the hood of the car was pretty impressive." Simon laughs as Ryland steals some of his fries to which he then dips into his milkshake and then eats. "I forgot how fucking weird you are."

"Hey! I'm not weird for dipping my fries into my milkshake." Ryland defends and gasps offendedly.

"You are because only a few people do that in the universe and you're one of them." Simon huffs softly as he continues to eat. "Plus, I don't think chocolate and potatoes go well together."

"Well then what would go well with potatoes then?" Ryland asks him with an eyebrow raised.

"Normal things like ketchup or mayonnaise? Maybe bbq sauce." Simon shrugs.

"But where's the fun in that? You could also have gravy on them too." Ryland asks.

"That would just be poutine though." Simon tilts his head at him a bit again.

"Yeah but it doesn't have the cheese curds! It's just gravy and it wouldn't be all over the fries. It would be in a little pot for dipping." Ryland explains. "You just have to be open to different options!"

Simon thinks about it and sighs "Fine. I'll try it but if I hate it, I'm gonna blame you."

"I wouldn't expect anything less." Ryland pushes his milkshake towards Simon a bit and Simon sighs and takes one single fry and dips it in the milkshake.

"Oh my tastebuds are going to hate this." Simon grumbles before he tries it. Ryland watches him as he eats it like Simon is an experiment and he's waiting for the results of his hypothesis.

"Well?" Ryland asks like he's about to pull a clipboard out of nowhere to make notes of the results.

Simon scrunches his nose. It's absolutely repulsive. "Yeah, no. You're a hundred percent weird for liking that." He takes a sip of his coffee to try and get the taste out of his mouth.

"It's not that bad! I swear." Ryland laughs as he eats his pancakes.

"No it's definitely bad" Simon chuckles along with him. "Although I can't really talk as I like pickles in my burger."

"Exactly! Pickles are horrible." Ryland scrunches his nose up.

"Well, good thing you don't have to eat it" Simon jokes with a smile as he takes a bite of his burger. "Although it makes me think of that day we grabbed lunch with Colt and you snuck a bite of my burger not knowing it had pickles on it. I still remember the disgusted face you pulled." Simon chuckles.

"I did not sneak a bite of your burger! You told me 'oh my god Ry! This is the best burger I've ever had! You have to try some!' And offered some to me and you didn't think to warn me." Ryland pouts and it makes Simon laugh.

"Yeah, I guess that was my bad but you also took a huge bite. Then you stole half of my fries anyway so I guess that was payback." Simon finishes his burger and shoves it into his mouth happily.

"Yeah. Think of it as the Ryland tax." He jokes and Simon huffs a laugh.

"So what did I do for the Ryland tax to be in affect right now?" Simon raises an eyebrow at him.

"Well, you kept laughing at Tom so I guess that's why you're paying for it." Ryland laughs. "Although you made me smile so I won't steal half."

"Oh?" Simon softly says. He's trying to think back on the day of what he did to make Ryland smile.

"Yeah. You trying your hardest not to burst out with laughter made me smile. It was like I was seeing the grumpy teenage boy who no matter what silly science jokes I would tell, would try his hardest not to laugh whilst saying 'that's not funny.' But then he would give up trying not to laugh and belt out this very contagious laugh." Ryland smiles at him before adding. "That and I once made him laugh so hard at breakfast he shot milk out of his nose."

Simon remembers that memory and blushes red. "Well, maybe in his defence he was half asleep." Simon tries to deflect as they both finish eating the fries in the basket, finger brushing every time they went to pick a fry up.

"Oh really? I find that hard to believe." Ryland smirks a little and leans forward. "I think that he doesnt want to admit defeat."

Simon huffs a laugh and rests his face on his hand, head partly tilted at him. "And maybe, he wanted you to feel better about your silly jokes because he couldn't stand to see you pout." Simon watches ryland raise an eyebrow at him and Simon sighs but he doesnt want to admit defeat just yet. He likes playing this game with Ryland even if it's a dangerous one that he shouldn't be playing. It's risky and he looks down at Ryland's hand with his engagement ring on it, shining in his eye like a sunken treasure at the bottom of the ocean. It feels like it is taunting him like it's something he will never have with the man in front of him. "But I will admit, I have missed those silly jokes you used to tell me. Especially since you used to tell me one at the start of the day."

"Well, studies do show that if you laugh at the start of the day, it lowers stress hormones, releases feel good chemicals and builds mental resilience." Ryland states as Simon looks back up at him. "Besides, it's just fun hearing a silly joke."

"It is. And I feel like you tell your students a silly science joke and they all groan." Simon's lips curl up at the corner in a slight smile as he huffs softly.

"I do but they love playing the beanbag is lava where I throw he beanbag at them and they have to say their favourite joke and then pass it back and forth." Ryland replied. "So I now have some other jokes in my repotiore."

"Care to share-" Simon starts to say when the waitress comes over and smiles to clean their table.

"Want any desserts?" She offers with a smile.

They look at each other and Simon asks her "can we get a slice of pie with some ice cream, please?"

"Of course, honey. What flavour? We have apple, pecan, cherry or we have peach cobbler." She lists off the flavours.

"What do you fancy, Ry?" Simon asks him and Ryland has a thouhtful look.

"Some cherry pie with some vanilla ice cream, please." Ryland responds. "It's still your favourite, right?" He asks, turning to Simon.

"It is. I'm guessing it's still your favourite too?" Simon questions as Ryland answers him with a nod.

"Ok so that's one slice of cherry pie al-a-mode?" The waitress double checks as she writes it down in her notebook. They both nod and she smiles. "I'll be back with that shortly." She then leaves and Simon moves both of his arms, leaning against the edge of the table.

"As I was saying before, care to share the jokes from your students?" Simon asks him with a smile. "So I can compare them to the jokes you use to tell at that age."

"Of course but lets be honest, my jokes are going to be way better." Ryland jokes a bit cockily and it does something for Simon and he hates it. He shouldn't be thinking those thoughts! Simon needs to lock them away in a box with a lock.

"I will be the judge of that." Simon huffs with a smile as he brushes some of his hair behind his ear as it was getting in his way. He should've really kept it up but he wanted to have it down for a change.

"Why did the mushroom go to the party?" Ryland tries his hardest not to smile but he has a determined look on his face. Simon shrugs and Ryland snorts as he says "because he was a fun-gi!"

Simon snorts as he says "not funny in the slightest." And Ryland gets a look on his face like he has been hit with something nostalgic just by Simon saying that sentence.

"Why do cows have hooves instead of feet? Because they lactose!" Ryland giggles and Simon smiles a bit wider as he tries to not let him win.

"Only you would find that funny." Simon huffs air through his nose softly.

"Hey, I'm trying my best, Mr grumpy pants!" Ryland chuckles and playfully pokes Simon's cheek softly. "I have another one that will knock your socks off!"

"I doubt it but I love watching you try your hardest." Simon teases him as he tries to hide his smile.

"A cell stepped on her sister's toe. The sister said 'ouch! Mitosis!'" Ryland can't help the giggles coming out of his mouth from behind the hand he put over his mouth to stifle his giggles.

Simon watches him as his shoulders shake and Simon is trying his hardest not to join him in said laughter. Ryland looks at him and sees he's not laughing and whines "come on! That one was funny!"

"Maybe to you." Simon teases. "But that's because you like to tell dad jokes."

"I do not!" Ryland exclaims as the waitress places the plate of the cherry pie and ice cream on the table with two spoons and Simon gives her a nod as if to thank her as she walks away. "Wait! I've got one that will absolutely make you laugh!"

"I think you should give up now." Simon smirks at him as he takes one of the spoons to dig into the slice of pie and scoop some ice cream onto it and he sighs happily when the warm slice hits his mouth with the cooling vanilla ice cream.

"Oh I'm not gonna." He puffs out his chest determinedly and Simon watches him think and he swears he sees a lightbulb light up and he gets a look on his face. "What happens when a microscope crashes into a telescope?"

"I don't know. What happens?" Simon makes sure he stares at Ryland with the straightest face he can muster.

"They kaleidoscope!" Ryland does little jazz hands as he says the punchline and that's what does it for Simon.

He bursts out in a loud laugh, head back with his eyes closed, laughing from his stomach. He doesn't notice everyone around them stopping to stare at them but he doesn't care because right now in this moment, it's just him and Ryland in this diner sharing a slice of cherry pie and ice cream, laughing together.

Simon's sides start to hurt as he starts to calm down. He can feel tears in his eyes as he takes a few deep breaths. Ryland chuckling but mostly just watching him as Simon covers his face with his hands. Once he has fully calmed down, he pulls his hands away and sees Ryland is staring at him with a bit of a shocked look but he asks "are you ok?"

Simon nods and smiles as he says "that joke was so awful." He tries to go back to his grumpy neutral face but no matter how hard he tries, he can't.

Ryland chuckles at him and asks "it was the jazz hands, wasn't it?"

"That and you're face you pulled. You looked so proud of yourself." Simon giggles softly like he is a school girl giggling at something their crush had just said. They continue sharing the slice of pie and ice cream whilst chatting and once they're done, Simon pays for their meal and Ryland tells him that he doesn't have to.

"I want to. Plus it's my treat." Simon shrugs as they leave towards Simon's car. "Think of it as a thank you. For giving me a second chance."

"Of course, Simon. I'd give you a second chance ten times over. We were stupid young adults when we had that argument. I just wish we could've had this sooner, you know? Instead of spending years apart." Ryland admits. "Like I said before, I've missed this."

Simon tries to not let what Ryland means by that affect him. He's already locked those feelings away. Maybe he should've excused himself to the bathroom to text Ava. "I have too." They stare at each other in the eyes and it lingers. Simon doesn't know how long they were just staring at each other for but Ryland ends up stumbling forward a bit as someone pushes past them. Simon ends up steadying him, hands on his sides.

"I'm sorry-" Ryland starts to apologise to him as he stands up right, taking his hands away from where they braced Simon's shoulders.

"Not your fault. Those people were just rude." Simon shrugs as he pulls his hands away from his sides. "We should probably get going. I'm guessing you have classes to teach tomorrow?"

Ryland chuckles "I do. The joys of wedding planning on the weekends. Having to go to school tomorrow." Simon laughs as they get into the car.

"I do not envy you. That's why I could never be a teacher. I hated going to school back then so I couldn't imagine going back as a teacher." Simon huffs softly.

"That's fair honestly. My first day of teaching, a boy made fun of my tie I was wearing and I swear, I almost cried my eyes out." Ryland jokes and Simon winces at that.

"Shit." Simon says. "I knew kids could be cruel but fucking Christ."

Ryland shrugs. "I mean, it was my first day of class. Just needed to bring up my thick skin." Ryland sighs as he puts his seatbelt on. "But I've got a thick skin now. I try and give some kids the benefit of the doubt. Try and talk to them after class if they're struggling or I wait for them to come talk to me when I'm free."

"That's nice. I wished more teachers cared like you did. Most of them don't." Simon shrugs his shoulder as he drives them back to Ryland's apartment.

"Careful there. That sounded like a compliment." Ryland jokes and Simon scoffs softly.

"And what if it is? Not that your ego needs it." Simon smirks softly, feeling himself getting back into that rhythm him and Ryland used to have where the conversation would flow easily between each other. How they would tease each other out of love. Simon thinks back on those days fondly.

"Hey, youre such a jerk." Ryland jokes as he pokes his arm when they're stopped at a stoplight.

"It's so strange to hear you not swearing. You've spent too much time around kids, man." Simon chuckles softly and Ryland chuckles with him too.

"Oh trust me, I slip up but luckily it's only when I'm home alone." Ryland huffs softly. "Even if Rocky and Colt try to make me swear more often around them."

"Maybe I should join in on the noble mission that is, make the Ryland Grace swear again." Simon jokes and he hears a groan from beside him which makes him smile.

"Great. Now I'm gonna have three people ganging up on me." Ryland groans softly as he rubs his face softly, glasses hanging off his ear.

Simon chuckles at that as he grabs them gently as he is driving so he doesn't loose them. As he drives, the radio is playing a soft love song quietly and Simon turns red as he turns it off. "I'll go easy on you, don't worry." He laughs softly.

"Well, someone has to." Ryland pulls his hands away from his face as Simon tucks his glasses into the collar of his sweater where they're now dangling. Simon chuckles when he sees Ryland's look he gives him from the corner of his eye.

"You're going to loose them if you wear them like that. That, or at least step on them accidentally and break them." Simon scolds him lightly. "I'm honestly surprised you haven't already."

"I'm surprised either. You know how clumsy I am." Ryland jokes.

"Oh I know. You tend to trip on your own feet." Simon snorts as he parks up. He takes Ryland's glasses from where he put them and see a bunch of finger prints on the lenses and he frowns. "How the fuck did you actually see anything out of these?! No wonder you bump into things." Simon uses the edge of his sweater to clean the lenses.

"Hey! In my defence-" Ryland starts before Simon gives him a look then he just looks down. "I do clean them whenever I can."

"More like when you remember to. When was the last time you cleaned them?" Simon raises his eyebrow as he looks through them and mumbles "god you really do need glasses."

"Yesterday" Ryland lies before sighing "ok so maybe it was Monday of last week."

"Jesus fuck, Ryland! You should probably clean these at least once a day." Simon cleans them some more before they're spotless. Then he slides them back on Ryland's face gently, fingers brushing against the sides of his face and he pulls back like he has been set on fire. "Sorry." He mumbles. "Should've just handed them back to you to put on."

"No it's uh, it's ok. You did a good job cleaning them. It's like they're brand new." Ryland says a little in shock and Simon huffs softly as he smirks.

"A wonder what actually cleaning them does for a person." He teases and he feels Ryland smack his arm.

"You're such a jerk." Ryland laughs as he gets out of the car, Simon following him so he can say goodbye properly. Simon almost wants to say 'yeah but you love me.' To him but he refrains himself.

"Yeah I guess I am." Simon rubs the back of his neck with a smile, looking down at the floor before looking back up at Ryland who is staring at him already.

"You're not. Otherwise you wouldn't be my friend." Ryland tells him, partly teasing but also telling the truth. Simon is a little stunned at that. It's the first time since they've reunited all those months ago that Ryland has called him his friend again.

"I'm your friend again?" Simon asks nervously as if when he asks, Ryland will laugh in his face and tell him that he was joking. Simon couldn't take that if he is being honest with himself.

"Well, yeah. If that's ok with you? I know it's still awkward between us still but I think after today we're closer to being back where we were a decade ago." Ryland rambles nervously. "Don't you think so? If not then it's ok-"

Simon chuckles at the awkwardness of his Ryland is standing, wringing his hands together every now and then and explaining with his hands and it reminds Simon of whenever the three of them would get caught doing something they shouldn't. Ryland would always speak up and nervously explain to the adult what they were doing and Colt would groan and say he was being a snitch but then Ryland would snip back at him saying that it was Colt's idea. Simon would always chuckle at the twins antics. Simon just sees that Ryland hasn't changed from that lanky tall kid. Then he realises that him laughing probably makes it seem he is laughing at Ryland.

"I'm not laughing at you by the way. It's just the way you're rambling, it's cute." Simon realises what he just said and freezes as he turns pink, looking back to see his reaction as Ryland has gone silent at that. He instantly opens his mouth to apologise but Ryland beats him to it.

"You think it's cute?" He whispers as if not trusting his voice. Which honestly, he doesn't blame him as he doesnt think he can trust his own voice right about now.

"I uh, I do. Reminds me of when we were kids." Simon admits and tilts his head as he shoves is hands into his jacket pockets, like that's the only thing stopping him from reaching out to him again, sniffling awkwardly to try and ground himself. He kind of shrugs his shoulder as he tells Ryland "I should let you go. It's getting late." Simon stumbles back a bit as he goes to turn around to walk back to his own car. His back is facing Ryland because if he faces him, he will say something stupid that he wouldn't be able to take back.

"Simon, wait-" Simon feels Ryland gently grabbing his forearm to stop him and Simon turns to look at him and is surprised at the soft expression on his face. Simon can't help but stare at the way his eyes have softened to look at him and the way his lips are in a soft smile. Simon could just stare at them forever. He looks back up to Ryland's face, worried that if he keeps staring at his lips, he'll want to know what they feel like against his. "I think its sweet. It also reminds me of that. Besides, you're my friend. You can't leave without saying goodbye." Ryland teases at the last part and Simon chuckles at that.

"Oh? Is that now on the list of requirements to be your friend now? Should I rewrite my CV so you can look it over?" Simon relaxes and teases back.

Ryland laughs and smiles "you might have to. Plus it's in our new friend contract that we have to at least hug goodbye but obviously if the other is ok with it."

Simon chuckles. "Obviously." Simon almost shyly opens his arms for Ryland who happily returns the hug. Now that Ryland is close to him like this again, he can really take in the cologne he is wearing. It's nice. Simon tries his hardest not to sound like he is smelling him so he takes a through breathes in and out of his nose. His body feels like its on fire where Ryland is touching him and if he doesn't pull away then he will be burned by Simon wishes to stay in this moment for a while. Simon can feel his heart rate picking up and he is terrified of whether or not Ryland can feel it against his chest or not. He can also feel his body heating up again like he has been put in a sauna. He can feel Ryland's fingers kind of hover on his shoulders slightly like he isn't allowing himself to touch Simon fully but when they eventually do, Simon feels sparks of electricity where his fingers are resting, like they're going to leave a mark.

"I better get going." Ryland pulls away first and he mourns the touch. Simon wants to curse himself for this but can you blame him? He has been longing for this for a long time and it feels just so out of reach he wants to be selfish and take whatever Ryland will give him. He is such a selfish selfish man. But if Simon was to ask for more, it would seem like he was begging for something that he has no chance in hell getting. It makes him feel utterly pathetic. Simon feels as if he is a poet in one of those movies where the woman has to marry the rich guy with prospects but the poet character yearns for the woman and she yearns for him to but they can never be together. Although in Simon's case, he doesn't stand a chance against the rich guy and Ryland is going through with the wedding.

Ryland isn't yearning or pining away for Simon. Simon can tell that Ryland's is just being nice to him for the sake of it and it hurts Simon in a way that he can't describe. Simon from now on needs to be careful with his words, his hands, careful with everything he does except for how he looks at Ryland. No one stares closely at Simon anyway so it's not like anyone would notice if Simon stared at him like he was the only thing Simon has ever wanted out of life. He might need to keep his stares to himself when he is around Jody and Colt though. They would actually say something and call him out. Damn Hollywood types man. They notices everything, even the little details that are subtle.

Simon's cheeks turn pink as he nods, pulling his hand away from him as if he just got burned. Luckily the cool air hits his cheeks and stops them from being pink and hot.

"Yeah, sorry. I should let you go." Simon mumbles softly, not trusting his words in the slightest. Simon tells himself that these feelings will fade away and he can just be friends with him but who is he kidding? Simon's mind always ends up drifting back to the thought of Ryland and it feels like his heart and mind are going a mile a minute. Like they're on a motorcycle, reviving up next to the car that has his logic and reasoning, trying to make them race against each other.

Ryland smiles as he takes a step back and he says "see you later, Simon-gator." Simon hates the way his heart won't calm the fuck down in his chest.

Simon chuckles and then asks "so I'm the alligator now?"

"Yeah!" Ryland continues to walk backwards and Simon watches him.

"In a while, Ryland-dile." Simon smiles softly but then sees Ryland is about to walk backwards into a street lamp. "Ry, watch out-" he ends up bumping into it and Simon tries to cover his mouth to try not to laugh at him.

"Shoot. Ok maybe I haven't mastered the art of walking backwards just yet." Ryland rubs the back of is head and neck. "Also, that was super embarrassing so I'm gonna go inside now."

"Make sure you don't hurt yourself even more." Simon snorts as he goes to get back into his car, watching Ryland reach the steps of his apartment building.

"Can't make that a guarantee!" Ryland jokes as he waves to Simon, finally entering the building. Simon chuckles as he shakes his head, getting into his car with a slight smile on his face. That went well for Simon's standards. He didn't end up spilling his secret or anything. He taps his fingers against the wheel as he drives.

Yeah Simon has got this.

Simon hasn't got this.

It started off fine! Really, it did. Yes he had one Eva Stratt staring at him like she could easily get him to spills the secrets he is holding onto but he won't break to her! He is determined!

But in the interior of this suit shop with the dark wood walls, making it look like an old bookshop instead of a suit shop, covered in fabrics and suits all over the place, Simon feels as if he is about to step into his doom. Well, more like he already was in the shop. Stratt didn't like people hovering outside the shop, awkwardly waiting for whatever is next to come.

Ryland, Rocky and Colt walked in. Which is fine. They're here for the appointment but Ryland handed him a thermos of hot coffee, just the way he had it at the diner. "With actual coffee this time instead of decaf." Ryland smiled at him and Simon tried not to melt a little at that but Colt gave him a look.

"Yeah, he didn't make us any." Colt jokes as Simon takes a sip of it and it's perfect, just how he loves it.

"I did. You're just being dramatic." Ryland rolls his eyes softly and shakes his head.

"No. You made us go to a coffee shop. Why can't we get homemade coffee like Simon?! Right, Rocky?" Colt turns to Rocky who looks at Simon before he types something into his AAC tablet and the shop if filled with his robotic voice.

"No, Grace made us coffee but just not in a thermos like he made for Simon." Rocky pulls a face and it makes Simon want to chuckle but he holds back and he smiles into the thermos as he drinks some more.

"Well, thank you for this, Ryland." Simon smiles a small smile. "How did you know I liked it like this?" He watches Ryland's cheeks turn a soft pink as he rubs the back of his neck.

"I uh, guessed." Ryland lies to him. Simon feels like he knows Ryland is lying to him but he doesn't push. Why should he? It's not his place. He can see Ryland's hands fidgeting in his pockets nervously. Simon then notices that Tom isn't there with them.

"Is Tom coming?" Simon questions as he sees Colt chuckling and smacking his hand hard on Ryland's shoulder.

"Nope. Tom wants to go with his suit designer that makes his suit for award season. In his own words he said 'why would I go to a small store when I can get my own designer to make my suit?'" Colt tries to pretend to be Tom and it makes Simon want to laugh. He can see Rocky trying not to laugh though.

"And he might regret saying that." Stratt appears behind the group, causing Colt, Rocky and Ryland to yelp and jump.

"Morning Stratt." Simon says to her, not even flinching as he's used to her doing this.

"Good morning, Mr Fischer. These must be your clients?" Stratt is holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a clipboard in the other. She has her measuring tape hanging around her neck and it almost makes it look like a snake if you're far away enough.

"Yes. This is Colt, Rocky and Ryland. Ryland is the groom in question." Simon tells her as he points to each member of the small group. Stratt looks at them all and nods.

"Let's get started. You all have gotten measured for suits before, right?" Stratt looks at her clipboard and then back up at the group.

"I have." Colt tells her as he pulls out the piece of paper with his measurements on and Stratt takes it and makes a note of it the measurements on her clipboard.

"I've never been properly measured before." Ryland tells her. "But I do wear suits for work most of the time."

"Being measured for a suit and buying one from a clothes shop for work are two completely different things, Dr Grace." Stratt looks at and Ryland looks shocked.

"You uh, how did you know I was a doctor?" Ryland looks shocked and so does Colt and Rocky.

"I know everything about everyone." She brushes him off slightly. "Mr Fischer has told me about you in the past." Simon wishes he could melt into the floor right about now. Also curse Stratt for saying that because now he has Colt raising an eyebrow at him in question.

"Oh?" Ryland turns to Simon in question. Simon can feel everyone's eyes on him and tries to say something. Anything that would brush off whatever conclusions they're all forming in their heads.

"What can I say, you're a very interesting person to talk about." Simon shrugs trying to act nonchalant.

"Oh and being friends with a stuntman is not?" Colt acts offended and Simon hits his arm.

"Yes because you're always talked about. You don't need it going to your already big ego, asshole." Simon jokes.

"If you boys are done. I'll need both of you two to get only in your underwear so I can measure you. So I can pick out the right sizing." Stratt points at both Rocky and Ryland who nod at her.

"No one will see us, right?" Ryland asks to which Stratt points to the blind she can pull down the massive window.

"I shut the blinds and lock the door. It's always appointment here. Never walk in although I do have a day where people come in to shop who already have their measurements here but today is not that day. Yao will take the measurements of you, Rocky as I will take Dr Graces. Then you will have more time to pick out options and try them on." Stratt explains as she shows them to the dressing rooms. Stratt then goes to lock the front door and shut the blinds.

Colt and Simon are standing there and Simon takes another sip of his coffee. Simon is gonna need as much coffee as he can to get through this appointment.

"So, you talk about Ryland to your friends then?" Colt crosses his arms and Simon knows he is in trouble because if imon brushes him off, Colt pushes. He likes to push because it's Colt Seavers. Simon has known him since they were kids and Simon is now regretting that because Colt knows all his tells.

"I may of mentioned him once or twice in passing. What's it to you?" Simon looks at him and Simon really feels the urge to run. They can do this appointment without him having to be there, right? No he should be here. Even if he wouldnt be able to handle the sight of Ryland in a suit right now. "You talk about Jody all the time."

"Yes but that is different and you know it." Colt tells him as a matter of fact. "I'm married to Jody so I get every right to brag about my wife. You and Ryland? You're supposed just be friends and from how Stratt knew more about him than me and Rocky."

"First of all, my friends know about you, obviously. Second of all, the only things I know about Rocky is from what you've told me and what I knew about him in college. Thirdly, I have moved on. You know this Colt, so why won't you believe me for once in your life?" Simon kind of hisses. He knows his mind has moved on as he has forced himself to move on, but his heart has yet to catch on. He thought he was fine! Ready to move on from Ryland but he had to walk back into his life and mess up his progress. He thought time would fix it, but it just made him miss Ryland quieter over the years, not knowing what he should do with all of that. It felt like an ache in his heart, a missing piece that he tried to fill with new friends and relationships but no matter how many times he tries to reshape the clay of his new life, it doesn't fully fill out the hole.

"Look man-" Colt starts to tell him but Ryland ends up doing out in just his boxers and shirt and Stratt leading him to the small circle platform infront of three mirrors and Stratt is explaining how she is going to measure him and that if he feels uncomfortable to let her know and Simon tries not to stare.

Luckily the attention that Colt had on Simon gets moved to Ryland as he chuckles. "You know, the space designs on your boxers isn't going to help with your nerdy image." Colt teases him softly as Ryland rolls his eyes.

"Oh and the ones you have with explosions on are any cooler?" Ryland retorts and Simon snorts at that.

"Wait, you have explosions on your boxers?" Simon looks at Colt with a look as if he was trying not to laugh at the irony.

"No, he has boxers that say 'I love Jody' written all over them with hearts." Ryland jokes as he adds "Jody brought them for him one year and he wears them with pride." Simon bursts out laughing at that and Colt is bright red but he then turns his attention back onto Simon.

"Oh yeah? Well what do you have on your boxers then, Mr I think I'm cooler than everyone?" Colt crosses his arms and raises his eyebrow in question at Simon and Simon can see Ryland looking at him through the mirror.

"Are you trying to get in my pants, Seavers?" Simon jokes. "Jody would be so disappointed." He hears Ryland snort at that as he adds. "Besides, they're plain black because I'm an adult, not a child."

"You don't at least have one fun pair?" Ryland asks and he goes to turn to look at him.

"Please don't move." Stratt tells him and he listens, softly apologising to her.

Simon can lie and say he doesn't but he does. He has a two pairs of boxers, one that says 'release the kraken' with a cartoon octopus on it and another one that's just a pair of black boxers with 'choking hazard' on his front. Simon brought the first pair because he thought it was hilarious but the second pair, on of his exes bought him that he wears on occasion because they're plain black. "Again, no."

"Rocky calls bullshit. Everyone has at least one fun pair." Simon hears Rocky's AAC device say and Simon sighs. Great now he is getting it from all three sides.

"Wow, Rocky. I didn't know you knew how to tease Simon." Colt jokes as Rocky comes back from being measured by Yao, still in his boxers and shirt. The boxer's Rocky has on are ones that seem to have balloon animals all over.

"I see the three of you are all childish then?" Simon teases and Rocky huffs at him before typing something on his AAC device.

"Or maybe we all know how to have fun." Rocky smirks and Simon can tell that he is enjoying ths by the look of his face. Simon groans softly. He knows his college self would be pissed the fuck off at Rocky joining in but adult him can't help but chuckle. Stratt finishes up with measuring Ryland and she is writing down the measurements.

"You guys look around and let me know what you want to try on." She tells them, not looking up at them, eyes still on her notebook. Ryland steps off the small platform and nods at her awkwardly and thanks her as they spread out to look at the different coloured suits.

Colt is looking at them whilst Rocky and Ryland are on the opposite side of the room. Simon can see Rocky is signing to Ryland so it must be a private conversation and he looks away.

"We can add customisations to the suits, right?" Ryland asks and Stratt looks up from her notepad.

"Yes, you can. It can be patches or embroidered pieces. I once had a client ask me to embroider the wedding date on the cuff of their sleeve." Stratt states to him.

"Now I kind of wished I did that with my suit for mine and Jody's wedding." Colt pouts slightly and Simon chuckles at him. The three of them pick out some potential options to try. Simon ends up finishing his coffee and he sighs.

"So?" Stratt starts, turning to him and Simon sighs. Luckily he knows Stratt will talk in a whisper and won't be too loud so the others won't be able to hear their conversation.

"So what?" Simon asks her. Simon is dreading what she is going to ask next because she's probably all heard it from Ava but then again, she never gets into other people's business all that often even though she knows things about everyone and everything. Stratt is a mysterious person that even Simon has struggled to get to know on a personal level but then again, he's partly cut from the same cloth. He'd rather everyone stayed out of his business and not know anything about him. Simon doesn't like it when people push and push to make him spill the answers they want to know. You'd probably have to inject him with truth serum to get any of Simon's secrets.

"What suit do you want this time?" Stratt asks him. "Not that you need any more with your closet at home." Stratt tells him as if stating a fact. "I know you usually get one that matches the theme of the couple's wedding."

Simon looks around at the suits lining the walls. "I haven't thought about it but I should probably look." Simon moves away from the spot he has been stuck on to go look at the options. He doesn't know why but his mind instantly thinks of the colour purple. Maybe because of the chat in the diner him and Ryland had. His hand touches the materials of the each suit he looks at, taking in the colours of each suit. As much as Simon tries not to, his eyes drift over to the non-traditional colours that people wouldn't wear to the typical wedding. He should really ask Ryland for his opinion or what he is allowed to wear to his wedding. He won't be attending as a guest as he is in charge of keeping the schedule on track so the happy couple can enjoy their day, but he also knows that knowing Ryland, he'd probably be found by him and told to take a break and come join in with dancing or something. Which would be a bit hypocritical of him as in college it was Simon always trying to get Ryland to relax and take a break.

Simon hears chuckling from Colt before he steps out in the most hideous suit Simon thinks Stratt holds in the store. He is kind of surprised that she even has that as an option to pick out from. Simon thinks colt only picked it to rile up Ryland which is pretty easy for the two of them to rile each other up. Colt opens his arms to show off the suit that has an ugly Hawaiian shirt pattern all over it. "So? What do you think?" Colt asks as he does a spin.

Simon huffs a laugh as he says "you're going to end up dead on this floor." Simon takes a quick photo and Colt freezes.

"What was that for?" Colt asks, hands on his hips. Simon chuckles as he slips his phone back into his pocket.

"Oh no I'm saving that for later." Simon smirks. He knows he is going to end up sending it to Jody later to question her choice in husband.

"Oh so you find me irresistible?" Colt jokes as he saunters his way over to Simon. He places a hand one the back of his head and starts to pose and Simon rolls his eyes and he takes multiple photos once he pulls out his phone again. "Make sure to get my good side."

"God, you're such a dick." Simon rolls his eyes and Colt laughs.

"Yeah, but you love me." Colt laughs as he stops posing.

"No, I tolerate you for the sake of Jody." Simon jokes. "Why do you think the two of us have wine nights and kick you out of the house?" Simon huffs a laugh.

Colt fake gasps offendedly, placing a hand on his chest. "I knew you were only friends with me so you could hang out with my wife! How dare you!" He places the back of his hand against his forehead and says "I'll just go fuck my self then."

"Yeah, maybe you should." Simon says with a straight face. "Give Jody a break from having to deal with your whining." Before Colt could say a come back, they both hear Ryland and Rocky coming out of their changing rooms.

"What the fudge are you wearing?! You're not wearing that to the wedding." Ryland exclaims, Rocky chuckling behind him. Simon sees that Ryland is in a dark red suit and he looks handsome but that the suit isn't right for him. He looks more like a valet for a fancy event or a worker at one those fancy theatres you go to watch a play at. Rocky is wearing a dark green suit and it suits him a bit. If Simon had to of guessed, he is probably is going to end up matching his partner.

"What? You don't like it? Simon thinks it looks good. He was taking pictures!" Colt says with a wide smile as he wraps his arm around Simon's shoulder.

Simon rolls his eyes and tells him "I was actually taking those photos to send to your wife to question her taste in men." Simon slips his phone into his pocket again. "Which, that suit looks horrible in photos, by the way. I don't even know why you carry this suit, Stratt."

"Not my decision, unfortunately. A man who only wore Hawaiian shirts came in and asked for a suit in that pattern and I had to oblige. Accidentally ordered too many so those are extra." Stratt sighs as if she had regretted ordering them.

"Do you do suits with flames on them?" Colt asks.

Only to hear Ryland yell "nope!" Face buried into his hands and the three of them go to look at himself in the mirrors and Stratt hums softly as she stares at them, moving to stand next to Simon. "I don't think the red suits me." Ryland turns to look at Simon "What do you think, Simon?"

Simon is a bit shocked that Ryland is asking him for his opinion but he sniffles and says "I don't think it's the one. You look like you're supposed to be a bell boy at a fancy hotel." He tilts his head as he talks and he looks Ryland up and down. He hears Colt laugh and Simon turns to him and says "don't know why you're laughing. You look like the rainforest cafe just threw up on you."

Ryland laughs as well as Rocky as Colt gasps, acting offended. "I have you know that the rainforest cafe is very in right now!"

Everyone, including Stratt, says "no." Well, Rocky types it and it plays on his AAC device.

Colt groans softly. "You've got to at least try on some fun suits, Ryland. I saw one that was just calling your name!"

Ryland sighs and says "ok fine. I'll try a few fun ones on."

Rocky's device says "amaze amaze amaze! Fashion show!" Which makes Simon chuckle and Colt and Rocky rush back into the changing rooms.

Ryland comes over to stand in front of Simon and says "are you going to try on any suits with us?"

"I was actually going to ask you about that." Simon chuckles softly.

"Oh?" He tilts his head.

"Yeah, usually I wear the theme of what the wedding is but if you have any suggestions for me?" Simon asks him softly with a smile. Simon kind of wants to see what Ryland would pick out for him. Ryland looks him up and down, tilting his head, studying him before he looks around the store. He hums before his eyes land on a dark purple suit and he takes it off the rack before grabbing a black undershirt before making his way back to Simon.

"I think something like this would look good on you. Maybe with some embroidered gold stars?" Ryland offers the suit for Simon to take. "I think purple and gold go together. They're regal."

"Oh?" Simon can feel himself turning a shade of pink and he can feel Stratt watching them. Simon takes the suit and dress shirt into his arms.

"Yeah. I mean, I know that purple used to be reserved for royals but I like to think that you are deserving of the colour." Ryland rambles a bit. Simon can't help but also note that its the same coloured suit he wore to prom. "Plus I uh,I think you look good in purple." He adds in a soft tone that makes Simon want to melt into the floor. Someone take him now.

"I will try it on if you… if you think I'd look good in it, of course." Simon mumbles softly. "Although, I think you should try whatever suit Colt has picked out for you." He chuckles softly.

"You're just saying that because you know you'd look good in that vs whatever I have to put on." Ryland huffs softly and Simon laughs.

"Maybe but who knows? Colt might've picked a good one for you to try on." Simon chuckles as they make their way to the changing rooms, side by side.

"I doubt it knowing my brother's terrible taste." Ryland laughs softly.

"I heard that!" They hear Colt's voice coming from one of the changing rooms. Both Ryland and Simon laugh at that before entering their separate changing rooms. Simon gets undressed and puts on the suit which he ends up struggling with the buttons like he always does. He can hear the others chuckling and laughing and he hears shuffling outside of the changing room curtain.

"Here." He sees Stratt's hand handing him a black shirt that is what she usually makes for him as with his one hand he can't do the buttons up. The fingers of the prosthetic don't have as much flexibility as his regular fingers.

"Thank you." Simon takes the shirt from her and changes the shirt he is wearing.

"No problem. Could hear you getting frustrated over their chuckling. It's like hearing teenage girls picking out prom dresses at the mall." She huffs and Simon laughs at that.

"You know it's strange for me to be trying to on a suit during an appointment." Simon shrugs on the waistcoats and then the jacket. He comes out and Stratt is standing there and helps him straighten out the suit. "You don't have to help."

"I want to. Besides, Ava would throw a fit if she finds out I didn't." Stratt attempts to joke. "There."

Simon chuckles and thanks her softly. They both leave to where the chuckling is coming from and Simon gets out an "oh my fucking god-" at the sight of the three of them.

Colt is in a suit that is literally neon green and he looks like a walking highlighter whilst Rocky is in a neon pink suit with two horses on the lapels of the jacket, the trousers are boot legged trousers, he looks like he walked out of the pink pony club and Simon suspects that you're supposed to wear cowboy boots under them. Meanwhile, Ryland is wearing a suit that looks like something Miss Frizzle would wear with the space pattern a over it. The three of them turn around to look at both Simon and Stratt staring at them.

"I thought we were doing silly suits!" Colt whines and Simon wishes he had his phone on him but he left it in the changing room. Luckily, he sees Stratt taking a photo of the three of them and nods at Simon which means that she is going to send him the photo later on.

"Wow, Simon. You look amazing." Ryland softly says to him in awe. It makes Simon squirm a bit under his gaze.

"And you look like a male version of Miss Frizzle." Simon laughs softly. "But it's a bit better than the walking highlighter over there, as well as a bit better than Rocky's pink Barbie cosplay. He just needs a pair of white cowboy boots and a cowboy hat to match." Simon chuckles.

"I am not a walking highlighter!" Colt throws a bunched up tie at Simon's head. Simon laughs at that. .

"You do, Colt." Ryland chuckles at him.

"And you look any better?!" Colt huffs as he folds his arms across his chest.

"Yes because you look the colour of what I use to mark my student's work with." Ryland says as he pokes Colt's arm.

"Although, you could wear that suit you're wearing to your class field trip." Simon jokes whilst looking at Ryland. Rocky nods as if to agree with Simon and signs something and Ryland laughs.

"Rocky said that I'll need a magic school bus." Ryland tells Simon and Colt.

"Well, maybe you're secretly hiding one from us, Ry?" Simon jokes whilst chuckling. "Do you take kids on your magic school bus into space to teach them about planets?"

Ryland turns red as if embarrassed. "No. If anything I'm more like Bill Nye the Science Guy!"

Simon laughs and says "yeah I can see that. You just need a bow tie." Simon makes his way to the mirror next to Ryland and adds "first time I've gotten and tried on a suit for a wedding during an appointment."

Simon straightens the suit out more and Ryland is looks at him through the mirror. "What do you think? You're the one who picked this out for me." Simon asks nervously.

"You look exquisite." Ryland softly says as if he's breathless. Simon can't help his cheeks flushing red as he looks away from Ryland's gaze in the mirror. He fiddles with his suit jacket almost nervously before he replies to Ryland. Trying to figure out what to say without giving away how his heart is beating a mile a minute like he's just ran a marathon.

Simon shouldn't feel self conscious at getting a compliment from Ryland. He knows he shouldn't but the little voice in the back of his head keeps telling him that he isn't what Ryland just said. If he's being truly honest with himself, Simon doesn't think he looks all that interesting in a suit compared to the others. He wears them almost everyday for work.

"Thank you but I always wear suits." Simon shakes his head softly.

"You do but this is different." Ryland hums softly to himself. "This one doesn't make you look like a wedding planner. It makes you look….." Ryland pauses for a moment before he smiles shyly "it makes you look like you're a groom."

Oh. Simon feels his face flushing more. "Oh?" Is all he manages to get out. Simon can see Colt's look between the two of them and he wants to shrink into the size of something so small you wouldn't be able to see him, only if you put him under a microscope.

"So, what kind of suit are you actually looking for?" Stratt breaks the tension and Simon is almost thankful for it.

"I should go change out of this." Simon says softly with any excuse of getting out of this room and he leaves to go back into his changing room. Once inside, Simon covers his face with his hands as he tries to steady his breathing. There is no way Ryland meant to say that. Simon knows he picked this suit out for him specifically and it makes Simon feel hot all over again. He needs to stop his heart from beating so fast.

"You ok?" Simon can hear Colt outside of his room asking.

"Yeah- yeah I'm fine. I uh, might need to sneak out back for a smoke." Simon tells him as he undresses.

"You know, you do look good in that suit." Colt tries to make him calm and Simon huffs a laugh as he changes.

"I always wear suits. Like I've said before." Simon points out as he opens the door of his changing room after hanging the suit back up to give to Stratt.

"Yeah but Ryland picked this one out for you specifically. And I know for a fact that you don't let the Bride or Grooms for that matter, do that. So why let him?" Colt folds his arms over his chest and Simon makes a note that he is still wearing that neon green suit.

They hear Ryland chuckling in the other room and Simon looks towards the sound. "You're just jealous at the fact that I let him choose for me and you." Simon tries to joke. He doesn't want to look into the implications of what he has let Ryland do or what Ryland had just said to him. Simon had to bite back his tongue when his thoughts wanted him to ask Ryland why not him? Why not marry Simon instead of that dickhead Tom Ryder?

But he shouldn't. He can't. That would be crossing the line Simon knows he shouldn't cross. It's dangerous. Simon likes to think he is a man who tries to move away from the dangerous side of things. Not because he's a coward but because he wants to live.

If he even utters the words he wants to, to Ryland, he's sure Ryland would end up spilling it to Tom Ryder and that's how he would end up with a broken nose and his career ruined in under a minute.

"Listen, Simon. I'm not gonna say shit but-" Colt starts but they're interrupted by Stratt.

Simon almost breathes a sigh of relief at that. "Hey, I'm gonna go out back for a moment. Could you-"

"Prepare this suit for you? Yes I can. I also hope you haven't been sneaking Ava cigarettes." Stratt gently takes the suit out of his hands.

Simon huffs softly "I mean, you tend to secretly smoke too. I've seen you." Simon moves to leave and Colt goes to follow him.

"Simon, we need to talk about this! You can't keep running-" Colt tries to get him to stop.

"I'm not running! I just don't want to talk about it right now." Simon tells him as he turns around to face Colt. "Go try on other suits. Tell them I had to make a phone call quick." Simon slips out into the alleyway and he takes a deep breath. He threads his fingers through his hair and groans. Why is this happening right now? Simon just needs to take a few deep breaths, smoke a cigarettes then he can face Ryland and the others again. Maybe then, Colt would've forgotten the whole moment between him and his brother. But all Simon can think of is the way Ryland looked at him when he came out in that suit. What he said to Simon, whirling in his mind on repeat like a broken record.

You look like a groom.

Did he mean it? Simon doesn't think he'd ever be chosen to be a husband of any sort. Mostly for a long list of reasons he can't and doesn't want to think about. God he needs a strong drink right now. Simon also feels like he wants to run but his legs are keeping him in place like someone stuck his shoes to the floor or he was stuck in tar. He smokes and tries to think of a way to sneak out early. Stratt has this appointment covered, right? He could say something came up with another client or that he just got violently ill but no. He can't lie for anything. By the time he finished his cigarette, his thoughts that started a storm in his mind now a light rain that is slowing down ever so slowly. Simon can do this. He is going to go back inside, plaster a smile on his face and apologise for the sudden disappearance. He can do this.

Simon enters the workshop, walking past Yao who gives him a nod before going back to work and he follows the sound of chattering and sniffles. Oh god someone is crying, or maybe it's the three of them. Simon makes his appearance known by softly coughing and he sees that both Rocky and Colt are in black tuxedos and Ryland is in an all white suit that looks a bit plain on Ryland in his opinion. It definitely needs some tweaks to make it special but Ryland could honestly wear the most awful science pun shirts and Simon would think he was the most gorgeous man he has ever seen.

"What do you think?" Ryland awkwardly dos a spin that almost makes him trip over nothing and it makes Simon chuckle softly.

"I think it looks amazing." Simon half lies because yes, Ryland looks amazing in it but it feels like it's missing something. Simon feels his feet moving under him before he can think of what he is doing and he stops in front of Ryland and smooths out the lapels of his jacket and straightens his tie with a smile. "There." He softly says as he pulls his hands away like he had just been burned.

"Thank you." Ryland softly says to him and then asks "I feel like I need to add something to make it extra special you know? Make it feel more like me?" Simon takes a step back to look at Ryland up and down and Colt gets an idea.

"How about some gold embroidery?" Colt suggests. "Your classroom has a space theme, right?"

"It does." Ryland nods softly.

"Then what about some gold stars? You do tend to give them to your kids." Colt jokes and Simon chuckles at that.

"Wait that is a good idea." Ryland's eyes light up a little at the idea.

"I know, I have those sometime." Colt puffs out his chest and smirks and Ryland smacks his chest at that.

"Do you have a handkerchief picked out?" Rocky types out on his tablet.

"Not at the moment? I mean, Tom said he wanted it to be matching." Ryland shrugs.

"Makes sense." Simon tells him and Stratt come out from the back with some embroidery samples and Simon steps away so they can talk. He goes to his clipboard and is writing something and is doodling a bit. He normally does this when they're talking about additions to the suits. Simon sometimes likes to be surprised at seeing whatever the Groom or Brides do with the final results. It's like he gets to be surprised along with the family and friends. It makes him feel a part of the celebration for a moment even if he is spending the day running around making sure everything is fine and doesn't set itself on fire so the happy couple can enjoy their day of celebration. Simon enjoys being helpful.

He is in his own little world, doodling some maple seeds around his notes. Every so often, looking up at the sound of Ryland's laugh from across the room. Thinking about how easy it is for him to walk to the other side where he is and stay by his side forever if he allowed it. Simon would then gets back to writing and doodling, back into a world where he wasn't currently in a suit shop, watching the one he loves picking out a suit for a wedding where he wouldn't be standing across from him.

He feels a pen tap on his clipboard and he looks up to see Stratt there. "You could've just called my name, you know?" Simon huffs softly.

"Oh I had. You didn't listen." Stratt tells him as a matter of fact, placing her notebook beside his clipboard that is currently on the counter, Stratt on the other side.

"Oh. Sorry." Simon turns pink, embarrassed. He then notices Ryland, Colt and Rocky have disappeared. Before he can ask, Stratt answers.

"They're getting changed." She points to the changing rooms and Simon nods.

"Hey this is going to sound weird but I was wondering, could you maybe embroider something on Ryland's handkerchief for me?" Simon asks her and she gives him a look.

"Of course I can. You know I can." Stratt tells him as a matter of fact.

"I know but I want you to kind of keep it a secret from him? Please?" Simon whispers. Stratt nods and Simon whispers. "Thank you."

"So?" Stratt looks him in the eyes and Simon realises he's supposed to tell her what he wants her to embroider.

"Could you embroider a maple seed?" Simon whispers.

"A maple seed?" Stratt questions.

"Yes." Simon nods as he begins to explain. "As kids one summer, Colt was ill and so it was just me and Ryland hanging out and we found this massive maple tree and he told me about how if you throw the seeds, they dance in the air." Simon smiles as he thinks back to that moment. "It became our thing. Almost everyday we would sit under that tree and talk for hours and laugh. I would climb the tree because Ryland was scared of heights. I still remember the treehouse we built by the lake."

"You really care for him, don't you?" Stratt points out in a bit of a monotone voice and Simon nods.

"I do. He's my friend." Simon tells her. "So you have to keep this a secret, ok?" He almost begs her.

"I can do that." Stratt nods. "It might cost a little extra and might show up on his bill-" Stratt starts to explain.

"No! No. I'll pay for it on a seperate bill. Just- make sure to hide it when he comes to pick up his suit, ok?" Simon pleads a bit. Stratt sighs and nods before making a note of it on a different page so Ryland wouldn't see it.

Simon sees the three of them coming out of the changing rooms in the clothes they walked in wearing, suits draped over their arms and they hand them to Stratt who hangs them up on a rack for the orders. Simon can feel Ryland is beside him, arm slightly brushing against his and Simon covers his clipboard and says "was just discussing additions to add to my suit." He lies almost too effortlessly and he turns to Ryland who is rubbing the fabric swatches in the booklet that Stratt keeps on the counter to browse through.

Simon wishes he could take his eyes off of the way his fingers move the fabric between them but he can't.

"Yeah? What are you going to add?" Ryland asks. "I still think gold would look good."

Simon chuckles at that. "Oh really? Does that mean I have to wear matching accessories too?" Simon turns to him and tails his head, arm leaning against the counter. "I'd probably look like a really fancy pirate or some shit."

"Maybe a space pirate if you add some of these stars to the sleeves and shoulders?" Ryland points to the one with the embroidered and beaded stars with some subtle moons thrown in too. Besides, you remind me of the moon." Ryland smiles. "You'd be a moon pirate." He jokes.

"Oh? And what does a moon pirate do, hypothetically?" Simon chuckles softly, looking towards him like he is the only person in the room.

"Well, I think in this hypothetical situation, someone has found gold on the moon and is going to get rich off it but you, this moon pirate, sees the misery of the people in your town and decide to recruit them to be a part of your crew. You plan a heist to steal the gold to give it back to the people who want to stay and keep some for yourself." Ryland explains.

"So like Robin Hood then?" Simon chuckles and watches the realisation dawn on his face.

"Well shoot. Guess you're right." Ryland mumbles.

"If it helps, I'd look terrible in skin tight tights." Simon huffs a softly laugh.

"Oh I doubt that." Ryland jokes with a laugh. Simon blushes pink and is about to say something else when Rocky interrupts them.

"We must get going. The lunch spot is going to be full." Rocky playfully stomps his foot, causing Ryland to laugh.

"Ok ok!" Ryland laughs softly and then he gets an idea. "You want to join us Simon?"

Shit. Simon doesn't think he can handle being this close again to Ryland anymore today. He feels like he is going to burst. "I'm sorry but I have to decline your offer. I have another appointment I need to get to but hopefully I could grab lunch with you again soon?" Simon tells him sadly and he is sad at the fact because he is in two camps of wanting to spend as much time with Ryland as he can but he also needs to stay away from him in fear of just spilling out everything that is in the dam of his mind. He can see the cracks starting to form over the time he has managed to spend with him. He feels like he tries to get a step closer but then he has to remind himself that it's out of reach for a reason.

He feels like he is the coyote and Ryland is the roadrunner. Simon wants to chase him wherever and whenever he wants to go but he knows that he is going to get hurt somehow.

"You still on for wine night with Jodes? She keeps talking about it." Colt asks as he stretches.

"Of course I'll be there." Simon tells him as if he's stupid because Colt is. "Just get her to text me and we can see when our schedules finally align. I know she's busy being a famous director." He jokes.

"Oh always!" Colt puffs out his chest proudly. "Best damn director in the business!"

"And you're bias." Ryland rolls his eyes playfully. "But she is pretty great." He turns back to Simon. "You'll text me when you're free too?"

"Of course, Ry. I'll shoot you a text." Simon says softly with a smile. "But you better get going. Rocky kind of looks hangry." Simon jokes as the three of them look over at where Rocky is standing by the door, typing something into his tablet.

"Yes but also want to get there so I don't have to watch Colt and Ryland stuff food in their mouth. They're both disgusting when they eat." Rocky's robotic voice says.

"You do have a point there. I've been friends with these two for a long time and they both have disgusting eating habits." Simon jokes. He hears an offended noise from the twins and it makes him laugh.

"Hey! I'm a great eater actually!" Colt jokingly pouts and crosses his arms.

"Dude, I've seen you eat a bucket of bbq wings and you ended up with bbq sauce all over your mouth and hands. I seriously had to question Jody why she likes you again." Simon huffs, shaking his head. He hears Ryland laugh beside him and Simon turns to him and jokes "don't know why you're laughing. You almost ended up with milkshake down your front the other night."

"Hey! In my defence, I wasn't expecting you to laugh so loudly!" Ryland tries to defend himself, hands up in surrender.

"Yeah well, it was a stupid joke you told." Simon huffs softly. "You better get going before you both are dragged out by Rocky." Simon jokes and Colt slaps his back as he walks towards the door.

"You better text Jody, man! She's been annoyed at how busy you've been. Apparently, she has something important to talk to you about but wont spill it to me." Colt whines.

"Probably because you have a loud mouth and can't keep a secret to save your life?" Simon raises an eyebrow at him. Colt flips him off and Simon laughs as him and Rocky leave, leaving just him and Ryland in the store.

"I'll text you later? Maybe we could call if you're not too busy?" Ryland asks and Simon smiles a small smile at him.

"Of course. I'd love to call you." Simon tells him.

"Great! I'll probably be working on a lesson plan but I wouldn't mind the company." Ryland smiles. "Well, theoretically, of course."

Simon laughs softly. "Of course. I'll just be in your ear, telling you secrets." Simon jokes softly. He doesn't notice Ryland's cheeks turning pink at that. He does notice his arms slightly open and Simon thinks 'fuck it!' And hugs him. "You better race out of here. I have a feeling they might leave you behind."

"You're probably right. I'm gonna have to deal with two hungry, grumpy grown men." Ryland jokes and Simon remembers the empty thermos and hands it back to him. "Keep it! I'm honestly surprised you don't have one in the first place."

"Honestly, me either. This is a lifesaver." Simon admits. Simon watches as Ryland makes his way to the front door and opens it before turning to wave goodbye to Simon. Simon waves back and he watches him disappear. He can feel Stratt watching him and he sighs. "Please don't say anything."

"I wasn't going to, Mr Fischer." Stratt tells him matter of factly. "You know I'd have to tell Ava about this, right?"

Simon sighs. "She's not my keeper. I can do what I want." He tells her as he turns to face her, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I know but she cares about you." Stratt tells him. "Only god knows why but she does. In her own messed up way." Stratt is cleaning up the papers on the counter. "She's probably going to yell at you again."

"Yeah, I know. Feels like my sister scolding me. She'll probably tell me that not everyone gets to be loved." Simon shrugs his shoulders and he sniffles a bit. "Maybe she's right." He feels his heart ache at the thought of that. Maybe Simon didn't deserved to be loved. Destined to be alone forever. Like a lone seahorse, drifting out to sea with no mate to wrap his tail around. Simon knows he is a secret romantic but he hides that under his tough looking exterior half the time but those walls keep cracking the longer he spends time with Ryland. God he needs to get out of his head. "I'll email you the modifications I want to add to my suit as well as the handkerchief for Ryland." He doesn't wait for Stratt's respond as he leaves the shop, hoping to get out of his head and back into his work mode. Make everyone else's day special because he can't ever have that for himself.

Simon tries not to be jealous of the happy couples he has helped, putting that energy towards making sure everything is perfect but he can't help but feel that emotional tiredness he gets from it. Maybe it was a bad idea picking this career path when you have the yearning skills of a Regency man. He would be sat in his office, probably by candlelight, writing letters about how he yearns for Mr. Grace that if historians read them now, they'd probably interpret that as him yearning for a woman.

Damn historians. Not everyone in history is straight or even cis for that matter! Just look at Emperor Elagabalus! Simon found out it wasn't until recently that they realised she was a trans woman making her the first Roman empress. She would tell people she was a woman and had tried to get doctors to figure out gender affirming surgery!

Anyway, Simon is getting distracted. Which is a good thing but he should really concentrate on driving. He hums along to the radio and as he parks outside of his apartment building he sighs. Off to go upstairs alone. This is always the worst part of his day.

As soon as he steps across the threshold of his place, his phone pings and it's a message from Ryland.

Ryland:

Hi Simon. I'm sorry if I said something earlier to you when you were in your suit to make you uncomfortable. You kind of looked like you wanted to sink into the ground and I really hope I didn't put my foot in my mouth with that.

Of course he's checking in on Simon. God this isn't making it any easier!

Simon:

Hi Ry. No you didn't say anything to upset me! It just caught me off guard. I didn't think anyone would see me that way if I'm being truly honest here. I'm kind of that phrase 'always the bridesmaid, never the bride' but instead it's 'always the wedding planner, never the Groom' for me.

Simon sighs as he goes to change and his phone buzzes again.

Ryland:

I'm sure that's not true! I know you'll end up finding someone, Simon. You're a great guy.

But the only someone Simon wants, is him. Simon is a pathetic man and he knows it. His head hits the pillow and he looks up at the ceiling. He mumbles to himself "if only you knew. Smartest man alive and hasn't figured it out."

Simon knows for a fact that the bakery is going to be his weak spot. His sweet tooth is not so secret. Plus, Carl's cakes and pastries were the ones to die for. He was a wizard with those recipes he holds close to his chest. Simon has tried to secretly ask the man but all he got was a "no." Which made Simon whine because he could eat Carl's treats for the rest of his life and be the happiest man on earth.

That's why he knows it's the perfect place for Ryland to find a wedding cake. Or well, get one made. One thing about Carl's wedding cakes is that they always managed to look however the couple wants them to in the planning and designing meeting.

Simon asked Ryland if he had any plans before the meeting where he is currently in his car waiting for said man to come down from his apartment. Maybe Simon should jokingly yell at him to 'let down his hair' like he is Rapunzel and Simon is Flynn Ryder. "Are you coming down?" Simon asks him down the phone. Ryland had called him whilst Simon was driving to ask if Simon wanted any breakfast that he could make for them but Simon had offered to grab them something on the way.

"Yeah yeah I'm coming! About to leave the apartment now- shoot where are my keys?" He mumbles the last part and Simon chuckles softly. Simon can imagine Ryland running around his apartment like a headless chicken and it makes Simon chuckle, imagining Ryland as a chicken wearing a nerdy science shirt and glasses that technically a chicken can't wear as their eyes are on the sides of their heads.

Unless you made special glasses for them, Simon supposes but that they'd still look silly. Although if Ryland had somehow turned into a chicken, Simon would make those silly glasses so Ryland could see what he was doing. Maybe hold him under his arm safely whilst they figure out how to turn him back.

"You're a walking disaster. Have you checked your pocket?" Simon suggests as he rubs his face with his hand as he hears the jingle of keys and Ryland groaning softly. That makes Simon smile and he tries not to laugh.

"See, this is why I should always have you around Simon. You're like a grounding presence to my chaos." Ryland sighs as Simon hears him closing and locking the door. Simon's heart is running a mile a minute at the idea of Ryland wanting to keep him around.

"Goodness knows how I'm gonna survive living in Tom's place. That man has post it notes everywhere." Ryland huffs softly.

"Jesus. Does he not ever use a pen and a notebook? Although I guess a small amount of post it notes is manageable." Simon frowns as he thinks.

Plus if he was Tom, he'd leave little love notes on post its for Ryland. He can imagine Ryland finding them on the bathroom mirror as he gets ready for work and coming into the bedroom where Simon is still sleeping to come and kiss his face gently until Simon stirs awake. Simon would probably wrap his arm around his neck and pull him down back to bed and he'd then hear Ryland's protests saying he's going to be late for work.

Simon hears Ryland laugh at that and it pulls him out of his daydream. He feels his cheeks are hot and groans softly. God he needs to stop thinking like this.

"Oh no. I have a video of his apartment that I sent to Colt because it felt like I was walking into the aftermath of one of those YouTube prank videos my students love watching that I don't ever understand." Ryland sighs and Simon chuckles softly.

"So do they all have writing on them or are they all plain?" Simon asks curiously because he has to know. "If they're all plain then maybe someone did prank him and he's just too lazy to take them all down?" Simon suggests. He thinks about the aftermath of those videos. Do the pranksters help clean up or are they dickheads that leave the person who they pranked to clean it up?

"They all have writing on them. Sometimes it's literally passwords for things or random questions that pop up into his mind. I think I saw one that said buy more post its." Ryland laughs and Simon sees him walking out of the front door and he waves at Ryland who looks around and spots him. Ryland smiles and waves back, making his way to Simon's car. Ryland hangs up and gets into the passenger seat.

"I kind of don't believe you that they all had writing on them, you know?" Simon chuckles softly. Simon does and he doesn't but Ryland has always been a bit of a terrible liar in the past.

"Oh it's real! And I just need to find the proof!" Ryland puffs out his chest as pulls up the video on his phone after scrolling, almost shoving it into Simon's face.

Simon watches the video and he can hear Tom talking in the background about something he can't quite make out and the camera turns to Ryland's as he mouths 'oh my god, Colt!'

Simon chuckles. "Jesus fucking Christ you weren't kidding." He huffs softly and Ryland puts his phone back in his pocket and does his seatbelt. "Although I swear your dorm room in college looked the exact same with all your science notes." Simon chuckles.

"I told you I wasn't kidding!" Ryland jokes. "You never believe me." He teases. "Also, no, I wasn't that bad!"

"Oh you were! I remember stepping on some post it's on the floor getting into your room and being complained at." Simon argues lightly back. And I always believe you, Ry. Who do you think convinced Colt that we saw Bigfoot in the woods?" Simon jokes before mumbling "I still think it was just a really hairy guy." He knows kids imaginations run wild but it was fun trying to convince a sick Colt in bed that they saw Bigfoot that summer. Even if Colt thought the two of them were crazy and he was probably also half asleep as the two of them did wake him up when they burst into the room panting hard from running.

"You did but even then you were skeptical!" Ryland laughs. "You kept saying to me as we ran to my house to tell Colt 'I don't think it was big foot, Ry!' And I remember that you picked me up when I tripped in a tree root."

"Yes and you're lucky that I always kept bandages in my pockets because I know what you two are alike." Simon points out as he drives towards the bakery. "Both of you would get hurt so often. I rarely got hurt." Which is a lie but he also hid that from the twins. He didn't want to bother them with his issues. Besides, being with the both of them helped Simon just be a kid. Even if it was for an hour or so.

Simon remembers his mom bringing him to the pharmacy after he told her that he feels sad that whenever the twins got hurt and he couldn't do anything about it. His mom kissed him on his forehead and told him how sweet he was before they went.

It's one of Simon's favourite memories with his mom. They had fun picking out some bandages with patterns on them. Simon had picked out ones with a science pattern and one with flames and race cars. Colt had told him back as kids that he wanted to be one of those racers in fast cars. Ryland had always wanted to be a scientist so it made sense for him to buy those ones with his pocket money he got from doing chores.

From then on, he kept them in his almost broken backpack with some wipes and some snack bars that his mom had to help buy him as he ran out of money. She would tell him that it was important to clean the wound and that it might hurt but it helps. Simon also realised that sometimes chocolate would help too but that's from personal experience.

First time Ryland and Colt fell, Simon knew what to do. Hence why he got the nickname that summer 'Doctor Simon'. Simon would get pink cheeks whenever the twins would say thank you to him. He also remembers Colt asking if he was going camping when he brought his backpack for the first time since they became friends. Simon told him to fuck off in only a way a kid can when they don't have the vocabulary yet.

He just wanted to take care of his friends. That's all. Although Colt once jokingly asked him to kiss it better and Simon had told him again, to fuck off in a way a kid could. Which was to say "get someone else to do it. You're a grown up!"

He did it for Ryland though. It would make him stop crying and it was just a kid thing back then, it didn't mean anything when you were a kid. You'd watch your parents kiss your wounds and say it's magic and that they're taking away your pain. It always made Simon feel better, so obviously, a younger Simon watched his mom do that with him when he was in pain, crying and wanted to do the same for Ryland, it was only logical! Colt would usually walk it off and do a stupid thumbs up like he does now after he does a stunt.

Simon knows he shouldn't admit this but he keeps bandages with patterns on him still to this day. It not only reminds him of a simple time when they were kids but he does it for his mom, in honour of her.

"So, how did you sleep?" Ryland asks him as small talk. Simon can see that Ryland is flipping down the sun visor to use the mirror to check his hair. Not that he needs to because in Simon's opinion, it's always perfect no matter what he does.

Simon chuckles at that. "Not that great but I usually get no sleep when I have this busy ass schedule. Weddings upon weddings, I usually get my best sleep when its all over. Like fall into a coma for a few days." Simon jokes as he shrugs his shoulder slightly. "Besides, I secretly enjoy it." As much as Simon complains to Jody about the drama she loves it because she has told him in the past it is like Simon is in his own reality TV show. Simon is a little bit of a sucker for reality TV shows, just not when they're happening to him.

"I get like that during exam season for the kids. They're all stressed out and that makes me stressed out because I hate seeing them like that. I always do study sessions afterschool and they're open to anyone." Ryland replies and rubs his face slightly. "Plus you know how exams were back when we were that age."

"Yeah. You would get so stressed during those times you would barely come out and hang out with me and Colt. It felt like you had a lot of pressure on you." Simon says softly, looking at Ryland in the corner of his eye, quickly before looking back on the road. "I think you also just needed time to relax? Not stress the fuck out. I was worried that you would get to that exam and then tell me panicked that you don't remember anything." Simon tries to joke.

"Yeah. Even when I complained at you two for dragging me out to hang out and get some fresh air, it felt nice that you two did that for me." Ryland admits. "And I do my best work when I'm stressed." Ryland jokes and it makes Simon laugh softly.

"Anytime. Plus, you helped me study and we became study pals so I guess just think of it as a repayment. Also, you know that is a lie but whatever floats your boat."Simon teases at the last part before he huffs softly, gripping the wheel slightly. "I have to admit though, your way of organising notes has really helped me in my business." Simon laughs softly. The way he takes notes has really saved his ass on multiple occasions but he has also figured out his own way over the years. He still uses the chaoticness of Ryland's method at the very beginning of the planning process. Then his notes get way more neater.

"Oh?" Ryland chuckles. "Guess that's why I saw some doodles around your notes for the suits?"

Simon turns red at that. "You saw that?" Simon prays to whoever is above him that he didn't see the doodles of the maple seeds.

"Yeah. It reminded me of how I would get frustrated at you for doodling whilst I was explaining something to you but you told me that you were listening and repeated everything I said back to me." Ryland tells him softly. "But you would say after in your deadpan tone that you were listening and that you weren't dumb. Which for the record, I never thought you were dumb. You're incredibly smart." Ryland adds softly. "It's the reason why when I know a kid struggles with focusing on something and they doodle, I don't tell them off for it. I do occasionally ask them privately if they understood what I was talking about during my lecture."

Simon can't help but smile at that. He loves that a small part of him was kept by Ryland even after everything that has happened between them. He honestly thought Ryland would've shoved him into a drawer that you forgot about until you remember it whilst you're cleaning. Rifling through the old memories of whatever is in that drawer, mumbling to yourself how you remember where this or that came from or you're asking yourself where it came from because to a forgotten memory. "I'd honestly thought you would've wanted to forget me. You know, after everything." Simon mumbles a bit sadly, the happiness was instantly forgotten about like cold ice water had been dumped over his head.

"Are you kidding me? Simon, I couldn't forget you if I even tried to!" Ryland almost exclaims. "Even if you hypothetically sent me to space with none of my memories, which please don't do that, I'm not an astronaut! I put the not in astronaut-" Ryland rambles and Simon snorts a laugh as Ryland continues "I would still remember you." Ryland then whispers in almost a confession. "You're special to me Simon. In ways you probably don't even know."

"Oh?" Simon turns bright red at the whispered confession. Simon can feel his heart spinning like a spinning top, out of control on a table. He parks and turns to Ryland who is staring at him back. "You know, over the years, I've just missed having you to turn to. Like I couldn't go running to the one person I wanted to, to tell you good news or the bad news in my life." Simon mumbles softly as he looks down. "Felt weird for the longest time."

"I'm sorry-" Ryland starts and Simon shakes his head.

"You don't have to apologise, Ryland." Simon huffs softly. "It's in the past. Plus, I have you back in my life and it feels like no time has passed whatsoever." Simon tries to joke because its true. It does feel like no time has passed between them. Sure it was awkward at the beginning because Simon really didn't know if Ryland was going to forgive him or not but he is glad Ryland did. Simon does forgive Ryland for the things he said back to him during that argument as it was the heat of the moment.

"It does and I seriously wished I reached out sooner instead of a decade later." Ryland rubs his face, glasses rising up to his forehead. "You know how much time we've lost? We could've had this again if I weren't such a-"

"Stubborn asshole?" Simon jokes softly. Simon watches Ryland's eyes widen before he nods, smile creeping onto his face.

"I was going to say stubborn jerk but yeah, stubborn asshole works too." Ryland laughs softly.

Simon acts shocked, smacking a hand onto his cheeks like he is the kid from home alone. "Oh my god! The Ryland Grace swore around me!" He places a hand on his heart as he adds "I think I need to go lay down. How scary."

He feels Ryland smack his arm playfully and Simon laughs at that and jokingly says "How dare you beat a man who might be dying of a heart attack! I thought you were better than that, Dr Ryland Grace." He teases and Ryland laughs at him.

"You're being overdramatic!" Ryland teases. "It's not the end of the world that I just said asshole." Simon then gasps like he is an old lady in church, fanning herself after hearing someone say something diabolical. He's only doing this to tease Ryland because he loves watching his reaction.

"Oh my dear lord! He said it again!" Simon puts on a southern accent and rests his head on top of Ryland's shoulder as if he has fainted. He opens one eye to see Ryland roll his eyes like he is annoyed but he is smiling.

"You're just as bad as Colt." He jokes, shaking his head like a disappointed teacher, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose.

Simon lifts his head and replies "no, I'm better than him, actually." As he gets out of the car, Ryland following him, easily catching up with is longer legs.

"Oh? And how is that?" Ryland teasingly asks him, side bumping against Simon's as they walk towards the bakery.

"Well, for one, I'm taking you to one of the best wedding cake makers in my opinion. Plus, Carl's sweet treats are to die for. All Colt can do is jump off buildings and be set on fire." Simon jokes to Ryland with a smirk as he opens the door for Ryland to enter. They're both hit with the delicious smell of baked goods and Simon swears he can feel himself drooling. It's busy inside, people chatting and lined up, kids squealing as they press their faces into the glass counter to get a look at the cupcakes and decorated cakes. Simon is almost envious of them because right now, he'd do the same thing if he could and he wasn't a grown ass man.

He makes a mental note to buy something for himself and Ryland to enjoy later but that's only after all the taste testing they get to do with all the different cake flavours. It's making Simon feel giddy and excited. He knows he shouldn't as it's really just a cake testing and he shouldn't be the one tasting the cakes along with Ryland. It's normally just for the couples but he has a feeling Ryland is going to drag him into the tasting and honestly? Simon will happily join him. He can never resists Carl's cakes for not so long.

"You are right about that because you'd never do anything so stupid." Ryland tells him with a sarcastic tone before he snorts as they walk towards the counter. "Minus that summer you fell out of a tree and broke your left arm."

"Yeah. My mom was not happy about that." Simon remembers that day like it was yesterday. His mother had a terrified look on her face when she saw Simon holding his left broken arm against his chest, crying with Ryland holding him close and telling him that its gonna be ok and Colt being the one to explain what happened. "but she was also worried. You would be too if you had three kids on your doorstep explaining that one of them might of broken their arm" Simon tells him softly and Ryland nods softly. "Plus, other than her, you were the one of the only people to sign my cast."

"Yeah but that's because you didn't trust Colt not to draw a penis on it. He pouted for the longest time about it!" Ryland laughs softly. "I mean, I wouldn't have trusted him either. It is something that he would do."

Simon chuckles at that and they lean on the counter, waiting for a worker who is free. Simon looks around at the freshly baked bread lining the walls, he sighs as he looks at them longingly. He loves buying a sourdough loaf from here when its close to winter so he can have it with some soup he had just made. It keeps the chill away and warms his heart. Simon then turns to Ryland to tell him "Another thing is that I enjoyed having your badly drawn solar system on my arm." Simon gently elbows him and bit playfully and he hears Ryland gasp offendedly.

"I'll have you know, I'm a wonderful artist!" Ryland replies. "I made the solar system in my classroom, painted them by hand." He chuckles and Simon smiles as he turns to him.

"Yeah? Got a photo so I can judge your art skills?" Simon tilts his head and Ryland pulls out his phone.

"What are you? An art critic now?" Ryland jokes until he finds the photo he took of his classroom set up and shows Simon.

"I am a man of many talents I'll have you know." Simon laughs softly before staring down at the photo on Ryland's phone. "Huh. Not bad." Simon smiles as he looks at the photo. "Also your classroom is exactly how I pictured it to look." Simon chuckles as he sees a periodic table poster n the background with some lab safety rules posters and a spot that's empty where Simon guesses Ryland has for his student's work.

"See? Not a bad artist at all!" Ryland smiles at him as he puffs out his chest in pride. Simon laughs softly and soon a worker comes over to them and smiles.

"How can I help you gentleman?" The woman is covered in flour with the name tag, Nicky, asks them. She has a wide smile like this is her everyday life and she wouldn't change it for the world.

"Hey, we're here for a wedding cake meeting with Carl?" Simon tells her as she looks down at the clipboard that's on top of the counter at the schedule. "It's for Ryland Grace?" Simon doesn't know whether he should say Tom Ryder's name in case it causes people to surround them to ask Ryland questions about his famous fiancé. Although, Simon is surprised Ryland hasn't been given his own security guard in that case.

"Ah! Yes! He's still in a meeting but won't be five minutes." She apologises softly. "The couple and their wedding planner are very thorough." Ah, Simon wonders if it's one of his employees. Probably, he did once tell them to make sure it is what the couple wants and no one else is influencing the choices.

"It's fine. We can wait." Ryland smiles at her back.

"I just have to tell you two but you two are such a cute couple!” A new employee, Char, Simon reads their name tag, comes over and smiles at them with her bright smile. Simon knows she means well but it’s making him feel warm all over his body like he’s been shoved into one of the massive industrial ovens Carl owns.

"Oh! Thank you! But I think Simon is the cuter one out of the two of us.” Ryland tells them with his cheeks pink and Simon is stood there in shock. Simon feels Ryland's hand on his forearm as he leans closer to Simon.

"He is. You got lucky." Nicky adds to the conversation, smiling at Simon who is speechless. The words feel like they've died on his tongue. It feels like these employees are just messing with Simon but he tries to think of an argument but his brain is running a mile a minute, chanting the fact that Ryland called him cute and that someone thought they were a couple.

Before Simon could get the courage to say anything, him and Ryland are called back to where Carl is waiting for them. That felt like the fastest 5 minutes in the world for Simon and he feels so grateful. They make their way towards the back, where Carl is waving goodbye to the previous couple and their wedding planner. Simon recognises them as one of his employees who sees him and gives him a little nod of their head which Simon manages to nod back at them.

"Ah! Simon! Good to see you man." Carl smiles as they approach. Simon stands up straight like he has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He feels Ryland's hand remove itself from his forearm and he feels like it's on fire where he was touching him. Simon almost wants to place his prosthetic hand on top of where Ryland was holding him to try and cool his skin down.

"Hey Carl. This is Ryland. He is one of the grooms. Tom can't be there because he is filming." Simon manages to get out. He doesn't know how he's even acting this well even with his mind back at that counter. He feels as if he's running on autopilot, if the plane was on fire and he had to land it safely.

"Nice to meet you! Simon has told me all about your baked goods. I might have to get some for myself after this." Ryland chuckles. "It smells divine in here."

"Thank you, I appreciate that." Carl smiles at him. "Follow me to the back and we can get started!" Carl starts to lead them into the back.

"Did you mean to say that?” Simon whispers as they follow Carl into the back where they bake everything with employees running around to make sure they have everything decorated before they go out. Simon sounds like a nervous kid and he hates it. He can imagine his teen self asking Ryland that question. That's how he sounded when he was in front of the mirror senior year practicing how he was going to ask him to prom before he had to recruit Colt's help but even then Simon was too scared to ask.

“I’m sorry. It’s just easier for me to say that. When people hear I’m marrying the Tom Ryder I always get an 'oh my god lucky you!' Or an 'oh you poor bastard'. Or 'I’m so jealous! He seems like an amazing guy!' And it kind of makes me sick to my stomach.” Ryland sighs. “Plus then I have to deal with people posting about it online. I'm sorry if it made you uncomfortable?"

Simon shakes his head. "Didn't make me uncomfortable at all. Besides, you have a good reason too. Dating a celebrity is not easy." Simon lies as he shrugs it off but he feels his heart breaking a little. Of course it’s easier for Ryland to lie and say he’s marrying Simon. Simon is conveniently here with him, about to walk into the wedding cake appointment like they are a happy couple.

Simon feels like he wants to shrink in on himself like he used to do as a kid when someone would say horrible things to him when Colt and Ryland weren't around. He never told the two of them but he somehow managed to hide it from them.

Carl smiles as he brings them to the table that he has for meetings to discuss designs. Simon sits beside Ryland, arm brushing against his and he realises how close the chairs are because of the previous couple and he shuffles it over a bit so he isn't in Ryland's space. Carl places the binder of some examples of the cake designs to Ryland with a smile. "I'm guessing Tom couldn't join us today?" He asks Ryland.

"No. He has some last minute filming but he will hopefully be back for the wedding." Ryland tells him and Simon almost wants to say that he kind of hopes Tom doesn't because then he will bring Gail along and he already has had to deal with so any emails of her asking him to keep her updated and suggesting changes to secretly make behind both Ryland's and kind of Tom's back.

Luckily, Simon knows how to deal with people like that but still, it feels this is like tenfold of what he is used to and he is close to snapping. Simon has to be honest that he kind of zoned out on Ryland telling Carl what the cake is going to look like but zones back in time to hear the words "trying different favours" and he shakes his head to clear his thoughts.

Carl gets up to go grab the different samples and Ryland turns to him. "Are you ok? You kind of zoned out there?"

"Hm? Oh yeah, I'm ok. It's not my appointment, remember?" Simon shrugs softly as he leans back in his chair a bit.

"You're still gonna try the cake flavours with me, right? Would be a bit awkward being the only one eating." Ryland awkwardly chuckles.

"Oh no, you're probably have to fight me to each flavour he brings out." Simon jokes, feeling that easiness again from before he got into his head.

"Well, luckily for me, I have trained for this my whole life having to fight Colt for the last piece of food" Ryland chuckles softly with a determined look on his face.

"Oh you're so on!" Simon smirks. "Just you wait! No playing dirty, Ryland. Don't think I forgot about the last time you tried to steal the last pancake the morning of our sleepover. You almost stabbed my hand with a fork!" Simon laughs.

"I said I was sorry!" Ryland whines at that like he is still mortified at the memory. "I still feel so bad to this day."

"I'm not surprised! I remember both you and Colt deciding to make a rule where if you had a guest over, you're giving the extra to them because of me." Simon huffs a laugh and Carl comes back with a tray of different slices of cake flavours with different icings. Simon's eyes light up and he sees Ryland's do the same, causing Carl to chuckle at the two men.

"This is the plain vanilla with just vanilla buttercream. This will obviously be under the fondant." Carl points out as he places the plate with the slice on in front of them and handed them two forks. The two of them take a bite of the cake and Simon sees Ryland's eyes light up.

"Oh my god this is amazing!" Ryland exclaims after swallowing the bite. "No wonder Simon said this was the best place."

"Dude, you haven't even tried the other flavours yet!" Simon laughs at him softly. "My personal favourite is the chocolate fudge cake."

"You had me at chocolate fudge!" Ryland happily and excitedly replies. Carl laughs at the two of them.

"I don't think I've ever seen Simon so smiley before." Carl jokes which makes Simon turn red. Simon once again, wants to sink into the floor.

"I'm always smiley." Simon mumbles and Ryland chuckles at that because he knows Simon is lying. Simon doesn't mean to always look grumpy really.

"He has a point, Simon. You do tend to have a resting grumpy face." Ryland chuckles before leaning over to pinch his cheek playfully "it's cute though. It's like you're always pouting."

Simon blushes more at bats his hand away playfully. "I do not pout! I've never pouted before in my life." Simon eats a bit of the chocolate fudge cake and he melts a bit. "Jesus fuck I could eat this cake for the rest of my life." He kind of melts into the seat. Ryland chuckling beside him before taking some for himself.

"Oh shit you're right-" Ryland gets out and he goes to get another bite. "But you do pout, Simon. I saw you once pout because I told you something was a bad idea as a kid and you pulled a face."

"I do not pull faces." Simon grumbles before taking some icing from the vanilla cake they've tried, onto Grace's cheek. "You on the other hand, pout when something doesn't go your way."

"Hey!" Ryland wipes his cheek and scoffs. "You're so childish."

"And you don't know when to have fun." Simon jokes as he continues to try the different flavours with Ryland.

"I do know how to have fun." Ryland huffs as he smudges frosting onto Simon's face.

"Oh I'm gonna get you for that-" Simon jokes as they both start smudging frosting and cake on each others faces like they're little kids, running around the room, completely forgetting Carl is in the room with them.

Simon manages to throw some cake at Ryland's back, hitting his shirt. "You jerk! This is going to take me ages to get this out!" Ryland whines as Simon laughs before he is hit square in the face with some cake. Some landed in his mouth and he happily eats it and hums. "That is good cake."

"You're so god damn gross." Ryland laughs and Simon smirks as he starts coming towards him, still covered in cake.

"I'm not that gross. Come here and give me a hug, Ryland." Simon answers and Ryland steps back.

"No because you're just going to smudge some cake all over my face-" Ryland tells him, hands up in surrender.

"What? You don't trust me at all?!" Simon asks as he sees Ryland turn his back and going to run away but Simon wraps his arms around him easily and he hears Ryland yelp.

"No!" Ryland yells as Simon laughs, rubbing his cake covered face all over Ryland. "Don't-"

Simon squeezes his middle and continues to rub the frosting and cake from his face onto Ryland's as he chuckles. "See? You need to know when to have fun."

Ryland starts to laugh at that and says "We're definitely gonna need a shower after this." Simon turns pink and laughs.

"Who's we? I'm now perfectly clean!" Simon continues to laugh until his face is hit with some flour this time and Ryland is giggling again.

He manages to get out of Simon's grip and snorts a laugh. "Yeah you're definitely going to need a shower." Simon has flour all over his face and hair now. He looks like a mime with some grey streaks in his hair.

"Oh so you're playing dirty now? Come here asshole!" Simon grabs a handle of flour and Ryland yelps again and Simon catches a glimpse of Carl's disappointed face and he wants to stop but not until he gets Ryland back. He knows that sounds childish but this is the most fun he has had in a long ass time.

Simon manages to grab him again, arm wrapped around his waist tighter this time as Ryland yelps once again and whining slightly "please have mercy!" And Simon smirks at that as he dumps it onto Ryland's head and they hear the door open.

"What is going on here?!"

They look over and see Colt standing there with an employee looking nervously over at Carl who just nods at them softly. Simon lets go of Ryland as they almost jump apart from each other, looking guilty at being caught.

"What are you doing here, Colt?" Ryland says in a pitch of voice that is higher than it usually is.

"Well, when you said you were going cake tasting today I thought I'd surprise you but it looks as if it turned into a food fight." Colt crosses his arms and stares at hem. Simon can feel his eyes on him mostly.

"Uh, Carl I apologise for making a mess. I'll help clean it up." Simon turns to Carl. "Maybe you could help Ryland get cleaned up? He's gotten the worst of it."

"Of course. And honestly, I've had people throw cake in anger so this is a bit better." Carl pauses before saying "still bad though." He jokes to try and lighten the mood as if he can sense the tension. "Follow me, Ryland."

"Are you sure? I can help clean up-" Ryland offers politely.

"No. You go clean yourself up, Ry." Simon tells him as he stares back at Colt. He knows what Colt is going to say as soon as they leave the room and it makes the anger well up in his chest. Ryland looks back and forth between the two of them like they're two angry animals about to fight with claws and teeth. Ryland ends up following Carl out of the room with the employee following behind as if they also can sense what's coming.

They stare at each other before Simon finally says "Don't."

"Don't what? Point out what the fuck I just walked in on you two doing?" Colt whisper shouts as Simon goes to grab a dustpan and brush to clean up the little pile of flour that's made a little mountain on the floor like it is snow. Simon grips the broom handle as he turns to face Colt again.

"We were just messing around. It's no big deal." Simon tells him through his teeth.

"Oh well that just explains everything doesn't it? They way you were all holding my brother's waist close to you whilst you dump flour on him just messing around was just that? Or cake by the looks of it? I know when you're lying Simon. We've been friends for fucking years. Since we were kids." Colt asks him.

"It started with cake. Not that it's any of your business because we did it as just friends." Simon tells him again. Maybe if Simon keeps telling him over and over again, Colt will eventually believe him and get off his back.

He starts to sweep the flour that isn't in the pile closer as they were chasing each other around the room. "Not that it's any business to you what your brother does." Simon adds as he shrugs his shoulders. Colt shouldn't be sticking his nose into this.

"Yes it is when he is supposed to be getting married." Colt points out a bit angry. "I knew it. I knew this would happen." Colt mumbles mostly to himself as he shakes his head, rubbing his face with his hands.

"To a guy that you don't even fucking like!" Simon almost growls. "You've seen how miserable he looks with him. I see it first hand so why are you acting like I'm doing something wrong?" Simon knows he is doing something wrong because his heart just feels all over the place whilst his head is trying to be logical. He has to listen to his head for once even if his heart wants something different. "And what do you mean that you knew this would happen?!" Simon steps towards him.

"Because I'm trying to protect the both of you idiots!" Colt yells frustratedly. "I love my brother to pieces but you are an idiot who has been hurt more times then I can fucking count! You tell me that you're over him but you're a fucking liar."

Colt jabs his finger into Simon's shoulder. "And I knew that even when you told me that you were over him truly that you lied. The way you looked at him at that engagement party was the start of the cracks beginning to form in that lie!" Colt adds. "The way you looked at him at the suit fitting was another crack forming too. I know you didn't want to talk about it then but I'm telling you now, this is going to blow up in your face!"

"I'm telling the truth, Colt! I'm done! Over it! What you caught us doing was just a friendly thing-" Simon starts to argue. "And those times before, I was just happy to see my friend after a decade. Am I not allowed to be happy? It feels like you just want me miserable so you can be the happy one with the wife, and the successful career as a stunt man."

"Fuck you man! I'm trying to help you!" Colt tells him. "Fucking dipshit! I know Ryland is my brother but I see you as that too and I don't want you hurt."

"We are just friends, Colt. Me and Ryland are just friends and you are just my friend." Simon can feel tears threatening to fall and he hates himself for it. He shouldn't be angry to the point of tears at Colt confronting him about his feelings for Ryland.

"Would you do what you did to him to me?" Colt glares at him. "Huh? Would you hold me that close like I'm your love interest in a fucking romcom movie?" Colt jabs his shoulder and Simon smacks his hand away.

"What? No. You're my friend. I'd just throw it at you." Simon scoffs as he turns away from Colt to finish cleaning the flour from the floor up and into the dustpan to dump into the trash. "And I'm not in one of those fucking romcoms! This is fucking real life, Colt!"

"So then why do it to Ryland? You're holding him how I hold Jody." Colt points out. "If you are just friends like you said, why did it look like you two were so close to kissing each other? Did you forget that Carl was in the room?"

Simon has nothing to say to that because what can he say? He almost didn't realise how close Ryland was. He should've because he could feel his hot breath against his cheek. Was it because he was too in the moment of having Ryland close to him that he didn't realise? He should've when he had Ryland's soft giggles in his ear or when he turned his face to look at Simon, how their noses slightly touched. Fuck Simon thinks he is going to throw up.

Even if Ryland doesn't look happy when he talks or even interacts with Tom, Simon isn't going to be a homewrecker because of it. He feels bad for leaving the appointment early but if Ryland walks in here and sees the two of them fighting, they're gonna have to explain themselves and Ryland will not take "it's nothing" for an answer.

"Can you take him home?" Simon mumbles softly. His head and heart feel like they're spinning and he can't get them out of control. Simon groans softly as he shakes his head. He feels as if his ears are ringing and all he wants to do is go home and shower before ordering takeout. Maybe get drunk but he has appointments for the rest of the evening. Although he supposes he could get his employees to cover for him?

"I- yes I can. Is everything alright?" Colt asks as he takes a step closer. It feels like the anger has washed off of Colt now as he stares at Simon in that moment.

"I'm fine. Just- tell Carl to email me later on. I've got to go." Simon turns to leave. "I just- I need some time alone right now."

"No. I know you're mad just talk to me, for fuck sake-" Colt yells after him.

Simon keeps walking after he makes sure he has everything and he isn't watching where he's going and he bumps into someone. "Sorry-"

"Simon? What's going on? Are you ok?" He hears Ryland asking him worried.

"I'm fine. Uh, Colt's gonna take you home. I don't feel too good." Simon apologises, too terrified to look Ryland in the eyes as he moves around him to leave out the front door, still covered in flour and cake.

"Simon wait-" Ryland calls after him but Simon doesn't stop. He just gets into his car and just is on autopilot as he drives back to his apartment. Simon's phone is buzzing in the passenger seat but he ignores it.

He stops at a red light and just slams his hand against the wheel. "Fuck!" He yells before he gently pats the staring wheel and whispers "Sorry." He manages to race home whilst still in the legal limit and once inside, he just yells.

"Fuck!" Simon ends up sliding down his front door until he is sat on the floor, head in his hand. He can feel dried cake and flour on the palm of his hand from his face although the flour is now becoming wet as his frustrated tears fall down his cheeks. Simon hates crying but he feels like he needs to cry.

Simon grunts softly. "Fucking stupid." He mumbles as he gets up and goes to take a shower. He doesn't want to think or talk to anyone but he sends out a message to his second in charge about how he isn't feeling so good so he is hoping they have everything covered to which he gets a message back saying they do and that they hope he feels better and Simon hasn't ever felt more relieved.

Simon takes off his clothes that are covered in cake and flour and he huffs softly. Luckily they can be cleaned easily but on the other hand, Simon gets flashes of what happened before and he grunts, throwing the clothes into the hamper. He grabs some comfier clothes for after his shower and a towel before getting in under the warm spray.

Simon stands there for a long time just staring at the tiles opposite him. Thinking about what Colt said to him. Thinking about what he did with Ryland, holding him close like he had the right to when he doesn't. He won't ever get the right too. It's all too much for him. He feels like he is close to falling apart as if he has found a loose thread on a sweater that if he keeps pulling at it, everything will unravel.

Simon looks down at his forearm where Ryland had gently touched it earlier as if a hand mark the size of Ryland's would appear, forever marked by the one he can't have as one final act of- what would it even be called? Love? No. Ryland only pretended to say that Simon was his fiancé instead of Tom because it was convenient.

Friendship? Simon does fear that after all this is over, Ryland will throw him away like a dirty rag you can never get clean again no matter how hard you try.

Maybe Colt was right. He shouldn't lie to himself and he more specifically shouldn't lie to anyone else. Simon washes himself clean and groans softly. His stub is really hurting today, more so after arguing with Colt and leaving Ryland stranded. Maybe it was punishment for letting himself do what he did earlier.

Simon can't even tell how long he was in the shower for but he stays in there until the water grows ice cold but even then he stands there just staring at the tiles, starting to feel frozen because of the water.

He eventually hops out of the shower and dries himself off before getting changed and massaging his stump with some lotion whilst sat on top of the toilet cover. He doesn't want to leave the bathroom because if he does, it will just remind him that he's alone in this apartment. His bathroom is like a little sanctuary where all the problems he had today are out there past the locked door. It wouldn't be weird to hide in there for an hour?

Bang!

Ok maybe not as he hears some banging noise coming from the kitchen. Great. As if Simon's day couldn't get any fucking worse. He quietly opens the door to the kitchen and he hears shuffling and he tries to see who it is subtly from around the corner be he can't. Simon feels his heart pounding a mile a minute as he sneaks towards the table he keeps in the hallway. He has never been so fucking happy he kept it there with an empty vase he usually puts flowers in. Simon makes a mental note to get some more flowers. He was meant to but he hasn't had the opportunity to just breathe and take a moment.

Maybe that's why he feels close to cracking and breaking? But then again, Simon's mind has been occupied to not even think about the issue of his feelings really towards Ryland so he sees it as a plus.

Simon grabs it and he is holding it above his shoulder with his one hand. God he wishes he had both right about now. Maybe he should've put on his prosthetic? Simon peaks around the corner quickly and sees a figure and he is trying to sike himself up to turn the corner. When he does, he almost screams to scare off the intruder, trying to make himself bigger like he's trying to scare of a bear but then he sees it's just Jody standing in his kitchen.

Which, after sighing in relief at seeing Jody, they both scream at each other like they're both in a horror movie.

Simon still has the vase in his hand. "Fucking Christ Jody! I thought you was an intruder! I almost smashed your head in!" Simon is panting hard. Colt would never forgive him if he did that to Jody. He'd be next. He's never been so fucking scared in his life.

"Fucking hell Simon!" She holds a hand to her chest, blender in her other like she was going to use it as a weapon. "If you'd gotten any closer I would've flipped you onto your back!"

"It's my apartment! Speaking of, how the fuck did you get in and why are you here?" He is huffing and taking deep breaths. "Also, were you seriously going to throw a blender of margarita mix at me?!"

"One, yes I know it's your apartment! I heard you in the shower. Two, you left your front door unlocked but you also gave us a key for emergencies, remember?" Jody raises her eyebrow at him. "And thirdly, I wouldn't waste perfectly good spicy margarita mix on a potential intruder! I've just gotten in perfect!" She grumbles softly as she rolls her eyes.

"Shit I forgot about that." Simon mumbles as he still has the vase in his hand like a lifeline. "Also, rude that you wouldn't even try to defend my apartment if an intruder came in." He huffs. "Also, isn't it too early to be drinking?" He says a bit contradictory as he was planning on getting drunk at three in the afternoon.

"Oh I would. Who do you think taught me how to throw someone over their shoulder? The joys of having a stuntman as a husband." Jody jokes to which Simon huffs a laugh at that. "And to answer your second question, it's five O'clock somewhere. Gotta start early!"

Simon huffs a soft laugh at that, shaking his head at her. "Still doesn't answer why you're here?" Simon questions her.

"I know what happened earlier." Jody tells him whilst staring at him with a look that looks gentle but there's a hint of something else. Simon drops the vase and it smashes by his feet. He should've realised that Colt would've told Jody but then again, Jody has her ways of finding out secrets.

Simon doesn't even flinch at the sound as he hears ringing in his ears. This is it. Jody is going to yell at him for how he yelled at Colt and then she's going to tell Ryland and- Simon can't breathe. He feels as if he is drowning in the blood that is flowing through his ears. It's thick and heavy and he can't keep his head above it for long. His hand shakes and he manages to say "I-I'm sorry I didn't mean to-"

He doesn't hear what Jody says but he goes to kneel down to help clean it up, knowing he's gonna struggle to get back up with one hand. He feels Jody's hands gently on him, keeping him up and she brings him to the couch and kneels in front of him and guiding him through a breathing exercise. Simon looks over at where he was standing and sees that Jody must've quickly cleaned up the shards of the vase. Now he feels doubly bad.

Once Simon has calmed his breathing, he looks up at where Jody is sat in front of him on his coffee table and he mumbles "I'm sorry."

"You didn't do anything wrong, Simon. It was an accident." She tells him and Simon hunches in on himself. "Now, tell me what happened? I want to know your side of things." Jody strokes along his knuckles softly. "But first, a drink because you look like you fucking need one." She pats his thigh and gets up to go back to the kitchen to grab everything.

Simon laughs at that with a huff, rubbing his face as he says "honestly my plan was to order take out and get drunk. I've kind of already told the people at my office to take over my meetings. It'll be nice to have the company." Simon wipes his eyes with his hand as Jody comes back with a blender of spicy margarita mix for herself and a bottle of Simon's favourite wine and a glass for him. "Wow you really splurged on me." Then he pauses. "This is a bribe isn't it? To get me to talk, isn't it?"

"What? No. I thought you could use a pick me up. All I know is from Colt's side of things so tell me." Jody softly asks him as Simon opens up the bottle of wine for himself, pours himself a glass and clinks it with Jody's glass and almost downs it. He hears her chuckling at him. "Guess this is one of those nights?"

"Absolutely it is." The one thing Simon enjoys about his and Jody's nights together is that they gossip like there is no tomorrow. It's like therapy if you could get drunk with your therapist. Simon grunts as he pours himself another glass. "Here." He tosses her his phone and says "order anything. It's on me. Although I'm fancying a massive fucking cheese pizza."

"Oooo yes that sounds so fucking good right now!" Jody types it into the delivery app and they end up ordering a massive cheese pizza to share with some wings and some mozzarella sticks.

As they wait for it to arrive, Simon starts to slowly talk. He explains it from everything that happened after the engagement party and Jody adds some commentary to what she thinks and it just feels so nice to finally get it off his chest with someone he trusts.

"I just- I don't know what's wrong with me, Jodes. It's like- my head knows it's wrong but my heart just wants me to not listen." Simon sighs, he already feels half drunk. How much fucking wine has he had already? "Like no matter what I do to get rid of these feelings for Ryland it doesn't work." He rests his head on her shoulder and he feels her hand stroking his side comfortingly.

"Why does Ryland Grace have to be so fucking likeable?! I know you're his sister in law but get him in line!" Simon groans as he pouts because it's true. Simon can't help but think about his smile and his eyes. Simon sometimes wish he could hate him but then Ryland stares at him like Simon means something to him and he's drawn in again.

Jody laughs at him softly before telling him "I'm sorry, sweetheart." Jody starts to say when the doorbell goes. Simon huffs softly and Jody laughs softly. "It's just the pizza. How dare they interrupt our fun?!" She huffs and Simon gets up and goes to the door to grab the pizza and gives them a tip before shutting the door in the guys face and he knows he should feel bad but he's just grumpy and miserable and the only person he can feel like he can interact with without snapping is Jody at the moment. Even if he was ambushed by her.

Simon must've not realised how hungry he was because he digs into the pizza and wings like he is a starved man, Jody laughing at him as she joins in. "As I was going to say before I was so rudely interrupted." Jody huffs and Simon laughs softly. "I think you need to write down in a letter to Ryland how you feel and give it to him after the wedding."

"Jody, I can't." Simon tells her as he pours himself another glass of wine, bottle almost empty now.

"What do you mean you can't? It's easy!" Jody goes and grabs a notebook and pen and comes back and hands them to him.

"Jody, I'm not gonna write a letter confessing my feelings to a man who's going to get married whilst I'm fucking drunk." Simon puts the notebook and pen in the coffee table. "It's as bad as me sending him a drunk text." He sighs. He does pick up his phone and sees a bunch of missed calls from Ryland and some messages too. He feels fucking awful. "Shit I've made him worry." He mumbles. "I should probably text him- hey!"

Jody steals his phone off of him. "Nope! You're not sending him a drunk text. Trust me! I'm doing this for your own good!" He tries to reach for it.

"Come on! You're going to steal a phone from a one armed man?!" Simon partly jokes.

"I'm saving himself from himself. Besides, I told Colt to take him out for the evening." Jody grumbles softly. "So, write that man a letter like you're a wife waiting for your husband to come back from war! Or a poet man from the regency period, yearning for another."

"A poet man? God you're really fucking drunk." Simon grumbles as he rubs his face with his hand. "Even if I wanted to, what the fuck would I even say?"

"You could start by saying that you're in love with him?" Jody offers.

"Oh yeah? And how is that going to go? He reads it with Tom Ryder and laugh over how pathetic I am?" Simon grumbles. "Knowing Tom, he will probably blast it all over the internet. Then I'd loose all my clients and the reputation I have would go down the drain."

"Then when you hand it to Ryland, tell him to read it when he's alone." Jody again, helpfully offers as a solution. "Plus, Ryland would never let Tom do that. Tom Ryder maybe Tom Ryder but Ryland knows how to keep him in line somehow." Jody giggles. "He's like a miracle worker!"

"Well, as kids he did managed to keep Colt from killing himself whilst trying to jump off the roof and into a tree because he wanted to recreate that George of the Jungle scene where he slams into the tree because he thought that it looked like it wouldn't hurt."

Jody sighs. "Of course he did." She places her head into her hand and shakes it softly. "But that's my husband for you."

"Yeah." Simon says softly before frowning. "I want to apologise. For everything you both have had to deal with. Keeping me and Ryland apart from each other."

"Simon, listen to me." She places her glass down and takes his hand in hers. "You don't have to apologise. You put that boundary in place to keep the two of you seperate."

"Yeah and now look at it. I'm close to letting all my feelings out whenever I look at him." Simon sighs as he looks down. "I was stupid enough to actually think I was over him." He huffs. "But now he's marrying someone else who's a manchild and I'm the one planning the fucking thing……I shouldn't of taken this job." He sniffles softly.

"Maybe this is what you needed though?" She gently tells him. "Maybe seeing that Ryland has moved on will make you finally let him go? You know what they say, if you love them, let them go."

Simon sniffles softly. "Maybe I should write that letter. Maybe when I'm not drunk off my mind." He chuckles.

"Good plan. Now, let's watch some cheesy romcoms so we can laugh at how stupid the characters are." Jody grabs the remote and Simon groans.

"As if my life isn't one of these stupid movies already. Just minus the fact that the love interest in my story is nowhere near feeling the same way I feel." Simon sits with his back against the back of the couch, head thrown over the back, staring at the ceiling.

"I like to think I make an excellent best friend in the romcom of your life right now." Jody laughs.

"Hm, no I think that would be Ava. The bitchy woman who is telling me that what I'm doing is stupid and how it's all gonna blow up in my face." Simon grumbles. "I need more of the supportive friend trope in my life."

"Well, you have me babe." Jody pats her hand against his chest.

"I think the song is I've got you, babe?" Simon jokes with a smile.

"Aw, you do? That's so sweet of you!" And she playfully presses a kiss to his cheek, causing Simon to laugh.

“Gross." Simon jokes. "How dare you use me because your smelly husband isn't here."

"And what if I want to platonically and kiss my brother from another mother?" She laughs as she scrolls through the streaming service to read each description out to Simon. "How about this one? It's about two guys meeting at a bachelor party and they accidentally marry in vegas?"

"Nah. That one sounds strange." Simon scrunches his nose up a little. "And wouldn't they just get an annulment or something? Like who would just agree to marry a complete stranger?" Simon points out.

“No you have a point or maybe they just started talking and became friends?” Jody offers.

“You’re seriously debating this? And you make movies for a living?” Simon jokes as he tilts his head at her.

Jody ignores that comment and says “hey! What about this one? A guy secretly starts dating their brother’s best friend?” Jody points. “I mean, I feel like if that was your life you’d probably want to tell the world you were dating-“

“Please don’t say his name anymore times tonight. Or I’ll end up wrestling you for my phone and I’ll do something sober me will regret.” Simon groans.

“Oh I won’t let you. I promise you that much. I can easily pin you down.” Jody jokes as she drinks some of her spicy margarita.

“Oh how kinky of you. Bet you love doing that to Colt.” Simon teases and he laughs as a pillow hits his chest hard.

“That is none of your business, arsehole!” She laughs. “But he does enjoy it. That and another thing.” She giggles.

“Oh? Wait no don’t tell me. I don’t want to know anything about Colt I don’t want to know.” He groans, throwing an arm over his face.

"Fine fine!" Jody chuckles. "How about this one? It's about a single dad falling for their kids teacher?"

Simon can't help but think of Ryland and shakes his head. "No! Just- put one on. Please? Don't tell me"

Jody sighs and nods. "Ok fine! Mr grumpy."

"Thank you." He sighs and he pulls his arm away from his face to turn to watch the film Jody put on. Simon ends up with his head in her lap with her absentmindedly playing with his hair. The title shows up on screen and it reads "Imagine Me and You."

Simon absentmindedly watches the movie but zones back in at the two women walking together. One of them asking the other "What do lilies mean?"

Simon thinks about what they mean or if he can remember what Ava told him what they mean. He's too drunk to remember and he feels frustrated about it.

The second woman on screen pauses and stops walking before she says “The lily means… the lily means I dare you to love me” the two start walking again and Simon feels his heart beating like crazy in his chest at that. He doesn't know if that is true but his mind starts racing again softly.

The lily also reminds him of his mother. She loved lilies and would occasionally treat herself to a bouquet of them to liven up the house a bit. Simon still has that habit of buying lilies not only for his apartment but whenever he would visit his mother's grave. He would ask Ava to make it and the first time he asked her, she asked him if it was for someone special.

Simon nods and said they were. He remembers Jack being there and asking if they will ever get to meet them but Simon had to shake his head. Telling them that they were for his mother who recently passed and that he was going to visit her. Simon hated the way their faces dropped but they offered to be there for support and Simon just shook his head. Told them that he wanted to go alone.

Simon is happy that they respected that but they also offered each time. Simon wishes she was here right now. She would've told him how she thought that him and Ryland would be together. Deep down, Simon knew that she probably had an inclination to his feelings towards Ryland. Especially as kids. His mother loved Ryland and Colt. Simon also remembers the days when they were teens where he would bring Ryland over to study and she would bring them both snacks as they studied.

Even if Simon was embarrassed each time, he wishes he could go back to that time. Just having his mother there to talk with him about what he's feeling. He would always struggle talking about how he feels so when she suggested that he should write how he felt instead of bottling it up, it became a way for him to express his feelings. That's why Simon has a box full of letters written that are hidden all addressed to Ryland.

Simon hates that he starts to cry again and he tries to keep quiet but Jody notices and whispers "Hey, sweetheart, it's ok." Simon just wants his mother and it hurts. It hurts that he got into an argument with Colt this afternoon. It hurts that he got into an argument with Ryland in college leading to their friendship breaking up. He remembers crying to his mother about it and her comforting him and asking if she could talk to Ryland but Simon just shook his head and saying that he doesn't want Ryland thinking he sent his mother to guilt him into still being his friend.

She passed during the years apart him and Ryland had from each other. He remembers wishing he had Ryland by his side during that time. "I miss my mom. If she was here she would've told me that I'm being a bit stupid-" he sits up and Jody pulls him into a hug. He buries his face into her shoulder and he just cries, wishing that she could talk to him one last time. "I'm so conflicted about this, Jody. About everything lately. I just wish I could talk to her one last time."

"I'm sorry, Simon. It's going to be ok. I've got your back and once we're less drunk, we can think of an idea to help you get over how you feel." Jody offers support and he mumbles a thank you into her shoulder. "It's also a good thing that I brought ice cream as a just in case." She smiles as Simon pulls away from her hold.

"You did?" Simon asks. "Maybe you should've brought tissues too." He jokes as Jody pauses the film.

"I should've. Honestly I should've." Jody sighs. "But I got you your favourite, want some?"

"I'll take the whole fucking tub. Just give me a spoon." Simon huffs and says "my mother used to tell me off for this but then we used to start doing this together once a month."

"Honestly it's a good tradition. I can't keep ice cream at the house because a certain someone likes to eat some of it and claims that he hasn't." She shakes her head.

"See that's why you need to hide it in the back of your freezer behind the frozen vegetables." Simon takes the tub of ice cream and spoon from Jody that is his favourite, Ben and Jerry's phish food and he places it on the coffee table in front of him and opens it with his one hand and adds "I have to wait for it to soften a little bit. The joys of having only one arm."

"Why don't you put on your prosthetic?" Jody offers. "And to answer your suggestion, I've tried that but then I completely forgot where I hid it and thought that Colt ate the rest of it without telling me and we got into an argument about it. Didn't talk for a week. Until he found it after grabbing the vegetables from the freezer." Jody grumbles softly "Yes he was a smug son of a bitch about it. Saying 'now I need an apology!'" She rolled her eyes as she deepens her voice to pretend to be Colt. Simon laughs at that.

"Let me guess, to which you said." Simon makes his voice sound higher and he does a terrible British accent as he says "Well if someone didn't keep stealing some of my ice cream when I buy him his own, I wouldn't feel the need to hide it and then forget where the bloody hell I put it!" Simon has the giggles by the time he finishes and he is once again, hit with a throw pillow.

"I do not sound like that!" Jody laughs and Simon takes the throw pillow and playfully hit her with it.

"You absolutely do." Simon laughs he then does the impression again. "You sound exactly like this!" Simon holds his sides as he laughs with a slight snort.

"And this is how you sound, you fucking dick." Jody clears her throat before putting on a deep voice. "This is how you sound. Oh look at me! I'm Simon!" She then divulges into giggles and Simon laughs before scoffing.

"That's so not me." Simon scoffs as he shoves a spoonful of ice cream in his mouth. He can't help but ask. "Do you think I should give Ryland some lilies? Or is that a dumb idea?"

"I don't think it's dumb." Jody shrugs. "You could send them anon- anon- fuck why is that word so hard to say?! Anonymously! There! I said it!" She groans.

Simon laughs at. "It's because you've had several of those things and you told me how you always makes bad choices after drinking them." He huffs. "Even if I did send them, whatever you said, Ryland will probably just think they're from Tom." He rests his head on her shoulder gently and he feels Jody rest hers on top of his.

"That is true." Jody sighs. "I love Ryland but he's very stupid sometimes."

Simon hums in agreement before saying "Just like Colt. Two stupid peas in a fucking stupid pod." He grumbles before going to pour the last bit of wine in his glass. "Fuck, I'm out of wine!"

"And I'm almost out of mine!" Jody whines too.

Simon then realises "Wait! I have that bottle of wine from that couple from before! Or wait, did I drink that already?" Simon frowns and Jody chuckles softly.

"I think that's a sign for us to stop drinking for the night." Jody huffs as she eats some of her melted ice cream. Simon ends up doing the same as they press play on the movie again. Once they're full of ice cream, Jody stumbles to put them back in the freezer so they're not ruined and comes back to flop on the sofa beside Simon. "You feel so warm. I feel like I'm next to a warm marshmallow."

Simon snorts at that. "You're fucking drunk."

"And? Come here. We're cuddling." Jody jokes but says in a serious tone as she wraps her arms around him. "Sometimes I wish you were the one marrying Ryland. You'd make the best brother in law."

Simon laughs at that. "Good luck with that. I don't think he wants me like that as we've gathered before. He probably would've said something before if that was the case."

"And I feel like you would've said something by now too. The fact you've kept your feelings tight lipped is incredible." Jody partly jokes but she's being serious. "I thought you would've broke at the first sight of him again."

"I almost did." Simon admits. "The way he smiled at me and held me close in a hug." He pauses and thinks back on it. "It felt like coming home." He mumbles. Simon now looks back on that moment and he hates the way he just let himself melt into that hug. Just let himself be in that moment with Ryland's lips close to his ear as he whispered how much he missed Simon.

Simon wished he could stay in that moment and wait for the rest of the world to cave in around them but he can't. "I wish I didn't feel like this. Even as an adult. I'd honestly would've told my teen self to just be brave and say how I feel."

"I know but we can't change the past, you know? It's what makes us, us." Jody sighs softly. "I know Colt regrets what he said to you earlier. He may be strong headed about how he feels but he just wants what's best for you. And I do too." Jody yawns softly and then says. "And I know deep down, Ryland cares for you the same way you care for him."

"Yeah? You know?" Simon asks her in a whisper like they're trading secrets late at night at a slumber party.

"I do. Plus, you know no one can hide anything from me." Jody laughs. "Well, except that one thing Ryland refuses to tell anyone about."

"So I've heard. I've slowly been trying to make progress on getting him to open up. Apparently Colt has tried force and he feels like Ryland is close to pushing him away fully." Simon shrugs as he mumbles tiredly. "I don't want Ryland pushing anyone away that he loves and if it has to be me to make that sacrifice, I will."

"Simon, you really don't have to do that. Ryland won't ever push you away again." Jody tells him as if she's stating a fact that she has just learned. "He has confided in me that he hopes that you will stay friends after all of this."

"I hope you know what you're talking about." Simon grumbles as he closes his eyes. "Because if you're lying, I'm gonna be so upset."

"I promise you can be mad at me if I turn out wrong but I'm telling you the truth." Jody tells him as she sleepily swings her legs over his lap and he laughs at that. "Although I'll be mad that you're mad at me but then I'll realise that you have a reason to be."

Simon huffs a laugh. "You're right. I hate being mad at you though. You bring me good wine to drink and give me some delicious gossip from set."

"And in return, you give me good delicious gossip from weddings that sound like it's come from a reality TV show." Jody laughs sleepily and Simon joins in.

"I've actually gotten an offer to be on a reality show as one of the housewives wedding planners but my job is stressful enough that I don't think I could do it in front of a camera." Simon half jokes.

"I think you'd be great in front of a camera." Jody says to him, eyes closed. "Should cast you in a movie with Ryland for fun." Simon snorts at that before yawning.

"What kind of movie?" Simon mumbles as he feels the tiredness sneaking in on him, about to hit him over the head with a baseball bat. Maybe cartoon eels will spin around his head with some stars before everything goes dark. Simon doesn't end up hearing what Jody says as he is knocked out with sleep, empty wine bottles and empty glasses with some spicy margaritas still inside around them. Littering the room like a crime scene of a good time.

The last few days have been hectic as anything for Simon. Rushing around to make sure that the last preparations for the day of doom- Simon means happy day- for Tom and Ryland to arrive.

Simon tries not to think about how that sounds in his head when he phrases it like that. It seems like his heart is going crazy these past few days with anticipation. Like it is pushing him to say something, anything to Ryland, help him to figure out that this isn't what he wants. Simon grips the wheel and mumbles to himself "Listen, I am not going to say anything I will regret to him. Even if he is marrying that fucking asshole."

Currently, he is on the way to pick up Ryland so they can go pick up their suits and then drive to the hotel they're going to be staying in for the next few days to set everything up. He put on some regular clothes because he really doesn't want to rush around wearing a suit today. He's wearing some jeans, a shirt and a jacket with some of the lace up boots he likes to wear.

It's in a pretty secluded area in a massive fucking fancy house with a massive garden and hedge maze. Probably Tom's doing as he's a big celebrity and probably doesn't want anyone who's a fan or paparazzi finding the place.

His heart disagrees with that because he now has a voice in his head begging him to ask Ryland why Simon was never an option for him. Was it because of the argument that made him seem like a jealous dick who couldn't handle Ryland making a new friend? Was it because Simon doesn't know how to talk about his emotions perfectly like everyone else? Or maybe it's just because Simon is never anyone's type to begin with. Simon should just accept that and move on. Simon hits his steering wheel as he grunts before mumbling "Sorry" and gently patting it. He has always had that habit of doing that as he grew up, apologising as he hit something or got too angry or explosive but sometimes that explosiveness comes out of fear. That's why he yelled at Ryland that night. He had that fear of loosing him as a friend and it happened because of his stupidity.

He sighs and sees Ryland coming out with a suitcase. Ryland puts it in the trunk of Simon's car before getting in and he greets Simon with a "Good morning! Brought you coffee." And he hands Simon a thermos again but Simon can sense that Ryland seems off but he won't push. Not yet at least. He's probably just nervous about the wedding that's coming up. Simon just rationalises in his head.

"Morning. And thank you." Simon smiles at him and he takes a sip and sighs before putting it in the cup holder and they get going to Stratt's shop. The energy around the two of them feels tense and it's making Simon squirm a bit. It's also quiet with only the radio softly playing. Simon should try and talk to him but what should he say? He can't think of anything to say to Ryland that isn't 'please don't marry Tom! No one around you wants to you to marry him. Including me.'

But Simon knows if he says that, it's not going to end well so of course he stays silent.

"Are you uh, excited to get married?" Simon asks him a little awkwardly. "I mean, it's a pretty big day, I guess." He keeps his eyes forward, not turning to look at Ryland.

"Oh! I am. Just- feeling a little stressed, you know?" Ryland replies with a shrug. "Plus, staying in a hotel near the venue is going to be fun."

"Yeah. The gardens look really beautiful. If I wasn't making sure everything goes smoothly for you and Tom, I'd probably be walking around them all day." Simon smiles, trying to keep the mood light and try and help Ryland relax. He can honestly see Ryland's shoulders are up at his ears with how stressed he feels.

"Maybe we could walk around them when we get there? It does sound kind of nice." Ryland asks and Simon can see some of the stress from before release from his shoulders.

"I'd like that." Simon smiles. "Although, I'm surprised that Tom didn't want to drive with you." Simon adds. Fuck he's messed up bringing up Tom, hasn't he? He can see Ryland shrink in on himself at the mention of Tom.

"He uh, has to fly back from the shoot. They have a few things to wrap up on set. I know Jody is stressed she won't get it done in time so she can just relax at the wedding." Ryland grumbles a bit as he rubs his face. "Colt is already back as it's just some scenes with no stunts but he said and I quote 'I'm taking a long bath when I get to the hotel so no one bother me.' Which honestly sounds so good right now."

Simon laughs softly. "It does sound kind of good. Maybe with a glass of red wine, a face mask and maybe a good book."

"Oh don't underestimate Colt. He might actually do that but then he'd probably fall asleep in the tub." Ryland laughs.

"Imagine that is the way he goes? Not doing some epic stunt like he wanted to. No blaze of glory, no boat going through a ring of fire." Simon huffs a laugh. Ryland smiles at that.

"God that would be his worst nightmare. Although once he told me that I had to promise to avenge his death." Ryland's smile drops as he realised what he said. Simon notices the way he shakes his head softly before looking out the window. "I don't want to think about that though."

Shit Simon did say something wrong then. "I'm sorry-" he begins to say but Ryland shakes his head.

"Don't. It's fine. I'm just being a bit….stupid." Ryland mumbles, not facing him.

"It's not stupid." Simon tells him as he parks. "But hey, if it's any consolation, just imagine Colt in that neon green highlighter suit. I've been thinking about that lately when I'm feeling stressed. Plus, I still have the photo evidence of it and I'm gonna use that to torture him for the rest of his life with it." Simon laughs softly.

Ryland chuckles at that. "Oh yeah, I'm gonna need to print that picture out on a birthday card for him next year." They get out of the car once they arrive and walk close together and Simon can feel his hand brushing against Ryland's every so often. They pause outside of the suit shop and Ryland turns to him and softly says. "You're a good friend, Simon." Before he enters the shop.

Simon feels himself dying a little inside when he says that but he follows him inside. The shop is still the same from before but it feels a little different. He can see that Stratt is awkwardly standing there and Simon knows why. A few days ago, Simon had asked Ava to be his date for the wedding. Obviously it's a platonic date because Simon knows for a fact that even if he is working the wedding, he needs someone to keep him grounded and not let him make stupid decisions. When he told Ava, she laughed and said "I've got your back, Butcher."

Simon didn't feel too optimistic about this plan he came up with but it's better than nothing. Besides, he has his team with him to put out any metaphorical fires that he doesn't see. Even if he really wants the day to burn into the firey pits of hell, he's not going to do that to Ryland. It would be unfair to him.

"Good morning, Dr. Grace, Mr. Fischer." Stratt says in her monotone voice. "Your suits are ready but I would try them on just to make any last minute adjustments if needed." she hands them their garment bags and they go into the changing rooms.

Simon opens the bag and his fingers trace against the embroidery that was added onto the suit. It looks beautiful and he smiles softly at it before getting changed. He looks at himself in the small mirror there is in the changing room and he smiles a small smile to himself. He looks good if he says so himself. He makes a mental note of how he wants to do his hair with this suit. He finds the handkerchief he ordered for Ryland secretly and his thumbs trace over the embroidered maple seed he asked for.

He eventually comes out and he sees Ryland is in his final suit and Simon feels as if the wind was just knocked out of him. Ryland is standing there, waiting for him with a soft smile. Simon feels as if he can't move, his feet aren't co-operating. The sun is shining behind Ryland and it makes him look angelic. Ryland looks as if he is waiting for Simon to walk down the small aisle that Stratt has and it feels like the universe is mocking him.

Simon walks towards him, a handkerchief folded in his hand as Ryland asks him "So? How do I look?" Simon stops in front of him and adds the folded handkerchief into his pocket, making sure it looks perfect before he gives his answer.

"You look" Simon pauses for a moment to think of the right words to say. He feels as if he is lost for words.

Simon must've been thinking for a long time because Ryland asks "That bad, huh?"

"What? No. You look handsome. You also look" Simon doesn't know why he says it but he does. "You look angelic." Simon looks up at him and watches Ryland's face turn red.

"You think so?" Ryland whispers before stating "This is new." pointing to the handkerchief Simon placed in his pocket. The embroidery is hidden from him as Simon wanted to keep it a secret.

"I do." Simon whispers back in a bit of a mumble. "And I wanted this to be a bit of a wedding gift of sorts." Simon shrugs as he takes a step back.

"Well, thank you. I love the little floral and stars around the border of it." Ryland smiles softly. Simon smiles shyly at that.

"Well, there is a little secret but you have to look at that later on. When you get ready." Simon shrugs like it's nothing. Stratt comes over and Simon moves so she can look at Ryland in his suit. She gets him to stand still so she can adjust the trouser legs as they look a little long.

"I'm nervous about the dance though. You know I have two left feet." Ryland jokes and Simon chuckles at him.

"Yeah but you also did manage to dance with Katie at prom before we decided to sneak out." Simon quietly chuckles to himself.

"Yes and that ended with her yelling at me for stepping on her feet." Ryland pinches the bridge of his nose.

"I honestly don't think Tom would care in the slightest if you stepped on his feet once or twice." Simon crosses his arms. "I know I wouldn't." He mumbles.

Stratt finishes sewing the bottom of his trousers without accidentally sticking the needle into Ryland's leg, and nods. "All done, Doctor Grace. Does that look any better?"

Ryland looks in the mirror and nods. "Yes. Thank you. You're a miracle worker."

"I don't work in miracles, Dr Grace. I work in skill." Stratt says as she stands, gesturing for Simon to come forward. Simon chuckles and does as she asks. Luckily he only needs a few minor adjustments but Simon can be patient.

"Maybe you could help me?" Ryland asks him.

"With what?" Simon looks at him through the mirror as he has his back turned to Ryland.

"With the dancing?" He asks. "Please? It will only be quick and plus if we do it in our suits it will give me the opportunity to know what I can do and if I accidentally tear it somehow, Stratt can help fix it."

Stratt finishes up with Simon and Simon turns to look at Ryland. "You know I don't know how to dance, right?" Simon steps off the platform and stands in front of him.

"Me either. My dancing skills is only this." Ryland puts his arm up, holding his elbow and kind of shuffles back and forth and Simon can't help but laugh at him.

"Fine ok. I'll help you but just don't do that anymore." Simon huffs softly as he places his prosthetic hand onto Ryland's waist, gently holding and threading his fingers with Ryland's hand. He feels Ryland's hand in his shoulder and Ryland shuffles a bit closer.

"This ok?" Ryland asks softly.

"Yes. It's ok." Simon mumbles as they start to sway softly together. Simon can feel Ryland's hot breath against his and they're so close to each other. "Ok, if I remember correctly from other weddings I've seen, you take a step back and I follow, ok?"

Ryland nods softly. "I can do that." He whispers softly and he takes a step back, Simon following him. Ryland smiles as he keeps going and Simon follows him as they dance around Stratt's shop to no music.

"See? You're getting there. Haven't stepped on any toes yet." Simon jokes as Ryland spins him, then pulling him close so their chests are touching. Simon feels Ryland's hand resting on his lower back and he can feel the heat of his hand through the suit jacket and shirt. They keep going and Ryland manages to step on Simon's toes once.

"I'm so sorry!" Ryland whines a little, almost like he is kicking himself. Simon chuckles at him softly. "What? What's so funny?"

"It's just the way you apologised." Simon quietly giggles. "Plus, it's kind of my fault as I did jinx you." Simon spins Ryland this time, causing Ryland to laugh as he almost trips on his own feet. Simon manages to stop him by pulling him close, Simon moves his hand to steady Ryland's hip again. "You ok?" His body feels like it's on fire where Ryland is pressed against him. Their breathes are once again mixing with each other and Simon feels like he is about to panic.

"Yeah. Yeah I'm fine. Thanks to you." Ryland whispers, too close to Simon's face, noses brushing slightly against each other and Simon lets go of him and steps back. Simon can feel his whole body is on fire as he steps away.

"Good. I'm" Simon pauses. "Glad. You only managed to step on my foot once." Simon sniffles slightly as he tilts his head, not looking at Ryland. He can see Ryland's hands are still hovering where Simon was just standing. Where Simon was being held so close again. He watches Ryland's hands drop to his sides.

"Well, you make a great teacher." Ryland softly tells him. "For someone who claims they've never danced before." He chuckles softly.

"Yeah, I guess." Simon shrugs. He shakes his head. "It also helps that I had a student that listens." He huffs softly.

"Now if only all my students were like me. Would make my job easier." Ryland jokes.

"You don't mean that. You love all your students equally." Simon looks up at him finally. He didn't put his hair up today so it's in his face. Simon is partly grateful for his past self because then Ryland can't see his cheeks that are probably bright red now.

"It's true. I do love them all." Ryland tells him and Simon finally looks up at him. They stare at each other for a moment before looking away.

"We should uh, get changed and back on the road. It's a long drive to the venue." Simon tells him as he goes back to the changing room. It feels like he is running away and he probably is. Simon knows it's not that long of a drive but it's going to feel like it for him. Just Ryland and him alone together for an hour or so, Simon having the temptation to spill the biggest secret he's been keeping from Ryland.

All Simon can hear in his mind is everything that anyone has told him about him taking this job was a bad idea and he wants to scream. Wishes he was in a soundproof room where he can just scream as loud as he can but maybe he would be heard still. Maybe if he was in a sub at the bottom of the ocean? Yelling and screaming for help but no one coming. Or maybe a ship lost at sea where he is the only crew, storm starting to brew above him, threatening his safety.

Once Simon is changed, he puts his suit back into the garment bag with ease as he's done this many times before. He zips it back up and carries it out into the store. Simon and Ryland thank Stratt before they leave, safely putting the garment bags in the trunk of the car before setting off on their journey.

It's quiet for a while, radio playing quietly and if Simon can really focus on it, it's some sort of love song. It definitely feels like a joke the universe is playing on him right now. He grips the steering wheel and tries to breath, trying not to hint to Ryland that he is struggling with the storm that's brewing.

Ryland fills the silence though with him starting to talk about his class and other things that makes the clouds in Simon's mind part and he starts to feel the metaphorical sun on his face it streams down onto his skin. But then Ryland asks "Can I ask you something?"

Simon holds his breath because he feels like the thing Ryland is going to ask him will make something happen that Simon will regret blurting out at a later date. He does chuckle as he answers Ryland though. "You technically just did." Simon can't help but smile a bit of a shit eating grin on his face.

Ryland rolls his eyes at him. "You know what I mean, jerk." But he huffs a quiet laugh.

Simon chuckles and sighs. "Go on then." He taps the steering wheel as he looks for a place to park. He can't help but think about how quickly the drive took. He is starving though. Maybe they could get settled in their hotel rooms and Simon can offer to find a place for them to grab some lunch at. Hang out some more but only if he can stop getting his body to feel like it's on fire still. Maybe he should take a cold shower? Would that stop the fire inside him or would it just make it worse?

They get out and grab their suitcases and garment bags and walk into the hotel. Simon is waiting for Ryland to ask the question. It seems that Ryland is stalling to ask him the question and Simon should feel grateful for that but on the other hand the anticipation is killing him slowly. Simon is tapping the handle of his suitcase in nervousness. Ryland has still got that hesitated look on his face and it's killing Simon and he just wants to snap at him to make him spit out the question.

"Do you have a date for the wedding? I know technically that you'll be working but I do want you to be there and have fun." Ryland asks him finally as they get their room keys. Simon makes a mental note of which room Ryland is in and he doesn't know why.

The question kind of makes Simon pause for a moment. Why would Ryland care if he had a date or not? He does technically but it's not a proper date. He's not gonna get on a dating app and add to his bio 'looking for a date to my best friend's wedding who I'm still in love with!' Because that wouldn't end well for him. So of course he chose Ava as she will keep him in line and won't be one of those people who tell him to just go up to Ryland on his special day and tell him how he feels. Get it off his chest but Simon can't.

"I do, actually. Ava is coming." Simon tells him. "Hope that's ok? I mean, you didn't really give me a plus one on the invite." Simon shrugs as they walk to the elevator together.

"Oh. Yeah that's" Ryland pauses. "That's fine. She's the florist, right?" He questions Simon but it feels different in the way he asks.

"Yes. She's the one Tom thinks is a witch secretly." Simon tries not to let the sudden tension in the air around them. "When he said that he thinks she cursed him." Simon chuckles at the memory because it's funny. The way Ryland kept trying to make sure he doesn't laugh just made him want to laugh more and honestly, who could blame him?

"Yeah, I know." Ryland tells him a bit shortly and Simon frowns a bit.

"Did I say something wrong?" Simon asks as they get to Ryland's floor where his room is. Simon must've said something wrong and he keeps thinking about what could've happened to suddenly make Ryland act so coldly towards him now.

"No. You didn't." Ryland gets off the elevator and pauses before turning his head. "I'll meet you down in the lobby in ten minutes. I still want to walk around the gardens if you still want to join me." Simon doesn't get to answer as the doors closed. That just made Simon's anger rise a bit. Why is he acting so cold towards him now? Was it because Simon told him that he had a date to his wedding? Why would Ryland care so much that about that? Simon tries to swallow the anger down so he can get to his room, unpack and be calm for when he goes around the gardens with Ryland. Simon does need to make sure everything is going to arrive on time in the next couple of days.

His schedule is written down and he just needs to focus on that. Not focus on why Ryland is just acting cold all of a sudden. He could message Colt? Maybe have him come along with the two of them as a buffer but then again, Colt and him got into that argument and they've rarely been sending messages back and forth. Simon sighs as he taps the handle of his suitcase a bit frustratedly. Simon just needs to get to his room. It's a nice room as he kind of splurged, wanting to be comfortable. He has a long ass weekend ahead of him as well as an emotional one too. Simon really doesn't want to go to the ceremony and watch Ryland walk down the aisle to be given away to that asshole.

The elevator doors open and he tries to leave all the anger that is brewing in his torso behind those doors. He doesn't want that energy with him as he makes his way to his room. Once he finds his room number, he enters after swiping his keycard. Once the door closes behind him, he sighs, rubbing his face with his hand whilst taking a few deep breaths. He hangs up his garment bag and unpacks his suitcase and sighs. He can do this. He just needs to take a moment to decompress before he goes back out to meet up with Ryland. Simon checks his messages quickly and he sees one from Gail saying that they're at the airport and are on track to get there in time which Simon doesn't know why but he prays that Tom and Gail don't arrive. That they just never arrive and Ryland would realise by some fucking miracle that Tom isn't a reliable person.

He shakes his head at himself. That is a bit mean of him to wish that onto Ryland. Actually a lot mean. Ryland doesn't deserve to be deserted at the altar. It's not like Simon would be the knight in shining armour, coming to save Ryland from misery because by the sound and look of things, Ryland is preferring that. It's like there is a reason he wants to be miserable with Tom that he is keeping close to his chest and it infuriates Simon. Why doesn't Ryland trust him to tell him the truth? Simon groans as he gets up from the edge of the bed. He should make his way down to the lobby to meet up with Ryland.

Simon really tries to clear his mind of any thoughts appearing in his mind. He should just enjoy the gardens with Ryland and that's it. No talking needs to be required but then again, Simon wants to hear Ryland talk at him about anything. He likes listening and having him fill the void of silence that surrounds them. Simon has always hated the silence. By the time Simon gets down to the lobby, he isn't sure how many deep breathes he has taken but it feels like a lot.

Ryland is waiting for him, scrolling his phone, probably messaging someone by the frown he has on his face, Simon has to probably guess it is Tom himself. "Hey." Simon greets him and Ryland jumps a bit.

"Hey!" Ryland almost yells as he shoves his phone in his pocket like he is trying to hide something from Simon. Not that Simon will ever get to know as Ryland has become a locked book of sorts. "You scared me."

"I can see that." Simon mumbles as he folds his arms across his chest. "Shall we?" He nods towards the door of the hotel and Ryland nods, starting to walk beside Simon. Luckily the walk to the Venue isn't far but it feels like the walk takes forever as they walk in silence. Simon wants to say something, anything that isn't what's on the tip of his tongue but he can't think of anything.

They both hear some thunder but no rain yet. Simon should've brought an umbrella. They walk around the gardens and they're more beautiful than Simon remembers. "Garden looks beautiful." He mumbles softly. "Gonna look great in your photos." Simon traces his hand along the flowers that are blooming.

"Yeah. I guess." Ryland shrugs slightly as he mumbles.

"You guess?" Simon questions. "I thought you'd be-" Simon is interrupted by Ryland.

"Thought I'd be what? Happy?" Ryland scoffs. "It's not like you care anyway. All you want to talk about with me is about how my wedding is going to go."

Simon frowns at that. "Why wouldn't I? I'm your wedding planner, remember?"

"I know that but I also just want to talk to my friend." Ryland snaps. "But again, it seems like you don't care."

"I do fucking care Ryland!" Simon snaps at him. "Why don't you think I care? I care my friend is getting married!" It's the truth. Simon does care that Ryland is getting married and he wants to be honest but that honesty that Simon is holding in his chest is going to explode everything Simon has worked hard to rebuild again after decades. Simon can feel himself clenching his jaw, holding himself back from saying anything.

"Oh really? Then why are you acting so cold to me all of a sudden? It's like we were having a good time, laughing as you taught me to slow dance and now you're keeping your distance." Ryland takes a step closer as the thunder rumbled above them. "So tell me the truth, Simon."

"I can't do that, Ryland." Simon snaps at him, feeling the heat in his chest rise as his breathing picks up as he tries to calm himself down. He closes his eyes for a moment before opening the again. "I just can't fucking tell you." He turns away and he now has his back to Ryland. He feels a drop fall onto his head and Simon can't help but scoff at the irony. Simon starts to walk deeper into the gardens, Ryland following behind him.

"Why won't you just be honest with me, Simon?" Ryland argues with him. "Just be honest with me for once in your life!" Simon turns around to face him, hand clenching at his side at nothing.

"Because if I do that, you won't like it!" Simon snaps. "You just-"

"Just tell me Simon! I'm a grown up. I can take it." Ryland snaps back. It's like two dogs growling at each other, circling one another, waiting for the other to snap and bite.

"If you haven't figured it out yet then I have nothing else to tell you, Ryland!" Simon yells at him as the rain starting to fall slowly as if Mother Nature is trying to cool them both down before the blow up even starts, thunder once again making a grumbling noise as if it is sending a warning of a brewing temper. Simon turns to walk away, find some shelter so he doesn't end up with a cold. He feels Ryland grab his arm to stop him and Simon can't help feel the tension rising to his shoulders.

"Why do you have to act like you're this mysterious person all the time? It's like you're too scared to fucking tell me the truth!" Ryland laughs coldly at him.

Simon's eyebrows furrow with anger as he yells "You really want me to tell you the truth?" He asks with a dismissive scoff.

"Yes. That's all I want you to do or do you want me to beg?" Ryland questions with his upper lip curling into a sneer and Simon really wants to wipe that look off his face. The rain has picked up and Simon has had enough.

"Fine! I'll fucking tell you the truth." Simon jabs a finger at him before continuing. "I think your fiancé is an asshole and is only marrying you to better his image because you're Doctor Ryland Grace! Renowned scientist turned middle school teacher. And deep down, I think some part of you knows that he is using you-" Simon tells him harshly and he can see the anger building in Ryland.

"Oh and you know that how? God you're such a fucking jealous asshole! Just like you were in college. It's like you just want me for yourself!" Ryland scowls at him as he crosses his arms against his chest.

"Fuck you Ryland. You stubborn fucking asshole!" Simon scowls back, jaw clenched as his eyes narrowed at what Ryland just said to him. He feels as if he has just been stabbed in his heart. Simon turns away from him to make his way back to the hotel so he can calm down, away from Ryland. "Stay the fuck away from me." He turns to him one last time, now completely soaked from the storm raging above them.

"Of course you're storming off. It's what you do best, isn't it? Did I make you uncomfortable by bringing it up?" Ryland scoffs and that gets Simon to tense and freeze before he turns back to glare at Ryland who now has his hair sticking to his forehead, glasses fogging up with how angry he is.

"You're so frustrating! I'm only telling you the truth! It's what you wanted right? Or is there anything else you want me to tell you or say to appease you?" Simon snaps as he opens his arms out. "Because you for fucking sure aren't my therapist-"

"Not if you have anything more to say since you're just so good at keeping secrets! You're like a locked fucking box that's been welded shut. I'm supposed to be your fucking friend!" Ryland yells at him before lowing his voice at the end like that is going to make Simon dump everything and unwell the box open.

"Fucking- fine! Since you want to know every single fucking thing. God forbid the great Doctor Ryland Grace is kept in the fucking dark." Simon says in a biting tone, hands back at his side, clenching into fists again. His mind is moving slower than his mouth is and Simon can feel the anger rising in his throat now. He just wants to scream in this garden, in this storm that they should really get out of. Being struck by lighting doesn't seem like a good way to go.

"Like I told you before, I can take it-" Ryland begins and Simon just blurts it out.

"I can't get you out of my fucking head because I'm in love with you!" Simon snaps at him before he watches the way Ryland's face changes. "And I can't have you. So tell me, Ryland Grace, how can I get over you? How can I un-love you and just see you as just a friend? How can I move past you so I can attend your wedding to that asshole without objecting to it and getting rejected like a fucking idiot?" Simon can't help the tears that are falling but in the rain it doesn't show.

Simon unclenches his hands and wraps them around his body to hug himself. The silence is killing him as he pleads. "I love you and it fucking hurts, Ryland."

Ryland stares at him in shock for just a moment before he snaps. "I didn't ask you to fall in love with me!" That makes Simon's head snap up to stare at him heartbroken. Ryland takes a few steps back away from Simon like he is contagious. "After the wedding" Ryland pauses before he shakes his head. "After the wedding, don't contact me."

Simon feels the anger rise in him again.“Oh so I was right. You were just using me to plan this fucking wedding then. I should’ve known." Simon scoffs. "I should've known that you wouldn't of wanted to be my friend again."

"You're a fucking jerk. You know that? Come to the wedding or don't for all I care. Just don't fucking talk to me unless it's needed." Ryland turns and walks away from him, leaving Simon just standing there in shock. He doesn't know how long he stands there for but he knows his shoes are soaked as he walks back to the hotel. Shoes squelching as he walks and he hugs himself to keep the chill at bay.