"I just didn't want you to get hurt," Luke murmurs quietly. He knows, in this moment, that it's the stupidest thing he could possibly say. He knows, and god it hurts him.

It hurts him even more when Bryce looks at him with cold, glaring eyes. "I'm not stupid, Luke. I have a brain and I have feelings, believe it or not. And like literally every other human being on this planet, I don't appreciate being lied to. I think I'd like to know if my boyfriend is cheating on me."

Luke stares at Bryce for a moment. He finds himself sighing in defeat and turning away. "I know. I know, and I'm sorry."

There wasn't much else he could really say in this situation. He hurt Bryce. He fucked up. What more was there to know? How the hell was he supposed to come back from this?

Bryce is silent. He looks around the room and laughs weakly. "Gosh. I'm an idiot.... Such an idiot."

"You're not," Luke says. "Just because Jonathan decided to be an ass and run away with Evan doesn't mean you're an idiot. Just because you fucking loved him, alright, that doesn't make you an idiot."

Bryce gives a quiet giggle. It's tiny and sounds fake as hell, but it makes Luke smile regardless. They were both idiots, weren't they? Might as well lighten the mood. He watches as Bryce wipes his tears and looks up at the ceiling. "I do wish you would've told me sooner. Then maybe... Maybe I could've stopped him. And then he would still be here."

[do not let them have sex]

"God, Ryan, what do we do?" Luke looks over at Ryan curiously. Ryan was a pretty nice guy, wouldn't he have some wisdom to offer or some shit? Luke really hopes so.

Ryan looks back at him. They probably look like two idiots, laying across each other on the couch like this, But, honestly? It's comfy and warm and cozy, and the only way Luke knows to sit on a couch anymore.

He sighs, leaning down slightly to grab hold of Ryan's hand as Ryan begins to speak. “I don't know, Toonzy. I don't wanna leave, but my dad was the only reason I came here in the first place…”

[Weenie space add]

“Hey. Uh… look.” Luke laughs awkwardly as he reaches into his pocket, fishing around for something. “I… I wanted to do something,” he continues. “Bryce was supposed to play his guitar right about here, but that's okay I guess.”

He doesn't miss the soft snicker that comes from Ryan as Bryce gives a faint, “oh, shoot!” and soft guitar music begins to play throughout the area.

Ryan looks around, seemingly confused, then back at Luke. “Where…”

“That's for us to know. Mainly Bryce,” Luke admits with a chuckle.

“I'm in a tree!”

“Thanks, Bryce,” Luke says with a sigh.

“I'm scared of heights!”

“We know, Bryce.”