Clutch.

Ryan stared at the men across from him as he waited for an explanation. "Oh come on Ryan it wasn't that bad." Brian said, smiling lightly at his friend. "You know he was dying to see you and honestly something tells me you made his day just by coming here." He wished he could believe that but remembering when he used to come here was enough to make him feel like it gave the blonde chilling memories. "Relax man," Brock said as he grasped his hand. "It's okay. Jonathan won't show up like he used too. He never does anymore. It's back to the same old ways for Bryce." Ryan nodded as he remembered when Brock was a cook here.

Brock used to tell him everything that happened to the blonde here and most the time it was how badly he was treated. He remembered one time Bryce told his friend that Jonathan had beat him up so bad he could hardly stand. Boy did that get to him more than anything.

"So just relax and enjoy what time ya have with him." Brian glared at him then went back to eating his food that had been sitting on his plate for a while. It was probably cold now due to how long he's been talking. "You're right. So how does he get home now? Jonathan still pick him up?" The question made Brock furrow his brow and wrinkle his nose. "No he walks. Where have you been? Oh right, away from him."

Ryan shot a glare towards his friend as those words left the others lips. It wasn't that he wanted to be away from him it was the fact that he wanted to protect him from getting hurt or possibly even end up dead. Of course he knew Jonathan wouldn't go that far.

As the day went on people began to leave the diner one by one and even his friends left yet Ryan stayed. He sat in that seat like he used  to do just to take him home. His gaze tore from the empty seats in front of him when he heard the blondes voice echo through the room. Quickly, he got up, grabbed his things, and rushed out the door. He leaned against the wall and waited five minutes before having the door open and Bryce jumped in fear as he locked eyes with him.

"Ryan you scared me!" Bryce cried out, slapping a hand on his chest. "What're you still doing here?"

Ryan grinned as he shoved his hands in his pockets and his shoulders slumped. "I just wanted to see if you'd let me give you a ride home. Like old times?" The blonde smiled at this but shook his head. "Jonathan has be under schedule so if I came in early he'd know something was up. Besides, isn't your boyfriend worried? You've been in there for hours." "He doesn't get home till five today. Working over time." "Oh okay." Ryan nodded as he leaned off the wall. "So then can I take you to the record shop? How about the park?"

Bryce looked down then back up, his gaze locking with the hazel eyes male. A small smile creeping on his lips giving Ryan the answer he wanted.

•Downtown Park...

"I can't believe you did that! What did Michelle say?!" Bryce laughed out as he stared at the man in front of him. "She told me I was crazy! Then after that she hit Smitty so hard in the face with a pillow he fell on his ass. It was hilarious because he didn't expect her to do it." Bryce let out another laugh as he clenched his stomach to hopefully help. Ryan only smiled as he watched this happen, his heart fluttered. "You and her are insane. I bet Krism was sooo mad."

Ryan nodded as he looked out to the sky where the stars shimmered. A cool breeze passed by them and he took a deep breath before looking back at the blonde who was now frowning with a look of sadness on his face.

"Hey," He nudged him slightly. "You okay?"

Bryce just sighed deeply and dropped his gaze to the ground. "Ryan I don't know what to do.." His whisper barley reached his ears but when it did he only furrowed his brow. "What do you mean Bryce?" The blonde looked up but avoided his gaze. "I'm afraid you're gonna leave again. Honestly seeing you today made my day. You don't know how bad I missed you.."

Those words made his chest tightened and his breathing hitched. It was as if someone had just scared his soul out of him and he was just left to breathe.

"Bryce I'm never gonna leave you. Not again. If I would've known you didn't want me to leave I would've never left you in the first place." He watched as the boy just smiled weakly at him and that alone broke his heart. "Bryce I swear I'm not going anywhere." With that he wrapped his hands around the blondes neck before pulling it in, their lips locking in a tender kiss.

He clutched it.