Work Text:
The frayed thread tangles. This that remains.
Whait stood under the graying sky. It was his 30th birthday today. He’d only been reminded by the uptick of spam emails trying to give him a discount to indulge for the occasion. A raindrop landed heavy on his screen but he didn’t care enough to rush for cover. He’d just gotten off work, he’d be home soon anyway. He opened up the app to call for a ride, when a car rolled up in front of him.
The ritzy luxury brand could only be one person. The obnoxious face that appeared as the window rolled down confirmed Whait’s assumptions. Retter -the bastard- smirked at him as he unlocked the door waving for him to get in. Whait considered how bad taking the train wet would be when the rain began to turn into a full-on downpour. Heavy enough to throw Whait off balance. Begrudgingly he reached for the car door.
Rett smiled as the damp man got into the car. Trying to not be annoyed at the leather of his car getting wet. Still in his heart he cursed out the other. If that damn Whait had just gotten in in the first place he wouldn’t have gotten drenched. Now his poor baby was getting punished for it.
Instead of giving any words of thanks the first words out of Whait’s mouth were.
“Why are you here?”
Rett’s mouth twitched, “I’m doing charity work. What does it look like I’m doing? You never give a shit enough to check the weather. I knew with your luck you’d end up walking home in the rain.”
Whait didn’t change his suspicious tone, “What’s it to you?”
Rett really considered kicking him out of the car. A weak and soft voice echoed out from the back of his mind. So, he clenched the wheel. Starting to drive instead to distract himself from the pain in the ass in his passenger seat.
Whait watched Rett’s clenched jaw. Feeling the weight in his chest ease a bit from angering this old classmate of his. Acting childish like this… It was really shameful at his age. Rett was the closest thing to a friend he had in the city. He hated to admit it but it was true. He doubted anyone else would think of him on a rainy day. At least no one who was still here…
The rain hitting the roof, the sound of the wet concrete as they drove through the busy street. Whait’s mood returned to its downward swing. How miserable this day was. He just wanted it to be over. Just a few years ago, his birthday falling on a Friday would have made him happy. He would have excitedly rushed home through the rain…
Rett turned on the radio, a retro station playing music that was even older than them started flowing from the speakers.
Whait groaned, “Why were you listening to this? What are you sixty?”
Rett hummed along to the old song. Ignoring the jab.
-
That which had been won. The end that found them far too soon. So final, so severing.
The waiting and the ones that can never return.
The two men in their still damp suits sat down at the table of the dimly lit restaurant. The little mom and pop shop was Whait’s favorite place. The waiter came out and set down some warm tea to drink. No doubt his regular order was already getting cooked the moment he’d walked through the door. Rett looked over the menu, taking the tea Whait poured into his cup.
The warmth of the tea spread quickly through their bodies. Whait sighed as he relaxed into the seat. Rett glanced up then quickly down again. Pretending to not have seen the tears Whait had brushed away. After giving his order to the waitress, the owner came over. Giving Whait a hug and asking him how he’s been. She also said nothing about the dampness at the edge of his eyes. Simply rubbing his back as they chatted about inconsequential things.
It had been their favorite spot once. When they first graduated and moved to the city.
Rett had moved here before them but hadn’t wanted to show them around. He’d been a bit bitter then. Fine with them being happy but not wanting to see it more then he had to. He regretted it now. That he’d missed out making friends with shop keeps. On the memories of those two dorks falling in love with the city.
The food was warm and delicious. The portions huge, an extra desert was given to them for Whait’s birthday. The freshly 30-year-old tried not to squirm from all the kindness being directed at him. Rett nearly pulled out his phone to take a picture. Hesitating when he thought about who was he taking the picture for?
The rain had finally let up as they left the restaurant. Leftovers in hand. It wasn’t that far from his apartment so Whait naturally turned to head home. Rett grabbed him by his collar dragging him back to the car.
Rett sighed, “It could rain again just let me drive you. Idiot.”
Whait looked up at the sky, “It’s fine now.”
Rett snorted, “It’s dark out what can you see by looking? With those old eyes of yours.”
Whait glanced at him, “Aren’t you closer to being 31 then 30 at this point. Who are you calling old.”
Rett huffed and turned on the radio. In his movement he accidentally switched stations. The songs that slid out from the speakers was now the corny pop music they’d grown up with. A familiar chorus as the singer called the night young flooded the car. Both men paused as flashes of their school days couldn’t help but resurface. Of crowded parties and red solo cups. Lights cycling colours and of him… At the center of it all. Laughing and smiling. Friends with everyone in the room. He’d loved this song.
Rett finally moves turning the radio back to his regular station. A solemn guitar strumming out. He glances over to Whait bracing for his reaction. To Rett’s surprise he’s smiling, though his eyes are a bit red.
“Flash always loved that song.”
When Whait says his name, it’s Rett that nearly can’t stomach it. The drop he feels in his chest. He nods and turns away. Hiding his own reaction. Gripping the wheel, he blinks and starts the car. Whait doesn’t pry. He sits with the memory. Finding it’s not quite as heavy today to remember.
It had been nearly three years already. Whait looked out the window at the city lights that were waking up. How had it been three years already? It felt like just yesterday.
-
He’d been barley 20 when Flash first came up to him at the school mixer. Dragging him out onto the floor before he knew it. He’d been so nervous. Felt like everyone was watching his sorry attempt at dancing. Flash had just hyped him up. Hyped up everyone he had dragged out to fill up the dance floor. Rett had been unhelpfully giving commentary from the side. All the introverts glaring at the broken leg that prevented him from accompanying his friend to dance. Which had become everyone else’s problem.
Yet by the end of the night everyone was Flash’s friend. He collected names and number’s ready to add everyone on social media. Whait hadn’t taken the extrovert that seriously slipping out without giving any contact information. It wasn’t until Flash came up to him again in the cafeteria chatting as if they were already old friends. That he realised this guy was serious.
Flash had been like that. He was good to everyone. Whait had fallen for the social butterfly. How could he not have? But he didn’t expect anything of it. Flash was just good at being a friend.
The complete opposite of his oldest friend Rett. The soccer player happily tagged along with Flash but wasn’t interested in making friends. When Flash pulled Whait into the friend group, Rett did everything in his power to push him right back out. The two butted heads on everything. Without Flash there they’d never say a word to each other.
Whait wasn’t sure why Rett suddenly chilled out. He seemed to get busy with his team. Miraculously Flash and him had started dating not long after. Finishing school and moving to the city. It had been like a dream. Living in their cozy life. Until they found out Flash was sick. That the cancer had been discovered too late. Being 26 had been the worst year of his life. There was still so much they’d wanted to do.
-
Rett shook Whait’s shoulder, “Your home. Can I park so I can use your bathroom? My place is too damn far I won’t make it.”
Whait snorted, “Sure if you must. Don’t piss on my carpets.”
“What? Am I a dog to you?”
“Pretty close.”
Rett swung at an escaping Whait. He swiftly unlocked the door slipping in. Forcing Rett to run to catch up before he was locked out.
Entering the small dark apartment Whait started peeling off his outer layers. Still damp from the downpour. Rett went straight for the bathroom, knowing his way even in the dark.
On his way out of the bathroom Rett had dug out a towel. Tossing it at the zoned out Whait, hitting him square in the face.
“Was that necessary?”
Whait didn’t bother removing the offending object. Letting it hang from his head like a towel ghost. Rett snorted coming over and aggressively rubbing the towel on the others head. Groans of pain arose before Whait finally smacked the terror away.
“I’m going to shower anyway. Are you trying to make me bald, bastard.”
Rett smiled content with his work, “I was helping. It’s called being considerate, jerk.”
Whait huffed, “You don’t know what either of those words mean.”
“I know better than you.”
Whait gave up arguing with him and went straight into the bathroom.
Rett’s eye followed him. Before the smile on his face faded.
He really was tired of being the bigger person. He’d tried to get between them back then. He’d thought he still had a chance. It wasn’t until Flash admitted he had a crush on the awkward dork that Rett had realised. His friend would never see him as anything more. He’d made himself scarce to give them space. Even helped Flash think of ways to win the introvert over. In the end he was the total loser.
Now he was stuck with his ever-dense rival. A witness to his unraveling and the clumsy way he’d tried to piece himself back together. In the end Rett had been left behind twice. Yet still had to help pick up the pieces left behind by the friend he had loved.
The bathroom door clicked open steam and light leaking out. Whait walked out, towel hung around his waist. He was only half surprised to see Rett sitting on his couch fast asleep. Glancing at the time, it had gotten pretty late. They weren’t so young anymore.
Whait went and grabbed a pillow carefully shifting Rett into a more comfortable position. Pulling a blanket over him once he was done. Thinking about it, he set out a few things in case Rett woke up and wanted a drink or to take a shower. After making sure everything was easy to find. Whait went to bed.
-
The next morning Rett woke up to the smell of breakfast being made. Groggily sitting up he took a big drink of water. His hair sticking up at odd angles. He only sat there dazed a moment before grabbing the spare clothes and towel and heading to the bathroom.
Coming out refreshed he headed right to the delicious smells. The small kitchen didn’t leave much room. Rett had to lean over Whait to peek at what he was cooking. Feeling the looming busybody. Whait picked up a piece of bacon, holding it out. Rett nearly drooled leaning over and eating it directly.
Whait let out a sound of protect as his fingers were nearly bitten off. Scrunching his face in disgust at the saliva on his hand. Rett laughed at the display. Opening his mouth to demand another piece. Whait smacked his face directly. Causing both of them to laugh, as Rett recoiled dramatically. Acting as if the smack had strength to it, he put on a pitiful show before again begging for another bite.
Whait gave in, holding the bacon out. Rett repeated his offense. Snatching the bacon with his mouth. The spatula aimed at his head was a near miss.
Eventually breakfast was cooked despite the distraction of Rett trying to snatch it before the plates were properly set. They finally sat down together to eat. Lingering by each others side as they often did. The two completely unaware of how their time spent bickering together eased the weight of living.