Chapter Text
So, it wasn’t supposed to be like this.
Shane just - and Ryan was - and it all kind of - he never meant to - but now they’re -
Here. In this situation. And Shane … God, Shane has no idea what to do.
“Shane.”
And that voice, Shane loves that voice. That’s a voice he would follow anywhere; a voice that could tell him to go to the deepest depths of Hell and he’s gladly oblige. A voice that Shane would do anything to hear - unless it was to hear him say no.
Shane doesn’t look up, but lifts his head the tiniest bit, just to acknowledge that voice.
“Shane, c’mon, man. Look at me.”
Shane’s a pretty big guy. He’s confident and funny and doesn’t cower from a situation. But this, this is different. Everything is on the line here. What else is he supposed to do? He might’ve ruined everything between him and Ryan. God, why’d he have to go and ask him -
“Shane, you’re being an idiot.” But there’s no malice or anger or annoyance that Shane can detect in Ryan’s voice at all - Ryan sounds almost fond - so he lifts his head a little more.
He feels Ryan slide down the wall beside him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. The touch is so familiar that Shane relaxes into it, leaning his head against Ryan’s.
“Are you ashamed, or something?” Ryan asks, smiling. Shane can hear his smile. “Because you shouldn’t be.”
“Are you kidding?” Shane asks incredulously, turning to the other man. “I have every reason to be. I asked you -”
“I know you did,” Ryan replies calmly, a smile still on his face. “And I appreciated it. Look, Shane,” he says sincerely, “you’re my best friend. You’re amazing, and smart, and funny, and god, I have no clue what I’d do without you. You’re kind of the light of my life.” He laughs a little, nervously, and Shane is so hopelessly endeared. “What you asked me was a big thing, but don’t be ashamed. God, you literally have no reason to be! It was a good question, I swear.”
Shane wants the ground to swallow him up so he can die down there, in some weird ground-hole. Would the ground swallowing him up be like Gaea eating him? Or would some random orifice just pop out of her skin and he’d sink into it? Greek mythology is weird. Shane needs to get out of his head. There’s another matter at hand. Ryan’s still talking.
“I know you think it was stupid, or out of line, or … Idunno, something like that,” Ryan continues, carding his fingers through Shane’s hair, his other arm still around his shoulders, “but you’re fine. It’s all good.” Ryan’s arm lowers to wrap around his waist instead of his shoulders, and keeps running his fingers through Shane’s hair. “I like you. I’m not going anywhere, you fucking moron.”
Wait. Ryan likes him. Ryan likes him back, oh my god, this is everything -
“I like you, too,” Shane rushes out, but it’s all breathily and probably sounds more like, “Ilikeyoutoo.”
Ryan beams, honest to god beams like the fucking sun, and Shane’s just … basking in his glory. Holy fuck.
“In regards to your question,” Ryan says, smiling beatifically, “yes, we can adopt a dog together and call it our baby. But maybe … Let me take you on a date, first?”