Reese and Tanner have been friends for years, due to being on the hockey team in high school. Basically, Reese is head over heels for Tanner? and sticks Malcolm in the middle to help solve his problems with how to tell Tanner he wants him so bad.
Reese Wilkerson x Male OC
Another Malcolm Stuck In The Middle
Tanner skated around the ice effortlessly, his mind entirely elsewhere, not on practice. He only snapped out of it when he was suddenly knocked lightly in the shoulder, his head lifting to meet Reese Wilkersonโs eyes.ย
ย โHey, focus on the ice, Mr. Hotshot,โ Reese teased, his tone not as kind, but Tanner knew Reese. Reese was never rude to Tanner, despite him having a reputation of beating every kid that came near him.ย
โDude, says you! I watched you knock Casp on his ass literally 10 minutes ago,โ Tanner bumped Reese back softly, chuckling as his skating got sloppier now that he was so focused on talking with Reese.ย
โWe were scrimmaging! He got in my way, so I knocked him down,โ Reese said matter-of-factly, as he smiled at Tanner. It was rare to see Reese engaging with another human being that didnโt involve him pounding their face. Tanner was kind of his best friend, even if Tanner didnโt see him the same.ย
โYouโre still coming to my house, right? Momโs really excited to see you again,โ Reese looked away as he spoke, not wanting to seem desperate, but he really wanted Tanner to come over.
โOf course I am; we need to plan the stupid team bonding, and we havenโt hung out in what has felt like years,โ it had in reality only been a week, but Tanner didnโt care. He loved spending time with Reese, his teammate, assistant captain, and best friend all in one. And okay, maybe his only real friend.ย ย
It was no secret that Tanner Kieลbasa is good at hockey. Like, he's going to go off to college to play D1 for one of the best teams in the US, and eventually get drafted to the NHL. And with that came multiple fake friends, none of whom wanted to be friends with him, but to be friends with someone ranked nationally for hockey. But Reese was never like that. He doesnโt care how good he is; they could go hours without talking about hockey, or the fact that theyโre Juniors in high school and shit is now serious.
ย He also loved Reeseโs mom, Lois. Lois was like a second mom; one who didnโt care about his stats or which college Tanner would choose, unlike his own mother. She just cared that he was okay, and that he kept Reese out of trouble.
Reese only chuckled in response, grabbing Tannerโs stick and pulling him around the ice off towards the locker room as practice came to an end. All Reese could focus on was how excited he was that Tanner was coming over. I mean, he wasnโt too excited, right? He was just happy his best friend was coming over, that's allโฆ
Tanner and Reese changed side by side, their cubbies right next to each other, their nameplates โWilkerson #25โ and โKieลbasa #93โ shining brightly as they pulled their shirts over their shirtless bodies. Only then did Tanner realize he forgot his hoodie. It was twenty-eight degrees outside.ย
โShit, I forgot my hoodie. Itโs always freezing at your house, dude,โ Tanner whined, looking over at Reese.
Reese didnโt even hesitate to dig in his bag, pulling out his blue hoodie with a skull on the front of it and handing it over to Tanner.ย
โReese, no. Youโll be cold and whine like a baby,โ Tanner pouted, pushing Reeseโs hoodie back towards Reese.
Reese groaned, bunching up the hoodie and shoving it over Tannerโs head. Tanner had that adorably stupid pout on his face, the one he had when he didnโt get his way. Reese could only smile in response.
โToo bad, now do I need to finish putting it on you, or can you manage it yourself, big baby?โ Reese smirked, crossing his arms after he slung his bag over his shoulder as he waited for Tanner, who grumbled and begrudgingly pulled the baby blue hoodie over his arms and around the rest of his body. Okay, it was comfy, so maybe it wasnโt too bad. But he didnโt want Reese to get the last laugh, so he grabbed his bag and stomped his way to his car, Reese hot on his trail, giggling to himself.ย
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Tanner popped the trunk, throwing his and Reeseโs bag in, slamming it shut, keeping his โgrumpyโ mood up. Even though he now had the hoodie sleeves covering his hands and knew for a fact that Reese saw, his smirk only widened.ย
Tanner slipped into the driver's seat, Reese doing the same with the passengers. They drove silently, with little glances at each other, but words were never exchanged. Reese fumbled with his hands, almost like he was itching to reach out and hold somethingโฆ like a match! Yeahโฆ not Tannerโs hand; that would be silly.ย
Itโs not like Reese didnโt know he was Bisexual. He was very proud of that, but he couldnโt like Tanner. Tanner was straight, or so he thinks. Plus, they play hockey; itโs not like they can be open about it if something were to happen.ย
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Once Tanner pulled into the Wilkerson driveway, Tanner was quick out of the car to see his favorite second mother, who waited with open arms the second Tanner stepped foot into the kitchen.ย
While the two caught up, Reese rushed to find his only smart brother, but when he couldnโt find Dewey, he ran to Malcolm.
โMalcolm! I donโt know what to do; I need your help,โ Reese rushed out, grabbing his brother and shaking him softly.
โReese! What the hell? Stop shaking me,โ Malcolm pushed Reese off of him, glaring at him. โWhat do you need help with anyway? We both know youโre too far gone to be asking for help with school,โ Malcolm crossed his arms, acting as if he had anything better to be doing. He didnโt.
โOkay, so I totally like Tanner.โ Malcolm only rolled his eyes, acting as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, but let Reese continue. โBut I donโt know how to tell him, or if I should even tell him; Iโm pretty sure heโs straight!โ Reese ranted, his eyes crazy like the world was going to end in five minutes, which to Reese, might just be the case.
โDude, just kiss him or something. Well, okay, maybe donโt just go for it; make sure he wonโt punch you and actually wants to first, and then kiss him,โ Malcolm explained as if it was obvious. Seriously, was it that hard to talk to people?
Then Reese did the unthinkable: he hugged Malcolm. And as quick as he did it, it was just as quick to be over; both boys recoiled in disgust.ย
โUhโฆ thanks for the adviceโฆโ Reese patted Malcolmโs shoulder softly.
โUh yeah, anytimeโฆโ Malcolm responded, leaving the room so quick he felt like The Flash.ย
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Lois hugged Tanner, her eyes wrinkled up from how hard she was smiling. However, she didnโt miss the fact that Tanner was being swallowed by Reeseโs hoodie. Not any hoodie, his favorite hoodie, the one which he refuses to give up even to his brothers to share. Lois looked to Hal, who stood in the kitchen not far from Loisโ line of vision. After exchanging a few words with Tanner, she excused herself and Hal to their bedroom.ย
โLois. I thought I had at least another month before they started dating for me to give Reese that talk!โ Hal paced the bedroom, completely oblivious to Loisโ smirk.ย
โTheyโre not dating, not yet at least. Maybe by the end of the week, or maybe by the end of the night. But definitely not yet. Tanner would be too scared to hug me if they were,โ Lois smiled fondly; she enjoyed Tanner. He kept Reese out of trouble, and he seemed happier around Tanner.
Hal perked up, rushing out of the room, spotting Malcolm. Hal immediately grabbed him, pulling him into the boys' shared room.ย
โMalcolm, I need your help.โ Hal shook his son by the shoulder, his eyes wide.ย
Itโs not that Hal and Lois were homophobic, no. Quite the opposite, actually. But having to tell your kid you support them while not knowing if theyโre dating their very obvious crush is hard.
โWhy does this keep happening!โ Malcolm groaned. โWith what, Dad? Did Reese get arrested again? Because I canโt keep training his lawyer on what to say-โ Malcolm was cut off by Hal.ย
โNo, No, No. Reese is actually, for once, fine. But your mother and I think Tanner and him are going toโฆ you knowโฆ start dating by the end of the day or week. How do we go about talking to him about it?โ Hal rubbed his hands together nervously, looking over his shoulder, scared that either one of the boys would walk in and hear.ย
โDad, you canโt just talk to him about it! Reese has to come to you, and when he does, just be supportive; itโs not that big of a deal,โ Malcolm rolled his eyes, walking out of the room to go eat dinner.
โOh,โ Hal spoke breathlessly, suddenly realizing Malcolm was right. Hal walked out of the room, acting unusually, because let's face it; Hal canโt act normal when he feels like heโs keeping a secret.ย
โYou okay, Mr. Wilkerson?โ Concern covered Tannerโs face looking at Lois, who was trying to kick Hal and failed miserably, kicking Malcolm instead.
โOw, Mom! Why do I always get stuck in the middle of everything?โ Malcolm huffed, calming down slightly when Tanner gave him a sympathetic look and mouthed a โsorryโ to him.
Hal didnโt respond, just went on with his dinner, but kept looking between Reese and Tanner as if they would randomly burst out and tell them that they were dating.
Reese was oblivious, and honestly, so was Tanner. They were too engrossed in conversation about the upcoming team bonding and what they should do to even care about the lingering stares from Lois and Hal.ย
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After a painful dinner for the Wilkerson parents, Tanner and Reese ran off to the boys' shared room, Malcolm mumbling something about doing work on homework in the garage, and Dewey not wanting to third-wheel Tanner and Reese, following Malcolm out of the house.ย
โOkay, Iโm thinking if we do dinner at my house that can be enough โteam bondingโ for Coach,โ Tanner thought as he lay on Reeseโs bed, looking up at the boy who stood over him.
โThat could work, especially since Coach said no money needs to be spent for it,โ Reese sat next to Tannerโs laid-out body.ย
Reese couldnโt focus on what came out of Tannerโs mouth after that. My God, he was handsome. Reese could only stare down at him, his eyes switching between Tannerโs lips and his eyes, not knowing which one he liked more: the soft pink or gray-blue. He decided both were his favorite color.ย
โReese? Are you listening to me?โ Tanner laughed, watching as Reese snapped out of his daze, though his eyes still lingered on Tannerโs lips.ย
โTotallyโฆ you know what, screw it, Malcolm better be right-โ and before Reese could even fully finish speaking, he was leaning down and softly grabbing Tannerโs hoodieโhis hoodieโand connecting their lips.ย
Tanner was in complete shock, but once reality hit, he immediately pulled Reese in closer. He propped himself up on his elbows to get better access to Reese.ย
Reese ran his hand that wasnโt gripping his hoodie through Tannerโs hair, playing with the hair on the back of Tannerโs neck. He moved his lips from Tanner's to his cheek, forehead, temple, nose, eventually all over his entire face.ย
โYou have no clue how long Iโve wanted to do that,โ Reese said, lying down next to Tanner, burying his face into his chest.
โTook you long enough,โ Tanner said, amusement lingering in his eyes as he chuckled and wrapped his arms around Reese.ย
โLeave me alone; I thought you were straight. I didnโt want to be punched,โ Reese pouted, lightly hitting Tanner in the stomach. โThis means youโre spending the night, though, right?โ Reese perked up, smiling innocently at Tanner.
Tanner giggled but nodded, his hand running through Reeseโs short hair, admiring the other boy like he hung the moon and stars himselfโthough, knowing Reese, he would try.ย
โDoes this mean weโre dating now?โ Reese questioned, smiling up as he rested his chin on Tannerโs chest, giving him the best puppy dog eyes he could muster.
โWouldnโt you like to know, Weather Boy?โ Tanner burst out laughing at his own joke, groaning when Reese punched him in the shoulder, but still laughed through the pain. โOw! Yes, okay, weโre dating! I was getting there,โ Tanner still laughed.ย ย
Reese only huffed, but his very obvious smile was still on his face. He closed his eyes, wrapping the blankets around them, and let himself drift off to sleep. Tanner wasnโt too far after, his head lying on top of Reeseโs head, who was nestled up to Tannerโs chest.
Malcolm and his parents stood in the doorway, smiles on all of their faces at the sight of the new couple.ย
โYou both owe me $20,โ Malcolm smirked, his hand out for the money to be placed in.ย
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