bronsted lowry

Gio: I'll Uber there, we can go grab something to eat, just talk. I don't want you going home like that. Darna notices everything. And I really don't know if there is either. But we'll talk in a bit, okay? Promise. No more secrets.

Gio: It's because I don't have anything good to share. It's not that important, really. Dennis, are you sure you're okay? I'm not doing anything right now. Do you want to meet?

Gio: What do you mean you're trying? Dennis, you have to. That was so long ago. You're, you're in love with Ryan and you're married and you're a dad. You can't be trying to get over me because you're already over me... you have to be. All these years, all we've been through! Together, all of us. I don't, I can't hate you! I would never. I'm just... confused. And I'm sorry, I'm sorry if I'm, not able to express myself correctly because, I just don't know how to, really. But I'm just, you're right. You were, are not, more than a best friend to me, but you must realize, that is not a small title. It's not insignificant. It means everything. I just, couldn't. Even if you had said something, even if hearing it would've change anything between us, D, I would've never been able to give you any of what you have now. That's what I meant. You know, I believe in fate, and I was never yours. But that doesn't mean you weren't my person. Don't be angry with me for not being in love with you, too, D. Please. It doesn't mean I didn't love you just as much, though. Still do. Will, forever. You gotta know that, Dennis, I'd do anything for you. Even Ryan, for as long as he makes you happy. And he does. He really does. Or did. At least, I thought. Are you? Happy, I mean?

Gio: Oh, Dennis, Dennis, babe (sighs) don't cry. Please don't. I'm not, I'm not mad that I had to find out this way. I'm not mad at all. I'm just, I would've liked to known before. It doesn't, it doesn't mean things would be different, but you shouldn't have had to keep this to yourself. I would've never left you if I had any other choice, you know that, right? Tell me you know that. (swallows hard) Everyone is school who ever hurt you in any shape or form, they just did it to feel better about themselves, D. I know it doesn't help or change the effect years of bullying had in you and all you had to overcome but, I knew. I always knew, you were the most brilliant mind at that place. I wanted you. I needed you around. I, I liked the person I became when we were together, because you made me want to be better, more than just a rebel without a cause. Because I admired you. Because I thought, fuck, how lucky I was that I get to know him. You. To get to have you as my best friend? Me? A good for nothing! You deserved everything. The whole world and the moon, Dennis. I wish I could've given you all that and more, but it wasn't in our stars.

Ryemon: And I told you a lot too...i mean, not all of it was true but some of it was

Ryemon: EXCUSE ME. MARRIED? You're married to RYAN?????

Ryemon: Oh god. Probably? Did you marry him because he likes pokemon because newsflash, I'm not Ryan, I like pokemon, not him.

Ryemon: I'm not going to tell anyone anything. You have my promise...for whatever that's worth

AstroSkiploom: But everything I told you was real and authentic and deeply personal...

AstroSkiploom: You're like everyone else in high school that just wanted to play with my feelings and use me. I thought you were different

AstroSkiploom: I thought we had something

Gio: Why didn't you say anything? You could've said something back in school. I was expelled, I didn't disappear from the face of the Earth. Or even after. At any given point. Shit, D. I didn't know. I, was I a fucking asshole to you for not knowing? I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.

( A LONG ASS PAUSE )

( LIKE A HELLA LONG ASS PAUSE )

— — INCOMING CALL — —

Gio: Dennis? We need to talk. Where's Ryan?

Gio: I'm not following tho cause you didn't like me like that back in HS

Gio:

Gio:

Gio: Dennis

Gio: Let's go back in time 10 years ago

Gio: Did you like me like that?????????

Gio: But you didn't...

Gio: Say anything???

Gio:

Gio: This whole dildo, cock rings talk is now a little awkward

Gio: I mean, I appreciate it. I'm sure I'll put it to good use.

Gio: I think ---I--- need chocolate now. And vodka.

Dennis:

Dennis:

Dennis:

Dennis:

Dennis: We just had something special and

Dennis: I was going to tell you in person

Dennis: But you weren't at school the next day

Dennis: Or the next day after

Dennis: Or the next

Dennis: And I just

Dennis:

Dennis: I'm sorry, Gio...

Gio: I mean, you brought it up so, yeah, let's hear it.

Gio: Ohhhhhh I thought it was a typo ...

Gio: Is it a Pokemon plush toy too??? 😕

Gio: You do tho you were all over those for days 😂Ryan was worried cause you kept touching yourself in front of the mirror!

Gio: She is happy, D. You're the best role model she could have. You're an amazing father. I'm so proud of you, babe. You've done so well!

Dennis: I guess... maybe I like(d) you? Love you? As a best friend and all, and with our high school tradition

Dennis: Urfrghh never mind!!!

Dennis: No, I got you 😳 A dildo, some cock rings, stuff... Don't ask why that for it either!!! 😳

Dennis: Gahhhhh what has Ryan been telling you!?? That I've been touching myself!? That's only

Dennis: PARTIALLY TRUE

It felt good being back in his house, with his family. Lunch had been nice, with their family and watching a movie after. It felt normal, but they still needed to talk. Darna was off with Gio for the night and Ryan waved her off, double checking she had everything before she went. With her gone, he closed the door and turned to Dennis. “I can’t remember the last time we had the house to ourselves, it feels kind of weird,” Ryan admitted with a smile. He moved over to Dennis and placed his arms around his waist. “Hey,” Ryan said looking at his husband. He leaned into him, placing a gentle kiss to his neck. “So did you want to talk or you know, talk,” Ryan questioned with a cheeky expression. He pulled back, eyebrow raised as he waited for the answer. “Because I know what kind of talking I would prefer.”

What a lovely, fulfilling day. Dennis wouldn’t ever be sure of what normal was, but this -- this felt normal, this felt like a normal he could get used to. As he stood before Ryan with a slack grin on his face, it all so faded as he blushed at the way Ryan’s arms wrapped around his waist. After everything he’d been through, all of the insecurity he felt in his body, it was still so... foreign to think that someone wanted him and was able to see him more intimately. He met Ryan’s eyes before letting out a playful squeak at the kiss. “Yeah? Let’s start with that kind of talk then,” he said as he pressed his lips to Ryan’s, unable to resist his husband’s charm. “You want to maybe lead the way? Or the conversation?” The truth was that Dennis couldn’t decipher what Ryan wanted to talk about, but with the mood he set he just wanted to be with his husband.

Darna was like an Energizer Bunny as she dashed ahead, ignoring Ryan’s shouts to slow down. She was too excited and there was no stopping her. He quickly locked the car and went running after her, bag over his shoulder as he followed her to their house. They were home, the last few days had been awful, but hopefully, the bad times were past them and they could focus on the future. Ryan opened the door and Darna went racing inside, screeching ‘Tatay’ as she went. Ryan laughed, dropping the bag at the door and following. 

“She acts like she hasn’t seen you in weeks,“ Ryan teased. He gave Darna a few moments to get her cuddles. She’d missed him terribly, fusing constantly without Dennis. “My aunt says she’ll burn all your nerdy books if I move in with her ever again. Apparently, I don’t handle single life well,“ Ryan said. He shifted on the spot, feeling awkward. Did they need to talk? Hug? Kiss? They had some talking to do, but right now Ryan just wanted his husband. “She’s already throw away my fifty dollar whiskey as punishment.“ 

Though Dennis still hadn’t gotten used to Darna, he nonetheless scooped her up and kissed her on the cheek, snuggling her as they exchanged Ilonggo. The idea of having a daughter was still foreign on him, but there was no way he could resist Darna’s cute, cute charm. Holding her in his arms, he finally offered a soft grin to Ryan. Darna’s enthusiasm cut through the room’s awkwardness like a butter knife, and Dennis went in to softly peck Ryan’s lips, lingering there as Darna giggled before pulling back. “Love you,” he said softly as he just grinned at Ryan, happy that they were all here together. Dennis had no idea how to respond to Ryan’s musings on single life -- now he felt bad all over again, but instead of projecting it he merely grinned at Darna and kissed her cheek. He grabbed Ryan’s hand and thumbed his knuckles. “We’ll talk tonight? After we eat the lunch I made for us?”