Malcolm Wilkerson x Male OC
Rowan is everything Malcolm isn’t; he’s kind, athletic, and gets girls left and right. He doesn’t even have to try to impress people; he just naturally does it. There’s no way he would like the in-denial Malcolm, right?
Warnings: language, internalised homophobia, Reese being nice
A/N: Hey, guys! I’m going to make this into a series of little one-shots of Malcolm and Rowan; this is just how they started. There will be a part two of this though, don’t you worry. Ash lowk heart me tweaking over not wanting to finish this because I knew it would be long, so shoutout @idk-reese
Malcolm shouldn’t like him. He’s a football player. Malcolm is, well, Malcolm. He’s a nerd, a Krelboyne–well, okay, not technically anymore since he’s in high school, but once a Krelboyne, always a Krelboyne.
But Rowan… he’s a football player, popular, tall, with black hair, and the absolute opposite of Malcolm. He’s nice; he’s not selfish like Malcolm can tend to be. He’s also a boy; that would mean Reese is right, along with his grandma: he is gay.
Malcolm sat at lunch, ignoring Stevie as he huffed out random stuff about classes or physics, all of which went unheard as Malcolm’s eyes were latched onto Rowan. Malcolm wasn’t even sure Rowan knew he existed, and if he did, Malcolm would only be known for being whiny or annoying. Not hot and super good at football like Rowan.
Maybe Malcolm envied him; that was all. Maybe he wasn’t actually gay and just wanted to be more like Rowan.
And so Malcolm tried. He tried out for the football team, ended up as the water boy. That lasted for maybe a week before Malcolm knew he had to quit, especially when Rowan was now interested in what a Krelboyne was doing on the team. It’s not that Rowan was mean to Malcolm, quite the opposite actually. But Malcolm freaked out; he wanted absolutely nothing to do with coming to terms that he really did like Rowan.
That’s how Malcolm ended up avoiding Rowan for the next month. For some reason, Rowan wanted to be his friend, and Malcolm wasn’t sure if he was more excited or petrified.
Malcolm sat under the football bleachers after school, finishing up his calculus 3 homework. He was waiting on Reese, who once again got detention. Normally, Malcolm would have left Reese to find a way home by himself, but Lois forced him to wait on Reese, as they had to share one car due to their financial situation.
Yet Malcolm found himself unable to focus. A certain black-haired boy clouded his mind as he looked through the cracks of the bleachers, watching as Rowan threw a perfect spiral. It amazed Malcolm how one person could be so good at throwing a ball. What amazed him more was how attractive he made it look. Especially how attractive he looked doing it.
That thought only caused Malcolm to force himself to work on his homework; he couldn’t find it in him to come to terms with his big crush on Rowan Kowalski, the hottest guy in school, and totally had to be straight.
What Malcolm didn’t notice was the certain black-haired, blue-eyed boy slowly approaching him.
“Hey, look, it’s the boy who has been avoiding me for a month now,” Rowan smirked, sitting down next to Malcolm, pulling his jersey and pads off to reveal his naked upper body.
Malcolm tried not to stare, but failed. He just watched Rowan, mouth agape; part of him just wanted to kiss the boy in front of him.
“What!? I’m not avoiding you…” Malcolm winced, his face full of guilt. “Okay, maybe I am avoiding you, just a bit,” he sighed, looking away, trying to avoid the confrontation with his crush.
“Well, why are you avoiding me? I wanted to hang out, but you quit the team and have ignored me since.” Rowan looked disappointed, and it broke Malcolm’s heart. He never wanted to hurt anyone–well, maybe Reese, but that’s for taking so damn long to meet him.
“Sorry, Rowan. I’m not trying to avoid you on purpose,” he totally was, “I just have been busy with college stuff, and I guess I don’t get why you of all people want to hang out with me.” Malcolm finally looked over to meet Rowan’s blue eyes, and my god, did it kill him.
“Well, I have to head home, but here’s my number.” Rowan passed Malcolm a piece of paper, holding the 10-digit number that contained Rowan’s phone number.
“Call me later tonight; that way we can figure out when we’re both free.” Rowan smiled, waving lighting as he walked away, turning back every few steps and then looking at Malcolm before he finally disappeared out of Malcolm’s eyesight, into the locker rooms.
“Yeah… I will.” Malcolm smiled to himself, looking down at the folded-up piece of paper in his hands.
Malcolm was so focused on the piece of paper in his hands that he didn’t hear Reese approaching him. When Reese practically smacked him, he finally looked up.
“Reese! What the hell!” Malcolm stood up, crossing his arms while he waited for Reese to explain himself.
“You were too focused on your homework! It's not my fault that I want to go home after spending an hour with Herkabe.” Reese rolled his eyes, snagging the car keys from Malcolm’s carabiner.
“Yeah, and who set that system up?” Malcolm groaned, packing up his stuff, but making sure to place the piece of paper Rowan had given him 10 minutes earlier carefully into his pocket.
Reese didn’t even argue with Malcolm, just smirked as if he were proud of himself–and let's be honest, he totally was.
Malcolm only rolled his eyes and slipped into the passenger seat, fidgeting with the paper in his pocket as he looked out the window while Reese drove them home.
After dinner, Malcolm decided he had left enough time since the last time he saw Rowan to call him. He didn’t want to be desperate, but also didn’t want to seem like he didn’t care at all. So once everyone had gone to do their respective activities, he picked up the phone and walked to his room, dialling Rowan’s number.
By the second ring, he had psyched himself out of it, his breath becoming ragged and he freaked out. He couldn’t do this; he wasn’t gay. He couldn’t be. He’s had girlfriends before, all of whom he guesses he was attracted to.
Malcolm was quick to redial the all too familiar number, the one he had called time and time again when he was this freaked out. When the phone clicked, signalling the other had picked up, Malcolm slowed his mind only a little.
“Francis, I really need your help.” Malcolm breathed out, almost sounding like Stevie. His mind was still racing, although less than before.
“Malcolm, I’m kind of busy here! Can you call me again in an hour?” Francis’ voice was heard, clearly stressed, as a cow whined out in pain. Malcolm guessed another cow went into labour.
“Francis–please. I really need your help-” Malcolm began to spiral, wanting to just blurt out that he liked a guy. But he didn’t want to be gay. He couldn’t.
“Malcolm! I’ll call you in an hour; go talk to Stevie or something.” And the line went dead, realisation sinking into Malcolm, as he began to full-on panic again.
Just then did Reese, of all people, walk in, and when he saw Malcolm, he tried to reach for the door to leave. Reese was definitely not one to be able to handle his emotions, much less anyone else's.
“Reese, don’t you dare leave!” Malcolm yelled, ready to punch him as hard as he did when he stole his pen a year ago.
Reese slowly closed the door again, not knowing what to say, so he did the only thing he knew how to do: joke.
“What’s got your panties in a twist? It’s not like you just found out you’re a loser or anything-” Reese began to ramble, throwing his arms around to make his point more known.
“I’m gay, Reese! I have a fat crush on Rowan Kowalski, and everyone is going to hate me more for it!” Malcolm blurted, cutting off the stupid ranting Reese had begun, tears falling down his face.
Reese was not one to hug his brothers, or well, anyone. He didn’t show his feelings, not even to his own boyfriend, Tanner. But seeing his baby brother break down broke his heart, walked over and hugged him.
“Anyone who makes fun of you will have to deal with me beating the shit out of them,” Reese mumbled, patting Malcolm’s back. It was awkward, but it was better than Reese’s other plan of hitting Malcolm.
“You know my best friend Tanner? He’s my boyfriend. I didn’t want to tell you guys, at least not yet. I didn’t want you to think of me differently. Reese confessed, pulling away from Malcolm, sitting on his own bed while Malcolm sat on his own.
Malcolm wasn’t entirely shocked about it, but at the same time it calmed him down. Made him feel less alone.
“You’re gay?” Malcolm asked, his eyes full of curiosity, but also hope. Maybe he and Rowan could be something, if he could ever accept himself first.
“Bisexual. I like guys and girls, but Tanner kinda has my whole heart–tell him I said that and I’ll knock your teeth out!” Reese glared, part of it true, but knowing Malcolm was going through a lot, and didn’t need Reese on his ass over something stupid.
“Oh… that actually makes sense…” Malcolm nodded, looking off into space as he thought. Maybe he was bisexual.
“Look, Mac. I know we don’t do the whole feelings thing, but I wouldn’t look at you differently if you like taking it up the butt. I clearly can’t be one to judge.” Reese smirked proudly, wanting it to be known he loves Malcolm, but can’t be too soft with him.
Malcolm could only burst out laughing, throwing his shoe at Reese for his interesting comment.
“What if I was the one sticking it up his butt!” Malcolm wheezed, knowing if anyone were to walk by, they would be extremely concerned at the conversation currently being held.
“With Rowan Kowalski? Are you insane!? Keep dreaming.” Reese laughed. They didn’t get to do this a lot, but both of them secretly enjoyed it when they got along and were able to just sit and talk, even if it was kinda crazy.
Malcolm just laughed, picking the phone number that never left his hand, picking the phone up and dialling the number he had already memorized.
The phone rang for what felt like hours, but when it finally did pick up, Malcolm’s racing heart only quickened.
“Hello?” Rowan questioned, silently praying it was Malcolm on the other end.
“Hey, Rowan. It’s Malcolm. I just wanted to see when you’re free next?” Malcolm smiled softly, his heart still racing.
“Hey, Mac! I’m free tomorrow after practice; we could go grab something to eat and head back to mine.” Rowan’s smile grew when he realised Malcolm actually wanted to hang out with him.
Reese sat on his bed, smiling at his brother. It reminded him of him and Tanner, back when they could barely speak 10 words without stammering and fumbling with their words. Speaking of the devil, walked in, giving a questioning look towards the blushing Malcolm. Tanner was lying on Reese’s bed, pulling the boy to lie in his arms.
“I’ll explain in a bit, but he knows about us.” Reese smiled, rubbing his thumb over the arm that was around his waist. Tanner only smiled and nodded; Reese and him now watching Malcolm flirt.
“Okay, yeah. It’s a date-I mean! Um, a hang out, yeah, a hang out-” Malcolm freaked out, his eyes wide, hoping he didn’t just totally ruin his chance with the boy of his dreams.
Rowan could only laugh at how adorable the other boy’s attempt was at “correcting” himself.
“Mac, slow down. It’s a date; I wouldn’t have been trying to hunt you down for the past month just to be your friend… though then again, with you maybe I would have.” Rowan smiled, leaning his head against the wall.
Malcolm could only blush, especially with Rowan continuing to call him Mac. No one ever did, only his brothers occasionally.
“Okay, yeah… it’s a date.” Malcolm giggled, sitting on his bed criss-crossed, playing with his hands.
“I’ll come sit by you at lunch, if that’s okay with you? I’d say come sit by me, but we can always take turns; your friends can come sit with my friends too!” Rowan rambled, just wanting to spend time with Malcolm. Plus, Reese has already spent his time over at his table since he’s dating his best friend Tanner.
“Sounds perfect. See you tomorrow?” Malcolm asked, trying not to sound desperate, but failing miserably.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Mac.” Rowan smiled, saying his goodbyes to Malcolm as he hung up the phone.
Both boys got off the phone with big smiles on their faces, staring off into space as they thought about the perfect day they were going to have tomorrow.
“Wait, you have a crush on my best friend!” Tanner laughed, tucking his face into Reese’s head.
Reese laughed just as hard, nodding his head as he did. Malcolm only blushed and put his face in his hands.
“Yeah, I do…” Malcolm groaned, lying back on his bed, “How am I supposed to tell mom and dad?” Malcolm panicked again.
“Whoa, slow down there, Rowan lover,” Malcolm rolled his eyes at the nickname, but no one missed the red on his cheeks, “Mom and dad won’t care; they know about Tanner and me. They honestly are really supportive; just tell them when you go to his house tomorrow.” Reese shrugged, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Malcolm only nodded, calming himself down again. All he had to do was make it to tomorrow; then he gets to hang out with the boy he’s been crushing on for months, his parents will support him, and maybe in the next month or so he’ll have a boyfriend. He just has to make it until tomorrow. rked as if he were proud of himself–and let's be honest, he totally was.
