#kryan

“Look, they’re just assholes, you need to…” Ryan trailed off, unable to figure out what exactly Ken needed to do. “You did such a good job fighting back.  They know you won’t just take it.” He’d been so proud, watching from across the hall as Ken glared at the assholes– Ryan’s teammates– who had been mocking his clothes.  As always, Ken had a clever retort waiting and he’d managed to leave before things got ugly, but now he was hiding in the bathroom.

Ryan kept trying to get him to talk. “I should have said something, Ken. I’m sorry I didn’t.”

“I know why you didn’t, it’s fine.” Ken’s voice was muffled slightly by the door between them, but it didn’t sound like he was crying.  Ryan sagged in relief, he’d been worried that someone had finally managed to say something that cracked his boyfriend’s usually impenetrable exterior.

“I hate this fucking town,” Ken said, repeating words that they both said often when they were alone.  “I swear to god when I graduate I’m never coming back and everybody here can go fuck themselves.”

Ryan laughed a little sadly. “Can I come with?”

Too much bitterness was in the muffled voice that replied, “Are you sure you’d want to?”

“Yes, of course I would! I want to be wherever you are.” It was probably a stupid, sappy thing to say, but Ryan didn’t regret saying it.  

When he heard the lock slide off of the door, he was glad he’d said it. The door didn’t open, but it was a step in the right direction.

“Hey, uh, Ryan?” Ken’s voice was muffled by the door, but it almost sounded like he was nervous.  “I… I love you.”

Even though he’d promised himself he would be patient and wait for Ken to be ready to leave the stall on his own, he couldn’t sit still through that.  He pulled the door open and hugged Ken.

“I love you too.” They stayed like that for a bit, not bothering to hide the stupid smiles on their faces.

Finally they pulled apart, still smiling.  Ryan tossed his arm around Ken’s shoulders. “Took you long enough to say it, nerd”

Ken laughed and pushed him playfully, “Shut up!”