#shippingboots

Shane had never been sure what to make of Hidden Block. Rivals, friends, it didn’t really matter to him. They were chaotic, unorganized, compared to the Normal Boots club they could even be considered unprofessional (if a high school gaming club could even be considered professional).

First joining Normal Boots had been… stressful, to say the least. Shane, still new from England, had spent almost the whole first month of school alone. It wasn’t until PBG started talking about Animal Intersection in class and Shane had impressed him with vast knowledge about the game that Shane had someone he could consider a friend. Before he knew it he was the newest member of the Normal Boots club, special jacket and all.

Everything was calm…. For a while.

“What do you want?” Shane didn’t, couldn’t understand why Jeff seemed to take such an interest in everything Shane did, from his drawings to how his day had been. It was almost endearing. Almost.

“I…. Shane, I have a question.” Jeff swallowed visibly before Shane sighed. Focusing his attention on Jeff, Shane paused. Jeff looked… really good today? His hair was perfectly fluffy, the gold in his eyes catching the light until Shane felt himself let out a slow breath.

“Shane?” He shook his head, giving Jeff a small smile.

“Sorry, I was just…. Thinking. Continue, please?” Jeff nodded slightly, taking a deep breath before speaking.

“What would you do if I told you I’m in love?” In…. love? Jeff paled. Shane noticed his hands were shaking. Did Jeff…?

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have….. I’m so sorry.” Jeff turned, walking quickly. Shane froze, caught between trying to reach out for him or standing to go after Jeff, his chair clattering behind him.

“No, wait- Jeff-” Jeff stood, glancing back as Shane lowered his hand.

“What?” Jeff’s voice was barely a whisper, the air around silent and all too loud all at once.

Shane was tired. It had been a long week, too long, and he needed a break. The last thing he wanted to do right now was attend the “Foreign students meeting” or whatever. But he had made an obligation to go, and as much as he’d rather not he stuck to his word. Shrugging on his Normal Boots jacket before leaving his room, he was met by a certain other British student.

“Caddy,” he spoke as a statement, acknowledging the rival member before moving to walk past.

“Shane! I was hoping we could walk to the meeting together, if you don’t mind? These things get bloody tedious and-” Shane stopped listening, his body going on autopilot as Caddy talked. He already had a headache, the enthusiastic boy next to him wasn’t helping.

“Shane?” Shit. Had Caddy noticed he wasn’t paying attention? He slowed his pace slightly, looking at Caddy.

“Yeah?”

“..... Nevermind.” Odd. Was Caddy’s face redder than it had been before? Shane shrugged, returning to his usual pace but watching Caddy out of the corner of his eye. He seemed… flustered? He kept moving his hands to finger edge of his jacket, play with the buttons, finally stuffing them into his pockets. Shane could feel his eyes glance at him every so often, fleeting looks of determination and doubt crossing his face.

“.... Why do you keep looking at me like that?” This seemed to startle him even more, Caddy’s eyes growing wide as he stuttered.

“L-like wha- what?”

“I see the way you look at me when you think I’m not looking. Like…”Like you like me. The realization hit Shane, his own face growing red. Of course. How hadn’t he picked up on it before?

“I… uh… I have to go.” Caddy sped off, running towards nothing as Shane watched helplessly, unable to react. His mind reeling, all he could think to do was reach out, a shout escaping him as he watched the yellow and black jacket fade into the distance.

Jared strived for perfection. He had to, it wasn’t a choice. After all, anything less and his mother wouldn’t spare a second thought to sending him away for good. Which is why, even at Asagao, Jared didn’t allow himself a break.

Until the Normal Boots Club.

It wasn’t easy to keep his hobbies a secret. Jared liked video games, he liked DnD, he liked everything his mother despised. If he thought about it, that was probably why he liked it. Because it meant rebelling. It meant ‘you can’t control this part of me’. So joining the Normal Boots Club, a club known for video games, while having a group of friends that didn’t care about his family or how perfect he felt he had to be?

It was absolute bliss.

Until…

Jared knew it was only a matter of time. Really, he knew from the moment he joined, but he refused to accept it, refused to acknowledge the feelings developing for a friend he barely knew. As they spent more time together, as the group grew person by person, Jared knew that one day he wouldn’t be able to hide it, that one day he’d snap, or he’d break, and everything would be laid out for everyone to see.

It was time to act, before that had the chance to happen. It couldn’t be that hard to confess to a crush, right? Even if that crush is one of your closest friends? And might not even swing your way?

Heh.

Jared paced the floor outside of PBG’s room, psyching himself up. He could do this flawlessly. After all, he had practiced only a million times. He stopped pacing, turning back to his room. Maybe he should practice more…

“Jared?” Shit. Jared smiled, running a hand through his hair as he turned to face PBG.

“Hey PBG! I was just… uh…” Now or never, Jared. “Can we go in your room to talk?”

“Uh… sure?” PBG seemed confused, opening his door as Jared followed. Jared gulped, trying to push down all his fears as PBG plopped onto the couch, inviting Jared to sit down and talk.

“I… PBG. I need to tell you how I feel. I’ve been in love with you my entire life. Ever since the day I first met you. And I’m so sorry if you don’t feel the same way, or if this makes some kind of rift, or… I just needed you to know. Thanks for listening, and being a great friend.” Jared shakily wiped away a tear, turning to leave the room once again. He had done it, and now PBG probably hated him, or….

PBG wasn’t sure what to think when he heard something like the sound of sniffles coming from the clubroom. There wasn’t a meeting until tomorrow, no one was technically supposed to be in the room, but it wasn’t uncommon for some of the club to use the room for privacy, or a get away place. He wasn’t sure what to do. Obviously whoever was in there wanted privacy, but….

PBG was curious. Besides, he needed the duffel bag that had been left in the room. Cracking the door open, he steeled himself before walking in. He hadn’t been sure what to expect, but the sight in front of him had definitely not been on the top of the list of possibilities.

“Shane?”

“I… uh.. PBG! What are you doing here?” He turned away slightly, an effort to hide himself scrubbing frantically at his face. PBG frowned, moving a step closer.

“I left a duffel bag in here. What-” PBG shook his head, moving to reach out to Shane. “Nevermind that. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Shane leaned away, avoiding PBG’s hand. “I’m perfectly fine.”

“Shane, it’s okay to cry….” Shane seemed to deflate at the words, slumping down in his chair. PBG’s alarm made him reach out again, a comforting hand on Shane’s shoulder as his face crumpled, tears running down his face once again.

“I just…” His words were shaky, a gasping breath drawing it’s way from his throat. Shane pressed a hand to his mouth, PBG moving quickly to gather him into a hug, rubbing his back in what he hoped was a soothing manner.

“It’s okay, Shane.” Shane nodded slowly, allowing himself to be held.