Chapter three
A messy mess
"I trust Jack's gotten you up-to-date with the events regarding my lip?" Sky said as his eyebrow rose in a questioning way.
Bridge moved his head in a negative way. "More like his swollen and bruised cheek and the talk you had in the end." Sky's cheek got slightly pink, and Bridge moved to take a seat on his bed, facing Sky, smile wide enough to show a few white teeth. "And who's the lucky lady?"
Sky's cheeks turned a deeper shade of red. Well, it seemed that it had stayed from Jack's perspective that he was besotted over a female, which was fine in a way. But it was something he would have to explain.
"No one, really…" The truth was that, but by the look on Bridge, it seemed like the boy had taken it in the way of 'I feel too embarrassed to tell you'.
"You know you can tell me, Sky. I won't judge or comment anything on the matter, if you want it that way."
Sky took a deep breath, trying to muster as much courage as he could. He would be damned if he didn't got this out of his head now. If Bridge reacted in a bad way… well, he would later see how to deal with it.
"Even if it's… a man?"
Seconds passed and Bridge's eyebrows furrowed, making the space between his brows wrinkle slightly. Sky's eyes moved downwards, fixing its blue color on the floor as he exhaled slowly. Just what he feared and needed, Bridge rejecting him. But that was fine, Sky told himself, he could live with that. But the tightness on his chest made him doubt. Maybe he should have kept it to himself.
"It's fine if you freak out, Bridge." 'Pathetic,' he thought with some disdain to himself, 'as if the rejection on itself didn't hurt at all. Now my voice hints I might just start crying'. His eyes stung, though, the feeling of tears about to well up being clear enough. He didn't need that; he didn't need to look weak before Bridge. This time, he spoke with his voice more firm, "I freaked out as well when I found out I might have feelings for a man."
Lies. If he freaked out about his realization, it was because love might be involved, not because he fell in love for a man. And good grief, he did fell for Bridge. What good it did for him to keep denying it? Bridge made him think and feel things that, despite him not wanting them before, he had to admit he wouldn't mind feeling them if Bridge was the one to cause them.
"Oh, no. No. I mean—" Bridge blushed deeply, mind racing to find the words to express why he had been quiet for more time than needed. "It's… I'm a little thunderstruck, that's all. It's fine, really. I get it, I guess. It's just that Jack had told me you had something for a female and not a male and thus it came a little bit like a surprise that you told me this. But I'm okay with that, I don't mind it, really. If you like men, that's fine. Everyone's got a right to like whoever they want, that's just the fair thing, after all." His gloved hand came to scratch his chin slightly, a show of his nervousness. "Though I never really thought you liked men—not that I've given it much thought in fact, but I guess I just assumed you—Ah, right. I'll shut it, now." His face was bright red, and Sky couldn't help but smile at that, Bridge's eyes looking everywhere but him. That was a huge relief, he noted, his chest feeling less tight. "And… do I know who this lucky man is?"
"Uhh… I guess you do." Unless Bridge was oblivious to his own way of being, in which case no, he wouldn't' know who this man was.
"Is it too much to ask who is he?" By Sky's red cheeks he knew the answer already. "Well, who is the lucky man doesn't matter now, I guess. But is everything better now?"
Sky questioned himself the same thing, and he found his answer to be a clear 'yes'. He was feeling better now that he admitted his feelings for a man, for his friend, even if he wasn't fully comfortable with the idea yet. "I think so."
"So now I hope there will be no more shifts in your energy?"
Sky cracked at smile at that. He hoped there wouldn't be any more changes on his energy, just to not worry his friend. He didn't like to see Bridge worried.
"I can't assure you that. I'm not one hundred percent sure about it." And how he could? How could he determine if his mind would stop pulling tricks on him that made him question his own sanity?
"Oh, alright. And will you tell him how you feel?"
Would he?
"I guess I will, when I feel ready enough to do so. With all these Ranger stuff and Gruumm trying to take over the Earth…"
Bridge stood, walking to Sky as he embraced him between his arms, something that left Sky totally shocked as he stayed paralyzed for some seconds, feeling his heart thumb strongly against his ribcage and the blood rush to his ears. He felt dizzy.
"It's okay, Sky." Came Bridge's soft words, warm breath fanning over his nape and making him feel goose bumps. The spoken words, though, made him feel cradled in acceptance, and he returned the hug softly, not being used to receive physical contact like this from Bridge or anyone in particular.
They held the embrace for a while, Sky taking in Bridge's smell, face burying in the crook of his neck as he enjoyed these moment of peace, of acceptance and care. As good friends as they were, it was something rare to have shared a hug. Sky didn't care why Bridge spoke those words, or what was the real meaning of them. To him, they held such a meaning that was ground-shaking. It made him think that in the end everything would end up as it had to be, that he didn't need to face his problems by himself, because he had great friends that cared for him. He had Bridge to talk to. In a way, it made him feel like he wasn't alone—not that he had felt alone before, it just seemed more noticeable to him that there would always be someone to be willing to listen to him.
So he hugged Bridge with new found enthusiasm, almost clinging to his friend as if he need to make sure this was happening, that this was no dream of his and that after the embrace was broken, Bridge would be still there, accepting him for who he was in spite of whatever flaw he might have as a person.
And yes, after he unwrapped Bridge from his arms, the younger man was there, a soft smile grazing his features.
"Thank you, Bridge." Sky muttered softly, feeling more at ease with himself after this small exchange with his best friend.
The footsteps that followed the whiz of the door sliding open made his blue gaze turn to the person that had entered the room.
"Hey, Z." The girl jumped at the unexpected voice, and she shook her head, blinking away the foggy state of slumber.
"Uh… hey, Sky. What ya doin' here?" Z asked, words slurred in her still sleepy state.
"Just doing some thinking."
Z moved her head back, eyes falling down to look at the men that sat there calmly sipping from his orange juice. "At… amnh… two in the morning?" Sky offered a small smile, hiding it after the straw he sucked on to get his juice from that box that held it. "Yeah… Whatever, I've seen crazier." And with that Z moved to get some water to make her throat feel less dry and raspy. After getting some more water, she went to sit next to Sky.
"You look bad."
Z forced a tight smile to her lips, and wrinkles appeared at the side of her eyes. "Why, thank you. Such a gentleman you turned out to be."
Sky flushed at that. He hadn't meant it that way. "Sorry, it's just that… I'm sorry."
"It's fine. Syd's just… have you heard a dog snore before?" Sky frowned in confusion at such a question. "Well, imagine the loudest snore of a big dog on Syd."
Sky had to cover his mouth to prevent himself to spit his juice all over himself. "Syd snores?" He asked in disbelief.
"You have never heard her snore?" She sighed. "You don't want to hear it, then." She gave a small sip from her cup. "But don't tell her I told you. Besides, she doesn't usually snores. Just on certain days." She then looked at Sky from head to toe. "Is it the same with Bridge?"
Sky's head shook softly. "Oh, no. He does snores, but I guess is the opposite to how you describe Syd's. They are soft and low, kind of cute, actually." He smiled at the picture in his head of a snoring Bridge, mouth slightly agape as he drooled over a bit. "He does tend to drool a bit, though." His gaze moved to the juice box he had between his fingers. Yes, Bridge would drool a bit, sometimes he would drool quite more than needed, and Sky had to put himself the chore to make sure Bridge could freely let his saliva out into an old shirt or towel, so the boy wouldn't stain his sheets with his own slobber. "W-What?" He asked nervously at Z's soft smile.
"You have a crush on him, don't you?"
"Me? On Bridge? Of course—"
"Of course you do." Z cut him off. "Your blush tells it all."
"For all you know, I could be blushing for such an accusation."
"You didn't deny it." Sky's nostrils flared. He felt cheated, as if someone had laid a trap for him and he had walked straight to it.
"…But I didn't said—"
"Answer so slow a snail is faster than you, dude." Sky frowned once again, feeling confusion take grip of him. "Sorry, just something Jack and I used to say when the other gave an answer that took way too long." She shrugged. "But no change on topic! You like Bridge, don't you?" Sky grimaced at the eagerness on Z's tone.
"I don't need the gossip, you know." Z suppressed her smile as well as she could and cleared her throat.
"Right. Wait… was this what had you so reckless on yesterday's fight?" Sky gave a shy nod, embarrassed to admit that. "Then something must have happened between you two, then."
"More like between me and Jack."
"Oh?" Well, that was something Z didn't expect.
"He just makes me so angry sometimes. He came up to me confronting me about it all of the sudden." Sky huffed, feeling some lingering anger get to him.
"Oh, I know. He is not the most sensible guy on Earth. But he tries, in his own clumsy way, he does." But she knew that as good as Jack's intentions could be, he would sometimes end up messing things more, by the way he approached them. "And have you told Bridge?"
Sky's cheeks turned slightly red. "I have told him I like a man."
"And when do you plan telling him you have a major kind of crush on him?" Z asked, leaning in with her eyebrows up.
"Sometime, I guess." He hoped he could, at least. If he felt brave enough. "How come I'm suddenly opening to everyone about what should only be of my concern?" He asked, feeling really curious to know the answer.
"Well, sometimes you need to tell what burdens you to other people. It's better when you've got someone to talk with about whatever problem you have instead of trying to deal with it by your own."
Sky looked at her for a moment, throwing those words around on his head for a bit. "You only say that because you want me to keep updating you about Bridge and me."
The wide smile Z had been hidden by the cup of water, only enough for the smile to be smaller. "In a way, yes. But I also believe that, Sky." She stood from the couch, moving to throw the cup on a garbage can that was near. "But, think about it. Maybe Bridge might feel the same for you, you'll never know for sure until you tell him." He stretched, arms going above her head. "And if he doesn't feel like you do, you still can be friends." She walked to where Sky was seated and let her hand rest on his shoulder. "Now wish me luck with Syd. I really need some sleep."
Sky smiled at Z. "I hope you get some hours at least."
"Let's hope the odd are in my favor."
"Why didn't you told me?!"
"What? Told you what?"
"Don't play fool, Jack."
"I am not playing fool, Z. So if you could clear a few things, it would be great."
Z just rolled her eyes, frustrated. "That Sky likes Bridge."
"Sky likes Bridge?!" Jack asked in shock.
"Yes! Oh, wait… You didn't know?" Jack shook his head, mouth still open in surprise. Well, now Z had been the one to screw things up. "Don't you dare tell anyone, okay? Sky would kill me if he knew." Maybe she had misunderstood a few things from the talk she and Sky had had, or maybe sleep had just mixed everything on her head. "Look, as far as you know, you know nothing of this, alright?"
"Now nothing of what?"
"Does she know?" Z asked, pointing at Syd. Jack shook his shoulders.
"For all I know, Piggy could have more information than us." And really, with the surprises Sky was coming with as of lately, even Boom would be having his own piece of knowledge regarding the topic.
"Uh… Syd. Would you happen to know anything about Sky's odd behavior lately?"
Well, wasn't that obvious? "I know as much as you both do."
"Told you! Sky is full of secrets." Jack said.
"And what do you think about him liking Bridge?"
"Oh my… He likes Bridge?! How come you knew of that but I didn't!"
"You just told us you knew as much as us!" Z replied.
"Well, as far as I knew, none of us knew what the hell was making him acting all strange."
Oh, well, that cleared things. Z hid her face between her hands. Now she had majorly messes things up. One thing was to accidentally think Jack knew, but to accidentally tell Syd. 'That's what lack of sleep makes you do', she reasoned with herself.
"Does Bridge knows?"
"He doesn't! And nothing that we have said and heard the last minutes get out of here, got it?"
"Okay, fine. Let me guess if I understood all of this." Jack said, crossing his arms over his chest. "You have messed up on a whole new level, right?" Z nodded, cheeks flushed in embarrassment, and Jack couldn't help but laugh loudly at that. "Oh, Z… imagine if Sky finds out." He said between laughs.
"But he won't know, right?" Z asked in a threatening voice, standing to her feet and nearing Jack, hands balled at her sides.
"Woah, hold it there, woman." Syd took her by the arm, moving her away from Jack. "Okay, so you might have messed things up a little, Z. But that's okay, at least we aren't worried anymore without reason, we know why he's been so unlike himself lately. And we won't tell him, so everyone stays out of trouble."
"Yeah, no need to jump to violence, Z."
Z sighed. She was just nervous about how she had just told them about Sky's love interest. But well, the man never told her she was the only one knowing who he liked! She then snorted. "Yeah, says the guy who went to talk with Sky and ended up with a swollen cheek."
"Hey, he left me no option! He was just getting on my nerves, alright?" Z gave her a 'Whatever you say' kind of look.
"So… who's up for a little bit of gossip?" Syd asked, an excited smile on her face.
And Jack and Z were more than willing to engage in a conversation revolving around their friends, even if Z had kind of promised Sky not to divulge his secret in order to avoid gossiping. She trusted nothing would go out of those walls enclosing the most heated debate they had had in the last weeks, regarding various theories about how Sky could have started to develop a crush for Bridge, how would he told Bridge about it and how would the younger man react to it, between some other things.
Sky wanted to say something, go for a straight-to-the-point question or a comment that suggested he was aware of those annoying glances. He let it pass, though, hoping those glances would not attract more attention than the desired one, and if it did, he would have to speak with Z about some things.
But the glances made him feel more self-aware of his actions and words, and honestly, it was just too distracting, and he found himself to lack the concentration he usually had, something that became obvious when he had to ask, for the second time, what had Bridge meant.
"Are you even paying me attention, Sky?" Bridge asked, crossing his arms.
"Uh… yes. I just don't get what you are trying to tell me." The truth was that he had only heard half of what Bridge had said, and none of it made sense to him.
"But it's easy to understand, right, guys?" He turned to his friends, expecting them to show support.
"Not really, Bridge." Jack said, rubbing his forehead as a headache had settled in. This was the last time he tried to make sense of Bridge's rambles, he promised himself.
Bridge growled. "Oh, you are all ignoring me, aren't you?"
"We surely aren't, Bridge. It's just a very odd thought." Z said, and Bridge stood.
"Well, I'll go and see if Boom finds it as odd as you say." And following his word, he left the room, surely to tell Boom whatever he had in mind.
"So…" Sky begun, "What was he talking about? I seriously understood nothing."
Syd shrugged, leaning back on the couch. "You know, just your average Bridge thing."
"Alright, I get that." He then rested his elbows over his knees, arching his back so he could lean in to tell them something. "So I guess Z told you everything."
"Tell them what?" Z quickly asked.
"No idea what are you talking about." Jack said, eyes moving up to the ceiling.
"Yeah, what are you talking about, Sky?"
Sky arched his eyebrows, eyes daring them to keep denying it. "Are you sure you have no idea what am I talking about?" His hard gaze made Syd's mouth fall shut, and a tense silence filled the room. "Z, I thought I told you not to tell anyone?"
The girl gave him a nervous smile, and her shoulders were pulled upward, trying to cover herself from further confrontation. "W-Well… it was kind of an accident, you see."
"And accident were you told Jack and Syd?" His tone was disturbingly calm. "Just… a question." And he then leaned back, eyes moving to see his friends. "Does Bridge knows? Because by the way things look, it would be no surprise Crueger knew by now."
"Hey, man, no need to get—"
"I asked Z, Jack, not you."
Jack closed his mouth upon hearing Sky's cold and sharp interruption, knowing the man was more enraged than what he showed to be. In spite of his silence, he was ready to defend his friend if it came to be necessary.
"Oh, no, no. He doesn't know. I didn't mess it up that much."
"I'm glad."
"It just happened that I might have mixed things in my head from our talk and accidentally told Jack. Then things might have got confusing and somehow now they both know." She offered an apologetic smile, hoping that way Sky would be less upset.
Sky sighed, head shaking as he thought what to do about this… messy mess things were becoming. "Fine, fine. As long as you three stop your staring, I can deal with this. So please try not to 'accidentally' tell anyone else, okay?"
The three of them nodded at the same time.
"But, like, have you even hinted you like him?" Sky groaned at Syd's question. "Come on, Sky, we are just curious about all this."
"Yeah, our lips will be sealed so none of this escapes us."
Sky eyed them with a grimace. "You won't stop pestering me until I tell you what you want to hear, isn't it?" Jack, Z and Syd smiled at him in response. "Sorry to rain on your parade, but it won't happen today nor ever."
He then marched away from the room, before his friends could whine about it. Because as much relaxation it came along with telling his friends his thoughts, he wasn't risking more than what he could dare to. He already had crossed line when he told Jack about his feelings, and he had basically spit over the limits by basically telling Z all he had said to her. So far, it had been proven how much of a bad idea it was to open himself to other about his thoughts and feelings. The next person to know about his love for Bridge? Probably Crueger, or Boom. Or Gruumm or even Piggy. Seriously, by now he was much worried about how to tell Bridge his feelings than trying to stop the inevitable. As good friends Jack, Z or Syd could be, Sky was now aware of their latent interest on the subject, and he was sure those three would eventually talk about it and discuss it, and in the unlucky way things were going, a word would get out and from there on only havoc would ensue. Of that he had no doubt, but he still hoped his friends would keep it to themselves until he decided he and only he wanted to tell people he was… well, that he was gay and he had fallen for none other than his best friend Bridge Carson.
A smirk tugged at his lips as he thought of it. He loved Bridge Carson. And it felt oddly fine to think about it, some thrill slipping under his demeanor. He felt like jumping, like shouting only to let out his feelings, to run around S.P.D. until he found Bridge so he could hug him tightly and kiss him deeply, conveying every ounce of emotion in that kiss.
Instead, he settled for a small smile. Until he deemed reasonable to do some of the above-mentioned actions. For now, there was such a messy mess to clean after and he would make sure it was taken care of properly by himself.
Hey there! Sorry for the lateness of this chapter (and maybe how short it is). Also I apologize for any grammatical mistake, will try to fix it when I get energies to do so.
So, yeah, I totally screwed up, this is in no way how I want this go, but when has that happened? So far, no multi-chapter fic I've done plays along to how I want it to be. And that's fine, I guess. This time I have to blame my messed up sleep (I'm still trying to fix my sleep, I only get like 6 hours, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. lately, and it's messing with my already messed-up mind and thoughts) and now I'm lacking thoughts that I need to keep this up as I'd like to (or something like that. Honestly, I'm not even registering fully what the heck I'm writting). Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter at least a bit.
