Pairing: Caleb/Reid
Warning: Just language.
Caleb always smiles at him. He used to do that when we were younger and he tried to encourage Tyler to participate in the group. Tyler was always quiet though, and didn't do anything unless you forced him to. Half the time, we knew he wanted it. But the other half…
Caleb always smiles at him now. Like he's got something to be proud of. Like he raised Tyler himself and all the smart shit coming from his mouth is Caleb's own doing. He didn't do shit to Tyler. He didn't encourage him to do shit, not nearly as much as he wanted to believe. He didn't include Tyler, not like he thinks he did. He never made the boy feel at ease, feel wanted. Tyler isn't who he is because of how Caleb treated him. But he's smart, and that's what Caleb secretly yearns for. Somebody else -- just as smart. He wants those deep, passionate conversations about all the smart shit he's interested in. Tyler can have those conversations, or so Caleb assumes. Only I know whether or not that's true. Because Tyler talks more to me than he ever would to Caleb. He doesn't trust Caleb. Because he's smart.
If Tyler's so smart, how come he can't see the way Caleb stares at him, like a fucking vulture? Or the stupid compliments he gives without prompt. Or how he's always fucking smiling at him. He can't get what he wants, so he settles. He takes second best, which isn't smart. Me, I mean. His prize isn't as smart as he wants. He can't have meaningful conversations, in fact he can't even have a substantial relationship. All he can afford to do is relieve his stress and frustrations and he doesn't care how. He doesn't care if it's sex or if it's a fucking beating. So long as his guilt and his pain and his stupid problems go away for a few hours. He doesn't care who he hurts, or how broken he leaves them. Because they won't ever be Tyler.