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bryce x tayler

bryce ^

tayler ^

"Hey Bryce," Tayler called from the kitchen, looking at me with what appeared to be pure adoration in his eyes, "I love you."

"I love you too." I whispered, though my voice held an air of uncertainty. I truly loved Tayler from the bottom of my heart, but for whatever reason, I just couldn’t bring myself to say it. I hoped that Tayler didn't notice my hesitation, but unfortunately that wasn't the case.

"Is something wrong, bubs? You've been acting kind of weird lately." Tayler said, sitting next to me on the couch and placing a comforting hand on my thigh. My breath hitched in my throat at the contact. 

"N-no," I stuttered out. "I'm fine. Perfectly fine." I got up from the couch and attempted to go to my room to avoid further embarrassment. I didn't get far, however, before Tayler wrapped his arms around my waist affectionately, hugging me tightly to his chest. 

"Ah ah ah, Bry. You're not going anywhere until you tell me what’s wrong." He said seriously. "What's going on?"

I began shaking in Tayler's grasp as years of awful memories flooded back to me.

Memories I didn't want to talk about.

"T-Tay…I...my…" I breathed out, my sudden anxiety making me unable to form coherent sentences.

Before I could collect myself, Tayler was sweeping me into his arms and carrying me upstairs, presumably to his room.

"Shh, shh, shh, I love you bubs. You're okay, angel, you're okay." He whispered, pausing occasionally to kiss the tender skin behind my ear. 

Tayler laid me down on his bed and lifted my shirt to scratch my back gently, a gesture he had come to realize that I absolutely loved over our ten years of friendship. I inhaled deeply, the intoxicating scent of Tayler's bedsheets calming me down. 

"Don't feel obligated to tell me what’s bothering you, bub." Tayler spoke up after a while. He bent down to lay soft kisses on the back of my neck, and I shuddered in pleasure, feeling a red hot blush rise to my cheeks.

"It's okay Tay," I spoke shyly, "You deserve an explanation."

"I don't deserve one if you don't want to give me one." 

"No, it's fine."

Tayler raised an eyebrow, seemingly unconvinced.

"Really." I insisted.

"If you’re sure." Tayler said, pulling me into his lap. "Whenever you’re ready, Bryce."

I took a deep breath in an attempt to hold back the tears that were already threatening to leak from my eyes.

"I used to love my dad." I started, an intense tornado of emotions swirling inside of me. "He was perfect to me. He spent so much time with me. He made it a point to do things with me. I always felt loved and wanted by him." 

A single tear slid down my cheek, and Tayler wiped it away with his thumb.

"But then, he changed. He started drinking, and it became a problem really quickly. He -" I sighed, "He had physical altercations with my mom, and when I tried to stop him he just hurt me. I'm sorry Tayler, this is just really hard for me to talk about." Tears were streaming down my cheeks now, and I was sweating profusely. Tayler just kissed my forehead lovingly and continued to scratch my back.

"Basically," I continued, "I just have some really severe trust issues." I laughed in spite of myself. "And now that we have a closer relationship, I guess I just feel more pressure. I'm really sorry I -"

"Bryce," Tayler interjected, "Do not be sorry. At no point should you feel the least bit pressured. We can move as slowly or as quickly as you'd like bubs."

I sighed in relief and buried my head into Tayler's chest. He moved his hands to gently caress my sides and I giggled softly.

"I love you baby." Tayler cooed.

I smiled before replying with confidence.

"I love you too, Tayler Holder."

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