Au: Highschool AU

Word Count: ~4.1k

I promise I'm fine :')

Just a little projecting onto my comfort ship is all lol

Idk if this needs a trigger warning- just know there are some yelling parents 

Doc was disappointed. In himself and everyone around him.

Except for Bdubs.

He could never be disappointed in Bdubs. Annoyed, maybe, but not disappointed.

Since freshman year, something had seemed... off about his best friend, but he always brushed it off. But as the years passed, the off-feeling never went away. And now into their senior year of high school, it was becoming more obvious. Especially over the past couple of weeks, Bdubs' smiles grew more fake, his jokes and teasing more few and far between. Whenever he said something that annoyed Doc, he immediately apologized, instead of understanding the hybrid didn't need one. Being easily distracted was a normal Bdubs thing, but now it had become more prominent. Every time the dark brunette glanced at him in class, the boy was always staring out the window or down at his notebook with a blank look on his face.

Did their other friends not notice? Or did they just not care? Surely Keralis would've said something by now, right?

"Hey, you guys wanna see a movie this weekend?" Beef had asked as he, Etho, Bdubs and Doc walked home.

"Depends, is there anything worth watching?" Etho scoffed.

"Well, I hear there's a new Tales of the Mycelium Resistance out,"

"Oh yeah, the third one, right?"

The tall hybrid drowned out their conversation as the two walked in front of him and Bdubs. His attention was entirely on the freckled brunette, who was staring at the pavement. I should talk to him. I hope I'm just overthinking everything.

"Hello-o?" Beef waved his hand in front of the two boy's faces. "You guys there?"

"O-Oh, sorry!" Bdubs looked up, flashing another fake smile. The hybrid glanced between his friends. Can they seriously not tell?

"So you guys down to go see a movie or not?" the white-haired boy asked.

"Sorry," he apologized again. "My parents don't want me going out this weekend,"

"Aren't you turning 18 soon? You should be able to do what you want," Etho bluntly pointed out.

"Yeah, but they say I'm not spending enough time with them." He shrugged.

"Oh, I get that I guess. What about you, Doc?"

"No thanks, I'm not a fan of those movies," he admitted. It was true, he didn't like those weird mushroom movies, but to be completely transparent, he was hoping he could find some time to talk with his friend.

"Guess it's just you and me then," Beef said with a grin, nudging the other. Doc stifled a laugh as Etho's ears turned pink.

"See you two tomorrow!" Bdubs called as the four split off in two separate directions. He turned the corner, Doc walking beside him.

"Hey, is everything okay?" he asked.

"What do you mean?" The shorter boy turned to face him, his heart starting to race. Why does Doc look so worried? And why is he worried about me? Wait he's worried about me, that's sweet. And cute. What? Stop it Bdubs.

"It's just, you've seemed a little... down. You've been a lot more distracted as of late, and you're always faking a smile." The hybrid's voice was soft, but the blunt words still stung.

How could he tell? I thought I wasn't being obvious. Keralis couldn't, so how could he? "What're you talking about?" he laughed, gripping his backpack straps tighter.

"Bdubs," Doc placed his hands on his shoulders as he slowly spoke. "Please don't lie to me."

The short brunette stared at him, his cheeks turning red. With shaky legs, his eyes began to water. He pressed against his friend's chest and just cried. Full of confusion and concern, all Doc could do was wrap his arms around him. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen his friend cry like this. They stood there for what felt like an eternity, the only noise being Bdubs' occasional hiccup. Finally, he pulled away, wiping his eyes on his sleeves. The short brunette took a deep breath and looked away, too embarrassed to look back up at his friend.

"Sorry about that," he mumbled, his cheeks still red.

"Feel better?" Doc quietly asked. He gave his arms a little squeeze and tried to get him to look at him again.

"I guess,"

"You want to talk about it now?" Bdubs took his best friend's flesh hand and squeezed it.

"No, it's stupid, really. I'm just being overdramatic." He managed to look back up, a bright smile on his face. Doc contrasted with a frown.

"You're doing it again. Please, tell me what's bothering you. I bet it's not stupid," he pleaded.

"I swear it's not a big deal, I- hey!" the freckled boy squawked. In a swift motion, his red bandana was pulled off his head, causing his hair to fall in his eyes. He tried to push it out of his face and reach for the bandana, which Doc held over his head. "This isn't fair!" he protested, jumping. "Give it back!"

The brunette hybrid couldn't help but laugh. "Nah, I think I'll hold on to this for safe-keeping," he teased.

Huffing, the shorter boy flung himself at his friend, who stumbled but managed to keep his balance. He pulled himself up as the hybrid protested. Finally, he got hold of the red piece of cloth. Twisting and pulling, he convinced it to slip out of his hand. As he pushed his hair back to put it back on, Doc held onto his sides to keep him balanced. Once the bandana was back where it belongs, he looked down at his friend and tried not to blush.

"You want to talk now?" he asked.

Sighing, Bdubs climbed off of him. "Alright, fine," he pulled at the stubborn tuft of hair that refused to be tamed. "It's my parents," he grumbled.

"What do you mean?" The two continued to walk as he explained.

"They make me feel like a terrible person. I mean, maybe they're right, but it still hurts. It's like everything I do is wrong. First, I'm eating too much, and risking being over the average weight for my height. So I started watching what I eat, but suddenly it's that I'm being disrespectful and not eating enough of their cooking. They claim they don't care about my grades, but I've seen their faces when I get below an A. They never say it but I know they're disappointed. And then there's how I'm not allowed to have any privacy or leave the house. I'm almost 18, it feels so... unfair. I get yelled at for locking my door, hell I can't even close it. They have to know what I'm doing every second and go through my phone at least once a week. And you know this; I can rarely hang out with anyone because I never spend enough time with them. So when I stay home, I end up spending the entire time in my room because they're both working or something. Plus I-"

Bdubs closed his mouth, as the two had reached his house. "Sorry for rambling so much," he mumbled. "I'm just complaining at this point." Doc frowned.

"Bdubs..." he started. He wanted to pull him into another hug but he saw the shades open and knew how Bdubs' parents were, so he resisted. He at least wanted to console him, but his friend just hurried into his house, giving a small 'goodbye'. Sighing, the hybrid walked past his house and entered his own.

The short brunette held his breath as he locked his front door. He winced as he heard shouting from the kitchen.

"Don't give me that bullshit!" His mom shouted. "That's just another excuse to stay out!"

The boy took off his shoes and poked his head around the corner. He wanted to sneak upstairs but he knew he'd be in trouble if he didn't say hi first. His mother looked over at him, and snapped her fingers, pointing at the stairs. Nodding, he hurried up to his room and closed his door as much as he could without properly shutting it.

With his parents still out at work, Doc's house was quiet. He opened his bedroom window and looked across to his friend's house. His shade was open, but the freckled brunette's back was to him.

"Yo, Bdubs!" he called out. He chuckled as the other jumped at the sound of his name, and poked his head out the window.

"Hey, long time no see!" he responded with a wide grin.

Doc clicked his tongue. He needs to stop with the fake smiles. It's starting to piss me off. He thought to himself. "I just wanted to say, about earlier-"

"Forget about it. I was just being overdramatic. Everything is fine, I swear," Bdubs interrupted.

"No, I won't forget about it," the taller brunette huffed. "You're not being overdramatic." His neighbor glanced over his shoulder at his bedroom door. Running a hand through his hair, he sighed.

"Okay okay. Can we wait until our regular talking time?"

"Works for me!" He kept a grin on his face, even after he closed his window. It had been a couple of weeks since they last had one of their late-night talks. Well, it wasn't exactly late-night, not for Doc at least. But that wasn't important.

After a short dinner, he poured some of the leftover soup he made into a small container. As he was just bringing it upstairs to his room, he could hear the garage open. Wonder who's home first. He thought though he didn't care enough to stick around.

Not like they could care if he did or didn't anyways.

He placed the container on his desk and changed into his pajamas before working on his schoolwork for the rest of the evening. Eventually, he checked his phone, happy to learn it was finally 9:30. Snatching the plastic container, he moved to his bed. The tall hybrid opened his window and grabbed the tied sheets that were looped around his bed frame.

Ever since they were little, Doc would tie sheets together and use them to climb out of his window to get to Bdubs'. It became such a frequent occurrence that he ended up leaving the sheets tied and tucked behind his bed. Tugging at it to check it's reliability, he threw it out the window and climbed down. As he reached the bottom, his friend opened his window.

The darker brunette faced the house next to his and began his climb of the tree to the right of the freckled boy's window. Once he was high enough, he handed off the container and pulled himself through the window and onto the bed.

"What's with the soup?" Bdubs laughed.

"For you to eat, what else?"

"Sorry, I guess I'm just surprised; I knew you could cook but I've never actually eaten anything you made," he explained, opening the lid. The smell of the lukewarm soup tickled his nose and he immediately sipped it. A big smile - a real one - formed on his face.

"Maybe I should do it more often," the hybrid chuckled, watching his friend slurp down more soup.

"I"d like that," he murmured, unaware he was heard.

Doc's smile slipped as he adjusted himself on the bed. "Can we please talk now?" he quietly asked. Bdubs placed the now empty container on his desk and fiddled with his fingers.

"It's just, I feel like I'm burdening you with all of my petty problems." The taller male took one of his hands and squeezed it. He let the lighter brunette play with his robotic fingers and used his free hand to ruffle his hair.

"How about I vent to you a little? Would that make you feel less guilty?" he offered. The freckled brunette hesitated but nodded. Taking a deep breath, the brunette hybrid closed his eyes. He never thought he'd open up to anyone- he just didn't want to concern any of his friends. So much for that. He joked as the words began to flow from his mouth.

"If it weren't for the pictures in the house, I feel like my parents and I would forget each other's faces. I hardly ever see them around. Since middle school, I've basically been raising myself. Also, I've been lying to you," He felt Bdubs' grip on his hand tighten. "Y'know how I say my parents don't mind me sleeping over all the time? Well, the truth is they never know. I never ask. They just don't care and ignore my existence. If I went missing, they'd probably never notice," Doc's voice grew more bitter with each sentence, and he could feel tears building up in his eye. "Sometimes I wonder if I did something wrong to make them hate me so much. I thought if I studied hard and got good grades they'd acknowledge me, but nothing. I just- I don't know-" As tears fell from his eye, his short friend pulled him down into a hug, letting him bury his head in his shoulder.

"I'm sure your parents do care about you," the freckled boy whispered.

He wished he could find the right words to comfort his friend.

"Thank you," the hybrid muttered into his shoulder. Taking a shaky breath, he pulled away and wiped the corner of his eye. "And, about earlier today; you're not a terrible person, okay?"

Bdubs stared off past his taller friend. "It's... hard to believe you," he quietly admitted.

Doc took both of his hands and squeezed them. "Just because your parents make you feel that way, or tell you that, doesn't mean it's true. Face it- they're guilt-tripping you DoubleO." Bdubs frowned. He leaned forward and let his head hit the other's chest.

"They know I'm hiding something and probably trying to get me to say it," he muttered.

"If they are, that's a terrible way to go about it." A part of him wanted to ask what he was hiding, but he didn't want to push him. He'll tell me when he wants to.

The lighter brunette couldn't help but smile as Doc gave him another tight hug. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. I just want to stay here like this. He thought, feeling his face grow warm.

He didn't know how much time passed, but eventually, he felt the warmth of Doc pull away.

"You need to get some sleep," he murmured into Bdubs' ear. "We can talk more tomorrow." He climbed out of the window, the tan boy closing it behind him. He watched as his neighbor climbed the side of his house and into his room.

"I'll tell him this weekend," he decided out loud before climbing into bed.

Doc shut his laptop and leaned back in his desk chair. He tilted his head to look out his bedroom window, staring at Bdubs' house. After leaving his room last night, he couldn't get his friend's words out of his head. I just hope what he's hiding isn't anything bad.

Suddenly, Bdubs stormed into the room and whipped around to face the doorway. Curious, the hybrid moved closer to try and see what was going on.

"Bdubs, we're not against it," his mom reiterated. "We just think it's very selfish of you to make the conversation about yourself!"

He folded his arms and narrowed his eyes. "It's not selfish! You and Dad were the ones who wanted me to be more honest! I was just doing what you said!" he snapped.

"Y'know deciding to have a divorce is taking a heavy toll on me, the least you could do is not talk back to me!"

"You guys always do this! Why do I have to feel bad for everything I say or do?"

"What do you mean?"

"No matter what I do, it's never good enough or it 'hurts your feelings'! Is everything I say really that bad?" Tears built up in the corners of his eyes and he tried to not let them fall.

"Maybe you just need better manners. You're practically an adult, I would've hoped you'd already be acting like one," his mom snapped.

"You don't think I'm trying?! I manage to balance two jobs and keep good grades. You taught me basically everything already, from how to properly pay taxes to keeping a good credit score- what else am I missing?"

"A better attitude, that's for sure,"

"Well so do you!" he blurted out. His mother's nostrils flared.

"That is no way to speak to your mother!"

"I-It's the truth! I'm sick of this! I'm sick of being treated like crap! Don't I deserve respect too?"

"Respect is something you have to earn," she hissed.

"Then I guess I'll never earn it based on your standards," he huffed, crossing his arms.

With eyes full of fury, she slapped his face. "You need to stop acting like a child and grow up! It's embarrassing how you behave!"

"Well sorry for being a disappointment." The short brunette choked on his words, cupping his burning cheek. I'm not going to cry in front of her.

"As you should be," his mom snapped.

She slammed his door, making him wince. Covering his mouth, the freckled brunette let the tears stream down his face. He dropped to the ground and hugged his knees.

Doc stared at his phone, bouncing his leg. He waited, but nothing. "I'll call him one more time," he decided, before hitting the button next to Bdubs' face.

A familiar tune filtered through his ears. I don't want to worry him. Bdubs thought. Slowly standing up and wiping his eyes, he picked his phone up.

"Hey, Doc!"

The hybrid could hear the pain dripping from his voice.

"What happened? Are you okay?" he asked, furrowing his brow.

The short neighbor looked out his window and smiled at his friend. "Yeah, everything's fine," he promised.

"Bdubs,"

The smile disappeared as giant tears fell from his eyes. "I messed up!" he wailed.

Within a matter of minutes, Doc was outside his window. The lighter brunette opened it and pulled him in. He clung to his tall friend and sobbed into his chest again. When they pulled away, the hybrid lightly touched his red cheek.

"What happened?" he quietly asked. Bdubs leaned into his hand. On any other day, he'd be smiling, but right now he just couldn't.

"My parents told me they're getting a divorce, and they wanted me to be more open with them. So I was. And they called me selfish for dropping this 'bombshell' on them and I ended up fighting with my mom, and she slapped me," he explained.

The hybrid stood up. "Give me a second; I'm going to yell at your parents."

"Doc, don't," the freckled brunette protested, grabbing his arm.

"They made you cry, Bdubs," Doc softly pointed out. He peeled the other's hand off his arm and squeezed it. In response, Bdubs pulled away and backed up on his bed. He hugged his knees and hid his face. The darker brunette was confused, but all was cleared up when he spoke.

"I told them I was gay," he mumbled.

"They didn't say anything bad, did they?" Doc scooched closer to him and placed a flesh hand on his arm.

"They said they accept me, it's the fact I decided to come out right after they announced the divorce. Mom said it was selfish of me," the freckled brunette explained.

"Well it's not selfish," he insisted, wrapping him in another hug. He rested his chin on Bdubs' head and prayed his racing heart couldn't be heard. "Having that kind of courage is amazing, and something I could never do," he whispered.

The shorter boy felt his heartbeat grow louder and his face flush. "You're also amazing, y'know? It's one of the things I love about you," he said shyly.

Doc just stared at him and felt his face heat up. Just when the tan male began to worry if he should've said that or not, a soft kiss was planted on his forehead. "I love you too, DoubleO," he murmured.

Suddenly, all the pain that's been twisting around his heart let go and faded away. He leaned up and kissed the hybrid's jaw.

Bdubs jumped at the sound of footsteps coming down the hall. "Go!" he whispered. Nodding, the hybrid climbed out of the window and clung to the tree, the shorter male quickly pulling down the shade.

By the time the door opened, he was sitting on the ground with his back to the bed and his phone in hand. He looked up at his father and gave a small smile. "Hi, wha-"

"Wipe that grin off your face. I thought I raised you better than to disrespect your parents," his dad snapped.

Bdubs gripped his phone, trying not to visibly shake.

"When will you learn that you can't act like this in the real world?"

"I'm sorry, I was just trying to stand up for myself," Bdubs slowly explained.

"You're making us sound like terrible people," his dad scoffed.

"I just think I should be able to speak up from ti-"

"I see, because you're turning 18 in a month you think you can talk back to us now?" His voice quickly rose and he crossed his arms.

The brunette tried his best to keep his voice calm and spoke slowly. "All I wanted was to speak my mind. It was never my intention t-"

"You will be allowed to speak your mind when you learn to be a more respecting adult," his father interrupted yet again.

"That's not fair," Bdubs protested, putting his phone down.

"Oh really? How? How isn't it fair?"

Doc gripped the tree branch so tightly he almost snapped it. He was going to head back to his room, but at the same time, he figured the least he could do for Bdubs was be here for him- whether he knew it or not. As much as he wanted to break the window and tear apart his neighbor, he grits his teeth and listened as Bdubs tried to reason with his dad.

"Shouldn't anyone be allowed to speak their mind? Voice their opinion?" the freckled boy pointed out as he stood up.

"No need to get all high and mighty," his father hissed. "If you want my respect you are moving farther and farther away,"

"Whoever said I wanted your respect?" he blurted out, practically shouting.

Doc jumped as a loud slap echoed through his ears. He pushed the shade up and crawled through the bedroom window as the door was slammed shut. He wrapped his arms around a trembling Bdubs and kissed the back of his head. The frightened boy turned around in his hold, revealing the same cheek was slapped, only it was a lot brighter than before. He pressed another kiss on his forehead.

"D-Doc, I- this- I never-" the shaking brunette's voice cracked as he tripped over his words.

"Let's get outta here," the hybrid whispered.

Sniffling, Bdubs titled his head. "Whaddya mean?"

"Your parents are assholes. Come live with me in my room just through the end of the school year, and then we can move out together as we planned. My parents won't even notice you're there," he explained. Bdubs giggled as his face grew warm.

"That does sound fun, but what if my parents worry about where I am?"

"You can always leave a note and say you left. But you don't have to leave, y'know. We don't need this to be an impulsive decision,"

"No, I do want to do this," Bdubs said defiantly. He peeled away from the other and stood up, pulling the other up with him.

After leaving a quick note apologizing for being a disappointment, the boy had packed his things and was now being helped down the tree. "We must be idiots for doing this," Bdubs laughed, jumping down.

"Yeah but that's what makes it fun," Doc snickered.

"Honestly, I didn't think you would ever suggest this kind of thing," the shorter male admitted.

"I know, but when it's just you and me, I'll do anything." The lighter brunette blinked, a little surprised by the comment. He watched the boy climb up into his room, pulling the sheets with him. He was still feeling flustered even when Doc opened the front door to let him in. It wasn't until he plopped down on Doc's bed that he was finally able to process his words. His face flushed and he looked up to the tall brunette standing above him.

"I love you," he whispered. The hybrid leaned over, putting a hand on either side of Bdubs to brace himself, and smiled.

"Yeah, I know. And I love you too." His eyes fell on the tan male's lips. He leaned closer but hesitated. And at the moment, Bdubs closed the space between them. 

Now Ik what you may be thinking; But Eminence, wouldn't they get in trouble? Isn't this a really bad idea? And to that, I say to hell with logic let the boys finally have some peace everything works out in the end just trust me.