Letting It Out

Travis Miles sat on the bed of his best friend, Dustin Marshall, watching as Dustin paced back and forth. Dustin had walked over the same spots so many times, his feet were beginning to make imprints in the carpet.

As he reached the bedroom door, Dustin turned on his heels, making his way to the other end of the room. Dustin had called Travis, telling him that he had something important to tell the other boy, but after Dustin pulled his friend into the room, he lost all the nerve he’d built up. At first, he was going to just spit it out, but every time he attempted to do so, his saliva turned to glue, his tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth, making it impossible to say words.

“Dustin, is everything all right? Are you in some kind of trouble or something? Cause if you need to flee the country, I know a guy.” Travis joked, trying to relieve some of the tension pent up in his friend.

Dustin stopped in front of his closet door before turning around and looking at the other boy.

“What?! No! And what guy do you know?” He asked, throwing his hands in the air.

Travis sank down into the bed.

“Don’t worry about it.” He mumbled. “You don’t need him.”

Dustin continued to stare at the other boy for a moment longer before a small voice in the back of his head said ‘fuck it.’ Grabbing the swivel chair from his desk, he pulled it out, and set it across from the other boy. Then, sitting down, he hung his head, taking a few deep breaths and exhaling. After exhaling for the fifth time or so, he looked up coming face to face with the other boy.

“TravisImgay.” He said as quickly as possible.

The words flew out of Dustin’s mouth like a gibberish bullet hitting Travis right in the face. Confused, and a little disoriented, Travis quickly pulled back, shaking his head.

“Wait, what the fuck? How do you even talk that fast? Say that again?” He said, confused.

Dustin sighed heavily. He was really hoping the bandage method would work.

Tucking his bottom lip between his teeth, Dustin took a deep breath and said it again.

“I’m gay Travis… I like guys.” He said.

The room fell silent as Travis stared blankly. Time seemed to stop as Dustin held his breath waiting for Travis’ response. Then, after what felt like a lifetime but was only a minute or so, Travis stood up. Dustin expected him to walk out, ending their friendship, but much to his surprise, Travis grabbed Dustin by the arm, pulling him up from the chair. Before Dustin could react, he found himself wrapped up in the warmth of his best friend. Relief crashed into Dustin washing over him as he whined his arms around his friend the two melting together into the embrace. They stood like that for a moment, Dustin basking in the warmth and safety of his best friend.

“Hey Dustin?” Travis called after a moment of holding his friend.

“Yeah?” He answered.

His voice was soft and a bit slurred, almost like he was about to fall asleep in Travis’ arms. So, pulling back, Travis looked into his friend’s eyes.

“I knew.” He said, causing Dustin to pull back further, breaking contact.

“Wait, you knew? For how long?!” Dustin asked.

Travis chuckled.

“About a month now” Travis said, earning him a playful punch to the shoulder.

“You asshole! How come you never said anything?” Dustin asked.

Travis shrugged.

“I figured it wasn’t my place. I didn’t wanna ask you about it cause I knew if I did you would tell me and to me that felt like forcing you out. I figured I’d let you take your time and sort yourself out.” Travis stated.

Dustin’s eyes grew glossy. He used to wonder what he did to deserve such a great friend but after knowing Travis for so long he learned not to question it. Travis’ generosity and love for him was something Dustin would never fully comprehend, but he cherished the fuck out of Travis.

Far too grateful to put his appreciation into words, Dustin simply threw himself back into his friend’s arms.

“I love you so much Trav.” Dustin mumbled into his shirt.

Travis laughed, patting his friend on the back.

“I love you too buddy.”

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