Chapter Text
Alejandro had just been wandering around for most of the night. Talking to a few people here, talking to a few people there. Heather was his platonic date, she had made the platonic part very clear. Not that he cared much, he didn't find himself as interested in her as he used to be. Nonetheless, he had probably spent the least amount of time with her. Which was sad because she was his only real friend, at least, one he knew how to properly have a conversation with. But alas, she had her own needs to attend tonight, whatever that actually meant. So Alejandro was left to dilly dally on his own! He was fiiiine, super fine. Totally not being awkward.
Speaking of, being awkward was a new thing Alejandro had recently discovered. The famous gorgeous confident multi-talented Alejandro Burrosmuertos was now labeled awkward. The thing was, he had no use in being the famous gorgeous confident multi-talented Alejandro Burrosmuertos anymore. Now that the game was over he could just be Alejandro Burrosmuertos, still gorgeous and multi-talented, but maybe not as confident. Especially now, going to school with all the people he tricked and tormented for a whole season.
He thought they'd be more angry with him when he started attending. He thought he had moved all the way from a foreign country just to get bullied. After all, he deserved it, no one deserved it more than him. And it was like that for a little while, until it all kinda just melted away and everyone got over World Tour quicker than ever. Maybe it was because they were so used to that kind of behavior, Heather had done things just as bad and they still hung out with her. Or maybe Alejandro just had that effect on people, but thinking that made him feel cocky, but that was something he always was. Besides now. Now he was just a normal seventeen year old at his homecoming dance, with no one to talk to.
Alejandro sighed, this was a weird feeling. Highschool traditions were stupid. He had never been to a party before where he wasn't the center of attention, but everyone simply didn't care. No one cared to give him extra attention now that they actually got to know him. They were friends with him, but he still had to face the facts, he was the newbie. And they were much closer to each other than they were to him. And finally accepting his newbie status, Alejandro went to go lean against the wall alone, like a true failure. That is, until he saw someone else sitting in the corner. He was wearing a suit with a red bowtie, yet that dumb headband never left his forehead.
“Tyler?” Alejandro mumbled to himself, walking towards him. It didn't make sense for Tyler to be all the way back here. Everybody loved Tyler, he was practically friends with everyone. Why is he moping in the corner when he has so many friends to spend time with? Alejandro looked around, trying to find an answer, and he got one almost immediately. Alejandro spotted Lindsay in the crowd, whooping and laughing with Beth and Heather. That was an unlikely trio, but he guessed they still somewhat cared for each other. Lindsay had the brightest smile on her face, and Tyler wore the dullest frown.
Tyler and Lindsay broke up long before homecoming, they both claimed it was mutual but Alejandro didn't know much more than that. All he knew was that after their break up, he went to give them his best wishes and ended up being invited over to watch Book Of Life. Tyler and Lindsay were weird like that, even after a 2 year relationship ending with a bomb of heartbreak, they continued to spend all their time together. But Lindsay ended up canceling, leaving Alejandro alone with Tyler. Not that he minded, he didn't mind at all actually, but he minded that he didn't mind. It was a little confusing.
“Just talk to him.” Alejandro jumped, turning around to see Heather's snarl staring back at him. The snarl was nothing new to him, it was what he was usually given after bombing Heather's dms with messages about his boy crush.
“No.” He shook his head, chuckling. “I cannot do that, he looks like he wants to be alone.” Tyler in fact did not look like he wanted to be alone. He looked upset and lonely, in need of support from a friend. And Alejandro didn't know if he could handle being that friend.
“Tyler is the most extroverted extrovert I know. Go talk to him!” Heather spat, trying to push Alejandro forward. But his feet were glued to the floor, and she could see the contemplation painted on his face. She sighed, she assumed being an actual good friend was something she had to do. “Look, I know I give you a lot of flack for your shit taste in men but you know I'd never steer you wrong. I'm rooting for you! It's just Tyler, he's nothing complicated. You got this.” Saying those last three words sent a shudder down her spine. Supporting a friend, something Heather would never get used to. But Alejandro appreciated it, and her, not that he would say that to her face.
“Thank you–”
“Whatever. Go be gay.” And with that, nice Heather disappeared and regular Heather left his side and went back to the party.
“Thaankkss.” Alejandro said flatly, to himself. Heather could be helpful, but she could also be unbearable. Despite that, her advice gave him the little bit of confidence he needed to man up and walk over there. And slowly but surely, he slid down into the chair right next to Tyler.
At first Tyler hadn't even noticed, he was too busy zoning out at the table. Thinking about Lindsay, thinking about not thinking about Lindsay. And just for a second, Alejandro watched him think. He'd never say it out loud but Tyler's face was far from unattractive. Especially when he was thinking, his eyebrows raised and his eyes widened. He looked like a lost puppy in an empty field. God, Alejandro hated having a crush. Sappy feelings of mushy gross affection. It was disgusting. So he reached over and placed his hand on Tyler's shoulder, he found his hand there a lot, especially during World Tour. Which he hadn't noticed until Heather pointed it out. That was a very embarrassing day for him.
“You seem lost in thought.” Alejandro offered a smile, finally meeting eyes with Tyler. And as Tyler's face relaxed, Alejandro’s hand fell off his shoulder.
“Oh, hey. Yeah. I guess.” Tyler shrugged, he never was great at talking. So that was all Alejandro got in response. It was silent for a bit after that, it was apparent Alejandro would have to carry this conversation.
“I'm guessing this is about Lindsay?” Alejandro questioned, watching as Tyler nodded. “Listen, my friend, I understand your pain. When my girlfriend threw me off a volcano I was more than devastated.” Alejandro's hand found its way back to Tyler's shoulder, as it usually did. “But relationships come and go, are you going to let it ruin your night?”
“Yes.” Tyler whined, slumping down and covering his face. He didn't like being vulnerable in front of people but he usually failed at that.
“Oh come on,” Alejandro couldn't help but chuckle, Tyler was quite the overdramatic soul. “Was the breakup not mutual? You two said so–”
“She's a lesbian, dude.” Tyler mumbled, sighing. “We broke up because she never even liked me in the first place. Which is crazy because we banged like bunny rabbits!” If Alejandro had a drink in his mouth he surely would have spit it out at that.
“Okay.” That was not something he wanted nor expected to hear tonight. “Um–”
“I guess I did go down on her a lot. Do you think that's what made her realize she was gay? I was so good I made her gay.” Tyler huffed, sitting up straight. He looked like he was in some huge state of distress. “I mean, she always said she liked how strong my fingers were. Is that it?! I just googled things girls liked, I didn't mean to–”
“Okay, enough!” Alejandro yelled, needing to interrupt whatever the fuck this conversation was turning into. “Sexuality is a spectrum I'm sure you'll never understand. Let us move on, yes?” Alejandro shuddered, waiting for an answer. Tyler groaned, sinking back down into his seat. So much so that he was almost on the floor, this was depressing.
“Sorry. That was gross, huh?” Tyler looked up at Alejandro, raising his eyebrows.
“Yes, it was. Very.”
“Mm.” Tyler didn't know what else to say, but he really didn't want this conversation to end like that. “I don't know why I'm so upset. She could barely remember me in World Tour, and when she did she still got my name wrong every once in a while. Isn't that pathetic? She could call me Tyrone everyday and I still would date her.” Seeing Tyler so genuine wasn't something Alejandro thought he'd ever see. Dumb jocks could have real feelings too, he guessed.
“Pathetic isn't the word I'd use. It just sounds like you were in love, I know the feeling.” Alejandro wasn't going to elaborate on that part, not that he was in love. But he wasn't one to talk about his personal feelings. “Lindsay called everyone by the wrong name, I am sure she still loved you. Even if it's not in the way you hoped.”
Tyler didn't respond, he just nodded and kept silent. Alejandro felt bad, not even his words of inspiration could free Tyler from his shame spiral. He didn't know what else to say that he hadn't already said, so they sat there in silence. It was awkward but things couldn't get any worse, right? Well, that's what Alejandro thought. That is until a slow lullaby began playing and people began pairing up. The slow dance. The time of the night Tyler had been fretting. Alejandro noticed Lindsay in the crowd, even she had paired up with someone, it was just Beth but that didn't stop Tyler from wanting to kill himself. It was weird to admit but it hurt Alejandro's heart to see Tyler like this.
“Slow dances are stupid. Who cares?” Alejandro whispered to him, laughing. That had gotten a small breathy laugh from Tyler, it wasn't much but it was surely progress. “It's just two people wobbling across a dance floor, we don't need that. Unless we danced together! Kidding.” He was kidding but the idea of them dancing together made Alejandro a little sick in the head. Being seventeen and liking a boy sure did a number on him.
“Sure.” Tyler snorted, smiling at Alejandro. And that made him snap his head around, staring at Tyler. What was that supposed to mean?
“What.” 😐
“Let's do it. Come on,” Tyler stood up, grabbing onto Alejandro's hand. “Just for fun. What are we gonna do? Sit here like a bunch of sad sacks while everyone else makes out? It'll be fun, for me at least. I need a distraction.” Tyler continued to tug on Alejandro's hand, waiting for him to get up. He did come over here to cheer Tyler up, didn't he? If he didn't do this he wouldn't be fulfilling his job! Yes. That's the only reason he was agreeing to this, to fulfill his job.
“Okay.” Alejandro stood up, letting Tyler lead him to the dance floor. He tried not to automatically combust when Tyler grabbed onto his waist. But he wasn't doing a good job at hiding it because Tyler had reacted right back.
“Sorry. I hope it's okay if I lead, I usually lead with– You know. Her.” Tyler shrugged, knowing Alejandro understood what he meant.
“No, no, it's fine. I get it. I'm cool.” He was so not cool right now but he was going to move on anyway. Alejandro very hesitantly let his hands fall on Tyler's shoulders, he had been doing that a lot tonight but this time it felt different. It had a different purpose to it. And so, they slow danced next to everyone else. Alejandro never thought he'd let himself get close enough to someone to do something ridiculous like this. But weirdly, he was more than comfortable. He hadn't even noticed that his eyes were closed, and his head had leaned itself against Tyler's cheek. He opened his eyes and noticed a few looks and stares from his peers. More specifically from Heather but other people were definitely looking too.
“Everyone is staring at us.” Alejandro whispered, “Maybe we should sit down.”
“When did you start caring about everyone's opinions?” Tyler grinned, tilting his head. Alejandro actually did that quite a bit, caring about everyone's opinions. But he wasn't going to let Tyler know that.
“I don't– I just think um,” He stammered over his words, trying to get this out without sounding weird. “They probably think we're here together. Are you okay with that?” Alejandro didn't know how Tyler felt when it came to stuff like that. The first words Tyler had ever said to Alejandro were ‘I like girls’ so it probably wasn't the best.
“Why wouldn't I be? You know we're not, I know we're not. They can mind their business. I'm chilling.” Tyler shrugged his shoulders, hitting Alejandro's chin. “Sorry. My bad.”
“You're fine. I am uh, chilling. As well. But I just don't want to be bombarded with questions tomorrow.” Alejandro said that but he also wanted nothing more than to stay like this. But he felt bad too, was he using Tyler by doing this? It was almost certain the guy was straight despite what Heather had been telling him all this time. Was he using Tyler's tolerance to fulfill his feelings of delusion?
“Okay, let them think we're gay then. I don't care?” Tyler rolled his eyes, and then he thought of something amusing. Alejandro could tell by how he let out his stupid dumb giggle. “I'll google things boys like for you–”
“HAHAHA. HA!” Alejandro laughed out of pure shock and anxiety. Such an interesting comment! That didn't phase him in the least! “Ha!...Hah.” This didn't help them in getting stares from everyone else at all. In fact, because of that, even more people were staring. “That's funny.” Alejandro mumbled, and eventually he stopped noticing everyone else and just focused on dancing with Tyler. He had to or else that google comment was going to haunt his mind forever.
“Thanks! It's how I get the ladies.” Tyler pulled his head backwards, so he could make eye contact with Alejandro. “Um, and thanks for spending the night with me. I know comforting some sad dude probably isn't how you wanted to spend your homecoming.” Little did Tyler know that's exactly how Alejandro wanted to spend his night. And he was having the time of his life right now.
“Oh, it's fine. I had nothing better to do anyway.” He really didn't. It was either this or leaning against a wall while waiting for Heather all night.
“Sure. Thanks, dude. It meant a lot to me.” That sent actual shivers down Alejandro's spine, and it was just some small comment. But the way Tyler was staring into his soul, they way their hands were intertwined, the feeling of Tyler's hand on his back. They were just so close, and Alejandro was probably being crazy but it felt like something was going to happen.
“Yeah,” He swallowed, “It meant a lot to me too.” Alejandro said quietly, earning the biggest dumbest smile from Tyler in return. And soon enough they weren't even moving anymore, not that either of them had noticed. They were just staring at each other, holding each other. It was insane. Tyler was still smiling, but his smile had started to fade away. It didn't take a genius to eventually start noticing the tension filling the space between them.
“Hi.” Tyler offered, gazing blankly. He didn't know what else to say right now. He was at a loss for words, hoping Alejandro would speak up first. And yes, Alejandro had eventually responded.
“Hi.” And his response hadn't furthered their conversation in the slightest. Alejandro knew what he wanted to do, what he had been yearning to do since day one. But he wasn't going to, not at the expense of Tyler missing his ex-girlfriend. No, he wasn't going to make the first move. But lucky for him, someone else was planning to do it. For Alejandro noticed Tyler Kenard himself leaning in towards him. He thought he was just seeing things at first, that his mind was playing tricks, but it wasn't long until their noses were touching. They were so close, but Tyler then stopped moving. As if he was waiting for Alejandro to make the last move, like Tyler was asking for permission or something. And Alejandro was about to happily grant him access, he finally leaned forward–
Young man, there's no need to feel down.
Was that the fucking YMCA?
“Oh, shit! I love this song!” Tyler exclaimed, backing up from Alejandro. He looked over to Trent and the rest of the boys motioning for Tyler to run over to them and dance.
“Tyler, come on!”
“I'm coming!” Without a second though, Tyler ran over and quite literally started to do the fucking YMCA with his boys. Leaving Alejandro to stand there and contemplate what the fuck just happened to him. He swore he had just felt Tyler's mouth brush against his and now Tyler wasn't even anywhere close to him. Alejandro just stood there, silent, and confused. He was so lost in thought until he felt a hand on his back. He looked over and saw Heather looking at him, she looked like she was going burst out laughing at him.
“Did you see that?”
“Oh yeah, I think everyone saw that.” Heather held in her laugh, shaking her head. “Welp, better luck next time “ Heather kept rubbing circles into Alejandro’s back, trying to comfort him but not too much because this was absolutely hilarious. Alejandro looked at her, and then looked back at the crowds of people dancing. He sighed, and then sighed again even harder because what the fuck was that.
“I hate the YMCA.”