Chapter Text
June 8th, 2018.
Making their quick escape, Mason and Ze speed walked through the forest near Ze’s house, quickly getting lost through trees and shrubs.
“Maaaaan, your dad’s a handful!”
Mason dragged Ze by his wrist, who was still putting all of his knowable conscience into not crying after his telling off. Mason looked back once more, his brows furrowing upon seeing Ze’s strained expression.
“Hey, lighten up buddy, you don’t have to be ‘more manly’ around me.”
Mason elbowed Ze, mocking his father’s words slightly.
“How’s it so easy for you Mason?”
Ze looked up to Mason, metaphorically and literally. He was almost like a surrogate brother to Ze, especially since Ze had no brothers of his own, no role model for masculinity other than his father until the guy who wasn’t even initially a guy came into his life. Ze, still teary eyed, began to elaborate.
“How do you not care? I don’t want to care and cry about something so stupid but I do and I just end up bitching about the most useless shit. How are you so composed a-and confident?”
Mason only blinked at Ze, his face in its normal, neutral form.
“I… don’t know.”
Ze slumped over and fell onto his bum, dejected. Mason, stumped at Ze’s question, only sat beside him as he remained lost in thought. Ze turned to Mason, still looking for guidance.
“So it just comes naturally to you?”
Mason looked down, reaching forwards to draw circles in the dirt and shrugging.
“Kind of? My face isn’t very expressive and I’ve been told I sound like I don’t care. But I do care. I care a lot, really. Sometimes I care too much, like you.”
“I’m not talking about your 504 plan I’m talking about how you broke your arm and didn’t cry even when the bone was sticking out.”
“Oh yeah, I’m just nonchalant like that.”
Mason smirked at Ze, his annoying wide ass smirk. Ze couldn’t help but giggle. Mason smiled, a genuine expression.
“There he is! Now come on, it rained yesterday so there’s probably some salamanders still hanging around by the creek!”
“Eugh!”
Ze exclaimed, but didn’t object when Mason grabbed his wrist once more and began to drag him to their headed direction.