flynntaylor

[flynntaylor]

talking with casey was easy, it always had been, but he also knew that what seemed easy could turn into teasing at any moment. as casey had admitted, teasing everyone felt like a full-time job—he clearly loved the shit out of it—but when it came to the band, that was where they all fought to be the biggest tease. flynn lived with arden, and you’d think that would’ve saved him from blushing at every jab, but arden’s teasing was on another level, and if flynn didn’t blush, it didn’t even feel like him. “i feel like you’d drop the band anytime to tease people professionally,” he joked, shaking his head with a playful smile tugging at his lips. “writing is therapeutic when you find the words—words aren’t really my thing,” flynn confessed. whenever casey talked about writing down his past, his childhood, everything, it made flynn wonder if he wanted to try it too. but writing about his parents being ashamed of him? that wasn’t something he planned on doing. “casey, you’ve got a lot to say, i can’t really say the same about me,” he chuckled. “you do have a good muse,” he added when casey mentioned coral—it was obvious he could write album after album about her. the second he noticed casey’s cheeks going red, his eyes went wide. “i made you blush, oh my god,” he clapped his hands together, honestly surprised. then he went quiet again, listening as his friend kept giving him advice about his relationship. “i think we’re on the same page, i guess—he hasn’t pushed me to do anything i don’t want to, and i think that means something,” he mused. at casey’s confession about his past, flynn laughed. “you were, but i was so jealous you could do that. i couldn’t even talk to a single guy back in college. i even tried flirting with a girl once, and honestly, that’s how i realized i don’t like girls,” he chuckled. he went quiet once more, letting casey speak. “it’s easy to tell you love her, i feel like you’re not a manwhore anymore and that’s great—she changed you,” he added with a grin. “i’ll take the in-love casey. who would’ve thought you’d actually be good at giving advice?”

Casey chuckled at Flynn’s teasing, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I do tease the living shit out of everyone—that’s basically my full-time job.” He nudged Flynn playfully. When Flynn mentioned talking to Nate and Arden about writing, Casey’s smile softened. “Writing's therapeutic ” Casey said, a little pride in his voice. “It’s hard to find the right words sometimes, but I know you would kill it, in a good way. I could write so many songs about all the crazy shit I have been through, chaotic childhood, deadbeat dad, never feeling like I fit back in school, being hyper-aware of everyone but me knowing something was up with me, those reckless teenage years, falling in love, losing a kid, grief, pain, sadness, and then more recently some more happy times. Also, Coral. I could write song after song after song about that woman." When Flynn brought up Arden and “lesbian fingers,” Casey’s cheeks flushed a little. Playing the bass probably helped out in the bedroom. His guitar skills came in clutch too. When Flynn tried to deflect about the talk, Casey gave him a knowing look. “Not bad?" Flynn’s confidence about starting slow made Casey nod approvingly. “Exactly, you gotta take it step by step." When Casey asked about River wanting to take things to the next level, he saw Flynn’s cheeks burn and his hesitation. “It’s okay to take it slow,” Casey reassured him, voice gentle. “If River knows, then you’re both on the same page. No rush.” He gave Flynn a warm smile. “You’re doing great.” Casey let out a quiet laugh, rubbing the back of his neck, a little self-aware but honest in the way only he could be. He glanced over at Flynn, the teasing fading just a bit, making room for something more real. "I mean… I was what people would call a man whore before I met Coral," he admitted with a wry smile. "Not proud of it, but yeah—experience helped, I guess." He leaned back slightly, eyes softening as he thought of her. "Still, it felt different with her. Like… all those other times were just stupid practice." He shrugged. "Coral was my first proper time. The first one that actually meant something." There was no shame in his voice—just reflection. "I was ready to go in full guns blazing, y’know? Fast, reckless, whatever. But she slowed me down." His voice got quieter, warmer. "And I needed that. She made me want to go slow. Made me realise I could." Then, glancing at Flynn with a small smile, he added, "Doesn’t make it less real if it’s slower. Sometimes it makes it more."

[flynntaylor]

flynn was broken, uncontrollably sobbing and holding himself as if he might shatter, and that was him—the second someone raised their voice at him, everything inside shut off. he couldn’t really listen, he just curled into a ball of self-hatred and guilt. as river pulled him closer, flynn didn’t say anything, his arms still wrapped tight around himself like he wasn’t sure river was really there. it took him a couple of seconds to finally give in, to hug his boyfriend back, crying against the side of his neck, letting everything pour out in heavy, desperate tears. what river said was true, he needed to speak up, but he couldn’t—he physically couldn’t—and so he kept it all locked inside. when river told him to look at him, flynn pulled back, his face red, his eyes puffing from how hard he was crying. “i am the bad guy,” he choked, “i didn’t think of you, i should have told that guy to stop for you, but i couldn’t,” he sobbed, his breath hitching. when river promised he wasn’t going anywhere, flynn only cried harder—how could he still be here? he didn’t deserve him. “but i don’t like fighting,” he whispered, hating himself for ever talking back, convinced river could do better without him. who would want to stay with someone who broke down this badly over an argument? when river’s hands moved to his cheeks, flynn leaned into the touch, eyes closing as he sobbed more quietly. “i love you too,” he whispered, his voice cracking, “i just can’t… i feel so bad every time, i don’t want to let people down. what if that guy stops listening, or stops coming to the concerts? what if he tells people i’m rude? what if everything breaks because i couldn’t handle something so stupid?” flynn always carried it like it was all his fault, every little thing on his shoulders, even when it wasn’t. “i’m really sorry, river,” he breathed, finally opening his swollen eyes to meet his boyfriend’s, “i didn’t want anyone to think you’re the bad guy. i just couldn’t handle you being mad at me. i’m so sorry. i love you so much. please forgive me.”

River was burning with a fierce kind of anger that wasn’t just noise. He was exhausted, every muscle tense, every nerve screaming, but nothing could drown out the storm inside him. When he saw Flynn broken like this—crying, trembling, shrinking away—River’s anger shifted, sharpened into something more desperate and tender. Without hesitation, River pushed himself up from the couch, muscles tight with both frustration and fierce love. He pulled Flynn close into his arms, holding him like a lifeline, like he could keep him safe from every cruel thought that haunted him. He knew Flynn wasn’t like him. Flynn didn’t have that same fire, that same roar to fight back. He didn’t speak up for himself the way River did, didn’t stand tall and angry when things got ugly. But River saw it all. He saw the way Flynn carried the weight in silence, the way he tried so hard to be kind even when it broke him inside. “Hey,” River murmured, voice low and rough with exhaustion, his hands firm but gentle on Flynn’s back. “Look at me.” Flynn’s shoulders shook, and River’s heart clenched. He could feel the ache beneath those sobs—the fear, the guilt, the self-hate. River swallowed hard. “You’re not the bad guy here.” He pressed his forehead to Flynn’s, fierce and soft all at once. “You get to say no. You always get to say no.” His voice cracked, the weight of it all catching in his throat. He tightened his hold, like letting Flynn go would mean losing him. When Flynn whispered apologies over and over, calling himself the worst, River’s anger flared hotter—not at Flynn, but at the world that made him feel this way. “No,” River said, voice shaking now, but steady in its fierce promise. “Flynn, please. You’re mine. And I’m not going anywhere.” He kissed Flynn’s temple, whispering through ragged breaths, “I have been called so much worse. I was just angry, okay? That's it. Couple's fight sometimes." In that moment, River’s fire wasn’t just anger. It was protection. It was love that refused to let Flynn fall apart alone. River’s hand moved gently, his thumb tracing slow, tender circles over Flynn’s cheek. His eyes softened as he looked down at him, fierce yet full of aching love. “I love you, Flynn,” he said quietly, voice thick with everything he felt. “I just don’t want people to take advantage of you. I know that feeling.” He swallowed hard, the memories flickering behind his gaze. He could still remember every part of his past and the situation that he'd gone through back then. “I know what it’s like to have that power held over your head, to have it dangled like some cruel game.” His thumb lingered, brushing away a stray tear. “I don’t want you going through the same shit I had to learn from. You’re too sweet and too pure,” he said softly, voice low but filled with raw honesty, “and it’s poison.”

[flynntaylor]

at his words flynn laughed, “i’m inviting the teasing? casey, you don’t need an invitation, you tease the living shit out of everyone, that’s basically all you do,” he chuckled, shaking his head. “i bet coral can agree with that,” he added, sticking his tongue out childishly. “i know you hate it, that’s why i feel like i’ll talk to nate and arden so i can be the writer in the group,” he chuckled, knowing how much it meant to casey to write—how he could pour his feelings out and put words to things that were hard, like losing a baby or telling the world how happy he was to have coral. arden had done it a few times, maybe he could do it too, even if it wouldn’t be as good as casey’s. “i mean, you’re better than me because i can’t play guitar, but i’m sure nate and arden are even better,” he teased. “don’t forget arden is really good with lesbian fingers,” he laughed, his cheeks instantly flushing red at his own comment. “you’re such a kind soul, just one time, then you can take it back, i don’t think i sing better than you anyway,” he shrugged. “can you stop making me blush, god casey, we’re in public,” he shook his head. “i guess ass grab is the equivalent? i don’t know,” he scrunched his nose. “it wasn’t a bad reaction, what are you talking about, owens?” he tried to deflect. “i can’t say you nailed it, i haven’t given that talk, but it wasn’t the worst,” he teased. “no, of course it’s a solid start, i can’t start directly on third base, that’s why they have numbers—to go in order,” flynn blinked, so sure of himself. when casey asked if he’d be ready for river to want to take things to the next level, he tilted his head to the side, cheeks burning. “i don’t know, casey, i—i guess,” he said with a shrug. “but it’s still new, i don’t think he wants to go that fast? i don’t want to go fast. he knows that.”

Casey cracked a grin, eyes sparkling with playful mischief as he leaned back casually. “Man, Flynn, you’re practically inviting the teasing when you spill the cute rom-com stuff,” he teased, nudging Flynn lightly on the shoulder. “But hey, who am I to judge? I’m just here for the entertainment." When Flynn tossed out the idea of writing a song together, Casey gave a mock groan, dramatically throwing his head back. “Oh no. You know how much I hate writing songs." He was kidding. It was one of his favourite things to do. Casey pressed a hand dramatically to his chest, mock-offended, and shot Flynn a playful glare. “Uh, excuse you. I’m great at playing guitar, thank you very much,” he declared with exaggerated pride. “I’ve got skills—just because I sing doesn’t mean I can’t shred.” Then, with a grin, he added, “But hey, I’m willing to let you take the lead singer spotlight… for now...for River's sake." He raised an eyebrow at the boob squeeze comment, shaking his head. “River’s got boobs but just not one's you can squeeze. What's the equivalent in male on male relationships? Maybe an ass grab or something?" Casey laughed, shaking his head with a grin. “Oh man, I’m definitely more worried about how you reacted. You looked like you just stepped into a rom-com plot twist—awkward and slightly panicked.” He teased, waggling his eyebrows. “As for my explanation? Hey, I’m pretty sure I nailed the ‘awkward but informative’ vibe. If there’s an award for that, I’m taking it home.” He nudged Flynn playfully. “But don’t worry, first base is a solid start." Casey smirked, elbows resting on his knees as he leaned in just a bit. “You kinda work your way up to third base, and then it stays there for a while,” he said with a teasing grin. “But eventually, River might ask you to take it to the next level. So… you think you’d be ready for that?” He gave Flynn a playful raise of his eyebrows, waiting to see how his friend would handle the question.

[flynntaylor]

the way river was so angry made flynn want to cry, he wanted to cry because river was yelling at him when he didn’t know how to say how he felt, because he hadn’t been able to tell that guy to stop even though he was uncomfortable, because he was too nice for that, he would never be able to. “you’re not in the wrong, i don’t know why you keep talking to me like that,” he cried now, blinking as a tear slid down his face. when river pointed at him, flynn just wanted to run again, to hide. and when he heard river’s voice crack as he said it wasn’t fair that flynn was fine with his past until he could use it against him—he didn’t want to do that, why would he ever want to hurt the man he loved? “i know i watched it, but i need to get this out, you tell me to talk and then when i do, i’m being unreasonable,” flynn sobbed, because crying was the only thing he felt like he could do anymore. his chest was tight, he felt crushed under it all, so alone, being told he was using his past as a weapon when he didn’t even understand how those words came out of him. he felt like the bad guy, hurting river just because he hadn’t been able to say no. the way river looked at him made his chest ache. and now flynn was fully crying, sobbing into himself, arms wrapped around his own body like that could hold him together. he wasn’t really listening anymore, all he could hear was his own thoughts screaming that he was the villain, the one who made river feel like this. he didn’t hear river calling him his, didn’t see the way he was reaching for him, didn’t register anything until river dropped to his knees right in front of him—and that shattered flynn. you get to say no. flynn looked away, unable to see him like that. his arms stayed around his body, small and scared, like a kid who just wanted the world to stop. he couldn’t believe he’d hurt river like that. “i’m sorry,” he finally whispered, voice trembling as he tried to breathe through it. “i’m the worst, i’m the worst,” he said again and again, still frozen in place. “i’m the worst and i hate myself because i hurt you,” he cried harder now, body shaking. “i’m sorry, i’m sorry, i didn’t want to hurt you, i’m the worst, please don’t leave me.”

River stood in the doorway, chest heaving, jaw clenched so tightly it hurt. Every word Flynn threw at him cracked something deeper inside, but he refused to let it show. "There you go, turning this around on me." His voice was low, but it carried, coiled with rage and something deeper—something wounded. "I didn't accuse you of anything. I said I'm pissed because you didn't say anything. You're admitting yourself that it made you uncomfortable. Yet I'm still in the wrong?" He paced once, then stopped himself, raking a hand through his hair, fingers trembling. River’s hands shook as he pointed—once at Flynn, then back at himself, then at the space between them. "So you don’t have a problem with my past until you can use it as bait?" he snapped, eyes sharp and wounded. "That’s not fair, Flynn." His voice cracked with the force of it, but he powered through. "All of that—everything you just threw in my face—that was before you and me. Before we were anything. Fuck, you even watched it yourself. Since then." He gestured hard again, stabbing the air between them with his finger. "This? This is different." His voice dropped, not quieter, but heavier—thick with disbelief. " His voice cracked on the last part, but he forced it down. "You want to talk about my past making you feel uncomfortable because other guys have seen it? Then fucking talk to me. Don’t throw it back in my face like that." His eyes burned as he looked at Flynn—really looked at him—and he hated how broken he looked. But he couldn’t stop. River took a step closer, but not too close. He exhaled hard through his nose, voice lowering again, more tired now than angry. "But instead, I get this. You locked yourself away, and now you’re crying like I’m the monster for reacting like a human being. But I didn’t walk away, Flynn. You did." He crossed his arms tightly, bracing himself like the words might be the only thing keeping him standing. "You say you hate how he looked at you and treated you? Then say that to me. Tell me that instead of making me feel like I’m not allowed to feel a fucking thing when someone touches what’s mine. I know you're too nice for your own good to say anything to him or your team. But, I'm not. I'll say it my whole damn chest if needed." River rolled his eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t stay glued to the ceiling. “Jesus fucking Christ, Flynn,” he muttered, dragging a hand down his face like he couldn’t believe they were even still in this conversation. His whole body buzzed with that electric kind of anger—sharp, hot, tight—and it showed in the way he moved, in the way his jaw clenched and unclenched like he was trying not to snap all over again. But then—without warning—he dropped to his knees in front of Flynn. Not in surrender, not in softness. It was intentional, firm, in-your-face. He leaned in, sweat at his temple, chest rising and falling like he’d just run a mile. His eyes locked onto Flynn’s, furious and unblinking, the heat behind them unmistakable. “You get to say no,” he growled, voice low and rough, inches from Flynn’s face. “You don’t need to apologise for struggling. You don’t need to be perfect. But you get to say no.” His fingers curled into fists on his knees. “You can have some fucking boundaries and still be a nice person."

[flynntaylor]

"we look so alike we could be twins," he joked, a playful smile tugging at his lips. when kyla laughed at his comment about nate being an idiot in that light, familiar way, flynn couldn't help but grin wider. "oh, definitely, he's authentic even when he's not trying—gotta love that," he said, his tone warm. "sounds good, tell him i’m stealing you, maybe that'll make him move his ass faster," he added with a teasing smirk. at the mention of hot wings, he winced a little. "hot wings? is there, like, a version without the fire? if i eat that, i’ll probably shit myself," he admitted, his cheeks flushing red. "spicy things and i are not friends. but hey, let’s go—they probably have a kids' menu or something less deadly i can survive on."

Kyle chuckled " you do that, she will never know its just a one-time thing....unless i tell her" Kyle joked then bit his lip " i honestly do not want to know. " he stated to flynn and laughed softly. " Nate an idiot? no way, i cant believe it" he stated and bit his lip as his mind drifted to his boyfriend. " its always good to have people around you who you can be 100% you around and just enjoy and have fun" he said, that got him thinking, did Nate not feel like he could be totally himself with Kyle? he thought about it for a second then put it to the side. " okay okay, well thank you" he smirked at the thought. " i think we should go grab a snack, ill message him and let him know so he can join us if he ever finished in there" Kyle looked one last time at the door then started walking in the other direction of it. " should we go to the place by the beach? they have the best hot wings ever" he stated with a smile. " or what were you thinking?" he asked as he walked to his lambo

[flynntaylor]

flynn locked himself in the room, overwhelmed, heart racing—he couldn’t believe river had said that to him. he had just been doing his job. it wasn’t because he didn’t care—he cared so deeply about river it scared him sometimes. he ran a hand through his hair, breath catching. river was mad at him. maybe he could’ve told that guy to back off, maybe he should’ve, but he hadn’t, and yeah, it had made him uncomfortable, but river shouldn’t be the one hurting—not over a picture that meant absolutely nothing. it wasn’t like he’d cheated right in front of him. when he heard the door open, he turned instinctively, hoping it would be arden—or at least a version of river that wasn’t angry. he couldn’t even look at him properly. shame and sadness had wrapped themselves so tightly around flynn’s chest he could barely breathe, let alone talk. the way river was looking at him felt like a dagger. “this isn’t to make my friends hate you, you’re not the fucking bad guy—but why do you act like i snogged that guy?” he said, his voice cracking. “why do you get so mad at me? yeah, i could’ve told him to move, i could’ve done a lot of things, but you know i couldn’t.” he turned away, blinking through tears. “why does everything have to be about you?” he snapped. “you’ve got a hundred videos of you naked and touching yourself all over the internet—people look at you like you’re theirs, and you let them.” he regretted saying it even as the words flew out, but they were already out, raw and unfiltered. “but i’m not allowed to lose my mind over the fact that a million people pay to see you naked, i have to stay quiet and just take it.” he turned back to face river, voice cracking again. “but yeah, fuck flynn’s stupid feelings, because that’s what everyone does—think about themselves, get angry at me because it’s hard for me to say no, and suddenly i’m the one in the wrong.” his voice broke as tears streamed down his cheeks. “you didn’t even ask how i felt. you didn’t ask if i was okay.” he shook his head slowly. “but yeah, fuck me, right? because i’m stupid and i keep thinking people will understand how hard it is for me to talk to people, to say no, and this is what i get.” he walked away, sitting down on the nearest couch, exhausted and broken. “don’t you think i hated how he looked at me?” he said, louder now. “i hated every second his hands were on me. i fucking hated it. i feel so fucking dirty right now, knowing you saw it, knowing i couldn’t stop it—and your first reaction was to accuse me.” he looked up at river, eyes shining with betrayal. “thanks, boyfriend.”

River wasn’t usually the jealous type. He didn’t need to be. Which was why this hurt more than it should have. They normally didn’t deal with this kind of shit. The fans were nice—kind, even. Mostly just wanted photos. But that one fan had crossed a line. River saw it before Flynn did. Or maybe Flynn had seen it and just... let it happen. That was worse. That was what made River’s jaw tighten as he walked toward them. What made his fists curl slightly at his sides. It was supposed to be a wholesome moment. And River hadn’t missed the way the fan had pulled him close like they owned him—like Flynn was just another prize from the merch table. And Flynn, sweet and non-confrontational to a fault, hadn’t said no. So when Flynn tried to play it down, River didn’t buy it. River watched him closely. Not angry. Not yet. But hurt. “That’s not what this is about,” River said, voice quieter than usual, calmer than Flynn probably expected. “It’s not about a hug.” He stared at him, chest tightening. Because yeah—he knew that. But it didn’t change the fact that when Flynn brushed things off like this, when he tried to make peace with everyone else at the expense of himself. But Flynn didn’t argue back. He just went quiet. Then turned. And walked away. River didn’t move at first. He just stood there, staring at the space where Flynn had been. He heard Arden call Flynn’s name, heard people still laughing and chatting, oblivious to the way things had just cracked open under the surface. “I’m going to talk to him,” he said, already stepping away. “In private.” No one stopped him. He knew exactly where Flynn had gone—back to the small dressing room. River opened the door, stepped inside, and closed it behind him with a click that sounded louder than it was. Then he leaned back against it, arms folding, one brow lifting slowly. The attitude came naturally. Not out of spite—but because that was how he dealt with things. River rolled his eyes, sharp and deliberate. “Walking away from your boyfriend?” he said, his tone biting but not loud. “Ouch. Next.” But River wasn’t done. He pushed off the door slowly, taking a step forward, pacing now—not with anger, but with energy he couldn’t sit on. “What’s the plan, huh?” he said, tilting his head. “You wanna spiral quietly in here so your friends can hate me outside? ‘Poor Flynn, look what River did to him.’ Is that how this goes?” River shook his head, letting out a sharp breath. “Look, I didn’t come in here to fight with you,” he added, softer now, the edge still there, but blunted. “But don’t act like I’m the bad guy for being pissed when someone touched you like that and you just… smiled." He stopped pacing, standing a few feet from Flynn now. His hands dropped to his sides, his tone dipping lower—less sharp, but not less honest. “Yeah, maybe I’m a little jealous and pissed off,” River said, shrugging one shoulder, like it didn’t cost him something to admit it. “But, dude—you’d feel the exact same if the tables were turned.” He waited. “If someone pulled me in, held on like that, looked at me like I was theirs—and I let them? You’d lose your mind. I know you would.” His voice didn’t accuse. It just told the truth. Then he threw his arms out to the side in pure exasperation, his body tense, eyes narrowing. “But fuck River’s feelings, right?” he snapped, arms still out, like he was inviting some answer that wasn’t going to come.

[flynntaylor]

flynn wasn’t good at opening up about things people could tease him for—sure, he shared his thoughts with arden and the band, but sometimes it was just hard. he fell too hard, too fast, and honestly, it was kind of embarrassing. “yes, i know i opened the door, but you practically barged in,” he said, trying to joke it off and cool the redness in his cheeks. but it wasn’t working, not when his friend’s attention was locked on him—and on his relationship with river. he felt comfortable around casey, which was part of why he opened up in the first place, but now he was lowkey regretting it—not because he didn’t trust him, but because of all the teasing that came with it. he was being honest, confessing how he felt about his boyfriend. flynn had always wanted the kind of love that sweeps you off your feet. maybe he was a hopeless romantic, but if the straight couples in rom-coms could have that kind of love, then so could he—or at least, that’s what he told himself. when he called casey an asshole and he didn’t even flinch, flynn just shook his head. “don’t call me babycakes,” he said, trying not to smile. “maybe you could write me a song,” he added, “skip the romance novel, i don’t like reading—but you could help me write a song. maybe i could be the lead singer and you could play guitar, even though you’re not that good,” he teased, sticking his tongue out. when casey groaned at his question, flynn raised his eyebrows—he probably should’ve googled it first. “boob squeeze? i think river doesn’t have boobs,” he pointed out. and when casey offered to explain what sex was, flynn cut him off fast. “no, i don’t need you to,” he said way too quickly. “so i’m on first base, then,” he nodded, adding, “but my innocent mind is fine.” he paused. “should i be more concerned about how you reacted or how well you explained that?”

Casey didn’t mean to laugh that hard—but Flynn’s horrified expression, the way his ears went red, the flustered way he backpedaled through his own words—it was perfect. He couldn't help himself. He loved watching Flynn squirm when he accidentally overshared, especially when it came to things that made his cheeks burn. Casey grinned, all teeth, leaning back in his seat with a satisfied look like he’d just won something. His laughter slowed, but the smug amusement stayed. “You opened the damn door and then ran straight through it with a monologue,” Casey teased. “Don't blame me for walking in.” He meant it playfully, but he wasn’t blind to what was under the jokes. Flynn never opened up this easily with people—not about love, not about River, definitely not about feelings. But here he was, red-faced and vulnerable, and Casey could tell that it meant something. That trust. That comfort. The way Flynn talked about River—soft and genuine and a little nervous—made something twist in Casey’s chest. Not jealousy, not exactly. Just…a quiet appreciation for how much heart Flynn had. The guy was pure. He raised his hands in surrender. “That’s not new information, babycakes.” But inside, he was smiling. He liked that Flynn could snap back. That he wasn’t just soft—he had fire, too. Then Flynn leaned into it, surprising him with that nod, that confession. Casey blinked, caught off guard for a second by how honest that was. How unapologetically honest. Most people tried to bury stuff like that under sarcasm or shame. But not Flynn. Casey tilted his head, smirking again, but this time it was softer. “You’re gonna make someone write a goddamn romance novel about you,” he said. Then came the question. Casey’s eyes widened dramatically, leaning forward like Flynn had just said something scandalous. “You’re kidding. Oh my God,” Casey groaned, dragging a hand over his face. “Okay, class is in session, let’s go. First base: kissing. Second base: hands— usually a boob squeeze. Third base: hands go south. Fourth base, you hit a home run. That's sex.” Casey grinned, biting back another laugh. Then he leaned forward, elbows on his knees, grinning like he was about to deliver a punchline. “Do I need to explain what sex is to your innocent mind, or...?”

[flynntaylor]

flynn laughed along with casey, he wasn't as open about everything in his life as casey was, and he didn't know how he had just ended up telling casey about his boyfriend's past, but that conversation had taken a more mature turn. "i didn't open the door, i was telling you about my boyfriend, i didn't want to know all that," he chuckled, shaking his head. the way casey laughed was enough to know he was enjoying himself way too much seeing flynn all mortified. that was how their relationship worked and, if flynn was honest, he couldn't ask for a better friend. the way casey looked at him as he talked about his experience with river made him feel nervous, but he was telling the truth—the same thing he had told arden after those dates that turned into more than just talking. when casey called him a sap, flynn furrowed his eyebrows, "you're a bit of an asshole," he shot back, feeling his cheeks burn. maybe he was a hopeless romantic, but if he was completely honest, that was what he liked—he didn't enjoy getting swept away too fast, he liked falling in love slowly, savoring every second of it. when casey rephrased what he said, the blonde couldn’t help but nod. "that's exactly how it worked, i felt butterflies and everything, it was so cute," he confessed, surprised by the shift in tone—from calling it cute to casey implying he could go further. "i have limits, but not when it comes to talking about what you did with coral," he pointed out. "and what's the difference between second and third base?" he asked, because honestly, he had heard of that stuff but never really got too invested in learning the real definitions.

Casey couldn’t help but crack up at his best friend’s dramatic groan, the way he delivered that whole “you kiss your girlfriend with that dirty mouth” line like he hadn’t met Casey before. He was already shaking his head, grinning as the rest of the sentence trailed off exactly where Casey knew it would—into a reluctant backpedal. “See, this is what happens when you open the door,” Casey said, laughing as he leaned back in his chair, clearly way too pleased with himself. “Don’t blame me for walking through it.” It was always like this between them—banter, boundaries lightly tested, Casey saying things that made his friend regret ever asking questions in the first place. Honestly, Casey lived for it. Still, he didn’t push too far. Especially now, when the subject shifted just enough to land somewhere a little more honest, a little closer to the heart. Casey watched Flynn stumble through the words, cheeks going crimson like he’d just admitted to a federal crime instead of, y’know, just kissing his boyfriend. It was kind of adorable. Annoyingly so. The kind of adorable that made Casey want to simultaneously tease him into next week and ruffle his hair like a proud older sibling. He raised an eyebrow, arms crossed as he leaned back with a smirk. “God, you’re such a sap.” But underneath the sarcasm, he meant it in the best way. Still, he couldn't help but add, “So what I’m hearing is… River’s got you out here kicking your feet and blushing like a high schooler over a couch kiss. Honestly? Kinda love that for you,” he said after a beat, tone softening. “You deserve someone who makes you feel safe and turns you into a tomato.” Then, without missing a beat: “But don’t expect me to sit through the full rom-com recap every time you two lock lips. I have limits, man. Update me next when you get to second or third base when he gets you all you all horny over him."

[flynntaylor]

they normally didn’t have to deal with these kinds of moments, their fans were always nice. they normally wanted to take pictures next to casey, he was the real star, the voice of the group, sometimes arden—normally women—flynn could get why, they were the main attraction of the group, he wasn’t mad about it. he was glad people liked them. but that fan wanted a picture next to him, and the blonde wasn’t able to say no. it was supposed to be a wholesome moment, but it didn’t feel like it. he wasn’t really happy. in fact, the other had made him feel bad. as river walked towards them, flynn tried to stay calm, maybe river hadn’t noticed, maybe it was just his mind playing tricks on him, but it wasn’t, and river had noticed. “it was just stupid, river, i overreacted, he was just hugging me, that’s fine,” he tried to brush it off, trying to blend into the group’s energy, but it wasn’t working for him. as he lowered his voice, he felt like he couldn’t look him in the eyes. he was nervous. “you’re not just my boyfriend, river, it’s completely different,” he assured, his brow furrowing. as river accused him of prioritizing his own feelings over his, flynn felt his chest tightening. he didn’t say anything, he just walked away, quickly, toward the room they had changed in before the concert. he heard arden saying his name, people chatting loudly—after all, the room still had a little line of people waiting for a picture—but he couldn’t do it.

River had seen the shift in Flynn the moment that fan leaned in a little too close. He’d tried to brush it off at first—he knew Flynn hated making a scene, especially in front of people. But he could read Flynn like a book by now. The forced smile, the slight edge in his voice, the way his shoulders had tensed just enough to give him away. River had clocked all of it, and it had made something tight coil in his chest. The group had moved on quickly, the band cracking jokes and ribbing each other like always. River had played along, greeted everyone with that easygoing charm, but his mind had stayed half-focused on Flynn. He saw the way he avoided eye contact, biting at his lip like he was trying to swallow down the discomfort. That fan had crossed a line—even if it was subtle. And even if Flynn didn’t say it out loud, River felt it. "Yeah,” River said quietly, not in a teasing way but like he was just being honest. “It kind of was.” He stepped in a little closer, lowering his voice just enough so the others couldn’t hear. “No one gets to make you uncomfortable like that." River glanced over at the group, all wrapped up in their jokes and easy laughter, before turning his gaze back to Flynn again. He furrowed his eyebrows as Flynn said it was just a picture. It didn't make it right. "It’s just a picture?,’” he repeated, slightly annoyed. “... And I’m just your boyfriend.” River knew he was being dramatic. He knew it. It was just a photo. A quick, passing moment with a fan who probably didn’t think twice about it after walking away. But that didn’t stop the way his jaw tightened, or how his stomach had knotted the second he saw Flynn lean in—even if it was just to be polite, even if it meant nothing. “You didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. Cool. Glad we’re prioritising his feelings over mine."

[flynntaylor]

casey wasn’t the first person he talked about it with besides arden—she had been the first one because she was the one who found that video for him. he was still curious how she even managed to do that, but he wasn’t about to ask. he didn’t want to know how she had an account on that site or whatever, the thought alone made a shiver run down his spine. still, flynn couldn’t help but feel awkward about it, knowing casey now knew his little secret made him nervous. he knew casey had no problem talking about how great her alone time with her girlfriend was, but he wasn’t like that—he was way more private. "i know i’m not doing anything wrong, but it’s like ‘ohh i’m watching you,’” he said, voice going all ghostly. “okay, that wasn’t how i wanted it to sound,” he added quickly, wincing. “i know he’s the one who posted it online,” he sighed, “but it’s like… i paid for it, even if it was arden, you know? i don’t know, maybe i’m overthinking it way too much.” he shook his head. that always happened. “casey, stop,” he groaned, feeling his cheeks burn red as casey kept teasing him. when she started describing how he probably recorded himself, he closed his eyes and covered his ears. “i don’t want to know the thought process behind those videos, casey!” he laughed, shaking his head. “god, i would say ‘and you kiss your girlfriend with that dirty mouth,’ but the answer is gonna be something like ‘yes and she enjoys it,’ so i’ll save myself the embarrassment,” he said with a laugh. sometimes he couldn’t believe his best friend. “yeah, i know i was the one who brought it up, but i don’t want to imagine you like that, casey,” he insisted. when the next question came, he sighed—the topic was kind of related but way less spicy. “we’ve kissed… a couple of times,” he admitted, smiling as his face went bright red, “mostly in his apartment,” he added shyly. “i think he enjoys how flustered i get a little too much,” he confessed, “but he’s so secure and comfortable… he’s nice, maybe the nicest boyfriend i’ve ever had.”

Casey couldn’t help but grin at Flynn’s nervousness. Of course, Flynn would get shy about something like this—he wasn’t exactly the type to broadcast personal details, especially when it came to something as intimate as watching videos of his boyfriend. Casey, on the other hand, had no problem being open about that kind of stuff. It didn’t faze him, and he loved how Flynn would try to cover up the awkwardness with humor. When Flynn admitted to feeling like a creep for watching his boyfriend in private moments, Casey raised an eyebrow, trying to suppress a chuckle. "I get it, man. It's a little weird, but it’s not like you're doing anything wrong," he reassured him. "But I get it, overthinking and all that… it's like you’re doing something shady, right? Just remember he's the one that posted them online." He could see the way Flynn was over-analyzing it, but Casey wasn’t judging. In fact, he found it kind of endearing. "Nah, man, not judging," he said with a grin, leaning back in his seat. "But I can’t say I wasn’t laughing about how into that video you seem to be. You were totally glued to it, huh?" He let out a teasing laugh, fully expecting Flynn to blush more, but he had no malice in it. This was just how their friendship worked—teasing, but never crossing any boundaries. "My phone and dick are held with two different hands. How would I whack one out if I was videoing myself at the exact same time?" As Flynn awkwardly shifted the conversation, asking if Casey had anything else to talk about, Casey couldn’t help but laugh. "Oh, come on, you’re the one who brought up the videos!" he said, still amused. "But sure, we can talk about something else. Maybe something less... spicy." Casey’s grin turned mischievous as he leaned in a little closer, watching Flynn squirm. He wasn’t one to hold back when he had something to tease his best friend about, especially when it came to topics like this. Flynn’s awkwardness just made it more fun. "Yeah, have you kissed him yet?" Casey asked, his voice dripping with playful curiosity. He raised an eyebrow as he watched Flynn’s reaction, clearly enjoying the way his best friend seemed to get more uncomfortable with every passing second. "Or have you just watched his stuff and thought about it?"

[flynntaylor]

fans weren’t normally a problem when it came to the group. they were usually nice and fun to be around, and that was one of the things he loved most about taking pictures with them. it felt good seeing who was behind all those views and listens their songs got. but if he was being completely honest, he hadn’t liked the way that last fan made him feel. obviously, he wasn’t going to say anything—he was way too nervous and anxious for that. he tried to keep it to himself, but it had been hard, and judging by the way river looked at him, he had noticed too. he’d been uncomfortable, but he hadn’t said a word. as his boyfriend greeted his band, flynn couldn’t help but smile—it kind of felt like a soft launch. they all knew he had a boyfriend, but meeting them all in person felt like another step forward in their relationship. after all, the band was like his family. at his question, flynn looked away, trying to act unbothered by that fan, but it hadn’t worked. he bit down on his lower lip, feeling a little ashamed. he heard arden joke about not doing a boudoir shoot with a fan, which made everyone laugh, but flynn was too embarrassed to say anything. at river’s words, flynn looked back at him. “it was,” he finally admitted, “but it was just a picture… i didn’t want to make things awkward or have him get mad, river,” he said softly. “was it that obvious?” he asked, worried, his eyes searching the taller boy’s face for reassurance.

River’s eyes narrowed as he watched the fan wrap his arms around Flynn, the touch far too familiar and not in the friendly way the meet and greets were supposed to be. Flynn’s body stiffened instantly, and River could tell by the way his shoulders tensed and the subtle shift in his expression that he wasn’t comfortable. It wasn’t just the fan’s behavior that bothered him—it was the fact that Flynn never said anything, that he always tried to hide how much he hated being in those situations. River couldn’t stand it. He hated seeing Flynn let people cross boundaries like that just to keep the peace. The fan’s hand lingered too long, resting over Flynn’s chest in a way that felt too intimate for a meet and greet, and River’s patience snapped. He watched as Flynn forced a smile, doing his best to stay kind, but River was already on edge. He wanted to walk over and push the guy off, but he knew Flynn would be pissed if he did. Still, he couldn’t shake the irritation bubbling inside him. River’s jaw clenched as he turned away, trying to shake the frustration that was rising within him. He was the next to approach. River walked toward Flynn, a slight annoyed expression on his face. The meet-and-greet had been going smoothly, but there was a lingering tension in the air, especially after the way that last fan had made Flynn uncomfortable. River couldn’t shake the thought of how the fan had touched Flynn, how the discomfort had been so visible on his face despite his best efforts to stay composed. It didn’t sit well with him. As he drew closer, River tried to push the irritation out of his mind, forcing himself to focus on the moment in front of him. He didn’t want to make things awkward, especially for Flynn or his band, but a part of him couldn’t just ignore what had happened. He stepped up, his smile warm but with an underlying tension that wasn’t entirely hidden. "Hi Flynn, Arden, Nate and Casey." He couldn’t help but glance at Flynn, watching him closely, wanting to make sure he was okay. River’s mind was still reeling a bit, but he wasn’t about to let it show. He knew Flynn would try to brush it off, but River wasn’t going to let this moment slide without making sure his best friend was alright "I don't know. Is any pose off limits or is it just a free for all out here?" He hoped Flynn would speak up if he needed to, but for now, River just wanted to make sure he felt uncomfortable too. He leaned in a little closer to Flynn, his tone laced with a hint of annoyance, though he tried to keep it low-key. “Call me a bad boyfriend or whatever,” River began, his voice slightly tight, “but I didn’t like the last guy’s pose with you. A bit too much, no?” River wasn’t usually one to make a big deal out of things, but seeing Flynn try to grin and bear it when clearly unsettled made him mad. Flynn deserved to be comfortable, and River hated that he felt like he had to tolerate things like that.

[flynntaylor]

meet and greets weren't something the band had done for a long time, only after that big concert did people start talking about it, and the band couldn't say no to the opportunity. the moment they shared, exchanging a few words with fans and taking pictures, was always fun. sometimes, they'd get weird requests, like one time when a fan asked the band to pick them up bridal style, and they couldn't say no to such an odd request. but the guy who came up to take a picture with his friends actually made flynn feel uncomfortable. flynn was always kind and gentle, trying not to think of this guy touching him as anything sexual, but the way he wrapped his arms around him and placed his hand over his chest was making him nervous. he could feel the guy noticing how fast his heart was beating, but he couldn't bring himself to say anything. when the guy unwrapped his arms and waved goodbye to the others, arden looked at flynn, wordlessly asking if he was okay, having noticed that her best friend wasn’t comfortable. but then there was river, one of the next people. he smiled as he walked closer. "hey, stranger," he mused, trying to sound casual, wanting to push that image out of his mind. "any requests?"

River stood in the queue, leaning against a nearby wall as he observed the chaotic swirl of fans surrounding Flynn and his band mates after the concert. The meet and greet was full. He stood right at back of the queue. His eyes scanned the queue, flicking from one excited face to the next, but his gaze always seemed to land back on Flynn. Flynn, his boyfriend. Flynn, who was currently caught in a hug from some overzealous fanboy who was absolutely lingering a little too long for River's liking. The fan’s arm was draped across Flynn's chest in a way that made River’s stomach twist. There was something about the way this particular fan was holding on—his head resting against Flynn’s shoulder, the hand splayed across his chest and trailing down it slightly with what looked like more intimacy than a simple photo opportunity. He could see the fan boy’s eyes half-lidded with something close to affection, maybe more than affection. River shifted uncomfortably where he stood, arms crossed tightly as he forced himself to look away, not wanting to make it obvious that he was eyeing the interaction. He knew Flynn was kind and gentle with his fans, always trying to make them feel seen. River was proud of him for that, for his generosity. But goddamn, he hated moments like this. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the fan boy finally let go, and Flynn flashed his signature grin—easy, warm, and oblivious to the fact that River had been watching the whole exchange. River could feel his jaw tighten, but he pushed the irritation down, forcing a smile as he moved through the queue toward Flynn.

@flynntaylor

[flynntaylor]

of course flynn was going to get shy about it, he wasn’t the one who went around telling the band about what he did in private, that was more of a thing casey and nate did. it didn’t feel weird telling his best friend, but admitting he’d seen a video of his boyfriend touching himself online a few times made him a little anxious. "i know, but i feel like a creep watching him like that, i don’t know," he shook his head. there was nothing wrong with it, yet here he was, overthinking it like he was doing something illegal. "i hope you're not judging," he chuckled, looking at casey who’d just admitted he liked to laugh about how into that video the blonde was. he knew his best friend would tease him about it. when casey admitted he had his own little gallery of coral’s spicy moments, flynn felt a blush creeping up his cheeks. "do you ever let me hold your phone again?" he mused, shivering as he shook his head. the thought of finding one of those videos haunted him. "okay, i’ve had enough talking about videos," he shook his head. "do you have anything else you wanna talk about?" he laughed nervously.

Casey leaned back in his chair, casually swirling the coffee in his cup, a smirk playing on his lips as he listened to Flynn’s words. As Flynn admitted to watching the video too many times, Casey couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, genuinely curious but also amused. "Hey, don't act all shy about it," Casey teased, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "It’s your boyfriend's past videos, Flynn. You do whatever you want to do with those things." He chuckled as Flynn warned him not to judge, clearly trying to defend his little guilty pleasure. "You really think I’m judging?" Casey shot back, leaning forward with a mock-serious expression. "Nah, I’m just laughing at how into it you are." He loved giving Flynn a hard time, especially when the guy was so earnest about it all. He leaned forward, lowering his voice just enough to make it sound like he was sharing a scandalous secret. "You know, I’ve got a whole collection of… well, let’s just say, memories that I like to keep private. No big deal." He waggled his eyebrows teasingly, clearly enjoying how much it was throwing Flynn off. Flynn’s expression was priceless, and Casey couldn’t help but laugh outright, completely unbothered by the teasing. "I mean, it's not like it’s anything weird. Just some fun, you know?" He shrugged, still smiling. "I have a toddling kid at home now, sometimes we don't get the time to get down and dirty, video's suffice sometimes."

[flynntaylor]

when flynn asked casey if he wanted to go out for coffee, it wasn’t just for casual conversation—he wanted to talk about his boyfriend’s past. not because he wanted to judge him, but because he needed to tell someone who was in a relationship. maybe casey would know more than arden and her single self. "she’ll be happy to hear about that," he nodded, thinking about coral. he had a great relationship with her—she was the nicest soul and always balanced out the band’s energy with her calm nature. he couldn’t not like her. "i know you’re not going to judge him, i’m not judging him either, but i wanted to tell you. i still need to tell nate, but i feel like he’s going to laugh at my reaction even more than you," he mused. nate was the best, but he would absolutely take every chance to tease flynn about it, and flynn wasn’t sure he was ready for that. "hey, don’t judge me, she makes me feel things," he added with a playful smile, though if he was honest, even if river’s video had been his most-streamed clip, he wouldn’t admit it out loud. he was a little embarrassed by how many times he had watched it. "you should stop laughing and talking—enjoy your drink," he teased casey back. maybe casey knew a lot about this, but in his past relationships, flynn had never recorded himself or his partners. maybe it was because he was afraid of those pictures or videos getting leaked, but he hadn’t even realized it was such a common thing. "i know, i only have to do the things i feel like doing, but i didn’t know people actually did that," he confessed. when casey reminded him that he had standards, flynn nodded—he was right, and that was why flynn liked talking to him. he always had some kind of advice, even if it came with a side of teasing. "oh, please don’t tell me you do that too," he groaned, shaking his head. "i don’t need to know what you two send each other," he laughed. "knowing you, it’s probably not the most tasteful video ever," he added playfully. "poor coral, i feel bad for her."

Casey leaned back in his chair, the laughter bubbling up at Flynn’s quick retort about Coral finding him and “ending” him if he ever thought about seeing Casey naked. He was used to the teasing by now—Flynn’s dry wit had always been one of his favorite things about him—but hearing Flynn casually mention his boyfriend’s OnlyFans account still caught him off guard. It was a solid move, and Casey’s eyebrows shot up in amusement. “I'm for my girlfriend's eyes only, sorry about it.” Casey chuckled, not missing the smile that tugged at Flynn’s lips. It was clear Flynn had learned to roll with the punches. Years of friendship had taught him how to match Casey’s teasing without missing a beat. "Go ahead and brag all you want. I'm not judging him for his videos. He can do what he wants to do." But then, Flynn dropped a comment about "Bejeweled" and Taylor Swift, and Casey leaned his face into his hand; face-palming. "You Swifties! You're obsessed with that woman and her songs and her videos." Flynn’s attempt to steer the conversation away wasn’t working. It never did with Casey. As much as Flynn tried to dodge, Casey was always there to keep the conversation rolling, pulling him back in with another round of teasing. But then, Flynn caught him off guard again, trying to stop him from laughing too hard by pointing out how he was about to spill his drink. "Hey!" Casey laughed, finally regaining his composure. "I can laugh and drink at the same time. It's a talent." He took a careful sip, making sure not to spill it this time. “Recording yourself for private use? Yeah, that’s a thing,” Casey replied, his voice thoughtful now. “A lot of people do it just for fun or to keep things private. Doesn’t have to be anything public. But you’ve gotta be comfortable with it, you know? There’s no pressure to do anything you’re not cool with.” Casey leaned back, giving Flynn a reassuring look. "“Whatever feels right for you, man. And hey, I’m sure you’ve got no problem turning down offers when you don’t want to be on camera. You’re Flynn—you’ve got standards.” He shot Flynn a grin, knowing full well that his friend might still be a bit shy about it all. But that was what made their friendship so easy—Flynn could talk about the awkward stuff without judgment, and Casey could keep the conversation flowing, making it feel like less of a big deal. "I'm not going to pretend I haven't sent my girlfriend a video in the past. I'd also find it hot if she sent one to me."

[flynntaylor]

flynn and river were two very different people—polar opposites, even. flynn was constantly overthinking every little detail of his life, no matter how small. he could be pretty chill when he was around the people he loved and trusted, but most of the time, he was trying to keep everything under control, not to mention how emotional he could be. on the other hand, river was secure, confident… basically the complete opposite of his boyfriend. maybe that was part of the reason flynn was so drawn to him—aside from how ridiculously handsome he was. as river told him how thrilled he was that he had seen the video, flynn raised his eyebrows. "thrilled" wasn’t the word he would have chosen, but it was valid. "i’ll have to thank arden then," he chuckled softly. there was something electric about the way river looked at him, something that made his heart race inside his chest. he was nervous—river made him nervous, and there was nothing he could do about it. when river told him he looked cute because of it, he felt warmth creeping up his cheeks. "i don’t think any less of you," he promised, "i was surprised, but not in a bad way." he could never think anything bad about river. the moment river climbed onto his lap, flynn felt his heart thunder against his ribs. when he told him not to overthink it, flynn sighed—that was easier said than done. still, as he looked up at him, he let instinct take over, cupping river’s face gently and pressing a soft kiss to his lips, though there was something deeper beneath it—something that wanted more.

River watched Flynn closely, noticing the way his cheeks turned red as the conversation went on. There was something so endearing about Flynn’s nervousness, how he tried to hide it, but River could see right through him. It was clear Flynn wasn’t used to being so open, especially not about something so raw and real. River found it charming—how Flynn always overthought everything, worried about the details. It made him want to reassure him, to draw him out even more. When Flynn asked if River was glad he’d watched the video, River’s smile spread, amused by the surprised tone in his voice. Flynn really didn’t realise how much his actions spoke for him. River tilted his head, his gaze never leaving Flynn’s. “Glad?” he teased lightly, leaning a little closer. “I’m thrilled. It's saved me the job of telling you." The warmth in the room between them was undeniable, and River could feel how the energy shifted as he moved to sit on Flynn’s thighs. Flynn’s breath hitched, and for a brief moment, River couldn’t help but notice how much he was affecting him. It wasn’t just physical; it was everything—the way Flynn looked at him, the way his eyes flickered with uncertainty, yet his body was telling a different story. River’s confidence grew as he leaned in just a little, keeping the space between them charged with possibility, but he was patient, waiting for Flynn to find his own rhythm. When Flynn finally spoke, his voice softer but clear, River’s heart gave a small beat in his chest. “You’re cute when you’re nervous,” River said, his voice calm and warm, a hint of playfulness. “But you don’t need to be. Not around me. I'm not thinking any more or any less of you and I hope you don't think any more or less of me because of my past too." River felt a smile tug at his lips. It was a small victory, a gentle affirmation of what had been simmering between them. He gave Flynn a moment. River leaned in slightly, his eyes never leaving Flynn's face. He could feel the tension in the air, the way Flynn was trying to figure out what to do next, unsure of himself, but River wasn’t about to leave him hanging. His gaze flickered between the other's eyes and mouth. “Flynn,” River said softly, his voice gentle but filled with something undeniable. He gave Flynn a small smile, a knowing look. “You don’t need to overthink this. Just follow your instincts. If you want to kiss me... then do it.”

[flynntaylor]

everyone knew flynn was a very anxious person with a tendency to overthink, worry about the details, and be dismissive about his abilities. he could tell how much river was really enjoying seeing him like that, but he was struggling to admit it or even let himself feel it. he was better at acknowledging others' feelings—his own? that was a whole different challenge. he could have been more like nate, casey, or arden and simply told river that he had watched and rewatched his video, that he had even used it when he was needy, but that wasn’t flynn. flynn was going to blush and try to see where that took him instead. he was nervous; he had never been in this situation before. when river told him he looked cute when he was nervous, flynn couldn't help but glance at him, his cheeks burning red at the comment. flynn could be really outgoing, but when it came to those kinds of conversations, it was hard for him. of course, he wanted the real thing—he had probably memorized the whole video. "you're glad i watched it?" he asked, eyebrows raised in surprise. he wasn't expecting that. as river took the pillow away from him, flynn was about to protest, but then he found river climbing on top of his thighs, straddling and sitting on top of him. he felt his breath hitch, his heart racing inside his chest. how was he so good at this? that was a mystery to flynn—one he didn’t mind seeing more of. the tension in the air was making flynn feel dizzy. how was river so captivating, sexy, and confident? "yes," he simply answered, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t enjoying it. as river told him he didn’t have to feel pressured, flynn’s eyes moved to meet his boyfriend’s, and he let out the air he had been holding. "i do want to kiss you right now."

From River's perspective, the moment felt almost like a game, but one with higher stakes. He watched Flynn squirm on the couch, trying to cover up his obvious embarrassment, and couldn't help but feel a surge of amusement. It was adorable, really. Flynn was clearly struggling with something that, to River, wasn’t all that difficult to navigate with his own feelings. He leaned back against the couch casually, giving Flynn an easy smile. River was well aware of the video in question—the one Flynn had clearly watched over and over. It didn’t surprise him. A lot of people had watched it. “It’s cute that you’re being so nervous,” River said with a little chuckle, watching Flynn fumble with his words. "It's a video. It was made with the intention of being watched. I'm glad you added to the views on it." Flynn was still rambling, trying to get the words out in a flood of nervousness, but River simply raised an eyebrow. “You wanted the real thing, huh?” River let the words hang in the air, taking a moment to study the other’s face, the way he flushed and stammered. It was endearing in a way that made River feel a little more at ease with his own feelings. It wasn’t hard to see the desire in Flynn's eyes, even if he was still a little unsure. River wasn't going to rush anything. He liked Flynn too much for that. But teasing him a little? That was too tempting to resist. With a smooth, fluid motion, he reached out, grabbed the pillow from Flynn’s hands, and tossed it aside without a second thought. Without giving him a chance to protest, River climbed over Flynn’s lap with a practiced ease. His knees brushed against Flynn’s thighs as he positioned himself comfortably, straddling Flynn in a way that was both intimate and teasing. River grinned, leaning in just enough to feel the heat of Flynn’s breath on his face. He let the silence stretch between them for a second, savoring the electricity in the air. "Still nervous?" River asked, his lips just a breath away from Flynn's ear. His leaned down and picked up the other's hands intertwining them with his. "I don't feel pressured."

[flynntaylor]

after years of friendship, flynn had managed to learn how to push his nervousness away whenever he was with the band. they were his best friends, so he allowed himself to joke and tease them. it came as second nature now, even if they were the ones who loved teasing him because of how nervous he could get. as casey kept joking about how he was imagining him naked, flynn couldn't help rolling his eyes. "even if i wanted to keep that image of you naked, i know coral would find me and end me, so i don't feel like that happening," he joked, a smile tugging the corners of the blonde's lips. the look on casey's face amused him—he was sure casey wasn't expecting flynn to casually mention that his boyfriend had an onlyfans account. "thanks for letting me brag about my boyfriend," he rolled his eyes playfully, "i don't remember giving you permission to brag about coral though, was that a thing?" he joked. he had scored, that was true—he had found a really hot and nice boyfriend, a little spicy too, and no one would deny that. "i don't think it's my most repeated video, tay tay takes the cake with 'bejeweled,'" he mused sincerely. sometimes, flynn could find ways to ditch conversations too easily, but that didn’t work—not with casey. "can you not smack me because you're laughing? you're going to pour your drink onto the ground," he mused, trying his best not to laugh along with casey. "he hasn't asked me to be in one, and i don't think i could do that," he admitted. he wasn’t confident, and the thought of people seeing him like that scattered across the internet made him sick. "is that a thing? recording yourself even if it's for private use?"

Casey couldn't help but laugh at Flynn's playful teasing. It wasn’t the first time they’d joked around like this, or the last, but with the way Flynn was talking, he couldn't deny that the conversation was taking a turn and amusing him. He knew Flynn well enough to know that he wasn’t really serious, but still, hearing Flynn talk so openly about these things always threw him off a little. His friend was good dude. "Alright, alright," Casey said, holding his hands up in mock surrender, "I'll stop talking about my cock, but seriously, you need to get that image out of your head. I know how hard that's gonna be for you." When Flynn mentioned the video, Casey raised an eyebrow, already guessing where this was going. He had known Flynn long enough to expect the unexpected, but this? This was new territory. It was almost hard to believe Flynn was so open about his boyfriends antics. River seemed like a wild child in comparison to one of his besties. "He's hotter in person too? Score, dude. You get to brag about him." The smirk on Flynn’s face made Casey laugh again, despite how ridiculous the conversation had gotten. “Dude, you’re out of control,” he said, shaking his head but still grinning. “I bet it's your most repeated video now too, now, huh? Does he know you watched it?" Casey tilted his head back as a loud laugh escaped from out of him. He playfully smacked his best friend on the thigh to calm himself - letting him know that his comment had tickled him. "Oh, no, please. You should save any sight of that for your boyfriends eyes only. Has he asked you to be in one?"