He nodded with a laugh and flicked his brows, “Took me long enough.” Nolan repeated, “Twenty years. Give or take.” He shook his head at that thought. The whole situation was stupid. No one should ever hang onto something like that for so damn long. It was unhealthy. But whatever. It worked out for him in the end, really. He smiled softly, “Thanks, Leo.” He said, genuinely even though he wasn’t sure if the man meant it. It was really up in the air.
Nolan wasn’t really sure why he hadn’t told Leo sooner. It was pretty crappy of him not to, honestly. They were friends. True friends. He considered Leo to be a confidant after all these years and he just kind of…avoided the situation. Like most things. Not a surprise. Nolan and confrontation was like oil and water. They just didn’t mix. And it wasn’t even that he thought Leo would be mad… He just didn’t want to hurt him or anything. Not that Nolan thought that there was much there between them anymore romantically. But it’s kind of shitty to be like ‘well the whole time we were dating, I low-key had a crush on my friend’. And Nolan hated that because when he and Leo were dating, he really did put his everything into the relationship. He didn’t want that to the misconstrued.
Shoving his hands into his pockets, Nolan cleared his throat and spoke, “I’m sorry I didn’t…tell you sooner about Hayden. That was really crappy of me.” That was putting it lightly, “Our friendship means a lot to me, Leo, and me not telling you wasn’t cool.”
Leo raises the brows. “Twenty years? Jesus, Nolan, that’s a lifetime. It took you that long to tell her?” He had no idea it was that long. He can’t understand how is that even possible. Relationships don’t last that long more than often. Holding onto feelings that long, Leo is not sure if that is impressive or unhealthy, or both.
But then again, relationships, romance, those things are beyond his understanding to begin with. He is definitely not the one to talk. Even now, after hearing that his ex had a feeling toward someone else for two decades, it doesn’t bother him. Relationship to him is like an agreement or an contract, and Nolan fulfilled his obligations. Now that their relationship is terminated, Nolan doesn’t owe him anything. Actually, Leo doubts he would have been bothered or upset even if they were still dating and Nolan confessed his feelings. Sure, he enjoyed their time together and still likes hanging out with the other, but the dynamic doesn’t have to be romantic.
“I wouldn’t say crappy. You don’t owe me any explanation.” Leo shrugs, speaking as a matter-of-fact. “You don’t have to give me the whole, our friendship talk. I just don’t understand why you didn’t tell me earlier. Did you think I’d be jealous or upset?” He asks, tilting his head to the side.
