Evan knew he should have said something years ago. He knew he should have accepted years ago. But he didn't, he hadn't realised back then.
Back when it was just him and his friends playing stupid friends, nothing else. No emotions, no worries, nothing.
He read the discord, his heart breaking as he read the messages his friends were sending back and forth. Delirious had just announced that he and Liz were having a baby, and everyone was extremely excited for them.
Evan was too, don't get him wrong. A baby, it was an incredible thing, and Delirious sounded so happy he couldn't help but feel happy for him. But it was bittersweet.
Years ago, before Delirious had met Liz, Delirious had asked him if he liked anyone. Evan should have connected it then, should have heard the disappointment in his best friends voice when Evan had laughed and said, "Nah, no one has caught my eye. What about you?"
"Eh, kinda interested in someone but there's no chance, so I'll just have to figure out how to let it go," Delirious had replied, Evan teasing him and not registering the forced laugh the other had let out.
It'd taken him almost 2 years to realise what Delirious had meant back then. 2 years for Evan to realise he felt that way. But by then, Delirious had started dating Liz, and Evan figured his crush would fade in time.
And here they were, a few years later. Evan's crush never faded, no matter how much he told himself it'd never happen. It could never happen, especially now with Delirious about to become a father.
Evan? You okay owlman? Evan just smiled sadly at the message, realizing he hadn't texted the group in at least 15 minutes since he'd sent oh shit, babylirious huh? Congrats man.
Delirious must have realised Evan had gone silent and messaged him privately. Their private discord corner filled with jokes, late night talks, random memes, memories.
Yeah I'm good. Sorry I got distracted by something, he messaged back, tucking his knees up against his chest. He scrolled up through their messages, heart breaking even more.
It was too late, far too late, and Evan had never regretted anything more.