Boys will be boys (CLOSED MxM ROLEPLAY)(Stalkers welcomed and appreciated <3)

"Oh… right. Don't people get like, really badly hurt, though?" Rowan asked. "The only thing I ever hear about football is people getting hurt…"

"Yeah. I mean, it's just part'a the game. Guys don' need to get int'a football if they can't handle gettin' hurt."

"Right… probably wouldn't be the best for me since I'm scrawny and accident prone, huh?"

"Right." Cliff laughed, finally deciding on taking off his hat. "That's what I'm thinkin'."

Rowan laughed weakly. "I mean, I broke my leg falling off a roof."

"Yeah, yeah, but I think bein' on a roof is kinda.. I mean, you're just askin' to break somethin'."

"True, true, but it was a dare. I don't back down from dares. I'm not a coward, even if I'm a dumbass."

Cliff laughed. "Goddamn straight you're not." He picked at a fray on his jeans. "How're ya holdin' up? With your leg and all."

"Eh… m'alright. Doesn't hurt too much, but I'm shit with the crutches. I fall a lot." Rowan sighed.

"…Yeah. Yer gonna get better at 'em, though." Cliff rubbed his jaw. "At some point."

"Hopefully. I'm sick and tired of falling over and over. Almost fell down the stairs once or twice."

"Sure." Cliff picked at a scab on his arm. "Just need to practice. You'll get there."

Rowan nodded a bit. "Yeah… thanks, Cliff. Um… for everything."

"It's no skin off my back." Cliff shook his head. "Don't worry about it."

"But it's… it's important to me, you know? Even though it's no big deal to you, it means a lot to me that you're willing to be here…"

"We're friends, Ro. I'm not gonna just abandon you like a dog. C'mon." Cliff responded in turn. "Be a shitty friend if I did."

Rowan smiled weakly. "But still… I mean… it means a lot to me that you guys are willing to stick around me anyways considering I can't really be alone and all."

"Again. Don't sweat it." He shook his head, holding up his hands. "We all live different lives, brother. Sometimes we gotta accommodate."

Rowan looked up at Cliff, still smiling a bit. "I just… wanted you to know it's appreciated. I try not to take it for granted."

Cliff nodded again. "Look- I get it. I do." He looked at the TV screen, where the long string of commercials was only midway done. "You're fine, though."

Rowan nodded and fell quiet for a bit. "…Sorry…"

"About what?" Cliff looked back over at Rowan.

"Um… for bothering you, I guess… in like, every way."

"You're fine. I wasn't doin' anythin' today anyways, if that's what you're worried about."

Rowan shrugged. "I mean, even so… you had to go out of your way to deal with my stupid ass…"

"You're fine. Really." Cliff shook his head. "Don't worry about it."

"I know, I know… you don't even really care that much and I keep pestering you about it. That's really what I'm sorry about, to be honest."

"Ro, brother, relax." Cliff's words came out in a slight sigh. "You're overthinkin' it all."

"Yeah, yeah… I do that." Rowan sighed. "I'll just… leave you alone… sorry."

"Wh-" Cliff started, but cut himself off. He exhaled rather forcefully, maybe more than he expected or wanted to. "Alright."