Page 52 of Steam

They share a tense moment before Owen caves, pushing up from his chair and then sitting softly on the edge of his own bed. As soon as he settles down, Reese slumps into his lap, laying with his head across Owen’s thighs, gazing up at him.

“You know pretty much anyone worth a shit hates themselves, right?” Reese says, hitching one eyebrow.

“You hate yourself?” Owen says, frowning skeptical down at him.

“Uhh you’ve worked with me long enough to know I’m basically the worst,” Reese says. “I try not to think about it.”

“You’re not the worst. Don’t be a moron.”

“I’m not?” Reese says. “Please—tell me how I’m not the worst.”

“Well you’re objectively beautiful, for one,” Owen says.

“OK, obviously,” Reese says, wobbling his head in Owen’s lap.

“You’re probably the funniest out of all of us—”

“Levi is the funniest, but I appreciate that—”

“I don’t know, Reese,” Owen says, his voice going a little desperate. “You’re great. You’re far from being the worst.”

“And I’m great in bed, clearly,” Reese says, nodding.

“Clearly,” Owen says, clipped.

“And what about Trey?” Reese says. “What would you say to Trey if he told you he hated himself?”

“Uhh, I’d say he’s hilarious? Generous. Objectively attractive.”

“Good in the sack, don’t forget,” Reese says, looking up seriously.

“Yeah, I mean… of course.”

“So is there anyone in this relationship you’d look at and just think ‘Man, what a horrible loser,’” Reese asks.

“Absolutely not,” Owen says.

“Is there really anyone you spend time on who you’d say that about?”

Owen thinks through his mental catalog of friends and family.

“I guess not,” Owen says.

“Do you think any of us feel that way about you, Owen?” Reese asks.

“I don’t know,” Owen says, bristling immediately. “What does it matter? At the end of the day, I have to deal with not liking myself.”

“Do you?” Reese says, smiling now, turning to prop himself on an elbow.

“Reese—”

“No, fuck off Owen, I’m serious,” Reese says. “You have six people who are pretty much obsessed with you.”

“Yeah but—”

“Yeah but bullshit,” Reese interrupts. “Yeah, but? You could say the word in the middle of the day and there are five dudes who would happily suck your dick.”

“I mean…”

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