#but rownate breakup can never last

[natelawtism]

Thinking about a rownate au.... breakup au specifically

BUT!! Very specific type of breakup au!!!

Nate broke up with Rowan at the end of their senior year. Why Nate specifically? Because we all know Ro would never end them shdkdks 😭

They're both going to continue their lives in such different places that Nate didn't want to continue dating, nothing against Rowan SPECIFICALLY. Just didn't want to do long-distance (which they have to do for a bit in the normal au). Rowan is absolutely heartbroken, obviously, but respects Nate's wishes and just.... suffers. He'd never loved like that before, and the fact Nate wasn't willing to go through something difficult for them also hurt a lot. Rowan gave him his heart but.. ultimately understood. It was his fault he got so attached to a highschool relationship. Those were never built to last.

So, they don't talk after high school. Rowan couldn't handle staying friends and he KNEW that. Good-terms doesn't mean he could handle seeing or talking to Nate. Rowan doesn't contact Everett anymore, either, even though they had become friends(ish), since Eve is Nate's BEST FRIEND.

Rowan gets over him (at least he thinks he does), and the same goes for Nate. Nate doesn't date anyone else and doesn't make an attempt to. Rowan DOES make an attempt to date afterward, but has no luck actually clicking with a guy. They're both VERY single.

AND THEN! WHAT HITS THEM? HIGH SCHOOL REUNION INVITE.

Nate doesn't want to go because he doesn't care enough, but he ends up going anyway.

Rowan DOES want to go, but doesn't wanna run into Nate. He BEGS Alicia to bring Vianca with her because he NEEDS support. (Since... the last time he felt something in a relationship was with Nate) Rowan loves Alicia's girlfriend.

And Rowan does have fun! He loves reconnecting with people and hanging out with people he hasn't had the chance to in a while. But... then he sees Nate. And he's like ohhh fuck. This is gonna be awkward. But then he does a double take and realizes oh my god he's so handsome. He grew up WELL. Given it's only been a few years, but they've still changed! He looks like the same Nate he always knew... but different. Less tense, happier. (He never un-learned Nate's tells)

And Nate catches a glimpse of Rowan and Rowan looks breathtaking. He feels like his heart could explode. He hadn't attempted any romance after they broke up, and had pushed down all the feelings from their breakup until he was "over it". ALL of these feelings come flooding seeing Rowan.

They end up having a conversation and having a good time! Definitely not as awkward as Rowan thought it would be. It goes really well and ultimately Rowan enjoys reconnecting with him, though he does let Alicia know that "ohmygod he's hot I need to get out of this fucking room immediately" before they talked. Nate himself realizes how much he missed Rowan. How amazing it felt to be around him again.

Eve, while talking with both Rowan and Nate, decides to invite Ro, Alicia (with Vianca), and Missy to hang out with them while they're all in town. They agree (Missy agrees for Rowan) and make plans! Both Rowan and Nate are VERY on the fence about this, just because they don't know what it'll entail, AND they both just simultaneously realized they are not even close to over each other.

They end up hanging out a few times while they're all there, and Rowan and Nate keep having forced proximity and they realize they still VERY much like each other. Seriously. Possibly even moreso (now that Nate is letting himself feel things and is going to therapy). All of their friends can see them being gay and hiding it, but Everett is really happy to see Nate so happy with someone again. :3c