beta
I know everyone is like the angst and grooming…. But what Tennessee pulled on Riker/Amber wasn’t to lead him on. It was manipulation. He wanted Riker/Amber to leave and not come back. A way for T to draw a line and make R reflect and feel accountable.
He gave him an “option” to get over his feelings or leave. In reality, he wanted R to not come by after the confession. No one would have been able to push away their crush even if they said they were going to get over their feelings. It’s too quick. It’s also very difficult/impossible for R to get over his feelings if he’s around his crush. I think T knows this.
Their precarious situation only worked because the R never confessed. I’m betting Tennessee is going to move without telling him and we’ll have a time skip.
Riker/Amber is a symbol to T of the good he has done. Which is why he sleeps better when he’s around. It’s not love, he doesn’t love the kid. But I bet he knew R harbored feelings.
(This is all my speculation…..)