Chapter Text
A good night out was something that Bill and Ted always did, whether it was going to a concert, going to the fair, going bowling, etc. However, the pair had recently turned 21 and began diving into the vast and sticky ocean of alcohol.
They had drunk before, but something about drinking legally in public totally hits different.
On tonight's agenda was a few beers and drinking games in their apartment, before going into town to try this new club Bill had heard a lot about.
They had recently started trying to dress a bit 'nicer' when heading out, which just meant changing from t-shirts to button-up shirts. They continued to wear jeans or shorts and sneakers but would wear some kind of funky patterned shirt, whether it be something simple like a neutral colour or stripes, to bolder things like Hawaiian shirts.
They were most definitely dressed to impress, and even if others didn't enjoy their style, they did, so they didn't really care.
Bill and Ted were currently stood in the entrance queue, a good few beers and shots deep. They were at a comfortable level, a bit wavey, but not too waved else they'd be turned away at the door.
Bill had explained to Ted that he'd heard a few classmates go on about this club and how it's good to 'pick up a partner' there. The two of them were lacking in the babes department, so figured 'why not?' and even if they didn't pull, at least they had another good night out.
The two got in with ease, showing their ID's and paying the cheap entrance fee.
The club was very cramped, packed with a wide variety of young men dressed in outfits that they were clearly comfortable and confident in. The air was musky, slightly damp and hot. The duo had already begun sweating out, and in sync, they undid a button on their shirts and rolled up their sleeves.
"Drinks?" Bill asked. Ted nodded, looking a bit parched as his tongue licked over his lips.
Bill led the way as the two wove their way between people, using their manners to slowly reach the bar.
"Bill?" Ted asked.
"Yeah, dude?" Bill replied, looking over his shoulder every now and again.
"These dudes are.." Ted said, his thoughts and eyes trailing around the room.
"...are?" Bill questioned.
"Well... I don't think they're into babes, dude," Ted replied under his breath, barely loud enough for Bill to hear.
"Yeah, I don't think so." Bill paused for a long moment. "Do you.. like.. feel uncomfortable?" Bill asked as they lent up against the bar.
"What? No! No. Dude, I'm fine," Ted panicked, wavings his hands in front of him to try and show Bill that he was most definitely comfortable being here.
"I am most supportive of humans being into whatever they wanna be into," Ted took a pause. "I guess I just never thought I'd find myself in this situation." Ted shrugged.
Bill ordered the first round before turning back to Ted.
"Dude, I promise, I had no idea this place was.. you know... that kinda place." Ted wasn't sure if Bills cheeks were red from the heat, or him blushing.
"Whatever," Ted shrugged again. "We're here now, we might as well make the most of it," he grinned, his hair brushing over his eyes, giving his head a gentle shake to move the hair away.
"Excellent," Bill grinned. The two of them cheers'd before having a shot and washing it down with their drinks.
Our most excellent duo found their ways to the crowded dancefloor and began doing some funky moves. They weren't as full-on as usual, the two had agreed to 'tone it down' when out and about. This was a public place, not their rooms where they'd jump on the bed seeing who can do the highest air guitar.
The club was playing a mix of songs. It felt like the DJ was just going through the list of what was currently in the charts, but Bill and Ted didn't mind as every now and again a metal song would come on. Plus, they could dance to anything, tho obviously metal was their favourite.
Both Bill and Ted had felt someone's presence watching over them from the minute they walked into the club. Bill hadn't noticed, but Ted noticed a guy checking out Bill as he ordered at the bar.
The same guy had now found himself a few meters away from them with his own friends, though kept glancing over to check Bill out.
"Dude, that guy is totally checking you out," Ted said, discreetly pointing to a group of dancers nearby.
Bill looked over his shoulder and accidentally made eye contact with said guy. Bill looked away very quickly, eyes wide and facing the ground for a moment.
Ted only pointed it out because he thought the two could laugh it off, but Bill's reaction made him regret his decision.
Bill looked.. off. He was definitely flustered, and for some reason this made Ted feel sick. He suddenly felt protective over his best friend. Well, he was always protective cause that's what best friends do, but he felt disgusted that someone was looking at his best friend in such that way.
His confused anger was put to one side as the call for the restroom came over his body.
"Dude, I gotta use the restroom. Where shall I meet you?" Ted asked.
"Uhh, I'll wait over by the bar," Bill replied.
"Excellent, I'll be quick," Ted said, and the two departed.
Ted was not quick. There was a hefty queue but Ted made it in time.
He walked out, wiping his hands on his shirt as the noise the hand dryer made always scared him. His eyes searched the club as he began looking around for Bill, enjoying the Joy Division track that blared throughout the room.
Bill was at the end of the bar, his back facing Ted. Ted could always spot him in a crowd from that soft curly hair of his. He began making his way through the crowd of people, looking down to make sure he didn't stand on anybody's toes.
Ted looked up and stood in his tracks, he had felt his heart drop. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.. well, he could believe it, he just never thought he'd see Bill doing it.
Bill's hand was cupping that other guy's cheek as their faces were pulled together. Ted couldn't help but watch the way Bills' head tilted as they deepened their kiss. The guy's hands were tightly around Bill's waist, one hand rubbing the small of Bills back, fingertips going underneath the hem of his shirt.
Ted's eyes saddened as he saw Bills' other hand hold firmly onto the stranger's hip, and he could have sworn he saw Bill pull the guy against him more.
Ted felt sick. Ted felt angry.
Ted quickly turned around and rushed out of the club, he wanted to get away from that sight as quickly as possible. He walked. Ted didn't care where he was going, he just wanted to get away. But no matter where he went, or how fast he went, he just couldn't get away from what he'd just seen.
Why was he feeling like this? His best friend had gotten lucky but for some reason that infuriated him. He'd seen Bill get with people before. No, not people.. girls. He'd seen Bill get with girls before, short relationships in high school, managing to get a number when they'd been out, he'd even seen Bill kiss a girl before. But for some reason, the fact that it was a guy made Ted sick to his stomach.
He questioned if he was homophobic but quickly shook that off. He never had been. Sure, his dad was a total homophobe and had tried to raise him to be one, but Ted just couldn't see what was so wrong with it. People can love whoever they want, right? But if that was the case, then surely Bill can too?
Ted turned and stopped down a quiet street. He sat on the curb for a while, one hand on his knee, his head leaning on it as the other rested on his lap. He probably just looked drunk to the odd person that passed by, but for the first time, Ted was feeling a range of sickly negative emotions that he'd never felt before, and didn't know how to handle them.
They shared an apartment, they shared a room! What if Ted got home to find Bill already there with that guy? Or what if Ted got home and was woken up to see Bill bringing that guy home?
He was sure Bill would never do such a thing, at least not without asking him first. But what if he did? What if he started dating this guy and Ted had to see him every single day? He didn't want to feel like this forever. He didn't want to feel like this at all.
Ted brushed the hair off his face to stop it from sticking to his skin as tears began rolling over his cheeks. He wiped his eyes before looking forward, staring off into the darkness as his thoughts continued to be fueled by rage. Ted just couldn't figure out why this made him so angry.
His mind went blank for a moment, all he could feel was raw emotion, no thoughts.
When he snapped back into reality, the first thing he thought of was 'what if I was that guy?'
Ted seemed taken aback at his own thought, but realized this wasn't the first time he'd questioned how he viewed Bill and their friendship.
Well, what if that guy was him? Ted had sometimes caught himself thinking about Bill, but not in that usual best friend's way. He'd caught himself thinking about things like the way Bill's eyes lit up every time he looked at Ted. Or how he felt the first time he saw Bill in a crop top. Or how any time they'd made accidental skin contact, the feeling would linger on Ted's skin for hours.
Ted thought about that one time where Bill had fallen asleep during a film and accidentally rested his head on Ted's shoulder. He thought about how Bill's hair felt so soft against his neck, and how softly Bill snored. He thought about how calm he felt at the time, how warm his stomach went.
He had felt that warm stomach feeling a few times before, but only ever around Bill. He'd read in many books that that's what love felt like, a warm fluttery mess in your stomach, sometimes so strong it can make you feel sick.
Ted could feel that now.
The more he thought about all the times he'd felt that around Bill, the more he could feel it as he sat on the curb staring off into the distance.
And then his mind just couldn't help but picture it. He couldn't help but swap out his memory of that guy with himself.
Ted could see it so clearly; himself holding Bill by the waist, trailing his hand on his lower back, slowly moving his fingers underneath Bills shirt and feeling the warmth of his skin. Bill's hand would fit perfectly around the curve of his jawline, his fingertips brushing through the ends of his hair as he'd be pulled deeper into that kiss.
Ted could see it as clear as daylight, not just the image of them kissing, but the feelings he truly felt towards his best friend in the whole Universe.
Bill clearly had an interest in guys, but would he have an interest in Ted? If Ted were to make a move, would he be accepted? Or would that be it? Friendship over.
The millions of thoughts and questions in Ted's head were abruptly cut off as he heard footsteps of someone running towards him.
"Dude, there you are!"