Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Larry and Bob’s eyes lock across the room.

Larry bounces over to his old friend.

“H-hey Bob,” Larry shyly looks to the floor.

“Oh hey Larry, I’ve missed you the past couple days.” Bob smiles. “Where’d you go by the way?”

Larry merely responds with a fleeting smile. He can never tell Bob the real reason he went on the impromptu vacation.

The reason he couldn’t look Bob in the eye for more than 20 seconds.

The feeling of warmth that spread through his lower chest when he thought about the dream.

THE dream. The one where he did unspeakable things to his best friend. Where he kissed him and kissed him and kissed him. Where he didn’t stop and didn’t want to.

Nothing had been the same since then. Bob hadn’t noticed anything yet, but Larry wouldn’t be able to treat him the same.

“Larry, hello Larry? You there?” Bob prods him with his tomato leaves.

Larry looks back at Bob, realizing he got lost in his own thoughts again. He turns back to Bob.

“No, I-I’m good. Just a little worn out is all.”

“Oh. Yeah I get it.” Bob nods. “Anyways, after this musical number, the boys and I were thinking about going out for drinks. You wanna come?”

Larry blanched. Drinking? Intoxication? Unpredictability? Close proximity to Bob? He was barely keeping it together as it was. This would surely be a recipe for disaster.

“Yeah, sure.” He quickly stomachs his objections.

“Sounds like fun.”

Chapter Text

He didn’t really remember when he started drinking. But he knew, as he looked into those black dot eyes, that he couldn’t stop now.

He took another shot.

Another round of cheers went up around the bar.

“Larry, you’re insane!”

“This is honestly so impressive, how are you keeping down this much?”

“That seems like enough man, maybe you should slow it down.”

“You guys, he’s probably black-out drunk right now, he won’t even remember this when he wakes up.”

Larry knew deep down that that last one was probably true. He didn’t care.

Bob was in the corner of the room talking to a random gourd.. The gourd was smiling as he said something Larry couldn’t pick up. Bob threw his head back and laughed in that bouncy way he does.

Larry took another shot.

After another hour of people dueling him in drinking contests and him drinking vast amounts of alcohol, he stumbled out of the bar. Now the only problem was: which way was home?

He took a glance left, then a glance right. He was feeling like a left kinda guy today, and sauntered lazily in that direction. He made it about a block before he stumbled over his own feet, ending up sprawled out on the concrete.

What a terrible place the world is.

“Larry?”

“Huh-what?” Larry craned his neck, attempting to see the newcomer.

“Hey buddy, you doing ok there?” Bob peered down at him.

A blush immediately bloomed on Larry’s Olive cheeks. Of course Bob would be the one to find him here. Whatever, the day couldn’t get any worse.

“Oh. I-I was just a little tired.”

Bob let out a hearty laugh, the kind that melted Larry a little.

“I can see that. You need any help?” Bob asked.

“Well I-” Larry was cut off by Bob grabbing him and hoisting him into an upright position.

After a quick minute of vertigo, Larry looked down to realize Bob was still holding onto him. If his blush could get any worse, it would have.

“Let’s get you home.” Bob nonchalantly pulled out his phone, opening up Uber and deftly calling a ride. “Don’t worry, we’ll get you sorted.”

Larry could do nothing but peer down at Bob and try to do anything but think of the dream. He closed his eyes, attempting to block out his own thoughts.

When he opened them again, he was stumbling out of the car with Bob at his rear. He looked around, realizing they were on the front step of his apartment.

“How did we- uh” Larry slurred his words, looking down at Bob, attempting to string a coherent thought together.

“It’s ok Larry, let’s head upstairs, we need to get you some water. I’m not feeling too hot either.” Bob confessed, reminding Larry of the few times he’d seen Bob take some drinks throughout the night.

Together they made their way up the stairs, where Larry shakily unlocked his door, leading Bob in. Bob made a beeline for the kitchen.

“Are you hungry? I’m feeling a little peckish.” Bob yells.

“I’m ok, feeling a little weird is all” Larry looked at himself in the mirror in the foyer. He dropped his keys into the bowl, looking at his own eyes deeply. Why can’t he just keep himself in control? It’s not like he’s felt this way about Bob for a long time. It’s just a whim, a crush, a fantasy.

Right?

“Oh, you have chicken in the fridge I’ll just reheat it.” Larry can hear the fridge slam shut as Bob seemingly unwrapped the leftovers.

Larry walked slowly into the room, at the exact moment Bob was bending over to put the chicken into the oven. Larry attempted to avert his gaze, quickly darting his eyes to the picture on the wall, a framed photo of Larry and Bob at their college graduation.

Bob glanced up, catching on to what Larry was looking at.

“Oh yeah, those were good days, we were so young then.” Bob smiled. “I’m so glad we get to work with each other every day now”

Larry slowly turned back to Bob. “You are?” He asked earnestly.

“Of course Larry, I really enjoy your company.” Bob still stared at the photo.

“I enjoy your company, too, Bob. I enjoy it a lot.” Larry inclined his head. “Maybe a little too much.”

Bob's eyes immediately pinned on Larry. “What do you mean?”

“I-” Larry was too drunk for this. Fuck it.

“I care a lot about you Bob, and not just in a friend way. I’ve felt this way about you for a while.” Larry took a tentative step forward. “I want to be more than what we are right now Bob. You’re all I can think about, and I’m sick of pretending otherwise.” Larry took another step forward.

“What are you saying, Larry?” Bob whispered. They were inches away from each other now.

“I’m saying I want you Bob.” Larry stared down at him, refusing to feel anything but the passion he felt for Bob.

There was a moment of terse silence when it felt like anything in the room moving would snap.

It was Bob who broke first, pulling Larry into a passionate kiss. They grappled for control, each kissing the other harder. Larry pressed Bob against the wall, stroking his tomato leaves tenderly. A gasp escaped Bob, and Larry smiled in response.

They twisted around each other, Bob using his lips to make his way down Larry’s lanky figure. Larry could do nothing but try to breath.

Slowly they made their way to Larry’s bedroom. Bob jumped up onto the bed without a second thought, Larry ravenging his figure with his eyes.

Larry grabbed him again, wrapping him up in his arms.

They kissed one another for a while more, slowly settling into each other's arms, and gently drifting off to sleep.

-

-

-

Guys look, we have official thickmango fanart of the last scene😍😍😍

Chapter Text

Larry peeled his eyes open. 

Warm. The first thing he noticed was that he was blissfully warm. A comfortable weight rested around his middle as he snuggled deeper into his sheets. His eyes fluttered, and he recognized a pounding in his head. It felt like a strong headache had taken root. There was a pulsing behind his skull he did his best to ignore as he fought off the awareness creeping in. 

All Larry wanted to do was fall back into sleep. He had just been having the most marvelous dream. It included Bob again. In this one, Larry had told Bob his feelings, and they subsequently kissed. They had kissed and kissed and kissed. Then they fell asleep in one another’s arms. A silly dream, but one Larry yearned for all the same. 

Kissed . Can you even imagine?

A soft sigh left his lips as Larry sunk deeper into his sheets. A deep heaviness hung to his limbs, as the headache pounded in full force.

A hangover. Larry belatedly realized. Great.

Lazily opening his eyes once more, he shifted until he was facing the ceiling. It was hard to move, it was like there was something…

Larry shot up in bed, eyes wide as he took in the form laying next to him. The memories came back fast and sharp as he remembered the drink addled confession made last night, and everything that came after. Face red as a… well… tomato, he bit his knuckles to keep from making any noise.

What the hell? What. The. Hell.

Bob. Bob. Bob was lying next to him.

Said man groaned from his spot below. His face scrunched as he shifted in the blankets. Larry watched, dumbfounded. 

Bob turned his face into the pillow before relaxing once more, having been disturbed from slumber by Larry’s movements. 

What was Larry meant to do now? He stared at Bob, watching the rise and fall of his chest. The latter looked completely at ease, in a state only complete rest could bring.

Larry glanced around the room, taking stock of the boots thrown in the corner, the pillows strewn haphazardly around the floor. Last night had been a mess, but they both had had only one thing on their minds- each other. Somehow this only deepened Larry’s blush.

He turned back to Bob, who was still sleeping peacefully. Sighing gently, he closed his eyes and slowly laid back down. He tucked Bob’s head into his shoulder and threw an arm over him. 

When in Rome. He mused, and ducked his face into the top of Bob’s head. Laying in silence for a few moments, he allowed himself to relax, perhaps to sleep off more of his headache.

“Goodmorning.” Bob’s voice was deep with sleep, croaky in all the right ways.

Larry jumped, pulling his arm back on instinct. He began to lean back, but was stopped by Bob reaching up to grab him. 

“No, it’s ok. Just wanted to say good morning.” Bob smiled sleepily from where his face was smashed against the pillow. His eyes shone gently in the early morning light.

“Oh.” Larry’s face was stained a permanent red. “Good-” He cleared his throat, finding it hard to speak. “Goodmorning.”

Bob scoffed, eyes glimmering with humor. Without further prompting, he pulled Larry’s arm from where he had been holding it hovering mid-air, and wrapped it around himself. He tucked his face into Larry’s chest, grabbed onto his shirt and closed his eyes.

Larry stared off wide-eyed over Bob’s head, completely stupefied from where he was holding his friend.

“How did you sleep?” Bob’s voice called softly.

Larry coughed. “Good.” After a moment of silence he went on, “I thought last night was a dream.”

Bob snickered below him, “A good one I hope.”

“Yeah. It was.” He sighed breathily, honesty dripping from his words. How was he supposed to explain that this is everything he’s wanted for a long time? That this dream isn’t just from last night, it’s been happening for months. That he’s yearned to hold him in his arms for more nights than he could count. “I-”

“Hey. I had a lot of fun last night.” Bob cut in, angling his head so he was looking into Larry’s eyes. He smiled again, leaving it there.

Larry had known Bob for years. They had practically grown up together. So when he looked at Bob’s face, he recognized that smile. It was one he reserved for soft moments on set, after a good shoot, or during those small times they hung out together on retreats. It was one that normally followed a genuine compliment. It was one that showed all the heartfelt love that Bob had to offer.

It was one that left Larry breathless every time.

Impulsively, Larry leaned down and kissed Bob on the forehead. He pulled back wide-eyed, stunned by his own actions.

Bob threw his head back and laughed.

“I’m- I’m sorry. I-” Larry stuttered and winced as his head flashed in pain.

Bob, still giggling, reached up to hold Larry’s cheek. “Hey, hey it’s ok. How are you feeling? You were out of it by the end of the night.”

Larry leaned into the cool of Bob’s palm. “My head is killing me. I feel like I’m dying.”

“Don’t be a baby, I’m not the one who can’t handle my liquor.”

Larry scoffed, pulling away from Bob. “Not all of us can be as true and chaste as you. Sorry you don’t drink, stupid tomato man.” He closed his eyes as he leaned back into the pillows, turning away from Bob.

“Is that a waah waah I hear?” 

Bob stretched out on the sheets and sighed. 

“Hey.” Larry said softly, and watched as Bob pulled back the blankets and sat up.

“How do you feel about breakfast?” 

“You don’t have to stay, I can pick something up on my way to the office.” Larry winced at the reminder of the work he had later that day.

“There’s no way I’m letting you go in like this.” Bob began walking across the room, heading towards the kitchen. “We’re calling out today. How do you feel about pancakes?”

“We’re?”

“Pancakes?”

Larry sighed, he knew how stubborn Bob was. “They sound delicious.”

“Good. I’ll call you when it’s ready.” Bob smiled back from the door.

-

“Why are you trying to take Tylenol?” Bob raced over to where Larry had been standing with his cup of water by the fridge.

“For my head?” Larry handed over the pills as Bob held out his hand.

“You don’t take Tylenol for a hangover. It can just make it worse. Don’t you know that?” Bob grabbed the pill bottle and walked back to the medicine cabinet, pulling out some Ibuprofen.

Larry took the pills back and chugged the whole cup of water in response. “Why do you know that, I thought you didn’t drink?”

Bob snorted, walking back over to the stove where he was flipping pancakes. The whole house smelled like a home cooked meal, something Larry hadn’t had in who-knows-how-long. It reminded him of a home he only visited for the holidays. It reminded him of the feeling of somebody else taking care of him. He liked it more than he cared to admit.

“I had an ex who seemed to have a perpetual hangover. When he wasn’t complaining about it, he was giving me tips and tricks to getting over it. Like I was the one who was drinking.” Bob rolled his eyes. He turned and looked at Larry with realization, “Oh, that was Dave. Remember? From college. I think you met him like one time.”

Larry searched his memory. College was a foggy time, constantly partying and wasting money making dumb decisions. The only thing he really remembered starkly was Bob, the time they spent conceptualizing their show and just hanging out in general. He remembers hearing about Dave, and the idea of him pissing him off for some reason. Looking back on it, Larry realized that he was just jealous.

“Yeah, I do. He wasn’t the nicest person if I remember correctly.” Larry tries for nonchalance, walking over to the cabinets to hide his shame.

Bob laughed. “I’m taking you didn’t like him very much. It’s ok. I didn’t like him much either.”

At that, Larry smiled as he pulled plates and cups. “Do you need any help cooking?”

“Naur, I’m good. I think I’ll be done in like 5 minutes.” Bob pulled out some eggs from the fridge and set to making more side dishes. 

Larry hummed in response as he finished setting the table. He sat down in his seat with his head in his hands, waiting for the painkillers to kick in. “When did you become such a chef?”

“I’m not, these pancakes are all burnt, I’ve had to throw out about five already.” Bob admitted loudly, foregoing shame. He smiled, still turned towards his task. “They are all made with my utmost love, though, so hopefully that adds a bit to the flavor.”

Larry chuckled. “I honestly don’t know what I expected.”

-

They finished breakfast without much decorum. Burnt pancakes, scrambled eggs, buttered toast, OJ, bacon, etc - your average breakfast. But by the end of it, Larry thankfully started gaining access to his frontal cortex again. Thank you pills.

“Ok, ok. Now that I’m fed, why are you still here? It's like 10:30. I get that you want me to call out, but you shouldn’t.” Larry asked as Bob pushed him down, effectively stopping him from cleaning up. 

Bob unceremoniously dropped the dishes and utensils into the sink, and turned to face Larry. “I feel like we should talk about last night. Also I don’t want to go to work. #GenZmoment.”

Larry flushed. It’s funny because that’s actually that last thing he wants to talk about right now. Huh. So funny how that happens. 

“Listen I-”

“I’m sorry.” Larry interrupted. “I’m sorry if it was too much. I was drunk and not thinking clearly, and I didn’t mean to overstep, and I’m sor-”

“Larry no. It wasn’t… I…” Bob sighed. He looked apprehensive. If Larry was being generous, he would say that Bob even looked nervous. But that was impossibly rare, Bob was the most self assured person there was. He said what he meant, even if it was the stupidest thing you’ve ever heard.

“I think… I think I really liked kissing you.” Bob flushed, a red to his cheeks that matched evenly to his skin tone. He looked down, staring resolutely at the oak plank flooring.

Larry’s eyes blew wide. He stared, speechless.

“I…” Bob started. “Damn I don’t know how to do this.” he muttered under his breath. “Would you like to, I don’t know, go out on a date with me?”

Larry, completely breathless, was left frozen. His eyes searched Bob’s face, which was still pointedly looking at the floor. He looked nervous out of his mind, like he was terrified of Larry’s next words.

The atmosphere had completely changed from the calm morning. It was full of taut tension, yet Larry found himself doing nothing about it. He simply sat and attempted to reel his mind on what was real and what was not.

Bob’s terse eyes flicked up to Larry’s, and all at once, he found the words leaving him.

“Of course. I thought you’d never ask.”

Bob’s expression bled into one of relief, and he smiled timorously. “Ok. Nice”

“Nice.” Larry smiled back.

-

“And make sure you take another dose of painkillers in two hours.” Bob called from his place right outside the door. “It’ll really help ease you off.”

“For the last time, I got it.” Larry rolled his eyes.

“Of course, the best cure would be for you to be able to hold your liquor. You’re such a lightweight.” Bob smirked.

“Leave me to suffer in peace, you small tomato idiot.” 

“For someone so tall, you would think you wouldn’t be such a whiner.”

Larry closed the distance between them as he brought Bob his scarf. As he glanced down at the smaller man, he wrapped the scarf around him with a hum. “Stay warm, text me when you’re home.”

Bob’s eyes softened as bounced up onto his tippy toes, and placed a kiss on Larry’s cheek. “Feel better.”

Larry reached up and grabbed his own cheek, stunned by the ghost of lips that seemed to linger there. He watched as Bob turned around and walked down the steps, heading for the Uber he had called 15 minutes earlier. With one last wave, Bob hopped into the car.

Larry watched it as the car turned the corner at the end of the street, his hand lingering in the air from his wave back to Bob. 

He turned around and walked in, vacantly. Closing the door behind him, he leaned back and sighed deeply, closing his eyes. He slowly slid down until he was sitting on the floor, his back to the door.

He was in too much pain still to comprehend everything that had happened this morning. He barked out a laugh, startling himself.

“Bob asked me out. Bob asked me out. ” Larry whispered to himself. “Bob asked me out!” 

He covered his face with his hands, still laughing, utterly in shock. “Ok. Ok ok ok. Ok.” He pulled himself to his feet and walked back to his room. Slumping onto his bed. His face smashed into the pillow, he laid for as long as he was able to hold his breath.

Eventually he turned, looking out over the other side of his bed. The sheets were tousled where normally they sat untouched. The bed unmade, where normally it lay pristine all day. 

His phone buzzed on his nightstand, and Larry rolled over to pick it up.

Walking in now. The text from Bob read.

Don’t die

Can’t wait for friday night 🥵💪

Larry scoffed. He rested his phone on his chest and laid back down once more.

Friday night.