Chapter Text
It had merely been a joke between two drunken teenagers. Two boys, with each their bright red plastic cup in hand, head leaning over and under one another’s, a fifteen year old Naib Subedar, and sixteen year old Norton Campbell. Sitting on the living room floor against the couch. Looking blankly out on the other drunken teenagers.
“Hey Naib?”
“Yeah?”
“How ‘bout getting married?”
“ Piss off .”
“I’m serious. Like… in 14 years time? I don't know. 15, maybe. When you’re 30.” Norton’s words came in like a slur. The alcohol clearly hit him hard.
Tilting the bright red cup, Naib tried to have another sip, but found the cup to be empty. Damn it. “What is this, a confession?” Naib threw the plastic cup away, reaching over Norton to grab a beer can. However, in his action he was stopped by Norton leaning over, blocking Naib’s reach with his knee.
“No.. no, fuck off. As if I’d be into you.” When Norton said these words, something within Naib felt… gross . His gut wrenched in suffocating pain- and the worst was, he didn’t know why. But Naib kept his face, as Norton continued, “I’m just suggesting, and hear me out.. if neither of us are dating anyone by 30? Let’s marry. Why? Well, tax benefits, dual income…. this and that, so and…..”
Norton’s words trailed off at that, and he gave no sign to continue that sentence. A fact that only became apparent to Naib after a minute or two of silence had passed.
Giving up on the beer can, Naib sat up and looked at Norton. His brows furrowed slightly and mouth strained into an ‘I’, making for a puzzled expression.
The alcohol pulsing through Naib’s veins wasn’t making his expression nor thoughts any clearer, his mouth shaping in a simple ‘o’, but letting out no sound. A promise like that? Norton wouldn’t even remember it when he was sober- Hell, Naib may not even remember once he was sober.
With the silence settling in, Norton glanced over to Naib- just to see if his friend was still awake. Finding that Naib indeed was, and- Had Naib’s cheeks always been such a rosy tint?
“Cute,” Norton mumbled between his breaths, so silent the words became inaudible for the brunette beside him.
Hearing nothing other than his head thumping, Naib leant his head back on Norton’s shoulder. The taller of the two tensed for a second, before relaxing and leaning his head back against Naib’s.
That promise had gone unspoken of until the next twelve years. Not even brought up as a joke- and sometimes, Naib was convinced Norton had forgotten the ‘promise’ he spoke of at that one party.
So why had Naib waited all those years. Waited, never seeing anyone, just so he could make that promise come true?
God, he was an idiot. Ten years ago he had realised just how pathetic he was- to be in love with his best friend, not realising before one stupid situation too many. Even at the party of the promise… No, Naib didn’t even wish to think about it. Afraid his chest would burst from embarrassment.
He wasn’t even in touch with Norton anymore- The two of them parted after highschool. Naib went to university, then later a year in Nepal for volunteer work. Meanwhile Norton? Last Naib heard of him, Norton was off to wherever any scholarship would get him in. Even though both he and Naib were idiots, getting drunk in their teens, the man had actually pulled through with great grades.
But where was Norton now? Good question. Naib barely knew the answer.
Last he saw of Norton was on facebook- That’s how it had been for the past few years. Updating himself every so often about his old friend’s life. Wondering why his heart kept beating like mad, every time he would see a picture of the ravenette.
It was pathetic- downright embarrassing. To have a puppy crush from youth last this long, and to see said crush living. If only Norton knew what misery he had put Naib’s heart through, even when apart.
Sitting down on the living room couch, Naib cracked a cold one open. It wasn’t an ideal way to celebrate the turning of twenty seven. However, Naib didn’t care.
Anything was better than celebrating with people he could barely say he cared for.