Work Text:
Albert sat in the front passenger seat of Race's SUV, staring flatly at the road. The driver’s seat was empty. Race was still inside. Albert had excused himself from the party just before midnight after an uncomfortable two hours with Race and his very much not-sober friends. He had tapped Race on the shoulder and Race had assured him “I’ll be out soon,” with a wink that would have been embarrassing for Albert if anyone he actually respected had been inside.
Now it was almost 1:30, and as Albert leaned back in his seat, defeated, he tried to forget that wink, and the feeling of Race’s arm slung around his shoulder.
He was starting to get pissed. He had come to this party only because Race had told Albert that he “didn’t want to go alone” and “wouldn’t have anyone else to talk to”. Bullshit. Race always seemed to know everyone no matter where he went. But Albert had gone, because he could never say no to his blue-eyed roommate (who he most definitely also had a crush on, but that’s not really relevant, is it?), and he had gotten nothing for his troubles besides a few flirty looks and that tanned arm around his shoulders.
Now, Race was probably drunk as hell, and Albert was either going to have to wrestle Race into the backseat to force him to let him drive or ride the whole way home praying to literally any god that Race didn’t run them straight off the freeway.
It wasn’t like it was the FIRST time Race had done this. In fact, it had been pretty common back in their freshman year, just because Race was extroverted and loud and, at the time, had been the only person Albert actually really wanted to hang out with. Race would drag Albert to some event and then ditch him halfway through. But this year, Albert had been pretty good at saying no.
Clearly, though, he still had some things to learn.
So, their iffy roommate relationship might look strange or toxic to an outsider, but Albert was pretty sure Race still liked him. At least, you know, in a friendly, not-at-all-romantic way.
Right?
If only Race would leave the party, and if only he would stop looking at Albert the way he had tonight, they could get home before 2:30 and Albert could pretend that this night had never happened.
Albert sighed and picked his phone up off the floor of the car to check his messages. There was nothing from Race, despite the fact that he had apparently read the six texts Albert had sent him over the last hour and a half, but he did have two from Jack.
Albert smiled. Jack was a senior whom he had befriended last year after an unfavorable incident involving their mutual high school principal, a bucket of tie-dye, and a large quantity of sand. Jack also happened to be Race’s older brother, which in this case was a plus.
text messages to Jack, 1:31 am
Jack: are y’all actually at that dude’s party?? looks… interesting
Jack: i just saw a story of someone standing on buttons’ shoulders so they could climb out a 6-inch tall bathroom window
Albert: we’re here, unfortunately. although I personally did not witness that
Albert: I’m outside actually but race is still in there
Jack: he’s making you wait?? give me a sec
Albert sighed with relief, turning back to toss his phone into the backseat. Jack was the one person who had any real control over his brother. If all went according to plan, Race would be out in the next five minutes.
Albert leaned back again, yawning, and let his eyes slip shut.
***
Albert woke abruptly to the sound of a car door slamming. He jolted forward, slamming his forehead on the glove compartment. “Ow,” he muttered. “What the hell.”
He glanced to his left and was immediately startled again by his roommate slumped in the driver’s seat.
“You really had to call my brother on me, babe?” Race asked, his voice slurred. “We were havin’ so much fun.”
Albert couldn’t tell if Race was angry, calm, or if he was just in his most intoxicated state, which had last resulted in him skinny dipping in some random lady’s hot tub and having to be driven back to Jack’s apartment at 4:25 am in a police car.
“We?” Albert responded in an icy tone that surprised even him. “You were the one having fun. I left ages ago.”
He caught a glimpse of Race’s Apple watch, which read 2:03 and was apparently almost dead. That only pissed him off more. “Race, get in the back. C’mon. You can’t drive like this, and I want to go home.”
“Hey, what’re ya gettin’ mad at me for?” Race said indignantly. “I can’t call ya ‘babe’?”
Albert froze. He had barely noticed that the first time, but now that Race had said it again, he couldn’t ignore it. He tried to brush it off, though. “Race. Seriously. Let’s go .”
Race took a moment, looking as though he was processing Albert’s resentful tone, then screwed up his face. “I don’t want you to drive. Only I can drive my car. I’m not that drunk.” He struggled to sit up.
“Race!” Albert yelled. “Get it together! There’s a reason I told Jack. You’re way drunk right now. I will not have you sending our car into the ocean because you don’t remember how to drive.” Race looked stunned, but Albert was on a roll now. He kept going. “You think I want to spend thirty minutes in the car with you and another hour back home while you keep getting out of your seatbelt, trying not to vomit, and flirting with me?!? No. I’m not having it. Please just get in the back or I’ll drive back to the dorms without you.”
“It’s my car, not ‘our’ car!” Race yelled right back. “And maybe I like flirting with you. Maybe I like you or something. Besides,” –he looked straight into Albert’s eyes, then at his lips, then back up– “you’re hot when you’re angry.” At Albert’s gaping mouth, he sat back and smirked, satisfied.
Albert felt as though something inside him had broken. Tears were forming at the backs of his eyes as he pushed away, over and over, the phrase drunk words are sober thoughts . He knew the truth. “You don’t mean that,” he said quietly.
Race groaned. “Why not? Wait, what did I say?”
“You definitely don’t like me,” Albert said shakily, “because if you did, you would’ve proved it already. I’ve seen you around guys you do like. You wouldn’t be fighting with me right now. You’d be cracking jokes. It’s too weird, Race. Stop faking it because you think it’ll make me like you better right now. You’re being flirty because it’s always been how you drew people in but honestly, it’s not working. Because I know it’s not real. So stop or I’ll–”
Albert was cut off by Race’s lips on his. His eyes were wide open in shock. Race’s were closed. His lips were warm, and for a second, Albert found himself kissing them back. No. Stop . What was he doing ???
Race pulled back with a smirk, and Albert stared at him, torn between anger, longing, and regret.
“Stop it,” Albert said, his voice eerily calm considering what had just happened. “Race, I’m going inside, and you’re coming with me. We’re texting Jack, and he’s taking us home. You’re going to his place. I’ll go sleep in the dorm, and tomorrow when you come back hungover, you can figure out how to apologize. I’m not dealing with you anymore.”
Albert shoved open the passenger side door, opened the door to the backseat, and grabbed his phone. He slammed the car door, hard, and Race cringed and put a hand to his head. Leaving him shellshocked in the car, Albert turned on his heel, stalked back into the house, and went straight for the bathroom. After kicking out Smalls and Buttons (they were still trying to get Smalls through that window), Albert promptly threw up in the toilet, then finally sat on the rim of the bathtub wearily and texted Jack.
text messages to Jack, 2:13 am
Albert: come get us please. I’ll explain in the car.
Jack: got it 👍