Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kramer Bursts into Jerry's apartment, clearly lacking in the sleep department..
"Usual Tuesday?" Jerry says sarcastically, but Kramer doesn't seem to notice the clear tone of voice

"'Usual Tuesday'?? Oh no Jerry! This is farrr worse..,"
He begins digging through the refrigerator
"This new restaurant just across my window opened up.. Ohh boy and they've got this HUGE neon red chicken lit up glowing into my apartment!".

"I see.." Jerry looks to the red glow coming outside kramers door, leaking into his own apartment
"Well why don't you file a complaint? Tell them to take it down".

"Oh no Jer, I'm taking it to the streets! Just like back in the 60s, we're protesting baby. You better believe it!".
Kramer slides out the apartment, blinded by the red glow from his own..

The Next Day

Kramer crashes through the door, looking far worse than yesterday..
"Kramer.. You're not looking too good," Jerry sounds genuinely concerned for once

"That chicken sign Jer! It's taken a real toll on me..They won't take it down!" Kramer frantically moves his hands around
"Well..," Jerry looks around not sure what to do. "Have you tried covering your window.. Maybe..?"

"No use. It shines right through!" Kramer looks around Jerrys apartment

"Well I really wish I could help you kram-" Jerry gets cut off
"What if I crash here for a few days? Yeah, yeah.. I could get used to this!" Kramer collapses onto Jerry's sofa, resting his legs on top the coffee table.

"Ohh no Kramer! I don't see you ever staying here.." Jerry immediately shuts down the idea, after seeing Kramers apartment himself he doesn't think his apartment could survive Kramers wrath..

"Aww cmon Jer! I'll clean up, pay half the rent, and ohh the best part yet you'll be blessed with my interior designing 'expertise' "

"Pfft 'expertise' yeah right. Pay half the rent? With what money?" Jerry questions

"Well.." Kramer doesn't seem to have a response to that one..
Jerry can't help but feel some sympathy, I mean he couldn't imagine spending a day inside Kramers apartment for starters, and definitely not with that big red light included! I guess there's only one option..
Jerry sighs "Fine. You don't have to pay rent either.."
Kramers face lights up"
"But.. You have to clean up after yourself."

"That's it?"
"That's it." Jerry states simply.
Kramer claps his hands together,
"Well you've got yourself a deal!"

Later That Same Day (its now night)

Jerry walks into his apartment after leaving from his comedy routine
"Kramer? I'm home!"
The lights have been dimmed, Jerry shrugs and he walks to his room ready to head to bed
Light flicks on
..
"Kramer?!" Jerry exclaims
".. Is there a problem?"
"I would think so. You're in my bed, in my pajamas."
"Well.. Yes. Would you rather me sleep on the floor?"
Kramer asks confused
"No. I would rather you sleep on the couch." Jerry points out into the living room

"The couch?! Oh noo Jer, I've laid on that thing before, you won't believe what it did to my back! No can do, I'm staying right here thank you."
Jerry doesn't appreciate Kramers stubbornness. Nonetheless, he sighs and heads to the bathroom to undress.

Jerry opens the door to see Kramer fast asleep, it's unusual seeing him so calm. He can't help but find it kinda cute, but he immediately pushes that thought away and heads to bed.

12A.M That Same Night

Kramers running for his life from a giant red chicken!! Unfortunately he's running unusually slow and he can't speed up, until, he sees Jerry in his car driving by! Jerry pulls Kramer into the car and they both drive all the way to Miami Florida and drink cocktails together!
Kramer wakes up
"Huh, that was an unusual dream.. But hanging with Jerry was fun," Kramer thought to himself

Kramer flicks on the beside table light and opens the nigh stand dresser looking for something to read, he finds 2 woman's magazines, a male playboy, and Oscar Wildes book 'picture of Dorian Grey'..
"Wow, I always knew Jerry was gay but not THIS gay.. well, I'm not one to judge." He puts the magazines aside and begins reading the book.

Jerry wakes to light shining in his face thinking maybe the neon chicken broke into his apartment to kill Kramer.. He sits up to see it's just the table lamp.
"Kramer! What are you doing up this late with the light on? It's 12 o'clock!" Jerry whisper yells

"I can't help it, I'm restless! I had this terrible night mare.. Luckily you ended up saving me." Kramer says, almost grateful like Jerry saved him in real life

"Yeah, yeah, turn that light off! I'm trying to get some shut eye here.."

"Oh okay Mr. Cranky pants!" Kramer rolls his eyes and Jerry just looks at him with disappointment.
"I understand you need your beauty sleep but some of us like to spend our nights reading the famous poetry of Sir Oscar Wilde" Kramer mocks Jerry, flashing the books cover

"Oh grow up." Jerry reaches over Kramer to shut the lamp off himself, though Kramer can't help but blush at the sudden closeness..
Jerry turns over, back facing Kramer.
As Kramer heads to sleep too, he can't help but think to himself about Jerry "Jer looks kinda hot when he's mad.. Wait, hot? Huh.."

A silence stills between them until finally

"Goodnight Kramer" Jerry says softly, looks like he's finally calmed down
"Night Jer" Kramer says before falling fast asleep
Jerry smiles to himself, maybe he can get used to this.. Maybe.

Chapter Text

It's the next morning and both George & Jerry are both sat at Monks café as per usual.

Jerry takes a sip of his coffee
"So," Jerry begins to tell George of these "god awful" new arrangements.
"Me and Kramer have decided, to.. Well, share my apartment."
George stops suddenly from sipping his coffee and slowly puts the cup down..
"Ah, and let me guess.." George glares at Jerry

"It's well.." Jerry doesn't know how to phrase it

"Oh well it's obvious, you're miserable! You're never gonna get anymore sleep, oh and you can kiss those quiet mornings goodbye!" George says confidently and begins cutting into his omelette

"Well actually.. "
There's a sudden pause
".. Actually?" George questions, slightly moving the omelette slice away from his mouth
"I think I actually quite like being this close to Kramer, I mean.. Don't get me wrong, he's completely manic! But.." Jerry pauses

"Oh no, don't tell me.. You're not starting to go soft on Kramer now? Ah ha! I knew it from the very beginning, I always questioned your tolerance of him bursting into your apartment, stealing your food." George laughs to himself and takes a bite of his omelette

"Wha- knew what? What it's not like I'm gay or-well not like there's anything wrong with that.. And—it's not stealing if I let him!" Jerry can't help but get defensive

"Well no one said anything about being gay.."
George scoffs, feeling a bit confused
"Oh, right.. Well I'm not, if you were wondering." Jerry says reaching for his coffee, sounding slightly defensive but more flat.
"Alright.. Well uh—I'm not either so. Yep." George says flatly
"Right." Jerry sips his coffee
"Yep." George looks at his plate, both feeling rather out of place..

Later That Same Day

Jerry walks into his apartment to find Kramer on the sofa watching some gambling show. Jerry plops down next to Kramer making sure to leave a slight space between them, but Kramer doesn't seem to care for that and scooches closer causing Jerry to feel slightly nervous

"So, this is what you decide to watch in your free time?"
Jerry says sounding almost offensive
"Oh yeah, baby! Isn't it exciting?"
Kramer sounds all pumped up off sugar
"I guess.."
Jerry can think of a million different things that are 10x more exciting, most of those things being not PG13 and extremely homosexual.

"Well, I am trying to stray away from my gambling habits. We should switch something else on."
Jer nods in agreement
Kramer switches the channel to Comedy hour in hopes Jerry will enjoy it, to both their surprise it's showing the show Jerry performed just the other night!
"Huh, well would ya look at that." Jerry mumbled
Kramer sits admiring Jerry on the screen, he forgot how charming he looks in a suit..

"God, that material was awful! Did this really have to be the show they decided to play today? Out of everything else.."
Jerry complains
"Wha-bad? Ohh no Jerry this is gold! Why that's why they're broadcasting it."
Kramer exclaims, surprised Jerry thought that way
"Oh, well.. Thanks Kramer.. Really." Jerry flashes a soft smile, feeling a bit shy all of a sudden..

"Yeah of course buddy!" Kramer smiles warmly,
Jerry stops himself from admiring and turns his attention back to the T.V.
Unlike Kramer, who has his all his attention completely fixated on Jerry. He can stop himself from admiring his side profile, the way he moves.. He can't quite understand his feelings, why he does this with Jerry but no one else, but maybe he'll soon find out..

Later That Same Day (its now night)

Kramer decided to get changed into pajamas while waiting for Jerry to return home from his quick shopping run (Kramer ate everything)

Jerry walks into the apartment silently, expecting Kramer already to be asleep. He lays the groceries on the table, and makes his way to the bedroom.
Jerry opens the door, and..
"AHhh!!!"
"AhHh!!"
Jerry quickly slammed the door and could feel his face burning up, he ran to the bathroom and tried to calm himself.. Unlike Kramer who actually wasn't that embarrassed, and didn't really care as much.
Jerry looked in the mirror to see his face completely red, he hid his face in shock and felt so embarrassed.. He couldn't get Kramer out of his head yesterday and he definitely won't be able to now.

About 15 minutes pass and Jerrys back at the bedroom door, making sure to knock this time before entering
Knock knock
"come in!" Kramer calls from the other side of the door

Jerry slowly walks in and makes his way to his closet and heads inside (figuratively and literally) to awkwardly get his pj's so he can change. Heading back to the bathroom he quickly changes clothes and comes back to find Kramer reading the same book as the night before. He gets into bed and nods to Kramer to turn off that damn lamp so he can go to sleep and forget this whole thing ever happened.

Later that same night

Jerrys wearing an expensive suit and tie
"Wanna go out for dinner?" Jerry says flirtatiously to Kramer and spins him around, Kramer eagerly says yes and they both ride In a limousine together to an extremely rich restaurant, in said restaurant Kramer finds a bunch of gambling machines and gambles the rest of the night until suddenly he wins 40billion dollars, him and Jerry both jump up in down screaming with joy and jump in their limousine to go buy cigars. While driving the big red chicken suddenly returns and pecks the top of their car completely destroying it! Luckily Jerry pulls out a huge gun and yells "IM A PROUD AMERICAN. RAHHHH" *eagles yell in the distance* Jerry shoots the chicken down and then pulls Kramer into a passionate kiss.
Kramer wakes up
"Huh. Well anyways," Kramer says to himself as he turns over to look at Jerry
"Night Jer" Kramer says, Jerry mumbles something in his sleep back.

Chapter Text

Jerry wakes up surprised to find Kramer still in bed beside him, usually he wakes early. Jerry scooches up closer and lightly brushes his hand along Kramers face, he moves some hair out his face and adores the one beside him. He can't believe what he's doing, he cant even begin to think what the others would say.. He pushes himself away from Kramer and neutralizes his feelings.

"I should take the time to cook myself breakfast today, just to.. Keep my mind off things.", Jerry thinks to himself as he makes his way to the kitchen.
He's not the best cook so he just whips up some scrambled eggs and bacon.

Kramer walks out to the kitchen, his face immediately lighting up after seeing the "buffet" of food in front of him.
"Wow you made all this yourself?"
Kramers easily impressed, he could manage to burn something as simple as toast.
"Well its nothing much.."

Kramer immediately digs in as Jerry goes to check his answering machine.
"6 missed calls from george!? This outta be good." Jerry mumbles to himself

RingRing
"Heya george."
"JERRY I'M HAVING A CRISIS"
"That Sounds about right."
"y'know that girl I told you about!?"
"How could I forget?"
"Well I broke up with her.."
"Is that so? Huh.. Why?"
"Im having very confusing feelings."
"That sounds familiar."
"I gotta go Jerry, bye.."
"See ya later"
Dial tone

"Hm. Well anyways" Jerry says flatly
"So what's going on with good ol' georgie?"
Kramer says, pouring syrup on his eggs
"Oh nothing out the ordinary, he's just gay"
"I thought we already knew that?"
"Exactly"

Later That Same Day

Kramer bursts through the door
"Jerry, I've finally done it."
Jerry sits sunk into the couch, somewhat spaced out
"Did what?" Jerry says lost in thought
"Well I—Jer, you alright? You look a bit.. Spacey." Kramer crashes down beside Jerry
"Oh I'm fine, just a bit torn up about something.. Anyway, whats going on with you?" Jerry trys to shift the subject
"Oh, well I decided to go right up to that chicken joint and tell them exactly how I feel about that sign of theirs! I told them the whole story! Thankfully they felt sorry enough to just.. Take it down! It was that easy, the whole time!!"
Kramer exclaims
"Wha—wait what?" Jerry sounds oddly concerned
"Now I wont have to burden you anymore and can return to my place!"
Kramer jumps up off the sofa and opens up Jerrys door
"So long!"

As Kramers about to slide out Jerry stops him
"Wait! You can't go.."
Jerry says panicked
"Oh yeah, you're right!"
Kramer slides back in and throws away his half empty soda can and slides back out
"There ya go, cleaned up my mess."
As Kramer walks away Jerry clings onto his shirt
"No no, that's not it either,"
Jerry says averting eye contact
"Oh? Well just tell me."
Kramer says confused
"I.. I really don't want to lose you"
Jerry slightly mumbles
"Wha- lose me? Im right across the hall!"
"Well yeah but.. Wouldn't you rather just stay here?"
"Well, yeah! But I didn't think you wanted me here.." Jerry feels a wave of guilt wash over him
"What? I always want you here! Now get back inside." Jerry pushes Kramer back inside and slams the door behind them
"So I cussed out the chicken guys for nothing?"
"Well.. They had it coming"

Suddenly the phone starts ringing, its Elaine
"Oh, Elaine's calling"
Jerry states
"Tell her I said hi!"
Kramer exclaims from the kitchen, making a mess
"Hey Elaine!"
"Hey, Jer.. Have you spoken to George recently?"
"Yeah, he was having a "crisis". Why?"
"Ah, that makes sense. Well he's running around the streets causing havoc, I think he's finally lost his mind."
"Oh he does that every few months, just give him some time."
"Oh, well alright. Hows the whole apartment arrangement between you and Kramer going along? George told me all about it.. Youre actually going soft?"
"Hey now, George needs to stop spreading lies! Im not going soft, I actually just kicked Kramer out for good."
"Oh wow, really? Huh, well good for you"
"Yep, thats right."
"Well anyway, Ive gotta go"
"Oh alright, Kramer said hi by the way."
"Kramer? I thought he was at his place?"
"Oh, right.. Ahah"
"Right.. Im gonna let ya go."
Dial tone

When putting the phone down Jerry notices a Magazine ad spread across the table
"New café in town?"
Jerry mumbles to himself
"What was that Jer?",
"oh nothing, say, wanna go out?" Jerry says, throwing on his jacket
"Oh? Were to? We've already been everywhere around town, " Kramer questions.
"You'll see, its a surprise.." Jerry winks to Kramer with a slight smirk, leaving Kramer flustered

Jerry & Kramer both drive on down to a lovely new café, decorated with strips of flowers gating the entrance and welcoming signs.
"Ive never seen this around here before?" Kramer looks up at the building in awe
"Thats cause its just opened, brand new!"
They both head inside and get seated at an outdoor table
"Hello, what would you like to order?" A waitress says, smiling warmly
Jerry just gets a coffee but Kramer order a large sundae, rubbing his hands together in excitement
Both orders arrive and Jerry can't help but eye Kramers sundae, he didn't order one himself cause the high price.. Kramer notices Jerrys glances towards his drink
"Uh do you wanna sip?" Kramer questions,
Jerry pauses
"Ehh.. There's only one straw."
".. Yes?" Kramer sits confused
"Well.. Alright" Jerry gives, blushing at the fact they're sharing a drink
They end up getting strange looks from people thinking they're a couple, which unfortunately is something frowned upon
They both start to look around, feeling rather uncomfortable
"Maybe we should head someplace else?" Kramer suggests, Jer nods in agreement

They both end up heading back to Jerrys apartment feeling rather upset, Kramer looks over to Jerry who sits uncomfortable on the sofa.. Kramer felt awful, he needed to fix this. Kramer looked about the room and noticed a DVD of some romcom movie
"Well, well, well, what do we have here!"
Kramer exclaimed
"It's a movie disc?"
Jerry didn't sound very impressed
"I think this is the perfect way to spend our afternoon."
Kramer said simply, looking somewhat proud of his find.
"Well.. Alright",
Jerry didn't sound very enthusiastic, but inside he was actually happy to watch a movie with Kramer

Suddenly, Elaine calls
Jerry picks up the phone
"Hey Jer, can I head up to your place real quick?"
"What for?"
"I just now discovered the coat I've been looking for is at your place all along.. Can I just drop please? Ill be real quick I promise"
"Oh no take all the time you need, it's fine!"
"Thanks I'll be right over!"

The call ends and Jerry relaxes back into the sofa, but this time Kramers beside him waiting for Jerrys attention to be on the TV so he can unpause the movie

A few minutes go by and neither of them have paid any attention to the TV, only to the little space between them.. Kramer yawns and slyly puts his arm around Jerry, Jerry pretends not to notice and slightly smiles at Kramers amateur move.. Eventually the lights turn dim and the night sky is completely black with few stars, Jerry slowly starts to pass out, his head landing on Kramers shoulder.
"Night Jer", Kramer says before falling asleep himself

Door creaks open
"Jerry? You still awake?"
Elaine says softly before she finds Kramer and Jerry cuddled up on the sofa
"I knew he was lying!" She whisper shouts.
Elaine grabs her coat, careful to be quiet as to not wake the two lovebirds as she makes her way out.

The next morning

Of course an awkward aura stood still in the air, both of them waking up in each other's arms was definitely not on their bingo list for this year. To be fair they have wanted each other pretty bad for awhile now, so it was just a matter of time.

Jerry sat across from George in Monks cafe, Jerry stared tiredly at the insane bald man in front of him, who is rambling about all the crazy new experiences from this past week.

"So you're attracted to men? What's new"
Jerry said flatly, not very surprised
"Well anyway, I guess ill order my eggs scrambled today. There's really nothing new on this menu is there?"
Suddenly George began to complain about the Cafés lacking in tasty new food, and Jerry just couldn't take it anymore.
"George I have a problem."
Jerry said suddenly, finally grabbing georges attention
"Let me guess, it has to do with Kramer. Has he pushed you out the bed in the middle of the night yet? Or did he burn today's breakfast?" George scoffed, "ahh I knew it. I knew this was gonna be a problem."

"No no no you don't understand! The problem is yes, he does all those things, but that just makes me love him more.."
Jerry says somewhat ashamed.
George chokes on his eggs
"Kramer?! Out of all the men in NYC..you chose Kramer?"
George was baffled
"Well, there's just something special about him!"
Jerry said defensively
"Oh yeah, he's special alright.."
George continued eating, Jerry just rolled his eyes
"Well, have you made any progress?"
George questioned
"We went for dinner last night but got some bad stares.."
Jerry said upset from the memory,
"But when we got back home Kramer made a move on me".
"Oh well I'm sorry to hear tha— wait what?!? Made a move on you?"
George said surprised
"Well it wasn't anything too grand, but we have been flirting all week.. Oh well, its probably nothing."
Jerry said not very enthusiastic
"Nothing?!? NOTHING?!? Oh that's something alright."
George was really baffled now
"Oh stop it! Really, he doesn't like me that way."
Jerry dismissed the idea
"You sure about that? Maybe you should make a move back..really put yourself out there"
George suggested
"Ehh I don't know.. Might scare him off"
Jerry seemed hesitant
"Scare him off?! This is Kramer we're talking about right? I don't think you could scare him off.."
George scoffed
"Fine, fine! But just something subtle." Jerry finally gave in to the idea, and proceeded to drink his coffee