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“Oh Emmett, if I had known how cute you get, I would’ve offered you a drink much sooner.”
“Shut up, I don’t like you.”
“That’s impossible.” Eden huffed under the weight of his friend who was swaying from side to side. How could someone be such a lightweight? He’d only taken one sip before he turned into this mess. They only got a few steps farther before Emmett saw a calico cat and sprinted off to chase it.
“Wait for me, Kitty. I need to give you all my love.”
“What are you doing?” Eden tried running after him, but after a few meters it was evident why he didn’t usually bother with it. God, I hate running, he thought to himself. Now where would a giant grumpy drunk run off to with a cat? Eden didn’t need to search for long.
From a bush next to his shop the cat hissed and Emmett said: “Ow, just let me show you all my love.”
“Okay, that is enough. You’re coming with me and then you’re going to sleep.” Eden pulled Emmett out of the bush by grabbing his collar.
“What will you do if I don’t?” Emmett’s smile almost killed Eden right then and there. What he would give to see that expression directed towards him more often.
“Shut up and let me walk you home.”
“Make me.” Eden rubbed the bridge of his nose. The one time he was trying to be responsible this happened. Without thinking he scooped a flailing Emmett into his arms.
“Let me down right now.”
“Nope, I don’t want to spend the entire night out here.” After a few seconds Emmett calmed down and snuggled into Eden’s arms. If Em had been more sober, Eden would’ve been worried about him noticing how hard his heart was beating, but alas, Emmett was too out of it to notice anything. Emmett sniffed his neck and Eden thought his heart would stop beating at the shock.
“What are you doing?”
Emmett nuzzled Eden’s neck and slurred: “I like how you smell.” Eden coughed and felt his ears heat. Why would he say something like that? He must think I’m Sage, he thought. They didn’t say anything more and Eden tried to calm himself. Finally they reached Emmett’s appartment and Eden rummaged through Emmett’s pockets to find the key.
“You’re very forward today.” Emmett’s breath stank of alcohol as he shouted right in Eden’s face. Eden told himself again that Emmett must think he was talking to Sage. Calm down, he doesn’t think of you like that, Eden thought. He unlocked the front door and carried Emmett to his bedroom. Eden put him gently on the bed and helped him undress. All the energy Emmett seemed to have when chasing after the cat had left his body.
His arms and legs flopped around aimlessly as Eden undressed him and helped him put on his pyjama’s. They’d been neatly folded on the bed. Seeing Emmett’s clean and neat home was always baffling to Emmett. How could someone be so organised all the time? Eden had made sure not to look at Emmett’s body more than necessary and when he was done he tucked him under a blanket and whispered: “Good night, Em.”
“Wait. Don’t go.” Emmett gripped Eden’s wrist and pulled him down. The force made Eden stumble, and he just barely caught himself on the bed. Their faces were inches apart and for a few seconds Eden was transfixed by Em’s face. He quickly got himself under control again and backed away. Emmett still didn’t let go of his wrist and looked up at him with pleading eyes.
“Please stay here. I hate sleeping alone. Please Eden.” He shouldn’t stay, but at his name, Eden deflated and complied with Emmett’s request. He should go home and ignore his heart and the indecent thoughts he’d been having about his best friend. He really should leave, but instead he leaned his head against the wall and glanced at Emmett who stared at him through half lidded eyes.
To lighten the mood, Eden said: “You’re such a baby, aren’t you?”
Emmett scoffed and opened his mouth to say something but blushed when Eden patted his cheek and said: “Don’t worry pretty boy. I was just joking.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“Why not?”
“I like it too much.”
Oh.
What did Emmett mean by that? He must’ve thought he was talking to Sage again. Yes, that must’ve been it, there was no way he liked it when Eden called him that. Emmett snuggled into his blanket to hide his face and closed his eyes, but he still didn’t let go of Eden’s wrist. Eden’s heart fluttered as he tried to get comfortable on the floor. He would leave once Emmett had fallen asleep.