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“...You’ll be okay getting home on your own, Kurode-kun?”
“Yes,” Kurode exasperates, sitting on the ground and putting on his sneakers. “I’ll probably go home with some friends if we leave at the same time.”
Willmesh hums. That’s an answer he can feel at peace with, especially after asking him the same question about ten times tonight already. “Alright. If you need anything, I’ll be here. You can call at any time.”
By the time Kurode looks at him skeptically, his shoes are already on, and his bag is over his shoulder. “You sure? I mean, it’s already past eleven. I’m surprised you’re even still awake.”
Willmesh doesn’t want to tell him that the only thing keeping him awake is the inevitable worry he feels from his boyfriend going to a late-night party. Admitting it would make Willmesh look pathetic, as well as needlessly worry Kurode. So, he simply nods his head. “It’s alright. I have some books I’d like to read tonight, so I’ll stay up a little longer.”
Kurode looks at him with those all-too-knowing eyes again, but he eventually drops it. His hand is already on the front doorknob. “If you say so. Well, I guess I’ll start heading out then! I’ll never hear the end of it if I arrive late.”
Willmesh gives him a soft smile. “You never have to worry about being late. Have fun at the party, Kurode-kun.”
“Thanks!” Kurode turns his head and grins. Then, he says, “Oh, I forgot something.”
“Ah, what is it? I can get it for you since you already have your shoes on—”
However, midway through his words, Willmesh feels something soft and sweet press against his lips. Before he has the chance to process it, the sensation is gone just as quickly, leaving him dazed. He hears a cheeky giggle and the squeak of sneakers on the wooden floor. “I better see you asleep by the time I get home! I’ll be back later, Willmesh!”
And just like that, Kurode is gone. Willmesh stands there, pressing his fingers to his lips. He doesn’t know if he’ll be able to survive the next three hours alone.
What Willmesh doesn't expect is for those three hours to turn into roughly fifty minutes.
He’s already dressed in his sleepwear, lower body covered with a blanket as he reads through the novel in his hand. Although it’s a beautiful story, the current plotline isn’t riveting enough to keep his brain awake. He feels his eyes close for a few milliseconds too long now and then, and a yawn escapes his lips with every page turn.
Suddenly, he hears the familiar ringtone from his phone, resting on his bedside table. A call at this time of day? It’s almost midnight. It can only mean one thing.
Willmesh immediately sets his book aside—forgetting to place a bookmark between the pages, but that’s the least of his worries right now—and grabs his phone to check the caller ID.
Kurode-kun.
Willmesh doesn’t miss a beat to answer the call.
“Hello? Kurode-kun? Are you alright?”
There’s a faint giggle from the other end. “Hallooooo? Willmesssssh?”
Despite the higher tone and slurred speech, that voice most definitely belongs to Kurode. He sounds… okay. Most certainly drunk, but okay. Willmesh lets out the sigh of relief he didn’t realize he was holding in.
With all the sleepiness out of his system, he properly holds the phone next to his ear. “...Yes, that’s me. How much did you drink?”
“Hmm…” Kurode hums, taking a few beats to think. Loud music and laughter are heard in the background, but Willmesh filters it out to hear his lover’s voice. Finally, the older boy giggles, “Just a bit.”
“A bit my ass!”
Willmesh suddenly hears another voice, much lower than Kurode’s and probably much more sober as well. He doesn’t think he recognizes it, but it probably belongs to one of Kurode's friends. There are a lot of noises from the other end, then a deep sigh. “Do you happen to be Willmesh?”
“O-Oh, um… Yes, that is me.”
“Willmessssh! Datsh my boyfie~”
“I’m not talkin’ to you! Go drink some water!” The deep voice scolds. He sighs again. “Hah… Sorry ‘bout that. I’m Badobarm, Kurode’s friend from college.”
The name rings a bell. “Ah, you’re the one who organized the party. It’s nice to meet you.” Then, Willmesh hesitantly asks, “Is Kurode-kun okay…?”
There’s a loud sigh. “Well, I think he had one too many drinks tonight. The guy has been giggling and babbling all night about his super handsome and cool boyfriend.” The last words are said with a higher-pitched, cutesy voice, and it only makes Willmesh’s ears turn red.
“...I’m sorry about him.”
“Haha! Don’t even worry. He was the life of the party tonight—well, until he started crying for you and asking where you were. He couldn’t hold a proper conversation with anyone after that.”
Willmesh’s heart clenches at the thought of his drunk boyfriend in tears, asking where he was. He suddenly feels a little guilty for not going with him to the party when he was invited, but he feels even more regretful that he couldn’t see that rare sight. “...Should I come and pick him up?”
“Yeah, that'd be great if you could. I hope it isn’t too much of an inconvenience.”
Willmesh doesn’t want to mention that he hasn’t been able to fall asleep for the past hour precisely because he was waiting for the exact moment he would get to see Kurode again.
“I’ll be there right away.”
Badobarm laughs. “Take yer time.”
“Ehhh? Wash goin’ awn~?” Kurode’s slurred speech is heard in the background again, and it only makes Willmesh motivated to move quicker.
“You’ll see soon!” Badobarm says from the other end. “I’ll hang up for now, then. You know how to get here?”
“...I do,” Willmesh simply says. Kurode gave him the address of the place before leaving in case something like this would happen. He didn’t think he would actually have to pick him up, but he feels slightly relieved that he’ll be able to see his boyfriend before he falls asleep. “I’ll be there soon. Please have Kurode-kun drink some water and lie down.”
“You got it! I’ll keep him under control, guaranteed.”
Under control? Just how hard was Kurode partying within that short time frame? Nonetheless, Willmesh still gives his thanks to Badobarm and hangs up the phone. During the phone call, he put on some long pants and a sweatshirt, already having one foot out the door.
Willmesh fumbles with the GPS on his phone, but he manages to get to the party venue within twelve minutes, even though it said the estimated time would be twenty minutes. He’s slightly out of breath, but he’s here.
The Noir Friendship House—as Kurode called it—in front of him is… much smaller than he thought it’d be for a party. Although Kurode hadn’t described exactly how big the party would be, Willmesh had at least expected something a little grander considering the name of the place. Perhaps his perception of parties held by university students was warped because of films and novels.
His heart races with nervousness when he stops in front of the door. These are Kurode’s school friends, yet Willmesh can’t help but feel like a stranger. Would they even recognize him? Or would they think he was just a random guy showing up on their doorstep?
Suddenly, the front door is flung open, revealing a tall, black-and-white-haired man. He’s dressed from head to toe in black with an assortment of ripped clothing and silver accessories adorning his muscular body. Willmesh finds himself staring up at black eyes and a large grin.
“Yo! You must be Willmesh, right?”
“Y-Yes…” Willmesh answers, voice coming out quieter than usual. He can tell that the man—who is most likely Badobarm—is friendly, but his aura is bold and overpowering, making Willmesh feel small despite their minuscule height difference. Still, Willmesh usually isn’t used to being the shorter person. His eyes attempt to look further into the house to search for his boyfriend. “...Um, is Kurode-kun—”
“WILMEHSB!!”
Both Willmesh and Badobarm flinch from the sudden shout, and a head of dark purple and magenta hair peeks out from beside Badobarm’s side. In less than two seconds, Kurode was wrapping his arms around Willmesh in a tight hug. The soft giggles were music to Willmesh’s ears compared to the loud bass blasting out of the house.
“Kurode-kun, what…?”
“Oh! Bado gave me one of theez earlier. Heheh. Ish like a letter. You like letters too~!!” Kurode takes out a small slip of paper and gives it to Willmesh. Rather than a slip of paper, it feels like a plastic card in Willmesh’s hand. He reads the card.
No more drinks for you!
Seriously, go home, man.
Once you’re sober, how would you rate our party: ☆☆☆☆☆
Willmesh nearly cracks a smile. He’ll be sure to remind Kurode to leave a review later in the morning. But also, how much was Kurode drinking for him to receive this?
“Badobarm, dis is Will-meh-shoe. Isn’t he sho pretty~ He’s also really schmart! And strong. Ah, but he’s my booooyfrieee, so don’t look too much!!”
“Yea, yea, don’t worry about it.” Badobarm waves his arm dismissively and gives Willmesh a sympathetic look. “You’ve probably got it from here, so I’m gonna head back t’check on the others. You can also grab some refreshments to take home if you want?”
“No, it's okay,” Willmesh politely declines. “I’ll just take Kurode-kun home like this.” He grabs Kurode by the waist and gently spins him toward the front door so they can leave. His lover practically squeals from being twirled around.
“Hehe… Willmeshhhhhhhhhhadzbhhhbd… Kiss!” Kurode slurs, cheeks a rosy pink. Willmesh isn’t sure if it’s from the effects of the alcohol or from something more.
“...Eh? Here?” Willmesh mutters. He can smell the lingering alcohol on Kurode’s breath with his mouth so close to his face.
“Are… you not going to kiss me?” The bright smile on Kurode’s face immediately turns into a pout when Willmesh doesn’t lean down.
Willmesh instantly feels his heart start racing. What was Kurode saying? In front of someone, in public!? He knows his little lover can be unreasonable when he’s tipsy, but they were never really public with their affection—especially in front of each other’s classmates and friends.
Before Willmesh can reassure Kurode that he does want to kiss him—he wants to do a lot more than kiss him, actually—another voice booms over the loud music.
“Ohhhhhh my goodness!? Could this perhaps be the rumored and famous Willmesh-san I’ve only heard about through fables and legends? And he’s finally here in my house, about to make out with our adorableee little Kurode-san!?”
Willmesh turns with horror to see someone else besides Badobarm now. He has long, teal hair, tied into two low braids, and his clothes are extravagant and showy. His pink glasses especially stood out to Willmesh. He looks like the very definition of a university student at a party, and that only makes Willmesh even more nervous than before.
His mouth is still parted open, unable to speak, but thankfully, Badobarm steps in. “Haah… Leave them alone, Hangyon. And this isn’t just your house! We all pay the rent equally!”
“But! But! I’ve been wanting to meet the man who swept Kurode-san off his feet—”
Badobarm chooses to ignore the noisy man, urging Willmesh and Kurode out of the door. “Just ignore him. He’s nosy and annoying, but he means well.”
Kurode is too dazed to process anything that happens around him, only clinging to Willmesh’s waist like his life depended on it. Willmesh runs his fingers through Kurode’s hair reassuringly. “...Was that person one of Kurode-kun’s friends from school?”
“Urm, not exactly…” Badobarm starts, scratching the back of his head. “It’s a long story. Kurode will tell you later if you ask. But seriously, you should hurry and get home!”
“Mmmmmmmm…” Kurode groans, his magenta eyes getting a little droopy.
Badobarm laughs, voice resounding through the calm night sky. “See! Even your boyfriend agrees.”
“Booooyfriend… thash me…”
Even Willmesh can’t hold back the smile that appears on his lips. He resists the urge to hoist Kurode into a full-body hug and plant kisses all over his face. Instead, he uses his arm to gently squeeze him tighter. “That sounds like a good idea.” He looks at Badobarm, bowing his head. “Thank you for looking after Kurode-kun tonight. You have my gratitude.”
“It’s nothing I wouldn’t do for a friend!” Badobarm says. “He’s always fun to have around. And if you’re ever feelin’ up to it, there’s always room for you too if you’d like to join.”
Willmesh’s heart squeezes at the invitation. “Ah… That's very kind of you, thank you. I’m not very good with parties like this, but… I would like to get to know Kurode-kun’s friends. Everyone here seems like nice people.”
“Yea, whatever you’re comfortable with. We always welcome new friends here at the Noir Friendship House!” Badobarm flashes his signature grin. Then, he gently shoves the pair off the doorstep. “Now, get outta here!!”
Willmesh repeatedly bows and nods his head in gratitude, supporting Kurode’s body as they make their way back home. And if Kurode smiled in Willmesh’s chest at the end of their conversation… Well, only he would know.
The two miraculously make it through the front door of their apartment without any trouble. With how loud Kurode was babbling and giggling to himself outside their room, though, Willmesh wouldn’t be surprised if they got a noise complaint from Klarkstella on their door the next morning. And honestly, he couldn’t blame their neighbor, considering it’s already well past midnight.
With the front door closed and locked behind them, Willmesh finally lets his hold on Kurode go. The moment he does, Kurode unceremoniously melts to the ground, planting his bottom on the wooden floor. Willmesh rushes to crouch down next to him, brushing his hand through Kurode’s bangs.
“How are you feeling now, Kurode-kun?”
Kurode hazily turns his head to face his lover, relishing the cool fingers on his forehead. “Ugh. It hurts.”
“What hurts?”
“Everything.”
“Mm. Can I do anything to make you feel better?”
“Turn back time to before I decided to down Hangyon’s entire flight of tequila shots in one go.”
Willmesh grimaces at the mere thought of that. No wonder Kurode was so wasted within such a short amount of time. And with Hangyon’s name mentioned in that horrid sentence, Willmesh is starting to get a better idea of the teal-haired man’s character.
“...Unfortunately, I don’t think I have the power to do that. Would a bath suffice?”
Kurode groans, throwing his head forward into his lap. “Don’t feel like it. Too tired. I just wanna sleep it off.”
Willmesh hums. “I can get you into bed. However, I don’t think it would be comfortable to sleep in these.”
“Heheh, are you gonna strip me? I didn’t think you were into that, Will-” Kurode tries to laugh at his own joke, but his head was beginning to hurt too much.
“If you have enough energy to make jokes like that, maybe I’ll just let you go to sleep by yourself then.”
“Noooooo...” Kurode begins kicking his feet against the floor. “I can’t believe my boyfriend is gonna leave me on the floor of our homeeeeee.”
Sighing, Willmesh stands back up to scoop his suffering boyfriend into his arms and take him to bed. Surprisingly, Kurode doesn’t put up much of a struggle, becoming putty in Willmesh’s arms when he gets placed on the soft mattress. The dark-haired boy falls with his back on the bed, sprawling his entire body everywhere. His eyes close.
“Kurode-kun. Don’t fall asleep yet.”
“Mmm… I’m not falling asleep.”
“Really?” Willmesh sighs again, grabbing a stray pair of T-shirts and sweats to dress Kurode in. “...I’m going to take off your clothes now.”
Contrary to his prior quips, Kurode doesn’t say anything in response to that, only making a noise of acknowledgement. Willmesh takes that as a win. He swiftly takes off Kurode’s outdoor clothes—smelling faintly of alcohol and tobacco—and tosses them into the laundry hamper. Then, he tries his best to dress his boyfriend in the clean clothes. Well, as best as he can when his boyfriend is half-asleep and lying down.
Somehow, Willmesh manages to properly get all of Kurode’s limbs through each hole in the clothing. Kurode was unmoving throughout the entire process. It seems like the alcohol finally knocked him out.
Before Willmesh gets off the mattress, he brushes the bangs out of Kurode’s eyes, gazing at his lover’s beautiful, thick eyelashes. His expression is soft and relaxed. It’s an endearing sight, one that puts a smile on Willmesh’s lips. He wishes he could look at it forever, but he has to properly get ready for bed too. A glance at the clock tells him that it’s many hours past his usual bedtime.
He begins to get up, but he hears a noise. “Don’t… leave…”
Willmesh turns his head to see a peek of magenta eyes peering up at him. “You’re still awake after all?”
“Hnngh… Can’t sleep without you here. Why aren’t you… in bed… with me…” Kurode’s voice trembles a bit, almost as if he were whining.
“I need to wash up and change before getting in with you,” Willmesh says softly.
Kurode puts his arms out toward Willmesh. Even in the dimly lit room, Willmesh can see Kurode’s eyes gloss over. “I want Willmesh… now…”
“...!”
That’s what finally breaks Willmesh’s willpower. He gives in, diving into Kurode’s embrace and wrapping his arms around his lover’s waist. His nose is pressed against the top of Kurode’s head, taking in the familiar and comforting scent. Kurode holds Willmesh just as tightly, snuggling against his warm body.
Although muffled inside his sweatshirt, Willmesh hears a quiet, “Thanks… Willmesh…”
In return, Willmesh rubs small circles on Kurode’s back with his hand. He feels Kurode’s heartbeat settle down to a calm rhythm, and his body fully relaxes as he falls back asleep.
Although not the most ideal conditions to fall asleep in, Willmesh can’t complain when he has his cute, drunk boyfriend wrapped in his arms. Maybe for today, it’s okay to sleep like this. Willmesh decides to close his eyes for the night, finally letting his overdue drowsiness take over.
“...Goodnight, Kurode-kun.”
Kurode can still feel the hangover before he even opens his eyes.
It was like several birds were pecking at his head as soon as he woke up, and they wouldn’t stop. It’s a little annoying, kinda like when his neighbor (regularly) nags him about being too loud during the week, but it’s still bearable. At least, until he opens his eyes and instantly regrets it.
The sun is already up and shining in his face, making the headache even worse. Why didn't he close the curtains before he went to sleep?
It takes a few seconds for the realization to dawn on him about what happened last night. That’s right, he went to Badobarm’s party and got absolutely wasted. He remembers taking one too many shots with Hangyon and Aru, and then the rest became a blur. That is the last time he ever went with the party fish and giant duck’s plans.
Now, here he is. Hungover, lying in bed, while stars continue nailing him in the head like a meteor shower.
He does remember a few bits and pieces, though. At one point he was crying, but then the next second he was giggling uncontrollably, and the cycle repeated. While Kurode doesn't think he’s a crazy drunk, he knows he can get a bit overwhelmed by his emotions when he has too much alcohol in him. And last night didn’t seem to be an exception. He’s going to have to thank Badobarm later for taking care of him.
But the next question is, how did he get home?
“Kurode-kun… are you awake?”
Oh! Oh, of course, Willmesh!
“Mmmph…” Kurode buries his face into the warm pillow—which actually turns out to be just Willmesh—and grumbles groggily into his boyfriend's chest. “I can’t believe you woke up earlier than me.”
“You had a very busy night.” He can feel Willmesh’s long, gentle fingers brush through his hair. “And a lot to drink.”
“You had a busy night too. When did you come to get me–” His sentence is interrupted by a long yawn that makes Willmesh chuckle and pull him closer to his chest.
“You called.”
“I did?” Kurode slowly opens his eyes again. This time, he doesn't wince when the sunlight hits him directly in the retinas. He looks up to see soft lavender gazing at him lovingly and almost forgets how to breathe. Willmesh is so pretty. How was he so lucky to get such a kind and beautiful boyfriend to take care of him?
“You did.” There’s now a faint blush on the younger man’s cheeks. “Also, I’ll always take care of you for as long as I can.”
“What? How did you–”
“...You said the last part out loud.” The younger of the two lightly coughs.
Kurode buries his face into Willmesh’s chest once again, embarrassment consuming him at the sweet words his boyfriend loves to use. “Uuuuuu… that’s unfair. You’re not allowed to say that kind of thing so early in the morning.”
“Kurode-kun…” When Kurode doesn’t look up, Willmesh audibly exhales and hoists Kurode up into a sitting position so he can see his face better. The older boy all but looks straight into lavender eyes when he calls out his name again, this time much firmer. “Kurode-kun?”
“Mmmn-?” There is a moment's pause before Kurode feels a hand on his cheek and something soft presses against his lips in a firm but gentle kiss.
“You should go shower. I changed your clothes before we went to sleep, but I didn’t want you to shower by yourself last night since you were so drunk...” Willmesh proceeds to get out of bed as if he didn’t just magically wipe the killer headache Kurode had with the sweetest morning kiss after a long night. “...It was really cute when you clung to me, though. Maybe I should go with you next time.”
Realizing he is wearing nothing else but his boyfriend's clothes—and is indeed still clinging to him—Kurode hastily nods before scrambling to get out of bed too. This is the last time he’d drink that much at a party. He swears on it.
Kurode feels his face burn when he stumbles into the bathroom, wondering how much damage control he’s going to have to do later in class.
The headache is coming back all over again.