Work Text:
Two men walked down a dorm hallway, the shorter of the two drunk and staggering. The taller one hovered awkwardly nearby, close enough to keep him from falling but not too close, as if there was a line drawn in the sand only he could see.
When they reached their room, the shorter one stumbled and body slammed the door. He let out a string of giggles, still leaning against the door. The taller one sighed and shook his head, a look of exasperated amusement crossing his face.
"Come on, Link. Gotta get you to bed." Link's giggles died down and he looked over his shoulder, eyes unfocused.
"Oh, c'mon Rhett. I ain't that drunk."
"You threw yourself into our door." A sheepish grin split Link's face.
"Dammit, you got me." He gracelessly flung himself around and threw his arms out at Rhett, giggling. "Take me to bed, my darling." Link's words made Rhett's breath hitch and his cheeks turn red. Rhett crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, trying to play cool.
"I hate it when you get drunk and say embarrassing shit like that. M'not picking you up and carrying you inside. Bad back, remember? 'Sides, friends don't do things like that." Rhett tried to ignore how Link's face fell and opened the door to walk past him. He didn't like being snippy with Link but he always kept pushing for a little more, despite Rhett saying they couldn't be more than friends. They had discussed this by the Cape Fear River with a bottle of homemade strawberry wine when Link first tried to kiss him. Rhett had wanted to kiss him back but they'd always been taught two guys together was wrong so it had to stay this way. Rhett shook his head to clear his thoughts.
"C'mon Link, you can't stand there forever." Link turned around and shuffled in, looking like a kicked puppy. Rhett couldn't stand to look at him as he hovered on the verge of crying so he turned away and walked off to their shared room. He poured a glass of water for Link, pulled down the covers of his bed, and waited. His friend walked through the doorway slowly, face still pointed towards the floor.
"Rhett, I'm-"
"Listen, you can sleep in my bed tonight. Wouldn't want you falling off the top bunk in your drunken state and knowing you, you would. I'm going to sleep on the couch tonight, alright? Good night." He needed to get out immediately, before he gathered Link into his arms and showed him how much he loved him. He clenched his fists as he rushed past Link but stopped at a tug on his shirt. Oh no. No no no no, this is bad. Dammit, I can't turn around and look at him!
"Rhett, please don't leave me. I don't want to be alone right now. I need you." Link was talking so softly Rhett could barely hear him. His resolve crumbled and he turned around. Link was looking up at him with his pretty blue eyes, tears streaming down his face. "I know we can't be together, that it's wrong. But I, I just-" Link cut himself off with a heart-wrenching sob, the sound punching Rhett right in the heart. He slid his arms around Link and pulled him in tightly in the way he shouldn't have. Link clutched Rhett's shirt and cried into his shoulder. The moment was bittersweet. He hated making Link cry, but the feeling of him in his arms couldn't be surpassed by anything.
"Come on, bo. Let's go to bed." Link nodded and they separated to walk over to the bed. Rhett pulled the covers over them both and immediately pulled Link in close. They fit together so well, like two puzzle pieces. They both knew it, despite the denial and homophobia from others. They knew this was where they belonged. So when Link tipped his head up to gently kiss Rhett on the lips, Rhett kissed him back.