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Abed sits quietly next to Troy who has already downed his third beer of the night. They've only been here for 45 minutes.
The neon lights from the signs slightly flicker, illuminating both of them as they sit at the bar. Some early 2000s songs play over the staticy speakers. Abed turns to face Troy and points out his excessive drinking.
"You know, in my health class we covered the topic of alcohol poisoning. If you drink too many drinks in a short amount of time, you're at risk. Which is what you are doing right now." Abed states, pointing to the now empty mug that Troy is gripping onto. "Symptoms include vomiting, slurred speech, confusion, dizziness, an-"
Before Abed continues, Troy cuts him off. "You don't need to keep going. I get it." He rolls his eyes as he sets the mug down. He wipes his mouth with his sleeve and sighs.
Troy's confused why Abed decided to join, he didn't plan to drink or anything. Abed is just as confused, but he recognized that his friend was distressed. He also wanted to get out of the apartment.
"I just need this, okay?" Troy says softly, reassuring Abed that he's okay.
Abed shuts his mouth and nods in response.
Something about Troy has been different. Abed wasn't sure what, but he's been trying to figure out for the past week. Troy has been avoiding their movie nights, insisting that he feels sick and uneasy. Though, Abed could detect his lies from a mile away. Troy would sneak into the bathroom and eat his candy bars. Abed only knew this because he would listen in, just to be sure of course.
There was one time that they were sitting on the ground, trying to make shapes and faces out of the crevices in their ceiling. Troy pointed out that the lines resembled Abed's nose.
' I can't see it.' Abed admits. ' You're bad at this.'
Troy shook his head and made Abed close one eye and look harder at the barely visible image.
' Right there, you're not looking hard enough.' Troy said, ' It looks just like it, it captures the beauty of it perfectly.'
Abed didn't say anything because he was attempting to see it, but Troy's face was suddenly hot and embarrassment flooded him. Troy suddenly got up, and left the room without a word.
As Abed laid on the floor, it was quiet. He did finally see it. Then he blushed.
Ever since then, Troy has been put off by Abed's presence, which was very unusual. They do everything together, share everything; they basically live in each other's mind.
At this point, Troy is a bit drunk. He's singing along to each song, or at least attempting to. Abed never knew that he enjoyed Taylor Swift until tonight. Abed has never seen lights as bright as Troy's eyes.
As Troy continued to let loose, doing whatever movement he could, Abed sat watching. He observed the way Troy was overcome with his love for music, and not giving a single fuck who was watching. He never did, and Abed loved that.
He just wishes that Troy would tell him what has been dawning on him for the past couple of weeks.
Just watching Troy move with the way of life, brings Abed such joy. He can't even comprehend how he was so lucky to be friends with someone as complex, yet simple as Troy. Everyone treated Abed like a child, or weird, or both. Not Troy though. He looks at him with such love, and compassion. Each moment spent with Troy, Abed keeps close. Whether that's them brushing their teeth beside each other in the bathroom, playing Yahtzee that leads to an argument, or singing a song to a rat. No memory is worth less.
But tonight was worth so much more.
Troy made his way back to the counter, panting. Sweat glistened his flushed face as he flashed a smile at Abed. As he struggles to prop himself up onto the stool, Abed grabs his arms and guides him.
"I think you may be drunk," Abed insisted, "No more drinks." He slides the mug away and nods at the bartender who whisks it away.
Troy reaches out for it, but struggles. With a failed attempt, Troy quietly places his head on the hard surface. A sigh escapes and he stares at Abed. "Thanks a lot, dude." Troy mutters.
'I'm helping you. You clearly have no control tonight. Something is wrong with you." Abed claims outright. "You never come out. But tonight you did." He tilts his head in the way he does whenever he has a question (Just like the shows). "Why?"
Troy blows air and closes his eyes. Probably a headache from dehydration and much dancing he did. "There is nothing wrong, Abed." He dismisses. "Can't you take a hint?"
Abed looks away, staring at the wall in front of him. Yeah, he can, and that's why he needs to get to the bottom on whatever Troy has going on. All he wants to do is go back to the apartment, and make a bowl of popcorn for the both of them while watching Inspector Spacetime.
Even just sitting here, Troy drunk and Abed basically babysitting, it was something special. As Abed inspects Troy, he realizes that something about him is so alluring. Recently, Abed has been realizing things about Troy that he never before. Troy's jawline is perfect, and Abed would love to graze his fingers along it. Or how his eyes are even darker than his hair, and Abed can see the world reflecting back onto him when he stares into them.
Troy interrupts Abed's thoughts with coughing. Abed snaps his head to see, and Troy is sitting upright, with his hand resting on his chest. Troy continues to have a coughing fit, and Abed isn't sure what to do.
"Are you choking?" Abed questions.
As soon as he finished his sentence, Troy hurried out of his seat and to the restroom.
Abed still had no idea what to do, and continued to stay in the chair for a minute. Then he realizes that he should probably go check on his friend. He scurries to find Troy.
As he enters the bathroom, he is met with the sound of retching and a strong smell. He scrunches his nose and puts up with it for his friend in need.
Opening the stall door, there sits a distressed Troy, who continues to vomit into the toilet.
'Alcohol poisoning.' Abed thinks to himself.
"Fuck.." Troy manages to mutter.
Abed tries his best to resist the urge to say that he told him so. "Are you okay?" He asks, bending down to meet at Troy's level.
Troy is so embarrassed that he refuses to face Abed. Plus, he still has vomit on his mouth. "I'm fine." Troy replies flatly. He wipes away what was left and reaches for the handle to flush. He couldn't let Abed see him this way, but it's unavoidable.
"Let's go home." Abed insists, helping him up.
Troy nods sadly and makes his way to the sink. And Abed can't help but want to pull him in, vomit and all.
After what seemed like a journey, Abed was finally able to safely get Troy into the passenger seat. Troy is clearly still a bit drunk, as he rambles on about something even Abed can't follow along. He doesn't have to. He adores the way Troy lights up with each topic he talks about, and is even more interested to know If Abed is interested in listening. Troy kept constantly tapping Abed's shoulder and ask if he was paying attention to him. Abed barely managed to keep his eyes on the road with how much Troy kept bugging him about peanut butter cookies versus chocolate. Of course Abed said chocolate, while Troy defended the simplicity of peanut butter.
As Troy looked over at Abed, he couldn't help but just adore the way he looked. He looked very nice for an impromptu night at the sleazy bar. Abed's button down fitted him nicely, and all Troy could think about was unbuttoning it and laying beside him, curled up on one another. Troy surprised himself with his thoughts, and tried to shake them away. It's his best friend for god's sake, get a grip.
Troy blushed and looked out the window, seeing literally nothing but the reflection of the light on the stereo. Abed looked over to Troy, the lights then reflecting on him. Nothing looks better than Troy, Abed thought. He could look at him all day. Abed brushes that thought off as nothing, telling himself that he's conditioned himself to because they live together. It's not like he's in love with his friend.
The humming of the car replacing the seemingly endless conversation was too much for Troy. He turned the stereo on, hoping that there was something to use as a blanket for his sudden awkward silence.
Suddenly, an all familiar melody blasted from the speakers.
Abed and Troy quickly turn to each other with wide eyes. Without a word to each other, Abed sings along.
"Say the word, your wish is my command!" Abed belts, keeping his eyes on the road ahead
Troy joins in for the background vocals, creating a perfect melody; just the two of them.
Abed turns to look at Troy for just a few seconds as he continues, "What're you doin' here tonight, hey, boy?"
Troy is overcome with sudden joy, and smiles as he moves his head along to the music. They then join for the second verse. Troy looks at Abed, and Abed looks at Troy.
"When I'm not with you.."
"Think of you always"
"I miss those long hot summer nights.." "I miss you."
"Think of me always"
"Love you.."
"Love you.."
Then the two of them sit silently as the song continues. Troy feels his heart beating so fast that it might run away. Abed grips the wheel and swallows the lump in his throat. He swears it feels like rocks.
It's probably because they were both leaning into each other slowly, and when they realized, they both quickly pulled back. Somehow the music made it seem even more quiet.
Troy really wished that there was something to actually look outside the window. And Abed really wished he kissed Troy at that moment. But too scared, he pulled away first. In return, Troy pulled back, assuming that Abed didn't want him. Both dying to grab each other, dive in, but both too scared that the other may not want to jump in with them.
Every glance from Abed kills Troy. He just wants Abed to stop and stare at him, pull him in. He's too scared, though. Too scared that he'll throw everything away because he fell head over heels for him.
Troy has been fighting his feelings for Abed since he realized that they were there. Every time he looks into Abed's eyes, time stops and he moves but goes nowhere. He finds himself lost in him, and he doesn't want to leave.
And each time they are together, Troy tells himself that he cannot be with him. Despite this, Troy is dying inside. He's crying at the steps of Abed's door, hoping that he'll give him the one chance to prove himself worthy of becoming his partner. Someone to cherish him wholeheartedly, the good, bad, ugly and even evil.
He has the grip on Troy that he can no longer deny. Abed guides Troy, and divides him into one. He controls him, yet consoles him. Abed could tell Troy to pack a bag and run away to the middle of nowhere with him, and he would do it. All because he would be Abed.
Tonight, the stars must be blind. Abed pulls off to the side of the road, and parks the car.
It's silent for just a moment as the music fades away and Troy asks, "What are you doing?"
"I'm not sure. I don't know what is going on." Abed admits, turning to face Troy, despite it being an awkward position.
God, Abed thought, his lips are so kissable. But that’s not proper, so he attempts to shoo the thoughts away.
Troy's lips are slightly parted as he attempts to gather his thoughts. His brows furrow and he isn't sure what Abed is talking about.
"Troy..I feel like I know what's wrong, even though they haven't told me exactly. Based on your mannerisms, and demeanor, I would say-" Abed is suddenly cut off by Troy
"Wait!" Troy exclaims, sitting up, "Just..let me say it myself." His voice is now gentle, and wraps itself around Abed.
Silence continues.
Where does Troy even begin?
The way from day one, he feels stuck to Abed as if they were glue. The way that they sit together, Troy has the overwhelming feeling to curl up onto him. How he could sit with Abed for hours, talking about nonsense until their mouths fall off. The feeling Troy gets in his stomach when Abed looks into his eyes for a little longer than usual. He's never known anyone like Abed, and that may explain his infatuation with him. Intriguing, charming, and just beautiful. Abed reminds Troy that he's just as worthy, and that he's human. How could he want anything or anyone more?
Troy's eyes fall to his lap, and linger until they meet up with Abed's once again.
"When I look at the moon, I wonder if you're looking at it too." Troy's voice is so soft, barely audible. "When I brush my teeth, I hope that our brushes can always share the same cup. I want you to miss me when you're sitting alone on the bus, or when you're watching our movies. The nights that I'm cold, I want not only a blanket, but I want to wrap myself onto you."
Abed blankly stares at Troy, who is now teary eyed.
"I want to continue to learn more about you, Abed. I want to be with you. Because I love you." Troy's voice quivered, and he quickly dropped his head to avoid eye contact.
It felt like a warm breeze on a summer's day. Abed's heart skipped a beat as he looked at his best friend. Abed couldn’t deny his feelings, either. If he waits any longer, he'll just convince himself to pretend that none of this happened. Just rip off that wonderful band aid.
"I don't have any poetry, but I can say one thing. I want to be with you, Troy." Abed's voice is just as gentle with Troy, picking him up and showing him the love he's been dying to give him.
Troy slowly lifts his head up and meets Abed's gaze. Abed gives him a smile, which wobbles from the sudden tears that come from his eyes. Troy does the same.
Troy leans over the console to grab Abed's face. The tears continue to stream down his face as he can't help but smile at Abed. He thinks they probably look stupid sitting there crying. He would go to hell and back for that silly smile of his.
Abed has reached into him, and touched every part of him. His heart was now stained and tainted, and Troy couldn’t imagine leaving this car without calling him his lover.
Troy was something Abed never imagined to have in his life. No one has appreciated him like Troy, and he's told himself that it was too good to be true. Troy's touch has left him wanting more, not caring if it was true or not.
It's almost as the stars aligned, and the dark of the night brightened their surroundings even more.
As Troy cupped Abed in his hands, and Abed held his, they stared deeply into each other. Finally, Abed broke the silence.
"Is this the part of the plot where we kiss?"
"Of course."