They’ve decided to meet up at the location instead of the house. It means Shae is able to drag Zye out sooner rather than later so they can wait outside for Callua and Jace. Just in case they get here first, Zye is left at the entrance. Although, he’s glad that they’re the ones that are early.

Zye shakes his head as Shae comes up to him after finding a parking space. “You look like a kid in his big brother’s shirt.”

“Hey, I like this shirt!” He tugs at the bottom to make it taut enough to show the full illustration for his favorite band. It’s of an oversized white pumpkin on a yellow background— a pumpkin that happens to be half smashed and on fire. Regardless, it’s large and swallows up his slender frame with ease.

“I’m not talking about the shirt you little bean pole.”

Shae pouts up at him. “Seriously? That’s all you got?”

“While in public, yeah.”

“Well fine. You look like…uh…hot. Why are you wearing pants?”

Zye shoots him a glare. “Not all of us want to wear shorts that leave very little to the imagination.”

Not only that but tussling with a customer the other day has earned him a rather nasty bruise on the side of his leg. He’d rather none of them see it least they start lecturing him about being more careful— again. It’s why he’s wearing a pair of frayed jeans that are light gray.

The only problem with them is they’re skinny. It clings to his legs all the way down to his sandals. He crosses his arms over his chest in defiance. At least he’s wearing a doubled-up tank top instead; one gray beneath a dark blue that’s cropped short.

“Whatever, man. Do you want to hang out here while I see if my friend has a table for us in his section?”

Zye shrugs. He doesn’t mind either way if he’s honest. His eyes sweep over the people mingling around the benches outside before looking to Shae. The second he does, he hears it.

“Shae, Zye!”

A familiar voice and a wave of a hand draws their attention to Callua. She hurries over to them with the sound of flip-flops slapping against the ground. Coming to a stop before them, she places her hands on her hips where a maroon t-shirt tucks into a pair of jean shorts.

“You had to pick the hottest night of the week, huh?” She brushes a hand up her nape where hair has begun to escape the messy bun her hair is pulled into. “I’m dying out here.”

Shae laughs, “It’s fine. We’ll be inside in a second anyway.” He bobs and rocks on his heels, looking all around for the one that shouldn’t be that hard to find. “Where’s Jace? I thought he was coming with you.”

“He is. I ditched him so I could get here first. See, there he is. Jace! Over here!” She doesn’t mind that people turn to look at her. Especially when whoever does immediately turns their attention to who she’s calling for. Zye is no exception to that.

Coming around the corner, Zye can’t take his eyes off of Jace. He’s not wearing anything special. He doesn’t have to. It’s just a pair of khakis, a black t-shirt, and a pair of sneakers. What is special is the fact that his hair is tied back into a loose ponytail. All of it except for the bangs between his eyes and framing his face.

To say he’s lost his breath would be an understatement. It has Shae doing him a solid as any good friend would. He nudges Callua, “Wanna go get our seats first? I know you like the isle side.”

“You know me too well.”

As they walk off, Jace is just making it to Zye. “Sorry, had to pay for the ride. She ran off on me.”

“I’m just glad you got her to come. Thanks.”

“I said I would.” He nods toward the entrance of the restaurant. “I take it they went in already?”

Zye nods and turns, eager to get inside. “Hope you can hold your liquor. Shae’s friend works here and they’ll give him a discount.”

Leading Jace inside, even Zye isn’t ready for the wave of music and chatter. Zye tries to adjust to it while scouring the large room for Callua— she’s the easiest to spot. Except he doesn’t have to. Shae is walking right up to him, “We’re seated in the back. They just dropped off menus so hurry up. Callua sent me to order drinks.”

The wink at the end has Zye wishing she hadn’t done that. Just because he knows what they all like doesn’t mean he trusts him. They’ll always end up with too many bottles on the table at that rate. Still, he gestures for Jace to follow through the throngs of tables and people to the back set of booths closest to the kitchen.

Zye huffs as they get close. “Really?”

“The short people have to stick together. You two walking telephone poles can sit together,” she says with a grin on her face.

Jace doesn’t flinch. He’s slipping into the booth without a second thought. It leaves Zye to sit on the outside of the booth’s seat. Just as he’s about to ask how she’s been, Shae is bounding back over with bottles in hand. Behind him is a petite waitress with a tray of various glasses— all different forms of alcohol. She quickly sets it down and excuses herself.

Callua stands and allows Shae to scoot into the booth. Once she sits, she reaches for one of the glasses. “I don’t think I’ve tried this one.”

“They’re the drinks of the day. Everyone take one. And then, everyone gets a beer.”

Zye notices that Shae hasn’t taken any of them. “I thought we were calling for a ride.”

“Nah, I’d rather be sober. Otherwise, how can I get all of Jace’s juicy secrets while he’s drunk.”

The man in question takes that in stride. He plucks at one of the beers and opens it. “Good luck. I don’t get drunk very easily.”

Shae pouts. Enough to give Zye a moment to speak up. “Glad you made it tonight.”

Callua smiles and leans back. “Just happy I called out. They can deal with me not being there for one night. Besides, I missed you three. I hope Jace has been a good stand-in.”

“No one could replace you,” counters Zye.

Shae laughs at that, “Besides, gotta have someone else around that’ll pander to me now that Jace is all Zye wants to play with. I’ve been left out in the cold!”

“You’re the one that got hurt, idiot.”

“Yeah, well I really wanted to go to the arcade but you wouldn’t let me,” Shae replies while sticking his tongue out at Zye.

Callua hushes them. “Calm down you two or you’ll scare our waitress off. Hurry and pick what you want to eat.”

As she picks up her menu she glances over to see her poor best friend trying not to turn inside out. Jace scoots a bit closer, arms brushing, as he shares his menu with Zye. A nudge from Shae is a silent question that she shakes her head to. It wasn’t on purpose to not have enough, but it’s a cute outcome.

“You know, Zye, you should teach Jace how to drive better. I can’t convince him no matter how hard I try.”

Shae glances between Callua and Jace. “Wait. Mr. Perfect can’t drive? Or won’t? I’m dying to know, who banned you from the road, sir?”

That has a slight flush appearing on Jace’s cheeks. “No one. I just don’t like it.”

“Seriously? But you’ll get on the back of that maniac’s bike?” Shae’s menu slaps against the table. “I’ve seen him drive. He’s a little speed demon.”

“I…don’t mind it.”

Shae slumps back, “I can’t believe my ears. Does he squirm when you hold onto him around those death corners he takes?” He levels a glare at Zye to keep him quiet. “And I mean it, they are. Slow down, man. And then you get all fidgety because I’m hugging you. Who wouldn’t want to hug me?”

“No fidgeting and there’s no quick corners I’ve seen.” Jace adjusts his hold on the menu with a glance at Zye. “I think I’ve picked, if you want to use it?”

Zye can see the look Shae is giving him. An expression that says he knows exactly what his best friend is feeling. It’s a scary amount of ammunition Shae has with that information. To the point where Zye pushes the menu down and grabs for whichever drink is closest.

“Nope. I’m good.”

If anything, Zye is just happy they’re next to each other. It helps keep his crush from seeing what his face is doing— turning bright red. Although it also feels like he won’t make it through the night considering Jace is right there, hasn’t slid back over, and their arms are still brushing together.

Maybe it’s a good thing Shae is picking up the tab. At the rate this is going, he doesn’t know if he’ll make it through the night otherwise.

________________________

By the time they’ve eaten and had far too much laughter, it’s late into the night. Thankfully, no one sat near them to complain and Shae’s friend was always right there to deliver whatever they needed. The only problem is that they have to make it out to Shae’s truck.

A feat that might be difficult considering Zye is swaying ever-so-slightly where he sits. The last thing Shae expected was for his friend to get drunk. It has him partially regretting teasing him so bad throughout the night.

But only partially.

Callua stands, having only drank enough to get buzzed, and lets Shae slip out. He waves for her to come with him. “We’ll go get the truck, pay, and meet you out front. You can handle him right?”

Jace nods. “Sure.” It comes off confident. Except, in reality, he’s not. The arm he taps is warm under his fingertips. “Hey, ready to go?”

“Mm…yeah?”

“Okay, then stand up for me.”

He keeps one hand braced on Zye’s elbow just in case. Following Zye as he stands, Jace is glad he stopped early into the night. He’s a bit buzzed, nothing too bad. All the better considering he has to lead Zye out with the taller man leaning against him the whole way.

The hardest part is getting through the double doors. Once he’s managed that, Jace guides Zye over to the truck that pulls up. He almost wants to sigh when he remembers how it works. Callua has to get out, slide the seat forward, and hold the door.

It takes a moment to get Zye up into the truck with Jace in after him. Especially since it’s a tight fit for two guys with long legs. However, that’s nothing to him considering Zye sways when Shae starts driving. The man leans over, his head landing on Jace’s shoulder as they drive back to the house.

Jace stills completely at the touch. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t antsy about it. Even worse is that he knows both Callua and Shae can vaguely see them. Not to mention how they poked fun throughout the night. They can see how obvious he’s being and it seemed to make Zye uncomfortable.

Still, he’s glad the ride back to the house is quiet and uneventful. At the same time, he wishes they’d talk. Anything to distract from the weight on his shoulder and the breath on his neck. Thankfully, it’s not long before they’re pulling up at the curb. The second the truck is in park, Callua is slipping out of her seatbelt and nudging the door open.

Shae glances over his shoulder. “Mind dumping that one in his room?”

“I can handle it.”

He says, but slipping away from Zye is already difficult. Moving has Zye waking up and reaching out for him. Hands grasp onto his arm. The very things Jace has to pry away from. There’s a yawn and an opportunity for him to slip from the truck. The second his shoes hit the ground, he’s turning back around with his arms held out.

“Come on, let’s go.”

Callua, holding the door open, chuckles as Zye takes a moment to think. “This is why he doesn’t usually drink that much. He’s such a baby.”

“It’s fine. Easy to deal with at least.” Jace wiggles his fingers, gesturing for Zye to come toward him. “Don’t you want to go inside with me?”

That seems to do the trick. He shuffles to the end of the seat, leaning against the front one as he does. “Yeah,” he says as he falls forward and wraps his arms around Jace’s shoulders.

The move is a surprise to Jace. Not that he minds. Instead, he allows the grip so that he can grab onto Zye’s waist. It immediately becomes easier to get him to wiggle out further. All so Jace can scoop him up while holding onto the backs of his thighs. Carrying him, Jace looks to Callua.

“Not a word. Just shut the door for me.”

“Yes, sir.” The door closes with a thud as Jace steps away. Callua catches up with him easily enough. She pokes at his bicep. “Good thing you train so much. I’d have had to drag him in.”

“If you didn’t pick on him so much maybe he’d have been able to walk on his own.”

Callua feigns hurt. “It was all Shae’s idea! You know I’d never hurt him.”

Jace stops as he gets to the door Shae has left open. He can hear the blond inside turning on lights and rummaging through a cabinet. “You said the same thing to me when you nailed me in the back of the head.”

“T-that was training! An accident, you know that!”

“Of course.”

He goes inside first with Callua dutifully following afterward. She can’t help but take advantage of Jace hesitating on whether or not to kick his shoes off. She reaches up and pokes a finger against Zye’s nose. Lashes flutter and he sticks his tongue out at her.

“Butt-head.”

Callua giggles, “’ Least I’m not weak.”

Zye goes to lean forward, pushing against Jace’s shoulders as he tries to sit up in the hold. “Could still beat you in…um…anything.”

“Would you two quit it? I’m going to drop him at that rate.”

Realizing it’s not worth it, Jace makes a beeline for Zye’s bedroom. It’s easier this way for sure. He stops upon reaching the hallway. A glance toward Shae has the blond looking over, glass of water held to his lips. He gives a roll of his eyes.

“Door to the right. Unless you wanna stay the night then go to the left.”

The playful wink at the end has Jace shaking his head. “Is that all you think about?”

“Who says I’m thinking?”

Jace can’t argue with that. He does listen to Shae and Callua’s laughter as he shuffles into the bedroom with the door that’s been left ajar. Thankfully. Going further in, he stops just before the bed and begins to let Zye down. Although, the man doesn’t release his hold. Jace sighs and reaches for the arms around him, “Come on, you need to get ready.”

He pulls away with quite a bit of reluctance— he wants to stay holding onto that warmth. Regardless, Zye plops down onto the bed. He watches as Jace squats down and starts taking off his sandals. Seeing that, he begins lifting both tank tops up over his head. It takes a moment for him to get them flung to the bed. Once they’re there, he reaches down for the button on his pants just as Jace is standing up.

“Slow down, I’ll help you. I’m sure those aren’t comfortable to sleep in.”

He gives Zye his hand to stand him back up. All so he can push the jeans from his hips. The next second, Zye drops back down with a smile up at Jace. It’s not hard to resist for Jace. He’s too busy looking at the earrings, wondering if Zye takes them out at night.

Deciding to at least check on how hard they are to get off, Jace reaches for Zye’s ear. His palm brushes over Zye’s cheek and that’s all it takes for the other man to react. Zye is swift. He leans into the touch before grabbing Jace’s wrist. The smile never dissipates as he tugs Jace down to his level.

The lips he wants don’t get close. It’s Jace’s hand that gently claps over Zye’s mouth. He huffs at Zye as well as himself. “You can’t do that.”

A smile shifts into a glare. He mumbles around the hand over his mouth. “Why…the hell not?”

Jace tries to pull away. The grip on his wrist is tight and unrelenting— Zye wants his answer and he’s not letting go until he gets it. Jace shakes his head. “A first kiss should be more special. Not when you’re like this.”

The glare seems to melt into something else. Not that Jace can retreat yet to find out. A shiver races up his spine at the feeling of a tongue licking across his palm. His first reaction is to flinch away but Zye won’t let him go. The shift in his hand only allows the man to drag his tongue between two of Jace’s fingers.

He has to take a deep breath. This is not the time. It takes everything in his being not to react to the sultry sight or the feeling. It doesn’t help that looking down at Zye, he can see the bare chest all the way down to his underwear. For a small moment, he hates both Shae and Callua. If only Zye wasn’t drunk…

Jace yanks his arm away while being well aware that Zye doesn’t want to release him. It has the man’s face up against his stomach with an arm slinking around his waist now that he’s finally let go of Jace’s wrist.

“No…not that either. Now come on, lay down.”

Zye clings to him and presses his face into the shirt. “But you’re so…pretty and nice.”

It’s hard to be frustrated with Zye. A fact that Jace is finding out more and more these days. All he can do is pat the man’s head. “Thank you. But you are too. We’re even, so sleep now and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Stupid.” Zye pushes away and does as he’s told— finally. Burrowing under the blankets, he shoots Jace a half-hearted glare. It lacks any heat considering his vision is swimming. “Stupid guy that can have whoever he wants. Stupid that says no.”

Jace finds it incredibly difficult not to chuckle. Trying to swallow past the amusement, he grabs the blanket and covers Zye up. “I’m not stupid. I just have someone I like.”

Before he can move away, Zye is grabbing at his pant leg. “It’s Shae isn’t it?” He groans and lets go, rolling over. “Everyone always likes Shae.”

“No, but maybe I’ll tell you next time.” He smiles and pats Zye’s shoulder. “Get some rest.”

There’s a grumble with Zye burrowing further beneath the blanket, feeling a bit rejected but also tired. It lets Jace slip out without further problems and fast at that. He does a quick job of picking up the discarded clothes and setting them on the dresser. All so he can gently tug the door shut and head back out into the living room where the troublemakers wait.

Callua is already standing. She’s putting her hair, which has fallen from its previous perch, into a low ponytail instead. She notices the flush on Jace’s face immediately and can’t help but roll her eyes. “I’m headed out, you joining?”

“I’m coming.”

Passing by Shae earns Jace a pat on the shoulder. “Sorry about all the ribbing. Dude makes it too easy to tease him.”

“I didn’t mind. He’s lucky to have you.”

“And? And?”

“And I’m lucky to have you, too.”

Shae’s laughter is boisterous yet feels so light and warm. “Geez man, you’re too much. Go on, get going ya dumb hunk. I’ll see ya later!”

________________________

The following morning has Zye groaning upon waking up. He has a massive headache that pulls behind his eyes more than anything. Rolling over, he knocks his pillow off the bed.

“Dammit…” he huffs.

Eyes sweep over the room for his pants— his phone and other things should be there. Not that he even wants to try to get back into them right now. Not when everything feels like a slog. He has no idea what time it is and doesn’t care. He does smell someone cooking— sausage if he’s trusting his nose. It encourages him to get up.

It’s agonizing, to say the least. Except…it’s not because of the hangover or the bruise. The irritation that scratches over his skin is from the memory that he does have of last night. To say he’s trying not to freak out is an understatement.

Zye shoves himself up as slowly as possible. There’s a pair of shorts on the ground he scoops up. It doesn’t matter if they’re clean or not. He just needs something. Opening the door, his shoulder hits it as he shuffles out. The pain blossoms down his arm as he makes his way into the kitchen.

He’s right.

There’s a pan on the stove that’s sizzling and there’s another smell coming from the waffle maker next to it. Zye sweeps his hair back before going for the cabinet— glass, water, and breathe. The silence is welcomed. The words he waits for aren’t. Zye moves to the counter and leans against it, far out of Shae’s way.

“So? How do you feel, princess?”

“Shut up.” Zye takes another sip. “Horrible. I’m pretty sure I fucked up.”

Shae turns, giving Zye a good look at the powder pink apron with a smiling cloud on the front. “Oh? Do tell. I love waffles with a side of juicy gossip.”

“I’m serious, Shae! What the hell do I even do now? I…I ran my mouth and tried to kiss him.” The glass clacks against the counter so Zye can drag a hand over his face. “I can’t believe I did that.”

“And?”

“I really hate you sometimes.”

Shae lets the spatula balance between his fingers. “Well, do you remember if he said anything? How did he react?”

“Not…bad? I don’t know. How do I look him in the eye now?”

The waffle maker’s light goes off and Shae moves to take care of it. He opens it, flips the done waffle onto a plate, and begins to pour more batter to make another. “Look somewhere else then.”

“Shae.”

“You know what?” He shuts the top and shuffles the pan to the other side of the stove while flicking the burner off. “You’re the real idiot here. Just talk to him. I doubt he’d freak out on ya, he’s a pretty chill guy.”

Zye grabs his glass and moves to the other side of the counter, settling onto a stool. “I might hate you more now.”

Shae grins at him. “Can I bribe some love out of you with waffles?”

“Maybe.”

“Seriously though, if you’re that worried just ask Cal. She’d have the inside scoop on him right? Last I knew he’s into guys and is single.”

“That’d be too weird to ask her.”

“Look, if you were a friend of someone I wanted to do I’d talk to you nonstop.”

“I’m trying to keep my appetite. Waffles, remember?” Zye slides the glass between his hands, trying to keep himself busy, before ultimately taking another sip.

Shae rolls his eyes and moves to the other side of the counter to grab the syrup. “Yeah yeah. Just try it okay? If not and you want to give up, I’ll take him for a ride.”

Zye’s gut reaction is to sputter or shout back. But he can’t, his mouth is full of water and his hand doesn’t clap over it fast enough. Water hits the counter and rolls down his chest. If anything, his hand covers up some of the flush on his countenance.

Shae busts out laughing. He takes his time going for a small towel and throwing it over to Zye. Watching Zye hurry to clean up his mess has Shae grinning. “So, I guess that means you’re gonna try?”

Sulking, Zye shoves the towel away. “Just give me my damn waffle.”