#I like his arms though... biiiig arms... wanna grab him...

[heartbeetz]

99% of the time, any sort of defined muscles are NOT my thing. Bad to look at sorry. I don't wanna know what's under there. However in Anton's case I can be niceys about it. In my mind he's built kinda like a strongman, not a body builder, so he's just. Big. And um. Uh. 😵‍💫

[phantomdoofer]

Tower Town, Chapter 20 - Leftovers

Paolo sat down on a bench in one of the college's many courtyards. He leaned back, staring at the sky, and sighed. 

The others were calling people, exchanging information, making plans. I can barely remember who I am. Fat lot of good I would be.

He felt more than heard someone sit down next to him. He said nothing. He didn't particularly want company.

“Come on big guy, what's eating you?�� A perky voice said next to him.

He looked down - the strange woman with the pink bunny hood sat next to him. She was grinning happily.

He growled and leaned back again. “What do you want? I'm not really in the mood to humor you, you know."

He felt something shake the bench, and he heard a bonk that told him the woman had hit the bench with her shoes. Swinging her feet.

“Come on big guy, I know you're bothered by something. You wanna talk?”

He looked back down, fighting the urge to get up and walk away.

Then he paused. She's the first one who's really been nice to me since… whatever the hell this is happened. He nodded. “You're… the yellow guy's girlfriend, aren't you? Noisette, I think someone said?”

She grinned toothily. “That's me! I'm not his girlfriend though - we're actually married.” She leaned over and whispered, “my name's actually Hazel. I prefer Noisette, though.” She leaned back and smiled. “Ok, I told you a secret, now you tell me something about you!”

Paolo blinked. What is this woman? “I… still don't know. My past is… fuzzy. Not just the last few years, but everything. Who was I? What did I do for a living? How do I know all this stuff bouncing around in my head?” He shook his head ruefully. “I don't think I even have a home.” 

Noisette smiled up at him. “Well, that's OK! You could stay with one of us til you get back on your feet!”

Paolo thought about the open hostility the others had shown. “I doubt that.”

Noisette made a “pshaw” motion with her hand. “Noisey has all kinds of places we don't use much. You can stay in one’a them!” Her grin took on a slightly malicious edge. “I'll just talk to him.”

Paolo didn't know how to respond. He wasn't used to people being nice to him without being paid first. How do I know that? “That's, uh, very generous of you.”

Noisette's face fell just  a little. “Well… I don't blame the others for havin’ hard feelins, after all. What you did as Pizzahead was… pretty bad.” She brightened up again. “But that was this Pizzamancer guy, right? It wasn't you!”

Paolo found himself being completely truthful. “I think… part of it was me. I don't always… feel emotions right, I think.”

Noisette’s mouth made an O of surprise. “Oh. Are you one of those, what do they call them… sociopaths? Don't ya ever feel sad about anybody? Or happy?”

Paolo thought back. When have I ever had a chance to, really? I always had to put on a mask… I think?  “I… honestly don't know. It never really, er… came up.”

Suddenly a splitting headache lanced through his head. He grabbed his head with both hands.

He heard Noisette's voice, but it was echoing weirdly, distorting…

“Y-y-ou OhohooOK biiiig GuYyyY..?”

Then he was looking at a young Ninda's face, pale. Feminine.

Paolo felt a flood of warmth and safety pour through him at her face.

Look at him, for once in your life, Giorgio!

A round, greasy face hove into view. Instantly the feeling changed to fear and loathing.

He's weak an’ pathetic, is what he is! He ain't gonna amount t’ nothin’!

Don't say stuff like that in front of him! You'll twist his mind! 

Then he snapped back to reality.

Noisette was staring up at him, a look of mild horror on her face.

He felt something warm on his face… he reached up and wiped it away. Tears? And pizza sauce? “I… I remembered something. I think it was… my mother?” His head felt like it was splitting open. “Aagh.”

Noisette gently touched his arm. “You remembered somethin’? Your nose started bleeding.”

Paolo shook his head. “It felt… warm, for a second. Happy. Then my father showed up.” His brow furrowed. “Then it was hatred.”

Noisette nodded. “Maybe you repressed some stuff? An’ now that you're out from under the Pizzamancer, it's comin’ back!”

Paolo gripped his head in both hands. “I hope the rest of it isn't so painful.”

Noisette clapped her hands. “But that proves you've got emotions! Maybe you just… need to find ‘em again!” She hopped off the bench, waving for him to do the same. “Come on, come on! Let's go walk!”

Paolo hesitated. I barely know what's going on. These people hate me, and from what they're saying, it's not exactly unfounded. Then he paused again. Then again, I have no home, no life, and barely know who I am. What have I got to lose, really? 

He nodded. “All right. Not like I can be much help here.”

Noisette hopped up and down, clapping and looking ecstatic. “Yay!” She grabbed his arm and dragged him along. “Ok, first things first! Let's get you some fresh clothes! People are gonna be uneasy enough til they get used to ya without ya walkin’ around in that old clown outfit!”

Paolo looked down - he was still wearing the overalls and white shirt he'd woken up in, but they were ripped, stained, and, in a few places, burned. “Can't argue with you there.”

Noisette let go and started walking briskly. “I know just the place! Come on!”

~~~~

Paolo walked out of the clothing store, turning to examine himself. It was a simple outfit - slacks, a white cotton shirt, and a light coat. But the material was quality. “Gotta say, it's nice having fresh clothes.”

Noisette emerged behind him, festooned with bags. “I picked up some other outfits, too! We'll just drop them at the apartment I called ahead to, get you a key, and then,” she giggled, “I wanna show you the town!”

Paolo was still uneasy. Everyone was staring at him. What did I do to these people? “Uh, Noisette,” he said, “what… exactly… did Pizzahead do? I feel like I'm gonna be lynched.”

Noisette’s expression fell. “I… You'll have to talk to people to find that out, Paolo. I only know… a few things.” She squirmed. “He was always nice to me… but Noisey told me Pizzahead used to use me as leverage to get Noise to do what he wanted. And I heard… other things. Horrible things.” She looked pale. “Almost everyone here is from the Tower… and almost everyone here has a story. About Pizzahead.”

Paolo stared into the distance. Sweet pizza father, what did I do to these people? 

~~~~

Noisette opened the door, and gestured broadly. “Ta-da! Welcome to your new digs!”

Paolo stepped inside. It was a standard apartment at first glance… but he noticed the plush couch, the giant TV, the dishes in the cabinet. He put down a bag. “And you're OK with just… letting me use this?”

Noisette nodded. “We've got a few places around for guests to use. But with the Tower floatin’ around, we're not gettin’ any visitors. “She smiled up at him. “So don't worry about it! It's all paid for!”

He hung his head. “Th… thank you. You're being… so nice to me. And if what you said is true… I don't deserve it.” 

Noisette sat down, and gestured for him to do the same. “Aw, Paolo, don't be like that! It wasn't really you!”

Paolo slumped into a recliner. “That's the thing, Mrs…"

Noisette waggled a finger. “Just Noisette, Paolo.”

He nodded. “Noisette, the thing is… I don't think the Pizzamancer was totally controlling me, not until later. He was influencing me. Some of that…” he shuddered, “some of that was me. I'm not… really a good person. I…” he clutched this head. “Aagh, I can't remember who I was! It just feels like I was a bad guy!”

Noisette nodded, her smile gone. “Maybe ya were, big guy.” She hopped up, walked over, and put a hand on his knee. “Don't mean ya can't start over. Think of this as a chance to be someone else!” The toothy smile returned.

Paolo smiled back, hesitantly, then more confidently. “That's… that's a good point. Thank you.” He was silent a few moments. “I feel like you're the first person who's ever really been nice to me.”

Noisette poked him. “Maybe ya just needed a friend!”

Paolo nodded.

She grabbed his arm and dragged him to a standing position. “Come on, let me show you the Town!”

~~~~

As Paolo sat down, Noisette brought a plate of pastries over, a long with two cups of coffee. “Here ya go! My own recipes!”

He held up the pastry - he'd never seen one look so… lurid before. “Are you sure this is OK?”

She was already chewing on one. “Oh yeah,” she muttered around crumbs, “they're some of my best sellers!”

Hesitantly, he bit into one. A burst of flavors assaulted his mouth, and he stopped. He was picking up at least three different flavors of fruit - strawberry, blueberry, and… what is that? 

As he swallowed, she grinned. “You like it?”

“I… think so,” he said. “What's that third flavor?”

“Something the gnomes cooked up. Said it was a cross-breed of a bunch of different fruits. They call them flashberries, because they really make other stuff pop!” Noisette kicked her feet. “Really gives food some bite, don't it?”

“It does.” He looked around as he sipped his coffee - everyone other than Noisette in the cafe was either glaring or looked extremely uncomfortable. He hunched his shoulders. 

Noisette noticed the motion, and stood up. “Hey, everybody!” she said, “I just wanna let everybody know - I know this guy looks like Pizzahead, an’ he used to be, but he ain't Pizzahead no more! He was bein’ mind-controlled! His name's Paolo, an’ he's lost his memory! So be nice to him, OK?”

Several of the patrons’ faces shifted then, looking more sympathetic. 

“He's still trying to figure out what's goin’ on, and he's gonna be livin’ here for a while!” Suddenly the smile took on a dangerous edge. “If I hear about anyone causin’ him trouble, there'll be problems, an’ I don't want that, OK? Everybody spread the word!”

Suddenly every smile was bright and shining, and everyone nodded vigorously. Paolo was bemused. 

Someone came and whispered in the bunny woman's ear, and she waved. “Sorry, hun, got something I need to check on. Be right back!”

As she went into the back, a young Pig lady approached him. “So, you're not… not Pizzahead?”

Paolo shook his head. “No. Pizzahead was… partially me, but mostly the Pizzamancer. I think he took my dark side and made it… a lot worse.”

She nodded, sitting down. “And you can't remember any of it?”

As if on cue, his eye twitched as a shard of glassy pain shot through his head. He vaguely remembered seeing the woman's face… twisted in fear. “I…” he clutched this head. “I get… flashes. I saw… your face just now.” He shook his head. “Whatever I did to you, I'm sorry. But, could you tell me?”

The young Pig went pale. “You, you came to Pig City. You came to our cafe… you told us if we didn't clean it up you'd turn us into bacon.”

Paolo’s eyes went wide. “Oh Gods.”

The young woman quickly waved her hands in a conciliatory gesture. “Oh, you didn't hurt us. And… your face is different now.” She stared into his eyes, and nodded. “You're different. I don't think I'm afraid of you.”

He nodded, and gave a weak smile. “Well, that's a good start, I guess.”

Suddenly the entire cafe seemed to be wanting to ask him questions, to tell him about his past. Words flew past faster than he could respond.

He couldn't take it. His head started aching. “Stop, please stop,” he whispered.

“Hey hey HEY! Everybody, back up!” he heard Noisette's voice say over the cacophony. Everyone backed up, and she gently touched his shoulder. “Paolo? You OK?”

He slowly took his hands off his head. “I'm… OK,” he said. “I'm sorry, it was just too much at once… AGH!” He grabbed this head again as more stabbing pain lanced through it, a series of jumbled images and feelings flashing before his mind's eye.

“Oof, overloaded, huh?” Noisette said. “Everybody, please, give him some space.”

A chorus of quiet apologies sounded around him, and everyone returned to their seats. Everyone spoke in hushed voices, occasionally glancing at him.

At least they're glances of concern, not fear.

His head slowly stopped throbbing as Noisette sat across from him. “Sorry,” he said.

Noisette reached across and grabbed his hand. “They never got to get this close to Pizzahead without risking their lives before. Now… they're curious. The real Pizzahead would've gone on a rampage if that had happened to him.”

He considered. “I just wanted them to stop.”

She nodded. “If that ain't proof yer not Pizzahead, I don't know what is.”

~~~~

Paolo flopped down in a chair in the apartment Noisette had loaned him. His head throbbed. He leaned back, covering his eyes. Impulsively he jumped up, flipping the lights off.

Immediately he felt better. 

The whole world felt like it was too bright, too loud, too sharp. Every sensation is like a knife in my head! As he sat in the quiet dark, the throbbing slowly eased, and he found himself able to think again.

Migraines, he thought, they're called migraines.

Amazing that he could forget something even that basic.

Another memory floated to the surface, a newer one: a doctor at the hospital…

~~~~

“Mr. Pizzahead…”

“Please, don't call me that,” Paolo had said. “My name is… is… Paolo. Ach.” He'd clutched his head again.

The doctor had looked nonplussed. “Well, Mr. Paolo, I've never seen a pattern quite like this before, but it's plain you've got some noticeable brain damage, mainly to your memory regions. Please, take it easy. You may experience episodes of sensory overload. Try to stay somewhere quiet for a few days.” He'd huffed. “I'd prefer to keep you here for observation…”

Paolo had gently shaken his head. “I probably can't afford it.”

The doctor had shaken his head, as well. “Well, aside from massive memory loss, I'd say you're in good health. What will you do?”

Paolo had brushed his pocket - in it was the mysterious letter, addresses to him:

Please come to the History Department of La Crosta University immediately. It’s vital to your future. You will be cared for.

“I've got somewhere to be.”

~~~~

He'd gone to the meeting, memories floating to the surface of his mind as he walked. He couldn't even begin to guess how much he'd lost, but he'd known one thing: the Pizzamancer had ruined his life.

I'll kill him.

He looked around at the darkened room. At least he was right: I got taken care of. He considered his good fortune, that he'd taken the little rabbit’s word. He had a home… for now… he had - well, maybe not friends, but allies - to be with.

Now I just have to find out who I was as a person.

He leaned back in the chair. The seat was comfortable enough he could just… nod off…

~~~~

Paolo stood patiently as the man waited on other customers. He was nervous. Hate the man as he did, the last words of the dying were not easily ignored.

“Don't let it out of your sight. I mean it, boy! If you listen to one thing I've ever said, don't let it go…”

He shivered. It was only the second time his father had sounded scared.

“Can I help you, young man?”

Paolo squared his shoulders. My turn. He walked up to the counter. he old human across from him smiled in a friendly way. “I have something I wanted to get appraised, and possibly sell.”

The man nodded. “Very well, then. Let's see it.”

Paolo carefully took the ring out of his pocket and laid it on the counter. Just as carefully, the man picked it up, carefully fitting a jeweler's loupe to his eye. He looked the ring over. “Ohh, this is quite the treasure, young man! The workmanship is…” he paused; Paolo knew he was choosing his words carefully - the more lavish the praise, the higher a price Paolo could ask. Finally he spoke again… “passable. The ruby is… is…”

The ruby, the size of a pepperoni, glistened like old blood in the light of the shop. It had never needed polishing. It seemed to beckon to him, even now.

Paolo cleared his throat, and the man jumped. “Sorry, my boy, don't know what came over me, there. It's quite an impressive piece, but I'm not sure if I could find a buyer. I'm afraid I could only give you $5000 for it.”

Paolo kept his face blank. It's worth far more than that. He shook his head. “Now now, sir, while that's quite a generous sum, I couldn't possibly part with it for that much.”

Paolo could practically smell the man's avarice. “I… I could perhaps give you 10- no, 15,000?”

Paolo tried not to smile. He wants it, but I can get more. He reached out and gently plucked it out of the man's hands. “I appreciate your time, sir, but a man offered me $50,000 at another store. I thought perhaps you would be more honest, but I see you aren't interested.”

The man was practically salivating now. He reached out and grasped Paolo’s clenched hand. “No, no! Sorry, sorry, young man, I misspoke! Not sure what I was thinking. I'll give you $100,000 for it!”

Paolo’s heart leapt. $100,000! That would be more than enough to invest and grow in the time I have! He nodded. “Deal.”

The pawnbroker nodded, smiling widely. “Come, come, let's set up the details. I assume you don't want it in cash.”

Not if I don't want to be robbed before I get to the bank. “No, sir. A direct deposit will do nicely.”

As they worked out the details, Paolo found a strange dread gnawing at his happiness. He shook his head, looking down at the ring. Can't wait to be rid of you.

And yet the idea seemed to fill him with dread.

Finally the old man hung up his phone. “Very well, young man. Simply hand over the ring, and I'll send you the money immediately.” The old man held out his hand, expectantly.

Paolo held the ring out… and hesitated. His hand seemed to want to lock up. He swore he heard his father screaming at him.

In fact, he swore he heard a cacophony of voices screaming defiance and denial at him. 

Paolo shook his head, and dropped the ring in the man's hand.

As the man smiled and cradled the ring, Paolo felt a tiny twinge of… something… in the back of his mind. As for the voices… they had gone silent.

The man reached over and tapped a few keys. “There you go, young man. $100,000. Here's your paperwork.”

Paolo took the paperwork, stood, and shook hands. “Glad to be rid of it.”

The man held the ring up to the light. “Can't imagine why! It's quite the striking piece!”

“It holds… bad memories for me.” Paolo bowed, feeling wooden and strange. “Good day, sir.”

As he walked out, Paolo felt a strange hollowness in the back of his mind. The world seemed to change and fade, growing fuzzy and distorted.

Suddenly the ground erupted, a huge, clawed hand bursting up from beneath the street.

Paolo fell backwards, screaming in terror. But the people around him said nothing, not reacting. He saw one turn…

They had no face. None of them have faces!

The hand slammed down, pulling a monstrous being up from the earth - a round, greasy body, a face picked out in pizza toppings. The strips of green pepper opened, and a roar like the furnaces of hell itself burst out. 

Paolo realized that, despite being deafening and many octaves deeper, it was his father's voice.

“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, BOOOOOY?” It roared. 

Paolo scrambled backwards on his hands and feet. “I - I don't know what-’

A huge hand snatched him up, holding him to the huge face. Below, the faceless masses continued about their days. The monster smashed several of them, but there was no reaction.

“I TOLD YOOOOU! DON'T LOSE THE RINNNNG!”

Paolo squirmed. “I didn't lose it! I sold it! I just- just want a life to live!”

The creatures roared in rage. “DOOMED! THE WORRRRLD IS DOOOMED BECAUSE OF YOOOOOU! HE IS IN YOU NOW! HAVE TO STOP YOOOU!”

The beast opened its maw, and flames crackled in its mouth. Paolo writhed. “NO! NO, PLEASE! I'M SORRY!”

The creature dropped him into its mouth.

As he fell for what felt like an eternity, Paolo screamed. 

“I'M SORRYYYY…!”

~~~~

Paolo rocketed up from his reclined position, gasping. Frantically he patted over his body - no burns, no scrapes. He rubbed his face - it was covered in sweat and tears. His head was pounding in time with his heart. What was that? A nightmare? A memory? 

Both?

He stood, stumbling over to the bathroom. He looked into the mirror - he looked haggard, tired. Behind his eyes, it felt like dull needles were being stabbed into his head.

And yet… he found memories there, too.

A pizzeria, full of joy and laughter.

Mechanical figures, dancing and singing, as he watched from the shadows, proud that the mechanical aptitude he'd hated had been useful, after all.

A growing unease, an inability to let go of the memory of the ring…

His employees, finally abandoning him after all his abuse…

Paolo grabbed his head as the throbbing got worse. Too much at once. The dream seemed to have been a catalyst, though. He was catching bits and pieces of his time as Pizzahead.

The blood, the pain, the enjoyment he'd taken in it…

All with a smile. That same damn smile.

Paolo fought not to vomit.

He glanced over at the shower. Shower would do me good.

~~~~

Paolo wandered into Noisette's cafe. A few customers cautiously waved and smiled, and he waved back, though his smile was probably a little sickly.

The memories were still surfacing, and none of them were pleasant.

Noisette herself bounced over. “Hello, Paolo! How're you…” she paused, noticing his pallor. She sat down, concerned. “Actually, maybe I should take you to the doctor or somethin’. You OK, big guy?”

Paolo grimaced. “I had… a nightmare. Last night. I remembered… selling that ring. And then my father appeared as a monster, telling me I'd doomed us all… and he ate me, dropping me in a pit of fire.”

Noisette looked horrified. “That's terrible! Let me get you some coffee and something to eat!”

He reached out and grabbed her arm. “Nothing too sweet, please. I don't think my stomach could take it.”

She nodded, and jogged off. Shortly she arrived with the aforementioned coffee, and a pair of bagels. He sipped the coffee - it had cream, but little sugar. He nodded. “Perfect.” He held up the bagels - there were small dark spots. He looked more closely. “Raisins?”

Noisette nodded, looking down. “One of the only times Pizzahead was actually nice to me was one time he came into my place inn the Tower, asking for raisins. He seemed so happy…”

Paolo felt a twinge, and he remembered - he had loved raisins as a kid. He took a huge bite of a bagel, and immediately smiled. “Guess a bit of me was coming through there. Good call, Hazel.”

Noisette immediately perked up. “So, you're remembering more about yourself?”

He nodded. “Bits and fragments. Most of it is… nauseating.” He stared at the bagel. “It's, it's giving me an idea of what the Pizzamancer is like.”

“Oh?” Noisette leaned forward.

“I thought I had trouble feeling emotions, but…” he paused. “He's… he's a complete monster. The worst kind. He's a narcissist, a sociopath, a murderer more times than I want to think about.” His stomach roiled, and he took a shot of coffee. “Honestly, it really doesn't matter how it happens, but… we can't let him stay around. We can't let him live.”

Noisette made an “O” of surprise. “That bad?”

Paolo shuddered. “Hazel, whatever you thinking is the worst that can happen… he's capable of so much worse. I was thinking he brought out my dark side, and he did, but… I think I was holding him back.” He paused, practically inhaling the other bagel in his nervousness. “Please tell me the others have found a way to find this guy.”

Noisette twiddled her thumbs. “I don't think they're havin' much luck. Giuseppe and Anita's government and criminal connections, Vigi’s old bounty hunter buddies… even Noisey’s been talking to other media people.” She shook her head. “It's like findin’ a ghost.”

Paolo slapped his hands down on the table, angry. “We have to find him! I don't- AGH!” His head felt like it was being stabbed again. Noisette jumped up, running to his side, but he held up his hand. “We can't give him time! He'll… he'll…” Paolo sat back down.

Noisette sat back down. “But, what can we do that ain't being done? We-”

A huge shadow fell over the two of them, and Noisette gasped. Paolo looked up…

A giant stood in front of him. He was enormous, a good nine feet tall, made of purple stone. He was wearing patched pants, and oddly, a small flat hat. He was looking down at Paolo with a stern expression.

Noisette gasped. “Huh? John? Pillar John? What are you doing here?”

John bent slowly, looking Paolo in the eyes. He'd heard of Litha before, but he'd never met one. They were even more rare than his own kind - it was thought there were less than a thousand left in the world. He cringed back. “Can… can I help you, Mr… John?”

John stared into his eyes, saying nothing. It felt like the giant stone man was digging into the deepest parts of his soul. Finally, he nodded. “There's a lotta damage there, but yer you again. Looks like th’ bastard really truly ditched ya.” The Litha gently sat down next to the table, gesturing for them to sit down. “I'm here fer you, pizza man. Or rather, you and yer friends.”

“My… friends?” Paolo repeated. He was so off-balance all he could do was parrot.

John nodded. “We tol’ Peppino we'd be there when he needed us, an’ he needs us. But firs’, I gotta let ya in on a lil’ secret.” He leaned closer. “Sorry, but this is gonna hurt. A lot.”

John reached out and gently grasped Paolo's head.

Paolo felt something snap inside his head, and he stood, then fell to his knees, clutching his head. Tears boiled out of his eyes. The pain was indescribable.

Noisette crouched beside him. “Oh, no! Paolo? Paolo!” She turned to a bystander. “Someone call an ambulance, quick!”

His hand shot out and gripped her arm. “N-no! No! Wa… wait…”

The pain was lessening, and a memory surfaced….

~~~~

Pillar John stood next to him, grinning.

“Now watch this, buddy.” John gently grabbed Pizzahead's arm… there was a feeling of the world bending…

And then they were standing beside Gerome.

Pizzahead was impressed. “Well, well, how'd you do that?”

Pillar John laughed. “Ah, we can do stuff like that. I can move us here ‘cause I always know where Gerome is. I can move ‘im around, too!”

Pizzahead grinned inside. He already knew it, but he'd wanted to be sure the two Litha had that level of power before he continued. It had been so long since his ‘death,’ the Litha making up the tower had all gone moribund. They were slowly falling apart. But with a fresh Litha, split up amongst the different parts of the Tower… he could have his invincible, unfindable fortress again. “Well, that's good, old rock! I've got a good job for you, then…

~~~~

Suddenly his vision snapped back to a circle of concerned bystanders… and John, who looked more solemn than he'd ever been.

Paolo reached towards him. “John… I'm so sorry. Where is Gerome?”

John nodded. “Inside the Tower.”

Paolo grabbed Noisette's arm. “Noisette, call the others. I know how to get to the Tower.”

Noisette gaped for a moment, then nodded, and quickly dialed a number. The crowd around them backed up, murmuring.

John stared at him, saying nothing.

Paolo was shaking. “John. John. The Tower. It's made out of… out of Litha, isn't it? Thousands of Litha…!”

The giant nodded. “Yeah. I talked to ‘em while I was stuck there. That's why there's so few of us now. The Pizzamancer turned ‘em all into that thing. That's why it can do some o’ the things it can do.”

Paolo felt like vomiting again. “That's… that's sick.”

John nodded again. “Now ya know why we been keepin’ an eye on th’ Tower. An’ you.”

Noisette clicked off her phone. “All right, they're in their way.”

John stood up. “I'll wait for ya where the Tower used t’ be. Lemme know when you're all ready.”

As the Litha ambled off, Noisette grabbed Paolo's arm. “You really know how to get us there?”

Paolo nodded. “I do.” He clapped his hands together. “I just hope we can finish this when we get there.”

[another-dr-another]

head to tsurugis!!!! snacktime!!!

Maeda, narrating - …

Maeda - Walk. Follow Uehara, to Tsurugis dorm…

Maeda - …

~*~

Tsurugi - Hiiiiiiya Maeda!

//Maeda is snapped out of his thoughts- Tsurugi is waving at him in his typical fashion… making it odd the way Uehara is staring at Tsurugi. He looks concerned… did you miss something?

Maeda - Hey, Tsurugi.

Tsurugi - Okayyy, let’s take care of Maeda…

Tsurugi - Lemme letchu in!

//Tsurugi steps past them to open the door to his dorm.

Uehara - …Rugi, watch your jacket-

Tsurugi - Huh?

Tsurugi - Ahhhh… evil doorknob, always trying to grab me by the coat!

Uehara - Tuck your arms in instead of waving them around when you open your door?

Tsurugi - Oh. I would rather die.

Uehara - Y’know what? Valid and fair priorities. I should try incorporating that into my world view!

Tsurugi - Yes! Biiiig arm motions.

Tsurugi - Okay- Maeda, anything in particular you want?

Tsurugi - All I’ve got is like… packaged snacks, ‘cuz fruit and veg go bad quick, but like…

Tsurugi - Salty? Sweet? Think I’ve got some spicy…

//Maeda goes to look through the bins of snacks Tsurugi has.

Maeda - Uhhh… I think…

Maeda - …

Maeda - This is going to sound so weird, but what would you recommend?

Maeda - Nothing sounds…

Maeda - …Yeah.

Tsurugi - Oh! Okayyy, uh… 

//Tsurugi quickly flicks through the bins, grabbing a few things to push at Maeda.

Tsurugi - Don’t have to eat it all, ‘s just so you don’t go hungry.

Maeda - Got it, thanks…

Tsurugi - Hey Maeeeeda? Lemme know if you wanna chat, okay?

Tsurugi - We can hang out… we could have a sleepover and talk about…

Tsurugi - I dunno your orientation, but I could do your nails and we could share trauma!

Tsurugi - I can invent bad things that happened to me- oh! I do actually have a story I could share.

Tsurugi - One time, I went to Florida.

Tsurugi - ...

Tsurugi - That's all!

Tsurugi - Scary...

Maeda - ...I’m… mentally okay right now, if that’s what you’re getting at.

Tsurugi - Okay! It’s an open offer though- never know how you’ll wake up feeling…

Maeda - That’s true- anyways though, thank you for the food.

Maeda - Good to see you both, and thanks for helping out, Uehara.

Uehara - Huh?

Uehara - Oh, shit, right!

Uehara - Sorry, wasn’t paying much attention. But yeah, of course.

Uehara - Goodnight, Maeda.

Maeda - Goodnight, you two.

Tsurugi - Sweet dreams!

Tsurugi - Snaaacktime, for Maeeedaaa…

Uehara - …Tsurugi, please- Please, your tea-

//As Maeda exits, Uehara starts gently tapping the mug against Tsurugi.

Uehara - Take it. 

Tsurugi - Oh!

//Tsurugi goes to finally take his drink from Uehara… just for the priest to move the mug away from Tsurugis hands.

Uehara - Sir, please, take the tea.

Tsurugi - Ue- Uehara!

//Careful not to spill it, Uehara continues moving the mug from Tsurugi while he tries to grab it.

Uehara - Tsurugi, c’mon, it’s just impolite. I did this favor for you, and you won’t even accept the tea.

Uehara - I mean really now! How cruel…

Tsurugi - …Oh my god… the mug will break if you drop it, so I can’t even attack you for it, because it’s fragile…

Uehara - Wh- I’m fragile!

Tsurugi - You would be fine.

Uehara - I would not! I’m very far from the floor, it would be a very large drop.

Tsurugi - …Doubling down. You would be fiiiine…

Uehara - Just take your tea before it gets cold.

Tsurugi - Ahhh… teaaaatime, for Tsuruuuugiii…

~*~

Maeda, narrating - I should just eat in my dorm…

Maeda - Nice that there’s a table in there.

Maeda - When I’m done, I should just go to bed…

Maeda - Nothing else to do.

{Return to your Dorm}

[eepy-swag]

Heyo! It’s Cosmere gift exchange time! Mine is done, and it’s a gift for the awesome @sheisrysn ! Hope you like and enjoy it!

Kaladin immediately stopped when he entered the room. Shallan, cuddling a stuffed toy, was lying on the carpet, her  eyes closed, but Kaladin could easily tell she was not yet asleep. He smiled softly at her, but his doctor instincts kicked in and  he decided to get her off the floor, and tell er to at least sleep on the couch.

‘’Shallan! You can’t sleep on the floor! You’ll get sick!’’Kaladin tried to hide the smile in his voice, but it didn’t exactly work out. Shallan groaned and turned her face to Kaladin, who was still standing in the doorway.

“Storming watch me. Adolin decided to wash all the sheets today, and all the beds are naked! And you know I don’t like sleeping in naked beds!”

“Naked. You decided to call the sheetless beds naked?“ Kaladin burst into laughter and continued after he could breathe again: “I think there’s a washed pair upstairs, and when Adolin comes home, we can both yell at him for stuffing all the sheets in the washing machine and leaving the beds….naked.”

Shallan threw her pillow at him, but Kaladin caught it gracefully and threw it back at her. Damn him and all his training. “What do you want to call beds without sheets then? I think ‘naked’ is a pretty suitable word, and you should honestly compliment me for saying such a smart thing, just after you pulled me off my wonderful daydream including sharks wearing Mickey Mouse hats and dancing hula.”

Kaladin laughed and sat next to her. “There’s only one person in this world that would daydream about sharks wearing Mickey Mouse hats dancing hula, Shallan, and that’s you.”

“Duh! I haven’t met anyone else that fabulous and interesting!”

Kaladin went silent for a moment, and a wide smile spread across his face. Then he attacked her. 

Shallan yelped, but Kaladin was quickly on top of her, tickling her and laughing. Shallan tried twisting beneath him, but he was way bigger and way stronger than her, and she was pretty busy laughing to death for that to succeed. Soon she was left without breath, and decided to use a trick Adolin thought her. She twisted enough that one of her legs was free, and kicked Kaladin behind the knee. He yelped, lost balance and nearly fell on top of Shallan, but she was faster and soon  stood on top of him. She grinned lazily, but burst into laughter at Kaladin’s still surprised face.

“Did Adolin teach you? And that was amazing as hell!’’

“Yeah, though I didn’t think I would use it on you. Just for the information, you deserved it. No real gentleman tickles a just awoken lady. As said, totally deserved.”

Kaladin laughed again, but Shallan was still sitting on his stomach, which caused her to bounce up and down. Which caused Kaladin to laugh more, and that didn’t really help her. 

“Now, after you have tickled me nearly to death, it’s your turn.’’

‘’What?”

She didn’t answer, but instead attacked him in return. Which, again, caused her to bounce. She stood up on her knees, to prevent further bouncing. Kaladin stopped making any sound, but he was still shaking with laughter. Shallan ticked off her head and chuckled loudly. He tried to flip them again, but did not succeed and got an extra load of tickling.

“Okay, okay, enough, I can’t breathe anymore and my stomach hurts. You win, please don’t make me dance hula with a Mickey Mouse hat on.”

Shallan flopped down next to him and spread her arms. “Can we both sleep on the floor? As far as I know the beds are still naked, and I got exhausted tickling you. You weigh more than a pig.“

“Oh, c’mon, pigs don’t have so much muscles. And if we’re sleeping here, at least let’s get some pillows and blankets.”

“Yeah, otherwise your perfect ass will freeze.”

Kaladin rose his eyebrows at her and went to get the blankets. After a while, Shallan heard him shouting from the other room: “Adolin said he’s coming home late today, right?” He entered the room with a pile of blankets in his hands, which hid his face and muffled his voice. “We could put on a movie and make a pillow fort if you want. And take a nap on the floor.”

Shallan beamed and stood up to help him with the blankets. “Nice! What should we watch? We can go old school with some disney movies, we could watch something superhero themed, oooor…’’

“What?”

“Teenage drama!!!”

Kaladin was once again laughing.  Shallan suddenly remembered how quiet and grumpy he was when they met. How he was nearly broken from his brother’s death because of the war, how insecure, scared and lonely he looked back then. She smiled softly at him.

“I think I’m gonna go with cheesy teenage romance drama. There are always a few tones of them waiting to be found. And they have no hula dancing.”

“I don’t get what’s wrong with hula dancing!”

After an hour of searching for the perfect one, according to Shallan, which means one she hasn’t already watched, they decided that they were going to watch ‘’The Perks of Being a Wallflower”

“Wait, isn’t this Hermione? I thought she was from Harry Potter!

“It’s just the same actress, mmm I think her name was Emma Wattson? Oh look, and it’s the guy from Percy Jackson!”

“Noo, the movies were terrible! But he’s handsome, soooo…”

Kaladin laughed at Shallan’s face and started preparing to play the movie. Shallan proceeded to cover the sofa with blankets and pillows, but halfway through it, she realised she needed more blankets. 

“Kal, do we have more blankets? I will need more than you brought, the sofa is biiiig.”

Kaladin didn’t look up from the computer, but smiled. Shallan rolled her eyes at him, and after he didn’t answer for another minute, she quietly neared him and  hopped on his lap like a cat. Kaladin yelped and nearly fell off his chair. At least he looked up from his computer. Shallan was intensely staring at him, frowning, and trying really hard not to smile. Kaladin stared back at her for a second, then landed a quick kiss on her nose. It was like magic, at one moment she was pouting, and on the other, her lips were parted from surprise and her eyes were wide open. Then she started laughing. He picked her up, bridal style, and set her on the coach, kissing her again. 

“Stay here, I’ll take care of the blankets. The movie is downloading, but I need to turn on the TV.”

“Bring more pillows too, mister Doctor.”

“Please don’t call me that.”

She stuck her tongue out and crossed her eyes.

“Whatever, mister Doctor.”

Kaladin stuck his tongue back at her and went to get more blankets and pillows. After they were done with covering the sofa, Shallan jumped and landed on it. 

“Aaah, cozy. And comfy.”

Kaladin flopped next to her, grabbed the remote and played the movie. Shallan wrapped herself with a blanket and sighed happily. Kaladin glanced at her for a second then burst out laughing. 

“If I wasn’t a blanket burrito, I would’ve hit you with a pillow, mister Doctor.”

‘’I’m absolutely sure you would, Miss Hula Dancing.’’

“Noo only I can call you stupid names!”

“And what gave you that thought, Miss Hula Dancing?” 

“Stop! It’s not fair!”

She attempted to kick him, but with her legs wrapped in a blanket, it wasn’t much of a kick. Kaladin laughed and stuck his tongue out again at Shallan, and half a second after she was doing the same.

“Shh, we’re supposed to be watching a movie! Let’s make a temporary truce, I won’t be calling you Miss Hula Dancing, and you won’t call me Mister Doctor. For now.”

Shallan snuggled against him and said that yes, she agrees with the temporary truce. For now.

They watched the movie in silence, cuddling together. After a while, Shallan was already sobbing, and Kalading was hiding his watery eyes. When they reached the end of the movie, their faces were both wet from tears. They sat there for a little while longer, just being with each other, enjoying the silence in the house. Shallan’s eyes were starting to close when Kaladin quietly murmored:

 “Do you still wanna sleep on the floor or what?” 

Shallan just hummed in response and got closer to Kaladin. He cupped her cheek and lifted her face towards his, placing a small kiss on her forehead. Shallan scrunched her nose and stretched. 

“Hey. Miss Hula Dancing, wake up.”

“Is it morning yet?” 

“No, dummy, we have to sleep somewhere and all the beds are naked, as you call them. Do you still want to sleep on the floor?”

Shallan stretched some more and proceeded to cuddle into Kaladin’s lap.

“Yeah, come on let’s do that. Mister Doctor.” 

Kaladin laughed softly, then picked her up and gently laid her down on the couch.

“Wait here, I’ll prepare the “bed” for sleeping.”

Shallan adjusted on the sofa and sighed, closing her eyes again. Kaladin took out a big mattress they had for emergency situations and put it on the floor, covering it with a few blankets. Then, he brought in two big pillows and placed them on the bed. Kaladin gently picked up Shallan again, who was already asleep. She barely opened her eyes, smiled a bit, and then cuddled up in the bed. 

“Mmm Kal, I want some blankets, I’m cold.”

“Right away, princess.’’

Kaladin took the blankets from the sofa and wrapped Shallan in them, placing another kiss on her forehead. He put out the lights in the other rooms, and lastly those in the living room, where Shallan was already soundly asleep. He softly smiled down at her and laid next to her, careful not to wake her up. She turned on the other side, facing him, and snuggled her head in his chest, humming sleepily. Kaladin smiled again and put his hands around her protectively, as if someone was going to burst in and take her from him. 

                                                    =====================

When Adolin returned from work, he did not expect his girlfriend and boyfriend sleeping on the ground, wrapped in three blankets, cuddling together. But it didn’t genuinely surprise him, either. He noticed the messy sofa, and the opened computer nearby, and smiled. So they were watching a movie before he came home. Hopefully they didn’t do anything else without him. He undressed as quietly as he could and got in the shower. After ten minutes or so, Kaladin’s sleepy head stuck through the door. 

“So you are already home. How did it go?”

He got in the bathroom  wholly and sat on the floor, still a little drowsy. Adolin laughed at his bed hair, and Kaladin tried to murder-glare him, but it didn’t work out and he just looked like an annoyed puppy, which caused Adolin to laugh more. 

“It went well, we found him and locked him up safely. It was an easy operation, but there was a shit ton of paperwork, that’s why it took me so long.”

“Oh. Me and Shallan watched a movie, and since you left all the sheets in the washing machine, we had to sleep  on the ground. Luckily for you, I managed to make it comfortable enough.”

“Oh so that’s what I forgot!”

Kaladin laughed and Adolin nearly slipped in the shower staring at his smile. And he was the naked one! 

“Do you have to go to work tomorrow?” 

Adolin starred lovingly down at him on that question. When Kaladin was sleepy he sounded like a five year old and had absolutely no filter. You couldn’t make him embarrassed, whatever you did when he was in that state.

“No, I don’t. They gave me a break because of the solved case. So, you’re going to have me here for the whole week.”

Kaladin’s face immediately lit up, and Adolin couldn’t help but blush. And he was the naked one! 

“Did you find the guy with the Shardguns? We haven’t heard of him from something like a week or so. “

Kaladin sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. 

“Yeah, we did. Didn’t I tell you already?”

Adolin smiled and stepped out of the shower and kissed him on the lips.

“Tell me again.”

Kaladin smiled back at him and handed him a towel.

‘‘You can dress first. And please be quiet, Shallan is sleeping.”

“As if she wakes up that easy.”

Kaladin stuck his tongue at him and went to bring him clothes. Adolin smiled to himself and brushed his teeth in the meantime and when Kaladin returned with pajamas for him, he was all ready for sleep. Adolin stole another quick kiss from Kaladin and dressed, nearly falling, but they managed not to wake up Shallan. 

“I guess I’m sleeping on the floor with you tonight?”

“Except if you don’t want to sleep on the ‘naked’ beds, as Shallan called them, then yes.”

Adolin burst out laughing, and Kaladin quickly shushed him, trying not to laugh himself. 

“Yeah, she called them that. But it wasn’t the weirdest thing today! She said she was daydreaming about sharks with Mickey Mouse hats dancing hula!”

“Are you purposely trying to wake up Shallan? Because if you continue to do that, she will definitely be awake soon.”

Kaladin laughed as quietly as he could, but Adolin decided to shut him up with a kiss. Kaladin was surprised at first, but kissed back almost immediately. Adolin’s back hit the counter, but he didn’t pull away from the kiss, and only smiled against Kaladin’s lips. His hands slipped under Adolin’s shirt, and then they both had to pull apart for a breath. Kaladin smiled at him, a little flushed.

“I like it when you silence me like that. It works very effectively.”

Adolin smiled back at him and kissed him passionately again. 

“We should go to bed, or else my feet are going to freeze. It’s cold, I just showered, and I’m barefoot.” 

They both froze when they heard footsteps, Kaladin suddenly very awake. Shallan’s messy hair stuck in the kitchen, and they both relaxed. Adolin smiled at her and pulled her into a hug, and then kissed her. Shallan’s bed head was absolutely hilarious, and her disoriented face made it no better. Both boys burst out laughing, and soon Shallan joined them. 

“Idiots. I go to the kitchen to get something to eat, I see that it’s light inside, and see you two, who clearly just had a make out session!”

Adolin laughed again and ruffled her hair. 

“We were just going to bed, my feet are cold. And Shallan, tomorrow you should really tell me about those hula sharks.”

Shallan suspiciously eyed Kaladin, then punched him in the arm.

“You told him, didn’t you. Now you’ll never let it go, right Mister Doctor?”

“You have no right to talk, Miss Hula Dancing!”

Adolin was shivering, and when Shallan and Kaladin noticed, they immediately got him into the bed. Shallan piled two more blankets on the bed and snuck in, snuggling close to Adolin. Kaladin returned with one more pillow and laid down next to Adolin, spooning him. Adolin smiled lazily and said:

“You know why is it awesome to be in a triad? You can be both the big spoon and the little spoon!”

Shallan and Kaladin kicked him under the blankets at the same time and Shallan murmured something that suspiciously sounded like ‘idiots’. Adolin laughed and hugged tightly Shallan.  Kaladin snuggled his face in his neck and sighed happily. 

“I love you both, even if you’re idiots.’’ Kaladin made a pause, took in a breath, and continued. “Do you remember? You are the reason why I can smile again, after…after Tien. And after all that happened.” Kaladin took in another, shaky breath. Adolin, suddenly serious, turned his face to Kaladin’s.

“It’s okay now. You’re okay, I’m okay, and Shallan is okay. It’s all over, Kal. there’s no need to worry.”

Kaladin smiled at him.

“I know.”

Shallan lifted her head, and drowsily told them to shut the fuck up and go to sleep. Adolin turned and spooned her, and Kaladin snuggled his face in Adolin again.

 At one point during the night, Kaladin heard a loud thud nearby. He stood up,suddenly alert, squinting and trying to see if there was something. At last, he lit the lamps, and when his eyes adjusted, he saw that Shallan rolled off the bed. He smiled, placed her  on the bed again and put the lights out ,slipping under the blankets. 

                                         ================================

When the sun slipped through the window, Kaladin was already awake. He was sitting on his desk, sipping from a cup of hot cocoa, and writing on his laptop. It was just a hobby of his, but he really enjoyed doing it, and was planning to publish at least one book. At ten o’clock, Adolin’s messy hair showed in the doorframe. Kaladin warmly smiled at him and tilted his head to the warm cup of coffee on the counter. Adolin just drowsily nodded, picked up the cup and took a big sip from it. Kaladin returned to his laptop, still smiling. Before he had his cup of coffee in the morning, Adolin was impossible to talk to. After a while, Shallan too entered the room. Now she was a morning person. Kaladin couldn’t understand how she can get up every morning well rested and fresh. 

“Good morning, my fellow boys! How do you feel in this sunny winter morning?”

Adolin just groaned and continued to sip from his coffee. Kaladin finally got up from the computer and stretched, nearly knocking off his cup. Shallon peaked to see what Kaladin was writing, and after a while sat down on the chair and focused on the reading, taking sips from Kaladin’s cup with hot chocolate. Kaladin yawned and went over to Adolin, hugging him from behind. Suddenly, Shallan shot off from the chair.

“It’s the 24th!”

Kaladin turned his head to her. 

“Yeah. It’s the 24th of…December. Oh. Oooh. OOH!’’

Adolin spit out his last bit of coffee laughing. He put his cup in the sink, pulled himself a chair, and sat next to Shallan.

“We made a plan, remember? We went shopping, bought all the presents we needed and all the ingredients for dinner tonight. So, there’s no need to panic.”

Shallan sighed and laid down on Adolin’s legs.

“I know, I know, it’s just not like me not to worry. When did Jasnah say they will arrive?”

“At five p.m., they’re bringing every Kholin they can find with them. Kal, when did your mom say that they’ll come?”

“They have to finish baby proofing the house, so they will be a little late. I think at seven or something?”

“But are you sure we bought everything we need?”

Adolin laughed and kissed Shallan’s forehead.

“Quit worrying, everything’s going to be okay!" 

Kaladin drank the rest of his chocolate and stretched again.

"It’s time to start preparing!" 

                     ==============

By lunch, the house was shining clean and they’ve already checked if they had everything twice. Shallan managed to calm down a bit, and they ate on the kitchen table. Shallan managed to find her Christmas albums in her music folders, which were huuuge, and it was echoing all around the house. They were laughing and running around, and suddenly it was already three in the afternoon. Shallan panicked once again, and insisted that they should start preparing dinner. 

They checked the ingredients, again, and started preparing the meal. Shallan had planned five meals and three salads, and Kaladin and Adolin had to cut millions of vegetables for them. 

"Shallan, are you sure we will be able to eat all this?" 

She went over to Kaladin, who was currently slicing some cucumber for a salad that Shallan found in Bulgaria and liked it so much that she decided to have it on their Christmas dinner, and landed a quick kiss on his lips.

"Don’t worry, we’ll be fine. You know how much Adolin eats, and his father doesn’t eat any less.”

“You’ve got a point. Also are you sure that this …cheese is actually cheese? It doesn’t look like cheese. It’s too soft and…white.”

Shallan laughed again and returned to the meal she was preparing. There was meat and a whole bunch of vegetables in it, and you eat it with rice. It was Adolin and Dalinar’s favourite food, and Shallan enjoyed making it. 

After nearly two hours, everything was finally done. Shallan put the cake in the oven and dusted of her hands.

“Oof finally. That was a rather fun afternoon. Jasnah just texted me that they’ll be here in half an hour.”

Adolin flopped on the sofa and sighed. Kaladin sat next to him and put his head on Adolin’s shoulder, sighing too. 

“Good. Hopefully they’ll bring another fun thing to play with, Navani always has cool stuff.”

Kaladin laughed and punched him lightly on the shoulder.

“What? They’re so cool! Do you remember when she brought this tiny little robot that would go around the house and repeat whatever sound it heard? It was amazing!”

Shallan joined them on the sofa, pressing her knees to her chest. 

“Yeah, I admit that Navani’s inventions are awesome. But have you read her science papers? And Jasnah’s? Incredible. I want to be a woman like them.”

Adolin kissed her and laughed.

“But you are! I think your science papers are awesome, even though I don’t understand a word from them.”

“Yeah, Adolin’s right. Shallan, your science papers are great, and you cooking skills are outstanding.”

Shallan shot up from the sofa and swore.

“The cake! Oh I hope I didn’t burn it!”

She ran into the kitchen, swearing on the way, and after a few moments Kaladin and Adolin spontaneously burst out laughing. Shallan shouted from the other room.

“I can still hear you, you idiots! I’m in the kitchen, not deaf!”

That certainly didn’t stop them from laughing, especially when Shallan dropped a few more swear words. When Shallan returned from the kitchen, Adolin was on the ground, silently laughing and Kaladin had tears in his eyes. But before Shallan could join them, the bell rang. She swore again, took off her apron, and rushed to get the door. Adolin stood up from the floor and dusted off his clothes. Kaladin went to wash his face and change his shirt. He could hear Shallan greeting someone who sounded like Jasnah and Navani. After he changed, he went downstairs, stealing a quick kiss from Adolin. Shallan was excitedly talking about history with Jasnah, and Navani was nearby, taking out food from a bag. Dalinar and Renarin were nowhere to be seen. Adolin ran the last few steps and hugged Navani.

“Navani! How are you? Where are dad and Ren?”

She laughed and hugged Adolin back.

“I’m fine, and Dalinar is taking stuff out of the car with your brother. We brought a lot of sweet things and a few bottles of wine.”

Shallan sighed, strolling over to them.

“Now everyone is going to bring a few bottles of wine and after dinner we’ll have a whole winery. Oh and Kal, your mom just texted me that they’ll be here after a few minutes, they finished early." 

Kaladin’s face lit up and he made a little jump.

"Oh! Will they bring Oroden with them?”

“Yeah, they’ll bring his cradle too, so he can sleep.”

Jasnah took off her shoes and went inside, gesturing to her mother to do the same. The bell rang again, and Adolin opened the door. 

“Dad! Ren! Come in…ooh you brought too much stuff. Shallan’s brothers will bring the tree, but damn, you brought everything else!”

Dalinar went in and hugged his son. After that, Renarin got his turn for a hug. 

“We may have brought too much stuff, yeah. But I have no part in this, it was all Navani. Dad here, for example, did not move his finger.”

“I had too much work, okay? Don’t blame it all on me!”

Adolin laughed and took part of the boxes they were carrying. After they brought everything in, they sat in the living room around the coffee table. Shallan sat between Adolin and Kaladin, but after a few seconds, she stood up to get some food. She placed on the table a bowl of candy, bagels, and a jug of hot chocolate with a few cups. Adolin was laughing about something Renarin said, and Navani was snuggling with Dalinar. Jasnah was quietly arguing about something with Kaladin and waving her hands around. Shallan smiled softly at the scene, and then the bell rang again. Now, if you haven’t seen a full-grown police officer shooting up and shouting “mommy!”, that was your moment. Kaladin shot up and ran to get the door. Shallan soon joined him, followed by the whole Kholin family. 

“Mommy! Dad!”

Kaladin hugged them tight, and Hesina laughed.

“Hello Kal. Oh, and Shallan! And Adolin!" 

Hesina hugged them both tightly. Lirin stepped near his son, took him by the shoulders and hugged him again. Hesina turned again to Kaladin.

"Will you help me take Oroden out of the car? His chair is a pain in the ass to take off." 

Kaladin beamed and went to get his brother. Shallan leaned against the door, still smiling. He was so different from when she met him. They didn’t even suspect that he was so soft and loving on the inside. 

Kaladin returned with a baby in his arms, and Hesina was carrying a few things, including the baby’s cradle. Oroden was babbling some nonsense, and  Kaladin was smiling at him, returning the same sounds. Shallan smiled again, and kissed Kaladin lightly on the lips. 

“Stop speaking baby language, and help me setting the table. Nan Balat said that they’ll be here shortly, and they’re carrying the tree, so we have to make room for it too.”

Kaladin gave his brother to Lirin and jokingly stuck his tongue out to Shallan. 

“Adolin should help too. Don’t leave him with Jasnah for too long, or he’ll start understanding your science papers.”

Shallan stuck her tongue back at him and went to get Adolin. Kaladin entered the living room, carrying the last box of Christmas decoration. Dalinar was still cuddling with Navani, and Jasnah and Shallan were putting up Christmas lights. Adolin came and helped Kaladin to take out the things from the box, and then to set up the table. They didn’t put the warm meals on it, just the salads. They were still waiting for guests, after all.

The doorbell rang once again and Shallan went to get it. Kaladin joined her shortly after. When Shallan opened the door, all they could see was a tree. A muffled voice behind it said:

"Hello guys! I can’t really see who it is, but Merry Christmas!”

Shallan laughed and helped her brothers to get the tree inside. Kaladin picked it up from there and carried it to the living room. He could hear Shallan laughing and greeting her brothers. He smiled to himself and put the tree down. Navani gasped when she saw it.

“Wow. It’s really big, do we have enough decorations for it?”

Adolin joined them, smiling.

“We have enough decorations for three more trees like that. We’re not waiting for anyone else, right?”

Kaladin nodded.

“Okay, let’s start decorating the tree and then eat! After that we could give each other presents." 

Kaladin stole a quick kiss from Adolin, but blushed when he saw Navani smiling. 

"I like that idea. I’ll tell Shallan.”

“There’s no need for that, I’m already here, and I heard. Let’s get this going.”

                       ===============

Half an hour later, they still weren’t done.Lirin and Hesina were putting the baby to sleep, and didn’t take part in the decorating. Shallan’s stomach was hurting from laughter, and Adolin looked like a Christmas tree more than the Christmas tree. Jasnah, surprisingly, was laughing too. Kaladin had tears in his eyes, for the same reason Shallan’s stomach hurt. 

“I am the Christmas tree now, I took over the usurper who stands over there!” - Adolin proclaimed, tripping in a garland. Shallan fell on the ground from laughing and Jasnah had to sit on a chair. Renarin was standing nearby, trying to pretend like it wasn’t funny, but they could see his smile and the tears in his eyes. Shallan stood up and took and angel off of Adolin’s hand.

“We should really finish with the tree, I’m hungry." 

Adolin shook off the decoration and laughed.

"C'mon, I’m hungry too.”

He started to walk towards the table, but when he reached Shallan, he made a quick maneuver and picked her up bridal style. Shallan yelped and waved her hands and legs.

“Adolin! Put me down!”

Adolin laughed and carried her to the already set table. Hesina showed in the doorframe, smiling at them. Lirin entered after a few moments, looking disheveled, and took a place on the table. Jasnah and the others joined them after they put the final decorations on the tree. Kaladin took the place on Shallan’s right, and Adolin sat on her other side. Jasnah sat between Navani and Kaladin, and Dalinar sat next to Navani. Renarin was on Adolin’s left, and Shallan’s brothers were on the remaining seats. After they were all seated, Adolin stood up, pouring himself a glass of wine.

“I’m really glad I could gather you all today on this dinner…” Shallan slapped him on the thigh, urging him to stop blabbing and start eating. He ignored her and continued talking: “…and I’m glad that I could spend more time with you.”

Kaladin was staring at the meals, Jasnah was playing with her fork and Dalinar and Navani were whispering something to each other. Shallan pulled him down, standing up herself.

“We’re all hungry, so let”s start eating!”

Wikim laughed and took a chicken leg onto his plate. Lirin grabbed a whole plate of salad. Jasnah followed Wikim’s example, and soon everyone was eating and laughing. After the first salad plate was finished, Shallan stood up and put another plate on the table. It was some kind of meat, covered  with sauce. Renarin hummed at the sight of it and Nan Balat nodded in agreement. Kaladin put some on his plate, tried it and jumped in his seat.

“Aah! It’s too hot!”

The table went completely silent, and Renarin was trying not to laugh. Hesina’s mouth was full and she clamped her hands in front of it to stop from spitting on someone. Adolin had a strange look on his face and Shallan’s fork was in the air. After a few more minutes of silence, Adolin, at first quietly, but then with a normal tone, said:

“You’re too hot and I still eat you.”

Shallan slammed her hands on the table, her fork falling on the ground. Renarin was laughing, and Jasnah was trying not to, but she soon gave in. Shallan stood up.

“ONE DINNER.”

Wikim and Jushu started laughing too, soon joined by the rest of the table. Lirin’s fork fell too, and Hesina had to put her knife down from laughing.

“ONE PEACEFUL DINNER IS ALL I ASK FOR.”

Kaladin was holding a hand to his stomach, and when they calmed down for a little, all it took was a look at Shallan’s face. Renarin was at the stage of silently slapping his knee, and Jasnah had her face to the table, her whole body shaking with laughter. Shallan couldn’t hold a straight face for much longer, and soon she was laughing.  

It took them a whole ten minutes to calm down, because after each silent moment, someone burst out laughing and it all went to hell. At last, Joshu managed to say, keeping a straight face:

“It’s actually very delicious, nice job sis! You should give us the recipe!”

Adolin clapped her on the back.

“Yeah, Shallan, it’s awesome!”

Navani asked for the recipe too, and soon everyone at the table knew how to cook it, even Kaladin, who couldn’t make a meatball. 

The dinner continued with laughter and jokes until midnight. Shallan, at last stood up, stretching and yawning.

“Let’s make the table and we can start with the presents!”

Kaladin and Adolin exchanged a look, and every one on the table seemed uncomfortable. Renarin raised his hand awkwardly.

“How did you know we brought presents? We agreed that we would not buy anything this year.”

Shallan smiled at him and sat back down.

“I know all of you, and I know that we all brought presents. Even after we agreed that there would be no presents this year.”

Adolin burst out laughing, followed shortly by Kaladin. Jasnah was already chuckling, but they managed to control it before it grew into another round of laughter. Dalinar smiled and stood up, picking up a few plates and placing them in the sink. Navani and Renarin did the same, followed by Shallan’s brothers. All of them took something from the table, and Adolin started washing the dishes that didn’t fit into the washing machine. Renarin joined him, and after less than ten minutes, the kitchen was shining clean, mainly because of Hesina, who took the job of cleaning the floor. They gathered around the tree and sat on the cushions that Shallan brought. After a few awkward moments, Renarin facepalmed.

“How are we going to exchange gifts if we don’t have them! Ours are still in the car, and I’m sure that Adolin’s are still up in his room. Same goes for all of you.”

Adolin exchanged a guilty look with Jasnah and but didn’t stand up. Dalinar patted Renarin’s shoulder.

“I’ll go get them, hopefully I didn’t forget any of them home.” 

Lirin stood up too, putting his coat on, and winking at Kaladin at his way out. Shallan put her head in Adolin’s lap and closed her eyes. He kissed her on the forehead, murmuring: 

“Are you already sleepy?”

Shallan opened her eyes and chuckled.

“No, the fun hasn’t even started yet! Wanna bet how many dumb doctor stuff Kaladin will get?”

“I bet on two. There won’t be so many people to give them to him.“

Shallan laughed again. Renarin sat closer to them, interested in the conversation. 

“I bet on four. At least two will be from that doctors kit with the organs you need to put in place. “

Adolin patted his brother on the back.

“Did you get him one, Ren? “

“Hey, I’m still here! Right next to you! And I’m certainly not deaf.”

A faint cry echoed from the other room. Hesina and Kaladin looked up at the same time. Hesina started to get up, but Kaladin was faster. He made a gesture to his mom to sit down and disappeared in the other room. Adolin’s head followed him, and after he turned to Shallan again, he was smiling, a soft look in his eyes. Shallan smiled back at him, and then Dalinar, followed by Lirin, entered the room. Shallan stood up from her place in Adolin’s lap.

“Exactly how many presents have you brought! Navani! You didn’t have to!”

Navani just smiled and went to help her husband with the pile of presents wrapped in Christmas paper. Hesina did the same with Lirin and placed them all under the tree. Adolin went to get his from his room, and soon returned with another pile of presents. He stuffed them in the little space left under the tree, and huffed. 

Kaladin returned to find a pile of gifts under the tree. It was a hilarious sight, because Kaladin himself was carrying a large pile. Jasnah, who disappeared somewhere earlier, entered the room at the same time and stopped immediately. Joshu bursted out laughing at the sight of both Kaladin and Jasnah standing still, presents in the arms, watching each other. At last, Jasnah sighed and went to leave her pile of presents under the tree. Kaladin followed her example, and after that put his hands on his waist. 

“That’s a looot of presents. I wonder if I’m getting some sleep tonight.”

Shallan strolled over him and hugged him.

“No you’re not. But at least it’s going to be fun.”

===================================

“Oh come on, another one!”

Shallan laughed and took the game from Kaladin’s hands. 

“Now you can practice on where to put the organs!”

“You said it the first two times! I don’t need three of these games! I don’t even need one!”

Renarin patted him on the shoulder, chuckling.

“Now you can educate both Shallan and Adolin to put the organs in place.”

Kaladin just silently lied on the ground and sighed. “I’m so done with all of you.”

===================================

“Oh god! Wikim! I’ve always wanted these brushes!” Shallan stood up and hugged her brother tightly. He laughed and hugged her back.

“I knew that, that’s why I bought them.”

“Now I can use them for all the paint and the art supplies I got this evening.”

They all laughed and started unwrapping their other presents.

===================================

Dalinar took a present with his name written on it. He eyed suspiciously Adolin and Renarin, who were snickering and whispering something. He started slowly unwrapping it, still staring at Adolin. When the paper was fully off, Dalinar rose what looked like a poorly made book. He snorted at the title and turned it around, so the others could see. Jasnah squinted at it and read:

“How to be honorable. A book by Zuko.”

Adolin and Renarin burst out laughing, followed by Kaladin and Shallan. Jasnah thought about it for a few moments and then burst out laughing herself.

“This is genius, I want one too.”

Adolin answered through tears. “Wait until you see the images.”

===================================

Shallan suddenly stood up and pulled Kaladin to stand up too. She whispered something in his ear, and Kaladin went in the other room. He returned with a big box labelled “Adolin” and dropped it in front of Adolin.

“Ooh! Is that for me?”

“It literally says Adolin, it’s obviously for you.”

Adolin started unwrapping the paper and soon reached the box. He opened it and gasped.

“Oh. My. God. Oh my god thank you! It’s so beautiful!”

He pulled a blue acoustic guitar out of the box and put it in his lap. Adolin caressed the instrument, but then left it again in the box. He stood up and pulled both Kaladin and Shallan into a tight hug. Kaladin laughed and hugged him back.

===================================

It was three in the morning and Shallan was getting really sleepy. Hesina and Lirin went home earlier and Renarin went with them for a ride. Kaladin was lying in Adolin’s lap with closed eyes. Navani and Dalinar were whispering something to each other. Shallan’s brothers were putting their presents in the car. Jasnah stood up, dusted off her clothes and gestured to her mother to stand up.

“We should go. It’s really late and everyone’s sleepy. I just wonder how are we going to fit so many gifts in the car." 

Navani stood up followed shortly by Dalinar. 

"Yeah, we should really go. I think Wikim are already done.”

Dalinar stretched.

“I’ll get the presents in the car, no worries.”

===================================

Adolin snuggled closer to Shallan and hummed. She sighed but did not wake up. Soon Kaladin joined them, gently putting his weight on the bed. Adolin locked his hand with Kaladin’s and closed his eyes.

“Thank you for the guitar once again. It made me really happy.”

Kaladin hummed. “I know. That’s why we bought it. I knew your old one was broken and you didn’t tell us.”

“Mmm I would’ve told you. Someday.”

“Sleep. Today was a really long day.”

“But I enjoyed every second of it.”

“I know. Go to sleep. I love you.”

Adolin smiled and squeezed Kaladin’s hand. “I love you too." 

[mindless-self-pudding]

Secret Secrets

this is just me farting out an idea ive had for a while lmao; i hope its coherent

TW SMOKING; TW UNDERAGE DRINKING

(while both characters r 18 they still cannot legally drink; also ooooo colored font C8)

---

Mondo was jostled awake at 2 a.m. by the incessant, shrill ringing of his phone. As he rubbed his fingers over his still exhausted eyes and cursed himself for picking the most irritating ringtone on the planet, he grabbed the device and briefly glanced at the caller I.D. Surprisingly, it was Ito Mitsuo. Mondo knew all too well that his friend hated talking on the phone...something must be up. His worried heart woke him more as his thumb tapped on the screen to answer the call. "Ito...?" he mumbled, voice hoarse and soaked with sleep.

"Heeeeyyy, Ōwadaaaa..."

Well, Ito didn't SOUND like he was in trouble. In fact, it almost seemed like he was sort of giddy. Mondo couldn't keep the sigh in his mouth from coming out. If this was some kind of crank call, he'd be pissed. "What're you doin', callin' me this fuckin late...?"

"I gotta...like...I gotta ask a biiiiig favor."

"Which is...?"

"Can y'come pick me up? I ain't seen a cab inna min'."

A cab? "Jesus Christ, what are you doin' out?" Mondo said with a start, sitting bolt upright beneath his sheets. They weren't supposed to be outside the campus at night, especially not this late, and if Ito was anything, he was afraid of getting caught breaking the rules. He heard his friend huff on the other end in response.

"Nunya. Now, please...can you, like, super-de-duper hurry? It's starting to raaaain..."

Shit, what was he supposed to do? He couldn't just let his friend be stranded somewhere in town. "Fuck, fine. Just text me the address." He swore he heard Ito giggle before the line went dead.

Mondo let out an annoyed grunt as he wildly slapped his hand on the bedside table in search of a hair tie. This really wasn't like Ito. Mondo, personally, had snuck off campus more times than he could count, but he was close enough to his friend to know that this was really, really uncharacteristic.

As he slipped his loafers on and swiped his motorcycle key from the table drawer, his phone let out a text tone. Then another. And another. Tonight was certainly going to be at least interesting.

-------

The building was a step above a shack, probably one of the oldest izayakas Mondo had ever seen. He could almost taste the liquor in the air around it. From the looks of the one guy outside, though, it wasn't grimey enough to keep patrons away. His motorcycle came to a halt right in front of that person, whose hoodie was drawn over their head. Their sneakers were soaked from rain and a cigarette dangled from their lips.

The green strands of hair floating from the inside of the cowl were enough to give their identity away before they lifted their head to release the smoke in their mouth.

"Ito? What the fuck are you doing at a bar?!" Mondo's shout garnered Ito's attention very quickly, the man nearly jumping at the sound. His reply, though, was indignant. "I-I already, like...y'know, I like, TOLD you, nunya." Ito wobbled on the balls of his feet and nearly fell backwards, despite only standing in one place. As Mondo dared to step closer, the stench of cheap sake and tobacco filled his nose. He could feel bile churning in his stomach. Was straight-lace, anxious Ito really...

"Holy shit, are you drunk?"

"What, you gonna fuckin', uh, call my dad on me?" He punctuated himself by taking another long drag off his cigarette. This was worrying, to say the least. It felt like Mondo was exploring uncharted territory; some of the guys in the Crazy Diamonds pulled this kind of shit, but Ito?

Mondo grit his teeth behind his lips. "God, you fuckin' reek of booze, dude...and put that shit out, it smells damn awful." The drizzle around them picked up a little more, but the rain did nothing about the vice between Ito's fingers. Suddenly, that vile smoke was being blasted in his face, and Mondo let out a vicious cough. "Feels fuckin' gooooood..." Clouds billowed from Ito's mouth as he spoke.

Alright. That was enough. He was too tired and too worried to keep putting up with this shit. Mondo ripped the cigarette from his friend and crushed it in the palm of his hand. The burn from the still-lit tobacco felt like nothing on his calloused palms. "Hey, man! What the fuck?!" Ito slurred in protest, still gawking from the display, "That was, like, my last, uh...my last one!"

"Your lungs are thankin' me. Now, come on, get on the damn bike. I wanna go back to bed." Mondo stared Ito dead in the eye as he dusted the black remains from his hands...or, well, as much as he could stare into the eye of someone who's drunken vision was glazed over. His friend wobbled a little more and tried to glare, but ended up looking like a pouting child.

At last, he relented. "Fine..." With a huff, and a slump of his shoulders, Ito stumbled to the motorcycle. Finally, a little progress.

------

It wasn't a long drive back to the campus, but it sure as hell felt like it, what with the rain pelting them like bullets. Mondo always hated biking in the rain; the water would ruin his hair and undo all the hard work he put into it. Now, though, with his curled top tied back, the stuff was just shooting him straight in the eyes. He felt a little envious of Ito. His friend's face was buried into his back, safe from the onslaught from the clouds.

His long, spindly arms were wrapped around his waist, and Mondo thought he was secure until he felt his grip slumping, nearly falling off his chest. Oh, shit. Oh, fuck. He was dozing off. Thinking as quickly as he could, Mondo reached one hand behind him and slapped Ito's leg with a whip crack. His friend squawked and his grip returned with a vengeance, nails digging into his sides as he held on for dear life.

"Hey, don't fall asleep back there!" Mondo shouted above the rain, "You let go a'me, and you'll fuckin' crack your skull open on the street." Shit, Ito really was drunk if he wasn't yelling at him for that slap.

Instead, Ito just nuzzled deeper into his back, his lips moving against him as he mumbled, "M'kay..." The sensation of his friend's warm breath against the cold, wet skin beneath his soaked tank top sent tingles shooting up his spine. Mondo found himself about to protest but the words were strangled in his throat.

This is fine. He's probably just an affectionate drunk. It's harmless. Mondo chanted that three sentence mantra in his head over and over as he felt Ito's grip loosen. His safety hold on Mondo's torso was quickly evolving into some kind of embrace, and he felt more of those tender, warming sighs on his spine. As it got more and more difficult to concentrate on the road, the mantra only got louder in his brain.

------

As they left the school storage shed as silently as a sober babysitter and a drunk person could, Mondo saw Ito dig into the pockets of his jeans and his hoodie. He looked semi-panicked. Oh, God, what did he do now?

"Oh shit...oh shit, dude."

"What?"

"I lost my fuckin', like...my KEY."

Mondo swore he could feel a migraine blossoming in his head as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "You lost your God damn key, of course." Well, what now? Ito couldn't get into his dorm, and it's not like Mondo could just abandon him here. There was only one solution he could think of.

"Alright, whatever, you can crash in my dorm tonight. I think I got a sleepin' bag somewhere." Suddenly, a pair of long, skinny arms were thrown around his neck, and Ito became the world's most intoxicated necklace as he dangled gleefully from Mondo's neck. "Fuck yaaaay, slumber party with my bestest best bud, Ōwada!" Ito squealed as his legs kicked in the air. The volume of his voice was enough to make Mondo wince. "Jesus Christ, keep it down, you moron! Everyone's asleep!" he hissed.

Ito released him and dropped to the cement with a wet thunk. "Whoopsie doodle..."

The rain got worse as they made a perilous trek to the dorms, and it was extremely difficult to see where they were going, but somehow, eventually, they made it inside. It was difficult to minimize the tracks of water across the building floor, and Mondo prayed that they'd be mostly evaporated in the morning. Luckily, though, they didn't have too far to go, and in the blink of an eye they were in his dorm. Thank God, he was itching to get out of these dripping wet loafers.

"Alright, well, here we are. Just don't make too much of a mess, capiche?" Ito just seemed to wobble in a circle like a bobble head, a stupid grin on his reddened face. "Oh hot damn, I'm in Ōwada's room...where all his unmen'chibles aaaare..." He started to wander across the room when Mondo grabbed his shoulder. "Come on, man, at least get yer shoes off. Don't track mud all over the fuckin' place."

Ito blinked at him, and then sheepishly looked to the floor. "F-forgot."

"Yeah, I know you 'forgot' your key, dumbass---"

"NO. I forgot...I forgot how t'untie my shoes."

Mondo stared at him incredulously, his mouth hanging open in shock. "...oh, my fuckin' God." They must've served him some kind of memory-erasing cocktail. Or maybe he really was that far gone.

Ito gave him another wide grin. "C'mon, I'll give ya a biiiig kiss if y'help meee!" Fuck, yeah, he was completely gone. Mondo sighed as he pushed him to the bed. "Just...sit down," he ordered, exasperated, "Sit down and don't move." Ito did as he was told and plopped onto his sheets, peering down at Mondo uselessly while he undid the sopping knots of his shoes. Immediately when he got the first shoe off, all five of his senses were assaulted with the scent of a combination of nail polish remover and sharpies. "Fuckin' A, did you pour sake down your socks or somethin'?!" Jesus, if Ito wasn't gonna hurl by the end of this, Mondo would.

"Can't remember. Probsablyly."

Another irritated groan escaped through his grit teeth. Was this how Daiya felt when he was a kid and stepped in some shit and they had to get his sneakers off? At least Mondo had an excuse, then, for not knowing how to untie his shoes. Ito was just a damn idiot.

When his shoes were finally off and tossed by the door, Mondo rose to his feet. He should probably get him something, right? The pipes were probably still off for the night...he had a water bottle on the table. It was probably still good. Probably. "Alright. Okay. Alright," Mondo uttered, desperately trying to get some kind of mental hold on the situation, "Please tell me you remember how to drink before I get you some water." Ito scoffed and bounced himself off the bed so he could stand. "Oh, baby, I'm th'fuckin'...BEST at drinkin'."

Great. Mondo couldn't help but roll his eyes as he grabbed the water bottle. He took Mitsuo's hand and manually wrapped his fingers around the plastic, because God knows if he didn't, he might drop the fucking thing. "Here. Drink all a'this 'fore you do anythin' else."

Ito promptly ripped the cap off and swung it back, sucking down huge gulps of water at a worrying pace. Mondo balked as he witnessed this, helplessly protesting, "Holy shit, you don't need to chug it!!" But it was too late. His friend had gulped down the entirety of the contents in seconds.

"You wan'that kiss I promised ya...?"

That question came out of left field and smacked Mondo in the face.

"Wh...huh?"

He was frozen where he stood as Ito inched closer to him. "I been told I'm real good at kissin'...y'wanna fiiiiind out...?" His hair was down and a mess, and his glazed brown eyes were burning holes into his body. As drunk as he was, the way Ito was looking at him, his sight seemingly drinking in every part of him...it was almost sort of sexy---

Mondo immediately stopped his train of thought in its tracks and backed up a good three feet. No. No, no, no. "Okay...shit. Slow down, there, cowboy, you're...you're way too fuckin' drunk."

As Ito hobbled closer, the side of his hoodie sliding off his shoulder, Mondo brought his hands up, prepared to shove him if he needed. He needed to get him to sleep pronto.

"Y'wanna know a secret, Ōwada? Like a secret secret...?"

"...what?" Fuck, why did he answer? He shouldn't indulge Ito when he's like this! But it was too late.

"When I'm with y'like...like right now, my heart goes..." Ito's intoxicated brain seemed to struggle to find the right words. "...it does like a boom boom boom in my chest, y'know...? Like, so hard I feel it."

"Uh..."

"It's doin' it again...I want YOU t'feel it."

Before Mondo could even properly react, Ito's hands were curled over his arm and bringing his palm to rest over his heart.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

It was like someone was knocking into his hand. The knocking, the thudding, the beat...whatever it was, it made Mondo release a sharp exhale, and his mind felt like a warm cloud had settled inside it. His heart. Ito's heart felt like it was beating for him. Mondo's body quivered at the thought even crossing his mind, and suddenly, he became aware of his own dull thudding in his rib cage. He wanted to hold him closer, just a little bit. Enough so maybe they could feel their hearts beat together. And Ito's pulse was so close; if his fingers trailed to his neck, maybe he could feel---

His senses came back to him violently with whiplash. Mondo nearly jumped back against the wall as Ito's flesh suddenly became a red-hot iron. Don't. No. He couldn't. What was wrong with him? "Okay. Shit, fuck, that's enough. Lemme find the sleeping bag, and---"

When he looked and saw Ito's face again, tears were streaming down his cheeks. His shoulders were shaking as he hiccuped, and his eyes were lined with red. Oh. Oh, no. "Oh, God, Ito, you good?" Mondo tried, daring to step a little closer.

"You're not...never gonna...I'm..."

His garbled speech was muddled and slurred, and Mondo could barely understand what he was saying.

"Hurts...hurts a lot...I just...all the time, I...you...you won't..."

Something was hurting him? "Ito...?" Mondo didn't know what to do. He could deal with lost keys and forgetting lessons from kindergarten, but he didn't know how to help him with this one. Mondo wanted to pull Ito into a hug, but God, who knows what would happen after that. Shit, he couldn't even figure out what was making him cry. And apparently, neither could Ito, because he promptly stopped crying out of nowhere, returning to his previous wobbly state.

Well, he must've forgotten what was wrong, which was alright in Mondo's book. As Ito absentmindedly wiped his snot on the back of his sleeve, he gave the biker another doofy grin.

"Mmm, sleepy..."

Sleepy was great. All Mondo wanted for the wildest 15 minutes of his life was for Ito to go to sleep. Now he just had to find that sleeping bag. As he opened the doors to his closet to search, though, he heard the rustling of his sheets. Mondo turned his head to find Ito crawling into his bed, still fully clothed and soaked to the bone.

"Fuck, come on, man, that's MY bed..." Mondo grumbled just as his hands found his sleeping bag. Ito didn't respond in the slightest, instead choosing to nuzzle his face deep into his pillow. Mondo swore he heard him mumble something as he curled into himself beneath his sheets...something about smelling? He wasn't sure, and right at this second, he was too burnt out to care.

"Fine...fine. I'LL take the sleeping bag. Jesus..."

When the bag was unfurled, he shucked his sweats off and crawled inside. Mondo's polyester surroundings weren't the most comfortable, but hey, better than nothing. He especially didn't want to risk crawling into bed next to Ito. At least, not when he's drunk...somehow, within minutes of him thinking that, Mondo was asleep for the second time that night.

------

Mondo was wrung from his slumber on the floor in his bedroom by the sound of someone being extremely sick in his bathroom. From where he was, he could turn his head to see his impromptu guest hunched over his toilet holding his own hair back. Oh. Cool. So it wasn't just a super bizarre lucid dream.

"Ito? Hey, you alright?"

Weakly, Ito flushed the toilet and rested his head against the side of the bowl. "I feel like I got hit by a fuckin' train, but I'm alive," he ground out.

Mondo couldn't help but chuckle as he pulled himself from the sleeping bag. "That's the important part."

Mondo watched as Ito crawled on his hands and knees out of the bathroom before he came to a stop beside his bed, wincing at the sunlight streaming in. Ito looked like hell, but at least he was safe on campus and not waking up in some alleyway.

"Hey...Ōwada, I didn't, like, do anything weird last night, right...? Besides losing my key..."

"...you stole my bed, but other'n that, nah. You're good."

"Awesome."

It was probably better this way, him not knowing. Shit, if Mondo pulled half the crap he did, he'd probably be so embarrassed he'd die.

Ito's eyes slipped closed, like he was taking a break from the light. His hair was disheveled, and his lips parted to let out an exhausted sigh. He was...fuck, he looked pretty, like this, even though the smell of the bar and the cigarettes still hung on his clothes.

Ito abruptly stood, then, and almost limped to stuff his feet into his shoes. Mondo didn't really want him to go.

"Well, I'm gonna get outta your hair," Ito announced, "Either gonna try to call maintenance for a new key or pass out in the library...I'll decide on the way."

"Yeah, good luck, buddy."

Ito gave a tired wave back to him, and was about to open the door when he suddenly stopped. Mondo couldn't deny his heart jumping a little. His heart...fuck, his heart.

"Oh, hey, Ōwada?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks. I...I owe you one."

"...anytime."

Ito gave him another smile, before finally, he walked away, out into the hall. The door clicked shut when Mondo stood up. He was...sad to see him go. But why? Why was he thinking all this weird, fuzzy bullshit? Especially after last night...he should think Ito was gross, at least.

Mondo flounced on top of his bed, still damp from Ito's body. If he breathed in deep enough, he could smell the faintest bit of him lingering.