Say it Back - [ironstrange]

12: Sling Ring

May 6th

After a while of talking about themselves, and Christine constantly reminding Stephen that he was interesting, the pair went back inside to the others dancing or talking further. Pepper spotted them and hurried up to her friend.

"It's 1 AM. Remember your dad said he wanted you home by 1.30?" She had to shout over the music. If Stephen could recall, and he could, the song was Gimme more by Britney Spears.

"Oh yes!" Christine ordered an Uber and started saying goodbye to people. It was Tony's apartment so he followed the girls to the door, and so did Stephen but he stayed a few feet behind.

"Lovely time," slurred Tony, who'd been drinking way too much. "Be safe, ladies." He embraced them both with a brief kiss on the cheek.

"Bye, Stephen." Christine waved to him and he shyly waved back. He felt like a narcissist but he wondered if Christine liked him. He naturally waved back and smiled weakly.

That night Stephen and Tony had barely talked, they were too busy with a girl. So when both of them left the boys noticed each other again. Tony greeted Stephen and intended to go back to the group to drink more, but Tony hadn't eaten as much as the others there and was considerably drunker so he tripped over his own foot into Stephen's embrace.

Stephen wasn't ready but managed to catch Tony and then sat on the floor with Tony in his arms. He was looking up into the ceiling with empty eyes and furrowed brows, like he was confused.

"My head is spinning," said Tony absentmindedly.

"You've been drinking a lot, Tony. Have you had any water tonight?" Stephen asked, trying to get Tony to sit up at the very least. To keep him steady he held onto his friend's shoulders.

"Not a drop, why?"

Stephen shook his head. He remembered Tony, drunkenly, told him once that the key to avoid a hangover was to eat a lot in advance and that every other glass needed to contain water. After this thought Stephen stood up while Tony remained on his knees on the floor.

"I'm taking you to your room, okay? No more drinking for you," said Stephen in a commanding voice. Tony looked up at him with glimmering eyes. Something in him felt weird. Were those butterflies? Why? Why were they there?

But drunk Tony thought; why WOULDN'T they be there? As if it was normal to feel tingly around your best friend. He'd also never seen Stephen from that angle before.

Also Tony only agreed to end the night if Stephen carried him there, but he was gonna do that anyway. What else was he supposed to do, drag him by the arms up the stairs?

While Tony was carried by Stephen he looked at him like he created everything beautiful in the universe, like Tony was to thank Stephen for being alive. Stephen was unaware of the glittering and meaningful staring, sadly not wanting to look down at Tony for his breath smelled like alcohol.

"Stephen," Tony spoke softly, then gently and slowly caressed his cheek. The tall boy stopped in his tracks and looked down at his friend, clearly startled by the touch. When he said nothing else Stephen kept going, hurrying his stride.

Carefully he put Tony in his bed, only using a thin blanket to put over him since he was fully clothed and could get warm.

"Text me in the morning, okay?" Said Stephen. All he got in response was a groan, and with that he left the room. Now was the worst part: telling the others to stop being so loud.

Stephen felt he had the courage to approach Steve, who he felt would be nice to him.

"How many people are staying?" Stephen had to raise his voice after he'd turned Steve's attention to himself. He asked this despite realizing everyone had had something to drink.