How To Stay Afloat (BxB)

Chapter 44: blurred lines

TW: This chapter contains a lot of triggering content

_____

Harry helps me bring Austin up the stairs while Noah goes ahead.

When we get inside the flat we sit Austin down on a couch.

"Everything alright?" I ask him worriedly.

"Yeah, just really sick." He says, rubbing his face with both of his palms. "But it's a little better now."

Harry leaves instantly, telling us he's taking a long, hot shower to get warm.

"You drank a little too much, huh?" I ask Austin as I watch his eyelids shut and flutter open again in an attempt to stay awake.

"Here. Drink something." Noah says and hands him a glass of water.

Austin drinks a little bit of it and then leans back, blowing air out through his lips. "Ugh. I'm gonna die." He says.

I chuckle a little bit. He's being overly dramatic. "You're not dying."

"But it feels like it." He whines. "I'm sorry. I didn't wanna get so drunk."

I grab the glass of water and hand it to him. "Here, you gotta drink a little more. It will help your stomach calm down." I say.

He groans and takes a few sips.

"I need to lie down a little. I need to be horizontal." Austin announces and lies on his back, closing his eyes.

"Hey, turn to the side at least, in case you throw up again." I say, shaking his shoulder.

"Yes sir." He mumbles and turns over. He looks already half asleep. I sigh and decide to help him get comfy.

I feel Noah's eyes on me. Maybe I should do smalltalk? "Do you live alone?" I ask him as I pull off Austin's shoes.

He nods. "Yeah, roommates aren't really my thing."

The flat is small and looks old, but it's in the center of the city, so I'm assuming it's not cheap.

Austin groans when I lift him up to take off his jacket. "Come on, just sit up for a moment." I beg him.

Noah comes over and helps me. He pulls off Austin's jacket while I hold him.

"Fuck, when did you get so drunk?" I ask Austin, knowing that he won't answer me, considering he's already asleep.

He wasn't so drunk when we left the club. I guess the last two shots kicked in a little bit later.

Austin opens his eyes for a moment and smiles when he sees me. "Sorry. Now I'm just like him." He says, probably talking about his dad.

I stroke his hair out of his face. "It's alright. Just get some sleep." I say to him with a soft tone, making sure he lies on his side.

"Sorry. Tomorrow I'll do better." He whispers and closes his eyes again.

"I know." I say quietly.

Noah watches me with his arms crossed.

"I thought he's dating your best friend? Kevin?" He asks me.

I look at Austin's sleeping face. "No, he's not."

He nods. "So you two-?"

"Are dating." I finish his sentence. "Isn't it obvious?"

I can see Noah clench his jaw. "I see." He looks at Austin. "That would explain his obvious questioning."

"What questioning?" I ask him and grab Austin's boots and carry them to the clothing rack by the entrance door.