The Problem Child

Goodnight, Charlie

It was barely two hours since they all got to Charlie's place.

And Conner has already started talking nonsense. The funny thing is, he didn't even drink too much. One glass is all he took.

Trevor giggled occassionally for no apparent reason.

Charlie and Josh had no choice, but to helplessly sit there and watch the show with their glass of sparkling water.

Trevor had called them some nerdy names in the beginning, because they refused to take anything beyond sparkling water.

Well, now atleast they are in their right minds, rather than talking to some imaginary Santa Claus....

"Why can't he bring me a unicorn this Christmas?! I have been craving for it my whole life!" Conner whined as he fell on to Trevor's shoulder.

"Mistah Claus doesn't wuv you anymore, Kon" Trevor said, patting his head.

"Er... Well, maybe Santa is just busy?" Josh asked, clearly not wanting to have another melt down from Conner. He had already had enough.

Conner sniffed hard and Trevor pushed his head away.

"Let's talk about the universe!" Trevor exclaimed, ignoring the curse words Conner spat at him.

"Er... What about it, Trev?" Charlie regretted this whole decision of letting the boys have booze. He was not at all enjoying this.

"Hm... I'm just a hologram of a better me who is living in a better world with better friends and... No school" Trevor's expression turned into a frown.

"Better friends?!" Conner yelled from beside him. It hurt his feelings.

"Yeeah... Better friends who are bubbles..." Trevor stated. "I wish my friends were bubbles...Big, round bubbles, floating in the air with tiny wittle rainbows on them"

Josh pursed his lips. "Trevor... Maybe, you should go to bed"

"No"

"Why not?" Josh was getting weary of this whole situation.

Conner had gone wobbling into the kitchen.
"I'm looking for fried goldfish to eat" he had said. Charlie was trying his best to convince Conner that people don't usually fry goldfish.

Josh wondered if it would be too much of a favour to ask of Charlie to let the duo spend the night at his place.

They were not at all in a condition to go home.

Also, what were they supposed to tell their parents?

Josh sighed and waited for Charlie to come back with Conner, as he patiently listened to Trevor blabbering about random stuff that were in no way related to each other.

•••

After a few minutes of trying, Charlie finally convinced Conner that he ran out of fried goldfish.

It saddened Conner deeply, but that was okay.

When he returned to the living area where Trevor and Joshua was, his already tired eyes drooped further.

Trevor had already passed out and Joshua was just sitting there, looking  up at him.

He knew what he was to do.

And he was not at all happy about it.

"Um.. Alright. Uh... I... Guess I'll just take him to the... Uh... The guest room" Charlie pursed his lips. Joshua nodded and turned his gaze towards Conner who was horsing around with so much energy.

Now, who's gonna put that kid in bed?...

Joshua felt a heavy headache coming his way and he sighed exhaustedly.

Charlie looked down at the form of Trevor lying at his feet.

He pursed his lips and bent down to pick him up.

It didn't even take him much effort to do so, Trevor was as light as a feather.

He carried him all the way into the guest room and God, did he feel awkward.

He put him in bed and tugged him under the covers.

Charlie watched him as he snuggled himself comfortable under the covers.

He liked how peaceful Trevor looked in his sleep. His eyebrows were no more drawn together in a knot and his face was relaxed.

Charlie couldn't help but lean in and plant a soft kiss on his forehead.

Trevor shifted and lied on his side, slouching his back like a shrimp.

Charlie spared him one last glance and started to walk away, but was stopped when he heard him murmur something.

It was barely audible. But he knew what he heard. And he was pretty damn sure it was "Good night, Charlie"

Charlie turned around with his eyebrows drawn closer, only to see Trevor lying there peacefully, his body rising and falling with every breath he took.

A smile tugged at Charlie's lips and he heaved another sigh, as he held onto the door knob even tighter.

He glanced back once more and exited the room, closing the door behind him.