Worth it

Morning After

The late morning sun filtered into Ronaldo's room through the blinds, and he woke slightly with a groan, trying to recollect what had happened the night before. There was a faint smell of alcohol coming from somewhere, and he was pretty sure he wasn't wearing pants. Or anything else for that matter. And neither was the one he was sharing the bed with.

Oh that's right, Lars and I were playing video games...and then some.

Ronaldo could feel Lars' spidery limbs wrapped around his torso, clinging like a koala on a tree, and evidently still sound asleep. There were a few choice bite marks and hickeys on his neck and shoulders, and quickly feeling his own body, Ronaldo realized he had some of his own.

Wow that was a really fun night.

Just as he was about to snuggle back under the covers with his partner, Ronaldo's phone chimed with that 'anime sparkle' ringtone he'd picked and was sort of regretting after three months with it, and he picked the phone up lazily, answering with a yawn, "H'lo?"

"Ronaldo!", Steven cheered on the other line, "Guess who's waiting outside your house for the Sailor Galaxy marathon?"

A jolt of realization went up Ronaldo's spine. Oh shit, I forgot all about that. Giving a yelp, Ronaldo sat up, "Oh of course Steven! I'll be...just a minute!"

"What if I just let myself in through the restau-"

"NO," Ronaldo cut him off, not wanting the boy to come upstairs looking for him, "Th-the door's locked," he lied, laughing awkwardly, "I'll be down in a jiffy to let you in!", and hung up, slamming his phone down, and was in a blind panic to get out of bed, grabbing for fresh clothes.

Lars was still clinging to him, blissfully asleep, and Ronaldo had to pry him off, tucking him in, hoping he'd stay asleep a little longer so he could get him out of there before Steven saw him.

Deducing his typical t-shirt and button up wasn't going to mask the 'love bites' on his neck, Ronaldo had to take an extra thirty seconds to dab on skin tone makeup, and rushed downstairs, still a little frazzled. He probably needed a shower and brush his teeth, but he could sneak away once the marathon started.

Opening the door, he let Steven in, leading him into the living room, and set up the TV, turning it to the right channel, and set out a few basic snacks. He should have prepared better for this. Granted he was supposed to have woken up three hours earlier, but Lars evidently wore him out enough to make him sleep in.

Steven settled on the couch, "So give me the run down. Is this the original version of the series, or the revival series with sparklier outfits?"

"The original of course. But after that, they're slated run the secret five episodes that follow the alternate ending of the series where Sailor Galaxy is granted a wish, and becomes goddess of the Celestial Seas and-"

"No spoilers!", Steven whined.

"Right sorry!", Ronaldo smiled, and kicked back on the couch, feeling pride swell in his chest as Steven excitedly announced it was starting when the theme song of the anime played on the TV. Humming it to himself, Ronaldo decided he could stay and watch the pilot, out of respect for the story line, and then deal with his shower and Lars.

"So where does the alien moon owl come in? Is it this episode?", Steven asked.

"Episode two. You'll see," Ronaldo smiled, patting the boy's head, and grabbed a potato chip to nibble. It wasn't breakfast, but it would have to do until he had time to cook.

Ronaldo had gotten caught up in the show, and by episode three, forgot all about his sleeping bedmate upstairs.

Halfway through episode five, just as Sailor Galaxy met the mysterious Cardigan Mask, Steven piped up, "Wow, you invited Lars too?"