Terror Twin [Def Leppard] #Wattys2016

IV: C'mon C'mon

Steve awoke with barely any recollection of the night before.

Phil awoke with even more. It had hit him like a cinderblock to the face once he had sat up, finding Steve next to him: he was the one that had reminded Steve about going out. It was his fault.

Inside, Phil knew it wasn't. But he couldn't find anything else to blame.

Steve mumbled something inaudible, clinging to Phil like a second skin.

"I'm here, Steve. It's alright."

Steve linked his arm with Phil's, bringing more painful memories from the night before to Phil. Yawning mightily, Steve stretched and tugged Phil out of bed with him. It was only then he realized both of them were mostly undressed; and he couldn't remember what had happened after they left the house last night.

"Phil.." He started warily, unable to piece the parts together.

"Yep, Steve?" Phil glanced over at his companion, watching as he let go of him to tug on a pair of sweatpants laying on the floor. They belonged to Phil, but Steve didn't mind. A bit short on the legs (if a "bit" mean half-way up his calf), but fit "nicely" none the less.

Phil was staring.

Steve was staring back, one eyebrow raised.

"What happened last night?" Steve asked, his nerves jumping when Phil didn't immediately answer.

"You got plastered, mate. I had to take care of you." Phil replied bluntly after a few moments. Steve bit his lip softly.

"I only have faint memories of what happened, but I can't tell if it was real or not."

"I can confirm or disprove."

"Okay," Steve began, taking a seat on Phil's bed. His friend followed suit. "Did I..fight you? Or something?"

This had been pecking at Steve's brain since he had woken up. All he could remember was pushing Phil, and Phil yelling at him, although he couldn't understand what he said.

"In a way." Phil began, perking Steve's interest. "I linked my arm with yours, like we always do, thinking it'd comfort you.. Except you started screaming at me, and fought away so I couldn't touch you. You really scared me, Steve. Please don't go that far over the edge again."

Speaking of 'the edge', Steve was already feeling the thirst for more to quench this terrible hangover he was dealing with. He knew Phil wouldn't approve, though, so he pushed the urge to the back of his mind as best as he could.

"I'll try." Steve murmured, guilt pricking at his heart and forcing him to cave in on himself. He began to twirl his hair around his finger, gently tugging out knots when he found them.

"Steph'."

Steve raised his eyes to his friend, a puzzled expression painted over his features.

"Huh?"

"Last night. You said you liked it when I called you Steph'." Phil murmured.

Warmth flushed over Steve's cheeks as he bit his lip nervously.

"Well..I-I love it actually.. Only when you're the one who uses it, though. I just pretend to hate it because it's kind of embarrassing. It's the kind of a nickname that a girlfriend or boyfriend would use.."

His voice had trailed off shakily by the last few words, and Steve redirected to playing with his hair again.

Phil bit his lip, attempting to maintain eye contact with Steve.