What Twisted Webs We Weave

Alone Together

(Pete's POV)

"We need to talk." I didn't even bother with the mundane good morning greeting before launching into the beginning of my apology.

I'd obviously woken Patrick out of his sleep. Which was odd because it was almost 7:00am. He should be up getting ready for work.

He was wearing a pair of Donald Duck boxers and a plain black t-shirt. His hair was a ruffled mess on his head. Sticking up at random places in wrong angles. His eyes were fighting to stay open against the morning sunlight streaming in from the door.

My words seemed to strike a negative cord with him. His tired eyes focused a little more. Narrowing in on my face as if he were trying to read my expression. He reached up to run his hands through the disaster on top of his head. His teeth attacking his pale, bottom lip. Patrick was nervous and that didn't make sense.

"Come in." He grimaced at the thickness of his own voice. Clearing his throat before adding. "Close the damn door."

I stepped inside. Making room for Tyler, who'd been standing off to the side of the door behind me. Instead of Patrick's usual annoyance at seeing my friend, he looked surprised. Worried almost. I glanced back at Tyler to see if he noticed the change in Patrick too. He didn't seem to. His expression was neutral as he sipped his coffee. The coffee he'd made up wait thirty minutes in line for.

"I'm sorry for the lunch thing. It was stupid. I do stupid shit. It's a bad habit."

Patrick exhaled hard enough to break a rib. He must have been under the impression that I'd come over to fight about it. I smiled at the newly relaxed look on his face. Neither of us was okay with the way we'd left off.

"I'm sorry too." He didn't so much hug me as he did drape his body against mine. His arms dangled at his sides. His head leaning on my shoulder while his face pressed into my neck. Turning my head to the side, I kissed his forehead. I felt him sigh against my skin. "I was being a dramatic asshole."

"You weren't being dramatic. You had every right to be upset. I should have waited."

"You had no idea how long that could have taken." His head lifted to look at my face again. "I slept like shit thinking about how I acted."

"Baby." I cooed the phrase only half condescendingly. "Is that why you're not ready for work?"

He nodded. "Brendon's going to kill me."

"Here." Tyler pressed his coffee cup into Patrick's hand. "You need this more than I do." He walked between us to sit on the couch.

Patrick stared at the cup in his hand and then stared over at Tyler. The action was repeated twice without any words. I was surprised he didn't make some smart ass comment right away. That was usually how their relationship worked. Petty remark after petty remark until Tyler decided to leave.

"Thanks." He sipped it and I frowned.

"You're welcome."

"Hey," I slid the cup from his hold. Tilting his chin to look into his eyes at a better angle. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." I knew him too well to believe that. "I told you I just didn't get any sleep."

"I don't think you're well rested enough to be productive at work."

"Mhmm." Tyler concurred.

Again, I expected an argument of some sort from Patrick. And again, he didn't do as I predicted. He took the cup of coffee back from me. Taking in a larger amount this time.

"Yeah, well I don't have much of a choice in going in." He reminded us. "I own the place."

"Patrick Stump!" The familiar voice was faint on the other side of the door. I knew exactly who it was but his name was escaping me.

"Brendon." Patrick mumbled with his lips around the rim of the cup.

Brendon. Right. I'd remember it next time.

"You'd better not be asleep." The door was pushed open without a knock or the ring of a doorbell. Brendon froze. His careless expression melting away as he took in the unsuspected members in the room. Tyler and I. His composure was gained skillfully. "Good morning, all."

"Good morning." Tyler was the only one to say it back.

"Why aren't you dressed?" Of course the question was directed at Patrick, but I answered.

"He's not feeling well."

He gave me an annoyed once over.

"Why didn't you call me?" He waved his phone. "Or pick up your cell?"

"Because I'm still going in."

"But now we're going to open late."

"I know. I woke up late. You don't have to have my head for it."

"I just don't get how you didn't have time to warn me. But you had time to call Pete and tell him to pick you up Starbucks." He practically snatched the cup from him. Grimacing after the tiniest taste.

"I didn't-"

"It was mine." Tyler corrected. "I figured he needed it more."

"Thoughtful." Brendon faked a smile. He focused his attention on Patrick again. "Now when he says sick, does he mean like in a way that could bother patients?"

"No. It's just-"

"Because it's too late to close, but I can have a temp at the front desk in thirty minutes."

"That's not necessary."

"Tyler could do it!" I suggested.

"What?" The three other men called in unison.

"Tyler's more than qualified to work in a doctor's office."

"He's not a doctor." That sounded like the Patrick I'd gotten used to.

"Which is why he'd only be working the front desk."

"It would be easier than calling an agency." Brendon was clearly warming to the idea. "And he'd be over qualified for the job."

"You wouldn't even have to pay him." I added for good measure.

"Excuse me?" Tyler spoke up. "You can't just make plans for me without talking to me about them."

"Please, Tyler." I widened my eyes innocently. I already knew he wouldn't say no to me. "You'd be doing my boyfriend a big favor."

"He doesn't owe me any favors." Patrick put in quickly.

"It would be so nice of you to do. And It'd be experience for when you start your residency."

"Fine." He muttered. Standing up from the couch. "But you owe me, Wentz."

"Put it on my tab." I winked. I pulled Patrick closer to me. My hands resting just above his ass. "Now we can spend the whole day alone. Together."

"Pete-" he exhaled tiredly. I already knew what he was going to say. He wanted to take things slow. "I think I just really need some sleep."

"Then we'll sleep." I kissed him.

"That's adorable." Tyler patted my back before walking over to Brendon. "Could we stop at Starbucks first? I need a new drink."