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i was fast asleep when someone begins to bang loudly at my door. with a sigh, i grab my phone and check the time.
3 am, but that's not all i notice. i have three missed calls and at least ten unintelligible text messages from river.
groaning tiredly, i pull myself out of bed when the banging doesn't stop, my eyes still half closed.
"y/n!" he shouts as i stumble to the door before finally pulling it open. my ears ring in the newfound silence, but it doesn't last long.
"oh hi" river smirks, one eyebrow raised. he can barely stand up straight without wobbling and i glare at him.
"did i wake you up, love?" "i don't know what gave you that impression" i snap back, watching as he stumbles into my living room and makes himself at home on my couch.
"what do you want, river? it's late."
"i missed you" he mumbled with a pout, playing with his hair. "thought you'd be happy to see me."
"i'm not happy to see anyone at 3 am." i roll my eyes and run him a glass of water.
this isn't the first time that he's turned up at my house drunk, and by now i can take care of him without realising i'm doing it.
still, i'm tired of it, and not just because it disturbs my sleeping pattern, i'm tired of him pining over his failed relationship with martha, tired of watching him punish himself.
it's been months now, and he's still a mess. i hand him the glass and he takes it, spilling some of it slightly as his arm wobbles.
"thanks, y/n. you're always here for me when i need you," he slurs. "i don't usually have much of a choice" i say quietly, and place a blanket beside him.
i doubt he would be going home tonight. "you can't keep doing this to yourself."
"oh, come on" he dismisses me, "i'm barely even drunk. look at me." he motions his arms outwards, spilling some more of his water in the process, and i look at him with an unconvinced expression.
"i'm fine." "good. drink your water and get some rest, then." i make a move to leave, but he catches my wrist at the last minute, forcing me to turn back.
i'm surprised to find his drunken expression has been replaced with a more serious one, but his eyes are still hooded and i can smell the alcohol on his breath.
"i'm sorry i'm such a pain" he says quietly, stumbling over his words. "you're too good to me, y/n."
my eyes soften and you sit beside him on the couch. "this is the part where you say 'no, you're not a pain, river. just a minor inconvenience.'"
"no, you're not a pain river" i repeat mockingly. "but you are very much an inconvenience. i don't mind, though. i just want you to be okay."
"i am okay," he grins. "honest." "tell me that again tomorrow when you have a hangover." i roll my eyes and pat him on the shoulder, but his grip remains on my arm so that i still can't leave.
"why do you put up with me?" he questions. i gulp and shake my head, glancing down at my fingers as he laces his through mine
"because you're my bestfriend" i whisper gently. "besides, you've helped me more times than i can count."
"i tried to help you" he corrects, "but you never needed me. you never needed anyone but yourself. that's why i always like you so much."
i pull my hand away, trying to hide my blush and smile. "get some rest, river. it will do you good." he nods, sprawling out onto the couch.
i throw the blanket over him and watch as his eyes immediately begin to flutter closed. "i wish you would stay" he mutters as if to himself just as i'm about to leave.
