Vintage Love

IV

They said it's a 3% chance,
That I'm gonna make it
It's a little bit less than what it is in my mind,
But it's okay I think I could take it

-

The journey to Rin's was short. Once they were there the band began talking to Rin's friends he'd invited, gossiping and chatting about the night. Music blared through the stereos, songs by The Doors, Gun n Roses, and then some more modern stuff; Billie Eilish, YUNGBLUD.

Nitori didn't find much pleasure in the songs that were playing as he sat on the worn out couch, stirring his drink, eyes glazed over. He leant his elbow on the armrest beside him, revising some lyrics in his mind.
A few minutes passed and he looked up. Rin was discussing and laughing around with friends, his hair swept back twinkling with sweat. Nitori's heart fluttered and he covered his hands with his sleeves, drink between his knees. He quickly finished it, stood up and went to refill.

As he entered the kitchen, Rin appeared behind him, eyes washed over with intoxication, cheeks slightly pink. He wore a small smile. "What's up, Ai?"

"Ai?" Nitori chuckled, screwing the lid back onto the bottle. "That's a new one."

Rin shrugged. "It's small and cute. Like you."

The younger tried his best to not blush and rolled his eyes, taking a nervous sip. He sat on the counter, legs dangling, backs of his shoes hitting the cupboards beneath him.

Rin hopped up next to him, legs too dangling but not as much as Ai's.

"It's true," he smiles. "Don't roll your eyes, take the compliment."

Nitori shut his eyes as to not roll them again. He sighed and offered to pour Rin a drink, to which he nodded eagerly to.

The kitchen was lit with a small, dull white light. Ai watched the stars through the window as he poured Rin his drink, trying his best to count them. Trying anything to get his mind off the handsome man complimenting him.
-
Rin couldn't stop smiling. He was quite drunk, and was loving every minute of it. Everything Nitori did was ten times cuter than usual. He wanted nothing more than to take the small boy into his arms, and yet he couldn't. Something was amiss.

Throughout the night the younger had been daydreaming a lot, a frown on his face, hand squishing his cheek up. Rin knew he was sad, knew things weren't completely okay, but he felt so helpless.

"Here you go, don't spill it," Ai interrupted, passing Rin his drink. Rin accepted and thanked Nitori for the drink, placing it by his side. Before he could sit back up on the countertop, the older pulled Nitori between his legs, holding his fingers and counting them.

"Can I help you, Mr Drunk?" Ai giggled, a blush dusted on his cheeks. He watched his fingers, wanting to tangle them together, wanting to tangle them in Rin's hai-

"You can, actually." It was Rin's turn to interrupt. He used one hand to tip Ai's head up so they were looking at each other. They stayed like that for a little bit, just staring. Thinking.

Rin's eyes flicked down to Nitori's lips, just for a second, and the younger pulled away, taking a step back. He grabbed his drink and sipped it, apologising and disappearing into the front room again.

-

He panicked. It had been so long since he felt this way, genuinely liking someone. He didn't know what to do with himself but drink.

Nitori slithered between his friends and joined the group, keeping an eye out for Rin. His cheeks flushed with embarrassment and guilt. He made a mental note to properly apologise.

-

The night passed fairly quickly. Rin had returned like nothing had happened, his wonky smile plastered on his face. As the hours passed, the alcohol helped Nitori grow some confidence in himself. He slid next to Rin on the couch and propped one leg over the other.

"Hey," Ai nervously began. "I just wanted to come and say sorry. About... Earlier. It's just, it's been a while and, God I don't know. It's just-"

"Stop," Rin smiled, once again taking Ai's free hand, playing with his fingers.

"Stop?"

Rin sighed, interlocking their fingers finally. "Stop apologising. You did nothing wrong. Really. Is this okay?" He squeezed Nitori's hand.

The younger nodded, shocked and unsure on what to do. He wasn't expecting that reaction. Relaxing, he squeezed Rin's hand back.

-

As the night continued, the two boy's friends eventually began falling asleep about the house, a few cuddled up for warmth.

Somehow Nitori had sneakily laid his head on Rin's lap, hands curled up by his face, legs tangled but seemingly comfortable enough. Rin watched him, tucking his grey hair behind his ear, revealing an earring and small tattoo behind the lobe. It was the small Japanese character for "love", tucked where no one would see.

Once again, Rin couldn't help but smile. The tattoo seemed old and tatty, probably done in someone's bedroom. Shaking his head, Rin sighed and gently brushed his finger over Nitori's cheek. The skin was exactly how he'd imagined; soft. The softest thing he'd ever felt. But somehow, freezing cold.

Nitori stirred and wiped his eye with the back of his hand, rolling over onto his back. Rin panicked, not wanting to be found staring and watching his new friend sleeping. Quickly, he put his head back and shut his eyes, trying his best to seem asleep.

Ai looked up through sleepy eyes, a small smile forming at the corner of his mouth. He admired Rin's neck for a moment, ever so gently running his finger down the skin and over his collarbone. So warm. So so warm.

Nitori quietly pulled the blanket from the floor up and over himself, getting comfortable again and snuggling his head further into Rin's lap.

And in seconds, both boys were asleep.