Heterosexual Life Partners..Right?

Chapter 1.

Alex woke up with a jolt. He had fallen asleep on Chris' couch again, this definitely wasn't the most ideal place to sleep. They went out for a few drinks the night before, which was evident by both the raging headache he felt pounding at his cranium and that he saw Chris still soundly sleeping on the kitchen floor. With a small chuckle, he slowly got up and padded to his best friend. He didn't want to be too rude, so he settled with just nudging his shoulder with his foot a few times.

"Huh, what?"

Chris opened his eyes, immediately regretting it when he saw the smug look on Alex's face above him.

"You bitch," he groaned before he held his arms up, "help me up?"

This elicited a quiet giggle from Alex as he instead just picked him up and carried him to the couch. Chris looked up at him, wonder and pain written in his expression.

"Who in the hell are you and what have you done with my 'Lexie?"

"I'm just trying to be nice, Pup. D'you want some aspirin?" Alex offered, smiling at Chris' nickname for him.

Chris just silently nodded and closed his eyes with a sigh. Alex made his way to the bathroom and went digging through the cabinet until he found the bottle that he needed. He shook out two pills, one for himself and one for Chris.

"Here you go. Want me to get you something to drink?" Alex handed Chris one of the pills and waited.

He saw a small nod, so he grabbed a water bottle and tossed it to him. He took his seat next to Chris and smiled after he swallowed his pill.

"Hey, 'Lexie? I've got a quick question." Chris looked a little apprehensive, but not uncomfortable.

"Anything, what's up?"

"Why do you call me pup? I've never gotten why."

"'Cause you've got that signature little wolf-ish grin. And it was also partially payback for calling me Baby Bear all the time." Alex laughed, reminiscing the old nickname he received with a gimmick.

The grin Alex referred to made its way across Chris' lips. "Aw, isn't that sweet. Love you too, 'Lexie."

Alex ruffled Chris' hair and mumbled, "I hate you so much." He leaned back and rested his feet on his lap, before he fanned his hands next to his face. "When the hell did it get so hot in here? You'd think the temperature would adjust after I've been here a while."

Chris laughed, hard, but silently agreed. "Sure, we'll go with that. Why don't you go change? Just grab a pair of shorts or something."

Alex did that exactly. He walked to Chris' bedroom and to his dresser. Grabbing a pair of shorts, he quickly changed in to them and peeled the thin t-shirt that was clinging to his abdomen. He walked back out and plopped himself on Chris' lap.

Chris wasn't exactly expecting that, so it knocked the wind out of him momentarily. He was kind of glad that it did, it meant less time staring at his best friend's body. Chris could barely tear his gaze away, but he shook the image out of his head.

"Hiya, Pup. Is there anything you'd like to do today?" Alex asked, not noticing anything different with Chris.

It took all of Chris' willpower to keep himself from just replying "You." ,but he did it. "Mm.. I dunno, maybe watch some tapes and cuddle? I need cuddles if I'm gonna be able to even think about getting up."

"Of course. All the cuddles for my Pup." Alex sighed contently and turned himself around, wrapping his body around Chris', nuzzling his head in the crook of his neck.

Chris just lightly drug his fingers through his best friend's hair and smiled. "Y'know, 'Lexie, you're the only person I ever cuddle with. Is that weird?"

"Nope. We're partners in crime, and life, and you're stuck with my cuddles whether you like it or not." The words came out mumbled and sent vibrations through his skin, making him dizzy. He could tell Alex was smiling, "Love you, Chrissy."

After that one sentence, Chris realized all of his resistance was futile. He was in love with his best friend.