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Chapter Text

Rick sighed, resting his chin on his hand. He hated working front desk, people were always so rude. So insufferable.

His friend, Radford, had helped him get this job a few weeks ago. He always seemed to. Rick rolled his eyes, thinking he didn’t deserve such charitability from someone. He blushed a little at the thought.

He felt a tap on his shoulder, and was greeted by a blotchy, grinning face.

”Hey there, Rick-aroni!”  Radford teased, punching Rick’s arm.

Rick turned to him. “Hey, Rad.” He mumbled, “What do you want?”

Radford hummed, “Oh, I wanted to talk to you about this new horror movie that’s gonna come out!”

Rick raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What’s it called?”

Radford’s grin grew wider, and he hopped up on the counter. “Okay, so, it’s called World War Z. And it’s about a bunch of guys trying to survive a zombie apocalypse…”

Rick spaced out as Radford kept talking, too focused on his sporadic hand movements and expressions to pay attention to what he was saying.

He was brought back to reality as Radford stopped, now looking straight at him.

”I… uhm… I was wondering…” Radford’s voice croaked, and he rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

”Yeah, what is it?”

”I was wondering if you wanted to watch it with me? On a later showing? I’m gonna be on closing duty on the day it comes out…”

Rick looked surprised, “Oh. Yeah. Sure. Yeah.”

Radford’s expression lightened up, a shy smile growing on his face “Okay! It’s a date— or, uh… It’s a guys night out!”

”Yep. I guess it is. Would you want to go out drinking afterwards? On me.”

Radford smiled, dropping down off of the counter. “Sure! I’ll see you on Sunday?”

Rick nodded. “Sure, I’ll see you then.

_______

Chapter Text

They arrived at the aforementioned bar and grill, taking their seats at a booth in the back, away from everyone else

Radford adjusted his glasses, smiling at Rick. “Hopefully this brings your spirits up. Since you’re such a grouch.” He teased.

Rick rolled his eyes. “I just want to feel numb by the end of the night.” He grumbled, looking at the beverage menu.

Radford chuckled, “I think your problems are for your therapist, not alcohol, Rick-a-roni.” Radford joked. “I gotta go use the bathroom, hopefully the line’s not too long. Order me some beer and fries.”

Rick nodded, looking back at the menu.

A waitress came over with her pen and paper. “Oh, Hello there, Rick! Do you want your whisky shots and fries per usual?” She said, smiling at him.

”Yes, please. And make sure to get four cans of beer for my friend, and loaded fries.”

”Oh? A friend? Are you finally going in the dating scene again? Or is it just that Kevin kid?” The waitress asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

”Oh, No, just a… erm… work buddy… We’re just having a guys day out…” Rick’s face flushed as he cleared his throat.

”Oh! My apologies! You should really find someone soon, though! Your youth is almost over.” The lady teased, nudging him with an elbow.

Rick cringed at the comment. He’s only 25… “I haven’t really planned on it, honestly. I’m not really an… anyone’s man.” He frowned.

”Oh, cheer up, sport! You’ll find someone eventually. I felt that way until I met my husband! Now we have two beautiful kids and a farm.”

Rick smiled at the image in his head, scoffing. “Yeah. I hope I get lucky. Thanks for making me feel better, Janet.”

”No problem, hon. I hope you and your ‘work pal’ have a good night, I’ll have to meet him later.”

”Sure.” Rick nodded dismissively, handing her the menu’s and turning away, looking around the open space.

He eventually got bored staring at the mounted heads of bucks and doe, sighing and slumping in his seat. How long does it take to go for a piss?!

Speak of the devil, Radford came over. But he looked behind himself nervously, like he was seeing if someone was following him.

”Hey, everything good, Rad?” Rick questioned.

”Yeah, I’m good, dude! Let’s just get drunk!” Radford laughed, grinning.

”Alright. I got you four cans of beer. You can order more if you want.” Rick sat back down in his seat, watching as Radford slid into his.

”Did you wa—“

”Oh hey, our stuff’s here!” Radford chimed, cutting Rick off, earning a grumble from the other man.

”Hello, Hon! You look awfully different than Rick’s usual friends! You actually look… friendly.” Janet chirped, sliding their food and beverages in front of them.

”Oh? Really? Maybe I’m just special.” Radford chuckled.

”Yeah, probably.” She laughed” How long have you two been friends?”

”About… 3 years. Yeah. My friend Kevin introduced us. They’re bar buddies.”

”That adds up. I see that Kevin kid around here sometimes with that one theater boy. I forgot his name. Strobe?”

”Streber.” Rick huffed.

”Yes! Streber! Those two are real lovebirds. I always love bumping into them.”

”Yeah! They sure are.” Radford laughed. “I’m almost jealous! But they’re made for eachother.”

”Indeed. It was nice chatting with you, hon; but I gotta get back to work! Enjoy your night!” Janet smiled, taking her trays and waving goodbye.

Radford smiled, waving goodbye. He turned back to Rick, who was slumped over, rubbing his finger on the rim of a shot glass.

Rick realized he was being stared at, and shot a glance at Radford. He sat up again.

”So… how did you like that movie? I thought it was stressful.” Radford croaked, clearing his throat.

”I thought it was alright, pretty scary. I wasn’t shivering and hugging the person sitting next to me’s arm, though.” Rick teased, even though his expression and voice tone was deadpan.

Radford rolled his eyes. “Ha! Ha! So funny!” He sneered, his face flushing red as he cracked open a beer can and took a sip from it.

The two of them talked for a bit more, mainly chattering about work schedules and home chores, y’know adult stuff.

_____

A few hours passed, and they were the last people left in there, besides the unlucky bartender down on the corner.

Radford hiccuped, laughing at whatever lighthearted thing Rick said, even if he wasn’t even saying a joke. “Do you wanna head out now, man?” He slurred his words.

Rick nodded, too tipsy to say anything coherent.

”We’re going to YOUR place, dude… You’ve got a bathtub I can sleep in…”

Rick stood up, grunting as a very drunk Radford crashed into his side, latching onto his arm, giggling and mumbling nonsense.

The two walked down the dark sidewalk, Rick leading the way. His body was on autopilot as his brain was in fuzzyville. He unlocked the door, pushing Radford in through the door and then walking in behind him, locking it.

”Hey… where’s your bathroom? I could take a piss right now…”

Rick motioned Radford to follow him, walking down the hall. He pointed to a door in the back corner of his bedroom.

Radford went into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

Rick flopped down on his bed, staring at the ceiling as his ears buzzed. His mind was so quiet… so nice…

He was brought out of his thoughts as he felt a weight on his chest, opening his eyes.

Radford was sitting on him, slouched to where their faces were squishing together.

Rick grumbled, reaching up and grabbing Radford’s head, lifting it up to where they were face-to-face. He glared.

Radford shakily giggled, “Geez… if you wanted to kiss me that bad you could’a asked, Ricky…” He said, his voice wavering.

Rick’s face flushed dark red, and he scoffed.

Radford grinned, smashing his face down, kissing Rick…

Chapter Text

Radford groaned, rubbing his eyes as his head pulsated with a headache.

He tried reaching over to the nightstand to grab his glasses, but noticed a weight on his stomach.

He looked down, lifting up the blanket and letting out a yelp, slapping a hand over his mouth.

Rick was sound asleep, snoring with his face shoved under Radford’s shirt. He had a death-hug on Radford’s torso.

Radford lifted up his shirt, revealing Rick’s head. He whined as Rick’s drool covered his stomach.

He reached down, ruffling Rick’s hair and shaking him awake.

”H…uh? Rick groggily looked up, his hair flatted on one side. He made eye contact with Radford, his eyes widening. He quickly sat up, accidentally taking Radford with him.

“Oh! Hello there. That was… an eventful… evening.” Radford said, nervously chuckling, fixing Rick’s hair.

Rick just kept staring, his face getting redder and hotter.

”At least we JUST… yknow… made out and slept… nothing else.” Radford continued, feeling kinda comfortable in Rick’s embrace. He had neatly styled Rick’s hair back to its usual fluff.

Rick cleared his throat, grabbing Radford and easily lifting him off of his lap. Radford whined as the warmth from Rick faded away, leaving him cold.

”Let’s uh… just forget about that… we were just… drunk…” Rick avoided looking Radford in the eyes, his face a dark red. He quickly got up and left the room.

Radford stared after him, cross legged in the big bed. He looked around the room, seeing how there was nothing on the walls. No posters, just paint.

He gasped as he felt a fluffy head bump his arm. He looked down, being met with a fat, two-legged tabby. “Oh my gosh! Hello there!” He cooed, squishing the cat’s face, smiling as it loudly purred, closing its eyes.

The door opened again, and Rick came in with some water and an alkaseltzer. “I see you’ve met Tabatha. She’s quite the chatterbox.” He walked over, holding out the contents in his hands. “Here, for your hangover.”

Radford gently took it, dropping the seltzer in the water and sipping from it. “Thank you, Ricky.” He grinned.

Rick stiffened up again, his face flushing red almost instantly, “Uh… Y-You’re welcome, Rad.” His flat voice cracked.

”Hey, come here.”

Rick walked over, staring down at Radford.

”Crouch down.”

Rick did as he was told. Radford gently grabbed his face and kissed him on the nose. “Thank you for not doing anything weird to me. I appreciate it.”

Rick nervously chuckled, adverting his glance. “Hehe… it’s nothing… consent is just… important… y’know…?” He scratched the stubble on his chin.

The two of them were interrupted by Tabatha, loudly meowing and shoving her way inbetween them.

Rick grumbled. “It’s breakfast time for her. She won’t shut up about it if I leave her alone.” He sighed, picking up the chubby kitten.

”I’ll be back… unless you want to come with? I could make you some grub.” Rick raised an eyebrow.

Radford quickly slipped off the bed, stepping over the piles of old clothes, following behind Rick. No wonder they only hung out at Radford’s…

The rest of the apartment was a lot less messy. But it was bland. Just basic furniture, only occasional family photos.

Radford inspected a wall with some of the photos. There were a lot of pictures of Rick and a blonde girl. “Hey, who’s this?”

Rick looked over while cracking open a can of wet cat food. “Oh. That’s my half-sister, Patty. She works at the morgue, with your uncle John.”

”Oh. Why are all of them torn up?”

”We… uh… don’t talk to our parents anymore. Pretty sure they live in Wisconsin, or somethin’. I don’t really know.”

”Oh. I’m sorry. Is it just you two?”

”Yep. We cut contact with our extended family. Christmases are pretty boring.” Rick joked, forcing a laugh.

Radford walked over, crouching down and petting Tabatha as she loudly ate.

”Y’know, she usually hisses and attacks people who visit. You’re the only other person besides my sister and I that she likes.”

”Probably cause poor Tabatha had to watch us slobber all over eachother’s faces last night, she probably got the hint I was friendly.” Radford joked, scratching the cat between the ears.

Rick let out a hearty laugh, snorting.

Radford weakly smiled, chuckling. He was a little taken aback from the big grin on Rick’s regularly solemn face.

Rick came down from the laugh, now just snickering and chortling. “God, I love you.” He said, sighing out.

Both of them froze after Rick finished his sentence.They just stared at eachother.

”You… love me?”