Archive of Our Own ^beta

Another day in the crime-ridden, broken-down town of Ramshackle, another plan to try and pickpocket some unsuspecting rich person so the little friend group might have something to eat tonight and not go hungry yet again as they so often did.

…That was, until Stone got drunk yet again and his friends Skipp and Vinnie noticed.

Vinnie shook her head like a disapproving parent. “What the heck, Stone?”

“Whuh?” The alcoholic slowly blinked and lazily looked up at Vinnie from where he was lying on the ground.

She gently nudged him with her foot. “We were supposed to go out on a heist, remember?”

“Oh, yeah…” Stone rolled over on his side, closing his eyes as the alleyway started to spin. “Ugh…why's the world spinning?”

“It's always spinning, silly,” Vinnie pointed out.

“Y’know what I mean…” Stone remained on the ground.

Vinnie sighed. So much for that plan, apparently.

“I'm ready, guys…uh, you okay down there, Stone?” Skipp asked, glancing down.

“M’fine.” Stone gave a shaky thumbs-up, trying his best to look convincing. 

“No, you're not,” Vinnie countered.

“I am too!” Stone gave her a pouty lip.

Vinnie and Skipp exchanged a look.

“We probably shouldn't bring him on the heist. He's way too drunk,” Vinnie noted.

“But we can't leave him here by himself, either,” Skipp pointed out.

“True…” Vinnie fell silent as she thought about what to do. Did they skip the heist tonight and stay with Stone to make sure nothing happened to him in his vulnerable, intoxicated state? Did one of them go and the other stay with him?

“Well…do you still want to try finding whatever we can?” Skipp asked.

“It would be a good idea. Maybe we wouldn't go hungry tonight again if I did,” Vinnie responded.

“I could stay with Stone then,” Skipp volunteered.

Vinnie cast a glance over at the Stone in question. He was one step away from being blackout drunk, so he definitely needed someone to stay with him. “Yeah, good idea. All right, you do that.”

Skipp gave a nod. 

Vinnie stepped out of the alleyway and into the street. “I'll be back as soon as I can. You guys stay safe.”

“We will. You, too,” Skipp said. 

“And make sure he doesn't drink anymore.” Vinnie pointed at Stone, who still hadn’t moved.

Skipp chuckled. “I will.”

Stone weakly glared at her. “You shut it, Vin.”

“Am I wrong, rock boy?” Vinnie asked.

“...No.” Stone continued to scowl.

Vinnie laughed. “Okay, I'm going. See you, guys.”

“Bye!” Skipp smiled and waved.

Stone gave a feeble wave.

In the next minute, Vinnie had disappeared. 

Left alone together now, Skipp glanced down at his longtime friend and knelt down by him.

Stone glanced up at the other boy. 

Even in his drunken state, he felt a bit awkward to be left alone with his best friend who he may or may not feel something more for. 

No.

He quickly shut down that thought. Or tried to, at least. He'd tried to shut down those thoughts so many times, but it was never easy. 

It was even harder now that he was drunk and he felt the need to spill all his secrets and bare his soul.

But he absolutely would not be doing that. Not if he could help it.

Despite his efforts, his mind began to wander again as he thought about his best friend.

The two of them, along with Vinnie, had been friends for such a long time now. They'd all found each other in very low points of their lives. All different low points, but low nonetheless. 

Stone had escaped the rich, strict household he had been raised in where his parents didn't see him as their child so much as their puppet to mold and control however they saw fit, Skipp was all on his own after having lost his beloved parents, and Vinnie had been separated from her parents, the few people that she knew could always count on and now had no idea of their whereabouts or if they were okay or even still alive.

They'd all come from different walks of life, but then they'd found each other and formed an inseparable friendship that they could all fall back on.

Stone had yet to open up on a deep level about his background and where he had come from, but he had shared a few details about it with Skipp and Vinnie, and he had somehow earned their sympathy.

He didn't know how he had. Did he really deserve it?

He had voiced that exact concern to them on multiple occasions, and they had always, always, been quick to assure him that yes, he did deserve it. He was their friend and they cared, and nothing would change that.

Skipp especially would remind him of that every chance he got, as if he could sense how much the Irish boy craved and needed that reassurance. 

Throughout the course of their friendship, they had spent many late nights up together having conversations or even just spending time together and finding comfort in the companionable silence.

Stone couldn't remember the last time he had ever felt so close to someone, if there ever was such a time.

And somewhere along the way, his feelings towards the living ball of sunshine had grown from friendship into something more. 

And he'd never breathed a word about it to anyone. There were only two people he was close enough to tell, and one of them was sure to good-naturedly tease him about it and encourage him to confess, and of course, the other one was the person that he held those feelings for. 

So as a result, he had ended up keeping that huge secret to himself. He was too afraid of being made fun of, not being accepted for being queer, or worse of all…losing the friendship of both of his friends, but especially Skipp.

He wished he could stop being in love with his best friend, especially not knowing if Skipp felt the same. He wished he could just forget his stupid crush and be content with just being friends with Skipp.

Maybe content wasn't the right word. He would definitely rather stay friends with the smaller boy than confess and potentially lose the best friendship he'd ever had. That was what scared him the most, even just the thought of losing either of his closest friends.

Skipp continued to kneel by his best friend, just watching him. 

Truth be told, this felt a bit awkward for him too.

Theoretically, it shouldn't be awkward for Skipp to be spending some time alone with his best friend.

Except that lately, he was beginning to question whether his best friend was really just his best friend anymore.

The two of them had been the closest of friends for a long time now, but Skipp had started to feel something more towards the alcoholic. 

It all started when Stone fell asleep on Skipp one time after a particularly long, draining day.

Skipp had paused and looked down at the now sleeping boy, noticing for the first time how long his dark eyelashes were and how they contrasted against his ghostly pale skin. And how calm and peaceful he looked, an expression that rarely graced his face while he was awake, instead always looking depressed, drunk, or tired. 

Skipp wished that Stone could look and feel peaceful more often than he did. He understood that living out on the streets rarely offered the chance for peace since there was always some sort of danger that was lurking, but he still wished things could've been different for all of them. For Stone, especially. 

Putting all that aside, though, he could never tell Stone the truth about his deeper feelings. It would be sure to ruin their friendship and Stone would never feel the same. How could someone as great as him like someone like Skipp? 

“Skipp…s’ that you…?” Stone asked in a drunken drawl, interrupting the other boy’s thought spiral.

Skipp blinked and glanced down. “Yeah, it's me. Are you okay?”

“M’ better now that you're here.” Stone scooted over and leaned against the other.

Skipp blinked again, heat rising in his cheeks as he glanced at Stone. The close proximity was making his heart beat at an abnormally fast pace. “Uhm…that's good, buddy.”

Stone continued to lean against Skipp. He was quiet for a minute, then he glanced over at his friend again. “Skipp?”

“Hm?” Skipp looked at him.

“There's…something I need to tell you…” The words came out before Stone could stop them. He internally panicked and slapped his hand over his mouth.

“Sure, what is it?” Skipp smiled.

Stone’s eyes darted around. “Uhm…never mind. It's nothing.”

Skipp gave him a confused look.

Stone silently hoped that Skipp wouldn't press further because if he did, Stone wouldn't be able to keep it from him anymore. 

He wanted nothing more than to just bite the bullet and finally tell his best friend the truth, but he was too worried about the other not only not feeling the same, but not even wanting to be friends anymore.

“Stone? You know you can tell me anything,” Skipp persisted.

“Not this…” Stone muttered.

“Why not?”

“Because…I just can't.”

Skipp looked at him, concerned. “Stone. Seriously, what is it?”

Stone averted his gaze, fighting against himself to continue to keep that huge, shameful secret. 

Skipp reached over and gently slid his hand into Stone’s.

Stone froze suddenly, staring out into the distance. He allowed himself a quick glance at Skipp’s warm hand in his cold one, and he felt as if the warmth of the other boy was transferring to him and spreading throughout his chilly body. 

Even just that small gesture that used to feel like nothing more than a friendly one but now felt like one that could one day hold romantic undertones made it harder for Stone to stay quiet. The gesture felt simultaneously nerve-wracking, calming, and sweet. Stone never wanted Skipp to let go of his hand again. 

“Stone, buddy. I promise you can tell me whatever it is and I won't be mad at you,” Skipp assured him.

The ginger sounded so genuine, so reassuring, so honest. So much so that Stone felt for a minute that maybe he truly could share his secret with him. 

What did he have to lose anymore?

At least if he was honest, he could die with a clear conscience. Or…at least clearer than he would've if he didn't confess.

He sighed and gazed up at Skipp. “Skipp…I like you.”

Skipp smiled, completely misinterpreting the words. Or trying to convince himself that Stone just meant it platonically so he wouldn't get his hopes up for nothing. Or maybe both. “Aw. I like you too, buddy. You're my best friend.”

Stone shook his head, looking down before looking at Skipp again. “No…I mean I like you. Not just as a friend.”

Skipp blinked, his heart skipping a beat. “You do?”

Stone nodded, taking notice of the shocked expression on the other's face and silently hoping it didn't mean anything bad. “I…do.” 

Why did I have to tell him that…? Now he's going to leave and never be my friend again, Stone thought, the panic beginning to rush through him alongside a sudden sense of blood rushing and drowsiness. 

Before Skipp could respond in any way due to being a bit frozen in shock, two things happened.

One, Stone passed out after all the blood rushed to his head after all the alcohol he had consumed.

Two, Vinnie returned with a cheerful, “I'M BACK, EVERYONE!”

Skipp jumped at the sound of the voice, then relaxed once he turned and saw that it was just her. “Hey, Vin.” 

Vinnie smiled and waved. “Hey, guys.”

“How'd it go?” Skipp asked, silently thankful to his friend for the perfectly-timed distraction from his inner turmoil. 

Vinnie smiled wider and held out a bag. “I didn't even have to try and pick any pockets. I found some money that had been dropped, so I got us some food.” 

Skipp moved his gaze to the bag, and his eyes grew about three sizes. “Vin, you're the best.”

“I know.” Vinnie grinned. She headed over and sat by her friends, opening the bag. As she did so, she glanced over to see that Stone had passed out. “Is he okay?”

The reminder of the boy sleeping on Skipp caused his flustered feelings to rush back with a vengeance. “Uhm…yeah. He just had a bit too much to drink.”

Vinnie studied Skipp’s expression, immediately seeing what was happening here. “I see…”

“What's with that ominous tone?” Skipp questioned, worrying that Vinnie had somehow figured out what had happened while she was gone. She was scary smart like that. 

Vinnie just grinned mischievously and divvied up the food and drinks she had bought. 

Trying to ignore that grin, Skipp turned to Stone and gently shook him. “Stone? Buddy, wake up.”

“Whuh?” Stone slowly opened his eyes, blinking a few times. 

Skipp smiled gently. “Vinnie’s back, and she got us some food.”

Stone quickly sat straight up and glanced over, his eyes widening at the food and drink sat in front of him. He glanced over at Vinnie and smiled weakly, still feeling a bit out of it due to being drunk. “Thanks so much, Vin.”

Vinnie smiled back. “Of course. I gotta keep my friends fed, right?”

Stone immediately began to eat, suddenly feeling a strong pang of hunger. 

Not that that was anything unusual, but it felt more intense this time. 

The three of them ate together in companionable silence, all of them beyond happy to have been lucky enough to eat tonight. It truly was a question that came with every day. Would they eat today or would they go hungry again?

It was times like these where they felt like the tiny bits of hope they always tried to hold paid off. 

Upon finishing their meal, the friends next got ready to go to bed.

Skipp had just settled down on his makeshift bed that offered little comfort when he felt someone lean against him. 

He glanced over to see Stone cuddling up against him and resting his head full of dark hair on the shorter boy’s chest. 

Stone promptly fell asleep right there nestled against Skipp’s chest, his own chest slowly rising and falling as he breathed silently. 

Skipp froze, his heart skipping a beat. Or two. Or more.

He didn't know whether he wanted to move Stone and hope that the other didn't wake up or just keep him there with him forever and never let go. 

He was conflicted. 

Vinnie noticed and she shot a mischievous grin at him. 

Skipp felt even more flustered. “Vinnie! Help!” he screamed at her in a whisper. 

Vinnie just grinned more and settled onto her own makeshift bed. “Sleep well with your boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend?!” Skipp internally panicked as he wondered whether Vinnie really had somehow figured out that Stone had drunkenly confessed to him while she was away.

Then he calmed down slightly as he remembered that Vinnie just often teased the two boys in that manner. This was nothing out of the ordinary.

…Except that it hit differently this time because he had been confessed to by the very one that he had been silently pining after this whole time, the very one that he never once in a million years thought he would hear those beloved words from. 

But then again…he had his doubts. Stone said plenty of nonsensical things when he was drunk, what if this was just another one of them? What if Stone didn't really mean it? 

No, he wouldn't lead me on like that, Skipp thought. And he truly knew it, he knew Stone was nothing but honest with him (except when he claimed to be fine, that was hardly ever the actual truth). But he kept doubting that anyone could feel anything like that towards him, especially Stone. His amazing best friend.

Skipp sighed and gazed up at the night sky full of stars that looked as if someone had sprinkled salt all across it. He had as many confused thoughts as there were stars in the sky. If Stone truly did like him back, what did that mean for them? Would that make them boyfriends? Would they still just be friends who had crushes on each other if one of them didn't actually want to date?

Skipp didn't know.

And he definitely wouldn't be getting any answers anytime soon, at least until the next morning when Stone started to sober up. 

After what felt like hours of overthinking every thought that passed through his worried mind, Skipp eventually fell into a fitful sleep. The weight of Stone on him both intensified his anxiety and brought a strong sense of comfort and safety to him. 

He never felt safer than when he was with Stone. 

The next morning, Vinnie slowly woke up to the beautiful sunrise and the serene sound of the birds singing. She glanced over to see her two best friends still fast asleep. 

Vinnie chuckled to herself at the adorable sight. She'd been watching the two of them act awkward around each other for months now, and it had all come to this: Stone getting drunk and falling asleep on Skipp like he'd never known any other home. 

She got the distinct feeling that Stone had probably finally said something about the feelings he so obviously had to Skipp while she was out looking for a way to feed them all, but of course she couldn't know for sure without being told directly from him. 

She'd been teasing Skipp and Stone about this for months, but she also understood the hesitation to admit their feelings from both of them. But she also couldn't help but feel like they were the two most oblivious people on the entire planet. 

She stepped out from the alleyway and into the street to take her usual morning walk. Maybe she would come back to see that the two of them finally confessed. Only time would tell.

Stone slowly began to stir, feeling the warmth of the sunshine against his skin…though he couldn't tell if that was the actual sunshine or his sunshine, his best friend that he had been crushing on for so long. Either way, he was content to feel it.

He slowly opened his eyes to find that he had somehow gone over to Skipp, laid down on him, and then proceeded to fall asleep.

He blinked in shock and quickly moved off of the other boy, feeling a sensation of embarrassment flood over him. 

He'd been trying so hard to hide his feelings only for it to end up like this? With him literally falling asleep on Skipp?

Sure, he'd done that before. He'd fallen asleep either near Skipp or on him because he truly never felt safer than when he was around the walking ball of sunshine and warmth. 

But it had started to feel different since he'd come to realize his deeper feelings. Now it felt a little less calming and a little more anxiety-inducing.

Stone glanced over towards Vinnie’s makeshift bed only to find that she was gone.

Oh, right. She takes walks every morning, he remembered. Well, guess I'm here alone now. I'm here alone with the love of my life. No big deal. This is fine…

His thoughts were interrupted when he saw Skipp begin to stir a little. 

Stone froze and tried to look casual. He needed to keep these feelings hidden. 

…He really hoped he hadn’t let his secret slip while he was drunk yesterday. 

He smiled at Skipp, hoping he looked casual. “Good morning, Skipp!”

Skipp smiled back, the upturn of his perfect lips lighting up his whole beautiful face…

Ugh, stop it. Stop thinking like that, Stone silently self-scolded.

“Good morning, Stone! Did you sleep well?” Skipp asked, trying just as hard to act natural.

“Eh…same as always. How about you?”

“I slept well!”

He hadn't. Skipp had taken hours to finally fall asleep since his mind took so long to finally quiet down about his best friend sleeping with him.

…Not in that way. Not that Skipp would complain if it was…

Ugh, no! Stop it, he thought, trying to stay calm.

“You sure?” Stone squinted.

“Yeah, of course!” Skipp’s smile looked a bit more forced now. 

Stone still had his doubts, but he didn't push further. “Uhm…did anything happen yesterday? You know, while I was drunk?”

Skipp’s eyes widened a bit. “You don't remember?”

“No.” Stone was a little worried now.

“Uhm…well, you said something to me.” Skipp awkwardly scratched his head.

“What did I say?”

Skipp's face heated up.

Stone took silent notice of the way the other started to look flustered. “Skipp, what did I say? Was it bad?”

“No, no, of course not! It was…actually really good…” Skipp’s face grew hotter. 

“What was it?”

“You…uhm…”

Stone waited.

“You…said you liked me,” Skipp revealed, his voice almost too quiet even for Stone's sharp ears to pick up on. 

Stone blinked in shock, a wave of anxiety engulfing him. “I WHAT?!"

You said you liked me.” Skipp averted his gaze.

Stone wanted to die. More than he usually did.

He'd tried so hard to keep that one secret inside, that one thing that he thought he could never, ever in a million years reveal to his best friend that he told everything.

He was so convinced that this signified the end of their friendship, especially when a brief memory of Skipp looking shocked flashed through his mind. 

Skipp hadn't looked happy to hear that confession.

Or…had he?

Stone wasn't the best at reading facial expressions on a normal day, and he got even worse at it when he was drunk. Maybe he had misinterpreted it? Hopefully, at least.

“Stone…?” Skipp’s voice was as small as he was. 

“Yeah?” Stone looked at him.

Skipp summoned his courage to sneak a peek at the brunette. “Did you…mean it when you said that?”

“When I told you I liked you?”

Skipp nodded.

Stone regarded how small and timid the ginger looked, and he wanted nothing more than to scoop him up and hug all his worries away.

And maybe sneak a kiss in there too…

Stone pushed that thought away. Right now, his focus needed to be on reassuring the boy who meant so much to him. He stepped a bit closer.

Skipp’s heart fluttered as Stone got closer.

Stone paused when he was just a few inches in front of him. “Of course I meant it.”

“You…you did?” Skipp sounded disbelieving.

“Of course. You've been the light of my life ever since that first day I met you. You always know just how to cheer me up when I'm feeling low. You listen whenever I need to talk. You've been such an amazing friend to me since we met. And somewhere along the way, those feelings deepened. I like you as more than a friend. So much more.” Stone had struggled with eye contact for as long as he could remember, but he looked right into Skipp’s eyes the entire time he spoke. He wanted, no, needed, the other to know how serious he was, how much he meant the words he was saying.

Skipp remained frozen and quiet as he listened to those words that he knew came from the heart of Stone. Then a small smile broke across his face. “Aw, Stone…”

“But if you don't feel the same, it's fine-” Stone began.

Skipp reached up and pressed a finger to Stone’s lips.

Stone's heart skipped a few beats as he looked down at the smaller boy.

Skipp looked up at him, his eyes shining with love and joy. “Stone…I do feel the same. How could I not? You've been my best friend since we met, too. You're someone I can trust, you always have been. You're a calming presence. I know I always try to act like I'm happy all the time, but I know I can trust you to stay if I can't always be that way. I've liked you for a long time now, too.”

Stone found himself smiling much wider than he usually did. He reached for Skipp to give him a hug.

Skipp gladly let him and even returned the hug.

Stone glanced down at the ray of sunshine in his arms, the one that he now knew returned the feelings he'd tried so hard to keep hidden. “Skipp?”

“Hm?” Skipp glanced up.

“Could I…kiss you?” Stone looked a bit shy.

Skipp smiled. “Of course.”

Stone beamed again and lowered his head. He gently pecked the smaller one's lips.

Skipp returned the kiss, holding onto Stone tighter. 

Right at that moment, Vinnie returned from her walk and paused as she noticed Skipp and Stone kissing.

Skipp was the first to notice Vinnie standing there, and Stone soon followed suit. The two of them quickly broke apart, trying to act as if they hadn't just been practically making out.

Vinnie grinned. “Well, well. Look who finally made a move. About time you did, do you know how long I've had to watch you two act like the most oblivious people in the world?”

“Shut up,” Stone grumbled, his signature poker face forming again.

Skipp just looked away, his face red. 

Vinnie continued to smile. As much as she loved to tease her friends, she was also proud of them for finally confessing. She knew all too well how hard it could be to move past the fear of rejection and loss of friendship when one fell for their friend. “Okay, jokes aside…I'm happy for you two.”

“Thanks, Vinnie!” Skipp smiled. 

“Yeah…thanks…” Stone still looked grumpy from having been teased.

“All right. Who's up for another heist? I'm hungry.” Vinnie looked from one to the other.

“Yeah!” Skipp agreed.

“Sure,” Stone spoke up.

“Great!” Vinnie clapped her hands together and led the way out of the alleyway.

Skipp and Stone followed closely behind her, holding hands as they walked together.

It may have been a long, hard, and confusing road there, but the two of them finally revealed the deeper feelings that they held towards each other. Not only did they manage to keep their friendship alive, but they were on their way to becoming something so much more.