Alternate Allure

CHAPTER 15: STAY

"Snakeweed?" You turn your head to squint at him. "Oh, you mean that big-ass plant that exploded into a million nasty little pieces the day I met you guys?"

"Yeah, that one" Donnie sighs. "Turns out bad weeds really are hard to kill. I'm struggling to figure out where he's hiding this time, but honestly..." He trails off, looking a little sheepish. "I think my brain's been, um, kinda distracted lately"

You raise an eyebrow, instantly catching on. "Distracted, huh?"

He lets out a defeated laugh. "Let's just say not knowing anything about your best friend for weeks is a special kind of torture"

Your laugh comes out as a snort. "I missed you too, Dee"

Grinning like a little devil, you grab his elbow, yanking him down with zero warning. Don lets out the most undignified yelp as he lands face-first on your bed with a muffled oomph, and immediately shifts into the most awkward position imaginable. He lies stiff as a board, as far away from you as the bed allows, with his face half-buried in the pillow. You can't help but snicker.

"You're gonna fall off if you keep that up!" You lean over to give him a playful nudge. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again—you can literally crush me with your bare hands if you wanted to. So, let's be real, I'm the one who should be nervous here, not you"

For a second, he just lies there, probably questioning all his life choices. "I-I know" He stammers, finally rolling onto his side, propping his head up on one arm so he can look at you. 'What's wrong with me tonight?! They're your best friend, stop being so damn weird!'

You roll your eyes, tugging the blanket up over both of you. "Look, just chill, okay? We're friends. Nothing dramatic's gonna happen just because we're sharing a bed for one night. You smirk, trying to lighten the mood. "Unless I'm the one making you uncomfortable. In which case, ouch"

"What?" His eyes snap back to you, wide and panicked. "No! You're not, uh-- I mean— You could never—" He cuts himself off, exhaling sharply. "You don't make me uneasy. At all."

"Cool, then" You grin, leaning back into your pillow. "Problem solved"

"So... uh..." Donnie clears his throat, glancing at you for half a second before blurting out. "You wouldn't mind if I... moved a little closer?"

"Duh" You grin. "I'll even do you one better—" You throw your arms out. "I invite you to do so. Come here"

He blinks at you, twice, before nervously scooting a couple of inches closer, but still keeps an awkward gap between you two. "Can I, uh... move closer than this?"

"Dee, I ugly-cried in front of you earlier tonight, and you're keeping me company like the absolute champ you are" You give him a look, half-amused, half-annoyed. "You can get as close—or as far—as you want. Full permission granted"

"Okay... good" He nods, psyching himself up. After what feels like years of overthinking, he finally shifts the rest of the way, closing the space between you two. Now you're lying side-by-side, faces barely inches apart. "Is.. this okay?"

'Not okay! Definitely not okay!' He thinks, swallowing hard. 'They're gonna think I'm a creep! Of course they won't be fine with—' His brain screeches to a halt, having to physically hold a gasp when you snuggle up against him, wedging your arms between the two, your head practically laying against his shoulder.

"It's fine, Dee" You mumble as you close your eyes. "It's fine"

Don was not sure if he was on cloud nine or if he just wanted to jump out of the nearest window.