Night Grows Older

As the evening wore on, the buzz of the reception grew louder. The guests were chatting, laughing, and dancing, and the atmosphere had shifted into one of carefree celebration.

Save, however, could feel the weight of the day pressing on him, the stress and pressure of the wedding gnawing at him. His mind kept wandering to thoughts he didn't want to entertain, but he couldn't stop himself.

Ryujin's words. The kiss he had shared with Auau earlier. And the fact that all of this, the wedding, the vows, the promises, had happened so quickly, so unexpectedly.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of disconnection, like he was a passenger in his own life.

"Another glass?" The voice of a waiter snapped Save from his thoughts. He glanced up to see a server holding a tray of wine glasses.

Save smiled weakly, feeling a small sense of rebellion rising in him. Maybe the wine could help him numb everything, just for a little while. He reached for a glass, swirled it in his hand, and took a long sip.

It wasn't long before he had emptied that glass, and another was offered. The wine tasted good, warm and comforting, and with each sip, he began to feel a little lighter, a little less tangled in his own thoughts.

Auau noticed the change in Save's behavior as the night went on. He had been socializing with their guests, but Save's increasing glass of wine hadn't gone unnoticed. He approached him, his gaze calm but watchful.

"Save," Auau said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder, "maybe you should slow down with the wine. You're starting to look a little... unsteady."

Save's laugh was low, a little too loud for the moment. "I'm fine," he said, swaying slightly as he grinned at Auau. "Just enjoying the night. Can't believe this is actually happening, you know?"

Auau didn't immediately respond, watching Save with a lot of concern. The wine was already affecting Save more than he realized. He wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or just the weight of the situation, but everything seemed to feel a little fuzzier, a little more detached.

"Maybe you should sit down for a bit," Auau suggested gently, steering him toward a nearby chair. "You don't have to be on your feet all night."

Save let himself be led, sinking into the chair with a dramatic sigh. He wiped a hand across his forehead, his movements sluggish. "I just need a break, you know?"

Auau stood beside him, hovering for a moment before sitting down next to him. "I understand," he said softly. "It's a lot."

Save gave him a half-smile, his gaze wandering to the crowd of people still celebrating. He felt a surge of emotion. A mixture of confusion, frustration, and panic. He wasn't ready for this.

"Yeah..." Save muttered, his words slurring slightly.

The room spun a little, and Save closed his eyes for a second, trying to steady himself.

"You okay?" Auau's voice was softer now, more concerned. His hand brushed against Save's, warm and reassuring. But Save wasn't sure if the warmth came from Auau or from the wine coursing through his veins.

"I'm fine," Save said again, more firmly this time, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He opened his eyes and met Auau's gaze, his expression serious but clouded by the haze of alcohol. "I just need some time to figure things out."

Auau didn't push. He simply nodded, though his eyes were filled with something Save couldn't read. Maybe it was understanding. Maybe it was just patience.

Save, in his drunken haze, wasn't sure what he was looking for. He wasn't sure what he wanted to feel.

As the night went on, the weight of the wine pressed heavily on Save, each glass erasing a little more of his reservations. He found himself standing at the edge of the dance floor, looking out over the crowd, his head spinning, but his body still moving to the rhythm of the evening.

And then, without thinking, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Auau.

It was sudden, but not unexpected. Save felt a surge of emotion he couldn't quite process. The alcohol had loosened something inside him, and his arms moved almost instinctively. His body was warm against Auau's, and for a fleeting second, he felt comforted in a way he hadn't all night. The world seemed to quiet down, just for that moment, as Save held on tightly.

Auau didn't hesitate. He returned the hug, his strong arms wrapping around Save with surprising gentleness. "Save," he murmured softly. "You've had too much drink. Let me get you home."

Save buried his face in Auau's shoulder, his thoughts muddled. "I just don't know what I'm doing anymore," he admitted, the words slipping out before he could stop them.

Auau didn't say anything at first. He just held him there, letting Save lean into him, the tension in Save's body evident even as he tried to let go. He could feel the weight of it all in Save's voice.

With a gentle but firm hand, Auau pulled back slightly, guiding Save to the door. "Come on, let's get you somewhere quiet."

Save let himself be led, his legs unsteady beneath him. The room felt farther away now, the laughter of the guests muffled as they exited the hall. Save's mind was hazy, but he didn't protest. Something about being with Auau felt safe, even if he wasn't entirely sure of what that meant anymore.

Once outside, Auau called for a car, but before it could arrive, Save's body betrayed him. He stumbled slightly, and before he knew it, Auau had scooped him up into his arms.

"Hold on, Save," Auau murmured, his voice low but steady. "I've got you."

Save didn't resist, his body too worn and heavy from the alcohol. He leaned into Auau's warmth, feeling both comforted and vulnerable at the same time. The cool night air kissed his skin.

When they arrived at their new apartment, Auau didn't waste any time. He carried Save into their home, carefully avoiding any obstacles as he made his way to the bedroom.

Save felt a mix of confusion and exhaustion, but in his drunken haze, he didn't care much about anything else. He let Auau lay him down on the bed, the softness of the sheets a welcome contrast to the tension in his body.

Auau sat beside him, his hand brushing through Save's hair, his touch light, almost soothing. "Get some rest," he said softly. "We'll talk when you're feeling better."

Then, as if by instinct, Save felt an urge to reach out. His hand found Auau's wrist, his grip tight as he pulled himself up a little from the bed. In that moment, Save didn't want him to leave.

"Stay," Save murmured, his voice a little slurred but earnest. He held Auau's hand and pulled gently, his eyes meeting the man's with a strange mixture of vulnerability and determination. "Please don't go."

Auau paused, his gaze softening as he observed Save, clearly torn between giving him the space he might need and the care he wanted to offer. He opened his mouth, likely to say something, but Save didn't give him the chance.

Before Auau could pull his hand away, Save shifted, sitting up further and moving closer. His legs hung over the side of the bed as he awkwardly slid onto Auau's lap, his body feeling heavy from the alcohol.

The sudden closeness took both of them by surprise. Save felt the warmth of Auau's body against his, and he couldn't help but rest his head against Auau's chest, breathing in deeply. The motion was clumsy, and he wasn't sure if it was from the wine or something else but in that moment, he wanted to feel anchored, to hold onto something.

Auau didn't pull away, though Save could feel the subtle shift in his body. His arms stayed at his sides for a beat longer than usual, and Save could almost hear him debating whether to push him away or let him stay.

"Save..." Auau's voice was low, a bit strained, and he hesitated before continuing. "Are you sure this is what you want right now? You've had a lot of drink..."

Save raised his head, his eyes bleary but intense as they met Auau's. "I'm sure," he whispered, the words soft but firm. "I just need you here. Just for now."

For a long moment, Auau said nothing. His eyes searched Save's face, looking for something, maybe trying to understand what was behind the request. Save's heart beat a little faster in his chest.

Auau finally sighed, his hands gently resting on Save's sides, not pushing him away but not entirely drawing him in, either. "Alright," he murmured softly. "I'll stay with you."

Save relaxed slightly, the tension in his body easing as he leaned against Auau's chest again, feeling his breath steady and his presence calm. It wasn't perfect, but in that moment, it was enough.

Auau's hand slowly ran through Save's hair once more, his touch a grounding force against the chaos in Save's mind. No words, just the gentle rhythm of breath and the comforting warmth of one another's presence.

Save closed his eyes, feeling himself drift again, but this time, there was a small sense of peace in the midst of everything.