Chapter Text
Leaf’s party was a mistake. Red didn’t care if she had video games or who she was or wasn’t going to be inviting. Red knew he should have bailed the minute he saw Lyra and Dawn mixing drinks. He’d been down that road before.
Before he was able to escape, his sister had spotted him, dragging him further into the living room and directing him to a spot on the couch.
“You need to get out more”
“Come on its just an evening, your projects can wait.”
Red buried his face in teal sheets and swore again.
It was hard to notice at first around the pounding in his head and the unwillingness to open his eyes, but this wasn’t his bed. Or his room for that matter. Red stared up at the ceiling of someone else’s dorm and promised to get vengeance on Leaf.
…Right after he slept more.
The sky itself seemed to hate him- the bright grey expanse of early winter piercing light through the window and digging into his eyes. He threw one arm over his forehead, praying for relief and scowling at the noise that had woken him up in the first place- the sound of distant and forceful swearing somewhere else in the apartment.
Someone else seemed to be having a truly awful start to their year, not that Red could manage to expend any extra energy to care. If only they could have their crisis a bit quieter.
The bedroom door finally creaked open and he glared towards it and the inhabitant.
Red’s eyes caught on the sharp jut of hip bones and the smooth run of abs for just a moment before the other man adjusted his rumpled clothes. He had bags under his eyes, clothing unruly from being slept in. He looked just as rough as Red felt.
“Oh good you’re awake.” The brunette man looked unsure what to say or do, eyes running over Red with a confused expression. “You look like shit.”
“You look like shit.” Red said, rolling over and pulling the covers back over his head. It wasn’t true, Red was certain he would be thinking of those hips for weeks. But he could be petty and the sun was still too bright, he couldn’t be arsed to be reasonable right now.
“Wha-hey! Good morning to you too!” The other man was perched on the bed in an instance, shaking at his shoulder in a way that proved he had not a shred of empathy in his heart.
Red rolled back over, pulling down the covers enough to attempt to glare, the effort certainly ruined by how much every movement felt like one step closer to death.
“Hey don’t look at me like that. You should take these.”
Red blinked down at the glass and pain medicine, gratefully downing them both before all but curling back into the blankets.
“Arceus, you looked like a kicked puppy, man.”
Red only made a grunt in response unwilling to comment further. “Leaf is the worst. I’m disowning her.” He mumbled.
His classmate let out a sharp laugh and Red flinched.
“Ah- sorry sorry-“ he looked genuinely apologetic, patting gently on the duvet over Red’s shoulder. “Um…”
Red blinked up at him, mentally preparing himself to for the long walk home. He hoped he had brought his jacket here. It had to be freezing out.
The brunette breathed out, running his hand through his hair, messing it up more, a half smile on his face, “I know I already said this but like, you seriously look like shit. Imma go take a shower you probably should drink more of this–“ he held up the rest of the bottle of water “–and get some more sleep.”
Red couldn’t care less what his host was going to go do, all he knew was he wasn’t being kicked out yet.
The soft shuck of the blinds turning darkened the room and Red collapsed back into sleep.
The next time he awoke it was to the unmistakable smell of food.
Red stumbled out of the bedroom, still disoriented by how much this wasn’t his place. It was almost the same but not quite. The bathroom mirrored his own, only adding one more step of confusion to his morning.
He washed his face, trying to look as presentable as possible— or at least not look like hell warmed over, like he felt— before wandering towards the smell of food.
“Oh hey, look who’s awake! Hope you like pancakes. I made like, a lot.” It took far too long for Red’s brain to fill in the name ‘Green.’ His host looked infinitely more pulled together. His hair was styled into neat spikes, he had on fresh clothes and a short necklace–
There was a deep set of hickeys barely visible under the collar of Green’s shirt that make Red’s face flush. He pointedly looked back up at his host’s face. That didn’t help things- warm amber eyes, a trace of light freckles on his cheeks, a half smirk of a smile that made Red’s heart flutter. He was cute, no wonder Red had ended up here.
“Stop staring and sit down. Food’ll be done in a minute.”
Red flushed and sat down at the bar counter, confused as a glass of orange juice was placed in front of him.
“You have a kitchen?” Red asked. It was the only coherent thought he could put into words.
The brunette paused what he was doing, turning around just enough to raise an eyebrow at him. “So, you take tea or coffee big guy?”
“Huh?”
The pancake batter bowl was dropped into the sink— on top of a frankly concerning level of dishes— and Green placed his hand on his hip, using the other to gesture around him, “Welcome to my lovely dorm kitchen, it comes with a semi operational stove, potentially 30 year old microwave and a light switch that works if you press it juuuuust right.” He started plating the food as he talked, making it immensely hard to focus on anything Green was saying.
Green was cute and all but he was also holding a plate of fancy cut fruit and pancakes and Red was suddenly aware he hadn’t eaten since sometime last night.
“…Trade off of the larger dorms is I got an asshole of a roommate. Don’t worry he’s never here. He hasn’t even noticed the cat yet.”
Red snapped back to attention, a small smile pulling up his lips. “The cat?”
As if on command, a small brown fluffball wandered over with a squeak. She circled the legs of Red’s chair until he leaned down, giving her soft pets. She responded with deep rumbles.
“Careful she doesn’t like strangers- ohokay. That’s fine too.” Green trailed off grumbling what sounded like curses of betrayal as the small cat hopped up in Red’s lap, making herself at home.
“She’s a Mainecoon? She looks small for her breed.” Red commented.
“Oh uh yea, I think she was a runt of the litter. Found her hiding out in the bushes outside of Lawrence Hall and I couldn’t just leave here there y’know? She looked so sad.”
Red nodded, scritching her fluffy cheeks. Her coat was soft and well maintained, despite her skittish nature and Green’s nonchalance.
“You said you were in Bio, right?” Green suddenly asked. Red wrinkled his nose wondering when he’d told him that. Probably sometime between drink three of whatever Lyra handed him and going home with a stranger.
“Yea, studying to be a vet.”
Something in Green’s expression softened but he turned away before Red could place it. “I’m in Chem so we’re in the same building, imagine that! Always wanted to study biology though…”
Before Red could ask, Green was ready with a new question, “Now, caffeination, what’ll you have?”
“Uh, tea is fine.”
“Coming right up!” Green dropped off the plate of pancakes, turning back to start making tea. Eevee jumped down as Green poured her a bowl of what looked to be really expensive kibble, still grumbling at her despite the many pets he gave her. Red was already several bitefuls into his own breakfast by the time Green finished everything, joining Red at the other barstool with his own plate.
It took several more minutes before Red could get a question out. He was hungrier than he thought and these pancakes were life right now. Covered in powder sugar, strawberries and who knew what else. Two cakes in and he was finally able to slow down enough to attempt small talk once more.
“Do you normally…” Red trailed off at his hosts curious expression, switching gears mid sentence, “Um, thank you for the breakfast. They’re really good.”
“Y-yea no problem. Only seemed fair, you looked like you were struggling. I don’t often have uh, guests over I guess.” Green blushed as he glanced over for just a moment. Red’s groggy mind couldn’t help but recall deeply clear memories of seeing that face before, laid out between teal sheets. Red felt his own cheeks burn.
“I mean it just seemed polite to y’know? I like cooking for people.” Green continued.
“R-right, thank you.” Red’s own face was burning and he made himself busy finishing off his food
The conversation lagged into silence as they finished eating. Red automatically picked up his plate, taking it over to the sink. He contemplated the scene for only a moment before plugging the sink and finding the dish soap.
“Hey… what are you doing?” Green asked.
Red stared at him, baffled, “Cleaning? Your kitchen is a mess.”
Green snorted in afront, finishing his own plate and moving over to help. He lightly bumped his hip against Red’s as he joined next to him, grabbing a towel to help dry dishes.
Red glanced up, confused to see Green leaning against the counter and staring intently at the way Red scrubbed dishes. Okay, whatever. “How did it even get this bad?” He asked instead.
Green startled, standing up more and taking a plate to dry, “Wow, wow okay. I’ve been busy.”
“Busy loosing video game tournaments to me?”
Green paused, slowly turning to look at Red with a glare that could either end up with him getting kicked out or being dragged back to bed.
Green chose the pacifist route, shoving plates back in the cabinets with a concerning amount of clanking. “Tsch. You’re lucky your ass is fat.” Green grumbled.
Red’s face burned as he struggled to put together a sentence, finishing up rising the dishes and regretting the sudden loss of something to do with his hands. “T-that- oh… Thank you?”
Green finished putting away the last of the plates, raising one eyebrow at Red’s reaction. “You act like you’ve never been flirted with, which is statistically impossible considering how tight your jeans are.”
“My… jeans?” Red asked in confusion.
“I know what I like. So you’re sure I can’t replace you as my new roommate?”
“Not unless you’d like to deal with the career coordinators and a cancellation fee.”
Green smirked, “Oh so that’s the only thing holding you back?”
Red was suddenly aware how much closer they had gotten. It was harder than before to focus with Green directly in front of him now, casually leaning one arm on Red’s shoulder, his gaze pinning Red in place.
Up close Green’s eyes were even prettier. Deep brown reflecting amber with a piercing attentiveness. Red swallowed deeply. Green marked the reaction, a smirk crossing his face.
“So?” Green ran his free hand up Red’s neck to cup his chin, thumb rubbing small circles on Red’s cheek.
It took several moments for Red’s brain to restart and catch up to the question asked. “I can’t underestimate how much I don’t want to go talk to anyone in the main office. They’re all so… cheery.” Red shuddered and Green snickered, stepping away as the moment was broken.
The distant ding of Red’s phone caught his attention and he patted at his pockets, “Do you know where my phone is?”
“Ah, phone?” Green glanced around, finding his own on the counter instead, “Here, call yours with mine maybe we can find it.”
Seconds after dialing, Red heard his own phone ringing from the bedroom. Red was surprised when Green picks up, “Hi, this is the Green Oak cafe how can I help you?”
Red snorts, “Glad you found it.”
“Gotcha, one order of ‘found it’, you want extra whip on that?”
“Extra whip and all of the sprinkles you own.”
“All of them?”
“All of them.”
“Coming right up, can I get a name for that order?”
Red flushed, realizing at that moment he’d never introduced himself. “Oh… Red.” He added softer.
“You got it, big guy.” The phone call clicked off and Red only had moments to process the pet name before Green appeared again.
Green returned triumphant with Red’s phone and his jacket too. “Here you go! In the mess on my floor. Absolute mystery how it ended up there.”
“Y-yea. Thanks. I need to text Leaf that I’m alive before she starts a witch hunt.”
“Ugh yea you had uh some missed calls.” Green commented, trying to not sound too curious even as he retook his seat at the bar counter, finishing up his coffee and pretending to not be interested.
Red noted the missed calls and the texts and sent her a picture of the cat, who had renewed twirling around his legs.
‘I made a new friend.’ He texted, momentarily putting his phone back in his pocket in favor of picking up Eevee again, much to the cat’s rumbling delight.
Green was still hovering around, sipping the remainder of his coffee, “Leaf is..?”
“She hosted the party last night?”
Green didn’t seem satisfied with that answer, still looking at Red with curiosity.
“She’s my sister?” Red clarified.
It was hard ignore the wide smile that crossed Greens face, even if he did his best to dampen it.
“… do you have any plans tomorrow?” Green asked suddenly
Red looked up from his texting.
Green wasn’t looking at him, which only highlighted the row of purple marks leading up his neck.
“I don’t but seems like you could use some company.”
Green froze, glancing back over, a slight blush creeping up his neck. “Y-yea?” He rested his chin on his hand, trying unsuccessfully to hide the small hopeful smile that blossomed on his face.
“After I catch up on my homework.”
Green wrinkled his nose, “Ugh yea me too.”
“…we can go to the lab together?” Red offered
“No no I will not have our first date be work related, I’ll never be able to focus on sequencing charts again if all I can think about is- h-“
He cut off as Red placed a small kiss on his cheek. Greens face flushed a cute shade that highlighted his freckles.
“You said date.”
Green’s face was much too red to play it cool, yet he did his best, posing against the counter, “Yea I did didn’t I?” He shakily put his cup back down on the counter, barely managing to not drop it on the floor. He continued, as if nothing had happened. “Do you know the coffee place near 5th?”
“Near the campus? They have really cheap coffee.”
“Like I said, a proper date. I might ask for one of those grilled panini things too.”
Red raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Getting high maintenance now?”
“You’re out of luck Red, I am high maintenance.”
Red tried to ignore how nice his name sounded coming from Green.“I think I can handle it.” Red shrugged, not missing the slight way Green paused as Red smiled at him.
He really was cute.
“I-I should get going, I’ve been in your hair long enough and I need to go feed my own baby before he riots.” Red patted Eevee and set her down, to the princess’ annoyance.
“Oh! Right, right.” Green looked slightly disappointed, making himself busy putting away his coffee mug to hide it.
Green went to the door to see him off, they awkwardly lingered there trying to figure what to do.
Finally Green gave in, pulling Red into a quick kiss before pulling back. He didn’t have far to go, Red’s hands cupping his face, holding him with such tenderness. He gasped, as Red pushed the kiss deeper, his breath stolen.
The shared a few panting breaths as they pulled back. Green couldn’t help tilting his cheek into the calloused hand still holding his face.
“T-thanks again for breakfast.” Red whispered.
“Yea, sure. Anytime.”
Red’s smile was so soft and genuine, Green felt like he might melt on the spot.
Green felt dazed as he wandered back into his dorm. Finally finding his phone on the counter, his heart fluttering at the message in his screen.
Red: see u soon, cutie ❤️