The Friends

3085 Words
"Hey, Tuck..." Tucker hmmed in his sleep, enjoying the sound of a velvety voice talking softly by his ear. "Are you... up yet?" "Mmmm," he responded again sleepily, the voice causing little tingles up and down his spine. "Are you sure..?" Tucker nodded slowly with his eyes still closed, agreeing with whatever the voice was saying. "This feels good,” he mumbled contentedly. There was silence for a moment. "Does it?" At the bemusement in the voice, Tucker's eyes shot open. He was finally fully awake, and he sprung up in his bed. "Kendell!" His roommate was crouching right next to his bed, looking up at him with a smirk on his face. "Stop doing that!" Tucker rubbed at his ear and glared down at his roommate and friend since high school, and the biggest nuisance in his life to date. Why the hell did I ever want to be roommates with him, anyway! "But you just said you liked it." "What? No, I did not!" Tucker’s face heated and he threw off the blankets and slid out of bed, walking to his dresser in his boxers. "Yes, you did." He didn't turn around, but he could hear the grin on Kendell's face. "Don't you have class right now?" Tucker asked irritably, trying to change the subject. He didn’t know why, but ever since they’d moved into this apartment to go to university two months ago, his friend had started doing things that would drive anybody up the wall. Pranks that bordered on pure torment. "Nope, I'm free until 2pm," Kendell responded cheerfully, surprisingly letting the matter drop. "You have English at 10, right?" Tucker slipped into jeans and a T-shirt, then pulled on his favourite hoodie, a black one with their high school volleyball team written across the front. "Ugh, yeah," Tucker responded, unenthusiastic. He really wished English wasn't a required course for basically every degree. He'd never liked it in high school and that hadn't changed in university. "You’d better get going then." Tucker's head swung towards his friend, who was now leaning on the doorframe to his room. The amusement in Kendell`s voice was very suspicious. "What time is it?" Tucker asked, wincing already because it would be just like Kendell to have done something to— "9:46," Kendell responded as innocently as a very guilty man could respond. "SSSHIIIITTT, Kendell!” Tucker raced past Kendell out of the room, glaring as he went, not having enough time to tell him off. He grabbed his backpack from the floor near the kitchen island, jammed his feet into his shoes, and said farewell with a fond "F*CK YOU!" Thankfully, Tucker made it in time for class, though he was forced to muffle his gasps for air as he'd run all the way there from their apartment building several blocks away. He`s such a goddamn nuisance! Alarms are supposed to be sacred! No one’s supposed to mess with a man’s alarm! As he silently fumed, Tucker vowed that this was the last straw. No more taking it lying down. No more letting it go. This time, he would get revenge. The only question then was... how? --- By the time Tucker came home that evening, he had a plan. A couple of girls sitting next to him in Psych had given him the idea. They had been not-so-secretly giggling over a video of their friend really drunk, and that had gotten him thinking. Maybe he could make a video of Kendell drunk and lord it over him whenever he wanted. Kendell didn’t like getting drunk and though he had said it was because he hated hangovers, Tucker suspected it was because Kendell had done something embarrassing or stupid that first time he’d gotten drunk, and even years later just wouldn’t admit it. Tucker had unfortunately blacked out that night, not realizing how quickly the hard liquor would take effect, so he could only guess what it could have been… But just the way Kendell had acted the next day—uncharacteristically red-faced and awkward and avoiding his eyes until Tucker admitted he had no memory of it at all—that made Tucker know he had something to hide. So, having a video of Kendell drunk and doing whatever embarrassing things he liked to do when drunk would be the perfect tool to keep Kendell’s constant pranks at bay. There was just one major kink in his plan … Kendell wasn’t about to drink just because Tucker wanted him to. He’d made that perfectly clear since that first time. Tucker had tried to get him to drink with him on multiple occasions after, and he’d always stopped after only a few beers. The man was like a monk. If monks liked to torment the ass off their friends. So, how could Tucker get Kendell to drink heavily, enough to bring out whatever crazy--crazier side of him he didn’t want to show? There was only one answer for that: Tucker had to get Kendell into a social occasion that warranted it. A party, perhaps? Tucker snapped his fingers as the idea came to him. We’ll host a Hallowe’en party. It was eight days to Hallowe’en, plenty of time to set up a pretend party, and Kendell loved Hallowe’en. Tucker would invite people over, get the drinks flowing, and, as bartender, he could make sure Kendell’s drinks were a bit stronger than normal. Okay, a lot stronger. Was this considered spiking a drink? No! It’s not like he was going to do anything bad to Kendell—well, he was going to take a video… but it wasn’t like he would ever show anyone the video. It was just a prank, to lord over his major prankster. Kendell had it coming! A wicked chuckle escaped him as he went to bed that night. It would be perfect. --- "What? Why the hell would you want to do that?" Oh, right. One thing Tucker hadn't thought of while crafting his masterplan was… Kendell not agreeing to said plan. Or, specifically, to a party. He couldn’t very well have one without Kendell wanting to participate, now could he? "Come on, why not? We could invite the neighbours, bring in some girls..?" They were in the kitchen the next morning, scrounging up some breakfast. "Uhh, Tuck, we don’t know our neighbours and—" "Duh, this is how we meet them!" "—and we have jobs—" "We'll work around our schedules!" "—and I hate parties—" "Do it for me?" "Why do you want to have one?" Tucker had an answer prepared. "Because I want to make more friends!" Kendell just slanted a skeptical look his way and blew out air through his lips in a clear display of disbelief. "Fine. I want…a… girlfriend. It’s getting embarrassing how long it’s been since I had a girl. I’m lonely—” “It’s only been two months since you and Stacey—" “Yeah, sure, but that’s still a long time. And Stacey and I knew we weren’t going to stick together once we started university, so it feels longer—” “That doesn’t even make sense.” “Anyway,” Tucker cleared his throat. “I could get one during this party. Or, at the very least, a friend..?" Tucker added with a wiggle of his eyebrows, grinning. Kendell turned away, opening the kitchen fridge. "Why would I go through all that hassle just so you could maybe get a girlfriend?" Kendell started pulling out a tray of leftover pizza they'd ordered last night. "Ummmm... you'd be a great pal?" Kendell snorted and didn't respond as he plopped some pieces on a plate and put the plate into their microwave oven. "Fine,” Tucker’s mind worked fast. “Because I would... do all the dishes for a week!" Kendell still said nothing. "And I'll …clean up whatever mess is left after the party?" "It's your party. You'd better do that anyway." "Hey, it's our party. You might pick up a girl, too. We'd kill two birds with one stone." Tucker grinned again as he raised two fingers and waggled them at Kendell. He hadn’t seen Kendell with anyone for ages, so Kendell should be biting at the bit by now. Kendell was back on to Tucker, watching the timer go down on the microwave. Tucker could tell he was thinking about it. "Fine,” Kendell sighed, “But you have to do three weeks' dishes and garbage duty." Kendell turned around then, smirking at Tucker as he leaned back on the counter. Tucker narrowed his eyes. Kendell knew that Tucker hated dealing with the garbage and probably thought he would refuse. "Deal." Tucker kept back an answering smirk as Kendell's eyes widened in surprise. He quickly tried to look very resigned about it all because, of course, Kendell didn’t need to know Tucker planned to force Kendell to cancel the deal once he had his winning film, so he wouldn`t have to do a thing. His friend grimaced and shook his head. "Fine. Whatever. Set a time." "Will do!" Tucker laughed, excited. "Don't worry, Kendell, it's going to be great!" --- By midday of the day after, Tucker started to second guess whether his plan would be great. Kendell had just looked wary when Tucker brought home cases of beer and various liquors the previous night, spending way too much already. But Tucker knew he would need some major planning to pull this off. And some major liquor. Now, he and Kendell were dropping by a local Hallowe’en store after class for a few decorations and to pick out their costumes. Despite not being thrilled about parties, Kendell was still gung-ho for Hallowe’en, just like Tucker knew he would be. It was probably due to the trickster gene found in every cell of that man’s body. A few too many decorations later, they had enough to decorate the living room and kitchen and hallway. Just as they reached the counter to pay for the decorations, however, Kendell took off with a merry wave back to the costumes section. Inwardly crying for his wallet, Tucker vowed again to get back at Kendell for all the wrongs he’d done to him in the past. He placed all their items on the counter, already imagining the embarrassing tasks he`d get Kendell to do once he had that video as leverage. How tough would Kendell look in the big floppy bunny ears the girl behind the counter was wearing? Finding himself grinning at her and seeing her grin and wink back, Tucker couldn’t help but feel better at his prospects. “Is there anything else I can help you with?” she asked in a suggestive voice, her eyes moving up and down his body. Tucker was tempted to take her up on her offer, but he had a party to plan, and she was a little too bold for his tastes. Tucker pointed to his own head and asked, “Can I have a pair of those ears, too? I have a friend who would look great in them.” He could barely keep back a laugh, tickled pink at the scowl that would be on Kendell’s face when Tucker forced him to go to school with them on. “O-Of course,” the woman said with a nod and pulled a pair off the shelf behind her. After paying for his and Kendell’s items and heading to the exit on his own, Tucker checked his bags again, already too eager to get started. Kendell hadn’t decided on an outfit yet, but Tucker had chosen a Gladiator costume, complete with foam sword and shield, something he knew he’d look pretty fantastic in, if he did say so himself. After all, if all else failed, he could pick up a lady amongst the girls he had invited to the party. Couldn’t let any golden opportunities go to waste! He had set the party for Saturday night, now three days away. A wee bit early for Hallowe’en but no one seemed to mind getting dressed up early, and Tucker didn’t want to wait any longer than he had to. Plus, it was the only time Kendell could manage between his shifts as a mall security guard. Tucker had never thought much about uniforms but damn, he had to admit Kendell looked good in one… not that he`d ever tell Kendell that. Tucker shoved that thought away and decided that Kendell could find his own way back to the car. And… just maybe that car would be at the opposite end of the massive parking lot. Tucker smiled evilly as he started racing across the parking lot to where they had originally parked. I’ll make you work for these decorations, you asshole! --- Saturday came faster than expected. For the past two days, Tucker had practiced and practiced the competition he intended to get Kendell drunk with. It had just clicked with him that he needed to make it into a competition. Maybe it was a little childish to have a video game competition during a Hallowe’en party, but he was sticking with it anyway. Because Kendell loved those kinds of games and wouldn’t turn down a chance to beat Tucker’s ass if given the chance. Tucker smirked. We’ll see whose ass gets a beating this time. He’d also grabbed a couple old board games from his parents' house before the party started. His mother had insisted on sending him off with some homemade cookies and Kendell's favourite walnut brownies. When Kendell saw his package of brownies in Tucker's arms, he'd immediately stolen it away and called Tucker’s mother to thank her, loudly proclaiming that her brownies were the only reason he`d ever stuck around Tucker all these years. Listening to Kendell banter with his mother as he set up the table, Tucker couldn't keep a smile off his face. It sometimes felt weird how close Kendell had gotten to his family, but he didn't hate it. He liked to hear his friend laugh. He looked over at him leaning against the counter, dressed in white robes and a plastic gold laurel. I’ve got to admit, he looks good as Julius Caesar. His thoughts were interrupted by the first ring of the doorbell. He grinned as he went to answer the door, adjusting his gladius at his hip. Showtime! --- Two hours later, Tucker was pleased to see that the party was a success. With the dance music in the background, people were bobbing to the tunes, laughing while playing games they hadn’t tried since they were kids, and savagely attacking each other on the game station. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, enjoying the snacks and drinks going around. However, much to Tucker`s dismay, Kendell looked as sober as he ever was. After the two beers Tucker had practically coerced him into drinking, Kendell refused to have anything more and was clearly as level-headed as the monk he claimed he wasn't. Time for Operation Challenger. Time to take advantage of one of Kendell`s few weaknesses. Kendell never, ever, backed down from any challenge Tucker gave him in front of pretty girls. Since Kendell went a little nuts when it came to competition, Tucker didn’t particularly exploit this weakness. But today was the day. He was now highly confident he could take Kendell down. And the punishment for the loser would be… to take a shot! Tucker would ramp it up to best three out of five or six out of ten if he had to and his friend would fall for it hook, line, and sinker. He hoped. Now, to bait the trap. Tucker entered the living room where Kendell sat in his armchair, idly watching two players fighting on the game system. Tucker nonchalantly started chatting up a pretty mermaid and a sexy nurse who were roommates two floors above Kendell and Tucker’s apartment, casually mentioning the old racing game he used to beat Kendell at back in high school. Tucker immediately felt Kendell`s attention on him but kept going with the two girls, who seemed to be enjoying his story, giggling as they leaned on each other for support, looking between Tucker and Kendell to see how his friend was taking the story. “I don’t remember it being quite that one-sided, Tuck,” Kendell butted in sarcastically, and Tucker looked over to see his friend smirking at him, his eyes already alight with the passion of competition. Yes! Tucker inwardly high-fived himself. Phase One complete. “I remember that was exactly how it went, K.D.,” Tucker smirked back at him, using his friend’s old nickname he knew Kendell didn’t like because it sounded so close to Katie. “In fact, I would bet on it.” Based on the “Ooohs” that came from around them, clearly more than just the girls were listening in on them now. Kendell crossed his legs and leaned back against the couch, looking for all the Roman emperor he was dressed to be. He scoffed at Tucker, smiling grimly. “Oh really? What would you bet?” Tucker, having waited just for this moment, took the bottle of Vodka and two plastic shot glasses he’d stashed in his armour out and set them on the coffee table. “The loser has to take a shot.” He grinned at his friend triumphantly. Kendell immediately frowned down at the offending liquor and then shot Tucker a glare, but Tucker just shrugged and grinned, crossing his arms and waggling his eyebrows in a silent ‘so, whatcha gonna do now?’ kind of look and said, “So, are you game?” The pirate who’d finished playing against a zombie readily handed Tucker his controller while the zombie held out his own controller to Kendell. Clearly, they were happy to see how this was going to go down. For a moment, his friend just looked silently at the controller and then back at the Vodka, and at first Tucker thought Kendell was going to refuse, the disappointment already settling in, but, after one last piercing stare at Tucker and a glance around him at the people who seemed to be holding their breath waiting for his reply, Kendell leaned forward and accepted the controller at last with a grim smile. “Game on.”
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