Fortunately, I fell in love with my Best friend.

Vince can't believe how badly tonight was going. He thought bringing Kiana as his date to the new bar would be a fun night out, but she spent the whole time flirting with other guys. On their way over, she even admitted she wasn't really interested in him like that - she just wanted a free drink ticket. Now on his fourth beer, Vince watched glumly as Kiana laughed and cozied up to some dudebro across the bar. At least the beer was taking the edge off. He started to wonder why he even bothered with dates or girls at all sometimes. It always seemed to end the same way - with him disappointed and them off with someone new. As he signaled the bartender for another, Vince decided to call it a night. Clearly staying here wasn't improving his mood. But he knew just what would make him feel better - a visit from his good friend Rin. Even though things never went further between them, Rin was always there with an open door and witty banter when Vince needed to vent or cheer up. Wondering if Rin would still be awake, Vince pulled out his phone to check. Maybe a fun guy's night was just what the doctor ordered... Rin quickly texted back that the door was open, as usual. A smile crept onto Vince's face as he settled his tab and headed out into the chilly night. The alcohol was starting to hit him more fully now, but he knew the familiar streets well enough to stagger home safely. As he left himself in the front door, Vince called out "Honey, I'm home!" He grinned crookedly, knowing it would get a rise out of Rin. Sure enough, an amused voice replied "In here!" from the direction of the living room. Vince stumbled around the corner to find Rin curled up on the couch, laptop resting on her knees. "Woof, you look like you had quite the night!" they commented, taking in Vince's disheveled appearance. Vince just grunted and collapsed onto the other end of the sofa. "You have no idea," he replied dramatically. "Spill the beans, I've got wine and a willing ear," Rin offered with a smile. And so Vince launched into the sordid tale of his failed date, glad as always for his friend's company. Vince ranted about his failed date at the bar, Rin nodded sympathetically while pouring them each a glass of wine. “Ugh, she sounds awful,” Rin commiserated. She passed Leo a glass and held up her own. “To forget bad dates.” Vince sighed deeply as he finished recounting his dating disaster. "I just don't get it - am I really that unattractive? Or is it me?" He took a large gulp from the wine glass Rin had passed him. Rin gave him a thoughtful look. "I wouldn't say it's you. Some people just suck, you know? Their loss that they can't see how great a guy you are." Rin wasn’t much of a drinker and wasn’t familiar with wine varieties. But the bottle had been open in the kitchen, so she’d grabbed it to share while Vince vented his frustrations. As Vince continued on his tangent about flaky kiana, Rin slowly sipped her drink. At first the fortified wine just left a pleasant warmth in her belly. But after a while, she started feeling a pleasant floaty sensation. Vince shrugged, unconvinced. Rin scooted closer and put a comforting hand on his arm. "Hey, you've got a lot to offer. Any girl would be lucky to have you." Their eyes met, and for a moment the air seemed to charge between them. By the time Vince wound down, Rin was feeling loose and giggly. She’d finished her entire glass without realizing. Vince's gaze flickered to Rin's lips, his alcohol-lowered inhibitions stirring confusing feelings. He knew this was crossing a line... but damn if a distraction didn't sound nice right about now. Before he lost his nerve, Vince leaned in slowly. Rin didn't pull away. His eyes flicked up to their eyes one last time, a silent question. Rin answered by closing the distance, pressing their lips softly to his. Vince deepened the kiss with a low groan. Maybe the night was looking up after all. And to hell with consequences - he'd sort all that out later. For now, solace was here in Rin embrace. When they finally broke apart, Vince rested his forehead against Rin's, breathless. "I shouldn't have..." he murmured, but made no real effort to pull away. Rin slid a hand along his jaw, gently turning his head to meet their eyes. "Maybe not... but I'm not complaining." They smiled softly. Vince huffed out a half-laugh. "You always did know how to make me feel better." He ran his fingers through Rin's hair, wondering at the shift between them but no longer caring about the reasons why this wasn't a good idea. Right now, being close to Rin felt more right than anything had all night. "Stay?" he asked quietly, hopefully. Rin's answer was a tender kiss in reply. Vince tucked them close, warmth and comfort slowly replacing the hollow ache in his chest. Tomorrow he'd deal with the fallout, if any. But tonight, here in Rin's arms, nothing else mattered. **** Vince slowly blinked awake, past events coming back hazily. As consciousness returned, he became aware of a warm body pressed against his side. Turning his head, he was greeted by Rin's sleeping face, which features relaxed in slumber. Memories of the passionate night before rushed back - tangled limbs, gasps and whispered words, coming together in a clash of heat and feeling. Vince drank in Rin's sleeping form, slender muscles exposed where the sheets had slipped down. He didn't regret giving in to temptation, not when it led to such intimacy. Still, there were complications ahead he wasn't sure how to navigate. This change with Rin meant more than just s*x; he cared about preserving their friendship above all else. And the future was uncertain once sober light revealed truths best left in shadow. For now Vince was content to let the future wait, savoring having Rin in his arms, if only for a stolen moment more. He pressed a gentle kiss to Rin's shoulder, stroking their hair. Eyes still closed, Rin hummed softly and leaned into his touch, foggy with dreams. Vince smiled, holding this memory of tenderness close as a calming tide rose to meet the challenges ahead. Whatever came, at least he had this. *** Rin stirred fully awake, eyes fluttering open to adjust to the morning light. When her gaze fell upon Vince watching her, memories rushed back all at once — their charged moment of passion, skin on skin in the dark. Her eyes widened in startled realization. What had they done? Pure instinct took over as mortification set in. Rin jerked away, grabbing at the sheets to cover herself as she rolled off the edge of the bed. "I, um..." she stammered, glancing around wildly for her clothes. Spotting them in a crumpled heap, Rin snatched up the lot and bolted for the bathroom. Once inside with the lock securely engaged, Rin leaned against the door, heart pounding. How could she have been so foolish? Pleasure in the moment had eclipsed all sense and caution. Rin glanced down at herself, naked body betraying her betrayal of their friendship in so many ways. Hastily she dressed with shaking hands, still reeling. Outside the door, Rin could hear Vince moving about as well, no doubt frantically redressing. The unavoidable conversation they needed to have loomed — but she wasn't ready, not yet. Rin splashed cold water on her face,scrubbed a hand over it as if to erase the nightmarescape reality had become. She had to pull herself together before facing Vince. With a deep, steadying breath, Rin steeled her resolve and exited the bathroom on trembling legs. It was time to face the aftermath, for better or worse. Rin emerged from the bathroom to find Vince waiting apprehensively in the hallway. She avoided his eyes, hugging her arms tight around herself. "Rin, I-" Vince began. "Don't." Her voice was quiet but firm. She finally met his gaze, expression shuttered. "Last night was a mistake. I think you should go." "But it did happen," Vince insisted gently. "And I...have feelings for you. Doesn't that mean something?" A bitter laugh escaped Rin's lips. "Feelings don't change the fact that we've probably ruined our friendship. I care about you too much to lose you as well." "You won't lose me," Vince said fiercely, reaching for her hand. "I know." Rin cut him off gently but firmly. "But this...it changes things. We both know that." She crossed her arms tight, holding herself. Leo took a step forward, pleading. "It doesn't have to! We were both drunk, it didn't mean-" "Don't." Rin held up a hand, tone harder now. "Don't downplay this. It happened, and we can't take it back." She sighed wearily. "I value our friendship, Vince. But I need time and space to process...this. So please, just go." Vince searched her face helplessly, heart breaking at having caused her such turmoil. With a ragged sigh, he nodded once. With that, he strode to the door and exited, leaving Rin alone with her whirling thoughts and the shattered remains of normalcy. Not trusting herself to speak further. With that, Vince let himself out, leaving Rin alone to pick up the pieces of the tangled mess they'd made.