Page 71 of Cross the Line

Every step takes more effort than it should with his head spinning. He only makes it about halfway before someone asks him to dance, and Alec is either going to throw up on him or punch him in the face. Alec isn’t even sure what he says, but the guy walks away with a shake of his head. Alec thinks he’s in the clear, but then someone grabs his arm and Alec flinches, curling in on himself. It’s not fair that just because he’s a tactile person, people think they can grab him without permission, that they think his enjoyment of dancing meant more. He just wanted to have fun.

The hand holding his squeezes and Alec nearly pukes. He doesn’t want to be touched by strange men anymore.

“Don’t touch me,” Alec yells, standing still in the hope that the room might stop moving. “I’ll punch you if you do.”

“You look more like you might throw up on me,” Theo says.

The fight goes out of Alec. It’s just Theo touching him. Theo is safe. He came back, even after Alec yelled at him and tried to start a fight—albeit a justified one—then ran away again. He came for Alec, and Alec is reminded exactly why he doesn’t drink. Not only can he not hold his liquor, he’s a fucking messy drunk. He’s emotional and whiny, his stomach hurts, his head is spinning, and he might cry. He really doesn’t want to cry. “I don’t feel so good,” Alec admits, voice very small.

“Let me take you home.”

Alec’s jaw trembles. He doesn’t want to go home. He doesn’t want to go back to his own cold, tiny bed. He doesn’t want to explain to Antonio where he was or why he’s drunk.

“I’ll stay here.”

“What the hell, Alec. No.”

“M’fine,” Alec says, dropping to the floor and kicking his legs out. Someone steps over him to get by, but Alec doesn’t care. Not even when they spill beer on his leg.

“Alec, stand up.”

“Ground is good,” Alec says, pretty sure fighting with Theo is the only thing keeping him from flat-out sobbing right now. He feels so fucking out of control. He’s never been this drunk before and that floaty, relaxed feeling from earlier is long gone, replaced by a wave of nausea and unease.

“Why are you so stubborn?” Theo sighs, squatting down. He pushes some of the hair from Alec’s eyes, his hand cool and soft. Alec shouldn’t, but he leans into the touch, closing his eyes and pressing his forehead into Theo’s palm. “You’re hot.”

“You’re just noticing?” Alec mumbles. “M’very sexy.”

“Yes, sitting on the floor of a club drunk as an elephant is so sexy.”

It’s a joke. Probably. Except it floods Alec with embarrassment and shame, and then the tears are coming fast and hot.

“Oh, shit.” Theo tries to wipe away the tears, but Alec flinches, flinging himself back so hard his head slams into the floor. He cries harder, throwing his arms over his face. “Alec, I was teasing.”

“Leave me here to die,” Alec wails.

“You are not going to die.”

“Yes, I am.”

“No, you’re not. We just need to get you up and take you home. You can sleep it off at my place, alright? It’s closer.”

Theo’s place. Theo is taking Alec back to his house? “Can I see Rio?”

“Of course you can see Rio. She lives there. Just stop crying and come with me, please,” Theo begs, unable to stomach Alec crying.

“I’m not crying,” Alec lies, scrubbing his hands at his face before opening his eyes to stare at the ceiling. The lights are flashing so bright he feels like he might have a seizure. He’s never had one before, but his brain feels like it’s screaming. “Theo, I think someone poisoned me.”

“Is he okay?” someone asks. It’s a girl with long brown hair on one side and shaved on the other. She looks nice and Alec doesn’t want her to worry.

“Yes,” Alec answers at the same time Theo says no.

“I am fine, Theodore.” The fact that his words slur probably lessens their impact.

“Stand up and prove it.”

“Fine, give me space,” Alec grumbles, rolling onto his belly. He gets onto his hands and knees, and then stops when the world spins. “Nevermind.” Before he can collapse on the ground, strong arms are wrapping around his middle and lifting him to his feet.

“I could’ve done that,” Alec insists, swaying on his feet. “You just beat me to it.”

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