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It was a cool winter night when you heard the tell-tale sign of Cove’s arrival at your window, albeit much clumsier than usual. Swinging your legs off to the side of your bed, you approached the window, cracking it open and peering down at your approaching boyfriend.
“Evening, Romeo.” You teased, reaching your hand out to help him through the threshold. As you tugged him through, you noted the rosy flush dusting the tip of his nose and cheekbones, and as he stumbled to his feet you caught the slight smell of alcohol clinging to his foggy breath.
“Hi,” He giggled, a hiccup threatening to emerge from his throat.
Raising an eyebrow, you questioned, “Cove James Holden, are you drunk?” You knew Cove and his father had been out for the evening to celebrate Cliff’s birthday, and you knew Mr Holden wasn’t opposed to having a beer or two. But, what you didn’t know was that your boyfriend would be joining him on this occasion.
The blush on Cove’s cheeks spread across his entire face at the statement. “I-” hiccup “I- may have had a drink or two with dad.” You giggled at the admission and pulled him towards your bed so he would take a seat. You took the seat next to him and offered him the cup of water on your bedside table. He accepted it bashfully and chugged the whole glass in one breath. “I missed you.” He admitted, fingers absentmindedly fiddling with the hem of your shorts.
It was late and you had already changed into your sleepwear; long shorts and a stolen T-shirt. Cove on the other hand had obviously gotten home and came straight to your bedroom. He was still dressed in the smart casual that had become the standard for birthday celebrations over the years. Your boyfriend wasn’t one to dress to the nines unless absolutely necessary, but for simple celebrations, he would still put in the effort of a button-up and slacks.
“I missed you too.” A soft smile crept onto your face. Being apart from Cove for any length of time was unsavoury, but you both knew it was often necessary. “Did you have fun with your dad?”
Cove nodded, “The food was incredible.” You chuckled. You should have known that the first comment would be about the food rather than his father's 40th birthday celebrations.
“And Cliff?” You teased.
Sheepish aquamarine eyes met your own. “Good- he’s good. Said thank you for the gift by the way.” You had only gotten him a small gift, but it was one you knew he would like nonetheless.
“I’m glad.” You smiled, “About the food and your dad.” you opened your mouth to ask another question about his evening, but the words were lost when you felt your boyfriend's fluffy hair tickle the crook of your neck.
“You okay there, honey?” You giggled.
Cove hummed, and his arms came to wrap around your torso. He nuzzled his nose into your neck and took a deep breath in. “I love you.” His words tickled your neck, causing you to shudder. You moved your hands to his arms, hugging him as best as you could without straining.
With the softest smile to have ever graced your face you replied, “I love you too.” This wasn’t new information, but Cove still released a relieved breath, as if your love was the air he was breathing in. “How much did you drink?” You muttered, turning your head to one side to press your lips delicately into his seafoam hair.
“Not a lot,” His voice was muffled, “I just missed you. Wanna be close to you.” He squeezed you tighter, nuzzling closer as if wanting to crawl into your skin.
“I missed you too, honey.” Cove had gotten pretty comfortable with affection throughout the duration of your relationship, but something about his sleepy voice, close physical contact and tender words made your heart swoon and fall all over again. His lips peppered butterfly kisses over any area of skin that he could reach without pulling away from your body for even a second, and you couldn’t help but giggle. Of course, sweet, sweet Cove would be a clingy, affectionate drunk. Your families teased you relentlessly over your boyfriend's constant need to be touching you at all times sober, they would not let either of you hear the end of it if they saw how Cove was drunk.
“Can I stay over tonight? Please?” He pulled his face away from the crook of your neck to plead with his eyes. It was an unnecessary act, you would have let him stay regardless, but seeing his puppy dog eyes eradicated any minuscule part of you that could have considered denying his request.
Stifling an enamoured giggle you replied, “Of course, baby.” and pulled him to lie next to you on your twin bed. His head rested on your shoulder and he kept his arms wrapped tightly around your torso. His lips continued to explore your neck in innocent pecks. “Cove…” you whined. He made a noise of acknowledgement into your neck, sending a vibrating sensation through your body. Beginning to squirm and giggle, you took his face into your hands and pulled him to meet you halfway in a proper kiss. His lips were soft against yours, and the sensation, although one you were extremely familiar with after the countless kisses shared, was one of pure euphoria.
He pushed up onto one elbow to hover over you slightly and brought his other hand up to cup your cheek. The smiles taking over both of your mouths stifled the intensity of the kiss, and eventually, you had to break apart with laughter. Cove continued to hover above you for a few moments, staring deeply into your eyes until he collapsed beside you and pulled you to his side. It was your turn to smush your face against his shoulder and to press his lips into your hair.
Without another word, the two of you fell asleep together.
—
You awoke to Ma knocking at your bedroom door. Quickly, you noticed the shoulder pressing into your cheek and a grumble coming from the boy beside you. Even at 21, surprise sleepovers between you and Cove weren’t favoured. Your parents finding the two of you tangled up together after one of you sneaked into the other's bedrooms during the night was an occurrence that you tried to avoid by all means possible.
Ma called your name again and warned you that she was about to open the door, and at that, you shot up and woke your partner with a start.
“Huh?!” Cove squeaked, and you could see the previous night catch up to him from the look on his face. “Oh my god!” He croaked, his face flushing a deep crimson.
You had no time to tease nor reassure him as Ma came bursting through the door and began to speak about how late you had slept and how you had errands to run before stopping in her tracks at the sight of your seafoam-haired boy looking horrified and you resembling a deer in headlights.
“Well, good afternoon both.” She teased with a smirk, “I should have known by the lack of knocking this morning that you would be here already, Cove.”
Cove began stuttering and stumbling over his defence but came up blank. Ma was right. If he wasn’t knocking on your door by 11 am, he was probably here already.
Ma let you know the plans for the afternoon and left you both alone, teasing on the way out.
“I, uh, I’m gonna go change at home,” Cove mumbled, hanging his head. “I’ll see you later?” Hope clung to his tired voice.
“Of course,” You giggled, ruffling his hair and pressing a soft kiss to his lips, adding a little spring in Cove’s step on his way out of your bedroom door.