Chapter Text
It was Halloween night, 2008, Noel was sitting on the edge of his bed staring into his mirror at his half put on C-3PO costume he always wore. He was too much of a chicken to go as who he truly wanted to dress up as, and sure that if he did he would be called some… unsavory words.
After what felt like an hour of contemplating and staring at his mirror, he decided to put on some black eyeliner he had stolen from his mom, no one would see it under his costume but that didn’t matter. He knew it was there and just knowing that it was there made him feel better.
His mom usually worked nights so he left a note for her, “Gone out for Halloween, be back before midnight,” she usually got home after midnight, besides he had work tomorrow so he couldn’t stay out too late.
He put on his helmet and grabbed the pillowcase he had gotten from his own pillow, before slipping out the door of the trailer he and his mom lived in, heading towards the larger part of the tiny town he lived in.
He stopped at a few trailers and houses along his way before he found Mischa, aimlessly wandering around, presumably half drunk as he always was, “Hey Mischa!”
“Noel? Is that you? I didn’t recognise you with your costume on,” Him and Mischa never really spoke outside of choir, and Mischa didn’t really speak much in choir as well.
“Why are you out here? If you don’t mind me intruding a little.”
“Not at all. Just needed to get out of the basement, needed some fresh air, and some vodka.” He loosely flings the bottle towards Noel, “Want?”
“Where’d you get that?”
“I thought It was birthday.”
“I’ve never been drunk before.” Noel absentmindedly says before taking a swig from the bottle. “You said you needed to get out of the basement?”
“Yeah.”
“ Yeah ? Do you live in the basement?”
“Live is a strong word, I survive down there if that's what you’re asking.”
“Are you planning on going back anytime soon?”
“What?”
“I know we don’t really know each other, but… living in a basement seems sort of… shity,” Noel takes another drink, before passing it back, “I guess I’m asking if you wanted to sleepover for a night.”
“Are you serious? Noel Gruber, that would be awesome.” Mischa tosses the bottle on the ground before sweeping Noel into a tight hug. “Are you sure it’s okay with your Mum?”
“Mom works nights, and usually when she gets home she goes to sleep almost immediately… I think it’ll be okay.”
In his half-drunk daze it takes a minute for Mischa to fully stand up without toppling over and he puts his arm over Noel’s shoulder to steady himself as they walk back to Noel’s.
It’s nearly 11:30 when they make it back and Mischa immediately flops onto Noel’s bed and is sound asleep within seconds.
Noel takes his time brushing his teeth and changing into his pajamas. They’re a black button up top with lace trimming on the sleeves he found in a thrift store and got a weird look from the cashier when he went to ring them up, and black and white plaid pants his mom had bought for him last christmas.
Eventually he climbs into the bed with Mischa, seeing as the couch is his mom’s bed and he is definitely not sleeping on the floor. Mischa looks so peaceful sleeping there he thinks to himself. As Noel jostles around trying to find a comfortable way to sleep with someone in bed with him he wakes Mischa slightly.
“Noel?”
“Yes?”
“Thanks for letting me stay over. And I like your eyeliner.” Mischa's back asleep as the words slip off his tongue, this time resting his head on Noel’s chest and wrapping Noel in a hug.