42 or 20 with indruck! Can you tell I'm a sap?? ❤❤❤
I went with 20, since I’ve actually done a variation for 42 for Indruck before.
Prompt 20 from this list: My amazing partner just dumped me. Please come home with me for the holidays and pretend to be my partner.
Duck’s used to his neighbor and friend entering his house without knocking. After all, he does much the same to him. But the panicked tone is enough to send him tumbling off the couch.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Indrid drops to the floor to check on him, and Duck waves his hand dismissively to show he’s fine, “I’m just, it’s, I realized another horrible part of Derrick dumping me.”
Duck sits up, facing his friend as the thinner man continues, “The few times I spoke with my parents since I started dating him, I bragged about how wonderful he was. Goodness knows they’d criticized me enough for everything else, at the very least it felt nice to tell them my relationship was going well. And now I get to go home in a week for the holidays, without the wonderful boyfriend I told them all I had. It’s going to make everything worse.”
Duck nods sympathetically. He’d been the first person Indrid told about the break up, Derrick leaving him abruptly two weeks ago after revealing he’d been dating someone else at the same time until he could make up his mind about who would make the better.
He’d apparently said Indrid needed “too much work” to be the winning partner. Duck keeps hoping to run into the guy so he can give him a piece of his mind (and tell him to be glad it’s Duck, and not Aubrey, who’s confronting him because she is pissed).
Indrid is weird, sure. He can be absentminded, messy, can leave sketches scattered across his floor for weeks. But he’s funny, thoughtful, and Duck has pictured him without clothes more than once, wondering what it would be like if it was him drawing the high, faintly cracked noises from him on the other side of the wall.
But more than any of that Duck always gets a strange sense of belonging when he comes home in the evening and sees Indrid’s apartment lit beside his own, still dark one. Indrid is home, next door, and that means things will be okay.
Duck would have given anything to be in Derricks place.
“Duck, I need you to come with me and pretend to be my boyfriend.”
Duck should have put some specifications on that statement.
“‘Drid, you full well I can’t lie well enough to pull that off. And ain’t they gonna notice I’m nothin’ like the guy you told ‘em about?”
“I kept everything vague to decrease the chances of them finding something to disapprove of. You won’t need to lie, Duck, please I’ll,” Indrid’s gaze darts around the room, his red glasses sitting on his forehead allowing Duck to enjoy the light brown of his eyes, “I’ll design your next tattoo for free, I’ll pay both our internet bills for a year, I’ll, ah, I’ll-”
“Whoah, whoah, ‘Drid, you ain't got to do anythin like that. We’re friends, we help each other out.”
“So you’ll do it?” Indrid bites the inside of his lip.
“Five days, six if we hit bad weather coming back up here. That wouldn’t take you away from work too long, would it? Or do they expect the part time rangers to cover the holidays?”
“Nah, the center is closed on Christmas. And I’m pretty sure Juno wants a few extra hours anyway. I’ll ask to be sure, but think I oughta be able to get the time off.” He looks back at Indrid’s face. There are bags under his eyes, the result of the semester and graveyard shifts at a coffee shop. His strange, wide smile is tentatively trying to spread across his face. It’s the first time since the break up he’s looked hopeful.
“Yeah, what the hell, can’t let my friend be lonesome for the holidays.”
Indrid makes a delighted noise, flapping his hands, “Thank you!” He throws his arms around Duck, and Duck returns the hug. Indrid loves his hugs (most people love Duck’s hugs, but Indrid’s opinion tends to take up the most space in his mind).
He’s doing his friend a favor, and that makes the fact this is a terrible idea worth the risk. And hey, five days paling around with his friend in some fancy seaside town will be fun.
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Juno: You know that’s a terrible idea, right?
Juno: Pretending to date Indrid is going to make for one heartbroken Duck and you know it.
Juno: How long have you had a crush on him again?
Duck: A year. And we stayed friends the whole time because I fucking knew when to keep it to myself. And I can keep keeping it to myself because his friendship means more to me than my fucking dick.
Juno:...... Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you
Duck tosses the phone on the bed as he finishes packing his suitcase. Yes, he’s had a crush on Indrid for awhile. And yes, by the time he realized just how intense the crush was, Indrid was in a relationship that made him happy, and the strength of the crush was overwhelmed by the desire to not make Indrid’s life harder. So Duck kept those feelings to himself, focused on being Indrid’s friend, including putting in a good word on his behalf to their landlord so he could get the little studio apartment next to Duck’s one-bedroom.
Who knows, maybe spending so much time in close proximity will get rid of the crush….
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…………….Or it will make it ten times stronger Duck muses during his turn at the wheel. It’s the west coast, so there’s no snow, but rain patters on the windshield as they drive down I-5. Indrid is humming along with the playlist he put on, finishing up the last of the meal they grabbed from Dairy Queen. He’s been intermittently hand feeding Duck fries so he can keep driving.
He also does a thing where eagerly and licks the spoon while eating his Blizzard and Duck is afraid he might hit the guard rail if he doesn’t stop staring.
“How did we meet?” Indrid asks somewhere near Sacramento.
“Uh, think Dani introduced us, right?”
Indrid nods, “That’s what I thought. We’ll need to have our story straight, but it seems easiest just to describe our relationship as truthfully as possible.”
“You mean we ain’t tellin ‘em we me when I rescued you from an evil goat?”
Indrid “humphs” crossing his arms, “I did not expect to tackled at the petting zoo. But I appreciated the rescue all the same.”
“Thought Aubrey was gonna wet her pants laughin at you.” Duck giggles at the memory of Indrid flat on his back with an extremely hungry goat on top of him.
They run through increasingly ridiculous things to tell Indrids family; that they met on a botched bank robbery, they got trapped in an elevator together, their characters fell in love during a game of D&D and it spread out into their real lives, and so on until Indrid is doubled over with laughter. It would be so easy, feel so natural to reach over and squeeze his hand or stroke his face as they both come down from their giggling fits, but Duck knows better than to trap his friend in a car with unwanted affection.
By the time they reach Carmel, it’s well after ten at night. Indrid drives the last leg, explaining that the house numbers can be tricky to see. They arrive at a stately three story house four blocks from the beach.
“Right.” Indrid sits in the front seat, key in his hand but showing no desire to reach for the door, “here goes nothing.”
They carry their bags up to the house, which is all dark save for the porch light. Once they’re inside, Indrid slips off his shoes, Duck following suit and immediately spotting why.
“Who has this much white carpet?”
“My parents.” Indrid grumbles.
They tiptoe towards the stairs, and in spite of the fact they’re expected guests, Duck feels like they’re teenagers slipping in after curfew. The bedroom Indrid leads them to is bland.
“My, they really did take it all down.” Indrid sighs, setting his suitcase on the floor.
“Yes. I wonder what they did with all the art and posters. I liked a lot of them. And I’d lay money that all of Brad’s sports awards are still up somewhere. They always preferred those to my art.” He sighs as he changes into his pajamas, then slides under the floral bedspread.
Duck didn’t bring pajamas. He just sleeps in his boxers.
“Um” He points at himself in an attempt to indicate the problem. Indrid goes completely still, looking him up and down.
“It’s alright, Duck. That doesn’t bother me. Come on” he pats the mattress, flipping back the covers, “I’m cold and you’re a spaceheater disguised as a man.”
Duck snorts,settles beside him, “No, you’re just an icicle that got an art degree.”
Indrid barks out a laugh, sets his glasses on the bedside table “Touche. Goodnight, Duck.”
The light goes out and Duck nestles under the covers. Should he roll over so his back is to Indrid? No, that might seem like he’s hiding something. But rolling towards him could be too much, seem like this is real instead of a trick they’re playing.
“Yeah?” He rolls over, finds Indrid on his side facing him.
“Thank you. For coming with me. The, the next few days may be a bit awkward.”
“‘Drid, I wasn’t expectin anythin else. Not after eveythin you told me about your folks.”
“I know but, well.” Indrid takes his hand, toying with his fingers, “I’m sorry in advance for anything they say. Or do. Or imply. Or-”
“‘Drid.” Duck takes their joined hands, holds them against his chest, “You ain’t gotta apologize to me for shit they might do. I knew what I was gettin into when I agreed to this.”
“Thank you.” Indrid says again. He looks so tired.
Indrid smiles in the darkness, and shuts his eyes. He keeps his hand in Ducks, humming softly when Duck pulls the larger quilt over them. Their hands stay linked as Duck sinks into the pillows and a deep sleep.
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Indrid towels himself off absentmindedly, eyeing the china-shop decor of his once lovely room. Duck volunteered to venture downstairs in search of coffee for them (Indrid trusts three people to make his coffee sweet enough: himself, his friend Barclay, and Duck). Indrid woke up first this morning, found Ducks head resting against his shoulder. He took his time studying the lines of his face, wondering if Duck would let Indrid draw him. Ideally, nude.
Maybe asking his friend who he has a raging crush on to join him on his trip was a bad idea.
He’d realized his feelings for Duck about four months ago. But he was happy with Derrick (well, until the last two months before the break-up, when he’d suddenly gone cold around Indrid), and knew it was common to get crushes on people even when dating someone. Besides, he and Duck were close friends; Duck made him feel safe, didn’t judge him for his quirks, was funny and charming in his own quiet way. So what if he occasionally pictured him while masturbating, imagining what it felt like to kiss him on every inch of his body?
There’d been a temptation to ask Duck out in the days after the break up. But his friend would no doubt assume Indrid was treating him as a rebound, and Duck deserved to feel truly wanted. Now it might be too late.
The door swings open and Duck shuts it quickly behind him.
“This is a fuckin labyrinth.”
Indrid chuckles, “Couldn’t find the kitchen?”
“No! Thank fuck we got a bathroom attached to this place or I;d go to take a piss and you’d never fuckin see me again.”
“If it’s any consolation, you don’t need to worry about a Minotaur unless my brother is up.”
A silver bell rings and blinks, “Does your family use a fuckin dinner bell?”
“Yes.” Indrid finishes dressing as Duck checks his hair in the mirror, “and it means it’s time to face the family.” He holds out his hand, “stay close; I’d hate to lose you in the maze.”
Duck hesitates, then grabs his hand, and they head downstairs.
His parents and brother beat them there.
“Is that really what you’re wearing out today?” His mother asks when they appear.
“Hello to you as well.” He and Duck sit side by side, and he only relinquishes Ducks hand in order to pass dishes.
“So,” His father eyes Duck, the scrutiny in the gaze making Indrid wince automatically, “you’re Indrid’s boyfriend.”
“Yep. Name’s Duck, and it’s real nice to meet y’all.”
Brad, his brother, snorts, “Duck?”
“It’s a nickname, oh, thanks darlin.” He smiles when Indrid hands him a cup of coffee.
“Indrid says you’re interested in...environmental science, yes?” His father continues.
“More or less. Done a lot of work in forestry and botany and such. Goal is to be a full time ranger in a national park or somethin.”
“I don’t know why we even have those; why the fuck are we preserving a bunch of trees when that land could help enrich the economy.”
“Shut up, Brad.” Indrid glares.
“Indrid, manners. Besides, your brother has a point. All that land could be a boon for mining and development,”
“With all due respect, uh, Mr.Cold, public lands are one of the best ideas we’ve had as a country. And they bring in lots of money to places that wouldn’t get it otherwise. Hell, back home in Kepler, most of the money comes from tourists visitin the national forest.” Duck chews his eggs thoughtfully, “Plus, screwin nature only comes back to bite us in the end.”
“At least it’s a degree that has a potential job that comes after it.” His mother stares pointedly at him and Indrid groans.
The rest of breakfast goes much the same, and Indrid pulls Duck from the table as soon as he’s done eating.
“Right, that was awful.” Indrid sinks onto his bed.
“And you didn’t eat anythin.”
“I had toast.” Indrid snips back.
“One piece. Come on, darlin, what kind of boyfriend would I be if I let my sweetheart starve?” Duck catches the pet names this time, coughs, “sorry, figured better to keep up the game in the house, in case someone can hear us.”
Right, of course. Duck’s being practical. He doesn’t really think of Indrid as his darling.
“There somewhere in town you like?” Duck settles beside him, voice gentle, “It’s okay if there ain’t. Can even brave the labyrinth and grab you leftovers if you need me to.”
Indrid meets his eyes, and gingerly rests his head on his shoulder, “Well, there is one place…”
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The outdoor mall is obscenely cheery, Christmas trees covered in shiny baubles and carols blasting from storefronts. Signs tout the perfect gift for that special someone, and Duck imagines himself wandering from salesperson to salesperson until he finds the thing that could show Indrid just how much he cares about him.
After a leisurely breakfast in a tiny, scruffy cafe (indeed, the only scruffy store amidst the pristine, wealth soaked chains and boutiques) in which Indrid scarfed two cinnamon rolls the size of his head, they wander arm in arm, window shopping and people watching. Indrid relaxes incrementally, and keeps casting strange, affectionate glances Ducks way.
In spite of the chilly weather, they opt to go to the beach, finding it mostly deserted. Indrid shows him a patch of tidepools, and proceeds to ask a dozen questions about what he’s seeing. Duck does his best, though ocean life isn’t his specialty.
“Oooh, hello little friend.” Indrid is on his stomach, leaning over one of the pools with a hermit crab in his hand, “your shell is so pretty.”
“Uh, ‘Drid, you might wanna keep an eye on that-”
“Wave.” Duck tries not to laugh at his friend, who now looks like a surprised, damp cat.
“Oh dear.” Indrid looks at his soaked top half and shudders, “that is going to be unpleasant to walk home in.”
“Here, take those off.” Duck unzips and doffs his jacket, unbuttons his green shirt and hands it to the taller man, “That oughta help until we get back.”
Indrid, skinny and shivering, takes the shirt and slips it on. His fingers fumble and Duck steps forward and begins buttoning it for him.
“You don’t-” Indrid starts
“I want to” Duck finishes. When he buttons the last one, he looks up and finds their noses nearly brushing.
“We should head back.” Indrid murmurs.
“Yeah.” Duck drops his gaze, taking a step back, “lead the way, darlin.”
Indrid hops off the rock onto the sand, offering his hand to Duck so he can do the same. Duck supposes they don’t need to hold hands on the empty beach.
They end up holding them all the way back to the house.
It all comes to a head at dinner the next night.
“This is low even for you, bro.” Brad grins.
Indrid rolls his eyes, “What is?”
“Bringing a fake boyfriend because your skinny ass got dumped.”
The little bit Indrid’s eaten threatens to come back up. Duck is still, save for the chewing on the inside of his lip.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Indrid responds coolly.
“Friend of a friend on Insta said in a group text that he knows your ex.” Brad looks over at their mother, “Apparently Indrid is too stupid to know when he’s being strung along, and too much of a dud to actually keep the guy.”
“In that case” His father turns to Duck, “how did you end up involved in this?”
“Probably paid him.” Brad sips his beer and Indrid growls.
“Actually” Duck says quietly, “I came because Indrid asked me to. Couldn’t say no to the most amazin guy I know. Indrid’s perfect and Derrick was shitty to him. Just cause we ain’t had time to put a label on things don’t mean I ain’t crazy about him. And for your information” he stares down Brad, “that ‘skinny ass’ is the nicest lookin ass on the entire coast, and you are the shittiest siblin’ I’ve ever had the displeasure of meetin’.”
“How dare you?” His mother hisses and Indrid takes that opportunity to bolt, certain Duck will follow him. As he’s halfway up the stairs he hears Duck drawl, “Mom always said money can’t buy class. Thanks for the real-time demonstration.”
By the time his friend enters the bedroom, Indrid is huddled on the bed, trying not to cry.
“Shit, ‘Drid, I’m sorry, that was outta line of me but I can’t, I couldn’t sit there and let ‘em talk to you like that. I know you got your reasons for not speakin up, but you don’t deserve to have no one takin your side.”
“It’s not that. I can’t, Duck, how could you say those things knowing full well we aren’t together? Do you have any idea how badly I’ve wanted to believe you feel that way about me? That’s the most loved I’ve felt in months and I know it was a lie.” He buries his face in his hands, glasses denting his skin.
“Hey, goofus.” Duck nudges him until he looks up, “you’re forgettin the part where I can’t lie.”
The gears of the world grind to a halt, and in a frozen moment in time Indrid processes a dozen realizations at once.
“You do like me.” He whispers.
“No shit, darlin. Indrid, I’ve been into you for months, but I didn’t wanna push you away by tellin you and makin’ you uncomfortable. I meant every goddamn word, and that all barely scratches the surface of how bad I want youMOphhhm.”
Kissing Duck is a hundred times better than he ever imagined, the two of them tangled up before they even fall fully backwards. Warm fingers tangle in his hair and Duck whimpers beneath him, arching frantically into Indrids touch.
“Fuck me.” Duck pants when Indrid lets him breathe.
“Not here. I, I think we should go somewhere else, leave early. They don’t want me here, not really, we could go home, rent a hotel room, anything, Duck, goodness please let’s get out of here.”
“It was an exclamation goofus, this room is a boner killer if there ever was one. But yeah, gettin gone sounds real fuckin good to me. I’ll let you take the lead, sugar.”
Duck kisses his nose, “Wherever you wanna go, darlin. I’ll be right there next to you. I promise.”
