"This wasn't the deal, Wale! All the way or nothing!" Kind exclaimed, his voice unsteady but his gaze locked on Wale. "I'm just asking for one round, that's all!"

The two had been at it all night, arguing and debating, until dawn threatened to break. In her drunken haze, Wale knew at least one of them had to stay half-sober before they said or did something they'd regret later, but she couldn't deny how amusing Kind's stubbornness was, and in truth, Wale was starting to feel a bit too honest with herself.

"This feeling isn't exactly unpleasant," Wale mumbled after Kind had kissed her yet again, forcibly. At first, she'd tried to push her intoxicated friend away, but there was something about Kind's persistence, his raw strength, that made her hesitate.

"I always feel good around you... drinking with you... and I just kept needing more," Kind muttered, staggering back to the couch, a goofy, drunken grin on his face.

"Even though you've been giving me the cold shoulder for weeks, I've never imagined you'd be this... determined." Wale was trying to keep her cool, but she couldn't help but marvel at how far Kind was pushing. "I didn't think you'd actually want to get physical."

"You're not talking me out of this," Kind slurred, looking very much like a man on a mission. "We're having sex tonight."

"Kind, I have a boyfriend. You of all people should know. Remember, you were just telling me to accept his proposal whenever he proposed," Wale reminded him, laughing despite the situation. "Besides, I'm not into double dating... and you are my best friend, who..." Her voice trailed off as she felt her self-control slipping. Despite being tipsy, she was trying to maintain at least a shred of clarity since Kind had clearly blown past the point of no return.

Kind, ever the contrarian, shot back, "Who says I can't be him tonight?" He stood up with a defiant smirk. "I'm in love with you, Wale, and we're going to have sex right now, so, what's it gonna be? Top or bottom?"

What did I get myself into? Wale thought, trying not to laugh as she watched her friend, barely able to stand but still resolutely determined. "You can't have sex while you're angry, K. You look ridiculous. Put a smile on, and maybe I'll reconsider," Wale teased, trying to stall for time. She was counting on Kind hitting the final stage of his drunkenness, the part where he'd get sleepy and pass out but so far, that was nowhere in sight. Seven bottles of wine, and he's still standing?

"Let's do it when you're sober, K. Please."

"If I sober up, I'll lose my nerve!" Kind shouted, grabbing Wale by the arm and dragging her toward the bedroom. He stopped halfway, leaning on the wall for support. "I'm dizzy, Wale. I'm feeling nauseous too."

Wale sighed, both amused and exasperated. 

"You've never had sex with a real man like me, have you Wale?"

"If Cherry's a real guy, then sure. All my exes, too," Wale quipped, hoping her usual humor would defuse the situation. But tonight, Kind was not in the mood for jokes. Before Wale could blink, he had pinned her to the bed, his hands braced on either side, trapping her in place.

Stripping off his vest and whatever else he had on, Kind was now completely naked. His breathing was heavy, and as he leaned in to kiss Wale, he missed and kissed her hand instead.

"K, calm down. You're going to regret this."

"As if!" Kind shot back, his voice strained. "It hurts, you idiot! I need release. I can't... I can't hold it anymore!" Tears welled up in his eyes, though whether from frustration or drunken despair, Wale wasn't sure. "This is agonising. Just... marry him already!"

"K..."

"I get so... so elated around you. Even a little touch from you, and my body heats up," Kind whispered, his voice trembling. He covered his eyes, trying to hide his shame. "I'm so tired of pretending to be happy for you two. You look good together, and I'm here... with nothing but a friendship that I don't need."

Wale reached for Kind's hands, wanting to comfort him, but he pushed her away. "Don't touch me! You think this is funny? Like you knew what I felt all this time and just... mocked me? I had to get drunk just to say it! I can't even confess to you when sober!"

Kind grabbed Wale's face, tears streaming down his cheeks. "You better tell me I confessed when I'm sober. I want to at least know I did it."

Wale sighed, resisting the urge to laugh. "Okay, K. I'll tell you everything you did when you're sober."

"Not everything, dummy! Just the confession part! I can't handle the embarrassing stuff!"

Wale couldn't help it for she burst out laughing, then pointed at Kind's very noticeable... problem. "You mean, embarrassing stuff like this?"

"Ugh! Why is it still up?!" Kind groaned, wishing the ground would swallow him whole. "It hurts so bad!"

Kind jumped out of bed, nearly stumbling, and grabbed onto the table for support. Everything around him was spinning, but his focus was on one thing: getting as far away from Wale as possible. He awkwardly covered himself with his hands, but there was no hiding his arousal.

Before he could get far, Wale grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him back. Standing behind him, chest to back, she whispered, "I'll do anything if you stop avoiding me."

Without warning, she reached down, gently wrapping her hand around Kind. He flinched, trying to pull away, but his body had already betrayed him. "No! Wait... Think of your boyfriend!"

"I can't be with him without you, and I can't be with you without him. Don't you get it?" Wale replied, her voice soft but serious.

Kind groaned, his head spinning, both from the alcohol and the sensations overwhelming him. "Let go...!"

But she didn't. Her touch was deliberate, knowing exactly how to push Kind to the edge. He couldn't fight it any longer, and soon, moans escaped his lips. It was everything he had fantasized about, only better.

"I love you, Wale..." Kind whispered, his body spent, his eyes half-closed. "I'm... I'm so sleepy... don't hate me if I can't go all the way with you."

"Okay, K," Wale murmured. Now that the moment had passed, the gravity of what had just happened hit her. Yet, surprisingly, she felt no regret. No remorse.

She carefully helped Kind to the bed, wiping his sweaty body with a warm towel before tucking him in. As she looked down at her sleeping friend, a pang of guilt finally surfaced. "All these years, you suffered in silence while I rambled on about Cherry. I pushed you to date Swalha in sophomore year, not even realizing..."

Wale sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought. "Why did you pretend to be happy for us when it was killing you inside?" she whispered, brushing a lock of hair from Kind's forehead. "You must have thought it was foolish to confess to your best friend, the one who always bragged about her boyfriend?"

After a long pause, Wale finally stood, heading to the bathroom for a shower. Her mind was still racing, distracted by everything that had happened. She didn't like sleeping alone, and with Cherry gone for the weekend, she wasn't keen on the idea tonight either.

"I can't wait to see your face when you wake up, K. Will you remember what you said?" She mused as she climbed into bed next to Kind.

Pulling the blanket back over Kind's shoulder, she whispered, "I'm not sorry for tonight. At least I got to spend time with you... like old times."