"if you're ever in trouble don't hesitate to call out for me." 

"I'll always come to your side." 

"you have me here to protect you." 

"Your amazing Rigby, has anyone ever told you that?" 

"you deserve the world." 

All the words Alfred had said to him over the timespan of their friendship filled his head. Rigby straightened his back and let out the deep breathe he was holding in and knocked on the door. Tonight he was going to be confident, tonight was going to be different. Alfred was always the blunt one, his emotions always-on display. Well, tonight it's his turn.

Rigby felt his confidence flutter as Alfred opened the door, his light brown hair full of gentle little water droplets. his chest muscular and bare, a towel draped over his shoulders, The sweatpants he was wearing falling down just a little being to lose for his frame. maybe he'd be more confident the next time, for now, there was no way he could be confident with the Greek god in front of him. 

"Hey, Rigs! come on in!" Alfred said as he stood to the side and held the door open for him.

"The pizza got here a few minutes ago, and oh let me go get a shirt real quick." Alfred laughed as Rigby walked inside and he closed the door behind him. 

"Alrighty," Rigby said as he took his shoes off by the door and watched Alfred disappear back to his room. 

He silently cursed under his breath, why did he always get so flustered around him? It wasn't fair that he had to spend all their time together with his face the color of a firetruck full of tomato sauce, going to rescue a lobster farm.  He had to find a way to change that, he was always the one embarrassed and nervous. While Alfred strutted around like a peacock at a fashion show. Rigby swallowed his thoughts, for some reason he was determined to make tonight different. Tonight was going to be the night he told Alfred his true feelings whether it ruined this friendship or not. 

"I'll grab some plates and drinks if you want to take the pizza into the living room," Alfred said returning to the kitchen now in a light green shirt. 

Rigby smiled and quickly nodded his head as he grabbed the boxes and dashed into the living room. god, he was wearing his favorite color. Not only that but it looks so damn good on him. there was no way he was going to be confident enough for this. 

"In the mood for any specific movie? There are many versions of Dracula and Frankenstein we can watch. personally, the wax factory one is a personal favorite of mine." Alfred said as he brought plates and cans of soda into the living room. 

"Uhm, I-I don't mind you can choose," Rigby said quickly grabbing a slice of pizza to avoid having to talk.

"Suit yourself, another cheesy vampire movie it is." Alfred laughed as he sat down on the couch next to Rigby.

Rigby tried to ignore how close Alfred was sitting next to him as he took a bite of his pizza. over the scent of pizza, he could smell the light scent of vanilla and oak wood from Alfred's shampoo. The light sweet scent of vanilla mixed perfectly with the smoky scent of the oak wood. 

"Do you think when Vampire's drink blood they get horny?" Alfred asked jolting Rigby away from his scent.

"Why the fuck would that happen?" Rigby laughed almost choking on his pizza. 

"I dunno, but when you think about it in a technical sense Vampires don't have their own blood so they take and drain it from other things. And you get hard from the blood rushing down to that area, so like wouldn't it make them horny?" Alfred asked completely serious. 

"Yeah no, it definitely doesn't work that way. besides is that all you can think about?" Rigby snickered at how absurd that sounded. 

"It's not, however it did stop you from being so awkward and silently panicking over there," Alfred said smiling as Rigby felt his cheeks burn.

He had noticed how awkward he was. oh god, he was going to try and figure out what was wrong. how could he even begin to explain himself? besides nothing was wrong. was it? no, definitely not. damn, he needed to stop overthinking. 

"Rig's are you ok?" Alfred asked gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

Rigby flinched a little as his brain swam with a million thoughts. he could feel his body shaking.

"y-yeah. s-sorry I'm fine." Rigby said trying to reassure him.

"Rig's you obviously not fine. your shaking like a cat that's been left out in the cold. Is something going on?" Alfred asked gently as he tried to comfort him.

Rigby fought of his tears, he was so sweet. Even though he was overreacting about just telling him he liked him Alfred was still genuinely concerned for his well-being. 

"y-y-yes absolutely! I-i-i just need to breathe for a moment." Rigby stuttered out as he tried to calm himself. he hated that he was making Alfred worry over something as dumb as this.

"here come with me. we'll get you some fresh air." Alfred said as he gently grabbed Rigby's hand and led him upstairs to his room and out onto the roof below his window. 

"Be careful, it's kinda steep but it's my favorite spot to clear my head," Alfred whispered as he gently helped Rigby sit down on the roof next to him.

Alfred's window faced out into the woods behind his house. not only did it give them an amazing view of the trees and wildlife, but it also showed them the twinkling night sky above them. He took a deep breath, just stepping out the window was like stepping into a different world. One that was calm and serene.

"A-a-Alfred are you sure this is safe?" Rigby asked as he situated himself on the coarse roofing. 

"I come up here all the time, as long as we're careful it'll be fine. besides, I promise if you do fall I'll catch you. always." Alfred said lightly ruffling his hair. 

Rigby felt his cheeks betray him once again as they stared up at the night sky together. He took a deep breath, he said he was going to be brave tonight and if there was any moment to be brave this was it. 

"I-i-i have something I wanna tell you," Rigby whispered into the night air as Alfred shifted a little closer to him.

"Sure Rig's go ahead," Alfred said as he stared off into the stars, basking in the light of the night sky. 

"I like you. Rigby blurted out as he felt his heart skip a few beats. 

 He had actually said it! oh, his dad was going to be so proud of him!

"yeah, Rig's I like you too," Alfred said smiling at him completely oblivious to what he meant.

Rigby felt his heart sink a little, how could someone so beautiful be so clueless.

"N-no Alfred I m-mean I like you more than an a-a-a friend," Rigby said as he looked down at the roof.

He felt tears prick his eyes as they sat there in silence. He was so stupid to try and be brave. Why did he ever think Alfred would like him back.

"I-i'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I swear it's ok you don't need to say anything back I'll just forget it." Rigby mumbled as he stood up and tried to leave.

"Rigby.... wait..." Alfred said as he quickly stood up and pulled him into a hug.

"N-no, I'm sorry please d-don't pity me," Rigby said through his tears as he pushed Alfred away.

He felt the air disappear from his lungs as he felt his feet drop from under him. The feeling of falling pulled against his back as he watched the world start to slide away from him in slow motion. This was his end, he was going to fall off the roof and die. The stars swirled around him as his world plummeted, at least he would die among the stars.