“Mutshuki, hi.” Urie waves his pinky two inches from Mutsuki’s eyes.
“Um, hi?”
“Your coat’sh very nish,” he says.
“Oh? Thanks.” Mutsuki wraps the wool tighter around himself.
“I jusht feel – I really feel – like I need to tell you.” Urie’s voice rises. Tears fill his eyes. “It’sh my biggesht shecret but I have to tell you.”
Musuki’s heart pounds. Poor Urie. He only came to this bar because Urie texted him EMERGENCY COME ALONE. And now it appears something is weighing his friend down. “Of course, I’ll listen. It’s awful being alone.”
“It ish.” Urie begins to cry. “I don’t want to be alone. That’sh why I have to tell you.”
“Tell me what, Urie? Whatever it is, I’m here for you,” Mutsuki assures him.
“Mutshuki? I love you sho much it hurtsh.” He sobs louder. “You’re shuch a w-w-wonderful pershon and sho nish to me and I love you and want to marry you.”
Mutsuki is dead white. “Urie, how much have you drank?”
“Not enough to convinsh you I love you.” Urie sniffles. Tears and snot dribble down his face.
“Let’s get you home. And then we can talk more,” Mutsuki says.
He lifts Urie up and calls a cab for the Chateau. He refuses to feel until Urie is tucked away in bed, a bucket besides him in case he vomits.
He’s…shocked.
He can’t believe Urie likes him.
Someone as rigid and blunt and savage as Urie…loves Mutsuki? The coward? The liar?
Mutsuki feels unworthy. He wishes Urie really knew him.
The next morning, Mutsuki is awakened by a frantic Urie. His eyes are bloodshot and there’s drool dried around Urie’s mouth. “Urie?”
“Did I – is my dream accurate? Did I tell you my deepest secret?” Urie gasps.
“Well, yes?” Mutsuki hesitates.
Urie collapses to his knees. “Mutsuki, I’m sorry. I hope I never made you uncomfortable, and I apologize if I did. I…I do love you, but anything I can do to make you happy, even if that’s not loving you, I’ll do it.”
Mutsuki hesitates again. Then his arms are around Urie. “No, please don’t stop, even if I tell you my deepest, awfullest secrets.”
“I won’t,” Urie promises.