mawp

[mawp]

[mawp]

"Not as long as I'm here, nerd."

Another little drink and Archer finally sets the bottle down by the floor, closer to the ladder where he's somewhat convinced he won't knock it over with his foot.

"And I think you'll like spending time with me more when you see how good of a teacher I am." He cocks his head over. "So c'mon already."

Nick's head ducks as he scratches the back of his neck bashfully.

"I don't keep you around because I need someone to do things for me, Archer. I keep you around because I like you. You're a great friend, man. I mean, you're good company and you make me damn near piss myself laughing... I really enjoy spending time with you.

"And, for the record, chicks love my smile and the fact I'm a southern boy who plays football. I also heard someone say I've got some puppy charm, whatever that means."

He shifts his arms over his chest as he gazes over at his unopened textbook and notebook on his desk before looking back over at his friend with a fond quick of his lips.

"You're not gonna let me study, are you?"

[mawp]

"Ha! Yeah, you do." Archer reaches out, ruffling Nick's hair. "It's one of the coolest things about you."

Leaning back, and with another swig of whiskey, Archer's mouth twists into a smile.

"But look, there's not a lot you ever need help with that I can do for you." Nick's smarter than him, for one thing, and stupidly self-sufficient. It's almost ridiculous. "So... helping you get ready for whenever you find some girl again is all I can do in exchange.

"And maybe I can help with lacrosse. And buying you clothes or something. But not much else."

Head tilting against the ladder, and with the ice pack moved from his head, he purses his lips.

"...you still gonna do your homework?"

Nick huffs out a laugh and shrugs nonchalantly.

"I figured the sooner we get some ice on it, the less swelling you'd have to put up with. I know how seriously you take your appearance."

With a moment's pause, Nick gives a bashful smile.

"And I guess I like being able to help you out."

[mawp]

"Yes," Archer says dutifully, hand around the bottle before he takes another gulp for it. "You were... stupidly quick with that. I almost don't get how you could be so fast."

The bottle's passed once more.

"It wasn't even that bad, but..." He grins some. "I like when you give me attention."

“I wouldn’t have said you could drink here if I couldn’t supply the alcohol,” Nick chuckles fondly.

He’s about ready to return to his desk when he sees the bottle offered to him.

“Eh, what the hell?”

He takes the bottle and takes a swig of it before handing it back.

“How’s your head feeling? The ice helping?”

[mawp]

[mawp]

"Oh, wh--" Archer keeps the ice where it is, groaning. "There was whiskey this whole time!?"

He takes it graciously, though, and has a generous swig once offered. It isn't the best shit, but Nick is a college student, so Archer figures it's the best he can offer.

He sighs once he's had some mouthfuls, leaning against the bunk bed's ladder. "God, I've missed you, alcohol.

"Thanks, man." Then he holds the bottle out.

“I don’t-“ think it’s good to drink for the pain, he wants to say, but instead goes quiet and offers a warm smile.

“I’ll grab my bottle of whiskey for you then. Sound good?”

Nick gestures for him to hold the ice pack, going to grab the bottle figuring it’s just a bump and alcohol won’t be dangerous.

[mawp]

Archer scoffs, leaning into the ice Nick presses delicately to his head.

"Mother and the yahoos she got to treat me always said the alcohol helps with the pain.

"Which... yeah, I guess. But I need so many drinks to feel good now."

“Why is it weird there’s no alcohol? Isn’t that usually for after you’ve gotten good news from your doctor?”

His voice is teasing but he can’t help but truly wonder.

[mawp]

"Uh, no, because my skull is incredible and I'm built different."

Archer rolls his eyes.

"This isn't even my worst injury. But admittedly this might be the best treatment I've gotten for one.

"Weird. Especially because there isn't any alcohol."

“Please.

“Lorraine Babies has nothing on me, and yes, I know Ms. Thompson is an absolute babe.”

He smiles easily back at Archer as he tried not to let the embarrassment of the looks to his lips show.

“You keep hitting yourself against Darren’s bunk and you’ll have too much brain damage to think at all.”

[mawp]

"You can't sit this close and expect me not to think about kissing."

In fact, he affords Nick's mouth a nice stare. There's absolutely no shame nor self-awareness as he does so for a few seconds before his gaze flicks to Nick's face.

"This is totally Back to the Future. Or Florence Nightingale. But Lea Thompson's hotter."

“Christ, you dingdong, forget about the kissing right now.” And without a moment’s hesitation, goes to grab an ice pack from his freezer.

He moves onto the bed next to Archer and presses the pack tenderly against where he had slammed it, concern written all over his face.

“You’ve gotta be more careful, Archer.”

[mawp]

"Wise choice! There's no better mentor than me, Nick."

Except Archer sits up too fast and bangs his head against the top bunk. Ow.

"And you totally won't get mouth herpes. I know I've said it already, but I don't think you realise how rare someone hot like me doesn't have mouth herpes."

Cue a smile (even as Archer rubs his head where he hit it). "Wanna kiss before or after studying?"

Nicky’s mouth falls open in a question he can’t think of as his brain attempts to process exactly what Archer had just offered.

This is a joke, right?

It has to be a joke. He’s never shown any interest in any guys before. Even if Nick is his friend, that’s not-

“Okay.”

Why did he just agree??

[mawp]

"Kiss me."

It is spoken as plainly and confidently as any other equally absurd thing Archer's ever said.

"I'm completely in practise and don't have herpes. Or any other STD, for that matter. Condom whoop!"

His legs cross one over the other, hands still behind his head.

"Also, you like me. So that's half the battle solved, right?"

“And how exactly do you think I should go about that, Archer?” He pauses to turn enough in his chair to look at his friend.

“I mean, sure I could go to a party, but everyone there is drinking and sloppy and it ain’t good practice.”

He offers a kind smile.

“Seriously, man, I’m okay.”

[mawp]

"Two words, Nicky: freshman. Year. That is sooooooo--"

Archer keeps going until he runs out of breath. And then he goes again after inhaling some.

"--oooooo long."

Hands beneath his head, he stares at Nick's back.

"You're gonna have to get some practise in, man."

“Oh, so now you’re going to keep an eagle eye on this shit, huh?”

He grabs his backpack and pulls out his chemistry textbook and notes before sitting at his desk.

“It hasn’t been that long, Archer.”

[mawp]

"Obviously. The only time it'd be okay if you didn't would be if I was there to see it."

With the door shut, Archer makes himself comfortable, dropping and sprawling lazily in Nick's bed.

"Man, you must be so out of practise."

Nick snorts fondly as he pulls out his key and unlocks his door when they arrive. He opens it and allows Archer in first before following in and locking it once more.

“Well, if I manage to see some action, you’ll be the first person I tell.

[mawp]

"First of all, we're, like, best friends. Everyone knows I like you.

"Second of all, kissing is the only cool thing you like to do and I want you to be happy. Because-- again-- see point one. Duh."

Maybe his parents did say raisins are candy, but he’s not going to give Archer this win.

“It is amazing, you’re right! I just prefer it with someone I have a connection with. What do you need me getting kissed for, anyway? Are you getting sweet on me?”

It’s a joke, of course it is, but he can’t help the way his heart flutters at the thought.

[mawp]

"You have such a lame definition of 'fun'. Did your parents call raisins 'candy' or something?"

Archer sighs.

"Okay, hating toilet vomit stuff, I agree. But kissing's amazing and you're seriously missing out."

“Has it occurred to you that maybe I do that because that’s the stuff I enjoy?

“Seriously. I enjoy doing the food drives and fundraisers and the like. I don’t like having to hold somebody’s head out of the toilet while they wretch.”

He sighs and shakes his head, though doesn’t pull from his friend.

“Outside of Jessie before the breakup? I haven’t kissed anyone. And, in fairness, we really only broke up at the end of freshman year.”

[mawp]

Archer // S01E01: Mole Hunt

[mawp]

Archer scoffs. "You are so bad.

"You, like, never party. After pledge week ended the only stuff you've volunteered for is our community service, which is the boringest part of fraternity shit."

He puts his chin atop Nick's head.

"How many girls have you even kissed since getting into school?"

With a soft chuckle, Nick gives a glance at the other from over his shoulder as they make their way to his room.

“I’m not that bad with my school/life balance, you know.”