[All characters in all sexual interactions are over 18 years old.]
"So, thenshe, she," Rich slurred as he filled their cups again, the drunk friends leaning against each other in the middle of the futon, "She sits on my face, and she's talking dirty to me, right, like 'eat that pussy freshman bitch.'"
"That's-
hic
-pretty pathetic dirty talk," Merlin mumbled his head half resting on Rich's shoulder.
"No, it'sa pathetic recuh-recoliction," Rich said, raising a finger and sounding like some drunk lawyer, "It was definitely dirty...dirty talk. Cause that's the point right, cause I'm not gonna ask her to piss in my mouth if there wasn't really dirty talk leading up to--"
Merlin burst into drunken giggles, "I forgot that's what we were talking about."
"It's not fucking funny, Merl," Rich whined, shoving Merlin's arm, "Bri is so fucking hot, I literally got in that bitch, and then I--"
"Pissed the bed," Merlin said tongue in cheek, "Figuratively. Unfortunately."
When Rich saw the glint in Merlin's eyes he couldn't help but start giggling, which let Merlin's laughter loose. They laughed till there were tears in their eyes and they struggled for breath, falling against each other as the world spun from the booze and the laughing.
With a few more chuckles and hiccups and coughs, the guys finally calmed down. Rich laid down on the futon, and rested his head in Merlin's lap and closed his eyes. "I've missed this, bro," he said dreamily.
"Same," Merlin said, putting his hand on Rich's chest, and Rich put his hand over Merlin's, his thumb gently rubbing against Merlin's wrist. While they rarely talked of it, the friends both loved to cuddle.
"So," Rich said lightly, his eyes still closed, "How's your love life lookin?"
It was one of Rich's favorite questions, something he'd asked since their "love lives" consisted of stuttering a hello to a girl between classes. Usually Merlin would think nothing of it, but today it was like a punch to the gut. He couldn't help but think of the first time he answered his best friend honestly.
He'd burst into tears. Rich was obviously confused, at least till Merlin sputtered out that he thought he was gay and begged Rich not to hate him. Then Rich started crying, not cause Merlin was gay, but because he couldn't believe his best friend would ever think he'd hate him just cause he liked boys. They hugged it out, called each other brothers, and promised they wouldn't keep any more secrets from one another. They even sealed it with a blood oath, nicking their thumbs and pressing the cuts together.
But unlike most excessively solemn childhood promises, Rich and Merlin actually kept theirs. The friends were radically honest with each other. From gossipy personal drama, to relationship hopes or problems, to serious concerns about their lives or families, and when they were older even to their turn ons and kinks, Merlin and Rich shared everything, basically without hesitation. Often they'd admit things to each other they hadn't yet admitted to themselves.
But right now Merlin had a secret 10x more explosive than his sexuality. And looking down at his best friend cuddling on his lap, he thought if he didn't tell him he'd burst into tears. The alcohol certainly wasn't helping either.
"Dick...you know how you asked if there was anything different about me earlier?"
Rich's eyes snapped open, full of concern at Merlin's tone, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong per se, it's just...there's a ton that's different about me."
Rich sat up to face Merlin, taking his hand in both of his, "So that's what--Fucking a Merl, I can't believe I said--or should I say Lin, or a different name or--you know you'd be my sister as much as you've been my broth--"
"Wait, what?" Merlin said, confused.
"Your differences--like I know I said that coed stuff but that was just a joke, if you're transitioning or experimenting or whatever obviously I'm totally here for you."
Merlin stared drunk and dumbfounded at Rich's earnest look of support, and then he burst into laughter. Suddenly this seemed much easier.
"I'm not trans, you fucknugget," Merlin said, wiping tears from his eyes, "Although good on you being an ally like that."
"Oh thank fuck," Rich said, then immediately regretting the words added, "Not that I'm glad you're not, it's just--"
"Calling me a basic bitch coed would've been a pretty shitty thing to say to a girl just starting to transition," Merlin said, still chuckling at the idea.
Rich grinned, abashed, but then he looked confused, "Wait, so what're you talking about then? What differences?"
"What differences?" Merlin asked sarcastically, "I'm a whole new fucking person! I'm a half foot taller and muscled like a greek god. My skin's smoother than a pearl, I got hair as luscious as Samson. My dick's longer and thicker and covered in foreskin, and I finally have a fucking ass. 'What differences?'" Merlin said, laughing again.
Meanwhile Rich's look of concern returned, as he worried his best friend had gone mad, "Merl, did you have any pills or--"
"I'm not crazy Dick, just--this room. You were like, 'why haven't I been spending more time here,' but up to yesterday I had a fucking roommate that made Steve look like Prince Charming," Merlin stumbled over to the drawer beside his bed and pulled out the fleshlight, tossing it to Rich, "Until he stole a fleshlight from a magic store and got turned into it."
Rich ignored the fleshlight in his hands as he kept staring at Merlin, "I think we've had enough to drink. It's getting late, maybe some rest would--"
"Ah fuck, I mean this is all part of it. You can't remember, that's the point, Vano said. Nobody notices except the changers and--" Merlin stopped openmouthed as he had an idea.
Rich thought it was just more mania, "Vano--is that the guy you blew for this fleshlight? Could he have like slipped you something or--"
"Just hold on," Merlin said, and he began searching up and down the room for his phone. He had no idea where it could've gone, and his drunken search was just making a bigger mess.
"Merl, what're you," Rich stumbled up after Merlin and put a hand on his shoulder, pulling him to face him, "Chill, dude."
"I'm just trying to find--" But Merlin's tongue caught as his eyes met Rich's and he saw a faint colorful glow surrounding him.
"What? What's wrong?" Rich asked, confused as Merlin went slack jawed staring at him.
But Merlin didn't hear him. In his mind's eye he suddenly saw Rich stripped naked, floating like the vitruvian man in a circle with two spinning stars behind him. It was different than what he'd seen in the grimoire though--he could only focus on a few of Rich's features at a time, and he had to concentrate or he knew the vision would slip away.
"Why're you looking at me like that, Merl?" Rich said, almost disturbed as Merlin seemed to look both right at him and straight through him.
Merlin was seeing the changes. Trying to remember what changes he'd made for himself, what changes he wanted to add or leave out. It was hard, muddled compared to the crystal clear image and easy options he'd had in the grimoire. But he could still make changes, and when he liked what he made Merlin's vision began to spin.
"Merlin..." Rich was actually frightened now, as Merlin's steely irises spun inside his eyes. Faster and faster until they almost seemed to glow with their own light.
Then Merlin blinked, and as the world wobbled back into place he went weak at the knees and for a moment thought he'd puke.
"Merlin, what's wrong?" Rich grabbed his friend under the arm and helped him sit down.
Merlin looked up at Rich's concerned expression, confused. Then Rich began to pull on his collar, as sweat beaded on his brow.
"Nothing's wrong," Merlin said, trying to get ahold of himself, "Just sit down and maybe get your pants o--"
But Rich started pacing, breathing heavily from the rising heat, "Wh-what's happen--" and he fell to the ground. There were needles all over his body, a searing ache in the back of his head.
"Just relax," Merlin said nervously, kneeling next to his friend, putting a hand on his shoulder, "It's uncomfortable for a second but it should--"