Demons, Witches, and Toads (BoyxBoy) - Chapter 95: Chapter 95

"Alright, so would you like to explain to me what the hell is going on?" Mulock snapped, eyes narrowed and arms crossed.
It had been a rather stressful several hours for the demon, first discovering Wheeler was nowhere to be found, then finding the other princes missing as well. It had taken him almost the entire night to finally track them down.
Needless to say, Mulock was considerably pissed.
"Muuuuuuuuuully," Wheeler called as he approached, flinging himself at the demon. Wheeler reeked of alcohol, his face flushed from it, ruffled hair falling into his eyes. The boy threw his arms around Mulock's shoulders. "Mully, please dooon't be maaaaaad at meeeee. Pleeeeeease."
Mulock's gaze fell to Prince Avery behind him, arching a brow. "Just how much did he drink?"
"Two glasses," Avery replied. His gaze flickered to Wheeler, who'd begun nuzzling against Mulock like a baby kitten. "I think he's a lightweight."
"Muuuuuuuuuully, you smeeeeeell really gooood."
"Yeah, lightweight might be a bit of an understatement," Mulock muttered.
"I'm going to get him some water," Avery said. "Mind keeping an eye on him?"
"Sure, I can Wheeler-sit," Mulock mumbled. "I do it every day already."
The tall prince gave him a quick nod in thanks before disappearing into the crowd, leaving Mulock alone with an incredibly wasted Wheeler.
"What were you thinking?" Mulock asked sharply. "Do you have any idea just how dangerous it was to sneak out of the palace?"
"I knooooow," Wheeler slurred. "But looook how muuuuch fun they're haaaaavin'."
Mulock's gaze flickered across the tavern, the princes dancing and singing amidst the local patrons, their expressions elated.
"I juuuust wanted to make them happy after everythin' that happened." Wheeler's shoulders began to tremble. "Are you angry with me?"
Mulock sighed heavily. "I'm not angry. I'm just---"
"I've disappointed you, haven't I?" Wheeler gasped, choking on the words. Before the demon could even reply, Wheeler let out a loud sob, the sound muffled against Mulock's shoulder. "I made Mully disappointed in me. I'm so horrible. I wanna dieeeeeeee." He was weeping by now, tears rolling down his cheeks.
Oh God no.
Wheeler was an emotional drunk.
At last, Avery returned, glancing at the wailing boy as he approached. "Oh, yikes," he said, handing Mulock the water. "I'd stick around, but Bartram's also extremely wasted, which means I've gotta go deal with him, too. You, uh...you think you can handle..." Wheeler let out another loud, mangled sob, "that?"
"Yep."
"Okay." Avery gave him an awkward thumbs up. "Cool, cool." He glanced behind him, eyes widening at the sight of Bartram attempting to climb up onto one of the tables. The prince's jacket was on backwards, and he wore a large feather hat that he'd most certainly not had earlier.
"Hello, laaaaaaaadies," Bartram slurred, attempting to do a twirl that nearly sent him toppling off the table. "Doesn't dis hat make me look seeeeexy?"
"Shit," Avery hissed. "I gotta go before this turns into an even bigger disaster." He flashed Mulock a pained smile. "Good luck, pretty boy." And with that, he darted back into the crowd.
"Wheeler," Mulock muttered, attempting to pry the boy off him. "Stop crying. I'm not disappointed in you. Now please drink this."
He tried to hand him the water, but Wheeler shook his head, shoulders shuddering as he continued to sob. "I just wanna be worthy of you, but no matter what I do, I always feel like I..." His voice caught. "I feel like I'm never good enough."
"What are you talking about?" Mulock breathed. "We both know that's not true."
"Yes it iiiiiiis."
"Wheeler, you are an incredible person. You're kind, you're passionate, you're caring..." He offered Wheeler a gentle smile. "I could continue listing all the things I find amazing about you, but if I did, I'm afraid we'd be here all night."
"Why do you have to say things like that?" Wheeler asked softly.
"What do you mean?"
"It just hurts so much," Wheeler choked between sobs. "Because when you say those things, it makes me think you could actually love me, too."
Mulock froze, thinking perhaps he'd misheard.
Wheeler lifted his head, tears still streaming down his cheeks. "But then I come back to reality, and realize how stupid I am, and that you'll never feel the same way. I keep tellin' myself I can handle being in love with someone that can't love me back, but it's just... I had no idea it would be this painful."
Mulock's breath caught. "Wheeler, I..."
And he wanted to tell him the truth. That these feelings weren't one sided. That he only kept them locked away because to speak them aloud could jeopardize everything.
He opened his mouth to respond, but quickly caught himself.
This was the alcohol talking.
Instead, he gently lifted the glass of water, bringing it to Wheeler's lips. "Drink this," he murmured. "And then we're going to get you home and to bed, alright?"
Wheeler nodded stiffly, thankfully emptying the glass.
"You'll feel better in the morning, I promise," Mulock said, brushing the hair from his face. "So please, don't cry." He leaned forward, pressing a light kiss to Wheeler's forehead. "And, Wheeler...it's always been you who's far too good for me."
***
Wheeler woke up the next morning with a splitting headache.
He winced at the pain, slowly rolling over on his side to find Mulock standing there, pouring a glass of water.
"Good morning," the demon said, handing it to him.
"Oh," Wheeler mumbled, his voice still groggy. "Hi, Mully."
"Drink that," the demon ordered. "Staying hydrated will help a great deal." He grabbed a tray from the bedside table, plopping it in Wheeler's lap. It was stacked high with muffins, pancakes, and eggs, all resting beside a small pile of apples and pears. "You'll want to eat, too," Mulock continued. "That is, unless your goal is to feel horrible for the rest of the day."
With his head still aching, Wheeler picked up an apple, giving it a tiny nibble. "Thank you," he murmured. "You're so nice."
"Oh really?" Mulock said, crossing his arms. "Let's see how nice you still think I am after hearing the lecture I've had prepared for you since last night."
Wheeler sank down into his blankets. "Oh no."
"Oh yes." The demon's eyes narrowed, beginning to pace back and forth as he started to rant like an angry parent. "Do you have any idea how reckless that was? You went without guards, or even telling anyone where you were going. You would have been an assassin's dream. And what if Emeric had spies following you, huh? Who knows what you might say or do while intoxicated that he could use against you."
Wheeler paled, the realization hitting him that he couldn't remember a single thing after Mulock had shown up last night.
Wheeler swallowed hard. "Um...Mully..." he said slowly. "Did I say anything embarrassing while I was...err, well...you know..."
The demon tensed for a moment, something unreadable coming over his gaze before he quickly shook his head. "Nothing too bad." He smirked, giving Wheeler's hair a light ruffle. "Though, you did cry for several minutes straight."
"What?!" Wheeler gasped. "I did?"
"Yep, and you wouldn't stop clinging to me."
Wheeler buried his face in his hands, wanting to sink into the floor and die. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry. Uuugh, I can't believe I did that."
"Could be worse," Mulock said with a shrug. "Bartram stole an old lady's hat and then started asking every woman in sight if it made him look sexy."
"Wow," Wheeler breathed. "Okay, yeah. That is pretty bad."
He took another bite of his apple, swallowing hard. Well..pared to that, he supposed anything he must have done last night probably wasn't too memorable.