Ghost sat in the hall, just outside of their living room, listening to Toast inside.

He knew he was drinking. As soon as they had gotten home, Ghost watched as he walked over to the fridge and pulled out all of the alcohol in it, silent tears falling as he opened his first drink, taking a huge gulp from it. Ghost didn't know what to do, if he should stop him, try to comfort him, or if he should simply stay away. He was scared for Toast, he knew that this wasn't going to help him. He knew what he was going through must be hard, but he also knew drinking would not be the solution to this problem. If anything, it was going to make things even worse.

He heard Toast curse, and then something hit the ground, and that was when he finally decided that he needed to do something. Toast was going to hurt himself if he didn't step in.

Taking a deep breath, he walked back into the living room hesitantly, chewing on his lip. "J-Johnny.."

Toast turned around to see Ghost, just now standing up from where he'd tripped and fell on the ground. Toast glared at him. "What do you-" he paused, a strangled noise coming from his throat, almost sounding like a hiccup. "-do you want?" He finished, and Ghost frowned.

"Johnny, I.. I understand that you're upset.. But I-"

"What do you understand?" Toast snapped at him. "Have you ever been in love with someone? Do you know how bad it hurts when it doesn't work?"

Ghost stared at the ground. He mumbled a small yes, his eyes tearing up. He wiped at them furiously, shaking his head and looking up at Toast. "But Toast, I also know drinking is not going to fix anything. Trust me, I've-"

Ghost's voice broke, and he swallowed thickly before he continued. "I've tried myself. It may make you numb to it for now, but later? It comes back, and it's ten times worse. So please, just.. Stop.. I'm sure that you're tired now. Why don't you get some sleep..?"

Ghost stepped closer, reaching out and grabbing Toast's hand, tugging him closer. "I promise, I'll be right here for you through all of this. I wouldn't ever leave you.. I'm here to help you." Ghost assured him, and Toast choked on a sob, leaning into Ghost as he wrapped his arms around him.

Ghost helped him to his bedroom, laying him in his bed and smiling at him. He was about to leave, so Toast could get some rest, but Toast grabbed onto his wrist.

"Please.. I don't want to be left alone tonight..." He whispered. "Could you.. At least stay until I'm asleep?"

Ghost gave a small nod, sitting down on the bed next to Toast, who slid his hand from Ghost's wrist down to his hand, holding it tightly. Ghost held onto Toast's hand just as tight, reassuring him as he settled into his bed, closing his eyes.

Ghost smiled at the sleeping Toast, whispering quietly to him. "I love you, Johnny."

He closed his eyes, thinking he would stay a few minutes to be sure Toast wouldn't awake and need him again.

"I love you too, sir." Toast replied, just barely awake. Ghost's eyes widened in surprise, at a loss of what to say or think about what he'd just said. Had he even heard him correctly?

As soon as Ghost thought Toast was asleep, he darted out of the room, ducking into his own and lying on the bed.

He struggled to fall asleep with the thoughts in his head. Thoughts about Toast, and how he had said it back. About how, surely it was only because he was drunk that he said that, and he probably-hopefully-wouldn't even remember it by the next day.

When he finally did manage to sleep, even his dreams were haunted by the thought of Toast, nightmares the only thing that would await him that night.