NorwayXReader - New Year's Eve: the aftermath

It all started with that stupid New Year's Eve party Mathias persuaded you to go to. Like all bad ideas, it had seemed like a good idea at the time – although you came into contact with most of the people you worked with on a daily basis, you never really got to know any of them on a personal level, and the party could be a good way to fix that.

But as you opened your eyes, welcoming a horrid hangover that nearly caused you to double up, you were beginning to question your decisions. Pretty much everyone was totally wasted by the time you arrived, and once you'd been encouraged to have a drink yourself, the night had had only gone downhill from there. You had conversed with very few people who weren't completely buzzed, and you could only really remember accidentally spilling wine down Raivis' shirt, one of the interns that worked with you. Even through your banging headache, you made a mental note to find him and apologise sometime. The rest of the night was nothing but a blurred mess.

You groaned as you sat up, pushing away a heavy blanket, thankful that the curtains were closed, blocking the sunlight that threatened to worsen what felt like a car crash in your head, and then sat up further and sharply inhaled when you realised that you were not in your own bed. Glancing down at yourself, you breathed a sigh of relief at finding that you were still fully clothed. Thank goodness. At least one thing was going right for you today.

You then tried to get out of the bed and examine your surroundings, but unfortunately for you, your body was still working off the aftereffects of the alcohol you had consumed the night before, and all you managed to do was fall off the side, taking the blanket with you, squealing as you came into contact with the cold, wood floor.

Cursing under your breath, you tried to free yourself, but your motor skills were still playing up and you could only flail helplessly.

You heard someone stepping into the room, but the sheets blocked your view. The person picked you up and gently freed you from your fabric prison. Your (e/c) eyes made contact with dull blue ones, and you did a double-take once you realised whose face it was that you were staring at.

"L-Lukas?!" You exclaimed, before clutching your head and instantly regretting your loud tone of voice.

"That's me."  He replied. He handed you a glass of water and a cool flannel, both of which you gladly accepted. "How do you feel?"

"Rotten. Where am I?"

"In my house." The blond man examined you carefully. "You... you don't remember anything from last night, do you?"

You shook your head, wrinkling your nose. "Not really. Most parts are a little foggy. All I know is that I went to the New Year's Eve party at the office, at Mathias' insistence, and I drank way too much, and I'm now suffering from the consequences. Damn Mathias for persuading me into going." You sat up and examined Lukas with interest, taking a sip of your water before speaking again. "He forced you to come too, didn't he? I can tell. You're not really much of a party person yourself."

He nodded and you grinned. "I knew it. Well, I'm just glad you were there, and that you let me come home with you, instead of just leaving me there to fend for myself."

He shrugged. "You were drunk out of your mind. I could never stand by and let you even attempt to make it to your own home."

"Still. You're taking care of me now, instead of kicking me out, and I really appreciate it, Lukas. Thank you." Your eyes widened as another thought clouded your mind.

"Um, Lukas... just how drunk was I last night?"

"You were pretty far gone, I'd say. More than I originally thought, if you can't even remember what happened." You groaned and laid back down on his bed.

"Do you think anybody noticed?"

He shook his head. "I doubt it. Everybody there was drunk."

You nudged him, grinning a little. "Well, not everybody. You weren't." You paused, a thoughtful look crossing your features. "Listen, Lukas, I'd like to make it up to you another time, if you don't mind."

He turned to stare at you, looking shocked, a pink flush returning to his cheeks. Your own face heated up as you realised what he thought you had meant. "I-I mean, we should go out for coffee sometime! My treat. To make up for everything I've made you go through."

"You don't have to do that, you know."

"I know. But I want to."

"You won't take no for an answer, will you?" He sighed when you shook your head, but his lips curved into a tiny smile. “Okay then. If you insist."

You smiled. "Great! Are you free any time next week?"

"Yes. Now drink your water." You did. Once you were finished, he took the glass and stood up. "You should sleep. Once you wake up, you'll feel a lot better, I'm sure. When you wake, come and get me, and I'll take you home. Okay?"

You nodded and settled back under the covers. "Hey, Lukas?"

He raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Thanks again. For everything."

He nodded and patted you head before leaving the room. You briefly thought how weird it was that you were sleeping in your co-worker's bed, but then the warmth of the blanket extended to you, and the thought left you as you drifted off to sleep.

---------------

Later in the day, you woke up, feeling a lot better, just like Lukas had said, and as he drove you home, the two of you sat in comfortable silence, until he pulled up outside your house. He waited until you had let yourself in before driving off. As you stepped inside your house, you smiled to yourself. Lukas was such a nice guy. Although you were still kind of pissed off at Mathias for dragging you to the party, you felt less angry towards the Dane, purely because if you hadn't gone, you wouldn't have had the chance to be looked after by Lukas, and most likely would not be seeing him again next week. You couldn't wait to see Lukas again, and to be fully sober this time.

Whistling to yourself, you bounced up the stairs to go and take a shower, silently thanking Mathias every step of the way.