Work Text:
“We don’t even have anything to wear.” Sapnap complained as a certain freckled boy was draped over his lap, head nestled on cushioned thighs.
A discussion about the Streamies had been in progress for about half an hour when the idea of attending was dodged for the third time. All three boys had received an invitation to it but since their schedules (mostly George and Sapnap’s) were unclear almost right until the event’s date, with less than a day remaining it was only fair to think rationally.
“I don’t say this often but he’s right for once.” George quipped from the other side of the living-room, half paying attention to the conversation between the couple on the couch.
“Come on you two. Don’t act like you can’t just buy something fancy whenever you want.” Karl reasoned rolling his eyes when the Brit of the group huffed.
“This is not a matter of want, it’s a matter of need to be clear.” Sapnap was the one to provide a verbal counter argument, worries surfacing aided by the fact that this would be his first public event since asking Karl out.
They were not publicly dating yet but attending an award show as secret boyfriends who could barely survive without sharing body heat would be a challenge he might have not been ready to face at that very moment.
“Babe.” Karl whined fluttering his eyelashes up at his other half.
“Ew-“ Was George’s input to the conversation as he fake gagged at the mushiness of his friends.
“Shut the fuck up.” Sapnap hissed death glare flashed on the ready the second George opened his mouth.
Before they could pick up their usual back and forth of cusses, black coated fingertips coaxed the youngest of the trio away from his never-ending threats with a tap on his chest, shirt yanked down a tad for good measure so their noses could brush together. The small touches immediately calmed Sapnap down, melting away his brotherly annoyance directed at his other best friend.
“You really want us to go, don’t you?” Tone soft, earthly green met silver, anger fading out and replaced with affection.
“Obviously.” Karl beamed up at his boyfriend, fully aware he was seconds away from getting what he wanted.
A faux sigh left Sapnap’s lips as he pretended to mull over his options again, ignoring George’s mumble of ‘don’t be a simp’ for everyone’s sake. “Where’s the closest fancy clothing store then?”
Karl’s eyes lit up, “Yippe!” as he cheered, sitting up way too fast. The blue-eyed boy planted a small kiss on his boyfriend’s cheek then pressed their faces together in joy. “You’ll need a suit. Do some fan service.”
“Fan service, yeah?” Sapnap rose his eyebrows letting Karl snuggle into his chest.
“Mhm. Give the people what they want!” The latter hummed content as ever.
“Are these people with the room with us right now?” George’s murmur of sarcasm was met with a shrug and a nonchalant ‘maybe’.
That’s how the self-proclaimed ‘Banter Boys’ ended up at the Streamy Awards arm in arm, all dapper in last minute suits, light makeup dusting their cheeks. However, before entering the venue, a small stop had to be made since Karl insisted that a photoshoot could not be missed. Not when they all looked so handsome and fancy, he claimed.
“I’m afraid to ask but are we taking photos because you want to post them or for private reasons?” George inquired as he scoped out the area for a nice background for the pictures.
“A bit of both. One cannot simply go wrong with some light Karlnap pandering.” Karl stated turning to his better half to complete his joke, “Now pucker up, handsome.”
Sapnap pushed the other away gently, politely rejecting the kissy faces Karl was making. “Absolutely not.”
George shielded his eyes, not so keen on seeing that sort of intimacy between his two friends, one of which he saw as a little brother. (Accidentally walking in on them mid-make out twice was more than enough, thank you very much). “Yeah, please don’t.” He pleaded.
Nonetheless, blue eyes lit up in mischief, always ready to tease his friends back, “Shut up, you love love.”
“I uh-“ The Brit reddened at the (rightful) accusation, unable to come up with a witty response to save his pride.
He did. There was no denying that. They all did to be fair.
Still, Sapnap saved him by changing the subject, stirring them back on track with a simple question directed at his partner, “Where do you wanna do this Mr Ex-cameraman?”
“With the greenery in the background clearly.” Karl hummed as he vaguely pointed at some bushes and a fruit tree in bloom.
“Good, now let’s do this before we’re late.”
-
If thirty photos weren’t shot just of the couple than none were taken at all. Unsure how to act less in love for the photos intended to be shared with the public, the coy smiles paired with awkward stances made it look like the boys were posing for their freshman prom. It didn’t help that after a while they began to play it up as well, joking around about the skater boy and the debate captain’s forbidden romance who both fought to be valedictorians when the time came. George also naturally captured the soft moments, smiling to himself despite his played-up disgust about the others' sentimentality, ready to take candids as the pair goofed around between fixed poses. Chins were cupped, hands lingered on shoulders, around waist and smoothed down unruly curls, as ties got fixed and a certain headpiece was threatened to be stolen.
George shook his head at the two with a fond smile when Karl pulled Sapnap’s chain out from under his shirt, kissing the silver accessory he himself had once purchased before hiding it again under a pitch balck shirt collar. The idyllic scene couldn’t go on for much longer since it had to be broken up by an abrupt buzz coming from the device between the British boy’s fingers.
“Karl, your phone’s ringing.” He called out, brows furrowed at the contact’s name.
Startled, the couple jumped apart suddenly aware of their poor photographer’s presence. Cheeks pink the addressed one of the pair came to his senses first, accepting his phone extended towards him.
“What does my manager–? Shit, we are late!”
Making light chatter had never been Sapnap’s strong suit especially with creators he’d never heard of, yet he was willing to stomach all the hustle with the prettiest boy by his side, supported by his other best friend and a handful of familiar faces. Still, he managed to bounce of his friends’ laid-back energy and get through a quick red-carpet interview prior to the endless mingling and handshakes. As Karl got swept up in yet another group George quietly led the Texan boy away from the commotion and stirred him towards the bar to prevent him from getting overwhelmed by constant smiles and the endless rotation of the same three questions.
After glasses with something blue and sparkly got handed to them the older of the duo sighed, gaze fixed on Karl in the distance, “How does he know everyone?”
“I have no idea. He probably studies the guest list before attending these events…” Sapnap shrugged eyes never leaving his boyfriend either. He could cheer him on from the side lines much better whilst the other networked.
“Stalking everyone for IGNs and sub count for sure.” George agreed scrunching his nose when the bitter taste of something strong and reminiscent of spiced rum hit his taste buds.
The younger clinked their glasses together for that remark, “Yupp, then searches for the least known people with the most niche content ever.”
“That’s something he’d do for sure.”
Letting the mentioned boy out of their sight for a split second was enough time for Karl to vanish in the crowd. George didn’t think anything of it and brought up a different subject instead before Sapnap’s over-protective instincts could kick in and go on full detective mode.
Nevertheless, Karl seized the opportunity to sneak up on them, silently proving to his boyfriend that he could escape any situation he wished whenever he liked. (And perhaps confirmed his clingy boyfriend allegations…)
“What are you two whispering about?” He chirped the second he was within earshot making the other two jump slightly from the quick intrusion.
“Nothing ba–“ Voice instantly recognized Sapnap started, catching himself before he could slip up with a very telling pet name when surrounded by hundreds of people equipped with cameras. “ – buddy.”
“Nice save.” George snickered sharing a look with the grinning Karl.
Sapnap didn’t hesitate to switch his tone (not uncommon when it came to George – within moments as well) and look his house mate straight in the eye, expression deadpan, “I will kick you out of our home.”
“Dream would never let that –“
Before things could escalate and emotions could fly high, Karl pulled the bickering duo under his arms and ushered them towards their table. “Come on, you nimrods. The ceremony is starting soon.”
The longer the awards were handed out the tipsier the boys’ table got – especially after Karl’s turn of presenting one. Wandering hands landed on beloved thighs, seats were swapped to insure permanent contact between the couple. No one really paid much mind to the Minecraft Streamers since everyone was occupied with their own people. They did receive a few stares when, like well-trained cattle, all the guys seated with the trio snuck out to the restrooms leaving the girls behind to fend for themselves alone.
A palm firmly placed on Karl’s lower back Sapnap guided his social butterfly of a lover outside, murmuring whatever indecency he could think of en route. No one was surprised when the pair quietly disappeared someplace in the venue during the afterparty either and even if they did nobody spoke up about it. (They did check in with George before they broke off from the group, though.)
Karl was the instigator of it all. Without providing an explanation of his plan, he pulled his boyfriend towards the emergency exit doors fingers linked together, giggling when Sapnap could push it open just enough for them to slip deeper into the building.
“This is such a terrible idea.” Without actually knowing where they were headed the younger murmured, still unable to say no to his favourite person.
“Listen, if we get caught, we’ll just say – I don’t know – that we got lost or something.” Karl whispered trying to tiptoe as lightly as he could.
“Right. I do believe you are capable of bullshitting us out of pretty much anything…” His boyfriend trailed off, grateful that they hadn’t crossed paths with anyone practically backstage.
“Thanks, babe.” Karl chuckled placing a small kiss on his boyfriend cheek as he led him further down the abandoned hallway.
A few more paces covered and a near miscalculated turn led the duo to the room Karl had been searching for.
“A-aand we’re here.” He grinned searching his jacket pocket for something.
Sapnap’s eyes widened the second he could read the text on the door, “What? Ludwig’s dressing room?”
“Yupp.” Karl popped the ‘p’ then proceeded to pull out a lanyard with a shiny key card on it.
Completely baffled Sapnap asked, incredulous, “How?”
“Stole it from him on the red carpet.” Came the reply with a shrug as if that was an everyday activity.
Incapable of being nothin but blinded by love Sapnap merely shook his head, “You’re such a menace.”
“You love it.”
“Sure.” The key card buzzed the door green.
“Hurry.”
Just as expected the room was unoccupied. Karl ushered his boyfriend inside, locking the door behind them the second he could, pulling the younger man down to the small couch in the corner of the room.
“What are you planning, Jacobs? I thought we were only getting some fresh air.” Or at least that’s what they told George.
“Missed you, is all.” The other shrugged gracefully landing in Sapnap’s lap as the stubbled boy instinctively wrapped his arms around him for support.
“Is that so?” The younger mused placing a soft kiss on his lover’s mouth after a short hum of agreement. “That’s funny because if I remember correctly, I’ve been with you throughout the whole night. Even Foolish made a remark about how we’re joint at the hip.”
“Well, yeah. But nothing compares to being with you in private.” Karl said beaming. “Plus no one will bother us here.”
“That sounds way more suggestive than you probably intended it to be.” Sapnap let out a chuckle ducking away from the hand that swatted at him playfully for his comment.
“Shut up, idiot and kiss me.”
He didn’t have to say it twice for Sapnap to give in and capture his lips in a sweet lingering kiss, hat discarded so his boyfriend could comb through his curls as much as he pleased as their mouths moved together in a practiced dance. Palms careful to kneed through clothed skin Sapnap’s hands slipped into Karl’s pockets, squeezing as the latter licked into his mouth as if he hadn’t done so in months.
“Is this what you missed?” The younger mumbled against his love’s lips, kissing down his neck, careful not to scratch him with his beard and leave marks.
“Yeah. And holding you without anyone questioning it.” Karl added re-directing his boyfriend to make eye contact as he did so.
“That sounded almost romantic, dude.” Sapnap joked, glancing around the room with a shake of his head. Making out at an award ceremony in a room they weren’t allowed in – he was dating a near kleptomaniac for sure…
“Bro is calling me 'dude' when he’s had his tongue down my throat seconds ago. Unbelievable.” Dismissing the rest of his partner’s comment, Karl scoffed, using his fake frat boy voice to emphasize his point.
“Oh, so now I can’t call my boyfriend ‘dude’?” Sapnap was never the one to back down from a challenge. Besides the small fights everyone referred to as ‘married couple quarrels’ never disappeared when the two got together. The preceding years of friendship made sure of that.
Brushing his lips against the younger boy’s forehead Karl’s joking tone slipped into a more sincere territory, “I honestly don’t give a shit, as long as you look at me like that.”
“And now you just sound like our fans.” Sapnap chuckled with a quick squeeze of his boy’s hips.
Still, Karl didn’t let it go. He wanted to hear what he’d known for months now, “They’re right though, aren’t they?”
And who was Sapnap to deprive him of that, “Obviously.”
It was so obvious that one time after asking each other out the duo came up with the wonderful idea of watching fan edits and ship compilations of themselves noting each time whether their not-so-platonic feelings were already there in the clips or not yet. Sapnap lost the ‘caught in 4k’ segment by a long shot to say the least.
“Come here then Mr Heart Eyes.” Karl smiled so wide it almost hurt his cheeks.
With a mirrored expression Sapnap bumped their foreheads together, “As long as you meet me half-way Mr My Love Language is Physical Touch.”
“Always.”