The party at the DWMA was in full swing. Music thumped through the walls, laughter spilled from every corner, and Black☆Star was already bragging loud enough to be heard over it all. Liz leaned casually against the arm of a couch, chatting with a couple of classmates, when she felt a sudden weight slump against her side.

“Uh—hey?” she glanced down to see you leaning heavily into her arm. At first, she thought you were just being playful, but then your head dropped against her shoulder and your breathing evened out. Liz blinked, incredulous. “...Did you just fall asleep on me? At a party?”

A couple people nearby chuckled, and Patty squeaked, clapping her hands like it was the funniest thing she’d ever seen. “They’re out like a light! Liz, you’re like, their pillow now!”

Liz rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. She adjusted her arm to keep you from sliding completely off the couch. “Great. Guess I’m officially the designated babysitter tonight.” She brushed a stray lock of hair out of your face, muttering under her breath. “Seriously, you couldn’t wait until we got home?”

Kid, passing by with a drink in hand, tilted his head with mild concern. “Are they alright? Passing out in the middle of a social gathering isn’t exactly—”

“They’re fine, Kid,” Liz cut in smoothly. “Just running on zero hours of sleep, apparently. Which, you know, they probably should’ve mentioned before agreeing to come here.”

Black☆Star bounded over, loud as ever. “Wait, they fell asleep in the middle of my amazing story?! Unbelievable! I was about to describe the part where I single-handedly—” “Shhh!” Liz hissed, shooting him a sharp look. “Unless you want me to throw you out, you keep your ‘amazing story’ down. You’ll wake them up.”

Black☆Star pouted, but Maka tugged him away before Liz made good on the threat. With the noise level dipping just slightly, Liz settled back into the couch, shifting you so your head rested more comfortably in her lap. She sighed, shaking her head with amused exasperation. “Guess I can’t really blame you,” she murmured, her voice softer now. “These parties do drag on, and you do look kinda cute when you’re not tripping over yourself from exhaustion.”

Patty giggled from across the room. “Liz is being all mushy~”

Liz’s face flushed, and she shot her sister a glare. “Zip it, Patty.”

Still, she didn’t push you off or try to wake you. Instead, she let you stay there, gently running her fingers through your hair while the party buzzed around you. It wasn’t the glamorous night she’d expected, but sitting there with you fast asleep against her—it wasn’t so bad either.