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om_mainVictor's having a hard time relaxing with the play so close and Vance does his best to help matters with a little help from Pietro and Bobby
Victor was really trying to enjoy the party but it was tough. The play was getting so close now, feeling so real and it was getting pretty scary. What if he forget his lines and let everyone down or screwed up a cue? What if he came on too late or too soon? What if he just wasn't good enough and let everyone down?
The worries and doubts churned over in his brain like a self-doubting washing machine just swirling around and around. He did his best to ignore them and enjoy the company and the music and whatever but it was just kind of difficult. He kept a smile in place though, so as not to worry anyone and spoil their fun.
Vance came up behind the star of the show stealthily, and without any preamble, clapped him on the back. "You look way too nervous for a party, man."
Victor let out a loud and undignified squawk before half turning his head to splutter "Fucking hell, Vance!"
Vance took a step back and held his hands up where Vic could see 'em. "Sorry."
Turning properly to face him, Victor smiled a little "It's cool, I was just spacing. I guess."
"You look way too serious for a party, you know," Vance said, voice carefully gentle. "C'mon, you're supposed to be having fun. You've been working super hard on this play, you should let yourself unwind from it a little."
"I know, it's just a little hard when the show's so close, you know?" The younger boy admitted, dropping his voice so that no one else could hear.
Vance stepped back in, maybe invading Vic's personal space a little, but that way they wouldn't be able to overheard quite as easy. "Yeah, I get that. I mean, I figured you'd be nervous by now," he admitted. "But Vic, you're going to be awesome. And you've given this your all. You deserve to celebrate a little."
"I know it's just kinda hard. I am trying."
"Anything I can do?" Vance asked earnestly.
"Er, I have no idea." Victor shrugged cluelessly
Luckily enough, Pietro happened to be coming up behind them just as they moved a little closer. Of course, he'd noticed Vic was fast becoming a mess; he'd hoped the party would relax him a little, but the night was young. Now, Pietro had a sudden brainwave.
He came up behind them and draped an arm over each one's shoulders, pulling them into his sides. Seeing as he had more than a few inches on Vance and Vic was totally short, this was actually quite comfortable--like tiny mutant armrests. "Hello, hello. Are we having fun yet?"
Vance looked up at the older teen and smiled. "I am, yeah. Think Vic's having trouble with it, though."
"It's just taking a while to switch the brain off, nothing to worry about!" Victor assured him quickly, after all no director needed his lead having a crisis of confidence only days before the big show, did they? "The party's good."
Pietro shook his head and squeezed his roommate, though. "Oh, sweetheart, I am way too familiar with your moods to fall for that. Vance, buddy," he turned his face as he addressed the other boy. "I need you to help me out. I can't have my star stressing two days before opening night. So I'm wondering if you can be in charge of his happiness, just for tonight? Think of it like--like you're his PA. It's all very Hollywood."
"Okay," Vance agreed readily.
"An assistant to being happy? Seriously?" Victor stared at them both for a moment before admitting defeat because, really, he knew that expression on Pietro's face. Defeat was easier. "Ok, sure, whatever you think I need. What have I got to lose, right?"
"A general PA, but mainly his job would be to keep you happy, tonight, yes." Pietro leaned closer to Victor and planted a kiss on his head. "I do think you need it. As your director. Don't you think so, too, Vance? Look at this guy."
Vance nodded. Vic looked way too stressed, and that sucked. Because he should be having fun! This was a party for him! And the rest of them, sure, but no one had been working as hard at it as Victor had. "Definitely."
"Ok, ok, fun me up." The younger boy agreed with some resignation, looking from one to the other. Thoroughly outnumbered, and able to admit he did need help switching off his brain sometimes, he quite wasn't sure what he was in for. Last time he gave Pietro control of his thinking he'd ended up very drunk.
"That's my boy," Pietro agreed cheerfully, giving Vic a squeeze. Then another for Vance. "Thanks, man, you're a life-saver. Show-saver, even. I'll make sure you get a mention in the program: PA to the Star."
Vance laughed. "Not a problem. I'm happy to do it, really." He reached out to nudge Victor with one foot. "We just want you to enjoy yourself, after all. So c'mon," he grinned, "give me something to do."
"Like what?" Because Vic was still drawing a blank, he'd never been that great with improv anyway. Plus he still got the feeling Pietro was up to something and he half suspected it to be something to do with trying to get the two babies distracted and out of the way.
"I will let you two sort that out." Pietro let them go and backed away. "I'm around--and I'm behaving, so come find me if anyone starts getting stupid and tries to drown in the lake or something, okay?"
Vance blinked. "Ooooookay."
"He just keeps getting weirder." Victor joked (mostly) to Vance as he watched his room-mate/director retreat.
"Maybe," Vance agreed, smiling and shrugging, "but at least this time I'm not covered in glitter. So!" His expression widened into a grin. "What can I do to help you? Or to take your mind off things? Or whatever?"
"I dunno, you're the one in charge here so I'll just follow your lead." Was shrugged back with the afterthought of "Really feels like you're tempting fate by saying that."
"Nah, I trust you," Vance said happily.
"But do you trust him?" Was chuckled with a thumb jerk in Pietro's direction. "Sides the only glitter I own is the edible kind."
The older teen chuckled. "Yeah, I trust him, too. Even if I keep finding glitter in weird places on my clothes" And in his hair and stuff, but Vance left that out.
"So, Mr. Borkowski, sir, what can I do for you?" He asked, teasingly slipping into his assigned job. "How do you usually get out of your own head?"
"Uh...well, when I've let Pietro in charge he mostly gets alcohol. I dunno what I do. I mean I usually just watch tv or bake or something, not very good party things to do." Victor shrugged deciding not to ask about the glitter.
Suddenly, Vance looked a little nervous. Almost shy, though he was pretty sure that wasn't the right word for it either. "Is, uh...is that what you wanna do? Because I don't...I've never...done that. I mean, I've had wine for religious stuff, but...yeah."
He blushed a little. Maybe it made him just a stupid little kid, that he'd never drank before even though apparently Victor had. But he didn't want to get in trouble, and he'd get in a ton of trouble for that back home.
"Vance, I was just answering your question. Don't freak out on me, I'm not saying you have to. I was just, you know, answering your question." Victor explained hastily, hands up.
"I'm not freaking out," Vance said. "I'm just saying..." He shrugged.
"Ok, and you can 'just say' no if you don't want to drink, do I really look like I could make you anyway?" The green boy said gently.
"I'm not saying you would make me," Vance said, shaking his head a little. "Look, forget I said anything, okay? What do you want to do? If you wanna drink, that's fine. If you wanna do something else, that's fine too. Whatever you want, man."
"But I don't want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable." Victor insisted, feeling like they were going in circles a bit here. Maybe alcohol would help.
"You won't." Vance promised. Which maybe was more of a hopeful guess than something he knew for sure, but it was just drinking stuff, right? He'd had wine before. How bad could this be?
"Well, yeah, sure, we can do that then." Because anything to stop this awkward as hell conversation. Fun shouldn't be this hard.
"Alright, boss," he agreed. Vance could do this. He totally could. It'd be being a bad friend not to. Not just because Pietro had told him to try and keep Victor happy and everything, but because he really did want the other teen to be able to enjoy the party. And if this would help the green boy get out of his own head a little, then Vance should try his best to help.
Watching Vance seem to mentally talk himself out of a panic was painful so Victor looked anywhere but. He knew his friend was trying but at that moment he just wished he'd been left alone because so far nothing had helped, in fact Vance and Pietro had probably made it worse because now there was guilt and awkwardness on top of everything else.
Vic was looking even more stressed, and Vance patted him on the back before slinging an arm around his shoulders. "Alright, so, you're the teacher here," he reminded, voice even now that he'd put everything in context for himself.
"I dunno," Pietro always sorted out that stuff. "It's a party, there must be something." there had to be considering all of the older kids.
"Okay, well, if we find it we find it, if we don't...hey, afterwards we can go to the kitchen and bake brownies," Vance promised.
And that just felt like kinda of pathetic humouring but Victor did know the other boy was doing his best, it wasn't his fault that Victor was stressed out and getting in a bad mood about it. He did his best to smile gratefully and nod.
Vance was pretty sure all he was managing to do was make things worse. Which hadn't been what he was trying to do, and dang it, that sucked. He wanted Vic to calm down and be happy, not to be even more stressed out and mad at him.
So it was something of a relief when they ran into Bobby for a second. "Hey, man."
"Oh, Vance, hey meu amigo! And Victor too, ola!" Bobby spun around and grinned at his gym buddy, he was in the party mood for once. Mostly because of pharmaceutical help, but who cared so long as he was in the mood to dance right? "How goes it?"
"Pretty good, pretty good," Vance said, smiling back. "We were just kinda thirsty. Wondered if there was anything to drink anywhere?"
That was how you did this kind of thing, wasn't it? Vance had no idea, it wasn't like he'd ever tried. His dad would have flattened his ass if he'd been caught drinking underage. Not worth it at all. But here, well, people didn't seem to get in trouble in quite the same way.
Bobby chuckled because aww that was cute. "Are you looking for a drink or a drink?" He asked, grinning widely as he did so. He didn’t seem any harm in helping them since there were plenty of people around and, besides, the drink was actually freely available so it wasn’t like they couldn’t get it themselves.
"The second one," Vance said, blushing lightly.
Bobby nearly asked what kind Vance and his friend wanted but decided that it was clearly a question too far for the younger boy so instead grabbed him by the wrist and began to lead him through the party to the kitchen of the boathouse where there were various assorted alcoholic beverages "Rather than 'bring your own booze' it was more let's see what we can get. I am thinking something to mix with a fizzy drink is what you are after, yes?"
Vance had wrapped a hand around one of Vic's pulling the green boy along with them into the kitchen. "Uh.." He mentally translated 'fizzy drink' to 'soda'. "Yeah. That'd be good."
Leaning around Vance, Victor added "Vodka or rum best if there is any." So they didn't sound like totally clueless kids.
Bobby chuckled, ruffled Vance's hair and grinned down at both the boys as he passed to get them a large bottle of coca cola. "Help yourselves kiddies, just do not overdo it or I shall be in trouble." He was still grinning widely, the kiddies were really adorable.
Vance accepted the bottle of soda, and then picked one up that said vodka on it, since that's what Vic had asked for. "We should...go somewhere we won't get in trouble, right?"
"Uh, I don't think the other kids care but ok." The boathouse had plenty of rooms after all, not all of them could be full of party people.
After smiling gratefully at Bobby, Vance gestured for Victor to lead the way, holding both bottles carefully.
"Thanks Bobby," Victor called to the laughing older boy currently drinking from his own bottle before leaving with Vance. It didn't take too long to find an empty room upstairs. Flicking on a light, Victor looked around. Comfy looking couch at least.
"Vance, are you sure?"
"Sure about what?" Vance asked, confused, even as he sat down.
"The vodka, I mean I don't want you to do anything just coz of me." Victor sat down next to him, moving to sit cross-legged. They could still hear the party music though it was muted now.
"It makes me a little nervous," Vance admitted after a moment, looking down at the bottle they'd brought. "But...not because of anything you said or did. I know if I didn't want to, you wouldn't expect me to. But if I'd ever been caught with this back home....I would've been in so much trouble. Hard habit to break."
"Me too, I told you about my mom. She'd have a total fit." Victor agreed before continuing "So, this is you decision. What do you want to do?"
Vance was nervous, like he'd said, but he was pretty sure that he'd already made up his mind. "If you want to...let's go for it."
"Ok then, disclaimer first: tomorrow might not be pretty so don't be afraid to go see Josh." Victor told him, already opening the bottle of vodka. It wasn't full but it didn't need to be really, he was pretty sure his and Vance's tolerance would be basically non-existent compared to the others.
"Um…okay." Vance was pretty sure this was a hangover disclaimer, but he wasn't real sure why people ended up with them. But Josh could fix them, apparently, so that was good. He guessed.
Victor had grabbed two plastic cups while they were in the kitchen and so set about pouring the vodka in before motioning for Vance to top up with the soda. "Sorry I've been such a grouch so far."
"You're not being that bad, really. Besides," Vance shrugged, "you're under a lot of stress. I know that makes me kinda uncomfortable, when I'm super stressed out, y'know? I'm not taking it personally."
"Good, coz I wouldn't want you to." He took a sip experimentally. He'd maybe gone a little bit over the top with the vodka pouring but never mind. "Well first time I drank at all, we had the idea for Dorian so this could be interesting." He joked with a small smile.
Vance also brought his cup to his mouth, tasting it cautiously. It still mostly tasted like coke, but there was definitely some bite to it that was unusual. He took another sip, a little bigger this time, to see if the edge to the taste went away if you got used to it.
"Well, I promise to help if you come up with another play to do," he said, smiling back.
"Are you kidding? I'm loving it but once this is over I so need a rest!" The green boy laughed a little, already starting to relax a little.
"Fair enough." Vance took another big sip. Was it kind of hot in here? It seemed a little hot. He took another sip of the soda-vodka mixture and unzipped his light blue hoodie, a gift from Victor in fact, a little. "So you're gonna take a week-long nap when you're done?"
"Oh totally. Like hibernate and maybe eat junk food and veg out. Oooo I should rebuild the fort, that would be totally cool." Victor agreed, happily drinking his own vodka and coke like it was water.
Vance finished off his first cup in a large gulp, and passed it back to Vic for more. It did seem to be getting better now that he'd had a cup of it. "You had a fort? Like, a tree fort? Or a blanket fort?"
With that, Victor hastily polished off his own drink. Wouldn't do to not match Vance drink for drink, right? He could feel effects already though, he was smiling more and feeling warmer as he started pouring the next round of drinks. "Blanket forts all the way, me and Pietro used to make em. Loads of fun."
He wasn't able to stop smiling, really, but Vance didn't see how that could be a bad thing. "Sounds fun. If you build another one, can I come see it?"
"You could help! Be way more fun to have help, I'd probably be sleepy and useless but it'll still be awesome! Totally!" Victor enthused, maybe a little too much and he did spill come coke but the couch was dark so no one would ever know.
"You sure?" Vance looked at the very full cup, and decided he should probably take a big sip once he got it back. Just to avoid spilling. "I mean, don't wanna get in the way of Vic and Pietro bonding time or anything." Because he knew they were close but that they'd been rocky.
"Nah, we're all bonded up." Victor waved a hand before paused and frowning "Something about that sounded wrong. But yeah we're all good now. There was hugs and everything. He might be over forts anyway, it's been like forever."
Vance laughed. "Don't worry. I'm not picturing you guys handcuffed to one another or anything."
"But now I am. Ew, thanks so much for that." And exaggerated expression of disgust was pulled as he passed Vance's drink back. "It's not that I don't think he's great but, erm, no thank you. Not like that!"
The telekinetic took his cup back, and took a solid sip of the drink so that he wouldn't accidentally tip any over the side. "Hey, you said it, not me!"
"And you're the one who brought handcuffs into the mix, naughty Vance." He mock scolded, very aware that the behaviour was a sign of exactly how tipsy he was getting already but also not caring at all. It was the whole point of drinking the stuff, right?
Vance flushed lightly. "It was an example, not a suggestion."
"You blush so easy." Victor noticed out loud, leaning closer to playfully tap a coloured cheek with his hand.
He blushed even harder at having been caught. "Yeah, yeah, yeah," Vance pouted before sticking out his tongue. "Not like I can do anythin' about it."
"Eh it's cute, it works for you." He pulled his hand away but didn't sit back since he was comfy. "One of the few plus sides to have green skin is nobody knows when I'm blushing if I manage to act cool." Not that he often managed to act cool.
"Well, and the green skin looks cool," Vance added. He took another sip, even as he gave Vic an impish and considering look. "So you can't blush?"
"I can it just doesn't show up, if I'm using my image inducer it does. Unfortunately." And that meeting with Shinobi was been very blush inducing. Unfortunately.
"Not even if I start bringing up handcuffs again?" Vance asked, voice teasing.
Laughing, Victor shook his head "If you can't see the flush from the alcohol now, no way in hell will you be able to see a real blush but, please, tell me more about your sudden new fetish!" He was really laughing hard now, in fact it was almost giggling.
"It's not a fetish!" Vance protested, laughing too. His face was pink, from both alcohol and the subject-matter, but for some reason he wasn't as bothered by it. "Jeez."
The green boy just cackled as he got the rise he expected and oh so easily. "You bit though!" He managed to say gleefully when he got the giggles under control.
"I didn't bite anythin'," Vance said, feigning a pout even as he tossed his hair out of his eyes.
"Hey, I put that bait out and you were right in there! So easy! Hook, line and sinker! Ok, ok, not handcuff fetish. Apparently."
Vance took another sip of his drink before setting it down. "Easy, huh? Well....I'll show you bait!" Which maybe didn't mean exactly what Vance had meant it to, but it'd have to do, and he bounced over to tackle Victor.
Laughing, Victor just about managed to put his cup on the floor before he turned his attention to Vance. Ok, so the older boy was bigger and stronger but Victor had the advantage that he had at least drunk before whereas Vance hadn't. Hopefully he'd be slower or forget about his TK.
Victor did his best to try to fight off the other boy but the fact that he was still giggling really wasn't helping the attempt.
They tumbled off the couch, rolling over one another and laughing, before Vance finally managed to not-remotely-solidly pin Vic down. "Still champion!"
Victor let himself go limp under Vance and, after giving it a few moments to let the other boy think the fight was out of him, he sprang into action and switched their positions. He did his best to pin the older boy, admittedly he didn't have as much weight but he was damn quick (by normal non-Pietro standards anyway).
Vance wasn't totally sure how he'd ended up on the floor under Vic, but he pushed against the green boy's hold on him anyway (and completely unsuccessfully). "I'll get outta this eventually."
"Nope. You're my prisoner!" He shifted his weight a little to more effectively pin Vance as he straddled him. Sober Victor would right about then be remembering last time and would want to get out of the situation. Tipsy Victor was having too much fun laughing and being generally triumphant.
Vance bucked his hips beneath Vic, trying to dislodge him. He'd won last time. How had he won? Something with...tickling? Oh! Right! He had used his TK. As he wriggled beneath the other boy, he tried to put together tendrils that would get him back on top.
The wriggling was doing nothing to dislodge Victor as he gleefully grinned down at the blonde boy "Who's the champion no-hey!" He cut himself out with a yelped protest as the TK suddenly came into effect. Damnit, not the tickling again!
"Still me," Vance laughed, escaping as Victor was tickled into submission, and tossing a leg over the other boy's hips to keep him pinned to the floor.
The younger boy wriggled and thrashed beneath him as he cursed inwardly (and a little outwardly) the fact that he was so God damn ticklish. It just wasn't a fair fight!
Vance was having trouble stopping laughing, and it was throwing him off balance. To keep from falling off, he settled more solidly against his captive, even as he kept gently poking at him with the TK. "Who's easy now?" The telekinetic laughed.
"Meanie!" Victor protested, pouting up at his friend as he tried to stop laughing though it was a hard battle to fight. Everything was warmer and funnier and less complicated. He decided he liked vodka.
"Am not," Vance grinned. He leaned forward to pin Victor's shoulders to the floor with his forearms, even as he tickled the boy's sides with his telekinesis. "Besides, what're friends for if not for teasin'. You like it." He stuck his tongue out.
Vic was still squirming and wriggling, somehow becoming more and more ticklish rather than becoming desensitised from the continuing attack.
"Do that again and I'll bit it." He informed the other boy, startling himself more than a little. He had no idea where that had come from. From the alcohol probably.
Vance just laughed. "Yeah right."
"Don't say I didn't warn you." Was sing-songed back.
Vance leaned down a little so that he was pushing Vic against the floor, thighs tight around his hips, still tickling him with telekinesis. This was definitely in poor Victor's personal space, but Vance didn't mind; maybe it should've, but it didn't now.
"You give up yet?" He asked, a teasing smile on his face. "Cause I can do this aaaaaaaaall night."
"N-no!" Was said back quite stubbornly though a little distractedly. The tickling was sporadic now though still enough to have him wriggling and with Vance being even closer like that, well, it shouldn't feel so good, should it? Victor couldn't remember why not at that particular moment though.
Vance slid against his captive, getting comfy in case this was gonna be a long stand-off. "Well, I'm not givin' up, either."
As Vance slid against him, Victor's body reacted automatically without consulting the green boy first. Of course, that may have been because his brain wasn't exactly in the driver's seat at that moment. He bucked up against the other boy, the noise coming from his a little bit strangled from the fact that he was still choking back laughter from being tickled.
It wasn't until he was lying on the floor properly again that he realised exactly why it was feeling too good. Just like last time, his body had completely betrayed him and now there was no way Vance couldn't noticed he was getting hard, was there?
Vic pushed up against him in this way that forced the breath outta Vance. This...he knew this feeling. Oh, shit, was he turned on? Victor felt like he was, and fuck, Vance didn't exactly know what was going on or why he was could feel his heart thudding like this, but...
At least he'd won? Somehow that still seemed important, more important than the fact this should be real, real awkward. "Surrender yet?"
Mortified, Victor nodded silently. What else could he do? Other than die of shame, of course...
Vance grinned and sat up, slowly and carefully climbing off of him, before falling back to sit against the couch, one leg pulled up to hide his own predicament. Not that Vic'd be able to judge. Because ha.
He was pretty sure this should bother him, but somehow it just seemed kinda funny.
Victor sat up too though stayed on the floor and grabbed his drink, downing it before he even dared look up at his friend. Vance was sitting sort of weirdly, why would he be...unless. Was he? No way...
But then Vance didn't look embarrassed, actually he was laughing. Was it funny? Maybe it was, he'd never been in a situation quite like this...
Reaching for the vodka bottle, with a near hysterical, nervous laugh he asked "More drink?"
Vance shook his head, and grabbed his cup from where he'd left it. "Still have some left, but thanks. Don't look so traumatized, man! You're supposed to be having fun."
"I'm not traumatised." Victor mumbled as he poured himself another drink. Were they just supposed to sit there and pretend they weren't both turned on? Just great, awkwardness was returning fast…
"Coulda fooled me." Vance finished off his drink, and passed his cup over for a refill.
Obediently the younger boy filled the cup again after his own. "Yeah? You want to prove it somehow?"
"Prove what?"
"That, that I'm not traumatised. I dunno..." He shrugged as he held the drink out to Vance.
"Thanks." Vance took the cup, took a sip, and then gave Victor another slightly goofy grin. "How would you prove that kinda thing, anyway? Besides," he waved a hand, "we laugh about it and wait long enough, and it'll go away."
If he'd actually thought about it, Vance would've realized this was the first time he'd ever mentioned anything even relating to...that....without feeling as though his entire face was going to catch fire. "It was just some wrestlin', after all."
"Was it though?" Was asked pointedly as Victor took another glug of his drink. They were both in situations after all and 'just some wrestling' between friends didn't usually end up like that. At least, he didn’t think it did.
"How would I know?" Vance was back to laughing. "I've barely got any experience with this kinda thing and girls, let alone guys. Jeez."
Victor's head tilted thoughtfully, was Vance saying what he thought he was saying or was he just reading too much into stuff. "And you think I do?" He snorted back instead.
"Shit, I don't know!" He shook his head, still smiling, before pushing his hair out of hsi face. "I never know anything. Heck, I don't even know what we're talking about now. But I do know it's not like I usually talk about this. Or...that, you....whatever." Vance took another sip and shook his head some more. He was pretty sure he could feel his brain moving.
"Or that I what?" Victor asked as he slowly climbed back onto the sofa with Vance.
Okay, even alcohol wasn't fixing Vance's blush now. Heck, if anything it was making it worse. "I don't, like, talk about you being...y'know!"
Ok, there were two options that could end that sentence "Gay or...?"
Vance blinked. "Huh? No, that's not it."
"Jus' checking." Victor shrugged a little, looking down into his drink. He didn't know really what was happening other than there was a weird energy about that wasn't just tipsiness he didn't think.
Now Vance was just kind of confused, though oddly super energized. "'Kaaaaaaaay."
"What're...what are...?" He looked up at the other boy trying to figure out what they were saying, what they were doing. He took another big glug of drink, not sure as to whether it was actually helping or not.
Vance just shook his head. "Yeah, I'm just an idiot. Don't worry! Maybe I'll get there eventually!"
Get where eventually though? Victor really wasn't sure since the whole conversation had left him behind a while back. It didn't help that most of his brain was still back on the floor in that moment when Vance had pinned him down and pressed up against him and it had just felt so good. He'd never felt quite like that before, but Vance was a friend and that made the good feeling wrong, didn't it? Or did it? No, yes it did. Possibly. Probably.
Vance took another sip. "Are you as confused as me right now?"
The younger boy nodded before laughing. Laughing at them and the whole silly situation. This was utterly ridiculous.
Vance gave him a bright smile. "Great! I always hate when it's just me."
"So...Mr PA. What do we do now?!"
"I dunno." He finished his drink, and let himself sink sort of sideways into the couch. But that wasn't comfy, and eventually he spun and laid back, so his head was only barely not touching Vic's thigh. He woulda just used the green boy as his pillow, but that might make him uncomfortable now. And Vance was probably...tipsy? Buzzed? Was this drink?...anyway, he wasn't mean. "What'd be fun for you?"
Looking down at his friend Victor found that, as had been the case since Awkward Incidents 1 & 2, Vance asking him an innocent question like that was just triggering his brain to give responses that he could usually quash and filter out as ridiculous and inappropriate. Trouble was usually he was totally sober and right now, well, right now he really didn't see any reason why he shouldn't and so he did.
He lent down so that his face was only inches away from Vance's, though upside down due to the strange way the other boy was laying. "Well, what would be fun for you?"
Vance looked up at him, eyes still bright with laughter, and face still slightly pink. "Whatever you want to. It's your night, remember?"
There was no decision, no thought process, just action. It wasn't until Victor’s lips were pressed against Vance's that his thoughts caught up enough to remember exactly why this was a horrible idea.
Vance was momentarily confused, but found himself kissing Victor back before he even knew what he was doing. Not that he was some kind of expert, obviously, but it'd been awhile since he'd kissed anyone. Of course, then his brain caught up, and he paused to ask, "Wait. What're we doing?"
"Well I could be wrong, I have been before, but I'm pretty sure we weren't playing soccer." Victor told him very seriously before smiling a little, though very nervously "Uh, doing something stupid, I guess...? Are you gonna punch me?" For a moment he'd thought Vance was kissing him back but maybe he'd been wrong. Maybe he'd just screwed everything up beyond repair...
"Course I'm not gonna punch you. Just..." Vance licked his lower lip for a second as he thought. "I mean, did you mean to do it?"
"I'm, uh, not sure how I'd do that accidentally so..."
Vance laughed a little, blushing. "Okay, but...why would you wanna kiss me?"
"Coz I did..." Was shrugged back, a little awkwardly though he was trying to laugh along with the other boy. "I dunno, didn't realise I'd get a pop quiz about it...why did you kiss back? I mean, you did...didn't you?"
"It felt good." Vance said, shrugging a little. "I....you...didn't want me to?" Man, now he was confused again. He probably needed to stop talking. That seemed to be causing the problem.
Since words didn't seem to be helping matters, Victor decided to test the situation once more. Ok, so it felt good and Vance didn't want to punch him, good signs right?
Tentatively, hyperaware of what he was doing this time, he lent down again. Just to see if Vance was ok with it because if he was, well, that changed pretty much everything, right?
Vance watched him, eyes still a little wide and heard thumping. He wasn't gay, he liked girls, but he also liked Victor sometimes. He had those flashes of it. And who the heck knew what that meant, but it had felt good. Did Victor like him? Like him like him?
Had Vic ever really kissed anyone before? This wasn't Vance's first kiss or anything, but Vic'd said that he couldn't do all that much with Tommy, right? Because of the tongue and the scales, and....
"I know what you feel like," he murmured, eyes focused (well, as best he could) on Victor's. "Don't gotta be afraid."
How Vance had known or remembered, Victor didn't know but to hear the words at that moment gave him the confidence to close the distance again. It was true that he'd never had a real kiss before, not beyond quick pecks that hardly counted for anything and never whilst looking like this. Never from someone who knew he looked like this.
Vance reached up, gently hooking a hand at the back of Vic's neck. Wasn't gonna pull him or nothing, just seemed like the thing to do. And he kissed him back. A guy. Which Vance had never done before, but it felt pretty good right now, and Vic wouldn't hurt him.
Real slow, Vance moved to deepen the kiss. Just a little. See if it kept feeling this good. See if Vic kept tasting like coke and vodka and something Vance didn't know quite as well. This was okay, right?
Eyes closed and hands gripping the couch cushion either side of Vance's head, Victor was doing his best not to worry and fuss. Despite the vodka having dulled most of his senses previously, he was suddenly very scared again. Worried that he might somehow be doing it wrong, that Vance might change his mind and suddenly be disgusted by him or, worst of all, he freaky lizard tongue would be too much weird for him.
The kissing itself felt good, better than good, he just couldn't turn off the constant stream of consciousness continually fussing that he was either doing something wrong or just plain was something wrong.
Still, kissing like this? Oh, he could get used to this for sure.
Vic tasted good, and Vance's brain was still sloshing. Which probably wasn't related, but he'd just noticed again. Not the point, though. He pushed himself up on his elbows, sliding his tongue along Victor's lower lip and then further, to tangle with the green boy's own tongue. And that was...weird. Good weird, not bad weird, but weird. Vance flicked his own tongue against it for a moment, before breaking their kiss.
"You've gotta cool tongue," he murmured, smiling a little stupidly. Apparently vodka made him dumber than normal.
"Really? It doesn't feel, well, wrong?" Was asked doubtfully, though his gaze was quickly distracted as Vance licked his lips. Now he knew how good that tongue could feel he was seeing the action in a different light. Reluctantly he sat up a little as his arms started to shake and threaten to give out.
The telekinetic shook his head, hair flopping around as he did so. "Feels interesting. Good interesting."
Victor started laughing (well giggling but laughing seemed manlier) again as his worries began melting away, melting away a hell of a lot faster than they would have sober but, hey, the whole point was to drink and enjoy the night right? Well, he was really enjoying this. Deciding the awkward position had to go though, he shifted quickly and without much thought into the position he'd been in before when he'd pinned Vance.
"Hey." he grinned down at his friend before kissing him again, this time with a hell of a lot more confidence. If Vance really did like his freaky ass tongue it was just silly to be nervous and tentative about it, right? The taste of alcohol and sugary drink was strong still as his tongue darted out in a way it never had before. It took a lot more focus that his usual tongue stuff, or maybe that was because he'd been drinking.
Vance had hardly had time to realize Victor was on top of him before he was kissing him again, and yeah Vic's tongue was different, but it could do some pretty good-feeling things. He brought his hands up to hold on to Victor's hips, keeping in place, because maybe this was supposed to be weird because he was a guy and his best friend, but him sitting there felt real good.
A few moments later, or possibly more since Victor really wasn't sure how long they were kissing for, he pulled away. Resting his forehead against Vance's, reluctant to pull away fully, he said "You know what's weird? How not weird this is." Said partly because it was what he thought and partly to make sure Vance was in agreement and fully along for the ride here and not just going along with it because they were tipsy and Victor was on top of him.
"It's weird and it's not," Vance decided, he let his head fall back a second to get a deep breath of air (okay, so maybe he was still panting just a little), before tapping Vic's forehead with it's own. "I know it should be weird. You're my friend. You're a guy. But this feels real good. And I like you."
"Yeah it feels good…even if I clearly have no idea what I'm doing." The green boy chuckled and shifted his weight just a little to get more comfortable. Anyone else he wouldn't have pointed it out to but since he and Vance had recently compared notes on how experienced (or rather inexperienced) they were he didn't feel selfish conscious in saying it.
"And, hey, now I know how to keep you pinned easy. Just kiss you and I win!"
Vance sucked in a breath as Vic moved against him, and he suddenly wondered if this was okay. Or was he being too forward? Were the rules if you were making out with guy? He felt like they probably weren't, but what did he know?
Well, other than he didn't usually have someone on him, kissing the breath outta him. "I could still take you."
"Nuh uh!" Victor's grinned was triumphant, his eyes glittering playfully. "I win, coz all I gotta do is this and you're not gonna fight anymore." He closed the tiny distance again and kissing softly at first before gently sucking at Vance's lower lip a little, almost experimentally. Having never kissed somebody like this before, he felt like it was all a bit of trial and error. After all, all he had to go on was what he'd seen in movie, read and heard and just muddle on through. Still he knew he was doing at least most of it right just judging by Vance's reactions.
Vance still wasn't all that sure what the rules were, but Victor wasn't saying no; actually, the other boy seemed to really, really like it. Hopefully Vance wouldn't accidentally go too far.
He kissed Vic back, reaching up to gently cup his face, enjoying the unique sensation of the scales against his fingers, before breaking the embrace. Not to stop, though, because instead he went to mouth Victor's neck. The scales felt cool on his mouth, too.
Victor's eyes flew open in shock as he gasped loudly, more stunned than anything else. Vance wasn't just saying he was ok with the scales and shit, he was actually kissing them not ignoring them. He hadn't expected that at all though it certainly wasn't bad, it felt very very interesting actually, but how could Vance stand it?
"Is that okay?" Vance mumbled against him. "Too much?"
"No, no not too much just, um, wasn't expecting to...you know..." Victor mumbled, trying to explain his jumbled up thought process. "Not used to anyone wanting to be near the scales let alone...so just surprised." Ok, so Shinobi had claimed to like them and sort of nuzzled the scales on his cheek but it had already been established that Shinobi had been lying his face off that night, probably just for his own amusement to see one of the younger students squirm and blush.
Vance kissed him there again. "Want me to stop?"
"No...if you don't wanna, I mean." Moving a little, his lips found Vance's neck too and started mimicking what the other boy was doing.
"Oh, jeez," Vance hissed, letting his head fall back. Vic's tongue was something else.
"Was that...ok?" Was asked nervously, uncertain as to whether it was a positive reaction or not.
"Yeah?"
Slowly he started to grin against Vance's warm skin before starting to kiss again.
This was getting better and better, and Vance bit his lower lip to keep from making any noise. "That...uh..." He sucked in another breath, even as he shifted involuntary.
They were getting closer to something that Vance figured would be a whole new level, was that okay? "You...okay with...this?" He asked before biting his lower lip again.
"Mmm, kissing's fun." Victor decided inbetween kissing and nuzzling playfully Vance's neck and throat and starting to get the giggles again. He was still feeling more than a little light-headed.
Vance laughed. "Well, yeah."
It took some effort, but Victor pulled himself up to look his friend in the face and stopped giggling enough to ask "So, we're both ok. Right?"
"I think?" Like heck if Vance could think at all right now. "You okay?"
"You already asked that." Was snickered back. Victor's left hand was absently teasing and playing with the blonde boy's hair in a way he remembered Vance liked. "So, you like having your neck kissed, huh? That seems like something to remember, for sure."
Vance took a sec to try and catch his breath, relaxing into the familiar touch. "Yeah."
"You know," Victor murmured, mock-seriously though he descended back into snickering pretty quickly. "I'm pretty sure this isn't what Pietro meant when he told you to make sure I enjoyed the party." He lent back down so that their foreheads were touching again. Sitting up took too much effort and closer was better.
"Mmmm...maybe not," Vance agreed. "But are you?"
"What do you think?" Was grinned back.
"I think...I can't think," Vance decided, smiling.
Victor was still playing with Vance's hair as he asked "What can you do then?"
"Mmmmmm...lay here." He said, grinning goofily. "Hang out. Maybe we should make an appearance at the real party, though."
"Mmmm, someone might miss us." Not likely, all the older kids had probably forgotten about them but still... "Just lay here, hang out...more kissing maybe?" He grinned even more as he made the suggestion. Kissing Vance was awesome, he so wanted more of that. And more vodka but first more kisses.
"Mmmmm...yeah," Vance agreed dopily. He reached over and finished off his drink. "All those things."
Vic's gaze darted around but he couldn't spot where his drink had ended up, probably on the floor somwhere but he really wasn't in a position to care at that moment. "Perfect plan." He decided as he closed the gap between them again.
Victor was really trying to enjoy the party but it was tough. The play was getting so close now, feeling so real and it was getting pretty scary. What if he forget his lines and let everyone down or screwed up a cue? What if he came on too late or too soon? What if he just wasn't good enough and let everyone down?
The worries and doubts churned over in his brain like a self-doubting washing machine just swirling around and around. He did his best to ignore them and enjoy the company and the music and whatever but it was just kind of difficult. He kept a smile in place though, so as not to worry anyone and spoil their fun.
Vance came up behind the star of the show stealthily, and without any preamble, clapped him on the back. "You look way too nervous for a party, man."
Victor let out a loud and undignified squawk before half turning his head to splutter "Fucking hell, Vance!"
Vance took a step back and held his hands up where Vic could see 'em. "Sorry."
Turning properly to face him, Victor smiled a little "It's cool, I was just spacing. I guess."
"You look way too serious for a party, you know," Vance said, voice carefully gentle. "C'mon, you're supposed to be having fun. You've been working super hard on this play, you should let yourself unwind from it a little."
"I know, it's just a little hard when the show's so close, you know?" The younger boy admitted, dropping his voice so that no one else could hear.
Vance stepped back in, maybe invading Vic's personal space a little, but that way they wouldn't be able to overheard quite as easy. "Yeah, I get that. I mean, I figured you'd be nervous by now," he admitted. "But Vic, you're going to be awesome. And you've given this your all. You deserve to celebrate a little."
"I know it's just kinda hard. I am trying."
"Anything I can do?" Vance asked earnestly.
"Er, I have no idea." Victor shrugged cluelessly
Luckily enough, Pietro happened to be coming up behind them just as they moved a little closer. Of course, he'd noticed Vic was fast becoming a mess; he'd hoped the party would relax him a little, but the night was young. Now, Pietro had a sudden brainwave.
He came up behind them and draped an arm over each one's shoulders, pulling them into his sides. Seeing as he had more than a few inches on Vance and Vic was totally short, this was actually quite comfortable--like tiny mutant armrests. "Hello, hello. Are we having fun yet?"
Vance looked up at the older teen and smiled. "I am, yeah. Think Vic's having trouble with it, though."
"It's just taking a while to switch the brain off, nothing to worry about!" Victor assured him quickly, after all no director needed his lead having a crisis of confidence only days before the big show, did they? "The party's good."
Pietro shook his head and squeezed his roommate, though. "Oh, sweetheart, I am way too familiar with your moods to fall for that. Vance, buddy," he turned his face as he addressed the other boy. "I need you to help me out. I can't have my star stressing two days before opening night. So I'm wondering if you can be in charge of his happiness, just for tonight? Think of it like--like you're his PA. It's all very Hollywood."
"Okay," Vance agreed readily.
"An assistant to being happy? Seriously?" Victor stared at them both for a moment before admitting defeat because, really, he knew that expression on Pietro's face. Defeat was easier. "Ok, sure, whatever you think I need. What have I got to lose, right?"
"A general PA, but mainly his job would be to keep you happy, tonight, yes." Pietro leaned closer to Victor and planted a kiss on his head. "I do think you need it. As your director. Don't you think so, too, Vance? Look at this guy."
Vance nodded. Vic looked way too stressed, and that sucked. Because he should be having fun! This was a party for him! And the rest of them, sure, but no one had been working as hard at it as Victor had. "Definitely."
"Ok, ok, fun me up." The younger boy agreed with some resignation, looking from one to the other. Thoroughly outnumbered, and able to admit he did need help switching off his brain sometimes, he quite wasn't sure what he was in for. Last time he gave Pietro control of his thinking he'd ended up very drunk.
"That's my boy," Pietro agreed cheerfully, giving Vic a squeeze. Then another for Vance. "Thanks, man, you're a life-saver. Show-saver, even. I'll make sure you get a mention in the program: PA to the Star."
Vance laughed. "Not a problem. I'm happy to do it, really." He reached out to nudge Victor with one foot. "We just want you to enjoy yourself, after all. So c'mon," he grinned, "give me something to do."
"Like what?" Because Vic was still drawing a blank, he'd never been that great with improv anyway. Plus he still got the feeling Pietro was up to something and he half suspected it to be something to do with trying to get the two babies distracted and out of the way.
"I will let you two sort that out." Pietro let them go and backed away. "I'm around--and I'm behaving, so come find me if anyone starts getting stupid and tries to drown in the lake or something, okay?"
Vance blinked. "Ooooookay."
"He just keeps getting weirder." Victor joked (mostly) to Vance as he watched his room-mate/director retreat.
"Maybe," Vance agreed, smiling and shrugging, "but at least this time I'm not covered in glitter. So!" His expression widened into a grin. "What can I do to help you? Or to take your mind off things? Or whatever?"
"I dunno, you're the one in charge here so I'll just follow your lead." Was shrugged back with the afterthought of "Really feels like you're tempting fate by saying that."
"Nah, I trust you," Vance said happily.
"But do you trust him?" Was chuckled with a thumb jerk in Pietro's direction. "Sides the only glitter I own is the edible kind."
The older teen chuckled. "Yeah, I trust him, too. Even if I keep finding glitter in weird places on my clothes" And in his hair and stuff, but Vance left that out.
"So, Mr. Borkowski, sir, what can I do for you?" He asked, teasingly slipping into his assigned job. "How do you usually get out of your own head?"
"Uh...well, when I've let Pietro in charge he mostly gets alcohol. I dunno what I do. I mean I usually just watch tv or bake or something, not very good party things to do." Victor shrugged deciding not to ask about the glitter.
Suddenly, Vance looked a little nervous. Almost shy, though he was pretty sure that wasn't the right word for it either. "Is, uh...is that what you wanna do? Because I don't...I've never...done that. I mean, I've had wine for religious stuff, but...yeah."
He blushed a little. Maybe it made him just a stupid little kid, that he'd never drank before even though apparently Victor had. But he didn't want to get in trouble, and he'd get in a ton of trouble for that back home.
"Vance, I was just answering your question. Don't freak out on me, I'm not saying you have to. I was just, you know, answering your question." Victor explained hastily, hands up.
"I'm not freaking out," Vance said. "I'm just saying..." He shrugged.
"Ok, and you can 'just say' no if you don't want to drink, do I really look like I could make you anyway?" The green boy said gently.
"I'm not saying you would make me," Vance said, shaking his head a little. "Look, forget I said anything, okay? What do you want to do? If you wanna drink, that's fine. If you wanna do something else, that's fine too. Whatever you want, man."
"But I don't want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable." Victor insisted, feeling like they were going in circles a bit here. Maybe alcohol would help.
"You won't." Vance promised. Which maybe was more of a hopeful guess than something he knew for sure, but it was just drinking stuff, right? He'd had wine before. How bad could this be?
"Well, yeah, sure, we can do that then." Because anything to stop this awkward as hell conversation. Fun shouldn't be this hard.
"Alright, boss," he agreed. Vance could do this. He totally could. It'd be being a bad friend not to. Not just because Pietro had told him to try and keep Victor happy and everything, but because he really did want the other teen to be able to enjoy the party. And if this would help the green boy get out of his own head a little, then Vance should try his best to help.
Watching Vance seem to mentally talk himself out of a panic was painful so Victor looked anywhere but. He knew his friend was trying but at that moment he just wished he'd been left alone because so far nothing had helped, in fact Vance and Pietro had probably made it worse because now there was guilt and awkwardness on top of everything else.
Vic was looking even more stressed, and Vance patted him on the back before slinging an arm around his shoulders. "Alright, so, you're the teacher here," he reminded, voice even now that he'd put everything in context for himself.
"I dunno," Pietro always sorted out that stuff. "It's a party, there must be something." there had to be considering all of the older kids.
"Okay, well, if we find it we find it, if we don't...hey, afterwards we can go to the kitchen and bake brownies," Vance promised.
And that just felt like kinda of pathetic humouring but Victor did know the other boy was doing his best, it wasn't his fault that Victor was stressed out and getting in a bad mood about it. He did his best to smile gratefully and nod.
Vance was pretty sure all he was managing to do was make things worse. Which hadn't been what he was trying to do, and dang it, that sucked. He wanted Vic to calm down and be happy, not to be even more stressed out and mad at him.
So it was something of a relief when they ran into Bobby for a second. "Hey, man."
"Oh, Vance, hey meu amigo! And Victor too, ola!" Bobby spun around and grinned at his gym buddy, he was in the party mood for once. Mostly because of pharmaceutical help, but who cared so long as he was in the mood to dance right? "How goes it?"
"Pretty good, pretty good," Vance said, smiling back. "We were just kinda thirsty. Wondered if there was anything to drink anywhere?"
That was how you did this kind of thing, wasn't it? Vance had no idea, it wasn't like he'd ever tried. His dad would have flattened his ass if he'd been caught drinking underage. Not worth it at all. But here, well, people didn't seem to get in trouble in quite the same way.
Bobby chuckled because aww that was cute. "Are you looking for a drink or a drink?" He asked, grinning widely as he did so. He didn’t seem any harm in helping them since there were plenty of people around and, besides, the drink was actually freely available so it wasn’t like they couldn’t get it themselves.
"The second one," Vance said, blushing lightly.
Bobby nearly asked what kind Vance and his friend wanted but decided that it was clearly a question too far for the younger boy so instead grabbed him by the wrist and began to lead him through the party to the kitchen of the boathouse where there were various assorted alcoholic beverages "Rather than 'bring your own booze' it was more let's see what we can get. I am thinking something to mix with a fizzy drink is what you are after, yes?"
Vance had wrapped a hand around one of Vic's pulling the green boy along with them into the kitchen. "Uh.." He mentally translated 'fizzy drink' to 'soda'. "Yeah. That'd be good."
Leaning around Vance, Victor added "Vodka or rum best if there is any." So they didn't sound like totally clueless kids.
Bobby chuckled, ruffled Vance's hair and grinned down at both the boys as he passed to get them a large bottle of coca cola. "Help yourselves kiddies, just do not overdo it or I shall be in trouble." He was still grinning widely, the kiddies were really adorable.
Vance accepted the bottle of soda, and then picked one up that said vodka on it, since that's what Vic had asked for. "We should...go somewhere we won't get in trouble, right?"
"Uh, I don't think the other kids care but ok." The boathouse had plenty of rooms after all, not all of them could be full of party people.
After smiling gratefully at Bobby, Vance gestured for Victor to lead the way, holding both bottles carefully.
"Thanks Bobby," Victor called to the laughing older boy currently drinking from his own bottle before leaving with Vance. It didn't take too long to find an empty room upstairs. Flicking on a light, Victor looked around. Comfy looking couch at least.
"Vance, are you sure?"
"Sure about what?" Vance asked, confused, even as he sat down.
"The vodka, I mean I don't want you to do anything just coz of me." Victor sat down next to him, moving to sit cross-legged. They could still hear the party music though it was muted now.
"It makes me a little nervous," Vance admitted after a moment, looking down at the bottle they'd brought. "But...not because of anything you said or did. I know if I didn't want to, you wouldn't expect me to. But if I'd ever been caught with this back home....I would've been in so much trouble. Hard habit to break."
"Me too, I told you about my mom. She'd have a total fit." Victor agreed before continuing "So, this is you decision. What do you want to do?"
Vance was nervous, like he'd said, but he was pretty sure that he'd already made up his mind. "If you want to...let's go for it."
"Ok then, disclaimer first: tomorrow might not be pretty so don't be afraid to go see Josh." Victor told him, already opening the bottle of vodka. It wasn't full but it didn't need to be really, he was pretty sure his and Vance's tolerance would be basically non-existent compared to the others.
"Um…okay." Vance was pretty sure this was a hangover disclaimer, but he wasn't real sure why people ended up with them. But Josh could fix them, apparently, so that was good. He guessed.
Victor had grabbed two plastic cups while they were in the kitchen and so set about pouring the vodka in before motioning for Vance to top up with the soda. "Sorry I've been such a grouch so far."
"You're not being that bad, really. Besides," Vance shrugged, "you're under a lot of stress. I know that makes me kinda uncomfortable, when I'm super stressed out, y'know? I'm not taking it personally."
"Good, coz I wouldn't want you to." He took a sip experimentally. He'd maybe gone a little bit over the top with the vodka pouring but never mind. "Well first time I drank at all, we had the idea for Dorian so this could be interesting." He joked with a small smile.
Vance also brought his cup to his mouth, tasting it cautiously. It still mostly tasted like coke, but there was definitely some bite to it that was unusual. He took another sip, a little bigger this time, to see if the edge to the taste went away if you got used to it.
"Well, I promise to help if you come up with another play to do," he said, smiling back.
"Are you kidding? I'm loving it but once this is over I so need a rest!" The green boy laughed a little, already starting to relax a little.
"Fair enough." Vance took another big sip. Was it kind of hot in here? It seemed a little hot. He took another sip of the soda-vodka mixture and unzipped his light blue hoodie, a gift from Victor in fact, a little. "So you're gonna take a week-long nap when you're done?"
"Oh totally. Like hibernate and maybe eat junk food and veg out. Oooo I should rebuild the fort, that would be totally cool." Victor agreed, happily drinking his own vodka and coke like it was water.
Vance finished off his first cup in a large gulp, and passed it back to Vic for more. It did seem to be getting better now that he'd had a cup of it. "You had a fort? Like, a tree fort? Or a blanket fort?"
With that, Victor hastily polished off his own drink. Wouldn't do to not match Vance drink for drink, right? He could feel effects already though, he was smiling more and feeling warmer as he started pouring the next round of drinks. "Blanket forts all the way, me and Pietro used to make em. Loads of fun."
He wasn't able to stop smiling, really, but Vance didn't see how that could be a bad thing. "Sounds fun. If you build another one, can I come see it?"
"You could help! Be way more fun to have help, I'd probably be sleepy and useless but it'll still be awesome! Totally!" Victor enthused, maybe a little too much and he did spill come coke but the couch was dark so no one would ever know.
"You sure?" Vance looked at the very full cup, and decided he should probably take a big sip once he got it back. Just to avoid spilling. "I mean, don't wanna get in the way of Vic and Pietro bonding time or anything." Because he knew they were close but that they'd been rocky.
"Nah, we're all bonded up." Victor waved a hand before paused and frowning "Something about that sounded wrong. But yeah we're all good now. There was hugs and everything. He might be over forts anyway, it's been like forever."
Vance laughed. "Don't worry. I'm not picturing you guys handcuffed to one another or anything."
"But now I am. Ew, thanks so much for that." And exaggerated expression of disgust was pulled as he passed Vance's drink back. "It's not that I don't think he's great but, erm, no thank you. Not like that!"
The telekinetic took his cup back, and took a solid sip of the drink so that he wouldn't accidentally tip any over the side. "Hey, you said it, not me!"
"And you're the one who brought handcuffs into the mix, naughty Vance." He mock scolded, very aware that the behaviour was a sign of exactly how tipsy he was getting already but also not caring at all. It was the whole point of drinking the stuff, right?
Vance flushed lightly. "It was an example, not a suggestion."
"You blush so easy." Victor noticed out loud, leaning closer to playfully tap a coloured cheek with his hand.
He blushed even harder at having been caught. "Yeah, yeah, yeah," Vance pouted before sticking out his tongue. "Not like I can do anythin' about it."
"Eh it's cute, it works for you." He pulled his hand away but didn't sit back since he was comfy. "One of the few plus sides to have green skin is nobody knows when I'm blushing if I manage to act cool." Not that he often managed to act cool.
"Well, and the green skin looks cool," Vance added. He took another sip, even as he gave Vic an impish and considering look. "So you can't blush?"
"I can it just doesn't show up, if I'm using my image inducer it does. Unfortunately." And that meeting with Shinobi was been very blush inducing. Unfortunately.
"Not even if I start bringing up handcuffs again?" Vance asked, voice teasing.
Laughing, Victor shook his head "If you can't see the flush from the alcohol now, no way in hell will you be able to see a real blush but, please, tell me more about your sudden new fetish!" He was really laughing hard now, in fact it was almost giggling.
"It's not a fetish!" Vance protested, laughing too. His face was pink, from both alcohol and the subject-matter, but for some reason he wasn't as bothered by it. "Jeez."
The green boy just cackled as he got the rise he expected and oh so easily. "You bit though!" He managed to say gleefully when he got the giggles under control.
"I didn't bite anythin'," Vance said, feigning a pout even as he tossed his hair out of his eyes.
"Hey, I put that bait out and you were right in there! So easy! Hook, line and sinker! Ok, ok, not handcuff fetish. Apparently."
Vance took another sip of his drink before setting it down. "Easy, huh? Well....I'll show you bait!" Which maybe didn't mean exactly what Vance had meant it to, but it'd have to do, and he bounced over to tackle Victor.
Laughing, Victor just about managed to put his cup on the floor before he turned his attention to Vance. Ok, so the older boy was bigger and stronger but Victor had the advantage that he had at least drunk before whereas Vance hadn't. Hopefully he'd be slower or forget about his TK.
Victor did his best to try to fight off the other boy but the fact that he was still giggling really wasn't helping the attempt.
They tumbled off the couch, rolling over one another and laughing, before Vance finally managed to not-remotely-solidly pin Vic down. "Still champion!"
Victor let himself go limp under Vance and, after giving it a few moments to let the other boy think the fight was out of him, he sprang into action and switched their positions. He did his best to pin the older boy, admittedly he didn't have as much weight but he was damn quick (by normal non-Pietro standards anyway).
Vance wasn't totally sure how he'd ended up on the floor under Vic, but he pushed against the green boy's hold on him anyway (and completely unsuccessfully). "I'll get outta this eventually."
"Nope. You're my prisoner!" He shifted his weight a little to more effectively pin Vance as he straddled him. Sober Victor would right about then be remembering last time and would want to get out of the situation. Tipsy Victor was having too much fun laughing and being generally triumphant.
Vance bucked his hips beneath Vic, trying to dislodge him. He'd won last time. How had he won? Something with...tickling? Oh! Right! He had used his TK. As he wriggled beneath the other boy, he tried to put together tendrils that would get him back on top.
The wriggling was doing nothing to dislodge Victor as he gleefully grinned down at the blonde boy "Who's the champion no-hey!" He cut himself out with a yelped protest as the TK suddenly came into effect. Damnit, not the tickling again!
"Still me," Vance laughed, escaping as Victor was tickled into submission, and tossing a leg over the other boy's hips to keep him pinned to the floor.
The younger boy wriggled and thrashed beneath him as he cursed inwardly (and a little outwardly) the fact that he was so God damn ticklish. It just wasn't a fair fight!
Vance was having trouble stopping laughing, and it was throwing him off balance. To keep from falling off, he settled more solidly against his captive, even as he kept gently poking at him with the TK. "Who's easy now?" The telekinetic laughed.
"Meanie!" Victor protested, pouting up at his friend as he tried to stop laughing though it was a hard battle to fight. Everything was warmer and funnier and less complicated. He decided he liked vodka.
"Am not," Vance grinned. He leaned forward to pin Victor's shoulders to the floor with his forearms, even as he tickled the boy's sides with his telekinesis. "Besides, what're friends for if not for teasin'. You like it." He stuck his tongue out.
Vic was still squirming and wriggling, somehow becoming more and more ticklish rather than becoming desensitised from the continuing attack.
"Do that again and I'll bit it." He informed the other boy, startling himself more than a little. He had no idea where that had come from. From the alcohol probably.
Vance just laughed. "Yeah right."
"Don't say I didn't warn you." Was sing-songed back.
Vance leaned down a little so that he was pushing Vic against the floor, thighs tight around his hips, still tickling him with telekinesis. This was definitely in poor Victor's personal space, but Vance didn't mind; maybe it should've, but it didn't now.
"You give up yet?" He asked, a teasing smile on his face. "Cause I can do this aaaaaaaaall night."
"N-no!" Was said back quite stubbornly though a little distractedly. The tickling was sporadic now though still enough to have him wriggling and with Vance being even closer like that, well, it shouldn't feel so good, should it? Victor couldn't remember why not at that particular moment though.
Vance slid against his captive, getting comfy in case this was gonna be a long stand-off. "Well, I'm not givin' up, either."
As Vance slid against him, Victor's body reacted automatically without consulting the green boy first. Of course, that may have been because his brain wasn't exactly in the driver's seat at that moment. He bucked up against the other boy, the noise coming from his a little bit strangled from the fact that he was still choking back laughter from being tickled.
It wasn't until he was lying on the floor properly again that he realised exactly why it was feeling too good. Just like last time, his body had completely betrayed him and now there was no way Vance couldn't noticed he was getting hard, was there?
Vic pushed up against him in this way that forced the breath outta Vance. This...he knew this feeling. Oh, shit, was he turned on? Victor felt like he was, and fuck, Vance didn't exactly know what was going on or why he was could feel his heart thudding like this, but...
At least he'd won? Somehow that still seemed important, more important than the fact this should be real, real awkward. "Surrender yet?"
Mortified, Victor nodded silently. What else could he do? Other than die of shame, of course...
Vance grinned and sat up, slowly and carefully climbing off of him, before falling back to sit against the couch, one leg pulled up to hide his own predicament. Not that Vic'd be able to judge. Because ha.
He was pretty sure this should bother him, but somehow it just seemed kinda funny.
Victor sat up too though stayed on the floor and grabbed his drink, downing it before he even dared look up at his friend. Vance was sitting sort of weirdly, why would he be...unless. Was he? No way...
But then Vance didn't look embarrassed, actually he was laughing. Was it funny? Maybe it was, he'd never been in a situation quite like this...
Reaching for the vodka bottle, with a near hysterical, nervous laugh he asked "More drink?"
Vance shook his head, and grabbed his cup from where he'd left it. "Still have some left, but thanks. Don't look so traumatized, man! You're supposed to be having fun."
"I'm not traumatised." Victor mumbled as he poured himself another drink. Were they just supposed to sit there and pretend they weren't both turned on? Just great, awkwardness was returning fast…
"Coulda fooled me." Vance finished off his drink, and passed his cup over for a refill.
Obediently the younger boy filled the cup again after his own. "Yeah? You want to prove it somehow?"
"Prove what?"
"That, that I'm not traumatised. I dunno..." He shrugged as he held the drink out to Vance.
"Thanks." Vance took the cup, took a sip, and then gave Victor another slightly goofy grin. "How would you prove that kinda thing, anyway? Besides," he waved a hand, "we laugh about it and wait long enough, and it'll go away."
If he'd actually thought about it, Vance would've realized this was the first time he'd ever mentioned anything even relating to...that....without feeling as though his entire face was going to catch fire. "It was just some wrestlin', after all."
"Was it though?" Was asked pointedly as Victor took another glug of his drink. They were both in situations after all and 'just some wrestling' between friends didn't usually end up like that. At least, he didn’t think it did.
"How would I know?" Vance was back to laughing. "I've barely got any experience with this kinda thing and girls, let alone guys. Jeez."
Victor's head tilted thoughtfully, was Vance saying what he thought he was saying or was he just reading too much into stuff. "And you think I do?" He snorted back instead.
"Shit, I don't know!" He shook his head, still smiling, before pushing his hair out of hsi face. "I never know anything. Heck, I don't even know what we're talking about now. But I do know it's not like I usually talk about this. Or...that, you....whatever." Vance took another sip and shook his head some more. He was pretty sure he could feel his brain moving.
"Or that I what?" Victor asked as he slowly climbed back onto the sofa with Vance.
Okay, even alcohol wasn't fixing Vance's blush now. Heck, if anything it was making it worse. "I don't, like, talk about you being...y'know!"
Ok, there were two options that could end that sentence "Gay or...?"
Vance blinked. "Huh? No, that's not it."
"Jus' checking." Victor shrugged a little, looking down into his drink. He didn't know really what was happening other than there was a weird energy about that wasn't just tipsiness he didn't think.
Now Vance was just kind of confused, though oddly super energized. "'Kaaaaaaaay."
"What're...what are...?" He looked up at the other boy trying to figure out what they were saying, what they were doing. He took another big glug of drink, not sure as to whether it was actually helping or not.
Vance just shook his head. "Yeah, I'm just an idiot. Don't worry! Maybe I'll get there eventually!"
Get where eventually though? Victor really wasn't sure since the whole conversation had left him behind a while back. It didn't help that most of his brain was still back on the floor in that moment when Vance had pinned him down and pressed up against him and it had just felt so good. He'd never felt quite like that before, but Vance was a friend and that made the good feeling wrong, didn't it? Or did it? No, yes it did. Possibly. Probably.
Vance took another sip. "Are you as confused as me right now?"
The younger boy nodded before laughing. Laughing at them and the whole silly situation. This was utterly ridiculous.
Vance gave him a bright smile. "Great! I always hate when it's just me."
"So...Mr PA. What do we do now?!"
"I dunno." He finished his drink, and let himself sink sort of sideways into the couch. But that wasn't comfy, and eventually he spun and laid back, so his head was only barely not touching Vic's thigh. He woulda just used the green boy as his pillow, but that might make him uncomfortable now. And Vance was probably...tipsy? Buzzed? Was this drink?...anyway, he wasn't mean. "What'd be fun for you?"
Looking down at his friend Victor found that, as had been the case since Awkward Incidents 1 & 2, Vance asking him an innocent question like that was just triggering his brain to give responses that he could usually quash and filter out as ridiculous and inappropriate. Trouble was usually he was totally sober and right now, well, right now he really didn't see any reason why he shouldn't and so he did.
He lent down so that his face was only inches away from Vance's, though upside down due to the strange way the other boy was laying. "Well, what would be fun for you?"
Vance looked up at him, eyes still bright with laughter, and face still slightly pink. "Whatever you want to. It's your night, remember?"
There was no decision, no thought process, just action. It wasn't until Victor’s lips were pressed against Vance's that his thoughts caught up enough to remember exactly why this was a horrible idea.
Vance was momentarily confused, but found himself kissing Victor back before he even knew what he was doing. Not that he was some kind of expert, obviously, but it'd been awhile since he'd kissed anyone. Of course, then his brain caught up, and he paused to ask, "Wait. What're we doing?"
"Well I could be wrong, I have been before, but I'm pretty sure we weren't playing soccer." Victor told him very seriously before smiling a little, though very nervously "Uh, doing something stupid, I guess...? Are you gonna punch me?" For a moment he'd thought Vance was kissing him back but maybe he'd been wrong. Maybe he'd just screwed everything up beyond repair...
"Course I'm not gonna punch you. Just..." Vance licked his lower lip for a second as he thought. "I mean, did you mean to do it?"
"I'm, uh, not sure how I'd do that accidentally so..."
Vance laughed a little, blushing. "Okay, but...why would you wanna kiss me?"
"Coz I did..." Was shrugged back, a little awkwardly though he was trying to laugh along with the other boy. "I dunno, didn't realise I'd get a pop quiz about it...why did you kiss back? I mean, you did...didn't you?"
"It felt good." Vance said, shrugging a little. "I....you...didn't want me to?" Man, now he was confused again. He probably needed to stop talking. That seemed to be causing the problem.
Since words didn't seem to be helping matters, Victor decided to test the situation once more. Ok, so it felt good and Vance didn't want to punch him, good signs right?
Tentatively, hyperaware of what he was doing this time, he lent down again. Just to see if Vance was ok with it because if he was, well, that changed pretty much everything, right?
Vance watched him, eyes still a little wide and heard thumping. He wasn't gay, he liked girls, but he also liked Victor sometimes. He had those flashes of it. And who the heck knew what that meant, but it had felt good. Did Victor like him? Like him like him?
Had Vic ever really kissed anyone before? This wasn't Vance's first kiss or anything, but Vic'd said that he couldn't do all that much with Tommy, right? Because of the tongue and the scales, and....
"I know what you feel like," he murmured, eyes focused (well, as best he could) on Victor's. "Don't gotta be afraid."
How Vance had known or remembered, Victor didn't know but to hear the words at that moment gave him the confidence to close the distance again. It was true that he'd never had a real kiss before, not beyond quick pecks that hardly counted for anything and never whilst looking like this. Never from someone who knew he looked like this.
Vance reached up, gently hooking a hand at the back of Vic's neck. Wasn't gonna pull him or nothing, just seemed like the thing to do. And he kissed him back. A guy. Which Vance had never done before, but it felt pretty good right now, and Vic wouldn't hurt him.
Real slow, Vance moved to deepen the kiss. Just a little. See if it kept feeling this good. See if Vic kept tasting like coke and vodka and something Vance didn't know quite as well. This was okay, right?
Eyes closed and hands gripping the couch cushion either side of Vance's head, Victor was doing his best not to worry and fuss. Despite the vodka having dulled most of his senses previously, he was suddenly very scared again. Worried that he might somehow be doing it wrong, that Vance might change his mind and suddenly be disgusted by him or, worst of all, he freaky lizard tongue would be too much weird for him.
The kissing itself felt good, better than good, he just couldn't turn off the constant stream of consciousness continually fussing that he was either doing something wrong or just plain was something wrong.
Still, kissing like this? Oh, he could get used to this for sure.
Vic tasted good, and Vance's brain was still sloshing. Which probably wasn't related, but he'd just noticed again. Not the point, though. He pushed himself up on his elbows, sliding his tongue along Victor's lower lip and then further, to tangle with the green boy's own tongue. And that was...weird. Good weird, not bad weird, but weird. Vance flicked his own tongue against it for a moment, before breaking their kiss.
"You've gotta cool tongue," he murmured, smiling a little stupidly. Apparently vodka made him dumber than normal.
"Really? It doesn't feel, well, wrong?" Was asked doubtfully, though his gaze was quickly distracted as Vance licked his lips. Now he knew how good that tongue could feel he was seeing the action in a different light. Reluctantly he sat up a little as his arms started to shake and threaten to give out.
The telekinetic shook his head, hair flopping around as he did so. "Feels interesting. Good interesting."
Victor started laughing (well giggling but laughing seemed manlier) again as his worries began melting away, melting away a hell of a lot faster than they would have sober but, hey, the whole point was to drink and enjoy the night right? Well, he was really enjoying this. Deciding the awkward position had to go though, he shifted quickly and without much thought into the position he'd been in before when he'd pinned Vance.
"Hey." he grinned down at his friend before kissing him again, this time with a hell of a lot more confidence. If Vance really did like his freaky ass tongue it was just silly to be nervous and tentative about it, right? The taste of alcohol and sugary drink was strong still as his tongue darted out in a way it never had before. It took a lot more focus that his usual tongue stuff, or maybe that was because he'd been drinking.
Vance had hardly had time to realize Victor was on top of him before he was kissing him again, and yeah Vic's tongue was different, but it could do some pretty good-feeling things. He brought his hands up to hold on to Victor's hips, keeping in place, because maybe this was supposed to be weird because he was a guy and his best friend, but him sitting there felt real good.
A few moments later, or possibly more since Victor really wasn't sure how long they were kissing for, he pulled away. Resting his forehead against Vance's, reluctant to pull away fully, he said "You know what's weird? How not weird this is." Said partly because it was what he thought and partly to make sure Vance was in agreement and fully along for the ride here and not just going along with it because they were tipsy and Victor was on top of him.
"It's weird and it's not," Vance decided, he let his head fall back a second to get a deep breath of air (okay, so maybe he was still panting just a little), before tapping Vic's forehead with it's own. "I know it should be weird. You're my friend. You're a guy. But this feels real good. And I like you."
"Yeah it feels good…even if I clearly have no idea what I'm doing." The green boy chuckled and shifted his weight just a little to get more comfortable. Anyone else he wouldn't have pointed it out to but since he and Vance had recently compared notes on how experienced (or rather inexperienced) they were he didn't feel selfish conscious in saying it.
"And, hey, now I know how to keep you pinned easy. Just kiss you and I win!"
Vance sucked in a breath as Vic moved against him, and he suddenly wondered if this was okay. Or was he being too forward? Were the rules if you were making out with guy? He felt like they probably weren't, but what did he know?
Well, other than he didn't usually have someone on him, kissing the breath outta him. "I could still take you."
"Nuh uh!" Victor's grinned was triumphant, his eyes glittering playfully. "I win, coz all I gotta do is this and you're not gonna fight anymore." He closed the tiny distance again and kissing softly at first before gently sucking at Vance's lower lip a little, almost experimentally. Having never kissed somebody like this before, he felt like it was all a bit of trial and error. After all, all he had to go on was what he'd seen in movie, read and heard and just muddle on through. Still he knew he was doing at least most of it right just judging by Vance's reactions.
Vance still wasn't all that sure what the rules were, but Victor wasn't saying no; actually, the other boy seemed to really, really like it. Hopefully Vance wouldn't accidentally go too far.
He kissed Vic back, reaching up to gently cup his face, enjoying the unique sensation of the scales against his fingers, before breaking the embrace. Not to stop, though, because instead he went to mouth Victor's neck. The scales felt cool on his mouth, too.
Victor's eyes flew open in shock as he gasped loudly, more stunned than anything else. Vance wasn't just saying he was ok with the scales and shit, he was actually kissing them not ignoring them. He hadn't expected that at all though it certainly wasn't bad, it felt very very interesting actually, but how could Vance stand it?
"Is that okay?" Vance mumbled against him. "Too much?"
"No, no not too much just, um, wasn't expecting to...you know..." Victor mumbled, trying to explain his jumbled up thought process. "Not used to anyone wanting to be near the scales let alone...so just surprised." Ok, so Shinobi had claimed to like them and sort of nuzzled the scales on his cheek but it had already been established that Shinobi had been lying his face off that night, probably just for his own amusement to see one of the younger students squirm and blush.
Vance kissed him there again. "Want me to stop?"
"No...if you don't wanna, I mean." Moving a little, his lips found Vance's neck too and started mimicking what the other boy was doing.
"Oh, jeez," Vance hissed, letting his head fall back. Vic's tongue was something else.
"Was that...ok?" Was asked nervously, uncertain as to whether it was a positive reaction or not.
"Yeah?"
Slowly he started to grin against Vance's warm skin before starting to kiss again.
This was getting better and better, and Vance bit his lower lip to keep from making any noise. "That...uh..." He sucked in another breath, even as he shifted involuntary.
They were getting closer to something that Vance figured would be a whole new level, was that okay? "You...okay with...this?" He asked before biting his lower lip again.
"Mmm, kissing's fun." Victor decided inbetween kissing and nuzzling playfully Vance's neck and throat and starting to get the giggles again. He was still feeling more than a little light-headed.
Vance laughed. "Well, yeah."
It took some effort, but Victor pulled himself up to look his friend in the face and stopped giggling enough to ask "So, we're both ok. Right?"
"I think?" Like heck if Vance could think at all right now. "You okay?"
"You already asked that." Was snickered back. Victor's left hand was absently teasing and playing with the blonde boy's hair in a way he remembered Vance liked. "So, you like having your neck kissed, huh? That seems like something to remember, for sure."
Vance took a sec to try and catch his breath, relaxing into the familiar touch. "Yeah."
"You know," Victor murmured, mock-seriously though he descended back into snickering pretty quickly. "I'm pretty sure this isn't what Pietro meant when he told you to make sure I enjoyed the party." He lent back down so that their foreheads were touching again. Sitting up took too much effort and closer was better.
"Mmmm...maybe not," Vance agreed. "But are you?"
"What do you think?" Was grinned back.
"I think...I can't think," Vance decided, smiling.
Victor was still playing with Vance's hair as he asked "What can you do then?"
"Mmmmmm...lay here." He said, grinning goofily. "Hang out. Maybe we should make an appearance at the real party, though."
"Mmmm, someone might miss us." Not likely, all the older kids had probably forgotten about them but still... "Just lay here, hang out...more kissing maybe?" He grinned even more as he made the suggestion. Kissing Vance was awesome, he so wanted more of that. And more vodka but first more kisses.
"Mmmmm...yeah," Vance agreed dopily. He reached over and finished off his drink. "All those things."
Vic's gaze darted around but he couldn't spot where his drink had ended up, probably on the floor somwhere but he really wasn't in a position to care at that moment. "Perfect plan." He decided as he closed the gap between them again.
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Date: 2013-05-13 09:43 pm (UTC)