Chapter 11: Drinking games
The room smelled of fried chicken and cheap liquor, the kind of combination that clung to your clothes and hair but somehow felt right for the night. The three of them sat cross-legged around the low table, plates spread out, bottles uncapped.
Cassian had a drumstick in one hand and a mischievous spark in his eyes. "How about we make this more interesting? Truth or dare. But " he raised a finger dramatically, " if you refuse to do something, you take a shot for each no."
Aiden smirked, leaning back against the bed. "Oh, this is gonna be good. You’ll be the one drunk dead tonight."
Cassian puffed his chest out, clearly tipsy on excitement if not alcohol. "Ha! No chance."
Leonel, calm as ever, sipped his drink and set the glass down with a soft clink. "Okay." His voice was low, almost too casual, but it made the game feel heavier somehow.
Cassian rubbed his hands together. "Alright, first question. Aiden, truth or dare?"
"Truth." Aiden grinned, unbothered.
Cassian smirked. "Me or Leonel who do you find closer?" The question was half-teasing, half-serious. Deep down, he was bracing himself, convinced Aiden’s answer would sting.
But Aiden didn’t even hesitate. "You, Cassian."
Cassian froze, mouth parting in shock. "Huh? That fast?"
Aiden’s smile softened. "No matter how many friends I make, you’ll always be number one."
Warmth spread through Cassian’s chest. His lips curled into a small smile he didn’t bother hiding, while Leonel’s gaze lingered—not on Aiden, but on Cassian’s expression, studying it with unreadable eyes.
Aiden caught the look and turned on Leonel. "Your turn. Truth or dare?"
Leonel leaned back, crossing his arms. "Dare."
"Alright then." Aiden smirked. "You have to message someone you like and tell them you like them."
For the first time that night, Leonel’s composure cracked. His eyes widened a fraction, and a nervous chuckle slipped out. "Really?" He looked between Aiden and Cassian, lips pressing into a tight line. Then, without another word, he poured himself a shot and downed it in one go.
"Coward," Cassian teased, trying not to think too hard about who Leonel might’ve texted if he’d agreed.
Leonel set the glass down with a sharp clink and turned his eyes on Cassian. "Truth or dare?"
Cassian gulped. "Uh... dare."
Leonel’s smirk returned, sharper this time. "Okay. Do a pole dance."
Cassian’s face went up in flames. "What the hell no!" His voice cracked, and in a flustered rush, he grabbed the nearest glass, tossing back the liquor in one gulp. His throat burned, and his ears went hot under Aiden’s laugh.
The game rolled on, the room spinning faster with every round. Cassian, already red-faced, grinned lazily. "Alright. truth or Dare Aiden?" Aiden choose dare.
Cassian’s gaze flickered with mischief. "Fine. Feed me like I’m a king. All night."
Aiden snorted. "Oh, that’s nothing." He reached over, grabbed a piece of fried chicken, and held it up in front of Cassian’s face. "Say ah~."
Cassian leaned forward, opening his mouth without shame. His lips brushed Aiden fingers as he took the bite, and for a second, everything stilled.
Aiden blinked, startled by the sudden closeness, crumbs clinging to Cassian’s mouth. Before he could think twice, he reached out, thumb brushing the corner of Cassian’s lips to wipe it away.
Cassian. Leonel didn’t. His jaw tightened, irritation flashing across his features. He leaned forward abruptly. "Next," he said sharply, his tone slicing through the thick air.
The laughter dulled after that, replaced with heavy glances and unspoken words.
By the end of the night, Leonel had taken two shots, Aiden three... and Cassian five.
Cassian sprawled across the floor, giggling at absolutely nothing, his cheeks flushed scarlet. "I told you... not drunk," he slurred, pointing weakly at the ceiling before dropping his arm with a groan.
Aiden and Leonel sat on either side of him, the tension crackling like static. One looked at him with worry, the other with something sharper something Cassian was too far gone to notice.
The night was far from over.