* ᴡᴀʀ ∕ 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕 ,

it's   a   smug   little   feeling   that   nestles   beneath   his   skin   ,      every   reaction   from   her   just   another   victory   to   lord   over   and   languish.   how   she   makes   it   so   easy   ,      how   he   eats   it   up   ⸻   every.   single.   time.         ❛         and   yet   you   love   to   suffer   me.         ❜         he   emphasizes   the   truth   of   it   with   a   gentle   grasp   of   her   chin   ,      a   thumb   stroking   along   the   line   of   her   jaw   ;      lengths   of   skin   he's   mapped   out   time   and   time   again   with   both   lips   and   teeth.   the   last   of   his   marks   had   faded   out   ,      it   seemed   ,      and   the   flutter   of   her   lashes   made   him   crave   to   leave   them   again.         ❛         then   don't   be   charmed.         ❜         it's   triumphant   :      the   way   she   falls   into   him   ,      the   hand   upon   her   hip   that   goes   from   a   languid   touch   to   something   firm.   tugging   her   ever   closer   ,      in   a   way   that   speaks   of   a   loathing   to   be   kept   apart.         ❛         on   you   ?   i   think   an   argument   can   be   made   that   i   look   better   in   you.         ❜

she   almost   manages   it   too   ,      she's   certain   ,      but   she   makes   the   mistake   of   looking   up   at   just   the   wrong   time.   a   frozen   ,      deer   in   headlights   gaze   catching   on   a   still   sleep  -   lidded   one   ;      accompanied   by   a   shocked   squeak   she   can't   muffle   in   time   at   the   sound   of   his   grumbly   voice.         ❛         it's   seven   twenty   !         ❜         the   answer   comes   automatically   ,      overlapping   with   his   own   words   ,      causing   her   to   clam   up   even   further.   for   some   reason   ,      she   wants   to   apologize   ?   for   what   ,      she's   still   trying   to   work   through   ,      but   suddenly   fleeing   doesn't   really   seem   like   the   right   move   ,      and   so   she's   sliding   back   into   the   bed   next   to   him   ;      heartbeat   quickened   and   eyes   still   wide   as   she   attempts   to   play   off   the   fact   that   she's   staring.   (   she's   staring   ,      and   she   can’t   seem   to   make   herself   stop.   )

there's   a   certain   sort   of   satisfaction   that   comes   with   having   fred's   attentions   to   themselves   ⸻   the   look   of   appreciation   nearly   causing   her   to   preen.   and   while   alphie   certainly   knows   they   look   good   ,      a   reminder   never   hurts   ,      especially   when   it   so   happens   that   fred   is   one   of   the   few   whose   opinions   truly   matter.         ❛         and   i'm   sure   this   has   nothing   to   do   with   how   much   you   enjoy   seeing   me   wet.         ❜         the   words   are   sticky   sweet   with   double   entendre   ,      but   accompanied   by   a   smile   that   conveys   just   how   little   they   mind   the   idea.         ❛         i'm   sure   a   short   lesson   couldn't   hurt   ⸻   wouldn't   want   to   tire   them   out   ,      would   we   ?   we'll   leave   the   more   ...   strenuous   activities   to   ourselves.         ❜         though   with   the   way   their   jacket   slides   off   ,      the   first   of   what's   to   become   a   pile   of   abandoned   clothes   and   belongings   ,      swimming   lessons   for   miniature   dragons   are   clearly   the   last   thing   on   their   mind.

it's   almost   a   shame   that   cormac   knows   him   so   well   ,      the   effectiveness   of   his   empty   threats   having   died   down   ages   ago.   (   he'll   have   to   go   terrorize   a   few   first   years   after   this   ⸻   to   remind   himself   that   his   glares   are   still   intimidating   and   his   words   thoroughly   terrifying.   )   for   now   ,      he   accepts   the   truth   of   his   friend's   words   with   a   haughty   sniff   ;      no   arguments   to   be   made   on   the   fact   that   his   cat   does   deserve   only   the   best   of   the   best.         ❛         he's   an   absolute   top   of   the   line   cat   ,      what   he   eats   should   reflect   that.         ❜         a   proper   pet   ,      that's   what   hui   was   ,      and   his   distaste   for   the   majority   of   all   other   creatures   had   been   evident   in   the   way   he'd   ditched   his   own   dragon   at   the   first   possible   chance.   while   it   had   been   left   clinging   to   his   pant   leg   for   the   first   few   minutes   ,      he'd   shaken   it   off   easily   enough   before   disappearing   into   the   crowd.   now   if   only   he   could   get   cormac   to   do   the   same   with   his   own   little   beast.         ❛         as   long   as   you're   alright   with   the   things   disappearing   one   by   one   ,      yes   ⸻   i   could   definitely   help   you.         ❜         and   the   gleam   of   teeth   to   accent   the   sharpness   of   his   smile   says   all   that   it   needs   to   on   what   '   disappearing   '   would   entail.   he's   willing   to   start   as   presently   as   possible   ,      with   how   he   turns   his   look   onto   the   creature   in   cormac's   hands   ;      distaste   in   the   way   his   friend   deemed   it   worthy   to   spoil   as   if   it   were   hui   himself.

the   slight   curve   of   her   lips   is   enough   to   send   a   zing   !   of   accomplishment   racing   through   his   chest   ;      a   flush   of   pink   cheeks   and   his   own   wider   ,      shyer   grin   to   follow   with   her   next   words.         ❛         m'pretty   sure   i   already   have.         ❜         and   whether   she   truly   understands   the   meaning   of   his   words   or   not   ,      it   doesn't   seem   to   matter   much   in   the   face   of   her   coaxing.   (   instructions   he's   only   all   too   eager   to   follow   by   sway   of   inviting   words   and   touch   ⸻   the   gentle   grasp   and   delicate   fingers   that   he   wants   to   take   on   like   a   brand.   )         ❛         oh   ,      um.   yeah   ,      yes.   definitely.         ❜         downing   what's   in   his   cup   in   one   go   doesn't   leave   much   room   for   tasting   what   exactly   he's   consuming   ,      but   the   burn   is   warm   and   ever   welcomed   in   light   of   stumbling   through   another   sentence   or   so.   if   he   was   so   lucky   ,      whatever   lisa'd   given   him   would   help   to   knock   his   needle   from   tipsy   to   straight   up   drunk   enough   to   function   ,      at   least   in   her   presence.   sputtering   and   spilling   past   his   lips   in   his   hurry   ,      it   still   feels   less   embarrassing   than   the   cough   of   shock   as   he   finally   registers   the   strength   of   whatever   she'd   concocted   ;      his   own   experiences   with   alcohol   so   far   and   few   in   counting.         ❛         it's   ⸻   it's   good   !   uh   ,      thanks.         ❜         and   her   touch   still   on   his   wrist   is   what   he   hopes   to   ground   him   ,      for   all   that   it   makes   his   head   spin   even   more.

the   mention   of   lisa   has   their   smile   turning   wry   ;      an   overly   fond   little   thing   that   alphie   isn't   sure   they   could   stop   if   they   tried.   not   that   they'd   want   to   ⸻   their   friendship   an   easy   admittance   even   in   the   face   of   all   of   lisa's   wild   child   tendencies.         ❛         please   don't   put   the   idea   in   her   head.   i   don't   think   it'd   be   fully   legal   if   she   tried.         ❜         alphie   wasn't   exactly   a   wealth   of   knowledge   in   any   sort   of   legal   field   ,      and   the   only   defence   they'd   be   able   to   come   up   with   for   their   friend   would   be   to   physically   fight   their   way   through   any   and   all   legal   pursuits.   (   and   they   were   plenty   familiar   with   the   infamous   liquid   luck   themselves.   there   would   be   cases.   )         ❛         oh   ,      you   know.   just   a   couple   names   or   twenty.   but   i'm   sure   we   could   find   some   overlap   after   comparing   lists.         ❜         a   conspirators   grin   ,      but   one   that's   quickly   overshadowed   by   a   visible   wince   to   their   features   ;      caught   between   the   uncertainty   of   whether   they   could   laugh   or   not   ⸻   of   whether   they   should.         ❛         well.   i'm   glad   you   could   make   it   ,      and   that   you're   alright.         ❜         a   moment   of   quiet   sincerity   ,      and   one   they   hope   is   enough   to   convey   the   stomach   knotting   feeling   of   relief   that   he   is   truly   alright   ,      that   he's   here   ,      and   that   the   wounds   aren't   any   worse   than   the   ones   visible   to   their   eyes.   (   ones   that   could   heal   ,      and   that   were   hopefully   in   the   process   of   doing   so   already.   )         ❛         hmmm.   you're   not   just   saying   that   to   avoid   his   fussing   ,      are   you   ?   but   fine   ,      fine.   stick   it   out   with   me   for   a   bit   then   ,      won't   you   ?   i'll   point   out   anyone   who's   made   it   onto   my   list   ,      and   you   can   get   a   head   start   on   crushing   toes   ,      deal   ?         ❜         and   if   he   takes   notice   of   their   avoidance   on   the   topic   of   zach   and   themselves   entirely   ,      well   ,      alphie   hopes   he   takes   it   with   grace   and   leaves   sleeping   dogs   to   lie.

there's   a   familiar   burn   of   resentment   that   settles   in   his   stomach   ,      anger   and   jealousy   a   closely   guarded   secret   in   the   face   of   vale's   caution.   and   while   it's   not   directed   at   vale   himself   ⸻   never   vale   ,      it   still   requires   a   level   of   control   on   his   part   ;      the   sad   little   dip   of   his   lips   his   only   giveaway.         ❛         hey   !   that   is   highly   slanderous   to   my   character   ,      you   make   it   sound   like   i   didn't   give   it   my   all.         ❜         but   the   mock   seriousness   of   his   words   are   easily   disturbed   by   the   snapping   of   his   teeth   ,      an   attempt   to   bite   at   the   chess   piece   at   his   cheek   that's   already   been   pulled   away.         ❛         you   think   i   can't   take   a   few   chess   pieces   ,      mate   ?   we'll   see   who's   makin'   a   fool   outta   who   then   !         ❜

even   smelling   slightly   singed   ,      and   covered   in   whatever   it   was   that   made   a   drink   so   nauseatingly   pink   ,      she   still   looked   better   than   the   majority   of   the   partygoers   in   attendance.   it   was   arguably   a   biased   opinion   ,      considering   he'd   seen   the   rest   of   her   beneath   the   dress   ,      but   he   also   had   eyes   ,      did   he   not   ?         ❛         i   wouldn't   consider   it   salvageable   ,      no.   we   might   need   to   cut   our   losses   here   ,      darling.         ❜         slipping   close   enough   to   drag   a   hand   over   the   barely   visible   remains   of   a   stain   ,      the   other   gently   brushed   at   the   lowest   point   of   her   neckline   ,      and   further   onto   the   skin   just   above.         ❛         maybe   even   rid   you   of   the   whole   thing   entirely.         ❜         there's   a   pause   for   a   pensive   thought   ,      as   well   as   another   blatant   once   over.         ❛         though   it   would   be   a   shame   ,      considering   how   gorgeous   you   look   in   it   ⸻   then   again   ,      out   of   it   ,      just   the   same.         ❜

encouraging   their   own   dragon   to   jump   into   the   pile   was   easy   enough   to   do   ,      a   free   perch   on   alphina's   shoulder   hardly   any   competition   compared   to   rolling   around   with   its   own   kind.   it'd   almost   be   a   little   sad   to   see   how   easily   they'd   been   abandoned   ,      if   it   weren’t   for   the   smile   it   brought   forth   to   straighten   back   up   before   the   other.         ❛         think   i   might   want   to   watch   you   go   for   that   dip   just   as   much.         ❜         spoken   in   a   familiar   ,      teasing   tone   ,      one   that   fred   was   all   but   a   master   at   drawing   out   of   them.   whether   it   was   between   the   sheets   or   out   of   them   ,      it   couldn’t   be   helped    ⸻     what   with   the   appreciative   once   over   they   truly   deserved   tonight.         ❛         should   we   give   it   a   try   ?   or   i'm   sure   there's   a   relative   between   us   that   we   could   foist   'em   off   to   for   the   bit.         ❜

he'd   rather   throw   himself   head   first   into   the   lake   beside   them   than   to   admit   it   ,      but   he's   almost   ...   fond   as   he   listens   to   cormac   blather   on   about   the   little   dragons   and   whatnot.   then   again   ,      as   he   listens   to   the   next   bright   idea   presented   before   him   ,      he’s   pretty   sure   he’s   just   drunk.         ❛         do   you   think   cats   would   eat   dragon   meat   ?   i   think   hui   might   enjoy   a   snack   for   all   his   troubles.         ❜         copying   the   same   line   of   questioning   as   his   friend   ,      his   own   tone   was   hardly   as   enthused   ;      mockingly   curious   more   than   anything   ,      as   if   he'd   ever   truly   consider   feeding   his   pet   something   so   vulgar.         ❛         must   you   ?   as   if   i'm   not   already   forced   to   hear   people   whine   about   their   own   houses.   if   you   start   people   up   on   competitions   between   dragon   teams   ,      i'll   harvest   yours   for   ingredients   ,      you   cretin.         ❜         but   his   sharpened   expression   is   aimed   at   the   dragon   on   cormac's   shoulder   ,      and   not   cormac   himself   ;      his   eyes   narrowing   as   he   watched   the   little   thing   attempt   to   take   a   bite   out   of   its   owner's   hand.   harvesting   it   for   parts   seemed   to   be   the   more   likely   occurrence   as   the   seconds   ticked   by.

from   the   moment   she   catches   his   attention   ,      he   becomes   intimately   acquainted   with   the   belief   that   there   are   '   two   wolves   warring   inside   of   him   '.   (   one   is   loudly   argumentative   ,      and   adamant   in   its   belief   that   he's   the   luckiest   motherfucker   alive   ,      while   the   other   simply   begs   for   the   ground   to   open   up   and   swallow   him   alive.   )   truthfully   ,      he's   just   on   his   way   to   a   level   of   drunk   he   hasn't   reached   in   ages   ,      and   lisa   simply   looks   that   much   more   stunning   than   she   usually   does.   which   ,      considering   how   pretty   she   usually   looks   ,      seems   a   little   unfair   to   hit   him   with   all   at   once.         ❛         oh   ,      wow.         ❜         the   silence   to   follow   is   a   little   too   long   ,      and   not   even   close   to   a   proper   reply   to   her   question   ,      and   so   he   does   the   only   reasonable   thing   he   can   ,      and   chugs   the   rest   of   his   drink   ,      so   that   he   can   present   her   with   the   freshly   emptied   cup.         ❛         s’not   ...   actually   a   brew   of   felix   felicis   s’it   ?         ❜         the   potion   name   comes   out   a   little   tongue   tied   and   twisted   ,      but   as   risky   as   it   might   be   to   accept   it   if   it   were   ,      he's   yet   to   pull   his   cup   away   out   of   blind   trust.         ❛         not   that   i   think   you   couldn't   brew   it   !   m'sure   it'd   be   perfect   ,      since   you'd   be   the   one   makin'   it   ,      y'know   ?         ❜