âNo, no, shut up, fuck off, this, this is mine. I stole it, itâs mine,â said Rowan, grinning, as they stumbled backwards into the living room, holding the bottle as far away as they could manage.
âJust, just one more sip,â said Nat. They kicked the door to their apartment closed as they followed Rowanâs movements; they were too far away to swipe it, but they lunged anyway. The two swerved and danced around one another, dodging, diving, until Rowan discovered the couch had scooted up right behind their legs and sent them sprawling ass backwards. Still, they didnât let that stop them; they kept scooting.
âIâve been learning, from Deogee. Theyâve been teaching me to keep whatâs mine.â Sniggering, Rowan popped the top on the champagne bottle with their thumb and took a healthy swig as they tried to fend Nat off with their legs. Nat, though, was faster, and Rowan squeaked as the bottle was snatched away from their lips.
âThatâs a steamy load of shit if I ever heard one,â Nat said as they plopped down on the couch.
âBastard.â Nat took a swig. It had long turned warm, but it went down smooth, bubbly sticky and sweet. They offered it back to Rowan, waggling the bottle to entice them. âLast sip, just for you.â
âSo generous.â Rowan reached for the bottle, but Nat pulled it back out of their reach.
âAh ah ah~â They wagged their finger, but then let themself fall between Rowanâs legs, wiggling and scooting until their head was comfortably rested on Rowanâs stomach, just under their ribs. With a content sigh, they said, âOkay, now, now you can have some.â
âGive me that, you fucking, you fucking drunk,â said Rowan, snatching the bottle and downing it as Nat giggled. It really was only a mouthful left. Swallowing, they peered down at Nat. Arm dangling off Rowanâs sideâand the edge of the couchâfingers tapping the floor to an unheard rhythm, knees bent and rocking side-to-side. They were as restless as ever. Rowan tossed the bottle to the floor.
Tilting their head back to peer at Rowan, upside down, Nat asked, âHey, Rowan? Why donât you ever talk about Deogee? Like, never.â
Rowan snorted. âThatâs easy. Theyâre a private person; they hate people up in their business. Oh, and they hate you. Obviously.â He gestured to all of them, as if that explained everything.
Nat groaned. âUghhh, why does everyone hate me? I didnât even do anything to them.â
âYou dated this hot bod,â offered Rowan, grinning, as they stretched their arms above their head.
Nat elbowed them in the ribsââow!ââthen sighed. âArenât you tired of it? Everyone, hating you, and being mad all the time. I am. Everyone was always mad at us.â
Rowan shrugged and swept their hand broadly. âI am who I am. A bastard.â They grinned a bit. âBesides, itâs fun.â
âYeah, but you didnât always used to be that way. Câmon.â Nat tilted their head back again to peer at Rowan, frowning slightly. âIt doesnât ever bother you?â
âMm⌠Iâm calling bullshit.â
âNo, Iâm serious, itâsâhowâs that stupid fucking phrase goâpeople who, have a mind? I donât fucking remember. If itâs not a friend, who gives a shit what other people think? Nothing matters more than the crewâdid you fall and hit your head after you left?â
Nat rolled over, folding their arms over Rowanâs ribs so they could look them in the eye and say again, âBullshit.â
Rowan snorted, loud disbelief, and crossed their arms.
Nat smiled. âYouâre different, Rowan, you know? The Rowan of five years ago wouldâve chased me into a bathroom to jump me, not apologize. And Nimrod?â
Rowan sniffed. âDonât think I could recognize someone useful?â
Nat leaned inâRowan could smell the champagne on their breathâas they repeated, âNimrod.â
âNim isââ Rowanâs protests were cut off by Nat putting their hand over Rowanâs mouth, and Rowanâs eyebrows dropped, deeply unimpressed at being silenced.
Nat just giggled. ââS not a bad thing to change. You still like me.â
They lifted their hand as Rowan started struggling to get up, leaning back onto their knees to give Rowan the space. Rowan poked their chest accusatorially. âYou, you just got me drunk to drill me. Harlot.â
Nat laughed and helped Rowan to their feet. âThis was your idea. Câmon, letâs get some water.â