#mel arc

She busied herself in the kitchen, making herself a drink. The devil's lettuce wasn't her poison of choice, liquor would win every time.

"Where is she anyway?" Vi asked.

"Late as usual." Viktor said.

Mel tried not to roll her eyes. Without fail, when game night came around Sevika always seemed to come later than usual. Mel didn't think it was a coincidence the butch would be on time when others hosted, but she tried not to think about it.

"We can start without her." Mel approached the couch with her drink in hand, settling in next to Viktor.

"Of course you would say that." Viktor gave Mel a knowing smile. "She should be here soon."

Mel ignored Viktor's look, crossing her legs in front of her. He knew she was a stickler for time. Everyone in the group knew. But Sevika would take things she knew Mel liked and do the complete opposite. It was always like that, but it still didn't fail to get on her nerves.

A loud knock at the door made Mel's eye twitch.

"I got it." Vi rose up and looked through the peephole. Opening it wide for the tall woman that made Mel want to jump her bones and cuss her out.

"You smell loud as hell." Sevika said as she pulled Vi in for a quick hug.

"Glad you could finally make it." Sevika didn't respond back, but looked at Mel with nothing but mischief in her eyes. Mel didn't want to hear an excuse because she knew there wasn't one. Sevika did it for the love of the game.

Jayce, Jinx, and Ekko closed the balcony door, making their way inside to greet Sevika.

"Mel's gonna lock you out one of these days." Ekko gave Sevika a quick dap, before joining Mel on the couch.

"She would miss me too much." Sevika said.

"You wish." Mel replied.

After Sevika returned from her smoke break, the games finally were able to begin. A team based game of charades ended up being Jinx's first choice, since she was in charge of the entertainment.

"I'm sitting this one out. So it's, Ekko and Jayce, Vi and Viktor, anddddddd Sevika and Mel."

"This has to be a set up." Mel mumbled.

"Captain's rules!" Jinx laughed Mel off, wiggling her eyebrows. Next time, Mel would be in charge of the games.

Ekko and Jayce started, picking prompts that were custom made by yours truly. Jayce was miming a handjob when Mel felt eyes on her.

She turned to her to see Sevika staring at her. Mel quirked an eyebrow, and was met with Sevika patting the armrest at the recliner she sat at.

Her mind told her to stay sat, who was Sevika to tell her what to do. But her body told a different story, gravitating towards the aura that was Sevika. Her ass didn't fully fit on the arm rest, making it hard to ignore the body heat emitting from Sevika.

"Sorry I was late."

"Don't lie."

"I'm serious this time. I got caught in traffic."

"So those other times you did it to bother me?"

"…Maybe."

"You're insufferable."

Mel subconsciously leaned in, her head resting on Sevika's shoulder. The two had this weird dynamic that Mel couldn't define at times. She didn't hate Sevika, far from it. Sevika was known for little words, while Mel thrived in specificity. Mel could spend all day shopping while Sevika hated going anywhere that didn't have alcohol. In a lot of ways they were opposites, but that is what made them work in a lot of ways too.

The two bickered but it was out of love for each other. Whether that be platonic or romantic, Mel didn't know.

The drink made her body warm. She was a little too heavy handed this time around.

"How can I make it up to you?"

"Help me beat these plebeians tonight."

Sevika coughed to cover her laugh. "I think I can do that." Mel could tell Sevika was high was as hell, her eyes were low and she didn't hide the way she stared into Mel's face. It made Mel turn away. Paying attention to the amount of points Jayce and Ekko were racking up.

They somehow were able to decipher Jinx's long winded written prompts, and got 10 points.

"Lovebirds! You're up."

"How many times do I have to say I'm single?" Mel moved to the center of the floor, picking up a card.

"I have eyes."

Mel stuck her tongue out at Jinx, who accepted it like it was a blown kiss.

"3 minutes!"

Mel avoided Sevika's amused expression, focusing on the prompt in front of her. She dramatically dropped to her knees, shielding her body from imaginary rain that was supposed to be pelting her skin.

"Rain?"

Mel nodded her head and put up two fingers.

"Something rain?"

Mel nodded her head frantically, so hard that some of her locs fell from the high bun she tied it in.

Somehow Sevika was able to get acid from the extreme agony Mel was trying to convey. Sevika had known Jinx since she was a kid, so the best person to decipher her out of box prompts was given to the right woman.

They were able to get through the cards quickly. It surprised Mel that they could work so well together, even if it was just a silly charades game. Sevika's unwavering stare made her feel nervous, acting out all these goofy things. But in no time, they were able to beat Ekko and Jayce's score.

"Time!" Jinx glanced at the paper where she was jotting down notes. "Vi and Viktor will have to beat 15."

Mel didn't know if it was the drink or her horrible competitive spirit, but she rushed over to Sevika to give her a hug.

"You did good Vika!" Mel's hair was now loose and down her back. "I wouldn't of gotten any of those."

"Not even the pit full of snakes?"

"Especially the pit full of snakes." Mel bumped Sevika's shoulder, leaning into Sevika's warmth. She expected the taller women to slink away, but she stayed put. Even brushing some of Mel's hair away from her face. "You know we're staying partners right?"

"I don't remember agreeing to that"

"That's not a no." Mel looked up, to see Sevika looking back at her. Her toothy gap showed with just a hint of redness on her cheeks. Was it the closeness? But she didn't blush earlier when they were on the recliner.

And Sevika did stay Mel's partner, with no protest. A record had to be broken, since they havent argued for the last two hours. Flowing and vibing through every game with praise from Mel's side and an almost muted glee from Sevika.

"I didn't know you knew how to play spades." Mel and her just got done beating Jayce and Viktor, who were learning the game as they went. It was very unfair, but it didn't stop the joy from rising in Mel's chest.

"Dad taught me when I was younger." Sevika shuffled the cards, putting them back in their box. Mel tried not to stare at her hands too much, as Sevika's fingers moved efficiently.

"You shuffle good." The recent cup of wine had her tongue loose, not caring about how she sounded. "You're good with your hands."

Sevika hummed, Mel noticed her shift in her seat. Legs spreading just a bit.

"A lot of compliments today."

"I can't help it." Mel leaned her head on her hand, facing Sevika who was avoiding her eyes. "You've been doing good today."

"Don't start something you can't finish."

Mel raised her brow. "What do you mean?"

Sevika didn't answer her, instead she ran her hands through her hair. Exposing the heat crawling up her neck.

Oh.

Mel always thought the bickering was what kept their sexual energy charged. It's all they did. She never considered that Sevika would take any compliments from her well. It would break the unspoken dynamic they already have.

But what's the use in keeping the status quo, when Sevika looked so flustered?

Mel stayed in deep thought as the night continued on, she held back as everyone started to head home. Making sure everyone was sober enough to get into their rideshares or cars. Mel had hoped Sevika would stay. And like a gift from above, Sevika was the last one sitting on her couch.

"Still high?" Mel called from the kitchen, putting up any leftovers and wiping the counter.

"Nope."

Mel snickered. "I won't be offended if you leave. Not much to clean." Mel was no longer looking at the back of Sevika's head. Her focus on the dishes she was scrubbing. She was met with silence.

It gone on for so long that she thought the women left. After rinsing the last dish, she wiped her hands and turned. Expecting to be left with an empty house.

But she was met with gray eyes instead, hovering close. Mel jumped back, her back pressed against the counter.

"I thought you left."

Sevika moved closer, closing her in with both of her arms. "Still here."

"I see." Mel averted her eyes, Sevika this close was too much. "You need something?"

"Yeah."

"There isn't anymore food, I think Vi had a tapeworm or something."

"I don't need food."

"Then spit it out." Mel didn't push Sevika away, but she shifted her body. Antsy.

Sevika's hand landed on her hip, bringing Mel closer. "Treat me nice. I deserve a reward for carrying your ass today."

"You want a cookie?"

"If you're offering." Mel scoffed, as Sevika continued. "But your words are enough."

Mel didn't force Sevika to say it. Instead she brought her hand up to Sevika's hair, petting her head softly.

"You did good today." Mel's hand traveled down to Sevika's cheek.

Sevika hummed, leaning into Mel's caress. "Can I kiss you?"

A boundary they never crossed was being tempted. And Mel found that she didn't care.

Mel took the lead, leaning into Sevika's waiting lips. It was slow and sweet, not as rushed as the dreams she would have when she was alone at night. Mel's hand snaked to Sevika's neck, bringing her body flush against her. Mel was glad she didn't miss the moan that escaped from Sevika's mouth when they finally broke for air.

"If you're good, maybe I can reward you later."