Chapter Text
The Christmas lights strung twinkling across the crowded living room’s ceiling where the party was in full swing. The room thrummed with energy, chatter and Christmas tunes. People stood around talking, dancing and playing games.
Later into the evening, pockets began to form as it started to slowly wind down. At one end of the room, there was a group gathered around the tv playing Grand Theft Auto. In the middle, sat around the coffee table was a group playing kiss, marry, kill. And at the other end, along the back wall where the sofas and chairs had been pushed against it, a few people sat quietly talking - or as quietly as possible amongst the thrum of the music and chatter.
Scar, Tango and Joel were in the kitchen. Scar stood with his back against the fridge, sipping from a cup of lemonade, watching as Joel poured two cans of beer into plastic cups and as Tango filled another with water. Joel gestured at the cup as he took a sip from his beer.
“Is Jimmy already pissed?” He asked, walking over to the bin to dispose of the empty cans.
Tango sighed. “Yep. And I know exactly how the rest of the evening’s going to go if I let him drink anymore. Jimmy’ll pick a fight he can’t win, he’ll piss people off and then grumble on the walk home where he’ll spend the rest of the evening vomiting and crying. And then tomorrow, he’ll wake up with a hangover from hell, regretting everything and have to make it up to whoever he pissed off. It happens every time we get together with alcohol. It happened at Gem’s halloween party, at Grian’s and yours anniversary dinner, Scar, at your birthday party, Joel. And the worst part is he never learns. So, being the amazing boyfriend I am, and the great friend to everyone else, I’m stepping in and taking action so he doesn’t ruin the awesome time we’ve been having.”
Joel dipped his head in approval and raised his cup. “Amen to that!” He said, before turning to Scar. “How’s Grian? He’s not seeming like his usual self tonight. I hope he’s ok.”
“Yeah, he’s fine. Just tired.” Scar responded, sticking his head out the door to look over to the sofa where Grian was laying with his head in Gem’s lap, half-asleep. “I think we’ll probably head off soon. We’ve got a long drive in the morning and Grian’s already exhausted.”
“Ok, well thanks so much for coming.” Joel said. “Have a safe journey tomorrow and have a merry Christmas. Where is it you’re going again?”
“I’ve just booked us a cabin in the lake district for the week. Grian really deserves a break, he’s been working so hard this term.”
“Well have a great time, and make sure you have a break as well. You’ve earned it.” Tango insisted.
The three of them then left the kitchen. Joel joined the group around the TV, sitting next to Etho and handed him a cup of beer before wrapping his free arm around his shoulders. Tango joined the group around the coffee table, sitting on the floor next to Jimmy before pulling him into his lap and insisting he drank all the water in the cup he handed him. Jimmy refused the cup and instead started drunkenly proclaiming his love to Tango. He just smiled, kissed Jimmy’s cheek and pressed the cup to Jimmy’s lips, which Jimmy reluctantly drank, pouting. And Scar went over to the sofa. Gem moved out from under Grian’s head and went over to join Pearl and Lizzie on the other sofa. Scar took her spot and pulled Grian into his lap cradling him and whispered about leaving soon which, despite being exhausted, looked keen on doing.
The party, now quiet and intimate in contrast to its earlier wild self, buzzed on into the winter night, snowflakes beginning to fall just outside the steamed-up window. And what the three couples didn’t realise was how special the night was going to become for each of them.