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Sometimes, coworkers manage to actually plan an outing that doesn't come immediately after work. Which is how members of different teams found themselves at a rather fancy club. They had even dressed up for the event.
Ash had based her entire fit around a pair of heels she had recently acquired. They were a soft cream color, gold and silver butterflies attached to the straps. A soft pink dress hugs her figure, accentuating the curves of her body; the bottom of the dress opens up, allowing for more flow and movement. The back is entirely open. It had taken a while for her to be fully comfortable wearing such an outfit but now? It was liberating.
Yana’s choice was something similar: a sleek, bodycon dress that showed more than enough skin to have eyes trailing as she walked past. She looked good, more importantly she knew she looked good. Norah looked as if she’d come straight out of the 70’s with a more modern feel to it. Conner was dressed to match his partner. Warren came along in a simple pair of jeans and a loose fitting button up short sleeve with some big floral pattern it’s hard to notice right next to him. Rody kept it simple, a grey-blue t-shirt with a brown jacket over his shoulders and pair of dark blue Levis that sat on his hips nicely.
They’d managed to snag a corner booth for them all to cram into. A round of drinks was bought for the table, loosening up their limbs. Conner and Yana easily stood up for whatever makeshift karaoke the place was offering tonight. While they weren't show stopping, they were good enough for the whole of the bar to be able to enjoy.
Early in the night Norah and Ash were wrapped up in a long conversation about the mechanics of one of her new builds. Ash had even stolen a pen to draw on a paper napkin to help make the image in her mind make sense. Her eagerness was bleeding into her words, coming out faster than Norah could comprehend.
"I can't figure out what's throwing the weight off so much. I've tried different bolts but there's no noticeable difference. I even changed the materials and still no luck." She huffs.
"What if you change the trigger mechanism? Give it more space to build up a blast."
"You got an idea in mind?"
Ash grins for an answer, grabbing another small slight tinged napkin.
At the same time, Rody had managed to somehow place himself next to Warren. "How's Mica been lately?"
"You know," His thumb rubs at the condensation of his cup. "His idiocy knows no bounds."
Both men let out a soft chuckle to fill the space between them. "How's Arashi been?"
"Good. She's over qualified for his level of bullshitery. But she's surprisingly really good at this."
Rody nods, taking a sip of his own drink. "That doesn't surprise me at all. The shit she pulled when we were kids? I could only imagine the tact she has now finally matched how bold and strong she is."
"Well I can't overly speak on that. But it is nice seeing her body a man twice her size."
Rody's eyes drift over across the table. Arashi's head thrown back in laughter while clutching Norah for support. The dozens of napkins scribbled on in the dim, ever changing light. A warmth fills his cheeks entirely not caused by any of the alcohol.
At some point, Conner had dragged Rody into singing with him, letting Yana pick the song.
The first bell of beat has Rody shoulders sagging, "You're joking."
Conner immediately falls into the groove, plenty of alcohol fueling his actions. "I stay out too late!" It's entirely out of key and pulls a laugh from the majority. The song continues, Conner carrying the beginning verse leaning against Rody for dramatics.
As if on cue, Rody joins in at the chorus. His gaze meets Arashi's, her smile is a gift from whatever God be above. They continue with Conner moving in a way Rody would assume is supposed to be dancing. The other man wiggles his brows while Conner rubs up against him. Pulling a holler of support from both Yana and Norah.
The group is only encouraging as the antics grow more dramatic. They'd frequently found themselves on the small stage. More empty glasses filling the table as the night goes on.
Norah had pulled Arashi onto a makeshift dance floor at some point. The current karaoke singer was actually much better than those who had gone previously.
Rody sat sandwiched between Conner and Yana. He had been caught looking at Arashi many times throughout the night and simply did not care.
"She really is stunning." Yana's words mumbled over her straw.
"It's too bad." Conner sighs, sipping on some water.
"What?" Rody mumbles his head resting in his palm.
"It's just, you.. are like Sid."
Rody's head whips over, "The sloth from Ice Age??"
He goes unanswered somewhere between tipsy and drunk Conner continues. "And she is… She's Barbie dude."
"And I'm just Ken?"
"Well yeah. But like a hot, totally fuckable ken."
Yana reaches behind their team lead, a quick smack to Conner's shoulder. "Not helping."
It was later in the night when Arashi finally manages to slide next to Rody with a drink for the two of them in hand. Their thighs pressed to one another. The faint floral scent is immediately present. "Here you go. One slightly fizzy rum and coke for the responsible man and one excessively boozy drink for me."
Her drink glowed purple, the pink of the drink mixing with the edible glitter and blue glow stick illuminating the glass. His eyes flicker up her frame, taking her in. Glitter reflects off her dress and shoulders. There's a soft warmth to her cheeks, fueled partly by alcohol and partly by the warmth of the bar. He lingers on her lips as she talks.
"You look good," he interrupts, momentarily catching her off guard.
"It was definitely not worth the money," she holds up the glass, turning so the sparkles shimmer off the scattered light.
He grins, "No Ash," he leans in closer, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. "You look good." The thumping of the bass doesn't come anywhere close to the dance her heart is doing. Her face slowly burns a bright red hearing his words clearly.
"Oh."
He takes his drink, clinking the glass against hers. "Thanks for this."
She clears her throat, blinking herself back to reality. "Of course."
Neither of them mention it through the remainder of the night. Some are more drunk than others. Conner and Yana walk arm and arm out of the bar still singing wildly out of tune. The ex-hero stumbles out of the threshold bumping into Rody.
"Come on Mouse, let's get you home yeah?"
"If you insist, Rowdy Roo."
Her apartment was located in the opposite direction of the others. It was a relatively easy walk, both acting as if tethered to each other.. Rody walks on the edge of the curb, giving Ash all the room she needs along the cobblestone. He watches in amusement the way she sling-shots herself around random poles with messy giggles. They round the final corner when they finally get to her doorstep.
Ash fumbles with her keys, her stance teetering the longer she takes. She turns, still fiddling with the key chain. "You gonna help me inside Mr. Soul?"
A breathy laugh escapes him as he takes the set of keys. "As you wish Namari." He unlocks the door with ease holding it open from the outside so Ash can slip in. Half her body brushes against his. Almost immediately she’s kicking out of her shoes, leaving a trail behind as she heads towards her room.
"You coming?"
He chews the inside of his cheek following slowly behind her. He closes the door, quick to latch the lock with soft thunk. He doesn't shy from catching up to her, hearing a soft struggle from her room. He leans against the door frame watching her spin, arms twisted in something unnatural to try and undo her zipper.
There's a soft squeak of "Help!" Before her knees hit the side of the bed just right to topple over. It's almost like she falls over in slow motion before landing with a whine.
Rody grabs a bag of face wipes tossing them next to her on the bed. "Need some help there?"
She pouts with a silent, don't make me beg.
He's quick to give in; tugging gently on her bicep until she sits up. He gently brushes her hair off her shoulders to reveal the small bow meant entirely for accessory purposes. It was a simple pull and the straps brushed softly against her warm skin as they fell.
She shivers at the delicacy. Her own hands poorly rubbing what remains of her makeup off. His fingertips drift down to her lower back, grazing over her skin with a feather-light touch. He undoes the small zipper allowing more room to slip out of her dress.
His thumb rubs over her back with more intention before turning towards her dresser. He quietly clears his throat. "You want anything specific?"
"No."
A soft ruffle sounds as her dress hits the floor. He grabs the coziest looking shirt. Taking two small steps backwards keeping his gaze on the floor. He holds the article of clothing out for her to take.
"Thank you." Her voice is louder than she probably intended. He turns again waiting for the shuffling of fabric to cease before turning around. "You know, I'm not as think as you drunk I am."
Rody's head drops, a soft smile settles on his features. "Oh yeah?"
"Yeah."
He turns slowly just barely glancing to make sure she's fully clothed. She pats the spot next to her on the bed. He indulges, basking in the quiet soft hours. It was no secret, his crush on her, except maybe to Arashi it was.
She leans in closer to him. Their faces inches from one another. "You're eyes are really pretty," she whispers. He can still smell the fruity cocktails she had tonight. Her gaze flickers from the silver of his eyes down to the soft pink of his lips. "You smell good too."
His breathing slows, trying to keep his composure as best he can. "Are you gonna kiss me Soul?" Each passing second she leans closer, her lips slightly parted, her eyes closing. He sucks in a quick breath, shoulders tensing. Only to let out a quiet sigh as her entire body goes limp. His lips meet her forehead accompanied by a soft snore emanating from her.
Rody huffs, a small laugh escaping him. His hand comes up behind her, a flat palm rubbing over her back few times before helping lean her the opposite direction. He eases the fall to her pillow gently, so she doesn't stir when he pulls the blanket from beneath her. He tucks her in with a couple soft pats to her shoulder. He brushes the hair from her forehead. "Goodnight Mouse."
The moment he leaves her room the amounts of alcohol that he'd ingested finally hits his system. Shit. He looks back to the closed door. He'd spent a couple nights before in the same way she had crashed at his place. Before he can think on it too much he nudges off his shoes then lies on the couch. His foot hangs off the arm rest while his arm is wrapped under the pillow. His eyes flutter before the lull of sleep finally takes over.
Arashi somehow wakes up, her head throbs and her throat aches dryly. On feeling she recognizes her own sheets. It's out of habit the way she meanders to her kitchen. The glass of water soothes the ambitions of the previous night. She goes to crawl back into her bed, thankful for the weekend, when she sees a head of brown hair sprawled over the couch. Her lips form into a small smile, then retreating back to her bed