Drinking Game
Shuffling down the quiet street, Liam wrapped his coat more closely around him. He wasn't cold, per se, the drinks he had earlier warming him even now. It had been a good show at Quinn's. The crowd had cheered and everyone was in good spirits as he had performed on the fiddle, accompanied, of course, by a lovely singer. It was getting late when Liam had finally decided to call it a day, waving farewell to those he knew before heading out into the cold. And here he was now, on his street. All alone. To be perfectly honest, he had wished ever so slightly that one particular person had been there to support him, but they hadn't turned up. It probably didn't help that Seán rarely, if ever, traveled to Belfast. And why would he tonight? Just to see his little brother play? Scoffing, he shoved his hand into his pocket, listening to the sound of almost complete silence, except of course for the sound of his feet on the ground.
Looking down at the ground, well familiar with the surroundings of his house, Liam made his way slowly to the front door. Before he could reach the doorstep, however, his head hit into something, causing him to stop mid-step. Putting his foot down, he finally lifted his head to see what strange and out of place object was blocking his path now. Two green eyes peered back at him, one eyebrow lofted slightly in curiosity. "Off with the faeries are we?" came the thick Irish voice. Liam automatically frowned, grumbling "eejit". "Oh, I'm the eejit am I? I don't go around walking into people now do I?"
"Och… How long have you been standing here for?" Liam asked, changing the subject.
Seán pondered this for a moment, and then shrugged. "I dunno, about half an hour I think. Didn't realize you had gone out for the evening", he replied, indicating to the fiddle in Liam's hand.
"I always go out these nights", Liam said, moving around Seán to open his front door. "I'm pretty sure I've told you that one or two hundred times". Stepping inside, he reluctantly left the door open for Seán. Good Irish hospitality, as ingrained on him by his mother. And she likely would have scolded him two-fold for leaving his own brother out in the cold, not that he really cared anyway. Placing his fiddle and his coat down on the table, he went to get two glasses. "You want a drink?"
Following his brother inside, Seán looked around the house, closing the door behind him. "Aye, that'd be good. Is it really a good idea for you to drink more though?" he asked, pulling of his own coat, draping it over his arm. Pouring the drinks, Liam just gave him his best 'you must be kidding me' look. Putting his hands up defensively, Seán moved closer to the other Irishman. "I was just asking. Don't want you to start acting like Arthur when he's had a few too many".
"A few too many? A few is a few too many for that eejit", Liam grumbled, lifting his glass. Seán shrugged, lifting his own. At the same time, both Irishmen downed as much of their drinks as possible. Although it hadn't actually been said, there was a competition between the two of them to see who could drink the quickest. Both Seán and Liam slammed their glasses down on the tabletop at the same time, to their bitter disappointment. Not one to accept this dead heat, Liam poured them both another glass, giving Seán a slightly drunken glare.
Again, they both raised their glasses, heads tilting back to drink as much as they could. And once again both glasses hit the table at the exact same time. Liam was not pleased. "Och, it's because I already had some to drink", he protested.
"Oh aye? Well, you said you could drink it. So fair is fair, it was a draw", Seán replied bluntly, unable to keep the smugness out of his voice. He had honestly wanted to win, just to annoy Liam. But this was just as much fun it seemed. "But if you really want to go again, I suppose we can. But maybe we should add some incentive hm? Like… the winner gets a prize of some sort?"
"Like… loser has to do whatever dare the winner gives them?" Liam asked, already pouring the next round. Seán considered this, and then nodded slowly. Oh, I'm going to win this one for sure, Liam thought, brow furrowing in determination. Especially if it was his dignity was at stake. For the third time that night, both Irishmen raised their glasses, downing their drinks. Just as Liam was finishing his glass, about to slam it down on the surface, however, he heard the thud of Seán's glass making contact with the table. Opening his eyes, he looked down in despair at the other Irishman's empty glass. Eyes looking up, he looked at Seán's very smug smile, something like one would expect the Cheshire cat to wear.
"Now what do I get you to do?" Seán asked. Although it was clear in his tone that he had already decided, the Irishman decided he was going to enjoy teasing him a bit first.
"Make up your bloody mind already", Liam huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. If the dare was him getting naked and running around the streets or something that stupid, he was going to kick Seán out into the cold.
Seán pressed a finger to his lips, "Just a kiss. Here".
Liam leaned over and pressed a chaste peck to his lips, pulling back automatically. "There you go. A kiss".
"That wasn't a kiss. I want a proper one", Seán said, tapping his lips with a smirk.
Liam crossed his arms over his chest, turning his head to the side with a huff. His cheeks turned a deep red, although he was trying to act like the request hadn't embarrassed him in the least. Scowling, he reached over and grabbed Seán's shirt, pulling him close for a firm kiss. Seán, pleased that he finally got his kiss, happily kissed back. Pulling back, Liam regarded the Irishman. "There, you got your proper kiss, eejit".
Seán gave a happy, almost sweet smile. "There, that wasn't so hard now was it?"
"Och, don't push it!" Liam grumbled, hand still holding the front of Seán's shirt firmly.
"You… going to let go of my shirt now?" Seán asked, smiling slightly wider. Liam automatically let go of the material, looking around. Pressing a kiss to his cheek, Seán headed out of the kitchen. "Your couch seems nice and comfortable, I think I might stay here for the night". Lying down on the couch, he gave one of his Cheshire cat smiles again.
"What? You can't just invite yourself over eejit!"
"I think I just did. Unless your going to kick your poor brother out into the cold. What would Mam say to that?"
Liam had nothing he could say to that.
Damn that bastard.
