ooo
Puzzle Pieces
[Chapter 8]
slipping, slipping, slipping
*.*.*.*
"Koushirooo," a voice sang. "It's time to take that shot you owe me!"
Unceremoniously grabbing his arm, Sora pulled Koushiro into the kitchen before he could protest any further. Amber liquid sloshed around as she passed him one of the two small glasses already sitting on the counter.
"I don't remember ever owing you a shot, Sora," Koushiro mused while attempting to still his drink. "Also, do I not get to choose the liquor?"
"Everyone likes tequila!" she called back with her head in the refrigerator. Taking out a lime, she fished out a small knife from one of the drawers to prepare slices for the two of them.
"Cut out a third for me, will you?" a voice interjected. "I need to replenish my electrolytes after all that dancing."
"Taichi, tell her I don't have to take a shot," Koushiro pleaded to the newcomer, face flushed. "I just had to find out what a shot gun is and I don't think I can fit anymore liquid in my body."
"Nice try, buddy. I was there and you barely finished half of that beer."
Sora giggled, placing a wedge on Koushiro's glass before garnishing her own. Taichi poured a shot for himself and grabbed the third slice from the counter.
"Also, I'm insulted you guys didn't even try to come find me for this," the brunette scolded.
"I don't recall it being your birthday…" Koushiro trailed.
"And I don't recall asking for any of your cheek," Taichi shot back playfully.
"Well I don't remember anyone asking you to take this shot with us either, but here you are."
"Koushiro!" Sora gasped incredulously. She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, almost causing their cheeks to brush against each other. "Alcohol makes you sassy! Where has sassy Koushiro been all my life?"
Koushiro somehow turned a shade redder and fumbled to steady his drink.
"Down, girl," Taichi chuckled, detaching her from their friend. "He may get sassy, but you get all touchy-feely and it scares people. Especially the youngans."
"Sorry, Koushiro," she giggled.
"Were you guys really going to take a shot without me?" a fourth voice wailed over the din. Cleary in a huff, Mimi wheedled her way through the kitchen, bumping into a few passersby that were in her path. "Frankly, I'm insulted. Did I not tell you, Koushiro, that we were to be attached at the hip all night?"
"Wow, Koushiro, it looks like you're pretty popular tonight. Now if only you'd play it cool instead of looking like an over-grown tomato…"
"Don't be a jackass, Taichi," Mimi remarked flippantly as she poured a fourth glass.
"You're cutting your own lime," Sora grumbled petulantly.
"Cheer up, buttercup," Taichi said, slinging an arm around the redhead. "You're about to take a shot with the very best of friends, you're basically at the rager of the year, and you're—"
"Yo, Taichi!"
Daisuke popped his head into the kitchen scanning the small space until his eyes landed on his teammate's unmistakable bushy hair.
"You're up!"
Watching Daisuke's retreating back, Taichi tilted his head to Sora and added cheekily, "And now you're about to kick ass at beer pong with yours truly."
Disregarding the disruption completely, Mimi commanded the small group of friends to raise their glasses and offered everyone a dazzling smile.
"This shot is our promise to Koushiro that he's going to enjoy every single second of this party, okay?" she declared. "We are bound together by these tiny drinks in our hands to have the best night of our lives!" With dramatic flair, she finished, "May Koushiro's birthday live on in infamy! To Koushiro!"
"To Koushiro!" they chorused.
With a melodious clink, the friends tossed back their drinks in unison. Quickly slamming down his glass onto the counter, Taichi grabbed Sora's hand and hurriedly pulled her toward the living room. "Come on, Sora, let's go find our next victims."
With a wave, she bade farewell to her other two friends. "See you guys later! Good luck with Mimi, Koushiro!"
The last thing she saw before exiting the kitchen was her friend's face paling as Mimi latched on to him gleefully, calling over the crowd, "He'll need it!"
At the beer pong table, Taichi was already assembling cups for the start of the game. Approaching their side of the table, Sora's eyes darted across to the other end and found Takeru and Daisuke grinning smugly back at her.
"I can't wait to wipe the smirks off their faces," she whispered for Taichi's ears only, earning a small chuckle in response.
After the final cup was poured, she lifted her head to meet the gaze of her partner. Knowing nothing else needed to be said, they shared a grin.
Game on.
*.*.*.*
