Regalis patted his pockets before sighing, "What's wrong?" Evie asked.
"My key must've fallen out of my pocket during the fight."
"Do you have a spare? Or have you given a spare to a neighbour?"
"That I do." Regalis nodded and reached up to the top of the door frame pulling down a small silver key.
"That is the second worst place you can hide your space key."
"Oh." He paused. "What's the first?" Regalis asked curiously.
"Under the door mat."
Regalis had the grace to look sheepish. "Where else could I hide it?"
Evie glanced around, "Behind the fire extinguisher, it's somewhere less obvious at least. But after you make a new one." She added quickly when he took a step towards the fire extinguisher.
Regalis nodded and opened the door, letting Evie in first. Everything was mostly the same except for two interesting looking boxes in the corner by his paintings and the picture on the canvas in corner was part way through a drawing; Evie went over to look at it. It was only an outline, but it showed a woman looking down with a hand cupping her face. She peered at it, then realised that it was her. Blushing slightly she spun around catching Regalis' eye, he was watching her curiously, then dropped his gaze abruptly.
She knew Regalis was thinking about the kiss too, because he was avoiding her eyes. That was one of the things about the man. Every small gesture meant something. He never just turned away, he could be feeling embarrassed, or sad, or ashamed.
Some small part of Evie was proud she could read some of his emotions.
Mostly.
He was still mostly a mystery to her.
But she had more important things to be getting to, instead of thinking about the kiss, when she had forgotten the books and the issued gun.
She pulled the chair from his desk and spun it around. "Sit. Take your shirt off." He smirked slightly at the request but complied anyways, Evie frowned at the small bandage on his wrist, "What happened there?"
"Hmm? Oh, a door." He lied easily. He sat down, his legs either side of the back of the chair, his arm hidden in front of him while Evie got some warm water and a flannel.
She came back a moment later; he felt her kneeing down behind him lightly cleaning at the wounds on his back silently. He winced at the antiseptic she put on them after cleaning them, "What's in the boxes?" She asked conversationally.
"Painting stuff." He answered with a shrugged wincing as Evie put more antiseptic on his back, "What is that stuff? Poison?"
Evie laughed, "Just savlon. S'all good. I love the smell of it." Evie spun the chair around and glanced at his chest and stomach which didn't look as bad as his back. Instead she quickly cleaned his face and then handed him back his shirt.
"Thank you." he murmured a he pulled it on watching her curiously as he did the buttons up, "Did you even have a plan back there?"
Evie shook her head, "Nope, but I may have a few secrets of my own." she smirked at his curious expression, "Anyway, I didn't know you could do that, so I wasn't gonna leave you to get beaten up. If anything too drastic happens I just need to say a certain word and the Avengers will know something's up." she gestured to the necklace she was wearing, "Tracks me as well. Probably shouldn't tell you that though."
"Ah. Well we're lucky it didn't come to that."
"Why? Afraid Steve will beat you up for the kiss?" Evie's eye widened slightly as the casual way in which she had stated that.
Regalis watched her for a moment wondering if she was going to leave again but when she didn't he stood up, "That reminds me." He pulled the books off the book shelf and handed them to her. "I apologize. I would have brought them earlier but I wasn't sure if I was welcome. And uh...you left you jacket," he nodded towards it hanging by the door, "Is there a reason you have a gun?"
Evie frowned, "You went through my stuff?"
Regalis chuckled and shook his head, "No, I was looking for my scarf and the gun fell out."
"Ah, uh...I told you about the creepy evil guy that escaped prison?" Regalis nodded, "The Avengers issued me if for my safety. I keep actually forgetting I have it or accidentally making it really obvious." Evie grabbed her jacket and the books putting them both on the desk and sat down on the sofa, "Sorry I ran off so suddenly. I wasn't really sure how I was supposed to react to that."
"It's alright." Regalis shrugged sitting down beside her, he had done up all but the top three buttons of his shirt, Evie's eyes were draw to his pale flush of exposed skin.
"When...when that happened," She forced herself to look at his face, "I swear I sure your eyes go green for second."
Regalis didn't look that surprised and shrugged leaning closer to her, "What colour are my eyes now?"
"D-dark." Evie stuttered, and it was true. Even with his eye colour she could see his pupils were slowly getting larger. She could feel his breath on her skin. "I should get going..." Evie whispered, "Steve is going to be wond-"
Regalis cut her off with a kiss and Evie didn't fight away, instead she wrapped her arms around his neck, her tongue swiped out asking for entrance which Regalis gladly gave. When they eventually pulled away breathing heavily Evie knew she should feel guilty but she couldn't seem to care. Not after that.
Regalis stared at her for a moment as if waiting for her to run off again but when she didn't he smiled and placed his hand against her cheek. Evie smiled back placing her hand over his and leaning forward placing another quick kiss on his lips before standing up, "Tea?"
Regalis nodded watching as she walked into the kitchen and he heard the kettle turn on, Evie turned around to lean against the breakfast bar and look at him, "Kettles are much faster with a sonic."
"Well, I can think of a good way to pass time...?"
Evie chuckled and walked back around to climb over the back onto the couch, wrapping her arm around his neck pressing her lips to his making him grin against her lips, until the kettle starting dinging at them and Evie pulled away with a wink going to pour the teas.
When she came back she sat back down comfortably on the sofa beside Regalis and blew at her tea.
Regalis watched her silently knowing that she had something to say, she felt seriously guilty, Steve is a wonderful, incredible man and she was cheating on him, "I shouldn't do this." she murmured, "I love Steve."
Regalis placed his hand on her knee and stared into her eyes, "And what do you feel for me?"
Evie's eyes widened at the question unsure at how to answer. He was trying to make her feel uncomfortable, for some reason, she could tell. The strange workings of Regalis' mind. "I...I don't know. I mean I've only known you what? Almost two months but I know I like you a lot."
"I like you to Evie." Regalis sipped at his tea for the once finding himself struggling with his words, his silver-tongue failing him."I didn't actually expect to feel anything like this when we met. Or ever." Evie didn't know what to say to that so she sipped at her drink and looked under her lashes at him to find him staring at her with unguarded wonder.
"What?" Evie asked blushing and Regalis shrugged.
"You say we should not do this, yet you do not leave. I'm afraid that I do not understand."
"We shouldn't do this. But that doesn't mean I don't want to. I feel guilty because I love Steve but in a way...I don't care about him, I only want you."
"So what are you going to do?"
Evie set down her mug of tea and turned to him; she took the tea out of his hand and lent forward kissing him slowly. He grinned against her mouth, and pulled her across so that she was straddling him, his strong arms reached around her waist gripping her T-shirt and pulling it over her arms. Evie briefly wondered why she didn't care, or try to stop him - but her mind went strangely blank after he started kissing at her neck.
As soon as she was free of her T-shirt she didn't hesitate with grabbing the back of his head and kissing him again her hands attempting to undo the buttons of his shirt, eventually giving up and with a growl of frustration she pulled the shirt apart, the buttons popping making him chuckle against her mouth.
'Who's strong and brave, here to save the American Way?
Who vows to fight like a man for what's right night and day?
Who will campaign door-to-door for America,
Carry the flag shore to shore for America,
From Hoboken to Spokane,
The Star Spangled Man with a Plan!'
Evie reluctantly pulled away from Regalis to pull her phone out her pocket, she knew it was Steve calling from the ringtone and knew she had to answer otherwise he'd get worried. "Sorry," she murmured to Regalis who just shook his head and kissed her neck, Evie barely held in a moan as she answered the phone, "Hello?"
"Evie, just calling to make sure you're ok? It's late?"
"Sor-ry," Evie squeaked as Regalis hit a sensitive spot, "With Irene," Evie lied attempting to push Regalis away and stepped away from him but his arms tightened around her waist making her laugh.
"What are you doing?" Steve's voice had gone from concern to sudden absolute indifference.
"She's trying to take the phone." Evie lied again, he was playing with her hair now, tiggling her neck, mumbling something, "I'll be home in a bit."
"Alright, I'll see you soon. I love you."
"Yep. Me too." Evie cut off the phone and used both her hands to push herself away from Regalis, he grunted in disappointment but Evie just winked. "Sorry but I should get home." She leant forward and kissed him again before pulling her T-shirt on again and ran her hands through her hair. She knew she should feel guiltier than she does but she couldn't find it in herself to care right now as she picked up the books and her jacket, and winked at Regalis who was still sat on the sofa shirtless watching her with something that she couldn't actually distinguish in his eyes. She left.
Regalis watched her leave; as soon as the door closed he opened his hand and allowed a lock of Evie's hair to fall onto the table. He had cut it whilst she was distracted and used magic to make it grow back all done easily.
Regalis walked into his room and moved the rug out of the way, removed his shirt and sat down in the circle once more. He breathed in, then out.
"Mutare me retrorsum, mutare me retrorsum," he muttered.
A sharp crack filled the silence. He felt the familiar pins prodding him all over, the feeling was starting to become annoyingly familiar but he knew it was just for a while longer, his plan was coming together. There was just one more thing he needed to do.
The pain stopped and he smiled, "Operaretur me." He muttered standing up feeling the familiar weight drape across him.
Loki.
Stepping out of the circle taking a deep breath, after that last trip to Kalur he had taken a few days doing nothing but he was still so tired, he pulled the bandage off his arm and looked at the almost healed cut now scaring. He would have a brand new one before the night was over, he knew the scar would fade eventually but for now he had to keep them hidden from Evie.
Evie. She wants something with him. What exactly, he didn't know, but it was something more than he was expecting. It might be the daemon inside her that is letting her do this without feeling guilty but it still meant she has these feelings inside her with or without the daemon.
Shaking away those thoughts he pulled a pair of scissors out of the drawer he cut off a lock of his own hair, then healed it. He grabbed at his cape cutting off two small strips near the bottom. Frowning at it he decided to fix it later.
He placed the lock of his own hair and one strip of his cape in the middle beside each other and closed his eyes, "Attexo." He ordered. The lock of hair and ribbon began weaving together tightly until it finished at each end, Loki continued, "Pone fines simul et fac illud fortis." He murmured. It floated into the air and titled around both ends were touching. Then it started glowing, when it fell back to the table, looking like a small black and green bracelet Loki opened his now green eyes and grinned.
Putting the bracelet onto the side table he took hold of Evie's hair and did the same thing. Once it was done he put the two bracelets together.
"Adcucurrit. Custodiunt illud absconditum."
Once they were both finished he put them safely on the side, stepped back into the circle closed his eyes "Deportaturum duplici."
Kalur.
"Loki, pleasure to see you again so soon."
"Na'qut."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Some of the Avengers and Evie's room-mates all sat around the large area talking and laughing together. Steve had invited them all for dinner to get to know Evie's friends better, and Tony was trying to play cupid between Irene and Bruce since he arrived home the day before.
"So Irene, I've been meaning to ask," Tony spoke up, "Are you like this with your patients?"
"Like wha'?" Irene spoke as she took another bite of the chocolate cake Pepper had baked.
"So...fun! Any therapist's I had were boring old sods. If I had you I probably would have actually spoke about the reason I was there."
Everyone except Pepper and Irene paused at the mention of Tony being in therapy, but he either didn't notice or the more than likely chose to ignore the reactions.
Irene didn't look particularly surprised and grinned, "That's what makes me so great. I'm casual. I took Dumbledore's idea though."
"Which one?"
Irene laughed."Lemon sherbet. Always got some on me." Irene pulled a small pack out of her inside pocket, grinned at them and put it back.
"What if they don't like lemon?"
"Chocolates, pack of Celebrations, rarely used." Irene shrugged, "Any sweets usually break the ice. Starting with Lemon Sherbets gets Harry Potter mentioned and someone's favourite Harry Potter can tell a lot about them. For example, my favourite character is Luna; she's a crazy girl that often gives the protagonists great advice. I'm a therapist I kinda have to give good advice. She's not understood by anyone except her friends, and often not even them." She grinned at Mycroft and Sherlock who both chuckled, "And that's as far as I'm gonna go into detail. If you want your favourite characters psycho-analysed you know where I am. I'm suggesting it be private. I'll even do it for free unless you're the richest man alive. Then it'll cost you a couple of million." She smirked at Tony who laughed.
They all fell into a thoughtful silence for a few minutes until Clint broke the silence, "Can I have a lemon sherbet?"
"We all know you already ninja'd the packet while I was talking." Irene smirked at a scowling Clint who then reached into his own pocket to get them. "But go ahead." She turned to Steve, "Where is Evie by the way?"
Steve shrugged, "She told me she'd be late but didn't say how late." He frowned and both Irene and Bruce knew what he was thinking.
"Give her a call." Pepper suggested.
Steve did just that and when he put his phone back in his pocket and turned back to where the others were sat around the table talking carelessly, Irene was flirting with Bruce who was blushing but trying to ignore the flirting and have a casual conversation.
Steve sat back down beside Irene who looked at him inquisitively, "So? What'd she say? Still at the library? Workaholic that girl."
"Yeah." Steve lied not wanting to walk about it in front of everyone, Bruce and Irene however sensed the lie and Bruce caught Steve's eye. Steve looked away; he didn't want to talk about it right now. He didn't want to believe it to be true. Why would she lie to him unless she was with Regalis? He hoped to God he's wrong but why else would she lie to him?
"Right, we should get going." Mycroft declared to the annoyance of Sherlock and Irene, "We all have to work in the morning." he reminded the two scowling adults nudging them to a standing position, "And I'm certain most of you have stuff you need to be doing. Thank you for dinner."
"You guys should come over more often." Pepper told them hugging Irene. "Maybe when there isn't a crazy man out there so everyone can be here. And maybe we can meet your girlfriend Sherlock, what's her name?"
Sherlock glared at Irene for telling them, "Natalie. She's an art teacher."
"Well bring her next time; we'd love to meet her."
It wasn't too long after they left when Evie got home and smiled at everyone but headed straight for Steve who was helping clean up. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek surprised when he didn't bend down to make it easier for her, "Sorry about that. Only met to have a quick chat and ended up staying for ages!"
Steve shrugged silently as he piled up the dishes; he glanced up to see the other Avengers doing their own things so he took a deep breath and turned to her, "Irene was here, Evie."
Evie cursed under her breath and mentally struggled to come up with another lie, Steve was staring at her waiting for an explanation so Evie decided to tell him the truth. Most of it at least. "I was with Regalis." Steve's eyes flew closed in disappointment but Evie put a hand on Steve's arm making him look at her again, "I was walking past the bar, saw a couple of guys beating on another so I stopped to help, realised it was Regalis, he had a cut cuts and bruises so I offered to clean them for him as his apartment, but that's all. I cleaned his cuts and we talked."
"Why didn't you just say that?"
Evie shrugged, "I didn't want you to get the wrong idea."
"It's worse when you lie to me Evelyn."
"I know. I'm really sorry. I'll tell you the truth next time."
"Will there be a next time Evie?"
Evie shrugged, "I don't know. He's my friend so yeah, we might see each other. But that's all. Friends."
"If we were back in my time, then I would forbid you to see him. But I can't do that and I wouldn't do that because I love you and I can't control you. But that doesn't mean I have to like it."
"I know." Evie wrapped her arm around his waist and lean her head into his broad chest.
"Is it because I want to wait before...?" he blushed and Evie looked up at him eyes wide and shook her head.
"No! Of course not Steve. I told you I don't mind waiting until you're ready, whenever that may be ok?"
Steve just nodded silently before suddenly hearing the elevator start up. He looked up to see that the rest of the Avengers had scarpered and realised that he and Evie and forgotten to whisper through most of that talk. He blushed hoping they had gone before his latest question.
He glanced down at Evie who's head was cuddled into his chest and he loved her, more than he knew was possible.
But did she feel the same?
A few weeks ago he would have said yes, but now?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Regalis!" Evie greeted him two days later as he walked into the library walking around the desk to hug him; he stood surprised for a moment before laughing and hugging her back. She had to resist the urge to kiss him, in public there were people watching them, she couldn't. Instead she planted a light kiss on his neck.
"Evie I had a present for you,"
"Oh?" Evie looked hopeful but also shocked, "You didn't have to get me anything."
"I did."
"What for?"
Regalis shrugged, "I wanted to. Consider it a late Christmas present." He pulled out a small square box from his pocket and handed it to Evie; she frowned glancing at Regalis, "Open it." She opened the box up and gasped, inside was a beautiful black and green bracelet; she put the box down and held up the bracelet, it felt like it was made of silk plated together.
"Wow." She murmured, "This is beautiful." It slipped easily over her wrist.
It fit perfectly and felt as smooth as silk.
Regalis smiled, internally he was grinning, on his own wrist hidden beneath the long sleeves, the other bracelet warmed up, he could feel the magic working.
"Thank you Regalis."
Regalis shrugged, "I saw it and thought of you." With that he stalked off towards the Crime and Mystery section of the library and Evie went back to the desk a smile on her face.
Irene skipped into the library. A girl on a mission.
Evie had gone back to sitting at the desk occasionally glancing up to where Regalis was searching through the shelves for a book. Evie had a bag of Skittles not-so-stealthily hidden on the shelf under the desk. She kept on reaching down to get more, this being the reason why it wasn't stealthy.
"Oh, hay, Irene." Evie abruptly swallowed the Skittles, hoping Irene hadn't noticed. She had.
"Hi! So I was thinking about this Regalis guy that you insist on staying friends with, I've never actually met him so I was thinking of having a movie night tonight and invite him. Sherly and Croft are going out on a double date with Natalie and one of her friends," She grinned.
Evie made a face. "Has Steve set you up to spy on me?"
"... No." Irene grinned hopefully. She meant yes, and both of them knew it.
"Well, we can ask him, sure. He's over in the Crime and Mystery section."
"Evie, you know I don't know my way around here."
Evie rolled her eyes and sent her mock puppy eyes, "That's 'cause you never come to visit me,"
"So many books' gives me the creeps."
"How are we still friends?" Evie laughed and Irene rolled her eyes, "C'mon, then!" She called out to another of the staff to man the desk and linked arms with Irene and grinned. They both made their way over to the sofa's at the end of the Crime and Mystery section, where Regalis was sat, his gaze fixed on the book.
"Well, I can see why you kissed him." Irene muttered, grinning.
"Irene!" Evie whined.
Regalis looked sharply up at the sound of Evie's voice. They unlinked arms and Irene grinned her best flirty grin. "Regalis!" Irene greeted, "Hi! I'm Irene!"
Regalis rose an eyebrow glancing between Evie and Irene, "Irene? Huh. You don't look like how I thought you would."
"Good way or bad way?"
Regalis just shrugged so Evie interrupted before Irene would get offended, "So, Irene and me are having a movie night tonight, wanna join?"
"A... movie night?" he asked, "I... suppose I can. I might be busy." He was planning on going to get the next batch of Daemons tonight but he could leave that until tomorrow.
"Not taking that for an answer. You're Evie's friend; I'm Evie's best friend. I need to get to know you."
Regalis regarded her carefully, he knew she had a different agenda but he wasn't sure exactly what. He was certain however it had something to do with he and Evies...what are they? In a relationship? Lovers? Friends with benefits? He wasn't sure. But for now, he wanted to know what Irene wanted. "In that case, I would be delighted to attend your movie night."
"Great. Meet me at my apparently at..." Irene glanced at Evie. "Seven?"
"Seven." Evie confirmed.
"Okay. I'll be there."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Four hours later, Evie heard a knock at the door.
"That'll be him." Irene muttered. She padded down the hall and flung the door open.
"Regalis!" She hugged him; he stood awkwardly for a second before hugging her back.
"Hi." He motioned with his head if he could walk in, and she nodded. "What's the film?" He sat down on one of the sofa's beside Evie. Irene walked out into the kitchen, to make popcorn.
"I don't know yet. Irene picked it."
"Great." He smiled tightly.
Evie laughed, after a second, he joined in with a grin. "Don't worry me and her have similar film taste...and taste in everything."
"Even men?"
Evie frowned at the odd question. "Well, almost everything. Except for the twins our taste in men is very different, but then we ended up as just friends with them."
Regalis didn't seem to know what to say, they heard the microwave door slam. The popcorn was in.
Evie called out to Irene. "What film is it?"
Irene peeped round from the corner. "Uh, choice of three!" She grinned, then came through into the living room. "Batman: The Dark Knight, Avatar or Super 8."
"I've watched Batman." Evie added.
"And I've watched Avatar and Batman. Regalis?"
"I've not watched any of them."
"Well, we're gonna have to vote."
"I don't know anything about any of them!" Regalis whined.
"Deal with, Regalis." Irene muttered. She spread them out on the coffee table. "I vote Avatar."
"Wow, really? Um, Avatar I guess." Evie picked up the CD case.
Regalis smiled. "Majority vote, Avatar it is." Irene grinned, then hastily made it back into the kitchen to sort out the popcorn before it burnt. "What is Avatar about?" Regalis asked Evie.
Evie read the case. "Uh, basically, guy goes to another planet who the main inhabitants are blue and glow-y, to find unobtainium."
"Blue people? That are liked?" Evie nodded distractedly as she put the CD into the DVD player, "Sounds... thrilling."
"I'm sure it is. Been wanting to see it for ages, James Cameron – the Director is a genius." Irene emerged from the kitchen, two large bowls in hand and one precariously balanced on her head, she had a huge grin on her face as attempted to walk into the living room without it falling to the floor. "Rene-y what the hell are you doing?"
Irene shrugged but that was a bad move at the bowl tipped to the floor, Regalis jumped to his feet and caught it perfectly, not a single popcorn on the floor. "Quick reactions." Irene commented, "Thanks."
Regalis shrugged and put the bowl down on the table, Irene placed the other two beside them before going back to get drinks.
Evie and Regalis each took a bowl and sat down on the couch, Irene came back put a bottle of Coke on the table, switched the lights off and plonked down in the middle of the sofa between Evie and Regalis.
Regalis sat awkwardly; Irene was too close for his comfort so he shuffled into the corner and curled up, tucking his knees under his chin. Irene moved up closer making him grimace.
He didn't say anything, though.
Evie played the film.
Around two and a half hours later, when the credits had just started, Evie laughed.
"That was awesome! The animation was amazing."
Regalis, who was staring at something no one else could see, muttered, "It was nice that she forgave Jake at the end, even though he lied to her. I wish everyone was like Neytiri." Evie nodded in agreement, then stood up to go turn the lights on.
"Blue people are sexy." Irene added.
"There's two kinds of people." Evie laughed.
"You find blue people attractive?" Regalis asked them both, sounding extremely confused.
"Yeah! You don't?" Evie asked him and Regalis shrugged.
Irene stood up abruptly to go to the fridge. "I'm getting some wine, anyone else want some?"
"Sure, just a small one, though." Evie smiled.
"Regalis?"
"I'm okay, thanks." Evie knelt down in front of the DVD player, while Irene went to go get the wine.
Irene came back in, with three glasses.
"Irene?" Evie asked, regarding the three glasses.
She shrugged. "In case Regalis wants one."
In the course of the night, Irene and Evie would only get drunker while Regalis ended up staying completely sober.
Eventually, Regalis decided that since he couldn't hold out a proper conversation with either of them, he decided he should probably leave.
"Uh, where'd you think y'r going, mister?" Evie asked, her voice slurring.
"As I said, home. Both of you are drunk." He grinned, drunk people where quite amusing. Both of them grinned back, lazily.
"Uh, it's like, 2 in the mornin'." Irene checked her phone. "Jus' sleep on the couch."
"No thank you. I'll be fine walking home."
Evie wasn't having any of it. "Regalis, you're sleeping on the couch. Don't 'cho dare try leave this house." She giggled.
"Evie, you're in no state to decide if I should sleep on the couch or not."
"Well," Irene added, "I'll decide for her then. You're sleeping on the couch." Regalis sighed.
"You're not gonna let me leave, are you?"
"No." Both the women said simultaneously. Then they laughed, while Regalis rolled his eyes.
Evie stood up, then swayed slightly. "I'm gonna go have a shower, then bed. I'll see you in the mornin'."
"Are you sure you should have a shower right now?"
"Why shouldn' I?"
"You might fall and break your neck."
"Maybe you should join and keep me steady?" Evie winked before stumbling to the bathroom.
Irene sighed, then downed her drink. "I think I'll turn in too." She stood up, and practically fell over again. She took a wobbly step, and literally fell onto the couch. Regalis sighed.
He stood and picked her up, bridal style. She giggled. She smelt of alcohol.
Regalis carried her down the hall easily. "You must be stronger than you look." she muttered.
"Yeah. I guess." He carried her to her room, then dumped her on the bed. She giggled again. "You really are drunk," he muttered. "You probably need to take those clothes off, too." Then his eyes widened at what he realised he just said. "No - no. I mean they smell of alcohol."
Irene was laughing the whole way through. She suddenly stopped and grabbed a handful of Regalis' collar and forced him closer to her, so their lips crashed together.
Regalis' immediate reaction: What the hell is she doing?
He tried to push her off, but he didn't want to hurt her either. She had a surprisingly strong grip and didn't notice how much Regalis was struggling.
This was wrong. This was so wrong. Regalis didn't want Irene. Why was she kissing him? She was too drunk to even make the kiss good. It was sloppy and wet and wrong.
But he had the chance, she's close to Evie, she gives advice. A kiss was the only way to do it and he wasn't going to get this again with anyone as close to Evie as Irene is.
So he stayed there for a second longer (As disgusting as it is) until it was done and then he put his hand on her jaw, and forced her head away.
He breathed again.
"You - are - drunk." He said.
"Yes." She shook out of his hand and leaned in to kiss him again. He shoved her away, hard. "Ow! What was that for?"
"One: you are drunk. I'm not going to kiss a drunk person. Two: why would I kiss you? You're not who I want to kiss."
"Oh, cause you want to kiss Evie." Regalis said nothing. "Anyway, never heard of a one night stand?"
"Yes."
"So...?" She raised her eyebrows.
"No. Why would you want to do it is if you know it would hurt Evie?"
"'Cause she's got Steve. Shouldn't be doin' anything wit you! Y'know, I don't get you. You're seriously attractive but you don't have, like, any friends." She stood up, wobbly.
"You should probably sit down, before you hurt yourself." She shrugged. She stepped forward and almost fell. He hand found Regalis' chest, somehow, and almost pushed him over before he dug his feet into the floor and gaining his balance easily.
"You're really cold." She spread her fingers over his chest, over his heart. She took note of how steady it was, not even beating quickly.
"...you didn't notice that when you kissed me?"
"No. Anyway', we kissed each other." Irene grinned.
"No. You kissed me. I didn't want it." She seemed offended.
"What's going on?"
Both of the turned to see Evie, damp haired, standing in the doorway, slightly sobered up.
Irene stepped back, and giggled. "He kissed me!"
"What?!"
Regalis sighed, "No I didn't. She kissed me!"
Irene was grinning. "He's lying."
Regalis stood mouth wide open. He couldn't believe her! What the hell was she doing? Turning Evie against him? He sighed. Probably. She's Evie's best friend, wants to look out for her. "Why would I kiss a who...oman like her?" Neither of them noticed the almost slip up.
"Irene! Why did you kiss him?"
"Why would you care? You don't go out!"
Both the woman started bickering. Regalis just stood, awkwardly, trying to get a word in without interrupting someone. He was going to regret giving her a daemon.
Eventually a gap came and he took it: "Be quiet, okay?" They stopped and listened, "Evie, though I find Irene kissing me a gross breach of my personal space, I'm okay with it. Irene. Please don't do that again". After a second, he smiled. "I doubt you'll remember this in the morning."
He left, wondering if he was still going to sleep on the couch.
He needed a goodnights sleep if he was planning on getting another batch of daemons from Na'qut the next day.