Please note that while this story and most of my stories with Dean/Mox involve alcohol, they are Shield-era or Shield-related fics. I know Mox sought treatment for alcohol addiction in 2021 and I respect that. This is a work of fiction and not meant to glorify his real-world struggle. – XTL.
"You've never made lemonade?" Seth asked with disbelief as he set the ingredients on the quartz countertop in his new home.
"Look, I grew up on grape Kool-Aid and semi-sweet tea," Dean defended himself. "I didn't have your perfect little Midwest life." He rolled a lemon back and forth between each hand, a manifestation of his growing nerves. Why had Seth invited him over? Lemonade? Really, Rollins?
"Um, where is exactly is Cincinnati?" Rollins asked with a raised brow.
"Okay, okay, it's in the Midwest too but it's different there," Ambrose insisted. "It's rougher, meaner, it's a real city."
"Davenport is a real city, too," Seth argued and he stole Dean's lemon away, leaving the man to find a new distraction. "Now watch, I'm going to get a couple of cups of juice from these." He went about squeezing the first of eight lemons.
Ambrose watched but found himself looking around the kitchen with its new appliances, shining and tastefully tiled floor, gleaming. It occurred to him that he was looking for a way out; this strange urge to just run from the situation unnerved him and nothing ever unnerved him which unnerved him even more. Rollins noticed.
"Do you not appreciate the gift I'm giving you here?" Seth joked. "By this afternoon, you too, can make homemade hard lemonade."
"Um, actually Seth, I gotta tell ya," Dean looked at his boots as he spoke. "I think this is kind of weird. Like, really? You want to show me how to make lemonade?"
"Yeah, I do, tough guy." Seth grinned warmly. "I feel like you missed this as a kid and you're my friend and I wanted to share something with you."
"So… you chose lemonade to share?" Ambrose raised his brows, "Okay then."
"You have something better in mind?" Seth asked innocently. He seemed to miss Dean's suggestive tone. He winced as he poured the sugar in. Of course, sugar was necessary but all those carbs – it made him cringe.
"Show me your house. I mean, when you finish rocking the lemonade," Dean chuckled. He wondered what Seth's bedroom looked like. He bet it had a huge bed just right for… enjoying each other's company.
"I'm actually done with it." Seth had mixed the water, lemon juice and sugar in a pitcher. "It's way better to let it chill in the fridge but I have some vodka in the freezer. That should get it pretty cold. You want?"
"Definitely," Ambrose quickly accepted the offer of alcohol. God knows he needed something to calm himself. He watched Seth create the simple classic cocktail and hand him a glass.
It was actually quite good. The lemonade was a perfect mixture of sour and sweet and the vodka added that extra punch. Dean readily accepted a second drink and relaxed on the barstool as Rollins served him.
After his fourth cocktail, a much looser and louder Ambrose finally answered Seth's question. "I thought you might share yourself with me." Dean laughed and shook his head. "You know, earlier you asked what did I think you'd share. Well, you - that's what I thought." He finished his drink and studied Seth's expression.
Rollins pretty brown eyes that Dean liked so much were a bit cloudy with intoxication but focused quite quickly after his friend's confession. "Um, wow." He stammered a bit, still surprised and secretly excited. "I just thought the lemonade would be enough." He chuckled and his face turned a slight pink.
"Well, it's not," A liquor emboldened Ambrose replied briskly. "It's not enough by a long shot. You got me driving out here to your big, new fancy house, you're flirting, you're wearing tight jeans and then you wanna play lemonade stand?" Dean huffed and shook his head. "No way."
"Are you seriously pissed?" Seth's head was spinning. He was pretty drunk and Dean seemed genuinely miffed.
"Yeah, I'm a little pissed," Ambrose answered, though he wasn't. "But, um, I can be a lot of fun when I'm pissed." He stood and moved closer to Rollins. "You like fun, don't you, Seth?"
"I like fun," the brunette stammered. "Fun is good." He gulped. "Are you about to hit me?"
"What?" Dean was taken aback. "No, I'm not going to hit you… kiss you, maybe." He wanted those lips so bad. They'd be so tasty too.
"Damn," Seth was at a loss for many words. "Uh, really?"
"You want to, don't you?" Dean's voice dropped to a low, sexy growl. "Right? You've been wanting it for a while now, haven't you, Seth?"
"Yeah," Rollins' voice was barely a whisper and his eyes were downcast.
"Yeah," Dean repeated. "That's what I thought." He slipped a hand behind Seth's neck and gently pulled him close.
Their lips met and the lazy taste of their afternoon cocktail intensified. Both angled their heads slightly and their lips parted, a fresh zing of lemons and liquor landing on their tongues. They quickly became close and intertwined, pulling one another tight. The kiss was deep and intense and seem to last and last. Finally, they slowly parted.
"Oh, that was definitely better than lemonade," Ambrose purred.
"Do you still want to see my house?" Seth walked his fingers gently up Dean's strong chest.
"Oh yeah, I'm very interested." Dean whispered. He added, "In quite a few things."
"Let's start with the main bedroom," Rollins offered, tugging on Ambrose to follow.
Dean quickly poured himself a fresh drink and allowed Seth to lead him. He sipped his lemonade, smiling. Life was pretty damn sweet.