Happy Christmas, I hope you're staying safe. I don't own Black Lagoon.

Please let me know what you think.

One of them.

As he sat opposite Revy, ignoring the rest of the patrons in the bar - the Yellow Flag had been built yet again, which made Rock wonder just how in the name of God Bao was able to afford the insurance, but after being in the city for as long as he had, he did not want to know what kind of shady deals the man had - once more downing shots of rum - this was stronger stuff than what Bao usually served, and with each shot he downed, the more of a buzz he was getting - Rock couldn't help but think about how his life had changed.

Ever since his bosses had just given him up for that fucking disc, he had joined the Lagoon company since he had nowhere else to go, and he had to admit, aside from one or two issues, he felt he had become a part of the team.

Sitting across from him, Revy was smirking at him with that traditional lopsided smirk which made her look absolutely amazing, which was different from her other smile which reminded Rock of a bloodthirsty beast, waiting for its next meal.

She was downing another shot of rum, and aside from a subtle shudder, she appeared to be unaffected by the unusual strength of the rum, but Rock had come to know the woman well enough to know it was starting to buzz through her. No matter, he was going to beat her in this game even if it gave him a hangover. Revy had been beating him quite a bit, making him wonder if his resistance to booze was lowering, but he was determined to best her if it was the last thing he did.

He downed another shot; this time the alcohol made him choke.

Revy smirked, like a hungry animal scenting blood. "What's the matter, Rock?" She taunted in a sing-song voice, which was so unlike her usually blunt, coarse manner before she went into berserker mode where she whipped out her guns and blasted everything to pieces, it almost took Rock by surprise, but his brain was so buzzed by the rum he barely reacted. "Getting too much for ya?"

"You wish!" Rock hissed under his breath, certain if he'd spoken in a louder voice he might have almost collapsed to the table with the effort it took to even speak. "I'll get you for the last three rounds, Two-Hands if its the last thing I do."

Revy's eyes widened while everyone gasped, very few ever challenged Two-Hands and got away with it. But Revy quickly got over her surprise, just as Rock was mentally disembowelling himself for issuing the challenge in the first place. He should have kept his fucking mouth shut, but he hadn't been able to control his mouth.

The booze was really getting to him.

"Okay, dumb-ass, if that's the way you want it… BAO, MORE RUM!" She screamed, making Rock wince at the volume before she noticed his expression and how he was holding his head. "Aww, I'm sorry, Rock, did that hurt?"

Rock bit his lip at the taunt, and how everyone laughed. He fought down the urge to punch everyone surrounding him while Bao set down the tray carrying more rum.

For the next hour, Rock pushed himself further and further, taking in one shot of rum at a time, pushing aside the increasing buzz and the headache which threatened to nearly split his head into fragments, forcing himself to take one shot after another while he gazed challengingly at the woman in front of him.

Revy, like him, was getting into the challenge, but after a while, she quickly hit her limit… and she was forced to concede the match, but she was now watching Rock worriedly even though her head must have been spinning as fast as his own.

"Rock," she began - God knew how many hours later - "enough, you've won."

"No, I haven't," he slurred, but then he collapsed, and everything went dark.

X

When he came to, his head hurt like hell. He felt as if his entire skull was splintering into a thousand tiny little pieces, and he felt physically ill. As he thought back, he dimly recalled the bar….a load of rum in the glass, and some empty glasses…. FUCK! His head hurt!

"He's awake!"

Rock groaned, and he winced as he felt large hands curling around his arms, and gently but firmly pull him up into a sitting position. "Oooh, fucking hell!" He groaned.

"What did you expect after trying to outdo Revy in a drinking contest?" Dutch asked sympathetically.

"Yeah, I know, I was stupid!"

Something dropped by next to him, and he opened his eyes and found himself looking into Revy's beautiful face (he had always wanted to get closer to the beautiful if sometimes insane gunslinging woman who had a vicious streak and a temper strong enough to make even the dead shudder; but she had dozens of barriers up to prevent it happening), only right now Revy did not look like she was in a position to attack anyone. Her face looked exhausted and from the way she was swaying in her seat next to him, he realised she would probably collapse if she took a step up, never mind reach for her weapons.

"Hey, Rock," she slurred out, "ya won!"

With that, Revy fell asleep.

Rock looked at her enviously, wishing he wasn't just with her, but he wanted to fall asleep as well. He snorted when he heard Benny say, "That's a first; I never expected anyone to outdrink her."

"Ssh, don't ever say that when she's sober. It's likely she's gonna make sure she beats Rock again next time!"

Rock groaned as he listened to Benny and Dutch's whispered exchange. The way he felt right now, he doubted he'd ever have another drinking contest for a long time. At least until he had built up his alcohol tolerance.