- Gold, you're ready? Asked Ruby.

- Err, almost, but I really need to wear all that stuff ?

- What do you mean, all that stuff? Okay, I'm coming in alright?

Ruby found Gold wearing black sneakers, black suit pants, a white shirt tucked out and an opened black suit jacket, putting a golden tie on the upward collar of his shirt. He stopped in his tracks, and Ruby took a snap to send it to Blue, before walking to him and laughing.

- Well, let's say you can avoid the vest, but I really want you to keep the jacket.

- But why? Whined the golden eyed boy. The girls won't even be as dressed up, I'm sure of that!

- Don't worry, I planned it all with Blue, they will be dressed up as stars. You wouldn't want to be the only one dressed as shit, would you?

- Hmpf, answered Gold while Ruby adjusted his jacket, after he finally tucked his shirt under his pants.

He still let the last button opened on Gold's collar, knotting the golden tie right under it. His victim thanked him with a look, then looked at his reflection in the mirror, before turning his heels and getting out of the room. Of course, Ruby's three pieces suit was perfect, to the folding marks, and Gold had a sudden urge to rip the boy's clothes, but contained himself, and simply said that he'd rather stay with his natural, wrinkled look. They met up with Green and Red, already dressed up with almost identical suits, the difference being their ties Ruby assorted to their eyes. Green seemed awfully bored, and was mumbling to his phone waiting for an answer which seemed to be late. Red was trying to relax his collar without unbuttoning it, and appeared to be extremely uncomfortable in his dress up shoes. Gold had a superior smile. At least, he had had the right to wear sneakers, Ruby had preferred he didn't change too much from his usual look. His house was like a big manor. Ruby's father was really famous, and the building had a full aisle dedicated to guests, with enough rooms for everyone, a wide playroom where they prepared consoles, two amazingly big screens taking the whole damn wall, with a really big sofa and a minibar (which Ruby's parents emptied from alcoholic beverages) now full with juices.

- They're here, announced Green, slipping his phone in his pocket.

- Perfect, stay here, I'll greet them and guide them to the rooms so they can change and put their stuff down.

- Don't get the rooms wrong Ruby, smirked Gold, walking to the consoles to check the installations.

It took him some time to understand how to switch on the screens, then he turned on the two consoles, checking the sound level on the surround system, the time of response of the screens and display quality, before launching the consoles synchronization for them to recognize each other. Red came close with a coke in hand, beginning to talk about different cortollers types, Green following the conversation and chiming in from the sofa. Blue got in right in the middle of their conversation, dressed up in a long black clad dress with a slit up her thigh, perched on assorted high heels, followed by Silver who only wore suitpants and a white shirt, both of them transporting heavy groceries bags. Gold congratulated himself as he was better dressed than him, and went back to his conversation with his friends, letting the two deal with the emptying of the bags. Blue came to greet them, detailing their outfits with a delightful look. Silver sat on the farther end of sofa from them with a drink and took his phone out to play with it.

- Your efforts will be greatly appreciated, gentlemen, believe me, told Blue with a wink. We'll take a pic as soon as the girls get there by the way. Pearl cannot make it, Diamond is coming already dressed up with Platina. Well, speak of the devil, here they come!

She walked quickly to the double door where their friends were getting to, the boys' eyes following her before getting back to their conversation. Platina wore a silver empire cut dress with lacework short sleeves, her feet trapped in flat silvery sandals. Diamond had assorted his bow tie to her dress, and walked towards the boys to greet them.

Boy's suit could pass as an upgraded uniform, but Gold noticed that he saw Platina in other clothes for the first time, and understood that would be the case for all the other girls tonight, because Blue was the only one he ever saw in plain clothes, even if her dress was far from what she usually wore. Losing track of their conversation, he kept his eyes on the door, curious. Ruby opened the door, and let chivalrously Yellow go through, wearing a red rockabilly dress with her hair down, then Sapphire with an asymetrical glorious silky dark red dress, and finally, Krystal.

She wore a dress in a really dark shade of blue, with golden specs Gold couldn't identify clearly, following the dress curves to the slit opening on her thighs like Blue's, but getting larger from there with frills, to end as a train behind her, showing a petticoat which seemed to be made of pure gold. His eyes went up the dress slowly, recognizing the golden sparks as stars, from the dress' slit to the other side of her chest, kind of like a formal scarf. His eyes met hers, he was surprised to find her uncomfortable, far from the full of confidence President they were used to. Gold gulped, his eyes following her hair down, a bit wavy, and decided it would be better for his image to stop staring, before he began to drool over her like an idiot.

He went to the bar, ignoring the heat spreading on his face, and took the first bottle before beginning to fill a glass. Recognizing rhum's characteristic smell, his eyes looked for Blue, and she winked to him. Sighing as he already poured the alcohol in his glass, he searched through the fridge to find a juice to mix it in, and filled the other half of his glass with a tropical fruit mix. He turned to the screens where Blue had begun explaining the challenge rules to the guests, under the wary eyes of Green and Ruby. Gold got closer, seeing Krystal looking his way in the corner of his eyes. Getting uneasy, he stayed standing, a bit behind the others, listening to the end of Blue's explanation. The first ranked at the end of a cup would have the right to challenge the last ranked of the opponents' team. They would change teams with each cup, and Blue ended her explanation by informing them the tournament would be over once they tried each team combination possibilities.

Gold sat for the first team of three, followed by Ruby and Green. Sapphire, Diamond and Krystal prepared their characters and vehicles on the other screen, and Blue decided on commenting the match. Quickly, Gold et Sapphire began to curse, at first quietly, gritting their teeth, then the sound got up really fast, contrasting with Green's absolute silence. They were leading, but Gold knew he couldn't play Mario Kart without shouting or swearing, and waited for the fated moment when he would get a scolding for his language, but they were all too concentrated on their game to notice what he was saying. He shouted as he won the last race, and waited impatiently for the others to finish. He was watching them with a victorious smile, and nearly made fun of Krystal who was experiencing some difficulties to avoid walls with her kart. But she was so concentrated on it that he said nothing, getting his phone out to take a furtive snap of her. At the same time, a flash made him jump, and he saw Blue with a big camera, a devious smile and sparlking eyes lighting up her face. He turned a bit white and quickly slipped his phone back in his pocket, hoping he would look like he was playing on his phone, and not taking a picture. He grumbled a curse to her, and Green hit the back of his head, having heard the word. Mumbling less intelligibly, he looked at the final scores. He was first, which wasn't really a surprise to him, but Krystal was ranked last. A hundred of crazier and crazier ideas went by in his mind, then he decided on the more doable and less risky.

- Okay, as we're the firsts to go under the challenge time, I offer an easy dare, said Gold with a wry smile while getting up to Blue. A dare for Krystal.

Said girl stood up as if she was going to be butchered. Gold's smile got wider and he edited his idea at the last minute, motionning to Blue.

- Blue will take a picture of us, alone, and you will have to keep this as a screensaver and wallpaper for at least... a week.

Blue looked like her eyes were going out of their sockets, and Krystal seemed annoyed, blushing furiously. But she nodded, accepting the dare, and got closer to him. Trying to avoind looking smug and satisfied, he stood in front of the two screens, begining a movement to put his arm around her shoulders, before freezing. He couldn't touch her skin like that without reacting. Chosing another solution, he slipped his arm around Krystal's waist, pulling her as close as he could, ignoring the heat on his face caused by her proximity, and smiled playfully to her. She looked sideways, gulped, and hid her arm behind his back, her hand grasping his suit jacket without being seen. They turned their heads to Blue who got her phone out, and smiled to the camera with a stiff look. Gold shot a glance to Krystal at the same time she turned her head, and their eyes met for a few seconds, making everything around them disappear for a moment, before Blue chirped a "perfect!" making them jump back to reality and pull apart. Gold's best friend giggled, and he felt his phone vibrate. He opened the message containing not one, but two high definition pictures, the first with stiff smiles and red covering their cheeks, the second making him take a sharp breath and check around him before detailling the picture. Blue took it when they looked at each other, and the intensity of their gaze made him blush madly. He decided to keep the "smile" version as his screensaver, saving the other in his special file before taking a gulp from his glass. He nearly choked, feeling the rhum burning his tongue and throat, and put back his drink on the table, standing between the two screens to replace Blue who was playing now, for the second round of their tournament. The first round players sat around the actual players, except for Ruby who was going to the bar. The first race began, commented passionately by Gold, Blue and Red tied on first place until the end of the cup, followed closely by Platina and Yellow, Silver struggling to keep up. They ended the cup all tied, and Gold had to check their times to split them up, Blue being finally the winner.

She cracked her fingers before turning to her friends.

- Well, against all odds, Yellow is last, Silver got above by a hair, declared Gold. I'm gonna ask Blue to choose a dare!

- Hum... She faked thinking. Secrets dare, Yellow, how many times did you fell in love in your life, and are you now?

- ... On... Whispered the blushing petite girl.

- Sorry? Asked Blue, ruthless.

- Only once, the victim answered. And yes.

Blue applauded with joy, followed by Gold and some others, who pitied the blonde more than anything. Then, Red got up nervously.

- Come on, let's change teams! We can't let the same people win each time...

Gold smirked, then took a controller, followed surprisingly by Krystal in the same team, and Silver. Against them, Platina, Yellow and Blue got cosy on the sofa for the next round. A doubt flashed through his mind for a second, would Blue be good enough to make him lose? He shook his head and concentrated, shooting a glance to his teammates. He bent to Krystal, whispering to her a "don't move" without looking at her while he added quickly the options to prevent her from falling on the side and to make her stay on the path. Blue shot him a smug look, then looked thoughtfully at Krystal. Gold shifted, nervous. This look meant trouble, he knew it, he had to prevent her from falling victim to Blue. But, as soon as the first race began, he forgot everything to concentrate on it as if his life depended on the results. He mumbled curses in his teeth, and took a small elbow hit after a more audible curse. Surprised, he shot a glance at Krystal next to him, still concentrated on her game, but with a slight frown. He growled and went back to his own game, keeping first place with some difficulties, harassed by Blue who tailed him with devilish efficiency. In the second race she managed to place a really vicious red shell, and Gold let out a loud "shit" that won him a second elbow hit from Krystal.

- Hey, the fuck's your problem?!

- You swear too much, retorted Krystal, it's impossible to have a language that bad!

- Alright, relax super serious gal, ain't like I'm doin' it on purpose, answered Gold while failing to catch up to Blue before the finishing line.

He used the rest of the race's time to comment every little action Krystal did, drowning her in advices and criticts until she finally ended up being eighth instead of twelfth, with much difficulty. They began the third race exchanging provocations, Krystal pushing him and making him fail his drift boost while Blue got first, struggling to keep out of bursting out laughing. Those who weren't playing were serving drinks and opening crisps bags, except for Red who was commenting the cup. Gold put down his controller when he finished the race and moved to go behind Krystal, closing the gap between her body and his as he moved his arms around her to put his hands on hers, explaining his techniques as he was showing them to her, managing to get ranked sixth after continuous curses and blows exchanged between them. Blue and Red were watching them, astonished, and giggled as Krystal almost jumped in Gold's arms when they finished the race. She pushed him back quite violently while drowning him in curses, and he retorted proudly that she played way better when he helped her. They began the last race without exchanging a word, and Gold went back on concentrating, if he beat Blue's time and rank, he had a chance to win the cup. But Blue overtook him, without distraction this time. He struggled until the third lap, despite the unbelievable advantage she took, when he understood he wouldn't be able to overtake her. He shot a glance to his teammates' ranks, Sliver was tailing him, but Krystal was tenth. Without holding back his curse, getting a shoulder push from the girl next to him, he stopped his kart until she passed him, and positionned his own kart behind hers, pushing her on the best trajectories, leaving her sometimes to eliminate obstacles on their way, helping her advance in rankings step by step, without answering her questions about what he was doing. He just didn't want her to lose, that was absolutely stupid. They managed to place sixth and seventh at the end of the race, and Krystal looked at him with shock.

- What, I wanted to prevent you from losing, unhappy?

- Well that's... began Krystal.

- Utterly useless, Gold, she was too far at the beginning of the rankings, either way it's the last of the team who takes the blame, Blue chirped in with superior laugh. So, as I won, Krystal...

Gold closed his eyes, hoping for unknown reasons that Krystal's dare wouldn't be too much for her. Then he opened his eyes, shaking his head with disbelief. He didn't give a shit for Krystal's dare and got up to take some crisps when the sentence fell.

- Finish the nearer drink in one go.

Gold turned around, and saw with stupor Krystal take his nearly full glass in which the rhum was way too high for someone who wasn't used to drink alcohol, and Blue seemed to knew that perfectly. Krystal obeyed, with a pokerface so perfect Gold wished he could learn that for his card games. She put the glass down with her nose slightly wrinkled.

- Whose was this? She asked with a tired voice.

Gold raised his hand without speaking, a bit afraid, but she shrugged.

- Well, that's just the second time I drink after you, I suppose there are worse dares.

Sapphire, Red and Ruby bursted out laughing, and Krystal took back the glass to put it in Gold's hand without a word. He avoided her eyes and went to the bar, taking the Rhum bottle to serve a normal dose this time. He was opening the fridge to take some fruit juice when he heard a glass tinting. He took the bottle in the fridge's door and turned to see Krystal serving the exact same amount of Rhum in a second glass.

- Err, ya sure about that?

- Of course I am, it wasn't disgusting, just overdosed. It was on purpose?

- No, I... didn't do it on purpose, I just noticed too late, sputtered Gold while filling up the two glasses with juice.

- Do you think they have straws? I like it better with a straw, it's easier to drink.

- Will be faster to go up yer brain too, Gold warned her while helping her search in the drawers, finally finding a yellow plastic reusable straw. This good?

- Perfect, thank you, she answered with a smile. Come on, we'll watch them play.

- Okay... wait, I'm gonna take the drinks.

Gold took the glass from her hands and walked to the sofa, doubtful, when a weight on his back stopped him. He turned to look if Krystal was all right, but she only smiled at him, a hand gripping his shirt jacket. Gold growled, walking slower, all his nervous system concentrated on his back. Blue, who was commenting a really tight race, didn't see them coming back and Gold helped Krystal sit with discretion before following her, almost on the edge of the sofa. She slumped on her spot, sipping from her drink with her eyes glued to the screens. She took off her heels without using her hands, and slipped her feet between Gold and her, sitting partly on them. Gold slumped too, holding his drink in his right hand, letting his left hand fall beside him. The girl moved slightly, shifting her weight to bend towards him while the others began their last race. Gold bent to her, explaining techniques used by Red and Diamond, his left hand holding him steady as he put down his drink on the table. Krystal turned to him, asking a technical question about the game, and her legs moved above his hand. He went on explaining, not even noticing he was touching her bare skin, as she showed unusual interest on the game. She was thinking hard about what he was telling her, and decided to play for the next round. Their friends shouted loudly as the race ended, jumping, and pushed Krystal on Gold. He stuttered, strangely relieved their drinks were on the table. She got up apologizing, and he got that strange thought over the maybe intentional move of the girl, gritting his teeth to avoid reacting. He focused on Ruby who was doing makeup and hairstyle to Sapphire for her dare, obviously enjoying himself. Krystal went to take a controller while Ruby announced a break in the challenge to eat the coming pizzas. Yellow got close to Krystal and took a controller with a smile.

- Can we do a three person race ? Offered the blonde.

- No, I want him to teach me his techniques, Gold, come and play behind me like earlier, I'm going to do a cup with Yellow to see if I manage to learn, ordered Krystal with natural authority.

Gold stayed still, surprised by the request, and she pulled him by his wrist to make him sit right behind her. He blushed madly, even Yellow giggled whe she saw his face, and Krystal pushed her back against him, moving her head so he could put his chin on her shoulder. The girls began to choose characters, and Gold put his fingers around Krystal's reluctantly.

- By the way, I don't need those options you put last time? Asked Krystal during loading time.

- Not if you want to learn to play right, you need to be free in your moves, and the options push you in precise directions.

Krystal shivered as his breath tickled her neck and nodded. He waited patiently the race's beginning, explaining how to have a parting boost. During the race, he explained everything he did before pushing the buttons, repeating himself without hesitation, and he felt Krystal relaxing, even pushing the buttons before him sometimes, or at the same time he did instead of simply wait for him to do push her fingers. They managed to stay between sixth and third place, a clear improvement, when Gold let out his first curse of the race. Krystal scolded him without moving, and he replied a bit louder, as they began to argue while still playing together, under the astonished gaze of their friends who watched the race. Forgetting everything around them, Gold and Krystal were shouting against each other as they played, the boy alternating advice and acerb replies when she wasn't doing exactly as he told her, and their friends began to laugh uncontrollably, and Blue began recording with a carnivorous smile. Even Green smiled, sipping from a drink assorted to his name under shaved ice. When the last race ended and the rankings were displayed on the screen, Krystal lifted both arms in victory, controller still in her hand. Yellow had laughed too much for the two last races to play normally, and her friends had ranked third in general rankings.

- I did it! Shouted Krystal.

- Yeah right, if I ain't there to help ya, ya'd still be ninth!

- You're really unable of the slightest nice thing, you could just be happy for me, replied the girl angrily, crossing her arms without turning to him.

- I should be the receiving one here, I ain't even got a "thanks" for all those advices, cried the boy.

- No one forced you.

- What? You're kiddin', yer the one who asked me t'come 'n help !

- Well it was still up to you not to come, or leave in the middle !

- While you needed me? Retorted Gold.

- I can do without you anytime !

- Well then be my guest !

- Stop! Shouted Red, quite panicked. We're eating, aren't you hungry?

- I am, conceded Krystal. Can we eat on the sofa?

- Made for that, answered Ruby with a relieved smile.

- Great, I don't even need to move.

- And me? Whined Gold.

- What, it's too hard for you to eat like that ? Teased Blue.

- You wish !

- Well everything's good then, smiled Blue before passing along pizza boxes to the guests on the sofa.

Krystal took a slice carefully and began eating, before turning her head to talk with Yellow. Gold took the opportunity to push her hand to him, biting eagerly in her pizza slice. Crystal tried to take back her hand, but he held her in, biting again in her slice, catching a big ham piece which let fall a tomato sauce drop on her soulder. He laughed while apologizing and licked the naked skin in front of him to take off the sauce. Krystal yelled and stood up quickly, her cheeks reddened by his move. Gold smirked as he got up too, unwrinkling his suit vest and pants before taking his drink under her distrustful gaze. She ended up sitting back on her spot, annoyed, and finished her pizza slice she kept in her hand, while Gold was noticing there was no more space on the sofa. He sat on the floor, leaning against Krystal's legs with a smile before taking his own pizza slice. Krystal asked him to pass her drink, which he gave her gently, and she gave it back empty, less than a minute later. Surprised, Gold put down the empty glass and turned around to look at her, munching his second slice. She had kind of a lost look, and was nodding as if she was listenning to music. Then she sat straight suddenly, and put her hand on Gold's head to stabilize herself as she stood up.

- Blue, do we have other games?

- Depends, what's on your mind Krys ?

- I'd love to try Just Dance, I only saw videos, but I think the boys won't want to play...

- You're kidding right ? Ruby chimed in. I unlocked every song on my versions and aced all the extremes and alternatives !

- And it helps varying games, we can play four by four, it will be easier, added Blue. Same rules as for Mario Kart about winners and losers, but one song at a time !

- If you think I'll play..., began Silver.

- Oh but you will, little bro, I have the means to make you, you know ? Replied Blue while everyone thought "blackmail".

She got up to quit the two games while Ruby rummaged through his games to pick the one he wanted to put. When he got it, Blue had exited both games and ejected one of the games out of the console, giving it to Ruby with a smile. He stored the little card in its box and launched the musical game with a big smile, turning the volume up a bit before beginning to synchronize all controllers one after the other. He gave them to Blue who was putting on the wrist straps and locking it as if she did that all her life, before putting the controllers back on the table. Then, they got the guests to stand, and pushed the sofa and the table further away from the screen, to free enough space to dance. Green pushed back Krystal's shoes with his foot before sitting back on the sofa to take anothe pizza slice. Red and Krystal took each a controller, followed by Yellow and Sapphire. Ruby looked at the last one with big surprised eyes, and she answered with a provocative smile. Sapphire had a bad habit to hate all that pleased Ruby, and he thought dancing was part of it. But maybe they would get along on this point. Blue explained the game to Yellow and Red, and the girls let him choose the song. He laughed when he saw the picture of a man disguised as a knight with bright flashy colours, and chose that song only based on this, making Sapphire and Krystal sight with relief. The song began, and Gold stood up sipping his drink, watching his friend's moves without getting too close. When it ended, Red smiked at Krystal, and asked her as a secret dare to give out her favourite starter, to which she answered Cyndaquil. Gold put down his glass and took the controller Red gave him, and Blue, Ruby and Platina replaced the other players for the second round. Blue imposed an extreme to them, and Gold voted for Bangbangbang by default, the only one he ever heard in the choice she gave. When the moves began to speed up, he concentrated fully on the upcoming moves and dancer, not daring to look at the scores or at his friends. When the song ended, they were all out of breath, and Gold thought he may have ranked in the middle. Each one had less than ten points separating from the other, and Blue had won over Ruby by a hair, Gold only forty points behind her, but still last. He growled as Blue eyed him with a devious smile, and put down his controller before going to her, dragging his feet.

- So, Gold's dare will be... To swear eternal loyalty to Krystal, on his knees as if he proposed to her !

Krystal looked up from her pizza, having only heard her name. Gold sighed, then, seeing Blue had already drawed her phone out, his fingers went through his hair to push them out of his face, and he went to Krystal who stood up, a serious look on his face, and finally kneeled down before her. She had the decency to blush, and Gold slipped his hand under hers, cleared his throat, before drowning his golden eyes into the clear eyes of the girl.

- My dearest Krystal, I, Gold, swear my undying loyalty and faithfulness to thee, and vow to protect thee in whichever occasions you deem accurate, as soon as thee wouldst request my help. This assembly before us may witness my oath, sealed by this symbolic act tying me to your left ring finger, declared Gold before bowing his head and effectively kissing the said finger, then finally standing up.

Then, as he couldn't hold it in, he turned to Blue and shot her his worse killing look, while Krystal took an interesting shade of purple. Yellow waved in front of her eyes to make her come out of her zoning out state, and Green joined Gold in the "I'm killing you with my look and you better not try this ever again" club. Gold turned his heels, took Krystal by her arm and pulled her outside of the room, closing the door behind him. The sound made her jump out of it, and saw he saw he was looking at her, almost... fearful. She wanted to reassure him, but nothing came out. He shot his hand through his hair, sighed, then looked at her.

- I'm not gonna apologize. Even if they can be interpreted in every possible way, I thought each word I said, with a more or less variable degree, but that was the truth. And if I need to stop talking to you and avoid you at school, I'll do it.

- No I... I won't ask you to do that, answered Krystal, uneasy. I... we don't really know each other, not for long, and even if you're overly proud, insultive beyond necessary and absolutely disrespectful, I also understood that you believed in the words you said and you're a good person. I saw it in your eyes when you talked. So, it's all good, it's just that... it was totally out of nowhere!

- Not exactly, it was out of my bad level in dancing, smirked Gold before turning to the door to go back.

- Wait!

He froze instantly and turned his head, a questioning look on his face. Krystal walked to him and he kept his poker face in check while his pulse was going wild. She extended her hand, and pet his hair back how it was supposed to be. He had a hard time resisting, wanting to close the few centimeters between them, then she retreated with a smile. They went back to the room where Blue had put a song absurdly easy, where the dancers only had to move their upper body, the players being Diamond, Silver and Green. Even with that, Silver and Green had found a way to move the least, letting Diamond take the lead with a comfortable ease. Silver made a ultimate effort to avoid losing, and Diamond looked at Green with utmost pride.

- Green, your dare is to do another song, but this time you have to do all the moves right, and let Blue decide on the song, declared Diamond.

- Dia! That's a really vile dare, laughed Platina.

- He didn't even made the effort to really play, Diamond defended himself, now he won't have a choice.

- I have an idea, Gold, Krys, you mind playing with us ? Asked Blue while clapping her hands.

- Why not, answered Krystal as Gold was cracking his neck, ready to get his revenge.

- Okay then, boys on the left, not on the same line, and Krystal on the right with me, align on Gold's line. We'll do a couple's dance, this will be fun.

Green kept his annoyed look, and Gold got nervous, getting some distance between them. Then, Blue gave him a controller as the song was already playing, waiting for the players to chose their dancers. Then the choreography began, and Ruby yelled "The tango one, yeah!!". There, Gold knew he was screwed. Krystal smiled at him, way more confident than he was, and walked towards him in rythm, following the steps with almost animalistic energy. She was walking on her toes, to match the steps with swaying hips the dancer had with heels, doing the steps with so much fluidity he found it perfectly revolting, seeing how much he struggled to follow her. Then he had to catch her, touch her thigh, then lift her to put her on his leg, and Gold knew he was lost. His only comfort was that Blue couldn't make fun of him as she was also dancing. But the moves were so quick, so full of contacts he thought he was going crazy. Then, in a blur of sensations where he had to do a lift he never did before, then a movement series he began to master at last, the song ended on a final pose. Out of breath, the four dancers waited nervously for the results. Krystal and Gold ranked in the middle, and Blue winked to Green who lost again.

- So, for his dare, Green will have to... lift me in his arms, bridal style, and be shot like that together. Gold, if you would, honey?

Gold mumbled she didn't deserve his help after his last dare, but took her phone nevertheless to prepare shooting. He put it in continuous shooting mode, lifted a thumb up to Blue with a playful smile, and began shooting as Green slipped his hand behind her legs, lifting her easily and holding her close to him. Gold could see Blue blush madly when Green bent his head to whisper in her ear. Then he smiled, kissed her on the forehead and put her down gently under Red and Diamond's applause. Gold stopped the shooting mode and threw the phone at Blue who caught it easily, her cheeks still a bit flushed. Red challenged Ruby, Dia and Gold on the old songs, and chose Holding out for a hero. Gold had a provocative smile and made his articulations creak loudly. It was one of the rare choreography he knew, and he was really going to win this one, for once.

Red played the song without delay, and the four boys began moving, a bit bothered by their suits, but their laughs and their public's were worth a whole world of precision. They fell on the ground, overly tired, and Krystal requested an extreme to the other girls. Yellow tried to decline, arguing they hadn't enough controllers, but Blue assured her they could play up to six at the same time on this game, and she gave up. Krystal hesitated for a moment between Despacito and Circus, met Gold's gaze, and smiled as she chose Circus, avoiding a song they heard way too much. Blue demanded that the boys went to sit, knowing that if they stayed on the side, they would have a perfect view. They took some space to allow them to move freely, and the song began. Uneasy at first, Gold loosened his collar and tie, then, unable to simply sit and watch them, he got up and filled his glass again, before getting a second less dosed one for Krystal before bringing them back to the table. He put the straw in he new glass, and sipped his as he watched them from the corner of his eyes. Yellow and Krystal were a bit clumsy but still stylish, it wasn't really bad, while Blue and Platina were full of grace, but the one who lead them all was Sapphire. Ruby was literally feasting his eyes on her, she was emitting something savage and... incredibly hot and sexy. She must've known the song by heart. When it ended, Ruby declared that they should stop dancing, deciding that only a bit of music would be enough. Blue shot him a surprised look, but he shook his head, his cheeks reddened. She shrugged, then slouched in the sofa before whining to Green to get something to drink. He gave her his own, not wanting to get up. Krystal took her glass and let herself fall next to Gold, finishing it as quickly as the previous one. He was turned to Red to talk, his drink still in his hand, and Krystal put her straw in his drink, bending over to slurp. Then she made an empty slurping sound when she finished it, making its owner turn around. Who stared at his drink with a stupid face, before looking at her, scandalised. She did a big innocent smile, and Gold growled. He checked the time on his watch, then got up, followed by Krystal who caught his arm.

- Ruby, I'm putting the kid to bed, It's late for high schoolers who aren't used to sleep late. I'm going too by the way, I get a feeling tomorrow's going to be... Complicated, sighed Gold as he slipped his fingers through his hair.

- Don't worry, I think we'll be going soon too, answered Ruby as Sapphire stole his drink. Good night, see you tomorrow!

- Good night. And don't mistake the rooms guys, snickered Gold before pulling Krystal to the corridor.

After a few steps, she litteraly tripped over nothing and caught his arm, stuttering apologies while keeping her arms around his. He smiled tiredly and took her diligently to the rooms on the next floor. Krystal stopped in front of her room, and he accompanied her until he could let her fall safely on her bed. He found an empty bottle next to the night table and filled it in the bathroom before putting it back on the table, eyeing the girl who didn't move.

- You want to shower before going to bed?

- I am not taking a shower with you, pervert! retorted playfully Krystal while sitcking out her tongue.

- Okay, I'll leave you alone then. My room's next to yours, if you need anything, just call me, okay?

- Yeah, yeah, mumbled the girl letting herself fall across the bed, closing her eyes.

He said a "good night" she didn't hear, and closed the door behind him before getting in his room. He put his ear on the wall, trying to hear noises on the other side, but either the soundproofing was good, or she didn't make any noise, probably both. He sighed and began unbuttoning his suit jacket and collar, loosening his tie, getting to his belt when he heard his door open and close. He turned around to see Krystal, staring at him without restraint, seeming totally forgetful as to why she came. He took a step towards her, and she slipped her tongue on her lips, her eyes never leaving him, detailing each centimeter of his body. He blushed suddenly, took another tentative step, and reached to her, raising sligthly her head with his fingers under her chin. Seemingly back to reality, Krystal mumbled something unintelligible.

- What?

- ImtakingapicsoIwontforget.

Not sure he understood what she said, he pushed his elbow angainst the wall as she fetched her phone from ... UNDER HER SKIRT ?! As Gold opened his mouth under the shock, she unlocked her phone and took one or two steps back. His habits kicked in and he smiled playfully while she took some photos. Then she locked her phone and let it fall on his bag next to the door, her eyes glued to his.

- The suit... well, it looked good on you, but this... on one hand, it really looks perfect... on the other hand... If you go outside looking like that, you'll make a riot, for sure, said Krystal with a hypnotized look.

- Hum, err... thanks. I can do something else for you ? Asked Gold uncomfortable.

- Yes, let me stay here.

- Huh?

- I got vertigo on my bed, said Krystal, looking down.

- Ah... yeah, head spinning, that's pretty normal. But you didn't have, err, pajamas to sleep ?

- Zipper's stuck...

This time, Gold saw her clearly blush, ashamed. A smiled pulled his lips, and he got behind her, freeing easily the zipper... and uncovering only skin, as she didn't wore a bra. Sputtering while letting go, he took a step back, but Krystal didn't hold the dress which fell to her feet, leaving her only with simple white panties and high garters in which she had had hidden her phone. Bright scarlet, he was suddenly feeling really hot and rummaged in his bag before getting his parka out, putting it over Krystal's head. Obediently, the girl put her hands through the sleeves, then she pulled on the collar to sniff it with curiosity. Gold wondered when was the last time he put that parka to the washing machine, but the girl smiled before turning to him, looking like a 6 year old.

- Smells good !

- Well, what did you expect, it's mine, retorted Gold, relieved.

- Smells like you, it's comforting, went on the girl as if she didn't hear him.

He blushed, staring at her a she was sniffing his smell happily on his parka. Then he shook his head, got rid of his suit jacket, tie and shirt before going to the little bathroom. Krystal followed him intently, and he wondered if he had offensed a god somewhere as he saw her eyeing him thouroughly. But he let her come with him, and she pushed down the toilet cover before sitting on it, slipping her knees in the parka too large for her. He stared at her a few seconds, and she understood and hid her eyes with the too long sleeves. He took the opportunity to get fully undressed and got in the tiny shower cabin. He saw she put her arms down as soon as the water began to pour on him, and she looked around her while smiling happily, singing softly.

- What game are you playing Gold ?

- What ?!

- I know you play a lot, and I'm asking which games do you play when you have free time.

- Oh. Err, I'm playing cards on my days off, and after class I go to the nearest cafe from school, they have a billard and I'm quite good at it. Also, I have few video games and consoles at home, and an old handheld console that I always take with me to class to... errr...

- To play when you're bored, remember that I'm still Student Council President, I know what you do during class, laughed Krystal.

- You should laugh more often, this sound really suits you, answered Gold quietly.

He cut the water and held his arm for her to give him a towel, but she didn't move.

- Krys, can you give me a towel please?

- Ah, yes, sorry !

- And no peeping, right ? I wouldn't want to traumatize you with my perfection, smirked Gold.

- Well, it was already quite good shirtless, but alright, no peeping, answered the girl with a perfectly serious voice.

Gold took the towel she gave him looking the opposite way, ans dried himself quickyl inside the shower. He rolled the wet towel around his hips and got out of the shower, watching Krystal who seemed to be feeding on the sight he was displaying. He froze, and she got up, her eyes scanning his skin, and he felt way too exposed. She lifted a hand to his wet hair, apparently the root of the problem, and he took a second towel to dry his hair quickily, then checked he didn't forget a droplet anywhere. She seemed disappointed, but her hand reached out for his hair nevertheless. He shivered strongly, and a smile lit up her face.

- It's really nice, I understand why you always have your hand in it!

- Err, no... in fact... it's more like... unconscious... mumbled Gold and avoiding her gaze.

- I don't know why I want to touch you that much tonight, thought Krystal while he whined mentally. We're never close, and our usual days are perfect opposites. That said, we even spent more than half the party to argue.

Gold wasn't listening anymore. His imagination was showing him too many scenari where he finished in bed with her, with a minimum of wandering hands and kissing all night long. He shook his head, furious with himself. He wouldn't take advantage of a drunk girl, he wasn't that desperate. Or was he?

- You okay ? Asked Krystal. You looked strange suddenly, like you were, well, thirsty, or hungry. Maybe you haven't eaten enough ?

- No it's... I'm sorry, I don't have the right to keep you in here, you should go back to your room.

- No, I don't want to get vertigo again ! Protested Krystal. I'm feeling better here, and if I have a problem you will be able to help me.

- I'm dangerous, retorted Gold without looking at her.

- To the point you wouldn't stop if I tell you "no" ? asked Krystal, dead serious.

- I... No, I hope not... but you... I...

- Yes ?

- Youcouldbeiinnostatetosayno, mumbled the boy.

- You don't know my reflexes, retorted Kyrstal with a hard smile, you could get out of this really damaged.

Gold gulped, and ended up looking in Krystal's eyes. He slipped his hand through his hair, sighed, then got out of the bathroom without a word. She followed him, her hands in the too long sleeves, and waited, sitting on the side of the bed. He breathed in slowly, then turned to her.

- All right, you can stay. If I really fail in controlling myself, I'll try to ask for permission before doing anything, maybe talking about it will stop me. And, really, if anything disturb you, you say so right on the spot, okay?

- Of course, smiled Krystal. By the way, why do you... don't want to touch me while wanting to touch me ?

- That's... I cannot do that, taking advantage of a weakness like that, it's... well...

- Thank you Gold.

He blushed and looked down, mumbling something unintelligible as an awser, then turned off the light, causing a small cry from Krystal.

- Don't worry, I'm just getting into my pajamas, and after that, everyone in bed! The President shouldn't stay awake this late, laughed Gold.

He rummaged in his bag, grabbing swimming shorts he had taken when Ruby told him he had a pool he planned to use the next day. He slipped the shorts on, took his bottle to fill it with water before putting it on the bed table. He brushed past Krystal's legs, then turned past her to climb on the bed, slipping under the covers with a low growl. Feeling she wasn't moving, he lifted his arm, relieved to touch only her shoulder, and pulled her down with a yelp. She snuck under the covers, then stuck to him instantly, putting her nose in the boy's neck, who thought he had spent the evening freezing like that. She laughed quietly, and put a hand on his ribs, apparently liking the heat he was emanating. Then she pushed his arm so he put it on her waist, and sighed comfortably.

- Unconscious girl, grumbled Gold while he was brushing lightly his thumb over the fabric between him and her skin.

- Hmm-hmm, answered the girl. If you hold me, I won't fall.

- You won't fall, Krystal.

He bent his head and nuzzled his nose on her hair, filling his lungs with her smell, before drowning in deep sleep.