Okay, apologies for my poor grammar and spelling earlier. I actually proofread this one, and I spelled Triceraton correctly and consistently. So please let me know what you're thinking about this! I updated the rating to M because I didn't want to have to worry about any 'bad words' or hints to anything sexual cuz whO TF KNOWS MAN WE JUST LIVIN OUR BEST LIVES HERE ON THANKS BYE
"Mira, wait, are you sure you want to do this? You've been drinking a lot," Baxium said with concern as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Yeah," she replied with a shit-eating grin. "That just means I won't feel anything."
Her reckless talk concerned him and he gave Raph a look of warning. "I really don't like the sound of this," he voiced once again. Before Raph and Mira could get on the floor, Devy entered the fighting stage with a friend.
"Good, that will give us time to talk this out-" Baxium started before Ashley stopped him.
"Bax, one thing you gotta learn is that there's almost no talking Mira out of something once she's drunk."
"Don't worry Bax, I'll go easy on her," Raph added with a smirk. "I won't hurt her too bad or nothin."
"I don't want you to hurt her at all," Bax warned as he made a small movement to protect her.
"Don't worry about me, Baxi," Mira said as Devy pinned their friend to the ground, now about 3 sizes larger than they originally were. "I used to fight this jerk all the time."
"Just be safe, alright?" He gave her the closest thing to a kiss on the cheek as he could manage, causing her to blush before she walked out with Raph. "I'll be rootin for you."
"Along with us, too!" Mikey said with a laugh as he put an arm around Ashley.
"You're not gonna cheer for your brother?" she asked. Mikey just continued to laugh as Traximus introduced the next fight.
"What's the matter, Raph? You too afraid to fight someone your own size?" Traximus teased.
"Don't underestimate her," Raph warned. "…But I'd still bet on me."
Mira glared at him as they got into their ready stances and Traximus began the countdown. Mira was drunk, and Raph wasn't sure just how much he outmatched her now. He had no intentions of hurting her, but the rush he felt from the nostalgia of facing off with her was enough to overcome any doubt he had. With a grin, he charged at her with a fist drawn for a punch.
Baxium watched nervously as they fought, ready to step in at any time if Mira needed. It went against almost every fiber of his being to let them fight one another, but it was the rules of the game. Mira accepted the challenge and there was nothing Baxium could do about it.
Mira dodged out of the way of another attack and swiftly swung her leg up to deliver a swift kick to his head. Despite her wobbly footing, she made contact but found herself stumbling to remain balanced after the fact. Raph charged at her again and she swerved out of the way just to catch herself on the side of the dj's stand.
Raph wasn't much better after the several drinks he had that night, and had to pause for a moment to make sure he had the right target in sight.
"So, Bax," Mikey started curiously, gaining his friend's attention. "Are you and Mira like, an item?"
Baxium eyed his friend's smug smirk and returned his gaze back to Mira and Raph. "I'm... actually not sure. We haven't come up with anything official." He crossed his arms in thought. Raph managed to grab hold of Mira's arms and hold them behind her back, but she refused to go down without a fight.
"Well how do you feel about it?" Mikey continued. "I mean does it make you feel weird seeing Raph, an old childhood fr- er, acquaintance, fight her like that? I mean to win one of 'em has to pin the other one on the ground. That could be awkward."
"Why are you instigating like that?" Ashley asked. "Does Raph like her or something?"
Mikey just shrugged. Baxium continued watching the fight as Mira gained some semblance of an upper hand just to have it ripped from under her as Raph's foot swept her legs. He assisted her to the ground and pinned her there with an elbow on her back and a smrik as Traximus called the fight.
Baxium quickly went over to help her up, though Raph had already offered his hand. Mira opted to receive help from Baxium rather than her opponent and made sure her skirt hadn't exposed too much. "You're just lucky I'm not as coordinated right now," she defended. "I wouldn't have fallen for so many cheap shots."
"Whatever you wanna tell yourself," Raph replied with a smirk. "You want another drink?"
Baxium eyed Raph as he led Mira back to the bar. "I'm more than capable of getting whatever she wants," he stated.
"I'd say that's enough fighting for now, how about we get back to the party?" Devy encouraged. As Traximus mingled with more of his cohorts, Devy took on the responsibility of continuing the party. The crowd cheered as the dj chose a track to play. "Please continue to eat and drink! But be mindful of how you're going home or getting to a hotel," they warned.
The music began playing louder than the voices of those mingling and encouraged several couples and groups to fill the floor with dancing again.
Ashley had already begun consuming more alcohol when Baxium poured drinks for himself and Mira. Mikey watched as others started to dance and eyed the group he was currently sitting with. Raph and Mira were actually starting to talk while Baxium remained behind her with thoughts of their relationship burning through his head.
Mikey turned his attention to Ashley as she finished her cocktail. "You wanna go dance?" he asked.
Ashley, having been nervous about the party from the start, looked at her friend for any clue of what to do, but found her to be uselessly engaged with Raph and Baxium. Looking out at the crowd, she assessed the danger of being seen dancing horribly with a total stranger. With the crowd of varied races and dancing styles paired with the dark room and alcohol consumption, Ashley turned back to Mikey and made her way off the stool. "Sure, why not?"
With a grin, Mikey led her to the dancefloor.
While her friend got down on the dancefloor, Mira was busy catching up with Raph while Baxium stood behind her with a sudden awkward air around him. Mira couldn't quite place what was wrong, but she knew it had something to do with Raph.
"You alright Baxi?" she asked, looking up at him curiously.
He returned her look with an insincere smile and a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Yeah, I'm alright. You know, you put up a good fight babe. I'm pretty impressed."
She blushed at his pet name and continued drinking from her cup.
"He's right," Raph agreed. "Though we used to be more equally matched I was surprised you held your own that long."
"Maybe you just underestimated me," she suggested confidently. Baxium gently squeezed her shoulder while he continued to drink as well.
Even Raph could tell how awkward Baxium was feeling, and it was clearly putting a damper on their night. Feeling as if he had caused the discomfort, he tried to make things more about them. "So how long have you guys known each other?"
His question attracted both of their attention and they looked at each other before Baxium answered. "About two months now."
"And have you been datin this whole time?" Raph gave a curious look as he asked, noticing immediately how awkward they both became at having to answer anything regarding their relationship.
Baxium cleared his throat and gave Mira a quick glance as he nodded. "Uh yeah, kinda. I mean the past month at least."
Though she was drunk, Mira did feel her cheeks begin to warm up as she nodded in agreement. Raph nodded along. "So it's official, then?"
Mira held back her snarky 'why do you wanna know so bad?' response out of curiosity for what Baxium would say. She watched him as he looked at her questioningly. The awkward air was drowned out by the music playing in the background, and Baxium figured it was up to him to determine.
"Yeah," he said, finally smiling with confidence. "She's my girl, and I'm hers," he clarified with a grin. Mira couldn't help the smile the grew on her face while Baxium gently squeezed her arms. They were still new to the inter-species relationship scene, and it honestly felt just as weird as anyone looking at them from the outside thought it was, but if they made each other happy why should that matter?
"I'm happy for you then," Raph said. "He probably wouldn't even tell ya for a while, but Baxium's been havin it pretty rough with the ladies lately."
Baxium gave a disapproving look as he reached for more eie. "C'mon Raph, don't start that now. It's not even relevant."
"Well now I'm curious, what does that mean?" Mira asked, hoping it didn't mean Baxium was just desperate.
"It's nothin, really," Baxium assured her as he brought his drink back up to his lips. "I mean my family obviously would prefer I find another Triceraton, but I just don't seem to click with ladies of my kind." He eyed Raph as if to send a sarcastic 'thanks' for the trouble. Bax leaned against the bar, looking at Mira.
"You remember when we were talking about those flowers? And I told ya they weren't a typical gift?" Mira nodded. "Well I thought it'd be nice, you know, if I got this one girl flowers from a shop while we were walking by. I had already gotten her some fine stones for a collection I knew she had, but I guess she wasn't fond of the flowers I bought. She threw 'em away right in front of me and after that I just didn't think it was worth another date."
He took a drink and gave Mira some time to think about it. "And other girls my family's set me up with have been kinda the same. I think they're tryin to go for a type that I just don't get along with very well." He gave a little smile and a shrug.
Mira couldn't help but feel bad for him as he explained his situation. She put a hand on his arm as the music transitioned into another song. Ashley came back with Mikey in tow and she went right up to Mira before she could say anything.
"Hey, weren't you out to have a good time? Come dance!"
Mira stared at her friend as Baxium finished his drink and stood up. "That's a great idea! Let's dance, sweetheart." He held his hand out to her and she happily took it.
Mikey nudged his brother. "You too, Raph! Lots of cuties out here."
Raph finished his beer and shrugged. "Why the hell not?"
By the time everyone had gotten onto the dance floor, it was quickly approaching midnight. There was nary a wallflower to be found unless they were breaking for food or drink. Mira's group continued to drink and dance as time passed on. Mira was able to stay on the dance floor with Baxium, and even danced with Mikey when Ashley had to take a break- which happened frequently.
Mira noticed in the few times she did dance with Mikey that none of the Triceratons danced with Baxium when he stayed. She wondered if there was more truth to his story than she realized, or if none of the Triceratons here were romantically or sexually into him... When she thought about it, she really didn't know what separated male and female Triceratons.
But any concerns about Triceraton gender identity would have to wait for another setting. Mira was too busy enjoying herself and getting progressively more intoxicated to worry about anything. Other than, of course, watching her best friend let loose and finally dance with a stranger.
It never even crossed Mira's mind what they were going to do once the party was over...
I've been making the chapters longer, so I hope that's alright! Anyone feeling like being reviewer #1? I've already got a fave and I know some of y'all are still reading so what's good? I appreciate you, nonetheless! Thanks!