Adolin was excited. It might not seem like much, but somehow being invited to meet Kaladin's friends felt like...an initiation; a proper initiation into Kaladin's life. It felt good.
The cab was a few minutes late, but Adolin couldn't bring himself to be bothered, because Kaladin was in it. He hadn't had much time to practice with his leg, and his stump was bothering him a bit from what he had managed to get done, so he left it behind, wheeling himself out in his chair instead—he had considered crutches, but decided against them. Drunk Adolin did not want to try to navigatethat mess.
Kaladin got out, helping him into the van and packing the chair into the back. Adolin offered him a grin. He was definitely looking forward to tonight.
"Where are we going?" Adolin asked, buckling himself in.
"Shattered Keg. Moash and Rock are meeting us there."
"Your friends?" Dumb question, and Kaladin sent him a flat stare. "No, they're ponies."
"No need to be rude," he huffed, flicking his thigh with a grin. "Honestly, it's a wonder you have any friends."
"At least I'm providing evidence of mine. I've yet to see any of yours..."
"You're a rude asshole."
Kaladin laughed. "I don't see any evidence disproving me..."
Adolin smacked his thigh, staring pointedly out the window. He wasn't really angry, but Kaladin was still a jerk who deserved to be ignored—jokingly, of course.
Kaladin's warm palm settled on his left thigh, and after a moment, Adolin rested his hand atop it. They said nothing more until the cab dropped them off. Kaladin helped him into his chair, and then they headed in.
"Kal! And is that—?" asked one man, half-standing as they neared. At the table he was seated at, two other men glanced over also.
"John Cena? Sure is."
"Excuse Kaladin," Adolin said, "he's a rude prick."
"We know. Nice to meet you...Adolin, was it? I'm Moash, this is Rock," he indicated the tall man still seated at the table, "and Lopin," the third and final man.
"Between us, we make one person, eh gancho?"
Adolin blinked, Lopin drawing his attention. Indeed, the man was, to his surprise, missing one arm. Adolin couldn't help but grin. "One and a half."
"You can be the half," Lopin countered.
The larger man, Rock, laughed loudly. "This thing, it is not fair. You are in possession of enough personality for six!"
"At least The Lopin possesses more personality than a rock, unlike some."
The tall man, Rock, bellowed a laugh.
Adolin liked them already.
"So a cop, huh? Didn't know our Kal was into the lawkeeping type..."
Adolin shrugged at Moash's statement, taking a sip of his beer as he did so. "It was my charming personality and handsome smile that won him over."
From across the table, Kaladin grunted. "You meandespite your insufferable personality, I manage to tolerate you."
Adolin smirked. "But you don't deny my overwhelmingly good looks."
Kaladin grinned at him over the rim of his mug. "I'm not blind."
The unexpected compliment left Adolin momentarily speechless.
Rock glanced up from the game of cards he was playing with Lopen—if game it could be called. The one-armed man was well passed sober, and Adolin was not entirely certain the thrashing Rock was giving him was entirely ethical. Or legal.
"Ah, so he admits this thing!"
"...I'm dating him, Rock."
Adolin blinked. Were they...? Well, he supposed that after the previous day's events, that was probably a good word for it. He liked it better than 'friends with benefits', at any rate.
"He admits this thing, too!"
Kaladin sighed. "What did you think?"
"We thought a lot, Kal," Moash muttered, "because it's impossible to get you to say anything unless you're drunk, and even then it's easier to keep Lopin sober at a bar than get you to talk."
Kaladin looked peeved, and Adolin didn't bother to hold back a chuckle. "Well...let's play a game."
"You have something in mind?" Moash asked, cutting off any chance of Kaladin responding.
"Never have I ever."
"Done! And you aren't getting out of it, Kal," Moash insisted.
Kaladin sighed, but did not argue.
"Everyone knows the rules, right?" Adolin asked, waving for another round. "We take turns saying something we haven't done, then anyone who has done it takes a drink."
Moash nodded. "Okay. But we leave Lopin out. He's had enough."
"...he seems busy anyway," Kaladin muttered, noting that the man was chatting up a redheaded woman with a pretty smile.
"Good, then let's play," Adolin said, grinning as their drinks arrived.
Much to Adolin's surprise, the first few rounds were surprisingly tame, as everyone tested out the rules and limits...and got more drunk. Unsurprisingly, things devolved as the night wore on.
"Never have I ever...had a threesome," Moash said, smirking. Nobody took a drink at that one, and he sighed. "Fine. Adolin?"
"...hm. Never have I ever lit something on fire that should not be on fire. Either intentionally or by accident."
With a roll of the eyes, Moash took a drink. "It was only the chemistry lab..."
Kaladin snorted. "Never have I ever...lost a limb."
Glowering in mock anger, Adolin took a gulp. "You're asking for it, nurse boy..."
Kaladin just snorted.
"It is my go! Never have I ever...slept with a cop," Rock exclaimed, a knowing smirk on his lips.
Kaladin froze, then slowly took a drink.
Adolin watched as Moash's eyes widened, then a broad grin lit up his face. "Ooookay...never have I ever slept with anyone at this table."
Grinning over his mug, Adolin took a drink. Looking annoyed, Kaladin did the same.
Laughing, Adolin jumped in. "Never have I ever slept with myself."
"...that could be taken two ways, Ad," Moash said, brow raised.
Adolin scoffed, but amended. "Never have I ever had sex with me."
"I hate you all," Kaladin griped, taking a drink.
The table dissolved into laughter, at Kaladin's expense. Taking a drink of his own, Adolin winked at him, eventually making the stoic nurse crack a smile.
Much better.