Surprise surprise, I live. Week late Valentine's Day post. I'm aware this isn't the post any of you wanted or were expecting. Regardless, enjoy this one. I'm still writing for other stories so don't worry.
Monarch watched from his table silently as Sicario partied.
Dip was sitting with him, and they'd been talking for a bit but had now fallen silent, both of them drinking some beer.
Sicario would take any chance they could to party, and Valentine's Day was no exception. Gunsel would go all out, turning one of the hangars into a party hall. Tables, disco lights, smoke machines, the whole nine yards.
Sicario's own four man band was performing as well, consisting of both Cariburn members, their cook, and their accountant, Legion.
Hitman would usually keep to themselves, save for Prez who was more comfortable with a different crowd.
But, somewhere along the way, Comic had been dragged off by Gunsel leaving just Dip and Monarch at the table.
Dip took another sip from his beer before shaking the bottle and realizing it was empty.
"Ah, hell. Ima go get another beer and make sure 'Mic didn't drag Gunsel into doing anything they weren't supposed to. You need me to grab you one on my way back?" He asked Monarch as he stood up.
Monarch shook his head. He'd already had five for the night and the one he had right now would be his sixth. He was already a little buzzed as well. Best he stop for the night.
Dip just nodded before heading off, leaving Monarch alone.
Monarch took one last swig from his bottle to finish it off, setting it down on the table before he let out a small sigh as he lay back in his chair. He closed his eyes as he listened to the jazz that the band was playing, Legion had a surprisingly good singing voice.
He heard a chair being pulled out next to him and someone sitting down in it, causing him to open his eyes as he was greeted to Prez in a simple navy blue dress that came down to just above her knees.
"Yo, Monarch. You want a drink?" She asked him, holding out a glass of red wine to him.
He eyed the glass briefly, before taking it. Some wine couldn't hurt.
"Got any specific toasts in mind?"
He shook his head in response.
She sighed.
"Well, I ain't got much either. Whatever, let's just drink." She said, clinking her glass with his, before taking a drink, with Monarch doing the same.
Monarch looked over to Prez. He hadn't seen her all night, she preferred to hang out with the rest of the mechanics and other non-combat personnel rather than Hitman. He couldn't blame her, she may have been comfortable with him, but Dip and 'Mic weren't as welcoming with her.
Not through any sort of malice or dislike of Prez, but it was just the fact the three had known each other since childhood. Even if they had spent years apart due to circumstances, it had still been several years before Prez joined Sicario, much less Hitman.
They'd solidified themselves as a trio, so it was hard for them to just add another person into it.
Prez's red eyes caught Monarch's, seeming to glow as she tilted her head.
"Something on your mind, Monarch?"
He nodded, but didn't say what. Prez didn't bother asking him to elaborate. She knew him well enough by now that he wouldn't say anything.
"You wanna dance?" She asked, gesturing to the dance floor where a few of Sicario's members were currently, including Dip and 'Mic.
Monarch briefly entertained the idea, but quickly shook his head. With the buzz he had, it was best they didn't, he'd only step on her feet.
She laughed when he declined.
"That's alright. I'm not much of a dancer myself, no matter how much my mom tried to make me into one. Always felt more comfortable in the shop." She said, a wistful look on her face as she remembered those days.
Monarch nodded, he could understand that. He'd always felt far more at home in the cockpit than anywhere else.
"Still though, I like to think I manage to wash up pretty well at the least. Can't dance for shit, but I can still look good." She said smugly, smirking and running a hand through her brown hair, which was in its usual half up half down style.
Monarch chuckled at her words and actions, causing her to pout jokingly at him for a moment, before doing the same.
"You freshen up alright too, Monarch. Swear you're always in that flight suit. Good to see you out of it. Would be nice to see less of it, I think." She said, a sheepish smile on her face.
Monarch was just in a simple suit with a tie, nothing special. But, he supposed, Prez was right. Maybe he did spend too much time wearing a flight suit.
He nodded his head in agreement. Prez's smile widened a little at that.
They didn't speak after that, Prez only moving her chair so that she was right next to him instead of at the head of the table.
Monarch said nothing of it, only moving over so she could have some space.
They watched the party happen like that, while they nursed their glasses of wine, a comfortable silence between the two.
One that was briefly interrupted by Prez, holding up her glass between them, what little wine was left sloshing around in it.
Monarch held his up next to hers when she spoke.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Monarch."
Their glasses clinked together again lightly before they both finished their wine.
It was a great Valentine's Day.