The Dramatic Spiel of Arthur and Chardonnay~ (7,120 views)

”What do you mean you were on the phone with you mom!?” He asked, though, honestly her being on the phone with her mom made sense. She was still holding his arm and Arthur neither wrenched it free nor moved to do anything – his eyes widened in horror as he realized her being on the phone with her mother made sense. Sure, he thought the topic of conversation was weird, but what did he know of Chardonnay’s conversations with her parents? Maybe she send her a weird picture, or something she didn’t like, or – something. But still! Chardonnay could have explained! She could have explained because now he had attacked some guy for no reason and he – he – he paled and looked over at the food critic.

”I am so sorry,” He said, reaching out though the man flinched away. Arthur winced and removed his arm from extending towards the man. ”I didn’t know – I thought that you – I shouldn’t have done that, you’re not some stalker, I’m sorry – sir, I just – I,“

The critic didn’t look very impressed, and the fast paced footsteps of Kenneth started to approach the trio. He came to an out-of-breath stop between Arthur and the critic and in front of Chardonnay, looking at her, then to Arthur, then to the critic.

”What’s this about a picture? Don’t tell me this is about what I sent your mother!” He said, giving Chardonnay a slightly panicked look. ”Oh, I never meant to do that! Olivia just asked me for an update as to how you were doing so I wanted to show her through a photo is all! More believable...”

He glanced towards Arthur who was still looking at the critic, who seemed relieved he wasn’t choking anymore. Now his arm in Chardonnay’s hold trembled slightly as he tried to apologize to the food critic, and offered to pay for his phone if it was broken, and he tried to get Chardonnay’s grip off of his arm so he could use it.

Arthur could have asked her to explain what she meant by her mom sent her a picture. A picture of what! He didn’t know but apparently whatever it was pissed Chardonnay off enough to freak out and call her! God, he wished she hadn’t panicked. He wished she’d gotten annoyed and called her up, like, ‘mom, don’t be creepy’ or something along those lines. Then he wouldn’t have seen her freaking out, and been concerned for her when she was flipping out. Why couldn’t Chardonnay just chill for five minutes! Why did, whenever anything happened, she have to just freak out like the self-centered person she was! Oh, he was angry at the whole situation. Her, her mother, Kenneth, himself... but the one person he wasn’t angry at was the food critic who had since picked up his phone and looked like he wanted to bolt.

”Hey, look,” Arthur said to the man he’d nearly choked, and the man flinched, and it made Arthur cringe. The last time he’d been in a fight had been a few years ago, in the bar, but it had never gotten to the point where he’d choked an innocent person. Usually he only got in fights with shitty people, who harassed his friends and made obscene comments. Sometimes he got away without a scratch and other times he carried bruises, but most of the time he held his own until he was dragged away by his friends. But now, looking at this poor guy, he felt a wave of regret strong enough to almost knock him over. Shit. He really didn’t mean to do that. ”I’m sorry, I thought that you... I, I thought you were a stalker or –“

”I am not a stalker,” The food critic said, brushing himself off and staying far away from Arthur. Arthur bit his lower lip uncomfortably.

”Yeah, I know now, I – I just, kind of have a temper, look, is your phone broken? I’ll pay for it. Or if you’re hurt I’ll pay for it,” He said, as the patter of footsteps began and he glanced over at Kenneth who apologized and seemed to claim responsibility for what happened. He stared at Kenneth for a second, listening to Chardonnay snap at him. He furrowed his brow when she said the picture was of the two of them, though. Really? She’d caused all of this... because there was a picture of the two of them? One measly fucking picture?

He wasn’t surprised, necessarily. She always freaked out at the idea of their fuckbuddy relationship being found out. But she’d invited him here, so he assumed she didn’t care about being seen with him. Why would she freak out? It was just a picture. He wasn’t wearing plaid or anything. He tried to ignore the fact that her flipping out that much made him feel a twinge of emptiness. He just didn’t think it would be a big deal is a picture existed. But Chardonnay just flipped out, and he couldn’t blame her, but... it made him feel so stupid for freaking out. That was such a stupid reason to flip out! But despite his anger he didn’t freak out at Chardonnay or Kenneth. He glanced worriedly at the food critic before he looked at Redwood, who came over with a scarlet face and an angry expression. Arthur still felt annoyed at Chardonnay, but despite that, his expression looked almost like he was zoning out, looking at Richard without really registering him. He could hear Chardonnay defend him – which was very odd to hear – but after Kenneth spoke up, he did too.

”No, it’s my fault. A few years ago, there was an incident with a stalker, and I thought that the picture Chardonnay was talking about was... something else,” He grumbled the last part, looking away for a second as he fished for words to say. He was very uncomfortable, but sincere, as he glanced over at Kenneth. ”Even if I thought that I shouldn’t have attacked anyone. I should have confronted him, not... choked him.” Come to think of it... why the fuck had he choked the guy? While he still had a temper, he was smarter now, and knew better than to pull that kind of a stunt! He fucking knew better! He glanced over at Chardonnay before he quickly looked away and looked at the food critic instead. God, she drove him insane sometimes. And not always in a good way. ”I just... I freaked out when I shouldn’t have. And I’m sorry about causing this, I’ll pay for any damages to your property or to... him,” He glanced at the foot critic who exhaled and looked over at Chardonnay, then back at Arthur, his expression furrowed as he pieced together what he’d been told.

At least Chardonnay was going with his story. Even though he knew she was probably pissed about him bringing up Andrew. Well, as far as he was concerned, he had every right to. Had she actually explained what the fuck she was doing, he wouldn’t have tried to attack anyone! He could see and heard people gossiping around him and it brought a tremor to his shoulders that caused him to wrap his arms around himself. It was just like when he was in school and people like to yip and yap after any kind of a squabble. God, he hadn’t been in this situation in years. What the fuck was it about Chardonnay that prompted him to act that way? He didn’t know and whatever it was, it pissed him off. He hated when snobby people – like everyone at this venue – just judged him like they knew exactly what he was. But they didn’t know anything. They barely even understood this situation.

At least people seemed shocked – and more understanding – at the implication of a stalker bothering Chardonnay. Even the food critic seemed a little more understanding as he rubbed his neck and took steadying breaths.

”A stalker? Well, I’m sure Thomas and Olivia are glad that you have someone here while they’re away. That was a mighty tough grip he had, I suspect he’d send any stalkers running for the hills,” Kenneth said, trying to lighten the atmosphere even though he was slightly worried about the implications of a stalker. ”But your mother cares about you very much. I didn’t mean to cause you to worry, Ms. Nicholas. I only meant to assure your mother you were here and safe. No matter how old you might get, your mother will never stop worrying about you.”

He smiled with all the wisdom of a father himself – and turned towards Richard and the food critic. The critic was all caught up now, his neck a little sore, and his suit ruffled. He adjusted the top, cleared his throat again, and unlocked his phone. Thankfully he had a strong case and there were no cracks. He glared down at Arthur for a moment, before he turned to Chardonnay with a slightly softer gaze, his eyes still narrowed even as Richard approached.

”I am fine. I accept your apology.” His tone was snooty. Now that the power seemed to be in his court, he was owning it, or at least trying to. ”You’d do well to put a leash on that man before he goes after strangers on the street. I don’t need to go to the hospital – what I do need is some wine,” he spoke pointedly and someone went off to track down a waiter with glasses of champagne. ”Where is that champagne?!”

Someone ran up and offered the critic a glass, which he immediately downed. Feeling better already!

Arthur glanced from the critic down to his feet, biting his lower lip as Chardonnay covered his ass. It was a relief the man didn’t seem to be pressing any charges – maybe the stalker story softened his anger – but it was still annoying how entitled he was. Well, Arthur supposed he had revoked his right to bitch. He made a face when the man mentioned keeping him on a leash, feeling his cheeks darken with color as he half-murmured an apology that was lost on the man who was busy chugging champagne.

Protective... Arthur thought about the word Chardonnay said and it made him think. Was that how he was with her? He knew he was a protective person, of Susan and Adelaide and all of his friends (especially his female friends), but Chardonnay? They weren’t friends. Were they? Sort of... he continued to hang his head and wait for Richard to make a decision about letting them stay or not. He had no doubt in his mind that Chardonnay was going to flay him after this.

Arthur had been in sticky, and bad situation before, but nothing quite like this. He was just thankful that the man didn’t press charges on him and demand he be thrown out and thrown into jail. Arthur could see the security at the event keeping a close eye on him. He wasn’t unaware of the eyes of authority being on him – a few times he’d come out of stores and be asked what was in the bag, or be pulled over for no especially good reason except racism, probably, but this – he didn’t know what to do with himself. He bit his lower lip and covered his lower mouth with his hand. His cheeks were flushed as Mr. Benton took his drink and moved away. He was barely listening to the people as they left except for Chardonnay – he caught the coldness with which Chardonnay addressed Kenneth and it made him flinch. He didn’t know why... it just did. He felt dizzy, lightheaded, and he wanted to get off of his feet. The smells of food broiling around him no longer enticed him – he’d completely lost his appetite.

He only looked up when he saw Chardonnay dismiss herself for a drink. Kenneth looked a little disheartened, but when Chardonnay left, he turned towards Arthur and smiled at him apologetically.

”I really am sorry I ruined your date,” He said.

”We’re not dating.” Arthur said, and Kenneth nodded, but it didn’t look like he agreed. That pissed Arthur off but he was already in enough shit as it was, so he just allowed for Kenneth to pat him on the shoulder.

”I didn’t know Olivia would tell Chardonnay I sent the message. And to do you a favor, Arthur, I won’t tell Jason. He doesn’t need to know, right? No harm was done.”

Arthur slowly nodded, and turned away from Kenneth, watching as Chardonnay stormed away. God, she was always mad. She was probably furious at him. But then he, too, was furious at himself. And so he decided to do something he’d promised himself he wouldn’t do this evening – he exhaled out a ”I need a drink” as well, and followed Chardonnay into the little lounge where people were serving drinks. Kenneth didn’t follow and instead opened his phone, popping up his text message to Olivia. While purposefully leaving out the details, he told her that Chardonnay’s ‘date’ there was protective of her, with a winking face. Chardonnay and Arthur really couldn’t get away from the gossip, even as adults.

Arthur finally caught up to Chardonnay when she reached the bar and took a seat on one of the stools, pulled a few bills out of his wallet, and looked at the bartender. Before he could finish his inquiry, Arthur spoke up.

”Give me something that will make me forget what my fucking name is,” He told the bartender, and the kid blinked, looked him over, then shrugged and went back to mix the drink.

”Zombie?” He asked, after sizing Arthur up.

”Sounds wonderful. Thanks.” Arthur said, shoving a dollar into the tip jar as the kid came back with the drink. Arthur exchanged the money for the beverage and ignored the kid coming back for change, instead taking a big generous sip. He could taste nothing but rum but didn’t care. The burning sensation was wonderful on his neck. He didn’t know if Chardonnay was going to sit next to him – or cease their fuckbuddy relationship with him after this – but right now he couldn’t bring himself to care. He just needed alcohol. And plenty of it.

He finished the zombie faster than he normally finished drinks. Two chugs and it was gone. The bartender gave him a look as he slammed the drink back down and hunched over the bar, his forehead pressed against the cool material. His head was pounding and he was so fucking embarrassed. Chardonnay hated him, would never text him again, and he was just... good. He could get a head start on his life then. His dark hair splayed about his forehead as he remained where he was – the bartender shooting him a glare at the opposition. But, still, Arthur opened his wallet from underneath the counter and got another five dollars. He demanded another of whatever he just had and the bartender went on to order it. Arthur exhaled and sat up, slowly, glancing at the little cocktail before him as he paid. He shouldn’t drink this. He could already feel a slight warmth blooming in his chest, his head was already starting to spin, and he already felt his vision coming in and out of focus.

Yet, still, Arthur pulled the drink towards him and took a generous sip. He could still remember what happened. He remembered the anger bubbling in him as he thought Andrew was here. He remembered how he felt when Chardonnay said he wasn’t a stalker... he remembered the fear in her face as she pulled his arm away... he needed to keep drinking.

By the time he registered Chardonnay beside him he was halfway done with his second drink. He turned to look at her with raised eyebrows and a frown on his face. He looked at her face as she looked down, distracted by the glitter on her eyeshadow and bodice as the fluorescents reflected it. Why did she always dress in things so... so flashy? No wonder she had some stalker because she always looked so flashy! So flashy, so... Chardonnay.

He was surprised when she spoke, only half-registering her words until she said she wasn’t mad at him. Wait. She wasn’t mad at him? That got him to ignore the drink for the time being,

”Bullshit. I caused a scene... you’re definitely mad at me,” His tone sounded disbelieving though. The comment that she wasn’t mad at him made his heart flutter a little, but then his heart didn’t stop fluttering as another warmth spread throughout him. It felt like it was helping the alcohol along. When she said she was mad at all these people, he snorted, and shook his head. Twinges of pink were beginning to appear on his cheeks. ”when aren’t you mad at me? Why would you be mad... at that guy? He didn’t do anything ‘cept get.... you know... choked.”

Arthur huffed and leaned on the counter. ”Sorry for ruining your reputation. S’not like I wanted to. You should’ve jus' answered me.”

He looked at her pout and watched as she asked for whatever it was he had, still not entirely sure he believed she wasn’t mad at him. She had a whole list of people she was angry at... so why not him? When she said she was angry at the food critic because he said that Arthur belonged on a leash, he tilted his head to the side. Why would that bother Chardonnay? Wouldn’t she agree about that after tonight?

”But I do. I’m such a fucking idiot.” He muttered, taking another sip of his drink. It was still strong and he could barely feel his lower jaw. But that meant it was working, right? He turned to look away from Chardonnay and focused on the colorful drink before him. ”S’not like you were even scared of a stalker. S’not like you even think of him anymore. S’dumb that I do.” He groaned slightly and slumped forward, matching Chardonnay’s pose, glancing back over at her as she talked about her reputation.

He knew vague bits and pieces of her living in her father’s shadow, which was something he couldn’t relate to. He had to live under Jason’s shadow, a little bit, but probably not to the same extend as Chardonnay did. Most of the new employees didn’t know Jason anymore except for a loud, rambunctious guy who occasionally popped into the theater. But Chardonnay’s father was still a well-renowned chef. Just like Chardonnay was. He knew that she was a good chef. He knew that she put a lot into her cooking. It was something he admired about her – something he liked about her. Despite her spoiled attitude she had a fierce work ethic, one he’d seen in action, and one that matched his own. That was one of the few things they had in common.

Her comment made him snort and lean his elbow closer to her, looking in her eyes but not really caring about being close or how they might look. ”No! I couldn’t stop you! I tried but you just ignored me! You always ignore me,” he whined, taking another sip of his drink. A pleasant warmth was surrounding him now – like he was in a sauna. The music behind them was loud in his ears, playing some catchy pop song he’d heard on the radio before. ”s’not easy to stop you when you wanna do things. You have never listened to me ever,” he grinned as he said that and pointed a finger at her. The bartenders no longer seemed to care, and he kept his voice lower. ”’Cept when we’re fuckin’. But otherwise, you never listen to me.”

Arthur pouted when she agreed with him that he was an idiot. He liked it better when she wasn’t agreeing with him! Or when she was happy with him. As much as he was attracted to her and her disdainful scowl, he was happier when she smiled at him. It always made him smile back, like that time that they’d eaten in his kitchen with mix everywhere... Though when she said he wasn’t an idiot ‘in a bad way’ he grinned, eyes lighting up as he listened to her say she didn’t mind and appreciated him looking out for her. He was tempted to reach over and tug a stray strand of her hair behind her ear but resisted the urge, instead marveling in the way her glittery clothes moved against her cleavage before his eyes bounced back up to her face. The grin turned to a lazy smile, and he let out a giggle, shrugging his shoulders. ”s’what friend’s’r for,” he said, without thinking too much about it. Even if she didn’t consider him a friend, she said it before. And he wasn’t going to let some creep bother her. He wasn’t kidding when he said if he ever saw Andrew again, he was beating the shit out of the guy. Even after this, he still wouldn’t hesitate.

When she said he could have shaken her of gotten the phone out of her hands, he snorted. nut-uh. You’dda been pissy an’ then someone’d probably think I was tryin’ to harass you or somethin’,” which was something he absolutely refused to give anyone the impression of. He watched her as she ran her fingers through her hair, and wanted to run his own fingers through her hair as she spoke in a ramble. His first urge was to pull her close into a hug and be like, it’s okay, or something.

But before he could act on that, she responded to his moving closer and didn’t look away from his eyes as he looked at her, their elbows brushing on the bar. He giggled again when she let out a small hiccup and pulled away from his finger, while making an odd expression with her eyes. He giggled again and prodded her nose gently, booping it. ”s’cause you are spoiled, Princess. But...” when she said that he could stop her if he really wanted, he shook his head. ”s’not like I’d ever use my strength on you. And they’re here,” Arthur sat up a bit and rolled his sleeve up, and flexed his muscles. Sure enough – despite how skinny his arms looked – there were muscles there, small lumps that held firm as he flexed to show them to her. ”s’not like I’m that strong. I jus’ got into fights a lot as a kid, an’ kinda grew ‘em, y’know?”

Arthur didn’t believe her when she said she wouldn’t have overreacted to him taking her phone. Chardonnay liked to get mad at him for dumb reasons and he knew that would just be used as more of an incentive to complain. She really liked to complain about anything he did, most of the time. The thought made him giggle again in response to her comments and he shrugged.

”Then would you have told me your mom sent you a picture? Whazzit even look like, anyway?” He didn’t see the picture – he was kind of curious, but thoughts of the picture and the fight from earlier were fading from his mind. Instead he focused on Chardonnay’s reaction when he booped her nose and giggle. He brought his hand back down to his side and when she called him a jackass he grinned. He was so used to her calling him that now that it wasn’t hurtful, even when he was sober. Not that Chardonnay had hurt him. Except those few times she had... but this wasn’t a time to think about that, Arthur thought.

”M not taking my clothes off!” He said, his sleeve now rolled up to a little past his elbow. Chardonnay’s arms around his sent sparks throughout his body starting from where she touched him. It was like the spreading warmth of his drink throughout his body, except it was his arm and Chardonnay’s warmth instead. ”Cause people liked to piss me off,” he said, thoughts of middle school popping into his mind. But he didn’t like that. He didn’t like middle school and he forced those thoughts away, instead focusing on Chardonnay and the drink in front of him. He pouted slightly when she said he was scary. ”M not scary. Mr. Benton wasn’t even that strong, and I was only so angry ‘cause I thought he was your stalker. I did listen to you, remember? I don’t wanna scare you. Ever.“

He could have taken the phone from her and demanded who that was! Why didn’t he think of that! That would have been way better! Though actually, since it was her mother, he probably wouldn’t have been much better. That would have been awkward especially if she started to ask him what he was doing with her daughter and if they were dating and all of that stuff. Why would he ever date Chardonnay! She was attractive and he liked to sleep with her, but she was too stubborn to ever be his girlfriend. She always argued with him too much, and pissed him off, and never let him win in a squabble! But then, he liked arguing with her and bantering with her, and while he liked her body and sex with her, he liked for foreplay a little more. He liked the way she knew his body and what he liked and didn’t like, and he liked that he knew what she liked and didn’t like. She really knew him in a way no one else knew him. She knew him in a way he didn’t want anyone else to know and it was confusing! So, if her mother asked him all that stuff, what would he have said? He didn’t know – he’d like to think that he would give her the phone back and storm off. Maybe.

He grinned again when Chardonnay let out a little hiccup and giggle, tempted to make fun of her wide-eyed look of surprise. ”Hey, plaid is an amazing color scheme. But, I wouldn’t punch someone over plaid, Princess,” He said, her raised eyebrows making him raise his own. She was definitely taunting him! He felt her arm tighten a bit on his as she spoke and his pout faded into a slight frown, a more serious look despite the alcohol buzzing through his system. ”I’m never gonna hurt you. You piss me off, but s’not a bad piss me off, like that guy did,” he said, looking at her arm wrapped around his before he looked back over at her.

When she opened her phone and showed him the picture, Arthur glanced at it, his eyebrows raised at the image. That... was definitely them! It looked like the movie poster for some romcom! He saw the picture, and then before he could stop himself, he laughed. He covered his mouth with his free hand as his cheeks pinkened. It was so... staged looking! Except he knew it wasn’t. He knew what he’d been doing at that moment. ”He jus’ picked the weirdest time to take a picture! Anyone would look like a couple with that pose,” he snorted and rolled his eyes. ”S’not like it means anythin’.”

Her comments about her mom wanting to know her whereabouts made him think of his sister – she was similar, always asking who he was with and where he was, despite his age. ”s’just a thing moms do I guess,” he said with a shrug, taking another generous sip of his drink.

The memory of when he’d gotten pissed she’d burned his plaid was almost buried in the recesses of Arthur’s mind. He remembered getting pissed, but why had he been pissed? Right, because she’d betrayed him, in a way. He trusted her and she burned it. Literally. He looked at her with a small pout on his lips at the memory. ”Don’t blame me! You were the traitor when you went n burned my shirt.” He said, but his pout didn’t go anywhere when Chardonnay’s expression softened into a softer, sweeter smile that he didn’t get to see from her often. The softness of her lips made him want to kiss them gently, and reach over and touch her, and run his hands through her hair. But instead he giggled at her goofy grin, and when she said she’d never hurt him either he shrugged, ”just ‘cause you’re small don mean you can’t hurt someone,” he said, and besides, Chardonnay could hurt him. Emotionally. But even drunk he didn’t say that – because he didn’t want to talk about the times she’d done it. Instead his mind flickered to her food and he pouted even more childishly when she said no food if he pissed her off. ”But I like it when you give me food,” he said, watching her as she tried to beckon a bartender over.

She was so spoiled! Even when getting another drink! It caused him to laugh – even as the poor bartender looked over with a frown – and he nudged Chardonnay’s arm on his gently. ”spoiled,” he said, but there wasn’t any venom behind it like there usually was.

He was oblivious to Chardonnay’s embarrassment at the picture. Instead he just laughed – because what else could he do! It was just a picture! It meant nothing except that they were looking over the valley. It didn’t matter that Kenneth had caught the way he was smiling down at her, nor did it matter that her arm was wrapped around his kind of like it was now. He decided he liked her arm there, her fingers gently touching his skin. But that feeling left and he turned to look at Chardonnay with raised eyebrows and a pout as the feeling vanished.

”You can hold me if you wan,” He said, nodding along to her statement that the picture was nothing. He slid her the phone back and giggled with her at her little hiccup. When she said she didn’t want to constantly be checked up on he laughed again, knowing the feeling all too well. ”s not fun to be treated like a baby, s hate it,” he said, thinking of how Susan still referred to him as her baby brother. He had a feeling she’d never stop, even when he was thirty. He glanced down at her chest before he looked up at her wide eyes and grinned. ”When we’re together s’always fun, Princess,” He shifted in his seat and rested his elbows on the bar, his drink finished. He wasn’t demanding a refill anymore – he was already pretty giggily – and had already forgotten about the fight from earlier. All he was focused on now was Chardonnay – and her chest, which she’d pushed out conveniently a few minutes ago – and that confident look to her face. He grinned at it. That was definitely one of his favorite looks to see on her face. It was so rare to Chardonnay... not-confident.

Arthur grinned when she said the word – that dirty little word – that encompassed the entire nature of their relationship. Years ago he would have blushed at the mention of the word but now he was so used to it that he didn’t. Sure, it was embarrassing when his sister mentioned the word even when it didn’t pertain to anyone he knew, but he’d had sex enough to not be as embarrassed. Instead, hearing her mention it caused the warmth he felt from the drink to increase.

”We’ve never had sex in a closet,” he said, and they actually hadn’t! Well, practically speaking, it made no sense to do it in either of their closets because they both kept their clean clothing in there and why would anyone want to get their clothes dirty with sex when there was a bed with a comfortable mattress one room over? But still, the idea of being pressed up against Chardonnay in a tight little space like a closet had its own level of sexiness to it that he hadn’t thought about before. If there was a closet here, he wouldn’t mind going off to find it! But she said there wasn’t a closet and he pouted. Though when she leaned over and brushed her breasts against his shoulder he grinned. He wondered how to get the dress she was in off of her. And hearing her try to not make noises would be pretty fun... he leaned closer to her, his hand slipping up her leg, his lips close to her ear. ”s not like Mr. Redwood would have to know,” he could feel the skin of her thigh as his hand approached the hem of her skirt. ”s... not like he’s invited,”

Though she had another idea, one that made Arthur pull away from her with raised eyebrows. Dancing? The reception thing? ”S’not this?!” he asked, looking around them. They weren’t at the reception? But there was music! And drinks! And people! People who weren’t really looking at them at all and who looked bored. Huh... he turned back to her. ”s gonna be a dance too? S’good, cause I’m a great dancer.” he giggled after he said that and leaned back closer to Chardonnay, replacing his hand onto her thigh and bravely inching it up towards her skirt with a cheeky smirk on his face. Thinking about it, oddly enough, he’d only seen Chardonnay dance a few times at events at the school – and none of those times had ever been with him. ”s plenty here I wanna experience. S’I wanna dance with you”

Spending the entire second half of the reception with Chardonnay was actually more fun that Arthur thought it would be if they weren’t going out and exploring the food stands. He kept his hand wandering on her body – starting with her thigh. When she told him that he was going to get them caught Arthur said that he was too smart to get caught, and slid himself closer to her then to hide his wandering hand from the public. Sure, it worked at hiding the hand – but now he was even closer to her, almost close enough to have their faces connect, so was it really deterring anyone from thinking they were more than just friends? Arthur, in his drunken mind, didn’t think so. The bartenders glancing over at them didn’t bother him. Maybe they were concerned because the two of them were clearly drinking too much, and maybe they were concerned that they were going to make a mistake. But it wasn’t their business! And hooking up with Chardonnay, despite the bumps and hurdles they’d had to accomplish along the way, was not a mistake. Arthur considered it one of the best things to happen to him, especially with the stress it relieved and the physical pleasure it gave him to have her in his bed or vice versa.

Arthur smirked when she said that he probably couldn’t dance and insisted that he could and would! The area slowly began to clear as people moved towards the ballroom. Arthur heard Redwood’s voice but didn’t recognize him in that moment. All he focused on was when Chardonnay stumbled forward. He was startled and almost knocked over himself, but he held her hips as she rested her forehead against his shoulder, steadying herself. He was holding her hips partially for her but mostly for himself, because as he stood and tried to process where everyone was going, he suddenly noticed the world was spinning.

He giggled when Chardonnay did and removed his hands from her hips, allowing her to wrap her arm around him, and leaning into her arm as he did so. He tried to lead her towards the ballroom but wound up stumbling and nearly tripping – and when he did so he laughed, covering his mouth with his free hand, his cheeks peppered with color.

He actually didn’t even realize any time had passed when he was talking to Chardonnay. He felt no inkling to look at his phone, which he knew was in his rear pocket along with his wallet. Susan might have messaged him at some point but he didn’t care right now. All he cared about was proving Chardonnay wrong! He could so dance!

”M a great dancer, you’s’see,” he slurred out, nearly stumbling into a wall before he entered the ballroom and looked around the lavish estate. There were a few other people who were tipsy but no one was quite as drunk as Chardonnay and Arthur were. Then again, Arthur wasn’t paying attention to them as he heard the beginning of a pop song. The stumbled into the room and Redwood glanced over at them – and somewhere in the crowd Kenneth was there too, but Arthur registered neither as he wound up accidently stumbling out of Chardonnay’s grip. He steadied himself on the wall, turned towards Chardonnay, and offered her his hand with a natural smile, his cheeks still pink from the alcohol. ”Dance with me?”

He didn’t seem to care that there weren’t many people on the dance floor yet, as people began to socialize and discuss the events of the day. A few people spared Chardonnay and Arthur glances, remembering what had happened earlier.

Arthur glanced around the room they were in and looked at the people. They were all colorful blurs compared to Chardonnay, the only person he knew, and the only person he really cared about here. As she accepted his offer to dance – despite commenting that it was early and that he’d have to prove he had any dance skills – he giggled and when she grabbed his hand he pulled her into his body. He slid his other hand down her side to rest on her waist. It was an odd pose given the pop song playing in the background, but whatever music was playing didn’t really matter as much to Arthur as getting any kind of reaction from Chardonnay did.

”M not gonna step on your feet, m not five,” he pointed out, but he wasn’t really angry or irritated. Instead he just laughed as he started to move his feet and hips to the beat of the song, and even lifted up Chardonnay’s arm so that he could do a little twirl underneath it. Spinning was probably a bad idea – it made the already blurry world around him start to take different shapes – so he decided to stop spinning and instead pulled Chardonnay even closer, so that their bodies were touching and his mouth was close to her neck.

”s not how they dance in clubs. S waaaaay more... like what we do, a in, not here, do,” he said, sliding the hand that was resting on her hip farther towards her back. Whether or not he was slipping down her or trying to cop a feel remained a mystery. ”why do you spend sooooo much money on shoes? They jus get dirt. An’ hide your peda cure. But m not gonna step on your feet. You better not step on mine, you’ll probably make my feet die with heels”

The music was louder than his thoughts were. He’d danced when drunk a few times before, and he’d wound up regretting it each and every time because he tended to go crazy with giggles and twirls that had, more than once, resulted in him having to go puke in the bathroom. However now he wasn’t thinking about past times he’d been drunk at an event like this! It was so much fun, though, that he couldn’t blame himself for having done this before.

More interesting than dancing, for a few minutes anyway, was Chardonnay and her movements. Her face was flushed and she couldn’t seem to stop smiling over at him. They were a spectacle now but they weren’t harming anyone or being vulgar so most people let the giggling duo be. Chardonnay’s giggles and red face motivated him to lift her up and spin her – and her reaction when he did just made him grin up at her before he finally set her back down. They were pressed against one another again, and he kept moving to the beat (or what he thought was the beat, anyway). When she asked how he knew about clubs he giggled. ”s a lot you can imagine bout me,” he pointed out, raising his eyebrows in a childish and teasing way without answering her questions. He barely registered a song change to another song as she asked him why he didn’t spent money on shoes.

”You always get dirt on shoes! They’re shoes, duh,” he said, though when she mentioned her pedicure could be seen he pouted as though he didn’t believe her and looked down towards their feet (which were a swirling blend of colors). He steadied them for a moment and his face registered complete surprise when he finally got to see her pedicure. ”Jesus! You got nice feet, but they’re dyin in those things,” he never noticed her feet before actually. They glittered in the light and looked all strained up in those heels! He had half a mind to get her heels off of her so her feet could not be suffocated. ”a’leas my shoes don make my toes all struffy. How d’you walk in those?”