Going with the Flow

03: Party For Two

           ~sigh~ I've plopped myself on the floor, huddled up against one of the sofas while checking my phone for constant weather updates. They're stressing the fact that conditions are getting worse and that everyone should just stay home and off the roads. Meanwhile, Rafayel checked his phone as well. One by one, person after person texted him, cancelling their invitation to the party, which was understandable given the warnings and all. It was just a huge bummer because we had spent so much time putting everything into place. For me, anyways it was a huge bummer. Rafayel seemed to be delighted with every text he sent back, smiling while responding to everyone, telling them how ''sorry'' he was that they couldn't make it. Yea. He's totally sorry alright. After a bit of texting, he walked away and into the kitchen. As I waited for his return, I decided to send a text to Tara, explaining to her how bummed I was that the entire event was cancelled. 

   Tara: Aww, that's too bad. I was hoping you'd meet some handsome guy at the party that you could dance with and spill the beans afterwards. :(

Me: Yea, same. Maybe next time when Father Winter isn't on his period and decides to trap everyone inside. >:(

Tara: Maybe. Well, I hope you get home safely whenever the roads aren't so treacherous. Let me know that you got back safe, kay? <3

Me: I will. You be safe as well. <3

    I stay slumped against the couch, now checking my phone's time. It's gotten pretty late already. I glanced out the window to see the heavy snow fall to the ground and hear the wind with its grizzly howls. I sigh once more. Just as I did so, Rafayel glided over to me gracefully, handing me a glass of warm milk.

''Make sure to sigh a lot, okay? Only your carbon dioxide can fight against this frigid air.'' He smirked at me as I took the glass from his hand. I wasn't too worried, we had plenty of heat. The fireplace was already lit, so he's definitely joking. I didn't hide my disappointment when I looked up at him and then downed the milk in one go. 

''We went through the trouble of decorating the living room for the party...It was all for nothing and now the blizzard has us trapped here'', I exclaimed, twirling the now empty glass around in my hand.

''You make it sound like my home is some sort of prison'', he replied with a mock pout, leaning down to ruffle my hair some with a hint of resignation in his voice. ''I know it sucks when things don't meet your expectations, but who knows how long this blizzard will last. If you keep this up, you're gonna waste your vacation.'' I could tell that he wasn't the least bit upset about the party being cancelled. He tried to console me in a sing-song like voice to heighten my spirits. Honestly, he was right. I didn't wanna spend the rest of my vacation sulking. Pretty soon I might be so busy with UNICORN exams and training that I might not have the opportunity to relax like this for awhile. Rafayel then begin to walk around the couch to sit down, the cushion tugging at my hair a bit as it sunk in after he sat. I reach upwards to tug my hair back and out of the way, but upon doing so, my fingers brush up against something warm. I see from the corner of my eye that he's taken a few strands of my hair that had fallen on his knee and started playing with it, twirling my hair in his fingers softly. It shows even more how unbothered about the party he was and instead, he's enjoying the tranquility. 

''Don't tell me that I was the only one excited about the party...'' I scoffed a bit, letting him play with my hair, blowing a couple of strands from in front of my face. 

''Who says I wasn't? It could've been worse, though. A party can't be considered a failure just because there aren't a lot of people. We have each other, yeah?'' Just then, an epiphany hit. He isn't upset because it's just the two of us here. It's like, he wanted it that way. Or was at least hoping for it. 

''Just you and me...'', I respond, pretending to be lost in thought.

''Even though it sucks, we should stick to the plan''. he continued. ''The party's about to start. Is our guest planning on joining in on the fun?'' He's completely delighted at this point that it's just us here, and he's not hiding it. To be honest, it's endearing. 

''...It's not impossible. Let me get off the floor first...And can you let go of my hair?'' I look up at him, giving him a playful glare. He smiles brightly and chuckles.

'' Sure. But could you let go of my hand first?'' I hadn't realized I was playing with his fingers along with my hair, my fingers dancing around with his. I blush softly and let go, letting him get up from the sofa. 

Rafayel dimmed the lights in the room a bit, setting the mood and atmosphere just right for a relaxing evening together, the audible 'pop' sound echoing throughout the living space as he pops the cork on a bottle of red wine soon afterwards. The deluge of the sweet aroma, coupled by the succulent strawberry cake sitting not far away calms my senses even more. ''Can this really be a party when it's only us?'' I look to him and ask as he began to pour us both a sizable glass of the velvet wine.

''You're right. It's a date then'', he replies nonchalantly and with no hesitation. 

''Those are two different things...!'' I wasn't prepared for the answer he gave me and my face flushes just a bit. In just a few moments he walked to me, sliding me a freshly cut piece of the strawberry cake and hands me a glass of the wine, then raises his own glass in my direction. 

''Here's to our revelry amidst the snow.'' We clinked our glasses together in a toast and took a sip. Revelry? Not sure what he meant by that if it was just us two, how much noise can the both of us make on our own?

''Dates, revelry-anyone would think that it's all fun and games.'' I took a small bite of the cake on my fork and smiled, the spongy and creamy dessert tinging my tongue just right. It's very well paired with the wine, that of which I take another sip to wash down the cake. 

''There's no one else so I can say whatever I want. Who's gonna stop me? Or do you have a better idea?'' He smirks again, looking over to me as if it were a challenge. I snicker back at him, enjoying more of the cake and wine, relaxing more as the full-bodied beverage starts to tingle my senses. 

''...Not really, you should do whatever makes you happy.'' We clink our glasses together once more and share a knowing smile. The slightly cold wine sneaks into my body like a cunning breeze. The merriment around us seems to become even more vivid over time. I trace the rim of my wine glass with my finger, somewhat eager to find out why he's so content. ''I had a feeling that you've been in a good mood for a while. Am I wrong?'' He strides over to me as if he was on air. Or more like, floating on water. He leaned down and fixed his gaze on me, his gleeful mood even more apparent.

''Isn't it obvious? You know, I'm even happier now than I was a moment ago.''

''Hmm...'' As if to make sure that I could ''feel'' it, Rafayel props his chin up with one hand, and moves his face closer to mine. His smile and mirthful eyes aren't just obvious, they seem to be tinged with red wine.

''What is it? Are you feeling it? Or are you drunk?'' My eyes widen a little at his words, the pitch of his tone changing to something of that of which I can't really figure out. One thing was very obvious though...the look he gave me by the time he finished his sentence was not like a look I've seen from him before. His eyelids seemingly became a bit heavy and...lustful? The crisp clink of my glass hitting the table as I sat it down draws my attention elsewhere. I see that there's still some of the smooth, red liquid inside of it. I blink...We're not even close to being drunk.