Euronymous

Chapter Eleven

T/W - alcohol/drug use, mature themes, violence

I hadn't managed to swap my shift, but I did manage to get off work early. It was around 11pm when I arrived. The house was alive with people, music and the roar of the fire outside. The mixture of smoke scents took a few minutes to get used to.
I'd brought Krista with me. She had driven us after picking me up from work. I'd quickly showered and gotten changed into fishnets, a denim skirt and an oversized black t-shirt with a white long sleeve underneath, my leather jacket on top for warmth.
As we arrived, Krista had found Jørn and wanted to catch up with him. I'd spotted Øystein, sans corpse paint, wearing his usual jeans and leather jacket. Beside him was a girl with long blonde hair. I recognised her from around, specifically the house warming. She stepped closer as they spoke, touching his arm. I looked away.
Desperate for a drink, I slid into the house, bee-lining it to the kitchen.
"Elsie!" I turned to my name. Jan grinned, arms open as he embraced me in a hug. I laughed, taken aback at the affection welcome.
"Drink?" He offered, pouring whiskey into a plastic cup before I could respond.
"My saviour." We tapped cups together as a 'cheers'.
"What're you doing here?" Erik appeared in the kitchen behind Jan.
"Drinking." I replied, polishing off the last drop in my cup. I winced, holding my sleeve to my mouth as I held in a burp. The whiskey was neat, and not particularly tasty. They probably ran out of mixers an hour ago. Jan cheered and poured me another.
"'Atta girl." Jan winked at me and Erik slapped his arm. I rolled my eyes.
Suddenly, the kitchen got more crowded - Øystein and Varg walked in, chatting.
I could have sworn Øystein's face lit up when he saw me, even just for a moment.
"Happy birthday, cannibal prince of death." I smirked behind my cup. His eyes flickered to me, full of surprise before he laughed hesitantly.
"It's not my birthday." He denied, shaking his head. "Even if it was, there's nothing to celebrate. That would be celebrating life. We celebrate death." He raised his drink.
I saw Jan roll his eyes but I managed to suppress mine from doing the same. He clearly didn't want anyone knowing.
"Right." I laughed a little, pushing my way past them to return to Krista.
I'd been sitting with Erik and Varg most of the night. I don't know why - Varg had this vibe about him that I disliked, but I ignored it. He was trying to fit in. But then again, weren't we all?
I was feeling tipsy, but I stood up, spying Krista waiting by the end of the driveway. I wondered if she was okay. As I stood, I realised I was maybe a little more than tipsy. All I'd been drinking was whiskey and beer.
I'd needed them to distract myself from Øystein. Rather, the blonde girl that seemed to be following Euronymous like a lost puppy. He would indulge her every now and then, but I noticed that he was more interested in head banging to whatever song was playing or posing for photos with Pelle. Still, I didn't blame her.
I'd managed to stumble about halfway up the driveway when I felt a warm hand on my wrist. I jumped and gasped, making Euronymous laugh.
"Easy, just me, Peach." His voice was playful, but his words slurred slightly. He took my hand gently and pulled me closer to the tree line, further away from the light of the fire.
"How'd you know it was my birthday?" He asked, squeezing my hand softly before letting it go. He took another sip of the beer he was holding.
"I thought it wasn't your birthday, Euronymous?" I teased, smirking.
His eyes flickered down to mine, holding my gaze through the locks of long hair that had fallen over his face.
I swallowed, and dug into my jacket pocket, pulling out a small velvet pouch. I handed it to him. He hesitated but took it, opening it and pulling out the leather wristband inside.
"It's not much." I shook my head a little, my stomach suddenly knotted with nerves. "You don't have to wear it." He was already putting it on, examining it. He looked down at me, glassy eyes soft as he stepped closer. I felt my body tense, my breath hitch.
"Elsie!" Krista.
His eyes tore away from mine as he looked past my shoulders. His expression hardened.
"What's he doing here?" His voice was low, deep. I turned to see Aksel and Emil walking toward us with Krista.
"I didn't invite him." I shook my head slightly and he stepped back.
There was a roar of cheer back over toward the fire.
"Fight!" I heard someone call out. I looked past the crowd and saw Erik shove someone.
"Shit."