business & bad blood

celebrate

“Here’s to our new team!”

Hana exclaimed, raising her glass. The others echoed her cheers, clinking their drinks together.

Ryuuji glanced at Alec, who had already downed his drink. “

Pace yourself, will you? We need you to be functional for this project.”

Alec waved him off, a lopsided grin on his face. “

Relax, Ryuuji. I’m just getting started.”

Mika chuckled, watching Alec with a knowing smile.

“I think he’s already past functional, to be honest.”

As the night wore on, laughter and chatter filled the air, but it wasn’t long before Alec was visibly intoxicated, his words slurring.

“Maybe it’s time to get you home,

” Mika said, glancing at Ryuuji. “You know him best. Can you take care of him?”

Fine,” Ryuuji sighed, rolling his eyes but feeling a rush of responsibility. “Just my luck.”

After a few more rounds of laughter, Ryuuji helped Alec into the car.

You really went overboard this time, didn’t you?”

he muttered, shaking his head as Alec leaned back in the seat, a goofy smile plastered on his face.

“Who needs limits?”

Alec replied, his voice thick with alcohol.

The drive to Alec’s apartment was filled with a comfortable silence, the hum of the engine the only sound. When they arrived, Alec fumbled with the keys, grumbling under his breath.

The elevator doors slid shut with a soft ding, sealing Alec and Ryuuji inside the small, opulent space.

The air felt charged with tension, the silence deafening after the raucous celebration downstairs.

Ryuuji shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting to the glowing numbers above the door, willing them to hurry up and reach Alec's floor.

Alec, meanwhile, leaned heavily against the mirrored wall,

his eyes half-lidded and unfocused. The alcohol coursing through his veins had lowered his inhibitions to an all-time low, and the sight of Ryuuji standing stiffly across from him ignited a spark of mischief.

With a slow, deliberate movement, Alec pushed off the wall and stalked towards his nemesis.

Ryuuji tensed, his heart pounding in his chest as Alec invaded his personal space.

The scent of expensive whiskey clung to Alec's skin, making Ryuuji's head swim. Before he could react,

Alec's hands were on his waist, pulling him close. Ryuuji gasped as Alec's lips brushed against his neck, trailing fire in their wake.

What are you doing?" Ryuuji managed to choke out, even as his body betrayed him, reacting to Alec's touch.

Alec chuckled, the sound low and seductive.

"Shh,"

he murmured against Ryuuji's skin.

"Just relax and let me take care of you."

Ryuuji's mind was a whirl of confusion and desire. He knew he should push Alec away, remind him of the animosity between them. But the feeling of Alec's lips on his neck was intoxicating, and he found himself leaning into the touch instead.

The elevator dinged, signaling their arrival at Alec's floor. Alec pulled back, a satisfied smirk on his face.

"Come on,"

he said, taking Ryuuji's hand and leading him out into the hallway.

"Let's continue this somewhere more comfortable."

Ryuuji followed in a daze, his mind reeling from the unexpected turn of events. As they stepped into Alec's lavish