Take a Shot

Dreams

"Em!"

"Matt."

"We need to talk."

"Am I in trouble?"

"Listen, just come with me."

Matt's cheeks were pink in the way that usually decorated his face when he was just a little drunk.

"Do I get a drink first?"

"Duh." He handed her a glass, and she grinned, taking it and downing it immediately. Not inspecting the glass went against most her instincts, but she trusted him. And this drink must have been a lot stronger than she'd expected, because she'd been drinking for a long time but she felt the effects immediately. Her grin got a little loopy.

"What is this?"

"Jokr icewhiskey and cherry liquor, too, plus half of one of those cherry sodas you brought back a few days ago. I thought you'd like it."

"Gods, I do. I love cherry."

"Y-yeah," Matt chuckled, scratching his cheek, the pink on his face turning red. "You love...Cherry. Right. I know." She squinted, handing him the glass back.

"What's with you?"

"Nothing! Nothing. I've got more if you like it," he said, pointing a thumb over his shoulder towards his room's hallway. She raised an eyebrow, grin firmly in place. She took a step towards him, tipping her head to the right.

"Are you trying to get me drunk at a secondary location?" she giggled. She expected him to roll his eyes and lead the way, but was surprised when he leaned in towards her, too.

"Maybe so. You comin' or what?" She nodded.

"Lead the way, oh master of temptation," she chuckled. He laughed, heading down the hall. She followed, more than a little concerned with how wobbly he was, but she decided he was probably fine. She put her hands in her pockets, waiting as he fumbled with the door handle and finally jostled it open.

"Alright, gimme a sec to make it," Matt mumbled.

"You got it, hot stuff."

He jumped, like a flinch. She frowned. Why was he so nervous? He was normally a lot calmer after a drink or two, but it looked like he'd had significantly more than that, so he should be incredibly relaxed...and instead, he was jumpy. Odd.

She shrugged. He was sort of a weird guy. Maybe she was overthinking it. He probably needed to bitch about something and just wanted to butter her up a little first. That was pretty normal.

"Here we go~!" Matt sang finally after a bit of clanking around. He turned around and the glass was fuller than before. Emerald felt butterflies in her stomach as she reached out for it. He made his way to the bed, pulling himself cross-legged and watching her. She squinted.

"Why are you watching me so intently?"

"What?! Nothing!" Matt nearly snapped his neck looking away. Emerald snorted and took a sip. She was probably overthinking it. They were best friends. Maybe he was so nervous because he had a crush on a coworker and wanted to talk to her about it. That would be new, and also hell for Emerald because of how desperately she wanted him, but she wouldn't turn him down or anything. Spending time with him had gotten sort of scarce since Roma getting dragged back to Harmony kicking and screaming. Matt had been put on princess duty, as he had when she was a child, because he was one of the few grunts still around from her childhood. Geechis thought a familiar face might help calm her down.

Emerald finished the drink before she knew what was happening. Gods, it was good.

"You're sure this is icewhiskey and liquor, that's it?" She could already hear herself slurring. Matt laughed, making grabby hands for the glass. Emerald reached out, her hand sort of blurring. This stuff worked fast.