Not So Perfect

Party!

With a beer in her hand Angela makes it to the center of the room. The party been going on for two hour now. The music is loud and the lights off. She's feeling lost in the crowd. It's an eternal peace and happiness. Everyone left her alone. Tony stays close to her but gave her distance at the same time. She still felt everyone staring at her but with Tony around she's left alone. He's  mostly around Jessie talking about who knows what. 

Angela dances a couple of songs not putting down the bottle. She's enjoying her time wholehearted. It has been forever that she let herself relax. She allowed herself to melt into the crowd and sway with the music. She feels a hand on her shoulder and she turns to find Tony standing there. She freezes for a second not realizing until a frown form on his face. She blinks rapidly bringing a smile onto her face. 

"Want a dance?" She asks jokingly moving her body to the music. 

Without a word he takes the bottle in her hand and drinks from it. It takes her by surprise and she is once again freezes on the spot. She frowns as he gulps down the rest of her bottle. 

"Liquid courage," he states after a long gulp. 

"You afraid?" she asks half teasingly. 

"Always when it's about you," he answers truthfully. 

Tony closes the distance between them. She can feel her heart beat rapidly in her chest. Her eyes   don't  loose contact with his. His arm wraps around her waist and pulls her closer. Slowly they begin to sway and she lets him lead her. Her mind a complete blank just focusing into his brown eyes. She's torn on enjoying the moment or pulling away. 

Angela is unaware how long they danced but she begins to stumble. Tony's mostly holding her up at this point. 

"I think you've had enough," Tony murmured, his voice a low rumble in her ear.

A flush crept up Angela's neck, and she dipped her head, avoiding his gaze. Just as a server passed with a tray of drinks, she snatched a bottle, her fingers closing around its cool glass. 

"Courage," she declared, her voice a touch too loud, a touch too defiant.

Before she could take a sip, Tony's hand closed over hers, gently but firmly taking the bottle away.

"Courage?" he questioned, his brow furrowed.

Angela's anger flared. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close. "Dance with me," she demanded, the words slurring slightly.

He hesitated, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes, before his hands settled on her waist. He held her carefully, his movements restrained.

"You've never drunk this much at a party before," he observed, his voice laced with concern.

"I want to have fun," she giggled, her words punctuated by a slight stumble.

Angela swayed, losing her balance momentarily. Tony's grip tightened, steadying her. She looked up at him, her eyes locking onto his. The room spun, but his face remained sharp, clear. He was the only anchor in the swirling chaos. He was the first to break the intense eye contact.

"Thanks," she mumbled, her voice softer now.

Undeterred, Angela looped her arms back around his neck, pulling him closer. She resumed dancing, her movements more deliberate now, trying to mask the effects of the alcohol. She tilted her head back, draining the rest of the beer in one long gulp.

"I need another," she announced, her voice thick.

Tony's hand closed around her wrist, his grip firm. "I think it's time for some water."

" Anthony says grabbing her hand.

"Yeah, yeah," Angela says, waving a hand dismissively, a slightly glazed smile on her face. She turns and heads for the bar, then pauses, her gaze drawn to Tony. He's trapped in a conversation with a woman who's practically draped over him, her hand resting possessively on his arm. Angela's eyebrows arch, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her features. He can handle himself, she thinks, and continues toward the bar.

She grabs a bottle, twists off the cap, and heads for the quiet edge of the pavilion. Spotting a vacant bench, she sinks into it, taking a long, deep swig of her drink.

"I thought you were getting water," Tony's voice startles her, and she feels the bottle being gently removed from her grasp.

"Hey!" she protests, reaching for it. "I'm not that drunk."

"You're close," Tony says, his voice firm but gentle. "And I think you've had enough."

"I just want to have some fun," Angela mumbles, leaning against him.

Angela closes the distance between them, her lips crashing against his. She feels a moment of hesitation from Tony, then his lips move against hers. A wave of heat rushes through her, a surprising intensity that makes her breath catch. She'd half-expected a wave of nausea, like with everyone else lately, but instead, it's...electric. She pulls back, gasping slightly, and then kisses him again, deeper this time.

She presses herself closer, her hand sliding beneath his shirt, desperate for skin-to-skin contact. The heat radiating from him is intoxicating, but she doesn't want to lose the connection by removing his jacket. She grabs his hand, guiding it to her thigh. The simple touch sends a jolt of pure energy through her, and Tony recoils abruptly, pulling away.

Angela stares at him, her chest tight, confusion swirling within her. Had she crossed a line?

"What's wrong?" she asks, her voice trembling slightly. "Didn't you like it?"

Tony's face flushes crimson, and he shakes his head, avoiding her gaze.

"You're drunk," he says, his voice strained.

"And?" she challenges, her tone defensive.

"You'll regret this tomorrow," he replies, his eyes finally meeting hers, a mix of concern and something else she can't quite decipher.

"Maybe," she says, her voice barely a whisper, a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes.

Tony's gaze lingers on her, filled with unspoken questions. Then, he stands up, his expression unreadable.

"I'm going to get you some water," he says, and walks away, leaving Angela alone on the bench, a knot of anxiety twisting in her stomach.