It's All Fun and Games

Chapter 1: It's All Fun and Games

"God dammit James!" The words rolled familiarly out of the Russian's mouth, having said them more times then he could count. "What the fuck was that for?!" Aleks wasn't as notorious as his friend for having a temper, but that didn't mean that he was never upset. From time to time, after James' shenanigans pressed on, Aleks would snap. Especially when he had done nothing to deserve being messed around with.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Aleksandr." James replied, a large grin spreading across his face as he lit another fire atop Aleks' home in Minecraft. Of course, Aleks didn't believe him for a moment and wasted no time in attacking the other. A chorus of laughter broke out from the others. Everyone had been waiting for something like this to happen. It was as if every time they sat down to record TreeTopia, the worst came out in them. Not a single session had passed without someone getting angry and someone else getting their home messed with.

"Fuck you, asshole." Aleks retorted with a scoff, frantically beating out the flames once his attacker had retreated. The next few minutes passed by as the usually did-- With Sly striking up ridiculous deals, Dan tending to his field, Kootra mining, James brewing potions, and Aleks scrambling to repair his hotel before the session ended.

"Alright, well we're about out of time here. Let's wrap it up." Kootra said, to which everyone begrudgingly agreed. After stopping the recording, Jordan stood up, rolling his shoulders before saying his goodbyes and heading out. More often than not, they'd all hang around the house after the session ended, though today Dan and Jordan were quick to go home, leaving Sly, Aleks, and James as the only ones left.

"Guys, I'm starving! I haven't ate all day!" Eddie groaned, dramatically exhaling before resting a hand on his stomach. "I'm gonna go pick up something. You guys want anything?" He asked, reaching over to grab his keys from the counter. 

"Sure. Grab me whatever you get." Aleks leaned back in his chair, sticking a hand into his pocket to fish out his wallet. "Actually, forget that. Get me chicken nuggets and a Pepsi." The Russian outstretched his hand to his roommate, offering him some money. He gave a small smile and a muttered "Thanks" as Sly came over and took the cash.

"What about you, James? Want anything?" The Latino asked, leaning on the only clean portion of the desk between the two.

"I guess. Get me a burger and something to drink. It doesn't really matter." James responded, following Aleks' example and handing Eddie some money for his food. Truth be told, he wasn't that hungry, but he knew he'd regret it if he didn't get something to eat now. 

"Alright, I'll be back later. Don't kill each other while I'm gone!" Eddie cocked a grin as he left, finding himself to be hilarious. As the door shut behind him, the house seemed to get a lot quieter. Though James could be rather loud as well, he wasn't all that bad unless he got angry.

James laughed, looking over to his friend. "Just you and me now." He said, throwing a joking wink at the other.

"Fuck off." Aleks retorted, shooting a glare to his friend.

"What the fuck did I do? If this is about your damn hotel-"

Aleks cut him off before he could finish. "Yes, it is about my damn hotel. You fucking burnt half of it down, you fucker!" In a display of pure maturity, Aleks did the only sensible thing. He lifted his hand from the keyboard, and proceeded to flip James off.

"Well that's just rude. Come now, there's no need for that kind of language." James pretended to be shocked, throwing in an aghast expression and the occasional gasp. "Quit actin' like a little bitch, Aleksandr."

"Stop calling me that." Aleks seethed, narrowing his eyes. It wasn't so much that he was upset James was a dick, but rather, the fact that he set fire to the one thing Aleks was most proud of. Well, that and the fact that James had done 'pranks' like this before.

"Absolutely not, Aleksandr." A pause. Aleks didn't reply. A few moments passed in silence before James reached over, placing his hand on the Russian's shoulder. "Listen--"

He didn't get a chance to finish his apology, as Aleks grabbed his arm, pulling them both out of their chairs and toppling them over onto the floor with a loud string of curses. Aleks' fist came down, hitting James in the side of his face before he had time to process what was happening. "You fucker!" Aleks yelled, hitting the other again. This time, James reacted. He threw his arms up, shielding his face as Aleks' fists slammed against his forearms. He'd never tell anyone, but he hadn't been in many fights in his life, surprisingly, whereas Aleks seemed to have been in his fair share. Swinging his own arm, James' knuckles connected with the side of the Russian's head with a dull thud that caused James to wince. He didn't want to hurt his friend, of course, but right now he was more focused on protecting himself than pacifying the other. 

Pushing the other back some, James began to rise on shaky legs, attempting to stand and put distance between them. Aleks, however, would have none of that, as he thew himself at the older of the two, slamming him back onto the ground. Quickly, the Russian swung a leg over him, straddling him to keep him down. Yet again, his arm raised, ready to come down in a harsh impact, but he froze. Aleks' eyes locked with James' and his breath caught. It was as if in that moment, they became aware of their proximity. Aleks' pelvis rested just on top of James', whose hands were splayed across Aleks' chest, which heaved in sync with his own; it was obvious the struggle had exhausted them both.

Moving almost on impulse, James reached up, cupping Aleks' face. He was sure a bruise was going to form on his jaw, judging by the swollen look of it. Slowly, James began to lean up, unintentionally sliding his other hand behind Aleks' back in a motion reminiscent of an embrace. Before he could stop himself, he lightly pressed his lips against Aleks' swollen jaw. Pulling back, James looked up at his friend, whose eyes were wide with shock. A flash of panic washed through James-- what the fuck did he just do? He wasn't gay. Not at all. Especially not for one of his closest friends.

"Fuck, dude, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have--" For the third time that evening, James didn't get to finish. Though this time, it was because Aleks' lips came crashing against his in what could only be described as a fervor. James had kissed plenty of people before now, but none were quite like this. Of course, that could be due to the fact that he'd never kissed another man before, but regardless, no one had ever made him feel so . . . giddy. 

James kissed back almost frantically, tangling his fingers in Aleks' hair and pulling him down, flush against him. Aleks groaned into his mouth, grinding against James as he gripped the other's shoulders tightly. Breathlessly, Aleks pulled back, looking down at James with a small smile. "You're forgiven. Asshole." He grinned before James' lips met his again. This time, however, the kiss was slower. Less frantic, even. It was a tender, passionate kiss that drove them both crazy. Aleks slid a hand up James' shirt, resting lightly against his skin in a simple, yet intimate, gesture. 

The sound of a door opening followed by a loud "I'm back!" from their Latino friend echoed through the quiet home. The moment broken, the two men separated at once, clambering back to their feet and straightening out their clothes in a rush. "Damn, you two look like shit. You get in a fight or something?" Eddie commented with a raised brow, setting down bags of fast food on the table. 

"We, uh, yeah." Aleks swallowed harshly, reaching up to rub his jaw. "Something like that. It's whatever, man. Let's just eat." He shot a glance at James after grabbing his food, a faint blush dusting his cheeks. 

"Yeah. Let's just eat." James agreed after a pause, blinking slowly as he took his own food.

Left in the awkward tension of the room, Sly nodded hesitantly, gaze jumping back and forth between the two. "Damn, shit must've went down." He murmured to himself before shaking his head, figuring Aleks would tell him eventually.