Behind His Back

Loud music blared in the room, shocking some who entered the pub as newer customers and welcoming some who were regulars. The first floor of the pub was always so lively and energetic. People danced, people sang, some just laughed, hung their arms around each other and had a good time. A man with deep orange hair and extreme bushy brows slammed a foot on one of the wooden chairs.

"Next round is on me, fellas!" he exclaimed with a smile. This caused nearly everyone to erupt in applause and cheers as glasses were passed around from waiter to customer. One would swear this party could last all night! And with Ireland there, a night at the pub could turn into waking up there in the morning.

"You sure know how to keep the party going!" Ireland turned to the closest voice to him, which was difficult in its own part. He smiled brightly at the sight of his younger brother.

"Béal!" Ireland gave the other a great bear hug yet was careful enough not to spill the beer in his hands. He set him down, Béal laughing happily from his brother's excitement. "So glad ye could make it!"

"Ya think I'd miss one of ye famous pub parties?" Béal gave Ireland a small whack to his arm, the beer sloshing around in the glass Ireland held.

"I figured England kept ya back. He normally doesn't let ya come to these!"

Béal gave the other a sly smirk. "Who said he let me come over?"

Ireland stood shocked. "Did...you sneak over?"

Béal shrugged, that cunning grin still plastered over his face. "I told him I wasn't feeling well to avoid any confrontation and basically zoomed on over."

"That's why ye outfit looks a little more ragged." It was Ire's turn to give Béal the small whack to his arm. Béal's attire was pretty different from usual. Instead of the more proper suits or dress shirts, he was wearing more casual clothing similar to Ireland's, yet he still wore a nice tie with it too. Guess one can never truly escape the "proper life."

"That's all another story, though. I'm here, and I'm gonna spend time with me brother!" Béal hooked an arm around the slightly taller male, who in turn offered the glass of beer he had been holding to him. It was an honor to have Ireland offer one a beer, but his own? That was practically a godsend. However, with it being Béal, it was a familiar thing, an act of trust or "I like you enough to give you something I adore". "Bro, for me?" Béal threw his hand over his heart, letting out a fake sniffle. "Yer too nice to me, brother." He took the glass, gulping down at least half of it before pulling it away with a satisfied, "Ah!" Béal wiped his mouth and said, "Nothin' like a pint to refresh ya from the long journey over!"

Ireland roughly patted his back. "That's the spirit!"

The night carried on, the music and people roaring loudly with glee. Ireland and Béal even had a small dance off of who could Riverdance the best. Béal had fallen flat on his bottom, earning a small "Awww..." from the crowd. Nevertheless, he was helped up by some from the group, given a pat on the back, and his night continued.

Some time passed, and Béal began to feel a rush of heat from what he assumed to just be the warm air of the pub. However it didn't let up. No amount of fanning himself with anything did any good. He decided to give himself a rest at the counter of the pub.

I probably drank a little much...

A rough hit to his back snapped him from his thoughts, a faint gasp escaping him.

"Oi, Béal. Ye alright?" Béal turned to see Ireland, who appeared concerned for his brother. "Ya never sit off like this. Did ya drink too much?"

"H-Heh. I think I did," Béal replied with a nervous chuckle. "I just need a moment's rest." Ireland gently rubbed his back in a soothing motion.