Kota (Male reader x Greed and the chimeras)

Hot Toddy, Anyone?

(Warning! Mentions of alcohol and really descriptive paragraphs. If you don't like to read...then why the hell are you reading this???)

If you don't like slow starts, read chapter 2 and skip over to chapter 5.  

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There was noise as usual at the Devil's Nest. Sitting in his "throne", Greed watched them all drink and relax, his popular devious smile slicing his face in two.

After the order from two days ago was collected with 'minimal' ruckus (a few bashed heads here and there, one or two explosion, no death on his side) and a nice sleep, the miss-matched family of chimeras celebrated. Drinks were served and drowned at record speed, booming laughter filled the room. Some chimeras were still asleep, others stuffing their faces, fully content.

Greed noted that along a handful of his chimeras, Bido had yet to wake up. Dolcetto was still at his table in the corner, drink in hand, watching Roa win his 5th arm wrestle match. Ulchi challenged him next with the hopes of winning Martel's bet.

-I'll win this for sure.

-Right.~ because a crocodile can out match a bull.

-Don't cry when you owe me three tanks of gin.

- Let's see what you got.' She smirked.

The boss turned his gaze away from his closest henchmen, scanning the room to land near the very back. Flint, Cobbler, Kota and Hisk were gathered on the couch, with Kota squished at the end. Gavin would have been there sitting with Kota, but the cheetah needed to heal from his shoulder wound, so he was sleeping in the bunker under the bar. It was quieter there. Meanwhile, the bear, rat and lizard chimeras were either half drunk or asleep for all Greed knew. The snow leopard didn't seem far from them, an empty pint of who-knows-what in his hands as he tried to keep his head up, eyes focused on the poker table. The kid had drunk his first liquor, it seemed. Greed snickered.

So much for abstinence.

-Oh, this is going to be fun.

As he made his way over to see how drunk his youngest member got pressured into, Greed could feel something was off. Normally, Kota would notice anyone who enters a 20 meter radius, raising his hands to his hips or knees (sometimes shoulders) or his eyes constantly recording everything. Since the labs, his instincts would flare quickly no matter how tired he was, making him ready to fight. Or flee. 

He would usually flee. 

This annoyed Greed to no end at the beginning. They didn't need cowards to betray them. He acted harsher around the kid, but it didn't yield results. Instead, Kota avoided him at every corner. It didn't help when Greed found out that snow leopards are naturally shy, preferring to hide than run. Then again, Kota's camouflage and leaping skills had come in handy, saving their asses with a warning or bringing backup. Most of his party could fight, so this dynamic worked.

Kota would always come back anyway.

Shaking his thoughts aside, Greed kept his saunter easy, as he came to a stop beside the teen.

Only then did he notice exactly what was off. Kota was rocking back and forth like a cradle, just enough not to pull his bandages. The kid only acted like that during his first week outside the confinement. It only stopped when he finally felt safe. Greed tisked.

Shaking like a leaf. Must be thinking about that stink hole again.

That had been months ago. Greed looked closer, scanning the oblivious kid.

He's pale. Ugh, a sick chimera is so annoying to have... Now, how to get him out of his trance? hmm.

He snapped his fingers.

Ahhh... Got it.

With a sly grin, Greed snatched the cup with no resistance.

Shocked, Kota jumped to his feet, hands ready to strike only to hold his head and almost, almost fall back with a thump. Greed cackled as Kota's vision cleared.

-B-boss!'

-Sit down kid! You look almost as drunk as these other beastards.

-Y-ya freaked me out, b-boss.' The kid smiled sheepishly, hand behind neck. Ignoring the reply, Greed sniffed the cup. He whistled, cackling glee written on his face.

-What in this crazy world did you drink?

He found it rather amusing how Kota scrunched up his face to think.

-Something along the lines of Hot...Tabby? Torny? Uh... I forgot.

-Hot Toddy?

-Yeah! That!' A tired but giddy smile responded.

-Didn't know the bartender knew that one.' A drink made for colds. Now that's something new. He eyed the smaller, noticing the excessive sweat Kota kept trying to wipe off his forehead. Time to pry. 'Any reason why try such a complex liquor for a first time?'

The giddiness was replaced with childish guilt. Picking at his bandaged hand, the kid answered.

-Uh...no. No reason. Just Dolcetto recommended it to me and said I won't get too drunk and... Hey! This is not my first drink ever!" He pouted, cheeks turning pink.

LIAR