Excelsior

Part 6 - Drinking Game

The room was dark when I opened my eyes. Who was piloting the ship? Where was Lotterdome? I sat bolt upright and cried in pain from my head wound. A set of strong hands caught me as I fell back onto the bed I was on, I screamed in fear of Lotterdome and kicked out.

"Shh. Shh. Shh. It's me, Sinclair. It's me!" Captain Elyi tried to hush my screams.

I struggled less. "C-captain?"

"It's me. It's me. You're safe now. I've got you." He cooed in my ear. His arms were around me as I buried my face in his shirt and cried from the pain in my cheek.

"Where's L-lotterdome?" I asked as my sobs quieted.

"He's being detained until we dock again. I want him off my ship." Captain Elyi almost growled. "He hurt you. The only reason I found you was because I wanted to apologize for what I had done earlier in the Gondola. I heard a scream, then banging. That's when I walked in on you." His grip tightened. "Thank god I did... I don't know what he would have- No. I do know what he would have done..." He stood and strode to a bookcase, he moved a book and the shelf slid away, revealing a liquor cabinet. He pulled a bottle and two glasses out.

"Forgive me, I don't drink often. Brandy is about the only thing I'll drink." He poured two glasses and handed one to me. "I have no medicine for pain, so this will have to do."

"Thank you." I nodded, taking the glass. I'd had a few drinks at parties with my parents but never freelance drinks like this. I sipped gently at the brandy and winced as it burned down my throat. It was an addictive feeling and I held my glass out for another before I finshed the first. He refilled it and I leaned back, letting the pain drift away slowly.

"I don't drink much myself." I said, downing my third glass.

"Slow down then, Sinclair." Captain Elyi cautioned.

"I'm fine, Captain. It's taking the pain away." My words began to slur a little.

"How much are you going to drink?" He asked.

"I don't know. As much as it takes to put me to sleep." I answered.

"Shouldn't be long then." Captain Elyi stated. Still sipping his first glass.

"Wanna bet?" I aksed. It came out like "Wann beh?", as I later found out.

He simply nodded and I returned to my drink. "Lets play a game?" Captain asked.

"Wuh game?" I was barely able to think straight, let alone play a game. My mind was beginning to get foggy from the alcohol.

"Question game."

"Sureh..." I knocked back another drink as the pain of my face returned. "Yuh firssst."

He chuckled and smiled. "Alright... Do you feel safe on my ship?"

My answers were simple; "No."

"Why?"

"Lotter... Lotterdome." I replied, shivering.

"Is that all?"

"Yes..."

There was silence as he sipped his brandy a moment.

"What would make you feel safe?"

"Being with you."

Silence again.

"Your turn."

I paused, my mind becoming increasingly foggy. "Howh wull you make me full safe?"

He stood and moved in front of me, putting his hands on my thighs. "Any way I can, Sinclair." One hand traced up the side of my face that wasn't an ugly bruise and found its way into my hair. He brushed it back from my face and pulled me closer. I didn't fight it this time. This time I had a feeling that I was safe with him.

His lips were soft on mine. Gentle, protective, sweet, careful, everything all in one. I felt wanted. I felt alive. I felt beautiful for the first time in my life. His hand firmly held my face and he continued to kiss me like no one has ever before, and kissed him back with all my drunkeness.

That first kiss of ours was the start of something incredible that no one could have seen coming... This was just the beginning of our grand adventure.