I Fell In Love, But It Wasn't Mine To Have

8

Tsukiyama settled into his favorite booth at The Barking Dog, Cho squeezing in beside him.
The place was crowded, the other customers loud and rambunctious.
The air was filled with the smell of cigarettes, alcohol, sweat, and arousal. Scantily dressed women walked around delivering drinks, while the males they were serving leered.
Within five minutes, Shuu and Cho had their drinks.

"This place is alright, " Cho admitted. "I can see why you like it."

"Told you. Plus the guys'll pay anything for a piece of ass," Shuu rolled his eyes.

"That just gave it even more points," Cho cracked, sipping her blood wine.

The gourmet took a long drink of his own, closing his eyes at the smooth, delicious flavor.
Tsukiyama had never been good at holding his liquor. Three drinks in, he was a bit tipsy, leaning on Cho's shoulder and giggling as she recounted a story of someone she had slept with the other night.

"Guy was a virgin," she smirked. "He acted like he knew what he was doing, but ugh, God, no he didn't."

Tsukiyama giggled harder, motioning for another round of drinks.
Several men looked his way, looking interested, but none of them approached. Shuu smiled brightly, waving clumsily at a few. There weren't any that really caught his eye. He had long stopped feeling actual attraction. It was insane how fast his life had gone downhill. Just a few months ago, he would never do the things he did now. He would still be stalking Kaneki, and growing flowers, and bedding women every other week, men too, then tossing them away like garbage. Playing piano and reading and thinking about how superior he was. Look at him now. Music pounded in his ears, something fast and catchy, and he laid his head on the table, enjoying the feeling of weightlessness and absolute carelessness alcohol had on him.

"Hey, Shuu-chan. Don't pass on me yet, we have somewhere to go still, " Cho laughed, tugging him to his feet. He stumbled, landing in her arms, face accidentally pressed into her ample chest. Cho snickered.

"Easy, bambi."

There were whistles and laughter in the background, but Tsukiyama ignored them.
He straightened, snorting. "Your breashts *hic* shmell like baby powder, onee *hic* -chan."
She swatted his ass, leading him outside."Shut up. At least they don't smell like your flowery gay ass."

"I do not smell *hic* flowery. Though gay ish definitely on the *hic* right track."
He followed her happily, head spinning, colors swimming in front of his eyes. "Where *hic* are we going, Cho?"

"Someplace special. You'll love it, little brother."

Shuu nodded, satisfied. He knew that Cho wouldn't lead him anywhere he could get hurt or be made to do something he didn't want to do.
They walked for a while, what seemed like forever to the gourmet, him stumbling every other step and humming tunelessly as his gaze wandered in every direction. He felt more relaxed than he had in a long time, and he wished he could feel like this all the time.
Cho wouldn't say where they were going, though he'd asked several more times, but he didn't mind her sneakiness. It was one of the things he loved best about her.

"Alright!" Cho said, opening a door and gesturing for Shuu to go in first. "Camps first, my gay brother."

Tsukiyama rolled his eyes and giggled, stepping past her, squinting in the harsh light of the building. It smelled and looked vaguely familiar, but he brushed the thought off.
"Let's grab a seat in the back, 'kay? I have to do something real quick, but promise me you'll wait up."

"Of *hic* course," Shuu nodded agreeably. "You didn't *hic* tell me you had bushinessh, though. Ish it a *hic* good job?"

"I thinks so, babes," Cho smiled, guiding him to a booth and motioning for the bartender (a young male ghoul) to bring drinks. Tsukiyama sat in the booth, breathing in the scent of the place. He had definitely been here before, he thought.
Looking around, he noted the brick walls, clear globes sputtering with light. He closed his eyes, yawning. Cho wouldn't care if he napped here.
He was so tired, and the smooth, cool tabletop was a great place to rest his head on.

Tsukiyama stirred as drinks were set before him, and he grinned drunkenly at the bartender, who looked very, very familiar. "Hey. Have I *hic* sheen you before?"
The ghoul blinked at him. "I don't think so, buddy. Enjoy your drinks."

"M'kay, thanksh," Shuu laughed, taking a gulp of blood wine.

His gaze landed on some ferns in a pot in the corner, and he watched them rustle, not sure what was making them move till he glimpsed the fan on the ceiling whirring away.
He finished his drink, then eyed the others. He was awfully thirsty, and he knew Cho didn't care if he helped himself, so.........
Four drinks later, and Shuu was plastered.