Acceptance

Never have i ever...

     "Scoot over",  Tilda said while shoving the blonde man.
Ryan couldn't help the smile from slipping into his face.
"Man,  I'm bored" Nick,  Tilda's boyfriend lamented.
"So,  let's play a game", the only female in their midst suggested.
They all looked interested except from Ryan. He was the oldest among them and to him,  it made things awkward.
Quinn nudged him. "It will be fun", he assured.
Ryan sighed. "any ideas?"
" twenty questions ", Nick exclaimed.
" Never have i ever", she winked.
"No way, Quinn argued.
" Bring it on", Nick commented.
"let's vote on it" she said.
They all stared at one another.
" if you are in support of twenty questions let me see your hand up"
Only Quinn put up his hand,  both his hands.
" the other hand doesn't count".
"for never have i ever,  hands up"
Herself,  Nick and finally Ryan raised their hands.
" you wound me,  Ryan", Quinn said with a pout.
" everybody in a circle.  I'll go get that that beer".
They did as she instructed . " you made a terrible mistake, Quinn whispered to Ryan who gave him a baffled expression.
" we are having fun,  aren't we? "
Quinn held his gaze. Damn,  he felt like grabbing him by his collar and kissing him into oblivion. The clearing of a throat deviated his attention.
"sorry to burst your bubble man and I'm not homophobic or anything but damn,  You both look like burger and fries right now, Nick said with a grin.
Quinn frowned at him. "Man,  you have a twisted sense of humor "
Nick looked like he wanted to argue before Tilda came running in.
" Boys,  someone is going to get wasted tonight". Her voice was exuberant.
Quinn rolled his eyes."  Get on with it".
She arranged the four bottles of beer each in front of them and settled down in her position.
" I will start first,  seeing I came up with the idea"
They waited patiently.
" never have i ever sang in the shower"
" seriously?,  Quinn whined. "You are purposely doing this"
" take a mouthful, Quinn,  don't cheat",  she scolded.
They all did,  Ryan too.
It was Ryan's turn.
" never have i ever pretend to laugh at a joke I didn't get".
Tilda took a mouthful.
Now,  it was Quinn's turn. He rubbed his palms mischievously. "It's time to up this game".
" never have i ever tried a banana and mayonnaise sandwich "
"That's nasty, Nick said with a grimace.
Tilda rolled her eyes and swallowed a mouthfull.
Nick grinned. "never have i ever been in handcuffs ".
They both stared at each other,  suspicious looks on their faces.
"come on man,  don't tell me you haven't,  he cried.
" I might be many things but I'm not a criminal. Take a mouthfull, Nick.
Nick groaned but did as he was told.
Back to Tilda's turn.
"never have i ever watched Spongebob square pants".
" which kid didn't watch that T.v program? Quinn said as he took a mouthfull.
" I didn't, Ryan replied with a smirk.
It was Ryan's turn again.
" never have i ever used a fake ID ".
" they all swallowed a mouthfull.".
Ryan gawked in disbelief.
Back to earth and Quinn.
" never have i ever have sex on the roof"
Nick feigned a hard cough and Tilda blushed hard. She threw a cushion at Quinn.
"Swallow the beer, both of you",  he pointed at them.
Ryan smiled as he saw them carry out their punishment.
" we should try it sometime",  Quinn leaned in and whisper by his ear.
Ryan shivered from the feel of Quinn's breath on his skin and couldn't stop the blush from staining his cheeks.
" The last person  and we are done. Wouldn't want to be someone else's designated driver,  Tilda said.
Ryan nodded in agreement.
Finally it was Nick's turn.
" never have i ever dressed as the opposite sex".
They looked at each other again.
" you lose again, take the beer,  Quinn said.
His eyes dilated when he saw Ryan taking a mouth full.
He shrugged. " one time, I wore my cousin's dress and pretended to be a girl".
"And? ", Tilda urged,  suddenly interested.
Ryan shrugged. "my dad saw me and beat the living daylights out of me. He laughed dryly. Learnt my lesson".
Quinn swallowed a heavy lump and there was a moment of silence.
" let's clear this up,  Tilda said and stood up with a bit of stagger.
Nick got the gist and stood up too.
"I'll take him home,  Quinn suggested.
Tilda nodded. "goodnight Ryan".
Ryan  smiled at her. " thanks for tonight,  both of you".
Nick nodded at him in response.
"Are you okay? ", Quinn asked in a worried tone.
Ryan nodded. "I can hold my drink".
Ryan?, he persisted.
The older man held his gaze. "I'm fine. It's in the past now".
Quinn didn't argue. He accompanied him to his car.