Small doses

Chapter Four

So have you got the guts? Been wonderin' if your heart's still open and if so, I wanna know what time it shuts.

Two days had passed since the fight with Mew. Since they've known each other, their longest fight probably lasted 24 hours, during which Gulf had begged Mew to forgive him, even though he had no idea why he was so upset with him in the first place. This time was different: to begin with, Gulf had never seen Mew acting so cold with him. He knew he just couldn't beg for his forgiveness. He also knew they couldn't stay mad, because the next day they had to go back to their characters, madly in love with each other. Gulf had no idea how they could do it, considering that Mew was avoiding all his calls. Gulf was too proud to go to his house now, or better, he was afraid of being kicked out.

"Here you go, here's your drink". His thoughts were interrupted by the bartender's voice, who was looking at him with pity. It was probably clear to him too that Gulf was not having any fun. As a matter of fact, he was miserable. "Rough night?". Gulf nodded, a little absent-minded. He was not a party guy, but he was going out of his mind at home and he didn't want to ask the others to go out, because they would have probably brought the subject up.

Suddenly he glimpsed a familiar figure not too far from him, drinking a beer and talking with some guy. Gulf looked harder, but it was definitively Mew, smiling about something his friend was saying. Gulf was suddenly pissed off: was he the only one beating himself off because of their argument? In that moment, as if he had sensed his gaze, Mew looked away and met his eyes. He stood there for a few seconds with his bottle in mid-air. Then his interlocutor caught his attention again and Mew went back to completely ignore him.

"Unbelievable". Gulf was talking to himself, just steps from breaking his glass from nerves. "Are you okay, man?". He looked at the bartender like he wanted to kill him too but then decided it was better to get some more liquor first. "Give me a round of shots. The strongest ones". He nodded and quickly prepared them. "Coming right up" .

Without thinking about it, Gulf chugged all the shots one right after the other. "Now, pump your brakes, kiddo". Of course, Gulf ignored him, feeling the sour taste of vodka in his mouth, burning his throat. After a minute he felt better, like all the bad feelings were going away. He wanted to keep going and maybe dance. That's a brilliant idea, Gulf Kanawut.

Gulf bolted off the barstool and jumped on the dance floor. He started moving his hips to the rhythm of music, trying his best not to bump into other people. But of course, he ended up tripping over his own feet. And, of course, he practically ended up in the arms of a very surprised Mew. "Oh, hey. You caught me". Gulf was completely ignoring the fact that Mew was flirting with someone else, the same person who was shooting him a dirty look in that very moment. But Gulf was too drunk to care about hurting the feelings of a stranger. "Would you dance with me?" he could see Mew struggling not to laugh, because he didn't want to give in so easily. "Uhm, would you mind? We were in the middle of something". Gulf looked at the stranger for the first time. He already hated his guts, not only because he was flirting with Mew and probably planning something more but because, even drunk, he could totally see he was a jackass. "As a matter of fact, I would mind". Gulf looked at him arrogantly, putting on one of his best fake smiles. Mew didn't know what to do; he was still holding him, unsure of Gulf's ability of standing without collapsing.

"Don't tell me you're really going to listen to this asshole". Gulf was about to fight back but felt the hold on his arm. "Hey, don't you dare talking to him like that". Mew's veins were getting bigger because of his rage and Gulf found it kind of hot. The guy walked away, cursing and swearing. Gulf bit his lip, feeling even more intoxicated than before. "This means you're forgiving me for being the biggest jerk on Earth?". Gulf's angelic expression compelled Mew to smile, at last. "Oh, there it is, my favorite smile". There was no doubt about Gulf being completely drunk, because he was never so bold and flirty in public. But he was now putting his arms around Mew's neck, who was pleasantly surprised. "Yes, you're forgiven, you fool". Gulf smiled at him even brighter. He was so excited about their reconciliation that he started dancing again, now moving around him in a sexy way. Mew was completely taken aback and couldn't take his eyes off him. He was speechless and that was a first.

"You're trying to seduce me?". Mew laughed, but Gulf could still feel his tension. All this made him want to provoke him even more. "Why? It's working?". Mew's silence was already extremely satisfying. Gulf giggled, going back to dance in front of him, so close that their bodies were touching all the time. At some point, Gulf nestled his head on Mew's shoulder and gently brushed his lips on his neck. For the first time, he was not the one constantly on edge. "Gulf...". Mew turned his face to look at him but Gulf grabbed his hand and dragged him into a storage room, packed with the coats of everyone in the club. Gulf did not give him the opportunity to talk at all: he just drew him towards him, taking him by his shirt and trapping his lips on his. After a moment of hesitation, Mew held him even closer, kissing him back with the kind of passion he didn't even know he had. Gulf was igniting something in him, something he had been hiding for a long time. The same thing was happening with Gulf, who was now pressed against the wall, with his legs intertwined around Mew's waist.

After about ten minutes, Mew broke off from his mouth to catch his breath, watching Gulf's every move. Gulf opened his eyes, not happy with the sudden interruption. "You're completely insane, you know right?". Mew laughed at him, probably imagining how Gulf would feel the next day, without the influence and the courage that alcohol just gave him. "Shut up". Gulf kissed him again. For once in his life, Gulf did not want to think about anything else. In that moment, every piece of his puzzle seemed to fit. He was not ready to let go of that feeling yet.