Do I hate you? [BXB]

- Xmas spec -

"Merry Christmas!" Cole storms through a familiar door and wobbles into the back of a desk chair.

"Jesus Christ, what are you-?" James finds himself flinching at the sudden intrusion. He had expected the college dorms to be empty at this time of the year, so the night was planned to be quiet. However, it looked like things were about to get noisy.

"Exactly...That's what I'm saying." Cole is still swaying and, just before he can fall, James leaps up and catches him.
"Woahhhhh!" Cole squeezes James' biceps and his eyes are wide from surprise, and bloodshot from the alcohol, "No wonder you're so strong when you have mushels like theze."

"Okay, I know you guys are dating or whatever-"

"We aint datin' alright? Jush...friends..." Cole's face is on fire and he has to rest his head on James' chest. He sighs and appears to grip onto his 'friend' tighter. "I'm not gay."

"Yeah, whatever, just keep the touching to a minimum when I'm here." Aiden has followed in behind. In his left hand, he is carrying a bottle of beer.

"I take it that's his?" James pats the guy on his chest and gives Aiden a scolding look.

"Yeah, you knew that. Anyway, you should see TJ - those two are the worst when you put alcohol in front of them." James had been to at least two parties at the Patterson brothers' house so was accustomed to the pair when drunk.

"You, TJ and Cole? I have to guess that there is some kind of party happening." Cole lifts his head in response with an expression of wild excitement.

"We here to invite you to the party! I called but you didn't anshwer, that made me saaad James!" His eyes roll at Cole. He was fully aware that his phone had been buzzing, telling him that Cole wanted his attention, for the past two hours. He intended to avoid him, especially when he was drunk like this, but there is only so much you can do when someone turns up at your door and forces you to join a party. That wasn't the only reason he had completely abandoned his phone, but now that he was about to be forced to leave, he didn't need to be so on edge about that anymore.

"Yeah, come on James. I'm bored of looking after this lot, you should join our get togethers more often." Aiden raises the bottle, knowing it wasn't tempting enough to coax James but still hoping.

"There is a big difference between a party and a get together. Anyway, I see enough of you all at college - especially you." He pushes Cole away, forcing his grip to loosen as he stumbles back onto his feet. They stare at each other and Aiden notices a change in his expression; like the softening of a parent admitting defeat and giving in to buying the ice cream for their screeching child.

"It sort of started as a movie thing so, if you won't come for the alcohol or for him," Aiden points the bottle neck at Cole. Mistaking it for an invitation, Cole clumsily reaches for the bottle and necks it. "Then we'll at least let you pick the next film - Cole slow down!"

James walks back to the door, where Cole and Aiden are stood waiting, and rips the bottle from Cole. There is a stream of beer as the bottle parts from Coles lips. A frown emerges and he ogles at the bottle, waiting for James to give it back. When he doesn't, instead of throwing a fit, he lights up in the realisation that he has accepted the party invitation.

Cole grabs Aiden and they run off down the stairs. James gets the keys and his phone, then locks the door. Before following though, he looks at his phone and sees a message. Reluctantly, he opens it and his mood darkens.

'Merry Xmas, hope you enjoyed the present xx'

He did not enjoy the present one bit, but he forced that into the back of his head as he walked to find the others.