Milkshake Hearts

Chapter 26: Friday Night

A/N: Hey, there is some alcohol consumption in this chapter and the next, including some excessive alcohol consumption. I am writing from the Australian perspective, where we have a horrible alcohol culture. Don't be like that. Drink responsibly. On to the fic!

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"Do you know what you want to do tonight?" Shayne asks, the second the door shuts behind him and Courtney when they enter their room. There had been a plan that all of them – the cast and crew – would go out to a particular restaurant/bar hybrid for the evening, they'd already reserved a booth for all of them, and the social parts of their trip so far had been enjoyable.

"I... kind of want to still go out and just let loose a little and forget about it," Courtney admits, "but I will probably be all over you tonight no matter what we do."

"I'm the same. I still feel kind of shitty, but I think a night out might actually help. And I will not leave your side," Shayne admits.

"I already know you're going to say it's okay, I think, but- I'm sorry I got so close to you literally right in front of them all, feelings came before privacy for a moment," Courtney apologises, and Shayne nods.

"You're right, it is okay. I totally understand. I was about to try and find a way to hold you too. But I... don't think it matters. They're our friends, Court, they know we're serious, they know we're in love and they know we were upset. I'm not really... I don't mind that they've seen us like that, as long as you don't mind either."

"I don't, really. I'd still prefer not to be put in a situation where I am upset in front of everyone, but given what it was, I don't mind what happened. Now, come on, I need to fix this fucking makeup and we need to get more bar-appropriate clothing on," Courtney affirms, brightening slightly as she wanders over to their bags.

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It's a Friday night so the bar is busy and loud, and their group is no exception. Damien had raised an eyebrow in surprise when they appeared, smiling and hand in hand, with the others in the hotel lobby at the agreed meeting time. They brush him off, though, telling him they'd decided forgetting what happened was the best course of action.

There's 12 of them out between the 5 cast members and the crew, and they slide into a large fit-for-purpose U-shaped group booth up in the back corner of the bar when they arrive. Ian sets up a tab, although he quickly reminds everyone that they will be splitting it at the end of the night – it's just for ordering ease. Shayne and Courtney, for their part, intentionally let themselves be pushed right into the back of the booth, between Sarah to Courtney's side and Damien and Ian to Shayne's. They have a travel day the following day, and no show until Sunday night, so a few of the group – Ian included – decide to go hard on the alcohol.

"I'm probably not going to have much, but you go for it if you want to, I'm happy to play supportive sober boyfriend if need be," Shayne murmurs to Courtney, when the others start discussing drink choices before the drinks server comes to take orders, and Courtney nods.

"I'll start off light and see how I go, but I'm in the kind of mood where the more I have the more I will be all over you, so."

"I don't mind," Shayne replies, arm shifting around her shoulder. They both order a beer first, settling into the conversation around them, lightly pressed against each other. It's nice. Although they often socialise outside work, it's rare that a huge group of them – crew included – actually go out together with the intent to be a little wilder. They order a proper dinner, but Ian disappears off with a couple of the boys from the crew to grab one of the pool tables while they wait for it to arrive.