River wasn't quite certain how it happened but he found himself straddling Raleigh on Lake's apartment floor, his eyes nervously wandering over the other male's face while his body shivered in trepidation over what he had been drunkenly dared to do.
It was Noelle's birthday. They were not only celebrating the fact she was another year older, but the return of Dimitri back into Lake's life. She was essentially Lake's friend, but she had quickly become friends with everyone else in his life. She was the oldest in the group (and the only one that was sober) and looked down on them all with a motherly quality that she would eventually dote upon her own child that was growing inside her.
There had been video games, talking, laughter, dancing and drinking. By now most of Noelle's own collection of friends had left, leaving mainly the friend's she had made through Lake although Zak and Bridget had to go home to relieve the babysitter of the task of taking care of a little Asher. All that were left were Raleigh, Elliot, Lake's older brother River, Dimitri (obviously) and River's best friend Dominic. It was pretty clear that River and Dominic were an item, but it had never offically been confirmed. Lake had said that it was his brother's pride that was keeping them from announcing their relationship in public.
Somehow they had ended up playing various drunken games. Despite the groans and protests at the suggestion, they all ended up playing truth or dare. There'd been Lake licking strawberry sauce off Noelle's baby bump, various truths been told and eventually River had accepted a challenge from his brother.
"Kiss Rawrie."
Raleigh had nearly choked on his own drink and stared over at where Lake sat snuggled up against Dimitri on the floor. Most of them had settled on cushions and beanbags on the floor instead of sitting on the sofa and various seats pulled into the room.
"Lake, you can't be serious..." Raleigh protested. "I don't think Elliot would approve." He glanced to where Elliot was sat next to Noelle. The moment he had announced to her he wanted to become a pedeatrician Noelle had scooped him up to 'aid' her with her pregnancy. "You don't have to, River, your brother is being an idiot."
"No I'm not. It's truth or dare and therefore the rules state that you either go through with the dare or suffer a forefit." He followed Raleigh's gaze. "Right, Ellie? To make up for it you can kiss anyone."
"I'm not sure..." Elliot muttered, looking down.
But he had given in, and River was pushed from his spot over to where Raleigh sat leaning against the sofa, his long legs stretched out before him. Placing his own legs either side of Raleigh's, he placed his hands on the red haired man's shoulders and stared into his eyes, swallowing the lump in his throat.
"You're acting like you've never kissed a guy before, River," Raleigh whispered, just loud enough for only River to hear him over the soft sound of the CD still playing in the background. "All of us here know about you and Dominic."
River frowned at him. "Shut up." And with that he leaned in, pressing his lips hard against Raleigh's. The alcohol pulsed through his system and a strange sensation swelled inside his stomach. Years ago he had wanted this, his mind reminded him. Back in high school he thought the only way he'd ever get so close to this man was by starting a fight with him, when all he really wanted to do was run his fingers through his hair; that long, curly red hair that felt so soft beneath his fingers.
All without realising it, he had pushed his fingers into Raleigh's hair and leaned up and deeper into the kiss. Arms wrapped around him and hands fell flat against his back. Somewhere in the background noises he could hear the others, but right now his brain was addled with alcohol and memories of feelings he had repressed for so long that he thought they were completely forgotten.
"Riv..." Raleigh breathed. "Stop...River..." he mumbled against River's lips.
"Woah. Is it wrong that those two look really hot right now?" Lake asked.
Finally, he pulled himself away, breathing heavilly and slumping down again, dropping his hands and his head. "I..."
There was silence for a few moments and then Raleigh burst out laughing, dragging his fingers through his hair. "See, it's not so bad kissing in front of other people, is it River? You should do it more often - especially if you kiss like that." He looked over to where Dominic was sat looking somewhat uncomfortable. "Only do it to the person you want to do it to now." He gave River a light push and encouraged him off his lap and sent him on his way, lifting his bottle of beer back to his lips once River had returned to his previous spot.
"Well, that was interesting," Lake said, clapping his hands together. "Okay, who's next?"
The night continued with very little moments like that occuring between them, and eventually Noelle stood up and told them it was all about time that they went home. Lake complained, but it was pretty obvious that he was tired with how he yawned and cuddled up to Dimitri's side.
- - -
Instead of getting a taxi home, Raleigh and Elliot had been given an inflateable mattress in the lounge (once everyone had gone) to sleep on. When the sounds of the owners of the apartment moving around in preparation for bed had died down, Raleigh rolled over and leaned up on his side, brushing his fingers over Elliot's hair.
"That kiss with River...It bothered you didn't it?"
"Hmmm...? No, of course not," Elliot replied, pulling the blanket tighter up around his shoulders and keeping his back to Raleigh. "It was just some stupid dare."
With a chuckle, Raleigh leaned over and placed a kiss to Elliot's temple. "Don't be jealous, Eli, River's not my type and I'm not his anymore."
"That wasn't the impression I got from where I was sitting."
"Call it unresolved tension that will always be unresolved. I love you, Eli, and I'm not about to go running off with anyone else - especially not River. Not to mention he pulled the ultimate turn-off."
Elliot rolled over and looked up at Raleigh in the dark. "What did he do?"
Raleigh grinned. "He said someone else's name."
- - -
The taxi ride back to Dominic's place felt awkward and there was none of their silly drunken conversations. When they got inside, Dominic left him in the lounge, heading off on his own and leaving River to sway drunkenly in confusion. It took him a few moments to realise just what he'd done. Stumbling into Dom's bedroom, he supported himself on the door frame and looked over to where Dom was getting changed.
"We should go out somewhere tomorrow," River suggested.
"Hm."
"A nice dinner or something. Just you and me, no bars, no college girls. Just us. Out there. In the real world. Where people can see."
"You're drunk, River. Just get into bed."
Clumsily River made his way to the bed and fell onto the mattress behind Dominic. Rising onto his knees, he came up behind him and wrapped his arms around him. "We've been hiding this relationship indoors for years, Dom. I've been hiding this relationship indoors. It's about time we went on a real date. It's about time I made out with you against the bar like I want to do everytime we're out drinking."
"You were kissing Raleigh like he was air you needed to live, River. I always knew that you'd eventually find one more reason to leave me."
With a sigh, River slumped against Dom's back, pressing his forehead to the other man's spine. "I don't want to leave you for Raleigh. Raleigh is that high school crush that turns out to have been better in your imagination. I realised that I didn't want to be kissing him - I wanted to be kissing you. That's why he said what he did; that I should kiss the one person I want to kiss like that. I only ever want to kiss you." He placed a small kiss to the nape of Dominic's neck. "I love you."
"Dominic chuckled dryly, reaching up and placing a hand over River's. "You only say that when you're drunk."
"That's because when I'm drunk my mind and body do and say what I'm really feeling inside. I'm at my most honest when I'm drunk - you should know that. Not to mention I pulled the worst thing to do ever when kissing someone."
"You bit him?"
"Worse. I said your name."
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