“And if nobody answers your question, you have to drink twice!” Ollie finished at last, the final touch on the drinking game he’d mostly just invented on the spot. The rules were unique. James had gotten lost halfway through Ollie’s elaborate explanations, which were accompanied by even more elaborate hand gestures. Drinking games were not known to stay consistent. Definitely not when Ollie had a say. But essentially, it was some sort of monstrous hybrid of Never Have I Ever, and music video dance choreography.

“I don’t want to know anything about you guys unless it’s through this game,” Connor announced, pouring the first shots. 

Victor chuckled. “I respect that.”  He grabbed one of the tiny glasses with his non-dominant hand, as dictated by the game rules, and downed it. He didn’t grimace, nor did he flinch.  

James reached over and squeezed Victor’s shoulder. Victor licked the booze off his lips and turned towards James, eyebrows raised. 

“Maybe we shouldn’t get too drunk,” James said, holding his gaze. He was definitely not referring to himself. Victor didn’t have the best track record with alcohol, and one could never know for sure which way his mood would swing. And boy, could it swing. 

Victor cracked a small smile, his features softening a bit. “Nah,” he answered. “I think we’re great.” Then he ignored James in favor of the game. “Who wants to go first?” 

And so it started. The stupid questions came one after the other, followed by even stupider answers and frequent punishment dance moves when someone got caught with their drink in the wrong hand. And in the same rhythm, the shots came and went, came and went, came and went. 

They were all getting tipsy. James’ ability to count was deteriorating.

Then it happened, that shift that always comes eventually in a drinking game– the point where people start talking about sex.  “Never have I–” Connor started with a sly grin, “never have I ever had a threesome.” 

All three of them took a shot and a small line appeared between Connor’s brows, “All of you? Really?” he said. James could almost see the wheels in his head spinning. He wondered if Connor could put one and one and one together and figure things out. 

 “What’s so strange about that? James asked casually. Then, he remembered the first time he was in a threesome with his boyfriends, and he bit his lip to conceal the grin that wanted to overtake his face.

“What? That’s not like some normal thing!” Connor’s expression was normal, but he was blushing, pink rising from under his collar spreading to his cheeks. James wondered why he’d brought it up if he was gonna get all embarrassed. “What is this?” Connor demanded, “Some kind of sex cult?” 

“Absolutely,” Victor answered with a wink. “We’re not taking new members though.” 

James needed a moment to collect himself, gather his scattered ideas and focus on forming a coherent thought. Was that flirting? 

Ollie’s cute laugh filled his ears. He was by far the drunkest of them all. James looked at him and smiled fondly. Ollie had such a cute button nose, and lovely, round green eyes, and such entrancing thick thighs. James wanted to reach over and touch one of his curls. Give his adorable bun a little squeeze. Pick him up and kiss him. Dig his fingers into those thighs, then his teeth– 

 God damn it! Get a grip! He couldn’t afford to allow his imagination to flare up like that. They had company! 

“He’s joking,” Ollie leaned against Connor with a cheery giggle. “We MIGHT, accept new members.” 

James gasped. “What?” He frowned and turned a hard stare at Connor, but Connor wasn’t paying attention. 

Instead, he'd turned to Victor. “It’s your turn,” Connor said. “Ask a question.” 

“Never have I ever…” Victor bit his bottom lip, making eye contact with James, “jizzed from just kissing.”  

Ollie snorted a laugh and Victor smirked. James glared at them, heat rising to his head as the memory popped into his mind. He was nineteen! It happened once! Why did he keep bringing it up? 

As much as he loved Vic, he still got the urge to smack him across the head. His thoughts derailed towards that fateful night. They were alone and they were kissing and Victor’s hand was gripping his leg, so close to his–

James smashed the breaks and on that train of thought, but it would’ve been nice if he didn’t have to... If Connor would just leave there was still time tonight to work out some of the week's frustration. He’d been so exhausted lately he hadn’t had the time or the energy to even touch his boyfriends.

“You’re joking! Oh my God! Connor tipped over laughing, joining Ollie now sprawled out on the rug and nearly spilling his drink. Connor caught James’ eye for a second, tucked his hair behind his ear, and quickly looked away. 

Victor was chuckling as he leaned into James. But Victor didn’t stop there, no. He liked to tease; his arm wrapped around James’ waist, fingers gripping his side. Then he rested his head on James’ shoulder, turning his face enough so that his breath was hot against James’ skin. “I bet I can replicate it, too.” 

James felt a thrill go up his spine. He nudged Victor with no force at all. Vic fell. 

Connor was watching them closely, a hungry expression on his face. James made a fuzzy mental note to talk to the others about being more discreet. They had no idea what kind of weird ideas Connor might have. 

Ollie hiccupped a laugh. “Okay, let’s try to– ugm– get to know each other properly now. Like, what do you study, Connor?” 

“Boring!” Victor shouted into the void, startling everyone, then looked at Ollie and gave him a warm smile and a wink. 

Ollie stuck out his tongue then paused. “Guys, I think I forgot the rules.” He squinted. “I can’t think. Please answer the question.” 

Victor grabbed James' arm and pulled himself into a sitting position. “What question?” His eyes were bright and alert. 

Oliver stared at the ceiling. “I can’t remember.” He poured himself another shot. “I think we violated a rule or something. Drink!” he pointed at James, whose glass had somehow migrated to his right hand. “And Dance!”

James couldn’t remember when they stopped, but by the end, he vaguely knew Connor was some sort of intern and Ollie had told an extremely confusing story about his teacher training program. Victor didn’t answer. 

 “And you?” Connor asked, with his overly interested stare. “What do you do James?”