Chapter 7: The Challenge

The evening was quiet, stretching out lazily as the smell of simmering pasta sauce filled the air. Cassie hummed softly to herself, a comfortable warmth filling the space of their kitchen as she stirred the pot. Briar stood at the counter, leaning back against it with a smug look on her face, arms crossed as she watched Cassie work.

“So, I was thinking…” Cassie began, casting a sideways glance at Briar. “You’ve been talking a lot about your drinking skills. Honestly, you’ve been boasting about them, even. But I’m starting to wonder if you’re all talk.”

Briar scoffed, raising an eyebrow as she looked over at her. “Oh, trust me, sweetheart, I could drink anyone under the table, including you.”

Cassie chuckled, a sound filled with both disbelief and amusement. “Is that so?” She set the spoon down on the counter, finally turning to face Briar fully. “I’m not sure I believe you. I mean, I’ve seen you drink before, but not… really drink. How much of that ‘demon stamina’ do you actually have?”

Briar grinned wider, the challenge already sparking in her chest. “Oh, I’m not even close to being drunk the last time we went out. You, on the other hand? Lightweight.”

Cassie snorted at the idea, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m no lightweight, Briar. But sure, I’ll bite. What’s the bet here? I go out, and you prove to me that you can out-drink me?”

Briar didn’t miss a beat. “I think it’s pretty obvious. But, just to make it more fun, let’s make it a challenge. We’ll head to the bar tonight. I’ll drink whatever you throw at me, and when you pass out from all that weak human alcohol, I’ll still be standing. You can carry me home as a sign of your defeat.”

Cassie’s eyes narrowed, clearly entertained, though there was something stubborn underneath that amusement. “You really think you can beat me? You may be a demon, Briar, but I don’t scare easy.”

Briar’s lips curled into a playful smirk. “Bring it on, Cassie. I’ve had centuries of practice drinking through some of the most hellish liquor the underworld has to offer. You’ll barely last an hour.”

Cassie shook her head, laughing as she grabbed the pasta pot off the stove and started ladling the sauce onto the plates. “We’ll see about that. But just so you know, you might have centuries of experience… but I’m not a newbie either.”

Briar leaned back against the counter, watching as Cassie worked, an arrogant grin still on her face. “Is that so? Alright, I’ll play along. But when you’re begging for mercy, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

As the night stretched on, they finished dinner and dressed in something more casual for the bar. Cassie was still teasing Briar about the impending challenge, her confidence obvious. Briar, for all her bravado, was secretly relishing the idea of spending the night with Cassie like this—playful, relaxed, and just enjoying each other’s company.

Arriving at the bar, Cassie ordered drinks for both of them, the first round setting the tone for the rest of the night. Briar’s smirk only grew as she casually took her glass, downing it in one swift motion. Cassie followed suit, watching her with a mixture of disbelief and admiration.

“Oh, we’re doing shots? Fine, I can hang,” Cassie said, ordering a round of tequila shots.

Briar raised her eyebrows. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

“Definitely,” Cassie replied confidently, slamming the shot back. “Your turn, demon girl.”

Briar didn’t even hesitate. She matched Cassie, the burn of the alcohol sliding down her throat with ease. She barely blinked as the heat spread through her chest.

“See? I told you I could handle it.” Briar leaned back against the bar, enjoying the first taste of a good challenge.

As the rounds continued, Cassie was clearly feeling the effects, her words becoming more playful and her movements a bit slower. Briar, though, remained steady. She leaned in a little closer to Cassie with a teasing glint in her eyes, watching her partner’s growing tipsiness with quiet amusement.

“You’re already slowing down,” Briar taunted, giving Cassie a sly smile. “And here I thought you weren’t a lightweight.”

Cassie rolled her eyes, trying to keep her cool, but she couldn’t hide the slight buzz building inside her. “It’s not about how much you can drink, Briar. It’s about having fun. I did tell you I wasn’t a lightweight, though…”

As the night wore on, a few guys at the bar began to take an interest in Cassie, trying to flirt with her and offer drinks. Briar didn’t miss the way their eyes lingered a little too long, their attention a little too focused on Cassie.

Briar’s protective side flared instantly.

“Hey, babe,” one of them said, sliding up beside Cassie with a grin, “you look like you could use another drink. Let me grab you one.”

Cassie, still laughing and having a good time, waved it off. “I’m good, thanks. I’ve already got one here.”

The guy wasn’t easily deterred, leaning in closer, his smile a bit too smooth. “Come on, let me buy you a drink. You deserve something special.”

Briar immediately stiffened, her eyes narrowing as her protective instincts kicked in. She was done with this.

Without saying a word, Briar slid between the guy and Cassie, her posture shifting to one of dominance. “Did you hear her?” she growled, voice suddenly low and dangerous. “She said she’s good.”

Cassie, momentarily startled by Briar’s abruptness, looked at her in surprise, but Briar’s icy glare was enough to get the guy to back off, holding up his hands and muttering a hasty apology before scurrying away.

Cassie blinked, looking from Briar to the now-empty space where the guy had been standing. “Okay, that was... intense.”

Briar simply shrugged, but her eyes softened as she looked back at Cassie. “I don’t like people getting too close to what’s mine.”

Cassie’s breath caught slightly, her heart skipping a beat at the implication, though she didn’t say anything right away. Instead, she smirked and nudged Briar. “You know, you’re a little bit scary when you get like that.”

“I could say the same about you, human.” Briar smirked back, though there was something more genuine in her eyes now. She wasn’t just teasing anymore. “But hey, I’d rather keep you safe than let some random creep get any ideas.”

Cassie’s smile softened, her hand brushing Briar’s arm gently. “Thanks. I’m glad I’ve got you.”

Briar’s expression wavered for a moment, the playful facade slipping just slightly. For a moment, there was a softness in her eyes—something she didn’t often show, something that told Cassie exactly how much she meant to her.

They shared a quiet moment, but before it could get too heavy, Briar snorted, grabbing another shot. “Anyway, enough about that. We’ve got a competition to finish here.”

Cassie laughed, shaking her head. “You really don’t know when to stop, do you?”

“Nope,” Briar replied with a grin, “and you’re about to lose.”

But inside, Briar wasn’t sure if winning or losing really mattered anymore. What mattered was that she was here, with Cassie—just the two of them, in their own world.

Even if it meant facing the challenges head-on, she was starting to realize that it was all worth it. And maybe, just maybe, she wouldn’t mind losing... as long as it was to Cassie.

The music at the bar had grown louder, the atmosphere more energetic as the night wore on. The conversations around them were full of laughter, clinking glasses, and the occasional shout of triumph after a successful round of pool. Briar, still a few drinks in, was holding her own with an ever-growing smile and an increasingly loud voice.

Cassie could see Briar becoming more relaxed, her usual guarded demeanor slipping away with every shot. But Cassie wasn’t quite prepared for what came next: Briar’s competitive side was kicking in, and it wasn’t going to let up until she had won her own personal victory—no matter what it took.

“I’m telling you, I’m amazing at this,” Briar slurred, taking another long gulp from her drink, not realizing just how much she had already had. She pounded the glass down with a little too much force, making the ice rattle.

Cassie chuckled softly, trying to be the responsible one. “I think you’ve had enough for tonight, Briar. Maybe we should head out soon.”

Briar shot her a sly grin, her eyes heavy with mischief. “Nah, come on. One more drink! I’ll show you how good I am. I can handle it.” She leaned back in her chair, arms outstretched as though trying to assert her dominance over the night itself. The look in her eyes was a mix of drunken defiance and a hint of playfulness that made Cassie’s heart skip a beat.

Cassie raised an eyebrow. “You sure about that? Because, uh… I’m starting to think you might need help standing.”

Briar rolled her eyes dramatically. “Pfft. You’re just jealous.” She lifted her glass to her lips, her hands shaking just a little as she tried to steady the drink.

Cassie, ever the observant one, couldn’t help but notice that Briar was starting to sway, her eyes blinking more slowly as her words began to run together. The lightheartedness was starting to fade.

“Briar, hey,” Cassie said softly, leaning forward. “You’re kind of… really drunk now. How about we call it a night?”

Briar waved her off. “No, no, I’m fine. I’m just getting started!” she said, her voice too loud, drawing a few curious looks from people nearby.

Cassie sighed, giving Briar a concerned glance. “Alright, but if you keep this up, I might have to carry you out of here.”

Briar snorted, a laugh bubbling out of her. “Yeah, right! Like you could—” Her words broke off as she suddenly lost her balance, pitching forward in her chair. Cassie grabbed her just in time, catching her by the shoulder before she toppled completely.

“Okay, that’s it,” Cassie said, her tone softer but firm. “We’re going home.”

Briar pouted, her lower lip jutting out as she tried to regain her composure. “I’m fine,” she muttered, but it was clear she wasn’t. Her eyes were glazed over, her movements slow and uncoordinated. She looked like she might collapse if she tried to stand on her own.

Cassie chuckled softly to herself, realizing just how much she cared for this chaotic, stubborn demon who was now slurring her words and clutching onto Cassie like a lifeline. “Come on, let’s get you out of here.”

With one arm around Briar’s waist, Cassie helped her stand, supporting her as they slowly made their way toward the exit. Briar leaned heavily on her, swaying slightly with each step.

As they stumbled through the crowd, Briar glanced up at Cassie with a lopsided smile. “You know…” she started, her voice low and soft now, “You’re pretty cute when you’re all worried about me. But I’m totally fine.”

Cassie smiled, though there was a tenderness in her expression. “You sure about that? Because you’re not exactly walking straight right now.”

Briar let out a huff, her head resting on Cassie’s shoulder as they continued their slow journey out the door. “You’re not gonna let me live this down, are you?”

Cassie shook her head, her lips curling into a fond smile. “Not a chance. You’ve been bragging all night about how much you can drink. Guess who gets to hold that over you now?”

Briar groaned dramatically. “You’re gonna hold it over me? Seriously?” she asked, clearly struggling to keep her eyes open. “You’re such a—” Her words were interrupted as she yawned loudly, her exhaustion finally taking over.

By the time they reached the car, Briar had all but collapsed against Cassie, her head resting on her shoulder as Cassie carefully guided her into the passenger seat. The moment Briar was settled, she closed her eyes and mumbled, “This is totally embarrassing…”

Cassie couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re lucky you’re cute when you’re drunk.”

Briar, still a bit disoriented, cracked one eye open and glanced over at Cassie. “I’m cute all the time,” she mumbled, her voice a little muffled from the alcohol.

Cassie grinned as she buckled her seatbelt. “Sure, sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

They drove in comfortable silence for a few minutes, Cassie occasionally sneaking glances over at Briar, who was trying to stay awake but clearly struggling. As they neared their apartment, Briar suddenly muttered something under her breath.

“What was that?” Cassie asked, unsure if she had heard her correctly.

“I said… I’m sorry,” Briar whispered, her voice soft and almost vulnerable.

Cassie furrowed her brow. “What for?”

Briar blinked slowly, then groggily slurred, “For being a pain tonight… And for being all... possessive earlier with that guy. I just…” She trailed off, clearly struggling to form coherent thoughts. “I just don’t like anyone near you. Okay? Is that weird? I don’t know. I don’t even know what I’m saying, I’m drunk.”

Cassie’s heart fluttered at the confession, and she reached over to gently squeeze Briar’s hand. “It’s not weird. And I’m not mad at you. Honestly, it’s really nice. You care about me.”

Briar snorted softly, her head tipping to one side. “Maybe. But you’re way more fun when I’m not such a mess.”

Cassie laughed, glancing at Briar fondly as they pulled into the parking lot of their building. “Hey, I think you’re fun no matter what. Just, you know, try not to drink like that every night.”

Briar let out another yawn and mumbled, “Deal.”

By the time they reached their apartment, Cassie helped Briar out of the car and up to their place, the drunk demon stumbling with a goofy grin plastered on her face. Cassie chuckled at how adorable Briar looked, even when she was completely wasted.

Once inside, Cassie helped Briar settle on the couch. Briar immediately curled up, still blinking sleepily. “I’m gonna sleep for a million years after this…”

Cassie smiled down at her. “Well, sleep it off, troublemaker. You’ve earned it.”

And with that, Briar, in her drunken state, mumbled a faint “Goodnight” before drifting into a peaceful slumber.

Cassie sat on the couch beside her, watching her for a moment, her heart swelling with affection for the unpredictable, sometimes infuriating, but undeniably lovable demon who was now a huge part of her life.