Chapter 2 #5
“Can I get one Tears of My Exes please?” Hollis said to the bartender, and Jae burst out in surprised laughter.
“Can I have one of those too? I don’t even care what it is,” Jae said, pulling out a red ticket to give to the bartender along with Hollis.
The bartender gave them a quick curtsy before beginning to mix their drinks. “It’s blue, that’s all I know,” Hollis said, sliding onto one of the two empty bar stools in front of them.
Jae glanced at the other free chair, and Koda gestured for him to take the seat.
He hesitated for only a moment before hopping up.
Koda stepped into the space between the chairs, their arm pressing lightly against Jae’s.
The simple gesture shouldn’t have made their toes curl, but they weren’t going to fight against it.
The contrast of Jae’s chilled skin and the heat rushing through Koda’s blood felt amazing–if not a little distracting.
The bartender slid their drinks across the bar and lifted their chin at Koda.
They shook their head and reached across Jae to grab the menu, going just slow enough they could drink in Jae’s airy scent.
Their bear was still lying down, but their nose twitched restlessly.
They wanted to hold Jae in their arms, but that wasn’t part of the plan.
“Did you not get any tickets?” Hollis asked, picking up his drink and taking a long sip.
“Uh, no, I—” Koda fumbled, but Jae shook his head firmly.
“They signed up too late,” Jae said as he took a sip of his drink and physically recoiled. “Oh gods, what the fuck did we order?”
“I think it’s like a whiskey sour but blue?” Hollis said, cocking his head in a way that reminded Koda of their family’s hunting dog.
“Gag me. Egg whites. Do you want this, babe?” Jae asked, and Koda’s bear swiveled their ears in interest. They’d had queer men call them babe before, but never in a way that made their stomach tighten and their heart quiver.
Before Koda could respond, Hollis snickered. “Aww, y’all are already sharing drinks? It’ll be like you’re kissing–but less fun.”
Jae raised an eyebrow at his friend as Koda accepted the drink. They made sure to put their mouth exactly where Jae’s lips had just been, smirking at Hollis over the rim of the glass as they took a sip.
Hollis laughed with his whole chest and flagged down the bartender to order Jae the other cocktail.
“How is it?” Jae asked, and Koda honestly couldn’t say. They’d meant the whole thing as a joke, but they actually could taste—or more accurately, smell—Jae’s saliva on the cup, and it was incredibly distracting.
“It’s… sweet,” they said, licking their lips as their eyes strayed to Jae’s mouth. He bit softly into the plump flesh of his bottom lip, and Koda felt their incisors lengthen as their bear rumbled.
“Gods, if I knew you were going to eye-mouth-fuck, I would have told you to actually make out,” Hollis said, placing a bright green drink in Jae’s hands.
“I’m sorry,” Koda said, fighting to get their teeth to return to normal. “I told you that you wouldn’t be a third wheel, and I meant it.”
“You’re fine, hon. I’m just teasing Jae,” Hollis said, waving his hand in the air in almost the exact same gesture Jae had used earlier.
These two really were best friends. Growing up, Koda hadn’t had many friends, spending most of their time with their beloved brother and sister.
When they’d moved here, they’d still been reeling from the loss of their relationship with their brother and uncles, and it had been tough meeting new folks.
Koda had entered into an almost hibernation state.
They worked long hours, only to drag themselves home to prepare large meals to keep them and their bear sated during the tough winter months.
They’d often fall asleep in front of the TV, the sounds of fictional characters keeping them company, only to wake up in the middle of the night to drag themself to bed.
It had been a call from Sierra that finally got them out of their slump.
She’d pleaded with Koda to “go out tonight and talk to one person. For me, Koda. Please.” Koda had been so unbelievably lucky that Ronan had been that person.
Koda tried hitting on him first, for some reason finding it easier to flirt than try for actual conversation.
Ronan brusquely informed Koda he was ace and not interested in dating.
His openness about his identity pressed on that tender spot inside Koda, and they ended up coming out to him right there at the bar.
Their friendship blossomed from there, fed by their mutual challenges with family and feelings of otherness they’d felt growing up.
Koda could never replace their brother, but it was like they got a new brother instead.
“You can tease me all you want, but how about we be nice to our new friend?” Jae asked.
He took a tentative sip of his drink, and his eyes lit up in a way that had Hollis grinning and Koda’s bear wiggling like a giddy puppy. Jae was undoubtedly sexy with his quick smirk and little outfit, but when he truly smiled, he was gorgeous.
Out of the corner of their eye, Koda could tell Hollis was watching them, but they couldn't tear their eyes away from Jae’s bright smile until Jae lifted his glass to take a longer drink.
“Alright, new friend,” Hollis said, and Koda turned to see him smirking at them. “Why don’t you tell us about yourself?”
Koda matched his smirk with as innocent of a smile as they could manage. “What would you like to know?”