4 - Comfort zone

Theseus' face lit up. "Oh! That sounds like a grand idea! I'm afraid I might need to get home and freshen up, though. How about I meet you at your place when I'm done? I could take my car, if the party is a bit far away- Don't worry, it's a convertible, you'll definitely fit!" Oh he couldn't wait! His whole body was now buzzing with excitement! He loved parties.

Asterius' lips twitched, barely holding back a smile. It was so easy to read Theseus' enthusiasm, written all over his face as it was. "I don't remember how far it's supposed to be, but I'll send you the address. I'll wait for you at my place then - I'll need to get changed too before going anyway." He hesitated. "I know our siblings are planning to go ahead with some friends - there will be a lot of people that we know." That somehow made him feel better about this party. He wasn't sure he'd be able to see Aria or Dio at all - Dio was usually at the exact center of the celebration and Aria was usually bouncing around and having fun dancing - when she wasn't hanging at the arm of her boyfriend, of course.

Theseus raised his two thumbs at Asterius. "It's a date! I'll take the opportunity to introduce you to my other acquaintances." He ran a hand through his hair. "Well, then! I'll see you soon, Asterius!" And he didn't waste any more seconds, and waved at his friend before he literally jogged back to his own apartment.

After a long-awaited shower, he made sure to look particularly good on that night. For once, he flatly refused to put on his safety shirt (the one that read 'if drunk, please return to Carleen'), arguing with his sister that he would be spending the night with Asterius anyway. Instead, he put on some tight jeans that made his ass look amazing, a white shirt, and a black jacket. And since he helped Carleen with her own hairdo, she helped him apply some glittery gold specks around his eyes. It might look to be 'too much' in a very lit room, but it always looked amazing in the dim lights of a party. And let's be honest, he had hooked up with many girls who were mesmerized by the sight before.

And if Carleen was completely aware of the reason for which Theseus wanted to look particularly attractive that night, she decided not to point it out. After all... Well. She thought it might be better if he came to terms with his own feelings for his best friend in due time.

Speaking of Carleen, she had probably agreed with Horknath that he'd come at her place and wait with her for Dean to pick them up, which would leave them a bit of time to themselves if Theseus left them then.

She too had picked her outfit with care - after all, all of campus would see her at Horknath's arm that night, and she wanted to look at her best for him! And oh did she ever go to parties not looking like a princess. She had picked a red backless dress that stopped at her knees and was secured around her neck. Her makeup was also a little more glitter-y than usual - that's what parties were made for, after all.

Even though Asterius had decided not to take Theseus' words too much seriously - after all, the man said 'It's a date' literally about anything, from their wrestling matches to their study planning - even Horknath could see how much his usually reserved brother had put a bit more care in his looks tonight than he usually did. He chose a nice white shirt, a blue jacket, and dark jeans - the only pair that hadn't been over-washed yet.

Aria had passed by their apartment in the early afternoon - to say hi, of course, but mostly (as Horknath discovered) to help Asterius paint his horns of a bright magenta. She had been super enthusiastic when he had asked - she hadn't had the occasion to do that since forever! He gently helped her with her own horns as well, applying some purple on them (Dionysus' favorite color). She had left them soon enough, to go get ready herself before the party would start.

Horknath left soon after to go fetch Carleen at her apartment. Boy was he nervous. He kept on adjusting his dark jacket, and since he felt like he was feeling like he was suffocating inside his deep red shirt, he undid some buttons - merely to breathe. His suit pants were a little tight, but Carleen had expressed some appreciation towards his behind a couple of times, so - nothing bad, right? Right. He passed a hand through his hair a couple of times before finally knocking on Carleen's apartment door, feeling a little stupid as he held a rose in his hand.

Carleen opened the door, and she beamed as soon as she saw Horknath. "Hi! Oh wow, you're so gorgeous tonight," she told him instantly, with an enamored smile.

"Is that Horknath already? Theseus shouted from his bedroom. "I'm just putting my boots on, I hope I'm not keeping Asterius waiting!"

Since he broke their moment, Carleen rolled her eyes and sighed, but she still smiled at her boyfriend nonetheless.

Horknath being lovestruck with Carleen whenever he saw her was nothing new, granted - but he could feel himself suddenly forgetting how to breathe in front of the sight that had manifested on the threshold of the door. Carleen was a vision, she was gorgeous, beautiful, and sexy and oh no help- He finally managed to get a hold back on his melting brain and straightened up, clearing his throat. "You-", he started, only to get interrupted by Theseus. "Uh- no, don't worry. He's waiting for you at home, you're not late", he answered out loud. Well, not much late anyway. He smiled apologetically at Carleen. "You look radiant", he answered softly, offering her the rose he was holding.

Carleen's smile grew more shy, and she took the rose Horknath was offering to her. "I'll put this in my room. Come in - Dean just texted me, he won't be there for the next twenty minutes." She gently took his hand to guide him inside.

Thankfully, it was a good timing, for Theseus was rushing out of his room with his keys in hand. "Hello Horknath! You two have fun tonight!" He yelled at them on his way out, slamming the door shut behind him.
And just like that, Theseus was gone, leaving the two of them some privacy. Finally.

Horknath barely had the time to open his mouth to say goodbye to Theseus - but he was already gone, and now it was only him, Carleen, and their entwined hands. 
For twenty minutes.
He bit his lower lip as he let her pull him to her bedroom in search of a good place where to put his rose. Maybe they could sit close and cuddle a little - or even kiss? The thought made him feel even more flustered as he tried hard not to have his eyes roam over Carleen's naked back. "I'm happy to see you", he murmured in the end when they stopped walking, gently pulling her close to him. "We didn't get to have much time for each other these last weeks."

Carleen took a vase in her room and filled it with a bit of water that was in a bottle by her bed before she put the rose in it. She then turned back towards Horknath, and smiled at him. "I'm happy too. I've missed you a whole lot." To get at an even level with him, she invited him to sit down on her bed, and knelt at his side so she could finally peck his lips.

Meanwhile, Theseus was driving towards Asterius' apartment in his obnoxious, convertible, that was of a tacky, golden color. For that man had no shame, and it's basically the replacement for Daedalus' chariot in that verse let's be honest.

Horknath sat down on her bed and sighed happily against her lips when she kissed him. His hands hovered over her naked skin, uncertain, before he rested one of them on her back, and one gently cradled the back of her neck.. Not too low, of course. "I've missed you so much too", he whispered, pressing back against her to kiss her again.

(Of course he'd drive something like that dies)
Asterius was quietly waiting for Theseus to ring the doorbell, trying his hardest to keep that calm. It's alright, he kept telling to himself. You're going to a party with your best friend. Nothing more than that. No reason to get nervous or to make it weird.
Contrary to Theseus, Asterius was more than aware about his feelings and who he found attractive - and he had always been swinging more for the other team's side. It would have been a giant lie if he said he didn't find Theseus attractive from the start - but this felt like more than that, and what scared him the most was the thought that he was the only one between them who was feeling that way.

Carleen readily kissed Horknath again for a bit, even going as far as deepening the kiss in the heat of the moment. She pulled back after a while, however, her breath uneven and her cheeks flushed, and she let out a shy smile. "Horknath- I've never talked to you about this before, but- I'm bound to drink a little afterwards, so there's something I need you to know. About me, and- about us."

Theseus got out of his car and ran up the stairs leading to Asterius' apartment to ring the doorbell. He was beaming - both inside and outside, because of the glitter framing his eyeline on that day. Oh, he was so excited to go to a party with Asterius!

Horknath was dazed when Carleen broke their kiss, his brain swimming pleasantly in his clouded head. He would have gladly kept kissing her some more, but - well. Maybe later, then. "Sure. What is it?", he asked, shaking his head a little bit to gain back a little bit of sense. What did her drinking had to do with them? He tried his best not to immediately think about the worst - when someone said 'We need to talk about us' it was never really a good thing! "Do you want me to stay sober to drive you back home when you get tired? I can do that", he offered helpfully.

Asterius got up from the couch and took a deep breath before opening the door.
Taking a deep breath had not been enough to prepare him. "... Theseus. You're very... shiny", he commented, after blinking stupidly at him for at least five seconds in stupefied silence. He absolutely didn't mean it in a negative way - of course the other man would be just as showy and flashy as he could be. It was just... unexpected, he thought as his glance fell on those golden specks around his blue eyes, and then fell down to the curve of his strong hips, hugged tightly by the tightest pair of jeans he had ever seen him wear.
Yeah. Unexpected.

Carleen smiled and shook her head. "Don't worry, this isn't about that- and besides, Dean won't let just anyone drive his car. I've only earned the privilege last year when he almost crashed it into a tree after a party." She sad down on the bed properly by his side, and took his hand in hers. "But if I drink I might... get handsy. But I'd rather wait a little more before he get to second or third base. I hope you don't mind."

Theseus scoffed. "I suppose 'shiny' is fitting." His face lit up once more upon discovering Asterius' attire, though. "Oh, but you look splendid too, friend. And your horns, they're painted! Could it be that you used the magenta I gifted you? They look beautiful!"

Horknath let out a chuckle when she mentioned Dean not allowing anyone to drive his car. He tilted his head, and then frowned not able to keep the wounded look for himself. "I'd never take advantage of you while you're drunk or intoxicated", he protested, almost leaving her hand before he debated with himself that maybe she was talking like this because it had happened to her. Which made his blood run colder, let's be honest. "Don't worry", he said then, more gently. "I don't mind to wait." He didn't really want to tell her he had no idea what even to wait for - kissing her and holding her was already quite nice to him.

Asterius held back a smile. "It is the magenta you gifted to me", he confirmed with a small nod. "But, thank you. You look splendid too. Amazing", he added then, conscious that Theseus did enjoy to be complimented, and that his reaction to him hadn't been exactly stellar.

Carleen's expression softened. "I know you won't ever take advantage of me, Horknath, don't worry." She squeezed her hand in his. "It's just-" She sighed. "You need to know that things did not exactly go well with the last guy I dated. First- well. He did take advantage of me being drunk to hook up with me and force a relationship unto me. And-" She made a face, and shook her head. "It didn't end up well." She took a deep breath in. "I'm not telling you this to make you uncomfortable, but because... I want us to get there. But I just want to make sure I don't rush things by accident."

Theseus puffed his chest. Indeed, he loved being complimented. Especially by Asterius. "Why, thank you my friend! You know what? We both look so gorgeous it'd be a shame not to immortalize that night!" He took out his phone and his selfie stick, coming near Asterius in a blink, with his free hand around his hips to take a picture of them both.

Horknath squeezed her hand, clasping it with both his large ones. "I'm sorry that happened to you", he murmured. Nobody deserved to have that kind of experience. "Look, I... I don't know how to say this, but I really don't expect anything out of our relationship. I mean I don't- count the days or hours hoping that something will happen, not that I don't expect us to stay together for a long time", he quickly precised, flushing with embarrassment. "You'll be the one who calls the shots. And if you try to... you know. Get too friendly with me because you've been drinking, I'll know you don't mean it, and I'll know to say no." He smiled at her. "Trust me, alright? And trust yourself."

Theseus had been so quick with whipping out his selfie stick and nyooming at his side for a picture that Asterius didn't even have the time to protest or make an excuse in order not to be photographed. He threw a look at Theseus' hand on his hip, and couldn't bring himself to be that much upset in the end. He sighed, and hesitantly rested his own hand on his friend's hip, waiting for him to take that selfie and then put it on his Instagram.

Carleen's smile widened, and she sighed. "Horknath... I'll be honest, I've never been with a guy like you. Who's so good with me, and a great romantic, and ... just a respectful guy, really." She leaned towards him to kiss him again. "I do hope for us to last for a long, long time together. That would make me truly happy."

Theseus did just that - take the selfie and post it on his Instagram, before he put everything away and looked at his friend. "Well, then! Are you ready to go, friend?" Oh, he couldn't wait to be there. He loved Dionysus' parties!

Horknath felt warmth bubble inside his chest at Carleen's sweet words, and he kissed her back softly. "It would make me very happy too", he answered lowly. "I mean - where else can I find a girl that doesn't mind if I don't know how to pronounce quiche", he added jokingly, leaving another kiss on her nose.

Asterius hummed. "I'm ready. Let's go". he added, after turning to close the apartment door with his keys.Spike had already taken his walk, and he had both food and water to spare in case they were to come home very late in the night - or very early in the morning.

Carleen chuckled and cuddled and kissed Horknath for a bit longer. She really was in love with him, and really felt happy to have found him.

Theseus brought Asterius to his own car, and drove them to the party.

-

The party in itself was a blast, as usual. Dionysus had taken advantage of the fact that his father was out of town to organize said party, and everyone had a lot of fun. There had even been a row of champagne offered to everyone when he had come back shortly after midnight and had announced that he had just proposed to his girlfriend - Aria - who said yes, of course.

Theseus definitely had too much alcohol in general. He had loosened up quite considerably, and had been going around being very handsy with his friends - he frequently hugged Asterius, and had even glomped Dean once - and yet...
"Trust me, I've seen worse," Carleen assured Asterius with a grin. "He hasn't tried to climb on the roof yet, which is a good sign- but I think it'd be safer if you drove him home tonight, if you don't mind." She didn't feel like going yet - well, she was having fun, and wanted to spend more time with Horknath.

Both Asterius and Horknath had mentally taken note to congratulate Aria on her official engagement the day after, when everyone would be more sober - and when she would have been less busy shaking hands left and right and wheezing and weeping about it. They were both so happy for her - Dionysus was a little over the top at times, but they were so in love with each other that nobody had doubts about how right they fit together!

Asterius - who had been worriedly trying to snatch the latest cocktail from Theseus' hands just to be told a slightly slurred "You'll have to fight me for that Ashterius" followed by his friend just downing the whole thing in a single gulp right in front of him. Good gods - threw a look at Carleen. "I think that would be for the best before he gets himself into some serious trouble", he answered before trying to catch Theseus before he could grab himself another drink. "Theseus - we should go home", he tried to tell him over the loud music.

Theseus leaned against Asterius, his hand on his hip, drifting a little lower than usual. "You want to go now?" He asked, frowning, before epiphany hit him and he straightened up. "Wait! We can't go before I rode the bull, it's a tradition!" He chuckled while looking at his friend and tapped his hip - or half of his butt, really - and grabbed his hand, to lead him away from the main room.
Now to Asterius' credit, that sentence alone out of context might be a little odd, especially if he had no idea that there was a mechanical bull in one of the nearby rooms.

No lie, Asterius felt flustered by Theseus' touches - they were much more shameless than what usually his friend went for.  "Well-" He interrupted himself before he could go on, not really knowing what to say. It wasn't like he did want to go, but it was for the best if they didn't want Theseus to climb on the roof or anything else equally dangerous. Before he could come up with something more polite than "Yes because you're drunk, let's go home" Theseus was already pulling him along. He'd never cease to be impressed by his strength.
... wait, had he just said something about riding a bull? He felt himself flush - and once again thanked whatever had made sure he had fur on his face, so that it couldn't be seen. He quickly got his mind out of the gutter - surely Theseus was talking of something else. And when he noticed the mechanical bull in the room they had just entered he face-palmed. Of course.
"Theseus - I don't think it's a good idea", he started, trying to knock some sense in his friend.

Theseus laughed. "Good idea or not, you know that I never backed down from a challenge! Besides... I have my own record to break, and my public is already there to cheer me on, look!" He gestured to the few people that recognized him - he wasn't often present at Dionysus' parties, but as he had told his friend, riding the mechanical bull before leaving was a tradition of his. And those people indeed beamed upon seeing him and discouraged a drunkard from sitting on the bull because wait, wait 'King Mishra's there. The title was partly humoristic, but Theseus never minded.

He turned towards Asterius to grin widely at him. "One ride, and we get home friend, alright? Unless you wish to challenge me, but I'm afraid that wouldn't be a fair fight, given how much training I've done!"

Asterius snorted, almost looking affronted for a second. "Hmph. I doubt that excuse of a bull could take me", he protested between his teeth, maybe even too low for Theseus to hear him. He didn't show it very often, but he did hate backing down from challenges just as much as his friend did. He swallowed his pride, though, knowing that he should have been the one to stop Theseus' dangerous whims and not encourage them. Fine, though. If it was tradition...
"Alright. One ride", he repeated, lifting a finger in front of his friend's face. "I'll stay on the sidelines. Then we bring you home. Is that clear?"

Theseus giggled. "Yes, Asterius," he told his friend, his voice almost a slur at time from the alcohol. He patted his friend's chest, and then stretched as he walked towards the bull. "You may all my start your bets now, my friends. Will I break my record or not? We shall see!" He proudly paused in front of the bull for a bit, and then climbed on top of it. He firmly closed his knees on the seat and grabbed the short leather cord at the base, gesturing for whoever was handling the machine to put it on.
"Don't wait too much before you get me on the highest speed, or it'll get boring for our audience," he said with a cheeky grin.

And the show started. Slow, at first, and then the bull was quickly brought to strong, erratic movements. But those weren't enough to unsettle Theseus, who was laughing anytime he almost lost balance.
The key to bull riding was flexibility. And oh, how unexpectedly flexible Theseus was. Aside from his legs that were tightly secured around his seat, his whole body swayed along with the machine's movements, with his hips rocking back and forth, in a way that looked downright sinful in those tight jeans of his.

After a rather harsh series of movements, the bull slowed down for a bit, and Theseus bit on his lower lip in the middle of a grin. The machine turned him towards Asterius, to whom he winked as his hips rocked forwards slowly once, twice, and then the bull sped up again, drawing an excited laugh from his lips.

A few 'yee-haw's later, Theseus was finally asking for the machine to be stopped, and he slowly stepped down from it, his legs wobbling, his breath short and his face still lit up with a grin. "Ah- Thank you for your enthusiasm, but I fear I've drunk a little too much tonight," he chuckled, trying to get back to Asterius.