Page 13 of Drink Up, Darling
Athens took in a breath. “A handful of times. Only because I was new to it all, and I’d seen one too many horror movies. I never killed a human though. Just… you know… quenched my thirst.”
“I killed someone. Once. Accidentally.”Wow, I’m getting too comfortable now.
Instead of asking for more details, or looking even remotely shocked, Athens stretched his hands out and said, “great, at least I know who can take matters into their own hands if this job turns sour.”
‘What an odd thing to joke about.’Dariel attempted to force the thought into Athens’ head, causing his own to hurt.
‘Dariel, darling, you’ve never killed anyone who didn’t deserve it.’
‘What? What makes you…’
‘I just know it. I told you I’m good at reading people.’
Dariel took in a deep breath, surveying his surroundings before turning back to face Athens, and let a cold nothingness wash over him as he opened mind again, trying to relax as much as he could.
‘He deserved it.’
‘Thought so.’
Despite being stunned, Dariel also realised this meant he was one step closer to opening up fully, laying all his cards on the table. Letting someone else in. Maybe it was because of their circumstances. They’d both lived a kind of life very few others will ever experience. Casually admitting murder was, in every other circumstance, wrong. Not this time. Not with Athens. A man he’d only just met, but someone he needed. This was comfort in relatability, and it was nice. Really nice, actually. Relieving, even.
It was also not lost on him that this was the second time Athens had casually called Dariel ‘darling’ which… did something to him. Something he thought he maybe quite liked. He wanted to hear Athens say it out loud again. Hear the word roll off his tongue as he looked into Dariel’s eyes and leaned closer so the scent of fresh mint would encircle them both and…
“What’s with the shadows, then? I’ve never met someone like us who has such an overwhelming energy around them.”
Dariel’s lungs closed up as he blinked deeply, brutally shaking himself from the thoughts he was working his way to, instinctively turning his face away before clearing his throat andstaring at the floor.Of course Athens noticed them.“Oh, they’re erm…”
Athens shifted on the sofa, his voice growing slightly lower. “Oh. I’m sorry, I got too comfortable. Forgive me, you don’t have to answer…”
“Just memories.” Dariel shot back up, a tear threatening to drip from his left eye. He wiped it away quickly. “Memories.” He smiled away the flames.No one has ever seen them.
“It’s good to hold onto memories. We’re going to make a lot of them.” Athens reached out his hand to almost touch Dariel’s thigh on the sofa. An offering of support.
“Yeah. You’re right.” Dariel nodded, trying to rebirth his confidence.
“Just… well. Don’t let them consume you.”
You don’t know me, you…Dariel felt a defensive streak of anger deep inside. Athens read it immediately, leaning back.
“Sorry, that wasn’t my place. We barely know each other, after all.”
“It’s okay. I’m just… I don’t want to talk about certain things.”Calm, Athens meant no harm.
“That’s okay. I get that. I’m quite a private person too, believe it or not.”
Dariel didn’t know how to respond, he just looked at Athens’ pretty face and let his lungs expand a few times.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Dariel Hale.” Athens stood up and thrust out a hand. Dariel was about to take it, but noted the rings and hoped his eyes would explain for him. Athens immediately understood, pulling all five rings off and shoving them into his pocket. Dariel took his now bare hand, the other man’s skin warm and soft.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Athens…”
“Danek.” Athens reminded him politely. “It’s Czech, though I unfortunately speak very little. We moved here when I wasyoung and my dad insisted we… It’s actually my mum’s family name but, well… never mind, we don’t need to discuss that right now.” He sighed, not dropping their hands.
Dariel tried not to look too solemn. “Nice to meet you Athens Danek. I should look into your work, I might take some inspiration.”
“It would be an honour, I’d be happy to show you any time.” He still did not let go of Dariel’s hand, even as they lowered them; the connection warm and protective.
“If we make it out of here alive.” Dariel huffed out a laugh.
