One Big Clusterfu[closed]

[Chloe Singleton]

When Brendan had first approached her with the idea of the four of them getting together for a night on the town, Chloe had been a little apprehensive. After a little bit of thought (and I do mean very little, it was hard to say no when Brendan was giving you his sad face) she couldn't see how it would be a bad thing, and had cheerfully agreed to round Kat and Terrie up for a nice little friend-date.

... if only she'd known.

But as always, Chloe was blissfully ignorant of anything untoward that might happen, so she borrowed a dress from Ella and spent a good part of the night curling her hair and doing her makeup. It was a little different than what she was used to wearing, but after a little reassurance from her girlfriend (both verbal and... er... non), she finally slid her dainty feet into her favorite pair of red heels and headed off to meet Brendan and the rest of her friends at the club.

They settled into a comfortable booth and from the way that Chloe held onto Brendan's arm, they would have looked like any normal couple. "I'm really glad you both could make it tonight." She chirped, a brilliant smile spreading across her face. What with work and Ella, Chloe felt like she didn't get to spend near enough time with her friends as she wanted to. "I could really use the help keeping Brendan entertained." She giggled and gave his forearm a little pat.

[Kateri Rivera]

Kateri had decided that going out with Ter alone was a bad idea. It always seemed to end…well, if not badly, then the same way. So when Brendan approached her to propose that they have a group get-together at the equivalent of an Irish pub (well, as close as any American could get to a real pub), she’d agreed. Vincent wouldn’t be there—although she liked Brendan, she still had some Words for him about Vincent, mostly along the lines of what in the name of our Lord almighty were you thinking?—and it would be a nice evening out with her coworkers (and one ex). What could go wrong?

She’d actually dressed up, although nothing could get her to get into a pair of high heels. She’d painted her nails every color of the rainbow just to make herself feel less formal and had strutted up, meeting with the others outside of the club. It helped that Chloe was there. Kateri thought the English teacher was the sweetest person on the face of the planet and was looking forward to spending time with her, even if that time was also with a bunch of other people in the room. She smiled as she settled in the booth next to Ter and Brendan—just the way she liked it, between two good-looking guys—and laughed.

“He is pretty demanding, isn’t he?” She winked at Brendan to show she was kidding, then absently picked up the menu and eyed it. “So! Drinks or food first? Or both?”

[Terrowin Guthrie]

When did Terrowin ever turn down a night at the pub? The absurdity. The words were no sooner out of his ex/friend/lover/coworker's mouth when he replied with positive enthusiasm. Brendan and Chloe and Kat - what a fun bunch! Brendan, of course, was one of his favorite guys that worked (well, used to work) at Hammel - he was funny, intelligent, and just a fun guy. He didn't care about the whole drama with him and Vincent; what he did with his sex life was his own choice, even if Ter had to admit that he had never seen it coming. Chloe, of course, was lovely, and so sweet and innocent that he almost felt bad for dragging her along. And then of course there was Kat. Oh, Kateri. What a lass. Yes, this was certainly going to be a good night.

Or so he thought.

Getting the cue that this was a 'casual' meet-up, Ter didn't put a lot of effort into his outfit. He even decided to wear the stupid YOLO bracelet that one of his students had given him a while back. What? It had been a nice gesture, and he figured he might as well get at least one use out of it.

But when he got to the pub, he felt totally underdressed. "Oi thought this was supposed tae be bloody casual!" he hissed under his breath to Chloe and Brendan, who both looked very sharp, Chloe especially. He had to keep reminding himself that her eyes were, indeed, on her face. Not that her face wasn't pretty as well. But well, her dress definitely emphasized other things.

However, his gaze was drawn away when Kat entered the room. He let out a low whistle as she found a spot between him and Brendan, his eyebrows raised in admiration. "Well, don't you look gorgeous," he told her, completely serious. He was sober, which meant his compliments were serious - once he got drunk (which he knew he would), his hands might start to get a little wandering, but at the moment Kat had his undivided attention. She never ceased to impress him. Why had they broken up in the first place....?

He blinked, brought back to the present. "Oi think both sounds good," he nodded, glancing for a moment to their other companions. "Wot do ye think?"

[Brendan James]

All things considered, Brendan was quite proud of himself. Putting this little get together… together. With the help of his dear friend Chloe, who was pretty much his other significant other. What friends coordinated their outfits? Walking in, with her on his arm, and Ter and Kat with them, he really did feel bad for anybody who might be there trying to hook up. Because one, they were ridiculously attractive so expected many advances from many people. He might be full of himself, but at least he admits to others’ attractiveness. And two, they’d be drinking. And he expected it to turn at least a little disastrous.

Though, admittedly, he had been a little nervous. What with might either of his ex-coworkers, who just so happened to be his dear friends, might say about his relationship with their student. Teasing he would take in good fun. Or, more likely, turn into something dirty. And he truly doubted anybody would attempt to offend him.

“Hey now!” Brendan said with laugh, smiling at Chloe, then at Kat. I am perfectly capable to entertaining myself.” He, too grabbed a menu and looked over it. “It’s just…. Something you could get arrested for doing in public.” Biting the inside of his cheek, he tried his damnedest not to laugh out right. But he did smirk.

“No no no. Drinks. Only drinks. Ter, if we’re going to witness these beautiful women making out, they must drink on empty stomachs. Sir, I’m disappointed. You should’ve thought of this.” He wasn’t sure which way to cower, towards Kat or towards Chloe, because he was honestly expecting hits from both. “I would just like to take this opportunity to say you both look stunning. My jaw might or might have not come unhinged at seeing you both.” While it was true, he hoped the compliment would save him from being hit.

Putting his menu down, Bren smiled at the other man. “Don’t worry Ter, I still have my eye on you too.” Winking at his friend… Just seemed the natural thing to do.

[Chloe Singleton]

Practically bouncing in her seat, it was obvious that no amount of ogling by Brendan, Terrowin, or anyone else that might decide to have wandering eyes, nor even teasing in poor taste from her best friend would be able to wipe the smile off her face. She did, however, cover said smile with her hand when Ter made a comment about their choice of attire for the evening. Anyone that knew the pair of them would know that in their books, what they were wearing would perfectly pass for casual. (Chloe's dress might have been a little tighter than normal, but it was fun to mix things up every now and again.)

“I don't think we're overdressed at all, what about you, Brendan?” Chloe fixed him with those big eyes of hers, as if she expected him to say otherwise. “Besides, you look very nice, and Kat is stunning.” She really liked Kat's dress, it looked lovely on her, but she didn't dare compliment Brendan. His ego was big enough without her adding needlessly to it.

Shaking her head, Chloe gave Kat a knowing look. “He's such a hassle. It's like trying to walk a hyperactive child through a toy store on a leash.” She made to give Bren an affectionate pat on the cheek... until he opened his mouth again. The pat suddenly gained a little more force behind it, although not nearly enough to be considered a slap, but her smile never faltered.

“Excuse me?” Chloe's voice took on that motherly tone it always did whenever she was about to scold her friend.

[Kateri Rivera]

Kateri might’ve blushed a bit at Ter’s compliments, and then even more at Chloe’s compliment, but thankfully it was dark, so she doubted anyone could tell. She didn’t think that blushing went along with red hair all that well. Instead, she shoved Ter playfully.

“And you look good, if casual,” she said. “But compared to our matching Chloe and Brendan, we all look casual.” She was especially admiring of Chloe’s heels. She was just in a pair of strappy sandals, and would never ever wear the heels anyways because she couldn’t walk in them, but she could admire them at least.

It was easy to switch to focus on Brendan, as she rolled his eyes at his first comment and gaped at him for his second.

“Excuse me?” she demanded, and then slowly began to smile. “Oh, in your dreams Brendan. I get to see you make out with Ter first.” Not that she thought they’d do it. Well, Brendan would, but she doubted Ter would no matter how much alcohol was in his system. She winked at Chloe. “See, now we have to foil their plans. I think we should make them buy us a large dinner, don’t you think? Then we can have…wine. You know. Something without a lot of alcohol.” However, she leaned over to order a round of shots anyways. Because she hadn’t really come to eat, let’s face it. Then she leaned back and grinned at Ter. “You’re still paying, though. Especially if you want a show later.”

[Terrowin Guthrie]

Terrowin just allowed himself to listen to his friends bicker for a moment, grinning silently to himself over the oh-so-tedious rules of 'casual' and 'fancy' attire. "We're all hot, let's just leave it at that," he finally said. "Although Oi always think the ladies have us beat," he muttered under his breath to Brendan. "Oi mean, they have boobs. It's an unfair advantage." He wiggled his eyebrows knowingly.

He snorted at Brendan's retort, lifting his hands up and putting on a look of mock horror. "Oh God, yer right. How could Oi have been so ignorant? O' course that's wot we came here tae see. Women makin' out, yeah. Nothin' better." He coughed awkwardly, putting his hands down, knowing Kat would get after him for agreeing with Brendan. To be honest, he typically found it weird when girls kissed - not that he had anything against lesbians or anything, but he just wasn't particularly turned on by it. That could all change when he was drunk, though. He laughed, though, at Brendan's comment towards him. "Oh, Oi know ye haven't, laddie," he chuckled, and laughed harder when Kat mentioned THEM kissing. "Oh alright, Oi suppose that's fair," he said, and turned towards Brendan and pretended to go in for a kiss, before quickly leaning past him and waving an arm out to get the waiter's attention. He ordered the strongest they had. He wanted to get wasted tonight.

He winked slyly at Kat. "O'course Oi'll pay. It's always worth a show from ye." Their drinks arrived, and he took a long draught of his before hitting it back on the table and grimacing. "Whooo. That is pretty damn strong," he commented. Right before taking another drink. "Yer lookin' prettier by the second," he told Brendan, even though the alcohol hadn't even yet hit his system. "O'course, Chloe and Kat are too. Ah, the beauty o' gettin' wasted."

[Brendan James]

Shaking his head, Brendan leaned his arms on the table. “There is no such thing as being overdressed. There is simply dressed.” Honestly, they were lucky Bren didn’t have a jacket with him for this outing. But then he thought of the drinking they’d be doing and wanted to save at least one key item to an outfit. That’s also why he didn’t wear a tux. Well, not the only reason. “Ter’s right. We’re all exceptionally sexy people. Especially tonight. And he’s doubly right. Boobs. You guys win.” Ter might have been trying to keep that part quiet, but leave it to Bren to share his opinion with the table.

“I am not a hassle! I am a joy! I bring a smile to the face of everybody around me!” Which, he knew, was a slight exaggeration. Slight. Very slight. “Hey now!” He said with a mock pout at Chloe, rubbing his cheek as if it had hurt. “It was juuust a compliment” He said with a smile.

“If making out with that man is all it take, I’m game. Ter. Your lips better not be chapped.” And he leaned towards Ter, eyes closed, ready for a kiss. But got air. Disappointed, he sat back and shook his head. “Look at what you’re giving me to work with? A tease! Ter, you’d make the worse girl ever. You’d be teasing guys, getting their hopes up, left and right.” Looking at Kat, he smiled, “Let the record show, I was ready and willing. Your boyfriend copped out. So what do I get?”

Reaching over, Bren grabbed two shots, placing one in front of Chloe, then tossing his back with ease. Shots were becoming a very regular occurrence. “I was pretty to begin with darling, don’t second guess your true feelings.” Winding an arm around Chloe’s shoulders, he smiled at Ter and Kat for a second. They were cute together. And there was obviously something there. There’d been mention of a ‘show’. “So… What are you guys? Are you dating yet? Because… That’d be really hot.”

[Chloe Singleton]

Chipper Chloe nodded in agreement with Brendan. "All that matters is whether or not you like what you wear." She gestured at her best friend. "Brendan likes his suits, probably a little too much, while Ter is more comfortable in his jeans. Kat, on the other hand, is a beautiful woman and she would look great in anything." Gender bias, much?

But Brendan and Terrowin only added to that and Chloe felt it was appropriate to high-five Kat over the table. "Girls always win!" She tried to look haughty, but failed miserably. It just wasn't in her to be arrogant.

When Brendan pouted at her, Chloe's head cocked to the side and without missing a beat, she poked his protruding bottom lip back into place. "Big boys don't pout and little boys don't get to see pretty girls kiss." She laughed, but instinctively snuggled into his side as he wrapped his arm around her and set the shot glass in front of her. She made a little bit of a face as she looked at it. Shots really weren't her cup of tea, she preferred the fruity girly drinks, even more if they had little umbrellas in them, and her tolerance for alcohol was horrendous at best. But if everyone else was doing it...

It took her two tries, but she finally emptied the glass and made a face like she had just bit into a lemon. She hid most of it behind her hand, however. Thankfully it seemed like Brendan was more concerned about trying to kiss Terrowin than watching her fail at taking a shot. "Breeeennnn!" She shook her head at his blunt remark. "Use a little class next time."

[Kateri Rivera]

Kateri’s mouth opened in indignation about the idea of boobs somehow managing to give her some kind of advantage, and she stared at the men, wondering just how she could get revenge on them for that particular comment. Eventually, she decided to go with Chloe’s perspective and take the positive approach. It helped that Chloe had already complimented her. So she beamed at the woman and leaned forward to high five her. “Exactly,” she said, turning to give Ter a look. “You should feel privileged to be in our company.” But she couldn’t stay haughty for long, and her lips promptly cracked into a smile. “But I agree with Chloe. You have to start acting like grownups to see pretty girls kiss.”

But it was all worth it—the commentary from the dirty men and everything—to see the almost make-out of Ter and Brandon. Kateri had been picking up her shot glass to knock it back, but promptly had to stop so she could cover her hand with her mouth to stop herself from scaring the whole building with her laughter. “C’mon, Brandon, that’s the best kind of girl. You know you like the teasing.” Then again, perhaps he didn’t. After all, he’d gone after Vincent—nope. She wasn’t going there. Not tonight. She was going to have fun. So instead, she knocked back the shot, coughed at the taste, then put it down and waved for another one.

She wished she had it immediately at Brendan’s question, and she cleared her throat.

“Um. No, no we’re not, uh, seeing each other. Except occasionally. After a few too many drinks.” It was Brendan and Chloe. She thought they’d get it. She offered a sheepish smile to Ter. Once the drinks had arrived, she held up another one. “To hot people!”