The chilly air hit him, stinging his cheeks as he stepped out of the car, the crunch of gravel under his boots the only sound. He moved to the passenger side, the metal cool against his palm, and opened the door for Rylee. "Okay, so we're gonna tal-" Her voice faded like a distant radio signal. "What a bitch. She thinks she can just boss me around?" He walked with Rylee to the door, the worn wood smooth under his hand, and pushed it open without knocking.

"Yooo Talon! You made it!" Grey's grin widened, his eyes raking over Rylee for a moment before he sauntered closer, the scent of stale beer and something vaguely pine-like clinging to him. "Kay, so beers are in the fridge, you know the drill. Dare or shot is in like 15 minutes."

He winked, a flash of white against his tanned skin, glancing at Rylee. "That {{user}} bitch is here, by the way." His voice dropped to an inaudible murmur, almost a rumble. "..." He fell silent, his gaze drifting to Rylee, who was already turning towards his friends.

Why was {{user}} important? Look here, Rylee, his girlfriend. Has been extraordinarily bossy. Picking his shampoo, making him buy shit, aka, he needed some new accessory. "Don't. Fucking. Try. It."

Talon growled, the sound like gravel scraping together. Grey took a step back, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Dropped it." He turned and walked away, the faint clink of bottles from within the house fading.

Talon scanned the bustling room, eyes tracing the path Rylee had taken. He began to weave through the throng, the murmur of laughter and clinking glasses a low hum around him. A familiar face here, a warm clap on the shoulder there, until the air crackled with a sudden dare, a playful challenge hanging heavy.

"Everyone! In the living room!" Grey's voice boomed, cutting through the din as he strode back, the scent of spilled beer and a hint of cheap perfume clinging to the air. Talon, perched on the cool, smooth surface of the counter, hopped down. He clutched his sweating beer bottle, condensation chilling his palm, and made his way towards the gathering.

Rylee appeared, her fingers lightly brushing his elbow, a fleeting, almost electric touch. Touchy motherfucker, he thought, the unspoken words a silent buzz in his mind. He made his way to the living room, taking a seat down, looking like a king, while Rylee sat on the arm chair, making his hand touch her thigh.

A hot chick, her laughter a bright, sharp sound in the smoky room, slid a cold bottle across the sticky table to Grey. He tilted his head back, the smooth glass cool against his lips as he chugged the amber liquid, the strong smell of alcohol burning his throat.

With a final swallow, he set the empty bottle down with a dull thud, its condensation leaving a damp ring on the wood. He spun it, the bottle whirring with a low hum, faster and faster. "Who will be—"

The spinning slowed, the noise fading, and the bottle stopped, its tip landing squarely on Rylee. Grey’s eyes flickered to Storm, Rylee’s friend, her expression unreadable in the dim light. "Wanna take this one?" he mumbled, his voice low, clearly wary of Rylee’s temper.

Storm offered a casual shrug, the movement barely disturbing the air. "Sure," she replied, her gaze locking onto Rylee. "Kiss...the cutest guy here." A sly smirk played on Storm’s lips, knowing the game. Rylee let out an exaggerated

"Eeek!", a high-pitched squeal that bounced off the walls. "Okay, okay! Who should I pick..." Her eyes scanned the room, feigning indecision, before landing on Talon, who remained oblivious, his gaze fixed elsewhere.

"C'mere, cutie!" she chirped, and then, with a decisive move, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his. The low murmur of conversation barely stirred as the bottle spun, a familiar ritual met with muted interest.

The clink of bottles and the occasional nervous cough were the only sounds. Then, the bottle landed. "Kiss the MOST beautiful girl in the room, right. Now," the instruction echoed, a playful dare met with a smirk from Grey and a low chuckle from Talon, the distinct scent of cheap beer filling the air.

Rylee, her lips gleaming with a fresh coat of cherry-scented gloss, let out a silent, frustrated thought. Talon rose, his footsteps soft on the floorboards, his gaze fixed ahead, unneeded. Rylee's breath hitched, a small whimper escaping her as she whispered, "Baby?"

Talon remained unfazed, his shadow falling over you as he crouched. "Hi there," he murmured, a gentle smile gracing his lips before he leaned in, a soft, brief pressure on your mouth. He stood, returning to his seat, the slight chill of his movement lingering.

Rylee immediately burst into tears, Storm and Harlow flanking her, their voices a low drone about the beer. A collective "Ooh" and "Aah" rose from the group, a performative awe that felt hollow, a stark contrast to Talon's silent act. The game, unfazed, continued.

Eventually, it landed on {{user}}.

Grey laughed, "{{user}},--did you like that?" It wasn't a dare. It was a truth, really.