~Xavier~
~(Because Victoria's severely, thoroughly drunk)~
"Beep. Beep. Beep."
Shortcake poked my biceps, giggling as I tried to change gears. I should've recorded this so I could play it back to her later.
She was pretending to be a fire truck for some reason.
I stopped at a red light. Victoria took it up a notch - she got up on her seat and made siren noises.
I pulled her back down and rolled up the roof. "Seatbelt. Now."
She stuck her tongue out.
I sighed.
Reaching over her side, I pulled the thing over her waist and clicked it in. During that process, I may have brushed her chest. By accident. Honest.
Victoria's eyes went wide and she looked at me appalled.
I held up my hands, expecting a punch. "I didn't do it on purpose. I'm sorry."
Shortcake put both her hands on my face, trying to smush it together.
"Why are you so adorable?"
What the fück is happening here?
Shortcake caught my lower lip and tried making me say 'fish'.
I admit this was more terrifying than when she tried to kill me.
"I'm not six years old." I mumbled, trying to get home as fast as I could.
"No." She agreed. "You're a teddy bear."
I groaned.
All I wanted to do was get wasted tonight. Was that too much to ask for?
"That name better not stick when you're sober, Shortcake. I've got a reputation to keep up here."
"You're my teddy bear." She laughed. "And I'm going to call you Mr. Cuddles."
I took a deep breath.
"I don't cuddle, Shortcake." I said patiently. "I do however fück redheads if they ask nicely."
Usually, that would've shut her up.
But Victoria was bringing her A game tonight.
"All talk, no play, Mr. Cuddles." She grabbed my shirt and whispered in my ear. "So what're you going to do if I say pretty please?"
My mouth was suddenly very dry.
On any other day, I'd be all for pinning her and ripping that tight little dress off her.
But not tonight.
Not when she had no idea what she was talking about.
It took every bit of control I had to shove her back in her seat. She gave me a strange look almost like she was hurt.
I ran a hand through my hair.
Fück me and my goddamn morals.
She didn't talk to me the rest of the way back. I noticed that she'd fallen asleep after a while.
I parked the car and gently got her out, carrying her upstairs. Her makeup was smudged and her jaw had a violet bruise from her fight earlier.
She still looked beautiful.
I'm definitely going to hell.
I kicked open the door to her room and placed her on the bed. I took off her shoes, pulled a blanket over her and turned to leave.
I definitely wasn't going to watch her sleep. That was some next level creepiness.
It was just as I was about to close the door that I heard a timid voice.
"Do you hate me?"
I took a deep breath before going back inside. Victoria was sitting up, rubbing her eyes. Her contacts had fallen off. Her forest eyes were sad and confused.
"I don't hate you." I sat on the edge of the bed. I knew I was going to regret this but what the hell. She was drunk anyway. "I happen to like you. A lot."
She looked at me oddly.
"And I don't want to hurt you." I said, closing my eyes. "God knows I've screwed up enough here. I never should've brought you out tonight. I'm such an idiot-"
I felt her arms around me. Victoria rested her head against my chest, ruffling my hair.
"Shut up, Mr. Cuddles."
I smiled.
I don't know how long we stayed like that. Eventually, Shortcake yawned and that was my cue to leave.
"Tell me something." She said, as I tucked her in again. "Who are you? Honestly."
I thought about telling her the truth for a moment.
Then I realised I really didn't have an answer anymore. If Daniel was me, then that made me nobody.
"I don't know." I kissed her hair. "Promise me you'll help me find out though, princess."
Victoria gave me a sleepy nod. "Promise."
I smiled.
I left her and closed the door. I felt confused, happy and sad all at the same time. I decided I wasn't going to sleep anymore so I took a shower and got back to my painting.
After a long time, the sun slowly came up and golden rays filtered through the curtains. I decided I should check on Victoria so I went to her room.
She could clearly hear the creak of the door.
"Leave me alone." Shortcake moaned, turning away. "It's too loud."
Oh, this should be fun.
I cheerily opened the curtains and let in the glorious morning sun. Victoria pulled the sheets over her head, swearing.
"Rise and shine, Shortcake." I announced, beaming. "It's 6 AM. Sharp."
"Since when are you a morning person?" She groaned. "I have a massive hangover."
"I know." I said, sweetly. "Breakfast is probably ready. I should tell you everything we have. Loudly."
She covered her ears. "Please don't."
"Eggs!" I smiled, as she threw a pillow at me. "Ham! Toast!"
"You son of a bîtch."
"Butter! Jam!" What else? "Celery!?"
She sat up, shooting me daggers. "Who the fück has celery for breakfast?"
I shrugged. "Goats?"
Shortcake got off the bed, coming at me. "I'm going to kill you."
"Of course you're not." I smiled. "You think I'm adorable."
Victoria palm hit her face so hard I heard a smack. "I said that, didn't I?"
"Don't beat yourself about it." I said, reassuringly. "I think I'm adorable too."
"You. Narcissistic. Self centred. Egotistic. Bästard."
With every word, she took one step closer to me, her expression murderous.
Which just made me laugh harder.
"What's so funny, Biscuit?" She threatened, trying to hit me. "Is it my fist? Because I think it's hilarious how I'm going to break your jaw."
"Nope." I shot back, pinning her hands. "Your hair looks a lot like cotton candy."
She blushed to her roots, fuming.
"Shut. Up."
With one more lunge at me, Victoria outdid herself and threw up on my shoes.
Daniel walked inside right then, whistling.
"Today is going to be a wonderful day."
****
Xavier : "Vote for this chapter - all proceeds go to the 'Let's make Victoria sober again' fund XD