Chapter Text
“That was a really great session, Chance!” The D20’s heart swelled and a flush crept up his face at your words. He awkwardly scratched the back of his neck, trying not to act too embarrassed as a flush climbed up his cheeks.
“Thanks y/n. You mean it?” You nod enthusiastically, and Chance grins at this. You were nearing the climactic end of your G&G campaign, and the plot points were all tying together wonderfully. It was clear Chance had taken a lot of time to write this campaign out fully. You knew from Dasha that he had been up late for several nights, making sure that the story was going to work out perfectly in the end.
You began to clean up your office, picking up pens and pencils that had been scattered around by the other players. Dasha, Penelope, and Parker had all been in attendance in today’s session, and you guys had decided to go grab a drink at the Breaker Box afterwards. Chance said he would be late, having to clean up after everyone, so you offered to help.
You reached over to grab a crumpled up note paper on the floor, brushing Chance’s hand as you did so. He had a sharp intake of breath and jerked his hand away. “Sorry!” His voice was overly apologetic. You grin at his nervous expression and playfully punch him in the arm.
“Dude, you’re good. I’m just trying to clean up quickly, because I could really use a drink right now. It’s been a long week.” Chance smiled, taking a stack of notes and tucking them neatly in a folder you kept in your desk. His face was gentle, his smile lingering as he finished tidying his G&G supplies up. He really was cute, you thought as he double and triple checked that everything was returned to its proper place.
“I’ve never been too much of a drinker myself. I don’t think I’ve ever been to the Breaker Box, now that I think about it.” You stop for a moment, placing your phone down on the desk as you lean down to grab a glass off the floor. You would never hear the end of it from Daisuke if it broke.
“Really? Everyone goes there!” Chance shrugs, wiping his glasses on the bottom of his shirt. He seems determined to do anything but make eye contact with you.
“I’ve never had anyone to go with,” he admits honestly. You throw your arm around Chance’s broad shoulders, beginning to pull him along. He jumps at your contact once more, stiffening instantly.
“Well, now you have me! Come on, let’s go find the others. You’ll have a good time, I promise! And if you don’t then we don’t have to do this again! It’s just a fun way to end the week.” Chance nods, trying to calm the nervousness in his stomach. Not at the idea of going to a foreign place, but rather at the very foreign sensation of your hand holding his tightly, pulling him up the stairs and around the corner and into the bar.
The atmosphere was a 180 turn from the office. The lights were extremely dimmed, and it was loud without being uncomfortably so. “Hey! Over here!” The others had found a corner booth and were holding open two of the spots. You pulled Chance forward, leading him around tables and other patrons before sitting down with your friends. “We already ordered drinks,” Penelope said as you two got comfortable.
“I’ll wave Volt over, don’t worry,” you reassure your friend. The D20 frowns. Who the hell is Volt? Chance immediately feels nervous about his homebody (office-body?) tendencies. He knows he doesn’t get out much, but there are plenty of things to do and people to talk to in the office. There simply isn’t a point of going out of the room, let alone all the way upstairs.
A pool of jealousy forms in Chance’s stomach as a tall and elegant man waltzes up to the table. “Live wire! Hello there. How have you been doing?” Volt takes your hand and places a gentle kiss on the back of it. You giggle, and Chance grits his teeth at this, crossing his arms angrily. This action is noticed by everyone at the table except you.
“I’m great. Can I have my usual?” You glance over at Chance. “Actually, two of those, but take out the extra shot of whisky in one, okay?” Volt nods, opening his mouth to speak.
“I’ve drank before, I can handle some alcohol,” Chance snaps angrily. He doesn’t know where this came from, the words having barely processed in his head before they were out of his mouth. Several members of your party looked taken aback at Chance’s sudden change in attitude.
“Oh sorry! I didn’t know! Just two usuals then, Volt.” He smiles and nods. Walking back up to the bar. You turn to Chance, noticing his crossed arms and firmly set brow. “Hey, are you alright?” You gently set a hand on Chance’s shoulder, once more not expecting him to jump. You start to assume he does not like being touched at all.
“I’m fine,” he says, although you can tell he isn’t. The rest of the table is awkwardly watching the interactions between you and Chance, and you begin to feel there’s a joke or statement that you haven’t been made aware of.
“It’s been a long week,” you offer. “Unwind with some booze, some friends, it’s gonna be great!” Chance nods, letting his arms fall from being crossed. He doesn’t know why he’s so angry or jealous all of a sudden.
“Plus, tonight they are having people perform! Isn’t that exciting?!” Penelope seems genuinely excited, even though it’s bound to be Johnny and Jean Loo up on stage once more.
The drinks come, and shortly after the performances begin. The alcohol does little to help soothe the jarring tones that Johnny produces, and pretty soon second and third rounds of drinks are ordered.
Eventually some actual music is played, and despite being three drinks down, you gladly accepted Volt’s invitation to the dance floor. You stumbled a bit, letting the tall man guide you along to the music. “Who’s your new friend, live wire? I haven’t seen him here before.” Volt’s voice drags you out of your alcohol induced haze slowly, and you have to push away to look at the table.
“Oh! Chance! Yeah, he’s great,” you reply. Volt chuckles as you lean back into him. You don’t feel confident enough to keep yourself standing, definitely a cause of Eddie’s heavy hand while making the drinks. He knows you like them strong.
“He can’t seem to take his eyes off of you.” You furrow your brow and glance back at the table. Sure enough, Chance is watching the two of you with what can only be a scowl. He isn’t talking with the rest of the group, but when he makes eye contact with you he turns away and joins the conversation once more. “I can’t blame him, live wire. You’re quite easy on the eyes.” You laugh softly at this, glancing back over at Chance.
His face is slightly flushed from the alcohol, and he had taken his cloak off to cool down. You offer him a wave and a smile as you make eye contact again, and he softly smiles back. You laugh. What a dork. But a cute one- he looks cute when he’s embarrassed. You feel guilty leaving him, then tell yourself not to, because he is with his friends and should be okay.
Yet he’s watching you with a longing look in his eyes. It’s cute. If you were a little more sober you would have told Volt that you didn’t want to dance with him and would have taken Chance out here instead. He would have been so embarrassed and awkward, and you most definitely would have to guide him through the steps. You laugh at the thought, and Volt smiles down at you.
“Something funny, live wire?” You shake your head no. “It’s your friend over there isn’t it?” You both look at the table. Chance looks so… sad? Jealous, maybe. Volt stills as the song does, not starting again as a slower song begins to play. A few couples take to the dance floor, and you feel awkward being the only one not dancing.
“Just a second live wire, I have a message to pass on.” You cross your arms, figuring Volt was going to give Eddie a dance with you, but the tall man doesn’t walk over to the bar. Instead, you see him walk over to your table and lean down to Chance, whispering something in his ear.
The D20’s face surprised and you can make out a shocked laugh from across the bar. Dasha laughs and pats Chance on the back, saying something that makes everyone at the table laugh. Volt laughs along and nods eagerly, pushing Chance forwards.
You blush as he walks up to you, stumbling a little. He awkwardly stands in front of you, mouth scrunched up in confusion. “Volt said you wanted to dance with me?” You smile, looking past Chance’s shoulder and over at Volt, who is nodding enthusiastically, grinning as you step up to Chance and take his hands, placing one on your shoulder and the other on your hip. For a moment his hands simply hover there, ghosting over your skin, until you press them down and wrap your arms around his back.
“Yes,” you finally respond. “I got tired of you giving me puppy dog eyes and wanted to do something about it.” You begin to sway along with the music, Chance awkwardly stiffening.
“I wasn’t staring! I- I was just-“ You place a finger to Chance’s lips and he stills, flushed face looking down at you. He isn’t that much taller than you, maybe an inch or so, but he’s close enough not to miss the look you give him as you lean down to rest your head on his shoulder.
One more, he stiffens at the contact, but this time he almost immediately softens and begins to sway you gently in time with the music. You hum in bliss and sway along, the alcohol you consumed breaking down your nerves to talk to Chance. “I’ve been wanting to dance with you all evening.” He’s the one to break the silence. He’s leaning on you heavily- you know he’s drunk and out of it, but you still think the words hold truth.
“I’m happy we’re dancing now. It’s a slow song- it’s for couples.” Chance lifts his head up, as if to hear the music better, and then he begins to laugh. You smile, only letting the expression fall as you realize Chance isn’t laughing happily.
He pushes away from you, taking a step back. “Go dance with Volt, or whoever. You have so many partners in this room, dance with one of them during the slow song.” Your face falls.
“Chance, don’t you get it? I wanted to dance with you!” Some of the other objects are staring, but you don’t care.
“Why?” The word is spoken quietly from his lips. He genuinely looks hurt, but you aren’t sure why. “Why would you want to spend time with some…some loser like me? Huh? For Pity? As a joke?” You freeze, grabbing one of his hands in your own.
“Because I like you, Chance. Because I like spending my time with you.” You expect him to soften, to take you into his arms and twirl you around, but instead his hand is yanked out of your grasp and he takes a step back. You can make out tears behind his glasses- his words aren’t matching with his facial expressions and something isn’t right. You step forwards, trying to bring him into a hug, to guide him over to a secluded table, or maybe even out of the bar, but Chance moves away before you get the opportunity.
“Oh, fuck this,” Chance brings his hand to his head as he mutters the word and begins to storm out of the bar. You call after him, not wanting to leave and make a scene, but also longing for him to stop with the self depreciation. He yanks his hand away from you when you grab it, and that’s when you decide to cut your losses.
The two of you had flirted your way through G&G sessions, had even watched a movie or two on your computer. It seemed like small, slice of life dates. Did they not mean anything to him? Were you just a friend to him?
Volt escorts you to a back room, getting you out of sight before you have a breakdown. You’re crying, you aren’t quite sure why. “Jesus Christ, why is he so difficult?!” You slam your fist against the closed door. Volt gently rubs your back.
“The best kinds of love aren’t going to be easy. Look at Eddie and I. We love you dearly, but you had to nearly kill us in order for us to be in a state to love you.” You hum, wiping your tears on your sleeve.
“You aren’t jealous, right?” Volt shakes his head no, his smile falling from his face.
“No, live wire, I’m not jealous, but I fear the D20 most definitely is. I believe this may be my fault, having whisked you off to dance. I hadn’t known you were pursuing him romantically.” You frown.
“Chance hasn’t had a problem with it until tonight. I just don’t know why it came to a head here.” Volt sighs again, resting his forehead on his fist.
“Again, I take the blame. It isn’t comforting, let’s say, to see the person you like be whisked away by another lover. Even I would even get a little jealous.” You frown.
“I have to go find Chance. I have to set things right, it’s going to eat away at me.” You race for the door. Volt stops you.
“Y/n, please keep in mind the fact that you are drunk. Chance more so. Please don’t do anything that you regret later.” You frown.
“Like sex?” Volt sighs.
“I meant get into an argument. I couldn’t give two fucks if you get laid tonight, as long as your lover is treating you with kindness. I wish you luck.” Volt leaves a gentle kiss to the top of your head as you slip out of the door to the closet.
No one pays too much attention to you as you leave the Breaker Box, the door shutting and muffling the music. You take a deep breath, hoping that you can find Chance and make things right to him.