Between Friends

It took you a little while to shake that dream you'd had about the guys. You felt yourself getting hot in the cheeks... and other places, around them for a couple days. You were sure you had had it because you're getting attached to them both enough now that you didn't wanna lose either of them, like you had Chris for a short time. Plus, you probably just needed to get laid.

On Friday of that week, you all went to Tony's for Pepper's birthday party. You had put on white skinny jeans with random rips in the front of the thighs and knees, a high neck chambray halter top and nude strappy heals.

There were so many people that it was like a night club. They even had the lights low and colorful in the large room where the bar was, the music thumping as the three of you came in. There were couches and chairs scattered around, mostly the at the perimeter of the center area of the room, some people were dancing already.

You spotted Pepper, the guest of honor, and went to her to give her her gift. The guys were surveying the room when you took off and they moved quickly to go with you. When Pepper saw you heading to her, she smiled excitedly with her mouth open big and waved. She had stood from a sofa in a group of furniture, she was surrounded by Tony, Thor, Jane and Sam. She rounded the table in the center, hurried to you and gave you a big hug.

You returned it readily, the guys standing behind you smiling, "Happy Birthday, boss." You smiled as you pulled back and handed her a small, long box.

"Thank you." She opened it and gasped at the gold pen set with opal inlaid into the clips, "Oh! They're beautiful!"

She hugged you again, "Thank you!"

"Your welcome." You pointed a thumb behind you, "From them too." You stepped out of her way as she stepped past you to hug and thank the guys too. They wished her a happy birthday and said 'you're welcome'.

You all sat, Chris ended up next to you in the two available spots on one of the couches, Sebastian sat to your other side, diagonally, in a large chair.

Tony furrowed his brows at all of you, "What are you doing?"

"Uhhh, sitting?...", Sebastian looked just as confused as you and Chris.

Tony lifted his glass, "Open bar, go nuts!"

Your face spread into a happy grin. Chris leaned into you and said close to your ear, "Not you."

You scoffed as Sebastian stood, "I got it. What do you guys want?"

"Just a beer, please.", Chris answered.

"Doll?", Sebastian smiled at you.

"Daiquiri, please and thank you.", you gave him a scrunched nose smile, which caused him to make an amused pout and he winked at you. He touched your bare shoulder as he walked away.

Chris asked Tony, "Where's Nat, Bruce and the Bartons?"

"The Bartons had to cancel; two of their kiddos are sick. Nat and Bruce are around here somewhere.", Tony answered looking around.

Thor and Jane got up to go dance and the conversations amongst the group continued. Before long, Sebastian returned with yours and Chris's drinks and a screwdriver for himself. As he handed you your drink, he bent down and gave you a kiss on the cheek.

As the evening got started and wore on, there was lots of talking, lots of drinking and laughing between everyone. Nat had found you and dragged you to the dance floor to dance to "Moves Like Jagger" while the guys continued joking around, howling with laughter... Just generally being ridiculous. You and Nat made your way to the bar and had shots, then headed back to the dance floor for another song before the guys had even had a chance to see you at the bar. After that song, you were starting to feel pretty loose and relaxed. Nat talked you into one more shot and then you both headed back the couches. The people in that seating area rotated through the circle of friends and people you didn't know. Right now, it was Chris, Bruce, Sam and Maria... And a few other people you didn't recognize. Nat sat with Bruce, kissing on his face while he tried to talk, making him laugh.

When you reached the couch, you stepped between Chris and the table, passing him. He leaned back a little, lightly touching your thighs to guide you past him as he leaned side to side to see around you to keep eye contact with Sam who was across the low table, talking to him. You sat in his lap, putting your arm around his shoulder and your other hand against his chest, smiling at the side of his face as he was still keeping eye contact with Sam, his arm instinctively going around your back, his hand coming to rest on your hip. You continued smiling.

Sam laughed and pointed at you, "I think someone wants your attention."

Chris turned to you and smiled, "Hi, hon. How you doing?"

You nodded lazily, "Good. Haven't you moved at all, wall flower?"

"Nah, enjoying visiting."

"Where's Seb?"

He looked over his shoulder where the rest of the room was and then back to you, "I dunno, mingling, I guess."

You sat in his lap for a few more minutes, listening to everyone talking and laughing along. At some point, your hand found it's way to the back of Chris's neck and you started absentmindedly tickling it with your fingernails. His face relaxed and his eyes closed briefly. He gently grabbed the back of your neck to pull you closer so he could talk quietly in your ear, "You better stop that, sweetheart, or we're gonna have a problem."

You hadn't stopped yet as you asked, "Whadda ya mean?" You were tipsy enough that you really didn't know what he meant. You then felt him start to get hard against the back of your thigh as you sat in his lap and he cocked an eyebrow at you.

You stopped the tickling, surprised and made a quiet noise that was half laugh, half scoff, "Sorry.", you smiled coyly.

He chuckled and pulled you closer again to kiss your cheek, "Just stay here for a minute until I calm down, please."

You smiled a little and nodded.

After a few minutes, Sebastian came back and asked you to go dance with him. You looked at Chris to make sure he considered the "problem" resolved and he gave you a small nod.

Sebastian had taken your hand and led you to the other side of the floor, near the bar. "London Bridge" by Fergie was already playing. You both started out facing each other and began to move. Sebastian noticed quickly the way you were moving. You had drank enough to let your guard down. He'd seen you dance before, but never like this. You were dancing like a lot of attention seeking girls would in a club, but it wasn't trashy. Your hips, ribcage and shoulders rolling, undulating, circling, popping... it was unusually fluid, controlled, sensual... And sexy as hell. You turned slightly and he stepped around behind you, closely, to feel you against him. He put his hands on your hips and you leaned your body and head back against him, putting a hand on the back of his head, your body still moving. He had his face against your hair and neck. You caught yourself, suddenly realizing that maybe that was a bit too much for friends... And the fact that you were surrounded by people, some you knew, at the moment. You pulled away from him and spun around changing your movements, putting your hands on his shoulders, his hands went to your hips again. You smiled shyly, a little embarrassed that you had let yourself go like that and he bit his lip.

You grabbed his hand and started walking off the dance floor, shouting, "Let's go sit down."

He laughed loudly, "Why?"

"Because."

He stepped in front of you, turned you around and nudged you, "Shot first, you need to relax." He didn't know you had already had two that evening and you saw no reason to tell him. You actually could use another shot.

Your feet started moving and he came to your side, putting his hand on the small of your back. Once you both sat at the bar, he ordered two shots and two beers, turned to you and spoke loudly over the music, "How have I never seen you dance like that?"

You pressed your lips together, hesitantly. This felt kind of embarrassing, but you told him anyway, "I used to belly dance, not really something I like to flaunt."

His eyebrows shot up, "Wow. Just took classes or...?" He was honestly wondering if it had been something like being a stripper. Of course that's where his mind went given what had just happened between you.

"I was in a performing troupe before I went to school for my cosmetology license. Like for festivals and dance concerts. Usually traditional costumes and music, sometimes current music and modern costumes. I had to quit because working and school took up too much time." You took your shot and hissed, slamming the glass down.

Sebastian downed his much more smoothly, then he spoke, "Well, you still got it, babe. Believe me." He leaned closer to your ear so only you could hear, placing a hand at your back, "Thank you for the dance; it was damn sexy."

You laughed nervously, he was making you blush, "I let it slip out."

He slowly shook his head, "I'm so glad you did."

He got up and took your hand to help you down from your stool, you both grabbing your beers. He put his arm around your back and led you back to the group.

Nat intercepted you halfway there and shouted, "Oh my God, (Y/N)! I didn't know you could dance like that! Where did you learn that? You need to teach me."

Sebastian spoke for you, "Belly dancing."

You scoffed and nodded, smiling at her shyly.

"That was hot, girl.", she said.

Sebastian barely chuckled, "Indeed."

Most everyone had returned to the central spot, but Chris was gone. You and Sebastian sat. You were close to his side and he his put his arm leisurely around the back of your neck.

Tony spoke up, "I saw you guys dancing, heading back this way and then back through the crowd again. Did you sneak away to do the deed somewhere in my house?"

"Tony!", Pepper exclaimed.

Sebastian threw his head back and laughed.

Tony shrugged Pepper, "Well..."

You just shook your head and chuckled softly.

A few songs later, Nat pulled you off the couch to dance with her again, "that sexy way". She really wanted to see it again and maybe try it. Might as well, cat's out of the bag and you were getting to the point were you were feeling in a sexy mood anyway, might as well have fun with it.

Sebastian scoffed in disappointment as Nat pulled you away and you just shrugged at him.

"Hurry back!", he shouted after you and you blew him a kiss.

"Dark Horse" by Katy Perry came on. That was a good one for dancing "that sexy way". Nat was watching you as she danced her own way, then she started trying some of it.

Chris had come back and sat next to Sebastian, asking where you were.

Sebastian answered, "Dancing with Nat. Did you know she can belly dance, like actual honest to God belly dancing?"

"What?", Chris chortled, "Really? No, I didn't.", his eyebrows raised.

"Look.", Sebastian gestured toward the dance floor. You weren't too far into the crowd and Chris could see you, being blocked by only a person or two for a quick moment every once and a while. His eyes were wide watching you.

Nat shouted to you, "I gotta pee!"

"Kay!", you shouted back and she left you dancing by yourself.

Chris asked Sebastian while still watching you, "How much has she had to drink when she's been around you?"

"Daiquiri, shot, a few beers."

"I think it's been more than that.", Chris glanced at him and they both looked to observe you.

A guy came up behind you and started dancing against you and you were gone enough to feel like you could just enjoy it. You didn't give him the same attention you had Sebastian, but you danced against him and let him get close, his hands slowly roamed and you were starting to feel frisky. Your dancing was getting more suggestive.

Chris and Sebastian stood quickly from the couch. Chris headed to you swiftly. Sebastian followed, but stopped short of the edge of the floor to let Chris handle it since he was going to get there first anyway. So, he just waited, should he be needed.

Chris approached you head on and took your arm gently, but firmly, pulling you away from the guy and to him, "Okay, sweetheart, I think you're done."

"Hey, man, we were dancing.", the guy protested.

Chris pointed at him, "Back off. I know what you were doing."

The guy sighed and left.

You were looking up at Chris with a devilish grin.

His face was stern, his brows furrowed and he was gripping your arms just below the shoulders as he looked down at you, "What are you doing? You don't even know that guy."

You rested your hand on his chest, "I know you. Will you dance with me?", you asked as you intentionally grazed his crotch with your other hand, biting your lip.

He jerked so slightly and closed his eyes for a beat, pursing his lips tightly as he made a sound that sounded like half grunt, half scoff. He grabbed your wrist only tight enough to prevent you from doing anything else. It's a good thing Chris's back was to Sebastian, so he didn't see what you had just done.

Chris's eyes were fixed on yours now. "Don't.", he said firmly.

You smiled up at him, licking your lips seductively, pressing your body against him, "Pleeease?"

"Okay, you're definitely done. We're not doing anything. Let's go.", he took your hand, turned and led you off the floor.

Sebastian saw Chris's face and knew that your night was over.

Chris told him as he passed Seb, "She's fuckin' plastered. We gotta get her home."

"Hi, Sebby!", you beamed as you passed him, trying to grab him by the shirt front to bring him with you as Chris kept pulling you.

Sebastian sighed as he began to follow you both.

You all excused yourselves for the night and went to the car.

Once you all stepped out the door, Chris started getting his keys out, Sebastian now tending to you. Once you had reached the bottom of the steps, you ran towards the trash bin that was there, thank God.

Sebastian followed, no more than a step behind you, "What are you-"

You shoved the hinged lid up and started puking in the can.

"Jesus, honey.", Sebastian hurried to get all your hair back and then held the lid with his other hand for you as you heaved again.

Chris turned and sighed. He should've kept a closer eye on you.

You were breathing heavily now, trying to spit the nasty taste out of your mouth and all of the sudden you weren't having fun anymore.

Sebastian grunted quietly as he bent down to scoop you up in his arms, "Come on." He carried you to the car parked at the curb of the semi-circle parkway, asking Chris, "You still have that water?", he set you down near the grass area beside the car, keeping an arm around your middle to steady you. Chris happened to have a half drank bottle of water in his cup holder in the front of the car. He grabbed it, removed the lid and handed to Sebastian, who handed it to you. "Here babe, rinse.", he ordered. You did as you were told, swishing and spitting the water on the lawn.

He guided you into the backseat and sat next to you. He stroked your hair for a moment and then took your hand, interlacing your fingers together. He held your hand on his thigh while your head rested on his shoulder. You were getting drowsy.

You had fallen asleep by the time you were home. Sebastian carried you into the house as you weren't waking up enough to walk. Chris had gone ahead of him to open doors and turn on lights.

Sebastian set you to lay on your bed and started unbuckling the straps of your heels as Chris spoke, "I'm gonna go to bed, bro. You got her all right?" He was a little pissed about how things had gone down and needed some space. He was upset at you for drinking more than you knew you could handle, upset at himself for not being around to keep you from drinking so much... And he was even a bit displeased with Seb for not being around to stop you either.

Sebastian nodded without taking his eyes off what he was doing, "Yeah, I got it." Sebastian was feeling almost the same way as Chris, but the person he was most upset with was himself. He was supposed to watch over you. He designated himself your drinking guardian a while ago.

Chris went to bed even though he wasn't tired. He just laid awake thinking about how you had touched him on the dance floor. Something so intimate shouldn't have happened while you were drunk. Plus, the place and circumstances had been wildly inappropriate. The only time you had showed that kind of interest in him and you were wasted. That really bothered him.

Sebastian put your trash can next to the bed, telling you where it was, you just said "okay" to indicate you had heard him as you were in between being awake and sleeping. He turned off the light, kicked off his own shoes and made his way to the other side of the bed, grabbing the blanket from the foot of the bed as he did. He took his place beside you, covered you both with the blanket and turned you from your back onto your side, facing where the trash can was in case you threw up in your sleep; didn't need you choking. He settled behind you and wrapped his arms around your ribcage, laying his head against yours as he whispered, "I'm sorry, doll."

You're arms were resting over his and you gave one a sleepy pat, you were so out of it that you had barely registered what he said; forget knowing why he was apologizing, "I'm- It's okay, Sebby. I still love you."

His heart skipped a beat and swelled a little. That was the first time you had said anything like that to him. He chalked it up to you being drunk and hardly conscious; and it most likely was meant in a friendly way... but it felt so good to hear you say it at all.

After a few minutes of reveling in the feeling your words gave him, he took a deep breath, and even though he knew you were totally out and wouldn't hear him, he kissed the back of your head and whispered into your hair, "I love you too, baby."