Private Drinking Game

[Leshanna]

Naamino Zuukamano // Haro Aven
​

Naami seemed to focus on Lesh, though at first he seemed almost too shy to meet her eyes, that was until she called his name and laid her hand on his arm - then it seemed like he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Not that she really minded that, of course.

Her friend let her work through what she needed to say, to get off her chest, and the more she revealed the more open emotion showed on his face - a glimmer of sadness, a flash of relief, then the surprise that made him raise his eyebrows and stare at her with those wide, beautiful blue eyes of his.

And when Lesh moved to sit away from him, to hide herself away in her own embarrassment and to apologize…he surprised her by reaching out to stop her from moving away. Naami drew her closer to him, right up against his side - and yet another deep flush filled her cheeks and spread even down her neck.

This, was probably the closest she’d ever been to her friend, and even in her inebriated state of mind she was aware of his presence right there next to her, tucking his oversized cloak in around her and his side that held her to him.

Naami mumbled something, then paused for a moment as he seemed to think further about what he wanted to say, before he glanced sideways at her and told her that she didn’t need to say she was sorry. He offered her a sort of puzzled smile, glancing at Haro for a moment, unsure of what to make of the whole situation.

"Thank you for telling me, Lesh… You're amazing-" Naami said and Lesh lifted her own wide eyes to look at him, her shy expression still evident on her face, and her blush growing deeper by the moment.

"I really like you too," He confessed, and her eyes widened with surprise upon hearing that. "Please don't feel bad because of me, ok? I'mma be fine— just was surprised is all."

Lesh all but lit up when he rested his cheek against her head, still holding her at his side. Lesh blinked as warmth spread through her, and her smile returned - giddy and happy and elated. He likes me too?? And he thinks I’m amazing? Really?? Oh…wow…

Sapphire eyes, glazed over slightly from the alcohol she’d consumed, trailed over to Haro as the other boy seemed to look on with a happy grin of his own, and took the moment to say his own piece after Naami had finished - reiterating that he too felt she was amazing and that she apparently already made him happy, even when she wasn’t trying - and the girl tucked further into the black cloak around her and tried to conceal her face as a rush of shy awkwardness and giddiness overcame her.

"Also, hey, I totally get why you might be intimidated by asking this guy to the dance," Haro said as he leaned in slightly closer to the pair of them. "He's pretty spikey, even if he is kinda cute. But you're the one who told me that there's a good guy under all that grumpy and look at him now! All sweet and gushy and stuff." he teased, bright green eyes gleaming with his mischief. "Seriously though, I hope you know you can always be honest with your boys, Lesh."

A silly little smile curled on Lesh’s lips as her eyes sparkled. She was at a loss for words, really. She hadn’t expected Naami to draw her close, hadn’t expected Haro to seemingly welcome her confession - and still manage to be a little flirty with his response back.

She glanced at Naami with a gleam of deviousness in her blue eyes and her smile turned into a playful smirk as she regarded both of them. “Haro said you’re kinda cute. And I’ll tell ya both a little secret…I think you’re both really cute too.”

Realizing what she had just said, Lesh hid her face away again in her moment of bashfulness as well. And about that moment was when she heard Haro start to repeat another “never have I ever” - and the next thing she knew, she along with Naamino were being tackled by the other boy.

“Oh my Forc- Haro!” Lesh shrieked in an unexpected but playful way as she toppled over and the three of them sprawled out on the blanket, and she dissolved into a fit of giggles and then belly laughter from the silliness of it all, feeling more than a little dizzy and warm and fuzzy from the alcohol that swam in her veins. She couldn’t help but just…exist in her merriment and laughter…unable to do anything else for a few moments. Watching Naamino and Haro tussle from the tackle hug made her laugh harder and tears dripped down her face.

The teenage girl realized then just how much fun she was having - and she got to experience it with the boys.

Eventually her laughing fit died away to soft chuckles and giggles as she lay on her back on the blanket, staring up into the dark and starry sky above Korriban as Haro got up and settled down on the other side of her. She glanced at both Naami and then Haro as she ran a hand through her tousled black hair, trying to smooth out some of the tangles, before she dropped her hand back down to her side, idly running her fingers through the velvety soft fibers of the blanket.

“I…I’ve been holding that back for a while now.” She confessed quietly to both of them. “I just didn’t know what to do with it, like - how does a girl tell a boy, let alone two, that she likes them? I suppose…I just had the courage tonight to say something. I like you both for different reasons; you're loyal and steadfast, Naami. I can always count on you, and you make me feel like a warrior whenever I'm around you. And you Haro, you're so playful and you make me laugh and smile, but you're so kind too...” She paused for a moment, turning more serious and contemplative for a moment. “But…I want you both to know…that no matter what or how you guys feel, even if it isn't the same way that I feel for both of you…I’ll be here for you. I guess I just wanted you two to know the truth.”

 

[Naamino Zuukamano]

Naami's head felt like it was spinning, but he wasn't sure if it was everything his friends were saying or the whiskey or both. Lesh seemed happy tucked against his side and Haro offered reassurance- but what on earth had he just winked about?!

Then there was the matter of Lesh calling them her boys... What did that mean?

Haro was clearly thriving on her attention and the whole situation in general. Not for the first time that night, Naami felt a pang of envy at how effortless this all was for the lean boy.

Then Naami's eyes went wide and Lesh could feel him squeeze her tighter as Haro called him cute, as the sly kid winked yet again and Lesh joined him, agreeing with the sentiment that both boys were really cute.

His hearts were pounding and his palms felt suddenly sweaty. Then seemingly out of nowhere, Haro leapt at them. Naami barked a sound of surprise and was bowled over into a pile of silly teenager.

The fun was infectious and Naami was soon chuckling along with his friends. Very mindful not to hurt Lesh with his horns, but feeling awfully spinny and silly from all the jostling. He shoved playfully at Haro when the boy made to extricate himself, suddenly reminded of how much he'd loved rough housing when he was a really small kid, how much fun he and Viv had chasing eachother around, and how much it annoyed his Uncle.

His mirth simmered down with the others and he tucked the arm nearest Lesh under his head to pillow it slightly so he could turn to look at her a bit. The zabrak grew somewhat solemn as Lesh clarified about what she'd just shared. Naami listened intently, trying hard to understand, but was more than a little distracted by the proximity of her long, soft hair to his arm. It was so pretty in the starlight, and it tickled him slightly when she emoted or moved her head. His head continued to swim with everything that had transpired since they'd started their drinking game.

A faint chill ran through him as a night breeze gusted across their blanket. Naami looked to his other side and considered the edge of the blanket briefly before favoring action over thinking too much about it. He reached over to lift the edge and shook it a little to dislodge some sand, before folding it over himself and offering some coverage to Lesh too. Naami had no idea how ridiculous he looked wrapped up like a spiky burrito, or else surely he wouldn't have done it. But it definitely beat being cold.

Somewhat glassy blue eyes blinked sidelong at Lesh, then over at Haro just beside her. Naami was truthfully speechless but it felt like he should say something about it all.

"Never have I ever known such a nice and brave girl before I met you," he mumbled shyly to Lesh, hiding his face a bit beneath the cozy blanket.

He didn't want to leave Haro out, but frankly was still recovering from whatever that was that just happened, so he added more shy grumbles.

"And I've never had so much fun star gazing with such cool friends."

 

[Haro Aven]

Elated that his friends took to his random outburst of affection so well, Haro couldn’t stop smiling as he rested his head in his palm and listened to Lesh go on. She was right, it really did require so much courage for anyone to pour their heart out like she’d done, not just to one of them but to both. Her bravery only further proved to him how powerful and amazing she was. Whether or not they deserved it, both he and Naami were so lucky to have earned her loyalty and respect and he hoped they were equal to the task of showing her just how special that was. Haro’s blissful little smile widened to a grin when she told him how happy he makes her and how she thought he was kind.

“I guess I just wanted you two to know the truth.” With that, Haro’s mirth suddenly melted away to be replaced with a pang of guilt. The emotional volatility of youth amplified by being intoxicated for the first time was clearly affecting all of them and it was Haro’s turn to grow a bit solemn, though he hoped he was better at hiding it than Naami had been. He had to be. Where the reasoning for Naami’s reaction had been clear, Haro’s was far more nefarious. He found he wished they could know the truth about him too and, for one dangerous moment, he wondered what would happen if he told them, if they would still be his friends and think so highly of him despite his true affiliation. All at once, he felt the weight of his deceit pulling him down like a weight tied to his ankle. To add to it all, he found that he did feel the same way about Lesh as she did about him but, at that moment, he felt entirely unworthy and, honestly, a bit uncomfortable admitting that in front of Naami. Turns out he was not nearly as brave as Lesh, but that hardly surprised him.

Though a bit delayed, Haro forced a smile at Lesh’s very sweet sentiment–that she’d be there for them no matter what–though it likely looked more sad than he’d wanted it to. As Haro searched for the words to respond, Naami thankfully spoke up after wrapping himself in the blanket, hopefully distracting Lesh with his shy compliments. Not for the first time this night, Haro was struck by how odd it was to see the Zabrak boy act so bashful and demure while still freshly bruised from the brutal beating he’d served Maiza just earlier.

“Yeah, I’m glad we did this. Thanks for joining me out here, you two, and for playing my silly little game,” he said, trying to bring the jovial mood back into his tone.

“And thank you, Lesh, for being so kriffing incredible and for sharing all that with us.” He scooted closer to her and rested his head where her shoulder met her collarbone so he was tucked just beneath her chin. He wrapped an arm around her little waist, and partially under the blanket Naami had offered, but not in a way that would impede Naami from getting in on the cuddles.

“I hope us knuckleheads can do right by you, enough to be worthy of being your boys.” Pushing the guilt away, Haro decided to just be grateful for the moment.
​

Leshanna | Naamino Zuukamano

 

[Leshanna]

Naamino Zuukamano // Haro Aven​

When Naami started laughing at Haro’s antics, Leshanna felt her fears and concerns melt away. She didn’t resist the silly giggles and playful wrestling that occurred between the three of them before Haro got up, laughing a bit more as Naami gave the taller boy a playful shove.

Then, she was laying out her heart before the two of them, the liquid courage in her veins warming her and giving her the push needed to finally open up and share her feelings and how she felt about the two of them, and revealing the vulnerability she’d kept hidden to herself.

The girl noticed movement after she had spilled her heart, and she was surprised to find Naami pulling the edge of her purple blanket over and around him, leaving enough of the blanket there for her to wrap up in too if she wanted. He glanced sideways at her, then at Haro, and finally managed to speak up - though he did so with his characteristic shyness that warmed and melted her heart.

"Never have I ever known such a nice and brave girl before I met you,"

A silly grin spread across her face when she heard this, giggling at the sight of her friend wrapped up like the spiked burrito.

"And I've never had so much fun stargazing with such cool friends."

“Awww Naami. You’re so sweet. And cute. Especially when you’re wrapped up like a burrito.” She said warmly as she searched his eyes and face - what she could see anyway - before she chose to scoot a little closer to Naami’s side and pull the edge of the blanket over her too, a bright red blush filling her cheeks as she did so. She'd never actually been this close to someone else, especially when laying down - and now she was feeling her heart race in her chest in doing so. She shifted so she was laying on her side, her back towards Naami, so she was able to look at Haro who was just a short distance away as he responded to them both. She had been distracted enough by Naami that she had missed the rather pensive and sad expression that had clouded Haro’s face and eyes for a few moments after her confession.

“Yeah, I’m glad we did this. Thanks for joining me out here, you two, and for playing my silly little game and thank you, Lesh, for being so kriffing incredible and for sharing all that with us.” He said cheerfully as he scooted in closer to her and Naami, gently tucking his head under her chin as he draped an arm over her waist, getting underneath the warmth of the blanket as well. “I hope us knuckleheads can do right by you, enough to be worthy of being your boys.”

Warmth bloomed within Lesh’s heart for both of them, and for the first time in her life…she felt safe. It was such an overwhelming moment and realization for her, that she couldn’t stop the sudden flow of warm tears that magically appeared on her cheeks, and with it came the sudden urge to gently brush her fingers through Haro's soft hair - the first time she'd ever actually initiated any sort of affection. It was simply an outward expression of what was filling her heart to bursting in the moment.

“I’m not crying because I’m sad…I’m just…this is…” She sniffled slightly as she tried to compose herself a bit more, so she could articulate what was going on through her head. “You both are the best. The bestest of friends I’ve ever had - I hope you both feel safe with me, and know that I’d do just about anything for you guys. I’d even punch Thaliax in his wheezy old face for you guys, and that’s saying something. He terrifies me…” she said with a teary giggle as she tried to wipe the drops of tears away.

“Thank you…both of you…for not rejecting me.”

 

[Naamino Zuukamano]

Naami felt a bit hazy in the head but already cozier than before, and when the girl spoke his gaze was fixed to her. The cool icy gaze of the zabrak met Lesh's warm sapphire and he drew in a breath that he seemed to hold.

"Cute"

Why is everyone calling me that?!

Leshanna moved closer and all thought of arguing against the moniker fled his mind as soft looking rosy cheeks drew closer to Naami's face. His friend wiggled closer and properly put herself under the blanket with him, which made Naami feel very warm indeed. His hearts were racing too, though in the naivety of youth he assumed that it was an experience unique to him in that moment. Lesh and Haro both seemed so sure of themselves, they couldn't possibly have to deal with a racing pulse and sweaty palms in moments like this.

Right?

Mercifully, the seemingly infinite moment of eye contact that stretched on between them came to an end as she pressed close and turned to lay on her side with her back toward him. More on instinct, and with a lack of impulse control that would have otherwise just contributed to overthinking, Naami moved toward her a bit in turn. He propped his head up on one palm so he could comfortably match the curve of her form with his own as he turned fully onto his side.

Haro spoke up and Naami listened, with words that were mostly for Lesh anyway, Naami's attention drifted somewhat. Slightly unfocused eyes fell to her long, straight hair and the top of her head. The zabrak could tell how nice she smelled this close, and intense curiosity suddenly boiled up in his mind. Then his friends shifted, Haro curling closer to Lesh, while the girl welcomed him in with... gentle petting?

Blinking in hazy confusion, Naami watched over her head as the girl ran deft fingers through Haro's coal black mop. The zabrak breathed deep, just beginning to sink deeper into the moment, when suddenly he tensed as Leshanna started to cry.

“I’m not crying because I’m sad…I’m just…this is…” She sniffled slightly as she tried to compose herself a bit more, so she could articulate what was going on through her head. “You both are the best. The bestest of friends I’ve ever had - I hope you both feel safe with me, and know that I’d do just about anything for you guys. I’d even punch Thaliax in his wheezy old face for you guys, and that’s saying something. He terrifies me…” she said with a teary giggle as she tried to wipe the drops of tears away.

At a loss for what to do at first, her halting words helped him make up his mind. She seemed happy to pet Haro, the other boy seemed happy with that too. Cautiously, with more than a little trepidation, Naami brought his free hand up to carefully brush some of her long hair away from her face, tucking it over her ear. Huffing out a surprised breath, he marveled at how soft it was.

Tentatively, the zabrak continued to run bruised fingers through silky hair as his friends spoke, mesmerized and otherwise completely distracted unless someone spoke to him directly. It turned out that drinking not only made him extra silly, but also kind of a space cadet.

 

[Haro Aven]

Leshanna | Naamino Zuukamano ​

​

Leshanna's soft embrace and the combined warmth of all three of their bodies wrapped up in the blanket was incredibly cozy. Even so, given the emotional intensity of their conversation and the thrill of sharing such closeness, Haro couldn't shake his restlessness and he remained somewhat tense as he tried not to wiggle too much. That was until Leshanna's fingers brushed through his hair and he absolutely melted against her with a blissful hum. He closed his eyes and nuzzled closer, hoping she would continue, when he heard her sniffle. He pulled back just enough to look up at her and confirm his suspicion that she was in fact crying. His dopey blissful smile slipped into a concerned frown and he glanced past her at Naami who seemed to mirror Haro's confusion. For one dreadful moment, he feared he or Naami had done something to make her upset. He was about to ask what was wrong, but she offered her explanation before he could.

Her reassuring words soon washed away his concerns and his eyes softened as he studied hers up close, baffled by how beautiful she was even when she was crying. He huffed a soft laugh at her comment about Darth Thaliax, and the hand at her waist came up to gently brush away a tear that had trickled down her cheek to the edge of her jaw. He had never truly considered how rough his own calloused mechanic's hands were until he'd touched her skin.

The movement of Naami's hand brushing Lesh's hair from her face drew Haro's gaze to the Zabrak to find that he seemed entirely enthralled by Leshanna's hair, the wonder in his ice blue eyes betraying his otherwise stoic expression. Haro's smile warmed, another laugh threatening to surface as he related deeply to what he saw in Naami, surprised by the camaraderie he found in a situation that could easily be comparative or competitive.

"Thank you…both of you…for not rejecting me."
Haro blinked at her as if momentarily stunned by her words.
"Reject you? I wouldn't dream of it."

Unsure what else to do or say, Haro snaked his arm around her waist again and tucked his head against her chest where it was before, snuggling in close, hoping she might feel inspired to play with his hair more.​