“You better not have.” He growls under his breath, fishing out two glass cups, one for him and one for her. He sets her glass down and pours a bottom full, giving her a squinty glare. “You have to drink it all. Don’t waste any.”
Silver grinned, taking the cup. "So I'm not allowed to have had any before, but you want me to try some now?" she lifted it to her face and sniffed it. "Wow, that's strong." she said, making a face.
He pours his glass halfway, raising an eyebrow at her. “You think I’d buy weak stuff? Hmm?” He presses his glass to his lips, taking in a sip without his expression changing.
Silver slowly lifted it to her lips, her face contorted with uncertainty, and tipped the glass until the liquid touched her tongue. She swallowed approximately half a drop and blinked at Ben.
Gabriel stares, standing beside her close enough that he has to breathe carefully so she doesn’t feel it. He stares at the wine, creasing his brow.
I want some.
Ben grins. “Heh, that’s all?”
She took a deep breath and tasted a slightly bigger sip, enough to really taste. Instantly she pulled the glass away and grimaced, sticking her tongue out. "It's strong!" she choked, almost gagging.
He rolls his eyes, taking in a long sip and setting his glass down. “Okay okay, you don’t have to drink it.”
Gabriel stares, taking the cup from her hands and twirling the liquid before gulping the last drink down. He coughs immediately, flickering back into visibility, and he blinks hard a few times.
"Gabriel!" Silver gasped, turning to him, not even realizing that he had previously been invisible and she hadn't noticed him. "What do you think?? Isn't it strong??"
Ben grabs the countertop behind himself, gasping as his eyes widen. “Augh, donT DO THAT.”
Ignoring Ben, he opens and closes his mouth a few times, squinting. “N-no. It’s good. May I have some?” He turns to Ben.
“What? You like it??? What are you?”
Silver stared at Gabriel for a second and then shook her head. "No. Ben, don't give him any more. That's enough for him."
Ben turns his eyes to Silver. “At least he’s legal age, Sil.” He points out.
Gabriel, not waiting for an answer, takes the bottle and pours Silver's glass full to the brim.
Ben’s eyes widen, “that’s too-“
Gabriel slowly downs the whole thing in one drink.
“-much….” Ben grimaces and rubs his eyes. “No, no no no. No more for anyone.” He picks up the bottle, closing it and slipping it into the cabinet.
"No, no NO NO." Silver gasped and tried to stop him, but it was too late. She watched him, eyes wide in horror, as she felt his body start to absorb the wine. She swallowed nervously. "Ben. We… might… we should lock him in the basement."
Gabriel flickers in and out of invisibility a little and swallows. “I like it.”
Ben pats his back. “No, I couldn’t tell.” He sighs. “Now I have to stay up and watch you. Go to sleep or something please.”
Gabe inhales, looking forward and raising his wings behind him until they touch the ceiling.
Ben glares. “Stay.”
"Gabriel." Silver said, a strange edge to her voice. "Stay here. Don't move." She slowly and carefully raised a barrier around the kitchen, so Gabriel wouldn't be able to go upstairs or outside or into the basement if he did try to leave, but it was so subtle no one could feel it unless they actually touched the barrier. "Can we give him anything to dilute it?" she whispered to Ben.
Ben looks to Sil, face scrunched. “No? He’s fine. Leave him. Go to bed or something, I’ll watch him.”
Gabriel stares into the distance, silently standing.
"He's not fine." Silver said, still staring at Gabriel. "Don't ever let him have alcohol again."
Ben creases his brow. “Silver, calm down. You don’t get any again either. You both are freaks.”
Gabriel slowly strolls past the fridge, making a sharp turn to stand just out of their sight and in the other side of the fridge.
Silver took a deep breath, letting it out in a metered sigh. "I don't want any more. This was a bad idea." Her eyes never left Gabriel, locked on the side of the fridge he had stepped behind.
He sighs, approaching her, “I’m not kidding, Silver. Go. To. Bed.”
She blinked and finally turned to look at him. "He's dangerous, Ben." she said, but slipped off the counter as she spoke. Her gaze flicked back toward the fridge. "He's really dangerous right now, Ben."
Ben rests his hand firmly on her shoulder, giving it one squeeze. “Fine. You can stay in here if you calm down. I don’t want you trying to use your powers right now. He’s fine.”
Silver looked up at him, frowning in confusion. "I am calm, Ben. What's wrong?"
He stares sternly. “Good. Stay calm and leave him alone.”
Gabriel stands on the other side of the fridge, hissing his breaths, and staring wide eyed out into the living room.
She nods. "He can't leave anyway." She sat down on a barstool and propped her head in her hands, gaze drifting back to stare at Gabriel.
Ben pulls a barstool around to sit beside her, squinting towards the fridge. “What is he doing?” He whispers.
"He's breathing really heavy." she responsed, voice distant. "He's like… hyper aware. And tuned in. Like he'll snap if anything happens."
Ben goes to respond, but turns at the sound of soft footsteps coming from the stairs. Kissa walks down quietly, some of her hair pulled back, wearing a light blue nightgown that almost reaches her ankles. Ben puts a finger to his lips and she furrows her brow, silently walking to them.
Silver jerked up, head snapping to watch Kissa approach. After a moment she relaxed, but only minisculely, and turned her focus back to Gabe. "Don't let her touch him." she whispered to Ben.
Kissa stands beside them, looking between them and the fridge. “What?” She whispers. “Gabe? Why is he so….” She squints. “Why does he feel so sensitive. And crazy.”
Ben bites his lip. “I don’t know.” He quietly states, shaking his head a bit.
"Ben gave us wine." Silver said in that same distant, monotone voice.