Sequoia held his bag in his arms as if her were carrying a toddler. He was still slightly confused by the gestures, but at the same time, not at all opposed. He stepped out into the rain, completely avoiding the umbrella. It wasn’t in an effort to be rude, Sequoia just truly loved the rain. “Thanks anyways.” he mused, so as to not seem rude. “Rain is my favorite.” He mused more to himself than aloud.

 “I can-” Sequoia stopped and his brow furrowed. “Pay for that myself.” Sequoia dug his hands back into his pockets as he watched Jordy do his business with the cashier. I take direction well? Was that supposed to be an innuendo? He wasn’t quite sure what was happening here. Was this some sort of charity? Or did this guy really just want to get the hell out of the liquor store. “We shall?” Sequoia reached out to grab the bag from Jordy. “Thanks.” His eyes squinted and he headed towards the door, still raining something awful outside.

 If the kiss was any indication of the events to follow, Sequoia was on board. Slightly surprising, but good. Real good. Sequoia plucked a bottle of Jameson from the shelf. quickly grabbing what he’d come in for as well and headed to the counter. He stood in line behind Jordy, holding the bottles like twin babes in his arms waiting to purchase them. He laughed a little to himself at Jordy’s obvious eagerness toward the cashier.

If Sequoia was unsure before, the gesture from the man that stood before him was enough to prove that he was right in his assumptions. “You got it.” He muttered low, not wanting to be the first to move.

“Make it quick,” Jordy said with a wink, giving Sequoia’s hip a tug toward his body. Jordy let his lips crash against the other’s quickly, the desire evident. When he finally pulled back, he let go of Sequoia and took a few steps backward before turning to make one last stop. By the time he was at the counter, Jordy was settling three good-sized bottles into place and pulling his wallet out. His eyes kept scanning the store, barely able to focus on small talk with the cashier who recognized him. “Hmm?” he said, glancing back at the girl who’d just asked him a question. “Oh, yes, found everything very easily. As always, a successful trip.”

 Sequoia would have to be daft to not realize what was happening now, and to be honest he was buying what this guy was selling. Sequoia’s tiny smirk shifted to more of a smile. It wasn’t that he hadn’t gotten laid recently, but he’d been working too much to find time lately, so now that the opportunity was sort of presenting itself, Sequoia was kinda lonely, and he had a free evening, who was he to argue? “Who said anything about sharing?”

“Something tells me I don’t need help with you,” Jordy replied, his hand moving out to Sequoia’s hip. He let his hand rest there, but his thumb was already moving up and down against his clothing. “Grab a bottle of Jameson and meet me at the counter so we can get the hell out of here.”

Eyebrows lifting, Sequoia was admittedly surprised at the other’s comment. Not because of what was said, but moreso in trying to decipher what exactly the meaning was behind it. A low laugh came from Sequoia as he dug his hands into his pockets. “Both parties eh?” The lightbulb above Sequoia’s head was slowly starting to flicker as he began to understand what was happening here. A smirk fixed on his lips.

Jordy shifted, his feet inching closer to Sequoia as he lowered his gaze to the smirking lips. “I guess, technically, ‘all parties’ is more honest, but I’m not in the mood to share you right now.” It was a bit of a risk, but he had a feeling this wouldn’t blow up in his face. If it did, he had a few people he could call up to remedy things... But this guy seemed interested, even if only barely.

 Removing his hat, Sequoia raked his hand through his shoulder-length locks before placing it back on his head. “Jordy.” He repeated. “The pretty ones are the ones you have to keep an eye on. They’re usually more dangerous.” A smile pulled at his lips.

Jordy couldn’t help himself, eyes following Sequoia’s hand. This part, the playful back and forth where he had to hold himself back was an absolute nightmare. “I never said I wasn’t dangerous,” Jordy replied, his voice deeper with hunger. “I’m far from harmless, but that’s usually a good thing for both parties involved.”

 “Gotta be clearer next time.” Sequoia shook his head, a face of mock disappointment. “Hmm.” He began to contemplate. “And how do I know you’re not some sort of serial killer? I don’t even know your name.”

“I won’t let it happen again,” Jordy replied, sinking his teeth into his bottom lip again. Looking the man over one more time, Jordy cocked his head to the side. “It’s Jordy, and come on, I’m way too pretty to be a serial killer.”

 Gnawing on the inside of his cheek, taking an opportunity to look the man up snd down, not worrying too much about whether or not he was making it obvious. “Well I didn’t know that was an option.” The corner of his mouth curled, and Sequoia crossed his arms over his frame.

“I wasn’t exactly clear that it was one,” he replied with a smirk. “I was thinking,” he said, “what if I buy you a bottle of Jameson in return for your help, and you come over to my place to drink for a bit?”

 A small smirk appeared on Sequoia’s lips as he hard Jordy’s confession. “My poison of choice?” Sequoia thought for a second, “I’d probably say Jameson is my go to. Yours?” He took a moment to take in the man before him. Attractive. Probably straight, but one never really knew nowadays.

“Jameson, I like it,” he replied, licking his lips slowly. “I’m an equal opportunity drinker, really. Not one to discriminate, as long as it’s quality.”

 Ben stood with his arms crossed over his chest, surveying the bottles of wine that lined the aisle. His eyebrow raised when the guy next to him spoke, capturing his attention. Ben laughed at his question, shaking his head. “That’s a lot to ask from some alcohol,” he said, glancing over at the guy. “Maybe a cheap bottle of vodka?”

“Is it? Maybe I’ve got high standards,” he replied, glancing at the man next to him. Jordy didn’t even bother to hide the second glance, or the way it took in the male’s body with pure appreciation. “You’re right, they’ve got those terrible ones that are made to taste like whipped cream. They do nothing but tear up a stomach.”

 “I don’t get holiday weddings in general.” Sequoia shook his head. “I mean, you’re basically asking your guests to uproot whatever their normal plans for that holiday are, and I’m sure some of them are okay with it, but it’s pretty damn inconsiderate if you ask me.” He grabbed a random bottle off the shelf and read the label, wincing before immediately putting it back on the shelf. “Hitting on the preacher? Well, might be frowned upon by some, but where’s the fun in that?” A short laugh fell from his lips as he grabbed at another random bottle. “Sequoia, and anytime man. Proud to aide someone in shitty liquor selections.”

“What can I say? I like to misbehave and make bad decisions.” Jordy’s teeth sank down into his bottom lip as he watched Sequoia laugh, eyes locked on the lips of the other man. “What’s your poison of choice?”

 “A Christmas Eve wedding?” Sequoia’s nose scrunched as his eyes fell to the shelf before him, not entirely paying attention to the man who’d made his way around to his side of the shelf. “That does seem overkill.” He looked back to where the man had previously stood and realized he was no longer present. He turned to walk away but found the man standing in front of him. “I mean, it might be worth the tax break.” Sequoia shrugged slightly. 

“I think the ones shooting for the tax break are the type to pull some New Year’s Eve wedding shit,” he noted, extending his arm out to rest on the top of the shelf to his right. “Those are never as fun as they want them to be, because New Year’s Eve is for getting shitfaced, and apparently it’s bad form to be hitting on the preacher before the ceremony.” Jordy rolled his eyes, stealing another glance at the other man. “I’m Jordy, by the way, and forever indebted to you for saving me some much needed time trying to get my brain working.”

 Sequoia had finished his alt. run for the day. He’d parked the truck in the lot behind the coffee shop below his apartment and went for a walk. Sequoia had always loved the rain, the way it saturated his clothes and ran down his face. Making everything smell fresher. His first intention wasn’t to stop in the liquor store on his jaunt, but when the shop presented itself he stepped inside. Sequoia removed his hat and shook his long locks gently. He wasn’t sure of what to get so he began to browse, stopping when he heard a voice on the other side of the aisle. “I’d say a cream-based liqueur in a bottle that looks fancy as fuck, but probably tastes like shit.” Sequoia peered over the shelf feeling like Wilson from Home Improvement as only his eyes and nose were visible from the other side. “Are they liquor snobs?”

“Excellent idea,” he replied, glancing at the pair of eyes that had suddenly appeared. “I honestly don’t know, but there’s plenty of shit-tasting cream-based crap here.” Jordy reached out and grabbed a bottle of wine from the shelf in front of him, one he recognized as a favorite, and then headed around the corner to face the individual who had helped him. Eyeing him over once, Jordy’s lips curled into a smile. “Who even gets married on Christmas Eve? That feels so unnecessary on an entirely new level, considering marriage in general is a total sham.”