Piers’s face lit up when he noticed Annais waiting around for him backstage.  He was grinning from ear to ear when he approached her.

“Oi, oi, Li’l Miss Champion!  Fancy seein’ you here.”

“I was in Hammerlocke for an exhibition with Raihan this afternoon,” she said.  “Thought I’d swing by and surprise you.”

Piers backed her against the wall and stole a kiss.  She loved seeing him post-show when his adrenaline was high. His spirits were always much brighter; his mood much more playful.  Not to mention, the rougher edge to his voice after a night full of singing and shouting always did things to her.  

“What’re you up to tonight, love?”

“Dunno,” she said, twirling the end of his ponytail.  “What are you doing?”

“Me and the mates’re gonna have a few pints,” he said.  His breath was hot as it raked over her neck.  “You should come.”

The lusty tone of Piers’s words had Annais’s knees feeling like they were about to give out.  Those soft green eyes were heavy lidded and dark as they stared her down, waiting for her response.  She gulped.  She had wanted to spend the evening with him; it had been far too long since she was usually so busy.  Somewhere quiet would have been preferable, but the way he was looking at her...  Annais bobbed her head before she could even process it.  Oh well, she’d be a fool not to go.

“Perfect.”  A grin cracked on his face again.  He patted her shoulder and eased back from her.  “Let’s have ourselves a rockin’ night.”

Despite not being much of a drinker anymore, she was excited.  She hadn’t seen Piers drunk since they got together.  There was the one time before they hooked up that didn’t end as she would’ve hoped, but she thought even then that they had fun that night. These days, she caught the tail end of it from time to time, the aftermath.  There were the slutty drunk texts he sent to her in the wee hours of the morning and the tired, hungover grunts when she called him the next afternoon to ask him about it.  

“How ‘bout tomorrow?” he asked, slipping on his jacket.  “Any plans?”

“No, surprisingly,” Annais told him as she leaned near the door of the shitty makeshift dressing room. “That’s why I figured I could hang out late tonight.”

Piers’s smile got a bit wider.  There was a gleam in his eye as he snuck a glance at her.

“Well then… Might be worth mentionin’,” he spoke.  “Marn’s in Wyndon for a few days, too.”

“Oh?” She smirked, crossing her arms.  “That your way of asking me to stay the night, Nez?”

He shrugged sheepishly. “Y’know how lonely I can get, love.”

“Well, I’d hate for you to be all alone.  I suppose I could keep you company.”

“You’re far too generous.” He pecked her lips again.  “Let’s get a move on then.”

With a hand on her ass, he ushered her out of the room.  She chewed her lip as she walked at his side like this.  Would it be too much to ask for them to go back to that broom closet and have a quickie?

“Look what the Purrloin dragged in,” one of his bandmates said when the two of them came into view. “This mean you’re skippin’ out tonight?”

“Nah, she’s goin’ with us,” Piers said, patting Annais and pulling her close.  “Y’ready?”

“We’re takin’ the equipment back to my place first,” he said.  “Then, we’ll be right over.

“Yeah, go on ahead of us, Piersy,” said another band member.  “We shan’t be long.”

“Sure?” Piers asked. “It’d be quicker if I helped.”

“Nah.  Looks like y’got a champ to entertain,” one of them joked.

“I mean, I could help too,” Annais said.  “I don’t mind.”

“Thanks, but we’re fine, love.  Our Pokémon are helpin’ us plenty.  Just make sure Piersy doesn’t cause any trouble for us.”

“Oi, she likes challenges, not impossible tasks,” Piers laughed.

“Right, right.  Get on then.”

With a shrug, Piers walked off with Annais.

“Ann,” he said, nuzzling her cheek as they headed down the street.  “So good to see you, love.  Really made my night.  Hell, my whole bloody week.”

“Miss me that much?” she giggled.

“Dreadfully,” he replied. “Don’ think I’ve slept well since the last time I was at your cottage.”

“Aw, Nez…” Annais said with a frown and squeezed him.  “Well, I hope we can catch up tonight.  I’m exhausted too.  Starting to realize I don’t like coming home to a cold, empty bed.”

“Yeah?  Beginnin’ to think my bed’s too hard,” he said.

Piers’s old mattress was a lot of things, but firm it was not.  Annais raised a brow at this.  “Too hard?”

“Yeah.  Can’t get comfortable in it anymore without that soft body of yours to hold.”

Annais shoved him upon hearing this, but the playfulness of the gesture had them both laughing. Whoever saw them on the street would probably assume they had already been drinking.  They remained just as spirited the entire way to the pub.

“Here’s the spot,” Piers said, stopping in front of some hole in the wall.  “Best pub in all of Spikemuth.  You hungry?”

Annais shook her head.

“Me neither, really,” he said, opening the door for her.  “Got some of the best fish ‘n’ chips here, though.  If you’re ever in a mood.”

She nodded as she entered the pub, then followed along behind him once inside.  The bartender seemed to know Piers well enough, placing a drink in front of him by the time he approached the bar.

“Cheers,” Piers said before downing the contents of the glass like water.  She stood awkwardly beside him, just watching his Adam’s apple bob as he chugged.  She was impressed at the nonchalance of it.

“Who’s this ya got with ya tonight?” the bartender asked, motioning to her.

Piers beamed, sitting down the empty glass and hiccupping into his fist before proceeding.

“Surely y’know my girlfriend,” he said to the man, throwing his arm over her shoulder.  “Figured a legend like this needs no introduction.”

The old man looked at her for a moment before a light bulb went off.

“Wait, I do know you!” he said, pointing at Annais with her name on the tip of his tongue. “You’re that trainer from th’ telly! Current champion, right?”

“Miss Annais Renée Amaryllis,” Piers butted in before she could nod, leaning against her back and sliding his hand around her waist.  Piers was usually a bit clingy around her, but tonight he was more handsy on top of that- not that she minded.  The way her purred her full name never got old.  “An’ she’s bloody brilliant at it, too.  Best in all a’ Galar.  ‘S a secret though…”  Piers brought a finger to his lips.  “Can’t let the bloody league know ‘bout us.”

“Well, Champion Annais, it’s an honor to have you here in Spikemuth tonight,” the man said.  “An’ your secret’s safe with us.  ‘Round ‘ere, we really keep to ourselves, yeah?”

Piers nodded and chuckled at the barkeep’s statement.  “Probably woulda lost the gym long ago if everyone ‘round ‘ere nattered.”

“Wouldn’t want that.  We quite like havin’ the attraction.  Gives us somethin’ to do other’n get drunk an’ riot over football.”

Annais laughed along with them at this.  She hadn’t seen the town during football season yet.  She could only imagine how rowdy things got around here if their reaction over Pokémon matches was an indicator.

“Right then, first one’s on the house, love,” he continued.  “What’ll it be?”

“Oh, wow, thank you!” she said.  She still wasn’t accustomed to the generosity in Galar.  “I’ll have… uh…”

She didn’t know what to get. The drink she always ordered at home was a rarity in the region, and she felt like she’d look pretentious for even asking for it.

“Don’ worry, love,” Piers said, mistaking her indecision for reluctance.  “Y’can relax an’ enjoy yourself tonight.”

“Well,” she laughed. “Um… How about whatever he had?”

“Make it two…” Piers chimed in.  He turned to Annais, crossing his arms.  “Didn’t figure you for an ale girl.  Swore y’ were more into whiskey.”

“Ah, yeah.  I don’t drink much anymore…  So, I figured I’d try something new.”  Annais shrugged.  “Whatever gets you drunk, yeah?”

“Right, right…”

Before another word was uttered, two pints of beer were placed in front of them.

“Thank you,” Annais said to the bartender, who nodded before helping the next customer.

“Cheers?” she then said to Piers.  He beamed wide and raised one of the glasses.

“Cheers!”

Both of them brought their pints to their lips.  Annais lowered hers after a big sip.  The taste wasn’t fantastic, but she didn’t want to seem ungrateful.  She was even more amazed at how Piers was able to guzzle them.  Never one to turn down a challenge, she chugged hers too.  A very unladylike belch followed when she sat the glass down.

A laugh came from beside her as she grimaced at herself.  Glancing over, she caught Piers watching with his chin propped up on his fist, elbow resting on the bar.  

“Oops,” she said, growing embarrassed.  They were at the point in their relationship where it happened, but she had never done it that loud and in public before.  “Excuse me.”

Piers didn’t seem phased by this at all.  In fact, he seemed impressed.  He shook his head, still smirking.  “Challengin’ me, aincha?”

This cocky response caused Annais to grin.  “So, what if I am?”

“Then this night’s gonna be a fun one.”  He whistled, getting the bartender’s attention.  “Oi!  Can I get five more of those?  All on my tab.”

“Bein’ a bad influence, eh?” the man chuckled.

“Me?  Nah, mate,” Piers laughed and threw an arm around his girlfriend.  “She’s trouble, this one.  So bloody competitive.”

The bartender turned to Annais.  “Try an’ keep up with ‘im, he’s gonna be draggin’ ya home, lass.”

“She’s tougher’n she looks,” Piers said, pinching her cheek and causing her to giggle.  “She’ll put up a helluva fight even if she don’ win.”

The bell on the door chimed, pulling everyone’s attention towards it.

“Oi, looks like Piersy is already at it.”

“Like he needed a head start.”

The other members of his band had finally made it to the pub.

“Yeah, yeah,” Piers waved his hand.  “Wasn’t plannin’ on savin’ any for the rest of ya.”

“All these yours, mate?” one asked as he approached the bar.

“Nah.”  He shook his head.  “We’re ‘avin’ ourselves a little drinkin’ contest.  C’mon then, Ann.”  He pushed one of the newly poured glasses in front of her.  “I’ll be a gentleman tonight an’ letcha catch up to me.  Two more each after that.”

She looked at him, then at the drink in front of her.  His band mates began to cheer her on.

“Don’ let this punk show ya up, Ann!”

“Yeah!  You’re the bloody champion!  ‘And his bony bum to ‘im!”

Annais laughed and picked up the glass.  Her eyes screwed shut as she powered through.  She really didn’t like beer.  She had once tried to be her dad’s drinking buddy, yet could never get into it.  She much preferred liquor.  Still, she hated losing more than she hated the taste.  She also couldn’t deny, she really wanted to impress her boyfriend and his buddies.  She managed to get it all down.

“Oh, God,” she said as the glass hit the bar.  She brought a fist to her mouth in an attempt to be a little more discreet than last time.

“Aye!  That’s it, Ann!”

“You’re in for it now, Piersy!”

Piers slid another one her way and reached for his own.

“Right then, round three.”

“Fuck,” she hiccupped. “Give me a minute, Nez.”  She shook her head, burping into her fist again. “Y-You had a chance to recoup.”

“Fine.  Take three.  Gonna take a leak then,” he said, rising from his seat.  “I intend to knock these out when we get back, with or without ya.”

Annais nodded as he walked away.

“Does he usually drink this much?” she asked one of his bandmates when he was out of earshot.

“Oh yeah,” he replied. “May be light, but Piersy ain’t a lightweight.  Fuckin’ mad lad always pounds ‘em back.  Right scary, innit?”

She nodded and giggled, admittedly already feeling a bit of a buzz.

“Oh shit,” she said aloud. “Wait…”

The men tilted their heads. “What’s wrong, Ann?”

“Just realized we’re over here competing without a prize,” Annais revealed.  “We need some stakes.”

Laughter came from her company.

“S’ppose this is why you’re the champ!”

“Don’ go easy on ‘im, Ann.”

Annais thought hard about their little competition as the bartender served the men she was with. By the time Piers returned, she had an idea.

“Nez,” Annais said, cozying up to him as he reached for a still-frosty pint.  “Question.”

“What’s up, love?”

“What do I get if I whip your ass, baby?”

Piers burst into laughter. “Oi, braggin’ rights ain’t enough for ya?”

She shook her head.

“I don’ got enough for prize money, Ann,” he admitted.  “Spendin’ it all gettin’ ya proper pissed.”

“You know I don’t need money, Nez,” she said, walking her fingers up his chest.  

“Hmm…”  He grabbed her hand, bringing it up so he could press a kiss against the back of it.  “What’s the spoiled li’l princess want instead?”

“If I win…”  She pulled him closer and brought her lips to his ear.  “You should let me peg you.”

“Absolutely not.”  He didn’t even pretend to entertain the idea.  “Not near pissed enough to agree to that.”

This response brought a scoff from Annais.

“Well, how many more drinks would that take?”

Piers shook his head. “More’n you can afford, love.”

Annais crossed her arms and pouted.  Piers nudged a drink her way.

“C’mon, ‘fore it gets hot. We can discuss after these are put away.”

Still scowling, she picked up the glass and drunk it without waiting on him.

“Aw, gonna be like that, huh?”

Annais didn’t answer, but picked up the second glass.  Piers just watched in amusement as she struggled through it.

“Righto.  If that’s the way y’ want it.”

One glass in each hand, he powered through them with little effort.  He noted her pout was a bit more flushed as he did this.  She was fighting not to show how amazed she was.

“Oi.”  After brushing the collection of empty glasses to the side, Piers leaned onto the bar.  “Don’ happen to ‘ave any pitchers back there.  D’ya, mate?  Least two?”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Annais baulk at the request.  Piers’s bandmates immediately began clamoring to each other.

“The absolute mad-lads!”

“These two are completely off the rails…”

“Piersy,” the bartender huffed.  “If ya weren’t so damn entertainin’, I’d toss your scrawny arse out.”

Regardless, he looked under the bar and retrieved two pitchers.

“Usually keep water in these things.  Don’ even know how much to charge for ‘em.”

Despite her hesitance, Annais still believed she had a chance to win.  She had more body weight than Piers, so she should have a higher tolerance…  Right? If he wanted to do this, she would meet him.  She reached into her bag, then laid some cash on the bar.

“That enough?” she said.

The barkeep looked at the amount she placed down.

“Missy,” he said, sliding it back in her direction.  “That’s overkill.”

“Consider the rest a tip,” she said and slid it towards him again.  “And an apology.”

“She ain’t gonna take it back, mate,” Piers warned.  “Stubborn as a Mudbray.”

“Really one of us, eh?” the bartender said.  He accepted the cash and stuffed it into a jar.

Piers smiled.  “We’ll see how she handles this.”

He turned back to Annais, draping his arms over her shoulder as the man prepared their drinks.

“Ann,” he breathed. Annais felt the heat rise in every inch of her body.  “Finish that pitcher an’ I’ll declare you the victor.  You can drink whatever y’ want afterwards, if you’re still in a mood. But if you make it through that, the night is all yours.”

She stared at the first pitcher as it was sat in front of them.  The bartender began to fill the next.

“Just one?” she asked.

“Just one.”  Piers nodded.  “Other’s for me.  Now, what do you want if you win?  No anal. I mean it, don’ even ask.  An’ it doesn’t ‘ave to be redeemed tonight if y’ don’ want to bonk a drunken plonker.”

She pondered for a moment. She wanted her request to be a good one. Maybe something she had been too embarrassed to ask for before now.  Her ears began to heat up the moment she thought of something and motioned for him to come closer.  She knew she had to be beyond tipsy to request this.  Piers leaned down so that she wouldn’t have to be too loud.

“If I win,” she started, so soft he could barely hear her.  “Will you masturbate for me?”

He laughed aloud, straightening up to look her in the face.  It was apparent that this was the absolute last thing he expected to come out of her mouth.

“You’re serious?”

Blushing feverishly, she nodded her head.

“Ann.  You’re such a bloody filthy girl,” he said with a chuckle. “Absolute degenerate.  Y’know what?  Sure.  Why not. If you wanna see that nonsense, it can be arranged.”  The bartender had set the other pitcher down, and Piers scooted it right in front of Annais. “If you get through this. All of it.”

He grabbed the handle of the other pitcher.

“Ready?”

“Nuh-uh,” she said, holding up a hand.  “How about you?”

Piers turned his attention from the beer back to her.  “Hm?”

“What do you want if you win?” asked Annais.  “Something like that?  Me to pay off the tab?  Something else?”

“Oh, I don’ much care about a prize, Ann,” Piers said with a shake of his head.  “Seein’ ya let loose an’ have some fun for a change is my prize. You give me everythin’ I want otherwise.”

Annais huffed, looking away from him as her cheeks burned red.  He was far too sweet for his own good.  She had to outdrink him now.

With that, she picked up her pitcher.  It was a little too heavy to hold just by the handle, so she placed a hand under the bottom to steady it.  Piers held his up too.  They clinked them together before starting.

At this point, Annais had already had four beers too many.  She hadn’t gotten drunk enough where she could push the taste out of her mind. Still, she just knew Piers beside her was drinking like a fish.  She tried to remember if she got through it, Piers would put on a little show for her. The thought of this had her drinking harder, but she still hit a wall.  It was just too much.  If she forced herself to drink anymore, she was going to make a mess.  She knew she had to accept defeat.

“Fuck,” she sputtered, panting for breath as she sat down the half empty pitcher.  “Nope, nope, nope.  No more.  I’m tapping out.  Fuck.”

Piers continued drinking, much to Annais’s amazement and horror.  She had no idea how a man so small could put so much away.  His bandmates began to chant his name, and Annais couldn’t help but join them.  A few of the other patrons, as well as the bartender himself, joined along.  He drank every last drop, slamming the plastic pitcher onto the bar.  The handful of people who were watching cheered, but especially his girlfriend.  Piers let out a refreshed gasp and wiped the corners of his mouth with the back of his hand, before letting out a belch that rattled Annais where she stood.

“Y’gonna finish that, Ann?” he joked, followed by a softer burp.  Her eyes blew wide.

“Surely, you aren’t,” Annais said.  She should have been repulsed, but she was awestruck by him.  He really beat her.  And he still raring for more.

“Grew up too poor to waste.”

He grabbed her pitcher and began drinking it too.  He acted like it was nothing.  That empty soon pitcher joined the first.  

“How do you even have room?” she said in disbelief, patting his taut yet still tiny abdomen.  “You’re like a black hole.”

He hiccupped, brushing her hand away from him.  

“S-Stop that, Ann.”

“Oh, hush.  I’m sure it feels good,” she teased, sneaking her hand back to rub him.  He grabbed her wrist and held it to stop her.

“We’ve given ‘em enough of a show.  Come, love,” he said.  “I need a bit of fresh air.”

“Oi, with him gone, maybe the rest of us can ‘ave a drink!”

Piers waved off his band as he linked arms with Annais.  “Try not to drown yourself catchin’ up to me.  I’ll be back.”

Piers walked Annais to the back of the pub, and they slipped into the alley outside.  He leaned against the brick wall, taking a deep breath.

“Good?” he asked.  He had noticed Annais was a little unsteady on her feet as she walked out.  “Not feelin’ sick, are ya?”

“Nah.”  She shook her head.  “But I don’t see how you do it.”

“Acquired taste,” he shrugged as he reached into his coat pocket.  “Been sneakin’ drinks since before I should.  Hell, that bloke inside never once ID’ed me, I don’ think.”

“God…” Annais laughed. “If it were shots, I’d have you beat, y’know.”

“Sure you would, love.” Piers’s hand emerged from his jacket pocket with a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.  “Smoke?”

Annais shook her head. Through her buzz, she felt a bit concerned that he was smoking.

“Good girl,” he said, lighting his cigarette.  “Nasty habit. Don’t start on account a’ me.  I try not to, awful for my voice, but it’s… been a shit week.”

Annais frowned.  She didn’t know if it was a touchy subject, but she did remember Marnie telling her once that it was usually a sign he wasn’t doing well.  “What’s wrong, Nez?”

She watched as his cheeks hollowed around the cigarette.  Plumes of smoke unfurled from the corners of his thin lips as exhaled away from her with a shake of his head.

“Been away from you,” he admitted with a bit of a somber tone to his voice.  He stared at the cigarette cradled between his two fingers before bringing it to his mouth again.  He could feel her eyes upon him, causing him lower his head and sigh.  “Dunno… It’s… Harder without you these days. Never much liked bein’ alone, but bein’ without you is a different kinda loneliness.”

He sucked in more smoke after saying this, as if just the thought of her being away hurt.  Annais’s heart broke upon hearing that and watching him. She felt guilty that her absence had that big of an effect on him.  Unable to find the words, she wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head against his chest.

“Sorry, sorry…  Didn’t mean to soil the mood,” he said, going to take another drag and stroking her hair with the free hand.  “You’re with me now.  That’s all that matters.”

She nodded, squeezing him tighter.  A grim realization struck her as she clung to him.

“Piers?”

“Hm?”

“Is…  Is that why you were going drinking?” she asked quietly. “Lonely without me and Marnie?”

He silently flicked his ashes onto the pavement, which was enough of a response for her.

“I’ve had more fun tonight than I’ve had in a really long time, Ann,” he whispered instead.  “I feel so full of life when you’re around. Even if we both feel like shit tomorrow. Least we’ll feel like shit together.”

She giggled at this, causing him to smile too.  His cigarette was not much more than a butt at this point, but there was one more drag left in it.  Annais watched, holding her breath as he brought it up again.  She waited for the tell-tale glow of the cherry to know that he’d inhaled before pulling him in and smashing her lips against his.  This caught Piers by surprise, causing him to part his against hers and inadvertently exhale the smoke he was retaining into her mouth.  Annais knew what she was doing, holding his neck to deepen the kiss as she inhaled it without choking.  When she parted from him, she made sure he saw his smoke curling from the corners of her smirk.

“Fuck, Ann…” he groaned.  He chased her lips for one more kiss before straightening upright.  “Christ …  Who teaches you this shit?”

“I dunno…  Something I read about,” she said, tracing his jawline. “I always wanted to try it, but I’ve never dated a smoker.”

Piers tossed the butt onto the pavement and ground it with his heel, as he ran a hand through his bangs. “Fuck, if I’m not careful, you could turn me into a chainsmoker.”

“As hot as that was, I hope not,” Annais said.  “Especially, if it only happens when your week is shit.”

Piers nodded, giving her a grateful kiss on the template.  “Righto.  One day, I’m hopin’ not to ‘ave a reason anymore…  Still, promise me we’ll do it for the other two I have left in this pack later on.”

“We can make it happen.” She smiled, reaching for his hand. When he gave it to her, she swung it back and forth.  “Ready to go back inside now?  I’m freezing.”

“You’re freezin’?” Piers replied.  “I know I must be sozzled.  I’m burnin’ up out here…  Though it could be that li’l stunt you just pulled.”

They both chuckled at this.

“Come, love.  Let’s get you inside.”

Hand connected with hers, they entered the pub once again.

“Grab that booth in the corner,” Piers suggested, letting her go.  “Let’s get outta the way.”

Annais went to secure the booth as Piers headed back to the bar.  She watched as he talked with the bartender for a moment.  He glanced over his shoulder once in her direction to smile at her as the man reached onto the shelf behind him for a bottle.  Whatever the bartender poured, Piers accepted and made his way to where she was seated.  One of his hands held another pint, the other held two shot glasses.

“Whatcha got?” Annais asked.

“Not cinnamon, but still whiskey,” he said, sitting the drinks on the table before sliding into the booth beside her.  He picked up the shots again and offered one to her.  “The old man says this one comes from around your neck of the woods.  Figured if you’re here, I might as well getcha y’ somethin’ you enjoy.”

She gave him a grateful smile as she accepted it.

“Got me one too, cos I’m a bloody fool,” he laughed.

Annais held her shot up; Piers clinked his to hers.  They both threw it back.  Piers chased his with more beer and Annais laughed.

“That’s so much better,” she said.

“Shoulda asked for it ‘stead of copyin’ me.”

“Nez, y’know I freeze up when put on the spot.”

“Ah…”

All the alcohol seemed to hit Piers at once.  He pulled Annais into his lap like he’d do when they were alone.  At first, she was stunned he’d do this around others, but she did quite like it.  He rested his head against her shoulder blade.

Piers’s bandmates approached the booth, causing Annais to grow aware that she was just sitting on her much smaller boyfriend.  They didn’t seem fazed by it.

“Oi, good over here?”

“Yeah,” she said.

“That was some spectacle, mate.  Really lightened the mood tonight,” one of the men laughed.  “Can we getcha anything else?”

“Can I have some water?” Annais asked, slightly embarrassed by her request.  At risk of seeming dull, she didn’t want to drink anymore.

“Sure, Ann.  Someone’s gotta make sure this lad gets home.  ‘Ow ‘bout you, Piersy?”

“‘Nother pint,” Piers muttered.  Beneath the table, his hand was on her thigh.  It had gotten colder in Galar recently, and Annais had traded her fishnets for black tights.  Piers was obsessed with the way her legs felt in them.  He stroked and squeezed her inner thigh, seemingly ignoring his friends as they joked about how Annais was being the responsible one and how he should stand to learn from her.  He grunted in response when they walked away.

Annais was hyper-aware of his groping.  She was paranoid that everyone could see how dangerously close his hand was getting to being beneath her skirt.  She shifted when the two returned, sitting down two glasses of water and one beer.

“Thanks,” she chirped.

“Don’ mention it. Tell this one to bring y’ around more often.  You two are a blast together.  He said y’ fancy whiskey shots… Maybe next time you’ll beat ‘im.”

She laughed, patting Piers’s head.  “Yeah, hopefully.”

“Oi, Piers.”

“Hm?” He didn’t even raise his head from Annais’s shoulder.

“We’re headin’ out, mate.”

“Already?” Piers snickered. “Bloody lightweights.”

They turned their attention to Annais.

“Ya good?” one asked with a laugh.  “Y’ can handle ‘im on your own?”

Annais nodded affirmatively. “Yeah, we’ll manage.  Night, y’all.  Be safe.”

“Night, Ann.  Night, Piersy!”

Piers raised a hand before bringing it back around Annais’s waist.  She sipped on her water, which cooled her down considerably from how hot his touches were making her.  Piers made no effort to acknowledge his new beer; he just continued to idly hold her waist and rub her thigh.

“You ready to go?” she asked.  “You sleepy?”

“Nuh-uh,” he said. “Still got the rest of this beer.”

“Nez, you’re not even drinking it.”

“Am too.  Just… gimme a minute.”

“Alright.”  She resumed drinking her water, trying to sober up for the impending walk back to his flat.  She looked around the pub.  Everyone was either focused on their own drinks or whichever person they were chatting up.

“Ann…”  Piers groaned.

“Hm?  What is it, Nez?”

He lifted his head.

“Wish we were alone,” he whispered.  He tangled his fingers in her hair as his lips ghosted the sensitive skin behind her ear. “If you only knew the things you’re doin’ to me right now…”

Any response was caught in her throat.  He usually didn’t talk so dirty in public.  He then licked her neck, causing her to shiver.  It didn’t feel bad, just… unexpected.  This kind of PDA was foreign to her.  She felt hot, as if every patron was watching him now nibble her earlobe despite the fact that they were seated in a dark corner booth and his face was concealed behind her voluminous curls.

“Nez?”

“’Ave I ever told you how fuckin’ sexy you are?” he asked.  “Still want that show when we get home?  Since I fancy ya so much, I might letcha watch next time.  Consolation prize.”

In her buzzed state, it took Annais a moment to process his words.  Dark crimson claimed her face as soon as she did.  Piers noticed without even seeing her expression.  His arm clung tighter around her as he donned an absolutely devilish look.

“Always told you, you put me in sticky situations.  You’re so fuckin’ stunnin’,” breathed Piers.  His fingernails raked up the tights that clothed her inner thigh before grabbing her again.  “Bloody hell, I wanna rub one out right now lookin’ at you, feelin’ you atop me.” Piers reached for his pint and took a sip of his drink, looking more than a little flushed himself.

Annais attempted to swallow, but her throat was so dry.  “Piers… I think we should go…  It’s getting late, babe.”

Piers looked at how much was left of his pint, mulling over her suggestion.  He took it and finished the rest before sitting the empty glass on the table.  That next burp from him sounded wet and sicklier than all the previous ones.

“Yeah,” he said before she could ask if he was okay.  “We’ve lingered long enough.”

Piers patted her thigh, and she slid off of his lap and out of the booth.  He followed, but was unsteady as he rose to his feet.

“Whoa, easy!” Annais said, grabbing him.  She wondered if he’d be able to make the walk back.  The boy was paper-thin.  It wouldn’t be difficult for her to carry him back to the flat if she needed to do so.

“Maybe I should get pissed all the time if it means you’ll hold me like this.”

“Oh, hush,” Annais sheepishly huffed.

“Can y’ walk me to the bathroom, love?  Gotta wee. Don’ wanna wet myself in the alley.”

“Oh my God,” she said. “I can walk you there, but I can’t go in with you.”

“Aw… What if I need someone to hold it for me?” he joked.  “I’m a mess, Ann.”

“You absolutely are,” she agreed.

“You attract messes,” he said with a laugh.  “S’why you love me so much.”

She snorted as she helped guide him to the men’s room.

“Try to aim,” she teased as he opened the door.  He chuckled, waving her off as he stepped inside.

Annais trotted over to the bar as he did his business.  She had the bartender’s attention the moment she walked up.

“Hey, I’ve got his tab,” Annais said to him, digging into her bag.  “How much was it?”

He leaned over and Annais met him to hear what he had to say.

“I’ll let ya in on a secret, love… Piersy’s tab doesn’t exist,” he revealed with a smile.  “Just pretend it exists so others don’ think ‘m soft. But that little punk’s helped me out so much over the years, I couldn’t dare charge ‘im.”

Annais smiled, clutching the cash she had fished out.  “Really?”

The bartender nodded.

“Y’know, not to embarrass ‘im, but he talks ‘bout you all the time.  Makes us put on your matches if he’s in here an’ they’re on.”

“Oh my God,” she whispered. A rosy stain tinted her cheeks.  “… Does he really?”

“Yup,” the man laughed. “That ol’ li’l screen up there doesn’t do you much justice.  Nice to have you join us in the flesh.  In the decade I’ve known ‘im, I’ve never seen ‘im beamin’ as much as he did tonight. Not even when ‘is team wins.  Y’got a good lad there, Champ.  Take good care of ‘im.”

“I will,” she said. She glanced at the jar where he put her money earlier, and slipped what she was going to pay him inside.

Before the old man could protest, Piers emerged from the restroom.  Annais waved and went off to assist her stumbling boyfriend.

“Ready?” she asked, holding onto his waist.

Piers nodded and threw his arm over her shoulder.  The two of them walked out into the cool night.

Annais didn’t have the faintest idea of how late it had gotten.  The dark, barely lit by neon streets were desolate.  She and Piers were the only two in sight.  They both were quiet for a while, other than the sounds coming from Piers.  When he got home, she’d need to make sure he took something or else he probably wouldn’t be able to function tomorrow.

“Psst…  Oi…”

“Hm?”

“When we get home,” he loudly whispered.  “’M gonna pound that sweet, tight li’l cunt a’ yours inside out.”

She let out a shaky breath. Stuff like that she was accustomed to hearing in the bedroom, not out on the street.  “You always this randy when you drink?”

“Only since meetin’ you… Usually, I’m just pickin' bar fights with blokes bigger’n me.”  He hiccupped, which was enough to make him stumble and fall closer into her.  “Or so I’m told.  Fuck, you smell good.”

“Well, we’re almost there,” she said.  “When we get there, we’re both gonna take some ibuprofen so we won’t end up so bad tomorrow and then you can do whatever you want to me.”

He didn’t react to this like she anticipated.  He didn’t react at all.  His free hand clutched his middle.  Since he was so thin, it would just look normal to those who did not know him., but the normally concave stomach was painfully taut from the obscene amount of alcohol he consumed.  Every step caused the contents to churn inside of him.

“Ohhh, Ann,” he groaned, leaning into her.  “Ann…  I don’ feel so good, love.”

“Your win coming to bite you in the ass?” she joked, rubbing his back.

Pier hiccupped again, shuddering after the fact as the foul taste of beer, whiskey, and stomach acid crept up his throat.  His hand darted up to his mouth.  This caused Annais to stop right where she stood.  

“Piers?”

Piers shook his head. Annais let go of him and took a step back.

“Are you gonna be sick, baby?”

He stumbled forward, placing a hand on the brick wall as he held his mouth.  Annais cautiously stepped towards him, just in time to catch him shudder again as a wet belch came up from the pit of his belly.

“I… I think I drank too… -hic-… too much…”

Unsure how to comfort him, Annais awkwardly pat his back.  This dislodged something else, causing another awful, acidy burp.

Piers cursed himself as he fought back the contents of his stomach.

“Fuck…” he moaned weakly.  His face contorted as the bile forced its way back up his esophagus.  His eyes leaked as he swallowed it down, trying his hardest not to vomit in front of his girlfriend.  “Every time I bloody drink with you…  ‘M… Oh, God… ‘M not a lightweight, Ann…  Swear…”

Annais laughed, knowing he was referring to the only other time they drank together at the Gala.

“I know you’re not, baby,” she assured him.  “I’m just a bad influence, I guess.”

Piers shook his head feverishly.  He opened his mouth to speak, only to quickly shut it.  He leaned closer to the brick wall and heaved.

Annais was quick to pull back his hair that had fallen on either side of his face as he gagged, noting how clammy his forehead felt.  His fist clenched against the brick as he retched, expelling the contents that were causing so much turmoil.  The putrid liquid puddled on the pavement between Piers’s feet.  She turned away while still ensuring he didn’t get vomit in his hair, trying to be supportive but not wanting to wind up getting nauseous herself. She tried to ignore the sounds of his pathetic coughs and groans between heaves, then the subsequent splash as he weakly puked again.

Annais wasn’t sure how long this went on; the alcohol in her own system skewed her sense of time.  ‘I really must love this man,’ she thought to herself.  If this was anyone else, she’d be more annoyed than concerned.  She’d be keeping her distance to make sure he didn’t ruin her boots rather than standing over him and scratching his scalp.  She thought back to the time at the Gala, and she waited helplessly by the door while knowing something was wrong with him behind it. She knew she loved him then, too. She wished she could have been in there to comfort him.  If she was, then maybe things wouldn’t have gotten so bad between them for a while.

Eventually, Piers had nothing left to purge.  He steadied himself enough to half-stand against the brick, panting and gasping for breath.  He wiped his chin with his sleeve, grimacing to himself at the mess he’d made.  A shaky hand reached inside his jacket pocket.

“Don’ think about it, Ann,” he laughed hoarsely as she watched him bring a cigarette to his lips. “One more left in the pack.  We can play around with it in the mornin’ ‘fore I quit again.”