Chapter 45:Drugged
Lucas glanced at him, noticing the way Ryan's gaze lingered on him, a hint of something more than casual interest in his eyes. Lucas offered a faint, noncommittal smile, finding Ryan's obvious attraction slightly amusing,albeit a little annoying.
The game began quickly after that. It was a simple one—each person took turns asking a question, and anyone who had done the thing in question had to take a shot. The questions started off tame enough, things like "Never have I ever skipped class" or "Never have I ever lied to my parents." But as the game progressed, fueled by the alcohol, the questions became bolder, more personal.
Lucas watched with detached amusement as the group became increasingly tipsy, the atmosphere in the room shifting from lighthearted to raucous. Ryan, seated close beside him, seemed particularly eager to get Lucas involved, directing several of his questions in Lucas's direction, clearly hoping to learn something about him.
"Never have I ever kissed someone at a party," Ryan said, his eyes flicking to Lucas as he lifted his glass.
Lucas, who hadn't touched his drink much, met Ryan's gaze with a level stare before taking a deliberate sip, his expression unreadable. Ryan's grin widened, and he downed his own shot, looking pleased.
The game continued, with more and more people succumbing to the effects of the alcohol. Ryan, emboldened by the drinks and Lucas's proximity, seemed to grow more confident, his playful nudges turning into light touches on Lucas's arm, his laughter a bit too loud.
"Never have I ever had a crush on someone I just met," Ryan said, his voice carrying a clear hint of suggestion as he stared directly at Lucas.
Lucas looked at him for a long moment, taking in the boy's flushed cheeks and slightly glazed eyes. There was something almost endearing about the way Ryan tried so hard, even though Lucas knew he was only interested in the momentary thrill of attention.
Lucas didn't drink this time, simply raising an eyebrow at Ryan, who chuckled awkwardly and took another shot. The others around the table barely noticed, too wrapped up in their own drunken revelry.
As the game dragged on, the questions grew increasingly wild, and the room filled with laughter and drunken confessions. Ryan, by now clearly drunk, leaned heavily against Lucas, his head nearly resting on Lucas's shoulder. Lucas tolerated it for a while, but as the game reached its peak and Ryan's behavior became more openly affectionate, Lucas began to lose interest.
As the game wore on, Lucas found his attention wavering, his usual boredom settling in. The questions became background noise as he half-heartedly played along, answering without much thought.
Meanwhile, Ryan, who had been stealing glances at Lucas all night, saw his opportunity. With flushed cheeks and a barely contained excitement, Ryan discreetly slipped something into Lucas's drink while the others were distracted. His hand trembled slightly as he did so, but no one seemed to notice.
"Never have I ever kissed someone I shouldn't have," Ryan said, his voice carrying a hint of mischief as he looked directly at Lucas.
Without a second thought, Lucas grabbed his drink and downed it, unaware of Ryan's secretive actions. But this time, as the alcohol went down, something felt different. After a few minutes,a strange warmth began to spread through his body, starting from his chest and radiating outwards. His skin felt unusually sensitive, his thoughts slightly hazy as the drugs started to take effect.
Ryan noticed the change almost immediately. As Lucas's cheeks took on a faint flush and his breath became shallower, Ryan's excitement grew. He moved closer, his body brushing against Lucas's, feeling the heat emanating from him.
Lucas's usual composure wavered as he became more aware of the sensation overtaking him. The warmth in his body wasn't unpleasant—in fact, it was almost intoxicating. His skin tingled where Ryan's arm pressed against his, and he found himself breathing a little heavier, his pulse quickening.
Ryan, emboldened by Lucas's response, edged even closer until their legs touched, his body pressing more firmly against Lucas's side. He leaned in, his voice low and breathless as he spoke. "You're looking a little flushed, Lucas," he whispered, his tone laced with a mix of concern and desire.
Lucas turned his head slightly, his vision blurring at the edges as he met Ryan's gaze. The boy's eyes were dark with lust, his breath warm against Lucas's neck. Lucas's usual detachment was slipping away, replaced by a strange, drug-induced arousal that he couldn't quite shake off.
"I am?" Lucas questioned, his voice softer than usual, laced with an unexpected hint of vulnerability. The words felt foreign on his tongue, like they didn't entirely belong to him.
Ryan, sensing the shift, moved even closer, his thigh pressing against Lucas's. The closeness sent a shiver through Lucas's body, heightening the already overwhelming sensations. Ryan's hand brushed against Lucas's, sending a spark of electricity through him.
Ryan continued, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, "You don't have to keep playing the game if you don't want to. We could…do something else."
The suggestion hung in the air, thick with implication. Ryan's breath hitched as he waited for Lucas's response, his body practically buzzing with anticipation. Lucas, usually in control of every situation, found himself strangely torn. The rational part of his mind screamed to pull away, to regain control, but the alcohol-fueled strange warmth in his veins made it difficult to focus.
Lucas glanced down at his empty glass, then back at Ryan, whose face was flushed with a mix of arousal and hope.He didn't know why his body was responding this way as all the other times he had drink he would be okay. For a moment, Lucas considered giving in , letting the alcohol guide his actions. But just as quickly, a surge of clarity cut through the haze, and Lucas's usual self-assuredness returned, albeit tinged with an odd, lingering warmth.
With a slow, deliberate movement, Lucas stood up, pulling away from Ryan's touch. The sudden loss of contact made Ryan's breath catch, his eyes wide with surprise and disappointment.
"I think I've had enough for tonight," Lucas said, his voice trying to appear calm but strained as he fought to regain full control. The flush on his cheeks and the warmth in his body increased more by the minute but he forced himself to push through it.
Ryan stared up at him, his expression a mix of confusion and longing. "Lucas, I—"
"Goodnight, Ryan," Lucas cut him off, a faint, almost disgusted smile on his lips as he turned to leave.
As Lucas walked out of the room, he could feel Ryan's eyes on him, the disappointment almost palpable. His steps feel a little unsteady, but he forced himself to keep moving.
As Lucas stepped into the hallway, the cool air felt like a slap to his overheated skin, but it did little to clear the thick fog in his mind. The world around him started to twist and morph, the effects of the drugs hitting him harder with each step. He glanced at the walls, and for a moment, he could've sworn the pictures hanging there were winking at him, their frames bending and twisting into mocking smiles.
Lucas chuckled under his breath, the sound low and unsteady. "What're you laughing at?" he muttered, his voice slurring slightly as he directed his question to one of the pictures that seemed to be eyeing him with amusement. The walls didn't answer, but he imagined they were telling him a joke, something absurdly funny that only he could hear.
He laughed louder this time, the sound echoing down the empty hallway. Everything was spinning, twirling around him like a twisted dance. The floor beneath him seemed to sway, and he reached out to steady himself against the wall, but it felt like the wall was pulling away, teasing him.
Behind him, Ryan followed closely, his smaller frame almost blending into the shadows of the dimly lit corridor. His heart raced as he watched Lucas stumble, his own excitement building as he realized the drugs were taking full effect. Ryan's breaths came faster, his eyes locked on Lucas's back as he struggled to keep up, the thrill of the chase fueling him.