Ain't Misbehavin' (~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~ X Charade) (18+)

[Charade]

"Pfft!" Vince's pissy demeanor completed flipped, as he began laughing, covering his mouth to stifle it as Jimmy shot him a look.

 

"Vincenzo Leoni, I swear to lord almighty I'll cut your balls off if you don't stop snickerin'," Jimmy said with a glare, trying to rub the whiskey stains out of his white shirt.

 

"Hey, you're the idiot who gave liquor to a kid," Vince said with a smirk. "Speakin'a which... We should probably head out," he said to Felix, as he began walking towards the door. He stopped in his steps, thought for a moment, then turned around and ran back down to the basement.

 

About a minute later he returned with a glass full of a thick, red liquid. "It's cherry juice," he said, handing it to Felix. "It should get that taste out your mouth." He smiled then glanced at Jimmy, laughing again as he left the building, walking down the sidewalk towards his car.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

"I ain't a kid, ya old man! That stuff was disgusting! I don't know how you can drink that stuff." Felix retorts, snapping at Vince, but at the same time was glad the other seemed to be back to normal again. He follows after Vince, but stops in his tracks when the other pauses, and turns around, going back downstairs. A confused expression was on his face as he waited, wondering what Vince was doing.

 

It didn't take long for Vince to return, carrying a glass of some red liquid, which Felix eyes cautiously. Taking the glass as it was offered to him, he just stares at it, wondering if it was indeed cherry juice, but, being Felix and his trusting self, takes a drink, and sure enough it was, in fact, cherry juice like Vince had told him. He finishes it off, getting the taste of the bitter whiskey in his mouth to go away, and hands the empty glass to Jimmy. "Sorry about your shirt."

 

Turning, he leaves the place, following after Vince, and heads to where the car was parked. "So, it's just you an' me now, huh?" He walks alongside Vince, his hands shoved in his pockets, his mind wandering first to the girl he'd seen, then to where they were heading to go right then, how he'd be spending the whole day with Vince, and lastly, his mind ends on that evening, wondering what all would happen.

 

"Man, I sure am lookin' forward to later! Every time I step in there, I get all excited! I don't think that feelin' will ever go away." He glances at Vince, grinning a big grin, his teeth flushed with excitement. "What 'bout you? Do you ever feel that way for anything?" The car comes into view, and as it did, Felix's undying excitement continued to grow, as he looked forward to the events of the day.

[Charade]

"I can't say I do," Vince said with a chuckle. Of course, that was a lie. There was one thing that always excited him, but he'd be damned if Felix found out about his unconventional crush.

 

Once they were both in the car, Vince started driving towards the docks. "Hey Felix, can I ask ya somethin'?" he asked. He decided that he would find out something about the other's opinion on that girl, mainly because thinking about it was making him see red. He almost didn't want to know the answer, it was pretty obvious that he was into her. Just stop dwellin' on it, you could have any broad you wanted, stop worryin' over this kid, he told himself.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

They arrive at the car, and Felix of course gets in on the passenger side. Driving off, the two head towards wherever Vince was to be doing his part for the speakeasy. Staring out the window, he was slightly disappointed in the answer that he'd gotten from Vince to the question he'd asked, but he doesn't let it show at all, the smile remaining on his face as he watched the scenery go by.

 

When Vince asks him if he could ask something, Felix shrugs, looking over at him. "Sure, go ahead. What do you wanna ask me?" Tilting his head to the side like a puppy who'd heard a strange noise, he waits for Vince to ask whatever he wanted to ask, wondering what it was going to be. There really wasn't any type of question he wouldn't answer, except for a select few things.

[Charade]

"You ever had a girlfriend before?" Vince asked, eyeing Felix. He figured it would be better to ask a bunch of vaguely relevant questions than to ask the big dirty: So you into dudes or what?

 

They passed several more shops before entering the bad part of town. All the buildings were run down, junkies littered the sidewalk, the women were all dressed in skimpy outfits with greasy hair and smeared makeup, and the men all carried around guns, not even bothering to conceal them, as Vince did with his.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

"Nope!" His mouth replying quicker than his mind could even process the question, the answer just came slipping out. When he finally realized the question he'd answered was, his insides clench, and he face palms himself, ashamed he'd answered with such a carefree and nonchalant tone of voice, as if he didn't even care he'd never had a girlfriend before. Not that it really mattered in the first place.

 

To hide his embarrassment, he turns his gaze away from Vince to look out the window, noticing the change in how everything around them looked. The buildings were no longer in good condition, but worn down, several were boarded up, with doors off hinges and shattered windows, appearing like some huge face with shattered, crooked teeth and empty eyes. The people on the streets were almost as bad, if not worse than the buildings. They all appeared to be bad ass, many of the men carrying guns. Felix looks away, not wanting to stare at any individual too long.

[Charade]

"You ever wish you had one?" Vince asked, really hoping his questions weren't sounding suspicious.

 

Vincenzo could clearly see Felix's discomfort as he watched the other observe his surroundings. Resisting the urge to wrap an arm around the other and keep him safe, he reached an arm across Felix's lap, continuing to drive, and locked the passenger door. He shot the middle finger up at a man who had been staring, and the man simply walked away. Even though a good number of people in this neighborhood were afraid of him, and everyone knew who he was, there were still plenty of people that just didn't care, which is why so many other bootleggers chose to do business here (aside from the lack of police).

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Being so preoccupied with carefully gazing out the window, once again Felix speaks without thinking, the words slipping from between his lips like water running from a faucet. "No, not really." He berates himself, cursing internally, before continuing, trying his hardest to fix his mistake of a reply, but only getting more and more frustrated with himself by the minute. "I mean, I uh, would like to, ya know, get one, but, i-it's not really that intestin' an' well I um, never thought about it before now, and well, it's just one o' those things ya don't think about often, well, um, maybe you do, I don't...oh dammit! I'm just gonna shut up now!"

 

His face had turned red, and he blinks in surprise as Vince reaches across him to lock the car door, watching as the other flips some random guy the bird and keeps driving. Now that he noticed, this part of town didn't look particularly safe, but knowing him, he'd probably follow some random drunk to his death because of hos unnervingly bad habit of trusting people too much, even those who obviously shouldn't be trusted. He clenches his teeth, feeling like a total idiot because of what he'd told Vince.

[Charade]

"You really are too cute, you know that?" Vince chuckled, pulling into the docks. He looked over at Felix and opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He looked away, flustered, then mumbled to himself. "Fuck it."

 

He reached in the glove compartment, pulling out his sawn-off shotgun. He double checked to make sure the safety was on, the unbuttoned his pants, slipping it in the side, and buttoned them again, his jacket covering the bulge on his thigh. He pulled out a pocket knife and handed it to Felix. "It's real unlikely that you'll have'ta use this, I just... really don't wanna take any chances, y'know?" He smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck, then cleared his throat, then got out of the car.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

"I told ya before, 'n I'll tell ya again, I ain't cute." He mumbles, flushed cheeks and flustered with himself. They arrive at the docks, and Vince parks the car, and before they get out, Vince reaches into the glove apartment, and pulls but what appeared to be a sawed off shotgun. Felix watches, his eyes widening when he saw the other unbuttoning his pants, and before he could ask what the hell Vince was doing, the other slips the gun into his pants, buttoning his pants again, then his coat, to hide the evidence of the gun.

 

He sighs, comical relief on his face. Felix was more than a little ashamed at what he was thinking Vince had been about to do, but snaps away from those thoughts when he was handed a pocket knife. Staring at the blade in his hand, he looks over at Vince, wondering why he'd been given this, but of course, before he could ask, it was explained to him.

 

"Alright then." Slipping the pocket knife into his right shirt sleeve, concealing it beneath the cuffs, and buttoning them so it wouldn't accidentally slip out. He too then gets out of the car, closing the door behind him, and looks around, noticing the slightly damp feel to the air, and the wind that ruffled the ends of his hair and caressed his skin felt quite nice.

[Charade]

A large, burly man and a woman with a blonde bob stood in front of the ocean, waiting for Vincenzo. He approached calmly, his demeanor changing entirely when he saw the woman. Almost immediately, they both pulled their guns on each other, Vince with his sawn-off shotgun, and her with a submachine gun, Vince scowling, and her smirking.

 

"C'mon now Vinny, you know that ain't very gentlemanly," the woman said, fake pouting.

 

"Don't even make this 'bout that, Annie," Vince growled. "I'm here'ta do a job -- if I had known they'd be sendin' you, I'da gone somewhere else, trust me."

 

Annie frowned, placing her free hand over her heart. "Your words sting me."

 

"So, you gonna keep talkin', or are ya gonna get this gun out of my face?" Vince asked impatiently.

 

"I was thinkin' we stay like this a bit longer, Vinny," she purred.

 

Vincenzo smirked, grabbing her wrist with his free hand and knocking her weapon away with the butt of his shotgun, grabbing her ankle as she shot her foot up to kick him. "Oh Vinny, you always did love to tease me, didn't you?" she asked with a smirk, reaching her hand forward to touch his chest.

 

Immediately he released her ankle, pushing her back some in the process. She smoothed out her dress and smiled a dazzling, white smile at Felix. "Well aren't you just the cutest little thing I ever did see!" she gushed, her Southern accent becoming more evident, as she brought her attention back to Vince. "I didn't know you rolled that way now, Vinny! I reckon I was too woman for you, huh?"

 

Vince sighed, clealy frustrated, turning his attention to the large man next to her. "You got the booze?"

 

"You got the cash?" the man countered, raising an eyebrow.

 

"Come on now, Louie, just give him the gin," Annie pouted, grabbing onto the other man's arm.

 

Louie sighed, walking away to get the illegal liquor. "Ain't he just a regular ol' Ethel?" Annie squealed, referring to Felix, reaching out to squeeze his cheeks. "But I gotta say, Vinny, he ain't gonna be of much use to you, given his small stature, and knowin' you, ya wouldn't keep some nobody around that ain't pleasin' you in some way..." She grinned slyly, glaring at Vince.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Arriving, things get serious quick. Before he even knew what was going on, guns were being pointed between both parties, and Felix bends his knees a bit, taking on a more defensive form, slipping the knife from his sleeve into the palm of his hand, keeping it out of sight still. He may be no good with guns, but he wasn't a newbie when it came to blades, especially switchblades and pocket knives.

 

He stands there, watching the woman and Vince exchange a few words, handing a few strikes to each other as well, keeping on his toes just in case anything drastic took place. Then the woman looks to him, and starts gushing words, calling him cute, her voice suggesting she was from the south. He flushes a bit, but says nothing, and stands up straight, but keeps a tight grip on the blade, wanting to tell her he wasn't cute, but keeps silent.

 

The man that was with the woman walks away, and Felix looks after him, but his attention turns to the woman again, who had begun to squeal again, reaching out to squeeze his cheek. He glances over at Vince, then to her, allowing her to pinch him, grinning cutely. When she let's go, he rubs his cheek with his left hand, which was stinging a bit, his right currently holding a knife, though he slips it back into his sleeve quite easily and without cause for suspicion by rubbing the back of his head, as if embarrassed by what the woman said.

 

However, when she says some weird things about how he was 'not going to be of any use to Vince' and him having a 'small stature' and 'knowing Vince, he wouldn't keep a nobody around that wasn't pleasing him in some way', the smile slips on his face, confused by what she was saying, and totally irked by being called 'some nobody'. What was she up to, saying things like that. He'd noticed earlier how she'd said she didn't know Vince rolled that way. Wait...

 

Felix looks to him, a look confusion and questioning in his eyes, before looking at the woman again, deciding to play the cute, innocent, oblivious kid that this woman seemed to like so much. He keeps quiet for now, a sweet smile on his lips, a ditzy look all over his face. He was really starting to dislike this woman already, and he'd just met her not five minutes ago. Just who was she, and why was she saying such things about Vince?

[Charade]

"Y'know Annie, you really oughta stay out of business that ain't yours," Vince snapped, completely avoiding any acknowledgment towards Felix at the point.

 

"And you really oughta tell this poor kid the truth, Vincenzo," Annie growled, then immediately smiled again, turning to face Felix. "So tell me, what is the relationship between y'all two?"

 

"There's no relationship," Vince said, clearly frustrated.

 

"Ooh~ Ain't that the same thing ya said about that lovely flapper?" She asked with a wicked grin, though hurt was evident in her eyes.

 

"Annie, please, don't be bringin' this up right now," Vince sighed, rubbing his temple in frustration.

 

"Hmm... You're right, Vinny, this ain't the time nor the place~" She smiled brightly, as Louie returned with a large crate full of bottles of liquor.

 

"You gotta be kiddin' me," Vince said, looking from the booze to the man. "It's already bottled? What the hell?!"

 

"Aye, times is tough, this'a all we got," Louie said. "Take it or leave it."

 

Vince sighed, pulling a wallet from his back pocket, and placing some cash in Louie's hand. "That's all?" Louie inquired, raising an eyebrow.

 

"Times is tough," Vince mocked. "Take it or leave it."

 

The man chuckled scornfully, handing the crate to Vince. "Pleasure doin' business with ya," he smirked before turning to walk back to his car, placing the crate in the trunk.

 

"Believe me, Vinny," Annie said softly, smirking as she watched Vince walk away. "The pleasure's all mine~"

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Felix had never felt so confused before in his life than at that moment right then and there. What was this Annie woman going on about, and why did it seem to be frustrating Vince so much. She then turns to ask him what his relationship was with Vince. Why the hell did she need to know?!? He answers anyways.

 

"We're friends." He says this right as Vince said that there was no relationship. Glancing at him, he felt a bit stung by Vince's words, but says nothing, seeing that the other was already frazzled enough as it was. So instead, he falls silent, tuning out the rest of the short lived conversation between Vince and Annie, only breaking from his silent reverie when Vince heads to the car, a crate in his hands, which he places into the trunk of the car.

 

Following suit, he pauses by the car door, and glances back at Annie, who had a satisfied smirk on her face. He turns away, muttering "Bitch." under his breath, the pretended look of feigned innocence slipping from his face like hot butter on a knife. Getting into the car, as he guessed they were finished there, he waits for Vince to get in, and glances over at him, saying nothing, just observing quietly.

 

He wanted to ask about all the things that Annie had said, but figured now was not the time. He didn't want to make Vince any more angry than he already was. Instead he takes a deep breath, letting the air from his lungs out slowly, as he tried to calm his own nerves down. Throughout that whole exchange, his heart had been pounding and he felt light headed, even though somehow he'd managed to keep a somewhat calm look to him.

[Charade]

Vince slammed the trunk shut, then got in the driver's seat, starting the car. Glancing over at Felix, he felt the urge to kiss him more so now than ever, for some unknown reason. It was difficult to be around Felix while keeping his hands to himself, even a hug, even if their shoulders were pressed up against each other, absolutely anything would be better than this insufferable space between them that just seemed bigger and bigger. He sighed, asking himself: Why are you acting like this?

 

He bit his lower lip and looked away, peeling out and driving towards the speakeasy once again. "Y'know, I really am sorry ya had'ta witness that," he chuckled nervously, glancing at Felix out of his peripheral vision. "It usually ain't that intense, but Annie is... Annie."

 

Vince almost spoke again, but quickly shut up, pressing his lips together, furrowing his brow.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Folding his hands in his lap, he noticed how Vince was acting, which was confusing him to no end. For some reason, whenever the two were together, and for the most part alone, he always got this...look in his eyes, as if he wanted to do something, but was hesitating, holding himself back for whatever reason that might be. He sighs softly, wishing all thus confusing stuff would just go away.

 

Driving away, he hears Vince apologize for making him witness such a scene, but Felix just shrugs, not really minding all that much. The only thing that had annoyed him was the Annie woman. "I don't like her. The way she was talkin' to you just wasn't right. I wanted to slap her, 'n trust me, I don't normally hit women. But that Annie as ya call 'er, I gate her already." His eyebrows furrow, and a small frown forms on his lips.

 

He glances at Vince, and as he did, he noticed that the other was looking at him from the corner of his eye, making him look away quickly. Felix then decides to just take a chance and jump into the proverbial shark infested waters, and asks the question on his mind. "What was she talkin' 'bout back there? Everythin' she said about me 'n you, 'n how for some reason I ain't good enough for ya? What the hell did she mean by that? And the way she said she didn't think you didn't roll that way... I wanna know." He knew Vince didn't like prodding questions, but he had to ask, if he didn't he'd go crazy thinking about it.

[Charade]

Vince sighed, looking down at his lap, then back up at the road. "Nah, she got plenty'a reason to talk to me like that," he chuckled, but there was some self-deprecating in his tone. "Annie and me, we got... a history, I guess. A lot'a things happened, and let's just say I ain't the same person I was back then. And as for your last question... she thinks that you and me... that is, uh, we... y'know." He smiled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

 

He couldn't say it out loud, but he didn't want to act repulsed by it either, because he definitely wasn't. It was a feeling Vince wasn't used to, not being able to just be blunt about something. He always had so much confidence with girls, even the ones that thought he was a scumbag, but for some reason, with Felix, he just... couldn't.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Raising an eyebrow, he listens to what Vince says about how Annie and he had a past. So that was it then, huh? Made more sense now. However, his expiation about what she'd said did not, and he just turns to stare, his confusion etched all over his face. "Nah, I don't know. But whatever. I don't know why I even asked..." He leans lightly against the door, resting his arm by the window edge, and looks away from Vince, admitting defeat non verbally. He'd never get a straight answer out of Vince even if he tried, and tried again a thousand times over.

 

Right then, as they drove back to Club Lucky, Felix just wanted to forget everything that had happened, and waste the day doing something that was enjoyable. Like read a book. Explore new places. Tease Jimmy. Take a nap. Anything to get away from this awkward tension he was feeling from being around Vince. He'd even be willing to try drowning himself in whiskey and other alcohol to get drunk, if only to get away for just a moment. Sighing softly, he closes his eyes for a bit, trying to erase the thoughts in his head.

 

The ride back to the speakeasy was quiet the rest of the way, both males either lost in thought or something along that line. Once Vince parked, Felix gets out, and doesn't even wait for Vince to lead the way to the building, instead walking off nearly as soon as the car was parked, not even bothering to wait for the engine to be turned off. He wanted to get away, put some space between them, maybe that would ease the tension he was beginning to feel. He hoped it would.

 

Once inside, Felix goes over to a booth, and without another word, flops onto the wide bench, hiding his face in his arms not wanting to be bothered right then with whatever Vince had in mind next. Jimmy watches this little scene with a raised eyebrow, and when Vince enters looking over at him. He points at the face down Felix. "What the hell happened to him? Even in the short time I've known him, I don't think I ever seen him look so pissy. Usually he's smilin' and crackin' jokes."

 

"Or your nuts." Felix says, his voice muffled by his arms. Jimmy's face goes red. "You sure think you're funny, dontcha kid?" Jimmy snaps, but lowers his voice to continue talking to Vince. "But that's beside the point. What I'm tryin' to say is...did somethin' happen?" He was concerned for his friend, he could easily tell something was irritating Vince too. And since Felix was Vince's friend, or so he thought since they got along, he was worried for Felix too.

[Charade]

"Mm... No," Vince said casually, setting the crate on top of the bar. Hoisting himself up, he rolled over the bar, and landed behind it, as he began stocking the shelves.

 

"Y'know," Jimmy sighed, rubbing his temples. "Ya don't gotta put your nasty body all over my bar."

 

"First off," Vince said, not bothering to turn around. "My body ain't dirty. It's very clean, and I can prove it if ya like~" Jimmy wrinkled his nose at this. "Second, this ain't your bar. It's Lucas's and since he's in the hospital, it's Felix's bar." He smiled brightly, turning around to face Jimmy as he laid his elbows on the bar and rested his head in his hands. "And third, there just ain't no fun in using your little doggy door."

 

Jimmy scoffed, crossing his arms, as Vince grinned widely, hopping back over the bar and walking towards Felix. "Hey kid," he said, putting his hands down on the table, honestly just wanting to forget about all of the preceding events. "You alright?"

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Felix was running some things over in his mind, random stuff actually, when he hears Vince come over, and talk to him. At first he pretends like he didn't hear the words said to him, remaining as he was with his face hidden in his arms. He was half thinking to just ignore him completely but, in the end, decides not to.

 

"First things first, Old Man, I ain't a kid." He raises his head up, turning to look straight at Vince, one eye narrowed and squinty, his eyebrows scrunched together slightly, his lips tight. "And second things be second, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be, huh?" He puts his head back down onto his arms, though kept looking at Vince. "And right now...I don't really wanna talk to you. Not until ya tell me what that bitch meant, 'n not all evasive like, ya get me? So until ya can do that...leave me alone."

 

He gets an idea though, and sits up suddenly, jumping from the seat and pushing past Vince, striding over to the bar, and climbing up onto the stool. He motions for Jimmy to come over and lean down, before whispering in his ear. "Hey, I wanna try somethin', but I don't want Vince seein', okay?" Felix pauses, then continues after taking a deep breath. "I need somethin' to keep me distracted..from some stuff...and well...I got an idea. See, I wanna try some liquor again, but this time I eat some sugar first. To ya know, dull the burn. But here's the catch...I don't want Vince seein' me, you got that?"

 

He knew he'd have to drink on the sly, but...it was better than nothing, right? "Can ya do that for me? If ya do, I promise not to kick your precious eggs for a month." He pulls back, and grins at Jimmy, waiting for an answer, his eyes twinkling.

[Charade]

"Should I be worried right now?" Jimmy asked, squinting at Felix for a few moments before letting out a hearty chuckle. "Well sure, I guess, you're pretty much an adult anyhow, right?" He turned his attention towards Vince, who was still standing with his hands on the table, his back completely straight, visibly pissed. "Vince," he called.

 

"Can I help you?" Vince asked, turning around to face Jimmy.

 

Jimmy fake gasped, holding his hands up to his mouth, wide eyed. "You'd help little ol' me, Mr. Leoni?" he squeaked in falsetto.

 

Vince narrowed his eyes, clearly annoyed, but no longer angry. Jimmy smiled triumphantly. "I need ya to go round up some customers, I know how those dames on Main Street enjoy your company and we need to get as many people as possible tonight! It's Felix's first day on the job, and we're celebratin', whether you like it or not."

 

"Whatever," Vince mumbled, pulling a flask from the side of his pants and walking over to the bar. He reached behind and filled it to the brim with whiskey, before putting it back between the waistband of his pants. "That all?"

 

"Yessir," Jimmy said, smiling.

 

Vince shot him a suspicious look, before shrugging and heading out the door, putting on his blazer and fedora.

 

"So!" Jimmy said, smiling wide at Felix. "Have a look, try whatever suits your fancy."

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

Felix just stares at Jimmy, not saying anything to his comment. He just settles down on the seat, and waits for Vince to leave, not looking at him once as Jimmy talked to him. He purposely looks the opposite direction, staring at the wall, and when Vince was finally gone, he looks forward again, grinning at Jimmy.

 

Looking at the shelf behind the counter, he gently rocks his entire body from side to side, a look of concentration on his face as he tries to decide what he wants. Eventually he just shrugs, not really sure what was what. And simply points at one, not caring at that point what it was. "I dunno, that one...you choose for me next, okay?" He grins even more, slipping the knife he still had into his pocket.

 

While he waited for Jimmy to pour the drink, he does what he said he would, and eats a whole spoonfull of sugar, coating his throat with the sweetness. Once the drink was poured, he reaches for it, and takes a deep breath, before drinking it quickly. He was able to swallow it all this time, still tasting the burn, but not as badly. Setting the glass down, he grins in triumph.

 

"Another."

 

He wanted to forget what had happened, even just for a short while. Eating another spoonful of sugar, he waits for the next drink, downing that one even quicker than the first. The third he doesn't even use sugar, as he starts feeling the effects, his cheeks getting warm, his lips tingling. "Yep...that's great..." he didn't want to stop, so allowed Jimmy to keep giving him more.

[Charade]

Vincenzo walked down the street, his back straight and his chin high. It would be better to just forget about what had happened at the docks, he figured. Though honestly, he couldn't figure out what was so bad that Felix would ignore him. Unless he took some offense to Annie. And the guns. Then... yeah, maybe.

 

He passed a group of giggling women, all shushing each other as he walked by. Then he stopped and turned on his heels, smiling a charmingly crooked grin at them, tilted his hat. Most of them blushed. One of them bit he lip to keep from squealing. "'Scuse me, ladies," he said, returning his hat to the normal position on his head. "I saw ya from the bank, and the four'a you are just so lovely, I had to come over here and formally invite ya to a nice little welcomin' party we're throwin' for the new manager of Club Lucky... that is, of course, only if you're interested." He smiled again, and the quartet of girls swooned.

 

"O-of course, we'd love to," one of them, with long, deep red, wavy hair, said.

 

"Nifty," he said with a grin. "Just tell 'em Vincenzo Leoni sent ya." He gave a final wave and a nod as he turned and continued walking down the road. The giggling girls scurried off towards the speak, knocked on the door, told Andrew that Vince sent them, and entered, staring in awe at their surroundings, as Vince continued to send more people, and Jimmy continued to pour Felix more drinks.

[~*~FaLlEn*SnOw~*~]

By the time the speakeasy was nearly filled, Felix was seeing not only doubles, but triples as well, and his head was in the clouds. He'd lost count of how many glasses of alcohol he'd drank, and at that point, he didn't care. His cheeks were fiery red, and he felt as if his body was made of lead and rubber at the same time. His eyes had a slightly glazed look, and his hat had fallen off, which was setting on a shelf behind the counter where Jimmy had put it.

 

Right at that moment he was talking with a group of women, laughing and joking, entirely lost in the moment. He was long gone, all his inhibition flew out the window a while back. His hair was slightly messy, and his clothes disheveled, but somehow, even after all he'd drank, Felix still managed to keep on his feet, though was a bit staggered as he walked, and often bumped into people, though they really didn't mind, especially the women.

 

However, even though he was drunk, Felix still couldn't manage to get Vince off his mind, and that pissed him off. Sauntering over to the counter, he climbs up onto the stool, and rests his elbow on top of the shiny surface, and places his chin in the palm of his hand. He stares long and hard at Jimmy, who was serving a customer, and waits for him to finish before speaking up, his voice slurred.

 

"Jimmy, why's he gotta be like that huh? Vince is nuthin' but a big jerk face who keeps hidin' stuff from me an' it's pissin' me off real nasty like...I mean, seriously?! He don' even think o' me as a friend apparently. Tha' hurts deep. I wish I knew what he was up to. Then maybe I'd be bits more honest with him...tell 'im how I feel 'bout stuff...ass hole...yeah it ain't normal but I kinda like..." he trails off, and stares blankly at Jimmy.

 

"Where is that Italian bastard anyways?" He looks around, trying to spot Vince, completely unaware he'd cut his sentence in half.

[Charade]

"Vincenzo Leoni, you fuckin' poonhound!" Andrew greeted Vince at the door, slapping the taller male on the back. "This place is boomin', why don't ya always go out an' drum up business, huh?"

 

"Andrew," Vince pouted, mock offended. "I'm more'n just a pretty face, y'know."

 

Andrew grinned wide, as Vince walked into the speak and to the bar. Several girls tried to talk to him but he just brushed them off, he didn't have the time or patience to deal with them. He sat at a stool and turned his attention to Jimmy, smiling triumphantly. "There's your celebration, Jimmy," he said, grabbing a bottle of whiskey from behind the bar when he noticed Felix.

 

"Jesus Christ," he said, turning to Jimmy. "That kid's shitfaced. How much'd he drink?"

 

"I lost count," Jimmy laughed, amused by Felix's drunken state.

 

Vince sighed, grabbing one of Felix's arms and carefully taking him from the seat, helping him stand. "Let's find you some place'a lie down, huh?"