It's Just A Little Crush...

Kerry was a great person, from what Griffin could gather. He was a nerd, a good dancer, hot, and exactly what Griffin was looking for. But he couldn’t keep his attention on the guy for longer than a minute. Since Oliver had not acknowledged him, Griffin turned to focus on Kerry. He had a pleasant conversation for about five minutes until he heard Oliver order shots. He turned to look at him, startled, watching as he downed a few shots with Roland.

”Right on!” the stupid redhead said, encouraging Oliver to drink. After the last shot was drowned, Oliver smiled at Roland and Griffin felt his heart sink at that dorky little upturned smile focused on someone else. It didn’t make him mad or angry it just hurt. What was going on? Why was Oliver dancing with a guy? He winced when he swore, his eyes not leaving the two as they reached the floor.

Kerry learned he was being ignored a few minutes ago, and sat there, drinking his own round of shots. Griffin downed his drink, the sting real. Urgh.

On the floor, Roland wasted no time pulling Oliver closer. ”You’re really tall!” the guy said, nearly a half a foot shorter than him. ”It’s hot!”

He moved his body closer to Oliver, and at the bar, Griffin felt himself fuming. Oliver wans’t into that. This guy was just violating Oliver, and he just –

”Shot?”

Griffin glanced to his left, where Kerry was holding a shot in his direction.

”I don’t know – “ Griffin glanced at it. It was straight vodka.

”Dude. I’ve been there. The alcohol helps.” Kerry grinned, and Griffin accepted the shot glass. He sighed.

”Thanks.” He downed the shot, and glanced at the dance floor again, where Roland was beginning to slide his hand towards Oliver’s butt. Griffin began to see red and hopped off of the stool.

Griffin put his shot glass down and leaned his elbows against the bar. If Oliver was going to have fun with a guy, then, okay? He still didn’t know how Oliver felt about anything. About even being here, but he had an opportunity to say no to the dance. Maybe he was gay, but just not interested in him. Griffin could also see that possibility happening. Kerry was still there but was more focused on getting drunk than asking Griffin for anything. Clearly, the guy was in on the fact that Griffin wasn’t into the flirtations and had backed off. It was a somewhat shame – especially since he knew Oliver didn’t like him. He was nice. He may make a good friend, but Griffin knew better than to ask for his number if he wasn’t interested in dating. He took another shot, and felt the warmth cascade throughout his body. His head was slightly fuzzy – he felt lighter.

He focused on Oliver and Roland again, as the guy pulled him even closer. Griffin could tell immediately that Oliver was uncomfortable. He knew his friend wasn’t that good with social situations, especially ones like this. Roland was too drunk to notice or stop and just laughed, thinking this was all funny.

Griffin slammed his glass back down again and got up off of the bar. Kerry grinned after him and took another shot, turning away. Griffin shoved his way through the crowd of dancers until he approached.

Roland didn’t stop until Oliver moved backwards and tilted his head to the side. ”Don’t want what?” he asked. The music was still playing, loudly, and Roland had finally stopped. But it was too late for Griffin to recognize that and he reached over, sliding right between Oliver and Roland. Roland blinked and Griffin focused on him. ”You,” he pointed to Roland, and prodded his chest. His features were contorted in fury, a look Griffin rarely sported. ”You back off m’best friend. When he says no, you say no, too,” he said. Roland held his hands up in defense, giving Oliver a look.

”Yoooo, I’m not doing anything anymore. Whaaaaat. I just moved too fast, s’fine, right Ollllliver?” Roland said grinning behind Griffin at the other boy. Griffin blocked his view.

”No.” Despite his drunkenness, his voice was firm. ”You go away.”

Griffin was focused intently on Roland, and now a bit of a crowd was beginning to get interest in the scene. The music was still loud, people were still dancing, but some were eyeing them up. Griffin didn’t like violence or to fight, but he remained protective in front of Oliver until Roland lost interest and left. He exhaled a deep breath, the buzz still hitting him slightly.

Once Roland was gone, Griffin focused on Oliver. He didn’t look okay and immediately the furious look softened to one of concern. He didn’t like to be angry, he didn’t like to be furious. But seeing Oliver so upset made it difficult not to be angry still at Roland for his attitude. He reached over and touched Oliver’s shoulders. ”No, you didn’t,” He said. He felt bad for Oliver being in the crowd so he ushered him away from the dance floor and towards the back wall near the restrooms. Out here the music was softer and less people traversed.

Once more secluded, Griffin glanced up at him. This close the miniscule difference in their heights was apparent. He glanced around and found a napkin, approaching Oliver again to wipe the tears away. As he did so, Kerry approached, his hands in his pockets.

”He okay?” He asked, glancing at Oliver. Griffin turned to him with a small smile and nodded.

”Er – he just needs space. I think I’ll take him home.” He said. ”Thanks, Kerry.”

Kerry nodded and glanced at Oliver, giving the guy a half smirk. ”Right. Feel better.”

Griffin turned away from him at focused on Oliver. ”I’m sorry, I know you don’t like these kinds of places.”

Griffin wasn’t too drunk, and he didn’t think Oliver was either. The fight had sobered Griffin up -- well, he didn’t know if it was exactly considered a fight, but it still sobered him up. The idea of Oliver getting roped up with some sleaze all because of his invitation… it scared Griffin.

Griffin hit a few selections on his phone to hail an uber. Their driver would arrive in about 15 minutes, and according to the tracker, he was a few towns away. Griffin exhaled and turned towards Oliver.

He didn’t expect to see him slouched over, or hear him slurring his words so badly. Griffin’s eyes widened and he moved closer, grabbing his friend by the shoulders. Oliver was so warm -- Griffin glanced at his eyes. He was so shitfaced.

Oh, crap. Helena was going to kill him for letting this happen.

”Hey, uh, calm down, don’t sway so much…” Griffin said, weakly. He exhaled. ”Oliver… how many shots did you have?” He asked. How many had that guy gotten into Oliver before they danced? ”You’re very drunk.”