Chapter Text
It was after work when Henry and I would hang out, usually to discuss where to go with the studio next, or just straight up about our next hang out.
But at that moment, I was trying to persuade him into staying as an animator. And surely, I would keep it as “friends hang out” than “business” because why would I talk to this man like that?
And so, I offered him a drink, I think you know what the setting would be for the next paragraphs.
2 shots I drank, “Henry, you know how I value your work truly, right?” I asked him, we were sitting side by side, and he barely even touched his drink.
“Sure, why?” I think he answered me like that, pretty straight forward and… basic.
“I was wondering if you would work for-” “With, work with” he corrected me, he had always preferred to call us “working together” instead of one working for the other, or to be equal, that’s the short word.
“I was wondering if you would work with me for the rest of the many many years” I asked again, already expecting that he wouldn’t agree so easily while being sober.
Henry raised an eyebrow in confusion, as if it was a ridiculous question to ask. “Remind me why would I give the rest of my life for one job?” I forgot whether he was mocking, joking, or straight up concern.
I do remember that we stopped talking for a few minutes, then I had my third shot.
Next step; getting him to drink. “Henry, you haven’t taken a sip of your drink, you didn’t even touch the glass” I put up fake concern when I was trying to convince him to drink, and at this point I think you know what I was trying to do.
Henry turned to me, even more confused “And should I care?”
“Yes, that is unless you don’t appreciate the drink that I paid for you” Hopefully, that would be a nice counter, or so I thought.
I’m not sure the overall expression, but I remember a playful smile, a joking one “Alright, I’ll drink only if you drink twice as the amount of mine” Henry dared me, and I was an ambitious man at the time, so why would I say no?
When I took my fourth shot, he took two and chugged them up like… well, I would say that he drank it like he was trying to shove it down his throat rather than savoring it.
I was surprised at first because that was our first time drinking together and I don’t even know if Henry usually drinks.
“Woah, Henry, calm down, that drink is not going anywhere” I joked heartily as I nudged his shoulder, and that’s when the thought of persuading him was starting to slip away.
There were eight empty glasses in front of me when Henry took his fifth shot, forcing me to take my ninth.
At that point, I was starting to get desperate that I was saying things to the point of begging than convincing. “Promise me that you won’t eever even leave as an artist, pleaassee promise me”
I think Henry was drunk as well, if not, then at least tipsy. “What the hell are you talking about?” he slurred but the words were atleast a bit more coherent than mine.
“I’m not- I’m not drunk enough…!” I managed to say between hiccups, getting a glare from the exact same man who could drink two shots in one go. Not like I care much, he could drink an insane amount of alcohol, and I wouldn’t worry if he got lung failure.
After drinking one more, we stopped for a moment, letting the atmosphere linger. Even drunk like that, Henry managed to maintain a gorgeous view, and his jacket was d dishevelled, hair still messy.
And after a few more minutes, I fell asleep on the counter, but I remembered a voice, it was vivid, I think Henry said something like “god, you’re pathetic” before leaving me a jacket and left.
And how did I manage to survive when I slept like that? Well, I don’t remember, I don’t think I even got to know who got me home that time, I don’t know if it was Henry or not, heck, I don’t even remember how he looked like! That ink clone I made of him probably wasn’t even close!
Ah, stop ranting now, I think the point stood out clear for ya.