Bring out the alcohol and enjoy some deep conversations on the balcony

From Create Your Own Story

"Great idea, the sun's setting and the light reflects beautifully off the river"

You grab several bottles of beer from the fridge before the both of you head out onto the balcony. The air out here is refreshing and crisp in the setting light, and you look over the railing to peer into the river next to the apartment block, your brother really lucked out finding this place.

"careful of that railing section, it's shoddy, we gonna drink or what pipsqueak?"

You shoot your brother an annoyed glance before grinning, taking a seat in the lounger next to him and cracking open your beers. The alcohol gets your words flowing and eventually the two of you joke and laugh at the smallest of things cheering and reminiscing about life. it's not long before light-hearted banter turns into deep conversation, with the change of day and night, conversation topics went from jokes and sports to life goals and emotional openness. A lull in the conversation appears and you enjoy the silence as you both watch the moon.

"I'm glad you decided to come and visit, i was afraid your last visit would be just that"

You turn to your brother in response, seeing his eyes, deep amber mirrors reflecting the moonlight as he gazes at you almost longingly. You don't know if it's seeing your brother so open or the alcohol getting to you but you rest one paw on his thigh as you gaze back.

"I'm glad too, i don't want us to just drift apart"

You rub his thigh gently, to which Richard closes his eyes and purrs, the deep reverberations soothing any tensions between you. He then rests his paw on your thing in return, squeezing it modestly, before opening his eyes, his gaze more intense now but just as loving. It was a crazy idea really but you lean in, hesitant at first, and seeing where the situation was going, your brother leans in too. the distance between lips is shortening, the link palpable and tantalizing. This is new territory, unmarked and eager for exploration. Richard is close enough that you can feel his breath, warm, inviting, inches away now, ever closer. He closes those moonlit pools of amber in anticipation and you do the same.

But nothing happens, no pressure upon you lips, no heat to meet your tongue, the forbidden link was not to be explored at that moment and you open your eyes to see him pull back. The air, once filled with energy had diffused into disappointment. He removes his hand from your thigh and stands up, moving toward the railing. A few, tense seconds pass with confusion and fear.

"I'm sorry"

Richard speaks in a low, mournful voice, clear that he had wanted what was going on but couldn't bring himself to.

"Don't be"

You say as you join him by the railing, placing the brunt of your weight upon the fencing.

"Wait, don't lean against that section, it's not..."

Richard's voice cuts out as the rail buckles and falls away, and you tumble from the balcony into the river below, the impact of which knocks you unconscious.

"wake up"

A voice calls to you.

"wake up, please"

You open your eyes to see:

• a sky full of stars
• An unknown dragon doctor