The night air was cooler than usual as Thomas made his way toward the designated unit where ALAB and RAVE had gathered. The building was one of the repurposed residential spaces within the MOA Complex, a forr hotel now converted into living quarters for groups of survivors. The scent of warm food and the faint murmur of conversation carried through the corridors.
When he entered, the scene was livelier than he expected.
A long table was set up in the middle of the room, covered with plates of simple als—mostly rice, canned ats, and vegetables scrounged from storage. But what caught his attention were the bottles of alcohol scattered across the table—sothing that had beco a rarity in the new world. A small group of survivors was already laughing, chatting, and sipping from their cups.
The mbers of ALAB and RAVE imdiately noticed his presence.
"Hey! The Supre Commander actually showed up!" Kai grinned, raising her drink in greeting.
Thomas smirked, shaking his head. "I said I would."
Minji patted an empty chair next to her. "Well, you're just in ti. We were about to start the fun part."
"Fun part?" Thomas arched an eyebrow as he took his seat.
"The performance, of course," Yana said, nudging him playfully.
"You guys are really going through with that, huh?" Thomas chuckled.
"Of course!" Nina piped up. "You're one of the few people here who probably never got to see us perform properly. This is our way of saying thanks."
"And showing off a little," Kai added, grinning.
Thomas took a sip of the drink placed in front of him—it was surprisingly smooth, likely homade. He wasn't sure where they had managed to get alcohol, but he decided not to ask. For once, he allowed himself to let go, at least for tonight.
As the chatter died down, the mbers of ALAB and RAVE took their positions in front of the group. One of the survivors had managed to fix up a working speaker system, and the mont the first notes played, the atmosphere shifted.
The music started slow, a nostalgic lody that reminded Thomas of a ti when concerts were a normal part of life. Then, the energy kicked in—synchronized dance moves, powerful vocals, the sheer presence of seasoned perforrs captivating the small audience.
Despite himself, Thomas found himself nodding along to the beat.
The others cheered and clapped, fully imrsed in the mont. It was surreal—watching these idols, who had once graced massive stages, now performing in a makeshift dining hall inside a post-apocalyptic settlent. Yet, they still carried themselves with the sa confidence, the sa passion.
"You look impressed," Rebecca comnted, appearing at his side with a smirk.
Thomas exhaled, shaking his head. "I won't lie. I am."
When the song ended, the room erupted into applause. The idols laughed, breathless but clearly enjoying themselves.
"You really still got it," one of the other survivors said.
Minji wiped so sweat from her forehead. "Well, we're not going to let the end of the world take that away from us."
Kai flopped onto a chair next to Thomas. "So, Supre Commander, what do you think? Would you have been a fan?"
Thomas smirked. "I'll admit… that was impressive."
"See? Told you we'd win you over," Yana grinned.
"Alright, alright," Thomas raised his hands in surrender. "I'll give you that one."
With the performance over, the drinking picked up again. Bottles were passed around, cups refilled, and soon, the tension that had once gripped the room completely disappeared. Laughter filled the air, people shared old stories, and for the first ti in a long while, it felt like they weren't just survivors—they were people living again.
Thomas wasn't much of a drinker, but tonight, he let himself indulge.
"Alright, we gotta ask," Kai slurred slightly, leaning closer. "You ever had a celebrity crush back in the day?"
Thomas chuckled. "You're really not letting this go, huh?"
"Nope!" Minji grinned, nudging him.
"Didn't I told you already?"
"I know—but why can't it just be one of us? Aren't we not fit to your standards?"
Thomas raised an eyebrow at Minji's playful challenge, swirling the drink in his cup before smirking. "You're saying I should pick one of you?"
Kai leaned forward, her grin mischievous. "Why not? We're the last remaining pop stars in the world. It's not like you've got options."
Yana gasped dramatically. "Are you implying he wouldn't pick one of us?" She turned to Thomas with mock offense. "Supre Commander, do you not find us charming?"
Thomas exhaled through his nose, amused by their antics. The alcohol was starting to hit, making the conversation even more ridiculous. "I never said that."
Nina giggled. "So… if you had to choose?"
Thomas shook his head. "No way I'm answering that."
Minji pouted. "Coward."
Rebecca, who had been quietly sipping her drink nearby, finally chid in. "You do realize if he picks one, the rest of you will never let it go, right?"
Kai snapped her fingers. "Damn, she's right. We'd hold that over his head forever."
Thomas pointed at Rebecca. "That's exactly why I'm not answering."
The group groaned in mock disappointnt, but the playful energy in the room remained. The night stretched on, with more drinks, more laughter, and, at so point, another round of performances—though this ti, fueled by alcohol, they were far less polished and far more hilarious.
As the night stretched on, the room descended into a haze of laughter and warmth, fueled by the alcohol coursing through everyone's system. Thomas, usually composed and guarded, found himself unusually relaxed. The stress of leading the MOA Complex, the burden of responsibility—it all faded into the background, replaced by the lighthearted teasing and cheerful energy surrounding him.
It was only when he stood up, intending to finally retreat for the night, that he realized his mistake.
The mont he made a move, Minji latched onto his arm. "Oh no, no, no," she slurred, her grip surprisingly strong. "You're not leaving yet."
Kai, equally intoxicated, wrapped her arms around his other side, giggling. "Yeah, Supre Commander! The night is still young!"
Thomas exhaled, trying to steady himself. "I think we've had enough for tonight."
"Oh, you're no fun," Yana whined, pressing herself against his back, her chin resting on his shoulder. "You're not getting out of this that easily."
Before he could react, Nina, the smallest of the group, threw herself at him, hugging him from the front. "
Supre Commander is too warm! You're like a walking heater!" she mumbled, burying her face into his chest.
"Yeah…you can do this, Supre Commander, I'll take my leave," Rebecca said.
"Don't leave here!"
Rebecca smirked, lifting her glass in a mocking toast. "Sorry, Thomas. You're on your own with this one." She slipped toward the door, pausing only to throw a teasing glance over her shoulder. "Try not to have too much fun, Supre Commander."
And then she was gone, the door clicking shut behind her with a finality that made Thomas's heart rate quicken. The room suddenly felt smaller, warr, the air thick with sothing unspoken as twelve pairs of eyes focused on him with varying degrees of mischief and interest.
"Looks like it's just us now," Kai murmured, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his forearm. The touch sent an unexpected jolt through him.
Thomas cleared his throat, acutely aware of how Nina remained pressed against his chest, how Minji's grip on his arm had sohow tightened, how Yana breath tickled his neck. The room seed to spin slightly—whether from the alcohol or the situation, he wasn't sure.
"I really should go," he managed, his voice coming out huskier than intended.
"Should you, though?" Minji whispered, her eyes eting his with a challenge that made his mouth go dry. "You might regret this."
"What I regret," Thomas said, gently disentangling himself from their grasp, "is how much I've had to drink." He stepped back, creating so necessary distance between himself and the group. The room tilted slightly, confirming his suspicion about his own intoxication.
"You truly are oblivious. Can't be help then. I guess we will have to be more direct," Yana continue and then suddenly, threw herself at Thomas and then kissed him on the lips.
The shock of Yana's lips against his froze Thomas in place. For a heartbeat, the room fell completely silent, before erupting into gasps and hoots. As quickly as it had happened, Yana pulled away, her eyes dancing with mischief as she studied his stunned expression.
"Supre Commander…we want you, to make a woman of us here."
So that's what it is huh? They wanted to get laid. Given, those won in the room are beautiful and doing it with them would be absolutely an experience.
Let's be real here, if a woman is asking for it, then he should give it. It's the only thing that is important, and even if they are intoxicated, it doesn't an that they don't know what they are doing.
Thomas sighed. "Very well. Let's do it."
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