Thread by @theswandrowned

#valprice cause I’m in rarepair hell once again !

A gentle, hushed chatter drifted across the bar as the clock on the wall ticked over to three am.

John had told himself he was going to turn in early that night, but just like the rest of his crew, he got caught up in the

celebrations.

From where he was perched at the bar, he could hear Soap and Gaz’s drunken singing and laughing and it warmed his heart a little.

Only a little though, otherwise it was annoying as fuck.

It was really ruining the vibe of the whole dive bar.

The air was thick with smoke, and the red neon lights above the stage really added to the air of mystery about this place.

They had jumped from bar to bar around town earlier that night before they finally landed here - Alejandro’s favourite spot apparently.

Price did prefer

the bars back in Britain, but this was nice enough for what it was. Besides, he was allowed to smoke his cigar inside, always a bonus.

He began to feel his eyelids get heavy as he stared down at his empty glass.

He considered packing it in for the night and heading back

to base for some much needed rest, but he didn’t know how he felt leaving these drunken kids alone.

The older man grumbled under his breath ever so slightly, holding his hand up to summon the bartender.

If he was going to stay he may as well make the most of it.

However,

before the bartender could reach him he was joined at the bar by unlikely company.

“Ugh if I hear one more bad cover come out of their mouths I think I might go mental.” The woman who joined him groaned, massaging the sides of her temple. “You’d think one of them would be

at least a little good.”

“Mm, now you know how I feel. I never get a break.” Price mused in response, dark eyes studying the woman through the smog.

Sure, he wasn’t a fan of Valeria at the start, but she was growing on him a little bit.

She was interesting to talk to…

and look at, to say the least.

“Sir, did you want something?”

The bartenders voice quickly snapped Price out of the little trance he was in, ignoring the way he felt his face heat up when he realised he had been staring.

“Uh yeah, another one of these thanks kid. And

whatever she wants.” He said, motioning to Valeria.

The girl just nodded at the bartender and he left wordlessly, as if he already knew what she wanted.

“You know him?” Price asked before he could stop himself, watching as the woman leant back on the bar, fixing the hem

of her dress.

“I know everyone, captain.” She said with a small smirk, nodding her head in thanks as the bartender brought their drinks back.

Price immediately threw his bourbon back, hoping the burn in the back of his throat would distract him from how short her dress actually

was.

Valeria took her time with her drink, taking a slow sip out of the wine.

“Why aren’t you over there with them?” She asked after a moment, turning to face him properly. “They’re having a great time.”

“Not my kind of party.” Price nodded, trying his best to

keep eye contact with her. Her stare was a bit intense most days, but for some reason it was making all his hair stand on end today.

“Me either.” She scoffed, tapping long finger nails on the side of her wine glass. “But I promised Alejandro I would come.”

Price swallowed

thickly, watching as the woman crossed her legs.

In a last ditch attempt to save himself from certain doom, he attempted to change the topic.

“What’s the deal with you and Alejandro?” He blurted, rolling his shoulders as he felt the alcohol begin to settle in. “You dating?”

“Dating?” Valeria laughed, and Price felt his stomach churn just seeing her smile. “No way, Alejandro doesn’t have time for anyone but himself.” She finished, sighing as she reached up to fox her necklaces.

Price had to turn away at this point. He liked to think he was

particularly gentlemanly when it came to women but there was something about her… he would find himself staring again if he was not careful.

“You say that as if you have some experience.” He continued, hands clasping on either side of his glass.

“I do.” Valeria chuckled.

“He only has time for paperwork and his best friend.” Valeria hummed. “Cant blame him, i guess. Rudy is nice to look at. But he wouldn’t even dance with me back then, too busy all the time.”

“You like to dance?” Price asked, a sudden sense of confidence washing over him.

He knew it was the alcohol, but he knew he had to ride this high while he had it.

“Love it.” Valeria hummed again, tilting her head at the man as Price turned to face her fully, a rather determined look on his face.

“Well, shall we?” Price asked, extending a hand out to her.

“Huh, chivalry isn’t dead after all.” Valeria replied, a small smile tugging on the edge of her lips. He thought she might deny him for a second but she quickly downed the rest of her wine before her hand slipped into his. “Let’s dance.”

No one else was on the dance floor as they reached it, and some part of Price wanted to turn around and leave. He hated being the centre of attention but there was something about her that he just couldn’t drag himself away from.

“Didn’t know you were in to this kind of

stuff, captian.” Valeria almost purred as she turned to face him, her eyes watching his.

“What can I say, I live to surprise.” Price joked, tentative hand sliding around her waist.

“You sure do.” She said, raising her brows at him.

Laughter filled the space in between them as their conversation turned to more pointless, enjoyable things. They warmed up to one another quickly, and paired with the slow music, it was a scene right out of a movie.

“You’re a good dancer.” Valeria praised, her hand tracing

circles on the back of his neck.

“Not so bad yourself.” Price winked, his grip on her waist getting more firm as he pulled her closer, their bodies flush against one another. He paused for a moment before he finally spoke again, his voice merely a whisper in her ear.

“It’s not the only thing I’m good at.”

Valeria just smirked, shaking her head ever so slightly.

“It seems I’ve underestimated you, captain.”

-

LOUD SCREAMING