Gale parked the car in front of Diana's house. He got out, walked around the vehicle, and opened the door with a formal gesture.
"Miss, your humble carriage drops you off safely and soberly."
"Shut up..." Diana replied, swaying slightly. "My stomach is wondering if I've been drinking or swallowed a dead star."
"A dead star? Well, that's poetic."
"I'm an artist."
"You're drunk."
She stuck out her tongue and staggered toward the door. Gale followed close behind, ready to catch her at the slightest misstep. Once the door was open, she collapsed unceremoniously onto the sofa, tossing her shoes haphazardly into the entryway.
"Okay. I'm inside. You can go now."
"Charming, as always. But no." You begged me to stay, remember?
She grumbled, her arm over her eyes.
"Just so I wouldn't be alone..."
"So, I've been promoted to Anti-Loneliness Companion, congratulations."
Diana raised her hand, waving it weakly.
"Come on. Let's go to my room, it's more comfortable."
"I hope this isn't a trap to hit me in my sleep."
"Not yet, no."
Once in the room, she sat down on the bed, cross-legged. Gale sat opposite, his back against the headboard. There was silence for a few seconds.
"Are you better?" he asked calmly.
"Hmm... A little."
"Good. Do you want to talk?"
"No. But I don't want to be silent either. So we'll pretend we're having an intelligent discussion."
"Good luck," he said, crossing his arms. "I left my brain at the bar."
She smiled weakly, then brightened.
"You know... life is like an empty glass. No matter how hard you try to fill it, some idiot always comes along to spill it."
"Drinking hall philosophy?"
"Exactly. Inspired by a bottle of whiskey and a family disappointment."
Gale cracked a smile, then replied mockingly.
"I say life is like me. Hard to swallow, but you get used to it."
"You're not selling yourself well."
"I didn't sign an advertising contract."
They laughed together.
"You know," Diana said, "sometimes I wonder if I'm a monster."
"We all are a little bit. Look at me, I'm literally a werewolf." I want to howl at the moon and bite pizza delivery guys.
"I kiss delivery guys. They save lives."
They laughed again.
"And anyway," Gale added, "who knows... Maybe I look like Klaus deep down."
Silence fell abruptly in the room.
Diana's laughter froze, her gaze darkening. Wordlessly, she raised her hand and slapped him hard.
CLASH.
Gale stood there, his eyes wide, a hand on his cheek.
Diana was shaking. Her breathing was heavy. And her eyes, suddenly, weren't laughing at all.