It was 10:00 PM when Kali and Dahlia's apartment buzzed with laughter, soft music, and the occasional hiss of a hair straightener releasing steam. The girls were getting ready for the costume party.
"God, I forgot how tight this corset is!" Kali groaned, spinning in front of the mirror. She was dressed as the most provocative Queen of Hearts in history: extreme cleavage, fishnet stockings, and lips red as fire.
"That corset is going to make history," Viki said, adjusting the golden seashells on her chest while putting on her blue mermaid wig. "I want photos from every angle."
"I just want to survive this makeup," Veronica grumbled as she applied fake blood to her neck.
Dahlia, on the other hand, was quieter. She wore a simple pirate costume: loose white shirt, leather belt, tight pants, and a black bandana. Nothing flashy, and she liked that. Though, after a couple of glasses of wine, her silence began to fade.
"Nervous, Captain?" Viki teased, offering her more wine.
"A little. But... this helps," Dahlia replied, raising her glass and clinking it with theirs. She began to laugh, looser, lighter.
A little while later, the doorbell rang. And there he was.
Niccolo Rossi, dressed as the sexiest consort a Queen of Hearts could have. White shirt open halfway, gold chains, tight black pants, and a dangerous look in his eyes.
"Am I looking for my queen or my downfall?" he said as he walked in, eyes locked on Kali.
"Both," she replied, approaching him with a smile full of intention.
"Ready to lose your head?"
"Only if you make up for it with something harder afterward," she said, running a hand down his bare chest.
Viki fake-coughed while Veronica groaned.
"Can you two wait to set the place on fire until you're alone?"
"No promises," Kali said, winking.
...
The party was in a huge underground venue decorated with neon lights, fake cobwebs, and artificial smoke. The air was thick with music, sweaty bodies, and plastic cups full of alcohol.
Jake appeared dressed as a grasshopper: bright green suit, cardboard wings, and bug-eyed glasses.
"I'm the leap of desire!" he shouted, bouncing onto a table.
Everyone cheered—until he tried to jump again and faceplanted straight into the floor.
"Ow! My dignity and my balls!" he yelled, laughing, as the whole group doubled over in laughter.
...
Kali and Niccolo were on the dance floor. Very close. They moved in their own rhythm, Kali's hips swaying seductively to the beat, eyes locked on Niccolo's. His hands gripped her waist firmly, fingers digging into her skin, pulling her closer with each second.
"You're going to kill me tonight," he whispered in her ear.
"That's the plan," she replied, leaning against him. Her hands slid up his chest and settled on his shoulders. She felt his warm breath on her neck and shivered.
Niccolo spun Kali around so her back was against him, wrapping his arms around her waist again and pulling her in tight.
"You're mine now, principessa," he whispered.
Kali smiled and let herself be carried by the music. The crowd seemed to melt away as they moved together. Niccolo slid his hand down Kali's leg, making her shiver and gasp, leaning into him again.
"You're playing with fire," Kali panted.
Niccolo chuckled and gently nibbled her ear.
"Someone has to keep you warm," he murmured seductively.
The music reached a crescendo, and Kali felt herself lifted off the ground. Niccolo spun her one last time before setting her back down on the dance floor.
"And now... something special," he said, eyes burning with intensity.
Kali didn't need more encouragement. She tilted her face toward his as he leaned in for a kiss that would leave them both breathless.
The Kiss.
Niccolo's lips crashed into hers like a stormy sea against the shore. The world around them vanished as they got lost in each other.
Kali moaned softly into his mouth as Niccolo deepened the kiss. His tongue danced with hers, exploring every corner until she melted into his embrace.
When they broke apart for a moment, Kali's eyes flew open to meet his. His gaze was burning and possessive, radiating an intensity that stole her breath.
"You're my queen, principessa," he whispered in her ear.
Kali shivered at those words, feeling herself fall into him all over again. She wrapped her arms around Niccolo's neck and pulled him in for another kiss—
But a voice interrupted.
"I SWALLOWED A FISH!" Jake screamed, bursting out of the water waving his arms.
Everyone turned to see him stumbling out of the pool, eyes wide as saucers.
"Someone put a fish tank in the punch! IT HAD A FISH!!"
Laughter erupted all around.
Kali and Niccolo pulled apart, still panting, soaked, and burning with desire in their eyes.
...
Dahlia, emboldened by wine and pent-up emotion, searched the crowd until she found him. Tobias was leaning against a column, drink in hand, dressed as a cursed writer: vintage vest and a sparkly pink plastic crown on his head.
"Seriously, you're wearing that?" Dahlia asked, eyeing him with a mix of mockery and charm.
"Of course. Viki gave it to me. She said if I was going to act sensitive, I should do it in style."
Dahlia, a little tipsy, reached toward him.
"Give it here. I want to be queen too."
"No, no, no," he said, backing away with a playful smile. "This crown protects me from bad decisions. And pretty girls trying to steal it."
"Tobias! Give it!" she whined, stepping closer.
"You look great without a crown. Besides, that bandana already makes you look like royal pirate material."
"Not enough," Dahlia insisted with a mischievous grin. "I challenge you to a fair fight for it!"
"Fair? You're drunk."
"Exactly why I have the advantage."
Tobias laughed and finally removed the crown.
"Only because I like you better as a queen than a corsair."
Gently, he placed the crown on her head. Dahlia touched her forehead, giggling softly.
"Now I can conquer the world."
"Wow... pirate lady. Can I sail on your ship?"
Dahlia laughed. Really laughed.
"If you don't get seasick easily, maybe."
They talked for a while. The alcohol made the words flow. She felt... enchanted. And comfortable. And seen.
...
Around three in the morning, someone shouted:
"There's a pool!"
Everyone ran outside. An illuminated pool waited in the backyard. In seconds, clothes were flying. Everyone was in their underwear. Dahlia jumped in with a shy shout, followed by Viki, Jake (still with one wing hanging), Veronica, and Tobias.
Kali, with her corset undone, stood in black underwear, and Niccolo looked at her like he couldn't breathe.
The night ended with bodies scattered around the pool, clothes tossed everywhere, and the sky opening above them like a promise.
No one knew it yet, but that night would mark a before and after.
And not just because of the kisses or the fish.
But because something else...