kai-habvertzburg29

[kai-habvertzburg29]

"Whatever makes him happy on a Saturday Night"

Summary: It’s Saturday night, and Martin’s going out on the town with the boys.

Warnings: Alcohol, swearing, assault

Notes:

An AU fic where all the players live normal lives. Inspired by ‘Saturday Night’ by Suede, and various nights out I’ve had recently.

Some other songs to go with this fic:

Arcade Fire - No Cars Go

Basement - Ellipses

Charli XCX - Detonate

The Goon Sax - Strange Light

Crosspost from AO3

There’s a crackle from the intercom speaker, and the light next to the camera comes on. “Yes Barbie! I’m buzzing you in now.” Martin tries to smile off the embarrassment. Declan always greets him with his nickname. The door releases with a zap, and the Norwegian heads into the building.

Up in the flat, Declan has the tunes on. “What’s good Deccers?” smiles the Norwegian. Martin gives him a firm hug with his free hand, a four pack of beers in his other. It’s the usual list of compliments between them as they walk through to the lounge - “Nice outfit, lad”, “Love that aftershave, lad”, “Your hair’s looking great, lad”. 

“Kai’s just in his room” says Declan. A muffled “Hallo” comes from one of the closed doors. Martin calls back and perches himself on the edge of the sofa. He’s been here plenty of times before, but he waits to let himself get comfortable. Once Declan is back from the fridge with a can for himself, Martin decides he can open one of his.

 The German has finally sorted his outfit, and pres feel like they’re properly underway. It’s a mix of dancey and guitary cuts coming from the speakers next to the telly. The lounge is warmly lit, scented by a candle on a nearby shelf. Almost certainly one of Kai’s touches; Dec has never quite understood the concept. The lights of the city can be seen through the window. 

“Are we just gonna meet you there then?” Declan’s got Mason on speakerphone on the table in front of them.

“Yeah man, it’ll probably be easier, I’m not fucking with an Uber over to yours”. Mase is cool as ever. He’ll go with the flow on anything.

“Sweet, alright fella, we’ll find you at the pub”.

Declan likes being the one organising things. It helps him feel more settled to be the one who knows where everyone is gonna be when. On paper, Martin and Kai are the two shyer ones of the group, even if they tend to find their confidence as the night goes on. 

“So he’s with the girls then?” Kai thumbs around his bottle.

“Of course he is” joshes Declan. “Alessia still isn’t gonna get with him tonight”.

Martin chuckles. They’ve all been hanging out for a couple of years now, brought together through friends of friends and exes of exes. It’s not that any of them couldn’t date each other, but it does make it less complicated if the flirting doesn’t lead to anything more.

The plan for tonight: pub, maybe another pub, probably a club, chips and home. Martin always loves the buzz of Saturday night. In his head, he remarks on the confidence he has now, compared to his lack of it when he was a teen. These boys make him feel at home. They catch up on their weeks and whatever other bollocks has happened at their respective jobs, making their way through their beers.

Kai asks if the jumper he’s thinking of wearing works. 

“ ‘Course it does man, you look great.” Declan is always everyone’s hype man, first and foremost.

“Yeah, ah…well,...yeah” Kai shrugs and fumbles through a load of words. He doesn’t really know why he brought that up. He just needed to address it somehow. 

“Trust us, man. Anyway, it’s your go” Martin points to Kai’s Uno hand. The cards are sticky and worn from years of use. Declan had them at uni. At least that was the first time Martin saw them.

Kai places down a red plus two. He doesn’t have a poker face so much as a smug game-playing face, lips pursed. 

“Fuck you” mutters Martin, shuffling through his options. A green plus two has been in his hand for a while. Looks like Declan is getting the short end of it.

“You bastard” concedes Declan as he shoots a sharp look over to the Norwegian. That smile he has, charming and scheming, always electrifies Martin. It’s gonna be a good night when Declan’s feeling like this. The Brit reaches to pick up from the pile and have another swig of his beer. 

They’re out in the night air soon enough, walking to the bus stop. Mizzly February rain is quickly dampening Martin’s hair, and he battles the biting wind with gritted teeth. The beers are hitting though, and that’s got Kai in a chatty mood. It’s easy to tell, as his volume rises in line with how much he’s drunk.

They’ve timed it well, and they’re on the night bus in a matter of minutes. Martin checks his phone – the group chat has been pinging off as everyone’s announced that they’re on the way. He’ll save checking it for the morning. A swig of his road beer, trying to keep it concealed from the driver. What do they mind anyway? There’s plenty of other people drinking. 

Their conversations continue as they step off. “I just always found it a really boring record. Never got into it”. The line-up for a festival they’ve been thinking of going to has just dropped, and the headline is a band that Martin’s not that fond of.

“I’d like to go, I just dunno if I can take the camping ‘n shit”. Kai’s never been one for being too far from creature comforts, despite being very outdoorsy.

“It does get a bit rough to be fair” adds Declan. “I remember, like, in my first year I went, someone near us was sick in their tent on the Saturday, and they just abandoned and didn’t clear it up”. Kai and Martin groan at the thought. “And it was so hot so it stunk”.

“See, exactly” says Kai. He tries to adjust his sodden hair, to little effect. His face has his trademark grimace, as ever when it's cold and raining.

The city centre is throbbing with people and noise. Declan’s got his hood up as he leads the way. God Kai is so tall, thinks Martin, taking in how his thick fleece jacket conceals how skinny actually he is. Through the pedestrianised streets they journey, laughing at various things they see and avoiding the dickheads swaggering about the place. 

They’re soon at The Corporation Vaults, one of the city’s older establishments, on what must be the 20th refurbishment in its lifetime. Inside, it's darkly lit and busy, a pulsing mix of alternative and indie coming over the speakers. Mason and the girls have managed to find a table near the back. Everyone gets up for hugs and greetings – Mase first, followed by Lauren, Leah and Alessia. 

“I’m coming up to get a drink with you” points Alessia, always game for a night of pints. “Look at you king!” she exclaims, pointing out Martin’s fresh trouser and trainer combo. 

“Ah, they’re just something I saw on Vinted and I liked” Martin blushes. He’s had to force himself to accept compliments without getting embarrassed. Alessia is always buzzed to see the Norwegian.

“I’ll get these” he insists as the bartender brings the card reader over. He owes her for last time anyway, and he fancies making Declan and Kai buy his next few drinks. It’s Jupels for him and Alessia, some random Weissbier for Kai, and a Guinness for Declan. 

Declan takes two or three glugs of the black liquid and places the glass on the bar. “Ah, fuck!” He’s missed winning the Guinness game by barely a few millimetres. The line is just above the bottom of the harp. Mason harangs him for his failings. 

Back at the table, everyone’s catching up. Mase and Lauren are in some extended conversation – maybe he’s bagged off the idea of getting with Alessia for once? The night is still young though. 

More pints first. And as they pass, discussions about going somewhere else come up. “Mmm, nah, I dunno” says Leah. “The queue for Glassworks was big when we walked past, I can’t be arsed”. Her argument convinces the table. Leah, Lauren and Declan head up for another round.

Martin’s been left on his own, but that’s okay. He looks over to Kai, sitting in the corner talking to Mason whilst he fiddles with the sleeves of his jumper. He hopes he’s feeling comfortable, sometimes his mood can dip quickly in noisy places like this. The Norwegian slides down to join the conversation.

Mason clocks his arrival immediately. “Right, I need your view, Barbs…would you do the cinema for a first date?”

“What?” replies Martin in bemusement.

Kai leans over to explain the situation. “He’s got into a whole thing ‘cause this girl on his Tinder ghosted him after he suggested it for a date”.

“Nah, I suggested it ‘cause she had films as one of her interests” retorts Mason.

“Yes but like…why would you take her there on a first date? Like…you want to get to know her right?” Mason’s stubbornness has got under Kai’s skin.

“But then why would you ghost someone for that?” says Mase.

“I, yeah…I dunno”. Martin isn’t gonna be able to add anything to this. He grins politely.

“That’s not the point though is it! How are you going to speak to her in the cinema?” By this point, Kai’s stopped fiddling with his jumper and is waving his hands around in annoyance.

“I dunno, I just thought it was a good idea!” fires back Mase, in defeat. The back and forth goes on for some time.

Declan looks up from his phone, having just been intently typing out something. “Gang, Jarrod and B are gonna find us in Kongs” he announces. The table cheers. Another policy win for President Dec. Martin catches his gaze from down the table, that same charming smile meeting his own childlike one. Jarrod and Bukayo will be great company. Calls for everyone to neck their pints are met with agreement, and the table heads off to Kongs.

It’s a bawdy affair on the streets, the rain still coming down but hardly putting anyone off. They’re definitely in the realm of tipsy now, and everything they pass becomes increasingly funny. A box of chips abandoned on a bin with a full cup of Maccies coke. Some girls struggling down a cobbled street in heels and less-than-adequate coats. A bar flashing with crappy disco lights blaring out the YMCA. “I’d rather die” jokes Kai, somewhere behind.

Martin’s hooked arms with Alessia. It doesn’t mean anything, it’s just good friendship. They chat about their dating lives, some shit from her ex that’s been on her mind lately, and more of Martin’s Vinted purchases. 

Lauren has got chatting to some passer-by. The group turn around to pick up the straggler. “Lauren, fucking hell, we are going!” pleads Leah, dragging her away.

“He was cute though!” she wails.

“He’s just another white guy, oh my days!” Leah is having none of it.

“We could have got them to come with us!”

“Shut up” Leah pushes her the other way down the street.

Not before there are more stragglers, however. Declan and Mason are giggling like school kids, getting left behind after Mase says something that makes Dec almost paralytic with laughter. 

“Come on you pricks!” shouts Kai. He’s found his confidence. “I wanna get out of the rain”. The man looks disgruntled.

They’re in the queue for Kongs at last. It’s a basement bar on one of the main streets with a reliable dancefloor and good smoking area. Everyone usually gets along with the music, and there’s Guinness for Declan. IDs checked, it’s not long before they’re in.

Jarrod and Bukayo are by the bar when they arrive. A chorus of “Wahhyyys!” from the lads and “Ahhhs!” from the girls. They’ve all made it to their final destination. Another round of pints, though Mase is feeling exotic and has gone for a GnT. 

The group pile their jackets on a nearby table, getting caught in all manner of conversations. Martin catches Kai’s reptilian smile as he chats to Bukayo, laughing about something as they vaguely bop along to the music. It’s loud in here, but not too much that you feel deafened. People are moving all about the place, and the mood feels good.

Martin finds Jarrod and decides to stick with him for a bit. Both of them being on the quieter side always makes for reliable company once everyone starts getting a bit silly. Another runthrough of catching up and work nonsense and what’s happened on the night already. Jarrod and Bukayo were at a gig down the road. 

“Good set?” asks Martin.

“Yeah, well good” replies Jarrod. “I didn’t follow B into the mosh pit though” he laughs.

“ ‘Course not. I’ve heard they’re crazy on his tours?”

“Mad, honestly”. Martin likes how Jarod is always awed by live music, and the pedestal he puts it on in his head.

Declan’s trying to get their attention, pointing to the dance floor and giving a little shimmy. The time has come. Gathered up from the bar, the group find their way over to the music and push through the crowd. It’s well past midnight now and the place is thrumming. The DJ’s been on the right wavelength so far with a mix of House and 2-Step. 

Martin lets himself find the rhythm and is soon grooving. He’s never been the best dancer, but it’s a busy dancefloor, and no one’s judging if he can’t throw it down. He closes his eyes and lets the alcohol carry him away.

“Mate the vibes!!” Mase keeps shouting out, his face scrunched up in joy. Kai is trying to get into it but isn’t quite feeling it yet. Lauren comes over and forces some life out of him by grabbing his hands. He gives in and belatedly shakes his hips a bit. Bukayo is throwing finger guns all over, always cool as shit on nights like this. Martin wishes he had the finesse he does, especially when it’s a Garage classic being played. Leah is insistent on getting photos, and keeps trying to get everyone to pose for a selfie. Someones always been caught by something else. “Alessia!” she commands, dragging the poor girl back into frame. She was only chatting to some of the people next to them.

Piss time. Martin tells the group and Kai shouts that he’s coming with him. The gents at Kongs aren’t exactly world-class, and the ceiling is lower here for some reason. Kai suddenly looks even taller than usual. 

“You not feeling it yet?” asks Martin.

“Nah, I dunno, I’ve not liked the music yet” replies Kai.

Another drink will help. But first, they have to battle the slurry of men weaving in and out of the cubicles and urinals and sinks. It’s a bit of a fight to get over to the taps, and the soap dispenser has been ripped off the wall. Martin checks his hair. “Go on pretty boy!” someone shouts from behind, catching him in the mirror – some twat with a Louis Vuitton t-shirt. Martin smiles awkwardly and ducks for the door.

Kai is waiting, thankfully. “Pricks in there” says Martin.

“Yeah, fuckers” replies Kai. 

Back to the dancefloor via the bar. It was Kai’s round anyway. Leah and Declan are dancing close. They’re putting their hands on each other, but not so much that it might cross a boundary. There’s always been chemistry between them, but whether they’d actually sleep with each other is another question. They both look gorgeous though, Dec’s chain glinting from under his t-shirt and Leah in her favourite cream trousers.

Alessia and Lauren have the attention of two guys dancing next to the group. Mason is looking a little defensive as Alessia dances near one of them. Bukayo tries to keep his energy up by getting him to sing along to whatever’s playing. It keeps him distracted at least. 

Jarrod suddenly reappears looking concerned. “I can’t find my jacket”.

“Fuck” shouts Kai. “It’s not in the pile?”

“Nah, nah, I’ve looked there”. The obvious question, but it’s always courteous. “I’m gonna check at the bar if it’s been handed in”.

“I’ll come with” says Kai. The dancefloor isn’t agreeing with him tonight. He grabs Martin on the shoulder for a second. “I don’t trust those fuckers behind Alessia and Lauren, keep an eye on them”.

Martin nods. He doesn’t trust them either. The songs are all starting to feel a bit intense. He dances over to the girls to see if they’re doing good, trying to intonate a vibe check with Lauren without saying anything. 

She shrugs. He decides they ought to swap places.

That doesn’t make the guys happy. One of them tries to slyly follow Lauren over without making it look obvious. Martin sarcastically moves over to try and block him. 

“The fuck?” the guy mutters, but the Norwegian pretends he doesn’t hear. 

The guy doesn’t leave, however, sliding his hands down Lauren’s body.

“Do you wanna fuck off?” she swings round, her bag flailing. 

The guy plays innocent. Martin doesn’t know what to do, trying to ward this shitbag off with bad vibes. But he looks over to Alessia to see her trying to stop the other guy from kissing her. 

“Mate!” he shouts, unsure if she should try and pull him away. Alessia is being polite and nudging his face out of the way of her lips. 

“My man, she doesn’t want you” interjects Bukayo. He’s got the confidence to push him away.

“Mate, who the fuck are you?” gruffs the other guy.

“Doesn’t matter, she isn’t into you” shoves back B.

“Whatever.” What a prick, thinks Martin. And both of these twats are still hanging around.

Leah comes ploughing through, having seen the situation. “Hey everyone!” she says mockingly, loud enough for the guys to hear. She pulls Lauren and Alessia over to her.

Alessia says something to the girls, and Leah indicates to get off the dancefloor. The boys follow suit. They end up standing by some tables close to the bar. Martin senses the night slipping away. There are people spilling over from the dancefloor near them and everything is feeling too crowded. Declan isn’t looking happy, unsure what to say. 

Jarrod and Kai are back. “You’re kidding!” says Mase. Jaz’s face says it all; there’s been no luck with the jacket. 

“I’m fucked off, I’ve had that jacket for ages” rants Jaz. Dec goes over to try and comfort him.

Leah and Alessia have gone to the loos. Bukayo is sat on one of the stools, energy sapped. 

“You thinking of heading?” asks Martin. It may as well be ‘I’m leaving’.

“Mmmm, I think so”. B shakes his head as he fiddles with the remains of his vodka coke. 

Kai suddenly launches into a rage. “Mate, get the fuck away. You’re pathetic.” That same guy from earlier has tried to sneak through to the crowd to dance with Lauren again.

“Eugh, you’re so fucking gross”. Lauren shoves him away and gets behind the boys. 

Kai’s really having a go at them, putting his fingers in their face and slipping into German every other sentence. It’s rare that Martin’s seen him this angry, practically spitting out his words. Mase comes over to pull him back. “Just shove off, alright?” he placates.

The guy swears at them and goes back to his mates. Martin watches him as he goes and sees the same dickhead from the gents with his stupid Louis Vutton t-shirt in the group. He hates that he didn’t feel like he could do more.

The girls are back from the loos, and Leah is practically making for the door already. “Come on gang” says Declan, weaker than his earlier announcements. They get their things and make their way up the stairs.

Out on the street, they try to arrange who’s getting in who’s taxi. Chips are off the table, sadly. No one’s feeling up for going down to the takeaways, and the alcohol has all got a bit much. Dec has Leah in his arms, trying to give her some comfort. Those dickheads really ruined everyone’s nights. Mase, Kai and B are still muttering about them, whilst Jaz keeps his hands in his pockets, now jacket-less, very much still pissed off. Martin’s having no luck with Uber, so he goes to find a cashpoint to flag down a cab instead. 

“Right, me, Lauren and Alessia are gonna get in this one” says Mase, having seen his car arriving. At least everyone tries to remember the better parts of the night as they’re saying their goodbyes. Plans for later in the week and next weekend get half-mentioned.

“Love you Martin, see you soon”. Alessia gives the Norwegian an enveloping hug courtesy of her puffer jacket. 

“What a load of shit eh” he remarks.

“Fuck them. See you soon”.

“Text us when you’re back” waves Declan, shouting down the street. “Will do” comes back from Alessia.

“I’m just gonna walk” says Bukayo.

“No, you’re not” says Leah, launching up from Declan. “We’re gonna find a six seater”. She takes charge of the taxi search.

“Nah, it’s okay”.

“No” commands Leah. B backs down. “Look, there’s one”. She heads over to ask the driver how much. The boys vaguely wander in her direction. She waves her hand and indicates for them to come over.

No one says much on the ride home. Martin aimlessly looks out of the window, the crowds gradually thinning out, passing the late night shops and unlit offices. It’s well past 3am by now and he’s been exhausted by it all. 

Hugs and handholding follow everyone as they leave – Bukayo first, then Leah. “Text me when you’re back" each of them ask as they get out.

Eventually, they’re at Declan and Kai’s stop.  

“Do you guys wanna come up?” Dec asks Jarrod and Martin.

“Ah, I think I’ll skip” says Jarrod, cosied by the warmth of the taxi.

“No worries man, get to bed” says Dec as he fist bumps him. “Martin?”

“Yeah, go on, I’ll come up”. Martin’s glad Declan asked. He’s feeling off and doesn’t fancy going back to his flat just yet. “See you soon Jaz.”

Up in the flat, Kai is haphazardly making some toast. He’s calmed down a bit, but is still really rather tipsy. Plates and cupboards clang as he makes his food. Declan’s thumbing through his records, trying to find something chill to soundtrack the end of the night. Martin is slumped on the sofa, watching him work through his collection.

“I can’t stand those sorts of people. Why do we go out?” Martin says to the room.

“I always say I’m done with clubbing” muffles Kai, mouth full of toast, “and then I never say no”.

Martin sniggers. “You were right about those guys though”.

“Yeah”. It’s only really a consolation from Kai.

Declan’s whacks on an old Bowie record, volume low, and wraps his legs up on his armchair. 

“You and Leah good?” asks Kai, joining them.

“Yeah, we’re good. She was just fucked off about it all.” Dec runs his hand through his hair. He turns to the Norwegian. “Are you okay Martin?” he asks, more sternly.

It’s the question he wanted someone to ask. “I’m…eh, I dunno. I wish I could have done more when it was happening.”

“Yeah man…don’t knock yourself though” reassures Declan. “You never know how they’re gonna react.”

“Exactly” muffles Kai, still speaking with his mouth full. “I’ve seen people get punched for it.”

“I think I’m also just a bit…” continues Martin, finding his words, “...like, I’ve been waiting for this all week, and then that happens, and then Jarrod gets his coat nicked, and…” He trails off.

This might not have been the laidback afters that Declan had in mind. But that’s not important to him. They all end up talking through how the night has left them feeling, and perhaps more pertinently, how they’re all feeling in general. The kind of conversations that need it to be at least 4am to really work. 

The record comes to the end. Kai may be tired, but he never looks it. Always quite spritely with his movements, despite how reserved he usually is. “I’m going off to bed lads, night night” he says, waving as he walks out. 

“Night” the other two say back. Martin goes to gather his things and head off too. Declan follows him towards the door.

“Do you wanna stay here man? You look knackered” says Dec. Observant as ever. Martin looks bedraggled.

“Ah, I dunno if I wanna sleep on the sofa” mumbles Martin.

“Nah nah, come sleep in my bed.” Declan points to his room. “We can top and tail.”

“Are you sure?” Martin’s only asking out of politeness.

“Mate of course. I don’t really want you walking home like that.”

Dec chucks him some pyjamas whilst Martin piles his belongings in the corner. “Cheers lad” he says as he buttons off his shirt. 

They’ve seen each other like this plenty of times before. The platonic intimacy of their friendship was something that got established early on. An unspoken care for each other in being able to be this open. Very rarely did they ever say anything about it, precisely because nothing needed to be said about it. Of course Declan was the kind of person who’d offer this sort of friendship. Of course Martin was the sort of person who would reciprocate.

The gentle spray of rain fimbles at the window. Dec turns the light out as Martin adjusts his end of the covers, careful not to pull them too far in his direction. His ears are still humming from the music, and his head feels light. It’s still dark outside, but it feels like early morning. Last time they did this, whilst staying at a mate’s house on a weekend away, they kept giggling so much they almost didn’t get to sleep. Not this time – but that’s okay. Martin just needs the company, and for all Declan’s stoicness, he needs it too.

[kai-habvertzburg29]

Masterlist

Coming soon!