#also let it be known this was and is the second monmonton fic i ever wrote good lord

[randomoranges]

Perfect Cities

Birthday Boy

 “I hope you don’t mind if we go out tomorrow night.” Étienne asked him from the kitchen. He came out with two beers and handed one to Edward, who gladly took it.

 “Not at all; where are we going?”

 “There’s a new club that opened, a few months ago and I’ve been meaning to go. I’ve heard great things about it, and plus, tomorrow is my birthday.” He grinned, but Edward almost choked on his drink.

 “Your what?! That’s – shit that’s tomorrow!” Edward couldn’t believe he hadn’t even realised it was Étienne’s birthday. What kind of friend was he?

 Étienne sat down next to him and turned on the television. “My birthday.” He reiterated. “I figured we could celebrate together.”

 “You never thought of reminding me beforehand? Shit, now I don’t even have a present for you.” Étienne pulled him close and kissed him.

 “I purposely didn’t tell you, because I don’t want any gifts. You’re gift enough. You being here, for my birthday, is a good enough gift.” He murmured, but Edward wasn’t convinced.

 “Are you sure? I feel so... cheap.”

 “You spent money to fly here, for a few days. That’s plenty.”

 “Still...”

 “If it’ll make you feel better, you can buy me a drink tomorrow. Maybe even a lap dance?” He teased and Edward swatted his chest.

 “You’re not funny.” He grumbled.

 “That’s not what you said last night...” Edward blushed, as Étienne pushed him back, before settling against him. Edward watched as Étienne got comfortable and he started rubbing his back, as he often did.

 --

 The following day was a whirlwind of activities. Before they were even awake, the phone started ringing; various relatives and friends calling to wish Étienne a happy birthday. The only one who didn’t call was Samuel and Étienne shrugged it off, saying they hadn’t really been on speaking terms for the last decade and that there was no love lost between them.

 Edward wasn’t entirely convinced that was true, but he didn’t want to upset his friend anymore than he already was. Instead, he levelled with him and wished him a happy birthday, before kissing him softly. Étienne held him close for a moment and then asked for more, which Edward gladly obliged him with.

 By the time they left, they went into town, taking advantage of the warm May air. The city was abuzz with activity and they walked from one end to the other, until they took a small break for lunch. Edward managed to snatch the bill out of his friend’s hands, protesting that it was the least he could do, since it was his birthday. Étienne seemed pleasantly touched and Edward silently congratulated himself.

 They returned to the apartment for a quick freshening up and change, later on, when it got closer to night-time. Edward was curious about this club they were going to, but Étienne was keeping its name and location a secret.

 When Étienne stepped out of the washroom, fully dressed, Edward was surprised and shocked by the sight. He wasn’t sure if it was the way his curly locks fell to one side of his head, more so than the other, the devilish smile on his face, or the way Étienne had paired up his dark, tight, black pants with a button down black blouse, and a red sash around his waist, but he looked exceptionally good.

 “Like what you see?” Edward looked at his friend’s face and smirked.

 “And if I do?” Étienne grinned and walked up to him, stealing a kiss.

 “You don’t look too bad yourself, handsome. I might just have to keep a closer eye on you, lest you get swept away...” Edward wanted to ask what he meant by that, but Étienne took his hand and led him out the door.

 --

 Edward had been right to suspect that the club Étienne was bringing him to was in The Village. The moment they crossed the line that brought them to this part of town, Edward was yet again amazed that such a place could exist and seem to thrive, despite the setbacks their community got. It was still mind-boggling, but he was quickly getting used to it and he couldn’t say he minded.

 The new club was nestled between a restaurant they had already been to, once, and a store Étienne had brought him to another time. His friend had a quick word with the man at the door, before they were let in, welcomed by the perfectly loud music and the dazzling lights.

 The place was already packed with only men, in various states of dress, and Étienne guided him to the bar. He noticed how a few men eyed Étienne and he wondered why his friend hadn’t sauntered off to them, knowing his reputation, but then Étienne turned to face him, that same radiant smile making his heart thump twice as quickly, and he forgot all about the other men.

 “I was right; this place is great! But... don’t go off on your own, or you might forget all about me.” He joked.

 “Don’t be stupid.” Edward chided. “Now, how about I get you that birthday drink?”

 Edward paid for the drinks and they both remained by the bar, watching the others dance. He could tell, by the way Étienne tapped out the beat of the music with his foot, that he wanted to dance, but Edward wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to, but this was still new to him.

 Étienne had time to order himself a second drink, before a tall, handsome man, well-built, with intelligent brown eyes, walked up to them ��� or more like walked up to Étienne. Edward watched as the two eyed each other and he automatically recognised the look. They smiled at one another, before the man asked if Étienne wanted to dance.

 “D’you mind?” He did mind, but his tongue had turned to stone and he found himself nodding. He stood there and watched as Étienne, the man he was currently sleeping with, walked away to the middle of the dance floor, with Pretty Boy.

 He silently fumed as Étienne and the stranger started dancing dangerously close. He saw Étienne laugh as Pretty Boy placed his hands on his backside. He watched Étienne place his own arms around the other man’s neck. He saw how their bodies moved together to the rhythm of the music and he witnessed all of what he would have classified as foreplay unravel in the centre of the dance floor.

 But Edward lost it when Pretty Boy swooped in for a kiss that should have been his doing and when Étienne responded with kind. He knew how Étienne could be, but this was too much for him. He downed his drink, as Étienne and Pretty Boy made out on the centre of the dance floor, dancing precariously close. He marched over to them, as wandering hands got a little too curious and familiar.

 “Excuse me.” He interrupted. It took two tries, but Étienne was the first to break away and look at him, flushed, breathless, and still so damn beautiful.

 “Ed?”

 “I’m cutting in. You’re dancing with me.” He didn’t know where this bold confidence came from, but he took Étienne’s hand and dragged him away from the other man, who was already looking for someone else.

 “Oh? Am I? Did you come and save me from the evil tall man?” Étienne laughed and Edward was a little hurt.

 “I did. I didn’t think you were just gonna... do that.” He huffed.

 “Are you jealous?” Étienne circled his waist and started dancing with him, their bodies close. He could see the light flicker and bounce off Étienne’s eyes.

 “Yes.” He never looked away and Étienne smirked.

 “Good. That was the point. I wanted to see what you would do.”

 “So you had to undress the guy?”

 “Would you have preferred I do that to you?”

 “That’s not the point!” He bristled. Étienne laughed and sought his lips. Edward was convinced he could taste Pretty Boy and he wanted to push away, but he found himself clinging to Étienne instead.

 “Don’t worry, I wasn’t going to leave with him. He wasn’t really my type, but there are still many things you don’t know about me, Edward.”

 “Because you never tell me.” He thought to himself. Not that he was any better.

 “You’re ridiculous.” He settled for instead, with a heavy sigh.

 “I know, and you like me for it. Now, let’s dance, since I finally got you to myself.” Edward wanted to be upset, but he was won over by Étienne’s irresistible smile, yet again.

 “I do, but I swear, you do that again and I don’t know what I’ll do to you.”

 “My, my, Mr. Murphy, there is a feisty side to you after all.” Étienne paused. “I like that.”

 “You better believe it, buddy. Now, I believe a certain birthday boy wanted to dance?...” He asked, determined to show Étienne that he could be just as interesting as any other man he could have. His friend matched his grin, as he was pulled flush against him.

 FIN 15

 Started writing: May 17th 2015, 5:37pm

Finished writing: May 17th 2015, 10:45pm

Started typing: August 17th 2015, 11:41am

Finished typing: August 17th 2015, 1:29pm