"You should sing the other person's part, this is a duet after all"
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart-
Rowan cringed as the karaoke music blared over the speakers of the bar.
It was 70’s night at The Sea Dragon, and Aelin begged him to come out with their friends. Initially, he’d declined- but the promise of a free drink and watching Elide force Lorcan to sing Celine Dione was tempting.
It didn’t hurt that his fiancé looked great in a gold jumpsuit.
What he hadn’t expected was for their normal, dingy haunt to be so crowded. Their group was stuffed into a round booth right next to the stage. His head was three feet from the speaker and the base was rapidly giving him a headache.
Aelin kept up on her promise, and an ample supply of alcohol was in front of him at all times. It was so far the most enjoyable part of the evening.
Fenrys, Lorcan, Aelin and Lysandra all put their names on the list, but their last slot wasn’t until midnight. By 11:00 Rowan was already several shots and a couple of beers down.
That was his first mistake.
Aelin and Lysandra’s spot was up first. They were much further down the rabbit hole than he was, and halfway through their rendition of “Dancing Queen” the girls were laughing too hard to actually make out words.
Rowan pulled an intoxicated Aelin into his lap and she nuzzled into his neck. “Another round,” he flagged the waiter passing their table.
Lorcan scowled as Elide forced his hulking body onto the stage. There wasn’t enough vodka in the world to make Lorcan Salvaterre happy about karaoke night, but there was little he wouldn’t do for Elide.
“He’s so whipped,” Fenrys chuckled next to him as the music for My Heart Will Go On started playing.
“This isn’t even a 70’s song?” Aelin mumbled against his chest while he filmed.
Elide giggles, “I tipped the MC to make an exception.”
Lorcan made it through the song, half mumbling the lyrics. When he finished, their whole table stood up to clap for him.
He slunk into his seat and scowled at Rowan, “If that video pops up anywhere I’m burning the present Elide got for your wedding shower.”
Aelin pats Rowan’s thigh. “It’s worth it, babe.”
By the time midnight finally rolled around, Rowan was so drunk that the base of the speakers no longer bothered him and some of the singers actually sounded good. Every time the glass or bottle in front of him emptied, Aelin waved for someone to refill their drinks.
He complained about the money she was burning, but Aelin assured him she made more than enough to cover the cost. Rowan still wasn’t entirely used to having a rich fiancée, but on nights like this it could be incredibly fun.
“Okay all you babes,” Fenrys slurred into the microphone, tugging open a button on his shirt. “I’m going to sing a song for you tonight. A good song, but first,” he holds up a swaying finger. “I need someone to join me.”
A familiar tune starts to pour into the room, he’d heard it before but couldn’t quite remember the name. Why couldn’t he remember the name?
“Rowan!” Aelin smacks a hand against his chest. “I love this song!”
“Anyone?” Fenrys smiles awkwardly.
Glancing down where Aelin was still gripping his shirt, he saw something glint in her eyes but he was distracted by her face. His fiancée was so damn pretty.
“You should sing the other part of this song.” Aelin lays her head against his chest and bites her lip. “It is a duet after all.”
“I don’t know babe,” he mumbled, but Aelin looked up at him with those eyes. They were so blue.
Lorcan clasped a hand on his shoulder, “You wouldn’t say no to your future wife would you?”
“Please, babe. I’ll make it worth your while?” Aelin traces a finger along her name on his arm.
Fenrys looks relieved that someone finally decided to join him. “Hey! It’s my buddy, Rowan. Come sing with me?”
Rowan stumbles up onto the stage. A mic was pressed into his hand and he looked at it a little baffled. Why was the round part so large?
“Don't go breaking my heart,” Fenrys croons off-key into the mic.
The song was slowly coming back to him. He’d definitely heard it before. “I couldn’t if I tried.”
He sung the words, uncertain if they were the correct ones. Rowan looks into the crowd and when he sees Aelin’s smile, decides he didn’t care so long as she kept smiling like that.
Him and Fenrys dance around the stage, really getting into the groove of the music. At some point, Fen loses his tie, and Rowan undoes a few buttons himself not to be out done. People are cheering them on and it feels good.
That’s his second mistake. He just won’t realize it until morning.
Fenrys bends at the knees, rotating his hips completely out of time with the music. Someone in the crowd whoops, but even slightly intoxicated Rowan knows he isn’t going to do that.
But he really can’t have his best friend out perform him when his fiancée is sitting right there.
So Rowan does the first thing that comes to mind.
Tugging at his shirt, the buttons yield to the force and a few even pop off. People go nuts, he even hears a few whistles come from the back row.
Aelin’s eyes are wide as he tosses the black material at her.
They belt out the rest of the lyrics together. The two of them never stop moving, sweat beads against their brows but they press on.
“Don’t go breakin’ my heart,” Rowan and Fenrys finish at the same time. Everyone goes absolutely wild, a couple people even throw dollar bills their way.
Rowan stumbles off back into the crowd and sinks into the chair next to Aelin. “Did I do good, babe?”
Aelin discretely tucks her phone into her bag. “You did great.”
“No,” Fenrys slams his hand on the table. “We did amazing. They loved us.”
Lysandra snorts. “They loved your abs. You two sounded like donkeys.”
Rowan leans his head against Aelin’s hair. “I’m not feeling great, babe. Do you care if we head home early?”
“Not at all,” Aelin stands up from the table, and he has to lean against her heavily. “I think tonight is unforgettable enough.”
