Smiling Strangers Part 2/2
Without much ado, here you get the second part, which I hope you’ll enjoy as well!
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[Part 1]
Adam's excitement was ridiculous. He was awake since early hours, which was anything but his usual style. And it wasn't as if he had anything to do. His flat was tidy from his last sporadic clean-up the Sunday before and his usually sparse time at home during the week granted slim additions in terms of chaos. Especially since now he had Theo to talk to on his way to and from work, sometimes long after even when they went to a pub or to the other's flat. So the few dishes left in the sink had only taken him about twenty minutes and after plaguing himself through an hour of senseless telly he'd started to do some exercises instead to get rid of at least a bit of energy.
It helped only moderately in the sense that he had something to do, however, his mind was still caught with his charming neighbour and the perspective of hearing that angelic voice singing live. Just for him. Ah fuck, he stopped his current push ups in order to press his forehead against the floor, trying to keep his suddenly wildly pumping heart in check. This was just ridiculous, he was acting like a teenage boy with a crush on the prettiest girl in school who was merely coming over to do homework together. Sure, Theo did say he was bi and the fact that this Alex-person apparently assumed they'd slept together and that Theo didn't try to deny it at all speaks against any running relationship so a bit of flirting wasn't prohibited, especially since the other hadn't even said anything against the notion of them sleeping with each other and then there was the whole thing with the sleep cuddling and waking up together that one time and he was sure that on Tuesday Theo had been definitely flirting with him and yesterday he'd even put his head on Adam's shoulder on their way home in the bus because he was sleepy and it had been so cute and-
Adam groaned. This is not exactly what you should be thinking about when you want to calm down, Anderson, he scolded himself, giving a sigh. He should probably take a shower, Theo would surely come over soon and he didn't want to be still lying around on his floor by that time.
So he pushed himself back up and onto his feet, stretching slightly before walking towards his bathroom. He quickly had his trousers and boxershorts off, the lack of a shirt to begin with enabling him to get into his shower right away, turning on the water. He made it quick, just soaping up and washing of the sweat before he stepped out again, towelling himself dry and binding it around his hips. He'd already shaved in the morning, which was fortunate, though the thought of actually growing a beard despite it being ginger crossed his mind again. Maybe after Christmas was over, so his aunt wouldn't criticise it at the family dinner. Shaking his head, he put on some deodorant, combing his hair into the right position and fixing it with a bit of gel.
The dirty laundry vanished in his laundry basket then and he made his way to his bedroom to get himself new clothes. He quickly exchanged his towel for a new set of boxershorts, putting on socks and black trousers afterwards. He was about to decide whether he should wear the black or white turtleneck with suspenders or waistcoat when his doorbell announced a new visitor to him. Ah damn, Theo was already there. He shoved the decision about the rest of his outfit to the back of his mind in favour of hurrying to the door. He didn't want his guest to wait too long, after all. Opening the door, he was greeted with a heavily wrapped up Theo, who was trying to huddle as much into his scarf and coat as was possible, a small, already melting layer of whiteness covering him. There were snowflakes all over his hair and shoulders, giving a stark contrast to the darkness of both. A few particularly cheeky ones had caught themselves in those long, dark eyelashes, catching his attention as they slowly turned into droplets.
“Ah, uhm, hey, come in”, he finally got out after tearing his gaze off, looking at the heavy blush on the other's cheeks, “you must be cold?”
“I'm freezing. I can't believe I look like this after just crossing the street. And the snow won't even stay.” Theo remarked with a little shudder, stepping past him into the small hallway. He could only imagine; the short time the door had been open had already given him goosebumps. The other had quickly taken off his coat and scarf, now blowing hot air against his fingers, getting Adam's attention with that.
“Need some warmth?” he asked, holding out his own hands in an offer. He first got a surprised look in return, then a heart-meltingly cute smile.
“Thanks.” Theo gave back before holding out his hands, too. He took them and put them against his neck, draping his own on top then so they'd both be warmed from each side. His guest gave a pleased sigh, closing his eyes.
“You're so warm.”
“Glad I can be of use.” he joked with a little grin, hearing a smooth chuckle from Theo.
“Won't you get cold like this, though?” he shrugged at that to buy himself some time to answer since he could hardly reply that the touch of the other's soft fingers was getting him anything but cold. Quite the contrary, actually. Oh fuck, now that he thought about it, was his pulse noticeable?
“Uh, no, don't worry. I'm fresh out of the shower and still warmed up from that, I'm fine.” he managed some reassuring words with a crooked smile. Good save there, Andy.
“So that's what's smelling so nice.” now that was an unexpected compliment, he had to admit, smiling shyly at the words.
“Thanks.” he could only give back, his thoughts immediately lost as Theo smiled at him warmly, making all his butterflies go wild. Oh fuck, now his pulse was definitely going up, wasn't it? It was going up, he realised, as did the other if the sudden frown was anything to go by.
“Are you okay? Are my hands too cold, after all?” Theo asked rather worriedly, already pulling his hands away a bit. Oh fuck great Adam, do something you moron! he thought in a slightly panicked way, not wanting to ruin the intimacy.
“Ah, uhm no-, it's okay, really I just am, err, happy?” he stuttered out helplessly, wanting to smack himself in the face shortly after. Great, couldn't he have thought of something better to say than-
“Oh”, the other interrupted his train of thought, blinking twice, a hue of pink colouring cheeks, rosy lips crinkling into a smile, “me, too.”
Wait.
“What”, he voiced before thinking, now the one to blink in confusion, “you are?” Theo hummed and now his heart really was doing the funniest things. This was not normal. Neither was his urge to grin brightly. He allowed himself a small one, squeezing the hands he still held to provide warmth. The other's smile grew bigger in response.
---
It was a pity Adam had put on a white turtleneck and black suspenders eventually. Well, it still suited him exceptionally well, of course, though the view on his naked upper body had been very, very nice, too. And the other had been so wonderfully warm and oh god, he was so lovely even when he'd been flustered. Honestly, it should be illegal to-
“Alright, the microphone's ready.” Adam interrupted his thoughts and he needed a second to remember what the actual situation around him was. Ah, right, they wanted to try out making some music together for fun and the other had set up his equipment for that while he'd been watching absent-minded. He just hoped he hadn't been staring too much.
“Brilliant. You don't mind if I warm up first, right?" he asked, getting up from the bed corner he'd been sitting on. His host gave him a little 'go ahead' wave with his hand, followed with a pair of headphones given to him. He thanked with a smile and put them on. God, it had been so long ago since he last had this sort of equipment and excitement about singing. He checked again with a glance if the microphone was on before humming into it slightly. The sound of his own voice resonated in his ears clear and crisp, speaking volumes about the equipment's quality. Well, if Adam did soundtracks for a living he definitely needed good technology.
With a thumping heart he closed his eyes and dared to sing a few notes, no distinct melody, though it gave him a good feeling of how the microphone took his voice, how it made him sound eventually. He tried to sing deeper, then higher, starting to form words, remembering lyrics, the nostalgia coming slowly to him in the process, like an old friend he hadn't seen for years yet remembered every detail of its face. It wrapped wholly around his chest and throat, hanging in his voice like a bittersweet aftertaste. He remembered how good it used to feel to sing and write songs, remembered how exciting it was to come up with lyrics and melody, remembered that one time they'd played in front of a tiny crowd in a pub. The small stage had creaked under his steps and it had smelled like alcohol, cigarettes and heavy perfume. There had been four lights and a broken one on them and by the end of the fourth song he'd been sweating so much he'd taken off his shirt. At the fifth song he'd been concerned the stage would break as he'd jumped around joyfully and with a massive grin on his face. But it was alright, there were people trying to sing along to the refrains with him and clapping to the beat. They'd deserved all he could give.
And then remembered the soul-crushing feeling of the day they had given up on the band, the day he'd stopped singing.
As he did a moment later, realising that his feelings became too overwhelming, too much to dig any deeper in what had happened long ago. When he looked over to Adam to get himself back into reality, into the now instead of hanging onto his memories of the past, he found something he hadn't expected at all.
"Adam...?" he asked carefully, softly, the other's attention suddenly snapping back at him, glassy blue focusing on him again.
"Are you alright...?" he inquired further, still minding his own voice as Adam faked a smile.
"What? Yeah, yeah I'm just-, it's fine, I'm fine." the other tried to reassure him quickly but it was hard to believe if at all.
"Adam you're crying, are you sure you're fine?" he pointed out before asking with clear concern. The surprise on Adam's face spoke volumes.
"I'm-? Ah fuck, now that's embarrassing" came back with a half-hearted laugh as the other man wiped away the few tears that had been running down his cheeks unnoticed, "I guess I was just a bit, well, overwhelmed by your singing."
"You were?" he asked rather confused, not really able to believe he could've moved someone like this. But he got a nod nonetheless followed by a shaky intake of air.
"I don't think I've heard this much emotion in anyone's singing for a really, really long time", Adam confessed, looking down onto his hands in an absent-minded fashion, "It's like I could hear your love for music", there was a pause, "and you made it sound so...easy. Like greeting an old friend you haven't seen for years and you just go right back to where you left off." He wanted to ask how the other could know this so well if he wrote soundtracks for a living but he had a feeling Adam wasn't done yet, so he kept silent. He should be right.
"You know, when I was younger and still ambitious to be in a band, I actually put ads in newspapers. I got five responses in total", another pause, this time a longer one, then, hesitantly, "After listening to my tracks they told me my music's not for them and that I'll surely find someone else. I, well, I thought I wasn't good enough then, so I practised more, almost every day. When I was twenty-three I send my songs to a record label hoping they might want me and just give me people to work with", there was a long moment of silence this time in which he could practically see the outcome of this already, "they told me I suck. Nicely, of course but that was about it. I gave up about becoming a member in a band. I nearly gave up on music, too. I only got into soundtracks thanks to what a friend of mine told me." Adam shook his head with a faint smile.
"What did that friend of yours say?"
"When you burn with passion for something then there's something that needs to burn. The fire might one day go out because it rains or runs out of fuel and it will leave nothing but ashes. Make sure these ashes will be the fertiliser for something that was worth burning for." Adam's words hit deep and clear, rendering him unable to respond for several seconds.
Then, a simple thought filled his mind. He'd burned deep and long and painfully and music had brought him nothing but ashes. Until now. And without any hesitation, he spoke.
"Go out with me."
"Go out?", the other asked completely confused, not seeming to understand, "right now?"
"No, tomorrow, if that's fine. On a date. Go out on a date with me." He clarified, his heart racing yet his mind being oddly clear. Adam's expressions were beautiful, going from bemused to realisation to surprise to a genuine, happy smile.
"I-, well I'd love to, really. Just, where is this suddenly coming from?" Theo started to smile.
"I just want to put my ashes to good use."
---
From: Adam To: Paul Picture send
“What do you think?” he asked after he'd put his phone back to his ear so he'd hear the response of his friend. There was a thoughtful pause.
“Doesn't he have that low-cut waistcoat somewhere? You know, the black one.” came probably from right next to Paul, which could only be Lael, followed by an agreeing hum of his actual call-partner.
“He's right, change the suspenders for that waistcoat. The white shirt can stay.”
“Okay, sec.” he just gave back, putting the phone away and quickly getting out the aforementioned waistcoat. It was definitely an appealing choice, he had to admit. After all, it framed his chest quite favourably and he wasn't doing sports without a reason. He put it on quickly and snapped a picture again, sending it once more.
“Better?”
“Molto bene.” Paul approved and the faint whistle he heard in the background was underlining it quite well.
“Am I not a bit too, I don't know, overdressed?” he asked uncertainly, eyeing himself up in the mirror, turning from left to right.
“You're always overdressed, Adam. That's part of who you are. If he's not okay with that you can dump him right away.” Paul gave back in a deadpan voice before he suddenly heard some rustling and some muffled complains.
“Bite-size here's right”, came Lael's voice from the phone rather unexpectedly, explaining the sounds, making him chuckle at the nickname, “I'm pretty sure that Theo-boy won't be thrown off by how gorgeous you look, though. And honestly Adam, you're going on a date, you're expected to dress up.”
He sighed, knowing they were right. “Well yeah, alright.”
“And now go tap that ass!” Paul encouraged him suddenly again at a way too high volume, causing him to hold his phone away from his ear several inches.
“What the fuck man! I told you already I will not-”
“Yeah sure, have fun tiger and don't forget the condoms and lube, bye.” and with that, the monotonous beeping sound on the other end greeted him before he could say another word, getting him to pinch the bridge of his nose with thumb and index finger.
“One day I'll kill him for sure.” and not even Lael could stop him then. For now, he had better things to do, though, quickly getting ready with the few preparations left he still had to do. After his hair was neatly in place and the perfume applied, he checked his teeth again in the mirror, practising some smiles afterwards. He still couldn't quite believe Theo had actually asked him on a date and he was getting nervous again just thinking about it. With a deep breath he fixed the hair on his forehead once more, fiddling with his collar, straightening his waistcoat, checking his teeth again-
Jesus, he groaned. Calm down Anderson. You're not fifteen anymore. Your teeth are fine, your hair won't go out of shape unless you decide to shower under a waterfall and your shirt is perfectly ironed as is your waistcoat. There really was no need to get nervous over his appearance. Maybe he should check if his boots were properly polished, though? He tried to walk calmly into his hallway so he would waste as much time as possible before picking up the shoes he wanted to wear. An annoyed sigh escaped his lips. Of course, they were pretty much showing him a perfect reflection of himself, what else? He'd never thought having a habit of polishing one's shoes regularly could be such a disadvantage. But alas he was left with being nervous again, checking his watch if he would be left alone with that for much longer.
Huh?
It was already five past six. Hadn't they agreed on six? Theo had always seemed like a rather punctual person so the sudden lateness came as a surprise. What if the other had forgotten about it? No, that was ridiculous. What if he'd changed his mind and didn't want to go out with him anymore? Get a grip. He probably just can't find his keys or something. Yeah, that must be it.
He decided to sit on his couch for the time it would take Theo to find his keys or whatever and just scroll a bit through Instagram while waiting. There wasn't much to see to his demise, mostly just Christmas things like lights or trees or markets and the occasional selfie. It was only mildly distracting. That was, when he suddenly felt a hot shiver running down his spine. Wait. Should he give a present to Theo for Christmas? Or would that be too much given they barely knew each other properly for what, a week? But then again shouldn't he have a gift for someone he'll go out on a date with? But what if he had one and Theo won't? Wouldn't that be rather awkward? Though now that he thinks of it he would like to give Theo a present. But then they'd have to meet some time before or shortly after Christmas again, would that be alright with the other? And if Theo agrees, what would he get him?
He sighed, leaning his head back against his couch and closing his eyes. Great. Stopping to worry about one thing, immediately starting to worry about another one. His mind was awfully kind to him again today. Shouldn't he be saved from this some time soon? He glanced at his watch. 20 minutes past. Could it really take that long to find a pair of keys? He scratched at his nose, starting up at the ceiling. Theo had definitely said tomorrow yesterday, so today, right? He wasn't mixing things up or anything for sure, was he? Maybe it had been a dream? Alright no, that was getting ridiculous again.
"Jesus fucking Christ." he groaned at himself, running his hands over his face before grimacing at the ceiling. Stupid thoughts.
The sudden ring of his doorbell made him nearly jump out of his skin. He got up hurriedly, his heart beating very quickly as he grabbed for his phone, almost running to the door. When he was about to grab the handle he stopped himself, taking a deep breath, putting on a smile and opening the door.
The elderly lady from above was standing in front of him with a gentle smile, a parcel in her hand. His shoulders fell with the disappointment.
"Adam dear, this came for you on Friday when you weren't there." she said softly, her voice as small as her appearance while she held out the package. He took it with a slightly forced smile.
"Thank you for taking it Mrs. Fletcher. That was very kind of you." his smile got more genuine as his sentence progressed and the old lady gave him a bobbing nod.
"Of course my dear. Say, you're so dressed up, are you going out tonight?" she asked, adjusting her thick glasses to look at him a bit better, her eyes the only big thing about her. He scratched at his jaw with an awkward laugh.
"Is it that obvious?"
"You're positively radiant my dear. Have a lovely evening." she wished him with another gentle smile, the pat on his arm just as light.
"Thank you, I wish you a nice one, too." he replied genuinely, watching her go a few small steps towards the elevator before he closed the door again. A look at the parcel revealed nothing interesting so he just put it away onto his sideboard, deciding to open it later. A glance at his watch suggested a good 30 minutes later than agreed. Maybe he should call and ask if something was wrong? Or was that too nagging and impatient? Ugh, he was terrible at being patient when he was nervous.
His doorbell rang a second time, startling him greatly. Still wondering if it would be too soon to call, he opened his door again, unexpectedly confronted with a flustered Theo. Well, at least the question whether or not to call was superfluous now.
"I'm so incredibly sorry I'm late", the other blurted out immediately, "it's just that when I ironed my shirt I accidentally burnt my hand and then I couldn't find anything for the burn and after I finally found something I cut myself on the scissors and then bled everywhere and after that I couldn't find my phone and then my keys fell under the wardrobe and god I'm so sorry." Theo babbled hastily, taking a deep breath after he was finished. The rather adventurous story made him frown with concern, grabbing after the other's hands carefully to see which one was the assaulted one. Turned out both were, the left one had apparently taken the burn while the right was spotting a band aid on its index finger.
"Does it hurt?" he asked, rubbing absent minded circles over Theo's skin with his thumbs. When he got no answer, he looked up into the other's face, a hue of pink colouring it brightly.
"Wha-? Ah, n-no", was the stuttered reply, followed by throat clearing, "aren't you mad though? That I'm so late?" He shook his head with a small smile.
"No, why should I? I'm just glad you came at all and didn't kill yourself." he joked, grinning now.
"Ha ha." Theo replied in a deadpan voice, not quite able to hide his own grin though.
"Well then, shall we go?" he suggested, letting go of the other's hands to get his coat and keys. Theo chuckled.
"I'm just waiting for you."
---
He wanted to die. No seriously, right now Theo would be perfectly fine with the giant Santa sleigh on top of the mulled wine booth to fall onto him and just blow out his lights for good. Or at least bury him deep enough in the ground that he wasn't visible anymore. The sooner the better because he was sure he won't be able to look Adam in the eyes for the rest of the evening. Why, god why was he so clumsy? Wasn't it enough that he'd already been late? No, first thing coming to the Christmas market was spilling mulled wine over his date. Hot mulled wine.
“If you find my outfit so awful you could've just told me, I would've changed.” the other informed him seriously while trying to soak up some of the spilled beverage with a napkin. He already breathed in to apologise again, when he saw the grin splitting those rosy lips. He held his breath, frowning before the actual humour hit him and he couldn't quite choose between looking offended at the joke or grinning.
“C'mon, it's okay, really.” he was reassured once again and he sighed, giving a loop-sided smile.
“Okay. Though to clarify things here, I really like your outfit. The waistcoat suits you especially.”
“Thank you. I can only give that compliment back. Big fan of the gloves.” he felt his already slightly coldness struck cheeks reddening more at this, a grin gracing his features.
“Thanks. I'm not a fan of cold fingers so they are rather mandatory for me.”
“I usually have quite warm hands.”
He looked really intently at Adam. The other looked quite intently back at him, rising both his eyebrows slightly either in question or suggestion. A few seconds went past them without a hurry.
“You know what”, he finally started to speak again, “I think those gloves aren't working the way they are supposed to. My fingers are still cold.”
Adam's eyes crinkled as he grinned.
---
He looked admittedly annoyed at this Jessica-person Theo was talking to. The random encounter had only happened about ten minutes after the mulled wine incident and it was already going on for about half an hour. He had quickly registered her as the other man's ex-girlfriend after about five minutes and she seemed to know he was on something else than a casual stroll over the market with Theo, given the way she'd been skilfully ignoring him while simultaneously flirting her head off at her former boyfriend. He was rather relieved to see that Theo was trying his hardest to get rid of her politely, not paying attention to the obvious show of boobs or the way she 'accidentally' stumbled closer to him because clearly, someone who willingly put on heels that high to walk over a Christmas market casually suddenly couldn't go straight in them anymore.
Needless to say he was not amused.
---
“This must be a fucking joke.” Theo groaned in frustration, the 'closed' sign of the restaurant dangling mockingly in front of him behind dark windows.
“I booked a table, how can it be closed?” he asked rather himself than Adam, desperately looking for something that indicated what a huge fucking joke this must be. But the only other thing he saw was the smaller paper underneath the 'closed' with a short explanation that due to personal issues with the staff, the restaurant had been closed for the rest of the weekend.
“Well, it looks like a really nice restaurant, I appreciate the gesture.” the other tried to reassure him and he let out an irritated puff of air, concentrating on relaxing again and calming down. He didn't want to ruin this any more with his mood than the mulled wine-spilling, meeting of his ex and the unexpected restaurant-closing already had.
“Sorry” he eventually turned towards Adam, shoulders slumped rather defeated, “wanna go somewhere else?”
“No need to apologise, it's not your fault. And sure, anything in mind?”
“I think there's an Italian restaurant down that street, let's try there.”
---
Theo looked absolutely miserable with the way he was slumped in the corner of the cab, staring out of the window. Adam was rather concerned for the other, though he could understand the mood. On their journey to find another restaurant they've had to take a different way due to a construction site and promptly lost their way until it had only been reasonable to walk to the next big street and take a cab home. By then, all liveliness had left Theo, resulting in the poor lump of sighs and silence next to him. The problem was, he didn't exactly know what to say or do to cheer the other man up and turn this evening around again because it really had been an incredibly bad one. Especially because any attempt to make it any better had resulted in only making it worse.
Ah fuck, now he was starting to feel rather hopeless, too.
The sudden stop of the cab announced their arrival in their street, so they paid the man and left the car. Theo still didn't seem to have much attention for anything anymore, eyes not even meeting Adam's. Instead, his date just cleared his throat, walking an awkward step towards him and in the direction of his apartment.
“I guess the least I can do is drop you off properly.” Theo declared, voice as slumped as his shoulders. He fumbled with the hem of his coat at that, biting his lip. Was this really how their evening had to end? Just a devastated after-taste.
“Thanks.” was all he got out, his tongue glued to the roof of his mouth. It was almost like talking to the other for the first time again; not knowing a single thing about what to say nor do. It was awful. Just like the couple of seconds they needed to walk towards the door of the apartment-building.
“So, uhm, sorry today was such a failure. But, thanks for sticking with me until now.” Theo thanked him with a small if genuine smile, their eyes finally meeting again. Now was the perfect time to say something comforting, something uplifting but nothing came to his mind. So he could only lift the corner of his mouth meekly in response, getting out a few simple words.
“It's, uh, it's okay. Good night, I guess?” the other nodded at this, the smile falling again with a sigh.
“Yeah, good night. And sleep well.”
“You, too.” and with this, they parted ways, Adam unlocking the door to the building to get inside and walk up the stairs with a churning feeling in his stomach. It felt so undeniably wrong to leave the evening as it was but what else was there to do? The date had been an absolute disaster and honestly, he didn't know what could possibly be done to help that. With a deep sigh, he stepped into his apartment, closing the door and undressing from his coat and shoes before going right into the kitchen.
God, he needed a beer now. Luckily, he had a six-pack still in the fridge, which he promptly took with him to the living room. There, he slumped onto the couch, his glance drifting out of the window and to Theo's apartment. Said one was lying on his sofa in the living room, too, though face first, as far as he could see and the picture really did nothing good. This was a disaster. Because as much as he had been happy that the other had asked him out, right now he wished it hadn't been him, so he could just console the other about it like a good friend would do without it being immensely awkward and embarrassing.
That was, when an idea hit him and a wide grin spread over his entire face.
---
Theo groaned into the pillows of his couch. Horrible, horrible, horrible. It had been absolutely horrible. How could a date go this wrong? How could he ever even interact normally with Adam again after this? He wanted to die in shame in a hole in the ground, preferably right now. God. How could all of this just go so wrong? One or even two of those things would've been okay, he could've handled that but all of them at once? He couldn't even remember a single good thing about the whole day that had lasted longer than maybe 10 minutes. Fucking hell, he'd planned the whole thing so maybe he could get a kiss at the end of it but now he hadn't even managed a pat to the back. He should just get drunk and forget about it all.
A sudden ring at his door made him groan again in annoyance. He was in the middle of self-loathing right now, couldn't people see he was busy? Who would even come and bother him this late? He contemplated to pretend he wasn't home but the second ringing got him to sigh heavily before getting up from his position and scuffle to the door. He was about to bark out a rather unhappy “What?” at whoever was standing on the other side if it hadn't been for the one person he hadn't expected at all.
“Adam?”
“You won't believe the day I had”, the other exclaimed a bit theatrically, leaning against his door frame, “worst date ever.”
“W-what?” he asked rather confused, not quite getting what was just going on. Adam seemed rather unfazed, just humming in response before suddenly grabbing him by the shoulders and turning him around.
“Yeah, honestly, so terrible, I gotta tell you all about it. So put on your shoes.”
“My sho-what?” the confusion only rose as the other pushed a pair of shoes into his hands, already turning away to apparently fetch a scarf and jacket, too. He didn't really get an answer, though.
“Adam what are you”, he started to put on one shoe while Adam seemed to look for something,” or... or we, what are we doing?” he tried to ask again, other shoe in place as well now. The other man had apparently found what he'd been looking for, namely his keys as it seemed, before turning back to him with a smile.
“As I said already, I have to tell you about my day. So, got your shoes on? Good, follow me.” his hand was grabbed at that and he was pulled out of his flat. Adam turned off the lights in his apartment afterwards and closed the door, giving him absolutely no clue whatsoever what on earth was going on. The jacket and scarf placed in his arms was not really helpful either.
“What is happening?”
“You might want to put those on.” he was only informed, before the other was walking towards the stairs again and he hurriedly put on his scarf, following while slipping into his jacket.
“I don't get anything what on earth is-” he started again, not understanding a thing but this time, he was interrupted.
“So, about today, as I said, I had this really awful date with this cute guy-”
“Wha-cute?” Adam thought he was cute?
“Yeah and he's really good-looking, too but oh god, I tell you the things that happened can't even be made up with a smile that bright.”
“Smi- okay what are you talking about Adam?” the confusion was slowly turning into downright denial of the whole situation because what was going on? Where were they going? They've just entered the other's apartment building but were they just going to his place? Why? And why would he need a jacket and scarf for a jog across the street? What the fuck is happening?
“Just follow me.” came back a bit less, well, like a soccer mum in her 30's talking to her friend Brenda over the phone about how Susan had flirted with the hot singe dad from 119 even though she had clearly already made a much more obvious move on him.
The much more pressuring question was, though, why they weren't actually stopping at Adam's flat. He tried to get a look at the other's face to see if there was any indication on what was happening but since he was walking behind Adam it was rather difficult. Wait. Were the other's ears red? Was he-?
“I hope you're up for a beer?” he was asked suddenly while Adam opened a door and he was about to answer when he looked past the other and onto the rooftop presenting itself to him. The words stayed stuck in his throat as he walked past his guide, eyes widening in wonder. He looked back at Adam for a moment, seeing some actual embarrassment overlaying his cheeks with a soft shade of red. Looking in front of him again, his smile came naturally.
Several blankets, sprawled out like a nest, were lying on the ground, invitingly provided with a couple of pillows. A warm, orange glow was cast over it by the fairy lights carefully put in a circle around it, the promised beer in a reachable distance to their designated seating. He shook his head in grinning disbelief, walking towards the whole construction, carefully kneeling down onto one of the blankets. He felt the softness of them underneath his fingertips and despite it being rather cold, there was nothing but warmth tingling under his skin. Taking off his shoes, he crawled further on top, sitting onto one of the provided pillows and wrapping one of the blankets around him. Looking up again, he gave Adam the brightest smile he could.
“Thank you.”
“Ah uhm, well, it's nothing, really”, the man started stuttering slightly, following him eventually onto the blanket nest, “I told you my day was terrible, so I thought hanging out and drinking some beer while we talk would be, uh, good.” He couldn't help laughing at this, eyes crinkling as he watched Adam snuggling under a blanket as well next to him.
“Hanging out, I see. Do you put up blankets and pillows and fairy lights on your roof top for all your friends when you hang out with them, too?” he asked in an amused voice, fondly watching the blush on the other's face getting more prominent.
“Just for the special ones.” came back quietly and he was almost tempted to ask for a repetition but he figured that he shouldn't be such a tease, considering the fact that Adam had done all of this for him. So instead he just scooted closer, placing his head on the other's shoulder.
“Thank you, Adam. Really.” he said softly instead, feeling how an arm was wrapped around him after a moment of hesitation.
Adam just smiled down at Theo despite knowing that the other couldn't see it, instead giving him a soft squeeze as answer. He then proceeded to take two cans with his free hand from the six-pack he'd brought up with him, offering one to the man in his arm. It was taken and opened, after which they both drank a sip in silence, looking over the nightly, yet illuminated city in front of them, the star-splashed sky above.
“So, you wanted to complain about that terrible date you had today?” Theo asked him after a while, sounding rather amused again. He sighed slightly at that, you should've known this would happen if you use it as excuse, putting his beer down.
“Oh yeah, it was the absolute worst. First I was panicking about what to wear over the phone to Paul and then my date was late. And that was just the beginning.” he started casually, trying to ignore his pumping heart.
“You panicked about what to wear?” the other's voice was surprised and he felt his heart even more now, trying not to notice his own embarrassment. Instead he just hummed, taking a gulp from his can. Theo chuckled.
“I bet you could've worn a potato sack and you would've still looked gorgeous. Or, you know, nothing.” he choked on his drink at that, starting to cough at which the other rose from his shoulder to look at him rather concerned, patting his back.
“Oh god sorry, was that-”
“Uh no, no”, he croaked out, coughing again, “it, uh, it wasn't, uhm, it's all good.” he reassured, smiling at Theo before coughing again. He pulled a rather unpleased face afterwards, though.
“I think I got some in my nose.”
“Sorry.” the other repeated rather meekly and he looked at Theo, using his can to smack him lightly against the forehead.
“Stop it, I said it's fine. In fact, I'd agree, I look magnificent without a shirt.” he joked, grinning at the other who snorted before smirking back.
“I can fully confirm that.”
“Wouldn't have expected anything else.” he declared rather play-confident, pulling Theo closer again to which the other obliged, snuggling into his side and putting his head back on Adam's shoulder.
“What happened after your date was late?” he was asked then and after another sip of beer, he looked up at the stars.
“He baptised me with mulled wine.”
“Baptised?” there was confusion. He chuckled.
“Yeah, to the name 'Ohfucksorry'.” at this, a whole-hearted laugh shook his companion's body and he grinned rather pleased with himself. The laugher ebbed away into smaller giggles eventually.
“I bet he was just too stunned by the way you looked to pay attention to his own feet.” he frowned at that.
“The way I looked?”
“The way the corner of your mouth curls and your eyes crinkle when you look around the Christmas marked, smiling softly to yourself.” Theo elaborated fondly-voiced to which he felt his pulse respond almost immediately, going up rapidly. He pressed his lips atop each other, fighting the stupid grin that wanted to sprawl all over his face.
“Theo?” he asked, playing with the opening-bit of his can.
“Hm?”
“Do you already have plans for Christmas Eve?”
“Not yet, why?” the other asked, shifting slightly in his embrace as he out his beer away.
“Wanna hang out?” he offered, another laugher, clear as the sky, giving him chills in return.
“Just hanging out?” he was asked then and he chuckled slightly.
“Well, I'd call it a date but you saw how well that-uff” he started to answer only to be hit in the stomach by a pouting Theo.
“Don't be mean or I'll tickle you.” he rose his eyebrow amusedly at that, grinning slightly.
“Is that a threat?” he wanted to reassure himself, shifting slightly to place his can elsewhere, too.
“You bet it is.” came back the definite answer and his grin got broader.
“Well good thing I'm not ticklish then.” he declared before tackling the other to the side into a bunch of pillows, starting to do exactly what he'd been threatened with. As expected, Theo started gasping and giggling immediately, a rather high-pitched squeaking interrupting whenever he seemed to hit a particularly ticklish spot at his left side.
“Oh go-aha-d s-st-o-p-ah stop A-ada-aha-m.” his victim squealed breathlessly, fighting against his hands relentlessly with his own. Well, given his periodic work-out, he clearly had an upper-hand when it came to strength, though, as well as the very fortunate trait that he wasn't, well, ticklish.
“P-plea-ahaha-se please sto-ha-op I ca-ahaha-n't b-brea-ah-ath.” the other began to beg him, tears already visible in the corners of his eyes. He decided to show some mercy, taking his hands off an inch to allow Theo to breathe. He didn't expect the mischievous grin that confronted him nor to be overpowered in the blink of an eye, now the one finding himself on his back while the other sat half on his stomach, half on his hip, pinning Adam's wrists in place while breathing heavily.
“That was”, Theo inhaled deeply, “very mean.” He gave back an impish grin, watching how the other tried to get a few lose strands of hair out of his face without letting go of his wrists.
“You threatened me first.” he clarified innocently, getting a risen eyebrow back.
“You insulted me first.”
“I just stated facts.” he pointed out to which Theo stuck out his tongue.
“Fuck you.”
“Wrong personal pronoun.” he offered with a wink. The other frowned at that, apparently needing a second to get his innuendo before a scandalised expression broke those handsome features up. He just grinned broader at that, wiggling his eyebrows as best as he could, to which Theo eventually started laughing again, shaking his head. The motion only caused to loosen more hair, though, which finally seemed annoying enough so the other let go of his right wrist to put it back in place. Or at least this had apparently been the plan, however, Theo lost his balance before achieving his goal, putting his hand only back on the ground soon enough so he wouldn't headbutt Adam in the face.
However, like this the other was also much, much closer than before, maybe two, three inches between them as their breath met. He barely dared to blink as he looked up, a blue glow of distant suns in an endless dark sky like a halo around Theo's beautiful face. He could see every eyelash, every minuscule change of shadow on the other's honey skin, every little move it took to breathe, every reflection in those dark, whisky-coloured eyes. And a distant longing took hold of his senses all at once.
In a night full of stars, Theo was the brightest and it felt almost too selfish to wish that he would fall for Adam.
And yet, he stretched out his hand to push the unruly strands of hair aside and back into place, watching in attention and wonder. He'd thought the other's pomaded hair would be sticky and stiff, not soft the way it was, yet eagerly following his touch. But he didn't retreat his hand afterwards, instead drawing a careful line down the side of Theo's face, over his temple and cheekbones and jaw before daring to cup it tenderly, stroking a thumb softly over the rose-colouring skin. Three brushes, then his hand slipped further under the other's ear, the golden earring cold to his touch as he gave a shy, yet affectionate smile. Theo's eyes danced to his lips and back up, gaze locking as the other slowly lowered himself. Adam inhaled deeply, the scent of beer and cologne filling his lungs, along with the faint hint of apple and cinnamon shampoo. They both tilted their heads so their noses wouldn't bump, only closing their eyes as their lips touched in a chaste, gentle kiss.
It was a tentative education, mouths brushing over and again to work out a rhythm and a pattern, a way of comfortable tenderness between them. Theo finally relaxed his body onto him in the process, a comfortable weight on his chest as perfect hands fondled his hair and cheeks and neck. Adam, in return to finally having his other wrist no longer pinned down either, wrapped his arm around the other's frame, running fingers up and down Theo's spine. There was no hurry in their movements, nothing as important as this. They were in their own little world again, warm, fuzzy feelings that had once been only interrupted by an arriving bus, now reigning free, running through them like blood when they eventually entwined exploring hands.
They both retreated slightly, reassured from the physical connection still between them, neither opening their eyes, instead bathing in the surreal glow of it all. Adam was the first to take a shaky breath and Theo responded at once, the other running the tip of his nose along the side of his, almost nuzzling into it. The intimacy was overwhelming both of them, Adam's free hand finding Theo's neck to pull him down again, kissing him more passionately this time, mouthing at his lips while the other gave a soft whimper in return, shifting against him. They pecked and nibbled in a breathless play, withdrawing only to come back together again more eagerly. Air came in heavy, moist puffs between them from condensing in mid-air, dampening their lips as Adam grazed his over Theo's, taking the other's bottom one between his teeth to pull slightly. The quiet sound he elicited from Theo's delicious mouth went through him like electricity and he needed to swallow once before attending to the mildly abused spot with loving pecks.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity and then some, their kisses ceased slowly, leaving them with shuddering breaths. With their foreheads touching and eyes still closed, Theo nuzzled his nose against Adam's contently, squeezing their still entwined hands with a soft smile.
“To think all of this came from a simple 'good morning'”, the other suddenly mused, inhaling their shared scent easily, “life is a funny thing, isn't it?”
He hummed, kissing Adam's nose before cushioning his head next to the other's, shifting so he was now lying next to him, admiring Adam's perfect profile for a moment. Said one adjusted his own position soon enough though, pulling a blanket over them before moving onto his side as well, looking back unashamedly.
“You know”, Adam continued, eyes softening unexpectedly, “I always disliked mornings”, it was a slow gaze, not glued to one spot but rather drifting over Theo's face and drinking in every detail as if this was the only thing that mattered in the world, “but meeting you at the bus, hearing your voice each day and see your smile”, as if Theo was the only person Adam ever wanted to look at, “it became my favourite part of the day.”
He couldn't breathe quite right, dazzled by the undivided attention, the way Adam's eyes were just so taken with him, the way those words were spoken to him so tenderly. For the first time since he'd taken notice of Adam, sitting on his kitchen's small windowsill, watching and listening to this handsome guy playing guitar on his balcony, he realised he wasn't the only one looking at the other but that Adam looked right back at him just the same.
“It's my favourite part, too.” he finally replied quietly, smiling softly at the man across from him who did the same. And just as they went quiet with this, absorbed in one another, did a small snowflake fall silently towards the earth. It took a bit until it reached them, carried by the wind to give a cold kiss to Theo's cheek, making him look up to the sky. The starry night had gotten cloudy without them noticing, the city's lights shining up to them, illuminating everything in a hue of gold and auburn, contrasting against the thousands of snowflakes falling to still grace the ground.
“I guess that's a sign we should move inside, huh?” he asked, looking back to Adam who looked back at him as well, smiling.
“Seems like it.”
“Well then let's grab the stuff and get going. Don't think I'm done hanging out with you yet.”
Adam laughed.
---
Adam was not a morning person. Not even close. Not even just a bit. He had a routine that involved only the most necessary things so he could stay in bed as long as possible. Getting up and getting ready really wasn't his favourite part of the day.
Still not, even after five years. Though to be honest, whether it was at home, in hotels or on their tourbus, waking and getting up with Theo wasn't half as bad.