Erik found himself walking down a street that didn't seem to end. He was downtown, drinking in all the life and scenery. Friends talking over lattes, business men and women rushing around. This wasn't anything like his last home. It was grim and dead, but here everything was full of life and promises. Maybe he could start over. And maybe he wouldn't be alone. Sure, he had Hank, but he needed variety. Someone new.
You could say Erik was walking to explore, you could also say he was looking for Charles. The gig was so close to the town and he had seen them drive off in the same direction, so he assumed he lived here. And who knows, maybe he'd become friends with Sean and Blondie too.
He strolled into one of the various cafes and waited in line. He studied the place, admiring the cleanliness and chipper employees. He reached the counter and ordered a Triple Chocolate Foam Latte. He paid the cashier and left the establishment.
Erik was wandering around in the park for awhile when his phone went off.
«What r u up 2? -Hank»
Erik sat down on a nearby bench and set his coffee down.
«Not much.. Just looking around a bit»
He sipped his coffee delicately, not wanting to burn his tongue. It was still scolding hot. A mother passed by with a baby in a stroller and some kids ran around a tree.
«Find anything interesting? Maybe ur bf perhaps? Lol»
Cheeky bastard, Erik scoffed to himself.
«Not at the moment :P»
It took Hank a few minutes to reply with:
«So u were lookin for him! :)»
Erik shook his head and rolled his eyes. He didn't reply back to that so he waited for Hank to take the hint and change the subject.
«Whatcha up 2 later? Wanna do somethin?»
He thought for a minute. Ehhh, sure. Why not? Erik shrugged.
«Ur gonna pick me up right? :P»
«Is that a "Yes Hank, i'm gonna be all alone 2 nite. Lying in bed waitin for ur big strong arms to hold me?" Lololol»
Predictable Hank all over again.
«In your dreams...»
Was all Erik put. And Hank replied back with a time to pick him up at. The coffee cooled down a little and he drank it heartily. He finished it and felt warm through and through. He tossed his cup and went across the street.
He walked a few stores down and came across a record store. Erik eyed it for a moment and entered. It was huge and stocked with crazy amounts of CDs. Records were hung up all around as decoration and there were quite a few people browsing. So he decided to do a little browsing of his own... To blend in, of course.
Erik made his way down an aisle and started idly flipping through CDs. He wasn't really looking at them, he just kept his head down and snuck a few glances around the store. It was mostly young people. They appreciated music more, Erik guessed. Music was used as a way of expression, but Erik didn't see it like that. How can you express yourself through someone else's music? If you wanted to express yourself, why not write your own music?
Music was just a fad that wouldn't die. People didn't use it as an escape. What were they trying to escape anyway? No, music is used to make you seem cool or unique. To make you interesting... Or perhaps Erik overlooked something..?
"Erik?"
Erik turned around and saw a smiling brunette. It was Charles, but he was different. He could see him better. And what Erik saw was absolutely breath taking. Cute pursed lips curled upwards on both sides, a slightly flushed pale face, and big blue eyes hooded in long lashes. Erik's mouth was hanging open and he caught himself gawking.
"Ummm.." Was all he could muster.
"Charles," the brunette clarified.
Erik blushed. "Right. You're that rockstar," Erik mused.
Charles chuckled softly. Shaking his head. "Well, maybe not a rockstar," he paused,"Not yet at least."
They both smiled and stared at eachother for a few moments. Enjoying the silent subtleties of the other's presence. Erik looked him over.
Converse? Check.
Tight jeans? Check.
Band shirt? Check.
God Charles was so typical. He was just like one of the many teenagers hanging this store and it couldn't be more hot.
"I didn't take you for a Clay Aiken fan," Charles said as he pointed to the CD that Erik's hand rested on.
"What?" He looked down to his hand and withdrew it back as if it was hot. Charles laughed at his awkwardness and dismissed it.
"You really don't know what you're looking for are you?" Charles mused.
"How did you..?"
"Know?" Charles finished his sentence. "Believe me, I used to be just like you."
Erik couldn't put his finger on it, but right then he felt a connection. Like Charles understood him so well, when he hardly even knew him.
"Maybe I could help you pick something out?" Charles offered.
Screw it, Erik thought. I'll make an effort, but only for Charles.
"Sure," he replied.
Charles motioned for him to follow and they walked around aisles until they stopped in a section just for indie. Erik scanned it questioningly and looked at Charles with a puzzled stare.
"What exactly is indie, anyway?"
"Indie is something that doesn't belong to the mainstream. Like certain labels that aren't exactly popular."
"That's it?" Erik scrunched his eyebrows. "What does it sound like?"
Charles raised a brow. "It varies. Just like everything else."
"Is that what your band is?"
Erik leaned against the rack in front of Charles and Charles' jaw clenched. He flushed at Erik's closeness and swallowed thickly.
"No. Were more along the lines of alternative. A little folk, maybe some punk here and there," he winked.
Erik watched him rifle around a little in the CDs and Charles made a triumphant sound when he found what he was looking for.
"Now this is genius!" He chortled and a few people nearby looked over. "Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter."
Charles raised the case up to Erik's face and Erik reached for it, their fingers brushing. The touch was electric, sending shivers down both of their spines. He held Charles' gaze for a beat. Those blue eyes wide like saucers, Erik just wanting to lean forward and claim those lips.
"I think you'll like it," Charles purred.
Erik snapped out of his stupor and blinked consecutively. "Excuse me?" Erik almost thought that for a second Charles was some sort of mind reminder and heard that particular thought. But that was just being silly.
"The CD. I think you'll like it," he clarified.
"Right. The CD," Erik blushed.
They went to a greasy little burger joint for lunch, but Erik didn't mind. They could've gotten dirty truck stop sandwiches and Erik still wouldn't care. As long as he could just be around Charles, anything would be bearable.
They ordered their food and, just like the CD, Charles offered to pay. Erik didn't argue. He didn't have much, but he promised himself if this got any further he'd make it up to Charles one way or another. And he liked that particular thought. He didn't exactly have to pay,Charles back in a conventional way, he could repay him a more intimate way, assuming Charles was into men, that is.
And Erik had a good feeling about him too. After all it felt like Charles was playing footsies with him underneath the table. But he could be mistaken.
"So where did you move from?" Charles asked between sips of his soda.
"Well," Erik cleared his throat. "I was born in Germany, but moved to america when I was twelve."
"That's fascinating," Charles beamed.
Erik continued,"I was living in Boston for awhile and decided to move. Well, my friend decided for me."
"I'm from england. But you already know that," Charles blushed. "I've been here ever since I left."
Charles sank his teeth into his burger and it was adorable how messy he got from eating. He was completely uncoordinated and perhaps a little sloppy, but Erik loved it.
"When did you move?" Erik asked.
Charles wiped off his mouth, feeling a little embarrassed by the mess he made. "Sixteen. Been here for six years."
"You don't look a day over eighteen," Erik commented sweetly.
Charles' smile conquered his crimson face. He was blushing quite a bit today and Erik was enjoying every second.
"Thank you. That's very sweet of you, Erik."
And Charles reached a hand over to rest it on top of Erik's. It was magnetic.
"Are you doing anything later?" Charles murmured.
Erik's heart started to pound and he realized that he was. He sank a little.
"I'm going out with a friend later," Erik said remorsefully.
Charles felt crushed inside. He never had the guts to ask ANYONE out and when he finally did, the guy shot him down.
"I see..." Was all Charles said.
Erik panicked and clutched Charles' hand. "It's not like that. He's... Just a friend."
Charles didn't say anything after a while. It seemed he was trying to file through the pros and cons.
"Well, maybe you guys could stop by the gig later? That is, if you'd want to."
"Yes," Erik replied a little faster than usual.
"Splendid! It's being held at the city hall auditorium. 9 O'Clock," he added.
"I'll be there," Erik said as he wiggled an eyebrow.
Charles laughed genuinely, his eyes tearing up slightly and his cheeks turning pink.
"It's a date then," Charles said before he could stop his train of thought. He slapped a hand over his mouth and just wanted to disappear.
Erik smiled a shark-toothed grin and said,"Definately."
Why did that make Charles so hot for Erik? That predatory gaze was simply intoxicating. It left him swooning. For a moment he felt that this is the part where they kiss and magically fall in love or something, but just as he was contemplating it Sean and Blondie walked.
"Dude! We've been looking everywhere for you!" Sean complained.
Charles sighed and let the moment slowly fade away. He turned towards his bandmates and smiled reluctantly.
"Sorry. I was just having a chat with Erik, here," he nodded over to his companion.
Blondie rolled his eyes at Erik. "Can we go now?" He said.
"I don't believe we've met properly," Erik stuck out his hand to the blonde. "Erik Lehnsherr. And you are?"
Alex took the hand firmly in his and gritted out,"Alex."
"Or Blondie," Sean chortled. A gut wrenching laugh shaking his frame.
Alex pulled his hand back and pushed Sean a little.
"Don't mind them, they always do this," Charles whispered to Erik. Like it was a secret.
Alex pouted and motioned for Charles to hurry. Charles wiped off his mouth again and set all his trash on his trey.
"Well, I gotta run! It was nice catching up with you, Erik. Cheers," Charles gushed out.
"9 O'Clock," Erik reminded. "I'll be there." And he realized it was a promise he had to keep. And he planned to.
Hank swung by Erik's place around 8:30 pm. Erik would've been ready if he could just decide on a shirt. He flung clothes all around his empty bedroom, a button shirt almost hitting Hank in the face as he entered the room. Erik noticed Hank standing in the doorway, but didn't acknowledge him. He was in a rush and wanted to see Charles so badly.
Erik's chest was bare and Hank just had to stare. He missed that sight. Erik hunched over in his closet and Hank followed the arch of his back with hungry eyes. So he wasn't exactly over Erik, but you couldn't blame him for looking. Erik was built perfectly.
Erik decided on a black turtleneck. He felt somewhat satisfied with his decision and turned to Hank, who just grinned.
"What?" Erik grumbled.
"Nothing. You're just so adorable when you're giddy," Hank confirmed. "I kinda miss that about you." Hank was playing the 'Oh whoa is me' card in which he'd guilt Erik into doing something he'd feel even more guilty for doing later.
"Don't pout. It's not attractive, Hank. Besides, there's a blonde boy in the band. I know how much you love blondes." Erik joked.
"Are you ready?" Hank said as he inspected the CD Charles had bought Erik earlier in the day. Hank knew what was going to happen.
Erik nodded and went into the bathroom to check his hair and sprayed a pinch of cologne on his neck. He looked in the mirror, with a wide grin plastered across his face.
Giddy was the understatement of the century.
Hank and Erik made it to the auditorium about ten minutes late, but luckily the band was just being introduced.
"And now ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce the Violent Femmes!"
Everyone cheered and whistled and Erik was clapping like he never clapped before. Hank shouted some praise as well, even though he hadn't heard them yet. It was just common courtesy.
The band tuned up their instruments a little, the whole time Erik watched Charles. After they were done, Charles stepped up to the mic.
"Can I, can I put something in like... This is American Music... Take one... 1, 2, 3, 4..." Charles announced.
~Do you like american music?
I like american music.
Don't you like american music, baby?~
Charles strummed an acoustic guitar as the other two fell into place along with him. They played in unison and Charles scanned the crowd, looking for Erik. His searching gaze was fixed on the man in the turtleneck. God, that's hot, Charles thought. He stumbled around the lyrics for a moment and he saw Erik smile. He blushed.
The song faded out and another started up. It went something like...
~America is the home of the hypocrite
America is the home of the hypocrite
America is the home of the hypocrite
American dream, so fu-fu-full of it!~
This song was a little faster and edgy. It was kinda punk if Erik listened hard enough. And Charles was getting into it. Eyes closing and hands playing every chord by memory. Hitting each note.
~Turn the key
Turn the lock
Nationalism
You can suck my...~
Hank laughed at that line and so did Erik. "Lock" could only rhyme with so many words, but they knew exactly what Charles wanted to say. And as the song neared the end Sean and Alex echoed the words "Aggression, Aggression" with Charles.
Hank seemed to be enjoying the show so far and so Erik.
"They're not that bad," Hank called over the cheering. "So which one's your boyfriend?"
Erik blushed. "He isn't my boyfriend, but if you must know it's the singer."
Hank looked back to the stage where Charles was poised behind the mic. "He's cute," Hank agreed.
After the show was over Hank and Erik joined the band backstage. They all sat around a table that was set up and sat down.
"Guys, this is my friend Hank," Erik beamed across the room.
They all greeted Hank warmly and Alex caught his eye. They smiled at each other.
"That's Sean, Charles, and Alex," Erik pointed around the table. Each of the boys smiling and waving politely.
"Nice to meet you," Hank said to Alex.
The boys hung out and passed around a bottle of Jack. Telling stories, sharing jokes, and having a few laughs. It was amazing how they all bonded. Then again, you could blame it on the alcohol. And Erik started to think of that dreadful song. But he cleared it out with one of Charles'. He relaxed a little and his head swam with warmth.
Him and Charles were sitting close to each other and every so often Charles would tip over and land in Erik's arms. Charles was such a light weight with liquor. He was more drunk than everyone else and he only had a few sips.
"Damn! We should get going," Sean said with a weary glance at his watch. "My mom'll kick my ass."
"I guess that means me too," Alex groaned.
"I can take you home," Hank offered. And Alex smiled. They said their goodbyes and stocked off. Erik knew what would happen.
"Hey Charlie, need a ride?" Sean inquired.
Charles fell to the ground and started to laugh uncontrollably.
"I got him," Erik said and he picked Charles up off the ground.
Sean staggered out the back door. Charles clutched at Erik, not wanting to fall or let go. Erik hugged him to his body and took him out to the car. They hopped in an Erik clicked on Charles' seatbelt. Erik felt like asking Charles where he lived, but Charles was wasted and probably wouldn't remember. So Erik took him back to his place for tonight.
He grabbed Charles again and exited the car and tripped inside to his apartment. Erik practically carried Charles to bed and laid him down gently. Charles snagged the front of Erik's turtleneck and brought him close.
"I never got to tell you," Charles murmured.
"Tell me what?" Erik settled down on the bed beside Charles.
"How sexy you look in a turtleneck..." Charles husked. And he pulled Erik close to him so he could press his crotch up against Erik's thigh.
Erik felt hot and itchy. Charles moaned at the friction and said,"I want you."
"I want you too, Charles."
Charles had his eyes closed and planted a sloppy kiss to Erik's lips and Erik kissed back. He tasted like alcohol and Erik felt a twist in his gut. He wasn't about to take advantage of Charles. So he pulled.
"I want you too, Charles," he repeated,"But not like this. I want you to enjoy it."
Charles whined but let it go. Erik waited for Charles to fall asleep and when he did, he removed his turtleneck and pants. He curled up next to Charles and planted a kiss to his head.
He fell asleep holding Charles to his chest. And in the morning he'd wake up to find Charles still curled in a ball in his arms.
