Ignoring the suspicious feeling of being watched, Ed made his way down the cobblestone streets, past the dark houses, to the small bar. He walked in, staring at the ground as he made his way to the familiar spot. Taking his usual seat at the bar, he waved a hand lazily at the bartender.
There were a few things he liked about this bar. The first being the clearly unlabeled way it was designed. From the outside, no one could guess that it was a bar filled with lonely men, drinking their way to the next day. The second was the rooms. If Ed felt the need, which often he did, he didn't need to return home in a drunken state, or take someone out of the bar. He simply disappeared to a guest room until he was ready to return home. For the dark and dingy appearance of the bar, it was homey and welcoming to him.
Possibly his favorite thing about this bar was the boy. He didn't know his name. He didn't know his age or his story. All he knew was his appearance. And his talents.
The first time he had come to the bar, he'd walked over to this corner and sat. Not fifteen minutes later, the boy had appeared. With a mischievous smile and a promising wink, they had left the bar, crowded with older men, behind, disappearing to the room. That night, Ed found out more about himself then he would have cared to know. The boy barely talked, biting his lip to muffle any noises.
Over the months the two had been secretly meeting, Ed had learned nothing of the other boy. Once, he was sure the male had said a name. But he offered no story, and Ed didn't press.
Finishing his first drink and waving over a second, he heard the chair beside him scrape the floor.
"You alone?"
"I'm waiting on a friend." Ed replied, eyeing the male next to him.
"I've got something better than any friend." The male waved a hand to a table full of built men, shouting at each other over beers, many seemed drunk enough to hit the floor, while others chugged more beer. "We could use a cute little thing such as you."
"He's not little. And he's not up for grabs."
Ed half smiled at the boy. He was back.
The man started to say something, but took one good look at the boy and backed off. "Right, sorry, Jeb."
Jeb accepted the drink from the bartender, then nodded at Ed, making his way to the room.
Ed stood, following him. "I almost thought you wouldn't come."
Jeb scoffed. "Don't doubt it."
"I could have handled that back there."
"That's alright. I enjoyed making the entrance."
Ed almost laughed, but caught himself. This was their first conversation. How far could he push for information?
"Why are you here?"
Ed jerked up. "What?"
"Why are you here?" Jeb repeated with the same tone in his voice.
"I…Why are you here?"
Jeb shrugged. "Because I can be. Because I like getting drunk and wasting away nights with a boy I know very little about."
Ed eyed him, trying to figure if this was sarcasm. From the tone, it sounded almost serious. "Maybe I feel the same."
Jeb stepped closer, his words falling gently on Ed's ears, sending a shiver down his spine. "Do you?"
Unsure how to reply, Ed allowed his mouth to be claimed by the other male, his heart racing in excitement.