Chapter 12: "December, 1963" ~Franki Valli and The Four Seasons


Oh, what a night

Hypnotizing, mesmerizing me

She was everything I dreamed she'd be

Sweet surrender, what a night


The bar was crowded and loud. When Lukas walked in, they had to make an "x" on his hand because he couldn't drink. Jett had to have one, too, although Alfred and Mathias were excited to go without as they sat in a booth. Jett was nudging Alfred and asking for a drink, but he kept shaking his head.

"Come on, mate. Just a shot or something, I'm not picky about it."

Alfred picked up a glass, put up his pinky, and sipped it with a smug look on his face. "Well, I do say. That is delightful. Guess you wouldn't know about it, though."

"Why won't you buy me a drink?"

"Lukas isn't begging me for a drink!"

Jett sat back, watching Mathias. "Mathias, buy me a drink."

"Like hell. If I get caught, I'll be kicked out. Can't risk it, man. Just be patient and you can have something to drink when we get back."

"Fucking- Mathias, come on."

Lukas whispered something into Mathias' ear and they both smiled slightly. "Alright, alright. One drink, then," he said, calling over the server. He spoke quietly so that Jett and Alfred couldn't hear. She came back a minute later with a glass and set in front of Jett, who took a large drink. The minute it hit his tongue, he gave Mathias a look of betrayal.

"The fuck is this?"

"Water."

Lukas covered his smile and Alfred burst out in laughter. They were all silent for a moment after that until Jett spoke up. "See that girl over there? Bet I could get her to go home with me."

They all turned to stare at a woman laughing with a group of friends. When Mathias saw her, his face fell and he looked away quickly. Alfred was laughing again, though, saying, "Mathias, I forgot about her! Remember when you dated her?"

Mathias talked in a hush tone, leaning in towards Alfred. "It was two weeks. Three at most. I wouldn't call it dating."

"She was kinky, right?"

Lukas' face fell and he couldn't help but glance at the woman again. She was an attractive woman. Her smile was beautiful. Much more beautiful than his own. She had a good body, too. He looked away, wrapping a straw wrapper around his finger mindlessly. Jealousy was burning him from the inside out, but he couldn't let that show.

"Uh, I don't really want to talk about her. She was alright, I guess. She smokes a lot and I wasn't into that. I guess she's more like the manic pixie dream girl kind. If you're into that, man, go for it."

Jett looked at her more, then got up and sat down at her table with confidence that even Mathias had to admire. "Jesus, he's going all out."

Alfred finished his drink, then looked at Mathias. "Hey, you should find someone, birthday boy. Lukas, we could probably find you someone, too. I know plenty of girls who're into skinny, small guys."

"Not really interested," Mathias said as he finished off a beer. Alfred couldn't see it, but Mathias slid his hand over to Lukas' thigh, causing the other to blush bright red and cough as an attempt to cover his embarrassment. Alfred shrugged, then leaned back and scanned the bar.

"What about you, Lukas? You interested?"

He shook his head, looking away as best as he could without seeming too strange. It was hard to keep a straight face because Mathias gave his leg a pinch and it was starting to tickle. He kicked him lightly, but only got a little smile in return.

"Why do you both look like you have a secret? Damn. You know what, I'm going to find someone here if it kills me. I haven't fucked anyone in a month, I swear. You want some more shots or something, birthday boy?"

Mathias nodded, held up three fingers, and said, "Thanks, man."

When Alfred came back with three shots, Mathias downed them in a row. He grit his teeth, patting his chest for a moment. "Fuuuck, that's hot. Lukas, you gotta try somethin'."

"I don't drink, Mathias. I mean it."

He sighed softly at Lukas, but was still smiling as he moved his hand up his inner thigh. Mathias even managed to wink, but it was sloppy and Lukas was suddenly aware that he was drunk. Not without hesitation, Lukas took Mathias' hand and moved it off. "You're drunk," he said simply, hoping that would be explanation enough.

"Yeah? 'S my birthday, babe."

"You're going to do something you'll regret, Mathias. Don't call me babe in public. Someone will hear."

Mathias let out a frustrated groan, still moving his hand along the others thigh. "Please, Lulu."

"What did you call me?"

"Lulu. Do ya like it? I like it. Fits ya," he said with a satisfied grin. Lukas felt his cheeks heat up and he shoved his hand off again, holding it away. "I'd like it if you weren't drunk. In fact," he said, leaning in so only Mathias was the only one who could hear him. "I would let you keep your hand on me if you weren't drunk. But you are."

"Jesus Christ, 's that really it? Babe, I promise I'm all here. 'S my birthday. I deserve this."

"You don't deserve to touch whoever you want just because it's your birthday," he snapped. Mathias looked at him, his expression suddenly serious. "Well, fine. I can respect that, Lulu. 'S not something else, yeah? I know that whole thing with that… that girl over there. Nobody compares to you, ya know?"

Lukas was silent again. He wasn't able to look at Mathias. He was good at making people feel guilty. He had one of those faces that could make someone melt and apologize, even if they weren't the one in the wrong. "I know. I just don't want someone drunk touching me. It makes me uncomfortable, Mathias."

"Jus' gimme a little kiss."

"Mathias, I'll drive you home and… if you really want, I'll give you a birthday kiss. I didn't get you a gift. I'm so sorry."

"Yer a gift, Lukas. I don' need anythin' else."

Lukas smiled faintly, then got up and took Mathias' wallet out of his pocket for him, opening it to take out his card so they could pay for the drinks. He sifted through the pockets in the wallet, spotting something that shone. He dipped his fingers into the leather pocket, pulling out a hairpin.

When he realized what it was, he put a hand over his mouth and gasped. He never thought that Mathias would have kept the hairpin, especially in his wallet. He looked at Mathias, who was watching with widened eyes. "Look, I can explain!"

"Mathias," he said with a growing smile. "I can't believe you still have it." He stuck it back into the wallet, then took out the card and set it down. Once they had paid for the drinks, Lukas led Mathias out to the car and took the keys, getting into the front seat.

He had his license, but he hadn't driven in a while and wasn't the best. Either way, he was better than Mathias, who was leaning back in his seat and laughing at nothing. He began driving, trying to ignore Mathias, who was unbuckled and kept trying to kiss his cheek. He succeeded a few times, but Lukas slammed on his breaks once on purpose, flinging him into the dash.

"Goddammit, Lukas," he said under his breath. "Whaddya do that for?"

Lukas was trying not to smile, but he started snickering under his breath. Even Mathias was laughing after a few seconds. When they finally reached Mathias' house, Lukas walked him inside and up to his bedroom, making sure he would be completely okay before turning to go.

"Lukas, wait!"

He stopped and turned, finding Mathias standing right in front of him. They both watched each other, waiting for one to make the first move. It was Lukas who wrapped his arms around Mathias' neck first, but it was Mathias who pulled him into a kiss. This kiss was a lot different than the ones they'd had before.

Lukas could taste the liquor in the others mouth and his eyebrows furrowed as he slowly pulled his head back, wiping his mouth off with the back of his hand. Mathias smiled at that, just kissing him again softly. "You can actually keep that one," he said, brushing a thumb over Lukas' bottom lip before turning around to sit on the bed, almost missing it entirely.

Before he left, Lukas walked over to him and kissed his forehead, letting his lips linger for a moment. Once he pulled away, Mathias looked as happy as he'd seen him yet.

"Happy birthday, Mathias. I hope it's been your best one," he said quietly. He then turned and left, leaving Mathias alone with the same cheerful grin plastered on his face.


Lukas still couldn't believe Mathias had kept his hairpin. He wanted to know if he had just started carrying it or if he'd been carrying it since he'd given it to him. It was amazing that he'd managed to keep track of it. He couldn't even do that with the watch Mathias had given him. The only thing he'd managed to maintain was the book of fairy tales he'd gotten from him for his eleventh birthday.

It was still hard for him to truly grasp that Mathias was here with him and that any of this was really happening. Simply put, good things didn't happen to him. He lived an average life. There was nothing mystical or fantastic about it.

This was different. It was almost like one of his fairy tales. Who else could say they met up with their childhood crush from halfway across the world and managed to rekindle a dead relationship?

If Lukas didn't know better, he'd say Mathias had found him on purpose. But it made no sense. Mathias had been enrolled for two years before.

Lukas had heard plenty about soulmates and silly things like that. He always disregarded the idea that there was someone specific in the world for each person. The concept that there was only one person who could fit your needs was ridiculous. Wasn't it? He'd always believed so, but now he had to wonder how ridiculous it really was.

He'd never felt like this about anyone in his life. Perhaps Mathias had set a standard when they were younger than no one could fit. Nothing could replicate the love he'd felt for him. It was like having a twenty dollar steak for dinner one night, then having cheap ramen the next night. Sure, ramen was fine. But compared to a steak, it was like eating styrofoam.

Maybe that's why he believed he was asexual. But this made him realize something else. Would he have never fell in love if he never met Mathias again? Perhaps he wouldn't have cared. He didn't care before. But maybe when he was old, sitting in a little rocking chair complaining about technology, he'd regret not trying for love.

The thought hit him hard. If he hadn't ran into Mathias at all, his life could have been completely loveless. He would never feel a kiss like the one Mathias had given him. He wouldn't know what it was like to have someone to belong to and have as your own. At the end of the day, he'd be lonely.

He didn't want to think about being alone again.