Exciting chapter...but my lips are sealed, I told you nothing.
It looks exactly the way it always has, and he gives an internal sigh of relief when he doesn't immediately recognise anyone. Looking around briefly, he only spots one or two men that he knows. But then he looks up at the very small little stage that's surrounded by a crowd of men grinding to the music and through the strobe lights he sees that it is Sheila on stage. He feels his face pale, and he rushes to hide himself from view in a small hub of dancers.
Oh god, what is he doing here. He just knows that Ludwig is going to find out. Speaking of whom, he sticks his head out of his hiding place - and considering his hiding place is a group of grinding males this proves an interesting endeavour - and looks back at the doorway.
Ludwig is standing there. His back is turned but Feli recognises his form, even from behind.
And speaking of behind…how had he never noticed what a gorgeous ass the guard has? How tight are those black jeans? He doubts he could even slip a piece of paper inside - they're that tight. And that extremely close-fitting shirt doesn't really hide anything. The german's ample muscles are perfectly framed by the outfit, and he can't tear his eyes away from him. He wonders idly how visible his nipples must be from the front.
And then the dancers around him move, and he's left a little too out in the open on the dance floor. So he turns to the bar and grabs himself a seat next to a pair enthusiastically making out. He feels too hot in the throbbing club as he tells the bartender he's with Ludwig. He doesn't miss the way the man's eyebrows rise in surprise. What is that about?
After getting his favourite starting drink: a toffee apple cider (He used to drink only these for several months until someone introduced him to the art of cocktails and he decided to spice up his palate) he looks around the familiar room, wondering idly how he's going to pass two hours without either being detected by someone he knows or just getting up and throwing himself at the lovely bodyguard. He turns around and orders himself a shot of vodka.
He doesn't remember too much after that.
When he thinks about it, he can blame Ludwig for offering the free booze.
He comes back to himself supported heavily by Ludwig's strong and well muscled arms. They're just outside the bar, and the German is looking at him with concern.
"Feli, are you alright? You drank too much." He says by way of explanation.
Ah. Thinks Feli, so that's where the last few hours went. Woops.
He hadn't meant to drink that much, but he does vaguely remember bumping into too many familiar faces and then a hand on his ass, and somewhere in all that Ludwig and Sheila, at least he thinks so?
"How am I… even conscious right now?" He manages to get out, whilst taking the opportunity to clutch the German's lovely, muscled arms. (He freaks out a little because wow, his chest is so firm.)
"So firm…"
"What was that?" After the Italian says nothing, Ludwig just continues (thankfully). "You puked, Feli, so I think you'll be fine now. And you were almost unconscious for a second there but my boss called you a cab and my shift ended. I think he knew you or something…"
Feli grabs on to the German tighter, as if his clutch can prevent that very train of thought.
"Just, try not to pass out ok? Have some more water." Ludwig says, supporting him while passing him a plastic water bottle that he gulps down greedily.
The Italian groans after his brain finally catches up with him. He's made such a mess of things already.
"Oh no…I wasn't meant to fuck up! What did I do?" He squints his eyes suspiciously. "I didn't pole dance again did I?"
He isn't sure, because he's not in his right state of mind, but he thinks the German's eyes pop out of his head a little bit. It's absolutely hysterical, so naturally he bursts into laughter and can't stop.
Ludwig looks at him with more concern, and he's vaguely aware of being manhandled gently into a taxi which must have arrived at some point.
He feels very nice actually. This has to be the best post-drinking experience he's ever had. He's got a nice, strong body to cling on to in the taxi, and after idly telling the German his address, he knows that he'll find his way home safely. It's a new feeling for him, and honestly it's completely lovely.
"Why are you always so grumpy, Ludwig?", he can't help but wonder aloud.
He looks up at the German from where he's sprawled across the back seat with his head on Ludwig's lap. The returning look is thoughtful, if not slightly bemused.
"I guess cheerfulness just doesn't come to me very easily." he says. The German rests his arm across Feli's torso to stop him from falling as the taxi gives a sudden jolt. He forgets to remove it for the rest of the drive.
"Oh, don't worry Ludwig, I'm working on that. You'll see…" Ah, he is so tired. There's a nice sleepy feeling, and he knows he won't be too hungover because he threw up. There's also the comfort of having a pillow, and a warm arm-blanket. A warm, muscled, arm-blanket. Mmm…
The Italian falls asleep, and completely misses the expression on the German's face as he watches his sleeping charge.
—-
He wakes to an alarm going off.
Groaning complaints, he wraps himself further into his duvet-cocoon. Feli stretches, unfurling from his sleeping sprawl like a caterpillar and hearing various bits a pieces pop menacingly. He relaxes back down with a sort of flop and finally wrenches his eyes open to slam that stupid alarm off.
But his warm post-sleep contentment is startled away abruptly when he remembers how he got home. Now he thinks about it, he does remember getting his keys out, but not much else so how did he get into bed…?
Filled with a sudden energy, he jumps out of bed and through to his living space/ studio/ kitchen to find that there is a suspiciously guard-shaped lump occupying the sofa.
Oh no, he thinks, I hope I didn't mess up his plans or anything.
He contemplates his next move as he watches the sleeping form. A shot of panic takes hold as he considers what a nuisance he's been.
He's seen my drunk side! I fell asleep on him in a taxi. Oh no, I probably drooled too. What have I done.
Should he wake the guard up? What does one do in this situation! And he has work in - he glances at his watch - 75 minutes! On the one hand, Ludwig might have work too and therefore appreciate being woken, whilst on the other hand Feli would then have to deal with an awkward hour or so of getting ready with the German right there and being unsure how to handle the new situation between them. Does Ludwig dislike him now? He probably does. So many complications.
He will never drink. Ever again. It's always a bad idea. Always. He swears to himself from this day forward, he will never drink. Well, ok, maybe just a little bit because alcohol can be so lovely but just never as much as last night.
Ok, new promise to himself: He will never get crazy drunk again. Ever.
And regarding the current situation? He does what any person would do, ignore it until he can't any more. Essentially, he goes through his normal morning routine, adamantly ignoring the occasional shift or murmur coming from the sofa.
It's when he's got his shoes and coat on that he comes to stand in front of the sleeping guard once more. He has to be out of the door in 3 minutes, so even that isn't possibly enough time for any significant amount of awkward, right?
He nudges Ludwig gently. The blond wakes with blearily, with the most adorable confused look on his face.
"Oh, good morning Feli." is the greeting he gets. He can't really help but beam at the German. He isn't angry! Maybe that means he hasn't ruined his chances.
The German continues to blink a little at him as he wakes up, and that's when Feli spots it. A slight lift at the corner of his mouth. It grows a little in size, until he can definitely say that it's real.
Ludwig smiles.
Beta'd by the lovely Issy, who I miss ;(. The story does not end here! So watch out for more. (( Reviews are love ))