A/N: Sorry for the delay. My thesis draft took longer than I expected, but it's done. Now, I just have a problem set and term paper. Sigh. Anyway, disclaimer on this chapter that things may get darker. Have not decided how dark I want things to go, but this is a warning.
By the time he arrives at Scandals, he knows he wants to be taken home tonight. He is very clear in his mind that he wants to be taken. Not necessarily in a sexual way, but tonight, he wants to give over a little control to someone else. He wants to be the little spoon, and to be held all night long. Held, mind you, not doing the holding. When they kiss each other, he wants to the one being kissed and not the one to initiate. So, he is on the prowl tonight for a taker.
It feels like a lifetime since anyone has touched him in a caring way. His mother is an affectionate woman. When he lived with her, she was always doing little things: straightening his school tie in the morning, or ruffling his hair, or pulling him into little side hugs. His father isn't so good at showing affection: he'll shake hands or pat his son on the shoulder. The Warblers don't hug each other, either. At least, not the way he craves to be touched.
So, he is on the prowl for someone to take him and touch him and make him feel like a human being again. And, knowing that, he shows what he has to offer.
He's at the Jute box, picking a song to shake his perfect ass to, when a bigger, sweat, young guy leans over and asks him, "So, How do you get a guy to like you?"
He's thinking, Go Away! He knows this guy cannot take, only be taken. "You get a guy," he says, cooly.
"Why, what's wrong with me?" The guy asks. This bear cub seems to want to be taken as badly as he does.
He uses snark as a defense mechanism, and gives it to the guy. "Well, first off, you are about a hundred pounds over weight. Quit waxing your eyebrows, you look like Liberache. In fact, just stay in the closet."
He ignores the hurt look on the bigger boy's face as he goes to dance. But, he his here for a reason.
It takes a few tries, and a few false starts, but finally, a stranger picks him out and brings him a drink.
One drink turns into two.
Two drinks turn into four.
Drink five becomes an invitation back to the man's place. He's a little woosy, but he thinks he can stay in control.