A/N: So yeah, in case you haven't noticed; I suck at keeping deadlines. Blahblahblah, you know the drill. Onwards with our story ;-).
Warnings: Silly shenanigans. Or something like that. More failed attempts at trying to write something sexy. And a little more Q&A. Italics are thoughts.
"Johan! Put me down you idiot!"
"One more block to be safe!"
"For crying out loud, people are about to call the police! They stopped following us three blocks ago, enough already!"
Johan decided to ignore Gilberts protests and ran two more blocks before he finally stopped in a back alley. He removed Gilbert from his comfortable(?) place on his shoulders and ran towards the entrance to make sure he had indeed shook their pursuiters off. After a minute of checking the streets he let out a relieved sigh and turned his attention to Gilbert, giving him a victorious grin . Gilbert wanted to kick his ass so bad for pulling that stupid stunt, but decided to settle for an icy glare. No need to give him a matching bruise on his other cheek on their first date even if he had every right to do so.
"Come on Gil, don't be like that. At least we're alone now, right?" He said, still grinning.
"YOU THREW ME ON YOUR SHOULDER AND RAN THROUGH HALF THE CITY YOU DICK! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?"
"A little more gratitude for the man who saved your life would be nice too, you know. It was either that or staying back there in the merciless clutches of Denise and Sanne. You don't know what they're like when they're in their makeover mode." Johan had walked towards the streets again, checking everything for a second time.
"Oh my Eagle." Gilbert said as he facepalmed. "Just my luck to fall for a guy with no sense of style who has crazy makeover loving ladyfriends." His hand left his forehead as he gave Johan a lookover when little smile escaped him. He may have crazy ladyfriends, but they sure did a great job cleaning him up. Johan was wearing a pair of well fitting jeans (accentuating that nice ass of his), a tight, black button-down shirt with short sleeves with a few pin up buttons on the left chest pocket and some stylish shoes. He'd never admit it, but they could just stay in that alley for the rest of the date and he wouldn't have minded at all, as long as he got to stare at Johan.
Johan let out a little sigh of relief as he turned his attention to Gilbert again. They were definitely safe now. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to get the bangs out of his face. It wasn't in the usual spiky style because of the antics of that evening. As much as he loved Denise and Sanne, he hated it when they meddled too much in his life. He appreciated their help with his outfit, he was really grateful Denise was able to camouflage his bruise with her makeup skills, but you do not, and I repeat, NOT, mess with his hair. It was his crown, his pride and joy, and you do not go near it with scissors!
"Okay, we're safe. And as soon as you're done drooling over my fine self we can go to our first destination."
"Oh please, as if I'd drool over you. You need to be at least half naked for me to do that." 'Dammit, and I tried so hard to not stare too obviously.' He thought. 'It's because of that stupid hair of his! Why does he have to look so frikkin hot with his hair down?'
"Is that so? Well, that can be arranged," he said with a mischievous grin as he reached for his shirt and started to unbutton it. Gilberts face immediately turned as red as his eyes as he watched Johan unbutton his shirt slowly. With every button he loosened he took a step towards Gilbert, until he had backed him against the wall. He leaned closer and placed his hands at both sides of Gilberts head, trapping him even more. "Three more buttons to go, Gil," he whispered in his ear. "Should I continue or do you want to finish it yourself?"
"I-I… I…" he stammered. Dear sweet Eagle on his chest, he was about to die. His heartbeat was going through the roof, even more so when Johan grabbed his hand and put it on his bare chest. Gilbert felt a shock go down his spine when he felt Johan's steady heartbeat under his hand. 'Oh my Eagle. He's not wearing anything under his shirt. HE'S NOT WEARING ANYTHING UNDER HIS SHIRT.'
"Time's ticking, Gil. What's your answer?"
'Whatever answer will keep you close to me like this.' He wanted to say, but his mouth refused to co-operate. He closed his eyes and swallowed hard when he felt Johan's lips on the side of his neck. He put his free hand around Johan's waist, pulling him a little closer. 'I want to stay like this forever. I want to just…'
"What's going on back there? Is everything all right?"
"Oh for fucks sake," Johan said with a scowl before removing himself from Gilbert and turning to face to police, buttoning up his shirt in the progress. "What seems to be the problem, officers?"
"We were hoping you could tell us. We got this weird message that someone was running around town carrying a guy on his shoulders, and you're matching the description."
"They actually called the police? I thought you were just kidding, Gil."
"You honestly thought people wouldn't find it weird to see a guy running around with another guy on his shoulder who was screaming bloody murder?"
"I've seen weirder." He said with a shrug. Gilbert facepalmed for a second time.
"Okay, I'm officially confused. Gentlemen, I need you to come down to the police station for a moment."
"Not exactly the ideal place to spend a first date. Sorry about that," Johan apologized with a sheepish grin after they left the police station.
"No need to apologize. It makes for a funny story, and we didn't have to stay long."
"Yeah, it does help if the chief is a drinking buddy of yours, haha. But still, I'm sorry for this crazy situation. I shouldn't have cornered you. I'll totally understand if you want to go home."
"You make it sound as if I didn't have any choice back then, Johan," he said with a wink. "You know I have a great punch."
"Hehe, that I do. Well then, in that case, should we carry on where we left off before we were so rudely interrupted?" He was leaning closer again when he felt Gilberts hand on his face, stopping him.
"We just got off the hook for public indecency and you try to get into my pants again? We're still in front of the police station you horny bastard!"
"Dang. So much for a chance of having my way with you in a cell," he said with a defeated sigh.
"Urgh, you've gotta be kidding me. Out of all the people to fall for."
"Don't criticize it before you try it. I would rock you world, baby!"
"Johan, it would be wise of you to stop while you're ahead." 'And stop giving me ideas, you jerk. I don't want to imagine you in a police officer's unifo… oh Goddammit.'
"Aha, gotcha! You were totally thinking of me in a police officer's uniform!"
"Was not! Just shut up and take me out on this date already!" 'Dammit face, stop getting red all the time!'
"Your wish is my command, darling," he said with a smile as he grabbed Gilberts hand and planted a kiss on it. He then let go of his hand (but not before winking at him which caused Gilbert to blush some more) and got two tickets out of his back pocket.
"Boom Chicago? What is that?"
"An improv comedy show. It's in English, so you won't have to worry about not understanding anything."
"And here I thought you would show me the Red Lights District and visit your favorite coffeeshop or something."
"That's so clichéd. Amsterdam is more than just sex and drugs, that's what I want to show you tonight."
"I'd love to see it."
"Good. Prepare yourself for a journey of epic proportions!" he said with a grin as he threw his arm around Gilberts shoulder and guided him towards the theater.
8 hours of epic proportions later
"Be honest with me, Johan. Do all your dates go like this?" Gilbert asked as they left the police station for the third(!) time that date. "Because if they do, I can understand why you're still single."
"Okay, so maybe I shouldn't have kidnapped you, but that was not my fault. Sanne and Denise wanted to cut my hair, I had to get out of there asap!"
"You do have pretty hair, I'll admit. But couldn't you have visited your Hells Angels friends another time?"
"We didn't visit them, they happened to pass us by and invited us for a drink. How was I supposed to know the cops were doing a surprise raid of their hangout?"
"Fair enough. And then you went and started a fight."
"You can't expect me to stand there and do nothing when a bunch of hoodlums are harassing women. You sure as hell didn't," he replied with a smirk. Gilbert smiled back. "Gramps did always say that a true gentleman never leaves a damsel in distress alone. And it did feel great to be in a brawl."
"As long as you're my ally instead of my opponent I'm good, haha. You really need to teach me that punch of yours."
"Sure, if you teach me that kick."
They continued their conversation and discussed fighting tactics during the entire walk back to the tattoo parlor. Gilbert had expected that they would go to Henks bar for a final drink, when he felt Johan grab his hand and lead him towards a different street. He was about to ask where they were headed when they stopped in front of a large wooden door. Johan walked towards it and grabbed a key, unlocking the door and inviting Gilbert inside.
"Welcome into my humble abode, oh noble brother in arms," he said with a wink. "Care to join me for a drink inside?"
"You live here? I thought you lived above the shop?" he asked in surprise. He saw a little garden when he looked past Johan and noticed the tulips that were planted seemingly everywhere. There was a coffee table too, and a couple of lounge chairs. When he walked into the garden he even found a little pond in the corner, filled with some goldfish and water lilies. He crouched down by the pond, dipping his fingers in it. "Unbelievable. You have your own piece of greenery in the middle of the city."
"My artistic side can't work with all this grayness around me, so I decided to do add some color to the area. But yeah, we're at the back of the parlor. I had planned to go to Henk for a drink when I remembered that Denise and Sanne will probably be there too. And they wouldn't be too happy with me after I made them run that much, haha. So I hope you won't mind spending some more time alone with me." He said as he crouched down next to Gilbert, who had removed his hand from the pond and wiped it across his jeans to dry it.
"Not at all. And as hilarious as the thought of you getting your ass handed to you by two women is, I'd rather not see you hurt."
"I don't know whether to kiss you for being so thoughtful of me or kicking your ass with your own move for hurting my manly pride."
"How about getting a drink and enjoying the rest of the night with me?"
"That's good too."
One hour and a couple bottles of Heineken later
"You know Johan, for a Dutchie you sure can hold your booze well. You're not even tipsy. Or not much anyway."
"Is that disappointment I hear? Sounds like you're trying to get me drunk and have your way with me."
"Are you saying I wouldn't be able to have my way with you if you weren't drunk?"
"You tell me. Would you be able to have your way with me if I weren't drunk?"
Gilbert put his bottle down and walked over to Johan, taking his bottle away as well and sitting on his lap. He leaned a bit closer and put his hands in Johan's hair, playing with it. "Is there any reason you don't wear your hair down like this more often? You look so much better that way."
"You answered your own question. I look too damn hot with my hair down. So I gel it up to not break any more hearts than necessary." He replied with a smirk, letting his hands travel down Gilberts back.
"Wow, hot and thoughtful to boot. It's a miracle I can keep myself from doing you right here and now."
"Well, you are already on my lap and all, you might as well do me."
"Maybe I will," he said, leaning in close enough so their lips were almost touching. "But first I'd like to see where you keep your tattoos hidden," he said with a mischievous grin as he pulled away when Johan was about to kiss him. Trying not to laugh at the look of utter devastation when he heard him say some Dutch swears and the word cocktease he leaned in and kissed his forehead as an apology. "Please?"
"Fine, fine. I'll show you if you want to see it that bad. Unbutton my shirt."
"I'm sorry?"
"Unbutton my shirt and you'll see it."
"You want me to unbutton…"
"Yes. No need to look so scared, Gil. I don't bite. Not unless you want me to." Gilbert felt his cheeks heat up at that remark. 'Damn him and his sexy smile. He'll be the death of me someday.' He shook his head a bit and grinned back as he unbuttoned until there were three buttons left. He could already see some swirls and something that looked like flower petals, but he would need to remove the shirt completely if he wanted to see it all.
"Hmm, three more buttons. Just like in the alley. Except the cops won't be bothering us this time." Gilbert said as his hand hovered over one of the buttons.
"You never did answer me that time, now that I think about it." Johan replied as he put his own hand over Gilberts'.
"My answer…" He undid the final button and pushed the fabric out of the way, looking at the tattoo hidden beneath it. He put his hand on Johan's chest, tracing the lines with his finger. It looked like some sort of tribal tattoo, but it was more… flowery? There was a tulip bulb on his left chest, close to his hart. A stem was growing out of it, branching all the way down his leftside towards his abdomen and possibly even lower, sprouting off tulips along the way. He couldn't really see it because of the lighting, but they were probably in different colors too. "Wow, it's amazing. May I ask what it stands for?"
"Sure. The bulb stands for me, and the tulips represent my hopes, dreams and wishes that are fulfilled or achieved. This one is for graduating, this one for deciding to break free from work, this one to see the world, this one for my friends and family… I have some more tulips on my leg, but you'll have to take off my pants for that."
"So that's how you operate, huh? Lure them in with tales of mysterious tattoo's and have them remove your pants."
"What can I say, I'm just too lazy to take my own clothes off."
"At least you're honest, I appreciate that. But… uhm…"
"What is it?"
"Besides me… how many people have seen it? Your tattoo I mean, not your abs." He asked, fidgeting with Johan's shirt.
"Oh, more jealousy!" He replied with a grin as he ruffled Gilberts hair and pulled him closer.
"I'm not jealous! I mean… I just…" Gilberts face turned red once more. 'How many times is this going to happen today?'
"Haha, I'm just teasing you. The people are my teacher when he put it there, the gang from the bar and my past two relationships, in which the last one ended about a year ago. And you still haven't told me your answer. What would you have said if the cops hadn't arrived?" Gilbert tried not to huff as he removed himself from Johan's surprisingly comfortable chest.
"As for that answer, I don't think I would have been able to give you a proper one at that time."
"How so?"
"Because," he said as he leaned forward and kissed him, "just like that time you're ridiculously sexy while halfnaked, I'm horny as hell and I can't decide whether to just give in or..." Gilbert buried his face in Johan's neck as the rest of his sentence was cut off while Johan mentally facepalmed himself.
"God, I'm such an idiot. You've never been with a guy before." Gilbert nodded while Johan embraced him and stroked his hair. "That's okay, I can guide you through it when you're ready. And they do say that you shouldn't be getting it on before the third date anyway," he said with a smile. Gilbert laughed and loosened his grip, looking Johan in the eye. "Thank you."
"You're worth the wait, and I'll be sure to make it worth your while."
"So you want to go out on another date with me?"
"If you're willing to go out with me too. I still have plenty of Amsterdam left for you to enjoy."
"It's a date then." Gilbert pulled Johan close for another kiss and pushed him back into the lounge chair. He could get used to this. Sex may not be an option yet, but that didn't mean they couldn't go to second or third base before that time.
A/N: Good grief, again with the talking and the no action and argh! Hopefully the mental image of Johan running around with a furious Gilbert on his shoulders put a little smile on your face. I'll get over my fear of writing the good stuff one day. You'll just have to bear with me and use your imagination until then. Okay, onwards.
This was pretty much it for the main story. I'll do an epilogue with little snippets of their life after they hook up for real. You'll get the whole package; marriage, kids, meeting the Order, being a parent. You might even get their first time together if I ever get the guts to do it.
Hope you had fun reading, and reviews are always appreciated!