to Berlin with love.

[runningred]

 From here

Jay opens the door into a quiet back alley that could belong to any city - the lingering scent of garbage and the miss-matched colours where graffiti has been washed off or painted over. In the mid-afternoon chill of early spring, he takes Emcee's hand and leads him out into the street, pocketing the key. The sunlight is thin but warm and picks out the green swell of buds in the branches. The tree lined avenue is quiet this time of day. Not lacking in people but without rush, a lazy Saturday afternoon.

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[runningred]

The song comes to an end in a cacophony of applause and wolf whistling. And it turns out they are the only pair on stage – the others having moved onto the floor or out onto the catwalk during the song – leaving them centre stage.

Something the audience, and Alice, have clearly enjoyed. Her eyes shine as her lips brush his ear. “I like you.” She nips his earlobe softly.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee's eyelashes flutter at her murmured words and the little nip on his earlobe. He smiles, one hand resting on her hip and squeezing gently. Though not altogether subtly. There's a promise in there somewhere.

"What a coincidence, I like you, too, darling," he whispers back.

Taking her hand, he walks her to the edge of the stage, encouraging another round of applause for her. And for the both of them. And why not, for himself, too, oh no, pshaw, you're all too kind. And then he nimbly hops off the stage and returns to his seat beside Jay. Still grinning.

...What?

You don't call Emcee up onto a stage and not expect him to steal the show.

[runningred]

Jay has the pageboy perched on his knee, the youth whispering something in his ear as Emcee returns. Jay grins wolfishly at Emcee, giving the pageboy a nod as the youth heads back to the bar.

He stands to greet Emcee, “I can’t take you anywhere, can I? Ever the entertainer.” He pulls Emcee into a kiss. “Having fun?”

The band strikes up a slow dance and Jay offers Emcee his hand. “My turn?”

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee watches the pageboy leave, naturally and casually giving him a once-over.

"I can't help it," he croons, chuckling softly against Jay's lips.

Then after picking up his drink and having a sip, he slips a hand into Jay's. "Always, darling." They move out onto the dance floor, and Emcee loosely wraps his arms around his neck, swaying with him to the music.

[runningred]

The pageboy is slender and very young looking. Almost too young looking to be working in a club. Jay doesn't watch him as he goes but focusing all his attention Emcee.

He moves slowly, his own arms loose and relaxed around Emcee's waist. He smiles, radiating contentment as he dances, eyes for no-one but Emcee.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee is content to be the object of his attention. He can still feel other people's gazes on him, on them, but Jay creates a little insular bubble within his arms and with his smile just for him.

And Emcee realizes how much of what Jay has done was just for him. God, what a silly boy he is. Silly, silly, silly.

It actually makes Emcee love him for that.

He tips his chin up and presses a light kiss to Jay's lips.

[runningred]

Jay smiles into the kiss, his hands moving down to cup Emcee's hips. He feels so perfectly happy in that moment, just enjoying the dance.

But the music, like all good things, comes to an end. Jay leans back just enough to offer Emcee a deeper kiss.

In the background, the band announces they'll be taking a short break and will be accepting apprehension in the form of abject adoration and requests in the form of alcoholic bribery.

The DJ gets set up again, keying the music up just loud enough to enjoy but not so loud as to dissuade conversation. Servers weave their way through the crowds with platters of hors d'oeuvre and nibbles, all very, very good. The bouncer from the door lingers near the kitchen door, watching the trays go out with proprietary pride.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee cups the back of Jay's head as they deepen the kiss, lost for just a moment amid all the noises and activity around them. It's quite nice.

And the party is quite nice, too. Emcee manages to stop every server that comes by to try one of whatever's on their tray. He also manages to effortlessly flirt with them in the process, but really, that's to be expected.

Emcee takes Jay's hand. "Come on, darling, I need another drink," he says, tugging him through the crowd toward the bar. As they approach, Emcee spots the bouncer by the kitchen door, and he breaks into a grin.

"Yoo-hoo, Alice's brother!" he sings out over the music, waving at him.

[runningred]

The bunny girl with the nearest tray giggles warmly at Emcee's flirtation.

Jay follows him happily, keen for another drink himself.

The bouncer gives them a wave, stepping away from the door to greet them. "Jared." He introduces himself. "How are the blue cheese and pear balls?"

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee blinks at Jared for a moment.

"Oh! You mean the hors d'oeuvres. I did have something ball-shaped, and it was rather delicious!" he replies with a smirk. "Actually, everything was delicious. I couldn't keep my fingers off of them.

"Anyway, delighted to meet you, Jared. This is Jay; call me Emcee."

[runningred]

Jared chuckles and smiles, that sweetly young face flushing a little. "Yes, hors d'oeuvres. I'd offer you one of my bell pepper tarts but the pun would just be too easy."

He offers each of them his hand in turn; large hands strong and warm. "Jay, Emcee, a pleasure to meet you."

[i_am_your_host]

"I'd like to try it! One cannot subsist on puns alone."

After shaking his hand, perhaps holding it a little longer than necessary, he asks, "Are you still working the door tonight? I was hoping you would let in a bartender from the Cat and Mouse-- a bearded fellow, about so tall. He was very kind and helpful to me and mentioned that he wanted to get into Wonderland, but I don't think he had an invitation. I told him I would try to get him in."

There may be a bit of a pleading note in his voice and some eyelash batting.

[runningred]

Jared glances to Jay who nods. It's a tiny flicker of a look between them, a fraction of moment's expression. "I know him, most of the clubs workers in the area know each other. I'll ask Bella to look out for him."

He waves down one of the pageboys with his tray of bell pepper and tomato tarts. "Here, please? I always like to know my cooking is appreciated."

[i_am_your_host]

"Oh, that's marvelous of you, darling, thank you," he chirps.

"And you cook, too? Ooh, I like a man who knows his way around a kitchen and can also forcibly eject someone from the premises."

He picks out two tarts, one for himself and one for Jay. He bites into his, and immediately voices his approval with a little moan of delight.

[runningred]

Jay takes it with smile, "I'll go get us those drinks." Intentionally leaving Emcee to his flirting. "Thanks, Jared."

Jared laughs softly, blushing again. "The kitchen is my domain. I'm studying as a chef. Alice kicks me out of the kitchen from time to time, so I don't spent all my time in there."

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee glances at Jay as he leaves for the bar, then turns back to Jared, munching on the rest of the tart.

"Well, all cooking and no play makes Jared a dull boy, and we can't have that," he says, poking the man in the arm. It's a very nice, solid arm.

"But it is good of you to pursue your interests. I hope that works out for you. I think it will, judging by the delicious treats you've created."

[runningred]

"No wonder Alice picked you for the first dance. You scold like her." Jared teases playfully. "But I'd be happy to keep running the kitchens here, even after I qualify. No reason we can't run the club as a restaurant as well. it'd bring in more people in the lunch hour."

[i_am_your_host]

"I do not scold like her!" he giggles. "For one thing, nobody ever takes me seriously when I scold."

That's not entirely true, but he rarely ever does so anyway.

"And that's a wonderful idea. People like to drink and dance, but they like to eat, too."

[runningred]

Jared laughs warmly. "Clearly you need to get to know my sister better." He smiles shyly again. "And I think she'd like to get to know you better too."

[i_am_your_host]

"Mmm, likewise," he says with a warm grin. "The night has just begun, darling. By closing time I suspect that I will have made the acquaintance of many."

[runningred]

Jared smiles and takes Emcee's hand, kissing it softly. "I hope so." He flushes again. "But I'm keeping you from your date, I'm sorry."

[i_am_your_host]

Sweet.

"Such is the life of a social butterfly," he says with a little smirk. "I'll see you around, darling."

As he makes his way toward the bar to find Jay, he can't help being distracted by someone's unusual hair color or their fascinating outfit and telling them a compliment or two.

[runningred]

Jay's leaning against the bar, chatting with Miss Kitty, turning to offer Emcee a glass of very good gin.

Kitty grins and greets Emcee, "Well hello, beautiful. Your charming toyboy was just telling me you're quite the entertainer. You were magnificent on stage with our darling Alice. Will you dance with me later?"

[i_am_your_host]

"Well, hallo yourself, gorgeous," Emcee chirps back as if they were old friends, before taking the glass of gin with a kiss to Jay's cheek.

"Thank you, I would be absolutely delighted to dance with you, Miss Kitty. But what has he been telling you about me, I wonder?" he then says with a playful nudge to Jay's side. "I assure you that rumors of my entertaining prowess have been greatly exaggerated. And that's just the way I like it."

He smirks.

[runningred]

Just the way Miss Kitty likes it. After all, all her guests are friends. As they should be.

"Oh, only the very best things! I can see why you keep him." She grins to Emcee, running a finger over Jay's bared shoulder. "Well, that and the rest of him. Do you tango or would you prefer something else?"