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.

Comments

[runningred]

Kitty accepts the dance just as demurely. Which is hard to do in a dress so plunging but she pulls it off with style, turning circles with him happily.

The verse about dinner at the Ritz has Jay grinning up at him with a playful smile. After all, they did just that and it was a wonderful night.

The band plays up to his moves, making the finish a big one with a crash of drums and cymbals.

The crowd erupts with cheers and Kitty casually walks over and plants a big, theatrical kiss on him, her voice low. “Oh, we are so keeping you!”

Jay’s standing at the side of the stage, grinning up and whistling loudly.

[i_am_your_host]

It feels so good to hear an audience cheer like that again.

Beaming, he takes a bow, and as soon as he rights himself, Miss Kitty plants that kiss on him. He laughs brightly, squeezing her hands. He hears what she says over the applause, but thinks it's just an affectionate joke.

Turning to the band, he quickly makes his way to each of them, giving them a handshake or a kiss on the cheek, telling them how wonderful they played.

And then he hops off the stage, landing right in front of Jay.

[runningred]

Jay catches him by the waist as he jumps down and kisses him. Lovingly rather than passionately. "You looked perfect up there. It's who you were born to be."

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee feels the love in Jay's kiss. And he lets him kiss him that way, and-- and maybe he gives a little bit of it back.

He's feeling good now anyway, riding high on endorphins, buzzed on gin and the sound of a happy audience.

"Oh, stop," he says, patting Jay's cheek. "And by 'stop' I mean 'do go on.'"

With a giggle, he kisses him again.

[runningred]

"All night long and gladly." Jay chuckles between kisses. "But your adoring fans are circling."

There's quite a crowd of people wanting to congratulate Emcee. And at least one local club owner wanting to talk to him about performing regularly at his club.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee is actually surprised to find people gathering around him, but he takes it in stride. After he asks Jay to get him a glass of gin and seltzer, he turns his attention to them, delighted by their enthusiasm. Deep down he's honestly humbled by how much they enjoyed his performance.

One girl with blue hair and matching blue Doc Martens sidles up next to him and holds up her smartphone, aiming to take a selfie. He knows about selfies! And so he indulges her, mugging for the camera.

[runningred]

Jay comes back with Emcee's drink and somehow ends up iin selfies too. Part of him hopes one of the bat-computer algorithms finds it.

"Feel like taking a moment away from your adoring crowd?" Jay asks, only half teasing.

[i_am_your_host]

By the time Jay returns, Emcee has a pocketful of business cards and phone numbers. He's flattered by all the offers, but can't help thinking that he should secretly redistribute the numbers to other people.

He takes the glass and takes a much-needed drink.

"Let's, darling," he says, before squeezing one more girl's hand and giving her a peck on the cheek.

"Where to?"

[runningred]

He nods to the balcony. "Booth maybe?"

[i_am_your_host]

"Ooh," he coos, a twist to his lips. "I've been wanting to put those curtains to good use all night."

He takes Jay's hand and follows him upstairs.

A few people might be disappointed as they watch them leave together, but as long as the DJ keeps pumping out the music, there may still be hope.

[runningred]

Jay leads Emcee up to one of those booths - deep couches and a small movable table to make more room as needed. There's also a small basket of condoms, lube and wet wipes in one corner, a discreet little bin under the edge of the table.

Jay looks it over with approval, pulling the curtain closed behind them.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee gasps a little with childlike delight. He sets his drink down on the table and picks out a condom. They're like the ones he got from Guppy.

"Look, it's green!" he giggles.

He can find the joy in the simplest of things.

[runningred]

Jay chuckles and sprawls out on the couch, grinning. "If you keep looking I'm sure you'll find flavoured ones too."

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee examines a personal-sized foil packet of lube.

"Oh, god, there's flavored lubricant as well! They really have thought of everything. I adore this, it's like getting a little gift basket at a pornographic birthday party."

[runningred]

Jay laughs and holds out a hand to pull Emcee to him. "We should those one of those at home sometime. Declare a birthday and have a pants optional party."

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee takes his hand and lets him tug him over, and he flops down onto his lap.

"You mean at Milliways?" he says, pointing out the word usage this time. "We'll be put in the cells for it, as I'm sure we'll be the only two who'll be committed to the suggestion."

[runningred]

“Yeah, I guess I do.” Jay muses, not realising he’d meant it that way till Emcee pointed it out.

He dropping the matter as he runs his hands down Emcee’s flanks, pulling him into a kiss. “are you having fun?”

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee gives Jay the flattest expression he can muster.

"No, I am having a terrible time and you are being terrible and everything is terrible."

He lightly smacks Jay's chest, breaking into a grin.

"Of course I'm having fun, you silly, silly boy."

[runningred]

Jay catches hold of him and pulls him close, kissing him deeply and passionately. While trying not to laugh. “Terrible and silly, huh?” He curls his hands around Emcee’s hips, drawing their bodies together.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee utters a muffled noise against Jay's lips as he returns the kiss just as fervently.

"Ugh, darling, you are the absolute worst," he gripes before diving into another kiss, running both hands through his hair.

[runningred]

"Oh, I know!" Jay chuckles between kisses. "But if I was really the worst, I'd get you all hot and bothered then throw you back out on that dance floor."

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee pulls back a bit, an eyebrow raised.

"Oh. Now that would be the worst."

But he melts into his arms again, planting kisses along his jaw and chin, leading up to the corner of his mouth.

"But you wouldn't do such a thing to me, would you?" he murmurs.

[runningred]

"Me? No. I'm not that mean. I might be tempted to blow you and send you back out all wobbly kneed and flushed."

[i_am_your_host]

"...You really are terrible," he says after a beat, giving his hair a little tug.

"I dare you to do it."

[runningred]

Jay's eyes blaze as he grins. He lifts Emcee off his lap and onto the couch, dropping to his knees in front of him.