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]

Alice's eyes flick to Jay, the corner of her lip curling in an evil little smile.

He turns on her heel without answering and starts working her way around the room, Jared doing the same without prompting.

They work their way around the groups of staff, thanking them for their hard work, giving quick notes on the evening's events and laying plans for the next day.

Alice stops at the counter to pay the Wonderland tab, making sure there's plenty for everyone.

They both meet back at Jay and Emcee, ready to go with them.

[i_am_your_host]

When Alice leaves to speak to the staff, Emcee turns to Jay, an eyebrow raised and a smirk on his lips.

"I wonder what that meant," he murmurs, knowing full well that he's probably gotten them into trouble.

And then both Alice and Jared return, eyeing them expectantly. Emcee grabs his coat and hooks his hand around Jay's arm.

As they make their way through the bar, Emcee can't help but gleefully call over his shoulder, "Bye-bye, everyone! See you next time!"

He isn't sure when the next time will be, but he's fairly certain that it will happen.

[runningred]

Everyone calls back a thanks and goodbye, Simon dashing over to shake Emcee's hand before they go.

Alice walks confidently ahead as Jared stays at their side. The sun is full up now and the day promises to be warm and pleasant.

"It was a good night." Jared nods, his thoughts with his team and his kitchen more than where they're going.

[i_am_your_host]

Simon running over to shake his hand makes him feel like a celebrity. He laughs with surprise, but appreciates the gesture all the same.

Once outside, Emcee squints up at the sky. Milliways has thrown off his internal clock a bit, so it was a good thing that he and Jay took that nap before coming to the party.

"It was!" he chirps in reply to Jared. "It was such marvelous fun. I can't wait to do it all again some time."

[runningred]

"You'll be very welcome, you know." Jared adds softly, his voice warm. "Simon would really enjoy having someone to work with and it seems like you'll fit in well with our little family."

[i_am_your_host]

Family.

Emcee feels a twinge of-- of something.

"I know, Simon told me as much."

He then smirks up at him, lightly swatting him on the arm.

"Alice, would you please tell your brother to not be so sappy? He's too adorable for his own good as it is."

[runningred]

Alice turns to look at them as she reaches the door of their building, arching an eyebrow at her brother. "Sappy, hmm?" She gives him a long, arch look.

To which Jared laughs and steps aside to let Jay unlock the door.

Jay chuckles and holds the door open for them all. Once in the lift, Alice backs Emcee against against a corner and kisses him hard.

[i_am_your_host]

It's only now in the daytime, and when some of the alcohol has made its way through Emcee's system, that he notices exactly where Wonderland is in proximity to the penthouse. He can't believe he missed it before. Jay was very good.

Once everyone has filed into the elevator, Emcee finds himself pressed into a corner with Alice attacking his mouth.

He kisses back, sliding his tongue between her lips, his hands going for her hips and thighs.

They'll be busy for the duration of the ride.

[runningred]

Jared and Jay talk normally, happy to ignore the way Alice has Emcee pinned. Jay steps around them and unlocks the penthouse door.

"I was going to offer people drinks but Alice looks like she has a snack sorted out." He comments playfully as Jared cups his sister's shoulder to draw them out of the lift.

Alice purrs darkly and breaks off the kiss, turning to enter the penthouse, kicking her high shoes off on the plush carpet. "Martini nightcap." She orders, sprawling cat like on the oversized couch with a flash of pale thigh.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee follows, the last one off the lift.

He watches Alice make herself at home. Whose home? His home? The idea of having guests over is still a foreign one.

But he tries to look at ease as much as everyone else does, as he tosses his coat over the back of a chair and goes to the kitchen to fetch a fresh pack of cigarettes from a drawer. He remembered seeing it there among the take-out menus.

"Anything for you, Jared?" he asks, as he lights up.

[runningred]

"Just water for me, thanks." Jared answers, perching a little more self consciously on the edge of a chair.

Jay throws a plastic bottle of water at Jared carelessly, knowing the other man will catch it. He passes Emcee a gin and takes a martini over to Alice. "How do you guys want to play this? The four of us need to talk but I'm happy to wait." Till after.

[i_am_your_host]

Talk? Wait? Wait for what?

He wafts around the room, trailing cigarette smoke.

"How about we all take our clothes off and fall into bed, and then afterwards we take a shower in the party bathroom? I mean, can it get any simpler than that, darlings, I think not."

[runningred]

Jay nods and glancing around the room, meeting the twins' eyes for a moment.

"I... can't join you, I'm afraid. For reasons I'll explain later. I hope you'll understand." He looks to Emcee. "I'm sure Jared and Alice will keep you warm enough."

[i_am_your_host]

At that, Emcee stops and turns to face him. His expression clearly says you have GOT to be kidding.

"What? --Oh, you must be joking. Really? Are you going to pop off somewhere or do you just want to watch?"

[runningred]

Jay cups Emcee's cheek and kisses him slowly and lovingly. "Sorry darling. I can stay and watch if you want me to. But-"

Alice clears her throat with a dismissive tick. "You and your moral code, Jason. Either tell him or get off your high horse and fuck us this once."

Jay bites his lip and turns to glare at her.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee accepts the kiss, but now there's something off about-- everything.

He glances at Alice, sharp and questioning. And then gives the same look to Jay. Or Jason. He's never heard anyone call him Jason before.

"Jay, darling, what the fuck is going on? Tell me what?"

[runningred]

Jay growls at Alice then looks back at Emcee, his expression open and honest. "I have a rule. I don't screw employees. Alice and Jared work for me. I own Wonderland."

He braces for Emcee's wrath. He wasn't planning to tell him like this and he expects Emcee to be furious.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee has never gotten so sober so quickly in his entire life.

He flushes hot with shock. For a moment, his throat closes tight, his eyes wide and fixed on Jay as if wanting to burn holes into him. Replaying in his mind everything Jay said about trusting him, believing him.

"Oh. So you're the mysterious boss."

He swallows his drink in one gulp, jams the cigarette into the empty glass, and sets it down hard on the kitchen counter.

He then heads for the balcony.

"Excuse me, I need some air," he says without stopping or looking at anyone, before sliding the glass door open and shutting it behind him. He retreats out of sight toward where the balcony connects to the master bedroom.

[runningred]

Jay flops down against the counter with a defeated sigh, fishing out a smoke of his own. "Well, I fucked that up."

Jared rests a hand on Jay's shoulder in silent support.

If Emcee doesn't return after fifteen minutes, Jared follows him out, tapping lightly on the glass door to the balcony.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee is standing at the far end of the balcony. He hears the tapping on the glass, but thinks it's Jay, so he doesn't acknowledge it.

His thoughts are too much in a jumble right now and he might say something he'll regret.

[runningred]

"I bought you some water." Jared says softly, "I thought you might need it." He also has Emcee's smokes tucked in his pocket.

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee turns his head at the voice he wasn't expecting.

"Oh," he huffs. "Thank you."

He takes the bottled water and twists the cap off before taking a swig from it.

"You don't have to say anything. This has nothing to do with you or Alice."

[runningred]

He runs a hand through his hair, that slightly shy look on his face. "Actually, it has a lot to do with us. Jay bought Wonderland three years ago, to give Alice and I somewhere to be. We... our story is kind of complicated. Jason is one of the few people who knows all of it."

He looks over at Emcee. "There aren't many who would understand."

[i_am_your_host]

His brow knitted, he turns to look at him, shaking his head a little.

"What do you mean?"

[runningred]

"Jason told us he knows you from an bar in a pocket dimension so I'm hoping that means you're... more open-minded when it comes to... unusual circumstances?"

There's a note of hopeful apology in Jared's voice, running a hand through his hair again in nervousness. It's clear he wants to confide in Emcee but is worried Emcee might judge him. Or worse, recoil from him.