Sparky

6.
“You've got to help me! I need a black suit and you have to do my hair and I need it no-o-ow!” Nick ran around in his walk-in wardrobe, searching for anything suitable. The black clothes he had, were old and terrible out of fashion. He almost cried in his phone.

“Calm down!” Robin tried to soothe his friend. “I'll be right over, and we'll go to the shops. Then you can tell me what's going on, okay? Take a cup of tea, and calm down! I'm already on my way.”

“Thank you...” Nick couldn't ease his nerves though. He paced through his apartment, wringing his hands, until the door opened. “Robin!”

“Wow Nix, look at that sexy beard! You look hot,” laughed Robin. He gasped when his friend pulled him in a firm embrace. “Oh dear... Take a seat, okay? And tell me what's going on.”

“We have no time to sit! I have a date at seven and the stores will be closed soon, and I need a black suit! I have no black! Why does he want me to dress in black?”

“Who wants you to dress in black, dear? What date? What... Ohh!” Robin pushed Nick a bit away from him, grinning broadly. “You have a date with Angel, haven't you...”

“Yes! Shit... He's awful!” Nick pulled away, pacing up and down again. “I have no idea why he asked me out. He hates me! I loathe him! He doesn't like me the way I am, so why would he even try?”

Robin still grinned as he watched his best friend walk around. The mutters and complaints went on and on, until Nick finally sat down, burying his face in his hands. Robin sat next to him. “You like him a lot, don't you?” he asked, trying his hardest not to laugh. He patted the shoulder. “Come on. We'll take my car to town, and buy you a great black suit.”

“I should wear pink,” muttered Nick. “Just to show him.”

“Yes, you should.” Robin laughed aloud. “I bet he would love it, too. You can make up your mind when we're in the store, hm? I bet you'll feel a lot better when you swipe your credit card.”

*

“You really look sexy, Nix...” Robin meant it.

Nick admired himself in the mirror, reluctantly agreeing with his friend. Ever since he knew how to use a credit card, he'd bought the latest fashion in designer clothes, in any color but black. Black was boring, he'd told himself. But as he looked at the sexy man in the mirror, he realized he was wrong all along.
He had overdone it, of course. Everything was black, from the shirt to the tie and the handkerchief in the top pocket.

“You can use a little color,” tried Robin.

“No. Angel wanted black, and that's what he'll get. This is good. I'll take it.” He undressed, giving Robin the clothes, and dressed up in his normal clothes. To his surprise, he could clearly see the difference. In his normal clothes, he looked pale and dull. That black made him... shine.

He didn't look at the numbers appearing on the screen, when he paid. He could afford it anyway. It didn't make him feel better, this time. It made him even more nervous. “Why am I doing this, Robin?” he sighed, taking the bags and thanking the seller. They left the store, with plenty of time left. “I shouldn't buy other clothes than I use to wear, just because a man tells me to, should I?”

“No, you shouldn't...” Robin unlocked the car, stepping inside. “But he's right, isn't he? That black really suits you... And the beard as well. He's simply guiding you into another direction.”

“Guiding me?” Nick snorted. “He's pushing me, quite harshly.” He sighed deeply. “I have no idea why I listen to him.”

“Me neither.” Robin focused on the road, so he didn't have to tell his friend what he was thinking. “Would you like me to help you with your hair?”

“No.” Nick shook his head. “I'll do it myself. You've helped me enough already. Better go back to your lover. I bet he misses you.”

“I'm sure he does,” smiled Robin, dreamily. “He's so passionate and sweet, Nix, you have no idea.”

“That's right... I don't...” But he wanted to have the idea. He wanted a sweet and passionate lover, himself. Which obviously meant he had to tell Angel to go fuck himself. Another sigh escaped him, and he was quiet all the way home.

*

At seven sharp, the doorbell rang. Nick threw a final glance in the mirror before he opened the door for Angel. “Good evening... Oh my gods...!” Angel stood on the doorstep, dressed in an impeccable black suit with a crisp, white shirt. Instead of a tie, he was wearing a heavy, steel heart on a black velvet ribbon, engraved with a stylized angel. Nick was in love with it immediately. “Wow... I mean...”

Angel grinned at him, looking him up and down. “Black,” he said. “You've overdone it, of course. I knew you would, stubborn little fairy, you. So I brought you this.”

Nick didn't move when Angel put a purple rose in the buttonhole of his lapel. “Purple?”

“Yes. It compliments your eyes. Nixy...” Angel gave him another long look, keeping him at arm's distance. “You look marvelous. Come, the taxi is waiting.”

“Why are you trying to change me, Angel?” asked Nick when they were on their way. “Shouldn't you just take me the way I am?”

The tattooed man smiled at him, comfortably sitting in the corner. “What makes you think I want to take you at all, Nixy?”

“Oh, please. You're the one looking me up since we met. And do you know how much I hate pet names?”

“You do?” Angel laughed softly. “Why? It's a sign of affection...”

“No, it's patronizing. My name is Nicholas, or Nick. I can handle 'Nix' when Robin says it, but 'Nixy' is too much. I would appreciate it if you stopped with it, Angelo. And you should answer my question.”

“I'm not trying to change you at all.” Angel drew away from the corner, and sat closer to Nick. “Tell me you like those pastels better than black, and I'll apologize for being so demanding, Nicky.”

“I... Well, I...” Nick wanted to tell him, very badly, just to save his dignity. If only he didn't smell that delicious heavy perfume, and felt the warmth against his thigh. “What's so difficult about my name?”

“You're avoiding my question now...” Angel put his hand on Nick's thigh, gently squeezing him. “So I won't apologize. And I won't stop giving you pet names either.”

“Go fuck yourself, Angel.” Nick took the man's hand, to push it away.

Angel didn't move away, Instead, he took Nick's hand. “I'd rather fuck you,” he whispered. “You know I will. You love the idea. You've pictured me naked already, haven't you? You know I'm big and warm, and you've already fantasized about me lying on top of you, pounding your sweet, round ass, filling you with my hot sperm.”

“I hate you,” whispered Nick with difficulty, his heart beating faster. Angel was so close by, he could feel the man's lips brushing against his. He saw the vein pounding under the black tattoos in the broad neck, and the glistering on the bald sides of the man's head. His hand was warm in Angel's, and he felt the caressing of the callous thumb. He swallowed nervously. Luckily, the taxi stopped, and the driver stated they had arrived.

The evening air was cold enough to cool him off. Nick stood on the pavement, looking at the restaurant, pleasantly surprised. “This is where we'll have dinner...?”

“Yes. Take my arm, and we'll enter in style.”

Despite himself, Nick took Angel's arm. He knew all about this restaurant, but even for him it was just a bit too much. “How did you even get a reservation here? How will you pay for this? How...”

“That's my little secret, isn't it? I told you, you would like it.” Angel led him inside, meeting the host. They were instantly led to a table.

“You didn't say your name...” Nick was astounded. He tried to look natural, although he'd rather looked at all the grandeur.

“You remember a face like mine.” They sat down. A waiter brought them Champagne, and Angel lifted his glass. “Cheers, Nixy... Enjoy your evening.”

“I think I'll enjoy every second of it,” said Nick a bit breathlessly. “Cheers.” It was the real deal. Nick sipped almost respectfully. “Angel, what have you ever done to deserve this? You're a criminal, and you look like one! They should throw you out, instead of giving you a table without asking your name.”

Angel grinned broadly above his glass. “It's my secret. It would spoil the fun if you knew, wouldn't it? Don't you like it here?”

“Man, I love this place... It's been my wish to come here, one day.” It felt amazing and strange at the same time. Almost like a dream.

“Then simply enjoy it, Nixy. I've ordered in advance, you don't have to look at the menu. Don't think about prices.”

As if a place like this would put prices on their menu. Even Nick's credit card wouldn't be sufficient to pay for an evening of this class. “Thank you for taking me here. It's truly special.”

“Maybe you won't hate me so much anymore. You can thank me later, when I bring you back home. Don't blush,” Angel laughed. “All I want is a nice, warm kiss.”

“Oh, you can have a kiss, believe me...” He wouldn't be able to deny him anything, really. Still feeling dreamily, Nick emptied his glass. As if it was a sign for the waiters, the hors d'oeuvres were served. “You never asked me if I'm vegetarian...”

“I don't have to ask you anything, do I?” Angel looked very content and at ease, as if he didn't have tattoos everywhere. It was odd to see such pristine silverware between tattooed fingers. Somehow, nobody seemed to care. “I know you, Nixy,” he continued. “I know you better than you know yourself. All I have to do, is look into your eyes, and everything is revealed.”

“How?” Nick blinked, and suddenly didn't want to look the man in the eyes anymore. “How can you be so sure that what you think to see is true?”

“Am I wrong, so far?” Angel waited for the answer, and smiled when it didn't come. Reaching out, he took Nick's hand, running his thumb over the back as he'd done in the taxi. “Think about what you always wanted, Nixy. Think about your dreams, and then think about what I can give you.”

Nick didn't pull his hand back. He looked at the tattoos on the fingers –'love'. The men he dreamed about certainly didn't carry those... but they did take him out to places like this. “You confuse me,” he said quietly.

“Of course I do.” Angel smiled, a genuine, pleasant smile this time. “You decided you hated me, and then you realized I turn you on.”

“Don't be so rude...”

“I didn't mean to be rude. I want to be honest. You should be honest too, Nixy...” Finally he pulled his hand back, and continued eating.

“What did you do, to end up in jail?”

“I thought you would never ask. Drugs and weapons. I didn't kill anybody, if that worries you, but I caused some deaths. I was young and didn't know any better. Ten years behind bars... Long enough to think about what I'd done. I'm straight, now.” Angel chuckled at his own words. “Up to a certain point.”

Nick let it sink in. He decided he could live with that. “Did you have a harsh childhood?”

“Oh, no... I can't blame anyone but me. I was stubborn and spoiled, like you. I simply didn't want anybody to tell me what to do... My parents were rich, my brother is successful. I chose the wrong career.”

“So... what's that secret?” Nick had a hard time putting this restaurant into context.

Angel sighed, tilting his head. “Oh, alright,” he gave in. He beckoned a waiter. “Could you ask Gregorio to see me?”

“Gregorio?” Nick began to understand. When a chef came to their table, he understood completely. The resemblance was striking.

“My brother, Gregorio. Greg, I would like you to meet Nicholas.”

“Welcome!” The chef nodded at Nick, obviously glad to see his brother with someone like him. “I hope you enjoy your dinner. We're working extra hard to please you.”

“It's wonderful, so far.” This restaurant had three Michelin stars, and they did their best to please him? He knew it wasn't true, but that made no difference. Nick felt very special and privileged. “Thank you very much, Gregorio.”

“It is my pleasure, Nicholas. I've been looking forward to the day my brother would bring such a beautiful man with him. You make me very happy.” With a slight, respectful bow, he left the table to go back to work.

“Now you know my secret,” shrugged Angel. “Nothing spectacular, is it?”

“What are you saying? Your brother is a three-star chef in one of the most exclusive restaurants I've ever heard about!” Nick lowered his voice as he realized he was almost shouting. “Damn right that's spectacular.”

“And he didn't call you a lady,” joked Angel with a fat wink. “He said you're beautiful. He's right, Nixy... You are beautiful, and I'm glad you wanted to go out with me.”

“I'm glad I obeyed your command. I mean, accepted your invitation. I'll remember this dinner forever, I'm sure.” He would never be able to come back here, ever again. Not without Angel.

The rest of the evening was just as perfect, with marvelous lobster and steak, exclusive wines, sweet desert and a beautiful cognac to finish it off. They were both a little drunk when they stepped outside.

“The taxi is over there...” Angel pointed with his free hand, holding Nick's hand with the other. “Let me take you home.”

“I don't want to go home yet...” Slightly swaying, Nick leaned against the tattooed man, looking up at him. “I want to be with you for a bit longer.”

“You're drunk, handsome.” Keeping him close, Angel walked to the taxi. “Step in.”

Nick obeyed reluctantly. As Angel stepped in as well, he shifted close against his side. “Thank you. Thank you for this wonderful evening, Angelo.” He knew he was drunk, and that he would be sorry in the morning, but he didn't care. Looking up with big, inviting eyes, he offered his lips.

Angel smiled at him. “Not here, Nixy. At your doorstep, and not sooner.”

Nick sighed, lowering his head. “I want it now,” he muttered.

“The sweeter it will be, then.” Sliding his hand behind Nick's neck and into his hair, Angel forced him to look at him. “Did you have a good time?” he whispered.

“I had the greatest time,” Nick whispered back. “You can make it perfect...”

“Mm. Tell me how.” Angel rubbed his nose against Nick's, and brushed his lips over his mouth.

“You know how... You know what I want, Angel.” Nick pursed his lips, stealing a kiss. He reached up to the man's neck. “You damn right know what I need.”

“Yeah, I do. But not when you're drunk, sexy Nixy. Not even when you try your hardest.” He answered the second brief kiss, and gave him a longer one. As Nick tilted his head, pulling him closer, he kissed him for real.

It felt like firework. Nick's head fogged up, sparkles emerged behind his eyes. He made a high sound when the tongue pushed between his lips. Angel wrapped his arms so firmly around him, it took his breath away. Nick melted against him, opening up completely, willing to give the man everything he wanted.

But Angel broke the kiss, pushing him away. “That was your kiss,” he stated, licking his lips. “You're home. Sleep well, Nicholas...”

“Angel...” Nick shook his head, confused and in disbelief. “Come up with me... Please?”

“Oh, no... Not yet, my sweet demanding little fairy. Not at the first date. You just realized you don't hate me...” Angel smiled at him, sitting straight. “Sweet dreams.”

With a sigh, Nick opened the passenger door. “You too,” he murmured. Part of him still expected to be followed by Angel, even when he opened the door of his apartment. Only when he locked up, and flicked on some lights, he knew he would be alone that night.

He stood in his lounge, looking at the sharp, but boring furniture. Suddenly, it lacked all warmth. “Shit,” he sighed. He went to bed, feeling lonely.