Chapter Text
They weren’t the best dancers, but no one else mattered when they were so close together that there was hardly any space between them. Even could feel the heat of Isak's body, could feel his breath on his neck, could feel his heartbeat through his clothes, Even could feel Isak and with that he had more than enough.
The music sounds loud throughout the house, too many people inside and outside, too many people everywhere that he didn’t know but that didn’t matter so much, it didn’t matter, because Isak was in front of him dancing and smiling and sometimes hugging him and sometimes leaving kisses on his neck...Isak is happy and that was the only thing that mattered.
Eva used to make the best parties when they were still in Nissen, and now that the majority is in college and others are already working, Eva continues to make the best parties...now of the whole city. And there they are, in one of the best parties of the moment, in a Friday night. The music continues to sound strong, and almost all of his friends are there, dispersed all over the place. Out of the blue, Even sees Jonas standing near them and moving his arms to be noticed, they both watch him waiting for him to speak, but they never separate.
—Even! My man— says Jonas with a big smile—, I need to borrow my best friend for a moment...I need to show him the new goods that Mahdi brought.
They laugh, they can see Jonas's red eyes, but even so, he seems to be more lucid than Isak and Even together.
—I'm starting to believe that you two cheat on me— says Even smiling —, Isak...try not to smoke so much, please— Even take the youngest by the shoulders to look him in the eye — meanwhile I will go to find another beer.
Even kisses Isak and Jonas start making gagging sounds.
—You just do that because you're jealous— Isak looks at Jonas as he talks— and of course I not going to smoke that much — Isak can see how Even looks at him seriously.
—You two finished?— Jonas asks—, you know Even...we'll be in the bathroom as usual.
—Jonas...you want a kiss too?—Even starts to approach Jonas but Isak grabs him by his shirt and looks at him angrily.
—A lots of things I can stand that you do with Jonas...but you can’t kiss him, never.
—My god, you two stress me— Jonas starts walking towards where the bathroom is but in slow motion, waiting for Isak.
—Jealousy Jonas, that's called jealousy— Even says raising his voice a bit, and still looking at Isak he add—, do you know that I was just kidding?
—You better—answer Isak.
Even laughs and kisses Isak quickly, when they separate he pushes him towards where Jonas is.
—I’m going to look for you in a moment ¿ok?
—You better— Isak repeats, looking at him as he walks towards Jonas.
Once with Jonas, the two start walking towards the bathroom where surely Mahdi and Magnus are. He sees them walking, joking between them until they disappear in a corner, he stays there a few seconds, not knowing what to do. He doesn’t want to seem like a desperate person, but without Isak he really feels alone.
With calm he goes to the kitchen, quite calmly because the house is at its maximum capacity. In the kitchen there are even more people, if that’s possible. Even very carefully try to pass between that sea of people that he doesn’t know, until he get to where the beers are, that's when he see Eva, with another woman talking happily. Even has a little moment of doubt, about whether or not to approach her to talk, interrupt her or not or just wait for another day.
Even feels brave, perhaps because of the effect of the beers that he already drink with Isak, maybe it's the fact of being at a party with too many people...who knows, but he feels that now is a good time, with a beer in his hand he walks, slowly and trying not to hit anyone, towards Eva. She still doesn’t see him, but her friend does and he sees how she makes a gesture towards Eva, who when she looks at him smiles at him in a big way.
—Even!— Eva shouts, standing up and hugging him.
—Eva— he says hugging her back— are you busy?
—For you never— Eva says, releasing Even from her embrace, she turns around and speaks quickly with her friend who can only laugh and make a gesture of calm with his hand— see...everything can be arranged by talking.
Even laughs when he hears that sentence.
The two start walking towards the outside of the house, because no place inside it would be empty enough to talk quietly. They remain standing a little away from the house, even at night there’s a lot of light, both from the street lighting and the houses around.
—Is something wrong with Isak?
—Isak?
—Something must have happened with Isak so that you have that face Even— Eva stands up next to him; her cheeks are flushed, most likely because of so much dancing or maybe because of the amount of people inside the house.
—Well, it has something to do with Isak...but it's not something to be alarmed about.
Eva smiles at him but says nothing, waiting for him to continue.
—First I want to say that you are the fourth person who knows about this, because you're part of something greater Eva, and because you’re someone whom Isak loves too much— Even says seriously, and Eva looks at him in amazement.
—O...Ok— is the only thing Eva says.
—I say it because...what…I’m doing...I'm doing is part of a plan...
—A plan? You're babbling, or you're drunk or very nervous.
—I believe is a combination of the two things.
They both laugh.
—Just tell me what you have to say, pretend that I am Isak.
—My god Eva, don’t say that...I would be about to kiss you if you were Isak.
Eva laughs so hard that she gets the attention of some people who are also outside the house; by the time she calms down she has small tears in her eyes from laughing so hard.
—Oh Even, don’t say those things— Eva tries to calm down— at any moment Isak is going to appear here..., I'm almost sure he has a radar for when you flirt with other people.
—He just protects me— Even says it in a very serious tone.
The two remain silent for a second; out of nowhere Eva gets in front of Even.
—I don’t know if you remember that first Christmas celebration he took you to?— Eva asks.
—Eh, I think so.
—We all were excited to meet you officially, you know...like Isak's boyfriend. It was very funny to see how everyone tried to behave around you, because having you there was like something so exciting— Eva looks directly into his eyes — I remember that you were standing next to a wall, and you literally looked like something straight out of a magazine. I was sitting at the table when Isak came over and sat next to me, we hadn’t talked for a long time, you know...really talk— Eva says in a delicate voice—...to think that we used to spend all day communicating, but…is ok now…, what I’m trying to say is that I remember seeing such a sincere smile on his face every time he looked at you. I couldn’t feel happier that Isak finally showed his real feelings.
—Isak really grew—says Even.
—We used to spend so much time together, too much time with Jonas as well, the three of us together was crazy, and then...it was a bit exasperating that he didn’t understand that Jonas and I were dating and that his presence bothered a little, that at least to me his presence bothered. In the end it turned out that after all he did understand but…he needed us more, and that it was me who didn’t realize what was happening with Isak, I never realized until it was too late.
—That's not your fault Eva; we all went through different things— Even puts his arm around her shoulders, comforting her —, we have this crazy idea that what happens to us personally is the worst thing in the world and we forget about others. I know you want the best for all your friends, and that includes Isak...and believe me that’s appreciated. Besides, you've always been one of Isak's best friends and if that didn’t change when you two were younger, clearly isn’t going to change now.
—Why do you have to be so perfect? —Even is the one who laughs loud now, the people who are close to them look at them again.
–Believe me; I'm not close to being perfect.
—You are an excellent boyfriend, you have the look of a model, you have too much patience, you know how to win over people..., I am about to steal you exclusively for me.
—What about Jonas?
—Jonas isn’t going to have time to find out that I steal you for me, because he will be comforting Isak.
—If I had to go out with a woman again, you would be my first choice- Even says seriously.
—What about Sonja?
—Shhh, we're having a moment Eva— replies Even.
—Ok, we will not comment that you leave Sonja in second...
—Sana would be in second place— interrupts Even, Eva looks surprised but doesn’t comment anything else.
—So...are you going to explain this plan to me?
—Oh yes…Eh...
—The nerves came back?
—Something like that— says Even—...well, a while ago, Isak was drunk and he confessed me some things.
—Drunk Isak confessing things? —interrupts Eva.
—Hey.
—I'm sorry, I'm sorry...continue.
—Thanks, and yes...Isak confessed some personal things, but also of great importance to me. He wants to marry me and have a family— Even can see the joy in Eva's face—, and being honest, for some time now I been thinking about doing that, to asking him to marry me…
Eva gives a shout of emotion and hugs Even.
—...and maybe it's because I've seen too many movies or I don’t know…, but I have this idea of talking with some people to know their opinion of this situation.
—That’s why you said I was part of a master plan?— She asks excitedly.
—That's right; you’re part of this group of people with whom I want to talk to know their opinion about my imminent marriage proposal.
—I must be honest and say that I am too excited, like…too much to say something coherent but…, I also must say that I expected this for a long time ago.
—Really?
—Yes! —Eva shouts—, you can’t imagine everything that Isak bragged with the movie you made him when he turned eighteen, because he may have been ashamed for that as for a few minutes..., but he didn’t stop telling us how his boyfriend had made him a movie just for his birthday. I imagined that at any time an invitation would arrive by mail for your marriage, but it didn’t happen.
—Now it will happen.
—Oh god, I don’t even want to imagine how Isak will react when you ask him that question.
—I know— says Even with a beautiful smile—, I just hope he never regrets it.
—Listen to me Even, Isak...never, but never regret being with you —Eva looks at him calmly but his eyes show seriousness—once…Isak told me that life is now, with things like this...where you know perfectly well that you have the support of all your friends and Isak's, the only opinion that should matter to you is the one of Isak, and he’s more than in love with you, to let you go..., the general opinion of others doesn’t matter much. I know that from my part I want the best for Isak and for you too..., and I want that, because you two deserve it.
—Thanks Eva.
—I approve this plan that you have, and I hope that this invitation arrives soon.
The music continues to sound loud, even with the amount of time they have been talking, and there are still too many people both inside and outside the house.
In the distance can be hear the sirens of a police patrol, both of them look towards the street and can see how in a nearby corner, slowly turns a patrol with his beacons on. The people who are outside start to stand up and clean up their clothes a little, and subtly some of them begin to walk in the opposite direction of the police car; others walk towards the interior of the house. The two look at each other and look back to where the police car is, closer and closer to them.
—Isak is with Jonas, Magnus and Mahdi in my bathroom?
—Yes.
—And they are smoking?
—Yes.
—Come on!— Eva yells, taking Even's arm.
The two begin to run towards the interior of the house, trying to pass between the sea of people to get to the bathroom and get the four friends out of there. When they open the bathroom door, the four friends are laughing and the bathroom has a strong smell of marijuana, Jonas and Magnus are sitting in the tub, face to face, and Mahdi and Isak are sitting on a wall in front of them.
—The police are about to enter the house— says Eva in a tone of concern.
The four look at each other and laugh, but none of them move, Even takes Isak by the waist and Mahdi by the arm.
—Oh my God! this is a déjà vu— says Magnus taking his head with both hands.
—Isak come on, we have to go— Even says, making a big effort to take Isak and Mahdi.
—Isak! —Mahdi shouts— don’t hide anything now.
The four friends laugh, Eva is trying to get Magnus and Jonas out of the tub, but they are not very helpful. Outside the bathroom they can see how that sea of people runs around and start screaming, and can be heard the voices of the police inside the house.
—We have to go out through the back of the house— say Eva.
—I'll take these two first and I'll come to help you— says Even, taking Isak and Mahdi, who are still laughing.
—That's why I love you Even—says Eva.
—Hey! - Isak and Jonas shout.
Even and Eva are the ones who laugh now. Even move as fast as he can towards the back of the house to leave Isak and Mahdi and go to help Eva. The chaos is total in the house between people running and two policemen asking for identification.
Once outside, the six remain waiting, trying not to attract attention.
—Even, I hope that I be the first to get THAT invitation—says Eva emphasizing the word "that", while checking her phone, at the back of the house and away from the danger.
—Invitation?— asks Isak.
—What happens between you?— Jonas asks with a frown.
—It seems that Eva and Even are plotting something— says Mahdi pointing towards Eva and Even.
—I want to go too— say Magnus.
Even laughs at the things these four say.
—You'll be the first to receive it Eva..., and Jonas changes your face, jealousy doesn’t fit you- Even has Isak completely stuck by his side.
—What invitation? — insists Isak.
—The uber will be here soon— Eva put her phone in her pocket and walks to where Jonas is and hugs him, a second later Jonas smiles again.
—It is part of the plan Isak—Even doesn’t know if Isak will remember this conversation in the morning, but for now he smiles again and remains silent while hugging him.
—What plan? — Magnus asks.
—Can we smoke again? — asks Mahdi.
—No! — Eva and Even answer together.
The six walk through the chaos calmly and without attracting attention, Even is helping Isak and Mahdi, and Eva is helping Jonas and Magnus, once outside and walking to the corner, they notice that there is a car waiting.
—Are you sure you can go alone with them? — asks Eva, helping Magnus to the inside of the car.
Even help her, a little surprised by the strength of her.
—Sure, don’t you worry— Even replies—, I hope you don’t get so many problems with the police.
—Nothing that I haven’t seen before...take care of Jonas for me.
—I will.
Even can see Eva still standing in the corner as the car moves away. Despite how fast the conversation was, it leaves him with a very good feeling. Mahdi is in the front seat, already about to fall asleep; Magnus is in the seat next to the window laughing at something Jonas said, and Jonas goes in the middle laughing too. Isak is sitting on his lap, with his head resting on his shoulder, half asleep. Even looks at Jonas, because from all the conversations he has had, the one he wants to have with him is the conversation that he most anxiously awaits.
Maybe he should pay him the kebabs he owes him when he brought Isak drunk to the department.