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Javy has never been the type to go clubbing or partying too much, despite what everyone seemed to think. He much preferred a quiet evening with his buddies over a few beers and pizzas, watching a game or a good action movie. The comfort of his home was something he always yearned for when he was out for more than a few hours. Especially since he was permanently stationed in San Diego, his apartment was truly a home, not just a house. He had even adopted a cat from a shelter; an old one named Gizmo.
His friends, especially Jake, never seemed to understand why he didn't like to stay out late, even on weekends. He didn’t have a girlfriend, he was barely thirty, and his outgoing personality seemed to categorize him as someone who liked to go out and seduce, like his friend Jake. Sure, he liked to flirt and go out once in a while, but he liked the coziness of his own home even more. The only ones in the squadron who seemed to understand and who did not tease him about it were Bob, because of his more reserved and introverted nature, and Bradley, who always claimed he was getting too old to go out every weekend.
And yet here he was, in the middle of a nightclub.
Under pressure from his aunt, he had no choice but to be a chaperone for his little cousin Ava, who was celebrating her twenty-fifth birthday. She decided to visit him at the last minute and celebrate with her friends in a well renowned club. Ava was sweet, but also a real party girl. She loved to go out, dance and drink the night away. The last time she dragged Javy to a party, he remembered waking up with the worst headache of his life, so he promised himself not to let her make him drink. Also, as Javy didn't want to be alone with his cousin and her three best friends, he managed to bring Jake, Rebeun and Mickey with him. Unfortunately for him, the three boys enjoyed the party with the girls, leaving him alone with his drink at the bar.
For what seemed like the hundredth time, he looked down at his phone to check the time. Not even ten minutes had passed since he had last checked. The music was way too loud, the lights were starting to hurt his eyes, but he had to stay at least four hours, if not five, knowing Ava. He loved her for sure, but being here was torture for him. He sighed again and ordered a soda to the bartender, keeping an eye on his baby cousin and her friends.
The atmosphere of nightclubs always made him feel that nothing was real, that everything was fogged in a cloud of alcohol, sweat and uncomfortable heat. He was not uncomfortable per se, but he was not in his element either ; so, he always preferred to stay at the bar, like a ship anchored in a harbor. But tonight Ava seemed to have decided he wasn't going to stand by and watch. It was all right if he didn't drink, but she wasn't going to let him stand by the bar like some kind of security guard.
"Come on Javy, it's my birthday," she whined, "just one dance, please!" She grabbed his hand and dragged him - with great difficulty - to the dance floor.
"Yeah Coyote, loosen up a little," Mickey encouraged with a big grin as he danced with one of Ava's friends who giggled in his arms. The taller man groaned, not very comfortable in the crowd Ava had pushed him into. He sighed as she used her puppy dog eyes to get him to dance with her.
"Just one dance, Ava. Just. One." He reminded her, holding up a finger. She chuckled as she nodded, a mischievous look in her eyes. Javy sighed and started to dance with her and the others, Jake encouraging him with Reuben. One dance became two, then three, then four... until he lost count. He was kind of stuck in the middle of the dance floor anyway.
As the minutes and hours passed, Javy had this strange feeling, as if between dream and reality, this gray area where everything seemed unreal and suspended. He knew the music was still loud around him, but he could barely hear it. He felt like he was in absorbent cotton, like after a flight with a high G-force. It wasn't a pleasant or unpleasant sensation, just strange, as if time was passing in a different way. He looked around to spot his friends in the crowd; Mickey was still with Ava's friend, Jake was flirting with an unknown blonde, and Reuben was dancing with Ava and her other friends. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, and Ava waved and smiled at Javy, gesturing for him to join her. He shook his head and mouthed that he was going back to the bar. Ava pouted, but then shrugged her shoulders with a grin, already happy to have trapped him into dancing with them for almost two hours.
He closed his eyes for a moment to ground himself, but it didn't seem to work. He needed to get some air, to breathe. But every time he tried to take a few steps, he was blocked. So he stayed a little longer with his friends and Ava. The young woman seemed to be having the time of her life, dancing with her friends and then with Jake or Reuben, strangers or Javy. It reassured him to see her so happy and still in full possession of her senses.
But a feeling of anxiety slowly crept over him. He hated being stuck between so many strangers. His impression of being in cotton was replaced by a feeling of hypersensitivity to the sounds, heat and movements around him. Fatigue didn't help him control the situation. He tried again to make his way through the drunken, dancing crowd. He forced his way through, his eyes fixed on the door to the smoking area. He didn't smoke, but it was the only way to get in and out quickly and safely. He moved forward one by one, apologizing as he went, slipping between people as best he could, avoiding the sticky couples, his gaze always straight ahead. He moved faster and faster as he reached the end of the crowd. When he finally reached the door, it swung open in front of him, stopping him dead in his tracks.
There you were, as surprised as him. He didn’t know you but your face was familiar.
Javy's ears were ringing and he couldn't hear anything coherent between the music, his own brain telling him to hurry. You seemed to be talking to him but he couldn’t hear a thing. His own breathing seemed far too loud, and he could even hear his heart beating in his ears. Your eyes were filled with concern as you recognized Javy's anxious, almost panicked look. And when you gently grabbed his forearm, everything in the pilot's mind seemed to calm down.
"Are you okay?" you asked. You almost whispered, trying to be as soft and reassuring as you could, and Javy as listened to you everything seemed to fade away behind him. He blinked a few times before answering.
"Y-Yeah... I, uh, I just need some air, I think..." he stuttered a little. You nodded and let him through the door. You joined him on the small bench. Javy was surprised that there was no one in this smoking area, but it was kind of relieving. He took a moment to simply breathe. He had experienced a panic attack in the past, but he didn't think he could have one just by coming to a club.
"So... what's your name?" you asked softly, looking at the stars above the two of you.
"Javy... you?"
You smiled at him as you gave him your name and turned to him, "are you feeling better Javy?"
"Yeah," he nodded and sighed, "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me..."
"Don't be, it happens. I've seen a lot of customers get anxious when they spend too much time in crowds," you handed him a small bottle of water from your purse, "I think you should drink some water."
He took the bottle and looked at you suspiciously, "Are you trying to drug me?" he teased, feeling himself blush at the pretty laugh you let out.
"Believe me, pretty boy, if I wanted to drug you, I would have put it in your soda earlier," you winked at him.
And it clicked in Javy's head, "You're the bartender. We're not in the smoking area," he pointed at you and then at the door, realizing the situation.
"I am and we're not. We're in the staff area," you chuckled, "that's why I asked if you were lost."
"I... I didn't quite hear you," Javy admitted with a bashful smile as he stood up, "Maybe I should let you enjoy your break ?" he gestured toward the door and you shrugged.
"You can stay a while to relax if you want, my shift just ended, I can tell my boss you're a friend. I'm sure you'll be more comfortable here than in the smoking area," you smiled kindly, "it's up to you."
Javy looked at you and pondered his options.
He could go to the smoking corner and choke on the smoke, or he could stay here, with you. He could go back to a tiny room that would surely be crowded with people, or he could stay here with the cute barmaid.
His choice was quickly made.
"Okay, I'll stay here, but only because you didn't poison my drinks," he smiled and was rewarded with another pretty laugh. He wanted to hear it over and over again. It was like a melody, a soothing one. Javy had had his fair share of dates and flings, but none had made him feel like this. It was weird, but not in a bad way. He wanted to know everything about you, from the most insignificant thing to your biggest milestone, from your favorite color to your entire childhood. When your eyes met his, he felt like a teenager again. He cleared his throat and smiled.
"So you work here?" he asked, immediately cursing himself in his head for asking such a stupid question.
"Yes I do, but it's only temporary, at least I hope so," you smiled at him, "And what do you do, pretty boy?"
"I'm a naval aviator, ma'am," he smiled at the chuckle you let out as he mockingly saluted you. You were so pretty when you laughed; your eyes were sparkling, your cheeks were rosy, and your nose wrinkled in such a cute way. Javy felt his heart skip a beat when you looked back at him with such a soft and adorable grin.
"So you're one of those handsome flyboys... What's it like? I mean, flying so high and so fast?" you asked, your curiosity piqued.
Javy smiled and sat down next to you, his eyes drifting to the starry sky. As he explained what his job was like, you continued to question him with sincere interest. He always answered as best he could without being too technical. After that, you talked about everything and got to know each other. Javy was proud and happy when he could make you laugh. A silly anecdote about a locker room accident between him and Jake made you laugh so much that you had to grab this forearm to keep from falling over. He felt goosebumps run up his arm and down his back. He didn't want you to let go and you didn't. You gently hooked your arm into his and rested your head on his shoulder. You didn’t know why but you felt confident and secure enough with him to do it.
Everything seemed so simple and easy with you, so crystal clear. There was no awkwardness between you two, as if you had known each other for a long time.
It was like meeting a long lost friend, someone you could trust under any circumstances even though you didn’t talk much.
You talked about everything. Javy learned that you loved San Diego, but that your job wasn't fulfilling despite the decent pay, that you rented an old apartment from an unpleasant old man, that you loved admiring the stars but had never really taken the time to learn the constellations. You thought you’d bored him but when he told you what little he knew, including the story of Perseus and Andromeda - the story of a hero who flew to save a beautiful princess - all your doubts disappeared. His eyes were shining with passion and he was eager to share some of his knowledge with you.
"I could fly and save you from your landlord, just as Perseus saved Andromeda," he teased, and you laughed and shook your head.
"Sounds like an interesting prospect. But just so you know, I'm not a princess in distress either, dear Perseus," you winked at him with a playful smile, your fingers brushing gently along his forearm in lazy circles.
"I never said you were, Andromeda wasn't really in control of her life. You seem to be a strong, independent woman," he winked back, "But if the myth is true, I personally think that Andromeda's beauty wouldn't stand a chance against you," he added, smiling as you blushed and giggled to hide your embarrassment. It was your turn to feel like a highschooler.
"You're being a little too flattering, Perseus..." you whispered. Javy leaned closer and tucked a lock of hair behind your ear.
"Just telling the truth, Andromeda," he smiled at you, making you blush more. You were feeling butterflies in your stomach and it took you a little moment to find something to reply.
"And if anything, I was the one who saved you tonight, I should be Perseus in this story," you teased, and he laughed.
"Touché."
The evening had taken a rather pleasant turn for Javy. He had almost forgotten about Ava and the others. Only when he felt his phone vibrate did he realize what time it was; the nightclub was about to close and he'd just spent two hours with you. Noticing the time on his phone, you swore and sighed. It was nearly three in the morning.
"The club is closing... we have to be discreet on our way back in, the lights all must be on," you said as you stood up and slid your hand into Javy's, "You'll have to follow me very closely flyboy," you smiled and the young man blushed. He nodded with an equally wide smile and squeezed your hand slightly, "Lead the way, Andromeda."
You chuckled and headed for the door. You checked carefully to make sure the way was clear and then quickly pulled Javy inside with you. You looked back at him over your shoulder and you started giggling like kids who didn't get caught stealing candy from the pantry. You didn’t know what came over you but you felt so light and at ease.
The two of you slipped through the crowd toward the exit, staying close together. Javy looked around for his cousin and the others outside. He spotted them near their cars, Ava waving at him. Then he looked at you, your hands still in each other's, fingers intertwined. He didn't want to let you go, but he had to get back. And he didn't want to burden you with Jake and Ava's comments or Reuben and Mickey's knowing looks.
To his surprise, you spoke first, facing him. You were searching for your words, a little flustered.
"I uh… I had a really good time with you... and... uh… I was wondering... I was wondering if..."
Javy couldn't help but smile a little as you fought down your embarrassment to ask him your question. He ran his free hand over your cheek, lifting your face a little to plant his eyes in yours. Your cheeks were burning, heart racing.
"If your question is whether we can meet again, the answer is yes, Andromeda," he winked at you and you smiled adorably before handing him your phone so he could punch in his number. Javy laughed a little as you saved it under "Flyboy/Perseus". You sent him a short text message so he had your number too and he saved it as "Savior/Andromeda". It made you laugh and Javy felt his heart flutter. He couldn't wait to ask you out on a real date. So he did.
"So... are you working tomorrow night?"
"No, actually I'm not working until Tuesday," you smiled, "Why?"
"Great. I'll pick you up at 8:00, I know a place where we can do better stargazing than the staff area at the back of the club. I'll bring some food too."
You were surprised, in a good way. You giggled and nodded, your eyes sparkling with excitement, "Sounds lovely, I'll text you my address."
Behind you, Javy could hear his friends and cousin getting a little impatient. He turned his head a little to see what they wanted; while Jake gave him both thumbs up, Ava gestured for him to hurry up; she probably had an after party planned at the Airbnb where she was staying. You followed his gaze and blushed a bit more when you saw all those eyes on them.
"I… think they're waiting for you," you chuckled and squeezed his hand.
"I think they can wait a few more seconds," he muttered, catching your chin and tilting your head a little to make you look up at him. You were so close that his breath made your skin tingle. You bit her lip, blushing even more when his eyes flickered between yours and your lips. You gathered all your courage and rose on your tippy toes, closing the distance between the two of you a little more, and Javy kissed you gently.
And it was as if the world disappeared.
Your free hand slid down his neck and his down your waist. You were the sweetest thing he had ever tasted in his life, your lips so soft against his. You felt like flying, the warmth from his body enveloping you.
When you parted, you could hear Ava and the others cheering for them and you snorted a little.
"Okay Perseus, I think your friends are getting a little too excited for you here."
"You think?" he grinned, "In my opinion, they're jealous."
He kissed you again and felt your smile against his lips. But he really had to go.
"See you tomorrow Andromeda, be safe on your way home," he whispered to you, smiling. You nodded and gently pulled away. "Be safe too, Perseus," you smiled before walking to your own car, waving to him and his friend behind him. Javy watched you go and finally joined his group with a light step and a throbbing heart. After all, it hadn't been such a terrible evening, and the comforts of home seemed almost bland. There was only one thing he could wait for: the next evening.