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It was already time again, for the annual christmas party hosted at the Afterlife. Invites going out to every more known Merc, to any good fixer, and may a few well known clients. Aside from of course bringing your +1, making it a really big, loud party usually. Sometimes even some rockerboys join in and gave them some nice live music. Emmerick, as he always did, stood in front of the big doors of the afterlife and was the bouncer. Controlling if anyone who wanted in, was allowed to go in, helping too drunk people getting a delamain to get home, and interfere whenever someone was fully acting up. But in the end, he was standing outside, and wasn't part of the party at all. He sighed silently, as he heard especially loud laughing and yelling, clearly the party was going very well. Emmerick had to take a step aside as one of the Merc stumbled outside through the door, drunk as shit, of course Emmerick guided him outside so he wouldn't barf right in front of him.
But aside from little moments like this, he didn't have much to do with the party. Well a few way too drunk Mercs tried to flirt him up, but he politely declined it all, he wouldn't start rumors about him and any Merc. Slowly it was getting late, the party was going full force, and Emmerick was feeling more and more restless. It was boring, and it was leaving such a bleak feeling, that he never was fully part of the fun.
Until one guy appeared, who always had a feelingly better connection to him. As usual in a bit flashier clothes, his red and black hair styles in a wild manner, and the trademark more or less stoic expression on his face, as he came down the corridor to the doors of the afterlife. He was still on his phone, talking to someone and making plans for the next few days, so he stayed in the corridor for quite some while, finishing his smoke while he was wrapping up the call.
Emmerick crossed his arms in front of his chest, a small smirk appearing on his lips. Usually that guy, called Vikt by most, was always up for a bit of smalltalk, but it seems he was still quite busy even on christmas eve.
“Told you, you could have joined me, Kerry. Not a big thing, but at least I'm gonna be present for a bit. You know how Rogue can be.”
A small pause, he was clearly listening to his partner, but that wasn’t audible for Emmerick, but it made him smile just even more. Vikt didn't even look annoyed, just like he had that talk already, several times.
“Kerry- Yes I know. And I told you before that I would go, and you are free to come with me. Yeah, sure. I know, cya soon.”
With that he ended the call, a small sigh left him, before he looked at Emmerick.
“Hey choom, why you standing outside like that, thought the party already started?”
“Mhm, party started hours ago, but you know, my job is bouncing, not partying.” Emmerick looked at the Merc with a small smile, but he really couldn't hide his real emotions that easily, especially not because V knew him quite a bit by now.
“Oh come now, you should be inside. You are part of the afterlife, aren't you?”
“Sure am, but not part of the Merc biz, Vikt.”
The Merc placed an arm around Emmericks shoulders, nudging him carefully in the side. “Bullshit. You know us all better than any fixer. Knows exactly how any of us ticks.”
“Well, maybe, but-”
“No buts, Emmerick. You are-”, he poked Emmerick soft against the chest “-part of us. If you like it or not. And now let's head inside. First round is on me.”
Emmerick wanted to protest some more, but V just softly pushed him inside.
And surprisingly people were cheering, not only to see V but also Emmerick joining the party. They headed towards the bar and got some drinks, clinking glasses with each other and with the other people around. Fastly Emmerick felt welcome and good between the Mercs and Fixers, had nice talks with everyone and for once really felt like he belonged in between them.
And hell, did Emmerick had fun, drinking young Mercs under the table, getting paid rounds one after another, but his tolerance was quite high so he just got a bit tipsy from it all, but not fully drunk in the end. Despite having fun, he kept watching the scene, aiding when people started a too serious fight, and just keeping an eye out for everyone. In the end that was his job, and by now almost also his profession. It was just what he enjoyed to do. Still it made him smile in pure content happiness, to just see everyone mingle and party like that. Rogue sitting together with the other Fixers, surely not only talking private shit but also biz, but still cracking jokes and just being in a good mood. The famous rockerboys being a bit too flirty for their own good, but also giving the audience more than preem live music whenever someone asks for it.
Hours went by, and slowly most people faded from the party, headed home or just fell asleep in one of the couches. Emmerick helped a few of them out, ordering AVs or delamain for whoever it needed. After a while he got out himself, just to witness a far too cute moment, fully involuntary. But he also didn't want to interrupt just to say goodbye.
“Told you it's gonna be nice, really glad you could make it, Kerry.” Vikt had his arm around Kerry's waist, leaning against the smaller rockerboy and taking a deep inhale of his cigarette right now, looking just in the distance.
“Mmmh, was a preem party. But you know me, I like it far more to spend time one on one with you, my love.”, the voice of the rockerboy was slurry, but somehow still got a sultry touch to it. His hands wander over the chest of his partner, making his intentions far too clear. “Gonna head home soon, and continue with a private party, what do you say?”
“Sounds like a good idea. But bet you are far too drunk to not fall into bed once we are home.”, a small laugh left Vikt, amused by how much his partner wanted to still get some action despite being already fully drunk.
“I am not that drunk!” Kerry protested, placing his arm around his partner's waist now and softly pulling him closer. He let himself be pulled in by the smaller man, looking down at him with a small smile.
“And what's that supposed to prove? Just shows how drunk you are, when you wanna make out in public that badly. Or you trying to hide that you cannot stand straight anymore.”
Kerry was dumbfounded for a moment, just looking up at his partner, before he leaned his head against his chest and let out a deep laugh “Yeah, maybe you are right, babe. Am maybe a little bit drunk.”
“Oh yeah, I know.” Vikt placed a hand on Kerry's head and just caressed his hair softly, a small smile still on his lips.
In the end, Emmerick just decided to leave through the backdoor, he didn't want to interrupt such a cute moment between Vikt and his partner. Though he was very thankful that Vikt talked him into joining the party and got him out of his dark thoughts. This was for once really a nice Christmas evening.