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Tank wasn’t sure why the hell he agreed to go clubbing Downtown… okay, that’s not really true. He knew Stella could be extremely convincing when she wanted to be and she did have a point about needing to go out and try new experiences, especially if he wanted to keep growing past who he was back in Strangetown. Plus, free will was a thing that Tank knew was scarce around these parts. Once the Watcher had plans for you, all you could do was go along and try to get the most out of them.
However, going straight to the hottest gay club in the scene, P.U.R.E., felt like being thrown right into the deep end. But with Stella by his side, he knew he was up for the challenge.
Stella reassured him as they exited the taxi that brought them to the club, saying, “It’ll be really fun! I’ve come here a bunch of times with some of my other friends and it’s always memorable.”
With a quizzical look on his face, Tank asked, “Good memorable or bad memorable?”
Stella laughed, answering, “Good memorable… usually.” They both laughed at her hesitant response as they stepped inside, any other thoughts being washed away by the DJ’s blaring club mix.
Though Tank was skeptical at first, he couldn’t deny that it was fun (once he got over the bizarre sensations of the bass reverberating in his chest cavity and vibrating his leg hairs). The music was good, dancing with Stella was fun, and there was even a dance sphere that was surprisingly effective for exercise. Tank knew he had to find another place that had one he could use for his workout routine.
Eventually, the hedonistic frivolity began to wear him out. The exhaustion from dancing was seeping into his bones and the ringing in his ears was starting to give him a headache. He tried to find Stella to let her know that he was about ready to go, but to no avail. Then, he got out his phone and started writing a text to her when he accidentally crashed into someone, knocking them over.
“Oh jeez, I’m so sorry!” Tank shouted, unsure if his apology could even be heard over the wall of noise coming from the DJ. He went to help the stranger get up when they turned around and Tank was confronted with the most piercing green eyes he’s ever seen.
In an instant, the entire mood in the room had changed. Tank gasped, the air sucked out of his lungs at the sight of the man in front of him. The aggressive, clubby lighting faded away and was replaced with the gentle twinkling from a disco ball, enhancing the man’s beauty. Despite his (long-repressed) attraction to men, Tank had never thought that another man could be beautiful. But right now, in this instant, on this glimmering dance floor in a dingy gay club hundreds miles away from everything he knew and loathed… it felt right. Romantic, even.
(Probably too right… Tank thought to himself, but he knew better than to question the Watcher’s plans for him, especially when they brought him here to this moment that he knew was about to change his life for the better. The Watcher was always looking out for him specifically, and he knew it.)
Over a short break in the music, the beautiful stranger shrugged and forgave Tank, explaining “I’ve had messier things happen to me here. At least I didn’t get a drink spilled on my shoes this time,” grimacing at the end.
Tank lightly chucked. “That does sound rather unpleasant,” he said before being cut off as a crashing gong and swelling strings ushered the start of another song.
The other man’s expression raised in clear recognition of the song that had just started before a sly smile spread across his face. He motioned for Tank to come closer so he could ask a question directly into Tank’s ear. “Care to dance?”
Tank thought he should be conflicted. He was getting tired and sore and his ears hurt, but there was an undeniable current of desire pulling him towards this stranger. Whether it was his attraction towards the man, or the Watcher’s will, or both… Tank couldn’t decide, but he figured it didn’t matter. He did want it himself, after all. With a shy smile, he grabbed the stranger’s hand and gave into temptation as he allowed himself to be pulled into the crowd, the sparkling synths and sensual vocals of Amanda Lear enveloping the dance floor.
••••••••
I'm getting out, I'm moving on
And from now on, address unknown
I should be difficult to find
So follow me, just follow me
••••••••
Some time later, Tank and his dance partner (Almeric, Tank had learned his name is) were chatting on the roof of P.U.R.E., the crisp, quiet air offering a reprieve from the stuffy, loud heat inside. Tank looked up and frowned at the naked night sky, with even the brightest stars being washed out by the electric glare of Downtown’s lights. Maybe there was something he missed about Strangetown.
Almeric coughed, snapping Tank out of his reverie. Remembering all the warm feelings the man in front of him brought out, Tank decided that even the most beautiful night sky couldn’t make the isolation and pain he felt in Strangetown worth it, especially not when the true brightest star was sitting right in front of him.
“The night sky is so bland out here compared to back home. Even at school, it can’t compare,” Tank lamented.
Nodding in agreement, Almeric asked, “You go to La Fiesta, right? I know I’ve seen you around. You’re very recognizable with all your…” Almeric motioned at his own face, “…this.”
Tank frowned when a drop of camo-face-paint-laced sweat dripped off his face and stained the back of his hand. “I didn’t think I would need setting spray tonight but I should have known better, being from the desert and all.”
Almeric chuckled softly before Tank continued with his thoughts. “I’ve been thinking of retiring the face paint. It reminds me too much of home,” he revealed.
“Painful memories?” Almeric asked in understanding.
Tank nodded with a plaintive look on his face. “Something like that. I won’t bore you with the details right now because I’d rather just enjoy this night we have together. I know it’ll come up later on, anyways.”
Almeric’s face brightened. “So you want to spend more time with me than just tonight?”
“Absolutely! You’re smart and funny and charming and-” Tank blushed underneath his face paint, “…and you’re r-really cute, especially with those glasses on,” he stammered out.
Now blushing himself, Almeric couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you. And you are too, by the way. I can’t even lie, I’ve had a crush on you since I noticed you in our chemistry lecture.”
Tank rolled his eyes. “Ugh, don’t remind me about that class! I’ve barely got a passing grade!”
Grimacing, Almeric agreed. “Same here! I’m studying political science, not a natural science, but gen ed credits and all. What are you studying?”
“Drama. It’s always been my dream to be a ballet dancer. I would show you some moves right now but I don’t want to be even more sore than I already will be tomorrow.”
Almeric laughed. “At least that gives me something to look forward to for next time,” he replied with a smirk.
Standing up, Tank stretched and felt his joints pop a little too violently. Yep, he would definitely be feeling that tomorrow. “On that note, I’m absolutely worn out. I was honestly texting my friend to head out when I literally ran into you, so…”
“Oh man, I hope you don’t feel like I kept you here against your will.”
Tank shook his head. “Definitely not! I’m glad I decided to stay. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you.” Tank reached out for a hug and Almeric reciprocated, squeezing him tight. It had been so, so long since he had felt the warm embrace from someone who cared about him and wasn’t afraid to show it in their actions, not just their words. Not wanting to get choked up about his mom in the arms of someone he had just met, Tank fought to keep his emotions in control (a task which he was unfortunately rather skilled at).
Pulling back, Tank smiled at Almeric, hoping the mental turmoil didn’t show on his face. It seemed like Almeric didn’t notice (or if he did, he at least didn’t say anything), though Almeric was a bit sheepish himself. After a moment, he finally spoke up. “D-Do you mind if I… kiss you?”
The air rushed out of Tank’s lungs once again as his eyebrows shot to his hairline. “Uh… I-”
“You don’t have to if you don’t want to!” Almeric rushed to reassure Tank, accidentally cutting him off. “And I didn’t mean anything too intense, just a little peck on the lips…”
Still blushing a bit, Tank confessed, “It’s not that I don’t want to! I just… have never done it before…”
“It’s not that hard. Do you want me to show you how it’s done?” Almeric asked as he went to hold Tank’s hand. A brief moment passed before Tank nodded. Almeric instructed, “Just close your eyes, hold still, and I’ll take care of it.” Complying with Almeric’s directions, he waited briefly before he felt Almeric’s face approach his, and then…
An explosion of life and color. In his mind, Tank could see him and Almeric fly in the air as hearts revolved around them. He knew that wasn’t actually happening, but it sure as hell felt like it.
As quickly as the euphoric rush came, it started to fade (but not completely dissipate) as Almeric backed away. With a giddy smirk, Almeric asked Tank, “How about that?”
Feeling the giddiness bubble up inside himself too, it took Tank a second to compose himself before responding. “Well, I see why people do that all the time. That was… really good.”
“I have been told that before,” Almeric quipped as Tank rolled his eyes and gave Almeric a slight shove. “Hey! I’m not lying.”
With a giggle, Tank replied with, “I never said you were. Just that bragging isn’t necessary.” After reaching back for Almeric’s hand with a smirk, he added, “I can’t lie, though… your bragging is quite attractive.”
Blushing, Almeric thanked Tank as they started to walk towards the staircase. “I’m really glad you ran into me tonight. I’ll get you a ride back to your dorm as a token of my appreciation… unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Would you rather come back to mine for the night?”
Tank gasped slightly. “Well, I’m not so sure… We have that chemistry exam on Monday that we should probably study for. Neither of us can afford to fail with how shaky our grades are.”
Almeric shrugged. “We could study together tomorrow after we get some breakfast.”
“That’s not a bad idea… but…” Tank hesitated for a moment before he continued, “you can imagine if I’ve never kissed anyone before, I’ve never gone any further either.”
The pair stopped as they reached the street in front of the club, now able to hear the music faintly wafting out of the front door. “You know I don’t mind,” Almeric replied. “And you trusted me with showing you how to kiss. Would you still trust me to show you more?”
Tank was about to reply to Almeric when he felt that current of desire yank him towards the other man again. He had managed to conquer all the other new things he’d experienced tonight. Why stop now?
Giving into the temptation of passion once again, Tank rushed forward to capture Almeric’s lips with his own, eliciting a gasp from Almeric. This kiss was deeper and more passionate than the first, enough so to garner some cheers from the other clubgoers standing around. Tank’s senses lit on fire as he felt Almeric’s tongue probe into his mouth and he instinctively wrapped his own tongue around Almeric’s.
After a few minutes of intense making out, the two men separated, breathless and oblivious to the small audience their display of passion had drawn. “How’s that for my answer?” Tank asked Almeric, who could only give a meager thumbs up in response. Glancing up at Almeric’s face, Tank started to cackle, which drew a look of ire from the other man. Tank quickly pointed at Almeric’s face and explained, “You got a little… well, a lot of something there.”
Wiping his hands against his face, Almeric groaned as he realized that his face was smeared with the sweaty remnants of Tank’s face paint. “Gross. Now we’ll both need a shower to get this off.”
“I know you’re not complaining about more time we’ll get to spend together,” Tank whispered into Almeric’s ear.
After a brief but sensual chuckle, Almeric replied, “Definitely not.” After a brief hug, a car horn drew Tank and Almeric’s attention. “Looks like our ride is here.” They quickly got inside the taxi, ready to continue their night of passion elsewhere.
As he stepped into the taxi, Tank noticed a familiar song with sparkling synths and sensual vocals drifting out from the club’s door. He softly smiled as he gave the Watcher (and Amanda Lear) silent appreciation for the amazing night he was given.
••••••••
Unbelievable, maybe
You'll have a new identity
For a second of vanity
I want to change your destiny
••••••••
Sunlight streamed in from the window as Tank slowly opened his eyes. Almeric’s body was squeezed firmly against his; these dorm room twin beds already sucked for a man of his build, but now he knew they were gonna be the death of him with the amount of time he was going to spend curled up next to Almeric on them.
After slowly getting out of the bed so as to not disturb Almeric, Tank tried to stretch before he felt every neuron in his body flare up in pain. Between the dancing and the WooHooing and the spooning-on-a-much-too-small-bed, Tank knew he had massively overexerted himself. Oops!
Cursing himself for his overexertion, he was relieved that his plans for the day to eat and study with Almeric wouldn’t push his body any further. He went to wake up his boyfriend (Tank would have to get used to saying it, and also not saying it when necessary) when the gleam of his phone in the corner of his eye distracted him.
For a second, something felt off before he suddenly remembered with a panicked gasp that left him breathless.
Stella.
Tank rushed to his phone and saw 56 text messages, 15 missed calls, and 7 voicemails from Stella wondering where the hell he went and how bored she was heading back to campus alone and how he’s the worst, least reliable friend ever and slinging every possible insult she could imagine. As he frantically mashed his dialpad to write a text begging for her forgiveness, Tank noticed that his frenzy had woken up Almeric.
“What’s got you so worked up this morning? Not regretting anything, are we?” Almeric asked his boyfriend.
Tank shook his head. “Absolutely not. That’s the best choice I’ve ever made in this otherwise miserable existence you could call my life.” Realizing that he said a little too much, he quickly added, “I just forgot to text my friend Stella that I decided to come to your place instead of riding back to campus with her.”
With a slight frown and a sigh, Almeric replied, “We’ll eventually have to cycle around to that thing about your ‘miserable existence,’ but not while you’re worked up about this.” Almeric got up and put a hand on Tank’s shoulder to help assuage Tank’s worries as he moved on from the heavy topic. “So you’re also friends with Stella. She’s the coolest, isn’t she?” After Tank nodded in agreement, Almeric added, “Trust me, she’ll forgive you.”
Skeptical, Tank asked, “Are you speaking from experience?”
Almeric nodded. “I definitely cause her a little too much stress sometimes. She’ll be fine with it as long as you properly apologize.” Almeric got up and organized his bathroom stuff. “And by that I mean call her. I’ll go use the bathroom to give you some space to do so.”
After his boyfriend left the room, Tank took Almeric’s advice and called Stella to smooth things over. Though it started with some shouting from her end, by the time Almeric returned from the bathroom, Tank had resolved everything with Stella. She was also more than pleased to hear that her two best friends had managed to fall for each other without her influence.
“Believe me, I was this close to playing matchmaker with the two of you! I had this feeling that you and Almeric would be great as a couple and I was right!” Stella excitedly told Tank, and he believed her. She doesn’t play when it comes to love. “Anyways, I should go. I got a lot of homework to catch up on.”
“Ugh, same. Almeric and I are gonna study for our chemistry exam together once we get some food. Talk to ya later, Stella!” he said into the phone before he hung up. Immediately after, Tank felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist.
“I take it your conversation with Stella went well?” Almeric asked his boyfriend. Tank nodded, prompting Almeric to continue. “I told you she would forgive you, as long as you were direct and sincere. She told me that’s what she prefers in her relationships, both platonic and romantic.”
Tank’s interest was piqued. “Did you try to date her?”
Almeric shook his head. “No, but my brother Aldric did. As you can probably tell, it didn’t go very well. She vented to me a lot.” He shrugged. “But that’s neither here nor there. We should head down to the dining area so we can get our breakfast. The sooner we start studying, the sooner we finish.”
Tank and Almeric both shivered at the monumental task ahead of them. Tank was confident, though. With Almeric by his side, he felt he had the strength to conquer any challenge. Even his twisted upbringing and the monster responsible for it felt less menacing, if just slightly.
Before they could leave the room, Tank turned to his boyfriend with a smile. “Wait. Real quick, before we go, we should take a picture to commemorate this moment.”
Almeric agreed but cocked his head in slight confusion. “You want to without putting your face paint on first?”
Tank nodded. “Like I said last night, it’s time to move on from it. I can’t let my past cling to me if I want to continue to grow and have new experiences. Last night really illustrated that for me.”
Smiling proudly, Almeric went to embrace his boyfriend. “I’m really glad to hear that, and to be going on this journey with you. Now are we taking this picture or not?” he added with a chuckle.
“Of course! Just give me a second to line everything up…” Tank angled his phone to get a picture of him and Almeric in a romantic pose. “To new beginnings!” they both exclaimed as Tank took the picture.
After a quick kiss, Almeric hurried to save them spots in the dining area. Before heading there himself, nervous but prepared to face the world without the mask that had shielded him for years, Tank texted the photo to both Stella and Almeric with a short but meaningful caption.
“Faust was right, have no regret.”