Chapter Text
It was Charles' fault
Really
If he hadn’t been so adamant about dragging Pierre to this party, he would be at home, playing some video game or maybe resting in bed, trying to sleep
But no, he was here, and it was awful. He had already run into his ex, Esteban, which was more than enough to ruin his night, and to top it, Charles had vanished the moment they arrived. Now, he was nowhere to be found
He let a heavy sigh out
He was doomed, he decided
As he approached the bar, his eyes locked onto a shorter figure. Intrigued and somewhat hypnotized, he tried to hide the fact that this guy had completely caught his attention. He ordered a shot from the bartender, sneaking glances at him. At first, it was the messy black hair that caught Pierre’s eye, slightly spiky, like he hadn’t spent much time on it but still managed to look good and soft to the touch. Then, his gaze moved to the guy’s shoulders, broad and defined, and his toned arms were visible under a sleeveless shirt that fit him a little too well
Pierre’s eyes lingered on his face. It was rounder than he’d expected, youthful but not childish. But maybe what caught his attention the most were those deep, dark eyes, slightly almond-shaped, sharp, and observant very hypnotic or that when he laughed loud, unrestrained, utterly joyful. It was like something clicked inside Pierre. He didn’t know what the joke was, but he wanted to be part of it, to be close enough to hear that laugh again
The strong taste of tequila burned his throat, leaving a slight sting and a tingling in his stomach. Though, to be honest, the tingling had more to do with the black-haired guy than the tequila
He didn’t know how to feel about it; it was the first time he felt so drawn to a stranger at a bar. Intrigued, surprised, and delighted, his eyes feasted on the man every time they wandered back to him
—Si tu continues à le fixer comme ça, il va te prendre pour un pervers, mon ami — Charles’ voice pulled him from his trance. The heat rising to his cheeks told him he was probably blushing furiously. Pierre straightened up and turned to the monegasque, who was watching him with a mischievous grin
— Je ne sais pas de quoi tu parles, j’étais juste... j’étais intrigué par les gens de cette fête, depuis que tu m’as laissé en plan… — he said, his tone a little dry, before signaling the bartender for another shot
— Oh, ne dramatise pas, je ne suis parti que quelques minutes. D’ailleurs, tout le monde a pu voir que ce type t’a tapé dans l’œil, Pierre. Tu ne l’as pas quitté des yeux un seul instant — Charles exclaimed as he stood beside him, patting his back gently a couple of times
Pierre opened his mouth to protest but stopped when he noticed someone else standing nearby. The man at his side was tall, elegant, with dark brown hair brushed back in a way that looked both intentional and effortlessly messy. His sharp features, strong jawline, high cheekbones, and that charismatic smile gave him the kind of presence that turned heads. Pierre frowned slightly, trying to remember if he had seen him before or if Charles had ever mentioned him in the past days
—Nice to meet you. Judging by the look on your face, you're kinda confused. I'm Carlos, by the way. Charles has mentioned you a few times before, said that you're in the same faculty as him — said the man, his accent coloring every word
Pierre, a little surprised, greeted Carlos with a small nod
—Sorry, I can’t say he’s mentioned you. I’m Pierre, and yeah, we’re classmates, I'm into architecture — he replied, bringing the shot to his lips and casting a sideways glance at Charles
Carlos let out a short laugh, brushing a hand through his hair before turning slightly toward Charles
—So I gotta say, you undersold him a little bit — he said, flashing a quick smile in Pierre’s direction before returning his gaze to Charles
—Oh là là, careful, Carlos, flattery will get you everywhere — Charles replied, smirking and bumping his shoulder lightly against Carlos’. That glint in his eyes, Pierre knew it too well
And for his surprise, Carlos didn’t miss a beat
— Good to know. I’m a fan of getting everywhere
Pierre blinked once, twice. They were seriously flirting right in front of him? Unbelievable
He turned away with an amused huff, choosing to drown any awkwardness with another shot, trying to isolate the noise, he was sure the two lovebirds wouldn't mind if he wasn't paying attention to their convo. As the warmth of the tequila spread through his chest, he let his eyes wander back toward the dance floor
The black-haired guy was still there, laughing again with his friends. His head was thrown back slightly, the dim lighting casting soft shadows across his sharp jawline, the way he moved to the beat, the energy he carried. Pierre couldn’t look away. There was something about him, something magnetic, almost unreal, but he couldn't pinpoint what was so atractive what was it but he couldn’t stop staring
He licked the salt from his hand, eyes still fixed on the guy. He wondered ...maybe if he could lick the sweat of him, he wouldn't need salt, and maybe if he could taste those plump lips, he wouldnt need any liquor to feel dizzy ...There was a spark in his stomach again, and this time he didn’t blame the tequila
He leaned on the bar, resting his elbow casually, smiling to himself, just a little
Maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't blame Charles for dragging him out tonight. Not completely, at least
With a sigh, he took another shot, and then he noticed, a glance
It was fleeting and uncertain, but definitely there
The black-haired guy had caught him looking
A shiver spread down Pierre’s spine, and he tensed again. He wasn’t sure if it was good or bad, but it was better if he disguised his behavior for a bit. He turned his gaze back to the bar, pretending to listen to something Carlos had just said to Charles. But his mind was elsewhere, and then, he risked another glance
There it was again, a look. A flicker of interest
The guy turned back to his group quickly, but not fast enough to hide the tiny smirk on his lips
Was he imagining it?
Pierre stayed quiet as Carlos and Charles leaned a little closer, voices lowered, laughter warmer. They were now talking exclusively to each other. Flirting openly. Touches, glances, playful tones. It was cute, Charles was enchanted by whatever thing Carlos was talking about, with a big silly smile. It was cute, really, but it also made Pierre feel like it was a little too much for him to interrupt
It was enough, he doesn't want to be third wheeling all night long if it was up to him, so he stood up, maybe too quickly, because the room was starting to spin a little
—Je vais… juste prendre un peu l’air — he murmured to no one in particular, pushing off the bar stool. He didn’t even check if Charles heard him. He was sure Charles couldn't hear a thing besides Carlos' voice
The beat of the music swallowed him the moment he stepped onto the dance floor. The lights pulsed in time with the rhythm, people moved in waves, and Pierre felt the tequila warm in his blood, both grounding and disorienting
He was moving along the flow of the crowd, letting himself sway with the music. A little off-beat, maybe, but who cared? Then, the DJ shifted tracks, and the first notes of a familiar song poured through the speakers. He knew this song. He loved it, actually, a kind of song he’d never admit to loving in public, nor even to Charles. It was too pop, to catchy
But someone else did, apparently, the black-haired guy threw his head back and sang the opening line at the top of his lungs, arms in the air, moving with exaggerated flair and his friends cheered him on, laughing, maybe he was just as carefree and funny everyday. There was something so unashamedly joyful in him. It was truly captivating
Pierre couldn’t help the laugh that escaped his lips. He couldn't stop looking, fully mesmerizing
As if sensing it, the guy looked straight at him, and their eyes met for a brieft moment, this time, there wasn't any doubt
Pierre froze, caught in the moment. The guy smirked. And then, he winked
Pierre spun around, face burning, heart racing. He needed to breathe. Air. Now
He pushed through the crowd and made his way to the bathroom. His thoughts were a mess, his skin buzzing, his head spinning, and not from the shots, not only
The bathroom door creaked open, and he stepped inside. The music became a dull thump behind the walls. Cool, quiet. He splashed cold water on his face and stared into the mirror
Cheeks flushed. Hair is slightly out of place. Eyes wide, and a look he couldn’t quite read. Panic? Excitement? Maybe both
The door creaked open behind him
He didn’t have to turn to know who it was, Pierre looked up in the mirror, and there he was, the handsome black-haired guy, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed
The dim lights highlighted his warm-toned pale skin like he carried sunlight beneath it
— Hey— he said, casual and confident. His voice was clear, energetic, tinged with a strong Japanese accent that wrapped around each English word with sharp precision. Pierre blinked, his curiosity flaring as he turned slowly — It’s you, I’ve seen you watching me
Something in the guy’s tone was... kind. Playful. Not disgusted. If anything, he sounded amused
Pierre’s throat went dry. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. What was he supposed to say? He had no excuse. He’d just been... admiring him
The guy tilted his head slightly, waiting for an answer
— Well?