Chapter Text
It was the It was a wet, wet night in London. The rain pooled near the drains and the pavement was dark with dampness. Steady 'drip-drip-drip' sounds came from a slanted roof dripping water onto a bush nearby.
early hours of the morning, and a frazzled Ewen Montagu stumbled out of a bar, a tired Charles Cholmondeley walking after him, yawning into his damp sleeve.
"We best be heading home now, Monty.."
Charles said quietly, quickening his foorsteps to catch up to the man infront. He draped an arm around Monty in attempt to stabilise him.
He flinched away and quickly straightened out his back with a small wince.
Charlie took that as a sign to bring his arm awkwardly back to his side.
Monty cleared his throat. "N- *hic* No worries, Charles darling, i'll... I'll get home myself.. *hic*"
Charlie trusted him to get home safely even less than before.
"Come on, I'll walk you back." He sighed, and Monty's half-drawled protests died down quickly.
Charles was so tired he could fall asleep on a damp curb.
Monty seemed like he was completely prepared for another round of gin, if somebody had offered.
Good thing Charles was there to talk him to his senses. God knows what may have happened otherwise.
They rounded a corner with a broken lamppost, which flickered dimly in the light. a couple cigarette butts were flicked by it's base, and a poster for something-or-other was posted onto it. Monty lead him along sliently, until they got to a door sheltered by a small roof.
"Well.. this is it. G'night Cholmondeley, thanks.. thanks for *hic* everything-"
"W-Well, i should be the one thanking you, really" Charles stuttered slightly as Monty fiddled around his keys.
A pause. not even the jangling of keys was heard.
Ewen turned. "Is that so?" It sounded like a challenge, but Charlie wasn't so sure what exactly he meant.
"Well, yes, you paid didn't you?"
" *hic* i suppose so.. " Monty thought for a moment.
"I'll have to repay yo-" Charlie started, before he was cut off- "You being there was quite enough, darl."
The nickname kept throwing Charlie off. It made his breathing hitch for a second. He knew it was only because Monty was drunk, but he liked to pretend that it was reserved just for him.
God, what a mess Ewen was making of him.
The key slipped, it took him one, two, three times before the lock unclicked and the door was open.
There was a pause. Monty seemed to think over something.
He opened his mouth slightly, then closed it, as if he was trying to decide what to say.
A moment passed like a millennia, stretched out over a second.
Then Montagu grabbed ahold of his skewed tie and pulled him closer to him and it was all so sudden-
Monty kissed him.
At first, Charlie was so taken aback that he thought he might be dreaming, but no - the bitter tang of gin, the way he could feel his tie tight around the back of his neck
- it was real.
Which was bad.
Ewen Montagu was a good kisser.
He supposed it wasn't surprising, considering how charming he was, how he teased and flirted with many people, but then again, he didnt have any competition.
Suddenly, Monty pulled away, breathing hard and shaky, like his lungs couldnt expand enough to take in all the breath he needed.
Then he wordlessly flushed bright red, his eyes wildly blinking, and stumbled back in a panic, almost running through his door and slamming it behind him.
Charles didn't have time to say anything.
Instead, he stared at the closed door like a fly in a web.
Rain started to pour.