Chapter 1
The wedding kept them busy enough over the next few days, and Charles didn’t have time to worry about anything beyond his best man duties and keeping Erik sane. His mood however had significantly improved, to the point where even the frazzled groom noticed enough to mention it. Still feeling ridiculous for his previous melancholy – and bubbling with excitement over his night with Jakob – Charles did his best to set Erik’s mind at ease.
“I thought maybe you didn’t approve since we’ve only been dating a few months,” Erik said, during a rare quiet moment at the bachelor party. He was rolling the beer bottle absently between his palms, which had always been a clear indicator of Erik’s frayed nerves. “Or that you didn’t like Magda. But you seemed to have…changed your mind or something the past couple of days? You seem better anyway…I’m glad.”
Charles sighed, and grabbed Erik by the hand. “I’m so, so happy for you, Erik, truly. I like Magda a lot and I think you two make a great couple. I was just…going through some things that have nothing to do with the wedding, but I’m fine now. I’ll behind you one hundred percent, I promise.”
Erik smiled, and pressed an affectionate kiss to the top of his head. They sat side by side for the rest of the night – with Erik’s arm slung over his shoulder and Charles’ head pressed against his cheek – and laughed like they were still sixteen years old over the antics of their very drunk friends. It was a moment to be cherished, their last night together as two single men, before Erik’s priorities would inevitably - and rightfully - change.
And true to his word, Charles was there for Erik every step of the way, making sure they got dressed and arriving at the synagogue on time, and murmuring comforting words as the groom paced back and forth before the ceremony. He managed to get only slightly misty-eyed watching Jakob escort Erik down the aisle, reveling at the proud and joyous smiles on their respective faces. It was easy, getting swept up in the moment as Erik and Magda exchanged their vows under the chuppah, and he even managed to deliver a speech at dinner that made the bride laugh and the groom beam from ear to ear. He was the perfect best man for the perfect wedding, and if his heart ached just a little every time Erik leaned over to kiss his new wife—
Well, nothing mattered more than Erik’s happiness, and that was enough incentive to tuck away the occasional ‘what if’ that would sneak up on him and lock it up tight.
It was a strategy that worked surprisingly well, until the party began in earnest and his best man duties came to an end. There wasn’t anything left to do but watch the happy couple on the dance floor, and that was something Charles preferred to do with a drink – then another, and another – in hand. After the fourth it was imperative to get away from the loud music and breathe in some fresh air, so Charles found himself wandering alone outside the reception hall, yanking off his bow tie and shoving it none too carefully into his jacket pocket.
“There you are.”
He turned and smiled as Jakob approached, jacket gone and his own tie hanging off the collar. Loose and happy – and perhaps only slightly less inebriated than Charles – Jakob looked younger than usual under the twinkling lights. He was so utterly gorgeous that it took Charles’ breath away, and for a moment he forgot everything except how very much he wanted him.
“Yes, were you looking for me?”
Jakob took his arm and guided them further down the path, until they were far enough away that they wouldn’t be easily seen by anyone looking out the hall’s large bay windows. Then he pulled Charles close and kissed him, one hand around his waist and the other cupping the back of his head, hungry and deep until Charles was arching helplessly against him.
“I’ve missed you,” he said, brushing a calloused thumb against his cheek, making Charles groan every time he pressed their mouths together and teased him with the taste of whiskey and promised sex. “Come home with me tonight, and let me take care of you hmm?”
“Are you going to tuck me in and fluff my pillow?” he asked teasingly, making Jakob laugh, his smile becoming molten with obvious desire. Charles had never felt so beautiful – or so wanted by anyone he’d ever taken to bed, not until Jakob who somehow seemed to know more of what he needed than Charles understood about himself. “Can I expect the full Lehnsherr experience with breakfast in bed?”
Jakob slid his hand from Charles’ waist to grab at his ass cheek, which was enough to send a white-hot flare of lust straight through his entire body. “Oh, you’ll get to eat in bed alright,” he murmured, his other hand tugging the hair at the nape of his neck. “And then maybe afterwards you’ll get some food too.”
He bit down on Charles’ bottom lip and pressed their groins together with a growl, instantly turning his spine into jelly. Charles wanted to bend over for him right there in the immaculate garden; let him sooth away the disquiet bubbling just underneath his skin. “Please…you’re killing me.”
Immediately, Jakob gentled his touch, and pulled back to press a kiss to Charles’ forehead with an apologetic sigh. “I’m sorry; I just can’t seem to help myself when I’m around you,” he said, continuing on before Charles had a chance to tell him he felt the same way. “We’ll continue this later, I promise. Once we see the newlyweds off, we can grab a cab and go.”
Then he was gone back up the path towards the reception hall doors, leaving Charles half-hard and drunk with both alcohol and the night’s possibilities.
Of course, that was when Emma stepped into sight, immaculate in a floor length gown studded with black sequins. It was patently unfair how she managed to look so regal and unaffected, when she’d matched Charles drink for drink and spent most of the night on the dance floor.
“Oh Charles,” she said, looping their arms together and guiding them further along the garden path, as Jakob melted back into the reception hall. As usual, she was wryly amused instead of patently judgemental, having loved and accepted Charles warts and all for as long as he could remember, two forgotten children of neglectful parents. “You know I support your life’s work to bed every eligible man in New York, darling, but Erik’s father? You can’t really think that’s a good idea?”
Charles bristled slightly as he answered, “It’s not like that. I really like him, and I think he really likes me…at least he’s told me as much. We’re not just messing around.”
She made a quiet ‘hm’ under her breath, then asked, “Is this about Erik—”
“No.” He stopped and spun around to face her, and took a deep breath. “No, it isn’t. I’m happy for Erik and I’m glad he’s found someone to love and who loves him too. Is it so bad that I want the same thing? I’m tired of meaningless one-night stands and I’m tired of being alone, and—” Rubbing his face tiredly with both hands, he sighed. “I want to be loved, Em. Is that such a bad thing?”
Emma smiled and patted his cheek. “Of course not. And if you’re happy than I’m happy for you. But...you better prepare yourself for Erik’s reaction to you dating his father.”
Charles scoffed. “He’ll get over it.”
“Will he?” She gave him a funny look he couldn’t quite decipher, then shook her head. “Well, I’ll be here no matter what happens. I was your friend first after all, no matter how annoying you get.”
“Thank you for that,” he said with a laugh, choosing not to think about the implication to Emma’s words; that his…relationship with Jakob might cause a rift between him and his best friend. “If I promise to be less annoying, will you at least dance with me? I can’t have Scott monopolizing the prettiest girl in the room all night.”
“Your sweet talk doesn’t work on me, Xavier. I’ve heard you use that line on at least three other women tonight.”
“Well one of them was my sister, so that doesn’t count,” he said, squeezing her hand, laughing as he followed her back towards the hall where Jakob was waiting to take him home.