Chapter Text
It was Friday night and Aldo had managed to get Thomas, the awkward Brit, to dance, which was nigh impossible. But the small student bar, that turned into a club late in the night, is having a 90’s night with enough songs that Thomas knew. So he was able to sing-shout them into his ear. And the alcohol was cheap enough so Aldo had been able to buy them shots, each color more alarming than the last, the whole night long.
Now Thomas had red cheeks and his dirty blond hair, that he has not cut for an entire semester, was falling all over, especially into his eyes. Aldo has had the urge all evening to push it behind his ear. As always he stood too close to the fire, sure this time it wouldn’t burn him.
Aldo is in love. Or at least something bordering dangerously close to it. It makes him stupid and afraid and deeply ashamed. Though the last feeling is normal After all, he is Catholic.
He loved and despaired when his friend, who was already touchy – always clasping hands during serious conversations, leading his friends with a hand on the shoulder when walking – just became more tactile with alcohol. When Aldo ordered them beers Thomas hooked his head over his shoulders encasing his waist with his long, lightly muscled arms, swaying with the music. Maybe he should have ordered water instead...
Sipping his beer he watched as his friend was distracted by meeting and talking with his new roommate – Braydon? Desmond? Raymond? – a foreign student from Ireland.
The smell of smoke and some fancy cologne hit his nose as Giulio sneaked up from behind.
“My God, but the Brit really can’t handle his alcohol. Who’s the new guy?”
“His new roommate. He’s Irish. I think he’s in Event Management? I don’t know- something business related I think.”
Giulio took Thomas’ former place, half hugging him from behind.
“Fascinating. Wanna smoke?”
Aldo tried to not be distracted by Thomas’ hands, as they formed explanatory gestures to some story. He leaned his head against his friends.
“Yeah, let’s go. I need some fresh air.”
Outside they smoked in silence. Aldo berated himself mentally for coming. He had been in a melancholy mood all day, his capacity for ignoring his own heart is always lowered on days like this.
Giulio, always keen-eyed and blunt, just sighed, not even having to say anything. He seemed annoyed.
“I think you should cut him off. I don’t like you moping. He’s useless anyway. And you can’t trust people who study law.”
“I know, I know, Giulio, you are not fond of him. But could you at least be courteous to him today? He was really sad when you rejected his Facebook friend request.”
“Who the fuck even uses that shit anymore?”
“Why do you have an account then? And he likes the nostalgia of it. You know that.”
Giulio just stepped on his cigarette with more force than necessary.
“You’re defending him. As always. Ok, who cares. I am going back in, are you coming?”
Aldo sighed and looked up, there were some stars out, that out-twinkled the light pollution of the city. He shook his head and waved his friend off as he stormed in, instantly joining the dancing crowd. It was warm and summer and he didn’t even need the light jacket that he had dropped in some little corner of the bar. Maybe he should just go back in and see if Thomas was still talking to his roommate. Maybe he was interested in dancing with him again.
Just as he headed back in a body collided with him.
He stumbled but didn’t fall, partly helped by strong hands gripping his arms.
“Oh no- I’m so sorry.” A soft, lightly accented, voice was accompanied by a kind face, longish black hair that was tied back into a small ponytail and big brown eyes.
Aldo was struck shy by this beautiful stranger and just nodded. His eyes followed a silver chain that disappears into a linen shirt whose first three buttons were undone.
Realizing he was supposed to say something he just mumbled an “Ah it’s ok, no harm.” and tried to ignore the heat on his cheeks.
The other just smiled, clapped his shoulders and continued out.
Aldo was still recovering when another person stepped out of the door. Or maybe stumbling was the more correct term.
“Oh, hello! I missed you!” Thomas smiled and immediately grabbed his shoulders to steady himself. Aldo realized he should probably bring the other home. With one hand he petted his inebriated friend and with the other he texted Giulio to gather his and Thomas’ jackets. In response he got a GIF of some cat with fire edited on it, which he took as reluctant assent.
“Ok let’s get you home, Tommy.” He slung one arm around the waist of his friend who seemed delighted.
“Yes! I think I have some leftovers in my fridge. Are you staying at mine, Aldo?” he leaned his head closer, his breath smelled like the melon flavored liquor that was the local specialty. His heart hurt. Thomas looked so beautiful with the orange light of the streetlamps bouncing off him.
“I live three minutes away, I will manage to walk home.”
“You should- you should stay at mine. I like spending time with you.” Thomas smiled, searching for eye-contact and almost tripping over cobble stone because of it.
“I like spending time with you too, Thomas.”
“I love you Aldo.” A big, wet kiss was placed on his cheek, making the sentiment feel not that serious.
“Oh- oh. Ehm, thank you? I like you as well?” Aldo hated this. Here Thomas was confessing his love, in the most romantic city, but as platonic and drunk as possible. Luckily his new roommate ambled up at this point and he was able to hoist Thomas off to him.
The next morning Thomas said nothing about it, claiming to not quite remember how he got home. He also asks about his jacket, which Aldo assured would be returned by Giulio.
Aldo wasn’t even that annoyed by Giulio’s pettiness when Thomas’ jacket was returned to him soaked in alcohol, while his own was spotless.