Luc on the street outside his grandparent’s apartment building. Luc smiling with joy. Luc running towards a tall, handsome, blonde man who had his arms wide and a huge grin on his face. The embrace. Luc’s face cupped as the man pressed a kiss to his laughing mouth. Arms around each other walking back to the apartment. Heads close as they entered.
Clear damming pictures telling a story.
“As you can see. These were taken yesterday evening. Dinner with your grandparent’s was it, Luc?”
Luc could feel Aydin’s eyes on him, but he couldn’t look away from Connor.
Connor tiredly leant on the table. His hands clenched.
“I don’t believe this,” he half whispered. Before bringing his fist crashing onto the table with a bang that made all three men jump, and shouting, “I don’t fucking believe this!”
Luc ran.
He crashed blindly out of the door and up the alley, aware of footsteps behind him, but his only aim was flight.
Turning left as he hit the street and fleeing.
“Luc. LUC!”
He didn’t stop at Connor’s yell, just ran blindly up the street. Gasping in air and sobs and trying to run on trembling legs.
He had run in the opposite direction from his grandparents’ place, but his breath was screaming in and out of his lungs as he started to slow and think where he could go.
Then he saw the club entrance and thought, ‘Frank’.
Slowing and dragging in huge sobbing gasps, Luc staggered around to the entrance. Remembering with a sinking heart that the club wouldn’t be open yet. Then seeing a lone security guy and heading towards him.
“We’re not open until six,” the man said, but then hurried forward. “Do you need help?”
Luc bent over and had to pant several times, before he could gasp. “Is Frank here? I’m looking for Frank.”
“Sit down here a minute, I’ll try and track him down. What’s your name?”
Luc opened his mouth and then heard, “Luc!” from behind him. Turning to see Frank, already glammed up, holding open a door.
“Thank you, Martin. I’ve got him,” Frank said, slipping an arm around Luc’s waist as he stumbled forward.
“Frank, I.”
“Hush, just breathe. You’re going to choke like that. With me.” Frank swept him down a corridor and into a comfortable office. Pushing Luc onto a couch against one wall, grabbing two waters from a fridge, and then just sitting and holding him as Luc sobbed, his heart breaking.
It was quite some time before he stopped crying and could start apologizing for barging in on him.
“We’re friends aren’t we?” Frank asked and made Luc smile weakly. “Tell me what happened.”
Luc told of Liam’s visit. His constant digging and clear homophobic attitude. Then of the images, and of Connor’s fury. When he started to explain about the man, Frank stopped him.
“So you ran?”
“I panicked.”
“Clearly. Has someone hurt you in the past, Luc?”
“I know how to defend myself,” Luc told him.
Letting it go for now, Frank stood and brushed himself down, glancing at his watch. “Goodness, that took a while. We need a break. Go wash your face,” he pointed at the adjoining bathroom. “There’s clean towels in there. I’ll give you a tour.”
Luc gave him a puzzled look, but Frank just gestured towards the bathroom so he did as instructed. Happy to take some time and respite before he faced the music.
Frank cheerfully led him around the club. Explanations about the building and pointing out a poster of Ty and Tony, who he had met previously.
Luc glanced back, as Frank cheerfully tugged him towards a door. He hadn’t realized Ty was built like THAT. I mean, everyone knew about Tony. There was footage online. Although Luc had only viewed it, like a few (thousand) times!
“Knock, knock,” Frank called opening the door a crack. “Anyone at all decent in here?”
“Nooo”
“Christ, hope not.”
“Come in and find out.”
A small chorus of similar answers floated out and Frank grinned at Luc. “I’ve got a guest, any issues?”
An invite was extended, so Luc found himself led into the large boys dressing room, and holy smoking glitter-bomb. It was like walking into Vegas. Everything sparkled.
Luc was dazzled as he was introduced to around fifteen people. And when people realized his connection to Betters, he was hugged fifteen times. Okay, he was never going get all that powder and glitter out of his T-shirt.
Still stunned, but feeling much better, he was led next into the main room. The house lights were on, so the stage, bar, seating and main floor all looked day-time mundane. But it was impressive, super clean and Luc could tell it would be magic when the lights went out and the sparkle came on.
There was a man stood looking worried and tapping at his phone. Dressed in jeans and a hooded top. He looked a little edgy, but Frank led Luc over. The man looked up and smiled, transforming his face, then looked questioningly at Luc.
“Hey, Frank.”
“Hi, cutie. You okay, you look worried.”
“I’m good.”
Frank turned. “This is Luc, from down at Betters. Luc, this is Pip.”
Pip’s face cleared and he smiled again as they shook hands. “Ah. I haven’t been there in ages, but some of the guys like to go get cake before the show. They said they thought my long lost little brother was working there.”
Luc laughed, “Several inches littler!” but he could see their point. Apart from the height difference they could easily be siblings. Then he gasped slightly. “Wait. You’re Lady Pippin?”
Pip grinned at Luc’s look of shock. “Stick around and you’ll see the transformation.”
As Pip went to get ready, Frank settled Luc at the bar.
“What can I get you?” he asked, walking around the back.
“Pepsi?”
“No problem.” Frank broke off to read and fire off a couple of texts, before smiling and getting them drinks. He leant on the bar, studying Luc. “Are you feeling more settled?”
Luc nodded. “Yea, thanks. I guess I’ll have to go back.”
“Do you think Connor will hurt you?”
“Not physically, of course not.” Luc was certain. “But what if he won’t listen to me?”
Frank sighed. “Luc. How do you think I knew to come outside and find you?”
Luc just shrugged.
“Connor called me. He was frantic. Said you were coming my way and asked me to grab you and keep hold of you. He sounded worried, not angry.”
“Oh. So,” Luc blinked, his expression confused. “So what was he thinking?”
“Probably time you asked him,” Frank suggested, as Connor walked in to the room.
(Seventy-five minutes earlier)
“Luc. LUC!” Connor turned and dragged out his phone, heading back down the alleyway. “Answer, answer, an…Oh, Frank. It’s Connor O’Nally, I need your help. Luc is heading your way at warp-speed. He’s really upset. Can you stop him, take care of him. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Reassured by Frank’s efficient, “I’m on it, handsome.” He flung open the door and strode back into the kitchen.
“Fucking fag-.” Liam broke off mid-sentence as the door slammed shut behind Connor.
“You finish that sentence and I’ll rip that tongue out of your head. What the hell is this? You followed Luc? Why?” Connor snarled and tipped his head at Aydin, silently asking him to stand back.
Aydin did, but remained watchful.
“I get you’re upset, Connor, but I did you a favour. He’s no good for you. Hanging around these people is no good for you. Come home.”