Count The Saints

A Sharp Dressed Man

A Sharp Dressed Man

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Clean shirt, blue shoes, and I don't know where I am going to
Silk suit, black tie, I don't need a reason why

It was nearing the late hours on a weekday night and yet music was blaring from the stereo in James' apartment - much to the dismay of his neighbours who kept pounding on the door and the walls for him to shut up. Ignoring them, he sung and danced along, occasionally using furniture as a stage and a hairbrush as a microphone, as he got dressed for his big night.

"They come runnin' just as fast as they can," he sang. "Cuz' every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man!"

He put his shirt and blazer on in time with the beat, as if it were part of the music video. He pulled his socks on while brushing his teeth as he was already running late and succeeded in toppling over onto the hard wood floor. Graceful as ever. However, it did nothing to ruin his mood, he joined in on the song with his air guitar during his favourite guitar solo.

Lookin' sharp, lookin' for love

Once situated in his new black suit and bow tie, James gelled his hair back and considered shaving the brown stubble he'd grown but dismissed the thought. He straightened up to face his reflection full on, letting out a long sigh and smoothing down his lapels.

Tonight was going to be one to remember, he could fell it.

A pep talk and two dramatic renditions of Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" later, he was out the door and surrounded by the freezing night. He'd left the stereo on just to mess with his neighbours and couldn't stop laughing while they chased him down the block.

Free of pursuit, James smiled to himself as he walked down the lively Portland streets and caught his breath. He loved the energy of the people here, how no one was afraid to be themselves and no one else really questioned it too much. It was a nice change for him - to be somewhere where he felt he belonged. He couldn't imagine calling anywhere else home.

Farther down the street, a large blue neon sign marked his destination - the Blue Room. He made his way inside and handed off his coat as he tried to contain his excitement.

The Blue Room was the epitome of fancy. The lights were dimmed down just enough and black, blue and silver décor was placed strategically around the restaurant. The walls were covered in portraits of jazz singers, classic movie stars and abstract art pieces.

He hadn't noticed that the brunette woman behind the podium was speaking to him. Realising that she was waiting for him, he smiled apologetically.

"Sorry, I'm a bit late. Mathers, table for two?" He sure hoped he had the right place, otherwise he would be quite disappointed.

"Ah yes, Mr. Mathers just arrived a few moments ago, actually," he noticed that her voice sounded trained, a bit off, like she'd been practicing those exact lines in her head. James frowned a bit at this, growing suspicious of the entire night already, but maintained his excitement nonetheless.

"If you would just follow me, sir." He let her lead the way while he tried to calm himself, the more they walked the more anxious he became.

Finally, he sat in the booth across from Mr. Mathers who gave him a charming smile. That efficiently destroyed what was left of James' nerves of steel, leaving him hopelessly flustered. He tried not to give it away by busying himself with the tableware and humming along to the soft jazz that was playing.

It seemed to work.

"You are late for everything, I swear," came Sterling's smooth baritone.

"Well, not all of us were born camera ready," James said, rolling his eyes.

"Ah, you're right." The blonde man then did a few dramatic poses, much to the entertainment of those sitting around them. "You could only dream to look this good," he said and winked at a few women that were staring. They blushed and returned to their conversations, stealing glances every now and then.

James' frown returned and he glared at Starling before redirecting his attention to the menu which, unfortunately for him, was completely in French.

Fancy indeed.

"C'mon James, don't be like that. You know I only have eyes for you," a point he emphasised by dramatically removing his glasses, blinking at him seductively and biting the end of an arm of his glasses.

James blushed, shook his head and reached across the table for Sterling's hand. "You're ridiculous," he said, smiling at how their fingers fit together.

"Ridiculously handsome."

He's not wrong, James thought.

Sterling Mathers was an example of what to expect from the offspring of Greek gods, all muscle and good looks. But like his presumed father, Zeus, he had chosen to be with a mere mortal. James thought him insane, but was nonetheless glad to be stuck with such a kind, charming guy.

Initially, he'd thought Sterling would be one of those uptight rich boys that only cared about money, money, money. Once that was cleared up, the rest was history. It'd been a year and a half since their first date.

Sterling ordered for them, in French of course.

They'd spent the majority of the night laughing and talking about nothing in particular. James didn't mind really, it was just so rare that they'd get to spend time together that he could care less what they did or talked about.

"Hey." Sterling's voice was barely above a whisper now, he seemed distracted as he rubbed small circles in James' hand with his thumb.

"How about we get out of here," he seemed to refocus. "There's something I want to show you."

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James was glad to be back on the streets of the city. The biting cold fueled his mood and walking along with Sterling, hand in hand, fueled his heart.

They were about to pass by a florist before James decided to step in, making Sterling wait on the sidewalk. He reemerged from the store with a single rose which he presented to Sterling.

"For you, dear sir," he said with a bow.

Sterling smiled and accepted the gift, arranging it so that it stayed put in the lapel of his jacket. James liked to make Sterling smile, especially so on his rare visits to Portland. With Sterling's busy schedule, there was no telling when they'd next see each other.

Their dates were always bitter sweet because of that. At the end of the night, Sterling would be off to New York again as he was a lawyer in constant demand. James was glad that he was so successful, but wished that it didn't get in the way of their relationship as much as it did.

Looking up from his thoughts, he noticed a commotion up ahead. People were screaming and running this way and that. The crowd cleared just enough for him to see the source of panic.

Two menacing looking people dressed in all black were running out of a hotel across the street, guns raised, shooting at anyone that got in their way. One of them was aiming right at Sterling who was, unfortunately, distracted by a text message.

James didn't think about his next move. He couldn't. Immediately, he pushed Sterling down and stepped within the gunman's path.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

The last sound James heard was Sterling's terrified scream.

Then, everything went black.

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