stories from the city; damon albarn

26-

Ewan McGregor and Chloe Erlich were sitting backstage at one of her brother's shows. Kendal, who was thrilled to see more famous friends popping up, had practically jumped at the idea of inviting Chloe and her new pal to his return to London show with Waverlength.

Granted, neither she or Ewan were very big fans of the band, but it meant free drinks, her brother being charismatic and whatever else.

"I didn't think he had such an intimate stage presence." He remarks , watching as Kendal hurls himself and his guitar into a speaker stack, causing Chloe to snort at the idea of her brother being called intimate

"Sure, if you think money is the motivator for all forms of love." She adds slowly

"Well, good thing sex work exists." He says shrugging

"Is that really love?" She questions

He shrugs "I'm not one to judge. Besides if your brother were a stripper, do you think he'd wear Assless chaps?"

"Leather ones? Absolutely. I'm sure he'd wear them now."

"Such a tease.." he says trailing off, the duo watching the performance unfold in front of them.

It was nothing short of chaotic, and Chloe, like always, had her camera ready, and took a few shots of the band before focusing the camera onto Ewan, who gave her a big thumbs up.

"Do you want to add that to your portfolio?" She asks

He shakes his head "No, let my hair grow out a little more."

Trainspotting had finally wrapped and was now off to be edited before it's big premiere. And now, it meant that Ewan was growing his hair out again, which to be honest, excited Chloe, as he'd shown her one of his movies from '94, where he'd had particularly long hair.

It looked good.

Either way, as the show wrapped up and the band came off the stage drenched in sweat, Chloe narrowly avoided her brother's hug and instead watched him lean over against the wall, starting to chug a bottle of water."

"Do you know where Damon and Justine are?" He asks her casually

"They're not here.." Chloe says confusedly

"Yeah they are. Damon wanted tickets, so I put them on the list for tonight. I think he wants a threesome." Kendal says grinning

Chloe groans "Fuck off, go find someone your own size."

"He's bigger than me...But I thought you'd know that."

She gags and walks away from her brother, not wanting to hear anymore of that shit, and instead walks right into the conversation that Ewan McGregor was having with Damon Albarn and Justine Frischmann.

"Are you two Waverlength fans?" He asks the duo, sipping on his drink

Damon shakes his head "Oh god no. I'm not. I'm just a fan of the turn outs. Justine however might be."

"I don't want you to say that ever again. Not out loud at least." She says, "I mean, they've got some good songs...Ill admit that."

As Chloe approaches, she stops right in the middle of her critique.

"Please don't stop because I showed up. I welcome criticism of Kendal, maybe it'll push his ego down a little."

Damon snickers before saying "There's pretty little Chlo-Bird! I haven't seen you around much." He pouts "I thought we were friends."

Chloe narrowed her eyes.

Friends. Right?

"I've been busy, planning my photo-book and all. It's going to be great. Can't wait for you to see yourself in it."

"Glastonbury 1994?" Justine asks, squealing a little bit "God that was so fun! Don't you remember that?" She says happily

That wasn't what Damon was thinking of. He was thinking of whatever other photos she and him had taken. The ones that weren't in his possession. The ones in her drawer

"Don't you have to ask for permission to use my likeness?" He asks abruptly

"They're her photos Damon. But maybe we'll get an advanced copy?"

Chloe shrugs.

"I'll see what my publisher thinks of that. But sure. Probably. I don't see why not."

Ewan seems to notice the change in expression in Damon's face, as well as the growing tension between the two in the room. Trying to push it aside, he pulls Chloe closer to him, and grins a little "Well, we oughta get going. There's dinner to be had somewhere. Right Chloe?"

"Right..Tell the boys I say hello, would you Damon?"

"Sure. Like always." He murmurs watching as they walk off.

"What was that about?" Ewan asks quietly, leading them away from the group "I thought you two were friends."

"It's complicated. I'm irritated with him." She says in a hushed voice

"Why?"

"He and Justine are fucking great apart. But terrible together."

"How do you know this?" He asks teasingly

"I know them better than you." She snaps before continuing on "And anytime Damon realizes it, he bounces right back to her. It's how he pushes people away."

He raises an eyebrow "So you're avoiding him, to avoid the shove this time. Am I correct?"

"Right on the mark."

"What was the deal with the photo book? He seemed upset."

"I have photos of him in comprising places that would probably make Justine kick him to the curb again. Probably make him realize a few things about his character." She mutters dully

"Right.." he says distastefully "Do you want my advice?"

"Not really."

He rolls his eyes "Don't be fucking petty. It doesn't suit you. Really Chloe, you're better than that. Let that shit come around on its own."

She looks at him unimpressed "You're telling me to take the high road?"

"Yes. Because so many people these days don't."

"Do you?"

He pauses to think about the question. "I'd think so. Do you know of any bad decisions I've made?"

She stops to think, not finding any.

"See?"

"You're an actor. I'm sure you've sold someone out along the lines."

"Not yet. And hopefully never."

This was particularly curious, upon her conversations with Ewan she had quite thoroughly realized he had a heart of gold with morals to match.

There was nothing despicable about him, and as much as she tried to compare him to the other bad people she'd met in her lifetime, he didn't fall anywhere near them.

"Do you want to go back to my place? I'm sure my driver is out front." Chloe blurts out

"Your place?" He asks "that's new."

"Shove it. It means I trust you." She says slowly
"Or would you prefer I retract my proposition?"

"Seeing as I'd really like to go home with you, I'm going to shut my mouth."

"All the way? Don't do that."

"Whatever you say.."

And soon enough, the two were skipping down and out of the theater to the car where Chloe's driver had in fact been waiting.

And within minutes of driving away, stuck in the ever existing concert traffic, the two decided to adventure a little deeper into the meaning of friendship.

The two had decided on the idea of making out, the pair sprawled out upon the extended backseat of the car.

It was nice to openly kiss someone, especially without the element of being a secret involved.