Love Me Tender an Austin x Elvis story

CHAPTER ONE: Such a night

The atmosphere inside Club Handy was dense with smoke, and the melodies of rhythm and blues music reverberated throughout. As Austin savoured his whiskey sour at the bar, his gaze wandered around the room until it settled on a captivating figure standing towards the front of the lively space by the small stage. The man, who had a head full of black hair, exuded an undeniable aura of confidence. It was clear that he was quite popular, as a group of people were all gathered around him, seemingly hanging on his every word. Austin couldn't help but admire the man's charisma, but he quickly snapped out of his trance turning back to the bar and finished his drink.

"Hey, it was $5, right?" Austin asks as leans against the bar and pulls out his wallet. He hands the bartender a $10 bill and waits for his change.

In that brief moment, his mind wanders to his younger sister who he hasn't seen in a couple of years. He misses her and can't help but wonder what he would be doing at this very moment. Would he be having dinner with his family right now? Reading his sister a bedtime story? No, she'd probably not want a story as she's grown up now almost 13. He exhales in defeat, swiping his hand through his hair that had already lost the style he spent time on trying to perfect this morning, as he wanted to try something new for a new job.

"Here you go." The bartender says as he passes Austin his change.

"Thank you." He responds opening up his wallet and placing the change into it, preparing to head out into the cold evening on Beale Street.

Austin hears a soothing tone from behind him, trying to capture the attention of the bartender.

"Hi excuse me, can I get a Pepsi cola?" The voice asked. "Sure thing, just one moment sir" The bartender acknowledges the order and proceeds to grab a glass bottle of the beverage before handing it over to the man with the striking southern drawl.

While this interaction was taking place, Austin found himself unable to move along from where he was positioned by the bar still holding his wallet in his hand. As he turned to take a glance at the man who was occupying the space only a few feet away from him, he recognised that it was the same man that he spotted earlier, surrounded by a group who appeared to be paying him compliments.

For what exactly Austin was unsure, as this man did not seem familiar to him that he should remember him from somewhere, but he was popular. That was something Austin could tell from the conversation he witnessed and the glances this man was getting from the surrounding clubgoers who were either mingling and moving to the jukebox that was playing or doing both.

"Hey there"

Austin turns his head around and sees the man he just heard standing next to him, smiling at him. Austin paused for a second caught off guard and watched the man take a swig of his Pepsi from the bottle.

"Hey, uh what's up?"

"Not much. Just enjoying the night. What about you?"

"Same here. Just grabbing a drink before I head out... what I meant was that I've just finished up my drink and am about to head out" He corrected himself after remembering that the glass next to him was empty and he placed his wallet back into his jean pocket.

"Mind if I get you a drink?"

"Um sure, cool ok." Austin nodded his head unsure as to why he'd agreed without a moment's hesitation to allow this stranger to buy him a drink.

" Im Austin by the way." He held put his hand to shake and the man clasped his warm hand shaking it for a couple of seconds before dropping it and clearing his throat replying, "And I'm Aaron it's nice to meet you. I hope you don't mind me ordering you a Pepsi if that's ok?"