Unchained Thrall

Chapter 1

     Fingers dug into his back, as the man shuddered beneath him. The sign of yet another night ending exactly the way Aidan preferred.

     "Aw, you're not staying?" Aidan leaned up against the couch, giving his living room an absentminded glance. That was as far as they got into his apartment earlier, before desperately needing each other.

     The stranger was already standing up, getting his clothes back on.

     "Mmh, I would love to. But then I'd never be able to get up in time for work."

     "That good, huh?"

     "...Maybe."

     As his footsteps receded into the distance, Aidan soon heard the sound of his front door slamming shut.

     He was alone again, lying satisfied on the sweaty couch cushions. Aidan reached over to the coffee table next to him, picking up his phone. With a smile, he placed it to his ear.

     "Hold on... I'm not sure I like that you're calling me this late. Did you just ...?"

     Aidan's grin grew at the sound of his friend's suspicious voice.

     "You know me so well, Leo. Now, let me tell you exactly how it went."

     Hearing the other's joking tone, Leo rolled his eyes.

     "Oh, absolutely not. What did you actually call me for? I should be sleeping at this time. ...Like most people."

     "Alright, alright. I just wanted to know if you'd like to hang out at the club next weekend?"

     "Who would I be if I said no to that? As long as you don't run off with some guy after five minutes."

     "I'll... uh... try."

     "Unbelievable." Leo let out a huff.

     "You love me."

     "Somehow."

     Despite all the loud and excited voices, obnoxiously loud music managed to drown it all out. Flashy stage lights shone from multiple directions of the club.

     Aidan and Leo were making their way through the large crowds of people, looking for a place to sit down. To their dismay, the few couches that did exist were covered in unknown substances. Deciding against it, they went over to one of the place's many bar counters.

     "I guess that wasn't out of the ordinary. Standing isn't so bad though."

     Aidan stood fairly close to his friend, ensuring he could even hear him speak.

     "Still... No bar stools either?"

     Leo let out a short laugh at that, glancing at Aidan whose eyes were already scanning the garish club.

     "Searching already?"

     "No way, I would never..."

     That immediately earned Aidan a raised eyebrow—but he didn't see it. All his attention was on something else. Leo followed his eyes, shaking his head when that question had been answered. The search was successful, it seemed. Aidan looked back at his friend again, giving him the most apologetic face he could muster.

     "Please... You understand, right? I mean, look at him."

     "...Yeah, okay. I see it. But you have to promise to stay by my side tomorrow."