Burn in Hell | C137cest AU

Surprise, Surprise - Chapter 29

       Rick walked his club, feeling a sense of pride and freedom he hadn't in decades. It was fantastic, being within instead of behind the action. He wandered around, greeting patrons, holding conversations he felt completely relaxed during. It was fantastic.

       The only problem was that it had been over a week since he had invited Morty, and he honestly doubted the brunet would show. He didn't even know if the kid had free time to do such a thing anymore. It was a bustling Sunday, the joint always filling around the holidays because of all the folks visiting from out of town, but it just didn't feel the same.

       Morty stared at himself in the mirror, unable to believe what he was doing. He had his black socks and dress shoes, nice, snug dress pants, and his yellow dress shirt, sleeves rolled up and the top two buttons open. His hair was tamed but not too much, and he wore a cross necklace he had no idea the origin of but cherished all the same. His phone was tucked into a back pocket, his wallet in the other, and his keys in hand. He had spent the last bit of his free time taking, pun intended, crash driving courses with his mother, trying to relearn it all. It had worked, to an extent. Sure, the kid would never parallel park in his life, nor try to make a three point turn until he worked at it some more, but he was able to drive pretty well, and he drove like a madman. 

       It was strange that he had accidentally sped past a cop at 125, yet nothing was done. Morty sure didn't mind, though, driving recklessly, as his mother had called it. She didn't understand it, but her perfect baby boy had a hellish need for speed and adrenaline, and even Morty couldn't put it in words. He just loved it. Maybe it was his grandfather's doing, and Rick's more so for rekindling that memory. Whatever it was, it was a very real thing.

       Morty pulled up and parked along the street less than half a block from the club, smiling at those that pointed out him and his vehicle, waving to the women that smiled over flirtatiously at him. It felt nice, having this attention, and he couldn't help feeling he'd had more before.

       With a shrug, Morty followed the crowd, finding Gary standing in front of the door. When Morty had waved and caught his attention, the man had waved him forward. "I d-didn't kno-ow you worked here," Morty mentioned as soon as he'd fought his way to the front. Gary chuckled, opening the door. "Well, I didn't know you'd be visiting. Go on in, Morty. Have yourself a good time, and be careful." Though Gary seemed more than a little reluctant to let the brunet pass, and Morty the same to enter, the brunet crossed the threshold, met with smoke, a dark room, and loud music. 

       Rick had been wandering the club for some time before he sat at his bar and ordered a quick shot of whiskey. Just a little pick me up. It was like running a constant house party out here and Rick constantly wondered why he ever left his hovel.

       But then he saw his reason, anxiously crossing the club, a light blush visible even in the dim lights. Rick downed his shot and set the glass back on the table, feeling like a predator as Morty shyly perused the floor before green eyes landed on Rick, a soft smile gracing his features. Rick felt his blood cool, his pulse quickening, as he stood from the bar stool, greeting Morty with a wide grin.

       "You made it, kid!" Rick announced, yelling over the music. Morty nodded sheepishly, though his smile remained plastered dopily on his features. Something about this building, no matter what, seemed to have the kid grinning in an instant.

       "You get drinks on the house, kid," Rick chuckled, "and you don't gotta pay for the show. You don't gotta toss dollars or anything if you wanna watch. You get free reign." 

       Morty smiled a little wider, feeling a bit more confident. He would meet an interested stare, usually from somebody dressed like a dancer, and they would smile fondly once they noticed he saw them. It was strangely homely, welcoming, inviting, even. It was a nice place, all in all, and Morty slowly felt his nerves settling.

       But the man on the pole, twirling around, smiling coyly and dancing to the music, had Morty's attention more than anything. His eyes were instantly trained on the stage, and the lights, and the crowd, and everything about the movements. God, he'd give anything to be able to move like that. To have all those eyes on him, to have people practically worship him.

       For a moment, Morty caught a flash of something peculiar.

       Morty was on stage, moving to the music. It was Morty in front of the crowd, Morty grabbing their attention, Morty having it all. 

       Morty quickly shook his head, not knowing where all this was coming from, and Rick laughed. "See? Go have fun. You might even meet some new folks. Enjoy the show, kid, I got some stuff I gotta do."

       Morty watched as the man checked his wristwatch before he made his way through the crowd, making his way into a back room with a wave before Morty made his way closer to the stage, smiling when he realized Gary was now to one side of the stage, no doubt keeping the dancer safe.

       This was the most thrilling thing Morty had ever witnessed, and he felt like he didn't want to leave.

       Morty felt like he was home. Whatever that meant.