Ivar the Boneless/Alex Høgh Andersen

End of the Night (AHA)

Four months apart was far too long, you'd been anxious to get to Dublin and see Alex, counting down the days since your last day together. He'd been counting as well, texting every day to tell you how much he missed you, how much he wanted and needed you. Some of the various texts had caused you a great deal of frustration, as your skin grew warm reading them.

From the airport to his place seemed like an eternity. You were tired from travel and wanting nothing more than a hot shower, food, and then to fall asleep snuggled together in bed. Of course Alex had other ideas.

The two of you stepped off of the elevator to his door, kissing you once more before unlocking the door, Alex smiled and winked.

"I can't wait to get you alone."

"Open the door and we can..." You stopped mid sentence, when he swung the door open to a room full of balloons and party decorations.

A large Happy Birthday banner strung across the room. "Surprise!" various people shouted when you walked in.

"Happy birthday, babe." Alex leaned over, kissing your cheek.

"Alex!" You slap his shoulder, stunned by the presentation. "What's this?"

Laughing and taking your coat, Alex shrugged. "Tomorrow is your birthday, I wanted to make it special. Now come, come." He walked through the penthouse. "Enjoy. Dance, sing, let's celebrate."

Alex was thoughtful and knew that you would love the surprise, but tonight it was growing to be a bit too much. You would be polite, smile, entertain, and devise a plan to get everybody out before midnight.

The time change was brutal enough, you didn't want to be asleep in the corner before you got a proper visit with Alex. He'd walked in and seemed to disappear, Alex rarely kept a low profile when there was a party going on.

A few times, you would pass by and see him talking with familiar and a couple of not so familiar faces. He'd look up, wink, and continue the conversation. If he allowed your friends time with you now, it meant he could have you to himself for a few days before they came knocking.

"You had no idea?" Jordan's deep voice rumbled into a laugh. His unique accent following. "He can keep a secret, look at that." He nudged his girlfriend with his elbow.

"You could learn some lessons." Sophie rolled her eyes and winked at you. Sipping her drink, she shook her head, her blonde hair swishing back and forth. "Men are so simple."

"It is Alex." You counter, stirring the straw around your gin and tonic. "He's pretty transparent, when he gets excited."

"Hmm, maybe because you weren't face to face?" Sophie suggested.

"Maybe." You mused. Jordan had wandered off to talk to someone else, leaving the two of you alone. "He told me we were coming home, ordering pizza, and going to bed."

Snorting with a laugh, Sophie offered you her sincerest pout. Knowing how much you hated fussing over you. "I'm sorry we ruined your perfect night. Do you want me to kick everyone out?"

"No, no." You lied, smiling sweetly. "I'm happy he did this. I've never had a surprise party and this is really sweet of him."

"But..." Sophie lingered.

"But..." You draw out. "Give me another 30 minutes and then I am going to bed. You can kick everyone out then."

29 minutes, not a minute later, Sophie had almost everyone out of your hair claiming they should move the party to a pub down the street. Eager to follow the crowd, Alex had his shoes on and was almost out the door, hot on Marco's trail when you grabbed his arm and pulled him back.