Midnight Sparkle

Chapter 12

2 Years Ago

Adrian stands in the middle of the street, hopping between his feet. He's got an appointment with a client soon... at the client's house! They agreed to meet in public but what exactly does that matter once they get back? He'll be entirely vulnerable then. Additionally, there was a ridiculous set of requirements in their request which means it would have been so much easier for them to just book a hotel rather than be weird and make him go through all this. 

Midnight Sparkle Escort Services. 

-- Name: John Kelly.

-- Requested Escort: The Undertaker. 

-- Location: My flat. Meet at King's Cross station. 

-- Time: 1400-1600 (£100) 

-- Additional Requirements: We'll be going back to my place - I'm 28 tall and sexy. Follow me to the bus stop but pretend we aren't getting on the bus together. Sit away from me. When we get off, pretend we aren't getting off together and follow me 20 paces behind.  Be quiet when entering my flat and discreet when you leave. (£25) 

Geez, what a control freak. Adrian rolls his eyes and stares ahead, waiting for the self-proclaimed 'tall and sexy' man. He arrives and waves Adrian over. He is tall, but is maybe 68 not 28, and don't even get him started on 'sexy'. The guy looks terrible. Adrian follows him to the bus stop, standing beside him awkwardly. 

"Sorry about the requirements,... so many people I know around here, you know?" 

"Mhmm," Adrian crosses his arms and looks away, just wanting this to be over. This guy is a paranoid idiot. What, it's going to look weird that you're... going home with a friend? What exactly are people you know going to call you out on? For walking with someone in public? John continues his incredibly awkward conversation with Adrian, the 5 minutes until the bus arrives feeling longer and longer by the second. 

"So, are you in university?" 

"No," Adrian scowls. 

"Not a student then?" 

"No - oh look the bus is here," he sighs in relief and stands up, getting on the bus and indeed sitting a few seats away from John as per his request. After a few stops he sees John get off and follows him, cursing himself the entire way. You're an asshat, Adrian... why did you agree to this? Oh yeah, because Sebastian is neck-deep in capitalism. He thinks. 

He indeed follows John off the bus after a pleasantly silent ride, though this is a district he's only ever visited briefly and not this section exactly. Reaching the apartment, it's secluded, seedy and small, a tiny flat at the back of an old sandstone building. The flat is dark when John opens the door, smelling somewhat musty though clean. At least it's clean. 

He sits on the couch and John stands above him, letting this uncomfortable silence hang for far too long. "Do you want tea, Undertaker?" 

"No," Adrian usually tries to be polite with clients, but he's being paid hourly and couldn't care less about a tip. 

His client slides into the seat beside him and he can't help cringe. An arm is wrapped around his shoulders, he squeezes his eyes closed. He wants to die. "So... do you have a boyfriend? Or a girlfriend? Or...?" 

"Nope," he starts kissing his client just to shut him up, to move this along faster. John pulls down Adrian's jeans and his own, sitting him in his lap. Adrian is too tall, it doesn't feel right. 

"What are these, hm?" John begins tracing the outlines of long, thin cuts across Adrian's thigh. The travesties of being pale, they appear so dark and distinct against his skin.