Chapter Text
Hang The Dj (Cyber Dating)
Edwin isn’t sure what to expect as he sits in the booth of the nice restaurant. In fact, he’s terrified. Terrified of who the system will choose for him, of the days, weeks, maybe even years they’ll be trapped together, coexisting for the sake of some stupid algorithm designed to find his perfect partner. Edwin has no faith something like that exists. Not for him. Not for Edwin, who, despite his twenty years of age still dresses in what can only be described as Edwardian school boy, who speaks like he’s from an entirely different era than the world is currently in, and despite his intelligence finds himself for all intents and purposes technologically illiterate, to the point where he only recently bothered to acquire a so called smart phone, and already regrets it whenever the infernal thing buzzes and pings in his pocket.
He stares at the circular device that lets him know who his partner match is. There’s no name, no picture, no age. It simply states the booth he’s meant to sit in, and counts down the minutes and seconds until the date is supposed to start. He watches as the time nears.
“Wow.”
Edwin looks up in surprise.
“You’re well fit,” a gorgeous man says, eyes flickering over Edwin in appreciation. “Love the style.” He offers a hand for Edwin to shake. “I’m Charles,” he grins.
“You are… My match partner?” Edwin says in shock.
“It’d seem,” Charles grins, starting to drop his hand.
Edwin jumps up, hurrying to get up and accepting the proffered hand. “Edwin. A pleasure.” He’s not sure where the last part came from, definitely bolder than Edwin could ever imagine himself being.
“Would it be too cliché to say the pleasure is all mine?” Charles smiles, bowing slightly and lifting Edwin’s hand to his lips, kissing his knuckles as he keeps their eyes locked. His eyes glitter, and Edwin is instantly smitten.
“It would, but I suppose I’ll allow it.” Edwin says primly.
Charles laughed merrily, eyes crinkling in the corners. He gestured to the booth with his free hand, moving to rest a hand on Edwin’s lower back and direct him into his seat, still holding Edwin’s hand as if to help him with his balance. He slid into the booth seat across from Edwin.
“Are you usually this chivalrous, or should I consider myself special?” Edwin asked curiously.
“Truthfully, this is my first go,” Charles replied. “You?”
“It is my first, as well,” Edwin admitted. “I am rather nervous. There was little information about how to proceed.”
“I suppose first we tap these,” Charles held up his disk. “Let it know the date’s started, and all.”
“Right, yes.” Edwin held up his own disk, tapping it against Charles’. It flashed green. “Perhaps we order drinks next?”
“Yeah,” Charles glanced around. “There’s no menu, though.” As he said it a server came towards them, placing two drinks on the table. “Oh, right, the algo’s got all our food preferences, they probably have our order preset. Alright,” he put his disk down, then picked it up again. “D’you,” he shrugged, “want to see our time?”
“Let’s.” Edwin agreed, hovering his thumb over the screen.
“Count of three?”
Edwin nodded, and they counted together, then pressed the button.
“Huh,” Charles uttered, clearly let down. “Seventy-two hours. Not a lot of time.”
“It is not,” Edwin agreed, sharing in the other man’s disappointment.
“Guess we should get to it, then,” Charles grinned. “Make the most of our time.”
They placed the disks aside, getting to know each other. By the time dinner was over Edwin was thoroughly smitten. Charles was lovely. Charming and witty, utterly sweet, and even when Edwin managed to be his usual awkward and stilted self, the other didn’t seem to mind, smoothing over Edwin’s embarrassment as if he hadn’t even noticed. His bright smiles made Edwin’s stomach flip flop pleasantly, and the way he looked at Edwin made him forget to be self-conscious.
“So,” Charles said eventually, reaching across the table to take Edwin’s hand. He brushed his thumb over the back of Edwin’s hand. “It’s getting late. You want to get dessert, or go see where we’re staying?”
“Oh, I…” Edwin retracted his hand, feeling shame well up in him. “I-”
“There are no expectations,” Charles said gently, mercifully cutting Edwin off. He took Edwin’s hand again, keeping a close eye on Edwin’s expression to make sure the touch was welcome. “I can take the sofa, it’s no issue.”
“I’m sorry,” Edwin offered. “I feel awful.” He did, shame and guilt eating him up.
“Don’t be,” Charles said with a small, sincere smile. “I’m the one who’s sorry. Properly ruined the mood and all. Didn’t mean to make you feel bad or pressured or nothing.”
“No, I…” Edwin cast around the room, trying to hold back tears. “I feel foolish, making such a scene.”
“Hey,” Charles soothed, scooting over to Edwin’s side of the booth and wrapping an arm around Edwin’s shoulders, pulling him close and pressing a kiss to his temple. “Let’s get out of here, yeah? It really is okay, Edwin. No expectations. Promise. There’s nothing wrong with saying no. C’m’on, let’s see if we’ve got any films at the house. We’ll make popcorn. Watch some terrible horror film and laugh at the shitty effects.”
“Alright.” Edwin knew his eyes were glassy and red-rimmed with unshed tears as Charles lead him out of the restaurant, his hand a gentle pressure against Edwin’s lower back. He let Charles hold the door open for him, then the car door, and then the other man was settling next to him as the driverless car took them to their destination.
Charles tried to fill the silence with chatter, but Edwin, now familiar with his genuine smiles, could see that these were fake. He stared down at his lap, humiliation filling him.
Thankfully, or maybe not, the drive was short. Edwin reached for the doorhandle, but Charles reached across him, placing a hand over Edwin’s. His meaning was clear as he grinned at Edwin, and he only pulled back when Edwin let go of the handle.
Charles slid out on his side and hurried around, smoothly opening the door and offering Edwin his hand. At first, Edwin considered not taking it, but that would be rude, and Charles hadn’t done anything but be nice to him, so he took it with a small smile, feeling a little better as Charles offered a warm smile of his own in return. Charles got their luggage out of the back of the car, and Edwin didn’t even bother wondering how his suitcase and shoulder bag had made it there. He reached for them, but Charles teasingly yanked them just out of his reach, shouldering his bag along with Charles’ own, then grabbing both their suitcases.
“You might be taking this gentleman thing slightly too far,” Edwin commented. “I’m not actually a damsel.”
“Mm, but I want to. A handsome guy like you shouldn’t have the view obstructed by bags and all,” Charles flirted, winking. “You should lead the way, so I can enjoy your arse.” He wiggled his eyebrows, trailing his eyes over Edwin pointedly.
“Quite incorrigible,” Edwin huffed, unable to hide a pleased smile. And if he swung his hips a little more than necessary, that was his business.
Charles gave a small whistle of appreciation, before following him up the short walkway to the front door, again insisting on opening the door.
“This is nice,” Charles commented from behind Edwin, placing their bags by the door. He pushed open the mirrored rolling door to the entryway wardrobe, peeking inside. “May I take your coat?” he asked with a playful tone, bringing his hands around Edwin to his front, helping him slip off his jacket. He hung it up, followed by removing his own.
Edwin gave it a quick glance, once again feeling that pleasant flipflop in his stomach. It looked so right, their coats hung next to each other.
The continued into the sitting room, and Charles spun around, taking in the spacious, tastefully decorated room. Edward followed, not caring so much about the interior as he did Charles’ awed expression as the other wandered around their home for the next few days. Eventually, they made it to the bedroom, and the awkwardness returned.
“Hey,” Charles said softly, placing a reassuring hand on Edwin’s shoulder. “It’s really alright. The sofa looks super comfortable, anyway.” He grinned.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Edwin answered primly. “The bed is plenty big for the both of us.”
“Edwin-”
“I would like to share the bed with you,” Edwin offered earnestly, meeting Charles’ eyes. “As long as-”
“I’ll be a proper gentleman, I swear. No funny business,” Charles smiled blindingly. “Can’t promise I won’t end up cuddling you in my sleep, though.”
“That would be acceptable,” Edwin said, blushing softly.
“And if I cuddled you while I’m still awake?” Charles asked.
“I might be amenable to that, as well,” Edward admitted shyly.
“And if I wanted to kiss you?”
“I…” Edwin blushed. “I have never-”
“Understood,” Charles cut him off, giving a reassuring smile. “No kissing.”
“I was about to say that I have never kissed anyone, so I won’t be any good at it, but I would like to, if you’re alright with that.” Edwin shifted nervously.
“Aces,” Charles beamed. He lifted Edwin’s hand to his mouth again, bushing his lips teasingly over the knuckles. “Now, let’s see about that shitty horror film, yeah?”
Edwin let himself be lead to the sitting room and directed to sit on the sofa as Charles settled next to him. Edwin wriggled a bit, pretending to be getting more comfortable on the sofa, and subtly shifted closer to Charles. Or perhaps not so subtly, considering Charles chuckled and slid closer, wrapping an arm around Edwin’s shoulders. He nuzzled into the side of Edwin’s neck, placing a light kiss there. Edwin gasped and shuddered, earning him a breathy laugh.
“Can’t get over how fit you are, mate,” Charles murmured, ignoring the film selection.
“You’re very handsome, yourself,” Edwin admitted, cheeks heating.
“I’m glad you were my first,” Charles smiled. “Not sure how anybody will measure up after this.”
“I don’t think anybody will,” Edwin confessed, turning his head so he could meet Charles’ eyes. “You are,” he let his eyes run over Charles’ face, lingering on his lips. “You are the most stunning, most amazing, most lovely being I have ever met.”
“Gonna kiss you now,” Charles said breathily, leaning in.
“Please,” Edwin whispered back. He met Charles halfway, gasping as their lips met. A jolt shot through him, zipping down his spine, and Edwin turned his head further, twisting it almost painfully, as he sought more contact. Charles hummed against his lips, pulling back just long enough that they could rearrange themselves for better access. He cupped Edwin’s cheek, deepening the kiss, and Edwin moaned at the feel of Charles running his tongue along his lower lip. Charles took the offered access, delving inside, and Edwin moaned louder, tentatively meeting Charles’ tongue with his own. Charles groaned at that, moving his hand to the back of Edwin’s head and threading his fingers into his hair, gripping lightly. He smirked at the small whimper Edwin let out.
“Like that, do you?” Charles murmured, breaking the kiss. He tugged a little harder, enjoying how blown Edwin’s pupils were as he let out a whine, cheeks flushed red in both arousal and embarrassment. “Fuck, that’s hot,” Charles groaned. “You’re so fucking hot.” He slid his hand back to Edwin’s cheek. “No, not even that,” he reconsidered. “You’re gorgeous. Beautiful. Fuck, how did I get so lucky?” He pressed a chaste kiss to Edwin’s lips.
"You are quite lovely, yourself," Edwin smiled softly. He desperately hoped Charles would kiss him again, at the same time as he feared that if the other did, he wouldn't be able to to hold back.
Charles grinned widely at his words, then his face went soft. As if reading Edwin's thoughts on his face, he carefully extracted himself with a regretful look. "Promised to be a gentleman, didn't I?" he explained. "Not sure I can do that if we don't stop."
"I am not sure I believe that," Edwin replied. "But I am grateful, I am unsure I would not make a decision I would regret. You are... Easy to fall into."
"Never want you to regret anything with me, mate," Charles said firmly. "We have time to figure out what's right for us."
"Not a lot," Edwin pointed out.
"No, but all the more reason not to let ourselves feel pressured." Charles' expression was gentle. He took Edwin's hand and pressed a kiss to the knuckles again, and they settled against the sofa, curled together.
.
.
TBC...