How' you doin'? (CW) - Ezra

Time: 21:15
Location: The Castillo - Big party hall something!
Participant: @Ezra
Outfit: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQuEQREUEAEXK-3.jpg

It was a grand event, one for both the Athena Academy and other academies internationally, not one for competitions, but one for all the academies to show off the talents of both their students and teachers. That meant that the students and the teachers, just for this day, were equals. No students under 18 were allowed, actually, it was a bit arrogantly done by the organizers, because the event was really an invite only, for the best that Athena Academy could draw out. And even though Jaxson was pretty new to the academy again - after having worked there for 1 year - he was picked, because of his dance coaching skills. He'd appearently made quite a name for himself outside of the academy.

During the first day, Jaxson had been one of the people at the event to showcase his talents. He'd done it even though all the sounds and lights were still frustrating and slightly paranoia-inducing, and was met with a standing ovation before going off the stage and changing into the evening suit. There was supposed be something like a cocktail party - the whole reason why students under 18 weren't allowed - and people had been given dress code rules, that they had to follow. So that's what Jax did as well, changing into his new attire before joining the party once again.

That was when he noticed a familiar face, also quite sharply dressed. His old love? If you could call it love? Fling? Flirt? He wasn't sure, but back when he was dumped it hadn't felt nice and then he'd dissappeared for a long time. Until now actually. Why Ezra was here Jaxson didn't know though. He knew the younger man had talents when it came to knowing about medicine, but this event was more for arts and stuff like that. The more practical things. It was confusing really, but he didn't mind that Ezra was here. Or did he? His own feelings about that had been buried in the back of his mind for the last three years, especially after his transformation, and certainly after the episode on the docks!

But even though Jax was not exactly himself, he still jumped straight into the conversation between Ezra and another teacher, drink in his hand. Real smooth as usual, covering up the fact that he was over-worked, over-stressed and over-stimulated as fuck. "Nice to see you here, Ez? Of all places," his happiness sound a bit off-ish, but he didn't realize it himself. The other teacher looked a bit flabbergasted but quickly recovered, sending a polite smile in Jax' direction, but also excusing herself because of whatever reasons. Jax couldn't really care less. "So how've you been doing?" he kept it as natural as possible. No reason to talk about their former flirts and shit, none what soooo ever! Except it was pressing to get out of him...

Outfit

The event was not what he usually went to. He was lucky he even had the means of getting a suit made. He was not very fancy in the way he dressed. He preferred something a little more casual than this. But the event was fun. He was especially entertained during Jaxson’s performance. He had clapped excitedly afterwards. He hadn’t seen him for a while, and they hadn’t a chance to catch up. And maybe that was for the better. He wouldn’t know what to say if they did have a chance to interact. But knowing both of them, it probably wouldn’t be a problem.

He talked with someone who worked with the hotel to talk about what he needed for his performance. Afterwards he continued to socialize with the others at the event. He grabbed a glass of champagne. He definitely wasn’t used to the luxury offered at the event, but that didn’t mean he enjoyed it one bit less. He did regret some choices he had made in regard to Jaxson. He had been asked to make a choice, and by the way his mother had said it, it was choosing between his future and all its possibilities and Jaxson. As a mere 18-year-old, he didn’t want to throw his future away. But he knew better now. He could have easily gotten both, if he so wanted. And it did suck because he really liked Jaxson, more than his other flings.

He looked to the teacher he was currently conversing with. ”I would gladly be a tour guide around the school for your children, Ms. Mead.” He sent him a smile. ”And of course I will tell them all the reasons why languages is the most interesting subject the academy has to offer.” Ezra’s accent was not easy to place. He didn’t have one where you just knew it was British, or Russian or American. It was a mix of a few accents. He clanged glasses with the teacher before taking a sip.

Ezra looked at Jaxson when he came to join them. ”Is that a subtle way of calling me untalented?” He asked teasingly with a smile accordingly. He looked to the other teacher who excused himself with a reason, Ezra didn’t quite catch. Ezra sent him a smile. Something seemed off with him, but he decided to stay neutral for now. Afterall, they were still getting reacquainted. ”Quite fine,” he said and looked behind him. ”I’m being summoned. I will catch up with you later.”

He went to the stage and picked up the mic. He had not always been very forward with his music skills. He had barely hummed when he was Jaxson. He just hadn’t been very secure in them until recently. Mostly he had performed for a smaller audience, but now he was performing for a quite larger crowder, which was going to be interesting. He looked around during the song, but his eyes continuously landed on Jaxson when he sang ‘tiny dancer’ even though he wasn’t very tiny. His gaze lingered on him longer than anyone.

When Ezra spoke back to him, Jaxson felt a weird fluttering in his stomach and he couldn't help but smile fondly, even though he was being sassed hard. He didn't mind. He could be just as sassy, he'd often been called the king of sass by his students. "Maybe? Do you want it to be?" a smirk had developed on Jaxson's face. He couldn't help it. It was too fun to not take Ezra's sass seriously, because it was also obvious that he was only doing it for fun too. Jax had actually almost forgotten the stress he was going through. He smiled when Ezra said he was doing fine, nodding.
His accent was always this weird mix. It was one of the things that Jax liked most about it. You'd never know what to expect and it was truly refreshing!

"That's amazing," and Jax meant it. He really was happy on Ezra's behalf. Being fine was the best, but he couldn't be entirely sure if Ezra meant it or if he just didn't mean to ruin the mood in here. But from what he could feel from Ezra's mood, it was true.
Sadly he didn't get to talk a lot more with the now less young man as Ezra had to excuse himself as well. Only to walk on stage, picking up a mic and starting to sing with a voice that made Jaxson instantly, and completely, relax. He was looking at his old fling through the entire song, which meant they had  eye-contact more than once. Jax could feel that Ezra looked at him more than the others, and he felt nice about that. He wondered why, because, they'd ended their fling together three years ago, back when he was still just a human-being. Good times, they were. Now he was different, and he'd experienced something that he almost wouldn't put his own worst enemy through. Who'd have thought how much things could change, just in three years? But then still the same feelings could be felt? Because Jax knew those feelings, and they were welcome in his cold heart. But also not welcome. He didn't know how Ezra would feel about that.

He stood in front of a bar table and he'd almost forgotten his drink throughout the song. That's why, when the song was done and everyone had their ovation - including Jax - he quickly took a large sip of it, before Ezra appeared in front of him. The first few seconds, Jax just beamed, smiling a big smile, before lifting his glass to for a toast. "Damn, Ez.. I didn't know you could sing so well! You have a fantastic singing voice," there was no room for jokes this time. Jaxson was completely serious. He'd felt enthralled by that singing voice.

Ezra had nearly forgotten the amount of sass Jaxson held inside. He chuckled at his words. ”I’m sure that’s a loaded question.” No matter what he responded, could he even win? He smiled at him, mostly politely but there was something else in his eyes. He had missed Jaxson. He didn’t blame him from creating distance between them, but he still hoped they could find a way to be friends. That hadn’t been the case.

Ezra had been through a few struggles with his family, but mostly he was okay. He was just worried about Jemima. He wanted her to have the very best, and he didn’t feel like she had that right now. Ezra had trouble keeping his gaze away from the human turned vampire. He had not brought it up, even though the scent of vampire was strong on him. He didn’t feel the need to. He would listen if Jaxson would want to talk. He just didn’t feel like it was something to bring up. It seemed indecent, in a way. It was something private, something you didn’t ask about unless you were close enough, and sadly he and Jax was not close any longer.

He took a bow from the ovation, before leaving the stage and returning to Jax. He grabbed a drink from one of the waiters on the way and rose it to Jax. ”Thank you,” he said and took a sip of the sour drink. He wrinkled his nose a little at the taste. He wasn’t a fan. ”I was not very forward with my music before recently,” he said to explain why Jax didn’t know about it. ”Do you want to go to the bar? I need something else than this.” He moved the glass around in the glass, watching the liquid reaching for the edge, threatening to spill. He sent Jax a smile. He was trying his best to keep it friendly and polite between them. They were no longer just a couple of people who could throw themselves into a wildfire romance without consequences. Jaxson was a teacher; Ezra was a student. They could both get in trouble if anything happened. Jaxson more than Ezra, perhaps. He didn’t want that. The feelings that were slowly being rediscovered just had to be kept at bay.

As they talked to each other, Jax decided that for now, he would not reach out with his empathic abilities. He didn't want to intrude on Ezra's feelings, not now at least. It felt wrong now that they were only just getting to know each other from scratch again. He didn't understand why Ezra hadn't been forward with his singing skills. Maybe it was because Jax himself was extremely forward himself? He was used to just doing it, being an absolute perfectionist and being really angry with himself if he failed any moves on the dance floor. And then trying again, and again, until he had it under his sleeve. Nervousness from performing wasn't a problem for him at all. But maybe Ezra was nervous about it? Putting yourself out there could be quite daunting after all.

"That's a shame. I think you could even make a career-move with it. Unless you're still in the medicine field?" Jax smiled when Ezra wrinkled his nose over the drink. It was funny. He didn't like it himself either, it was way too bitter. It needed to taste more like alcohol as well! But these times Jax could drink just about anything to avoid confronting his inner stupid demons.
"Yeah sure, hang on a sec," Jax quickly emptied the glass without problems, putting it away on the table. He wanted to get drunk, but without blood infused into the drink that probably wouldn't happen unless he drank A LOT. But he still didn't want to leave a half-empty glass, and the night was still young. He could go out later, in order to not be embarassing to the other students or teachers. He didn't really know yet though, because it was nice talking to Ezra.

Once he put the glass away, he led the way to the bar and gave Ezra a glance as they stood there. It occured to him that he didn't remember what kind of drinks Ezra favoured, mostly because whenever they'd went out together, he'd always ended up drunk enough to forget.
"What are you gonna get? I'm thinking I'll take.. You know what, you get yo decide!" he smirked at the younger man. It would be more interesting this way.

Ezra had always felt like he needed to be there for his sister and mother, to be the man his father wasn’t. He didn’t feel he had the freedom to pursue a creative passion. He had to be practical and think of what could be best in the future. He was passionate about helping people, perhaps more than music, so it just felt natural for him to go the medicine route. But he also wanted a little time to be himself, to do the things he wouldn’t have the time or energy to do when he had to study medicine. He had planned on starting an internship at a hospital in 2020 if it was possible.

”A singing doctor would be a hit, don’t you agree?” He smiled at him. If he knew a way he could combine both passions, he would do it. But other than once in a while arranging a music session for the patients, he couldn’t think of a way to make it work. He put his glass down on the table and watched Jaxson as he emptied his drink. He walked with him to the bar, thinking a moment about what he would like. Also he couldn’t help but wonder if Jaxson was so different because he was a vampire now or if it was something else. His smiles just didn’t reach his eyes like they used to. Whatever was the cause of that made Ezra angry and sad. He wanted to see that smile again.

He looked at Jaxson as he made it his decision. He couldn’t figure out if it was his way of seeing if he remembered what he liked to drink; he didn’t. He remembered other things. His scent, the feeling of his hair between his fingers, the soft skin. It wasn’t what he had ordered or what he had said, it was how Jax had made him feel. It was those things he remembered. ”Two old fashioned,” he told the bartender and turned to Jax. ”I never got a chance to ask before. How are you doing?”

Jax couldn't help but laugh at Ezra. He could imagine it without trouble, Ezra sitting with a child that was in pain because of something, and then Ezra singing to the child to calm him or her down. It was a heart-warming imagination of him, one that was very welcome in Jax' otherwise pretty dark mind.
He didn't catch the sad or angry vibe from his old love, because he had shut his powers down for the moment. Had he felt it, he probably would have done more to cover up the fact that this entire room was making him feel on edge constantly, only dulling down the times where he laughed at Ezra or just looked at him. Therefor Jax was mostly just focusing on Ezra and kind of nothing else, like as if the younger man was his life-line in a sea of stormy waters.

Drinks were ordered and Jaxson smiled a bit again. Old Fashioned were nice. Not his favorite drink, but it was one those drinks that you could have a LOT of, because they didn't taste that much like alcohol. And they were more fresh. That meant drinking them fast would be easy.
"Nice," he commented, clapping Ezra on the shoulder. He normally wasn't much for human contact unless it was because of dancing or.... Other things. But he felt relaxed around Ezra. Jax found that he would have to lie when Ezra asked how he was doing. He didn't want to sour the mood, and he certainly didn't want to make Ezra worried. It was under control. Well, somewhat. "Well.. You know me, I worked a lot back then.. And a bit more now.. But I'm pretty fine," right now at least. But it still was a lie. A little white lie. But a lie nontheless, and Jax felt his conscience take a small punch because of it. He hated lying to people that he cared about. His smile was faltering at this point, but luckily the drinks arrived at the same time and he quickly took a sip to cover up the feeling of guilt.

Just hearing Jax laugh made a smile grow on his lips. He deserved to always laugh and to never cry. It was unlikely, but he still wished that for him more than anything. He didn’t know what was going on with him, but he felt like he needed something to distract him. If he could help him in any way, he would. He didn’t mind the attention he got from Jaxson one bit. It made him believe he was not just another student to him. He didn’t expect them to be anything more, but just that the possibility was there, was nice.

Ezra was pretty large when it came to alcohol. He rarely drank anything pure like vodka or something like that, but otherwise he liked most things. He felt the clap on the shoulder and smiled. He wasn’t convinced that Jaxson was okay, but he was not one to dig into things he didn’t have any business digging into. ”Pretty fine?” He looked at him, narrowing his eyes just a little. ”That sounds like something you say when you’re not fine.” He looked at the drink when it was ready. He took it and held it in his hand. ”I know it’s none of my business, but maybe I can help you some way. Either listen to you or…” He looked at the drink in his hand. ”Or drink with you until you forget.” He wasn’t completely sure he was able to drink a vampire under the table, but he could try, right?”[/color] He took a sip of the drink and leaned his arm against the bar shortly looking around at the other attendees. None of them seemed half as interesting as he remembered Jaxson to be.

The instant Ezra narrowed his eyes at Jax and started to question him, the empathic abilities inside the young vampire switched on, almost creating a feedback screech inside his brain as he immediately connected with Ezra's emotions. Feelings that he couldn't really understand, because he could also feel everybody else in the room and it was really overwhelming. It made his head hurt a little, but on the outside he kept it cool, only leaning a bit more towards the bar table, correcting a strand of hair that was  unruly. "It's not that I don't want to talk about it, it's just..." he hesitated a bit, as he found that he actually wanted to talk to Ezra about it. Not all of it, but it was all still such a heavy burden weighing him down, crashing on top of his shoulder, at best making him tense at times, at worst making him restless and angry with himself.

"Just not here at a party. Don't wanna ruin an otherwise nice evening, you know?" Ezra's offer of drinking until he forgot was a tempting one. He'd attempted that on multiple occasions, but because he had been alone all those nights of drinking it away, it had backfired massively right in his face, making him prone to outbursts of anger instead of just feeling drunk, silly, and happy. But with Ezra, maybe, he could just focus on that instead of all the crushing feelings, that he was sickened by. "You do know, it'll take a lot of drinks to make me forget or even just getting me drunk, right?" as he said those words, he realized he hadn't said anything about his vampiric condition. He was pretty sure that his paler complexion would have radiated off, but still. He hadn't said anything about it and he felt bad for not doing that. He was usually very open with people about it. Or at least people he knew.

"Oh.. Shit," he covered his mouth when the swear-word came out. Not that Ezra wasn't used to that, but it was a formal event after all. "I uhm.. Forgot to tell you.. I kind of uhm.. Am a vampire now," he felt silly for springing the information on Ezra like that, but he just didn't like keeping it a secret.

Ezra prided himself to be good at reading people, especially people he knew. And even if Jaxson had changed since they were together, he still knew some of his behavioral signs. He looked cool, but that little correcting of his hair was not just out of vanity. He was either overwhelmed, stressed or uncomfortable. Maybe all three. He didn’t need to know, and he would never ever pressure Jax to do so, but he just wanted to offer it, in case he needed it. At least now he knew there was something to talk about, that made it easier for him. He was not going to guess what had happened to him. There was so many options. He had become a vampire, so that might have something to do with it. If not that, he couldn’t imagine what else had happened. He took another sip of the drink, not letting his gaze move away from him. He was worried.

”Of course. I just wanted to offer my ear. It can be whenever or wherever you might need it.” He was sure it took less for a werewolf to get drunk than a vampire, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t give it a shot, if that was what Jax wished to do. ”I’m up for the challenge,” he said with a grin. It wasn’t difficult for Ezra to determine Jax was a vampire. He could smell it on him. Wasn’t werewolves and vampires meant to be enemies and everything? Not that he would ever be Jaxson’s enemy. He took another sip at the drink and let the cool glass rest in his hand.

”You didn’t have to tell me, Legend.” He had never told Jaxson his true nature back then. He wasn’t sure he knew of the supernatural and he didn’t want to freak him out. ”You do know I’m a werewolf, right?” He was sure he could smell it on him, but something might have intercepted his senses and made it difficult for him to use them properly. That could happen, right?

By the time Jax got control over his ability, making sure it was only focusing on Ezra, he could finally gauge what the other man felt: Concern, of course. It wasn't surprising, but at the same time it kind of was. He didn't know that Ezra was the type to worry over an ex-fling, but at the same time they'd had a really good fling together, so maybe.. Maybe it made sense.
"Thank you, Ez," he said with a hint of emotion running through his voice. He didn't like showing the negative aspects of himself, especially not at public events or in public places so this was the best he could do. He took another sip of his drink, trying to get ahead of Ezra as fast as possible. Because he didn't want to drink the other man under the table just yet and it would probably take less for Ezra to get drunk.

It had been some time since Jax had last been called by his surname. Some might think it weird that he liked it. That he liked being a professional. It was not the case, he just really loved his last name a lot and it made him feel superior to be called by that name. Like he was a badass. He smiled a bit, grinning along with Ezra, trying not to be surprised by the fact that the younger man already knew. Why'd he know? Did someone tell him?

The minute Ezra informed Jax, that he was a werewolf, Jax eyed him before taking a breath through hos nose. There it was. The same smell as Kenna. So that was how a werewolf smelled. Kenna was a werewolf too then. Wait. Ezra was a werewolf!? It came as quite a shock to him, but not on the negative side of things. He'd never had any bad encounters with them, because he'd only met Kenna, and now Ezra and it was weird, because he had heard the rumours that vampires and werewolves were supposed to not like each other that much. It made no sense at all.
"No.. I mean, I didn't. Uhm, I haven't encountered any werewolves since my transformation. But I do sense that you're not like a human now," he scratched his neck a bit before looking straight into Ezra's eyes. "It's all still very new to me," he finally admitted with a shy smile, so very unlike his normal demeanor.

Ezra didn’t need his thanks. He just needed him to know that he was there to listen if he needed. It might be a little unorthodox since he was a student where Jax worked, even if he didn’t teach him directly. It was not that common. But then again at that school, people could be a thousand years old and date a person in their twenties. Was it really so wrong? ”You don’t need to thank me. I didn’t do it for thanks. I did it so you don’t have to feel alone. If that’s what you feel.” He didn’t want to make it sound like he was alone. Jax could be seeing someone for all he knew. The thought made his stomach turn over. He could now say, he might have some left over feelings for Jax. Fuck.

The moment Ezra knew what Jaxson’s last name was, he just knew he had to use it. It was too perfect not to. He was a Legend after all, so it was perfect, wasn’t it? Jax had always impressed him in his ability to always just be himself. He didn’t seem too bothered by what anyone else was thinking. For a 17-year old boy, that was so inspiring to see. He was not only someone Ezra had strong feelings for back then, he was also someone he looked up to. And now… Now he wasn’t sure how to feel about him. He was a teacher, but he had been close to going in for a hug a few times now.

Ezra saw how he reacted to it. It looked like his thoughts were racing. He smiled at him when he spoke. ”Well now you know. I have a feeling the smell might not be the most satisfying for you.” He had been compared to a wet dog a few times before. He saw the shy smile and in company of his words, it made him feel like he had to do something. He reached forward and put a hand on his upper arm, giving it a gentle squeeze. His fingers lingered behind to feel the skin behind the fabric. He looked around and felt like people were looking, so he quickly let go. He drank the last of his drink in one mouthful. It was going to be a long night of staying away from Jaxson. ”So uh… Teaching? That’s cool.” He was feeling a little flustered.

It was a bizarre emotion that run through Jax as Ezra talked about being alone. He wasn't alone, that much he knew, but at the same time, other words rang clear in his mind. Monstrous words: "You are not worth it at all. I guess you really are a one time deal, probably havent had a decent relationship, because your ride is only fun the first time" hurtful words, that at the time had instantly made Jaxson think of Ezra, how their fling had been short. How he'd wanted more. How he never got to have more. Selfish thought, Jax knew that. And that's why he tried his best to ignore them. He said nothing, just nodded in understanding, as he wasn't sure if he was even able to speak right now. Especially when a new emotion radiated from Ezra. Jealousy? Why was he feeling like that?

Sure, werewolves had a hint in their smell of wet dog. But also of nature. Primal and wild. Jax liked it, to be honest, because he also loved dogs no matter how ugly they were. The only soft things he really adored. "I actually like the smell," Jax afmitted with a small smile. The feeling of Ezra's hand lingering on his arm was calming, but his hand dissappeared just as fast as it had appeared, along with more feeling radiating from Ezra. Was he? Jax dared not think it. What if it was just flighty emotions coming from him? What if it was just because they'd just met again after such a long time being apart? Jax knew it was his fault. Ezra had really tried keeping in contact as friends, but Jax couldn't back then. He didn't like it when his feelings were out in the open and he hadn't been able to control the sadness that he felt back then. So he'd kept his distance, burrying himself in work. Just as he did now, and even though he was a vampire now, it actually took a toll on him, having three jobs at the same time. He wouldn't be able to do that forever. One of the jobs would have to go, and it would probably be his teacher job.

As Ezra emptied his drink, Jax followed suit, ordering more drinks for them before returning his focus to Ezra again. "Yeah.. But only assistant teaching. I have two other jobs that also need my attention," he almost sounded like he was lost in thoughts before looking properly at Ezra, feeling a need to get out of here. Fresh air, maybe just a smaller bar. Away from the too many people. "Hey, you wanna get out of here? I know a better place, way better drinks and.. Uhm, stuff," just as Ezra had felt flustered, Jax now also felt that way.

Ezra didn’t mean to make him feel scared or sad. It had never been intention. Not even back when they had broken up. It had never been because of Jaxson. It had been other things. He had been asked to chose and he might have chosen him if things had been different. The reality was he didn’t feel like he could be in a relationship, even if he so desperately wanted to. He had learned of his ability to kill by just kissing a person when he was 16. He was so afraid of that happening again, he had a string of flings, but nothing that ever became too serious. It just couldn’t work for him. He had to accept that sooner or later.

Ezra really didn’t care if people disliked his scent. It wasn’t because he could do anything to change it. He smiled when Jaxson said he liked the smell. ”Take a good whiff then,” he suggested with a weak chuckle. He knew he shouldn’t be feeling this. He didn’t even know if Jax felt the same, he probably didn’t. Wasn’t he just putting himself up to heartbreak? He wasn’t a fan of how things ended with Jax. He understood if he didn’t want to be friends, but it still sucked because he liked being around him. It made him happier. He just had to accept his decision and he had. It had been three years since they last saw each other. So how was it possible for him to still yearn for his touch the way he did?

He tried to not look to much at Jax. It just made him think about things he wanted to do but couldn’t. ”That doesn’t surprised me,” he said with a smile, although not as sincere as earlier. He took the drink when it arrived. It was not quite as big and could better be swallowed quickly. He looked at him when he suggested to get out of there. ”Sure, yeah.” He looked toward the wardrobe. ”Did you bring a coat?” He had a feeling it wasn’t necessary for him, but he still wanted to ask, as they could might as well go there together in stead of apart.

The suggestion Ezra made, made Jaxson actually want to take a good whiff! He didn't though, as it would just look all sorts of wrong, no instead he just focused on the smell for a bit, before laughing along with Ezra, a more innocent smile on his lips, because he felt that the conversation was going places and he didn't want anyone else to pick up on that. All the more reason to get the fuck out of here. Also, the feelings emerging from Ezra really put Jax on a loop, feeling odd about it. There was a connection, very strong, but he also got a hint of what.. Sadness? "Yeah, I know.. I should work less, I remember you saying that back when," he commented with a little smile. He knew how hard it was to keep track of his spare time. Drinking irresponsibly at night, then working for more than 16 hours a day, if he was on a really tight schedual. But right now it was fine. Less time to spend thinking about stupid shit.

As Ezra agreed to go out, Jax quickly downed his drink feeling no tipsiness even though he'd quite many drinks already. Another smile broke out on his face when Ezra asked if he had a coat. "We don't need coats, Ez," he spoke in a cryptic way before standing up and leading the way again. This time to the hall, looking around if anyone was there. When they were alone, he grabbed Ezra by his arm, before going straight through a man-sized mirror.

And out the back of a bar where a big ass window was appearently a thing. Here he let go of Ezra again, as he didn't know if the werewolf wanted to be touched. "All we need to do is go up front. Like my party trick?" a smirk played on Jax' lips as he made a hand gesture in the direction they needed to go.

Ezra smiled at his words. ”I only said that because I missed you.” He quickly realized what he had just said. ”Back then, I mean.” He rubbed his neck and was slowly beginning to feel the effect of alcohol. He frowned when he stated they didn’t need a coat. Nevertheless, he followed him into another room. He looked down when he took hold of his arm and led him through a large mirror. ”Wow,” he said and looked around as they suddenly stood in another location, in a bar. He looked back at Jax when he talked about his party trick. ”I love it,” he said and again felt like his wording had been affected by the alcohol in his system. ”Come on, I’ll buy first round.” He went to the bar to order a drink.

| Time jump to a few hours later |

Ezra was resting his head in his hand looking at Jax. ”No, but the thing is..” His words were slurred and not that easy to understand. ”I just wanted to see the monkeys! But one of the children in my class was scared of them. Who is scared of monkeys?” He leaned his head to the side and his elbow moved over the edge of the bar and nearly fell off the chair. He laughed excessively before standing up. ”Let’s go dance!” He took Jaxson’s hand to hopefully convince him to come dance with him. ”Show off those moves!” He urged before taking a step backwards and losing balance and ending up on the floor. ”What happened?” He exclaimed looking around himself.

It was probably the sweetest words that came out of his mouth. Jax couldn't help but smile, even though "back then" was added very quickly. Still, he could feel what Ezra meant and that was good enough for him. He lifted an eyebrow, but smiled none the less, a more soft smile than before.
When they were out and Ezra wow'ed him, Jax grinned self-satisfied. Sometimes he could be really vain and this was just one of those cases. "I knew you'd say that," and then they were off, to an evening of extreme drinking.

- Time Jump -

If Ezra was drunk.. Then so was Jax. Maybe they haven't matched each other drink for drink, because Jax knew he needed to have a quicker pace to get as drunk as his friend. Friend? Ex-love? Actual love? It was a bit hard to remember in his drunken state. He was continously laughing at Ezra's slurred words as he himself was also leaning on the bar, but with his head upright and a bit less slouched. But it was still obvious that he was very, very drunk.
He had also taken off his jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, revealing the contrast between his pale, but still slightly darker skin against the white of the shirt itself.

"I have no idea! Monkeys are stupid-cute and they steal all your stuff, but dangerous? Scary? Naah!" he was almost cry-laughing but he didn't, because crying as a vampire could be quite the fucking mess. He instantly got up when Ezra did. Dance. He hadn't been letting go for weeks! He needed to dance, not just that stupid show-case dance from earlier, but actual fucking dance! Sadly, Ezra ended on the floor before Jax got to even start going wild. He laughed while attempting to bow down to help the werewolf. Instead - because he was just as drunk as Ez - he fell over Ezra's legs and landed right on top of him, grinning even more. "Oh no! I think... I think the floor likes us?" he slurred out in his best low class british accent as he tried to move a bit. Didn't work so he just slouched on top of Ezra. "When you said dance... Did'ya mean break.. Dance?" worst joke ever. Jax didn't care. He made a small hiccup instead.

Ezra moved his hand forward as to gesture that he couldn’t agree more. ”Thank you!” He still despised Jenny Daniels because he never got to see the monkeys. He fell to the floor, and before he had a chance to realize what had happened, Jax had fallen on top of him. He laughed as he felt the vampire over him. He laughed even more at his comment. He started to pet the floor. ”We like you too floor, you’re so supportive.” He laughed again and looked into Jaxson’s eyes. ”Huh?” He was confused for a moment and then realized what he had just asked. ”Maybe.” He looked at him again, tempted to lean forward and kiss him, instead he leaned forward and nudged his nose against his neck. ”You smell goooood.” He put his hands on Jaxson’s shoulder and pushed him around so he was laying with his back against the floor.

He managed to get back on his feed, just barely. He stood and swayed a moment before he reached for the tall vampire. ”I think we…” He looked around with a frown as he forgot what he had been thinking. ”What were you saying?” He just began laughing again, until a man working at the bar came to them. ”It’s time to leave guys.” Ezra looked at him. ”Why?” The man didn’t seem impressed by either of them. He broke out laughing. ”Youuu look like a beardless Hagrid.” He looked at Jaxson. ”Doesn’t he?” The man grabbed Ezra by the arm and forced him towards the door. ”Heeey let go!”

Jaxson started laughing even more when Ezra started petting the floor, giving it compliments. He was still laying on top of the werewolf, not really caring how close they were to each other. It felt quite nice actually! "Yeees, best floor ever!" he exclaimed in a soft and loving tone as he also petted the floor a bit. Nice, nice floor. He made a weird, high-pitched sound when Ezra nudged his nose into his neck, because it was tickly. But before he could start complaining or laughed, he was gently pushed to the floor. "I know riiight? I'm the best smelling man in the world.. In fact I smell so good, not even cupcakes smell better than me!" he was feeling very competitive at this moment, trying to get up at the same time as Ezra did, but before he could do anything, one of the bar-workers approached them, looking totally not very happy.

Jax didn't understand. They were just laying on the ground, what was the big fucking problem?! He got up fairly quickly, going back to get his jacket because why not, when he noticed the bouncer - or whatever he was - grabbing Ezra by the arm. Overprotective drunk Jax did NOT like that!
He snatched the jacket and went straight up into the man's face, snapping his fingers. "Back off bouncer-boy!" the words were followed by a slap to the man's cheek. And then they were both being dragged out while the bouncer swore under his breath.
It didn't even take that long before they were both literally thrown out the door, landing in a tangled mess, Jax buried under his jacket and Ezra, confused. "Wait.. Wait.. What just happened?" he reached out and his hand ended up on Ezra's chest. He could feel muscles under the clothing and as he removed the jacket from his face, a look of utter confusion was revealed to the other drunk man. He bit his lip slightly before starting to grin again. This was so weird, but he was really enjoying himself!

Ezra laughed when he began petting the floor too and complementing it. He just continued laughing when he squealed, almost. He nodded in agreement when he said he smelled better than cupcakes. ”Much better!” He agreed. He saw how he was trying to get up at the same time as him, but no. He had to get up first. Just because. He wasn’t totally sure what happened with that Hagrid-dude. He just knew he wasn’t out for trouble. He couldn’t do anything but follow along when he was pulled towards the door, almost stumbling a few times on the way. He watched Jaxson as he snapped his fingers at the man and ultimately ended up giving him a slap. Which then resulted in both of them being thrown out.

He wasn’t sure how he had ended so entangled in Jaxson, but he couldn’t say that he minded. ”He cockblocked me! Me and the floor was getting it on!” He felt the hand on his chest, making him a little warmer than he already was, even if they were laying on the cold ground. Then the confused expression, which made Ezra confused. He was afraid something was wrong when he bit his lip, but instead of saying anything, his lips just formed into another grin. Was he being stupid? He had been laid on the ground with Jaxson twice within one hour. He was just setting him for trouble. Nevertheless, he wouldn’t want it any other way. He found a way to get on his feet. ”Come. Let’s go make our own party.” He didn’t offer a hand to Jaxson this time, he just took his hand and helped him on his feet.

Jax started laughing, his confused expression dissappearing the minute Ezra started talking dirty about him and the floor. That was seriously the funniest ever, even as pictures started evolving inside his mind: Ezra on the floor, licking it sexually, touching it tenderly. It was way more hot than he could handle and therefor he laughed even more. "Aww, now I'm jelly-jelly! The floor gets all the attention!" he whined, almost sounding like the little kid i the candy store who's mom wouldn't let him get one specific piece of candy.

He admired Ezra's drunken skills to get up again, somehow, and then was pulled to his feet. He stumbled slightly, put also somehow remained standing, still chuckling. "But.. But Ez.. Where'we gonna go?" then an idea formed in his mind. Ezra hadn't seen his apartment yet. And he wanted to show him the dance-room! "Wait.. Wait! I know now! Let's go back to my place!" he was still holding Ezra's hand with no intention of letting go.

Ezra just joined in on the laughing when Jaxson started. He wasn’t sure what he was laughing about, but it didn’t really matter. He just continued laughing and didn’t stop until Jaxson hinted, or flat-out said, that he was jealous. ”Noooo never! You have my attention now Legend.” He smiled sweetly at him.

He looked around when Jaxson asked where they were going to go. He had no idea. He just seemed like a lost puppy when he looked around like that. His eyes lid up when Jaxson suggested they went to his place. It was the best idea ever! He hadn’t even realized he was still holding Jaxson’s hand still. ”Private party!” He said loudly, almost like an howl. He walked to the front of Jaxson, looking at him very seriously, if not for him swaying slightly. ”You know what?” He held a finger forward to understate that it was very important. ”That song I sang tonight…” He continued and almost lost balance, falling dangerously towards Jaxson, before he find his balance again. ”I sang it to you,” he said putting a hand on his chest around where his heart was.

Jax smiled brightly as Ezra said that he now had all the attention. It made him happier than he'd first realized, because he found that he really did want all of Ezra's attention. Not anyone else's, just Ezra. The howl-sounding words coming from Ezra also made it very obvious that he indeed was a werewolf and somehow, Jax found it almost dumb that he hadn't found out before. It was a big thing after all, being a part of the not natural world. "Yes! Private party untill we faint!" he immediately agreed, only not as loudly. Everybody else didn't matter to him and if they were too loud strangers might be involved. However, with a quick glance he realized there was, surprisingly, no one else here. Odd. But also lucky, because he was being selfish and wanted Ezra all to himself.

The sudden change in Ezra's demeanor made Jax almost nervous, were it not for the alcohol in his undead body. He looked the werewolf straight in his eyes and what Ezra said made the grin falter from Jax's lips. His emotions were more in control of him than he cared to admit. He blinked a couple of times. He put a hand on Ezra's shoulder for support when he almost fell over, still holding his other hand until Ezra had said his part that finally made Jaxson's heart melt. He was silent for a couple of seconds. "You did?" he'd never had someone put themselves out there, singing a song to him so tenderly and with such a beautiful voice. Never. And especially these days where he'd had it really hard, being almost taken to a darker path, this was his saving grace, the one thing that kept him on the good line of things.

He let the hand that had been on Ezra's shoulder glide up to the side of his neck, almost touching his cheek, before letting go of Ezra's hand with the other, only to place it on the other side of his neck, touching him ever so gently, staring right into his eyes - almost his soul - closing the distance between them so they stood mere inches apart. Jaxson's heart was on his sleeve in this very moment, his eyes showing how the pain from the last few weeks fading ever so slightly. It was still there, but the love between the two men in this moment kept it at bay. "I loved every second of it," he then declared before leaning forwards, letting his lips finally meet Ezra's in a passionate but also very calm, loving kiss.

Ezra laughed when he agreed to party until unconsciousness. He wouldn’t mind that. He was usually not a person who just went and got drunk like that, but it had been so difficult to be close to Jaxson without being close to him. He had barely noticed if anyone was around. He just saw Jax. Someone famous could by right now, and he probably wouldn’t notice. Most celebrities. He might not be able to keep his eyes away if James King walked by. That man was just sculptured by the gods. He was almost too pretty.

He shortly looked at the hand placed on his shoulder. He felt like the seconds became minutes and the minutes hours before he finally spoke. ”Yes, I did,” he slurred slightly. It didn’t make it any less true that it was said when he was drunk. It just meant he had nothing stopping him from saying it. He would have never said it when sober unless Jaxson had made a move or in other ways made it seem like he could.

He shivered slightly as he felt his cold hand moving to he side of his neck, caressing him ever so gently. He didn’t look or move away from Jax. He felt him move closer and his heart was beating in anticipation of what might happen. He let out a short breath when he said he loved it. For a moment he felt like this was where things would end for now. With words. He looked down a moment, before he felt Jaxson’s lips on his. He was surprised first, but quickly leaned into it. He put a hand on his neck and the other on the side of his side. Both places, his thumb moved in slow strokes.

There was almost electricity in the air as their lips met and for a moment Jaxson was afraid that Ezra would not return the gentle affection. But he did and it was fantastic. All the emotions of pain, longing, loneliness and self-doubts slowly started fading away, being replaced by the feeling of pure affection for Ezra as their kiss slowly deepened, but it didn't evolve into anything more than that. Jaxson was still afraid of it. What usually came after. Being with the velvet-voiced monster had left its mark in him, ruining everything he once liked so much and leaving him a shell of his former self. So he couldn't do the deed itself, but this? This was pure enough that he didn't flinch at all, the gentle touch of Ezra's hands and the feelings emitting from him. It was really something.

Slowly Jaxson stopped the kiss but not abruptly. His eyes had been closed because of the pure bliss he'd felt but now they were open and showing the softer side of him. He still looked deep into Ezra's eyes, his drunken state not as drunk anymore, but still affected by the massive amounts of alcohol he had drunk. "Do you still want to come home with me?" the words came out in a soft-spoken way and his hands still lingered on Ezra's neck. He wanted Ezra to stay, so that they could kiss each other more and he could forget everything else. Maybe he could even become his old self again.