Fic: Masquerade, Chapter 1/12 (CSI Miami, Ryan Wolfe / Eric Delko)
Title: Masquerade, Chapter 1/12
Pairing: Ryan Wolfe / Eric Delko,
Rating: PG
Genre: AU
Disclaimer: Not mine, etc.
Feedback: Always Welcome
“Thanks for the show.”
Eric grinded his teeth and turned around, clutching his backbag in his hands to resist the urge to wrap them around Wolfe’s neck and squeeze. Hard.
“Cut it out.”
“I’m only human.” Ryan chuckled and closed the locker-room door. “Besides, when you make a scene like that in the middle of the lobby, you can’t expect people to look away. It was like some bitchy sit-com.”
“Really funny, Wolfe. How bout you train your new material at Larry’s, they have an open mic night for wannabe comedians.”
“I’m too shy for that, but your little friend didn’t have that problem. I missed few minutes from the start, can you fill some gaps for me? Why did she compare your dick to a miniscule pelican beak?”
“Wolfe…”
“And why did she call you after that… Oh right, a living proof that Latino men’s skills in the sack are an urban legend.”
“Have you heard that urban legend about a cat and a microwave?”
“Yeah.”
“Keep going and I’ll test that one with your head.” Eric took his bag and walked out of the dressing room.
“Don’t break up in the lobby, if you can’t handle the hassle.” Ryan grinned and pulled his own locker open. He almost didn’t notice the small bundle of papers on the floor. They caught his eye when he was about to leave and he bent down to pick them up. They were under Eric’s locker, obviously dropped when he was packing his things.
He turned the add around and spotted the name in large black letters.
Club Masquerade.
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Eric dumped his backbag to the backseat, followed by his jacket. The club didn’t care about the dress code, but he didn’t want to leave his badge and gun to the coat check. Eric shoved few twenties to the pocket of his jeans. He got out of the car and walked to the front door. The name of the club was written above the door, in small letters. Anyone who didn’t know it was there would have walked past it.
The bouncer gave him a small nod and let him in. Eric stepped into the narrow hallway, where a man was greeting visitors behind a counter.
“Welcome back.”
“Thanks.” Eric handed over a twenty. “Busy night?”
“The usual.” He handed Eric a plastic box. “You know the rules.”
Eric stripped his clothes and shoved them to the box, leaving himself in just his black boxer briefs. He gave the box back and the man stamped the box number to his hand.
“Black or white?”
Eric gave him a small chuckle.
“Same as always.”
The man reach under the counter and gave him a white satin mask. Eric placed it on his face and tied the ends behind his head.
“Do I look like Zorro?”
“You ask that every time and the answer is always no. Besides, Zorro had a black mask.”
Eric took a deep breath and stepped into the club. The music was playing, but the volume was kept lower than in most places. The dance floor was flooded with men. All in their underwear, wearing similar masks. Eric eyed the crowd on the dance floor but decided to head over to the bar. He showed the bartender the number on his palm and ordered a drink.
He got comfortable against the counter, sipping his drink and glanced at the dance floor. On the edges of the room couples were coming and going. The large area was lined with small alcoves with velvet curtains to cover the customers activities. His eyes went from one man to the next, scanning anyone who would raise his interest. He discarded the ones wearing white masks right away. The club code dictated the meaning of the mask. Customer’s masks signalled theyr likes and dislikes. Black meant in control. White meant ready to give away control.
Eric never hurried when he came to Masquerade. He observed the crowd leisurely, enjoying the scenery of sweaty skin grinding against another on the floor. He had almost lost the sense of time, when a man placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Hey… I… hey.”
Eric looked at the stammering kid. He looked too young to be allowed in, let alone be served a drink. A mop of dirty blond hair was falling over the black mask, and his hands were practically shaking with nervousness.
“You… Nice place.”
“Yeah.” Eric stated and leaned closer to whisper in his ear. “No offence kid, but I don’t think you’re up to the black mask yet. Go home and wait few years.”
“I`m not-”
“Hey, junior.” A husky voice interrupted. Both men turned to face the newcomer. The man in a black mask gave the kid a friendly squeeze on the shoulder. “Go to momma, have a nice cup of coco and go to bed.”
The kid seemed to be ready to escape. He nodded and headed to the door.
“There`s always at least one kid playing older than he is.” The man stated and waved the bartender closer. “My regular.”
Eric gave the man a long look, up and down his body. He was wearing black boxers, pale skin glimmering under the lights. The bartender came back to bring him his drink.
“I don’t need to ask if you’ve been here before.” Eric started, leaning against the counter again. He tried to look relaxed and calm, but something about the man was grating his nerves.
“I’ve been here before.” The man took a sip from his drink. “Haven’t seen you here before.”
“Are you sure?” Eric tried to focus on the man’s eyes, which seemed slightly familiar. “I think I’ve seen you before.”
“Who knows? You always go after young kids, who have no idea what they’re doing?”
“I didn’t go after him, he came to me.”
“You don’t look like a guy who would have much fun with a kid like that. It would be like a blind leading the blind.”
“Hey-” Eric started but the guy pressed his hand on his mouth to silence him. Eric shot him an annoyed glare, but snapped his mouth shut under the palm.
“You know why?” He took a step closer, pressing their bodies together from knees to chest. His hand slid from Eric’s face down to his collarbone. “Because all that macho front is just for show. You just crave for someone to shove you against the nearest wall and show you who’s in charge.”
“Is that an offer?”
The man let out a husky chuckle and gave Eric a crooked grin.
“Not tonight.” He emptied his drink. “Come back Saturday.”
“You’ll be here?”
“When you come in, ask Chad to give you a purple mask.”
“They got purple masks?”
“For special occasions.”
“What does it mean?”
“Earmarked, do not touch.”
“You’re pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
“I got the goods to back it up.” His hand snaked around Eric’s waist to grab his butt. “And looks like you got the back to back it up.”
“What about the goods?” Eric groaned. His lower regions were reacting too the warm body pressed against him. “Don’t I get a preview?”
“I don’t give free samples. And neither will you.” The man’s voice went even lower, turning into a low murmur. “Go get your clothes and come back Saturday. You do not come back till then.”
“I just came here less than an hour ago-”
“That wasn’t a request.” The man pulled away and gave him a crooked grin. “If you come before Saturday, I will know about it.”
“What happens if I come here before?”
“You don’t get your reward.”
“Is it worth it?”
“I can do things to you, that your club kids haven`t even heard of.” He gave Eric one more glance and disappeared to the sea of bodies on the dance floor.
“You…” Eric glanced down at the bulge in his boxer briefs. “Traitor.”
He considered his alternatives for five minutes. Finally he walked out of the club.
Alone.
Chapter 2/12