Who: Eliot & Michael What: Someones totally set these two up When: Friday Night Where: Musain Warnings: Language Status: Completed GDoc
Michael had been literally waist deep in an engine when his phone went off. He swore creatively, which echoed in the hood, because he couldn’t let go of the wrench or oil would go everywhere...and he wasn’t sure where the kitty litter was just yet. So the text went ignored for a while. When he finally was able to emerge, he wiped his hands off then looked at his phone.
Weird. Alex wanted him to meet up with him at someplace called the Musain. Michael hadn’t heard of it, but that didn’t mean anything. He had a tendency of finding a bar he liked then sticking to it. So far that had been Lou’s. The Wyrm was up there, but Lou’s was becoming a habit. Whatever. He’d get cleaned up then look up the Musain on his maps app.
A couple hours later, he was as cleaned up as he got in a button down flannel shirt, jeans, boots and, of course, his hat. The guy at the door of the Musain gave him a look Michael wasn’t sure he liked, then led him to a table. Michael ordered a beer then took a seat to wait for Alex.
***
Receiving a text from Sean was unexpected and Eliot tried not to let his imagination run away from him thinking about why the alternate universe version of his dead boyfriend wanted to meet him at the Musain. Unfortunately, Eliot was Eliot, and he was half convinced that Sean was going to ask him to help him escape from Alex, despite knowing logically that it was unlikely. This Sean didn’t have the same history with him and had plenty of other people he could go to if he was in trouble.
Still, Eliot let Magnus know that he might be a little late for his shift and was impeccably dressed in trousers, a button down shirt, a vest, and a bowtie when he arrived at the restaurant. He glanced around quickly and was disappointed when he didn’t spot Sean there yet.
A man with a smirk greeted him and led him to a table where a cowboy was sitting. Eliot shook his head. “I don’t think this is my table,” he said. The man assured him that it was and gave him a look that was intimidating enough that Eliot sat down.
“Do you know what this is about?” he asked once they were alone. “Are you a friend of Sean’s?”
***
Michael had done a doubletake on the guy Smarmy Host Guy was walking through the restaurant, but it was only a scan of appreciation. He definitely hadn’t expected him to be led to the table Michael was at. His brows came down in confusion as he looked from Pretty Boy to Host Guy, but he wasn’t even given a glance.
He looked across the table about to ask the same thing, then scowled as he answered. Slowly. “No. Alex’s.”
This has got to be a joke.
***
A shadow passed over Eliot’s face at the mention of Alex. He knew it was irrational to dislike the man based on his alternate universe self’s actions and yet he couldn’t quite manage to separate the two.
“So, what the hell are we doing here?” he asked. Why would Sean send him here to share a meal with this guy who was clearly not his type at all despite being very attractive. The host guy was clearly keeping an eye on them and that made him uncomfortable.
***
Michael had something of an idea of why they were here, and depending on how the rest of the night went, the next conversation he had with Alex could be unpleasant. Or he could be sending him a box of condoms and a bottle of liquid latex.
“We,” he answered as he smiled, “are going to eat dinner. Because, I am assuming it was paid for.” Michael looked past his not!date to host dude for confirmation. “And even if it isn’t it’s going to get billed to Alex and Sean.” Oh yes it was. Even if Michael had to call Isobel here to get host dude to send the bill to those two.
***
Eliot smirked, realizing as his companion spoke that they’d clearly been set up. “I like the way you think,” he said. “Garcon, we’ll take a bottle of your finest champagne.” If Sean and Alex thought they were clever, well… maybe they were, but they weren’t going to get out of this so easily.
“Got a name, cowboy?” he asked.
***
Michael had every intention of running up a tab tonight. Hell, he might even order a round for the entire restaurant. Alex should have known better...but then again, if Alex had suggested a set up Michael would have scoffed before he stormed off.
“Michael,” he answered, then smirked. “How ‘bout you? Wait. Let me guess. Fabio.” It was better than suggesting the name Lestat. Right?
***
“I’m not sure if I should take that as a compliment or an insult,” Eliot said, one perfectly groomed eyebrow arching as he spoke. “It’s Eliot. I’ve been in this version of Madison Valley for about three months.” He had no idea how long Michael had been around so he wasn’t sure if he knew about the other Madison Valley or not.
He had to admit that Michael was attractive, in that rugged sort of way that wouldn’t suit Eliot’s aesthetic. “Do you have any idea why Alex and Sean would set us up?” he asked.
***
“Better,” Michael said with a nod to the name thing. A more respectable name, and it did seem to suit this guy more.
“This version?” That did catch Michael’s attention. He rarely missed details. People underestimated him because he looked like a redneck, and they expected him to think like one.
Michael huffed at the question, shook his head and grinned, but there was no amusement to it. “Oh, I think I can make a guess.” And Alex should have known how him fixing Michael up would make him feel. Pawned off, thank you very much.
***
After waiting a few seconds, expecting Michael to elaborate on his guess, Eliot realized he wasn’t planning to. He decided that answering the other man’s question was probably the best way to get him to share more.
“Yes, there was an alternate Madison Valley that was… well… not nearly as pleasant as this one.” That was an understatement. “In that universe, when the dome came down, there were no more deliveries, supplies dwindled, and basically all hell broke loose. I was there for a little more than a year when something happened to open a portal between this universe and that. I was one of the lucky ones who landed here.”
***
Eliot hadn’t asked him to share his guess, and Michael didn’t know him well enough to volunteer anything. To be honest, even if he did know Eliot well he’d probably still play it close to the vest. That was how he was.
Michael listened to Eliot as the waiter dude came back with the champagne. Once he had a glass in his hand he drained it in one go. “Doesn’t sound pleasant at all,” he said as he held his glass out to be refilled. He never took his eyes from Eliot. “Wait.” A few things were connecting in his head. “You’re the one that would be happy to see Alex dead, right?”
***
Eliot happily accepted the champagne that the server brought them and then watched in mild horror as Michael drained an entire glass in a matter of seconds. This was good quality alcohol and after spending more than a year without access to anything other than his flask, the idea of not savoring it was anathema.
Of course, he nearly choked on the sip he took at Michael’s question. “Well, I wouldn’t exactly say that,” he said. “The Alex here hasn’t done anything wrong.” It was the other one that was an utter bastard who killed the love of his life. Who was the love of Alex’s life here. Yeah, okay, maybe the cowboy had the right idea with drinking faster.
***
“Yeah, he told me bad things happened.” But hadn’t entirely expounded on what and Michael hadn’t pushed. He recognized a Hurting Alex. With the history they had Michael would always want to make things better.
He sighed as he refilled his glass then pushed a hand through his perpetually unruly hair. “That guess is coming more and more into focus,” he muttered. He drained the glass again. Damn it, Alex. He should know better than to meddle.
“So, it seems our mutual exes are meddling memaws.” Michael again refilled his glass, but this time he just held it. “I don’t think they thought this through.”
***
Given that Eliot didn’t exactly consider Sean his ex since he hadn’t dated this version of him and he hadn’t broken up with his version, it took him a moment to realize what Michael was saying. When he did, he rolled his eyes. “So you and Alex?” he said. “I’m assuming back home.” Since he didn’t remember seeing this guy around before, he didn’t think the relationship happened here.
“I’m honestly not sure if I should be touched or insulted that Sean thought I would need set up,” he admitted.
***
“Yeah,” Michael confirmed. Was there a hint of hurt in his voice? You really had to be paying attention to hear it, but he did take a long drink of champagne. “There’s history.”
Michael huffed. “Well, I know how I feel.” He leaned an elbow on the table to put him closer toward Eliot. “Neither of us need help getting laid, and they should both know that.” He smirked. “I mean, look at us.”
***
“That is very true,” Eliot said, returning Michael’s smirk as he downed the rest of his champagne. Fuck savoring it. He needed to get wasted. “Though, you know… I wouldn’t necessarily be opposed if you wanted to fuck me through a mattress later.”
He was going to politely ignore the ‘history’ comment. It was none of his business.
***
Wow. Someone who was as shy as he was. Michael grinned. “I like how you think.” Because yes, yes he would like to fuck the hell out of this guy.
“But, and this isn’t a delaying tactic, we should definitely kill this bottle, then order another one to drink during dinner, and maybe another one during dessert.” Oh yeah. Alex was going to pay for this. Literally.
***
Eliot reached for the bottle and refilled his glass. “Deal,” he agreed. “I’m feeling steak. And Lobster.” Cause yeah, if they were going to meddle, then they were going to pay.