Hooking Up (Jai/Cat)

Jai sat at the bar with a tall glass of juice on Sunset's orders, though he wanted something stronger. He hadn't seen Cat since their last days of school, and he was as excited as he could get about it. The guys in the band had told him not to be surprised at the letter he'd gotten after their appearance in Cauldron. Now that he was somebody, apparently he'd be getting a lot of that.

But this was Cat. They'd been close friends for a while and played hot and heavy now and then; it had never gone anywhere real, but there had been a couple good battles. He hadn't mentioned that much to the guys, but he'd told them there was no way Cat was trying to cash in on his luck. Cat had never been lacking for either money or attention.

Sunset had given him a knowing look and a little smile, and agreed to everything. Yes, they could pick up and move, he'd been in the same place too long already. Yes, he could go to university if he wanted, and it would all be taken care of. In fact, it solved the problem of where to set up the new label.

Jai gulped down his juice and pushed the glass away. He had enough energy to dance by now, it had been hours, but he was saving it for Cat.

Cat was just as excited to see Jai, and his eyes were a vibrant aqua today in expectation. He left his fur-lined coat and his hoodie at the door, thrilled to be able to wear what he wanted. At the Crow's Nest, there was no point in dressing for warmth. Action would take care of that just fine.

He was decked out in a black vest that showed off his tattoos, in pants with cutouts down the thighs, in heavy boots, heavy belts, and chains. He always dressed to impress, but he and Jai had grown up together, they'd gotten their first tattoos together. If the guy wasn't so damned hot, they'd practically be brothers.

He knew him the second he approached the main bar. "Awesome tats," he said appreciatively. He held his arms out expectantly.

"Sh~, you too," Jai said. "Look at the spots, you got yourself an animagus, didn't you?" He gave a little smile, then went ahead into Cat's arms. A hug would do him some good, maybe break the tension a little. Or remind him of it. Cat smelled clean and a little wild, and he was warm, though whether it was because of his new form or because Jai himself was a little cold, he didn't know. He pushed back his hat to plant a kiss on Cat's cheek.

Cat nodded at Jai's question and wrapped his arms tightly around him. "Hey, are you out?" Jai hadn't been the last time they'd seen each other, but if so, he was way overdue. Cat lingered a moment to take in the feel of his friend, the smell of some fancy soap he hadn't used before and him underneath. "I f~ing missed you, man." More than he'd realized.

"You too," Jai replied. He took a deep breath, then let go and looked away sheepishly. "I'm out," he said. "Mostly. Everyone who knows me knows, but officially I'm bi. We were told we'd sell more albums if the frontman was single and at least available for girls." Jai hadn't been out in school. It had taken him a while to get things figured out, and he'd taken his time coming out to a couple people here and a couple there.

"I know, be yourself and sh~, but I'm being myself. I'm just letting people think what they want, you know?"

Cat arched a brow at Jai, but didn't argue. "Whatever polishes your wand," he said. "Glad you're half-out though, that's got to make things easier." Not that Cat had ever hidden any part of himself, but he'd seen Jai struggle with the whole thing, so he at least understood a bit.

"The music's fierce. You guys ever need a piano, let me know." He didn't think for a moment that he'd be taken up on that, but he'd never been great at guitar. Their band in school had been destined for failure. It had been fun, though.

Jai laughed, and pulled his hat back down. "Piper plays about everything," he said. "You're out of luck there." He'd been out for a year now, and had been playing the field ever since. He didn't believe in settling down, not when it messed things up for everyone, but he'd had a few friends he spent extra time with. Friends he'd left to try the whole college thing.

"What about you, Cat?" he asked. "What are you up to? Seeing anyone?" Hint.

Cat's smile quirked. "Just the catch of the day," he said, "but if you're up to it, maybe we can head back to my place later. Got some ink I can't show off in public." It was so easy to get onto the same page with Jai, it was like they'd never been apart. Of course, they'd never been together, either. Two tops just didn't work that way.

"I might be," Jai said. Hell yeah, he was. He could do whatever he wanted during daylight hours, and if that was a little adventure of the flesh, all the better. "Come on, dance with me. And if you get thirsty, drinks are on me." On the house, but that was a long story.

He and Cat headed for the dance floor, and everything was forgotten. He was living the life, and all it cost him was a little blood. He'd never have to hold a day job. He was in school for the hell of it, to see Cat, and because Sunset thought it'd be a good experience for him. He liked experience, and he liked the way Cat's body moved, everything more obvious to him now that he'd opened up.

They'd danced together before, but with Jai out, Cat was free to touch and enjoy like they'd never managed to do in public. He'd known the guy had it in him, but it was altogether different seeing it and feeling it. Jai was so much looser than he'd been before, and that put thoughts into his mind that showed in the way he danced. Hiding his thoughts would be ridiculous.

"You got sexy," he teased.

Jai laughed lightly and tipped his head down, letting the brim of his hat hide his eyes. "You've always been hot," he returned. So what if people were watching? This place was like a second home already, and there would be a lot more than guys flirting on the dance floor if he stuck around. The Crow's Nest welcomed everyone.

Cat grinned at Jai's blushing compliment. "I know," he said. The laugh that followed was exactly what he'd wanted, and he moved up closer, settling his hands on Jai's hips to bring them lightly against his own. "Have you had enough foreplay?" he asked softly. He really was interested in talking to Jai, but it felt more and more like that could wait.

Jai looked up at Cat, his lips parting slightly at the question. Still, lying would be pointless. "Yes," he said. It had been years, but why not try it again? There was something here, and he wanted it, and Cat wanted it as much as he did. "When's the last time you got head that made you see stars?" Maybe he'd picked up a trick or two since school.

Cat grinned. "You think you're f~ing hot stuff, don't you?" he teased. Oh, this was going to be fun. Cat had been thinking a quick tumble like they used to have, but this sounded like a good night altogether. "Get your coat, you cocky s.o.b., and let's get out of here."