BY INKYCHARLIE
Mark leant against the bar and sighed, looking around for any of his bandmates, but, as per usual, they had all disappeared, leaving him to fend for himself.
He signaled to the barman for another drink and took it and himself over to an empty seat, near the edge of the dance floor. If was going to be alone, he might as well find a good looking guy to watch.
He sipped his drink and looked around idly, there were plenty of people he recognised, from various bands, but his eyes settled on one person in particular.
He was in a line up with, of all the people, Girls Aloud, and the way he was dancing made Mark think that he might just possibly be gay. At any rate he was very cute, with jet black hair, which was spiked up. It briefly flitted across Mark’s mind that he looked a bit on the skinny side, but he shoved that thought to the side as he caught sight of one fine looking ass.
Kevin laughed as he danced, trying to keep up with the other girls. It felt good to be happy, he hadn’t had much to smile about over the last few months. He could feel someone’s eyes on him, and he casually let his eyes sweep over the edge of the dance floor, trying to find out who.
On his third sweep his eyes settled on a familiar looking person but he couldn’t place where he knew him from, but he was most definitely checking him out. But as soon as the dark haired stranger realized Kevin had seen him, he looked away, fiddling with the empty glass in his hands, a soft blush rising in his cheeks.
This continued for the next four songs, Kevin catching the stranger watching him, looking at him but soon as he realized he’d been seen, he looked away. Finally Kevin had, had enough, he needed to know who that person was.
Kevin headed over to the bar, getting himself a drink and one for the stranger as well, might as well make a good impression, before heading over to stand next to the handsome man, clearing his throat before speaking,
“Hi, is this seat taken?”
He winced, that had to be the corniest line in the book, but if it worked…
The man smiled at him, amazing blue eyes twinkling, “It is now.”
Kevin sat down, noticing how tired he was for the first time, but he pushed it to the side, he had a good looking, presumably gay and single guy to chat up.
He handed the man one of the glasses, “I noticed yours was empty, I’m Kevin.”
“Thanks, I’m Mark.”
All of sudden it clicked into place who this man was. He was, no the less, one quarter of Westlife, and going by the looks he’d been getting from him, it was highly possible that he was gay.
Now that was interesting.
Two hours later and large number of drinks (Kevin had lost count after four), the two of them were sitting in a quite, secluded corner of the party, having moved there so they could hear each other talk. Or, as it was now, try to talk.
However, there conversation was finally cut short when Kian appeared, somewhat fuzzy, in front of Mark.
“There you are, we’ve been looking for you for ages. It’s time to go.”
Mark tried to focus on Kian, but the whole world seemed to be spinning, he gripped Kevin’s arm and laughed, “Stop moving Ki!”
Kian groaned, “I’m not moving, and you’re pissed. Just remember we’ve got dance rehearsals tomorrow, now c’mon!”
Mark giggled again, “Let me say gbye to my cute friend here first.”
Kian groaned again, Mark was going to have to watch his mouth, “Alright, but hurry up.”
Mark turned back to Kevin, who was staring at him, “You think I’m cute?”
“No,”
Kevin’s heart sank.
“I think you’re bloody gorgeous. Now give me your mobile, I think we should swap numbers.”
Kev fumbled in his pocket, finally managing to extract it and get it over to Mark without dropping it. Mark in turn, pushed his phone into Kev’s hands, and started pressing buttons on Kevin’s phone.
Almost nervously, Kevin flipped open Mark’s phone, smiling at the picture on screen, of a very cute black Labrador.
He held it up for Mark to see, “Who’s this?”
Mark glanced up, “Hm? Oh, that’s Snoopy, he’s my baby.”
“Cute name.”
After pushing some random buttons, Kevin finally managed to navigate his way to contact list, and enter his name, followed by his number, hoping it was right, but given the amount of alcohol in his system, he wouldn’t want to bet on it.
“Here,”
Mark handed his phone back, and retrieved his own, before standing up.
“Alright Ki, homewards bounds!”
Kian let Mark wrap an arm around his waist, supporting as much of Mark’s weight as he could. He couldn’t help but wonder if, in the morning, Mark would remember what had happened, and who the person was he had so loudly called ‘bloody gorgeous.’ He kind of hoped so, because for some strange reason, Kian felt a good vibe about this one, perhaps he was the one that would finally light up Mark’s life.
Now if only he could find a man who could do that for him.
************************************************************************
The next morning, Mark woke up feeling like death warmed up. His head pounded and his stomach felt somewhat delicate. He couldn’t remember for the life of him how much he’d had to drink the night before, but he knew it had to be something other than vodka, to have a hangover like this. Vodka did not do this.
As he lay waiting for the world to stop spinning and his stomach to stop feeling like it was on a boat, he called up his few memories of the night before.
Namely, the only bit he could remember, a certain young man, with jet black hair, a cheeky smile and one fine looking ass, whom he had declared was bloody gorgeous.
Kevin.
Mark felt a smile itch its way onto his face, and he wonder if Kevin was still as cute sober as he was drunk – and there was only one way to find that out.
But first, hang over relief.
Almost on cue, a knock on the door made him wince and he called out something resembling ‘come in’.
“Rise and shine sleeping beauty!”
God, how Nicky could be so chipper at this hour of the morning, Mark did not know, but just so long he had the hangover cure, he didn’t care.
The bed dipped as Nicky settled down beside him, “Sit up will ya, and drink this. You know it’ll do wonders.”
Mark managed to obey and took the vile concoction. Nicky refused to tell anyone what was in it, but going by the sludge green colour, Mark was glad he didn’t know.
Taking a deep breath, he sculled the drink down, throwing the plastic container to the side when it was finished and gasped for breath. He then slid back down in bed and waited for it to work.
“So, if you were so drunk last night, how did you get your sorry ass home?”
Mark closed his eyes, “Kian helped, I can’t really remember much, but he must of put me to bed.”
He opened his eyes again to see the longing look flit across Nicky’s face.
“Look Nix, if you like him that much, then talk to him!”
“I don’t even think he’s gay, he’d hate me.”
Mark felt the pressure on his head ease and his stomach stop rolling, he sat up gingerly and swung his legs over the side of the bed.
“Well you never know unless you ask, speaking of which, where’s my mobile?”
Nicky picked it up off the floor and tossed it to him, watching as Mark turned it on, almost eagerly.
After staring at the screen for a few moments, his face fell and sighed, dropping it on the pillow.
“Waiting for a call?”
“Or a message, either one. He’s probably forgotten about me.”
He shook his head and stood up, heading towards the bathroom, muttering what sounded like “stupid” under his breath the whole way.
Mark allowed himself an extra long shower, washing away the grime and stink of the night before, but the whole time his mind was set on one person.
Kevin.
He really couldn’t get Kevin out of his head, and by the end of the shower, when the cold water was starting to defeat the hot, he had made up his mind that if there was no message from Kevin when he got dressed, then he’d bite the bullet and send him one.
He was, after all, bloody gorgeous.
By the time he’d finally made it back to the bedroom, he was almost shaking with nerves. Thankfully Nicky was nowhere in sight, but there was a note inviting him along to Nicky’s room for breakfast if he was feeling up to it, and to be downstairs in a hour for dance rehearsals.
Taking a deep breath and deciding it was now or never, Mark pick up his phone, and opened his contact list, from there he found the name Kevin McDaid and he opened it, selecting ‘send message.’
He sat for a few moments thinking about what to write.
Finally he punched in a message, nothing much and, before he could change his mind, pressed ‘send.’
***********************************************************************
Kevin groaned as his phone went off right next to him. Thankfully he didn’t suffer from hangovers, but he could’ve definitely done with some more sleep.
He fumbled over on his bedside table until his fingers closed around the offending object and he picked it up, wincing as the bright light of the screen hit his eyes.
He almost dropped the phone when he saw who the message was from.
New message from Mark F
He hurriedly pressed the ‘read’ key and cursed his phone for being to slow.
It was only a short message, but it made him smile.
Hey u, do u feel as bad as I do? hate hangovers, thank gd for nixs hangover cure. enjoyed last nite. Mark.
Without thinking twice, he hit reply, and punched in a message, trying not to flirt to much, he didn’t want to scare Mark away.
***********************************************************************
Mark was just heading down the corridor to Nicky’s room for breakfast, when his phone beeped at him.
Kevin couldn’t have got back to him already, could he?
A smile crept across his face when he saw that the message was from Kevin. He opened it and scanned the message,
Hey back atcha, no, i feel fine, dont get hangovers, but more sleep would be nice! u woke me up, but cause ur cute ill forgive u, had a great time last nite too, maybe do it again? Kev
Mark knew he was standing there with a stupid grin on his face, but he couldn’t help it. Nicky’s voice pulled him back to reality.
“Oi! Feehily! What’s got you grinning like a love stricken fool?”
Before Mark could stop him, Nicky had whisked the phone out of his hand, and was reading the message.
Nicky pushed Mark towards the bedroom door, “Alright Feehily, who’s Kev? Spill, now!”
As they picked at breakfast, Mark told Nicky about the night before, and how much fun it was.
“I’m glad for ye Mark, but you do know who he is don’t you?”
Mark raised and eyebrow and shook his head, making Nicky sigh. “Kevin McDaid, he’s part of the boyband V. Just realize if you two want to go for this, it’s going to be hard! Not to mention Kev is out and proud gay, and you, well, if you were any further in the closet, you’d be in Narnia.”
So that’s where Mark recognised him from, but he wasn’t going to let that stop him. He’d finally met a cute, talented guy who seemed generally interested – it wasn’t everyday that happened!
“I know it’ll be hard Nix, but I want to try, I’m tired of being on my own.”
Nicky handed him his phone, “Then go for it, you deserve to be happy!”
Mark leant in and kissed Nicky quickly on the cheek, before sending another message to Kevin.
************************************************************************
Kevin jumped as his phone went off again, knocking him out of his snooze.
He grabbed it and opened the message, a huge smile coming across his face while he read it.
Lucky bastard, claim this hangover is ur fault, u kept buying me drinks! glad im not ur wallet. love to meet up again, when and where? Ill fit you in anywhere! Mark.
Kevin smiled at his phone for a few moments before he shook himself and thought about it. It had to be somewhere private, so they wouldn’t be seen.
Actually…that was a brilliant idea.
He hurriedly punched a message in, sent it and headed off to the shower, whistling the whole time.
************************************************************************
Mark snatched his phone up as it went off and opened the message.
I feel flattered! Snazzy’s restaurant, just off King’s road, it’s small and isolated, no worries of being seen! 7pm, Friday night, semi formal.
see u then, can’t wait. kev xx
Just as Mark went to reply, he saw the time on the clock and swore, only 2 minutes to get downstairs.
Stuff ‘em, this was more important.
Kevin came out of his shower and checked his phone, finding a message waiting for him.
Its a date! see u then, cant wait either. mark xx.
***********************************************************************
Mark knew he was off during the rehearsals, but he couldn’t help it, he felt like he was floating on Cloud Nine.
Between that, and constantly checking his phone for messages, it didn’t take long for him to drive the other lads up the wall, not to mention Priscilla, their choreographer.
“For God’s Sake Marcus! Concentrate, please! And what’s with the goofy grin?”
Mark just shrugged at that and kept on smiling, but he did turn his phone off.
Finally, at 3 pm, Priscilla finally called it a day, the lads were doing as good as could be expected, even Mark. But she wouldn’t mind seeing them one last time before the first concert on Saturday night.
“Alright lads, that’ll do for today, but I want to see you one last time. Friday night, okay? No arguments.”
Mark spun around, “WHAT? NO!”
Priscilla sighed, “Mark, I said no arguments.”
“No, I won’t do it, I can’t!”
“Well then, care to enlighten us on what is so important that you can’ t possibly miss it?”
Mark felt a blush spread over his cheeks, “Uh…”
“Well, if you can’t say it, then it can’t be very important then. So I’ll see you Friday night?”
Before he could stop himself, Mark blurted out, “I’ve got a date.”
The whole room went silent, before Shane broke it with a loud whistle, “Our Marky has a date!”
Nicky gave him a look, “That happened fast…”
Mark just shrugged and blushed.
Kian turned around, “Is that, that guy from last night? He’s hot.”
Four pairs of eyes stared at him, “What? If Mark can be gay why can’t I?”
“Are you serious Kian, or are you just taking the piss?”
Kian sank to the floor, “I’m serious, sorry, it just came out. No pun intended.” He stood up again, “I’m going to my room, I’ll see you all later.”
Four pairs of eyes followed him out in silence, broken by Nicky’s voice, “Holy ****.”
************************************************************************
Friday night came around fair to slowly in Mark’s opinion. All week he’d been playing mediator to both Nicky and Kian. Nicky would come to him to moan about how even now he knew Kian was gay, he still couldn’t approach him, and then not five minutes after Nicky had gone, Kian would appear, wanting to know why Nicky was avoiding him, and did Mark think he was gay, cause Nicky was actually kinda cute.
All Mark wanted to do now was bang their heads together and then lock them in the nearest room and leave them there until they had sorted themselves out.
But first, he had a date to get ready for.
Kevin had said semi formal, which Mark could do easily, he just needed to choose from the dozen or more outfits that now littered his bed, floor and desk.
Making a snap decision, he strode to the door, opened it and bellowed, “NICHOLAS! I NEED HELP!”
Mark had never seen Nicky move so fast, he appeared in mere microseconds.
“You called?”
Mark pulled him into the room, “I need help, I can’t pick what to wear.”
Nicky smirked at him, “Never thought I’d see the day Mark Feehily would be asking me for fashion advice…”
Mark growled, “NICKY! I’ll go and get Kian instead.”
Nicky threw his hands up in defeat, “Alright! I’ll help.”
After pacing around the room for what felt like forever, Nicky finally made a decision.
“Here, these black pants, and this nice blue shirt, I like the way it changes with the light. And…this jacket, not too casual, and not to formal. Okay, strip!”
Mark merely scooped up the clothes and headed for the bathroom.
“Oh and Mark?”
Mark turned around, “Wear nice underwear, no holes, no cartoon characters.”
Mark blushed, “Nicky, I am not getting naked on our first date.”
Nicky raised an eyebrow, “U-huh, Mark, this guy used to be a porn star, he will want to get your trousers off. Now humor me, and wear nice underwear.”
Mark made a detour via his wardrobe and found a nice pale green, silk pair of boxers that Nicky approved of.
Finally dressed and actually feeling good, Mark turned to the next dilemma – eyeliner or no eyeliner.
“Nicky?”
“Yes Mark?”
“Eyeliner or not?”
“You look hot with eyeliner, so yes, but not too much.”
Nicky glanced up as Mark came out of the bathroom, and he felt his jaw drop.
“Holy Shite Mark, you look hot.”
Mark blushed again, “Thanks, I better go, don’t wanna be late.”
Mark pulled Nicky into a quick hug, “Thanks, for everything.”
Nicky smiled, “You’ve listen to me whine all week, it’s the least I could do. And Mark, do me a favour, if he wants to get into your pants – let him!”
Mark pushed him away laughing, “Let hell I will!”
************************************************************************
Kevin leant across the wall of the restaurant, waiting for Mark to arrive. He was early, but he hadn’t been able to stay back at the apartment any longer. He hadn’t told the other guys who he was meeting, just that he was going on a date, and it was driving them nuts not knowing.
A black jeep pulled into the car park and slid smoothly into the nearest available car spot. Kevin felt the smile stretch across his face as Mark got out of the car and locked it before walking towards him.
Mark smiled as he walked up to Kevin, he was just as handsome sober as he was drunk, even more so perhaps. He held out his hand as he reached Kevin, adding a polite, “Hello.”
Kevin glanced around and quickly pulled Mark into a hug, enjoying the feel of the older mans body against his own.
Silently the two men headed inside, smiling at the waitress who was waiting to escort them to their table.
“Good evening Gentlemen, welcome to Snazzy’s. How may I help you?”
Kevin stepped forward, “I have a reservation, table for two, under the name of McDaid.”
She checked her book and made a small tick, “Very good sirs, please follow me.”
Mark liked the restaurant immediately, it was formal and relaxed at the same time, with a live band playing in the corner, and a small dance floor. Perfect for a first date.
“Here we are sirs, I hope this is private enough for your liking Mr. McDaid.”
Kevin smiled and nodded, “Yes, it is, thankyou.”
The waitress smiled back, “Very good, you’re waitress for the evening will be over shortly. Have a wonderful meal.”
Shyly Mark moved over to one of the chairs and pulled it out and stepped back, motioning for Kevin to sit down, before scurrying around to the other side of the table.
They both sat in an uneasy silence for a few moments for Kevin cleared his throat,
“So…”
Mark looked at him and blurted out, “How long have you known you were gay?”
Kevin didn’t even look phased by the question.
“I’ve always known. I got to puberty and my friends liked girls, I like guys, it was as simple as that. How about you?”
Mark looked down and fiddled with the tablecloth, “I only started to figure it out when I was 20, it was so hard, going through that and Westlife at the same time. I came out to the lads and my family two years ago, they’ve been great.”
Kevin looked a bit surprised, he’d naively thought everyone knew they were gay from the moment they understood what it meant. But apparently not.
Mark went to say something else, but was interrupted by their waitress arriving, “Good
evening, my name is Jessy, I will your waitress for the evening, are you ready to order?”
Both men had been examining the menu while talking, and therefore had a vauge idea of what sounded good to eat.
Kevin went first, “I’ll have the Morel Cep and Goats Cheese Gnocchi thanks,”
Jessy wrote it down, “Very good Sir, and to drink?”
“Ah, just a coke thanks.”
He wanted to stay sober and remember this night forever.
“And for you Sir?”
Mark smiled at her, “The Oven Roasted Fillet of Beef thanks, and a coke as well.”
“Very good, I’ll be out with your drinks soon.”
With that Jessy took their menus and vanished, leaving the two men alone again.
The meal passed quickly, and Mark found himself really relaxing an enjoying Kevin’s company. He was a great guy, and he felt that they really connected.
Jessy returned to removed their empty plates and offer dessert, but Kevin shook his head.
“I’m okay love, what about you Mark?”
Mark was examing the menu, “I’m all for dessert, I’ll have a chocolate self saucing pudding thanks, with a little bit of extra cream.”
Jessy smiled and headed back to the kitchen.
“What?” Mark had noticed that Kevin was looking at him with a funny expression on his face,
“Nothing, just dunno where you’re gonna fit that after your meal, that’s all.”
Mark winked at him, “That’s easy, it’s chocolate, and one always has room for chocolate.”
Jessy arrived back quickly with Mark’s dessert and he tucked in, enjoy the rich taste, but he felt slightly awkward eating when Kevin wasn’t. He carefully loaded a bit of pudding and cream onto his spoon and held it out towards Kevin, “Here, try this.”
Kevin eyed the spoon off, wanting to try it but at the same time knowing he shouldn’t.
A slight frown came over Mark’s face, “Don’t you like chocolate?”
Kevin smiled, “Of course I do, give me that spoon,”
But Mark refused to hand it over, “N-uh, open wide.”
Kevin couldn’t believe this, but he did as Mark asked and let him feed him a bit of pudding.
“Mmm, that’s nice, really nice.”
Mark smiled at him, “Good, then you can help me eat it!”
Finally, the pudding was all gone, and they were sat in silence again, but a comfortable one. Mark signalled to Jessy for the bill, which she promptly bought over.
Kevin went to pull his wallet out to pay for his share, but Mark shook his head, “No, I’ll pay, my treat.”
Kevin went to argue, but Mark simply put his credit card in the bill holder and handed it too Jessy.
“No buts, I want to pay.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Once outside, the leant against Mark’s car, unsure what to do next.
“I guess I should head home, it’s a bit of a walk.”
“I’ll drive you,” Mark unlocked the car, “Jump in.”
Kevin hesitated, “You sure?”
“Positive, but you’ll have to direct me.”
It didn’t take long to get Kevin home, and part of Mark wished he’d taken a wrong turn just so he could spend some time in close proximity to Kev.
Smiling nervously, Kevin undid his seatbelt, “I had a great time tonight, thanks.”
Mark smiled back at him, “Me too, can we do it again?”
A massive smile over took Kevin’s face, lighting it up, “I think that can be arranged. I’ll message you tomorrow.”
Mark nodded, “Night Kev,”
“Night.” He hesitated, making Mark look at him, “What?”
Kev swallowed, “Don’t freak out on me okay?”
Quickly Kevin leant across the car and let his mouth brush over Mark’s in a soft kiss. He pulled back to stare into those amazing blue eyes, “Night Mark.”
With that Kevin slid from the car, heading up to the door, leaving Mark sitting stunned in the drivers seat.
************************************************************************
Six years later
Everyone laughed as Kevin finished the story of his and Mark’s first date. Even though it was so long ago, they both still remembered it, engrained forever in their memories.
After Kevin sat down next to Mark, Shane stood up, holding his glass, “I’d like to make a toast. To the Happy Couple, may their love last forever.”
Everyone stood and raised their glasses and repeated, “To the Happy Couple!”
Mark reached across and took Kevin’s hand, smiling at him, who knew all those years ago, after Kev had left him sitting stunned in the car, that it would lead to this.
The music started up and the MC for the night invited Mark and Kevin onto the floor for their first dance, to a very familiar song.
Two very different people,
too scared to get along,
Till two hearts beat together,
underneath one sun,
One very special moment,
can turn a destiny,
And what some would say,
could never change,
has changed for you and me,
Cause it's all,
It's all in the way,
you look through your eyes,
and when all is said and done,
All of the fear and all of the lies are,
not hard to overcome,
It's all in the way you look at it,
that makes you strong,
We were two, (we were two)
now we are one,
We are two very different people,
so much to overcome,
So why care for one another,
when there's so much to be done,
Cause sometimes it's necessary,
just look how far we've come,
You could say my friend that,
it's the end,
or a new tale has begun,
Cause it's all,
It's all in the way,
you look through your eyes,
and when all is said and done,
All of the fear
and all of the lies are, (the lies)
not hard to overcome, (no no)
It's all in the way you look at it,
that makes you strong,
We were two, (we were two)
now we are one,
One moment in time,
is all the time we need,
Just to make a difference,
to make it better for you and for me,
If you just believe,
oh yeah..........
Just open your eyes,
Cause it's all in the way you,
look through your eyes,(your eyes)
and when all is said and done (oh yeah)
All of the fear and all of the lies are,
not hard to overcome,
It's all in the way you look at it,
that makes you strong,
We were two, (we were two)
now we are one,
oh yeah, oh yeah,
We were two,
now we are one…
Leaning in Mark kissed Kev firmly, “I love you Kevin Feehily-McDaid.”
His new husband smiled at him, “And I love you, Marcus Feehily-McDaid – Forever.”