A Tether or A Song

Keith hadn’t gone on a date in a long time. Not in fifteen years at least. Normally the hate and violence targeted at half of his...attractions, put a downer on all of them.

A blind date in this country was just supposed to be a small distraction, done simply because ‘why not.’ He and his mother had been in the United States since the first world war, since Europe wasn’t exactly the best place to be these last few decades. Now in ‘65 he was a bit more comfortable in America. Maybe he’d go back to the old country in a decade or so, for now he was content in Boston.

“Sorry, sorry I’m late.” The girl must have been about 28, long brown hair piled up and hairsprayed, so that even though it was a good three inches above her head, the ponytail reached her lower back. The dress was tight, blue with white polka dots, blue eyeshadow, too much pink in her cheeks. She was cute, but not exactly his type. She was too small, too thin...he wasn’t one for fragile partners.

“Uh, it’s no problem ma’am.”

“Thanks, just can’t escape work!”

“I understand.”

She already didn’t really seem all that interested, cheerful sure, but distracted. It wasn’t like Keith was ugly. Blond hair, muscle-bound, he looked like the prince he was, or used to be. Everything about him was almost too perfect. Maybe he looked stressed? He knew he should have covered up the bags under his eyes.

“Oh, I love this band!”

He looked up at the band she spoke of, looked normal for this kind of dingy little bar. A guitar, a lead singer who didn’t seem to be on stage yet, an upright bass; like they were some cheap imitation of Mowtown.

“Just watch this singer!” She beamed like a puppy and he snorted a laugh out of obligation. He really wished he could match her excitement.  

The band started to play but Keith wasn’t really paying attention, his finger moving around the edge of his glass as his date bounced along to the beat across from him.

“Remember those Walls I built

Well baby they’re tumbling down

They didn’t even put up a fight”

He knew that voice…from somewhere...

“They didn’t even make a sound.”

Keith turned his head to look at him. The voice sounded like honey...and...damn...

“I found a way to let you in

But I never really had a doubt

Standing in the light of your halo

I got my angel now.”

Keith couldn’t really look away. The man was big, a good six feet with arms made of even more muscle than Keith’s, he looked like he could throw him without breaking a sweat...but instead here he was, just singing in a well tailored suit, white against darker skin.

It’s the risk that I’ve taken

I ain’t never gonna shut you out

Brown eyes met openly staring blue ones, and gorgeous full lips tilted into a smirk. He turned slightly as he swayed to the music.

You hit me like a ray of sun

Girl in the darkest night

You’re the only one that I want

And I’m addicted to your light

Every few words the singer looked Keith in the eye again. He sang to the room of course, but...when he didn’t...his gaze focused on Keith and...was he blushing? Oh damn he was blushing wasn’t he?

Everywhere I’m lookin’ now

I’m surrounded by your Embrace

Baby I can see your halo

You know you’re my savin’ grace

He had his full attention on him now, singing with what Keith hoped was all his heart, right to him!

You’re everything I need and more

It’s written all over your face

Baby I can see your halo

Pray it won’t fade away

“His name’s Blane.”

“Huh?”

He didn’t even remember the girl was there until she spoke up.

“The singer, his name’s Blane. Sings here every Tuesday and Friday night. Usually sticks around for a drink afterwards,” Keith rose a brow at her as she smirked, an expression that reminded him of his mother, always one step ahead of him. She got up, patting his shoulder as she moved by.

“He’d like you.”

Keith looked at her a moment but soon his attention wandered back to the singer, whose focus had moved when Keith wasn’t looking, but his eyes darted right back when he noticed the staring man again. Like an invisible tether, pulling the two together.

Keith looked at the waitress as she put them down in front of him.

“From the pretty girl at the bar.” He looked ‘round but she was gone, just, disappeared.

Halo

The song ended and the singer bowed, Keith raised the extra glass in question and the singer winked. Within a few minutes, Blaine was sitting across from him.

“You know, usually, when someone’s staring at me like that, I’m not lucky enough for them to be this handsome.”  Keith couldn’t hold back a grin at the compliment. He was usually more charming than this...but something about Blaine…

“And you’d be…?”

“Oh! I’m Keith. Keith Surana, and I don’t...usually stare like that.”

“Keep doing it, I can’t help but think it’d be nice to see those wide eyes far more often” His voice was low to keep from being overheard but damn...Keith swallowed and tried to make his response just as smooth.  

“Have a drink, and we can see about that.”