Swift as a Coursing River (LGBT+) | ✓

33. On fire within

To take Vincent's mind off his worries about Kim and the tension with his parents, Edwin suggests they go to Bonaparte on Friday. Vincent agrees and when Edwin spots him outside Bonaparte, he's fully decked out. His make-up is bold and fiery and he put on lipstick. Not only that, he's wearing a skirt. It's an ankle-length dark red skirt with folds and Vincent even has heels on under it. They're not the neon pink or sparkly golden heels from two months ago, but black and with a lower heel — the type Ellen would often wear.

"I feel underdressed," Edwin says in greeting.

"The fate of those who associate with me, darling." Vincent air-kisses both Edwin's cheeks. "You'll excuse me for withholding the real deal. I need this lipstick to stay intact until I have shown off a little." His eyes twinkle and Edwin smiles back. This Vincent is much nicer than the tense and worried Vincent from the past few days, even if he never wants Vincent to put up a front and hide how he's doing. He's under no illusions that he won't have to pry Vincent's vulnerabilities out of him next time, but at least he has this win. He can be a good partner for Vincent.

Eliane is there again and while Vincent is at the bar, she asks Edwin how he's doing.

"We talked," he says. "I want to cheer him up tonight."

"He's definitely dressed for it. Hey, maybe you should do karaoke! I bet he'll like that."

Edwin shakes his head. "I'm not singing." He looks at the stage, where someone is acting more than singing. He could never pull off that kind of confidence, those kind of dance moves.

"Aw, come on. You've never done it, right? You should do it at least once."

"The bar girl said that too."

"Helen? She would. And she's right. What if we all do it? Hey!" She draws the attention of their group. "What if we all do karaoke tonight? I'm trying to convince Edwin to show off his voice."

"I'm down," someone says.

"Me too."

"What are we doing, dears?" Vincent asks when he appears with several drinks.

"Giving Edwin his karaoke baptism," Eliane replies.

"Oh? Is this another one of your hidden depths, darling?"

"I'm being pressured."

"Has it worked yet?" Edwin shakes his head mutely, but Vincent is grinning and he already knows he'll give in. "Pretty please for me?" Vincent looks up through his lashes and it's ridiculous, but it still turns Edwin's mouth dry.

"Fine. But you too."

"Wouldn't have it any other way, sugar."

The whole group moves to the front and they wait for their turn. "I'll go first," Eliane promises, "if you go after me. You can have some more time to decide which song you'll sing." She winks, but it sets off a new wave of nerves for Edwin. What should he even pick? Something simple, which means the rock music he usually listens to is out. Which songs does he know that are easy to sing? He looks at Vincent, who is looking back, smiling, and it sparks a memory, and then an idea.

Eliane sings a pop song Edwin doesn't know, with little show but perfectly in tune. When it's Edwin's turn, Vincent starts chanting his name, but the noise of the club drowns out his voice.

"Don't do that," Edwin implores. Vincent stops at once and blows him a kiss.

"Show me what you've got, darling. I'm rooting for you."

Edwin climbs onto the stage and blinks against the bright lights. Vincent stands right at the front of the crowd, gleaming in the shadows, and Edwin's gaze hooks onto him as an anchor point. His hand is sweaty around the mic and his nerves are buzzing, but he breathes through it. Inner calm, that's the key. This is another thing where he shouldn't care what anyone thinks. He can practise.