IDFC

"You already said I could go. You can't change your mind now."  Oleander wore an expression of calm irritation as his father drifted around him, examining his outfit with clear distaste. Everything he owned was black. Even for a night of clubbing Oleander's wardrobe was void of color, and tight fitting to the point of eliciting a protective growl from Eustass. The first time Oleander approached the alpha about going to a club on his seventeenth birthday, Eustass had immediately shot him down. Weeks later though, when Oleander persisted and assured him that Nikita would be there the entire time, he had no choice but to concede. Eustass still disliked the idea of his children clubbing, but he no longer had an argument to oppose it.  Nikita was old enough to handle himself, and the alpha trusted him to take care of Oleander. 
He ached to see how much they'd grown, but he was also proud in a way that words could not begin to describe.
"Im not changing my mind. I just-"  Eustass groaned when he could not find the words to explain himself.  Oleander understood though, and waved the alpha off when he opened his mouth to continue.
"I get it old man, you're all sappy because your kids are leaving the nest and shit. Its fine, so long as you don't try to stop us."  The last thing he wanted on his birthday was for Eustass to embarrass him infront of Nikita.
"And don't hug too long, alright? It makes him feel bad when he leaves."
"I don't hug too long."  Eustass didn't need to defend himself, they both knew Oleander told the truth.  He never wanted to let go. He held on too long.
Eustass doubted he would ever stop.
"Okay, I hug too long."  The alpha rolled his eyes at Oleander's smug smile. "But i'll at least try not to if you let me get some pictures."
"No." The was no hesitation in Oleander's answer, but still Eustass tried again.
"Your mom would want to see this."
His father should have known better than to bring Thatcher into the conversation.  The mention of his mother started a fire in Oleander's chest, burning away all the air from his lungs.  He shouldnt care that Thatcher was gone, his mother was always gone.
But somehow it still hurt. 
It would always hurt.
Oleander hated it.
"Thatcher doesn't fucking care about this shit. He doesn't want a damn picture. You just never give up." 
Sometimes Eustass lamented over just how much Oleander took after him. 
"You are right, I don't give up. So make this easier on yourself and stop calling your mother by his name, its rude. Also smile for a fucking picture! It wont kill you." When Nikita finally showed up, Eustass would corner him as well. They could not leave without commemorating the night. If he had it his way, they wouldnt leave at all.

Nikita entered the home without knocking, announcing his arrival by yelling out.
"Where's the almost birthday boy?" He grinned as he strode into the living room. He was caught off guard as he set eyes on Oleander. Had he always looked this gorgeous? He could feel his stomach knotting, hands becoming clammy in a way they never were around Oleander. In fact, he'd never gotten that way around anyone since practically middle school. It was how he'd felt when the pretty girls would talk to him, before he'd been confident enough to talk back without stuttering like an idiot. Little Ollie should not be bringing out such emotions.
Sixteen, he reminded himself. Well, seventeen in a few hours but still, far too young. He was being a creep for even thinking about him in such a way.
So he shook the thoughts out of his head before anyone could notice he'd even hesitated. The dropping of his jaw almost gave him away but he turned it into a wide grin.
"Is my papka getting emotional about his little bird leaving the nest?" Nikita smirked softly as he took his focus off of Oleander by moving to hug Eustass, his accent thicker as he addressed the man with his preferred term of endearment. Papka was something Russian children commonly referred to their father as. Nikita had been told not to call Eustass daddy at the risk of upsetting Bellamy, but they had not said anything about Papka.

"You're late."  Oleander's accusation was drown out by his fathers heartbeat as the alpha swept Nikita into a fierce embrace.  His joy crowded the room, leaving no space for Oleander's complaints.  The alpha carefully settled Nikita back onto his feet, but his grip on the boys shoulders remained. 
"I can't help myself when it comes to you guys.  You're my life's greatest accomplishments." When he felt Oleander's gaze burning into his back, the alpha finally let go and instead ushered Nikita over to stand beside his son at the fire place. 
"Birthday pictures. Now, before Oleander tries to escape." 
Oleander's upper lip curled at the mention of pictures, and just as Eustass said, he opened his mouth as though he were going to argue again-
But then he realized just how close Nikita was, standing near enough that their hands nearly brushed.
He'd pay the price of embarrassing pictures if it meant sharing his Russian's space. That didn't mean he was actually going to smile though.
Or, he hand't planned on it.
Nikita was smiling, he'd come just to take Ollie out for his birthday, and now he was standing so close and fuck Oleander couldn't resist the pull of his lips. 
In the photo Eustass snapped, Oleander's face was radiant and he was reaching to hook arms with Nikita. 
It was almost enough to make the alpha cry. 
"I'll uh, I'll make sure Bellamy gets a copy of these too."  It was all Eustass could say to keep composure.

"Don't worry papka, now that I'm here I'll get you plenty of pretty pictures of the birthday boy. He does whatever I say." He teased, scooping Oleander up into his arms bridal style. "How about this pose?" He grinned widely, waiting until Eustass had snapped the picture before setting Ollie back on his feet, smiling as he looked the boy over, trying to look more like a happy older brother than someone eyeing up a boy they were interested in. He hoped he was succeeding.
"So, excited for your big night, kid?" He smirked, throwing his arm around the boy's shoulders and pulling him close.
Nikita didn't look too shabby for their night out either. He always liked to look his best. Tonight he sported his usual leather jacket with a simple white t-shirt underneath and torn jeans along with his always expertly styled hair that managed to look like he'd spent no effort on it when in fact he spent quite a lot.

Eustass noted the truth of Nikita's words.  Oleander seemed to enjoy making things difficult, refusing his father as a sport to see just how flustered the alpha could get. Eustass wasn't the only one.  Oleander hardly ever listened.
But all Nikita ever had to do was ask, and Oleander complied regardless of his own reservations. 
He snapped as many photos as possible, attempting to seem busy while he watched over his children.
The alpha noticed how sharply his son inhaled when Nikita pulled him close, Oleander's face seeming to twitch as though he was struggling to hold his calm expression. 
Eustass had originally passed it off as a small crush when he'd first noticed Oleander's subtle reactions to Nikita. But so much time had passed, Eustass expected the infatuation to have faded by now but instead Oleander had only gotten better at hiding it. Eustass could tell though. He was a father and he knew.
He wasn't sure how he felt about it though, and had hoped he wouldnt have to find out.
Oleander pretended he didn't notice how the simple t-shirt clung to Nikita's waist, he tried to ignore the sleek leather, and resist the urge to run fingers through the Russian's roughly styled hair. For the most part he succeeded, but his expression had softened considerably when he glanced up to meet dark onyx eyes.
 "So excited I can hardly contain myself." The boy gestured to his face sarcastically. "Can't you tell?"  He was excited though, Nikita's presence overshadowing the earlier ache of Thatcher's not being home and instead distracting him with the butterflies currently rolling his stomach. 
"I might be even more overjoyed if your Papka would actually let us go." The boy sent Eustass a pointed stare, but only received a sheepish grin in return.

"Don't you worry, Papka will let us go. He also does whatever I say. You Taylor boys just can't resist me, can ya?" He shot a wink at Eustass to let the man know of course he was kidding but they both knew that he truly did have the redhead wrapped around his finger. "What is it? My lovely accent or my dreamy smile? Or maybe just my overall irresistible charm?" He laughed softly, arm never leaving Oleander's shoulders. "But really, Papka, we're allowed to go, right? You know I've got things under control. Ollie won't leave my sight all night."

"Yeah, your lovely accent and dreamy smile." Eustass snorted fondly as he echoed the boy's words.  "While you're at it, don't forget I also loved you enough to clean up your scraped knees, and I lived with you while you were still losing teeth." Bellamy had told Nikita all about the tooth fairy, but when asked the soldier hadnt been able to explain why she never visited the orphanarium. When Nikita approached Eustass on the matter, the alpha had played it off as the tooth fairy accidentally losing the orphanarium's address. He promised to fix it now that Nikita was home. Eustass could still remember the boy at six, beaming at him with a gap where one of his front teeth should be.  Nikita had handed him a tooth and received ten dollars the next day to prove all of Bellamy's tooth fairy stories.
"Of course you can go, I don't think I could live with Ollie if I told you no."  The alpha smiled at his son, proven right when Oleander could only roll his eyes and press closer to Nikita's side. It truly was a relief to have the Russian looking out for Oleander.  Eustass knew he could trust Nikita to keep he boy safe.
The alpha snapped one more picture before ushering them over to the door,  but lingered on the porch.  Before Oleander could escape the alpha had caught him and Nikita both in warm arms, sweeping them close to his chest for a moment to calm himself. It was always hard to let go, but especially when he knew they were going to a place of public drinking, especially when his baby was turning seventeen.
He only let go when Oleander began elbowing him in the side. 
"Come on, we better go before he tries to change his mind." The boy caught Nikita's arm, his grip tight as he pleaded for the Russian to escape with him.

"We'll be back before morning... hopefully!" Nikita called back to Eustass, giving him a reassuring smile before leading Oleander out to his car. He escorted the boy around to the passenger side and held the door open until he was safely inside before getting in the driver's seat himself. "Alright, now that your dad is out of the way, how excited are you really? Let's come up with your bucketlist for tonight. What do you wanna do? Get wasted, dance with strangers? As your birthday servant it is my duty to make sure you get to do everything you want tonight... within reason of course." His eyes never left the road in front of him as he drove, grin still wide though at the prospect of their night out together. He truly did want to make this an unforgettable night for Oleander.

"What a gentleman."  Oleander rolled his eyes to disguise the way his stomach flipped at having the door opened for him.  It was as though he were one of Nikita's dates.
Oleander decided he hated how warmth spread throughout his chest at the thought. It was best not to get his hopes up.  Nikita merely thought of him as a little brother and sought to make his birthday special.
It was touching, even though Nikita's looking at him as a baby brother left Oleander frustrated and embarrassed. 
It didn't matter.  He was going to take advantage of his birthday. The Russian was all his for the night.
The idea was exhilarating. 
"I'm stupidly excited, but you already knew that so shut up about it." Oleander played it off cool, unable to look directly at Nikita for fear that he'd start smiling and never regain composure. He couldn't seem like a giddy child, it was unattractive. 
"I definitely want to get wasted.  You can show me all your favorite drinks." The boy seemed to pause in consideration, still refusing to risk a glance in the Russian's direction. "I might dance, depending on who asks." It was his hope that he'd get a dance with Nikita before the night was over, but he wasn't prepared to ask for it yet. "You could also buy me a carton of cigarettes." Eustass would kill him for this, but Oleander was unphased by the idea. He wanted to be wild tonight, bask in Nikita's presence and forget all of life's bullshit.  He wanted to show Nikita that he should be more than a little brother. 
"So birthday slave, i've given my demands.  Can you meet them?" Oleander finally glanced towards Nikita, his teasing smirk quickly widening into a toothy grin. The Russian was gorgeous as always, but tonight it was all for him.

Nikita glanced over at the boy, truly pleased at how happy he looked. He'd make sure this night was perfect.
"Alright, let me make sure I got all these demands." He nodded, thinking over what the boy had said. "I can work with the wasted thing. It wouldn't be a night out if you didn't get wasted." He figured he'd watch over the boy to make sure he didn't get into trouble and didn't drink too much. "I'll let you dance with a guy if he asks and he passes my inspection. No creeps or shady types." He glanced over to Oleander once more then, reminded that he would definitely be getting hit on a lot tonight with how gorgeous he looked. "And the cigarettes..." He trailed off, knowing that this was not the best idea to get the kid started smoking. "I've got a pack in my pocket right now. How about you get one now, one after we're heading home for the night and then one tomorrow any time you want it since it's your official birthday? Sound like a fair deal?"
Nikita wanted to give Oleander everything he wanted without being a bad influence.
"And of course, your father knows about none of this." He chuckled softly as he grinned over at the boy, waiting for a response.

Oleander opened his mouth to argue, but closed it upon being met with Nikita's wide grin.  The sight was breath stealing for anyone, but in Oleander's case he was certain he felt his soul depart from his body. It was an honor to stand in the radiance of Nikita's happiness. If he didn't look away now, Nikita might notice the light flush on his cheeks and Oleander couldn't risk that. Tonight was his birthday, he couldn't bare having it ruined by Nikita realizing and rejecting his affections. It was better to admire in silence.
But he was Oleander and he had to say something.   
"Deal, but only if you stop trying to look over me like a protective older brother." The boy carded fingers through his hair, quickly glancing down at himself as though the sight should prove his point. "Maybe you haven't bothered to noticed but I look fucking hot. Im fucking seventeen tonight, and yeah that's still young but i'm your equal. Not a kid." Oleander's voice had hardened with embarrassment, but he quickly brushed it off in favor of patting Nikita's pocket down.  He wanted that smoke, needed something to distract him from the disappointment seeping into his bones.  He'd dressed to catch the Russian's attention. It would be humiliating if Nikita could still only see him as a little brother. His hair was combed through and tossed carelessly to one side, the color almost platinum in the light of the sun but under shadows shimmered a soft red to mimic that of his father.
Eustass had growled at the sight of his tight fitting t-shirt, black to match the skin clinging jeans and leather boots.  The alpha had noted it was a look Nikita may have found attractive, cursing softly moments after when he realized that's exactly what it was. Oleander had done it in purpose.  He'd gathered an outfit the night Eustass had agreed to let him go.
"What daddy don't know wont hurt him."  Oleander found the Russian's cigarettes, plucking two sticks from the pack with elegant fingers.  One was offered over to Nikita, and the other placed between virgin lips.

Nikita parted his lips and let Oleander place the cigarette there before pulling out his lighter from the other pocket. He lit the cigarette between his own lips before handing it over to Oleander, glancing over to make sure he did it without problem. He inhaled deeply, blowing smoke out of his open window before speaking.
"Hey. I know this is a big night and you're right, seventeen is a big step. You're basically an adult now. But I'm still gonna be looking out for you, Oleander. You're looking at it the wrong way. I'm not being an overprotective older brother, I'm being a friend. You think I'd let my friend go off dancing with some creepy guy or develop a smoking addiction? Hell no. I'm always gonna look out for you but you're your own person." Nikita assured, sincerity in his eyes as he looked over to capture Oleander's gaze.
They were parking out back of the club then, Nikita taking a moment to finish off his cigarette and let Oleander's anticipation grow.
"Whenever you're ready, lead the way." He grinned, reaching out to rest his hand atop of Oleander's on the boy's lap.

Oleander quickly averted his gaze after placing the cigarette between Nikita's lips, subtly biting down on the inside of his cheek in the hopes of burning away the fire in his gut before it crept up to his cheeks.  He pretended to be busy lighting his cigarette while listening to the Russian. He blamed the searing ache in his chest on the first draw of smoke curling in virgin lungs.  For it to his first cigarette, Oleander was  doing surprisingly well  in keeping his composure. Or he had been, but then he was caught in Nikita's gaze and holy shit, he nearly inhaled the cigarette whole when he felt the warm weight of the Russian's hand covering his own.  Oleander scoffed in the hopes of brushing away his initial reaction, swallowing back the urge to cough and quickly finishing his cigarette. People said they took the edge off, but Oleander was still tense when he tore his gaze away from the Russian's face.  Maybe getting wasted wasn't ideal on a night like this.  Not when Nikita was so close and touching him like that. It was a small thing, something the Russian did in a way of comforting reassurance but it was dangerous.  It gave Oleander hope, and hope was an unsettling concept. Oleander couldn't afford the price he'd pay if he lost it. 
"Come on, you can be sappy and shit later when I have alcohol in my system. You're so damn sweet I think you gave me a cavity." The boy had regained his calm expression, wanting to move but unwilling to budge with the still warm weight of Nikita's hand in his lap. He savored it until it was gone, only then did Oleander finally slide from the vehicle and start for the club entrance.

"Not liking your first cigarette?" Nikita couldn't help but chuckle softly. Truthfully, he didn't see Ollie as a smoker. He seemed the type to enjoy a nice cocktail rather than a cigarette to take the edge off of things. "Takes a while to get used to it. It's better if you never get started." He informed the boy, winding an arm around his waist as they approached the line to get in and the large bouncer barring their way.
Instead of going to the back of the line however, Nikita went straight for the bouncer, giving the man a friendly grin as he was recognized. Nikita was recognized often around here with the fight scene being fairly popular. So even if he wasn't recognized, if you mentioned his name they would nod their understanding. And that was exactly why he'd chosen this club, so they could get in without all the hassle and maybe even get a few drinks.
All it took was a flash of his own ID and the fake they had acquired for Oleander and they were on their way inside.
"None of that line bullshit for the birthday boy." He shot a wink over at the other boy, arm still firmly around his waist, pressing him close. It was protective sort of, but not in that older brother way Oleander was worried about. It was more like he was holding his boyfriend, assuring all the other men staring at them that Oleander was most definitely taken and they shouldn't get their hopes up.

Oleander side stepped the comment on his first cigarette, thoroughly embarrassed that Nikita had witnessed his choking. The long line drew his attention, but Nikita stole it back with the arm around his waist.  He was surprised when they bypassed the waiting crowd all together, and fought to keep his expression neutral rather than impressed as the Russian lead him inside. "I noticed. You're popular around here." Nikita was popular anywhere he went.  The Russian had not lied when he said his charm was irresistible. "You come here often?" Oleander should have been taking in the sights, all the flashing lights and bodies writhing on the dance floor, but instead the boy was distracted by Nikita pressed so close against his side.  The Russian's arm around him was everything. He failed to notice all the eyes on them, more concerned with Nikita's mischievous wink.

"This is my club of choice since the bouncer is a fan." Nikita chuckled softly. "A lot of fans come here so if I'm lucky I'll get a free drink or two and get laid without doing any work." He gave a sly grin. "But tonight is about you, Ollie. So your choice. Do we go to the bar, sit down at a table or head straight for the dance floor?" He pulled the boy off to the corner to ask this, not wanting him to get distracted by all the music and dancing people. It was already quite hard to hear each other over the DJ.

Oleander's expression never shifted from its calm facade, but the boy burned at the mention of Nikita coming here for an easy lay. He wondered how many people standing in the club knew what it was to touch his Russian, but such thoughts were unproductive and only made Ollie's insides coil. It was better to be swept up in the lights, admiring Nikita's smile rather than focusing on his bedroom habits and things he'd never experience.
"Take me to the bar. Buy me whatever you like to drink." It was too crowded on the dance floor, and Oleander sought to work up the courage it would take for him to ask Nikita for a dance. For that he would surely need alcohol.
"Let's do all the shit dad wouldn't approve of."

Nikita nodded his understanding, leading Oleander across the room to the bar, scooping the boy up to sit him on one of the open stools before flagging the bartender over and ordering two shots of tequila.
"We'll start you off with a shot to take the edge off. Tequila tends to make pretty boys like you want to take their clothes off though so just promise me no stripping until we're alone later, alright?" He teased softly as he took a seat beside Oleander. "After this I'll get you the good drinks. This is just to make sure you loosen up." He assured. "And then we're gonna see if alcohol makes you a better or worse dancer." He chuckled.

Oleander scowled at having to be lifted onto his stool, but it was more to cover how his stomach rolled at the contact rather than an actual expression of irritation. He was listening as Nikita explained what he'd be drinking, but Oleander was more concerned with how neon lights reflected off the Russian's dark eyes.  Listening gave him a reason to stare, and Oleander was taking full advantage.  From this close he could smell Nikita's cologne, and even in the soft lighting he noted the few tiny freckles that were spread across the Russian's cheeks. He'd almost trailed off in the conversation, but was brought abruptly back at the mention of Tequila's effects, Nikita's teasing about the prospect of them being alone together later.  The Russian didn't know any better, Oleander couldn't blame him for the teasing.  To Nikita it was a joke, but for Oleander it left his chest feeling eggshell thin and hollow. Nikita was everything he wanted but couldn't have, and the Russian was teasing him.
It hurt, and Oleander resented it.
"What kind of dancer does it make you?"  The boy needed to draw Nikita's attention away from his face, having felt the heat rise to his cheeks in reaction to the Russian's taunting comments. Oleander looked out to the dance floor, hoping heatedly that his question would be enough to carry the conversation in another direction.

"I'm always an amazing dancer. Did you expect anything less?" Nikita followed this statement with one of his signature cocky grins. "You'll see later I'm sure." He was still smiling as their shots arrived. He ordered two Long Island Iced Teas before the bartender could leave again before turning to face Oleander, offering one of the shot glasses. "Happy birthday, Oleander." He gave one of his rare genuine smiles instead of the smug smirks, urging Ollie to toss back the first shot as he did the same.

For a moment Oleander was lost in that smile, entranced by the genuine shine in the Russian's eyes.  He watched Nikita down his shot, only realizing after with silent embarrassment  that he'd been meant to drink his as well instead of staring like some love struck puppy. The boy chastised himself and swore to do better, intending to down his shot just as easily as Nikita had in order to prove his maturity.   Turns out alcohol burns on the way down. It took every ounce of self control Oleander possessed to keep from coughing,  and even then there was nothing he could do to hide his flushed expression.  
"If you laugh, I'll cut you." The warning sounded flat and harmless even to Oleander. He was too humiliated to manage any real threat, but still he hoped the Russian would accept it and ignore his inexperienced reaction to the shot.  "Im the birthday boy, you have to comply." Oleander hated to think that he was strengthening Nikita's outlook of him being no more than a little brother.

Nikita stifled back a chuckle but a small snort still slipped out. He couldn't help himself. He wasn't trying to make fun of the boy, but Oleander was simply so damn adorable.
"It's alright Ollie, wasn't expecting you to be a pro drinker. Should've warned you about the burn, my bad." He moved to rest his arm around the boy's shoulders once more. "Now the next drink should taste a little better but still get you drunk fast. One of my favorites." He thanked the bartender as their drinks arrived, sliding one across the bar so it rested in front of Oleander. "Drink up and then we'll see how your dancing is." He chuckled softly, glancing around them to the men already eyeing Oleander up. Looked like he'd have to scare off a lot of potential creeps tonight.

"You just want to see me make an idiot of myself, but its not happening."  Oleander felt sheltered under the weight of Nikita's arm, but his back tensed at the warm contact.  The smallest touches sent shivers down Oleander's spine and he absolutely hated it.  The Russian had more control over him than he'd thought possible, and it was too late for Ollie to reclaim himself.  He'd been Nikita's for years now, a fool for the Russian smile. 
"Im going to out dance you. And then you will be so impressed that you'll have no choice but to buy me another drink." 
The alcohol was already flooding his system.  Oleander hadn't realized yet, but the liquor had sent a flushed pink tint across his cheeks. A little more might go to his head, but Oleander was already too far gone to care.

"Oh I'm so ready to see you make an idiot of yourself, kid. It's what I live for." Nikita gave a genuine laugh before downing some of his drink, truly excited to be sharing Oleander's first night out with him. "But really, I'm sure you're a great dancer. Not as great as me, but you're probably alright." He teased.
Over the next half hour he supplied Oleander with several drinks. He drank just as many himself, but being larger and more experienced, he was just a bit tipsy while Oleander was getting quite drunk. That was good though. He had to keep control of himself so he could look out for the boy. He couldn't get completely wasted tonight. He'd have to be the designated driver when they were ready to go home too.
Overall, he wasn't feeling too drunk yet. Just a bit hot and in an even better mood. There was only one thing that seemed to change drastically with each drink he consumed. Oleander. It was getting harder and harder not to stare at his bright blue eyes, the flush of his cheeks, all the skin exposed by his revealing outfit. It was getting harder to think of Oleander as the little brother instead of the boy he was trying to hit on at the bar.

Oleander wasn't aware that the alcohol had affected him at all until he caught himself staring at Nikita's lips. The liquor did nothing to overshadow his feelings and want for the Russian, instead only making them harder to ignore.  On a normal night, Oleander was careful in not allowing his gaze to linger too long.  But now, with the alcohol swirling in his system the boy found he could hardly control himself. Their close proximity left him hot and aching, near squirming in his seat.  If Nikita asked, he would undoubtedly blame it on the alcohol but it didn't seem likely the Russian would believe him. His eyes may be glazed but not even that could dull the bright oceanic shine that only flickered to life at the sight of Nikita.   
"You should take me dancing now."  The words were slurred but demanding, liquor burning confidence into the pit of Oleander's stomach. He finished his drink for one last burst of reassurance before catching Nikita's hand.  His lips were parted in a smile when he tugged the Russian onto the dance floor.