Work Text:
Blair had just left from a birthday party in a friend’s house. It was still early and he didn’t want to go home yet, so he parked the Volvo in front of a bar. It was one he’d never been in.
He sat on a stool at the counter and ordered a coke. He was more in the mood for a beer, but he was driving.
The bar was crowded, and he soon knew the reason. A band started to play.
“First time here?” asked the barman.
“Yeah.”
“You should come on Saturdays. There’s a very good singer. He sings rhythm and blues.”
“I should bring my roommate. He likes R and B. Only he’s a cop and he usually works on the weekends, too.”
“Well, the singer is also a cop, and he comes here the first and third Saturday of the month, with very few exceptions.”
“A cop? What’s his name?”
“Jim.”
Blair didn’t think it was probable, but he had to ask.
“Would he be Jim Ellison, by any chance?”
“Yes. Do you know him?”
Blair was astonished. “He’s my roommate!”
“Well, what a coincidence. You didn’t know he sang?”
“Not at all. The SOB never said anything about it.”
The barman laughed. “That’s Jim Ellison! He talks very little, but he sings like the gods.”
“Now I have to go and ask him about it.”
“Don’t be mad at him. He’s a very good guy.”
“Yes, I know.”
Blair paid for the coke and left. He had learned something new about his sentinel, and damn, he was angry. All those Saturdays, he was going to sing, instead of being at work or on a date. That only meant that he didn’t have any dates, with anyone. So, Blair felt a little hopeful, because he had feelings for his roommate. Would there be a little place for Blair in Jim’s heart?
But he was still angry. Jim Ellison would have to answer a few questions.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
“You never said anything!” Blair couldn’t help feeling angry, he was fed up of playing hide and seek with Jim’s life events. He was pacing in front of the couch, while Jim was sitting.
“There are lots of things you don’t know about me, Sandburg.”
“So, when you said you had to work or go on a date, you were going to sing at this bar?”
“Yes.”
“You should have told me! This can be very important for my research. Another chapter on my thesis. Well, a paragraph or two, at least. Do you use your hearing when you sing?”
“Of course, Sandburg. I have to make all the band’s instruments tune up before the show. I can go insane if they’re out of tune. I can’t stand it. It’s the same with the tempo.”
“The tempo? Do you mean that if the rhythm is slower or faster you notice it?” Blair forgot his anger; he was very interested now. He sat next to Jim.
“I can feel the slightest change in the tempo. The drummer is very good, but he’s human, so sometimes he goes faster or slower. That drives me crazy, but I have to turn a blind eye, or ear, in this case.”
“Can you sing a little now? I’d like to listen to you.”
“Okay.”
Jim was pensive for a moment, searching for a song in his memory. Then he started singing and Blair thought his voice sounded heavenly. A baritone and softly melodious voice.
Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you?
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Jim stopped and his eyes were suspiciously bright. He’d been looking Blair in the eye all the time he was singing.
“Jim,” said Blair in a very low voice, “is this song meant for me?”
Jim didn’t say anything. He put his hands on the sides of Blair’s face and kissed him.