Time Travel, France, and Romance // OxO // Closed

“Alright, gotcha,” Lou said with a nod. He slipped his phone back into his pocket. “I’ll keep in touch. And, yeah, I totally get it. I traveled to America once with my family… let’s just say my parents got a big phone bill.”
He smiled, picking up one of Bean’s paws and wiggling it like Bean was the one waving goodbye.
“So, I’ll see you ‘round.” Lou waved, and with a swift step, he was on his way back down the street, smiling gleefully to himself.

Lou kept Bean wrapped tightly in his arms.
“Did I do good?” he almost whispered into the dog’s fur. “I don’t know how it went, I’m bad with this kind of stuff.”
Of course, the small terrier didn’t reply.
“I want to jump with this guy,” he continued. “He seems… different. Maybe he could handle it?”
Bean just stayed quiet, content in his master’s arms.
“Well, in due time, I guess,” Lou replied, setting the pup down and proceeding to walk back to his apartment.
“In due time.”

Arriving back at the apartment, Lou slipped Bean off of his leash and stepped inside, shutting the door gently. He sighed deeply, standing at the door for a moment before heading over to his desk. He set his phone face-down on the table, staring at it.
Bean padded over, hopping in the man’s lap.
“Yeah, I know,” he said, stroking the puppy. “Later. I’ll text him tomorrow, maybe.”
Lou kicked back in his chair, pulling Bean up so the pup laid across his chest. He slipped his jacket off, revealing a grey T-shirt with some alternative band cover emblem.
“Did… did I leave my coffee on the table?” he asked aloud. Bean cocked his head.
In a flash, a cup of coffee sat in Lou’s hand, where it had previously been empty. He had gone back to early that morning, remembered to grab the cup, and jumped back.
You see, that’s what he was.
A time traveler.

Lou sighed, picking up his phone and moving to the couch. He had a small apartment, so he only had to walk two steps. From the door, directly in front of it, was a comfy leather couch facing the small TV to the right. Directly to the back of the couch was the kitchen, with a bar behind the couch so you could still see the TV while eating. The fridge was on the other side, along with a microwave Lou never really used. To the far right was his room, down a very narrow hallway.
Lou flicked on the television but just for background noise. He switched to whatever channel played the best music in his opinion— which was classic rock.
Bean happily spread across as much of the couch as he could while Lou scooted over to make room. He sipped at his coffee, recounting everything that had already happened that day— and it was barely even 4 o’clock.

(Sure. What time should we skip to?)

(So like noon the next day?)

(Okay, perfect.)

Lou tapped his foot nervously on the floor as he bit his thumb, staring at his phone.
“Should I send it? I’m probably overthinking this,” he mumbled to Bean. The puppy was fast asleep beside him.
He had done everything he could to procrastinate actually texting Jay. Heck, he’d even gone on a run this morning. He’d showered, ate, done his hair, and everything. He never cared this much.
His hands shook slightly as he brushed the hair from his face and sighed.
“Alright, I’m gonna do it,” he said, trying to convince himself more than anyone. “I’mma do it.”
And with that, he pressed send. The message read:

Salut, mon ami! Comment vas-tu? I was thinking later tonight we could hit up a cool place I know of. Said to have the best drinks. What’dya say?

(The first line says “Hello, my friend. How are you?” btw)

Lou felt like he was holding his breath as he saw Jay typing. As soon as he read the message, he smiled and let out a sigh.
He gave Bean a thumbs-up as he texted back.

Merveilleux! How about I meet you outside your hotel around five?

He paused for a minute before sending. He glanced from his phone to his bathroom mirror, where he was already getting ready to go, despite having roughly 2 more hours.
He took a deep breath before adding:

Just us?

Lou smiled widely down at his phone.

Alrighty. Sounds great. See you then ;)

Before he could re-read it, his finger hit send.
“Oh boy,” he choked, running his fingers through his hair, eyes wide. “I made it wink. Oh boy I winked. I didn’t mean to— I didn’t— oh boy.”
He laughed nervously but let it be, staring at the phone to see if there was a response.

Within those two hours, Lou couldn’t stop pacing. Or planning. Or worrying.
When it was about time to head over, he slipped on a nice collard shirt and khakis. Where they were going wasn’t necessarily fancy, but he wanted to at least try his best.
He patted Bean on the head as he grabbed his jacket, leaving the small pup inside with the apartment to himself.
“Bye Bean,” Lou said, the door open just a crack. “If I’m lucky, you’ll see the both of us tonight.”
The man laughed to himself. “Nah, I’m kidding. Later, Bean.”
But, honestly, Lou didn’t want to be joking.

Lou came walking up from around the corner, fixing his hair briefly. He hadn’t worn his glasses tonight, so he squinted to look for Jay. In the dim light it was more difficult for him, but he made it work.
“Well bonjour. How’s it goin?” he asked with a cheerful grin.
As he got closer, he could actually see Jay. It almost took his breath away. Had he always been this… handsome?

(Night!)

Lou laughed, wondering if he was the only one nervous.
“You’re gonna love this place, by the way,” he said, beginning to walk. He made sure Jay was following as he continued. “I know the bartender there. She’s really nice— we basically grew up together. Anyway, she makes the best drinks ever. Like I said, you’ll love it.”
Louis happily lead the man down a couple streets. The city sure was alive tonight. Music could be heard resonating from every venu.

“Oh, absolutely,” Lou replied as he stopped in front of a wide-open door. Bright blue and red LED’s flashed from the inside and music drifted to their ears. In addition, the noise of chatter and people toasting, dancing, and laughing was audible.
Louis grinned at Jay and slipped inside, motioning for him to come on in.
The bar was bright and loud, but in the best way possible. People had smiles on their faces and were laughing. Others were dancing, on a cleared floor just behind the stools at the bar. Tables were set up to the right of it, but Lou slid in at the bar.
“Ally!” he called, tapping the seat next to him for Jay to sit. “Look who I brought.”
A woman no younger than 25 looked over from pouring a glass. She had long blonde hair pushed back in a bun and was getting hit on by multiple guys sitting there. She pried herself away and scooted over to the boys, grinning.
“Well hello there!” she said, setting down her glass. “How’s it going, Lou? And— oh, looks like you brought yourself a boyfriend, eh?”
Lou coughed, glancing nervously between Jay and Ally. “It’s not like that— we’re not— this is Jay, he’s a friend I met the other day.”
“Calm down, honey,” she said with a laugh. “It’s alright. And nice to meet you, Jay. I’m Ally. What can I get you guys to drink?”

Lou had to advert his gaze from Jay as to keep his heart from beating as fast at it already was.
“I normally just tell Ally to give me her best, so…” he began, nodding at the woman. “ALLY! Give us your best!”
She rolled her eyes with a snicker and turned around, beginning to make two colorful drinks. She took the shaker, a sharp noise filling the air as she swung it back and forth, the ice hitting the tin. She strained it out, adorned the drinks with a lemon, and set them before the boys.
Lou inspected the orange drink.
“Sunset, eh?” Lou laughed. “You know I love this one.”
“Well, go ahead,” she said, glancing over at Jay. “Try it.”
Lou held up his glass as a gesture to cheers.

“It’s fruty and sweet, but I’ve always been a sucker for girly drinks,” he said with a laugh. He took a sip happily and nodded to Ally as she stood, waiting for a reply.
“You never cease to amaze me, woman,” he chuckled. “Good work.”
“Well, thank you,” she said. “Thank you very much. And I’m glad you like it, Jay.”
Ally slyly looked at Lou and nodded her head in the direction of Jay. Lou’s heart skipped a beat as she winked and left to take another order.