Title: Beating Heart Baby

Rating: PG-13 (Some swearing and sexual content)

Summary: Dylan’s fed up of Ed ignoring him, so he’s going to make Ed notice him… really notice him (Fluff, some humor and a bit of angst)

Disclaimer: I own the Characters and the story line but in all events please remember that this is F I C T I O N and that none of it is real. All bands mentioned, TV programs and possibly Countries or Cities are real and I do not own them, any quotes used are owned by their author but have been labeled accordingly. The song in this isn’t mine, it belongs to Head Automatica, damn it, and it’s the best love song I have ever heard, bar none.

Please note: No characters were hurt in the making of this story, however by all legal rights the author will not take responsibility for the actions of some members. The actors in this story are professionals and have been trained to perform these stunts. Please do not attempt to re-enact anything you have seen today.

Enjoy the Show.

It was the fifth night of the holiday and what was meant to be a chance to spend time with his lover was fast turning into Dylan’s worst nightmare. For the fifth night in the row, Dylan watched helplessly as his lover, Ed, got ready to spend yet another night with his best friend, Bert. Neither man said anything to each other as Dylan watched Ed get ready, the latter already dressed in a white suit shirt, tight black jeans and a black tie.

In fact, it was the outfit that Ed loved him wearing which he had put on in hopes of getting some of his lover’s attention. He had even gone as far as to put makeup on, his chocolate brown eyes now surrounded by pink and black which in turn really highlighted his creamy soft skin and the sad look in his eyes. His hair was perfectly done, each strand of dark brown hair held in place with wax, until he looked like the perfect little pretty boy, minus the tears.

But despite his efforts, Ed insisted that they would be going out with the others and no doubt Dylan would get no time alone with the man he loved.

Sometimes love really sucked.

"Right, you ready?" Ed finally asked when he was finished fiddling with his blonde Mohawk and tugged on his pink and brown striped tee shirt.

"I suppose," Dylan mumbled, reluctantly moving his tiny frame off of the bed and pulling his gloves on.

"Let’s go then, we’re late as it is," the blonde replied, grabbing his jacket as he headed for the hotel room’s door, not even bothering to glance Dylan’s way.

Dylan sighed, following Ed slowly, wishing he could just stay in their room for the night and cry himself to sleep. He didn’t want to spend another night watching Ed and Bert having a good time while he felt like he wasn’t wanted or loved. It was only now that Dylan was really starting to regret moving into the mansion with their friends. At first he had been so excited about living with the gang, it meant he could see Quinn more and that they could stay up all night and not have to worry about getting home. Plus, there was no stress of paying their own bills every month and making sure they had the money for the rent. All they had to do was pay a bit each month like everyone else and ended up with much more money and much less stress. Oh yes, the whole idea had been exciting and in the beginning it had been so much fun but now…

Well, now Ed spent most of the time with Bert, playing games or shopping, they went clubbing with each other practically every weekend, a right Dylan thought was only reserved for him. But even when Ed wasn’t around Bert, all Dylan would hear about was Bert and the new material they had for the album and the touring… it was almost as if Dylan’s worst nightmare was starting to come true; all he needed to do now was find Ed and Bert fucking. God he hoped they weren’t…

The plan was very simple, Ed and Dylan were to meet everyone in the lobby of the hotel before making the ten-minute walk to the club that Jamie and Alex had found when on their way back from organizing a surprise dinner date for their boyfriends. They had picked tonight in particular seeing as it was the cover bands night and Jamie desperately wanted to see the Killers cover band whilst Alex had taken an interest in a The Used cover band even if he was best friends with the real band and lived with them. Dylan really didn’t get it, maybe because he just wasn’t in the mood for going out and being ignored. After all, normally he would have been interested, but right now he was far from it. The hope was to see every single band play, have a few drinks and even dance, but Dylan got the impression that he wouldn’t be dancing with Ed tonight. Hell, he would be lucky if he got a kiss.

Worse still, everyone was going to be there, even Stu and Ian had decided to come along, which was odd because normally they spent their evening alone together… God, how Dylan envied them for that chance.

So the plan was to meet in the lobby and then head to the bar, which was exactly how it went after Ed and Dylan had turned up half an hour late no thanks to Dylan taking forever in the shower on purpose in hopes of pissing Ed off. It had more or less worked, but that didn’t prevent the inevitable of Ed dragging Dylan downstairs. The trip to the club went exactly the way Dylan thought it would, with Ed ignoring him to talk with Bert about trivial things. Brendan, Bert’s current boyfriend, flashed Dylan a few apologetic smiles, clearly seeing how Ed was ignoring Dylan, feeling sympathetic even if his boyfriend was still giving him some attention. Dylan was grateful that Brendan cared, but still didn’t see why Brendan should apologize for something that Ed was doing.

There was some hope though. Maybe Dylan could get completely drunk and completely embarrass Ed; after all, Dylan never could hold his alcohol well and the number of times he had caused a scene when drunk were countless. He knew that it would really get to Ed because Dylan was meant to be the quiet, well-behaved one; he didn’t cause scenes or stir up trouble. He knew getting drunk would really piss Ed off. The fucker deserved it though, or so Dylan decided as they entered the spacious but crowded club, the first band already at the end of their set.

"Great! We missed the Killers!" Jamie yelled angrily, shooting Dylan and Ed an angry look.

"It’s just a cover band, Jay!" Ed groaned, rolling his eyes.

"I don’t care! I really wanted to see them play!" Jay grumbled.

"Ed, let’s just go sit down," Dylan suggested in his usual quiet voice as he tugged on Ed’s arm a little.

"Sorry, I’m gonna play pool with Bert," Ed replied, shrugging Dylan off before turning back to Jamie. "You can see them another night!"

"He does have a point, Jay," Ian finally cut in, acting reasonable for once.

Dylan felt a flash of anger rip through him, shocked and hurt that his boyfriend had shrugged him off so easily. He felt his eyes sting with tears, his ego taking a real blow as he thought for a split second that Ed didn’t want him around at all, his heart breaking at the thought. Looking to his best friend Quinn, Dylan begged him silently for help but Quinn looked as upset and angry as Dylan felt, clearly annoyed with Ed’s actions. Sighing in near defeat Dylan looked away from the group, feeling humiliated and hurt and wanting to go home to his own bed, not wanting to be on the holiday anymore.

What’s the use? he thought sadly, looking to the stage. He won’t even notice me gone.

Sniffing a little, he tried to think of something that would help calm him down, his eyes watching the stage.

Then the idea hit him.

Turning back to look at Quinn, he motioned for the blonde to stay silent. Quinn understood with a nod and turned back to his boyfriend tugging on his arm, silently begging him to get him a drink. Dylan nodded and headed for stage, finding it particularly easy since everyone was seated at tables or booths and the walkways were mostly clear except for the odd waiter. He made sure he had some money on him as he headed towards the security guard; after all money could buy anything these days.

"Excuse me," he murmured to the security guard. "Can I please speak to the band that’s due to go on stage?"

"For what reason exactly?" the guard asked him, looking Dylan up and down skeptically.

"I need to ask them a question," Dylan admitted, trying to keep as close to the truth as possible. "I will only be two minutes, I promise."

The security guard was reluctant. Dylan could see that and didn’t really blame him. He knew that in their line of work they shouldn’t be doing favors for anyone, but Dylan was desperate for his help and gave him a pleading look, silently begging him to help him out here. It seemed there was some luck on Dylan’s side though as the security officer nodded and let him pass. Silently thanking him with a relieved smile, Dylan dashed backstage quickly and looked around for someone from the next band, praying they would help him out…

---

"I am just saying that if you wanted to see The Killers, why not see the real thing?"

"That’s not the point! Tonight was meant to be a chance to spend some time together with our friends and boyfriends!"

"Look, it’s not my fault we were late! Dylan took forever in the shower!" Ed argued, annoyed that Jamie was taking it all out on him when it wasn’t his fault they were late in the first place.

"Oh, that’s right! Just blame him while he’s not here to defend himself!" Jamie barked, flashing Ed a dangerous look.

Ed frowned and looked to where he thought Dylan had been standing only to find his tiny boyfriend nowhere in sight. Cursing, he looked around quickly, panicking when he couldn’t see the brunette anywhere before looking at the others.

"Where is he?" he asked, looking worried.

Practically everyone shrugged. None of them had seen Dylan disappear; they had been too busy trying to calm Ed and Jamie down or at least to stop them from arguing, so none of them knew that Dylan had gone until now. Well except for one person…

"Quinn, where is he?" Ed asked, looking at the small blonde seriously.

Quinn just giggled in his childlike way and pointed to the stage.

Before Ed could say anything, the lights dropped and the stage lit up, applause going up as the next band appeared on stage. Their lead singer ran to the mic stand dressed like an outcast of My Chemical Romance, donning suit jacket and ripped jeans.

"All right, Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you so much for turning up tonight!" he announced into the mic, smiling brilliantly. "We’re My Narcotic Romance, and we’re here to cover MCR but before we do, we have a very special request from someone here tonight who has asked for a huge favor. So sit back and enjoy because this number is dedicated to Ed Nygaard. Here we go!"

The lights on the stage went out, plunging everything into darkness. Ed frowned, highly confused. He was sure he didn’t know the band on the stage currently and right now he didn’t have time for this. He needed to find Dylan.

But the sultry voice that suddenly flowed out of the PA system froze him, making him once again look to the blackened stage…

"Baby is this love for real?

Let me in your arms to feel

The beating of your heart, baby

The beating of your heart, baby…"

Suddenly the lights went up on the huge stage, the band all there, except instead of their usual vocalist, Dylan stood in his place, mic in hand, standing in true rock star form. His eyes bore directly into Ed. The beat picked up suddenly and Dylan moved away, grabbing the mic from the stand as he swayed his hips to the new catchy beat.

"What the hell?" Ed gasped not believing what he was seeing.

Quinn just smirked and looked up at him with a hint of anger in his usually soft brown eyes. "Not ignoring him now, are you?"

"You! You want nothing to do with me

You! You want nothing to do with me

I, I don't know what to do with you

‘Cause you don't know what you do to me…" Dylan sang, pointing at Ed, shaking his head at every line, his hips still swaying seductively.

With the chorus Dylan moved, sliding across the stage, one hand running down his lithe body to his dainty hips, moving his body to beat, looking like he was about to cry, yet so seductive all at once.

"Baby is this love for real?

Let me in your arms to feel

The beating of your heart baby

The beating of your heart baby

Baby is this love for real?

Let me in your arms to feel

Your beating heart baby

The beating of your heart baby…"

Ed blinked, not sure if he could believe his eyes as Dylan sauntered across the stage looking so sexy and yet so sweet and innocent and heartbroken all at once as he sang, his hips rolling with that familiar sexiness that Ed had always associated with Dylan. Not sure what to think or even how to react, Ed found himself sitting down slowly with the others, completely stunned as Dylan carried on singing, his voice powerful and clear and full of so much desperation that it sent chills down Ed’s spine.

"Girl! You really got your hold on me

Girl! You really got your hold on me

Girl! You gotta get away from me

'Cause you, you want nothing to do with me…" Dylan sang out with true perfection, taking a step towards the edge of the stage every time he cried ‘girl’ into the mic, gasping and panting like the original singer would. His chest rose and fell almost in passion between words, his hair flopping over his face as he rocked his hips as if he was grinding against someone until he reached the edge of the stage where he stopped, standing once more like a rock star as he look back at Ed with fiery eyes.

"Baby is this love for real?

Let me in your arms to feel

The beating of your heart baby

The beating of your heart baby

Baby is this love for real?

Let me in your arms to feel

Your beating heart baby

The beating of your heart baby…"

Ed blinked, suddenly picking up on Dylan meaning, a flush of embarrassment filling his cheeks as he thought of how far Dylan had been forced to go to get his attention back. But at the same time, he looked so amazing standing on that stage singing his heart out, his smooth and powerful voice carrying each note in perfection, his body moving so sensually as he danced to the beat. The way his chest would rise and fall reminded Ed of the passion they shared in bed, of all those times Ed had made Dylan moan and cry his name in pure bliss, Dylan’s hips moving exactly as if Ed were making love to Dylan right there on stage.

Suddenly the song dropped, the stage now lit up in shady colors, one single spotlight on Dylan as he walked down the steps of the stage slowly, singing to Ed as if he was the only one in the room right now. He moved with steady perfection towards his lover, his eyes dark and passionate as he sang the first part of the bridge.

"In spite of you

Even out of view

Still I love all of you

I do, yeah…"

Dylan stopped when he finally reached Ed, his chest rising and falling as he panted for breath. Staring at each other for a moment, Dylan slid into his lover’s, lap, straddling him as he sang the next bit, his hips pressing against Ed seductively, their chests flush as Dylan breathed the words out with sexual intimacy.

"In spite of you

Even out of view

Still I love all of you

I do, well…"

Ed moaned softly, his hips twitching to press into Dylan’s as his tiny lover sang to him, finding himself increasingly aroused as his boyfriend ground against him, almost moaning the words to the song. Then suddenly Dylan was gone, standing up once more to sing the next lines, dropping to his knees in front of Ed, that desperate and needy look gracing his face once more.

"You, you want nothing to do with me

You, you want nothing to do with me…" he sang, leaning back with each line until he was lying on his legs, one hand running into his hair before he arched back up again, nodding his head to the beat, his lips parted as if once again in the throws of ecstasy as he sang the ending, standing up with ease.

"Baby is this love for real?

Let me in your arms to feel

Your beating heart baby

The beating of your heart baby…"

He paused, looking at Ed questioningly before pulling the man up by his collar gently, tugging him towards the stage.

"Baby is this love for real?

Let me in your arms to feel

The beating of your heart baby

The beating of your heart baby…"

Somehow, and Ed wasn’t sure how, but his lover pulled him along, Dylan walking backwards to the beat of the song, still managing to sway in that enticing way as he led Ed onto the stage to sing the final chorus.

"Baby is this love for real?

Let me in your arms to feel

Your beating heart baby

The beating of your heart baby!"

Dylan pouted, pressing himself to Ed once more, looking upset, genuinely upset as the song ended and the crowded rose to their feet to applaud, Dylan seemingly oblivious as he looked at Ed sadly, almost sulking, the hurt so evident in Dylan’s eyes that Ed’s heart broke.

"Do you get it now?" Dylan asked him so only he could hear.

Ed smiled, his arms sliding up around Dylan’s thin waist slowly, holding his lover close to him carefully as he nodded a little.

"I get it," Ed whispered softly, leaning forward to nudge his nose against his boyfriend’s. "And I am so sorry baby, I had no idea I was doing it. Forgive me?"

"I forgive you. Now shut up and kiss me," Dylan murmured, smiling for the first time in a long time.

Ed chuckled and happily obliged, leaning forward once more to capture his lover’s lips with his own in a soft kiss, neither of them caring about of the hundreds of people around them cheering and applauding.