Chapter Text
It’s Philipp who sets the whole thing in motion when he walks over to Bastian’s desk at work and asks, “So, are you still looking for a date for your brother’s wedding?” “Are you offering?” Bastian looked up from the article he’d been writing and grinned at his co-worker who also happened to be his flatmate. Philipp resists the urge to face-palm, he’s better than that.
He peers at Bastian’s laptop screen and smirks, “Wow Basti, Jogi’s going to be so happy about your 100 words on the Nobel Prize winners 2014 and their global consequences.”
Bastian narrows his eyes at Philipp. Philipp Lahm is a little shit and he’s not as innocent as he looks but Bastian is definitely fond of his flatmate. They graduated college together and started working at the same magazine together and well, they also shared a flat. They'd known each for a very long time and it's no surprise that they enjoyed riling each other up. That's what friends do. They annoyed each other but they had each other's back. This however, was another classical case of Philipp making fun of Bastian and his tendencies to get writer's block at all the wrong times. His article on the Scotland referendum needed to be on Jogi's desk by Thursday morning. Today was a warm and glorious Tuesday and Bastian still had only 138 words. Jogi was not going to be impressed. Jogi, or rather, Joachim Löw was a hard editor to work under, he was a task-master but he was a good editor who knew how to make his journalists perform. It was because of him that 'Straßen', a weekly magazine, hadn't collapsed and still continued to churn out quality material fifteen years after it's establishment. Bastian glances woefully at the laptop screen,
“I’ll finish it in time. Now, what were you saying about a date?”
Philipp leans against Bastian's desk, a cup of tea resting in his hands and smiles knowingly at Bastian. There’s a glint in Philipp’s eyes that surprises Bastian. He’s never seen that look before, oh no, wait, he has. The last time Philipp had that look was when Benedikt Höwedes and Mats Hummels informed everybody at the office that they were now officially a couple. Bastian later got the entire story out from Philipp. Philipp, being the intuitive genius that he is, had made Benni and Mats do a couple of articles together. He’d seen chemistry. Philipp Lahm was an investigative journalist, assistant editor and a matchmaker extraordinaire (or so he claimed).
“Miroslav said he knows this guy who’d be willing to act as your date for the wedding. His name is Lukas Podolski and you’re going to meet him today. Miro’s and I have arranged everything. So you now have a boyfriend to take for your brother’s wedding.” Philipp looks so pleased with himself that Bastian doesn’t even have the heart to be mad at him for not informing him about his plan until the last possible moment.
Bastian sighs, “Do I meet him directly after work, Fips?”
“Yes, Miro will take you to meet him. Relax Basti, he seems like the kind of guy you’d like.”
Bastian drums his fingers against the table in the café. He’s nervous but he’s not about to reveal that.
“So tell me about this Lukas. What’s he like? How do you know him?”
Miroslav smiles, “Poldi was also born in Poland like me. I’ve known him for a really long time. I went out with him when I was young and reckless and when he was a teenager. That didn’t work out and so he’s sort of my best friend now. He’s a teacher and he has a kid. He’s a busy person which is why you’ve never met him for any of my parties. He’s really good with children. He’s got a heart of gold and he’s funny.”
Someone behind Miroslav laughs and says, “Aww Miro, are you sure you’re not in love with me?”
“Lukas!” Miroslav stands up to hug Lukas and pats him on his head, “My wife, Sylwia, who I'm sure you remember, says hi.”
“You sure know how to let a guy down gently. How is she? And how are the twins?” Lukas suddenly sees Bastian and smiles brightly at him, “Hi, I’m Lukas and I heard Miro’s giving you a brief introduction about me, he's missed out a lot of important points though. You and I have plenty to discuss but first, let me catch up with this old man.”
The 'old man' comment earns him a light slap on the shoulder from Miroslav.
"I'm 36, you're 29, that doesn't make me old."
"You're older than me, aren't you?"
Bastian decides he likes Lukas when he sees the shit-eating grin and the bright twinkle in his blue eyes. Something tells him that he’s going to enjoy Lukas’ company. Miroslav and Lukas chat for a minute and then, it’s just Lukas and Bastian. Lukas orders an iced caramel macchiato and sits down opposite Bastian.
“Miro's given me a briefing, haha, that sounds like I'm an agent and Miro's the head of a secret organisation. He's given me a summary of my next mission - you." Bastian stares blankly at Lukas who immediately turns red and looks down at his macchiato, "Sorry, I got carried away. Right, Miro's explained to me about your predicament but I'd like you to tell me why you need a boyfriend.”
Bastian is a private person but there’s something about Lukas that puts him at ease. Maybe it’s the fact that he’s going to be faking a relationship with this guy or maybe it’s to do with the warmth that Lukas exudes; whatever it is, there’s something very comfortable about Lukas’ company.
Bastian tells Lukas that he's gay, he came out as to his family two years ago and they’ve always been very concerned about him. They want him to find love and he’s dated people but he hasn’t found someone he’s connected with. It’s never really bothered him but his brother Tobias is getting married in a week and he doesn’t want his family to worry about him.
Lukas nods, “So that is why you want a date for the wedding, huh?” Lukas then looks at Bastian expectantly, leaving Bastian slightly confused, “What?”
Lukas smirks and shit, Bastian loves the way the corners of Lukas’ lips turn up.
“I can’t go out with you unless you ask me out.”
Bastian laughs, “You’re so lame. But if you want the whole procedure...Lukas Podolski, will you be my date for my brother’s wedding?” He’s blushing and he knows it but then Lukas goes and giggles, and he can only gape in amazement at a giggling Lukas. His lips curl into a smile as Lukas makes a small humming sound and closes his eyes. Lukas opens one eye and says, “It’s an interesting proposal. I thought about it and I’m going to say yes. Yes, I will act as your boyfriend.”
Bastian shakes his head, laughing at Lukas and his cheekiness. They spend the rest of the evening talking and sharing stories. Bastian learns about Lukas’ ex-wife, his son, his relationship with Miroslav. He learns that Lukas loves talking and joking. Lukas is driven, motivated, caring and the sort of person who gets along with everybody; he's lovable. Bastian talks to Lukas and listens to him and learns that he and Lukas have their similarities and their differences. They both love video games and football. Bastian scowls when Lukas informs him that he supports 1. FC Köln because he's a Bayern Munich boy. Lukas just laughs about that and sticks his tongue out at him, declaring that 1. FC Köln is the best club in the world.
Bastian walks home with a spring in his step and a smile on his face. He hasn't met someone like Lukas in a long time. He hasn't connected to anyone the way he connected with Lukas.
Philipp's already asleep when he gets back home. Really, who goes to sleep at 9? Sitting at the dining table, Bastian sifts through the envelopes on the table till he finds the one he was looking for - Tobias' wedding invitation. He reads the invitation and then turns it over and smiles at the message scribbled at the back,
'I hope I'll get to meet a boyfriend ;) - T'
Bastian feels his heart sink, Lukas is just acting as his boyfriend. He didn't give any indication that he'd actually be interested in him, this was all going to be an act.
Miroslav slips into bed besides Sylwia. As usual, he checks his phone before going to sleep. Unsurprisingly, there are a number of text messages waiting to be read.
To: Miro
From: Fips
So I watched them till 7 and then I sneaked away. They had a lot to say to each other. I can see this developing into a promising love story.
8:07 p.m. 21-10-14
To: Miro
From: Basti
y didn't u introduce me to luki earlier. i don't think i lyk u.
9:10 p.m. 21-10-14
To: Miro
From: Lukas
I fucking hate you
9:30 p.m. 21-10-14
To: Miro
From: Lukas
this is all yoUR FAULT
10:55 p.m. 21-10-14
To: Miro
From: Lukas
YOU DIDN'T TELL ME HE WAS HOT. 10:55 p.m. 21-10-14
To: Miro
From: Lukas
I like Bastian. This is a problem. I'm supposed to act but i actually like him??? I'm going to end up heartbroken. :((( 11:01 p.m. 21-10-14
To: Miro
From: Lukas
I’m screwed 11:54 p.m. 21-10-14
To: Miro
From: Lukas
something tells me you're finding this very amusing -_- 11:58 p.m. 21-10-14
To: Miro
From: Lukas
why are we friends again? 11:59 p.m. 21-10-14
Miroslav holds back laughter, Sylwia is asleep besides him and he doesn't want to disturb her. He types Lukas a reply and then switches off the bedside lamp. This is going to be so much of fun.
To: Lukas
From: Miro
We're friends because I'm awesome and I introduce you to hot guys. Night! 12:05 a.m. 22-10-14