Lights dimmed, giving a soft glow to the stage. Women and men alike sitting and watching the show, one dollar bills burning holes in their wallets. Their eyes raking up the bodies as they spun and twirled, as inch by inch of glistening skin was revealed. A blonde man, now stripped down to a skimpy pair of red boxer-briefs, maneuvered his body around the pole and slid down. Another man, also blonde and wearing only a a small hot pink thong, glided his backside against the smooth metal. Finally, in the center of the stage and surrounded on either side by the other two men, was a brunette. His chocolate brown locks glimmered in slight perspiration and shined in the deep purple briefs hung tightly to his body as he twisted in all different patterns. His glasses were slightly askew on his face, but he didn't care at the moment.
He just wanted to leave, like every other night he had "work". All throughout the show, money was being thrown at them as they shed their clothing, until there was nothing left to protect them from the hungry eyes of the onlookers. They exited the stage and grabbed towels to cover themselves with until they changed. The brunette grasped his clothing and hurried off to the dressing rooms to change. His mind blank as he offered half-hearted "good show"'s to the other men. He was the first one into the changing room, and the first one out. He was silently hoping that the bartender, Ludwig, was handing out their checks. But a large, gloved hand on his shoulder told him otherwise. He turned and shuddered internally at the childish smile on the large man's face. Why did such a scary man have to run the strip club?
"Privyet, Roderich.~" The man purred, his cold violet eyes trailing his lean body. Ivan Braginski was, by far, the scariest man Roderich had ever met in his say he was scared shitless was a major understatement. "H-hallo, Ivan." The austrian begged to the high heavens that the blonde hadn't heard the stutter in his voice. But, the growth of the grin on the burly man's face was indication that he had. The russian reached a leather-clad hand into his suit jacket, and pulled a white envelope out of his pocket."You were perfect, as always." He spoke as he handed the brunette his paycheck. Roderich sent a shaky, nervous smile up to the man, only able to look him in the eyes for a split second before tightly grasping the envelope in his hands."Well, Guten Nacht, Ivan." He muttered as he quickly turned to leave the building and go back to his home.
A rough hand grabbed his forearm and pushed him into a nearby wall. He was shocked still as warm hands ran the length of his lithe body. The warm breath against his neck woke him from his temporary stupor. Russian words were being whispered in his ear as the hand descended lower on his body. He had no clue as to what Ivan was saying, as his frazzled mind barely even recognized the murmurs in his ears. Roderich felt the buttons of his shirt being undone."N-nein Ivan...P-please stop-p..." He feebly attempted to push the man away, desperate to break from the russian's hold.
As swift hands began to unbutton his dress shirt, Roderich heard the telltale signs of footstep approaching them. Ivan sighed in frustration, but reluctantly let go of his captive."You will keep this between us, da?" The brunette knew it wasn't a question, but he silently nodded his head in understanding. The russian smiled and backed away right as Vash, one of Roderich's dancing partners, rounded the corner."Good show tonight, Zwingli." Ivan purred as he handed the man his paycheck, and calmly sauntered to his office. The swiss merely nodded, pocketing his earnings as his boss casually walked away from the pair. The austrian couldn't believe how a man could go from practically molesting his employee one second, to strolling away with a smile on his face and a skip in his step the next. It nearly made him tremble in pure disgust and fear.
Vash looked to his partner and quirked his eyebrow in confusion."Roderich, what's wrong? You look like you just saw the devil himself." Oh, if only he knew. The brunette shook his head in an attempt to clear his frazzled mind. He looked to the quizzical face of his coworker and offered a half-hearted and fully-counterfeit smile."Nothing is wrong Vash, just...tired, that's all." He was praying to whoever would listen that the blonde didn't question the hesitation in his voice. He sighed in relief when his friend's face returned to it's neutral expression."Alright, well get some sleep, you deserve it." Roderich smiled lightly at the man, and nodded to him in farewell.
When Roderich was finally seated safe in his car, he settled his head on his steering will and cried to himself. He looked over to the glove compartment and unceremoniously pulled out the photos he knew he should get rid of. It was her.In one, she was smiling at the camera, at him, in a light green sundress at the park. In another, she was kissing his cheek in front of the Christmas tree that had been in their living room. He spent nearly and hour going through the pictures, and reliving the memories they captured. But, like always, he had to choke back a sob at the last photo in the set. It was the two of them on their wedding day. They were smiling at each other, lost in one another's eyes. The austrian let out a shaky sigh as he traced his fingers lightly on her face. The woman he loved, the object of his affections, the beautiful girl he had made so many happy memories with. He closed his eyes and shook his head slightly, setting the pictures in the passenger seat as he finally left the strip club parking lot-tears still slowly cascading down his pale face.