Saturday night was amatuer night. Lilia usually gave Phichit a couple spots on stage depending on how many dancers showed up. These nights, Phichit would assist in serving and their backup server, Leo, would come in. As with the night before, Phichit was early. Celestino had to shake his head as he got his bar prepared. They were never sure how these nights would go. Ametuer night could either be slammed or slow. The Peep rooms ran, and people would be in and out all night long.
Phichit was going to open them that night, and Celestino was not expecting him out at the bar for quite some time, so he had Leo behind the bar helping him slice fruit and get the glasses ready.
"Hey Celestino, we need more rum and sour mix." Leo called out to him as he was going through the shelves.
"Dammit, I meant to do that last night. Alright, let me go to the back and get some. Which Rum are we out of?" Celestino watched as Leo waved the silver label bottle at him and he nodded while getting the keys to the liquor closet out his pocket. Only Lilia and Celestino had this key. If asked, she would say she was not trusting a pack of drunken strippers with keys to unlimited liquor - not that she ever charged them to drink.
Celestino exited the main room and headed out in the hallway. He saw as the Peep boys were headed towards the Peep rooms preparing their sets, and the amateur dancers were in the changing room. Celestino knew he should not be, but he kept his eyes peeled for a certain Thai boy amongst the crowds as he made his way to the closet.
He reached the door and got his key to unlock it. He sighed to himself, as usually Phichit would usually help him set up on Saturday, even if he was dancing. Of course an extra hand at the liquor closet was helpful as well. He could see Otabek walking by as he was probably headed to the bar to wait for Yuri's Peep show to be done with.
"Hey Otabek, care to lend a hand?"
Otabek walked over and as he opened the door, he heard a sharp inhale as Otabek apparently had never seen this hidden closet. It was about eight shelves high and six bottles deep and was racked with about every different type of liquor and mixes you could want. Celestino remembered when they opened the club and when they ran low, Lilia would use her own money, or him, to run and get another bottle from the liquor store.
"Damn Celestino... Of course I can help." Otabek went to start grabbing bottles and Celestino could not help but chuckle and smack at his hands.
"No no Otabek, this is all accounted for. We just need a few things." Celestino kept laughing as Otabek's hand kept reaching for the whiskey bottles. Celestino grabbed the sour mix and rum they needed, handing them over to Otabek. He could see Otabek's eyes were still glazed over with the closet.
Celestino reached up real tall to the top shelf, he had a special bottle of whiskey up there; they only kept one in the club as it was his personal favorite. When he brought it down and showed Otabek, he could have sworn the Kazakh man started drooling.
"Should have pulled this out two nights ago for you… but we can share some tonight." Celestino had to chuckle again as Otabek was just nodding and not saying a word. He had the other man hooked. "Come on, you only got a bit before your fairy is done dancing for a bit anyway."
As they headed down the hallway, he could see Phichit leave the dressing room, ready for his set. Celestino stumbled his step just enough for Otabek to notice as he looked at the Thai boy.
Phichit was wearing a suit. Celestino was used to seeing him in a suit as when he did step in for the dancers, they all wore suits for the opening number, but no, this one was different. It was black with a gray pinstripe and was cut to fit him perfectly. He had a teal shirt on with a purple tie and his hair smartly brushed down. Celestino could see a shimmer to those pink lips and knew Phichit was wearing his foul lipgloss, but he still had to smile to himself. No matter how well you dressed the boy, he still wore something shiny on those full lips.
"Ah Beka, hello. You going to watch my set?" Phichit called out to Otabek, still blatantly ignoring Celestino. It stabbed Celestino a bit to see Phichit not even acknowledge him.
"Yeah Phichit, we will be watching." Damn that Otabek, why did he have to emphasize the "we"?
Celestino noticed that Phichit did look over his way and lock eyes with him, almost in a challenging way. He hated it. He smiled at Phichit, praying for a response back and got a slight head nod as he turned and went back down the hall.
"Man, I am telling you… apologize. Works every time." Otabek said over to him.
"Fuck off," Celestino growled back at him. He did not know if he was ready for a night of judging stares from Otabek and was almost happy that he would be occupied with Yuri as the Peep shows did not run all night long.
They had made their way back to the bar and they could see Leo was getting a few drinks ready. As they got the bottles straight, Leo put his drinks on the tray and headed out into the crowd.
Otabek settled into his spot at the end of the bar as Celestino got them each a double shot. Otabek raised his eyebrow at him and Celestino was ready to just smack him.
"Don't start with me tonight, boy," he grumbled as they knocked the shots back.
He watched as Otabek shook his head. "I don't see why you are making a big deal of it."
Celestino just blankly stared at Otabek. Did they not see he was twice Phichit's age and what it would look like if them two were to be together? People would assume he was Phichit's father, not his…
Celestino shook his head. "It's absurd. I am twice his age."
"Why are you so obsessed over the age difference? Is that all that you have a problem with?"
Celestino had to think, and yes, that was his only problem. He knew Phichit up and down. They practiced together, they even hung out at times on their days off. It was a simple and easy friendship.
"Yes," was all he could manage as a reply.
"So like… nothing else?"
"Nothing I can think of… It is just, I mean… yes, the age thing."
"He doesn't seem to have a problem with it. You are the only one who does."
"I don't want to mess up a friendship," Celestino responded.
"Why not enhance the friendship then?"
"Why do you have to make so much fucking sense?" He watched as Otabek laughed at him while he got him a glass of water.
They could hear the house music starting to die down, cueing the first act to start. Phichit always danced to what Celestino called 'bubble gum' music. It was poppy, had a great beat and almost every teenage girl had on their iPods. Tonight was different. The music was slower, more sensual. A deep raspy voice came across the speakers as a slow beat played off in the background.
Celestino saw Otabek turn back towards him, giving him that damn look.
"I will you kick out of the fucking club," Celestino growled out to him. He almost did when Otabek started to laugh and turned back to the stage.
Celestino watched as Phichit walked down the stage and towards the pole. Celestino could have sworn Phichit had stared him dead in the eye has he wrapped his hand around the pole and swung slowly with the music. Celestino had to swallow and blink his eyes. Phichit was amazing on stage, and in that suit, he was just damn hot.
Phichit slowly worked the jacket down his arms, allowing it to fall on the stage floor. There were suspenders under the jacket and fuck if it wasn't hot. Phichit slowly and sensually swayed his hips as he worked his shirt off, leaving the suspenders and tie in place. When Phichit turned back their way, those brown eyes locked on his as he made his way over to the pole, doing a few more quick spins.
The music accelerated and Celestino started to pay attention to the lyrics. I'm all you will ever need- Celestino had to gulp as he looked at the stage, the raspy voice singing words that seem to be made just for him. Phichit swayed his hips as he ran his hands down his body, pulling the suspenders out a bit and let them snap back into place. Just give me a chance- dammit, this kid was good. He saw as Phichit locked eyes with him. His hands went into his hair, disheveling it as he licked his lips at Celestino. Don't let me walk away- This was when those hands traveled down that tan body and splayed on his hips as he swayed. Celestino felt his mouth go dry, and dammit all if Otabek didn't slide his whiskey soda his way.
"Dammit, Otabek," Celestino said as he emptied the glass. He would make the bastard wait for another drink.
Phichit had lowered the suspenders off his shoulders and unbuttoned his pants. He allowed them to just hang low on hips for a few beats as he worked his hips in the slow steady rhythm. Celestino had never seen Phichit like this before. It was all normally fast paced, the clothes thrown off early and the most annoying music (alongside Yuri's old metal) that ever graced his old ears.
It was as if Phichit was seducing him from the stage. He gracefully slid the pants off and the purple thongs in place matched his tie, which he left on perfectly. His skin looked magnificent against the purple, and when Phichit turned, Celestino could see the flesh bounce as he started his way to the pole. That ass was going to be the death of him. Phichit hooked his leg and spun slowly. When he rose, Celestino saw those eyes lock with him before he climbed up the pole doing more advanced spins and turns.
Phichit was leaving nothing out. Especially on an ametuer night, you did not see pole work like this, but Phichit had been working hard and doing extra work with Celestino trying to be more than just a server at the club. Celestino could see it was all paying off. The grace the boy had on the pole always amazed him.
He could hear the song coming to close and wished it was longer. Celestino could feel a discomfort in his pants and reached over to grab the apron off the wall to tie around his waist. He tried to do this before Otabek turned back around, but he was not fast enough. He saw the laughter hit the Kazakh man and almost wanted to slap him.
"It's nothing, huh?" Otabek asked him.
Celestino sighed and poured them another shot as he got Otabek another whiskey soda. Celestino shook his head and looked over Otabek. He was relieved when Leo came over calling out drink orders to occupy himself with as they waited for the next dancer. A rush of people came to the bar as Leo was calling out drink orders at him; the usual in-between set drink call and Celestino was doing his damndest to keep up.
Otabek came behind the bar to do the simple beer orders, then Celestino felt a hand on the small of his back as a tanned, almost-naked body walked past him. He fumbled and dropped the drink he was making all over the counter, as the naked ass graced with a purple thong casually walked by him grabbing a couple orders and assisting Leo.
"Might wanna clean that up, Celestino," Phichit yelled over his shoulder as he grabbed his apron and took a tray out to the floor.
"Fucking hell." Celestino said under his breath and he heard Otabek chuckle next to him as he was steadily filling pitchers with beer. Otabek was no bartender, and Leo could hop over if need be, but it always was appreciated that during a rush the Kazakh man would pour the beers for him.
Celestino lined up more glasses, mixed and shook drinks, poured shots and garnished more rounds of drinks when they heard the house music start to die down and the lights lower. The last of his drink orders were done as he saw Otabek reach for the whiskey. Celestino had to laugh and grabbed two shot glasses.
"I hope your fairy is driving tonight," he said as Otabek poured them shots.
"Yeah, he is so fucking excited about getting his motorcycle license, and I might have given him one of my bikes as a gift…" Otabek's cheeks turned pink and Celestino loved that Otabek could still blush over Yuri. "So he likes to drive it every chance he gets. Plus it just means I don't have to watch what I drink these nights."
Celestino looked back out to the floor as Phichit was working his way around the room, his ass hanging out the back of his apron and that tie dangling off his neck.
"What the hell is that kid thinking?" Celestino said outloud.
"Phichit? He always comes out in his underwear after a set." Otabek chuckled.
Celestino snarled. "Normally he covers his ass at least."
The next set started and a dancer he had never seen took to the stage. Leo and Phichit worked their way back behind the bar and started to make themselves a drink. Celestino definitely noticed the way Phichit made sure to brush up against him.
"Leo, watch the bar a minute, I'm taking a break." Celestino grabbed Phichit's wrist and all but dragged him out to the hallway. Once they got to the changing room he practically pushed Phichit in the room. "At least put your damn shorts on."
"Problem, Celestino?" Phichit challenged back at him.
"Cover your ass and hurry, I want a smoke before I have to go back in."
Phichit went to his locker and grabbed his shorts. He had turned his back to Celestino as he bent from the waist and slowly wiggled that tan ass into the tight black shorts. Celestino could not take his eyes off the sight before him. Those soft full cheeks bent over and he could see how the muscles in the back of his legs pulled taunt. Celestino inhaled sharply and it took everything in him not to pin that tan body against a locker. When Phichit turned back around he fixed his apron and smirked at Celestino.
Celestino grabbed his wrist and continue the walk outside to the alley. He knew he was practically dragging Phichit behind him, but he needed out of the club to clear his head before he did something he was going to regret. Once outside, he reached in his apron and got out his cigarettes as Phichit reached into his doing the same.
"Phichit, this has to stop," he stated as he blew out a long stream of smoke.
"Nothing has happened to stop," Phichit spat back at him.
Celestino sighed. "Phichit, you are one of my dearest friends, seriously. I miss it."
"Then maybe you shouldn't have pulled me into your fucking bed." Phichit had taken a step off to the side, looking away from the older man. It stabbed him as he heard the pain in Phichit's voice snapping back at him. Celestino knew he was wrong the moment he pulled Phichit into bed, and then sending him away the way he did. There were a lot of regrets from that night; he knew he should have handled it better, and it only opened a door that should have stayed tightly shut.
"No, I should not have. For that I am sorry, ok? Can we just forget it happened?" He knew he would never forget what happened, he could never forget the feel of Phichit's body, so soft against him, kissing him, kissing his neck, his chest… he wished he could forget.
"Maybe I don't want to forget…" Phichit turned back to him, those brown eyes in pain and Celestino hated he caused that. He hated when those eyes did not sparkle with life, he hated when that face did not shine with a smile.
"We can't let this get between us, kid. Seriously, last night was hell, I hated the coldness from you, I…." he could not even finish what he wanted to say. There was so much he wanted to say but it would not come out the way he wanted it to. "We've known each other too long for something like this to get between us."
Phichit made a sound that sounded like a grunt. "I doubt you even remember the first time we met…"
Celestino took a hard pull from his cigarette and flicked the butt down the alley. He stepped and closed the gap between the two of them and looked down at those brown eyes. Gently he brushed the hair off Phichit's forehead and placed his hand on the tan shoulder.
"You were wearing a blue dress with a white bow, beige heels that defied gravity… the most ridiculous blonde wig that somehow was perfect for you. You smelled like honey and your lips were painted red. You ordered a cosmo for you and a vodka tonic for Yuuri. You had the most perfect-looking fake ID I had ever seen, and I did not have the heart to kick you out."
Phichit gasped and looked up at him. "You told me you liked my dress…"
Celestino nodded and moved his hand off the tan shoulder and trailed it down Phichit's face, "Please, Phichit… I want my friend back."
Phichit stepped back and shook his head. "I don't want just friendship… I haven't since I met you."
Celestino closed his eyes. This boy was truly going to kill him. He pulled the lithe man into him and hugged him tightly, kissing the top of his head. He liked how Phichit was shorter than him and could rest his head against his collarbone. He could feel those arms wrap around his waist and Celestino knew this felt good. It felt right.
"Phichit, if only it were that easy."
"It can be."
They heard the side door open and Otabek peeked his head out.
"Hey, Leo is getting backed up in there," he called out.
"Alright, I'm coming." Celestino called out to him.
As Celestino turned to leave, Phichit grabbed his wrist turning him back towards him.
"This conversation isn't done, Ciao Ciao." Then Phichit let go of his wrist and walked back into the club as Celestino just stood there smiling.
The rest of the night went better. Phichit was almost back to being his playful self, and Otabek kept sending him questioning looks. Each time he just shook his head back at the Kazakh man. At one point, Yuri had come out dressed in a robe and sat next to Otabek at a bar with a bridal magazine going through wedding decor. Celestino started returning those judging looks back at the man. Phichit had even come over and started going over different things with Yuri as Otabek just sat there with his head in his hands, groaning.
"Seriously, Beka! I want you to have a fucking say in this shit. It is your goddamn wedding too!" Yuri spat out at him.
"Yura… it has been what? Two days? We haven't even picked a date yet."
Yuri wrapped his arm around Otabek's shoulders and kissed his cheek, "I am thinking late Spring. Not too hot, not too cold, easier for flowers…"
"What are the wedding colors?" Phichit asked.
"Cheetah and leopard print!" Yuri smiled as he said it. Otabek spit his drink across the bar. Celestino got a rag and started to clean up.
"Fuck no," Otabek said very clearly once he was done choking on his drink.
Yuri turned and looked at him. "Oh so now you have a damn opinion?
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"You have not said shit this entire time since you popped the question."
Otabek groaned, "Yura, it has only been two days…"
"Exactly! And I would like your fucking input here!"
Celestino could see the boys tensing up and didn't want a fight at the bar, so he made them both drinks and patted Yuri on the hand. He watched as both boys knocked their drinks back.
"Fine Yura… what kind of input would you like from me?" Otabek asked him in a soft tone as he trailed his hand down his fiancé's face.
"Pick the colors, then…" Yuri purred at Otabek's touch.
Celestino and Phichit leaned in closer to the conversation at this point. They were both curious how this would all go over. They could see Otabek did not even hesitate as he answered.
"Purple and Black." Otabek answered back.
Yuri sat back and stared at Otabek.
Phichit could not take it anymore and chimed in, "Why purple and black?"
Otabek shrugged. "Yura's favorite color is purple, mine is black." They watched as he wrapped his arm around Yuri. "They work well together."
Yuri all but swooned as Otabek held him. Celestino knew all was lost now and swatted Phichit with the towel.
"Go help Leo out on the floor." Celestino saw the smile that graced on Phichit's face, and he knew he liked seeing that smile and would do almost anything to keep it glowing at him… he knew he was fucked.
Phichit only had one more set that night, and it was one of his pop songs. Celestino still enjoyed watching it and enjoyed it even more since Otabek was off in the back with Yuri, as he was between his shows going over wedding magazines. It allowed him to watch as Phichit did some impressive dance moves on stage and got everyone cheering him on. Phichit put his best dance moves into play, and you could tell he had a bit of a dancing background as he and Yuuri had both gone to school for dancing. Over the years Celestino had learned that the boy had dabbled a bit in many different forms of dance, and never knew what he was going to do when Phichit graced the stage. This time he was up there to a new popular song, with lyrics that made no sense. Celestino shook his head and went back to mixing drinks as Phichit was grinding his hips around the pole.
Celestino could tell the Peep rooms were on a break as the room got really crowded and the minute Phichit was done on stage he was on the floor working with Leo.
There was a table of guys that had taken great interest in Phichit that night. They ordered a lot of drinks and kept demanding his attention. Normally Celestino would just keep a watchful eye on it, but not really stare. Tonight was different. There was a tall guy with black hair and blue eyes who was all too handsy with Phichit. He ordered a lot of drinks and was buying rounds for his table, anything to get Phichit back over to the table. Celestino was glad Phichit had at least put his damn shorts on and wasn't just wearing those barely-there thongs he wore on stage.
When Phichit came around the bar to get the beers orders, Celestino sidled up next to him. "You good with that table? I could send Leo over there."
"Ciao Ciao, it's fine. They are just enjoying themselves, plus the tall one is a really good tipper!" Phichit gave a mischievous smile at him as he said this. Celestino did not like what he was feeling, and knew just a week ago, these feelings would not have surfaced; well they would have surfaced, but it would have been easier to suppress.
As the night wore on, the tall man continued his advances on Phichit and Celestino was almost to a boiling point when the man pulled up a chair to the table and had Phichit take his break with them. The tall man would drape his arm around Phichit's shoulder and pull him tight to his side while the table was laughing and carrying on. Celestino hated that he was allowing himself to feel this way; he always had, though he never let himself admit it. It ate at him now, normally it was just friendly banter and flirting between the two, and he was never bothered with what happened in the club with that kid, either.
Ever since the first time he met Phichit, he knew the kid was something special. Celestino knew that if he wasn't careful, he would fall quickly. Phichit could wear a dress or a suit and pull both off flawlessly. He was carefree and fun. Phichit was never afraid to express himself, nor did he hold back. Celestino could appreciate that. There was life that flowed out of Phichit and he was caring and kind. He made the bar fun five years ago when he took the job serving though he had become a regular at the club, cheering on his friends as they did their routines. Phichit was the best friend to have on your side. Celestino was afraid to lose this if something went wrong, or if it did not work out… no, he could not allow himself to think of Phichit as anything more. It was absurd, and all he could think about last few days was how nice it might be.
Now that it had smacked him in the face that it could be, he watched Phichit on the floor like a hawk. Every smile he gave someone else, every time someone touched him, Celestino was hyper aware of it. This is why he did not drink like he had, this is why he should not have gone unguarded and pulled Phichit into bed with him.
Dammit. He thought to himself as he poured himself a shot and knocked it back. He noticed the tall guy continued to order beer, but wasn't drinking much as he was more so passing it around his table, and continued to touch Phichit. He watched as Phichit was bent over as the tall guy was whispering something in Phichit's ear and didn't notice Leo had called out drink orders to him.
"Sorry Leo, come again?" he heard the orders and started to make them as he watched Phichit and the tall guy continue their whisper game. He had to wonder what was so funny as Phichit would put his hand on the guy's shoulder, so close to the man as they laughed. It seemed like forever till Phichit was able to remove himself from the table as he went back behind the bar and started filling more pitchers with beer.
"New friend over there?" Celestino was ready to kick his own ass the minute the words came out of his mouth.
Phichit did not even flinch. "Yeah, his name is JJ. Pretty interesting guy, really. His friends are pretty funny, too."
Celestino was not sure if Phichit was playing a game or being serious. He shook his head and went to handle the people that had worked their way to the bar for drinks as Phichit went back to the table.
The last few acts had started and the room was starting to die down. Celestino noticed JJ and his friends were still there and getting louder the more they drank. JJ continued to order drinks and be handsy with Phichit. Once they did a last call, Celestino felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He was not good with the whole texting thing, and the guys had shown him how and somehow Phichit had talked him into joining a few social media sites; he did not post much, moreso browsed when he was lonely at home.
He had to blink when he saw the message on the screen.
(phichit) JJ invited me home with him… just say the word and I wont.
Celestino blinked at the message. Was he really reading what was on his screen? He looked up and locked eyes with Phichit. What was he playing at? He knew he had already called last call and so he slipped the towel off his shoulder, broke eye contact with Phichit and stepped out back.
He saw Yuuri was outside with a robe on and what looked like a lot of leather underneath. Celestino shook his head, as he knew Yuuri and Victor sometimes did roleplay in the Peep room.
He pulled out a cigarette and lit it, taking in a long drag.
"You good, Celestino?" Yuuri asked.
"Yeah… I'm fine." He took another long drag.
"You never really come out here, though. Looks like something's on your mind." He knew Yuuri knew something was up and sighed. Phichit was one of Yuuri's best friends, so it did not slip his mind that he would know more than he led on about any of this.
"Alright… what do you know?"
He watched Yuuri smile at him. "Why would I know anything?"
Dammit. He sighed again. "There is nothing to know."
"I mean, if it helps any, I don't mind it." Yuuri shrugged as he pulled out another cigarette and lit it.
"There is nothing to mind, Yuuri."
"You sure about that?"
"You sound like Otabek."
Yuuri laughed and took a long pull as Victor walked out and immediately draped himself over Yuuri. He watched as Yuuri did not even think, but took his free hand to lay across Victor's as they stood there sharing the cigarette. Victor would kiss Yuuri's cheek and hug him tighter. Celestino felt lonely again. The guys were all pairing off perfectly, yet he was always the one who didn't.
Yuri and Otabek came out joining them as Yuri leaned against Otabek. They were talking about the night and how busy they all were. It was quite a sight when you saw them all adorned in different styles of clothing outside smoking and just making easy chatter. It made Celestino wish he was twenty, even ten years younger. There wouldn't be nearly the question in his mind of what to do. He knew he was getting looks from Yuuri and Otabek and ignored them. Victor and Yuri were in the entire wedding talk mode, trying to figure out a good day and place for it.
Celestino flicked his cigarette down the alleyway and pulled his phone again. He read the message again and typed back one word.
Don't.
I am on AO3 as Phayte and just will update this as the chapters come - I am also on Tumblr as PhaytesWorld!
