After a few more minutes of tense and uncomfortable silence, they were finally called to the back. As they rose and headed for the door, the front door to the clinic opened and blue eyes and blonde hair stepped through only to pause slightly as his blue eyes locked onto the back of familiar dark hair that didn't match the front.
Though what caught him off guard more was the person Kai was leading through the back door, hand on the small of her back and gently easing her through the door as the nurse held it open for them with a smile on her face.
He recognized that jacket too, Johnny had bought it for her last Christmas. Was Prada, not many around even in a big bustling city.
With the door to the back hall closing behind them, Enrique was snapped out of his dumbfound staring. A small smirk curling up his lips as he sauntered over to the receptionist and collected his own clipboard.
The damn itch between his legs had come back, but that wasn't all that important now as he sat in a chair and pulled out his phone with the smirk reaching his ears as he hit the call button and put it to the side of his head.
"Hey Johnny. Guess what."
"No, no, no let me go first! You remember that cocktail waitress we got talking to at the casino the other week? Kelly or Kimberly or something?"
Enrique stuttered for a second, eyes darting around as if the woman Johnny was suddenly talking about was there.
"Um... Yeah, what about her?" He asked, shifting back in the clinics chair. He didn't have much time before Kai and Nicole came back out, or he was called in himself.
"Just got back from smashing her at her place.. Ah what a rocket, blew my fuckin' mind Ricky lemme tell you.."
The sound of a glass clinking out the fridge could be heard in the background shortly followed by a bottle cap being opened.
"Anyways what's up? I need to start getting ready for the club so make it quick."
Enrique chuckled almost filthily into the phone, his head shaking a little. This guy. What a man.
"Nicole around?" He asked even if he knew the answer already, but just to be sure.
"What's it to you?" Came the abrupt response, slight bite to his question before his footsteps against the marble flooring could be heard clearly searching around. He hadn't actually seen or heard her when he'd come in now that he mentioned it.
Enrique smirked a little, knowing how protective Johnny was about Nicole.
"Oh, well. Happen to just see her a minute ago." He paused for dramatic effect, letting his words sink in a moment as he listened to Johnny stomping around his home.
"With Kai." The name rolled off his tongue smoothly, his smirk getting wider.
The footsteps stopped. "With Kai?... NICOLE YOU HERE?!"
Enrique pulled the phone away from his ear as he shouted.
"The fuck. Where are you right now? Where did you see them?"
"At this walk-in clinic, about an hour and half away from your place. Maybe two given the traffic. They just went into the back when I called ya up." Enrique explained while his ear drums rang a little.
"...Right... Thanks for uh, for letting me know. I owe you one. Lemme know what else you see yeah?"
"Anytime, and don't worry about it." Enrique waved off.
With that Johnny hung up the phone. The beer long forgotten about on the counter as his breaths became deeper and unsteady.
No.. She wouldn't go to Kai. Not after that very clear warning. Would she? Was she really that fucking stupid? Or was Enrique just winding him up right now? But then why would he do that? He wouldn't.
Why would they be at a clinic anyway?! He'd barely touched her! He needed to know where the fuck she was. Enrique was talkin' out his ass, she wouldn't have dared gone to him.
Bringing the phone back to his face he clicked on Nicole's name before swiping off it a moment later.
If they were together Kai would surely answer it.. Shit what was he meant to do?! He couldn't avoid him forever he had to go to the club tonight..
Fuck..
Rubbing at his even more tired face from the day before, and the events that had gone on, Kai wandered to the back door up the three steps and heaved the heavy door open to let himself into the warmth of the building.
Already it was getting prepared, like clockwork, with Tala and Ray behind the bar while others were setting up chairs and tables and Daichi was fiddling with his music.
Of course Johnny wasn't there yet, and for once he hoped he didn't show up tonight at all. If by some miracle he did, Kai already had a plan in his head.
No doubt Enrique told him, which meant Johnny knew Nicole had been with him, he would come in looking for a fight and answers, but Kai knew Johnny better than he knew himself.
Taking himself over to the bar that was still getting prepared, he put his hand down on the top of the counter and waited till one of them caught sight of him standing there.
Blue eyes attentive as ever were the first to snap up. "Evenin' my liege, bit early for you isn't it?" Tala teased gesturing towards the bar with a head tilt as he dried off a glass with a small towel.
"Evening, need a jack and coke. Light on the ice, please." Kai responded.
Ray's ears perked as he turned to look over his shoulder. Though he hadn't been there long, that wasn't the drink Kai normally got. It was Johnny's drink... The hell was going on now?
"I'll get it." He directed at Tala, grabbing the bottles and a glass.
"Thanks..." Kai said a bit more sheepishly as he stared at the back of Rays head almost guilty.
He knew he'd gone and promised there wouldn't be any more problems with Johnny, in a way he was keeping that promise by doing what he was here, but he could clearly see Ray wasn't all that happy about it.
Why he felt the need to keep him happy, when his own life was a mess right now, he didn't know.
"Do I even want to know Kai?" Tala seemed to sigh out as he too noticed the change of order, setting the glass down under the counter and throwing the towel onto his shoulder.
Kai's eyes snapped away from the back of Ray's head to Tala, and not too soon since the other turned around with the drink he'd ordered.
"Not right now, okay?" He asked in almost a pleading tone, locking eyes with Tala and missing the glass being slid over to him till it touched his fingers.
"Did you sleep at all?" Ray questioned once he was able to get a better look at him now.
"Yeah, course." He lied before lifting up the drink, "Look guys, really appreciate the clear concern but it isn't necessary okay? I'm fine. Everything's fine…" Kai looked between the two of them noting the shared unconvinced look on their faces.
"Just.. Trust me alright?"
"Mhmm.. Well we're watching, aren't we Ray?" Tala nudged his side with his elbow for him to play along, "Got our eyes on you Mr. Hiwatari."
Ray tried to fight the small smile, nodding back as he met Kai's eyes that were rimmed with dark circles.
"Just take care of yourself, won't have anyone running this place if you're down and out." He voiced a bit quietly.
Last time Kai was passed out on his desk, looked like he had died... But really, without him they would be on a sinking ship without a captain. Wasn't like they could count on Johnny to do what needed to be done, and despite how short of a time he'd been there he'd learned that pretty quickly.
"Yeah.. I know.. I know.." Kai sighed out. "I am listening, to you all, trust me I am. It's all being dealt with.."
Maybe the more he said it out loud the more he'd come to believe it himself because at the moment he was holding the same skepticism as everybody else.
He felt like he was in a circus and all this with Nicole now was just another plate he was adding whilst simultaneously spinning several others. He knew eventually he'd lose sight of one and it would smash.
Hearing the same concern from Ray though seemed to hit him differently. Couldn't work out why. Perhaps it was because he was new?
Hell, if the newbie was noticing shit spiraling out of control things must be bad. Or maybe he just found him ridiculously attractive and didn't want to appear like this weak man in front of him..
"Thank you though.. Again.. I do appreciate it.." He sent him; his tone genuine as his eyes lingered on Ray's a little too long Tala noticed.
"Ahem! Well, Ray if you'd like to go and give those tables over there a wipe that'd be great." The redhead then spewed out feeling awkward and shoving the towel towards him.
Ray jumped a little, getting smacked with the end of the towel as Tala shoved it in his face and breaking the eye contact he had with Kai.
What... What even was that? The second he'd looked at him, Ray couldn't look away.
He cleared his throat that had suddenly gone dry, nodding back to them both and slipped around Tala and away. He got a few steps away before his head went back over his shoulders, not even sure why but frowned a little when Kai hadn't looked back at him.
The second Ray was gone, the same spell broke over Kai and now he was staring at blue eyes that had a glimmer of something in them.
He swallowed a little, not liking the look he was suddenly getting. "I'll just... Leave you to it then. Need anything, doors open." He stuttered around, taking up the glass but not even getting away from the bar in time when Tala tutted at him and made his skin flush and prick.
"No, no, no, I don't think so. You just wait a second there you." He chuckled before leaning on the counter on his forearms and lowering his tone.
"What was that?"
"What was... What?" Kai asked as his tired eyes widened slightly, feeling a small sweat come over him and refrained the best he could from tugging at the collar of his shirt to let out some of the heat.
Tala scoffed though a wolfish grin had appeared on his lips. "Puh-lease. You know what.. Thaat, between the two of you!" Blues eyes darted to the male behind him before snapping back.
"I've seen that look before. Let's not play dumb now."
"There was a look?" Kai blinked a little. Had there been? Was he giving a look, had Ray been giving a look?
For whatever reason, his head twisted around on his shoulders, taking in Ray busy doing what Tala had said.
Lean body laid and bent slightly to rub at the table with the cloth, one hand holding around the edge of the table as his bangs fell around his face and swayed back and forth as he worked.
He couldn't help it this time but pull on the collar of his shirt, was getting too hot in there now. Only realizing his obvious mistake when he turned back around to take in Tala, not liking the look he was getting from him.
"Nothing." He spewed out with no real reason since Tala hadn't said a word to him.
Tala snorted. He was definitely going to need to keep an eye on him if he was keeping his eye on his little apprentice..
"D'you want me to send up the jester when he eventually arrives, orrr?" He redirected, gesturing to the jack and coke in Kai's hand that he'd probably forgotten all about.
"Yes." Kai spat back nervously, taking that as his cue to hide away in the top of the castle.
Stopping short again after only taking three steps away from the bar, head turning again back at Ray. Why would Ray have given him a look?
"Have a good night." He directed at Tala, practically running towards the back door and stairs before more could be said.
He had to stick to his game plan, focus on one spinning plate at a time before they all came crashing down.
Tala smirked to himself as he watched him scurry off before his eyes trailed up to the glass above. Wonder how much drool is on the back of those windows..
As the club started to fill up, a sea of laughter, and generally elated expressions, in came a face that displayed worry, and clear unease.
Violet eyes snapped to the bar. He was definitely going to need a fucking drink, but he knew they wouldn't serve him. Not after 'King Kai's' orders.
Ugh.. He should probably lay low tonight.. Maybe do his job? Pfft..
"Hey Johnny!"
His gaze darted to the bar again before gingerly heading to the fair hand that had beckoned him over.
"Kai wants to see you upstairs."
Thankfully with the dim lights Tala hadn't noticed his face had paled. "Oh? Did he uh, say what he wanted?"
Tala shook his head. "No just said to send you up as soon as you got here."
Fuck..
He definitely needed something to take the edge off.. Shit.. What did he know?! What had that bitch told him?!
"Hey uh Tal.. You couldn't slip me, just a shot or something could you?"
"There's a drink for you upstairs already." Tala replied in a dull tone, "Kai took one up earlier."
Johnny's brows furrowed. The hell..? "Oh, okay. Well." He straightened up his shirt before sending him a nod, "Have a good night."
"Mhm.. Good luuuck.." Tala sang out to him. Not even knowing what the hell was going on, but he just liked watching the little prick sweat.
Johnny ignored him, swallowing down his nerves as he made it through the crowd and for the stairs to the office.
With the door closing behind him, the music muffled, feeling like he could hear his heart thumping in his ears with each step he took. Not even knowing what to expect but, couldn't delay the inevitable.
He paused at the door, and for the first time in his life knocked upon it before pushing it open and immediately locking with crimson behind the desk.
"Well, if it isn't my brother from another mother." Kai greeted him with a wide smile and jovial voice, waving him to come in as he smirked on the inside.
He could see him sweating bullets even from where he was sat, could see that his greeting shocked him a little so held up the glass he'd had prepared for him.
"Come on, not going to bite." He chuckled, though deep down wanted to give him a few good knocks around and see how well he liked it.
"Uh hey.. What's up?" Johnny tried to seem his usual self as he hesitantly took the drink, though he was completely thrown by this, especially with the warmish greeting and a welcome drink?
"Well since you just got here, and I know how tired you are, let's just sit and chat a bit before we get into everything. Been a while." Kai continued in his friendly tone, leaning back in his chair some.
"So, tell me. How are you?"
Johnny just seemed to blink at him for a moment, his brain working overtime to try and work out what the actual fuck was going on here. He can't have been with Nicole today.. Surely he'd be getting the complete opposite for this.. So Enrique was lying.. Must be!
But why?!
"I'm alright.. Yeah.. H-how are you?" This was just bizarre. In all the years he'd known him he couldn't recall once when this guy had asked how the hell he was.
Kai shrugged his shoulders, twisting around in his chair some. "Doing pretty all right. Oh! Have you had time to think about the party?" That's what he needed to go with, women and booze.
"Party?" Johnny's face contorted some. "What party?"
THE FUCK WAS GOING ON?!
"The... The party! You big dummy." Kai chuckled, god he deserved an Oscar for this. Was making his own head hurt.
"The same one we host every other month, a lil get together with everybody. Just us."
"Oh.." Thaat party. "Uh sure, I can get that set up I guess. When you wanting it?" Though he was settling slightly he was still on edge, eyes staying on Kai as he took a hesitant sip of his drink like it was poisoned.
"Thinking this weekend would be best, if that's good for you?" Kai pondered as he tapped his chin some.
Johnny sent him a slight nod. "Yeah, yeah f-fine.. Y'know me and a party.. Always ready." He awkwardly chuckled out taking another drink. "So was that all? Just wanted me to do that?"
Kai nodded back at him, knew him too well. "Think that's about it, unless there was something you had to say." He fished, not sure if Johnny would take the bait or not.
Johnny seemed to shift in his seat. "Uhhhh nooope, don't think so?" He drawled out his words as he took an exaggerated look around the office seeming to ponder. Did he dare ask? Could just ask him maybe what he got up to during the day.
He locked with crimson again, holding some glint within when a slight smirk then appeared beneath them. Nyeaahhh he was fine not knowing.
"Well if that's all then!" Johnny said rising to his feet, "Best go get some work done, ey?"
Kai painted on another smile, feeling his jaw and cheeks getting sore from doing it so often. "Sounds good, but don't stress over it too much. Supposed to be fun, yeah?" He tried his best to sound pumped up for it, making him die a little on the inside every passing second. Should have just knocked his teeth in when he had the chance.
"Oh yeah, yeah, gotcha, gotcha.." Johnny waved him off, heading towards the door and opening it up before looking over his shoulder back at him.
"Y'know, it's nice seeing you want to actually start enjoying this place. Letting your hair down and chilling out a bit. Just like the good old days."
Kai's eyes snapped to him with a brow raised, was that what Johnny got out all of this? A weird sensation bubbled in his gut, not sure if it was him wanting to puke at the performance or laugh at the moment. Deciding to bite the inside of his cheek, he simply nodded some back to him.
The office door then closed; the slight smile Johnny had adopted slipping off his face as he exhaled a breath.
This wasn't right. Kai knew something. What, he wasn't sure yet, but if he thought for one second he was gonna believe his bullshit buddy, buddy act he had another thing coming.
Shit was going to hit the fan. He could feel it, and he needed allies.
Inside the office, Kai let out his own deep breath and roughly rubbed at his face and sore cheeks and jaw. That was a lot harder than he had anticipated, and now he needed a drink...
But did he dare go back downstairs where Tala and Ray were and get one? Was it worth Tala giving him sly looks because he or Ray had been giving each other 'looks'? Did he even give Ray a look?! Not that he could remember.
So, then why would Ray have given him one? If anything he just looked concerned, Tala just read it all wrong. There was nothing there, was all fine!
Pushing himself up from his desk, fixing his shirt he wandered over to the windows and took a quick glance down at the kingdom and it's festivities going on.
Like always, things were going well. Everyone was throwing their money down either at the girls or at Ray and Tala at the bar. Johnny was... Leaving? Where the hell was he going?!
The cold air hit him as soon as he opened the door and locked onto the familiar leather jacket out front. Ah his favorite grey haired man.. Not that he knew anyone else with grey hair so young but whatever.
"Kuznetsov! How's it going my dude?"
"Cold." Came the simple reply as Bryan checked over an ID, letting the gentleman in promptly after.
He'd been freezing his ass off for a good while now, seeing as how the moment he got there he went right out to his post. No way was he going to sit at the bar right now, not after last time.
"Ha yeahhh.. Hey so listen, Saturday night, we're gonna close to the public and have a little thing just for staff. Can see what a night is like in the warmth, how's that sound?" Johnny asked slapping a hand on the taller man's shoulder.
Bryan craned his neck to look at him, having to slightly look down at the same time as a brow slowly creeped up his forehead.
"Bout time we had one again. Been waiting all damn month." He laughed.
Johnny forced a laugh along with him. "Nyeahh well. Can't be seen as too slack y'know, we've got a business to run and such.. Speaking of.. Have you noticed anything.. I don't know, different with Kai lately?" He pointlessly tilted his head towards the building like Bryan would get confused as to who he meant otherwise.
"I don't know he seems a little, chirpier than usual.. Not seen anything have you?
Bryan's other brow joined the other on his frozen forehead, "Aint been in today, so aint seen him. Sorry."
Johnny internally sighed. "Ah, thought you usually sat with Tala before shift?"
Bryan scoffed slightly, "Yeah, was before we had fags sittin around in there." He seemed to scowl before his shoulders went up some, "But, Boss man prolly got himself laid, could be why he's in a good mood."
Johnny's expression dropped at the thought. What Enrique said he saw earlier today, and what Bryan said just now mixing and blending into something awful.
Whilst he had no doubts of what she'd do if given the opportunity, Kai wouldn't do that to him. Would he? He was the best man for fucks sake!
"Mm.. Maybe.. But anyways, regardless of that, trust you'll be there Saturday yeah?"
"Wouldn't miss it, Boss." Bryan smirked back.
"Good lad." Johnny pat his shoulder again, turning to leave though paused.
"Say Bry.. Hypothetically speaking.. If you had to choose a side, I don't know why but, if you had to.. Would you pick me, or Kai?"
Bryan gave him a confused look, though went into thought for a minute. Was a weird question to get all of a sudden, though it really made him think. They both had their good points just as equally with their bad ones too. If anything though, he'd always gotten along better with Johnny seeing as how they were almost cut from the same kind of cloth.
"You." He answered finally.
Johnny's lip curled up at the response, a hand patting down on the leather once more as he started to take his leave back inside. "Keep up the good work Bry... Keep up the good work.."
So that settled that then. The silver haired heathen that was Bryan Kuznetsov had officially pledged his loyalty to him. A few more calls and he'd be set. This was all just in case of course..
Pulling out his phone as he made it back inside, the warmth hit him again and the one with the blue hair had just taken the stage. The music pumping and all eyes were on her. The dial tone rang and rang before someone answered.
"Bobby! Heyy! How are ya?"
With the week coming to a close, a much calmer and easier going week which was a nice surprise to all of them, the club was shut down as ordered come Saturday night. The only cars that were parked were the same ones that were there every night but without the extra dozen or so from patrons.
Instead of having to tend to the bar themselves for once, Johnny had gone up and called some of his buddies to tend it for them so the other two could have a 'relaxing' night with everyone else while the girls mingled and danced around the poles without having to be in nothing but skimpy bikinis while the music pumped the place up but to a lower volume so everyone could actually hear one another.
There had even been a buffet spread out for them on a row of tables off to the side of the bar, all thanks to Johnny who stood around with a smug grin on his face at it all.
So far the night had been going smooth, no hiccups and everyone seemed to be mingling around just fine. Though of course there was one opposite issue that had sprung up that wasn't there before.
Seeing as how Ray stuck to Tala's side, Bryan had done everything in his power to avoid the two of them. Which caused Johnny to scoff at even more, while Tala on the other hand looked worried and slightly hurt about the cold shoulder he was getting for what seemed to be no reason at all.
Trying to keep the good vibes going, he'd gone and downed a few shots himself already through the night as he continued to introduce Ray to everyone he hadn't properly gotten a chance to meet yet. His little apprentice taking everything in stride, his own glass of alcohol in his hand and a smile at everyone he talked to.
It'd been an hour, going on two since the party had started and for once Kai was the late bloomer as he finally rolled up to the club and made his way in through the back door.
The lie already on the tip of his tongue for anyone who asked where he'd been and why he was late. The truth pushed as far back as he could make it fit in his head.
Nicole had called him up, so of course he'd gone and answered and sat on the phone with her for almost three hours trying to calm her down and convince her that everything was fine. He'd been able to steer Johnny's attention away from them for the week, but after this he wasn't exactly sure what he was going to do about it until she finished with all the legal paperwork she had an abundance of to finally divorce him.
It was a slow process, even more so that she had to keep going back to the doctors to get checkups with how badly she'd been beaten as their concern wasn't just for her but her unborn child.
He knew she was exhausted, hell he was too, but he wasn't ready to back out of helping her until it was all said and done with.
Trying to blend in with the crowd like he'd been there all night, he casually strolled up to the bar and ordered himself a drink and slipped up to the first circle of people he could easily fit in with.
Unfortunately for him though that circle contained one of the biggest mouths. "And whereeee have you been?! Hm?!" With a flick of blue hair a tanned finger prodded into his chest.
"You of all people need this chilled out night, and you're only just showing up? Where have you been? And don't bullshit me." She bit, still not amused by the fact that he'd gone and left the money she'd given him a weekend ago at Thomas' birthday. Which had prompted her to slap the envelope into his chest that following Monday night, giving him the 'I dare you eyes' and left it at that. To which he put in the college fund for Thomas with all the other money Ming-Ming had given him over the years.
"Car trouble." He lied, promptly throwing back the drink in his hand so he wouldn't say more.
Ming-Ming scoffed. "The amount of money you have and you're telling me you have an unreliable car? Well.. Mines still running perfectly I must say." She winked at him before giggling out, placing a hand on his arm as she did.
"Haven't had a chance to take it into the shop, just needed some oil." He continued to bullshit and smirked a little as she hung on his arm.
"And it better, spent good money on that thing for you."
She smiled back at him, not even needing to thank him again as the out-pour of gratitude she gave when Kai first handed her the gift wrapped keys had been slightly overwhelming for him. Genuine tears of joy she'd shed, so much so he'd started to feel uneasy.
"I'm going to go and catch up with Mariah, Tal and Ray are over there, I'll see you in a little bit. Have a good time but don't go silly with your drink, okay?"
Going on to her tip toes to kiss his cheek, Kai knelt down further so she could reach before the petite female clicked away in her heels over to the pink haired girl stood beside Hilary and Mariam.
Kai just lightly laughed in his throat as he watched her leave, shaking his head some and took another sip of his drink and looked to where Ming-Ming had pointed out the other two.
They looked to be doing fine, there wasn't a need for him to go over and bother them by being the third wheel as they were busy throwing back shots as if they were trying to outdo the other one at the table they'd acquired.
Knowing Tala the way he did, Ray was going to lose... Badly.
Even if he'd gone and told himself not to go over, he was already halfway towards the table to go over and try and save the newbie before he was in the bathroom upchucking his stomach contents for the rest of the night.
"Y'know this isn't from the water bottle, Ray, this is straight vodka here. You suure you wanna do another?" Tala laughed out, picking up the small glass to join the other clutched between tanned fingers.
"Pfft, yeah." Ray laughed, glad he was sitting since his head was getting a bit light and the room was slightly tilted.
"Alright, don't be asking me to take you home though.. Told you the picket fence wasn't for me." He continued to laugh, "On three.. Two - oh hey Kai, one!"
Only one glass got tipped down though as golden eyes darted to his right locking with the loosely buttoned white shirt and trailing up to gaze into crimson.
Ray's already warm face began to heat up even more, the drink in his hand forgotten for a brief moment until Kai looked down at in his hand and snatched it from him and downed it back to throw back with Tala.
"Got the good stuff over here." He voiced, setting the shot glass back on the table and eased himself into the chair between the two at the round table.
"How many you on?" He asked Tala once he'd brought his own shot glass down from his lips, doing his best to avoid looking back at Ray as he could feel his eyes on him like it was the first time seeing him.
"Like a Russian ever counts." Tala scoffed with a smirk. "Clearly enough though since we're starting to lose this guy over here." He gestured to Ray before raising his hand for one of the temporary staff to come over to order another round.
Ray seemed to snap out of it, feeling like he'd stared long enough and was being talked about.
"What? No, I'm right here. And... Lee... Lee is picking me up." He giggled for whatever reason, "And you thought he was my boyfriend, pfft."
Kai arched a brow, finally looking back at Ray. Damn, he really was gone.
"Seriously, Tal. You trying to kill him? He's only been here a week."
Tala just sent him an innocent shrug before lifting his vodka lemonade to his lips, the little horns starting to poke through spiked red hair.
"Just breakin' him in is all.. Someone needs to."
Kai's mouth opened only for it to close as Ray leaned on the table some, either for support or to gain Tala's attention as if he wasn't even there now even after the intense staring contest he'd been in with his clothes.
"I'll have you know; I was broken in at sixteen." Ray informed through another bout of giggles, "Think his name was Mark."
Kai about choked on his spit, this time going into his own staring contest with Ray leant halfway over the table now. Even Tala's mouth gaped, and he was never lost for words.
"Uhm, well, thanks for sharing Ray.." The redhead said as he leaned over and slyly moved the drink away from him with a chuckle. Shit, may have gone too hard with him too fast.. Don't wanna ruin his first impressions on the others.
With a waitress coming over to the table he ordered a water, another double vodka lemonade, two more shots for him and Kai and.
"A whiskey?" Blue eyes asked as they turned to the king.
"Please." Kai nodded back, though his attention was still on Ray leaning on the table with an amused expression sitting on his pale lips now.
"Have you two had anything to eat, yet?" Kai asked the two of them, though his attention was still on Ray as he slowly slid off the top of the table and back into his chair.
"No?" Ray answered with a slightly dazed look.
"Right, well..." Kai couldn't hold in the chuckle as he got up, "Be right back then."
Ray watched him go, eyes shamelessly looking him up and down, the alcohol in his system lying to him and saying no one would notice.
Though of course…
"He's single you know. Just in case you were wondering." Tala announced, sharing out the drinks that had just been brought over by the waitress.
"Who?" Ray's head snapped back around, a little excited squeal coming out of him as he automatically reached for the new drinks that'd been brought over.
"Ah, ah, that one's yours." Tala scolded like he was dealing with a child and gently pushed the water in his direction, his hands taking away the other glasses out of his reach.
"And that fine specimen of a man over there that you call your boss."
Ray pouted but took the drink Tala shoved his way, "I'm not even drunk." He whined with his pout, choosing to ignore the other comment as his face got even warmer.
"Yeah, yeah, say that to your toilet later… Anyways.." Setting his fists on his cheeks, he leant on the table and gazed over at him.
"C'mon, we're besties, you can tell me... You have a thing for Kai, don't you?"
"What?!" Ray squeaked in a yell, his face starting to turn colors with how hot it was starting to get.
"Noooooo, what gave you that idea! Waayyyyy outta my league anyways." He flicked his wrist at him, though really it just looked like he was swatting a fly.
"Pfffttttt fuck offfff. Out of your league!? You really think that?!" Tala's expression had gone serious as his eyes stayed fixed on him, "What makes you say that? Just cos he owns this place? Just cos he's got a business doesn't make him untouchable y'know, he's still just a regular guy?"
"Pfft, yeah. And he's like super hot." Ray rolled his eyes at him.
Whilst Ray wouldn't notice Tala's lips started to curl.
Caaallllled iiiiiiiittt
"I mean, sure, I can see it. Can appreciate a good looking guy and all.. You wanna know a secret though Ray?"
"You really do want that white picket fence in the suburbs with me?" Ray asked as he bat his lashes at him, his own stupid grin stretching along his face.
Tala face palmed before chuckling out. "No, but I bet he does! What I was gonna say though is you're a pretty fine guy too! So don't be thinking you're out of anyone's league... Are you even listening to me right now?"
"Who's out of who's league?" Kai interjected, placing a couple of plates down on the table between them all.
"Brad Pitt." Ray spat out.
Turning to see they'd been rejoined even Tala's heart had jumped a little then. "Yeah we were just uh, talking about.. Dudes.." He tried to save though apparently this topic wasn't one of his strong points.
Please say one of the chicks were gonna mess around on the stage soon...
Kai rose a brow as he took his seat back, "And you chose Brad Pitt?" He seemed to scoff.
"I mean I didn't." Tala raised a finger just in case that needed clarifying.
"Well who would you pick, huh?" Ray seemed to find his voice as he turned to him.
"Me?" Kai blinked for a minute as he went into thought, though had to turn right around and push out the 'you' before it came out.
"Johnny Depp."
Tala pulled the corners of his lips down in agreement.. Good shout. Though it was becoming clear this wasn't quite the table for him anymore.
Whilst he was more than comfortable with his sexuality it was more the wicked idea that had just popped into his head that he wanted to play out, and clocking onto his grey haired friend a few meters away the opportunity had arisen.
"Hey, I'm gonna check in with Bry, alright fellas? I'll catch you both in a little bit. You, keep drinking your water." He pointed to Ray as he stood and squeezed Kai's shoulder as he passed.
Ray made a face as he mocked Tala behind his back, "Yes mom."
Kai laughed a little. "You two seem to get along quite well. He mothers me too so don't worry about it; you get used to it after a while."
Ray shrugged back at him, feeling a thousand shades of awkward now as he took a drink of his water like the good little boy he was.
"Well, if he wants to mother me so much, might as well take up my offer and that white picket fence." He seemed to grumble a little, going for some of the food Kai had brought back.
"Thanks, by the way."
"S'alright." He nodded reaching for his own little handful and sending him a smile, "Tal had mentioned that though, about this picket fence. And how many kids was it?"
He didn't even know why he was rolling with this, but he just really didn't want silence to fall between them. Even though they had music, he did not want the awkwardness.
Trying not to be a pig, Ray held a finger up at him as he chewed and got it down as quickly as he could without choking.
"Four." He giggled.
"Four?!" Kai held his hand over his full mouth as he looked to him with wide eyes, "Jeeez… Don't know if I could handle four - I mean- y'know- just generally not like… With you or anything." Stop. Fucking. Talking. Kai. Ooohhh my goddd..
Ray giggled again, somehow finding the stuttering rather cute and a complete opposite to how stone faced Kai normally looked. Was the same way he'd been a weekend ago at Thomas' birthday party, and he really liked this other side of Kai that Tala had been right about all along it seemed.
The entire past week leading up to the party he really had seen a different Kai around and had actually seen him more often down on the ground level with them all during the night. He'd come down and watch Ming's performances nightly, sit and chat with Tala here and there and even strike up a conversation with him sometimes if the bar wasn't too crowded.
It'd been a nice change of pace since Ray started working there, that was for sure. And although the room was spinning on him, Tala was right… He was developing something for his boss… Again. But like he'd said, Kai was way out of his league and it wasn't like Kai looked at him differently anyways. He was just another employee to Kai, and deep down Ray hoped that's all it would stay as.
He couldn't afford to make the same mistake twice…
"Apparently nobody wants white picket fences and kids with me." He huffed and threw his hands up before pouting with them around his chest, having fallen back in his chair so hard it almost toppled back.
"Shit!" He squeaked, grabbing the first thing his hand latched onto, which consequently had been Kai's arm as he balanced the chair on the back two legs.
"Woahh!" Kai's first instinct was to just grab him, anything, and the first thing he'd clutched was the others shirt.
Pulling him back forward, the chair going back on all four legs he didn't know what possessed him, but he stroked out the creases on his chest he'd made before catching himself and shifting away.
"S-Sorry, you alright? Maybe uh, compromise with the four kids though, rather than, killing yourself. Seems a bit of a drastic measure." He bit back his smirk as he reached for his drink to help calm himself, though by the look on Ray's face he needed it more than him.
"Mhmm. Yeah, I'm alright." Though his heart was pounding painfully fast in his chest, but he wasn't sure if it was from almost falling or Kai saving him from almost falling.
He grabbed his water again, the awkwardness dripping even more around them as he downed it.
"A-anyways... What about you?" He forced out.
"Me? What about me? Oh you mean like, kids and stuff?" On second thought he needed this drink; he'll be keeping it for himself..
"Haven't really thought about it I guess…" He admitted, "Don't think I'd make all that good of a dad though so, probably for the best it doesn't happen."
"Really? How come?" Ray asked, though promptly hit himself over the head mentally.
Duh, he was a busy guy. Hardly any time to sleep when he should be as it was. Of course he wouldn't want kids, he'd never get any sleep then.
"Well, guess you kind of got kids already. With all of us here." He recovered in another giggle, gesturing around at the place without knocking himself back over.
"Ha.. Yeah.." Kai responded, leaving it at that though that wasn't the reason at all.
Whilst yeah he was busy, it was more so the fact he hadn't exactly had a father figure himself to know what to do. Had all of his traits though. Zero patience, maximum rage, and just generally being absent.
Every day he had someone telling him to eat, to sleep, to do this to do that. If he couldn't even look after himself most of the time, how the hell would he look after a child?
"So um..." Ray started again as he picked something else off a plate, reading Kai's answer like a quick dismissal and being done with the conversation. And worse, being done with him.
"Tell me about yourself, made you want to start something like this up?"
Kai let out a noise as he thought on what to say. He hated talking about himself but at least he'd actually asked a question he could go on and didn't just leave it at that.
"Well getting a club was actually Johnny's idea. Wasn't exactly the kind of industry on my radar, but if done right it can be a pretty sweet deal." He started to explain, "I studied business at college and my grandfather had one too, so if I didn't start this up no doubt I'd have been working alongside him as some office monkey. Suit and tie every day."
Ray made a face as Johnny's name passed Kai's lips, it souring the food and alcohol in his stomach.
"Uhhuh... Well, that's... Good then?" He offered, not knowing what else to say. "And how'd you meet Johnny? You two are like, polar opposites from what I've seen."
Kai's lips had parted to answer him but speak of the devil and he shall appear..
"What's gooood bro?!"
The two snapped their heads to the slightly slurred greeting. Of course he was drunk, no way would Johnny have approached with that much confidence otherwise. But shit.. He had to keep up his act from earlier.
"Johnny! Heyy!"
Ray's stomach contents got even more sour as his ball ache from day one approached, near enough tripping over himself in the process.
And Tala had gone and taken his drink! Least he could stand on two feet!
He did his best to hold in his annoyed face and sound, though it came out anyways as he grabbed something off Kai's plate and popped it in his mouth without really paying attention.
"Soooo whaddya think?" Johnny just kept his focus on Kai as he smugly asked the question and gestured to the club around them.
"I did good, or I did good?
Kai would have loved to have swiped that ridiculous grin off his face, but he had to just go with this for now, as painful as it was. He just really hoped Ray wouldn't think badly of him for being so friendly to him, though as he wasn't exactly sober right now that was unlikely.
"Wouldn't have expected anything less from someone so dedicated.. Perfect man for the job, really don't know what I'd do without you Johnny." He inwardly cringed as he praised, patting the others arm.
Ray's face only contorted, trying to hide it some by taking up a glass and knocking it back like it had alcohol in it. Only to get hit by the burn he wasn't expecting and nearly choked on it.
Seeing that Ray had in fact threw back his whiskey, Kai sent him slight panic filled wide eyes. That was not going to sit well with those vodka shots...
"Uhh hey. C'mon let's go get you some fresh air huh? 'Cos that's gonna hit you in around four minutes.." Taking a glance down to his Rolex, Kai eased himself up from the table, taking Ray's arm to help him up too who swayed slightly once he got to his feet.
Turning to excuse himself to Johnny he noted violet eyes had already locked on the stage in front of them where Mariah, Ming-Ming and Hilary had stepped up on for a dance.
"C'mon.." He sent to Ray again, ushering him out with a hand nearby the small of his back just in case he stumbled.
Ray's head spun a little, not sure what was going on but continued to just trip and follow over himself as his fingers clung to the back of Kai's shirt tighter than necessary. As they passed the stage, a wiry grin spread along his face as he stopped and nearly brought Kai down with him.
"Wanna see somethin?" He slightly slurred.
Kai looked back over his shoulder before furrowing his brow and turning to face him completely. Noticing amber eyes taking a mischievous glimpse to the stage before back at him.
"Nooo, you're not thinking what I think you are- no, no no- Ray!"
He tried to grab a hold of him, but the shorter male had already wriggled from his grasp and was bouncing towards the stage, a sparkle in his eyes and stupid grin on his lips.
"For fucks sake.." Kai muttered under his breath though couldn't fight back the smirk that was dancing upon his own face now.
He'd be lying if he hadn't wanted to see this section of his resume in action, though would have perhaps preferred to see with less alcohol in both their systems. He would hate to see him bust his ass and he couldn't do nothing about it.
"Ladies." Ray grinned even more stupidly at the three women who all stopped around the poles to look at him, Mariah covering her mouth to hide the giggles as Ray toed off his shoes and socks.
"What're you doing?" Hilary questioned as she spun her way back to the ground, holding onto the pole with growing interest in her eyes as Ray sauntered up to the pole.
"May, I?" He asked, the stupid grin still there on his face.
The three giggled even harder, Ming-Ming sending a quick subtle look towards Kai who had edged closer to the stage along with the other guys in the club.
This was going to be interesting. Last party they had, Daichi thought he could get up there and swing around only to fall on his head. Was comical, but she didn't think Ray could even get his legs around the thing with how drunk he looked.
"By all means." Hilary smirked as she stepped back with the other two, though remained close enough on the stage to have front row seats for when he ultimately fell on his head.
Their mouths collectively dropped open when his legs flawlessly swung up and grabbed hold of the pole, his upper body leaning back as he held the pole with one hand as his hair fanned out and down his back to the floor.
Was like riding a bike, really, just jump on and go. There was a slight strain, from not having used these particular muscles for some time, but he was able to pull and flip himself around the pole with relative ease once the burn in his muscles died away.
Having nearly reached the top of the pole, all eyes on him now, he twirled around it back to the floor where he settled on his bare feet with his chest slightly heaving and out of breath.
Unbeknownst to him Kai's lips had parted as he stared up and watched him in a mixture of awe and arousal. That was... Wow..
"Oh my god, Ray that was amazing!" Ming-Ming praised, the other two females agreeing through applause and laughter.
"Was not expecting that at all!" Hilary chirped in as she turned to her boss stood up front. "Hey Kai, you should have him up here with us every night!"
Kai let a light laugh escape him and shook his head. At least the girls had some form of understudy now, though after seeing that he might just keep him for solo shows only.. And by solo shows, just him in the audience...
"Maybe another time." Ray laughed with them, suddenly stumbling his way back to the edge of the stage without his shoes.
After all those acrobatics the alcohol had gone and shaken up inside of him, and he was really feeling it now.
Getting to the edge of the stage he held his hand out so Kai could help him down and without even thinking, Kai held his hand out to him, tanned fingers sitting perfectly beside ivory ones that gripped around for support.
Though, not supportive enough, as Ray lost his footing with having no grip on his feet and tumbled off the stage, his free arm immediately going around Kai's neck and Kai's wrapping tight around his waist.
"Woah, are you-" Kai paused when he realized just how close Ray was to him. The two staring at each other with parted lips, their faces mere centimeters apart and the smell of cologne and alcohol lingering between them.
"Y-you okay?"
Ray took in a shuddering breath, heart in his throat as he shook his head. Truth was, he was fixing to puke...
Seeing the silent panic in the other's eyes, Kai's expression dropped once he'd realized. Shit.
"Everybody move!" He yelled, and in an instant the bodies that had surrounded them parted like the Red Sea.
Grabbing a hold of Ray's hand, he quickly got them to the gent's bathroom just in time for Ray to shove open the cubicle door, fall to his knees, and become reacquainted with everything he'd ate and drank that day.
Tala had sent his silent condolences over to Kai in the form of an unseen sympathetic look as he watched him and Ray high tail it to the bathroom. There was no denying that was pretty much all of his doing...
Oooh Ray was going to feel that in the morning. Poor kid.. Might even be a two-dayer with the amount of vodka he threw back.
Turning his attention back to silver hair, he sent him another slight awkward smile. He wasn't sure what had happened between him and Bryan. One minute everything was fine and then the next he just seemed to be short with him. Stopped sitting with him at the bar before shift and didn't even hang around afterwards to catch up.
"Soo. Are we okay?" He bluntly sent him, figuring he'd just bite the bullet. He'd known the guy years now; the hell was he treading on egg shells for?
Bryan sucked in an amused snort at the display that couldn't have ended sooner, barely hearing Tala beside him.
"Huh? Us? Why wouldn't we be?"
He sent him a shrug. "I don't know, you tell me? You just don't seem to wanna chill anymore before or after shift. Soo. Easy to assume something's up."
Tala took a sip of his drink as he looked up to the slightly taller male, wondering if he should've just kept his mouth shut now if it had all just been in his head.
"Aint you." Bryan answered in a grunt, shifting his shoulders some before taking a drink from his own glass.
Tala blinked before raising a brow in confusion. "Who is it then?" Though once the words left him it clicked, and his face contorted.
"Wait you don't seriously have a problem with Ray, do you? You know he doesn't actually look at you in any kind of way right?"
Bryan shrugged his shoulders again, "That aint the problem either. Can care less if he's lookin, it's just how can you be so easy going about it with him back there with you? And after all the lip he's been givin Johnny and Kai, he's slinging himself around Kai like aint nothin happened." He bit out.
"Gonna fuck his way up the ladder or something now?"
Tala seemed to tense at the accusation. Whatever was, or wasn't, going on between them seemed mutual so what business was it of anyone else's?
"I really don't think he's that sort of person Bry, he's a nice kid, and as for mouthing off to Kai and Johnny he was just standing up for himself. Since when were you so defensive of those two?"
"Because you know what it's like, if any one of us so much as looked at one of them funny, we were out the door. So what gave him a sudden pass? Can bet you now, he's already been on his knees and that's the only reason Kai has kept him around." Bryan sneered back as he turned on him quickly.
"Why you defending him so badly? You a fag too?" He accused harshly.
His final words seemed to swipe anything Tala was thinking of saying straight out his mouth as he threw his own sneer back.
"Okay woah. First of all just 'gay' is fine to say." He bit, raising a hand to him and digging at the derogatory term. "And second, really Bry? Really?"
"What? Ever since he's come around you aint been the same, Tal. So don't go biting at me when I'm just callin em as I sees em."
Tala's face screwed up entirely as he sent him a look. Mind blown he was. "How the fuck have I changed exactly?" He asked, his voice rising slightly as he pointed to himself.
Bryan shifted a little where he stood. Now that it'd all come out, he really didn't have anything to back himself up here. He wasn't the best with his words, and aside from Ray's sexuality, it just felt like Tala had abandoned him for the new kid.
"Whatever." He grunted, taking himself away before anymore was said.
"Yeah, nah, I don't think so Bry."
Grabbing a hold of his arm to pull him back to have this conversation like a man and not a toddler, Bryan instantly ragged it from his grasp, sending him a silent look of warning when they were interrupted.
"Kuznetsov! There ya are bud! Been lookin' for ya everywhere. Who knew it'd be soo hard to find a six foot guy built like a brick house?"
Tala turned to see the drunken troll doll beside them. Hair spiked up paired with a purple bandana as usual, though there were two other males beside him.
Bryan held in the sigh of relief as the cavalry appeared, though for Tala it probably only made him more nervous.
"J, there you are. Aint seen ya since you showed up. Robert and Enrique right?" He asked as he pointed at the two men behind Johnny.
Robert stepped forward, holding out his hand which Bryan took and firmly shook. "Yes, Bryan.. Heard great things about you, Johnny sings your praises.." Ruby eyes took a gander around once he'd let go of the others hand.
Tala just stood there taking in the tall German male, finally putting a face to the name. He'd heard of a "Bobby" being mentioned between Johnny and Kai for years though had never met. He was as slimy as he'd envisioned.
"Oh, fuck off no ya don't." Bryan huffed as he knocked into Johnny's side, turning back to the newcomers.
"Anyways, pleasure meeting ya. What brings you over here though?"
"Well Johnny here had said there was a party, so we figured we'd swing by and check the famous place out. Pretty nice hot spot, I must say." Enrique's eyes followed Mariah as she'd just walked past, shamelessly lowering down to her ass as he let out a whistle.
Tala's eye twitched, this was meant for them not whoever these people Johnny dragged out of the gutter.
"Don't waste your time on that one." Bryan snorted as Mariah had turned and flicked Enrique off before going on her way again.
Johnny scoffed as his eyes too trailed from pink hair back to the group. "Yeah no kidding, as frigid as a plank of wood that one. Real shame too cos those tits are somethin' else."
He then looked to the redhead opposite him who was sending silent daggers his way. "Wouldn't you agree Tal?"
"Mhm, sure. Anyways, been a pleasure 'n all but I need another drink." Tala brushed off raising his glass to the group before Bryan went to point out it was still half full.
Immediately Tala downed it, sending him a look and turning on his heel away from the sleaze pack. He liked women just as much as the next fiend but there were certain levels. And borderline rapey was not him.
Since when it was Bryan though he didn't know..