Third p.o.v
FatGum had been taken aback by Sarah's look when she first came on stage but he definitely wasn't complaining.
He couldn't peel his eyes off her the entire time, the way she danced and held herself was so different than normal it was as if she was a different person.
He was memorized as he watched her dance with the other woman like some dominatrix. If he hadn't known her he would have thought it was part of the show.
His buddy had made a comment about how she acted as if the other woman was her possession, yet he could see the worry in her eyes when she looked at the other girl.
The way her arm was relaxed yet never moved from her waist, he knew then that the girl had actually fallen and Sarah had caught her.
When he looked closer he could see the other girl was trembling and using Sarah as support until she was lowered to the ground at the last minute.
FatGum could see Hawks at the edge of the stage from his seat but he figured he was the only one with the vantage point seems his seat was the furthest to the side.
He had watched the curtain close wondering if he should go make sure everything was ok before shaking his head, he knew Sarah would make sure the girl was alright.
His buddy had leaned over the table grinning. "So which girl's your favorite? Hawks has enough girls for everyone to get a private dance, the only one that's not on the list is the singer."
FatGum laughed and shook his head. "I'm good man, not my type of thing." Though he felt a sense of relief hearing Sarah wasn't available for that.
As he took a sip of his whiskey he also figured she would kill the man who even suggested it to her. Whenever Hawks tried to get her to do something that went against her morals or pride the man would walk away looking pale as if seeing the grim reaper.
So when the pole rose out of the floor and Hawks motioned Sarah to dance on it FatGums eyes had widened. The man was brazen to ask her to do such a thing. When she was pushed to it by feathers FatGum let out a laugh when she mangled the pole with one hand and foot before sitting in the makeshift chair.
Hawks had thrown up his hands at the first bend but as she built her chair he grew pale, clearly getting her message.
Glancing around FatGum saw very little attention was on her as most were watching the pole dancers or the ones in the cage.
"Fuck me man, she looks like a dark Goddess sitting on her thrown. I'd let her top anyday." His buddy comments eyes on Sarah as she sits there singing her eyes roaming the crowd.
At his comment her eyes snapped to their table and FatGum muttered. "I wouldn't tell that to her, you wouldn't be as lucky as that pole to still be standing. "
His buddy gave him a look while on stage Sarah just smirks her eyes glinting. "What you know her Taishiro?"
He nods sipping his drink eyes meeting the dark ones on stage. "Lived with her for a while, she's not one to cross for sure."
The lights flicker off as the girls rush to their new start points the second the song ends.
Hawks' voice speaks then. "Gentleman please have the woman's name you would like by the end of this short break and write it on the paper along with your seat on the chart so we can do the next song."
FatGum hears a smack and a threatening tone before Sarah's voice comes back. "A couple rules, there will be no filming or pictures allowed if I see a single phone out you'll be hanging from the rafters. Second unless the woman gives consent or puts your hands on them there will be no touching allowed. Should I find any who break this rule this is your warning, I will shatter every bone in your hand."
FatGum ducks his head, knowing full well she would too, finishing off his glass.
"Yeah right not with the number three hero here." A guy snickers.
There's a gust of wind and a muffled yell before the lights come back on.
Looking around FatGum sees a man hanging upside down above the stage. Sarah shoves the dude's own shoe into his mouth before facing the crowd a sinister air about her.
Hawks coughs and backs up rubbing the back of his head. "You heard the rules gentlemen, you break them, you answer to her."
FatGums buddy and several others stared in surprise at the stage, it was clear even Hawks was not brave enough to challenge the woman on this.
FatGum just shakes his head and laughs giving Sarah a thumbs up. To which she gives a half smile to her aura lightening a bit before the lights go back off and the room is lit with a dim glow as pens scribble and feathers collect the papers.
The feather that stops at his table tickles his nose as if Hawks was teasing him before collecting the paper and flying away again.
"Seems you haven't had any action in a while I marked you down for a pretty blonde." His buddy says grinning at his friend.
FatGum shakes his head at his friend wishing he hadn't. "Daichi, thanks man but next time don't. You know I make many women uncomfortable."
"Tashiro you're just tall and that intimidates most people let alone females."
Before he could argue more two women came before them, a brunette stood in front of Daichi while a short blonde stood in front of FatGum her eyes widening and shifting nervously.
It was the same one that had fallen and Sarah had caught, before he could apologize a spotlight lit the room from the stage and the room brightened enough to see the other tables and women but still dim.
"Oh, yeahDon't need permissionMade my decision to test my limits'Cause it's my business, God as my witnessStart what I finishedDon't need no hold upTaking control of this kind of momentI'm locked and loadedCompletely focused, my mind is open"
Sarah starts singing from the stage, eyes watching the crowd closely, the man was hanging behind her still but blindfolded so he couldn't watch the show.
The girls begin giving a small dance in front of the men, some starting to give a lap dance. The petite short woman before FatGum looked extremely uncomfortable and FatGum himself shifted uncomfortable with it trying to appear smaller.
Noticing this Sarah begins walking down the stage heading for his table unseen by all except Hawks who was wondering what she was doing.
"All that you got, skin to skin, oh my GodDon't ya stop, boySomethin' 'bout you makes me feel like a dangerous womanSomethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout youMakes me wanna do things that I shouldn'tSomethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout"
Sarah taps the shorter woman on the shoulder and leads her to Daichi's side and motions for the other to help, FatGum relaxes now that the woman seems to feel more confident as she copies the brunette. Sarah returns to FatGum giving him a smile and sits on his lap watching the other tables to make sure all behaved.
"Nothing to prove andI'm bulletproof andKnow what I'm doingThe way we're movin' like introducingUs to a new thingI wanna savor, save it for laterThe taste, the flavor, 'cause I'm a taker'Cause I'm a giver, it's only natureI live for danger
All that you got, skin to skin, oh my God
Don't ya stop, boy"
FatGum wasn't even surprised as she often just randomly used him as a pillow or sat on his lap, even getting him to give her piggy back ride or let her sit on his shoulder in his fat form. He instinctively put his arm behind her to give her a back rest trying to keep his eyes from roaming.
" Somethin' 'bout you makes me feel like a dangerous womanSomethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout youMakes me wanna do things that I shouldn'tSomethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout youAll girls wanna be like thatBad girls underneath, like thatYou know how I'm feeling insideSomethin' 'bout, somethin' 'boutAll girls wanna be like thatBad girls underneath, like thatYou know how I'm feeling insideSomethin' 'bout, somethin' 'boutSomethin' 'bout you makes me feel like a dangerous womanSomethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout youMakes me wanna do things that I shouldn'tSomethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout you"
Daichi sees this and smirks now seeing why his friend had not wanted to have a dancer, he could see the softness in FatGums eyes when he looked at the woman who sat in his lap seeming natural. He could tell the two had a different level of comfort and trust with each other.
Hawks watched from the stage smirking wondering when the man would just come out and say he liked the woman. The two were a good pair, though the thought made him feel old memories trying to surface.
Sarah had gotten his trust and under his guard so he felt extremely protective of the woman now. A small part of him wished they would work as a couple but Sarah had been right saying they wouldn't last long term with both their traumas.
"All girls wanna be like thatBad girls underneath like thatYou know how I'm feeling insideSomethin' 'bout, somethin' 'boutAll girls wanna be like thatBad girls underneath like thatYou know how I'm feeling insideSomethin' 'bout, somethin' 'boutYeah, there's somethin' 'bout you boyYeah, there's somethin' 'bout you boyYeah, there's somethin' 'bout you boy(somethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout you)Yeah, there's somethin' 'bout you boyYeah, there's somethin' 'bout you boyYeah, there's somethin' 'bout you boy(somethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout you)"
Once the song's over Sarah gives FatGums arm a pat and stands turning off the mic still watching to make sure the men still behaved, some had tipped the dancers but had kept in mind of the woman watching them.
"So Taishiro are you going to introduce me to your friend here?" Daichi asks after thanking the two women who smile and wave as they walk away.
"Sarah this is my friend from back home Daichi, Daichi this is Sarah. She recently moved here and is becoming a star in many fields." FatGum says smiling.
Sarah gives a small bow offering her hand. "Pleasure to meet you, you must be the one he said was visiting for the next couple days."
Daichi shakes her hand, nodding surprised that FatGum had even spoken of him as the two hadn't seen each other in years.
"Yes, I'm here on business but wanted to get together before I marry next weekend. He is after all one of my groomsmen."
Sarah forces a smile, raising her eyebrows. "Oh congratulations. Hopefully your stay here is comfortable."
FatGum holds back his laughter at her look of disapproval, Hawks had made the mistake before of hiring male strippers for the woman and she had sat him down for a four hour long rant about how wrong it was due to her just getting out of a relationship and how much she hated the attention and when the man had made the mistake of saying it was a late bachelorette party she had gone off. In her eyes if you loved someone and were planning on marrying you don't go to strip clubs or look at other people when the one you love is right at home and could get all of that and more.
That was one thing he admired about the woman: her undivided loyalty, once she cared for you nothing could make her betray even at the risk of her life.
"Well it was a pleasure but I need to get going, have a nice night." she says starting to back away.
"Wait, you hungry? Would you wanna grab a late dinner with me?" FatGum asks, feeling the alcohol giving him courage.
Daichi grins clapping his back and walking away with a wave. "See you at the wedding, let me know if you change our mind about the plus one."
Sarah pauses wondering where this came from but nods. "Sure, I drove tonight so meet me in the alley? I just gotta grab my jacket and bag."
He nods and she walks into the back. Hawks smirks at her walking beside her. "So little bird is finally going on a date with the poor guy."
Sarah rolls her eyes, slipping on her jacket and grabbing her bag of clothes, she had ended up liking the outfit so was stealing it like she did with any clothes she liked. Hawks didn't care as she tended to wear them when the two went out to parties or in the public eye with him as she knew he didn't like the plain boring clothes she normally wore.
"Really? Hawks he doesn't like me like that. There's no way in hell a man like him would ever be interested in me, it's our normal to have dinner or him walk me home on nights I work here."
Hawks rolls his eyes letting it go knowing she wouldn't listen like normal, Sarah pauses looking him over before getting closer, a look of worry in her eyes. "Be careful, I don't know what's going down tonight but I can tell you're worried. Call me if you need me, I can't have your back unless you tell me."
He pushes her towards the door wondering how she always saw through his bluffs. "Just go enjoy your date, I'll be fine."
Frowning Sarah sighs and leaves wondering what was going on with the man. She opens the back door and lets it fall shut looking around for FatGum.
He was leaned against her bike seeming lost in thought contemplating on something and when Sarah walked out his head snapped to her.
She smiles at him and walks to the bike near the other building to put her stuff in her saddle bag and before he could think of changing his mind he stands and traps her against the wall with his body in a Kabedon.
Sarah goes red but is for once to his chin in height due to the heels, he was still bent slightly as he nears her face with his.
His eyes scan her for any sign of rejection but she just seemed in shock, little did he know her heart was racing at his closeness and as he got closer her nerves kicked in causing her to ramble.
"So that was nice of you to bring your friend here, also that shirt and tie really looks good on you too. The blue really makes your eyes pop.."
He stops from getting closer letting out a chuckle and putting his hand on her chin thumb silencing her. "Breathe."
She takes a deep breath but can only smell him from how close he was, he smelt of maple,vanilla and berries with a hint of some savory scent along with like a woodsy scent that made her feel light headed. When he had lived with her she had never smelt his scent knowing if she did she would never be able to sleep in the same room as him without jumping the man.
"May I kiss you?" he asks, wanting to make sure he wasn't overstepping any boundaries yet wanting to.
Sarah's eyes rolled back as she just faints, she had stopped breathing and the question had just been overwhelmed so her body had just shut down.
FatGums eyes widen and he catches her picking her up, beginning to panic and fans her with his hand. "Sarah?! You okay? Come on breathe!"
After what seemed like forever to the panicking man but was only a few seconds Sarah gasps beginning to wake up.
Holding her chest she looks around realizing she was in FatGums arms and relaxed laughing. "Sorry Gummy, I think I didn't eat enough today and passed out from it…." she mutters rubbing her face, "Also going fucking dellusiounal."
He lets out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding and slowly lets her down wondering what delusion she had before her next words make it known. "So we were talking and you asked me something...was it about food?"
He lets out a laugh of relief but a bit of frustration, it had taken everything to ask her that and she thought it was a delusion. "Yeah, lets just get you home darlin, I'll make you something there."
Her face goes red at the nickname but she nods standing and letting him drive the bike seems it could be dangerous for her to drive them.
When they return to her house FatGum looks around wondering where Nikki was.
"She goes to a cat cafe after working the nights I work, Eraser goes there at the same time, I think he likes her." Sarah explains seeing him looking around as she greets Malik,
He nods, loosening his tie and walks towards the kitchen with her following. "I agree, so have stuff for those waffle things you make? I wanna try my hand at those."
Sarah nods and sits at the bar on a stool watching him. "Yup, be hard pressed to try finding anything we don't have here. I've been working on some new recipes and experimenting for next week."
Fatgum rolls up his sleeves before washing his hands and finding stuff to make the stuffed waffles Sarah had made for him, with ham and egg and cheese inside the waffles also grabbing stuff to make Takoyaki.
"What's next week?" he questions as he preps glancing to the woman who had gotten up to get some water and slides a glass to him.
"Just a cooking challenge thing."
He takes a drink grateful, his mind still in the alley, he didn't catch on for a second. "Oh you hafta let me try these new dishes! Wait, challenge?"
Sarah nods perching on her stool watching him cook, not really paying attention to the conversation just petting Malik who sat next to her mind wondering about Hawks mission tonight and what she thought had been a delusion. "It's just a small competition type challenge, it's why I can't go to the award thing."
FatGum nods, showing he's paying attention as he cooks. "Well are you excited for it? Know who you're going against for it?"
"Some of the top chefs in the country, but the theme is inventing your own recipe and with the timeline I'm not totally sure what to make as back home I wasn't immersed in the culinary field like I am here."
"Well I'm sure you'll think of something, maybe I could come watch to cheer you on?" he suggests looking up without moving his head to watch her reaction.
She shrugs, rubbing the back of her neck. "I don't think there's any rules about it. Others have guests come and watch the competitions but I will warn you I am pretty scary when I cook seriously and not here or at the Cafe with the kids. I'm like a different person, kind of like when I'm on stage. I saw a recording once of one of the competitions and lets go with what Nikki calls it, big dick energy. When I'm in the kitchen it's the only place I feel truly confident and like I can take on the world without flinching."
"That would be an interesting sight, though what's big dick energy?"
Sarah chuckles. "Basically means confidence without cockyiness or arrogance."
He nods in understanding. "I see it, so that a phrase from the future?"
Sarah rubs her face at the memory of Nikki ranting for six hours about time theory and being in the future yet in the past and some other science rant because she had jumped into space from there. "Oh please don't ask that ever when Nikki's around. It's just a thing that caught on in our world, no clue where or from what though."
He chuckles and slides a heaping plate to her causing her eyes to widen at the portion size but when she went to protest she saw his look of absolute authority. "You eat every bite of that. You passed out from lack of food, you hafta eat and now I am making it my personal job to make you eat three meals a day and at least two snacks."
She ducks her head and just takes a bite of the waffle, not bothering to answer; she knew he was stubborn on things he set his mind to and so she picked her battles with him carefully. Because most things he got stubborn on so would Nikki and she just didn't want to deal with the two ganging up on her, she also knew Nikki would smack her for today.
FatGum smirks at her glad she wasn't trying to protest, he had noticed the two were losing weight. He wanted to make Sarah gain it back but knew she had been working hard to lose the weight so he respected that.
Sarah was looking at her reflection in the window thinking the same thing, she didn't think the thinner waist looked good with her bigger chest and rear. It was harder to hide them now.
Glancing at the time she turns to FatGum. "You wanna just stay here with how late it is?"
She could tell he was tired as he stood across from her eating while flipping the takoyaki, he looks up smiling. "If you're ok with that, if not it's really no big deal I can go home."
"Taishiro, you're always welcome to stay here." she says meeting his eyes letting him know how serious she was.
His cheeks tint pink, she only ever called him by his actual name when she was making sure her message was getting across clearly. He tries not to take it to heart not thinking she meant it the way his mind was playing it off as.
"Thanks, though I promise not to move in." He jokes reaching over and dropping some takoyaki onto her plate.
"Well if you wanted to I think Nikki would be cool with it, just have to keep this in mind this house is neutral we do have the occasional so called villain."
He was surprised at her offer even though he knew about the villains dropping by randomly, he hadn't really thought about it before. "Why do you let them come here?"
"Because villains are just victims whose stories were never told so they lash out. This society is built on repression and too many are not given the tools they need to thrive, Nikkki and I are doing our best to help and ease that repression, I try my best to give people second chances with tools to succeed and we both are trying to hear their stories and change villains into regular people." she explains before stuffing her face with the last bite hoping he didn't pile on more.
Seeing this he adds another waffle and four takoyaki to her plate before putting the rest onto his plate. "I've never thought of it that way, you two are great heroes."
Sarah shakes her head beginning to eat again. "We're not heroes, we never wanted to be. There's this quote we both agree fits our view. 'There are so many stories where some brave hero decides to give their life to save the day, and because of their sacrifice, the good guys win, the survivors all cheer, and everybody lives happily ever after.But the hero... never gets to see that ending. They'll never know if their sacrifice actually made a difference. They'll never know if the day was really saved. In the end, they just have to have faith.'"
He had nothing to respond to that but he understood then, both women did not have faith in the world, the world had failed them all their lives so now they simply were trying to make it easier on others going through the same things.
Once they finished eating Sarah cleans the kitchen while he goes upstairs and changes into some of the clothes he had forgotten here when he had moved out. When Sarah walked upstairs he had just unlocked the bedroom door.
He smiles when he sees her and moves to the side, Malik goes in and jumps on the bed, she returns his smile and goes to the closet to get some pj's. Coming out she sees FatGum already in bed petting Malik who had moved to lay next to him.
"Night, I'm gonna be a bit have to wash all the makeup off and get the pins out of my hair." Sarah explains heading into the bathroom.
FatGum thought he'd still be awake when she came back out but after ten minutes she was still in the bathroom and he ended up falling asleep.
Sarah glances out the door seems she had left it open because she had changed in the closet into some sleeping shorts and tank top. Seeing him asleep she smiles turning back to her reflection running her hands through her hair to make sure she had gotten all the pins when movement catches her eyes. Hawks feather was trembling on the counter yet none of the crow feathers moved so she knew there was no breeze.