Chapter 1

He loosened his tie with one hand and with the other, he rubbed his tired face, feeling he scruff of his five o'clock shadow coming in.

It had been yet another grueling day at the damn company that Daichi despised working for, but he found that he didn't really have a choice in the matter. When someone helps you get a job, you don't turn it down, no matter how horrible it seems.

Or… at least, he used to think that way.

His shoulders were feeling heavier than ever as he approached the address that Kuroo had texted him.

Trust me! This place is awesome! Best place to take a load off.

Yeah, as if Daichi could trust anything coming from Kuroo.

He sighed and stuffed his phone back into his pocket, wondering if he should be regretting this decision. It was late, the clock inching closer to midnight with each passing second. He knew he shouldn't be out this late, but… he didn't really want to go back home. Rather, he didn't want to go back to that apartment.

No place ever felt like home anymore.

Daichi finally shuffled to a stop in front of the establishment that Kuroo had been talking about and stared up at the sign.

Club… Torino? Karasuno?

Daichi sighed. Of course it was a nightclub. He briefly wondered if there were even strippers involved. Was Kuroo that involved in such debauchery? This was such a mistake.

He turned to leave, ready to head back and… find a hotel or something for the night… but he heard the front door swing open.

"Sawamura Daichi!"

Daichi jumped at the sound of his name and turned his head, his eyebrow twitching.

Kuroo was standing in the doorway with a cheery smile on his face. He was dressed in a nice, black vest and slick tie, with a white long-sleeve shirt underneath. The sleeves, of course, had been rolled up to his elbows, but Kuroo still looked a bit classy in this getup.

"You found it!" Kuroo said with a wide smile. He gestured for Daichi to come inside. "Come on! Let me show you around!"

Daichi frowned at him as Kuroo threw an arm around his neck and dragged him inside. As soon as they walked inside the doors, Daichi's senses were attacked with a pounding bass and bright lights. It only agitated the headache that was creeping up behind his eyes.

The only upside to the madness was that there were no strippers—thank goodness.

"Ugh, what is this, Kuroo? Aren't we too old for this?" Daichi griped over the music.

"26 is not old, thank you very much," Kuroo said. "And it's not all just dancing. Look!"

He nodded towards the left side of the club, and Daichi followed with his eyes. He noticed that there was a bar in the corner and plenty of tables—and it was far away from the dance floor that ate up half of the room.

"See? It's a classy establishment," Kuroo said.

Daichi sighed and pushed off Kuroo's arm, moving up to rub his temples.

"Kuroo, this isn't what I had in mind when you said it was a great place to take a load off," Daichi fussed. "I'd rather be sleeping on my uncomfortable couch."

Kuroo pouted, actually pouted, like a petulant child. "But I wanted to show you my new workplace."

Daichi's brows lowered as he stared at him. "Your new workplace?" he echoed. "What job could you possibly do here?"

Kuroo smiled, excited, and dragged Daichi over to the bar area. He pushed Daichi into one of the stools and rushed to slide behind the counter, slapping his palms on the top. He smirked at him and wiggled an eyebrow.

"So, what can I get ya?" Kuroo asked.

Daichi blinked at him, unamused. "You're the bartender?"

Kuroo put his hands on his hips and smiled proudly. "Yep!"

"What fool hired you to be a bartender?" Daichi asked. "Are you even legally allowed to make drinks?"

"Oi, don't be like that!" Kuroo huffed, his smile fading. He pulled his wallet out of his pocket and tugged a card from its pocket, showing it to Daichi. "I finally got my act together and got my liquor license, so of course, it's legal."

Daichi leaned his head on his hand and quirked a brow at him. "Okay, okay. I believe you."

Kuroo smiled and put his license away, and then he leaned on the counter.

"So, what can I get ya?" Kuroo asked again.

Daichi paused, sighing. He slumped over the counter and clasped his hands together, nervously spinning the gold ring on his finger.

"I shouldn't. It's late," Daichi said.

"Hah? Late?" Kuroo asked, looking at his watch. When he noticed the time, he sighed and looked back to Daichi with a gentle expression. "So what? Just one drink won't kill you."

Daichi's finger tugged on the ring. "Well, Yui might be waiting—"

"Yui?"

Kuroo spat out the name like it physically disgusted him. His entire expression morphed into anger.

Daichi sat back in shock, watching as Kuroo started to go off.

"Don't tell me you're still with her!" Kuroo said.

Daichi's hands curled into fists, and that damn ring glittered under the lights of the bar.

"She's my wife," Daichi simply answered.

"She doesn't act like one," Kuroo answered. "Committed wives don't cheat on their spouses."

It felt like a punch to the gut. Daichi didn't even want to hear those words. It always felt so dirty to even say those words. Cheat. Why did it always feel so dirty?

"There's no evidence," Daichi supplied.

"No evidence?" Kuroo said, looking flabbergasted. "Are you kidding me, Daichi?"

Daichi lowered his head to stare down at the counter, his eyes following the patterns etched into the wood.

"I can't believe you're defending her. Even after you talked to her about it and she's still doing it," Kuroo said.

Daichi clenched up, his body frozen stiff. He sucked in his bottom lip to chew on it, his eyes avoiding Kuroo.

"Unless…" Kuroo started, his voice coming to clarity, "…you haven't actually confronted her about it."

Daichi lowered his head in shame, not wanting to even discuss it.

Kuroo, on the other hand, was crazed.

"Daichi, you can't be serious!" Kuroo said, leaning close to him. "You haven't talked with her about this?!"

"Kuroo, stop," Daichi said, rubbing his temples. "I'm not in the mood."

Kuroo hesitated, looking unsure and concerned, and Daichi hated that he made his friend look this way. It didn't fit right on his face.

"Can we just… forget about it for now? I'll buy a drink," Daichi said, trying for a smile. It felt foreign and fake on his face, though, but he tried to be convincing.

Kuroo, however, didn't buy into his fake happiness, and he sighed, reaching down to grab a glass.

"It'll be on me," Kuroo said.

Daichi made a small noise in protest. "Kuroo—"

"Nope," Kuroo said with his hand up in the air. "Just… let me do this."

Daichi slumped back in his stool and let his shoulders drop. He felt so pathetic.

"So? What're you drinking?" Kuroo asked.

Daichi mulled it over, tilting his head to the side. "Gin and tonic."

Kuroo made a face. "What are you, an old man?"

Daichi sighed and started to get up, but Kuroo latched onto his sleeve and forced him back down.

"Fine, fine. Gin and tonic for the not so old man," Kuroo said.

"Thank you," Daichi said.

Kuroo nodded and quickly made his drink. It was simple enough, and not too heavy. Daichi wasn't quite ready to drown in his sorrows just yet.

He started to sip it as Kuroo was flagged down by three other customers at the opposite end of the bar.

"Sorry. I've got other customers," Kuroo said, looking apologetic.

Daichi shooed him with his hand. "Go. I'll stay for a bit."

Kuroo bit his lip and slowly walked off to the other end of the bar. Daichi could hear them chatting, the women giggling as Kuroo made a flirty comment. Man, he was better at this job than Daichi had originally thought.

He stared down at his drink in his hand, seeing his gold ring glitter under the light above. It was an awful sight, one that made his stomach squirm. Everything that Kuroo had said was right. He really should have talked to Yui about all the things that made him feel so insecure. But even though he felt he was on the verge of madness, he couldn't make himself do it.

Daichi sighed, his hand clenching around his glass.

Why was the world so cruel? He had done everything right. Well, at least he thought it was right. What should he have done differently? What path was right? What should he even do now—

"Ah, is someone sitting here?"

Daichi startled, his drink sloshing a bit as his arm jerked. He snapped his head up to the side and his heart fluttered.

A man was standing next to him, his brown eyes staring at him kindly. He had a mole under his eye, and his smile was stretched widely across his face.

He was handsome, if Daichi had to admit it.

The man chuckled a little when Daichi jumped and he lifted a hand in apology.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you," he said.

Daichi shook his head and gestured towards the empty barstool next to his.

"No, no, it's okay. And no one is sitting here," Daichi said.

"Cool!" he said, plopping down. "Is this your first time here?"

Daichi managed a small smile. "Am I that obvious?"

The man smiled brightly and fondly at him. "Only a little. But it's okay! Nothing to be nervous about."

Daichi averted his eyes, his fingers finding his ring again. "I'm not nervous."

"Oh, is that so?" he said, leaning on his hand. Charming. "Is that why you're fidgeting so much?"

Daichi immediately let go of his finger and felt his cheeks burn. He reached for his drink instead and took a big gulp.

"I'm not," Daichi said. "I'm just trying to finish this drink so I can go home."

The man's smile faded a little, and it somehow made Daichi feel bad. He slammed back the rest of his drink, feeling the light burn trickle down to his chest and making him warm.

"You're leaving?" the man asked.

"Soon, yeah," Daichi said.

The man paused, his lips twisting. He glanced back at the dance floor and then slid his eyes over to Daichi. Why was this guy so sly?

"How about a dance before you go?" he asked.

Daichi nearly choked on his spit. "A d-dance?"

"Yeah!" the guy said, smiling brightly. He leaned back in his stool and gestured towards the dance floor. "It's fun!"

"Fun…" Daichi echoed.

"Yeah. And I'm sure it'll loosen you up, too," the guys said, staring at him knowingly.

Daichi opened his mouth, ready to turn him down, but he suddenly hesitated. If he stayed longer, it would postpone the impending doom that was his apartment. Is that what he wanted?

Suddenly, the song changed, and the man perked up. He quickly leaned over and latched onto Daichi's wrist.

"Ah, I love this song! Please, just one dance? Please?" the man asked, nearly begged, and his eyes sparkled dammit. Whose eyes actually sparkled? In a dark place like this?

"Um…" Daichi stuttered, too mesmerized by the man in front of him to answer.

But before he could get his bearings straight, the man hopped off the stool and started to drag Daichi to the dance floor.

"C'mon!" he chirped.

"W-Wait!" Daichi pleaded.

But it was too late. He was already being pulled straight to the dance floor. Sweaty, moving bodies bumped against him as they pushed through the crowd and finally stopped in an open spot.

The man turned to face him and smiled, finally letting go of his wrist. He closed his eyes and started to sway to the music, his hips moving along with the slower, mellow beat.

Daichi felt entranced, his eyes stuck and body frozen in the midst of all of the writhing dancers. How was he supposed to do this? He wasn't the type to do this! What was he even doing here?

The man's eyes opened and he smiled—not mockingly, but sweetly. Daichi would almost find it charming if he hadn't been so nervous.

Before Daichi could flee, the man moved forward and rested his arms on Daichi's shoulders. He was so close that Daichi could smell his shampoo on his silvery hair.

"Swing your hips," the man instructed. "Feel the music in your chest. Can you hear the beat?"

Daichi swallowed. "Y-Yeah."

Ugh, he was so awkward, why was Daichi so awkward? He was never smooth at these types of things! He should have left before any of this happened. Maybe if he could just slip away—

"Hey."

Daichi flinched and focused his attention back on the man in front of him, his face glowing a light purple from the lights. He leaned closer, one of his hands patting his back softly.

"Relax," he said softly into Daichi's ear. "I'm the only one watching. And I don't judge."

It was as if a switch had been flipped. Daichi felt his body slump and started to sway in time with the music. He took a deep breath, seeing the genuine smile on the man's face that made his eyes crinkle.

It made Daichi's stomach flip.

He remained silent throughout the song, letting the mystery man's hands drape over his shoulders as they danced together. Daichi finally loosened up a bit, not even paying attention to the rest of the dance floor. His eyes were locked on the person in front of him.

The beat lessened, allowing the singers' voices to shine over the simple drums, and the man leaned forward to rest his forehead against Daichi's, and it made Daichi's breath catch and stutter in his chest. What was happening?

The song finally mellowed down, slowing and fading out, leaving Daichi and the man staring at each other in the dim lights. The man in front of him was smiling fondly, almost gently, and Daichi felt his cheeks flush. How long had it been since someone had looked at him that way?

Another song started, more upbeat than the last, and the man finally pulled his arms from Daichi's shoulders. His hands slid down Daichi's arms and squeezed his biceps. He nodded towards the side of the room.

"C'mon," he said, grabbing ahold of Daichi's wrist.

Daichi swallowed, still stuck in a daze, and allowed the man to tug him back towards the bar. When they got there, he let go of Daichi's wrist and smiled at him, leaning against the bar.

"You're a pretty good dancer once you loosen up," he said.

Daichi chuckled weakly and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well… I've had some liquid courage, I guess."

"Nah," the man said. "That was all you."

And then he winked. Geez, who in the world was this guy?

Daichi swallowed, opening his mouth to speak but nothing came out. The man chuckled and waved at him.

"Hope to see you back here," he said, and then he turned to leave, waving one last time to Daichi.

Daichi reached out, wanting to call him back so he could at least get his name, but the man disappeared down a hallway that led to who knew where. He sighed, feeling both fluttery and disappointed at the same time. He closed his eyes and reached up to touch his shoulder, his skin still feeling like it was burning underneath his too-tight button up.

"Wow, dancing with Suga, huh?"

Daichi opened his eyes and turned around back towards the bar and saw Kuroo leaning over the bar counter on his hand, his face pulled into a knowing smirk.

Daichi frowned at him immediately and walked back over to the bar. "Drop that face. It wasn't anything."

"Heh, sure," Kuroo scoffed. "I must be blind then, because that was definitely not nothing."

Daichi rolled his eyes. "Shut it," he said softly. He rubbed the back of his neck, sending a brief gaze down to the hallway where the man—Suga?—disappeared.

"So… who was that?" Daichi asked, a little nervously.

Kuroo's brow lifted and his smirk widened a bit. "That was Sugawara Koushi. Or just Suga for short."

"Suga…" Daichi said, testing out the name on his tongue. "Does… he come here often?"

Kuroo leaned up from his slouched position on the bar counter to grab a glass to clean. "Psh, I would hope so. He owns this place."

Daichi's brain stuttered to a halt. He looked at Kuroo sharply, studying to see if he was telling the truth.

"He… owns this club?" Daichi clarified, his blood running cold.

Kuroo arched a brow. "Yeah? So what?"

Daichi groaned and put his head in his hands. "Ugh, dammit," he said. "I really hope he didn't hear me when I called him a fool earlier."

Kuroo hesitated for a moment, and then when he put the pieces together, he broke out into an ugly laugh, his hands holding his stomach, and Daichi yelled at him to shut his trap.

Daichi treaded his tired body back to his apartment, dreading every step. His shoulders felt heavy ever since he left the club, and for reasons he couldn't quite figure out. Was he sad that he had left? Or was it sadness for returning back to his own place? He wasn't sure of either option, but he knew he couldn't stay at the club overnight, and Kuroo was working his shift until 4 in the morning, so there was no point in going back to his friend's apartment.

So here he was at 2 in the morning, heading back to his apartment. He didn't dare call it home. It hadn't felt like home in years.

He swallowed as he turned his key in the lock and opened the door, quietly sneaking inside and shutting the door behind him. He toed off his shoes in the genkan and shucked off his blazer, his ears hypersensitive to any kind of noise that could be coming from the apartment.

Daichi took a deep breath as he stepped into the apartment floor, his socks sliding on the wooden floor. He crept down the hallway and carefully slipped into the bedroom, his eyes peering at the queen-size bed.

It was empty.

Daichi blinked for a moment, his eyes wide in disbelief. Yui… wasn't here?

He… really shouldn't have been as surprised as he was. This had become a normal thing, and he had let it go so much that Yui had taken advantage of it. She would always crawl back into bed around 5 in the morning, saying something about how work was tough that day. And Daichi would smile bitterly, knowingly, and let her kiss his cheek goodnight.

He was in denial for a while, but now it was just starting to hurt.

Daichi sighed and made his way back out to the living room, unable to look at the state of the bedroom any longer. He curled up in the couch and held a pillow close to his chest, feeling his eyes start to sting. He closed them shut before any tears could escape and decided to let his mind drift, his thoughts filled with a stranger with creamy brown eyes, silvery hair, and a charming beauty mark.