Hellooooo and welcome to S&M! This is a collab between me and Katya, which we'll be uploading on the first of every month.

This fic is rated M for several reasons. Sex, alcohol, drugs, violence, language, racial and homophobic slurs. If you're a frequent flyer, you know the drill. It aint for the faint of heart.

Anywho, here's chapter one. We hope you enjoy it, and we'll see you on the first on July (where has the damn time gone?!)

8 Years Ago

In a dizzying haze, his vision coming and going as he swayed on his feet and pushed through the alcohol in his system to keep standing, another blurry fist shot out and connected with his jaw. A sickening crack sounding in his ears, that wasn't as loud as it normally would be if it weren't for him feeling as though his head was being held underwater.

The force of the hit made him sway harder, stumbling around where his back connected into something hard where he could numbly feel his skin breaking at whatever it was he'd fallen into.

In retaliation a heavy limb flew out with a strangled cry from his sore throat, only realizing he'd met his intended target as another pain washed through his hand and up his arm.

That dizzying haze that clouded his vision got thicker, near enough searching out blindly for his victim as his throbbing hands and fingers found soft fabric to clutch onto and without warning his world was thrown around. Only for him to find himself on top, the hold he had on the shirt getting tighter with one hand as the other came back in that blinding rage and connected in a fast strike.

Another dull sound met his ears, it being drowned out with the rest of the noises around him that he couldn't distinguish from one thing over the next. Not even his name being called out in a panic, begging him to stop over the shrill screams and frightened onlookers that surrounded him and the other man he had pinned down to the asphalt that was covered in scattered glass and blood.

As another pain surged up his fist and arm, his bleeding knuckles moved away from the fabric and found skin, only to wrap around as tight as he could make them hold onto.

Heavy breaths expelled through his grit teeth and split lip, a thin trail of blood running down his chin that he couldn't feel or took notice to as his eyes flared dangerously and tightened his grip around the neck he had found until the thrashing under his body slowly died out.

There were multiple stinging sensations running down his arms, his neck pulsed, and his chest throbbed to the point it hurt to breathe. He wasn't sure what he looked like right now, nor did he care, as he continued to drown out all the surrounding noise.

It wasn't until the body that lay below him came to a complete standstill did he finally release the vice like hold he'd had, swaying again as he stood on his weak legs and spat out the blood he had pooling in his mouth.

The first thing that caught his still blurry vision, as the dense haze began to lift slowly, were the flashing red and blue lights lighting up the dark night. With no fight left in him as his entire body screamed in pain, he was thrown back onto the ground where the skin on his face was torn, and his arms were jerked around roughly and hard cold metal cuffs were slapped around his bruising wrists.

Shivering despite the heavy jacket wrapped around him, and his thick boots to keep his feet safe from the snow that covered the ground, his teeth were chattering as he trudged up the shoveled path from the empty parking lot.

The two-story building standing tall, snow covering the roof of it and the neon sign that was currently turned off. The black out windows were frosted over, the white brick almost blending in with the rest of the white wonderland around it.

On the outside it looked no different than just your everyday building, nothing all that special about it. During the day it was empty and closed, reduced to a shell of nothing until the sun went down and it came to life.

Given the time it was two hours before opening, when the neon sign would turn on and the doors would be guarded by two burly men and only granting access to those they deemed acceptable.

It wasn't your everyday shady strip joint, that was a given, and for Ray it was also a blessing. He'd had his fair share of working in seedy places already, the change he was looking at was something he felt he needed.

Getting up to the thick and heavy front doors he let himself inside, the warmth from the heater smacking into him. The familiar smell of smoke lingering in the air, mixed with the strong smell of the various perfumes from the girls who worked there.

The first thing he caught sight of was the main stage, dead center on the first floor with one long sleek silver pole at the front and two nearer the back of the stage. Chairs were being placed around it already, while two girls were up on the stage running through their routines for the night with the music from the DJ booth blaring.

His intended target was the bar though, it seated to the far right of the main stage. A tall, pale, redhead standing behind it and barking orders to another worker. Both men dressed in crisp white long sleeve button down shirts, any loose hair of theirs pulled back off their faces and out of the way.

With his teeth still slightly chattering, Ray approached the bar and put on his best smile when the redhead behind the counter looked up at him between doing his tasks of getting the place ready for opening.

"We don't open until ten bud; you need to come back later." His tone, whilst pleasant enough was overall dismissive, his back to him now as his hands quickly worked at stacking up the freshly washed glasses on the shelf behind the bar.

"Oh... No, I-I'm here for an interview." Ray answered as his smile fell some, maybe he should have mentioned that first.

"Ahh, right cool, hey go get Johnny will you?" The redhead then said to another guy on his right that had just poured a bucket full of ice into the large crate underneath the counter.

The male nodded before taking his leave and went off to find whoever Johnny was, he presumed the owner of this place.

"Won't be long." He then added.

"Thanks. Ray, by the way." He said as he held out his barely warming hand over the counter.

The other wiped his hand on his trousers to dry it from the ice bucket he'd just been passed before reaching to shake his hand.

"Tala, I'm the head bartender here, presume it's the bar you plan on working and not the stage right?" He smirked a little gesturing over to the poles with a tilt of his head.

"No. Done that once before, not my thing." Ray laughed as they shook hands, "Sorry my hands are so cold, heater in the car broke yesterday morning." He said sheepishly and pulled away, stuffing his hand back into his jacket pocket.

He waved him off. "Don't worry, mine are permanently cold themselves fixing up the cocktails all night. Something you'll have to get used to if they hire you. Though, I'd make a run for it while you still can." He spoke with his hand shielding his mouth though his volume didn't change.

Ray arched a brow in question, an uncomfortable chill going down his spine.

"That bad here?" He asked in a slight whisper, leaning over the bar some like they were fixing to swap devious secrets with one another.

He'd only heard of good things about the place, though this was his first time ever having actually been inside it. He'd responded to a wanted ad online almost a week ago and was called two days later and now he was there, not much else to it but with what Tala had said he wasn't sure if he had made the right choice or not now.

"Oh no the place as a whole is great, good money.. Really good money actually." He said more to himself before continuing, "Loads of perks and benefits.. Unsociable working hours but that's to be expected in this line of work.. Everyone's also really great it's just-"

"-What is it Tala? Why are you bothering me?!" Came a voice from behind that cut the redhead off and caused Ray to immediately turn around.

Heading over to them was another redhead, a shorter male wearing dark blue jeans and holding a glass tumbler in his hand containing clear liquid.

Ray eyed the newcomer, getting hit with the strong smell of cigarette smoke coming off his clothes. When he got closer Ray could even smell the alcohol practically dripping from his pores.

Was this the owner? Getting shit faced before opening and not being all that welcoming to either his current employee, and clearly someone who had been working there long enough to be regarded a bit more cordially.

He was not impressed, not by a long shot, but he needed the money something desperate.

"Hi, I'm Ray. I have an interview at nine thirty." He painted on a smile, first impressions were the most important ones, and held his hand out to him like he had done Tala earlier.

A tut instantly came from the new redhead, clearly forgetting about this completely even though he'd been told about it a handful of times today. Always being one to think fast on his feet though he redirected, waving him off and ignoring the hand that had been held out to him.

"Ah, change of plans kid.." He patronized, knocking the remaining liquid in his glass back before slamming it down on the counter.

He received a silent look from Tala who snatched the glass, though it went unseen as he'd already turned on his heel, slung an arm around Ray's shoulders and started to walk away with him from the bar.

"Y'see, I'm just far too busy for this kinda thing, y'know how it is right, successful business man and all.. So if you just wanna take a seat for a sec- Hey Mario! Go get Kai would'ya?" He broke off to speak to what looked to be another member of staff who was walking by with a sweeping brush.

"Just take a seat for a moment, admire the view." He sent him a wink before gesturing to the stage with an open palm and patting his back the moment Ray took a glance up front.

"Atta boy."

Ray's head was spinning, mouth going to open and ask what had just happened, but the guy was gone. He didn't even get his name.

"Hey stranger, new here?" Came a sweet voice from up on the stage, one of the girls high up on the pole with her legs in the air and blue hair hanging upside down.

"Um, yeah. Ray." He nodded to her as he watched her with little interest.

"Names Ming-Ming, but you can just call me Ming if you'd like." She winked at him, her legs spreading apart in the air before closing.

Releasing her grip from the pole behind her back, she slid down to the floor, twisting her body around till she was back on her heels.

"Are you here for the bar position or something else?" She asked as she came to sit down in front of him on the stage, the only thing really separating them was a metal bar that ran along the top of the stage.

"The bar." Ray answered quickly, "Who was that?" He asked before he got too distracted in the conversation.

Ming-Ming's face fell slightly as she shifted around some, "That's Johnny, just try and not let him get to you. Okay?" She said in a low whisper and picked herself up, her heels clacking along the top of the stage as she took her leave quickly.

Ray nodded after her, though what she'd said only made his head continue to spin faster than before.

Upstairs there was a quick knock on the door which caused crimson eyes to glance up from the mountain of paperwork currently sprawled out across his desk in front of him.

Really? He couldn't just get half an hour to sort through this shit? He'd specifically asked to not be bothered tonight, was that too much to ask?!

"Come in." Came his sighed out curt reply. This had better be important.

The door was timidly pushed open, hazel eyes peering in as Mario entered the office. "You're wanted downstairs sir."

Kai narrowed his eyes, clearly displeased with being disturbed when he'd asked not to be.

"What for?" He demanded.

The young brunette tensed some, shrugging his shoulders a little at him, not liking that he was coming across so useless, but he had just done as he was told.

"I-I don't know sir, Johnny just told me to come and get you."

Kai sighed again, of course. Couldn't ever do a damn thing without him. If he could, he'd have kicked Johnny's ass out the door years ago.

"Alright." He huffed and heaved himself from his chair, peeling off his silver rimmed glasses from his face and leaving them on his desk, stomping his way to the door and down the stairs to the first floor.

While he was down there he took in what everyone was doing, making sure everything was set up before opening and at least pleased to see it was getting there. No thanks to Johnny though, he was sure seeing as how he didn't even see him down there at all now.

"Tala, what's going on?" He asked as he approached the bar, "Where's Johnny?" He continued in a biting tone.

"You really have to ask?" Tala replied in a bored tone, polishing up a glass with a cloth. "Same place he always is before a shift.. Anyways, that guy over there, dark hair, he's here for the interview.. You want me to handle it?"

Kai looked back over his shoulder, taking in the long dark hair that was mainly held back in a white cloth, the ends of it near enough touching the carpet.

"No, I got it." He said as he shoved himself off the counter, "You need him tonight, or want him to come in tomorrow if he passes?" He asked before he walked off.

The redhead shrugged to him. "Can never have too many hands back here."

"Alright." Kai nodded and pat the top of the bar top, "Wish him luck then." He smirked and strode away to where the lone man sat.

Straightening up his shirt some, pushing back the slate bangs that fell in his face he came to stand on the man's right.

"I'm sorry about the wait, you're Ray, right?" He asked as he held his hand out.

Golden eyes snapped from the stage and turned to where he'd just heard his name. Quickly looking the slightly taller male up and down before fixing on the fair hand currently reached out towards him.

"Uh yes, hi." He replied taking his hand in his own. Whoever he was, he was gorgeous…

A spark of something shot through Kai's hand at the connection, it running down his spine and making him unlatch their hands quickly. Finding it somehow harder to breathe or look away from the gold eyes that had found his, he cleared his throat and pulled at the hem of his shirt again.

"Anyways, can take you up to my office. Be less loud." He informed, waving Ray to follow him as he turned on his heel.

His feet started moving as Ray walked behind him, taking a quick glance back to the bar where the redhead behind sent him a single nod and mouthed a 'good luck.'

Ray sent him a sheepish smile back before locking back on the crisp white shirt in front of him, heading up a flight of stairs.

Once back in the office, letting Ray in through first and shutting the door after himself, Kai cleared his throat again.

He'd done these a thousand times before, but never had any of them made him sweat like this suddenly. Aside from Tala's interview, but that was because the redhead kept cracking sexual jokes and innuendos the whole time.

"Just, make yourself comfortable." Kai said as he walked around Ray, going back to the safety of his desk and frowned at the mess all over the top of it.

"So, tell me a bit about yourself. What made you interested in this type of work, have you done something like this before?" Kai asked as he frantically pushed the papers around into neater piles.

Ray took a quick look around the place before pulling out the chair on the other side of the desk and sitting himself into it, gazing down at the floor below them through the wall of glass. He remembered seeing it from downstairs though it had just looked like a wall of mirrors.

"Uhm.. Well I'm Ray, you know that already.. I'm 26 and just recently moved to town." He started, talking a little louder than usual to be heard over all the rustling sheets of paper.

"And I've been in this kind of industry most my life to be honest, worked both sides."

Kai faltered some at the last bit, the stack he had just gotten into order being knocked back down.

All he pictured now was Ray up high spinning around on a pole in barely anything, that tan skin of his being illuminated by the low theater lights and probably sparkling in glitter...

He shook his head to get the image out, swallowing to quench his drying throat.

"Did you bring your licenses then? Social and any other forms of ID?" He asked, gathering himself back up and putting on his boss face.

The hell was wrong with him right now? Sure, the guy was beautiful, but he wasn't the only beautiful guy he'd ever seen in his life before.

Ray shifted in his seat, his hands twitching wanting to assist him with the paperwork though seeing he'd got it quickly handled he settled back again.

"I, yes, I do." He fumbled with his zipped pocket for a moment before reaching into his jacket and pulled out his driver's license and other forms Kai had asked for, holding them out to him across the desk.

Kai gave a brief look over the card, shifting through them and nodded.

"Tell me what made you leave your last job." He ordered more than asked, spinning around to the copy machine behind him and fed Ray's forms of ID through the scanner.

Ray swallowed as the air started to become a little thicker in the room. He seemed a lot nicer downstairs..

"It got a little too seedy for my liking to be honest. Started off as just booze and girls but then the boss started to throw drugs in the mix, and it just got a little too messy for me. Cops coming round every other weekend.. It wasn't great." He explained, his heart starting to beat a little faster in his chest now.

Kai arched a brow as he looked over his shoulder at him, "What made you quit the other then? Same thing?"

"Uh yeah, something like that." Though the real reason Ray had left the pole behind was due to his previous boss getting a little too touchy feely. He wouldn't make that mistake again..

"Well, I can assure you that doesn't happen around here." Kai said as he got Ray's original IDs out and passed them across the desk at him.

"What made you want this job though, after already having no luck in other places? Third times the charm type deal?"

Taking the cards, Ray put them back into his pocket and pulled up the zipper.

"Oh no, it was more to be a part of something with such a good reputation. I've heard great things about this place. The staff are well looked after and it's a lot classier than most establishments. From everything to how it operates and the clientele."

"Done your research, then. I'm impressed. Not only by that, but the resume you sent in too. So, then Mr. Kon, do you think you can help Tala behind the bar tonight?" Kai asked as he laced his fingers together over the top of his desk.

A swirl of excitement ran through the other male. His eyes widening some and a smile appearing on his face.

"Y-Yes! Of course!" Ray stuttered out before holding his hand out across the desk to shake his hand again. "Thank you for the opportunity, uhm.."

Kai could have hit himself, throwing his hand out and clasping Ray's where that same shock zapped into him, but he held on regardless.

"Kai."

"Kai.." Ray repeated with a smile, shaking his hand for a moment before slipping out of it. "Thank you, I really am grateful."

Easing himself up from his seat Ray then head towards the office door to go on and start his first shift, looking over his shoulder one last time before leaving.

"It was nice to meet you, Kai."

"You too." Kai smiled a bit dumbly at him, slapping himself out of it quickly. "Have Tala give you the run down on house rules and tell him to come up after his shift. Please." He quickly spat out before Ray left him.

Ray just sent him a silent nod, walking out the office and closing the door behind him. Taking himself down the stairs with a slight bounce in his step he exhaled in slight relief before pushing open the door that took him back into the club.

He head towards the bar, Tala leaning forward against it resting on his forearms in a social media bubble which was burst the moment he started talking.

"Say hello to your newest colleague." He sent him proudly, a smug grin on his face.

Blue eyes darted up from the phone in his hands, his own smirk setting in place. "Welcome aboard, sailor."

"Thank you. Captain said that you'd give me the house rules and said for you to meet him in his quarters after your shift." Ray informed in a small chuckle.

Tala groaned a little, slipping the phone into his back pocket and straightening himself upright. He was hoping to be leaving on time tonight but there went that crazy thought.

"Right, so listen up 'cos I'm only gonna tell you these once." He started, holding up a finger for each statement he said next.

"Rule number one, no drugs. We have a zero tolerance for that here. Whatever you do on your own time is up to you, but don't bring that shit into the work place. You'll be out on your ass before you even have a chance to say, 'but it's not mine!'"

Ray nodded a little before his lips cracked out in a grin, "But what if it's really not?" He asked in an innocent voice.

"Behave." Tala pointed to him with a smirk before placing up another finger.

"Ruuule number two, no fighting the customers, that's Bryan's job. You'll meet him later tonight when he starts shift. Looks terrifying but he's a real softie, don't let him know I told you that though.."

"On my mother's grave." Ray joked as he put a hand to his heart and held his other up, "Sailors honor." He liked Tala, a lot.

"Número tres! Don't be getting shit faced on the job.. Whilst we're allowed to drink on shift don't take the piss with it. I might sip a beer throughout and do the odd shot whenever a customer buys us one but apart from that it's tee total." He then chuckled a little before pointing over to one of the other bartenders from earlier.

"We had this bachelor party in here once, about twelve of em, all bought Darius over here a shot each.. Now after the third one usually, anyone with any sense, would switch to the water bottle, which is this one here by the way." He then lifted up what appeared to be just a normal bottle of vodka to Ray which was in fact filled with regular tap water.

"Instead of pouring himself from this he continued to throw back neat vodka like it was going out of fashion, all 'cos he was too polite to say no thank you."

Ray made a face at the story and laughed, "Okay, I can say no pretty well. So what next?"

"Ah the usual obvious stuff, no stealing, don't be late, everyone usually gets here half an hour before they start, smart casual dress code.. But, thee most important rule.. Like no bullshit dude this one's serious." The redhead's face seemed to harden, and his eyes locked onto Ray for his reaction.

Ray shifted where he stood, giving Tala his full attention and went as serious as Tala had.

"No. Touching. The girls." There was a brief pause between each word for added emphasis.

Ray's cheeks puffed out as he held in his laugh that came bubbling up. Quickly covering his mouth to try and get his face in working order again, his shoulders shaking slightly.

A red brow raised. "What? I'm serious Ray, you'll get thrown out of here so quick-"

"Not a problem. Really not." Ray finally got out, trying to calm himself down some.

Tala sent him a nod though there was still an ounce of skepticism in his eyes. He didn't get what was so funny. He was a good-looking guy, was probably swimming in pussy.

"Anyways, those are your rules. Learn 'em, tattoo 'em on your arm if you have to, recite 'em in church, I don't care just don't ever forget them. This isn't a three strikes and you're out place either, break any of 'em once and that's it you're gone. Comprende?"

"Yes. Comprende, or whatever." Ray laughed again, "Is there a place to put my stuff, a locker or something?"

"Yeah there's a small section next to the dressing rooms, go across to that door on the left and follow the corridor down.. Hurry back, shift starts in fifteen."

"Aye aye." Ray saluted and headed off, feeling light and ready for the night. He barely knew any of them but felt welcomed and at home already.

Following the directions Tala had laid out for him, he found himself in the backrooms. Two girls walking by him and giggling as they went, a redhead and brunette, but Ray had barely paid attention to them.

"You know it's gonna happen eventually baby I don't know why you gotta play so hard to get.."

Then came a familiar voice he'd heard from earlier, a female one shortly following.

"I'm not interested, Johnny! Get out of here will you, I need to get ready.."

At the voice Ray froze outside the cracked door, peeking into the dressing room as an uncomfortable chill ran down his spine.

He shouldn't pry, shouldn't stick his nose into things that weren't his business, and definitely not on his first day either.

But something told him to stay, to wait it out and intervene if needed. He didn't know the full story, still didn't know any of them, so whatever was going on could just be a small lovers spat going on. At least he hoped.

"Alright, alright I'm going.. I'll be watching though baby. Front row.."

The female clearly chose to ignore him as no further response came, though the sound of footsteps got louder and louder the closer they got to the door that Ray was stood at.

Before he had a chance to make a move the door flung open, and violet eyes fixed upon him.

"What are you doing back here?" He spat, seeming to forget entirely of their earlier somewhat pleasant first meeting.

"Trying to find the locker room." Ray spat out quickly, wasn't a lie and he was sort of lost.

"Next door along." Johnny said like he was stupid and pointed, "This here is the girls dressing room, so unless you plan on spinning round a pole there's no reason for you to be snooping round here."

"Oh, silly me. Sorry, old habits I guess. Thought I was going on in five, what time you going on then? Since you're in there and all." Ray quipped back, not liking the attitude or the dig. If this jerk knew anything though, he'd swing circles around him without even breaking a sweat.

A laugh erupted from him as he stared the new guy up and down. Feisty. He'd soon learn it'd get him nowhere but a one-way ticket out of here. Seemed like Kai was just hiring anything that walked through the door nowadays.

"I own this joint." He smugly said, pointing to himself and reveling in his own self-made superiority. "Everything and everyone within these four walls are mine. You got that?"

Ray didn't look fazed, his head tilting to the side almost innocently.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that when I had the interview with Kai that I somehow signed my name away to you. Or anyone for that matter." He scoffed back, looking down at his empty wrist.

"But, anyways. I have a shift to get to in three, so I'll see you around, Joseph." He threw a cheeky smirk up at him, spinning on his heels where his hair wrap snapped the backs of his legs and slipped into the locker room.

Yellow eyes peeked out of the dressing room door, the pink haired woman behind covering her mouth to hide her laughter not only at the expression on Johnny's face but what the new blood had just done. She could tell she was going to like this one. A lot more than she liked Johnny, that was a given.

Two fists balled up at his sides, pure rage at the lack of respect that had just been thrown his way and the small giggle from behind only adding further to his embarrassment.

"Get ready for the show!" He barked over his shoulder at the women who in turn quickly scarpered back into the dressing room.

Johnny's eyes then stayed locked in the direction the new kid had just disappeared from view. The bubbling anger having no intention of leaving any time soon.

What the hell was Kai thinking?! Hiring someone like this. And he'd been so nice to him earlier. Welcoming in fact!

He turned on his heel, throwing one final sneer towards the locker room.

Big mistake kid... Big mistake.