Loud rock music blasted throughout the entire bar, while drunkards piled onto the dance floor. Some still had drinks in their hands, as the liquid sloshed about inside the glasses. It was always an odd sight to see—Strangers grinding up on each other, and even hooking up afterwards. To be fair, that is the main reason to a lot of people that walk through these doors. They are hoping for not only a good time, but for a fun night as well. A few have already been kicked out due to causing a ruckus, which is perfectly normal here at Fiery Sauce. Due to it being one of the busiest, most popular places here in Promepolis, pretty much everyone comes here. Anyone who was born and raised in the busy city knows of its existence, and the story behind it. Because of its age, there have already been a couple of owners. So far they have managed to keep this place up and running, no matter how rough things got at times. Just a few years it was almost burned to the ground, no thanks to a gang trying to flex! Thankfully with the help of donations, the damages were able to be repaired, and later on it opened back up with even more business.
On the other side of the bar were a group of men, who got progressively louder, and more aggressive the longer the game played out. You could tell they were drunk off their asses. Sometimes mixing liquor with games can bring out the absolute worst in people. It is fine to be competitive, but only to a certain degree. It certainly shouldn't involve threatening to stab someone in the eye with one of the darts, all because your aim was off. That is no one else's fault but your own. Thankfully there was enough workers to keep an eye on everything, in case things get ugly. The night was still young, so just about anything could still happen. When have they ever gone without having to break up at least one fight? In order to work here, you need to both be strong, and have a tough skin. People say stupid shit while they're intoxicated, and that includes their actions.
"Here is your Berry Weiss Leinenkugel!" The bartender shouted, as he slid the cold bottle of beer down the counter. For being left all by himself, he really was doing a fantastic job. Not only was he fast at whipping out drinks, but he also knew how to strike up a conversation with literally anyone. His soft blue hair was tied back into a ponytail, with small strands sticking out in front of his face. The sides were shaved, but that is because he usually wears it up in a mohawk. When interviewing for this job position, he was told to not style it in such a way. What would the customers think? Sure it is a bar, but you still needed to look presentable—professional! Some people just won't take you seriously while holding such an appearance. It was tough, but he managed to find a white button-up shirt that fit his thick, muscular arms, and broad chest. And over that he wore a black vest, that complimented his black tie perfectly. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up, while the bottom was tucked into his black dress pants.
The green-haired male was quick to catch the flying beer, and shot him a side glare. "You really need to be more careful when doing that," he scolded. Now grasping it in his hand, he pushed it against his lips, and tilted his head back a bit so that he could take a few swigs. This was much needed after the kind of day he just had. Once again he got rejected by some girl he met a dating app. How much more can his heart take of this? Just what in the world was he doing wrong? It confused him greatly. That is why he came here, even though it was his day off.
"Sorry Remi! You know how hard it is for me to control my excitement," the bartender grinned. Not only did they know each other, but were also coworkers. By now they were probably even considered to be friends! They do hang out a lot outside of work, along with the others when they are able to. It is difficult though, taking as how this place never really closes. So you sort of have to hang out in small groups; but that is fine. Everyone gets their turn, and that is all that matters.
Almost immediately he rolled his eyes, and took another sip of the sweet beer. "We can't have you breaking product, Galo. Learn to be a little more careful. You're still fairly new here.. Despite everyone already having fallen in love with you," he muttered. In no way was he jealous of him! It is just frustrating sometimes, when people don't show the other workers here the same level of respect, and attention. At the same time, however, he can understand why so many like the big oaf. There was just a certain charm about him that drew others in.
Galo smiled blindingly at the other male, and gave him a thumbs-up. "Don't you worry so much! Even if I did break a bottle or two, the boss would never fire me over something like that!" He said this with great confidence, too, while crossing his arms over his chest. Besides, they were already short-staffed as it is. How in the world would they be able to replace someone like him right away? That's right, they wouldn't. It already took so long for them to find him as it is. Even months later he still feels very grateful, and shows it during all of his shifts.
"Ignis would still be furious with you!" A woman's voice shouted. Her pink hair was pulled up into a high pony tail, with a beautiful orange-colored clip clasped around it. She wore a white crop-top, and black high-waisted shorts. Crimson-red leggings hugged her thin legs, as she walked around in black wedge booties. She was carrying an empty tray in her hand, that she set down carefully onto the counter. For the last couple of hours she has been busy waiting on tables, so for once she was finally able to take a minute to herself and breathe.
This caused Galo to flinch slightly, and he rubbed the back of his head a bit nervously. "Oh come on Aina! It would totally be an accident. You'd have my back, right?" He stared her down with teal eyes, practically giving her the sad puppy-dog look as he waited for a response. She was the first person who befriended him when starting this job. It was probably even safe to say that they were best friends! He can go to her for anything, and trusts her completely. Some joked about them dating, but he was always quick to shoot them down. If anything, he viewed her more like a sister.
"How can she have your back, if she is busy doing her own job as a waitress?" Remi chimed in. By now he was already almost finished with his beer, his cheeks a rosy-red. Yup, this was definitely hitting the spot.
Galo blinked. Okay, so he made a good point there. "I just gotta make sure I don't break anything then! That is easy peasy, lemon—"
"Galo. Don't." Aina slapped a hand onto the counter, staring directly into his eyes. Why were his such a beautiful color anyways? It just wasn't fair! Actually, he is an incredibly attractive young man. Anyone would feel lucky to date him. What is his preference anyways? Is he straight? Gay? Bisexual? Is he interested in anyone in particular? Or does he want to remain single for the time being? These are things she can't flat-out ask him, unfortunately. No need to make him feel uncomfortable. Although to be honest, she wasn't the only one who wondered these exact same things. Give it to someone like Galo to be completely oblivious whenever someone is flirting with him. He just takes it as them trying to be friendly with him, when in reality, they just want to get in his pants.
Those magnificent pants, that helps shape his voluptuous ass-
"Aina? I think someone is trying to grab your attention," Galo pointed out. There was a group of older men trying to wave her down, and they were clearly growing more impatient the longer they were left to wait. He eyed them for a few seconds longer, before bringing his attention back to her.
She let out a frustrated sigh, and reached over to snatch the empty tray. There were empty bottles sitting in front of those men, which meant she had to go and clean that mess up first. "I'll be back with their orders," she mumbled. Having already helped that table out, she knew how rude and disgusting they were going to be. Yes she wasn't as strong as Galo, but she could still hold her own rather well. Before he joined their crew, she actually broke up a good amount of fights all on her own. She isn't some frail woman, who needs saving all the time.
Galo ducked down for a brief moment, and when he returned, there was another bottle of Leinenkugel beer in his hand. He casually popped the top off, and this time walked over to set it down in front of Remi. "And where is my tip? If you're going to be here for a while, might as well pay up now!" He was being half serious when saying this. If he doesn't get one out of him, he wasn't going to be mad or anything. On the other hand, this is how they make their living—Off of tips from their customers. They may be friends, but right now he was off the clock, and thus a customer just like everyone else.
Remi gave him a long, hard stare in response to that statement. As much as he wanted to argue with him on that one, deep down it was true. How can he come into his workplace, and not tip his own coworker? He rolled his eyes, and reached into his pocket to take out his wallet. From there he threw a couple of dollar bills in front of him. "There. Are you happy now?" That was a stupid question to ask, because who isn't happy to receive money? It didn't surprise him to see the cash immediately snatched away from before him, and he had to fight the urge to roll his eyes.
"Oh you shouldn't have!" Galo waved the cash in the air, before stuffing it into his pants pocket. It was already plump-full with all of the other tips he has received in the past couple of hours. Again, everyone loves him here. It might actually be because of him, that the bar has become busier lately. Not only that, but a lot more regulars have been showing up as well. And sure enough, they are always asking for him, even on his days off. It made him feel famous, in a way—Like he was a celebrity. Maybe that was pushing it, but oh well. That is how he honestly felt. For as long as he can remember, he has always loved receiving attention. Why is that? Whenever he is left alone for long periods of time, he feels lonely—depressed even. That is also why he doesn't spend much time in his apartment. He has no roommate, and so being there is uncomfortably quiet.
You would never know by the way he lives off of pizza, that the bartender can actually cook! He has never made anything for his coworkers, but he vowed to bring something in one of these days. It is hard when he feels so exhausted and lazy when off the clock. This is why he orders take-out every single night for dinner, and why he doesn't eat the best for breakfast. Usually he meets up with someone for lunch, so again, more fast food. It is amazing how he is still able to keep that physique of his, despite eating like garbage most of the time. It helps that he keeps himself so busy, on top of working out regularly at a nearby gym. He likes to go late at night, when there is hardly anyone there.
"Hey there handsome! I'll take a Fizzy Flamingo." A beautiful young woman had managed to slip right on front of Galo, and seated herself on one of the barstools without him even noticing. She pushed back her long blonde hair, and leaned forward a bit, allowing her cleavage to press up against the edge of the counter. Her red-colored lips puckered, and she looked him up and down with lust-filled eyes.
This caught him off guard. Looks like he was lost in his own thoughts again. "The name is Galo!" He so proudly grabbed a hold of his name tag, and flashed it in her direction for her to see. Yes she was indeed beautiful, but still nowhere near not his type. What was his type exactly? This is something he has never thought of before. Well, no one has ever caught his eye in such a way—Never gave him that fluttery feeling deep inside his stomach, or sent his heart racing in his chest. And he definitely wasn't going to waste his time with someone who didn't make him feel either of those things. Even at his age, he wanted to find someone long-term—Someone to spend the rest of his life with. In no means was he going to mess around with strangers, all because he felt lonely, or was desperate.
The woman's expression became blank. "Oh?" To be honest, she wasn't interested in getting to know him. If anything, she was looking to have a good time. It didn't matter what his name was, because she plans on forgetting it anyways.
Galo nodded, and walked over to grab a bottle of Smirnoff. A lot of women order this same drink, so he was used to making it by now. It is good if you like really sweet beverages. This however, was not his cup of tea. Not that he would ever judge a guy for ordering one of these, but still. This is just something he couldn't help but notice. "And yours?" He asked, all the while stealing a quick glance at her while he continued to prepare the Fizzy Flamingo. The name was rather odd too. Who comes up with stuff like this?
Her large brown eyes found themselves at the bartender's arms again. 'I bet he would absolutely destroy me! Oh god, I must have him.. Even if he is a moron,' she thought, running a tongue along her bottom lip. He must taste divine! Getting him into bed wasn't going to be easy, though. Judging by his response, she could tell that he still hasn't caught onto her advances. How can he turn down someone like her? She is everything a guy wants in a woman! It would be foolish of him to reject her. "Olivia."
Remi choked a little on his beer. This caused him to cough, but he tried his hardest not to be too loud about it. No need to draw any unnecessary attention to himself. 'This is not going to end well. Galo isn't interested…' He stole a quick glance at him then, watching as he swiftly mixed all of the ingredients together into the shaker. Yup, he wasn't even looking at her. Hopefully this doesn't result in another slap to the face, like last night when another woman tried to hook up with him. "…."
"Olivia? That's a nice name! Ya might want to be careful with those," he pointed right at her chest, as it was still spilling over the countertop. That is what happens when you wear a tank-top too small for you. Although, it was probably intentional on her part.
"There are a lot of creeps here. They might try to take advantage of a pretty lady like you!" Galo compliments everyone, so this wasn't him trying to flirt back with her in any way. Again, he wasn't interested.
Olivia looked down at her chest, and then back up at his face. Was he being serious right now? Her lips twitched. "Are you worried about my safety? Maybe you should walk me back home then," she purred. What he just said was incredibly dumb, but she wasn't going to focus on that. She purposely wore a top this small in order to attract men. Given how short her skirt was, and how she wasn't wearing anything underneath also said a lot.
Galo shrugged his shoulders, and began pouring the drink into a small glass with ice cubes in it. There were two slices of freshly-cut lemon in there to add not only color, but more flavor to it. "Sure. If you don't mind sticking around until three in the morning when I get off," he replied. Well he wasn't going to make her walk home all alone dressed like that! He is a gentleman, after all.
It was only reaching midnight, which meant that she would have to stick around for a few more hours. And that wouldn't even guarantee her anything. What if she waits all of that time, only for him to reject her advances? That would be such a huge waste on her part. "Orr maybe you can get off early," she suggested with a playful wink.
Galo carefully slid the glass in front of her, and shook his head. "No can do! I am the only bartender here until then, so they kiiiinda need me. It'll be three before you know it, especially if you drink enough!" He was both joking and being serious when saying that. Either way, he can't just leave to drop this random woman off at her place. If so, then he will be without a job, and then what? It just wasn't worth it. This is the only bar he wants to work at anyways. All of his coworkers are simply amazing, and he has so many great regulars that come in just to see him! How could he possibly give any of that up? Not a whole lot can say that they truly love their job like he can. Just thinking about work puts a big smile on his face. What would he do without the people he has become close friends with? He glanced over at Remi as he thought about all of this, and then right back at her.
From the corner of his eye, he could see someone shift uncomfortably in their seat. He angrily slammed his glass onto the counter. "What is Mad Burnish doing here?" Because this is a bar, all kinds of biker gangs like to hang out here. That doesn't mean they are always welcome, though. You could tell from the tone in his voice that he hated them.
"Eh?" Galo followed the man's glare, and was met with three men making their way over to them. They were in the process of taking their helmets off, so their identities had yet to be revealed. What was so wrong with them? Did they kill someone or something? They looked pretty small to him, especially the one in the middle. Was he even old enough to drink? Asking that might earn him a good punch to the gut, or even face, so it was best to keep that comment to himself. 'I don't get it. What is so intimidating about them? Why is that guy so angry?' He thought, looking between them.
And then everything around him went completely still.
Nothing could be heard, except for the sound of his heart pounding roughly against his ribcage.
'What the fuck?! Am I dreaming?' His eyes were as wide as saucers. The last one to take his helmet off was breathtakingly beautiful—So much so, that he even forgot how to breathe. Even though his features were feminine-like, he was obviously a guy. Was it necessary to wear so much leather though? And was it necessary for him to be wearing high-heel boots on top of it all? The way his fluffy blonde hair bounced with each step he took sent a jolt right through him. Never has he seen someone so mesmerizing! He could feel his face growing warm the longer he stared, but he just couldn't help it.
'I'm in trouble now. I can't get myself to calm down. Come on Galo! Breathe! You're going to pass out if you don't!' He yelled in his mind. It wouldn't even surprise him if his face was turning purple because of this. He gripped the washcloth in his hands so tightly, that his knuckles were turning white. So this was the Mad Burnish, huh? They must be a fairly new biker gang, because he has never seen them around here before. How can one forget such a God-like person? No, that adorable face was forever going to be fried into his brain.
Aina set her tray filled with empty beer bottles down onto the counter, and huffed. "I need four more Grain Belts! Oh, and can you put some lemon in.. those…?" The look on his face confused her. What in the world was he gawking at? He looked uncomfortable. Slowly, she followed his gaze. It didn't matter to her if those old perverts were served right away or not. They weren't exactly tipping her anyways. Not only that, but she could have sworn that one of them tried to grope her ass. If one of them really does lay a hand on her, then things are going to get ugly. She probably won't be able to even hold Galo back, taking as how he is so protective of her and all. And honestly, no one stands a chance against him. Not only is he really strong, but he also never knows when to give it up. Just getting punched by him alone was enough to knock someone out. Look how thick his arms are!
When she saw who he was staring at, she blinked a couple of times. Who were those people? It didn't take a genius to figure out that they are bikers. They even held their helmets at their side. They were all handsome, but the other two didn't compare to the short one in the middle. Is that the one Galo couldn't tear his gaze off of? It would make sense. 'This is going to be interesting…' Aina thought, as she hopped over the counter. From there she stood on her tippy-toes, and grabbed onto his small ponytail, giving it a slight tug. "Earth to Galo! Are you in there? I said I need four Grain Belts with lemon!"
That was enough to bring him back to reality.
Galo shook his head, and began tossing the empty beer bottles into the trash bin alongside him. "S-sorry! I'll get right on it." His heart still felt like it was about to explode, but he was trying to play it off like nothing was going on. You could see the slight tremble in his hands. And when he heard those bikers set their helmets down, he jumped a little. Oh no, they were so close to him now! Where was the blonde-haired one sitting? Does he dare look up at him now? If he does, then he will forget what he is doing.
This was so amusing to watch, that Aina had to stifle a giggle. She shot a look at Remi, who also seemed to be watching the whole thing unfold in silence. No she wasn't a bartender, but she was able to grab simple stuff. Who doesn't know how to serve a bottle of beer? She opened the mini fridge from the other side, and pulled out a bottle of Leinenkugels. Once popping the top off, she went over to give it to him. "We are in for quite the show. Man, wish I was off the clock! I could use a drink to go with this!" She practically whined. Oh how lucky he was right now.
Remi chuckled softly. "I have never seen him look at anyone like that. What gives? Don't tell me he is going to pick the one person he shouldn't to catch feelings for. I have heard of these Mad Burnish before. Remember that fire just last week? Some say they were the ones who started it. I have no proof of that, but.. Look at them…" They didn't even look nice. To be fair, a lot of bikers didn't. Guess that is something he can't hold against them.
Aina didn't know what to think, or how to feel about all of this. "We don't know that for sure though. And we both know that Galo will hear them out, even if they really were the ones who started it. You don't get to choose who you fall in love with." That is just how things are. It can be unfortunate at times, but you really can't help it. She hopped over the counter again, and went over to grab the tray now filled with brand new bottles of beer. They all had a wedge of lemon on the rim, which made them look even tastier. Whatever happens, they just needed to be there for their friend. That is all they can do for him. What he does with his life isn't any of their business, but at the same time, they needed to prevent him from getting hurt. This might be tough, but she is always up for a challenge!
"Thanks Galo!" She smiled, before turning around and making her way back over to that dreaded table. There were other tables waiting to be served, so she needed to pick up the pace here. It is hard being the only waitress right now. If only Lucia were here! It is for the best that she doesn't come in, since she has been so sick lately. They can only hope that she will get better soon, so that she can return to work where she belongs. Things just don't feel the same without her around.
There was no one else for him to serve. That means he has to go over there, and ask what they want to drink. This made his stomach hurt all over again. His nerves really were starting to get the best of him, weren't they? 'Okay Galo, you got this! Just don't think. Don't even look at him!' That should work, right? He could feel himself beginning to sweat, and he quickly fanned a hand over his face. This bar was already naturally warm as it is, due to all of the people in here and whatnot. That warmth only increases when you drink liquor. It was illegal to drink on the job, so he settled for having some carbonated water. At first he didn't like the taste of it, but eventually got used to it.
Inhaling deeply, Galo whirled around to face the bikers who were all staring at him. This made his eyebrow twitch, but he still urged a smile nonetheless. "Welcome to Fiery Sauce! My name is Galo, and I will be your bartender tonight. What can I start you out with?" He asked as cheerfully as he possibly could.
The one with the messy red hair was the first one to speak up. "Boss always gets taken care of first," he responded flatly. He was already irritated for having to wait as long as they did. Sure it wasn't long, but still. What was wrong with this guy anyways? His face was all red and sweaty.
Galo cocked his head to the side. "Boss? Which one..?" He had a feeling that it was going to be the very person he was hoping it wasn't, but he still tried to remain positive.
The longer-haired male was next to reply. "You need to be more specific, Gueira. This right here is Boss! He is our precious leader. Anything he wants, he gets.. And that includes ordering first." He swung an arm around the blonde when saying this, and pulled him closer.
Gueira nodded in agreement with him, and also swung an arm around their leader. "Right on, Meis!" They have been in this city for a good while now, but just never thought to come to this bar. It was actually very nice. Maybe they should come here more often.
Oh how he wanted to crawl underneath a rock, and die right about now. He has dealt with people who had worse attitudes before, so why was this any different? Galo hesitated at first, but finally turned his attention to the one being squished in the middle of those two. His magenta eyes bore right into his soul! It made him take a step back, but he still kept his composure. "What can I get you to drink?" He asked.
The Mad Burnish's leader smirked in response to this, and he leaned forward in his seat. "A shot of Fireball," he responded in that deep voice of his. It seems as though he couldn't take his gaze off of the bartender as well. There are a lot of good-looking men out there, but none quite like this one here. 'His hair looks rebellious. Does he ride as well? Or is it all just for show?' If so, then that was going to add a lot of points in his book. Messing with him might be fun though. Of course he noticed the way he stared at him upon entering this place. How could he not? Their gazes had locked with each other's. That would explain why he is so fidgety.
Galo's heart fluttered. 'I was not expecting his voice to sound like that!' Just what other surprises are going to be thrown at him? He tossed the towel over his shoulder, and cleared his throat rather loudly. "J-just a shot of Fireball? Nothing else?" He fumbled. That wasn't weird or anything. A lot of people order shots. But if he is going to order something so quick like that, then he really didn't need to go first. This is something he wouldn't dare say out loud, for fear of upsetting his biker buddies.
Meis rolled his eyes. "That is what he ordered. What, is it not good enough or something? Got a problem with it? I'll have you know that whiskey is a very manly drink, thank you very much!" He grumbled out.
This didn't seem to bother his precious boss. As a matter of fact, the smirk on his face only grew that much more. "Do you have something better for me to try then, Galo?" He was always up for trying new things, so why not? It might be a good to switch things up anyways.
Hearing him say his name like that made him blush, and he went back to nervously rubbing the back of his head. "Whiskey is very manly, yes. I never said it wasn't. I apologize for offending you, and uh…" What was this guy's name? Surely it wasn't Boss.
"Lio Fotia. Now answer my question." He wasn't the type to lose his patience, but he also didn't like being ignored. It really bothered him for some reason.
Galo looked back at him then. That was actually a really nice name. "Ah, well.. If you're going to have Fireball, then may I make a suggestion? Or I guess, surprise you with something even better? I promise you will like it!" He grinned proudly when saying this, and stuck his thumb into his chest. His friends sure are protective though. If they all tag-teamed to beat the crap out of him, he would be screwed. Were they really such bad people? Some of the other customers in here were still giving them dirty looks, and he wanted to know why. Or maybe he really is an idiot, and is the only one who doesn't know anything. Either way, it was his job to serve anyone who walks through that door.
This intrigued him. What was going on in that head of his? Lio crossed one leg over the other, and proceeded to unzip his leather jacket. This revealed a black t-shirt, with a beautifully-colored flame in the middle. "Sure. But if I don't like it, then you owe me a tip. Deal?" He extended a gloved hand out to the bartender, with that same smirk still on his face. This was going to be fun.
Teal eyes drifted down to the small hand. Those gloves didn't quite cover them completely, but that is why he found them to look cool! They suited the blonde. Leather was his favorite, that much he could tell. "Ahh—" Galo wiped the palm of his hand onto his pant leg, and then took a step forward. It was a little wet from how much he was currently sweating. His much larger hand wrapped around the other's, engulfing it entirely, before giving it a good few shakes. There may have been a big size difference between the two, but he wasn't about to treat him like he was fragile; even though he resembles a porcelain doll. Again, that thought should never leave his mind.
"I will give you all of the tips in my pocket if you don't like what I make ya!" Galo pointed right at his full pocket when saying that. It wouldn't be the end of the world if he loses that much. Since he is so loved and popular here, he can easily make all of that and then some in another night.
Gueira's eyes lit up, and he squeezed his boss's shoulder. "You should totally lie and say you hate it! Even if you don't, he doesn't need to know," he whispered into his ear. That looked like a lot of money to lose out on. It may have been the wrong thing to do, but they could really use it. They are struggling financially as it is, and this would give them the boost they need.
Remi practically spit his beer out when he heard that. What was that idiot doing?! Does he not realize how much money he will be losing out on if this fails? 'You're playing a dangerous game here, Galo. What makes you think they can be trusted? I don't like this…' He thought, eyeing them all suspiciously. There is a reason so many people dislike the Mad Burnish. They must be bad people, right? He glanced back at Aina, who was also watching them carefully. It was hard not to. This is their friend, and they are protective of him as well! He is always doing stupid stuff like this. If only he could step in and stop this from happening. He is about to be out on a lot of tips because of this.
"…." Lio stared down at their hands. Yes he heard what his friend had just said, and it was a very tempting thing to do. On the other hand, he wanted to play fair and square. Lying to this guy's face won't be fun at all. Where would the satisfaction in all of that be then? It wouldn't be an honest win—Nothing to brag about. There was something about the bartender that really drew him in. It would only be foolish of him to ruin things by being an idiot as well. No, he has to be the smart one here! 'His warmth is traveling past my wrist, and up my arm. How is that even possible?' This feeling was so nice, and that is why he found it nearly impossible to let go at first. Why couldn't he get himself to move?!
Galo had no idea what was going on between those three, but thankfully he was the first one to pull away—Partially because he didn't want to make the blonde uncomfortable, or just straight up weird between them. "Now, may I see your ID?" He teased. In all fairness though, he had to ask everyone. That is the law. If he doesn't, then he will be out of a job.
Meis slammed his hand onto the counter in protest. "Are you saying Boss doesn't look old enough to drink?!" Okay fine, he does look rather young due to his size. Even Gueira can agree with him on this one. Still, they couldn't allow this guy to make a fool out of their leader like this.
"Gueira, Meis, show your ID's. He is merely doing his job," the blonde instructed. It won't kill them to take it out anyways. He pulled his wallet out from the pocket of his jacket, and slid the driver's license out of its sleeve. Once it was out, he slapped it on top of the counter in front of him. Not missing a beat, he could hear the other two doing the exact same. They knew better than to question him.
One-by-one Galo picked up the driver's license from each member of the Mad Burnish. What he learned, was that they were all roughly the same age as him. That was actually pretty cool! And it looked like Lio's birthday was the next one coming up here. Why that was important to him, he had no idea. This piece of information was now imprinted in his brain, and will forever remain there. He held them out once he was done looking through them, and smiled. "Looks good to me! You're all set to go." Neither one of them were smiling in their photos, and he wondered why. Were they all in a bad mood that day or something? Their attire wasn't very off from what they were currently wearing, either. They were all still dressed in nothing but black, which is fine. There was nothing wrong with that! A little color would be nice once in a while, though.
"I'll be right back with that drink of yours!" Galo took a few steps forward, and crouched down to start rummaging through some of the stuff on the shelves. It wasn't long before he popped back up with a bottle of apple cider in his hands. After twisting the lid off, he went over to grab a black-colored mug that sat on the back counter. These weren't used very often, since he doesn't serve a whole lot of hot beverages. Still, he gave it a quick shot of water to clean the inside out.
"Hey! Aina! Mind watching the counter real quick while I heat this up?" He knew she could hear him, and that is why he didn't wait for a response. Once pouring the cider into the mug, he disappeared into the back to use the microwave. Well they didn't have one up front for whatever reason. That is something he will have to talk to Ignis about. It was hard having to leave to go and do this sometimes, especially since he is the only bartender on hand most of the time. Heating this over a stove top would have been way better, but they don't have anything like that here. This was a bar, not a bar and restaurant in one. Maybe they can invest in a kettle, since those are cheap enough.
The people Aina currently waited on were all being complicated anyways, so it was going to be another few minutes. They couldn't seem to make up their minds, and every time they decide on something, someone changes their mind. There was a lot to choose from, but come on! 'But, he is going out of his way to try and impress that guy. I have no right to complain,' she thought with a small smile. It was nice seeing Galo take an interest in someone. Just because they are a biker gang, doesn't automatically make them bad people. They don't know anything about them, so it wouldn't be fair to judge them right off the bat. Like him, she was willing to give them a chance. After all, she does trust him completely. They are best friends, after all!
They were a family here.
It didn't take Galo long at all to heat up the apple cider in the microwave. When he returned to take over, he didn't waste no time in taking an apple out from the fridge. "Now for the magic to happen!" He poured a shot of the Fireball whiskey into the mug, and bent down to pull a knife out from the holder. While cutting away into the apple, he couldn't help but hum to himself. You can't just pre-cut stuff like this, because then it will turn all brown and nasty. After plopping a couple pieces of that into the mug, he put a cinnamon stick in there as well. And then for the final touch, a single maraschino cherry. The aroma wafting from it made his mouth water, and he wished so badly that he could have some.
That he could have some with Lio.
This made him freeze for a brief moment. Did he really want to have a drink with him? What would they even talk about? There is no way he would agree to such a thing. 'I'm probably not his type.' The leader to any biker gang would never give someone like him the time of day. At least, that is what he firmly believed. He let out a disappointed sigh, wrapping his index and middle finger around the handle of the mug. It looked so small being held in his big hand like this, but he paid no attention to it. He was already focused on trying not to trip, or spill any of the hot contents on himself. As if he needed to burn himself again! "Here ya go! Hot Fireball apple cider! Doesn't it smell delicious? It totally does! Right?!"
Lio arched a brow. Well someone was rather excited. "Out of all the things to make me.. you chose apple cider? That is hardly impressive." Though he said this, he couldn't help but notice how good it smelled. Maybe he spoke too soon. There was only one way to find out. Since his own hands were much smaller, this required having to use both of them in order to pick the mug up from the counter. The warmth felt really nice against his cold hands, and he took that moment to relish in it. Upon bringing it closer to his face, he inhaled the steam coming off of it. The scent was sweet, and spicy. It reminded him of autumn, and images of pumpkins popped up in his head.
Galo pouted at his response. "Don't knock it till you try it! What if it is the best thing you have ever had? Hmm?! And then Big Boss over here will have to apologize!"
Silence. No one said a word for a good minute or so.
Guiera was twitching in his seat. "W-what did you just call him?" Surely he wasn't hearing things, right? Did this guy seriously have the balls to call their boss that just now? There was a look of shock written all over his face.
"Hey! You're not a Burnish, so you can't call him that!" Meis scolded, jabbing a finger right at the guy. It was weird hearing some outsider calling their leader that. Actually, it made him feel rather uncomfortable.
Lio brought the mug closer to his mouth, and paused to look up at him. "Unless he wants to become a Burnish. If so, then I will not oppose." The question is, would he be able to keep up with them? Does he have what it takes to be in a real biker gang like theirs? Judging by his personality, it seemed unlikely. He just felt like messing with him.
"…!" That was unexpected. What made the blonde think that someone like him was capable of joining a gang, let alone a biker gang? Why would he even join one in the first place anyways? His life was great, so why change that up? The offer still made him feel all warm in the face. Wait, was he blushing right now? He quickly looked away, and rubbed a hand alongside his face. What do the Mad Burnish do for a living? Galo wanted to know so much more about them—No, about Lio! Was he like this towards everyone else? And if so, were these two his only friends? Suppose you don't need a whole lot of those. As long as you have a few good ones, then that is all that truly matters.
But it wasn't wrong to make new ones.
As soon as the hot cider hit his tongue, Lio's eyes widened. It wasn't because he burned himself. Actually, it was the perfect temperature! But rather, the taste was absolutely divine. The flavors all blended together perfectly. Between the spiciness of the cinnamon, and the smell of warm apples, it made him want to chug this entire thing at once. Even if he listened to Gueira's suggestion, and lied about liking it, the bartender would see right through him. He could feel the warmth spreading throughout his entire body, and his gaze softened. This sure did beat just having a single shot of Fireball, that's for damn sure.
He looked Galo over once more, taking in his physique, and how he held himself. As of right now he appeared to be embarrassed. There was no hiding that huge blush on his face. It was a nice color against his blue hair at least. 'I don't think he would fair well in any gang. He's one of those nice guys.' This realization made him chuckle slightly, and he set his mug back down. Oh how amusing this was. Now he wanted to mess with him that much more. "I guess you're forgiven.. But only because this hot Fireball apple cider is delicious. Kudos to you, Galo, for impressing me in such a way."
Galo turned his body to face the blonde, and looked right into those beautiful magenta eyes of his. It was easy to lose himself in those. His lips spread into the widest grin, while he placed a hand on his hip. "I told ya so! Am I great or what?" This definitely gave him an ego boost. Not that he needed one in the first place, but it was still nice.
Gueira stared blankly at him. Looks like they won't be getting that money after all. How disappointing! This means another night in some shitty hotel. He was hoping that they could upgrade for at least one night, but nope. "Okay, so you made one good drink! Why don't you try impressing Meis and I next? All three of us need to be satisfied first, before you go around bragging to everyone."
"Ohh. Good one!" Meis said, snapping his fingers. That only seemed fair. They do everything together, so didn't it make sense for all of them to be impressed? Their boss's opinion was final, but it helps if everyone else likes their drinks.
Galo gave them a thumbs-up in response to that. "No challenge is too great for me! I'll keep the theme the same, so I hope you like apples as well!" He didn't work his ass off in college to be a crappy bartender. If he can't even serve tasty drinks, then bother being in this field of work? It was his job to make sure that everything he makes is fantastic. So far he has been pretty lucky with all of the positive feedback, but how long was that going to last for?
Just then Aina walked up to the counter. She slapped a hand against the countertop to grab his attention. "I need two Margaritas on the rocks, and a Piña Colada. And make it snappy, Galo! You're falling behind on orders!" It's not like she wanted to be rude, and especially toward her own friend. However, the other customers here were starting to get irritable over things being so slow. Normally they don't have to wait this long for their drinks, and it was starting to wear on her both physically and mentally. This is because they were taking their irritation out on her, and no one else.
"Just give me a few more minutes! I'm in the middle of another order. I'll make it up to you, I swear!" If he ditches the Mad Burnish now, then it will only piss them off. It will ruin whatever moment they were having, and he didn't want that to happen. These people were very interesting, especially their leader. No one has ever challenged him like this before, and it excited him so much!
She narrowed her eyes. "You better! Or else I'll get Lucia involved!" She threatened. It is not like she will be sick forever. When they talked on the phone earlier this morning, it sounded like she was already improving nicely. Give it another day or two, and she should be back to work.
Olivia slid her empty glass forward. "Lucia? Is that your girlfriend? I should have known you were already taken, and yet you offered to bring me back home anyways. Men are such pigs!" It really didn't matter to her if he was taken or not. What set her off, was the fact that he has been ignoring her for a good while now. How were those losers more important than her? For some reason he wanted to only focus on them, and no one else in this bar.
Galo nearly dropped the bottle of tequila in his hand. "Eh?! I don't have a girlfriend. And I only offered, because I didn't want you walking alone at night dressed like, well, that." He made sure to point right at her chest when saying this. Her breasts were still spilling out of her tank-top. Didn't she bring a jacket? How was she not cold?
"How can you reject all of this?! Unless you're gay. That's it, isn't it? And here I just thought you were slow." She hopped off of the barstool, and swung her purse over her shoulder. The drink was already paid for, so she didn't have to worry about that.
This really caught him off guard. "H-hey! I'm not gay! I just.. uh.. like people. Someone's gender doesn't matter to me. If I like them, then I like them, regardless if they are a dude or a chick!" Galo has never even dated anyone before, but he is able to find the beauty in both genders. After putting a shot of tequila in each glass, he cracked open a bottle of ginger beer. This stuff was so refreshing on its own! The smell alone was great.
"Whatever! Can't believe I was hitting on a fag this whole time!" She spat out in pure and utter disgust. Guess she won't be coming here anymore. This place will not be getting her money ever again. To think she tried to hook up with someone who would screw another guy! The thought alone made her cringe.
This made Aina's blood boil. "I'll knock those fake teeth right out of her mouth!" No one talks to her dear friend like that, and gets away with it. So what if he's bisexual? Why was that so wrong? He is still the same Galo he has always been.
Galo placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, and pulled her back a bit. "Aina. No." This time he got more serious with the tone of his voice. If he wasn't hurt by her words, then why should she? It meant nothing to him. It was for the best that they forget about it, and move on with the rest of their shift. He grabbed the apple cider again, and this time poured it into the glasses cold. This wasn't meant to be served hot, taking as how it was a Moscow Mule.
Lio shifted in his seat. Well that was a huge mood killer right there. The word that woman threw at Galo frustrated him, but he remained calm. There was no point in him getting involved, and complicating things further. Besides, he handled the situation rather well. He pulled the cherry out of his mug, and stuck it in his mouth. Why did he only get one of these? It would have been nice to receive more of them. At least there were apple slices to eat next. "…."
"Damn. I would have kicked her out myself if she talked to me like that," Meis mumbled. That was so uncalled for. No one deserves to be treated like that. It makes him wonder if he gets treated like this all the time, what with having to work in such an environment. Wait, was he feeling bad for him?
It may not look like it, but Galo was starting to feel overwhelmed.
Since there was already an apple partially cut up from before, he decided to incorporate that into their drinks. After putting a few slices into each glass, he picked them up, and made his way back over to the bikers. He welcomed them both with a warm smile. "Two apple cider Moscow Mules!"
"…." They may have just met, but Lio could tell that this guy wasn't alright. That smile was totally fake. Give it to someone like him to set aside his own pain, just to make sure that everyone else is happy. This didn't settle well with him at all. He silently watched while his friends grabbed their drinks. 'That word should never be used against anyone,' he thought bitterly. If that was directed at him, he would have gotten very angry. It just sounds so degrading! What should he even say? Even as his lips parted slightly, nothing came out.
Gueira took a reluctant sip of his Moscow Mule, swishing the liquid around in his mouth for a good couple of seconds, before swallowing it. As much as he didn't want to admit it, this drink was excellent. He has never had ginger beer before. "Hmph. So you got lucky twice in a row…" He said this quietly, since it really wasn't an easy thing to admit to.
This earned a chuckle from Meis, and he raised his glass. "Or maybe he's just good at his job!" This is what he does for a living. And judging by how many tips he has in his pocket, he has a lot of happy customers that come back for more.
Remi tossed his own empty beer bottle into the trash bin, and made his way over to where Galo was standing. "That crazy woman is just mad that she couldn't get you into bed. I think she's one of those gold-diggers. You should really keep your tips somewhere else," he suggested. Maybe he can get Ignis to put some lockers in the back for their personal belongings. There was enough space back there for it. It is just a matter of getting some, and having their boss's approval.
Galo playfully rolled his eyes. "Worried I will lose our lunch money for tomorrow? I said I was paying, and I don't plan on backing out! Even if I get robbed, or beaten in the alley.. I will be there to take the bill."
Aina slapped his arm. "Well we won't let you pay for lunch if you're beaten to a pulp, or have your money stolen. How morbid would that be? Stop saying stuff like that! You're always like this…" She understands that it is all said in a joking manner, but those were still things she didn't want to hear come out of his mouth.
"Let me guess.. Pizza again?" Remi asked, as he slid his arms through the sleeves of his jacket. If he drinks any more, then he won't be able to get himself home. And as much as he would like to stick around, he does have to work tomorrow.
There was no hesitation in Galo's reply. "Uh, duh! Anyways, I should get going on those other drinks. No need to get snapped at again!" Thankfully he has a good memory, and knows exactly what needs to be made. If only there wasn't a blended drink mixed in with the bunch.
"I'll see you at the pizzeria at noon then." He waved at his friends, and took one more good look at the Mad Burnish. They were enjoying their drinks, and talking amongst each other. Well, two of them were. The leader was still sitting there, not saying a word. His gaze was fixated on Galo for some reason, and he looked somewhat confused in return. Once he reached the door, he swung it open and stepped out. Why does he get this feeling that they will be seeing more of them in the near future?
He wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing, either.
Lio played with the cinnamon stick in his mug, not really paying attention to what he was doing. His eyes were glued onto the handsome bartender, finding it fascinating to watch him mix all sorts of drinks together. He did it so fluidly without spilling a single drop of liquor. Just how long has he been doing this for? There can't be that much of an age difference between them. 'Which pizzeria are they talking about?' He doesn't have the best diet himself either. Him and his friends live off of cheap fast food, and canned goods. It has been a long time since he actually enjoyed a hot, home-cooked meal. Well for starters, he needed his own kitchen in order to cook. Secondly, he would probably burn the place down if he tried to make something.
A soft sigh escaped through his lips. "So.. you swing both ways?" That woman definitely wasn't Galo's type. Sure they didn't know each other, but he could just tell by looking at him. As if he would hook up with some random person, and have a one-night stand with them. He seemed too innocent to do such a thing. Has he ever even kissed anyone before? Has he been in a relationship? These were things he wanted to know.
Galo froze just as he was about to turn the blender on, and snuck a glance over at the blonde. Well that came out of nowhere. He could feel the heat rush up to his cheeks. "Yes…" He didn't know what else to say to that. There were questions he wanted to ask him too—Some that were more on the personal side. Those friends of his probably won't like it if he asks their leader too much. They are both very protective of him. Not that he blames them. If he were in their position, he would want to protect him too.
"At least that one didn't get violent with me. If she still had any of her drink left, I'm pretty sure she would have thrown it at me.. Or slapped me in the face, like all the others," he laughed lightly. Before giving the blonde a chance to respond, he flipped the ON switch to blend everything together real quick.
"…." Just how often does he get abused like this? Perhaps working in a bar filled with drunks doesn't help either. His patience must be incredible. Actually, he was impressed. Not just anyone can do this job. People like him must put up with a lot of crap on a daily basis. If anyone laid a hand on him, he wouldn't be able to hold himself back, and that includes having stuff thrown at him. His fingers drummed along the countertop, as his gaze slowly traveled down to that succulent ass.
His heart throbbed.
Why was this man so attractive?! Lio brought his gaze back up to his face, really taking in his features. 'He would look more.. appetizing without any clothes on,' he now his own face was starting to feel warm. He brushed his fingertips along one of his cheeks, and lowered his head a bit. It was either the drink making him feel this way, or the images of Galo that kept popping up in his mind. Deep down he knew which one it was. "Is that why you get so many tips?" He joked.
Hearing that made Galo laugh. "Heh! And if it is? I'm pretty popular here! Maybe I should start wearing a fake wedding ring." He wriggled the fingers on his left hand when saying that.
The blonde's lips twitched. "And what kind of ring would you buy yourself? You do realize a mere wedding ring won't do a whole lot in your case, right? Look where you're working. Some people live for the thrill of sleeping with another person's wife or husband." It was honestly disgusting to him. Only a scumbag cheats on their spouse/partner anyways.
After finishing up with the Piña Colada, Galo moved onto the two Margaritas next. "Hmm.. Nothing fancy! It has to be something simple, like, I don't know.. A silver band maybe? That sounds good enough to me. I'm sure I can find a cheap one around here somewhere. And trust me, I know that won't stop everyone. I have seen my fair share of breakups here in this very bar. I just think it will help, ya know?" Cheating is just sad, and should never happen to anyone. If you are unhappy in a relationship, then just end things with that person. Don't sneak around behind their back, only to be with someone else. That is just dirty, and he has no respect for anyone who does such a horrible thing.
That was a quick response. Lio stifled another laugh, and leaned forward in his seat. "Do you have a preference when it comes to dating, Galo?" The way his name simply rolled off of his tongue was marvelous.
Galo set all three of the finished drinks onto the empty tray in front of him, and gave Aina a quick wave to get her attention. "I don't know, Lio. It isn't exactly something I have given much thought to. I just believe that there is someone out there for me."
Aina skipped on over to the counter to fetch the drinks. She effortlessly slid her hand underneath the tray, and lifted it up without causing a mess. "I need two Blue Moons on tap! I'll be back to get those after I drop these ones off." It has now officially reached midnight, and that is why it was getting busier in here. A lot of people come here this late at night to get their liquor fix. Not only that, but some places close at around this time as well. Some like to come here after working a long, and exhausting shift at their job in order to unwind a little.
That was easy enough. Galo stole another glance at the Mad Burnish's leader once more. 'This guy is ten times hotter than that woman from before. Does that answer your question on my preference? Ah, I suppose I would need to say this out loud.. But can I? No, we just met. That would totally be a weird thing to blurt out!' The only similarity they had, was that they both have blonde hair. That's it.
"Do I have something on my face? Or are you lost in la-la land?" Lio hopped off of his barstool, and walked over to where he was. His boots were loud as they hit against the hardwood floor, making those around him turn in their seats to stare. A lot of people don't like his gang, and that is fine. Their views on them didn't matter in the slightest. You can't get everyone to like you anyways. There will always be someone out there who dislikes you.
"Or would you rather take a picture for later? You don't have anyone to take care of your.. needs." Oh this was fun. The look of shock on Galo's face was enough to send him in a fit of laughter. It wasn't too loud—Not enough to overtake the music playing in the background, that is.
Gueira was the first one to abruptly stand up from his seat, as he slammed his hands onto the countertop. "B-Boss?!" He sputtered out. Was he seriously trying to flirt with this guy? There is no way they would work together. They live in completely different worlds! Straying outside of the Burnish was just a bad idea.
As much as he disagreed with this as well, Meis knew better than to butt in. He grabbed a hold of his friend's arm, and shook his head. There was no use in trying to stop it. 'You will only make matters worse if you go over there,' he thought.
"…." Galo stared long and hard at the blonde. Well two can play at that game! It was true that he doesn't have anyone to help take care of his 'needs', but he didn't want that thrown in his face. He was quick to pull his cellphone out of his pocket, and turn the camera on. All he had to do was click one of the side buttons two times, and it popped up. Just to mess with him some more, he even left the flash on, as he angled the phone right in front of him and clicked the bottom of the screen. There was never a doubt that this guy right here was very photogenic, but damn. The first thing to really stick out, were his beautiful magenta-colored eyes. His cheeks were even a little red from the liquor. This was supposed to be for fun and games, but now he didn't want to delete it. It was just so perfect—So Dazzling!
Oh crap.
He cleared his throat, and tore his gaze away from the picture to show him. "Like this? Although, it's hardly enough to jerk off to. Buuuut since you have such a pretty face, maybe it will work," he teased with a smirk of his own.
"Alright, that's it! Let me at him! Let go of me, Meis!" Guiera growled. No one dares to speak to their boss like that!
Lio held a hand up to silence him. He didn't want his friends to ruin the fun here. "Meaning, you want a photo of me without my clothes on, posing seductively on a bed?" His voice somehow managed to get deeper than usual when saying that. He ran his hand along the countertop, and looked directly into the other's eyes.
"Or maybe on top of here? I might have to come back once no one is around. It will just be the two of us." It wasn't supposed to mean anything, and yet it was causing his heart to race in his chest. Just the two of them? Alone, in this bar to do whatever they wanted to each other? That sounded hot.
Galo stared wide-eyed at him, his cheeks a much darker shade of red at this point. How does he even respond something like that? It felt like his brain was melting. This felt so much different than all the other times he has been hit on. Normally he just brushes them off, or doesn't let what they say get to him. However, there was no ignoring the gorgeous blonde that stood before him. He wouldn't want to anyways! And now he was beginning to feel frustrated. Why does he have this effect on him? It almost wasn't fair. He rubbed the side of his head, and let out a heavy sigh. "Ahh! Fine! You win this one." But he was going to get him back somehow.
That was easy.
Lio chuckled, running a hand through his fluffy blonde hair. It gets a little messy from wearing his helmet, but it was no big deal. Safety first, right? "How much for the drinks? As fun as this was, we have places to be." They never planned on staying here for very long anyways. Just a quick drink, before heading back out onto the road.
His gaze immediately went over to the clock that hung on the wall. It was barely midnight though. They really couldn't stick around for a little bit longer? This only disappointed Galo, but he didn't show it. "Your wallet is even made out of leather? You seem to really like the stuff, huh?" He teased. Not that it was a bad thing. This is just something he couldn't help but notice, and felt like pointing out.
"But in all seriousness.. You don't owe me anything. You just have to promise me that you will come back in return! Deal?" He asked, holding his hand out.
"…." Was that a deal he was willing to make? Lio looked around, taking in his surroundings. This really was a nice bar, and it would be a shame to never come here again. It was just harder for him to make promises. However, maybe he can keep just this one. There was more about this guy that he wanted to learn. He too, was a mystery. And so with that, he reached out to grasp his hand. The warmth radiating from it caused a shiver to run through his body, and he grit his teeth. 'I don't want to leave. If it were up to me, I would stay until he got off.. But I can't keep everyone waiting.' He soaked in as much of this as he possibly could, before speaking up.
"Deal. It was a pleasure to meet you.. Galo." It really was difficult letting go. But just for these few seconds, he wanted to bask in the glorious feeling—To stare deeply into those teal eyes that he loved so much. They sparkled against the colorful lights that hung above them.
And he wasn't the only one who felt this way.
The bartender squeezed his hand a little in the middle of their handshake. "It was nice meeting ya too, Lio! I look forward to serving you again." They lingered like this for a few more seconds, before finally letting go—Their fingertips lightly brushing against each other's in doing so. It sent a shock right through him. Now all he has to do is play the waiting game. Hopefully he will come back soon, even though his buddies will probably be with him again.
Author's Note: I love Promare SO much! I have watched it probably a hundred times already lol. I love these two dorks, especially Lio. He's so fabulous! I have a lot planned for this story, and I'm excited to dish out more chapters~