☾ ㅤcherry bomb。

@ᵈ˖⁺ matthew k。 The uncertain moment he had feared the most whenever someone had recognized him in the shadows of that dark nightclub only with the colorful lights moving around the ceiling. He had always prayed that those he had lured into a night filled with pleasure and liquor would be drunk enough to not recall his face. But that beautiful inability hadn't been stuck with this man right in front of him. The world would have been easier if everyone had prosopagnosia as a cognitive disorder or if Seph's brain worked like a normal one, like it was supposed to. It could have been worse--- he kept telling himself these words to cope with it but it wasn't as helpful as it sounded.

“I'm sorry..” Vulnerable and broken--- the stranger's voice sounded like this and Seph hated himself for hurting him. Even if they would have met yesterday for the first time instead of a few years ago the situation wouldn't have been different at all. The male that almost kidnapped him would still be a stranger.

His eyes followed the man who slowly made his way out of the dark alley towards the light of the untrafficked street. His face had been deleted again the moment he had turned around and stopped facing Seph. Fixing his eyes on the male's hair it was a bit easier to be sure that it was still him. And luckily there wasn't anyone else around. “You--- you know where I live?” Stunned he stopped his steps towards him for a few seconds eyes now the ground as the thoughts ran through his mind. It had been quite rare for Seph to take anyone to his home for a one-night stand, he had always been someone who preferred to keep it anonymous in a hotel. 'Remember him, remember him!' Taking a man home years ago--- Seph remembered that phase when he was too lazy to leave a hotel during the night so he took those home who themselves seemed like they would leave the next morning. The stranger must have been one of those people. But still he couldn't remember their names nor recognize any specific detail on him. “It's fine--- this must have been quite serious for you. It was but I don't mind.”

A chill breeze tingled on his uncovered skin as he left the alleyway ahead of the other sort of leading him. He had never been the type of person to walk home no matter how much liquor he had poured down his throat that night. His brain and body functioned quite well thanks to at least a decade of training. Thus he led the way towards his sports car which he had parked not too far away from the nightclub under a street lamp--- to protect it and to show off. Only as he heard these words he remembered the fight and felt the pain that was left in his palm. The stranger had distracted him completely from anything around that conversation in the alleyway. “No one has ever told me that even though it happens quite frequently.” Somehow those words placed a smile on his lips. While walking the still left short distance he moved closer wrapping his arm around the man's lower back. “You are beautiful yourself.” He whispered into the other's ear after he had leaned closer.

Stopping his steps in front of his red sports car he took his keys once again and unlocked it. Only after leading the man towards the passengers side he removed his arm from holding him to open the door. “Get inside. Trust me, the liquor doesn't have any effect on my driving skills. You are safe with me.”

[How are you able to write that at 4 a.m.? THAT'S AMAZING. I wouldn't manage that]

@ᶜ˖⁺ hyosung j。 You don't think so? I wonder why your boss hasn't put you as the employee of the month since not every bartender here is as good as you to be honest. /nods quickly because i indeed dealt with bartenders who always made mistakes whenever i came here. Well all of the drinks you make for me is brilliant! I'm very lucky to have a friend who is as talented like you! Oh no need to say sorry about that but i'm happy you're doing something you always wanted to do. I will indeed, don't worry about me hm? I'm just living my life to the fullest while i make money to spend my bills, give it away to people who needs it the most, and me as well. /shows you my bright grin as i nod, clasps my hands together. Nothing at all, I just want more days off haha.

@ᶜ˖⁺ brittany o。 Well I'm not sure if I'd go that far but I certainly think having me around helps brighten the mood. That's the most important aspect of a good bartender isn't it?
And to try something different. You always get the same thing, I want to see if your face lights up after the first sip.
*mumbles a soft apology as I step away to help another customer, returning a few minutes later with a bright grin*
It makes me happy and I feel... Free? Sorry, I didn't mean to rub it in like that, every job has its importance. I'm sure you'll find the right job for you. I mean, the possibilities truly are limitless if you put your mind to it. So then what's really troubling you Brit? Just stressed over work?

@ᶜ˖⁺ hyosung j。 Haha I bet you're the best employee here then. Jump right in? Waiting to see my face i-what do you even mean? /ends up chuckling once again as i look at you with curiosity. listens to your words as i nod along before smiling just as wide while i clap my hands for you. I'm happy you're doing something you love because not everyone can. Not getting paid? Oh my god, haha that was lowkey savage. Not really, i just want more money as simple as that. I like both of my jobs and i don't think i'll leave them anytime soon til i figure out what i wanna do in my life.

@ᶜ˖⁺ brittany o。 Trust me, I've been working here long enough to tell when people are the most stressed, and typically when they'll spend the most money.
*nods my head towards the drink again laughing as you stare at it first*
Just try it, I'm sure you'll love it. It has to look appetizing first before you jump in right? I'm just waiting to see your face.
*I lean in a little closer, a fresh grin spreading upon my lips at the compliment*
I know, some say I have a magical touch~ which I'm not sure if it's an actual compliment or a horrible pun but I enjoy what I do. And handing out drinks isn't as bad as it might seem even if they're not all getting paid as well as I am. So that why you switched things up today? Looking for a change of pace?

@ᶜ˖⁺ seph k。 The night's tinged in a chill but sweat still catches in beads at the apex of Matt's nape. Yet he can't find it in himself to focus on anything beyond the stark realization that dews a chill down the notches of his spine.

His eyes survey the other man, all the while fingers loosening one by one at each joint. Matt's practically prying himself from the other, though he's the one gripping him in the first place. There's a lamppost that peers down at them a meager feet away, casts a soft spotlight on the pair when the moon's rays are smothered by cloud cover. In that light, he notices it all. A dash of confusion. A heady twinge of concern. All laced pretty and thick beneath the veil of liquor. But nothing more. No compassion. No understanding. Not a single, merciful thread of recognition...

He was telling the truth.

"You seriously don't remember me at all?" He loathes the way his voice sounds--- vulnerable and wretched, it's foreign to the usual raucous that he brandishes. Haughty and obnoxious, but now not even a shadow of such a tone breeches his throat. A part of him has just enough wherewithal to be offended, and it crosses easily on his features. Another part of his is sure that if he merely tipped forward right now, he'd be seeing his lunch all over the other's shoes. Instead, Matt stills himself until the pounding in his head is replaced by the faint drawl of Seph's offer--- ensnaring him back to the present.

He picks himself up, not even considering his options before he's nodding curtly and ambling away from the alley. "Fine, you're place. It isn't too far from here anyway," he points out, noting the incredulity that he's so able to recall Seph's quarters where Seph can't even recall his face. Bitterness festers like bile at his throat, but he contains himself--- turning to await the other, only to recall how he'd manhandled him into the alley in the first place. "S-- Sorry, by the way. Hope the suit wasn't Armani." He's got nothing more to say for himself. In all honesty, the one man that's ever been so able to garner a rise out of him was Seph Kim. The only man that seemed to lift his life up at the brunt of his digits and scatter it down like a decrepit marionette.

And yet, he doesn't run away. Matt agrees, takes him up to follow him... Allows the man to lead them out along the sidewalk as if he hadn't only just been a misstep away from either decking him in the face of kissing him on the lips. He sprawls himself right back into the lion's den, aligns himself in the line of fire without a shred of protection beyond the calcium lining his ribs. He's utterly certain he'll be weighted with regrets in the morning, but for now the winds pick up and grace the whiskers ghosting his chin. For now, his shoes scuff and his feet ache and he's not NEARLY drunk enough to deny that Seph looks just as beautiful tonight as he had the moment they first met.

"You wear a bar fight like you'd wear a runway. It looks--- good on you."

[ I'm so sorry I took so long. It's about to be 4 a.m. and I'm on mobile so forgive the 5347644 typos. ]

@ᶜ˖⁺ hyosung j。 /listens to your words as i look at you before i let out a soft chuckle. Haha you sure indeed pick the perfect day for that because a lot of men who works at the office comes here nearly on this day most of all. Don't worry though, the college boys ain't here on this day. Wow that drink sure look delicious, thanks! /grins at her as i show her a finger heart before i take a small sip of it, trying to taste the flavor before i swallow it. Alright, it even taste delicious as well! You sure are a talented bartender to be honest. Oh it's been a good day but busy as and a little tiring since i had to do a double shift at the library but well it's better than handing out drinks to people at the cafe huh?

@ᶜ˖⁺ bora y。 Though share your thoughts with me.

@ᶜ˖⁺ bora y。 Stalker

note to self, read this room

@ᵈ˖⁺ matthew k。 “What the--?” The sudden tug on his collar did not only surprise him out of nowhere but the way the fabric pulled against his neck chocked him for a few seconds and he heavily needed to catch his breath while being pulled out of the club. Seeing only the back of the person he had no clue on who he was--- the angry fiance or the stranger from the bar? Not that seeing his face would have changed anything. The darkness of the night unfolded around them, the starlit sky wasn't hid by any cloud the full moon lightening the earth with all the power he got but without the streetlights it still would have been too dark. He recognized those sweatpants knowing it was the man from the bar. Seph tried to free himself from the grab even though he was immortal it was still unpleasant to be in a situation like this. What if that man had an evil plan? Either wanting to fight or him. Another trauma might be caused something that he tried to avoid the most--- sleepless nights and nightmares already haunted him.

He wanted to yell to scream not for someone to help him but for the other to let go of him. A few seconds more and he would use his powers to get rid of this situation and disappear but it had never been quite the way how Seph handled trouble. Something stopped him. That voice, that voice that sounded like breaking the man himself seemed like breaking in terms of his mind. It almost seemed like begging, despairing and broken. The urge to say something rose in his body but then again he had no idea how to react to this. Giving hope? Being friendly? Lying about remembering him? Or just spilling the truth that he actually couldn't remember? Seph didn't feel ready to share his secret, especially not with this stranger.

It hurt those strong hands pressing on his neck with their knuckles ramming into his skin. He was used to quite a lot of pain from all the fights that had taken place in his life already but still no one had ever 'accidentally' tried to strangle him. Once again his gaze wandered around the stranger's body examining everything that could be a hint on who he was. Years ago. He could only be a one night stand. Apart from those Seph hadn't interacted with anyone. But why was this man so serious about this? Why did he seem to break because of it?

For a short while he thought on what to do with this man and on how to ease the situation he found himself in currently. “Hey..” He whispered slowly placing his hands on the ones grabbing his neck even though the one he had cut with that shot glass before hurt while doing it but luckily the blood had started clotting. His voice wasn't able to talk louder being restrained like this. Seph caressed those hands gently so they would loosen up then he took them into his own gently and pulled them away from his neck--- slowly and carefully. Maybe too quick motions would scare the other away and make him freak out more--- Seph acted like a hunter not wanting to lose the prey sort of even though the situation was completely different.

“I-- I won't leave you again, okay? I have no idea what I've put you trough but please tell me. Tell me everything about yourself, about the reason for all this. I will listen to you.” These words were only revealed as a whisper because of his throat and vocal cords hurting--- Seph wanted to know who this man was. Maybe with what the stranger would tell him a memory would spark in his mind a memory of the guy he would never be able to recognize. He would never be able to remember him the way the other remembered Seph. After some time he would leave him there was no other option. But for tonight it wouldn't be a lie. Even though his own mind and thoughts freaked out he felt like taking care of this broken man for tonight--- he felt sort of responsible for him. That man was after all a stranger that he couldn't recognize. Once again Seph played with fire.

“This place doesn't suit a conversation--- the nightclub is too loud. Should I take you to my place?”

@ᶜ˖⁺ brittany o。 Friday nights are the best for business. Everyone is exhausted from work and ready for the weekend. What better way to take the steam off than with a few drinks and a cute server? Light and sweet? Hmmm, then you can't go wrong with rum. It's my favorite.
*grins as I grab the ice and mixing canister pouring in each component with practiced ease*
The tips are good and thank goodness no idiots have tried to shove their hands down my shirt today.
*pours the mixture into a glass slicing a fresh strawberry and placing it along the glass before pushing it towards you*
Strawberry daiquiri. Much better than beer. What about you Brit? Long day?

[post deleted by owner]

@ᶜ˖⁺ seph k。 The moment ebbs in a rift that scatters the seconds like light refracting in a crystal. Matt finds himself privy to the kaleidoscope of time's untethered seams as he stares at the man before him. He wonders how he looks to him... Desperate and imploring? Outraged and affronted? He wonders if the spotlight lands on him the way it did the other party-goers, if he even appears as menacing as they had. His hand outstretched with sweat beading at the tip of his brow and not a given for how he's coming across right now.

If he were within his sound mind (and if this were any other person), he wouldn't blame Seph for ducking out. He stares, transfixed at the space he leaves behind as if it smacked some sense into him. Barely flinches the moment that strong shoulder brushes his own to part ways. And it isn't until he hears someone (probably Jackson) cough and murmur about the wad of cash he left behind that Matt finally jars back to the present and---

"What the ?"

He's swiveling on heel and tailing Seph's every step before he can even stop himself, eyes keen against the limber back that bleeds into his recognition. He cants himself to bend between the swaying bodies, summoning grumbles and complaints that all but ricochet off his narrowed attention. But just when Seph makes it to the door--- leaving Matt to fear that he'd have to sprint after a damn car at this point--- he pauses to catch his breath, and Matt seizes his chance. The distance between them is swallowed by just a handful of mile-long strides and before he knows it, he's tugging Seph up by his collar and shoving him the rest of the way outside. The bouncer gives them a look as if he thinks to say something, but lets them be--- probably since he'd rather the fights happen outside of the club than within.

In the alleyway tucked up just beside the nightclub, he's pinning the male with nothing but a sliver of chilled eventide between them. Their breaths intermingle as easily as their hands once had--- as their lips in a fevered frenzy. What was once a litany of strangled moans, now ragged pants full of gnashed teeth. "Not again," he starts, voice hoarse and on the verge of cracking. He hates when he's like this. "You're not doing this again."

By now, he's certain he's hurting him. His knuckles imprint into Seph's skin, shift past his collarbones and plant themselves against the sides of his neck. His grip on that tailored collar is a vice that clings to the last semblance of hope he's got left. "You can't just--- all those years and you ing think I've got the wrong guy? You better be joking with me, Seph."

But now isn't the time for jokes, not when his heart's waging warpath against his own ribcage. Any passerby would happen to think they're caught somewhere amidst a lover's quarrel--- some intimate scuffle that's guaranteed to lead to steamy but this--- it's a passion he's restrained for what feels like eons. In the moonlight's merciful veil, he catches the glint of those obsidian irises and suddenly nothing else matters. His divorce. His dignity. His ing sweatpants, none of it.

"Don't do this to me again. Seriously, you can't leave me again. Not after what you put me through."

❅ ᕼOᒪIᗪᗩY ᗪᗩᘔᘔᒪᕮᗪ ❅

@ᶜ˖⁺ hyosung j。 /bobs my head along to the music before i notice your presence, grinning at an familiar face. No need to say sorry about that, haha it's always busy here. It's good to see you again, hyosung. Uh instead of beer, I would like something light and sweet. So how's your night been? Good right?

@ᶜ˖⁺ brittany o。 *soft hums pass my lips as I mix one drink after the next, grinning as the liquids slosh and slur mid air before landing in the glass winking at the customer I hand it to*
*my eyes land on you next noticing you have yet to be served. Gesturing to the array of liquor behind me I rest my chin on palm*
Sorry about that doll, busy night. What's your poison?

@ᶜ˖⁺ hyosung j。 /walks inside the astonishing place filled with a whole bunch of people dancing, interacting, and drinking their alcohol near the bar. grins just as wide as i pass through the crowd of people before i sit on the same booth i always sit on. patiently waits for an bartender to notice me since they were busy with the others

@ᵈ˖⁺ matthew k。 An annoyed sigh left his lips, another suit destroyed another troublesome night. He just wanted to burn his throat with the liquor a bit more before driving home. Tonight his mood for had disappeared, his mood to chase some other drunken person who would be willing enough to drive to that specific hotel with him to fall into those white sheets smudging the innocence with the dark desire hiding in his veins. Not again would he waste his time on fighting with an angry boyfriend who wanted to cut his throat--- make him bleed in despair.

Maybe he should bandage his hand, remove those splinters that cut it. But then again why would he care? The blazing red slowly running on the counter was just as sweet as the liquor he loved to taste. His eyes were fixed on Jackson who brought him the shot he had ordered and an airtight bag with ice cubes inside. "!" He hissed at the coldness, the water drops that had formed on the outside of the bag dripped into the bleeding cuts. It hurt like but then again it had been him who had crashed that shot glass. Seph didn't care about his pulsing eye--- bruises weren't as painful as cuts even on such a soft part.  Plus he was used to the way it felt, the pain of a long gone fist on his eye, something that happened at least
 each month.

Jackson continued working--- taking care of other orders from people who didn't care about him, the man with the bleeding hand, the smudged suit. Everyone cared about their own business it had always been like this and Seph himself knew that it was the only way to survive.

The curse next to him surprised Seph. Automatically his head turned to look for the origin of these words. He lost track of Jackson--- looking  away once and he was gone. The only thing he knew was that the man was somewhere behind the counter but with seven or more barkeepers he couldn't differ him from the other man anymore. 'I hate my brain.'

The man next to him--- sweatpants, snapback, v-neck, a hair color that he couldn't quite identify. Broad shoulders, a muscular figure, quite big concerning his height, a body that could easily carry him on his back. The man's body was tensed holding fast onto the bar counter as if he couldn't sustain himself only on his legs. For a minute Seph forgot about the pain in his hand about the ty feeling that was left in his body and mind for tonight. Did that man talk to him?

As his name was mentioned he knew that that man talked to him. Back in February? , , . That man must be someone he had ed with back then. Someone that again he couldn't remember. He hated these confrontations and always tried his best to ignore them if someone talked to him. At first no word left his lips as he still stared at the stranger. ing remember him, recognize him! He yelled at himself in his mind it took him a lot of effort to control himself to not freak out in public when he hated himself, his brain once again.

"You must mistake me for someone else." Those were the only words he told that man nothing more nothing less. It was the easiest way to solve this. Seph took out his leather purse a few blood drops fell on it but it wasn't as quick anymore. He took the money he needed to pay for the drinks with a lot of tip that he always gave Jackson who cleaned up his mess afterwards. Hopefully the guy behind the counter was the right barkeeper but he didn't care anymore. He had to leave as quickly as possible.

Grabbing the keys in his pants pocket he jumped from the bar stool and made his way towards the entrance--- not too quick and not too slow. "." He mumbled stopping his steps in the entrance for a while. And once again he had to run away to save himself.

[I DID AND THIS REPLY AGAIN ;;;; I don't want to wait until I'm home this evening that would take too long. It is easy on phone when I'm excited like this ;; ♡]

@ᶜ˖⁺ seph k。 He's always hated how self-pity looks on him, and he hates it still.

Atop the pleather barstool he perches so absently upon, he wears it like a worn hand-me-down trinket. It flits beneath his nails as he carves lines through the condensation of his drink with his fingertips. Matt's lost count by now how many nights he's been here, why he won't just leave his name and a card with a staff member to give to the man... Call it a day. Make it all easy. The answer sits heavily between each of his ribs.

He doesn't notice the scuffle at first--- or rather, he does but by then is so accustomed to the occasional impromptu bar fight that it fazes out of his senses. He doesn't give a damn so long as he's got a drink in his hand. He's taking a sip of it just as someone plops down a seat or two to his right. He can't bring himself to care all that much when the back of his mouth's doused in syrup and flame. The song blasting above them all switches with such a ty transition that Matt thinks it's a sign from above to haul .

'What happened, Seph?'

He freezes, caught ramrod straight and stone-faced where he is.

That name. He can't pinpoint why it sounds familiar, why it beckons to him with such accordance that he finds it almost taboo not to attend to it. Curiosity prompts the shift of his gaze but it's disbelief that bleeds the periphery away. In what has to be the most unattractive way possible, Matt's gaze floors itself along Adonisian features and a profile he'd never mistake for anything. Even in the drunken stupor from all those months ago, even behind sheers of rum and a heady not-so-romance... He recalls that profile overlooking the moonlight spilling in abandon from the windowsill--- muttering words Matt wasn't nearly conscious enough to catch. Words that his mind hoped tasted like a 'goodbye' because that was the last he'd ever seen of him...

Until now.

"Holy ." He's up immediately, drink left in the wake of his distracted betrayal. He doesn't realize how clammy his palms are until they poise against the rim of the bar's countertop. ", is it really you? No, wait, it has to be." Matt wills himself to try and glance at Jackson for assistance but he can't bring his body to cooperate. He's sure somewhere inside the fear lingers--- he'll this up again, blink once and miss him yet again.

"Seph. You're Seph. From back in February, holy . I can't believe you're here." Of course he can. That's the only reason Matt kept coming. He knew he'd find him eventually. "I've been breaking my back to find you and now you just--- wait, you're bleeding." His voice, choked up and bitten raw with emotion, goes flat at the last observation. Eyes dip upon the other's features to observe the blood now clotting in his linens.

[ ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; bLESS YOUR HEART YOU DID THIS ON MOBILE??? HOW TF TEACH ME??? I cant even attempt on my phone, ngl--- ]

@ᵈ˖⁺ matthew k。 (And bby don't be scared just send a shorter reply this was just for our starters don't worry ;u; ♡)

@ᵈ˖⁺ matthew k。 The lounge couch was his usual spot after all the years he had spent his nights here it was an unwritten rule that only those who dared to play with him got closer to his table. No one knew his reasons, no one knew about the facade the intimidated boy hid behind.

The crowd was giant--- the smell of odor and sweating bodies rising in his nose as he watched the mass rubbing their bodies against each other. The woman next to him sipped on the drink he had bought for her. Black hair entangling her neck resting on the thin shoulders. Dark brown eyes radiating a certain tiredness maybe because of sleepless nights. A golden ring on her finger indicated that maybe she was engaged or it was just to garnish her slender fingers--- whatever assumption was right he didn't care. Once longer he concentrated on her plump red-colored lips, definitely kissable but they still weren't drowned enough in the sweet taste of liquor running down their throats. For a second she looked away the hair hiding her face. She was gone. In front of his eyes, in his mind, her face disappeared as if someone had pressed a delete button. As she turned to look at him again a whole new woman sat in front of him and once again he had to analyse every feature that showed it was her and not someone she had maybe swapped places with during those few seconds. Only the ring helped him to know that it was still the same woman.

"I hate my brain." The mumble drowned in the loud music--- no one would ever know what he had said. The secret he had kept ever since his sixteenth birthday would stay one forever. She moved closer, the pale skin covering her bones rested on his knee as a soft surface was placed on his jaw. "Baby.." With half-lidded eyes he enjoyed the kisses placed along the outline of his face. But it didn't last long--- a loud, angry yell could be heard close to them. ".." The woman next to him jumped away ready to run as the man got closer. She grabbed her small bag--- whatever women called that--- and screamed. "I told you not to touch me, you bastard! Honey save me!"

Everything happened in an instant and Seph needed a moment to realize that that man must have been the woman's fiance. But it was too late to say anything the fist had already been slapped on his eye. Tomorrow this would be a giant bruise but why would he care--- being immortal. Fights would never damage him too much, no bruise or other pain would stay forever it all heals after a while. The traces would only be left in his mind. The woman still stood next to the table or was it just another girl with black hair? Seph crashed the shot glass in his hand the splinters of glass ramming into his skin causing it to bleed. "Your girlfriend is a , find a new woman if you crave true love." And with that he slapped his hand with the broken glass on the man's cheek cutting his skin, some splinters were stuck in his cheek some in Seph's own hand while the rest fell on the ground. Not quite what a warlock would do. "Just as a revenge, mate. Never try a fight with the master." And with these words he disappeared in the crowd.

Even if he would meet the man or the woman again somewhere on the streets he wouldn't know it's them because he just couldn't remember their faces, he couldn't see their faces and use those as a hint on who they are.

Seph made his way towards the bar bumping into dancing people in between. He hated crowds, he had always hated them since it was even harder to recognize people he might know when they were hidden in a group of strangers. But he needed to take the crowd as a way to disappear instead of walking to the bar directly. He just wasn't in the mood to fight with that guy. "Another shot please and maybe some ice." Seph sat down on a bar stool next to a man whose clothes didn't seem to fit this place at all. "What happened, Seph?" The bartender asked, probably Jackson the only one who cared about calling his name. "Just some and her fiance." He put his hurt hand on the bar counter only then noticing that some parts of his black suit were covered in blood.

(I LOVED YOUR STARTER BABY ♡♡ And I'm so sorry my reply  got long as well you don't have to reply that lengths! I just wanted to give some background before they meet. First time I wrote this on phone but my muse for this was too strong to wait ;u;)

@ᶜ˖⁺ seph k。 By now, he's unsure why he's here.

He questions himself, mulls over it even as the bouncer checks his 'golden ticket'. Even as he ambles through the beaded archway that graces the club's grand entrance. It's far gaudier and grandiose than the rest of the place, and he can't tell if it's meant to be sincere or satire. Either way, it's harsh on the eyes so he steels them ahead through the sway of a drunken cesspool. The lights paint their shoulders amaranthine hues that collide with rouge lips on ocean-wide smiles. The shadows skew the contours, mark them sinister. But Matt knows he's no better.

He's made the mistake of stopping by straight after work. His attire screams 'out of place'--- sweatpants and a v-neck all dolled up beneath a neat little snapback. Nothing like the rumpled suits and ties strewn about, casting him glances that linger moments longer than he'd find comfort in. He's used to the crowd by now, been a frequenter long enough to make his way easily--- but that doesn't quite ease the qualm pitched in the back of his throat.

"Been a while," a familiar voice ades the house mix streaming above, some reggaton that'll probably go out of style by next week. "Thought you outgrew us."

His grin is fixed before he even turns on heel, casting the bartender an amiable wave that only draws attention to the flinch of his biceps. Matt watches as he drinks him in, consumes him better than a kamikaze shot. "And miss seeing you? Never."

Caught somewhere between the steps he takes to meander over, he sees the bartender--- Jackson, he recalls--- stow away a brief look of amusement like an unearthed secret. "You sure it's me you'll miss, or..." He's passing over his 'usual', it slides across the mahogany fixture with such ease that Matt almost misses his cue to catch it. They both know whom he means, it's a commonality now that quite a few of the staff are in on. The very man he's nearly torn the club up for--- a full year of misfortune teetering over in stumbling feet and inebriated screams above bobbing heads. Liquor always made his name come easier against his tongue--- never failed to numb the soreness in his throat when he finally stopped shouting.

"I take it I missed him again." It's no question, never has been. The man's hours are an enigma. He's an autumnal breeze, a tease that revels in unpredictability. And Matt's a withered leaf caught in the after-torrent.

[ i got carried away cuz #starter but pls pLS DON'T THINK YOU HAVE TO MEET THIS LENGTH. tbh novella scares me--- still does, idk why i do this to us ]

☪ cнecĸed。
— sTARE AT HOT DANCERS.................... who aren't bae