❈ bar

@✻ ⋰ soohyuk l. "Good!" He thanks the bartender politely as well as apologizing for his current drunkness.

"Your driver, how fancy." Slowly standing up from his chair, a bit wobbly at first so he hugs Soohyuk's arm. "Okay, take me home Mr. Fancy. My bed and blanket are calling to me. You can stay the night too if you want to." He offers, worried the other may be tired as well. "I don't mind."

@✻ ⋰ taeyeob l. He nodded, "That seems fair enough, I'll gladly accept your gift then." He turned to pay the bartender for both of their drinks before turning his attention back to him.

He looked at the next text that appeared on the screen from his sister and cleared his throat, he knew sometimes Siyeon could be scary when it came to her brother. He looks at the screen and copies the address on his phone then sends it to his driver and gets a reply back about arrival time. "Shall we start heading out? My driver will be here in a few minutes," he asked standing up from his seat.

@✻ ⋰ soohyuk l. "In that case.. I'll give you a gift later. You can't refuse a gift, it would be rude." He grins, nodding his head. "Okay, I live... Where do I live?" Letting go of Soohyuk, he searches for his phone.

Humming to himself as he sends a poorly spelled text to someone, getting an address in response and showing it to the other. "Siyeon says I live here and also hello."

Another text appears as the phone screen is still turned towards Soohyuk, simply saying: Get him home safe or else, Soo.

@✻ ⋰ taeyeob l. He rolled his eyes and shook his head playfully, "Comparing yourself to me is unfair and you know it." He tilted his head slightly, "I don't want you to feel like you always have to repay me for everything I do for you. Think of it as a gift. Your payment "

He looked down to hide his face as he wanted to laugh, "A stalker.. No, not what I meant, that was a poor choice of words on my part. Let's just not worry about finding someone". He smiled softly seeing his face and returned the hug rubbing his back to comfort him, "Just tell me where you live, and I'll get my driver to take us there since we're both intoxicated. How does that sound?"

@✻ ⋰ soohyuk l. "I know.. I'm just.. drunk. It's hard to not compare though, just look at you and at me. Only one of us looks successful." He smiles at the stroking of his hair and at the offer. "No helping. I already allowed myself to being in debt to you once. I have to pay you back first.." He mumbles to himself for a moment. "I don't have the money.. not yet."

"Even when I keep running? The one sounds...like a stalker." He sits up, staring at Soohyuk for a moment before hugging him. "You don't know where I live, How are you going to take me home?"

@✻ ⋰ taeyeob l. He tilted his head confused when he started shaking his head, "Tae.. you really shouldn't be comparing yourself to your peers, everyone is different with their success. You'll get your own studio when the time is ready, it just takes time." He d his hair softly, "If you need help, I'm down to offer my assistance with your housing and studio if you'd let me."

"," he whispered softly under his breath, who knows how long he had been drinking before he even got there. He slid his hand gently down to his back rubbing it to soothe him, "Anyone would be lucky to have you and you'll find that someone one day. The right one will run and chase after you even when you keep running away." He stood up from the bar stool, "How about you let me take you home, hm?"

@✻ ⋰ soohyuk l. "I still need to pay you back for that as well."

Taeyeob shakes his head, disapproving of Soohyuk's words. "Firstly, I'm only.." He looks at his hand while doing the math, clearly drunk. "Five years younger. I'm almost thirty and I still don't even own the studio I teach in." He rests his head against the bar, his arms acting as a pillow. "I'm not doing great. I can barely afford my house."

He laughs softly at Soohyuk's reaction. "Don't worry, I'm terrible at settling. Even if I ever meet 'the one' I'll just run away again." He yawns, at this point Taeyeob was pretty much unaware of what he was saying.

@✻ ⋰ taeyeob l. A slight smile grew across his face as he looked down slightly feeling proud, "I'm glad to hear that I'm part of the reason you stuck with art. I was also more than happy to get you that art piece."

He nodded in agreement to what he was saying finding some truth to it, maybe things could have been different if he had told him sooner and given him a chance to make that decision for himself. "A part of me thinks I did it to protect myself from feeling hurt if you were to have rejected me instead. " He ordered water instead of wine this time, he needed to sober up just in case Taeyeob was too drunk to take himself home as he was already drinking so much already. "To be fair, you're still young, and living independently at that age is quite difficult, but you did it and you're doing great so far."

He laughed almost spitting his water out, "Well, they aren't wrong, I mean, just look at me," he looked at himself up and down and then around the room, "There's really not much to compare me with others around here. Your standards ARE high, Taeyeob. That's a good thing though, don't just settle for anyone," he said giving a hint of advice.

@✻ ⋰ soohyuk l. Taeyeob laughs softly. "Oh that art piece, It was my favorite. Probably the only thing I never got tired of during that time." He looks up and down at Soohyuk. "Hmm, you might have been part of the reason, especially because I was about to leave."

He carefully listens to Soohyuk, making sure not to interrupt him. "You did what you had to, to protect her. Although it honestly wasn't that long ago, I think I would have reacted differently if given the chance but.. It wasn't that I didn't want anything to do with you, it was that.. I just wasn't ready. I was already living on my own when I wasn't ready to.." he signals to the bartender to order another wine. "So you, a relationship..very shocking news. I just couldn't handle all of that. I guess it showed."

"Anyone new? Not really. I tried a few dates, apparently I have "too high of standards" according to all three dates."

@✻ ⋰ taeyeob l. Soohyuk sighed softly after hearing him, "I also owe you an apology for not telling you sooner and disappearing.." He tilted his head to the side slightly confused, "I don't know, you seemed pretty invested in that art piece at the gallery or was it just me you were interested in at the time?" he asked his a raised brow and smirk.

He ordered another glass of wine for himself before explaining, "I did have my reasons for cutting what we had short and staying away from you. Before you, there was someone else I was engaged to, the daughter of a business partner and she knew about my family and what we do as well. Our relationship unfortunately ended when an ex-business partner kidnapped her and held her for ransom. To put it short, he almost killed us both that night and I killed him. When I saw how you looked at me when you found out I didn't think you'd want to have anything else to do with me so I just cut it off," his words began to trail off towards the end and he cleared his throat. He took a sip of his drink then looked up and smiled softly in an attempt to mask his true feelings.

He chuckled softly at the question and teasingly thought about it, "Relationships? Hm, none since you. What about you? Anyone new?" he asked curiously.

@(H) ✾ ⋰ jisung h. Yeosang’s cheeks remained red as he noticed the bartender’s smirk. He moved his hands to rest them on his lap and listened to him, flashing him a smile. “Thank you! I don’t know how sweet I am though...” he commented and bowed his head, a light chuckle leaving his lips.

“That sounds good then! Thank you.” he replied and tilted his head. “Oh, I am Yeosang. Pleased to meet you, sir.” he commented and watched the other’s actions curiously.

@✻ ⋰ yeosang k. It had been obvious that Jisung had been caught, even if he hadn't stared for too long. Instead of feeling ashamed he instead smirked, huffing out a noise akin to a laugh as he pushed himself off the counter with his palms and further broke their proximity. "Ah, a sweet thing likes sweet things. Seems kind of fitting, doesn't it?"

While his hands started gathering the things he needed, his attention was still on the customer who sat at his bar. "I'd say it's pretty sweet. Maybe a bit tangy because of the lime. But, for you, I'll make it sweeter." This time Jisung offered a gentle smile, only breaking his gaze so that he could measure each ingredient for the cosmopolitan. "So, what's your name?"

@✻ ⋰ soohyuk l. Taeyeob tilts his head curiously. "You think so? Well, at least I've done something right. As for how things ended, you didn't need to basically disappear. I still owe you a proper apology but honestly I think not knowing how you were was actually harder."

He chuckles. "Was I passionate about it? I remember starting to hate before...meeting you." He admits, nodding at the others words. "You're right, I'm sorry." Finishing his glass of wine, he hums quietly to himself while thinking of what to ask. "So, now that we're not going to have awkward small talk.. Why don't you tell me what you've been up to? Present day Tae is a lot more willing to listen." He grins.

He orders another glass of wine before glancing over at Soohyuk. "Any relationships? I promise I won't get jealous.. much." He jokes but only partially.

@✻ ⋰ taeyeob l. H listened and nodded understanding where he was coming from, "I'm sure she might be annoyed but greatly appreciates it, you've always been a great brother to her." A soft smile had appeared on his face before he decided to hide it by taking another sip of his wine. "After things had ended between us I thought it would've been best for you if you hadn't heard anything."

He smiled softly hearing about him becoming an art teacher, "I'm happy to hear that you pursued teaching art, you were always passionate about it back then.." he trailed off his words remembering how they used to spend many nights discussing the arts. He sighed softly not liking the awkwardness between the two, "You don't have to do small talk with me like we never met before, let's just.. talk." he said making eye contact with him.

@✻ ⋰ soohyuk l. "Yeah, Although I'm sure she'd prefer if I didn't act like a parent." He chuckles a bit. "Right.. Of course." He finally manages to make eye contact. "That was probably too direct of a question. How have you been?" He asks, sounding genuine this time. "You're a hard man to keep tabs on, not that I was trying to stalk you. I just haven't heard much about you in a while."

Taeyeob was trying his best to avoid talking about the past for as long as possible. "I got a job as a teacher, art specifically. I guess finishing school wasn't the worst thing ever." He sighs and shake his head a bit. "I'm sorry, being good at small talk has never been a skill of mine. I was really hoping to avoid an awkward conversation but.. It's probably better if we just let it happen, huh?"

@✻ ⋰ taeyeob l. He could tell that the other probably didn't even want to talk to him, considering how things had ended between them but he also felt it was a necessary conversation to have. "It has been a while," he agreed with a soft nod. He takes the seat beside him taking a sip of his wine as he listens, his eyes perking up at the mention of his sister, "That's good that you two are still close and taking care of each other," he says with a soft smile.

Upon hearing the question he briefly looked away and cleared his throat, "I um.. I have business here, supplying drugs. I'm also a regular client," he said honestly not wanting to hide anything, a mistake that he had made before with him.

@✻ ⋰ soohyuk l. Taeyeob sighs as he feels a sudden tap on his shoulder, it was too late to make a run for the door. He turns and forces a smile. "Soohyuk!" Suddenly he wishes he could be anywhere else but here. "Yeah, it's me. It's been...a while. I'd ask what you're doing here but I feel like you're wondering the same."

He motions to the seat next to him, inviting Soohyuk to join him. "I stumbled upon this place not too long ago, it's interesting. Turns out my sister works here, I guess in a way I'm watching over her. Maybe a bit overprotective." He takes a sip of his drink, avoiding Soohyuk’s gaze. Taeyeob hated small talk, but he was also afraid of bringing up any sensitive subjects. "What about you? Why are you here? Drinks, .. other reasons?"

@✻ ⋰ taeyeob l. Soohyuk had just returned from a week-long business trip in Japan and was ready to unwind. He came to the bar at the VL like he normally would and ordered his favorite glass of wine before taking a seat.

He looked through the crowd as he sipped his drink observing the people coming through the bar. In the distance, his eyes laid on a man and he looked like, 'Could it really be him?' he asked himself with knitted eyebrows. He got up from his seat and made his way through the crowd following him.

Wanting to be sure his eyes weren't deceiving him he walks up behind him and gently taps him on the shoulder to get his attention, "Tae? It's really you.." His hand dropped to his side and he gave a confused look in disbelief wondering what he was doing at a place like this.

@✻ ⋰ soohyuk l. Taeyeob orders a glass of red wine as he takes a seat at the bar. He wasn’t at the club for any particular reason, mostly just to have a drink and relax. He had started feeling somewhat comfortable visiting the lounge more often, sometimes for fun, sometimes just for a drink, or as an excuse to give up his phone and ignore work for a few hours.

The club was dimly lit, creating a relaxing atmosphere that the man appreciated. As Taeyeob takes a sip from his glass, he glances around the bar, only to spot an extremely familiar face. Quickly looking away, he attempts to hide his face, hoping the other didn’t see him.

Taeyeob had not seen Soohyuk in a few years, and he was unprepared for the awkward conversation that was sure to occur. “Please don’t see me.” He whispers to himself.

@— ✾ ⋰ jeno l. "don't give yourself too much credit, kiddo. i've actually not heard about that, why don't you explain it to me," the look yuta gave the younger was curious, but there was definitely a hint of sarcasm in there somewhere. after he made his way down to the dressing rooms, he gave up on the knot in favor of turning his back toward the other, already quite used to his own two left hands. it got to a point where he just laughed along with his co-workers who joked about how he managed to knock more drinks over than he was able to bring to the tables. the story about him managing to lose a shoe during his shift still made its rounds.

"think it turned into a double knot somewhere throughout the evening," the japanese mumbled while he started undoing the buttons of his shirt already, sighing when he freed his neck from the clamped fabric. the apron was tight and in just the right place to show off one of his many nice features: his small waist. although it wasn't particularly on purpose, it showed even more with the way his shirt bulged around it. he then proceeded to deepen his voice, but in a hushed way, as if a quote from a movie: "break me out of this prison!"

@✾ ⋰ yuta n. "Oh, please don't throw your shoes at our clients, that's sure to get us in trouble because I'm pretty certain management would find a way to drag me into all of this and make it my idea. Also. Health hazard. Ever heard about that?", he sighed rather dramatically as he finished wiping down his station and waited for the next pearl to take his place. It didn't take long - just long enough for him to eye Yuta and his knot-fiddling fingers, to be exact - before he followed the other towards their staff dressing room.

"You're making it look as if you've never done this before, you know? Taking off an apron. Need help with that?", he commented then as he made his way over to his locker, already peeling himself out of his suit jacket and undoing the buttons of his black satin shirt. Choosing an all black assemble for the night simply meant less aftercare when it came to stains, but it also meant he looked every part as confident as he should feel. Which, some nights, didn't come as naturally as it should, really.

@✾ ⋰ jeno l. waitering wasn't one of yuta's favorite jobs, but it sure as hell wasn't one of the worst either. especially not when he was able to have some fun while doing so. although his line of work required quite a bit of flirting, it was totally different when doing so with someone whom he didn't have to please for money. he kind of missed that, honestly; the thrill of catching someone's attention and the suspense of whether one would end up making a move or not. the red-haired male was aware he was pretty eye-catching, but so were a lot of people in vl, so it wasn't like he didn't know how to flirt.

even though he hadn't actually finished his shift quite yet, the japanese male shoved his tray on top of the bar, for the next one to take, and started untying his apron while he circled the counter. he wasn't actually the best at listening to rules and even though he respected them most of the time, he could be a little careless every once in a while. "they ain't getting any from me anymore unless it's an actual one."

he clumsily fiddled with the tiny knot on the back of his waist while he eyed jeno's busy hands, light on his feet when he eventually moved past the younger to head toward the dressing rooms. however, he threw an eye over his shoulder and cocked an eyebrow playfully. "you coming?"

@✾ ⋰ jisung h. Yeosang’s face red shade darkened at the compliment from the pearl about his looks. At that, he bowed his head and thanked him, a shy smile staying on his face. “I indeed would like to get used to the ways of things here. Thank you!” he told the other and rested his hands on his lap. He got a glance of Jisung’s eyes on his chest for a little and bit his lower lip as their eyes met.

When he heard the pearl’s suggestion for the drink, he lifted a hand up to do a thumbs up. “Sounds good! I am sure that I’ll like it if it is popular around here. Is it sweet? I like... sweet things.” he commented. His hands played with the bottom of his own shirt a bit and he tried to push them in his pockets to stabilize them.

@✻ ⋰ yeosang k. Even the smile of the stranger made him chuckle, finding him even more adorable upon closer inspection. "Ah, that's alright! I'm sure with a pretty face like that you'll find something to do soon. Plus, I take it you're just trying to get used to everything first?" The pads of his fingers tapped against the bar, eyes having taken in the pale skin revealed to him just from one button of his shirt being popped open, but was quick to bring his gaze back up to the other male's.

"Hmm. I could make you a low alcohol cosmopolitan? I know that's a favorite around here and it could help take off the edge a little bit. But we also have nonalcoholic options. Could make your drink a one or I could pour you a coke? Maybe a water?" Jisung truly felt for him; he had seen customers like this, even before he started working at the lounge. People often walked in here with such high expectations that it was easy to seemingly forget how to breathe.

@✾ ⋰ yuta n. It wasn't often that Jeno and Yuta ended up working a shift at the cocktail bar together, but whenever they ended up taking the same time slot, Jeno couldn't really complain. It made time fly, that banter and almost-natural flirting, those wicked, reckless grins they threw each other whenever Yuta made his way back over to the bar to pick up yet another order. Well, it wasn't as if his life lacked tension or flirting - quite the opposite, given their field of work. But the thing most people simply didn't seem to understand was that with a fellow pearl, there was always this certain feeling of having a /choice/ to do it, the comfort of having a familiar face in front of him that didn't simply expect him to be all over them.

No rattlesnake smiles and sweet nothings, no love bombing for his attention, no expectations. Just two people winking at each other as they walk past each other, ducking around each other to get to shelves and bottles. No sharks smelling blood in the water, no hourglass tears and wandering fingers that twirled around bills and credit cards as if they were the lifeblood running through the veins of the lounge.

"I'll finish my shift in a bit, so if you need another /flying shoes/ you better tell me now", Jeno informed the other pearls rather casually when Yuta returned to the bar just minutes before it was time for Jeno to - hopefully - retire from the client areas of the club, his grin just as teasing as it had been all night.

@✾ ⋰ jisung h. Yeosang had just entered the bar with the idea that it could perhaps ease his mind and help him to relax a bit as he felt his stomach doing backflips. Of course, it wasn’t really happening, but that is how he currently felt as he took a seat at the bar and clutched onto the counter, gently. He lifted his hand to his shirt to the top button as he felt a bit hot.

As soon as he heard a voice near him, it startled him a bit as he had been lost in thoughts, but he soon looked up at the man with a shy smile. “Hello~” he commented with a bow of his head. “Oh, I am quite new. It is just my second time here and never really... done much yet.” he admitted. He lowered his hands to rest them on his lap. “A drink would perhaps be helpful, but I am not a heavy drinker and I get quite clumsy. What would you suggest?” he asked the other, admiring his features and noticing how handsome he was. He had pretty chocolate brown eyes and a nice hairstyle that suited him well.

@✻ ⋰ yeosang k. Today had been a rather slow day for Jisung. It was his turn to be working the bar by himself and while usually this wouldn't have bothered him, the fact that there weren't many customers (or people that kept his interest that stopped by) was a big factor in his boredom. He had been mixing the same drinks, pouring the same glasses of booze or wine if preferred that he nearly forgot to smile when somebody /did/ ask for his attention outside of that. Jisung had 7 more hours of this and he had to find enjoyment in it somehow, or else he was worried he'd manage to die of absolute languor.

His face perked up at the sight of somebody sitting at his bar, somebody new, face completely fresh to his mind and admittedly began to spark a sense of inquisitiveness within him. Meeting new faces were always fun, and this one was already beginning to feed a hunger that had laid dormant just from the sight of his face. "Hello," Jisung greeted cheerfully, voice effervescent and practically oozing with excitement as he was unable to control himself. "I haven't seen you around before. Are you interested in a drink, by chance?"

Jisung leaned over the bar, weight resting on his forearms while his palms pressed against the surface, brown hair that was typically slipped back getting partially in the way of his vision with the tilt of his head forward.