temptation;

My? “You own the place?” He asked, slightly dumbfounded that such a young man owned such a nice establishment. But, then again, this bartender was a lot more mature than he appeared to be. “That’s certainly unexpected.” Theo tried to savor the last bits of his drink so that he could have an excuse to talk to the other male.

“Of course. Everything in here belongs to me.” He scratched the back of his head. “Unexpected? Are you saying I’m not worthy?” It was hard to tell if Hyo was really teasing at that moment or not. The man took his bar very seriously. “Hyo Hageshi, at your service.”

“You’d be surprised.” Theo thanked the other for his last cup and drank half before letting out a heavy sigh. “I was just angry and annoyed that I didn’t pay attention to where I was going.” He rubbed his temples. “Though I guess it’s a good thing I come off as nice.”

“My bar is pretty safe so no one will bother you here.” He moved over a bit to clean some of the glasses his waiter had brought him. “And if they do, they won’t be here very long.” Hyo took security very seriously. People that disturbed the quiet atmosphere were removed immediately.

Theo let out a small sigh before smiling softly. “Sounds like the kind of job I wish I had.” He mused lightly, looking at the bottom of his glass and wondering that if he stared long enough, it would refill itself. “I think you’ll be disappointed. I ran into an old friend who slapped me as soon as she saw me because she thought we were dating and was upset when I just up and left.” Theo groaned and asked for another refill.

“Those are the ones you’re better off avoiding.” He nodded at his words, filling up the man’s cup again. “Not sure how you ended up here at Tsumetai. You don’t look like the type to be on this side of town. Too nice.”

“I wish it was that easy.” Well, he wasn’t that wrong. This time, Theo paced himself, savoring the taste of the strong liquor as he settled more comfortably into his seat. “Why, are you the resident couples counselor?” Theo joked, mimicking the other male’s smirk. 

“Nothing that fancy. I’m just a simple bartender with too much time on his hands.” Hyo reached under the counter before sliding a beer down the counter to the only other slightly coherent customer; the man saluted before returning to his business. “You’re here to drown out your sorrows and I’m stuck working until two in the morning. Humour me.”

“That would be an understatement.” Usually bartenders never paid him much attention; this was a first. He took the drink gladly, taking a tentative sip before downing the rest of it in one gulp. It burned it’s way down his throat, but Theo was accustomed to the feeling. He checked his pockets to made sure he brought enough money and asked for another.

“Ooh? Have a fight with your girlfriend?” Hyo’s lips twitched into a smirk as he poured him another. The bartender leaned against the counter. Only three other people were seated at his bar tonight and two of them were passed out. Hopefully they had a ride coming; they couldn’t sleep here.

xvirulent | carpe noctem

Theodore pauses once he enters the tavern; it’s past midnight yet the interior was bustling with life. It was quite the opposite mood he was hoping but it was probably too late to find another tavern that was open at this hour of the night. He settles for worming his way through the excitement to an isolated corner of the bar and flags down the bartender. “I don’t care what it is, just give me something strong enough so I won’t remember I came here.”

His eyes narrowed a bit at the stranger that plopped down at his bar. Hyo had never seen him before, so he was either new or wasn’t typically a drinker. He was tempted to give him Scotch but from the looks of him he couldn’t handle it. Unfortunately Hyo wasn’t that kind, pouring the liquid into a tall glass. “You look like you’ve had a rough night. Here.”

          Finch straightened himself out, holding his ground. “Do I look like a charity case? This place, these streets, they’ve been my home for years. I don’t need some fancy-dressed upperclass informant telling me I need help this late in the game.” His smile returned as strong as ever. “I’ll find him on my own; I don’t need someone without the same drive showing me the way. It’s my fight and I’ll put his head on a platter.”

pixiv

          For just a fraction of a second, a jolt of fear ran down his spine. Finch’s expression darkened and his smile turned equally as deadly. “You’re walking on thin ice there, Mr. Businessman.” Whoever had told this stranger about the death of his sister wasn’t going to be breathing for too long; he’d make sure of it. “I suggest you take your happy ass somewhere else. I’m not interested in girl scout cookies.”

Desperate, I will crawl Waiting for so long No love, there is no love Die for anyone What have I become ♪

          “Sorry, but I don’t accept handouts. It’s so much more fun to take it myself.” If he wasn’t here to hire him then there wasn’t a reason for him to be there. Finch drifted, sleeping only in certain places, and only certain people knew where those places were; he’d have to pay them a visit after this ... encounter was over. “Surely there’s a better reason for you to be here, ne?”

x

          “Everyone says that, so I’ll let it slide.” He leaned against the wall but still kept himself on guard, eyes following every movement. “Big or small, it doesn’t matter; people don’t care what their hired killer looks like. What I’m curious about is how exactly you found this place. It isn’t exactly listed in the classifieds.”

          “Ah but I’ve lived here for years, so turning it back on me does you no good.” His eyes narrowed a bit but the smile remained. “Come to the lair of the beast for help? Sorry, but I quit working months ago.”