Work Text:
Taeyong opened the bar earlier than usual. He was in charge of the maknaes who are about to come later on their first shift without too much help. And as the boss’s favorite, he was chosen.
He told the youngers that they can do whatever they want in appearance when arriving half an hour before opening hour.
Donghyuk was so excited and Taeyong just hoped that whatever the younger is organizing is not too dramatic, but again, this is Lee Donghyuk we are talking about.
When Donghyuk appeared with Jaemin in tow, Taeyong told them to get whatever they want ready before they open the bar at midnight. Jeno came not long after wearing his bartender uniform as Taeyong explained to him the day he got the bartender job next to him.
The last three got to the bar ten minutes before the door opened. “There are people starting to stand outside,” Xiaojun said. Yangyang and hendery went further into the staff room to put their bags there and it wasn't surprising to hear both letting out a surprised noise.
“What is it?” Taeyong and Xiaojun hurried over.
Apparently, Donghyuk decided he needs to put makeup on Jaemin’s face and the color was, to say the least, loud. “What? Does it look that bad?” Jaemin asked. Four people nodded while Donghyuk just rolled his eyes, “I want a bold look.”
“This is loud,” Taeyong said, “he is not even doing drag, let alone going out of the kitchen.” “fine, but I'm still keeping some color around his eyes.” Jaemin didnt look that much disturbed. “Me next,” hendery said, raising his hand.
“Hurry!”
Ten minutes, more like twenty, all the boys were standing in front of Taeyong in a line. “As you know, this is not going to be a busy night but you all are here with no supervisor except for me. Bartending and kitchen,” he looked at Jaemin and Jeno, “you will have to try and make everything alone with no guide next to you. If you see that things are going wrong and you can't fix it, call me.”
Taeyong pointed at Xiaojun who was the oldest, "all of you listen to Xiaojun, he'll be your boss for tonight, he tells you to clean you clean, to serve, you serve to go up there and improvise because the customers are bored, you do it no questions asked. Am I clear?" The boys nodded.
Everyone was discarded to their assigned position as Donghyuk let the people in.
“Not that busy, my ass,” hendery wispered to the closest person next to him. People went inside, some sitting before ordering some ordering before sitting. No one danced yet and the internment is going to start only in an hour or so.
“Get used to it, because there are much more busy nights than this one,” Taeyong said and went to sit at the far end of the bar.
The kids were getting it. Taeyong thought as he drank from his wine, watching Jeno with ease moving between the people as Xiaojun behind him took the ready orders from Jaemin through the window.
The music in the background stayed the same as people sat and moved their heads to its beat. The oldest couldn't wait for Donghyuk’s show to start, the boy was talking with ten for hours the day before on his shift.
Taeyong wouldn't be surprised if the boy will come out from behind the curtain with a long dress, those fancy wigs, and a feather scarf. Well, it didn’t happen. Instead, the boy walked out in tight-fitting pants with blinding decoration and a dress shirt not less loud tucked in, a feather scarf was laying around his neck, and huge sunglasses in neon color on the bridge of his nose;
Red Wine, I’m calling
Yah Yah, oh, eh
All heads turned to the stage, as well as the other workers that were waiting for the performance like everybody else;
I've had a little bit too much, much
Taeyong heard the other workers do their part-singing backup for the “diva” on stage;
(oh, oh, oh)
Jeno, Yangyang, hendery, and Xiaojun seemed to look so calm and natural as they continued doing their work. Donghyuk continued;
All of the people start to rush
The others sang after the lead singer;
(start to rush by)
Donhyuk continued looking at each person in the front raw acting drunk;
A dizzy twister dance, can't find my drink or man
Where are my keys? I lost my zone, zone (oh, oh, oh)
What's goin' on on the floor?
Jeno shouted from the bar where most of his customers sat on the high chairs with their backs to him, watching Donghyun;
you love this record, Hyuk, but you can't see straight anymore (woo!)
Donghyuk smiled and pushed his sunglasses down to see the bartender;
Keep it cool, what's the name of this club?
I can't remember but it's alright, a-alright
People from the front row moved their tables and the three waiters started to dance with Donghyuk as the queen jumped from the stage and moved his legs to the music, right leg, left leg, and a spin;
Just dance, gonna be okay, da da doo-doo-mmm
Just dance, spin that record, babe, da da doo-doo-mmm
Just dance, gonna be okay, d-d-d-dance
Dance, dance, just, j-j-just dance
Donghyuk walked over to the first table he saw and then moved his finger on the table;
Wish I could shut my playboy mouth
The waiters behind him did the background voices;
(oh, oh, oh)
The queen moved over to another table, messing a man’s hair in the process;
How'd I turned your head inside out?
Yangyang, Hendery, and Xiaojun moved to stand behind the man's chair;
(Inside out, right)
Moving closer to the bar, Donghyuk spotted a boy perched up over some paper, holding a pencil in hand, a pair of glasses on the bridge of his nose almost falling, he seemed concentrated, and Taeyong started to worry for the poor boy.
Donhyuk put his hands on the table, with one hand making the boy look at him. The boy was stunned and surprised. Even with the lights of the bar, you could see how his ears turned red. Donhyunk sang to him;
Control your poison, babe, roses have thorns, they say
And we're all gettin' hosed tonight (oh, oh, oh)
After a wink to the stunned boy, Donghyuk got back to the not-so-empty space in front of the stage, more backup dancers showing for the chorus;
What's goin' on on the floor?
Jaemin joined Jeno at the bar shouting at hyuk;
We know you love this record, but I don't think you can see straight anymore
Donghyuk shrugged and continued to his place in the front, before the dancers;
Keep it cool, what's the name of this club?
I can't remember but it's alright, a-alright (woo!)
Now more people danced. It reminded Taeyong that every time he and Ten ganged up to make a performance people won't forget. Donghyuk, to say the least, knew what he was doing. Learning from the best of the best. Taeyong felt proud.
The queen danced with the people, doing great hand gestures and leg work;
Just dance, gonna be okay, da da doo-doo-mmm
Just dance, spin that record, babe, da da doo-doo-mmm
Just dance, gonna be okay, d-d-d-dance
Dance, dance, just, j-j-just
Hendery took the Donghyuk place to sing, the queen didn’t mind getting back on the stage moving from side to side to the beat;
When I come through on the dance floor checkin' out that catalog (hey)
Can't believe my eyes, so many people without a flaw (hey)
And I ain't gon' give it up, steady tryna pick it up like a call (hey)
I'ma hit it, I'ma beat it and flex and do it until tomorr' yeah
Yangyang and Xiaojun sang;
Shawty I can see that you got so much energy
Hendery continued his verse;
The way you're twirlin' up them hips 'round and 'round
The other waiters sang again;
And now there's no reason at all why you can't leave here with me
And Hendery finished with;
In the meantime stay and let me watch you break it down
Both Hendery and Donghyuk sang together. Hyuk still on the stage and hendery on the floor in front of it with the others;
And dance, gonna be okay (oh) da da doo-doo-mmm
Just dance (ooh yeah), spin that record babe, da da doo-doo-mmm
The who bar shouted the next part together jumping together in proximity to one another. The waiters went to the side, over to the bar. Taeyong could only look at the boy with the glasses who put his papers aside and looked at the performance;
Just dance (ooh yeah), gonna be okay, da da doo-doo-mmm
Just dance (ooh yeah), spin that record babe, da da doo-doo-mmm
Just dance (oh), gonna be okay, d-d-d-dance (gonna be okay)
Dance, dance (yeah)
Just, j-j-just dance (oh)
Jaemin shouted from his place next to Jeno, both of them were shoulder to shoulder, laying their backs on the counter behind them watching the queen getting ready for the next part;
Woo! let's go!
Still acting Donghyuk walked around the stage moving his shoulders as if possessed;
Half psychotic, sick, hypnotic
Got my blueprint, it's symphonic
Half psychotic, sick, hypnotic
Got my blueprint electronic
Walking to the other side looking at the crowd moving his head drunkenly from side to side, still singing. Taeyong always thought he was a good actor, and he knew all the queen took this evening is one shot of tequila and then a full glass of water before going on that stage;
Half psychotic, sick, hypnotic
Got my blueprint, it's symphonic
Half psychotic, sick, hypnotic
Got my blueprint electronic
Taeyong saw both Jeno and Jaemin taking a shot and then another to relieve themselves before doing everything else. And as the next part starts all heads to the pair behind the bar that had their own show, their chest almost touching, Jaemin’s hands on Jeno’s exposed biceps, a challenging smirk on his lips as he sang;
Go!
Use your muscle, carve it out, work it, hustle
Jeno then said the next part;
I got it, just stay close enough to get it on
Jaemin looked drunker than Taeyong thought the other was, how many drinks did the two take as the performance went on? It almost looked like they were grinding on each other, dirty dancing, as the young people these days call it.
Don't slow!
Drive it, clean it, lights out, bleed it, spend the lasto
They kept on their closeness but it didn’t take long for Jeno to spin Jaemin, saying;
I got it
As Jaemin giggled;
In your pocko
Jeno answer;
I got it
Fast, Donghyuk took the attention back, dancing and then the other people joined him;
Just dance, gonna be okay, da da doo-doo-mmm
Just dance, spin that record babe, da da doo-doo-mmm
Just dance (baby), gonna be okay, da da doo-doo-mmm
Just dance, spin that record babe, da da doo-doo-mmm (baby, yeah)
Just dance, gonna be okay, d-d-d-dance (spin that record, baby, yeah)
Dance, dance, just, j-j-just dance
Tayong was in utter shock seeing the people getting back to their places and seeing Donghyuk getting closer to the bar. His glasses and scarf were not on him anymore, since somewhere in the middle of the dance.
“Now I need a drink,” Donghyuk said, putting his hands on the counter and waiting for Jeno to bring him his usual cocktail, which Taeyong taught the bartender how to make. Taeyong didn't want to go to the boys and scold them for getting drunk, but, well, he couldn't blame them, after some time even the bartender needs a drink.
Jaemin got back to his place in the kitchen when Donghyuk's drink was ready. Taeyong felt like he was there for no actual reason, the younger boys knew what they were doing. Even though they still needed 'some' guide, they were in full control and the older bartender thought about letting loose tonight, trusting the boys to know when to close and remember to clean and lock what turned out to be his second home. And maybe even look after him.
"Jun," Taeyong called the closest waiter to walk by. "Yes hyung?" The Chinese asked, ready with an empty tray under his armpit.
"Get me a cocktail, let Jeno choose whatever. And would you mind watching after me while I let loose a little?" Xiaojun nodded. "If I see you leave, I'll make sure to keep an eye on everything."
"I knew I could trust you."
Jeno made him the normal margarita, not that the older bartender minded. But it was nice to let go. Last time he did it, it was with Ten and they were at his apartment drinking wine and talking about wanting (okay, being desperate for) a partner.
Taeyong knew the bar. He knew most of the usual customers, those who come in the middle of the week and at the weekend. But new faces were always welcome.
For example, that gentleman in the further corner, where the "booth of the …" is. The man was already looking at him, raised eyebrows and sly smirk. Shit, Taeyong thought, he has dimples. Taeyong did the flirty gesture he used for years, sliding his fingers on the wine glass while checking out the man.
Usually, the others would come to join him at the bar, laying their side on the wooden counter and starting to flirt ordering something for the both of them. But this man was different from other men who flirted with Taeyong. This man used the innocent act of inviting him to the table instead.
Taeyong complied. He didn't mind the submission. The man was handsome and cute enough for at least an innocent start.