I want you to want me.

2.

Dobium kept going.

Noel didn't mind his presence. He usually kept a distance away and only watched with a polite interest. Or, as polite as watching a stripper could be.

"That guy bugging you?" Josh asked Noel one day, jerking a thumb to Dobium who was lounging around in a armchair. Noel shook his head,

"No...he's not a problem"

"Sure looks like a problem" Josh muttered to Noel, staring over at Dobium and Noel chuckled a bit.

"Nah, he seems like a sweetheart"

Josh stared at Noel like he'd grown another head,

"You're insane"

"You know it" Noel said, poking Josh's nose before he walked over to Dobium who looked up, smiling a bit,

"Well hello again" he said, eyeing Noels outfit which was again, baby blue, "what brings you over here?"

"Hello again...and work" Noel said, gesturing to Dobium's lap, "can I sit?"

"Be my guest" Dobium said, not moving as Noel straddled his lap.

"How much will this cost me?" Dobium asked quietly, his voice turning to a soft rumble that made Noels insides melt.

"Nothing" Noel said softly, "just wanted to sit and your lap looked comfy"

"Sit as long as you'd like" Dobium purred, taking a drink from his beer bottle and Noel leaned back against Dobium's chest.

"What brings you here hm?" Noel asked softly, looking up at Dobium who looked down, quirking an eyebrow,

"Work" he said and Noel raised an eyebrow,

"Work? What do you work as?"

"Can't tell you that baby blue" Dobium said, twirling one of Noels curls around his finger and Noel pouted.

"Why not?"

"Your safety"

"You're making it sound like you're in the mob" Noel said dryly which just made Dobium laugh.

"The mob hm?" Dobium asked, seeming amused and Noel huffed,

"Yes, I mean it's a valid guess"

Dobium looked down at his clothing. Rough looking jeans, steel toed boots and a simple shirt with a leather jacket. He chuckled,

"Guess I do all the rough work then huh baby?"

"Rough work hm?" Noel said, turning in Dobium's lap so they were face to face. Placing his hands on the others chest and Dobium just grinned at him,

"Can I take you to dinner?" Dobium asked and it was Noels turn to be amused,

"I've heard that a thousand times...what makes you different than the average John?"

Dobium shrugged, "Maybe I'll tell you everything...satisfy the cats curiosity" he said, cupping Noels chin in his large hand. Noel tried not to lean into the touch.

"What if I say no?" Noel asked softly and Dobium kept staring, taking a drink from his bottle before placing the empty on a side table, looking back at Noel,

"Then I guess you'll never learn the truth" he said just as a man walked up to the both of them.

"Dob, you're needed" the man said and Dobium raised an eyebrow but waved a hand, the man going away. Noel got off the others lap.

"You know that did nothing to convince me you aren't in the mob" Noel said, crossing his arms and Dobium chuckled,

"I know...I'll be in the alley out back for 30 minutes after closing, come by if you want dinner" he said, walking off and Noel stared after him before finally snapping out of it. Heading back to work.