BFDI AND II ONESHOT BOOK!

PAYJAY: Every Night the Same (BAR AU)

Paper and OJ both work at a classy lounge bar, OJ as the ever-busy owner and Paper as one of the staff. Though they're dating, they can only spend real time together on breaks. Still, that doesn't stop them from sneaking in little moments of flirting and affection, even while the bar is in full swing.

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The bar had only just opened for the evening, yet the room was already buzzing with soft chatter and the clinking of glassware. Paper moved between the tables with a rag in hand, dutifully wiping down surfaces and taking early orders. Each tray of requests he gathered made its way back to the polished counter, where his boyfriend OJ stood alongside Bomb, both of them effortlessly mixing and pouring drinks like they were born to do it.

Paper wasn't nearly as skilled with cocktails, and truthfully, OJ had made it clear that he shouldn't interfere behind the bar, this was a professional, upscale lounge, after all. Guests came here for impeccable service, not to catch the staff sneaking off for a kiss in the stockroom. Still... Paper couldn't help himself. Even while polishing the same spotless table for the third time, his eyes drifted again and again toward OJ, admiring how sharp he looked, how smooth his hands were as he shook a drink, how easy his smile seemed when chatting with a guest.

Tonight, Paper was hopelessly entranced, his gaze locked on OJ like gravity itself tethered him there.

"Uh—Paper?"

A sharp snap of fingers jolted him back. He blinked and turned toward Pepper, who stood next to him with a knowing scowl.

"H-Huh? Oh, sorry!" He laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck, a faint blush already creeping up his cheeks.

Pepper crossed her arms. "Were you staring at OJ again? Seriously, Paper... you're going to distract him. Do you realize how unfair it looks to everyone else? You get special treatment just for being the boss's boyfriend. And don't even get me started on when you two vanish halfway through a shift and leave the rest of us to cover."

Paper's blush deepened, but instead of looking chastened, he clasped his hands dramatically to his chest. "I know, I know! But how am I supposed to not look at him? He's just so... dreamy..." His eyes inevitably wandered back to OJ, and this time, OJ happened to glance his way. The tiniest smirk tugged at his lips before he smoothly looked back down at the drink he was pouring, as if nothing had happened but Paper nearly melted right on the spot.

Pepper groaned. "Ugh, unbelievable. Do you want to risk him losing his job? Someone could easily report him for unprofessional behaviour, or worse, the whole place could get sued."

"What?! No way!" Paper gasped, spinning toward her with wide eyes. "It's not like we're doing anything that bad... just a little glance here, a smile there..." He pouted, then jabbed a finger at her accusingly. "And you don't get to lecture me, missy. I've seen you staring at Salt when she comes in—and she's a customer!"

Pepper shot him a glare. "Yeah, well, that's different. People date customers all the time, dingus. That's normal. Dating your boss? That's like, totally against the rules. You're an employee, Paper. You shouldn't even be with him in the first place."

Paper gasped in mock offense, hand flying to his heart. "Take that back! You sound like one of those boring HR pamphlets! I love him, and I don't care what you say!"

From across the bar, OJ glanced over again, his eyes glinting just long enough for Paper to catch it. This time, it was deliberate—an amused, subtle look that said, I can hear you, you know. Paper's knees nearly gave out, and Pepper groaned all over again.

"Ugh, whatever... just try not to get too distracted, Paper. I'm warning you!" Pepper huffed, snapping at him one last time before storming off to serve another table.