Unholy!

No Safe Game

There is no fairness in this life, only the illusion of equal chances.
But the board is already tilted, the dice loaded, the rules rewritten when you're not looking.
Some are born as kings, others never rise beyond pawns, no matter how desperately they move.
You don't lose because you played badly.
You lose because the game was never meant for you to win.

---

He's been here long enough to recognize the faces. It's usually the same people who come here to drown their sorrows in liquid drugs. Today, though, there's a new face. And it doesn't slip by unnoticed.

The young man the new face belongs to, wears a hoodie pulled tight and a beanie tugged down low, a ridiculous choice in a room this overheated. Especially since it's usually standard practice in gay bars to wear too little clothing and not so much. His intention might have been to stay invisible, but the irony is laughable. He draws more eyes that way, not less and not only because of his dress sense. He also can't quite control his gaze, which lingers too long and too curious, like a stray animal testing the edges of unfamiliar ground.

„What can I get you?", Megumi asks, as the stranger takes the seat across from him. He looks only a handful of years older, though age is hard to measure under so many layers of fabric.

The stranger pushes his hat back just enough for the glow above the counter to catch on his brows, and his eyes flick to Megumi's name tag, then back to his mouth, as if he's checking the source of the voice. There's a hesitation. He seems to think hard for a moment, but then his lips curl into an easy grin.

„I'll take the sweet waiter for a drink", he returns with a wink that is probably meant to be flirtatious.

Megumi stills a second too long before allowing himself the faintest sliver of amusement. „He's not on the menu."

The guy leans in with his elbows against the polished wood, not invading but close enough to suggest he could, if he wanted to. His smirk sharpens. „Then how about a coffee later? And some talking?"

It's an offer Megumi doesn't need to roll around in his head. His answer is already there, blunt and clean. „I'll have to pass."

Was it rude to brush him off so quickly? Maybe. He doesn't care enough to fix it.

The man's brows lift, friendly rather than offended. „Oh? You have a boyfriend?"

Megumi hesitates. Does he? Calling Sukuna his boyfriend would sound... presumptuous. Reckless, even. The truth is messier, and no label could ever cage the truth of whatever they are. And he's tired of labels anyway.

„No", he replies curtly.

The stranger doesn't flinch, only tilts his head with mock sympathy. „Don't tell me you're straight. Would be such a waste."

„I'm just not interested. Sorry."

Megumi's tone is final, and this time it sticks. He's past throwing himself at anyone for tips. Even if this guy is cute and even if it would be a home game, as easy as breathing actually, but lately he feels too expensive for easy. He no longer wants to sell himself for small change.

„Shame", the man finally concedes, rocking back on his stool with a shrug that masks disappointment. „In that case, bring me whatever you'd recommend."

„On it", Megumi approves and pivots to the cutting board. The bar hums like a low-tuned engine around him. In here, the world seems to move differently. Slower. The clinking of glasses, the crack of ice shifting in half-empty tumblers, the carefree voices of guests, all of it makes the chaos outside fade into a distant whisper. For a while, it seems, people can step off the relentless carousel of a life that refuses to ever stop spinning.