Roses You Left For Me

7

With the lack of a wallet, Jeongguk steps shyly back into the club the following night with an unsure settlement around him. He's somewhat thankful that the bouncers recognize him, seeming as Taehyung not only has all of his money but everything in his wallet too. The dancers perform on stage with one of the bartenders making googly eyes at them, a glass in his hand that Jeongguk assumes he was cleaning. Then he sees Hoseok who steps forward to lightly slap the younger man on the back of the head, barking orders. He looks at Hoseok quizzically as he steps over, although it takes a moment for Hoseok to even notice Jeongguk is there.

"An idiot, honestly. Don't know why they even hired him," Hoseok mutters with a shake of his head.

"Who?" Jeongguk questions.

Hoseok gestures with his thumb over his shoulder. "New guy. Fucking idiot can't keep his eyes off the dancers for a minute,"

"Maybe he just needs to get used to it," Jeongguk suggests.

Hoseok snorts. "He's been here for about three weeks,"

"Maybe not then," Jeongguk says quietly.

"Anyway," Hoseok says as he sighs heavily. "Guessing you're here for Taehyung?"

"Is it obvious?" Jeongguk asks quickly.

"To the people who know you, yes. Otherwise, no,"

"Know me? Who-"

"Sugar," a familiar voice says. Jeongguk goes to spin his barstool but is met with Taehyung lazily hanging over him. "Whiskey when you're ready, Hoseokie,"

Hoseok just nods and busies himself with preparing a drink as Taehyung slips away and leans against the bar. "You left your wallet," the elder says as he swiftly reveals Jeongguk's wallet in front of him. "I took out what I needed and left you the rest,"

"I wanted you to take it," Jeongguk points out.

"I don't want it,"

"Then I'd like to pay for another session,"

"Honey," Taehyung says. "You're a hundred short. I don't give out freebies or anything lower than the original price,"

"I'm not paying for sex," Jeongguk says, keeping his voice low as he sneaks a glance around the club. Hoseok sets the small glass of whiskey down before he quickly serves another customer.

"Oh?" Taehyung says once he's chucked at least half of the drink back. "Do enlighten me,"

"You wanted to hear more,"

"Oh, about your loverboy?"

Jeongguk swallows dryly but manages a nod.

"You're paying me to be your therapist?"

"Perhaps," Jeongguk says.

"Can your therapy session wait an hour? I have a regular in today and I don't wanna disappoint him. He's a high tipper," Taehyung says quietly before he pulls away to chuck down the rest of his whiskey.

"Sure thing," Jeongguk echoes, eyes remaining open as Taehyung grins and presses a kiss to Jeongguk's cheek before he flutters away. He watches the dancer take a man's wrist, and for a moment- he feels insecure. Jealous and insecure. The man is muscular yet petite and tall too. He walks with a confident boost in his step and it makes Jeongguk scowl.

"Jealousy isn't a good look on you," Hoseok butts in as he leans casually against the counter.

Jeongguk scoffs. "He's stealing my therapist," he says.

"Yeah, I overheard that. You paid Taehyung of all people to talk to you about your problems? That boy has more issues than I have toes,"

"Yeah, well. It's nice to have someone to talk to," Jeongguk responds quietly.

Hoseok tilts his head to the side, a look of confusion on his face. "Don't you have friends of your own?"

"Of course, it's just- I don't know. They think they know me all the time. Whereas, when it's with Taehyung, I- I just feel comforted by the fact he knows nothing about me. It's easier to talk to a stranger,"

"I guess so," Hoseok says. "I've never been one to really talk about my feelings, but I can see where you're coming from. Look, you'll be waiting a while, how about I fix you up with a drink and we can talk about anything you want, yeah?"

"An hour isn't that long," Jeongguk points out.

"It is when you're watching the clock," Hoseok says as he steps away to make a drink, using a cocktail glass with a pink liquid inside.

"You always make me sugary drinks," Jeongguk says. "Everyone else drinks beer or shots,"

With a hum, Hoseok smiles. "I don't think you're the type to drink hard liquor as it is. You're actually drinking a lot, I'm just mixing it so you can't taste the sourness,"

Jeongguk furrows his eyebrows but nods and accepts the drink, his large hand almost engulfing the small cocktail glass as he holds it to bring the rim up to his lips. It tastes of strawberries and cream and it has Jeongguk's mouthwatering.

"So," Hoseok begins as he leans against the bar. "What drew you to Taehyung?"

"He sat on me and dragged me into his room," Jeongguk answers bluntly as he puts the glass back down on the coaster.

"Fair enough," the elder answers as he takes a look around the club. "You'd be surprised to know there are others here. They're just not as popular as Tae,"

"I thought it was just a strip club at first,"

"A lot of people think that until they come here. We have a few boys here tonight, you might catch them on stage but it's mostly girls. I guess when you're so focused on one person, you don't see the others. They're not- as bold, as Taehyung,"

"Bold is a word," Jeongguk says as he takes another sip, smacking his lips at the taste. "That's so good," he adds.

Hoseok smirks. "You really got a sweet tooth, huh? Personally, I can't stomach the stuff," he says as he pushes himself up to greet the same woman from Jeongguk's first night here.

"Hoseok," she greets with her pearly white smile. Tonight, she wears a tight-fitting blazer with a matching pencil skirt, her silk blouse a rose red with a low dip at the front. It almost reminds Jeongguk of Taehyung's outfit. Her tumbling red locks curl around her shoulders, a bright cherry lip smiling brightly. She leans over the bar and presses a kiss to Hoseok's lips before pulling away.

"What can I get for you?" Hoseok asks.

"A piece of you, maybe?" Michelle says with a giggle that she hides behind a hand. "No, actually I shouldn't. I have an early meeting tomorrow and you're a bad influence. We'll catch up soon, yes?" She leans forward with a sultry smile to whisper the next part. "I miss you in my bed,"

Jeongguk immediately averts his eyes, feeling as though he shouldn't be seeing such a private moment, even if they share it out in the open. He hears them exchange whispered words before the woman's heels are clacking, echoing until they disappear.

"You like her," Jeongguk notes as he turns to look back at Hoseok.

"Of course I do, have you seen her?"

"Not my type, if I recall,"

Hoseok just smiles and playfully pushes Jeongguk's shoulder. "No, but I do really, really like her. We're not official or anything, but- fuck, I really like her,"

"Then ask her to dinner," Jeongguk says. "It's obvious that she likes you too,"

"You think?"

"It's blatantly obvious," Jeongguk deadpans.