bsumone | ❝ spring for flirting but fall for the untamed delicious wild things ❞

It's October at Lark's place of work, Duets Karaoke, which means the weekends are full of costumed groups either singing in the main bar or renting private rooms. This means lots of orders for their autumn drink specials and this especially means lots of tips. Lark is pretty happy about both of these things.

Friday night and things have really picked up after 5 PM, which means they've got Lark running back and forth from one private room to another, balancing trays of drinks and refilling water jugs. With the bartenders attempting to fix their frozen drink machine (pumpkin spice cocktails are waiting!), Lark also has to manage the room check-ins.

The bat wing headband he wears seems to flap anxiously as he tries to keep himself afloat, flustered and half paying attention when someone taps his shoulder.

"Sorry?"

"The one I came with passed out in the room."

Passed out from a very good time really but this was one incubus who wasn't about to just say that this was his own fault. Absolutely not. Instead he just pouted a little because his what was he to do now that his company was passed out? Clearly get help! That was a convenient excuse for it.

"Could you get someone to call him a cab? Please?"

That way he wouldn't have to keep looking at him...

Another day, another passed-out guy in the booth. Though, how much had he served that room? He doesn't think he brought anything more than a beer and a frozen pumpkin spice. Oh well, some people are more sensitive than others.

Lark blinks a few times as another server shows up to help with the crowd rush before nodding slowly. He hands the check-in tablet to one of the bartenders and fishes his own phone out of his pocket to look up the best cab service (no way was he going to call for one on his personal taxi app!).

"Is he okay?" as he copies the phone number before handing the ringing cell to the stranger.

Oh he'd be fine. The fact that he'd fall in love and keep bothering Tiras? That was another matter entirely that he'd deal with later. But in this exact moment...

"I think so? He was breathing and it looks like he's sleeping."

Fully passed out but not the point. "Thank you so much."

Calling for a cab, he continued his sweet little act and the service was quick to send someone over. Handing the phone back, he pouted a little. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience. I didn't know he couldn't handle his alcohol."

"It happens!" Lark shrugs and chuckles lightly, glad to have gotten the customer out safely. He pockets his phone and pulls up the work tablet once more.

"I hate to do this to you, but will you be taking care of the bill for your room?" He is still, after all, on the clock. He turns the tablet around to show them the fees.

"The bill?"

He leaned forward to look at the fee. Was that a lot of money? He truly didn't know given how wealthy he was. But he also most certainly hadn't brought money with him. That was what that idiot had been for.

"I don't have money. He told me I didn't need it."

Something like that anyway.

Lark sighs. This isn't the first time someone's tried to walk away without paying. "Well, you owe about two hundred for the time in the room and drinks," he elaborates. "We need this paid one way or the other."

They still have the fellow's ID stored in their box under the counter. If anything, they can track him down and call him for payment. Hopefully he can get the payment out of his date without having to ask for one of the bartenders to stand up for him.

"Two hundred?"

Oh was that supposed to be a lot? Ugh. Human currency was so tiresome to keep up with. The way this one was talking it had to be so it was easy enough to just act like it was. Like he wouldn't know where to get the money for it at all. Never mind that he practically sneezed that to get 'take out' using online dating apps.

"Is there something I can do? I really don't have the money," he lowered his gaze and hugged himself.

Lark sighs again, already tired. There aren't enough spoons in a day for this.

"If you could give me his phone number so I can follow up with him in the morning," he finally suggests, ducking behind the bar and emerging with a pad of paper and a pen. The gent needs to pick up his photo ID anyway. Might need that in the future when he isn't getting wasted in a karaoke bar.

He offers the stranger a pen, looking hopeful.

It's not common for Dal to venture outside of the very small number of city blocks with which he's familiar. But, he remembered Lark mentioning where he worked once or twice and thought it would be nice to pay his friend a visit. It's not like Dal has a whole lot of friends! He just hopes he's not crossing some unknown line by showing up unannounced.

"Surprise~"

And if he sounds nervous, it's because he is. This place is a lot busier than Dal imagined it would be and, frankly, he's fighting every instinct that tells him to bolt for the door.

Lark gasps and his entire face lights up when he sees Dal standing there. "This has been so unexpected!" Without thinking ( and honestly just relieved to see a friendly face ), he wraps him up in a little hug in greeting.

"Do you want anything to drink? It's on me." If Dal is nervous, Lark couldn't tell, but that might also just be because there's someone wailing to Adele's "Someone Like You" over the speakers. It's not bad. But it's also not great-sounding either.

"Here, there's a seat at the bar over there," he points to a corner unoccupied.

Oh! They're hugging! Okay, that's okay! Alright, maybe a little awkward as Dal hugs back, but... not terrible. At least he's assured that his surprise visit is welcome.

"Oh, I don't drink," he utters as he glances toward the seat. Yes, sitting will be nice. He can fold himself up in that corner and chat with Lark when he has a free moment here and there -- he's obviously busy! "But it there's juice..."

"Yes, I meant any drink!" Lark finds a physical menu and slides it over to Dal before giving a nod to the bartender. "I have to take some orders, but let her know what you want. Lots of Halloween mocktails there."

He gives him a pat on the shoulder before scurrying off with his tray. It's a crazy night but having a friend here makes it a little better.

Taking the menu in both hands, Dal nods in understanding. Only once Lark scampers away does he move to the indicated seat. Menus are a struggle, especially when they're full of unfamiliar words. Luckily, Dal has his phone with him to look up what he doesn't recognize. After a ridiculous amount of time pouring over the options, glancing anxiously back and forth between the menu and his phone, Dal waves to the bartender to get a cider sangria mocktail. He wonders if it's something Lark's tried. If not, he's prepared to share when he pops back out from taking and delivering orders.

He's a busy bee for the next few rounds of drinks, going back and forth between the private booths and the bar. Eventually, he does take a deep breath and leans heavily against the bartop, facing Dal with a big smile. He's 'on' tonight but he knows he's going to have to crash after so much social interaction.

"How is it? What did you get, the sangria?" Lark beams. "I love that one, with or without the wine." He nods in thanks to one of the bartenders who passes him a glass of water, taking a big gulp.

"I think I have a moment to talk now."

Dal perks up when Lark finally reappears before him. His smile is much more genuine, but he understands Lark's at work and the whole need to be 'on.' This time of evening, Dal's usually 'on' too, but he decided to treat himself to a night off since it was a good week.

"Wow," he exclaims softly. "I thought I got busy on Fridays."

But taking note that Lark likes the sangria, Dal nudges his glass across the counter to him. If he's cool with sharing a glass, Dal certainly doesn't mind.

Lark looks over him uncertainly before breaking into a big, grateful grin. Taking the glass in hand, he takes a little sip, enjoying the flavor. People come in to get drunk and sing their hearts out, but he would insist that the drinks are very underrated in comparison to everything else.

"I don't get out until midnight, unfortunately. I imagine you don't want to wait that long! But - oh! I get a break in thirty, though." He's eager to spend some time with him, a welcome reprieve from the bustle of the bar.

Quietly, he switches to tentative Korean. It's not something he's comfortable using with people outside his family, but he'll try. "I'm glad you came to visit."

And then there's Dal, who came by not for drinks or music, but the company. Though this drink is actually delicious and he makes a mental note to have it next time he pays Lark a visit. Because there will be a next time.

Ah! The shift to Korean has him perking up. The familiar language makes it so much easier for him to communicate. "I can run out and get food before your break. We could eat together."

Lark is pleasantly surprised by the offer. He was just planning on having something greasy and fried from the kitchens but this is even better now that there's someone to help. He wants to hug him again but that seems like it would be too much.

"Ah..." he speaks a lot slower in Korean, even shier than he is in English. "That sounds amazing. Pick something and surprise me?"

There's a lot to like in the neighborhood. He is a fan of the empanadas across the street, but would not protest the handheld crepes or even a roll of gimbap.

Leaving it up to Dal is a bad plan. He's going to show up with pizza and ice cream, like they're having a little party just for the two of them. Well, he'll probably share with the bartender, too. Though, once he lays eyes on that crepe place, it's all over.

Noting Lark's increased shyness, Dal smiles warmly. "Would it be easier for you to keep going English. I understand it better than I speak it." Dal could keep on Korean if Lark's more comfortable that way.

"Oh, no, no, I'll give it a good shot for you," Lark insists, reaching to gently grasp Dal's hand with a smile, giving his fingers a squeeze. His Korean is perhaps a bit formal, but he uses a friendly tone with him, perhaps to make up for how nervous he feels about using his at-home language.

He gestures to the rooms. "I've gotta get back but - we can sit on the bench outside when I take my break and you get the food?"

Oh! How sweet! Dal ducks his head to hide his smile, but quickly lifts his chin once again. He doesn't want to give the impression that he doesn't appreciate Lark's effort. Giving a little squeeze of the other's hand, he nods in understanding.

"Go, go. I'll get the food in a little bit."

A little being about fifteen minutes later. That gives him time to check out what's nearby and return with something for them. Unsurprisingly, there's pizza, but also sweet crepes. Dal's never had them, but they look so delicious! He set up everything at a table and got more of the non-alcoholic sangrias for when Lark's free for his break. When he sees his friend emerge from the rooms, he waves him over enthusiastically.

It's sweet, how happy Dal is at Lark's offer. If such a simple gesture makes him smile that way, then he sees no reason not to continue speaking in Korean just for him. Lark continues his work with a bounce in his step and finds himself actually excited to share a meal with his friend during his shift.

He beams when he sees him set up with all the food outside. "Look at this spread," he admires, clasping his hands under his chin and looking at him warmly.

There are two medium-ish pizzas: one with pepperoni, bacon, and banana peppers, the other a white pizza with artichoke hearts, prosciutto, and jalapenos. The crepes were dessert crepes with Nutella, strawberries, bananas, whipped cream, and drizzled with chocolate sauce. Though they're meant to be eaten while walking, Dal got plates for them.

"I wasn't sure what you liked, so I tried to get some variety." His speech is much more articulated in Korean. He speaks with more confidence in it, though, honestly, he's used about as much Korean in the last eight years as he has English.

He pushes one plate with a crepe on it toward Lark and then opens the pizza boxes to let him choose what he likes best. "Help yourself."

Lark just gasps when he's finally able to take a look at what Dal has brought to the table. He isn't sure if he'll be able to eat all of it by the time his break is over, but he'll certainly try.

"Oh, I'm overwhelmed," he giggles. He plates a slide of white pizza first and takes a dainty bite before groaning in response. Oh that is very, very good. He washes it down with a sip of non-alcoholic sangria before taking a sample of the crepe.

"This is such a combination of flavors," he chirps.

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bagelbites - 2023-11-04 16:24 (UTC) - Expand

❝ spring for flirting but fall for the untamed delicious wild things ❞

lark ★

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