I think I'm okay...

The leggy woman had spent the entire night running from table to table, racking up as many tips as she possibly could. In all honesty, she sometimes wondered if objectifying herself in such a way was really worth the money. Just as that thought decided to cross her mind, she was looking at the large stack of money in her manicured hands. Hell yeah. It was worth it.

As she was walking into the staff room with said money, she heard one of her favorite familiar voices, bringing out that pearly white grin she was known for donning, tossing her long hair behind her shoulders with a bit of a chuckle. “Hell yeah I’m free for a drink, Ken Doll.” Something she always called him teasingly because that was what he looked like in her eyes. “I take a lil’ shot here n’ there when I’m workin’. But see, part of my job is actually partyin’ with them damn fools.” 

"Are you ever going to get tired of calling me that?” Niklaus questioned with a small smirk. It wasn’t the first time someone had referred to him as a Ken Doll. It was an amusing nickname to have, if anything. “Maybe we should switch job roles for a night. You can spend a few hours bartending non stop and I’ll go take a couple shots and party with everyone.” the blond jokingly suggested as he put on his jacket and clipped his keys onto the belt loop of his jeans. He too, had taken a shot or two on the rare occasion while working--- hell, sometimes people even bought him a drink while he was working....which he couldn’t decline. So he couldn’t really complain about anything. He loved his job, and the people he worked with.

“Come on, grab your stuff and lets go drink. You’re paying right? With all that tip money?” he motioned to the money in her hand, just making another joke as usual. 

Niklaus had just finished serving his last guest for the night when his shift had ended. He’d always loved working at the nightclub, surrounding himself with people who just wanted to go out and have some fun--- his kind of people. He’d grabbed his jacket from the back and was exiting the staff room when he spotted Janessa heading in. 

“Please tell me that you’ve finished your shift and are free for a drink right now?” he started as he approached her. He was in no mood to go home right now. In fact, he’d been craving whiskey for the last hour or so. “It’s almost torturous, serving alcohol to people when you can’t drink any yourself...” now that he’d finished his shift though, he could.

Niklaus had used some of his free time, in between running a few errands, to visit the animal shelter closest to where he lived. It had been the same shelter he’d adopted his terrier cross almost three years ago. This should have just been a quick little trip to go see all the different dogs they had there, but about two hours after initially arriving at the shelter, Niklaus had gotten back to his apartment with a little puppy in his arm, and a few supplies for her as well. The puppy wasn’t for him though. Sure, he’d melted upon first laying eyes on the little light coloured animal, but he’d gotten her for his girlfriend, who had spoken to him about getting a puppy of her own a few times in the last month or so. 

He’d been referring to her as ‘little one’ since he’d left the shelter, obviously leaving the naming of the puppy to his girlfriend. He’d set up her little bed in his own room, along with some food and water--- his two dogs kept in a separate room for now. He only left his bedroom after hearing his front door open, knowing it was Samantha.

“Hey babe---” he spoke as he shut his bedroom door and headed down the hallway to greet his girlfriend, hoping the puppy in the room wouldn’t bark while she was momentarily alone. He quickly pressed a kiss to Sammy’s lips. “I have something for you.”

A part of her was happy that she bumped into a familiar face. Plus, she’d been hoping to come across someone familiar, although literally bumping into them was not on her to-do list. “Nik–hey!” she said excitedly and hugged him. He was a good friend and they’d dated a few months when she first came to New York, but they’d both gotten busy with their lives and it didn’t really work out. But she was always fond of him. She pretended to make a disgusted face but a smile formed on her face against her will. “I don’t believe in the five second rule. I think that’s just an excuse people tell themselves to feel okay about eating something that’s all germy now,” she shook her head, biting her lip to push back the smile. “Yeah, it’s pretty fun. I’m going to head over to the farmers market eventually but I want to just enjoy the band for now. So how are you? Like what’s new?”

Niklaus returned the hug, happy to see a familiar face in the crowd of people. Not that it was ever a surprise to bump into a familiar face in crowds. He knew a lot of people, and was always making friends--- even with his ex-girlfriends. “Is there anything really wrong with that though? Telling yourself a little lie to feel better about doing something crazy?” the blond questioned with a small smirk. “This band is fucking amazing. I’ve been standing in this crowd listening to them play for about an hour now.” he admitted with a shrug. “I’m good. Life is good. I spent the last week with my daughter so that was really nice. How have you been?”

Leanna was wandering through the crowd eating a cupcake she’d just purchased at a food and drink stand as she headed towards the live music, her eyes looking up at the band and twinkling with interest. Of course she happened to bump into someone, her cupcake dropping straight onto the sidewalk. She licked the icing off her fingers and shyly turned the person. “Oh, man, I’m so clumsy,” she groaned, picking up the cupcake in a napkin and throwing it away into a trash bin. She had a flavored beer in her other hand and took a drink of that, mourning her cupcake for a moment before moving to get closer to the band. @cityofdreamsstarters​

One of the perks of being 6′2 was being able to see above the crowd from where he was currently standing. The music was taking him to a different place. As a musician himself, the man could honestly spend hours listening to live music. He was in his element. Surrounded by people who were only giving off good vibes. He was snapped back into reality as soon as he felt a body colliding with his, his attention moving over to the woman with a small smirk. “Very clumsy.” he teased once he recognised the face. “Y’know, there’s this thing called a five second rule. You could have still eaten that cupcake.” the blond joked. He definitely would have ditched the cupcake into the bin as well. “It’s good to see you here enjoying yourself.”

Aya just nodded. Smiling at him and taking a sip from her own drink. 「 Of course, did you expect something else? 」Studying his motions, Aya leaned on the table as well and had a smirk on her face.  「 I don’t know. But I saw a lot of people then maybe I could help you find. Don’t worry, I’m not avoiding you. I never saw a marriage that big, to be honest. 」 She said while contemplating the place and finishing her drink in one shot.

"Well I would have expected you’d be here to see your amazing friend...” he paused to motion his hand teasingly towards himself. “But I guess the alcohol is more important to you than I am.” he added jokingly. “You better not be avoiding me.” it was a harmless, playful threat. Niklaus couldn’t stop his playful nature from showing through his words. “Its a pretty big wedding. Lots of people here that I don’t know, but there’s also a lot I recognise as well. Did you come here by yourself or with someone?” he asked conveersationally.

Ollie adored children and his friends, so meeting his friend’s kid was a perfect kind of day to him. He hadn’t gotten a chance to meet Nik’s daughter in the times they hung out, the girl always off with her mother. Today was different, though, because he was finally going to get to see her and play with her. Being a big kid himself, Ollie was excited to meet Nik and Alaia at the park. He loved to be outside, amused by games like tag and hide and seek that could be played with all of the space. 

On his way over to the playground, Ollie felt his phone buzz in his pocket and he read the text from Nik telling him they were already there waiting. Excitement buzzing inside of him, Ollie started to run toward the colorful jungle gym he could see straight ahead and flailed his arms happily. “Hey!” he called out, giggling. “I’m here!” 

He skipped up to his friend and hugged him, rubbing his back before pulling back to look at him. “How are ya? Where’s Alaia? I wanna meet her! I also got her a fruitito! Does she know what fruititos are?! I got her one!” He squeaked, his eyes twitching as he moved to pull the wrapped up toy from his backpack. 

Niklaus only turned his attention away from his daughter again when he heard Ollie calling out to him, a small smile forming on his lips as they approached. “I’m glad you made it.” he greeted his friend, returning the hug before looking back over at his daughter playing on the playground. “I’m great, Ollie. Really great.” he started before motioning his hand towards the ten year old child with the long brown hair that was going down the slide. “That’s my little one. Well, she’s not so little anymore, but she’ll always be my baby.” the man laughed. Alaia looked a lot like her mother, but her personality was very similar to her father’s. And her bright blue eyes--- she’d gotten those from Niklaus too.

“Hey, ‘Laia! Come here, come meet Ollie.” of course, Niklaus had already told Alaia about Ollie, so the ten year old was excited to meet them. Especially because it was an opportunity to make a new friend, and well, Alaia loved making new friends. “I have no idea what a fruitio is, but I’m sure she does.” the blond laughed lightly as he watched his daughter leave the playground and hurry over to them. “Alaia, this is Ollie. Ollie, this is Alaia.” Niklaus introduced as soon as Alaia was with them. Alaia smiled widely as her attention went to Ollie and she waved excitedly before extending her hand to shake theirs. “It’s very nice to meet you, Ollie. Daddy’s told me lots about you. I already know we’re going to be the best of friends!” she paused for a second before more words came out. “Maybe next time we hang out I can meet your dogs?” she added. Niklaus laughed lightly. “Wow, haven’t even finished this outing and we’re already planning the next one.” he smiled.

“I know you’re taking the piss but yeah, I think I did hit the fucking jackpot with you, so shut the hell up and stop being so mean about yourself.” Pinching his chin she pulled his lips against hers and kissed him heavily, Niklaus might think this wasn’t the event for them to be naughty but Samantha was certainly going to take a little more convincing. Anytime she was near him she wanted to be attached to him, add in the alcohol she’d consumed, well you could take a guess at how that just elevated things. ‘I’m happy, you can march around your building until you find me a vase for my bride flowers. I mean, they’re pretty stunning, would be a god damn shame if they died before we even had a chance to enjoy them.” Most people thought the redhead was rough around the edges, which was true, but that it meant she wouldn’t like girly things, which wasn’t true. Flowers, chocolates, valentines day, weddings…Samantha loved them all because they made her go all melty inside in the most cliche way. She was an ‘artist’ after all, it was no surprise. “I bet you’re heart, it was the greatest night of my fucking life, I didn’t want to spoil it by having you there, duh.” Putting her hand over his on his shirt she yanked it off, rolling her eyes. “Drama queen, you’ll be wining an Oscar with that god damn performance.” She teased her boyfriend cheekily.

Looking up towards the ceiling as if she was considering the topic of conversation the girl chewed her bottom lip, nodding faintly. “You’re right, I should, I mean I know the main ones you love. Role-play, biting your neck, someone in the corner watching, pegging, having sex in your parents bed….ah I’ve missed one haven’t I…fuck which one was it.” Breaking off she paused to think of something even more ridiculous and elaborate to top off the joke, clicking her fingers after a couple of seconds. “That was it, when I bake a cake and use your dick as a wooden spoon, how could I have forgotten that one.” Thank god the girl was murmuring all this to her boyfriend and not screeching it out loud for once in her life because she may well have gotten some odd looks from the older guests of the royal wedding. She laughed into his neck as he spoke about her getting his flowers, forehead falling onto his shoulder, a noise of feigned annoyance coming from her. “God you are so needy! We’ve only been dating a month and you’re already getting on my tits about buying you flowers, how on earth are we going to last! I caught these bride flowers, you can look at them if you want, there it’s kinda like I did buy you flowers.” Arms around his neck she arched her back a little to stretch with a yawn, the alcohol starting to make her just a little bit sleepy. Not to mention they’d just had dinner and cake, so all she needed was a nap and the woman would be golden. “Fine, torture yourself then, and me too apparently. I feel like it’s a bit unfair that you are thrusting your torture on me as well instead of thrusting something else on me, but as your ever suffering girlfriend I will just carry on suffering I guess.” As she accepted his soft kiss her voice trailed off, happy to be distracted by the sweet gesture that managed to make her feel like the most loved woman in the room, even at someone else’s wedding. Her teasing just made Sammy shrug, small soft smile on her lips as her eyes didn’t flick away from his for even a moment. “Well…would you be mad if it was? Hypothetically.” Lips quirking up in a tiny smirk, not being serious….exactly…but also not not being serious as well. “Well it’s not like we’ve only just met each other or anything, I think you know more about me than my own fucking mother, and vice versa. A ring wouldn’t change anything, plus you love the bridal march.” And just like that she started humming it again against his ear, pressing a kiss under his earlobe. “I do, I like the sound of that.”

"Aw, babe. There you go again with all that sappiness. My heart, and my ego really can’t handle---” he was cut off from finishing his sentence when she pinched his chin and made sure his lips connected to her own again, smirking against her lips. He really didn’t have any problem with making out with his girlfriend instead of talking, that’s for sure. They seemed to be in their own little world right now anyway, so it’s not like the people around them were being noticed. “As long as you’re happy, my love. You know I’d do anything and everything for you.” honestly, with the amount of alcohol in his system right now, Niklaus would most likely go door knocking at 2am in the morning asking for vases without any second thoughts about it. Hell, maybe the alcohol didn’t even need to play part in that. If Sammy wanted a vase, Niklaus would go to the extremes to get her one. Love made you do stupid things. Waking up your neighbors in the early hours of the morning to borrow things, being that stupid thing in this case. “Oh shut your mouth. We both know that the best night of your life will always involve me. In fact, not having me there probably made the night pretty damn average. I could have made it a million times better for you.” as his hand was yanked from his own shirt, Niklaus couldn’t contain his laugh, especially while he watched his girlfriend’s eyes rolling. “I learn from the best, My girlfriend is a bit of a drama queen too. Too much time around her and she’s starting to rub off onto me.” he teased back.

As soon as Sammy’s attention moved up to the ceiling, exposing her neck to him, Niklaus took this opportunity to pepper a few light kisses against her skin while he listened to her listing the kinks he apparently had. He made sure to bite her neck when she mentioned it too, a little harder than intended, but he knew she’d like it. “Wow, you really hit the nail on the head with that one, babe.” the man joked, playing along with her words. Thankfully, with the closeness of the couple, and the noises coming from the music and the other people in the room, this conversation was strictly remaining between the two of them. “Pfft, says you. I’m asking you to get me flowers. You’re asking me for a wedding.” he pointed out teasingly, continuing to pepper kisses against Sammy’s face. Her jawline, the corner of her lips, her cheeks. Anywhere he could reach, really. “Thrusting this torture onto you will rile you up though. And by the time we get back to my place you’ll be ready for me to thrust something else onto you. Or more specifically, into you.” he smirked faintly as he pulled back just enough to lock his eyes onto her own again. “Why would I be mad about something like that? I’m madly in love with you. If anything I’d probably be mad if we didn’t end up getting married at some point in time.” he mumbled against her lips, arm tightening its grasp around her waist. “I’m going to get sick of that bridal march if you keep humming it in my ear...”

Niklaus had hung out with Ollie plenty of times since they’d first met a couple of months ago, but today was a different day. Today, Nik had his ten year old daughter with him and could finally introduce Ollie to her. Alaia was just as out-going as Niklaus, always asking questions, always making friends where ever she went. The two Reign’s were currently at the park down the road from where Niklaus lived. He’d messaged Ollie earlier to organise this little outing and was currently just waiting for them to show up.

The blond watched his daughter while she played on the playground. She’d already befriended a little girl who was now following her around everywhere, and Alaia was happily involving her in her activities. It always warmed Nik’s heart, watching Alaia interacting with other kids. He knew she’d be an incredible big sister one day.

Making sure Alaia was staying close by, Niklaus quickly grabbed his phone to text Ollie. 

[ text ]: hey, we’re over at the playground. just in case you can’t find us. 😎