#araka

5.

“Don’t you have work to do?”

“Don’t you have work to do?”

Brandeis looked away and scratched his cheek with a finger. “I want to spend more time with you.”

“You can do that after work.”

A heavy pause followed. Donovan noticed the red on Brandeis’ face.

“I want to spend all my time with you.”

Donovan opened his mouth then shut it again. He couldn’t argue with that. He wanted the same thing too.

6.

“So, under those shades…”

“Are eyes.”

“What kind of eyes?”

“Does it matter?”

“I want to see.”

“No.”

“Please?”

“No.”

“Pretty please?”

A long sigh. “Fine.”

Donovan leaned in, expectant, and Brandeis took off his sunglasses. Donovan grinned. “Pretty.”

“Ah, shaddup.”

7.

The club was empty and clean and the jukebox played wonderfully calm music in the background of their chatter. So there was nothing wrong with the two of them being more than friendly. He would go back to being a proper bartender as soon as a customer walked in. Right now, he could flirt with his lover. He could lean in and try to steal a kiss from across the counter.

So of course, as soon as their lips touched, the front door burst open. Larissa was a whirlwind on most days, and this day was no exception. So Donovan hid his disappointment and pulled back to smile professionally at the woman. Brandeis glared daggers at her from behind his sunglasses, however, and Donovan prepared him an extra drink to appease him.

8.

Donovan stared at the alcohol in his glass while he listened to the rain outside. There were no guests in the club, which left him and Akara alone. Nights like these were usually spent with Brandeis, talking, flirting, near the piano, something. Slow nights had been perfect nights, but now...they were just empty. Everything was empty.

He sighed deeply and down his glass in one go. It burned his throat but didn’t help him otherwise.

“Donovan, I don’t think you should be drinking while on the job,” Akara said from their spot by the door.