Chapter Text
Sigh.
It was nice working at a high end restaurant. Mingyu wasn’t expected to smile. The clientele were mostly businessmen, lawyers, and other, mostly male, rich people who weren’t wanting a happy go lucky waiter. They wanted someone to do their job, do it well, and leave them alone. It was a skill to be able to do everything a table needed quickly and to get away as quickly as possible. These people were there to talk business for the most part, and didn’t want some random waiter in earshot.
Since it was Tuesday, the place wasn’t that busy, and so he took a break around one am. They closed at midnight, which was rather late, and he would be on his way home by one if he was lucky. He walked out the side entrance to where employees took their smoke breaks. There were a couple little tables enclosed with a fence, and he sat down, taking out his cigs. He lit one up, inhaling a deep drag with eyes closed, letting it out slowly.
His eyes opened at the loud sound of the side door being thrown open. They widened with awkward surprise as a man was pushed through with a hand around his throat. He didn’t look Korean, but he couldn’t place his ethnicity, but the man holding him definitely was. They were both in nice suits, definitely older than him, and it was obvious they were guests, and not meant to be back there.
The taller man, dark hair short and styled back, had the other by the front of the jacket, slightly taller and looking down at him, pulling him closer to be in his face as the door shut behind them. “... have to be difficult?”
“I simply do not want to talk to you.” The foreign looking man had black hair tied back tightly and fine features, the full lips pulled in a provoking smirk. His hands were at his sides, as if he were unbothered by the fingers around his neck.
Mingyu didn’t want to be privy to whatever was about to happen, nor did he think these men would want him to see. He didn’t know if it was a good idea, but he cleared his throat, turning both of their heads. “Umm, this is for employees only.” He really didn’t want to have to break up a fight.
They stared at him for a long moment, before the foreign man easily pushed the hands away from him, fixing his jacket. “Sorry about that.” The man’s face relaxed into an easy smile. “My… friend has had a bit too much to drink.” He turned, and the face morphed into something more judgemental toward his ‘friend’.
The other man stared back at him for a moment, fists clenching at his sides. It only lasted for a few awkward moments before he took a deep breath and straightened himself out. “We should get back in there.”
He waved a hand at his suggestion. “Tell them I needed a smoke.”
“He won’t like you smoking.”
Rolling his eyes, he turned away, leaning over the railing. “Then say something else, I don’t care. Tell them I just needed some fresh air.”
The taller man, probably younger by the looks of it, turned a hard look toward Mingyu who was looking away awkwardly, before scoffing in annoyance and heading back out the door.
Mingyu sat in silence with the man for a few moments. At this point it was obvious the man didn’t care about it being employees only, and he wasn’t going to push the topic. Depending on who exactly he was, telling him no could get him fired, and he couldn’t lose the job. It paid too well for a simple waiter. So he stayed silent, continuing to smoke and only occasionally looked over at the man.
Sighing heavily, the man’s head turned to him, and he was caught looking. He turned away, awkwardly clearing his throat. His side profile was something else, pretty nose and full lips accented by the street lights. Even with relatively wide shoulders and an obvious air of importance and power, the man was still what he would call pretty.
“Can I get one of those?”
He looked up as the man moved over and sat in the chair opposite him. “Uh, yeah. Sure.”
Mingyu pulled his smokes back out and was going to toss them across the table, but then thought better of it. He pulled one out and handed it over, throat tightening as the man put it between his lips and looked at the held out lighter. Oh, he wanted him to light it? Okay, that was annoying, but he did it anyway, leaning over the table to light it. The fire lit up the handsome face for a moment, and he could see the dark brown eyes that shone as they seemed to stare into his soul. Finally, when the cig was lit, he got to pull away, wiping sweaty palms on his pants.
There was silence between them as they smoked, Mingyu lighting up another because he needed one, and wasn’t wanting to leave just yet. He wished he could pull out his sketchbook and draw this man before he disappeared forever. His memory was good, but not from a small encounter. A handsome man like that only comes around so often, especially in this place, where the clientele were mostly older, jaded Korean men.
“Am I making you uncomfortable?” The voice seemed to have a raspy undertone to it, and with the casual way he spoke, it almost sounded suggestive. As if anything he said in the laid back, casual voice was going to send heat through his body.
He looked over, eyes dropping to his neck, to see the prominent Adam's apple. Mingyu wanted to draw him so bad. His eyes raised back to the ones that were watching him with easy amusement. “A little. Like I said, you’re not supposed to be back here.”
“Kim won’t care.” He waved a hand, saying the owners name as if they were old friends. Maybe they were.
The long fingers drew his attention, and he once again itched to have a pencil between his own. “Well, if I get in trouble, be sure to put in a good word for me.”
“Of course.” He laughed softly, but it still carried. It felt good to make him laugh. Taking another deep drag, he cocked his head to the side, like a bird. “What do you do?”
Mingyu’s eyebrows rose, unable to only raise one at a time. “I serve people.” What else did he think he did there?
A tongue sneaked out and ran across his upper lip, raising an eyebrow of his own. “Is that so?” The suggestive smile gave way to amused laughter.
He could feel his face heating up, which was really bad for him. He knew it was obvious when he blushed. “I meant I’m a server here.”
“Obviously.” The laughter died away, but the small smile stayed as he continued to keep awkward eye contact on Mingyu. “I meant when you're not here?”
What did he want? “Is this some kind of interrogation?”
“Could be.”
Mingyu frowned, watching the amused smile with distrust. “I'm an artist.” That word always felt a bit wrong, even if it were true.
“Now that's far more interesting.” Was it? He turned in the chair, facing him head on now. “What kind of art?”
This was a conversation he wasn't expecting to have, and he knew his break was basically over, but he couldn't help ignoring that and continuing it. “Traditional. Drawing, painting, sculpture occasionally.”
“Fascinating.”
“Is it?” He gave him an unconvinced look.
The man nodded once, reaching out to take another cig without asking. “I think so. My work is so boring. The only hobby I have is running away to get some peace and quiet. I rarely even do that.”
Mingyu watched him light his own cig this time, unable to look away from his lips. “What do you do for work?”
There wasn't a response as he blew out the smoke, eyeing him before changing the subject. “I'm guessing your art doesn't pay enough since you're in this shit position serving crusty old business men.”
He barked out an unamused laugh, turning away from him finally. This topic always made his mood drop. “No, not enough to pay the bills.”
“Do you make money from your art?”
“Sometimes.” He had an Instagram where he posted his work, and the occasional offer for them helped soften his bank account. It was rare, and hardly made a dent in his finances.
Mingyu could feel the man watching him, but he didn't want to look at him right then. “Do you take commissions?”
“Occasionally.” He flicked away his ash. “I've done a few pets or character art. Most people ask after the digital artists. I've tried my hand at it, but I prefer the old fashion way.” He didn't mean it in a way that put those artists down, just that he was more comfortable in the natural medium.
The man put out his cig into the ashtray in the middle of the table, sighing as he stood. “Well, it was nice meeting you…” He bent down to look at his name tag. “... Mingyu.”
He was still leaning over the table when Mingyu looked up, finding him smirking. “Uh, you too…” The sentence trailed off, and he wasn't sure if he was asking after his name or not.
Apparently, it wasn't going to be given as the man stood up and fixed his jacket. He dipped his head and turned, striding to the door and slipping through it, far quieter than when he had been pushed through it. Mingyu sat and watched the door, wishing he had been more forward about asking his name. Unfortunately, he didn't have the ability or time to sketch the man’s face while it was fresh in his mind, so he put out his own cig and went back inside.
It was already pretty late, so besides a couple tables, they were beginning to clean up for the night. One of the tables held the foreign man and the aggressor from earlier. With them was an older foreign gentleman, and another older man who looked awfully similar to the aggressive man. Father-son duos? He shouldn't be nosy about it, but after that earlier interaction, Mingyu couldn't keep his gaze from straying that way.
The man who had conversed with him caught his eyes once, smirk lifting his otherwise downturned lips for a moment before shifting back to whatever conversation was being had. Their presumed fathers seemed to be laughing and enjoying whatever topic they were on, while their sons sat in silence, not exchanging a word or look between them. It was kind of amusing to see two grown men sulk like angry children.
Eventually, they rose to leave and the waitress who had been serving them began to clean it. She was moving quickly, ready to be able to release them all to go home as it was the last table by this point. He watched her pocket a large tip, and he sighed, wishing it was him who had been helping them. Most tips were okay, and there always was one, but rarely was the tip that big. That could have paid his phone bill for the month.
Mingyu was cleaning, again, the bar when a figure appeared before him. He looked up, surprised to find that same man smiling at him. “I'm sorry, the bar is closed.”
He huffed out a laugh, pushing a couple bills his way. “For the cigarettes and conversation earlier.”
Looking down, he eyed the money being pushed his way. “For a couple cigs? Maybe you should join me on my breaks more often.” He joked as he slid the bills off the counter and into his pocket.
“Maybe I will.” Their eyes met, mischief sparkling in his eyes. “See you around, Mingyu.” The name was said as if it were being played with.
Once again, he was frozen to the spot as he watched the man leave without asking his name. He hadn't ever seen the man here before, but suddenly he hoped to see him again. If only to be able to look at his handsome face again. Maybe he would be able to remember it enough to sketch it when he got home.
When he was finally able to leave, the bus ride home felt longer than usual.
As soon as he made it through the door, he rolled up his sleeves and went into his front room, which doubled as a studio. He collected his worn sketchbook and a pencil, beginning to sketch right away. Mingyu knew he should change out of his white shirt before messing with graphite, but he just needed to get the man’s face down on paper while it was still somewhat fresh in his mind.
He couldn’t get the eyes right.
~~~
Nearly a week passed before he saw the man again.
It was Sunday and he was behind the bar. The night was slow, with only half a dozen of the tables seated nearing midnight. Most people weren’t drinking to get drunk, and so for the most part he was cleaning the same glasses over and over. He had probably wiped down the counter a thousand times in the past couple hours. This wasn’t exactly the kind of place where he could sit and relax while it was slow. He had to look professional.
Luckily, part of his professionalism was chatting with guests if they deigned to communicate with him.
So, when a familiar man sat at the end of the bar, he was given someone to talk to.
The man’s hair was down that day. He couldn’t tell if it was styled in the messy way it fell about his head, but it seemed purposeful. Mingyu was frozen for a moment as he watched the man card those long fingers through it, shaking it out. Their eyes met, and under the dim lighting his eyes looked dark, and his pretty lips lifted into a knowing smirk.
“Are you going to ask me what I want, or just stare?”
Clearing his throat, Mingyu collected himself and stepped forward, putting down the towel he had been holding. He stopped in front of him, looking around and confirming that there was no one close enough to hear anything they spoke about. Maybe he shouldn’t be worried about that? What exactly would they talk about that he wouldn’t want other people to hear?
Mingyu kept his face, and voice, neutral. “What can I get for you, sir?”
His smirk relaxed into an easy smile, and he leaned forward on his elbows, hands clasped on the counter between them. “What’s your favorite?”
“Oh…” He didn’t know why he was surprised. It wasn’t the first time the man had asked him questions about himself. “I don’t really drink, but when I do, I usually just keep it simple. Cheap soju.”
The man nodded, looking past him at the bottles on the shelves. “Do they even have the cheap kind here? This is more a western style place.”
“No.” Mingyu finally let himself relax, laughing softly. “I couldn’t afford one of these drinks.”
His hands lifted, and he dropped his chin on a fist, looking far too relaxed. He was wearing something far more comfortable looking than before. The dark sweater rested over wide shoulders, and what seemed to be a plain white undershirt peaked from underneath the collar. His thin wrist and hand gave away that the rest of him might not be as broad as his shoulders implied.
Besides his handsome features, he looked almost civilian.
“Just give me something popular, neat.” He waved his other hand, leaving it up to him.
Nodding, Mingyu turned and took down one of the more popular bourbons from the higher shelf, pouring a couple fingers into a glass and sliding it over to him. He watched the man lift it slowly, swallowing half the contents while keeping eyes locked with him. The man pursed his lips, and looked at the glass as he decided how he felt about the liquor.
Downing the rest of the glass, he smiled and slid it back over. “Might as well keep the bottle here.”
Mingyu poured him another two fingers, setting the bottle on the counter. “Quite the expensive place to get drunk alone.”
“I’m not alone.” He sipped this time, swirling the liquid around in the glass with a corner of his lips lifted.
He raised his eyebrows, giving him an unprofessional, unimpressed look. “I think only having your bartender to get drunk with sounds far more pathetic than just staying home with a bottle of soju.”
Eyes sparkling with amusement, he took another drink, obviously trying to fight back a pleased smile. It made Mingyu feel good. “Would your manager like to hear you calling guests pathetic to their face?”
Pushing his shoulders back, he stood straighter, looking down at the man. “Are you going to go tattle on me, sir.” He let the honorific out with a tone of playful judgment.
Biting his lip, eyes squirting with the pleased smile, he turned away from Mingyu, as if trying to hide it. It made the younger man’s stomach flutter against his will. While he didn’t want to assume this was flirting, he definitely felt the attraction for the older man. Especially when the eyes returned to him, and looked him up and down. It made his chest and neck heat with expectation.
“What’s your name?” He asked. The question slipped out against his will, but it seemed that most of his responses were becoming more reactionary than thought through.
The man finished his second glass, sliding it over. “Maybe one finger this time. Shouldn’t be drinking that quickly.”
“Mhmm.” Mingyu filled the glass with just over a shot’s worth of liquid.
“Thank you.” He pulled the glass back in front of him, but only held it in his hands, eyeing it for a moment as if thinking.
Mingyu waited patiently, looking around to make sure no managers or other guests were noticing them. He didn’t want anyone to interrupt them. Where this had come from, and where it was going, he had no idea, but right then, he had a handsome man’s attention and he wanted to enjoy it while he had it. It had been so long since something, someone, so interesting had interrupted his boring mundane life.
Finally, the man sighed, looking up at him. “Xu Minghao.”
He nodded slowly. “Xu Minghao.” The man smiled as he tried it out on his tongue. “It’s… Chinese?” Maybe guessing ethnicity was a little problematic, but like before, he wasn’t really thinking things through.”
Minghao nodded, proud smile on his lips. “Yeah. Parents moved here right before I was born.”
Mingyu found his hands playing with the bottle as they fell into awkward silence. He wasn’t sure what to do with himself. There was no way he was going to be caught leaning on the bar, but the conversation was too casual for the professional way he was standing straight. It would be better to be able to relax while he talked, but a guest's order could come in at any second, and he did need to pay some kind of attention to his job.
“How’s the art going?” He asked, taking a sip.
I’ve only been able to draw you, he thought to himself. “Not much has changed in five days.”
“Has it been five days since the last time we spoke?” Minghao raised a perfect eyebrow, the playful smirk returning. “Are you keeping count?”
Clearing his throat, he looked down at the bottle in his hands, wishing he could take a shot himself. “So what has you here drinking alone?”
He smirked, but let him change the subject. “Boring work day. Boring life.” He waved the glass with an annoyed snort before downing what was left in it. “I’m sure you understand.”
Mingyu filled the glass when it was pushed his way. “Yeah.” He vaguely understood the sentiment. His passion and motivation for his art had been waning, and all it seemed he was doing was surviving life day to day. “Does the passion to be alive always dwindle as you get older?”
“Are you calling me old?” Minghao sat back slightly, giving him a mock offended look.
He snorted. “Older than me.”
“How old do you think I am?” He took a tiny sip, setting the glass down. His smile was no longer under his control it seemed, the alcohol making his cheeks flushed and his eyes droop. Guess the man was a lightweight.
His stomach warmed when the eyes dropped to his lips, and then lower to his chest, and then even lower to his bare forearms where the sleeves had been rolled up to his elbows. When the bottom lip was pulled between his teeth, Mingyu felt like his body was on fire. “Late forties?”
That got his roaming eyes to shoot back up to his face, actual offense showing clearly on his face as he sat up, frowning at him. “Forties? Late forties? You’ve got to be kidding me?”
Mingyu couldn’t hold back the too loud laughter from escaping him, unable to keep up the serious look. “I’m just kidding.”
Minghao gave him a disgusted look, nose scrunching in distaste. “Did your parents never teach you manners?”
“Maybe you could give me pointers as my elder.” He continued to tease him, enjoying the flustered response.
The man licked his lips, incredulous, and shook his head. “You’ve got a lot of nerve.”
“You forgot to add ‘young man’ to the end of that.” Mingyu grinned at the barked laugh he got in response.
His eyes were bright, even if his face was playfully scrunched in anger. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-four.” He answered immediately.
That got his playful anger changing into actual surprise, eyebrows raising. “Oh.”
Mingyu laughed at the response. “Do I look older?”
His eyes were still giving away how buzzed he was, nodding slowly. “Maybe it’s the...” The eyes dropped to his chest. “Or the…”
That made his whole body flush with heat. He worked out enough to stay in decent shape, and he knew he filled out the shirt and vest quite well. Because of his job, he was well groomed, face clean shaven and dark hair cut once every few weeks, long enough to get into his eyes when not styled back. Add in the height, and he knew exactly why it wasn’t strange for him to catch people staring.
Did he think he was good looking? Yes, because he had been told enough in his life. Hell, he was sure if he started posting himself with his art, he would probably get more people willing to buy his stuff just because of his looks. That was exactly why he kept his art and himself separated on social media. The last thing he wanted was for someone to be interested in his work for any other reason than his style and ability.
Minghao was beginning to look more buzzed, as if he couldn’t control where his eyes roamed. “I’m thirty-five.” The tone was soft, as if in a daze.
He was surprised, not because it did anything to stop his attraction, but because he honestly wouldn’t have guessed the man to be over thirty. “I hope to age as well as you.”
The eyes slowly made their way back to his face, and Minghao laughed softly, shaking his head as if to clear it. “I appreciate that.” He looked down into the cup. “Eleven years…” It seemed to be said to himself. “Fucking hell.” He downed the contents of the cup.
As if the universe was giving him time to think, a fellow waiter appeared down the bar. Mingyu refilled his glass one more time before moving to take the order. It was for a group of people, so it took him some time to make all the drinks that were wanted. He peeked down the counter to find Minghao watching him with hooded eyes, lip between his teeth.
He had never been with someone that much older than him. In fact, surprisingly, he hadn’t been with that many people in the first place. Mingyu had been in two long term relationships with women for most of his life. There was one during most of highschool, and one during college until about a year ago when they cut it off because they couldn’t do long distance while she was abroad. In truth, he had suspected his sexual fluidity part way through college, and it had caused him to question many things about himself.
After they had split, he had hooked up with a couple guys, and a couple girls. It was like a testing period for him, but he learned pretty quickly that he wasn’t one for casual flings. Which is why his interest in Minghao would probably stop at interest. While he seemed like an interesting and intelligent man, he didn’t get the vibes that this man was interested in anything more serious than a shared night. Also, for all he knew, he was an unhappily married businessman looking for someone quick and easy to let off steam. It wouldn’t be the first time he had seen mismatched wedding bands and glaringly obvious tan lines from missing rings.
Mingyu would enjoy the flirting, but it probably wouldn't make it beyond that.
Eventually he was finished with the drinks and he slowly made his way back down the long counter. Minghao’s eyes never strayed from him, and Mingyu’s eyes were drawn to a finger trailing around the edge of his empty glass. He went to grab the bottle, but the man waved him away, so he put it back down, amused.
Looking out across the room, he dipped his head when he caught eyes with a coworker, implying the want for a break. She nodded, miming a need for a moment. His eyes returned to the older gentleman, seeing the flushed skin along his neck and face. Even though no words had been exchanged since he returned, the eyes stayed on him, and what was there was easily translated. The man was having sinner’s thoughts.
His coworker arrived, motioning for him to go, and went to ask after a refill for Minghao. Mingyu gave the bill to her, and watched for a moment as the man pulled out a thick card, eyes still not leaving him. He gave the older man a knowing smile, dipping his head toward the area where the smoke area’s door was and turned away, leaving him to follow if he wanted. Collecting his cigarettes from his locker, he found his way outside.
It wasn’t long, maybe a couple drags into a cig, when the door swung open, and a slightly swaying Minghao stepped out onto the patio. The man’s smile was more free, teeth showing as he slumped down in the same chair as before. Mingyu pulled out a cig, holding it out, watching intently as the man leaned forward and took it with his lips instead of hands, waiting patiently as he lit it.
They sat in silence for a few drawn out moments, eyes locked. The telepathy of understanding between them, of what was happening was delicious. It was a thrill he hadn’t ever felt before. Maybe it was the power dynamic of guest and employee, younger and older, rich businessman and poor artist. Something about it had Mingyu’s heart beating quickly with the unknown future that was sitting between them.
Would he give in to the barely veiled promise of pleasure?
“You said you take commissions.” Minghao’s raspy voice rumbled out of his chest with the smoke from his last inhale.
Mingyu nodded, ashing his cig off to the side. “I do. If I deem it worth my time.”
His smile was pleased, enjoying the edge of dismissiveness he was receiving. “I can pay well.”
“I said worthy of my time, not my pocket.” Yes, money would be nice, but this situation wasn’t a simple person wanting a portrait.
Again, that pleased look at the haughty response. Did he like when he was on the precipice of outright rudeness? “What would I need to do to make it worth your time?”
Taking a deep breath, he finally broke eye contact with Minghao as he pulled out and lit another cigarette. “Well, you would have to give up time as well. You’d have to sit for sketches. Photographs. You might not even like my style once you see it. Then, a proper portrait could take months to finish to whatever standard you want. Or, I could spend a few hours on a pencil portrait for the price of pocket change and send you on your way.” He returned his gaze to the watching man. “But, if you don’t end up as difficult as you seem, anywhere between five hundred and a thousand dollars. More depending on the medium you want me to use because if I don’t have it, you will be buying it.”
The smile grew, and Mingyu was drawn in by the smile lines that appeared at the edges of his beautiful eyes. “So, if I commission you, then we’ll have to spend a few months together to complete it?”
He barked out a laugh. “There would be a couple sessions to do sketches and take photos for reference so I can get the vibe down. Then, when it’s nearly finished, a few more sessions to do touch ups and make sure it’s to the standard. So, at most, you’d only have to be there a few days during the whole process.”
“How disappointing.” Minghao pouted playfully, barely veiled smirk playing behind it.
Mingyu raised his eyebrows. “Oh, do you want to sit during the whole thing? Do you have that kind of time?”
“I can make whatever time you need.” His response was immediate.
His heart started racing again, eyes locking once more and that telepathy returning. “I’ll have to think about it.”
“Of course. Take all the time you need.”
Chewing his lip, they fell into silence but didn’t look away from each other. His cig was burned to the butt by the time he realized they had been staring at each other for several long minutes. “I should be getting back. My break ended a bit ago.” The words were soft, almost feeling like he was asking him for permission to leave.
Minghao nodded, eyes hooded, dropping to his lips once again. “I wouldn’t want you to get into trouble.”
He rose from his chair, awkwardly adjusting himself and fixing his vest as he walked past. The eyes followed him, and a hand reached out to grab him before he could move past him. Mingyu looked down at the long fingers grasping his larger hand. His lighter tone contrasted with his tanned skin, and he couldn’t help but grab it back, feeling the coolness that his own warmth enveloped.
“Let me give you my business card.”
His eyes rose from their joined hands and met with surprisingly nervous eyes. Mingyu nodded. “Okay.”
The hand dropped from his, slowly, fingers trailing against each other without breaking eye contact. Their hands spoke a language to each other that their lips weren’t willing to voice. He watched as he shifted to grab his wallet from his back pocket, pulling out a card and holding it out to him. Mingyu took the offered card, and bowed slightly.
“It was nice talking to you again.”
Minghao wasn’t smiling anymore, looking buzzed and on edge, nervous. “I hope to be able to speak again, outside of your work.”
Taking a deep breath, he dipped his head. Feeling the goodbye floating between them. “I’m sure we will. Have a good night, Minghao.”
“Mingyu.” Hearing his name like that, let out with a breath, sent his mind fogging and wishing to be anywhere but this public place.
He turned and walked back inside.
Minghao did not return to the bar.