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saintrocklee · 6 months

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*:･ﾟ✧ RESTRAINT ╰┈➤ part 02 of 05

masterlist | pairing: itachi x reader publish date: 04.04.24 warnings: itachi continues to be annoying. reader goes through the 5 stages of realizing you love your boss. there's alcohol and glitter.

The rest of the work week flew by and before you know it you're staring at yourself in your full length mirror, nerves buzzing just below your skin. You're one misstep away from a nervous breakdown and clack the front of your freshly done nails together, the clicking sound distracting you from your spinning thoughts.

It was currently seven o’clock and you had an hour to finish getting ready before a driver would come get you. Between now and when Itachi had invited (but also sort of demanded) you accompany him you had found a dress, matching shoes, borrowed a small purse from your friend, and even got your nails and toes done.

Now you're left with your hair and jewelry.

Events like these always took way longer to get ready for.

If you're being entirely truthful, you liked getting dressed up. Like really dressed up. You rarely had an excuse to go all out like this and it always made you feel pretty. Girly. Confident, even.

But the anxiety buzzing through your system were killing your vibe.

You hadn't even been that nervous until your backstabbing best friend cheekily said “Wow, an entire night on Itachi’s arm - as his date. That’s different.” when you stopped by yesterday to borrow her purse. It clicked, right then and there, that this was different. You'd gone through the steps of convincing yourself this was just another work event, only to have the proverbial rug ripped out from under you.

You were going to a gala, one of the most socially relevant parties of the year, with your boss. You were going to this extremely extravagant and public event not as his assistant or colleague ... but with him.

This wasn’t work. This wasn’t a meeting or a conference. This was a social event. Where socializing took place. Where people - important, powerful, famous people - would see you. With Itachi.

As his date.

Your chest begins to burn and you idly wonder if having a heart attack would be a good enough reason to cancel.

Knowing Itachi it wouldn't be.

Okay, focus. Hair and jewelry. Retouch makeup if needed. Another swipe of deodorant and a spritz of perfume. Then, if there's time, unrestrained panic.

It takes you a good thirty minutes to decide to wear your hair up and style it, to prevent you from fiddling with it all night. You idly picked through an assortment of hair pins, wanting something to make your look really pop. Your dress was simple but elegant and if you were going to show up with the Itachi Uchiha you needed to look the part. The plunging neckline surprisingly offered you support while showing off your cleavage behind sheer fabric. Your back was completely bare, the straps on your shoulders thin, and the slit ran high; but was covered by more sheer fabric. It was light, easy to move in, and one of your favorites. You choose a sparkling hairpin and add it to your up-do, twisting your head back and forth to get the full effect.

You just needed jewelry.

The low vibration from your phone distracts you and you smile when you see who's calling. You answer the Facetime request and your smile broadens when your best friend immediately begins squealing.

“Oh my god, shut up! You look so good.”

You snort and wave her off as you position your phone on your dresser to free up your hands. She continues talking and you think you hear glass clinking in the background.

“When’s boss man picking you up? Is he even going to be able to function around you? Like, I'm engaged and honestly, I'll leave him for you right here and now. Just say the word.”

The laugh that escapes you is warm and the anxiety you were feeling earlier begins to fade.

“Tell your fiance if he makes one wrong move I’ll say the word and steal you back. And he’s not picking me up, he’s sending a driver. I've got, like, thirty minutes."

Your friend makes a noise and you can see the wine glass in her hand as she moves to sit on her couch.

“Well, I just wanted to call before you left so I could see the final product. I love your hair, is that the hairpin I got you?”

You nod and spin, showing off the back of your head, giggling when you hear her audibly whistle.

“Babe, you look even better from the back! If Itachi doesn’t make a move, go find some other rich CEO to marry so you can pay for my wedding.”

You give your friend an unimpressed look and decide not to respond, instead holding up two different pairs of earrings.

“Shut up and help me. Which ones?”

After five minutes of going back and forth you find yourself wearing two different pairs of earrings; your friend sighing and nibbling her lips as her eyes flicked back and forth.

“Damn, they’re both so good. Let’s find a necklace and then come back.”

Soon, you’ve picked a necklace, a simple bracelet, and even added some more glitter to your eyes to make them shine. Still, neither of you could decide on which earrings. You move on to your deodorant and double check you have everything in your purse while she updated you on a frustrating new hire at her company. It felt like old times, back before you worked for Itachi and before she had met her now fiance, when it was just the two of you struggling against the world.

“Okay, okay, let’s focus up. You do a shot yet?”

You scrunch your face up at the old memory and snort. Back when you and your best friend lived together you would always take one shot of whatever alcohol you had on hand before going to any kind of social event that made you both nervous. A house party, birthday, forced family outing; it didn't matter. It was a way to take the edge off, without “being trashy” as she so eloquently put it. The tradition was rooted deep, even with you both living apart, and you can't help but smile.

“No. I don’t drink when I’m working.”

The gasp that meets your ears is loud, pained, and dramatic. You're surprised your cell speaker still functions once she's done wailing.

“Uh-uh! This isn’t work, this is a date. At a fancy gala. With fancy people. And your hot as shit boss.”

You try and prove your indifference with a shrug but even through the phone she wasn't having it.

“We’ve still got fifteen minutes, take me to your kitchen woman! I’ll do one with you, in solidarity.”

You reward her with a laugh and pick your phone up, obeying her very demanding request. You place her on your countertop near your stove and shake your head when you see her doing the same, frantically searching her own kitchen for alcohol.

“Okay okay, let’s see. I've got some questionable tequila and some very fancy vodka, which is more the mood we're going for. What about you?”

You hum and peek in your fridge, mildly surprised you still have some raspberry flavored vodka left over from weeks ago.

“I’ve got vodka too, but I wouldn't call it fancy.”

There’s loud cheering coming from your phone’s speaker and you roll your eyes, grabbing a shot glass from the top of your fridge. You fill it easily and hold it up to your camera, smiling when you see your friend do the same.

“Alright! Cheers to you, your hot ass, and Itachi removing that stick from his hot ass. On three!"

You count down and throw back the sweet smelling alcohol, immediately crinkling your nose at the burn in your throat. You hear audible gagging and chuckle as you watch your friend frantically search her kitchen for a chaser.

“Jesus Christ, this shit sucks. I hate my fiance, let’s kick him out and you can move in again. Then we can get rid of all this nasty shit in my fridge.”

Your laugh turns into a fond smile and you open your mouth to retort when there’s a knock at your door. Frowning slightly at the intrusion, you turn and eye the clock on your wall.

Seven fifty. You had ten more minutes to prepare for Itachi’s driver and someone was knocking at your door.

Great.

“Gotta go lover, some jackass is banging on my door. I’ll text you later!”

“What!? Let me see! Push me against the peep hole so I can tell them to fuck off!”

You snort and shake your head, waving goodbye before disconnecting the video. If your friend had it her way, you’d keep her on the line all night, hiding her in your purse and whipping her out to gossip about everyone around you.

You move toward your door, dropping your phone on your couch, and go to unlock it without checking your peephole. It was more than likely your neighbor, who sometimes got confused in his old age about what apartment he was at. You open the door with fervor and blink stupidly at who you see standing in the hallway.

Okay.

Definitely not your neighbor.

Itachi finds himself in your hallway, attention directed towards adjusting his cuff links, and glances up at the sound of your door opening. Years of practice and etiquette training have him schooling his features to not betray the absolute turmoil he feels from seeing you.

You were an absolute vision.

You had outdone yourself and Itachi forces himself to memorize this moment in it's entirety. Your eyes shone beneath simple makeup and glitter, your hair twisted and styled beautifully in an up-do that left your neck bare. The wide eyed surprise on your face only adds to your allure and Itachi finds himself struggling to control the way his pulse quickens. The dress you're wearing is either new or had been hiding in your closet somewhere and he fights to keep his eyes on your face. From what he can see, the sheer fabric that hugs your body leaves little to the imagination, and something warm begins to burn through him.

Curling his mouth into a friendly smile, Itachi goes to speak to break the charged silence between you two, but you cut him off breathlessly - eyes narrowing.

“You’re early.”

Itachi almost laughs as the heat in his chest begins to spread. Maybe he'd tell his driver to leave, skip the troublesome gala, and see if he could convince you to stay in. Maybe -

“Are you ready?” Itachi forces himself to ask, smile widening to show teeth when you roll your eyes and step to the side, inviting him in wordlessly. He needed to see the night through. He wouldn't be so easily distracted by your glitter and barbed tongue.

“No, because you’re early. Are you incapable of telling time without me?”

The butterflies assaulting your chest mixed with the alcohol warming your skin have you coming closer and closer to the unrestrained panic you were feeling earlier. He’d said be ready by eight and you had assumed he would send a driver, like always.

Obviously you were wrong.

Itachi hums, pointedly ignoring your jab, and steps into your apartment. You eye him warily as his head turns slowly, no doubt inspecting your place. He’d never been inside of your home before and finds himself taking in all of the little details. Soft touches of you were everywhere and while he could classify your apartment as busy, it was also comforting. Lived in. A home filled with framed pictures, small plants, and what seemed to be an inappropriate amount of blankets. There were at least two on the couch, two on the armchair, and a pile folded up and tossed onto the ottoman. He reaches for the worn red one on the couch and pulls it between his fingers, eyes sparkling in amusement.

“Do you get cold often?” He questions and you snort, crossing your arms over your chest.

“Shut up. You don’t get to insult my blankets after barging into my apartment.”

Itachi glances at you before dropping the fabric in his hand.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever ‘barged in’ anywhere.”

This pulls a trademark eye roll out of you and Itachi finds himself smiling fondly before his brow furrows. You notice immediately and frown, cocking your head slightly.

“What?” you ask, inhaling sharply when your boss takes a measured step towards you. His movement leaves barely any space between you and you follow his eyes, confused at the way they seemed to trail from the left to the right.

What was he looking at -

Oh. Your earrings.

“Shit” you murmur, both hands coming up to fiddle with the mismatched jewelry dangling from your ears. You had completely forgotten that you hadn’t chosen a set yet and can’t help but grin up at Itachi, shrugging sheepishly.

“Couldn’t decide on a pair, just give me a minute to -”

You go to step around him, planning on just picking randomly and grabbing your shoes from your bedroom, when he shifts his stance to block you. You halt your movement, glancing up at him again, only for everything to shut down when a warm hand reaches to brush against your ear.

Here’s the thing, about Itachi and physical touch.

He didn’t do it. In fact, you’d seen him actively avoid it.

It's not like you two hadn't touched before - consequences from working so closely together. A brush of fingers when handing off files to each other between meetings, a polite hand on the other one’s forearm to grab their attention, a tap on the shoulder to signal it was time to move on. You've even fallen asleep on him a couple times at the airport, which was always coupled with an apology and an indifferent shrug. Regardless, physical touch between you two was always quick, always professional, and never meant to be anything more than innocent.

The hand currently brushing against your face was anything but.

Your body, traitorous thing, was completely frozen and you can’t do anything but blink rapidly at the sudden contact. His fingers toy with your dangly earring and brush where your jaw meets your neck, eyes focused as he considers you. He mirrors his movements on the other side of your head, essentially cradling your face while he mulls over which earrings he likes. At least, that's what you assume he's doing. It's not like you can ask, you're entire being was rendered immobile and useless under his touch and distantly you wonder if you're still breathing. Maybe you stopped. Maybe you'll pass out and wake up and he'll be gone and you can ... oh. The thumb that slowly starts to stroke your jaw fractures your train of thought and you swallow when Itachi finally steps back and drops his hands, eyes glinting mischievously.

“The one on the right suits you better.”

It takes you a moment to remember what he was talking about. You bring a hand that you were trying very hard to keep from shaking up to your right ear and fiddle with the jewelry attached to it.

“Thanks.” you reply, voice barely above a whisper, and move past him to finish getting ready in your bedroom. It only takes you a minute to put on matching earring and grab your shoes and purse - but you take an extra minute to collect yourself.

The heat pooling in your abdomen was working with the butterflies assaulting your tummy and you take a final breath, urging yourself to get it together. It didn't mean anything, he was just messing with you like always, it didn't mean anything. You step out and grab your phone from the couch before dropping it in your purse and heading to the door.

“Let's go Uchiha, now I'm waiting on you.”

There's a low chuckle from behind you and soon you're both entering your building's elevator after exiting your apartment. You're trying desperately to get your heart rate back to normal and spare a glance towards your boss as the doors ding shut.

You had to admit he looked good. Itachi was dressed in all black, his suit jacket extremely form fitting, and you spy what’s come to be your favorite dress shirt underneath it. You noticed that he wasn’t wearing a tie and can’t help but smile.

“Going for a more casual look tonight?” You snark, meeting his gaze with an arched brow. Itachi looked the exact opposite of casual with his hair neatly styled and silver cuff links sparking. Your boss would be breaking necks well into the evening, but still. The absence of a tie strikes you as kind of funny and you're grasping for some sort of normalcy.

Making fun of him was your version of normal. It was a comfortable default and you planned to use it all night if needed.

Itachi narrows his eyes at you and snorts, looking back to watch the numbers on the elevator go down.

"Someone once told me I needed to learn how to tone it down.”

This brings a genuine laugh out of you as memories from a previous conversation spring forward. You had both been attending an art gallery, looking to purchase some pieces for the lobby that had been recently redone. He’d shown up in a similar outfit to the one he was wearing now, which made him a bit overdressed and a complete contrast to your very casual professional attire. Attendees had paid more attention to your boss than the art that night and after two glasses of wine you pulled him to the side, grinning from ear to ear.

“Tone it down Fabio, before they start bidding on you instead.”

His unfiltered reaction had been priceless, head turning toward you so quickly you were surprised his neck didn’t break. Once he saw your evil little smile he’d glared at you and actually rolled his eyes, before directing your attention to a painting he wanted for his office.

"Whoever suggested that is probably a genius and grossly underpaid." You sniff, pretending to pick at a stray thread on your purse. It wasn't a secret that your boss was unjustly pretty and on days when you were feeling particularly sour about it you made sure to tease him. There's a catch of breath from next to you that could be described as a laugh as the elevator doors opened and you begin to move forward, only to come to a complete stop when Itachi speaks.

"She's certainly troublesome, but I'm quite fond of her."

You whip your head to the right, mouth parting in surprise at the bold choice of words, but Itachi is already exiting the elevator, holding the door open with his arm. You spy his driver on the other side of the clear glass doors in your apartment lobby and lift your chin up, determined to not let him see how easily he continued to fluster you. It was all a game, one you've played with him many times, and while you feel the flames of defeat licking at your heels you wouldn't go down easily.

You walk past him, focusing on keeping your breaths even, when he leans in, the silk in his voice barely above a whisper.

“She's also particularly stunning this evening.”

You turn to face him, brow furrowed in confusion, all while failing to ignore the way your heart practically jumped out of your throat.

“Stop that.” You breathe and Itachi arches a brow, withdrawing his arm so the elevator doors can close.

“Stop what?” he asks, so innocently confused, and you bristle, anxiety mixing with something else that was starting to kindle. You had only done one shot, you weren't a lightweight by any means, but that bit of alcohol combined with whatever game Itachi was playing was throwing you through a loop. The pouty, irritable part of you wanted to scratch his eyes out while demanding answers but you'd either needed more alcohol or less witnesses to move forward with that half-cocked plan. So instead -

“You're annoying." You deadpan, turning to keep walking to the car. An amused hum follows you and you can picture the smug look on your boss' face as you both make your way outside. There was a chill in the air that helped alleviate the agitated heat you were battling and by the time you're seated comfortably in the backseat you're feeling a bit more normal.

Itachi slides into the seat next to you and immediately reaches for a pile of folders on the seat next to him. You make a noise of disapproval before remembering that you're still annoyed with him.

“Seriously? Were you working on your way over here? It’s Saturday. We’re literally going to a party.”

You're pointedly ignored, but the driver who's name you cannot remember snorts lightly from the front and your smile shows teeth.

“See? Even he thinks you’re insane.”

Itachi pauses his perusal to glance between you and the console mirror, eyes narrowing marginally.

"I don't pay you two to team up against me."

A sharp, sarcastic noise escapes you and you lean forward, going so far as to place your hand on the driver's seat.

"Does it state anywhere in your contract that we can't conspire together?"

"No ma'am." The man responds, his tone clipped and professional, but the playful glint in his eye made your nose scrunch up in amusement.

"No." You cheerfully agree, settling back into your seat and going so far as the flick the corner of the folder still in Itachi's hands. Your boss lets out a long suffering sigh that you're sure he'd been holding in for days, before relenting and closing the document.

"This is the business proposal for Kakuzu's new-"

"Oh, really? Wow that's incredible, I don't remember asking-"

"If we can come to an agreement this would mean-"

"Wow, again with more information that no one asked-"

"You are quite possibly the most-"

"Incredible, talented, intelligent-"

"I could fire you-"

"Oh I dare you-"

You find yourself laughing as you and Itachi fall into a comfortable back and forth, nerves quickly dissipating as the car pulls off. So long as the rest of the night went like this, you would be fine.

You hoped.

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cristianron · 28 days

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b-afterhours · 10 months

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Avenue of Sins: Neon

A sequel to Avenue of Sins

SUMMARY: '90s. It's the aftermath. Jaded, Bill and Alma navigate their new lives as they try to drag themselves out of the dark debacherous trenches they had once ensnared themselves in. It's easy to forget their evils when a silver lining introduces itself into their lives but can they create a less hedonistic life that would be just as satisfying?

WARNINGS: adult content, mature readers only.

The completed first series can be read and found here.

Chapter Four

December 1992

Bill stood in the guest room with Alma trying to contain the devious smile he could feel tugging at his mouth. He had just revealed that her friend Ulyssa wanted to visit Trigger Finger and she was just the ticket to get his girlfriend there too.

“What the hell did you say to her?!” Alma said accusatoryly.

“I just told her about the place. I didn’t invite her if that’s what you think? She asked to go herself.”

“Why the hell would she want to go if she doesn’t even…” she trailed off. “Unless you made it sound like fun?”

“Well, it is a fun place, Alma.” He crossed his arms in front of his chest indignantly. “I don’t have a problem with her going. And I told her as much. So if you don’t want her to go you can tell her that yourself.”

Alma shook her head. “Christ,” she said under her breath. “What about Echo?”

“I can cover the office windows enough that she won’t see anything.”

“You’ve thought about this…” she looked at him knowingly.

“I knew it might have been a possibility…” Bill admitted.

Alma let out an incredulous laugh. “You’re unbelievable, sometimes.”

“So?” He said, biting his cheek to keep his smirk at bay.

Alma sat at the edge of the bed and shook her head to herself in resignation. “I…” she sighed. “I know you told me you remodeled?”

Bill took a seat next to her and pulled her towards him. “I did. The office is a new addition in a different area of the club. Brand new. And we don’t have to stay long.” He reassured her. He didn’t like working in the old loft either after what had transpired there so he knew Alma’s trepidation.

Alma wrapped her arms around the side of him and buried her head into his chest. She thought for a moment. Maybe she could tell her friend no but didn’t want to risk being a buzzkill and she didn’t want to do that to Ulyssa.

“Okay,” she muttered. “I trust you. I love you.”

“I love you too,” he smiled, kissing the top of her head.

“But,” Alma continued, “you’re not as sneaky as you think you are.” She looked up at him and cupped his jaw with her hand.

“Maybe a little,” he smirked and then dipped his head down to kiss her tenderly.

…

Ulyssa was getting dressed to go to the strip club her friend's boyfriend owned. That was a wild thought to her let alone that it was a reality. When Alma asked her if she was sure while they ate pot roast she reiterated that she was but she could tell her friend was hoping she had changed her mind. She was in the bathroom looking at her outfit in the mirror. Newly purchased from her shopping spree. It was a cropped white baby tee she paired with an inky short skirt that had a high slit. Alma picked that for her. She switched her titanium septum jewelry with one that had gems on it then after retouching her eyeliner she swiped her lips with a stone-colored lipstick and topped it with gloss.

She was downstairs alone checking out Bill’s stereo system when he walked out from the hallway his facial hair was trimmed nicely and his hair was slicked back. He was in a black button-up, perfectly pressed matching trousers, and Doc Martens. It seemed like a usual uniform for him. However, when he set Echo down she noticed he was wearing more rings on his fingers, most notably a chunky silver skull he wore on his right middle finger. Echo happily walked towards her wearing white overalls and a light pink sweater underneath with her little Converse. Usually, she’d be having a nap by now but it seemed like her parents were keeping her up so that she’d sleep at the club.

“Ah, I’m gonna grab my coat and see if Alma’s almost done,” he said, nudging his head toward the hallway and excusing himself.

A few minutes went by when she heard heels on the marble floor which made her glance at her beat-up combat boots and then Alma walked in. She was in leather pants both sides were slit and stitched with leather laces up to her hips revealing her flesh. She paired them with a structured leather corset top and over it was an onyx penny lane coat. Her lips were shaded with a blackberry-colored lipstick and she had smoked out her liner giving her a bit of a vampy look.

“Hot bitch!” Ulyssa exclaimed with a laugh.

“Hot bitch,” Alma pointed at her. Bill appeared behind her and chuckled at them. “See that skirt is cute you almost didn’t buy it.”

“Okay, let's get there before the crowd does,” Bill said, clapping his hands together as he walked towards the door where he had the baby bag and playpen to bring along.

…

On the way to the club, Bill took his pager out of his pocket, handed it to Alma, and asked her to page Theo as they were close. When she finished and passed it back, Bill told her to tell Ulyssa how her luggage was stolen on the day she first visited the club.

Alma laughed. “Oh yeah, some kid stole it. And it was the luggage with most of my panties in it too. Little asshole.”

“He’s probably a bonafide panty sniffer now,” Ulyssa joked.

“Like someone else I know,” she poked Bill in the ribs playfully.

“Ha!” Bill sarcastically exclaimed.

When he turned a corner, that’s when Ulyssa noticed a pink light shining on the hood of the car and highlighting them. She looked out and saw the giant neon sign that spelled Trigger Finger XXX in cursive.

“This is it,” Bill announced.

He pulled up to a reserved spot on the curb near the front entrance and outside she saw a man as tall as Bill but three times as large outside waiting on them. While Bill got out to open Alma’s door, the other man opened her door.

“Theo,” he said, shaking her hand and helping her step out of the vehicle.

She quickly introduced herself and then Bill cut in to tell her that he was head of security. Meanwhile, Alma snuck past her to grab Echo out of her car seat and Bill stood behind her somewhat blocking the view of them should anyone glance their way. Once in her arms, Bill grabbed the blanket Alma was holding and draped it over their daughter to conceal her. Alma began walking towards the front doors until he put his hand on her hip and guided her over towards a narrow alley that the building sat on.

“There’s private entry now. This is one of them,” he said as she followed them along with Theo by her side holding the baby's things.

They walked up a flight of fabricated metal stairs. Bill, who was behind Alma spotting her if she slipped, got in front once his girls were on the landing and produced a ring of keys – from his long coat – opening the heavy door. He then stood back letting the girls and Ulyssa in first and then himself before Theo.

Inside everything was furnished in a royal blue color scheme with embellishments of gold which shone even in the dim lighting. Both of the women looked around at the place thoroughly impressed. Alma especially because the configuration looked nothing like the old loft which eased some of her anxiety. Ulyssa blushed a bit when she noticed that there were not one but two stripper poles inside the room. Then she walked a bit forward towards the tall floor-to-ceiling windows that had a front and center view of the stages. It was huge inside lots of seating she could tell so far having not been down there yet.

When she passed her worn leather jacket to Theo she saw Alma point at the stripper poles and Bill just shrugged and grinned telling her it was just aesthetics as he set the baby bag on the desk close to the entrance they came in.

“Would you like anything to drink? Eat?” Theo asked Ulyssa while the parents fussed about getting their child situated in her playpen.

“Um, water would be nice for now. Thank you.” Her hangover was still lingering over her a bit.

“Sure thing,” Theo nodded placing all the coats he accrued on a coat rack. “Please, take a seat if you like too.”

“Theo,” Bill called out, straightening himself after placing his daughter in the playpen just before he left. “Could you get Diego to bring that roll of butcher paper? We need to cover the bottom half of these windows.”

“On it, Boss” Theo said just before he left through a door on the right.

“He’s nice,” Ulyssa said.

“Oh, Theo is a big teddy bear usually,” Alma said. “But at work, he’s on top of his shit.”

“Did you notice the glass part of the floor?” Bill pointed asking Ulyssa but she shook her head. She hadn’t walked all the way to the front of the loft.

Bill asked the ladies to follow him and right at the bottom of the windows was indeed a glass section of the floor that ran the whole length of the wall which looked right down into the bar. Bill stood on it and lightly chuckled when he noticed the girls were hesitant to step foot on it. He grabbed Alma’s hand and pulled her on it which made her yelp. Then she relaxed and opened her eyes when she realized they weren’t falling through.

“I think I’m fine right here,” Ulyssa said, trying to draw her hand away from Alma who was now reaching for it. “I’m fine right here,” she hollered when she was pulled on too.

They were all laughing, their heads down looking into the bar when there was a slight knock on the loft door and Diego announced himself. He was carrying a large roll of butcher paper on his shoulder and right behind him came Bianca with a roll of blue painter's tape.

“Look who decided to show up to work,” she said, hugging Bill. “Ah, this is Alma’s friend!” She said, turning to her. “You ever bartended before? We’re hiring.”

“Bianca,” Alma whined.

Bianca smirked. “I only kid. Well kinda,” she gave Bill a pointed look.

“I know, I know,” Bill said. “This is my business partner, Bianca,” he said, introducing Ulyssa.

They stepped away from the windows so that Diego could cover the bottom half of them but Alma stayed behind a bit to speak to him.

“Would you like help,” she asked her old trusty bar back.

“No, I got it, Miss Echo,” he assured.

“It’s just Alma now. I heard you got married,” she smiled at him. “Congrats.”

He thanked her just before she stepped away. “Well I’m impressed you two,” she said to the business partners. Just then Theo came back with a glass of water for Ulyssa and then he turned to Alma asking her if she’d like anything.

She put her hand on his shoulder. “Relax a little, Theo I’m here,” he looked up and winked at him. “But no thanks, I'm fine for now.”

“Should I show the girls around?” Bianca asked Bill.

He nodded. He needed to check over some paperwork while he was there especially since Bianca had been pestering him about finding a replacement for Praline who was leaving the first week of the new year. However, they had mutually agreed they’d need to replace her and hire another because recently the wait time for alcohol had been getting longer. When Alma left he only promoted Queenie but never added a fourth bartender, somewhat hoping he’d never have to if Alma came back. Though if she chose to officially stay he wouldn’t ask her to work now.

“I’ll join you all later. It’s still early,” he said, checking his wristwatch. “And everyone,” Bill said before everyone broke off. “My daughter being here is only on a need-to-know basis. I don’t want anyone else working here that isn’t Bianca, Theo, Queenie, or Marcy. Sorry, Deigo.”

“All good.” He said sheepishly.

“Okay, that’s all,” Bill digressed.

As the ladies walked down to the club floor, Ulyssa lightly joked to Alma asking if they were still allowed in the loft when she saw several dancers coming in for their shift with a bag in tow and heading to a back room behind the stages. They were beautiful, curvy, and athletic, but she could tell they meant business and they took their job seriously. Since they were by the bar Alma took her behind it and introduced her to Queenie.

“I’ll have your drink ready when you come back around,” Queenie said to Alma without even asking her what she’d like. “And for you miss,” she asked, turning to Ulyssa.

“Could I try the Alma, please?” She said looking at her friend with an amused spark in her eyes.

“Perfect! Two Alma’s then!”

Ulyssa was so taken aback at how Alma was respected and treated. Sure, everyone at the record shop respected her too but here at the strip club, it was almost militant. Bianca pointed out the VIP seating behind the stages and then the private rooms on the right and explained that things have tightened up in there. She then turned to Alma, who was looking at the old loft above the private rooms.

“It’s been retrofitted into a kitchen. The food comes down on a dumbwaiter.” Bianca stated. “Bill has told you that we serve food now right?”

“He has,” Alma nodded.

“I made the menu,” Bianca said with pride. “It’s just burgers and buffalo wings type of shit. You know how men eat.”

“But it’s your recipes.”

“Exactly, right,” Bianca beamed. “If you get hungry or anything honey please don’t hesitate,” she said leaning towards Ulyssa. “Now, I know some girls have come in but would you like to say hello to Marcy in the locker room?”

Alma turned to her friend then. “You might see some stuff,” she lifted a brow.

“Ah maybe not, it's still early,” Bianca said, guiding them behind the stage.

However, she was wrong. There were girls in various states of undress. While she wasn’t bothered it still felt invasive though they didn’t seem to care. She noticed a girl shoot a look towards Alma and another girl next to her nudged her.

“That’s Bill’s girl,” she heard her say to the girl under her breath.

The girl looked embarrassed and remorseful then. Marcy introduced herself and even offered snacks or hydrating drinks from the spreads she would make for the dancers. She couldn’t help herself and grabbed a bag of cool ranch Doritos.

“Every third Saturday, we have a potluck back here,” Marcy said to her. “Maybe next time, huh?”

“Okay, we should let the girls get ready in peace,” Alma said, turning on her open-toe clog heels. As they walked out Alma leaned towards her friend to speak. “The locker rooms are kinda like their safe space,” she explained. “Marcy is the house mother so she takes care of them like you saw. Feeds them, sows their outfits if something rips, moral support, you know.”

“Take her on the stage, Alma,” Bianca nudged her.

Ulyssa began to blush, “I don’t know…”

“You don’t have to,” Alma lightly laughed.

“But it’ll probably be the one and only time in your life you’d get to,” Bianca playfully stressed. “Just get up there, you don’t have to touch the pole. It won’t electrocute you if you do though,” she winked.

“Okay, for a second,” Ulyssa giggled.

Bianca stayed on the floor while the girls walked atop the stage. Ulyssa couldn’t even imagine herself being up there working for tips for real it just seemed goofy to her.

“Have you ever tried?” Ulyssa said pointing to the pole that was front and center of the stage.

Alma laughed. “Like in front of people?” Ulyssa nodded and she continued. “Once. I kept my bra on though. Bill wasn’t too happy about it,” she shrugged. “But I was drunk off my ass and there were only a few stragglers in the club anyway. It spins by itself, did you know?” She said putting the tips of her fingers on the pole and spinning it. Then she wrapped her hand around and leaned away, her other arm pointing to the floor and letting it pull her in a semicircle. “Try it.”

Once she stepped away Ulyssa timidly placed her hand on it and let it pull her just as Alma did. Bianca applauded from down below and even Queenie whistled from the bar. Ulyssa let go and bashfully covered her face as she laughed.

“It’s a riot, huh?” Alma laughed with her and she gripped the pole again.

Ulyssa did the same and together they hung off it spinning around as if it were a merry-go-round.

Shortly after they were shown around the private rooms, they collected their drinks from Queenie and Raven – who had just shown up for her shift – and walked back up the stairs to the loft. Theo answered and stepped aside for them to walk in.

“I saw you two down there,” Bill said with a raised brow looking up from his paperwork. “What did you think?”

“Um, nice?” Ulyssa said after taking a sip of her drink. The Alma had a chili-salt rim accompanying the tequila and pineapple with a splash of lime drink. It was good and simple but she preferred her gin and tonics.

“I’ll take it,” he said shuffling a few papers in a neat pile. “We’re not some two-bit side of the highway strip club that’s for sure. We usually have themed nights on the weekends but since it’s the holidays we have themed weeks. This week is Winter Wonderland.”

…

They were speaking amongst themselves as the venue filled with people. Ulyssa had just found out that Bill had carried her up to her room when she was wasted last night which was a bit mortifying for her. She changed the subject by mentioning to Bill that her cousins were casual patrons. Alma sat next to him with her legs in his lap while her friend sat on the couch opposite them. Without thought, Bill began to idly take his pack of smokes off the coffee table between them until Alma stopped him. He looked at her strangely for a second until he remembered his child was in the same room. He had been good about not smoking around his daughter but it slipped his mind, never having a literal child in his adult-only establishment.

“So what are your cousins' names? I may know them?” Bill said, scratching his brow with his pinky.

“Well, the two that were here were Luca and Simion. Luca is kinda tall, he’s young, barely twenty-one. And Simion is maybe close to your age, he’s stocky and pretty built, he works at a sheet metal factory so I guess that’s why.”

“Hmm, I’m not sure,” Bill said patting Alma’s knee. “No one’s coming to mind.”

Alma could tell he was lying not only because Bill usually had an eye for people and could remember names easily especially those who frequented the place but because Theo glanced at Ulyssa when she mentioned their names. She was hoping an opportunity would present itself where they could be alone for a moment. She wanted to know what he wasn’t saying out loud and also because she wanted to know why one of his dancers looked at her sideways.

“What’s the meaning of the club name?” Ulyssa asked opening her bag of Doritos. “Trigger Finger?”

Bill and Alma exchanged a look for a moment.

“Just tell her,” Alma smirked playfully, rolling her eyes.

“It’s kinda dirty,” Bill warned. “Well… this place used to be called Juicy Lucy’s. When it was under my ownership I changed it to Trigger Finger. It has a double meaning. You know when you make a gun gesture with your hand?” He said doing so himself and then he tucked his thumb in his fist leaving just his long pointer and middle finger out. He noticed Ulyssa didn’t seem to follow where he was going with his explanation. “It’s a euphemism… for fingering.”

“Oh!” Ulyssa blushed and then giggled. “I see.”

“I don’t know how he even thinks of these things,” Alma said giggling herself.

When Ulyssa finished her drink, Alma asked her if she’d like another. It looked like she was going to say no but she didn’t give her room to voice her decision.

“Theo can take you to the bar below. I just want a moment between us, if that’s okay?”

Bill glanced at Alma for a moment before turning to Ulyssa flashing her a polite smile. She didn’t have a problem with it but she had noticed that the club was filling up which made her a little nervous but she left anyway taking what was left of her Doritos with her. Alma called Theo’s name before he shut the door behind him and said, “Don’t let anyone near her.”

“So?” Bill said, running his hand on the inner side of her thigh and pressing it against her core. “I was hoping we’d be alone in here tonight,” he said, kissing along her neck, and then their lips feverishly met.

She switched positions so that she was straddling him on the blue velvet couch now. He snuck his hands around her back to pull on the bow of her corset laces while she ground her hips on his. It loosened enough so that her breast spilled out and he quickly latched his lips around a nipple making her moan in satisfaction.

It was abruptly cut short. Echo began to cry when she woke from her very brief nap. Bill pulled Alma close as a way to conceal Alma’s bare chest against himself and also to have a little more time with them before she put them away. Alma noticed he looked a little perturbed when she got off his lap and smirked to herself as she readjusted her top.

“You know, this will happen more often the older she gets?” She said, picking Echo up from the playpen and lightly rocking her to calm her down. Bill got up when he saw that she was pulling out the supplies to make her a bottle and took over.

Once she had her bottle, Alma let her daughter walk around the office a bit so that they could speak like she had originally planned. She took his hand so that they could look out the windows when Bill noticed Echo touch one of the stripper poles in the room.

“No!” He said more harshly than he intended to because it left his lips faster than it came to mind. It startled her, causing her to drop her bottle and her eyes became weepy causing her bottom lip to tremble. He felt like shit, he wasn’t prepared for this. Remorseful, he quickly picked her up to soothe her while apologizing profusely.

“Bill,” Alma said, putting a gentle hand on his arm. “She doesn’t know what it is,” she reminded him.

He lightly frowned. He knew that, when they had gone to the park a few times in the past he couldn’t help but notice all the pole-shaped playground equipment there were. He was more upset about his reaction. It put a pit in his stomach because he was only just reminding himself of his father. It seemed like Alma knew where his mind was.

“You’re not him.”

Bill took a deep breath and nodded. He didn’t want to put Echo down but eventually, as she settled, he did because Alma wanted to speak to him.

“So how do you know Ulyssa’s cousins,” she asked as they stood looking out the loft windows while their daughter swept her hands across the butcher paper because she liked the sound of it. Until she noticed the bar below and she sat down to watch the people below.

“I know Simion Dalca. You know how she said he’s built because he works at a factory?” Alma nodded. “Well, that might be kinda true but he trains a lot. He’s a boxer. It’s underground, matches are hosted at some random warehouse in the Meatpacking District.”

“You’ve been?”

“Only a few times,” he shrugged. “I bet against him once,” he said, giving her a side glance. “I lost.”

“How much?”

“Eh,” he lightly scratched the nape of his neck. “A bit,” he lightly chuckled. “He’s good. He could be professional if he wanted to be. And Luca Dalca, he’s just some kid to me. He does however have a strike against him.”

“Fuck. Is he a little creep?”

“No,” Bill shook his head with an amused grin on his face. “Paul had to kick him out one night because he threw up on Dove’s back when she was giving him a lap dance.”

“Ugh!” Alma sneered in disgust but began laughing along with Bill. “So Dove is new?”

“Yup, we’ve basically had a turnover of girls since you’ve been gone. Violet is still here and Chastity.”

“Portia?”

“She’s in rehab. She met some guy who got her on dope. She quit coming around and I had to fire her one night because she was just not in her right mind. Not that she ever really was but, you know.”

“Yeah…”

“Yeah… so the girls are Dove – like I said. And then there’s Venus, Jade, Bambi, Onyx, Toni, Payday, and some others but they make me the most money.”

“Payday?” Alma said lifting a brow in disbelief.

“I didn’t like it at first but it fits.”

“It stands out,” she nodded. “Who is the girl with the pitch-black hair and the tattoo on her ass?”

Bill thought for a moment with his bottom lip puffed out, “That’s Bambi. Why?”

“She looked at me sideways,” she said, giving Bill the same look.

“She probably thought you were a new girl,” he explained. “She doesn’t like to share her regulars, she just worries about her money. Sometimes it creates some tension in the locker room. They like to compete. But I don’t get involved with the girls' drama, it's just what I hear. I leave all that and the hiring with Marcy and Bianca these days.”

Alma looked up at him skeptically. “So you don’t make, the final decision?”

Bill peered down at her. “Just say what you want to say.”

“Do they still blow you?”

“No. And that only happened like… a handful of times. It wasn’t everyone,” he said defensively.

“No?”

“Why is it so hard to believe?”

“Do you really want me to answer that?”

Bill sighed. “It causes drama. You should know that better than anyone.” Alma rolled her eyes at that. “I’ll admit to you. It didn’t happen as often as I’d like but I have been with other people when you were gone…”

“I figured that much,” Alma huffed.

“And you haven’t,” Bill asked genuinely curious.

Alma bit her lip and quickly looked away not wanting to admit it to his face. “When I first got to Seattle, sure.”

“Ah ha!” Bill raised his eyebrows and lightly laughed.

“And… in Strathburg.”

“What the f- Who?!” He said shocked.

Alma's cheeks blushed as she shook her head. “I’m not telling you.”

“The fuck you aren’t! Who?” He said putting a light hand under her chin so that she would look at him.

“Bruce Fetterman.”

“Bru- are you fucking with me?” He said putting his hands on his hips like a disappointed father would. “He gave me a black eye in school for defending you! What is wrong with you?”

“I saw him at the bar in town. If it makes you feel any better I was sloppy drunk and it wasn’t even worth it. Like he came so fast I don’t even think it should count.”

“But he came... In you?” He pointed at her.

“Fuck no!” She said disgusted.

“Is his tooth still chipped?” Bill smirked remembering that he was the cause of that.

“Yeah,” Alma giggled.

“Christ. I might have done some fucked up shit but at least I never fucked a townie.”

“That’s not true...” she said looking up at him.

“What?”

“I’m the townie!” She said, causing them to both burst out laughing. “Maybe… I should head down now,” Alma said once they had settled down she looked out the window to see Ulyssa sitting at the end of the bar as she spoke to Bianca. “I wonder how Ulyssa is gonna react to, everything.”

“I mean what else is there to expect in a titty bar?”

“Well,” she sighed and crossed her arms. “She’s not interested in like, sex and stuff.”

Bill looked a bit confused and waited for Alma to explain further but she didn’t. “Like she’s a prude?”

“No,” Alma smirked looking up at him. “She doesn’t have those carnal desires, I guess. I don’t really understand it but that’s just her.” She shrugged. “But I’m worried she’ll get uncomfortable. That’s why I was surprised she even bothered asking about coming here.”

Bill nodded but there was still a hint of confusion on his face. “So she never?”

“Doing it is how she found that out about herself,” Alma noticed that Bill still looked baffled that anyone wouldn’t want to enjoy one of life's simple pleasures.

“Was it really bad? Like Fetterman.”

“Oh my god, let it go,” Alma said with humor behind it. “Maybe it’s not for us to understand but we should respect it.”

“Well, that’s a new one for me,” he said.

Bill leaned down to pick up the baby bottle and Echo, who was lying down on her belly between them tapping the glass below as if trying to gain the attention of those working in the bar. She was finally able to see above the butcher paper and her green hazel eyes became big and bright, noticing the giant disco ball shimmering and sparkling.

“Whoa!” Her full little lips puckered on the vowel as she pointed at it.

….

They were sitting at a VIP table enjoying the first show of the night. Alma, Ulyssa, and Bianca were clapping when Jade was at the top of the pole taking her barely there negligee off to reveal the snowflake pasties she had on her breast. Bill stayed in the loft with Echo but Alma sometimes felt like she could feel his eyes on her. He probably was looking but because the windows didn’t allow you to see in she couldn’t be certain.

Ulyssa began to blush a little, when Jade slithered down the pole and crawled towards a man at the edge of the illuminated stage fanning a wad of cash in her direction. She spun on her knee, took his wrist, and let him sweep the fanned dollars on her bottom and then turned again on her back. She put one leg out, sliding the platform of her pleaser heels on his chest before placing it on his shoulder. Her other foot was firmly on the stage as were her hands planted behind her, baring her weight as she thrust her hips up. Her pussy becoming an offering plate, she let the man tuck the fanned bills in the front of her baby blue g-string.

“Oh she’s good,” Alma said in Bianca’s line of hearing.

Bianca leaned into her ear, “She’s a kindergarten teacher in daylight hours.”

Raven appeared with a tray balanced on her hand and set their basket of fresh fries and their respective drinks on the table which Ulyssa quickly took a sip of. She was feeling a little out of place but not quite overwhelmed. While there was an act on stage, across the club were other girls hustling the floor for lap dances. Others would invite men to the private rooms. A bachelor party had walked in and were being rowdy in their VIP booth near them. Though the men’s behavior somewhat repulsed her, she pushed that aside because she did like the dancers' artistry and the creativity they put into their costumes. Though, she wasn’t sure if costumes were the right word because there was so little material. Their athleticism was astonishing too, strong yet soft and so in control.

Bianca exchanged words with Alma and then she excused herself. Ulyssa noticed a security guard with long locs wrapped in a neat bun atop his head following her just before she went up the loft. Even Theo stood attentively to the side of their table and he had already had to tell one of the young men in the bachelor party to watch his step as he was already stumbling.

“Are you liking it,” Alma asked loudly, trying to speak above the music. “I know a lot is going on.” She said picking up a fry to eat.

“I’m having fun,” Ulyssa said genuinely. “There are so many people here! You used to work at the bar like this?”

“Dude! Yeah, some nights kicked my ass worse than others for sure.” That was all Alma said because her friend didn’t know she had a former habit for nose candy that kept her chugging along.

They had both noticed Bill coming out from the loft then. Ulyssa now realizing Bianca offered to watch Echo so that he could join them for a bit. However, it took him almost twenty minutes to even reach their table because patrons would stop him to speak. She found it intriguing that even men were charmed by him but then she found it amusing once Bill finally approached their table and rolled his eyes. Before taking a seat, he lit a cigarillo with his gold zippo, and right as he sat down next to Alma, Raven set a glass of whiskey down on the table for him. He put his arm around Alma’s shoulders and took a sip with his eyes on the unruly bachelor party close by and shook his head. Alma plucked the cigarillo from his fingers and took a puff herself.

“So,” he began. “Do you want to watch one more dance and go? It’s getting a little late.”

Ulyssa was met with their expectant stares and she nodded. “Yeah, that’s fine!” She said as if there were another option.

“Have you got to tip a dancer, yet,” he asked her taking back the cigarillo from Alma.

“Uh…” Ulyssa hesitated.

“You don’t have to,” Alma assured as she nudged Bill's knee under the table.

“I could just throw them on the stage, right? I don’t want to touch…”

Bill smirked. “Yes, that’s fine too.” Taking his arm off of Alma he grabbed his wallet from his back pocket and slipped out some dollar bills under the table. Then he passed it directly to her as he held them out from his two long fingers. “That’s Toni on the stage.”

She thanked him and then slid out of the booth on her own. As Alma began to slide out to follow her Bill grabbed her thigh to stop her. She looked at him with a bit of annoyance.

“She’s an adult,” he said to her. “She’ll be fine on her own. You see the guy,” he discretely pointed. “End of the bar closest to the bathrooms?” Alma nodded. “He sells. The guy close to the private rooms in the white and black shirt too. But I think you noticed that on your own did you?”

“If you know what to look for,” she said leaning into him.

Ulyssa confidently walked through the smoky tables and went to the side of the stage. She was grateful that the dancer was at the top of the pole with half her body upside down when she threw all the dollar bills in the air. It was perfect timing because they rained down as the dancer seductively spun to the bottom. She stepped back and noticed the front of her panties had a mistletoe affixed to it when she was given multiple blown kisses and a wink as Toni shook her bare tits in her direction.

Alma and Bill lightly laughed when she bashfully put her hand to her mouth but quickly drew it away. They clapped for her when she sheepishly came back to the table.

“That was a good toss! Makin’ it rain like a true professional,” Bill winked.

~~~

As they left the loft through the private door for the night Theo led the way. Alma helped Bill drape a blanket over his shoulder as he held his sleeping daughter in his arms. When he had put her to sleep earlier the thrumming bass from the sound system seemed to have lulled her to sleep rather than keep her up. They said their goodbyes to Bianca who made sure to remind them of her Christmas party coming soon.

Bill got in the car once everyone was situated and settled inside. He yawned to himself when he turned the key in the ignition. It had been a long day for him. He began to wonder again why Alma would work and take care of their child when she didn’t have to. Caring for her, going to work, and also bringing her along whooped his ass a little. Having Echo there heightened his anxiety. He didn’t need the sketchier folks that patronized the club to know she existed. It was safer that way.

As he pulled away from the curb, he cut the headlights on. Just as they passed the club there was an obvious commotion heard behind them and the adults turned their heads to see the bachelor party being thrown out. Bill slowed a little, turning his head around, and from the back window, he noticed someone wind their arm back and hurl a beer bottle in their direction.

#my bill writings #bill skarsgard #avenue of sins #aos #aos neon

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feverishly-kpop · 2 years

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Yunho & Ateez - Heat Exhaustion

“Please make sure you are staying hydrated” the director reminded the members, who were struggling to catch their breath after the last take. This wasn’t the first time that Ateez was filming a music video in the heat, but Yunho had never struggled quite this hard.

“Take 10, we’ll get a few more takes and then we’ll be done for the day” the director advised, causing Yunho to groan internally. How many takes did they need? It was approaching 35° out, which felt even more oppressive with the high humidity levels. The team was constantly having their hair and makeup retouched thanks to the buckets of sweat pouring off of them. All Yunho wanted was to get his heavy outfit off, take a cool shower, and climb into bed. But “a few more takes” meant that they’d be at this for, at the very least, another hour.

“Hyung,” he heard Jongho say quietly as he sat beside him. “You’ve gotta drink something” Jongho added, handing him a cold bottle of water. Taking a few sips, Yunho’s stomach turned. “I can’t” he whispered, setting the bottle down next to him as he shoved his head unceremoniously between his knees trying to ward off some of his nausea. Just as he was finally getting a little more comfortable, Yunho felt a hand on his back, causing him to flinch in surprise.

“Are you still feeling nauseous?” Hongjoong asked, eliciting a nod from Yunho. Hongjoong sighed, rubbing Yunho’s back. He knew that the heat was getting to him but there was really nothing that could be done about it until shooting was finished.

“Did you drink some water?” Hongjoong continued questioning. This time Jongho spoke up.

“He had a few sips.” Jongho responded, pointing to the bottle laying on the ground a few feet away from Yunho. Hongjoong grabbed the bottle before it could roll away any further.

“Can you take a few more sips, please?” Hongjoong urged gently, getting no response from Yunho. Closing the bottle, Hongjoong held it to the back of Yunho’s neck, hoping that it would help cool him down a bit.

Their calm silence was broken by Wooyoung storming over with a pout.

“Hyung, I can’t do this anymore, I’m dying” Wooyoung whined, kicking a rock like a petulant child.

These types of days made being the leader a major challenge. The members, including Hongjoong himself, were miserable, tired, and sweaty, but there was little more he could do than encourage them to continue pushing through.

“I know, Woo, but we are almost done. A few more takes” Hongjoong replied as enthusiastically as he could, coming up short. Wooyoung rolled his eyes before wandering off, joining San and Yeosang a few meters away.

Hongjoong turned his attention back to Yunho, who was being fanned by Jongho.

“Yunho, I’m serious. If you aren’t up to it you have to tell me.” Hongjoong stated, knowing that, even if Yunho did tell him that he couldn’t continue, he didn’t have the authority to get him out of the remainder of filming.

Yunho shook his head, grabbing the cold water bottle from Hongjoong and taking a few more sips before grimacing.

With that, the director returned, calling them back to their places. Jongho and Hongjoong helped Yunho to his feet as the filming resumed.

*~*~*~*~*~

After about an hour and a half and more than “a few” more takes, the director finally announced that they were done filming. They were all too tired to say much in response but started pulling off their jewelry, jackets, and boots, desperate to remove anything that they could to make themselves more comfortable.

Yunho felt like he was moving in slow motion, trying to unbutton his jacket but finding that his fingers didn’t seem to be working. The more he tried to concentrate on what should have been a simple task, the more his mind began to race, his frustration turning into panic. He looked around frantically, his vision blurry, noticing black spots crowding his peripheral vision.

“Uhhh….hyung?” he called out with the last of the energy he could muster to nobody in particular, simply hoping to catch the attention of one of the members or staff. The last thing Yunho remembered seeing was Hongjoong turning around and making eye contact, before everything went black.

*~*~*~*~*~

Hongjoong heard Yunho’s voice behind him and turned around, assuming he needed help getting something off. He was shocked to see Yunho, swaying on his feet, staring back at him wide-eyed for just a second before falling backwards suddenly.

Hongjoong dropped everything and ran to Yunho’s side, attracting the attention of the other members. Seonghwa was soon on the ground with them, pulling off the high tops that Yunho had been wearing. The rest of the members looked on, frozen in disbelief and panic.

“Hey, Yunho-ah” Hongjoong said softly, gently patting Yunho’s cheeks, noticing how pale and clammy his skin was.

Jongho, thankfully, had the good sense to alert a staff member of the situation, who called for EMS.

After a few excruciatingly long minutes, Yunho began coming to. He scrunched his face, overwhelmed with a splitting pain in his head and the general sense of confusion he was feeling. He couldn’t recall how he had ended up on the ground and quickly tried to sit up, only to be cautiously pushed back down by Seonghwa.

“Yah, don’t try and get up�� Seonghwa spoke in a comforting tone. Yunho suddenly felt somebody grabbing at his feet and placing them on somebody’s duffel bag in an attempt to get his blood circulating to his head. “Just relax, you’re ok” Seonghwa added, draping a cool cloth over Yunho’s forehead.

It only took a few more minutes for EMS to arrive. Hongjoong and Seonghwa stepped back, making room for them at Yunho’s side. They listened to the responders rattling off numbers to one another as they quickly took Yunho’s vital signs and watched helplessly as they opened what seemed to be an absurd number of instant ice packs, placing them on nearly every accessible area of Yunho’s body.

Yunho soon seemed a bit more lucid to the relief of his hyungs. The responders had managed to get him sitting upright and vitals were relatively stable-his pulse was still a bit rapid but his blood pressure had come back up and his temperature was normal.

Hongjoong did his best to eavesdrop on the conversation between Yunho’s manager and the responders while Seonghwa sat on the ground at Yunho’s side who was forcing down sips of Gatorade in an effort to rehydrate.

“Heat exhaustion,” Hongjoong heard the responder advise. He couldn’t even be surprised at the diagnosis. They had spent hours in the sun and heat, dancing in heavy clothing, of course Yunho had heat exhaustion.

After a few quiet words were exchanged between Yunho and his manager, Seonghwa helped him slowly to his feet, an arm wrapped protectively around his waist as they walked to the van together. Hongjoong turned to the rest of the members, who were standing as still and quietly as statues. Without a word, they all headed to the van as well, ready for this day to be over.

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