When Alexei Met Beau

Beau Bennett wandered into the bar, glancing around awkwardly. Even with his shoulders hunched, he was still taller than most of the patrons. As someone who had never preferred to stand out, his massive size had been a burden since puberty.

He finally made his way to the bar and sat down, clearing his throat. "Three shots of the cheapest vodka you have, please." He had a Southern accent when he spoke.

The man behind the bar was nearly as tall as he was when he stood up straight. He tucked a few stray braids behind his ear. "Vodka, you said?" he replied in his own thickly accented voice.

"Yeah," he replied, frowning slightly at the other man's accent. He held up three fingers. "Three shots of cheap-ass vodka," he repeated slowly.

Alexei rose an eyebrow.

"I can understand you fine," he replied simply. "I'll get it for you in a sec, big guy."

Alexei turned to serve a few people who'd been in front of Beau. In a minute or so he turned back and handed Beau his shots.

"There you are."

"Thanks," he said, downing them all immediately. "More."

Alexei rose an eyebrow. "You sure you don't want to wait for it to hit bottom? And don't forget to drink water, or you'll be sorry tomorrow."

"Don't care--just give me the goddamn drinks. I don't even feel tipsy yet."

Alexei sighed softly and handed him the drinks. He was a bit rude, but boy was he easy on the eyes.

He downed those drinks with ease as well, wiping his lips on his sleeve.

"...What kinda bar is this anyway?" he asked, glancing around. "Is it just me, or, or...do some of these guys seem maybe, a little queer to you?"

Alexei forced a smile onto his face.

"Yes, this bar is open and friendly to every sort of person, including queers."

"'S good to know I won't get kicked out," he mumbled quietly. He slapped more money on the table. "Couple more shots, please."

"Drink water first, or I'll cut you off," Alexei warned, setting a glass in front of him. "Want anything to snack on, too?"

Beau downed the water obediently, but he glared at Alexei as he pushed the glass away.

"Yeah. More shots."

"Coming right up~" he replied. He pushed the alcohol towards Beau and twirled a piece of his hair. Finally, things were beginning to quiet down as it grew later for even his usual patrons. "So, what brings you to my bar tonight. I don't think I've ever seen you here before."

"You own this bar?" he asked, raising his brow. "The fuck you doing bartending? Shouldn't you be out, like...like spending all your money, fancy pants bar-owner man?"

Alexei chuckled and waved goodbye to another few people as they left.

"It's not as glamorous or well paying as you might expect," he replied honestly. "I actually live here, too. Upstairs is my little apartment. Like I said, not very glamorous."

"Sounds just as boring as anything else," he replied, frowning. "Whatever. Tell me, then, if you own this place--how trashy's the bathroom?"

Alexei rose an eyebrow.

"About as trashy as the rest of the place," he leaned over the bar. "Which is to say, not at all.

"...although, I haven't cleaned it yet tonight, so..."

He sighed deeply, solemnly downing one of the shots. "Should've known, with my luck. There goes my night."

"Oh? What's that supposed to mean, big guy?" he teased, but there was a smile on his lips.

"Get me drunk and I'll tell you," he replied honestly, shrugging. "Right now I can still feel shame--I don't like it."

Alexei chuckled.

"No, no, you'll just end up puking in the bathroom and making a bigger mess for me. I'd much rather you stay at least a little sober, for my own sanity."

"Too bad," he replied, pulling out more money. "I want you to leave the bottle. I just got paid today--what're you gonna do?"

Alexei sighed.

"Are you sure?" he asked, a bit more gently than before. "I'll give it to you, but you better give me your keys."

"Why--you know how to ride a motorcycle? I gotta get home somehow."