Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Three days had passed since the cocktail lesson.
Everything seemed to be going as usual at the Bistro. However, RJ was a little annoyed. He desperately wanted to get closer to Alex, but this one seemed to ignore him most of the time.
Never mind. RJ went down to the basement, a bit sad, and started to re arrange the mess down there . The afternoon was already well under way, and he spent his nerves tidying up. Or maybe he was creating a new mess after all ? Who knows ?  
A few minutes later, Alex entered the basement and asked:  
“ Are you ok ? Do you need some help ?
- No need.”

It was unusual for the young boy to answer this sharply, and Alex knew it. Something was definitely wrong so he got next to him: 
“ RJ, would you…” But he couldn't finish his sentence because a strange shake made the ground vibrate. Then a second one, more violent this time.
“Damn, I think it’s an earthquake!”
The light went out and a third big shock destabilized them. RJ clung on to the piece of furniture in front of him while Alex blindly slammed into him for protection. There was a loud noise, a huge crash. Objects fell down and broke. They didn't move. Despite his fear, RJ, who was completely curled up in Alex's embrace, plunged his head a little deeper into his chest.
Then, the silence. They were still in the dark.

After what seemed like an eternity, the light flickered and came back on. Alex stepped back very slowly:
“Are you ok?”
RJ blinked and looked up at him. He was going to answer that he was fine but suddenly froze, staring at Alex. He was covered in blood, his white T-shirt now soaked in red! What a horrifying sight! 
RJ started to panic:
“Oh my God!! What happened to you? You're hurt? Where are you hurt? Oh no it's all my fault!!!
- Calm down.”

But RJ wasn't listening. Worry was all over his face.
Alex had to hold on to both of his shoulders firmly. He then forced him to lock his gaze:
“Calm down! It’s nothing, I'm fine! It's not blood, it's wine... Look!” 
He gestured towards the broken bottles on the floor and pulled on his T-shirt to show RJ some of the stains:
“Just some red wine…The bottles broke down as they fell and splashed me. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.”

RJ sighed in relief and threw himself into Alex's arms without even thinking. The bartender even stroked the back of his head, a gesture he had never done before.
“It's okay. We are both ok…Why are you so worried about me?”
RJ held back his tears and answered with a little voice: “You know why…”

But Alex changed the subject and said:
"It’s a good thing everyone went home already! Anyway, let's see if there's not too much damage in the restaurant!.."
He turned around, straightened a fallen shelf, rearranged a few boxes in front of the door and tried to open it, but it remained closed. He insisted but the door did not open.
“Shit, seems like we're stuck!”

RJ followed him to try and open the door too. But he was certainly not going to succeed when Alex, much stronger than him, failed.
The bartender took a whiff of his t-shirt soaked in wine and grimaced: "And I stink!.. Yuuuk, It’s all sticky!" 

So, he took off his top with one hand. RJ turned to him and was shocked in a whole different way than when he thought he was hurt. Seeing Alex shirtless, this close, disturbed him! He wasn't prepared! He swallowed, unable to look away. He wanted to run away and to touch him so badly at the same time. He started to blush up to the ears.
He stammered: "You…You don't have to remove your shirt like that !"

But Alex didn't seem embarrassed in the slightest and even shrugged.
The bartender tried to open the door once more, flexing all of his muscles, which made RJ even more feverish.

"Nope, it's stuck…", he said looking back at his apprentice. "Are you ok?! You look on the verge of fainting. Don't tell me you're claustrophobic?"

He quickly approached him to touch his forehead. RJ's mind was totally blank. And, w hen his thoughts came back, it was worse. It was like a voice screaming in his head :  "HE TOUCHED ME !! ALMOST NAKED !!"

Alex looked really worried. His gaze was soft and soothing. He was now tenderly caressing the younger ’s cheek:
"Are you ok?"
Unable to answer, RJ just nodded. 
The bartender continued:
"I must confess that… I missed you."

RJ looked up at him and their eyes met. This glance seemed to last an eternity but Alex leaned over and kissed him. Timidly at first. RJ was stunned, but quickly came back to himself, taking this opportunity with all his soul. 
He stood on his tiptoes, tilted his head to the side and grabbed Alex by the back of the neck. Alex hugged his waist and pulled him closer. The kiss became deep er and even more passionate.
The oldest even took RJ’s hand and ran it over his naked chest.
They were both out of breath, forehead-on-forehead.
Alex whispered:  "Let's take our time. You're still a novice… and, like with cocktails, you have to take it step by step."

RJ lowered his head and nodded again. The wait had made him impatient and he wanted more for sure, but he regained his composure. What Alex just said was true, and that was already a lot to handle. His first kiss (two first kisses, in fact) was not too long ago, and it was more like a simple peck.

"Hey are you down there?" 
That was Bai Lang's voice and he was definitely looking for them. He dealt with the stuck door, opened it and made a very surprised face when he saw Alex shirtless. But he smirked right after .

Alex rolled his eyes: "Wine on my shirt !", and walked past Bai Lang to leave the basement while the rest followed.

Fortunately, there wasn't too much damage in the restaurant other than some broken glass and a few items on the floor. The basement was extremely messy, that’s why the damages looked worse over there . Alex put on his work shirt and headed towards the exit door, buttoning it up.

RJ stood there in disbelief, wondering if he had dreamed the whole scene. His mind was then submerged by a horrific thought. What if… What if the bartender leaves and acts as if nothing happened !? Yet, in that moment, he was able to feel all of his passion. No! No way!.. 

But right before he left , Alex turned to RJ. Smiling fondly, he then cupped his cheek and added:
"I have something important to do, but then I'll be back to get you. You definitely can't sleep here tonight after this earthquake. You will sleep at my house.", which really meant they were in a relationship now.

The End