Chapter Text
Oikawa made sure that he was on time every day for work. He didn’t want to disappoint anyone or lose his job. During his first month he became closer to Iwaizumi, the two becoming friends rather quickly. The two of them were usually openers, they would come in and work together to get the tables and the bar ready for when customers came. He developed a good routine and was happy with the work he was doing at the club. A plus to being a server was being able to watch the show each night. By doing so, he was able to learn the routines and the songs rather quickly. He thought he might get tired of seeing the same thing every night. But the magic never truly wore off for him, he still loved it just as much as he did the first time.
Something he noticed the longer he was at the club was that some nights would be slow. They could go multiple nights with almost a full house and then they would take a hit and go a few nights where they were running at half capacity. On nights they were running at a fewer capacity, the other staff seemed to have a bit of worry to them that Oikawa didn’t quite understand. During their nightly clean up on one of their less busy night, he decided to ask Iwaizumi about it.
“What’s with everyone tonight?” He asked, bringing a tray of empty glasses to the bartender.
“Well, for a few years now a businessman has been trying to buy out the club from Suga,” he shook his head.
“Oh, I didn’t think that he would ever sell the club,” Oikawa furrowed his brows.
“He doesn’t want to sell and never intends to sell. But recently it’s been harder to make ends meet,” Iwaizumi shrugged.
“That’s awful,” Oikawa frowned.
“Yeah well, in a city that’s full of other clubs and lounges it’s hard to keep up with the competition. Especially with an unconventional place like this.” He motioned to the empty lounge, now void of all customers and dancers. The only occupants being the wait staff finishing up the nightly chores.
“Why doesn’t anyone talk about it then, or think of ways to bring more money in?” Oikawa questioned, sitting down on the barstool.
“Suga doesn’t like people talking about it, if someone wanted him out of here, they’d have to drag him.”
Oikawa smiled softly, “Yeah, that sounds like him.”
Soon, the nightly chores were done, and everyone started to leave. It was late, and Oikawa was the last one out of the staff locker room. He had changed back into his street clothes and was on his way out the door when he spotted Iwaizumi leaving as well. The other had also changed out of his uniform, trading his leather vest for a tight fitted tee and jeans. His hat and eyeliner were also nowhere to be seen; he was almost unrecognizable sitting on his motorbike. Iwaizumi looked up at Oikawa, who was still standing there staring.
“Need a ride?” Iwaizumi asked.
“Oh, sorry I’m alright. Thanks for the offer though.” He held on to the edges of his jacket and pulled it tighter around him.
“C’mon, it’s no big deal,” He motioned with his head for Oikawa to get on, starting the bike up.
Oikawa quickly got on the back, placing his hands on the rails on the seat to hold on.
“Better hold on tighter than that.” Iwaizumi took off, causing Oikawa to change his grip from the rails to Iwaizumi’s waist.
The ride home was nice, Oikawa enjoyed looking around the half-asleep city of Tokyo. There were people heading home and closing bars and others who were still out partying. But he was glad he was headed home if he was still working or came out of the dressing room a little later. Then he wouldn’t have been able to ride with Iwaizumi. It didn’t take long for the two to make it back to Oikawa’s apartment. He lived just a few blocks away, and while it was a bit of a walk the drive was quick. As the came to a stop, Oikawa finally let go of Iwaizumi and got off the bike.
“Thanks for the ride home.”
“Anytime, I usually leave the club late. So just come find me if you ever need a ride,” Iwaizumi nodded.
With a final wave, Oikawa went inside. He walked upstairs and down his designated hall, ready to be home after a long day of work. As he was digging out his keys, he noticed something off about his door. Walking up to his place it was clear that his door had been broken at the lock. Frowning he pushed the door the rest of the way open and slowly went in to have a look around. Oikawa gasped at the sight of his destroyed apartment, his clothes and other belongings were thrown about the apartment. The small table and chair that was in the corner was on the floor and the lamp were smashed.
Before he had time to properly react, Oikawa went into the bathroom where he had been hiding his savings. He pulled out the plastic bag and found it to be empty. It was gone, everything he had ever saved was gone now. He dropped to the floor and hugged his knees. There were many times in his life that he felt alone, but this time he felt like he truly had nothing. He didn’t understand why someone would do this to him or knew who would do this to him. Oikawa was finally starting to have something, and it had been taken from him in the span of a night.
He knew he had to clean up, he couldn’t sit there all night. Even though he just wanted to crawl into bed and hide. Slowly he got up and started picking up the broken things. He didn’t know how he was going to repair this now, but that was something he would worry about later. It was even later once he finished cleaning, he finally got to do what he had been longing to do for the past hour. With one last check of the door, he finally went and got in bed. Oikawa laid on his side, facing the door, he was left feeling uneasy now. He sighed and turned to his other side, closing his eyes, and trying to let sleep take him. He turned a few more times before sitting up with a huff. He couldn’t stay here, but he didn’t have anywhere else to go. He sat up, pulling the covers with him. He looked over at his phone and that’s when it hit him. He could call Iwaizumi.
It was late but given the circumstances he was sure that the bartender wouldn’t care. He called him and waited for him to pick up, given the hour, he didn’t even know if he would answer. Right before Oikawa was about to hang up, Iwaizumi answered his phone.
“Oikawa?” He asked, voice thick with sleep.
“I’m sorry for calling so late, but my apartment got broken into and I feel uneasy, and I was just wanting to know if I could stay with you for the night.” Oikawa rambled quickly.
Suddenly Iwaizumi sounded more awake, “Yeah, yeah do you need me to come gets you?”
In the background, Oikawa could faintly hear Iwaizumi getting out of bed. He felt guilty for getting him up at this time, but he couldn’t do it. He knew he’d feel much better out of his apartment for the night.
“Please?”
“Be there soon.”
They hung up, and Oikawa got out of bed himself and grabbed one of his smaller bags. He packed a change of clothes for before and after work as well as his uniform. Soon he received a text from Iwaizumi that he was here, and with that he headed off downstairs. Iwaizumi was waiting there for him, and he got on the back of his bike. Throwing his backpack on his back before taking hold of iwaizumi.
“You should have called me earlier.” Iwaizumi says, waiting for Oikawa to settle.
“I didn’t think it would bother me until I tried going to sleep,” he shrugged.
The two set off across town to Iwaizumi’s apartment, getting there in no time thanks to the lack of traffic. The bartender leads the way upstairs and opens the door for the two.
“Well, this is me.” He let Oikawa go in first and followed in after him.
Oikawa looked around Iwaizumi’s apartment, there was a bedroom off to the side. A couch in the middle of the room and a table with various papers scattered about it. It wasn’t what he expected, but somehow it was still strangely Iwaizumi. As Oikawa was looking around, Iwaizumi came and cleaned the table off. Iwaizumi took his bag and sat it in the corner.
“I hope the couch is alright, make yourself at home I’ll go get you some blankets and a pillow.”
Iwaizumi went to get stuff to make a bed and Oikawa sat on the couch. When he came back, the two made up the couch and Oikawa got himself tucked in. Iwa headed off towards his room and before sliding the door shut, turned to Oikawa.
“I’m just through here if you need anything.”
“I’m okay now, thanks again Iwa,” he said with a soft smile.
He nodded and turned off the lights, Oikawa could faintly see through the door Iwaizumi getting back into bed. He didn’t realize how tired he was until he had laid down on the couch, with a yawn he finally allowed his eyes to get heavy until he finally fell asleep for the night.
-
When morning came, Oikawa woke to the smell of coffee. He let out a soft groan, then sat up so he could stretch out. He looked over into the kitchen, spotting Iwaizumi pouring coffee into two mugs. The brunette brought it over to him and Oikawa took it gratefully.
“Mm, thank you,” Oikawa took a sip.
“I’ve got breakfast going too, if you’re hungry.” Iwaizumi says as he walks back to the kitchen.
“Sounds good,” He nodded, getting up and going to sit at the bar top in the kitchen.
Oikawa watched as Iwaizumi finished breakfast. It was then he was grateful to have a friend like Iwaizumi. He had come across many people in his life, but none were quite like him. He was pulled away from his thoughts by the sound of Iwa’s voice.
“I’ve got to do inventory at the club this afternoon. It’ll be a bit early, but you can ride with me if you'd like to.” Iwaizumi sat a plate of food down in front of Oikawa.
“I’ll go with, I can help you!”
Iwaizumi nodded and started eating his own breakfast. They ate in silence until they were both finished. Oikawa offered to do the dishes since Iwaizumi cooked, as he cleaned up Iwa went to shower and get ready to leave. As the other was absent, he used the moment to look around the place more. He stopped and looked at the pictures and decor, some of the pictures were taken at the club and others looked like they were from some travelling Iwaizumi done. He went to reach for another picture of Iwaizumi and a girl, but before he could Iwaizumi was peeking out from his room.
“Showers all yours if you want it,” he turned away, leaving the door cracked open for him.
Oikawa grabbed his change of clothes and headed to the bathroom located in Iwaizumi’s room. He washed off quickly and changed into his spare clothes, exiting the bathroom, and finding the other finishing getting ready too. He stopped and stood in the doorway, staring as he watched Iwaizumi tie his shoes. When Iwaizumi noticed, he looked over at Oikawa curiously.
“What?” He asked with a furrowed brow.
“You just look funny without any eyeliner on,” Oikawa smiled some.
Iwaizumi rolled his eyes, “I don’t wear makeup when I’m not at work.”
“I know, I just haven’t really seen you without it on.”
“Well, here I am, without any eyeliner on,” Iwaizumi stood, “Are you ready?”
“Oh, yeah, just let me grab my bag,” With his things in hand he went and put everything back in his bag.
When they were both ready, they gathered in the living room and went off to work. Iwaizumi lived closer to the club than Oikawa, so their drive was a short one. The two headed in the back door that led to the room for the wait staff. They put their things away and headed out to the main floor, from the staff room Oikawa had heard the music playing. He had assumed they were just running through a number, but what he had found when he stepped out on the main floor was auditions being held. Sugawara and Akaashi were seated at one of the middle tables in front of the stage, watching as various males took their turns showing off what they had. Oikawa had a sinking feeling in his stomach, if they were having auditions, then why didn’t they let him know?
The people auditioning were good, but they weren’t that great either. Oikawa had a feeling that suga would’ve agreed with him judging by the frustrated look on his face. He observed until the last person left the stage with a less than mediocre performance. From where he stood, he could hear Suga and Akaashi talking about everyone they had seen.
“Nothing felt right, I didn’t feel the spark with anyone. Half of them couldn’t even do the warmup routine.” Suga huffed and pushed the pile of headshots away from him.
“You’re overreacting, this guy wasn’t terrible,” Akaashi pulled out a headshot and gave it to Suga.
“That’s not comforting, Keiji.” He sighed.
“I’m supposed to be comforting you?”
The lights went down and the music to the auditioning number started. While the two were bantering, Oikawa managed to sneak on stage. He was not going to let this opportunity go to waste, it was finally his time, and he was ready to show them that he could do it. The music started, causing Suga and Akaashi to turn their attention to the stage. There they saw Oikawa dancing to the number they were having the other dancers audition to. With a frown the club owner turned to the DJ booth and stopped the music.
“What are you doing?” Suga asked, looking at Oikawa, who had stopped his audition.
“I’m auditioning, what does it look like?” Oikawa huffed.
“You weren’t even doing the routine right, you were out of sync the last half,” Suga crossed his arms.
“I know the routine though; I can work on it.”
“You already have a job here”
“I do and I’m grateful for it, but I want to audition, and I want to dance,” Oikawa started to raise his voice.
Suga waved his hand, telling the DJ to play a different piece of music, “The closing number, let’s see it.”
Oikawa confidently started to do the dance for the closing number, only to be stopped halfway through again. He put his hands on his hips, growing frustrated with the owner. He was doing everything right, so what more could he want from him.
“You were off again; your timing is all wrong.”
“I’m better than half the people you had up here auditioning!” Oikawa had finally had enough, raising his voice as he spoke to Sugawara, “Please, I’ll practice every day. I want this, haven’t you ever wanted something like this?”
Suga ran his hand through his hair, “You’re going to have to work hard, one mess up and you’re out of here.”
“You won’t regret choosing me, I promise,” Oikawa smiled widely, he could feel the excitement bubble up inside him. He wanted to shout, but he held it in.
“Finish the day out with Iwaizumi, find Akaashi after work and he’ll get your costumes for you,” Suga gathered his things on the table and began to walk towards his office, Akaashi following him.
When the two were out of his sight, Oikawa couldn’t help but pump his arm up in cheer. He was so ecstatic, he went over to Iwaizumi, who had been pretending not to watch. Even though he probably already knew, Oikawa wanted to tell him first.
“Looks like you’re leaving me.” Iwaizumi says as Oikawa walks up to the bar.
“I’m sorry to bail on you like that.” He blushed a little, in his excitement forgetting that accepting a new position might affect his old one.
“Don’t apologize, this is a good thing. I’m happy you finally got to show Suga what you got. You were good up there.”
The compliment only made him blush more. “Thanks, Iwaizumi.”
Oikawa got back to work helping Iwaizumi do inventory. He also made everything else ready, tables cleaned the alcohol in its right spot, floors swept. Once the evening came, they were changed and ready for open time. The night seemed to pass by quickly for him, he was in too good of a mood. When they closed, he went ahead and went on up to the dressing room. Most of the guys were gone, so it was easy to find Akaashi over by the costumes.
“Oh, there you are,” the black-haired male looked up from his clipboard.
The two began to walk down the rows of sequins and sparkles, looking for what Oikawa was to wear. Oikawa had never seen so many skimpy clothes at once. Before walking into the lounge, he probably never would have dreamed he would be wearing something like this. He wanted to dig through all the pretties, but he held himself back. Akaashi started pulling things from the rack and handing them out to him.
“This is for the opening number,” he handed him the black and white outfit he had grown familiar with.
A black leather two piece followed and then a top and bottom that couldn’t be covered in any more rhinestones even if they tried.
“You’ll start off in three numbers and if things work, you’ll get worked into more. As you know some nights, we change the dances, and you could be added into those too.”
He nodded, “got it.”
Akaashi then walked him over to an unoccupied mirror. Oikawa assumed this would be his new place to get ready. He just hoped his mirror mates were nice.
“This is your space; you can bring anything you need and leave it here. You’ll also have a locker and a place to put your costumes.” Akaashi was formal in showing Oikawa around. He made sure that he knew where everything was in case, he would need it.
“Thank you for the tour,” Oikawa gave him a soft smile.
“Of course, you know where to find me if you need anything.” Akaashi nodded to him and went back over to his workspace.
With one last look at his mirror, Oikawa went back downstairs. He was surprised to see Iwaizumi still there.
“What are you still doing here?”
“Figured I would wait on you.” Iwaizumi shrugged.
“You didn’t have to, but I appreciate it.”
“I was thinking. if you wanted to. instead of going back to yours, you could stay with me. That is. until you get to a safer place I guess.” Iwaizumi scratched at the back of his neck, looking down before looking back at Oikawa.
“I think that sounds like a great idea; I just hope you can handle me.”
Iwaizumi let out a laugh, “I’m sure I can manage.”
Oikawa smirked and started out the door, “C’mon now, let’s go. I need to get my beauty sleep if I'm going to dance tomorrow.”
He couldn’t have been happier that night, finally, finally his life was starting to go how he wanted it.