Work Text:
Norton taps his feet on the vinyl floor of the bar as he cleans the rocks glass that is still wet from him, dousing it with water. The bar isn't open yet, as it is still 9:00 AM. Not even the other workers are here as Norton finishes cleaning up the rocks glass. He always was the diligent one even Demi Bourbon, the barmaid and his colleague, can admit it. Nevertheless, The Singing Queen has always been a busy and nonjudgmental bar for its patrons. The doorbell rings, making Norton turn his head to the door, revealing the bar's favorite barmaid, Demi Bourbon.
"Hello, Norton! Came early as always, aye?" She puts her coat on the coat rack near the door as she walks by to get behind the long wooden table that separated the patrons and the bartenders. "You know I always do." He answered, wiping the water off from the inside of the glass. "Well, at least there's one of us that is an early bird. That really helps me a lot with the cleaning, especially the ones on the morning shift." Demi blabbers, causing Norton to listen to her blabbering. It's 10:00 AM as Demi flipped the 'Open' sign to reveal that their bar is ready to roll, the other workers eventually came as they helped the cleaning and tidying the set of tables and chairs.
It takes a while waiting for their usual patrons in the bar as they each do what their respective obligations. Norton as the bartender who makes the drinks for the customers, Demi as the barmaid who distributes them, Lucky as the waiter who helps Demi to give the drinks to the respective customer, and, Mike as the bartender who accommodates Norton, takes the orders when he's occupied in making cocktails. They are an odd team-up, but at the end of the day, they get the work done just in time. But, today is different, the clock shows the time that is 6:00 PM as their customers are much rowdier than the usual. The doorbell rings as the door creaks open, revealing Martha, and beside her a brunette man, whose hair is also in a ponytail, and a brunette woman with short hair and a delicate appearance.
Norton recognizes Martha but not the man and the other woman beside her. "Hey, Norton." She greeted him with a smile. "Hello, Martha," Norton welcomes as he looks at the other two, "Are the both of them your friends?" He questions her, surprised seeing her bringing friends along to get a shot. "Yeah, Naib, Vera this is Norton, Norton, this is my girlfriend Vera and my buddy Naib." Norton nodded to each of them as he stopped at Naib, staring at his face as Naib caught his attention mostly. "So, what can I get you tonight?" He smiles gently at Naib, whose face flared up to a red hue. "Just a classic Gin and Tonic, please." Naib looks away in embarrassment. "Me and Vera will have the French 75, please." Norton flashes a wink and hurries to make the drink.
"Here have some popcorn, and mozzarella sticks to compliment your upcoming drinks, enjoy your meal!" Mike exclaimed, using his cheerful tone. "Naib, ma chérie, your cheeks are all red. Are you alright, perhaps?" Naib snapped out from his thoughts and looks at the worried Vera. "I'm a-alright, t-thanks for asking Vera." He stuttered, grabbing some of the popcorn and eats it. "I don't think he's actually fine." She whispers and looks at Martha. "Yeah, I do also think he's not fine. He's been blushing after Norton smiled at him." She responded, still in a whisper.
Finally, after what almost felt like hours, Norton finished their drinks and passed it to them. "Enjoy." He smiles to them three as he cleans the other used rocks glass and pint glass. This same thing would happen almost every day. Sometimes, Martha would come, or she would come with Vera, but one time Naib came alone. It was surprising to Norton as he thought Naib would be the type of guy who would come to a place with friends. So, it strikes him in awe that he can see this man who somehow caught his attention, giving him another side of themselves.
Naib would be lying if he said he didn't fancy to return to the bar, but he rebelled his mind and returned to the bar the very next day. Days become weeks as weeks become months. Naib becomes a regular of The Singing Queen bar. Even Mike and Demi kept pestering Norton on having a new 'favorite' patron in the bar. Norton neither declines it nor admits it their assumptions, but all he answered is a single nod to them both, making the both of them confused whether they are right or wrong. Norton and Naib did exchange numbers, sometimes Naib talked about any problems he is having, and Norton sharing recipes of cocktails or sometimes health advice.
One time, after Norton finished cleaning the glass cups, he packed his things and locked the door. As he tilts his head, he sees Naib there leaning on the wall with a green hoodie covering half of his head, his right leg reclining on the walls of the bar as his gaze was on the concrete sidewalk. "Naib? Why are you still here so late? I thought you went home earlier today?" He asked, expecting an answer from the brunette man. "Well, I thought I could accompany you home, maybe? I mean, I don't know if you would like that, but like you're my friend so, I have to like do something nice y' know." Naib blabbers on, only making Norton smile more. "That's cool. Also, sure let's walk back to my place." He agreed, making Naib flushed. The walk back to Norton's home is silent as the both of them had their own thoughts swelling up in their heads.
After an awkward, silent walk, they finally reached Norton's place. "If you want to stay for the night, I have a free room downstairs if you'd like to, I mean." It was Norton's turn to blush as Naib immediately declines the offer with a shake of his head. "Nah, I'm alright. I'm just here to accompany you back home, so that's cool." Naib scratches the back of his
head nervously. "Well, if you want to come here sometimes, the door is always open for you." Norton winks at him, making Naib blush faintly. "Y-Yeah, that's c-cool." He stuttered. They both bid their goodbye's and goodnight's as Naib exits the bartender's home and walks through the cold air of the night.
There are more surprising times that make Demi and Mike think that Norton and Naib are dating. Like one time, they were chatting all night long as Mike had to take all the orders by himself. There was also a time where Martha and Vera would set them both up in a date that both are oblivious that it was actually a trap set upon them. Nevertheless, one night changes everything between both of them. Norton was cleaning the table from the water that stained it. He hears the usual doorbell ringing, turning his head to the direction of the door in instinct. Naib is standing there, looking exhausted and not in good shape. Norton got out from the bartender's area and to the door, pulling Naib gently to sit down on the barstool. Without asking him anymore, Norton made him his usual order and passed it to him.
"Everything alright there, Naib?" He looks at him as Norton's eyes glint with the look of worry. "Get me real drunk tonight, please." He ordered, not making any eye contact with Norton. "Alright then," Norton answered, making two more of Naib's usual order. "Tell me." Norton insisted, passing the two more drinks two Naib's free hand. "Just some stupid stuff. You won't get me anyways, so why even bother listening to me ranting!" Naib exclaimed, slamming his hand to the table as he looks even more stressed-out than ever. "But, the fact I wouldn't get what you're saying already tells me enough that I would understand what you're going through." He smiles reassuringly, signaling that he's here to listen and stay.
Naib, then, tells him about his life in the military and the hardship of being in it, he also mentions about the visions he has been having. Norton felt sorry for Naib's suffering over the years as he never knew his friend went through those things. Norton goes out from the bartender area to give a hug to the half-drunk Naib as Naib hugs back. Demi and Mike peek their heads from the employee's room, smiling warmly at the sight of this. "Do you want me to accompany you to walk back home?" Norton breaks the hug, looking at Naib as he waits for an answer. "Yeah, sure, I'm pretty drunk, at the moment, so, why, not I suppose." Naib responded.
"I'll be right back." Norton stands up and goes into the employee's room, making Demi and Mike shutting the door and acts naturally as if they never watched Norton and Naib hugging. "I'll be accompanying Naib back to his home, is that alright, Demi?" Norton asked, hoping Demi will allow him so. "Of course, of course! After all, he is your special patron." She laughs elegantly, winking at him when she says, special patron, "Alright then." Norton nods, getting out the employee's room. "So?" Naib arches an eyebrow after his head off to the employee room. "She allowed me, so let's go." Norton grabs his coat from the coat rack and opens the door for Naib. "After you." He smirks as Naib pushes Norton's face and grumpily walks out, making Norton let out a small laugh.
The road is covered in snow as they gripped their scarfs tight for warmth. "So, how long have you been working in that bar for?" Naib asked, breaking off the silence. "Well, around four years by now. I'd say I actually learned a lot from Demi." He explained, remembering his very first day working in The Singing Queen bar. "Damn, that's pretty long," Naib commented, kicking the snow in front of him. "How long have you been friends with Martha?" Norton asked this time. Naib goes deep in his thoughts, remembering the military and meeting Martha. "About four years. Damn! That's the same number on how long you've been working in that bar!" Naib looks shocked and fingerguned at Norton, making him chuckle.
As they converse to break the silence, they reached their destination. "Thanks for um taking me back home." Naib thanked him. "Ah, not a problem. I'm glad I can be helpful." "Do you want to stay at my place for a while? It's pretty snowy, and you can slip from the icy road." Norton's eyes widened, getting an invitation to stay at Naib's place. Isn't that pleasant? He smiles and nods in defeat, "Alright, I'll stay." They both went in afterward, taking off their boots. "Is it alright if my 'little sister' and her boyfriend are here?" Norton nodded in agreement, not minding anyone. "They're probably in the dining room or something." He grumbles, poking his head in the dining room. But, it turns out no one is there, leading Naib to be baffled. "Nevermind then. The coast is clear, Norton!" He yells as he gestures him to go with him.
They made hot chocolate together and are now sitting on the couch in the living room. "There's something I gotta tell you." Naib looks at Norton, a serious stare on his face. For the first time, Norton felt anxious as he feels like he stepped in the wrong time. "The first time Martha introduced me to you, I felt like you're a creepy dude who is just doing their job. But, over time, you just seem like a pretty chill guy. And, we talked a lot then exchanged numbers, and we've pretty much gone in each other's house now!" Norton seems confused, but he thinks he knows where this is going. "So, basically, I like like you." Naib blushed, looking at Norton, hoping for an answer to end this embarrassment. "I'm glad," he steps in to close the distance between them both, "Because, I'm afraid I've fallen for you too." Naib felt confident as he pushes his head to kiss Norton's lips.
They both stayed like that for a while as Naib broke the kiss and stares into Norton's eyes. They both laughed and snuggled in each other's arms. It felt like a dream. Norton's lips taste like whiskey. But, I guess that's what you get for falling in love with a bartender.