Chapter Text
Alex was alone in the basement of 白夜朗朗 Bistro. He took off his apron and threw it on a box letting out a big sigh. At the exact same time, Bai Lang entered the room :
“Oh, are you tired?
- Nah… Not really.
- Okay so… Ahhh I see !, he said with a naughty smile on his face. You miss RJ !
- What?! No ! Absolutely not !
Wasn’t this guy always in my way while I was working ?, he thought to himself.
- Yup, sure.”
Bai Lang exited the room with a big smile on his face. Alex sat down on another box.
Yes, maybe he missed him… Just a little bit… But he will never admit it !
How long since RJ went away ? 14, 15 days ? No, 17 days. Yes, it’s starting to feel long. And absolutely no news.
Alex looked at his phone. Even if he had RJ’s number in case of an emergency at work , he never contacted him since the day he went back to his parent’s house. And RJ didn't call neither.
Alex 's thoughts drifted back to when Bai Lang had told him that his father might be beating him… What a horrible thought ! No, if this is true, surely the young man would have run away from home ! He would have come back to him… Or at least he would be back at the bar, right ?
Damn, Alex really hopes so.
Chasing all those thoughts away, Alex took back his place behind the counter and started cleaning glasses.
One week passed.
After his lunch shift, Alex was behind the counter, as usual. His favorite place. He took a quick glance at his phone thinking nobody could see him, but of course Bai Lang did!
After a short silence, his boss finally said :
"If you want to speak to him, just call him!
- Pfff… no need. He was the one who left. Not me."
Lang raised his eyebrows and shook his head. Alex was still acting like a robot. No emotions on his face while hiding his true feelings. But Bai Lang knows that, in fact, Alex cares. After all, we’re talking about a young cute boy who shamelessly stole a kiss in front of everyone !
Speaking of "kisses", Lang should go on his way to meet Jin Xun An, his sweet and cute dentist. No, not a dentist anymore!, he thought to himself. Now he is his cute boyfriend.
Just thinking about "boyfriend" and "kiss" made him smile and blush a little. And, of course Alex noticed that.
"You can go, I'll finish the cleaning and will tell the Chef what’s the main dish for tonight. Go!
- Thank you Bro!", said Bai Lang with a big smile on his face while grabbing his bag to leave.
The bartender started to complain while smirking a little :
"Ahhh people in love…
- Who is in love ?
- Did you forget som…"
That was not Bai Lang but RJ who just passed through the door.
"I thought you…
- Can't I be back ?, he said coming closer. I went back home and found out that my dad was really sick. So, I asked for a leave to be able to help my mom. Didn't Bai Lang tell you?
- Damn this guy!, murmured Alex.
- I missed you, did you miss me ?"
Instead of answering, Alex took RJ’s hand and gave him back the "White & Dark Bistro" badge.
RJ’s took a glance at the badge in his hand, then looked right in Alex's eyes and threw himself in his arms.
This kid is so fierce, so stubborn…and a little bit cute!
During the evening shift, and even if they were very busy that night, the Bartender did not fail to throw sideways glance at RJ, just to make sure that he was back for real.
“I'm just checking his work, that's all.”, he thought to reassure himself. “He was away for a long time! Of course he doesn't remember how to do everything correctly…”
When the shaker almost fell down from RJ's hands, Alex swiftly grabbed it and looked at the sorry face the youngest made.
“See? What I just said! He's rusty!”
"Fffiiuuu what an evening! I'm exhausted, said RJ sitting down on the bench while throwing away a rag.
- Take out the trash! Don't be lazy!”
He almost started to complain but Alex then added:
"Didn't you want to learn how to mix cocktails? I'll show you some…right after."
RJ's face brightened up. Crazy how something so simple could make him so happy!
He went out with the trash and mumbled to himself:
“I hope he won't teach me how to make a Cuba Libre or another Gin Tonic! I want to move up a gear! I also want to get down to serious business with him… I want to… Do so much more with him!”
The Chef dropped by the counter on his way out and asked: "Hey Kiddo, your face is all red!.. Alcohol or naughty thoughts?", and then left without even listening to the answer laughing.
RJ came back inside. Alex was waiting. He had lined up several bottles of alcohol in front of him and was looking in his direction with his arms crossed.
"Let's start, show me the basics!"
RJ made a few drinks to prove to him that his profitable lessons were retained, but he ended up getting impatient !
"Can you show me a more elaborate one? You know, I really want to make a Pink Lady… Please!"
He was adamant the serious (but cute) bartender would refuse but this time he said:
"Ok, let's go for the sweet pink one… Give me the Gin, I'll show you."
Our trainee was left speechless and passed on the bottle to him. Alex will finally make one for him! This day finally came!
He watched him doing the cocktail mix with total admiration. His eyes went from his expert's hands to his face full of concentration and back to his firm hands. Such a beautiful scene!
Once the perfect Pink Lady was done, Alex placed it delicately on the counter in front of him.
"Is it for me? Can I drink it?, asked RJ full of expectations.
- Of course not ! You have to do one yourself now. You can watch mine for color reference."
RJ was a bit disappointed. Of course, this is just another lesson. So he grabbed some ice and started to replicate Alex’s every move.
Once done, RJ looked at his work proudly. Alex tried the pink drink and stayed silent. After a short moment he said:
"Not bad! You can try mine now, to see if it tastes the same."
They both took turns drinking from each other's glasses. Both seemed satisfied.
Suddenly, RJ realized that Alex had finally given him his Pink Lady (which means "I like you"). They were even having an indirect kiss drinking like this!
Looking down at his feet, he smiled a little embarrassed and blushed. Even if they already kissed twice, RJ definitely wanted more.
But suddenly, Alex patted him on the shoulder and said:
"Good Job! Class dismissed!", and left.