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A day like this called for another drink, Denki decided as he finished his most recent Lemon Drop Martini, the last sip of yellow liquid taunting him from its spot at the bottom of the glass. Usually on his birthday, Denki was lively, he was always the one making plans to go out to a club, make his friends buy him as many birthday shots as it took for him to black out, and then carry him home as the sun came up. Unfortunately this year, all of Denki's friends had described in excruciating detail the other plans they had made on the date, not realizing this Saturday was his Saturday.
Katsuki and Eijirou were the first ones to opt out, explaining they had unfortunately already booked a weekend vacation at the beach, and no, there wasn't enough room for one more. Then, Mina had sent her condolences in the group chat, saying her other best friend, Hagakure - some girl none of them had ever seen, but her name was always being thrown out of Mina's mouth - had just gone through a horrible breakup, and needed comfort, and no, Denki couldn't tag along and bring the wine. Lastly, the night before, Hanta explained why he too would be busy, going on and on about how his boss is down his throat, and he needs to stay in the office all Saturday, and by the time he'd get home, he'd be too exhausted to celebrate and no, Denki wasn't allowed to sit in his office and keep him company.
Instead of going out with his friends, or even seeing them at all, Denki was sat in a dim bar, alone in a stool, downing Lemon Drop Martinis as if they weren't coming out of his paycheck. Really, Denki should've just stayed home, snuggled deep into the couch, drinking wine by the bottle as he cried over some rom-com, but he needed the fresh air, and an excuse to get dressed. Now, if he looked like the saddest sack in the building, nursing a martini glass like he's a baby with a pacifier, then so be it. Nobody understood him today, he was upset and hurt, and his friends didn't even care enough about his birthday to leave a gift or small cake on his front step.
"D'you want another?" Came a raspy voice that Denki quickly recognized as the only person who cared about him for the day - but he was getting paid to care. Denki supposed he would be any bartender's dream at the moment, a depressed individual with a strong tolerance for alcohol, and a desire for some of the most expensive drinks on the menu.
Denki sighed, looking up from his glass to make eye contact with dark eyes, and furrowed lavender eyebrows, "Yeah, I think so." There was a frown across his lips, and it was evident in his words, they came out sad and weak, just like he felt.
The bartender nodded but didn't move to make a drink for him, "Did you get stood up or something?" That was a fair assumption, and in Denki's overdramatic mind, he felt like it was true to some extent. As if his friends had made plans to enjoy Denki's birthday with him, promising their attention and time for the night, and he was the only one to show up. Of course, they didn't actually say they could go, but Denki felt like their involvement in birthday plans were assumed, friends always celebrated together, and Denki was always there for their birthdays.
Despite his analogy of similar heartbreak, Denki shook his head, "No, it's just-" On second thought, he sighed- "Nothing."
The bartender nodded again, "Okay." He stepped back from the bar, only a second from turning on his heel to actually do his job, when Denki was stopping him, suddenly speaking up.
"My friends suck," Denki said, his golden eyebrows furrowed at the lavender haired bartender who widened his eyes at the announcement, "They all made plans for tonight, without me, even though it's my birthday. Like, Eijirou and Katsuki couldn't choose any other weekend to have their stupid beach vacation, and Mina couldn't just take her friend out to a club to move on from her boyfriend? Nope, she's got to go over to her house, and have a girls night on my birthday. And Hanta- sure, he has a good excuse, but I'm still pissed at him too."
"Huh," The bartender mumbled, crossing his arms over his chest, and Denki couldn't help the way his eyes flitted to the muscles that flexed on his biceps with the move, he was sad not blind, and this guy was hot, "Sounds rough."
Denki nodded frantically, "Very rough, I could use a hug."
Now, the bartender grinned, raising his eyebrows at Denki, "From one of your friends?"
"Do you see them here?" Denki threw his hands out, gesturing at the mostly empty bar around them. When Denki had gotten here a few hours ago, with the intention of spending his birthday alone, it had been filled with college students and older men watching some sports game on the many TVs, but by now it had cleared out. Other than the four people sitting at the bar - Denki included - and the bartender in front of him, the hotel bar he sat in was empty, "They didn't even get me a cake, so there's no way I'm getting a hug."
"Fine," The bartender said through a sigh, and then walked away. At first, it hurt to see him turn on his heel and completely ignore Denki, walking away like his friends did. Instead of sitting and letting the bartender run away from him, Denki teetered on the idea of throwing his empty martini glass at the man's back, wanting to show his disappointment, but decided against it once he noticed the bartender simply going back to work. Yeah, he could've picked a better time to continue on with his work-night than right after Denki had spilled his heart out to him, going on and on about how everyone leaves him, just to be left again.
But, Denki realized, it's not this random man's obligation to hangout with him on his birthday, it's supposed to be his friends, the people who vowed to care for him in life, so Denki should be mad at them instead.
"Here," The bartender said, once he had returned to Denki's corner of the bar, setting a martini glass on the counter between them, "Now, a friend of yours has given you a cake." Denki furrowed his eyebrows at the drink, it was filled to the brim with white liquid, and had small rainbow sprinkles floating on the top, and before Denki could open his mouth and express his gratitude, the bartender was continuing, "Yeah, it's not a real cake, but it's the closest I can get with the kitchen closed."
Denki looked up from the drink, meeting the man's wary gaze, "Thank you-" The gesture was so sweet, the sweetest thing to happen to him on his birthday, all from someone he had just met, and barely spoke with- "But, we're friends now?"
The bartender shrugged, "It looked like you could use one."
"If we're friends," Denki added, leaning towards now the kindest soul Denki knows, "Then, I should know your name, right?"
Despite the way the bartender rolled his eyes at the question, Denki continued thinking of him as #1 in his best people category, "I guess-" Denki could tell the guy was hesitating, and he couldn't blame him, he supposed bartenders were always afraid of getting too cozy with guests, just wanting to make a few drinks, make good tips, and go home- "My name is Hitoshi."
"Denki," Denki said as he leaned across the counter, balancing on his chair in an impressive way so he could extend his hand forward.
"I know," Hitoshi responded, reluctantly taking his hand and giving it a half-assed shake, "Are you forgetting I had to ID you? I saw your name then."
"Right." Denki slowly took his hand back, letting his fingertips memorize every callus they ran over Hitoshi's palm. "Did you see my phone number on my ID too?"
Hitoshi narrowed his eyes at Denki, tilting his head adorably as the words processed, "I- no, there is no phone number on IDs."
"Weird," Denki mumbled dramatically, "Then, I guess I should write it on a napkin for you, since we're friends."
"Oh, uh-" Hitoshi's mouth gaped, and the look of his brain desperately trying to find words was almost laughable to Denki, he'd never made a guy so incredibly confused before. If Hitoshi wasn't gay - which Denki really thought he had to be - then, he was definitely questioning it now- "Are you flirting with me?"
Denki nodded, "Definitely." Even with that enthusiastic confirmation, Hitoshi still looked perturbed by the idea of Denki actually being interested in him, still gaping his mouth at the conversation - so, Denki decided convincing him was the best route forward. "Seriously, look at yourself - go over to that mirror behind the shelves, and look at yourself, I'm definitely flirting with you." It was clear this man didn't own a mirror at home if he was stunned by the fact that he was openly getting hit on, he had on a shirt tight enough to show off firm pecs, and his black slacks were tight enough to show off his perfect butt, Denki was unashamed to say he's attracted to this bartender.
Plus, Hitoshi had given Denki not only his company, but a birthday cake flavored martini after he explained the heartbreak he felt with his birthday getting put on the back-burner. This man was a keeper, and Denki wanted to keep him - in his bed, or in his pocket, but either way around him at all times.
"Okay," Hitoshi mumbled, finally no longer glitching and instead finding his way back to the conversation that was unraveling in front of him, "You want me to have your number?"
Denki shrugged, "Yeah, just so you can call me when you get off work, and you can come over to my place." He couldn't be more clear, and that fact was bringing heat to Denki's cheeks, making him feel slightly hot under the dim lights over the bar. "We can celebrate my birthday together, and it's fine you didn't get me a gift, I got you one." With that, Denki winked, and he was sure the move completely lost Hitoshi, his eyes once again widened and his jaw once again slacked.
Instead, Hitoshi nodded, "Or, you can just stay, I'm about to do last call-" He pointed a thumb over his shoulder, gesturing towards the large, golden bell hanging on the wall by the entrance to the kitchen- "After that, it'll take me like thirty minutes to close, then we could go."
"Absolutely," Denki agreed with a frantic nod, "I'll be right here."
"Okay." Hitoshi turned on his heel, headed back to the bell, and gave it a strong thrust, and the movement caused an influx of perverted ideas of what his hands would be doing to him that night as well. This wasn't the first time Denki had managed to pick someone up from a bar or club, because occasionally people were actually into his bold attempts at capturing love, but this was the first time he'd be going home with the bartender. He supposed bartenders must be good at hand-jobs, considering they're shaking canisters all night long, and tonight would be the proof.
Surprisingly, Hitoshi's end of work routine went by quicker than Denki was expecting. After the ring of last call, the other guests had all left the bar, with one last wish of a good night to Hitoshi after paying their tabs. Then, Denki sat in his barstool, watching as Hitoshi swept behind the bar, and swept under the tables, before setting chairs on top of the tables. Considering it was just after one, the closing work wasn't exhausting and Denki had to imagine having someone there with him - someone who was practically vibrating in his seat and frantically explaining every show he's ever enjoyed in-depth - the last thirty minutes of work had to have been going faster than Hitoshi was expecting as well.
Then, Hitoshi moved across the completely empty bar, leaning against the counter beside Denki, and Denki just watched him with wide eyes full of wonder. He thought then that maybe Hitoshi wouldn't wait to get out of his place of work before making the first move, maybe he'd grab Denki right then and there and kiss him hard on the mouth, pushing him into the counter as he desperately grabbed at his body. Just as Denki began basically salivating at the imagery, Hitoshi spoke up, gently tapping the back of the chair he sat on.
"I need to put this chair up," Hitoshi mumbled in the space between them, "Then, we can leave."
Denki hummed, "Right, okay." He stood from the barstool, jumping down from it, and it hadn't even occurred to Denki just how close Hitoshi stood, but he had no choice but to hop right into Hitoshi's personal space. Now, it was clear Hitoshi was taller than him, Denki extended his neck back to look up at the other guy, and despite the lack of space between their chests, Denki stood firm. It seemed neither of them wanted to back down or step away, both of them facing each other, the last chair keeping them from slipping away to Denki's apartment now completely gone from their minds.
Instead, all Denki could think about was Hitoshi's lips, full and pursed in a way that gave the impression he too was thinking about Denki similarly.
"You can put the chair up now," Denki said, his hand coming up to graze upon the bartender's bicep, his fingers running gently across the soft skin, "Unless you wanna kiss me."
Hitoshi narrowed his gaze at Denki, "Does that count as your birthday gift from me?"
"Only if you promise to still come back to mine, so I can give you a birthday gift too."
"I planned on it," Hitoshi answered matter-of-factly, and the rasp in his voice was enough to make Denki forget completely about his comfortable bed or even his couch, instead Denki wanted him right then and there, partly wanting to convince Hitoshi to take him on the counter. Security cameras be damned, Denki wouldn't have cared if the bar was still packed at the moment, he wanted to kiss Hitoshi and he intended on doing so.
Denki moved up onto his toes, wrapping his arms around Hitoshi's neck, pulling him down into a kiss. Hitoshi's lips were soft and warm, and his fingers were strong where they dug into Denki's hips, bringing him even closer yet. The kiss was short and sweet, just closed-mouthed, but not chaste in the slightest - the simple touch of lips was enough to make Denki's heart pound in his chest, his body hot with want.
"My place is like five minutes away from here," Denki whispered just as Hitoshi leaned back from the kiss, slightly separating their lips, "Two if we run."
A breathy laugh exited from Hitoshi's mouth, "We should probably run."
Denki frantically nodded, "Let's go." He grabbed Hitoshi's hand, tightening his fingers around the bartender's palm as he moved across the bar, through the front door - and only after waiting for Hitoshi to lock up behind him - started making his way towards his apartment in a haste. Even though Hitoshi had agreed to speed up their trip back to his apartment, he was still casually walking behind him as Denki broke into a sped-up pace. Just as Denki began an attempt to run, Hitoshi held him back, still holding onto his hand and keeping him from booking it down the street.
"Are you actually running?" Hitoshi asked, as if it weren't obvious with the way Denki brought his head forward like a bull with a target in mind.
Denki turned around, attempting to jog backwards and also drag Hitoshi at the same time, "Hell yeah I am, I'll bang you on the staircase at this point."
Hitoshi shook his head, and Denki was proud to note his cheeks looked pink under the yellowed light of the street lamps, "I was kidding about running."
"Can you at least put some pep in your step?" Denki shook his head, now grabbing Hitoshi's one hand with both of his own and trying to use the new leverage to drag him down the street faster. "I'm trying to get you back to my place tonight."
"Fine," Hitoshi said through a sigh, moving at a much more appeasing pace, but still slower than Denki would've liked - if it were up to him, Denki would prefer if Hitoshi broke into a sprint to get to back to his apartment, but understood that that was a lot to ask of a guy who just worked until 1 am. "Better?"
Denki shrugged, "Good enough." They moved down the street like that for a few minutes, Denki calling Hitoshi cute nicknames of slow poke and grandma as Hitoshi furrowed his eyebrows at him from where Denki continued to move backwards, turned towards Hitoshi as he lead them through the familiar streets. Thankfully, Denki had decided on a bar within walking distance of his place, all on paved sidewalks as well - and with Hitoshi in front of him, Denki was even more thankful he chose that bar specifically for his own birthday celebration.
Just as Hitoshi began slowing down again, the gas in his tank ticking towards empty, Denki cut towards a door and mumbled, "Over here." He dragged Hitoshi up to a wooden door, moving through it, and up stairs, and only stopped outside of his apartment to take his shoes off and urge Hitoshi to do the same.
While Hitoshi fumbled with the black dress shoes he wore to work, Denki unlocked the door, only waiting on opening it. As much as he wanted an extra minute or two to clean up the mess he no doubt left in his living room and kitchen that morning, he didn't want to leave Hitoshi's side so soon. And now that they weren't hurrying down the sidewalk, Denki could feel that pull in the bottom of his stomach again, and the desire to kiss Hitoshi was becoming unbearable with how Hitoshi ignored him for shoelaces that refused to be untied.
Denki leaned back against the door, watching as Hitoshi finally rid himself of his shoes and met Denki's waiting gaze. Hitoshi grinned at Denki, physically unsure of what to do and where to go, but Denki could help him with that. He moved towards Hitoshi, wrapping fingers in the belt loops of his dress pants, just to pull him forward, and Hitoshi came easily.
"This is my place," Denki whispered as he leaned in for another kiss.
"I'd be surprised if it wasn't," Hitoshi sarcastically whispered back, "Since we're creepily standing outside of it."
"We can go inside." Denki pressed a soft kiss to Hitoshi's mouth. "In a minute."
Hitoshi nodded as he repeated, "In a minute."
They participated in a reenactment of their positioning in the bar, Denki's arms wrapped around Hitoshi's neck, and Hitoshi's fingers grabbing at the waist of Denki's jeans. The kisses started slow, a gentle touch here, a cautious pucker there, but quickly turned into more desperate, desire-filled kisses. As Hitoshi gently pushed Denki into the door behind him, he couldn't help the way he opened his mouth in a way to catch his breath only for Hitoshi to press his tongue against the top of his mouth. Denki brought Hitoshi in closer, moaning as Hitoshi pressed him into the wooden door, inspired by the way Denki's fingers carded through his hair.
The kisses were hurried, and Denki was once again standing by his commitment to bang Hitoshi on the staircase, even though his bed - or at the very least, his couch - was through an unlocked door and a few steps away. He wanted Hitoshi now, he didn't care where they were, especially with the way Hitoshi's hands moved under his shirt and cupped around his back, pulling Denki upwards into him. Just as Denki decided at least taking his shirt off to help Hitoshi was enough, Hitoshi's hand was grabbing at the handle, pushing it open and leading them inside, mouths still interlocked.
Sure, Hitoshi had the better idea, but Denki thought he at least deserved points on his tenacity.
Denki took a few steps backwards into his apartment, moaning into Hitoshi's mouth as they moved into the small foyer. The couch was Denki's target, not wanting to wait another minute to walk down his hallway to his bedroom, and deciding kitchen-sex was more of a second date thing, so the couch was the closest. Before Denki could even take a step towards the living room, he was very suddenly interrupted by yelling, his body going stiff in Hitoshi's arms as he looked towards the noise, his arms tightened around Hitoshi's shoulders.
In the living room, Denki now found all of his friends standing around the couch with balloons, finished confetti poppers, and red solo cups in hand. Denki's eyes widened as he took in the whole scene, the aforementioned confetti falling to the ground in between them as his friends and him shared a look of a wide-eyed fear that he was sure was painted across Hitoshi's face as well. Just as Denki wanted to yell at them for sneaking into his apartment and not texting him first, using their spare keys for evil, he suddenly read the banner that hang over his TV - Happy Birthday, Denki!
Denki blinked at his friends, "Wha-" He was too stunned to even finish the word, the backend dying on his tongue that was supposed to be inside of Hitoshi's mouth at the moment.
"It's a surprise party," Mina answered slowly, "We wanted to surprise you."
"And you somehow surprised us," Hanta mumbled, his jaw unhelpfully slacked as he took in the scene in front of him - in fact, they all took it in, Hitoshi and Denki wrapped in each other's arms, his hands under Denki's shirt.
"It's a surprise party?" Denki asked stupidly, because not only did they already clarify that fact, but it was obvious. Even before Denki could see the decorations set up, it was as if part of him knew this would be the case - his friends wouldn't miss his birthday even if their funeral landed on the same day.
Eijirou nodded, "We all lied about having plans, so you wouldn't know."
"We were surprised to see you not at home today," Katsuki added, his arms crossed over his chest, because out of the four, he seemed the least shocked by the scene in front of him. In fact, he seemed completely unimpressed - which was unfair, he should be impressed Denki could even pull Hitoshi, all he had to do was look at Hitoshi to know he was out of his league. "Mina was watching your location on her phone, and we didn't know how long you were gonna be at the bar, so we waited. Nice to see you weren't bothered by us missing your birthday."
"I was bothered," Denki quickly said, finally tearing away from Hitoshi and furrowing his eyebrows at Katsuki, "Just ask Hitoshi, I was bothered." He smacked a hand against Hitoshi's chest, silently inspiring him to speak up in his defense.
"Hitoshi," Mina repeated with a wide smile, "Lovely to meet you, wanna stay for a party?"
Everyone turned to the bartender, waiting for his response, which ended up being a shrug and a mumbled, "Sure."
"Perfect!" Mina moved forward, putting a pointy party hat on Hitoshi's head first, before turning to Denki with a grin- "Happy birthday, Denki."
Denki smiled back at her, happily letting her snap the rubber band against his chin, "Thanks, Meens."
"And-" Mina gave Hitoshi a side-eyed glance, a look he didn't even notice with how intensively he looked around at the birthday decorations- "Nice." With that, Mina moved on, urging the others to join her in the kitchen, wanting to have Denki blow out the candles before continuing with celebrations. Hitoshi thankfully wasn't a part of poking the candles into the cake, instead staying back with Denki.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know they'd be here," Denki mumbled as he leaned in closer to Hitoshi's side, a small grin across his lips with the words, "You can leave whenever you want to."
Hitoshi shrugged, "I already said I'd stay-" Denki frowned at that, hearing the words and knowing what he meant, but noticing how it still sounded like he didn't actually want to be here, but Hitoshi continued- "Plus, I was promised a birthday gift, so can't miss out on that."
Denki smiled up at Hitoshi, "Definitely, though technically since it's a party for me, I guess you'd be getting a party favor, not a birthday gift."
"Right," Hitoshi agreed with a nod, "Then, I should probably stay to give you your birthday gift."
"Only if you want to." Denki moved towards Hitoshi, rising onto his tip-toes to lean in for a kiss.
Hitoshi accepted the kiss, pressing his lips gently against Denki's own, "I want to. Happy birthday, Denki."