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Archie adds some final decorations to the bar ready for the open mic night they’re hosting, just one of many events they’re hosting this pride month. The bar is always decorated with rainbow bunting and various pride flags, but Archie’s a strong believer that more is better. Olu is currently supervising as Archie balances precariously on a stepladder as she secures the rainbow fringe to the back of the small stage area.
Archie has been a joint owner of the Revenge bar along with her partners Olu, Jim, and Zheng for a couple years now. The four of them fit together perfectly, as partners and business partners. Zheng’s got the business head and leadership skills, whilst Olu is amazing with the finances, Jim is a natural at working behind the bar, and Archie is a great people person. Together they’ve built something really successful, a beautiful queer space for them, their friends, and everyone else to enjoy.
Olu helps her down carefully from the stepladder, she takes a step back to admire her handiwork.
“This looks sick!” She exclaims.
“It does look pretty cool,” Jim reluctantly admits, they’d been a bit more sceptical about it.
“I knew you’d like it,” Archie replies with a grin.
“Don’t let it go to your head,” they say with a scowl.
Soon Zheng joins them from the back office, inspecting the decorations as she goes.
“Nice job, Arch,” she praises.
“I’m glad someone’s appreciative.”
“How’s the signup list looking?” Olu asks Zheng.
“Popular as expected,” she confirms, looking over the clipboard in her hand. “Got all the regulars, plus a few new people.”
“This is going to be the best one yet!” Archie announces excitedly.
“I think we’re nearly done. Olu can you just help me get the speakers set up?” Zheng asks.
“Sure thing, babe.”
Once everything is in place, the four of them head upstairs to the apartment above the bar to get ready for the exciting evening ahead.
“Which shirt?” Olu asks, holding up two options for his partners to see.
“That one,” the three say in unison, pointing at the blue shirt with an intricate flower and leaf pattern in reds, greens, and yellows.
Olu wears it open with a cropped white vest underneath, he pairs it with a pair of shorts and his orange beanie.
“Looking good, babe,” Zheng purrs, adjusting the collar on his shirt.
“Looking pretty hot yourself,” he replies.
Zheng is wearing a short black dress with fishnet tights and knee length black boots. Around her waist she has a chain that Archie gifted her, it’s painted in pink, purple, and blue to represent the bi flag, and dangling from the chain are silver suns and moons. Jim had done her eyeshadow to match, whilst Archie had put her hair into two plaits. She really did feel fucking hot.
The two head downstairs to open up, whilst Jim and Archie add the final touches to their outfits. Jim adds purple glitter to Archie’s cheekbones to match the purple bralette she’s wearing, she’s paired it with a black skater shirt, fishnets, and her docs.
Jim opted for a classic cropped black tee, the nonbinary pin they always wear pinned to it. Over the top they’ve got a black leather harness which goes with the high waisted leather trousers they’re wearing.
Archie grabs their harness and uses it to pull them closer until she can claim their mouth in a heated kiss. Jim smiles into the kiss, pleased that their outfit had the desired reaction. By the time they’ve finished, some of the glitter has transferred onto Jim’s face but they can’t find it in themself to care.
“We should really get downstairs,” Jim says, even if they wish they could stay longer.
By the time they get downstairs, some of their friends are already there. They take their places behind the bar to help serve drinks.
“Can I entice you both to a couple of our special cocktails this evening?” Archie asks Ed and Stede who are currently propped up at the bar.
Ed’s wearing a cropped purple vest with a black leather harness over the top, along with a pleated midi length black leather skirt. His hair is half up in two space buns with the rest cascading down his back, there’s also purple glitter running down his parting that’s gonna be a nightmare to get out. He’s gone for a glittery purple eyeshadow, and has face paint on both cheeks of the bi flag.
Stede has gone for a white button up decorated with various types of butterflies and leaves in blues and greens. Pinned to the collar is a glittery gay flag pin, the shirt is tucked into a beautiful maxi tulle skirt in a pale blue. Across his eyelids is a pretty glittery light blue eyeshadow that suits him perfectly.
The two men study the board behind her.
“Ooh how exciting,” Stede coos, “I’ll have ‘the mermaid’ please.”
“I’ll try ‘the kraken, cheers,” Ed orders.
Stede gasps as Archie places the cocktails in front of them. The mermaid is made of coconut rum, blue curacao, and pineapple juice, with edible glitter. Whilst the kraken is made with vodka, blue curacao, grenadine, and lemonade, giving it a beautiful purple colour.
Stede picks his drink up and takes a sip. “Mhmmm that’s delicious!” he praises.
“They were Jim’s idea,” Archie says, smiling as she mentioned her partner. “So I saw you two were signed up again tonight, another duet?” She asks.
“Maybe,” Ed replies coyly.
“I get it man, it’s a surprise.”
The conversation is interrupted by Zheng, now on stage, announcing the start of open mic night. Whoops and cheers fill the bar area.
“Please give a round of applause to tonight’s amazing first act, the beautiful and talented Calypso!”
The applause gets even louder as Wee John saunters on stage in their signature blue dress. Everyone in the bar is enrapt as Calypso flits about the stage performing an epic lip sync routine. They’ve become a strong favourite amongst the regulars, the owners constantly being asked when their next performance will be.
Archie’s eyes move around the crowd, groups of people watching in awe, some cosying up to partners, others amongst friends, all with one thing in common - they all look so joyful with queer love and acceptance. Her eyes land on Frenchie, Wee John’s partner, noticing how proud he looks as he wipes a stray tear away.
More cheering erupts when Calypso takes a bow, basking in the warmth coming from the captured audience.
“Thank you my darlings, that was just a taste of what you can get. I hope to see your beautiful faces at next Friday’s drag night.” Calypso announces, blowing a kiss before leaving the stage in a dramatic fashion.
“Give it up for Calypso!” Zheng says as she rejoins the stage. “Now for everyone’s favourite middle aged couple, known by those closest as Gentlebeard, welcome to the stage Ed and Stede.”
The couple walk on stage holding hands, massive grins on their faces.
“Good evening, everyone!” Ed greets the audience. “For those that don’t know, I’m Ed, and this is my beautiful husband Stede,” he says, planting a kiss on Stede’s cheek, causing him to blush.
There’s some cheering, mainly from the table where their friendship group are sitting.
“Tonight, we are performing ‘Don’t go breaking my heart’ by Elton John and Kiki Dee.”
A few more cheers erupt at the recognition of the song.
“Don’t go breaking my heart,” Stede starts them off singing Elton’s part.
“I couldn’t if I tried,” Ed sings back, eyes meeting his partners.
The longer the song continues for, the more intimate it starts to feel, Zheng feels like she shouldn’t be watching. She looks to Archie who’s behind the bar, the two of them sharing a smirk at their friend’s display.
“Don’t go breaking my heart,” Stede sings a final time.
“I won’t go breaking your heart,” Ed replies, finishing the song.
Everyone claps, Zheng reckons it’s partly them being glad that it didn’t turn into a full make out sesh on stage, although some people might be into that.
“Thank you, Ed and Stede,” she thanks them, leading them off the stage. “Next up, we have everyone’s favourite drag king, and my very handsome partner, Jim Jimenez!”
Cheering fills the bar as Jim joins the stage. Along with Calypso, they’re a big hit at the Revenge bar.
“Thanks babe,” Jim thanks Zheng, giving her a kiss on the cheek as she leaves the stage.
Olu watches from one of the tables at the front, heart full to bursting with love and pride as he watches his partner move about the stage with practiced expertise. They perform part of their ‘pirate king’ act, moving around to the music as they spin a knife around. He’s finding it incredibly hot and can’t wait to see some more knife tricks later.
Olu whistles as Jim invites Archie on stage, leading her by the hand to a chair they’d set up. They then proceed to give her a lap dance, Archie’s hands resting on their hips as they thrust to the beat. Olu can’t take his eyes off the display in front of him.
When it’s over, Jim takes Archie by the hand and they both take a bow. Olu gives them a standing ovation, along with some other patrons that obviously enjoyed the show.
“Well I think we can all agree that was really very hot,” Zheng declares as she joins them on stage.
The crowd cheers in agreement.
“Now unfortunately the night is soon coming to a close.”
There’s a few boos at this revelation.
“I know it’s very sad, but the night is not quite over yet. Please give a warm welcome to the incredibly talented Izzy Hands.”
The all black attire Izzy had arrived in was now replaced with an emerald green slip dress with sparkly eyeshadow to match, he looked a vision.
“Hold me close and hold me fast,” Izzy starts singing ‘La vie en rose’.
The crowd is silent as Izzy continues singing, some people at the back even get up to dance with their friends and partners.
Archie wraps her arms around Jim, slowly swaying them both to the beat. Soon Olu and Zheng join them, the four continue to sway, their arms wrapped around each other.
“When you kiss me heaven sighs.”
Others dance around them, but right now it’s just the four of them, in the place that they built, together.
“And when you speak, angels sing from above.”
“Have I told you all recently that I fucking love you guys,” Archie whispers.
“We love you too, Arch.” Olu replies.
“You’re all sappy, but I love you.” Zheng adds.
“Yeah, love you, you idiot.” Jim mumbles, their head resting on Archie’s shoulder.
As the night comes to an end, the four continue to dance together, in their bar, the place they call home.