Chapter Text
“How bad do you want to tap that.”
Saparata choked on his, frankly, too stiff of a drink to enjoy. But shitty alcohol all he could afford on what was left of his rapidly dwindling college allowance.
Thank god he finally got that associate job at Aculon. Finance firm. Boring, predictable, made big bucks. And thank god for Snowbird’s redbull potions that got him through his final year.
Snowbird tutted motherly at the mess Saparata made. “Don’t dribble bad vodka on your only nice shirt.”
“Hey!”
Schpood, standing behind the bar, shouted in indignation.
“If you guys cared to drop a few good dollars on the better stuff you wouldn’t be in this predicament!”
“Schpood, darling. You know we aren’t capable of that. At least for another few years.”
Westhelm was their usual hit. A british pub run by Schpood, and his “army”. Waiters, bouncers, and a band he ran like the roman military. Rock music pumped through the speakers. Semi-drunk college kids and yuppies jumped in time to the beat, packed like sardines over the dancefloor.
“Back to the topic at hand.” Snowbird knocked on the countertop. Schpood rolled his eyes and proceeded to refill his drink with the bad stuff.
Snowbird had a tab as long as the Constitution. But Schpood let it slide because Snowbird was a popular kid. He brought in paying customers.
“3 o’clock. Dark haired guy. Definitely your type.”
Saparata turned and looked.
A young man. Slim. Dressed inexplicably in a well-pressed shirt and slacks. Slacks. When jeans were considered formal here in Westhelm and even shirts were semi-optional.
Deep purple eyes that shifted lowly, scanning the room. Framed by the longest lashes Saparata had ever seen. He was an absolute sucker for nice eyes.
The vodka made Saparata’s face feel even warmer.
With some difficulty, Saparata looked away.
“Pretty.” He admitted. “But that guy doesn’t look like he belongs here.”
Snowbird laughed loudly. “Got that right.”
The poor boy stood at the corner of the room, looking like he didn’t know what to do with himself. Saparata could surely give him a few ideas.
“Ask him to dance!”
“Snow-”
“C’mon. You’re looking good. That guy's cute! If you won’t approach him, I will.”
Saparata panicked. “Dude. How much have you had to drink tonight?”
“Just enough. C’mon. It’s our last day before we have to enter corporate slavery! Let’s live a little!”
Snowbird too had managed to enter the same fresh graduate program of Aculon Corp. Crazy stuff. And he’d be seeing this crazy guy for at least a few years longer.
Before Saparata could make a decision. Snowbird is already stalking towards the mystery guy. No doubting charming him into coming over. Saparata shook his head.
“Nothing stops him, huh?” Schpood laughed. He’s seen enough of Snowbird and Saparata in their four years. Even when they were still sneaking in with fake ID’s in their freshman year.
Saparata raised his glass. No shit.
“Hey. Hey!” Schpood barks towards the door. A few frat guys were trying to sneak in.
“No Commonwealth’s in Westhelm! Bar rules!”
Schpood, who had gone to their university a few years ago, had a longstanding hatred of that particular fraternity. Some guys named Sitzkrieg and Arcturus who had wronged him somehow.
He even had a wall of the bar reserved for hanging up photos of banned people. Calling it: “Westhelm’s Most Wanted.” Their brutish faces were hung up there. Along with a string of other people.
Saparata watches in amusement as a horde of bouncers crowded around a group, pushing them out the door.
“Right to refuse service! Get the fuck out of here!” A tall guy, 5pyder, heckles them out of the way.
“And this is my friend, Saparata!” Snowbird singsongs.
Miracle of miracles, Snow had managed to bring the mystery guy over. His bangs fell over his eyes, in a cute way. Saparata couldn’t tell how old he was or what the fuck he was doing here.
“Flux.” He said lowly.
Stick a cravat on this guy and he could probably be in the royal family. Saparata suddenly felt the urge to sit up straighter.
“I’m Saps. Saparata.” He says eloquently.
“Charmed.”
Flux at least seems semi-entertained about this whole thing.
Snowbird not-so-subtly pushes Saparata closer to him. He mouths over Flux’s shoulder: “Have fun!”
“Saparata, huh?” Flux says, when Snowbird is out of earshot. “It’s pretty unique. Not a lot of fellows with that name. ” “ It can’t be a coincidence right?
“I’d say the same about ‘Flux’. ”
“You’d be surprised… Are you a student?”
“Not anymore. Just graduated from State.” Flux raises an eyebrow at that. His mouth twisting into an expression Saparata didn’t understand just yet. But he seemed really interested in him.
“Your order.” Schpood interrupts them, sliding a glass towards Flux.
It was a low, thick glass with a caramel-colored drink poured carefully over a single ice cube.
Fluixon takes a single sip instead of shooting it back like he and Snowbird did. Then he cradles the glass. Whiskey. The good stuff too. Who the hell was this guy?”
“Please tell me you’ve graduated too.” Saparata says.
“Just about.” He doesn’t elaborate. Flux really wasn’t making it easy.
“Let me take a guess on you.” Saparata said.
It was a game he liked to play. Rattle off a few reads on someone he just met. From their face, the way they carried themselves. It wasn’t always right, but it always made for a good laugh.
“Alright.”
“You’re from State too. But not a business course, that’s why I don’t know you. Something creative… but still kinda serious cuz you’re dressed so stuffy.”
Flux frowns a little at that, looking down at his shirt in indignation. Cute.
“Architecture.” Saparata snaps his fingers. “And you’re probably a huge nerd that stayed shut in all day. You’re here today because it's your first day of freedom in forever. Because you went your whole university life without tasting a party. Probably because you buried your nose in books.”
Flux shakes his head. “You’re not very good at this, are you? Do you always start with insults?”
That wasn’t true. He’s picked up a few people up with this in his day. But maybe none so pretty as the boy right in front of him.
“I’m usually better.” Saparata laughs helplessly.
“Let me try with you.” Flux leans forward. His voice is low, accented. Saparata needs to lean in close to hear him properly and he can smell some kind of nice perfume on Flux.
“You’re in business. As you’ve said. But you graduated Finance. You also like sports. Probably goes to the gym a couple times a week. You’re a mom-friend. Maybe someone who cooks and feeds the people you care about, which is why Snowbird over there cares so much for you.”
Wait…
“You like cats. And playing games.” Flux’s eyes are so purple Saparata can’t help but keep his eyes locked to the other boy, barely hearing his next words.
“... and you’re here because today is your last day of freedom in forever. Because you sold your soul away to corporate slavery. Because you want to make the big bucks.”
That was... weirdly accurate. Scary.
“How the fuck did you do that?” Saparata sat back.
“You might just be an easy read.” Flux says. This pretty boy was a bit of a jerk. Sucks for Saparata because he liked them that way.
Fluixon takes another sip from his drink. Saparata watches his adam’s apple bob slowly, dipping below his high-collared shirt. There’s a light sheen of sweat on his neck he finds himself tracing downwards.
“Do you want to dance?” Saparata finds himself saying.
Flux sets his drink down. His mouth quirks up into barely a smile. “Sure. Lead the way.”
Saparata doesn’t kiss and tell. But it was probably one of the best nights of his life.
If he were to recall it, he could only tell you it in flashes. Drink after drink. Dancing on the floor until it devolved into something a bit worse. The boy’s soft accent tickling something in Saparata’s brain that he didn’t know existed until now.
Bringing Flux back to his apartment. Hands scrambling and mouths clashing even as they entered the elevator.
Ha travelling even in the hallway.
Trails of kisses down his neck as Saparata fumbled with the keys at his door.
And purple eyes that seemed to burn into him, dark hair splayed out over his mattress as Saparata made some very, very poor decisions with this very pretty boy he took home.
That voice was even prettier when it was singing his name.
-----------
Saparata woke up to pounding at his door.
“Flux. Flux!”
“Mmrgh…”
“Flux! You brat, you’re in here, aren’t you! I can trace your location, you know! You’re going to be late!”
“....Damn.”
Saparata blearily opened his eyes. It was morning. But the sunlight wasn’t streaming in just quite yet.
Half of his bed was notably empty. His companion for the night, Flux, was cursing lightly as he hopped around the room. His slacks were half up his legs and his shirt hung open around his shoulders like a cape.
“Flux?”
The boy turns around. His face splits into a charming grin. “I’ll be taking my leave. My ride is here.”
“Ride?” Saparata rubs his face. He usually tried to at least serve his dates pancakes first before they ran off. “Mine wasn’t enough?” He joked.
Flux laughs at that. It’s a nice sound. Saparata almost has half a mind to ask him to stay a bit longer, offer some breakfast. But-
“I can hear you in there! You have until three before I kick this door down!” The voice outside threatens.
“Rude.” Flux rolls his eyes.
“One!”
“Please don’t let him kick down my door. I need my deposit back.” Saparata says.
Flux cocks his head, almost teasing. Like he just might let it happen because it pleased him. He buttons his shirt and tucks it into his slacks.
“Two!”
Saparata tries to give his best puppy eyes. His head was pounding.
“Thre-!”
Flux walks over and opens the door just in time. Saparata can see over his shoulder is another, very tall man. Brown hair, bown skin. Thick eyebrows that furrowed in annoyance.
The man in question grabs Flux by the neck like he was a naughty kitten. The other boy bats at him to no avail.
“What trouble did you get into now.” He growls lowly.
“Good morning to you too, Thomas.”
Thomas, Flux’s… ride?, finally takes the time to look over Flux’s body. He locks eyes with Saparata. Saparata’s eyes. His disheveled hair. His state of undress.
“Oh god. Were you here all night?” Thomas groans. “Your dad is gonna kill me. Then kill you.”
Fluixon groans. It was a bratty sort of groan. Just who was this guy, anyway?
“No way. You know I’m the favorite.”
“You’re fourth favorite. At best.”
“Pshh… wait, there’s only three of us!” Thomas drags the other boy out the door. The other boy’s shoes skid funnily.
“This is really unlike you.”
“I just wanted to have some fun.” Flux whines.
“See you around, Saps. Goodluck on your first day!”
Then the door slams shut. Saparata sits watching the door, unsure of what to do with himself in the silence.
He flops back onto the bed, arm over his eyes. It was too early for this.
First day.
First day.
Fuck. He had a job to get to. Saparata springs out of bed, searching around the room for his one good shirt. Hoping it wasn’t creased too bad.
In his hurry, he forgets that he never told Flux that today was going to be his first day of work.
---------------------------------
“Well, well, well. Saparata! You made it.”
Jophiel has her arms crossed. She looked incredibly sharp with her hair done up. A well-fitted suit jacket and skirt made her look almost ten feet tall. The heels weren’t helping either.
Jophiel was their upperclassman in Finance, and passed the Aculon management trainee program a year before them. She takes in Saparata’s disheveled state with amusement.
Saparata pants. He made it to Aculon on time. Barely. He had to hitch a ride with Snowbird. Then realized he forgot his tie. So he hopes his semi-creased shirt and open collar wouldn’t be too much of an offense here.
Snowbird pounds Saparata on the back. “This guy had a little too much fun last night. Picked up a cute guy at Westhelm yesterday.”
“My… living on the edge.” Jophiel shook her head. “Snowbird, you should head to orientation. I’ll handle this guy.”
“I’m not going?” Saparata says.
“New boss called in a meeting for everyone in his team. That includes you and me, Saparata.”
His first assignment. It must have been some high-ranking dude to pull this kind of urgency.
“Son of the chairman.” Jophiel reads his mind. “You’ll follow orientation when it's done. This should just be for introductions.”
.
.
.
Saparata follows Jophiel through the expansive layout of the office. To be honest, it looked less like an office and more like a fancy lobby of a hotel. Jophiel’s heels clicked on the polished floor. Sunlight spilled from floor-to-ceiling windows.
They passed through a pop-up cafe that smelled aggressively expensive. Beyond it was an entire wellness space with sleeping pods. Analysts clustered around glowing market screens while giant digital tickers crawled across the walls like scenes from a finance drama.
This place must’ve secretly controlled the world economy.
Jophiel leads them towards a glass box, one of those modern-type conference rooms. Through the walls, Saparata could see a long table surrounded by people already deep in discussion, this early in the morning.
Saparata stops.
He must be dreaming. No. This was a nightmare.
Flux.
Flux was standing right there. In a three-piece suit and perfectly coiffed hair.
“Holy shit.” Saparata hissed. He grabbed Jophiel’s bicep and pulled her back.
“What. What?” Jophiel stumbled.
“That’s the guy! The guy from last night.” Saparata whispered.
“Who?” Jophiel looked around. There were dozens of men in the office all milling around.
Saparata hissed at her. “Who else. The one hanging around outside the conference room.”
“No way.”
“God, he looks like he just stepped off the cover of Forbes magazine. Or whatever the nepo babies are reading these days.” Saparata continued, eyeing him up and down... Who the fuck looked like that after stumbling out of a dinky apartment?
“No fucking way.” Jophiel’s eyes bounced between the two.
“Yes fucking way.”
“Do you have any idea who that guy is? That’s Fluixon. Of Aculon Corporation. The youngest son of the chairman.” And their new boss.
“Oh my god.” Saparata could faint. He could die. He’s about to head into a meeting with the guy he made out with in his college dorm twin-bed. His future boss knows that he has a mole on his left butt chee-
“Saparata.” Jophiel says, slowly, with exacting precision. “You now have the unique opportunity to lift you and me out of poverty with the power of your-.”
“Jophiel!” Saparata hisses, bringing his hand to her mouth.
“Clearly he had a good time last night!” Jophiel waved in his direction. “Don’t you think you should be using your powers for good?”
Saparata refused to look at her. They were getting dangerously close to the meeting room, and within earshot of Fluixon.
“This is using those powers for evil.”
“Same difference! You've seen dozens of guys in college. And now this hot heir-guy is just a one-time thing to you? This is where you draw the line?”
“Jophiel. I cannot do this right now.” Saparata pleaded. “I gotta- We gotta go do this thing.”
------------------------------
The meeting proceeded without much fanfare.
Fluixon was called in to lead a new team. There was a client Aculon wanted to acquire within the year, a huge corporation but still family-owned. So they would be incredibly hard to gain trust from.
The team gathered were experts on wealth management and family office. Analysts. And... one new kid.
Fluixon took the time to address everyone, one by one. His voice was carefully controlled. Respectful, but still authoritative. As young as he was, the others didn’t dare say a word against it.
Not unless they wanted their jobs stripped away by dear old dad.
Saparata was only half-listening. He couldn’t believe this whole thing. Fluixon was here. Son of the chairman. Leading this whole team. Fucking nepo-
“Saparata.” Fluixon called out. It snaps Saparata back to reality “Our management trainee. I hope you learn a lot here.”
“I- I will.” Saparata says. He can’t bring himself to say “sir.” They were the same fucking age for crying out loud.
Fluixon points a finger at him. “That includes learning how to dress the part. You look like you just rolled out of bed.”
Saparata has to fight down the urge to lunge across the table and sock him in the jaw. With a burning face, he just nods. Jophiel has her lips pursed to stop her laughter.
“Alright everyone. Thanks for your time.”
They file out of the room. Saparata tries to not make it obvious he’s in a hurry to avoid Flux. But before he can-
“By the way, Saparata.” Fluixon calls out lowly.
“...Yes?” Saparata turns around, cringing. The others have already left the room.
Fluixon had a playful smirk on his face. It was unfairly handsome, and absolutely infuriating.
“Forbes is a bit over-rated. I’m more of a Gentleman's Quarterly kind of guy.”
Saparata feels heat run all throughout his body as Fluixon walks past him. The same perfume from last night assaults his senses.
Prick. Asshole. Saparata digs his nails into the palm of his hand, keeping himself from snapping at his new boss.