Chapter Text
As you slowly step into the bar, you can’t help but look around. It’s a regular bar, though small and absolutely packed with people. It’s almost like a can of sardines. To the actual bar itself, a fire monster is manning the entire thing. He, you assume it’s a he but you know not to always guess, is pouring alcohol in a cup. He’s moving in a fluid motion though, flying the glass in the air and pouring the golden liquid in the air, when he finally caught the glass all the liquid spilt is gracefully settled inside the cup. He even swishes it for good measure as he then hands it to the cat monster.
You look away from them and register that due to the overflow of monsters and occasional humans no table is open for you to sit at. Honestly, some tables even had extra chairs sat at them for extra people. You nearly winced, but decided to confidently strut inside anyways.
You were a man, and a man with a criminal record. So you knew to stay clean from the places you’d usually deal at, and a monster bar was the perfect spot. You’ve never stolen from monsters before, you’d been far away from the mountain they’d erupted from for them to not have trickled down to your area. Obviously, many monsters had moved to other countries, however most did not like the long transport. I mean, due to their entrapment you’d assume that such long distances were a bit too nauseating for a country, or I guess species, of people to really start moving to immediately.
You hummed as your gaze glazed over the bar, and finally you found seating. A large, burly man had grabbed his date’s arm and confidently left the bar. You tipped your hat at the two, who didn’t see you. You didn’t mind, you just hoped that their love flourished. Love should always conquer, even if it logistically can’t always do that.
Besides that, you swiftly stole the seat leading to the end of the bar counter before anyone could take it from you. You then set your boater on the slick counter and ran your hand through your hair, feeling the strands against your fingers. You nearly grimaced at how they tugged on your scalp, you’d have to try to brush it out again when you got home.
The fire monster, you heard a monster or two call him ‘Grilbs’, stepped over to you and tilted his head down. You put your hat on, a sign of respect on your part, and smiled. “Can a man get a corpse reviver?” The monster seemed to smile, though you could only tell from the way the face-like ball of flames you considered a face seemed to open and tilt the opening into a grin. It was a scary sight, but not one you minded. Fire was always a nice touch.
The man nodded, and in a flash produced; a bottle of gin, two other bottles you didn’t care to identify, and a small jar of lemon juice. After mixing up the concoction you were sure would save your day, he also produced a bottle of something you couldn’t identify and added just a dash of it. After that show, one you gladly watched and analyzed, he pulled out a big jar of lemon and lime slices. They were paired with ice water, so you knew they were fresh. The man then gently jammed the wedge into the side of your martini glass and carefully slided it to you. You didn’t catch it, but after a second you did grab the thin glass that helped connect it to the base. You held it up, just below your chin, and then you took a small sip. You smiled as you were flooded with the disgusting taste of the sour alcohol. God, that hit the spot. You knew you’d be drunk in no time.
Eventually, you looked up at the bartender and pulled your wallet out, “How much you need for it?” You asked casually and the employee pulled out three fingers. You grinned, and pulled out three wrinkly dollars and handed it to him. He seemed pleased with the amount, and soon left for another customer. God bless fucking america, you loved it here. Well, you actually hated it here, but you loved the alcohol.
Taking a sip of the sour drink, you glazed over the bar once more. You spotted a small stage, and a bathroom in the far corner, far from said stage. If you had to guess, it was purely for more rich customers. You know this because when you had gone through the door, the bar was at your left, with a hallway to the kitchen next to it. And the stage was in your far right, small and unassuming, and tables covered the unused space. And, the less populated tables were near the bathrooms, with the tables being set much nicer than the others. You hummed noncommittally as you took longer sips of your drink. If the business was setting up for the rich this soon then they must already know some of them, or they themselves are rich and this is a side business. Either way, it was a perfect place to get a shit ton of cash from but if you were caught.. Well, you wouldn’t be found.
You eyed the other customers to see if your suspicions were correct, and found that the monsters you could see, as they were closer to you, were just regular civilians. Obviously. Still, it bothered you. None of them seemed all that rich, they wore classy clothes and cheap yet still ‘fancy’ jewelry but nothing screamed true flaunting. You narrowed your eyes at that, you were a shit thief, yea, but you’re not dumb. This isn't gonna work out. So, you either run to another town again, or you settle down and find a job before it’s too late and you go bankrupt-
A firm finger tapped your shoulder, and you jolted as you turned to see a skeletal face. Eyeing his figure, something you did as non suspiciously as you could, you found that he was well dressed with a large figure. He was smiling down at you with a singular gold tooth nestled in the smile. It was almost hidden due to the fact that it was on the right side, tucked close to the end of the mouth. You lowered your drink.
“Can I help ya, sir?” You asked with a sleezy grin, the skeleton straightened his back- FUCK HE’S LARGE- and smiled at you. He pointed at the seat next to you, fingers overflowing with gold jewelry. He then opened his mouth, “Seat free?”
You hold in your grin, knowing he was rich as fuck, and nodded. “Yea, not expecting anyone at least. Why?” You said, soon taking another sip. Drats, you’d have to buy another glass soon. So much for eyeing the crowd.
“Nothin’ much, just didn’t wanna step on toes, ya know?” He said, and you had to hold in a deep blush at his voice. It was manly, something that was already stupidly hot to you that you had to hide, but it was also heavily coated in a boston accent. Those paired with how deep it was made it hard to not wanna kiss him. You nearly scolded yourself, no man is supposed to wanna kiss a man! That’s reserved for women! You can’t even be a man right, fucking hell.
Restoring your cool, and thanking the fucking lord for your fast thoughts, you chuckled at him. “Yea, I wouldn’t want ya steppin’ on mine either. Little guys can’t handle a crush.” You grinned at your honestly probably mean joke and sipped at your glass, reaching the end of the liquor. Fuck. The man, you hope to catch his name soon, just chuckled. “Well, ain’t you a jokster? If I did stomp they really would have seen jester days huh?” He sat down at the stool next to you, and his wide, almost muscular, figure made your size pale in comparison. It was almost emasculating.
You paused to get the joke, and then let out a cacophony of snickers and snorts, “Oh god- you pun? Damn, not even my dad could make a joke that shitty. But hey, I’ve never been much of a punster so what do I know?” You grinned and turned to the fire monster, casually waving at him as to alert him of you wanting a new drink. He came by swiftly enough and you repeated what you had done the first time, though this time you had an audience with you.
When you got your drink, you took a sip and handed the man three more dollars. You winked at him, “Thanks for doin’ business.” You said merrily, the bartender just nodded and went to what you assumed to be regulars. Though, he did seem to stare at the skeleton monster. Guess they did know VIPs, though you didn’t know how to confirm the information with the man next to you.
You decided to keep it casual, sipping on your drink and looking over at him. He was staring at you with a knowing gaze, and you almost stopped drinking and choked. You ignored it, and after your drawn out sip you gave the man a sideways smile. “I don’t look that girly, do I?” You asked, soon pulling out a pack of smokes you’ve never used for yourself. You just like handing ladies a cig, they seem to appreciate it.
The skeleton chuckled casually and finally looked away, pulling out a box and opening it to reveal cigars. You hummed. He pulled one and tucked the now closed box away into his pocket. He eyed the fat stick of tobacco and then looked over at you. “Got a light?”
You nodded and fished out a petrol lighter, replacing it's spot with your pack of cigarettes. You flicked it open and smiled as you saw the flame flicker into life. You then moved it closer to the cigar now tucked between his sharp jaws and watched as he leaned down to let the fire lick at the cigar and light it. You pulled your silver lighter away and flicked the ‘cap’ down so it wouldn’t cause a fire. You remember accidentally setting a bar on fire by not doing that, you didn’t want a repeat of the situation.
The skeleton blew red smoke your way and you coughed in shock, but the wisps of blood red kept trying to invade your lungs. Eventually, they flew away and you finished your coughing fit. You sipped your corpse reviver to regain some usage of your lungs. The man beside you just chuckled, how many times does one fucking chuckle, at you. And honestly, you had to admit that the laugh alone caused heat to drift to your pants, but you remained calm and kept your composure. You busied yourself with stuffing your lighter next to your cigs.
You didn’t want to know what would happen to a man like you if anyone figured out your… Preferences in gender.
You decided to look at him with a raised brow and playful pout, “Whatcha have to do that for?” You asked. You smiled and held out your hand, “If you’re gonna get up in personal why not tell me your name?” The skeleton blinked, but used his hand not holding his cigar to clasp onto your flesh one.
“Sans, Sans the skeleton. And what’s your name?”