▸　❛ bar / nightclub

@❛ mark t。 The jolt of movement didn’t go entirely unnoticed by her as she had been watching him rather closely, but she chose not to make a comment. Instead, rather, she hooked her arm through the space he had left between his arm and waist so she could tuck herself against him with a soft smile. “My apartment is D16.” was her simple response as she began guiding her companion towards the door, eager to get home not only to get out of her wretched heels, but also for the lingering challenge of being left at Mark’s mercy beneath him.

@❛ sujeong r。 Standing to his feet, he nearly staggered back against his own stool- hand shooting out to rest against it in reflex. It may have looked as if he were composed, but the effects of alcohol were undeniable when it came to the human body. He gently heaved a breath and took his card from the bartender, eyes just lightly lidded in haze. Then he turned to the woman, hands confidently moving to hide within the confinements of his jeans. "Shall we then?" He commenced in walking, slightly leaving a space between his arm and waist for her to hook onto. He stood beside her and waited, gaze of calm anticipation.

@❛ mark t。 Not for the first time since their conversation, Sujeong’s expression morphed into one akin to a vixen as she hummed knowingly in response to his dismissal. She knew better than to expect anything but spontaneity in such circumstances, so she’d leave it up to chance for whether or not she cooked for two in the morning. More laughter bubbled past her tiers as she watched each shot disappear in quick succession, brow raised as if she were impressed he could down so much liquor and still be composed as far as she could tell. “Ready to go?” She spoke up finally as she returned her wallet to her purse and moved to stand from the stool she’d been sitting on.

@❛ sujeong r。 Leaning forward against the counter, he didn't think too hard over the idea of staying or going. He was an impulsive person, so what he felt in the moment often influenced his decisions then. For now, the only thing on his mind was taking the woman home to momentarily spoil in her bed- or wherever they chose to around. Be it the kitchen counter, the bathroom sink, the open hallway- he could care less where they did it. Without another word, he quickly took down the last two shots that were given to him with eager ease. "I'll let you know in the morning," was all he said. He then slid the glass cups forward and gestured the bartender close his tab, about ready to leave with the woman.

@❛ mark t。 Sujeong spared him a thoughtful glance, gaze a little more calculating than probably expected for her tipsy state. It was reasons like this that she liked to keep her wits about her. Enough alcohol to numb the anxious buzzing of her head whenever a male so much as breathed in her direction would get her through a pleasurable night. “I won’t be offended if you do decide to leave, though, so there’s your disclaimer if you needed one,” she joked as she nudged her elbow against his side, “Breakfast will be made either way.” Sujeong didn’t take long after that to finish her final drink, waving her hand to let the bartender know he could close her tab and return her card to her.

@❛ sujeong r。 Shamefully, he didn't want to admit that yes- he was the type to leave before dawn. The idea of sticking around for someone he only indulged in for a night didn't appeal to him. It only ever caused him trouble because attachments came before he could stop them- especially when he often didn't feel the same. He always had a hard time connecting with people emotionally. But considering the fact that she lived next door, would it do him justice to run? He'd see her around anyway. Plus, he was in far too deep, and there was no going back from where they came from. "We can go to your place. I'll follow you, baby." Downing his next shot, he could feel the slight queasiness kick in. It started with his eyesight- then he balance. But he didn't stop. Instead, he gestured for two last drinks to finish off the night. It was about time they leave anyway.

@❛ mark t。 She pondered the question for a moment, stirring her drink as she hummed thoughtfully. Really with both of them being strangers, they were both risking quite a bit when taking the other home, especially after the past week’s events. “Do you have a preference? Normally I’d say whoever lives closer, but we live in the same complex,” she laughed as she thought about it, taking another sip of her drink, “Well, if you aren’t the type to dip immediately, I could make you breakfast the morning after at my place.” If she wasn’t too wrecked, she normally made a pretty decent breakfast the next morning regardless if her company stayed or not. Either way she wouldn’t particularly mind who’s place they went to. She was sure her apartment wasn’t far from Mark’s so the “walk of shame” wouldn’t be that big of a deal.

@❛ sujeong r。 Lifting the cup in hand, Mark effortlessly began downing it once more, rather insensitive to the amount he drank. He didn't often do it- but when he did, he found himself to be a little on the heavier side. "So my place or yours?" Although he didn't intend on leaving immediately (since it usually took a few more drinks to hit him), it was a direction in conversation. He didn't know her very well, after all. Plus, it was clear that two of them wanted something far more raw than simple dialogue. He turned to eye her last drink, then gestured the bartender for another. He could feel the gentle drowsiness that overcame him as he progressed, but this was exactly what he wanted.

@❛ mark t。 Finishing off her current drink with a satisfied hum, she reveled in the warmth of the alcohol settling in the pit of her stomach along with the faint flicker of arousal as she contemplated what they were most likely going to do once they left the bar together. Sometimes company after a night of drinking was a perfect way to bring things to a close. Going home drunk by herself was lonely if she were to be honest, so she’d take refuge in Mark’s offer. “Spoiling your women, huh? I suppose I’m in for a fun night then,” she grinned, ordering her fourth and final drink for the night because as drunk as she wanted to be, she also would like to keep her motor skills intact, “Sounds like a challenge. You’re on, hot stuff.”

@❛ sujeong r。 He had always been one to mind his own business when it came to social gatherings. But like any other man, he possessed sensual needs that were inconsistently tended to. That was the downfall of being single, he thought, but it was probably better than losing someone of value. He'd intoxicate himself to fill the void of lacking love (clearly by choice), and tonight would be no different. "I wouldn't complain either way, princess. I like spoiling my women," as soon as the bartender brings out another drink (which consists of a larger glass), he stirs away at the interior, gaze fixed on the swirl. "But I also like the idea of seeing you helpless when you're under me, so we'll see how long you last, yeah?"

@❛ mark t。 Indulging in company was something Sujeong always did once she had a few drinks in her and words slipped seamlessly past her tiers. She definitely wanted to see Mark again; he was rather intriguing, after all, but commitment was not really something she had an interest in at the moment. Rather, she was merely curious about the quiet man she’d seen sticking to himself in the lounge. Perhaps she’s a little nosy. “What a gentleman....if I give you those eyes underneath you, I won’t be under you for long. Sometimes a girl likes it on top.” A coy lilt accompanied her words as her gaze fell on the bartender moving in their direction. The proposition had her nonchalantly taking a bigger sip, though, cheeks warm with a roseate hue.

@❛ sujeong r。 At the implication of a future meeting, the male sinks his teeth into his lip, thinking it through. If tonight went well, he'd be fond of seeing the woman again in the future. He was never one for commitment, considering the danger of his occupation- but he'd love to indulge while he could. "How about... we drink until I take you home? You can give me those eyes when you're under me." What a bold statement. He only gave her a small smile- almost as if he hadn't said anything to begin with- then turned to gesture towards the bartender again. He slid his cup forward, then sat up in his seat to readjust the tension in his muscles. He'd probably need a stretch, anyway.

@❛ mark t。 “Oh do I? Then perfect. It’s my signature, I’d be a little disappointed if it didn’t work.” She mused, lips wrapping around the straw of her drink as her lashes fluttered a bit flirtatiously under his gaze. She was probably on her third drink at that point, so she was well on her way to tipsy, but she was still coherent and thinking straight so Sujeong didn’t bother to worry over it. “Conversation is much easier shoulder to shoulder than across the bar, I will admit. I’ll just have to make eyes at you another time or in another place.” She offered, lips quirking into a cat-like grin as she watched the shot go down effortlessly.

@❛ sujeong r。 "You fit the description of that sultry, mysterious woman I eye across the bar as well," he subconsciously scans through her visage as she breaks out in laughter, his simper only widening for the moment. He was never one to go out, let alone drink with a woman he hardly knew. But he suddenly found himself fond of the idea, completely set on seeing it through for however long he could. Maybe it was her that invigorated his sudden desire to take someone home tonight. "Only difference is you're sitting beside me. I like it better like that, anyway." He then lifted his glass to gently clunk against her own, embracing the toast before downing it whole. The taste was bitter and rather uninviting, but he could care less.

@❛ mark t。 A hum of understanding passed by her lips as she nodded her head, so he was relatively new to the area, too. Not really motive for suddenly holding a grudge against other tenants, so she was glad she hadn’t let her original suspicions fester. As terrifying as it was to know the kidnappers hadn’t been caught, she still had a lot of faith that she would never be a target. “A cutie, huh? And here I was attempting to be that sultry, mysterious woman that you eye across the bar,” she laughed with a sly grin, raising her glass in a cheers motion so they could both drink together, “Definitely a win-win situation.”

@❛ sujeong r。 He couldn't blame her for the slight suspicion she held, especially now with how fresh the wounds of the situation were. The whole kidnapping had been a slight blur to him. Had he not spent as much time as he did with his boss, he would have never paid enough mind to see the details through. "I do. Moved in maybe three weeks ago, if not earlier." The male gently ran his tongue over the surface of his dry lip, moistening it in preparation for the shot. Instead of taking it though, he waited for her to receive her next cup, interested in sharing his first shot of the night with the stranger. "I like the idea of drinking with a cutie, so it's a win-win ain't it?" He flickered his gaze over to meet hers with a small simper, amused at her choice of wording.

@❛ mark t。 A bit of recognition settled on her facial features as he said his name, the pieces clicking together from a minor conversation she had with Lisa regarding her slight suspicion of the man during the kidnapping scenario. He seemed alright up close, though, so she brushed her first assumption away with an easy-going smile. “Nice to properly meet you. You live in the apartments, too?” She asked before finishing the last of her drink and raising her hand to show the bartender she’d like another, “I don’t see why not. I’ll take handsome company over drinking alone.”

@❛ sujeong r。 He had seen her around in the lounge before, but never tried to approach her as he did now. She possessed curious brown orbs and a pretty face— something he would have never bothered to notice, had he been any farther from her. “Bella, huh.” Her name rolled off his lips in gentle ease. He took a moment to backtrack it, then averted his gaze downwards to watch as to bartender slipped a drink through. “Thanks. I’m Mark,” he lifted the shot cup in hand and analyzed the visual details, rather pleased with how simple it seemed. “Would you care to join me in a few drinks?”

@❛ mark t。 Sujeong was usually always one to mind her own business, so she didn’t really acknowledge the new presence beside her at first, too invested in watching the bar slowly fill up with patrons. It wasn’t until she registered that someone was speaking to her that she turned her brown-eyed gaze to the man seated next to her, brow raised in curiosity. “Ah, yeah. I just moved into the apartment complex this week. I’m Bella, and you are?” She spoke more on the quieter side as they were so close together and briefly wondered if she should stick a hand out as she introduced herself, but she settled for just sipping at her drink again, gaze trailing over the male in an attempt to put a name to a face.

@❛ sujeong r。 Despite the traumatic experience he witnessed, he had become accustomed to the crazy call of death. It was in his occupation to become familiar with the foe— for the best way to fight it, he thought, was to go against it any opportunity he could. He was never one to drink, but tonight called for a special occasion; he had won over death yet again. “Fix me a shot. Anything.” He said to the bartender, swiftly moving to settle within the confinements of his seat. He took little notice of the petite woman beside him— or rather, he didn’t see her. But at the gentle whiff of her perfume, the male turned his head to meet her gaze, having only expected to investigate the source of the scent. No wonder. They were shoulder to shoulder. “Aren’t you.. the new tenant?”

@❛ mark t。 After that long week of events, Sujeong could safely say she needed a drink and a break from the apartment complex to not think about what had just occurred for a moment. She wanted her mind to be as far away from being trapped in an abandoned warehouse and kidnappings as much as possible, so she settled with visiting the bar in town and allowed herself to indulge in the warm embrace of liquor. It may be a temporary fix to letting her mind lay at ease, but it was better than the empty walls of her apartment. At least she could people watch here as she sipped at whatever fruity cocktail she had pointed her finger at first when the bartender took her order. She idly took her straw between her fingertips and stirred her drink as her gaze lingered over the other patrons in curiosity.

@❛ lalisa m。 He’s gotta admit, this entire conversation wasn’t as draining as he’d imagined it to be. It went from counting down each second until his shift finished to easing into the discussion of reality. “You may have money but it’ll only take you so far,” Some part of him still believed that the lady in front hated him with a passion, even though they’ve never properly met but this moment feels...right. The stars aligned and these two pessimistic individuals were brought together to complain about everything. “It’s true that money buys you happiness but after a while, things start to feel artificial and you question yourself, is it all worth it?” It’s too soon to say he’s speaking from experience so he decides on spitting out whatever came to mind first. The incessant ticking of the clock rings through his ears, the once semi-reassuring sound sparks the start of a headache and he wishes time would just stop. “Life’s a . In the end, there’s no winners.” He snickers quietly to himself before grabbing a glass of water for himself, there’s no rules against him drinking on the job but for once, being sober doesn’t sound all that bad.

[] issoke bby i’m writing this as kids bodyslam me :”)

@❛ taeyong l。 the somewhat bittersweet taste of his gin on the rocks lingers on his tongue as he gazes at the sights surrounding him in the bar, rapidly growing busier as the night progresses. though baekhyun has been sitting here, sipping mindlessly on a drink or two whilst scrolling through his phone and enjoying the general vibe of the area, it has been far too long since the last time he had a stimulating conversation with well, anybody. in the bar alone, he assumes he probably appears to others like a lonely soul. in fact, he is just about to raise his hand to wave over the bartender with another lavish order on his lips, when he registers a low voice in his ear, calling to him mischievously.

turning his head slowly, not at all surprised as this would not be the first time he had caught the attention of a bargoer, whether male or female, baekhyun takes in the sight of the vividly familiar man before him. seeing that the intruder of his privacy is neither a stranger nor seemingly dangerous, an amused smirk ades across his features. "why hello there, handsome," he responds as he turns his attention back to the bartender, quickly muttering his order to him. "can i buy you a drink?"

@❛ bright c。 Unwinding, although a priority, had too often been put on the back burner for what felt like the entirety of her life. Chaeyoung spends a majority of her time playing with the condensation on her glass, drawing stripes down the length of it, watching the water pull and dissipate under her fingertips. She's been eyeing the same guy all night, a head full of hair she wants to thread her fingers through, to pull and use to guide full lips that would leave her trembling, without a doubt. If anything she figures her outfit and the -- hopefully -- sultry looks should have been enough to signal her want for him to come her way. Wasn't that how the movies depicted this type of setting? A skimpy dress, some nice heels, and a drink? Nevertheless she figures it's time she gives him another nudge, and calls the bartender over to send a shot his way.

( it's a bit long but feel free to cut it down however much you want! )

@❛ mingyu k。 Ironically, the bartender’s pessimistic viewpoint evokes an amused laugh from the demoiselle, despite the fact that this attitude was what earned him a negative first impression a couple nights before. Perhaps admitting hypocrisy is warranted; their current conversation revealing that they were far more similar than she’d like to admit. At least, as far as she could see. “You know, some people would think we’re ing buzzkills for saying this,” she says, pointing at him with her index finger, beverage in that same hand. She falls silent for a brief moment to allow herself yet another taste of the cocktail he graciously prepared for her. She quietly smacks her lips once, eyes diverting to her beverage. Damn. This guy does know how to make a quality drink. “Well, there are different kinds of people. I just personally think life could be better—“ She takes another sip before placing the glass down. “Yeah I have money which makes life ing easy for me, I get that. I’m not ungrateful. I know my life is a lot easier than the majority of the population. But the premise of life altogether? ty as hell. The fact that a ing piece of paper determines the quality of life is just bull. Some people think they’re living to work. But we can’t really live unless we work, y'know?”

[] oops you don't have to mirror lmfao

@❛ baekhyun b。 as per his custom, taeyong had chosen this bar to be the hangout of the month. every first Friday of the month, he would find a new place to make acquaintances and pick up company for the night. usually, he liked to stick to the lesser known areas where homouals were not too frowned down upon, but tonight, he figured he would spice his life up a bit. hence, taeyong was here, drinking his night away.

an hour and a boring conversation with a girl in, taeyong stood up, contemplating on which excuse from his handy book he was going to use when he spotted a familiar figure by the bar. the only interaction the man had had with the doctor had been close to meaningless, as it had mostly consisted of pointless flirting. yet, taeyong somehow cherished that memory. furthermore, loose as he was under the influence, he couldn't discern a single reason why he shouldn't ditch the chick who was trying to hard to get into his pants.

casting the female an apologetic – not sincerely – smile, taeyong abandoned the woman with his glass in hand to creep up behind his 'acquaintance'.

"fancy seeing you here, babe," he murmured softly into the man's ear, swiftly moving to occupy the seat beside the doctor to prevent the other from being too startled.

@❛ lalisa m。 “Finally, someone with a bit of common sense around here.” She earns a genuine chuckle out of him, he would’ve never guessed they’d find something in common that quickly, “You’d be surprised how many stupid people rock up here, not just the drunk kind.” He spends a few moments scanning her features, from the curve of her lips to the neatly trimmed bangs that shaped her face in just the right way. It’s clear to see she takes good care of herself despite her current state of affairs, well most people do, but this lady in particular was just a bit more above average. “It’s a stupid cycle, you work so you get work until you can’t work anymore. Sad to see people turn a blind eye towards what reality is.” He continues with a low hum, eyes descending down towards the prepared drink.

@❛ taeyong l。 surely, baekhyun does not drink nearly as much as he used to, especially in his college days—it was easy to feign sobriety (or even catch up on much needed sleep, for the hell of it) in lectures after a long night of drinking, but it would cost him his job to show up to his hard-earned job hungover. no one, after all, would want to be seen by a doctor who looks just as bad as the patient. his career has certainly begun to flourish, despite the tolling effect on him. yet it is a friday night, seeming baekhyun's first free weekend in months, and he has found himself at the local bar with insatiable desires to unwind. the music is loud, the bar is moderately busy, and baekhyun is alone. he's never minded drinking alone, yet now as he sits upon a bar stool, drink in hand, the dark-haired male becomes overly aware of the fact that he has not interacted with many humans outside of work in what feels to be forever.

@❛ diana s。 Her earrings dangled down above her loose white top that was tucked into her dark skinny jeans. Yuko sipped on her peach whiskey sour, sitting alone as her eyes wandered, admiring the bartender who didn't seem to look her way. She had been sitting here for a while now and figured she would likely go home alone, though she'd rather not have it that way. The sound of a woman's voice startled her for a moment before her expression melted into a thin smile, shaking her head to the woman's question. "Nobody's sat here all night," She answered, turning her body toward the woman, her body language opening to her. "Are you alone tonight?" Yuko asked as she, too, was alone and wondered if there was anybody like her out here in the middle of the night, fending off loneliness by being all alone in a crowd of people.

@❛ mingyu k。 Her beverage swirls within her glass as she holds the delicate container securely between lissome digits, rocking it back and forth. She eyes the belligerent waves of the transluscent, titian hues as it crashes onto the clear barricades, while the cubes of ice clinks against the glass. Silently, she examines the liquid for a moment before, before lifting it to her lips for another sip, the phenolic scent wafting to her nose. A wry chuckle elicits when the bartender speaks, and she’s setting the glass down on the counter yet again, hands on either side of the cup as the female brings her weary gaze to meet the male’s dark eyes. “I might as well be dead,” she releases a sigh, her orbs wandering around before returning to place their full attention on the male before her. “Nah, you’re right. I know for a ing fact that the moment I get out of school, life will go to . Yeah I’ll be working, which is great, but what is it all for, anyway? You work for a couple years just to die.”