As soon as Regulus walks through the doors he's met with the thick scent of weed and alcohol. He maneuvers his way through the crowd to the bar in an attempt to get a drink.
Finally arriving at the counter he rests his arms down on an empty spot but removes them right away after being met with a sticky feeling.
He looks at his arms in disgust until he hears a cough from behind the bar. When he looks up there is a tall man holding out a rag for him.
Regulus reaches out his hand and takes the towel skeptically. As he wipes down his arms, removing the sticky residue, he observes the man in front of him.
He's fairly tall and has scars across his face. From under his black shirt Regulus can almost spot some tattoos. Even Regulus had to admit the man was fairly attractive.
The man speaks up, “What can I get you love?”
Regulus places the towel on the counter as he orders.
“Jack Daniels.” he requests, pulling a twenty out from his wallet.
As the other man comes back he slips him the twenty and takes the glass, not bothering to get his change. Regulus slowly sips his drink as he tries to spot Evan.
Evan had made them all meet at this gay bar ‘Heaven’. Regulus had never been a huge fan of clubs. There was always a horribly strong scent of weed and sticky floors. Plus he always got sweaty from the many bodies crowded together. It did help that the bartenders here were attractive.
He finally spots Evan on his way out of the toilets and walks up to him gripping the blonde boy's wrist.
“Where the hell are you guys sitting?”
“Nice to see you too Reggie.” Evan says with a chuckle before leading Regulus to their spot.
He leads them through the crowd to the VIP section. Being rich and enjoying privacy they always rented these species out, if the bar provided them.
As they enter the VIP section Regulus notices that they have a personal bar. This was rare so it was a quite nice relief to know he won't have to go back through the crowd just to get a bloody drink.
Regulus sits on the plush couch, his hand still in Evans. He sips casually on his drink as Evan talks animatedly to the rest of the group.
Leaning back, he observes the rest of the room. His attention is particularly focused on the man with a mop of black curls behind the counter.
The bartender finally turns around, polishing a glass that someone must've just used.
“Holy shit.” Regulus chokes on his drink.
As he's coughing Pandora rubs his back.
“Are you alright Regulus?” she asks kindly.
Regulus looks up to see the bartender with a mischievous grin on his face staring directly at him. He just nods as they stare at each other.
The man has dark skin and black curls that are untamed but sit on the man's head in such a beautiful way that it doesn't matter. He also has circular gold rimmed glasses that would look ridiculous on anyone else but are rather adorable on him which is infuriating.
Much to Regulus’ dismay and pleasure, the man is wearing black slacks, a white button up, the sleeves rolled to his elbows and a black vest.
All in all this man was gorgeous.
“You alright Reg?” Barty asks him, already halfway drunk.
Instead of answering he takes Bartys drink and downs it instantly, not caring what it is. His black haired friend yells at him for stealing his drink but at this moment Regulus does not care. All he cares about is getting properly drunk and trying not to stare at the bartender all night.
He does acknowledge the slight obstacle of the bartender being the only way he can get drinks. Regulus groans at this realization.
Standing up he makes the decision to go back to the main bar. Is this maybe excessive? No, because Regulus is desperate to get rid of this disgusting feeling in his stomach and he knows it won't go away if he stays here.
Without telling anyone he walks off to the main bar, squeezing between the sea of sweaty dancing bodies. Approaching the bar for the second time he remembers not to put his arms on the bar. Looking over the menu he decides not to go back to his friends until he's at the very least, tipsy.
He once again grabs the scarred bartender's attention.
“Same as last time?” he asks the black haired boy.
Regulus was quite surprised he remembered as the bar is quite busy. Maybe it was because he remembered Regulus needing a cloth or maybe it was simply because he’s observant. Either way Regulus shakes his head.
“What's your strongest drink?” Regulus asks instead.
The sandy haired boy chuckles lightly then turns away looking over the shelves. Regulus watches as he reaches up, grabbing a bottle of vodka and placing it on the counter. The bartender then grabs a shot glass and pours the liquor till it nearly flows over the rim of the glass.
Regulus eyes the shot then downs it quickly. Vodka is definitely not what he’d usually drink but he knows this will work quickest. He places the glass back down hoping the man behind the bar understands and sure enough, he does.
“Just add it to the VIP tab.” Regulus says before downing his second shot, the taste is bitter in his mouth.
The bartender gives him a confused look but adds it to the tab nonetheless. He takes the shot glass and puts it behind the counter once Regulus hands it back to him.
“You know the VIP area has its own bar right?” the man asks, confusion still evident on his face.
“Oh yes I know.” Regulus says, feeling the alcohol start to take its effects.
The man gives him a nod but before he can ask anything else Regulus is sliding his tip onto the counter and walking back to his friends, a new sense of confidence filling his body.
As he walks up the three steps he decides to head straight over to where the bartender is and sits on the stool. The man is turned around so Regulus sits there unacknowledged for a bit.
Once the man finally turns around Regulus sits up straighter. The boy behind the bar smiles at Regulus. God he hates this man. He hates how attractive he is.
“What can I get you love?” The man asks in a posh British accent.
Blame it on the alcohol or blame it on how this man makes him feel but Regulus giggles. He fucking giggles. The man raises his eyes slightly but grins at Regulus still, which he hates.
“Your accent is funny.” Regulus says drunkenly, his french accent thicker than usual. It usually is when he’s been drinking.
“What's your name?” The boy asks, eyes filled with interest.
“Regulus.”
“Well Regulus, I'm James and I think your accent is funny.”
Regulus scrunches his eyebrows together. “My accent is not funny.”
James smiles at him and Regulus wants to punch him in the face. He wonders if James is single. God he hopes he is, but it's probably worse if he isn't.
He watches as James laughs lightly. “Would you like a drink?” he asks again.
Regulus struggles to find the words and curses himself for it. No one has ever felt this way and hates it. As he struggles to find the answer he observes James. When he smiles lines form on his face. He’s obviously a very happy person.
“Surprise me.” Regulus has zero idea why he says that. Since when did he want to be surprised by what he's drinking?
Nonetheless he's very content to watch a smiling James show off as he makes him a cocktail. It shows off his muscles as he tosses the shaker in a way that looks almost choreographed. Like he puts this show on for everyone that comes through this area.
The lights off the club flash to the music. Being drunk definitely doesn't help with how the lights are affecting his ability to see anything. He feels a drink being slid into his hand, his fingers lightly touching James’. God Regulus was pathetic if this was affecting him.
He tries to be polite but he looks at the drink with slight disgust. He would never willingly order one but he wants to try what James made him. Sipping the pink drink his eyes widened slightly. It was fucking delicious.
Regulus starts slipping it down faster than he'd ever admit. He can't believe he's been depriving himself of this his whole life. Hearing a laugh from behind the bar makes him snap out of his thoughts.
Putting down the half empty glass he wipes his mouth “It's alright.” he shrugs as James watches him.
“Thanks for the compliment, love.” James says still amused with how fast Regulus drank it.
Did Regulus come here to spend time with his friends? Yes, of course. Does he spend most of his time sitting with James at the bar? Yes, yes he does.
They get to know each other as Regulus sips on his cocktail, slower this time. He finds out that James had a golden retriever when he was younger named Mr. Snuggles. He also learns that James went to a boarding school called ‘Gryffindor’. He tells James his brother went there too.
As the night grows longer his friends start to head out one by one until it's just him left. Regulus knows it's late. Considering the only noise coming from the dancefloor is the light hum of music it's almost closing time. He doesn't even have a drink anymore but he just can't bring himself to leave.
“What are your plans for the rest of the night then?” James asks him as he puts the last of the glasses he just finished cleaning back in their spots.
“Probably go home to my cats alone.” he tells him as he watches him put the last glass away. “Unless you wanna come along.” he adds suddenly feeling bold.
He sees James smile as he hears the added part of his plans.
“Let me grab my coat.”