Boys Behind the Bar [O][M]

Sauntering into the moderately busy dinning room, Dimi wears his loose work uniform tied around his waist and his blue tank top. In one hand he holds only a wrench, knowing  he will only need this one tool. There had been some complaints of a leaking sparkling water pipe and since it is inevitable for Dimi to fix every pipe in the Bathhouse at least once he was the man called for the job.

The young man's expression is that of annoyance, and he doesn't care who sees it, he highly dislikes repairing pipes because the vast majority of the time he ends up getting sprayed in the face. Dimi makes his way to the bar, scratching the back of his head with the wrench.

"Where's the busted pipe at?" he questions the man behind the bar, his brow furrowed. What bothers him the most about this job, is that it is at a bar. Dimi has never trusted liquor, so as far as he knows this guy is mortal enemy number one... Well kind of.

Dimi wants to get this finished as soon as possible.

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Admins Note: Rated M for strong language

Jun had just started his shift and was told that there was someone who would be along soon to fix the leaking pipe. It wasn't' too terrible of a leak, and Jun figured he probably could have fixed it himself if he had the right tools. But they seemed to insist on getting the maintenance guys to do it so Jun could focus on bar tending.

The rush hadn't come in yet. There were a few guests here and there, but it wasn't crazy like it tended to get later in the evening.

When he saw Dimi walking up he recognized this must be the worker right away, even before the young man inquired where the pipe was at.

A few of the guests glanced over at Dimi. He seemed so sour. That was bad for morale and Jun wouldn't have any of that while he was tending the bar.

"Hey there sunshine, just come around here. It's only a little leak, so no need to worry yourself." He said, and thought or anyone else for that matter.

A wise guy huh? That's what they're gonna throw at me this time those pricks? 'Lil asshole probably acts so smart to get people wasted. Dimi thinks to himself, his brow furrowing against the comment the bartender just made.

"I ain't worried about no fuck'in leak man, I can handle my job," he says with an unintentional sneer on his upper lip, his tone casual enough to not pass for angry, but possibly annoyed. He makes his way around the back of the counter and sees the leak, covered up by a clot of soggy hand towels, the goto makeshift repair of any goddamn worker in this building who doesn't repair things for a living.

Dimi sighs to himself and gets on his knees behind the bar, tossing the towels to the side, two of them smack against the wall, getting the sparkling water all over the slate floor.

"How long's it been leak'in?" he grunts out as he moves the towels, wanting to know just how bad this is going to be.

"Watch your language in front of my guests or I'll get security to escort you away and send up a more professional repair man." Jun threatened with a stern tone. He may be short, scrawny, and lanky, but he'd be damned if he let some piss-poor attitude ruin his tips.

He then turned and flashed his guests a charming smile. It wasn't a toothy smile though, just a suave grin. Dimi would be able to tell that this guy tried hard to keep things cool.

The young man then turned back and frowned when he saw how carelessly Dimi chucked the towels against the floor. How this particular furnace feeder got promoted to maintenance worker was beyond Jun.

Those meat-heads were all the same though. Thinking with their muscles instead of with their heads. Nothing near as calm, smooth, and cunning as Jun, of course. He may not have the brawn, but he was sure to have everything else.

At least, in his own mind he did.

He leaned down and picked up the rags, getting them off the floor and setting them into a bucket. "Well it wasn't there when I worked last night, so I'm thinking it's pretty new." He said quietly.

He really didn't want the guests to know that there could be anything possibly run down about the bar.

Dimi waves his hand dismissively at Jun, knowing that if he cared enough to start an argument with the bartender the boiler master would have his nut sack, and for this shrimp that seriously wasn't worth it. Besides, there is no other maintenance worker more professional than Dimi. This piece of work wouldn't have to hear it, he would know it by Dimi's excellent repair results.

"Yeah, no shi-" he starts as he pulls away the last towel, but as he does this he gets sprayed in the face with a cold spurt of sparkling water, "Ahh fuck'in hell!" He curses loudly enough for at least Jun to hear.

Dimi gropes around for the pipe to cover up the leak, the fizzy water dampening his tank top enough that it sticks to his chest, his hair slicked back against his neck. Once the leak is covered Dimi fumbles for his wrench, one eye closed, the other scanning over the damage, trying to asses what he needs to do to fix it as fast as possible.

As he works he shuffles, his broad shoulders and muscular build bumping against the sides of the bar, casing it to rattle around slightly.

"Hey be useful and get me a dry rag would ya?" he questions, the water dripping into his eyes every now and then.

Well, someone had a hell of an attitude, didn't they?

Before Jun could even say "Hey you're the one that asked" the water sprayed him in his face.

Instant Karma! Jun laughed softly at Dimi's misfortune of getting soaked.

"Watch what you're doin, you're shaking the bar." He snapped, suppressing his laughter. He tossed the young man a towel, as he asked, and then stood up to go back to helping the guest.

The sooner Dimi was done and out of there, the better!

With quicker reflexes than when he got sprayed in the face with a jet of cold fizzy water, Dimi snatches the towel out of the air and starts wiping of his face, his other hand still on the pipe. The young man sneers up at Jun and his snappy tone.

"Watch it bartender, you coulda drowned if I hadn't come up here and saved your ass," he says this, his brow furrowed, but he can't help but crack a smile at his own joke. He quickly turns back to his work, still smiling and pulls out his wrench, latching it quickly to the loose bolt.

The jostling continues though, Dimi's body a bit too big for the small space. After a few moments of it he contorts his arm back behind his head by dislocating his shoulder, his other arms still tugging down on the wrench, his arm rippling with veins and muscle.

Okay, now Jun was just getting annoyed.  What was stuck up this guy's ass anyway?  He leaned down so only Dimi could hear him.

"I've had enough of your pissy attitude man.  You think your job is hard?  Anyone could fix that damn pipe, they're just using you to do it because those of us with more important abilities, say, people skills, are required elsewhere.  Now get it done and get out.  If you keep trying to cause shit I will report to the head boil master myself.  Something tells me you don't want to get on that ladies bad side."  He whispered out harshly, before standing back up with a attractive grin and continuing his bar tending duties.

Dimi's eyes widen a moment, but his brow is quick to furrow, his lip curling up just slightly so they tops of his teeth are bared. This guy is seriously starting to get under Dimi's skin, and it's pretty damn hard to do that, but Dimi's sour attitude was certainly not helping out with that.

"Oh ya think this is easy work?" he jeers out, his hand still gripped tightly around the wrench. He wants to go off on this guy, ask if he'd like to try and pull down this wrench with his skinny ass arms, but his threat to tell the boiler master, if serious, could cost him his job. That's just something he can't afford right now.

"I got enough charm to sell a drink to any one'a these people, I'd pay see you try to pull down this wrench successfully," he twists the bolt down and few more times until the leak stops spurting and then he stands, dabbing his face off with the towel. Without taking his sharp green eyes off Jun's he reaches over and pulls down on the tap, sparkling water flowing through it without an issue.

"If you had half the people skills I do you'd know when to treat the man who fixes ya damn bar with some respect," Dimi shuts off the tap and wipes off his face a bit more, dropping the towel into the bucket next to him.

Jun was able to tell that he struck a nerve with Dimi. But he wasn't scared. Okay, he was a little scared. The childish instinct inside of him started to kick in - it often would when a strong male was getting upset, it reminded him of his father - but he fought off that feeling and stood his guard.

"You got charm big guy? Prove it. I don't give a rip what you do, say, or think about me. But in front of guest, my guests, I expect you to behave professionally." He said bodly.

And as Dimi fixed the tap, Jun said in a low voice only the maintenance worker could hear "Respect is earned, not a right."

Those were...dangerous words. In this society, respect was a right. But Jun had been raised by lowlifes, and to him, it was something to be earned, no matter how taboo that seemed.

Dimi's eyes narrow down at Jun and his crosses his arms over his broad chest, his muscles flexing under his clothes to add to his intimidating stature.

"I come from the pits of hell to get up here and fix the things you and your darling lil coworkers decide to tear apart. Where I come from there is no respect, there's only fight to survive long enough to see tomorrow," he says with a glare, meaning it too. The ghettos are a dog eat dog world and the boiler level being so close to the right light level sees its fair share of sketchy people and activities.

"I'm just do'in my goddamn job, I don't get paid to sit pretty. So if you want me to act civil I suggest you don't try and critique me on my attitude," he cracks his neck, not taking his eyes off Jun, "And focus on gett'in people shit faced."

Yori had spent most of the day waiting tables and serving food, though he didn't mind; to be honest it was quite fun for him to work at the restaurant, and see so many new faces.

He was on a break from the restaurant since there were barely any customers at the time, but was due to return shortly after noticing more people entering the restaurant. He stood up, did a few stretches and proceeded to head back to the kitchen, wondering if that leak was fixed.

He walked back into the kitchen to see Jun and another young man. He sensed immediate tension between the two as they stared each other off.

Yori gulped silently and tried to lighten the mood. "Uh, hey Jun, I'm back from my break," he said, then turned to face the other young man. "Hey, you must be the repair guy! Thanks for coming over. Uh, how's the pipe?"

Jun's eyes narrowed as Dimi stood his ground and tried to intimidate him. That was what Dimi was trying to do, right? Well Jun wouldn't let it bother him. His father was much stronger and meaner then Dimi could ever be. If he could survive good ol' dad, then he could survive this punk.

A few of the customers at the bar got up and left. The threatening mood was not a welcoming one. Though a couple of guys seemed entertained by the two and their tension. Silently they were making bets as to which one would win in a fight. Both decided Dimi hands down. His muscles and height were a serious advantage over Jun's scrawny figure.

"Then how about you step off and go right back down to the "pits of hell" where you belong." He said, his tone getting ugly.

And then Yori walked up. Worry hit Jun's stomach. Yori was a kind person with a puppy like attitude. He didn't want Dimi to say anything nasty to the Tanuki.

"He's fixed the pipe and now he's leaving." Jun said flatly, folding his arms and trying to make himself look bigger and more threatening then he really was.

Dimi's fists have balled tightly in his anger toward the smaller man, just because he's been spoiled with upper level jobs his whole life doesn't mean he has a right to think he's above everyone else. Their job positions were basically on the same level anyway!

"If you think you can-" he starts to speak, but Yori cuts in and Dimi's eyes flicker over to the Tanuki, the anger still flickering in his eyes a moment, but when he sees how quick Jun is to tell the new guy Dimi's leaving he smirks.

"Yeah it's no problem man," he speaks, his tone surprisingly casual from how harsh it was just a few moments ago, "Pipe's all nice and fixed, but since I just finished it up I was think'in about having my lunch break~"  Dimi glances over at Jun and smirks.

"You wouldn't mind if I ordered from the bar would ya?" he asks Yori, coming around to stand next to one of the stools.

Yori was surprised by the quick shift in his mood, but kept a stable expression. "No, not at all! Um, what would you like to have?"

He observed the maintenance worker and wondered what he had done to anger Jun to such an extent.

Before Jun could say "Yes, I mind", Yori had all ready started to take his order. Leave it up to Yori to be so quick to serve.

"Yori, I don't think that's a good idea." He grumbled under his breath, only loud enough that Dimi and Yori could hear, not any of the guests. Dimi's sudden shift in attitude left a bitter taste in Jun's mouth. He knew the meat-head was up to something.

But what?

Dimi smirks wide at Yori, he'll butter this guy up so much Dimi will be a preferred customer! He will show Jun just how charming he can be.

"What do ya recommend? I would think since you're real good about be'in so quick to serve you must know this kitchen up and down, am I right?" he asks Yori, his eyes looking over at Jun slyly from time to time, "Didn't catch your name by the way, mine's Dimi." The young maintenance worker extends his hand in greeting toward Yori, his trademark smirk/smile resting on his lips.

He smiled at the maintenance worker. "Aahh, nice to meet you, Dimi!" he said, accepting the handshake. "I'm Yori!"

He laughed a bit at Dimi's comments. "Yes, I am quite experienced with the kitchen; but, since you're looking for something from the bar, I'm gonna have to direct you to Jun!" He proceeds slide over and pull Jun into his place in front of Dimi, hoping that it might just resolve their little dispute that Yori had witnessed earlier.

"I'm also up for kitchen prep since the restaurant's gotten busier now, so I wouldn't have any time to whip something up. But it was nice meeting you Dimi, and I'll see you guys around later!" he waved, before rushing back into the kitchen.

If Jun didn't know any better he'd bet that Dimi was flirting with Yori.  

Well Yori did kinda look like a girl so maybe he was making a mistake.  Or maybe he was gay.  Or maybe Jun was just reading too much into it.  

His eyes widened when Yori scooted him in front of the grumpy maintenance worker and bailed.  Oh Yori, he never failed to impress Jun by all the ways he could innocently do the exact opposite of what Jun was hoping would be done.  

Once the Tanuki scampered off Jun glared back at Dimi.  

"I have real guests to serve."  He stated coldly.

The young man's brow furrows slightly when Yori moves him to Jun's service; well that plan seemed to backfire rather quickly. After Yori disappears his expression of annoyance returns to his face, but the smirk stays.

"If you didn't notice, this is my lunch break and as far as I'm concerned if I got cash I am a real customer. So what's the special today bud?" he questions this in almost a sneer, he'd get his way somehow, and if Jun had to serve him to do so he'd make that happen.

He brings one arm up to rest his elbow on the counter and brings the other back to rest on the back of the chair. Dimi's body is leaned forward slightly so the position looks a bit uncomfortable, but it doesn't seem to phase him.

"The special today is you leaving. Yeah, that's right bud, I'm kicking you out. Go eat down in your dining quarters, maintenance man." He spat the last two words out as if they were an insult.

Again Jun folded his arms to make himself look big, even though he wasn't. His feathers ruffled and he scowled at the other young man. If Dimi thought he could waltz up, be a total dick, and then get good customer service, he was wrong.

The sooner this asshole was gone the better.

Dimi fishes around in his pocket, his brow furrow, and he slaps a fistful of crumpled money on the counter. He drums his fingers against the wood of the bar, his eyebrow cocked and his eyes hooded. He definitely wasn't intimidated by this guy, how short and thin he is, he could snap him in half if he really wanted to.

"Do I gotta complain to the manager or some shit? 'Cause I gotta right to be served here if I'm pay'in, so I suggest you tell me the special," he speaks, his tone a mixture of casual and cocky. He wasn't going to back down without a fight.

Jun pushed the crumpled nōtes back towards Dimi. He didn't want his business. Plain and simple.

And now Dimi had the nerve to try and use Jun's own threats against him. Well tough for Dimi, because Jun's manager was Yokuto, and Dimi's was Minha. Big difference there, and even though Jun had never met the head boiler master, he'd heard stories.

"My manager will back me up. I have the right to refuse service to unruly guest. So I suggest you leave, now." He stated, his face undaunted by Dimi's cocky and persistent attitude. He still wasn't sure what this meat-heads deal was, but he'd had enough and that was that.

Dimi's expression goes from total frustration to very calm; he sits up straight in his chair and folds his arms over his broad chest after stuffing his money into his pocket. Twice now the young man's had encounters with his coworkers where he's felt completely backed into a corner. Twice.

He's never had these kinds of issues on the streets... Was his work getting to him enough that it was making him feel so trapped... Or was it the cadged-in feeling of being in this huge new place with vastly different customs than what he's normally been accustomed to? Regardless, something feels incredibly off, and whether it be his hostilities toward bartenders, or his unease in these regal settings, Dimi feels oddly... Frightened.

Sitting there in his silence these thoughts build up in Dimi's brain, he came in with the wrong attitude, he is probably going to leave with the wrong one as well. He doesn't want to let this place get to him like it has been, so he'll own up.

"Yeah, you're right," he says calmly, getting to his feet, "Guess I was take'in stuff out on ya that I shouldn't have been... Sorry man." It takes him a moment to work up enough strength to speak an apology, but he does it, and it sounds sincere for the most part. He once again fishes out the Nōtes he got out before and sets them on the counter to back up his apology, making eye contact with Jun for a moment as he does so.

Dimi lightly taps the money once it's on the counter and then turns to leave, shoving his hands in his pockets. It wasn't going to get to him... This place, these changes. He'd find a way to keep his head even if it meant fighting himself, his own pride, and boy does that hurt. The young man runs his hands over his face and back through his hair as he makes his way across the thinning crowd of the dinning level, trying to wipe away the frustration on his mind.

At first Jun wasn't sure if he could buy what Dimi was saying. Was this sincere, or was it just another game this guy was playing.

His eyes widened a little when Dimi put the money down on the counter and started to walk away. His apology really was genuine, wasn't it.

"Hey, wait." Jun called out before Dimi could get too far. He took in a deep breath on and the exhale said "What kinda drink do you want?"