Chapter Text
The night was slow, only a few customers had walked in our regulars all grabbing a beer and watching the game, and all I could think about was the fact I wanted to go home. Home to my apartment with the mold infestation I didn’t have the money to fix because my landlord insisted that wasn’t his problem.
Looking over at the door my feet aching from standing all day I can already feel my brain-numbing from the lack of stimulation, the only stimulating thing I’ve seen in the last five hours was a homeless man pissing in a truck bed. I think it was a homeless man. The door jingles and I’m quick to reset my posture, “Hello welcome, would you like a table?” I say hoping my mascara hasn’t smudged from the amount of times I've rubbed it waiting around.
I take in the man who has entered, black hair covering his face and an all-black outfit his posture is tense, and his eyes averted to the bar. His five o’clock shadow and shaggy hair would usually make me automatically assume he was another drunkard father however the metal arm makes me think otherwise. “Any tables away from people?” He says his voice lowered still scanning the room, I mentally sigh knowing he's probably my last costumer before dining closes.
“Yes of course, it's super slow do you mind a booth?” I ask in a voice matching his level of loudness, his eyes flicker to me in annoyance before turning back to the room, giving a small smile I lead him to a booth in the corner away from the noise.
“Thanks” he snips sitting down, his metal arm immediately cupping his face as he looks at the door impatiently.
“of course,” I say straining my smile, his posture and look earlier already tell me I'll have to fight for a tip from him. “Can I get you started with anything or are you waiting for something” I look toward the door and place two menus in front of him.
“I'm waiting but can you get me a coffee” he mumbles, had we been near the TVs up front I wouldn’t have heard him.
“of course, I'll be right back” I walk off my body feeling weird, each step feeling off and I feel 15 again when my body hadn’t gotten used to its proportions. Stepping into the behind portion of the bar I take a breath trying to readjust myself. “I wish I wasn’t the only person working out there” I state taking a swift glare at Claire our server who was hired to do what I've been doing. But doesn’t.
“Sorry,” she says putting on her best pout, “family issues ya’know”
I cringe immediately turning my head, so she doesn’t see, I had to work when my dad died, while he died, and through his funeral. Yet she argues with her mom and suddenly she can’t work. “When it gets busy tomorrow, you have to work,” I say straining my voice to hide the fact I was a little pissed off. “Now go home”
“heard”
After what feels like the longest five minutes of my life, the coffee pot finishes brewing, and I start setting the coffee tray. I was hired as a bottle girl next door originally, however, the hours weren’t enough, so I applied for the bar next door. I'm only required to be ‘dolled up’ at 10 pm when my shift ends, and my other shift starts at the club next door. As I walk out of the kitchen, I see the clock reading ‘8:59’ I should take my pain medicine and get my makeup done while it's still slow. I don’t hate doing the menial shit like bringing coffee, but when it gets busy at 4 pm on a random Wednesday with broken families I always realize I was never trained or meant for the server life.
“Here is that coffee sir, I'm going to be gone for about 30 minutes please press the button on the tray if you need anything” I smile holding up my own button, “this will buzz letting me know to come to check on you, sorry about the inconvenience,” I say pausing before I leave.
“Sounds good.” he says pouring a coffee with no cream or sugar and looking out the window.
“Awesome! Enjoy your coffee and remember to buzz me if you need anything” I say smiling and walking away to the back of the kitchen to get my bag and get started on the makeup that will actually take me an hour.
I won't show my half-done-up face unless that button is pressed. The kitchen had stopped serving food already and knowing them they were already gone so the only thing I'd be needed for was that guy with the coffee.
Pulling my bag into the bathroom and locking the door I immediately strip from my jeans; thankful my manager doesn’t care what I do after 8 since most customers coming in are here for the bar and not the shitty food and coffee we sell. I pulled out the black shorts that I originally mistook for underwear and the top I also mistook for a bra when I first got the uniform. Most girls wear their own closet outfits, but I find that the simplicity of the uniform works just fine. I throw on jewelry and get started on doing my makeup.
After I get my foundation on, and only my foundation my buzzer rings. It's only been 20 minutes. I stare in the mirror looking like a washed-out ghost, a whore ghost. A whore. I sigh and shove my sweatpants on to at least cover my ass and my apron. I run out to the table with a smile.
“Hello, got the buzz what’s up” I smile holding up the buzzer, looking at the table I see two men now, the original dark-haired man and one light-haired man I can almost immediately recognize as Captain America. “oh great Captain America gets to see me looking like this” I half laugh before regaining my composure as quick as I lost it. “What can I help you boys with”
“your fine,” he says smiling, a look flashes across his face I can't read, either it was confusion or he was mentally slut shaming me. But he’s Captain America so I'm going with confusion to avoid the crushing feeling of an idol looking down at you.
“I just need some more coffee if that’s alright,” the darker-haired man says looking over at me, his face clearly littered with confusion and almost an apology.
“that’s more the alright,” I say my smile likely not reaching my eyes, not that I care while I look like this, my dignity lost in the dust of this building. “anything for you sir,” I say looking over at captain America or Steve rogers.
“you stop serving at 9 don’t worry,” Steve says that look still littered on his face.
“sorry about that, I'll be out with your coffee here soon, just a heads up I'll be gone after 10 so don’t hesitate to order some more coffee while I'm still here,” I say looking at the dark-haired man mentally praying he actually doesn’t.
“Thanks,” he says before I walk off brewing another pot using the five minutes of opportunity I have to grab my hair supplies to make sure my hair is back in tip-top shape before I head over.
After dropping off the coffee I ran to the bathroom finishing up my makeup, praying I could redeem myself before they left, my hair didn’t need much besides some gel and finger curls to frame my face a little better. Finally, 9:45 hits and I've hastily finished my makeup thankful the low lighting of the club hides the imperfections I can see in this led filled bathroom. My buzzer goes off one more time, only this time I don’t have time to put on my sweats because I have glitter everywhere. Everywhere.
Feels like a walk of shame only because a celebrity is here. How has no one else noticed him. This sucks for me.
I gather my stuff and shove it in my cubby before running out to the table, “another coffee sir?” I ask looking up from my notepad that I have been suing as a prop basically, I don’t charge people for coffee especially considering how nasty the machine is back there.
“no, I'd just like to pay,” the dark-haired man says pulling out his wallet.
“It's on the house,” I toss him my biggest smile “for being easy and only ordering coffee” he looked up at me his face not giving away a shred of emotion.
“thanks,” he says pausing at his wallet and looking up at me warily, I nod my head taking away the coffee tray to the back praying whoever he is to pick a better place to bring Captain America of all people to.
After I do a quick wash of the dishes and clock out I run to the bar, “Jason I need like four shots of tequila in a cup please, and thank you” I say walking up to our bartender who was just as entranced in the game as the other men drinking beers.
“just get it yourself,” he says only taking a second to look at me before cheering for some random score being made. I take this as the perfect opportunity to just pour the strongest drink I can find, 21 percent isn’t enough for tonight, seeing Captain America was like a bad omen.
Pouring a variety of bottles praying I get too sick to stay until 6 am like I usually do, I immediately down the whole thing. Or I try to, and immediately I'm shaking my head and hovering my hand over my mouth.
Each sip tastes like a baby took a shit in it. It doesn’t even burn it's just flat-out disgusting. After I get the drink down I pour a regular double shot of tequila, and then down it, within minutes my face heats up and I pray my foundation has enough coverage to cover the red my face will be for the next few hours. After I throw the dishes in the weird bartender washer, I turn around to head out with two minutes to spare.
The man sitting at the booth is still there and with my perfect luck I make eye contact with him, his friend Captain America is not there anymore and I can thank whatever god chooses to listen for that one prayer I had.
Feeling a sudden need to make sure he doesn’t need anything I swiftly walk over, “Hey you alright, anything I can get you” I ask holding in the small hiccup threatening to leave me from the stress and alcohol suddenly hitting all at once.
“I'm fine doll promise, Steve’s just using the bathroom” his use of the term doll surprises us both by the look of shock on his face, however, my skin crawls instantly with the use of the nickname, and I feel like I'm already on the club floor dealing with men who feel like they can treat you however.
I give him a small smile and nod and walk as fast as my heels will carry me out of the door to the club, the very place that gave me the chills with his use of ‘doll’.
As I half run only a few doors down I pray the shots hit me before I have to start playing the dumb bottle girl to get some shots from whatever man finds me attractive enough to ask me to his table. As I walk in I see my manager already waiting for me, “ you’re a minute late”
“Sorry,” I say lowering my head hoping he lets it go and doesn’t have me work some stupid shit for being a minute late.
“you can work with the new people,” he says looking me up and down before heading to the back where the VIP sections are, double-checking everything looks fine. I let out a sigh before turning around to the glass door accepting the fate of talking to new men who always act like they’ve never talked to a woman, at least not until they rack up a high enough bill.
Then they suddenly know just how to hurt a woman.
After 20 minutes the shots I take start to kick in, making my job socially a lot easier, however motor wise it makes my life 10 times harder. “Heyy!” I say waving to a group of three men who walk in looking lost, “is this your first time” I give a smile making sure to bend a little to show off what assets I have and pretending like that’s exactly not what I'm doing.
“uh yeah,” the guy in the middle speaks up clearly taking his role as the guy I’ll give the bill too.
“Perfect let me take you to a table and explain our menu,” I say letting a small laugh slip out hoping I'm coming off just friendly and ditzy enough to get a better tip than the three bucks newbies usually leave me. After going through the menu and explaining our different experiences they can also purchase a private room in the back, they just start off with a bottle of vodka and a lemonade pitcher. I wave them goodbye and make a round to the front to greet anyone coming in.
Within a couple minutes of waiting I’m immediately greeted by two familiar faces, captain America and the man he was with, suddenly the feeling of dread returned. “Heyy! Welcome in! have you guys been here before” I say trying not to give away the pain I feel in my stomach solely by seeing them here too.
“no however we need a private booth” captain speaks up and within seconds my manager pokes up from behind me and escorts the two in a room. The moment they are out of the room I can take a single breather before the table of three starts yelling for me again.
Turning towards the table I let out a smile “hey guys what's up” I say layering on the idea I'm super excited to see them.
“how much to dance with you on the floor” the guy from before barks out at me, I give him my best smile, which seems to be most of my job, smile and nod.
“buy a good bottle and my boss won't complain if you steal me to the floor” Upsell Upsell Upsell he says, he couldn’t give a shit what they bought, if they wanted me to dance I would dance, “ I might ignore the bottle price if you buy me a shot” I give a wink, praying my attempts at getting more alcohol into my system before I start dancing work.
Without a need to confirm all three boys high five and 6 shots in total are ordered, strong stuff, three for me, one for each of them. When I return with the shots I take each one with each boy, hyping up each of them as I go.
Walking into the loose crowd of people dancing I create a small circle with the boys hyping them up and dancing with them trying to avoid bouncing too much so the shots stay down. An hour goes by and the three boys have broken off dancing with the girls we hired to dance specifically. However, with the alcohol warming my system I take a few minutes to dance by myself in the crowd, closing my eyes and vibing to the music.
The vibe is lost when I feel a hand grazes my ass and I'm immediately aware I'm working at a club, I avoid turning to look at the offender and instead choose to get off the floor. Before I can hope to walk away I've spun around and I'm met with the eyes of a random man I haven’t served yet, his light brown hair gelled up into an unattractive style and his facial hair just as bad as his hair. “hello beautiful”
I give him a hard smile trying to make sure I can get out without any issues, however by the grace of the gods my manager finds me in the crowd. “hey, a table is requesting you” I turn to the man attempting to grope me giving him a apologetic smile and running off the floor my manager following me off.
Walking to the very back I realize this is where we had originally placed the two men from the bar earlier, I wonder how much they paid to get this or if Steve Rogers's status as Captain America just got him this VIP room automatically.
“Hello!” Steve says loudly above the music as my boss walks away.
“hey!” I say giving an enthusiastic voice praying this guy isn’t trying to do anything nasty, haven’t slept with anyone in years and I don’t plan to stop that streak for a few hundred bucks. The man with dark hair looks up and immediately rolls his eyes and goes back to looking off into the distance.
“so I promise we aren’t following you” Steve says laughing, “you just seemed like the only person to not be weird when serving us”
“yeah of course!” I say laughing back with him, “what can I get started for you” I say smiling looking down at the menus they have.
“not sure if you know this, but we cant actually get drunk so if you have a favorite drink id appreciate whatever that is” Steve says gesturing down at the menu confused.
“just don’t give us whatever you had early,” the other man says with a small smile, I feel my face flush a little remembering the fight I had to finish my first concoction.
I laugh away the awkwardness “Don’t worry I wouldn’t give you guys my personal special” I say bounding off to the bar to request a variety of drinks, by the time I come back with a plate of seven drinks both men look like they are arguing and I stop at the door, concern probably written over my face by the look of guilt Steve has on his face upon seeing me. “I can come back in a few more minutes” I shout hoping they let me come back a little later.
“no please come in bucky here was just being rude earlier,” Steve says looking over at the dark-haired man id forgotten to ask the name of.
“I have nothing to apologize for Steve,” Bucky says rolling his eyes.
“I'm not sure what you had to drink earlier but I’m sure it was wonderful,” Steve says trying to apologize on his friend's behalf
“oh bucky wasn’t exaggerating,” I say placing the tray down on the table, “I did make quite the nasty drink earlier, didn’t realize he had front-row seats to my battle with it” I laugh and start explaining each drink. “You can trust I didn’t make these ones, so they are delicious,” I say pulling the chest to my chest praying I can cover up what I can.
“see now you have to stay for the taste test,” Steve says with a smile gesturing to a seat across from them, while I was grateful I wasn’t on the floor getting groped I'd have to find a way to upsell more than our most expensive drinks to these two to avoid my boss getting mad again “don’t worry we will pay for your time,” Steve says smiling, once again my skin crawls and I’m uncomfortable as I take a seat.
Bucky makes a face and looks over at Steve, “even I knew that was weird” he says before separating the drinks, “he means we’ll buy whatever you need to stay in here” I let out a small smile and try and hide behind the drinks. “Here come sit next to me if you're comfortable with it” Bucky says behind the glasses moving over a bit.
Silently cursing in my head I put on my best show and sit next to Bucky seeing Steve look at the cotton candy glass in his hand confused. “that one isn’t my favorite, but it’s a customer favorite.” I say gesturing to the glass, “I got you guys the top three costumer favorites, my favorite, the two head bartenders favorite, and my favorite”
After stating why I chose them Steve seemed content and took a sip of the cotton candy, “I'd give it a 5/10” he says before handing it to Bucky to take a sip who immediately winzes and shakes his head.
“take it you didn’t enjoy that one bucky” I laugh, he hands me the drink and I try and decline by placing it on the table. “it's not my favorite either” we go through this a few more times, Steve being absolutely enamored with our bubble and smoke drink, and bucky really enjoying the long island I said was my favorite. “we also have these really good ‘tea’ shots” I say using paratheses on the tea portion.
“would it be possible to buy a bottle to go as a gift and two long islands “Bucky says sharing a long island with Steve who didn’t seem to enjoy the burn of the last bartender's recommendation.
“of course!” I say going to stand and begging my legs to gain some balance with my heels, after finishing off some of the drinks they deemed not good enough I chose to drink them. “what bottle would you like” I ask handing them the menu from behind the counter.
“whatever would get you off work,” Steve says with a smile
“oh uh I don’t go home with people” I stop suddenly my body feeling slightly frozen, every time I come to one of these rooms ‘by request’ someone always asks the question
“no, no” Bucky injects his face as panicked as Steve’s
“I was just going to see if it was possible for you to get off of work early and if you would be interested in showing us around to all of the hip places, if you knew any” he stammers
“oh uh, I'm not the one to know the hip places” I smile apologetically clinging to the railing on the wall for dear life, praying no one’s noticed. “If I'm not working I'm sleeping, this is the closest thing I have to a night out”
“sorry we didn’t mean to intrude,” Steve says apologetically, “the offer still stands I don’t mind paying whatever you'd make tonight so you can have the night off, no obligation”
“it's okay I'm only here until 3 am tonight” I smile, “what kind of bottle are you looking for”
“you’re here until 3 am tonight?” bucky says his eyes squinting at me before turning back to their stoic, unreadable state.
“uh yeah, it's not bad usually I'm here until 6am” I say accidentally hiccupping as the alcohol begins to get to me, I look over at the clock only two more hours to go, I can make it.
Steve stands up, “okay um whatever bottle is the best in your opinion” I smile showing him two of the more expensive options I like, before he pays and closes the tab he had on the room.
As I give him his wrapped bottle I hand bucky the two long islands he asked for, “ here you go, you can stay in here and drink them or take them outside I wont say anything” I smile at him, quickly gathering the glasses on my tray .
“I bought this one for you but you seem pretty intoxicated already” he says eyeballing e before taking a seat back down waving Steve off.
I give him a smile and watch him take a sip of the drink, the drink doing absolutely nothing for him however his posture no longer tense and closed, he’s now sitting with one ankle on his knee and an arm over the chair and an eye still trained on the entrance of the room.
“I mean if you are offering I could probably have another” I half joke letting out a breathy laugh still examining the man in front of me, a all black outfit beside the discarded jacket, he has a metal arm that seems to work like a regular arm.
“if you want it feel free,” he says scooting the drink towards me, I decide against my better judgment to sit down and take it, likely due to the four other drinks I had with them.
Taking a sip my eyes trail back up to him, his eyes steadily trained on the exit, taking my drunken opportunity I look at his arms both sculpted, one of actual muscle and the other with metal. Looking at his face he is rather attractive, his long hair really adds to whatever look he’s going for, it’s a little scary, but I'm all for it.
“do you really just work and sleep” I snap from looking at his biceps and shoulders
“basically” I pause thinking about my schedule, “I really only have one day a week I'm free, but that’s my fault,” I say thinking about how much more time id have had I just picked up an hourly job.
“you’re young that’s not fair on you,” he says already finishing what I'm sure just tastes like an Arizona tea to him.
“no but it's my hole so I'll lay in it’ I say trying to catch up on the drink so he doesn’t feel obligated to stay. “I'd probably have more time if id chosen something more hourly and less tip based,” I say holding in the cough that I got from drinking too fast.
“Why don’t you just get a hourly job then?” he says focusing his eyes on my instead of the exit.
“It's a lot more sketchy to walk somewhere with hourly pay, the nearest place is a mile away” I shrug finally getting to the end of the drink, “sorry for keeping you,” I say gesturing to the drink
“you didn’t keep me, I was hoping to keep you,” he says letting a small smile out, “Steve has me become acclimated with people as if he still doesn’t need to be”
His statement throws me off and I can't help the look of confusion that stays on my face, “Acclimated?”
“Long story,” he says his stoic wall returning
“well I really love stories so” I paused grabbing my notebook from behind the table and writing my number down, “we can see about finding a time to get you acclimated and for me to hear the story.” I smile ripping the paper off the notebook and handing it to him.
“thought you didn’t go home with people” Bucky smiled folding the paper into his wallet, eyes filled with amusement
“I'm a sucker for stories,” I say before getting up finally, “plus you’ve managed to keep me entertained for almost all of my shift” I wave and exit the room the anxiety only hitting me as I leave his sight. I really just gave my number to a random man, one that just got me incredibly drunk likely on purpose.
I should really change my number. This is time number 5.