95A/N: Rating is for future chapters, some language, drinking, and adult themes…
Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, or any of the characters mentioned.
Nice Tattoo
Kairi looked at herself in the full length mirror one more time. She examined her outfit, scrutinizing her every curve and well thought-out flashes of bare flesh around her midsection and cleavage. She hated that the majority of her income depended on her outfit instead of her ability to make a mean martini, but business is business… The dark violet tank top accentuated her curvy figure and she decided the color did wonders for her skin and hair color. The blue jeans were a dark wash and fit perfectly, just tight enough to hug her hips just right. She ran her fingers through her shoulder-length crimson hair and puckered her scarlet lips at the mirror. Pleased with what she saw, she grabbed her bag and flew down the stairs.
"Nam! I'm off to work…I'll see you tonight. The band comes on at 10… And don't forget to bring your ID again! I don't think Hayner will let you in this time without it!"
"Okay, okay woman! Get out of here. Selphie and I will see you around 10!" Namine called from the living room. "Go make the rest of our rent money!" She yelled as Kairi laughed on her way out of the house.
She decided against driving; it was a short walk to the bar, and she enjoyed it. Her boots clicked on the sidewalk as she hurried down the busy street. Saturday night was usually busy in this part of the island. The late summer sun was setting, casting shadows across the streets that were alive with activity. She knew that tonight would be especially packed, with the live band that was going to be playing. She loved it when the manager of her establishment invited such bands to the bar…bandsmore people…and more peoplemore alcohol….and more alcoholmore tips for Kairi!
She came through the back door of the bar and was greeted by the strong smell of cigarette smoke and alcohol. She breathed in the aroma… "Aaahhhh, home…" she said sarcastically as she smiled at the bouncer sitting nearby.
"Hey Kairi! You ready for a crazy night? I hear this band is the shit!" Hayner's eyes were glowing with excitement.
"Yeah Hay, I'm ready. Where's Ollete?" Kairi was eager to relieve the other bartender and start her shift.
"I think she's in the bar…isn't that were you bartenders hang out?" Hayner's words were laced heavily with sarcasm and he grinned at his own cleverness.
"Haha, I'll see ya' later." She smirked at her friend and made her way over to the bar. Ollete was leaning over a drink and twirling her hair in her fingers as she poured thick rum into a glass, her hips slightly swaying to the music playing over the speakers. There were only three guys at the bar, and they were all fixated on Ollete's ass.
"Hey girl, you ready to go home yet?" Kairi slipped behind the bar and smiled at her friend.
"Kairi! Hey, I didn't even realize you were here. Uh, yeah…just let me tab these guys out and then it's all yours!" She hurriedly rang up the checks, gathered her tips and sat of the end of the long bamboo bar to count her earnings.
"How'd you do today?" Kairi knew that if Ollete did well during the day shift, it usually meant she was in for a long, money making night. Most of the time, she easily made twice what Ollete did.
"Um, around $200. Pretty good day… You're going to have a great night. I hear that band that is coming plays an awesome show… I'll be back around 10 to see the show…so if you need any help back here just let me know!" Ollete offered, knowing that Kairi would most likely turn down her offer. She didn't mind splitting the tips, but she did mind splitting the authority. Kairi liked being behind the bar and being in control of her surroundings.
"Thanks girl, but I'm sure I'll be fine. Enjoy your night off, I expect to see you on the other side of this baby tonight!" she patted her palm on the bar and smiled.
"Sora? Sora! Wake up…" Riku yanked the blanket off his friend's head and punched him in the ribs… "DUDE! WAKE THE FUCK UP!"
"Jesus, Riku! What the hell do you want?" Sora creased his brow in frustration, glaring at the blurry outline of his friend standing in front of him. He grabbed his side and sat up in the bed.
"It's time to start setting up…We're finally here."
Sora rolled his eyes and stretched his arms high above his head, arching his back in an attempt to relieve some of the stiffness in his muscles. This would be the fifth show in four days and he was exhausted.
"Dude! Come on! The show starts in two hours and we haven't even—"
"Okay! I'm up…jeez… Can I at least get dressed or do you want me to do the show naked?" He sarcastically smirked at Riku.
"Okay, now that I know you're naked I'm leaving… But hurry the hell up!" He yelled over his shoulder as he ran out the door.
Sora rolled his eyes again as he slipped on a pair of black boxer-briefs. He grabbed a pair of faded ripped blue jeans and pulled them up over his hips, buckling the black belt around him. He cursed himself for not packing shorts. It was so freaking hot on this island, and with it being in the end of summer, his jeans and T shirts had not proved very sensible. After glancing at the thermometer on the wall, he decided against a shirt for now. He was just going to sweat through it anyways while they unloaded and set up. He shoved his feet into a pair of sneakers and splashed some cold water on his face, letting it run down his cheek bones and drip from his jaw line. His feeble attempts at taming his wild brunette locks were unsuccessful and he splashed some water through his hair and just let it spike out in its usual fashion.
He looked at himself in the vanity mirror and was pretty pleased with the tall tan guy staring back at him. He looked around the trailer quickly and when he was pleased no one was there, he flexed his biceps and smiled at the mirror. He was glad he had recently decided to get the tattoo that encircled the upper part of his bicep in a tribal design.
"SORA! Are you giving yourself a manicure?! LET'S GO!" He stole one last glance at the mirror and bolted out the door as Riku's scream pierced his eardrum for what he was sure would not be the last time that night.
"Where's Roxas and Axel?" Sora looked around the back alley for his friends. The setting sun's rays cast long shadows across the dimly lit alley.
"They're unloading, which is what you should be doing… Grab some gear and start setting stuff up on stage!" Riku heaved a drum case over his shoulder and started for the back door to the bar.
"Yes sir!" Sora saluted his friend and Riku scoffed at his reaction. Sora grabbed his guitar case and threw his arm through a loop of cables and wires. He picked up a black duffle bag with his free hand and made his way into the bar.
Kairi was trying to get the bar ready for the huge crowd of people she knew would be packing the bar soon. She glanced on the blinking clock on the wall. 9:30…She was so busy washing used glasses and putting them away that she hadn't even noticed when a shirtless guy sat down at the long end of the bar and waited patiently to be served. After a few minutes he finally spoke up.
"What does a guy have to do to get a drink around here?"
Kairi was startled and she frowned as she looked up from her post. He frown dropped as her eyes met with the deep azure gaze of a very shirtless, very sweaty, customer. His tanned skin emphasized his deep blue eyes and his smile was lopsided, but still incredibly sexy. His thick brown hair stood out in spikes all over his head and small beads of sweat were formed on his forehead and ran down his temples. The tribal tattoo around his left bicep accentuated his muscular frame and Kairi blushed as her eyes wandered across his broad shoulders and toned chest. "Oh, um…sorry…I didn't see you there." She smiled as she regained her composure. "What can I get ya?"
"Bottle of water please."
Kairi was surprised at the request, but she turned around and reached into the icy water to fish out a bottle of water.
He watched intently as she leaned over the tub of ice and smiled when he noticed the red ink peeking out from the top of her jeans occupying the bare patch of flesh between her belt and the bottom of her dark violet tank top. His gaze fell a little south, to her ass as she stood on her tip toes so as to reach the bottom of the tank.
She abruptly turned around with the water in hand.
"Nice tattoo."
Kairi could swear she saw the slightest blush in the guy's cheeks, but waved it off. He really had an air of confidence around him…"Oh, uh…thanks." She handed him the drink and wiped her arm off with a towel. "Sorry. It was at the very bottom. We don't have a whole lot of people come in here for a bottle of water."
"I'm sure" he smiled coyly.
"You know, there is a sign at the door…" She smiled and pointed a finger at him, playfully raising her eyebrows "…No shirt, no shoes, no service…."
"Well, I guess I should be going then…" the mystery stranger winked at her and slid a five dollar bill across the bar. "Keep the change." He turned and made his way through the growing crowd of people towards the backstage.
"Okay guys…we all know the line up, right?" Riku was pacing the room going through the night's line up as he always did right before a show.
"Riku, chill man. We've done this a thousand times." Roxas was squatted on the coach beating his drum sticks against the coffee table in front of him. "We know the line up, that dude Pence is setting up in the sound and light booth, everything's cool."
"Hey guys!" Sora shut the door to the dressing room behind him and plopped down on the couch next to Roxas.
"Dude! You're not even dressed yet? What the fuck have you been doing?!" Riku stormed over to his friend and pulled him off the couch. "Go get ready!"
Sora reached into his bag and pulled out a dark grey tank top with a black skull and cross bones on the front. He quickly slid it over his torso and plopped back down in his previous position as he gulped down a bottle of water. "There…" he said, smacking his lips, "All done!" He smirked at his friend and then flew his hands up to his neck in sudden desperation. "My chain?! Where is my chain?!" He looked around the dressing room as Axel threw the crown-shaped necklace to his friend.
"Dude, I've gotcha covered." Axel smirked.
"You guys freak out too easily" Roxas laughed as he continued his beat on the table, making small moon shaped dents in the soft wood.
Sora frowned as he latched the chain around his neck. He never did a show without his necklace, and the added weight around his neck comforted him.
Suddenly a head popped in the door. "You guys ready to go on?" The manager of the bar was eager to get the show started and nodded to the band members when they smiled and nodded their heads in response.
"Okay guys! Let's do this!" Sora yelled as he grabbed his Gibson guitar and threw the strap over his shoulder.
A/N: HAHA…..Sora checking himself out in the mirror….ttttttooooo funny….