Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Unknown Number
His body drops heavy against the bed, wet hair falling over his eyes from his shower. Every day is more or less the same for Aki; school, work, sleep, or some combination of them all. Always from one onto the next. Not that it bothers him anymore. School is an obligation, work is for money. Sleep only enough to make it to and through the next day. His one source of peace and comfort came in the form of a friend he’s known for 20 years now, Luca. Some days, he’s the only thing keeping Aki going. Truth be told, that’s the case for most days. Not that he would ever share that fact sober.
His phone buzzes next to him. Half-lidded, Aki fumbles his hand for it expecting to see Luca’s name on his screen as he flips it over. But instead he’s met with an unknown number.
Curious, he unlocks his phone and opens the message.
**Unknown Number**
[10:42 PM]
hey… this is kind of random, but uh… luca gave me your number?
said you “need to meet people who aren’t disasters” lol
Aki’s eyes widen before they roll as he lets out a sigh. “Oh for fucks sake,” he thinks to himself. “I’m gonna kill him.” It’s been a long time since Luca’s tried to hook him up with someone. He figured Luca knew by now he wasn’t in the position for a relationship. So what the fuck is Luca thinking. For now, Aki decides he should probably message the stranger at the other end of the text and apologize for Luca. He’ll deal with his idiot of a best friend later.
**Aki**
[10:43 PM]
For fucks sake. I’m sorry. He’s an idiot.
**Stranger**
[10:44 PM]
no worries
honestly wasn’t expecting a reply
he did say you’d probably block me on sight
but hey, I’m Kyo. we go to the same college apparently??
Aki clicks his tongue as he reads the message and typed out his reply
**Aki**
[10:44 PM]
I’m not that much of an ass. you’re innocent in this. Luca is a dead man though
**Kyo**
[10:46 PM]
fair. he did say you had “bite”
anyway, hi. I swear I’m not like… trying to hit on you or anything
he just made it sound like we might vibe?? idk
Aki chokes back a chuckle as he reads the new message. Where the hell did Luca find this guy, he’s awkward as fuck. And yet he finds himself typing out a new message anyway.
**Aki**
[10:47 PM]
Hit on me? I’d find that kinda hard to believe. What exactly did he tell you about me? Like. You know I’m a dude.. at least, right?
**Kyo**
[10:48 PM]
well yeah, he made that clear
He was like “he’s a guy, he’s hot, he’s emotionally unavailable, don’t be weird”
also something about how you “ghost people after 3am” which felt oddly specific
Aki drops his head into the mattress he’s laying against. Fucking Luca. What’s he thinking? He usually stays out of this. What’s the point in sending this guy my way. He’s awkward and kind of adorable. But he doesn’t scream gay. What’s the point here?
Tired of the countless thoughts echoing in his brain he types out another message.
**Aki**
[10:49 PM]
Well he isn’t wrong about most of that. I am hot, but I’m a guy and unfortunately he nailed it on the emotionally absent part. I get Luca being an idiot and giving you my number but why message knowing that?
The next message came surprisingly quickly.
**Kyo**
[10:49 PM]
Ah. no confusion here. I like guys. Luca knows that.
Aki’s message sends quicker than he can think
**Aki**
[10:49 PM]
You’re gay?
**Kyo**
[10:49 PM]
yeah
not that I’m like… wearing rainbow socks and screaming about it on campus or anything
but yeah. been out for a while now.
you’re cool with that, right?
Aki stares at the screen for too long. Well. He was wrong. He’s usually not wrong about these things. But color him surprised
**Aki**
[10:50 PM]
Yeah. Just surprised. Didn’t clock me as the type
And I don’t usually keep track of the people Luca knows from campus, but I don’t recall him ever mentioning you. He’s usually quite open about the people he knows.
**Kyo**
[10:51 PM]
I get that a lot. As for Luca, we ended up working on that psych project together last semester
he’s cool
Aki pulls his body up onto the bed and leans against the headboard. Deep in thought. Mostly about killing Luca next time he sees him. This guy seems nice, great even, which is an even bigger reason Luca never should have sent him Aki’s way. But his thoughts are interrupted by another buzz.
**Kyo**
[10:54 PM]
I get that’s it’s out of the blue. Im sorry for that.
Luca was talking about you and I guess it caught my interest. So I asked about you. He stopped talking and gave me your number, said I should try to figure you out myself. And it’d do you good to have a friend besides him. And said it wasn’t his place to say anything else. I guess it made me curious. But if you hate this, I’ll delete your number. Just say the word.
Aki lets out a heavy breath. He should say yes. He should tell Kyo not to get involved with him. Should tell him he appreciates the thought of friendship but he has no fucking clue how it works. Should tell him goodbye and wish him luck. But instead, he types the opposite.
**Aki**
[10:54 PM]
No it’s cool. But Luca is right. I do ghost people after 3 am. I get busy.. I guess you could say.
**Kyo**
[10:54 PM]
Good to know. Just, text me if you want. I’ve been told im easy to talk to. And the way Luca was talking about you, I guess it felt like you could use someone like that.
so… what are you up to right now, besides likely being mildly annoyed at Luca?
Aki scoffs as he reads. He’s seconds away from calling and screaming into Luca’s ear.
**Aki**
[10:55 PM]
Mildly annoyed is putting things… nicely
**Kyo**
[10:56 PM]
noted.
should I give you space to plot his demise in peace?
Aki relaxes slightly. This kid might be awkward, but he’s endearing. He’ll give him that.
**Aki**
[10:56 PM]
nah. I’ll cuss him out later. For now, I don’t mind chatting. I don’t have work for another hour
**Kyo**
[10:58 PM]
alright. I’ll consider this a temporary stay of execution for Luca
what do you do for work? he said you work weird hours but wouldn’t elaborate. made it sound mysterious like you’re a bartender or a vigilante
Aki’s eyes flick up to the ceiling. Ah how he hates this question. But oh well. If he runs after leaning this, it’s probably for the best. It’s not like he’ll tell him all of it anyway. Just the official stuff.
**Aki**
[11:00 PM]
Ha. Nah. Maybe just as odd. If you want to know I’ll tell you but it may be off putting
**Kyo**
[11:00 PM]
Oh. You can tell me whatever you want to tell me. I don’t scare easy.
Aki stares at his written reply before sighing and hitting send. If he’s gonna run, so be it. If he’s gonna judge him, whatever. He’s too tired to lie. And something is compelling him to tell the truth to Kyo anyway, for some reason.
**Aki**
[11:01 PM]
I’m a dancer
The phone buzzes before Aki can even set it down.
**Kyo**
[11:01 PM]
Dancer. I assume in the way I think that means?
**Aki**
[11:01 PM]
Yeah. I’m a stripper at a club. A gay club I guess. It’s a male strip club. For men. I dance and I bar tend.
Aki drapes an arm over his face. Should he even be telling this guy this? If word gets back to his family, things could get messy. His parents know he bartends, but that’s all. Not where, or for who. It wouldn’t be pretty for Aki if they found out. Especially the part about stripping. Aki sets his phone down, doubting he’ll get another message back now. The few people who did find out his occupation ran for the hills for a reason Aki could never figure out. What was so wrong about being a dancer? Was it because he was always half naked for a job? What’s wrong with that? It makes good money after all.
Aki’s phone lights up. One message. Then a second. And a third. He turns his head in a sort of disbelief. This guy.. isn’t the average guy.
**Kyo**
[11:02 PM]
that’s actually kinda badass though?
I mean, I get why you said it might be off-putting, but I’m not judging. honestly I respect the confidence.
“he works weird hours” my ass.
Aki finds himself smiling, enjoying the light banter and conversation as he reads that last message. And another message pops up.
**Kyo**
[11:02 PM]
honestly though, that’s kind of amazing.
Aki feels his cheeks warm. Amazing? This dude really just called Aki stripping amazing? And not because he’d seen it, but just in concept?
**Aki**
[11:03 PM]
You are an odd one, aren’t you.
But not many people know, and I’d prefer if it didn’t get around.
**Kyo**
[11:03 PM]
Sure. I won’t say anything. I can respect that.
But, don't people recognize you on campus? There must be at least a few that go to places like that
**Aki**
[11:04 PM]
No. I work in the next town over. So I don’t get recognized.
**Kyo**
[11:09 PM]
smart. keep the worlds separate
Although now I’m picturing some poor freshman seeing you at 10am lecture after tipping you the night before.. poor soul
awkward silence and eye contact across the room
but hey, I get it. money’s money, right?
and if you’re good at it… why not own it
you ever think of quitting or is it like, your thing?
Aki chuckles as he reads the awkward messages from Kyo. He would normally ghost people by now. But something about this guy seems to draw him in. He’s easy to talk to. When’s the last time Aki easily talked to someone other than for work, or with Luca? He honestly cannot recall.
**Aki**
[11:10 PM]
It makes good money. It keeps me fit. I’ve learned to own it. Plus I suppose I also occasionally get more out of it.
**Kyo**
[11:12 PM]
I’m reading between the lines here and… damn.
I see why Luca said you’re “emotionally unavailable but dangerously charming”
sounds like you’re living a wild little double life
I’m just over here stressing about finals and wondering if my coffee addiction is permanent lol
is it weird if I say that’s kinda fascinating? not even in a creepy way
just... you’re not what I expected
The smirk that was dancing on Aki’s face slowly disappeared as he read the last message twice over.
**Aki**
[11:12 PM]
Sorry
**Kyo**
[11:14 PM]
wait. what? why are you apologizing??
I didn’t mean that in a bad way at all
like, you’re just being real. that’s rare
I’d rather talk to someone interesting than someone pretending to be a LinkedIn post lol
unless you secretly *are* a LinkedIn post, in which case… I take it back
The smile softly begins to return on Aki’s face as he types out his response. Still hiding behind his walls.
**Aki**
[11:15 PM]
I’m not.
**Kyo**
[11:16 PM]
good
cuz if you started texting me stuff like “let’s circle back” or “per my last email,” I might actually cry
you’re cool, Aki. kinda intense, maybe, but in that “I’ve lived more than I let on” kinda way. Im surprised, but I’m glad you havent ghosted me yet.
Aki shifts uncomfortably in his bed. Honestly he’s surprised too. Maybe it’s Kyo’s awkwardness. Or maybe it’s because he feels warm even through the screen. That’s something Aki hasn’t felt in a long time.
**Kyo**
[11:18 PM]
what kind of music do they usually play at the club? or do you get to pick?
He’s good at conversation, Aki realizes. He doesn’t linger on the things Aki would rather not answer to.
**Aki**
[11:18 PM]
Dancers pick their own songs. If people tip me high enough, I let them choose too.
**Kyo**
[11:19 PM]
Oh, that’s kinda hot
like… “pay up and control the vibe”? power move tbh
you must have a playlist that could resurrect the dead or something
I’m picturing leather, neon lights, and a lot of slow-motion fans
Aki chuckles as the messages keep coming. Has this guy ever even been to a strip club before? Nah. He seems too innocent. Which just makes him more fun to play with honestly.
**Aki**
[11:20 PM]
It’s more like.. unbuttoned shirt.. tight jeans that come off. And the tightest boxers one can buy. Sometimes smaller. But it all comes off except the underwear. Also. Occasionally a garter belt if it’s requested.
**Kyo**
[11:22 PM]
Ah. hold on I need to go walk into traffic real quick
that’s dangerously specific.. you really just texted that like you were describing what you had for lunch
Aki laughs aloud this time. He just met the dude but flustering him is already proving to be kinda fun. But he probably shouldn’t push too far. He’s actually kinda enjoying texting.
**Aki**
[11:22 PM]
Sorry. I forget that for most people this isn’t a normal conversation. I don’t talk with many besides those from the club. And Luca
**Kyo**
[11:23 PM]
nah, don’t apologize. I actually really like that you’re just… real about it. it’s not weird, it’s just.. you
I think people get too caught up trying to be safe or polished all the time. you’re just saying it how it is. it’s refreshing, honestly
and hey, there’s nothing wrong with having a small net of people. I’d feel kinda honored to be on the list one day. even if I got here by unconventional means
This guy.. aki thinks to himself again. Is he even real?
**Aki**
[11:23 PM]
Sure
**Kyo**
[11:24 PM]
that was the most “I’ll allow it” text I’ve ever seen 😅
But alright, seriously, thanks for not blocking me
This is fun
Aki smiles softly. Yeah. It is fun. It’s been awhile since he’s enjoyed just chatting with someone. Another message pops up. Kyo once more not allowing things to linger in a way that might be awkward or hard to answer to.
**Kyo**
[11:25 PM]
wanna send me a song you usually dance to? or is that too personal for a first convo?
Aki smirks as he types his response.
**Aki**
[11:25 PM]
You could just come watch
He reads the message back to himself. Damn. He shouldn’t have said that. Even if Kyo doesn’t scare from it, people from campus are supposed to think Aki is straight. And there’s no way kyo will believe he’s straight after he sees him dance. He quickly sends another one.
**Aki**
[11:25 PM]
Fuck me. Forget I said that maybe?
**Kyo**
[11:26 PM]
oh no, you don’t get to casually drop that and then take it back. but also… damn. that felt kinda bold coming from Mr. “I ghost people after 3am”
not gonna lie though… tempting.
you really wanna risk me seeing you in stripper mode and *still* trying to text you like a normal person after??
Aki lets out the breath he was holding. Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad to let this guy see him. Luca wouldn’t have sent him if he wasn’t decent.
**Aki**
[11:27 PM]
It’d be amusing
But you get used to it
Luca goes with to hit on the customers and he still looks at me in the eyes.
**Kyo**
[11:28 PM]
okay hold on.
what the hell. he gave me your number like he was matchmaking for purity and honor but meanwhile he’s prowling in the audience at your strip club?
man’s full-on chaos, pretending to be a saint
But respect to you, honestly. performing like that, staying grounded, letting friends be there and still keeping your head on straight? not gonna lie, you’ve officially become ten times more interesting than anyone I’ve met all semester
Aki clicks his tongue. What’s with this guy? Why is he so chill about this? Maybe Luca was right, all the other guys Aki knows are just trash. Is this what a normal guy is like though? It seems way too good to be true.
**Aki**
[11:28 PM]
Its just work
**Kyo**
[11:29 PM]
you say that like it’s nothing but not everyone could handle it like that. pretty sure I’d trip over my own feet trying to walk across that stage, forget dancing
but yeah, I get it. you show up, do the job, clock out. It just happens your job includes shirtless theatrics and people throwing money at you..
kinda makes me wonder what off-stage Aki is like.
Aki blinks. Then again. Blush creeps up his face and down his neck. What the fuck.
**Aki**
[11:30 PM]
Yeah? You’d be one of the few that want to know that.
**Kyo**
[11:31 PM]
yeah? then I’ll take that as a compliment
look, I’m not gonna pretend like I get your life but I’m not here to judge it either. If anything, I’m just curious about the person behind all that confidence
off-stage Aki probably drinks too much coffee, zones out in class, secretly loves dumb anime, and eats gas station snacks at 2am. Am I close?
Aki laughs as he sends his reply.
**Aki**
[11:32 PM]
Nah but nice try
**Kyo**
[11:33 PM]
Damn. I was sure I had at least the coffee part right
But alright, hit me with the truth then
what does off-stage Aki do when he’s not setting the room on fire with tight jeans and dangerous smirks?
**Aki**
[11:34 PM]
Alright. I work two jobs. dancer and bartender, both at the club, both full time. Luca and I are in our senior year. I'm double majoring in dance and music. I have the spot of the top student in terms of the standardized testing. I’ve held that spot since freshman year.
**Kyo**
[11:35 PM]
Damn, Aki. you really just casually dropped “I’m secretly a powerhouse” and said it like it’s no big deal
But I’m sensing a but
I might be wrong but if I’m not, I won’t push if you don’t wanna say it
but for what it’s worth, I’m not going anywhere
**Aki**
[11:36 PM]
But still not good enough for my parents. they want me married by next year. Ha
Aki buries his face in his pillow. Reality hitting him harder than he wanted it to. He was having fun. Talking to Kyo. Escaping for a bit. But reality does always have a way of hunting him down and laughing in his face. Reminding him of the perfect boy he’s supposed to be.
**Kyo**
[11:39 PM]
Shit. that hit way harder than I was ready for
you’re out here breaking your back doing everything and they still think a ring on your finger is the finish line? that’s bull.
you deserve to live life at your pace. not theirs
I don’t know your parents, but I’d bet money they don’t actually see you the way they should. And I’m sorry they don’t. The little bit of the real aki I’m seeing seems pretty cool.
Aki ignores both the heat in his cheeks along with the second half of kyo’s message.
**Aki**
[11:40 PM]
Yeah. Every other week it’s a list of girls to choose from and meet.
**Kyo**
[11:41 PM]
that sounds exhausting. you’re already killing it in school and work, and now you gotta play dating simulator IRL with girls handpicked by your parents?
I’m sorry it’s like that
But if you ever need to vent or fake an emergency to escape a dinner date, let me help?
**Aki**
[11:42 PM]
Lmao. Bold of you. We just met. And you’re offering an out to a stripper
**Kyo**
[11:43 PM]
what can I say? I’m a man of reckless kindness and poor judgment
But, stripper or not. you’re still a guy stuck in a dumb situation you didn’t ask for. and I think I like talking to you. Especially when I get the glimpses of the person behind all that confidence.
Aki stares at his phone. Kyo isn’t flirting. At least Aki doesn’t think he is. He’s just being real. And somehow that hits Aki even harder.
**Kyo**
[11:45 PM]
You seem strong, Aki. But if you ever accidentally slip and act human, I won’t tell anyone
scout’s honor
and if you ever don’t feel like being the strong, untouchable guy for five minutes, I’m around
Aki’s fingers type out the next message before Kyo has time to redirect the conversation like he does after saying something on the heavier side. Because for the first time since the conversation started, Aki doesn’t want the moment to slip away like it didn’t happen. He wants to reply to it; wants to accept it. At least a little.
**Aki**
[11:45 PM]
Id like that
**Kyo**
[11:45 PM]
Yeah? Cool. I was kinda hoping you’d say that, not gonna lie
**Aki**
[11:46 PM]
Thank you
**Kyo**
[11:46 PM]
anytime. really
Aki looks at the clock. He climbs off the bed and throws on some sweats and a hoodie.
He grabs his bag and slings it over his shoulder as he types out his response.
**Aki**
[11:50 PM]
I gotta go to work. Cya
**Kyo**
[11:50 PM]
go melt hearts and steal tips, and try not to break too many necks with that unbuttoned shirt
And text me later if you’re not ghosting
cya, Aki
Aki smiles softly at Kyo’s message as he slips his shoes on in the entry way of his house. He checks his hair in the mirror next to the door and slips outside.
The club is in the next town over but the local transit spots are within walking distance of his house. He’s learned over the past few years of working at the club that it’s usually better to walk than drive. He never knows when it’ll be an intense night and wants a few drinks during work. So it’s always been safer to take the public options over his own car. Even if it takes longer.
He’s never minded the brisk night air. If anything, it always feels kind of relaxing. Comforting in a strange way.
He looks down at his phone as he walks. The messages from Kyo are still up on the screen. It was unexpected. Not just receiving the texts. But the fact that he replied and went along with the conversation as long as he did. It’s likely because for the first time in ages, he was actually talking to a decent dude. Not his normal hook ups or customers.
Aki closes the conversation open from Kyo and scrolls down to a different contact. He types out a new message and hits send
[New Message: Send to: Luc]
I hate you