Post by Nyeo Son on Aug 4, 2019 15:02:03 GMT -5
Hwan: Your plane back to Suwon leaves on the 6th, You-
Nyeo: -will not be on it.
The curt reply leaves the connection silent for a terrifyingly long time. Nyeo is trying not to let his father's intimidation tactic get to him, partly to maintain some semblance of power in the conversation, and also because his friends are taking care of the whole “being panicked” thing.
The backroom of the NeuroDancer nightclub was definitely not the best place to have this phone call, but that didn’t stop his Son Hwan, legendary crime lord, from calling and spoiling the damn mood. Three pairs of eyes were fixed on Nyeos face as he waited for a threatening rejoinder, hopefully not noticing how he was tearing off the nail polish on his thumb with the nail on his pinky. It was an unflattering tic, and one of the reasons he usually avoided nail polish in favor of gloves.
Hwan: Adeunim, I have been patient with you, your little American adventure has cost me over a million dollars-
Nyeo: -and made you twice that in return.
Hwan: The money made from your *degenerate* bar does nothing to pay for having the world see my son parade on stage like a circus freak and get his ass beat by an aged and failed businessman!
Okay, that was loud, fuck. Everyone definitely heard that, Taehyung looks like he’s about to piss himself, but so does everyone else, including Nyeo, just slightly less obviously. It’s Nyeo’s turn to be silent, hoping it isn’t obvious that the only replies he can think of sounds like a kid yelling at his dad.
...well, to be honest, it would be a kid yelling at his dad, but you all know what I mean.
Hwan: I am giving you another match, you should be grateful, after that I want you back in Korea to show the rest of the high table that you are still a worthy successor, something they have been starting to doubt with you playing startup.
Nyeo: So it’s back to aunt Chae-won’s dinner parties?
Hwan: I don’t see why you’re complaining, they’re just a classier version of what you’re doing now.
God damn it, it would be much easier to hate his father if he didn’t make Nyeo laugh. Sung Chae-won hosted a monthly get-together for the Korean underworld, which started with a masquerade ball and ended with knife fights fought until first blood.
Hwan: Plus you’re actually halfway decent at not making a fool of yourself at her dinner parties.
That was obviously not to say it was all that HARD to hate Son Hwan, just that it would have been even easier without the jokes.
Nyeo: I appreciate the loving support, abeonim.
Hwan sighs dejectedly, dropping the last of the authority in his voice, almost sounding like a person for once.
Hwan: Look, Nyeo; I just want to make sure no one here tries to take you out when I’m gone. You’re smart, a capable fighter and you surround yourself with loyal men, but that won’t be enough if no one respects you. Your whole idea to go to America and build a personality cult of faggots and lowlifes...
Nyeo closes his eyes and exhales slowly, keeping all his sharp retorts inside, where they belong. His father was trying to be supportive.
Hwan: ...it’s worked! There’s no denying that you’re expanding in America faster than any Syndicate has ever managed to. The problem is that without you here it’s me that has to convey that fact, and I fucking hate that you’re even pretending to be like them, so I can’t… express myself...
Wow, that’s a lot to unpack, a thousand potential replies float around inside Nyeos head, most of them would probably lead to him being dead or in hiding within a week. He decides to pick a safer option.
Nyeo: Tuesday, I’ll be on the plane.
The reactions in the room are honestly embarrassingly obvious, Hoseok gives a smile he probably thinks looks consoling but which only looks pleased; Taehyung still looks terrified but is now also letting his shoulders sag; Namjoon just nods, accepting his boss’s decision, though he does spare a sympathetic glance for Tae.
Hwan: Excellent, I knew you would see reason!
Nyeo: But I’m keeping my operations here open, Namjoon will keep track of the books and Taehyung is already practically the manager of the bar.
Hwan's considering pause gives Nyeo time to ponder the reactions of his friends. Tae is obviously happy, the fact that the kid doesn’t like Korea is not news, however, the utterly giddy look he shares with Namjoon is.
Hwan: Very well, I suppose that is for the best, you showing up back home from your trip with nothing to show for it would hardly be beneficial for your image. Well, I shall see you on Tuesday. And Nyeo-
Nyeo: Yes, saehyun-nim?
His father’s message is delayed by a chuckle, calling him master was something Nyeo started to do as a form of protest when he was 9.
Hwan: Make your last match a good show, I’ll be watching.
Click
The room is dead silent for far too fucking long.
Hoseok: So we’re going to Korea?
Nyeo: Yeah, we’re going to Korea. I need to make an appearance to keep my prestige up.
Nyeo sighs, bored at the idea already.
Nyeo: At least I get one match before I have to go, so I’ll get to stomp whatever jobber they throw at me after losing my title shot.
Namjoon: You don’t exactly sound ecstatic about the idea.
No shit, Namjoon.
Nyeo: No shit, Namjoon.
Tae suddenly looks up, a glint in his eye.
Taehyung: So who DO you want to fight?
Nyeo: Jubei Matsuda…
Nyeo replies slowly, questioning the motive for this line of questioning.
Hoseok: Not Trent or Road Dawg?
Nyeo: No, I lost that match while I was still sulking over my loss to Jubei. But I lost to The Master at full strength, so I want another shot.
Taehyung nods and stretches out his hand.
Taehyung: Give me your phone while I go out to check on my bar.
Nyeo frowns, not used to either assertiveness or confidence from Tae, but he trusts the kid, so he hands his phone over.
Nyeo: Code is 8251, don’t fuck me over.
Tae simply smiles and winks.
Taehyung: I’d never, just repaying you for this bar.
Nyeo: You could just repay me by running it well.
As he speaks Tae has already started to turn around, it’s disrespectful as all hell and Nyeo should probably not tolerate it. He does, for now.
Taehyung: Yeah, but this is much more fun.
He exits the back room, already tapping away at the phone.
Nyeo turns to the two remaining men.
Nyeo: Did I just make a mistake?
Hoseok: Probably
Namjoon: No
The answers come simultaneously and both men look at each other as if they can’t believe the others answer. Nyeo shakes his head and turns to the matter at hand.
Nyeo: Namjoon, while I’m gone I want you to keep a low profile and provide a steady supply of money to Tae.
Namjoon: You’re making the NeuroDancer the jewel of your American empire, hyung?
Hoseok looks like he wanted to ask the same question, but in a slightly less excited tone.
Nyeo: Every regular in this place knows my name, and it’s becoming my brand. I know Taehyung has been going here a lot, so I’m sure the kid has ideas for how to make the place even more attractive to the people we want here.
Namjoon: So I can tell him he has free hands to run it as he likes?
Nyeo: Pretty much, yeah; that ought to make him happy, right?
Namjoon flashes a boxy grin back at Nyeo.
Namjoon: Oh you’ve got no idea.
Nyeo raises an eyebrow slightly but decides not to question it, instead turning to Hoseok.
Nyeo: I know that you are happy that I am going back to Korea, don’t try to deny it.
Hoseok shrugs with a sheepish smile.
Hoseok: I wasn’t intending to, you know my opinions already.
Nyeo: I do, that’s why you’re the one coming with me, I need you to keep me from acting too outside the norms while there, to strike a chord from your lyre if my voice rises.
Namjoon cringes at the phrase, Hoseok mostly looks confused.
Namjoon: First Yi Il and now Gaius Gracchus? Hyung, you really need to stop comparing yourself to historical figures who suffered an untimely death.
Nyeo: Shut it Namjoon, or you’ll suffer one too.
Nyeo sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose, displeased at having been sidetracked.
Hoseok: I understand, Nyeo-hyung. I am the token traditionalist in this gang, so I need to make sure you keep the appearance of the traditional heir up.
Nyeo smiles and nods.
Nyeo: Precisely. Plus you beat Namjoon in your last knife fight and I can’t bring someone along if I have to worry about them dying at a dinner party because they GRABBED THE WRONG ARM!
Namjoon scowls as the other two men laugh.
Namjoon: That was almost 2 years ago, when are you going to stop bringing it up?
Hoseok: Probably when you agree to fight me again without embarrassing yourself.
Nyeo: Though you’ll have to use a wooden knife, Hoseok. I don’t trust Namjoon not to impale himself on it otherwise.
The laughter resumes despite Namjoons protests until the door opens again to the sound of two voices.
??: I really don’t think I should be here…
Taehyung: I’m the manager now, I decide who gets to be back here.
Nyeo frowns, recognizing the first voice as…
Nyeo: You’re…
Tae: Jenny, our head bartender, yeah.
Nyeo frowns at being cut off.
Nyeo: And I welcome her into this space with open arms, but I am confused as to why she is here during a meeting.
Jenny: I-i should probably go?
Taehyung: No. Stay.
Tae turns to Nyeo, and Nyeo is surprised to see anger on the younger mans face.
Taehyung: A customer decided to harass and assault her.
Jenny: H-he just grabbed my arm-
Jenny tries to deflect, but is cut off by the icy voice of Hoseoks reply.
Hoseok: Where is this piece of low-grade filth?
Taehyung: With security.
With a snap of Nyeos fingers, Hoseok is on his feet and walking to the door, face a neutral mask.
Nyeo: Who is staffing the bar?
Jenny: Well, it’s really only Greg out there now, and he’s a bit new so-
With another snap, Namjoon is up, cracking his neck and putting on a friendly, if strained, face.
Nyeo: Have a seat.
Jenny slowly makes her way into an armchair, still clearly scared and overwhelmed.
Jenny: I’m okay, just a bit overwhelmed is all…
Duh.
Nyeo: It’s understandable, you obviously can take as much time off as you need.
Jenny: Oh no I don’t need that, the money from this job is-
Nyeo holds up a hand, Jenny clearly misunderstood.
Nyeo: Your pay will be unchanged.
Jenny: Oh… okay.
She sighs.
Jenny: He was pretty scary...
Nyeo: He?
Jenny: yeah, Robert. He’s kind of a regular, but he never really fit in, way too old, never danced…
Nyeo: He’s been a problem before?
Jenny: Not really, he’s always seemed sleazy and bragged about his fancy job. Maybe tried a bit too hard to pick up some chicks, taken the hint a minute or two too late.
She catches herself, that terrifying look returning.
Jenny: He’s… He’s not going to die, is he?
Nyeo chuckles as he fixes his hair.
Nyeo: Please, even I couldn’t get away with that. Hoseok will simply tell him that he’s not welcome here anymore.
Jenny: Oh...
She pauses for a moment, seeming to need an answer about something but not wanting to ask.
Nyeo: Oh spit it out.
Jenny: Is your friend really qualified to tend bar?
Nyeo and Taehyung both pause for a long moment before bursting out laughing.
Jenny: It’s not a laughing matter, you can’t just put your friend behind the bar.
Nyeo: Don’t worry, Namjoon has been mixing drinks since he was 13.
Jenny: oh… OH.
Nyeo: Yeah… fun childhood.
The mood just took a fucking nose dive.
Nyeo: I’m taking a trip back to Korea this Tuesday, by the way.
Jenny: ...for how long?
Nyeo: I’m not sure, we’ll see.
Jenny: What about the bar?
Nyeo: Don’t worry, Taehyung and Namjoon are staying here, you don’t have to worry.
Jenny: Well, that’ll be okay. Just a shame we won’t get the parties anymore.
The room gets very silent, Taehyung looks down as he blushes.
Nyeo: ...Parties?
Jenny: You don’t know about the Nyeo-parties?
And silence reigns again until Taehyung is forced to explain.
Taehyung: Ever since business boomed after your first match, I’ve sorta organized unofficial parties right after every match you’ve been in.
Jenny: Yeah, Alpha Showdown was our best night ever, we charged double at the doors and still had to turn people away.
Nyeo: After Alpha Showdown? When I lost?
Taehyung: Hyung, the people don’t care if you win or lose, they just want you to be yourself and be on TV.
His smile returns and he fishes Nyeos phone out of his pocket, and tosses it to him.
Taehyung: Check your twitter.
Nyeo does just that, and his face lights up in the most confused of smiles.
Nyeo: You shittalked Jubei into giving me a match?!
Taehyung: It’s not my best work, I was kinda interrupted by Robert being a fucking creep, and the only stipulation I knew about was steel cage.
Nyeos eyes widen as he scrolls down and sees the full tweet chain.
Nyeo: You even type like me, honestly Tae; you’re terrifying.
Tae smiles shyly and kicks at the floor.
Taehyung: Thanks.
Jenny: You’re fighting Jubei again?
Nyeo gives her a wry grin.
Nyeo: I guess I am, yeah.
Jenny: You do realize that he beat you last time?
Taehyung: He knows, hyung has been moping about it for the last month.
Nyeo: Tae, I know I absolutely love you right now, but I won’t hesitate you beat your ass if you ever say I’ve been “moping” again.
Taehyung nods, still smiling, but also realizing that it’s probably not a joke.
Taehyung: Yes, hyung.
Jenny: I’m still not sure why you’re so happy that you get to fight him again.
Taehyung: Hyung has always had an odd kind of honor, he’s never as excited that when he gets a 2nd chance.
Nyeo: THAT’S… okay yeah, that’s true, but you really should stop being so fucking accurate when talking about me. Plus how could I not be looking forward to this, the man is the top of the mountain, the champion, the master, and I get a shot to make him bleed.
Nyeo clenches and unclenches his fist as he talks, enjoying the look of his torn nail polish now.
Nyeo: While he amasses his little army, recruiting henchmen and fortifying, I’ve earned a chance at him, cut off from all help, a chance to show everyone who I am.
Jenny: Yeah, but he’ll still be champion…
Taehyung tenses up slightly, but Nyeo only smiles back.
Nyeo: Sure he will, a paper champion, left lying in the ring after a defeat, his opponent long since flown away where he can’t be reached, and the sharks will come, everyone he beat on his rise to the top: Trent Page; Braxton Locus; hell, even the Canadian Coalition. All of them will know that being beaten by Jubei once doesn’t mean that he will beat them again, and they’ll circle, tearing away at his empire as he tries to keep it alive. Finally he will be unable to keep his grasp on the title and someone younger, someone hungrier will take it from him. It might be me, but I almost doubt it, I don’t think he’ll survive long enough for me to return, but that’s fine.
Nyeo places his hands behind his head, gazing up at the ceiling.
Nyeo: Yeah that’s fine, I’m not even sure I want to be champion. The job sounds stressful, constantly having to look over your shoulder for who is trying to dethrone you. No, I like being where I am, being able to pick and choose my target and time to strike. The reward won’t be the championship, the reward will be watching his slow descent from the top to below me, hopefully knowing that I was the cause, but also knowing that revenge against me won’t get him back his title. The ultimate reward will be knowing that even the bittersweet memory of his time as champion will be turned to ash in his mouth.
Nyeo turns his gaze back towards the two people in the room with him, both looking decidedly smaller than they did before he started speaking.
Nyeo: Jenny, you should go home, call a friend and hang out.
Jenny: y-yeah okay sure.
She quickly rises from the chair, gives an awkward hug to the still sitting Taehyung and half-runs out of the room.
Nyeo: Tae, could you text the DJ to get him to play my music, I want to give the guests a show.
Taehyung smiles and nods, quickly pulling out his phone and obliging.
Nyeo stands up and pulls his own phone out.
Taehyung: You weren’t talking about Jubei, were you?
Taehyung speaks without looking up, so Nyeo does the same.
Nyeo: You’re far too clever, Maknae; but yes, I was. I just wasn’t only talking about him.
Taehyung puts his phone away in silence, as Nyeo finishes up his tweet, it will probably confuse Jubei as the last thing he thinks Nyeo sent was an insult, but Nyeo feels the man deserves a thank you.
Nyeo: Alright then, one last night to paint the town red.
And he walks out into his kingdom.
Nyeo: -will not be on it.
The curt reply leaves the connection silent for a terrifyingly long time. Nyeo is trying not to let his father's intimidation tactic get to him, partly to maintain some semblance of power in the conversation, and also because his friends are taking care of the whole “being panicked” thing.
The backroom of the NeuroDancer nightclub was definitely not the best place to have this phone call, but that didn’t stop his Son Hwan, legendary crime lord, from calling and spoiling the damn mood. Three pairs of eyes were fixed on Nyeos face as he waited for a threatening rejoinder, hopefully not noticing how he was tearing off the nail polish on his thumb with the nail on his pinky. It was an unflattering tic, and one of the reasons he usually avoided nail polish in favor of gloves.
Hwan: Adeunim, I have been patient with you, your little American adventure has cost me over a million dollars-
Nyeo: -and made you twice that in return.
Hwan: The money made from your *degenerate* bar does nothing to pay for having the world see my son parade on stage like a circus freak and get his ass beat by an aged and failed businessman!
Okay, that was loud, fuck. Everyone definitely heard that, Taehyung looks like he’s about to piss himself, but so does everyone else, including Nyeo, just slightly less obviously. It’s Nyeo’s turn to be silent, hoping it isn’t obvious that the only replies he can think of sounds like a kid yelling at his dad.
...well, to be honest, it would be a kid yelling at his dad, but you all know what I mean.
Hwan: I am giving you another match, you should be grateful, after that I want you back in Korea to show the rest of the high table that you are still a worthy successor, something they have been starting to doubt with you playing startup.
Nyeo: So it’s back to aunt Chae-won’s dinner parties?
Hwan: I don’t see why you’re complaining, they’re just a classier version of what you’re doing now.
God damn it, it would be much easier to hate his father if he didn’t make Nyeo laugh. Sung Chae-won hosted a monthly get-together for the Korean underworld, which started with a masquerade ball and ended with knife fights fought until first blood.
Hwan: Plus you’re actually halfway decent at not making a fool of yourself at her dinner parties.
That was obviously not to say it was all that HARD to hate Son Hwan, just that it would have been even easier without the jokes.
Nyeo: I appreciate the loving support, abeonim.
Hwan sighs dejectedly, dropping the last of the authority in his voice, almost sounding like a person for once.
Hwan: Look, Nyeo; I just want to make sure no one here tries to take you out when I’m gone. You’re smart, a capable fighter and you surround yourself with loyal men, but that won’t be enough if no one respects you. Your whole idea to go to America and build a personality cult of faggots and lowlifes...
Nyeo closes his eyes and exhales slowly, keeping all his sharp retorts inside, where they belong. His father was trying to be supportive.
Hwan: ...it’s worked! There’s no denying that you’re expanding in America faster than any Syndicate has ever managed to. The problem is that without you here it’s me that has to convey that fact, and I fucking hate that you’re even pretending to be like them, so I can’t… express myself...
Wow, that’s a lot to unpack, a thousand potential replies float around inside Nyeos head, most of them would probably lead to him being dead or in hiding within a week. He decides to pick a safer option.
Nyeo: Tuesday, I’ll be on the plane.
The reactions in the room are honestly embarrassingly obvious, Hoseok gives a smile he probably thinks looks consoling but which only looks pleased; Taehyung still looks terrified but is now also letting his shoulders sag; Namjoon just nods, accepting his boss’s decision, though he does spare a sympathetic glance for Tae.
Hwan: Excellent, I knew you would see reason!
Nyeo: But I’m keeping my operations here open, Namjoon will keep track of the books and Taehyung is already practically the manager of the bar.
Hwan's considering pause gives Nyeo time to ponder the reactions of his friends. Tae is obviously happy, the fact that the kid doesn’t like Korea is not news, however, the utterly giddy look he shares with Namjoon is.
Hwan: Very well, I suppose that is for the best, you showing up back home from your trip with nothing to show for it would hardly be beneficial for your image. Well, I shall see you on Tuesday. And Nyeo-
Nyeo: Yes, saehyun-nim?
His father’s message is delayed by a chuckle, calling him master was something Nyeo started to do as a form of protest when he was 9.
Hwan: Make your last match a good show, I’ll be watching.
Click
The room is dead silent for far too fucking long.
Hoseok: So we’re going to Korea?
Nyeo: Yeah, we’re going to Korea. I need to make an appearance to keep my prestige up.
Nyeo sighs, bored at the idea already.
Nyeo: At least I get one match before I have to go, so I’ll get to stomp whatever jobber they throw at me after losing my title shot.
Namjoon: You don’t exactly sound ecstatic about the idea.
No shit, Namjoon.
Nyeo: No shit, Namjoon.
Tae suddenly looks up, a glint in his eye.
Taehyung: So who DO you want to fight?
Nyeo: Jubei Matsuda…
Nyeo replies slowly, questioning the motive for this line of questioning.
Hoseok: Not Trent or Road Dawg?
Nyeo: No, I lost that match while I was still sulking over my loss to Jubei. But I lost to The Master at full strength, so I want another shot.
Taehyung nods and stretches out his hand.
Taehyung: Give me your phone while I go out to check on my bar.
Nyeo frowns, not used to either assertiveness or confidence from Tae, but he trusts the kid, so he hands his phone over.
Nyeo: Code is 8251, don’t fuck me over.
Tae simply smiles and winks.
Taehyung: I’d never, just repaying you for this bar.
Nyeo: You could just repay me by running it well.
As he speaks Tae has already started to turn around, it’s disrespectful as all hell and Nyeo should probably not tolerate it. He does, for now.
Taehyung: Yeah, but this is much more fun.
He exits the back room, already tapping away at the phone.
Nyeo turns to the two remaining men.
Nyeo: Did I just make a mistake?
Hoseok: Probably
Namjoon: No
The answers come simultaneously and both men look at each other as if they can’t believe the others answer. Nyeo shakes his head and turns to the matter at hand.
Nyeo: Namjoon, while I’m gone I want you to keep a low profile and provide a steady supply of money to Tae.
Namjoon: You’re making the NeuroDancer the jewel of your American empire, hyung?
Hoseok looks like he wanted to ask the same question, but in a slightly less excited tone.
Nyeo: Every regular in this place knows my name, and it’s becoming my brand. I know Taehyung has been going here a lot, so I’m sure the kid has ideas for how to make the place even more attractive to the people we want here.
Namjoon: So I can tell him he has free hands to run it as he likes?
Nyeo: Pretty much, yeah; that ought to make him happy, right?
Namjoon flashes a boxy grin back at Nyeo.
Namjoon: Oh you’ve got no idea.
Nyeo raises an eyebrow slightly but decides not to question it, instead turning to Hoseok.
Nyeo: I know that you are happy that I am going back to Korea, don’t try to deny it.
Hoseok shrugs with a sheepish smile.
Hoseok: I wasn’t intending to, you know my opinions already.
Nyeo: I do, that’s why you’re the one coming with me, I need you to keep me from acting too outside the norms while there, to strike a chord from your lyre if my voice rises.
Namjoon cringes at the phrase, Hoseok mostly looks confused.
Namjoon: First Yi Il and now Gaius Gracchus? Hyung, you really need to stop comparing yourself to historical figures who suffered an untimely death.
Nyeo: Shut it Namjoon, or you’ll suffer one too.
Nyeo sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose, displeased at having been sidetracked.
Hoseok: I understand, Nyeo-hyung. I am the token traditionalist in this gang, so I need to make sure you keep the appearance of the traditional heir up.
Nyeo smiles and nods.
Nyeo: Precisely. Plus you beat Namjoon in your last knife fight and I can’t bring someone along if I have to worry about them dying at a dinner party because they GRABBED THE WRONG ARM!
Namjoon scowls as the other two men laugh.
Namjoon: That was almost 2 years ago, when are you going to stop bringing it up?
Hoseok: Probably when you agree to fight me again without embarrassing yourself.
Nyeo: Though you’ll have to use a wooden knife, Hoseok. I don’t trust Namjoon not to impale himself on it otherwise.
The laughter resumes despite Namjoons protests until the door opens again to the sound of two voices.
??: I really don’t think I should be here…
Taehyung: I’m the manager now, I decide who gets to be back here.
Nyeo frowns, recognizing the first voice as…
Nyeo: You’re…
Tae: Jenny, our head bartender, yeah.
Nyeo frowns at being cut off.
Nyeo: And I welcome her into this space with open arms, but I am confused as to why she is here during a meeting.
Jenny: I-i should probably go?
Taehyung: No. Stay.
Tae turns to Nyeo, and Nyeo is surprised to see anger on the younger mans face.
Taehyung: A customer decided to harass and assault her.
Jenny: H-he just grabbed my arm-
Jenny tries to deflect, but is cut off by the icy voice of Hoseoks reply.
Hoseok: Where is this piece of low-grade filth?
Taehyung: With security.
With a snap of Nyeos fingers, Hoseok is on his feet and walking to the door, face a neutral mask.
Nyeo: Who is staffing the bar?
Jenny: Well, it’s really only Greg out there now, and he’s a bit new so-
With another snap, Namjoon is up, cracking his neck and putting on a friendly, if strained, face.
Nyeo: Have a seat.
Jenny slowly makes her way into an armchair, still clearly scared and overwhelmed.
Jenny: I’m okay, just a bit overwhelmed is all…
Duh.
Nyeo: It’s understandable, you obviously can take as much time off as you need.
Jenny: Oh no I don’t need that, the money from this job is-
Nyeo holds up a hand, Jenny clearly misunderstood.
Nyeo: Your pay will be unchanged.
Jenny: Oh… okay.
She sighs.
Jenny: He was pretty scary...
Nyeo: He?
Jenny: yeah, Robert. He’s kind of a regular, but he never really fit in, way too old, never danced…
Nyeo: He’s been a problem before?
Jenny: Not really, he’s always seemed sleazy and bragged about his fancy job. Maybe tried a bit too hard to pick up some chicks, taken the hint a minute or two too late.
She catches herself, that terrifying look returning.
Jenny: He’s… He’s not going to die, is he?
Nyeo chuckles as he fixes his hair.
Nyeo: Please, even I couldn’t get away with that. Hoseok will simply tell him that he’s not welcome here anymore.
Jenny: Oh...
She pauses for a moment, seeming to need an answer about something but not wanting to ask.
Nyeo: Oh spit it out.
Jenny: Is your friend really qualified to tend bar?
Nyeo and Taehyung both pause for a long moment before bursting out laughing.
Jenny: It’s not a laughing matter, you can’t just put your friend behind the bar.
Nyeo: Don’t worry, Namjoon has been mixing drinks since he was 13.
Jenny: oh… OH.
Nyeo: Yeah… fun childhood.
The mood just took a fucking nose dive.
Nyeo: I’m taking a trip back to Korea this Tuesday, by the way.
Jenny: ...for how long?
Nyeo: I’m not sure, we’ll see.
Jenny: What about the bar?
Nyeo: Don’t worry, Taehyung and Namjoon are staying here, you don’t have to worry.
Jenny: Well, that’ll be okay. Just a shame we won’t get the parties anymore.
The room gets very silent, Taehyung looks down as he blushes.
Nyeo: ...Parties?
Jenny: You don’t know about the Nyeo-parties?
And silence reigns again until Taehyung is forced to explain.
Taehyung: Ever since business boomed after your first match, I’ve sorta organized unofficial parties right after every match you’ve been in.
Jenny: Yeah, Alpha Showdown was our best night ever, we charged double at the doors and still had to turn people away.
Nyeo: After Alpha Showdown? When I lost?
Taehyung: Hyung, the people don’t care if you win or lose, they just want you to be yourself and be on TV.
His smile returns and he fishes Nyeos phone out of his pocket, and tosses it to him.
Taehyung: Check your twitter.
Nyeo does just that, and his face lights up in the most confused of smiles.
Nyeo: You shittalked Jubei into giving me a match?!
Taehyung: It’s not my best work, I was kinda interrupted by Robert being a fucking creep, and the only stipulation I knew about was steel cage.
Nyeos eyes widen as he scrolls down and sees the full tweet chain.
Nyeo: You even type like me, honestly Tae; you’re terrifying.
Tae smiles shyly and kicks at the floor.
Taehyung: Thanks.
Jenny: You’re fighting Jubei again?
Nyeo gives her a wry grin.
Nyeo: I guess I am, yeah.
Jenny: You do realize that he beat you last time?
Taehyung: He knows, hyung has been moping about it for the last month.
Nyeo: Tae, I know I absolutely love you right now, but I won’t hesitate you beat your ass if you ever say I’ve been “moping” again.
Taehyung nods, still smiling, but also realizing that it’s probably not a joke.
Taehyung: Yes, hyung.
Jenny: I’m still not sure why you’re so happy that you get to fight him again.
Taehyung: Hyung has always had an odd kind of honor, he’s never as excited that when he gets a 2nd chance.
Nyeo: THAT’S… okay yeah, that’s true, but you really should stop being so fucking accurate when talking about me. Plus how could I not be looking forward to this, the man is the top of the mountain, the champion, the master, and I get a shot to make him bleed.
Nyeo clenches and unclenches his fist as he talks, enjoying the look of his torn nail polish now.
Nyeo: While he amasses his little army, recruiting henchmen and fortifying, I’ve earned a chance at him, cut off from all help, a chance to show everyone who I am.
Jenny: Yeah, but he’ll still be champion…
Taehyung tenses up slightly, but Nyeo only smiles back.
Nyeo: Sure he will, a paper champion, left lying in the ring after a defeat, his opponent long since flown away where he can’t be reached, and the sharks will come, everyone he beat on his rise to the top: Trent Page; Braxton Locus; hell, even the Canadian Coalition. All of them will know that being beaten by Jubei once doesn’t mean that he will beat them again, and they’ll circle, tearing away at his empire as he tries to keep it alive. Finally he will be unable to keep his grasp on the title and someone younger, someone hungrier will take it from him. It might be me, but I almost doubt it, I don’t think he’ll survive long enough for me to return, but that’s fine.
Nyeo places his hands behind his head, gazing up at the ceiling.
Nyeo: Yeah that’s fine, I’m not even sure I want to be champion. The job sounds stressful, constantly having to look over your shoulder for who is trying to dethrone you. No, I like being where I am, being able to pick and choose my target and time to strike. The reward won’t be the championship, the reward will be watching his slow descent from the top to below me, hopefully knowing that I was the cause, but also knowing that revenge against me won’t get him back his title. The ultimate reward will be knowing that even the bittersweet memory of his time as champion will be turned to ash in his mouth.
Nyeo turns his gaze back towards the two people in the room with him, both looking decidedly smaller than they did before he started speaking.
Nyeo: Jenny, you should go home, call a friend and hang out.
Jenny: y-yeah okay sure.
She quickly rises from the chair, gives an awkward hug to the still sitting Taehyung and half-runs out of the room.
Nyeo: Tae, could you text the DJ to get him to play my music, I want to give the guests a show.
Taehyung smiles and nods, quickly pulling out his phone and obliging.
Nyeo stands up and pulls his own phone out.
Taehyung: You weren’t talking about Jubei, were you?
Taehyung speaks without looking up, so Nyeo does the same.
Nyeo: You’re far too clever, Maknae; but yes, I was. I just wasn’t only talking about him.
Taehyung puts his phone away in silence, as Nyeo finishes up his tweet, it will probably confuse Jubei as the last thing he thinks Nyeo sent was an insult, but Nyeo feels the man deserves a thank you.
Nyeo: Alright then, one last night to paint the town red.
And he walks out into his kingdom.
