[PROMPT] Booze & Booty

Tomoki will do many things to get a social life and for writing purposes. If it means some more uncomfortable situations then so be it. It’s how he finds himself in The Rabbit Hole, this time, not to learn how to make drinks but to serve others instead. It’s good socialization for someone like him. 

Or that’s the excuse he’s sticking with. 

What he wasn’t in for was wearing whatever Hops wears because he’s– it’s not something he usually wears. It’s a case where he feels everything around him. The air is honestly the cherry on top. Tomoki’s simply not used to having his arms out like this, much less taking orders from people. 

“You’ll get used to it!” Hops tells him in a way that sounds distinctly like a lie to someone like him. 

“Promising,” he deadpans in reply. “I’m getting drinks after this is over.” 

That gets a laugh from Hops that rings out even in the busy bar. 

Tomoki doesn’t like to talk to others, much less dressed like this but it’s fine. He can swallow his words, keep his head down as he takes orders even if part of him swears he’s going to snap his ankle if he takes one wrong step. 

There’s a reason that he prefers to wear flat shoes but beggars can’t be choosers even though Tomoki distinctly chose to do this tonight. 

“Table seven wants a Bourbun–” Hops calls out to him with her voice cutting through the other voices. “Do you mind?” 

“I’ll swing around to it,” he replies easily. “Look, I’ll probably insult someone if I do take orders.” 

“Fair point. You’ll be fine though.”

“Look, Hops, I’ll try my best.”  

Tomoki’s insulted plenty of others over a ridiculous amount of time. This can’t be much different even if he can serve a nice drink behind the counter. One of them is more calming than the other once he understood what was in each drink. 

There’s a process to all of them and it’s enough for him to turn off his mind for a little bit. 

That’s all fine and good as Tomoki supposes until he spots Dan in the crowd. It’s one of those moments where he doesn’t want to deal with this at all or prays that he’s not worth any sort of attention whatsoever. 

Then the question tugs at him: what is Dan doing away from his confectionary store? And here Tomoki thought that he never left that place just like how he also never left his apartment much until he decided that he needed to get a life outside of writing. 

Then just as he’s thinking that exact thought– 

Dan spots him. Every expression is unreadable on his face and Tomoki curses himself internally for dragging himself into this. Hops needed the help and that’s his excuse thank you very much. To admit to anything else means that he’s being far too honest about it all. And Tomoki’s not above lying if it means that he can save some face.

(Though really, he doubts if he has any to begin with. Buns don’t tend to worry about that sort of stuff. Unfortunately he’s an overthinker–)

And that’s when Dan is in front of him. 

“I thought you would never leave your store,” is the first thing that comes out of his mouth. Tomoki immediately regrets it and supposes it’s why he stuck to the script before this point.  

Dan scoffs instead. “And I could be asking what you’re doing as you work here, considering how you’re a writer.” 

“Practical experience,” he explains. Somehow he expects it to explain everything and anything. At this point, it might as well explain the hijinks that he’s put himself in. 

The other bun simply nods sagely as if it makes any sort of sense. 

“Anyways,” he coughs, sheepish. “What could I get for you?” 

A beat. Hops is back by the counter again, this time taking a look in between each of them. Maybe she thinks that there’s no way that he would know other buns. 

That turns out to be the right conclusion. 

“You two know each other?” she prompts, not quite sheepish with all of the drinks balancing in her tray. “I thought neither of you ever leave your respective bunny holes–” 

“I’m trying to get better,” Tomoki swears. “It’s why I came out to help you serve the others! You could call it a learning experience. Anyways– Dan, your order?” 

Dan pauses and doesn’t reply to him immediately. 

When he does, it’s for the very drink that Hops taught him. A drabsinthe to help relax. 

“Good taste,” he remarks as he starts mixing the drinks. Thankfully he likes to think that he has them all fully memorized.  

Hops snorts. “You say that to anyone who buys a drink from your counter.” 

“It’s better than pissing someone off.” 

“Anything’s better than that.” 

He doesn’t want to be in debt anytime soon. There are many things that writers like him will go through but debt is one thing that Tomoki is certain that he can’t pay off. 

Then after a bit, Tomoki slides Dan's drink over to him. The rations should make sense and hopefully it’s not that sweet. 

“Maybe I should mix you a drink, Hops,” he jokes. “Since my drinks seem decently drinkable for once.” 

She looks at him funny. “Only if you invite me over to your place.” 

Tomoki nods, readjusting his bow a bit. “Bet.”