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Lay shook his head. He wasn’t around back then, not there. He had done the same work elsewhere and other side jobs but never had the chance. He wasn’t even much the same as before. He struggled back then, with his unlife with nary a shred of stability. “No.” He said flatly. He had done what he had to. He didn’t want to revive those memories. Someday he might have to face them even if just for some peace with himself.

Lay stood straight and stretched his arms up high after leaning there for some time. Leaving the back of the bar to come and take a seat by Duke. “I did however work at other bars. I wasn’t very good before. I messed up a bunch and had to do a lot to make up for it.” He nudged his company lightly. “What about you? You been here before or elsewhere?”

The air felt lighter as Lay chuckled at Duke's compliments. He wondered if he was always like this. At first he thought he would be more rough around the edges. No longer sure why this was as their impromptu hang out continued. "You're sweet. I honestly used to hate it but somehow it grew on me. Maybe it was the environment."

Facing him his expression suddenly daring as he leaned toward Duke looking up at him. "Now..." a lilt in his voice and a smirk on his lips. "I think you should show me what you can do."

Despite him knowing full well all the possible answers he could of received he was still taken aback when Duke leaned close in return, arm slipping around him. Gasping slightly at the close proximity. His heart would be racing if it beat.

His lips were parted, meaning to speak but no words came out. His eyes flicking from Duke's eyes to his grin and those lips. The moment felt like an eternity as he examined every detail of the very close, so very close and very attractive bartender.

"I..." Lay was flustered, used to being on the opposite end was trying to gain enough mind to say something. Get a grip Lay what has gotten into you? he chided himself. "Duke" it came out breathy. He had meant his skills as a bartender even though maybe it was just to watch him move those arms. One, as he was very aware, around him. He was a sight and he wanted to see more. But what did he really want now? Audaciously he brought his face closer pausing for barely a second before just passing his cheek to whisper in his ear, a hand having had also come to rest on his shoulder. And without giving an answer as to what he teased. "Show me what you got."

He wanted to freeze time, you would think he had never been kissed before for how stunned he was. He didn’t usually leave the ball in another’s court either. He may be a small pretty fellow but he led most of his one nighters along. This wasn’t no one nighter nobody though and it hit differently. The kiss lingered even after Duke slunk away to show off his skills. Lay smiled sheepishly.

He watched Duke silently at a loss for words, smiled a little wider at the smirk and wink his way. Behind his pleased face he did worry, he’d kept a barrier with anyone he worked with to not cause problems. It had happened before and it was not pretty. A workplace romance either was great or a terrible thing. It could also be a fling for all he knew, which would be ok he supposed if so, he wouldn’t let it affect the job. ’You have known him for a minute, stop fretting, just….

He got lost in his own head and watching Duke, he couldn’t pull away. He started when a drink slid up. And he laughed at the second one. “Two really good choices, did I tell you I liked Cosmos?” He didn't remember saying so, but he wasn’t sure anymore, it was trivial and not at all important after that kiss.

He hummed with pleasure after trying it. “Maybe you can help me make new fun drinks for the place with me. I have been testing some out but nothing has stuck.” His idle chatter covered his true wants. He glanced at the other drink more than once wondering if it meant something. Maybe it was just the mood and how he already drank more tonight than normal.

The tension was thick. So, he felt anyway, he was treading the unknown with this one. Exhilarating and frightening. Where did he stop? He wondered. The same thoughts popped up, the what ifs, the possibly problems that could ensue, or maybe there wouldn’t be any problems. He started to think he should end it soon and head out. He knew he’d see him a lot so there was time, plenty of time. He wasn’t sure he really wanted to take

Setting the Cosmo down and picking up the Sex on the Beach he tilted his head down to not spill the full glass, but he found that he looked up and stared right at him as he tasted and let the flavors mingle in his mouth as he set it back down. ‘’Hm. Yeah, I like that too.” He licked the sweetness off his lips.

“Mr. Abs, come here.” He wagged his finger to coax him closer over the counter, a sly grin played on his face.

His smile widened  at the question as he lifted off his seat to reach. He was still a little short despite the boots. He grabbed the back of Duke's neck to pull him closer paying back the kiss from earlier, an earnest kiss on the cusp of being eager. Throwing any lingering caution to the wind. He was enthralled with the fellow bartender in so many ways.

Knowing nearly nothing about him didn't matter in the moment. He released him and broke away but stayed within reach. "Hmm what now indeed." He purred. He'd let Duke decide. He still had a ways to go if he was heading out. Either way he'd see him sooner than later.

Lay gave Duke a quick last peck before letting go and hopping off the seat. He was buzzing happily, he contained it as best he could. But he was beaming. "Oh yeah, what's left to clean up?" He had been headed out when he spotted the last table that was the start of this venture. If it had been not near the exit he probably wouldn't have noticed and none of this would have happened. At least yet.

He mentally thanked the messy table and him being clumsy for once. He took a gander around not seeing anything he'd worry about himself right now. He would be back and do so then. He was not as thorough, unless he was off the next evening. Duke seemed to be the opposite taking care of it there and then, based on his demo. "If there's nothing pressing I'd love the company. It's a bit of a way though." It did feel like a unofficial date of sorts. When was the last date he'd been on? Besides between friends, it was too long to remember. Definitely been too long that he felt anything like this.