Chapter Text
Chapter 1: The Guy Everyone Warned You About
What the fvck are you doing, Justin De Dios??
He hissed, chastising himself for his momentary lapse in judgment as soon as he stepped foot in the neon-lit area.
In hindsight, Justin knew that going to his first gay bar alone is a potentially bad idea. It was something only idiots would come up with and actually follow through. It was such a great idea a couple of hours ago though.
He should really learn not to get Ken rile him into doing something out of the ordinary, but listening to the fried chicken-obsessed boy wax poetic about how requited love is supposedly the best feeling in the world (never mind the fact that they are both single right now) paired with the little jabs about how Justin’s so cautious with relationships that he's going to stay sadly NBSB for life without seeing anyone's dick aside from his own (Ken’s words, not Justin’s) just made him say fuck it, I'm going to go see somebody else's dick.
He had even called Ken Suson when he prepared himself for his first night out. Alone. In Taguig.
Had I already mentioned alone? Because yeah, that's a big thing.
"What? Have you seriously gone mad?" Ken had been nothing short of yelling into the phone receiver. "You don't even go out with your snob conyo friends except when working on a group project, and even then, you go home straight away before anyone could even think about drinking!"
"Hmm." Justin had hummed in response (smugly) as he tried to fit himself to a pair of skin-tight black jeans, the ones that his friends have unanimously declared did wonders to his ass and accentuated his legs. It was pure madness trying to wear the pair, more so to peel it off of him. It was sexy and a brilliant precaution to unwanted sex at the same time because it would definitely push Justin to decide if somebody is good enough to shimmy out of the godforsaken jeans for.
"Oi, Jah!" Ken had roared on the other end. "Where will you be going? I'm going with you!"
Justin had rolled his eyes at that, Ken being overprotective of him ever since he admitted to being gay by the end of their second year in high school was nothing new. "You're in Zamboanga, you idiot. I doubt it if there still are flights to Manila at this hour."
Ken had huffed. "Can you reschedule your night out, please? I can take the red-eye flight out."
"Are you telling me you're seriously cutting your vacation short just to chaperone me?" Justin had chuckled. "You're crazy."
"Yeah, maybe I am."
"I'll be fine."
"Can you at least have our other friends with you? Please?"
"They're busy. I'll be fine, Ken, I promise."
He had sounded confident then, but now that the sheer stupidity of his plan had finally dawned on him, he couldn't help but want to turn tail and leave. Maybe just come back with Ken next time.
Justin bit his lower lip, weighing his options. One, he does not know BGC well in particular, having spent most of his years just going around from his family home in Malabon to his uni in Taft where he’s currently a third year Film student at CSB. Two, he does not have enough money for a cab and he’s pretty sure all the last trains have gone. Three, he can always call diko if he finds himself in trouble, but at a hefty price. His brother wouldn't be Julian De Dios if he wasn't fiercely protective of his adorable Bujah.
Well, you're here now, aren't you? His brain even sounded so done with his spontaneously stupid idea. Let's just get it over with. Maybe you can even find someone good enough to kiss, you late bloomer.
His legs finally led him to a grey block of a building, looking like the entire establishment was hewn out of a giant slab of stone. It didn’t bear any name to identify it whatsoever and he could really be walking straight into a yakuza den, but he found out that he did not particularly care. It wasn't covered in neon lights, wasn't loud, wasn't tacky and there was a considerably shorter queue of men wanting to be let in as compared to the other clubs he passed, and he had never wanted to do anything in that particular moment but to get inside and see the interior for himself. This now leads to concern number four:
How do I get in?
His brown orbs observe the short queue already forming by the bar’s entrance. The bar must’ve had a dress code in place, since every guy in line were all dressed-up rather tastefully instead of looking as if they just left work and went clubbing immediately after. They didn’t seem to be stopped and asked for an ID and since he wasn’t dressed shabbily himself, Justin decided to fall in line and wing it. With his height and his hardworking pure boy™ personality, he was sure to be granted access.
He has never been wrong in his entire life.
The bouncer, a good-looking guy with wide shoulders and the sexiest chiseled jaw took one long look at him and asked:
“May I know who you’re with?”
“What?” Justin asked back in his haughtiest voice, one he only uses when his classmates come up to him obviously to borrow his notes. The gears in his mind started whirring as he thought of a plausible answer to get in. Damn it, I may just have to come clean and tell shoulder-guy that I’m stupidly following my stupid gut that tells me I should be inside.
“Hey there you are!” Slender arms suddenly snake his waist, and he would’ve jumped away in surprise if not for said arms anchoring him in place that he has no choice but to stay. Unknown guy turned to shoulder-guy. “He’s with me, Stell.”
Shoulder-guy (Stell, Justin made sure to remember the guy’s name, just in case) looked at him like he was appraising a product for auction before grinning knowingly and letting them through. “You sure know your pretty boys, Pablo.”
Unknown guy –Pablo– gave a little sultry laugh as they passed by the bouncer. “Don’t I ever?”
Once down the short hallway that leads to the dance floor, the guy named Pablo removed his arm from Justin’s waist. “Sorry, I had to do that or Stell wouldn’t let you in. He’s got a really good memory when it comes to our patrons since this bar is quite exclusive.”
Justin faced Pablo and bowed low in gratitude. “Thank you very much, uh—
Would it be okay to just call him Pablo? Doesn’t that sound like a first name? Is that a first name? But there are also surnames like that, right?
“Pablo Nase.” The other guy supplied, chuckling in amusement. He whistled when Justin stood straight and they finally saw what each other looked like. “Damn, I thought your back was hot, but your front is even hotter.”
Justin fought the urge to raise an eyebrow. Does this guy have a mirror at home?
“I’m Justin De Dios.” (Pablo cooed at this and told him he’s got such a pretty name.) “I think Mr. Pablo is the better-looking person between the both of us.”
“Aww, aren’t you the cutest.” Pablo cooed again, draping an affectionate arm around his shoulder and leading him inside. “This is your first time at a gay bar, correct?”
Justin stumbled in his steps. How did he know? Was it obvious? “Uhm, actually, I—
He had always wondered since the onset of puberty why he never seemed to get into all the I must get a cute girlfriend hype almost all of the boys at school did. He chalked it up to being introvert at first, telling himself he didn't have time for love anyway if he wanted to get into CSB and pursue that Film degree he needed to be a movie director in the future.
The confusion came during his second year when all the girls seemed to find him attractive (it's a ridiculous notion, if you ask him) and always asked him out to meet after school in almost all deserted spots all over campus. Teenage Justin hadn't caught up to the idea that he was rejecting all those confessions because he wasn't actually into girls.
When he finally came to accept his preferences, there wasn't any time to explore since he was studying like mad for university entrance exams and boys can wait.
He could feel his cheeks and ears burning and ducked, hiding his face as he mumbled an embarrassed yes.
Pablo smiled at him kindly. “Hey, it’s okay. We own our coming out, an some come out later than others. Some even do not at all. You’re being very brave for doing so.”
He could only blush further and Pablo chuckled at him that is not any different to how Yani does when he dotes on Justin.
“Okay, since you’re basically a baby, you stick with your Kuya Pablo.” Pablo said gleefully and pulled him through the mob of dancing guys expertly until they reached the bar, where another pretty barista greeted Pablo and handed him his apron.
Justin sat in a daze on an empty stool while his brain caught up to the realization that his Kuya Pablo worked in the establishment as a barista. “Welcome to The Suit and Tie, and we are honored you chose us as your first gay bar.”
***
An hour in and Justin could not believe he was actually having fun. In a crowded bar. Socializing. Alone. In fact, he was enjoying so much that he placed his phone on silent just to ignore the barrage of texts from a very concerned Ken Suson demanding that he give updates every now and then.
“Here you go, Justin.” Justin learned that the other barista with the beautiful almond eyes is RJ Cruz, a few years his senior who just graduated from the same university he attends - CSB. He worked part-time on Fridays and well into the weekends with Pablo as a way to earn money on the side while he looked for members who would complete the music band he’s keen on starting. He took one look at Justin and decided that he was definitely a kahlua with milk kind of guy, and made him his first alcoholic drink in all his 21 years of existence.
One tentative sip and he’s not disappointed. Now he’s on his sixth glass while the two baristas who had taken him under their wing filled him in on what he needs to know about the bar.
The Suit and Tie is a gay bar owned by a relatively young yet very wealthy businessman named JC Santos who started the business two years after graduating from ADMU as some sort of a big fvck you to his homophobic parents who refuse to acknowledge the fact that their heir is gay and most likely never to produce an heir of his own to succeed the family businesses.
“I admire Ssob, actually.” RJ said, awe apparent in his voice. Apparently they call their employer ‘boss’, only spelled backwards. “He can always play the safe route and hide his sexuality to ensure his future but instead, he chose to just be honest. He started this bar without a single peso from his family’s wealth, though admittedly his fiancée supported and funded him.”
Pablo chuckled from the glass he’s wiping. “Miss Donna is also very badass. She helped Ssob out because she also did not approve of their parents’ decision to arrange a marriage between the two families. She comes over every once in a while, so maybe if you back here some other time you just might see her in person.”
Justin hummed into his drink, non-committal. He doubts he can ever return here again, especially as The Suit and Tie is a members-only club and even more so, he doubts if he can come to Taguig again alone. He’s pretty sure Ken would follow him around to ensure his safety, as if he couldn’t trust Justin to defend himself. Sometimes that chicken-obsessed boy takes being older seriously, even only by a few months.
“So this Ssob got disowned by his parents and he and his supposed future wife got back by starting this club?”
Pablo grinned at him. “Nah, Ssob didn’t get disowned. His parents realized his natural flair in running a business because of The Suit and Tie, so they had no choice. Their only request was that their son do not attract unwanted attention to the Santos family, so while he’s free to date guys, he should do so to a certain degree of discretion. Absolutely no posting in social media, no outlandish dates that may attract the attention of the paps, and when he breaks up with them, the Santos family lawyers have his exes sign a non-disclosure agreement."
Justin grimaced. “Wow, that’s tough.”
“It is.” RJ agreed as he finished up a tray of orders for a table. “You’d have to be recklessly stupid to try and date that man. He’s cool and rich and all, but it’s simply just not worth all the drama.”
Justin nodded fervently. Pablo laughed at the both of them. “Well, you two may think that, but a lot of other guys think otherwise. A lot of guys that apply for membership here do so just so they can have a chance with the big boss. It’s even gotten so bad that we employed top-notch security to filter through our membership application list and determine who and who not to be allowed in.”
“Must suck being JC Santos.” Justin pondered as he finished his glass, only to be startled when the tension in the room seemed to rise. Pablo and RJ turned knowingly to the main door.
“Speak of the devil and the devil shall appear.” RJ joked as the sea of people in the dance floor divided cleanly enough for one person to get through. “I don’t see why they spend almost all night waiting for Ssob to appear, it’s not like he actually interacts with anyone here, he just usually orders a drink from the bar and goes up to the VIP section upstairs with his friends.”
But when said JC Santos finally emerged from the sea of the adoring crowd, Justin suddenly understood why someone would spend hours just to get a glimpse of the guy.
JC Santos may be of average height but he is larger than life, that much is certain. Justin is no stranger to cute, even hot guys since he goes to a prestigious school. The influx of beautiful people in one department alone in CSB is almost unbelievable.
Clad in a tailored suit that hugs his body in all the right places, JC Santos weirdly reminded Justin of an oyabun: powerful, confident, dangerous. The man’s hair is slicked back immaculately but looks totally natural on him, as if he wakes up every damn day with his hair perfectly coiffed. Justin couldn’t help but feel a bit envious, especially as his own locks go a little past his jaw and he always pulls it up to a half-pony especially during art classes, prompting people to call him pretty boy. Justin hates that moniker.
With confident, sure steps the man walked straight towards Justin’s direction and he almost bolted away if he hadn’t realized in time that the man wasn’t really going after him, he was just trying to get a drink from the bar. He snorted into his glass at his stupidity just in time for JC to reach the bar.
JC turned to look at him curiously, their eyes meeting for just a fraction of a second before Justin looked away, ears burning. He heard an amused chuckle before a deliciously low voice spoke to the baristas.
“Hello, guys.” JC’s voice is as sinful as the rest of him and Justin’s very, very gay mind panicked internally as he realized that listening to the man’s voice for all of three seconds has caused him to suddenly sport a half-chub in his seat.
What the actual fuck, Justin De Dios? His mind screamed at him. One hot guy and you’re acting like the embarrassing gay virgin that you are! Get a hold of yourself!
“Good evening, Ssob.” RJ and Pablo greeted spontaneously. “What can we whip up for you today?”
Justin snuck a look at the man. Damn, his side profile could really be worth all the drama. Wait what, Justin?
JC must’ve noticed him looking because he suddenly smiled at him and said, “Yours looks delicious.”
Justin felt the heat from his cheeks and ears rush up to the top of his head. He must’ve looked like an angry tomato by now, but thankfully no one called him out on that fact. “W-What?”
“Your drink.” JC said again, hand closing in and covering Justin’s slender ones with his. He even bowed down to take a careful sniff of his drink. “Smells delicious, too.”
The man’s perfume wafted through the younger’s nostrils and it took him all his effort not to give in and take a deep inhale. Damn, sir, you smell way better than kahlua and milk. JC looked up at him through hooded eyes and Justin bit down a gasp at the visible lust he could see reflected in them.
“Do I really?” JC grinned, and the question sent Justin crashing back to reality.
Did I just say it out loud? Geez, Jah!
He felt his cheeks burning up again, and Pablo's giggles from the bar wasn't totally helping. He turned an even brighter red in embarrassment. "Uh, I—
He could see RJ grinning from his peripheral vision. "I—uh, I'm sorry." He pulled his hand (and drink) away from the man's grasp. "I've just had way too many of this drink tonight that I'm not really thinking things through."
The knowing grin did not even leave JC's pretty face. He could be drunk and he cpuld be wrong, but he swore that grin just turned feral.
"I see."
Justin took a long swig of his drink to diffuse the tension he could feel settling into his bones, feeling JC's heated stare on him as he did so.The man even gulped in sync with him.
"Is it delicious?"
Justin nodded. "You should try it."
"You think?"
"Definitely."
Before he knew it, a pair of soft lips covered his own. Justin sat still, mind going to overdrive as he heard both barista and a few patrons around them gasp.
JC's sinful tongue lapped out a final swipe at his lips and lightly bit out his lower lip before pulling away with the smirk of a cat that just ate a canary. "You're right, it is delicious."
What?
The man turned to his employee. "Pau, I'll have one, please. Can you bring it upstairs when you're done? I'll just be at the office."
"Sure, Ssob."
He then turned to Justin and placed his sinful lips on the shell of his right ear. "Come upstairs with me?"
Again, what?