second chance.

drake varner. 40. bartender. it's complicated.

[drakevarner]

bchxbxy​:

@drakevarner || Dion & Drake || Headlights Bar | Closed

Jackson rarely worked a Tuesday at Headlights, but money was tight and he needed the extra tips. Stripping was probably one of the highest paying jobs based on the tips he got alone, but even next to the personal training, it was probably the most tiring. 

He dragged himself to the bar after the song ended, flagging down the bartender. Unable to help but notice all the eyes still on him as he stood there in nothing but a pair of sparkly golden briefs and a vest jacket.

“Two tequilas, please. Thanks.” he asked, speaking quickly, he hadn’t been doing this job long, and was never one to avoid the limelight, but he was a little too sober for this level of attention tonight, and needed to change that.

---

Drake had been working nearly every single night at Headlights behind the bar in order to save up sufficient money to be able to move out into his own place. The problem was that the more he worked, the more he spent on drinks after work so he was just about where he started.

As he spotted the attractive man come up to the bar, Drake smirked, “Sure thing” he poured out two tequila shots for the man who was standing in just a pair of sparkly briefs and a vest jacket. “Having a bad night?” he asked with an omniscient smirk. As far as he was concerned, every night working was a bad night.

[ashilesun]

CHARLIE HUNNAM Triple Frontier (2019)

[mercuryfish]

[drakevarner]

bchxbxy​:

…

“Yeah I love my hometown.” he nodded, a little sad that he had to leave. He took a long sip of his drink, hoping to hide the fact that his smile had faded a little, he put his glass down and thought for a moment, already knowing his answer. “Both. “ he spoke maybe a little too truthfully “My friend opened a barbershop here and I wanted to help- and I had a little bit of drama going on back home, so.” he shrugged “what about you?”

“Don’t we all” Drake commented in response to the other sharing that he, too, loved his hometown. Sadly, circumstances didn’t always allow for one to stay where he wanted and Drake was acutely aware of this fact. “Oh, that’s good you had a gig set up for you when you got here” he commented. Drake then replied, “Basically same here. Was running from a few things and figured I’d try somewhere new” he gave a very vague answer, “And here I am”

[drakevarner]

bchxbxy​:

…

“Boston? I probably could have guessed man.” Zach laughed, hoping the comment didn’t come off rude, with that and the comments about his hair, he didn’t want to make a bad impression on the guy.

He took a sip from his drink. “Fuck no.” he almost sounded offended by the question, there was nothing beachy about Zach, he hated heat, but he really didn’t have much choice in the place.

“I’m a Chicago boy.” he nodded “-Sun and sand isn’t my usual thing.” 

Drake was pretty tough to offend so he didn’t mind the honesty coming from the other side of the bar, “I definitely give off some major Mass vibes, hm?“ he joked with a grin, Boston accent coming out a bit as he spoke.

Drake wasn’t a huge fan of the beach, but he was growing to like it more and more with each day, “I could see it. You’ve got windy city energy” he laughed once more, a bit tipsy but he didn’t mind much. It made work go by fast, “You move here for something or to get away from something?” he asked out of the blue, figuring most fit one of the two scenarios.

[drakevarner]

bchxbxy​:

..

“It’s not awful.” Zach commented, not really realising how his words really came across, something that was always lost on the young barber with next to no filter.

He held the shot glass. “-I’d be happy to do business with you, man.” he said lifting the glass as if to toast the bartender and then hitting it back within seconds.

“So, you from around here? you don’t look like much of a beach boy” 

“Good. I’m glad to hear that. It gets pretty mixed reviews” Drake chuckled at the other’s blunt nature. He wasted no time clinking his glass against the other’s, “To doing business” Drake said before drinking. It was nice to be able to drink at work.

He laughed at Zachary mentioned that he wasn’t a beach boy, “Absolutely not. I’m from Boston” he told the man, “What about you? You a beach boy or not?” he asked.

[drakevarner]

bchxbxy​:

Zached looked up when the man mentioned his hair. Unable to really stop himself. He was never able to control his face, and it showed. He wasn’t big on the moppy hair look, even if it did suit some people.

“It’s not, bad…” he winced, unable to really lie “But I could really work some magic with you, blondie.” he joked. Pushing his empty shot glass back, as if to ask for another.

Whilst he waited for a refill he finished off one of the cocktails, slurping on the straw as he listened to Drake. 

“-We could definitely work something out.” he smirked.

Drake could easily determine that the other was working him over and probably making judgements about him and his hair and he found it to be amusing.

As the other clearly winced his way through a compliment Drake added, “I actually get complimented on it a lot --- believe it or not” he paused, “And what magic would that be exactly?” he asked, intrigued. He took the hint from the barber and filled up his shot glass and slid it back to him. 

“I’m always down to offer up my boss’ alcohol” Drake smirked.

[drakevarner]

cosetteisms​:

“Gotcha,” she said, nodding. She looked around at the scragglers in the bar, new locals she had yet to meet. “Would it be possible for me to buy a round for everyone? Bartender’s choice,” she asked, turning her attention back to him.

“Absolutely, how charitable of you” Drake grinned when the other offered to buy a round for the bar. He grabbed a tray and counted heads in the bar before pouring out cinnamon whiskey shots into each of the glasses. “Hey, shots are on the lovely lady over here” he called out to the bar, over the noise of the chatter before he started to distribute the shot glasses.

[drakevarner]

ofheavenlybodies​:

“What a shame, there goes my side hustle of the cat acupuncture business” Auggie’s freelance job, and it’s odd hours, were enough work the idea of actually trying to run a business on the side made him want that shot of tequila. Never mind the damn cat, they do say to never work with animals. “Woah hey now, I thought we agreed you were the one carrying me home” Auggie laughs, holding the pint in his hand still as he watches the bartender down the shot that would have been his “I don’t think you want to be relying on me to get you home. I can just about stay on my foot when I’m sober.”

Drake almost snorted as he laughed at the other’s joke about the cat acupuncture side hustle. “Never give up on your dreams, man” he joked right back, “Maybe it’s just not for me, but I’m sure you can find someone who’s into it.” The bartender then put the shot glass in the sink. He was a little bit tipsy and needed to slow down the amount of alcohol he was drinking at work, “You’re right. Don’t worry, I sober up quick” he smirked. Drake then added, “The offer still stands. I’ll carry ya home, just no promises that it’ll be a smooth ride”

[drakevarner]

bchxbxy​:

Zachary took another long swig of the cocktail, looking up at the man behind the bar. A part of him trying to work the man out a little. He looked a lot like the type of guys who tend bar back in his hometown, not very beachy if he was being honest. “Yep. It’s a nice bar, but they really need to work on the basics…” He sounded like a cocktail snob, but he knew what he liked. 

His eyes slid up to look at Drake’s hair. Smirking when he poured himself another shot. “Yeah. if you ever want a trim, my barbershop is just down the street from here…I’ll sort you out.” he nodded. 

Drake smirked as he finished the shot of tequila and licked his lips. He was glad the customer wasn’t judgmental and seemed to be supportive of him drinking while on the clock. “Yeah, I agree with ya, man” Drake nodded his head as he tried to clean up the bar a bit since he knew that would lead to him getting home sooner rather than later.

When the other man offered up his barbershop, Drake asked, “Is my hair that much of a mess that you had to offer?” he asked. Drake didn’t really care much for his hair and he couldn’t remember the last time he had gotten it cut, “Might have to take you up on that offer. Maybe we can work out a deal here with our services” he teased.

[drakevarner]

ofheavenlybodies​:

“Oh yeah that cat for sure looks like it’s got something going on” Auggie was a fan of animals, but ever since the first day when he had been moving in and the cat had seemingly appeared out of nowhere, took a swat at Auggie’s head and hissed until he fled. August had found his nemesis that day. “Oh it’s completely lukewarm” August’s grin felt like quite the oxymoron to what he just said, but it was just natural for him “but I’m pushing my luck with just one pint honestly.” He motions to the tequila “That’s why the really dangerous alcohol is all yours.”

Drake chuckled, “Well, I’m actually not a huge cat person so I might have to take a pass on this free feline acupuncture massage“ he grinned. Drake was always a fan of banter at his job and this patron seemed to be keeping him on his toes. When the other mentioned he was fine with just the one pint, Drake nodded, “Fair enough.” He never wanted to pressure someone to drink more since that typically led to a cascade of bad events in the bar. “Thank you for your sacrifice” he teased in reference to the tequila shot. Drake shot back the tequila quick and put the glass in the sink, “Damn, that was strong. When I start stumbling around here behind the bar, you better not tell anyone” he teased.

[drakevarner]

cosetteisms​:

“Oh, do you close soon?” she asked, hoping that she wasn’t keeping him from getting out of here. “I promise I won’t be here too long, just make me a couple more of these and I’ll be out of your hair,” she teased, offering a warm smile. “Hmm. Surprise me. No tequila, please.”

“Not for another hour or so, so no worries” Drake didn’t want the other to feel bad. Headlights was typically open late and tonight was no exception. He grinned, proud of his work, “Alright, no tequila” he grabbed an empty shot glass and then reached in the bar and retrieved the cinnamon whiskey, pouring it into the shot glass and sliding it across the bar to her, “There you go” he grinned.

[drakevarner]

bchxbxy​:

Without even waiting to hear his answer Zachary picked up one of the tequila shots and slid it along the bar to the man. “Well it’s lucky I like to day drink then isn’t it.” he said, lifting the shot and gesturing for the bartender to do the same. As he hit it back and then turned his attention to the Long Islands. Putting a straw in each and sipping them both in unison. 

He pulled himself away from the cocktails. Looking up at the man again “-I’m glad there’s somewhere around here that can make a good Long Island…” he nodded “-That Eddy’s place really fucked mine up last weekend.” he shrugged. 

“I’m Zachary by the way. Barber and soon to be frequent customer.” He said putting his hand out to the man to shake. Zach hadn’t eaten much and it had been a while since he last drank, so the tequila was already starting to get him buzzed.

Drake smirked as soon as the other man slid the tequila shot across the bar to him. He definitely wasn’t going to turn down a patron giving him back a shot. “Very lucky” Drake commented as he grabbed the shot glass and downed it quick, the burn of the tequila in his throat satisfying.

He smirked as he watched the other begin to sip on the cocktails he had made, “Oh, did it?” Drake asked in reference to Eddy’s. “I still haven’t been to Eddy’s yet. I heard it’s a good time” the bartender made conversation as he put some of the glasses from the bar in the sink.

When the other introduced himself, Drake smiled, “Nice to meet you, Zachary” his hand pawed at his hair as the other mentioned he was a barber, “I’m Drake. Bartender and quality assurance for headlights” he smirked as he poured himself a second shot of tequila, not hesitating to take it.

[imallaboutthefairytale-baby]

[drakevarner]

lennonhqs​:

a laugh fell from lennon’s lips, she downed the shot quite quickly, she was used to them by now. they place the shot glass down on the bar-top, looking back at the other, “that was good. what kinda  tequila do you use?” they were curious. they run a hand through their dark hair, “i’ve just gotten off work acutally. i work at another bar in town” she tells him, “i guess i wasn’t ready to go home yet”. 

Drake winced slightly at the bitterness of the shot, but didn’t think twice of it. When the other asked what sort of tequila they use, he laughed, “My boss wants you to think it’s top shelf” he made a face, “But in reality it’s fuckin’ Jose Cuervo” the bartender couldn’t help but laugh. When the stranger mentioned that they were also a bartender, Drake perked up a bit, “Sweet, then you get it” he grinned.

[drakevarner]

bchxbxy​:

@drakevarner || Zach & Drake || Headlights Bar

With Zach being pretty new to the Cove and with his one and only friend/drinking buddy working all day Zach had no choice but to drink on his own. It was his first day off in what felt like forever and he wasn’t about to waste it inside watching shitty daytime tv.

He headed up to the bar confidently and took a seat, close to the bartender on duty, knowing it was the quickest way to get served. “Two Long Islands please, man.” he said shooting the bartender a wink.

“-And two shots, you allowed to drink on the job?” he asked, the bar being fairly dead and his only really chance of a drinking buddy being the man serving him the drinks.

Drake had been working since the bar opened and quite truthfully he was extremely bored. Standing behind the bar with just one patron, he noticed an unfamiliar face walk through the doors and sit right up in front of him. Drake gave a polite node, tossed his bartending towel over his shoulders and approached the customer.

He made a bit of a perplexed face when the other ordered two drinks, “Yeah, sure, man” he nodded and walked over to where the alcohol was and mixed the two Long Islands followed by two shots of tequila. He brought the two drinks and shots over to the man, smirking when he heard the other ask if he was allowed to drink on the job, “Depends on who’s asking” Drake smirked, “I say I’m allowed as long as it’s before 5pm” the bartender teased. Honestly there wasn’t a shift where Drake didn’t drink on the job.

[drakevarner]

gaslightrs​:

of all the places alina had expected to find herself inhabiting in the sleepy coastal town, the bar had been a surprise, but she was taking it all in stride. it wasn’t that she never drank, more that she was never usually feeling extroverted enough to make it a social endeavor. tonight, however, things were different. she arched an eyebrow as the bartender addressed her, as if to say go on, and the answer made her laugh. “tequila, eh?” alina couldn’t help the slight cringe she gave, knowing that the liquor had inspired some of her least fine moments, but, “then again, free is a very exciting word for me.” and seeing as how the shot was already being placed in front of her…she couldn’t very well be rude, could she? not to mention, it really wasn’t in her blood to turn down a drink. as predicted, the liquid burning down her throat made her wince slightly. “jesus, that’s a lot. if anyone asks, i’m telling them i was coerced into tequila shots…” 

Drake nodded when Alina asked if it was tequila. For some reason tequila didn’t have the same effect on Drake as it had on many. His weakness was definitely any type of whiskey and most of his more reckless moments were sparked by a few too many shots of Jack Daniels. Drake shrugged when she mentioned that she was going to go with the story that she was coerced into tequila shots, “Damn, well if my boss asks you were coerced into water shots” Drake joked before he quickly knocked back the shot he had poured for himself. He then put the empty shot glasses in the sink behind the bar, “I’ve used up all the free shots for the night now so is there anything else I can get ya? I’m Drake by the way” he questioned.