You're back!! How've you been? I've missed seeing notifications from you. 😊 || As for a drabble, do you think you could please write something about Al being a bartender and Ivan being the one to always come by when he's working only to order something simple. At first, Al gives him what he wants and then later on, after some light banter, he starts to make Ivan the fanciest, prettiest drinks possible? Even though Ivan didn't order it.
“Girlie” Drinks Taste Better
The bar Alfred works at is extensive. Bottles line the walls with almost every flavor of every alcohol they have at hand. Taps of at least 20 different beers and even then the bar has them in bottle and can form as well. They card people at the door and mark hands. Extensive and thorough, but not fancy.
He can wear his jeans and plain white tee shirts and not get in trouble. The chair and tables are a simple brown with high tops on one end and dining tables on the other. Sure they serve food, but mostly finger foods and light meals. Alcohol is their specialty and Alfred loves mixing drinks.
“What can I get you?” He leans casually on the bar to a customer who comes in fairly often. The place is pretty dead on a Tuesday night so he feels he can talk a little more to them than he usually does. He has an idea of what they want since they are semi-regular, but it never hurts to ask.
“Just a shot of vodka,” They tell him with a simple smile. Alfred hops up and pours the shot quickly. They order just a shot every time but never hit it back like the way shots are usually drank. They sip it and enjoy people watching with the buzz.
“So what brings you in here all by your lonesome?” Alfred once again leans on the counter, definitely not attempting to flirt. The customer blinks at him and fiddles with the ends of their sleeves. They smile softly.
“Just enjoying the atmosphere,” They say. Alfred smiles at that. He likes all the people that rush in and out, telling their stories and problems and living life.
“I’ve seen you in here, but I don’t think I caught your name before,” Alfred finds a rag and wipes down some near by surfaces to keep himself busy while they talk.
“My name is Ivan,” They giggle and scoot closer to the bar to rest on it. It gives enough encouragement for Alfred to believe his conversation skills aren’t the worst.
“Nice to officially meet you,” He winks and heads to the other end of the bar to take care of a couple that sat down. He makes their drinks quick and then goes back to Ivan who is watching a group of people talking loudly.
“What is that they are drinking?” Ivan nods over to a girl with something red in a curvy bottle. Alfred perks up knowing exactly what he made her. Instead of telling Ivan what it is like he should. He begins to prepare a smaller glass of the drink for Ivan to taste all his own.
“Strawberries, lemon-lime juice, and rum. I present to you: a strawberry daiquiri,” Alfred places the glass in front of Ivan with a flourish. Ivan gives him a look of awe at the red slushie looking drink.
“It’s on the house don’t worry,” Alfred throws in another wink and Ivan giggles. He takes the glass and sips it, shivering with a happy expression. Alfred is a little proud of that reaction.
“That’s really sweet,” Ivan tells him once the glass is empty. Alfred shrugs and takes the glass to give it a wash in the sink at his disposal. He goes to take care of a few more people who have come in before going back to Ivan to be near him. Ivan leans closer to him when he does but his eyes keep drifting to a drink Alfred had made just a few minutes ago.
“Want to know what that one is?” Alfred nods towards the green drink. Ivan peeks at him through his bangs and nods shyly. Alfred bounces on his feet and goes to make a sample of the drink. He keeps giving small smiles to Ivan as he makes it, happy to see Ivan smiling back at him.
“Vodka, apple schnapps, and cointreau with a drizzle of caramel. An appletini!” Alfred is buzzing as Ivan tries it. The smile Ivan gives him is bright.
“I like this one,” He says and Alfred smirks. He gets busy and ends to other customers, entertaining a few, and making lots and lots of drinks. His eyes do drift to Ivan fairly often. Ivan is looking back sometimes while looking around at all the people for his own enjoyment.
When the rush has died down Alfred is a little surprised to see Ivan still sitting there, sipping down the last of his original vodka shot. He meanders over and leans on the counter.
“You got a ride home big guy?” He asks wanting to make sure no one is drinking and driving. Ivan nods and then hiccups. He smacks a hand to his mouth. Alfred snorts but manages to keep his laughter to a minimum.
“My sister can pick me up,” He says. Alfred smiles and is called away to attend to some late night customers. One of them orders something that gives Alfred an idea. Once he’s made their drink and sets to make another small glass sample. He presents it to Ivan with more flourish than the other two before.
“Vodka, orange juice, cranberry juice, and peach schnapps. Sex on the beach,” He smirks boldly at the way Ivan snickers at the name. He sips it slowly and once it’s gone, sighs.
“You are spoiling me,” He teases. Alfred just shrugs and closes the bill for Ivan, ringing up only the vodka shot like he promised he would. He waves bye as Ivan leaves with his sister, Ivan turning to wave shyly to him as he does. He collects his tip, putting most of it towards the drinks he made to make sure the till is even. The napkin with Ivan’s number on it though, that he keeps all to himself.