Dale, ever the connoisseur, took a sip of his drink and nodded approvingly. "Not bad," he commented, his voice a low rumble. "Decent selection, too. Do you turn a good profit on this joint, Ralph?"
"The profit margin is quite good, actually," Ralph replied. "The big trick was getting everything cleaned up. I've got a whole recirculating pump system set up, and a hundred thousand gallons of water pumped in every day. These customers want to feel dirty, down in the sewer, but they don't want to smell it."
"You gave me quite the shock when I saw that sign," Fang admitted. "What gave you the idea for this place?"
Ralph leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "You taught me, Fang," he replied. "You taught me that people crave spaces that are out of the ordinary, that offer something unique and memorable. They want something grand, with atmosphere, something that transports them to another world."
He gestured around the room, his wings spreading slightly in a gesture of pride. "I wanted to give them something they can't find anywhere else. So why not the dirty underbelly of the city? The hidden world beneath the gleaming towers and polished facades."
Kev, impressed by Ralph's vision, nodded in appreciation. The duckman had managed to create a truly unique and captivating experience, a testament to his creativity and business acumen.
"You've got quite the empire, Ralph," Kev remarked, his voice filled with admiration. "A beautiful, high-class restaurant atop one of the largest buildings in the city, and now this... seedy nightclub in its bowels."
Ralph fluffed his feathers with pride. "Diversity is the key to success, my dear boy," he replied, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "One must cater to all tastes, all desires."
The meal concluded with satisfied sighs and contented murmurs. Ralph, ever the picture of relaxation, stretched back out on the plush sofa, a contented smile playing on his beak. He turned to Donna, who had been chatting quietly with Dale.
"Darling," he said, his voice a smooth quack, "fetch my supplies, would you?"
Donna nodded obediently and disappeared through a side door, her movements swift and silent. Talon wandered to the windows, his gaze fixed on the bustling club below, his sharp eyes missing nothing.
A few moments later, Donna returned, carrying a small, black briefcase. She placed it on the coffee table in front of Ralph and took a seat beside him. Ralph rewarded her with a quick peck on the cheek before snapping open the briefcase.
Inside, nestled in velvet lining, was a collection of small baggies and jars, each containing a different type of colorful substance. The air filled with a subtle, earthy aroma, a hint of the forbidden pleasures.
Ralph, with a practiced hand, began carefully filling a pipe with a blend of the various substances from his briefcase. The air in the room grew thick with a sweet, exotic aroma. He looked up, offering the pipe with a sly grin.
"Anyone care for a puff?" he inquired, his voice a playful quack.
Dale shook his head, a chuckle rumbling in his chest. "No thanks, Ralph," he replied. "I'd like to stay upright tonight."
Fang merely grunted, his gaze fixed on the pipe with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "We won't be staying much longer."
Ralph, seemingly unfazed by Fang's lack of enthusiasm, continued his preparations. He then pulled out a small bag of a couple blue pills from the briefcase. "Here, Kev," he said, handing the bag to the human with a wink. "Slip one of these into Fang's drink some night, and you could probably get him to dance with you."
Fang's growl echoed through the room, his ears flattening against his head.
Ralph laughed heartily, his feathers ruffling with amusement. "Come on, Fang," he teased, "we all know you've got moves."
Kev raised an eyebrow, a surprised smile playing on his lips. He'd never imagined the stoic, reserved Fang letting loose on the dance floor. The thought was both intriguing and slightly terrifying.
Kev cautiously took the bag of pills, his curiosity piqued. "What are they, exactly?" he asked, eyeing the colorful capsules with a mix of intrigue and apprehension.
"I already told you," Ralph replied with a playful grin. "Dancing pills!" He winked at Kev. "Guaranteed to get even the most reluctant wallflower on their feet."
He then turned to Fang and Dale, raising his glass in a farewell toast. "If you're heading out, enjoy your night," he said, his voice a warm quack. "I'll be over again soon. We have big plans to discuss, after all!" He then leaned in and whispered something in Donna's ear, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Fang chuckled, a low rumble that vibrated through the room. "Thank you for the food, Ralph," he said, his gaze lingering on the empty plates. "And it was nice to meet you, Donna."
Kev echoed Fang's farewell, a polite smile on his face. Donna, her cheeks flushed from Ralph's whispered words, simply giggled and waved goodbye.
Fang stood up, his hand resting on Kev's shoulder. "Let's go," he said, leading Kev out of the private room and back into the bustling club. Talon, ever vigilant, followed closely behind.
They made their way through the crowd and outside, where Perry was waiting patiently by the car. They settled into the backseat, the city lights a dazzling backdrop as they drove away from one club and back to another.The dinner had been unexpectedly nice considering they ate at the sewer.
As the car approached the security checkpoint, Rex emerged from the guardhouse, a smirk playing on his lips. He leaned in close to the window, his predatory gaze sweeping over the occupants.
"So, where'd you lot end up?" he purred, his voice a low rumble.
"We went to visit Ralph," Fang replied, his tone nonchalant. "He's opened a new nightclub down in the sewers."
Rex's smirk vanished, replaced by a look of disgust. "That's nasty," he scoffed, wrinkling his nose. "That duck must have finally lost his mind."
Kev chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes. "It was an interesting club," he admitted. "Seemed pretty busy, too."
Rex turned his attention to Kev, his gaze lingering on the human's form. "Do you like getting dirty, human?" he asked, a suggestive undertone in his voice. "You didn't seem like the type. But don't worry, I've got rubber sheets at home, just in case."
Dale, who had been quietly observing the exchange from the backseat, couldn't resist a jab. "Just in case you have a nightmare, kitty?" he quipped, a mischievous grin on his face.
Rex's ears flattened against his head, a low growl rumbling in his chest. "Shut up, horse," he retorted, his eyes narrowing. "Or I'll send you to the jello factory. Just come at me."
Dale laughed heartily, unfazed by Rex's threat. "I'd like to see you try, kitty cat," he challenged, his voice booming through the car.
Fang, his patience wearing thin, intervened. "Enough, both of you," he growled, his voice a stern command. "Rex, just scan the damn car."
Rex, his pride momentarily wounded, stepped back, and the group passed though the metal detectors. Rex slapped the top of the car once they were back inside, allowing Perry to drive through the checkpoint. As they ascended the winding driveway towards the club, the tension in the car gradually dissipated.
Fang and Kev returned to the familiar comfort of the VIP booth, settling into the plush cushions with a contented sigh. The club was in full swing, its anachronistic energy pulsating through the air, a symphony of music, laughter, and desire.
Dale joined them shortly, his presence a welcome addition to their intimate gathering.
Rebecca, her feline grace unwavering even in the bustling bar, appeared with their drinks, a Bloody Mary for Fang, a Cape Cod for Kev, and a refreshing glass of iced tea for Dale.
"So, Dale," Fang inquired, his voice a low rumble, "what are your plans for the rest of the night? Anything exciting?"
Dale took a sip of his iced tea, a thoughtful expression on his face. "It's already getting late and I want to catch up on some sleep," he mused, glancing at the clock on the wall. "Not much left of my night, I'm afraid." He paused, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Maybe I'll pop into one of the private rooms before heading home."
Kev's cheeks flushed, a mix of embarrassment and amusement warming his face. He remembered Lanon's earlier comments about the club's "unique experiences" and couldn't help but wonder what Dale had in mind.
Fang chuckled, a deep, resonant sound that vibrated through the booth. "Not a bad way to end the night," he remarked, his gaze lingering on Kev for a moment before returning to Dale.
"I hope I didn't impose on your day off, Dale," Fang said, a touch of sincerity in his voice.
Dale chuckled, waving a dismissive hand. "I've come to expect it from you, wolf," he replied with a good-natured grin. "Besides, I had a good time at Ralph's. Being able to kick back and have drinks poured for me was something I haven't been able to enjoy for years."
They finished their drinks, the comfortable silence punctuated only by the clinking of ice cubes and the distant hum of the club's energy. Dale rose from his seat.
"Well," he announced, stretching his long legs, "time for a little fun. Have a good night, boss. Kev."
With a final wink, Dale sauntered towards the east wing, leaving Fang and Kev alone in the VIP booth.
Kev, watching Dale disappear into the crowd, turned to Fang with a hopeful smile. "Dale seems excited," he remarked playfully. "Maybe you could walk me back to my room, and we could have a bit of fun too?"
Fang's cheeks flushed and he averted his eyes, a rare sight that made Kev's heart flutter. His tail wagged eagerly, betraying his desire. "I really want to, Kev," he admitted, his voice a low rumble, "but I need to go talk to Reepia about the park resteraunt… If I don't, and she hears about the changes from someone else, she'll have my ears… or, at least, one of them."
He leaned in and kissed Kev gently, his lips lingering on the human's. "Have a good night, my love," he whispered, his voice filled with a tender affection. He then waved at Talon, a silent signal for the eagleman to accompany Kev.
"Fang, please," Kev pleaded, his voice soft but insistent. He remembered Sabrina's words from earlier that day, her playful encouragement to express his desires. "I'm lonely without you."
Fang's tail stopped wagging, his expression softening. He looked deeply into Kev's eyes, his own filled with a mix of longing and regret. "My love," he said, "I don't want you to ever be lonely. Please… forgive me."
Kev's heart ached at the sight of Fang's vulnerability. The wolfman, usually so strong and confident, looked almost... lost. Kev reached out, his hand gently cupping Fang's cheek.
"I understand, Fang..." he said, trying to hide his disappointment. "I'll… see you tomorrow evening."
Fang eyes welled and he leaned in for one last kiss. Then he reluctantly turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Kev, a bittersweet ache in his chest, got up and could only glance at Talon as he left the booth, heading for his apartment.
"Don't worry, Kev," Talon said, quickly falling into step behind the human. "He is just a busy man."
Kev nodded, a forced smile on his face. He knew Talon was right. Fang was a complex man, torn between his duties and his desires. But Kev was patient. He was willing to wait, to give Fang the time he needed to navigate his own internal conflicts.
They reached Kev's apartment, and Talon, with a respectful nod, bid him goodnight. Kev closed the door behind him, locking it with a click.
Kev settled onto his couch, a bittersweet feeling lingering in his chest. He lit a cigarette.
He thought about Fang. The wolfman's conflicted emotions, his struggle to balance his responsibilities with his desires, tugged at Kev's heart. He longed to be a source of support for Fang, to offer him something, even a fraction of the kindness that he had been shown. And despite the disappointment of their perpetually interrupted intimacy, Kev couldn't deny the warmth that spread through him at the memory of Fang's kisses, his whispered words of affection, his wild, primal power, his kindness...
As the night deepened, Kev extinguished his cigarette and prepared for bed.
Kev closed his eyes, his dreams filled with unexpected images of waves, shifting colors and treehouses.