Chapter 44: The Gay Bar

Setting his phone down, Sebastian grabbed his hair in frustration, pulling so hard he nearly scraped his scalp, yet he couldn't suppress the nameless fire in his heart.

That bastard was constantly provoking him.

He had to do something crazy! He had to find a way to vent this suffocating resentment, or he felt he would truly go insane.

Sebastian snatched up his car keys and rushed out into the night.

The car sped down the highway as he drove aimlessly. He typed "Bar" into the navigation, his fingers gripping the steering wheel tight before forcing them to relax.

Ultimately, he pulled up in front of a place called "Enchanted."

The neon sign flickered with an ambiguous purple light. People moved in and out of the entrance, dressed glamorously yet carrying a certain sense of practiced ease.

He took a deep breath and pushed open the heavy door.

Deafening electronic music instantly enveloped him. The air was thick with a mixture of alcohol, perfume, and sweat, and a wave of heat laced with unfamiliar hormones crashed over him...

It smelled terrible.

Sebastian instinctively furrowed his brow, his body somewhat stiff as he navigated through the crowded dance floor to find a barstool in a corner.

This was his first time in a place like this, and every fiber of his being screamed that he didn't belong. He was wearing a meticulously tailored cashmere sweater with the collar fastened tight, looking very much like an elite professional who had taken a wrong turn.

"All alone?"

A voice laced with amusement rang in his ear.

Sebastian turned his head to see a tall man holding a drink and looking at him, his gaze direct and unabashed.

Sebastian felt an instinctive surge of resistance; he wanted to tell the man to go away. But then, the image of that brat popped into his head again, wearing that punchable, indifferent expression.

"Yes," his voice was dry. "All alone."

He thought to himself:

Since I'm already here, since I'm this agitated... then fine. Who cares.

The corners of his mouth twitched as he tried to force a natural smile, but it looked more painful than crying.

The man didn't seem to mind. He took the seat next to him and handed over a multi-colored drink.

"Try it? It's a house special."

Sebastian took it, gave a small smile, and knocked it back.

The liquid was smooth and sweet, but it left a spicy, biting aftertaste deep in his throat.

"How is it?"

"Not bad."

Sebastian rarely drank hard liquor, but right now, he just wanted to let go.

The man, named Kevin, seemed satisfied with the answer. He let out a low chuckle, his fingers sliding along the back of Sebastian's hand, seemingly unintentionally brushing against the inside of his wrist.

The skin there was thin, the pulse thrumming against it. The touch of those warm fingertips sent a fine layer of goosebumps across Sebastian’s skin.

"Your hands are so cold."

Kevin’s voice was magnetic as he leaned in closer. The scent of cologne mixed with tobacco instantly enveloped Sebastian. "Are you nervous?"

Sebastian lowered his eyelids, his long lashes masking his repulsion. He picked up his glass, drained the remaining half of the drink, and used the movement to pull his hand away.

"It's a bit cold."

He set the glass down, struggling to maintain a nonchalant tone. "The AC here isn't great."

"Should I warm you up, then?"

Kevin showed no awareness of being snubbed; instead, he grew more daring. He shifted his body, extending a long leg beneath the table and "accidentally" brushing against Sebastian’s knee.

Through the thin fabric of his trousers, the heat was so intense it nearly made Sebastian jump. It wasn't a spark of desire; it was an indescribable feeling of disgust.

He gritted his teeth, using the pain to maintain his composure.

But as soon as he thought about that brat finding someone else the moment they broke up, a nameless fire surged again, overriding his internal discomfort. Since he was here to vent, he might as well go all the way.

Sebastian lifted his head, emboldened by the alcohol, and met Kevin’s gaze proactively for the first time.

His usually cool eyes were now misted over with a drunken haze, the corners flushed pink, making him look exceptionally alluring.

"Sure."

He heard his own voice, light and airy, carrying a hint of flirtatiousness that felt foreign even to himself.

Kevin was visibly stunned for a moment, then the interest in his eyes deepened. Someone like Sebastian was a rare find in this circle; he was absolutely infatuated.

He shifted his posture completely, leaning toward Sebastian with one arm braced against the bar behind him, half-circling Sebastian in his embrace. The pose was highly possessive and oppressive.

"You're very special."

Kevin’s fingers gently curled around a stray lock of Sebastian’s hair, twirling it. His eyes wandered shamelessly over Sebastian’s face. "First time in a place like this?"

Sebastian didn't nod or shake his head; he just picked up his glass, gently swirling the dark amber liquid.

"Can you tell?"

Sebastian gave a light laugh and brought the glass to his lips, only to be stopped by Kevin’s hand.

"Don't drink that anymore, it's too strong."

Kevin snapped his fingers to call the bartender and whispered a few words. When he turned back, a seductive smile played on his face. "Let me buy you something else. It's the signature here, 'Lover's Tears.' It suits you."

Sebastian arched an eyebrow and didn't refuse.

Soon, a cocktail glowing with a ghostly blue hue was served, the rim adorned with a bright red cherry.

"Try it."

Kevin picked up the glass and brought it to Sebastian’s lips, a trace of anticipation in his eyes.

Sebastian looked at the eerie drink, hesitating for a split second. Reason told him he should refuse, that he should leave. But a crazed voice deep in his heart was screaming...

He opened his mouth and took a sip from Kevin’s hand.

Sweet. It was incredibly sweet, with a heavy fruitiness that almost entirely masked the taste of alcohol.

Sebastian frowned; the texture made him uncomfortable. Things that were too sweet often hid the deepest poison.

"Is it good?"

Kevin leaned even closer, his warm breath fanning against Sebastian’s ear, sending a shiver through him.

"It's okay."

Sebastian gave a vague response and tried to lean back, but his spine met the hard surface of the bar. There was nowhere to retreat.

"You're blushing."

Kevin gave a low laugh, his fingers gently stroking Sebastian’s cheek. "Drunk?"

Sebastian’s breathing was becoming disorganized.

The aftertaste of that drink was stronger than he had imagined. A wave of heat rose from his stomach, rapidly spreading to his limbs. Kevin began to blur in front of him; for a moment the face became Lucian’s, then shifted back to this stranger.

"A little," Sebastian admitted, his voice softening.

"Then shall we go somewhere else?"

Kevin’s hand slid naturally to the side of his neck, his thumb gently stroking his Adam's apple. The gesture was full of suggestion. Sebastian’s body stiffened, and he instinctively swallowed.

"Where to?"

"Somewhere quieter. We can keep drinking, or... just talk."

Kevin’s eyes turned dark and deep. His large hand, which had been merely testing the waters under the table, now rested without hesitation on Sebastian’s thigh, slowly moving upward inch by inch.

The palm was broad and scorching. The heat transmitted through the fabric made Sebastian uneasy.

Sebastian’s mind went blank. Every inch that hand moved felt like it was treading on his taut nerves. He wanted to push the man away, to stand up and walk out. But his body felt as if it were nailed to the chair, unable to move.

"It's too loud in here."

Kevin’s voice sounded like a form of enchantment. "Let's go outside for some air, alright?"

Sebastian’s vision was now completely blurred. He looked at Kevin’s magnified face, and a thought suddenly flashed through his mind...

"Alright," he heard himself say.

The joy in Kevin’s eyes flashed for an instant. The hand acting out on Sebastian’s thigh tightened suddenly, then moved to wrap around his waist.

"Good boy."

The man smiled, whispering into his ear.

Sebastian felt dizzy from the unfamiliar scent of tobacco and cologne. He allowed Kevin to help him stand. His legs were weak, and he could barely keep his balance.

The gazes around them became even more blatant. Someone whistled; others whispered.

"Is that Kevin? His taste is as good as ever."

"Who's the pretty boy? Doesn't look like he's from the scene."

"Elite vibes. Kevin definitely has an eye for it!"

Sebastian didn't like being judged; he kept his head bowed low.

Kevin’s arm was powerful, gripping his waist tight as he led him through the crowded room toward the exit. With every step, Sebastian felt as if he were walking on cotton. His body grew hotter, and his mind felt like mush, unable to function.

Sebastian felt like he was about to faint. The sensation of losing control made him panic, yet it also offered a strange sense of liberation.

"Definitely a first-timer."

The voice in his ear became muffled as Sebastian was half-carried, half-embraced out of the bar.

When the cold wind hit him, he shivered and tried to open his eyes to see where he was, but his eyelids were too heavy to lift.

Where was he going? It seemed... it wasn't the way home.