Over the years Celestino had gotten used to training the new guys and setting up their routines for them. Though all he did now was bartend and teach a couple pole dancing classes during the week, he enjoyed his simple life. He always knew something was missing, but he would shake the thought out of his head.

Twice a week Celestino taught a basic pole dancing class to all the lonely housewives. They would come into class wearing the latest Lululemon and full makeup. He always had to shake his head as he knew they were just coming to watch him spin around the pole - not that he minded the attention, of course, but some days he just wanted to teach a class.

Oh sure, he had his fair share of the lonely housewives; he would be stupid if he didn't. Usually it was the women who stuck around after class, and they would ask for a bit more "instruction". Normally it led to the small locker room attached to the studio, where he bent the lonely housewife over a toilet while she called his name out. Sometimes he even just stood there and let one suck him off.

It got old after while. He did the pole class to keep his shape. A man of age… well he would tell you in his forties, but only Lilia knew he was fifty. His body hurt more these days, and teaching these women and kids at the club new routines, it kept him young.

Every night Celestino came home to an empty house, other than his ungrateful cat, and he popped a microwave dinner in as he flipped the TV on for an infomercial. Celestino did not really need to work anymore; he had worked with Lilia since the opening of her Peep Show and had been able to put away more money than he would ever need. He enjoyed doing it. He got to bartend and talk to people, he got to see what he considered his family now: the Peep Show family.

He had watched the Peep Show family change quite a few times over the years, but the last ten or so years, Lilia had a good thing running. It warmed his heart to see Yuri settling down with Otabek. To be honest, he never thought he would ever see Yuri settle down, and knowing that Victor and Yuuri were looking to adopt soon, the long-haired man could see the family getting larger and tighter.

Nights like this, after a busy night at the club, he would come home from all the noise and felt like his condo too quiet, even with the infomercial rattling on the background as he cracked a beer. He stood in his small kitchen and looked around his place. It wasn't anything too extravagant. He had gotten bored two summers ago and painted the living area. He wanted it bright so he bought a yellow paint and redid the entire room. He thought it would make it all feel more like home. It looked like a home, but there weren't enough personal touches. He had your standard furniture but that was about it.

He heard his meal beep in the microwave and settled into the couch to enjoy the infomercial and his beer for the night.

"Ciao Ciao!"

He always had to laugh at the way Phichit would come running in last minute as he grabbed his apron from behind the counter.

"You're late," he would reply as he continued to cut slices of fruit for the drinks.

"Ah but you see, I am right on time. Plus, Lilia will never know. Not like you're going to tell her." Phichit smiled up at him as he came around the bar to make a drink.

"Ah Phichit, one of these days I will be forced to tell her, then where will you be?" He laughed.

Phichit gasped dramatically and clutched his chest. "Ciao! And here I thought we had something special!"

Celestino laughed as he watched Phichit mix himself a drink the wrong way. At the beginning, he would offer to do it, but the Thai man insisted he liked it this way and refused every time. It made Celestino cringe and he thought Phichit only did it to get at him.

Phichit moved back to the side of the bar with his drink and got out his cigarettes, passing one to Celestino. They chatted for a bit as the women started to gather.

"You think Lilia will ever have me as more than a fill in?" Phichit asked him.

"I should think so. You're doing so much better. I'll put in a word for you." Celestino was actually surprised at how quickly Phichit did pick it all up. He did a few routines with the lithe man twice a week and could see him steadily progressing. It made it easier on the guys at the club if they wanted a night off, as Phichit could fill in and they would call in their backup server to help with drinks.

"I think she keeps me as a server because I am the fastest," Phichit grumbled.

"Well stop being so damn good at your job then, even if you are late to every single one of your shifts."

"Hey!" Phichit thew his hand towel at Celestino as they laughed.

It was always easy with Phichit; sure he was half Celestino's age, but they got along very easily and the kid could always make him laugh. Phichit was honest and pure, and he liked that. He watched as Phichit drained his badly-made drink and rounded the bar again, stealing orange slices and pineapple as he made another drink... the wrong way.

"Don't steal all the fruit, and don't get drunk before your shift, either." Celestino swatted at the hand reaching for his cherries and Phichit laughed.

Phichit grabbed a cherry and popped it in his mouth as he finished making his horrible drink.

"Oh Ciao Ciao, afraid I'll lose all inhibitions and finally go home with you tonight?" Phichit said teasingly as he batted his long eyelashes at him.

Celestino popped him with his towel. "You could only be so lucky kid. Now go get those women some drinks."

The nights always went smoothly when Phichit was serving. He was fast and he could remember drinks without wasting time writing them down. It worked well for the two of them as he could call out the orders and Celestino would mix them together. He enjoyed how Otabek would come and sit at the end of the bar to keep him company and he fed the boy whiskey sodas and water. Otabek always teased him over all the women who would come order drinks straight at the bar and flirt relentlessly with Celestino. He had learned over the years to flirt back without leading any of them on. He even smiled when he would hear Otabek give a polite " No thanks " to the bold women who approached asking to buy him a round.

They were a loyal and devoted family. Celestino knew if he ever needed any of them, they would bend over backwards to help. He stood behind the bar during a lull and quickly washed some glasses. Phichit had worked his way behind the bar again.

"For fuck's sake Phichit, let me make the damn drink." He plucked the glass from Phichit's hand and got to making the drink the correct way. Phichit whined, saying he liked his way perfectly fine. Otabek chuckled at them from his bar stool, as they did this quite frequently.

"You two fight like an old married couple," Otabek called out.

Phichit stood on his toes and tried to put his arm around Celestino's shoulder.

"Been married to the old bastard for five years now," the Thai man said, giving Celestino a sloppy kiss on the cheek, smearing whatever offensive lip gloss he was wearing on the bartender's cheek. Phichit always laughed when he watched Celestino wipe the sticky residue off his cheek and shake his head.

"Yeah, I think it's time for a divorce. You know, newer model," Celestino joked back.

Phichit roared with laughter. "What? Find someone younger? Half your age isn't good enough? Ciao Ciao, I am hurt deep… again!" Phichit faux fainted against Celestino and he gently let the Thai man go and let him fall.

Otabek shook his head and turned back to the stage, knowing his Yuri would be up soon.

"Ah, Ciao Ciao… we lost him. Yurio about to take stage," Phichit whispered and sighed as he leaned against Celestino. It was so different now that Yuri was with Otabek. Usually their ears would be assaulted with horrible metal screaming at them, whereas now, they almost never knew what they were going to get. The more time Yuri spent with Otabek, the more it showed on stage. It was a good thing. Those two had been going strong for a year, and Celestino definitely was rooting them for the long run.

Celestino only trained with Yuri a few times, just teaching him the basics of the pole. The kid grew up taking dance classes and once he got the basics down, he had it all. He never practiced much, unless it was a group routine and it always amazed Celestino how easily he did everything.

Celestino wrapped his arm around the kid who was leaning against him. Phichit was a good kid and they made an excellent team between the drinks and serving.

The next night was the same as usual. Phichit was late, mixing his drink wrong, teasing Celestino and stealing his fruit. The one thing that was off was that Otabek sat at the bar looking like he was going to be sick. Celestino gently elbowed Phichit and nodded Otabek's way.

"Go see what is up with the boy," Celestino whispered to Phichit, who nodded back and quickly rounded the bar. Celestino got Otabek a ginger soda and placed in front of the queasy-looking man. He never had to ask the biker what he wanted; he could always tell.

"Hey Beka!" Phichit called out, "What's up man? You look like you're about to be sick."

Smooth, Phichit. Real fucking smooth. Celestino thought to himself.

Otabek looked at them both and reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a small black box. He did not say anything but sat it on the bar. Phichit squealed and opened the box. They both look down, seeing a black diamond surrounded by emeralds.

"The emeralds reminded me of his eyes. I bought it without even thinking, but… I am going to ask him after the show tonight," Otabek said flatly and drained his soda.

Phichit swooned and hugged Otabek tightly. Celestino was all smiles. He made them all elaborate shots and got Otabek another ginger soda. Tonight was going to be a good one. Phichit about floated around the room all night getting drinks as Celestino hummed quietly to himself. He loved seeing his boys settle down, but all it did was remind him that at the end of the night his condo was empty.

He wasn't going to allow these thoughts to blacken his mood and the let the night play out. Once all the customers had left for the night, he had never seen Phichit work so fast and hard to clean up the room. Celestino had even told Lilia to stay and she did not question it when he told her he was pulling out the good champagne. Lilia had stopped questioning anything he did about twenty years ago. Otabek and Celestino had worked it so when it was time, their song would play. Celestino had the controller to the music back at the bar with him and Phichit came flying around to join him.

"He's coming," Phichit whispered all too loudly.

Otabek was green and Celestino laid a hand on his shoulder, nodding to him when the nervous man looked up. Yuri had walked into the room with Victor wrapped around his shoulder laughing. The boys stopped and looked up from their conversation.

"Well hell. Closing is already done! Fuck it! Can we get some drinks up in here Celestino?" Yuri called out.

Celestino hit the PLAY button and everyone but the three men at the bar looked up, confused. A soft, slow song played that confessed of love and happiness and Otabek stood up from where he sat at the bar. Victor seemed to get the idea of what was happening and stepped away from Yuri and grabbed his Yuuri tightly around the waist. They all watched as Otabek approached Yuri and dropped to one knee.

Yuri just stood there and then covered his mouth with his hand, tears welling in his eyes.

"Yuri Plisetsky… My Russian Fairy… My life started the day I walked into this club and saw you. I cannot imagine my life without you by my side. Would you do me the honors of being my husband?"

Celestino never thought he would see the day when Yuri was at a loss for words, but it happened right there. Yuri could not speak. All the could do was nod his head and cry. The room erupted with cheers and hugs as Otabek and Yuri were deep in a kiss that was not going to break up anytime soon and Celestino started to pour the champagne. He looked up and smiled to Lilia as he watched her dab her eyes with a napkin.

The champagne and drinks poured freely all night long. Lilia even stuck around and hugged her boys at several points during the night. Celestino found himself drinking more than he usually did when they partied after a good night - but tonight wasn't just a good night, it was a special night.

"Ah Ciao Ciao, seeing everyone in love reminds me just how lonely I am." Phichit had leaned up against him again. Celestino draped his arm around Phichit and hugged him.

"Your day will come, don't worry. You won't be lonely forever, Phichit."

He saw those large brown eyes look up at him. "How long have you been lonely for, Ciao Ciao?"

Celestino knew they had both drank too much, but still he responded, "Far too long… far too long." He knew that he became far too honest when he drank, but this was a night of celebration and he was happy for their friends' engagement.

"It is so weird, out of everyone here, Yuri would have been the one I pegged a forever bachelor." Celestino said.

Phichit chuckled against him, "Isn't that the truth, but they work well together."

Celestino was glad he was not teaching a class this morning and he called off rehearsal for the afternoon as everyone started to head out the club and they locked up. They all stood in the alleyway and started to say their goodbyes as everyone split up. An Uber arrived to take Yuri and Otabek back home. They watched even as Lilia got into her town car to go across town.

Celestino's apartment was only a half mile walk from the club, and he knew in his drunken mind that it would be a long walk. He stood out in the alleyway leaning against the club as Phichit waited for his Uber.

"You sure you want to walk, Ciao Ciao? Just ride with me, your condo is on the way to my place anyway. There's no way I'm walking five miles home."

Celestino chuckled as Phichit handed him a cigarette. The morning was cool out and very quiet this time of day.

"It has been a long time since I drank till the sun came up," Celestino slurred as he leaned against the brick wall and took a drag of his cigarette.

"Oh, Ciao Ciao, I don't think I have ever seen you drink so much."

Celestino had to chuckle; no they had not. He would drink throughout the night normally and just carry a slight buzz, and even if it went to anything more, he was usually good at hiding it. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose as he felt his head spin a little bit.

"Ciao Ciao, are you alright?" he could feel Phichit's hand on his shoulder.

He nodded his head slowly, taking in a deep breath of crisp morning air and opened his eyes. He saw those impossibly big brown eyes as they stared at him, looking concerned. Celestino gave a half smile and allowed the world around him to stop spinning.

"Yeah, I'm good Phichit, head spun a little bit there."

"That's it! You are not walking home, you are coming with me and my Uber," Phichit said this as the car pulled up and he grabbed Celestino's hand and dragged him to the car. Celestino groaned as he got into the vehicle and closed his eyes. The car was jumping and moving around him; even though it was only a half mile, he thought he was going to throw up.

"Ciao Ciao, you look like you are going to be sick... " Celestino opened the door when they arrived at his condo and went to step out of the car... and fell back into it. "Ciao Ciao wait."

Phichit told the driver this was his stop and helped Celestino out and to the door of his building. Celestino did not even think as Phichit helped him the entire way back to his condo.

"Your keys?" He felt a hand rifle in his pockets to get out his keys. Once Phichit found them and got them inside, he set Celestino on the couch. Celestino groaned and rested his head on the back of the couch.

"Drink, Ciao Ciao." When Celestino opened his eyes, he saw a glass of water in front of him and Phichit staring down at him. He drained the glass and Phichit took it back to the sink and then took his hand.

"Let's get you to bed Ciao Ciao."

Celestino felt his hand being being grabbed and being pulled up. He allowed Phichit to lead him down the hallway and once they got to his bedroom, Phichit led him to the bed.

"You need to sleep, Ciao Ciao."

"Can't sleep in clothes." Celestino was not thinking as he lifted his shirt off and slipped off his pants. He even kicked his socks somewhere and started to curl under his blankets.

"I'll leave water and pills next to your bed."

Celestino - in his drunken hazed mind - reached out for the arm in his sight and pulled Phichit down to the bed.

"Stay with me, Phichit. I am far too lonely," he grumbled out.

"Um… Ciao Ciao…" he heard the question in Phichit's voice. "Are… are you sure."

Celestino nodded his head and could feel the bed moving as Phichit removed his clothing and then lay down next to the drunken bartender.

"I am far too drunk and lonely to think rationally right now," Celestino slurred out, I'll deal with it when I wake up. He thought to himself.

Phichit was stiff and Celestino chuckled as he pulled the smaller boy to him and wrapped his arms around the Thai man, who finally relaxed. Phichit was soft against him, he always imagined Phichit's body feeling soft. Celestino and Phichit fell into a drunken sleep.

It was midafternoon when Celestino felt a body wiggling against him and he thought he was in a dream. In his dream a small tanned body was rubbing against him as his hands traveled that body. Celestino could feel the body was fit, but it wasn't ripped and defined; he actually preferred it better that way. Celestino's hand wandered down smooth, soft skin and could feel a body pressed against him.

There was a warm mouth on his neck and he tilted his head and rolled over to his back. He felt the body lay half on him and half off. Celestino knew if he opened his eyes, his dream would be over, so he ran his hands up and down the small back down to a soft full ass.

There was a moan into his neck and it sounded familiar. Celestino opened his eyes and was greeted with Phichit's messy black hair as the lithe man kissed around his collarbones and down his chest.

Shit ! was the first thought that hit Celestino's mind. Last night did truly happen and he had pulled Phichit into bed with him. He tried not to panic for a moment, but couldn't help to think how wonderful that mouth was on his chest as it licked at one of his nipples.

"I love that you have a hairy chest, Ciao Ciao." the words rumbled against him.

Celestino had to stop this. He slowly sat up and Phichit removed his mouth from his body.

"I ugh… Phichit… I…" he did not know what to say. He did look over and saw Phichit with his hair stuck up and that tan body so close to him. Phichit leaned in and gently kissed him.

"Ciao Ciao… it's ok… it's just me."

Phichit leaned his chest into Celestino's and pressed him back down into the mattress.

"You don't have to always be lonely." He heard those words spoken into his neck as Phichit was back to kissing around his neck and shoulders.

Celestino's mind was still fuzzy and he laid there for a moment. Then it all hit him. This boy was half his age, a coworker and had been in his life for years now. They got along great and he was not going to mess this up.

"Phichit… Phichit… stop," he groaned out, he hated himself even as he said it.

Phichit stopped and looked up at him, those big brown eyes confused.

He ran his fingers through the dark hair that was all messed up. "Think about this. This is absurd… I am twice your age."

"I don't care."

"Well maybe I do."

Phichit went to lean in again and Celestion put his hand on Phichit's chest keeping his back.

"No, Phichit. Go home. This never happened."

He could see the way Phichit's face fell and those eyes watered up but he had to be firm about this. Sure in all his time working at the club, kids would have a crush on him and he was able to deter it all, but this crossed the line. Celestino hated he let himself get into this situation.

Those brown eyes pleaded sadly at him as he laid back down and turned his back to Phichit.

"I won't tell you again, Phichit. Go home."

He felt the bed move and heard as Phichit gathered his clothing and the door closed behind him. Celestino sighed deeply and tried to go back to sleep. When he turned over he could smell Phichit on the pillow next to him and cradled the pillow to his body taking it all in.

Tonight was going to be a long night at the club.

That night, Phichit was on time, early even. Celestino was cleaning up the remaining mess they had left behind that morning and was shocked when Phichit came through without a word. Normally Phichit would fly through laughing as he was always a minute or two late and give Celestino hell about it.

Tonight, no. Celestino sighed and continued to rack glasses and went to cutting fruit. This was why he did not get involved with coworkers. He watched as Phichit went to the back to set his stuff down and change and thought it took him longer than normal to return.

Tonight was men's night and always an interesting night. It got even more interesting when Phichit came back to the room and had apparently changed from the standard short black shorts and tie. No, tonight he had one what seemed to be a see-through black dancer's skirt that flowed around him and reached just below his ass. His skin had a shimmer and sparkle to it and he saw Phichit had on eyeliner and mascara with blood red lips. There was a jeweled headband adorning his head and Celestino lost all train of thought when he saw the stiletto black heels he was wearing.

"Jesus Christ, that boy will be the death of me," he mumbled to himself and had to rip his eyes off Phichit walking in heels as that skirt flowed around his ass. He knew Phichit was trying to get his attention, and boy did he ever.

Phichit came behind the bar to make himself a drink, and it tore into Celestino the way he did not speak to him. He could smell a sweet hint of honey and jasmine coming off of Phichit as he walked by him that went straight to his cock. This boy was out to give the old man a heart attack tonight, he just knew it.

As the room filled up and the show was about to start, he saw Otabek take his spot at the end of the bar and Celestino slid him a whiskey soda. Phichit was gracefully handling the floor and would come over and call out the drink orders to Celestino. For anyone that did not know them, everything seemed normal; to anyone who did, they saw it was anything but normal.

When Phichit grabbed his tray of drinks and headed back to the floor, Otabek cocked an eyebrow at the bartender.

"What's up with you two?" he asked.

Celestino shook his head. "Hell if I know. Guess I pissed him off."

"Did you try apologizing?"

Celestino jerked his head, but Otabek seemed like he knew something and he gave him a questioning look.

Otabek shrugged, saying, "I've learned with Yuri that it's best to just say sorry and everything goes back to normal, even if I have no clue what I did wrong."

"Yeah but the difference is, you two are a couple."

"You can't help who you love," the biker said, and with that Otabek took his drink and turned to watch the opening number.

What the fuck was that supposed to mean? He and Phichit had always been great friends and that was it. He was puzzled as he got another round of drinks for Phichit. He hated how the Thai man acted. There were no jokes, there was no teasing; it was just a normal day at a normal bar, and Celestino hated it.

When Phichit had come around to make himself a drink, Celestino grabbed his wrist and pulled the boy to the corner and saw those long, layered lashes flutter at him with a questioning look.

"See, this is is exactly why I sent you home, Phichit. We can't have this in here." Celestino realized he was still holding Phichit's wrist and he let go.

"I don't know what you are talking about, Celestino." Phichit replied and it stabbed him right in the chest. There was no 'Ciao Ciao' and no emotion in his voice. It was just Phichit replying to anyone - anyone he didn't know.

Celestino stared down at those brown eyes and felt sad. Phichit had made the nights fun at the club and tonight was pure hell. It was like he was at an actual job and not just playing around.

"Seriously, Phichit, what is with this?"

"What is with what? I am doing my job that I am paid to do."

"You changed your outfit," the bartender pointed out.

"It's men's night, I get better tips when I dress up."

Celestino hated the matter-of-fact short answers he was getting from Phichit. There was no playfulness that always lingered in his speech. No, this was not his Phichit.

Celestino sighed and stepped away from Phichit. He looked down and saw the shimmering torso sparkle at him, and it took everything in him not to reach out and run his hands down that tan chest. Those big brown eyes bore into him as he stepped aside and let Phichit walk past him. Celestino took a moment to gaze upon that round soft ass bounce under the sheer skirt as the boy went back to the floor to get more drink orders, forgetting completely that he was going to make himself a drink.

Celestino went back to making drinks and made himself a strong one. Otabek gave him a questioning look and Celestino shook his head. He made himself and Otabek a shot and knew the Kazakh man would not question it. They took the shot and then nodded at one another when Otabek handed him a cigarette.

Celestino watched as Phichit floated around the room in those heels and damnable skirt. He watched as Phichit smiled down at the men and laughed along with them. He missed that light behind Phichit's smile. Phichit would always look at him and give him that smile and he had yet to see it since the night before.

When a customer took Phichit's wrist and pulled him onto his lap, Celestino almost lept over the bar when he felt the Kazakh man take his wrist. The bartender glanced up at Otabek, who shook his head at him. When Celestino looked back over, he saw Phichit adorning the customer's lap still, laughing and joking with him and his friends. Celestino saw how good Phichit looked with someone his age. He was a fool to think otherwise. Celestino growled low in his throat and made them more shots.

"Have you talked to him?" Otabek asked him.

"There is nothing to talk about."

Otabek gave him that look again and they took the shots. Phichit approached them and wrapped his arm around Otabek as he sat in the bar stool next to the biker.

"These guys are riots tonight! That guy just offered to take me to Paris and buy me everything I could ever want!" Celestino watched as Phichit blatantly ignored him as the boy got out his cigarette. Taking a long drag he looked over to where Celestino was saying, "Oh they want four tequila sunrises, Celestino."

Otabek turned to Phichit, "Since when did you call him Celestino? What happened to Ciao Ciao?"

Phichit flinched and chose to ignore the question.

"Did you and Yurio set a date yet?" Phichit decided to change the subject.

Otabek grunted, "I'd go to the court house right now and make everything official, but Yura got Victor and Yuuri involved… They want time to plan. Probably in about a year or something. Hell if I know, I was told to just show up in whatever tux Yuuri picks out."

Celestino watched as Phichit's face lit up. "Oh, if they are all involved, it is going to be huge I know!"

Otabek grumbled. "I had to walk out of the room this afternoon when they got to talking about peacocks and fountains."

Phichit roared with laughter. "Oh I am going to have to talk to Yuuri about this. It'll be so much fun!"

Otabek rolled his eyes. "Hey Celestino, let me get another shot."

Even Celestino had to laugh. Poor Otabek being dragged through wedding planning would make it an interesting year. The bartender lined up three shots and they waited for Phichit to grab his, but watched as Phichit waved his shot off. Otabek raised his eyebrow at Celestino again, but the long-haired man shook his head.

Celestino made the drinks that Phichit had ordered and watched as he swayed his hips as he walked over to the table. Phichit ran his finger down on of the men's cheeks, laughing. Damn, Phichit looked too good with those guys. He deserved someone his age.

Celestino turned and looked at himself in the bar's mirror. His hair was lined with gray, though he kept it pulled back; he had debating coloring it, but the boys all talked him out of his saying it made him look dashing. Celestino could see the crow's feet that lined his eyes and the skin on his face that was not as tight as it was twenty years ago. There were lines in his forehead and his laugh lines were more defined. Sure, Celestino took amazing care of himself and his body, but he was a man in his fifties and Phichit was half his age. He was old enough to be the boy's father.

When he turned from the mirror, he saw Otabek give him that look again.

"Shut up, Otabek."

Otabek raised his hands defensively. "I didn't say anything."

"Have we ever really needed to talk?"

Otabek chuckled. "You do have a point there."

When Phichit came back over to the bar, he called out more drinks and turned so his back was to Celestino. That was how the rest of the night went. Celestino made drinks, took judging looks from Otabek and a cold shoulder from Phichit.

When it came to the lap dances and personal dances, Celestino watched as Otabek headed out back and then watched as the boys came out and Phichit joined them for this part. He could not take his eyes off that tan body that sparkled as he ground himself against some random male customer. Celestino never paid too much attention to this part, but at one point when the man Phichit was dancing on was taking too many liberties with his hands, he could have sworn those brown eyes were staring at him, challenging him.

It was a long two song set the boys did and he wanted to smack Phichit for what he was allowing to happen out there. He knew Phichit was doing it on purpose, he knew the boy was just playing with him. Celestino had already called last call for drinks, so he threw his towel down on the bar and went out back to the alley.

The cool night air hit him square in the face as he saw Otabek leaned against the brick and offered the frustrated bartender a cigarette.

"You never come out here," Otabek said.

"Had to tonight."

"What happened with you two?" Otabek was not letting this go.

"Nothing happened. I think that's the problem."

Celestino watched as Otabek took a long drag and nodded his head. The Kazakh looked back at him and asked, "Well, why not? The kid is mad about you."

Celestino shook his head. "Otabek… I am old enough to be his father."

"So?"

Celestino saw how casual Otabek said this and shook his head again. He took a long drag off his cigarette and looked back to Otabek. "It is not that easy."

"If it's right, it is."

Why did Otabek always have to make so much fucking sense?

"Look, don't say anything to anyone though, ok? Lilia would hang my balls from the bar."

Otabek laughed and nodded. "Don't worry, it's none of their business. I doubt anyone but Yuuri will even know anything is going on, anyway."

" Nothing is going on."

"Exactly."

Damn that Otabek.