Work Text:
December 2nd, 1923.
New York CIty.
It was snowing lightly that night, The moon perfectly framed by the stars in that inky black sky. On the street walked a Lone Wolf, his jet black fur rustling softly under his suit as he continued on. He was a mobster, belonging to one of the many gangs that called New York their home. Sure, he was a number's boy, hardly facing any action though he was a big six. He was freezing, and parched. On his way to the nearest gin mill, though by "nearest", The Wolf of course meant the upscale one that was operated out of the back of a grocery store. Though he was by nature a pretty grummy guy, This was one of his few delights in life. He never brought anyone along with him, The vibe would obviously be ruined if he did that! The Wolf would always just drink alone, enjoy the music, and avoid the rotgut that every other establishment offered in place of honest to god booze.
Yes, tonight was going to be just swell...
The Wolf turned left at the familiar alleyway, His tail swishing lightly as he came to a locked door with a sliding peephole. He knocked hard on it 3 times, readying his membership card while he was at it.
The peephole slid open, and the sharp eyes of a panther became visible. The wolf held up his card for the bouncer to look over before the peephole slid shut again, The door opening with a slight creak. As soon as he stepped in, The Wolf was greeted with a comforting warmth that chased the chill from his bones almost immediately, followed soon after that was the ever-present comforting aroma of cigars and cigarettes. He saw his usual booth open, and he began to make his way over with no particular sense of urgency. Though before he could even make it halfway, he felt a firm grip on his shoulder along with the press of cold steel against his side.
"You mind telling me how a copper like you ended up in a place like this?" Growled the arrogant bouncer as he turned the wolf to face him. This wasn't the same bouncer that had welcomed him in, and as a matter of fact The Wolf didn't recognize this one in the slightest.
"Get that bean shooter outta my side, and pipe down guy." The Wolf muttered, turning to face the man. Indeed this was not the same bouncer, this one was a fox. He had a fresh glint in his eye and it was obvious that he was a newbie trying to prove himself. The commotion had attracted the Panther that had greeted him previously, with him walking briskly over, smacking the Fox upside the head.
"The hell do you think you're doing! Put your damn piece away!" The Panther scolded, pulling The Fox away from The Wolf as he stepped between the two of them. "This is Mr. Callio, He's a regular here. Now allow me to make myself quite frank." He murmured dangerously to The Fox. "You're new here, so I'll let if slide this time, but if you pull another stunt like this, without calling me over first... I'll take you for a ride... Capisce?" The Leopard patted The Fox on the back, shooing him off before turning his attention to The Wolf. "Forgive the fresh blood over there, eh?" The Panther sighed, straightening out slightly before continuing. "We hope this small 'incident' didn't leave a bad taste in your mouth. So please, Enjoy the rest of your night Mr. Callio."
The Wolf dusted off his suit, straightening his tie for good measure before continuing his stride back to his booth. His night could finally continue as planned, he could sit and sip and enjoy the atmosphere in relative peace. Hell, maybe he'd even splurge a little and buy one of those fancy cigars to puff on...
He sat down silently, finally letting his shoulders slump as he gets comfortable in his lone booth.
"Oh you poor, poor bunny..." Came a silky voice from just out of The Wolf's view. "I'm so sorry about that brute, he hasn't gotten into the swing of the biz quite yet... Let me buy you a drink, won't you?" The Wolf turned his head, his eyes meeting with The Tabby waiter that was talking to him. He was leaning forward to meet The Wolf's eye level. He wore a darling suit vest, and his fur was extremely well-kept. Fluffy, soft, and grey... and his eyes... His emerald eyes seemed to glimmer with an intensity that make the whole speakeasy disappear for a moment.
"Helloooo~? Anyone home?" The Feline cooed, shaking The Wolf's shoulder gently before straightening back out. "Well I suppose i'll just have to choose something nice for you... Be right back handsome!" He murmured before padding off, leaving The Wolf alone with his thoughts. "What was that all about?" The Wolf thought to himself, rubbing his temples softly. "What a pansy that server was, Whatever... I'm not gotta let him affect my night..." He muttered, resting his elbows on the table in front of him.
"Here we are... One Gin Rickey for a very handsome Wolf" The Tabby announced, setting the booze down and sliding it to The Wolf. "And this isn't any hooch either, I got you the special imported stuff just for you..." He murmured softly, crouching down to gaze into The Wolf's eyes once more. "You know... Every time I've seen you come in here, you never bring any girls! What's the deal? I'd bet you could pick up any Jane you'd see!" The Wolf was caught off guard by that. He knew of his looks, after all he had frequented the red light district often when those in his company prompted him. But The Tabby was right, he didn't have a doll to call his own. He opened and closed his mouth before finally speaking to The Server.
"W-Well I suppose I just like the quiet..." He muttered weakly, suddenly becoming very interested in his drink. "And the... Alcohol... I suppose..." He pinned on, looking up to The Tabby who was now giving him "The Look".
"Really. You come to one of the most upscale speakeasies in New York... for 'the quiet'." The Tabby asked, his eyebrow raised high up. "Baby, if you want quiet then march yourself on over to a Library!" He scoffed, crossing his arms and looking away from The Wolf indignantly. The Tabby peeked one eye open at The seated Wolf, a small smirk peeking through his faux-annoyance. "You know... I could just sit with you..." He whispered, leaning in with a growing smirk. "Give you some company?"
The Wolf widened his hazel eyes, never in his life had anyone talked to him like this. He had been called handsome, he'd been talked to dirty by the gals in the Red Light District not fat from here... But the way this Cat was talking to him, it make his heart flutter, his legs weak even as he sat in his booth. "What game a-are you playing here boy." The Wolf asked sternly, trying to hide the slight tremor in his voice. Even if he was only an accountant for the mob, he was still part of them for chrissakes! There was no reason for him to be getting thrown so off guard by a Server of all people! "Back off you Queer, and grab me some more drink. I'm dry over here." He grumbled, regaining some of his previous edge as he leaned back in the booth. The Tabby just smiled knowingly, straightening back out. "Right away Mr. Callio, I'll get you an Old Fashioned. I'll put it on your tab." He chirped, walking off once again. The Wolf on the other hand, was still reeling. He was heated, Pissed even. This Ethel was talking to him like he was nothing more than a common whore on the side of the street! He couldn't let this stand, as soon as that pansy came back, The Wolf was gonna show him what was what! Though for now he could only cross his arms, grumbling, huffing, and puffing as he waited.
Soon enough The Tabby had returned, that knowing smirk remaining on his muzzle as he set down The Wolf's drink. The Wolf uncrossed his arms and opened his maw, ready to give that waiter a piece of his mind. But before anything came out, The Tabby gripped The Wolf's tie, tugging his face closer like a puppy on a leash. "Soooo, didja think my offer over Daddy-o?" He drawled, straddling one of The Wolf's legs to get in nice and close to him. "You looked like you were just about to say something... Go on then boy... Speak!" Giggled The Tabby, giving another soft tug of The Wolf's tie. "W-Whuh! G-Get offa me! Cut that h-hooey out! The Wolf choked out, his heart thumping wildly and his tail wagging up a storm behind him. Before he could get another word out, The Tabby was already starting to rub his forehead all over the torso of The Wolf. He let out soft purrs as he nuzzled, purring particularly loudly as he make his way to The Wolf's neck. "I'm almost certain you're just playing hard to get Wolfy..." He whispered, pulling back from The Wolf's neck with a serious look in his eyes. "But just incase you're not just putting on a show for me, just say 'I want to refuse service' Okay?"
The Wolf was almost taken aback by the loss of contact, his heart slowing slightly as The Tabby's words registered in his mind. He looked away, his ears flattening against his head as he let out a soft whine. Truth be told, The Wolf was enjoying every second of attention he was receiving. He was absolutely buzzing for more even if he'd never say it aloud... "Well, I'm not hearing the special words Wolfie..." Whispered The Tabby, his voice quickly regaining it's teasing cadence as he realized that the adorable Wolf wasn't objecting in the slightest. "I'm gonna start back up Wolfie... Just tap me on the back if you want anything..." He murmured sweetly, his paws coming up to hold The Wolf's face with all the care in the world. He rubbed his thumbs back and forth along The Wolf's cheeks, giggling softly as he did. "My, my... your coat is so soft... And so well maintained too..." He marveled, moving his paws higher to rub at his ears, rubbing them softly betwixt his paw-pads. "You like that Wolfie? You're the real McCoy here... A work of art..."
The Wolf felt a shift as he received more and more attention from The Tabby. Gone was the tough and stoic Wolf, He was absolutely melting under The Tabby's petting. "B-Beat it, guy... Jeez louise, t-this is just ridiculous..." The Wolf whined even as he gave up his head to The Tabby, letting him scratch wherever he so pleased. "I-I don't even have your name yet, jerkwad..." The Tabby pulled back, taking a moment to drink in how utterly wrecked the poor sap in front of him looked. "Oh you want my name, do you?" He crooned, tracing The Wolf's jaw with his claw. Gripping his chin gently before tugging it closer. "Char, you got that Wolfie? My name is Char..." The Tabby picked up the forgotten drink off of the table, bringing it to his lips. "You've barely touched your Old Fashioned Daddy-O... Let's change that, alrighty?" He whispered before taking a hearty sip, leaning into The Wolf's face and pressing his lips to The other man's. The Wolf opened his mouth without much fuss, letting the alcohol flow in as The Tabby began to explore The Wolf's maw with his tongue. If The Wolf wasn't limp beforehand, he certainly was now. He felt fuzzy, warm, like he had the moon and the stars and all the lovely things in the night sky.
As the kiss ended, and the two tragically pulled away from their shared bliss there was a moment of wonderful silence. Of course it was never truly quiet in a gin mill, there was the chatter from nearby tables, the in-house jazz band, all of the things that made this place wonderful. The Wolf was the first to speak, catching his breath slightly before opening his mouth. "Y-You... God damn... Animal..." He panted, though here wasn't any bite to his words. Only a loving admiration. The Tabby just smiled, cupping The Wolf's cheek in his paw as he leaned in for another kiss. This one was shorter, just a peck on the lips which was soon followed by a peck on his jaw, and ended by a small flurry of pecks and nibbles on his neck.
"My, My Mr. Callio... Who knew you were such an easy guy..." The Tabby whispered, smiling against The Wolf's neck.
"Though I must say... without a shadow of a doubt you truly are..."
"The Cat's Pajamas..."