Who: Lee and Derrick
Where: At The Dragon's Lair



Lee glances at his watch and sees that he's still a bit early for work. Derrick doesn't like him coming into the club until right at closing so he loiters just outside enjoying the breeze that's picked up a bit. He slips a cigarette out of his pocket and rests it between his lips while he tries to get a match lit. The wind puts the first one out and he curses before yanking out another.

"Need some help there?" someone asks and Lee looks up to find a well dressed man offering him a lighter.

"Thanks," Lee says with an easy smile, cupping his hands close around the lighter as it blazes to life. He inhales deeply, the scent of the smoke reminding him of Derrick, which it should, since Lee had lifted a few smokes from the open pack on the counter at home.

"It's awful late to be out here alone," Lee says in a playfully teasing tone. "Can be dangerous after dark in this part of the quarter."

"Oh no need to worry about me," he other man replies. "I was born and raised here so I know my way around."

Lee continues the conversation as he smokes his cigarette, enjoying the company while he waits for the club to clear out. He catches a glimpse of Derrick out of the corner of his eye just as the other man is offering him his business card for a 10% discount at the shop he owns near Jackson Square. Lee tucks it into his wallet and says goodnight before following Derrick inside.

Once inside, Derrick closes and locks the doors before turning on Lee, a mask of anger contorting his features. "What the fuck was that?" he yells.

Lee recoils, not expecting Derrick's wrath. "What the hell are you talking about?" he says, instinctively backing up.

"That guy! You were trying to pick him up!"

"That guy outside? I was just talking to him while I waited to come inside. Is that a crime?"

Derrick takes a step closer, raising his arm as he points at Lee. "Don't. Fuckin'. Lie. To. Me," he growls.

Lee flinches away from the raised arm. "I'm not fucking lying," he growls defiantly.

Derrick reaches for his keys, moving back toward the door. "Get the fuck out," he says as he starts to unlock the door.

"No." Lee stays planted right where he stands. "I'm not letting you kick me out for something I didn't fucking do. I've done what you asked and followed your rules, not matter how asinine I think they are, so you aren't fucking kicking me to the curb now."

Grabbing Lee by the arm, Derrick pulls him toward the door. "Fine. You don't like the rules. Get out."

"But I followed them," Lee protests as Derrick drags him along. "Thought they were stupid but I did what I was supposed to. Didn't want to lose a good thing."

"Pulling some guy right at my front door is not following my rules."

"I wasn't pulling." Lee tries to pull his arm out of Derrick's grip but Derrick has a tight hold on him. "He's not even my type!"

"I didn't know whores had a 'type'," Derrick says coldly.

"Don't call me that," Lee says, his voice soft but full of bitter anger.

"Why? It's true isn't it? You let guys fuck you for money, right? What part of being a whore don't you understand?"

Lee feels Derrick's grasp loosen slightly and he yanks his arm away. "You've never done anything because you had to, not because you wanted to?"

"That's just it!" yells Derrick. "You don't have to do that shit anymore!"

"Get it through your thick skull," Lee yells back. "I haven't done that since the day I met you, ok? Like I said, I'm not about to throw away a good thing."

Derrick shakes his head in disbelief, his anger making him see red as it takes all his control not to push Lee out the door. "I fuckin' saw you," he grinds out.

"What did you fucking see? What is it? You thought you saw me suck some guy off in the alley? You thought you saw me bang some guy in the bathroom? No, you saw me talking to someone."

"Yeah. Someone. An older guy in a suit. What would an older guy in a suit want with you, Lee, huh? Tell me. I'd really like to hear it."

"He offered me a light. We chatted and smoked. He's from around here and was telling me about this shop he owns. That's it. Just small talk. Is that a crime now?"

Derrick stares at Lee a long moment without saying anything, breathing in slow, angry huffs. "I swear to god, if you're trying to play me..."

"I swear," Lee says softly, seeing a crack in Derrick's anger. "After all you've done for me I wouldn't lie to you about this."

Blowing out a sigh, Derrick waves his hand toward the back of the club. "Get to work then. I've got to go make the night deposit."

Lee scurries away, not wanting to wait for Derrick's anger to return. He stays out of the way until he's sure Derrick is in the back office and then lets out a trembling sigh. He'd come awfully close to losing it all again.

Slamming the safe close and twirling the lock, Derrick curses again under his breath. Why should he care who the kid fucks if he's doing the job he's paying him for? Why? Because I told him not to do that shit at my club, that's why. Maybe Lee's telling him the truth. Maybe it's not what it looked like. Maybe I need to get a drink and stop thinking so fucking much.