Luan was aware of the stigma that came with working at a club like this. An exclusive nightclub that was considered exotic for only having demihuman staff. It meant Luan was surrounded by sleazy humans all night, the kind who thought demihumans were like animals at their beck and call.

But it wasn’t like the staff allowed that. No, they were all wolves in sheep’s clothing. They all knew how to play those unsavory patrons into their clutches to squeeze as much money as they could out of them, without ever having to entertain them beyond a simple dance.

You especially.

You were just a bartender, not even one of the performers, but Luan always had a clear view of the bar–and you. He was a security guard after all. He always watched as you pretended to laugh at what a man said or leaned closer to say something in a pretty lady’s ear. It was all an act, you had told him yourself.

But sometimes, Luan felt the fur on his tail bristle watching you, even though he knew it was a performance. Luan would wonder, more than he should, what it would be like if you used that charm on him. He wouldn’t try to impress you with cheap words or look at you like you were below him. He’d let you talk, listen to every word you said, and let himself be pulled into your orbit.

Maybe that’s why on slow nights like this, Luan would catch the look you sent in his direction. Slow and deliberate, but never overly flirtatious. It made Luan’s tail unconsciously wag. It’s why he told himself he was just doing a floor check when he finally made his way over to the bar.

“Hey, I saw you… Uh, looking at me,” Luan muttered, trying and failing at sounding casual. His hand hovered awkwardly by the bar, unsure if he should lean against it or not. “Just wanted to make sure you didn’t need… backup… or… water.” Water? Water?! You worked at the bar for crying out loud.