Chapter Text
Valani slipped on another layer of his outfit before taking a step back to look at himself in the mirror. He had debated using what he had worn earlier on stage — but there was a chance that this person, whoever he was, already saw it.
And he did have to entertain for the entire night, so why make his bare body accessible so easily?
His hands moved to adjust the strings of his black leather corset, fixing them up to make them look a little prettier. It wasn't an actual, proper corset — in the back there were buttons he could unsnap for easy removal — but it certainly looked like one. Especially when laying over a long sleeve, high neck, tight black crop top.
All in all, he was showing far less skin now than he had before.
His eyes scanned himself carefully, feeling a wave of uneasiness. Never had one singular person rented him out like this. He was unsure what to expect in all honesty.
Valani picked up a leather halter belt, tying it up on his chest. His hand reached for another set of bondage-like belts to tie on his thighs — making sure to tighten them up a little extra.
Okay… and now the finishing touch.
He grabbed a long, sheer black fabric. This was something he had been experimenting with backstage — might as well see how well it does now before fully investing into having it in his normal performances.
Carefully he clipped on the fabric at the end of his sleeves as well as the beck of his neck. Stretching out his arms, a satisfied smile crossed his face. It looked as if he had wings — or a very extravagant cape.
“Are you finished?” came Thol’s voice from outside “We need to get going.”
“In a moment!” Valani replied, quickly walking over to one of the vanities they all used. There he took out his black lipstick, reapplying it.
It'll be okay. Surely if this man could rent him for the entire night he will also give great tips!
…
Or he won't give him any at all due to blowing all of his savings on this private dance.
Yeah, that sounded about right actually.
Valani ignored the brief flash of annoyance that rose within him. He needed to refocus, calm down. This was a break! He could just close his eyes and imagine he's in the studio practicing! There would be no cheering of the public or whispers he'd rather not repeat. Hell, he didn't even have to focus on stripping! He could drag that out until the very last minute before the night club closes for the customers.
Feeling himself grow lighter, Valani smiled a little.
With his newfound calmness and confidence he walked out, his sheer black cape billowing behind him with each step he took.
Thol took one look up and down before giving him the slightest nod of approval, making Valani's chin tip up just a little higher with confidence.
“He got the best room in the house too.” Thol said as they walked down beautifully decorated, dim hallways. The floor was captured in the same velvet that could be found everywhere else and the warm lights that hung from the ceiling made the atmosphere ever so inviting. There wasn't a single window anywhere in there nor in the rooms — it was purposely made to make you lose track of time.
Valani was sure that if it was allowed the owner would've had the club running 24/7 to keep the customers trapped. It was almost like a cult.
He suppressed a laugh at his last thought. What kind of a cult would have a night club as their base? It was silly.
The pair reached the large doors at the end of the hallway after a couple more minutes of walking. Once again there was a keypad next to the doors — it almost made Valani wonder why even these rooms were locked to outsiders. Yet, again, he was thankful. The last thing he wanted was a random guest barging in.
“Is he inside already?” Valani asked, expression neutral, if not bored.
“Not yet. You'll have time to set up the room before I bring him here.” Thol replied as he unlocked the doors, opening them for Valani.
He walked in, taking in the sight of the room. He had been here before, of course, but usually his audience was way larger. These types of extravagant rooms were often shared between groups of people who would pool in their money to rent it as well as the dancer.
Yet this was just one man.
Perhaps that's why he had been rented out alone? There was no way a person could afford him, this room and then another dancer for the whole night.
Valani walked over to the small stage in the middle of the room, climbing up to check the pole. Should he have a static dance or not? The night was long, so he could always make it spin or stop spinning whenever… but it might be a little awkward?
He would definitely demand breaks so he could adjust it.
Breaks…
How will they even go?
For now Valani decided to turn the pole on. Maybe later he could turn it off and try that one move…? It was risky and he didn't have that many chances to practice — so tonight would be a good opportunity. Minus the man who will be watching him.
Valani’s attention shifted towards moving around the leather armchairs in the room, deciding to leave just one in his most optimal position. Briefly his gaze glanced around the room again.
This being a room usually rented by many it included quite a few activities. There was a nice dark wood table one could use for eating or playing cards, in the corner was a beautiful billiard table — naturally already set up. There was a large flat screen hanging on the wall, currently turned off.
Valani shuddered at a distant memory. One night him and a couple of his coworkers were rented out by some bachelorette party. Those were usually his favorite to do, it was hard keeping a cool, edgy persona during them. They were just so fun!! But this one time… for some reason the women decided that it'd be fun to do karaoke and for them to strip to it.
Stripping while trying not to lose it laughing was something that he will never forget.
He shook his head, focusing on looking around for a small remote. It was used to control the lights and the ambience of the room. Usually the dancers got it to set the mood — but sometimes the customers would take them too, leaving to…questionable choices.
Having found it, Valani made the room dimmer, deciding to make the stage be the source of most light.
He would come any minute now.
The last thing he did was to put on his dance playlist — selecting it in the audio system that the room had.
Valani quickly hid the remote near the stage, once again climbing on. His heartbeat quickened as he waited — feeling that every second felt longer and longer.
Why was he so nervous? It was just a private one on one dance. The length of it shouldn't make him nervous.
He swallowed, glancing at the second door at the very end of the room. It branched off into a luxurious bedroom. He himself never offered those services, but he knew that some of his coworkers did. Or well as they said, it was more fun to give a lap dance on the bed.
Maybe he should've locked those doors before he got on stage. But now it felt like it was too late.
…
Valani could hear the buttons outside being pressed as well as muffled talking — was the room really that sound proof?
Click.
Open.
His expression grew deadpan and uninterested the moment the doors opened. As if he slipped on a carefully crafted mask of his persona, hiding any nervousness at all.
Truthless Recluse made a point of not turning to look at the man entering the room, instead focusing entirely on his pole — even giving it a tap with his black nail.
He could hear the other taking a few steps before pausing. The temptation to glance and see what was taking him so long boiled up inside of him — but he didn't want to even spare him a glance. He wanted the other to know just how bothersome his mere presence was.
It took a couple of excruciatingly long before the other man started walking again. What on earth was he doing? Valani didn't hear a phone being taken out for pictures — not that the club allowed that anyway.
Truthless Recluse straightened up subtly when he heard the other finally take his seat.
…
The music started.
One could cut the tension in the room with a knife — he had expected for the other to speak up yet he was met with silence. Perhaps the man was waiting for him to look his way.
It was a game and neither wanted to lose.
Truthless Recluse grabbed the pole with a firm grip.
Valani climbed up, exhaling at the familiar feeling. The long black cloth around him followed his movements smoothly just like he had wanted. His legs stretched out and moved as if he was walking mid air — paired with the fabric it was impossible to say if he was holding onto the pole or genuinely flying.
Not once during his breathtaking dance did he look at his customer. Whenever he'd come even close, his hand would fly up, making the sheer cloth block his face, a black veil shielding him from being perceived as a human.
Valani swung a bigger spin, loosening the grip on the pole a little to let himself slide down. His knees met the ground with a smooth slide. His legs spread as he pulled himself forward, grinding once against the pole that was now between his legs.
He heard the other man take a breath.
Hah.
People were so easy.
Truthless Recluse grabbed the pole right above his head, pulling himself up again with one smooth move. His heels clicked against the stage while his free hand did an abrupt move up, once again making his sheer cloth float around him — making only his silhouette visible.
He arched his back once again, taking a step away from the pole while still holding it.
Valani took one deep breath, making sure that his grip was as firm as it could possibly be. Then, just as the music dropped he swung forward, using the strength of his arms to swing his body back and quickly hook his leg onto the pole — making him hang upside down.
His breath was strained from the move and his muscles let out a weak moan of protest but he ignored them. If he could he'd get off and try this move over and over again until he perfected it.
Truthless Recluse moved his head back, making himself face the floor before he even had the chance to be spun in the man's direction. His stubbornness refused to let him lose this pretend game he had made up in his head.
This was his night. The man in the chair was finally lucky enough that he even got to breathe in his presence, much less observe him.
Valani let himself free afterwards, doing all sorts of moves he could think of — mostly to see how the long fabric would react to them. If he wasn't careful it could get caught on his heels or around the pole. God forbid it somehow slipped into the crack at the bottom and made the pole malfunction.
He almost hadn't realized that the song was about to end from how focused he was.
Truthless Recluse debated briefly turning his head to look at the newbie who rented him at the very end of the song. But that would mean defeat. How could he let himself be defeated in the first round?
It was childish really — but it was fun. And Valani nowadays took fun wherever he could find it.
So, when the song ended his back was facing the man, hiding his rapidly rising and falling chest.
…
There was silence for a while.
Was that his thing? Will he keep quite the entire night? Not that Valani would complain, but it'd definitely make break time awkward.
“Do you refuse to look at everyone that rents you out for the entire night?” Came a voice. A voice of a young man — he must be the same age as Valani, give or take.
Truthless Recluse didn't answer nor did he turn around.
“The performance was as impressive as I thought it would be.” The man continued to praise. “I just wish you'd look at me again—”
Again?
“—like you did outside.” Valani could hear the smirk in the other's voice. Each word was dipped in smug confidence, spilling out from the man's lips like honey.
Who did he look at outside? He had made a point of gazing at everyone even if for a moment.
…
Valani's eyes widened for a moment. Surely it couldn't be that guy.
“Ah so you don't talk either? It's rude not to introduce yourself to a customer, silly.” The other purred, like this was bringing him joy. As if he was toying with his food.
Truthless Recluse’s eyes darkened for a moment. He wouldn't let himself be spoken with like this.
“And having that veil, oh how you teas—”
“You rented me out for the night yet you don't know my name?” He spoke up finally, cutting the man mid sentence.
“Oh so you do know how to speak!” He could hear a clap of the other's hands. “And can you look at me?”
Valani heard the other shuffle in his seat. He closed his eyes, taking in a deep inhale. He never thought a customer could make him feel like this. He was a good person — really. But right now he really wanted to put whoever this was back in his place.
“I'll look if I wish to. Your tone suggests that you're someone I cannot be bothered with.” He said in a deadpan voice.
Valani didn't hear the quiet footsteps sinking into the velvet carpet.
“You're lucky that your demand to rent me for the entire night was accepted.”
Why wasn't he speaking up again?
“—I have regulars who will wish to have your head.”
…
Silence.
Did he intimidated him enough? Surely it wasn't that easy. The man was shining dumb confidence just moments before.
Truthless Recluse opened his eyes.
The blue haired man stared right back at him with a wolfish, shit eating grin.
“Boo.”
Valani took half a step back — swallowing once to calm himself down. If he wasn't so focused, he was sure he'd have jumped away in surprise.
“What? Thought I was glued to that chair?” The man asked with playful sarcasm, a laugh escaping his lips as he tilted his head to the side.
Valani didn't answer. But he didn't turn away either, it'd be childish.
“Tsk, tsk. You won't look at me, you won't tell me your name… Doll, you hurt me so.” He sighed, pressing a hand against his chest and that dumb eye patterned tie. His head shook with faux disappointment.
“I'm not your doll.” Truthless Recluse hissed out, giving him a glare. Yet his glare with the intension the intimidate only delighted the man more.
“Then who are you?” He asked, taking another step towards the stage until his hand was pressed against the floor. Valani was tempted to step on it with his heel.
“Usually, you give your name first before asking for someone else's.” He replied, shifting himself once, his heel clicking against the stage like a warning.
The blue haired man lifted up his hands in playful defensiveness.
“Ooh touched a nerve there, doll.” He grinned making Valani's jaw tighten.
Before he had a chance to reply the other continued speaking, his hand pushing back his long black and blue hair over his shoulder. For a moment Valani detected a flicker of hesitation in those azure eyes.
“You can call me…Shamil.” He spoke, looking up expectantly again. “And who is my dolly?” He teased, his grin only curling up further like a wolf showing off his fangs.
“Not a doll and certainly not yours.” He snapped back way quicker than he wished to. This man was pushing every single button Valani had.
“Ah, ah.” He hummed, waving his finger. “Tonight you are mine. But okay, I'll stop calling you that if you give me a name.”
“Tsk. You rent me yet you don't even know who you're renting.” Truthless Recluse scoffed, starting to slowly circle the pole. As soon as he took the first step, the other man followed, circling the stage in the same pace while keeping his eyes glued on Valani's face. Like a predator circling his prey.
“It's my first time visiting this fine establishment, you must cut me some slack.” The man laughed, yet it didn't quite reach his eyes.
“Truthless Recluse.” Valani finally answered, stopping his circling once he was in front of the chair again. The man — Shamil grinned with delight as he sat right back down.
“Truthless Recluse? Well that's not a name is it?” He purred, resting his hand on his chin. The confidence radiating off of him was almost blinding.
Egoistic rich bastard.
Valani thought while looking down at him. But this was still better than an extremely perverted or god forbid a violent customer.
Egoistic rich bastards could always be humbled.
“It's what I go by.” He spoke smoothly. “Renting me once for the night doesn't earn you the privilege of knowing me.”
“Ah, so I must rent you multiple nights?” Shamil purred.
“As if you could afford it.” Truthless Recluse scoffed with a mean, small smirk of his own.
“Oh, do— Truthless I can afford it. I can afford to come here every night.” Shamil replied, tapping the arm of his armchair with his his long finger.
Bluffing.
“Sure you can.” He replied sarcastically.
Truthless Recluse crouched down until his knees met the ground. Slowly, he crawled over to the blue haired man, still elevated by his stage.
His eyes glinted with delight when he noticed how quiet the other got at this sudden action.
His hand reached out, grabbing Shamil's tie. With one swift tug he made the blue haired man lean forward.
From here he could see the others breath stagger for just a moment — azure eyes flashing once with unsureness before settling back into amusement as that stupid, wolfish grin curled on his lips again.
…
Valani was going to turn this wolf into a dog.