I'd Die for You

*Character Introductions - Raiken*

Staring into the bathroom mirror, my index finger prodded at my bottom eyelid. My face appeared more tired than I ever remembered. I suppose going days without sleep will do that to you.

Releasing a deep sigh, my rough hands reached for the faucet to start the water. I temperature checked it quickly before cupping my tattooed hands underneath the stream and bringing it to my face. It was still cool, shocking my skin a bit when it made contact. Blind from the water, my hand felt for a towel. I dried my face, blinked a few times, and stared back into the mirror. The dark circles under my eyes contrasted my light skin, emphasizing the tiredness horribly. On the brighter side, the circles brought attention to the hazel eyes I had been blessed with.

I leaned towards the mirror to inspect them closer. The center was like a pool of honey surrounded by emeralds. If I had to pick my favorite physical feature, I'd say these were it. I took a step back and gave myself a final once over before heading out for the night. My fingers combed through my dark hair a few times while inspecting my clothing for anything out of place. A black button-down shirt tucked into black pants with a black leather belt. Both sleeves were rolled up to expose a plethora of tattoos down each muscled forearm. I adjusted the collar before running one hand across my scruff covered jaw. This should do alright.

I left the bathroom and headed down the stairs towards the garage. Opening the door, my eyes fell on one of my few pride and joys.

A black sport bike.

I crossed the space between us and turned the key. She came alive with a growl, forcing a grin to cross my face. I couldn't help myself. This was one of the only things that brought me any sense of happiness at this point.

I pulled my black full-face helmet over my head and clicked the button to open the garage door. I backed the bike out, closed the garage up, and headed out.

-----

My left hand pulled in the clutch lever while my right ripped back on the throttle a couple of times as I coasted into the parking lot and into an empty space. I was here. My second home. I had spent more nights at this bar than I cared to admit to, but I always ended up coming back.

I flipped the kickstand down with my heel and cut the engine off. A sigh left my lungs as I swung my leg over the back of the bike. I pulled my helmet off my head and the key from the ignition before heading to the entrance. My fingers made contact with the door handle. One more sigh. What was I doing with my life anymore...

Every table in the room was full. People were walking around searching for seats, and others had just given up and huddled together, laughing and carrying on. A stage to the left hosted a small band that sounded like it may have been making an attempt at covering a song. Oh, well. In a little while, I'd be too drunk to care how good they were. My eyes scanned the rest of the room before locking eyes with one of the bartenders. She tipped her head forward slightly and gave me a raised eyebrow. A look that sent the message 'again?' loud and clear. I flashed her a cheeky grin before weaving in and out of the other patrons to make my way over. There was an empty barstool there, like always.

Someone might wonder how every seat was taken besides this one. And you'd be right to wonder. I had heard rumors that there was a bartender here that told everyone someone was already sitting there. I settled into the empty barstool that might as well had a 'Reserved for Raiken' sign plastered over it. And there she was.

"Long time, no see."

The sarcasm dripped off every syllable as she leaned forward and both of her hands landed on the bar top. My eyes dropped to her long fingers, slightly spaced out. Partially from shame, partially from admiration of her fresh manicure. I allowed them to linger maybe a little longer than I should before they crawled up to meet her bright green ones. Her merlot colored hair cascaded in long, loose curls down each side of her face, past her shoulders, and pooled on the bar. Her pale skin looked so soft, but her eyes were daggers wrapped in black eyeliner pointed at me.

She was beautiful. But she was also clearly tired of my s**t.

"I'm happy to see you too." I winked at her only to receive an eye roll in return.

"The usual?"

"The usual."

She disappeared for a minute before returning with a couple of glasses and a bottle of whiskey. One empty, one full of ice. She poured a double shot in the empty glass and a shot worth in the one full of ice. Reaching under the bar, her hand returned with the soda gun, topping off the second glass with coke. "Let me know if you need anything else." She gave me a hint of a smile before heading off to tend to other customers, leaving me with the two glasses...and the bottle.

I watched as she took a couple's order that had squeezed up to the bar. The girl looked unsure, messing with her hair while she talked. She seemed timid. A huge, ear to ear, customer service smile stretched across the bartender's face as she nodded at the girl. I couldn't hear them, but I tried to guess how the conversation went. Maybe like

'What can I get ya?'

'Oh, I'm not really sure. I don't go out very often.'

'I hear ya. I hear ya. Well, maybe (insert typical female drink here)?'

She had a packed bar and obviously didn't have time for indecisiveness. And then my eyes touched on the man accompanying the female customer. He was looking over the girl's shoulder. His eyes locked on the bartender with a look I had no trouble deciphering. My chest tightened, and I felt my teeth clench down a little. I yanked my own eyes away and averted them to my drinks. Placing my hand around the glass with the double shot of whiskey, I brought it to my mouth, downed it, and set the glass back on the bar top. The all too familiar clank of glass hitting wood was deafening even in this crowded room. I lowered my head down and laced my fingers around the second glass, tracing over the ridges in the side of it with one of my fingertips. I really had to find a better hobby.