Show 'n Tail (Nie Mingjue) TW [COMPLETED]

Meng Yao rolled his neck, feeling his cold mask click into place once Mingjue was gone. "Stupid emotions tied to stupid people..." he muttered.

He heard the set before him winding down and he quickly changed clothes.

He went out on stage and slayed. Not even in the fierce, yaas queen kind of way, though that too. He slayed dragons and tigers and bears and saved his damsel in distress self. He needed that, the control and feeling of power coming back to him and making his performance even more intoxicating.

When he finished he felt more himself. He sauntered back to the locker room and began changing into his regular clothes. He had enough in him for that performance but at this point he was mentally and physically exhausted. "Carry me," he whined, assuming Mingjue was lurking somewhere near enough to hear him. "Actually don't, then boss man might think you're getting handsy with the merchandise."

Meng Yao shook his head, "no, I can make it to your car, thank you though." He went to his locker and gathered everything he needed, "I'm ready."

He pushed open the back door only to have the door forcefully pulled from his hands. The man stood there, furious, shouting, "you fucking slut, think you can get me banned!" He charged him.

Meng Yao was so over this whole thing at this point, he immediately ducked and conducted a nice little spin to position himself behind Mingjue. Did this make him a coward? Arguable. It was Mingjue's job and he was much better suited to handling this guy.

He told the new girl to grab the boss quickly so the situation didn't escalate further. At this point, Meng Yao probably didn't even have to press charges for them to deal with this guy. Though if the cops were called, it meant he'd have to stay to give a statement.

Meng Yao had just leaned against a wall, watching the whole thing. "Don't you have anything better to do with your life?" he said to the man.

He spat at Meng Yao, missing completely. "Did you just spit at me?" he moved forward, angry, but was stopped by the boss.

"We're calling the police," he said as he handed Mingjue some zip ties to detain him. He pointed to another staffer to make the call before turning back to Meng Yao, "you'll have to stay to make a statement."

"Oh, fuck me..." Meng Yao murmured beneath his breath.

"I tried to," the man said, a horrific grin spreading across his face.

Meng Yao made a disgusted face and sound then went back into the locker room, taking a seat.

Meng Yao reached out and grabbed Mingjue's jacket sleeve, pulling him closer. Once he was close enough he leaned against his arm, closing his eyes and trying to close his ears.

"So that's why you're so mad. It's your piece of meat I was sniffing around," the man laughed. "I don't mind not being the one to fuck him, I'll just watch," he licked his lips, and made kissy noises.

"Can someone gag him, please?" Meng Yao sighed. He really didn't want to be here. "Can I just give the report to them tomorrow?"

"I can hear the sirens now, it shouldn't take too long," the boss said gently.

Meng Yao opened his eyes when he heard the sirens stop. He watched as a the officer came in the back door and looked down at the man.

He knew conversations were happening around him but he just couldn't focus, right now the most he could do was breathe and focus on his forehead leaning on Mingjue.

The next time he tuned in, there were three more officers in their locker room. He assumed the first officer must have called back up so they could get statements from everyone. Luckily, he'd been so out of it, he hadn't noticed or heard any of the sexual comments and insults the man had been hurling at him when the officers escorted him to the squad car.

The first officer dropped down into his line of sight and asked gently, "can I take your statement?"

Meng Yao felt like he was in a fog, but nodded, trying to answer her questions and explain what had happened. This was not how he wanted this evening to go. Even while answering questions he used his thumb and forefinger to keep a hold onto Mingjue's sleeve.

The boss gave a curious look to Mingjue and gestured to the two of them, his question plain but asked without words, "are you two a thing?"

Meng Yao finished answering the officer's questions and felt more like a husk than an actual person. He stood up to ask Mingjue if they could go home but fell back into his seat, unbalanced.

He heard another dancer's sharp intake of breath and that was all he needed for his mask to slip back into place. He felt weak and small right now, but he'd be damned if he let people see it. He pulled his shoulders back and lifted his head high, standing and turning to Mingjue, "are you ready to go?"

He gathered his things and blew a kiss to the dancer who'd been shocked at his earlier state, "bye dear," he said with a shrug of his shoulder and a flutter of his lashes.

He went outside and made a beeline for Mingjue's car. This car ride was going to suck unless he could just sleep the whole time. He really didn't want to cry.

Meng Yao reached for his seatbelt and tried to buckle it. It took him a few tries before he managed. He kept his posture and position until they'd successfully made it out of the alley and away from any lingering eyes.

Once all those requirements were met, he sunk down into the seat, "ugggh" he practically growled. He was going back and forth between wrath and submission. He was holding onto the anger so he didn't start to cry.

He leaned his head against the window, thankful for the cold. "Thanks for tonight," he said.