Chapter Text
Being employed as a HoneyBee escort was, and wasn’t, what it appeared. As the HoneyBee Inn’s front, guests were welcomed into the hotel by provocatively dressed hostesses in the HoneyBee Bust costume. It was only when guests signed into the register and had a membership card as a HoneyBee Client that treatment differed from an ordinary stay in a hotel.
Once listed as a Honey Client, guests could request a Service Bee from the catalog that night listing who was available. The Honey Comb showed pictures of the Service Bees and their working profile. The Honey Comb even came with several pages of different costumes and the client could request which one they came dressed in. Once done selecting a Service Bee, that Service Bee was to perform the client’s commands until they were done and exited the hotel – be it later that night or when they signed out in the morning.
If the client signed out early the Service Bee was expected to shower and clean properly, then go back on duty for the rest of their shift.
The other kind of workers available to HoneyBee Clients were Queen Bees. Don’t let the name fool you, both could be considered exchangeable titles by the time the end of the night rolled around. One became considered a Queen Bee when they were considered more popular than the others, or exotic to some extent that fascinated the clients who saw them. They would perform the same as Service Bees except with a higher price attached.
The only other difference between a Service Bee and a Queen Bee were that Queen Bee were date requests. Sometimes clients came who didn’t desire a simple one one-night stand, but wished for romance. Queen Bees were to be taken willingly from the hotel to expensive restaurants to publically fawn over them and inspire how desirable their client was.
Maybe that’s seems a little confusing, but it was actually rather simple. Rich men did it more often than any poor man does. Some people are unable to bare the loneliness of one-night stands, some simply enjoy the company of attractive companions, others desire a date to be focused solely on them all night regardless of how they act, and some are in desperation bred from hateful spouses who cheat to feel that ‘spark’ again, even with someone else.
This is what were required of HoneyBee escorts, and failure to perform as expected could mean anything from a severely docked pay or a fine from the HoneyBee Inn, to losing clients which meant popularity – lose too much popularity and you’ll be fired.
In the cutthroat city of Midgar, especially in The Slums where the HoneyBee Inn was located, you either performed to your highest or risked losing all of your stakes on the board.
Cloud, having started in the business at sixteen and worked for two years as an escort, knew the ins and outs of surviving in the industry. That’s why when the changing room was lit up with a buzzing energy around him, he knew it meant only one thing. There was a fresh client tonight who had signed in. On nights like these despite who he got along with and who he didn’t, they were all rivals.
Fierce looks were exchanged all throughout the room as girls adjusted their busts and reapplied their makeup. Cloud tried to relax. His azure eyes glanced toward the doorway hearing the slightest of raps. A man in a suit was standing in the shadows.
Carefully, Cloud got up disappeared into the hallway.
“Reno?”
“Yo. Just came by to let you know the client who stopped by tonight is a SOLDIER. I know how SOLDIERs interest you and all.”
“…you came by just to say that?”
Chuckling, he admitted, “I guess I have a little more. Don’t get your hopes up is what I should say.”
“He isn’t interested in men?”
“Oh no, he certainly is… But I meant he came here by necessity. Was visitin’ a friend in The Slums and lost track of time – he’s stayin’ here for the night because he missed the shuttle. I doubt he’ll use that membership card of his to get anyone in bed with him... Though maybe knowing him, he might like to see a strip tease, since he’s here and all.”
“You have a lot of information on him…”
“Do I? I think I just try to look after you good, doll.”
“So if he does request someone… What do you think my chances are?”
“Well if I had to guess his type, I’d say he’d want someone strong.”
“Strong?”
“Strong and femme, since that’ll be what he finds here. It’ll definitely be someone with big ole titties, or someone like you.”
“You think?”
“He’s a sucker for blue eyes too – and if he sees you in that catalog I’m sure he’ll want a strip tease after all.”
“Just a ‘strip tease?’”
“He’s in a pretty air tight relationship, doll. I’d be amazed if he even attempted anything more than play.”
“Thanks for the information… I’ll pass it along.”
“No need to go and do that doll… I know you’re a little behind on payments this month.”
Cloud gave him a frothy glare, and Reno held up his hands.
“Don’t look at me like that… You know I’m just watchin’ out for you. I put in a good word is all.”
“…thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Walking back into the changing room, Cloud said, “Then I won’t.”
He was still close enough he could still hear Reno mumble, “…the hell, mention it a little bit yo…”
After taking his seat and removing some of his makeup for a more natural color, Cloud wasn’t surprised when one of the main hostesses at the entrance of the Inn came in. She stopped before Cloud and while the other girls sent him scornful looks, she crossed her arms over her amble breast and said, “Room 5. Requests for a tease show – only request for clothing is for lingerie. Got it?”
When she got a nod as answer, she turned and left the room. Cloud went over to the hanging racks of clothing and costumes and stripped off his Bumble Bee bust costume behind one of the changing curtains after selecting what he felt like wearing. From outside the curtain he heard a girl’s voice.
“Looks like you got lucky again, Cloud.”
“Elena?”
“Yep. Tell me what he’s like afterward.”
“What for?”
“I’ve always wondered what SOLDIERs are like in bed.”
“I doubt it’ll progress that far.”
“You think? Well, you normally seem to know what’s up. Anyway, good luck… And remember, if he gets too rough you can-”
“I really don’t need your support.”
“O-oh… Well! Good luck anyway!”
Glancing at himself in one of the many full lengths mirrors Cloud selected one of the shorter blonde wigs, full of tight curls. As he headed for the door at the front of the room reserved only for HoneyBee escorts, he picked up his honey and cinnamon scented perfume and sprayed his wrists and neck.
The price of perfumes have risen again… I’ll have to use this more sparingly from now on.
Setting it down, he exited the changing room ignoring the withering looks from the only other two male escorts. He knew both were in tight spots, but chose to ignore thinking of them.
Room 5, huh… A SOLDIER is in here.
Cloud forced away any wistful thoughts before they could rise and knocked politely two times before entering. Inside the octagon room, sitting on the honeycomb shaped bed was the SOLDIER. He was dressed in dark blue fatigues, signaling he was a Second Class SOLDIER, and grinned broadly upon seeing him.
Cloud admired his dark tanned skin and bright eyes, and the way his grin was wide and instinctive – traits of someone who would not normally be a difficult client.
Shutting the door behind him and leaning back against it, Cloud could tell the man liked the way he arched his leg against it.
“I’m Claudia… I’m here to entertain you.”
Running a hand through dark black raven locks, the grin stretched further.
“Oh, I’m certainly entertained already now that you’re here.”
Seems red was a good choice after all.
The tight but soft black material against his chest was a bra that unhooked in the front – put on for nothing more than show, as he certainly didn’t have any cleavage or breast – and the matching panties were to the same extent. The glimmering see-through red lingerie was what was really eye-catching. It wrapped around his neck and trailed down, splitting open at the hook of the bra and trailing down the sides. The skirt was of the same material and flowed down and around his left leg – hiding nothing, only there for appearance.
Cloud had thought of wearing jewelry, but had kept it simple with two thin golden bangles on his left wrist. Jewelry was only a distraction during a stripping, and not at all what the clients would be focusing on once it started.
The small stage, also as octagon-themed as everything else in the room including the hot tub, was already set up but curiously without a pole of any sort. He stepped up onto it slowly, already enticing the SOLDIER with his slim legs and toned stomach. Sitting at the edge of the bed and now leaning forward, curious and appreciating eyes scanned him head to toe.
“You’re incredibly beautiful… Like damn.”
“Would you like to see more of me?”
It was a practiced line, one that wasn’t even original to him – but nevertheless it delighted the client. Cloud was certain he could say the most clichéd of lines and this man would still welcome them.
“Well I definitely wouldn’t want to be rude would I?”
Cloud was used to if not performing on the pole, then skirting around it and up against it. Without it there he had to improvise – spreading his feet apart to the ends of the small stand and bringing his hands up his stomach muscles one by one toward the clasp, but then continuing up over it to his neck and into his hair, where he pushed it off his shoulders and then brought it back.
He was hoping by this time the man would fling his Gil at him, but wasn’t very surprised when he didn’t. The man hadn’t even set up any sort of music with the controls in the rooms besides a soft and sweetly tempting melody. He was here for the enjoyment of the full show.
Bringing one hand down his side and using the other to rake one thumb up the middle of his abs, he flawlessly brought it up and undid the clasp. There was no great reveal, but he’d learned simply doing the act without mishap often got the reaction as if he’d just unveiled giant jugs.
True to these thoughts, the man sat eagerly forward again, raising a beer to his lips from the bed mini bars at either side of him.
Cloud, bringing his leg forward bent over and wrapped his hands around his ankle and slowly brought them back up and over to his thigh, where he teasingly pulled on the strings holding his black panties in place. Having the man’s full attention he pulled the string and let them drop. A shift of his hips made the red see-through material he’d wound into a skirt fall just right – covering and hiding the last part of him to a maddeningly tease-reveal and nothing more.
“Aww…”
Enjoying the fact his client seemed to find this appealing and annoying all at once, Cloud stepped off the stage and approached him. Standing just in front of him, almost in between his legs, his client sat up straight with widened eyes as he sat his drink down.
Careful not to touch yet, Cloud did a slow turn as he brought his arms against his body. Only after did he reach out and entice the man to reach his hand out to feel the lingerie.
“Want to see what’s underneath…?”
With a slight gulp – he was oddly adorable in some way – the man nodded. Guiding his hand to the knot where he’d bound the material at his hip, he urged him silently to pull it away. As the man pulled the knot Cloud moved with it – stepping onto the bed and settling in the surprised man’s lap. The material moved just right in between them that it revealed the triangle of blonde pelvic hairs he had, while covering his half-massed erection.
With his arms were on the man’s shoulders, he could tell his client was entirely aroused by the movement – could feel the proof of that straining up against his pants underneath – but gave him no reprieve. Bringing his left hand up so that the bangles jingled along his ear lope, he buried his fingers in the man’s hair and looked right in his eyes.
“Don’t…you want to see?”
The tease was near silent, a way to urge his client forward subconsciously so they could hear him. It worked and they were now nose to nose. He could tell the SOLDIER wasn’t entirely comfortable this close, but the flushed expression on their face was a clear sign they were enjoying this.
This wasn’t supposed to be more than a strip tease, with very minimal touching – and normally only the client doing the touching as they placed money in the bands of their escort’s clothing, but Cloud was acting more free spirited than his normal self.
Maybe it was the intrigue of being in another SOLDIER’s arms, wondering if this one would get lost in a frenzy like the last one – that drew him out from the boundaries he normally firmly placed: not willing to give an inch unless they literally paid for it.
Cloud didn’t even like kissing other men – no matter how passionate some enjoyed it – unless it was forced on him for a few moments. But he got closer, putting their lips to an almost touch. Hands settled on his hips, warm strong SOLDIER hands – and Cloud could tell by the slight greenish haze in the indigo eyes before him that he was about to have him completely.
“Don’t…you want to touch?”
Another gulp and those hands tightened on him little by little, becoming firmer… Lips pressed and then opened, and he could see a storm of emotions going through indigo eyes and just as Cloud was certain he could press forward and claim his reward, those very eyes opened in shock and the SOLDIER’s head jerked away from his.
“Wh-whoa!”
Displeased, he opened his mouth but a hand moved to cover his.
“Oh no, please no more of your erotic voice… You’ll do me in at this rate. Wow, you’re really, really good at this whole entertainment thing aren’t you?”
Cloud cocked a fine eyebrow, not liking having his atmosphere shifted without his consent. He’d never had that particular trick fail him before – especially by such new blood.
When the hand moved from his mouth he immediately asked, “Did I do something wrong…?”
“Wrong? Pssh, haha… No, it’s just you’re a little too intense for me right now.”
“Too intense?”
“If you keep going any longer I’m going to want to take you right here and now – and that’ll be bad for the both of us.”
“Would it…?”
“Yep, unfortunately… I’m in a very happy relationship right now. A tease show is one thing, but I’ll get into trouble at this rate. Besides, I think they’d cut my arm off if I couldn’t pay or something right?” Cloud wasn’t used to a client who rambled and laughed and was unsure of how to proceed.
When they tilted his chin up he felt further fluxed.
“Gaia be whole… You’ve got one of the most amazing pair of eyes I’ve ever seen… If these things were ever enhanced they’d blind me.”
“I’ve been told they’re very bright.”
Cloud could definitely still feel the raging hard-on under him. He wondered what was so different about this man – he was certain he hadn’t made any mistakes…
“If I was a single man I think I might fall in love with you.”
The way he said it sounded so honest – and even stranger confused – and Cloud watched as he seemed to shake himself a little.
“I haven’t…”
“Huh?”
“…had anyone stop me before.”
The man stared at him uncertainly for a moment before resting his forehead against Cloud’s with closed eyes.
“I’m not even sure if you’re doing it purposefully anymore… Damn, you’re really too cute… But because of that you’ve got me worried. If we go any further I’m definitely going to cause trouble for myself. I- I think I need a minute to chill out, so… Thank you for keeping me entertained sweetheart.”
Cloud watched on silently as the man reached down and grabbed the material between them and began to tie it back around Cloud’s slim waist. His indigo eyes were making no attempt to stop staring at what was temptingly half-revealed underneath the thin material, but again he made no attempt to reach out and feel it.
What’s wrong with me? Am I actually disappointed?
At a gentle nudge, Cloud slowly moved to get off the man’s lap and stand before him. He watched curiously as the man took one of his hands and kissed the back of it.
“I didn’t know femme dudes could be so damn hot. Um, what’s an expensive tip for places like this? Will this do?”
Cloud, lost, watched as the man placed a good sum of Gil into his palms of all places.
“….”
“Hm? Is something wrong?”
Glancing down at the Gil, Cloud decided to stop being so mystified and shook his head. His eyes glanced down again. He had gotten tips of this same amount before, and definitely some larger ones from filthy rich clients, but never had he received such a generous donation from such a small act before. These weren’t just a collection of one Gils.
“No, but did you count your Gil well?”
Cloud panicked at his own response, wondering what had gotten into him.
“Huh? Oh, yeah I did. You deserved every Gil.” Then of all things the man winked.
“Are you sure…this is everything you wanted?”
“Like I said if we progress any further I’ll end up getting in over my head, so I’m afraid so. Thanks for the show!”
This is the weirdest man I’ll ever know.
Shaking off his uncertainty, Cloud nodded.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it… If you ever come back to this hotel, remember my name’s Claudia.”
“I’m certain,” he had that large wolfish grin again, “I won’t forget it.”
Picking up the garments he’d removed and slipping them back on, Cloud glanced back at the smiling man one last time as he headed for the door.
I doubt I will either.
He closed the door behind him, frowning down at the floor. After several moments he made his way for the escort hallway again to go back to the changing room.
SOLDIERs really must be different from normal people after all. They aren’t human. They certainly aren’t sane either.