GRUFFY DON'T READ THIS

How It Started

She made them go right up by the stage. It only took two seconds into the first act for him to realize the difference between drag queens and kings. Same premise, just flipped the opposite way. He could see now why Molly'd be so interested, watching (mostly) women dress up masculine and putting on a show. He knew her type and could read her like an open book. He spent more time watching her than any of the shows. She was so expressive, even more so when she drank. He loved seeing her so carefree; she often worked herself to the bone, just like he did.

"That last one, Maxi? She just started working over in the maternity ward. Real sweet thing, she is." She took a long sip of her third margarita; it was her drink of choice. "Cute, too..."

He grinned at her. He was starting to have a good time despite himself. Too bad the show was almost over. "So, are you going to ask for her number?"

"How do you know I haven't already?"

"Because you're blushing something fierce right now."

"...it's the alcohol."

"Sure it is."

She rolled her eyes. Change of subject. "A-anyways, this is the last act. Someone new in town, I gu–"

The music cut her off. But Faustus couldn't hear any of it. It was like the world had just stopped when he saw them. The most gorgeous person he'd ever seen. Tall, slender, dressed in the finest suit with a matching tophat. He couldn't take his eyes off them. Of course, neither could anyone else; the routine was excellent. Probably the best of the show. He had brought some cash, like Molly had suggested in case he wanted to tip. He'd held onto it all night, too shy to do so. Now, he held it out. They took it with a wide grin and a wink. He thought he was going to die on the spot.

"Wow, they're really good," Molly spoke to him, leaning in close so she would be heard over the music. "I really like the whole robot thing. Gives fortune teller vibes, y'know?"

She finally looked at her friend when he didn't respond. They'd been chatting back and forth all night, and now, he was captivated. His face was beet red, and this surprised her. "Faust?"

The act was over. Amidst all the chaos, he locked eyes with her. "P-peach."

She furrowed her brow in confusion first before remembering. Right. The code system they'd come up with for outings. Peach was... need a break. Outside. "Um, pie or cobbler?"

He thought for a long second, biting his lip. "...Pie."

Alone, then. She nodded and scooted away so he'd have room to leave the stage area. "I'll be chatting with some friends near the bar, okay? Text me if you need anything."

It took a lot of weaving to get outside; most people moved out of his way when they saw the cane. Others were too drunk to care. As soon as he was in the alley, he leaned against the wall and buried his face in his hands.

What the fuck was that? He'd never felt that way before, about anyone. Molly was the only one he'd ever told that he just wasn't interested in other people; men, women or otherwise. She respected that. So this was... this was confusing for him. He should've asked her to come out with him, but he felt he needed a second alone to just... process. It was normal to find others attractive. It didn't mean anything. It didn't mean anything.

He must've been out there internally screaming for quite some time before there was someone else clambering out into the alley. He half-expected to see Molly or maybe some drunk couple looking for a quiet place to snog. He froze at the sight of the object of his sudden and unexpected affection.

They came crashing out, throwing themself against the wall and clutching onto the sides of their tophat. They slid down the wall, and it was very clear they hadn't noticed him. They thought they were alone. Faustus looked toward the door, thinking to sneak back in and give them privacy. But they drew him in, something about them...