GRUFFY DON'T READ THIS

How It Started

"...Are you alright?"

Their head snapped up. They looked frightened for a moment, but then they grinned that same pearly grin from before. It was clear they recognized him.

"'m fine. Just–AAAAAAGHHHHH, y'know?"

No, the fuck, he didn't know. He must've looked alarmed by the sudden shout because they started to laugh. "Sorry, sorry. Just–that was kind of nerve-wracking."

He swayed from foot to foot, fingering his cane. He was trying to fight the blush he knew was spreading across his cheeks. He wasn't normally this chatty with strangers, but he was going out on a limb here. "That was your first time performing?"

They nodded, slowly standing and moving a bit closer to him. Okay, this was turning into an actual conversation now. Shit. "Yeah. Bit different, on stage versus in my bedroom. Was it obvious?"

He didn't even need to lie. "No. You were excellent."

They ducked their head and laughed. The sound made butterflies blossom in his stomach. He wanted to make them laugh again, just to hear that beautiful noise. "Ah, you're too kind." They pulled out a pack of cigarettes, their hands only trembling slightly. It was clear they were anxious as hell still; seemed like they're good at masking it though. Faustus just knew what to look for.

They offered him a cigarette, but he declined. "I'll stick to my pipe, thanks."

They chuckled a little as they lit up. "You use a pipe? For real?"

He just shrugged. He tried not to stare too much in the coming silence. They were handsome as hell up close, especially with that makeup... Something Molly had said earlier came back to him. "Oh, um, what pronouns, do you use?"

They laughed wholeheartedly, choking on the smoke. He moved to try to help, but they waved him away after a moment. He stared in mild horror. Had he said the wrong thing?

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean–was that, too forward?" He had absolutely no idea how to navigate these sorts of conversations.

"No, you're fine, tatlı." Faustus had no idea what that word meant, but he blushed more nonetheless. "I just–you asked for my pronouns before my name."

Oh. Whoops. It was time to introduce himself the way Molly had taught him. He reached a hand out despite how awkward it felt. "Faustus. He, him. It's nice to meet you."

They stamped out their cigarette and took his hand with a grin. "Faustus, huh? Is that really your name?"

He shrugged helplessly when the other let go. "My parents were well-read, I suppose. You are... Karnak? The Amazing Karnak?"

"That's my stage name." They were closer to him now, almost pinning him to the wall. He found he didn't really mind that, surprisingly. The other has quite a few inches on him. "Buy me a drink, and maybe I'll tell you my other name. You'll find quickly I'm not like the other girls."

"...You still haven't told me your pronouns."

God, this man was helpless. That just made him cuter. "He, him, too, tatlı." Karnak tapped a pin on his suit jacket, and Faustus finally recognized the pastel colors. Duh. He felt like an idiot.

"R-right. I'll, um. Yeah, I'll buy you, a drink."

"Great!" He grabbed Faust's free hand but immediately let go with a guilty look. "Sorry. Didn't ask first."

The shorter man literally could not be blushing any harder. "It-it's okay. We can, um–"

Great. Karnak took his hand again and dragged him back inside. It was all kind of a blur. Faustus did in fact order his... date?... a drink, declining one for himself. He was fine sipping on water; he needed to stay sober after all. They found a quiet spot in the corner to sit and chat for a bit. How the fuck did he get himself into this situation, sitting with a cute guy and chatting? No one ever spared him a glance when he went out; what did this person find so interesting about him? Free drinks? No, that was cynical and mean. Better not to think like that.