T/W Hey guys, just wanted to put in an extra warning since the regular tw don't specify this. There is a very short couple of lines of transphobia in this episode. I'll put a ~~~ before and after it and sum up in the author's note if you want to skip that bit.

Chiron

I turn away from the captivating man in front of me, touching my fingers to my overheated cheeks and pressing my hip against the bar. He slides up next to me, leaning over the bar, and raises his arm to get the bartender’s attention. Maybe he’ll have better luck.

I’m desperate for a moment to collect myself before I do something stupid. Like, attack his lips with my mouth, or hump his leg like a horny dog, or climb him like a tree right here in the middle of the club. Not only is he good looking, there’s a palpable, crackling energy flowing between us, and I’m definitely a sucker for dominant big dick energy, which he has in spades. Yet another of my many weaknesses.

I’ve got to get a hold of myself. Thoughts are speeding through my head a mile a minute. To calm my rapid pulse, I take a couple of deep yoga breaths and fidget with a paper coaster. I frown as I stare at the bar top and collect my thoughts. This day has been so weird. First the shop lady, then the whole bus interaction, now this? What the hell is going on?

No one ever comes to chat me up or buy me a drink. It’s always a ruse to get access to someone better, Bebe/Nic or Jade. I’m the chubby, extra friend. The funny one that people settle for talking to when everyone else is busy. And what the fuck did he mean by especially in that outfit? What’s wrong with my outfit?

Covertly, I reassess the clothes I’d eventually settled on. I thought I looked okay? On top, a comfy, slouchy, cropped sweater that’s covered in tiny sequins. It has a wide neck that slides off one shoulder and is a creamy champagne colour. It’s paired with cream, low-waisted, slightly baggy, ripped jeans. I’m wearing Bi flag fishnets underneath, so they peak through the rips and light gold glitter Docs.

There’s a gold chain around my neck, some gold bangles, and a couple of my favourite gold rings on my fingers. Surprisingly, my hair was cooperating when I left the apartment, even if it’s frizzy now from the humidity of the dance floor and my hands running through it.

I only wear makeup when we go out. It’s a fun change and makes me feel pretty. And Nic used his expert hand for my makeup, giving me a neutral-toned, smokey eye. I’m sure it looks amazing. Fuck, I even remembered to repaint my chipped nail polish. Did I not look cute? Was I genuinely giving the impression of being forced to come here after a full day of work? I thought I was hiding it well.

Then it clicks. I was literally sporting all creams, neutrals, and gold except for the barely there fishnets. No wonder he said I looked like an angel. With my mop of curly blonde hair and round face, I do look like a runaway cherub.

A high-pitched whine escapes my throat just as Tess steps over to us. I scrunch my nose up and squeeze my eyes closed, the embarrassment washing over me almost physically painful. I crumple the coaster to keep myself from smacking my forehead with my hand.

“You alright? This asshole botherin’ you? I can radio Vinnie if I need to.” She moves her hand to the walkie-talkie on her hip as she glares at the man next to me. My glare is a joke at the best of times. Tess’s, on the other hand, is so intense it could laser holes through people’s heads.

Tess has this whole kickass biker aesthetic going on. Buzzed hair, leather jackets, combat boots, pierced up face, tattoos, the works. The man next to me throws up both hands in placation and takes a step backwards, ready to run from Tess’s wrath. I grab his hand before he can escape and shake my head at her. 

“No hun, I just realised something and was super embarrassed. He…” I pause, interrupting myself, and cock my eyebrow at him. “Sorry, I didn’t catch your name?” His panicked expression is fading and a tentative smile is tugging his lips.

“It’s Leo.” 

I nod and turn back to Tess. “Leo was just about to buy me a drink. I’ll have my usual, but can I get some water first? I’m so thirsty I’m dying.” 

She swats her hand at me, which I dodge, biting down on a grin. “Shit, you asshole. I thought something was fucking wrong!” She turns to Leo. “What about you, man? You want a fruity fucking drink like this dramatic bitch?” She jabs her thumb in my direction. I stick my tongue out at her.

“You love this dramatic bitch.”

Leo glances back and forth between us, his smile widening and his shoulders relaxing at our easy banter. “Whatever beer ya have on tap,” he says.

Tess shoots us finger guns and a wink, then leaves to make my fruity fucking drink. I shake my head at her back and snort out a laugh at her antics. Then, sheepishly looking up at Leo, I bite my bottom lip and furrow my eyebrows together. 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean for her to threaten you. Tess is fucking scary, but she’s a really nice person underneath all that leather and metal.”

Leo is leaning an elbow and his hip on the bar, his head cocked a little to one side, watching me in amusement. It seems he’s already completely forgotten about Tess’s threats and has again pinned his focus on me. It’s unnerving. I can never keep a person’s entire attention, having been told many times that I’m just not that handsome or interesting. My smile wavers a little, self consciousness raring to the forefront. 

“What? Is there something gross on my face?” I bring my hand up to my cheek and try a feeble attempt at a joke.

“Nah, you’re perfect.” He waits a beat then, lifting his chin in Tess’s direction, asks, “She seems a smidge overprotective, ya’ll a thing?” I shake my head and laugh.

“Definitely not. We’re just friends. My best friend performs here regularly. So, I know most of the staff. Tess has a pretty serious girlfriend, anyway. Even if she was single though, she’s only attracted to super femme people. And I may be femme, but not enough for her. I, however, support equal opportunity. Give me all the love.” I wiggle my eyebrows at him and smirk while indicating down to my tights.

His smile widens. More than expected from a little joke about being bi. Have I missed something?

“What is it?” I ask. “What’s so funny? Does my being bisexual amuse you?” 

Leo lifts our entwined hands. “I had a sneaky suspicion you might be into guys from the dick jumpin’ comment. And trust me, I wanna give ya all the love. Just wonderin’ about this.”

I grabbed his hand earlier so he wouldn’t leave, and I must have subconsciously threaded our fingers together. I’ve been holding his hand this entire time. I gawk at our hands twined together in utter mortification and disbelief. Quick as lightning, I pull my hand away and tuck it behind my back, clasping onto my elbow with my other hand. I stare at the floor, willing the ground to open up and swallow me, to please put me out of my misery.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me.” Leo steps in closer to me, closing the gap between us, his chest rumbling with a laugh. He reaches out, runs his fingers down my arm, and pulls my hand back to him. He weaves our hands back together while tilting my chin up with a light touch of his crooked finger. 

“You don’t have to let go. I wasn’t complainin’, and you don’t gotta be embarrassed. I really like holdin’ your hand. It’s sweet, like you Angel.” He moves his hand down from my chin to splay across the back of my neck, twirling the hair at my nape with his fingers and making my skin erupt in goosebumps. 

My breath hitches as I search his rich brown eyes. Is he for real? Did I slip and fall on the dance floor and I’m currently unconscious and bleeding out from a head wound? Because the likelihood of this attractive man showing interest and finding me sweet seems far-fetched. My lips part as I let go of a shaky breath. His eyes flick down to my mouth, and he watches as my tongue nervously darts out to wet them. He growls low and lifts his eyes to meet mine again. 

“Can I kiss you? Please Angel? I want to so bad.” 

Sparks of electricity zip up my spine at his words. My hand has made its way to rest on his chest again, and it’s solid and warm beneath my touch. His thumb is rubbing over the knuckles of our entwined hands, his other still in my hair. We’re pressed close together. I breathe deeply to calm the heart dancing in my chest, haphazardly taking another hit of his drug like scent. Cedar wood, citrus, and soap permeate my senses again. The club’s noise fades into the background and we’re left standing in a bubble of solitude. I've never craved someone's kiss as much as I do right now. 

I nod my head and lift onto my toes, leaning my whole body up and into him. Just as our lips are about to touch, I’m shoved from behind. Leo’s hard chest slams into me. I lose my balance, toppling over my own feet and crashing to the floor. Sharp pain radiates up my arm and into my shoulder as I land hard on my elbow. For fuck’s sake, how many times will I embarrass myself in front of this man? Leo rushes to help me stand, glaring at the person who pushed into me and spitting out. 

“Watch where you’re goin’ jerk!” He turns to me, radiating concern, his hands hovering over my body. He’s clearly holding himself back from grabbing me to look for injury. “You okay? That was a nasty fall.” I nod, holding my sore elbow, tears prickling my eyes, and a blush once again igniting my cheeks. 

A new panicky voice says, “Ay wey! Sorry, I didn’t see you! You okay, man?” I look at the person who knocked into me. He’s out of breath. His round, tan, freckle covered face is flushed as if he’s been running. He tosses his head to flick the glossy dark hair that’s tumbled into his eyes. I try to reassure them both. 

“I’m fine, really. It was an accident. Only thing that hurts is my pride.”

~~~~~~

I smile, then notice an enraged man forcefully making his way through the crowd behind the person who bumped into me. The new angry man grabs his shoulder and wheels him around. 

He points his finger in the man’s terrified face and shouts, “Don’t fucking run from me! Who do you think you are? Lying and leading me on, you fucking nasty bitch!”

The vitriol spewing from this dickhead skyrockets my anxiety, making my eyes go wide and my breathing heavy. Adrenaline kicks into high gear. My hands shake as I scramble back a step and hit Leo’s chest. It feels like bands are constricting around my chest, making it difficult for me to catch my breath. I clench my hands into fists at my sides, digging my nails into my palms. Ghosts of similarly shouted words echo in my ears. Darting my eyes back and forth, I try in vain to find an exit. I need to get away right now. 

“Hey man, calm down. Ya can’t talk to him like that.” A soothing voice comes from above my head, snapping me out of my spiral. Leo gently puts his hands on my arms and shifts me behind him. Dickhead turns his attention to Leo with a dirty look. 

“Mind your own business, you fucking hick fucknut. This is between me and her. This bitch lured me to the toilet looking like a dude and promising a good time, then doesn’t have the right fucking equipment! Just some mouldy ass pussy.” My jaw drops. I can’t believe this bigoted horseshit, and in a queer club, no less. Fire ignites in my chest, the earlier panic transforming into anger. 

~~~

I crane my neck around Leo’s bulk to check on the guy who knocked into me. He’s in tears, caving in on himself, with his arms wrapped around his body, and desperately trying to disappear. I reach around to grab the man’s wrist and pull him to me while stealing a covert glance up at Leo’s face. We’ve only just met, but I know rage when I see it and it’s steaming off of him. I guide the man towards the bar, putting my faith in Leo to keep Dickhead at bay, and call out to Tess. 

“Tess! We need Vinnie pronto! Code Red!” Tess’s eyes flash to mine, hearing the urgency in my voice. She drops what she’s doing and grabs the walkie-talkie, talking into it while making a beeline over to us. 

Vinnie, the head bouncer, doesn’t waste time. He weaves through the crowd while snarling into the walkie for backup and pushing bodies out of his way. Tess is trying to calm down the distraught man at my side. He has a firm hold of my arm and is digging his fingernails into me, crying and trying to explain.

Dickhead is shouting and arguing, while Leo is trying his best to de-escalate the situation and keep Dickhead from getting around him to the man at my side. The music is pounding into my head and strobe lights from the dance floor distort the unfolding scene. 

Suddenly, everything becomes even more chaotic. A shout from behind startles me as Dickhead hauls off and sucker punches Leo square in the jaw. The force of the punch causes Leo to stagger back. He shakes his head and blinks his eyes to regain focus.

Taking advantage of Leo’s disorientation, Dickhead barrels into him. He wraps his arms around Leo’s middle, tackling him to the ground. Fists are flying. They roll around the floor, both vying to get the upper hand. Heavy breathing, constricted grunts, and solid thwacks of fists colliding with flesh rise between the beats of the music. People scramble to escape the fray. Bystanders entertained by the spectacle bring their phones out to record video and take pictures, the flashes punctuating the chaos.