Long after the music stopped and the lights dimmed, one thought refused to leave Kyle’s mind: he had never seen Phoenix’s face.

“Hey, you. Come with me.”
Phoenix held out his hand, palm open.

Kyle hesitated, his gaze flicking briefly toward the crowd.

“Where are we going? I’ve got someone waiting for me.”

“You want to walk back out there like that and have to explain yourself?” Phoenix replied, already turning away, his tone casual but firm. “Go ahead.”

Fuck. He’s right.

“Wait,” Kyle said quickly. “I’ll come with you.”

Phoenix glanced back over his shoulder and extended his hand again. This time, Kyle didn’t hesitate. He took it.

The moment he did, Phoenix’s expression shifted — the easy smile fading, replaced by something tense, almost worried.

What did I do to make you look like that?
Or did you notice something?

A few seconds later, they slipped into the dressing room, the noise of the party muffled behind the door.

“The bathroom’s over there,” Phoenix said, nodding in its direction. “Take as long as you need. I’ll get dressed and head back out.”
He paused, already halfway out of the role. “Lock the door after I leave.”

He reached into the pocket of the jacket he’d been holding since leaving the stage, pulled out a key, and placed it in Kyle’s hand.
“This is the door key. When you’re done, find me at the party and give it back. Just… leave it locked, please.”

“Wait,” Kyle said, fingers curling around the key. “How will I know it’s you?”

Phoenix didn’t stop moving.
“Don’t worry about that,” he said over his shoulder. “Just take care of it. I have to get back to work.”

Before Kyle could say anything else, Phoenix stepped out and closed the door quietly behind him.

Am I really doing this right now?

And all because a stranger left me like this?

Kyle let out a quiet sigh, then walked to the door and locked it, just as he’d been instructed.
After that, he headed straight for the bathroom — only to stop short when he noticed a shirt lying on the couch.

Was this the one he’d been wearing?

Kyle picked it up and brought it closer, inhaling without thinking.

Yeah. It was his.

God, Kyle. What are you doing? You’re being a pervert.

Without fully realizing it, he took the shirt with him into the bathroom and took care of his small problem.

A few minutes later, Kyle felt composed again. He left the room and returned to the party, determined to find Phoenix.

How am I supposed to find you?
I never saw your face — and honestly, I was so distracted by everything that I didn’t even notice what you were wearing.

After walking around the venue a few times, he finally spotted someone from behind.
Tall.
Blond hair pulled back into a braid.
A black shirt, a matching red corset over it, and pants that emphasized far more than should probably be allowed.

When the man turned slightly, Kyle knew immediately.

Phoenix.

He was still wearing the mask.

Kyle took a step closer — then another.

Phoenix stood stiff, clearly upset, speaking to someone Kyle couldn’t quite make out.

A second later, there was no one there but Phoenix. Still masked. Still tense.