Anthony stepped down the stage's stairs, trying desperately not to trip over the absurdly long gown, Sighing as he finally got down, he rubbed the bruise forming on his arm and gently took a step... right into a shorter man. "Ah- shit- sorry 'bout that!" He played his best flirty female act. He saw the man from the bar. "Well hello again handsome~!" He batted his eyelashes.

"Hey. You alright?" He gestured towards the bruising. It was clear on his face he wasn't fond of the idea of Anthony getting hurt.

"Oh no- I'm fine Hun! Just a little bump on the door on my way out to the stage."

"Door hit your legs too?" The man said. Anthony's smile tightened.

"I'm just a very clumsy person. That wasn't the door. I fell on my knees shortly after." He fixed his dress. "Now if ya don't mind, and ya ain't gonna sleep with me, then I have places to be." Anthony knew the man wasn't going to accept the offer of sleeping together. He had already made that pretty clear. So the next words shocked Anthony to the core.

"You're coming with me for the night."

--------------

Henry stood staring at a bewildered Angel. The look almost made him laugh. If it weren't for the situation he probably would've cracked a smile. But he was serious.

"W-what?" Her voice cracked a bit. "Ya. Ya said ya weren't interested yesterday-. I mean if ya changed her mind thats fine but uhm-'' Henry moved and grabbed her hand.

"Yeah. I didn't change my mind on sex. But you're coming with me to keep you safe from whoever caused those bruises." Henry grumbled, starting to gently pull her forward.

"Hey! I told ya I'm just a clumsy gal!"

"And door bruises don't look like hand prints." Henry grumbled. "cmon. I'll even pay for the night." Angel huffed a bit.

"I have things I need to do. I quite like my job and I'd like to keep it." She flipped her hair back over her shoulder, pulling away. Henry sighed. "I don't see why ya care anyway. Ya don't know me."

"I don't like abusers." Henry said simply. "And a girl like you doesn't deserve to be covered in bruises from an asshole like that."

"I'll have you know I like being marked." She pouted. "Makes me feel important."

"Well. I didn't need to know that." Henry sighed. "But I'm sure you don't like these kinds of markings. If anything it makes you look weak." Angel's gaze turned to him, full of rage.

"Weak?" Henry had clearly struck a nerve.

"That's right. You look weak with marks like that. Like you aren't a capable woman to take care of herself." Angel then slapped him. Henry stood shocked for a moment. He definitely deserved that slap, but he was only being honest. "Look." He recomposed himself, straightening his top. "I didn't mean you aren't a woman capable of taking care of yourself." Angel huffed. "Just that's what those marks look like. And I get being scared of abusers. Trust me I do.." Henry shivered as a memory flicked through his mind of Al after a failed hit. "But if I got a chance to get away, even for a night, I'd take it." Angel huffed, looking over her shoulder, to Valentino.

"Fine. But ya better make it worth my while, if ya don't plan on sleepin' with me."

"Will do."

---------------

Anthony stepped into the hotel room, the man on his phone talking to some man named "Al" who did not sound happy. Anthony assumed Al was the person the man feared, but he was asking for an extension, as well as some cash to keep someone safe. Anthony sighed, looking to the mini bar in the room. He walked to it and pulled out a little bottle of vodka. He sat down and opened it, taking a drink from it. The man finally shut his shitty flip phone with a sigh. "Don't know why he was so pissed off, but hey. I got some money to hit the casino, and an actual bar." He chuckled softly.

"Gambling sounds..." Anthony wasn't sure how that sounded. He'd probably get recognized by his father and that thought terrified him. He couldn't exactly change out of his dress and wig when he wasn't comfortable with this man who didn't want to sleep with him. "I don' know. The santrio's are there-'' he moved to fiddle with the seam of his glove.

"Yeah, well. Can't be helped. You don't have to go with me." The man shrugged.

"What.. What's your name? I never got it."

"Henry." The man, Henry, said. Simple enough, and Anthony hoped he wasn't a weirdo who played like he wasn't going to do anything only to take it when Anthony was asleep.

"I'm.." he paused. Should he give his real name? No. No that was a bad idea. Valentino wanted a certain image, and during "work" he was Angel. "Angel."

"I got that from the posters." Anthony chuckled softly.

"Right." How couldn't Henry have gotten the name from the posters that littered Valentino's inn. He found himself feeling utterly stupid. "Duh." He shook his head. "But uhm-.. I'm. I should tell you I'm.. not a woman. I'm a drag queen." Anthony looked away.

"Okay?" Henry seemed unfazed by this revelation.

"That doesn't.. make you uncomfortable?"

"Why would that make me uncomfortable? You said you enjoy your job. That's what matters." Henry spoke, no judgement in his tone. Anthony let go of a breath he had held momentarily.

"And. It doesn't make ya uncomfortable that I'm.. gay?" He squeaked out.

"No." He sighed very softly. "Who you love doesn't matter to me. Hell, I don't have a straight deck either." He chuckled at his own card joke. Anthony couldn't help but smile himself. "I mean. I had a wife and kids. But you're still a catch even after learning you're a man. I have no reason to think otherwise." Anthony let out a soft chuckle, relief spreading through his being.

"Thanks Whiskers," Anthony smiled, leaning back. "That makes me feel way better."

"Whiskers?" Henry asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Ya have a beard. I don' know. It fits ya tho." Anthony moved to gently stroke Henry's beard, earning a gentle shove of his hand away.
"Then I guess that makes you legs" Anthony laughed at that. "You don't seem against that.."

"It's a fun nickname!" Anthony smiled. "Now, let's hit some bars!"