The Crimson Wood (AlastorXAngel)

Making Good Choices

   Angel walked the surprisingly lively streets of the small town towards a short brick structure with a neon sign jutting out if it reading: Cowboy Junktion. It didn't really seem like his kind of place but he had a lack of options. A few people stood out front smoking and talking. There was no lineup like the usual clubs he would attend which meant he wouldn't have to put on the old charm to get in. He walked up to the door ignoring as the men outside watched the tall male enter the structure alone. Inside it looked like your average country bar, aside from the LGBTQ+ posters and signs. He felt a little out of place, the men here were all dressed much too casual while Angel was strutting tall black thigh high boots over top of his thin white jeans along with a fluttery pink translucent top with a black furry coat. He removed the large jacket taking a seat at the bar. He was getting a lot of eyes but most were just confused why the male had gone all out.

   The bartender approached him with a gentle smile. She too was holding a raised brow but her mind had made something up to fill in the gaps.

"Just come in from a party?" She asked.

"Yeah." Angel lied hoping the excuse would make him seem like he some what knew what he was doing.

"What'll it be?" The short haired woman spoke.

"A Holy Water, less water more Holy." He sighed brushing his fingers through his hair.

   The bartender chuckled at his response before moving over to start pouring his drink. He turned around to scope out the scene. Everyone seemed to be just hanging out with friends or colleagues. This wasn't like any gay bar he had been to before. Usually there would be a plethora of lonely singles waiting for him to pray on, but tonight he seemed to be the only one. Perhaps it would be best for him to finish his drink and head to the next pub, maybe do some hopping. The bartender brought his drink and he played with the straw saying a quick small thanks. The woman smiled kindly pausing, she could sense the male may be having a rough time.

"Our kitchens open for another hour, did ya need a menu?" She wondered.

"Kitchen?" Angel sat up, it had been a long time since he ate food while being out like this. He found it distracting from his mission, and it could sometimes make him unapproachable or seem busy. "Y'know..... Yeah why not." Saying yes for some reason made him feel happy, like he was doing something good.

   The woman gave him a menu and told him the special was roasted lamb. Angel thanked her looking over the tall black book. It really had been a long time since he had looked at a menu. 'The money I could have saved eating food instead of doing dust.' He thought to himself. He decided he was going all out, he was giving up on his idea of getting smashed and going home with a stranger. He was going to have ribs, have too many drinks, and just have this night to himself. This plan even made him excited to his own surprise. Perhaps it was because it was something that he wanted that wouldn't end him up in trouble. But wait. The whole point of him going out was so that he could start a problem, to see how far the deer would go. Although it wasn't like he had to, the night was young and this is what he wanted to do right now. He placed down the menu which brought over the bartender.

"You know what you want?" She took the black book.

"Yup, give me the ribs, a full rack." He couldn't hold back his playful smile.

"No problem hun."

   The woman sent his order to the kitchen and he continued to enjoy a second drink before his food arrived. An older male at the bar seemed impressed that such a slim well dressed man was getting this hardy meal.

"Another round?" The woman pointed at his drink.

"Yeah, just a beer, whatevers on tap is good."

   He was so out of character right now and he was loving it. He knew once the ribs and beer were gone he would have to bounce or he would fall ill to boredom. He began diving into the messy rack not caring if it was getting all over his face.

"Ribs huh?" A familiar voice startled him.

   He turned around with a saucy stare to see the gruff Husk behind him. He unlike Angel was a regular at this place. The bartender had already given him a warm greeting and a glass of scotch.

"What are you doing here." Angel asked.

"Its game night." Husk pointed to the screen. "It's no shock that I'm in a place like this, the bigger question is why are you here?"

"Ribs." Angel held out a bone. "Duh."

"Uhuh. No luck finding your scene." The dark haired male assumed.

"Maybe I just wanted a chill night to think over the stressful bullshit I've been going through." Angel pointed rib bone at him.

"You and I both know that eating ribs at a gay country bar is not how you deal with your problems." The man sat down at the bar taking a drink from the scotch he had been brought.

"Okay you caught me. I wanted to go out and party but Google brought me here." He gave in.

"Well." Husk looked away not wanting to show any emotion. "Its good to see you eating something."

"Huh?" Angel looked down at his plate curiously. He hadn't even noticed that this was the first real meal he's had in weeks. But Husk did notice, although he was rough around the edges he really did care. "Awe, you've been watching out for me."

"After what you told us the other night, we all have." He brought his view back to the male. "Its a relief that I found you here, if you'd have gone missing again..... Everyone woulda been freaking out. You gonna help with renos tomorrow." He changed the subject.

   Angel made an ugly face at the thought of working. "I guess I've got nothing better to do."

"It'll be good for you."

   The two then finished their night together harmlessly watching the game and slugging back drinks until they were ready to stumble back to the hotel.