The Den was loud, even from the outside. It was a small bar, unassuming with the exception of the rainbow flag flying next to the door. They had their IDs checked at the door; fake of course, but too good to be caught. Rachel knew a guy. The inside was bright, most walls covered in neon lights. It was crowded, but that made sense on a Saturday night. Asher pushed through the crowd first, leaving a pathway behind him for Goose and Rachel to trail behind. They found one of the only remaining empty tables up near the side of the small stage. A very tall drag queen was dancing on the platform, spinning and kicking to the beat flawlessly.
Asher left his friends to fight his way to the bar. He flagged one of the bartenders down, a handsome man a few years older than Asher.
"What can I get you?" he asked loudly over the noise of the bar.
"Two PBRs and a gin & tonic!" he shouted back.
It took twice as long to get the drinks as he had expected, but he paid and tipped all the same. The lights were being adjusted in the bar, dimming on the floor and focusing on the stage to signal a new performer. A voice boomed through the speakers overhead. "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage, Lemon Wedge!"
From behind the curtain at the back of the stage, out popped and posed a gorgeous drag queen with big yellow hair in a sparkly yellow gown. The crowd erupted into cheers, the loudest being a bachelorette party at the front of the crowd. The queen smiled, basking in the applause before beginning her performance. She raised a microphone to her lips, and began lip-synching to a sultry latin pop song that Asher didn't recognize. He watched her dance across the stage, nailing each movement exactly to the beat.
She twirled across the stage towards them, and winked one long-lashed eye at Asher, and he nearly dropped his drink. "Holy shit." He stared at her hazel eyes, her feline features, and recognition dawned upon him. "I think that's Liam."
Rachel's mouth fell open as Goose choked on his beer. "Your Liam?" she asked.
Asher blushed and looked away. "I mean, I don't know if I would call him my Liam..." he mumbled.
Rachel waved him off, watching Lemon Wedge again. The more Asher watched her, the more certain he became. That was Liam, the boy who hours before had been naked in his bed. Asher was surprised that he was not more surprised. Liam was creative, gorgeous, and comfortable in his sexuality. Drag made perfect sense for him.
After the song ended, Lemon Wedge collected the rest of the bills the crowd was handing her, blew kisses to the audience, and exited through the curtain again. Asher, Rachel, and Goose cheered the loudest.
The host of the show returned to the stage, thanked everyone for attending and wished them a safe drive home. The crowd cheered, and the lights went down again.
Goose, Rachel and Asher glanced at each other nervously. Within moments, Lemon Wedge appeared at their table.
Asher threw his hands in the air when she walked up, ecstatic. "That was amazing!"
Goose agreed enthusiastically while Rachel clapped, obviously appraising Liam simultaneously.
Lemon Wedge made a bashful face. "Thanks, y'all." She brushed her voluminous curly hair away from her face, and looked at Asher. "I'm glad you came."
"And miss this?" Asher grinned.
Lemon Wedge visibly relaxed. "I'm gonna go take this off, wait for me?"
Asher nodded, laughing to himself as she walked away to the backstage area.
Goose slammed his hands on the table. "You're dating a drag queen. This is incredible."
Asher blushed. "I don't know if we're dating-"
Rachel waved a hand at him. "I don't think he would have invited you if he wasn't interested in you."
Asher shrugged, and returned his attention to the rest of his beer. He chugged the rest when he saw Liam approaching a few minutes later, looking much more how he had come to expect. There was a little eyeliner smudged under his eyes, but it was endearing. Asher and his friends stood, and Asher stepped forward. "Liam, this is Goose and Rachel." He pointed at each of them in turn. Goose smiled, and Rachel gave him a quick wave.
"Thanks for coming, guys," Liam smiled. He turned to Asher. "Ready to go?"
He nodded, moving to the door first and holding it open for everyone else. Goose walked through first, closely followed by Rachel. Liam lingered back, watching them walk out for a few feet. Asher frowned, confused, before Liam turned and kissed him. He pulled back after just a second, smiling. "Thank you for coming, really."
Asher blushed. "Of course."
Goose and Rachel bickered the entire walk back, but Asher could not have told anyone what they talked about. As they walked, Liam's hand would brush up against the back of Asher's hand, and it sent shivers up his spine. He so badly wanted to grab his hand, to wrap his fingers in Liam's. But he couldn't risk anyone seeing them together like that.
They split off from Goose and Rachel around halfway across campus to their respective dorms. The short walk to their building was completely silent. Asher had no idea what Liam was thinking about, but all he could think about was Liam. They climbed the stairs quickly. Liam hesitated between their doors, looking between the two. He grabbed his newly-made dorm key and unlocked his, holding the door open for Asher.
Asher glanced down the hall both ways before ducking inside. He pulled Liam inside, who closed the door behind him. Asher pushed him lightly into the door and pressed his body against Liam's hard, resting his hands on Liam's hips.
Liam gasped and laughed lightly, arching into Asher. He smirked up. "Is there something you're after, Asher?"
