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The club was packed, music blasting and bass thumping loudly. Just as Henrik had expected. A condition he gladly accepted to bask in the moment of being himself among a community that accepted him more than he did.
The long red and white dress eased his uneasiness, the make-up took some of his tension and the blond wig helped to keep his self-loathing at bay. At least for another night. He knew that it would return in the morning. Afterwards.
It always did.
He claimed a vacant seat at the bar and ordered a bottle of mineral water. No ice. Non-carbonated. He quickly scanned the top of the bar before he leaned against it. As much as his getup kept his compulsions in order, he still felt the need to check the bar’s surface for possible contamination.
Upon his first sip he felt a prickle of being watched. He registered a dark haired man leaning against a wall to his left. He had piercing green eyes and gave off a foreign vibe. Henrik was sure that he wasn’t a resident of Pori. The tourist flashed him a charming smile and he smiled back. Something about the dark haired peeked his interest just as much as it alarmed his criminological instinct. He wasn’t sure what it was, but something about this man called trouble.
Observant yet curious Henrik turned a little towards the tourist when he took a step forward with a suggestive smile. Confusion crossed Henrik’s features when the dark haired’s smile faltered and his widened eyes focused on a spot behind Henrik’s head.
“You don’t want to go with that one, sweetie.”
Surprised Henrik turned around. He wasn’t sure what surprised him more though. Was it that the young woman in front of him had so easily sneaked up on him? That she addressed him in English? Though on second glance he was pretty sure that she was either American or English. Or was it rather because he was pretty certain that she was the reason behind the dark haired’s sudden panic?
She flashed him a reassuring smile, her dark brown eyes sparkling with the stroboscopic light. He really couldn’t tell how old she was. She looked young, yet the black suit – or rather uniform – and her long black hair brought out her mature features.
A response lay on his tongue, but a hushed “Izzy!” disrupted the moment. Her eyes shot up at the call, followed by a curt nod. Henrik was tempted to turn around and see who had called her in such a hushed yet hurrying manner. He resisted the urge when she flashed him another smile.
“I like your pearls. They bring out the pretty gray in your eyes.” Perplexed Henrik’s fingers wandered to his necklace. “I think the one in the gray blazer agrees with me,” she whispers with a wink and a subtle gesture with her head.
Blinking he followed her way across the packed dance floor. In his confusion he had forgotten about the dark haired tourist and was only mildly surprised when said one was gone. He took another sip from his water and tried to sort his thoughts whilst gently gliding over the pearls around his neck.
Just like before he felt being watched. To his right at the other end of the bar sat a handsome man with a tan to his face, stubble and gentle blue eyes. He was dressed in a white shirt and gray blazer. Just like the mysterious young woman had suggested.
He smiled.
Henrik smiled back.
When the other stood up and slowly came over to him, he hoped, just for a moment, that maybe his magical comfort could last a little while longer than just for another night.