i own nothing. I rated it T because it's Rent and because of what will happen later

It was Christmas Eve Angel Dumott Shunard sat on street corner drumming unaware of the commotion around him. People were shouting and lighting paper on fire he only looked up when someone threw a quarter on the pickle tub. He smiled, put his drumsticks down and in sign language said 'thank you.' Angel is deaf, but is still a great drummer he can feel the vibrations off the sides of the tub. As he put the quarter in his pocket he thought he saw something moving in an alley way. Not being able to hear had made Angel a very curious person and he can't focus until he knows what something is. He gathered his stuff and headed down the alley, fear started to take over with every step but once he got closer he saw a bruised beat up man. His jaw dropped as he knelt beside him and tried to wipe away some of the blood with a handkerchief.

Moments ago Tom Collins had been beat up he was waiting for some of the pain to go away before he tried to head home. Then someone came walking up he looked horrified and tried to clean him up a bit.

"No, stop I'm fine," Collins tried to reject but he continued, "Hello, I said I'm fine can you stop… Can, Can you hear me?"

Angel finally stopped and just looked at him confused as Collins kept talking, "You're deaf, aren't you?"

He tried to ask Collins what his name was through sign language but he didn't understand. Collins was also not in the mood for charades, he was feeling dizzy. Angel just kept going with the sign language.

"I'm sorry I don't know," Collins said for the third time.

Angel jumped a little and started digging through his back pack and pulled out a note book and a pen. He started writing quickly and handed it to Collins.

My name is Angel, I'm deaf, do you need help? I can patch you up.

Collins thought about it for a moment and nodded, Angel smiled and helped him up watching his expressions to see if he was in pain. He tried to slow down but it didn't seem to help, he started to lead him back toward his apartment. In the light of a street lamp Angel noticed how handsome Collins was, even though he didn't know his name Angel felt like he could trust him. As they walked Collins grabbed the note book and started writing.

Thank you for your help Angel. My name it Tom Collin, but everyone just calls me Collins.

As Angel read Collins realized that he was beautiful and started to blush. He could have stood there the whole night just watching him but Angel looked up and nodded. He smiled and wrote something back.

You're cute when you blush.

Collins smiled and looked away as they started to walk again. After a few minutes Angel stopped and pointed to a window of an old apartment building.

"Is that where you live?" Collins asked Angel was just looking at the window four floors up. "Oh, um…" He tapped Angel on the shoulder and looked at him confused.

Angel took him into the building and helped him up the stairs. It felt like four miles to Collins until they reached a door with a flower painted on it. Angel took out a key and let him in he sat him on the couch then disappeared into the next room. There was a loud commotion before Angel reappeared with a first Aid kit. He knelt before Collins and rolled up his pant leg, not knowing how to tell him this was going to hurt he pointed to the bottle.

Collins squinted and read it, "Mercurochrome? Is that like peroxide?"

Before he got an answer Angel started to put it into his cuts, he hissed in pain and wanted him to stop but he wasn't watching Collins so he was unfazed. After the cuts were cleaned he tried to get Collins to take off his shirt so he could see his bruises. He tried using hand motions by lifting up his own shirt a little bit for a few times, Collins didn't understand but every time he lifted his shirt Collins seemed more fascinated. He sighed and grabbed another notebook and pen.

Can you please take off your shirt so I can see how bad it and how much ice I need to get you.

"Oh, ok yeah," Collins said to no one he kept forgetting Angel couldn't hear.

He took off his shirt an Angel started to blush again, he let his fingertips graze over Collins back. He could already see the bruises forming. He got up and again loudly got what he needed, all the noise was making Collins head hurt but it wasn't Angel's fault he didn't realize how loud he was. He brought the ice over to Collins and pushed him until he lied down and wrote to him.

Does anything else hurt?

Collins took the paper and wrote back; my head is killing me.

Angel frowned and ran to get him some Tylenol he brought it back in no time with a glass of water. He smiled and took them from him. Angel stood there for a moment biting his bottom lip looking unsure.

"What?" Collins asked then picked up the paper.

What's wrong?

Angel sighed and wrote back; nothing but can I show you something?

He nodded and with that Angel ran into a different room which he assumed was his bed room. Collins thought about what Angel would sound like after a few minutes he came out of the room in drag. He, er… well she did a twirl she was wearing a Santa dress, with zebra tights and a black bob wig. She sat next to Collins who stared in wonder.

"Angel?" He pushed some hair out of her face, she was smiling at him. "My God, you look beautiful."

She looked at him puzzled, he picked up the paper.

You look beautiful. That is you Angel, Right?

She giggled and nodded taking the pen from him.

Do you need anything? Are you hungry, tired?

He smiled; I'm fine but can I ask you a few things? She nodded. Were you born deaf? What do you do for a living?

She took the pen yes I was born like this, um I'm a street drum which doesn't bring in a lot but I manage. What about you? Where do you live?

I got a teaching gig at NYU which I'll be starting soon. I was heading to my friends' apartment they live not too far from here. I'm going to move back in with them since I got kicked out MIT.

How? She took a deep breath and this is a little personal but are you gay?

Yes I'm gay, and how I got kicked out well it's a long story…

I've got time Angel wrote back and smiled.

They wrote and talked about everything, Collins told her about all his friends and how Benny used to be cool. Angel told him about her friend and interpreter Mimi, she also told him about an akita she killed for $1000. At around three in the morning they were staring to get sleepy, she brought some blankets and made Collins a bed on the couch. When it was set Angel started to walk back to her room she turned around and put her hand on her throat trying to talk. She made a few attempts but gave up and turned back around.

As she walked into her room Collins said knowing she couldn't hear it, "Angel, I-I think I love you."

She shut the door and Collins lied down and went to sleep.

Review please! it's almost the holidays