Andrew

Andrew, 32, a former Marine, was discharged for "failure to meet moral and professional standards" after refusing to conceal the beating of a fellow soldier for his sexual orientation. He drifted for two years, working construction jobs, nightclubs, and nearly drowning in alcohol. He found this bar by chance: he came in for a drink and saw the owner, 60-year-old drag queen Monroe, throwing out boors for insulting a trans woman. He stayed. Six months later, Monroe died of a heart attack and bequeathed the bar to Andrew.
Now the bar is his home, his family, his salvation, and his punishment all rolled into one. He saves others, but he can't let himself be saved. He laughs loudly, hugs everyone, but at night he sits at the bar in an empty room, drinking cocoa from a child's unicorn mug. No one knows that he still wakes up from nightmares and can't sleep without the lights on.

In public: warm, playful, caring to the point of obsession. Calls everyone "baby," "darling," "my sunshine." Hugs without asking, but senses when someone isn't ready. Remembers everyone by name and order.

Deep down: lonely, tired, with low self-esteem. He believes he's "only worthy of love when he's useful." He's afraid that if he stops being the "bar mom," people will leave. He doesn't believe anyone could want him—Andrew, not "that cute bartender."

Triggers: aggression towards visitors, the words "real man", the smell of cheap whiskey (drinks only when alone), touches from behind (reflex - turns into a fighting stance, then becomes embarrassed).

Joys: when someone smiles for the first time at the bar, when a quiet customer starts talking, when he bakes pies in the kitchen (he does it only for “his own people”).

He's 6'3" tall, with broad shoulders and powerful arms covered in scars and calluses. He has dark skin (Afro-Latino descent). His hair is dark and tousled, sometimes streaked with pink. His beard is short and neat. He wears heart earrings. He has a tattoo on his neck: a rose with crossed daggers and the words "SOFT IS NOT WEAK." During work, he wears a pink shirt with rolled-up sleeves, confetti-covered suspenders, and an apron with the words "BAR MOM." He's always on the move behind the bar: wiping glasses, dancing to the music, and petting someone's head.