Chapter 10

 

 

James could barely speak. He hardly dared hope that he would be getting the thing he wanted most. He tried to make a joke of it. “I think that can be arranged,” he heard himself say. He thought he might have winked. But he couldn’t be sure. It was like his brain and body were unattached.

 

Silence would have filled the room then had it not been for the song playing in the background. Neither one of them spoke again until the last note sputtered and died, leaving everything silent in an almost eerie way.

 

Guy turned to James. He moved closer again. “You know,” he mused, “I hate to be sitting here and not telling you how much I want to be near you. I was serious before. I want you to stay here. I really do. I was just scared.”

 

James looked at Guy, his eyes full of sympathy. “I know the last few months must have been very hard on you. I never expected you to agree with me. But it has never been like me to just give up. I had to try something.”

 

“Well I am glad you did. This means so much more to me that you can ever know.”

 

“I tell you it was fate, I swear. I saw it just lying there in my car, somehow unharmed by the rain. And I remembered my mother singing it. I realized how much the words applied to you, and to us….” He drifted off.

 

Guy looked at him for a while. “What are you really trying to tell me?” he questioned.

 

James looked up from where he had been intently staring at the floor, shocked. “What do you mean?” he said quietly.

 

Guy shrugged. “You don’t fool me any more than I fool you. Just tell me what you are thinking. I have wanted to know what you think ever since I first laid eyes on you.”

 

“Okay. But you may not like it.”

 

“Try me.”

 

“When I say new beginnings….I well, I meant it quite literally. This song is about making a fresh start in a new place with new people. And….well, I just don’t think that this soybean farm is doing much good for you. The work is difficult and stressful and being here obviously just reminds you of the pain in your past and….I just…I just don’t want to have to see you like that.”

 

“So what are you saying?” Guy asked, narrowing his eyes. He was trying not to become agitated, but it was his natural reaction to new things and ideas. It was a bad habit that he found difficult to break.

 

James took a deep breath but did not falter. “I think that you should leave this farm. I think we should start our own life together. We can find an apartment and…”

 

“But what about Malcolm?” Guy asked quietly. “I need to make money so I can see Malcolm again.”

 

James had an urge to kiss him right then. He had been worried that Guy would begin to get nervous about moving in with someone he hadn’t known more than a day. But instead all he cared about was his son. His selflessness was achingly sweet.

 

“Oh don’t worry about that,” he replied with a dismissive wave of his hand. “I have all the money you’ll need and then some. Finally it will be good for something. We could hire a lawyer and-“

 

“No,” Guy said firmly.

 

James shot him a quizzical look. “What do you mean ‘no’? Why the hell not?” He was a little offended that Guy was being so rude when he had been trying to do something generous.

 

“I can’t let you do that!”

 

“It’s not a problem Guy. You know I don’t have any other decent use for that money. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend it than to make you happy.”

 

Guy looked at him and his face displayed disappointment. “You really don’t understand, do you?”

 

James threw his arms up in the air with frustration. “Well I may know how to read people Guy, but I am not a mind reader.”

 

Guy abruptly moved closer to him and grabbed him by the shoulders. “This has nothing to do with you James. Please know that. This is not some secret desire in my subconscious to shy away from you. I still want you to be around. But I cannot accept your money. I am Malcolm’s father. It’s my job to provide for him.”

 

He sighed, let go of James, and turned around slowly, shoulders sagging. “And if I can’t do that….well….then I don’t deserve to raise him. I don’t deserve to look him in the eye. How could he ever look me in the eye, knowing that I couldn’t even supply him with basic necessities without assistance?”

 

He sat in a chair and slumped low, seeming to disappear in the piece of furniture. James desperately wanted to hug him. He looked so small and helpless sitting there. But he knew Guy was upset and wanted to give him his space.

 

Instead he stood aside and spoke softly. “Guy, I don’t know Malcolm. But if he is anything at all like any other little boy, he won’t care if you are a millionaire or a homeless beggar. All he will care about is spending time with you. And I don’t know Julie either. But she doesn’t seem like she would be a very good mother.”

 

He finally decided it was worth risking it to go up to Guy. He came up to him and rubbed his shoulders for a bit. “You are obviously a great father. All I can provide is money. You can provide all the real necessities. Care and devotion and interest and especially love.”

 

Slowly Guy lifted his head to look at James. His strikingly green eyes shone with sincerity. He gently caressed James’ cheek. “I knew there was a reason I missed you the moment I told you to leave.”

 

 

Prison Blues Part 7

 

 

Prison Blues Part7

 

 

 

Morning breakfast

 

Will, Guy and Chris sat eating, Chris still not himself, he felt everyone knew what happened and it made him feel very uncomfortable. he noticed Big mike across the room and he was laughing with his goons and smiling and waving to Chris. Chris looked back down at his food and barfed. Will put his arm around him and said, "This feeling Chris, it will pass, it will make you stronger, trust me." Chris kept moving his eyes upwards and downwards trying not to cry.

 

Guy: "Hey there's a brightside, today is Jonny's visit with you Chris." You'll feel better when you see him." Chris nodded and just then Guard Wilder called "Martin, Visitor."

 

Chris pushed his tray forward and got up and walked to the visitor area. As chris walked thru the door to the room that had bars seperating prisoner to visitor he saw Jon standing there.

 

Chris was filled with embarrasment and shame as he sat down. Jon put his hand up to the bars and said "Touch me" Chris reached his hand up and touched jons hand. Jonny squeezed Chris's fingers and told him to listen very closely to what he had to say.

 

Jon: chris I am so sorry what you have gone thru and I wixh I could have been there for you.

 

Chris started to speak, "Shhh", we haven't much time", Jon whispered.

Jon: I bought you some chocolate do not under any circumstances eat this, do you understand what I am saying.?

 

"But" Chris said

 

Jon: I don't care how you do it, make sure Big Mike gets this and eats it."

 

Chris looking like he is a nut job, getures his hand around and say's, "Your

wanting me to give him chocolate that you bought for me?"

"After what he did to me, and now you want me to make nice with him?"

 

Jon: Do you trust me, Chris?

Chris: yeah, i do.

 

Jon: Then please, do as I say, give it to him, but don't let anyone see you do it.

 

Chris: can I at least have a piece before giving it to him?

 

Jon: Do you want to see me again?

 

chris yes, more than you know.

 

Jon: Then I sugest you don't eat any of it or you'll never see me again, ever!

Chris: Ok, but your frightening me

 

Jon: Oh by the way, some man called me and offered me a job as a chemist in Australia, do you know anything about this?

 

Chris: No i don't but I'm happy for you, you gonna take it?

 

Jon: I asked if I could think about it, I mean Australia is a long ways away.

 

Chris: Why wouldn't you take this offer, you need it.

 

Jon: It depends on what happens with you, I want to make sure your ok and have a friend to visit you.

Chris: Is that the only reason? (lifting any eyebrow)

 

Jon: No the reason is.......

 

"Times up boy's"

 

They both looked at each other and Jon stands up, "Gotta go Chris"

"Wait" Chris motioned with his hand, "The reason?"

 

Jon: Not now, just make sure you do what i said with the chocolate as soon as possible, you understand?

Chris: I understand.... The reason Jon, the reason???

 

Jon just smiled and gave Chris a wink, that's all Chris needed, as he now knew the reason.

 

 

Cemeteries of London

 

 

Chapter 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was almost time. They all knew it was just a matter of waiting for the day to come.

 

Jonathan still hadn’t told Christopher his hidden feelings for him. Every time he would open his mouth, Christopher’s intense, blue eyes would make him forget what he was thinking of saying in the first time. He would simply close his mouth again while the other man would talk about everything but them. He would talk about the trees, the animals, the wild flowers growing in the middle of green bushes.

 

William had noticed this and approached Jonathan, who in turn told him there was no use anymore.

 

“He will be as happy as he is now. It makes no difference for him. I know that. For all I know, it will only make things worse.” Jonathan had said.

 

“But you will forever live with the haunting doubt: does he love you or not?” William pointed out. He wasn’t very supportive of the idea of the two of them being together. He knew people wouldn’t easily accept it and they would eventually suffer the consequences. He just didn’t want to see them getting hurt beyond necessary. But he wouldn’t deny the fact that he would like to see his friends happy and he knew the only way would be by getting those two to figure things out with each other.

 

Jonathan brooded day after day, until the end of the week came and, with it, the much deserved break from training. Christopher was a bit disappointed since he was the most enthusiastic about the whole process. At first, it confused all men before they realized he wasn’t thinking of what it would be like on battlefield. He was good on hypothetical scenarios but they had a feeling things would be different when he saw other men trying to kill him. Things would certainly be different when he had to face the choice between living or dying, with all its ramifications.

 

As the sun shone brightly, the land was a mixture of greens, yellows, lilacs and reds. Amongst all that, a lone figure walked with a basket with freshly clean clothes on her arms.

 

William walked towards her and smiled a little at the serious expression on her face. “Hello, miss Dianna. How do you do?”

 

She looked up at him and politely smiled, but didn’t say anything.

 

“So, I hear you will be leaving this house for a few weeks.” He asked, rather curious.

 

“Yes, I am, sir. I have family affairs I need to get to. But I must be back by mid October, if things go according to plan.” She explained.

 

He nodded his head. “Very well. Don’t let me keep you. You may go.” He stepped aside to let her continue on her way inside the house.

 

She was doing just that when she risked saying something that had been burdening her mind. “Sir?”

 

“Yes?” He asked, his eyes frowning.

 

“Is there a reason why you particularly show dislike for Mr. Berryman?” She asked, boldly.

 

William looked away immediately. He let a few seconds pass by before turning back to look at Dianna. “Yes, there is. I don’t trust him yet. I can’t. For me, he has to prove himself and make me believe what he says is sincere.”

 

“How could you not believe him, sir?” She asked, frowning. “He has been nothing but noble and loyal to you and your friends. He hasn’t done anything except work and train for quite a while now. I don’t believe he has any time to goof around and feel completely carefree. And I have a distinct feeling your attitude towards him may be in the way of his own peace and rest of soul.”

 

William smiled. “You like him.”

 

Dianna blushed right away. “I’m sorry, sir, but I am not defending him for liking him or otherwise. I am just telling you to open your eyes on what concerns Mr. Berryman, with all due respect.”

 

Quickly, she got away from him and within seconds, she was standing in the kitchen, breathing hard and hands trembling.

 

She only hoped she didn’t make matters worse.

 

 

 

Not only was William tired, he also felt slightly irritable.

 

They were planning what to do in case attacks were ordered against them. They were preparing the positions each one would take once events started to unfold.

 

Jonathan was no longer concentrated. Christopher was oddly focused. Henry kept everything registered in a little book. Everyone else was professionally taking note of the orders but Guy and William. This fact bothered the Southampton-born man.

 

“Why didn’t you take notes of what was being said at the reunion?” William asked, angrily, approaching Guy near the front gate.

 

Guy, who was about to lead the boys to the main road at the end of the day, stopped walking and looked at him. “I wasn’t aware we all needed to take notes when we are fully capable of registering in our heads. Anyway, you weren’t taking notes either.”

 

“I don’t need to!” William raised his voice.

 

“Then why do I?” Guy yelled back.

 

William simply glared at him, a blind rage in his eyes. “Because, to put it quite simple, I don’t trust you! You come in here and you think this is your cause. Let me ask you one thing: if you were still in Scotland, would you fight for the Parliamentary party or would you be on the King’s side? And, quite frankly, how do I know you’re not a traitor?!”

 

Guy shook his head and screamed back. “I don’t know! I can’t do anything except do what I’ve been doing so far! I don’t care if you like me or not or if you trust me or not! I fight for what I believe in. And if things get messy, I will still do it!”

 

He walked away from William in the direction of the house. “And I would never be on the King Charles’ side!”

 

“What about over here? What are your intentions here in Mr. Devereux’s property?” William asked.

 

“I work here, for Christ’s sake!” Guy answered.

 

“Yeah, work…” William muttered.

 

“What is that supposed to mean?” Guy asked, making his way back to William’s side. “What are you implying?”

 

“Is there a reason why you’re… seducing… a certain young lady?” William asked.

 

“I… I am not… Why are you saying that?” Guy fumbled with the words.

 

“Oh, please…” William had to smile at that. “So, you don’t realize what is happening between you and Dianna?”

 

“What do you have to do with that anyway?” Guy tried to change the subject.

 

“What I have to do with what? Your and your girlfriend’s evident relationship?” William asked, smirking at the other man’s discomfort.

 

“Is there anything you’d like to talk to me about, other than betrayal allegations and imaginary relationships?” Guy asked, looking away.

 

William shook his head. “No. I am going now.”

 

Guy nodded.

 

William paused for a few moments. “I will try. I can’t promise anything but I will make an effort to believe you.”

 

“Thank you.” Guy simply said, glad to find a heavy weight lifted from his shoulders and left him with a positive sensation about the future.

 

 

 

 

 

Prison Blues Part 8

 

 

 

Dinner time

 

Chris was eating staring at the chocolate, nicely wrapped he thought of Jon and smiled for that kept him going, "The reason kept him going"

 

Guy picked up the chocolate and said, " Oh boy, I love when Jon visits you, he brings treats. he started to open it when Chris yelled, "Stop" "Put it down"

 

Guy: Didn't your Mother teach you about sharing?

 

Chris: Didn't your Mother teach your about not touching other peoples things?

 

Will laughed "He got you there, Guy"

 

Guy brooded for a moment and said "Sorry, can i have a piece?"

 

"No" spat Chris, 'Jon said I can't even eat it, I have to give it to big Mike.

 

Will: Is he crazy?

Chris: maybe he thinks he'll leave me alone if I'm nice, who knows. I'm just gonna do it.

 

8:55pm

 

the inmates were instructed to get to their cells, as Chris was passing by the cells to his, he approched Mikes, he stopped...

 

Chris: here I got you a present, and tossed it onto his bunk.

 

Mike:Aw darling, ya want some more, Huh?

 

chris: No just to be friends, if you leave me alone, i can get you stuff, from the outside.

 

Big mike rubbed his chin, "Ok deal"

 

The guard yelled "Martin" Move it along Martin

 

Chris started walking and flipped the guard a bird as the guard turned his head.

As Chris layed in his bunk he fell asleep thinking of the smile and wink jon gave him when he left.

 

Next morning....

 

 

Chris skipped breakfast and met with his father and his Attorney, The Attorney had some good news, he got a retrial with new evidence, court date was scheduled for next thursday.

 

 

Chris's father asked him if he had talked to Jon about the position his company had offered him, and chris explained that after what had happened he wanted the position, but wanted to wait until he knew I was ok. Chris told his Father to go ahead and make the arrangements for Jon anyways, set him up in a home, and to get his 1st class plane tickets there no matter what happens at the trial, he wanted Jon taken care of. He asked his father if he could have the company and move to Australia and run it if all went well next week, this pleased his father a great deal, and was proud Chris wanted to do something other than party and spend money. Chris was happy, hoped to God his trial went the way he was hoping, and join Jon in Australia.

 

 

Prison Blues Part 9

 

 

Out in the Courtyard Chris met up with Will and Guy to tell them some good news when Guy came running up to him, " Did you hear, Did You hear?" Grabbing at Chris's shirt, "Hear what?" "I've got some news to tell you."

 

Will joined up and said, "Big Mike was found this morning in his cell, dead as a doornail."

 

Chris's eyes got wider, "What?" "It's true", Guy replied.

 

Will: He had a massive heart attack

 

Guy: Yeah, the bastard got was coming to him, I told you, Karma, what goes around comes around, he deserved it, just like in that movie, where the guy....... Will interupted, "Will you please stop rambling on, Guy, God your annoying sometimes, you just go on and on and on, enough already." Guy dropped his head and sulked.

 

 

Guard Wilder came over and asked to speak with Chris alone for a minute, as they walked away Guard Wilder stuck out his hand and shoved a candy wrapper into Chris's hand.

 

"Here you need to know, I retrieved this from under Mikes bunk this morning, it's the same kind of wrapper of chocolate that Jon always brings you."

 

Chris: Why would I want it?

 

Guard Wilder: Hmm I know you gave this to him last night, I saw you, and this morning he was found dead, just dispose of it, he deserved it, and it's been chalked up as a heart attack.

 

He walked away and Chris looked down at his hand and squeezed the wrapper and tossed it in the trash.

 

A few day's later

 

Chris walked into the visitors room and saw Jonny. They both sat and Chris pulled his head up and asked Jon "Why"

 

Jon: I don't ever want to speak of this again, he whispered, I'm a chemist Chris, not a murderer, I did the work of karma, and I'm not sorry, he messed with you and I messed with him.

Chris speechless said, "Fair enough Jon."

 

Silence bestowed them for what seemed like an eternity...

 

Chris: I have a re-trial next week.

 

Jon: I read it in the papers, I will be there for you in the courtroom.

 

Chris: It's at 2pm next thursday, Chris leaned into the bars, "I can't come back here, Jon." dropping his head back down.

 

Jon: You won't, I feel it, your gonna walk out that courtroom a free man.

 

Chris: Did you take that job?

 

Jon: When you get out of prison I will take that job, What will you do?

 

Chris: What i always do, travel, goof-off, spend money.

Jon looking alittle disapointed said "Maybe you can come visit me in Australia."

Chris winking, "Maybe I will."

 

TImes Up Boy's......

 

Chris gathered his things his Dad had sent over to him, a suit and tie and when Guy and Will saw him they admired him.

 

Guy: Is that an Armani?

 

Chris: Yeah, I think so

 

Will: Your so lucky, I don't even own a suit.

 

Guy: Oh I have tons of them

 

Will: You do not

 

Guy: Do too

 

Will: They must be from the thrift store then

 

Guy:Not

 

"Fellas please, just wish me luck." Chris said throwing up his hands

 

Will: Right give us a hug and know we wish you the best of luck.

 

Guy reluctingly moves in ,arms down, Chris backs away, "Come on Guy, I won't bite."

Guy smiled and hugged him and said "Your still an Ass." chris smiled and said, "One day your gonna regret saying that to me." Pointing his finger as he walked away.

 

1:55pm

 

Court almost in session.

Chris looked around at the room and still no Jon. Bang, bang, bang the gavel hits the desk, "All Rise"

The judge takes his seat and the trial is on. The jury listens very carefully to all thats said and after about 2 hours of diliberating back and forth, the jury goes to their jury room.

 

Chris stood with his Father talking about how the debating between Attorneys seemed to run in his favor, more so than the first time around. Just then chris spotted Jon and waved to him, Jon crossed his fingers at him and mouthed "Good Luck"

 

The jury was out 30 minutes, very quick for a Murder trial, chris's Attorney didn't think this was looking good, his Attorney said, this could go either way since it didn't take very long, but experience

from other trials, a short disscussion time by a jury, didn't turn out so well for the accused.

 

 

Chapter 3

-Budding Start-

 

 

Chapter 3

 

“Who is she Will?” Savannah questioned as she pointed towards the worn old couch in the living room where the surfer girl lay unconscious.

 

“I don’t know, but I couldn’t just leave here there Savannah.” Will said.

 

“You know there happens to be this wonderful place that has quite recently become common in oh every country called a hospital! It’s a place where they help people and where people like her should be right now!”

 

“Hush. If she worsens I’ll take her there, but I just… there is something about her. I’m going to get her another blanket.”

 

“Will your still dripping wet and you smell like sea throw up. Go take a shower and I will get her another blanket. I doubt she is going to wake up soon anyway; she was bleeding crazy until you fixed her up.”

 

“Thanks Savannah. I wont take too long.”

 

-----------------------------------------

 

Will sat in the chair across from the couch. Stuffing from the chair was oozing out from the sides, but Will just couldn’t get rid of his favorite chair. A small table sat next to him with a small reading lamp that was casting a warm glow around Will as he read a book and kept an eye on the girl.

 

Soon his head began to feel heavy and started to fall and would jolt Will awake for a bit longer. He would have eventually fallen asleep had he not heard her speak. It was quite and faint and a bit scratchy from the salt water, but Will heard her speak.

 

“It smells like peaches in here.”

 

Will blinked his eyes a few times then cracked a smile. Sat up across from him was the girl he had saved. Her rich coffee brown hair was encircling her face and her liquid green eyes sparkled in the dim light “That is because I made a peach pie a few hours ago.” Will said in a gentle teasing tone.

 

“Oh that sound lovely.”

“You have such a lovely voice. It is calming and full of warmth.”

 

“Thank you. Would you like a slice of pie?” Will asked

 

A low rumbled echoed from her stomach.

Will chuckled and stood up and motioned for her to follow him into the kitchen. While Will banged around the kitchen he introduced himself.

 

“My name is Will.. I am”

 

“Your not from around here? You sound like you are from somewhere exciting, where people are cultured and live vicariously.”

 

“Ha-ha, well I’m not sure it’s that exciting, but I’m from England.” Will exclaimed as her placed a piece of pie in front of her.

 

“England, I’ve always wanted to go there. When I was a little girl I had a big map of the world that hung in my room. One day I took a marker and I put stars next to all the countries that I wanted visit. I think I ended up marking just about every country on the map.”

 

“Well maybe you can go to England someday and perhaps the rest of the world. So what is your name?” Will asked.

 

“How rude of me! My name is….” She sat there for a while with a blank look. “My name is uh.. I can’t remember. Why can’t I remember? Where am I? How did I get here? Did you kidnap me? Did you rape me?”

 

“Whoa! Take it easy. You don’t remember what happened?”

 

“No.” she said in a small voice.

 

“Oh dear. Perhaps I should take you to the hospital.”

 

“NO! I don’t want to go to the hospital. You can’t make me go! I won’t!” She said angrily.

 

“Okay.”

 

“Okay?”

 

“Yeah, okay.”

 

“Will you tell me what happened?” she asked in a timid voice.

 

“Only if you eat that pie” Will said as he pointed at the little plate. ,”You look like skin and bones.”

 

She quickly picked up the fork and shoveled in a huge bite. “MMMMM, that is so good. It just melts in your mouth. I love peaches.”

 

“Excellent, that makes two of us, now story time.”

 

--- 20 Minutes----

 

“So do you think I have amnesia?”

 

“I’m not sure, I would presume if you can’t remember your name or the accident.”

 

“Do you think I will ever get it back?”

 

“Maybe. I’m not sure though. Well I’m sure your exhausted, you can sleep in my bed tonight, and perhaps you will wake up in the morning and you will be able to remember everything.”

 

“Oh that would be nice.”

 

“Yeah.. My room is upstairs, let me lead you there.”

 

---------------------------------

 

“The bathroom is through that door, there are spare towels in the cabinet behind the door.”

 

“Thanks Will. I’m sure I will remember everything in the morning. You have been so kind.”

 

“Well that’s how we English men are.” Will said with a wink.

 

“Ha-ha Good night Will!”

 

“Good night… Peaches”

 

“Peaches?”

 

“Yeah, peaches, they remind me of you, and it was the first thing you said when come around.”

 

“I like it.”

 

“Sweet Dreams Peaches.” Will whispered.

 

 

 

Prison Blues Part 10

 

 

 

All Rise.......

"Has the jury come to a decision?" The jury head handed their paper to the guard and he handed it to the judge, the judge read it, and said " Would the defendent Christopher Anthony Martin please stand" Chris stood and Jon's hands were shaking and his knees were bouncing up and down.

 

"Christopher Anthony Martin, the jury finds you on count one Not Guilty of 1st degree murder,

Silence fell the room, for the next count was the deciding desision of freedom or prison...

 

" The jury has found Christopher Anthony Martin on the charge of second degree murder, (pause) Not Guilty... The courtroom erupted in cheers, the judge slammed his gavel down and said "You are free to go." The Attorney shook Chris's hand and his father hugged him. Thank-You's flowed around the room.

 

Chris pushed open the gate and met Jonny and hugged each other and Chris kissed him on the cheek, "I couldn't have done this without you, J."

They left the courtroom and headed outside, Chris said, " I'm gonna buy you the biggest steak in London Jon."

 

Jon stopped Chris, "I can't I'm packed and on the way to catch a plane to Australia tonight."

 

Chris: So soon?

 

Jon: Yes, my new Boss wants me to start Monday."

 

Smiling Chris said, 'Well you can't piss off your new Boss, Huh?"

 

Jon: I guess not

 

Chris: let me drive you to the airport then, the limo is over there."

 

As they sat in the limo, Jon, was thinking Chris wasn't that upset he was leaving so soon after he got released, so Chris must not feel the same as him. It left an empty pit inside him.

 

As they talked chris said he would visit Jon in 2 weeks and they would have that steak!

Jon said he was looking forward to it. Chris told him he had some loose ends to tie up here in London before coming for a vacation, as he dropped Jon off at the terminal, they both got out and hugged each other and chris pecked him on the cheek. "I'll see you in 2 weeks, my friend."

 

A week and a half later

 

Chris addressed an envelope to guard Wilder at the prison, and learned Will and Guy were going to be let out on good behaviour next week, so he arranged for a limo to pick them up at the prison and had them put up in a 5 star hotel suite in London.

 

2 day's later chris was boarding his flight to Australia, when back at the prison guard Wilder recieved his letter.

 

"Thanks so much for all you did for the four of us, your a decent person." Chris

There was a check for one million pounds, he didn't have to work anymore if he chose.

 

Guy and Will walked out the prison and saw a limo,

 

Will: Wish that ride was for us

 

Guy: Dream on

 

The limo driver held up a sign "Will and Guy"

 

Guy: Holy Shit

 

 

Will:Must be a mistake

They learned otherwise.

 

As they arrived at the hotel,

 

Guy: Bloody hell

 

Will: did you see that swimming pool in the bathroom? I'm gonna soak for day's.

They looked in each room and opened the closet to the bedroom, "ARMANI", Guy yelled, "Oh god, I'm gonna look so good in this."

 

On the table they noticed an envelope....

 

"Will and Guy hope you enjoy your freedom and your stay, cause next week your heading to Australia, I have jobs for you, here's your tickets and cash, more than enough to last you till you arrive. Charge anything to the room, it's been taken care of. Chris

 

Guy: Holy shit, holy shit, I love this Man

 

Will: I'm in shock, yesterday we ate slop and today we are living like kings... I need a drink.

 

 

Prison Blues Part11

 

 

 

Chris arrive at his hotel and took a shower and told the limo driver to get him in hour. He knew jon got off at 5pm so he wanted to time it just right.

 

 

Jon looked at his clock and stretched and decided to leave, it is 4:45pm so he shut his computer off, grabbed his jacket and headed out. Chris was coming in 2 days and he was excited to see his friend.

 

As he walked out the door, he saw a stretch limo and Chris standing up against it, sunglasses on, jeans and a black buttoned down shirt, his arms folded against his body.

 

Jon yelled out, "Your early." They both hugged and both had huge smiles.

 

Chris: I'm early yes, but I couldn't wait, I think I had promised you a big steak!

Jon smiled, and said, 'Yeah, you do."

 

As they entered the Limo, Chris asked how work was going, and Jon replied, "Great, I just haven't met my boss yet, and not sure if he likes my work." Chris started laughing, and Jon wanted to know what was so funny. Chris said, " I think your doing a great job, and you need a raise." "YOUR MY NEW BOSS?" Jon blurted out. Chris could only smile....

 

 

8 months have past and Will is practically Chris's right hand man, Guy is learning the ropes with dealing with new clients, both are making loads of money and ended up moving into a great home together.

 

As Chris sat in his big black chair overlooking Sydney, Jon knocked at the open door.

Chris: Jon, you don't have to knock, come on in.

 

Chris sat back and gazed at Jon. His friendship has met the world to him, he changed him from a needy rich boy who partied and traveled and spent money. He had a purpose and loved owning his own company. Jon approced the desk and asked if Chris would have dinner with him later. Chris of course said yes. Jon fumbled with a paper clip and dropped it. "What is it, Jon?" Jon was trying tro find the words but couldn't, he's tried a million times, but always messed it up. Chris has been very patient, he has known all along what Jon wants to say, and he patiently waits for him to spill it. Chris would do the talking, but figures Jon will be ready, when he's ready.

 

Jon started to speak, " Um, Well, you see, the last year, Um, well I feel like, um, well you see Chris....

Chris smiling, "Yes Jon?"

 

Jon: Oh um, I appreciate you talking with your father about me working for your company, i suppose he made you work here too, just to keep an eye on me.

 

Chris raising his voice, "Is that it?"

 

Jon: I just wanted you to know I am grateful.

 

Chris: Jon, I asked to own this company and work here, he didn't ask me to keep an eye on you.

 

Jon: really, why's that? You had a great playboy life going for you.

 

Chris sighed, I'm not gonna say it, you need to.

 

Jon: say what?

 

chris What I know you want to say.

 

Jon:What is it I need to say?

 

Chris: That thing you need to say.

 

Jon fidgeted and said, 'Maybe you should say what you mean."

 

Chris: I'm a patient man Jon, I've waited the last year, i can keep waiting.

 

Silence...

Chris: Look you did something while I was in prison and I'm shocked about it, but I understand why you feel you needed to do it. You cared about me, so you took care of Big Mike.

 

Jon: You think I'm a bad person?

 

Chris: I think it was brilliant how you did it. It was immoral what he did.

 

Jon: 2 wrongs don't make it right tho.

 

Chris: Please let it go Jon, and concentrate on our future.

 

Jon: Our future?

 

 

Chris: Uh, well i mean the companys future.

Jon sighed Chris noticed and smiled as he looked away so Jon wouldn't see his smile.

 

Chris: I'll see you tonight Jon, I've got work to finish, Jon gets up and walks out the door down to his lab. Chris picks up the phone and calls Mr. mac, he owns the finest resturant in Sydney and hears, "hello mac here" "This is Chris Martin how ya doing mac?" "Chris, great, good to hear from you." Thank-You, listen I need your finest table tonight, best champane, and would like Marco to serve us tonight." Mac said, "ooh special night Mr.Martin?" "Yeah I guess I need to make a move concerning something or I'll be waiting forever."

Mac chuckled and said, "8pm alright?" Chris replied, great thanks mac, see you later."

 

 

Prison Blues Final Chapter

 

 

 

Chris drove up to Jon's house, in his porche, and checked the mirror to make sure he looked dashing. Jon met him at the door and said, "Ready?"

 

Chris: Yes your looking quite nice tonight.

 

Jon: thanks, your not so bad yourself.

Chris smiled and both men got in the car and drove to into Sydney

 

The car pulled up to valet and Chris got out handed the guy a 20, and his keys, "Have a good evening, sir." chris nodded and took off his shades.

 

Mac greeted them at the door and asked "Cocktails before dinner, Mr. Martin?"

 

"No I think we are ready for dinner."

 

The men sat at the table which was overlooking the bright lights of Sydney.

 

"Wow this is beautiful," Jon admired.

 

Chris smiled he enjoyed showing Jon the finer things in life.

 

Marco the waiter came over and spoke, "Hello Mr. Martin, do you know what you'd like tonight."

 

Chris: I'll have the Lobster

'and for you sir." looking at Jon

 

Jon: I think Mr. Martin owes me a BIG Steak!

 

Chris smiled and shook his head a bit, as they had a few drinks they finished dinner and Chris asked for the champane.

 

"Oooh fancy, you trying to impress me?" Jon asked

 

Chris: I think back to prison, when I called you an ASS, didn't I impress you then?

 

Jon: Oh you impressed me when you 1st got off that prison bus.

 

Chris: Oh you just liked the curley hair, huh?

 

Jon: yes I did

 

Chris: So Jon, are you ready to tell me?

 

Jon:Tell you what?

 

Chris: Here we go again

 

Jon: Well you talk so much, I can't get anything in

 

Chris: Look, I know it, you know it, come on and (pause) really Jon this is just getting......

"I Love you" Jon Whispered

 

Chris stopped talking and said, "Hmmm, can't hear you."

Jon: I LOVE YOU he yelled

 

Chris: THIS Jon, This was the REASON I held onto in prison, and the last year, ya know when you smiled and winked at me that day? I asked you for a reason, you left me with a smile and wink and I knew!!!

Both men put out their hands and grabbed on, this time no prison bars came between them.

The End

 

 

Cemeteries of London

 

 

Chapter 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It’s time.” Dianna whispered in his ear before he could comprehend he had woken up. She tentatively touched his shoulder in an attempt to get him from the deep slumber he was in just moments before.

 

“What?” He managed to get out.

 

“It’s time.” Her tone held a trace of fear. He quickly opened his eyes to see her sitting on his bed. “Our Lord has come to take you all to the battlefield.”

 

Guy sat up and stayed there, near her. He breathed in her scent, her beauty, her kindness, her strength. He wanted nothing more than just stay there with her forever and forget everything else outside that room.

 

“Newbury.” She said, standing up, avoiding his eyes. “And you’re expected to be there on the 20th.”

 

“That leaves us two days!” Guy said, alarmed.

 

“Exactly. Two days.” She said, her sad eyes making it impossible for him to resist her.

 

He stood up, still in his interior clothes. She turned around immediately.

 

“Sir, is there anything else you need or may I go now?” She asked, quite affected by everything.

 

He stood close to her, her back to him. He simply leaned in and whispered in her ear. “I need to tell you I love you one more time. Before it’s too late and you forget it.”

 

She bravely turned around to face him. “There’s nothing in this world that would make me forget such a thing. And I hope you can say the same, for I love you above everything else and I would like it very much if you didn’t forget this.”

 

He smiled down at her. He contemplated what to do next. He didn’t want to be disrespectful or ordinary when she was anything but.

 

Startling him, she took matters into her own hands, when she brushed her lips against his in a soft, yet passionate kiss. The warmth spread through both bodies in an instant where there was nothing else in the world but them and their loving embrace.

 

Separating herself from him, she put her hands on his strong chest, covered by a light, white shirt. “And this is all I can give you right now.”

 

“It’s all I need.” He replied.

 

 

 

The day rose as every other one.

 

A cool air of late September, the foggy sun appearing painfully slow behind the tall trees and the vast land that they were in.

 

Jonathan woke up sweating from a nightmare that had been haunting him for days. Nothing but destruction. That was all he could see. He could see blood, dead bodies, lifeless eyes and cries from the few that outlived those that lay on the muddy fields.

 

The 20th of September had arrived and with it, so did the climax of all tensions that had been developing the last few months.

 

Jonathan felt like someone was tightly hugging him leaving him breathless. Which would be okay if it was a certain someone. But this pain that surrounded him wasn’t pleasant, it was borderline unbearable.

 

“Hey, what’s wrong, Jonny?” Christopher asked worriedly. Jonathan smiled instantly at the sound of his voice and at the nickname “Chris” had adopted for him. It made everything seem more… right. As long as Christopher called him that, things would be okay and even if he decided not to tell him about his secret love for him, Jonathan knew he would be happier than he could have ever hoped.

 

“Nothing, Chris…” He replied.

 

“You only call me that when I’m not in trouble… which is quite rare.” Christopher pointed out.

 

Jonathan laughed in spite of everything around him. “You sure do get in trouble.” He admitted. “I’m just… afraid.”

 

“Of what?” Christopher seemed to be genuinely confused.

 

“You don’t see what’s happening? We’re about to fight for the right to have a participant Parliament. We are shaping the future of our country, quite possibly.” Jonathan sighed. “And we have to kill or be killed in order to do that. We can’t fail today.”

 

“And you’re scared about that?” Christopher asked, receiving silence on the other end of the conversation. “Well, I don’t feel like that at all… I think it’s the most I can do with my life so I’m glad to be a part of it. Yeah, I might get killed but it’s not like anyone will miss me anyway.” He said, chuckling a bit at the end.

 

Jonathan looked at him with a shocked look on his face. How could Christopher say something like that? How could he even begin to think that? Ultimately, he didn’t say anything.

 

And Christopher took it as an answer. In the midst of his thoughts, he knew he should say something else but he opted for the easy way out: changing the subject.

 

“So, Devereux is moving you from the front of the line to the back now?” Christopher asked.

 

“Yeah…”Jonathan sighed. Now he knew Christopher didn’t want to talk anymore about the issues at hand. “I guess they needed to switch some stuff. What about you?”

 

“I am in one of the left side groups. He made us go in little groups of five so I am in one of those.” Christopher said. He smiled at Jonathan. “It’s good not to be ordinary for one day.”

 

He silently walked away, leaving Jonathan with the sensation that he had lost his chance forever. There was his opportunity to speak up and he simply let Christopher walk away.

 

He sighed in frustration and got ready for the battle he knew awaited them. He put on his armor with a certain dread of what would come of this encounter between the Roundheads, defenders of the Parliament, and the ones who called themselves Royalists.

 

He looked up and saw William walk in his direction.

 

“Is everything alright?” He asked.

 

“It could be better.” William answered, honestly. “I don’t know if we’re going to get our point across…” He sat down and shrugged. “As much as I admire and respect Devereux… I still think he doesn’t have the firm hand we need. Cromwell… he’s been very determinant and very serious about this. Maybe he should… be on the front, you know?” William admitted, sighing.

 

“Well… I don’t know, really. I don’t understand most of what an Army should be like or how we should organize ourselves…” Jonathan confessed. “I just know I want to do something and for once, try to… take a chance…”

 

William looked at him and sighed as he looked down. It was obvious the implication of Jonathan’s comments. However, he didn’t say anything so as not to hurt his friend even more. He knew he was in pain already and nothing he said would change that.

 

“Then, it’s enough.” William smiled encouragingly at his friend. For a long time, he asked himself if things would turn out the way they were supposed to but the advances from the King and their struggles to fight for their cause were all they thought about. Night and day.

 

“Let’s go.” Jonathan said. “We have to get the horses ready. And then, we have to ask Devereux for more directions. We don’t want those bastards to kill us because we don’t know what to do or where to go.”

 

The hardest part was keep running and moving with no other purpose than kill the enemy.

 

In the battlefield, it wasn’t about love or the final goal. No, it was all about murder, in the end. And that was the one thing they were all resistant about. Seeing people die in front of them.

 

Guy woke up just like Jonathan had. Sweating from the nightmare he was having. However, his nightmare involved a different scenario.

 

He could see himself in the distance, he could discern that he was detached from his own body and she appeared right in front of him, almost unrecognizable. She looked different. She wasn’t the woman he fell in love with. It was someone that was looking oddly at him.

 

Behind her, a cemetery appeared and he could see a distinct thumb stone. White flowers were adorning the place and his name was engraved in it.

 

That was the last thing he remembered before waking up in alarm.

 

And the sound of him waking up was heard by none other than the person he shared the nightmare with.

 

She had just been outside the door, waiting for him to rise and prepare himself for the day. The sound of his distress was heard quite well through the door though. And she didn’t hesitate. She opened the door and entered his room in a hurry.

 

“Are you alright?” She asked, her eyes showing nothing but worry and affection for him.

 

He looked up, his breathing hard and fast. “Yeah… I was… It was all a dream…” He stood up from bed, forgetting he was still undressed.

 

Her eyes widened at the sight of him completely nude. “Oh my God!”

 

At first, he was confused, then he realized his mistake. He had been far too consumed by the heat of the comforter to put on any pajamas lately. “I’m so sorry!” He apologized right away, grabbing the closest pair of pants and shirt.

 

“N-no, i-it was all… m-my f-fault.” She stuttered, her back turned to him. She looked out the window, trying to regain her composure. Her cheeks were still flushed and she could feel herself getting warmer by the second. He was entirely engraved in her memory now. Soul and body.

 

“No, it was mine. I… I am dressed now.” He said, at last, his face red from embarrassment.

 

She turned around and kept her gaze on the ground between them. “Is there anything you need from me?”

 

Her question was simple and his answer was just as simple. “I need you.”

 

“What do you mean?” She whispered, her blue eyes lifting to meet his brown ones.

 

“What I just said.” He said, getting closer to her. “I need you. You know me and you know I love you. So, there is only one thing that I need: your promise. Please… wait for me. And I will come back for you.”

 

She didn’t think she could handle much more of this. Her legs trembled and her knees were definitely giving away. She put her hand on the chair next to the window and breathed deeply.

 

He could see that she was affected by his words. However, he couldn’t stop them now. Not when he didn’t know what the future would be like for him.

 

“I know it’s selfish and I know I… might not make it.” He admitted. “But I still need your promise.”

 

She looked at him for a few moments in silence. Then, she finally felt capable of speaking again. She took one of his hands and held it silently as Guy looked at her. “I have already made that promise.”

 

Guy looked surprised but didn’t say anything.

 

She kept her eyes fixed on their hands, their fingers intertwining perfectly. “I made that promise ever since I realized I was in love with you. Come what may, I am here. For you.” She looked up as she stopped talking.

 

His smile was the first thing she saw.

 

“I promised the same thing.”

 

And, as he kissed her, it was the last thing she felt.

 

 

 

 

 

Cemeteries of London

 

 

Chapter 9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As soon as they arrived at the required place, they could evaluate the situation with precision. They were mostly similar in numbers but the position they took gave them a clear advantage. For that, William was grateful. He had doubted Devereux’s skills and he still did, but he recognized the other man’s intelligence as well.

 

They were standing on top of the hill, contemplating the battlefield.

 

The King himself was there, his poise confident and daring, in front of Prince Rupert and Sir Jacob Astley, as well as eight thousand men in infantry and six thousand on the cavalry side.

 

Side by side, they were approaching their final positions. The Royalists had been there before they arrived, but the fact that they hadn’t thought in advance as the Roundheads made them more vulnerable.

 

Guy looked at Christopher and considered talking to him. Perhaps now was not the time. What he wanted to say could be seen as a goodbye so he decided to let it go. In his mind though, he wanted to thank the blonde man for making it possible for him to fight for what he believed in and, most importantly, for allowing him the honor of being friends with such noble individuals.

 

All of this filled his mind, while Devereux was in the front, the conflict about to take place.

 

Christopher’s mind was set on the task at hand, knowing that distraction with his hopes and fears would only serve as a weakness. That was quite dispensable in this scenario.

 

Jonathan, on the other hand, thought about a pair of blue eyes. He looked up to see the sky was thinking the exact same thing. He sighed, half-afraid, half-confident to start the fight.

 

The sound of artillery was the final straw.

 

There was the beginning of long years of the English Civil War. And they were all a part of it.

 

The King’s oppression against the Roundheads’ determination to change the political system once and for all.

 

One day spent in gruel fighting, men left on the field, bleeding to their death, praying for a sacred place they believe existed somewhere else, where pain wasn’t agonizing and where their faces weren’t contorted as they drew their final breath.

 

Christopher prayed for another thing. He prayed he wasn’t taken before telling Jonathan what he had longed to tell for so long.

 

But as the King withdrew and men dispersed for each side, he was only capable of calling a name with effort. “Jonny.” He struggled to get out. “Jonny!”

 

Luckily, Guy was near him, looking down at his bloody sword, his eyes somewhat vacant from the shock. Shaking his head, he stared right in Christopher’s direction. “Are you alright, Chris?”

 

“You called me Chris.” He noticed, a silly smile on his face. “My friends call me Chris.”

 

Guy couldn’t say anything if he wanted. He knew right away that he wouldn’t have a lot of time. He looked around quickly to see if Jonathan was near them.

 

“Jonny calls me Chris all the time.” Christopher was saying. Guy focused his attention on him, his frown deeper and deeper at the sight of his friend laying on the grass, struggling to keep breathing. “Tell Jonny he’s the one that makes my name sound beautiful, okay? Will you do that for me?”

 

Guy couldn’t answer, so he just nodded instead. He looked up and saw Jonathan in the distance, his body resting against a horse, while William put his hand on his shoulder, trying to steady the taller man.

 

“Jonny!!!” Guy called him, screaming as loud as he could.

 

Jonathan stared at him, then he quickly set his feet in their direction, his injuries making it difficult for him to even walk.

 

“Tell him I love him…” Christopher said, in a whisper. He was looking up at Guy but he got distracted by the light of the sunrays right behind the dark hair of the Scottish man. The clouds wandered in a sensual dance to the left and the blue sky became clearer and clearer until he couldn’t see anything but blue. And then, white.

 

Guy’s eyes widened and his mouth stood open as he saw Christopher go, right in front of him. He went to another place with no previous notice, with no alarming sound. He simply went.

 

Guy looked up to see Jonathan running with William right on his side. He shook his head in resignation as the two men reached them at last.

 

“It’s too late.” He simply said, wiping his face with the sleeve of his shirt. He stood up from his kneeling position to give Jonathan a better access to Christopher.

 

Jonathan said nothing for minutes. To Guy and William, it seemed like an eternity filled with hurt and misery.

 

“I guess I am too late... It’s too late now to tell you I love you.” Jonathan said, his hand reaching for Christopher’s blonde curls, caressing them gently in a soothing manner. “I wished I hadn’t been a coward…”

 

William reached for Jonathan to pull him into an embrace, as soon as he saw the other man was about to collapse. Jonathan held him as if for dear life, his sobs shaking his entire body. William pulled Guy into the hug as well, making it clear any discord was meant to be erased. There was no time for fooling around or for silly fights. There was no time for hate or weakness, when the most valuable people and things were at steak. When their best friend lay there besides them, his eyes as blue as ever. However, this time he couldn’t see the beauty that shone upon him; he couldn’t feel the soft grass beneath his body; he couldn’t hear the words he had longed to hear ever since he met the man that forever changed his life.

 

He couldn’t brush Jonathan’s tears away.

 

 

 

 

 

And that's it from me, lovely writers and readers :)

I can't thank you enough for your kindness and for your comments!

I hope you won't be disappointed with the ending and I would like to say I will always be a fan of this thread. It's one of the few I check out over here and your stories are the reason.

Congratulations :nice:

 

 

Cemeteries of London

 

 

Chapter 10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walking back and forth from the house to the extreme end of the back garden, she couldn’t help frowning in concern. She would look at the small gate for sight of them. But they still hadn’t come.

 

She could still remember what they looked like before sending them off. They were nervous about it. Battles weren’t what they were used to. They were not up for fighting with their hands, they would rather fight with their words and solve the problem with a discussion, as long as things could become better.

 

Looking back on it, a lot had happened that they could never understand completely. They realized a lot of things. They realized the Battle of Newbury was the start, yes, but only for them. It was nowhere near as important to other soldiers as it was for them, simply because every fight is only important to those who see the importance. In that case, they saw the relevance, but others would find ridicule they would even mention it in the midst of so many events in that Civil War.

 

She glanced at the sky to see a few clouds dancing across the blue firmament, waiting for the right time. Her eyes closed as a breeze passed by her body. She let herself breathe in for a second, only to find her chest hurt like a squeezed child when a mother would hug them out of pure love.

 

The sound of horses interrupted her. She opened her eyes to see three horses running in her direction.

 

She smiled, utterly relieved to see them safe. “Thank goodness you’re here!”

 

William was the first to jump off the horse, his bloody shirt evidencing what it had been like at Worcester. The final Battle between Cromwell and King Charles II. “I see you haven’t changed one bit since this all started years ago.”

 

“I will never stop worrying, if that is what your statement implies, Mr. Champion.” Dianna admitted, happy to see they were all in good humor.

 

“You may stop, madam. It’s over.” He replied, his smile wider by the second.

 

“What do you mean?” She asked.

 

“He means it’s over. The King lost to Cromwell. I guess 1651 will become the decisive moment where Kings no longer rule without an active Parliament in all this Kingdom.” Jonathan said, leaning back against his gray horse. He gently patted the animal and led the beautiful creature to the stables, following William’s lead.

 

She looked after them before turning around to look at the remaining man.

 

“So, how is the mistress of this land?” His voice was deep and low, just like she loved.

 

“The mistress is ready for the master to settle down.” She replied, amusedly. “Years and years of fighting are enough for one lifetime, don’t you think?”

 

“Enough for a million lifetimes.” He admitted. “But it was worth it, my dear.” He kissed the top of her head, as soon as she leaned into his embrace.

 

“How do you think they are?” She asked, nodding in the other two men’s direction.

 

“Jonathan and William?” Guy asked. “They have been worse. William is finally getting married. The lady’s father was more than pleased to meet his future son-in-low… I believe William actually converted her out of the idea of becoming a nun…”

 

“Hmm…. Is that a good idea? Start a marriage by making God angry for having one less nun in the world?” She asked.

 

It took three seconds for Guy to realize she was joking. “Have I told you I love your dark humor?”

 

“No.” She blushed, suddenly. “I bet you wouldn’t think this when we first met.”

 

“I wouldn’t.” He agreed. “You are too great a surprise to figure you out. Even now, I don’t know half of what you are… And I still love you more than I could imagine.”

 

She smiled, her cheeks flushed and her eyes twinkling with mischief. Then, she turned serious. “What about Jonathan?”

 

Guy’s smile faltered a bit. “He has been better. Eight years won’t change the fact that he… lost the one person he’s supposed to be with. Every night for five years after Christopher’s death , he would say to me the same words Ben Jonson said about Shakespeare: He was not of an age, but for all time.” He sighed deeply. “But I think he has accepted it at least.”

 

“Do you think he would like to meet someone else? Try and get married?” Dianna asked.

 

“Honestly? No.” Guy admitted. “He’s alright the way he is now and I guess he’ll invest in his diplomatic career.”

 

“Right…” She nodded. “What about you?”

 

“What about me?” Guy retorted.

 

“What are the plans for your future?” She asked.

 

“Going back to Scotland, maybe…” Guy said, looking attentively at her.

 

“What?” She whispered, her face devoid of any color. “You’re going?”

 

“I thought we could go…” He emphasized the keyword of the sentence. “Start a new life there.”

 

“Oh my God…” She looked shocked. “Of course.”

 

“Really?” He asked. “You’ll go to Scotland?”

 

“In the words of George Herbert:

 

 

Love bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back,

Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-ey'd Love, observing me grow slack

From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,

If I lacked any thing.

 

Guy felt the words slip away from his mind for some minutes. He stood there, looking down at the woman who had forever changed his life, who held his heart in her soft, gentle hands. She could do whatever she wanted with him, for he no longer cared. She had proved in a few seconds that he was right to devote all his love to her.

 

He grabbed her hand and led her inside the small house they had built for them. It was indeed modest but it was theirs.

 

“I wasn’t serious about Scotland.” He said, as they walked in their rooms’ direction.

 

“Then, why would you say something like that?” She frowned.

 

“I guess that was a test.” Guy confessed. He stopped outside their bedrooms’ doors and waited a few seconds to gather his courage. “I know we promised to wait… And I know I just came back from all those battles… Still, I need to… I need to see you.” He said, his eyes low and his tone serious.

 

“What are you talking about? You are seeing me right now.” She frowned, confused. She thought he might have suffered some sort of injury while in combat. He wasn’t making much sense to her.

 

Guy looked straight at her. “I mean, really see.”

 

The intensity of his tone and the shadow in his eyes made her realize what he was implying. Her own breathing faltered for a few seconds and she felt her body tingle with desire as soon as he drew his hand near her neck, his fingers memorizing her curves.

 

“I don’t want to go anywhere without you and I want to stay here, at our home, where we both belong.” He said, in a matter-of-fact tone. “And I would like you to be my wife.”

 

She couldn’t take it anymore. Her eyes filled with tears and, for a moment, her blurry vision could only discern his eyes. His deep, warm, brown eyes. “Then, I shall be your wife.”

 

He smiled and started to say something, when she interrupted him, her hand on his armored chest. “I shall be your wife tonight.”

 

The implication of her words made his eyes widen in simultaneous surprise and passion. “Are you sure?”

 

She silently opened the door, walked in and as he looked inside, she was slowly unbuttoning her dress while looking intently at him. He felt his heart beat faster and faster, in a wild manner. He could hardly contain himself and, to be truthful, he didn’t want to.

 

 

She with her eyes my heart does bind,

She with her voice might captivate my mind.

How should I avoid to be her slave,

Whose subtle art invisibly can wreath

My fetters of the very air I breath?

 

 

The verses of The Fair Singer rang in his head. He had read them at night, when others sought sleep. He would read them again and again, searching for the true meaning in his mind. Every time, her face would appear before his closed eyes, bearing a smile similar to the one she had on her face at this very moment.

 

At the very moment she vowed to be his wife.

 

 

 

 

 

three.

 

 

 

 

"Well" Chris said, stepping from out of the taxi and getting a smell of the country air. "Here it is"

 

"They are just like giant stones, aren't they?" Guy said, in awe as he snapped a few pictures of one of the great wonders of the world.

 

"Yes Guy, yes they are" Chris said, his smile still on his face as he took a tour of the Stonehenge. It didn't take too long. "Isn't it amazing?"

 

"Yes it is- as a great medieval wonder but not as a recording studio!" Jonny exclaimed.

 

"Now we just need to get to work on building the wall around it!" Chris said, sighing.

 

"To keep people like those away, eh?" Jonny said, pointing at three men who, sat having a picnic, were staring up at the Stonehenge. Chris' Stonehenge.

 

"Yes" Chris said, camply. "Exactly" he continued, strutting up to the three men.

 

"Good evening, laddy!" one of them said. They were obviously Scottish.

 

"What do you think you are doing?" Chris exclaimed, fuming.

 

"We're having a picnic in the shadow of the amazing Stonehenge" the man replied. "Care to join us?"

 

"No I would not" Chris said. "This is my Stonehenge and I want you to leave"

 

"This is your Stonehenge, eh?" another one of the men said.

 

"Yes it is" Chris replied, impatiently. "I've got a deed"

 

"Oh really?" he replied. "Do you?"

 

"Yes I do" Chris said.

 

"Well- so do I" the third man said, producing a piece of paper from out of his pocket and walking towards Chris and shoving it in his face. "It looks like we are stone buddys!"

 

"Not unless I fight you for it!" Chris snarled.

 

"You want a fight over it? But we both own it! Can't we share?" One of the men said. "My name is Seamus!"

 

"Seamus...haha, can you get any more stereotypically Scottish?" Chris laughed before realising it was not a laughing matter. "I think we should do something us English should have done a long time ago!"

 

"And what is that?" Seamus asked, puzzled.

 

"Have an all out war with the Scottish!" Chris exclaimed. "Guy! Put on your confrontation jacket and get ready for a confrontation!"

 

"Okay Chris" Guy said, quickly whipping into a shiny, silver jacket.

 

"You're crazy!" Seamus exclaimed.

 

"No- I'm Chris Martin!" Chris replied. "Bring it on!"

 

 

 

Lights, Camera, Action

 

This story is deserving of a warning.

If you are easily offended or if you are under 18 please do not read it.

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 1

 

"Wow, I can't believe we are shooting this scene here," Chris said.

He dropped his bag onto the floor and walked around the room.

"It's great isn't it?" the man chewing on a cigar said.

"How did you get them to spring for a location shoot?" Chris asked.

The man took the cigar from his mouth.

"I didn't do anything kid," he said, "You are their biggest star currently."

Chris touched the thick draperies.

They felt soft and pliable.

"Whose house is this?' he asked.

"I don't know," the man answered, "Some bigwig or somebody. They own it but they are never here."

Chris walked over to the bed.

It was a large four poster bed with a canopy top.

"We aren't using that," the man said.

Chris looked up in surprise.

"Why not?" he asked.

The man frowned at him.

"Are you kidding? Look at the posts...Do you know how impossible it would be shoot around them?? The shadows alone would be a bitch to get around."

Chris looked at the bed.

"That's true I guess," he said.

The man walked around the multiple cameras that were set up in the room.

"We are using this," he said proudly.

Stopping in front of an antique fainting couch.

"Although this camera on the ceiling still has me worried," he admitted.

Looking up at the camera lens.

The door of the room opened.

A tall dark haired man entered.

Also carrying a bag.

Chris looked at the first man.

A look of disgust on his face.

"You didn't say that Jack would be the one in the scene with me," he said accusingly.

The man with the cigar shrugged his shoulders.

"I just do what the Boss tells me. You and Jack are the best sellers. So the Boss decided to put you in a scene together."

Jack looked at Chris.

"Don't worry pretty boy. I won't show you up."

Chris shot him a hateful look.

"Shut up," he said.

"Boys....boys..let's not fight. I am sure you will both do your jobs like usual."

Jack shrugged off his tight t-shirt.

Chris crossed his arms in front of his chest.

The man with the cigar walked back to him.

"Try to be a good boy and play along," he said.

Chris glared at Jack.

"Just one scene, right?' he asked.

"Just one," the man said.

Chris took a deep breath.

"Alright I guess I can do that."

"Thank you," the man said, "The director will be here any minute and I hate having to deal with an unhappy director. Now get undressed and get ready."

 

 

A Vase, A Friendship

 

 

 

Will stared, motionless, at the pieces that littered the floor. They were like the pieces of his heart, which had shattered simultaneously with the vase. The room was silent as everyone held their breath. All that Will could hear was the blood rushing in his ears.

 

It had happened like this: For several weeks, Will had been working on one particular project in his art class. He had been sculpting a vase to give to his girlfriend for their two-year anniversary. He knew that it wasn't such a fancy gift, and that maybe she would be expecting something nicer and more expensive, but Will didn't like that. He wanted his gift to be something that he made himself, specifically for her. They were only in eleventh grade, but Will felt confident that this was the girl he was going to spend the rest of his life with.

 

And so it came as a great shock to him when she walked up to his locker that very morning and informed him that they were no longer a couple. She'd had her eye on another boy in their class for a while, and apparently Will wasn't able to make her happy enough anymore, despite his kind and loving nature.

 

He stared at the vase. It was incomplete, though nearly finished, but now he wasn't sure that he wanted to work on it more. It almost felt like the last thing that tied him and his currently ex-girlfriend together, even though he knew she did not and would not know about the vase. He wanted it to stay exactly the way it was, the way it had been before she came along and broke his heart, and maybe that would change everything. Maybe he would find that none of it had actually happened. The vase stayed the same, and he and his girlfriend stayed together.

 

Will sighed heavily and grabbed the molded clay from the shelf. He figured he should at least try to look like he was doing work, for the sake of not getting yelled at by the teacher. He slowly made his way to his seat, eyes pointed sadly down at the floor.

 

Chris strolled into the room as he always did. He looked at every student around him, and he found the one he was looking for sitting at the desk in the farthest corner of the room. He continued walking, sending a wink across the room. The girl at the desk with her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail giggled and blushed a little, as she had not realized that the wink was not actually intended for her, but for the boy with the cap on who was sitting to her right. The boy had been under the same impression, so instead of responding to Chris's gesture he merely put his head down and looked at the paper sprawled out in front of him. Chris saw this and frowned.

 

But there was not much time for his sadness; moments later the crash came. Then everything was silent. Everyone held their breath.

 

Will stared at the smashed vase laying helplessly on the ground. Was it a sign? The vase had changed now. Everything had changed now. His hard work was all for nothing.

 

Though Will had plenty of friends, he seemed to have too few who knew him well enough to convince others that he wasn't as scary and intimidating as his appearance led them to believe. Will was probably one of the nicest people in the world, or at the very least, the nicest in the school, but no one knew that. And so it was now that everyone surrounding him held their breath, waiting for him to blow up.

 

As he lifted his eyes, he could see Chris's hand shaking. Chris was one of Will's lesser friends, one who knew that Will wasn't a fierce boy, but always seemed to forget it. He could hear Chris's heart pounding in his own ears, though he knew that it was physically impossible. Maybe it was his own heart, beating rapidly out of sadness and loss and not fear.

 

Chris's facial features- his eyebrows, his mouth, anything that could twist did twist- were contorted into a combined expression of terror with an apologetic undertone. In his own head he was pleading, begging for Will's forgiveness. He really didn't mean to do it, and yes, he definitely needs to start watching where he's going. And no, he wouldn't like to be torn into pieces and smeared on the ground like the vase. Will stared at him.

 

Then Chris's look changed, his face fell and he adapted a more sympathetic face. Everyone who expected Will to move first, and with violence (which was everyone in the room, even the teacher, who watched in silence with the rest instead of trying to prevent anything from happening), was surprised to see Chris take a step forward, his arms stretched out.

 

Chris pulled Will in and held him in an embrace that was tight, but also warm and consoling. Will buried his head in Chris's shoulder; he didn't want anyone else around to realize that he was crying.

 

“It's OK, Will,” Chris quietly said into Will's ear. “It'll be OK.”

 

“It's not about the vase,” Will mumbled, nearly unintelligible. “I don't care about that stupid lump of clay.”

 

“I know.”

 

Neither of them spoke for several minutes, and the room slowly began to return to its pre-disturbance state. The girl with the ponytail went back to thinking that she must be the luckiest girl in the world, the boy with the cap went back to thinking that Chris didn't even know he existed, and the teacher tried to maneuver around Chris and Will to sweep up the broken vase.

 

Will stood back, drying his cheeks as discreetly as possible. Chris laid a hand on his shoulder. “Listen, man, we're all still young. There's plenty of time to make another vase.”

 

Will silently nodded. He ran a hand through his thick hair and walked away, trying to think of what he was going to do now that the vase was gone and he couldn't even pretend to work on it. He could do like Chris said (though he knew Chris was not speaking literally), and start a new one. Or maybe he could work on something entirely different.

 

“Chris?” he called, stopped by his desk and facing Chris once more. Chris was still in the same spot where the vase had made its journey towards the floor. He looked up at Will.

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Do you want to help me start a new project?” Chris took a moment, then beamed.

 

“Sure,” he said, sliding around the desks to reach Will. “What's the project going to be?”

 

“Well... the vase was meant for my girlfriend. But she and I-” Will stopped, unable to say the words just yet. Chris patiently waited for him to continue. “Maybe there's someone you want to make something for... We could do that.”

 

Chris's cheeks flushed a deep red, and he resisted the urge to glance back across the room. “Oh, well... well, I don't have... a someone- I mean, there is a someone- but no, that someone isn't my someone, and I don't know that this someone would appreciate... because it's just... well, I want to...” Chris inhaled deeply in an attempt to calm himself down. “Do you think it will work?”

 

Will gave a tiny smile. “Chris, I think she already knows you like her.” He lifted his hand and pointed behind Chris. Although he knew who Will was referring to, he looked anyway. The girl with the ponytail was grinning at him as soon as she saw them look in that direction, but Chris didn't see her. He watched as the boy in the cap glared at the girl with a sad expression.

 

Chris turned back to Will with a sigh. He was tired of everyone always misunderstanding him. “I guess we should get started, then.” But Will had noticed the dullness to Chris's tone.

 

“Wait, you don't want to make something for her?” Will asked, confused. “I mean, we don't have to, of course. It was just an idea. We can make whatever.”

 

Chris thought for a minute, biting his lip. He didn't really consider it much of a secret, though as no one else seemed to know it may as well have been one. “I can trust you, right?” he asked, staring into Will's dark brown eyes. He didn't even wait for an answer, though. “Of course I can trust you.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice to a whisper. “I-I'd rather make something for that boy. The one sitting next to her.”

 

“Oh. I'm sorry,” Will said, “I just assumed-”

 

“Everyone does that,” Chris interrupted. He looked down and frowned again. “I'm afraid he thinks that I don't like him.”

 

“Well, then, let's make something. And you can give it to him, make sure that he knows.”

 

“Yeah,” Chris enthusiastically nodded as he agreed. “And you're, like, the most talented artist in this room, which is good, because it has to be perfect. Not that I won't help make it, of course, just that if I did it myself it would only come out awfully and I could never give him something like that.”

 

“Thank you. But I'm sure he wouldn't mind if it wasn't perfect, and if he would, then he's not worth it. Right?” Will placed a hand on Chris's shoulder as Chris had done to him before. “There's lots of other artwork to be made. We're all still young.”

 

“You really are a nice guy, Will,” Chris said, contentedly. “I wish more people could see that.”

 

 

 

Chapter 11

 

 

Guy felt a hand lightly brush his back. He turned around to see James standing there with a small smile. “Are you ready?” he inquired softly.

Guy allowed his eyes to wander back to fields which he had been staring at before James’ arrival. The sun was still low in the sky as it was early morning. Guy had been awake since dawn, unable to sleep due to the vast array of emotions swirling inside of him.

 

“I’m not sure,” he replied sadly. “This is all I have known for so long.”

 

“I know,” James said. A sympathetic look flashed in his eyes and he wished there was something he could to do make things better.

 

Guy wished the same. He wished he wasn’t about to leave the place he had spent so many years of his life. He wished, at least, he wasn’t leaving it without a victory. And he also wished he could be happy that he was leaving it with James.

“I know I don’t appreciate you enough,” Guy told him. “It’s been a month now, hasn’t it?”

 

James nodded. “Just barely.”

 

“You’ve been so patient with me. And I still don’t know why you stayed. I wish I could say I was glad you did. But I really don’t know what I am feeling right now.”

 

“It’s okay.” He flashed Guy a smile and Guy felt guilty watching him do it. He wished he could push past all of his negative feelings and just value the man who stood before him. But he didn’t know how.

 

“Do you have everything you need?” James continued, recognizing that Guy wouldn’t be inclined to say much else.

 

“I have my record player…I have my radio….so I suppose that I do.” And I have you, he added silently. He couldn’t bring himself to say that out loud. It seemed unfair for him to need James and yet not show any outward signs of appreciation for all that he’d done for him.

 

For a while they just stood there, Guy watching the sunrise casting its early morning glow on the barren fields that he had toiled over for so long, and James standing back and letting him do so.

 

“Are you going to drag me to the car or not?” Guy questioned quietly after some time.

 

James’ eyes widened a bit in surprise. “Do you want me to?” he asked, not quite sure if Guy was joking.

 

“I need you to,” Guy replied seriously. “I don’t think I’ll be able to leave on my own…” he allowed his voice to drift off until it was barely a whisper. He sighed deeply.

 

Dramatically, James grabbed his hand. “Come on then,” he said with a wink, pulling him along down the path to where the car was parked.

 

Guy couldn’t help but smile at James’ attempts to lighten the mood. He couldn’t help but laugh just a little, even as he sat down in the passenger seat. And he couldn’t help but be compelled to lean over and kiss James lightly on the cheek, even as he started the car and drove away from Guy’s former home, and in a way, his former life.

 

At first there was nothing but silence. But it wasn’t a nice kind of silence. It felt tense and awkward. Guy couldn’t handle it. He shut his eyes and pretended to be asleep. James glanced over at him and smiled. He wasn’t fooled at all.

 

“Okay Guy, we can play some music if you don’t want to just sit here.”

 

Guy’s eyes opened up again and he managed a grin. “How did you know I was faking?”

 

“I know so much more about you than you realize.”

 

Guy laughed. “That’s kind of creepy you know.”

 

“I don’t think it is,” James replied quietly. “But if it is, I’m sorry. I can’t help knowing so much. Because I can’t help observing you, and thinking about you.”

 

The car slowed and Guy glanced over to see James was staring right at him, his green eyes flashing brighter than Guy had ever seen them. “I can’t help that I do all of these things….because I can’t help loving you.”

 

Guy felt a sudden jolt go through him. He didn’t know what it was. But it affected his stomach, brain, and heart all at once. He had a sudden urge to jump out of the car. But on the other hand he had an urge to kiss James and never stop.

He did neither. Instead he mumbled “oh” and tried to become invisible in his seat by sliding down in it. He pulled the cap he wore down over his face, crossed his arms, and did his best to disappear.

 

“That hat doesn’t hide all of your blushing you know,” James told him.

 

Guy groaned and sat back up in his seat. He adjusted his hat and while he did so James took the opportunity to lightly graze Guy’s face with two fingers. “I am sorry that was so sudden. But I couldn’t keep it inside any longer.”

 

"How long have you felt like this?” Guy asked gravely.

 

“I don’t know. One day I just woke up and I knew how I felt.”

 

Guy just stared at him helplessly. Guilt was already eating away at him. He knew he should say the same thing to James. But he wasn’t sure he felt it yet. And he wasn’t sure if he could admit to feeling it, even if he did.

 

James turned away from Guy to focus on driving again. “It’s okay you know,” he told Guy. “You don’t have to say it back. I don’t need you to. I just needed you to know how I felt. I feel you have the right to know where you stand in my eyes.”

 

“So do you,” Guy replied. “But I don’t know where you stand. That is the problem.”

 

James sighed quietly. “I know you don’t. I can tell. Your eyes have been so full of confusion lately. I am hoping you’ll realize how you really feel once we start our lives over in the city.”

 

He did his best to smile. “Cities are so full of life, you know? It’s that kind of thing that makes people really take a look at themselves.”

 

Guy rubbed his face. “Just turn on some music already,” he said.

 

 

 

 

Chapter 12

 

 

“We are here!” James exclaimed pointlessly. It was clear that they had arrived in the city. There were lots of cars and people and noise and strange smells, and most of all the endless stretches of buildings that towered in the distance.

The car veered off the highway and onto an exit which led directly to the heart of the city.

 

“Where are we going?” Guy questioned timidly. He felt completely overwhelmed. He hadn’t been to a place with this many people since he was a young boy.

 

“I thought we would go straight to where the action is. Maybe find a place on one of the busier streets.” James saw the stricken look on Guy’s face and he gently rested one of his hands on one of Guy’s. “I know it seems intimidating. But I really think this is the best way to help you move on.”

 

Guy gave a slight nod. His eyes were a milky brown and they seemed to widen with every new building the car passed. “I trust you,” he whispered.

 

James frowned a little, and for a moment wondered if he should really be doing this. He felt as though he were manipulating a young child. But he quickly pushed those thoughts away. If Guy was like a young child, than it was up to James to decide what was best.

 

Finally they stopped in front of a building that seemed to stretch upwards for miles. They got out of the car and Guy squinted up to try and see where the building ended and the sky began. He had a terribly difficult time trying to figure it out, and eventually gave up.

 

Head hanging low in defeat, he followed James inside the building. The lobby was shiny and looked brand new. It was also bone chilling do to the air conditioning. Guy was not at all accustomed to it. He had never lived in a place with any sort of cooling system before.

 

“Just wait here,” James told Guy.

 

Normally Guy would have held his head up high and refused. He would have purposely done just the opposite just to prove that he could do so if he wanted to. But his new surroundings had shattered his spirit, and he obeyed without a fight.

 

James approached the counter and quickly with the man standing there. In just a few minutes he returned with a series of forms. “We have to fill these out,” he told Guy. When Guy didn’t respond he continued “So we can rent an apartment here to live in.”

 

There was still no response from the sullen dark haired man. James sighed and sat down to fill them out himself. If Guy had been anyone else he would have gotten angry. But he found it nearly impossible to have any sort of negative feelings towards Guy.

 

Once the forms were completed, he took them back to the counter and in a few minutes more he returned to Guy with a satisfied smile. “We have ourselves an apartment!” He tried to say it with as much enthusiasm as he could, hoping just a bit of it might rub off on Guy. It did finally make him react, at least.

 

“That’s good,” Guy said, a small smile crossing his features. But his eyes were completely expressionless, something James had never seen before, which worried him. He pushed another wave of doubt from his mind about whether or not this was the best course of action to take.

 

“The landlord says we can move in tomorrow morning. So we will stay in a hotel tonight. I know of a good one just down the block. We can walk from here.”

 

“Okay,” Guy agreed. Walking sounded wonderful after hours of sitting in a car. Guy couldn’t remember ever being in a car for so long before then. And he didn’t mind that at all. Because as far as he could tell, cars were miserable contraptions.

 

“I think you will really grow to enjoy living here Guy,” James remarked as they approached the hotel. “Over time, of course.”

 

Guy didn’t say a word. He just stuck his hands in his pockets and walked with his head down, nearly walking into other people on numerous occasions. Fortunately James steered him out of the way.

 

Once they reached the place, James quickly made his way to the front desk and booked a room. He soon returned with a room key in hand. “Our room is on the 7th floor,” he told Guy.

 

Guy followed him to the elevators, the only sounds either of them making being the light tapping their shoes made on the tile floor. As they were being carried up to their proper floor, Guy remarked “This is only the second time I’ve ever been n an elevator.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“Yeah….the other time was when Malcolm was born.”

 

“I see,” James said. He stared at the ground. He didn’t know what to say to that. He couldn’t read Guy’s expressions, and it was a bit nerve-wracking. He could usually tell exactly how Guy was feeling. But now it felt like he was sharing the elevator with a robot.

 

When the elevator stopped Guy hurried out to the corridor. “What’s the rush?” James questioned with a small grin.

 

“I hate those things,” Guy replied. “I feel like I am being suffocated.”

 

James’ grin got wider. “You are so amusing, you know that?”

 

“I’ve never been told that before,” Guy responded indifferently, moving a little so that James’ hand was no longer touching his arm.

 

James stared at Guy helplessly, trying to read his face. Guy stared back with the same indifference as he had spoken with. James let out a quiet sigh. “Well, the room is down the hall this way,” he said, pointing in the direction of the room.

 

Once inside, Guy immediately headed for one of the two beds. “I’m tired. I am going to bed,” he said simply.

 

“But it’s only 8:30,” James started to say. But he decided it was pointless. If Guy wanted to sleep, he would try and sleep too.

 

“I guess I will go to bed as well.” There was no response from Guy as James climbed into the second bed.

 

Hearing nothing from Guy for quite a while, James figured he was asleep. He smiled a little at the thought. He had seen Guy asleep once before. He had come out to the main room of the old house tone night o get a drink of water and Guy had been deep in sleep on the couch.

 

James remembered how he had stood there watching him for many minutes, somehow unable to pull his eyes away from the sight. He remembered how innocent Guy had looked. It made his heart ache to think about it.

 

His thoughts then shifted to the time Guy had finally agreed to leave the farm. James remembered Guy had the same look of innocence. Lying in the foreign bed, James recalled the scene in its entirety.

 

 

 

 

Here's a new one. :nice:

I hope you only read it if you're not easily offended.

 

 

 

A Sort Of Homecoming

 

 

Chapter 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waking up next to a stranger wasn’t an uncommon thing for him anymore. He preferred going home as soon as possible but it wasn’t always permitted.

 

He looked to his left to see his companion of bed. This time, it was a middle-aged, divorced woman. Fake blonde, smooth skin and a strong scent, probably due to her expensive perfume. He could almost tell which brand the product was from. It became almost essential for him to recognize little details that could help him in these moments.

 

The room was ample and very well decorated. He would have been more admired and fascinated by it if it wasn’t for the reminder of what was happening and, most importantly, what had already happened in it. He knew it was almost time to leave, so he quickly gathered his clothes, eyeing her to confirm she was still asleep. It was for the best if she didn’t see him and it was a mutual agreement anyway.

 

Also, it was almost seven in the morning. It was indeed time to go. She enjoyed the night, he knew, and that was more than enough for him. It gave him the certainty that she would call again.

 

However, right now, he had to go to his flat. He still had stuff to do before going to meet his friends.

 

Assuring himself he had everything he owned in his possession, he got closer to the woman’s nightstand, careful not to make a sound, grabbed the cash she put there for him and quickly went to the door.

 

“Wait!” Her voice stopped him. He turned around and saw her sitting up, covering herself with a sheet. Quite common, he thought. Every woman does that. “I had a wonderful night, my dear.” She smiled at him.

 

His stomach turned, his disgust invading his body quite rapidly. He weakly tried to smile.

 

She wasn’t finished though. “We have to do this again one of these days… Actually, I think a weekend with you would be… terrific.”

 

He gulped. “You know my number and my wages.” He said, before getting out of the room, running until he was out of her house.

 

Outside, he could do nothing but breathe in and out, his nauseated body standing against an ancient building next to the woman’s house. No matter how much time elapsed, he could never get quite used to it. He preferred when they were cold and didn’t talk to him. When they simply wanted what he was selling. That way they saw him close to how he saw them: an object.

 

To him, they meant money. To them, he meant pleasure.

 

 

 

The ride or the walk home was always dreadful. He felt dirtier than ever and he always longed for the comfort his shower provided him. He needed the cleansing water more than anything else.

 

He entered his flat to see the stillness of the quiet space. Everything was perfectly clean and nothing was out of place. Just like he liked.

 

He checked his messages. He checked the fridge. He checked his mail.

 

Nothing but quiet greeted him. He had barely enough to eat and the money he had just received would help him that month. He sighed as he thought he needed to work more so as to have more money for his expenses. He would really need it. He tried to avoid doing it… but there was no other way.

 

Even through the deep problems he was thinking about, he could feel his skin shiver with the knowledge of what had happened the night before. He headed for the bathroom, the disgust written across his face and making his stomach flutter in the worst way he could think of.

 

As soon as he got under the water, his clothes still on, he felt some of his nausea go away. He felt used, he felt dirty, he felt like he could throw up anytime now. Glancing down, he lifted his hands up to his shirt and slowly unbuttoned the dark blue piece of clothing, carelessly throwing it over the shower’s curtain as soon as it was no longer covering his torso.

 

He looked at his upper body, starting with his left arm, passing through his chest and belly, onto the right arm. He saw nothing but hands clawing at them. If he closed his eyes, he would see their mouths all over his skin, as if they were marking their territory. He shook his head in disbelief. Why would they do that? They paid him to give them what they craved for. He was the one who had to do that.

 

A little bit better from the actions of the pure, hot water, Guy decided he had to take off the rest of his clothes. The socks were quickly dispensed without even having to pick them up. Next step, his jeans. They were the pair of jeans he always used for this. He kept them away from the rest of his pants. It was too much having to wear them, so he didn’t want to taint the rest, as crazy or silly as it could sound to others. Why would a man who earns money that way feel such a repugnance when it came to his work pants?

 

He slowly pushed them down, until they were at his feet. He took one leg, then another, and in a matter of seconds he discarded the item completely. He was finally bare of any fabric against his body. The woman had told him not to wear underwear. It was a fantasy of hers. He accepted it, of course. Nothing he hadn’t been asked before.

 

Once again, he stared down at his body. Once again, he saw nothing but their faces, their hands and their legs. All of them mixed together in a haze of hurt in Guy’s head. He was so tired of all of it. He didn’t want to do it any longer. However, he could find no other job. He hadn’t graduated from college, his parents cut him off, his friends weren’t very concerned about him either and he simply spiraled down until he could do nothing else but turn to an option that appeared out of nowhere, when he most needed it.

 

He was a penniless, young man who had no skills, except playing music or taking photographs. But that wasn’t enough, it seemed.

 

So, he didn’t look back since. He did what he had to do and he was not dependent of any “agent”, so he was responsible for his job. Connections were his main advantage. Word spread and he would basically go from girl to girl, woman to woman, resulting from their own acquaintances.

 

Plus, he had managed to get an ad in the paper.

 

Yes, he had sunk to the bottom quite deeply. And he couldn’t see a way out now. He still looked for another job. One that could make it possible for him to forget about the one he had now. He applied time and time again, he went to interviews. However, his chances were shot as soon as he entered the room. He had no confidence in himself and he felt uncomfortable talking as a general rule, but in those conditions, it was even worse; the result was that not even the simplest job was at his reach.

 

He got out of the shower and sighed in frustration. What good was he doing to the world living like this? Where was he thinking of going with his life that made it worth living?

 

He got dressed and looked inside his wallet. Enough money for rent. That was good.

 

 

 

 

 

A Sort Of Homecoming

 

 

Chapter 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

His cell phone was ringing endlessly when he finally woke up.

 

“Hello?” His voice still had the taste of sleep. His hair was slightly up in the air and his eyes were still shut.

 

The motive for the call was the same as every call he received: work.

 

“Sure. What time?” He asked the person on the other end. He sat up and swung his legs to let his feet rest on the cold floor. “Okay, anything else?”

 

He would mumble to make it clear he was listening and taking note of the details. He had no notepad though. He had no pen. He had no interest at all. He simply listened. It was enough.

 

He got up once the call was finished. He looked inside his closet and he remembered he had yet to have his jeans washed. He looked distressed at the other pants. He would have to wear one of his clean ones. He would have to taint yet another pair.

 

He sighed as he picked dark jeans to go along with his black shirt. He wasn’t very elaborate, since it seemed there was no need for that. He had to hide and be hidden. Those women didn’t want to be seen with him. Most of them anyway. He had a few episodes where he served as their “date” to some gatherings. It was the most excruciating thing he had to do. Pretend to be someone’s date and hold someone’s hand, be flirty while trying to keep trivial conversations.

 

He quickly got dressed and looked at his watch. He still had a few minutes left before he had to leave for yet another “appointment”. He had slept most of the day away. He didn’t want to but his body simply gave away.

 

One last look at the mirror and he was out the door.

 

 

 

The house was actually quite close to his. He found it both familiar and cold.

 

There were no photographs, there were no dispensable memorabilia but it had a cozy feeling to it.

 

He looked at his client again.

 

A man. Again. He was used to it now. He could still remember the first time he had to be with a man. Weird was not the word. It was oddly unsettling. Yes, unsettling.

 

He didn’t feel as disgusted as when he had to be with women. He didn’t see their faces afterwards or feel their fingers on every part of his body. Men didn’t talk as much. They didn’t care about pleasing as much. He liked it better that way. It was bad enough that he had to do such a thing and then be faced with pleasure. Not once in his years on the job did he enjoy what he was doing. He could be aroused, yes, he could feel the biological urge every man felt when faced with the meanders of another person’s body. However, not once did he like what he did. Not once did he feel well about it.

 

“So, wanna drink something before?” The tall man asked him. He was not an overly muscled man. He was more softly built and his face was quite soft as well. No harshness in his expression, just two brown orbs that could very well turn into fire, Guy noticed. He was just little bit taller than Guy and he had a skin just as fair, tickled by a short beard. His hair was fairly short, smooth and straight, not at all like Guy’s wilder hair.

 

Guy shook his head.

 

“Want to get this over with as soon as possible, huh?” The man asked, a smile on his face.

 

The apartment was very nice, fitting for a rich, young man. Success seemed to exude from him, in Guy’s opinion.

 

He must have wanted some sort of tale to tell over dinner with buddies. A little joke or probably a dare.

 

Guy didn’t respond to the man’s question and simply looked down at his feet.

 

“Don’t worry. I don’t want chit-chatter anyway.” He said. “What is your name again?”

 

Guy looked at him, then stuck his hands deeps in his pockets. “Guy.”

 

“Is that a real name or just the one you use for the job?” The man asked.

 

Guy frowned. “I’m not… Why would I give a fake name?”

 

“I don’t know… If I were you, I’d be-”

 

Guy interrupted him. “Embarrassed.” He stared back at him. “I know, you wouldn’t want to be known for doing this. I mean, be on my end of the deal.”

 

The silence that followed was hurtful for both men. One was saddened, the other was simply miserable his life had turned out like this.

 

The man walked over to Guy and started unbuttoning the black shirt he wore. Guy felt like a doll being changed of clothes. He had seen his sister do it when she was a kid. She would grab her dolls and take their dresses to put new ones. He felt like that at this moment.

 

Shaking himself from his thoughts, he sprung into action and reached over to undress the other man, leaving little kisses along the other man’s chest and stomach.

 

Guy didn’t say anything before dropping the man’s pants on the floor. He simply got on his knees.

 

“What are you doing?” The man asked him.

 

Guy looked up and frowned. “I am… doing my job?”

 

“You mean you’re going to…?” Now it was the man’s turn to frown. “I didn’t ask you…”

 

“Well, I don’t wait for my clients to tell me what they want. It’s sort of… implied…” Guy finished, even more embarrassed than usual. “You don’t want to…?”

 

“No, I don’t want that.” He answered. “I just want the… rest.”

 

For a moment, Guy thought he saw some uncertainty and vulnerability in the other man’s eyes but he didn’t focus on that. He simply nodded and got his clothes off.

 

“Do you want to do it here? Or would you prefer the bedroom?” Guy asked.

 

“What do you prefer?” The man asked.

 

Guy felt like he was in some weird alternative reality. People never asked that. He was used to being the pleaser, not the pleased. So, he made sure that fact was very clear. “You are the one who knows where you feel the most comfortable in.”

 

“And you just want me to be well?” The man asked, a small smile on his lips.

 

Guy stared at him, before replying. “I want you to be satisfied with what I offer. Nothing else.”

 

The silence was different this time. It was of understanding of their roles in the situation. It assured Guy things would go according to plan from now on. He moved to kiss the man when he stopped him.

 

“I will be more satisfied in my bedroom.”

 

Guy nodded and followed him. They got inside one of the most elegant bedrooms Guy had ever seen. It was completely masculine and very intricate at the same time. The decoration wasn’t the result of lack of thought or attention. It had taken time and money. Guy found himself enjoying the sight of the bedroom while the man gazed at him, waiting for Guy to join him on his bed. “Are you satisfied now?”

 

Guy didn’t answer. He simply went to the bed and got over the man’s body, covering the handsome man and softly kissing his chest.

 

Everything about it was textbook. He did exactly what he did every other day. He kissed, touched, he sent people over the edge. It was normal.

 

The only thing that wasn’t normal that night was the urge he had to feel the other man’s fingers. Those hands were the ones he wanted to have all over his skin all the time. Soft, yet strong. Playful and profound at the same time.

 

And for the first time, he found himself saying his client’s name. When John was not just a common name. When he felt himself liking what was happening.

 

 

 

 

 

A Sort Of Homecoming

 

 

Chapter 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The awkward part was just beginning, Guy knew. He had been asked for three hours. He wouldn’t spend the night nor would John get to touch him past those three hours.

 

“So, how do you say goodbye to people you just fucked?” John asked.

 

Guy looked at him over his shoulder. He was just putting on his underwear, thinking the other man was sleeping. He felt like a kid being caught cheating on a test. He quickly grabbed and put on his pants. “Just like that. Goodbye.”

 

“Isn’t there a time when you want to say «see you later»?” John continued, putting on his own clothes.

 

“No. This is a job.” Guy replied.

 

“Exactly. At my job, we say that all the time.” John smiled.

 

Guy didn’t say anything. He was already nervous about this. The talk after the act. The guilt after the crime.

 

“Do you accept when people ask you to do this again?” John asked, curiously.

 

“Yes. If you want, you know the number.” Guy answered.

 

“How about this next weekend? Can it be the whole weekend?” John asked.

 

“It can be but not this weekend.” Guy replied, looking down at his hands, once he was finally completely dressed. “I already have other appointments.”

 

“Hmm… so you call this an appointment?” John smirked. “Gotta tell you my doctor appointments would be way more fun if they were like this… Though I wouldn’t want my doctor to do what you did to me… As sexy as he can be in his sixties, he’s just not my type.”

 

Guy wanted to laugh, but he suppressed it. This was getting far too intimate for him and he didn’t feel right about it.

 

“I… I have to… go.” He said, at last. He waited for the money but John was looking at him, a smile on his face.

 

“So, now it’s the time to give you the money, huh?” John asked, reaching for his wallet, laying on the bedside table. He counted the cash and gave a little bit more than it was accorded.

 

“Uh, this is more than we planned.” Guy frowned.

 

“Consider it a bonus for a good performance.” John said, trying to make the other man more at ease.

 

At that moment, Guy felt the exact opposite. He felt uncomfortable and embarrassed. “Thank you.” He said quietly.

 

John realized he had made things worse and instantly felt bad. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.”

 

“No, no, it’s fine.” Guy said, quickly. The more John looked at him, the worse he felt. His eyes were set on the floor but his cheeks still felt hot.

 

John sighed. “Let me walk you to the door.”

 

Guy followed the other man and put his hands deep in his pockets. It was past midnight and he had walked there. He felt so tired now but he had no other choice.

 

“Hey.” John said, as they reached the door, holding it open.

 

Guy looked up at him.

 

“What if I drive you home?” John suggested.

 

“No, thank you. My home is just a few blocks away.” Guy replied.

 

John nodded in understanding. “Well, then… goodnight.”

 

“Goodbye.” Guy said and didn’t look back once.

 

 

 

Guy found himself with a lot of money that month. It had been quite fruitful and now he could finally start saving some cash for the future. That was the only good thing that came out of the increase of work.

 

He found himself with more and more women calling him. Night after night. They would pay more just to have him when they woke up. Guy actually felt sad for them. Having to pay someone to be at their side, pretending to be with someone who they loved and loved them back. However, it wasn’t his problem and ultimately they paid more.

 

This led him to sleep less and less each night. He would stay awake while they slept peacefully beside him. He couldn’t keep his mind from thinking back to the man that grabbed his attention uninvited.

 

Unwilling, he would pop in his head while he was doing his work. He would pop in his head at night and leave him restless. Therefore, he had been more and more tired.

 

He needed to sleep but he couldn’t get more than an hour at a time. He was growing desperate and doing everything he could to sleep more: run for hours, cleaning his flat more than twice a week, listening to soothing music. Everything that could induce his sleep. Still, John was there in his mind.

 

One day, as he was about to give up on sleep, his phone rang loudly in the kitchen. He groaned as he stood up from his bed. He made his way down the hall and picked the small object up.

 

“Hello?”

 

“Hey, this is John.”

 

Guy’s heart missed a beat and he sighed. “Hey, do you need me for another night?”

 

“No, I need you right now.” John said.

 

Guy didn’t hesitate. “I’ll be right there.” And with that, he hung up the phone. What did you just do? Are you completely out of your mind?

 

He hadn’t asked about details he needed every time someone asked for him. He simply grabbed his keys and didn’t change clothes. He didn’t comb his hair and he didn’t brush his teeth. He ran out the door with nothing else in his mind. It was slightly scary to him that he was acting like this.

 

Reaching John’s flat, he felt nervous. He knocked on the door and John didn’t say anything once he opened the door wide for Guy to enter. Guy silently walked in and followed John to his bedroom.

 

“Are you used to doing this?” John asked, starting to get out of his own clothes.

 

“What?” Guy asked, confused.

 

“Do this. Go to a client’s home without asking anything else.” John clarified. “I just said I needed you and you came.”

 

Guy looked at him, unable to respond.

 

John came closer to him and touched his neck, then his chest. Guy put his own hand over John’s. “I don’t know. I have never done this before. I just… you said you needed me…”

 

John smiled sadly. “I do.”

 

“Why?” Guy heard himself ask the question. What are you doing? Don’t get involved!

 

John shook his head. “I just… I don’t know what to do… I have one problem that is making me lose my mind and… you are the only one that can help me…”

 

Guy looked at him and frowned, urging him to go on.

 

“I… haven’t been completely honest with you.” John admitted.

 

Guy felt immediately afraid of what would come next. However, he said nothing, not wanting to interrupt the man who now looked at him with worried, brown eyes.

 

“I am… I am a journalist.” John said. When Guy looked blankly at him, he tried to make it more obvious. “And I am… I am doing this piece… I mean, I am actually researching at this point.”

 

Guy still hadn’t comprehended what were the implications of what John was saying.

 

“About what?”

 

“About prostitution.” John said, waiting for Guy’s reaction.

 

Guy felt his blood rush out from his face. To him, John had just slapped him hard on the face, mercilessly. “Oh…”

 

It was John’s turn to be silent. He didn’t know what he could say to make it better. Apologizing would be pointless and explaining his behavior was also silly. Guy could very well understand what he had done. Justify his actions would just be an insult to the man that now walked in the direction of the door at a fast pace.

 

“Where are you going?” John asked.

 

“I don’t care if you give me money, I can’t be here. I’m going and you’re never going to call me again.” Guy said, his tone angry and sad at the same time. He felt like crying but he didn’t want to feel even more used and humiliated than he already did.

 

“Wait!” John desperately tried to follow him down the stairs, until they were both out of the building. “I’m sorry.” He said, in a painful tone. His throat closed up and he could distinctly feel hatred for himself at that moment.

 

“You’re not sorry!” Guy yelled, stopping midstride. “You’re just happy you got what you wanted for your article.”

 

“That’s not-” John tried to say.

 

“Don’t! It’s fine. I’m just a prostitute anyway, huh?” Guy walked away in his flat’s direction, finally allowing the shame and disappointment find their release as tears rolled down his face. John stood in the middle of the sidewalk, his shirt still open. He screamed Guy’s name again and again but there was no use. He had hurt him too much already for one night.

 

 

 

 

 

A Sort Of Homecoming

 

 

Chapter 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guy wouldn’t be able to handle even looking back once to look at his face. To feel humiliated by the man he had been dreaming about for days and nights. He had a suspicion this would only make it worse.

 

Guy remembered that he would be getting a visit soon. One of his remaining friends was coming to see him. They had agreed on that months ago. Will was the one person he could actually count on but sharing with him what he did for a living was out of the question. He could still remember when they were younger and they would write music together. However, Will had graduated in Anthropology and became a professor in Wales. He had his entire life planned: he had a wife, he considered having kids soon and he had a consistency at his workplace. Everything worked out fine for him. And while Guy felt happy about it, it made his life seem even more disastrous.

 

Two days had passed since he had left John’s home. Two days with his cell phone ringing endlessly. If it wasn’t for the fact that it was important professionally, he would have just turned it off altogether. However, he decided that he would do that before Will got there.

 

A knock on his door interrupted his reading time. He got up to answer, when he was confronted with Will on the other side.

 

“Hey!” He said, a sincere smile on his face. “I thought you weren’t coming until tonight.”

 

Will leaned forward and gave him a tight hug. They hadn’t seen each other in months and the only contact they had was through mails and an occasional phone call. “I missed you.”

 

“I missed you too. Now, come on in!” Guy said, cheerfully for once. He was still surprised but he quickly arranged snacks for them and put Will’s suitcase in the spare bedroom he had prepared for his friend.

 

“So, how is everything going?” Guy asked.

 

And just like that, the two friends talked about the last changes and events of their lives. Guy was careful not to say too much, which was no surprise for Will. Will told Guy all about his plans to have a baby soon. From that point on, they talked on and on about the most mundane and silly things they could think of. Catching up like old times. They were talking for hours and hours, eating and drinking in between.

 

Guy could honestly say he was content. He hadn’t felt that comfortable and good about life in a while. Will was definitely a breath of fresh air in his mess of a life.

 

Disrupting their conversation, someone knocked on his door. He wasn’t expecting anyone. He never expected anyone. He opened the door to see him.

 

“What are you doing here?” Guy asked, alarmed, in a low voice. “How did you know where I live?”

 

“I asked around.” John said, smiling a bit. His eyes were a bit foggy and Guy realized he had just been drinking. When he leaned closer and he felt John’s breath, his suspicion was confirmed. “You know, I still want to say some stuff to you…” He said slowly.

 

“Get out.” Guy told him, trying to close the door on his face.

 

“NO!” John yelled, suddenly, putting a hand to stop Guy’s actions.

 

Guy could hear Will approaching him, certainly to see what was going on.

 

“I am not leaving.” John said. “Not until you forgive me for what I did.”

 

“There’s nothing to forgive. Just forget it.” Guy said.

 

“What’s going on?” Will asked him.

 

“It’s nothing.” Guy said, trying to control both men. He felt like anytime now things would end up badly for him.

 

“Who is this?” John asked, eyeing Will with a frown. “Another client?”

 

“Client?” Will asked, confused. “What the hell is this guy talking about?”

 

“It’s nothing, Will, he’s just drunk.” Guy said. “Just go back inside, I’ll deal with him.”

 

“You mean you’ll forgive me?” John asked, once again.

 

Guy sighed a bit as he could sense Will was still behind him and he wasn’t about to go until John left. And John looked like he wasn’t even capable of handling a decent conversation. He was standing straight, yes, but his speech and eyes told Guy everything he needed to know.

 

“Look, we’ll talk some other time. Now, you need to get home and… sleep…” Guy shook his head.

 

“No, no, no. I am not leaving! What the fuck is this guy doing over here? Did he pay you already? Cause I got money here…” He fumbled in search of cash in his pants’ pockets.

 

“Stop it! Just go.” Guy asked him, reaching over and putting a hand on one of John’s trembling hands. He looked up as he felt Guy’s touch, his eyes showing how miserable he felt. “Just go, please.”

 

“I’m sorry.” John said, sincerely. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for things to go like that.”

 

“It’s fine.” Guy said.

 

Silence descended upon them and Will felt it was his duty to break it. “Look, do you know him?” He directed the question at Guy.

 

“Yeah…” Guy answered.

 

“Then, let him sleep over.” Will suggested, looking at John. “He’s obviously upset and it’s not that good to have him wandering around the streets at this time of the night.”

 

“Can I stay?” John asked Guy, eagerly.

 

Guy looked between the two men, not sure about the idea. He needed to stay away from John for his sake and what the drunk man in front of him had done was still fresh in his mind. The hurt was still there.

 

In the end, he sighed and shrugged his shoulders. “Sure.” He replied, not looking at John.

 

He let Will take the reigns and lead John to his bedroom. His own bedroom. Guy almost told them to stay away from the room but he couldn’t do that. He would have to deal with the effects when they came crashing into him.

 

“Care to tell me what was that about?” Will asked, entering the living room. He sat on the couch next to Guy.

 

“Just an acquaintance.” Guy replied.

 

“Really? Cause that acquaintance just told me not to say anything to you but he would like you to go to your room and sleep there. Next to him.” Will said.

 

Guy closed his eyes and sighed in frustration. “He’s… he’s just drunk.”

 

“And what was that talk about me being your client? And paying you?...” Will asked, deeply confused. “What the hell is going on?”

 

Guy felt trapped. “I don’t know. He must have thought I was somebody else.” He said, lamely attempting to fool Will.

 

Will didn’t have to say anything. He simply glared, bemused, at Guy.

 

Guy didn’t break down though. He stood up. “I’m going to get some blankets so I can sleep here.” He gestured towards the couch before leaving the room, not letting Will get a word in.

 

Will wasn’t convinced; quite the opposite, actually. That interaction between Guy and the other man left him puzzled. He sat down and sighed, concerned about his friend.

 

He worried about Guy and how his life was going. He had no one else in his life but him and he didn’t even know what he did when he was out of the bar he worked at. He still thought it was a waste of time to work at the place Guy worked at, mainly because he had so much more to give and he didn’t even know. He may have skipped finishing his degree like the rest of their group of friends but he was definitely an intelligent, skillful man.

 

Guy came back into the room and didn’t look at Will. Will shook his head, knowing he wouldn’t say anything else that night. He would wait to question him next morning.

 

“So… you must be tired, right?” Guy asked, not really caring much about the answer.

 

“Your room is ready and I got these for me…” He motioned for the blankets he had in his arms and let out a fake yawn. “Goodnight, Will.”

 

Will didn’t even get a chance to say anything before Guy started preparing his sleeping arrangements. Typical. Slowly, he headed for the bedroom that had been destined for him. He could hear Guy moving around for a bit before flopping down on the couch with a heavy sigh.

 

 

It was 3 in the morning and the three men laid on their backs, unaware of what the others were thinking.

 

Will was finally asleep after worrying for quite some time about his best friend. He wanted to find out what was going on but he would have to wait. A long wait, it seemed as he looked at the clock on the bedside table over and over again. 3:30 a.m. came slowly but surely and he found the rest he deserved.

 

John slept, blissfully unaware of everything that surrounded him. Morning would bring him a monumental headache, but for now he couldn’t be better than in Guy’s own bed. The sheets smelled like him, the pillow held Guy’s scent and he could almost feel his presence with him while he slept.

 

Guy, on the other hand, simply tossed and turned. Right now, he was on his back looking at the ceiling of the living room. He was trying to figure out what he was going to do the next morning, regarding both Will and John. He would have to lie. He would have to pretend and cause as little problems for himself as possible. John might be insistent. Will was definitely observant. He was surely screwed.

 

 

 

A Sort Of Homecoming

 

 

Chapter 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Hey.” Will said, entering the kitchen. “Smells good.”

 

“Sit down, your breakfast is almost ready.” Guy said, taking care of said meal. “So, how did you sleep? Was everything okay for you? Did you get cold or something?”

 

“Why are you asking so much when it’s my turn to interrogate you?” Will asked, his tone serious. He was straightforward and didn’t waste any time. “Now, you’ll have to tell me what the hell was that about.”

 

Guy calmly breathed in and out, before turning around to answer him when John appeared. Why did he have to come in now?

 

“Good morning!” John greeted them, cheerfully in spite of his nauseated look. “How are you lovely people?”

 

“Better without you.” Guy snapped.

 

“Is that so?” John felt anger swelling in his chest and his natural instinct was to fight back. He was moody. Guy didn’t know that side of him, of course, but he could handle a fight if that was what was in Guy’s mind right now.

 

Will merely watched their interaction, rather curious.

 

“Yeah, so you can get lost. Anytime now.” Guy replied, fed up that he had to deal with John at all. He tried being understanding but he just couldn’t. He felt too much hurt when he looked at John and the only way to protect himself was hurting the other man.

 

“Sure. I’ll go…” John said, looking suddenly at Will, then at Guy. “So, did you already tell him what you do for a living?”

 

 

“Come on, I know he doesn’t know what you do, right?” John insisted. “No way you would tell him that voluntarily. Am I right?”

 

Guy looked at him with an icy glare. First, he uses him, quite literally, and now he’s trying to ruin his only real remaining friendship. What the hell was his problem?

 

“What’s he talking about?” Will asked, a worried expression on his face. Their conversation was turning ugly and he had no idea of what the real issue was. Whatever it was, it made Guy silently fume and John wouldn’t let it go.

 

“Come on, Guy. Tell your friend what you do. Tell him how we met!” John pressed, his anger taking over his expression. “Tell him you sleep with people for money!”

 

Guy didn’t hesitate for a second; he slapped John across the face, his fury getting the better of him. “Get the fuck out of my house!” He yelled at the other man.

 

Will seemed to have frozen at John’s words but when he heard Guy tell the other man to leave, he sprung into action. “No.”

 

Guy and John looked at him, both expectant and surprised. “What?” Guy asked, his eyes showing his terror. “He has to go.”

 

“No, no. I want to hear what he has to say about this…” Will said. “Since you already decided to keep that from me.”

 

Guy closed his eyes and shook his head. This was his nightmare coming true. It wasn’t enough that he did what he did, now he had to talk about it in front of his best friend?

 

“I… uhm… I am sorry.” John said, clearly getting more and more sympathetic about Guy. “I didn’t mean to do this but… God, you made me lose my temper!” He said, looking at Guy.

 

Guy glared at him. “You knew pretty well what you were doing, you bastard!”

 

“If you were honest, you wouldn’t be going through this!” John said, exasperated. “He’s your friend. Why didn’t you tell him?”

 

Guy remained silent.

 

“Yeah, that’s a pretty good question.” Will glared at Guy, simultaneously hurt and furious that his friend would keep such a thing from him. “Just say something!”

 

Guy didn’t say anything. He simply looked at the floor. It almost felt like he was about to be executed. His eyes were starting to burn with tears and his chest hurt considerably. He couldn’t think of something worse than the moment he was stuck in. The other two men expected some answers and he had none he could give.

 

John sighed and sat on a bench. “I’ve got the whole day.”

 

Will looked at him, then at Guy. “So, he was your client? You two… slept together?”

 

Guy closed his eyes, mortified he was going through this. John stared at him, and although he knew Guy was hurting, he also knew Guy had to explain himself. He may not realize but he had to get out of the life he was trapped in. He could do so much better than that.

 

Guy simply nodded, biting his trembling bottom lip.

 

“And you have been doing this for as long as you told me you were working at the bar?” Will asked.

 

Guy nodded once again, shame penetrating his entire body.

 

Will sighed and shook his head, his gaze fixing on the window of the small kitchen. “All this time, I wasn’t worried with you. I thought you could do better, but then again, I didn’t think a bar was bad. It was money enough for you and you didn’t seem to do much extra work…”

 

Guy listened, feeling the disappointment in Will’s words. There was genuine concern in them, but Guy couldn’t perceive that.

 

“Little did I know…” Will sighed again. “Are you at least… careful?...” He felt strange, just asking the question.

 

Guy realized that when he thought he couldn’t feel worse, he’d hit a new low. Question after question, Will was voicing everything he hated. His job and how it belittled him. How it made him feel worse than meat at the supermarket.

 

He would do things to get money that he never thought possible. And rising in his career only meant he was just as disgusting, only with more money.

 

“Yeah…” He said in a soft whisper.

 

John decided he had already put Guy through what he needed to be put through so he was heading back home. “I’m going now. You guys have a lot to talk about.”

 

Guy flashed his brown eyes at John. “You already did what you had to do, huh?” He could barely contain the turmoil he felt inside his chest. “Screw me, humiliate me, ruin my only friendship! I’ll say you did a pretty good job.”

 

“I didn’t mean to hurt you! I just wanted you to get out of this life; and telling your friend about it will only help you.” John responded.

 

“Yeah, sure…” Guy scoffed. “If he doesn’t leave before that. You know what, I just never thought you could make me go through more pain than you did already. Is all this going in your pathetic article? Is that it? You want more drama, huh? You want a real headline to make you more famous? Cause if that’s it, then, I was really, really wrong with my first impression of you.”

 

“So, you’re a journalist?” Will frowned, trying to understand everything that was going on around him.

 

“Yeah…” John said.

 

“And you were… researching for an article you’re writing?” Will asked, awkwardly.

 

“I was…” John admitted, ashamed of his own actions. “But I didn’t know what it was like and…”

 

“And what?” Will inquired.

 

“And I didn’t know I could end up… end up liking what happened.” John confessed.

 

Both Guy and Will widened their eyes in shock. “What?!” They asked, simultaneously.

 

It was John’s turn to look down at his feet and remain silent.

 

“Okay, I am going out now.” Will interjected. “You guys are giving me a headache with all this rush of information. I really need some air and think about all this.”

 

Guy looked tentatively at Will. “Can you forgive me first?”

 

“For what? For lying to me or for ruining your life?” Will asked bitterly, then he sighed, regretfully. “Sorry… We’ll talk about this later. Don’t count on me for lunch.”

 

With that, he left the kitchen and went out the door.

 

Behind him, the other two men stood staring at the floor for quite some time, before finally being able to talk.

 

“You liked it?” Guy asked, then realized how strange it sounded to his own ears.

 

John squirmed a bit. “I… I did, yeah. I didn’t plan on it being like that.”

 

Guy nodded, in understanding. “Sure. It happens all the time. People don’t believe it’ll do them any good but they try it anyway. And since you were doing research, I guess you were really only for the observation part; to understand what our lives are like.”

 

John shook his head. “It’s nothing like that…”

 

“Then, what’s it like?” Guy challenged him.

 

“I was trying to get inside your world, yes, and realize what those encounters are like but… it’s not what I was waiting for.” John frowned.

 

“What do you mean?” Guy asked.

 

“I didn’t realize how dangerous it could be…” John admitted.

 

“Dangerous? You mean diseases?” Guy kept inquiring John, completely clueless as to what John was trying to tell him.

 

“No, it isn’t considered a disease yet.” John said.

 

“What?” Guy was incredibly confused by his answers. He needed a straight answer right away. “What are you talking about?”

 

“Good lord, how naïve are you?” John laughed, suddenly, his smile provoking a strange feeling in Guy’s stomach.

 

He sincerely had no idea what he could be going on about. He was being very vague and Guy had never been good with clues. He preferred when people told him things the way they were meant to be said. No beating around the bush.

 

“You can’t see what has been happening since we met?” John asked.

 

“If you are referring to the headaches you’ve been giving me, yes.” Guy snapped.

 

John smirked. “So you’ve been thinking about me since we met…”Guy was about to respond, but John interrupted him. “Me too.”

 

Guy stood silent. “Is that what you wanted me to know?”

 

“No.” John said, a serious look on his face, his behavior telling Guy the intensity of the subject. “What I want you to know is that I am crazy about you. And I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you ever since you appeared in my life.”

 

 

 

 

 

A Sort Of Homecoming

 

 

Chapter 6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I am so crazy about you, it’s ridiculous. You come into my house one night and now… ” John sighed. “Now, that’s all I think about.”

 

Guy didn’t say anything. It seemed to be his choice these days. It seemed the best way to avoid a confrontation he was very much afraid of.

 

“And… I know it was stupid of me to come here and then to put you through all this. It’s just… I kept picturing you with other people…” John shook his head. “I couldn’t handle it.”

 

Guy shook his head as well. “I can’t deal with this right now, I’m sorry.”

 

“Don’t be a coward!” John protested.

 

Guy ignored him and went to the front door, holding it open. “Please, go.”

 

John frowned. “That’s it? You want to kick me out your house? There’s nothing else you wanna tell me?”

 

Guy looked directly at him. “Yeah, there’s nothing I wanna tell you… Now, leave, please.”

 

John looked defeated for a fleeting second before covering his face with a blank expression. He walked over to Guy by the door. He stopped next to him, looked intently at the man who now looked at the floor, and after a few seconds passed by, he simply left.

 

Guy didn’t watch him leave. He quickly closed the door and sighed in relief. His life was turned upside down and it was all because of himself. He had done all of this. He had lied and now things were out in the open.

 

Looking at it objectively, he was the one to blame for all of it. He was responsible and John was just braver than he ever could be by telling Will the truth.

 

Will. He had to find him and get him to forgive him.

 

Easier said than done.

 

 

 

“You think this is the best way to apologize?” Will asked Guy, as they stood in line at a fast-food restaurant. Will had been brooding ever since Guy found him at a park near his house. He simply followed Guy and next thing he knew, they were getting ready to have lunch. A highly nutritionally disapproved one.

 

“I’m sorry.” Guy said, his voice showing how defeated and lost he felt.

 

“That’s all you’ve been saying…” Will replied. “You still haven’t told me what you feel sorry for. The lying or the fact that you’re sleeping with people for money?”

 

A few heads turned in their direction. Upon observing Guy, their gazes became lust-filled but neither of the two men noticed it. They were to busy with their conversation.

 

Guy looked directly at Will. “Everything.”

 

“I still don’t understand why you would have to do this… Couldn’t you get a job that didn’t require you to take your clothes off?” Will asked.

 

Once again, people around them were attentive and very much interested in the course of their dialogue.

 

“Not really. I looked for so long and nothing would come up that I was good at. I was told I was either too quiet or I didn’t have the qualification for the job… And then, it just came up one day. I still regret ever getting into it but it’s not like it was a choice. As time goes by, I am less and less able to get a decent job, anyway. What experience do I have? Taking people’s clothes off without ripping them if necessary and guaranteed pleasure? What kind of employer would even want to know that?!” Guy asked, his tone revealing how upset he felt.

 

“A porno movie director.” Will replied, a serious look on his face.

 

Guy stared at him.

 

And then, they simply burst out laughing, in spite of the situation.

 

“Let’s get the food and go home.” Will patted Guy on his shoulder.

 

 

 

Guy took the keys out of his pocket and opened the door, Will following him with their food in his hands.

 

“God, I’m so hungry I could even eat the containers!” Will said as soon as he entered the small flat.

 

He continued on his way in, not looking up. Suddenly, he felt he had run into his friend who stood at the doorway of the living room.

 

“Hey, what are you doing standing in the middle of…” He stopped talking as soon as he saw another person in the room. “Okay, I’ll be in the kitchen.”

 

Guy looked at John and sighed in frustration. “What are you doing here again?”

 

“Listen, I know you told me to leave but I just can’t. I can’t leave. Not this place and… especially, I can’t leave you.” John said.

 

Guy shook his head. “Is this for your article as well? What do prostitutes do when they are being stalked?”

 

“You don’t have to be cynical about it. I already told you I was sorry. Although that seems like foreign language to your ears.” John retorted. “I won’t include any of what happened between us in the article.” He finished, quietly.

 

Guy looked at him. He trusted him. For some reason, he believed him when he said that. His eyes were honest and told him much more than he could ever know. He tried to refuse he was attracted to him but as he stared at John, he realized he couldn’t hide it anymore, and he didn’t want to anyway. “I believe in you and I am sorry too.”

 

John was genuinely surprised by Guy’s words. The sound of their voices was the only thing cutting through the silence of the calm, tranquil home. It was distinguishable if they lied or not. At least, to them, that was clear.

 

Will seemed to have evaporated from the quiet flat. None of the two men heard or saw him move from the kitchen to the front door and then leave the building altogether.

 

“I… I have to tell you one thing…” Guy said, nervously.

 

John urged him to go on with his hand, his long fingers capturing Guy’s attention for a moment. He remembered those hands better than his own. He remembered what it felt like when they touched his face, the slim, yet strong fingers never quivering. They were firm but soft. Teasing and adoring.

 

And he could still remember when they moved to his chest, feeling his skin with a reverential rush. It was then when he felt his own blood run wildly through his veins. It was when he felt his emotions getting in the way, in a way he had never experienced before.

 

Whenever he was touched, he never felt anything but repulse. He had never dealt with the sudden jolt of sensations he felt that night in John’s room.

 

“When you said you didn’t think you were going to like it… then, you said you did… I…” Guy was mumbling now. He couldn’t find the right words and he was frustrated by his inability to convey what was going through his mind. “I… Back when I first started… I knew I was doing the wrong thing. It was completely against what I believed in and it still is. But… I can’t help thanking myself for getting us into this mess now… Because I liked it too.”

 

John’s lips started to form a beautiful smile and his eyes shone with delight.

 

“If it wasn’t for me being what I am, we would have never met each other. I don’t want to keep living like this but now I have a real reason not to… I don’t think I had the strength before… and, for all I know, I am still finding it.” He chuckled.

 

He moved to sit on his couch, which John took as an opportunity to sit right next him.

 

Guy looked at him and fidgeted with his hands, unconsciously. “I want to see you everyday… I can’t be anything but your friend for now… Although I wish one day we can be more than just that…” He said, blushing.

 

John’s smile simply got wider and wider. “I wouldn’t ask for a better offer.”

 

Guy looked relieved. He was worried he’d just scare John away with everything he had just said. In spite of everything, John still proved he was just as special as Guy thought he was. Looking into his eyes, he could recognize the spark he held in his brown orbs. Comprehending that this was just the beginning, Guy began to smile.

 

“Although you still piss me off like crazy.” Guy joked.

 

“You piss me off too.” John smiled.

 

“Okay…” Guy sighed. “ Let’s go get Will. We are all eating the junk food we brought home.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

“You can write about it.” Guy said, one morning, a month after they had decided to become friends.

 

“Write what?” John asked, taking a bite out of his bagel.

 

“The article.” Guy simply said.

 

John looked at him, a serious look on his face. “Are you serious?”

 

“Yeah.” Guy replied. “I think now I am getting rid of all of it, there should be some sort of closure with this life I am leaving behind.”

 

“Okay…” John hesitantly agreed. “But you want me to put your real name?”

 

Guy looked deep in thought at the wall next to his seat at the kitchen table. It would be easy to hide. It would be more comfortable that way. But he had to be honest with others as much as with himself.

 

“Yes.” He said, quietly.

 

John looked at him, his smile showing how proud he was Guy was moving forward and becoming more and more courageous as days went by.

 

Will had been supportive through it all and John was constantly by his side. They talked for hours and hours, ran together at the park, their friendship evolving at a fast pace. John was deeply grateful he could be the one to help Guy through the problems that haunted Guy’s life.

 

Guy was still looking for a decent job but in the meantime he was finally realizing who he was and his great potential. He didn’t have to settle for anything that clearly wasn’t meant for him. He merely had to realize his dreams may not be achievable but they were certainly a reason to keep moving forward. A reason to aim for higher and higher goals. Nothing could have made John happier than that. Well, only one thing…

 

“And when you finish the article, come to my house.” Guy said, furtively.

 

“Why?” John smirked.

 

Guy smiled. “Because I want you to be a part of the next chapter of that story.”

 

 

 

The End

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 13

 

 

He had awoken to find the house empty. It was a little unusual, for Guy was usually always busy with some sort of work inside the house. James had always found it both humorous and endearing that Guy never felt comfortable unless he was involved in some sort of labor. But on that day James heard nothing but silence, if silence were a thing to be heard.

 

Curious, he had hurried out of bed and went on a search. Just as he suspected, Guy was nowhere to be found in the cozy house. James remembered shivering a little as he realized that without Guy in it, the house wasn’t cozy or comforting at all. It just felt lonely.

 

He had then continued his search outside. He was relieved when he found Guy sitting behind the house. He had sat cross legged in the yellowed summer grass and hadn’t been wearing any noticeable expression. His eyes were very distant and as James had gotten closer he distinctly recalled that they were swimming with every shade of brown known to man.

 

“Guy?” James remembered asking softly.

 

But despite the calm tone of his voice, Guy had still been startled, not having been aware of James’ presence. He whipped his head around and his eyes widened. But once he had realized who it was his face relaxed considerably. His eyes softened. His jaw unclenched.

 

“Oh, it’s you,” Guy had said simply.

 

Although to most people it would have sounded like a reply of indifference, James knew Guy well enough even then to know that a simple phrase like that meant a whole lot coming from Guy. James recalled with fondness the slight tone he could hear in Guy’s voice that let him know that Guy was glad to see him.

 

“Yes, it’s me,” James had replied, a lopsided grin making its way onto his face.

 

“What are you doing out here?” he had inquired. He had known how unlike Guy it was to break his daily routine.

 

“Oh….nothing,” Guy had said with a shrug. “Just enjoying the scenery.”

 

James recalled how warnings had instantly gone off in his head. This was not the Guy he knew. There was something else going on. He decided to sit down beside Guy. “Okay…” he had said carefully, “now why don’t you tell me what is really going on.”

 

Guy had then flashed James a look of frustration. “I said-" But then he had sighed and, shoulders slumping, gave up the act. “I don’t know what to do with myself. I try to keep my mind off of things with little chores. But I…I just can’t. I feel so useless James.”

 

James recalled how he had, without thinking, embraced Guy and had never wanted to let go. His form seemed to melt into his arms, as if asking for help, even begging for it. But finally Guy had pulled away, not quite willing to let his guard down completely. And in that brief moment, James had gotten an idea.

 

“I know what you need Guy,” he had told him. “You need to get out of this place. You feel useless because there is nothing to do here. The soybeans aren’t coming back and until spring there is no reason for you to be here.”

 

Guy looked at James with terrified eyes. “But how could I ever leave it? It is my home. It has been my home for so long. Everything I have worked so hard for is here.”

 

“It was here,” James had said. “But now it is gone. You need to accept that.” It had hurt James terribly to tell Guy that. But he had truly believed he had needed to hear it. Guy gazed at the fields with a look that expressed everything he didn’t say.

 

James could tell that Guy was running through all other possibilities in his mind; any way that he could gain back a feeling of worth without leaving the farm. He could also tell that Guy was realizing that it was a futile effort.

 

He had wanted to hug him to kiss him, to do anything that would suddenly create an alternate solution. He hadn’t wanted to leave any more than Guy did. But in his heart he thought it was the best thing to do.

 

So he kept his emotions inside and coaxed Guy through the process, all the while coaxing himself too. On the day they left, he had wanted to break down and cry at the thought of leaving. But Guy had needed him. So he had kept himself together.

 

And all of that had led up to now. But what did they really have? James wondered. They were lying in a hotel room, in separate beds. They had hardly spoken at all the entire day. James didn’t mind that normally. Their separation and silences usually seemed natural.

 

But now it was different. The few feet between the two beds felt like miles. And the lack of speech that day left James feeling like he and Guy were two friends awkwardly trying to reacquaint after a long period of time.

 

He rolled over and tried his hardest to sleep. But questions kept running through his mind, rendering him completely unable to relax. There was a nagging feeling inside of him that was telling him there was an important point he was missing in all of this.

 

There was a noise. An odd, muffled sound. Barely audible. It sounded vaguely familiar. But James couldn’t determine what it was. But it seemed to be coming from the other side of the room.

 

“Guy?” James whispered. There was no reply. But there was the same, odd noise again. Before James knew it he was on the other side of the room, bending over Guy’s bed. “Guy?” he said again.

 

“I’m fine,” Guy finally said. But he voice sounded off.

 

“What is it?” James asked, his voice rising. He was beginning to get very worried. Something seemed very wrong.

 

“I said it’s nothing.”

 

But James wasn’t satisfied. He was tired of trying to guess what thoughts were going on in the troubled mind of that poor man. “Listen to me Guy. I want you to tell me what is going on right now. Or I will just have to-" As he said this, he reached out and took Guy’s head in his hands. He allowed his palms to feel the smooth skin of Guy’s cheeks. And he stopped speaking. Because now he knew what was going on.

 

Abruptly he pulled his hands away. They were wet. Wet like Guy’s cheeks were, from the tears he had been shedding. James felt his heart shatter into thousands of pieces.