Raphael2000
Cherished Member
Once Dylan returned from the dressing room, he sat next to Leo on the white interior couch. They clinked their glasses of whiskey which Leo had poured. "How are you doing, Dyl?" "Good, you?" "I mean.. Last time I saw you you ran off to the centre", Leo said with a teasing smile, "Perhaps rightfully so". Dylan grinned, intoxicated by the amount of whiskey they had consumed. "I won't run off this time. I was just having a moment." "I heard you're living here", Leo nodded to the empty white space around them. "Temporarily." "Does it help?" "It's good to have focus", Dylan said. "What do you mean?" "Michael's routine is good." "I guess so", Leo's voice slowed down with each word, "I can see Michael's of influence". "What do you mean?" Leo lifted the fabric of Dylan's shirt. When it fell back down a soft breeze of air traveled over his skin. "Your new clothes." "I forgot to bring any myself." "Your new haircut." "I had a job interview." "Your new job." Dylan smiled. The change felt good. "You know you don't have to become Michael", Leo said sincerely. Dylan waved the comment away. "I'm not trying to." "Michael's full of himself. You'll only fuel his ego by imitating his movements. He just adores the attention." "I said I'm not trying to. Give it a rest", Dylan replied brusque. He did not want to hear it. Leo rested his back on the couch and found another topic to talk about.
"What are you two doing?", Michael's deep voice reverberated harshly between the flat surface walls. Water dropped from the wet, dark hair onto his skin. His broad shoulders blocked the pool light and casted a distinct shadow over the marble flooring. He stepped further, his pink trunks stuck to his upper legs, and found a nonchalant position on the armrest next to Leo. "Just chatting. What's going on outside?" "The girls like to play rough", Michael replied referring to Tom and his teammates, "How're you and your lady doing?". Leo appeared surprised by the interest. "Eh.. Great! Thanks for asking. We're going to move in together. Only in a few weeks but I'm honestly really looking forward to it. She's really nice to be with. We're practically already living together anyways. She has a great taste of furniture as well so we're almost complete in the preparations. It's quite exciting. I really hope it'll work out." "We all know who the man of the house is, innit", Michael said and Dylan grinned,
"Why are you so stuck on her though?". Michael's drunk eyes were opposed to his clearly articulated voice. "What do you mean? I love her." "Why?" "Because.. She's really kind. And amazing. Sweet. Pretty..." "Pretty?" "Yes." Michael grimaced broadly and put his arm around Leo's shoulder. "Frankly, mate, you can do better. She's got those fishy eyes. Doesn't she, Dyl?" Dylan grinned but refrained from reacting further. "I don't care about your words, Michael. I find her pretty." "I'm sure you do. I'm only warning you. You should settle for someone else before you've become some girl's slave." Michael rubbed his fist on Leo's head, which Leo pushed away fiercely. "I'm not", he said but it only caused more of Michael's teeth to appear. He gave out a sudden hard laughter. "I heard you liked a finger in the bum. Is it true?" Leo immediately turned red and looked at Dylan for support which he could not give. "Yes", Leo said, "So what?". Leo had clear difficulties with preserving his self-image in face of Michael. "I mean..", Michael smiled, "I'm sure he, sorry, she is pleasing you well. Talking about.. Samuel!". Dylan followed Michael's gaze and watched how Samuel entered their conversation. He wished Samuel would walk further, anywhere but here, but he stopped next to Michael.
Michael stood up, laid a firm hand on Samuel's shoulder and shook his hand. From Dylan's position, the sharp pool light shined right between them, shaping their silhouettes. Michael's was sharp and refined, a polished metal plate that bent around the curvature of his neck, chest and abdominals. Samuel's contour appeared as silk, soft and rich in detail. A few curly strands of hair fell like a golden curtain in front of his green eyes. A wide shirt and comfortable jeans hid his body, yet his charisma remained open.
"We've never properly talked, haven't we", Michael said with a sharp smile, "About time, don't you think?". "Of course, Michael", Samuel said, "Your place looks thoughtful. Did you make the decisions?". Michael laughed. "I wish. It's made by a friend of my folks. He's both the architect and interior designer. What about you? Where do you live? I've only heard you were homeless before you stayed at Dylan's place." "I'm currently living at a friend." "Why did you leave Dylan's place?" Samuel remained silent for a few seconds. "It was time I moved somewhere else." "Why?" "I had.. I could get my own room at Carl." "Carl?", Michael questioned, his eyes slightly squinted. "My friend." "Your boyfriend?" Samuel's smile appeared once more. Dylan wanted to interfere but was stuck between potential reactions. "No, just a friend." "But you two have sex?" "No, we don't." "But you're gay, right?" "I don't really mind any gender but Carl's straight." Michael laughed. "Both girls and mates? I'm sure you keep yourself busy, innit?" "Not really. I'm mainly concerned with one person at a time." "Are you seeing anyone at the moment?" Samuel kept a straight face.
Dylan felt his stomach turn, worried about an upcoming lie, afraid for the truth. Samuel chose the former: "Not at the moment". Dylan observed Michael's drunken expression, a slow yet alert gaze that examined Samuel. The corners of Michael's lips curled up, his white teeth appeared. "You should find someone tonight. You must have discovered all those gay pubs in town." "Actually, only one or two. Would you recommend any?", Samuel asked politely with a subtle tone of irritation. Michael's stomach tensioned as a result of his laughter. "You wish. Can't be of help in that field, mate." "You're free to join. I'm sure you would enjoy the evening." "For what? There's nothing of interest for me. Apart from some lesbian couple. I wouldn't mind sharing a night with two of them, you know what I mean? I've heard they can go mental after discovering dick." Leo scoffed. "Straight people can also go to gay clubs." "I'm sure you've been there before, eh", Michael immediately teased, holding up one finger in the air. He had obviously lost any of the already fragile filter. Leo shook his head and mumbled something inaudible.
Michael laughed and patted Samuel on his back with a hollow palm. "I'm only kidding. I'm sure you're not one of those.. That flaunt around on a Pride." "I've been part of them before", Samuel said. His smile was present, his voice decisive. "You have? You don't appear very feminine." "That's because I'm not a woman." "Where does your pride come from though? Being gay is not an accomplishment." "I'm bi. And I'm proud of being myself." "So why flaunt around in your underwear?" "Not everybody expresses their pride in that way. You seem to do so, however", Samuel said as he pointed down. Michael followed his gaze and laughed. "I've worked for this though", he said as he pinched his thin skin between two fingers, "You're born like that. It's nothing to be proud of". "In a climate with people like you, it is an accomplishment to feel enough pride." "So your pride depends on my judgment?" "Our pride is emancipated from your judgment." "Even an emancipated minority will never act independently." Samuel gave a forced smile. "Let's try to make it a majority then, shall we? The more people who accept us, the easier it'll be." "Is that why you tried to kiss Dylan? So you could convince yourself you are part of the majority?"
Samuel was silent. His green eyes turned to Dylan. With a tired expression he rubbed his hand through his face. He raised his eyebrows and cleared his throat. "I'm feeling quite tired. I'll be heading to bed. It was nice meeting you, Michael. Thank you for inviting me." He shook Michael's hand. "Michael", Leo exclaimed, "You're being rude. Samuel, just stay. He doesn't mean it like that". "I was planning on going home anyway", Samuel smiled, "I'll see you around, alright?". His green eyes focused on Dylan for a last time before he averted his gaze and walked off.
"Michael, why would you do that?" "What? We just had a talk", Michael grimaced. "It's really inconsiderate", Leo said. "I didn't say anything bad", Michael defended, "He was just too.. otherworldly". "It's quite discriminating to be honest. Right, Dylan?" Dylan attempted to disappear in the couch. He did not want to be involved. "Just leave him be", he said to Leo who returned an indignant expression. He held up his hands, looked at both his friends, and fell back down on the couch, his arms crossed. Michael grinned and rubbed Leo over his head. "You're so sensitive. I reckon that's why Isabelle's the man of the house."
Sad Samuel.... Hes really trying to be friends with Michael.. I hope he realise it's not his fault