Finding Dayton Du'it

By: Solo Voice
(© 2017 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

solo_voice@tickiestories.us

Chapter 5: A Moment.

On Friday night, Dayton had gone out after work to celebrate the birthday of one of the builder’s in the crew he worked with. He arrived home a few hours later than usual and when he walked through the front door, all the lights were switched off, a few candles were burning and classical music was playing at a moderate volume. The glass doors to the deck were opened wide and so he walked directly to them and looked out. He discovered Lance in the dark, sitting on the deck with his back against the house, staring at a black ocean.

“Hey Lance,” he said quietly, as he looked down at him and wondered why he was not sitting in one of the chairs.

“Hi Dayton,” Lance replied, his usual enthusiasm blatantly absent.

The house had a definite atmosphere of quiet solitude but at that moment, Lance’s inanimate reaction and his stolid response, told Dayton there was more to what was happening than met the eye. Instantly he could feel it. It was not an icy reception but it also was not an angry one either. It was like a thick, blanketing and unknown presence had devoured the pleasantness of their home.

Dayton asked, “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Lance replied, still without even turning his head to look at him.

Dayton’s expression changed to one of concern. He was certain something was wrong. Every time he came home or every time they were together, Lance treated him like the world was made better just having him in his presence. During the past week, Dayton had begun to feel like there was once again a person in the world who cared about him and needed him.

Saying nothing more, Dayton retreated back farther into the house and went to his bedroom. He stripped out of his clothes and automatically stepped into his sweat shorts, commando. He left his room, making sure he switched off the light and then headed back down the hallway.

Dayton went to the kitchen immediately and without offering, he made them both a coffee. Turning off that light as well, so as not to disturb the ambience of the house, he returned to the deck and sat down shoulder-to-shoulder with his new friend. He did not know what was wrong, he just knew there was an issue that was bothering Lance and he hoped that whatever it was, he might be able to help.

Lance turned slightly when he felt the touch of their naked shoulders. He felt a subtle pulse of emotion, almost like a tiny electrical shock shooting through his body. He instantly felt better, knowing that Dayton was there with him again.

“I made you a coffee.”

“Thanks,” Lance said, a barely noticeable lift in his tone accompanying.

“Anytime,” Dayton replied.

Several minutes passed by as they sat together alone in silence. Behind them there was a heavy though passionate piece of music, even though it was not that loud. At the same time, in the foreground there was thick darkness and the sound of waves rolling and crashing and then pushing up the barely visible sand. Dayton was now a little more concerned by Lance’s continued silence.

Dayton said, “You know I’m here for you?”

“Sure,” Lance said unconvincingly and then another few minutes of silence settled between them.

Dayton asked, uncertainty and worry combining within his tone, “Have I done something wrong?”

Lance’s head lifted and turned with a jerking swiftness. Though it could not be seen in the dark, shock filled his face. He realized his worry and subsequent mood had incurred an undesired effect. Dayton was thinking it was about him.

“Dayz, no. You are one of the few things that are right in my life,” he clarified.

Dayton’s face brightened instantly and he felt immediate relief. He had not believed he was responsible for whatever was happening but still, doubt had crept in. In addition, he felt a warm connection when he heard the term of endearment he had never heard before. He repeated questioningly, “Dayz?”

“Sorry. I didn’t realize I said that. It’s just how I refer to you in my head, I didn’t mean to say it out loud,” Lance explained.

“Don’t apologize, Lance. I like it, a lot. It sort of validates the friendship between us. I wish I had a name like that for you.”

“Now you don’t need one after saying that,” Lance said, feeling better, his regular tone returning to his voice.

Dayton lifted his left arm and forced it down behind Lance’s head so that it rested across his shoulders. His hand squeezed Lance’s shoulder and he pulled him closer to him.

“Now that I know the dumb jock hasn’t rocked the boat, tell me what it is that’s put you in this mood?”

Lance thought briefly that he had died and gone to heaven. Both of them were shirtless and his body was now pressed against Dayton’s. He could also smell the personal scent of Dayton’s body, which he was becoming more familiar with every day. Additionally, he could feel the natural body heat that Dayton always seemed to emanate. He was like a biological heater and it felt sensual and also sexual. Because of the fairness of Dayton’s skin, he was less the silhouette than Lance was. Subsequently, Lance could make out the roll of Dayton’s chest and he wanted to lift his hand and run his fingers over it.

“It’s nothing really, I’m just being negative and pessimistic,” Lance said.

“About what?”

“Dayz, I thought by now there would be three people living here. I mean I can probably cover the rent for another month with a struggle but if we’re not going to get someone in here, I can’t sign a lease knowing the rent won’t be paid. I shouldn’t have let you move in before I knew there was going to be a third person. I may have made your life difficult.”

“Lance, the responsibility isn’t yours alone. I live here too and I want to stay in this house as much as you do. I don’t think I’ve felt this comfortable in a home in my entire life and I’m not going to let these two things slip away.”

Lance asked amidst confusion, “Two things?”

“My new home and my new friend. Anyway, I can cover next months rent easily and the month after that as well, so don’t go getting yourself all twisted up in knots of worry because we’re here to stay, Buddy, for as long as we both can make it happen.”

Lance was literally stunned by the response. He had naturally taken it upon himself to believe that because he was the initial tenant, he was therefore responsible for the house and rent. For Dayton to make such an incredible offer, Lance was blown away. Then there was the sincerity regarding friendship. It caused a knot in his throat, especially considering they had only known each other for five days. It amazed him more so because he felt the same way, irrespective of his sexual attraction for Dayton. He thought that in truth there was only one other thing that Dayton could have said, which would have made him happier at that moment but he knew that would never happen and so all he said was an emotional, “Thank you.”

Dayton gave a double tug on his shoulder in a friendly gesture and then withdrew his arm from around Lance’s shoulders. He picked up his coffee and downed half the contents and then put the mug back on the deck beside his leg.

“Lance, you’ve really got to teach me how to make coffee the way you do. Comparatively, mine tastes like shit.”

“Dayz, it’s instant coffee, there’s nothing to teach.”

“So why does yours taste so much better than mine?”

“I piss in your mug before I bring it to you.”

“Yuck. You sick motherfucker,” Dayton said.

“So now you don’t like my urine flavored coffee?”

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to drink it again.”

“Great, so now you’ll have to be the coffee maker in this house. I’ll call out whenever I want one,” Lance said.

“And I’ll respond with the silent contempt it will deserve,” Dayton replied.

“Come on, Dayz, don’t be like that. You know you want to be my man servant.”

“If your talking like Laurence Olivier and Tony Curtis in that movie you showed me the other night, I’d be Laurence and you’d be the one seeing to my needs.”

Lance asked unexpectedly, “What day and month were you born?”

“Twenty-fifth of October. Why?”

“I was born on the seventh of March, which means I’m older than you, so you can’t be Laurence, you’d have to be Tony,” Lance said.

Dayton laughed but then he turned and stared into the darkness. Lance turned and did the same but he was smiling as he wondered if Dayton had gotten the true drift of that specific scene in Spartacus.

Dayton asked, “Since I’ve been here, I haven’t been out onto the beach. Come for a walk with me?”

“Of course,” Lance replied.

“Glad you’re back to your usual self again,” Dayton said as they opened and exited through the gate and walked down the beach toward the water.

“Sorry I made you worry or think you’d done something wrong,” Lance said.

“It’s cool but if ever you do have a problem with me, promise me you’ll tell me and not go all silent on me.”

“Deal, Dayz.”

“Good. Oh and by the way, I reckon that by the time next week is over, someone will be living in that empty room.”

“You think so?”

“I’m sure of it,” Dayton said.

“I hope you’re right.”

Dayton asked as he slowed his pace and fell behind, before instantly dropping his shorts to the sand, “Hey Lance, have you ever been skinny-dipping?”

“Not for a long time,” Lance replied, unaware of what Dayton was thinking or doing and then suddenly, his shorts and briefs were around his ankles, Dayton grabbed him and had him over his shoulder and the next thing he knew, Dayton was running and diving and they were crashing into a black ocean.

***

Sliding from his bed later than usual, Dayton stood naked, stretched and yawned. Usually he had to work on Saturdays but the house that was being built was completed the day before and so he had two days off before the next job began. He pulled on his sweat shorts and slipped on his runners. He went to the bathroom and cleaned his teeth and then moved to the living room and pulled back the curtains.

It was a beautiful start to a new spring day and with a smile, he opened the glass doors and walked outside. Clearing and closing the gate, he noticed there were only a couple of people on the beach but very long distances from his position. He instantly began to jog and while at a steady pace, he ran along the line between damp and dry sand at the shore.

Looking at the water he remembered the night before. It was not just fresh in his mind, there had been a moment in the darkness that seemed like a part of his history had been written. Dayton remembered how he had done something he had never done before. He had always wanted to do it but never been in a position to do it. He always thought if he had the chance he would do it alone, however, being with Lance and feeling such closeness and trust, he had taken the chance. It was an assumption but somehow he believed Lance would be okay with skinny-dipping.

Stripping naked on a public beach had felt so freeing and then dragging Lance’s shorts down and forcing him into the water had been so much fun. The specific moment, though, had happened some time after. He had dumped Lance beneath the surface several times, as they sort of wrestled and laughed. When Lance surfaced at one point, coughing and gasping for breath, Dayton had grabbed him from behind and held him around the waist and chest, to keep him steady while he recovered.

“That was the moment,” Dayton thought.

The water had been cool but revitalizing, giving them goose bumps as the heat of their naked bodies pressed together. Dayton had thought he was under assault by a barrage of random thoughts and emotions. He had felt real concern when Lance coughed and spluttered while trying to maintain his balance against the waves.

“I was helping him, supporting him,” he thought and though he knew it was true, what he had felt seconds later was the basis of his current concerns.

Dayton had felt so close to Lance at that moment, emotionally speaking. It was the closest he had felt to him in the time they had known each other. The man in his arms felt so important to him but as their bodies pressed and Lance stopped coughing, Dayton was not only aware of the way Lance relaxed against him but also, the way he had pressed closer to Lance. It was only a moment and then suddenly Lance pulled away and dived and swam but Dayton had felt the change of temperature in the air, the water and also their bodies.

Dayton knew those feelings like they were his one personal secret treasure, in a locked chest in a basement. He had felt them at one other time in his life and they had consumed him like fire and drowned him like water. With that thought, as Dayton continued to jog, he began to cry. It was soundless and it drew no frown to his face, it was just a steady, unstoppable flow of thick and heavy tears from his eyes.

Breaking into a sudden sprint, Dayton ran hard and very fast. He did not want to feel what he was feeling, he did not want to think about that time and he certainly did not want to remember. It kept coming, though, like a hurricane that seemed relentless. With shoes and shorts still donned and with his chest rising and falling as he sucked hard on the air that filled his lungs, he turned toward and ran into the water. He speared his long body through the first available wave. He disappeared as he dived and went deep. He saw the sand at the bottom and he gripped at it like it had handles to hang onto, thrusting his body forward and up to where air waited and the weight of water was not pressing on his lungs. He was now farther out in the depths, around the location where the waves were just about to break.

One huge breath tore into his lungs when he broke the surface and then turning side-on to the shore, suddenly he was swimming back in the direction of the house. He was not just swimming; he looked like he was trying to win gold in the Olympic fifty-meter sprint. It was Dayton’s way to deal with pain. He used his body like a weapon against itself. He had to make his body hurt to such an extreme, it would stilt the constancy of the feelings in his heart, even if only for a few moments.

The waves rolled over and around him, even as they lifted his body and moved passed before lowering him behind a forming crest. His arms turned like uncontrolled windmills and his legs kicked as if a Great White shark was at his toes, until every cell of his body felt like it would implode. His face lifted barely above the surface and as he sucked in another breath, he saw his knew home to his side. Every synchronous action stopped fluidly and his body sliced forward until its momentum stopped automatically.

Dayton let his legs drop down and his head rise up and he stared at the house where he knew a vague yet accurate reflection of the cause of his pain was sleeping. He wondered if it was even possible and he also wondered, if it were, did that mean there was more to him than what he had originally concluded in his past.

His heavy breathing was slowing rapidly because he was so fit but even though the extreme effort had numbed the pain somewhat, it was still a nagging bug that he could not quite squat. He dived, arced and rose to the surface and then floated on his back. The sun was higher in a sky that was an intense blue. It was going to be a pretty day and hopefully, he would get to spend some of it with Lance. He dived again and then bodysurfed into the shore.

Not quite Daniel Craig’s body as James Bond in his blue swimsuit but definitely an awesome display, Dayton emerged from the water, his gym shorts stretched and twisted but partially transparent, as he made his way unsighted up to the gate. Once in the yard and still soaking wet, he stripped naked and sat on the lowest step. He wrung out his shorts and hung them from the banister to dry. He tried to squeeze the water from his runners but knowing it was pointless, he angled them, toes down against the second step, in the hope they would drip dry faster. He sat for ten minutes until he was almost dry and then swiftly darted up the steps and into the house.

Dayton showered quickly, dressed in some clean shorts and then immediately went to the kitchen. As he was crossing the room to make a coffee, he saw Lance’s phone sitting on the breakfast bar and he realized he must have left it there by mistake. Just as he was pouring the boiling water into his mug, Lance’s phone began to ring.

Dayton looked at the clock on the microwave oven and saw that it was twenty past seven. Initially he thought, “Not my phone, not my business” but as it continued to ring, he turned toward the door to listen for Lance’s approach to answer it. All he heard was silence and the phone. “He probably can’t hear it,” he thought and wondered if he should take it to him. He then thought, “It'll stop ringing at any moment.” He then questioned silently, “What if it’s urgent or important?” With resignation, Dayton picked up the phone and answered it.

“Hello?”

A female voice asked, “Is this Lance Cooper?”

“No, he’s still asleep. Who’s calling?”

“My name is Kathryn Green and I’m calling in regard to the room for rent in the share house?”

“Oh, right,” Dayton said, thinking this was great news but uncertain if he should get involved and if he should take the phone to Lance.

“I was hoping I could come and have a look at it today,” Kathryn said.

Dayton queried, “What time were you thinking?”

Kathryn said, “Whatever’s good for Lance. Who are you, by the way?”

“I’m Dayton. I moved into the house with Lance the other day.”

“Okay, well, I don’t know, what do you suggest? Unless you want to wake Lance or maybe I should call back later?”

“No, I’m certain he would trust me to set this up,” Dayton said.

Kathryn said, “Well, if you think it’s okay?”

Dayton suggested, “How about eleven this morning?”

“Sounds great,” Kathryn replied.

“Okay, we’ll see you then,” Dayton said with a tone of finality.

“Um, an address would be really helpful,” she said a little sarcastically.

“Sorry, I’ve never done this from this side before,” Dayton said and then gave her the address. “So we’ll see you at eleven, then?”

“Absolutely. See you in a few hours, Ohio,” Kathryn said and ended the call.

Dayton thought questioningly, “Ohio?”

A moment later he caught on. He laughed and then deciding he had a reason to wake Lance, he turned and made him a coffee as well and then went to his bedroom.

Dayton did not knock on the door even though he thought he should. This was good news and he wanted to surprise Lance. He was not really thinking about his actions or a possible response. When he pushed the partially ajar door fully opened and stepped into the room, he stood and looked down at Lance sound asleep on his back. The sheet was pulled exactly across his groin, only just covering his genitals and he knew Lance was naked. Dayton looked at Lance’s body and thought it was a good body. He also liked the bronzed color over the thick and defined shape. It was not a sexual appraisal. He looked at his face and he smiled unconsciously. Lance’s face was so familiar and now that along with how close he was feeling toward him, it gave Dayton a warm feeling to see him so peaceful.

Dayton did not really want to disturb that serenity but even though he told himself that Lance would be pleased with the news, Dayton knew he wanted him to be awake so that they could spend more time together.

“Don’t be foolish, it’s not the same and lightening doesn’t strike twice. You’ve grown up and you’ve also changed so leave things alone and be who you need to be,” he thought.

“Lance, Buddy,” he said quietly, as he sat down on the bed beside him.

Within an immediately rising consciousness, a smile crossed Lance’s face instantly. It was just a small and pleased smile of recognition, as his conscious mind began to seep through his subconscious, allowing his reasoning to function and clarity to begin to form. However, Lance’s mouth suddenly tightened with the confluence of important details; details like he was naked, he was in bed and Dayton’s voice was right beside him. His eyes opened in shock and he looked at Dayton while wondering, “What the fuck?”

“Sorry to wake you so early but I needed to tell you something. I made you a coffee and I pissed in it for you,” Dayton said with a grin.

Lance’s reaction dulled instantly at the sight of Dayton. He snorted in amused surprise and he was instantly greeted with that melting smile.

“This better be good, my sleep is sacrosanct,” he said while grinning back at Dayton.

“I can’t promise my piss tastes as good as yours, Lance.”

“What? No, that isn’t what I meant,” he said before seeing the amusement on Dayton’s face and then he added, “Fuck you, asshole.”

Dayton asked sarcastically, “A little beyond the call of friendship, don’t you think?”

“What? Oh. Shit Dayton, enough with the riddle-like word play when my brain hasn’t even switched on yet. You know what I’m saying so out with it and give me my fucking coffee.”

“Wow, the epitome of a morning person you’re definitely not.”

Lance sighed and rolled his eyes before saying, “I’ve decided right here and now that I’ll write a novel with the meanest, nastiest and most stupid antagonist and his name will be Dayton Du’it. He will encounter the supreme protagonist, the handsome and wonderfully kind Lance Cooper, who will in the end castrate Dayton for being an ass.”

“Well, at least I’ll be remembered for something,” Dayton said.

Lance chuckled but even though he knew if it had been anyone else, he would have probably been furious for being awoken; this unusual and unexpected wake-up call by the hot face and naked chest of Dayton, without a doubt was something he would be more than happy to have occur every morning for the rest of his life.

“I will never forgive you for this reprehensible intrusion,” Lance said while laughing and then asked Dayton once again to hand him his cup of hot piss.

“You left your phone in the kitchen last night,” Dayton said.

“I didn’t realize,” Lance replied.

“Well, it rang while I was making my coffee and just in case it was urgent, I answered it for you.”

“Thanks,” Lance said.

“You’re welcome Buddy but Lance, it was a prospective housemate.”

Lance asked with hope, “Really?”

“Yeah and I’ve set it up for you to meet the woman at eleven o’clock this morning,” Dayton said.

“Shit, what time is it?”

“Don’t worry, Lance, I gave you plenty of time to wake up and get ready. It’s only seven-thirty.”

“Seven-thirty? Fuck. Why would anyone get up at such an outrageous time of day, the sun has barely risen?”

“The sun rose over an hour and a half ago,” Dayton said.

“Even the sun should know better,” Lance responded.

“This is one of the best times of the day,” Dayton argued.

“We’ll have to knock that deluded attitude out of you,” Lance replied.

“You’re impossible,” Dayton said.

Confirming, Lance asked, “So a woman, hey?”

“Yeah. Her name is Kathryn Green and she sounded nice. I also heard a little sarcasm in her voice at a certain moment, so I thought she would fit in here with you perfectly.”

Lance snickered and said, “You bring out the best in people, Dayz.”

“Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit,” Dayton said.

“Only to those who are the brunt of it. To the rest of us, it’s a live comedy gala,” Lance shot back.

“Is everyone like you in Seattle? I only ask because I used to think about going there but now I’m having second thoughts,” Dayton scoffed.

“It’s a place for smart people, not dumb jocks, Dayz,” Lance said straight-faced.

“Slap me down and then call me Dayz. You’re a real charmer, Lance. So are you going to get out of bed or are you going to lay here like a zombie all day?”

“Zombie, I think,” Lance mumbled.

Dayton shook his head and spun around, dropping onto his back beside Lance. He tugged at the pillow under Lance’s head to share it and then looked around the bedroom, taking in everything in plain sight.

“You sure you’re comfortable? I could vacate my bed if you need more space?”

“No, I don’t think that’ll be necessary but you could buy a new bed to make me more comfortable when I do lie on it,” Dayton joked.

“Thanks for the heads up, Dayz.”

“Always pleased to help,” Dayton said but then as he pointed to a photograph in a frame on the desk he asked, “Who’s that?”

The photo was an outdoor photo with Victor and Lance standing close together, their arms around each other’s shoulders, their cheeks pressed together as they both gave huge smiling laughs.

“Victor. He’s my oldest friend.”

“He looks like a fun-loving guy,” Dayton said.

“It’s an old photo,” Lance said vaguely.

“Meaning?”

“He used to love life but these days he suffers from agoraphobia and clinical depression. He doesn’t even leave his home anymore. It’s really sad, actually. If he hadn’t been the way he was when I left Seattle, I almost would’ve talked him into coming to San Diego with me. Now we just speak on the phone a couple of times a week.”

Dayton queried, “Why didn’t you? I mean, why almost?”

“Oh, it was just that we had a difference of opinion about something,” Lance replied, evading the real answer.

Dayton nodded and said, “Anyway, you’re right and it is sad. Life must be very tough for him.”

“It is. I even considered trying to get him to come down and move in here with me before you showed up. Thing was, I knew the situation was too unstable to bother because financial security and long-term stability would be an absolute imperative, before I could even try and get him to pull up his roots.”

“I understand,” Dayton said.

“Not many people would. Most people can’t even fathom darkness and fear of that type or magnitude. Hell, some people don’t even believe the conditions are real,” Lance explained.

“I can’t say I’ve ever known anyone with the conditions but I’ve heard about them and they seem real to me. I don’t think I could handle that sort of thing, being the type of man I am,” Dayton said.

“Can I ask you a question, Dayz?”

“Always,” he replied while turning and looking into Lance’s eyes.

“The other day when you moved in, you made a remark to me that being here made you free. It sounded like you were finally escaping a psychological prison. Would it be too personal for me to ask what it was that you were talking about specifically?”

Dayton’s head turned and his eyes froze on the ceiling. He had not expected that question and the fact that it had been asked only made him uncomfortable. He felt the tension building throughout his body but then he took a deep breath and tried to relax.

“Lance, this morning while I was jogging on the beach, indirectly I was thinking about what you’re asking me. It isn’t an easy subject for me to talk about. I want to tell you, I really do and if there’s one person in this world I believe I could trust and I could tell, it’s you. The thing is, I don’t think I’m ready to go there just yet.”

“Dayz, it’s okay, really. We all have our secrets or our little can of worms or big can, as the case may be. Whatever the case, like you said to me last night, I’m here for you whenever you need me, so if or when you want to talk about it, I’ll be more than willing to listen.”

“Thanks,” Dayton said but Lance could see the seriousness, anxiety and concern in his eyes.

Thinking quickly while wanting the good-natured Dayton back, Lance said, “You went jogging on the beach before you came in here and rudely interrupted my sleep? What sort of obsessed moron are you?”

Dayton gasped in astonishment and all his thoughts and feelings went out the window. He did not even realize what Lance had just done. “Hey,” he said reactively and then rolled over and grabbed Lance around his body, as he initiated a wrestling maneuver.

Lance started laughing and began to fight back. A moment later Dayton was on top of Lance and pinning him to the mattress, his hands holding Lance’s wrists above his head.

Chest-to-chest, their eyes were only inches apart. Huge smiles crossed both of their faces, as they stared deeply into each other’s eyes. A moment later, Dayton recalled how he had been certain Lance was naked when he first entered the room. His smile fell away as he considered his position and he rolled back onto the bed. Swinging his feet back to the floor he sat up, picked up his coffee and drank most of it in a couple of swallows and then turned and looked at Lance.

“Your piss really does taste better than mine,” he said and then he stood up and walked out of the room.

Lance was still smiling when he realized he had a semi erection. His head turned and he stared at the doorway where Dayton had just departed so suddenly.

“Fuck,” Lance whispered and threw a hand over his forehead and eyes.

To be continued...

Posted: 05/26/17