One of the Guys

INTRODUCTION


My dad lived like me. He lived in the moment. He lived life to the fullest, as if tomorrow would never come and the sun would stay down forever. He lived not caring. A lifestyle that eventually landed him in jail, where he died. I was twelve and he was all I had had my entire life. I grew up on my own after that. My life becoming identical to his. Everyone told me to change, that I would end up like him. But I wouldnt, couldnt. I was doing it for him. To keep him alive. There was only one difference between his life and mine... While he had lived for the day, waiting for the sun to rise, I lived for dusk. I thrived in the night.

* * * *

\"Greg?!\" I called as I walked into our apartment. I slung my bag onto the couch and thumped into the kitchen. I chose apple juice and drank it from the bottle. I wiped my mouth and headed into the bedroom.

\"Greg?\" I glanced around and saw no one. {{of course, I shouldve known...}} I smiled to myself and walked back out the door. I took the elevator to the very top of the building, climbed four flights of stairs and took another elevator up even further. The doors opened onto the roof and I stepped out. Greg liked to sit on the roof and listen to soft music. He came up here about everyday. Just to get away from people, sometimes to feel better. I searched the rooftop for him and found his form sitting on the edge to my left. I walked as quietly as I could up behind him, he was sitting with his feet swinging off the edge and his body propped up on the palms of his hands. His eyes were closed and he had a slight smile on his lips. I grinned and slowly slunk to my knees behind him. He was swaying slightly and I scuttled up a little closer. I wrapped my arms around him and rested my chin on his shoulder. His hands latched onto my arms and his eyes stared at me, startled. I smiled and rested my head against his cheek. He laughed and leaned into me. I pulled him closer and looked out at the view. Greg tilted his head back to look up at me. I rubbed my hands in tiny circles on his chest and smiled into his crimson eyes. Greg gave me a small shy smile back and snuggled his head into the crook of my arm.

\"Welcome home Asher...I hope you had fun at work.\" he said. He was so quiet I could barely hear him. Of course I had music on one side of me and the sounds of the city on the other.

\"Thanks babe, and I always have fun at work.\" I ran a hand through Gregs hair, playing with the long strands, watching the smooth change from midnight black at the top to a dark blood red on the tips. Greg shivered and rolled over to stand. I stood with him and brushed off my pants.
We made our way back down to our apartment and I bolted the door behind us. Greg ran hurriedly into the bedroom, I raised an eyebrow and headed toward the couch. I was about to sit down when Greg did it for me. The tackle took the wind outta my lungs and I had to grab Gregs shirt tightly to keep from toppling off the couch. Greg snuggled his head into my neck and a chill ran up my spine. I shivered and sat up a little to better hold Greg. When I looked down I realised that the shirt was the only thing Greg had on. I blinked in confusion but I wasnt going to complain. If my dad taught me anything it was, 1. Dont argue if you know its good and 2. Be yourself no matter what happens or who tells you differently. The second one was what allowed me to be with Greg. My dad wouldnt have cared. If its who I am and what I like then its not wrong even if the the entire world thinks differently. Greg looked up at me with his crimson eyes and smiled shyly. I knew it wasnt wrong. I leaned forward and laid a gentle kiss on his mouth. He sat up and straddled my hips. His bottom lip was out and he looked hurt.

\"Dont you know what today is, Asher?\" I blinked. I hated this question, I always got it wrong. But it really only ever was one thing.

\"uhm.... our anniversary?\" Greg blinked and then laughed.

\"No you stupid! that was last month remember?\" I forced a laugh out,

\"Heh heh... yeah of course I do...\" I looked as innocent as possible. Greg frowned slightly but bent forward to whisper in my ear.

\"Happy Birthday silly...\" I raised my eyebrows and looked at my wrist. Pushing the light up button on my watch I saw that it was indeed July 17th. I turned 24 today. I grinned and looked at Greg. He smiled back and wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

\"Can we celebrate?\" He kissed me before I could answer, but how could I refuse? I pulled him closer and and let my hands travel up his oversized shirt. I was about to pull it all the way off when there was a knock at the door. I pulled myself out of my bliss and stared at the door like it would open itself. Greg sighed and stood.

\"You get it, Im going to go put on some pants... we can finish this later.\" He winked and walked into the bedroom, swaying slightly, making the shirt billow around him. I groaned and pulled open the door.

\"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!\" All of my friends from work stood outside my door with balloons. A wide grin spread across my face and I laughed.
\"Thanks guys!\" I motioned them in but they motioned me out.

\"No way Asher! We\'re taking you out tonight! You and youre man beast! So tell Greg to hurry up and primp cause we\'re taking you to that new night club down on Star and Grey! Our treat! We have the party all set up!\" Alt said. He poked his head in the room and yelled for Greg. Greg came out dressed in his tight leather and fishnet, looking great as always. He smiled and took my hand. Kissing me on the cheek he grinned and said,

\"Tonight is your night. Enjoy it.\"

* * * *

We walked the 5 blocks to the corner of Star and Grey streets. We were loud and rowdy, all except for Greg who was holding a quiet, and probably intelligent, conversation with Alts new girlfriend. I glanced back at them and saw her look him over and smirk. I shrugged and kept talking. Greg wouldnt do anything with her. I trusted him fully. For some reason Greg devoted his entire being to me, ME! I still dont know what I did to deserve him, but like before, I wasnt going to complain. Greg let me have my fun with random people, he didnt care, but he chose not to even though I told him I didnt mind if he did.

We arrived at the club and I placed myself at the end of the enormous line. Alt laughed and pulled me by the arm to the front, earning us alot of angery stares.

\"You have a party! No waiting for you.\" Alt led us up to the front where there was a door to our left. He pulled out a card and gave it to the gaurd who nodded and opened the door for us. The music blared through the doors mixed with the smells of sweat and perfume. We walked in. The lights were bright and there were people everywhere. I felt the smile spread across my face and Alts hands clap down on my shoulders. \"Well, we have food in that room over there if youre interested. But I doubt you are.\" He wiggled his eyebrows at me and patted my back. I looked back at Greg and he grinned and nodded, telling me it was okay to go go have fun. I was giddy all of a sudden. I wanted to get out there with all the people, to feel the heat of moving bodies. It\'d been so long since Id been in a club. I glanced back once more at Greg and moved into the crowd. I slid past bodies in motion and between couples. I made my way to a section called \'The Lounge\'. From a glance it looked like a make-out room but upon further inspection I found that it was the strip section of the club. I giggled like an idiot and walked in. There were tons of strippers everywhere. I glanced around and my eyes fell on a particular one. He had a bondage collar on and a teeshirt that read \'Anime Freak\', the entire made me wonder if he was a stripper at all. He pants had chains all over and holes in the knees and there was a bright string of green mardigras beads on his left leg. He was bending in a way that shouldve been painful, but he seemed to be enjoying it. Other people were handing him money so he was either a stripper or posing as one... either way worked for me. I smiled as I walked over to him and held out a five dollar bill. He stood erect and raised an eyebrow.

\"Five?\" He looked at me unbelievably. Yes definetly a stripper... I laughed.

\"Just for your attention. Ill give you plenty more later...\" He blushed momentairly then smirked and jumped off the table.

\"If its more than cash Ill come...\"

\"Pun intended?\" He laughed.

\"Of course...\" He said it with a little uncertainty but he said it all the same. He took my hand and pulled me with him. I went willingly and we ended up in a deep purple room with curtains marking off sections. The man turned to me and smiled. I pressed him to me and put my face close to his. He was shorter than me by about eight inches, I was guessing he was around 5\'8, I was 6\'3 but 6\'4 in my boots. I was wearing my boots. His hair was a little past his shoulders and a deep chocolate colour. I smiled and rested my hands low on his hips. His dark eyes roamed my face, lingering on my mouth. Heat rose in his cheeks and made him look down. I grinned and pulled him into one of the curtained areas.

\"Im suprised you swing my way... most strippers at unisex clubs dont.\" He smiled shyly as I laid him down on a mound of pillows.

\"Well Im not sure I do... I just kinda figured Id try it since I had dreams... and stuff...\" He was blushing furiously and staring at his hands.

\"Im just the first guy to come around huh?\" I smiled and lifted his chin so he had to look at me.

\"Yeah... but it doesnt matter cause Im definetly swinging your way right now...\" He grinned and pulled me down next to him.

\"Im Phillip... not Phil... Phillip.\"

\"Asher... nice to meet you Phillip.\" Despite his obvious shyness he wrapped his arms around my neck and moved his face dangerously close to mine.

\"Are you sure you want to do this Phillip?\" I asked. See! I was a good boy.... sometimes. It took everything I had to not rip his clothes off and fuck him as hard as I could. He was to damn sexy.

\"Does it hurt?\" I blinked and thought about it.

\"Uh well... I wasnt planning on going THAT far... yet.. You know what... Ill lead, you follow and if youre uncomfortable or something tell me to stop and I will okay?\"

He looked like a kid about to get a shot. It made me want him more... is that wrong? I started to pull his shirt off and he grabbed my hands. I had to think of a way to get him to relax...

\"If you want to get paid I get to remove your clothes now put your hands above you head and leave them there!\" He smirked and I grinned. He understood his job and he did I as I told him. I ran my hands from his knees up to his shoulders and pushed the bottom of his shirt up to bunch at his neck. I leaned down into the centre of his chest and kissed it lightly. I moved my fingers over his nipples and felt them harden. Grinning I repositioned myself and snaked my tongue over his right one. I heard him inhale sharply, he didnt make any noise, but I was determined to make him. I moved my head further down, kissing and licking my way to the top of his pants. I unbuttoned them and pulled the zipper down with my teeth, purposfully breathing hard. I could feel his pants straining from his erection. I pulled his pants down to mid-thigh and was pleased to discover that he wasnt wearing underwear. I blew air lightly on his tip and watched his hips buck. I giggled to myself and decided I would show him one of the many reasons it was better to be with a man than a woman.

\"Fuck...\" Phillip moaned, \"I should be paying you for this...\"

\"Ha! No way, youre letting me do it so youll get paid.\" He started to say something in protest but I ran my tongue up the underside of his cock and he fell silent. I sucked gently on the tip running my tongue lightly on the slit. He moaned and I was happy. I held his hips down to keep them from bucking and was about to take his entire length into my mouth when the curtain flew open and a girl in a bright green lime shirt glared down at us.

\"Phillip! You ass! Get out here! Your clients have been waiting for twenty minutes!! Now get rid of your boner and come on!\" She threw a leash on the ground and put her hands on her hips.

\"But... Amanda.. you cant do this!\" He groaned sitting up.

\"Damn straight I can! Im Management! Now get the hell up!\" She kicked his foot and glared at me. I raised my eyebrows and stood. I looked her over, she wasnt that bad. I held my hand out to her.

\"Hi, Im Asher.\" I smiled. She glanced at my hand and crossed her arms over her chest.

\"Amanda and Im not interested.\" Phillip had gotten his pants back on and had stood.

\"She likes girls.\" He informed me. I grinned, he looked to Amanda.

\"Ill be there in a sec. Just wanna talk with Asher...\"

\"One more second Phillip and you had better be out here!\" She stalked away and I turned to Phillip, he looked at me apologetically.

\"Im sorry about her... shes stressed right now, shes normally nice...\" He looked at the floor, \"Look... I dont normally ask this of anyone, let alone a guy, but... can we... meet up again... maybe?\" I laughed and he stared up at me.

\"Of course we can! We have to finish this sometime!\" I pulled my wallet out and got my notepad. I wrote my cellphone number down and handed it to him. I folded three hundred dollars and placed it in his pants.

\"For that I better be gaurenteed a call.\" Phillip smiled and kissed my cheek.

\"You got it.\" He winked, picked upt he leash Amanda had dropped and left me alone.

\"Great...\" I sighed, \"Now... Off to find more prey. But first... a drink.\"



* * * *

I had been wandering aimlessly around the club for an hour and a half and for the life of me could not find a bar or the room Alt had told me he had food in. I guess I wasnt really paying attention to Alt when he told me but I shouldve been able to find a fricken bar! I noticed a doorway I hadnt been in yet and worked my way through it. It was a bar all right. A midieval style bar. I ran in and threw myself on the counter.

\"AH! Sweet liquids!\" I opened an eye and stared up at the guy on the barstool next to me. I slowly stood and then sat on the barstool. I pushed my bangs behind my ears and cleared my throat.

\"Are you okay?\" The guy next to me asked.

\"Yeah... yeah just a... little thirsty.\" I knew I was blushing. One of my faults, I cant take humiliation. The guy beside me grinned and signaled to the bartender. He walked over.

\"Kevin? You still have a full glass whats up?\"

\"Heh, Gabriel, this guy needs a drink, he was ready to suck the condensation off the bar...\" Gabriel, whose name I now saw displayed on his shirt smiled at me and walked away. He came back with a cold bottle of Jack Daniels and sat it in front of me.

\"Its on the house... whats your name?\"

\"Uhm... Asher...but sir,\"

\"Gabriel.\"

\"Gabriel... with all due respect, I dont drink...\" I looked from Kevin to Gabriel and saw identical looks of confusion. Gabriel spoke first.
\"What do you mean you dont drink?\" I blinked at him,

\"I dont drink... alcohol?\" I asked quizzically.

\"Oh! Sorry! Its been along night. HA!\" He took the Jack Daniels back and replaced it with a bottle of lemonade. He leaned both elbows on the counter and looked at me.

\"Does that tickle your fancy or are you to sweet for it?\" He smirked and I blinked some more. I felt the heat rush to my face and looked away.

\"No... thanks you this will be fine...\" I opened the lemonade and drank half the bottle in one gulp. I felt Gabriel move away to another customer and I followed him with my eyes. He had, like me, black hair so dark it had natural highlights. His were blue where mine were purple. His hair fell in layered waves to his prominent jaw line. He was short, very short. I mean he couldnt have been over 5\'5\". Then I noticed the boots. He stood on high acid-green boots which meant he was shorter than he looked. I watched as he walked into a pool of light. The blue undertone in his hair got brighter and I could see his eyes. They were light cat-like green. They looked almost reflective. His leather pants were so tight they didnt leave much to the imagination. I glanced at Kevin and saw he was looking at me. I started and looked away.

\"You think Gabriels cute?\" Kevin asked.

\"And what makes you think I like guys?\" Kevin smirked and looked me over.

\"Call it a gift.\" He smiled. He pulled out a slim cigarette and a matchbook. The smell of sulfur and cloves filled my nose as he lit it and I didnt mind.

\"Are you having fun so far at the club?\" Kevin asked, exhaling cinnoman smoke.

\"Yeah, Ive been looking around for the most part. I cant decide who or what to do first...\" Kevin laughed and sipped his drink. He has a very pretty colour brown for his hair. Not dark, not light, not mousey. Just...perfect. His eyes were a clear crystal blue. He had a blue flannel long sleeved shirt on under a brown teeshirt with hearts printed on it.

\"Do you and Gabriel know each other?\" I asked and took another gulp of my drink, \"I mean outside of the club...\"

\"Yeah, we\'ve been friends for a while... all through college and the last three years of high school... so thats about, oh, twleve years...\" I choked, Kevin smacked my back to help me out.

\"Twelve years?!\" But you guys cant be more than twenty three or four!\" Kevin grinned,

\"Thanks Asher but we\'re both twenty seven. Actually Im twenty seven. Gabriel turns it next month.\" I stared at his perfect skin, not a wrinkle or a laugh line, he looked younger than me!

\"So are you new to town? I havent seen you around much...\" I took another drink and turned to Kevin.

\"Yeah,\" he replied, \"We both are.\" His head cocked toward Gabriel as he exhaled another pale line of smoke. \"We came here so Gabriel could have this job. The hours are more for him and he gets paid a whole fucking thirteen dollars more an hour. How long\'ve you been here?\"
I thought about it for a minute.

\"Almost a year... ten and half months.\"

\"Thats not long, why\'d you come?\"

\"Job.\" We laughed.

\"No one comes to this city willingly eh?\" Kevin propped his feet on the bar and leaned back on the short backs the barstools had.

\"What are you guys talking about?\" Gabriel had come out of nowhere and was sitting in front of us.

\"We were talking about how goddamned short you are.\" Kevin grinned and blew smoke in Gabriels direction. Gabriel coughed and glared at him.

\"Well Kevin, have you forgotten that youre only about two inches taller than I am? Or have those cancer sticks rotted your braincells?\" Kevin made a face at him and looked back at me.

\"And no Kevin, who would come to this city willingly?\" I asked.

\"Well... it does have a nice night life...\"

\"Yeah and its the only thing keeping me going too... Im not much of a day person.. I tend to adapt zombie like qualites.\"

\"You adn us both...\" Gabriel said.

\"Speaking of a night life, Im off to look for that guy. I have to try to win him over.\"

\"Gook luck! He was totally with that other dude.\" Gabriel sighed.

\"It doesnt matter... Hes perfect. I have to try.\" Kevin stretched and stood. He patted my shoulder and said,

\"Heh... maybe Ill get something from someone at least.. you should come by and see us more often Asher. Youre fun to talk to.\" He smiled and walked out into the crowd.

\"I wouldnt mind him getting something from me...\" I smiled inwardly. Gabriel laughed and I blushed.

\"You werent supposed to hear that...\"

\"Dont worry, I wont tell him.\" He grinned and handed me another lemonade. \"Here, you take that and go have fun. I have to get back to work. See you soon and often I hope...\" He winked and moved away. I sighed, picked up the lemonade and made my way back out into the mass of bodies. I glanced at my watch, Two am. Id been here for five hours almost. I was tired and I had work in the morning, if only I could find a door...

I worked myself toward the walls hoping to find a door when I heard a familiar voice.

\"Asher! Hey buddy STOP MOVING!\" I turned around and caught Alt as he tumbled, out of breath into my arms.

\"Whoo! Asher, dude. Gawd! Finally.\" A nice, fashionably dressed, extreamly handsome man came up behind Alt. His eyes widened at the sight of me. I was taller than him so when he got closer he had to stand on his toes to look at my face. He spoke under his breath but I didnt miss the accent. It was british. How sexy is that? He spoke to hisself as his eyes traveled over me.

\"Hmm long legs, slim waist, full chest, long hair and the weridest colour eyes Ive ever seen. Theyre almost violet.\" I blinked.

\"Uhm... they are purple... but its kinda dark in here...\" He let out a squeel of delight.

\"OH! Purple! Thats spectacular!\" He turned to Alt and placed his hands on his chest.

\"Tell me hes the one you were talking about because hes PERFECT! AH! It doesnt matter who you were talking about I want him!\" He turned back to me smiled and held out his hand.

\"My name is Marty. Im a british clothes designer and Ive been looking, not only for new ideas and inspiration, but a model that might fit my clothes style. And you,...\"

\"Asher...\" I answered shaking his hand.

\"Ah so you are who he spoke of... anyway, you look to be perfect for everything I need.\"

\"Well.... gods I dont know what to say...\"

\"Say yes dahling. And then meet me saturday morning for tea.\" He grinned and held out a card for me. I took it.

\"Its a paying job dear. Ill be expecting you there at ten AM, on the dot, saturday morning.\" I glanced at the address and wondered what a british clothes designer was doing in the states. Then I noticed that he had an apartment in the ritzy building not far from my own. The Dove... it was called. That place made me nervous. All the rich arrogants, all the fancy light fixtures. I liked light fixtures, and I was jealous that they had them.

\"All right, Ill see you there then.\" He smiled and patted my shoulder, then merged back into the crowd. I turned to Alt.

\"Hey, any clue where Greg is? I think Im going to head out, I just wanted him to know.\"

\"Oh he left about an hour and a half ago. We couldnt find you to tell you. Sorry.\"

\"Ah, its alright. Thanks for this Alt, its so long since Ive been much of anywhere but my place and the grocery store.\"

\"No prob man, you go home to your shit hole apartment, Ill go home to mine and we\'ll see each other tomorrow at work. Ill tell teh guys you said bye...\" He grinned and gave me a hug. A real hug, not a shy guy to guy hug. He had to stand on his tiptoes to reach his arms around me. My 6\'4\" frame was alot to get up to when youre only 5\'9\". I hugged Alt back and snuggled my face into his shoulder. Alt was my best friend. He had been since we were twleve. He had moved after highschool and went to college to get the job I got without going. But I had been a Computer nerd and a drama kid. Alt had been the quiet reader type. Until he met me of course. We didnt keep in touch alot after he left. But when I randomly got offered a job I saw his flowery signature at the bottom of the supporting papers and couldnt stay away. Now, we were both saving money to go to college, Alt for his second time. If we werent saving we wouldnt have such horrible apartments, heh.

\"Happy Birthday dude.\" He patted my back, winked and walked back towards the bathrooms. I sighed to myself and decided to continue with the idea of heading home. Greg was waiting. I grinned at the thought of Greg in nothing but the shirt and decided to walk a little faster. It was on my way to the door that I met the man who would bring us all together in a very strange circle of friends. Who would keep us together and give us the oppertunities to help heal and love one another. The one man we all loved so deeply, but in different ways, that we thought we would die from it. With no words to describe him. hes the only reason we are what we\'ve become and how we\'ve gotten so far...

Jeff.