Part Ten

'…billion year old carbon…'

Daniel was not having a good day. He had overslept and as a result had ended up being late for work and while Michael didn’t exactly ball him out he wasn’t too happy.

To make matters worse Darren had an important test that he needed to study for and Daniel hadn’t seen him for the last four days.

Listlessly he shifted around boxes in the stock room. Michael had got him doing an impromptu inventory. Daniel suspected in part as a response to his tardiness that morning.

‘Dan, a bit of care please.’ Michael admonished as he walked in and saw Daniel plonk down another box without much regard for it’s contents.

‘Huh? Oh sorry.’

Michael relented.

‘Look why don’t you go out and serve for a bit. I’ll finish up in here.’

‘No, I’m fine.’

‘Go.’ Michael took the check sheet from Daniel’s hands and forcibly ushered him back into the main shop.

Not surprisingly for this time of day, the shop was deserted except for one lone customer perusing the classical section. Daniel reasoned that she was going to be a while making her selection so instead idly pulled Michael’s daily paper towards him for a quick read.

The front page headline, naturally enough concerned the war in Vietnam but this one sickened Daniel to his very core.

‘VIETNAMESE CIVILIANS MASSACRED BY U.S. SOLDIERS.’

The article went on to describe how a platoon of American G.I.s had gone on the rampage in what they had been led to believe was a Vietcong village. What they had found were old men, women and children.

Daniel sighed and leant his elbows on the counter.

Was there to be no end to the carnage? These were innocent people, murdered by American soldiers.

He wondered what Darren would have to say on the subject. Plenty he imagined.

Daniel had to admire him for the stand he was taking. Whether it was merely misplaced college ideology or not he didn’t know but the more he got involved with Darren and spent time talking with his friends the more Daniel was questioning what was going on around him. He just wished he had Darren’s guts in voicing his dissatisfaction.

At the thought of Darren Daniel smiled. His test was later on that afternoon so maybe he would be free that evening. Daniel reasoned that it was worth a try.

He managed to make it through the rest of the day without appearing too bored.

The waves were calling but he was unable to answer the siren’s song.

He just about held on until 6 o’clock when Michael, sensing his restlessness, told him to ‘just sod off and go.’ Saying that he would be alright on his own for the last hour.

Daniel didn’t hang around to argue, he was simply grateful to be free.

He practically ran back to his tiny bedsit, grabbing the phone and ringing Darren’s dorm.

After what seemed like an interminable amount of time someone picked up.

‘Hello?’

‘Ermm…hi, can I speak to Darren Hayes in room 307 please?’

‘Sure man, hang on.’

Daniel heard the telephone bang as the receiver was left dangling, footsteps retreating down the hallway, a fist making contact with, what he presumed was Darren’s door and then, a few seconds later, a different sounding set of steps approaching.

The phone was picked up and a familiar voice said. ‘Hello?’

‘Darren it’s me.’

‘Daniel,’ Darren’s voice softened, ‘how you doing?’

‘Missing you.’

Darren laughed and lowered his voice further. ‘Me too.’

‘So how was your test?’

A groan. ‘Don’t ask…ok, I guess…’

‘Wanna meet up?’

‘Oh yes please.’

Now it was Daniel’s turn to laugh. ‘That bad?’

‘Let’s just say I need a distraction.’

‘So that’s what I am is it? A distraction?’

‘No of course not, but I don’ t know, I can’t help but become distracted when I’m around you, you just have that affect on me.’

‘Pick you up in twenty?’

‘You’re on.’

A little while later, after a brief stop en route to pick up some take out, they were back at Daniel’s place.

Predictably Darren had had a lot to say on the subject of the My Lai massacre, he could certainly argue his stand point when he wanted to.

He was still putting forth his theories as Daniel tossed him a beer and sat down on the bed with an open carton of noodles.

‘Darren.’

‘Yeah.’

‘Can we forget about the war just for one evening. I mean I know it’s important and should be talked about but I’ve had a shitty day and just want to spend some time with you.’ Daniel patted the bed beside him and Darren came and sat alongside him. The gentle strains of ‘The Byrds’ filling the room.

‘Sure, I’m sorry. It just makes me so angry.’

‘I know but for now just eat yeah?’ Daniel laughed loading up his chopsticks and holding them out towards Darren.

Darren smiled and wriggled closer so that Daniel could feed him. Inevitably not all the noodles made it into Darren’s mouth and he ended up using his fingers to scoop them up, giggling as their juices trickled down his chin.

Daniel shook his head and then leant forward, snaking out his tongue to lick away the droplets.

One thing lead to another and pretty soon food was forgotten in favour of kissing, licking, nibbling.

Hands began to roam, Daniel pushing up Darren’s shirt to caress the pale skin of his back.

Eventually they broke for air but their hands continued to stroke and arouse.

Daniel eased Darren back to lie on the bed and settled his head in the crook of Darren’s shoulder, his hands still idly undoing the buttons of Darren’s shirt.

‘Stay?’

‘Do you want me to?’

‘Of course I do you twit. Besides I can’t be bothered to drive you all the way back out to Berkeley tonight.’ Daniel grinned.

‘Well if you put it like that.’

Daniel softly ran his fingers over Darren’s leg. ‘Stay.’ This time it was more of a statement than a question.

Darren’s hands strayed to the front of Daniel’s trousers and lazily he began to massage him through the fabric.

Daniel shivered at the touch.

‘I think that maybe we should clear up this mess and get some sleep. I can’t be late for work tomorrow.’

Despite desperately wanting to let Darren continue what he was doing Daniel was not sure he was ready for where it might lead. This may be the age of Freelove but to Daniel it was a big step and to tell the truth he was a little frightened by the overwhelming intensity of what he felt for Darren. No-one had ever made him feel like this before.

There might be a sexual revolution going on down in the Castro with gay men beginning to make themselves heard but that was all a million miles away from what was happening in Daniel’s life.

Darren simply murmured his agreement and between them they rescued the abandoned food cartons and prepared for sleep.

Once in bed their arms naturally went round each other and Daniel once more found that comforting spot on Darren’s chest.

‘Darren.’

‘Mmmm.’ Darren’s fingers played through Daniel’s hair making him feel all warm and secure inside.

‘Do you think that maybe one day we will…you know?’

‘I certainly hope so.’

‘Have you…before?’

‘Just once.’

‘What was it like?’ Daniel turned his head up to face Darren, his features barely discernible in the half light.

‘Umm…nice. I think. It hurt a little.’

‘Oh.’ Daniel was silent.

‘But it’s not like that for everyone, sure it hurts but then it becomes good,’ Darren squeezed Daniel’s thigh in reassurance, ‘and I think with you it will be wonderful.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes really.’ And Darren placed a gentle kiss on the tip of Daniel’s nose.

Daniel smiled. So Darren thought it would be wonderful to make love to him.

‘Now can we get some sleep please? You’re not the only one who has got to be up in the morning.’

Daniel’s thoughts were interrupted by Darren’s request.

‘Yes, sorry, goodnight.’

‘Goodnight.’ Darren’s lips ghosted over Daniel’s neck in a simple kiss goodnight and Daniel went back to his grinning.