=Normal POV=
(Monday, 12/30/2019; 6:30 pm)
(Barbarchi City, Archipelago)
(Trayden's Apartment)

Five days had passed Christmas where Trayden was forced to admit that he was gay by his younger brother, Dexter, to their family, and also reveal why he and his ex-girlfriend broke up. The confession hurt Trayden that he was pushed into saying these things because of his brother's insistence on the matter about Trayden and Hunter exchanging messages where Hunter was playfully teasing Trayden about them sleeping together. Trayden had spoken with his parents since the incident, and explained he wasn't mad at them, just Dexter. Trayden also told them that he intended to tell them that night after desserts. Trayden's family did accept him as gay, they told Trayden that when it was arranged for the Raseri's to sit down to settle things. Dexter apologized to Trayden, who forgave him, and everything was fine again on the warning from Trayden that Dexter needed to stay out of his personal business. That happened on the 28th, three days after Christmas before Trayden had to go to work at 4 pm.

Thankfully, Trayden's idea worked of putting in that he needed New Year's Eve and day off. With it being short-staffed already, and people asking for those two days off, their boss decided he would close on the 31st of December and 1st of January. Trayden was overjoyed because it meant he could go to Hunter's New Year's party. There wouldn't be anything happening that night between Hunter and Trayden as far as Trayden knew since it wouldn't be just the two of them, but who knew? Hunter made the honest suggestion that all guests bring an overnight bag as it was New Year's Eve, there would be alcohol, and there would be no chances of anyone driving home drunk as the streets would be crawling with cops. Hunter already informed that everyone would be leaving their keys in one spot, and that they would be screened before trying to leave. If Hunter found them over the legal limit, they were staying.

Currently, Trayden was at home relaxing as he got the night off due to working open at 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Trayden got home and showered, then took a short nap to get rid of a headache. Now, Trayden was up to decide what he wanted to make for dinner. Probably something easy as he was still a bit tired. Trayden moved from the couch to get in the kitchen and look around for choices, but upon hearing his text alert go off, he checked that before walking away from the couch.

Hunter's Cell, 6:30 pm
Hey, Handsome :) I know you're at work, but hope your night is going well and I can't wait for tomorrow when you come over for the party.

Trayden smiled and realized that he hadn't messaged Hunter at all since last night around 11:30 pm as Hunter was getting off work and Trayden was still working. Hunter mentioned he was heading home for a shower and would be up for a bit if Trayden could sneak some messages in. Trayden, unfortunately, couldn't text much as it was super busy, and there were some issues that resulted in Trayden finally leaving at 2:15 am, then getting home at 2:30, showering, making something quick to eat, and being able to sleep at 4:45 am. And then Trayden got called by his boss at 7:45 am to ask if he'd work at 9:00 am, get off at 5 pm and not have to work the night shift. So despite being tired, Trayden took it. Nobody knew that he did, so it made sense why Hunter thought he was working.

Hi. I'm actually off tonight. Boss asked me to work the day shift to help him out, and in exchange, I could be out at 5 pm. I meant to message you earlier about it, but had a headache after I got home and took a nap.

Hunter's Cell, 6:32 pm
Aw. How do you feel now? Did the nap help?

A little, headache still lingering. About to figure out what I'm doing for dinner.

Hunter's Cell, 6:33 pm
Maybe I can help with that. I've got friends over right now, we're working on new show stuff and eating. Wanna come eat and watch?

Trayden considered it, but he was also tired still. It might be a good idea to stay home and rest if he was going to be up late tomorrow for the party at Hunter's. Trayden wasn't sure what he should do. Maybe he could go for a bit, if he stayed home he was going to eat dinner and likely fall asleep on the couch. Another alert went off as Trayden looked down at the phone to see a second message from Hunter.

Hunter's Cell, 6:35 pm
I've also got our friends coming over too. I told them I'd give the story they've been asking for. Not sure when they're coming, but I mentioned I would do it after practice was finished at 8 pm :)

Okay, I'll come. I apologize now if I end up falling asleep on your couch. I'm tired, but also want to see you.

Trayden set the phone down and went to get dressed once more as he'd only been in his pajamas, which was sweatpants and long-sleeve shirt. Trayden slipped on his shoes, and rounded up his phone, keys, and wallet. Trayden saw a message on his screen from Hunter, and smiled a little.

Hunter's Cell, 6:45 pm
Bring a bag. If you do fall asleep, you can sleep in one of the guest rooms, or mine. If you're too tired, it's okay. Don't lose sleep over me.

The only thing making me lose sleep is, as usual, my job. I rather not fall asleep now and be up all night. Then I'll be too tired to enjoy your party tomorrow. Wouldn't want that lol

Hunter's Cell, 6:46 pm
Gods no! Yes, come now and I will find ways to keep you awake! XD

On my way. 10 mins.

Trayden hurried out of his apartment to get to his car, and then drive to Hunter's house.

. . .

(7:00 pm)
(Hunter's House)

Reaching Hunter's place, Trayden parked along the side of the road this time and exited his car, then locked it as he moved to get to the door and rang the bell. Trayden heard music, so perhaps Hunter didn't hear the bell, which would make knocking useless as well. Trayden pulled out his phone and then located his messages with Hunter.

Hey, I'm here. I rang the bell, but not sure if you heard it :)

"Tray?" Voices made Trayden glance over his shoulder to see Hailey, Alyssa, Rylee, Tyler, Shane, and Fisher. It also appeared Addilyn was present this time, but that was expected given Shane's remark about missing her other older brother, Hunter. Trayden knew Addilyn and Hunter were cousins, but it was basically the same thing. Still related through their parents, but not having the same set of parents. It was assumed that Ethan wasn't with them because he was already at Hunter's for the practice.

"Hi, guys," Trayden greeted.

"What are you doing here?" Alyssa asked.

"Hunter invited me over when he learned I'm not working tonight because I worked day into early night shift," Trayden admitted. "How about you?" Trayden did already know, but he was just making conversation.

"Hunter told us to come over to hear that story he promised," Tyler informed.

"Well, I messaged him I was here. He didn't hear the bell, but I hear music going, so that might explain that," Trayden said softly. No sooner than he said it, the door opened to reveal Hunter.

"It does. Sorry. We were wrapping up the final bit for one of routines," Hunter stated calmly, but with a smile. "Come on in," He invited, opening the door more. Trayden walked in, then the friends. Getting through the foyer, the others who were there appeared to be sitting around, smiling and taking a break.

"Hi, babe," Ethan greeted Rylee with a hug and small kiss.

"Hi. Having fun?" Rylee asked.

"It's a blast," Ethan nodded.

"We still got one more to work on, don't we?" Devon wondered as the others were sitting down and taking notice of Hunter's stripper pole was down, so they wondered if it had been used at all. Trayden was especially curious, but wouldn't admit that he wanted to see Hunter dance on that pole.

"Hunt? One more, or moving into something else?" Nicole wondered.

"Didn't Greg want you to show us pole dancing. Like, even if we didn't do anything tonight, he wanted you to show us the kind of things we'd do?" Thaxter inquired.

"The pole dancing lessons depend on how much I actually have to teach you. Simple things can just be grinding against or twirling around. If you actually want to learn the stuff that involves you needing to be able to climb, hang on, flip, spin, and be extremely flexible…It will take some months to do," Hunter shrugged some.

"What can you do on it?" Bryan motioned to Hunter.

"With my flexibility, just about anything," Hunter replied. "Most of it takes a lot of upper body strength and then having a good routine to do the moves quickly, so you aren't wearing yourself out and risking pulling something that would result in pain, unable to hold yourself in some of the positions,"

"Not following?" Olivia tilted her head.

"And how do you strip on the pole?" Ethan arched a brow.

"You don't. You strip during off moments from the pole. You can't be on the pole the entire time, you have to have an even balance of stage and pole, with music, obviously," Hunter stated.

"Why don't you show them what you mean, lad?" Gregory suggested as he came into the room, cracking a beer while and leaning against the kitchen counter.

"Fine…" Hunter mumbled as he got his shoes off. After a quick shift in music, everyone just watched Hunter go through an entire dance routine that included moves on the pole. Hunter's only time actually facing his audience was when he wasn't using the pole, but that made sense; Hunter's focus needed to be on what he was doing with that or it would likely result in injury. Each movement was so fluid and the flexibility was ridiculous. The workers of Wild Fantasies were left staring and wondering how they would ever learn such things. Hunter's old school friends could only stare with wide-eyes, mouths agape. And Trayden was just mesmerized by everything, incredibly grateful that Hunter texted him earlier and Trayden got to tell Hunter that he wasn't working, so he was invited over.

A lot of the moves looked hard to do, and it was easy to see how much work had to go into coming up with these routines. Music, the strip, stage and pole dancing. Trayden personally wondered how long Hunter had been practicing pole dace, and perhaps it was a question for the next time they got to hang out. Overall, the routine didn't take more than five minutes, but it felt longer. Hunter only went as far as pulling off his shirt and pants, and a pair of workout-type, tight to the skin shorts were under the pants. Trayden suspected that while he was fine with stripping for his friends, uncle, and cousin Shane, perhaps it was going too far in his book to do it in front of his female cousin, Addilyn.

"Okay, I know I said you were good, laddie, but that was skill," Gregory was first to speak when Hunter turned the music off.

"You expect us to be able to learn that in a month?!" A few of the dancers said together.

"Gods, no. Do you have any idea how many years it took me to be able to do all that?" Hunter remarked. "I probably started when I was nineteen or so. Maybe eighteen. I don't know, but it's taken a long time," He informed. "What you'll learn in a month is basic moves that don't require you to do much but spin and hold on. I mean, I could teach you the stuff I know how to do over time, but it would take a bit,"

"Alright. Where do we start with all this?" Devon inquired, motioning to the pole.

"Won't be starting with this tonight. It's late, you're already tired from the earlier practice in routines. All you're gonna do if you try it now is end up straining or pulling something, falling, and probably a few bruises. If you really fuck up, it could be a sprain, broken bone, or head injury and we'll be calling an ambulance," Hunter stated. "We've done enough for today, and will pick up on the 2nd," He added.

"Sounds good," The dancers replied.

"Where are you at with new routines, Hunter?" Gregory asked.

"Two are completely done. 1 has moves, but needs music and just a few practices to do it on musical queues. Individually, everyone is working on their own material for solo dances and hot seats. Obviously, there's the pole dancing lessons and when everyone has that down, it will be added to individual work. Not for me, of course. I have plenty of pole dance performances I can use," Hunter informed.

"What kind of routines are the two done ones? And the one that still needs music?" Gregory wondered.

"The two that are finished and have been practiced to the point all dancers involved have it down are male/female routines. When music is found and I remix it for the other routine, that will make three male/female group performances," Hunter reported.

"We still have to work on just male group stuff, and the girls have to come up with their group dances," Jason added.

"So the short summary is that we still have a lot of work to do…" Hunter remarked.

"Well, I have faith in your ability," Gregory smiled.

"Yeah, yeah. You just worry about the renovation and your bar…I've got the show," Hunter reminded.

"Good then! Well, I'll be off. Night, kiddo!" Gregory smiled, getting up to hug Hunter.

"Night, Uncle Greg!" Hunter replied. Gregory waved to the others and headed out the door to leave. "The group of you off too?" He asked his friends.

"Yeah. We'll be back tomorrow for the New Year's Bash, though," Thaxter said.

"What time?" Nicole asked.

"Whenever, just don't show up before 5. This will not be a twelve-hour party like last year!" Hunter remarked.

"But that was so much fun…" Devon grinned. Hunter folded his arms over one another and glared. "Okay, okay…We'll come for 5:30-6ish?"

"That's fine," Hunter nodded.

"Ethan, you coming?" Eli inquired.

"I'm going home with my girl and Tyler," Ethan replied.

"Alrighty then. Drive safe, guys and girls," Hunter smiled as they finished gathering their things and started for the door. Hunter went with them to see them out as Ethan moved to sit next to Rylee. Hunter returned to the living room and disconnected the base of the pole, then flipped the switch to send it back up into the ceiling beam as he readjusted the floor to normal. "Anyone want something to eat or drink? Soda, juice, milk, water? I'd offer alcohol but it's for tomorrow. Also, have food. Hotdogs, cheeseburgers, chips and dip. Whatever isn't eaten tonight will-," He was cut off by Addilyn instantly getting off the couch to hug Hunter tightly, wrapping her arms around his back and her forehead on his chest. "Be part of tomorrow's spread," He blinked, finishing the original sentence.

Shane sighed. "Addi…I told you not to do that…"

"She's fine, Shane," Hunter told him, then hugged Addilyn back.

"I've missed you…" Addilyn said in a small voice as she tried not to cry. "And I'm so grateful you're alright…"

"Missed you too, little sis," Hunter replied.

"They said you were sick, and…That we couldn't visit…Then they came home one day and found you had left…" Addilyn whimpered. "We thought the worst…" She sniffled. "That you were taken, had died…"

"None if that ever happened, Addi…It was just a lie to cover up them kicking me out for being gay," Hunter informed.

"And why didn't you let us know!?" Addilyn yelled at him, lifting her head as Hunter saw the tears in her eyes. "You…Could have called, or…Visited!"

"Look…A lot happened after that day," Hunter mentioned calmly. "Settle down," He added. "I'll explain," Addilyn nodded and finally let go of Hunter as she sat down back where she'd been. "I'm actually going to change first. Tray, you know where all the drinks and stuff are if they want anything," Trayden nodded to him with a smile. "Thanks. Be right back," He moved through the kitchen to get down a hall and disappeared from sight.

"Just to pass the time until Hunter returns…" Alyssa looked over at Trayden. "Why did he say you know where things are if we want anything? Have you been here besides that night he fixed your car?"

Trayden knew there was no point in lying to them. "I have," He admitted.

"Have you two been hanging out?" Rylee asked.

"Yeah, twice," Trayden responded.

"Oh, my Gods…Did you take up his offer to hookup!?" Hailey said quickly.

"What? No! I just told you that we have hung out!" Trayden narrowed his eyes. "Once on the 19th when I got out of work earlier than usual, and on Christmas. Well, at 7:30 pm because we were both done with our family stuff and bored," He lied, only a little bit. "Don't give me that look," He muttered, seeing them stare at him in surprise. "Hunter and me are friends too…" He mumbled this time. "All we do is listen to music and talk," Again, only a little lie. Trayden knew it was wrong, but it also wasn't any of their business. Maybe Trayden wouldn't care telling them all the flirting, and what not if Hunter and he were dating, but they weren't. It was just friends hanging out. Friends where they were trying to get to know one another better, and also, where one of them was trying to help the other get used to things with a male. But once more, that wasn't something the others needed to know. "I cannot believe you would assume such a thing…"

"Well, I mean, Hunter was flirting with you pretty hard on the 8th…He made no effort to hide it, and you kissed him!" Alyssa reminded.

"So? It was harmless fun. Hunter was far worse with the others, suggesting five-ways and what not. I'm gay, I can't be afraid of all the aspects that come with that forever…It was just a kiss," Trayden rolled his eyes. "Wasn't it you seven, excluding Addilyn, who told me to just jump in and get it over with?"

"And you decided to get it over with…With Hunter?" Tyler questioned.

"I just said that we haven't done anything, except the ONE kiss on the 8th," Trayden glared, getting up to go to the kitchen and grab a drink, then a little of the food. Hunter had invited him over to see some of the dance practice, and eat, then stay for the story about what happened to him for nine years. Hunter would likely insist that Trayden eat because he knew Trayden hadn't eaten yet and been getting ready to think of what to cook himself. Trayden was debating to warn them not to assume like his brother Dexter had, but that would only raise more questions and bring on Trayden having to tell them what happened on Christmas. Trayden didn't want to and if he didn't, they'd likely message Dexter to find out. No, Trayden didn't want that at all, so he just wasn't going to draw attention to it. Once Trayden got his food, he sat down at the kitchen bar on a stool to eat, slightly turned to watch the TV above the fireplace. Everyone was just quiet and now waiting for Hunter to come back out.