=Normal POV=
(Tuesday, 1/14/2020; 6:00 pm)
(Barbarchi City, Archipelago)
(Trayden's Apartment)

The day became productive, and fun, once Hunter arrived at Trayden's apartment for them to hangout. The males had a nice talk to start things, and then got into cleaning and talking with background music playing. Hunter and Trayden worked together in each room, excluding the bathroom as Trayden finished that before Hunter showed up. By 11:00 am, every room in the apartment was clean, including windows and floors. Trayden took his shower quickly, and then after throwing in the final load of laundry with his dirty clothes from before the shower, the two males headed off to the store. It was a good trip, and fast, they were only there for about forty minutes. Shopping itself took about thirty, then there was waiting in line, also that Hunter decided to remove the snacks Trayden was buying for their movie/hangout night and buy them instead. Trayden tried to stop him, but Hunter insisted and Trayden knew he wasn't going to win. After the store, the males grabbed lunch through one of the drive-thru's on the way back to the apartment.

Hunter and Trayden put the groceries away, and then while Trayden switched the final load of clothes into the dryer, Hunter set out their food at the kitchen bar. The two ate and talked, then cleaned up after they were done. Trayden got his clothes from the dryer, folded them while sitting with Hunter on the couch, and put them away afterward. The rest of their time until now, 6:00 pm, was spent watching a movie, and then doing a few episodes of a Netflix series they both enjoyed and happened to be on the same spot to keep viewing. Hunter and Trayden just finished another episode and left it paused before the next started, feeling they should get up and stretch after sitting for the last couple of hours.

"That was a good episode," Hunter smiled.

"Right?" Trayden replied. "I'm glad I know one person who likes this show, it's more fun to watch with a fellow fan,"

"Seriously. None of the guys and girls from Fantasies are into all this," Hunter nodded.

Trayden looked at the clock over the TV. "It's 6 pm already," He pointed out. "What now? Should I make dinner?"

"Sure. I could eat," Hunter chuckled.

"Alright, I'll start on it then," Trayden nodded.

"Awesome. I can't wait to try your cooking," Hunter beamed as Trayden moved to the kitchen to get working on the meal. Trayden didn't plan to do anything crazy, but he felt like Hunter would like what he was making. Trayden knew from their conversations that Hunter was a big fan of chicken, but also loved alfredo sauce, so Trayden had a good idea of what to do when it was agreed on that he would cook their dinner tonight. "Mind if I use your bathroom?"

"No, I plan to make you hold it," Trayden joked. "I don't mind. It's down the hall, door on the right,"

Hunter smiled, shaking his head at Trayden's joke, then moved to bathroom. Trayden was working on dinner quietly, but had his phone set on the counter to play music. Trayden was humming along to tunes, and somewhat singing quietly when Hunter returned a few moments later, he sat down on the stool and just watched Trayden be in his zone. Hunter assumed that Trayden was more laid back when he wasn't stressed out, so despite how things went with Trayden losing his job, Hunter felt that this could be good for Trayden relax, and find a new job that was better for him. Hunter also thought it was comical that Trayden hadn't yet noticed he was back, so Hunter was slightly taking advantage of it to see how Trayden was when he thought he was alone.

Finally, Trayden turned around from what he was doing to get to the sink with a pot to fill up, and was started to see Hunter sitting there with a smile. "You're just determined to give me a stroke, aren't you?" Trayden remarked.

"In my defense, you're the one who got lost in your own world. All I did was come back from the bathroom," Hunter chuckled.

"I didn't get lost, you're too damn quiet," Trayden countered as he filled the pot with water, then turned to set it on the stove before flipping the burner on.

"Yeah, I am pretty good at that," Hunter shrugged. "So what are you making?"

"It's a surprise," Trayden replied while he kept working on things.

"Now I'm more excited to eat whatever you're cooking," Hunter informed. "Also, I love the décor of your bathroom,"

"Thank you. The style and colors were already there when I moved in, I just added the bathmats and shower curtain, then a few little pieces," Trayden smiled.

"It still came together nicely. The whole place is decorated well," Hunter complimented.

"I can only take credit for some," Trayden stated. "The living room set was here when I moved in, I just rearranged it,"

"You got this place furnished? That usually makes the rental price outrageous," Hunter responded.

"I only pay $600, but to be fair, I think it's discounted because others on third floor in a one bedroom unit are paying about $725. I feel it's due to the owners of the property knowing I'm the mayor's son," Trayden stated. "I only have that theory because my brother Dexter is also paying less for his apartment than others are for theirs. As for the furniture, I guess it used to belong to the previous tenants, who said to offer it to whoever rented next and if they didn't want it, just get rid of it,"

"Worked out nicely for you," Hunter said.

"All I did was bring my bedroom set, the TV's, pictures, and a few small trinkets. I bought storage shelves, cookware, plates, cups, utensils, towels, etc.," Trayden shrugged.

"And that rent is just rent or include anything?" Hunter wondered.

"Includes garbage, snow removal, lawn care, gardening, and maintenance. I pay rent, food, gas, electricity, car, insurance, phone, and internet. I think there is Wi-Fi available here that is included in the rent, but I prefer to have my own because when everyone uses the complex Wi-Fi, it's wicked slow and pretty spotty most days," Trayden informed as he turned to check on the water, finding that it was just starting to heat and would boil soon.

"Sweet deal," Hunter smiled. "So, I was curious," He paused as Trayden gave him a head notion to keep going and that he was listening, but still working on dinner. "You mentioned earlier that you knew Natalie would quit if you no longer worked for Andrew. I suppose I'm wondering why?"

"Ah, well…That ventures back to Eyja Nott days," Trayden replied. "Our families lived next door to one another. My family was already in their place, then Natalie's family moved into the house to the right of us. At the time, I was probably about to start Kindergarten when her family moved in and we just clicked at friends. Nat is three years younger than me, by the way. I know she looks our age, but she's just tall," Trayden laughed a little. "Anyway, we were always close friends, even after I left Eyja Nott and started in Berk. When she graduated high school, she got accepted into Arc University and moved here to the city. I let her stay with me for a couple weeks while she waited for the apartment she'd be renting was finished in renovations. The job she had originally was waitressing and one of her coworkers was male and constantly giving her a hard time, so she quit and worried about how she'd pay her tuition, rent, bills and what not,"

"You're the one who got her the job at the bar, right?" Hunter asked.

"Yep. She was hesitant when I suggested working where I did, obviously, young girl working in a bar was concerning…But I promised she'd be safe and nobody would mess with her because I'd make sure of it. She agreed and started working there with me," Trayden explained.

"And with you being fired last night, or would have quit…She was right behind you no matter what," Hunter said, understanding. "Makes sense why she came to you when Andrew failed to be around. I noticed how close she stayed next to you when everything went down,"

Trayden nodded. "Yeah…I always told her if she had any issues at work to let me know. Can't tell you how many of my ex-girlfriends got pissy about mine and Nat's friendship," He chuckled.

"You two ever have crushes on one another or something?" Hunter inquired.

"Nah. Our relationship is more…Sibling-like. I see her like a little sister, and my ex's would get mad if she messaged me needing a ride or whatever," Trayden shrugged some as he continued cooking the next bit, turning to the side a little to be able to cook and talk to Hunter still.

"Totally get it. I've had ex's who got mad over knowing I've fucked my friends, but I mentioned this before when the others asked about past boyfriends," Hunter mentioned.

"Okay, curiosity of my own now…I assume Jay and Eli never had anything against sleeping with you when the opportunity rises, but how did things happen with the other three?" Trayden questioned.

"All sexual excursions with those guys came from the same start. All happened at some kind of party, and some level of intoxication bringing forward curiosity. Jason and Eli have always been friends over the years, but Eli originally believed he was straight until a drunken night with Jason. I guess there was some shock when they woke up naked the next morning, but Eli just called it after they recovered from the hangover more that he didn't mind what happened and liked it, so that's all he needed to claim his sexual orientation as bisexual," Hunter shrugged.

"Are they dating? I'm sorry to assume it, but that's the vibe they throw off," Trayden admitted softly.

"Don't apologize, you're not the only one who thinks that they are," Hunter chuckled. "The two say they aren't, but I think they are and just won't admit to it for whatever reason they have. I personally feel that it's an open relationship because they are more often seen attached at the hip to one another, but they'll still sleep with others. I can't say for sure if they fuck others separately on their own time, or if it's a three-way deal. I know without a doubt they fuck one another. And I know I've had a few three-ways with them, but I don't know about people outside of our friend circle," He informed.

"I can see the three-way within the circle, that's what they wanted me to join them in during the New Year's party. It wasn't them trying for me separately," Trayden stated.

"And I do apologize again for that whole thing. I did talk to them while you were sleeping on the couch, I believe they plan to say sorry to you whenever it is they get a chance next time we're all hanging out. They were drunk and figured since you were game for me being all over you with the lets have sex hints, they thought you'd play along with them doing it too," Hunter told him gently.

"Did you tell them why it made me uncomfortable, or did they ask why?" Trayden wondered as he was checking his boiling pasta, and whatever else was cooking in the pan next to the pot. Hunter couldn't see it with Trayden standing in front of the stove.

"I did tell them they made you uncomfortable with their forwardness, and only asked why it was okay when I did it, but not them. All I said without going into detail was that you were still adjusting to being fully gay. In the sense of accepting that you are, but still in your shell and too much can get overwhelming. I informed that I was helping you get past the shy period, at your pace, of course," Hunter smiled. "That's all they needed to understand why you pulled away from them, and being the perverts they are, they did inquire about trying to get you to agree again at a later date in time when you come out of your shell. I said I didn't have that answer, and added that they were to behave more at parties so that they didn't go too far again,"

"You didn't have to do that…I don't want to be cause of them not getting to do whatever they're used to," Trayden mumbled.

"You're not the cause, Tray. I've told them in past parties before I met you to watch themselves," Hunter sighed. "I've reminded them countless times to mind their drinking, and watch who they interact with. While I'm okay with the things they do, others aren't, and they need to be respectful to all party-goers,"

"Do they live together?" Trayden asked.

"Mmhm. Jay and Eli have a two bedroom apartment in downtown, I think it's about twenty minutes from the casino and they've had it since they were…I want to say eighteen," Hunter shrugged, guessing. "Now, for the others…Thax, Dev, and Bry. As I said, the single sexual encounters happened at different parties. All times were done drunk and their own curiosity. It typically started out with everyone just dancing, obviously, we're all used to seeing each other naked and dancing together. So being naked and touching through the dancing was never an issue of concern, it was never a boundary we had to worry about," He continued while Trayden listened after finishing his checks, and bringing the pot over to the sink to drain the water from the pot with the pasta.

"Makes sense that awkwardness would be long gone being coworkers in your line of work," Trayden nodded.

"It happened with Devon first. It started with dancing, and a drunk Olivia stumbling, then knocking Devon into me. That caused us to kiss, later on, Devon told me it turned him on and after a short talk that ended with him wanting to see what intimacy was like with a male to find out if he was bisexual and didn't know it because he never had an encounter with a male to question it before that night. Waited for everyone to go to bed, brought him in my room because it's sound proof, and gave him the same rundown and check I do for everyone I'm about to sleep with," Hunter continued as Trayden nodded, understanding what the insinuation was that Hunter told Devon prior to them having sex. "And that was really it. We did everything, and when it was over, he got dressed and returned to the living room. I didn't say anything the next morning, figured he needed time with his thoughts, but he messaged me later on the next night to tell me thanks. He added it was nice, and felt good, but didn't know if it was enough to say be was bisexual,"

"And I know you mentioned last time on this topic that you still didn't know officially?" Trayden inquired while he started slicing chicken into long pieces.

"Yes," Hunter answered. "I whole heartedly believe Devon is bisexual, but hasn't come to terms with it yet or maybe he has and isn't ready to tell anyone," He added. "The encounters with Thaxter and Bryan were different, but still happened due to drinking and at a party. Short versions are that Bryan was next, that took place because he outright asked if I'd fuck him. Bryan said that Eli and Jason were drunk, no surprise there, and telling him about amazing it is, but Bryan was keen on doing it with them drunk or in a three-way," Hunter stated. "I questioned if it's what he really wanted, reminded him we could stop any time, and it went from there,"

"What did he have to say about it afterward?" Trayden questioned as he dumped everything into the pot with the pasta and started mixing it around, then adding a few side seasonings.

"Well, the thing with Bryan didn't go like it did with Dev. Bryan called it quits at penetration, which it fine. I know plenty of gay and bisexual men who don't like anal penetration. It's not everyone's cup of tea," Hunter chuckled. "However, Bryan hadn't minded the hand and blowjob. Bryan did let me finger him, only went as far as one finger, and when I asked if he was ready for the rest, he said no. Of course, he was still hard and every guy on the face of this planet knows it sucks to stay hard and not finish, so I told him if it'd be less intimidating, he could fuck me instead of me doing him. Guess he was fine with that," Hunter shrugged.

"At that point, it was probably more familiar to him to be the one giving rather than receiving," Trayden pulled a pan out of the oven and set it to cool a few moments while he got plates and utensils.

"That's why I offered it to him. I knew he wasn't a virgin to sex with women, so if he wasn't up for being fucked, then he was welcome to do something that was familiar and would still be pleasurable," Hunter smiled. "Truthfully, though, aside from that night, he's never brought it up and I haven't asked. After it was done, same situation of getting dressed and him saying thanks, but it was left there. My personal opinion says he might actually just be straight as it's never been spoken of since. Bryan still stays within dancing with the girls only and his boundary limits remain that he doesn't want guys flirting with or touching him,"

"Seems sensible," Trayden replied while plating up the food. "What was the deal with Thaxter?"

"That was actually more of a drunk and horny situation. Both drunk, but he was turned on as hell. Thax has never confirmed it, but I feel a lot of that night was him looking for relief. He'd been single for months prior, and all the girls at the party were happy to dance with him, but they either left or crashed when he was trying to get laid. We'd been at a bar and since we were all way too drunk to get home, we got taken to a motel. Thax and I were sharing a single room and the bed, I felt the bed moving and asked what he was doing. Thaxter answered honestly that he was trying to get off because he was horny as fuck, but no matter what he was trying, he couldn't seem to get all the way there," Hunter explained as Trayden finished a few more things. "I told him that he needed to relax because trying to do it while frustrated about not getting laid was keeping him distracted from actually finishing,"

"Let me guess the rest of that story…" Trayden laughed a little. "He tried to relax, it didn't work and then you jumped in to help him?"

"Basically. Thax had gone to the bathroom, not wanting to keep me awake. Not that it mattered because I heard him groan and sigh out in annoyance, assumingly that it wasn't working. Thax said he gave up, and came back to the bed. I turned over towards him and asked if he wanted help, Thax told me he wasn't into guys like that, and I said he didn't need to be; it was just one friend helping another one out. Also that we didn't have ever tell anyone what happened. He agreed and that was that, although somewhere after letting him fuck me, curiosity hit him on how anal sex felt good and I offered to show him if he wanted to know. Curiosity winning, he let me fuck him and I want to say he loved it given the reactions during and after," Hunter informed and took a drink as Trayden brought the plates over. "Regardless, it's never been brought up since he said thank you to me, and apologized for putting me in that position to feel obligated,"

"You told him you didn't care and not to apologize for wanting you to screw him, didn't you?" Trayden smiled.

"Of course. I told him he never needed to worry about that because I'm all for a…Friendly fucking, whether it's me getting or giving. I told him I would never mind having sex with a friend, or helping one out. I think he might be bisexual, but won't come out about it because he doesn't want anyone asking what made him change his mind. Unfortunately, Thaxter is a bad liar, and our friends could see right through one if he tried to say it was anything but what it was. So I think that's why he's continuing to say he's straight. But again…I can only theorize based on how things went. There's no telling what the truth is unless they say something." Hunter shrugged calmly.

"That's true," Trayden set the plates down in their spots to eat.

"Holy Odin! This looks like it came right out of a restaurant!" Hunter exclaimed and Trayden blushed a little.

"Um, thanks…I think?" Trayden said lightly. "I know you like chicken, and also alfredo…So I made you chicken broccoli alfredo with pasta and garlic bread,"

"It looks and smells amazing. I can't wait to taste it!" Hunter beamed.

"Well, dig in then and hope you like it," Trayden invited as the two began eating, and Trayden swore his heart was beating fast when Hunter's eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning to see presents under the tree, or maybe like he was having the best orgasm of his life. It made Trayden happy to know he apparently created some meal that just became Hunter's favorite, and the best part was knowing today itself had been amazing, and also wasn't even over yet.