Everything had been going smoothly up until this point. Peter and Davy were now free to express their relationship at home uninhibited…well maybe not completely since Mike was still a tad weirded out even if he didn't say anything his face was telling and Micky was constantly hovering and watching their every move.
They had continued on physically right where they had left off. Davy still wasn't ready to move forward and Peter respected that, especially since Davy had been willing to get out of his comfort zone of being in an exclusive male relationship to begin with. There was kissing and touching which made Peter ecstatic. Not to mention there was also the deeper personal connection. The two were able to connect on an emotional level as well. Sure, they had lived together for a few years already a knew things about each other, but conversations were becoming more profound and they were learning new things about each other; such as Peter's middle name being Halsten and the fact that Davy hated yogurt.
It was going so well…which is why Peter was shocked when Davy started to pull away some. It was the night after that gig that they had been practicing for. Peter was waiting in anticipation to get Davy back to the bedroom since he had looked so absolutely tantalizing on stage.
Peter walked up next to Davy as he was packing up and whispered in his ear, "Oh the things I want to do to you."
Davy blushed. "Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out at the club for a bit after we packed up? It may be fun to be out on the town together. It seems like we are always cooped up in the pad together."
This comment stung Peter and Davy could obviously see that. "It's not that I don't want to spend time with you. I just want to do it in a carefree environment. You have to admit, the intimacy is getting pretty intense."
Peter had no qualms about the intimacy. He rather liked it. He did have to take into consideration that this was Davy and he didn't have relationships that lasted past a week, so this level of intimacy probably was too much for him. So Peter obliged.
However, the night didn't go as Peter had thought. Instead of hanging out together and making this a date situation, Davy was being a social butterfly speaking to anyone and everyone as Peter awkwardly tagged along. And when they had gotten home, Davy said he was too tired to do anything but go to sleep.
Things would fluctuate after that. Everything would go back to normal and then there would be a random occurrence that threw Peter through a loop. Like, when Davy would tag along with Mike on errands or even offer to do the errands himself alone. He'd say he was going to the beach and would rebuff Peter's offer to go with him. Peter understood that people needed alone time. Hell, they were spending every waking moment together all of a sudden when they had both been doing their own thing for so long. Peter felt differently though because he could spend all that time with Davy and never tire of him. He loved him. But he knew that everyone was different and that Davy loved him too.
Peter noticed that his Davy-centric dreams were now coming back. Before his crush was revealed he would have enticing dreams. After Davy found out and was acting strangely Peter would have symbolic dreams about a broken heart. Now, Peter was having nightmares about losing Davy; sometimes to Daisy and sometimes just getting separated and never being able to find him. While the relationship was going well Peter wasn't having dreams at all. This was a telling development.
It didn't actually start to concern Peter significantly until Davy started insisting that they not share a bed every night. As Davy put it, "If we do this every night it becomes less special. I want to maintain the new, fresh feeling of the relationship." Peter was trying to understand that but his bed felt like a big empty void without Davy next to him. Even when Davy was in the bed it felt as though there was a wedge between them. He was willing to appease Davy for now though. Peter was starting to feel abandoned in a way. It's a lonely feeling when someone you care about suddenly becomes somewhat of a stranger.
After one particularly lonely, sleepless, night the silence was the thing that woke Peter up. He looked over and noticed that Davy's bed was already empty. He shuffled out into the pad and only saw an overly excited Micky.
"Rough night, Pete?" he asked while making an obscene gesture. Ever since Micky's suspicions had been confirmed, he seemed to be very interested in knowing and joking about Davy and Peter's love life.
"Where are Mike and Davy?" Peter inquired ignoring Micky's obscenity.
"Mike said we to look for work and Davy said something about needing something to do with his time."
"Something to do? Like today?"
"No, he said he needed something to get him out of the house once in a while. He may be going stir crazy."
"Stir crazy?"
"Think about it, he's not going out on dates anymore so he just hangs out here with you."
"We do things!" Peter said defensively.
"Uh-oh, trouble in paradise?"
"Shut up, Micky. What time will they be back?"
"How should I know?"
Peter decided that while he waited he should plan a romantic little date for them to keep the momentum going. He didn't want Davy to feel the monotony of the relationship, partly to keep his love happy and even though Peter didn't want to admit it he wanted to make sure that Davy didn't lose interest and jump ship.
Mike and Davy returned in the late afternoon. Mike had said there was no luck finding anything for work. Davy on the other hand was more successful.
"Volunteer work?" Micky questioned.
"Yeah, I think I need something to do since I don't go out as much anymore. I mean there is no real need to now since my love is here," he said giving Peter a peck on the cheek. "I feel very restless and I figured going out to do some good a few days a week will get that out of my system."
"What will you being doing?" Peter took interest in the philanthropic side of Davy.
"Just washing dishes at the homeless shelter."
"Yeah and he doesn't even offer to do dishes here," Mike complained.
"Why would he need to when you're so good at it?" Micky teased.
"Do you think that I could join you some time?" Peter asked.
Davy looked away and took a moment to answer. "Maybe."
Peter scooped him up into a hug. "I'm proud of you, Babe. And to celebrate your kindness, I would like to take you down to the beach."
Davy smiled at the gesture. "Sure Peter, that sounds great."
Hand in hand the two of them headed down towards the beach. Earlier, Peter had set up a secluded area for them to cuddle and watch the sunset together. Davy's smile lit up more at the sight of a blanket and pillows in a shady spot.
"Why are there dandelions on the blanket?"
"Because I couldn't afford rose petals," Peter replied slightly embarrassed.
Davy kissed his cheek once again. "It's wonderful Peter."
The two of them settled in their respective spots. Peter lay down with his shoulders propped up on the pillows and Davy snuggled in next to him with his head on Peter's chest.
"Can you look up at me?"
Davy glanced up.
"My god you're so captivating. I almost don't want to watch this sunset, so that I don't have to take my eyes off you."
Davy smiled up at Peter. "Where do you think of all the right things to say?"
"Just speaking from my heart."
"You're a poet, you know that?"
"Got you didn't it?"
They settled back in as the sky began to change from blue to varying shades of purple and orange.
"This is so beautiful. What a good idea, darling."
Peter smiled to himself. He was enjoying the warmth of Davy's body next his and the aroma of Davy's natural scent was intoxicating. He kissed the top of Davy's head. The sky was starting to turn to the darker blue shades of night. The stars would be out soon and Peter was reminded of his two experiences with Davy in the starlight. The first time when Davy tried to cheer Peter up after that gig and when they were stargazing on the back patio.
Peter sighed deeply in satisfaction at the way things had been shaping up. It wasn't perfect and there were snags here and there while they figured things out, but he was genuinely happy. "I'm so happy. I can't imagine life without you in it."
Davy turned upward to meet Peter's gaze. "Me too."
Something was off. Peter could place it at first. Was he feeling too cold? Was the positioning uncomfortable? Did Davy grow an inch or two? And then he looked closely at the man next to him. He noticed that this particular night there were no stars in Davy's eyes. He was slightly taken aback. Peter knew that even the real stars faded out some days and sometimes they even fell from the sky. Some nights the stars were obscured by clouds. Peter was hoping beyond hope that the same was true for Davy's eyes. That this was just a cloudy night.
"King me," Peter said to Mr. Schneider.
Now Peter knew what Davy had meant when he said he was stir crazy. Peter had spent so much of his days pining for Davy or actually being with Davy or doing something to get his mind off Davy that when there was no Davy excitement he didn't know what to do with himself. This was Davy's third day this week working at the homeless shelter and Peter missed him terribly. Mr. Schneider didn't make the best company and Peter was pretty positive the dummy had been cheating.
"You seem rather mopey," Mike said.
How observant of him.
"I'm not mopey! What makes you say that?"
"You're all slumped over that chair absently staring at the checkerboard. I don't know what you're trying to do but you know Mr. Schneider can't actually play this, right?"
Peter straightened up. "I'm just trying to pass the time until Davy comes back."
"Man, don't you have anything else to do besides spend time with Davy or wait to spend time with Davy?"
"It just so happens that I do other things!"
"Oh yeah, like what?"
"I wrote that song a few weeks ago."
"Yeah…for Davy."
"I helped Micky get out of that jam with the encyclopedia salesman earlier this week."
"It was difficult not to get involved when the pad was stacked with books and there was nowhere to move."
"What are you getting at Mike?"
"Nothing, nothing. Just thought maybe you'd feel better if you had some time to yourself that was actually for yourself. Why don't you take up painting again or something?"
"I already do that," Peter walked over to the closet and revealed a handful of Davy portraits.
"Man, do you got it bad. I thought it was just chicks that got hung up on Davy like this. The little guy must have some pretty slick moves."
Mike was being ridiculous. Peter had a life of his own. It was just that since Peter and Davy became exclusive and didn't have to hide their love Peter wanted to soak in every ounce of it. Sure it was becoming borderline infatuation, but he knew that things were beginning to die down. Imagine being so hung up on someone that you're unable to function. Peter had been there before in his pre-relationship days with Davy and this situation was not the same.
Peter looked at the clock on the wall and realized that Davy would be getting out of the homeless shelter in fifteen minutes. It was only a five minute walk from the pad. It would be romantic if Peter surprised Davy to walk him home. He abruptly stood up and grabbed his jacket to head out the door.
"Think of something to do with your time?" Mike called after him which Peter ignored.
It was a crisp, brisk day outside. The first inklings that the weather was starting to turn were coming out. Peter felt invigorated by this. The changing seasons, although not as prominent in this part of the country, always gave him a feeling of comfort that reminded him of home. He was glad to be able to share this perfect weather with his love. Peter felt the butterflies in his stomach as he approached the building. It was amazing that he could be so in love with someone that he still got butterflies at the thought of doing something this simple.
Peter had no idea where Davy may exiting from so he walked around the building to see if he could see Davy somewhere. He peeked into a window and saw what looked like a kitchen area. There was a large sink that was full of sudsy water. From the left he saw a familiar brunette figure come into view with a tray full of plates. Following close behind was another person carrying a tray of cups. Their backs were facing the window and Peter couldn't see much. The other person set the cups down and grabbed a handful of suds and put them on Davy's nose. He retaliated by splashing the other person with water. The person recoiled and Davy pulled them closer and into a kiss. When they pulled away Peter saw a face he recognized well. Daisy's.
To be Continued…