Characters:
Alex: Main character, male, 22
Pierce: Alex's friend, male, 25
Lizzie (mentioned): Alex's roommate, female, 21
It was a Friday night. Payday had hit, so my friends and I decided to go out to the bar, to wash the pain of the work week away. I didn't really understand the draw of bars, but at least the drinking was fun. My friends swore the Black Cat Nightclub was the place to find hook-ups, but it wasn't so easy as a bisexual man. I was supposed to have twice the options. Yet it was so hard to find a gay man in a place like this, and straight women looked like they were going to be sick if they found out you had been with another man. Or worse, they convince you to have a threesome with them and their partner, only for their partner to not like it nearly as much as they do. Gah. Never again. That woman still calls me sometimes.
It was why I was sat at a table in the corner of the bar, absent-mindedly sipping at my drink. All my friends were already gone, likely hitting on some poor woman so they could brag about it later. I really didn't understand why they liked this place so much. The light above my table was broken - it almost felt like a dump. Maybe that's why the drinks were so cheap.
My thoughts were interrupted when a man sat across from me. The lack of light made it hard to see, but I smiled once I finally recognized him. "Pierce. Back already?" He was one of my friends. He didn't like bars either, but we dragged him here anyways, just to stop him from working overtime at his job again. Overtime! On a Friday night! Who does that?
He grumbled something and took a long drink from his glass, which I assumed was beer. I raised an eyebrow at him, and after a second he repeated himself. "'Just find someone,' they said. 'This place is full of women that want to fuck. It'll be so easy.'" He huffed and went back to his drink.
I smiled sympathetically, but didn't say anything. Pierce always seemed to have a permanent scowl on his face, and paired with his leather jacket and unshaven face, he was a little intimidating. His muscles didn't make it any better. I mean, I thought he was cute, but I also knew he was a good guy. Not the kind of person I'd try to talk to as a stranger.
He put down his glass, the 'clink!' grabbing my attention. Empty already? I was barely halfway through my drink. "What about you?" he asked, "Any luck with men? Or women? Or, uh- anyone, I guess."
I shook my head and sighed. "I don't know, maybe I'll have to start flirting with people at coffee shops. Have a cute little café date. The strobing lights are giving me a headache." I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment.
"How about we get out of here, then?" Pierce spoke a little too fast, and I opened my eyes to look at him. His eyes were darting all around my face.
"Can't, Lizzie drove me-"
"I have my truck."
I paused, trying to read his expression. Did he hate this place that badly? I mean, I didn't like it either, but I felt bad that we dragged him away from work for this. He deserved to relax, but a nightclub wasn't exactly calming. Hmm.
"Alright, fine. I'll... wait, how much have you had to drink?"
"Oh, come on. This is only my third beer, it's fine. I haven't even finished it!"
"I think I should drive."
"I have a high alcohol tolerance."
"I'm going to drive."
We were both silent for a moment. His glare didn't intimidate me. Finally, he sighed. "Fine. But you better not fuck up my truck."
I grinned. "I won't, I won't."
~-~
I mostly knew the way to Pierce's house, so I drove without issue. Pierce was silent the entire time, something I only noticed as I pulled into the parking garage. "Dude, are you alright?"
"I think I like guys."
I glanced to him. "Yeah?"
"I don't know. I just- I don't know."
I nodded patting his shoulder. "I get it man, I really do."
After a pause, he nodded. "I hoped you would. That's- That's why I told you."
I smiled at him. "It doesn't change anything, man. Everyone accepted me, they'll accept you too. Try not to worry about it."
He looked like he was going to say something but stopped himself. After a long silence, he looked at me. "How are you getting home?"
"I was just going to take the bus, it's not that far from here-"
"How about..." He clenched his teeth. "I don't know. I wanted to talk to you a little more. Can... you come up with me?" He nodded to the apartment.
I shrugged. "Sure."
~-~
It was silent the whole elevator ride, and Pierce barely even looked at me as he unlocked his door. I pretended not to notice, walking into his apartment and throwing my jacket onto a chair. I took a seat on the couch, watching him hang up his own jacket. "... So? What did you want to talk about?"
He didn't answer right away, moving to sit beside me on the couch. I noticed his hands were shaking.
"I don't know, uh- How did you know that... you liked guys?"
I shrugged. "High school. Got drunk with a friend of mine and we ended up kissing. And then..." I grinned. "Well, let's just say it was obvious."
He bit the inside of his cheek, staring at me.
I raised an eyebrow, amused. "Well? Do you have something you'd like to ask?"
A shade of red spread across his face and he looked away. "Shut up."
My grin only widened. I took his hand and pulled him towards me. "Just ask! I've never seen you so shy before."
"Shut up. Shut the fuck up."
"Big strong Pierce, defeated by having to ask f-"
"Kiss me."