The Fiery Dragon Ch 07
Phillip or Diego? The Dragon or the Bear?
This is a chapter in a longer story set initially in China, about fifty years ago, at the beginning of the first interactions among Americans and Chinese on their territory. Th action e had moved to Vienna and then to Washington as David matures. David is now "safely" back in Washington. All characters are over 18. Β© Brunosden, All Rights Reserved.
Setting: David Lee has had an unusual and exciting life up to the opening of this chapter. He is now 31, established as a Washington scientist, engaged in cutting edge nuclear propulsion research, and heading an agency in the Department of Defense. Over time and with great personal effort, he has transformed himself from a tall, gawky nerd, to a Superman-like hero, with developed muscles, impeccable grooming and tailored clothing. David is gay. Only one thing remained of the teen-nerd-David: his enormous endowment.
In his past, he had been introduced to man on man sex, enraptured by and sexually involved with Phillip Tang, a young Chinese hunk just a little older than he. David took the breakup hard and alternated between periods of celibate intense work and casual hooks, mostly with the guys who came on to him at the gym to which he had become addicted.
Phillip's "mandatory" Chinese wife had disappeared, and he has now defected and is in Washington. Phillip has twice before disappeared from David's life. He's contacted David and more or less offered to pick up where they left off many years before.
But, David is now at the beginning stages of a serious relationship with Diego Vargas, a surgeon at George Washington Hospital Center. Phillip's reappearance in Washington is unsettling. David has decisions to make.
The story continues in David's voice.....
I didn't get much work done the afternoon after I had had lunch with Phillip at Maison Blanche. His appearance--and his apparent desire to take up where we had left off--in Chicago, and later in Vienna--were equally upsetting. He was telling me that he no longer had any connection with or loyalty to the Communist Party or China in which he had been raised--and which he had served for most of his adult life. Twice before China had blocked our relationship--and he had apparently chosen China both times. Now he is telling me that he actually had chosen me over China--and that the breakups were to protect me from the stigma of a sexual relationship with the enemy--given my security status in the US. I wasn't so sure. I was inclined to believe him, but I had been burned twice, presumably because my feelings for him were so intense. Perhaps they still were. After all he was my first. And I really didn't have the stuff to sort through it--yet.
So I spent the time in the office reading scholarly papers and doing the paperwork that occupies so much time of every bureaucrat. Nothing important. I couldn't afford a careless mistake. But, finally, it was six and I headed to the gym. A good hard workout would help to clear my senses.
When I was almost there, I realized this was a Wednesday and Diego would be there, and that he would expect me to go home with him after the workout. I wasn't ready. I wouldn't know what to say--if anything. And I couldn't spend the night in his bed, knowing what I know and not having made a choice. I'm just not that kind of guy. So I detoured home, changed and went out for a run instead.
Like so many runners, my objective is to "zone" within minutes of beginning to run--"waking" only after four or five miles of steady pace. I tried. I counted steps. Timed distances. Became observant of the new spring leaves showing on the Rock Creek paths. Tried to concentrate on nothing. It didn't work. But I nevertheless finished the run--longer than usual--in an attempt to tire myself out. I knew I had to spend some time thinking--about me, one of my least favorite pastimes.
As I returned to the condo, sweaty and pumped, I recognized an old one-time hook, although I couldn't recall his name. He recognized me and turned toward me expectantly. He was in the lobby waiting for someone. I walked up and shook. "What brings you here?"
He stared at my chest plastered to the thin tee and the running shorts which bulged with Davie's chub. Involuntarily, he licked his lips. "Hello, David. Good to see you. I'm meeting an agent. She's showing me a condo. I'm in the market. Do you live here?"
"Yeah, for about a year. It's a pretty well-run place. It doesn't have any amenities--but there's a Gold's down the block--but I guess you know that. I've seen you there.. And it's convenient to the Metro." (For the life of me, although I know we had fucked, maybe more than once, I couldn't remember his name, and it was embarrassing.)
Just then, a cute young woman walked into the lobby and approached. "Which of you two gorgeous hunks is Sean Gibson?"
"I'm Sean. This is Superman--I mean David Lee. He's just told me he lives here."
"Well, let me show you the place Sean. Glad to meet you Superman." She handed me her card. Anytime you want to sell your place or anything else you might want to do, give me a call. My name's not Lois Lane, unless you want it to be."
We laughed. I invited Sean to stop by for a drink sometime. "Let me know if you decide on this building. I'm in 810."
I went upstairs and took a long hot shower. Then I slipped into a pair of sleep shorts and a tee. My damp hair fell into the natural cut with the signature curly lock drooping over my forehead. I flipped on the TV and rummaged in the freezer for something to micro. I was looking for anything to distract me from the decisions I knew were looming before me.