Single: With Prospects

Notes: Final bit--Casablanca

Single: With Prospects, 3/?
By Scribe

Part Three

Bud had sat down before he began the rescue attempt, figuring that way he'd be less likely to lose his balance and be catapulted out into space. It took a lot of tugging, grunting, and swearing, but he finally managed to pull Jefferson up far enough to get his hands under the older man's armpits. He did some more tugging and grunting, and Jefferson gripped his arms and managed to brace his feet enough to begin to scramble up.

Jefferson got a knee up on the edge of the roof, and lunged for safety. Bud, startled, was knocbackbackward. He landed with a yelp, and found Jefferson sprawled on top of him. He also found himself pondering the very intriguing sensation of being pinned beneath a muscular, distinctly masculine body.

Before that train of thought left the station, though, Jefferson's bullshit kicked in. "You know, this is the DAMNDEST bout of sleepwalking I've ever had."

Bud pushed him off to the side. "C'mon, D'arcy--not that chestnut. I might've bought it if you'd come in downstairs. Or maybe even if you'd just climbed the tree." He reached out and flicked the camera hanging around Jefferson's neck. "But bringing the digital? Don't think so."

Jefferson sat up. "I was rescuing a cat." Bud looked around pointedly. Jefferson shrugged. "You know those damned cats. They're like cars. Cars malfunction till you get to a mechanic, then they purr. Cats get somewhere high and bitch and moan till you go after them, then they scratch you and haul ass, leaving you stuck."

"Look, if there was a cat anywhere around here, Buck would have already tried to eat it or hump it--either way there'd have been a LOT of noise. Try again."

Jefferson shifted. "Do you think we could go inside? I have to admit that this isn't the most comfortable place I've ever been. I don't think it's conducive to passing information."

"Unless I threaten to heave you over the edge."

Jefferson smiled genially. "Not to brag or sound threatening, but I make up about two of you."

"Okay. Unless I threaten to call 911 and report a prowler."

"Oh, come on, Bud. I'm your neighbor. How seriously are they going to take it?"

"I could always tell Mom that you enjoy peeping around the house." Jefferson paled visibly, and Bud relented. "Nah, I wouldn't do that. I may be a snot sometimes, but I'm not cruel. C'mon in." They crawled into the bedroom, and Bud closed the window. Bud gestured at the bed. "Have a seat." He opened his fridge and pulled out two bottles of beer. He handed one to Jefferson as he sat beside him. "Might as well get comfortable."

Jefferson opened his beer and took a swig. "Wonderful idea. Loosen your towel." Bud had been tilting his own bottle to his lips, now he paused, giving Jefferson a look. "Or anything else that might be binding."

"D'Arcy, let me see if I understand this correctly. You were peeping, and not at Kelly, or even, the mind boggles, my Mom--but at me." Jefferson nodded. "You were taking pictures." He nodded again. "Were you going to post them on the web for laughs and profit?"

"No, I wasn't."

"Why not? I could understand that. It worked great when I did it with Kelly. If Dad hadn't noticed the charges for the web host on his credit card I'd still be doing it." He cocked his head. "Ya know, I think I could have gotten away with it if I'd offered him a cut."

"You're not going to believe me if I tell you."

"Try me."

"I'm selfish. I didn't want to share you. But if you ever decide you want a career as a nude model, I can work up a nice portfolio for you."

Bud snorted. "It'd have to be better than working at Blimpoburger." He smiled. "And the thought of hundreds of ladies drooling over my unclothed bod is not unappealing."

"How would you feel about thousands of guys doing the drooling?"

"Say what?"

"Oh, c'mon, Bud. You have to realize that the biggest market for male nudes is the gay community. I know that I used to steal my Mom's Playgirl on a regular basis."

"But Jefferson--you--Marcy..."

"Just because I'm capable of functioning with one set of equipment doesn't mean it's my preference, son."

Bud was genuinely curious now. "But wouldn't Marcy, like, neuter you if you fooled around with another guy?"

"Not if she could watch." Bud gaped. "That got your attention didn't, it?"

"Frankly, the idea of Marcy being sexually excited by anything is a little frightening, but yeah--that strikes me as a little off the wall."

"Why?"

"Jefferson..." Bud gestured helplessly. "A woman getting turned on by watching two guys make out?"

"Don't you get turned on by the idea of watching two women make out?"

"Well--sure." Jefferson made a 'there you go' gesture. "But it's not the same thing." Jefferson cocked his head, grinning at him, and Bud said slowly, "Yeah... I suppose it COULD be the same thing, couldn't it?"

"You have no idea, bo." D'Arcy put his arm around Bud's shoulder in a conspiratorial manner, leaning his head close. "Ever heard of slash?"

Bud blinked. *Boy, Jefferson has long eyelashes.* "You mean the guitarist for Guns 'n Roses?" Jefferson shook his head. A wisp of s blo blond hair tickled Bud's cheek, and he felt the need to take a deep breath, but repressed it. "Horror movies?"

"Slash, not slash-ER. I'm gonna have to tell you. Slash is stories, usually fanfiction, that involve same sex romantic or sexual situations."

Bud could feel his eyebrows climbing. "Gay porn?"
metimetimes, but it tends toward more plot than the usual 'oops, my clothes fell off, let's fuck'. Anyway, the Internet is just smack FULL of it. I want you to picture this, Bud." He squeezed Bud a little tighter and held out his hand, fingers spread, as if indicating the artistic features of a fine painting. "Thousands upon thousands of women--all ages, shapes, and sizes--sitting in front of computers, writing and reading about men having sex together. DISCUSSING men having sex together." He cut his eyes sideways at Bud, noting that the boy was staring into the distance, eyes beginning to glaze slightly. "Getting their seat cushions damp."

"Fuuuuuuuuuuuck." The exclamation was soft, almost reverent. "So some women really DO like the idea of two guys getting it on?"

Jefferson nodded. "They surely do." He paused. "How do you feel about it?"

Bud sat back a little from him, but said, "The thought has crossed my mind more than once."

"So?"

"So a linebacker DID ask me out, but he was talking about going to Shoney's, then to Steamy Windows Lane. I'm sure as hell not forking over my guy-guy virginity for a Pasta Platter and a slice of peanut-butter pie."

Jefferson grinned. "Bless your money grubbing lil heart. I knew you were my kind of boy. If it isn't going to be for sheer horniness, it had better be well compensated."

"Damn straight, if you'll pardon the expression. I MIGHT have considered it if he hadn't been butt ugly."

"So, Bud, whau'reu're saying is that you're flexible on gender specifications in your whoopie partners?"

"Man, I just realized that it goes against my personal creed to turn down ANY sort of good lookin' nookie."

"Good, good. I do believe that you and I can be very good for each other, Bud."

"And what makes you think I'd be interested in letting YOU pluck my man-cherry?"

"The fact that I've been rubbing your thigh for thst mst minute without you trying to put my lights out says something. But I don't just want to jump your bones."

"You don't?" There was clear disbelief in Bud's voice.

"Oh, that, too, but there are ways that we can help each other. I could do you some good in the finance department."

"Oh, come on, D'Arcy. You don't work, except for those get-rich-quick schemes, which are about as successful as the ones that Fred and Barney used to come up with. Marcy gives you an ALLOWANCE."

"Which is more than what you get from your parents."

Bud sighed. "Got me there, but I don't have to sleep with Mom." He shuddered. "Not yet, anyway."

Jefferson looked horrified. "You mean that Peg...?"

"Not yet, but I'm considering buying a chastity belt."

D'Arcy shook his head. "You REALLY need to consider my proposition. You could do well by yourself in the *ahem* 'service' industry."

Bud gave him a jaundiced look. "Please. Do I LOOK like Julia Roberts? I know the kind of money a whore can pull down."

"A whore--yes. But a courtesan?"

"Say huh?"

Jefferson frowned. "No, that's pretty much a female term, isn't it? Can't use the term 'mistress', either."

"Not if you want to stay unslapped."

"I think 'kept man' is the best term. Or, in your case, 'kept boy'."

"I'm over eighteen."

"There are certain instances where it would be to your advantage to pretend that you aren't--trust me."

"D'Arcy, what the FUCK are you going on about?"

"Do you know how Marcy and I got together?"

"Didn't you both get really, really drunk and wake up married?"

"That's the story that's been put out. It's less embarrassing for Marcy than the truth. While I was trying to avoid certain entanglements with the federales, I was working for the Accommodating Adonis Escort Service. The firm Marcy was with then had a woman CEO. They had a big year, and she threw a private party for her top earners. I was part of the entertainment." He smiled nostalgically. "Along with a nice young fella called Ti Thong. Damn, he was flexible! Anyway, I ended up with drool on my butt because Marcy liked a CLOSE seat to the action, and I just had to admire a woman who could enjoy herself so much. I gave her a discount when she asked me out later, and we hit it off. Y'see, Bud, I'd come to the conclusion that if I could get myself in a nice, steady relationship, it wouldn't matter all that much if I pulled in less cash, because all the necessities would be taken care of. Sure, I don't work much now that I'm with Marcy, but all of it can be banked."

"And Marcy doesn't care that you're making it with other women?"

He shrugged. "He knows that they're just business, and I always come home to Mama."

"EXCUSE me?" Bud squeaked.

"First lesson, Bud--you cater to the customers' kinks."

"Look, Jefferson, I don't need that sort of education. I'll be starting college next year--hopefully." He rubbed his face. "But I'm responsible for my own debts now. I'm not eligible for a grant--Dad makes too much money." Jefferson fell backwards, laughing. "Yeah, right, go ahead and laugh. I know it's ridiculous, but it's also frustrating as hell. I could probably get a student loan, but the authorities have this regrettable tendency to want to be paid off."

"So this would be perfect for you," Jefferson insisted. "You could either get a sugar mamma to foot all the bills, or one who'll give room and board, and allow you the freedom to earn whatever else you need."

"I can't believe I'm sitting here discussing a life of sexual servitude."

"WELL PAID sexual servitude."

"That I can believe. But I can't very well stand on a corner holding a sign saying WILL SCREW FOR A COMFORTABLE LIFESTYLE. People tend to end up on the evening news and in jail for things like that--I haven't heard of anyone ever actually getting taken up on it. How does one get in on this racket?"

"Simple--you get yourself a mentor, and a patron." He rested his chin on Bud's shoulder. "I hereby volunteer for the first position. Speaking of position, do you have any preference? Classic doggie? Spoon? Some people don't realize it, but missionary is possible for guys, though I suppose most missionaries would have heart attacks if they thought about it. Of course, in order to have a relationship like this, I'd need to..." he rubbed his chin back and forth, "assess your potential--first hand."

"You're offering to give me training and support in the fine art of being a male prostitute? How do I know you aren't just trying to get my bod?" Jefferson's hand slid up under the towel, tickling Bud's inner thigh. "Why the fuck should I care?"

"No bullshitting now, Bud--before we get started," He tweaked Bud's beard, "have you had ANY experience with another man?"

"Yeah, I once had a man groping close to my privates, but he stopped, damn it."

"When was this?"

"About five seconds ago. Jefferson, if you're going to seduce me, would you fucking GET ON with it? I know young people are supposed to have stamina, but you have to take into consideration how long I sometimes go between nookie. Absence may make the heart grow fonder, but abstinence makes the fuse grow shorter."

"Is your door locked? I'm not going to risk having any other Bundy's walk in on me debauching you. I may enjoy an occasional spanking, but I'm not THAT much of a maschochist."

"Safely squared away, dude."

"Well, then--do you want to be the do-er, or the do-ee?"

Bud blinked. "I have a choice?" His face lit up. "I'm being offered sex, and I'm being offered a CHOICE! I KNEW this day would come!"

Jefferson chuckled. "Nothing like someone who appreciates his good fortune. So, what do you want?"

Bud's grin was almost feral, and his eyes glinted. "I want it ALL."

Jefferson sighed voluptuously. "Bud, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

Bud nodded. "I always thought that Rick and the police captain had a history together, too..."