Generations: John and Nick Part Four
Nicholas woke John early the next morning, already awake and showered when he leaned over him in the bed. John was woken by the teasing presence of lips caressing his neck and he smiled contentedly as he shifted, lips pressing to his instead. Nicholas drew back with a smile.
"Morning," he said smiling, brushing fingers through John's hair.
"Morning," John replied sleepily. "What time is it?"
"Seven," Nicholas replied. "Wasn't sure if you had to work or not? I've got to be in the office by eight so I'll be leaving soon."
John frowned and scrubbed a hand over his face trying to wake himself up more, pushing onto his elbows, "I'll get dressed."
"No rush," Nicholas assured him. "Stay, take a shower, have some breakfast. I'll have a car on standby to take you home when you're ready."
"No you don't need to do that," John shook his head, grateful but not wanting to take advantage. "I'll get a cab."
"Halfway accros the city!" Nicholas admonished playfully with a shake of his head. "No, take the car. Please."
"Okay, thanks," John agreed.
There was an awkward silence, neither sure if the other was interested in taking things further. John wanted to, but he wasn't sure if Nicholas was interested in anything long term and he wasn't after a fuck buddy. Nicholas dropped a soft kiss to his lips before he stood up again.
"I gotta finish getting dressed," he said apologetically.
John lay back and watched as he walked off into another room and he realised it was a walk in closet. In the early light of morning he could take in the room better and it was evident Nicholas had money. It wasn't any particular extravagance, but the size alone of the room, taking into account the en suite and walk in, apartments laid out like that didn't come cheap in the market. Especially not in Harbor View. Suddenly John felt uncomfortable, like he'd infiltrated a place he didn't belong, the familiar awkwardness of the morning after covering him like a blanket. While Nicholas was dressing he got out of bed, grabbed his clothes and dissappeared into the bathroom. He paused again, the room was huge, a corner bath, seperate shower unit, tiled floors and walls. Closing the door John leaned back and paused, thought back over the night they'd spent together.
"Fuck," he said through gritted teeth. This was why he didn't usually play so dangerously, the morning after was always awkward. Part of him was glad he'd went with his instinct, but now, he wished he'd been less of a slut for it.
He took advantage of the extravagance this once, taking a quick shower, trying not to shiver in pleasurable aftermath as he soaped himself up, fingers sliding between the crack of his ass and over his fucked hole. Washing away the soap and sweat of the previous evening he toweled dry, pulled on his suit pants and shirt, stuffing his tie into his pocket. Opening the door into the bedroom he found it empty, and put on his socks and shoes before leaving the room, seeing Nicholas at the end of the hall pulling on his jacket.
Nicholas paused and smiled as John approached him, "Not staying?" he asked.
"I remembered an appointment I've got this morning," John lied. "Arranged to meet a friend so I should really get home and change."
"Okay, well, I'm going to the office. Jump in the car with me and the driver can drop you after he drops me." Nicholas suggested.
John would have prefferred to say goodbye here, now, be done with the awkwardness. But it would look strange to refuse the offer and instead he turned on the charm.
"If it isn't out of your way," he shrugged with a light smile.
They left not long after and made small talk in the car, a strange feeling hanging in the air. They may have had a passionate night together but in the light of day they were two strangers from different worlds. As the car pulled up to the building where Nicholas worked John peered out of the window, even the office where Nicholas worked seemed extravagant compared to the small pokey run down place where he worked.
"Well, this is me," Nicholas said turning half to him. "I had a great night."
John had to agree it had been fun, while it lasted. But Nicholas made no attempt to leave him his number and this prevented him from offering his own.
"Yeah, me too," John agreed instead. "Thanks."
"See you around," Nicholas said, looking like he was about to lean over for a kiss. Instead he opened the door and got out. "Just tell Seb where you need to go. Bye."
"Bye," John said as the door closed, looking forward to see the driver eyeing him in the rearview mirror. He told him his address and didn't look back to see if Nicholas was standing to wave him away.
~
Thanking the driver John made his way into his building, momentarily confused when he tried to open the door to the apartment and finding it chained.
He rapped loudly on it, realising Laka would have put the chain on for the night. He heard movement and leaned on the doorpost with a hand, stifling a yawn.
"It's me Laka," John said impatiently, though Laka could see him through the peephole and the slide of the chain could be heard. As the door opened he stood a little straighter, gave his slave a smile as he walked in. "Hi."
"Morning," Laka replied, looking somewhat relieved he was home.
John cast a dejected look about the small apartment, feeling suddenly inadequate compared to the richness he'd just come from. Some of the furniture was second hand, it was small and compact. Like himself he supposed. Laka took his jacket and John gave him a once over also.
He'd seen a few slaves silently at work at Nicholas' place. No doubt he kept some in the apartment and more at his home. John owned one, with little experience and suddenly Laka seemed as inferior as the rest of his life. John felt a stab of guilt for thinking so cruelly and gave Laka a warm smile, resting a hand on his arm.
"Have you had breakfast?" He asked, suddenly hungry. He hadn't eaten at the party and he felt famished.
"Yes," Laka replied, looking suddenly worried. "I didn't know what time you'd be home."
"It's okay, I wasn't sure what time I'd be back either," John replied. He thought back to an hour or so ago, waking up to caresses and kisses, Nicholas's invitation to stay. He could still be there, but to what end? Maybe he should have left his number, but Nick hadn't offered his or asked for one. Would he look desperate or too hopeful if he tracked Nick down? He knew his name, where he worked. It wouldn't be hard.
He smiled to himself and shook his head. He doubted Nicholas would give him a second thought today.
"I'm going to go change, you can go make me breakfast. I haven't eaten since lunch yesterday," John told Laka, pulling away and heading towards his bedroom. He changed into jeans and a t- shirt, starting to admonish himself for his thinking.
Nicholas came from money, John had met his type all through school, college. Kind of people who didn't struggle in life, became successful and aimed high. John worked for the enjoyment, he liked his independence but the struggle made him appreciate everything he achieved. He knew how easy everything could be taken away. He'd never known extravagance and had never yearned for it.
He spent a lazy morning moping around the apartment, catching up with the papers and his post. But it was a warm day, the sun shone and he was starting to feel cooped up.
"Get your shoes Laka, we're going out," John announced.
"You want lunch first John?" Laka asked him.
"No, we'll get something from the store, spend the afternoon in the park. Its too nice to stay in," John told him.
The park was fairly busy, it being a weekend, families taking advantage of the good weather. They took a turn around the lake before heading away from the crowded areas near the play park, finding a quiet spot under the shade of trees. John had brought a book and used the tree trunk to prop himself up against whilst he read. Laka sat with his usual reserve, taking in everything around him. He was a watcher, John had found. He looked over to find him gazing at a young couple lying on the grass in each others arm, oblivious to the world around them as they kissed.
"Stop staring Laka," John chided gently with a smile.
Laka's head whipped away and his eyes dropped to the ground like he'd been slapped for it. A small flush rose in his cheeks and John dug a toe against his thigh teasingly.
"Didn't say you couldn't look," John told him. "Just don't stare."
"Sorry John," Laka replied quietly, but he didn't look at them again.
"What did you do last night?" John asked, setting his book down for a moment.
Laka gave a small shrug and glanced up at him. "Had supper, watched some tv," he replied.
"Were you okay by yourself?" John asked in slight concern. It was the first time Laka had been left alone all night.
"Yes, I locked up when you called. The couple above were arguing again," Laka told him, giving him a look. "They seem to be getting louder."
"I'll put another complaint in," John replied in thought. "They keep you awake?"
"I slept eventually," Laka replied. "Did you enjoy your party?"
John shrugged and gave a small shake of his head. "They're all the same. An excuse for everyone to get drunk and let their hair down. I met someone interesting though, suppose that made up for the shitty party."
He'd have continued on the subject of Nicholas but his phone interrupted their chat and he found himself making arrangements for the evening, planning to meet some old college friends for a few drinks and to catch up.
He'd just showered and was half dressed when Laka came to the bedroom.
"Your friend has arrived John," Laka explained. "They are on the way up."
John frowned and glanced at the clock. They were early.
"Let them in Laka, offer them something to drink and tell them I'll be with them soon," he told him.
He was fresh out the shower, skin still damp and he toweled himself down, opening up the wardrobe to decide on an outfit. Ten minutes later he was dressed, hair slicked back and ready to go. He was pulling on his watch as he walked into the living area, halting in his tracks when he looked up to find Nicholas standing up from his seat.
"Hi," Nicholas said, looking nervous.
"Hi," John replied in surprise and embarassed he'd left him waiting. And in his poxy tiny apartment too. "I'm sorry, I'm expecting friends and I thought it was them who'd arrived or I'd have come out sooner."
Nicholas smiled, still nervous and waved off the apology with his hand. "It's okay, Laka made sure I was settled while I waited."
John suddenly looked at Laka who was hovering nearby, taking the scene in. "Laka will you go get my wallet, I left it in the bedroom," John told him, wanting him out of the way for a moment. He looked back over to Nicholas and found himself at a loss.
"So, what are you doing here?" John asked him.
"You didn't leave me your number," Nicholas replied. "I wanted to call you this afternoon."
"Why?" John asked a little more snappily than he meant.
Nicholas looked at him sharply, a hint of questioning in his eyes. "I wanted to know if you wanted to go out sometime? Actually no, I'm lying. I just wanted to talk to you - the asking you out on a date was kind of an after thought."
"Oh," John said surprised.
"What? You seem surprised?" Nicholas asked defensively.
"I didn't think you'd be interested," John shrugged.
Laka appeared behind him, handing him his wallet.
"After last night, I'm definitely interested," Nicholas assured him. "I wasn't sure you were when you didn't offer your number and I guess I held back on my own. I got Seb to bring me to where he dropped you this morning, I asked at the desk for your apartment number. Hope this doesn't make me look desperate."
He gave a nervous laugh and looked hopeful. John smiled and waved a hand for him to sit again.
"Not at all," John assured him. "I was going to track you down at your office"
"Why didn't you?" Nicholas asked him.
"Thought it made me look desperate," John grinned.
Nicholas laughed and the sound of it brought a warm smile to John's face.
"We're like a pair of fucking teenagers," Nicholas groaned. "So, would you like to go out some time?"
"Definitely," John nodded. "When?"
"Well I'd been hoping tonight but you've got plans already," Nicholas said a little disappointed.
"You're welcome to join us," John pointed out.
"I wouldn't want to intrude," Nicholas shook his head.
"You wouldn't be, it's nothing important. Just a few college friends who are in the city for the weekend. Come, please, its just a quiet drink, maybe a bite to eat."
Chapter Five - Sticks and Stones