Fire in the Firehouse 22

Mitch had gone into more of a protector mode. He watched his lover sharply, more concerned for his well being than his own. The thought to use magic on the sharks crossed his mind, but he doubted it would have any impact on sea creatures. His powers weren't the kind he'd need in this situation.

The three men on board the pleasure craft seemed without hope. They were in a virtual tug of war with nature. Sadly though, two of nature's modern day ultimate predators were at the control switch. The three men were imploring every tactic they knew to ease their escape. Nothing was seeming to work.

Back in the heart of San Francisco Cory was wandering idly about as he checked out site potentials for his planned venture. He'd found many leads. It was just a matter of finding that right facility that called his name. Some locations were the perfect size, but the location was horrid. Or parking was bad. It was always something. He looked high and low. Money for rent wasn't a problem. Cory knew he'd have to dip into the money his adoptive parents left him in their will. And he knew more than likely he'd dip into it quite a few times. Most new business owners struggle their first year, sometimes longer.

Colby's mirror image grew frustrated at not finding the ideal spot. He did jot down some empty building's addresses and the addresses of some buildings ravaged in the Earthquake. He still wasn't familiar with the city by street names. Usually he wandered here and there and used landmarks to guide him back home when he ventured out on foot. 

He was bored, tired, and needed to blow off some steam. He saw a Abercrombie & Fitch store and decided to venture in, buy some clothes he could use to workout in and would head to the gym. He thought about walking back and getting his gear, but then he figured with the money he had been left, was it really that necessary to pinch pennies? He opted to just go with it. It felt good just doing some shopping and being by himself for the first time in ages.

He was quick to find some things that he liked, made his purchase and left. He wasn't too far from his gym. He got there and saw it was basically deserted. He made small talk with Jeffy, the man at the front desk. Jeffy was an effeminate gay man, in his early 20's. Most areas he'd be harassed dressing as he did, alternative rock/punk/goth. He was a total individual. He liked taking looks from various groups, blending them to make his own voice be heard. He was going to a private fashion school that he'd been saving for since he was 12. He was going to make it in fashion no matter what. 

Jeffy had eyes for Cory, but the other would play it off. The light haired hunk knew Jeffy suspected he was gay, too, but Jeffy was just too fem for his liking. Cory always made it a point to make small talk, but never to hurt the other's feelings. He kept his distance out of respect. But he saw Jeffy as a cool guy just the same.

Cory made his way to the locker room. He gazed around and saw a few men here and there. He recognized a few men here and there and said his hellos. He saw Dominic, a middle aged Italian guy, short and semi stalky. He was a married man of 25 years with a huge family. Cory could never recall if he had 11 kids and 15 grand kids, or the other way around. Then he saw DeShawn, a middle aged African American man. He was a closet bisexual guy. Cory wanted no part of that. It had nothing to do with the other man's color, he just had no interest helping a married man cheat on his wife. DeShawn had come on to Cory a few times until the young man told him bluntly his feelings. There were a few others Cory knew by face only and greeted them with slight smiles and or nods of the head.

The muscled stud made his way over, grabbed two complementary towels and headed through the doors into the shower/steam room/sauna/Jacuzzi area. It was nice to be able to shed his inner inhibitions and be naked and free. He would cover up until he reached each varying spot. He hung nicely flaccid, as did his twin. He'd gotten used to the staring over the years, but he'd rationalized to himself that he'd pick and choose who'd be permitted a look if anyone at all. 

Cory looked about and saw one older man, a senior about 85 years old. The man was content minding his business and went about taking his shower. All the showers were wide open. The shower area was square in shape and all around there were shower heads littered across the wall. There were 12 showers in all. He often wondered why open showers, but, knowing the city's gay population, it made sense. This was a gym and not a bath house after all. 

Cory went in, rinsed off, got his body cool by using mostly cold water, grabbed his towels from the hook and headed for the sauna. As he approached he noticed the room was deserted. He opened the door, walked in, placed his towel down on the bench and sat waiting to work up a good sweat. 

The minutes melted away. Cory felt so at ease just relaxing in the hot room, absorbing the silence and peacefulness. He found a newspaper and began to glance for a story to read. Nothing caught his eye and he skipped to the classified section to see what other areas might be worth looking into for his night club.

After about 15 minutes Cory walked out, headed back to the showers to lower his body temperature and would then seek out the steam room. About 10 relaxing minutes passed, convinced he was ready for wet heat he walked out, got to the room and entered. To his delight, a well muscled man in his mid 20's was reading a newspaper. The other man looked up, smiled and went back to his paper.

Cory felt empty, devoid of all sensations but what he saw before his eyes. He liked this guy already. Well, he liked what he saw more specifically, though was let down there was no door left open to chat. He sat down on his towel, making sure to discard the one on his waist. The other man was naked, too, but was hunched over to hide his package. The thought did cross his mind that maybe he should be more casual. He might give this other guy the idea he was only cruising. Following the other's lead, the wheat haired man leaned over in a similar position to read, too.

The room was almost too hot. The steam never ceased, continuing to stream out. Beads of moisture frolicked down the tiled walls, mostly gathering on the tile below until he shimmied its way down the drain. Cory, bored with his paper began focusing on drops of water until they either mixed with bigger drops or had gone away from his sight completely. 

A few more moments passed when this handsome man stood up, grabbing his towel to hide his manhood and headed to the showers. It was now that awkward position. Did Cory stay and try to tough it out, or head out to shower as well. He felt if he followed the other's lead too soon he might give the wrong impression. He said to himself, "Well, I now know what steamed veggies feel like. Shit, dude. Hurry up. I need outta here. I'm boiling up." Two minutes passed and it felt like 2 hours. Finally Cory shot from the room, stood outside to catch his breath and made his way to the showers. 

Cory kept telling himself in his mind, I can't look. I just can't. If I do, I know where my eyes are going to wind up. Eyes front mister. He managed to make it to a distant shower head to cool off. He could almost swear the other man was washing his body with his eyes. He fought the urge to turn around, afraid of the awkward moment that would ensue if he was wrong and they caught each other's eyes at the wrong moment. 

The lighter haired man tried to go about showering and cooling off. He wasn't yet done. He was going to hit both rooms a few more times and even access the Jacuzzi. He heard the other shower go off. It was killing him inside not to turn around to see where this man was going. His heart raced, beating recklessly in his chest, pounding in his head. He was short of breath and excited. Finally he went with it, turned around and caught the guy looking at his ass. A steady hush fell upon them. Cory quickly flashed his winning smile, thinking on the spot. "Sure is dead here today, huh?" The other man snapped out of his daydream.

"Yeah, sure is. Has been ever since that damn quake. Kinda nice though. You can get a good workout in and not have to wait for your equipment." The man paused. Of all words to use, he had to choose 'equipment.' He could've said weights, machine, anything but that. He prayed the stranger wouldn't react. Cory wrestled for a smooth response, sensing the other's situation. 

Cory went for the gusto, "Yeah, I never seem to have that problem." His words made no sense. They hung there. The two wet, well-muscled, naked men stood there. Both men felt they'd blown it. It was obvious by now this other man had noticed Cory more than he realized. 

The stranger battled within himself to contain the urge to laugh, but it was in vein. He bit the inside of his inner cheek and just about anything and everything he could think of to keep from busting out in laughter. He stuck out his hand to introduce himself. "Hey, I'm Wyatt." Cory liked the sound of his name and repeated it to himself. Wyatt. 

The young man was quick to keep in tune with the beat. "Nice to meet you Wyatt." He couldn't wait to say his name out loud. It was uncommon to hear such a name. Then the awkward situation came to pass, what to do or say next. If they were going to make this work, they needed to come up with something fast. 

Cory had an idea shoot through his mind, coffee. "Hey, how about we finish up here and go get some coffee?" The idea sounded great and both men went for it easily. He hoped he didn't sound too desperate or pushy. Wyatt agreed quite willingly.