Only One Time

What Dennis Remembers

There was one time a long time ago that Dennis only remembers fleetingly now. He wasn't even completely sure it wasn't something out of a dream. His mind took him there a lot for some reason. He hoped it wasn't real.

After a long and solemn night, pretending to do his job, Dennis shook a final few coins from the tip jar. The bar was even quieter than usual without Charlie around. And Dee had tricked another man into going on a date with her. The air felt so still and time felt long. The door swung open.

"Finally Charlie, what took so-"

Dennis was surprised to see not Charlie, but Mac standing at the door.

"Hey Den."
"Oh hey. Where have you been all night?"

Mac made his way over to the bar, Dennis almost couldn't tell that he was tipsy. But he knew that Mac only called him "Den" when he had been drinking.

"Charlie sent me to tell you that he's not coming back to the bar tonight. I'll help you lock up instead."

Of course these two couldn't be left to complete a task together without the assistance of alcohol. After a few too many, they locked up the bar and headed home.

The pair stumbled down the hall, holding on to each other for balance, and just for the sake of holding one another. Dennis struggled to get the key in the door, but eventually they were in. Mac zeroed in on the couch and flopped down heavily.

"Are you going to sleep there?" said Dennis.
"I was hoping I could sleep in your bed."
"What? Like, really?"
"No. Or like if you want to..."

Dennis gave Mac a confused look. Then he shrugged and made his way to his bedroom.
Mac got up and followed close behind. They stood at the end of Dennis' bed facing each other.

"Well, what now, Mac?"
"Sleepover?"
"Wh- are you twelve?" Dennis said, laughing softly.

Dennis fiddled with his belt, beginning to take it off.

"Oh you're going to sleep in your underwear?"
"Hey it's my bed man, you don't have to sleep here."
"No... I don't mind."

Mac began to take off his clothes as well, it seemed more appropriate. For a moment they just stood, barely dressed, and looked at each other.

"Uhh... ok I'm going to bed"

When they got into bed, there was a strange tension. It felt awkward that their bodies could touch at any moment. But then it just felt warm. They stared at the ceiling, drunkenly.

"Dennis?"
"Yeah, what?"
"This might be a stupid question but like... would you ever have sex with another dude?"
"...Why are you asking me that question?"
"Uh, I didn't mean it like that."

Dennis turned to face Mac. They locked eyes and Mac looked like he wanted to say something. Dennis felt his heart pounding, he didn't know why he felt so nervous.

"I meant.. do you think it's wrong to be... gay or whatever?"
"Uh- um.."
"Sorry I shouldn't have asked that, that was weird."

Dennis felt his face going red, it was too dark for Mac to realise though. So many thoughts were racing through his head, but one of them was louder than the rest. And Dennis gave in. He leaned in to Mac...

After that the memory was blurry but Dennis was pretty sure of what happened. He hoped it was real.