The Brothel

♡ Intimacy

Pete is far beyond tired. He's had more clients than usual over the past few days and he's not sure why. But he needed the money so at least his efforts weren't entirely for nothing. Today though, he decides to take a break for a few hours and just relax as much as he can.

He's sitting on his bed hugging his knees to his chest, wearing only his favorite sweater and nothing else, staring at the tiny TV that sat on a dresser across from him. It didn't get very many channels but it helped to pass the time during work hours. He believes it's a game show that he's watching, but it's hard to tell from the fuzziness of the screen and the volume was broken so he couldn't hear anything either. But on the rare days that the channel does happen to come in clear, he just makes up words and conversations to replace the muted sound. That's about all the entertainment Pete had these days, well that and talking to Patrick.

Pete suddenly felt bad when he thought about the young officer and everything he said to him a while back. He's sorry for trying to push Patrick away and wished that he didn't say anything because now he's alone. Maybe that's why Pete accepted so many clients lately, because he was lonely and missing Patrick. Because he felt like shit for telling him off. Because he just wanted to fill a void. He sighs to himself and hugs his knees closer.

He's startled a bit by a knock at his door but doesn't want to get up and answer it. But then he remembers that no one in this place ever knocked, they always barged in. Except Patrick. He pretends that he doesn't feel his heart skip with joy and his belly flutter with butterflies as he quickly gets up and pulls the door open to reveal the man he's been aching for before Patrick steps inside and shuts the door behind him. He's got this determined look on his face and Pete knows he has something that he wants to say, so he waits patiently for Patrick to open his mouth.

"I know you were just trying to do what you thought was best the other day," He finally begins after a few moments, eyes directed at Pete's as he spoke. "But I'm a grown man and I can make my own decisions. I choose to come here, and I do it because I like you... like, a lot. You call yourself a whore and while other people might believe that, I just think it's bullshit. You're a person, okay? A person who deserves to be loved and cared about just like everyone else in this house. So I'm going to keep coming back here to see you whether you like it or not... If that's okay with you."

Pete was a little surprised by Patrick's words, he had no idea he felt so strongly about this. And he's right, Pete just thought he was doing what was best by making Patrick leave, but he never gave him a chance to speak on his own behalf.

Pete simply stared down at his own bare feet while he replayed Patrick's words in his head and thought them over. Patrick comes to the brothel just to see Pete and it gave him a feeling of hope. Maybe something was blossoming here, so he decides that he should just let things happen and see where it goes from there.

"So," Pete says, finally looking up into Patrick's eyes and smiling at him. "You like me, huh?"

Patrick simply nods, his lips pursed and hands resting on his hips. He quickly checks his watch because he's supposed to be back at the station at a certain time. But Pete standing before him in his oversized skeleton sweater and absolutely nothing else was going to make Patrick want to stay and never leave. He tries not to stare at Pete's exposed thighs just so he won't be tempted to touch them.

"I like you, too." Pete takes a few steps closer so he could wrap his arms around the other's neck. "And I would also like for you to kiss me."

There was only a second or two of thought where Patrick decided that he could kiss him before he has to leave. But it wasn't that simple because Pete always had this way of drawing him in and making him want more as the seconds went by. Because he'll always want more until there's nothing left to have.