Right Hand On My Heart

I've Got To Break Free

Kirk lays in bed for another ten minutes after Dave has left before he feels compelled to roll off the mattress. He drags himself to the bathroom and looks at his reflection in the mirror. He's got vague circles under his eyes, his hair's a mess, and he feels slightly sore from last night. Not to mention his skin feels tacky to the touch. After a few moments of studying himself in the mirror, Kirk pulls off his underwear and clambers into the shower to rinse away the previous night.

As he's washing himself off Kirk kicks himself for not taking a shower with Dave. He could've spent a little more time with him, no matter how brief it might have been. He misses Dave already even though he's just left, but it's the thought of Dave not returning that haunts Kirk more than anything. Kirk never used to worry about such things, but Dave's been changing over the past few months and it's starting to weigh down on him. His thoughts plague him as he reflects quietly under the warm stream.

They were happy before, right? Kirk didn't just imagine that in his head? What the hell happened to them? Why was Dave acting weird now after all this time?

He tries not to think about it as he finishes cleaning up and towels himself down. He dries his hair and puts on a fresh outfit before snatching up his phone and heading downstairs. Kirk goes through the motions like any other day: making coffee despite the fact that it makes his stomach ache, grabbing a quick snack, and plopping down on the couch in the living room. He flips the tv on and switches it to a random channel, using it as background noise as he fiddles around on his phone.

Not too surprising that he's got a few notifications. Mostly spam for his email, an update on one of his apps, and a text from his mother. Kirk can't help but feel like a loser as he wonders what happened to his social life. He used to have one, but he hasn't seen or talked to any of his old friends he worked with once upon a time. It's been months since he's seen Jason and Junior, not to mention Cliff, but he figures it's all because of Dave.

It's not like Dave kept him locked away for the past three months (only just recently, actually) but the stress of not knowing what's going on has left Kirk in a depression of sorts. He hasn't wanted to visit or talk to anyone, and now that Dave is being cryptic and withholding important shit from him, Kirk feels the need to vent to anyone that'll listen. He was good friends with the other dancers at the club, Junior possibly being his best friend, but they haven't spoke in such a long time.

Kirk can't stand being cooped up in this house for however long Dave intends to do so. He needs to get out, if only for a little while. He knows Dave will be upset if he finds out he snuck out, but he isn't giving Kirk much of a choice is he? He doesn't dwell on it or overthink it and sends Junior a text. Gonna stop by the club. Seeya soon! He hits send and is out the front door before he even gets a reply back.

Can't wait! Is Junior's response as Kirk waits for his Uber to arrive.

The drive itself takes about fifteen minutes before Kirk gets to his destination. He pays the driver and makes his way to the establishment. He hasn't been here in so long that it feels weird to step through the front door and be greeted by the the cool dim atmosphere painted in iridescent neons. Nothing's really changed in the past couple of months, which shouldn't be all that surprising to be honest. Maybe a few new faces, but generally still the same.

"Kirk, what are you doing here?"

He turns around and is greeted by Marty who is regarding him with a curious gaze.

"I just stopped by to see how everyone was doing," Kirk says, giving Marty a brief smile. "I've been away for so long."

Marty's eyes flick up and down Kirk like he's trying to inspect every aspect of the brunette. There's a lingering in the way Marty looks at him, much in the same vein men looked at him when he used to dance here. It doesn't make Kirk feel uncomfortable though. He got familiar with people staring at him like that. Besides this was Marty. He felt about as comfortable around Marty as he does with Dave.