Other People by Adelaide Morgan

I  hear him crawling back in again, another late night. No doubt he was out prowling the streets, looking, searching, wanting, waiting, needing.

He's been like it ever since she left him... he can't cope. He seems to have lost whatever it was that keeps him going. Don't get me wrong, sex is not all that Darren is interested in, he's just using it to fill up the chasm that her love used to fill. At least that's what I hope he is doing

And it hurts.

It hurts me so badly to watch him using his body, to watch him being used, seeing the bruises where some thug has decided to mark him. Another town, another prostitute, One of these days he's going to find himself in a situation that he cannot get himself out of. Someone is going to realise that he's pimping himself on the streets, and take advantage of it. He's going to end up hospitalised, or worse.

And there's nothing I can do about it.

Or is there?

Could I not do something to ease his pain, give him what he needs, and what he doesn't know he needs. It will be a tough decision, a hard move, one that may break our friendship, but he is my best friend, I have to do something to help him.

Decision made, plans laid. Now all I need is the confidence to pull them off.

I wait until the next time he is going to sneak out. I can always tell when the need is upon him because he acts very tightly. Everything he does is in a clipped and short manner. When he is about to leave the hotel room, I stand in the doorway blocking his exit. He tries to push past me many times; his motions getting slowly more frantic as his need increases.

I place a restraining, yet gentle hand on his shoulder. "Let me help you Darren."

He doesn't reply, just blinks, not understanding. I take a deep breath in, before I lean forward and kiss him on the lips. He gasps, and pulls back as realisation dawns.

"Let me give you what you need" I whisper in his ear.

"Daniel, what... You don't have to do this. I... We... Can't do this. No."

I take his hand and pull him to the sofa, where we sit down. "I know I don't have to, but I want to help you. I can give you what you need, and unlike those nameless faceless strangers, I care for you. You're my friend, I don't want to see you getting hurt."

"Oh."

"So will you let me help you?"

"I... " He looks up at me, meeting my eyes, before lowering his eyes. "Please."

I smile at him, before kissing him again, a passionate and lust-filled kiss. This time he responds, his need obvious as he starts fumbling with my jeans. I pull him to his feet and we move to my bedroom. We lay next to each other on the bed, still kissing, hands rubbing at each other, when Darren grabs my shirt and rips it from my body. He rips his T-shirt off, and throws it to the floor beside my bed. He slowly strips, his eyes enticing me, inviting me to touch and taste what he has to offer. I sit up, ignoring my body's response to the man lying naked next to me. I take a few calming breaths before also removing my clothing.

He reaches out one hand to touch my chest, and I jerk back as though burned.

"Daniel...?" He pulls back, sitting up next to me.

I turn my head to the side and look him in the eyes. "I can't do this."

He reaches down and pulls his T-shirt on, a weak smile as he looks back at me. "It's ok. I understand."

"No Darren, you don't." I place a hand on his arm as he gets up to leave. "I can't just pretend this is nothing, that I'm doing this just for you, when that's not all it is. I... I think I'm in love with you Darren, and I just can't do that" I feel my eyes fill with tears. I will not cry in front of Darren, I will not cry damnit.

Darren pales and stares at the floor. "Oh."

Shit, I shouldn't have said anything; he hates me, thinks I'm a freak or something. I run my fingers through my hair. "I'm sorry Darren, I shouldn't have said anything. Look, we'll just forget about it, yeah? Pretend this evening hasn't happened." I'm rambling I know I am, but I can't help it.

"No, I can't do that Daniel." I jerk my head round to look at him. "I can't do that at all because..." he breaks off and kisses me like I have never been kissed before. "Because I love you too. All those nights, I...pretended they were you. That it was you kissing, touching, pleasuring me. Colby... she knew as well. I don't know how because I never told her, but she just knew."

I leaned over and kissed him again, my hands roaming over his back, stroking his skin gently. We spent the night, just lying in each other's arms, revelling in newfound love.

It seems I was right after all. I can help Darren, ease his pain and give him what needs. And he can do the same for me.