Gunner Doesn't Watch Gay Porn

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Duncan sat in Flaming Joe's, drinking a glass of water and glancing around the bar. It was still ten minutes to eight, but he was excited; he hadn't been on a proper date in a while.

Gunner hadn't had time to talk to Maggie, but he swore, when he did...

He sighed, walking into the bar. He wore the awkward clothes Maggie had forced him to buy for dates a while ago.

He sat next to Duncan.

"...hi," he said quietly, taking off his hat.

"I like your shirt," said Duncan, smiling. "Pink looks good on you. Let me buy you a drink."

"I don't drink on dates!" he exclaimed, fiddling with his hat. "Really, I...I'd rather not."

"What, you just wanna see me get drunk?" he teased. "I'm a doctor, I should know better."

"No!" he replied, frowning. "I just...I don't like drinking in front of people."

Gunner didn't like how this was going already.

"Well, I'm not going to lie--if you'll allow it, I'd like to do things more intimate than drinking in front of each other. I mean sex, so we're clear. But if you're not a first date kind of guy, that's fine."

Gunner stared at him. How could he be so blunt? How? What gave him the courage? He couldn't stop staring in disbelief.

"...I...don't...I mean, when I..." he swallowed awkwardly. "It's just, I...don't...usually date. People. Men, I mean. It's not usually...a date, I just sort of..."

Gunner just stopped.

"...never mind, I'll have whiskey."

"One whiskey on the rocks, please," he said, smiling at the bartender.

"So, you normally just sleep with men? Don't even date them? That's fine. I was kind of hoping to finish this date, though--I want to get to know you."

"No, this is a real date, I get that, but..." he frowned. "...it's been a while since my last date. I don't...date. Usually. At all."

"Oh? So I'm special?" He chuckled and kissed Gunner's hand.

Gunner felt his face turn very red.

"Uhh, well, ya see...y-yeah, maybe..."

"Well, I'm glad--Gunner, was it? I find you attractive too. Very attractive, actually, I'm not going to lie." He sipped his martini. "I thought Maggie was exaggerating, but she undersold you."

Gunner snuck a disbelieving look at him. He must have been mocking him...wasn't he? He knew he wasn't attractive. Of course, this must have just been a 'first date' sort of thing. He was only complimenting him because he wanted to get laid.

Gunner took a big gulp of his whiskey. He felt better.

"Your eyes, are...do you wear contacts?"

"Hmm? No, my eyes are pretty good--oh." He laughed, taking the opportunity to scoot closer. "No, I'm mixed. Dad is white. Why do you think I was talking to Maggie about you?"

"What do you mean?" Gunner asked, suddenly acutely aware of his own racial identity.

"...She didn't tell you we're cousins?" he asked, frowning.

"No, I...well, Maggie..." he rubbed the back of his neck. "She did, but I guess...I'm kind of used to Maggie stretching the truth a little bit to get me to...go out with men."

He laughed.

"Really? Am I not your preference? I'm sorry, I didn't know."

"I don't have a preference, or anything, it's just...I didn't think you were really her cousin, but I guess that was kind of stupid of me," he admitted, sipping his whiskey. "In any case...I don't really care, so much, who I date, or whatever...it just doesn't usually last."

"Really? I like long-term relationships. But if you don't, that's okay too." He placed his hand over Gunner's.

"I've never had a long-term relationship," Gunner replied. He felt a pang in his chest. "...that wasn't one-sided," he added, feeling sick to his stomach at the thought.

He squeezed his hand.

"It's okay, man--I understand. I like you, though, just so you know. You're cute...you don't really act like most city guys, but i think I prefer it. You're easier to read."

"Easy to read?" he grumbled, feeling slightly offended. "So? I...what does that even mean?"

He chuckled.

"It means you have an honest face--you don't really hide what you're thinking. I appreciate it."