Self Preservation by Ethan Day

Standing at the kitchen counter, he folded his arms and looked out the window. Davis was supposed to leave that afternoon to go home. He hated the thought. It made him sick with anger. Maybe he wouldn't. Maybe he'd stay. He couldn't ask… He didn't have the right to. He'd pushed him away all those years ago without meaning to, and as much as he desperately wanted Davis to stay, it would have to be his decision, his choice to make.
     
     
     
    Davis opened his eyes and looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings. He grinned, remembering where he was. Feeling the dull ache in his backside, he rolled onto his back and stretched out, letting out a little groan. He sat up, feeling a bit of dizziness, and realized he was probably still a little drunk. He looked around for Jack and heard dishes clattering from the kitchen. He pulled himself up off the floor and walked through the living room and around the corner.
     
    “Good morning,” Davis said, smiling as he looked over Jack's beautiful, tanned, naked body.
     
    “Hey,” Jack said as he glanced up at him for a moment before looking away. It made his chest ache, seeing Davis stand in his kitchen completely naked and thinking he wouldn't be there the next day.
     
    Davis crinkled his forehead as he took another step forward, then stopped. He wanted to go wrap his arms around Jack but felt like maybe Jack didn't want that. He wouldn't even look at him.
     
    “There's Advil on the counter if you need it,” Jack said, pouring two cups of coffee in mismatched mugs and handing one to Davis.
     
    “Thanks,” Davis said, looking at Jack, trying to read his face. “But I think I might still be a little drunk.” Maybe he's not so happy about making love last night? Maybe it was just the rush of performing that made him do it, and not so much the rush of being together?
     
    “Hungry?” Jack asked, placing his hands on the counter.
     
    “I don't know,” Davis said, sitting down on the tiny wood bar stool and wincing a little from the glorious abuse his ass had taken the night before.
     
    Jack turned, leaning back against the cabinets. “So I guess you're leaving this afternoon, huh?”
     
    Davis stared at him. Fuck…he wants me to go . After what they'd shared last night? He didn't understand. “Yeah,” Davis said, closing his eyes. This isn't happening; it can't be. Why is he doing this?
     
    “I'll call you a cab then,” Jack said, reaching for the phone, then punching in the numbers.
     
    Davis got up off the stool and walked around the corner, heading down the hall. He reached down and scooped up his clothes as he went into the bathroom. His eyes began to well up as he dressed. He looked at himself in the mirror and literally willed himself to stop. He wasn't going to cry in front of Jack. He didn't want Jack to know he could still cut him into shreds, and he certainly didn't want to guilt him into saying something he obviously didn't want to.
     
     
     
    Jack stood outside the bathroom door. He bent down and picked up his jeans, then slid them on as he tried to listen through the door. It took everything he had to not break down the door and slam his fists into Davis. He wanted to drag him by the wrists down the hall and tie his ass to the bed, forcing him to stay if necessary. He knew it wouldn't work, but it still took everything he had not to try. Davis opened the door and looked up at Jack. Jack looked over his shirt, remembering he'd torn half the buttons off.
     
    “I'll get you a shirt.” Jack turned toward the bedroom.
     
     
     
    “Don't bother,” Davis said without emotion, turning back toward the living room. If Jack wanted to treat him like a random piece of ass he'd picked up, then he'd fucking walk out looking like one.
     
    Jack followed him back to the living room. Davis turned as he got to the door. He walked over and gave Jack a hug, lightly brushing his lips over Jack's mouth.
     
    “I had a good time,” Davis said, pulling away with