Romancing

Romancing

Posted: February 16, 2007
Title: Romancing
Author: Decadence and Sileya
Fandom: Real Person Fiction
Type: RPS
Characters: Craig/Karl
Rating: R
Disclaimer: We don’t know them, and we don’t claim to. We just like their faces and names.
Beta: Sileya

Summary: Surrounded by sex, Karl just wants romance. Will he find it where he least expects it?

*****

Craig hung the last set of handcuffs on the wall, adjusting them until they were hanging just so. Dusting his hands off, he turned to go back to the counter where Karl was waiting on a customer. Waiting until the fawning woman collected her red bag and stumbled blushingly out of the shop, Craig lifted an eyebrow. “I don’t know that we’d have half the female clientele if you didn’t work here.” He huffed, blowing a segment of pink marabou from the trimmed handcuffs off his upper lip.

The taller man sat back on the stool behind the counter and went back to checking the stacks of rental DVDs. “Well, I could say the same about a large chunk of the male clientele. Your idea to expand into gay male DVDs has made the store a ton of money,” Karl commented, scanning DVDs into the computer.

“You do realize I suggested it so I could screen the videos first, don’t you?” Craig reached across, straightening the display of cock jewelry behind the counter. Picking up a particularly twisty, snaky bit of decoration, he winced at where the tail was supposed to go. “Have we sold any of these yet?”

Karl glanced up and shook his head. “Not that I know of. The new rings are a lot more popular - especially the leather ones with the snaps,” he said. He started loading the DVDs into a basket. “Hey, did Angie get that nightie she wanted? I put it back for her.”

Craig rolled his eyes. “The white one with the obscene cutouts on the breasts? Yes - unfortunately. I don’t know why she chose that one. She would have been much better in black.” Glimpsing a DVD case, Craig picked it up. “I don’t remember this one - did you order it?”

The dark-haired man stopped to look, and his cheeks pinkened a little. “Yeah. I thought it might go over, maybe with some of the ladies who come in,” he said before he darted around the corner and back into the video section. It wasn’t just a porn video - it was a gay male romance. The box said it had a plot and everything.

Glancing around the shop and seeing it blissfully empty for once, Craig cornered Karl in the video section. “And has it done well?” He grabbed the case again, reading the back. “Sounds rather...sweet.” He knew he looked confused.

“Yeah, actually. Three rentals this week, four last week,” Karl said casually as he slid DVDs onto the racks. “Ian said I could order more a few at a time. Seems like the men like the porn, the ladies like the romance.” He kept his eyes studiously front and center. Karl wasn’t going to mention that he happened to like romance, too. A lot. Fuckin’ hysterical when you considered he worked full time in a sex shop.

Noticing Karl’s refusal to meet his eyes, Craig wondered which Karl would prefer. He knew the women loved Karl, but in all the years they’d worked together, he’d never heard Karl mention a date, much less a relationship. “What’s your story?” he asked, voice gentle as he waited for the answer.

Karl looked up in surprise. “Story? About ordering the new DVDs?” he asked, deliberately playing dumb.

Deciding to push it a bit, Craig lowered his voice, leaning closer. “What do you like?” he asked in a breathy voice.

Surprised, Karl flushed deeply - something he’d not done in this store for over a year. But then, no one had asked him anything directly like that in over a year, either. And now Craig...he swallowed. Did Craig want to have sex with him? Part of Karl winced and felt disappointment. He’d been hoping...well... “Um. I like the new videos,” he said, ducking his head.

Nodding, Craig straightened, moving away slowly. “Nothing wrong with liking romance. I bet that you sweep the girls off their feet.”

Swallowing, Karl looked up, feeling awfully nervous. Hell. He worked in a sex shop called Your Coming Dreams. He could talk about sex like a pro with customers. But that was never about himself. “I don’t date...girls,” he said, trying for casual again as he focused on straightening the DVD rack. “Although,” he continued, starting to chatter nervously, “They do seem to be more interested in romance. Hearts and flowers, chocolates, stuffed animals, romantic dinners, walks on the beach…”

“And you like all that stuff, too?” Craig’s tone was sincerely curious.

Karl’s shoulder edged up in a slight shrug. He’d been teased about it forever, it seemed, when he played soccer in college, when he worked as a server in a big restaurant, when he and his friends got together. He hoped against hope Craig wouldn’t tease him, too.

“That’s cool,” Craig smiled, already formulating his plan for the next day.

~*~*~

Sneaking into the store early, Craig placed a bouquet of roses on the front desk. He carefully placed a card in the midst of the fragrant flowers. It said, ‘Beautiful flowers for the most beautiful bloom in the world - see how they blush in envy of you?’

He then left the store, waiting at a nearby cafe until after he watched Karl unlock the boutique.

Whistling quietly to himself, after opening the shop Karl shrugged off his jacket. He walked over to the counter to drop the mail and stopped still.

Roses. There were roses - a bunch of roses - on the counter. He smiled and leaned over to smell deeply. He looked at the card and sighed. Craig must have a boyfriend, he thought sadly. And Mark must have arranged to have the flowers left, since he’s worked the late shift. Giving the flowers a longing glance, he headed back to the office to turn on the lights.

Heading into the shop a few moments later, Craig noticed that Karl was nowhere to be found. Settling behind the counter, he sipped at his coffee as he pretended to flip the card over, writing Karl’s name neatly on front.

“Hey Karl? Who’re the roses from?”

“Don’t know,” Karl called back from the office where he was counting out the day’s money. “Somebody must have left them with Mark last night. I figured they were for you.”

“Your name’s on the card,” Craig returned, biting his lip as he heard Karl rise from the squeaky chair in back.

Karl stuck his head out of the office door. He knew his eyes were wide. He really wanted to run out there and look, but he couldn’t leave the money. “You’re pulling my leg,” he said faintly.

Picking up the bouquet and the card, Craig carried them back, passing them into Karl’s hands. “They’re for you.” His voice was soft, inviting.

The younger man just stared at the roses, emotions clearly written on his face. Disbelief, amazement, happiness...and even a twinge of sadness.

Seeing each of the emotions flit across the expressive face of the younger man, Craig visibly deflated. “What’s wrong?”

“I’ve never gotten flowers before,” Karl murmured, reaching to touch one of the soft petals. “I’ve no idea who would send them.”

“Someone who cares a lot about you, I would think,” Craig smiled softly, fingers itching to caress Karl’s face in the same way the other man’s touched the roses.

Karl looked stymied as he read the card over and over. “Says I’m a beautiful bloom,” he murmured.

“You sound doubtful of that,” Craig murmured. “Surely you realize how handsome you are.”

Eyes getting big, Karl stared at Craig, clutching the flowers to his chest. Could it have been...? “You think so?” he asked. “I know women have always said that, but I have no way of knowing what another man...”

“I think you’re gorgeous,” Craig blushed before turning away, afraid to let too much of his feelings show too soon.

Karl leaned his head against the door and watched Craig walk back to the counter, a bemused smile on his face, before he moved back to the desk. He carefully set the bouquet down, admiring it. He read the card again and sighed. If only it were Craig. He’d admired the other man from afar for some time now, but with a seemingly never-ending train of boyfriends, Craig had never seemed to notice him.

“Be happy, Karl, someone thinks a lot of you. Who knows what will happen before Valentine’s Day?” Craig suggested from across the room, raising his voice enough to be heard. “Maybe you’ll get all of your wishes.”

Wishes. What wishes did Karl have? He sat down and stared at the magazine of DVDs he could order, but he didn’t see it. He was thinking about wishes. And Craig.

Waiting until Karl left for the evening, Craig pulled the box of chocolates from his bag and placed it on the counter. The attached note clearly read, “For Karl - sweets for the sweetest man I’ve ever had the joy to meet. I want to get to know your mysteries, the myriad of tastes you have - like this box of chocolates.”

Worrying it was too corny, he paid Mark five bucks to keep his secret.

The next morning, Karl was still bemused over his roses. Although he’d left the bouquet at work to admire, he had taken three roses home with him...he’d never admit he’d laid them on the pillow next to his and stared at them, stroking the soft petals, until he fell asleep. Sighing, he unlocked the store, following his routine with the mail. He stopped dead still at the counter...

A box. A gold, rectangular box with red ribbons, bearing the insignia of some of the finest chocolates to be had. And a note attached - with his name very clear at the top. His jaw dropped.

Craig waltzed into the shop just them, humming and pretending not to pay attention as he bumped right into Karl. “Hey you. Why aren’t you already back there?” He nodded toward the office, referring to Karl’s morning routine of counting cash.

Karl still stood at the counter staring. He just raised a hand and pointed.

Following Karl’s pointing finger, Craig turned to see a familiar box of chocolates. He picked it up, turning it over. “Ooo...an assortment? Who do I have to kiss to get something like this? Here it is - one day before Valentine’s Day, and I have yet to receive a single gift.” He pretended to rant. “Instead, I’m assisting gay men with picking out purple dildos and tingly lube and being forced to picture women in lingerie. Do you have ANY idea what that does to a gay man’s libido, Karl? DO you?”

Just staring at him, Karl was speechless. He accepted the box when Craig held it out to him and looked at it, dazed. Then he turned and walked back to the office without saying a word, even bumping into the door before he could get it open. Chocolates. One of the most romantic things you can give, Karl thought.

“Well - that went well,” Craig muttered, slumping on the stool behind the counter. He gave his coffee a half-hearted swirl before giving up and leaning on an elbow. He glanced around the shop, wondering if there was something in the shop that could be considered romantic.

The fur-lined cuffs? No - too kinky.

Sex dice? Definitely too forward.

Even the stuffed animals had unnecessary appendages. He sighed deeply.

Truly excited once the shock wore off, Karl gathered the candy box and the money tray and went back to the counter. “Hey, you can help me with these,” he said as he slid the drawer into the register and closed it. He pulled off the red ribbon as he perched on the stool and opened the box of candy.

“Awww,” Craig cooed, taking a chocolate and biting into it. “You gave me Valentine’s chocolate. Whatever would your admirer think?”

Karl chuckled. “That’s I’m worried about my girlish figure, maybe?” He shook his head. “Nah. Just wanted to share.” He watched Craig’s face as he ate a piece, too. “So...have you got a sweetie for V Day?” he asked casually.

Craig snorted impolitely. “Do you see me getting flowers and chocolate? If I did have a sweetie, and he treated me like that, he’d be long gone by now.”

A delicate frown pinched Karl’s face. “You wouldn’t want to get flowers and chocolate?” he asked sadly. He’d almost convinced himself it was Craig sending him the presents...but apparently not.

“No no no - you misunderstood,” Craig tried to clarify. “I’m not getting flowers and chocolate on the days leading up to Valentine’s Day. If I had a sweetie, and he wasn’t sending me flowers and chocolate, I guess I’d kick him to the curb.” He glanced at Karl’s bouquet on the counter, the ones he’d chosen one by one from the florist’s display. “I’ve never been treated the way you’re being treated. I hope it makes you feel special.”

“It does,” Karl murmured, offering Craig another chocolate.

Craig passed on the chocolate. “I’m glad. You’re a sweet man, Karl. You deserve to feel special.” He opened his mouth to say more, but closed it at the last moment, stepping past Karl to go restock the condoms.

Karl watched him speculatively, the rich, smooth chocolate thick on his tongue. He sat back, twisting on the stool, and tapped his finger on the box, deep in thought.

~*~*~

Craig had searched high and low over the shelves of several local stores that night, the pickings before Valentine’s Day growing slim as tomorrow was Valentine’s Day, but in the end he’d found a huge plush dog - black and white and pug-nosed. For some reason, it shouted ‘Karl’ to him. Not that Karl looked puggish - just that it was warm and huggable and adorable, just like Karl.

He snuck into the shop early on Valentine’s Day, placing the dog, along with a card on the counter. Karl’s name was written in elegant script, thanks to Craig’s neighbor, across the front of the card. Inside, the card was full of glitter and confetti hearts. The sentiment “My heart flutters when I’m with you” was scrawled across the inside of the card.

Locking the door back behind himself, he once more made his way to the cafe to wait for Karl to show up.

Karl was all nerves as he walked to the shop. He wondered if there’d be another present. He wondered if his suspicion was right. He hoped so. He really did. Biting his lip, he unlocked the shop and walked in, stopping immediately. You couldn’t miss the large black mass on the counter. Karl walked over and switched on the lights, and his jaw dropped.

Craig waited until the lights had been on for several moments before he wandered into the shop with his customary cup of coffee. “Happy Valentine’s Day,” he greeted Karl as he placed his cup on the counter. “Another gift?” he questioned, moving to straighten the display of cupid costumes with scented arrows.

“Yeah,” Karl said, watching Craig move around. He pulled the card open and smiled at what was written inside. “Think I’ll find out who it is tonight?” he asked.

Craig shrugged, not willing to give away his charade just yet. “Maybe you will. Valentine’s Day is full of magic for lovers,” he grinned, before screwing his face up in a thoughtful expression. “Or at least that’s what Hallmark says.”

Karl tilted his head. “So, the shop closes at noon. What will you do the rest of the day?”

Another shrug. “Go home - water the plants - watch sappy movies.”

Nodding, Karl bit his lip. “Well...you’re not going out after work or anything? Just going home?”

“And be faced with the inevitable rush of couples everywhere I might go? Watching them make out at the movies? Seeing them feed each other in any restaurant?” Craig’s laugh was ironic. “No - I prefer my Lean Cuisine and DVD collection.”

Karl felt his heart sinking. He’d almost talked himself into asking Craig if he was the one giving him the presents and then inviting him to dinner out to see what happened. But now... “Oh,” he murmured.

Craig pulled an envelope out of his back pocket, handing it to Karl. “But this was taped to the front door as I came in.” He knew the words inside the note by heart: “Meet me at the Pier at 7:00,” it read.

“Taped to the door? But I came in...” just before you did, Karl thought as he pulled open the letter. “Meet me at the Pier at 7:00,” he said aloud.

“Seems like your admirer was lurking around. Maybe I even saw him at the cafe!” Craig hedged. “But at least you have a date for tonight.”

Karl bit his lip, too shy to admit that he hoped it was Craig. “Yeah,” he said quietly. He tucked the card back in the envelope, lifted the dog in both arms and headed back to the office.

“You never know,” Craig called out after Karl. “Could be the man or woman of your dreams...” He was distracted from hearing Karl’s reply as the bell over the door dinged, announcing a customer.

~*~*~

Nervous, Karl turned the corner to stop in front of The Patio. He looked at his watch - 5 ’til 7. He couldn’t believe he was doing this. He’d wavered all afternoon - should he go? If he went, and it wasn’t Craig, what would he do? If he went and it WAS Craig, what would he do? He shifted his weight anxiously, biting his lip.

Watching from the shadows beneath an awning, Craig tugged at his white shirt, wondering if the jeans and sandals were entirely too casual for what he had planned for the evening. He was nervous beyond belief, having realized over the course of the last few days that he really did want Karl, and for more than just a quick tryst.

Karl stopped near him, glancing around nervously. Taking a deep breath, Craig stepped out of his hiding spot.

Still unsure, Karl just happened to look up - and he stopped stock still in place. It was Craig. Craig. He was here...it WAS Craig. After that long moment of shock, Karl broke into a huge, happy grin.

Shoving his hands deep into his pockets, Craig glanced up shyly at Karl. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Karl couldn’t stop beaming - and he didn’t want to. “It was you,” he said, not making it a question.

“Guilty as charged,” Craig smiled. “Surprised?”

Swallowing, Karl nodded. “I wanted it to be you,” he admitted.

Craig beamed. “Do we eat first and walk on the beach later? Or would you prefer a picnic on the beach?” He nodded to a grinning waitress nearby who was holding a picnic basket, he added, “I tried to be prepared.”

“I think a picnic would be great,” Karl managed to say. Romantic. They’d talked about romance...his pulse sped.

The blond nodded, taking the basket and unsure whether to reach for Karl’s hand or not. As they went down the steps, stopping at the bottom, Craig kicked his sandals off. “You’re a bit overdressed,” he chuckled, motioning to Karl’s shoes. “Take them off...” Setting the basket in the sand, he knelt down, helping to roll Karl’s trousers so they’d stay dry.

Holding back a laugh, Karl kicked off his shoes as Craig rolled up his pants legs. “Thanks,” he murmured, looking down at the dark head. As Craig made to straighten, he offered his hand to steady him.

Taking the offered hand, Craig’s fingers closed over Karl’s as he rose. Finding his feet once more, he looked up at the taller man, his face flushing as his skin tingled. “Thanks,” he whispered, parroting Karl’s words.

Smiling, Karl studied Craig’s face thoughtfully. “We’ve been friends a while, right?” he asked quietly.

“For as long as we’ve known each other,” Craig answered after a moment. “We clicked straight away.” He smiled at the memories of them being close.

“Yeah,” Karl agreed, slowly reaching out to settle his hands at Craig’s waist. “So you wanna see if we click a little more?” he asked, leaning down with the plan to steal a kiss.

Tilting his head, Craig met him halfway. The sweet, soft caress of Karl’s lips against his made him exhale shakily.

Karl sighed against Craig’s lips. Exactly what he wanted, gentle and feeling, unlike what he could get from most men or even some women. He heard Craig’s shaky breath and smiled. “How about that picnic?”

This time, when they walked, their fingers were loosely clasped as they made their way down the beach.

*****

THE END

If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Decadence