I must stress this is a work of fiction. Any similarities is strictly coincidental. All rights to this story belongs to the author. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. This is intended for a mature audience. If you are under 18 (or 21 in some areas), please press "Back" now on your web browser. If you don't like the idea of two college guys falling in love, please go away. Thanks. And now...

Dan, The Man, Part II
"The Reaction"
By Joey E

After Dan had left, I suddenly remembered what had happened today in the parking lot. I cringed as I walked up the stairs, also noting that I wasn't as drunk as I was earlier. It wore off.

"Hey, Ro," I said to him, sitting on the couch watching TV. Just to clarify, yes, both Kev and Roland are my roommates in our apartment. Ro and I share a room, Kev is in the second room with my other roommate, Tim.

"Hey, Joe. Get some cock tonight?" he asked.

I knew he wasn't putting me down, I was used to that from all of them. He was simply asking me a question, very....well...bluntly!

I grinned, and nodded my head. And then I added, "It was the best sex I've ever had!"

He grinned at me, and I went into my room. I tried to study, really, tried, but nothing happened. I couldn't get those horrible thoughts out of my mind. My friends saw me kissing a guy. The radio station probably knew. Everyone probably knew. I did my best to block it out, but it was a long time before I could fall asleep.

I woke up the next morning, feeling tired, almost killing the poor alarm clock. I had to be in at work at 9. I was a Student Worker tech in the Telecommunication department at the university. Had been since I was a freshmen. It was great work, I loved it and the pay wasn't bad either. So I somehow managed to get up, eat breakfast, take a shower, and head out the door without thinking at all.  On my way to work, however, I recalled what happened the previous afternoon.  I wanted to dig a whole and hide there all day, all year....I didn't know how to face it.

But I knew that I had to face it now, or else it would be harder to the more I put it off. And the first person I saw at the office, was one of the people that was standing outside yesterday. I turned 8 shades of red when I saw his face appear at the counter.

"Can I, uh, help you?" I asked, hesitantly.

"Hey, Joe, how's it going?" he asked.

"Good, I guess, haven't really woke up yet."

"I'm here to pay my phone bill," he said. Throughout the entire conversation, he never acted if anything was wrong. And then before he left, he dropped the bombshell.

"Oh, and by the way, nice kiss out there in the parking lot," he said, grinning as I handed his receipt.

I gave him this shocked look and froze.

"Don't worry, bud, I don't care. It was a surprise to me, though. I'll see you later," he said walking out the door.

I unfroze and told someone to cover for me while I chased him out the door.

"Neil!" I yelled, running after him. He turned around and stopped. I caught up to him.

"So you saw it?" I asked, embarrassed.

"Yeah, and so did Amanda, Kris, George, and Kara." (People in my TV class).

"Holy shit!" I muttered, looking up at the sky.

"Yeah, they were kind of shocked, as I. But listen, man, I like I said before, it's totally cool. I have a gay brother, if you must know. I'm cool with it."

Woah. Neil just said his brother was gay. Now let me explain Neil to you, he's quite a hottie himself. About six foot, all muscle, short brown hair, green eyes, and a baby face to top it all off. I was silent for a few seconds, and then smiled.

"So, how old is your brother?" I asked, laughing.

"Nineteen, why?"

"Nothin," I said, grinning.

"No, Joe, you can't have him," he said, catching on to what I was getting at.

"That's okay. I have Dan," I said, and then putting my foot in my mouth. I couldn't believe I said that to him.

"Hey, Joe, remember, it's cool! If you need any support, or anyone to talk to, I'm hear for you, bro."

"Thanks, Neil. I really appreciate it, man," I said.

"No prob, I'll talk to you later," he said, turning around.

"Yeah," I yelled out to him, walking my direction as well. "Wish us luck!"

He turned around, smiled, and said, "Be brave, buddy. Tell Dan what I said, too."

I said, "I will, man!" With that, I walked back in the office, only to be greeted by one of my supervisors giving me a confused look.

"I'm sorry, Donna. It was personal," I said, sitting back in my chair. After that, I didn't see anyone that was there the rest of the morning.  I had one class that afternoon and I didn't really look forward to going to that one.  It took me enough strength to just get to work.

Oh, yeah, I did see one person that was there that afternoon. Someone who had a cute, sweet face, with curly brown hair, blue eyes, hot ass....I think you know who I mean.

"Hey, Joe," he said, standing in front of the counter.

I was looking at the monitor, putting in payments we had received through the mail. Without even looking up, I said, "Yeah, can I help you?"

"Sure can!"

And without even looking up, I knew right then who it was. I immediately stood up, looked at his face, and just smiled. Damn he was cute. He was smiling too.

"What can I do for you?" I asked, playing with him as a customer/employee situation.

"Well, I seem to have this problem with my phone."

"And?"

"Well, it doesn't seem to be working right. I was wondering if you could examine it," he said.

I controlled the urge to laugh, and said, " Well, what is wrong with it?"

"It just doesn't work right."

"I see, well, sir. If you don't tell me why it doesn't work right, then I can't help you."

"Oh forget it," he said, as he walked out, acting in frustration.

Donna looked up from her desk and I looked back at her. She had this confused look on her face that turned to concern.

"Joe, get him back," she said. "You should've been more patience with him."

"What did I do wrong?" I asked, seeing in the corner of my eye my man return.

He was laughing, which made my boss look at him in even a more confused look.

"Sorry, didn't meant to cause any trouble," he said. "I was just giving him a hard time."

"Oh, okay. Well in that case, give it to him more! He needs it," Donna said, laughing.

Donna and I have been real close, ever since I started working in the office four years ago. Over that time, we've grown closer and closer, and me being very good friends with her daughter has helped, too. I told her about me about a year ago. She was like a second mother to me, and thought of me as her second child, as well.

"Don't worry, we have class together, so I'll have plenty of opportunities," he said, still laughing.

"All right, enough already," I said, interrupting the pick-on-Joe session.

Dan looked at me seriously. He said, "I just stopped by to visit, man. Just wanted to see where you worked," he said, smiling.

I melted immediately, and grinned. "Thanks, man. How are you? Run into any people we saw yesterday?" I asked, with a concerned tone in my voice.

"Nope, I have my first class at 12:30 today," he said.

"Lucky bastard," I said, softly. I then looked down at my watch. "Well, it's almost time for me to leave. Where's your class at?"

"The communications building, naturally," he said.

"Cool, I'll walk with you there, if you don't mind," I said. "Donna, could I leave a few minutes early?"

"Yeah, Joe. But talk to me later," she said, with a look in her eye that she knew what was going on.

"Thanks," I answered, grabbing my books. We headed out the door.  We walked in silence for a few seconds.

"Joe, I'm really scared, man. I mean, I never really faced this part before. You know only my best bud knows. I wasn't prepared to deal with this all at once." he said, with pain in his voice.

"I know, Dan. I wasn't ready for this either. Although I have come out to a lot more people than you have, I wasn't ready for the world to know," I said, looking him. I then told him what Neil had told me earlier. His face brightened a little.

"Well, at least, one had a positive response," he said.

"Yeah, I know. Well, we'll almost there," I said as we walked closer and closer to our doom.

"Don't worry, Dan. Be brave," I said, wanting to hold him for support as we walked through the door to the building.

"I'm trying, man."

We both walked into the lobby, where there were sofas and seats that people could sit in and study or do whatever, and there were people sitting there as usual. I recognized one face that was there yesterday, and was scared shiftless as he came toward us. He got real close to us, turned to his group of friends, and pointed his finger at us.

"These two faggots were kissing in the parking lot," he said.

"Kris," Dan said, with an angry expression on his face. "Get out of my way."

I was so embarrassed. I knew most of the people in the lobby and was just had my reputation shot out from under me with no support whatsoever. Luckily, someone jumped up.

"What are you talking about Kris?" she asked.

"These two guys were making out in the fuckin' parking lot, Karen. I swear."

"What?" she screamed. "Joe and Dan? I don't believe it."

"Believe it, babe," he snarled.

Fuck, shit, fuck, what am I supposed to do? Funny, I didn't feel that bad for myself.  I knew I would be able to get by, but what about Dan? I looked into his eyes, and tried to convey that I was thinking about him, worrying about him. I got the same look from him.

They kept arguing. We just walked away.

"Dan, I'm really worried about you, man. Why the hell did we do that shit?" I asked.

"Because we are stupid, but we're also human," he said, as we were talking down the hall. "I'm worried about you, Joe. I mean, you're Joe the Man, but let's face it. You're 5'4", and 115lbs. I don't want to see my babe get hurt," he said, putting his hand on my shoulder.

"Don't worry about me, man. I've got my back covered."

"Hey Joe and Dan," said a voice from behind us. We both turned around. To our relief it was Neil. But he had someone with him.

"Hey, Neil," Dan said, with a sad tone in his voice. "What's up?"

"Not much, I trust Joe told you what I said," Neil said.

"Yeah, he did, and thanks for the support," Dan said.

"No problem."

"Actually, Dan and I already ran in to trouble this afternoon with Kris," I said.

"Yeah, I sort of heard it coming down the other hall. He's an asshole."

"Yeah, well, assholes like that are going to be the cause of this getting all across campus," I said.

"I know, man. I know," Neil said, shaking his head in agreement.

Finally, the person behind Neil made herself known. "So, that's the reason why you didn't want to go to dinner with me," we heard.

"Amanda!" I exclaimed.

"That's me!" she said, jumping in the middle of us.

We all laughed. "I want you guys to know that I saw that heavy kiss in your car yesterday. And I have to say, I was quite impressed!" she said, smiling.

That was typical Amanda. Always making people smile. I kissed her on the cheek, and said softly, "Thanks." Dan did the same.

"Hey, you know what? I admire you guys even more now. Don't care what other people think, guys. Do it your way!" she continued.

"Thanks!" I said.

"Well, now that we know, how about we all go out to dinner after class tomorrow," she suggested.

We all laughed. "Sure," we all said.

We all parted, I went my way, back to my apartment (luckily avoiding anyone who was there), Dan went to his film class, and I'm not sure where Amanda and Neil went off to.

I started walking out of the building when another kid from the radio station came up to me. He wasn't a close friend, but he was definitely a friend of mine.

"Kris told me he saw you hooking up with another guy," he said, in a derogatory way.

"Yeah, what about it?" I asked, not trying to deny it anymore.

"Joe, that's so sick. How could you do that man? It's just wrong!  I can't believe that all this time you were a faggot and I didn't know it!" he exclaimed.

I just sunk lower and lower, and lowered my eyes to the ground, I couldn't look at him anymore.

"Yeah, that's right. All you faggots should die, isn't that what AIDS was for?" he asked.

I looked up at him when he said that.

"Fuck you, Brian!" I yelled, with tears in my eyes. "FUCK YOU!"

With that, Amanda and yet another friend of ours, Miles, a tall, big blonde came quickly to my side.

Brian still had that look in his eyes of evil and said,"Hey Amanda, did you hear? Joe's a fuckin' cocksucker?"

"Shut up, Brian," she said, putting her arm around me.

"So, then it's true, Joe?" Miles asked. "I heard it going around, but I couldn't believe it."

I nodded my head to him, sadly.

"It's not that bad," Miles said. "I'm cool with it. Nothin' wrong with it. Two guys in my frat are gay and they're engaged now!"

I lightened up on that comment. "Really?" I asked.

"Sure!"

"Aw, fuck, man, Miles, taking sides with a fuckin' queer," Brian said.

That brought back the tears. I knew I had to get out of there. Amanda gave me a hug, and I told them I was leaving. Walking back to my apartment, I reviewed the past few days in my head. I thought about having to come out to the whole school. I didn't know if I could face it. The more I thought about it, the more I got upset. When I finally got to the apartment, I had tears running down my face. I slowly walked up the  steps, hoping that there wasn't anyone in the apartment. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

Roland was there on the couch, playing his Nintendo 64, as usual. He looked up and must've noticed something wrong. He paused his game.

"What's up dude?" he asked.

"Nothin'," I stammered. I wiped the tears off my face and sniffled.

"Bull shit dude. What's up?"

I just lost it by then. I hadn't gotten much sleep, and I was emotionally drained. I just slumped down next to Roland and started sobbing. I couldn't understand why I was. It was horrible. I'm usually very non-emotional. I don't like showing sad emotions. And when I do cry, it's because things just build up and I have a breaking
point.

Roland looked at me in shock. "In the three years I've lived with you, I've never seen you cry."

I smiled through the tears at that thought. "Yeah, I've never seen you cry either."

"Well, you're gay, your supposed to show your emotions! Congratulations!"

I had to laugh at that line.

"Ro, can I have a hug, please?" I asked. "I really could use one, man."

Ro and I have a very strong and good relationship. He is straight, and I know that, but he's one of the coolest straight people in the gay-straight relationship regard.  He's also deprived of physical contact, at least that's what I think. He seemed to be very physical at home, his whole family does, and when he's down here, he gets almost none at all. So, we've hugged each other before. We've even cuddled up before watching the X-Files, which was an interesting night. We didn't do a damn thing but hold each other, actually, me hold him. Nothing was said afterwards, but there was no awkward moments either. We just went on normally. I have to say that I could be attracted to my roommate if I really wanted to be, but I am proud to say that I have enough self control not to look at him in that way. I haven't for three years, and don't intend to now.

"Sure, man," he said, reaching out his arm and wrapping it around my shoulders.

I just rested my head on his chest, feeling his heart beat. There was nothing romantic about this at all. I didn't feel anything but strength and protection from that embrace.

"Did Kevin tell you what happened to me and Dan?" I asked him.

"Sort of, I 'm surprised you didn't tell me last night," he said.

"Well, I had a lot of things on my mind and things that I had get done. I would've, but I didn't have time. But I'll tell you now."

"Kev told me that you and your new man, Dan, were seen kissing in the parking lot of communications building by friends of yours and his."

"Yeah, that's the jest of it."

"You dork, why did you go and do that?" he asked, laughing.

"I'm still not sure why I did," I answered. "Hormones had a lot to do with it."

I sat up breaking the hug. "So what now?" he asked.

"Well, I just ran into a few friends who saw it. Some of them are cool with it, some are publicly humiliating me, however. That's why I'm in the condition I am now."

"I see," Ro said, getting up off the couch. "I wish I could stay longer, but I gotta be at a group meeting in 10 minutes."

"It's okay, man," said, lying down on the couch. "I'm okay."

"Cool," he said. "You'll survive. I know you will."

"Thanks."

With that, he left. I turned on the TV, watched a few music videos, and finally got up the strength to eat lunch. Thank god for microwaves! I whipped up a Philly Cheese steak hot pocket, and enjoyed every bite of it. I sat down again in the living room, and watched more MTV. Kev came home soon after.

"Hey Joe, how you feeling?" he asked.

"Okay," I answered. "I could be better, but I think I'll survive."

We talked about what had happen to me, and what could happen to me.

"Let's go catch a smoke," I said.

"Sure!" Kev said, as he jumped up off the couch, opening the door. I smiled at his enthusiasm all for nicotine.

"So, has your Fraternity heard yet?" I asked.

"Not that I've heard, but you know Jon's girlfriend is an RTF major. She might have heard and spilled the beans."

"Yeah, I know how that goes. I think twenty more people found out today just because of the scenes that Brian and Kris made. I wonder how poor Dan is making out."

"Well, whatever happens, I'm here for you, man. I may make fun of you a lot of the times, but I'm always watching your back." Kev said, taking a drag.

"Thanks," I said, looking at my watch. "Oops. I missed my 2PM class."

Kev just laughed. "I think you have a good reason to miss it this time though."

"Yeah, I guess," I answered.

Just then, there was a knock on the front door. I put out my cigarette, and ran down the steps (as I usually do). I opened the door, finding my man standing outside the apartment, looking scared, but cute.

"Dan, come in!" I said, walking up the stairs.

"Hey, Joe," he said in a low voice.

"Have any run-ins like I did?" I asked sitting down on the couch, motioning him to sit next to me.

"No, not really, surprisingly. I did see one kid from TV, George, who told me it was cool, as long as we didn't do much in front of him. I guess the real test will be when we go to TV class tomorrow," he said.

"Yeah, I know what you mean," I said, putting my arm around him.

"Oh, Joe,"  he suddenly said, throwing his head into my chest, and wrapping his arms around me. "I'm so scared man," he said.

I ran my hand through his hair, caressing it gently, and kissed the top of his forehead. "Just remember, I'm always here," I said, softly.

Kevin walked in at that moment. "Hey, Dan. Are you hangin' in there?"

"Yeah, I am trying to," he said, lifting himself back up and sitting straight up.

"Cool, man."

"Hey, man, you wanna go to my apartment? My roommates won't be home tonight, and we'll be away from campus?"

Away from campus never sounded better to me in my life. I smiled, and said, "Yeah!".

"Cool, let's go!" he said, grabbing my hand. I followed him down our steps. I broke the hand hold when he opened the door. We walked to his car, and drove away from college, leaving our troubles there for a short time.

Dan gunned the engine, as if to say,  "Look out!  Here we come!"

I giggled at thinking that.  He turned his head and smiled at me.  He put his right hand out, and I took it in my left, interlocking our fingers together.  I smiled at him.  The radio was playing softly in the background.  Music sometimes is therapeutic.  In trouble, I sometimes forget how music can be so  relaxing.  Although it has to be the right kind of music, if you know what I mean.  I closed my eyes and  just hummed along with the song.

"You like this song?" he asked, driving along.

"Mmm hmm." I answered, still in my own little world, with my man.

"Cool, so do I," he said, softly.

We both just listened to song, which was "Glory of Love" by Peter Cetera, from back in 1986, I  can still remember that summer.  I think it was one of the first summers I really started listening to the  radio.  I don't know what it was about that song, but I still love it to this day.  I didn't think of it as a  romantic song, it was just a good song to listen to.  But now, it seemed to take a totally new level.

By the time it was over, we were at his apartment.  Talk about perfect timing.

"You've never been here, have you Joe?" he asked, as we got out of his car.

"Nope.  I'm anxious to see where you live," I said.

He laughed  and said, "Yeah, well, it's not the cleanest apartment, I'll warn you that right now."

"Oh, com 'on, man," I said.  "You've seen my apartment.  Can't be much worse than that."

He stopped in his tracks to think.  He looked up in mock thought and said, "Yeah, now that you mention it."

I slapped him on the back of the shoulder and said, "yeah, yeah, yeah, get moving!"

Dan opened the door to his apartment.  It wasn't too impressive, but it wasn't disappointing  either.  It was your typical college-type apartment, walls decorated with movie posters (Dan was a film nut).  It had two bedrooms, with two people living in each.  It was an upstairs apartment and had a  balcony in the front of it with a sliding glass door to go through.  I looked around a little.

"Nice pad you got here," I said.

"Yeah, I like it.  It's home for me," he said, walking over to the front and opening the sliding glass door.  He lifted up a cigarette from his pack, and asked, "Smoke?"

Even though I knew I wanted to quit, and even though I knew that it was bad for me, I still caved in and said , "Yes."

After a minute of silence, I said, " You know, this place isn't half bad!"

"Yeah, it's home for me," he said, smiling.  God, he looked so sexy, blowing the smoke out of his mouth.  It took all my strength to not reach out and grab him right there.  I just blushed and turned away.

"What?" he asked, grinning.

"Nothing," I said, smiling, but still not looking at his face.

"No, something's up, Joe, I can tell!" he said.

I just laughed and looked at him straight in the eye.  "Yeah, you better believe it!"

"Mmmm," he responded, taking another drag.  "You fuckin' tease," he muttered.

"No more than you are," I said, taking a drag myself.

He just laughed.  I felt like teasing him some more.  I lifted up my shirt to reveal my smooth six pack to him.  (I was very proud of this feature).  His eyes got wider for a moment, and his mouth was half open.

"I'd like some of that," he said in a low, sexy voice that got me going.

I threw the cigarette out and went back inside, never looking away from him, giving him the best look of seduction I could do.  He smiled, chucked his cig, and came inside.

"No roommates?" I asked, lifting up my shirt.  I didn't care if they were there or not really.  I was hot and hard already.

"Nope," he said, coming over to me, and taking the shirt off for me.  His hands were soon  wandering all over my chest, feeling every inch, teasing each of my nipples.  I let a moan slip out.  He  bent over slightly, and started kissing and sucking my neck.  Each suck became harder, I knew what he was trying to do.  I didn't care at this point though.

"Yeah," I hissed in pleasure. "Suck on my neck, Dan."

With that, he sucked harder, almost painfully.  He finally let go., looking back into my eyes.

"Uh, dude," he said.

"You left a mark, didn't you?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's not too dark, but it's there," he said, rubbing the area.

"Cool," I said.  He continued licking my neck, up to one of my ears, which drives me crazy.  He  sucked on my ear lobe.  I had my hands around him at his point, feeling his back.   I slowly moved them down to his ass, feeling the two mounds, and  finally slipping my hand down between his jeans and his  briefs. He seemed to like that.  We continued to make out, and finally made it to the sofa somehow.  I pushed him down.

I grabbed his shirt, slipping it up over his head.  I immediately put my head near his chest,  licking it lightly as I rubbed his nipples.  He shuttered.  I gently licked the left one, and gradually began  sucking on it.  Then I moved to the and did the same.  He pulled me up and kissed me, very passionately.  I used my tongue, probing his mouth, as he did mine.  His hands, meanwhile, worked there way down my  bare back, down to my butt.

Nothing was said, but soon we were naked as the day we were born, me on top of him, slowly  thrusting our dicks into one another.  It was hot, I was sweating a lot as was he.  I slowly worked my way down again to his cock, and took it in my mouth.  He gasped when I put my mouth around it.

"Aw, yeah, Joe.  Suck it," he said, airily.

I answered by sucking it harder and faster.  I then licked my way down to his balls, licking them, and then taking one completely in my mouth.  I stroked his cock while I sucked on his balls.  He was shaking by now in pleasure.

"Aw, man let me suck you while you suck me," he said.

I got up, took my pants off, and we found ourselves in a perfect 69 position.  It was almost too much for me.  His mouth felt so good on me, warm, soft and moist.  And I was having the time of my life, sucking on his hard, hot cock.  We kept this up for a while, each of us moaning with our mouths full.

He put his hand on my balls at one point, which was about to send me over the edge.  I did the same, and it was evident that he was close too.  I honestly could feel his balls pull up close to his body. He let my dick out of his mouth for a second.

"Joe, man, I'm close."  For some reason I wanted to see him shoot a load.  I took his dick out of my mouth.

"Dan, I want to see you shoot your load all over my chest, babe," I said, repositioning myself.  He got up on his knees and straddled me.  From this reaction, I took it that he thought it was cool.

"Yeah?  You want me to shoot my fuckin' load all over your smooth chest?" he said, huskily.

"Yeah, dude, cum on me" I said, taking his balls in my hand as he started jerkin' off his cock.

I watched him intently, his face showing deep concentration.  I saw and felt his body tremble.  I was stroking my cock as well, very close too.  His eyes busted open, looking down at me.  "I'm gonna shoot, man.  Oh, fuck, man, I'm gonna cum all over you," he said.

At that moment, semen fired out of his cock like a rocket..  It flew straight up in the air, and landed on my chest.  Dan was moaning, loudly, I might add as he shot three more spurts up in the air, each of the landing on my chest.  It was too much for me, and I began to shoot too. He was back far enough that my cock was in front of him, and I shot it on my chest, mixing it with his. He watched me shoot four shots on to my chest.

After it was all done, I was exhausted.  Dan just looked at me, rubbing his cum with mine on my  chest.  He got off the couch after a few minutes, and looked for something to clean it up with.  He came back with a  towel, which I gladly accepted.  I smiled at him as he cleaned off my chest and my cock.  He then cleaned off his own., set the towel down, and slid in right next to me, him in back of me.  We were face to face.  I put my arms around him, and kissed him on the lips.  He put his arms around me, and we kissed again.

He smiled.  "So, Joe, the Man can shoot a load like nobody else's business!" he said.

I grinned.  "I've never seen someone shoot a load like that."

"Yeah, neither have I, except me," Dan said, laughing.  He nuzzled his face down and rested his head on my upper chest.

It was perfect.  So comfortable, and comforting to lie like that with him.  He seemed to be very peaceful like that.  We just laid there, enjoying each other's company, and warmth. Pretty soon, I fell asleep.

The next thing I knew, I woke up, with Dan still holding me, but with a pair of eyes on me.  I gasped and shook, which woke up Dan.

Dan woke up and looked up. "Oh, shit!" he exclaimed, sitting up.

"So, I guess what I heard to day was true?" the guy asked.  He looked familiar.  I assumed it was one of Dan's roommates.

Dan quickly through my boxers that were on the floor at me, and ran into his room. His roommate, looking embarrassed, went into his bedroom.  I wasted no time, and pulled up my boxers, feeling my face heat up.  I got up, and put my jeans and shirts on, when Dan walked out of his room, in a pair of jeans and (I assume) underwear).

"What's he doing home?" he asked me, sitting on the couch next to me.

I knew he wasn't really asking me.  His roommate came out then, hearing Dan's voice, and sat down in the chair next to the couch, angled toward the TV.

"I live here, that's what I'm doing home," he said.

"Yeah, but you weren't supposed to be home until at least ten, you said.."

"I know, and I'm sorry."

"Oh, by the way, Joe, this is my roommate, Chris.  Chris, this is Joe, the Man," Dan said.

I grinned whenever he said my name like that, and this time was no exception.  I held out a hand
to shake his.  I was relieved when he stuck out his hand and we shook, very firmly.  (I always believe in
firm handshakes.  Some people say it's too firm).

"Nice to meet you.  I think I've seen you on campus before.  Weren't you in one of my classes?"

"That's where I know you from.  Yeah!" I exclaimed.  "A few semesters ago, in Persuasion."

That was the class that I first saw Dan.  "Yeah," he said.

"Dan, I heard a rumor today," Chris started.  Dan shot him a look.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"And you just confirmed it," Chris said.

"Fuck," Dan said out loud.  "Fuck!"

Chris looked a little worried.  "Dan, it's okay. I don't care.  I'm cool with it.  This is the nineties after all," he said, getting up, walking towards the kitchen.

I just  had to ask this question.  "Who did you hear it from?"

"Uh, a guy in my film class, Kris."

"Yeah, what did he have to say about?" Dan asked, with an annoying tone of voice.

"Oh, he had plenty to say about it.  The whole fuckin' class knows," he said, grabbing a beer out of the fridge.

"WHAT?" Dan and I both yelled.

"He said he had just passed to faggots in the hallway," he said, coming back into the living room.

Dan and I looked at each other, and hung our heads in shame.

"Like I said before, I could care less.  I'm just surprised to see that it was actually true," he said, taking a sip.

"Well, at least my roommate accepts me," Dan said to me, getting up and walking to the balcony.  I followed.

"Yeah, that's a start," I said.

"Chris, are you coming with us?" he asked.

"Sure, always up for a smoke," Chris answered, grabbing his beer walking out.

Dan and I stood on one side, Chris stood on the other.  Dan was beginning to tense up again.  I could see it in his eyes and in his stance.  We had discussed this before about who knew and who didn't. He had come out to his best friend from high school, and a few close friends at college.  But that was it. He wasn't out as much as I was, which wasn't too much more than he was.  My immediate family knew and my close friends did.

"So, Dan. I must say you did a good job hiding this side of you from us," Chris said.

"Yeah, I tried.  I'm glad it worked.  And to think that I blew it all with one kiss," he said.

I shook my head in agreement.  "Yeah, can you believe that, man?"

Chris looked at us both and smiled.

"It isn't fair though," I continued.  "Why whould we have to hide it?

"Yeah, dude, it sucks.  I mean, I really want to show the world that you're mine, Joe.  I really do!"

I looked at Dan and smiled with tears in my eyes.

"Fuck man, stop or else you'll make me cry," I said, grinning.

"Well, I wish you all the luck.  And don't worry, either.  I'll be there to back you up," Chris said, putting his cigarette out and walking back in.

Our cigarettes done, we went back inside.  "Man, I'm hungry," I blurted out, suddenly feeling my stomach growl.

"Yeah, so am I."  Dan agreed.

"So, let's eat!" I exclaimed, a smile coming back to my face.

"Where?  We don't have any food," he said, smiling at Chris.

"Don't blame that on me!" Chris said, holding up his hands in defense.

I laughed.  "Well, do you want to go out then?"

"I guess I have no choice," he said.

We talked more and decided we were going to go swing by my apartment to see if anyone wanted to go out with us.  Chris backed out, being that he already had plans.  We both sort of cringed when we drove back on campus, but we made it into the apartment without getting assaulted.

"Yo, Ro and Kev," I said, as I entered the living room.  "Wanna go to Friendly's for dinner with Dan and I?"

"Uh, sure!" Kev said.

"Nah, man, I already ate," Ro said.

"Okay, well, let's go."  Kev, Dan, and I walked out of the apartment. I was chosen to drive.

"Do you want to suicide seat?" Kev asked.

"What?" asked Dan, chuckling.

"Do you want to suicide seat?  You know, the front passenger's seat?"

Dan laughed harder.  "Yeah I guess so."

"It's your life," Kev said.

"SHUT UP, I'm not a bad driver," I said, unlocking the doors with the power switch.

"That's what you think," Kev said as he got in the back seat.

"I'll be the judge of that," Dan said, getting into the front.

We all got in and made our way to Friendly's.  I was secretly worried that there would be  someone there we would know.  But I put that in the back of my mind. We walked out of the car.  I immediately saw someone that I knew, but couldn't remember from where.  He started to walk over with his friends, who looked like they were leaving.  He never broke eye contact with me. Dan was watching and so was Kev.  I knew this couldn't be good.

"Hey Joe," he said.  I now knew him.  I used to work with him a long time ago in Telecommunications.  He was a racist pig, and was very opinionated.  Judging from that, I knew that he was not up to anything good.

"Hey," I said, nervously.  Dan stood right behind me, and Kev stood on the side of me.

"How's Telecommunications?" he asked.

"Ah, same old shit.  How have you been?"

"Pretty good,.  I graduate this year," he said, proudly.

"Cool, man!  Congratulations!" I said.

"Well, nice to see you, man.  I'll talk to you later," he said, walking out with his friends.  I saw both Kev and Dan relax a little.

"Man, I can't tell you how much this is bothering me," Dan said, as we continued walking to the door.

"Yeah, I know what you mean," I agreed.

We got our table, smoking of course, and ordered.  Fortunately, there was no on ewe eerily knew there.  So we felt safe, for the moment.  It is not a good feeling to walk around with.  It makes you more paranoid.  I hate feeling that way.  I could tell I was going to get drunk again tonight.

The rest of the meal went fine, we talked about shit about life, nothing in specific, and more importantly nothing in regards to preference.  Unfortunately, Kevin had to screw that up.

"Oh, man, I was talking to some of the brothers at the house today," Kev said, pausing from eating his sundae.

I gave him a look of  did you have to bring that up now.

 "No, no, man, it's cool.  Not all of them know, only some of them like Chris, Ryan, Steve, and Bill..  And get this?  All of them are pretty cool with it."

I sighed.  Dan sighed.  "Well, that's cool.  Make sure they don't tell anyone else," I said.

We dropped the conversation, and headed back home.  Dan and I had to part for the evening.  It was harder than ever before for some reason.  I really wanted him to stay and just hold me for comfort, but I knew it was better if he didn't, since I had an early class tomorrow morning.  We kissed and hugged good night.  And that was it.

I had to walk over to the Music Building to practice the piano, as I did normally every other night.  Or at least I tried to do it every other night.  It wasn't quite dark out yet, but it was getting there.  I saw some friends on the way, they acted like nothing was wrong, so I thought it was a good indication. Unfortunately, my luck ran out, or so I'm told.  The last thing I remember is seeing Kris's face and his voice saying, "Hey look guys, there's that faggot I was talking about.."  Next thing I knew I was on the ground, with my lip bleeding, with Kris standing up over me.

"Hey little buddy," he said.  "You know, you're going to hell for being a homo, right? I'm just helping you get used to it now."  I grimaced in pain.

He kicked the side of me, and I knew he broke a rib.  I cried out in pain, but didn't shed any tears. I was praying to god that he would leave.  He did.  After kicking me in the other side.  I laid there for a while, waiting for someone to walk by the path.  It was a traveled path, but not really busy.  I was in pain, and the tears started falling.   I got up, the best I could, and started walking.  I finally saw someone.  My vision was blurry because of my tears, and I screamed out.

He came running towards me.  It was Neil.  I cried out in pain.

"Joe?  Joe?  Oh shit, what the hell happened to you?" he yelled.

I tried to talk, but I couldn't.  It hurt every time I took a breath, and I tasted blood as it slowly dripped down the back of my throat. His face explained it all to me how I looked. Pretty bad.

"Joe, man, I 'm gonna take you to the hospital," he said, picking me up in his arms.

Despite all the pain, I was still surprised he was able to do that.  He was really strong.  He carried me to Mansion Park.  I told him very painfully to tell my roommates and ask them if they wanted to come along.  And more importantly to call Dan.  He dropped me off to his car, and ran to my apartment (we lived in the same complex).  I closed my eyes in pain, next thing I knew, Ro and Kev were in the back seat, and we were off.

Kev and Ro were asking questions, I could barely answer them, let alone barely breathe.  It hurt so much.  Neil's expression however sort of scared me.  He looked very caring, however, very vengeful and very angry at whoever did this to me.  I could tell he really cared about me, as did my roommates.

We got to the hospital in record time, thanks to Neil's ROUGH driving, and I almost passed out.  Ro and Neil assisted me getting into the bulding.  I couldn't tell what was going on.  I heard a voice, just before they took me in to the emergency room.

 "Joe!" he screamed.  I knew it was Dan.
 

Well, that concludes part II of Dan, The Man. I hope you enjoyed it.  As always, if you have any commens, please e-mail me at SNJBoy76@aol.com Thanks.