Chapter Eleven

NATHEN

 

Once Syn was gone, Cameron glanced at him and asked, “I don’t suppose you would let me take you on a real date? I know a great restaurant.”

Nathen chewed his lip uncertainly. “Sure, which restaurant?” Cameron’s surface thoughts were now silent, gone! Before then, he had not noticed or minded it, but now, in this instance, he hoped to get an image of the restaurant Cameron had in mind. “I— I can’t read you anymore. Well, your emotions. Did you want some more of my blood? Or, did you want to wait till there is a way to clear the nanites?”

Cameron’s eyebrows lifted with Nathen’s admission. “Maybe my body used your blood to heal the tattoo faster? That’s interesting. I don’t think the nanites are gone. I’m sure they are still inside me, regardless if your blood is there or not. I think we need to be strategic when I have your blood though. Even though it gives me a lot more strength and control, we also know that it makes me reckless, and tonight I kind of have to have my wits about me, all things considered. Then again, the blood might be helpful if I get hurt. And I do need to keep a channel open… Maybe after dinner? We could go now. And if we do it at eight or nine p.m., that will give me a few hours to be high, if you can deal with that? By the time we leave at midnight, I should be in control.”

“That sounds like a good idea. Maybe we can experiment with the amount.” He winked at Cameron.

Nathen never did understand winks. He thought it might be desire, so he captured Cameron’s hand.

Cameron said, interlacing fingers, “I really want to take you out tonight. And since you can’t see where, do you want to know, or should it be a surprise?”

Nathen was apprehensive about the restaurant, but he read that Cameron liked surprising people. “It can be a surprise. I trust you.”

Cameron pulled his phone out and dialed a number. “Yes, can I speak with Byron please? This is Dr. Corazon, calling.” He stuck his tongue out goofily at Nathen, laughing when someone came on the other line. “Yeah, well, if you’re going to spend so much on a degree you might as well drop the Doctor card from time to time. Yeah, everything is great. In fact, I was wondering if you could help me out. I’m trying to impress the hell out of my new boyfriend with a private corner table and was wondering if we made it over there in half an hour if you could swing that?” He grinned. “You are the man. Thanks, Byron. See you soon.”

Cameron caught Nathen in his arms again and kissed his ear. “If you want to know, I’ll tell you. I already mentioned it, I think. But I really think you’ll like it. Does knowing lessen anxiety for you?”

Nathen beamed, wrapping his arms around Cameron’s waist. “A bit. It lets me figure out what I may want to eat if it’s a place I know or look up the menu. Then I don’t have to worry about it when we get there. But it is okay. I think I will be fine either way.”

Cameron snuggled Nathen close, caressing him. “Let’s go with surprise. The menu changes nightly, so you wouldn’t be able to look up what they have tonight anyway. And if you don’t want to worry, we can ask Byron to send out the chef’s selection.” He kissed the top of his head. “Come on, we need to dress up a little for this place.”

Cameron selected a burgundy dress shirt for Nathen. “You clean up well,” he marveled.

“Thanks. I usually wear clothes that are less restrictive, but this is okay,” Nathen imparted.

Cameron chose an emerald French cuff, with mother of pearl cuff links that he told Nathen Syn had given him for Yule one year, black slacks, and loafers but skipped the tie. Their Uber whisked them off to the Mark Hopkins Hotel, and even though the lobby was packed with people waiting for one of the small elevators that would take them to the Top of the Mark, the loiterers backed off and clustered with each other, leaving a discrete path that Cameron led Nathen through to wait for the elevator that they then took alone, the other patrons neglecting to see that it had arrived. In the elevator, Cameron took Nathen’s hand and kissed the back. “I really think you’re going to like this place.”

The landmark hotel with its award-winning restaurant was nestled in the heart of San Francisco. The small lobby of the restaurant was also packed with people who moved aside as Cameron led Nathen directly to the hostess, skipping the ebony counter where a hurried receptionist was checking people in and letting them know how long the wait was going to be. One of the many sights that tourists needed to see before they left to go home, the Top of the Mark was always packed. Waves of calm crashed through Nathen that were not naturally his own, considering that he did not do well in crowds, and he stayed closer to Cameron.

The hostess appeared out of nowhere, Cameron whispered something to her, and they were led around the huge, raised center area with a bar, to a corner. Whereas the rest of the restaurant appeared to have as many tables as could be crammed in, their corner had only two tables. And, while the restaurant was relatively loud with evening revelers, this back area was much quieter. With sweeping views of the skyline and bay beyond, Cameron imparted that he had fallen in love with the restaurant when his friend Byron had brought him here. He had known Byron since they were both at Leo’s College, and Byron had always aspired to work as a hotel and/or restaurant manager. And now he worked at one of the more prestigious restaurants in the city. Cameron positioned himself so Nathen was able to sit with his back to the wall, a window to his right and the view spanning out before them.

After they were settled, Cameron scraped his hand over the new stubble atop his head and Nathen caught a sprinkling of nervousness from him. “Thoughts?”

“It looks really prestigious, and the view is gorgeous!” Nathen tried to project how the outside view of the city appeared with his enhanced vision. It was dark, but everything was clearly visible. Even the shadows flowed invitingly; instead of the normal fear of the unseen, they offered a soothing sense of sanctuary.

“I have wanted to bring someone here for a long time,” he admitted.

Nathen’s lips curved into a bashful smile. “Thank you for bringing me.”

They spent a lot of time simply gazing at the skyline, holding hands, and mentally cuddling. The spell was broken when Byron came over to say hello. Cameron sent a warning to Nathen, offering, “You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. I can implant his meeting and liking you?”

Nathen mentally declined his offer. “I don’t mind meeting your friend, but normally I’m not too interested in meeting new people because I don’t know anything about them. I feel uncomfortable not knowing what to say, so I hope it’s okay if I’m quiet?”

Cameron stood and greeted his friend with a hug, thanking him for the impromptu reservation. At Byron’s approach, Nathen also stood, awkwardly, and bowed his head in greeting, introducing himself and shaking the proffered hand. “This is a beautiful place, thank you for getting us in!”

For Nathen, this was a nicety that he was used to, so he had planned what to say on the way to the restaurant and enjoyed a wave of pride from Cameron for enduring the social interaction. Nathen watched as Cameron spent a few minutes catching up with his friend and accepted the five-course chef’s choice with wine pairing to take the pressure off the two of them ordering.

Soon enough Nathen and Cameron were left to enjoy the night, interrupted only occasionally by ninja-like waitstaff who brought tea for Nathen and wine for Cameron and a series of courses: four types of bread, split pea and mint soup, seared foie gras as an appetizer, grilled filet mignon with black truffle sauce, and soufflés tout parfums for dessert. Cameron was in culinary heaven and opened up to Nathen about the good parts of his relationship with Frank and how he had introduced Cameron’s pallet to an entire array of different cuisines. He had grown to be adventurous and try anything and everything, as he would have never tried something like foie gras before Frank insisted. It was delicious, especially if you forgot where it came from. Nathen described a variety of dishes with his mother growing up and complimented the foie gras and filet mignon, particularly, describing various preparations he’d had throughout his life.

Nathen had great table etiquette, from using silverware to how to hold a glass, all behaviors his mother had insisted on before he was allowed to eat at the table with guests. He found himself smiling often at Cameron as they ate, something that usually did not come naturally to him. Here, though, he eyed Cameron from time to time, visually devouring him. The romantic light and setting made him stand out above the rest. Nathan didn’t know why his connection with Cameron was so unique. They had fallen for each other so fast. Was it because he was falling in love, because of Cameron’s abilities, or because of the blood? Maybe all three? His only other connection had been his mother, but he dismissed thoughts of her, not wanting his mother in his mind while on the date. Spontaneously, Nathen took Cameron’s hand. “Thank you for being you and staying with me. I know I can be…weird.”

Cameron coughed out a laugh, shaking his head in protest. “You’re not weird at all. I mean, for years, and sometimes now, I still react to what is on someone’s mind. Something they haven’t or wouldn’t say. I have had a lot of people think I’m weird and actually hear how weird they think I am! It’s why I tend to either hang out in huge crowds where I can be anonymous or only one on one. It’s too much to keep up with small groups of people.” He leaned over and kissed Nathen lightly. “I learned to mentally hide myself from people a long time ago and still do it. It’s kind of an automatic response most of the time. So you claiming that you’re weird? I think I might be weirder in some respects.”

Nathen protested, “You use your abilities to heal people with mental illness. Most people shun them, but you don’t. What you do is noble. I don’t see you, or it, as weird.”

Nathen and Cameron discussed memories from Cameron’s childhood where he had been bullied by other kids, but as his abilities had grown, he had developed empathy for them as he was able to see their internal struggles. Shaking his head and the memories of his past, Cameron chuckled. “Weird? I guess we’re both weird. And we both help people—me with my mind and you with your mad skills.”

*

After dinner, Cameron led Nathen out of the hotel and up the street to Huntington Park to walk around arm in arm. For increased privacy, he cloaked them from anyone watching. “I read what you were thinking about in the restaurant. I feel really safe with you too. I haven’t felt like this with anyone, ever. It feels strange for everything to feel so right.” Cameron gently kissed Nathen, pulling him close under the huge oak tree. Together they took in the night around them, reveling in their newfound love. Nathen picked up on the flurry of adoration, fear, excitement, and joy—emotions that trickled around Cameron like a constantly flowing brook.

Wandering through the nighttime garden, Cameron linked fingers with Nathen. He plucked a bunch of night-blooming jasmine, sniffed it, and presented it to him. “I told Syn that someday I’d like to have a large house with a garden, perhaps with a hot tub too. What sorts of things do you want for the future? Family, a large house, travel and see the world?”

Nathen surveyed the night sky thoughtfully; then, as was his way, he answered each component of the compound question. “I never really considered having kids. It would be interesting teaching a new life form the ways of humanity, but having a biological child would be involved, and I don’t think I could go through all the hoops. You know, as a gay couple and all. The house I am living in now is supposed to go to me when…uh…well, in time. I have been thinking of finding my own place, somewhere in the city maybe. But the house is large and convenient, so it hasn’t been a priority. As for traveling, I do want to see Japan and Ireland someday.”

Cameron understood the “hoops” Nathen referred to. For gay couples, they would need to find a surrogate, which always came with a variety of issues. Logistics were something to worry about in the future. He wistfully leaned his head on Nathen’s shoulder. “I want two, if possible. And as masochistic as it is, twins would be awesome, I think.” Laughing, he ducked his head away for a moment. “I’ve thought about calling the girl Maria after my mom. And Syn wants to name any son I have Dexter—after both the cartoon and the serial killer. The verdict is still out on that one. Plenty of time to think about all that, I guess. I’ve always known I wanted to get a big house.” He gave a side glance at Nathen. “Was even thinking about Marin. Definitely want to stay in the Bay Area. I guess Syn and I have been together so long that I never thought about not living with her and raising kids with her. But that’s really strange, isn’t it?”

Nathen nodded absently as he wasn’t listening or processing all that Cameron was saying but was lost in his own thoughts, picturing himself as a father. He didn’t know if he would be good at it, nor how he would respond to the noise, screaming, unpredictability, and other things that came with raising children. He would never look any older, people would notice, and his kids would eventually be older than he was. His state of overthinking slid into anxiety. Worry about Cameron growing older and dying someday skirted the edges, and soon he calculated ways to keep that from happening.

As if a heavy blanket of anxiety was suddenly lifted, Nathen was lighter. Cameron was saying, “Syn is such a homebody and has no interest in seeing the world, but I’ve always wanted to visit both Japan and Ireland! Spain too. I have Irish and Spanish roots. Hence the hair, when I had it.” He grinned, hugging Nathen. “But I love anime and Japanese culture. Do you want to go to the Cherry Blossom Festival with me? First vacation in Japan, then?”

Nathen sighed, grateful for Cameron’s ability to simply erase his spiraling, though still perplexed about it. When the conversation shifted to travel, Nathen relaxed further. “Yes! I love studying history and religion and would love to see Kyoto with the monasteries.”

They continued to talk about their future and various places they would like to visit and things they would like to do. Cameron checked the time and pointed out that it was almost nine p.m. He shyly asked Nathen what he would like to do next, offering to take him to a movie or home.

“A movie is great but going home and…celebrating our first romantic dinner in a fancy restaurant also sounds nice too.” He projected the image of Cameron and him in the tub with bubbles and lit candles all around them. Nathen would be behind Cameron giving him a massage, hand disappearing under the bubbles to stroke him, while Cameron kissed and sucked the side of his neck.

Immediately aroused, Cameron called for an Uber and texted Syn for permission to use her tub which Nathen saw in Cameron’s mind was an enormous ten jet affair that she had installed in her bathroom the year after they moved in. Nathen read over Cameron’s shoulder:

UR kidding, right?

;(

So you kick me out of the apartment only so you can go out to eat and now I can’t come home till midnight so you and your boi toy can make a mess in it?

:)

OMG. You SO know you’re going to owe me big time. Like, coming with me to Red and helping me pick out the non-psycho chicks.

Cameron laughed out loud. “Red is a lesbian dive bar that Syn had dragged me to once for her birthday. That is where she met Sheila. It’s been three years, and they’re still friends with benefits.”

Of course. My lot in life is to help you get laid after all. =P

You home now?

OTW

OK — I have to pick some stuff up. Gimme 20 min. Vita has been hounding me for an encore before she heads off to Greece anyway.

“You’re the best, Syn!

=p~~~~~