Seekers

A Fresh Start

Jeff stepped from the train. Dragging his suitcase clear of the carriage door, he paused to adjust his backpack and orient himself on the platform. Around him the other passengers streamed past heading for the ticket barriers and the concourse. Digging out his ticket, he joined the throng, his eyes already seeking the sign for a Visitor Bureau where, he hoped, he'd be able to get directions to an affordable rooming house until he could get himself properly set up in his own place.

The concourse was even more densely packed with people, but, just as he was about to ask for help, he spotted what he was looking for. He zigzagged his way toward it and arrived a little out of breath and flustered by the rudeness of many of the people he'd had to dodge, ease past or even ask to allow him through. Used to a small town, he'd grown up naturally polite, and even the bullying at school and later at university hadn't changed this. High school had been a trial, since he wasn't a sports jock, preferring music, reading and the less competitive sports, things which had helped at university. There, at least, he'd been accepted by the non-sporting types and could avoid the worst jibes and taunts his neat clothes and quiet manners attracted. 

He stood out because he chose not to be 'one of the crowd,' but being a natural dancer and gymnast with a good physique and classical good looks had often made it very difficult. He'd excelled at gymnastics, and the coach had taught him a lot about poise and control, plus one or two other less 'sports related' activities. That he was 'different' from the other guys became even more apparent when he realised that girls simply didn't attract him sexually. It wasn't that he didn't like having an attractive girl on his arm or for company, he did. He'd dated some of the most attractive girls at school and on campus but they always wanted more than just his gracious manners, good looks and conversation — and he'd tried but it just didn't feel right.

It didn't help when he realised that some guys really did spark his interest, and that they seemed to be 'interested' in him. Even less helpful was his penchant for really tight lycra and an attraction to anything latex. For years he'd found the smell of rubber a major turn-on, reinforced by it's association with the equipment in the gym. It was all wrong. He knew it was. It was all wrong to be admiring another guy's 'package' in his Speedo, or to be attracted by a nicely formed male behind. It was even more wrong to dream of being dressed in rubber while making out with another guy dressed the same way. Mentally he shoved it out of his head. He was not going to follow that path. He had to change. 

The clerk in behind the desk smiled a greeting. "Morning, sir. Can I help you?"

Jeff swallowed and gave a lopsided grin. "Morning." The guy was about the same age, slightly built, close to his own height with a friendly face and a shock of brunette hair. His name tag pinned to his tailored jacket said his name was James. "I hope so. I'm here to take up a job in a month at Magna Software, but I'm going to need somewhere to live until I can get a flat sorted out."

James smiled. "No problem." He called up a screen on his computer. "OK, I need some details about you, then I can do the search. We have a fee, and the long term folk always want the rent in advance. Are you OK with that?"

Jeff nodded. "Sure." He was prepared for this, having done some research on the internet. "As long as it isn't too expensive, I haven't got a huge budget." 

"Great, then let's get to it." He entered Jeff's names, former address and future employment in the fields required, then said, "Right. Now, what sort of place are you wanting? Let's see, we can go for a hostel - that's six to a room and shared facilities" He glanced at Jeff's expression and grinned. "I guess not. OK, single occupant, shared facilities or single with private facilities?"

Jeff's relief showed. "I'd prefer 'private' if I can afford it."

"OK, let's see then." James' fingers flew across the keys and hit enter. He scrolled a bit, then selected several and sent these to the printer. "OK, I think these four will be the best options." He fished the pages out of the printer. "They're all around one twenty to one sixty a week, but they're all in nice areas and well run." He caught Jeff's eye. "I ran the search to include easy transport to your new employer's place as well."

"Thanks, that was a great thought. I really need to get a map of the city and to learn the system here and the layout." He laughed. "Guess I'm a small town hick in a sense I almost got lost on the platform!" He bent to read the four pages and quickly ran through the details of each, taking note of the prices as he did so. To his disappointment, the one he liked most was also the most expensive. "Pity, this sounds really lovely, but it is pushing my budget."

James turned it round. "Oh yes. You'd love it there. Tell you what, the owner is a friend of mine. Let me call him and see what he's prepared to accept." He winked. "He's a bit selective about his 'guests' as well." Grabbing a phone he selected the number and waited. "Clive? James, from the VB. I've got a potential long stay whose interested in the room you're offering." He listened, then laughed. "Yes, dishy too. Look, his budget's a bit tight until he starts work at the end of the month." He listened and then nodded. "OK, I'll ask." Turning to Jeff he said, "Clive's prepared to drop his price to a hundred a week for the first month and then talk to you about the second if you need to stay on. How does that suit?"

Still blushing at being called 'dishy' by a guy, Jeff swallowed. "That sounds great. that's really very kind of him. I can make it a bit more I think - I don't want to put him out of pocket."

James grinned. "Don't worry, Clive wouldn't make the offer if he would lose on the deal." He put the phone to his ear again. "That'll be great, Clive. I'll sort out the paperwork and get him over to you." He listened again. "Yes, Pete and I were planning to go to the club on Saturday. Will we see you and Tom? Great, see you then." He hung up. "Good, Clive will look after you, now, if you just take a seat at the desk, we can get the booking form sorted and take your payment, then we're done. Tell you what though, my shift ends at twelve, so as soon as my relief comes I can take you over the address."

Jeff sat carefully and James turned the computer screen and placed a wireless keyboard in front of him. The booking form appeared on screen and he completed all the required details quickly, then presented his bank card. "Do you take this card?"

"Visa Debit? No problem." James inserted it into the card reader and punched in the codes and amount, then handed it to Jeff. "OK, if you're happy with that amount, enter your PIN and we're done." The door behind him opened and a blonde woman entered. "Right on the button, Sue. Mind if I take off five minutes early?"

"Get on, I can see you're eager." She laughed and eyed Jeff appraisingly. "James sorted everything satisfactorily for you, sir?" She smiled knowingly. "You're safe with him though, he'll see you're well looked after."

Jeff noticed James' slight flush and grinned. "Thanks. Yes, he's sorted out a room for me that sounds just perfect." He glanced at the man and noticed the tailored fit of his trousers and the enticing bulge at the crotch. Quickly he stood up, aware his own slax were a good fit and that his own crotch bulge was nothing to be shy of. He felt his cheeks getting warm. Here he was in the company of a really attractive woman and he was being attracted to the admittedly attractive man at her side.

She laughed. "Good. Have fun in the city, James and Pete will, I'm sure, have you settled in no time at all." She glanced at the printed booking form. "Oh, you've booked him into Clive's place. Well then, now I know you'll be well looked after."

James led the way to the underground car park and helped stuff Jeff's suitcase and his backpack into the tiny luggage space of the electric car. Then they were in the traffic and he had time to get his breath back, calm his confused emotions and try to get a feel for the route they were taking. The traffic was heavy, and progress slow, but it wasn't that long a journey and they were pulling into a vacant spot at the kerb of a tree lined square fronted by tall Edwardian houses. Hopping out of the car, James acquired a parking ticket while Jeff retrieved his luggage and then led the way to a beautifully kept house twenty yards away.

"This is it." He grabbed Jeff's suitcase and hefted it up the steps to give the bell pull a tug. "Clive will have a city map and can show you all the transport options round here." The door opened and a well built man in his mid to late thirties smiled as he recognised James.

"James, as ever, over selling I see." He smiled at Jeff and held out a hand. "Welcome, James was right, you are a bit of a 'dish'." He laughed as Jeff blushed. "Don't worry, you're safe enough here. Come on in. James, are you staying for a cup of coffee, or rushing off somewhere else?"