The Tales of Denn - The New Flatmate
The Tales of Denn
1 - The New Flatmate
Each story in 'The Tales of Denn' is written in a different genre and different style. The first, a two-part story, is a romantic mystery.
* * *
The night after the party.
Denn Barns groaned. He reached out and thumped his alarm clock. It was set to radio, and when Denn missed the 'off' switch, the reporter continued to drone on about the weather. Denn numbly rubbed his eyes and forced himself to sit up.
When the noise of the clock didn't stop, he grabbed it from the desk at the side of his bed and switched it off sharply. He yawned. Like most cats, Denn had an intense dislike of the mornings. He wanted to stretch. He tried, and as he did, he heard a dull and muffled moan from the other side of the bed.
Glancing beside him, Denn remembered that he wasn't alone. The morning sunlight fell in a thin line through the curtains, moving over the curves of the bed sheets. It trailed over the other person's form, almost entirely covered beneath the duvet. Denn reached out, and tugged the sheet down away from the person's face.
The person looked up, and smiled. "Morning, sunshine" said the person, and stifled a yawn.
* * *
Six days before the party.
"Okay" began Togo, "How does this sound? 'Wanted, flatmate. Non-smoker, clean, male, preferably not a psychopath'" He lowered the scrap of paper, and glanced over to Denn.
Denn shook his head. "Lose the psychopath bit" he mumbled, concentrating on his game.
Togo, now the only fox in the household, crumpled the paper and dropped it onto the table. He held a thin pad of paper in his right paw, and rested it on his slender chest. "We'll need to find someone" he stated, chewing lightly on the end of an old and much-chewed pencil.
Denn nodded, and hit a few more buttons. Even for a puma he was tall, and even though he was giving it a good try, he couldn't lay on his back on the couch. His knees arched up, and he rested his gameboy against one knee, his head resting against the armrest of the sofa.
Scribbing down a few more notes, Togo read aloud again. "Wanted, new flatmate. Non-smoker, clean, preferably male..." he began.
Without looking up, Denn mumbled into his chest "Why's he got to be male?"
Togo didn't answer. The fox relaxed back against his chair, sinking into it until he had nearly disappeared, leaving only his loose-fitting tshirt and jeans behind. "I just think it'd be neat" he offered.
Denn grinned. "You want to get your end away with him."
With a resistant yelp, the fox spun around to face Denn. "I do not!" he retorted. He settled into a vengeful pout for a moment, folding his arms and turning to gaze instead towards the tv.
"Then how about asking for a female flatmate?" asked the puma.
Togo didn't answer. The tips of his smooth, black-furred ears twitched.
"See?" grinned Denn with a teasing smirk. He tapped a button a few times with his thumb, and mumbled under his breath. "You're just after another cute young lad, so that you can knock finally get..."
With a swift movement, Togo scooped up a cushion and threw it playfully at Denn. It caught the puma unprepared, and he dropped the gameboy onto the floor. The cushion hit the puma in his strong chest. "I'm not a virgin!" snapped the fox.
Grinning, Denn tossed the cushion back, in a light and casual way. "I'm not saying you are" he grinned, picking up his gameboy. He turned to focus on it again. "Should I try to get this creature to evolve?" he asked.
He honestly wasn't sure, it was Togo's game. The two had shared the house, just outside of the urban area of town for almost three years now. Denn still remembered when he had moved in, the fox had only been eighteen at the time, and had been eager to pitch in to help the puma move his heavy boxes from the loading truck.
At the time, Togo had just started his second year of university. In the years that had passed, he was now holding down something of a steady job bartending, while Denn had finished his course and was now training for a job in teaching.
The fox kept to himself most of the time. He was rather shy, and Denn had no problem with that. He liked Togo, he was good company, and he always felt fondly of him. Although Denn was two years older than the fox, and nearly a foot taller and forty pounds heavier, they stuck together like wads of gum. They got on very well together, even better than Denn and Adam.
Adam had moved in about six months back, after the previous tenant had left to persue his career. Although they had very little in common, Denn and Adam would try to get together on Sundays for a quick round of basketball in the garden. It was perhaps the only thing they had in common. Denn wasn't interested in motorbikes, or heavy metal, or finding the worlds strongest pint of beer.
And perhaps it was strange for a puma, but when they played basketball, Adam was always faster than Denn. A wolf, but skinnier and lighter on his footpaws than Denn, Adam count bounce the ball in a fast and smooth rhythm against the cement before darting quickly, jumping up and dunking the ball through the basket hung on the wall of the garden.
Sometimes, Denn would find himself thinking about Adam during those games. The way the loose strands of hair would slide across his forehead. The soft scent of sweat, the heavy rising of the wolf's chest beneath the shirt. The heat of his body when he was close, his arms strong around him, ready to drive the ball home.
Then Denn would shake his head. Nah. That was more Togo's kind of thing.
"Try giving it a water stone" replied Togo, snapping Denn out of his daydream. The puma blinked, and did so, flicking his thumbs smoothly against the game. "Seriously though, do you care what kind of person the new flatmate is?"
Denn shook his head. "If I can live with Adam leaving motor oil around the place, I can live with anything."
* * *
Four days before the party.
"Hey Denn" called Adam in a hoarse, throaty voice.
It was the middle of a bright spring evening, the sun still high and warm in the sky, and Denn glanced down the street. Adam was kneeling by the front of the garden, an upturned plastic smock congealed with stained oil and petrol. Adam was working on his new bike.
At very least, it was something like a new bike. Bits and pieces of engine, wheel and other components that Denn didn't even recognise littered the small patch of grass. On most days with the weather so fresh and excited, Adam could be found here, working contentedly.
Denn gave a wave as he walked towards the door. He had grown so used to seeing Adam here, he didn't even think about it. He was surprised when Adam had more to say. "We got someone in to look at the room" he said.
Denn slipped his door key from his pocket, and turned to smile to Adam. "That was fast" he replied, "They only printed the ad today. How was he?"
Adam tipped a few splashes of some assorted oil onto a smeared rag, and began to rub it against a metal fragment of the motorbike. "I dunno. You can ask him if you like, he's in there talking with Togo now."
Denn took a step closer to Adam. "He's in now?" he asked in a hushed tone. He knew he didn't need to. The house was a solid brick semi-detached, and more than likely the two would be talking in the sitting room, located at the back of the house beside the kitchen, or possibly in the back garden.
Adam only nodded, and sprayed the engine with a can of compressed air.
Thinking for a moment, Denn asked. "What's he seem like?"
Giving a light shrug, the wolf paused for a moment. Adam wasn't a person of many words, and tended not to speak unless he felt he had something important to say, so he took a few moments to decide on the best and most suitable phrase. "Couldn't really say" he finally proclaimed, "You should go talk to him."
Denn nodded.
* * *
Lucas was learning back on the chair, holding a steaming mug of coffee in both his paws. He sipped at it lightly, listening intently to Togo. As Denn stepped into the room, he looked up.
Lucas was a tiger, a burnished orange tone etched with deep black lines that covered him like tribal markings. He wore a jaunty sports coat, flexed over his smooth chest. His eyes were a vibrant, commando shade of blue, and as Denn entered the room, he greeted him with an entrancing smile.
"Oh, hey Denn" perked Togo, hopping up. He motioned to the guest, but Denn's eyes couldn't bring themselves to fall anywhere else. "This is Lucas" explained the fox, "And this is Denn."
The tiger was already on his footpaws. He extended his palm to greet Denn's, and they shook. Lucas' paw felt warm, secure. Denn smiled. "Pleasure to meet you" said Lucas in a warm, accented tone.
"So" began Denn, flexing his arms to rest them behind his back, "You're interested in the room?"
The tiger gave a warm, flattering smile. "Yah. I seen the advert, and it sounded quite perfect."
Nodding, Togo scooped up a bedraggled copy of the days paper, holding it over for Denn to examime. "I went with my wording, see?"
Denn did see. "Wanted, flatmate. Clean, non-smoker, gay male preferred" he read aloud. Togo grinned, a coy expression on his lips.
The next hour passed in speedy, exuberant chatter. Lucas explained that he was a business trainee, and would be taking up a position at a major firm in town. He discussed a little of his past, having travelled often with his family at a young age. Denn nearly lost interest.
Soon, though, the topic turned to computer games, and Denn had interrupted Togo to spark up an excited conversation. From there, they talked about many things, excitedly and loudly, the tiger often thumping his palm against his knee and laughing in a strong, accented voice.
Gradually, the tiger realised he had to leave. He stood, and shook Denn's hand again. "I am hoping I'll get the room" he replied eagerly. There was a hint of nervousness in his voice now, a slight quaver that the puma found fascinating. Togo handed Lucas his cap, and stayed beside Denn until the guest had made his way down the street and out of sight.
Togo looked up to Denn. "What do you think?"
"I think we should keep him" said Denn.
* * *
One day before the party.
"So, want to come along?" asked Denn.
On the other end of the phone, Lucas gave a heartfelt answer, "I'd love to. Tomorrow night?"
Denn felt quite pleased. It wasn't often that he made the effort to arrange a party, but tomorrow night was going to be special. He wanted, and Togo agreed most enthusiastically, to give Lucas a fiery welcome.
The fox tapped Denn on the shoulder, and placed a set of rental movies onto the table with a soft thunk. Denn smiled and gave Togo an assuring wink. "I'll see you then" he said into the phone.
Relaxing lazily against the arm of the couch, Togo leaned over, resting an elbow against the puma's shoulder. "Adam said he'll be bringing some drinks. Hope he enjoys it."
Nodding, Denn tilted his head to face Togo. "I'm sure he will." The fox gave a wry grin, and Denn grinned wider. "You're trying to give him a good first impression, aren't you?"
"I want him to feel at home" said the fox.
Denn shook his head, "I mean of you. Before you make your move."
Togo let his gaze slip unsurely, glancing over towards the tv for a moment. "I'm not going to. At least, I'm not planning to."
Shuffling against the sofa, Denn turned to face his flatmate. "I thought you wanted..." he began, but Togo gave a shake of his head.
"He's not really my type" he answered. "I don't know him well enough, really. He's not who I'd want to be my first."
Denn thought for a moment, and then smiled. "I see."
Togo gave a weak, rather forced smile.
* * *
Half an hour before the party.
"Okay, balloons?" asked Denn.
"Check" yipped Togo, in an almost military bark. He wasn't exaggerating. The room was decked with balloons, assorted various colours that lit the sitting room up like an explosion in a paint factory. They bubbled from the corners, along the sides of the walls, on the edges of tables, and so on.
"Pizza?" asked Denn.
"On its way" reported Togo.
"Movies?"
A pile of cases sat in an unsteady pile on the wooden table, swaying lightly. Denn shook his head. When he had asked Togo to pick some up, he was expecting four or five more, in the case that Lucas wasn't particularly into their initial selection. The fox had brought back twenty-six movies.
"In fact, never mind. That's obviously check." replied Denn, gazing unsurely at the leaning tower of dvd cases. "Adam?"
Togo shook his head, "No sign of him, I'm afraid."
Denn bit his lip, nervously. Don't stress the details, he said to himself.
In the next half hour, the first few guests began to trickle in. Denn greeted them excitedly, some of whom he hadn't seen in ages. The first eight or so took up residence in the sitting room, and began to chew in anticipation on the loose little pieces of snack foods.
By the time that the pizzas arrived, Denn slipped them quietly into the kitchen. He was anticipating that Lucas would have arrived, and didn't want to sacrifice his guest's dinner just yet. He slid them quietly into the oven, to wait.
More guests began to arrive, bringing the number to an unsteady fifteen. The hearty drone of chatter began to fill the air, and the sitting room became a hearty menagerie. Togo made every effort to keep people occupied, but Denn was growing anxious. Both Lucas and Adam were late. Almost an hour late.
Each time the doorbell rant, Denn jumped up and hurried to get it, ushering the next set of guests in. This time, though, he it felt different. As he opened the door, his intuition had proved correct. Lucas smiled to him, his feline features hidden beneath the rain. He stood there on the doorstep, dressed in a wet raincoat. "Hey. So, can I come in?" he asked, almost shouting through the noise of the rain.
Denn ushered him inside quickly. The tiger shook his head, and peeled his wet raincoat from his body. Denn blinked. Lucas' naked shoulders came into view, smooth and tight. As the tiger slid his coat off, he shook lightly. Denn breathed in, uncertain. Lucas was, beneath his coat, almost entirely naked. He wore only a secure, albeit flowing loincloth, wrapped around his nether-regions, with loose ends dangling.
He turned to Denn, and smiled. "Where's your costume?"
Denn blinked a few times, his eyes unable to help themselves as they ran down across the tiger's pale, cream-shaded chest. They ran down across his taught stomach, down to the tight curves of his hips. He coughed. "Costumes?"
It was then that Denn noticed Togo standing in the hallway.
Lucas looked back and forth, between the fox and the puma. A sense of uncertainty crossed his face. "This is a costume party, isn't it?" he asked, nervously.
Togo shook his head. "Let me guess. You're Tarzan?"
Lucas cupped a large paw across his eyes, his face turning almost a bloodshot crimson colour. "Conan the barbarian, actually. Oh, man..." he groaned.
Denn started to laugh. He couldn't help himself. He tried to cover his mouth, but it couldn't stop the laughter escaping. He doubled over, wrapping his arms around him. He didn't hear the doorbell as it rang. "I'll get it" chirped Togo, taking Lucas' coat from Denn's paws. "You two go on in and meet everyone. Don't worry Luke, it'll be fine."
Blushing terribly, Lucas nodded. "Sure. Don't suppose you have a spare pair of pants, though?"
As they made their way down the hall towards the noisy, crowded sitting room, the sudden commotion at the doorway caught Denn's attention. He turned back and watched. Togo had opened the door, and in the doorway stood Adam. "Sorry I'm late!" declared the wolf.
Denn smiled. "Lucas, you've met Adam, right?" he asked.
Adam staggered down the hall, and Denn noticed that the wolf carried a partially-drained can of beer in his paw. The hearty swagger in Adam's walk told the story, that a good quantity of the beer had been 'tested' already. Behind the wolf trailed a small entourage. Adam's friends, fellow bike enthusiasts (as they liked to be called) struggled through the doorway. Seven in total, each at least a good heads height taller than Denn, each wearing glistening rain-soaked leather jackets that gave a powerful scent of motor oil and male sweat.
Each of Adam's companions carried, strung over their backs as if weightless, several six-packs of beer. At the doorstep, a particularly muscled panther patted his kangaroo friend on the back, and pressed a can into Togo's hands.
Adam held up a single six-pack, letting it dangle from his finger. "I.. Umm... I brought tha'beer!" he declared, slurred.
Denn chuckled. So much for just a small party.
* * *
Who does Denn wake up with the next morning?
Will it be Lucas, the exciting new flatmate?
Will it be the young fox Togo's first time?
Or will Adam the wolf get the upper paw?
Find out in the next chapter - "What Happens At The Party?" - featuring sex, booze and hard-core nudity! Don't miss it!