Shore Leave: Part 2 (Patreon)

Frank and Everett walked down to the pier at the latter’s insistence. While Reginald decided to stay in and complete his fitness regimen, Everett was raring to find himself a vacation girlfriend. For his part, Frank wasn’t entirely keen on the idea of going out to get laid but was always up to go out and find adventure wherever it may be.

As a kid, he’d never been one to be satisfied with whatever games the other kids were playing or to simply settle for the bare minimum. In elementary school he’d pushed to skip a grade but never did, then went for the AVID program in middle school. High school saw him heavily invested in the Army Junior ROTC program while his college years focused on the Air Force branch of the adult ROTC with all 8 years focused on winning awards and attaining rank. He was strong and fit, but always looking to increase his gains further. He was intelligent and well read, but constantly seeking new books and sources of information. In many ways, he was exactly the kind of overachiever that the military was looking for.

Everett on the other hand had been carefree and a little sleazy from day 1. Everett had met Frank in their shared Communications class in college, and then again in the gym where they recognized each other and became friends He wasn’t necessarily the type of person Frank would have imagined himself hanging out with, but he did have a certain way of getting the uptight soldier boy to relax and enjoy his youth before he spent it all preparing for his retirement. He’d spent his time working on an Engineering degree during daytime hours while throwing back 12 packs of beer and edibles at night at parties and gatherings where his goals always involved either getting laid or showing off. In some rare cases he achieved both, but he was rarely sober enough to appreciate or even remember that it had happened. Still, he was a fun guy at his core. Everett may have been a bit of a fuccboi, but he was loyal to his friends and willing to help out when others would be daunted by the job or situation.

“So what are we doing anyways? Fishing probably? Body surfing? A friendly game of frisbee perhaps?” Frank asked jokingly.

“Nah bro. Today we’re catching us some tail and we’re not going home until we get some. I mean, you can, but I’m not leaving without a girl on my arm.” Everett said with a grin that was bursting with arrogant confidence.

Frank rolled his eyes. He’d seen this enough times back home to know it wouldn’t work.

“Sooo…We came to a pier? There’s nothing but boats and fishermen here, dude.”

Everett continued down the boardwalk undeterred, his fresh pressed slacks giving the illusion that like Frank, he too was on military leave. “Right now.” He said. “But it’s also not even noon yet and we’re still right next to a beach. Give it a bit and soon we’ll be where all the locals come to have fun away from the tourists.”

“What makes you think the locals would even want to come to this part of the island? Would they even bother playing in the sand and swimming and shit? They live on an island. They see this all the time.” Frank said casually, more interested in the debate than the actual mission.

“EXACTLY bro, that’s what I’m saying!” Everett replied emphatically.

Frank quirked an eyebrow. “That makes no sense. If you think no one will come here, then…why come here? Unless you wanna pick up dudes with fishing rods.”

“Just trust me bro. I’m telling you it’ll work. Give it an hour or two and we’ll be swimming in little Spanish hotties looking for some big American dick.” Everett said.

The dark haired frat boy jumped up onto a wooden barrier and sat with a patient smile, kicking his feet as he did.

“Two hours. Neat.” Frank sighed.

His reasoning had been that even if he thought that Everett’s plan was stupid, his chaotic touch had a good chance of putting Frank in a situation that would allow him to flex his muscles or utilize his training in some way. That and it might actually land him some romantic company so long as it was temporary. Being a military man meant that long term relationships would be hard to keep up once he went back to work. Even so, he relished the opportunity that Everett afforded him, even if it was generally a dice roll. Gamble or not, Frank thought, it was more likely that without his horny idiot friend with him he’d be much more likely to play it safe and placate himself with bland, by the book experiences and miss the cool shiny things glinting out of the corner of his eye.

As if on cue, a strange sensation like an electric shudder pulsed from nowhere like a camera flash. Concussive but invisible, Frank felt like an explosion had gone off next to him, but he neither heard nor saw anything, and despite the impact that passed through him, he had no injuries.

“Whoa. Did you feel that?” Frank asked incredulously.

“Hm? Oh. Yeah dude, I think it was like a sonic boom or whatever. Anyways, I’m just saying that if we want to find someone who’s not gonna give us the clap and clone our credit cards while we’re sleeping, we need to go where the tourists aren’t. The only dates we’re gonna meet at the bars are floozies and ladyboys, know what I mean?” Everett said.

“….Yeah, I suppose…” Frank replied.

His brow furrowed as he tried to remember what he was going to say. A moment ago something had seemed important but now it eluded him. He shrugged and looked back at his buddy.

Clad in a douchy white tank top and a pair of ripped jeans, Everett wasn’t necessarily the person he’d have gone to for relationship advice, but he was still the one with an idea on how to spend the morning eventfully. Even if they didn’t find anyone to hang out with, the conversation was still stimulating enough.

Besides, he figured, the two of them weren’t exactly bad looking. With Everett’s fit muscle and his slender figure, it was unlikely that NO ONE would find them attractive.

Everett was definitely the “tough guy” of the group and always had been. He wasn’t huge necessarily, but he was an experienced athlete and kept a good amount of muscle. His hair was short, but he made sure to keep it long enough for the girls who enjoyed running their hands through his curls. He claimed it was a selling point for women.

(1)

In comparison, Frank was the laid-back one. Even despite being a military officer, his attitude was generally a chill one, having learned long ago to separate work from free time lest he drive himself insane with more tasks. He still wore slacks nearly everywhere out of comfort and habit, but Everett had given him some of his old, outgrown party shirts to run around the island and show off his sun-kissed skin in. His hair was similar in length to Everett’s but he knew it shouldn’t have been. He was already cutting it close with a slicked back and gelled style even before his shore leave was approved. Now it was certain that he’d have to get it cut before he went back to the base. Still, he had a sort of boyish charm that came off as both endearing and noble in a more safe and sensitive way than Everett’s flirtatious displays of muscle did. He gave the impression of someone who was looking for something more than just a warm body to have sex with which, conveniently, he was.

(2)

The two sat for a couple hours before the swell of fishermen shooting them weird looks made them uncomfortable enough to leave and try their luck elsewhere. Pleased with the appreciative looks that they were garnering just walking down the street from both tourists and locals alike, they decided that perhaps sitting on a fishing pier and waiting for hot chicks to find them might have not been the greatest idea they’d ever had. Instead, they patrolled the streets, periodically stopping girls to ask for directions to the hotel or to a bar, hoping that some of them might be interested in coming with them. It was a clever idea, they thought, but they still didn’t have any takers. A couple came close to saying yes before running off and giggling to their friends while others glared at them and stormed off. It was only when they saw a large gaggle of energetic and fit looking women walking in a line towards an open courtyard all wearing yoga pants and carrying .

“That’s…interesting.” Frank said, smiling as he looked over at Everett.

The two stared at each other for a moment, grinning mischievously at each other before turning to follow.

As they approached the entrance, a tall blonde man with chiseled features and long hair walked out to greet them, standing tall and looking like some kind of Greek god.

“Hey guys, you come for the class?” The man said.

“Reginald?! Yo, I thought you were doing your fitness routine right now, man.” Everett said, excitedly giving the hippily dressed prettyboy a fist bump.

“I am! I booked myself as yoga instructor while we were out here. I figured it would only be right to help the locals out while I keep myself in shape, don’t you think?” Reginald said.

(3)

“Besides…” He grinned. “I wouldn’t want to keep all these lovely women to myself, now would I? Maybe if you join the class you’ll make as many connections as I have…And at least enjoy the view.”

There it was, Frank thought. The shiny thing just out of view. Had he stayed at the hotel or just not decided to hang out with Everett, he’d miss both the experience and the chance to meet someone interesting and beautiful. If it weren’t for his sleazy horndog of a college buddy, he wouldn’t have ever considered taking up the undeniably good for you practice of yoga. He knew that Reginald and Everett were both going to be suddenly very into their fitness and flexibility in the coming days, so why not join in?

“Who knows?” Frank thought to himself as he reached out and gave Reginald a fist bump of his own. “Maybe I’ll enjoy this more than I thought.”