This is for profiterole's birthday. I'm sure a wonderful present would be if you go and check out her stuff after reading/reviewing this!

Need

Rank breath pervaded Paul’s senses and he cursed the life that had placed him in this position. The older man leant in to kiss Paul, clumsily and sloppily, and it was reluctantly returned. This wasn’t his ideal career choice, but since he had no home, no family, no hope, he really didn’t see any other way.

In the alleyway the other man made short work of fucking Paul, no foreplay, no tenderness, just sex. He wondered if he’d ever get chance to make love with someone. He almost laughed at the thought.

Then, left alone, he allowed silent tears to run down his cheeks, but just for a moment, before he redressed and resumed work.

--

For a while Simon had had the feeling that there was something he was meant to be doing, something he was missing in his average life. It felt like there should be more than just going to work and having casual relationships that didn’t amount to anything.

He would almost say, if there was anyone to say such things to, that he felt a calling, begging him to do something. Maybe if he knew what that something was he would do it. But until that time came he would jus carry on the daily drudgery that was his life.

--

Life for the pair carried on as usual for some time. The only real difference to the monotonous routine was the loneliness that grew in each of their hearts and almost seemed to resonate even though there was an almost unbreachable distance between the pair. Of course there was the obvious fact that neither had met, but realistically how could a middle class office worker and a low class homeless whore be on the same level?

--

One night something broke the monotony of Paul’s life. He was hanging around, approaching men and being approached. A burly fellow came up to him and, stooping a little, demanded that the smaller man (almost a boy still but living on the streets made you grow up or else you died) give up all of his money and his body.

Stifling a sob Paul accessed his options. They were grim. He could comply in which case he lost everything that was keeping him going, he could try and fight but living on the streets had only made his survival instincts keener and he knew that this was not a fight he could win. Likewise running was not an option, although he was tempting to see how far he could get first. Although that would anger his assailant.

Throwing caution to the wind (and his better judgement) Paul began to run. He only got half a dozen strides before he was knocked to the ground with an angry hiss in his ear.

He knew better than to fight and although it seemed like an eon it was over after not too long. Then he was left alone; broken and penniless, just like his first night on the streets.

--

On that same night, the monotony of Simon’s life was also broken. The insistent nagging feeling at the back of his mind only strengthened as he walked home much later than he normally did. The company that he worked for had had an influx of orders which meant that he, and the others, had an influx of work.

The not-quite voice in his mind, telling him that there was something out there for him had only grown stronger as time passed by and at the moment it was enough for him to question his sanity, or lack thereof.

He followed the subtle directing of the almost-voice, which had an undercurrent of fear and pain. It made his heart race and he almost wanted to run even though he wasn’t sure where he was going. He was just walking.

Soon enough though Simon found out what was compelling him towards the less than savoury part of town. It was the figure of a boy, in his late teens, so perhaps he was already an adult. His jeans lay discarded next to him and his thighs were covered in blood and something which could only really be semen. His eyes were downcast and obscured by his matted dark brown hair. His t-shirt was stained with dirt and torn.

Simon felt the almost-voice quieten in his mind and he felt somewhat soothed to see the boy in front of him. Timidly he approached the other, who looked up with fear in his eyes and Simon could feel the fear himself, even though he knew that it wasn’t his emotion.

It’s okay, he wanted to assure the other, but he felt, and saw, him calm down. Taking off his jacket Simon offered it to the boy who gratefully took the item.

--

Although he knew that he should be afraid, Paul wasn’t. There was something familiar, comforting, about the older man. He almost felt safe, as absurd as that was given the location and the fact that the taller blonde man was a stranger.

Still, he took the offered jacket, which was quickly put on, and the hand that was offered shortly after.

Realistically the tall man could be leading the short to his doom but neither believed that that was what was meant to happen.

--

A short walk later and the two were at Simon’s flat. It was simple, and rather small, but it didn’t matter to Simon since it was home. It didn’t matter to Paul because it was certainly better than the streets.

Throughout the walk Simon had held Paul’s hand and he had no intentions of letting go just yet. Silently he led the other into the bathroom where he began running the taps so that Paul could have a bath. The brunette smiled appreciatively.

After he took the bath, alone, he wandered into the sitting area to find Simon. The area was open plan so he could see Simon in the kitchen making something that seemed simple but made Paul’s stomach rumble. After all it wasn’t like he had many opportunities to eat whilst on the streets.

--

That night Paul slept in Simon’s bed, whilst the host slept on the sofa. Paul had wanted to tell Simon that it wasn’t necessary, that he would share or sleep on the floor or something but he knew that Paul wouldn’t accept those scenarios. He was kind of glad.

--

The next day Simon took off work so that he could spend his time with his guest. Feeding him mostly, and allowing him to feel the luxuries of a home that weren’t missed until they were gone. It didn’t even cross his mind that this was cruel, to parade such things in front of Paul who wouldn’t experience them once he was back on the streets. Rather the thought of Paul leaving never crossed his mind.

As night crept upon them Paul cast a look to the door. Since he lost his money he would need to start earning it again soon.

Simon smiled and took Paul’s hand in his own and shook his head. He didn’t want Paul leaving, especially not to go and work the streets.

--

Their days passed in an easy companionship. Simon used his holidays so that he could spend as much time as possible around Paul, feeding him and taking him shopping. He was even looking at proper jobs for the younger.

Each night when Paul went to go to work Simon wouldn’t let him. It became that Paul only tried because it was part of the new routine. He had no real desire to leave the safe haven that was Simon’s home. His home.

--

Before either realised it, several months had passed them by. Simon was still at the office and found that he didn’t hate it nearly so much as he used to, but perhaps that was because of the new errand boy; Paul. The brunette had eagerly taken the opportunity to get an honest job and the fact that it was in the same building as Simon was just icing on the cake.

Paul still lived in the same flat as Simon. Although it was small they managed, sharing the space and sharing a bed. Paul still felt the most at ease when Simon was around, and the elder was perfectly content to let the other stay close by.

After all, they completed each other.