The Submariner

by Zarek Dragon

During our first week of training back at the main facilities, Mark suggested that we have a housewarming party and invite those we graduated with from the OCS. Zarek was kind of leery about doing it because our house was a bit Spartan in the décor area. After buying the house and bedroom furniture for us, we didn't have much left towards other furniture or decorations. Mark suggested that we might get some nice decorations or whatever, so Zarek gave in. Lisa asked if we had a TV and DVR or Blu-Ray, to which we responded with a negative.

I overheard Zarek talking to Captain Kirk, "Sir, as you know Jake and I bought a house and are leasing two of the bedrooms to Mark Hough and Lenny King."

"I am aware that you and Jake bought a house together," Kirk responded.

Zarek continued, "Well, Mark suggested that we have a housewarming party even though the place is somewhat bare. We're only inviting those that we went to the OCS with, and that includes you. I'm just not sure about the rules and you 'fraternizing' with junior officers."

I saw Kirk smile at Zarek, "If we were in the Navy, it would be against regulations, but here, I pretty much make the rules. In this case, I see nothing wrong with it. Anything specific you need?"

Zarek laughed, "Almost everything, the house came with a stove, refrigerator, washer and dryer. Jake and I bought bedroom furniture for our room, but the rest of the house is rather bare. We are planning to talk to Franklin about borrowing chairs from the chow hall for the party next weekend."

Kirk granted Zarek permission without having to consult Franklin, "You can take some chairs home after evening meal Friday so long as you bring them back before morning meal on Monday."

Zarek and Mark did all of the inviting, Lenny and I planned what we would serve. With us being excited for the party, the week seemed to drag, but the weekend did arrive. Lisa was the first to arrive and she arrived at 1000 hours and was carrying a complete set of "NCIS" episodes on DVD. "Ummm, Lisa," Zarek started, "I appreciate you bringing a gift and all, but we did tell you that right now we don't have a TV or DVD player. Would you be upset if I store those until we do? Also, the party doesn't start until 1700 hours."

"OH, these? They're not for you," She simply stated, pointing at the DVDs. "Your house warming gift is right behind me." Some men carrying a sixty inch flat-screen television was coming in behind her.

One of the men asked, "Would you like this mounted on the wall?"

Zarek seemed a little stunned, so I responded, "Yeah, this wall." I led them to the living room area and pointed to the wall against the master bedroom.

They went to work and had the television not only mounted to the wall, but the mount they used went from the ceiling to the floor and had black panels that hid the wiring. Then they took the time to show us how to remove the panels if we needed, in order to connect a DVD player, cable, satellite or anything else. The men were leaving at 1100 hours as Amie was arriving. "Is the TV already here?" Amie asked. Lisa pointed it out and asked Amie what she thought of it. "It looks really nice, but you know what would make it look better?"

Zarek and I shook our heads, not sure what Amie had in mind. Lisa smiled and said, "An entertainment center." Then she and Amie went outside and came back in carrying a black entertainment center with a Blu-Ray/DVD player. They placed it against the wall, under the television and Lisa hooked up the player. Lisa looked at Mark and said, "We are gonna watch 'NCIS' but we can't get through all of the episodes today. You can borrow these, but I want them back." And she placed the pilot episode in the player.

With carrying the entertainment center, the girls didn't close the door, so I headed in that direction. As I got to the door, there stood Ernie. "I didn't screw up, did I? I thought Lisa said that you changed the party to start at 1200 hours."

I gave Lisa a look and she just smiled, and then I turned back to Ernie, "Nope, you're just a little early. They just started the first episode of NCIS." Eli, Jessica and Patty came together and showed up at noon. I looked at Lisa, "Did you, by any chance, tell Captain Kirk to come early, or will he still be showing up at the original time?"

"She told me," Kirk said behind me, causing me to jump. Then he faced outside and said "Right this way," to some men carrying a long blue couch that could easily seat four people. "I hope this isn't too long, but I wanted to provide you with some seating." The men then brought in two chairs that matched the couch.

"Even though I live here, I got a housewarming gift as well," Mark stated and disappeared to his room. He came out with a black coffee table and matching end tables.

Zarek smiled at our friends, and commented, "Other than the dining area, this is actually looking like someone lives here. Thank you everyone."

Eli looked down, "I feel cheap, now. I only brought a bathroom set, including towels, washcloths, bath mats, and the works."

I looked at Eli, "Dude, you weren't told to bring anything, so the fact that you did, you shouldn't feel down. We need that stuff as well."

"Yeah," Zarek agreed, "Don't get us wrong, we greatly appreciate everything that was brought, but you cared enough to come and bring us something that you thought we needed. That is friendship and you can't put a price on that." Eli started to smile.

"Um," Ernie cleared his throat, "I ordered my gift and told them that the party was starting at three this afternoon. When Lisa told me it was changed, I tried getting the delivery time changed, but they said they were booked. I'm sorry."

Zarek shook his head, "No need to be, it wasn't your fault. We'll wait until your gift arrives to open Eli's bathroom set and whatever Jessica and Patty brought us."

Ernie smiled, "Thank you for understanding." I swear, Zarek goes out of his way to try building Ernie's confidence and Ernie has proven that it's working. I almost think Zarek wanted to invite Ernie to live with us, but didn't because we wanted two people from the gold team.

I told everyone that I was making margarita's and asked who wanted one. Everyone raised their hands. Ernie followed me to the kitchen area and spoke quietly, "How do you know if you're gay?"

I was a little surprised, but not totally after his comment about Kirk's dick when we learned to submarine shower. "Why, do you think you might be? Do you have a thing for Zarek?" I inquired with a grin.

Ernie was surprised by my question, "What, no. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate everything Zarek has done and is doing for me, but I think I love someone else. Ever since Mark came out of the gay bar shirtless, I've been dreaming about him. Does that make me gay?"

"Of itself, not necessarily," I told him, "but there is a good chance. Not to burst your bubble, but I don't think you have a chance with Mark. I believe he is straight."

"I know," Ernie replied, "but I can't help but think he is attractive."

I couldn't agree more. Mind you, I think Zarek is more attractive, but Mark does have a nice body and a handsome face. If Zarek never came into my life and Mark asked me out, I would have said yes. "Yes Ernie, Mark is an attractive guy."

Ernie helped me carry the margaritas, even handing Mark his. What happened next surprised all of us, I think. Mark looked at Ernie and asked, "You find a place to stay yet?"

Ernie had a lump in his throat I think, "Ummm…" he swallowed, "No, I'm thinking of just staying in the dorms when we're not on the boat."

"No man, you can't do that," Mark stated, "And an officer on the sub shouldn't. Zarek, Jake, would you have a problem if Ernie used my room while I was on the boat?"

The look on Ernie's face was priceless. I can only imagine what was going through his head. The guy of his dreams just asked if he could use his room. Sure, Mark would be on the boat, most of the time that is. Zarek inquired as to what I, and I am sure Ernie, was thinking, "I have no problem with it, but what will you and Ernie do when both of you are not on the boat?"

"I don't know, but Ernie and I can figure something out. What do you say, Ernie?" Mark turned to face a red-faced Ernie. I really think he caught the boy totally by surprise. He took off into the bathroom. Mark didn't know what to think, "Did I say something wrong?"

"No," I stated, "but I don't think Ernie was expecting you to ask him to basically move in with you."

Mark gave a quizzical look, "Oh… OH!!!" Mark knocked on the bathroom door, "Ernie, can I talk to you?"

"Go away!" Ernie yelled.

Mark felt bad and we could see it on his face. "I'm sorry that I embarrassed you. That was not my intention. I think you're a cool guy, and I'm just trying to help you out."

I told Mark to let me try talking to him and I knocked on the door. "Ernie, it's Jake, can I come in and talk privately with you?" I could hear the door unlock and Ernie let me in. "He caught you by surprise, didn't he."

"Totally," Ernie averred. "I can't stay in his room, especially when he's in it. I know I would say or do something to make him hate me. I mean, how would I explain having a hard-on if I see him naked?"

I tried to assure him, "He won't think anything of it. You should know, guys our age get hard when the wind blows."

Ernie grinned, "And the wind seems to blow every time I am around Mark."

I laughed at that. "Look, do what makes you comfortable, but Mark is right. As an officer, you shouldn't stay in the dorms. I'm not saying you should take Mark up on his offer, but you should at least consider it. Maybe talk to Mark and see what he's thinking."

"You don't suppose that Mark is gay, do you?" Ernie asked.

I sort of shrugged my shoulders, "I don't know, maybe he is and this was his way of seeing if you were. Or maybe he just didn't think about what arrangements would need to be made for when you're both ashore."

Ernie washed his face and we left the bathroom. Mark looked at him and asked if he was alright. "No, I'm half left," Ernie replied. We all laughed.

Mark was almost begging, "Before you leave, can I talk privately with you? I really didn't mean to embarrass you."

"Yes," Ernie bravely stated, "I think we need to talk." The doorbell rang and Ernie smiled, "I would bet that's my gift, but they are early."

Zarek opened the door and it was some delivery men. "I have a delivery for Zarek Drage or Jake Daniels," one of the men said. Zarek told him his name and two men started bringing in a legless table. I gave Ernie a funny look until another man brought in the legs.

"Let's pause the show while they're here," Lisa suggested.

"Ernie, would you like to go in my room and talk?" Mark requested. Ernie nodded and followed Mark into his room.

Now I don't know what they talked about since I wasn't in the room with them, but Ernie told me that Mark did more than talk, he kissed him. I guess Mark is gay. Ernie also said that he told him that he hadn't really thought about it until the incident at the gay bar, and he felt vibes from Ernie that he couldn't explain. At the time I didn't know about the kiss as Ernie didn't tell me until after everyone else left. When they came out of Mark's, or I guess their room, Mark announced that Ernie was going to stay with us.

Once the delivery men had the table assembled and placed six chairs around it, they left and we continued watching NCIS. I think Lisa skipped a few episodes because we were watching the one where Dinozzo kissed a man dressed as a woman.

It was around 2100 hours and the only ones left were the four of us and Ernie. Mark surprised us when he asked Ernie if he wanted to spend the night and then he could help him get his things in the morning. "Yeah Ernie, you can sleep on the couch tonight," Zarek suggested.

Mark had other thoughts, "Or, you can sleep in my room." Zarek gave Mark a funny look. "Guys, I have a confession to make. When we stopped at that gay bar, I never really knew myself. Part of me was excited, but then when Mike pulled out his cock, I got scared. Since then, I started thinking what I really wanted, and I thought I caught Ernie looking at me, which really got me thinking."

Ernie smiled, "I was, I even told Jake earlier today that seeing you with no shirt, just the collar, I thought you were attractive."

"For you, Ernie, I would wear a collar and submit to your will," Mark admitted.

Ernie didn't look surprised, "Maybe in role-play, but I don't know if I would like that all the time."

"Whatever makes you happy," Mark agreed.

"So you are gay?" Zarek asked Mark. "I had suspicions about Ernie ever since that one day, but I never suspected you of being gay. I think my gaydar is broken."

"To be honest," Mark stated, "I wasn't a hundred percent sure I was until I kissed Ernie and felt like he tased me with his lips. Ernie, it's up to you if you want to share my bed, now that you know how I feel, but know that I won't do anything to you unless we talk about it and both of us agree."

"Not true, you kissed me without us talking about it, but I don't mind. I would have liked it better if you used tongue," Ernie kidded.

Mark smiled a little and explained, or tried to explain, "You are right, I did, but I meant… Well, I think you know."

Zarek looked at Lenny, "What about you, are you gay too?"

"I'm not saying, you'll just have to wait until I bring a date home," Lenny smirked.

"Fair enough, it's your business anyway. I was just curious since I didn't pick up that Mark was," Zarek stated.

I can't believe with one party, we basically got our house furnished and gained another roommate. I think Mark and Ernie will be good for each other.

I hope you enjoy the story and that it draws you in, wanting more. If you have any suggestions or concerns, don’t hesitate to email me.  Thoughts and suggestions are always welcomed and may or may not be implemented. Concerns will be considered and addressed as much as possible, please contact me at Zarek A Dragon.  Please let me know that you read it on The Story Lovers' Website.