by Anna Martin
“Cooper, this is my housemate Trevor.”
“Hey,” Cooper said, taking Trevor’s offered hand and squeezing it. “Are you another Disney employee?”
“Do I not look like a prince to you?” Trevor said, spreading his arms and laughing. “I offered to put on a wig and a dress and play Tiana, but they said no, for some reason.”
Drew shook his head and smiled. “Ignore Trevor, he’s got a bug in his ass about way too many aspects of our job.”
“I have a bug in my ass about the company-prescribed acceptable roles for a black man,” Trevor said. “I can be a pirate, a cowboy, a damn chimney sweep, but I cannot be a member of a royal family.”
“Are you serious?” Cooper said.
“When they make a movie with a black prince, I will be first in line to put the tights on.”
“Trevor’s a dancer,” Drew cut in. “He likes wearing tights.”
“Drew. No one likes wearing tights. But we do it for our craft.”
“What sort of dance?” Cooper asked.
“Contemporary, mostly. I pick up a few shows a year, but my hard-earned degree at AMDA has mostly sent me off dancing in parades and the Lion King show. Plenty of need for black dancers in the Lion King show.”
“I can’t tell if you’re serious or not,” Cooper said, not wanting to laugh in case he accidentally offended the guy.
“Nah, man. I’m never serious. Drew will tell you. And the Lion King show is at Disney World, not here. Anyway, I got a class tonight, so I need to run. Good to meet you.”
“Same,” Cooper said with a nod as Trevor lifted a hand and ducked out of the kitchen.
“So, that was Trevor,” Drew said.
“You’re good friends,” Cooper said.
“Yeah. He gives me shit about being a dumb white boy and the characters I play, but he’s an incredible dancer. He’d be wasted doing what I do.”
“Who else lives here?”
“Me and Trevor and three girls.”
“They all work at Disney too?”
“Yep,” Drew said. “Two of them are character actors, like me, and Marina works in Operations. Basically she keeps the park running.”
“Sounds like a lot of responsibility.”
“It is. But she fucking rocks it.” He checked his watch. “Okay, we need to move.”
“No problem.”
Drew looked apologetic as Cooper coaxed his truck into starting. “Sorry about the whole car thing.”
“Don’t be. Where are you taking me?”
Drew leaned over and pressed a kiss to the corner of Cooper’s jaw. “Well, I have a reservation, but we can change it.”
“It’s somewhere in Disneyland, isn’t it?”
“You got me,” Drew said, pressing his face against Cooper’s neck now. “What can I say, I’m a sucker for a romance.”
“That’s cool. It must be something to do with dating you. The place is starting to grow on me.”
He pulled out and headed for the same route he took into work most days. Traffic wasn’t so bad, and the evening was sweet and cool, meaning the lack of decent AC in the truck wasn’t going to kill him.
“I actually got us a reservation at the Blue Bayou. It’s in New Orleans Square, and it’s really pretty.”
“I’ve never been to New Orleans.”
“Me either. The food is good, though.”
“Can we go on some rides after?” Cooper asked, shooting Drew a grin.
“Yeah, of course. The fireworks are at nine thirty, and the park’s open until late.”
“What time’s our reservation?”
“Eight. We’ve got plenty of time.”
Cooper checked the clock on the dash, knowing it was wrong but doing the mental calculations to figure it out. Drew lived much closer to the park than Cooper, and they were whizzing past the Dreamy Creamery in only a few minutes.
“Damn. I wish it only took this long to get here every day.”
Drew grinned. “You should look for a place closer.”
“Nah. I like my shithole apartment. It’s nice being able to disconnect after work, you know?”
“What, like I don’t, you mean?” Drew teased.
“That wasn’t what I meant, but now you’ve mentioned it, yes. I think you’re a little crazy for doing your job in the first place, let alone going back voluntarily when you’re not working.”
“But it’s Disneyland.”
Cooper laughed and shook his head. “I’ll take your word for it.”
The park was busier than Cooper had expected, and he let Drew take his hand as they wound through the crowds of tourists. It was approaching twilight, and around him, things were starting to light up.
“Come on,” Drew said, tugging Cooper’s hand. “You can look around later.”
“I wasn’t looking,” Cooper protested.
Drew took his hand back as they walked into the restaurant and he stepped over to the hostess.
“You’re right on time,” she said, smiling, and led them through to—
Oh wow.
In here, it was nighttime already.
Lanterns were strung across the ceiling, which was moody and dark. There was a huge tree in one corner, and Cooper was pretty sure there was some kind of soundtrack playing, because he’d never heard crickets inside before. Drew had his hand on Cooper’s lower back, gently guiding him through the café tables to a little space for two near the back of the restaurant.
“That’s the Pirates of the Caribbean ride,” Cooper said as he sat down, noticing the boats for the first time.
“Yeah,” Drew said. He was grinning. “Do you like it?”
“Low blow,” Cooper complained. “I’m never going to be able to top this.”
“It isn’t a competition,” Drew laughed.
“Yeah, yeah.”
Cooper honestly didn’t know there was anywhere in Disneyland where you could order fifty-dollar entrees, but apparently this was the place to do it. The food was Cajun, what you’d expect from a New Orleans themed restaurant, and Cooper shook his head as he skimmed the menu.
“The filet is really good here,” Drew said.
“I might get jambalaya. I haven’t had good jambalaya in ages.”
“Sounds good.”
Drew hooked his ankle around Cooper’s under the table and ordered for them both when the waitress came over. Cooper pressed his lips together and decided to be totally, utterly charmed by Drew’s old-fashioned manners.
“Sprite?” he said when the server left them.
Drew looked mortified. “I’m so sorry. Did you want something else? Let me call her back.”
“No, no,” Cooper laughed, grabbing Drew’s wrist, then linking their fingers. “I was thinking we could maybe have a beer.”
“Oh,” Drew said. “Well, you can’t get a beer here. So….”
“No beer?”
“No alcohol on site. Well, except Club 33, and even I can’t get us a reservation there.”
“What’s Club 33?” Cooper asked, feeling gossipy as he leaned forward and propped his chin on his hand.
“The secret club next door,” Drew replied, matching his tone. Cooper laughed.
“Secret club? I wanna go!”
“Well, rumor has it membership costs twelve thousand dollars a year. There’s a fifteen-year waiting list to become a member, and I have neither the money nor patience for that.”
“That’s… obscene.”
Drew cocked his head to the side and shrugged. “It’s a status symbol, I guess.”
“Wow. What other secrets do you have?”
“Club 33 isn’t really a secret. I don’t think there are many anymore. There’s a lot of former cast members who put it all online.”
“Isn’t that a bit sad?”
“Yeah, it ruins the magic, I think.”
“Doesn’t working here ruin the magic?” He gestured around the restaurant. “I mean, we’re literally sitting in a New Orleans side street in
the middle of the night. In California. But you know how it’s all done.”
Drew was already shaking his head. “I like it. You can know how all the tricks are done, but there’s some stuff you can’t explain. That’s the magic.”
Cooper grinned as the waitress came back with their drinks.
“So, you planning on working here forever?” Cooper asked.
“I won’t be able to do my current job forever. The guys have it a little easier than the girls—they get too old for the roles and are moved on to other jobs. It’s not so bad for us. I suppose it’s a good job to do while I try and make the acting thing work.”
“Has anything come up recently?”
“Yeah, actually,” Drew said, ducking his head. “I’ve got a call back for an audition next week.”
“Awesome.”
“Yeah, I’ll let you know how it goes. How about you? Any plans?”
Service was quick here, and before long, their server was back with their entrees. Cooper took a bite of his jambalaya, decided it was pretty damn good, made Drew take a bite, then leaned back and sipped his Sprite.
“I’ve been thinking for the past few years….”
“Tell me.”
“It’s stupid.”
“I’m sure it’s not.”
Cooper grinned. “Well, a while back I saw a post on Craigslist selling an ice cream truck. A vintage one. It was about fifteen thousand—I know, right? So cheap—and I thought, you know, one day, I might do something like that. I reckon it could do well in the right neighborhoods in San Francisco. This hipster ice cream truck selling homemade ice cream.”
“That sounds amazing.”
“It’s not much of a grand dream,” Cooper laughed.
“Don’t put yourself down like that. It would mean owning and running your own business. That’s something a lot of people aspire to.”
“Maybe. It’ll probably never happen. We’ll see.”
They watched the boats from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride drift past for a while, watching the boat’s occupants watching the restaurant-goers back. Cooper nudged his foot against Drew’s ankle again, content to listen to him talk about all of his insider secrets.
“Do you want dessert?” Drew offered as their plates were whisked away. “Or we could always stop at the candy store on the way out.”
“I’m stuffed,” Cooper said, leaning back in his chair and slurping the last of his soda.
“Okay. Then we should go so we can get a good spot for the fireworks.”
“Let me split the check—” Cooper started, but Drew was already shaking his head.
“It’s taken care of.”
“Thank you,” he said softly, trying not to squirm. He definitely wasn’t used to dates like this. “You didn’t have to do that.”
Drew reached for Cooper’s hand as they walked out of the restaurant, totally unconcerned at whoever might be watching.
Chapter Six
Outside, Drew took Cooper’s hand again, ready to lead him through to the spot he had in mind to watch the fireworks. This year was the park’s sixtieth anniversary, so for the whole year there was a special show going on, and it always got crowded around the time the fireworks started.
“Hey,” Cooper said once they were outside.
Drew tried not to frown as he was pulled to a stop.
“Thanks for dinner,” Cooper said, sounding almost shy, and leaned in to press a small kiss to Drew’s jaw.
And of course, Drew couldn’t be mad at that.
“Anytime,” he said softly, pulling Cooper in close.
He had a plan and led Cooper up through Frontierland and back around the castle to get a spot near the statue of Walt and Mickey. They arrived just as the lights dimmed around the park and the swell of music started.
“Good timing,” Cooper murmured.
Drew pulled Cooper’s back to his chest and wrapped his arms around Cooper’s waist. Like this, he could drop his chin on Cooper’s shoulder and hold him through the show.
Cooper was good at pretending he wasn’t completely enchanted by the park and Disney magic, but Drew wasn’t buying it. Like everyone else, Cooper turned into a big kid here, and it was so very endearing.
Working here had its advantages, and Drew had already seen the show before. That meant he could relax and watch Cooper’s reactions, which was his main goal anyway.
“Hey, Cooper,” he murmured low into Cooper’s ear.
“Hmm?”
Cooper twisted back, smiling with fireworks reflected in his eyes.
“I love you.”
Cooper blinked, then laughed. “You planned this, didn’t you, you cheesy motherf—mmph!”
Drew cut him off with a hard kiss, laughing too. “Not in front of the kids.”
“I love you too.”
“Good,” Drew said and kissed him again.
They watched the rest of the fireworks, and Drew felt like his blood had been turned to fizzy soda; he was almost trembling with excitement. He hadn’t ever told a guy he loved them before, not that Cooper needed to know that just yet.
So he was a big, fuzzy romantic at heart. So what.
As the fireworks finished and the lights came back up, the push for the main gates started, and Drew grabbed Cooper’s hand, dragging him in the opposite direction.
“Where are we going?”
“Ride Splash Mountain with me,” Drew said, grinning.
“We’ll get soaked!”
“I have spare clothes in my locker. Come on.”
Cooper was laughing, shaking his head and letting himself be dragged back the way they’d come. “Drew….”
“Cooper. Live a little.”
“Okay. But if I get wet, I want a change of clothes.”
“It’ll be fine. We’ll jump on Thunder Mountain to dry off.”
“Then the Haunted House,” Cooper said. “And the Matterhorn, and Space Mountain.”
“All the mountains. You got it, kid.”
It was late when they got back to Cooper’s apartment, still damp from the rides. Drew felt high. He was in love. Admitting it had only amplified everything, and all he wanted now was to fall into bed with Cooper and make love.
They stripped each other naked, cold fingers teasing damp skin while their mouths moved together, hot and needing. It felt so right, being with Cooper like this.
“Are you gonna—” Drew bit off the words, feeling his cheeks heat. “I mean. Um. Will you top me?”
Cooper nosed at Drew’s neck, laying gentle kisses on the sensitive skin. “Of course I will.”
“You don’t mind?”
Cooper pulled back. “I want to, if you want me to.”
Drew nodded. “Okay.” He pulled them both down onto the bed together. Cooper reached for Drew’s cock and squeezed it gently, then stroked all the way up to thumb at the head.
“You’ve done this before, right?”
“Mhmm. Just….” Drew stopped and pushed a stray lock of hair out of Cooper’s face. “Never with someone I care about.”
Cooper smiled, warm and sweet. “Okay. We’ll go slow.”
Drew felt no shame in clinging to Cooper as they moved together, slow and easy, just like Cooper had promised. He pressed his cheek to Cooper’s shoulder and let his lover take the lead, driving them forward and together.
He cried out as he came, feeling Cooper shuddering in his arms, and this was different than when they were together before, not just because of who was on top. Cooper kissed up Drew’s throat as they rode out the waves of their orgasm and murmured his I love you’s against Drew’s skin.
This was different… this was making love.
Drew slipped easily into sleep after Cooper had finished cleaning them off, his body and mind both exhausted. It was easy to sleep next to Cooper. They didn’t clamor for space or covers, just slotted neatly together and found comfort in the familiarity of each other’s breathing.
The next morning, Drew was woken by the sunlight
streaming in through the flimsy blinds. Cooper was still conked out on the bed next to him, so Drew decided to snooze for a while too. He didn’t have anywhere to be, after all.
They caught breakfast at a café when it was closer to afternoon than morning. It was a little place Drew had discovered completely by accident when he was still new to the city and had gotten lost while out for a drive along the coast. It took around forty-five minutes to get out to Manhattan Beach from his house, but it was much closer to Cooper’s little apartment. In some ways, Drew preferred it here to the bigger tourist beaches. He might have been caught dreaming of living in one of the huge, fancy houses in this neighborhood—maybe one day, when he was a famous actor.
The food in Drew’s secret café was definitely a step up from what either he or Cooper could make for themselves, though it was still hearty American brunch at its core. They each ordered one of the specialty omelets and watched the ocean breaking over the sand while they ate.
Refueled, they made their way back to Cooper’s apartment and lost a few more hours making each other feel good, and Drew was seriously considering a nap when Cooper rolled off the bed and padded through to his kitchen, wearing only boxers and a T-shirt.
“Hey, I want you to try something for me.”
“Sure.”
Drew took the opportunity to stretch out. It wasn’t a big bed, and the two of them tended to take up a lot of space. Cooper was making a hell of a racket in the kitchen, and Drew closed his eyes and smiled.
“Keep your eyes closed,” Cooper said.
“Mhmm.”
“And sit up, you lazy bastard.”
Drew laughed and pushed himself up, crossing his legs and setting his hands on his thighs. Not wanting to be told off, he kept his eyes closed.
“Okay, open your mouth.”
“No.”
Cooper laughed. “It’s nothing bad, I promise.”
“I don’t know if I should trust you.”
“You totally should.”
Drew wet his lips, then opened them. A moment later a spoon was pressed against them.
“Cold,” he protested, but sucked the ice cream into his mouth anyway. “Okay, this is good.”
“Yeah?”
