Docking Bay 6237

The remainder of the journey from the Panama Canal to Oakland, California passed by without much excitement, affording Alex and Drayvos ample time to indulge in their newfound favorite pastime: each other.

As the yacht glided through the early morning fog, seagulls cried out overhead, and a cool breeze swept over the AI-driven vessel as it approached the bustling Port of Oakland.

With Alex at the helm, communication with the port authorities went smoothly, securing a clear path to their new permanent berth in the Berkeley Marina. In his moments of respite, Alex had already identified a suitable marina in Berkeley to call home, with all the necessary paperwork digitally signed and his spot eagerly awaiting his arrival.

Drayvos stood in awe as the yacht slowly navigated its way beneath the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, its majestic arch spanning the entrance to San Francisco Bay.

As they cruised through the bustling port, surrounded by ships and boats of all shapes and sizes, Alex took a moment to finalize one last task. Fingers dancing across his phone screen, he accessed his banking app, his heart racing as he clicked the button to pay off his remaining student loan debt in full. With a sense of profound relief, he watched as the digits on his account remained comfortably in the seven-figure range.

Brimming with pride and excitement for the future, Alex basked in the glow of his newfound freedom from debt, his eyes alight with joy as he surveyed the luxurious yacht that now served as his home, and the man who had forever changed his world. In that moment, surrounded by the beauty of the bay and the promise of a fresh start, Alex had never felt happier.

As the yacht navigated its way through the shimmering waters of San Francisco Bay, Alex stood by Drayvos's side, a sense of excitement and anticipation coursing through him. As they rounded a corner, the towering cliffs of wave-breaking stones came into view, marking their approach to the bustling marina.

"There it is, Drayvos!" Alex exclaimed, his arms wrapped around the giant torso of the man he had come to love. "Docking Bay 6237, our new permanent address. Our home has a place on the map now."

With a graceful maneuver, the sleek vessel glided into its designated docking port, soon dropping anchor with practiced precision. Drayvos wasted no time, leaping onto the dock with ease and skillfully securing the boat in place.

In his spare moments during the voyage, Drayvos had eagerly immersed himself in learning all he could about yacht handling and ship mechanics. By the time they arrived at their destination, he had become an adept and capable sailor, his confidence shining through as he completed the docking process.

"Well, here we are in California at last," Alex remarked, a sense of accomplishment evident in his voice.

"What is next, Alexander?" Drayvos inquired, his gaze fixed on Alex with a mixture of curiosity and eagerness.

"I need to retrieve my car from the airport, visit my apartment, and tidy things up. But I'll be back soon." Alex said pulling out his phone.

"Must I stay here?" Drayvos interjected, a hint of longing in his voice. "I would like to explore this Berkeley, California too, if it is to be our new home."

Unable to deny the puppy dog eyes of his gentle giant he replied with a smile, "Of course you can come with me," his fingers already tapping away on his phone. "It's just errands, but it'll be a good opportunity for you to see the city." With that, he summoned a rideshare to whisk them away on their next adventure, the promise of a new life together beckoning on the horizon.

—

Alex settled into the cramped confines of the rear driver's seat of the compact Rideshare Prius, a frown tugging at his lips as he glanced apologetically at Drayvos. The towering giant, his massive 7-foot frame contorted awkwardly in the limited space, leaned as far back as the seat would allow, a picture of discomfort and inconvenience.

"I'm truly sorry about the size of the vehicle," the diminutive rideshare driver offered an apologetic smile through the rearview mirror. "I had no idea you were... well, so big. I would have requested a van or something more spacious."

Alex sighed, guilt weighing heavy on his shoulders. "It's not your fault," he admitted ruefully. "I should have considered Drayvos's size when arranging transportation. I'm sorry, Drayvos."

Drayvos attempted a strained smile, though the discomfort etched in his features was unmistakable. "It's... quite alright," he replied, his voice strained with the effort of maintaining composure. Feeling like a squashed sardine in the confines of the small tin can of a car, he shifted uncomfortably, his gaze drifting out of the rear passenger window, the only solace being the glimpse of the city passing by.

As the Prius navigated through the bustling streets of Oakland en route to the airport, Alex couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for subjecting his beloved giant to such discomfort. With each passing moment, he resolved to ensure that Drayvos's comfort and well-being would be prioritized, even if it meant making more thoughtful choices in the future.

—

The rideshare Prius rolled into the long-term parking lot, coming to a stop to drop off Alex and Drayvos amidst a sea of vehicles. As they stepped out, Alex couldn't help but cringe at the sight of his compact sedan waiting for them.

"Ugh, what a welcome home," Alex grumbled, eyeing the cluster of parking tickets adorning his windshield—a stark reminder of his extended absence, now stretching well beyond his initial plans.

"Alexander... is this vehicle... smaller than the last one we traveled in?" Drayvos inquired, his towering figure looming over the sedan, his hips nearly reaching the rooftop.

With a weary sigh, Alex nodded in resignation. "Yeah, it's definitely smaller. But hey, I've got an idea! Let's go find a car that actually fits you," he suggested, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.

A hint of amusement danced in Drayvos's eyes as he glanced down at the compact sedan, clearly skeptical of his ability to squeeze into the front seat. "Shall I ride on the roof?" he quipped, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips, his massive frame making it clear that the cramped confines of the sedan were not an option.

—

The compact sedan eased into the bustling lot of a Ford dealership, its occupants determined to find a vehicle that could accommodate their unique needs.

As Alex maneuvered into a parking spot, a friendly car salesperson made their way over with an eager smile, ready to assist. But their greeting faltered as their eyes widened in astonishment at the sight before them.

Out of the cramped back seat emerged the towering figure of Drayvos, a giant among men, forced to contort his massive frame just to fit within the confines of the small sedan. The salesperson's jaw practically dropped in disbelief at the sheer size of the man before them.

Suppressing a chuckle at the absurdity of the situation, Alex exchanged a knowing glance with Drayvos before addressing the bemused salesperson. "I think we're in need of something... considerably larger," he quipped, unable to contain his amusement at the comical sight of Drayvos squeezed into the back seat.

With a shared sense of determination, the unlikely duo set off into the dealership, their sights set on finding a vehicle that could truly accommodate Drayvos's towering stature.

—

Moments later, Alex steered the brand-new Ford F-150 Lightning hybrid truck out of the dealership, its sleek exterior gleaming under the sunlight. With its spacious cabin and robust build, it was the perfect choice for accommodating Drayvos's towering figure.

Drayvos couldn't contain his excitement as he settled into the passenger seat, his eyes wide with wonder as he took in the ample legroom and expansive reach space afforded by the truck's interior. "This is MUCH better!" he exclaimed, his enthusiasm palpable as he stretched and maneuvered his frame to test the limits of the truck's comfort.

Grinning at Drayvos's obvious delight, Alex nodded in agreement. "I'm glad you like it. We have a few errands to run before we head back to the boat," he explained, outlining their plans for the day. "First, we'll swing by my apartment to pack up and return my keys. Then, we'll stop by the post office so I can fill out a change of address form, and after that…"

Drayvos interrupted with a blunt question that caught Alex off guard. "When do we christen this vehicle, Alexander? My loins ache for you," he declared matter-of-factly, his eagerness evident in his tone.

After a moment of startled silence, Alex cleared his throat and replied, "Um… once we're finished with our errands and back at the marina, sure."

"Excellent!" Drayvos declared with a gleeful grin, settling back in his seat as they made their way towards Alex's apartment. "I love it when my loins ache for you!"

—

Standing before the unassuming apartment door, Alex fished out his keys, a sense of purpose driving his actions. "Alright, we have a ton to do today, so let's get started. We need to pack up and head back to start loading the truck."

"Agreed, Alexander. Let us gather your belongings and make our way to our new abode," Drayvos concurred, his deep voice resonating with determination.

With a firm grip on the doorknob, Alex turned to Drayvos, his tone serious. "No hanky-panky business, Drayvos," he asserted, fixing the giant with a pointed look. "We have too much on our plate today to be distracted."

"No hanky-panky business. Understood." Drayvos echoed solemnly, nodding in understanding as they crossed the threshold into Alex's apartment.

—

"Holy Hell Drayvos!" Alex gasped, his chest rising and falling with exertion as he lay naked and sweaty on the bare mattress of his bed. "I thought... I said... no hanky-panky!"

Drayvos, equally breathless and naked beside him, paused to catch his breath. "Oh..." he managed between pants, "THAT's what hanky-panky means! I thought it… actually… I had no clue what it meant…"

Alex couldn't help but laugh uproariously, the sound filling the empty apartment as he gazed at the man he had grown to love lying beside him. Despite the intensity of their unexpected encounter, he found himself reveling in the surrealism of the moment, still grappling with the reality of his newfound romance with Drayvos.