All characters in this work of fiction are 18+
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Part 1
Cooper sat in the plush leather chair, his legs crossed, hands clasped tightly together. The room was filled with the scent of expensive leather and the faint hum of a distant white noise machine in the hall.
As he waited for the therapist to show up, he scanned the tiny room. There was the large green couch he sat on with a small side table, a leather chair across the way with a small desk next to it. Two floor lamps lit the space in a soft warmth. A large cabinet sat in the corner with a wall covered in certifications and degrees. They all read Shawn Williams, the doctor he was waiting on. There were so many letters following the man's name: ABPP, LPC, LMHC in BNWO. What did they all mean, Cooper wondered. At least he was well-trained.
The white man felt his hair stand on end as the door began to open. A much harsher light filled the room as the doctor stepped in. The doctor was a tall, elegant black man with deep brown skin, warm eyes, and a confident posture. He wore stylish glasses, a tailored blazer, and had neatly buzzed short, professional cut. In his hand he held a black leather binder.
"Cooper?" The doctor spoke in a deep tone as he shut the door behind him.
As he entered the room, his tall, muscular frame commanded attention. His dark skin contrasted with the crisp white shirt he wore, the top few buttons undone, revealing a hint of his chest. A long lanyard full of keys swung across his crip shirt. His eyes, a deep brown, met Cooper's gaze immediately, holding it for a moment before he smiled warmly.
"Yes, Doctor," Cooper replied, his voice barely above a whisper. Cooper was a little nervous that the man was black. He had no problem with black people, but considering the reason why he had come today, he suddenly felt far more uncomfortable.
"Please, call me Shawn. We're going to be spending quite a bit of time together, and I'd like to keep things as comfortable as possible." The doctor moved to the leather chair Cooper had been eyeing earlier and took a seat. Opening the binder, Shawn jotted down some notes before turning his attention to the patient.
"Of course." Cooper fidgeted in his seat.
"To start, tell me a little about yourself."
"Oh... uh..." The white man stuttered, unsure where to start. How do you sum up a lifetime in a brief few sentences?
"There is no reason to be nervous," Shawn said softly. Something about this authentic, almost monotone voice was calming. Cooper took a breath. This man was a professional. There was nothing he needed to worry about. Cooper began with who he was in the present, focusing on his job like most people did. Moving out, he explained he didn't have any intimate relationships in the present. Adding, he quickly gave a list of some of his hobbies, including reading and the occasional cooking class. The doctor nodded every so often, taking down a note or two on the clipboard as Cooper went.
There was a pause as he finished speaking. The doctor made a confirming noise beneath his breath. Cooper's gaze moved down to the man's succulent lips. It made him suddenly aware of his thin pink lips that he immediately pressed together unconsciously. Why was every feature on a black man so perfect? He shook the thought. Flipping through some pages in his binder for a moment, the doctor met Cooper's gaze.
Dr. Williams leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes studying Cooper intently for a moment. "Cooper," he said, his voice calm and reassuring, "It sounds like you have a decent life, albeit sort of lonely. But I understand that you're feeling inadequate. That is why you are here today."
Cooper suddenly felt the room run cold as his blood dropped. He was able to push away the reason he set up the appointment with what felt like casual small talk, but it was clear Shawn had gone over the interview questions he had spoken to a receptionist about a week or so prior. Of course, he did! Cooper wasn't surprised; he just... he just wasn't ready.
Cooper shook his head suddenly, beyond embarrassed. Maybe he should have requested a white doctor. He felt bad for even thinking that thought. Was that racist? But considering the subject matter, that probably would have been best. "No, I haven't. I just know it's making me feel terrible about myself. I don't have the best confidence in most situations. I mean, I get by but..." Cooper felt like he was starting to ramble, but Dr. William's attention didn't waver. "...but I don't know. I just... I am not the strongest or the smartest, and obviously, I'm not too well built... I just..."
"I understand." Alex interrupted his ramblings.
Did he understand, Cooper wondered. How could he? How could such an incredible definition of manhood understand what he was experiencing? He was tall. He was attractive. He was obviously built. He has a gorgeous smile. He had tender eyes. He was black! Cooper took a deep breath, trying to push away the consuming thoughts.
"I believe you might be dancing around the actual issue thought." The doctor got more comfortable, spreading his legs a bit, "I have your reason for coming today in my notes, but I would like to hear it from you. In your own words, that is."
Cooper's eyes dropped to the prominent bulge in the man's pants that seemed to beat against the cotton fiber containing it. The white man felt his mind beginning to race. He pushed aside his mind's imagination and the need to take this session seriously if he was going to get the help he needed.
"Well..." He began. How did he discuss this with Alex? The man was professional, he had to keep reminding himself of that. "Well... you see I watch porn... like most men do." Cooper shucked causing the doctor to smile and nod, "It's just I've begun to notice that a lot of porn... has been predominantly..." Cooper stumbled.
"You can say it. This is a safe space, Cooper." The doctor pressed.
"Blacked." Cooper blurted out, "A lot of porn has been blacked."
"I see."
"It seemed to be a fetish thing at first." The patient said. He adjusted himself on the couch, comfortably. A feeling of ease began to come over him. It was out there. "But now it's everywhere. And it's not just in porn. It's all media. Movies, streaming shows, music... I was interested in this girl a little while back, but she... We went on a few dates, but when I called her up again, she shot me down. A few days later, I saw her at the gym with a black man."
"Hmmm, yes." The doctor nodded, "Is that why you are here today?"
"About two weeks ago," Cooper stared at Alex's beautifully polished monk strap oxford shoes, "I had a friend... he was a straight man. Never said he was gay. Not that I would have a problem if he was!" The confirmed allowed, "But he always talked about chicks, but then out of nowhere the next thing I knew he was with some black man. Suddenly we began hanging out ess and I haven't heard from him for about a week now. It just... its odd."
"I hear you." Dr. Williams said, taking some notes down in his binder. There was some silence as the doctor seemed to process his words. "Take the back to the porn you watch."
"Okay..." Cooper said awkwardly. Discussing this with a man was already uncomfortable but a man as beautiful as Shawn was painful.
"When you stumble across this 'blacked' porn as you put it, what do you do?" The doctor adjusted himself in the large leather chair. His legs moved further apart hitting the edges of the arms of the seat.