Charlie decides on a plan and selects the options on the Chronivac. He chooses a gradual transformation. Then he leaves his apartment, stops by the coffee shop and walks to Steve's to deliver his favorites. By the time he gets there, he's already having trouble holding the delivery because his sleeves are slipping over his hands. He knocks.
Steve answers. "Charlie, come in. I was just cleaning."
"I brought your favorite Cozy Cinnamon Cocoa and a fritter."
"Thank you. I was about to order pizza. You want pineapple?"
"Yes, thank you."
"What's up with your shirt? It's too big."
"I'm shrinking."
"What? That's impossible."
"No, it's true."
"Have you been to the doctor?"
"No, I chose to shrink. It's a new technology I received at random."
Steve had heard about some of the latest technological breakthroughs but they hadn't been available to the public. Steve and Charlie talk about the technology but I won't bore you with that geekery.
By the time the pizza arrives, Charlie is less than three feet tall and having trouble keeping his clothes on. He hides from the delivery boy who happens to be Ryan, a friend of theirs but Steve invites him to come hang after his shift is over. After Ryan leaves, Charlie gives up on staying dressed.
Steve asks, "So why do you want to shrink and visit me?"
"I want you to play with me."
"I'm not gay."
"I'm not either. I meant play with me like an action figure or toy."
"I'm not a little kid. I don't play with toys."
"That's no excuse. I've caught you watching kid's shows or swinging in the kids playground."
"Alright but I don't have any clothes your size."
"Who needs clothes?"
They wait until Charlie is six inches tall before they play. It's awkward at first because there are no other toys so Steve has to improvise using spoons, bottles, tools and other things.
Charlie says, "Pick me up. I can't be your toy if you're afraid to touch me."
Steve picks Charlie up. "You want me to pick you up and your naked. You're sure you don't want sex?"
"I'm not sure what I want but I don't want to be penetrated and I don't want to penetrate you. Would you mind getting naked though. You don't have to but I'd like to see you naked."
"You've seen me naked before in the locker room."
"I've caught brief glimpses of you as you changed quickly and I had to pretend I wasn't looking so people wouldn't get the wrong idea. Please just hang out naked with me."
Steve felt nervous to be that vulnerable in front of someone but after he stripped, he started to feel freer and more relaxed than he'd ever felt before. Nudity can symbolize several things. It can symbolize sexuality but it can also symbolize heroism, vulnerability, honesty, freedom, relaxation, a removal of our shields and defenses, to let our guard down.