David and Tristan

DAVID & TRISTAN-BOYS IN SCHOOL is a continuation of the story, Boys on the Farm, about two teen boys named David and Tristan. It is a story of discovery...what the boys learn about life, about themselves, and what it means to be gay. If sex between male teenagers is offensive to you or if you are underage then you should move on to something else.

DAVID & TRISTAN--BOYS IN SCHOOL is a work of pure fiction -- the characters and the events do not represent any person or situation. Copyright (c)2002 by D.Z., all rights reserved. You may contact me by emailing ndman72@yahoo.com.

PREFACE:

From time to time I receive emails from guys who don't believe that it is possible to find the kind of love I write about. Actually, what I write about is tame compared to the real life stories that different guys tell me in their emails. Here are two examples of love stories that each could be the subject of a Nifty story.

Donald wrote and had this to say:

"My real coming to grips with my sexuality was when I moved to NYC. This was in the 50's and sex was readily available, frequent, and safe. I was a preppy college guy then and hung out with the preppy college bars and finally had my first affair, heart breaking to me when it ended.

Then when I was in my late 20's I ran into a guy in a gay bar in a small Midwestern city. He was in town for only one night on a Labor Day weekend. He snuck me into his parent's house about 3 AM (his dad was a homophobe and would have killed us if he discovered us). He returned about a week later to search for me, having lost my phone number and address. He found me walking to lunch (what is the chance of that). That night we looked for an apartment. That Labor Day was in 1961 and every Labor Day is really special to us.

Maybe if things then were more like they are now, I might have met someone in high school and my life might have taken an entirely different path. Frankly I am glad that things for us turned out as they had. An interesting sidelight-- my mate and I were both living in NYC at the same time but it took that chance meeting in a small bar in a small Midwestern city when he was visiting his folks for only one night to bring us "our magic", something probably that never would have happened in NYC even if by chance we had met there.

I do love your story. For some it will happen in high school. For others like us it will happen later when the hormones are less churning and we are searching for something deeper and more lasting."

Here's another story, only this one has some tragedy and a renewal of love within it. And you thought heart-rending things only happened in fiction? Just read this one from Bill.

"I grew up in the 50's and I was deep in the closet. I lived in a small town in the South. I kept my emotions intact and even to my best buds I was in the closet. Finally I graduated high school and went off to college. What a new life this was for me. I was still afraid to out myself to anyone. Well I am in the dormitory and in walks my new roommate. Oh God I thought I am dead now. He was drop dead gorgeous. He was about 6'2 190, blue eyes and blond. I thought how am I going to sleep in the same room with him. Right off he took to me being friendly and all that. I helped him get in things up the stairs thinking how can I handle this? We sat and talked for 3 hours just getting to know each other. (I am about 5'11, 180# black hair, brown eyes, clean shaven). This was Friday and we had no classes until Monday. He asked if I wanted to go out and have a drink. (18 was drinking age then). I thought why not. We got back to our room around 12 feeling good but not drunk. We were sitting on his bed talking maybe a foot apart. Inside I am feeling yucky cause this guy is getting to me and I am scared of making a scene. Before I can really say anything he leans over and kisses me on the cheek.

I looked at him with this surprised look. He said "Was that ok"? I said nothing but leaned into him and kissed him full on the mouth. Within 5 minutes we were all over each other. That was my coming out "party". Long story short we became lovers, moved into an apartment the next semester.

Since there were no computers then I sat down and wrote my parents a long letter(wish I still had it). I hear nothing for two weeks. Then I get a phone call from my Mother. She is crying but they both accept it but just give them some time.

John and I were together for 17 years. He was coming back from the airport and a drunk driver hit him. I did have support from his family and mine. Without it I would have been dead.

Two years later I met a wonderful man at a friend's party. We were friends for a year and then the love bug hit. That was 1982. There is 20 years difference in our ages but the love and caring is still there. I am 63 and he is 43. Life is great and I appreciate it more everyday."

Ok, it's me, Derek again. I know these were a bit long, but my point is that love is out there waiting for everyone. All it takes is the right circumstances and a heartfelt, lasting love is possible. But there is one little catch to it. Nothing will ever happen if someone doesn't take a risk and make the first move.

Now let's check out some of the moves of our boys.

CHAPTER 17. NEW BEGINNINGS.

Saturday Evening at the Camp:

David and Tristan walked back to the camp where Jason and Chris were, wearing nothing but their shoes. It felt really good to be able to feel the warm sunshine on their nakedness and to be free like they were out on the farm. "I wonder what Jason and Chris are doing?" Tristan asked as they walked hand in hand.

"Who knows?" David answered shortly. "They could be inside the tent fucking for all I care."

"David, you shouldn't let this wreck the friendship we've had with Jason since first grade," Tristan chided. "Maybe if they won't let themselves be shaved we can still make them pay off by giving them a trim job."

David stopped in his tracks to look at Tristan. "Why, so you can still see their dicks up close, is that it?"

"Well I was just looking for a compromise solution, but yeah, I wouldn't mind a good look either," Tristan admitted with a grin. "But only if they are going to stay good buds, you know what I mean?"

"Yeah, we'll see what those dumb-asses say when we get there and then we'll see what happens," David allowed. He knew Tristan liked to look and as long as he only looked, David could handle that. He knew how much Tristan loved him and Tristan proved it over and over every day by the love in his eyes, loving gestures, and his thoughtfulness towards David.

They crested the hill and walked through the trees of a coulee towards the camp. "Hey, should we sneak up and see what they are doing?" Tristan asked.

"Nope, would you like it if they did it to us?" David responded. "We'll just make an ordinary amount of noise and walk in and they can do whatever they want." Still hand in hand, they walked normally, cracking sticks with their feet that were hidden under the leaves. Even this early in the fall the leaves were turning yellow and starting to fall from the trees.

"Hey, we're back," Tristan called out as a greeting/warning when they were about to step into the cleared area of their campsite. No answer was immediately forthcoming as they entered the camp. The fire had burned down to embers and the other two boys weren't in sight. "You don't suppose they left, do you?" Tristan asked David worriedly.

"Dunno. Look in the tent and see," David suggested. Before they reached the tent to look inside, the figures of Jason and Chris emerged. They were dressed, but by the looks of their mussed up hair things weren't entirely innocent in there either.

"Woo hoo!" Jason hooted. "Look at you two nature dudes! Working on those all over tans again I see," he teased his eyes traveled up and down their bodies taking in the view. "Dayam, you boys look cute holding hands like that. So David, are you over being pissed at me?"

"Man, Jason, you don't ever change do you?" David asked wryly. "Never any doubt of what's going on in your head, is there?"

"Nope," Jason giggled in reply. "So, are you still pissed?" he persisted.

"Kinda," David grunted. "But I'm not going to make you do anything you don't want to do," he conceded.

"Well, Chris and I have been talking some since you left," Jason said as his eyes glanced over to meet David's unflinching gaze. "Since we did shake on it I guess it was a serious bet. And if it means that much to you, David, for me to keep my word, then you can have my pubes." And then Jason giggled again before he added, "but Chrissy says he gets my cherry or he'll be majorly pissed."

"Jason!" Chris' mouth dropped open with shock at Jason's forwardness and he hit Jason on the shoulder with his fist. "Don't tell them our stuff like that!" he yelped.

Tristan couldn't help it. By now he was doubled over with laughter. It was obvious that Chris was still learning how outspoken Jason could be.

"Well yeah," David answered levelly. "I don't blame him either. You mean you still haven't given it up for him?"

"Uh, no. We were hoping maybe you and Tristan could give us some pointers on that," and then Jason was laughing again as he spoke. "We figure that if he can get his whopper in you, then he should be able to tell or show Chris how to get his thing in me to claim my cherry. The only time he tried was too painful so I made him stop."

Chris just stood there and blushed, shaking his head yes. Even though he had spent time with David and Tristan several times before, he was still a bit embarrassed to have Jason blurting out their intimate details.

Tristan finally stopped his laughing and straightened up to say, "Well, it's nothing a hard dick, some lube, and a little patience won't cure. And pretty soon you'll be loving it like David does."

Now it was David's turn to blush from his chest clear up to the roots of his hair. "Tristan, you didn't have to say that!"

Tristan put his hands on his hips and turned to answer David. "Why not? We're buds here and we don't have to hide stuff. Besides, if they don't know it by now, they'll probably know it before we go home."

David could only mumble in reply, "Yeah, I guess, but only if they get shaved."

"I heard that David. Let's get it over with then," Jason said throwing up his hands. "So how do you want to go about getting it done?" he asked the other two.

"Is it OK with you if we do it outside?" Tristan asked. "Then we don't have to worry about stray pubic hair floating around inside the tent," and he laughed.

Chris stood there and blushed more. Jason took a look over at him before answering, "Oh, what the hell. Why not?"

David found his voice again. "So Jason, are you first? Who do you want to do it for you, me or Tristan?"

Jason pretended to think. "Oh, you David of course!" and he laughed his maniacal laugh before he started to pull off his clothes. "Somebody remember to bring a razor and shaving cream?" he asked with some slight concern.

"Oh yeah, I brought everything we need," Tristan replied smugly. "It's in my stuff. I'll get it," and off into the tent he went to dig in his bag.

"Chrissy, you gonna be the only one with clothes on here or what?" Jason asked as he dropped his cargo shorts and slipped them off over his shoes.

Chris silently began undressing, stripping in slow motion while he watched Jason pull off his boxers to reveal the nude body that had been solely his to handle until now. He couldn't resist saying, "The only thing you can do is to shave him, nothing else."

That earned him a look from everyone. Jason smiled because he knew Chris was staking his claim. Tristan also smiled as he came out of the tent, fully aware of what Chris was not saying. And then there was David who met Chris' eyes to answer with a crooked smile, "Don't worry Chris, I'll leave him with everything he has right now except his pubes. The rest is all yours."

"OK. Then we understand each other," Chris declared in an uncharacteristic show of assertiveness.

Standing up outside the tent, Tristan brought over a handful of supplies. "I have scissors, razor, shaving cream, and skin cream," he said. "Jason, are you ready?"

"Yeah, I guess. It's now or never guys," and so he stood there with his hands on his hips letting his pubes be ruffled one last time by the breeze.

'Jason is one heck of a good looking guy', Tristan realized afresh as he looked over at Jason. Jason had developed a nice sized cock and a good amount of pubes that stretched from the thatch over his cock to extend down the sides of his sack. "You'd might want to cut most of it off with a scissors," Tristan suggested, handing them to David.

"Yeah, but don't cut anything you aren't supposed to," Jason warned. "And if you need me to hold something out of the way, you'd best let me."

"Oh, don't worry, Jason, I'll be real careful," David said as he knelt down in front of Jason. "Besides, you've already been cut once before," he laughed as he referred to Jason's circumcised status. "Ready?" he asked.

"Yeah, just do it," Jason said as he looked down at his brown pubic hair that was about to be history.

David brought the scissors up in a horizontal fashion and made his first cut. A thick clump of hair floated down past Jason's soft dick. There was no turning back now since what remained looked horrible. David made short work of the pubes above with a few more cuts of the scissors before reaching with his left fingers to pull Jason's cock to one side. Then the snipping resumed as Jason lost the hair on the left side of his balls.

Jason couldn't help it. He was standing outside stark naked and his cock was being touched. Try as he might to ignore it, his cock liked being touched and began to grow.

Of course David noticed right away and looked up to smile at Jason. "Like that huh?" he teased. "Now I've got something I can steer out of the way better."

"You wish you could play with my dick," Jason taunted back. "But it's Chrissy's toy, not yours, so just don't think you get to play very long."

"Whatever," David said as he got lined up to finish trimming the hair on the right side of Jason's balls. Snip snip snip went the scissors. "There, I have everything that the scissors will get," David said with a satisfied air.

Jason reached down and touched what remained of his pubes. "Oh my god, they feel like sandpaper," he said in horror. "I was going to ask if this would be good enough for you David, but not now. You gotta finish the job."

"Let me feel," Chris said and without waiting, he brushed his fingers over the short stubble. "Ewww, that's nasty."

"Tristan, I'll trade you the scissors for the shaving cream," David said as he held out the pube trimmers.

"Yup, here ya go," Tristan answered David before turning to Chris. "You ready to lose 'em Goldilocks?"

Jason and David both burst out laughing at that one, even if they were in the middle of spreading the shaving cream. And Jason was fully hard by this time since the shaving cream was too much like lube for his cock to know the difference. It didn't help at all either when David wiped a glob from his cock down its entire length. Jason couldn't stop the involuntary reaction of his muscles tightening and making his cock jump.

"Hey watch it with that thing!" David protested in mock seriousness, "A guy could get an eye poked out," as he leaned back out of harm's way.

Now it was Tristan and Chris's turn to laugh at the antics of the other two before they got down to their serious business. Tristan did it the same as David had, kneeling in front of Chris who was standing with his hands at his sides. Tristan noted the exact shape of the helmeted head, and the way the fleshy folds of his scrotal sack were suspended from an average sized penis. What was different about Chris was that his glans was almost streamlined since it had no prominent ridge. Tristan tore his eyes away and refocused them on the blonde pubes directly in front of him. Clipping carefully, Tristan efficiently snipped away the dark blonde hair adorning the penis that hung slack before him.

Meanwhile David was carefully shaving Jason, his tongue showing between parted lips as he gently removed the pitiful remainder of Jason's once proud bush. He was very glad that he had experience in handling Tristan's manly member as he maneuvered Jason's cock this way and that in order to keep it out of harm's way while Jason silently watched. Finally, David was done. "There, naked down there as the day you were born," he quipped as he grinned up at Jason.

"Yeah, but there's a lot more to it than the day I was born and Chrissy appreciates it!" Jason quickly fired back. "Are you done with this bet business so I can get cleaned off?" he asked immediately.

"Yup, now that you're shaved I can't say you haven't paid off your bet. Do you want me to pour the water for you or what?"

"Oh, I think you've done enough 'helping' for now," Jason said wryly. "I think Chris and I can help each other with whatever is left," he said as he looked over to see how Chris was faring with Tristan's ministrations. "You guys about done over there?" he asked.

"Mmmm hmmmm," Tristan hummed as he concentrated on shaving away the final hairs leading down the side of Chris sack. "Just one more second and we'll be done over here," he added after a moment. "OK, we're done," came Tristan's announcement. As he stood up he took one last glance at another guy's equipment other than David's up close.

The afternoon shadows had been lengthening while the boys were busy with their task. As Jason and Chris were washing off the remaining shaving cream from each other, David and Tristan went scrounging for more wood to get the fire going once more.

"Crap, I can't believe how naked this makes me feel," Chris exclaimed as they came back to the fire pit area. "I'm putting my shorts back on even if you and David are still running around loose," he remarked in Tristan's direction.

"Yeah, well I guess with no hair you need to have something to cut down on the draft," Tristan chuckled. "David and I got pretty used to being naked outside this summer so it doesn't bother me," and he glanced up at the sinking sun. "At least while I can feel the sun's warmth, that is," he amended.

Jason had slipped into the tent without saying anything. Chris noticed that and after raising his eyebrows in silent concern, followed Jason into the tent. Low voices came from within but the other two boys outside couldn't make out any words. After the space of five minutes or so they emerged from the tent with neutral expressions.

"Hey, I hope you aren't mad at us now," David spoke up right away when he saw Jason come into view again.

"Naw, I'm not mad....at least not like you were earlier," Jason shrugged his shoulders. "I just need to get adjusted to being without my pubes down there...it takes some getting used to. It's drafty," and then he laughed his trademark laugh.

"Kay, then I guess all is good," David said with a relieved smile. "Tris and I were thinking of getting our dinner started cooking."

"Yeah, good idea," Chris agreed, "Right Jason?"

So they made their evening meal, ate, and kicked back to enjoy the rest of the evening. The sun marked the end of its journey as it kissed the horizon and it's golden shafts of light dispersed. The campfire was burning merrily as David had recently fed the dancing flames. Sparks would occasionally jump out with a popping noise as the flames consumed the wood.

David was seated on a ground cloth between Tristan's legs with Tristan's arms wrapped around him. They were still nude, and in the growing chill of the evening air they were glad to have each the warmth provided by the abundant skin-to-skin contact.

Jason and Chris were sitting on a log side by side, their arms wrapped around the other's waist. In that way they were able to trade butterfly kisses whenever they felt like it.

Tristan would nuzzle and lick David's neck, making David squirm back against him. "This is the way I wish things were all the time," Tristan commented. "That we didn't have to be afraid to show how we felt in front of others, you know?"

David leaned his head back against Tristan's shoulder as his response.

"Yeah, this is the way things should be," Jason agreed. "I'm glad we have you guys to be able to be ourselves with," he added.

Chris chuckled. "Yeah, I remember how shocked Jason was when he found out you guys were going out. He couldn't stop talking about you for days."

"So, anyone else think it's time to go inside the tent and get cozy?" Jason hinted.

"Anytime you're ready Jase," Chris said as he turned to nibble on his boyfriends' ear.

"What do you think David?" Tristan asked in a low murmur. "Are you OK about it now?"

"Yeah, it's fine with me," David said as he pressed back against Tristan once more. Tristan's hand found its way to David's front and rubbed gently.

David spread his legs slightly as he moaned his approval.

"Hey, let's take this inside," Jason said as he broke off his steamy kiss with Chris and stood up to pull Chris with him. Even in the dim light coming from the dying fire, it was easy to see his arousal despite the shorts he wore.

Glancing at each other one last time to check for any lingering doubts, they all stepped into the tent, David and Tristan's erections bobbing as they walked the short distance to the tent. David carefully zipped the screen into place before turning to see Jason and Chris locked in another passionate kiss.

Tristan was waiting for him with open arms and they slid into their own bout of kissing. Without really watching the others, Jason and Chris gradually shed their clothes. The shadows cast by the two couples danced from the light of the flickering fire, casting erotic silhouettes against the back wall.

"You ready there Sexy?" Chris whispered to him.

"Yeah, I think so," Jason whispered back rather nervously. "But you have to lube me up and I don't want to be on my back, OK? Not this time with those guys here Sweet Stuff."

Chris breathed ragged breaths in his ear as his hand sent sparks of longing through Jason's body as it caressed his balls and aching cock. They broke their embrace for Chris to grab the lube and for Jason to sink to his hands and knees. He turned his head to watch David and Tristan make love to each other while he waited for Chris. Jason looked over at the other pair and watched their darting tongues and groins grinding together which sent jolts of intense desire through his stomach and down to his aching cock. He felt Chris move up behind him and then two fingers coated with cold lube found his virgin rosebud. Inadvertently he tensed up as a finger slipped barely inside his pucker.

"Relax Jase," Chris whispered softly as he waited for Jason to stop clenching down. And as Jason began to adjust to having something sliding up his rear, he began to relax again. "There you go," Chris whispered encouragingly. "It just takes some getting used to."

"Yeah, I guess so," Jason agreed while he thought to himself, 'So is this how it's supposed to feel? Too bad Chrissy didn't try it this way the first time. It just plain hurt then.' Then he gasped as Chris slid his finger deeper.

"Did that hurt?" Chris asked with concern.

"No, it didn't hurt. It's kinda hard to describe. It's kinda good, keep going," Jase murmured as he absently watched David and Tristan continue making out off to his side while he focused on the new feelings he was experiencing inside his body.

Chris continued to work lube into Jason and then slowly began moving his finger in and out. He was searching all the while for Jason's hot button. He dragged the digit slowly in search of the spot that would make his lover squirm. It was only silent, suspended seconds later when his finger found the hard bump he had been searching for. Chris pressed upwards and instantly Jason moaned and shuddered with pleasure.

"Don't stop," came his quivering voice. "Oh my God that's awesome," he practically panted. "Do I make you feel sparks shoot out to the ends of your body like that?" he asked in wonder.

"Yeah, when I'm going nuts that's what you are doing to me," Chris shyly confessed as he saw David looking back over his shoulder at him. And so Chris knew that he was giving his boyfriend the intimate feelings he received every time they made love. It was with delight that he decided to increase the shocks of pleasure that were skipping up Jason's back and slid a second finger inside.

Jason dropped his head and held his breath, waiting for the sudden feeling of pressure to pass. "Cold," he moaned.

"You know what they say," Chris looked up and smiled as he continued his ministrations. "Another dab of lube will do ya," he said as he twisted his fingers around Jason's pucker in an effort to loosen the ring of muscle that was attempting to clench again. Before long Jason felt two squirming fingers within him; pleasure signals raced throughout his lust-filled body as he adjusted to the feelings that Chris was creating in his most private of places. Silently and slowly Chris slipped a third finger inside, stretching Jason open further.

"Oh my Gawd Chrissy," Jason moaned, feeling as if his ass would rip in half. Nonetheless, he ached for the real thing and wanted to have Chris' essence deep within him. "Chris, I want your dick inside me now," and moaned as Chris hit his hot button again.

David and Tristan stopped their making out long enough to watch Chris move up behind Jason and carefully insert his boner inside Jason. It was extremely erotic for them to view another couple making love and sharing the same intimacies they shared. David whispered to Tristan, "Tris, I wanna do you, OK?"

Tristan smiled back at his lover and nodded his assent before reaching over for the lube. He handed it to David and asked, "Do you want to try it like they are?"

David shook his head 'no' and whispered, "I want to be able to kiss you as we make love Tris."

"Oh yeah," Tristan sighed happily and pulled his knees up so David could prepare him. In the dim light David could see the dark hairs that lined Tristan's crack and surrounded his bunghole. To David it was a tantalizing sight and his cock throbbed madly with burning desire. It didn't take David long to lube his Tris and to coat his steel hard cock. Lifting Tristan's legs over his shoulders David looked down upon the boy that had stolen his heart. He loved every inch of Tristan from his smiling face to the now bloated cock that lay on his belly, the head glistening with precum, and the plump balls that lay slack in a nest of dark pubic hair. Lining himself up, David sunk his manhood into the hot depths of the boy he had come to love without restraint. It was then they began the primeval act of two becoming one, David sliding in and out smoothly as they kissed passionately.

On the other side of the tent Chris was filling Jason up with every inch of his love; his ass cheeks flexed as he thrust into Jason's no longer virgin bottom. Jason's head was thrust back as far as it would go and his gasps were overlaid with the moans and little whines of passion Chris was making. The pace of his fucking picked up and the slap of his thrusts became audible.

Still moving slowly inside Tristan, David quit kissing his Tris to watch the other two reach their pinnacle. Tristan naturally rolled his head to the side and saw Chris bury himself to the hilt inside Jason and then convulse in a colossal orgasm, whimpering in ecstasy all the while. To their amazement, they could see the streams of cum gushing from Jason's cock simultaneously. It was as if Chris was shooting his semen straight through Jason's cock.

Bodies sweating and chests heaving from their mutual orgasm, Chris and Jason remained motionless for the space of half a minute before Jason let himself fall forward to lie prone on the sleeping bag. Chris rode him down, still joined with Jason. They laid there like that as they recovered from their draining activities.

David turned his attention back to his Tristan, his libido supercharged by the sight they had just witnessed. It was time for them to achieve their own heights of passion and love. He found the angle that caused his hard dick to massage Tristan's prostate and their love making soared into the clouds.

Now it was Jason and Chris' turn to watch the other couple reach sexual Nirvana in the dim light of the dying fire. Tristan moaned with sensuous abandon as his cock began to hose streamers of cum while his ass milked David's cock. David grunted and shuddered through multiple orgasmic pulses before he lay down on Tristan's chest to be held tightly by Tristan's arms.

The two couples whispered their words of love and contentment to each other as they slowly drifted off to sleep, bonded together as best friends and lovers from their of sharing the most intimate of acts.

SUNDAY MORNING - approximately 7:30 a.m.

Anthony couldn't remember a night when he had slept better. He was warm and secure in the arms of the older boy he adored, his Drew, as they spent their first night together: the night that Anthony gave up his virginity. Every time he woke the slightest amount, he realized once more who was holding him, whose heart was beating in that large chest next to his ear, and whose strong arms held him close and protected him.

The early morning sun was peering over the lip of the horizon just as young Anthony ventured forth from the land of dreams unto the waking world. His eyes fluttered as the sun's pale golden rays of light shone into the front room window. The light shining in his eyes spurred Anthony's return to the real world as his eyes blinked open for the first time since he and Drew had fallen asleep on the couch. The dull ache in his posterior reminded him of the love making he had experienced for the very first time last night, as he was filled with Drew's love, not only for the first time, but for the second as well. Drew had more than willingly treated him to a second round of sweet lovemaking.

He wriggled happily against his love's darker skin, reveling in the feel of their naked flesh together and feeling Drew's massive morning erection pressed into his own. The acrylic blanket covering them had kept them nice and toasty during the night but was slightly itchy against his unclothed body. "What the hell?" Anthony's mind shouted at him upon that realization. His eyes snapped down to look at the green floral blanket that was covering them. He knew for a fact that he hadn't gotten that blanket out of the linen closet. "Drew!" Anthony whispered in a panic. "Drew, wake up!"

Drew groaned in response and slowly stirred. He slowly opened his eyes and smiled as he looked upon the worried face of his Little Man. "Mmmm, what sweetie?" he rumbled questioningly in a deep morning voice that was filled with love and tenderness.

"Drew, did you go get a blanket for us last night when I was sleeping?" Anthony asked urgently.

"No, I didn't," he answered sleepily and pulled the blanket up to cover their shoulders. "Didn't you?"

"No. Oh my god. It must have been my mom. She saw us like this." Anthony wished at that moment that he could crawl in a hole and pull it closed over his head. His face burned with embarrassment as he buried his hot face into Drew's side.

Nervously Drew rubbed Anthony's naked back with his free hand. "She's seen naked guys before, Sweetie, or she wouldn't have had you."

"Yeah, but...." Anthony's barely audible voice was felt against his rib cage as much as heard. "It isn't your mom that saw you buck naked with another guy."

"No, it isn't. I just met her last night and who knows what she saw of me when she came in here and found us like this," Drew's voice quietly rumbled back.

"So now what do we do?" Anthony asked in a quivering voice.

"We get up, get dressed, and face the music I guess," Drew said resignedly. "Just remember, no matter what happens, I love you," and he softly kissed the top of Anthony's head.

Anthony pulled himself tightly against Drew, drawing upon the sense of security that the dark-skinned beauty evoked in him, before sliding out from beneath the blanket. Their clothes were in his bedroom and so he frantically scanned for anything he could use to cover his nakedness. The only thing available was yesterday's newspaper lying on the end table. He snapped the top section open with a loud rustle and wrapped it around his middle, effectively covering his private places in the chance that his mother would see him on the way to his room. "I'll be right back with your clothes, just stay there."

Drew replied ruefully, "Don't worry, I'm not about to go anywhere like this if I can help it. I don't want your mom to come in here and chase me out buck naked so hurry back."

"Yeah, me neither," Anthony whispered back and then sprinted for his bedroom.

True to his word, Anthony dressed hastily and was back inside of a minute with Drew's clothes. He handed Drew his boxer briefs first saying, "Here, put these on before you get up." Then he watched as Drew awkwardly pulled them on under the blanket in order to belatedly hide his awesome maleness from the perchance his mother came in. Then as Drew emerged from under the blanket, he handed Drew his shirt, then his pants.

"Anthony," his mother's voice called out from the kitchen. "I need to speak with you and Drew right now."

"Crap, she's up," Anthony said as the blood drained from his face before he managed to call back, "In a minute, Mom."

"Yeah, Little Man, let's go get it over with," Drew said resignedly. "But nothing will change how I feel about you. Never."

Drew placed his hands on Anthony's shoulders and steered him into the kitchen as he followed. They saw Anthony's mom sitting at the table with a coffee cup in front of her. Smoke curled up from the cigarette that lay in an ashtray amid the blackened remains of several others. The kitchen reeked of cigarette smoke.

"Mom!" Anthony wanted to die right there. "You said you quit smoking..." his voice grew quiet.

She looked at him through her tired, reddened eyes. "I did, Anthony, until last night. Sit down you two," she added. "I think we need to talk."

His heart hammering in his chest and his hands wet with cold perspiration, Anthony took his place at the table and Drew pulled a chair over to sit next to him.

Silently Mrs. Miller gazed at the two boys while they sat waiting nervously for her to say something. She cleared her throat finally and said, "Never in my life did I expect to come home last night and find my naked son in the arms of another naked boy. And I don't think things have changed that much since I was a teenager to make me believe that the only thing you did was sleep like that. Why didn't you tell me that you were..." she trailed off and looked down at her tightly clasped hands in front of her.

"What Mom, that I'm gay?" Anthony said past the lump in his throat, finishing her sentence.

Tears filled her eyes as she answered, "Yes."

His eyes flicked over at Drew before he answered. "Well, mom...I wasn't sure how you would react. I didn't want to disappoint you and I didn't want you to stop loving me..." he said quietly.

"Oh Anthony, you are all I have left. How could you ever think I would stop loving you?" she said brokenly and then her tears overflowed causing her to dab at her eyes with the sodden tissue clutched in her hand.

"Mom, don't cry. I didn't want to hurt you or make you sad or anything like that," Anthony said in a choked up voice. "But I'm gay and I've known it for a long time. Why do you think those kids picked on me in Roosevelt Jr. High? They knew I was gay even before I did."

"Oh honey," Mrs. Miller sobbed, "I'm so sorry. I didn't know that was why. I just thought it was because you were smaller and those other kids were bullies."

"They hated me because I'm gay, Mom, but in Central High I have Drew and his friends, Tristan and David, to protect me. And best of all, Drew loves me and I love him, right Drew?" Anthony turned with beseeching eyes to the boy he loved.

Drew reached over and took Anthony's hand then before facing his lover's mom. "Mrs. Miller, it's true. Anthony and I love each other. He is the joy of my life."

"But, you don't look gay," she stammered in response. "The girls must be fighting over you with your looks and...every thing," she finished awkwardly.

Drew blushed then. He knew what she meant by that. Obviously she had glimpsed every bare inch of skin he had. In his low voice he replied, "I've had girlfriends before I met Anthony. But he does something for me that no girl ever has; he makes me just want to love him more every time I see him."

"It looks to be mutual," she replied wryly as she wiped her eyes with the tissue.

"Mom!" Anthony protested, blushing furiously.

Drew asked, "So now what Mrs. Miller? I'm not going to lie and tell you nothing happened. Last night was the best night of my life and I think Anthony would say the same."

"Yeah, it was," Anthony agreed with the ghost of a smile for his boyfriend and a hand squeeze. "Better than best."

"I don't know," she admitted. "I wasn't ready for any of this. I wasn't ready for you, Anthony, to have a girlfriend much less a boyfriend." Then she looked directly into Drew's eyes and asked, "Do your parents know you are gay?"

Drew dropped his gaze and quietly said, "I'm bi, not gay."

"I don't see where it makes any difference here, do you?" she questioned.

"Um, not now it doesn't since Anthony is the only person I have ever loved this much."

She took a final drag on the cigarette before stabbing it out and then looked over at Drew to ask again, "So do your parents know?"

Drew looked down and answered, "No, they don't." Then his head jerked up and he asked with his blue eyes wide open in alarm, "You aren't going to tell them, are you?"

"I should, you know. They deserve to know about you and Anthony too."

"Yeah, I suppose they do, but they should hear it from me, so please don't tell them. I just. . . just need to find the right time to tell them," Drew said nervously.

"Well, OK," she allowed. "I'll see how you boys handle this. If you can't handle it, I'll have to step in and I will tell your parents. I really think you need to tell them soon if you are going to continue to be boyfriends."

"Mom, what do you mean, handle it?" Anthony interjected. "And of course we are going to continue to be boyfriends, no matter what anyone else thinks."

Mrs. Miller gazed intently at her son and then inquired "Anthony, honey, are you SURE you are gay and that this just isn't a bad case of hero worship?"

Anthony glared back and declared, "Mom, I'm sure. Girls don't do anything for me. They never have. I'm gay. And Drew loves me just as much as I love him. So this isn't a phase. It's who I am and Drew has made me happier than I've been for a long, long time."

"I know Hon, I've noticed but I didn't realize why. I just thought you finally had found friends in your new school."

"I have friends, and then I have Drew," Anthony stood up to go over to Drew resting his hand on his lover's chair. "Nothing else really matters except Drew."

Drew sent a loving glance up at Anthony and prepared himself for whatever was to come.

"OK, I think I've heard enough to believe you boys think this is something more than just experimental sex," she sighed. "I need some time to sort this out so I think it's best if Drew went home. Sometime in the next week or so we'll have to have another talk but right now I need time alone with Anthony."

"You won't hurt him will you?" Drew asked worriedly. "I won't let you hurt him."

Mrs. Miller's eyebrows shot up at Drew's defense of her son. "No, I had no intention of anything like that. Do I look like I would beat my son?" she said incredulously.

Drew gazed levelly back at her and answered, "I'm sorry Mrs. Miller, but I have a friend who was beaten by his dad for being gay. There is no way I will let that happen to Anth."

Hearing his lover stand up for him against his mother made Anthony want to melt. He moved to lean forward against Drew's broad back and wrapped his arms around him with a smile born of perfect love and security.

Drew reached up to clasp Anthony's arms with his hands.

That more than anything else she'd heard and seen so far convinced Mrs. Miller of the depth their love had reached.

"There is nothing for you to worry about Drew. Anthony and I have some things to talk about, but he had his last spanking when he was eight. I don't intend to try now."

"OK, so when can I see him next?" Drew pressed the issue as he held Anthony close to him.

Glancing over at Anthony she answered, "I suppose a phone call tonight would be acceptable to me. Until then I want time alone with Anthony."

Slowly Drew stood and looked over at Anthony before to Mrs. Miller and said, "I'm sorry we surprised you like this, but I'm not sorry about loving Anthony."

Mrs. Miller just looked at him, then nodded her head silently and waved for him to go.

MONDAY EVENING

Drew and Tristan jumped out of Randy's Bronco as soon as he rolled to a stop in Craig's driveway. It had only been a few days since Sean went to live with Craig and they all wanted to see how he was doing. Randy followed the two boys through the gate and up to the back door. Tristan rang the doorbell and fidgeted as they waited for someone to come to the door.

The door opened to reveal Craig's surprised look of welcome as he pushed the door open. "Come in, come in," he exclaimed with a delighted smile. And I'm sure Sean will be glad to see you but he's playing piano in his room so he doesn't even know you're here yet."

"Then can we go in and surprise him?" Tristan asked with a gleam in his eye.

"Just head for the back and he's in his room with the door closed," Craig gestured them in with the sweep of an arm. As the boys headed in they heard Craig say, "Glad you came too Randy, would you care for a beer?"

Drew followed Tristan down the hall to a closed door on one side. Hearing the sound of piano music within, Tristan gently opened the door to reveal Sean playing the piano with his back to them. He was gently rocking from side to side on the bench as his hands flowed up and down the keyboard. His bear, Diggle, was sitting on top of the dark upright piano as if he were watching. The boys listened spellbound as the music seemingly traveled from his long, slender fingers and into the piano, forming a soft and sorrowful melody. His melancholy music reflected his scarred back and soul. Sean finished the lengthy piece and then sat, with dead eyes staring vacantly at nothing, his arms dropped like lead at his sides.

Tristan and Drew looked at each other, when Tristan broke the loud silence of the room, "That was very nice playing, Sean."

Startled, Sean's tilted head shot up straight and jerked around to face his visitors. "Oh hi!" Sean said with a gasp. "You scared me."

"Well, sorry for scaring you but your playing was beautiful," Tristan said as he smiled at the younger boy.

"Um, thanks I guess," Sean said, his pale face attempting a smile.

"So how are you doin," Drew interjected at that point. "Can we sit on the bed?" he asked.

"What song was that?" Tristan asked.

"Yeah, go ahead," Sean answered Drew and then turned to answer Tristan's question. "It's called Moonlight Sonata. Beethoven wrote it."

"It was nice. Can we hear another one?"

"Um, just one maybe. It's called Fur Elise." With that said, Sean turned around and faced the piano once more. His fingers nimbly moved over the ivory keys, coaxing the beautiful melody from the old piano. The sound of music died away and Sean quietly turned around once more to face his smiling friends. "It sounds a lot better now since it's been tuned. When I first got here it sounded terrible."

"That certainly wasn't terrible Sean. I love listening to you play," Tristan assured him.

"Yeah," Drew agreed. "So how are ya doin' buddy?" he asked. "Like how's your back and everything?"

"Fine, I guess. It stings and all, you know but the doctor gave me this cream that helps the spots I can reach."

"You want me to put it on the rest of your back for you?" Drew asked, his eyebrows arched with concern.

"Oh, that's not what I meant, I was just..."

But Drew had already stood up and began asking where the cream was, his loud voice intentionally interrupting the boy's protests. He spotted a tube of prescription salve on the dresser, grabbed it off and stood waiting for Sean to turn around.

Sean's gaze was torn between looking ashamedly towards the ground, and up at Drew, wondering where the hell he ever found a friend like him. He contented himself in glancing towards the side in the awkward silence. "Come on buddy," Drew reached down and grabbed one of the fidgeting hands, effortlessly pulling him to standing position.

Tristan watched from the side, Sean barely allowing himself to stare up at Drew, with his arms crossed and his hip pushed out as he leaned on one foot. The body language indicated a defiant attitude, but the facial expression was a mismatch: a conflict between pouting and rapid thinking.

Tristan smiled, letting out a soft laugh. "Here, I'll hold up your shirt," he said, crossing over to where Drew stood.

The smaller boy's eyes flickered between a very persistent Drew and Tristan, until finally halting to a decision. He pulled his shirt up and revealed a soft, flat belly with faint muscle definition. His jeans rode low on his hips, exposing the prominent pelvis and narrow belly button that pointed down to the dip where his stomach disappeared. Sean sat down on the bed, while Tristan stood to the side with a hand holding his red shirt up securely.

Slowly, the shameful array of scaly lines and forming scars came into view as Tristan pulled the shirt higher. He looked up and met Drew's eyes in a mutual glance of dismay.

Drew's bass voice became even lower and soothing as he spread the cool salve over Sean's back with the first two fingers of his right hand. "There ya go, how's that feel buddy?"

Sean took a moment to answer. "What?" he jerked his head up as though he'd forgotten where he was and what was going on. The other two boys looked down at him. Sean had so suddenly taken on the weary expression of an old and tired man. "Oh, it's fine--I mean it's good, it feels better...thanks." Sean looked up at Tristan, "Um, you can let go of my shirt now."

"Oh, yeah," Tristan mumbled as he let go. "So how are you and Craig doing?" he asked.

Sean scrunched up his face. "OK, I guess. He tries too hard to be nice. I spend most of my time in here, playing my piano. I just miss being home, you know?" he said as he hung his head to hide the emotions that threatened to escape.

"Aw, Sean, I bet it's been tough for ya," Drew said as he put an arm over Sean's shoulders, careful to avoid the stripes on his back. The tender concern was too much for Sean and the tears began to leak from his eyes as sobs shuddered out of him. Drew gathered Sean to his broad chest murmuring, "Shhh, it's OK buddy, we're here for you." Then Sean really cried. All the hurts and loneliness poured out of his soul, soaking Drew's shirt.

Helplessly Tristan could only rub Sean's thigh with one hand as he said, "It's OK Sean, just let it all out."

The three boys sat together on the bed like that for many minutes while Sean cried himself out and tried to gather his composure. "I bet you guys think I'm a wuss," he mumbled into Drew's chest as the residual sobs still shook his smaller body.

"Naw, not at all, buddy," Drew rumbled in his low voice, giving Sean a hug. "You needed that."

Tristan tapped Sean on the shoulder when his sobs became infrequent. "Somebody wants to see you," he said holding the white bear up. Diggle began to move with Tristan's slight arm movement as he began to sing in a ridiculously high-pitched voice, "Skinnamarinky dinky dink, skinnamarinky doo! I, love, youuuu."

And then the silence of the room broke into millions of relieved shards as Sean let out his loud and distinctive laughter. His giggles were soon joined by the deeper undertones of laughter from Drew and Tristan. And thus the last of his tears for now were wiped away when Drew ran the hem of his shirt across the now rosy cheeks.

Out in the kitchen Randy and Craig were talking about virtually the same things. "How are you and Sean getting along?" Randy asked after having another sip of beer.

"Not so bad but not so good either. He's been keeping to himself a lot and plays the piano a great deal. I'm doing my best to be supportive and open with him but he's having a hard time trusting me, I think," Craig grimaced helplessly. "I'm really glad you and the boys came over tonight. Maybe they can help Sean come out of his shell somewhat."

"Well if there is anything we can do, all you have to do is ask," Randy offered immediately.

"I think just the fact that you and the boys are staying involved with Sean will be a big help. Maybe they will be able to get through his walls. At the very least they might take his mind away from his troubles."

"Speaking of troubles, what's the story with his dad?" Randy asked.

"He's in serious trouble. The police informed me today that he's out on bail but has been ordered by the judge to stay away from Sean. The trial date will be either December or January."

"What has he been charged with?"

"Class C felony child abuse. He could get prison time for it."

"Serves him right," Randy shrugged. "Anyone who would treat their kid like he did should. "Doesn't Sean have any relatives who would take him in?" Randy asked a moment later.

"None have stepped forward and Sean says his grandparents are either dead or don't want him around."

Randy whistled. "No wonder he's put up with it...he's had nowhere else to go."

Craig nodded. "Yes, it appears so. Now we are having to deal with the aftermath."

"Well, like I said, feel free to ask us for help with anything."

Craig glanced up to look directly into Randy's brown eyes before responding, "There is something I've been wanting to ask you."

"Shoot," Randy said back as he leaned back in his chair to listen.

Nervously Craig cleared his throat. "Well, funny you would put it that way." He hesitated, swallowed once, and then plunged ahead to say, "Are you still interested in getting together like we were going to before this happened with Sean?" and then flicked his eyes over to see Randy's reaction.

Randy grinned and leaned forward. "Yeah, I would be interested. The only thing is that we lost the privacy you had here so I wasn't sure what we could do or even if you were still interested since you had Sean now."

Craig stared at Randy. "I hope you don't mean that the way it sounded."

"Like how did I sound?" Randy said with a puzzled look.

"Like I might be using Sean for my own sexual gratification," Craig replied.

"Oh, NO! No way did I mean that," Randy laughed nervously. "I can tell that you love helping boys, but I didn't think I needed to worry about you 'loving' them that way."

"Good. I'm glad to hear you say that. I'm a little worried about what other people think about me being a single foster parent of a teenaged boy."

"Yeah, I can understand that. But I think you are professional enough not to succumb to the temptation, aren't you?"

"I tell myself that I am. I really do want to help him...as much or more than I've wanted to help any other young person who needs it. He's just been so difficult for me to help since he won't trust me. I'm giving him a safe place to live and food to eat, but so far that's the extent of it.

Randy shrugged. "I'd say that's a vast improvement over what he's come from, so give him time Craig. He might come around."

"Yes, of course. But the other thing that is bothering me is that you and I haven't been able to get together."

Randy looked at his beer as he considered his answer. He looked up to say, "I know. I was starting to think you wouldn't be interested since Sean is taking so much of your time."

"Oh, yes, very much still interested," Craig said fervently and then looked down with some embarrassment at his eager reply.

"I was hoping that maybe Sean could go with your boys to some activity while you and I had our own planned activity. How does that sound to you?"

"It sounds good," Randy said as he tipped his beer up to sip it once more. "We'll have to get the boys to set something up. I'll suggest it to Tristan when we get home, OK?"

"That's an excellent idea," Craig smiled over at Randy. "I'm looking forward to it immensely."

Sean stood up then and after a shaky breath said, "Let's go outside for a bit, OK? I need some air."

"Sure," Drew said while Tristan echoed it a moment later.

The three boys filed outside and looked around for something to do in Craig's backyard. The evening was starting to cool off; the red and yellow colored leaves had started to sift from the trees into the yards. The air had that particular smell that fall has, the smell of leaves amid the crisp, fresh air.

"Guess we can't hot tub," Tristan said wistfully. "Have you hot tubbed yet?" he asked Sean.

"Um, no. Not yet. Let's do something else anyway," he added.

Drew looked around and spied a home built swing set tucked into the back corner. "You want to go over there and just hang out?" he asked Sean.

"OK, come on," he said, heading off in that direction.

The other two boys followed him over and checked it out. The chains were fastened to a horizontal wooden timber supported by twin V's of heavy wood. Tristan plopped down in one of the two swings while Drew let Sean take the other one. Sean sat down on a swing and rocked back and forth. "I come out here and do this at least once a day, just to think," he confessed.

"Aww, that's cool," Tristan said. "Now if David and I lived here we would be hot tubbing," and he laughed after glancing over at Drew.

Drew stepped behind Sean and pushed him gently. "No time for thinking now," he said as his white teeth gleamed in a broad smile. Then he pushed Sean harder. "It's time for fun!"

Sean started laughing as Drew pushed him higher and higher. Before long he was swinging so high that the swing would go "bump" at the height of its reach, bouncing Sean as he giggled. Then he launched himself out of the swing, flying through the air to land with a thud on the lawn.

Drew laughed only when he saw Sean get up unhurt and then sat on the swing himself, gently swinging. "So now what?" he asked.

"Um, I was just wondering something," Sean said scuffing one foot into a clump of grass. He looked up at Tristan then with his eyebrows raised. "You said that if you and David lived here you would be hot tubbing?"

Tristan froze on the swing he was sitting to look over at Drew before meeting Sean's timid gaze. Drew's eyes were wide open and his mouth opened slightly as the realization dawned on both of them simultaneously that Sean was picking up some vibes about their relationships.

"Sean..." Tristan hesitated before reluctantly saying, "Oh, I guess if we know your personal situation with your dad then we should be able to trust you with ours, right Drew?"

"Well, I guess it's only right," Drew agreed, his pink tongue showing as he nervously licked his lips.

"No, screw it. You sound as though you're making some kind of fucking bargain. My secrets for yours. And I did not willingly share mine with you, you just barged right through my personal and emotional territory not taking any observation of whether I wanted you to know or not. And now you're making a huge commotion of telling me something that YOU accidentally slipped out, so forget it." Sean glared at both of them.

"Settle down buddy," Drew said. "It just hasn't been a good time for this stuff until now. And we're not the ones making a commotion here."

"No, we're not going to forget it. You see, Sean," Tristan broke in, "like you guessed, David and I are boyfriends."

"I thought so," Sean spit out and then spun to face Drew. "And what's your big secret then? Don't tell me you have a boyfriend too!"

"Um, that's right. I do."

Plopping down onto the ground and leaning against the wooden post, Sean spoke to the ground, "Who is he?"

"Anthony, from the cheerleading squad."

Still looking down Sean asked, "So all of you guys are boyfriends and nobody knows? Not even your parents?"

Tristan cleared his throat, "Only a very few kids from our school know and my dad knows about me and David. He doesn't know about Drew or Anthony." Then he pointedly looked over at Drew.

Drew sighed. "Yeah, that's right except that Anthony's mom knows about us. She caught us this last weekend," and then he blushed.

Sean looked up towards the clouds, away from the other two boys with a wistful expression on his face. He rested his head against the post and closed his eyes, squeezing a solitary tear from beneath his lid. "Least your dad doesn't beat you for it."

Their mouths dropped automatically in shock. "That's the reason your dad beat you? For being gay?" Tristan yelped.

"Fucking right he did, the bastard," Sean cursed angrily as he glared at Tristan, the memory of his beatings coursing hotly through his body. "So you guys can keep your little secrets from me, if that's what you want. At least you fucking have a choice!"

"Hey hey there Sean," Drew said as he waved his hands defensively in front of himself, "There's nothing left to hide now that you know about us and our boyfriends."

"That's right, now you are one of us," Tristan added.

"One of you? Not exactly, since I don't have a boyfriend. Just my luck", Sean said bitterly.

"Don't you worry none," Drew said softly. "We'll be here for you, to help you at any time."

"Yeah, with anything at all."

"So now I'm just a charity case am I? Well, fuck that too," Sean said as he turned his head and glared at the rest of the world.

Tristan lowered himself down from the swing and squatted in front of Sean. The boy looked up in mild surprise, tensing up as he came nearer.

"You're not letting us be your friends here," Tristan's voice was steady and deep. "Why?"

Sean's expression faltered in its harsh shield as he thought, seemingly lost in some void of existence.

"Sean?"

His features hardened at the sound of Tristan's voice. His response was defiant, "I don't have time for friends." He stood, an attempt to escape from the hot tears that threatened at the brim of his lids.

Drew was on his feet, an immediate echo of Sean's actions before the boy could leave. He reached out and grabbed Sean, pulling him close for the second time that day.

"I don't care how long it takes us," he began, speaking solid words next to Sean's ear. "Or how many of your tears end up on my shirt, but we'll be here for you and we'll turn you around into the happy guy you had to be once."

The impossibly loving words sunk into Sean and sent him into a hazed trance. How many times in his life had he longed for those words? Craved them like a man lost in the eternal heat of the desert craved water? And he had never had those hopes to hang onto while he was praying for death to claim him. So many years of his life had been discarded in wasted tears, yearning for his dad to say everything Drew and Tristan had. Yet he was dissatisfied now, because it wasn't the man he needed who ran to comfort him for every tear that fell. It wasn't from his dad, it came from two boys who hardly knew him, who he hardly knew. He shook his head, tangled and suffocating in his own hopelessness. There just wasn't anything left for him in this world. He closed his eyes, wishing he could melt into nothing.

Tristan was becoming impatient with Sean's pity party. "Stop it Sean. We're here because you're our friend. And if you're gay, then you are one of us whether you have a boyfriend or not. You could at least give us a chance."

"Why can't I have someone who loves me too?" Sean cried out as he looked up. "Did I get my back and my ass beat for nothing?" Then he hid his face against Drew's chest because the hot tears were threatening to spill from his eyes again.

Glancing at each other first, both of them moved over to put their arms around Sean. Drew said gently, "Aw, little buddy, we didn't know you were available and we're spoken for already. You'll find someone special, I know you will."

"Yeah," Tristan affirmed. "He'll come into your life when you least expect it. That's the way it was for me and for Drew. One day you just see some guy and fall in love. And if you are lucky, he loves you back."

Sean sobbed out, still held in Drew's arms, "Yeah sure. Won't ever happen for me."

"Never say never Sean," Tristan said. "It will happen if you give it a chance."

At that moment the back door opened as the two men came outdoors. Right away they saw the boys huddled around Sean and started over to them. "Is Sean hurt?" Craig called out worriedly.

Tristan looked over to him and shook his head no before answering, "No, he was just feeling bad again.

"Oh, is it something I can help with?" Craig offered.

"No," Sean said flatly standing up, angrily wiping away any trace of tears. "Bye you guys. See you tomorrow," he said curtly and marched into the house.

"Bye Bud," Drew called after him.

"Bye," Tristan echoed to Sean's retreating back.

"We need to be heading for home, it's late," Randy said apologetically. "Sorry if we picked the wrong time to come out."

"Yeah, dad, but I think we're done for tonight," Tristan sighed in frustrated sorrow.

"He's had a rough time," Drew said as he shook his head in sympathy.

"Yes, and it's so sad," Craig said. "It sounded like you were having some fun there for a while."

"Yeah, we were, for a while. Guess we'll have to see how he is tomorrow in school. Bye Craig," Tristan said as he moved to leave.

"Bye," Drew said in his low voice and followed Tristan.

"Guess we're going then," Randy said to Craig. "We'll have to get together again, soon, OK?"

"Yes, we certainly do. Take care." And then Craig followed them to the back gate and out to the Bronco, watching them as they drove away with one final wave.

DAVID'S BIRTHDAY--TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22:

The rays of morning sunshine filtered through the blinds of David's room. He stretched slowly, waking up from his pleasant dreams. He had dreamed of his Tris-dude. The two of them had shared a wonderful embrace and a passionate kiss, which of course led to other things! David reached down to squeeze his rock- hard dick and to pull his balls loose, which simultaneously led him to the realization that he needed to use the bathroom. David grabbed a pair of shorts, put them on, and quickly made his way to the bathroom. The golden stream that he released into the toilet took the strain off and drained his morning woody. He knew he needed to keep moving so he could get over to Tristan's house in order to wake his boyfriend as had become their daily ritual.

Meanwhile Tristan was having the most wonderful dream. He dreamed that David was lying beside him and gently caressing his cheek. His Davie-babe was whispering how much he loved him into his ear. Tristan let out a sigh of contentment.

"Tristan! Tristan, wake up sleepy-head."

Tristan slowly opened his eyes and groggily absorbed his surroundings. He wasn't dreaming; it really was David, his boyfriend, lying next to him on his bed, stroking his cheek and looking at him with the most beautiful blue eyes. Suddenly, through his sleep-induced state, Tristan realized what day it was.

"Happy birthday David," Tristan said lovingly. "I have a little present for you," Tristan winked mischievously as he moved towards David to give him a good morning kiss.

"Ew, Tristan. As much as I love you, I think you should brush your teeth first," David wrinkled his nose and said.

Tristan lovingly tapped David on the nose, nodding sheepishly, "Yeah, you're probably right," he admitted.

David got up from the bed, pulling Tristan with him, and wrapped his arms around his Tris-dude. As the two boys embraced, David nibbled tenderly on Tristan's perfect ears, tonguing Tristan's lobes and sending erogenous signals throughout Tristan's body. The effect was obvious as Tristan's sizeable manhood reared from half-mast to full attention. Tristan had taken to sleeping nude ever since he and David had become lovers. He had come to love and enjoy the unrestricted feeling of sleeping in the buff, which reminded him of making love with the boy he adored, and so his flagpole was raised fully, without the restrictive inhibitions of clothing.

"Come on Tristan, time to get you cleaned up," David murmured into Tristan's ear.

"Oh damn. We always have to go do stuff just when things are getting good," Tristan complained. He was obviously eager for more loving from his beautiful, blonde-haired Adonis.

The two boys made their way to the bathroom, hand in hand. Tristan grabbed his toothbrush, put on a dollop of minty fresh toothpaste and began scrubbing his teeth. Next he went over to the toilet and emptied his bladder while David held his cock, giving a few quick shakes at the end to get rid of the last few drops. This had become their morning routine since Tristan was nearly comatose first thing in the morning, and besides, David viewed playing with Tristan's whopper as one of the perks of helping get Tristan ready in the morning. The essentials completed, David quickly undressed, and pulled Tristan into the shower with him. This morning ritual was strictly adhered to, and David happily shampooed his boyfriend's head, and washed every inch of his Tristan's sexy body.

"I love you so much David," Tristan said breathlessly.

David grabbed Tristan from behind, hugging him close to him, with his throbbing, tumescent cock pressed between Tristan's ass-cheeks. He sensuously and slowly stroked Tristan's cock to full rigidity while pressing his own hardness into Tristan's cleft. He kissed Tristan's shoulder and said, "Dude, you can show me how much you love me after my party tonight. But for now, we better get out of the shower and get some food in you before we head to school."

Tristan turned around to look David in his sparkling, blue eyes. "OK, it's a plan then. I do have something really special for you though," Tristan promised his lover. Tristan had worked extra hard to think of something that he could give to David for his birthday. It had to be something that would have meaning and show just how much he cared for his Davie-babe. In the end he just couldn't decide on anything to buy for David. He decided instead that the best way to show his love for David would be to give him something that he made, something from the heart. Tristan had written a special message to David, which he planned to give to his lover that evening after the birthday party. Actually, Tristan was a little nervous about it, he just hoped that David would like it.

The two boys stepped out of the shower, and toweled each other off lovingly. David paid particular attention to Tristan's love tool, which he couldn't wait to pay more serious attention to that night. Understandably, it was standing at attention once again.

"Oops, sorry Tristan. It was an accident," David chuckled.

"I don't think you are all that sorry," Tristan disagreed while he gyrated his hips provocatively.

David grinned, "Nope, but we'd better quit while we can. I promise I'll take care of it later Tristan."

"You always do," Tristan said, smiling happily as he thought of what would happen later.

They finished up in the bathroom and dressed after David's solemn promise to make it up to Tristan later in the evening. They worked their way downstairs where Tristan shoveled in a quick bowl of cereal and poured himself a tall glass of orange juice.

"Tristan, we better leave now or we're going to be late," David chastised.

"Yeah, I'm ready babe, let's go," Tristan exclaimed as he drained the last of his OJ.

As they walked to school it was all Tristan could do not to reach out and hold his boyfriend's hand. It bothered him that he couldn't show his feelings for David in public. He hated that he had to restrict showing his love for David when they were out in the open, but he knew that David wasn't ready to be outed. Still Tristan walked close to David making sure their hands would brush from time to time. A perceptive passerby might have noticed that the two boys walking down the street were closer to each other than boys normally were at their age. They walked in silence for a while just enjoying the presence of the other's company.

"What were you planning on doing later for your birthday David?" Tristan asked, finally breaking the companionable silence.

"Oh, nothing much Tris. I was just thinking about having Drew, Anth, Jason and Chris over. And of course, my special guy," David winked appreciatively at Tristan. "I just thought maybe we could play some video games and just hang out and stuff."

"That sounds great David. So are you thinking of having dinner over at your house and maybe we could cook out?" Tristan asked. The topic of food was obviously a bright spot for both teenage boys. They could almost taste the tantalizing images of grilled hot dogs and burgers that filtered through their minds.

"Yeah, Tris. I already asked my dad if we could. I just hope the guys don't mind having Jimmy tag along with us, because I bet he's going to want to do everything we do. You know how he is," David said with a chuckle.

"Yeah, I know a little too well," Tristan blushed as he remembered the time that Jimmy had zipped past David into the bedroom and caught him in the nude. That had been a close call! Tristan was still a little uncomfortable about that situation. Jimmy had come up to Tristan, mesmerized by the size of the older boy's enormous cock, and had actually grasped it. Thank God Jimmy hadn't told anyone. Just thinking about it made Tristan shiver.

"What's wrong Tristan?" David asked, concerned that his boyfriend seemed upset about something.

"Oh, nothing really. I was just thinking...you remember when Jimmy barged into your room before and caught me naked?" Tristan asked sheepishly.

"Oh man, how could I forget?" David exclaimed.

"Well, ya know...I was just worrying about that. And wondering if you think we should even mess around at your house later?" Tristan asked hesitantly.

David considered what Tristan said. "Well, I think we should be ok as long as we keep it kinda quiet and wait till later to do anything."

"Ok David, that's fine. I was just concerned about you. I know how you feel about doing stuff at your house and how worried you get." The two boys changed their topic of conversation as they approached the school. They weren't talking very loudly but there was no point in tempting fate, so they happily changed the topic to that of football.

All too soon, the warning bell rang and the boys had to head off in their separate directions. They exchanged a goodbye glance as they parted ways--a glance that told the other that he was loved and would be missed until they were together again. The morning passed rather uneventfully as they made their way through classes and then met up again for lunch. David, quite the popular guy, got many congratulations on his birthday, which he took in stride. The afternoon wore on the same way and then it was time for football practice.

The practice itself went along without a hitch. The boys did the normal strenuous drills and the coach had a little fun at David's expense.

"Just because it's your birthday don't think you can get away with slacking off Brandt!" Coach Anderson joked with David. He was of course only teasing. David hadn't expected any special treatment because it was his birthday and he had been performing all the drills with the usual amount of energy that he normally exhibited. David was very dedicated and it showed in the way he practiced. That was one of the many things that Tristan loved so much about him. David's dedication was one of the things that endeared him to many people, his teammates included.

Practice was over before the boys realized it and they were in the locker room getting showered up and joking around. David and Tristan had already showered and dressed when Brad and a couple of other guys from the team came over.

"Hey David, can we talk to you over here for a second?" Brad asked seriously.

"Uh, sure Brad." David said somewhat shakily, wondering what was wrong.

Tristan looked at David quizzically but David could only shrug as he walked off with Brad. Whatever Brad wanted to talk about seemed quite serious, judging from the urgent look that had been on his face when he had asked David to follow him to somewhere private. Tristan only wondered why, if it was so private, the half naked varsity linemen had accompanied them.

"Brad, what's up?" David asked worriedly, his eyes glancing furtively between Brad and their other teammates who had accompanied them into the steamy shower room. David didn't think that Brad would have told anyone about him and Tristan but that didn't stop David from worrying about it occasionally. David only worried that perhaps something like that had happened, or perhaps someone on the team had found out through some other means and had spurred Brad on to do something about it. All of these fears flew haphazardly through David's head, creating a confusing jumble of emotions inside his adolescent mind.

"Um, Brad...?" David began, pausing when he noticed a gigantic grin begin to form on Brad's face.

"Well, David. Me and the guys here just wanted to wish you a happy birthday, and give you a little present in the spirit of friendship, courtesy of the varsity team!" Brad said as he winked mischievously.

David realized too late that his teammates were up to something; as he began to back away, two pairs of meaty hands grabbed him by the arms and started dragging him forward towards the showerhead that was still running.

"Don't throw me in the shower, I'm all dressed!" David pled.

"Don't worry Davie, this is gonna be a nice cold birthday shower!" one of the massive linemen exclaimed with a guffaw.

As David was thrust beneath the stream of flowing water he let out a yelp of surprise. The water was ice cold! The frigid jet sprayed over all of his clothes, soaking him to the bone and leaving his teeth chattering frantically. Only after his clothes were sopping wet did Brad spin the handle of the shower to OFF.

"Yo-you bastards!" David chattered, having trouble talking through the uncontrollable shivers that wracked his body.

David's teammates gave him friendly pats on the back and birthday wishes as they helped him back into the locker room. The joke had been carried out in good fun as a sort of birthday hazing ritual; David knew that, but he still planned on getting some payback later. At least payback on Brad!

When Tristan saw his boyfriend come back sopping wet with a baleful look upon his face he couldn't help but let out a small giggle.

"Wow David, that must have been one INTENSE discussion you guys had," Tristan said jokingly.

David gave Tristan a glance that told him in no uncertain terms that he had better watch it if he wanted to get any loving later on that night.

Tristan took the hint. "Um, here...David let's get you into some warm clothes. You look pretty cold," Tristan muttered apologetically, not wanting David to stay upset at him. He produced a set of extra clothes from his locker, which he handed over to David.

"Dayam David! What happened to you?" Drew said laughing as he strode naked and dripping to his locker with Anthony right beside him. Drew wasn't ashamed of his body and the entire football team envied him for the dark meat that hung low between his legs.

"Yeah David, what happened?" Anth joined in as he handed Drew his towel.

David merely glared at them all, as he quickly changed out of the wet, cumbersome clothes, toweled off, and pulled on the fresh dry ones that Tristan had supplied. After David got changed into the new dry clothes he sat there staring ahead at the locker with a scowl upon his face.

When he had finished dressing, Drew walked up and put his arm around David, "Look David, sorry man...me and Anth were just joking. You alright?" Drew said apologetically.

"Yeah, sorry David. We shouldn't joke at your expense on your birthday," Anthony said.

Tristan walked over close to David and whispered in his ear, "Babe, you're not mad at me, are you?"

David sighed, "No, guys. I'm not mad at any of you...I was just thinking of ways to get back at Brad!"

"Hey, when it comes time, I'll be more than happy to help," Drew winked at David, giving him a squeeze on the shoulders for support. The other two boys, Tristan and Anthony, affirmed their support as well.

"Thanks guys, but I wouldn't worry about it. I'm gonna have to think of the perfect way to get him! Oh by the way, I'm celebrating my 16th birthday at my house tonight, I'd love if you guys came," David said to Drew and Anthony. Tristan would obviously be there as well.

"Sounds good David. What time do ya think me and Little Man should head over?" Drew inquired.

"Well, we were thinking of grilling out, so do you guys want to head over say 6ish?"

"Cool man, we'll be there!"

"Yeah, see you then David, and happy birthday!" Anth exclaimed happily. Drew and Anth said their goodbyes to David and Tristan and headed out, saying they needed to get going if they were to be at David's soon.

The two boys were the last ones in the locker room; everyone else had gone. Being alone in the locker room gave Tristan ideas. He wanted to run his hands over David's lean yet muscular body. He wanted to caress David's face and cup his hands over his lover's firm ass cheeks. Just thinking about making love to his Davie-babe had Tristan's ample meat rising to attention. The telltale, sizeable bulge began to show in Tristan's khakis.

David noticed, and smirked at Tristan. "Later dude. You know we can't do that here. Let's head over to my house and get stuff ready for the party," David suggested, and the two boys headed out.

Tristan grabbed David's hand and gave it a squeeze while they were still in the privacy of the locker room, then released his boyfriend's hand as they came once again out into the public. 'It just isn't fair. How can people hate something that is so beautiful?' Tristan thought sadly. He couldn't show David how much he meant to him out in public, but he planned on giving all his love to David later that night. He was David's--heart, mind and soul.

David and Tristan were up in David's room hanging out and playing video games when they heard David's mom yell up at them.

"David, Drew and Anthony are here!"

"Ok, mom!" David yelled back, pausing the video game him and Tristan had been playing. "Come on Tris, let's go see if Drew and Anth want to shoot some hoops."

"Yeah, we can play two on two!" Tristan replied energetically.

The two boys rushed downstairs, eager to play some basketball with their friends. When they got downstairs they realized that Jason and Chris had also arrived and all of their friends were chatting in the kitchen.

"Well there's the birthday boy! How ya doin' David?" Drew asked with a broad grin upon his face.

"Yeah, happy birthday David!" Anthony exclaimed.

"Happy birthday Davie-boy!" Jason and Chris chimed in together, not to be outdone.

"Happy birthday again Babe," Tristan whispered lovingly in David's ear.

"Aw, thanks guys," David said, obviously appreciating all attention he was getting. "You guys want to go outside and play some basketball? My dad has the grill going and dinner should be ready in about half an hour, so I figured we could shoot some hoops then eat."

The boys readily agreed. They were eager to go outside and get some exercise. After some heated debate the teams were decided; it would be David, Tristan and Jason against Drew, Anthony and Chris. As they were heading outside David's little brother, Jimmy, ran down the stairs.

"Hey guys, where are ya going?" Jimmy asked the boys in a voice that cracked, causing Jimmy some slight embarrassment.

David groaned, "We're going to shoot some hoops, Jimmy."

"Awesome! Can I play too? Please!"

"Guys what do you think? You mind if Jimmy plays too?" David inquired.

The boys all agreed that it was fine that Jimmy play with them, and it was decided that he would be on David's team. Since it was three against four, Drew's team was given first possession, and it was decided that the game would be played to ten points, by ones.

"You're goin' down David," Drew taunted.

"We'll see," David replied with a competitive sparkle in his eyes. That sparkle was what Tristan loved so much about his man. He always went out and gave everything his all, determined to emerge victorious. Today, on the basketball court, would be no different.

Anthony started with the ball, in-bounding it to Drew, who was posted up in the paint. Drew turned around and shot a fade-away. Swish! It was one to zero Drew's team!

"Lucky shot," grumbled Tristan, who had been guarding Drew.

"Hey Jimmy, I think you better help Tristan guard Drew," Jason teased. Jimmy was ecstatic that he could somehow aid his team, and took to helping guard Drew diligently.

"You're not gonna score anymore points Drew!" Jimmy squealed energetically.

David's team had possession of the ball now; David passed it in to Tristan, who was posting up on Drew. Tristan tried to dribble around Drew but found that his large friend's position was too firmly entrenched. Not feeling confident in the shot he had, Tristan threw a lightning speed pass to Jason, who was making a break towards the basket. Jason handled the ball like a pro, slicing through the defenses and putting in an easy lay-up. Feeling a little cocky, Jason slapped Chris's ass as Chris was going to grab the ball.

"What's the matter Sexy? Can't keep up?" Jason snickered mischievously.

"We'll see who can't keep up later tonight!" Chris retorted.

"Oh, is that a promise?" Jason parried, with a sexy gleam in his eyes.

"Mm hmmm."

David cleared his throat and rolled his eyes in Jimmy's direction, indicating that the discussion should stop. With Jimmy standing nearby he really didn't feel comfortable with his friends flirting like that. Jimmy probably had no idea what the guys were talking about, but David would rather not take the chance. If David's dad found out that his friends were gay they probably wouldn't be allowed over at the house anymore; David shuddered to think what his father would suspect of him, and what exactly he would do about those suspicions. Would he kick his son out if he thought he was gay? David really wasn't sure, and didn't want to chance it.

The game went on for another twenty minutes. It was very close, with a final score of 10 to 9. In the end, it was Jimmy who won it for the team, as he grabbed a rebound, miraculously, before Drew could reach it, and passed it to Tristan who put in an easy five foot jumper. Jimmy was absolutely in heaven from all the praise he received. The boys knew that he reveled in the attention and glory that he was receiving and they were not shy about piling it on. David groaned as he realized that Jimmy would never let him forget about winning the game for what had been designated as "team Brandt".

"Boys, the food is ready!" David's father shouted to them from inside, where he had assembled a large feast of grilled hot dogs and burgers.

"FOOD!" Jimmy shouted, leading the race. The mouth-watering smell of grilled meat was enough to cause a stampede to the kitchen as the ravenous appetites of the boys took full control of their actions. The boys dug in, devouring the delicious meal in no time. Along with the meat from the grill there were cut-up vegetables and dip as well as chips and pickles. All the boys paid great compliments to the chefs of the evening, Mr. and Mrs. Brandt. The boys made polite conversation in the presence of David's parents, talking about school and sports. Of course there was some healthy rivalry that existed between the two different football teams that the boys represented. It became apparent, however, that the conversation seemed a little uncomfortable around David's parents. All of David's friends knew how scared David was of his father finding out about him being gay, so they were being particularly reserved about what they said and joked around about.

"So, do any of you boys have girlfriends yet?" David's father bluntly asked out of the blue. There it was. The bombshell had been dropped. Mr. Brandt was suspicious and now he was snooping.

"Oh God," thought David, "he suspects something."

"Aw Mr. Brandt you gotta be kidding me! You know I got a special sweetheart," Drew said jokingly.

"Oh really? What's her name?" Mr. Brandt asked bluntly.

There it was. He was challenging Drew. Drew didn't want to get David into any trouble, but he knew that he couldn't demean his relationship with Anthony by lying. He loved his Little Man too much. When he had said he had a "special sweetheart" he had been truthful; granted he had been a little ambiguous, but Anthony was his special sweetheart. Now David's dad wanted a name. Drew couldn't lie; he wouldn't lie.

"A gentleman never kisses and tells," Drew replied coolly.

Dan Brandt's eyes swept over the group of boys before saying, "Yeah? Well I haven't heard about any of you boys having girlfriends. And I know that all David does is spend time with Tristan. It's just not natural...you boys should be going after girls. Quite frankly, it makes me worry. Am I the only one who sees a problem here?"

The guys just looked around awkwardly, not wanting to get in trouble with David's father, and feeling quite uncomfortable in the situation they were in. David, however, exploded uncharacteristically.

"GEE THANKS DAD! WAY TO RUIN MY PARTY!" he shouted, leaving the table suddenly and running up the stairs. Tristan, Drew, Anthony, Jason and Chris immediately got up and followed David up the stairs, not wanting to be left alone with Mr. Brandt in the uncomfortable silence that had followed, and knowing that David needed their emotional support. Mr. Brandt looked as if he was about to go upstairs and admonish David for yelling at him, but one look from Mrs. Brandt told him that such an action would be foolhardy, to say the least. He had no desire to sleep on the couch for a week!

"Well. It had to be said." Mr. Brandt offered in way of self-justification.

"Not another word Dan," Mrs. Brandt replied pointedly.

Upstairs, the boys stopped outside David's door, which was closed. They couldn't hear anything inside.

"Hey...could you guys go hang out in Jimmy's room while I talk to David?" Tristan asked pleadingly. The guys agreed, knowing that Tristan would be best able to calm David down and make him feel better. Tristan knocked on the door and asked if he could come in, to which David responded that it wasn't locked. Tristan entered the room and closed the door, locking it in the process.

"Hey Babe...you ok?" Tristan asked with concern evident in his voice. He gathered David in his arms, protectively enfolding his lover in his strong grasp. David nestled his head on Tristan's chest, reveling in the warmth his boyfriend provided him and the rhythmic beat of Tristan's loving heart. How could anyone hate something so wonderful? Why didn't his dad see that?

"Tristan...my dad...he hates me," David said, blinking back tears. "You heard all those questions he was asking, and what he told us. He all but said that he knows we're all gay and he thinks it's sickening. My own dad...he hates what I am," David sobbed out.

Tristan made soothing noises in David's ear, trying to calm him down and to show him that he had loving support right next to him. "He just doesn't understand what it means to be gay, and maybe he suspects something, but he doesn't know for sure, and he's probably so afraid that he doesn't want to believe it himself. I think he loves you, he just doesn't know how to deal with it since he's so paranoid about gays."

David was silent for a moment as he digested what Tristan said. Then he raised his head to look into Tristan's eyes and said, "Yeah, you're probably right. Tris, I'm so glad I found you. I don't know what I'd do without you," he added, kissing Tristan for emphasis.

"I don't know what I would do without you either Babe!" Tristan agreed, hugging David even tighter, if that was at all possible.

David squeezed Tristan back, running his hands up Tristan's strong back, softly tracing his lover's outline with his fingertips. His hands gently caressed their way up along Tristan's neck, running higher and passing through his curly brown locks. David leaned forward, bringing Tristan's sweet lips toward him, and lovingly brushed them with his own. Their mouths parted and a sensuous dance of their tongues began. The boys began moaning as they became fully involved in the tongue battle. It seemed as if sparks of electricity shot through their mouths as the sexual energy spread throughout their bodies and aroused their now prominent manhood. David rolled over on the bed, lying on his back, and pulled Tristan down on top of him. Soft moans continued to escape as they were consumed by their desire for the other.

The boys broke off their passionate kiss and pulled their heads back, looking deeply into the other's eyes. Tristan's eyes sparkled mischievously as his hands slowly made their way down David's body where they rubbed David's hard cock through the jeans that were restricting it. David squirmed in pleasure; he was obviously reveling in the feelings that Tristan was evoking in him. Suddenly, a banging on the door interrupted their lovemaking session.

"Hey David are you ok?" Jimmy shouted through the door.

David groaned, "Aw, damn. Tris...we better cool off. Jimmy will never leave until I open the door and the guys are probably wondering where we are by now."

"Awwww, I'll bet they know where we are," Tristan said with a hint of laughter in his voice. "But I suppose you're right, we should finish this later," Tristan said with a pout upon his lips.

"I want to feel your love inside me tonight Tris," David said seriously. "I need it."

"You know I'd do anything for you, Davie-babe, and doing that would be my pleasure!" Tristan winked.

Jimmy banged on the door again and called, "I know you're in there so open up!"

"Ok, lets go deal with Jimmy and check on the guys."

The two boys got up, sharing one last quick kiss to show their love for each other, and readjusted their pants so that the now subsiding bulges in their pants weren't as visible. Sure enough, as soon as they unlocked and opened David's door, there was Jimmy, standing his with hands on his hips and an impatient expression on his face.

"Jeez! Took you guys long enough. You ok David?"

"Yeah Jimmy. Tris and I just had to have a little chat in private. I feel much better now."

"Well, all your friends are hanging out in my room. They were wondering where you were," Jimmy said to David, somewhat sternly.

David and Tristan had to try their hardest not to laugh at the sudden change of emotions that had just overcome Jimmy. First he was all worried about David and now he was giving him a lecture!

"I think you better go tell them you're alright!" Jimmy instructed David. "I'm going to go get a snack."

"Heh, ok Jimmy. Good idea, we will." David and Tristan left to find their friends, both hardly able to suppress the laughter that was welling up inside of them. Luckily, their mirth didn't erupt, seeing as how they didn't want to hurt Jimmy's feelings. They went into Jimmy's room and found their friends playing an animated game of monopoly. The boys immediately looked up, faces lined with concern, as David and Tristan entered.

"Don't worry guys. I'm ok," David assured them. "I just needed to cool off and think a little. Tris helped me sort it all out," David said sheepishly. He was clearly embarrassed that he had let his feelings overcome him in such a way as they had; he was not used to having emotional outbursts, and it made him feel foolish and weak. David sighed happily, a smile coming to his face when he realized how lucky he really was to have Tristan.

"Oh, I see Dr. Cochran gave you a thorough check-out and healed you up?" Jason winked at David with a broad grin upon his face.

"Mm hmm," Chris, Jason's partner in crime said with a slight snicker.

"Uh huh, I wonder what it was the doctor prescribed," Drew chuckled. "Little Man, you got any ideas?"

"Oh, a few," Anthony said grinning broadly.

"So, who's winning?" Tristan inquired, changing the subject to divert attention away from a subject that obviously was making David uncomfortable again.

The boys looked sheepishly at each other in response to Tristan's question. Finally, Jason spoke up. "Well...Jimmy was kinda winning before he left. We split his property and stuff when he went to get you...figured he was done playing," Jason said with a wink.

David whistled. "You dirty dogs. Hah! I can't believe my little brother was beating all of you!"

"Dayam David! You don't know the half of it. Your lil' bro is CUTTHROAT when it comes to monopoly!" Drew exclaimed dramatically, waving his hands around for emphasis.

David and Tristan sat down and watched while the guys finished up their game of monopoly. They all chatted and had fun discussing school, sports and other things that teenagers like to talk about--mainly sex.

"David, I haven't seen Brad over here or your sister for that matter. What's she up to?" Tristan inquired.

"Oh, she's been acting really weird lately. Been staying in her room a lot and I haven't seen Brad come over in awhile. I dunno what's going on with her exactly," David replied. "She's been dieting so maybe that's what has her all moody," he added.

"Yeah, I bet we'd have heard them going at it if Brad was over," Jason chuckled.

"Oh, Brad! Don't stop, OH!" Chris piped in with an impersonation of David's sister. Chris had become a lot more comfortable around David and Tristan ever since the campout. There wasn't much left to hide after that memorable night.

David blushed. "Yeah, that's my sister your talking about guys...cool it!" The boys all had a good laugh, however they changed the topic, as they didn't want to make David feel TOO uncomfortable, especially on his birthday.

Tristan had been waiting all night to ask something. "Jase, how's the pubes feel?" he inquired with a wicked grin.

"Oh man, you guys sure know how to rub it in," Jase exclaimed ruefully. "Everyone in the whole school is laughing at me and Chris and so now I'm known as Baldy 1 and he's Baldy 2. You shoulda heard the uproar in the locker room Monday when they saw us and we explained the bet we lost to you guys."

"Well, yeah, I suppose," David grimaced. "The same thing would have happened to Tris and I if our team had lost you know."

"Hey, can I ask you guys something?" Anthony spoke up.

"Sure, we're all friends here," Jason said.

"How's it feel to be like that? Shaved I mean?"

"Totally 100% naked man, right, Chris?" Jason replied as he glanced over to his lover.

"Yeah, totally naked--except now it itches bad," Chris added and pantomimed frantically scratching his pubes.

"Man, you look like my grandpa's dog when he bites himself to scratch an itch," David said with a snicker. "Does your leg move too when you do that?"

Chris returned David's comments with a look of mock outrage and countered by saying, "No doofus, my dick does."

"Hey, I'll have you know Chris is no dog!" Jason interjected and then went on with a grin, "Just because he likes doing it doggy-style..."

They all burst into loud laughter at the witty comebacks. Chris turned red and semi-playfully punched Jason in the arm for telling on him.

"Aww, that's nothing, Chris," Drew said. 'You shoulda seen the Little Man here when he realized his mom saw us naked on the couch this weekend. I saw him blush from his hair to his toes."

"Oh my god, so she knows about you guys?" Jason asked with great curiosity.

"Oh yeah, she saw us both sleeping naked with me on top of Drew," Anthony admitted with a scarlet blush that matched Chris' rosy shade.

"So she must be OK with it since you are here tonight since you aren't grounded for the rest of your life?" Chris asked.

"Oh man," Jason breathed softly and then turned to Drew. "And you were there for that?"

"Yeah, it was a real come to Jesus meeting with his mom," Drew laughed self- consciously.

"Yeah, and after Drew left she started crying when she said she wouldn't be getting any grandkids this way," Anthony said softly as he remembered his mom's distress. "But she said that if Drew was the reason that I was so much happier with my life now, then she would learn to accept it."

"Wow," Jason exclaimed softly.

"Yeah, I was really scared at first but we talked it over and she seemed to be ok with it all in the end. Nothing really has changed for us, has it Drew?" Anthony added with renewed brightness as he beamed over at Drew.

"Nope, I guess not except that now we don't have to hide things from her," Drew smiled back at his little man.

As if that was her cue, David's mother came up and knocked on the door, making all six boys jump in surprise.

"Boys, it's getting late. Those of you who aren't sleeping over should start heading home. And those of you who are staying should go to bed."

"Ok Mom." David replied, gesturing with his hands and his tone of voice for her to leave and that he would take care of seeing everyone out.

The four friends decided that they would leave, giving David and Tristan the quality time that they knew the two wanted. David and Tristan saw their friends out, and everyone wished David a happy birthday before they left.

Finally, at last, the two lovers had some time to themselves, with no interruptions! David and Tristan hurriedly made their way upstairs, eager to pick up where they had left off earlier when Jimmy had interrupted them. Passing by Jimmy's now closed bedroom door, they entered David's room and locked it, making sure there would be no unwelcome intruders.

"So, are you ready to give me that special present Tris?" David asked grinning.

"Yeah David...actually, I have two to give you..." he said, trailing off, as he walked over to his coat and produced a plain white envelope from inside the left pocket. Turning back he said, "I just hope you like it. It's nothing fancy or anything...but it comes from the heart." He was obviously a little nervous. It was clear that he had put a lot of thought into the present he was about to give to David and he hoped his boyfriend liked it. "I mean, it's not as cool as that necklace you gave me that says how much you love me in hieroglyphics..." Tristan trailed off, lowering his eyes away from David.

"Tristan," David grasped Tristan's chin and pulled his boyfriend's face upwards so he was staring right into his lover's brown eyes. "I love everything about you, and I am SURE that I will absolutely adore whatever it is you give me," David said firmly.

Tristan nodded, then he hesitantly handed it to David with a nervous smile upon his face.

It was obvious from David's expression that he was extremely eager to see what was inside. He knew Tristan must have really poured his soul into whatever was in the letter because of how nervous he was about giving it out. David carefully ripped open the envelope, not wanting to damage whatever precious contents were inside.

The letter was extravagantly decorated with little hearts drawn around the edges. Most notable was the picture of two naked boys, viewed from the back, who were holding hands. Encircling the entwined hands of the young lovers was a heart. It was obvious that Tristan was trying to convey the love he felt for David in that picture. The boys each had an initial printed neatly on their backs; one was initialed "D" and the other "T". The symbolism brought tears of joy to David's eyes. Eagerly David began reading the contents of the letter, and as he read more tears came to his eyes-wonderful tears of joy. At that moment, David felt like the luckiest boy in the world. David cleansed himself of all his inner turmoil-all of the pain inside and fear that he felt about being gay, all of the anxiety imposed unfairly upon him by society and all of his self-doubt. David basked in the loving radiance of the only person in the world who mattered to him at that moment-Tristan.

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David,

Before I met you, Love was a concept I did not truly understand. Yes, in a way I did, for I loved my dad, but we both know now that my love for him is not the same as our love for each other.

My heart was empty before I found you--it was missing what I needed to fill it. Before you, I was lost, wandering alone in the dark; I was scared, lonely and incomplete. Now, I feel complete in the saving warmth that radiates from you and the love you give me. I drink in your beauty and I feel true happiness. Thank you David. Thank you for showing me what love truly is. Your love is everything to me.

When I am without your love, I feel weak. When I cannot see the twinkle in your sparkling blue eyes, when I cannot see the glorious smile upon your pink, rosy lips, it is almost too much to bear. Yes, without you, I am nothing. You complete me. You are everything to me.

I know sometimes that you catch me looking at other guys. I know it worries you and for that I am sorry. But please know that I am only looking at them to admire the masculine beauty that I find perfected in you. You are all I want. You are all I need. You are everything to me.

Davie-babe, my birthday gift to you on your 16th birthday is everything I am and everything I have to give. You are my everything, the center of my heart and my life. I pledge you my love and faithfulness today, tomorrow, and for the rest of our lives.

Yours Forever and with All my Love,

Tristan

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"Tristan..." David began, clearly at a loss for words. The words came though; they were in fact words that had come to David much easier ever since he had met his Tris-dude. "I love you."

Tears welled up in Tristan's brown eyes. "I love you too David. I love you so much that it hurts." His eyes quivered, glazed over in the unshed tears he refused to let drop. His mission failed, however, when David placed small kisses upon his forehead, cheeks, chin and lips, marking him with his love.

David wrapped his arms around the sturdy frame before him, pulling Tristan closer in a loving embrace. Slowly, his hands descended upon the muscular back, the sensuous brush of his fingers evoking a soft moan from Tristan. Collapsing on the bed, Tristan fell on top and ground his body into David's, inhaling the delicate scent of his flaxen hair. The room was filled with the quiet sounds that signaled the larger boy's obvious pleasure. David ran his hand along the crotch of his lover's pants, discovering the wetness that had already begun to leak. Teasingly, David took an eternity to unzip the fly of the restricting pants, his hand disappearing inside as soon as an entrance was made. Tristan, preoccupied in running his hands over David's beautiful, masculine body became flustered as the hand on his throbbing cock distracted him while David stroked and gently squeezed the hard flesh. Tristan pushed David's hand away in order to remove his pants. While kissing and caressing each other continuously, it was a slow torture as each article of the boys' clothing was removed one by one. Yet despite the insistent urges that were building inside their bodies, it was an unspoken agreement that tonight would be taken in small, loving steps.

The moon, appearing through the window, reflected off the pallid skin of Tristan's lithe body. Completely nude, they continued with kisses that became increasingly fervent with the heated minutes that passed. Breathlessly panting, David pulled back and looked up at his lover. "Tristan, I want you inside me." Tristan's response was mere silence, yet his answer was obvious as he leaned in and kissed David once more and continued down his body.

With one last connecting look into his eyes, Tristan sank below and snaked his tongue out along the slit of David's rigid cock. A shudder rippled through David and his shaft disappeared as rosy lips descended. He worked his way up and down David's shaft, taking more and more of his lover's tool into his mouth, until finally Tristan's nose brushed against David's thick bush of blonde pubes. Tristan inhaled David's scent, utterly intoxicated with the erotic masculine aroma that his lover exuded. As Tristan worked his way up and down David's dick he caressed David's scrotum, massaging the balls that contained their ambrosia. "Oh Tristan," David moaned as his blond head lolled back and forth on the pillow while he arched his back. He cupped the back of Tristan's head, coaxing him to move further down and faster.

But when the tousled curls began to move further away, David's moans were replaced with a dissatisfied cry. "Don't," he panted.

"Shh," Tristan pecked his lips and left the bed, padding over to the dresser where they kept the lube. Pulling it out of a pair of socks, he turned back towards the bed and stopped. The image before him was enough to cause him to stand there all for a never-ending lifetime. David lay relaxed on the bed. His legs had fallen open while dampened bangs hung over his shining eyes. His breathing became ragged and uneven as he lay there in anticipation. Suddenly he was drawn out of his reverie when he felt a shocking coldness at his hole. Tristan gently massaged the outside of David's rosebud, slowly working one, then two fingers inside of his lover. These ministrations caused David to buck wildly in pleasure as Tristan's fingers found their way to his magic spot.

Panting with desire, David spread his legs, raising them up and hooking his hands behind his knees, clearly inviting his lover to enter him. "I want you inside me," he repeated in a husky voice and broke off into a gasp as he felt a finger slid inside him. A long gust of air escaped his greedy lungs as he felt the digit drag over his prostate. As another finger was added and then extracted, David experienced a feeling of emptiness that he knew Tristan would fill for him, both body and soul. Both boys' bodies ached with desire as David lifted his legs and readied himself for he yearned to have. Tristan slid slowly inside, taking a century's worth of time. His soft hair brushed over David's flushed cheeks as he began to gently rock his hips between David's legs locked around him. David's stomach swam as ripples of pleasure swam up his spine. "So good," he breathed, pulling Tristan into him with his legs.

Tristan gradually began to pick up speed, thrusting into David faster and faster. The erotic signals of building passion raced throughout his young, lust-inflamed body and it was all David could do to keep from screaming out from the amatory sensations that threatened to engulf him. Tristan slowed his pace a little, not wanting to come immediately and leaned into David, planting a long, loving kiss upon his lips. David responded fiercely, pressing his lips against Tristan's and opening his mouth and feeling his tongue slide in while Tristan sucked on it. David moaned and writhed as Tristan worked his magic simultaneously in the two openings of his body.

As David and Tristan worked themselves into a sexual frenzy a young pair of eyes eagerly watched from inside the closet. Jimmy had sneaked into David's room in the hopes of finding out what it was that they did behind the locked door. When David and Tristan had left to go check on David's other friends, Jimmy had seen a perfect opportunity. He had been waiting patiently in the closet; the shadows within and racks of clothes hung up had kept him covered in secrecy. Now that David and Tristan had returned and gone into their passionate lovemaking, he found that he was breathlessly excited and wide-eyed with what they were doing with each other.

New emotions were surging through Jimmy's young mind as he saw his brother and Tristan having sex. His dad had always talked about how gross and disgusting it was for two guys to be together sexually, but to Jimmy it appeared to be the most amazing thing to ever happen. In fact, it was really turning him on, and his inexperienced dick was standing rigidly at full attention. His full four inches strained against his pants. Jimmy quietly unzipped them to push them and his underwear down to make himself more comfortable in the hot closet. Without a second thought he also stripped off his shirt and threw it down. This was weird; he had never felt such desire before, but after watching the two boys at their erotic love-dance, bodies intertwined, joined mentally and physically, he felt a sudden, strong desire of his own. He took his virgin shaft in his hand, mimicking what he had seen David do earlier to Tristan. He stroked up and down his slender shaft, gently brushing against the few wisps of pubic hair that were beginning to come in at the base of his dick, and found his way up to the erogenous center of his cockhead. For the first time in his young life, jolts of erotic pleasure flooded Jimmy's system.

"Oh God" he whispered in awe as his body slowly built up to his first orgasm. Jimmy's round, hairless balls pulled up tightly against his body as his straining cock prepared to fire its first seminal volley. Jimmy moaned as the indescribable energy mounted within his youthful body.

The three boys reached their orgasms at the same time. David began to shoot his teen cum wildly as Tristan's thrusting worked its way to a crescendo, stimulating David's inner love button with deep thrusts. As David's ass muscles- in the throes of ecstasy-clamped down upon Tristan's throbbing cock, Tristan loosed a steady stream of his seed deep within his lover's body. Jimmy, watching the climactic spectacle, was pushed over the edge, and the delightful ache in his cock turned into an unavoidable urge to explode. He shot his boy cream all over his cupped left hand for the very first time. "Oh my God, yes!" Jimmy shrieked as he was overcome by the feelings that his very first orgasm invoked within his body.

Instantly, the two boys upon the bed, barely finished with the throes of their mutual climax, instantly froze in horror at the implications of the noise that had come from the closet. The young, boyish voice they had heard was unmistakably Jimmy's. The two lovers pulled apart with a wet slurping noise. David and Tristan bounded up from the bed, not even bothering to cover up their nudity or clean the cum off themselves, and raced over to the closet. The shock and scare of their realization had quickly brought them from a state of arousal to one of flaccidity, and the sight they found within made them both gasp in total dismay. There was Jimmy-David's little brother, who had just watched them make love-standing naked amongst the hanging clothes in the closet, with his fingers dripping from his first ejaculation.

"Oh shit..." David mumbled, his mouth agape.

Oh shit indeed.

Well, sorry to leave you with another cliffhanger. Is Jimmy gay? What will David do next and can Jimmy keep their secret? The answers to these question and more are left to be found in future chapters.

A story like this isn't written in a vacuum. I have many people that I rely on to give me advice on the story plot and also a few dedicated people who are so kind as spend many hours editing my efforts. Without their help, and the people who write to me and encourage me, this story would not be the story it is. So I wish to thank once again each and every person who has made their contribution to the story of David and Tristan.

The people who joined the David and Tristan Yahoo Group were advised that this chapter was posted on Nifty Archive and the Gay Writers Guild. If you would like that same option and want to become part of the D&T family, all you have to do is to send a blank EMAIL to David_n_Tristan-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. You will receive a return email containing your membership approval and the link to obtain access to the Group.

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO JASON FROM SOUTH AFRICA: Jason, I hadn't forgotten you and I'm not ignoring you. Your email to me came without a return address so I couldn't answer it, even though I wanted to do so very badly. Please, please write me again and be sure to include an email address within the body of your email to make sure I can reply to you. I will answer all of your questions just as soon as I hear from you.