This is a gay love story which is pure fiction and fantasy. None of the characters portrayed relate to any known person.
Warning - it contains explicit m/m sex.
First Love
Daniel's twenty-first birthday was just two days away. He couldn't believe he'd been living with Kevin and working at his firm for almost three years. The business had expanded and although Peter had moved on, Kevin had employed two new guys, Andrew and Stuart, who he'd sponsored whilst they were at law school so were now completing their work experience. Both were excellent workers as well as being very nice guys who got on well with the rest of the team. Daniel hadn't been particularly sorry when Peter left since he had been the only member of staff who he'd never really felt comfortable with.
Six months previous Kevin had promoted Daniel to Office Manager so a new clerk had been employed to take over his work. Chris remained as the secretary, which suited him and everyone else. He was excellent at his job and didn't want more responsibility so he was more than happy when Daniel was promoted and took over the running of the office.
With two additional staff and more work, the office had become too cramped so three months ago they'd moved into new offices just down the road. Daniel, Chris and Tristan, the new clerk, shared an office which was bright and spacious. Andrew and Stuart shared another leaving Robert and Kevin each having their own office.
Joe had opted not to go to university much to his mother's disappointment, but when he announced he was taking a job with a firm of accountants and they were sponsoring him to do his accountancy exams, she was pleased. As such, when he left sixth form, he started work and seemed to suddenly become a man who took life more seriously.
His school friend, Simon, had also become very much part of his life. The weekend they spent at Simon's house was the deciding factor. They'd spent most of the time making love and Joe decided he loved gay sex even though he liked sex with girls as well. Simon was very gay but accepted Joe as being bisexual, although as time went by Joe became less interested in girls. Simon had also decided not to go to university and instead join an insurance broker and qualify in that field.
When they both reached the age of eighteen, which was three months before Daniel was twenty one, Joe told him that he and Simon had decided to move in with each other. Simon's parents had given him the use of a small flat they owned so all Joe had to do now was tell his mum!
"Would you help me?" Joe asked Daniel when he'd told him the news, "You're better at dealing with these things than I am".
Daniel grinned and said `okay he would' so it was arranged for him to go to dinner one evening and help Joe drop his bombshell.
"I take it you're going to tell her about your relationship with Simon" Daniel said.
Joe looked at him clearly worried about how his mum would take the news.
"She'll be fine; let's face it she's used to having one son who's gay so I don't suppose she will be that concerned about having another!"
As it happened, the announcement went well and their mother took the news without any problem. She later told Daniel that she half expected something like this since she'd noticed girls had suddenly disappeared from Joe's life and Simon had always been around.
"As long as you're happy Joe then that's all I want even though I'll have to get used to not having any grandchildren."
Joe was physically relieved and kissed and hugged her before doing the same to Daniel.
"So you don't mind me moving out and living with Simon then?" he asked just to confirm she had understood everything.
"Of course not; I think Simon is a very nice lad and he's certainly been a good influence on you" she replied, "and it means I no longer have to worry about you!" she added laughing.
Joe and Simon had moved in with each other the following week and so far everything was going well.
On the morning of Daniel's birthday, Kevin gave him a special birthday kiss and a hug. When they'd showered and dressed and were having their breakfast, Kevin gave him a large envelope in addition to his present.
"What's this?" Daniel asked looking at the envelope which had been inscribed `To Daniel with all my love, Kevin'.
"Open it and see" Kevin grinned.
Daniel ripped open the envelope and pulled out a letter and another document. He read the letter and gasped. For a moment he couldn't say anything. He re-read the letter and then looked at Kevin.
"You're making me a partner in the firm" he exclaimed.
"Yes, if you want to be one" Kevin replied smiling, "You deserve it, you've worked your socks off during the past three years and the business is running smoother than it has ever done despite the increase in work and staff".
"Wow, I can't believe it" Daniel replied still looking at the letter and then at the other document which was a partnership agreement.
Kevin explained that once he'd read the document through all he had to do was sign it. He also explained the financial implications and although he would be a junior partner it would mean more money for him.
"I'm also offering Robert a partnership so as to relieve me of some of my responsibility" Kevin explained, "so the three of us will run the firm".
Daniel could still not believe it and was dumbstruck. Kevin got up and took him into his arms and they hugged and kissed.
"Thank you so much" Daniel finally managed to say between his tears of joy, "I never imagined this would ever happen".
Kevin hugged and kissed him again before saying "It means you're well and truly stuck with me now!"
Daniel looked at him and grinned, "That is certainly no problem; I love you so much".
Later that morning Kevin spoke to Robert and offered him the partnership. Robert was overjoyed and immediately accepted. He'd worked with Kevin for so many years now so he had no doubts about accepting the opportunity. Kevin added that Daniel was also becoming a junior partner.
"I'm pleased to hear that" Robert replied, "Daniel's done an excellent job for all of us".
Kevin invited Daniel in and they all hugged and kissed congratulating each other. Kevin then called the rest of the staff together and made the announcement. Everybody was pleased to hear the news and congratulated the two new partners.
Kevin brought out a bottle of champagne and they all toasted the new partners. That evening, the three of them went out for a slap up meal. Daniel was more than happy to share his twenty-first celebration with Robert who'd become a good friend over the past three years.
"There's another thing I'd like to talk to you about" Kevin said to Daniel when they'd got home that evening after a wonderful meal with Robert.
Daniel looked at him wondering what was coming next.
"Will you marry me?" Kevin said taking hold of Daniel's hand.
Daniel gasped yet again. He'd often thought about whether he and Kevin would ever enter into a Civil Partnership but had never raised the topic.
Without any hesitation he said "Yes, I will".
This time it was Kevin's turn to have tears of joy as he hugged and kissed the love of his life. They talked about when they would hold the ceremony and it was decided they would try and get a date in about three month's time. They wanted to make it a special day and have time to plan.
"Can I ring mum and tell her?" Daniel then said when he'd finally come down from his excitement.
"Of course you can and don't forget to tell her you're now a partner in the firm as well."
"Wow, partner and Civil Partner all in one day!" Daniel giggled.
Needless to say Daniel's mother was over the moon when she heard the news and told him that he deserved the partnership in the business and she was so happy that he and Kevin were to become Civil Partners. She'd always liked Kevin and was more than happy to see her eldest son tie the knot with him!
They managed to arrange the Civil Partnership ceremony where they wanted it and on a date that suited everyone. The ceremony was held at eleven in the morning followed by lunch for everyone at the hotel hosting the event. Around fifty guests had been invited, including all the staff from the firm, Chris's uncle David, Joe and Simon and of course Daniel's mother. Robert acted as Kevin's witness and Chris as Daniel's.
It was a beautiful ceremony and they exchanged gold rings. Both Kevin and Daniel gave speeches and tears were flowing by the time they'd finished.
For their honeymoon, Kevin had booked a trip to Sydney, Australia. Since they were going towards the end of February, it coincided with the Gay Pride. Kevin had a friend in Sydney and he'd invited them to stay with him in his luxurious apartment. Since Lachlan was very much involved in the gay pride, he'd also invited Kevin and Daniel to take part in the parade.
Daniel was excited for weeks. He'd never been to Australia and never taken part in a gay pride.
To break the journey, they'd had two nights in Hong Kong and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Once in Australia, Lachlan met them at the airport and drove them to his apartment. They stayed for almost three weeks and it was a wonderful experience for both of them. They'd walked in the gay parade wearing very skimpy briefs and a garland of pink feathers. Daniel just loved it.
They found everyone very friendly and when guys realised they were from the UK they wanted to know more about them. They came back with contact details of several more friends and promises to meet up again at some point in the future.
In their absence, Robert and Chris had looked after things at the firm and all had gone well. Kevin and Daniel were on a high.
This lasted for several weeks until Daniel's mum was diagnosed with cancer. Fortunately it had been found early so she was able to have treatment. Even so, it was a worry for both him and his brother for almost six months but eventually she was told everything appeared to be okay. The thought of losing his mum sent Daniel into depression but with Kevin's help he kept going and gradually came out of it.
Their love for each other became stronger and stronger, if that was possible. Their love making became more intense and both were as happy as any couple could be.
Chris had become a very close friend and despite trying to find a partner he seemed unable to find the perfect soul mate. He loved joining Daniel and Kevin for meals and going out to the theatre and cinema and often having threesomes. Sex between the three of them was always good and Chris decided he was happy without a partner. The money from his dad had enabled him to buy a nice flat so he had everything he wanted in life – a good job, good colleagues and above all good friends.
Life seemed to pass for all of them in perfect harmony. The business continued to do well and the two student solicitors, Andrew and Stuart, joined the firm as permanent members of staff. Kevin employed another trainee so they now had five in the legal team with Daniel, Chris and Tristan looking after the office.
It was a few weeks beyond Daniel's twenty-fifth birthday when life for him and Kevin came crashing down.
Over the seven years they'd lived together, Kevin and Daniel had gone to the sexual health clinic every six months. Each time they had come away with a clean bill of health and despite the fact they had unprotected sex between themselves they both always practiced safe sex with others.
Normally they visited the clinic together but on this occasion Kevin had to cancel his appointment because of a work commitment. Daniel went for his and as usual he came away with everything normal.
Kevin had noticed that he'd been very tired and listless for the past three months or so and Daniel had told him on several occasions to go and see the doctor but Kevin said he was fine and just tired because of work. When he came home after his visit at the clinic Daniel could tell immediately that something was wrong.
"You okay?" Daniel asked concerned as Kevin slumped down on the sofa.
He looked at Daniel and cried. Daniel jumped up and joined him, putting his arms round his shoulders.
"What's wrong my love? Tell me".
Kevin looked at Daniel and between the tears he said "Sorry".
Daniel was even more concerned now and took hold of Kevin's face so that he could look straight into his eyes.
"Sorry for what my love; what is it?"
Finally Kevin managed to tell him that the quick test had shown him to be positive for HIV.
"Are they sure?" Daniel asked incredulously.
Kevin nodded and said a full blood test was being sent to the lab for confirmation but it looked as if he'd contracted HIV.
"Oh my god" was all Daniel could say.
"I can't understand it" Kevin was saying, "you know we've always played safe apart from ourselves; I promise you Daniel, I've always had protected sex with anyone else".
Daniel just held his love and rocked him back and forth trying to calm him down.
"I know you have" he whispered, "let's wait and see what the result of the full test is before we get too worried about it".
"I'm so sorry" Kevin wailed again.
Daniel hugged him and kissed him several times before answering.
"Look, even if you are positive, it's not the end of the world, not these days and I won't think any less of you; don't upset yourself my love."
Kevin looked at Daniel and wept. Finally he held Daniel tight and kissed him.
"I don't deserve you" he managed to say between tears.
Two days later Kevin and Daniel visited the clinic to get the result.
"I'm sorry to tell you Kevin" the doctor was saying whilst Daniel held Kevin's hand, "that it has confirmed the first test; you are positive".
Kevin collapsed into Daniel's arms and wept. He'd never imagined this would ever happen to him despite knowing the risks and knowing several people who were positive.
"What's the next stage?" Daniel asked the doctor since Kevin was not able to ask anything.
The doctor briefly went through the process and suggested they come back the next day once they'd got over the initial shock.
That evening they just sat beside each other not knowing what to say. Daniel wanted to tell someone but didn't know who just yet. He needed moral support from someone else but he could see that Kevin was not able to discuss the situation.
The next day they revisited the clinic and the facts and figures were given to them. Kevin was put on immediate treatment and they went home with a supply of antiretroviral pills.
Daniel was told to have another test in a few weeks just to be sure and fortunately he was still negative.
"How the fuck did this happen?" Kevin kept on asking but of course neither of them knew. They were convinced they'd always had safe sex with others, but who knows - a moment of wild passion or a condom failing is all it takes!
For weeks Kevin was distraught and had time off work for a while leaving Robert and Daniel to run the business. All the time he wondered whether Daniel would no longer love him despite Daniel telling him over and over again it made no difference to their love for each other.
"I told you at our partnership ceremony that I'd be with you forever and that means dealing with whatever is thrown at us" Daniel told him, "You are my first and only love".
Kevin couldn't believe he'd fallen in love with such a wonderful guy.
"Thanks" he said yet again between the tears.
My next story is called 'The Twins' and is about gay twins and their life together. It will be available shortly.
I welcome comments so feel free to do so by sending me an email.
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Other stories by Adam Stewart: Moving Forward Love at Last Gary's Story Finding Ryan The Advert Number Twenty Five Life After Ryan The Tangled Web The Pink Retreat First Love