In the following story, all of the characters are totally fictive and the setting is real. For whomever it would be illegal, immoral or prohibited for any other reason whatsoever to read a story about love between two young men is kindly requested to refrain from continuing. A free picture album illustrating this story (pdf) is available upon request at marin.giustinian@laposte.net. This being said, I hope you enjoy the tale.
LOVE IN MOTION
by Marin Giustinian
Nowadays, down in eastern North Carolina, USA
I'm from the little port town of Beaufort, North Carolina, son of a local hotel owner. I'm in my senior year as a philosophy major at East Carolina University in Greenville.
There was a week-long workshop, offered in the evenings, on somatic bodywork guided by Harrison Randell, a supposedly famous practitioner from New York. It was organized by the faculty of arts and communication. I asked if I could attend since I was studying the philosophy of the body by Merleau-Ponty in his 'Phenomenology of Perception'. Dr. Jenkins, head of the art department and professor of sculpture, was the one who organized the workshop and he granted me permission to attend.
I signed up without really knowing what I was getting involved in but the idea of 'thinking' with the body appealed to me.
For the first evening, Harrison introduced himself and then presented the work we would do with him. He began by saying, "I'm just the person you can see, touch and listen to. All you have to know is that I know what I'm doing. This being said, I'd like for you to think of our work together as a trip, a trip of discovery based on what we are. I insist on saying 'what' we are, and not 'who' we are. Who we are is irrelevant. Here, it's our flesh, fluids, bones, energy and their acts that count, because our acts of flesh reveal our souls. To sum it up, I'll quote two philosophers you've already heard about, I hope... Socrates and Jean-Paul Sartre. Socrates tells us 'Gnothi seauton', know thyself. Jean-Paul Sartre tells us, 'Le seul médiateur entre moi et moi-même, c'est l'autre', the only mediator between me and myself is someone else. Getting to know ourselves, body and soul, through similar selves, that's our job together. It'll take you a lifetime to finish the job, but you've got to start somewhere... and that somewhere's here, now, together!"
His references to philosophers put me at ease. I looked around me and saw that some of the others looked a bit baffled... It's easy to guess that we were all a bit upset and shy, but the guy was really great in helping us to feel confident enough to get involved. He coached our group through all sorts of individual and group exercises. Then after about an hour, he said we were now going to work mostly together in twosomes, in a kind of 'alter-ego' situation. We were going to work that way on the instinctive life of the body, the chakras, the energetic body, the notion of holistic thought, etc.
He then asked, "Are any of you guys already good friends?"
Only a few who were already sticking together, raised their hands.
"Okay, don't work together! Now I'm going to pair you up and you'll be partners for the rest of the workshop. Men with the men and women with the women. If you can't work together, then it's simple. You get out of the workshop," he calmly stated.
I had to swallow a gasp! I was chosen to work with the dreamiest looking guy I'd ever seen. We sort of smiled sheepishly at each other and waited for instructions. I think I was sweating.
"Okay! Let's get going. Listen carefully. I want you to hug each other real hard, with full body contact and whisper in your partner's ear over and over again, the following information : 'My name is [and you give your first name]. I'm from [and you give your home town].' Then you say, 'But that's not important; it's not really me. I'm the body you're holding in your arms now, so hold me tight.' Repeat this at least five times, alternating one, then the other, until you believe what you're saying and doing. And never release holding each other."
Good God! He even smelled good! And above all, he even felt smart! I don't know how to tell it, but I could feel the guy oozed with intelligence, instinctive intelligence. He was open. Not playing like he's open, but really open. Good looks don't often go with intelligence and sincerity. This guy had them all! I'm sure he's not perfect. Nobody is. But he's probably as close to perfection as you get. He held me and I knew I was going to die... but I didn't. In fact, I felt so much alive that I quivered. I wasn't holding him, I was clinging to him! Then Harrison clapped in his hands, saying, "Okay! That's great!" and everybody started laughing in a happy way. Some broke their embrace immediately. Others, like us, sort of held on just a little bit longer, smiling like idiots at each other. That's how Adrian and I met.
Two hours later, as we were changing in the locker room, Adrian said, "If you've got time enough, let's walk into town, drink a beer and chat some about all that. What do you say?"
"Sure, I'm not in a hurry to get back to the dorm."
"So let's go!"
As we walked, we kept on bumping shoulders, laughing, joking. He told me he was in art -- sculpture to be exact. I told him about being in philosophy and studying body.
"I guess we're body people, aren't we?"
"That's for sure," he replied as we glanced at each other and giggled like kids. We claimed a secluded little table in the back of a student bar on Fifth Street.
We toasted with our beers and Adrian began, "So, John, other than being from Beaufort and studying philosophy, tell me some more about yourself. I need some stupid kind of 'who-are-you' facts too. Do you mind?"
"Why do you need them?" I asked.
"Well, for me, what we did was awesome. It even got me a bit upset, put me out of my comfort zone. I really felt your... as Harrison said, your energy, but..." he stuttered.
"I understand. I felt yours coming on strong too. But you know, I don't have much to say about myself."
"Me neither, in fact..."
An awkward silence fell on us for a few seconds. Then I looked up, smiled and continued, "So what do you think about the workshop?"
He thought for a second or two and then replied, "I don't know what to think... not yet at least... All I know now is that I'm eager to see what else is going to happen. Even if it's shaking my foundations some, I'm really hooked!"
"What are your foundations, Adrian?"
"Wham! You get fast to the point, don't you? Let me see... Well, I was born in a very upper middle-class mainstream household. My dad's a dentist and my mother's... just a mother, I guess. I've got a little sister too... Anyhow, my foundations are... are... Oh shit! My foundations are just being like I'm expected to be, a success. You get the picture, don't you? Not very original!"
Adrian finished his sentence, looking straight in my eyes with a kind of forlorn expression on his face.
"And you, John? It's your turn now!"
"Well, my folks run a rather exclusive, small hotel in Beaufort, in the historical section of town. We're locals and the hotel's been in the family forever. My brother, Dan, and I sort of grew up by ourselves. Our folks were on duty day and night and we had to take care of ourselves... If I'm studying philosophy, it's because I need to work things out for myself, deep down inside."
"Well, for me, I'm doing art because of a trip to Italy with my parents when I was fifteen. I was overwhelmed by the sculpture! I just wanted to be able to create human forms with their force and... and the beauty those guys put into the marble."
"That fits in well with your looks, Adrian! Ha!"
He didn't laugh.
"I'm sorry, Adrian... I didn't mean to hurt you."
I was slightly panicking.
"A little hurt is good sometimes, John. Don't worry..." he paused and then out of the blue, stated, "I'd like to be your friend. And you?"
I blushed. I don't know why. But suddenly I realized that nobody had ever asked me to be their friend. What do you do with new emotions? I swallowed, trying to calm my heart as I looked at him for the first time really in the eyes.
"Sure."
Adrian and I went on partnering together during the week, enjoying every minute of the workshop. Each exercise brought new sensations, new discoveries, new questions too. I guess that was Harrison's goal. I felt the work could last forever. The bond that it created between Adrian and me made me dread the moment when we'd say good-bye. But the end did happen. When we finished the last session, we all applauded Harrison for his wonderful leadership. I looked at Adrian. He shrugged and said, "Well, I guess that's that."
"Yeah... I guess so..."
"Listen, we can't just let things hang like that, can we? Tomorrow night, some of us have planned to go out together. Would you like to come with us? We're not very 'philosophical', but we do know how to have fun... I'd be really happy if you came with me."
I managed to not jump on him and hug his neck!
"I'd be really happy, too."
During the evening Adrian tried to talk about what we did, but immediately realized how hard it is ... no words are available. We stuck together the whole evening... like we did in the workshop.
"Don't you think, Adrian, that the experience we lived is meaningful in itself? Let's just let it be."
"You're right, John. Let it be and maybe let it become..."
"Whatever, Adrian! I loved the evening and really enjoyed myself. I think it's about time for me to get back to my dorm."
"I'll walk with you. It's on my way and I'm dead tired!"
The night was nippy. It helped me snap out of my beer buzz. Adrian, too, was a bit high. He put his arm around my shoulder as we walked. Our pace was perfect as we crossed the old campus. The night was dead calm and I was suddenly wide awake! It dawned on me that I wasn't going to say to Adrian that I'd see him tomorrow! Then it overflowed!
"Listen, Adrian, I'd like to work some more on what we experienced in the workshop... the exercises, the improvisations moving together, the awareness of it all. I feel like my body's smarter, happier, recognizing its needs since we've worked together. I feel like my body is thinking. Do I sound crazy?"
"Not at all, man! So, what's your point?"
"I'd like to continue working on the experiences we had together and deepen them, that's all. Would you be willing to collaborate?"
"You better believe I am! I'm discovering motion! How do you think we should organize the job? When do we start?"
"Hold on! Let me think about it some more. I'm going back home to Beaufort this weekend. I'll think about it and call you Sunday morning, around eleven. Okay?"
"Okay... You got a car?"
"No, I go back and forth on my motorbike."
"I don't believe it! You're a biker!"
"Yes... and you're a great somatic dancer!" I quipped back, jesting.
"Oh shut up!"
We stopped in front of my dorm. There were a few awkward seconds of silence before Adrian stated, "Give me hug, man!"
We hugged and hugged again.
"Good night, Adrian."
"Good night, John. You make me happy."
"You make me happy, too..."
As usual, on Saturday morning, I packed my dirties, put on my jacket, helmet and gloves and straddled the machine. It's a two hour run down to Beaufort. The ride was my selfish time, only for me, speeding into the rising sun. I usually arrived at the house around ten, had coffee with my Mom before she and the maids did the rooms. My big brother, Dan, and Dad were already at the desk.
My Mom, like all moms I suppose, is special. Dan is my hero. He's my sun and my shield. He's the only person on earth to whom I can tell everything... and he listens! My Dad's okay. He still thinks he has to breathe down my neck, bringing me up to do the rights and wrongs on how to be a man. I guess he thinks it's a father's duty. I let him do it. We're not the closest of friends, but he stands by me, whatever. At least, that's what I feel about him. When I was in high school, all I dreamt about was getting out of the house and hotel. Now that I'm out, so to speak, I'm really glad when the weekend begins and I'm back home.
All the way, driving down, I thought about Adrian and our project of doing practical and philosophical research on somatics. It dawned on me that since we were free during the ten days we had for spring break in March, we could go to Daddy Rose's cabin over on Core Banks. He's my grandfather on my mother's side. After all, we did need to be undisturbed. Total immersion together for a few days would be good and the cabin's main room would be perfect for our bodywork. I talked to my Mom about it. She said I was grown enough to do what I wanted. I talked to Dan and Dad and they said they didn't understand what we were going to do, but didn't see anything against it. My grandfather's name is Edwin Rose. Ever since I was a kid, for me he was, Daddy Rose. He lives in Davis. I rang him up and he said the place was ours as long as we want!
Sunday morning, I called Adrian and told him my plan.
"Sounds great! I love the idea. The plans I had for the break went astray so I'm ready, willing and able!" exclaimed Adrian, almost shouting in my ear.
"When can we talk about the project and iron out the details?" I asked.
"Are you coming back this evening?" he replied.
"Yes, late in the afternoon."
"Let's go out together and grab a pizza. We can talk about everything this very evening. How does that sound to you?"
"Will 8:00 PM be too late? I'll need to take a shower and change."
"At 8:00, I'll be at your dorm. Meet you downstairs."
"See you this evening, Adrian! Bye."
Wow! I couldn't wait!
Under the shower, I felt giddy. I said to myself, "This is a date! I'm going out on a date!"
I couldn't believe it when I started worrying about what to wear.
I dressed cool-casual, put a splash of Armani on my neck, ruffled my hair and at eight on the dot, showed up in front of the dorm to see Adrian waiting for me, hotter than ever... if that was possible!
We made small talk on the way to the restaurant.
Once we were seated and our orders given, Adrian spoke up, "Tell me about the cabin on the banks! I'm dying to know everything and start out research!"
"I hope you'll survive, Adrian. It's really isolated. The whole island's a National Seashore. Daddy Rose's cabin was already there before the place was declared non aedificandi..."
"Non what?"
"Non aedificandi -- that means no new construction allowed."
"Cool!"
"So the cabin is still isolated and the place will stay that way. There's nobody around. There's no electricity. At night we light the oil lamps. There's a wood stove for heat and cooking. There's a pump in the kitchen for well water. It's really roughing it, but the dunes are wonderful and the beach there is deserted. It's a kind of a Robinson Crusoe place..."
"So how do we get there?"
"Daddy Rose is going to take us over on his boat with the food."
"I love the idea! If you're Robinson, then I'm Friday! I like the idea of being marooned together!"
"I hadn't thought about it that way."
"Listen, John. I don't have a car so how do I go with you?"
"On my motorbike. Can you buy a helmet?"
"Sure... but..." he stuttered.
"But what?"
"I've never been on a motorcycle in my life... I'm a bit scared."
I had to watch out and not laugh. Already the biker image seemed to get on his nerves...
"Oh, it's nothing to worry about, Adrian! All you do is hold on to me! You'll see. It's fun!"
He laughed a little and we went on talking about the departure.
"I thought we could leave on Saturday, stop by the inn so you could meet my family, go to Davis, and then shop for the food. It only takes about half an hour to cross over the sound to the island so we'll still have plenty of daylight to set up the cabin."
"Sounds great, John!"
"I'm glad that suits you! Really I am! I love the place and I feel like you'll be fine there too..."
"Listen, do you mind if I talk to my sculpture professor, Dr. Jenkins, about our project?" Adrian inquired.
We carried on. Ideas were flashing like fireworks. By ten we were back on the streets. We walked back without talking. We were together and that was enough. No talk needed anymore. When we stopped in front of my dorm, we hugged a little longer. I felt like I was melting. Adrian kissed me in the neck and said, "I love Armani! Good night, my brand-new old friend! See you next Saturday."
I was a bit stunned as I uttered, "Yeah, good night, Adrian. Thanks for the pizza. See you Saturday morning."
Then Adrian caught me back, "Wait a minute! Can't we see each other before. I need to know what to pack and all that."
"Sure. What about Friday evening at your place?"
He gave me the address of his house share and phone. It was settled. He dashed away into the night. I just stood there, feeling almost too good inside.
At last Friday came around! Adrian was waiting for me. We went up to his room. He was proud to show me the motorcycle helmet and jacket he bought for the ride. He really didn't look like a biker, even less than me, but he tried! Maybe he's just too... pretty!
He told me that Dr. Jenkins wanted us to make a report to the class concerning our research when we get back. I said I was happy to do it with him, but he was in charge of the presentation.
I helped him pack. We made the grocery list. When I saw him trying to cram his laptop in his bag, I reminded him that there was no way to charge it and there's no wifi. I told him he should charge his phone to the gills and not use it except for emergency. We didn't need to go on internet, browse facebook or do SMS anyhow! He sort of gasped, then smiled, saying, "It'll do me good to unplug for a while and let Facebook go to hell! I'll take my little Fuji Instax for a few pictures instead of using my phone. I don't know why, but I'm sure I'll need some for keepsakes!"
"And don't forget a notebook and pen!"
"What?"
"A notebook and pen -- you know, those obsolete things you write with. Now check everything. Do you have your bare essentials? Whatever you forget, you don't need!"
"I've got to think about that!"
Saturday morning, everything worked as planned. I called Daddy Rose. He said he'd wait for us around 3:00 PM, after his nap. I picked up Adrian, with his backpack. He straddled the bike and snuggled up behind me, holding me tight around the waist.
"How's it doing back there?" I asked, shouting at a stoplight.
"Love it!" he lied.
After a few miles, I felt him relax. He even nudged me some as he adjusted himself with me on the saddle. I pictured us on the road. We were beautiful! An hour later, we pulled up in front of a neat little barbecue place in Havelock for some lunch.
"Easy drive down," I said, as we were getting off, trying to play it cool.
"Nice. It was fun, but I'm really glad to stop awhile," he said, pulling on his crotch some... "I'm hungry too and got to pee!"
We ordered barbecue sandwiches and ice tea. Once back under way, we were like seasoned travelers. Pulling up at my folks' place in Beaufort, I said, "We won't stay long. Come on in. I want you to meet my family. They're eager to see you."
Mom looked him up and down, then smiled, saying, "Welcome to the Tyler House! A friend of our son is a friend of us all!"
"You're right, Mom," chipped in Dan, sticking out his hand, flashing his regular killer smile.
When it came time for Dad, he just said, "Glad to meet you, son. Would you like coffee or tea?"
We exchanged some small talk about our project. They admitted they didn't understand what we were up to but said it sounded like work.
"We'll stop to say hello on our way back Sunday morning," I said to everybody, "now we're off to Davis. Daddy Rose is expecting us around three o'clock to take us over to the cabin!"
We drove the twenty some miles further down Highway 70 into the tiny town of Davis. Daddy Rose was waiting for us on the porch. We hugged. I introduced him to Adrian and then stashed my motorbike in the shed behind the house, asking him to lend us his car to go load up on groceries. He gave me the key and we went. We stocked up on a bit of everything that didn't need a fridge. We decided on wine instead of beer. Then we met up with Daddy Rose at the boat.
He's a very elegant gentleman, even if he was just a fisherman all his life... maybe he's elegant because he was just a fisherman all his life.
"I'm really glad to take you boys over! The cabin was getting sort of lonely. I don't go over there much ever since Ma passed away. Keeping up one house by myself's hard enough, so keeping up two is really too much! Anyhow, I went over yesterday to air out the place some for you all and check on the kerosene, firewood and such. With the last hurricane, the little bedroom got some leaks and I had to junk the bedding in there. You two are going to have to bunk together. The water pump works fine. There's plenty of dry firewood. Johnny-boy, you know how to run the place. I put in some clean sheets, pillow cases and two quilts. Don't forget to use the broom and wash out the slop jar! I'd be happy to lend you all the boat but I've got some folks to take out fishing this week. A little extra cash is always good to grab! You all don't need her anyway since you said you all are going to study up something for your college. That's right, ain't it?"
"Yes, Sir."
"I'll come to pick you up next Sunday at 7:00 AM and don't forget the garbage. If there's a problem, call. Don't use your phone otherwise. Save the batteries just for emergencies. Have I been clear?"
We nodded.
"So let's get going! Don't want to get grounded with the evening tide going out. Now, load the boat while I warm up the engine. You all got enough beer? Boys your age need beer. The water over there is dreadful! Ain't even fit for coffee... You got coffee?"
"We've got everything we need to eat and drink, Sir," answered Adrian, just as polite as gentry.
Well, his name is Duke after all.
Adrian commented to me as we were loading the groceries, "I want to say that your grandfather is quite a man. He's got energy to sell and his boat is in perfect shape. It's really beautiful."
"Adrian, we say 'she' for a boat."
"Sorry..."
"Don't worry! We high-tiders or 'hoy-toyders', as we're called with our funny local accent, are easy going even if we're a little peculiar for you inlanders. I'm joking of course! This boat is a pure Harkers Island skiff made out of juniper wood. Can't find better!"
The half hour cruise over to the anchorage for the cabin was great as usual. I held the wheel and Adrian stood up front, catching all the wind he could in his long hair. He was simply gorgeous. Even Daddy Rose commented it, saying to me, under the rumble of the motor, "That's a fair looking friend you've got there Johnny-boy. Hope he's not too stuck up."
"Don't worry, Daddy Rose. He's good."
Once we arrived, I shed my shoes and jeans and stepped down into the water, telling Adrian to pass me the bags and the groceries. I waded ashore, put our belongings on the dry land and made another trip.
"Come on, Adrian! Get your shoes, socks and jeans off and do like me. Hand me my stuff too. Let's not make Daddy Rose wait."
He did as told, thanking my grandfather, and eased into the water, carrying the last bag. I handed the anchor back to Daddy Rose, pushing him off. He shouted as he backed out, "See you Sunday! You all be good boys now!"
It took us about five minutes to walk from the sound over to the dunes and the cabin overlooking the ocean front. We left the box with the canned goods and the wine for a second trip. I was surprised how great the cabin looked inside. Everything had been cleaned, even the windows, usually dimmed with the salt laden mist. Adrian looked around as I began putting the food in the pantry. He stood in the middle of the main room and with a very theatrical voice, began reciting the strophe by Edna Saint Vincent Millay :
"Upon the solid rock, the ugly houses stand! Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!"
I laughed... "Is this your shining palace?"
"It sure is! And you're its prince! This place is Sooooo Cooool! I just love it."
Then he grabbed the pump handle and started jacking it until the water gushed into the sink.
"I didn't see a shower, Johnny. Is this where we wash?"
"If you don't want to get the floor wet, you take a bucket out on the screen porch. Can't beat the view!"
"It's all so simple here. A nice porch with a sea view, one big room with a wood stove, pantry and sink -- then two bedrooms with a walk-in closet and pantry in between. That's all. We can put the table and chairs in the empty bedroom, make it into a kind of dining room. That way, we'll have ample space for our bodywork in here and the other bedroom to enjoy snuggling up in the big bed together! That was a great idea you had to come here! Couldn't be better!"
Seeing him so happy, it made me even happier. I'm seeing this old cabin I've known all my life with brand new eyes! His! And it's a wonderful experience. I suddenly realized how far out of the world we were there... and how far we were invited to enter our own world, just the two of us.
"Let's go get the rest of the food and wine. Then we'll finish unpacking, make the bed and light a fire. It'll then be time to get the supper going. Okay?"
"Let's go!"
Was it the mellow lamplight, or the wine, or the sound of waves in the night? Whatever it was, it was total magic as I looked at Adrian, sipping his after dinner wine, sitting by the open stove. He had stripped off his shirt, enjoying the heat. To me, the way I saw him, he was simply glowing. I thought to myself that I'm one very lucky boy! The water in the kettle on the stove started humming. It sort of brought Adrian out of his haze.
"What's the water for?"
"First of all, to wash the dishes, then us."
"Let's do it together. Here, I want us to do everything together!" he stated, standing, stretching his arms, then rubbing his back. "I feel the motorcycling now... It's been a very eventful day!"
"Adrian, I've got to pee. Are you coming, since we're doing everything together?"
"Of course I am!"
Once back inside, I pumped a pail full of well-water and mixed it with the water boiling in the kettle. We did the dishes, dried and stashed them. While I prepared a second pail for our sponge bath, Adrian lit the hurricane lantern and carried it in one hand, a broom in the other. He swept out the room he now called the dining hall. It didn't need sweeping but I liked his sense of detail. I gathered our towels, soap and washing cloths and set up business by the stove. It was really too chilly to go out on the porch naked.
Adrian came back finding me naked in front of the stove, dousing myself with the wash cloth.
"Hold on, Johnny! Let me do that! Give me a second to strip and I'll clean you up like new!"
Now that was really kind. He took over scrubbing my back, then he massaged my shoulders. I thought I'd swoon. God! It felt good! I got all weak in the knees. Then he worked on my buttocks, washing and massaging, did my legs and turned me around. Sure enough, I was stiff as a handle bar. He grinned at me saying, "You're sure glad to see me!"
I shrugged, raising my arms for him to take care of my pits, then my chest. I sort of gasped as he lathered my cock and balls saying, "You know, you're one handsome hunk of a male," he stated, stepping back, "Everything's in proportion, arms, legs, neck, cock, everything. I felt like I was sculpting you. What's nice about you, is that you're warm, alive -- and reactive!"
I lurched as he reached out and squeezed my cock, giggling.
He rinsed me off and then, giving me a coy smile, simply said, "My turn."
Now I was the one creating a pagan god with my soapy hands. He moved with me as I scrubbed and rubbed his satin skin, moaning low throaty, Ummms and Ahhhs. It was so natural! I didn't feel like we were being naughty at all, just grooming one another, taking care of each other and it felt so good, so natural.
"Adrian?"
"What?"
"How is it that we're so comfortable together?" I asked as I was rinsing him off.
"I don't know, John... Ever since our workshop, we've been really physical with each other. Also, in art class, I've posed nude. We do that for each other. It's a part of tradition, I guess. Anyhow, I love it when you feel free to touch me. Makes me feel secure -- secure and important..."
"You are important to me, Adrian."
There! I admitted it to him as well as to myself. I fumbled with the washcloth, dropping it on the floor. Adrian immediately caught it and threw it in the sink, then grabbed me in a big, wet hug.
"Johnny? Do you mind if I sleep naked. I haven't used pajamas since I left middle school."
"Not if you don't mind me being naked too. By how is it that you call me Johnny now?"
"Because you're so damn cute!"
We turned in, blew out the lamp, cuddled just an instant before falling sound asleep. Outside the sound of the waves lulled us as we relished each other's warmth. God! Friends are great when you have a real one you can hear breathing in bed beside you, and, Good God! We had seven more days ahead of us!
I felt like I was cooking in the sun when I woke up. In fact, dawn was pouring in through the window. Adrian had discarded the quilt and was sprawled all over his side of the bed in a mess of wrinkled sheets. I crept out of bed, slipped into my baggy, sweat shorts and tiptoed to make the coffee.
"I thought I smelled heaven!" mumbled Adrian as he stretched in the doorway, then stumbling over to give me a limp hug.
"Good morning, Johnny. Be right back." The air outside was still. The sky was totally blue and it was so quiet, I could even hear his piss splashing in the sand as he peed from the stairs.
"It's already warm out there!" he declared as he came back in.
He dressed as skimpily as I did, we ate a good breakfast and decided it was absolutely mandatory that we go take a long walk down on the beach. Adrian had a watch and informed us that it was already ten o'clock and that the tide seemed to be going out.
There's nothing better than your first walk barefooted on the beach in the spring. It's sort of like the first swallow of beer when your thirsty.
I was in for a lot of firsts, I noticed. Here I was walking down the beach -- totally deserted, miles of it for us -- holding hands.
"Adrian, I thought holding hands was something you do only with girls. Don't you feel weird, walking hand in hand like we're doing?"
"Yeah I know it's kind of gay -- but so what? Who's offended? I love holding your hand, Johnny."
"Are you gay?"
"When I like -- or even love somebody, I don't care if the person is a he or a she. Here, now, with you, I'm gay... gay, just like you are too! Is that a problem?"
"Not really..."
I was amazed at how cool and frank Adrian was. We walked in the wet sand. It sort of hissed and screeched under our feet. Then turning towards me, Adrian smiled, saying, "Don't you feel stupid out here with clothes on? It's so warm and nature loves us to be natural, too."
"Just a little. But I feel stupid not kissing you right here."
He stopped, turned and faced me. I felt like I was drowning in his gaze. Then with a smile, he squeezed my hand and softly said, "Well, don't be stupid."
The surf was pounding on the sand bar further off shore. The breeze played in his hair. I closed my eyes as our lips met. Our simple kiss was rather shy, until I felt him enlace my waist as he opened his mouth a bit. My tongue felt compelled to enter, licking his, and I melted in his arms. His determined cock ground into mine and we kissed even more. I was losing hold on my world. I was spinning on a merry-go-round gone wild. It was fantastic!
Then little by little we began to hum and our kisses became smiles, our humming became laughter and out of sheer glee we both shouted, Youpee! I struck out running, turning on myself, jumping, kicking up sand, enticing and teasing Adrian as I shouted, "Catch me if you can!"
He darted at me. I dodged and sped towards the dunes. Slowed by the softer sand, I stumbled. Adrian tackled me and in another unbridled embrace, we kissed, rolling in the sand, our legs entangled and our hearts soaring higher than the sun.
We both surrendered. Exhausted, the last spasms of our laughter became liquid giggles and as I was catching my breath, Adrian managed to utter, "What's so funny?"
"Nothing's funny, dimwit! We're just happy!"
God! What a rare thing it is to laugh simply because you're happy.
My shorts were full of sand as well as my hair. Sand was stuck on us everywhere. Adrian stood, held out his hand to help me up and we both began brushing the sand off each other's back. We were both erect and smiling.
"That was fun! Let's kiss more often," he stated.
"YES, Yes, yes!" was my soul's reply.
Nothing more was said as we began the long walk back to the cabin. It had nearly vanished in the heat haze shimmering along the distant strand.
It was fun dunking buckets of water on each other, naked as two Adams cutting up together in the Garden of Eden. It wan't summer yet and we toweled each other off, rubbing our goose pimples red.
Adrian asked, "Do you feel like putting clothes on again? Why don't we do our massages naked? Inside it's warm! We can dress later for lunch. What do you think about that?"
"I think it's a great idea. Go fetch the massage oil while I spread out the towels..."
A sudden hush fell upon us as each one began his stretching routine, letting the return to calm take over. Then Adrian simply laid belly down on the towel. I oiled his back and began rubbing his shoulders and back all the way down to his buttocks. I kneeled straddling his thighs and began the massage. I kneaded him, shaped him, sculpted him, underlining every crease, every fold, every mound and hollow of his abandoned body.
When I coaxed him to turn over, his face was serene and smiling, and his cock pulsated in rhythm with his heartbeat. I began massaging the opening of his chakras, those tiny whirlpools of energy spinning in specific spots from the mound between the anus and the scrotum and the top of the skull. I worked my way slowly up, massaging his plump penis, then his belly followed by his heart and throat. Ten minutes later, I was massaging his forehead. He was covered in a slight sheen of perspiration. He gently writhed and stretched on the floor, breathing deeply. He progressively rose to stand in front of me. We hugged and I slid down his body, sprawling on my belly as Adrian warmed the little bottle of scented oil in his hands.
He brought me to the brink of oblivion with his sculptor's hands. I was the clay he was shaping into a brand new 'Me'. I felt my chakras open like morning glories at dawn. I felt my energies were dancing on the edge of a delicate orgasm, gently overflowing, never overwhelming. With a last caress, he rose and waited in silence until I stood. We hugged for a long, long peaceful moment. I literally felt our energies mingle, mix and flow together. Then I felt my stomach growl a little...
"I'm hungry too!" Adrian exclaimed as he skipped over to the kitchen space by the stove, never even thinking about getting dressed.
After lunch, we planned our days ahead, dividing our time between play in the morning, walks on the beach, shell hunts, photo, etc. In the afternoon, we would do our bodywork and save our philosophical discussions for the evening with the wine.
Our days flew by! Our only music was the sound of the waves, of the wind, and the fire humming in the stove. We indulged in long hikes on the beach, wading in the shallows, hunting shells, and stripping under the late morning sun. When we returned for lunch, we spent the afternoons doing massage, balancing chakras, contact dancing in the nude. Each hour brought its treasure of deeper awakening. Bodywork is unbelievable! It's like unspoken, wordless philosophy. I could actually feel my body thinking on its on.
Our evenings became progressively silent. We would just sit by the fire until our wine was finished and then crawled in bed early. Once on the other side of the night, we greeted the early glow of dawn, followed by the sunrise.
On the fourth day, we woke up to the sound of the rain on the roof and the window panes. The wind was whipping the sea grass on the dune tops and foam flew like snow on the strand. The waves were angry, loud and grey. It wasn't summer yet.
"It's a stay-inside day, I guess," stated Adrian as I slipped back in bed.
"Bed is a good place to be when it's so foul outside," I replied, snuggling up to him.
Adrian tenderly caressed my hair, gave me a gentle peck on the lips and whispered, "I'm hungry. I'm going to light the stove, warm up the cabin and fix us something to eat. You stay in bed until I call you."
I had no problem obeying him! However the smell of fresh coffee and the sizzle of frying eggs finished by whetting my appetite a bit too much. As I was on the verge of putting my foot on the floor, Adrian showed up in the door, using a pantry shelf acting as a tray on which was spread a full southern breakfast.
"Open up my side of the bed and hold this so I can get in with you."
I did as told. He propped up the pillows and climbed in. We sat hip to hip, our toes playing together as we enjoyed the best breakfast ever! Having devoured everything, Adrian got up, saying he'd get us a second cup of coffee, "And you stay where you are," was his order!
He disappeared through the door with the plank and dirty dishes. I felt wonderful! It was great being lazy after our very full days of beach, bodywork, and lots of new thoughts, feeling and acts. I realized that I was happy to ease up on the rhythm a bit. I heard him stoke the stove some more and when he came back with the coffee, I commented that the cabin was getting really warm.
"With that dreadful weather outside, I thought we'd need some sun inside!"
I grinned my approval thinking that he was my sun -- and my moon and my stars all in one. I chuckled.
"What's funny?"
"I was just thinking that you are my sun, Adrian. Thanks for the great breakfast and all!"
"Thank you for saying such a nice thing, Johnny," he softly said as he squeezed up beside me.
We rubbed our feet together as we sipped our coffee, staring out the window. The distant roar of the sea and the noise of the windswept rain outside made the silence inside even more present. Early spring squalls can come and go. I felt this one was sort of a blessing, changing our plans, inviting us to live even more simple things, deeply together.
Adrian took my empty cup and put it with his on the night table. I stretched and writhed pushing back the covers a bit when suddenly Adrian rolled over on top of me, kissing my neck, nibbling my ear. At that very instant, we were both aware that the moment was ripe for us to abolish time.
"Johnny, I know you know I feel what you feel."
"Yes, I do, Adrian..."
We kissed, rolling over and under each other like the waves churning on the strand. We clawed backs and buttocks, hunching, grinding our cocks together, kissing our throats, our legs entangling, flailing, thrashing as if we were drowning in the whirlpool of our lust, casting away the quilts and sheets in an instant storm of impatience.
Our bed was an immense altar on which all refrain was sacrificed. Adrian pinned me on my back and kissed his way down my belly, tormented my cock with his lips and then engulfed it. I throbbed, gasping, under the assault of his tongue, gagging him with urgency. I needed his cock too. I needed his fever in me, I thirsted for him as if my life depended on it. We no longer sought each other... we were each other, belonging to each other, with the same compelling hunger for each other. We sucked, never letting up, drooling, moaning, dancing as one in the rhythmical motion of love's surrender.
Then it was done. We exploded both at the same moment like two bolts of lightning striking together the same stone, blasting it into a gravel of diamonds. We were the lightning. We were the stone, we are the diamonds scattered astray on the sweaty sheet.
After a long moment of tender silence, caresses and glowing rest, Adrian broke the silence, turning his face to my ear and whispering, "What a breakfast!"
I broke up laughing, grabbed him and attacked, tickling him with gleeful cruelty, almost shouting, "And I can't wait for an even more smashing supper!"
We bathed together. Without drying off, we began a dance together. We drifted to the center of the big room and carried on sculpting space with our slow, sensuously ample movements in constant contact.
We danced as if soaring, never stopping, never hastening, deeply inhaling each other's energy. On and on, we danced a timeless dance in the song of the dwindling winds. It was simple. It was pure magic. It was love.
The empire of words had vanished, yielding space to something deeper, something more luminous as we became what and who we were for real -- the flesh of angels.
The alchemy of releasing all refrain was changing my life. New power, new states of unaltered awareness, new desires and, at last, the light of love filled each second as we bonded in rebirth together.
That very evening, I received Adrian up inside me, then lost myself up inside him too. The four following days were devoted to merging our bodies, as our souls expanded one into the other. We had found new pleasures running along the beach. Our bodies glowed with grace as we surrendered to the rising tides of our loving. No more bodywork... just body blending in body. Our dance was art by nature, human nature, male nature blossoming, flowing ever so naturally.
Experiencing such beauty can become a way of life, a kind of instinctive wisdom of attentive respect and rejoicing creativity. We had lost all notion of the past. Our old selves, struggling with studies, society, bending under the compliances of becoming good all-around young American men were now numbed. That ideal was now neutralized and forgotten, thrown away somewhere along a distant highway, going nowhere.
After lunch, I said, "Tomorrow, Daddy Rose comes to take us back to... to that," I stated as a matter of a fact, with a gesture in direction of the mainland, "What are we going to do, Adrian?"
"Nothing, Johnny! We are going to do nothing other than carry on being ourselves as we are here and now. My mind on that is made up. We were born to live together and create our lives with each other. We are unique and that's how the world shall have to put up with us."
"But will the world allow us that?"
"We are the world, Johnny. We and we alone allow ourselves to be ourselves! That's what it's all about! The bubble of the Big Lie has burst. Our love is no longer a crime -- and as far as sin is concerned, I really don't think that exists wherever love prevails. We can refuse letting anybody else... Do you hear me, ANYBODY other than you and I to have power on us. Do you stand with me on that, Johnny? I need to know."
Good God, it was so simple, so limpid, so right! "Of course I do, Adrian."
I had never felt so strong in my life.
"So don't you think we should start packing and cleaning up for our departure? That way we'll have time this evening to make love to each other all night long!"
"All night long, you say? Wow!"
"So how did it go for you all over here?" cheerfully asked Daddy Rose as he beached his skiff.
"Great! All missions accomplished!" I shouted back as we dumped our bags and garbage in the boat.
"Your cabin is a house of magic, Sir," complimented Adrian.
"It's yours whenever you want, and I do mean what I say, young man!"
I exchanged a smile with Adrian and replied, "Guess we'll take you up on that, Daddy Rose! It's a great place to work in!"
"I never looked at the cabin as a workplace... but I guess there's a lot of ways to work that I don't know about!" he quipped back, winking at me.
Once back on the mainland, we returned to Greenville after a short stop in Beaufort. I told Dan I was going to call him. I had a lot of important stuff to share with him. He said, "You know my hours. Call whenever you need! Love ya!"
Adrian's housemates were gone. I simply moved in with him. That very evening, we made love in Adrian's bed. As we were cuddling in the aftermath of bliss, I whispered to Adrian, "I need to tell my brother about us and I want you with me when I call."
"Call him now."
"Hello Dan, I'm in bed with Adrian and we love each other."
Dan just said, "So what..."
"I mean we're lovers. We enjoy sex together, It's our strongest bond and we plan to live together." I insisted.
Dan quietly said, "I felt you were cut out for each other when I saw you two together. Are you sure, Little Brother, that he's the one for you. If he hurts you, tell him I'll kill him."
"He's the one and he's here beside me. He heard you."
Adrian grabbed he phone, "Dan, if anybody hurts Johnny, I kill him too!"
"Is that you, Adrian?"
"Yes, Dan. It's me."
"Welcome to the family!"
I grabbed the phone back and we talked and giggled some more. Then he said, "But you know, Little Brother, you and Adrian are going to have to tell our parents and that's your job to tell them soon! Now you two stay out of trouble and good night. I love you!"
"Love you too, Dan. I love you a lot!"
"He's really great!" stated Adrian.
"You're right. He's simply the best -- after you of course!" I laughed, grabbing Adrian smothering his body with a thousand kisses... He immediately curled around me and dove down under the covers, swallowing my cock, offering me his.
When Adrian's housemates returned after the break, we announced to them that we were now boyfriends and planned on living together. The reaction was immediate! We were congratulated and it was decided that we have a coming out party!
We called our parents. Adrian's didn't take the news very well, neither did mine, but we weren't disowned nor sent to hell. Time will prove to them that love has no limits.
Dan came for a visit. I gave him my room in the dorm. I'd kept it as an office to write my academic memory paper without being tempted to jump on Adrian all the time!
For our report, we went to see Dr. Jenkins. We felt that words were useless to convey the depth of what we had undertaken and we had decided to ask him if we could perform our report instead of just talking. We would give an authentic, contact improvisation dance, calling it "Motion of the Invisible Body".
We thought we could start the performance dressed, separated and ignoring each other, then little by little we would share more of each other's space. After a few minutes of ordinary movement, our motion should become more like in a dream, slow, intense involving carrying each other, leaning on each other too. We said we could progressively undress each other. Sculpture students wouldn't be offended by nudity, and it would be true to what we experience. Once we were nude, we would trigger our authentic contact 'dance' mingling our energies. The whole thing could last more or less ten minutes. We tried it out several times and found it could last hours, once we lost ourselves in the emotion of motion, evolving body to body, merging as one, together.
We showed our 'dance' to Dr. Jenkins. He didn't like the title "Motion of the Invisible Body". However he said the action itself was hypnotic. He loved it! He said we could name our work : Body Action Art. He requested us to not perform it as a report for the class, but perform our duo at the public opening of their annual exhibition in the Wellington B.Gray Gallery.
"But, Sir, don't you think it would lose its meaning without us being -- how should I say, totally exposed?" asked Adrian.
"Naked you mean! Of course your nudity is a necessary statement concerning your art... Where's the problem with you being naked?" was the professor's only reply.
Adrian looked over at me. I nodded my agreement.
Dr. Jenkins continued, "You guys are lovers. Am I right?"
"Yes, Sir."
"So the best way to protect your love is to have it recognized as a form of art! True art is making beauty happen, and if possible, making love happen too! You two have everything to make just that. Your youth, your looks, and above all, your love for each other make beauty and love happen. You put what you are into motion and there you have a work of art. You ARE a work of art... together! So do it! That's all I can tell you, and that's what we'll put on the program. Is it a deal?"
I nodded again, holding Adrian by the shoulder as he shook Dr. Jenkins' hand, saying, "Yes Sir, it's a deal!"
Then Dr. Jenkins added, like an afterthought that changed our lives, "By the way, boys, you should send a video of your work to Harrison. He could find outlets for you to tour with your performance. It's worth a try."
The evening of the opening of the exhibition was soon there. Nobody on earth had been as nervous as we were. A low square stage had been placed in the center of the gallery for us. Dr. Jenkins briefed us on the evening. He said he would announce us when he felt most of the invited people were there. We went and waited as the first visitors entered.
We had invitations sent to our parents. Adrian's showed up first, then came mine with Dan.
The place was mobbed in less than twenty minutes, and we struggled to be with our families as they got to know each other too. Dr. Jenkins came over and said, "I'll announce you in about five minutes," then noticing our parents, he introduced himself, complimenting us both. Then he disappeared.
"Good evening, ladies and gentleman. On behalf of the dean and the entire art faculty of East Carolina University, I have the pleasure to unveil you a very unique work of art, a creation that goes beyond the normal categories of art. Both sculpture and dance, simplicity and emotion, Adrian Duke and John Tyler have created, as far as I know, a new art form. I've named it, Body Action Art. Please give them your undivided attention."
The lights in the gallery went down as the special lighting over the stage rose like a dawn. The guests hushed and gathered around the stage. We stepped out of our sandals and placed ourselves on the edges of the platform. We were naked under our very loose shirts and tie-string cotton pants. We began drifting towards each other as the sound of ocean waves breaking on the sand filled the gallery. We began moving, structuring our space together. I was like in a trance. I felt Adrian too was totally involved, attentive only to the merging flow of our energies. Our movements became liquid motion, almost like magic. Our shirts, then our pants dropped. There was a kind of gasp and then a few giggles here and there. A symbiotic veil of energy surrounded our nudity as we flowed, glowing in total abandon. Adrian carried me, we rolled, sliding together, I carried him, we soared nearly weightless, like a wave on the verge of breaking and then we froze in a dynamic pose, like a twin statue surging out of an ancient pagan myth.
Total bedlam broke out. Two-thirds of the audience went wild clapping their enthusiasm as the other third mumbled their disapproval or grumbled their blunt misunderstanding of what we had created.
Thank God, our parents weren't among the other third. They didn't seem upset, puzzled, but not angry. I can't say they were totally enthused, but as my Mom kept on saying, "Times are changing". Adrian's parents were both somewhat embarrassed and yet flattered by all the compliments the art faculty showered upon them.
Some of our friends ran over as we stood there with our clothes in our hands. My closest friend in my philosophy classes looked at me with a gigantic smile across her face and said, "John, I'm so moved! I nearly cried watching you move... You two are simply love in motion!"
Adrian heard her and put his arm around my shoulder saying, "Love in motion! You are so right!"
She blushed. The group surrounding us started chanting in rhythm, "A hug! A hug! A HUG!"
We looked at each other, beamed and dropped our clothes. Right there in front of God and everybody, we hugged, naked and pure as the day we were born.
Epilogue
We were better and stronger than ever in our pledge to remain natural and true to ourselves, come what may.
Abiding Dr. Jenkins' suggestion, we made and sent a video of our somatic dance, Body Action Art, to Harrison who immediately answered saying he was going to show our performance to a friend of his, a prominent owner of a very well known art gallery in downtown Manhattan.
After graduation, we flew up to meet him. It worked. He asked us to perform in his gallery and then in several museums in the Northeast. One thing led to another and soon our year was booked, touring from Boston to Atlanta.
Daddy Rose bought us a nice little all-weather boat and gave us the keys to the cabin for us to live in when we weren't on tour. We repainted the inside and bought a solar electric panel to keep our iPhones charged. We were able to have our groceries and firewood delivered onboard our boat. Our big splurge is a 1000cc roadster motorcycle and matching outfits to get us to the airport and back for our performance tours and visit friends and family on the mainland.
Between the glamor of performing and the simplicity of our island hideaway, our life is well balanced. Harrison even invited us to assist him in his workshops too. What happened to us can happen to others. Who knows? Times are changing... That's Love in Motion!
A free picture album illustrating this story (pdf) is available upon request at marin.giustinian@laposte.net.