Noah's Starship

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+{Noah's Starship}+

-+-[Ch. 10- Noah's Day]-+-

~By Emri~

Since we had moved in together, Navid is almost always the last to wake up. I usually pass out first and then wake up with the sun. I am the early bird, He is the night owl.

I've always been that way so much so that my dad used to put the cereal and bowls on a low shelf in the kitchen so I could help myself and watch cartoons while he slept in. He'd pour little cups of milk into containers with lids and leave them on a low shelf in the fridge. It was the first chore he'd taught me, and I grew up respecting that other people needed to sleep later.

Navid didn't like to wake up without me. I'd usually go use the guest bathroom, wash my face, and brush my teeth before returning to his arms and playing a quiet game on my phone to the melody of his snoring.

But this morning was different. He'd set an early alarm for himself and slid me off his chest without waking me so he could surprise me. He was so stealthy about it that I didn't wake up until he kissed my lips and rubbed my chest.

"Happy Birthday, Noah! I make breakfast for you," Navid said as I opened my eyes. He was leaning over me looking down with a big, goofy smile. I wasn't as surprised to see him up before me as I was that he'd said he had made breakfast. Navid never cooked, well rarely. He would make some Persian things every now and then and they were usually decent. But the kitchen in our home was usually staffed only by me.

"You made breakfast?" I asked with caution wondering what he could have prepared.

"Yes! Your favorite I make! Just for you special," Navid fumbled as he hopped off the bed and went to grab the tray. He set it down next to me and I knew instantly that Mike must have been awake and helped him out heavily. It was two plates of smiley-face pancakes with whip cream for the smile and strawberries for the eyes, nose and teeth.

"You did this all by yourself?" I asked and then thought maybe I should have said something more appreciative.

"Mike assist me, but mostly me!" Navid's pride was unswayed by my disbelief. He picked up a strawberry, swiped it through the cream, and brought it to my lips. I sucked the cream off and then licked at the tart fruit.

Navid and his friends had rented a house by the beach near Ventura for my birthday weekend. Outside our window was a patio overlooking the sand dune with a walkway that led from the lower porch to the open coast. The house wasn't huge, but it had three bedrooms and a little side area off the dining room that had bunk beds guests used for their kids. We were at the end of a tiny road and our only neighbor was empty for the weekend so it was like we had our own beach.

Navid and I were in the biggest room since it was my birthday, and Karim and Mike were in the other upstairs bedroom. Downstairs Nasri shared a room with Erik. Aram, Bashir, and Miguel shared the bunk beds. Miguel seemed happy to squeeze in next to Bashir for the night. Aram was supposed to have a friend showing up tonight who would share his bunk. I was just happy to have everyone together.

Navid and I finished our pancakes on the little balcony off our bedroom and watched the waves crash into the sand.

When everyone was awake and fed, we headed down to the beach. Navid and the older guys set up a tarp canopy held by four metal poles so we could lay out beach towels and the drinks and snacks away from the blazing February sun. Southern California doesn't really get much of a winter and the sun was out early that morning.

Navid had picked out matching blue swim shorts with a pattern of little light blue palm trees for us online. We heard comments from everyone when we came out in them with matching blue tank tops and flip flops. I blushed a little, but Navid seemed to like it.

We didn't match for long though as we got down to the shore and Navid took off his shirt to reveal his gym regimen of chest presses and sit-ups. I had gotten pretty toned from yoga and daily use of the little gym in our condo complex, but I could never compare to Navid. He seemed pleased that I kept my shirt on, and gave me a kiss while slathering me up in sunblock.

Nasri was not to be outdone for attention, he slid off his shorts to show a small white speedo that brought his almond skinned muscles to perfection. He knelt down close to me while Navid was squirting sunblock on my shoulders to tuck his shorts into his beach bag. His fat bulge was just inches from me and it bounced as he stood up again to bring it to eye level. Erik caught me looking and gave me a happy nod.

Navid was the first in the ocean. He loves swimming and we'd spent the last few nights splashing around in the condo complex pool before getting ready for bed. He grew up with a pool and is a very strong swimmer. I usually just float around while he does laps.

Erik, Miguel, and I stayed back under the tent and caught up with each other. Erik was working double time to fulfill Nasri's increasingly wild sexual desires. He filled us in on the role playing Nasri liked, and finding places to be together in public. I wasn't sure if he was telling the truth or not. Erik had a history of exaggerating the truth past recognition.

Erik was just starting to tell us how he was trying to find another guy that looked just like him so Nasri could have two boys worshipping him when Miguel punched him in the arm and looked up over my head.

"Baby, I told you to stop with that," Nasri said in an angry tone. I looked up at him and he noted my stare with a guilty shift of his eyes. I looked at his bulge to see if the white speedo had become transparent since he'd been in the ocean. Sadly, it hadn't.

"Sorry, I was just..." Erik trailed off with a rare look of embarrassment. I'd never known him to back down so easily.

"You talk too much, ok? We're here to have fun. I don't need Navid pissed at me again. Keep it light," Nasri said and looked away from me.

I'd always wondered why he kept his distance from me. He rarely acknowledged my presence. When they got there late last night, he'd just given me a pat on the shoulder and said, "Happy Birthday, Noah."

Aram broke the awkwardness by shooting Nasri in the arm with a water gun. Nasri gave Erik a soft kiss on the cheek and then yelled something angry in Arabic or Persian before running off to fight Aram. Navid was out swimming with Karim and Mike.

"What did he mean by that?" I asked. Erik and I didn't keep many secrets.

"Nothing, Noah. Just... well you know Navid has this whole thing about keeping you pure. Nas just wants to avoid more trouble with Navid. He can be kind of... intense when it comes to you," Erik explained.

"I think it's kind of sweet. It must be nice to have a guy who pays for everything and can't get enough of you. It's like you get to be a kid for a few more years. Sounds like a nice, easy life of leisure," Miguel said with a sigh. He hadn't mentioned bringing a guy with him when I invited him. He got a ride up here with Erik and Nasri and didn't object at all to sharing a bunk with Bashir when I offered him one by himself.

"Easy! Yeah right!" I laughed. "Do you know how hard it is to go to school and keep our house spotless for him... cook interesting meals for him twice a day, keep his clothes and work suits ready to wear? Sometimes it's a lot of pressure being the perfect boy that he wants."

"He doesn't help out at all?" Miguel asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Um... no... Plus he's super messy. I find his clothes and dishes in the strangest places. He did offer to get a cleaning lady to come every week, but I would feel too guilty about that. He works so hard so he doesn't have to get financial help from his parents. He works all day and then comes home to shower me with attention before putting in another few hours of work while I drift off to sleep." I turned around to look for Navid. I felt guilty admitting all of this, but they were my best friends. Luckily he was still out in the water.

"Ugh! Take the maid, Noah. You're too young to stress yourself out with all that," Erik said.

"It's like I'm doing my part to contribute by taking care of the home though. And... I like how he depends on me. He grew up with a housekeeper and mom so it makes him happy after living the last four years here with messy roommates. He told me he finally feels like he is at home now that I'm there. Plus he pays for everything; my tuition and books... nice clothes and food. He insists that I wear nice things and never even blinks when paying for it... I'm expensive now," I laughed.

"Yeah you've definitely turned into a designer label guy," Erik laughed and then added, "You're actually a hot little guy now with the haircut and better clothes."

"Uh thanks, I guess?" I wasn't sure how to take that.

"You know what I meant, Noah. You never used to care about that stuff. You always kept things so simple. I think you had like four t-shirts you cycled through and the same pair of shoes... Your life was just... so... simple," Erik fumbled for words as he tried to correct himself.

"Navid says when you take pride in how you look and what you wear, people take you seriously and expect better from you," I explained.

"Hey! You guys remember how we spent your last birthday, Noah?" Miguel changed the topic. We all burst out laughing just thinking about it.

"Oh you mean his dad taking us to that awkward restaurant where they were having the valentine's day special event for lonely singles and had all the tables pushed together? That was freaky!" Erik snorted.

"Yeah my dad had no idea that was going on there! It was so awkward trying to explain we didn't know about the event and were just there for my birthday. But they did all sing happy birthday to me!" I laughed.

"And Noah's dad got three phone numbers!" Miguel clapped his hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah he went out with one of them for almost a month!" I laughed.

"Hey I got one too! He was too old for me, but pretty cute!" Erik always had to show us up.

"What do we laugh about?" A soaked Navid came up and reached over me to grab his towel. Miguel took his hand off my shoulder pretty quickly.

"Just how different this birthday is from a year ago," I said as Navid kissed my forehead. We filled him in on the details of my semi disastrous birthday celebration the year before.

"I make special this one for you, No?" Navid bragged.

"You make every day special," I said softly to him with adoring eyes.

Navid responded by sinking down on the towel next to me and pulling me in for a kiss. His chest soaked my shirt, but I didn't mind.

"You deserve everything your heart desire, my love," Navid whispered as he massaged the back of my neck. I looked to see Erik give Miguel an eyeroll. Navid was overly sappy sometimes.

Navid took me out to swim with him. I didn't like to go too deep, but he let me hold onto his shoulders from behind while he pretended to be a dolphin and dove in and out of the waves. He even made some weird little noise that I guess dolphins make. I just liked holding onto him. He was always a fun ride.

Aram and Bashir swam around with us and they were all talking and laughing at something in Persian. I wasn't really in on the joke so I just held on to Navid and tried to melt into the background. I looked back to see that Erik and Miguel were splashing around with Nasri closer to shore.

I noticed Aram looking at me every few minutes like he was checking on me. It reminded me of the Christmas break when he was my caretaker and we accidentally got too close. He was filling in for Navid and we weren't exactly sure where to draw the line on how much of Navid's duties Aram should assume.

Navid and I went out away from the other guys, and he kept his hand in mine as we went up the shore a little.

"Are you ready to go have time together? We can do however you like for your special day," Navid whispered to me. The other guys were too far away to hear us anyways, but he liked discretion.

"Can we do it here in the water?" I asked feeling adventurous.

"Noah! You joke to me? All of our friends are here to see it. Of course we can not do that. No that is not good. We go to the room. Anything you want to do in there we can do, ok?" Navid was not amused by my daring side. I started to argue, but decided not to ruin the moment. I reached down to feel that he was indeed ready for action.

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"Is good you are not burned, just tiny bit red, but ok. This sunblock is very strong. I put lot so you will not be dark like me," Navid said with an approving nod as he watched me undress.

"I don't tan. I just kind of burn and peel. It's gross," I noted with a grimace.

"I know, my princess is so delicate," Navid laughed and leaned in to kiss a line across my right shoulder.

We got into the shower and soaped each other up. He always spent extra time on my butt, rubbing and squeezing it before working a soapy finger inside me.

"Uhh," I moaned as he wiggled inside me and started to bite on my ear. My cock sprang to action and went straight up between our stomachs. His was hard too, but so heavy that it hung down and brushed between my thighs.

Navid slid in deeper and started to wiggle his finger inside me as my body went weak against his chest. He put his other arm around me and held me to his firm, hairy torso. I buried my face against his shoulder and whined as he cleaned me.

Satisfied that I was ready for him, he slid it out and wiped his hands on the bar of soap. He rinsed the ocean off of me as I tugged his soapy cock with my right hand.

We finished cleaning each other and then Navid hopped out to bring towels. I was barely starting to dry myself when he pushed me up against the counter and knelt behind me. I felt his tongue slide into my hole as his hands roughly squeezed and massaged my ass.

I rubbed the towel over my wet hair and then braced myself with my hands against the counter as I wiggled my ass on his tongue.

"That feels so good, Navi. Fuck yeah," I whined as I fought to keep my eyes open against the waves of warm spasms he sent through me. I bucked a few times and he held me up with his hands gripping my ass. I was gasping and even slapped the counter a few times as he hit particularly sensitive spots.

And then it stopped, he took his tongue back and my body was filled instantly with loss. I whimpered and turned back to see him standing with a smile.

"You are ready," he said and pressed his cock between my cheeks. He leaned over me and reached under my chest to grab my nipples as he started to hot dog my buns.

"I don't know where you learned how to do that, but uh... wow," I said, recovering my breath. My throbbing cock laid against the cold, tile counter as he pushed against me.

"Yes, I practice on the many sheep in my poor mountain village!" Navid said with an extra foreign sounding accent. He slid his hands up my side and started to tickle my armpits to let me know he was joking. I squealed and squirmed under his hold. I hate being tickled and couldn't control the laughing.

"What ever heart desires today for special birthday. How you want I take you? What makes your heart desire?" Navid asked when he stopped playing around.

"Anything?" I asked. Navid nodded.

"Can I play with your hole?" I asked knowing that was a no-touch zone. Navid shook his head.

"Can I put my dick in your mouth?" I asked with a mischievous smile.

Navid gave a sudden look of horror. "Oh... well... That is what you want for special day? You are sure?"

I thought about it for a minute. I'd wondered about it, but it just seemed weird.

I didn't just love him for his heart or his handsome, strong body. I'd realized that I loved him for being a man, an immutable wall of strength and masculinity. I know we're supposed to switch off on certain things, I've seen the order of a porn clip. But I didn't want that with him, it would have made him seem weak to me.

"No, I don't want that," I admitted and turned to face him. He put his hands to my hips and lowered his forehead to touch mine. I put my hands on his strong pecs like we were about to slow dance.

"And why not, my love?" Navid's tone said that he already knew the answer. I lowered my eyes.

"Is because I am your protector? I am your man?" Navid asked. I nodded.

"You like to be my princess? You like how I fill your needs and give you a man's seed?" He asked.

I nodded, but he put a finger under my chin and lifted my head to face him.

"I will always be your protector, Noah. I will always give you my seed when you need it. If I suck on my Noah, it does not change this. It does not make me less of your man, weaker. If this is what you want, I can try it, for no one else but you. Is something my baby desire?" Navid asked.

"No... no sir," I said.

"Then what your heart is desire? I need to know this to make your day special," Navid wasn't letting this go. He rubbed my back soothingly as he waited. His eyes were so intense as though searching mine for the truth.

"Can I ride you? Here in the bathroom?" I asked cautiously knowing he liked to be in control.

Navid nodded as a wide smile spread across his lips. He kissed my forehead and then put a hand to my chest to tell me to wait. He ran out into the bedroom and came back with the bottle of lube.

He leaned against the counter and slicked up his cock as he watched me. He put out a finger and beckoned me towards him.

"You are so beautiful," he noted as though it was fact. "Beautiful skin, so light and soft. Every inch of you so perfect, my dream baby." I blushed and he pulled me in between his legs. He squirted more lube on his fingers and quickly pushed them into my hole. He wiggled them around inside me to make sure I was ready for his throbbing snake.

I stood there feeling like a puppy at the vet's office as he loosened me up and kissed on my neck while petting my hair. I whimpered and whined as he worked me. I put my hands against his pecs as his legs wrapped around me. I leaned in and kissed on his neck, felt that throbbing vein he had when getting down to business.

"You are ready, I think. You want ride me? You want to sit on my cock, princess?" Navid growled in a low voice.

"Yes sir," I said, panting for his touch.

"Ok boy, be careful what you wish for," Navid advised. It wasn't dirty talk, it was a cautionary speech about going down on his thick cock too quickly. It was not for beginners.

Navid slid his fingers out and wiped his hands on a towel. He gripped my ass and squeezed the cheeks roughly as he leaned back against the counter and lifted me up. I threw my arms around his shoulders and steadied myself as he easily raised me. My knees pulled up into my chest and my feet found the counter. I leveraged myself on the counter as he held onto my ass and positioned it over his cock. I held onto him with my arms around him and my face buried into his shoulder.

"You go slow, Noah. I own this hole and I take good care for it. Do not damage my favorite prize in the world. Yes?" Navid warned as he slowly let me lower down to his cock. I felt his tip against my hole. His hands loosened so he wasn't forcing me, but just providing support so I wouldn't fall.

I looked over his shoulder at my face in the mirror. I watched my eyes whince as the tip pushed into me. He let me fall a little so I could slide down on him, but then quickly caught my ass so I didn't take too much. He didn't trust me with it, he knew my addiction was stronger than my resistence.

"Ohhh," I whined and bit softly on his shoulder as I stared at myself in the mirror from behind a thick wall of Persian muscles.

"Fuccckkk," Navid hissed as his cock sank into me. He kissed my neck and lipped at my jaw as his cock found it's way home.

"You're so tight, Noah. Fuck! I love you. Fuck! So much!," Navid's breathing went ragged as I sank down deeper on him. I watched my face screw up, I was an ugly crier. I sniffled back the pain knowing how good it would feel in a matter of seconds. I was so slick and squishy on his cock, but just raw enough so his tip could do it's job of lighting up my runway, his thick cock could fill my neediest parts.

"Uhhh, Navi, fuck me... feels so... Fuck... good," I whined as I started to slowly rise. I raised up on his cock and felt a trail of pleasure wash over me. I started to drop down again, but his hands caught my ass and he rationed his cock to just what my hole could take.

"Careful to not take too much more you can handle. I am not fucking you. You are fuck yourself on me so stay alert. Mind the gap," Navid whispered to me as he bit and sucked on my ear.

"Oh yeah I'm not used to that," I breathed as I started to lightly bounce on his lap. My cock drizzled precum all over his stomach every time it scraped against his furry love trail. He kept catching my ass, admonishing my greed, and then relenting to let me take more in.

I saw his phone on the counter and I reached for it and snapped a few pictures of the mirror. I loved the way I looked from behind the dark, rugged protector as I bounced on him. He didn't notice what I was doing so I shot a quick video so he could be surprised later. I was bouncing and whining, biting and gasping as I fucked myself on his man-sized member.

"Uhhh, my baby..." He praised and then changed his tone, "Remind me I need deposit checks on way home at drive up bank, ok, Noah?" He said it as if we were just having coffee together.

"Ok," I said, not sure why that needed to be brought up. I refocused and felt my body go weak at the pleasure of riding his donkey.

"Uhhhh fuck so tight, so beautiful... my princess... my love," Navid hissed as I sped up on his cock. "Oh and a man come next Tuesday to check fire alarms and carbon monoxide too."

I stopped bouncing on him, getting weirded out by his mundane reminders.

"Am I boring you?" I asked, feeling hurt and self-conscious.

"No, no, NO! Oh my baby. I just..." Navid started. "Is that... well your hole feel so tight on my cock. I just... I can't last long like this. Normal times I am in control and I slow down or speed up for our pleasure. But today is YOU day and special day for Noah treat. So I try to distract my mind to not finish too soon. You are like explosion fantasy land when I enter you, and now you go faster than I used to..." He explained.

"Oh!" I laughed and kissed his shoulder where my mouth had left a purple mark.

I started to bounce again on him, this time going faster. My cock was leaking and thumping every time it made contact with his rippled abs. I whined and bucked in his arms as he held me firmly and kept whispering praise in my ear.

"Navi? I think I left the oven on at home," I said.

"You? What? Why you do this? Whole house will burn!" Navid started to panic.

"Just kidding. I need a few more minutes of that dick," I laughed and Navid growled.

"Now you get it, my pranker!" Navid said in a threatening tone. He lifted up off the counter and held me on his cock. He backed me against the wall held onto my ass as I kept my arms around his neck. I wrapped my legs around his back and he pressed me tightly against the wall.

He started to thrust into me fast and deep. I banged my head against the wall and then leaned forward to bury it against his chest.

"Uhhhh fuck yeah, Naviiiii!" I squealed as he kept jabbing deeper into me and banging me against the wall. My body went weak in his arms knowing a strong soldier would hold it safely.

"Fuck... princess... baby... Noah... love... pussy... I cum!" Navid pushed deep into me and I felt his body shake as his cock started to pump hot seed deep inside me. It pushed me over the edge and my cock started to fire off thick ropes of boy juice to coat his chest and stomach.

"Me too," I panted and heard an oddly high squeal come out of my throat.

"Fuck sound so good, my baby, finish for me," Navid encouraged as he pushed his cock all the way up into me to send his swimmers off to a safe home.

My body twisted and shook as he steadied me against the wall. My legs were tightly wrapped around him and my toes curled up in pleasure.

"Beautiful pussy I fill it up," Navid mumbled as he fucked the last drops of his cum into me. I felt some of it leak out as his coated balls smacked into my ass as he bottomed out inside me. I felt like a corn dog on his stick it was shoved in me so deeply.

"Oh my baby love you," Navid breathed heavily against my neck. He rubbed his cheek against mine and then put his lips to mine and kissed me. His tongue slid inside me and danced around my mouth as our lips wrestled. I whined on his tongue as his fat cock was still lodged firmly inside me. I hoped it would soften a little before he pulled out.

We recovered there against the wall breathing together and kissing. He held onto me as though the floor was made of lava. I relaxed into his arms and kept my legs around his waist.

We piled back into the shower and washed the sex off of each other. He held me up knowing I was exhausted and spent. I fought to keep my eyes open. He never left me with any energy. We dried off and then laid on the bed wrapped in each other's naked bodies. Navid pulled a blanket over us and I drifted off to a badly needed nap.

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We dressed together and joked about what the guys must think in our three hours of absence.

"Is your birthday, Noah. They know the best present takes time," Navid laughed.

He dressed in the clothes I had picked out for him in our online shopping adventure. It was a short pair of gray shorts with little pink penguins splayed in a pattern and a tight, light pink, v-neck shirt that was a size too small and hugged every inch of his muscles. It was a different look on him, more like something Nasri would wear. The shorts were small and showed off his ample bulge while the shirt showcased his impressive muscles. He gelled his hair back and put on the white deck shoes. He looked like a slutty frat guy, an Abercrombie model.

"Damn," I said as he flexed for me to get approval for the outfit. I had a similar look going on, but looser, more modest.

"You look like my perfect California boy," Navid said and hugged me with approval. We headed downstairs and joined the others who were sitting around the living room watching funny clips Aram had found online. He had his phone somehow hooked to the TV.

By the time Karim and the guys fired up the grill to make dinner for everyone, the older men had already gotten into the alcohol. Navid had recently discovered craft beers and was so into it that he'd filled half a shelf in our refrigerator at home. He had brought quite a few for others to try and was currently tasting his way through the San Fernando Valley's finest.

My dad showed up just before the food was ready. He had driven up to be there for my birthday. He came in with a nicely wrapped gift that he put on my growing pile of presents on a side table.

He noted Navid's tight outfit and gave his bicep a squeeze with an admiring comment. Dad looked really good too. He'd gone back to the gym and was getting in good shape now that he was freed from his primary parenting responsibilities. He still didn't look like a man turning 40 soon. I was happy to see that he'd been taking care of himself. We were all each other had in this world.

"Wow Noah, I don't think I've seen a gift pile that big since your cousin Gina's wedding. That's very nice of everyone. You be sure and thank everyone," Dad commented with a proud smile.

I hadn't seen him as often since school was back for Spring semester and being Navid's houseboy was a full time job. We still talked for at least five minutes every day, but it wasn't the same as before when he was all I had. We were transitioning and I could tell it was as hard on him as it was on me. He held me a little tighter and a lot longer than usual. He kissed my forehead before letting me go, but then kept me under one arm as he greeted Navid.

Navid gave my dad a shorter hug, but then brought a beer for him to try. It was yet another thing the two of them had bonded over. I guess I was lucky that the two most important men in my life got along so well. Navid was the strong, athletic, successful type of son I'm sure my father would have wanted.

We sat and talked to my dad for awhile and he and Navid sampled the beers Navid preferred. It was interesting watching Navid switch back to the respectful mode he used when talking to my dad. He treated it like his most important business relationship. My dad seemed to have no objections to being charmed.

"Happy Birthday, Noah. I hope this year brings you everything you desire. If not, then we can replace Navid with someone else for you," Karim joked as everyone sat down to eat. He'd made huge plates of BBQ'ed chicken and lamb with a big pile of fluffy pita bread from the good bakery in North Hollywood. Mike had made all sorts of interesting salad items to go with it.

"When I was Noah's age..." my dad started to say, but I cut him off.

"Aww dad, I don't think they want to hear this," I interrupted him. It was his tradition. Every year he'd tell me about what he was doing when he was my age and what he learned.

"I do. I want to hear this," Navid said and gave me a look that said I was being rude. Several others encouraged my dad to continue.

"Thank you!" Dad said with a smile of vindication and reached for my hand. "When I was Noah's age I was desperately trying to keep up with a very energetic baby boy who was just starting to crawl around. Noah got into everything and always seemed to find the one dangerous thing I'd forgotten to fix or cover. Every night I held him against my chest and paced around until he fell asleep and then I thanked god that I'd kept him alive for another day. I had so many doubts and fears that year... So many family members stepped in to show me how it worked... And I guess what I learned was that you never know what life is going to drop in your lap, but trust that it's there for a reason. You are the best kid I could have asked for, and I'm really happy that I kept you alive."

Navid raised his bottle as if it had been a toast and the others followed along. Everyone clinked and sipped happily.

"And what about you? What were you doing when you were my age?" I asked Navid as everyone quieted down.

"Oh so long ago," he laughed as if he were that much older than I am. "I was finishing with the army that year. I patrolled the border with Pakistan. It was a quiet part usually. I did not shoot much."

"You shot a gun!?" I asked in disbelief. For some reason I thought of Navid as always so peaceful, sweet and loving.

"Yes, sometimes just for warning. It's like shouting, `Hey we see you! Do not sneak to harm my country!' It only was for real shooting very few times." Navid said it so matter of factly like saying he'd seen an elk on his way to the office. He took a swig of his beer as the plates of food started to pass around.

"You hurt someone? I can't imagine you ever hurting someone. That's not who you are," I said it like I needed to remind him.

"Noah! That's not something you ask someone," My dad shook his head in embarrassment.

"Noah, that is not who I am with you, my love. I will never hurt you, but I am soldier for many years when my country need me. I train hard and do what is best to protect my family, my people. You cannot understand this living in the world super power... I hope you never have to learn such awful things. I would defend you with my life," Navid said in a somber tone and reached for a plate of meat that was being passed his way.

"Did you kill someone?" I asked and Navid suddenly stiffened up. He set down the plate of lamb he'd been handed.

"Noah!" My dad interrupted. "I didn't raise you to be rude. I'm sorry, Navid. He has no concept of fighting like that."

"I'm sorry," I said and lowered my eyes to watch Navid's chest heave with a heavy sigh.

"To take a life... Is not something you ever forget... even if is in dark of night and you never see face. But we do what we must to keep our people safe. There are people out there who do things that I hope you never have to learn about... terrible things... act like animals... I do what it takes to defend my people. Is not happy thing, or thing to boast for... is survival. I will always make sure the ones I love are safe no matter how unpleasant it is for me," Navid explained.

I felt awful making him remember that. My mouth got ahead of my brain. I picked up the tongs from the plate of roasted lamb and put some pieces on Navid's plate and then put my hand over his and squeezed it. He interlaced his fingers with mine, and held onto me. I kissed his cheek and leaned into his side. He slid an arm around me and started to cut up the meat as I reached for the plate of salad.

We all just kind of sat there quietly and dished out our servings.

"Well when I was Noah's age, I totaled my BMW doing stunts on Ventura, and had to drive my mom's old Mercedes for two whole weeks. It only had a tape deck and all her tapes were old Persian prayer songs," Karim broke the tension with a laugh.

"That must have been a very dark time in your life. I'm glad you made it out unscathed," Mike said with heavy sarcasm.

"And what did you learn? You're supposed to tell what you learned that would be useful for me," I noted, happy that Karim was lightening the mood.

"Ah yes, young Noah," Karim looked at me as though he were ready to impart something profound. "When one goes to purchase a luxury automobile... are you going to write this down?"

"No," I shook my head. He looked at me with feigned annoyance but continued.

"Well then listen carefully, young boy. When one goes to purchase a luxury automobile or anything else for that matter, one must never skimp on the things one truly wants lest it be regretted. So never settle. That's a lesson, right?" Karim asked.

"That'll work," I assured him as Navid raise a piece of his meat to my lips. I opened to let him put it in my mouth and then I sucked on his finger as he withdrew it. I quickly remembered that my father was sitting next to us. Luckily he was checking something on his phone though.

The rest of the meal went smoothly and my dad kept asking Navid questions about his business. It gave Navid a chance to brag about all the hard work he had put in and the success that was coming of it. Karim joined in too saying that Navid had almost doubled his clients and would eventually become his partner.

"I'm so proud of you," My dad said, "I knew you were smart and look how well you've done."

"It is Noah who inspires me," Navid said and hugged me under his arm. "Coming home to him makes everything worth it. He keeps the house beautiful and there is always something good cooking when I get home. He is my best support."

"He's a good kid," dad affirmed. He ruffled my hair and then turned the conversation to me.

"And speaking of careers, I got a second email from the college. Did you forget that they CC your advisory notices to your parent contact? You still haven't decided on a major and you're already over your base credits. Have you picked one yet? Last time you said you needed a few weeks to think about it." Dad got serious as he finished his food.

"I know... I just don't know what I want to be yet. I'm not good at anything," I said and felt suddenly anxious.

"You're good at everything when you work at it. You've always been so smart. You just have to pick one," dad sighed. He wasn't going to let this go.

"He likes to read and loves to write," Navid said as he shoved a forkful of chicken into his mouth.

"That's not a career though. We worked so hard for good grades all these years. I don't want Noah to struggle like I did." Dad took a swig of his beer.

"Noah will never struggle. He will always have what he needs so long as I am on the earth," Navid said, emboldened by his third beer.

"I appreciate that, but life doesn't always go as planned. I want him to have a degree he can put to good use like yours in business," dad said with a hint of authority as though Navid was out of line.

"I can't do business, that is so much math," I said as if someone was paying attention to me.

"With respect, sir. You are his father, of course you will direct him. Business shall be a useful degree for him. I agree. He can intern with me when he graduate his program. We can grow my business together," Navid was cautiously agreeing with my father though he'd never mentioned this to me. The only times he had talked about what I'd do after college was to say that he would enjoy me being home full time to take care of him.

"That's a great idea! He can learn to take care of himself while helping you. Noah can email his advisor and then I'll stop getting notices," dad laughed as though they had just solved something. They hadn't.

They just went on discussing what a bright future I would have as everyone finished eating. I sat there getting angrier as I listened. I finally exploded when Mike brought in a big chocolate cake with my name on it. He set it on the table in front of me and took out a lighter to light the candles.

"I don't like cake," I said softly. Mike listened.

"You don't like cake?" he asked.

"Noah don't be rude. They got you this. It has your name and everything! He'll eat some. He will," my dad assured.

Mike shrugged and flicked the lighter towards the candles again.

"I said I don't want any cake. Excuse me, please," I started to slide my chair back to get up. My dad grabbed my hand.

"Nik, are you not feeling well?" Dad always called me by my initials when things were awkward.

"Please, Mr. Kinney, I'll get this," Navid said and my dad relented and let me go. Navid followed me to the stairs and then put his hand in the center of my back as I went up.

"What is wrong, my love?" he asked as he closed the bedroom door behind us. I went to the corner and sank down to the floor and tried not to cry.

"You can't just decide my future. I don't want a business degree. I don't want to do what you do," I said.

Navid sank down next to me and pulled me into his lap. He slid his arms around me and rubbed my thighs.

"You don't have to study business. I just want that your dad does not pressure you. Be artist, writer, or doctor for kitty cats if you want! You not need to worry about this! I work for both of us. You are so young, Noah. So much life ahead, this not for getting you upset. Is your birthday!" Navid gave me that look like he always did when I worried about something he thought was his responsibility.

"I'm 20, Navid. I'm not even a teenager anymore. I'm supposed to know what I want. You always knew what you wanted, right?" I sniffled. "I'm supposed to have a clue."

"When I was 20 all I think about is surviving the army so I could go and study in America! My goal is to make money and provide for a family. You do not need this goal same as me! You find your own passion and is ok to not know right now." He kissed the back of my neck and rubbed a hand up my chest.

"Noah?" I heard my dad's voice and saw the door crack open. He came in and saw us on the floor. Navid didn't slide me off of his lap. He held me as if to say he was there for support.

"Are you upset that I brought up your decision? I didn't mean to ruin your birthday, I just don't see you as often and it's important." Dad came and sat on the edge of the bed near where we were.

"That and I just don't know what I want to be. I thought about a writing degree, but you said that wouldn't pay off," I said.

"I just don't want you to be left someday without options. You have a great boyfriend, but what happens if his parents want him back in Iran and married? I have to think of these things. I'm your dad," he said.

"I will take care of him, Sir. He has long time before he need worry for career. I will provide for him," Navid insisted.

"You can't say that for sure. I welcomed you into our home and gave my blessing, but your parents still don't even know who he is to you. I'm not happy about that... You're a good man, Navid, don't get me wrong. But I have to think of my son and his future. I've taken care of him since the minute they handed him to me when he was born. I have to think of his best interest," dad was getting annoyed.

"I will fix things. I will provide for him. I pledge to him long ago that his happiness always come before my own. I promise you this!... Sir," Navid started getting heated, but then remembered his manners.

"Stop it! Both of you!" I interrupted. "I'm right here, and I can speak for myself, I can pick my own major, and I date who I choose!"

"Noah don't yell to your father, is disrespectful," Navid cautioned.

"And I can yell at my father!" I stood up from Navid's arms and faced them both. "This is America and we yell at our fathers and we love who we want and we find our own paths and make our own mistakes. A lot of people marched and fought and died so we could do that and maybe I'll major in that! I'm not sure yet!"

"Then do writing, Noah. Fine, we'll see what kinds of careers you can have with that. Maybe it won't be too bad," dad said and reached for my hand. I took his and squeezed it.

"And dad, I don't know if there's a time limit on this thing with Navid. I really don't and it eats at me all the time, but I love him and this works. I hope you can support that..." I said.

"Of course I can. I'll always support your happiness," dad assured.

"And if it all blows up and he goes back to Iran and gets married and has twelve kids," I started, but Navid interrupted me.

"I not leaving you! You act to think Iran is some black hole that suck me back against my will! Is not alien ship!" Navid got to his feet and I could see the stress in his face.

"Well if the mother ship beams you back up, then I'll cry and fall apart and come running home and I'll figure it out and eventually be ok... Look you guys, I am so blessed to have two awesome and caring guys who love me endlessly. But I also have a voice and I hope you can both learn to let me use it sometimes. Ok?" I asked them. They both nodded.

"And I still don't want cake," I said after a few minutes of silence.

We went back down and found that the party had gone on without us. Mike had served most of the cake and everyone was back to laughing and talking.

They did sing happy birthday to me and then I opened the pile of presents. I got so many clothes, dvds, some new writing journals, and gift cards. Erik made me a mix CD and a t-shirt with a picture of a unicorn with my face on it. In rainbow letters it said, "Fear the Noahcorn." He was weird like that, but I'd wear it. Miguel got me a book he said I would love.

"It's about a gay superhero and it's really good!" Miguel exclaimed.

I thanked everyone and helped clean up the pile of paper. Navid stacked my gifts and carried them up to our room.

I made up the couch for my dad to sleep on. We were out of beds, but it was too late for him to drive home. Navid gave him some clothes to sleep in.

+++ +++

"Did you have good birthday?" Navid asked when we finally curled up in bed that night.

"I did! Thank you for making it perfect... and thank you for sticking up for me. You always take care of me," I snuggled into his chest and he squeezed my bottom.

"I meant it, Noah. I will always provide for you. You never have to worry for that. I love you," Navid said.

"I love you too," I said while fighting a yawn.

+++ +++ Thanks for reading! :) tarzanacide@gmail.com