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 maringiustinian@gmail.com. Please remember to help Nifty stay online by sending your contributions. This being said, I hope you enjoy the tale.
ONE CHANCE
by Marin Giustinian
The Egadi Islands, Sicily, Spring of 2019
Jeremy Jones turned sixteen the week before the Easter holidays began. He was eager to get away with his older brother and spend a fortnight, just the two of them in the family holiday home on Favignana, an island in the Italian archipelago of the Egadi.
The day after they arrived, they went to the most popular beach on the island. Jeremy's brother, Sean, spotted a cute blonde girl with two other girls chatting together in German. He made up a pretext to talk with her. She was Austrian, on holidays with two boring cousins, so she said. Sean did all he could to seduce her. He was good at that, being a very handsome young Scot himself. Jeremy was jealous. He had been expecting to have Sean all for himself, having a big fun time together and was, of course, bitterly disappointed.
For the next three days, Sean was extremely busy entertaining Lara. As for Jeremy, he knew Favignana by heart and didn't even want to go walking around. On the other hand, he felt that it was stupid to have come all that far just to browse on the internet or try to find something interesting on Italian television.
Then he remembered having read about the neighbouring island, Marettimo. Why not go hiking for a day over there? The island is a natural reserve with woods and paths going a bit everywhere, less arid and barren than Favignana. Also from its 2251 foot summit Jeremy imagined himself admiring the two other islands and beyond, to the West, the open sea. He knew about some Roman ruins and a small Byzantine chapel on the way up.
So Jeremy made up his mind to explore Marettimo. He told Sean that he was going to spend the following day hiking over there. Sean was delighted.
"I'm going to have the house all for myself -- Ha! And Lara!"
"You are really obsessed by that girl, Sean..."
Sean took his little brother by the shoulders and declared, "Go get laid and you'll understand, Jeremy. You're now sixteen, man! By Scottish law, you are in legal capacity to live as you like. You can even enjoy good pussy. It's time you go and get some! Does a guy good..."
Jeremy shrugged, wiggling out of Sean's hold.
"It's sort of sad knowing that you just mope around the house, wanking to porn on the internet... By the way, what kind of porn turns you on? Straight, gay, both?"
Jeremy turned crimson red and uttered, "I like to discover all I can... just for curiosity sake."
"That means, Gay! Listen, brother, it doesn't bother me if you're gay or not. There's always a gay mate in the group. You are perfect gay bait! Cute, coy, nice cherry lips... Take advantage, man!"
"Do you know what you're talking about? What do you know about gays?"
"Not much... Cock isn't my thing. Doesn't make me hard -- but I can guess. So if you're gay, love, go for it and don't just drag yourself around, horny all the time. It's unhealthy!"
"Shit! I don't KNOW if I'm gay or straight. I've never actually been with ANYBODY!"
"Do other guys make you hard, Jeremy?"
"Some do..." he replied looking out the window
"And girls?"
"No..."
"Heed your cock, brother. It never lies!"
Jeremy took a big breath and said, "I love you, Sean. You're my brother. I look up to you, and..."
Sean smiled.
"And I thank you for the advice... BUT what I do with my cock is none of your fucking business. Okay?"
"I got the message; keep calm. I love you too! Now give me a hug before I go out. Don't want to keep Lara waiting, do we?"
Jeremy melted a little in Sean's arms, then stiffened and mumbled, "Have fun."
Before closing the door behind him, Sean turned and asked, "Leaving early tomorrow morning?"
"I'll be gone by 7:15."
"Don't wake me up! And I tell you, man, DO NOT behave on Marettimo!"
"Get out!" quipped back Jeremy laughing.
Jeremy flopped down on the sofa in the living room. He actually felt glad having Sean pay a little attention to him. It slowly dawned on him that, after all, he was now sixteen and according to Scottish law, he was now an adult, and adults don't wait around for their big brothers to come out and play with them. He stood, pulled down his bermudas, and grabbed his cock. Laughing, he spoke to himself saying, "I guess after all, jerking off is not necessarily the best way to take things in hand! Ha! ... But it helps!"
The following morning, Jeremy showered, happy as a lark. He stuffed his phone and some other things in his little backpack and left to take the boat. On the way, he indulged in a cappucino with pastries, and bought a sumptuous sandwich with a bottle of water. He boarded the 8:55 AM hydrofoil to Marretimo, planning to return on the 4:30 PM.
After a half an hour crossing, Jeremy set foot on Marettimo. The village and the hilly landscape beyond immediately pleased him. He crossed the single village on the island. There was all anyone could need, shops, dispensary, etc. It's small but there are a lot of things happening. It was wonderful to mingle with real people other than tourists, wandering around, not really knowing why they came in the first place.
He then began his hike up the path to the summit. He was thrilled to discover that he was alone. He could sing to his heart's content.
It's important to mention here that Jeremy's voice began to change during his fourteenth year. He was what you call a late bloomer. Ever since the age of seven, he had sung soprano, even as a soloist, in the Scottish National Youth choir. His choirmaster told him to take a year off, the time that his new, maturing voice settled. When he returned to the choir, he said he wanted to sing alto, even contralto. The choir master forced him to sing tenor. The choir needed tenors.
Jeremy simply told the choirmaster that he refused and wouldn't come back. Jeremy was like that. His parents weren't that surprised. They knew him better than he thought.
So, whenever Jeremy could be alone and sure that there was nobody around, he simply continued to sing for himself. His voice had never screeched nor cracked. It had just become richer, rounder, stronger as he grew. He was happy now to sing, simply vocalising as he strode up the mountain!
With the spring, flowers were blooming everywhere. He breathed in the scents of thyme, lavender, and a thousand other fragrances floating in the rising midmorning air.
As he approached the Byzantine chapel he was surprised to see that it was open. He anticipated the joy of singing in the resounding space under its small dome. He entered. The cool, almost moist atmosphere, the silence, the residual scent of incense in the stones enchanted him, exciting his teenage soul even more.
Jeremy began to hum, his throat quivering in anticipation of a forthcoming explosion of song. And then it happened. The dim empty chapel was suddenly filled with song swirling in space. Jeremy's improvised song was a rainbow of sound. It surprised him as if it were another's voice flowing out his expanding chest, filling his body with sensuous waves of melody. He stopped. He was on the verge of a trance, perspiring and hushed. As newfound silence settled in the chapel. Still a bit dazed by his own voice soaring, illuminating his flesh as it spun, enveloping him in its vibrating embrace, he slowly made his way into the sun outside. Dazzled, he laughed as he stripped off his shirt, simply happy to be with himself, tingling and alive.
He strode, head high, light as if on wing. Soon he would be on the top of the island. Soon he would see the sea all around. Favignana and the mainland, barely visible in the distance, would be definitely very far away! His half-erect cock strained in his shorts, leaking along his smooth thigh.
At the summit, Jeremy turned his back to the mainland and facing the open sea, dropped his shorts. His eager hand drew him to that perfect instant when his semen flew, gleaming in the midday sun. Never had he felt such elation. He was one with the island, with the sun, with himself. He felt the breeze play in his hair, in the pubic curls crowning his moist uncut cock. His finger absently touched the uncovered tip. He brought the pearl of residual cum to his lips, licked and smiled. Suddenly he was famished.
Jeremy devoured his sandwich, gulped down half of the water in his bottle, and returned to the path, promising himself to stop again at the chapel and sing some more. It was only half past noon. His boat left at 4:30 PM. He had time.
Jeremy thought he was dreaming. Arriving at the chapel, he distinctly heard a voice singing, a cappella, the soprano score of a duo by Claudio Monteverdi. He recognised the air, 'Pur Ti Miro' from the opera, 'The Coronation of Poppea' streaming out of the open door. He knew the score quite well since he had sung the duo in a recital given by his choir only two and a half years previously.
Stealthily as a cat, Jeremy edged up to the entrance of the chapel and peeked in. He stifled a gasp as he discovered the most beautiful human he had ever seen. It was an absolutely gorgeous young man, probably in his late twenties, holding the libretto, singing with a stunning countertenor's soprano voice.
Jeremy was quivering with impatience. He insanely desired singing the second line of the duo with the vision in the chapel. Suddenly the archangel stopped in the middle of a tricky measure he was deciphering. He took a deep breath and began again. Jeremy could no longer resist. He stepped inside, singing the second voice of the duo. Astounded, the other singer immediately stopped. Jeremy continued several notes more and then looked at the singer, terribly embarrassed. He promptly apologised, in English, "I'm sorry, Sir, to have barged in like that... Please excuse me. I'll leave you alone..."
"No, don't go!" replied the singer, with an American accent. Blinking his eyes he stated, "You simply scared me witless. I didn't believe in angels, and..."
"I'm really sorry, Sir..."
"Are you human? What's your name? Where are you from? You're beautiful! Your voice is fabulous! Don't excuse yourself!"
Jeremy bashfully replied, "I'm human, from Edinburgh. My brother and I are on holidays in our family holiday house on Favignana..."
The archangel introduced himself coming closer to Jeremy, "My name's Livio Carrera. I live down in the village here. And yours?"
"Jeremy Jones, Sir."
"How do you know this score?"
"I sang the duo when our choir performed in the Festival."
"What choir?"
"The National Scottish Youth Choir," replied Jeremy, feeling a bit more at ease.
"And what festival?"
"Edinburgh's music festival..."
"THE famous Edinburgh Festival..."
"Yes"
"I'm a professional singer and it's my dream to sing in that festival... Would you accept to sing all the duo together?"
Jeremy blushed in the dimness, stuttered, and then said, "I'd be honoured to try..."
Livio used a voice pitch app on his iPhone to tune their voices together. Jeremy sang contralto and Livio, soprano. The acoustics in the chapel made their combined voices blend in a whirlpool of music. It was a moment of perfection. At the end, Livio exclaimed, "Jeremy, the way you sang with me really helped me understand this duo."
Jeremy blushed. He was elated and confused at the same time. The duo seemed to have been a dream. He had felt a rush of something magical as they sang, strong, nearly overwhelming. He didn't know how he had sung the way he did, with such depth, such sensuality.
"Your voice is a natural contralto, with a little work you'll be able to sing soprano again, and better... it needs work, it can be strengthened, making your sound richer, more... more sexual. Your articulation needs work too, but your foundations are perfect. Do you still sing in the choir? Do you take voice lessons?"
"The choir's finished for me, and I don't take lessons. I want to sing countertenor like you, but I don't know where and with whom I can learn the technique."
"How long will you be here on Marettimo?"
"I've my ticket for Favignana on the last hydrofoil today."
"The 4:30 PM?"
Jeremy nodded, shrugging, his head tilted.
"Then we have time for a coffee together, if you want..."
Jeremy suddenly felt a tingle inside and replied, "Of course, Livio, I'd be delighted... I do wish I could stay with you longer!"
Little did Jeremy realise the consequences of that sentence.
On their way down, Livio explained that his family was originally from Marettimo. They had immigrated to Boston thirty years back. He was born American, but when Trump was elected, he immediately came over and moved into his parents' former home, still in the family. He had money from his budding career in New York and even had recorded a CD that was selling well. He was now preparing himself to sing in the festival 'Palermo Classica' for a creation in July.
Jeremy was quite impressed.
"And you, Jeremy? Tell me how did a Scottish family even find Favignana?"
"My father imports wines. On a buying trip to Marsala, he took time off to visit the islands. He saw a house for sale on Favignana and decided to buy it for holidays. That was six years ago, when I was ten and my brother, fourteen. Mum thinks the weather is too hot, but Sean and I love the place!"
"Sean?"
"My brother... For our Easter holidays, we flew over to spend some brother time together, on our own, but Sean met up with a girl and is spending all his time with her, so I decided to come over here, just to see how it is."
"Do you like what you find?"
"I love it! And I'm still a bit stunned about meeting you..."
"I guess it was in the stars, Jeremy," stated Livio, patting him on the shoulder.
They walked in silence for the rest of the way down, neither one seemingly felt the need to talk. The path had narrowed. Jeremy followed Livio, basking in his magnetic presence, inhaling his singular scent.
"We're going to my favourite café. It's in a shady street. No tourists. Marta makes the best finger food in Marettimo. I bet you're hungry!"
"Great! I'm starved!" exclaimed Jeremy.
As they snacked, Livio said, out of the blue, "If you lived here, I'd be honored to teach you. A voice like yours is a treasure, a rare treasure, and if it's trained as you grow, you could become a professional, I'm sure!" declared Livio, looking straight into Jeremy's eyes.
Jeremy swallowed what he was chewing, and stuttered, "If I find a way to stay here, you say you would teach me. Am I correct?"
Livio hesitated, then replied, "I guess so... but don't you need permission? And what about school? You just can't decide to stay and then do it... I mean, just like that!"
"Why not?"
Livio was dumbfounded by Jeremy's sudden determination. He asked, "What do you mean?"
"I mean -- I mean I can do what I want now. I hate school. School hates me too. I'm smart, but my teachers seem to think I'm criticising them all the time... which, by the way, is quite true! Ha! My father's rich. He and Mum are divorcing so I'm sort of on my own. I'm sixteen and in Scotland, that's the age of legal capacity. If I file for Italian residence, I'll have no problem getting it -- before the stupid Brexit kicks in... If I stay, Livio, will you teach me? I promise I'll work really hard! I swear to you that I'll do everything to make you proud of me... Oh, Please..."
"How long have you been thinking about leaving school and home, Jeremy? It looks like you've already got everything planned!"
"Ever since we sang together in the chapel!"
Livio was at a loss for words. A million and one things were storming in his head. He was being bewitched by the lad, sitting there looking at him with pleading eyes. Time seemed to have suddenly stopped. Seeing Livio so silent, Jeremy began to regret having been so bold.
"I guess you're right after all, Livio... It's just that I..."
"I'm right about nothing, Jeremy! Yeah, like you said, WHY NOT?"
"What?"
"I'm saying that if you can, you stay. We'll work together. That's what I'm saying... and to be honest, I don't know why I'm saying that. I know it's totally unreasonable, but so what? If you're sincere, I'm willing to give it a try."
Jeremy glanced at the clock on the wall.
"Is that clock accurate, Livio?"
"Yes..."
"Normally, I must check in at the pier in ten minutes."
"Okay... But before we start something for real, I need to tell you something. After what I say, I want you to know that you're free to stay or to get on the boat. If you stay for the night, we'll have time to work out details about your moving in and such. If not, bon voyage...Okay?"
"Tell me..."
"I'm gay and I like you a lot... in fact I..."
"Me too!" yelped Jeremy.
Both were sitting there stunned, smiling at each other. Marta was chuckling in her kitchen door.
"So... you're staying?"
"There's no way you can put me on that boat, Livio! I'm going to call my brother right now and tell him I'm spending the night here with you. He'll be happy... Me too. Can I kiss you?"
"Make your call. I'm going to pay Marta. We'll kiss at home."
"What did your brother say?"
"He asked me where was I going to stay."
"And what did you say?"
"I told him in three points what's happening. I said, 'Number one: I met my future singing master, a professional countertenor. Number two: My future master is willing to let me stay and study with him. Number three: He said he was gay and I replied that I am too.' Sean laughed, and then told me to have fun and that he loved me."
Livio laughed, grabbing Jeremy by the shoulder as they walked, "You get to the point fast!"
"If it's in the stars, why wait? Am I not right?"
"You are right and you are crazy! Wonderfully, superbly mad!"
"I'm not crazy. It's just that I'm finally me... Is that a problem?"
"Not in the least..."
Livio's laughter was contagious as they beamed, hand in hand, walking up the street exchanging smiles with the villagers they crossed on the way.
Livio's house was at the end of the street on the edge of the village. It was a small, whitewashed cottage with blue shutters and door. A massive, shocking pink bougainvillaea in full bloom covered most of the facade. Livio opened the door and invited Jeremy to enter. A small hallway separated two rooms: to the left a kitchen and living area, to the right the bedroom and bath. The end of the hall opened onto a small patio with a laundry basin and two heavily laden lemon trees. Jasmin covered two of the walls.
"This is my palace, Jeremy. When I moved over from the States, I wanted a very minimal, basic home. I hope you like it."
"It's fabulous! My parents are prisoners of all they own... You, you're free!"
"Basta poco per essere felice!"
"What does that mean?"
"Little is enough to be happy. Would you like to take a shower?"
Jeremy shrugged, looking a bit surprised.
"To be honest, you do smell a bit ripe..."
Jeremy sniffed his pits, grinned, and replied, "Is the shower big enough for two?"
"We can shower here, outdoors," replied Livio as he shed his shirt.
"I don't have a change of clothes, not even a tooth brush with me."
"I'll lend you all you'll need!"
"If that's the case... Youpee!" exclaimed Jeremy, stripping as he danced around the patio.
Scrubbing each other, Livio began singing, Pur Ti Miro. Jeremy sang along. They stood facing each other, water dripping from their hair, down their shoulders, front and back. As they sang, they came closer, their erect cocks met, then their lips. Then they broke out laughing as they hugged.
"Let me grab some towels before we catch cold."
Jeremy hummed, stretching his arms over his head, his wispy pits smiling at the leaning sun. Coming back out, Livio stopped dead on the threshold.
"Good God! You are soooooo gorgeous, Jeremy! A beauty to behold! Pur ti miro!"
"What do the lyrics mean, Livio?"
Drying each other off, Livio said, "The lyrics mean, in old Italian, 'I gaze upon you, I desire you, I embrace you, I enchain you; no more grieving, no more dying, oh my life, oh my beloved. I am yours, yours am I, my hope, tell it, tell. You are truly my idol, yes, my love, yes, my heart, my life, yes!'
Jeremy stood there, his mouth slightly agape.
"Is that really what we sang together?" whispered Jeremy.
"Yes..."
Jeremy looked totally overwhelmed. He took Livio's hand and put it on his heart.
"Your heart's throbbing, Jeremy."
Jeremy put his hand on Livio's broad chest and replied, "So is yours..."
Silent, naked, hand in hand, they went inside. Livio's bedroom was filled with light. Standing each on either side of the bed, they pulled back the cover. A scent of sun and lavender rose from the sheets. Time hovered an instant before they both fell, grasping each other as if they were drowning.
Lusty loving can be a whirlpool, a spinning oblivion, a soul revealing moment of basic, angelic truth.
Time expanded as their lips explored each other's skin with hungry kisses in the neck, down the chest, relishing the scent of their pubic curls. Their mouths drooled, seeking each other's cock, their throats thirsting to be quenched, their fingers clawing each other's buttocks. They sucked, swallowed, licked, rose again to kiss, then writhing, entwined they plunged once again. The musical miracle of a final orgasmic chord flowed one into the other, feeding them, melding them together. Slowly their breathing calmed. Jeremy snuggled up to Livio and delicately whispered in his ear, "I'm hungry..."
Livio broke out laughing. Seizing Jeremy's lithe body, he rolled him over on top and said, "Ah! Teenage lads! A bottomless pit in which you pour food."
"Not only food! Ha!" jested Jeremy, then licking his lips, "Mmmm... Livio, you taste so good. Your cum is spicy!"
"And yours is tangy like wild honey..."
"If you don't watch out, I'm going to eat you raw... right now!" exclaimed Jeremy straddling Livio, pinning his hands in the pillows.
"I surrender... Can't we eat each other later? AFTER dinner? Now we need to fuel up, don't we?"
Walking to the restaurant, Livio whispered, "For a guy so young, you suck really well!"
"Do I, Livio? You know, you are my first."
"Then you are a multi-gifted prodigy, Jeremy."
"I'm happy, Livio. I'm happy you're my first!"
"I'm happy too! I'm happy because you led me down a totally unknown and fabulously beautiful path, giving me the most tender lovemaking in my life. I'm baffled, that's all... baffled and I must admit, a bit afraid."
"Afraid? Afraid of what?
"I'm afraid, Jeremy, my wonderful, gorgeous, sweet, gifted Jeremy, of the fact that I'm falling for you, and falling hard... and the scariest part is that I love it! It's so new. It's a first for me too. If I'm the first person you've had sex with, well, you are the first person with whom I've felt love stirring in me like that."
Jeremy looked puzzled.
"You can't understand. You see, I've never allowed myself to love... and even worse, to be loved. Sex is a... No wait, correction... Sex WAS just a sport, a kind of hygiene, something more fun than just jerking off. No feelings involved, no involvement, no... no love."
Jeremy took Livio's hand in his, stuttering, "When I saw you singing in the chapel, your song, your presence, your body, this island, me... all of that jerked my soul, made me sing and follow you, desiring to please you, flow into you, yearning for you to flow into me... Yes, Livio, I'll follow you as long as you let me tag along... I won't be in the way. I promise..." and then squeezing Livio's hand even harder, he pled, "Be happy, Livio. Be as happy as I am!"
Tears were brimming in Livio's smiling eyes as he listened to Jeremy.
"I hear you, Jeremy... Now didn't you say you were hungry?"
"God yes!"
Stopping in front of a small restaurant door, "Well, we're going to take care of that and celebrate! Welcome to my favourite restaurant!"
Fortunately, in the Jones's househould there was wine on the table. Ever since the age of fourteen, Jeremy was allowed to drink a glass during dinner. So as the wine flowed at their table overlooking the water with Favignana glittering in the distant twilight, Jeremy was not totally smashed before the fish platter arrived.
They talked a lot, discussing mostly the very practical things concerning his moving in. Livio was impressed by the clarity of Jeremy's mind, his awareness of the details and of the need of elegance in all things. He never questioned Livio about his family nor his childhood in America. However Jeremy gladly answered Livio's questions concerning his upbringing, his parents, his life at home. They chatted on like that up until dessert.
"The only person who really counts for me in the family is my brother. My Mum and Dad are okay. They sort of live apart, each doing their thing. They argue a lot. They're human after all. Sean is all I need," then looking into Livio's eyes, continued, "Let me correct myself... All I needed..."
Livio was surprised that he didn't panic hearing that. In fact, he felt a surge of tenderness, simply admiring Jeremy's enthusiasm.
"Jeremy, what are you going to say to your parents about studying and living here... with me?"
For the first time, Jeremy looked a bit baffled.
He replied, "My Mum just follows what my Dad says as far as we boys are concerned -- Listen, our Dad's coming to Favignana with his last 'secretary' the day before Sean and I fly back. He's bringing her along on a buying trip for her training in the company -- that's what he says, Ha! -- Maybe you could come over. We could talk with him. You could meet Sean. You can tell them what it's like being a professional countertenor. Until then, maybe I could stay on here with you?"
"Sounds fine with me," said Livio, lifting his glass, nodding with a broad smile.
Jeremy's foot found Livio's leg under the table as he raised his glass too. Eyes locked, they toasted in silence.
"Tutto va bene? Posso?" inquired Mario, the waiter, as he cleared off the table.
"Great, Mario," asserted Livio, looking into Jeremy's eyes.
Mario smiled, tilted his head, and said as he shuffled away, "Be right back!"
Jeremy uttered, "Good English..."
"Good man..."
Interrupting, Mario returned with two shots of grappa and the bill. Jeremy laughed, Livio signed the note, and they swallowed the grappa. Jeremy blushed, coughed, and wiggled in his chair. Livio winked and said, "Let's go!"
The moon had risen, spilling its platinum light over the shimmering waters. There was a pleasant chill in the air, laden with scents of forthcoming summer.
"That was great, Livio! Thank you so very, very much!"
"I'm glad you liked it. I eat there often... To be honest, I'm useless in a kitchen."
"I love to cook!" quipped back Jeremy, staggering a little.
Livio held him by the waist and hastened their pace.
Once behind the closed and locked front door, clothes flew everywhere. Hugging, kissing, and giggling, they fell on the bed.
"Still hungry?" uttered Livio.
"No, only thirsty -- and you?"
"Very thirsty!"
Livio opened his eyes first, tenderly surprised to find the 'divine Endymion' nuzzled in the hollow of his neck. Livio tried to slowly slip out of bed. Jeremy stretched, smiled, and sat up, lazily looking over at Livio. He yawned and uttered, "Good morning... beautiful."
"Buongiorno, bellissimo... Excuse me. I've really got to pee."
Throwing the sheet back, Jeremy looked at his erection and stated, "Good idea."
They lazily crossed their piss streams, leaning shoulder to shoulder in front of the toilet.
"Livio, I need a shower... please."
"Hot or cold?" inquired Livio.
"Cold and outside!"
"Come on!"
The shock of the chilly water dissipated the slight hangover that lingered in their heads. They chased each other around the patio, laughing and met again under the sprinkling water.
"Wow! That's exactly what I needed!" shouted Jeremy as Livio tossed him a towel.
"And you are exactly what... and who I needed too, Jeremy."
"Really?"
"Really! Listen, I've got oranges, bread, eggs, coffee, olive oil, milk, sugar..."
"Can I stay naked to make breakfast for us, Livio?"
"Only if you're careful to not scald your cock, man!"
"Don't worry! It's for you!"
"That was delicious, Jeremy! Thanks. I'm glad you like to cook."
"I'm going to save you a lot of money! I wash and iron too..."
"The perfect house keeper, if I understand..."
"And a tender bedmate to top it off!"
"Top?"
"Either way, Livio... I need to try both!"
"Listen, since you enjoy cooking, let's go fishing this morning, buy more groceries and wine. This afternoon, we can go back up to the chapel, sing and work some on your voice, and..."
"And let happen what may this evening... Okay?" concluded Jeremy with a coy smile on his moist cherry lips.
"Okay! Now call your brother and tell him you're staying until your father gets there."
"So that's your boat; she's beautiful," exclaimed Jeremy as they arrived at the port.
"She's the old open fishing boat that belonged to my great-grandfather. I totally overhauled her with new sails, and a new motor. It must be in my blood. I need to be on the water as much as possible. My greatest pleasure is to sail naked and sing. Sometimes it makes me hard and I even shoot off, hands free. Her name's Zefiro. That's Italian for Zephyr, the Greek god of the wind."
"Wow! And you know how to fish!"
"Yes. We're going to motor over to the rocks at the tip of the island. I usually find what I want there."
As he prepared the boat, Livio chatted with a few of the islanders on the quay, introducing Jeremy. The elder men congratulated Livio on the beauty of his young apprentice. The look in their smiling eyes proved that their evident relationship was normal for the luckier, more sensitive men among them. Jeremy beamed, free and happy to be where, who, and with whom he stood that morning.
Leaving the port, they crossed the hydrofoil roaring in. Jeremy chuckled to himself, seeing the boat that had brought him there only twenty-four hours before.
The sea was calm. Even Jeremy caught two fish. He was excited like a puppy. By eleven they moored Zefiro back in the port.
"We'll stop over at Maria's. She runs the little grocery store by the church and understands English. I'll leave you there while I go clean the fish. I'll tell her to put what you choose on my bill and we'll meet back at the house."
"Dio mio! How beautiful!" exclaimed Maria as Livio introduced Jeremy, "Don't worry, I'll take care of him..." adding, "for groceries, that is!"
"Don't get worried, Jeremy. She always laments the fact that the most handsome of men are always gay..."
"Is that true, Livio?"
"Look at us!"
Jeremy broke out laughing.
Back at the house, loaded with two full sacks, Jeremy said, "I have to go back down for the wine. Red or white."
"White. How was Maria?"
"Motherly! Be right back."
When Jeremy had finished stashing the bottles in the wine cupboard, Livio came into the kitchen with a full platter of filets. The scent of burning charcoal followed him in.
"I'm going to put herbs on the fish. What are you making on the side?"
"I'm going to improvise a mixed salad and I'll slice the bread with some cheese. Wine or no wine?"
"Sounds great... no wine, please. Let's save that for this evening," said Livio, caressing Jeremy's cheek.
Jeremy wiggled, slicing the tomatoes.
Livio poured their after-meal coffee and said, "I'll do the dishes..."
"No, you won't, that's my job. You'll clean up the fish grill. Okay?"
"Looks like we're getting organized together, doesn't it?"
Jeremy looked at Livio with the most heart melting smile imaginable.
"Nap or no nap?" asked Livio.
"That's like the wine. Let's save the bed for this evening," he replied giggling.
Time is like a river. The waters are always there and never the same. The flow that passes will never return. Jeremy and Livio were vaguely aware of the miracle that was happening. They felt the fleeting instants of perfection, delicate, powerful, and to a certain extent, sacred.
The Bible says that God is light, God is Spirit, and God is love. That afternoon, they walked in the light, climbing the path to the chapel, the Spirit of the island was nearly palpable. That special tingle of magic arousing Jeremy was always there. He felt Livio's presence behind him as he climbed. Jeremy's stride was effortless, graceful, almost ethereal, and Livio followed. A kind of magnetic presence accompanied them, coaxing them with its delicate power. Was it simply the combination of their energies or some higher force? Whatever.
Perspiration pearled on both their foreheads. The chapel was cool. They shared a kiss. Then they began to hum. Their voices opened, swirling together in a maelstrom of harmonics. Outside, the wind sighed in the pines and the sea rumbled its eternal rhythm on the rocks at the foot of the cliff. Song, sighs, and sea praised the primal, holy power of light in the flesh, flowing like breath, like blood, surging like semen, on and on, like life itself.
All too fast the days flew. The moment for them to go to Favignana arrived. Their work together had revealed an even greater potential in Jeremy's voice and especially the musical miracle of their voices combined. A project of creating a duo together was in progress.
The evening before they left for Favignana, Jeremy's phone rang. It was his father.
"Yes, Dad, I said we'll talk about all that tomorrow! Now leave me alone please. Good bye."
At that very moment, Livio returned from town with extra groceries. Seeing Jeremy standing there with his phone in his hand, he inquired, "What's wrong, Jeremy?"
"My father called. He said he had talked with Sean and learned that I was over here. He tried to sound stern, wanting to know what I was up to. I told him he had to wait. He and his hen should be arriving on the boat, as scheduled, from Trapani at 11:30 AM. Why can't he talk to me without sounding like a policeman? Shit!"
"Don't get upset. Like we said, we'll go together and work out a plan with your father for you either to stay now, or return this summer, after school... We'll sail Zefiro over to Favignana and be there when he and his..."
"His hen!"
"If you say so, his hen arrive."
Jeremy paced around the room.
"I don't know why I'm nervous, Livio. I'd die if our plans went astray! I swear I won't get on that plane! I'm staying whatever my father says!"
"Keep calm, Jeremy... " softly stated Livio, taking Jeremy by the hips, pulling him close, "You know... In just these few days, working, living together, making love together, all that combined has awakened powerful energies in our bodies and souls. Don't you feel it? Don't you hear it when we're singing, sucking each other, or simply walking, laughing, or even doing nothing in particular together. There's power glowing in us. Even Maria said to me no later than a few minutes ago, "Siete bellissimi e radiosi insieme!"
Jeremy shrugged, a faint smile on his face as he listened, their foreheads touching.
"Like Maria said, we are beautiful and radiant together, and I'll add, even powerful. Don't you believe that?"
Jeremy answered with a tender kiss, then uttered, "Yes, I believe it, Livio..."
"And I bet you're hungry!"
"How did you guess?" exclaimed Jeremy, laughing.
They were up early. They bathed, dressed, and enjoyed a cappucino at the port. Jeremy was fascinated as Livio unfurled the sail and hoisted it, catching the breeze. Twenty minutes later, they were underway. Zefiro split the shimmering wavelets as she sped along. Livio held the tiller. Jeremy was propped up in the bow facing Favignana as they slowly drew nearer. Livio left Jeremy alone up front, feeling that he was gathering his courage to assert himself to his father about being gay, a future singer, and living on Marettimo with him. That was a lot! He remembered how it had been for him to take his stand and assert to his family that he was going to henceforth sing, live and love whomever he wanted, for himself, ignoring all outside pressure on him.
Sailing towards the decisive moment of radical change, Jeremy realised that Livio truly loved him, but even more, totally understood him and that was extremely powerful.
An hour and a half later, they moored at the visitor's pier in the port of Favignana. Livio followed Jeremy into the house. There were voices in the kitchen. That's where they found Sean and Lara. It was a little past eleven. Spirits were high. Sean and Jeremy hugged a bit longer than usual.
"You're looking great, brother!" exclaimed Sean.
"Sean, this is Livio, my maestro, my angel, and my lover. Livio, Here is my big brother," and remembering his good manners, "and Lara, from Vienna."
"And soon from Edinburgh..." added Sean.
"Wow..." exclaimed Jeremy, taking Livio's hand.
"Really happy to meet you, Sean... and Lara. We can almost say that Jeremy's now from Marettimo," added Livio.
"Awesome!" stated Sean, his eyes gleaming as he looked at his brother and Livio together.
"What can I bring you? Coffee, beer, orange juice?" asked Lara immediately becoming the perfect little hostess of the house.
Pointing to his cheek, Jeremy replied, "First a kiss, Lara, and then orange juice."
Lara blushed, quickly gave Jeremy a peck on the cheek, and looked at Livio.
"A beer for me, Lara."
Jeremy quickly told Sean his plans. Sean nodded and simply said, "You sound so damn happy and strong! I'm standing by you, brother. I love you!"
Lara and Livio exchanged smiles as the brothers hugged again. They were suddenly interrupted by a very manly voice shouting, "Anybody home?"
Harvey Jones entered the kitchen, dragging a suitcase, followed by his very bleached blond 'secretary'.
"I see that my sons are still good friends! I'm their father, Harvey," he stated, looking first at Lara, then at Livio.
Jeremy greeted his father and stepped over beside Livio.
Sean inquired, "Have a good trip, Dad?" siding up beside Lara.
"Excellent, thank you, and since we're doing introductions, I want you to meet my new secretary, Shirley McLean."
The four others smiled and nodded in her direction.
Jeremy blurted out, "Dad, we have to talk."
"Is it that urgent?"
"Yes"
"Very well, but give me time to wash my hands, pee, and..."
"And I'll fix us some refreshments," interrupted Lara.
Harvey left. Sean took both his father's and his secretary's luggage and said, "Miss McLean, come with me. I'll show you to your quarters."
"Thank you..." uttered Shirley, looking a bit lost, in spite of her Barbie smile and oversized sunglasses.
Jeremy grabbed Livio's hand, "Let's go to the living room."
Lara brought the tray, Sean came back in, nodded at Jeremy, and winked, "Everything's cool..."
Harvey came in.
"Dad, let's go out on the porch, just the two of us."
It's widely known by most of the sons on Earth that many fathers are hard to educate. Insecure fathers actually fear their sons. That's why they act so stiff and stern with them, sometimes boss them around, never listen, never hug. Of course, most fathers love their boys. Some love them as independent persons, others seek to love themselves through their sons, and for those who don't really love themselves, they simply ignore their sons and let the mothers take over. Obviously, what was happening between Jeremy and his father was an exception. Their talk only took about five minutes before they came back in, Harvey holding his young son by the shoulder, both beaming.
Was it a miracle or simply the triumph of common sense, of truth, or the power of a happy soul? Probably a bit of all that. Whatever, nothing was said and everything was understood. Jeremy ran over and hugged Livio. Harvey walked up and held out his hand to Livio. They looked at each other in the eye, nodded, and smiled. Sean hugged Lara. Tears swelled in Jeremy's eyes. Harvey took a handkerchief out of his pocket and tenderly wiped his son's cheek.
Silence was broken when Jeremy grabbed his father in a bear hug and said, "I love you, Dad."
Harvey looked a bit awkward, blushing probably for the first time in twenty years.
"I love you too, Jeremy... also you, Sean, both of you, you two handsome rascals. Now, tell me, Sean, do we have to go out on the porch too?"
Jeremy packed his bag, hugged his father, his brother, Lara, and even Shirley and ran down to the boat where Livio was waiting for him. He was running on clouds. He jumped in the boat, helped Livio cast off, and once out of the port he did the work of hoisting the sail. Livio applauded.
"While we're at it, take the tiller! You'll be a full-fledged sailor by the time be get back home."
Jeremy laughed and took the tiller in hand, "Come, let's hold it together, just in case!"
Once out of the lee of the island, the stiffened breeze had formed waves. Zefiro clipped along, heaving a bit in the swell. Jeremy said, "I think it's best you do the steering now..."
Jeremy snuggled up to Livio and softly said, "Do you want to know what my father told me on the porch?
"Do you want to tell me?"
"I want to tell you everything! No secrets, no lies! So, do you want to hear?"
"Yes"
"Dad actually listened to me, never blinking an eye. I told him that I loved you and that you loved me and that I was going to be a professional singer like you and that I was going to quit school and move in with you because if I don't I'd die of sorrow or go mad or -- and that's when he put one hand on my throat and the other over my mouth. I thought he was going to strangle me. Then he told me to shut up. So I shut up. He then said he always knew I was gay. Then he said, 'Son, you, me, everybody... well almost everybody... have one chance in life to be true to themselves. Obviously, this is your one and only chance. If you let it pass by, you're an idiot, because you'll regret it for the rest of your life and be condemned to play the sad comedy of being what others expect you to be, especially those who claim they love you. I know what I'm talking about!' he exclaimed. That hit me like a flying brick. I could never imagine MY Dad saying THAT to me about himself, and about life..." stuttered Jeremy, then adding, "I feel you know what I'm saying. Anyhow... I started weeping from glee. He hugged me, and we walked back in. That's what he said."
"You are a lucky boy, Jeremy... I'm lucky too, real lucky..."
"Am I your 'one chance' too?"
"Yes... Yes, you are my one chance," stated Livio with deep conviction.
Jeremy kissed him on the cheek.
"You know, Jeremy, some say that the chapel where we met is miraculous. They say it was a pagan place of worship, then Christian... Your Dad's right... We'll never have a second chance. If you or I fuck things up, if we ever let ego kick in or get scared or stop creating, working together, it would be like a suicide... wouldn't it?"
Jeremy nodded.
That evening, they prepared a sumptuously simple dinner together, opened a bottle of sparkling white wine, and from time to time laughed with no apparent reason. A bright moon shed its milky, silver light on the patio, on the island, on the sea.
"Let's go up to the chapel, Livio..."
"Now?"
"Now"
They sang like they had never sung before. They sang as if their hearts were overflowing.
Returning outside, Jeremy gave Livio a peck on the cheek and ran off, like a playful sprite, shouting, "Meet you in bed!"
Livio ran after him for a moment and then let him enjoy the exhilaration of flying on his own, directly into the nest they now shared together.
When Livio entered the bedroom, Jeremy was standing nude in the moon light, gleaming on his moist skin, a diamond drop of precum drooling from the tip of his twitching cock. Livio smiled seeing a cruet of olive oil in Jeremy's hand, Livio smiled and said, "Are you sure?"
"Yes! Very sure, Livio."
Livio shed his clothes, uttering, "It can hurt..."
"So what? It's you and I need you in me. We'll be gentle to each other won't we?"
Livio took Jeremy in his arms and whispered, "And I want you to take me too."
Jeremy didn't answer. His kiss conveyed the most meaningful understanding ever.
The jasmine in the patio bloomed during that magic night. Its sensual scent, blending with that of melding bodies writhing, united in sweaty sheets, was a fragrant celebration to the thousand and one things that make beauty come into this wounded world of ours.
As dawn approached, their lovemaking was a bit more rough and urgent. Orgasmic screams followed by gusty laughter filled the dawn. The light of their lusty loving was a living tribute to life.
Just for the record:
Jeremy sent his drop-out notice to his school, filed for Italian residency, and opened a bank account on Marretimo, following his father's instructions. That way Harvey could send money to cover his son's tuition, board and rooming with Livio. They promised to see each in Favignana.
Jeremy's mother prepared a trunk with the few keepsakes Jeremy wanted, shipped it to Marettimo, saying that she would soon be coming for a visit with her -- Good God! -- best girlfriend and future wife.
Several months later, Sean informed his brother that Lara was pregnant and that he and Livio were going to be uncles! Jeremy spent almost an hour on the phone with his brother, laughing, listening, whispering their love, promising a visit as soon as possible.
Livio and Jeremy were asked to give a little concert in the village church. The priest even asked them to sing during mass if they didn't mind. It was almost a consecration...
Harvey Jones commissioned them to compose an album. Jones Wine Imports wanted to sponsor it. They accepted and received a substantial cheque to begin with, agreeing to fly to Edinburgh to record in a professional studio.
Livio's agent was thrilled over their duos. He lined up a concert tour in all of Italy for them both in 2022.
One chilly February morning, during breakfast, Jeremy calmly said, "Livio?"
"Yes..."
"Let's take it easy with the work, if you don't mind... We need time and a free mind for loving too. After all, that's what our music is made of."
That sentence struck Livio like a bolt of lightning out of the blue. Livio realised that what Jeremy had just said was excessively important. He rose, looking at Jeremy. Jeremy rose too. Livio gently began untying the sash on Jeremy's bathrobe. Jeremy beamed untying Livio's as well.
"So you agree?"
"Definitely!"
"You know, Livio, nothing is more important than the essential."
"How right you are, Jeremy, and right now, we're going to be essential all morning long!"
"YESSSS!"
The following month the virus people were talking about invaded the mainland. The authorities immediately took control of the situation on the island. Time flew. Of course the lack of tourists meant less money, but... but everybody adapted and was surprised to find that there were less problems living only with... with the essentials... and the number of deaths wasn't higher than usual on Marettimo, and with the lockdown, there were a lot more pregnancies! The whole community decided that when the crisis was over, they wouldn't get back to what they called 'normal' before.
Talking about 'back to normal', one evening with Mario, as they picked up their take-aways at the restaurant, Jeremy brought up the question about afterwards.
"Mario, according to you, what's normality after all?"
Mario immediately replied, "I really don't know, Jeremy. Maybe it's just an illusion, a fascist invention trying to keep different people, like you: gays, foreigners, etc... off limits."
Livio laughed, "Even if we're white!"
"Yeah! keep you and your kind, banned. The stupid masses of NORMAL people are DANGEROUS... You know, like what was happening here with Salvini or in America with their former clown of a president."
Jeremy thoughtfully murmured, "Yeah... I see what you mean... Wow, that seems so far away from here!"
"Let's hope it stays that way," stated Livio.
"Wherever life leads us, we have to make it stay that way!" asserted Jeremy.
Mario hugged Jeremy, then Livio and declared, "The dinner's on me tonight fellows. Enjoy!"