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.
RAINBOW DANCER
by Marin Giustinian
Nowadays, mostly at sea in the North Atlantic
Prologue
Light itself is invisible. We only perceive its presence by what it reveals. When light passes through a veil of rain, the drops act as prisms, splitting the beams into an array of evanescent colours and rainbows suddenly appear. Simple, pure love is like light. It explodes the mist of a meaningless existence, revealing the radical power of an awakened life.
Pat Gallagher's first book sold extremely well. It was a perfect example of commercial skill and mainstream creative writing. There was strife, violent sex, misunderstandings, conflicts, and despair taking place in a drab, damp little town in the heart of Ireland. Once the excitement of signing books, giving interviews, and receiving his royalties dwindled, Pat was bored. As he fought in the doldrums of his boredom, a very poetic diversion dawned: why not hunt down and photograph rainbows.
Pat was a moderately accomplished photographer. He was often complimented for the technical quality of his pictures, even if the subjects such as sad rainy streets or boys playing soccer in muddy vacant lots were basically uninteresting. Irish rainbows are cold as loneliness and Pat despised being lonely, even if he hated boring company even more.
Pat wasn't what one could call a smashingly handsome hunk. However he was extremely elegant, thin, moving with a certain grace. His flawless skin gave him an outstanding glow, and his deep brown wavy hair and dark honey coloured eyes were unusual among the usually ginger, freckled Irishmen. Perhaps some Iberic genes could still be active in his ancestry and his 'foreign' looks were much to his advantage, especially amongst the lady folk. He attracted them without ever making a move to do so and indulged in occasional sex never actually getting involved. As for friends, he spent an evening per week downing pints with his former school mates in their favourite pub. The rest of his time was devoted to writing alone in the company of his MacBook Air. He had no reason to complain about his life other than the fact that he was simply bored.
During the last evening out with the his mates, his friend Ralph was telling everybody about a cruise he had just returned from with his new girlfriend. They had seen on the internet that there was a deal for a week in the Azores, so they gave it a try. He complained both about the heat and the sudden showers. He did mention the fact that the rainbows were nice... like in Ireland.
That struck Pat like a sign from God. Warm rainbows! He immediately made up his mind to go on a rainbow hunt in the Azores. His rather wealthy grandfather whom he worshiped owned a lovely 30 foot sloop with GPS navigation and autopilot. He never used her any more. Pat remembered that he had been an excellent sailor in his teens. As a grown man, he felt he was able sail to the Azores single handed. As the idea made its way, in spite of the noise of the pub and the bantering conversation of his mates, Pat felt a surge of excitement. He needed some adventure in his rather colourless existence. Sex bored him, his mates' conversation seemed to be more and more insipid, and he realised that the book he was working on would be, of course, a success -- but for him, it was just another run of the mill, academic piece of shit.
The voyage took seven days and with each day the temperature rose. There were the expected showers and several interesting rainbows. Pat was having a lot more fun than he had imagined. He was glad to see that his sailing intuition and skills still worked and that being alone aboard, he was in excellent company. He never touched the satellite mobile phone he had, nor even went on the internet.
When he arrived in the port of Horta, on the island of Faial, he called his grandfather. He loved talking with his Daddy Shane.
(Pat's grandparents, Shane and Pricilla Kelly, had taken Pat in when he was fifteen. Their daughter, Pat's mother, had died of breast cancer and his father remarried with a woman Pat hated. When Pat's parents decided to immigrate to Canada, Pat declared that he was staying behind. Later, Pricilla came down with Alzheimer's and was put in a nursing home leaving Shane and Pat together. The grandfather and the grandson dearly loved each other, much to their mutual benefit.)
On the phone, Shane exclaimed, "Pat, my darling boy, I really do congratulate you on your crossing. You sound happier than I've ever heard you. I'd like for you to henceforth consider the boat as yours."
"Wow Daddy Shane! I'll take great care of her. I'd like to change her name to Rainbow Dancer."
"Why not? I'll go down to the authorities and have them register the boat in your name, and have the name changed. Text me the postal address of your marina so I can send you the new registration papers by UPS as soon as I get them. Keep me updated, my boy! Love ya!"
Pat adjusted well to the small town of Horta. The beauty of the shops and houses, the balmy warm air, the soft murmur of Portuguese, and the delicious meals he enjoyed in a simple family restaurant near the port simply made him feel at peace with himself and the world. He rented a scooter and visited the island. He even indulged in swimming nude in the warm waters off the northern shore. Total luxury for an Irishman!
After ten days, his documents finally arrived. He now was the legal owner of his boat, his Rainbow Dancer. Holding the registration papers in hand, he had the definite feeling that something wonderful was on the verge of happening.
The following morning, Pat made a list of the food he needed aboard. His pantry was empty and he was now planning to set sail again. No more restaurants. After a long shower and shave in the marina's facilities, Pat inquired at the harbour office as to where he could buy and have delivered his provisions. The attendant explained that there was a grocer that made deliveries to the boats and that all the people working there spoke English.
Indeed, as Pat entered the store, he was welcomed by a very pleasant gentleman with whom he placed his order. It would be delivered at 2:00 PM the same day.
When he returned to the boat after lunch in town, a flaxen haired lad of sixteen, seventeen at the most, was waiting, seated on the edge of his trolley cart full of provisions.
"Mr. Gallagher?" asked Tad Oliveira, flashing an astounding smile.
Pat replied, "That's me."
"Just show me where to stash your items. It's my job to unload them aboard."
Pat was a bit puzzled over the boy's very pronounced New England accent.
"Thank you. Just give me second to open up. By the way, are you an American?"
"Not really. My name's Tadeu Oliveira, but my friends in America called me Tad. My parents immigrated to New Bedford from Graciosa Island when I was three years old. And you, Sir? I see you're from Ireland."
"Yes, I'm Irish, from Galway..."
Tad obviously didn't know a thing about Galway.
"It's a port on the west coast of Ireland... My name's Patrick Gallagher, but everybody calls me Pat."
"Pleased to meet you, Sir. Pat was the name of my best friend in school in America. I was really sad when I had to leave him nearly three years ago."
Tad began unloading the groceries.
"If you don't mind me asking, why did you leave the States?" inquired Pat, still fascinated by the young man.
Tad spoke while he stashed the items in the hold. "I don't mind you asking, Sir. My dad was killed in an accident at work. He was a mason and the scaffolding he was standing on collapsed. Killed on the spot. My Mom and I returned to Graciosa. She inherited the family house there when my grandparents passed away. Life in America was too expensive... and we have relatives over here."
"So you continued going to school?"
"I had to! But school in Portuguese was really tough for me. I speak Portuguese, but I hardly know how to read and write it... Anyhow, when I turned sixteen, I quit school and left Graciosa to come to Faial to live with my uncle. He's a sign painter and name plate engraver."
"That's good news for me. I'm changing the name of my boat and I need somebody to do the job of engraving nameplates and installing them. Could you ask him to come by?"
"What are you changing the name to?"
"Rainbow Dancer."
"Nice name! My uncle works only about five minutes from here. He lived in New Bedford for a while too, before coming back. We can go together now if you want."
"Let's go."
As they were walking along Tad inquired, "Where are you and your crew headed with Rainbow Dancer?"
"I'm sailing alone and I plan to go as far as Flores. I photograph rainbows."
"Rainbows! Super! That's fantastic, Sir!" exclaimed Tad, adding, "I'd love to go with you, Sir! It's dangerous to sail alone... and I love rainbows!"
"Thank you for your offer, Tad."
"Could you show me some of your rainbow pictures before you leave?"
"Of course. Whenever you want, Tad."
"Really? That's great, Sir. You've made my day!"
Pat was suddenly touched by Tad's candid enthusiasm. Touching the lad's shoulder, he simply said, "That's quite kind of you to say that."
Tad's uncle, Celso, brother of his mother, was a handsome man in his late thirties. He immediately accepted to engrave three name plates for the Rainbow Dancer. Pat chose the model. They agreed on Sunday morning at 10:30 for him to come and install them on the sides of the cabin and the stern.
As they were leaving Celso's workshop, Pat thanked Tad, and said, "If you want, we can take a look at my photo book now. I'll brew us a pot of tea and open a box of cookies. How does that sound?"
"That sounds great, Mr. Gallagher."
"Tad, please stop calling me Mr. Gallagher and saying 'Sir' all the time. I call you Tad and you call me Pat. Okay?"
Tad's normally smiling expressions dimmed.
"Okay, Pat... but it's sort of hard for me. It makes me think about Pat back in America."
"Do you want to tell me about him?"
"I don't know... Maybe..."
Once back onboard, Pat gave Tad his book to look at while he made tea. At one point, Tad spoke up, "This picture here makes me think about Pat -- you know, the one in America."
"How's that?"
"Pat and I would ride our bikes over to the end of Sconticut Road and swim, whenever the weather permitted, in Buzzards Bay. That day, we were just playing on the beach, you know, horsing around doing boys stuff. A lonely shower was moving in from the sea. The clouds split and WOW! There was a rainbow, a complete rainbow straddling the bay. That's when Pat said I was his rainbow's end. He was all serious when he said that."
Tad was blushing.
Pouring the tea, Pat replied, "That's a beautiful thing he said! I'm sure he meant you were a treasure for him, but a rainbow's end is an illusion because the end is always out of reach."
"You're right and that's what happened, being out of reach. You know, it was hard for us to be best friends. In New Bedford, there's the community of the Irish and the community of the Portuguese, mostly Azoreans. The two communities do not get along at all. Pat was from the Irish community. They all looked alike. We Azoreans have all kinds of blood in us. Some of us are blond like me, others are dark. All kinds of people washed up on our shores: English pirates, Scandinavian fishermen, whalers from New England, people from Portugal, Spain, slaves and freemen. We're like a seafood stew with a bit of everything in the pot. You're the first Irishman I've seen who doesn't look Irish."
"The south of Ireland had its fair share of invasions from North Africa also. The Moresque pirates came hunting for slaves and they raped a few girls while they were there. Maybe that explains my unusual look. You know you don't look very Portuguese yourself!"
"That's what Pat, the one in America, said. I don't know why, but Pat and I fell for each other right from the start, and we had to avoid being seen together even if I don't look Portuguese. Isn't that absurd?"
"There's a lot of stupid things in this world, Tad -- especially for misfits like us..."
"That's it... we're just misfits..."
Tad looked a bit lost in thought.
Pat inquired, "Sugar? Cream?"
"Both please."
There was an other moment of silence before Pat asked, "Do you write to each other?"
"We decided not to write. When things are over, they're over."
Tad took a sip of his tea, and bit into a cookie before saying, "When the bus to Logan Airport pulled away from the curb, Pat waved and I sobbed, wanting to die. My Mom hugged me tight. That's how I survived."
Pat nodded, smiling at Tad.
Tad sighed, smiled, and continued, "I feel better, now. I've never told anybody all that. I've kept it pent up inside for two and a half years. But with your name being Pat, and the rainbows and all...it just came out. You're right, the rainbow's end is always out of reach. Rain and sun, dark and light, near and far, appearing and disappearing... Rainbows are... how can I say? Rainbows are complicated!"
They continued chatting about sailing single-handed. Tad's conclusion was direct.
"You need me aboard, Pat," stated Tad as he ate the last cookie.
"Are you a sailor?" replied Pat laughing.
"No, but I'm a fast learner, I'm clean, never moody, and in good health, also I cook really well! It's not safe to sail alone you know!"
"Listen, Tad, I said I'll think about it. Are you coming back with Celso Sunday morning?"
"I'd like to, if you don't mind."
"I'll be waiting for you. I'm really glad we met, you and I. You're quite a special lad!"
"You're quite special yourself, Pat! Perhaps we'll see each other again Sunday!"
They shook hands. Pat admired Tad's confident stride as he walked down the pier, stopped at the end, and waved. Pat waved back, not really understanding the gentle glow he felt deep down inside.
For the following two days, Pat pondered the possibility of asking Tad to accompany him, that is if he could take time off from his job, if his uncle agreed, as well as his mother, if, if...
Pat figured that he could train Tad in two or three days. The truth of the matter was that Tad kept on lingering in Pat's mind. The lad's natural beauty, his smile, his admiring eyes made Pat feel happy inside. He had never fallen in love before. He had enjoyed his lady friends' favours but had never even paid attention to other fellows. Was this love?
He had always considered himself as an island until fate had put Tad in his life and now he was at a loss as to what to do with him. Pat kept his grandfather, Shane, informed of how his situation was evolving. When he mentioned the possibility of a young fellow crew member, his grandfather didn't hesitate a second to tell him that he should take him aboard. That advice didn't help him stay serene.
The weather was persistently warm and sunny. He spent time just exploring the old historical town, musing, hoping that a new idea for a book would dawn... nothing down that lane neither.
Saturday, he washed his clothes, had a long visit on the phone with Shane, wrote a circular email with photos to his mates in Galway, and then gave the boat a thorough cleaning, preparing space for Tad without really realising it.
Sunday morning, Pat showered and shaved, dressed appropriately, and was ready for Celso -- and possibly Tad to show up on time.
They both showed up on time. At 10:30 on the dot, Pat saw Tad rushing down the pier, followed by Celso. Tad was in cut off shorts with a white tank top. He was stunning. When Tad saw Pat, he was impressed as well. Both felt the magnetic bond, a mysterious current drawing them closer one to the other. Neither could explain what was happening. They just let it happen, simply because it was good as it happened.
"That's a handsome boat you have there, Mr. Gallagher," stated Celso as Pat greeted them on the dockside.
"I'm glad you like Rainbow Dancer."
Celso showed Pat the nameplates. Pat approved.
"Great job, please go ahead and take the old plates off and install yours."
"It'll take me a little less than an hour, Sir," replied Celso as they stepped aboard.
"And Tad... How are you? You look great."
"Thanks Pat. You don't look bad yourself..."
"Will you be needing Tad to help you, Celso?"
"Not that I know of. He tagged along because he just wanted to see you again. Obviously you two get along well together. All he talks about is you!"
Tad elbowed his uncle, uttering, "Deixa, faz favor!" (Drop that, please!)
Pat immediately replied, stating without the least forethought, "We do get along well together. Tad's a gem. I would even like to hire him as a fellow crew member and assistant..."
There was an instant of surprise. Then Pat cleared his throat and added, "That is if he wants the job and can free himself from his present work."
Celso looked at Tad who just stood there looking dumbfounded, his jaw slightly ajar, staring wide-eyed at Pat.
"Tad, you never mentioned that," remarked Celso.
Tad exclaimed, "I didn't know he actually wanted to hire me!" then talking directly to Pat, "You'll see. I'll be the best mate you'll ever have aboard! I'm your man, Pat!"
Pat laughed and replied, "I'm glad, but we'll have to give ourselves a week to see if you're happy aboard... and if I'm happy having you aboard."
"I agree, Pat."
"Can you resign from your job, and don't you need your mother's authorisation to sign a contract?"
Celso interrupted, "I think it's a great opportunity for him, Sir. I'll let you two discuss the matter together. As for me, I've got work to do."
Tad explained that his mother had emancipated him when he came to live with Celso and as for his job, he said that Mr. Silva, his boss, could find a replacement in less than an hour. When Pat explained that he could pay him €40 a day, he nearly fainted, saying that €20 a day, all expenses paid, was way well enough.
"Will you take me to Ireland too?" Tad asked, almost pleading.
"If we get along and still want to stay together, we'll go wherever the wind can take us, Tad. But we must let time decide."
"We're the keepers of time, Pat."
"You're a poet as well, I see!"
Tad shrugged, looked at his feet, and then smiled.
"Tad, first things first. I'll have to teach you all you need to know about the boat."
"That's going to take how long?"
"You say you're a fast learner... Depends on you. Maybe three days, maybe more. If we still agree to become a crew together, we'll need to get your papers in order, have you insured and equipped with a proper sailing slicker and boots."
"So when do you want me to move in?"
"As soon as you can."
"Tomorrow?"
"Okay! Tomorrow it is. Also, if you qualify for an extensive crossing, I want you to have a complete medical and dental checkup before we leave."
"No problem."
There was an instant of tender tension as they took a deep breath looking at each other.
"May I hug you, Pat?"
Pat hesitated, not knowing why, then he simply opened his arms and uttered, "If you want."
Celso cleared his throat as he entered the cabin.
"Excuse me... I've finished. From what I see I suppose you two have made a deal."
"Yes, Celso, we've made a deal," affirmed Pat.
"And I'm moving aboard tomorrow," chimed in Tad.
"Lucky rascal! I'm glad for you, boy! Thank God you're not in New Bedford any longer. They'd hate seeing an Irishman and an Azorean getting along so well together."
Cocking his head to the side with his fists on his hips, Tad laughed, exclaiming, "New Bedford? Where's that?"
The following morning, before Celso left for work, he and Tad shared a long warm hug. By 10:00 AM, Tad was replaced at the grocery store. He had packed his bag, rolled up his sleeping bag, and put his papers in a transparent pocket folder. At 11:00 AM he knocked on the roof of Rainbow Dancer. Pat stuck his head out of the companionway door and shouted, "Come on down!"
Pat was preparing sandwiches for their lunch. "Put your things on the bunk in the bow. It's your space and there's a curtain for a minimum of privacy. You'll find fresh towels in there for you too."
"Thank you."
"You look a bit tense, Tad."
"I can't believe I'm here... that's all."
"Happy?" inquired Pat, wrapping the sandwiches.
"I don't know yet. I'm afraid I'm dreaming."
"I can assure you, this is not a dream. We're going to begin by giving the boat a total inspection. I'll do my best to explain what's what, how, and why, giving you the nautical term for everything."
Tad paid extremely close attention, asked the right questions, and even immediately learned how to tie a bowline, a clove hitch, use a winch, as well as a capstan. They continued reviewing terms while they ate lunch, then after coffee, Pat started the engine and prepared the mooring line for their departure over to Pico Island and back.
The gentle wind and calm sea greeted them as they eased out of the harbour. Tad hoisted the mainsail and then the genoa. Pat swerved downwind and shut off the motor. Rainbow Dancer heeled, picking up speed.
Tad laughed out of sheer glee.
"Come back here and take the wheel, Tad!"
"Already?"
"Yes, now."
Tad instinctively played with the wind, feeling the motion of Rainbow Dancer as she eased through the water. In other words, Tad was indeed a fast learner, and Pat liked that a lot.
The afternoon flew by. The wind picked up and the sea was forming. They tacked upwind, catching spray as the bow split the waves. Then as the sun began to slant they returned to the harbour, tied up, and went to take a shower before going out for dinner.
Spirits were high as they walked into town. The dinner was more of a celebration than a simple meal. Returning to the boat, Pat said, "Don't be offended, Tad, but I think you could use some new clothes. You've grown out of what you're wearing. I know you're not wealthy... but I am... and if we agree at the end of the week to continue, it will be a great pleasure for me to clad such a handsome young crew-member!"
"I'm not offended at all, Pat. I'm just overwhelmed! I don't know how to thank you enough."
"Just keep on doing a great job. That'll be thanks enough!"
Tad blushed, beaming as they walked, bumping shoulders from time to time.
Inside Rainbow Dancer, Pat said, "Bedtime. Tomorrow we'll spend the day on the water. We'll sail all the way around the island. The weather forecasts stiff winds. It should take us about eight hours. You'll cook us lunch underway."
"I think I'll be asleep before my head hits the pillow!"
Pat grinned and replied, as he opened the door to his aft cabin, "Don't forget to turn out the light over your bunk. Sweet dreams, matey!"
"Sweet dreams to you too, Captain."
The following day, as they went on the lee side of the island, Pat stripped and went forward to enjoy the warm breeze on his naked body. Tad was at the tiller when Pat came back. Tad copied Pat and stripped off his tank top and shorts as well, guessing that's the thing to do on a boat in fine weather with only men aboard. Of course they both discreetly checked each other out. Tad did nothing to hide his semi-erection.
"You're better looking naked than you are dressed, Tad. Great proportions... everywhere," Pat laughed, looking at Tad's perfect, uncut cock.
Tad dared look at Pat's and then stated, "I hope I grow to be as well proportioned as you are, Pat! You are quite good looking yourself."
Little by little, life together remained calm, polite, and yet progressively relaxed. Tad learned how to use the GPS and the autopilot, operate the engine, check the levels, help prepare decent meals in the galley, and correctly handle his share of the manoeuvres in the harbour.
By Thursday, both agreed to form a crew. Not only had they worked well together, but they had become excellent friends as well. That evening, they sat after dinner in the cockpit. Pat wrote out a simple contract that they signed and then they toasted with a glass of white wine under a star-scattered sky.
"Tomorrow, I'll notify my insurance that you're my fellow crew member, then we'll make appointments for your medical and dental checkup. After that, we'll go shopping for your wardrobe!" proclaimed Pat.
"Can I go show my new clothes to Celso?"
"I've got a better idea. Why don't we invite him over for evening drinks," suggested Pat.
"Friday, after work, he's usually with his girlfriend, Julia..."
"Invite her too!"
"Okay!" giggled Tad, delighted.
"Sunday, we set sail for Flores, our first overnight crossing and we can return via Graciosa. I think it would be nice for you to call in on your mother once we're there."
"I'll ring her up tomorrow! Good God! She's going to be TOOO EXCITED!!!"
"Looks like you're a bit excited yourself!"
"I am, Pat. I've never been so happy in my life. I'm so excited, I need to kiss you or I'll burst!"
"Do you think it's a proper thing to do?"
"Proper or not proper, I don't care. I need to kiss you and that's it! You know, when Pat the American said I was his rainbow's end, we kissed. It felt necessary, natural, normal, I mean, no problem, and it made me feel so good inside!... And now I need to kiss you too. Please, Pat..." pled Tad.
Facing such insistence, Pat's hesitant resistance yielded as he let Tad's lips meet his. There was a sudden surge of warmth rising between them as their kiss lingered, their mouths opened, the tip of their tongues played one with the other. Tad hummed as he rubbed Pat's arm. Pat gently held the nape of Tad's tender neck.
Both, lost in a kind of carefree abandon, slid on the floor of the cockpit, writhing, their cocks straining, cramped in their jeans. Suddenly, Tad began laughing. He laughed out of simple glee. Pat laughed with him. Swirling in a whirlpool of mutual lust, all their tensions disappeared. Then Tad jumped to his feet, holding Pat by the hand and cried out, "Look! A shooting star! And another! Wow!"
"Make a wish!" immediately replied Pat.
"I did!" giggled Tad.
"Me too..." laughed Pat.
"The same?"
"Of course!"
Entering the cabin, clothes flew everywhere.
For some of us, there are moments, in the course of our existence when total, basic instinct takes control, revealing a new, jubilating dimension of life. It crashes through the crust of our 'normality'. It's like a blinding dawn of truth and trust from deep within... or perhaps from high above. Whatever! The colliding desire of male energies, striving to experience the ecstasy of merging together, can change an existence forever. That's exactly what was happening in the cabin of Rainbow Dancer on that mild, midsummer night of dawning love.
Pat and Tad didn't last long. Their avid craving for each other made them overflow after only a few feverish strokes.
And then silence.
"How do you feel, Tad?"
"Alive! And you, Pat?"
"I don't know yet... Is this the beginning or the end of something, Tad?"
"It's just the beginning!" shouted Tad, "Can I sleep here in your berth with you tonight?"
"Yes, Tad! Yes, yes, yes! Tonight and, if you want, all the other nights as well."
Nestled together, they kissed and caressed.
"Dawn will bring us new delights, Tad..."
"Count on me, Pat. Do you think we're falling in love?"
"Don't think, Tad ; just fall -- fall with me!"
Neither seemed to have budged during the night. When Pat opened his eyes. He marveled at Tad's silken beauty, the glow of his sun lit hair, his smooth cheek. Tad slowly opened his eyes as well, beaming a smile. Neither spoke. Tad draped an arm over Pat's chest and began to caress his left tit, just over his heart. Then sly as a cat, he slid under the cover and simply took Pat's very stiff cock in his mouth, sucking like a babe, twirling his tongue, squeezing the shaft with his free hand. Pat closed his eyes once more and let happen what must happen. He ran his fingers through Tad's curls as the scented heat of lust filled the cabin.
Pat suddenly threw astray the cover and writhed his way around to seize Tad's rump and suck on the lad's youthful cock, dripping like his with transparent slick. The heat, the tastes, the headiness of the odours drove them both into a kind of frenzy, craving to quench their thirst with each other's cum.
They grunted, hummed, slurped, and whined. They fingered each other's anus as they sucked, sometimes gagging a bit, attempting to swallow the glans. Then their rewards surged, followed by tender kiss. They just laid there, enlaced.
Pat whispered, "That was special, Tad. Something more than just sex."
"I don't know much about sex, Pat. You're the first person I've cummed with... and I know swallowing your cum, I felt you feeding my soul."
While Pat was writing a letter for his boat insurance, Tad sang, grilling the toast and frying the eggs. That magic moment charmed Pat to the extent that he was hardly able to concentrate. Neither had bothered to dress. They enjoyed their breakfast as the coffee steamed in the sunbeams flowing through the skylight over the table.
"Tad, doesn't it ever rain here?"
"Usually there's at least a shower a day. I guess the sky's simply happy that we've found each other," declared Tad looking at Pat with infinite tenderness in his eyes.
"That's not good for our rainbows!"
"Now that you've said that, I'm sure we're in for rain!"
And believe it or not, In less than an hour or two, the clouds piled up on the mountain and a fresh summer rain began to fall. Fortunately Pat and Tad had finished showering in the marina's toilet facilities. Pat was shaving. Tad looked at him and asked, "Don't you think I should do my upper lip too?"
"Do you want me to shave you?"
"Oh, Yes!"
Pat was passing the razor over Tad's face, when another gentleman came in. He gave the two a gentle smile and uttered in English, "Lucky boy..."
Clad in shorts, they dashed back to Rainbow Dancer under the rain. They dried each other off in the cabin, dressed, waiting to go into town and do their shopping.
The post office had just opened when they arrived. Pat sent his letter and Tad phoned his mother telling her about his new life and their future visit. Next stop, the medical centre. When they explained the need of a simple checkup, the receptionist looked at her computer and said there was an opening for the dentist at 2:15 PM. If they could wait, he could have his physical done in about ten minutes. Pat said he would go buy Tad's slicker and boots at the chandlery and then they should meet at the mens clothing store they saw on their way to the post office.
Pat arrived first at the men's store followed minutes later by Tad. He came in with a triumphant grin on his face, waving a paper.
"Here's my report. 'Excelente saúde em perfeita forma' it says. Good health in perfect shape!"
"I didn't doubt it, but it's good to have a doctor's confirmation."
They had a lot of fun dressing Tad as a teenage yachtsman. The clothes he chose for Tad looked perfect on him. There was a navy Saint James sweater, two pairs of close fit sailorboy trousers, a fisherman's smock, two white Arrow shirts, underwear, socks, and a knitted sock cap. Pat bought Tad a razor, shaving gel, and a light scented aftershave.
"A growing young man, comely as you, needs to be well groomed!" jested Pat.
Then they stopped by Celso's shop to invite him and Julia over for drinks that evening before going out to eat. Tad came back with sparkling clean teeth after his dental check up.
Before their guests showed up, Tad gave Pat a fashion show. It was hard to tell who was the proudest. Tad was aware of the effect he had on Pat, dressed in his brand new attire chosen by his 'captain', or was it Pat, proud to have aboard a perfect looking sailorboy for Rainbow Dancer.
The evening was a great success. Both Celso and Julia realised that Pat and Tad shared a special bond and they congratulated both of them.
Tad was exhausted at the end of the day. Pat too was ready for a good night's sleep. Tad was a bit restless as they cuddled together.
"Pat, I'm thirsty..." mumbled Tad as he kissed his way down his bedmate's chest.
Pat laughed, spun around, and said, "It wouldn't be polite to let you drink alone!"
The following day they prepared their trip to Flores, about a day and a half away. It would be their first overnight crossing. Underway, Tad volunteered to stay on watch for the first half of the night letting Pat sleep before taking over at 3:00 AM.
Tad felt like an admiral as he surveyed the autopilot, alone under a star lit sky. Rainbow Dancer cut through the silent waters with her wake gurgling behind. He couldn't refrain from humming a simple summer song, familiar like a prayer, as his soul marvelled at the wonders of his new love of life. He drifted in a state of nocturnal nowness, elated and serene. He contemplated the moon as it lazily freed itself from the distant horizon. It's shimmering path of light accompanied Tad as he glided through the night, oblivious to yesterday, carefree about tomorrow.
Pat's familiar voice startled Tad as he emerged from the cabin, "Not too sleepy up there?"
"Not really... Lot's of things happen when nothing's going on."
"I've got to remember that statement, Tad!"
"As you like. Grab your slicker, Pat. It's clouding up. Maybe we'll run into some rain. But, give me a hug and a kiss before I collapse! I do think I can use a few hours of sleep now."
"The berth's nice and warm."
"Good night -- or good morning? Oh, whatever. Pat, I think I'm the happiest human on earth."
"Then enjoy a happy snooze as long as you need."
Indeed, first a drizzle, then the wind picked up as the rain began to fall. Tad was sleeping like a log as Rainbow Dancer leaned a bit more and began to rise and fall in the swell. At daybreak, the sky was a festival of rainbows. Pat scrambled from one side of the mainsail to the other taking picture after picture. Tad came topside, awakened by Pat's hurried footsteps on the deck.
"Wow! I understand now!" exclaimed Tad, amazed by the rainbows.
"I came here for this, and I found you! We are the rainbow, Tad."
"If we are the rainbow, then we are the rainbow's beginning and also its end, right?"
"Right!"
"And so we are each other's treasure, all the time," deducted Tad.
"God! You are soooo right, Tad! You are my treasure!"
"Just like you are mine, Pat!"
Little by little as the sun climbed in the East as the clouds opened in the West. The swell had increased. Rainbow Dancer, pitched a bit as she sped along with a broadside breeze. Tad prepared a copious breakfast which they both enjoyed in the cockpit. The warmth of the day glowed on Tad's skin as he stripped off his tank top and carried the breakfast dishes below.
Carrying two cups of coffee, Tad came back up, totally nude, and sat down beside Pat. As they sipped their cups, Tad commented, "The autopilot's doing a great job. Around us there's nothing in sight. We are alone on earth, you and I..."
"Soon we should have Flores in sight."
"In how long?"
"In just a couple of hours, maybe a bit more. According to the GPS, if we maintain our speed like we're doing now, we should be in Lajes around 4:00 PM."
"So that means we have time enough for you to fuck me," calmly stated Tad.
Pat sputtered a bit of coffee, coughing.
"What?"
"I said we have time enough for you to fuck me."
Pat looked at Tad, sitting there, erect, with a sweet smile on his face, his glans gleaming in the morning sun.
"Do you mean, fuck? As in F.U.C.K?"
"Yes, fuck. I want you to fuck my hole and shoot your cum as deep as you can inside me. I need for us to unite our bodies in unison as much as our hearts beat the same rhythm. Please fuck me."
"Are you sure?"
Tad looked at Pat as if he were a moron.
"Would I have asked you to fuck me if I wasn't?"
"But what about the pain? They say sodomy hurts."
"I can bear it. And you? Can you bear it? I want to fuck you too."
Pat hesitated, then smiled, saying, "I think I can bear it."
"So let's fuck! Oh, please, Pat! I want you to fuck me now, right here on the deck. We can begin standing up for you to enter me and then we'll let our bodies take over. Please don't make me wait. I need it because I need to love you with all the joy you give me, all the love you have for me."
Pat's rock hard cock twitched. He had ceased thinking. The beauty of his young companion, his plea, his presence under the sun, abolished all hesitation. Pat too needed to lose himself in Tad, he needed to make long, luscious love to his miracle boy, to his love, his true reality, his treasure.
As Pat stripped, Tad grabbed the bottle of sunscreen from beneath the bench in the cockpit. He gently anointed Pat's cock. Pat began to caress Tad with moist hands; he kissed the nape of Tad's neck. Then he kneeled, turning Tad around. He spread the lad's buttocks, exposing his sweet hairless anus. Instinctively, Pat began to lick the twitching orifice. The silken texture of Tad's skin, the sweaty fragrance of his flesh, quivering under the insistence of Pat's tongue made both tremble.
Raw, male lust took over. Tad grabbed hold of the boom, his legs separated in a stance as he curved his rump to meet Pat's mouth. Tad's moans was a pitch higher than the harmonic hum of the rigging. After a few minutes of tantalising anal bliss, Pat pressed the tip of his drooling glans on the opening of Tad's anus and began to push in. The pitch and roll of Rainbow Dancer made their bodies swerve as Pat's straining cock slid in. The motion of the boat and that of the lovers synchronised. Pat's cock was at home inside of Tad, just as the lad's flesh was in ecstasy having Pat slide in and out, deep within him.
Never ejaculating, Tad's pressured prostate gland oozed dribbles of cum. Never disconnecting, they changed holds as they fucked with increasing frenzy. Finally Tad was on his back, pinned under Pat, as he thrusted his cock deeper, harder, grunting on the edge of orgasm.
Tad's legs clenched Pat's waist, holding him captive. With each heartbeat, Tad's sphincter squeezed the pounding shaft of the cock dancing inside him.
Pat howled, screaming in the wind as he spewed over and over his cum into Tad's innards. Tad shrilled his victory. Pat, totally spent, sweating, was sprawled on Tad, his cock slowly slipping out. Tad released Pat from his grip. Rainbow Dancer rolled as she split the sun-gilded waves, lulling the spent lovers as if in a cradle.
"That was mind-blasting, Tad! Never have I lived anything like it. I was totally open, and for the first time totally myself, losing myself in love with you."
"And for me, now I know I was born for you to lose yourself, as you say, in me, Pat. Now I know why I'm alive. I'll see if I'm sore tomorrow. As for now, I'm just glowing inside."
"Are you glowing enough to fuck me too?"
"Do you need it?"
"More than ever!"
"I'll fuck you with love, Pat... now that I know how it's done! Ha!"
With all of his juvenile ardour, Tad only lasted some five or six minutes once inside Pat. They fucked standing, legs apart with Pat holding onto the mast and Tad holding onto Pat. The increasing motion of the boat did it all. Pat moaned, enchanted by the new intense sensations Tad's slim cock triggered deep inside him. Tad kissed, licked Pat's neck and shoulders. Tad's cock danced, throbbed, and oozed inside of Pat. He nibbled Pat's ears, sucked his lips as they kissed, twisting their heads for their mouths to meet. Little by little Tad surrendered to the sparkling, whimpering, fountain of light rising within him. He bucked, pumped, thrusted, and hunched until he exploded, tingling, vibrating, quaking from head to toe. He held on to Pat, his legs, suddenly feeble, his knees buckling. Pat managed to turn, still leaning on the mast to hold Tad, abandoned in his arms. Then they shared a long, meaningful kiss. Tad's hair danced in the wind; tears of joy swelled in Pat's eyes.
Tad managed to utter, "I'm sorry I lost myself too soon, Pat."
"I don't mind, Tad. We'll get better with practice -- with a lot of practice, my dearest lover boy!"
"I definitely think we'll need to practice for a very long time, lover man!"
"I'm not sure a life is enough," asserted Pat, beaming.
"Can I spend mine with you, Pat?"
"Our life was meant to belong together... That's what I feel, think, and want."
After devouring a massive lunch, Tad stated, "I didn't know sex could make you starve."
"Only good sex does that," confirmed Pat.
"Thank God, the pantry's full!" exclaimed Tad.
Suddenly Pat shouted, "Tad! Look! Island in sight!"
"We made it, Pat! We made it not only to our destination! We made..."
"We made it to the beginning of a very long and beautiful voyage together."
The overnight stopover in noisy little port of Lajes-das-Flores was enough for them to decide to immediately return to sea.
The wind was gentle as they sailed along the foot of the cliffs on the western side of the island. The waterfalls cascading through the emerald green of the vegetation, the sea, colour of jade and azure blue, offered a breathtaking sight.
"It's funny, Pat, but I don't want to return to solid earth. Heaven for me is to be like now, aboard Rainbow Dancer with just you and I holding the 'civilised', modern world at a respectful distance. Islands and mainlands are nice, seen from afar. If I were on that island, I couldn't see how beautiful it is. From here I can see it as it was meant to be. I prefer land to stay where it is, just close enough to find shelter whenever the tempest hits."
Hearing Tad's quite eloquent statement, Pat immediately imagined it as the beginning of a book.
"Tad, you sound like a very wise sea gypsy, a wandering wonderer. Is that how you'd like to live?"
"Only with you."
"The way you say things in such a deep and meaningful way makes me feel that you should be the writer and I, the simple sailor."
"Help me to write what I see and feel. We could write together what we are living, like now, at sea, fleeing what we don't like, finding what's really important for us, discovering the freeing power of love. Pat, we are sons of the wind, rainbow chasers, lovers of loving each other! God, I feel so clear in my head! It feels really good!"
At that very moment it became obvious to Pat that they would be the subject of a future book. They would stay together at sea as much as possible, sailing wherever they fancied and together they would put their thoughts, impressions, hopes, fears, and desires into words. He saw the book, not too thick, just a series of short chapters, relating moments of awe and beauty, alone or together. There would be the moods of the sea, the way it would challenge them at every moment. Then there would be the considerations on the visible and invisible poisons mankind pours into the sea. There would be chapters about the nights, the twilights and dawns, the moods of starlight, moon and winds. There would be chapters on the glare of the sun, the oppression of dead calm and sweltering heat. Then why not chapters about ice and northern lights dancing in the endless arctic nights. The book could be all that and more, a simple echo of the beauty of two lovers loving alone in the midst of immensity.
"Tad, do you remember when we talked about being the rainbow?"
"Yes, about us being the treasure together."
"We are the book, Tad!" exclaimed Pat, suddenly standing, "We live, sail, make love, find shelter, return to the sea, write what we live... that's the book."
"So it's up to us to live, think, create, and write our life together as our masterpiece, otherwise the book is worthless. If I understand, it's the quality of our life together that would make our book worthwhile to read, thus to sell, thus to keep us fed, the boat in shipshape... in other words, keep us alive in order to live the book we write on and on..."
"That's it... more or less."
"I don't know if I understand all that or not. However, there's one thing I understand! I understand that I need to make love with you, here and now," stated Tad.
Pat smiled, turned on the autopilot, and stripped as Tad fetched the bottle of olive oil.
Two days later, they tied up in the port of Graciosa Island and paid a twenty-four hour visit to Tad's mother, Linda. She worked in the town hall, but took the day off as soon as she got the call saying that Tad and his partner were on their way.
"Your best friend Pat has grown into a great looking man, Tad," immediately commented Linda, meeting Pat.
"But Mom, it's not the same Pat."
"Maybe it's the same soul, my boy. You and your friend, Pat, the one in America, were friends in love. Now it's obvious that you love this other Irishman standing there as much as he loves you. Love is in the soul. We share our souls with a lot more people than we imagine, perhaps the two Pats in your life share the same soul. Whatever... I'm glad for you both. Let's go home. I've prepared fish for lunch."
Tad was stunned by his mother's insight and acceptance.
As they followed Linda to the house, Pat whispered to Tad, "What a lady!"
"You're right, Pat. She's great... but sometimes a bit heavy on her son. Anyhow, she's great."
"She's a mother, Tad. Sometimes, it's a mother's job to be heavy."
Giving Pat that special heart-melting smile, Tad replied, "I guess you're right."
From Graciosa, they made a stopover back in Horta to fill up on water, fuel, and food. They paid a little visit to Celso and Julia and eight days later they were in Galway.
The crossing was swift but not easy. They ran into heavy weather three days out of Faial. They went through it with no problem. It was just wet, rough, and uncomfortable.
Shane fell for Tad. When Pat explained their decision to live the book they would write, Shane immediately promised his financial support until the book was published.
Shane and Tad were like kids together. They soon had their private jokes, played video games together, and deplored the way Trump was behaving as if they could do something about it. Shane enjoyed the lad's youthful joviality; Tad relished the tender presence of a distinguished, fun loving elder. As for Pat, he began by settling matters with his publisher. They decided to give Pat's idea a try. Then they set up a joint bank account. Pat also enjoyed introducing his friends to Tad. Only two of them seemed to find their couple somewhat 'upsetting' as they said. They both attended a crash course in celestial navigation and Tad talked the mechanic at the marina into giving him tips on how to maintain and repair their small diesel engine. In their spare time, they began their book. They prepared Rainbow Dancer for a crossing to Norway. They wanted to experience the endless night skies filled with dancing aurora borealis in exchange of their semi tropical rainbows. Five weeks after their arrival, they hugged Shane, and set sail once more.
Late September, they tied up to the wharf of a delightful village in the Sognefjord to spend the winter there. They worked everyday on the manuscript of their book. In March the Covid hit the country and they had to stay put where they were. That forced them to put the finishing touches on their manuscript. It was published in June 2021 under the title, 'Moments'. According to Shane, it drew excellent critiques, especially in the LGBTQ press.
Epilogue
For the time being, only Shane and Linda now know where they are, so there's not much more to say.
A free picture album illustrating this story (pdf) is available upon request at maringiustinian@gmail.com.