The departure for San Diego was early, and the day long. Visiting the USS Midway Museum was educational. Lunch at a restaurant overlooking the ocean was a fun experience, and the afternoon at SeaWorld was exciting. Going places like that with my grandparents was always fun, but all day there was this empty space where Trevon should have been. I'd turned off my cell phone to avoid temptation, but I still kept touching it from time to time, wanting to share what I was doing.
We returned early in the evening. I had dinner with Gramps and Grams before walking back to the bookstore in the dark. The streets were well-lighted, and I no longer feared the alley entrance.
I couldn't help but contrast the differences between my grandparents and parents. I left the condo with a simple goodby. My mother would have given me five minutes of instructions and finally driven me there, watching until I was inside. To my grandparents I was an emerging adult. To my mother, I was still a little boy. To my father, I was an unpaid ranch hand and occasional punching bag.
I no longer had to ring the doorbell - I used my own key. Closing the door behind me, I shouted up the stairs. "I'm home!"
As I climbed the stairs, Trevon appeared at the top to give me a hug and a kiss.
"Did you have a good day?"
I kissed him back. "Yes, it was great. But it would have been better with you there."
Trevon was texting. "I told Tuan and Khan that you're here. They'll be over in a few minutes to see the video."
He finished and looked up. "I wish I'd been with you, but your trip gave me an idea. I'd like to go somewhere with you for a few days before you leave. San Diego would be a good place because Dad has a friend who'd loan us his condo near Black's Beach. We could easily spend a day on the beach. We could watch the surfers and go to the clothing optional part, too. We could spend a day at SeaWorld. We'd have no trouble finding things to do."
I smiled at him. "Trev, you and I could find things to do on a desert island. I'd go anywhere with you. San Diego sounds perfect. But I've already pushed my grandparents hard this summer with what I've been doing. I think that would be too much."
He was disappointed. "We can spend some time alone here, too, but it would be a lot more fun in San Diego."
I postponed a decision. "Let me think about it for a day or two. The gay pride festival is coming up in a couple of days. Then I'll see how brave I am. By the way, is Jalen around? I have a request for him."
Jalen was in his studio. He opened the door to my knock.
"You don't need to knock, TJ. You can just come in."
I teased him. "What if I found you screwing Hunter on the couch?"
I should have known better.
"You could join us. We've been thinking about doing dual penetration with you."
"What's dual penetration?"
"We both fuck you at once."
I tried to envision it and couldn't. Jalen laughed.
"I'll tell you more about that another time. I was kidding, anyway. So, I bet you came down here for a reason."
I sat down on his sofa. "I'd like to give my grandparents a copy of the poster you made of Trevon and me. Would you print me a copy, and maybe mount it, too?"
Jalen grinned. "I'm one step ahead of you. I made one for Dad and Molly, and I made another one with exactly that in mind. There's a third one rolled up in a tube for you to take home with you."
I jumped up and gave him a kiss and a bear hug.
"Awesome! Thanks so much."
"Do you want one for your parents, too?"
My parents had never come up in conversations. I grew serious very quickly.
"Thanks, but that would go over like a turd in a punchbowl. I haven't even considered coming out to them. I'm getting there with my grandparents this summer, but my parents are a whole other problem."
"Not a good scene at home?"
"Not at all. Maybe someday we can talk about it, but not now."
He put an arm around my shoulder. "If it gets bad enough, you know you're always welcome to live here."
Suddenly, I was overwhelmed by the thought of going home to a world that I'd outgrown in one short week. I sat down on the couch, put my face in my hands, and cried.
Jalen sat down beside me and put an arm around me. "I'm sorry I brought it up."
I waited a minute until I got myself together. "It's okay, bro. You couldn't have known. And I'd love to live here with you, and thank you for the offer. Maybe someday. For now, I'll have to carry on with my life as it is."
We stood up and hugged again, and I wiped away my tears.
"You can come down here and pick up your posters whenever you want. It's always locked because of the expensive equipment, but I'll show you where the key is upstairs."
"Thanks for having so much trust in me. You guys are so good to me. I'll never be able to repay you."
Jalen kissed me on the cheek. "You repay us every day. You have no idea how good you are for us, too."
"You gotta realize this is only the second of Trev's videos we've seen. The others never got out of Jalen's studio, for one reason or the other. And this is the only one we've watched with both participants."
Tuan spoke for himself and his brother. They'd come over to watch the country boy get seduced and screwed.
They weren't disappointed in the production. They got a good laugh over my original entrance into the store. They actually cheered when Trevon put his pole into me, and they smiled as Trevon instructed me how to screw him successfully. They'd already admired the poster on the living room wall, and were delighted to see the video version.
As with the first showing, the audience got turned on. By the time I was done screwing Trevon in the video, he was screwing Tuan on one couch, and Khan and I were naked and making out on the other. We argued playfully about who should be on top. I finally settled it by going down on him, a skill I was still trying to master. This time I got it right. With his hand on the back of my head providing encouragement, I deep-throated him and swallowed it all.
The twins were staying for the night and sleeping together in Trevon's bed. Trevon and I would use Hunter's. Jalen and Hunter knew what was planned and would use Jalen's. Like Trevon had told me, who slept with whom and where often changed.
I was surprised the twins had sex together, but didn't show it. Once Trevon and I were alone in Hunter's room I asked, and was educated.
"Tuan and Khan are sixteen now, and they've been having sex together for at least two years that I know of. They have younger brothers and sisters, so there's little privacy and they rarely do it at home. They use my bed quite often. I either sleep with Hunter or on the couch."
"Incest isn't a big deal to any of us. Jalen taught me everything I know, and I learned it in his bed." He grinned. "I think they call that 'applied education'"
We crawled into bed and hugged and kissed. Trevon was ready to go. I had a suggestion.
"I'm really tired tonight. Could you be more gentle than usual?"
He smiled. "I can be as gentle as I can be rough. I'll spend a couple hours demonstrating that."
He demonstrated until midnight, with a few snack and water breaks. I spent several hours in a new kind of paradise, just as good as the earlier ones. Trevon would be a hard habit to break.
The six of us had breakfast together the next morning, pancakes, sausage, eggs, and hash browns. Preparing it was a group activity. I was used to cooking for myself at home, and fit right in with the rest of them. If home was where the heart is, I'd found a new home.
After breakfast, Jalen took me downstairs to his studio and handed me another creation. This one was an authentic-looking Idaho driver's license with my name and picture on it. My birth date was moved back sufficiently to make me eighteen.
I looked at it, and then looked up, slightly puzzled. He smiled.
"There will be times when you'll want to pretend to be older. I could provide examples, but take my word that sometimes you wanna get into places that are off-limits for minors. I've had my own since I was your age. Trevon has one, too. You're better off than I was, because you're muscular and tall enough that you could easily pass for eighteen. Keep it with you, and think of me when you use it." He grinned. "And don't ask me how I made it. You don't wanna know."
I gave him a hug. "Thanks, Jalen. I'll certainly keep it for future use."
I'd intended to wait until after the pride festival to give the poster to my grandparents. I moved up the timeline because Jalen had made one for his dad. I didn't want Gramps and Grams to see it in their neighbors' condo first, so I took my posters with me, relieved to see the third one still there. I was happy to discover that Jalen had wrapped my mounted one in brown paper. I had to carry it four city blocks, and I didn't want it on public display.
The grandparents were having a late breakfast when I arrived. I put the poster in my bedroom, grabbed a glass of orange juice and joined them on their balcony.
Grams smiled at me. "You're home early today."
I took a sip of juice. "Trevon had some errands to run with his dad today, and dinner with Terrell and Molly tonight. I'm here for the day, and the night too, if you can stand the shock of actually seeing me around."
Gramps responded. "I have another suggestion. Why don't you take the day off? Wander around the neighborhood. Take a walk on the beach. Sit down and read a book. Your grandmother and I have the feeling that you're running yourself ragged. It may be time for a day of reflection."
I thought about how emotional I'd been lately, and how I'd come apart in front of Jalen the evening before. They had a point. I needed a time out.
"That's a good idea. I'll start with a walk on my own through Trevon's neighborhood and beyond. I wanna look at it again, through my own eyes this time. How about if I come back at lunch time, and then spend the afternoon on the beach?"
Gramps nodded. "I think that's all a good idea. And I have something for you that came in the mail yesterday." He handed me a credit card. "Now that you're fifteen and our bank permits it, we've added a new credit card account with you as an authorized user. It may come in handy in case of an emergency. We know you'll use it wisely."
A smile lit up my face. "Thanks so much, Gramps and Grams. I'll try to check with you before using it. I know you don't want any unpleasant surprises."
Gramps chuckled. "Don't worry about that. We put a two-thousand dollar limit on this one, so you can't shock us too badly. You'll also note that it has your name on it. That's as close as you can come to having your own account until you're eighteen. Now go for your walk. Buy something with your new card to make sure it works. We'll see you at noon."
I walked all morning. I spent quite a while exploring the outside of Trevon's aging high school building, wondering what it would be like to go to school there. I walked through all of the parks I could find and stopped at several stores and markets, seeing what was available.
Since I had instructions to use my new credit card, I went into a swimwear store to see what I could find for Trevon to wear to the gay pride festival. I found a black leather thong that would give him a sexy tough-guy look. I bought two. Perhaps I'd change my mind about what to wear.
I spent a half hour getting better acquainted with Harold. I spent a similar time talking with the two guys who frequently hung out in the alley, and finally learned their names. Owen, age nineteen, and Andre, age twenty, lived in an apartment similar to Trevon's on the other side of the alley. They described themselves as roommates. Whether or not they were gay didn't come up in the conversation.
By the time I got back to the grandparents' condo, the neighborhood held no fears for me. It was as much home as Trevon's apartment.
Lunch was ready. After some conversation about where I'd been and what I'd seen, Grams had a surprise for me.
"Trevon stopped by while you were gone and introduced himself. It was nice to meet him."
I hung my head in shame. Grams' comment wasn't intended to have that effect, but it did. I should have arranged to introduce them days earlier. Grams noticed my discomfort.
"Don't feel badly that you didn't introduce us, Travis. You've been extremely busy getting acquainted on your own. But Trevon had a reason for coming by. I know he told you he'd like to get away alone with you for a few days. He told us you'd like to do that, too, but were uncomfortable asking us for permission. I understand why. It's a stretch for two minors to do something like that."
"He had more information than when he talked with you. Terrell will take you to San Diego Tuesday morning and get you set up in the borrowed condo. Trevon outlined the places he'll be taking you. You both have cell phones, so you can contact us if you have any problems. His plan is to come back by bus on Friday. I told him if that doesn't work out, we'll come get you."
I was silent for a few moments. "Thanks for being so supportive. From the way you described your visit, it sounds like it's all arranged." I smiled. "Whether I wanna go or not, which of course I do."
Gramps responded. "We know you both will have a good time. Since Trevon is having dinner next door this evening, we invited him to spend the night here." His eyes twinkled. "We didn't think you'd mind if he did that. The other thing we discovered is how much he loves you. He smiles whenever he talks about you. Everything he wants to do on this trip is for you. I wanted to make sure you know that."
I wiped tears from my eyes. "I'm glad you see it, too. I know he loves me, and I love him just as much. It's gonna be hell going home, but I know that isn't going to end it. I have no doubt we'll be together permanently as soon as we can."
It was the right time. "I have something for you that Jalen created. I brought it with me this morning. Let me get it."
I went to my bedroom and unwrapped the poster. I took a deep breath and carried it into the dining room, setting it on a chair where they could both see it.
They looked in silence for a long time, absorbing the whole picture. Gramps spoke first.
"It's absolutely beautiful, Travis. It captures your love perfectly, as well as universal love. Jalen is a talented photographer and artist."
Grams followed. "That's the same look of love that Trevon has when he talks about you. You two have something very special between you. Cherish it and nurture it. It doesn't come along twice."
Tears ran freely down my cheeks. "I'm so glad you understand and accept all of this for what it is. You have no idea how much it means to me."
They both stood up and gave me a hug. Grams wiped away my tears and kissed my cheek.
"We've both understood you for several years, maybe even before you understood yourself. We'll be here for you, whatever happens."
Trevon arrived a few minutes after nine o'clock. He didn't even ring the doorbell. He simply walked in like I would have, with a bag of overnight essentials in hand.
"Hey Grams and Gramps. I'm home."
It was clear that he'd been given grandson status.
Grams turned off the TV. "Hi, Trevon. It's good to see you. Did you have a good dinner?"
"Yeah, Molly and Dad do a great job in the kitchen together."
He plopped down on the couch beside me, across from the grandparents. That was when he spotted the picture on the wall. He shot me a quick glance of surprise.
"Nice picture. There's one next door like it. I brought it with me tonight."
Grams smiled. "Travis gave us ours earlier today. We think it's absolutely fantastic. Be sure to tell Jalen what a talented photographer he is." Then with a twinkle in her eye. "The models seem talented, too."
Trevon laughed. "How much did TJ tell you about the origin?"
Gramps replied. "Very little. We value his privacy, as well as yours."
Trevon smiled. "Well, I'll tell you this much. This was the... umm... climax, I think is the word, of his first time. And he's damned good in bed."
I turned beet red. "Trevon!"
Grams and Gramps were grinning at my discomfort.
Trevon turned to me. "Lighten up, TJ. They know we're doing it. They were young once. They know we're in love. The rest follows without question."
I was speechless. I'd never seen him like this.
Trevon continued. "Grams, do you have some smelling salts? TJ seems to be suffering from shock."
Grams and Gramps were laughing out loud. I even began to smile.
"Well, now that I've broken the ice, what else is new?"
I hadn't planned to do it this way, but he deserved it. I went to my room and brought out a shopping bag. I pulled out the thong I'd bought him and put it on public display.
"This is what you're wearing to the pride festival, Trev. Note the ample front, designed to accommodate several inches. And look here, there are even a couple of small pockets in the front of the waist strap, designed for keys, but perfect for lubricant. And the side snaps make it easy to remove in... ummm... emergencies."
Grams and Gramps were watching with amusement.
Trevon liked it. "It's absolutely perfect, bro. But wait... " He looked in the bag again. "There's two in here." He gave me an evil grin. "Did you get me a spare? No, I doubt that very much. You're gonna wear one just like it. What are you planning to do with the lube? And what kind of emergencies were you thinking of."
My plan had backfired. I was red as a beet and speechless again, and the grandparents were nearly rolling on the floor laughing.
Trevon let up on me, for the moment. "Okay, those were rhetorical questions since we both know the answers and if Grams and Gramps can't guess, I'll eat my thong. Bro, it's perfect. They're perfect." He leaned over and kissed me. "Thanks very much. You're now hired as my shopping agent."
I grinned. "Thank you, I think."
Trevon had something to share, too. He pulled an envelope out of his pocket.
"Jalen has been at work again. He produced these from our photo shoot a couple of days ago."
He passed out the photos. They were all the same - a head and shoulder shot of Trevon and me, shirtless and smiling, our arms around each other's shoulders. The blue sky and white clouds made a perfect background.
"There's one for each of us. They're wallet-size, and TJ's and mine are laminated to carry with us. That's so we'll recognize each other when we get together again."
I was delighted. "It's a perfect picture of us, Trev. Thanks a lot. I'll thank Jalen when I see him. He's done so much for me - for us - that I'll be in his debt forever."
Trevon smiled. "You know he's enjoying this as much as we are, bro. He's happy to do it."
There were none for my parents, and I'd have bet anything that Jalen had told Trevon enough so that he understood why.
We spent the rest of the evening talking about the pride festival the next day. I was excited to have this new experience with my friends. Gramps and Grams were excited for me.
It was time for bed. There was the obvious question that I planned to ask Trevon in private. Gramps took care of that.
"Without going into detail, your grandmother and I expect both of our grandsons to do here whatever you'd do at Trevon's apartment. Just don't tell us about it any more than we tell you about what we do."
Trevon couldn't let it go. "Thanks much Gramps and Grams. It's nice to have that out in the open. There is one issue though, of you and the neighbors getting enough sleep. TJ is sort of a screamer..."
"Trevon!"
I was beet red again, and he had the grandparents in stitches.
"... but we'll try to be quiet."
On that note we headed for the bedroom.
I shut the door and glared at him. "Did you have to?"
He grinned at me. "Yes, I did. I didn't share any secrets when I saw them earlier today, and I won't. But there are a few obvious things that we all know, and we don't need to pretend we don't. I knew within five minutes where your grandparents stand on us and everything about us. We can now talk openly about a lot of things. It's better that way."
I sat down on the bed and looked at the floor for a moment, then back at Trevon.
"You're absolutely right. You handled it perfectly. Thank you."
"There's one more thing for you only. Booth ten has been dismantled. No more cameras. No more videos. I caught the fish I was after with it, and he's a keeper for sure."
I pulled him down on the bed on top of me and kissed him.
"Thanks, bro. I hadn't thought about that. I'm glad you did, though, because it is important. I don't expect you to become instantly celibate when I leave, but I'm happy you did that."
"It would have started bothering you about two weeks from now, more or less. It was the right thing to do." He stood up. "Now let's do the bathroom routine and get to bed. I'll try to be gentle so you don't scream. And we won't be at it all night. Tomorrow will be a long day. The festival runs well into the evening, and we don't wanna miss any of it."
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