In the following story, all of the characters are totally fictive. 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 via Grosfichier.com) is available upon request at marin.giustinian@laposte.net. This being said, I hope you enjoy the tale.
TRICKY MIRACLE
Nowadays, Paris, France then Naxos Island, Greece
Van had just tossed the torn up photo of his ex-girlfriend in the waste can when Chris barged in the dressing room with his carryall and a big plastic bag with Timberland written all over it.
Van looked up and greeted the new-comer with a broad smile, "Bonjour! C'est pour le Dior shooting?"
"Euh... Hello. Yes. Well... I'm sorry, I've been here for only a week and I don't speak French." answered Chris.
"No problem. I'm Vangelis Angelopoulos from Tampa Florida, working today for the Dior collection. Guess you are too..."
"Yes, I am -- and, Wow! Tampa you say? No way! I'm from Tallahassee. So we're both colleagues from Florida! Can you believe it? Here in Paris!" Dropping his stuff, he stuck out his hand, "Glad to meet you. I'm Christopher Reynolds, but my friends call me Chris."
"Glad to meet you too, Chris. Mine call me Van."
"Have you already worked for Dior?"
"Yeah, it's okay. Today's photographer is really great to pose for, whereas his assistant... You'll see," acknowledged Van, "I guess there's just the two of us for the time being."
"Looks like it..."
The assistant came rushing in pulling the clothes rack. "This rack of casuals is for you, Van". "You must be Christopher."
"That's me."
"This rack is your size. Just follow the numbers for pairing."
The make-up girl knocked and came in, "Salut les gars. Qui est premier? Who's first?"
"Go ahead Chris."
Van started looking through the clothes. When it was his turn for make-up, Chris began trying on his number one. The photographer came in, walked up to Chris saying, "Bonjour! Je suis Philippe. Hi! I'm Phil. French? English?"
"English, please."
"Bien, we're going to do two hours today. One with just you and Van. Hope you're in shape. I like the hair! Good contrast with Van... "
Phil then looked over at Van as make-up was finishing, "Hi there! How are you doing, Van? How's Marie-Laure?"
"Bien, merci, Philippe, glad to be back! As for Marie-Laure, I don't know. She put me out two days ago."
"Tough -- You'll get over it! Okay guys, Hurry up, I'm in the studio."
"Stay close, interact, keep it active. I'm going to turn on the fan. Make your hair move, Chris."
They worked for a little less than an hour.
"Take a break guys. Be back in a few minutes when the others get here."
They went over to the coffee machine as Van commented, "That wasn't bad! I hate doing solos. You're really sharp out there, man!"
"Thanks. I felt good with you too. I really prefer shootings to shows. This Philippe guy gave us some really good indications!"
Van added, "He's not only a photographer but also a historian of fashion photography. He's even written books on the subject."
"That's what I like about Europe. There seem to be more educated people around!"
"That's one of reasons I prefer modeling here instead of in the States. The money's good and there seems to be a little less savage competition in the air..."
Chris observed the other guys coming in. "I guess our twosome is over... Does our stuff risk anything in the dressing room? I've just bought some brand new, rather expensive hiking boots and I'd really like to keep them."
"I don't think there's much of a risk. But we can give the other guys some space and stash our stuff here. You never know."
"Nice hiking shoes you've got there. Do you get away often?" asked Van.
"Never done any hiking here in Europe, but I'll be going out soon. You know, always in the city, in studios, gyms, bars, restaurants, cabs, streets, traffic. I need nature to stay halfway sane! City parks aren't enough for me. I got these new boots to go for a few days hiking, two weeks from now in the Pyrenees. I'll break them in this weekend trekking around the park of Versailles. Lots of space!"
"It is really nice! They say that it's beautiful in the Pyrenees too, especially in October. That'll change you from flat, mucky Florida. I'm taking a week off too to go on a nice long hike."
"Really? Where? When?"
"I want to go get lost walking around the island of Naxos. It's in Greece. My grand parents originated from there before coming to America. I've never been, but I've heard a lot about it."
"Yeah, I thought your name sounded Greek. I know that the area around Tampa is big time Greek country. While I'm in Europe, I'm going to visit Greece too!"
Van thought a minute or so and replied, "Listen Chris, I was planning to go on this trip two weeks from now with my girlfriend... Correction, my former girlfriend and now ex. I don't mind hiking alone, but a little company is fine too! Instead of us hiking all by ourselves, why don't you come with me to Naxos? You could do the Pyrenees later."
Chris hesitated, looked up at Van and finally said, "Sure, why not? If we get on well, it's fun ; if we don't, we can always split with no harm, right? But just for information, I can't replace your girlfriend!"
Van broke out laughing, "You're a very good looking guy but I'm not looking for any replacement! Hell no! Even if I'm straight as an arrow!"
"I am too, but I'm still looking for my quiver."
"Your what?"
"My quiver, you know the thing you put your arrows in..."
Suddenly, the assistant called out, "Come on boys! Work time!"
"What are you doing after the shooting?" inquired Van.
"Nothing special, why?"
"Let's go somewhere and make plans! You've got me all excited!"
They found a cozy little nearby café, close to the Sorbonne and talked about their trip.
"How's the weather this time of year in Naxos?" asked Chris.
"According to what I know, they say that early autumn is the best, that's why I decided to go now! Dry, not too hot, clear. We'll have lots of fun."
"You know Van, I like to hike light. I hate feeling tied down, toting the world on my back like a mule. Do you think we can share items, sleep under the stars? Do you know if there are little country restaurants we could have a few hot meals in? Do you speak any Greek?"
"Hold on! That's a lot of question all at one time! As for Greek, I understand some and I can make myself understood if I really have to! For the rest, I love your attitude about going lightweight! With my ex, she wanted us to reserve hotels, eat all the time in restaurants, have taxis take our bags from one place to another... Now with you, Freeeeeedom! Am I right?"
"Yes, you are! That's music to my ears!"
They speculated, planned, fixed dates, changed ideas, looked up everything they could find about their 'expedition' to Naxos on Van's tablet.
"Hey, it's happy hour. Time for a beer don't you think?"
"Good thinking Chris! Listen, for supper, there's a neat Greek restaurant in a very quiet street just behind Saint Medard Church. It's only a few minutes from here. Let's go together. It's on me!"
"Great! But we'll go Dutch, I insist. Do we have to reserve?"
"Another good idea!"
Van found the number and called. He was so excited. "While I'm at it, I'll do our tickets too. I'll use my card and you can pay me back. That way we're on the same reservation and seated together. Sooner we do it, the better it is!"
Chris ordered their beers while Van typed in the reservations on Aegean Airlines.
"There! That's done, we leave Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle at noon and are in Naxos at 6:30 PM. One change in Athens. We'll be downtown by 7:30 just in time to find a room to start off with -- and then a meal! Flight cost for the two of us, 660€, that makes 330€ each. Okay? For the return flight, all's okay too? These are no change, no refund tickets with only carry on luggage. So what do you say?"
"Hit the pay button!"
The meal at the Bistro d'Aphrodite was excellent, especially the retsina white wine, a real discovery for Chris. "I hope that this is just a previews of coming attractions!" he exclaimed as he finished up the dessert and rinsed it down with the last glass of wine.
"You'll see, it's going to be even better on native soil, I'm sure."
Since they both had the show coming up the next day and had to be in top form on the catwalk, they decided to turn in early.
As Van walked home, he thought about Chris. He was glad he'd invited him and that he was ready to come along. In fact, it had been a long time since he'd had some good buddy fun. Ever since he'd moved to Paris the year before, all of his spare time had been absorbed by his ex-girlfriend. He was really happy about the way he and Chris had struck it off together. Was it the fact that they were really different from each other that made him feel, how to say? Feel more, 'complete'. Chris was all that he wasn't. Blond, calm, smiling all the time, not loud at all. Their styles at work were opposite and fitted quite well together, friendly, warm without the slightest feeling of competition. It felt good too, the way people looked and smiled at them in the streets and at the restaurant. It was great to be just two handsome guys -- friends enjoying themselves on an evening out together.
Once Van was sprawled, wallowing all over his bed, he said to himself, "Finally, it's not too bad to have all this space for me, by myself."
Not really by himself since he was still thinking of Chris.
Chris was happy to get back to his apartment, too. Finally ridding himself of the bags he had carried around seemingly all day long, he sat down on his bed and handled his new hiking shoes. He even started to talk to them some. "Tell me, do you have some special kind of power or something? Did you bring me to Van and now to Naxos with him?"
He laughed at himself, went to shower, got in bed and fell asleep with dreams of Greece still lingering on his mind.
One could cut the stress in the air with a knife as the preparations for the show were going on. Chris was already there when Van showed up. They hugged and were sent to make-up immediately. They literally had no time to talk and decided to catch up for a drink together after the cast party.
Everything went well as usual for the show. For these events, the big names in fashion all try to outdo each other with different settings all the time, but for the show itself and for the models, it's always the same thing : get in and out of the clothes as fast as you can, strut up and down the catwalk trying to look mean and male and pissed off, even if you feel good. Of course there are the nervous fits backstage... as usual. That's how it goes for the models. The cast party after the show was also boring as usual with all the guys lavishing over each other, professing fake compliments, desperately flirting around, trying to hide their total despair. Everybody played the same old game of cat and mouse and nobody believed a word of what anybody said. At least the finger food was delicious! Chris came up to Van, with his bag already hung over his shoulder, obviously ready to get out. "Let's go, if you don't mind, Van. All this carrying on is getting on my nerves again..."
"Mine too! Thanks for saving me! Let me gather my stuff. I'm with you in just a few seconds."
They caught a cab and went to Saint Germain.
"Are you hungry, Chris?"
"Not at all! I stuffed myself as usual at the buffet! And you?"
"I'm fine! Just a drink or two will do for me now!"
There were only two other couples in the upstairs room at Flore's. It was nice and calm.
"Wow! What a relief, just the two of us like last night!" commented Van as he took off his jacket.
"How right you are, Van! I've been thinking about our trip all day long and I've got loads of questions to talk over with you."
They ordered drinks and started to compare the list of equipment they already had and what they had to buy. They decided to take a morning off to go shopping together. Of course there were a lot of stuff they could share, minding the principle of staying as light as possible but they both needed to buy cabin sized rucksacks, compact sleeping bags, etc. After they had covered the subject, they enjoyed chatting some more over a second drink.
Chris was rather severe about the mundane aspects of the fashion world they lived in. Van agreed and confessed that he was thinking about taking a course to qualify as a guide on nature treks. Chris said he was thinking about studying philosophy at the American University of Paris saying, "I feel like my brain is shrinking like a prune."
Without openly admitting it, they were already somewhat fed up with their very glamorous and excessively well paid jobs as top male models. They concluded saying, "We're just expensive whatnots to show off dream stuff for the idle rich. That's not very meaningful, is it?" commented Chris.
Van nodded saying, "I'm sad to say you hit the nail on the head! This hike is going to do us both a lot of good!"
They fixed their next appointment and said they'd e-mail each other if any more questions came up.
They really had fun on their shopping spree at the sports shop. They found everything they were looking for. Van suggested to Chris that he stay over at his place the night before departure so that they could check and recheck, pack and repack everything, controlling their boarding passes, passports, papers, insurance, credit cards, phones, equipment, camera, etc. and go out to dine again at the Bistro d'Aphrodite.
When the day came, Chris showed up at Van's apartment with a big smile glowing on his face. Van opened saying, "Guess it's about time we get a bit closer since we're going to be 7/24 inseparable for a whole week."
After they got settled with their bags and double checking everything, they left for the restaurant. On the way, Van confessed, "I just wanted to tell you, Chris, how much I've enjoyed planning our trip together. I can't wait to get out of Paris and back to nature and live the Naxos experience with you!"
"It's the same for me, Van. I never had a brother, nor even what we call a 'best friend'. Now with you, I feel like I've got a brand new, 'old' best friend," he said blushing some, looking aside as they walked.
They both chuckled a little, looked at each other and hugged, right there on the sidewalk.
Back in the apartment, Chris asked, "Who hits the shower first? Me or you?"
"You. I've got some last, last minute e-mails to get off. My agent is starting her persecution act on me!"
"I told mine to think I'm dead for a week. Can I use one of your towels?"
"Sure. They're in the bathroom closet."
Chris came out and Van went in. When Van came back out, Chris was already in bed.
"Am I on the good side for you?"
"Any side will do, man. Do you mind me sleeping in the buff?" Van asked.
"I was going to ask you the same thing." replied Chris as he lifted the cover, uncovering his nakedness.
"Great! Good night, you good looking hunk of a buddy. Sweet dreams!"
Van turned out the lights, slipped in bed and instinctively hugged Chris.
"Good night to you too, Van. How do you say that in Greek?"
"Kaly neechta"
"Yeah, Kaly neechta, Van"
They simply released the clutch of their hug, falling asleep without shifting over.
Van whispered in Chris's ear, "Hey, Sleeping Beauty, wake up! Would you like to go to Naxos this morning?" as he rubbed him under the covers.
Groggy but smiling, he joked, "Sounds like fun. Where's that?"
"In Greece, you dumb blond!" he laughed as he jumped out of bed and headed to the loo, with his morning hard-on, swaying up front, leading the way.
"Nice cock," thought Chris, as he rubbed his own, just a bit surprised about his reaction. "Hurry up, I've got to go too..."
They had a copious breakfast in a snack before taking the metro and the train to Roissy. Cocky as two cavaliers, they strode off on their way to Naxos. The flight was easy, the change in Athens went smooth and they arrived to destination on time. They were both really impressed over the Aegean Airline service. They took a cab, told the driver what they were looking for and ten minutes later they were shown a nice little house in one of the narrow streets of the old town, Chora, with a 'rooms to let' engraved on a copper plate by the door.
Van rang. The door opened. "Kaly vespera, we need a room for tonight. Do you have any available?" The lady looked them up and down, smiled and beckoned them to follow. She showed them a nice little room with one big bed and a bathroom at the end of the hall. "Will this do?"
"Perfect," replied Van. They paid in advance, showered and went out to find a place to have a drink and eat. For both of them, it was an adventure, a drastic change from anything they had ever known. Neither in Florida nor in Paris had they come across such a stressless atmosphere. The narrow streets, stairs, taverns and open courtyards all white with flowers galore immediately charmed them. As they strolled, the distant sound of some local music met their ears, the enticing smell of food being prepared, the dashing to and fro of laughing children claimed their attention everywhere.
"Wow! What a way to start our trip! This place is fabulous." exclaimed Van.
"It's going to be hard to leave tomorrow... but for the time being, I'm getting hungry. Not you?"
"Starved!"
They finally decided on an outside table of a little, nice looking tavern at the foot of the castle. They chose fish and relished on everything that was put on the table. The wine was also much better and much cheaper than what they had in Paris and when the meal was over, they paid and tried to find their way back.
Tipsy and giggling, they wobbled through the streets, getting lost in the maze of the town. Admitting to each other that they could be lost all night long, Van finally decided to ask the way back. Thank God, he had kept the receipt of the room in his pocket. In fact, they weren't that far away from their bed. Relaxed, happy, belly full and a smile plastered on their faces, they hugged again and piled, naked, into bed.
"Remind me how you say it?"
"What?"
"Good night, my friend."
"Kaly neechta, ahapi mou."
"Ahapi mou?"
"Yeah, or 'Filos mou' I don't remember which is which. One is 'my love' and the other 'my friend'. But in fact, there's not really that much difference... it's more or less the same feeling, isn't it?"
"That is soooo coooool! a love-friend!"
They didn't seem bothered at all that they were both hard as pistols and platonic as angels as they yawned, falling asleep, blissfully entwined!
The next morning after chasing away the blur in their heads with several cups of strong Greek coffee, they went about buying their food for the day. They also sought out and found a guide book of the roads, trails and paths on the island and the guy who sold it to them, a hiker himself, told them the best way to leave town. By 11:00 AM they were underway and happy as a dove on wing. The weather was perfect and the countryside absolutely beautiful with a view of the hills and the sea beyond.
During the two following days, they walked, stopping often to rest in the shade of a tree or to drink at a fountain and then continue, crossing through the olive orchards, quaint little farms and villages, lingering by a stream or admiring an ancient ruin or two. They didn't talk much but they were always walking together, at the same pace, sometimes their shoulders slightly touching.
When the afternoon shadows extended into twilight, they found secluded shelter under a tree, or an overhanging rock, somewhat off the beaten path and by dark they were curled up, each in his own sleeping bag with their backs touching. For lunch, they stopped in a tavern to enjoy a real meal, mingling with the villagers.
On the third afternoon, they were in the heart of the island, far from any kind of village or farm. The weather had changed. Some clouds were gathering over the island and the wind was gusty, hotter than usual. As the evening closed in, it became evident that some stormy weather was on its way.
"Look over there, close to that old chapel. Looks like a kind of shed or stable... At least a roof. I think we should lay over here tonight. It would be too stupid if we tried to get to a village and have the storm drench us to the bones," commented Van.
"You're right... I'm dead tired anyway."
They settled in under the shabby roof of the ancient, free standing shelter and began eating their bread and cheese with a few dried figs, enjoying their wine. The sky darkened more and more. Every now and then a gush of wind rushed through the shed, stirring up bits of straw and little clouds of dust.
"I fear it's going to be a night to remember!" joked Chris.
"We - Shall - Survive!" proclaimed Van, closing his fist, admonishing the clouds.
They stayed dressed as they slipped inside their steeping bags. The temperature had fallen quite fast and at that altitude, the wind had a bitter chill as it dashed and swirled around even more dust and straw.
"This is getting to be really uncomfortable. I'm going to dart over to see if that chapel's not locked! We'd be better off with walls around us!" exclaimed Van as he ripped open his sleeping bag.
Van shouted back, "Chris, we're saved! It's open and empty. There's even a little pile of hay by the entry. I'm going to spread some for us on the ground. It'll keep us from freezing to death on the cold, bare stone floor."
Chris crammed their stuff their bags, rolled up the bedding and ran over to the chapel shouting, "Good God! It's already starting to rain."
Van grabbed a few armfuls of hay and spread it where the altar used to be, the best he could, groping in the dark. Chris zipped the two sleeping bags together. Outside, the rain was falling really hard and some faraway thunder rumbled in the wind.
Chris sighed, siding up to Van, "Sorry I couldn't find the flashlight, but we made it anyhow. It's good to be safe and not too wet! This is so much better! I feel like we've found a four star Hilton just for us!"
"Let's get out of these damp clothes and catch some sleep... at last!" said Van.
They stripped and dove into the bedding and hugged real tight in the nearly pitch black, deep inside the old chapel.
Van laughed as he kissed Chris in the neck, "This is the best bed I've ever been in!"
"And the best bedfellow you've ever had!"
"That WE've ever had!"
"Yeah! You and I have really become a great twosome. Could you imagine facing this situation alone, now?"
"Absolutely not...!" whispered Chris returning the kiss and both, immobile, clutched together, listening to the rain and wind ripping through the surrounding olive groves outside. Sleep overwhelmed them as the real storm slowly but surely moved in.
An hour or so later, all hell broke loose. Lighting struck the rod on the chapel dome, making the stones jolt under the shock. Startled, on the verge of panic, they grabbed hold of each other, trembling.
"Oh my God! That nearly killed us!" cried out Van as he sat up sweating and shaking, his guts knotted in fear.
Chris just held on to Van for life's sake, trembling too, not saying a word, gasping as if weeping.
They both screamed out loud as another bolt hit the chapel with a shattering blast of light, deafening them in the clash of thunder. Hail thrashed against the dome, some falling through the tiny, open windows, bouncing on the slabs of stone inside. The thunder echoed on and on as the endless storm drug itself finally further away.
During this time, another storm of unforeseen energy began to rage in and around the bodies of the two young men. A wanton urge surged through them both, simultaneously, making them writhe. Abandoning all reserve, thirsting for each other, they became an entangled knot of rampant desire.
Chris grabbed Van's head and smothered his mouth and neck with kisses. Van opened his mouth to receive Chris's tongue, clawing his back. Van's hands groped, grabbed skin and cock as he licked his way down Chris's chest, lingering on his tits, grinding his own cock into the other's pubes. They panted, threshed, hissed and moaned, yielding to the irrepressible erotic whirlpool that swallowed them both. Possessed by an overwhelming urge to merge as one, Van swallowed Chris's straining cock, furiously licking, sucking him as he thrusted up, meeting the other's famished throat. In the fevered frenzy of total abandon, Chris spun around and seized Van's cock in his mouth, madly swallowing him to the hilt.
The thunder rumbled on and the wind wailed in the night. They both writhed in an uncontrollable chaos of cocks, tongues, fingers digging, throats grunting. They sweated, jerked and stifled their screams as they spewed their semen, convulsing, exploding in a double orgasm, licking, panting, surrendering to the exploding ecstasy of unbridled love.
Van grabbed Chris's head and pulled him up in a kiss of adoration. Both laughing -- lithe as cats playing -- they wrestled, caressing, prodding, licking eyelids and nibbling ears. The wind settled some and the thunder became a gentle, distant grumble.
"What happened to us, Van?" uttered Chris as he squeezed Van's swollen cock, still rigid and slick with saliva.
"I don't know, Chris... All I know is that it happened and that we must be gleaming at this very moment, full, fulfilled, burning," whispered Van, wriggling in Chris's fist. Fondling Chris's balls with infinite tenderness, he added, uttering in the ear, "I don't know... and I don't care! Agapimou! I'm falling in love with you, Chris! I'm dying in love for you!"
"And I the same in you, smoldering and drowning at the same time. Oh good God, Van! Let it be, let it be!"
Spent in love's exhaustion they both fell, love stunned, into a deep, sweet, listless sleep. Their lives, from that moment on, had conclusively taken a new direction.
One thing the boys weren't aware of was the existence of a small, isolated monastery only several hundred yards down, just in the turn of the path. They could have sought shelter there, but their destiny led them to where they were now, the chapel.
After the storm, a very luminous, clear dawn broke over the hill. Brother Dimitri, as he always did for the past thirty-five years, came up to check on the chapel and, as usual, to collect the coins in the offering collection box, sweep the place and replenish the stock of prayer candles in the entry.
When he opened the door, a ray of sunshine fell directly on the boys lying just under the painting on the wall behind them. They were still deeply asleep, naked and entwined, barely covered by the bundled bedding at their feet.
The old monk was stunned by the beauty of the two bodies enlaced and astonished, awestruck beyond words by the change in the ancient, faded byzantine painting of Saints Sergius and Bacchus on the wall above the sleeping angels. The painting was like new!
At first he thought he was hallucinating, having a vision, but as he drew closer, he was sure that what he was seeing was real. The two lads were breathing, their smooth flesh radiating in the sun. Had they restored the painting? But no signs of brushes nor tubes of color, no odor of paint. He even tiptoed up to the painting and touched it. Dry!
Looking down again upon the two young men, they seemed to radiate the energy that love is made of. They were haloed in the beauty of their radiant youth. The two saintly lovers in the painting above them had also found in the two beautiful boys, sprawled beneath them on the straw, their eternal youth!
The lightning, the wind, blowing like the tempestuous breath of the Holy Ghost, suddenly came in mind to the monk for whom it was evident that these two creatures were angels, or more likely, the reincarnation of the saints painted on the wall.
The legend of those two saints, always celebrated together, was a problem with the official morality of the Orthodox Church who condemns same sex love. How could they be saints and at the same time, authentic, homosexual lovers, venerated, worshiped in total sanctity? Of course, the church had a way of twisting, warping the legend, relating that they were just very good friends, a model of chaste fellowship. However, the legend was clear. Sergius and Bacchus were saints and full fledged lovers too. The first Christians believed that sainthood is a question of love -- whatever be the nature of that love, and as long as it be pure, it is blest by the love of God. The Holy Scriptures are full of examples of how love strikes like lightning, revealing the power and purpose of God for mankind. Only the old testament condemns same sex love. Jesus brought love and life to all, without discrimination, without judging. Sergius and Bacchus were martyrized because of their faith in Christ and in the intimate conviction that Christ loved their love for each other.
All these considerations spun, jumbling in Brother Dimitri's mind as he raised his arms to heaven and shouted, "Hallelouia! enoikiáste ton árchonta! Praise be the Lord!"
The boys bolted, sitting up, scrambling, trying to hide their nudity under the cover!
Van blurted out, terrorized, "We're sorry Father! The storm surprised us and we sought shelter and..."
The old monk tried to calm their fears immediately, "Peace! Calm! Don't be afraid, my young beauties! You are a miracle. You surely are angels, messengers sent to us by God! Look! Look at the painting!"
"What?!"
"Please don't think I'm crazy. Look at the painting behind you, on the wall. It's like new! And it's more than a thousand years old! Yesterday, it was faded, almost invisible and now it's new! It's a miracle and YOU ARE THE MIRACLE! There you are, my sons, you came back to us! Oh my beautiful angels! I bless you!"
Van and Chris looked at the painting, then at each other, shook themselves, "Excuse us Father, we didn't mean any harm. We'll clean up and leave the place as if we had never been here."
"Oh my God! No! Don't go! Stay, let me explain. Do you know who these two saints are?"
"Not in the least, Father."
"Let me tell you. That's why you must stay. Listen to me... please listen."
The boys cuddled up and wrapped the cover around them. The monk told them who he was, why he spoke English, having worked in America before becoming a monk. He filled them in on the meaning of the painting, on the legend of the two lovers becoming saints.
"The miracle that happened during the storm last night was due to you and to the obvious love you feel for each other!" stated the monk, very clearly.
"What do you mean, Father?" asked Chris, "We do love each other, body and soul and we have just discovered that we were in love only when it fell on us during the storm and that we..."
Brother Dimitri interrupted saying, "I saw it, felt it the moment I walked in! You glow with love, my boys, just like, I'm sure our two saints did all the way to their sacrifice for the love they shared in the bosom of our Lord and Savior!"
Van added, trying to make things clear for the monk and for himself too, "But we weren't drawn to each other before, Father! We're not perverts! We're..."
"Shut up! Stop using names and categories, stop putting love in boxes! That's bullshit! Love is love and that's it! You're what? You're in love and that's that! You were struck in your hearts and moved in your cocks and balls with Holy, Divine Love, just the way Sergius and Bacchus were when they fell in love with each other!" proclaimed the monk, pointing at the painting, "That's what you are now! You are like them! Don't you understand?"
Van turned to Chris, and as if compelled by some invisible force, they hugged, tears in their eyes and they slowly kissed. Brother Dimitri clapped his hands and shouted again, "Praise be the Lord! I'm going to go fetch our Father Abbot, our boss so to speak. He has to come and see for himself the miracle. Please don't go, wait for us, please! Don't leave! I'll be right back... with some pastries and coffee! Oh! Good God! I bless you both!"
He left, his long robe swishing in the breeze, disappearing in the sun. Van and Chris just sat there, almost in a state of shock, looking at the painting. It seemed that the saints on the wall were smiling inside, not because of the comical strangeness of the situation, but because of the fact that they were simply happy!
"How do you feel, Van? What do you make out of all this? How do you feel about us after last night? After this kiss we just shared?"
"I don't know... I really don't know. Everything has gone havoc in my head! Everything I thought I was is shattered. It's total bedlam up here," he said, touching his forehead, "Only one thing is sure. I love you, Chris, and here with you, I feel I'm at home -- at home with you and with them!" he finished, pointing at the painting.
"If you had asked me the same question, I'd..."
"Please! I do ask you the same question, Chris! Are we on the same page?"
"I answer exactly like you. Your words are my words. It's total chaos in my head too, but that's no problem. I love you and I'm at home here with you -- and them, too."
They stood and hugged, their throbbing cocks squeezed between each other. Suddenly laughing out loud, they broke into a crazy dance around the chapel. They ran out into the sun. Chris exclaimed, "My God! What a wonderful, beautiful morning!"
"Yes, it is, a beautiful new morning, a beautiful new life!"
They looked at each other and laughed again as Van said, "Your dick is just as beautiful as the rest of you. Did you know that!"
"My dick is just like yours! Our dicks are very beautiful, but I think we should get dressed before company comes, don't you?"
"You're right!"
" What do you know about miracles, Van? My folks are Fundamental Baptists and present day miracles aren't on the agenda!"
"Well, I think miracles can happen when love takes over. We'll see what the specialists have to say about that when they get here..."
They dressed and swept the straw back out. When they turned on the tap in the entrance way, water flowed into a stone basin on the floor with a drain like those you find in village streets. They washed up some and were quite presentable when the Abbot and Brother Dimitri showed up.
"Kalymera! Good morning!" said the Abbot, sticking out his hand, "My English is not very good, but if I have problems, I count on Brother Dimitri."
Chris introduced himself and when Van pronounced his name, Vangelis Angelopoulos, the monks nodded.
Van went on saying, "Yes, my grandparents came from here, immigrating to Tampa Florida, but my Greek is certainly worse than the English both of you speak. Please excuse us!"
The introductions being made, the two monks went directly to inspect the painting. The Abbot was indeed surprised, impressed, then visibly upset. Immediately, he and Brother Dimitri, judging from the tone of their voices, began a very serious discussion. They walked up and down in front of the painting and at times, glanced over at the boys patiently waiting.
Brother Dimitri came over and suggested they go outside and take a seat in the shade, drink a coffee, eat a pastry or two and talk some. "The Abbot and I have a few topics we would like to discuss with you."
"We're at your disposal, Father."
Once they were comfortably seated on the facing stone benches under the olive trees, Brother Dimitri took a thermos out of his tote bag, poured the boys each a cup of very black coffee and handed them a sack of sweet pastries.
Van dared, "Efcharistó! Thank you!"
Then the Abbot took over. "Brother Dimitri tells me how he found you when he arrived here this morning and what he thinks of you. I trust him. He is very wise."
After a long and thoughtful pause, the Abbot went on. "I have studied art history and I can say that the painting in the chapel is -- I don't know how to say it in English..." When he asked Dimitri to translate, the two monks laughed.
"He says that the painting is a brand new, thousand year old, work of art. Also he says that this whole situation is very tricky. It is obviously a miracle of God giving his approval of men falling in love together and sharing their semen. And on that point, the church authorities would never give in."
The Abbot continued, "Thank you for translating, Brother Dimitri. Yes, this is a tricky miracle, so to speak. For myself, I believe that God is there wherever pure love blossoms. I mean love and not just lust, possessiveness nor domination between two people. When they celebrate this love in their bodies together, God is there -- even if it's men with men or women with women. This is not the position of the regular, ordinary religion of our monastery who prefers to judge only by gender and neglect the universality of love. But judging from this miracle, it seems that the position of God cares less about gender... Oh dear! Mercy on me! This situation is very tricky indeed!"
He sighed, paced around some more, scratching his beard. Then he sat asking, "Were you lovers before last night?"
"No Father, we were just good friends, doing the same job as fashion models in Paris and needing a break. We decided to come hike around Naxos. Nothing more," answered Van.
Chris added, "Both of us were only camrades. Even if it was fun having girls trying and often succeeding to get us in their beds all the time, it was great to get away and enjoy simple fellowship together. Between us, sex was never ever thought about."
The monks chuckled some and Brother Dimitri said, "I can imagine, with your looks, you must draw the women like flowers draw bees."
"And, to say things clearly : You are now lovers," stated the Abbot.
Van answered, looking at Chris, reaching over and touching his thigh, "Yes. What happened to us last night has overwhelmed me, turned my world upside down, made me burn inside, in my soul, with love... and more."
"I can say the same thing, Father. If the painting is a miracle -- the love that has filled our hearts is a miracle too." continued Chris, "we are now together for life."
"And even beyond!"
"Do you have an idea about what you're going to do about that?" asked the Abbot.
"And you? What are you going to do about the painting?" asked Van.
Avoiding the question, the Abbot asked, "Do you believe in God, my sons? Brother Dimitri claims that you are angels."
Chris spoke up, "I don't know if I believe in God or not -- but apparently He believes in us enough to reveal us the love we share. If we are messengers of His love, like those Roman saints depicted on the wall in there are, we are compelled to go, or remain, wherever He leads us and here, with you, is where He led us."
After a rather tense moment of silence, the Abbot spoke up, "Brother Dimitri and I have to talk together a moment or two. Please excuse us."
The two monks rose and paced the grove, talking, gesticulating, stopping and continuing as the words flowed. The boys walked up the hill to look at a little stone hut almost hidden in the middle of the olive trees.
"I feel like I could live with you in that little hut and never leave. I could give up all that stupid life I've led in fashion, money and ego trips. When I think about it now, it makes me want to vomit." said Van, "Shit, Chris! I don't understand myself at all! There's just one thing that's clear to me now. It's here and with you that I want to be. Doing what? Who cares? Something will come up. God will take care of us, man! If He's led us this far, He won't let us down now!"
"Then that's what we're going to do, Van. If God is really masterminding the miracle, I'm sure the monks will agree to us staying... They have to! If God is behind both of last night's miracles : the painting and us, you and me, Van, He'll let us know! I'm going to ask the monks if this hut is theirs and if so, beg them to let us stay in it some... together!"
The boys were coming back down just as the monks returned. Brother Dimitri said, "Here's what the Abbot and I've come up with. Let's sit back down and I'll try to be as concise and clear as possible."
The Abbot looked a little less stressed. He looked at the boys again, smiled and judging from his expression, he was very glad that they were there.
"We would like to find a way for you to remain with us for a little while, if you want. We know that you have important jobs in Paris and in America and that you're young and that..."
"Excuse us Brother Dimitri, but please stop right there! We want to stay and stay up there," Van said indicating the hermitage. "Is the stone hut up the hill yours and if so, could you please lend it to us to live in together!"
The Abbot smiled from ear to ear saying, "It is ours and now yours. Carry on Brother Dimitri."
"Well, yes, so you stay. That's settled... Now here is our proposition, but whatever we agree on, it must be discussed with the ten other brothers of our community. We must talk about this miracle to nobody. It must be a secret to everyone else except us and our brothers. You must keep the miracle a secret too. The church authorities would make investigations, put their nose into the situation and, to sum up the situation, they'd drive us all nuts with their theological blah-blah and end up putting everybody deep in shit. For God, the miracle happened! That's enough for Him, so therefore, it is enough for us. We don't talk about it! We'll make up a little white lie just to say that a passing artist did the restoration for free as an offering to the monastery and that he or she wants to remain anonymous. However, since the painting has been very well 'restored,' we'll need guardians to keep the place safe and sound. Therefore, we'll hire you as guardians 'au pair'. You'll live in the hermitage, since that's where you want to live. We'll fix it up, furnish you firewood, food, clothing and so forth. We didn't think it would have been appropriate for you to live in with us, conforming to our way of life, since you wish to fulfill your love in God in a different way than we do -- and to be blunt about it, we're monks, but we're men also and your beauty and love could upset some of our brothers. So as you see, this miracle is bringing us the pleasure of you being here and, I be damned, making of us a pack of liars to avoid the church meddling in God's affairs!"
"Amen!" exclaimed Brother Dimitri, rubbing his hands together.
"Do you accept the job?"
"Yes! That's very clear! I understand the dilemma. I accept, and you, Van?"
"Of course I accept! When do we meet the community and work on the question together?"
After exchanging a word or two with the Abbot, Brother Dimitri asked, "Don't you think it would be appropriate to meet here? We could bring up a picnic and share a meal together here under the olive trees. That way, the brothers can see the painting, see you here, hear about what happened to you during the storm."
"Sounds all right to us," answered Van, nodding to Chris.
Brother Dimitri added, "We must all be very clear and honest together so that our 'little white lie' works and that we all live in peace, without having our superiors breathing down our necks. We're really glad you stay!"
The Abbot nodded smiling at the young men.
"We both think it is a gift of God that he chose this chapel, under this painting of Saints Sergius and Bacchus to reveal to you and to the world His love of your love. This being said, if ever you must leave, in a week or even years from now, you must carry our secret with you. It's now 10 AM. Should we say that we meet here after mass, a little after the bells ring noon?"
"Of course! Great idea! You two guys are really fantastic! Thank you. We'll do all our necessary planning until then. We are already impatient for the meeting to begin. God bless us all!" exclaimed Van putting his arm around Chris's shoulder, "See you later!"
The Abbot asked as he rose to go, "White or red wine with the picnic?"
Serenity reigned in the morning light. The silvery green olive leaves shivered in the breeze. The sky was almost navy blue. Van and Chris, hand in hand, walked back up to the stone hut they had been given, their future home together. They pushed the door open and looked around. Light streamed through the small window : a hearth, a flagstone floor, a solid roof. It was perfect. They went back down to gather their belongings and take them up to the hut. They gathered more hay and piled it up, making a big generous bed. They also gathered some strewn, dead wood for a fire.
"As soon as we can get a pot to heat some water, we're going to wash and shave each other to celebrate our new selves!" exclaimed Van.
"Let's start a list of the things we need... matches for instance!"
As they talked about these simple little things, they stretched out on the straw and kissed, caressing each other, in perfect bliss.
"We haven't talked much about our own plans, have we, Chris?"
"No need. For me, all is clear. We've got a new home, a new job and a brand new outlook on a very meaningful life. And you?"
"Yes, all is clear. It's so simple. It's almost suspicious, you know -- almost too easy, almost too hard to believe, especially when I think about who we were in Paris, who we were even here, less than twenty-four hours ago."
"You mean centuries ago! Oh Van! I believe in us! That's enough for the time being. For the practical things, we've got time to empty our bank accounts, send our apartment keys back to the owners, have us taken off the list of guys available for our agents... Yeah, no hurry, no stress!"
They kissed and cuddled and then decided it was about time to amble down to the chapel. They brushed the straw off their backs and out of their hair and once tidied up, they went inside the chapel and sat cross-legged on the ground in front of the painting, saying nothing, just looking into the eyes of the portraits of the sanctified lovers looking into theirs.
The voices of the arriving monks pulled them out of their contemplation. They stood and turned facing the group. The monks suddenly stopped, falling silent. Some of the younger ones, kneeled as in prayer in front of both the painting and the boys. The Abbot came forward and spoke. The brothers listened with great respect. Brother Dimitri had sided up to Chris and Van and explained that the Abbot was giving the total account of the miraculous event that happened while these American boys slept, sheltered from the storm, in the chapel. He then came over to Chris and Van, introducing them to the other monks. They bowed their heads as a sign of welcome. The moment was solemn. The Abbot went on as Brother Dimitri translated, "The Abbot just told them that we were all now going to gather and share our lunch under the olive trees and discuss the consequences of the miracle and your presence among us together."
They all stood in a circle in the shade. Two of the younger monks spread a cloth on the ground and placed the bread and cheese beside a big basket of fresh figs and grapes. They then served the plates and put them on the ground at the foot of each brother. Then they poured the chilled white wine into goblets and placed them by each plate. The Abbot then lifted his arms in a gesture of prayer and said grace.
Just as the 'amen' was pronounced, the monks sat down and started eating. Conversation went full speed throughout the whole meal.
"Everybody seems quite excited! And the way they look at you both, they seem to like you already," commented Brother Dimitri.
The Abbot motioned to the youngest monk, a novice, and had him pour a last round of wine as he called for attention. The plates were immediately picked up as the wine was being served. No one spoke.
Brother Dimitri whispered to the boys, "Now, he is proposing a toast for you."
Everybody stood, held up their goblets and listened to the Abbot as he welcomed the boys, saying that they all must now make some important decisions. They shouted a hearty, 'Aspro pato', bottom's up! And emptied their goblets, sitting back on the ground.
Brother Dimitri continued translating, "The Abbot is summing up the subjects of this meeting, exposing the problem of involving or not the authorities, the Church superiors and so forth concerning the miracle and presenting you as falling in love whilst the miracle happened."
He expressed his fear of all of the publicity, inquiries, and tourists coming to invade the peace of the community. He even mentioned the possibilities of busses unloading people all year long to see the painting if it's present state was proclaimed a miracle.
So, when he proposed to keep the miracle a secret, the others nodded in approval, some even smiling. The idea of saying a skilled, anonymous painter restored the sacred image met total approval. The Abbot proposed a vote. A very spirited discussion proceeded the vote and was interrupted by one of the elders of the group who proposed a moment of prayer to beg the Lord His pardon if the outcome of the vote would be the untruthful but best version to use with outsiders.
When the vote was held, everyone, of course, agreed to keep the real miracle a secret.
This decision being handled, all eyes turned towards Van and Chris. A young monk spoke up and asked the Abbot if the boys could talk about the other miracle, how it happened, how it changed them to the extent of wanting to stay and live together, in love, here in this dilapidated hermitage.
The Abbot looked over at the boys, smiled and then spoke to the group, "If you understand what I say now, raise your hand."
Only three of the older monks shrugged and inquired on what was said. "Those of you who understand English, pair up with those who don't understand and translate for them".
One of the younger brothers then asked "Can we ask questions?"
"Vangelis, Christopher, do you accept to answer our brothers' questions?"
"Quite willingly, Father." responded Chris, as Van nodded.
They fired questions one after the other, asking them where they came from, what work were they skilled in, why did they come to Naxos, were they Orthodox Christians and a few other simple questions until the real question was pronounced.
"Tell us about your love and exactly what happened here during the storm last night, please."
"Exactly?"
Brother Dimitri spoke up, "Yes Van, tell us all EXACTLY what happened between you and Chris during the storm. Tell us ALL of what happened and especially what overtook you after the lightening struck the rod on the dome of the chapel."
"Well..."
The silence was total! The rustle of the leaves and the song of a distant bird was all that could be heard. Chris looked at Van who nodded and cleared his throat to speak.
Van began, "I'd better take it from the start. I needed a vacation and I wanted to come here. My grandparents left Naxos to immigrate to the States some sixty years ago. In fact, I wanted to discover where my origins were. I was supposed to come with my girlfriend but she left me before."
Looking ever so tenderly at Chris, he spoke slower, choosing each word carefully. The eyes of both told their feelings way better than words. Feeling neither shame nor guilt, they continued.
"I met Chris on the job and found out he was a hiker too. He accepted to come with me. We became good buddies, friends and then yesterday we were looking for a shelter from the upcoming storm. We tried to sleep in the open shelter over there but when the wind and then the rain increased, we found shelter in the chapel. It was already dark, so we didn't see the painting. We put our sleeping bags together for the warmth and crawled in."
Chris added, "Our clothes were already damp from the first raindrops, so we slept naked, and we went to sleep, glad to be out of the bad weather. Then we were awakened by the lightning when it struck the rod up there. The deafening clap of thunder nearly scared us to death. When the second bolt hit the chapel, we knew that was the end..."
"So we clutched together shivering from the scare," continued Van, "I held him and he held me and then there was a strong gust of wind and hail coming down from the dome and then a sudden heat..."
"Allos Parakletos!" murmured one of the older monks.
Suddenly understanding what was said, Van carried on, "Yes Parakletos, the Holy Ghost came into us. We squeezed our eyes shut, but there was like a light around us. I felt like we were glowing and then, all in a sudden, the fire was inside our bodies. We began kissing and squirming as a passionate desire overwhelmed us and we made love, flowing together, sucking each other's sex until we drank the offering of our essence, becoming one, uniting as lovers."
There was a stirring among the monks, some blushing, others looking aside as if bothered by the young men's narrative.
"We feel no shame nor guilt because our love is pure as the semen flowing from our souls." confessed Chris.
"Then we fell into a deep sleep, only awakened by the arrival of Brother Dimitri. He calmed our panic and told us the story of the painting. He then ran to have the Abbot come. You know the rest of the story. Now you know everything." finished Chris.
"Were you homosexuals before last night?"
"Never."
"Are you homosexuals now?"
"I don't know what that means. I don't lust for men. I love Van, who happens to be a man, and Van loves me. There is nothing more to it than that. Real love is something completely new to us both. It has changed our lives. It just so happened that we discovered love together, falling in love with each other. We want to stay here and pray, not living under the vows you've been called to take, but guided by the Spirit who revealed himself to us last night, working both of the miracles, the resurrection of the painting and the incarnation of our love. We want to live and love under the smile of God. This is our destiny. We have no other choice, do we, Van?"
"No. We now belong to each other and both of us to God."
Chris added, "In the Holy Scriptures, it is evident that David and Jonathan were lovers. Christ raised his beloved Lazarus from the dead. It was he who probably escaped, naked, from the garden of Gethsemane when the police came to arrest Jesus. Christ never refused his love to anybody. He cared less about the gender of those to whom he committed his love! Love, given by God, is always pure, not possessive nor jealous. If such love is given by God, for each person who accepts it, their love is unique because each of us are unique. As Saint John says, 'God is love'. That's not complicated! We are in love, molded and shaped together by the hands of God and God IS OUR LOVE."
The monks were surprised by the theological comments of Chris, by his knowledge of the Bible. Chris remembered that his Baptist Sunday school was useful after all!
The Abbot asked if there were any more questions? Silence. Then he told the brothers his plan to fix up the hermitage, give them the essentials for everyday life and hire them 'au pair' as guardians of the chapel. He told them that they were ready to only accept the offerings from those who visited the chapel for their spending money. He concluded by asking if someone was opposed to that.
"I don't oppose, but I do have one condition to put on their staying here among us!"
The Abbot, surprised, quipped back, "And what is that condition?"
"That we have a ceremony in which you, Father, bless their union and afterwards, we hold a big feast to celebrate our brothers in love!"
A clamor rose from the assembly chanting in Greek "Evlogia! evlogia!" and in English, "Bless them! bless them!"
"No problem, my dear brothers," proclaimed the Abbot, "no problem at all!"
Van and Chris began to weep as pure joy rose in their souls. The monks, one after the other came and hugged and kissed them both on the forehead. When everything had calmed down and the brothers were leaving, Brother Dimitri hugged and congratulated them, inviting them to supper. He asked "Is there anything you need?"
Chris perked up saying, "Yes. A basin, a kettle, some pots and pans and a box of matches, please."
Van added, "Would it be all right if we take a few candles up to the hermitage too?"
He broke out laughing and proclaimed! "Listen here, My Angels! Just like the boss said, 'no problem at all!' Come on down with me and we'll find all those menial things you need."
The boys followed Brother Dimitri down to the monastery. They went to the storage cellar and found a big tin basin, kettle, pot, pan, round iron trivet, bucket, tin cups, broom and even three old oil lamps and a bottle of mineral oil.
"I'm glad you're going to use this old stuff. It was cluttering us up. Thank God we didn't throw it away!" said the young Brother Yannis as they were bundling up the 'loot' in an old cotton sheet, "Can I help you carry some of this?"
"That would be great! Thanks!" replied Chris.
"I'm glad you came! That way I can practice my English," added Brother Yannis.
"You're the one who asked that we have a ceremony and feast, aren't you?" asked Van.
"That's me! I love a party!"
Once they were back up to the hermitage and having dumped their new belongings in the middle of the room, Yannis left, quite light-footed, saying, "See you this evening at supper. Will you stay for vespers?"
"I doubt it -- not for this time. We are both completely exhausted and there's still a lot we have to get used to in our minds," said Chris.
"And in our hearts too!" added Van.
"I can imagine!" exclaimed Brother Yannis, "See you later!"
Van looked around and asked, "What do we clean up first?"
"Let's baptize the house and wash the dust away!"
Two hours later the hut was perfectly clean, the stone floor scrubbed and the fireplace equipped. They had hung their bags on the wall, put a stone edging around the pile of straw, making a very comfortable bed covered with the sheet, their personal bedding spread wide open.
"Now it's time to do the job on us. Let's bathe and shave each other! I'll get the fire going to heat the water," said Van.
"And I'll go fill another bucket and the kettle."
In the corner opposite the door, there was a big flat stone with a hole that drained off the water. The fire was flaming nicely under the trivet when Chris put the kettle on it, filled the basin and went back down for another bucket full.
As they were stripping, Chris said, "I want to wash and shave you first and you can do me after."
Both naked on the big flat stone in the corner, Chris poured the hot water from the kettle into the basin, tempering the cold water and when the temperature was nice and warm, he dipped out a cupful and poured it on Van's head. He did a wonderful scalp massage as he shampooed his friend. Then he soaped up the wash cloth and started scrubbing his lover all over.
"This is fun! Van!"
"For me it's luxury. The very sophisticated scent of our Chanel shower gel in such rustic surroundings sums us up to perfection and makes me laugh. Hey! Watch out! Delicate territory!" blurted Van as Chris washed his very stiff cock, "Do that only with your hand and not the wash cloth!"
Chris leaned in as he lovingly massaged Van's cock and smiled saying, "I'm so sorry." followed with a kiss as he kept on rubbing.
"Well, if you keep this up, you're excused," gasped Van, "but let's save the conclusion for later!"
"Oh really?" replied Chris with a very coquettish smile.
Chris rinsed him off, shaved his beaming face and brushed his hair until it was shiny and dry. He stepped back, put his hands on his hips and shouted, "Van! You are one beautiful man!"
"Since there's no mirror, I have to believe you! Now, your turn, buddy!"
There was just enough hot water left to finish up Chris's bath and Van did a wonderful job shampooing, bathing, cock-teasing and shaving his partner with the same loving care he received.
"I'm very good at massaging too, you know!" exclaimed Van.
"No, I didn't! I'd like to test your talents later!"
Laughing, he replied, "No problem at all -- as they say around here!"
Perfumed, scrubbed clean, with gloriously shining hair, they held each other in a long, tender and very arousing kiss. "You have a brand new Christopher in your arms!"
"And I, a brand new Vangelis."
"I'm starting to believe in what's happening to us, When I think about Paris, New York, Tallahassee or even downtown here, it all seems unreal to me now. You, here, us, the hut, our love, that's real -- all the rest is... is, I don't know what it is, but... "
"I know exactly what you mean!" interruped Van as he stretched, walked over, lit the little lamp and placed it in the window, "That way we'll find the hermitage coming back in the dark -- Give me another kiss and then let's dress. We have an important dinner invitation to honor."
They knocked on the big bolted door and were met by Yannis in the little vestibule. They were escorted to the refectory and when they appeared, their presence inspired a sudden silence and then applause. The Abbot came up and showed them their chairs at the table, commenting on how very handsome they were. They dined on a delicious lamb stew served in bowls with fresh vegetables blended in. The bread was sumptuous, the cheese, a pure marvel and the wine, suave and cool.
"Is it like this every time?" inquired Van.
"Only when we know you're coming!" chuckled Brother Dimitri.
"Thank you, thank you all, this is really wonderful!" stated Van as he rose and held up his cup.
"Yamas! Cheers! Long live Saints Sergius and Bacchus!" The loud toast echoed all the way into the little adjoining cloister, escaping into the silence of the night.
"Good night everybody! Thank you again!" exclaimed Chris.
"Good night to you too, my angels!" said Brother Dimitri as he ushered them to the door.
Walking up the path to the chapel, the stars were out and a sliver of moon was rising over the hillside. They stopped a moment inside the chapel and lit a prayer candle. Approaching the painting, they looked at each other and without a word being said, they bent and kissed the lips of the saint in front of them.
"I wonder who is Sergius and who is Bacchus," said Van.
"Since they're together in love, does it really matter?"
"You're right Chris. It doesn't matter in the least!"
Once back home, they lit a fire and sat cross legged on the floor, snuggled side by side staring into the flames. After a long moment of silent peace, they began to feel that special feeling stir inside them, drawing them even closer. Van leaned over and tossed a piece of wood or two on the fire, turned and took Chris in his arms. Chris yielded in the embrace. He breathed deeply. In the silence of the night, the distant bell of the monastery rang the end of vespers. Van whispered ever so sightly, "Chris, do you feel it?"
Chris, slightly trembling in Van's arms, nuzzled a kiss in the hollow of his neck. "Yes -- yes. Yes! and I need you deep inside me Van. Let me receive the offering of your semen deep in me -- please."
"Come."
They crawled over to the bed. Chris grabbed the little plastic flask of sun lotion in his bag, stripped and joined Van, already undressed, laying on the bed. Nothing was said. Chris straddled Van's thighs and anointed his shivering cock with the lotion. Then he slathered his hole. Rising a little on his knees, he advanced and took Van's cock in hand and guided it in him as he slowly lowered himself. He barely winced as Van entered him. Instinctively, they began a very subtle dance of rolling, swiveling, nudging and delicately thrusting as Chris's fingers dug into Van's shoulders. Their writhing motions meshed, synchronized in a serpentine undulation. From time to time, they gasped, wrenched with shivers, squeezing and grinding, striving to go deeper and deeper. Chris's cock began bobbing in a sort of convulsive frenzy as the first drops of cum squirted. He arched, thrusting his head back and howling, paralyzed in a massive orgasm he spewed all over Van's belly. At that same instant, Van heaved and pushed, lifting Chris as he erupted, jerking, shaking, panting, eyes exorbitant and legs floundering. In a last breathy grunt, a sigh and a whimper, followed by a chuckle, exploding into a fit of bubbling, overflowing laughter, the two lovers sprawled, grabbing each other, wrestling and kissing until they collapsed, one on the other, glowing in exhaustion, their minds shattered in ecstasy.
There they laid gleaming in sweat as Van whispered in Chris's ear, "Look! Look at he window."
Cooing in the light of the glowing embers, a white dove fluttered its wings, turned and flew away, disappearing in the dark.
"Tomorrow morning, you'll come in me."
"I'll give you all I can!"
They creeped into the sleeping bag and fell asleep, lost, embraced in an endless kiss.
As dawn broke, Van slipped out of bed and went outside to pee. Chris followed him and peed alongside. "Good morning love!"
"Good morning!"
Chris took Van's hand in his and went back in. They drank a cup of water and sponged bathed their faces. Chris stretched out on his back as Van grabbed the lotion and laid it beside him. Chris reached out, inviting Van in his arms. Van laid down on Chris, kissed his face, his neck, licked his tits, his navel and swallowed his vibrant cock, massaging his balls. Chris began to writhe. He pulled Van back up, teasing his buttocks with his cock. Then Van massaged Chris's cock with a palmful of lotion. The vanilla scent lingered in the air as he lavished his own hole. He held Chris's cock, placing it in position for him to slowly work it into his ass. As he was being entered, Chris rose slowly into Van. It happened with unbelievable ease, both of them, drinking each other with their eyes. And then the dance began. Chris gasped and turned his eyes up in bliss. Van gyrated his hips, massaging his prostate with Chris's solid rod. He leaned down and kissed Chris's neck, throat, open mouth, licking his tongue, nibbling his lip. They moved in perfect sync, Van clenching his anus, riding Chris, undulating both, sleek and limber as a dolphin playing in the swell. Chris spread his thighs, sat up a little, grabbed Van's shoulders and pulled him close, crushing his lover's cock into his heaving abdomen. Van shivered and sped up his twisting, jerking, rising and falling, rubbing the underside of his drooling cock against Chris's belly. Clutched in a sort of desperate hug, cocks and ass quaking, thrusting up, thrusting in, franticly increasing their fabulous turmoil of love's demanding thirst. They both began to hum. The sound became deeper, stronger, their foreheads grinding, nostrils flaring, their bellies clenching with uncontrollable spasms. The hum became a howl, then a scream, in an eruptive orgasm, over and over, their semen exploding, their souls radiating like a dying star.
Van grabbed Chris's face between his hands and they both crumbled on the bed. Van kissed his hair, his eyes as Chris gasped, panting, slowly expiring, a raptured smile beaming across his adorable, sweet face.
The morning sun slowly bathed the room in a kind of golden light. Van caressed Chris with infinite tenderness, felt his heart throb, rubbing his skin drenched in sweat and sperm. Slowly, slumbering, they sank, enlaced, into sweet oblivion.
Brother Yannis stuck his head through the door, saw them deeply asleep. He tiptoed into the room and carefully placed on the floor a big bowl of fruit and pastries that the monks had prepared along with a tin of ground coffee and a few cubes of sugar. He snuck back out, smiling and then suddenly stopped, gazing at the flight of a white dove, as it lit, cooing on the windowsill.
Epilogue
Van's parents came. They were touched by their son's serenity. Touched also by Chris's polite elegance and the joy his love gave to their son. He charmed them to no end. They even left a very substantial contribution to the monastery.
Chris's parents sent him a registered, notorized letter stating that he was no longer their son and that they had shipped his belonging to the monastery, glad to rid their house of his trace.
The news of the restored picture in the chapel spread and many gays from all over came to admire and pray these very special patron saints.
The supportive attitude of the monastery concerning homosexuals became known and even if it irritated the church authorities, by some strange act of God, it was not thwarted. The place became a sort of temporary refuge for boys thrown out of their homes because of being gay. For the time they needed to piece their lives back together, the monastery gave them hospitality and affection and let them camp around the chapel where Van and Chris, who now spoke Greek, looked after them, counseled them and gave them a wholesome image of what Godly love can be between two men in love.
Van and Chris's frugal life style didn't change. They acquired a real bed and some cedar chests for their meager belongings. They still cooked on the open fire and only went down to the monastery once a week to pick up their food and check their e-mails. They often stayed for supper and a visit with the brothers.
Nothing more needs to be said. Be kind to yourselves!