Shaw Island ... Matt Caper
Chapter 11
Valentines, Vacillation & Virginity
Liam slept and slept after coming home from the hospital, aware of nothing but his dreams, which were just as unpleasant as his reality. All day Wednesday he was out, finally waking sometime past midnight, feeling disoriented. Food had been placed near him, which he wolfed down, along with pain pills his mom had placed beside the food. Soon he was asleep again, thanks to the pills, becoming conscious only enough to allow his dad to transport him to the bathroom Thursday morning. Then he continued in slumber until dinnertime that evening.
As soon as he had eaten, Jacob prepared to bathe him, which he badly needed. "Try not to stay up too long tonight," said his dad. "You'll resume your schoolwork tomorrow."
"Okay," Liam mumbled. He glanced at the new cast on his arm. "Do I have to wear this longer now?" he asked glumly.
Jacob's expression was somber as he nodded. "Afraid so. You really did a number on it." He had Liam undressed and began scrubbing the boy's shoulders and chest.
"I didn't do a number on it," Liam curled his lip.
"I know, son," said Jacob. "Patrick was punished for it. I want you two to get along from now on, you hear me? I don't want another incident like this."
"Yes, sir."
Liam idly watched TV for a while after his bath, longer than he meant to. Well into the morning he finally dozed off, with the TV still on. Only a few hours later, however, he was gently shaken awake. "Sorry, kiddo," Daniel said softly. "Your mom told me to go ahead and wake you up."
Liam groaned and struggled to sit up. Daniel rushed to help him. "Sorry. I'm awake, ready to learn," he mumbled dryly.
Daniel chuckled. "I've missed our sessions. How are you feeling now?"
"I'm okay," said Liam, and stretched the best he could. "Except...um, I need to go to the bathroom. Can you help me?"
"Sure, buddy. Just tell me what to do." Daniel rolled the chair over to the bed, and Liam instructed him on how to slide him over, then directed him to the bathroom.
"I need my pants down. Do you mind?" He was in pajama pants without underwear, which Daniel was able to slip off easily. Then he moved Liam to the toilet in one smooth move.
"I didn't have brothers, only sisters," Daniel shared. "Yet I still don't understand girls. Boys, I get."
When he was finished, Liam balanced himself on one leg while Daniel pulled up his pants. He then took time to brush his teeth, for Daniel's sake more than anything. "Thanks," he said, on their way back to the den. "Sorry I took up more of your time, though."
"Hey, time with you is never time wasted," said Daniel with a smile.
Daniel's words melted Liam. Even the memory of Patrick's words couldn't snuff out his light in those moments. They settled on the bed and dove straight into the lessons, which took triple the time to go through, since the work had piled up. Nevertheless, they were finished way too soon for Liam.
"You wanna stay a while?" Liam asked hopefully. "I understand if you're too busy."
Daniel seemed to consider his options for a moment. "What did you have in mind?"
"I don't know," Liam shrugged. "I just thought we could get to know each other better."
For a brief second, Daniel narrowed his eyes. But then he smiled softly. "You're not the most subtle of creatures, you know that?"
Liam's face heated, as he tried to smile casually. "I don't know what you mean."
"Okay, we're good enough friends by now, I think you can be honest with me. Are you attempting to move our relationship past the friendship level, into something more...intimate?"
Liam stared, breaths coming heavily, dumbstruck for a second by being called out. Finally he half shrugged. "Maybe. Um, do you think it could? I can't help being attracted to you."
Daniel breathed deeply and exhaled slowly before answering. "Liam, do you know what your dad would do if you and I had that sort of relationship? He'd serve my head on a platter and have it for dinner, with my balls as an hors d'oeuvre."
Liam had expected a rejection, but not to be made to spontaneously laugh. "I don't think I could tell my dad I'm gay, much less if I had a boyfriend."
"Regardless," Daniel smiled, smoothing Liam's bedhead. "It wouldn't work. I need someone a little older."
"Ugh, I guess I knew you would say that," Liam pouted. "Does that mean you're gay, too, though?"
Daniel nodded. "Yes, and you're the first person I've ever told on Shaw Island. Except my parents. I didn't even start fooling around until I went to college."
"Wow! Really? I don't wanna wait that long!"
"I'm sure you won't," Daniel said, laughing. "But don't go after a boy just because he looks good. The best looking guys can really be dickheads."
"So are you a dickhead?" Liam smirked.
"Ha! Touche'." Daniel poked Liam in the ribs, making him giggle. "I could be. You don't know me all that well."
"Well, I don't think you are, even if you are great looking." Liam sighed. "Sometimes I just can't tell the difference between what my heart wants and what my dick wants."
Daniel erupted into laughter, surprising Liam, since he was being completely serious. His confused look made Daniel laugh all the more. "Welcome to being a guy," Daniel chuckled. "Listen, it'd be cool if you wanna hang out sometime. And I'm totally here for you, if you ever wanna talk to someone who knows what you're going through. Maybe we could even interview potential partners for each other. I'd say, `so you wanna get with Liam, huh? Tell me in twenty-five words or less why you're right for him. Oh, and you better get a breath mint, before you even think about kissing him.' How's that sound?"
Liam dissolved into a fit of giggles. "Oh my gosh, that's awesome." He lay his head against Daniel's shoulder for a brief moment. "Thanks for letting me down easy, I guess. But I'm glad we're friends, more than anything."
"Me, too," Daniel smiled warmly. "I better go, all right? I'll see you Monday. Take care of yourself." He slid off the bed and stood, but then bent down and kissed Liam chastely on the cheek. "See ya."
"Bye," Liam breathed.
Daniel turned around, surprised to Patrick standing there. "Hey, man, how's it going?" He clapped Patrick on the shoulder.
"Fine," Patrick mumbled.
Daniel waved once more and left. Liam's smile faded when he was left with just Patrick. He turned the TV on and ignored his brother. He was relieved when Patrick left the room. That night, however, ignoring Patrick became a lot more difficult when their dad decreed that Patrick would bathe Liam, and that they were not to fight or even argue.
The two were silent, as the older boy began at Liam's feet with a washcloth and soap. Liam simply lay on his back and watched the ceiling. He was a bit shocked when Patrick spoke very softly. "So I guess Daniel likes you after all, huh?"
Liam lifted his head. "Why?"
Patrick shrugged almost imperceptibly. "I saw him kiss you."
Liam lay back, chuckling dryly. "It was just on the cheek. It was a `let's be friends' kiss."
"Oh."
"He said he wants someone older. Maybe you could try for him?" Liam suggested.
Patrick was quiet, and Liam lifted his head again to read his face, but it was too difficult. Patrick finally spoke again. "I didn't want to be gay." His lip trembled, like he was on the verge of crying. "The kids at school aren't always nice to the gay ones."
Liam somehow forgot about being mad at Patrick. He sat up with a concerned expression. "I still love you. I bet William does, too. Just like I said in my email."
Patrick furrowed his brow and finally met Liam's gaze. "What email?"
"I sent you an email ages ago. Actually, I think it was a Facebook message. I thought you probably just deleted it."
"I don't remember getting anything from you," said Patrick. "I'll have to check."
"You can use my laptop, if you want," Liam pointed to the computer on the bedside table. "I haven't used it much lately, `cause it's too hard with one hand."
Patrick snorted, but didn't reply, as he opened the computer's lid. He had to sign out of Liam's account and log in to his. After a few clicks, he shook his head. "Nothing." Then, "Oh, wait. There's something in the `Other Messages' folder. Yep, it's from you." He fell quiet while he read. `Dear Patrick, Since you won't talk to me, I have decided to write this email. I guess you know now that I'm gay, or at least I think I might be. I'm sorry you hate me for it. I wish I could change, so you would like me again. The best night of my life was when I got to spend the night with you, even tho I was beat up. I want you to like me some day, cuz I love you more than anything. Your brother, Liam.'
He signed out of Facebook and closed the lid, returning to Liam. He was completely silent, appearing lost in thought. Liam thought he'd better get his apologies out, while he had the chance. "Patrick? I'm sorry for yelling at you and throwing water all over you." Patrick sighed irritably and tossed the washcloth down, going to sit on the bed. "I'm being serious," Liam said, confused.
"I know, Liam. It's just that you're so nice to me, even after I was a royal you-know-what to you. Geez! Do you really love me that much, like you said in the email?"
"Yeah," Liam said emphatically.
"Man, I really had no idea. I guess I was too busy being mad at you." Patrick stood slowly and resumed his task of washing Liam.
"I know, but I can't change who I am," said Liam.
"I don't want you to," Patrick stated. "I don't hate you for being gay. I never did."
"You didn't? Then why were you mad at me?"
Patrick was obviously very uncomfortable and struggling for words. "I guess I wasn't mad at you. I was mostly mad at myself, for the way I feel."
"Because you're gay?" Liam asked.
Patrick shook his head. "Well, I mean, yeah. That, too. But also `cause, well, I think things about you that, you know, a brother shouldn't think." His freckles shone with crimson.
Liam leaned toward Patrick slightly, brimming with interest for what Patrick might say next. "Like what?"
Patrick gave his usual shrug, started to speak, but then faltered. Finally he caused Liam to gasp when he lunged forward and put their lips together. Liam didn't respond at first, while in pure shock, but his brain jumped him into gear, telling him he'd better do something, lest Patrick think he wasn't interested. He opened his mouth, receiving Patrick's lips and tongue – all of it. Then they kissed like lovers in the throes of passion. At least, that's how Liam felt. His cock also responded, jumping toward the sky.
Patrick pulled away, horror on his face. "Oh god. I didn't mean to-" He caught sight of Liam's erection, and it only then seemed to register that Liam had responded to the kiss, as well. Connecting his eyes to Liam's, he reached out his hand and let his fingers circle around Liam's hard shaft, making the young boy gasp once again. He stroked it, slowly at first, then picked up the speed gradually.
Liam lay back slowly, moaning softly. After only a minute, he was feeling his balls bubbling, telling him it was time. "Ohh gosh," he whispered, and that was all he could manage before his geyser erupted and tiny firecrackers exploded at the head of his dick. Cum was all over his torso and covering Patrick's hand. Patrick quietly began wiping it all up, while Liam tried to regain normal breathing. Soon Patrick was washing him again, like nothing had happened.
"You're my favorite person in the whole world, Patrick," Liam stated.
"That's just the endorphins talking," Patrick murmured.
"Nuh-uh. I've always loved you the best."
Patrick didn't reply, but he looked pleased, Liam thought. And Patrick's hands all over his chest pleased him. "You won't tell anyone what we did, will you?" Patrick whispered.
"Not if you don't want me to," Liam promised. "Not even Matthew and Colin?"
"No," Patrick said sharply, but softened quickly. "Please don't."
"Okay. I won't." When he was rolled over, Liam's one good hand dangled off the table, and he got a wicked thought. He reached behind him until it came in contact with Patrick's body, then proceeded to caress Patrick's leg but moved almost immediately to his crotch. As he had hoped, there was a throbbing bulge there.
"Liam," Patrick gasped. "You shouldn't do that."
Liam continued fondling anyway. "Know what? Before I got hurt, I learned I could suck my own dick. But I pretended it was yours when I did it."
Patrick made a strangled sound in his throat, hurrying to finish the rest of Liam's body, then his hair, lest he be standing there all night. "Just forget about what just happened, okay?" he pleaded quietly.
"Nooo," said Liam. "Let me make you feel good."
"Liam, we shouldn't be doing anything at all. Besides, Mom or Dad might walk in on us."
"No, they won't," Liam insisted. "They're asleep, and you know it." He paused, as Patrick wet his hair and began shampooing it. "This is my favorite part," he cooed. "I wish you could bathe me every night forever."
Patrick didn't reply, but finished his task of washing, rinsing, and then finally drying. Only then did he speak. "I wanted to say I'm...sorry. For hurting you, and for being mean, and for everything."
Liam cast a look upon Patrick that told of his adoration. "You could make it up to me with one more kiss?"
Patrick smiled, but he shook his head. "We can't do that anymore. I mean, that was fun and all, but think about it. We're brothers. We're not supposed to be like that with each other." Liam frowned, not knowing how to respond, and Patrick began assisting him onto the bed. Once that was finished, he backed away from Liam slowly. "I'll see you tomorrow, `kay? Thanks for not being mad at me anymore." He took the bowl of soap and water and the washcloth, and he left the den, forgetting to dress Liam.
Liam carefully slid into bed, while replaying the previous events in his head. So what if Patrick was his brother, he thought. He loved him, always had and always would, with or without sex. But it seemed perfectly logical that Patrick could be his boyfriend, when he loved him more than anyone else in the world. Why couldn't Patrick see that same logic? But then, he wondered if Patrick loved him as much as he loved Patrick. The thought that he might not, saddened him.
♂
Tuesday was going to be Valentine's Day, so the island was celebrating that weekend before. Everyone except the three cripples, of course. William, being depressed about the celebration, decided to stay in and take care of his two charges, despite Linda's insistence they hire a caregiver for the weekend. Daniel, also not having a valentine, offered to care for Liam, while the Reilly parents took a break. Liam felt mildly fortunate to have Daniel for a whole Saturday afternoon and evening, yet the fact that Patrick was at the Valentine Festival with Sonia Purvis made him burn with jealousy.
"It's not too cold out, if you want me to wheel you to the festival," offered Daniel.
"No," said Liam glumly. "Matthew and Colin can't go, so I won't go, either."
Liam was in his usual pajama pants and nothing else, but this time he was in his wheelchair in the kitchen, while Daniel made them popcorn and drinks for their planned movie. "You sound bummed," Daniel noted. "I was trying to think of something to cheer you up."
Liam sighed pitifully, and rather dramatically, too. "I'll tell you why I'm sad, if you promise to keep it an absolute secret."
"Cross my heart," Daniel put gestures to his words.
"There's somebody that I love. Really love, not attracted only. I've loved him for a long time, but I didn't realize how much until recently."
"As in, since yesterday?" Daniel asked with a grin. "I'm assuming, given that you hit on me yesterday."
Liam nodded, too depressed to be amused. "Last night, to be exact. It happens to be my brother, Patrick."
Daniel's jaw fell open. "The one who re-broke your arm?!"
"Heh. Yeah, that's the one. We talked last night, and he ended up kissing me. Like, the most passionate kiss ever. And then he jerked me off."
"Wow!" Daniel exclaimed. "That's serious shit! Sorry. Serious stuff. Then what happened?"
"Then he finished bathing me. I felt his jeans, and he was real hard, but he wouldn't let me do anything for him. He said I should forget what happened, because we're brothers, and we're not supposed to do that stuff. Now tonight, he's out with his girlfriend. I hate her!"
"Aww, man. Sorry, bro. That's harsh. He obviously has feelings for you, though, if he kissed you like that."
"Yeah, but does he love me like I love him? I want him to love me! I've always loved him more than anything."
"You can't force love like that," Daniel advised. "It has to come from within him, to be real. Maybe if you give it time, he'll come around."
Liam groaned. "I want him to come now!" As Daniel guffawed, only then did Liam realize his wording. "Come around now!" he said loudly.
"Sure!" Daniel laughed heartily. "Probably both."
"Okay, that, too," Liam grinned.
As afternoon turned into evening, Liam's spirits were lifted by Daniel's optimism and persistence. Daniel even offered to bathe Liam, which he gladly agreed to. "Now, no funny business," Daniel smirked.
"I'm getting a woody already," said Liam, as Daniel pulled off the pajama pants. And so he was. "I can't help it!"
"Boys," Daniel chuckled. "A gentle breeze can make them hard. You'll just have to take care of it yourself."
"Nah," said Liam. "I'm hoping Patrick will do it again later."
Daniel winked. "He won't be able to resist you."
"I hope not!"
Liam was clean and wearing fresh shorts by the time his parents arrived home, for which they were grateful. Patrick didn't make an appearance that night, however. Liam held out hope for Sunday, but his brother didn't show up then, either. Unfortunately for Liam, his plan to not masturbate before Patrick bathed him again sort of backfired, when his dick swelled in the presence of his father. During Sunday night bath time, his body didn't know the difference between Jacob's hands and Patrick's, and Liam could've died from embarrassment.
"Oh, noooo. Sorry, Dad! Geez!" Liam whimpered.
"You'd think you were going through puberty, or something," Jacob commented. "You might gain control of your body in five or six years, but no guarantees," he smiled.
"You're making it worse," complained the blushing boy.
"Here," Jacob handed Liam the washcloth. "You wash that part of yourself, and then I'll finish up."
"I can't wait to get these casts off," Liam mumbled, giving his nether region a quick scrub before returning the task to his father.
"I can only imagine."
By Monday, Liam was itching badly to jerk off. But still he refrained. He had a plan. If his Dad was to bathe him that night, he would simply ask to be taken to the bathroom first, where he would have a solo quickie. But he hoped for the best. And when Jacob was working late and still not home by dinnertime, he knew Patrick would be called in. He waited anxiously, a couple of hours going by after dinner before he saw anyone again. Patrick finally came strolling in, and Liam smiled brightly.
"Hi!"
"Hey," Patrick said, voice soft. "Bath time."
Liam nodded giddily. "Did you have a good weekend with Sonia?" He tried to be friendly, even though truth be told, he didn't want to hear about Sonia.
Patrick avoided Liam's gaze as he answered. "Yeah, I guess."
"That doesn't sound convincing."
Patrick shrugged and pulled off Liam's shorts, then began moving him to the table. "Whatever. We broke up."
It was all Liam could do not to jump with joy. Or at least bounce lightly. "Oh. How did she take it?"
Patrick's face darkened as he frowned. "She broke up with me."
"Oh," Liam said again. He suddenly felt foolish for assuming Patrick had broken up with her for him. "Sorry. Wanna talk about it?"
Patrick drew a deep breath and exhaled loudly. "Why not? I can't talk to anyone else about it." He dipped the washcloth in the warm water and began making Liam's body damp, following it with a bar of soap. "We got in a fight Saturday night. She wanted to, you know, go all the way. We were in the guest house, alone, and she basically threw herself at me. But I didn't want to, and that made her mad. Then on Sunday, she offered to go down on me. I refused, and she was like, `that's it, if you don't want me, I'll find someone who does.' She told me it's over, and that was that."
"What do you mean by going down on you?" Liam asked.
Patrick almost smiled. "It means she wanted to suck my dick."
Those mere words, coupled with Patrick's hands on his body, made Liam hard as a rock. "Why didn't you want to?"
Patrick sighed impatiently. "Why do you think? I couldn't even have a regular conversation with her anymore, because all I do is think about you. It's driving me nuts. I wanna kiss you again so bad, I can't stand it."
Liam sat up so fast, the table rocked slightly. "Then do it!"
"No, Liam! If anybody ever found out, we'd probably be persecuted, and maybe even disowned by our family!"
"I'd rather take that chance than not be able to love you like I want to! I love you so much, Patrick. I'd do anything for you. And I wouldn't tell anyone about us."
Patrick's eyes were wide. "Liam, that sounds pretty serious."
"I am serious!" Liam cried. "I wanna be your boyfriend! And I want to have sex with you!"
Patrick stared, mouth open, for a few moments. Then he looked back toward the door, making sure they were still alone. "You really love me like that?" he asked quietly.
"Yes!" Liam whispered emphatically. "Do you love me? Or are you just horny?"
"No, Liam, I'm not just horny," Patrick assured him quickly. "I love you, okay? I do. I just wish I didn't."
"I don't wish you didn't! I want you to love me back!"
Patrick shook his head slowly, then, as if on automatic, his hand snaked over Liam's body and to his crotch. "You can't really have sex with me, not with these casts on. It's not like I have much experience, anyway."
Liam could barely breathe, but he managed a reply. "We can practice together. I bet I can go down on you better than Sonia can."
"Oh my god, Liam. You'd really do that?"
"Heck, yeah. I'll do anything you want."
A war was happening on Patrick's face, conflicting expressions that told of his warring emotions. "You know you don't have to do anything with me, or for me, just so I'll like you, right? I like you already. I mean, I love you." He shivered when he said those three words. "You don't have to do anything," he repeated.
Liam smiled, his entire being filled with joy. But he also got tired of waiting for Patrick to make a move. He shot out his left hand, grabbed the back of Patrick's head, and pulled. When their heads met, he attached his lips to his brother's and kissed with an intensity that sent both of them reeling. Patrick whimpered and responded in kind, loud air going in and out of their noses, while their tongues danced with each other.
Patrick finally pulled away, simply to be able to breathe, for he was literally panting. "That was so awesome," he said in a gravelly tone.
"If you wash my hair real quick, you can put me on the bed and get naked with me."
Patrick didn't waste a second in rinsing Liam's hair. "Swear you won't tell anyone?" he asked again.
"Yes! I swear on everything that is holy!" Liam growled. This was the one time he didn't want Patrick to take time on his hair. It was washed just enough to suffice and barely dried before he was being transferred to the bed. Once he was sat on the edge, he scooted himself back and watched Patrick undress with great eagerness. He breathed heavier with every piece of clothing that came off, and his eyes grew just a little wider. Right before Patrick removed his briefs, Liam's eyes were glued to the humongous, in his view, bulge.
"Whoa!" he exclaimed, when the full monty was revealed. "You're bigger than Will!"
"No way, really?" Patrick asked, glowing with pride.
Liam licked his lips. "I wanna suck that bad boy." It was a line he'd heard in a porn video.
Patrick snorted as he climbed on the bed. "You're so weird sometimes." But then Liam grabbed his cock, and he nearly lost all capabilities of speech. "I'll suck yours next, if you'll suck mine first," he rasped.
"Deal!" Liam agreed.
Patrick straddled Liam, staying on his knees and positioning his cock at Liam's mouth. Liam opened willingly, and he pushed inside. "Jesus Mary Joseph," Patrick nearly doubled over in ecstasy, as Liam took his shaft in hand and sucked the rest of it eagerly.
It was difficult, at first, because he knew he was supposed to keep from scraping it with his teeth, and learning how to do that took a bit of effort. But when he treated it like a popsicle (though a rather larger one), he could take most of it in. He sucked with fervor, stroked in tandem with his mouth, and occasionally licked. He loved it every bit as much as he knew he would, and the way Patrick responded, massaging his freshly washed head with rough fingers, excited him all the more.
"Ohh. Oh, ohh," was Patrick's only warning to his ejaculation. He exploded into Liam's mouth with strained grunts that Liam recognized from his own moments of ecstasy.
The first two or three shots Liam was able to swallow, but then he got overwhelmed and a little choked, so he pushed Patrick back a short ways, until Patrick was then cumming all over his face. He closed his eyes and smiled, for he liked Patrick's taste even more than his own.
"Oh my god," Patrick grunted, finally collapsing at Liam's side. "That was, like, the best feeling ever."
"Do I have something on my face?" Liam quipped.
Patrick cracked up laughing, got the washcloth, and cleaned Liam up thoroughly. "You're gonna love this. Just try not to make much noise. I felt like screaming." Liam giggled, but that faded as Patrick wrapped his hand around Liam's pulsing tool, fondled it and the growing balls for a minute, and lowered his head. He licked the head tentatively, and Liam shivered. Then in one swift move, he slid his lips all the way to the base of Liam's cock.
Automatically Liam thrust upward, gasping. Patrick pushed him back down, then began sucking like mad. "Ohmygosh. Oh holy crap. Wow wow." He would've kept rambling, but the same firecrackers that had exploded on his dick before, were now also going off in his head. He could only emit strange noises and jerk about every now and then. This was like nothing he'd ever thought possible. His nerve endings were scorching, and he just couldn't hold out long, same as Patrick. Since holding his breath seemed to be all he could do as he neared orgasm, he couldn't even warn his brother. He shot his load over and over, but Patrick never even pulled off. He really thought he was going to pass out.
Patrick sat up and wiped his mouth, and Liam closed his eyes, letting his body sag, even while his cock still throbbed. "I guess I really can't deny being gay now," Patrick mumbled. "And that I think you're super hot."
Liam opened his eyes and grinned brightly. "You do?!" Patrick smiled and nodded. "And that you love me?" he wanted to clarify.
"And that I love you," Patrick agreed.
"Am I your boyfriend now? Please pleeaase?"
"Hm," pondered Patrick dramatically. "We're naked and in bed, we made out, and we sucked each other off. Um, yeah. You're my boyfriend."
Liam wanted to squeal with glee, but didn't, only to prevent waking his parents. "Your secret boyfriend."
"Definitely," said Patrick, and he kissed Liam sweetly. He jumped off the bed, then, and began dressing.
"Please stay!" Liam begged.
"Can't, Li. I have school tomorrow. I'll camp out here this weekend. Deal?"
"Yay!" After one more tender kiss, they parted ways. And when Liam slept, he had the sweetest dreams he'd had in a long time.
After prying his eyes open in the morning, his vision was only a blur, yet he still saw an anomaly on the pillow next to him. He blinked a few times and raised his head, waiting for his sight to come into focus. When it did, he gasped with pleasure, and a little bit of surprise, too. A simple flower, a red rose, was waiting for him there, accompanied by a short note. "Happy Valentine's Day. Love you." It wasn't signed, but he knew it had to be from Patrick. Only he hadn't known Patrick was such a romantic, which made it all the more special. He held the rose to his chest, closed his eyes, and slept a little longer, until his dad woke him up to visit the bathroom.
He was still giddy when Daniel showed up, but this time he knew he couldn't share his good news. "How are things with Patrick?" Daniel asked.
Liam felt he had no choice but to lie. "I'm letting it go," he said, not making eye contact. "Not that my feelings have changed, but it's not logical, is it? Maybe I'll meet someone else someday."
"Aww," said Daniel. "I thought it would've been sweet. But you're right, it's not practical." They went on with their lessons, though Liam could think of nothing but his brother. He only wished he'd thought of a Valentine's Day gift.
Minutes after Daniel left, Patrick showed up. He glanced quickly at the door, then offered Liam a quick kiss on the lips. "Hey."
"You're the best boyfriend ever!" Liam gushed. "I looooove my flower. I wish I could have gotten you something."
"I wouldn't say no to another blowjob," Patrick smirked. "Tonight? Please?" he asked sweetly.
"You bet!" Liam grinned. "I'd love to!" Then he also grinned wickedly. "Or, if you want, you can take me to the bathroom right now..."
"Heck, yeah!" Patrick was visibly aroused in his jeans as he assisted Liam into his chair and wheeled him away as fast as possible. Once there, he pushed his jeans and briefs down in a hurry, dick bouncing up and pointing at the sky, or more importantly, toward Liam's mouth. He carefully straddled Liam's legs, leaving him in the chair, and let his brother work his magic.
"Ohhhmigod," Patrick whispered. "I've been wanting this all day." He applied pressure to the back of Liam's head, and Liam willingly took more in. In fact, he was rapidly mastering the art, at least in his opinion. And Patrick certainly didn't seem to be complaining. "About to cum," he gave warning this time.
Liam was determined to swallow everything this time. It wasn't as massive as the night before, presumably because the two orgasms were so close together in time. Nonetheless, it was a lot to take in. But as he was determined, he didn't push Patrick back, but kept his lips sealed around the shaft until his brother was dry. Even then, he sucked idly and licked it completely clean.
"You're amazing," Patrick breathed, zipping up and stumbling backward.
"So're you," said Liam adoringly. "Happy Valentine's."
Patrick grinned and kissed Liam's mouth. "Hm. I recognize that taste."
Liam squealed with laughter, until there was a knock on the door, and both of them froze. "Everything okay in there?" their mom asked.
"Yep," Liam replied.
"Okay, just making sure you're not fighting."
"We're not!" Liam called back. They listened to her walk away and grinned at each other. "Okay, I have to pee," Liam announced.
Once Liam's business was taken care of, Patrick returned his brother to his prison cell, comfortable though it was. "I'll take care of you tonight," Patrick whispered. When Liam looked up questioningly, Patrick reached into the boy's loose shorts and fondled his junk.
"You sure right now isn't better?" Liam asked with a whimper.
"Mom could walk in at any time, you dope. I'd never be able to face her again, if she caught us." Patrick began removing items from his school backpack.
"Okay, good point," Liam conceded, and he had to put a pillow over his lap. "Hey, are you staying in here with me?" he asked with great surprise.
"Yeah," said Patrick slowly. "Duh." He smiled. "I have homework to do, but I wanna be with you right now. I mean, is that okay?"
Liam couldn't believe how his brother had changed to such a sweet, romantic boy from the angry, mean brother. "I've never seen you like this."
"Like what?" Patrick frowned.
"Like...sweet. Like, I can tell you really love me. This is officially the new best day of my life."
Patrick's frown dissipated, and he reached over and tweaked Liam's nipple, making him squeak with shock and delight. "It kinda sucks we can't be ourselves around everybody else. You're the best thing about my life."
Liam melted into a mushy puddle right there on the bed. He turned his attention to the TV, at least part of his attention, while surreptitiously watching Patrick do his work. The rest of the day, too, he remained in that puddle state. On account of the Lovers' Holiday, Patrick was sure to cater to Liam's every whim, serve him dinner when it was time, cart him to the bathroom and back, cut his chicken breasts for him, fetched him drinks and snacks, and sneaked in a kiss or two in the moments they were alone. Liam soaked it all up, vowing to himself to return the favor every day of his life, as soon as his bones were healed.
Friday seemed to take years to arrive. When it did, he thought he would be much too distracted to be any good to Daniel. But it happened that Daniel was the one who seemed to keep spacing out and focusing on something else besides Liam.
"Um, helloooo," said Liam, when for the third time Daniel didn't respond to a question Liam asked. "Something's up, and I wanna know what it is. Dr. Liam is here for you."
Daniel mildly smiled. "I'm pretty distracted right now."
"You don't say," Liam deadpanned.
Daniel closed the textbook he was holding and sighed. "I think I met someone."
"You think?" Liam echoed, reclining back and giving Daniel his full attention.
"What I mean is, I think I'm falling for someone that I've met. I'm terribly attracted to him, and I'm pretty sure he's attracted to me, too. We've been playing a flirting game thus far and haven't gone beyond that. I'm wondering how I should take it further, or even if I should. I could be wrong about him liking me."
"What do your instincts tell you?" Liam asked with a serious expression.
Daniel grinned briefly, but then adopted a serious face, too. "My instincts say we're both thinking the same thing. It's just a lack of self-confidence, basically, keeping me from pursuing him. I don't want to be wrong and really screw up."
"I see," nodded Liam. "Well, we're not getting any younger, right? I say go for it, if he might make you happy. Did you meet him on Shaw?"
"Uh...no," Daniel shook his head quickly. "He lives on another island. San Juan."
"You know I have to meet him to approve, right?" Liam winked. "It's a complex interview process. It must involve a strip search and everything."
Daniel chuckled, but he was still awfully distracted. "I'll see what I can do." He began clearing their work area. "If you don't mind, I'm gonna head out. We have nothing pressing to study today, anyway."
"That's cool," Liam agreed. Daniel left less than a minute later, and Liam thought his behavior to be odd. However, with Patrick coming home from school soon to spend the entire weekend with him, Liam couldn't be bothered to dwell on Daniel's relationship drama. He would soon be journeying to the Lopers' with Patrick, which was exciting in itself, not to mention the possibilities of the rest of the weekend. Their parents were pleased that the brothers were going to "camp out" together, and that they were getting along. Liam hoped they would get along so well that weekend, they would have each other's virginity by the end of it.