Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 16:37:58 -0500 From: mark corlis Subject: In The Blink Of An Eye Chapter 6 College Section Please add this to my story. Thanks! Mark Corlis In The Blink Of An Eye Copyright 2009 By Mark Corlis All Rights Reserved This is a copyrighted work. Reproductions of ANY kind are prohibited without the express written consent of the author. If you are under 18, live somewhere works like this may be illegal or have issues with the idea of 2 men experiencing love and sex, then get out now. I don't know how many times I gotta kick you out of here! Author's Note Welcome to Chapter 6. Sex scene at last in chapter 5. Some of you were begging for it, so I hope you liked it. I can't promise a lot of sex in every installment. I never set out to write a sex story but we'll see what happens. Some of the comments on chapter 4 made me realize I could have done better. I hope that 5 and successive chapters will make up for it. Update notifications, comments and or suggestions at mcnc1966@gmail.com. Thanks again goes to Michael, editor and beta reader extraordinaire! Without him and his excellent suggestions, my work would be much more dull! A major thanks to my readers. Your positive feedback is the reason I continue and I've enjoyed getting to know some of you better. Keep the comments coming! Please be forewarned that there is no actual sex in this chapter. I was originally gonna write some in, but decided to split this part into two chapters. Hope that doesn't disappoint, but I felt it was necessary for the integrity of the story. And now, on with the show...................... Chapter 6 Doubts of all kind invaded Brian's mind. It was unbelievable to him that one night of intimacy could open so many old wounds. He'd always thought he was over the past. Starting a new chapter was a bit nerve wracking, but still quite exciting. He couldn't help letting his mind wander a bit toward the future. Yet, for all the hope he was feeling, the past began to rear its ugly head once again. Brian was a sophomore in high school when his life began to change. He and his father had been on their own for several years by then. Work on the farm, and even more work taking care of the everyday family needs, left little time for a social life. Brian didn't mind, or at least he didn't realize any different. Days consisted of feeding horses early in the morning, making sure his aunt had what she needed for the day, and hurrying off to school. Once there, he went through the motions on auto pilot.....classes, lunch, the usual bull shit. He tried so hard to fly under the radar, but being one of the smart kids who found violence nonsensical made that damn near impossible. Not every day involved getting tortured in one way or another. He was always thankful for those days. His only joys at school were his friend Laney and diving. When he stepped up on that platform, the world disappeared. The sound of the air moving about his body, the pool water dancing lightly......it all combined to bring a moment of peace he had come to crave. Stepping to the end of the board, his toes would grip the end of it. In a flash, his body would gracefully jump up and come back down, the action propelling him effortlessly into the air. Legs together, toes pointed downward, his body would flip through the air with the grace of a gazelle moving across an African meadow. Once the water was near, his body would enter like a knife, the only evidence of his entry being a stream of bubbles floating to the surface. Brian was the team's most skilled diver. He held the respect of his team mates, most being awed at how easy he made it all look. It was the only place he was at the top of his game, and he knew it. Applause would always ring out as each more complex maneuver was executed with relative ease. He ate it up. The fifteen or so seconds it took to complete most dives were his moments of glory. Accepting the encouragement of his team was never a problem, but his humble ways would never allow him to gloat for long. Minutes later, he was back up again, trying to improve on what was already a perfect performance. Even his coach, a one time Olympic contender herself, was inspired by his talents. She would offer pointers here and there, pointers Brian was careful to take. He greatly respected her talents and was determined to learn all he could from her. The coach longed to expand her program to utilize Brian's talents further, but, alas, she had no further talent at her disposal. One day, however, her dreams of improving her team and the catalyst for changing Brian's life forever collided. A student was transferring in from far away. A student that had diving skills rivaling Brian's own. She breathlessly repeated what she had been told to him. Brian agreed, excitedly, that maybe this was the team's chance to finally compete for real. The coach had decided that synchronized diving was the answer. Brian and the new student would be paired up. They would be the winningest couple in the school's history. His respect for the coach made her unbridled enthusiasm contagious. He waited for the student's arrival with baited breath, oblivious to the bomb falling rapidly toward his life. The fateful day arrived. The new student was due to stop by diving practice to meet Brian and the coach. He would begin classes after the upcoming weekend. Brian hurried to the locker room, changing into his signature red speedo in record time. He wanted to get a couple of dives in before his new partner arrived. Up the ladder he went, just like he had a thousand times before. Stepping out onto the board, he let his toes grip the end, the feeling of total freedom enveloping him. He began his jumping sequence, when he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. Coach had arrived with his new partner. The slight look he gave them was enough to alter his precise timing, His body twisted awkwardly, resulting in him hitting the water mostly on his back. He sunk down rapidly, recoiling in pain until his instinct to kick brought him above the surface. "Damn, that hurt," he exclaimed out loud. "Bet it did," an unfamiliar voice agreed. Looking behind him, Brian gasped involuntarily. Standing before him was a vision of pure loveliness. He stood about 5 feet 8 inches tall. Long blonde hair wrapped in a tight pony tail adorned his head. His body was lean and mean, showing the obvious definition from years of swimming. The arms, legs, face and bare feet were hairless. Brian wanted to study the eyes but they were hidden behind a pair of stylish Oakley sunglasses. The package was wrapped in a pair of tight, white shorts (A bit short for him in Brian's estimation) and a bright yellow American Eagle t-shirt. He was god like in Brian's eyes. A warm, jumpy feeling began at the pit of his stomach the moment he laid eyes on the new boy. That feeling had now spread over his entire body, causing him to be unaware of his surroundings. Realizing he had been staring lustfully at the man, he snapped out of his daze and swam to the edge of the pool. An extended hand met him upon arrival. Brian grasped the hand and was spirited out of the water. Electric current from the touch coursed through his body. "I'm Roger," the voice of the boy said cheerily. "Bad spill ya took there." "Brian," he nodded at Roger, "Lost my damn concentration and wiped out." Roger ran his hand softly along the impacted skin. "May leave a bruise," he noted. The touch left a trail of goose bumps over Brian's hurting skin. His nipples hardened instantly and he felt his cock beginning to thicken a bit. He wanted to shudder from the amazing feelings Roger was creating within him, but held back to keep from making his new team mate freak out. The bumps he created were ultimately flattering to Roger. He vowed to investigate this cute boy more. He was snapped out of his thoughts when his new lust object began to speak. "I'll live, "Brian said after what felt like eons. "Won't happen again, anyway. I'm way better than that usually." Brian smiled at Roger, half warmly and the other half letting him know who was top dog. He was intrigued by Roger, noticing how he seemed fixated on the goose bumps and erect nipples. Roger sensed the posturing and cracked a bright smile. "Well, Brian, it was nice meeting ya and I'm sure I'll see ya tomorrow." "Definitely," Brian agreed. Brian and Roger parted ways, with Brian climbing back up the ladder to attempt his dive again. Roger noticed Brian's ascension with amusement. He paused to observe his new partner in action. Brian set up slowly, jumped into the air, and nimbly performed an ideal double flip. He quickly swam upward, looking toward the pool's exit. Roger gave him a thumbs up and then departed. Brian's body swirled with many new feelings. He felt elation, lust, and mostly nervous. Roger was a total hottie! Brian wondered if the cute boy saw anything worthwhile in him. Noticing the digital clock on the wall, he realized he was running way later than usual. Quickly exiting the pool, he waved to his coach and scampered to the locker room. The speedo was soon on the floor, and Brian was toweling off his hardened body. He knew time was key so pleasuring himself was out of the question. He pulled on his shorts and t-shirt, throwing his wet suit and flops in the duffle bag he carried. He hoisted it over his shoulder and steered his bare foot body toward the car. A short walk later, Brian arrived at his car and noticed a paper dancing wildly on one of his wiper blades. He looked around, but saw no one remotely nearby. Shrugging his shoulders. he grabbed the paper and got in the car. Once everything was situated, he unfolded the paper and smiled a smile like never before. The paper read, "Hey, cutie! Let's hang tonight. Call me 889-0998. Roger" Brian's head was swimming. Nervousness crept up in him and his breathing increased. He had, with the help of his aunt, figured out a few months ago that his disinterest in girls wasn't fleeting. Now it was totally confirmed. He was flat out gay and totally intrigued by Roger. Deciding there was no time like the present, he opened his cell phone and dialed the number. After a few rings, he heard the voice that made his mouth dry and his cock wet. "Hello?" the voice said. Brian hesitated momentarily. "Uh, hi, uh, Roger?" he asked. "Hiya, cutie, was hoping you'd call." "Yeah...uh...sure. I got your note," Brian stammered out. He was still hung on being called cutie. "Well, good. I meant what I said, cutie, let's hang out tonight." There it was again. Brian could get used to that he decided. "Uh...sure. Whatcha got in mind?" Brian asked. He had many things in mind, none appropriate for network television. "What'd ya say to a movie first, then we play it by ear?" the glorious voice enquired. "Sounds great," Brian replied enthusiastically. "You wanna meet at the theater by Biltmore round eight and we can decide what to see then?" "That's a capital idea, cutie! See ya then," Roger said. "OK, Roger, see ya then." The cell phone beeped its call ended tone. Brian was giddy like an elementary school girl. He was smiling, blushing, and giggling all at the same time. Never stopping his reverie, he started the car and headed home. His radio blasted the latest hip hop tune he was infatuated with. It seemed he was listening to it for the first time, though. He sang the words loudly, and moved his body to the beat. All of this was tremendously out of character for him, but he could really care less at this moment. He was beaming with happiness for the first time in months. Very shortly, he was driving his car through the gates of the family farm. He was meeting Roger at eight, so that meant he had three hours left. Chores would have to be done quickly so he'd have time to get ready for his date. Not even thinking of putting shoes on, he jumped out of the car and ran into the barn. Once there, he climbed the ladder to the hay loft. Every stall had a direct cut out into the loft, so dispensing hay to each animal was easy work. Brian broke a bale apart, separating a pat for each horse and dropping it into the stalls below. After finishing that, he descended the ladder and threw a switch on the wall. Water pumps came to life and filled the drinking bowls in each stall. When he was satisfied they were full, he cut off the switch and moved to feeding the horses. He pushed a cart to the first stall, and began reading the menu card attached to the door. After combining the prescribed ingredients from the variety of tubs on the cart, he dumped the mixture into the correct trough and moved on. He did this for each stall. Having completed that, he put the cart away and headed in the direction of the barn next door. This barn was the largest on the property, a huge stone structure built in the eighteen hundreds when the property was once a gladiola farm. It was now used to house the stud horses and contained an indoor breeding area. He pulled the large door open and headed to a stall door inscribed with "Leo Pacific Star." This was his horse, his baby. A large palomino standing nearly seventeen hands tall, Brian had help raise him from birth. When they weaned him from his mother, Leo and Brian became fast friends. He saddle broke the colt, and decided to forgo gelding him. Leo had great bloodlines, ones Brian chose to capitalize on. No one had ever handled the lead at breeding time other than Brian. Leo and he trusted each other more than the average human/animal bond. They were mates of the heart. Brian opened the stall door to find Leo standing just inside waiting for him. Brian smiled, then reached inside a box attached to the door. Finding one of the apples kept there, he placed it in his mouth. Leo took ahold of the fruit with his teeth very gently, removing it from Brian's mouth. While the horse chomped proudly on his treat, Brian hugged on his neck and stroked his snow white mane. With the apple devoured, he retrieved the bridle also hanging on the stall door. Inserting the bit into Leo's mouth, he held it there while placing the halter part securely over the horse's ears. Seeing all was correctly installed, he grabbed the reins and led Leo into the barn's hallway. He secured the reins at Leo's neck and with one fluid motion, sat atop the animal's double boned, perfectly flat back. He lightly dug his heels into Leo's sides and the two exited the barn. Brian knew the mares would be on the back pasture. He had ridden the trail many times. Goosing Leo's sides again, man and horse took off at a gallop. The wind rushing over Brian's body gave him the same feeling of freedom that diving did. He didn't even notice that they had run right past his father. The father noticed Brian's lack of proper dress, shaking his head at no one in particular. He chalked it up to being a teenager. The two followed a trail along a creek for about a quarter of a mile. Seeing the pasture gate in the distance, Brian slowed Leo's run and steered him across the creek. Once at the gate, Brian leaned down and released the latch, letting it fall wide open. He brought his steed back to a gallop and located the mares after a short ride. Allowing Leo to get a bit agitated at the sight of them, the mares began moving toward the gate, partly for fear of the stallion and partly because they knew what lay ahead. The mares picked up the pace and moved down the trail, with Brian and Leo directly behind them. Upon reaching the barn, the mares moved to their usual stalls. As they entered, Brian would slide the door closed. In no time at all, he had them locked in their proper places for the evening. The sounds of feed being eaten consumed the barn. Leo remained a bit hyper being surrounded by his favorite targets, but Brian steered him out of the barn and back to where they began. He led his horse to a concrete pad and slid off his back. Once his reins were secured to a post, Brian turned on a water hose and began removing the week's grim from Leo's body. He took great pride in the animal's appearance, washing him much more often than necessary. With the washing completed, he used a special tool to force the remaining water from his horse's coat. Satisfied with his work, he led him back to his stall and removed the bridle. He made sure the horse had plenty of hay and water, then gave him the food kept exclusively for stallions. His chores for the afternoon were now complete. Breaking out his cell phone, he had nearly two hours left before meeting Roger. He began to feel excited again, rushing to the car to retrieve his gym bag. He, then, moved toward the house. Inside his home, he paused to say hello to his father. As usual, his dad scolded him for running Leo so hard and for doing his chores bare foot yet again. Brian was used to the speech, so he listened half heartedly, then moved to the living room once he was sure it was done. There, he found his Aunt Billie, the amputee sister of his father he'd been assisting for several years now. Saying Billie was not a small woman would be like calling Mount Rushmore another group of red rocks. She was downright obese. Her leg had been lost three years earlier due to complications from diabetes. Most people would listen to their doctors after that, but not Aunt Billie. She was well into her sixties and figured she was gonna enjoy what ever time she had left. Oreo cookies and ice cream were staples in her diet. Brian was always getting on her about it, but to no avail. The only thing he could do was make sure she got the proper amount of insulin daily, which he administered himself. He also gave her a plethora of pills, standing nearby until he was sure they were taken. Helping Billie was an extreme challenge for Brian. She needed help with everything from laundry to bathing. He saw each thing he did for her as a labor of love, however. Having lost his mom as a youngster, Billie was the only mother he knew. Where his father was cold and distant, Billie was warm and loving. She would often take Brian in her lap when he was feeling bad, and hold him until the blues past. She had realized early on that her nephew was not like other boys. Brian eventually came and discussed liking boys with her. She helped him realize he was gay, and, more importantly, that it was OK, despite what some people would say. Brian desperately wanted to tell his father, but Billie advised against it. She felt her brother was a major bigot and would never tolerate Brian. He was disappointed, but agreed with her assessment. She would be the one to hold his secret. She would be his confidante and his rock. Seeing Brian walk into the living room covered in horse hair and bare feet as black as coal made her grin widely. She understood what the ruckus in the kitchen was about now, but decided to drop it. "There's my very dirty baby boy now. How are ya sugar?" she asked Brian. He leaned closely to her. "I can't talk much now, Aunt Billie. I have to get ready for a date." Her face was covered with a look of pleasant surprise. "A date?" she repeated. "Who's the lucky guy?" "His name is Roger. He's new at school and stopped by to check out the diving team today. He and I are gonna be partners on a synchronized team for the rest of the year. When I came outa practice, he left a note on my car asking me out. I called him and accepted," Brian answered her nonchalantly. " Wow! Is he cute?" Billie continued. Brian felt the blush rise across his skin. He had toyed with his aunt and, as usual, she laid him out. He pondered the question for a moment and replied as honestly as he could. "He's the most beautiful man I've ever encountered, Aunt Billie." The dreamy look in Brian's eyes didn't get past Billie. She had seen it a million times before. Puppy love, plain and simple. A puppy love that could grow into full-fledged adult love if tended to properly. Brian had never experienced teen love, though. She worried he would rush forward without thinking, and then finally decided to trust his extreme intelligence. "Well, sugar, you better go get presentable for this hunk. I don't think horsehair and black, muddy feet are his idea of hot," Billie told him with a hearty laugh. "Yes ma'am! On my way now!" Brian marched to the home's rear and entered his bathroom. Showering was all business. He scrubbed his whole body, paying particular attention to the totally blackened feet. He dried off and spent fifteen minutes inspecting his face for any new zits. He shaved, styled his hair, and even flossed his teeth before brushing them. Choosing the most flattering outfit he could find, Brian got dressed quickly and selected a tasteful collection of jewelry. Making one more pass by the mirror to inspect his appearance, he jammed his feet into a new pair of A&F leather flops and headed to the front door. He gave Aunt Billie a quick kiss and moved out to his car. Starting the engine, he moved on to a date with destiny. The theater was about fifteen minutes away. Brian had purposely left earlier than needed so he had time to think before Roger arrived. He sang songs; seat-danced again, and arrived at the theater. Pulling his car into the lot, he noticed an open spot at the back of the lot next to a Chevy Blazer. He parked in it and cut the engine off. As his thoughts began to consider the night at hand, a knock on the window scared the shit out of him. Turning to view the source of his fright, Brian came face to face with the sky blue eyes of Roger. Brian had an immediate lump in his throat. Roger was a vision of hotness. He was wearing a tight light red, almost pink Dr. Pepper t-shirt that hugged his body just right. His pecs and tight stomach were highlighted in just the right places. He'd chosen a pair of tight khaki shorts that began a bit beneath where the shirt ended. The shirt was just short enough to reveal a portion of his navel, which Brian noted was pierced. The outfit was completed with a pair of well-worn Birkenstock sandals. His flowing blonde hair was out of the ponytail and hung down on his muscular shoulders. Brian had to struggle to keep from drooling right then and there. Snapping back to reality, he opened the door and stepped from the car. Roger immediately moved to him, extending his arms to wrap Brian in a hug. Brian debated momentarily but allowed himself to be caught in Roger's arms. Tentatively, Brian returned the hug. He quickly grew comfortable with the situation. "Hey, cutie, so glad to see ya," Roger whispered into his ear. "Me too," was all Brian could manage to say. "I don't know about you, but a movie isn't what I really had in mind. Is there somewhere we could go and just talk? Can't really get to know ya better being quiet in a theater." Brian scoured his brain and soon came up with the perfect place. "Definitely. C'mon, I'll drive," he replied. The boys broke the embrace and got in the car. They drove out of town and into the mountains. Conversation flowed freely. Brian found out that Roger was from California. His father had gotten promoted and moved here. His mother was a teacher and had gotten a job at a nearby elementary school. He had a younger brother that would be a freshman in the same high school they attended. He hated to leave his home, but he viewed every change in life as a challenge that became what you made of it. Brian felt totally at ease with Roger. He told him about the farm, and a lot about his Aunt Billie. He mentioned his father briefly, giving only surface information. He told Roger of his upbringing with horses, and of his prized Leo. Roger noticed the love in Brian's eyes when he talked about his stallion, and readily accepted when he offered to teach him to ride. Roger had the same look in his eyes when he spoke of diving. It was his only true passion, and the only place he found that being an openly gay man didn't matter. The boys went on and on until reaching their destination. They had driven onto the Blue Ridge Parkway, stopping at a scenic overlook. The cops didn't come by much, as they had bigger problems further down the road. It was the perfect place to be alone and talk. Brian exited the car and popped the trunk. He grabbed a blanket he kept there, and motioned for Roger to follow him. The two boys followed an obscure trail past the public platform and into the woods. About five hundred feet later, the woods cleared and gave way to a large grassy knoll. Brian spread the blanket out, kicked his flops off and sat down. This was his place to think, to vegetate. He'd never brought anyone along in all the time he'd been coming here. Tonight it seemed appropriate. Roger kicked his sandals off and sat next to Brian. He surveyed the breath taking view. They were obviously on a cliff that over looked a deep valley. The lights over various homes dotted the landscape sparsely. The three quarter moon bathed the opposing mountains in a soft white light, making them glow. What really amazed him were the stars. He'd never seen so many. There must have been millions of them. Brian noticed his awe and began to speak. "Pretty spectacular, huh?" "Amazing! I never knew there were this many stars in the sky. You can't see them in the city. How'd you find this place?" "This is my thinking place. I came across it on a trip up here with some relatives and have been coming ever since I could drive. The view and the solitude help clear my mind," Brian said. "Think about what?" Roger asked. "Stuff," Brian replied. He was petrified to discuss his recent struggles. "I used to think a lot too," Roger continued "until I realized that I am what I am and it's not gonna change." Brian looked at Roger curiously. "Could they be thinking the same things?" he wondered. Roger kept talking. "Look, I know we don't know each other well, but there's some things you need to know. I know a thing or two about thinking. I used to do nothing but think, mainly thinking about how to change who I was. In the end, though, I realized I like who I am and don't wanna change. What I'm trying to say is I'm gay and I don't care who knows. You can like me for who I am or you can take me back to my car now." Brian had been holding his breath throughout Roger's speech. He wanted to say something supportive but he exhaled loudly and blurted out, "So am I." Silence ensued for what seemed like an hour. Brian was amazed he'd actually said it. God hadn't struck him down. The earth hadn't opened and swallowed him into the depths of hell. He actually found it liberating to say out loud. He wasn't ready to come out publicly, but he was damn proud of the huge leap he'd made. Roger broke the silence. "Really?" he asked. Brian looked his new friend directly in the eyes. "Yeah, dude. Really." He'd figured out Roger was gay once he saw the note, but decided to keep it to himself. "Holy shit, man. I was dying thinking I was gonna be the only gay guy in this country town! You have no idea how relieved I am," Roger beamed. Conversation flowed freely once again. Brian filled in the details on his homophobic father and the warnings from his aunt. He also clearly expressed his desire to keep his sexuality a closely guarded secret. Roger explained that he grew up in San Francisco, and being gay there was a total non-event. His entire family knew and applauded his courage in coming out at age thirteen. They loved and supported him unconditionally to this day. He and his parents had researched Asheville's gay community, deciding that Roger would have to cool it a bit, but would still have outlets to be around people like him. He'd already attended a meeting of the local gay teen organization. Brian envied Roger's freedom, but knew this was not the time in his life for that to happen. He'd already decided to go to a college where he could be his true self, somewhere that people didn't condemn those who were different than the average person. He explained this to Roger. Roger accepted his desire not to be outed right now and vowed to keep things quiet. He warned Brian that being friends with him might start rumors. Brian quickly shut that down with an emphatic "I don't give a shit." He liked being around Roger. He wasn't gonna let small-minded pukes dictate who his friends would be anymore. Roger felt great around Brian, and sensed that more might be possible between them. He would be just as happy having a new best friend, though. The boys continued talking until two that morning about anything and everything. Realizing the late hour, they decided it was time to go. Walking back up the path proved a bit more challenging that descending it. In a few spots, Brian had to give Roger his hand to pull him up. When their hands joined, both boys agreed. It felt good. It felt right. They got into the car and started back to town. Roger took a chance and laced his fingers together with Brian's. When he got no objection, he tightened his grip for the duration of the trip. They continued talking as if they'd been friends since birth. When they arrived at the car, the theater and street were pretty much deserted. Brian pulled up next to the Blazer and killed the engine. He wanted to kiss Roger so badly he thought he'd die if it didn't happen. He resolved to take a risk and just do it. Breaking their hands apart, the boys got out and moved toward the driver's door of Roger's car. Roger immediately took Brian's hand in his. "I had a really great time tonight. Thanks for taking me to your place and I hope we can go there again sometime soon." "Definitely," Brian replied. "I don't think it'll be the same going alone anymore." Both boys grinned shyly at the words. "Any plans tomorrow?" Brian asked. "Not a one. Any ideas?" Roger said. "How about I call the coach and see if we can get into the pool. We could knock out some practice dives and see what we got ahead of us." "Great idea! Why don't you call me once you've called coach," Roger said with extreme happiness. He was just happy to spend more time with Brian doing anything at all. Brian sensed Roger's mood rise and decided to make his move. He took a step forward and looked deep into Roger's eyes. Placing a hand on the back of his friend's head, Brian moved his lips slowly forward until they came in contact with Roger's. Both of them inhaled sharply as the lips came together and opened their mouths automatically. Their tongues darted out and began to duel as skin temperatures rose sharply. They wrapped their arms around each other tightly as the urgency of the kissed increased. The feel of tongue on tongue to become fully hard in seconds. Brian could feel a wet spot in his short as pre cum began to flow from his engorged head. Roger was letting his hands roam down Brian's back, feeling the line of each smooth muscle. He wanted to grab his ass cheeks and squeeze. He decided that might scare Brian and ruin everything. Feeling his strong back would have to do for today. After a few minutes of tonsil hockey, the boys broke the kiss and came up for air. Three soft, slow, sensual pecks followed a momentary gaze into each other's eyes. They fell into each other's arms as the lip smacks ended and stayed silently like that. Brian and Roger both wanted to say so much, but the body contact seemed to say all that was needed. Brian broke the tight hug first, taking Roger's hand in his own. He stepped back until their arms were extended fully. Kissing Roger's hand, he said, "See ya tomorrow." "You better cutie!" he replied. Pulling hard on Brian's hand, he brought him in for one more quick tongue kiss and then released him. Both boys smiled at each other once the kiss was completed and got in their respective cars. Neither wanted to part but both knew it was time to. Tomorrow was another day. Brian was elated. His body still tingled from passion of the high kissing Roger had given him. A smile was plastered across his face and showed no signs of dying soon. The feelings of freedom, anticipation, and pure happiness now outweighed any nervousness he had experienced. He had met someone like him, someone who understood his life situation and still wanted to be around him. It was way too soon to think of anything long term, but he was ecstatic that the present suddenly had become full of promise. The main worry for the present was his father. The man did not have a tolerant bone in his body. Men not as masculine as he was were "faggots," men of color were "niggers." Being labeled by his father meant that you were unworthy in his eyes. Brian had to admit he loved his father, but just couldn't accept his views of things. He would present a challenge to spending time with Roger, but, in his current ecstatic state, Brian was willing to fight for what he wanted. He played with the radio while driving home, coming across a cheesy love song that seemed to reflect the new possibilities of his life. He sang it loudly, and imagined what the future with Roger might hold. Jitters crept into his head again, being quickly over ruled by the positive influences now in his heart. He drove and dreamed, reaching home minutes later. Entering the house, he noticed a soft light coming from the rear of the house. Heading toward it, he found Aunt Billie still up watching television. The moment she noticed his entry, she muted the TV and began to speak. "Hey, sugar. Was beginning to wonder if we'd lost you for good," she said with a smirk. Brian smirked back, realizing she had waited up to hear all about his eventful evening. "Maybe one day, but not now. You know I could never leave you," he said. Her eyes became a bit misty at the statement, and she marveled at the sweetness and sensitivity this young man possessed. Without missing a beat, however, she returned to the task at hand. "So, ya gonna fill me in or am I gonna have to beat it outa you?" Brian grinned dreamily, thinking about where to start. "It was amazing Aunt Billie! I've never felt more at ease around anyone in my life. He's intelligent, caring, brave, and totally hot," Brian stated with a laugh. "I envy his freedom. He's been totally out for several years and really doesn't care what everyone thinks of him. Just being in his presence was liberating!" Billie considered his statement carefully. On one hand, she was so happy for Brian. The poor boy had suffered enough, and it was time that his life became special. He deserved that and more. On the other hand, however, she was terribly worried. Brian was naive in so many ways, so open to having his heart crushed. She hoped that he could keep his feet on the ground, but knew that love was a powerful emotion that tended to over rule all logic. She decided to proceed with caution, talking sensibly and, hopefully, not bursting the happy bubble Brian was currently in. "Let's talk for a minute or two, sugar," she said, patting the spot next to her on the couch. Brian sensed a lecture coming on, but obeyed his aunt's request. He wasn't really in the mood to listen to logic, but Billie deserved his attention. "You really like this boy, huh?" she asked. "I really do, Aunt Billie!" Brian answered without hesitation. She took hold of his hand, rubbing the top of it softly. "I'm so happy for ya, sugar. I really am. I do want ya to think about a few things, though. Can you do that for me?" Brian nodded his head, trying to hide the irritation building inside him. "First, I want you to promise me you'll take things slowly. This is the first time you've ever experienced these feelings and I'm not sure you're prepared to handle them properly," she advised. "Brian, love is a wonderful thing. I can't think of a more uplifting emotion. I, also, can't think of a more dangerous emotion. Love tends to make us lose our heads and act with out hearts, sugar. I'm not saying that letting your heart make decisions sometimes is bad, but using it in concert with your head is best. I guess I'm trying to tell you to keep your head in the game at all times. I'd hate to see you fall blindly and have your heart stomped," she said staring seriously into Brian's eyes. Brian stared back, lost in thought. He'd banished all thoughts of hurt from his mind. Now they were coming rushing back with a vengeance. Roger seemed like a sweet guy. Could he be capable of crushing Brian's ever evolving world? He continued listening to Billie with renewed interest. "I want you to think about one more very important thing," she continued. "Roger is a totally out young man. He is secure in who he is and, apparently, has not intention of hiding it. Are you ready to let the world know who you really are? By associating with him, it's gonna get people thinking. You might not like or be ready for the things stupid people might say or do. The world can be a cruel place, Brian. Roger might end up being the love of your life, but small minded jerks will do everything they can to interfere with that. Even though I haven't met Roger, I think he's come to grips with handling things. The big question for you is are you ready to handle this life?" Brian's heart warmed at the idea of Roger being the love of his life. He secretly hoped for this outcome. Being an openly gay man, however, struck fear in every fiber of his being. He was already a target for school bullies, and figured the attacks would become much worse. He'd like to say he was ready to face the consequences of his choices, but knew that would be a bold faced lie. Billie had given him a lot to consider. Sensing she may have brought him down, she decided to stress the positive as well. "Sugar, this may very well be the best thing that ever happened to you. You're gonna experience some of the most amazing feelings you'll ever feel. Draw strength from those feelings. Hopefully, they're strong enough to inspire you to stand up to the challenges around you. Take things day by day, and never take for granted the fact that Roger is a good friend and support system for you. Lean on each other and I'd suspect that things'll be OK." Brian smiled at that thought. He hoped from his soul that things would be alright. Sailing uncharted waters had never been his specialty. This time, however, he vowed to face up to the challenge. The chance to experience what he longed for was well worth the risk. Figuring that now was a good time to end things for the night, he rose from the couch and kissed Billie on the cheek. She wrapped him up in a hug that seemed to verify that everything was gonna work out. He helped her prepare for bed, checked her blood sugar, and gave her the required meds. Once done, he kissed her again and headed to his room. Laying in the dark, his mind was mired in thought. He couldn't get the possibility of being outed off his mind. He knew that he wanted to see where things might go with Roger, but he worried that his fears would hold things back. Roger was comfortable in his own skin and deserved a boyfriend that was the same. Could he be that person? Could he let down the fierce walls he'd built around himself? While considering all the new possibilities, he drifted off to sleep. Waking up around ten, he remembered the events of the previous night vividly. The warm feeling he had from Roger's kisses and tender touches were still there. He reveled in them. He also smiled at the fact he would see Roger again today. Plans had to be made so he could be with Roger again, so he reluctantly moved his feet to the floor. He opened his cell, bringing up coach'es number from the directory. She answered right away. After a bit of small talk, he relayed his plan to meet with her and Roger to start work on their synchronized diving program. She agreed with unbridled enthusiasm, knowing that having students of this caliber could be a boon to her career. It was decided that they would meet two hours from then. Brian then called Roger, repeating the time table to him. Roger readily agreed, reminding Brian that he was new in town and that made his calendar wide open. They shared a quick laugh, and agreed to meet in about an hour. Brian considered taking a shower, but didn't see much point. He decided to at least fix his hair, brush his teeth and put deodorant on. Inspecting himself in the mirror, what he saw would do for their afternoon of diving. He put on his speedo, throwing a pair of flowery board shorts and tie dye t-shirt on over it. With his gym bag packed and ready, he headed down stairs to find food. Aunt Billie was sitting in the kitchen when Brian came in. After pouring himself a cup of coffee and grabbing one of her signature blueberry muffins, he joined her at the table. "I really appreciate our talk last night," he told her. "You gave me a lot to think about. I've decided to see where things will go. I like Roger and can't help but wonder how things might work out. I'm scared to death about some things, but I gotta face up to it sooner or later. I think I can handle it with Roger and your support." Billie placed her hand on his shoulder. "Sugar, you know I love you no matter what. It must be scary deciding to face things head on. You won't be alone, though. I will always be there and try to help any way I can. It's an exciting time and I wish you all the luck in the world." Brian grasped her hand tightly and thanked her for the encouragement. Noticing the clock, he excused himself from the table. After jamming his feet in a nearby pair of flops, he grabbed the gym bag and headed out to meet Roger. The closer he got to the school, the more excited he became. It felt like an eternity since he'd seen Roger's glowing face. He went over all the boy's features in his mind......the long blonde hair....the engaging blue eyes......the slim swimmer's body.....the pierced belly button. He had pretty much committed Roger's appearance to memory in great detail. He hoped to hear more about Roger's life after they got their diving over with. In what seemed like hours, he arrived at the school to find Roger's smiling face waiting for him. Upon exiting the car, Roger immediately wrapped him in a tight hug. Brian returned the embrace enthusiastically, throwing all caution to the winds. "Hey, cutie! I missed ya," Roger whispered into his ear. "Missed you too, " Brian said, realizing all at once that he really had. "I was kinda scared how you'd be today. I thought that, maybe, you might not be as ready to hang as you were, " Roger admitted. " Truthfully, you're all I've thought about," Brian revealed. " I'm still really scared, but how can something that feels so right be wrong?" Roger broke the embrace and stepped back. Taking Brian's hand in his, he said, "It isn't wrong as long as we both wanna see where it might go. I've thought a lot too, and I've decided that you set the pace. I'm not gonna hide who I am, but I'll tone it down to help you. I think we might have something here." Brian laced his fingers with Roger's. "I couldn't agree more," was all he could say. It was perfect though. Both boys knew there was a long, hard road ahead but agreed it was worth following. They stood side by side, their arms touching while waiting for their coach to arrive. They made small talk about nothing in particular. Each of them made excuses to come in closer contact, enjoying the feeling of skin touching skin. Brian remained covered in goose bumps from head to toe. His nipples were obscenely hard, and poked through his fairly tight shirt. He could sense that his cock was engorging a bit, definitely more chubbed than it was. Roger was in about the same shape, except his cock was achingly hard. Pre cum had started to lightly ooze out, making him feel sure his skimpy bathing suit had quite a stain on it. While they played their touching game, the coach arrived and led them to the pool area. Practice was grueling. The boys had a natural tempo together, but had much refining to do. Coach made suggestions along the way, both encouraging and scolding as needed. Time after time, they ascended the ladder. Into that water they'd go, only to climb out and repeat the same process. This went on for several hours. The experience and desire of both of them for perfection yielded results quickly. By the time they were done, things were much improved. Timing was nearly flawless a few times. Their coach was elated with their performance, lavishing wide praise on the pair. Brian had never seen her so excited, and that served to increase his desire to please. Roger was psyched that they stood a chance of competing in bigger contests, like his old school had done. Mostly, though, he was excited about doing this with Brian. The coach finished her pep talk and the boys moved out to the parking lot. "Damn, that was harder than I figured," Brian said. "It's gonna get harder as we go, " Roger lamented, " but we're gonna nail it!" He had no doubt in his mind that Brian and he would achieve great things together, on and off the diving platform. Brian felt the same way. With Roger by his side, he thought they could tackle anything. "It'll be so cool to finally win some decent meets. Coach has great experience, and she deserves winners for a change." "That she does, " Roger agreed, " but so do we. Hell, we'll be doing all the work." The conversation paused as coach passed by them. She once again thanked them for their outstanding efforts, and wished them a pleasant weekend. "Speaking of the weekend, you got any plans?" Roger enquired. It was still early in the day, so Brian immediately had a thought. "How bout you get some different clothes and we'll go riding? I've gotta get my horse stuff done anyway and then we can spend the rest of the day in the mountains." "As long as you'll help me, I'm game," Roger said. He was a bit nervous, having never been on a horse's back in his life. "I've actually got some jeans and stuff in my bag, so why don't we get to it before I lose my nerve." Brian laughed at Roger's fear. Putting his arm around his friend, he said, "You'll be fine. Trust me." Roger nodded. He already trusted Brian, it was his nature. The boys decided to leave Roger's car and ride together home. Conversation about nothing flowed once again. Brian was really beginning to enjoy the fact that they could be together and still enjoy idle chat. There was no pressure, no pink elephant hanging between them. They could be equally engaged discussing diving or basket weaving. No one had to work to make things happen. Silence was a rarity. In a few short minutes, they entered the farm. Roger looked around excitedly, never having been on any kind of farm in his life. He noticed the two large barns and the different machines used for walking the horses that dotted the landscape. He was awed when they pulled up to the main house. It was far larger than he imagined. Brian explained the farm's flower harvesting history. He also told the story of the house he now lived in. It was built at the start of the civil war as the manor house for what was then known as the Thomas Farm. They were a prominent family in the area with interests in everything from cotton to railroads. The house was two stories, with Georgian style columns that were typical of the era. Brian parked the car and led Roger into the interior. They stepped into a formal foyer area facing a grand staircase that led to the second floor in two different directions. Brian explained that there were four bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs, but the family had closed it off years ago due to lack of need for the space. They moved through the foyer, passing through two large wooden doors into the formal dining area. While only an average sized table occupied the space now, seating for over twenty was possible during the home's heyday. A large fireplace graced the far wall, with a painting of some long dead relative hanging above the mantle. The original chandelier still hung majestically above the table. They passed through a door in the side wall and stepped into the roomy kitchen. Even though the appliances had been modernized, the space was huge compared to modern kitchens and boasted another fireplace. Roger imagined the slaves cooking over the open flame for the family and guests. A small table had been installed in an open space, where Roger assumed the family ate most meals. The kitchen had a wide open, country feel to it, but lacked a family atmosphere. Roger determined that Brian was in badly in of some family togetherness, and resolved to give that to him soon. Exiting the kitchen, they stepped into a large room with yet another oversized fireplace. Couches, chairs, tables and a large television let Roger know this was the living room. The dead give away was a large woman, with only one leg Roger observed, sitting on the couch knitting something. Her eyes rose to take in the young man, the ever present smile crossing her lips. She found him to be beautiful, a bit girlie in her estimation, but still gorgeous. She turned her attention to Brian and asked, "Well, sugar, ya gonna introduce to your hot new friend?" Brian bowed his head slightly and blushed bigger than ever. Roger noted the flush and couldn't help but think it was totally cute. "Aunt Billie, this is Roger," he said. The sexy young man stepped toward her and extended his hand. "Pleased to meet ya, ma'am," he said politely. "Thank you young man. Very pleased to meet you too. Our Brian has told me a lot about you." "Our Brian" rang wonderfully in Roger's ears. He'd never considered that Brian would talk a lot about him to anyone. The fact that he had left room for some playful ribbing. "I don't know what he's told ya ma'am, but I assure you that most of it's untrue." Roger managed to keep a dead straight face the entire time. Picking up on the attempt to play with Brian, she added, " Not to worry young man. We've known that Brian loves telling tall tales since he was a child. Truth has never been his strong suit." She also kept a poker face throughout the exchange. Brian stood looking at both of them, his mouth wide open. He couldn't believe the bull shit he was hearing. He started to respond, but the words got caught in his throat. As he went to try again, he saw the stone faces of both people become wide grins, followed by uproarious laughter. Tears came to Roger's eyes as his laugh became silent due to lack of air. Billie laughed just as hard, always enjoying an opportunity to give her favorite nephew a difficult time. The blush on Brian's face only got worse. He was so pissed that he had fallen for their game, especially in Roger's presence. Being gullible was always his weakness, one that apparently was not improving. Abandoning his feeble attempt at mock anger, he joined in the playful laughter until everyone caught their breath. He explained to Aunt Billie that they were gonna let Roger change and then take care of the horses. After that, he was gonna teach him the finer points of riding through the North Carolina mountains. Billie nodded, and pointed to the bathroom where Roger could change. Once he was gone, she beckoned her nephew to bend down for a big hug. "He's amazing, sugar. I'm so happy for you," she whispered to him. Brian closed his eyes and smiled, relieved that Billie had the same opinion of Roger that he did. He hugged her tightly, soaking up all of the loving energy he could. When Roger came out of the bathroom, the sight before him almost brought tears to his eyes. It was the first time he had seen Brian totally at peace. Not wanting to interrupt the moment, he attempted to cross quietly into the room. Being an old house, though, a floor board creaked, giving away his approach. Billie caught Roger's eye and gave him a quick wink before Brian realized he was now back with them. When Brian realized that Roger had returned, he bolted nervously from Billie's arms, nearly knocking over a lamp in the process. He looked embarrassed and flustered. "Sugar, you're as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Take a chill pill, honey. As a matter of fact, take two because they're small, " Aunt Billie joked. Brian took a deep breath and gave her a cheesy, eat shit smile. This caused her uproarious laughter to return. Roger noted that her whole body jiggled and wiggled when she laughed. It reminded him of a Santa Claus type character. He liked her a lot already and felt Brian was lucky to have her. Brian excused the two of them, and led Roger to the barn. Again, the routine of hay, water and feed began yet again. He showed Roger all the ins and outs, even letting him prepare the feed for most of the mares unattended. When those tasks were completed, he led Roger to the barn next door. The moment they entered, Roger heard a whinny coming from behind a wooden door. Brian proudly stepped toward it, opening to reveal his pride and joy. Roger observed the majestic animal, noting his wide chest, his broad back, and his snow white mane. A single white mark resembling a star graced the stallion's otherwise totally golden body. With his amateur knowledge of animals, Roger found Leo to be more beautiful than most horses he'd seen on TV or in magazines. Brian took an apple out of its container, placing it in Roger's hand. He explained how to hold it on a completely flat hand. Roger took the apple and moved it toward the horse's mouth. Leo carefully removed the treat, his teeth never coming close to Roger's skin. Brian petted Leo across the snout and closed the stall door. He led Roger across the barn, stopping before the largest horse Roger had ever seen. "Roger, meet Georgie Girl. I'm gonna let you ride her," Brian announced. Roger's face went white, and his eyes opened wide. He decided to play it cool and said, " Sure, dude. She'll do just fine." His obviously frightened eyes never left the horse. What he was really thinking was, "How the fuck is it safe to ride something that big?" Brian could read Roger's face like a book. Due to her height, most people were intimidated by Georgie Girl. She was half Clydesdale, hence her abnormally large build. She was a retired brood mare kept around mostly for sentimental reasons, having been part of the Thomas family for years. Her style was to plod everywhere she went. Roger would have no problem with her, except her moving too slowly to suit him. Brian enjoyed watching him writhe for a few more minutes, then decided to explain things. He explained the animal's family history to Roger, and stressed that she did nothing quickly. He breathed a slight sigh of relief, still not quite sure what to make of the situation. Brian entered the stall and installed a bridle. Handing the reins to Roger, he helped him lead her to a pole, where they tied them off. Brian grabbed a western style saddle, teaching Roger step by step how to correctly install it. With each minute he stood next to the unmoving horse, Roger relaxed. He knew, even after knowing each other for only a day, that he could trust Brian. He vastly enjoyed the closeness of Brian's warm body, as he taught him how to make sure the girth of the saddle was tight. After everything was on the horse, Brian helped Roger into the seat and led them out of the barn. He gave Roger a crash course in steering, stopping and accelerating the animal. As promised, Georgie was in no hurry to do anything. With Roger practicing, Brian headed to the large stone barn to retrieve Leo. He installed the bridle, pausing only to to remove his flops and shirt before mounting up. He was a thoroughly experienced rider, so saddles were beside the point. Roger noted a nearly naked Brian exit the barn. He had never seen a sight so sexy in his life. It made his cock jump to attention, and the fire of desire burn harder. Noting what attire Brian had shed, he quickly removed his shirt, socks and shoes. Brian soaked up the sight, his mouth filling with saliva. He thought it was adorable that Roger was not gonna be out done. He goosed Leo's sides, steering them in the direction of the open pasture. Brian's father had been observing the boys from a distance. He didn't know who the new boy was, but he knew something wasn't right. He headed into the house, he was determined to investigate. Coming into the living room, he found Billie knitting away in her usual spot. "Who's the faggot?" he inquired. Billie rolled her eyes and slammed her knitting down. "Dammit, Andrew, shut the hell up!" she exclaimed angrily. "Just because a boy chooses to wear his hair long doesn't make him a 'faggot' as you called him." Andrew grimaced at the dressing down Billie had given him. "Maybe not, but only a faggot would pierce his belly!" Billie looked at him incredulously. "Andrew, he's a wonderful boy. Your son and he are becoming fast friends, and I welcome that. Brian has gone through life with almost no friends because of your awful ways. You need to butt the hell out and let things be. He's happy and that's all that matters!" Andrew straightened his greasy baseball cap then withdrew a non filtered cigarette from his shirt pocket. He lit it, never breaking the evil he stare he was giving Billie. "Hmpf! I let it go for now, but this ain't near over. I find out what I think is true, that boy will regret the day he ever met my kid. No son of mine is gonna be turned into some fucking butt pirate!" His tirade over, he turned and headed out the door. Billie was thankful that he had to pick up a mare in Statesville tonight, as that would keep him gone for most of the evening. The boys would be safe for now. She breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the old truck start up and kick up gravel as it drove away. Meanwhile, Brian and Roger were really enjoying their ride. They had started moving up the creek, following Brian's normal mare retrieval route. Once in the open pasture, Brian decided to take Roger along the property's fence line. The ride was an easy one for Roger and Brian could drive home the magnitude of how big the farm really was. They eased down a large hill, following the fence along the nearest road. The boys were constantly joking back and forth, both trying to get the last word in. Brian stared at Roger, admiring his beautiful body as it moved with the horse's steps. He knew at that moment he was gonna fall hard for the boy. Furthermore, he didn't care. He couldn't imagine not letting go of his fears and following the long, twisty road that Roger and he were on. He felt certain, though, with Roger at his side, all would be well. A feeling of invincibility washed over him, a feeling he had never felt before. Roger noticed that Brian had gone silent, and turned to see what was up. His eyes met those big green pools of fire. He had never seen Brian look so contented, and it made him happy that he'd had a part in it. The desire to kiss Roger was overwhelming Brian. He decided to be a bit cavalier and pulled Leo up beside Georgie until their sides were touching. When that happened, he tied Leo's reins together and slid off his back. He ended up in the saddle behind Roger, his crotch pressed hard into the boy's ass. He grabbed Roger's head, turning it forcefully toward his and moved his lips forward. Their lips met, and, like the night before, their mouths opened automatically. Tongues smashed together and involuntary moans could be heard. Brian rubbed up Roger's chest, his hands contacting two rock hard nipples. Roger gasped hard when they were touched, so Brian made sure to be more deliberate on the next pass. Roger's body was boiling. Every time Brian touched his nipples, his whole body would react, tingling from head to toe. He felt Brian gently take hold of them, rolling them around with his thumb and forefinger. He'd never felt something so erotic in his life. The rolling elicited a loud moan, causing the kiss to be broken. Roger stared at Brian intently, swimming in the big green pools that were his eyes. Cocking his head, he drew Brian back in to start the kiss all over. He leaned back to get a better angle, and felt Brian's rock, hard cock against his ass. He purposely ground his hips toward it, driving harder against his supple cheeks. Brian was at full extension now, so Roger ground harder and more purposefully. The feeling of a cock against his ass and the tweaking of his nipples were just too much. He ground back hard, and moaned into Brian's mouth. His cock reached its peak and spewed rope after rope of sticky, hot cum into his jeans. Brian felt the moan into his mouth and the harder grind into his cock. Moving forward to get a better kissing angle drove his steel shaft even harder into Roger's ass. His horseback lover pushed back at the same moment, sending Brian rushing over the top. Cum came careening up his shaft, causing an explosion in his shorts. He let out six huge dollops of cum, the front of his shorts becoming quickly saturated. Both boys were breathing extra heavily. Neither had experienced an orgasm as the result of another's efforts. It was a mind boggling experience. They settled down and looked each other in the eyes. Smiles were huge. Brian took hold of Roger's head and began yet another kiss. The world around them began to disappear. Before it was totally gone, though, Brian heard a loud sound from the direction of the road beside them. Looking that direction, he hurriedly broke the kiss and turned ghost white. "Oh fuck......" To Be Continued