This is an original homocentric love story. If you are offended by homosexual relationships, do not read. All characters and situations are fictional and of my own creation. Any resemblance to real situations or people, living or dead, is completely coincidental. See chapter one for further warnings and copyright information.

Chapter 5

"Well, there is something we can do to try to make things easier for all the gay students here," Mister G said: "a Gay, Lesbian, Bi, and Straight Club, or GLBS for short. After finding out about you and Jeremy, I started looking into possible ways to diminish the bigotry. This is one of the easiest, and I think the best ways to do that. I was going to run it by the Board of Education at the next meeting. There are also other terms that we could use, such as a Gay-Straight Alliance, or GSA, or a Gay and Straight Peers club, also known as GASP."

The four of us - Mister and Mrs. G, Jeremy and I - had sat down after supper to talk about what was going on at school with Jeremy and me. Realistically, of course, we had come to the reluctant decision that Jeremy wasn't likely to remain 'in the closet' for long; not with his being as demonstrative as he was. Although Jeremy was a bit defensive about that, he didn't really disagree. Although I'd extracted a promise from him that he'd be careful at school, we all knew that it was only a matter of time. And if someone was picking on him, I might be the one to let slip our secret through my actions. You never really know how you're going to react in any situation until you're in it, right? Not that I came to that conclusion on my own, much as I'd like to claim it.

So anyway, Mister G seems to have thought of all that, and a club made up of both straights and gays was his solution. I wasn't naive enough to think it would put a complete stop to the bigotry, but it was true that it should help with the fence-sitters anyway, and there was strength in numbers. The more people we had supporting us, the better.

But for something like that to work, you needed more than just a couple of people interested in it. Even if the Board of Education approved the idea, and we put out flyers and posters... My mind was spinning with all the implications, and the possibilities for things that could go wrong. Most of the straight people would be afraid that they'd be labeled as 'queers' if they went, and most of the gays, lesbians, and bisexuals would be afraid of being outed, along with all the problems that were likely to come with that. Then there would be hecklers and bullies... Jeremy was all for the club, of course, but as much as I was beginning to love him, I had to admit that he was a bit innocent, despite his IQ.

We discussed the various terms we could use, and decided that 'GLBS' was just a bit unwieldy (and pronouncing it 'glibs' had a whole other connotation), while 'GASP' had too much potential to be misused by hecklers. We decided that if it was going to be done, we should call it a GSA. 'Gay-Straight Alliance' sounded stronger, anyway.

"Ethan, I'd like for you to spearhead the club, should it be approved," Mister G went on to say.

I thought he might try that. "Are you trying to ruin my life, Mister G?" I protested. "I can think of at least two good reasons why I shouldn't. Having me head up this club would only make me a target, and almost everyone is bigger than me."

"That's only one reason."

It was enough, as far as I was concerned, but I had said 'two reasons'. I started frantically searching my mind for another good reason why I couldn't do this, although the truth was that I was just scared to death of standing up in front of people and making speeches. Well, that and not liking the idea of three or four guys pounding the shit out of me; or worse, Jeremy. "Okay... right. Ah... Jeremy wouldn't let me do it alone!" So I panicked! Sue me! "Besides, don't club officials have to be elected?" I asked, grasping at straws.

"Leaders will be voted in this year, and every year. You'd only spearhead until there were enough members to vote for club leaders," he said reasonably.

He was just going to ignore the potential for violence, wasn't he? That was a rhetorical question. I could see that he was.

"I'll do it," Jeremy chimed in.

"No!" Mister G and I chorused.

"Damn it, love, I want you safe!" I raged. We'd talked about this often enough, so why did he keep doing stuff like this? Quiet descended on the room as I glared at Jeremy, all but forgetting that his parents were still in the room.

Jeremy's eyes grew wide immediately after my outburst. "Tan... " he said, trying to draw my attention to something. I was too mad and scared for him to figure it out.

"What?" I snapped.

He didn't say anything more, but just looked meaningfully from me to his dad, then his mom, and then back to me. When I realized what he was doing, my mood slid quickly from outraged anger to cold realization of what I had just said, and in front of whom. "Oh, shit," I mouthed. Jeremy just nodded.

I slowly looked over at Jer's parents. Mister G just had a mild look of amusement on his face, one eyebrow cocked (probably for my language), but Mrs. G was looking pretty shocked. "Um... Sorry. I kinda lost it there for a minute."

"'Love'?" Mrs. G said, echoing me.

Oh. Well, she wasn't concerned about the swearing, anyway. "Well - yeah," I said lamely.

Jeremy scooted close and laid his head on my shoulder. I instinctively put my arm around his waist, then removed it like I'd been burned. "Jeremy!" I remonstrated with him, pushing him off of me. He giggled at my reaction.

That was a part of him that I hadn't expected - the giggling, that is. You don't expect to hear boys his age giggle, but he did. I found it endearing most of the time, but now?

"Oh, lighten up, Tan; I love you, too!" Jer said as he again put his head on my shoulder. He put his arms around me for good measure, probably so I couldn't shove him off again. Whatever the reason, it felt good. But under the circumstances, I still didn't feel comfortable returning the embrace.

But Mrs. G had sunk down into her chair, and Mister G had gone over to comfort her. "Did you really think he'd get over his crush if Ethan moved in?" he asked her quietly. He might not have meant for me to hear, but I did, and a heavy lump developed in my stomach.

Jeremy heard too, and angrily said, "Is that why you asked Tan to move in? Just 'cause you wanted me to get over him?"

"No, it wasn't, Jeremy," Mister G said urgently.

"And Ethan, you have to believe that," he said, turning to me.

Looking back at Jer, he said, "Your mother hoped that would be a side-effect, but that wasn't why we took him in. He needed a home, you needed a friend who could understand, and since I'd precipitated the situation, it was only right. So far," he continued, looking to include me, "despite a few rough spots, I haven't had reason to regret that decision. Yes, it's made life a little more... problematic," he confessed, "but you're a very likable young man, Ethan, and I'm happy to have you here."

"That goes for me as well, Ethan," Mrs. G said earnestly, if a bit weakly. "I... Well, every mother has warring feelings about their children; one side wants them to grow up and be successful adults, but the other side wants them to remain children forever. I wasn't expecting to have to deal with this," she said, gesturing between Jeremy and me, "for another couple of years or so," she explained.

Jeremy was looking subdued. I couldn't really tell what he was feeling, but he pushed himself more firmly into my side, holding me a little tighter. I surreptitiously put a hand on his waist. I didn't want to exacerbate the situation, but I felt that Jeremy probably needed a little reassurance from me.

"I think I understand, Mrs. G," I replied. "At least I'm trying to."

"Time for the two of you to start getting ready for bed," Mister G declared, changing the subject.

Well, that was a bit abrupt, but I was kinda relieved to have that conversation over and done with, at least for now. I kinda thought it would come up again, though.

When we got up, I went over to Mrs. G, Jeremy following me, and when I gave her a hug, Jer joined in. She hugged us back, awkwardly, as she was still sitting in her armchair, and then shooed us off to do as we'd been told. I went, but not before I'd hugged Mister G as well. From the look on his face he was surprised, but pleased. I decided I liked the hugs too, and determined to repeat it every night. So I was sixteen: you never really outgrow the feelings you get from a warm hug, and it was very reassuring.

"Do we really have to go to bed?" I asked Jeremy in the hallway.

"No, just get ready. Showers, tooth-brushing, any homework that still needs to be done... good-night kisses?" he added with a shit-eating grin.

He was still heading for the bathroom when I grabbed him and pulled him into a kiss, holding him off-balance. We'd gotten pretty good at it, over the course of the week. When I let Jeremy go he was just a bit shocked, and just stood there - for just a second too long. "Ya snooze, ya lose," I said, grinning. I got to the bathroom first.

"Not fair!" he yelled at me through the door.

"That's not what I heard," I sing-songed back at him. "All's fair in love and war, remember?"

"Well, now it's war!" he declared.

I finished up, zipped up my pants and flushed the toilet, then I opened the door and grinned at my boyfriend. "You really want to go there?"

He just pushed past me, trying to glare at me, stood at the toilet, unzipped his pants, took himself out and started to piss, right in front of me. I was surprised: not only by his lack of modesty in front of me, but by the size of his member. I had felt his erection through his clothes a couple of times (more than a couple, really), but I hadn't seen it bare until now, when it was soft. He was circumcised, and bigger than I thought he was - but not as big as me, I was relieved to see.

When he finally saw me looking, as he was shaking off the last drops, he blushed, and rushed to put himself away. Bad idea. He caught himself in his zipper, then quickly yanked down on it, releasing himself. But even bent over in pain, he had restrained himself to only a quiet yelp.

I winced, then rushed to help him. "Turn around."

"No, I'm okay," he said, his voice tense with pain.

"Don't be stupid. Let me see if you're hurt."

"I'm okay!" he said stubbornly.

"Do you want me to call your mom?" I threatened.

He panicked. "No!"

"Then let me see."

"No." He was sounding a little embarrassed, now.

I laughed. "You can't let me see it, and you're wanting sex?"

He blushed. "That's different."

Serious now, I said, "Yeah, it is, a bit, but I still want to make sure you're okay." He was still hesitating. Well, if serious wasn't going to do it, maybe I could tease him into letting me see if he was hurt. "That's going to be my play toy, you know." I winked at him as I said that. "Can't have it damaged now, can I?"

Jer's blush deepened, but he turned to let me examine him - kinda. He put his hands over his crotch: a modesty reflex, I think. I moved his hands out of the way, and made a big show out of taking hold of his penis and examining it - just out of meanness, since he'd been so modest and stubborn. Fortunately, while there was a little bit of loose skin and some redness, it was no more than you'd get from lightly skinning your knee, and there was no blood. He was starting to get hard. On impulse, I kissed the head of his half-hard cock, and while getting up, gave his package a squeeze. Then I tucked him safely away. "Zip up, love. You're okay. No cuts or blood." I couldn't help grinning at the expression on his face, even though I'm sure I was blushing quite furiously myself. I couldn't believe I'd done that.

Jer's eyes were wide, mouth hanging half open, both shock and desire showing plainly. "You... You... Why...?"

I grinned at his reaction. "It was just so cute," I said, baiting him.

Jeremy was outraged. His manhood had just been made a diminutive. "Cute? Cute?"

I was laughing at him, now. He slapped at me, and when I dodged, he started play-punching at me. "I'll show you cute, you bastard," he said, grinning.

"Boys? What are you doing in there? Stop playing and get ready for bed!" It was Mrs. G.

"Okay, Mom!" Jer yelled.

"Okay, Mrs. G." I called out at the same time.

"So why did you?" Jer asked me quietly, when we were pretty sure she was gone.

I shrugged, a bit embarrassed, and not really having an answer. "I dunno. Just wanted to."

"Wanted to kiss it and make it all better?" Jer asked. I could tell he was teasing me.

"Sure," I retorted, grinning. "Maybe I should kiss your head, to make your brain work better, too!"

"Oo... I can't believe you said that!" He made ready to attack me again.

"Ah-ah-ah!" I warned, pointing at him and grinning. "You don't want me to have to punish you, do you?"

He glowered at me, then I guess he decided to chance it, 'cause he punched my shoulder. I grabbed him, pinning his arms to his sides, and dived in for an almost brutal kiss. And I kept it up, plundering his lips and mouth until he stopped struggling. When he did, I let up and looked at his dazed face. Capturing his eyes with my own, I said, "I'm in charge, remember?" He just nodded, laid his head on my chest, and put his arms loosely around my waist.

"You're in charge," he whispered happily.

"Now, come on. We still need to finish getting ready for bed. If we've got time, we can cuddle in my room for a bit. Sound good?" He nodded again, head still on my chest, eyes closed. God, but this felt good. I just wanted to hold him and protect him for the rest of my life.

I kissed the top of his head, pushed him off me a bit, kissed his brow and then let him go, before turning to get my toothbrush.

"Tan?"

"Hm?"

"I love you." It wasn't just a statement, it was an offering; and one I wasn't about to refuse.

I turned back to him, and much more gently than before, I took him in my arms and kissed him. "I love you, too, Jeremy." It had been a whirlwind in developing, but it just felt so right.

We did have a little while to kiss and cuddle later, but not as much as either of us wanted, and I'd only had to remind him that we were waiting for his birthday once. When Mrs. G sent Jer to his own room, it was with reluctance on both our parts. I had a problem that I had to take care of before I could go to sleep, and Jer figured exclusively in the fantasy that went along with the solution. If the tent in Jer's pajamas was any indication, he'd probably done the same. Fortunately his bathrobe had hidden his condition when he got up, and I had made sure my position hid mine - not that I really thought we were fooling anyone.

o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o

The next day at school, I saw Barry in the halls. He didn't look like he was happy. Scowling at me? Not good news, then. "Side lawn at noon, Ethan," he says.

What? Okay, I'm totally confused. If he was going to turn on me, he could have done it right then.

"What was that about, Tan?"

I hadn't seen Jer come up beside me.

I sighed. "I guess I get to find out if I have any friends left or not, Jer."

The morning seemed to drag on interminably, and I couldn't get a clue from the faces of my friends, which just made me worry and fret even more. Finally the lunch bell rang, and I made my way to the side lawn, making sure I didn't sit under any open windows, and waited for Barry to show up. When he did, he sat about four feet away from me, and just stared at the ground. I just waited, afraid of what he might say. After a while I was sure that he was waiting for me to say something first, but just as I was getting ready to ask him what was up, he finally spoke.

"I asked my dad what he thought of homosexuals last night. He thought I was hinting about me!" His voice was so indignant!

I almost choked, trying to hold back a snort of laughter. Barry looked at me, and gave me the ghost of a wry grin before studying the grass again.

"Yeah, well, I finally convinced him that it wasn't me, but someone I knew at school. He told me pretty much the same things you did, then. He sure was mad when he thought it was me, though."

"So?" I asked.

He sighed. "So, I guess we're still friends, 'long as you don't fag on me or one of the guys."

"You're not my type, Bear," I said. I was relieved that we'd still be friends, but that 'fag' comment rubbed me the wrong way, so I had mixed emotions right then. "Could you not say 'fag', though? It kinda hurts."

Barry looked up, surprised. "Huh? Oh, sure. Sorry."

"How about the guys? Have you talked to them, yet?"

Barry looked down again, and started pulling up blades of grass. "Not really. Sounded 'em out a little. Doesn't look good."

"Did you talk to them alone, or all together?"

"Together."

"Might get a better idea if you talk to them alone."

Barry was again looking at me, puzzled. "Why?"

I didn't answer directly, but asked a question of my own. "If I'd tried to tell you the stuff I did yesterday with all the guys there, how do you think you'd have reacted? Think about it, and be honest."

"I... " He stopped, frowned, and then said, "You're probably right. I probably would have just blown you off. Wouldn't want the guys to think I was a - gay lover."

I noticed the pause. "Thanks for changing the word, Bear."

He just shrugged it off. "I'll talk to them again - alone."

"Thanks. Let's go get some lunch."

After eating, I went to Mister G's office. I didn't have a whole lot of time left, but I only had one question. Fortunately he was in, just finishing up a sandwich.

"Hello, Ethan," Mister G said jovially. "How can I help you?"

"Hello, Mister G. Um... You said you'd get Jer and me some... reading material?" I was red as a beet, I'm sure.

He closed his eyes, and sighed. When he opened them, he asked, "It's at that point, then?"

I bit my lip, and nodded. "I've been putting him off, but I promised after his birthday... "

"I see. I'll have it for you when I get home, tonight. Don't let Amy know." He didn't look the least bit jovial anymore: more like sad and resigned. That I'd just told him that his son was the more eager in the matter didn't help, I'm sure - not that I wasn't more than willing, mind you.

"No, sir. I won't." I didn't think it would be wise to say 'thank you'. After all, I'd just reminded him to get learning materials to help his son and me to have sex.

o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o

Mister G was as good as his word, casually handing me a plain plastic sack when he got home. "Here's your homework, Ethan; you forgot it in my office." Those were the last words he spoke to me that night, except for asking for stuff at supper, or to utter a politeness. He was almost as bad with Jeremy. I didn't blame him. I felt totally weird, too. After all, how many people have to get sex ed material from their intended's parents: especially when that parent knows how that material is going to be put to use? Oh, Jeremy and I could have looked it all up on the Internet, but then there was the chance of Mrs. G catching us at it. I don't think Mister G would have been pleased about us going behind his back, either.

After supper, Jer and I did our real homework, then laid across his bed while we looked through the material his dad had brought us - including, I found out, material on the GSA clubs. I guess that was going to be a part of the deal. Okay. So be it. We had video game magazines to cover it all up with in case his mom came in, but we only had to do that once. Jer kept looking at me and blushing shyly. I tried not looking at him at all, since I knew I'd probably blush too, but I nudged him once in a while in order to tease him about something we were reading. This was stuff we might be using with each other - no, that we almost certainly would be using with each other. We both had to adjust ourselves a few times when our crotches got too tight.

Jer and I studied that material the rest of the week and got a little more comfortable both with the material, and the idea of being together and using that information with each other. I know I was still nervous, though. There's a big difference between reading and doing, and I was pretty sure most of the pressure was going to be on me.

o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o

There was no word from Barry until Friday, when he told me to meet him at the same place after I ate. When I got there, I understood why he wanted it a little later; all the gang were there, sitting in a circle, a space open for me. Now the question was: was I still a part of that group? Barry didn't keep me wondering for long. After I sat down with them, he said, "You've always been a pretty good friend, Ethan, and everyone here thinks so. We've talked it over and, well... " He sighed, looking around at the others for support and reassurance. Receiving it in small nods of the head and other small gestures, he continued. "Well, we figure you being... gay... doesn't really change who you are. But it's going to take a while for us to get used to it. We're going to try to keep on like we always have, but the guys want your promise that you won't hit on them."

"You guys?" I said in pretend disbelief. "You think highly of yourselves, don't you? You guys are just too monkey ugly for me!" I laughed at the mix of shocked offense and relief on their faces, and they joined in almost immediately. I halfway expected them to dog-pile on me for the insult, but they weren't that comfortable with me yet, and just gave me little shoves instead. It was almost more than I could have really expected, but knowing the reason for the restraint made it a little disappointing. Still, restraint or no, they had decided to stick by me, and that felt really great.

Now: How were they going to react when it finally came out that I had a boyfriend, and who it was? 'One problem at a time, Ethan; one problem at a time,' I told myself.

The rest of the day just flew by, and I couldn't wait to tell Jeremy, but I didn't see him again until after the last bell, when I met him by our lockers. Jeremy was happy with the news, of course, and I just barely kept him from jumping all over me when I told him.