J&J and the 5 Be's, Part Six

By Bix Meister

"Future Son-In-Law?"

This is a story featuring gay men, and gay sex, intended for Adults, not Minors.  It is fiction, and as such is not based on any actual people or events.  It is a fantasy intended purely as a catalyst for pleasure.  No attempts have been made to portray safe sex, but the author encourages you to practice it.

 

********************Notice********************

Notice, this chapter and series, features a relationship between adult father and son. If this is not your cup of tea, I suggest you check out my Snowplow series.  If you've already read my Snowplow series, you may find a character or two which are familiar.

 

"Future Son-In-Law?"

 

"I'll call you when I get home."

As Dad drove towards my Kenwood home, I scanned the texts my Mom and I had been sending. Talking about sexuality with Mom, always felt clinical. It was her specialty after all. Our texts, reflected that. Her responses took time to appear on my phone. They were well written, and clearly thought out. My responses were often only one word.

I could tell that she was getting frustrated by my brevity, so I finally suggested I call her. Putting my phone down, I could concentrate on the crisp March day that we were experiencing. We were on Skyline Drive, getting closer to my home in Kenwood.

On top of the hill I saw a house that often bemused me. It was the white-washed twin to Pete and Kyle's chalet. Dad noticed it too. "J, that looks like Pete's house. I wonder if it was from the same developer back in the day. Do you think that's possible?"

I remembered Kyle's story, so I told what I knew. "Pete did say that he got his house for a great deal in the Seventies. I think there was supposed to be more built, but the Energy Crisis kinda put a kibosh on the developer's plans."

We drove on, then turned down my street. I was impressed that Dad didn't use his phone's mapping app or the Jeep's GPS,at all during the drive. Duluth was quickly becoming Dad's second home.

Kurt was quiet the entire time. This wasn't totally out of character for him, so I paid no attention to it. Dad must have been more attuned to his lover, so he pulled me aside. "J, Kurt and I need some alone time to talk. Don't worry, it's all good. Do you mind if we use your room?"

"Go ahead, Dad. I need to call Mom, anyway."

"Son, I trust you, but can I ask you to keep what we did, our little secret?"

"Dad, I really don't think I have it in me to talk about that with mom, but you know how she is. You've always told me to Be Honest, so..."

"J, I realize I am walking a tightrope, loving Mom, Kurt, and – dare I say it – you. I just need you to understand this all is as confusing and fucked up to me, as it is to you. Keep that in the back of your mind when you talk to Mom."

I hugged Dad, and kissed him on his cheek. "What happens in Duluth, stays in Duluth, for the most part Dad. Now, go talk it over with your man."

As Dad walked away, I went into my office, and sat at my desk. I pulled out my phone, ready to call Mom, but got a GROWL from Topher.

"Thanks for the skate earlier J. You and your Dad are both STUDS on the ice. WOOF"

"Thanks, Toph, You are a hot and gifted player yourself. Not to mention..."

"Not to mention, what? Don't lead me on buddy. I got the night off, want to hit the Sports Garden?"

"Sorry, meeting another guy from this app. And I am not leading you on. Just speaking the truth here, Topher."

"Hey, I gotta call my Mom, maybe I'll text you later, before I head out."

"K, have fun with the "Daddy" It will be a fun end to your father and son weekend."

I was kind of pissed at his attitude, but I didn't let on.

"Hey, it's just a dinner with a guy. Sure, he is older, but you already knew that is my type."

"K, Sorry. J, I had fun today. I really like you, and I like your Dad, and his friend. This isn't easy for me. But I gotta say one last thing. You don't know how lucky you got it."

I was ready to reply that it wasn't easy for me either, or my Dad. But I knew in my soul, he had it much worse.

"Yeah I am lucky. Chat at ya later, my friend. Gotta call my Mom."

"Friend-zoned, once again 😊 HA, Say hi to Mom from her future son-in-law. 😉"

"Luv ya buddy, Chat later. Maybe, I'll text you after the date, or during, if he is boring."

"WOOF, I can hope for during."

I hesitated for a moment. Did I just say luv ya? All my camming friends say "luv ya" quite easily as an acknowledgement of our friendship. On the scale of terms of endearment, "luv ya" is a four to five, while "I love you" is a solid ten.

I could only use the words "I love you" with two, possibly three people. I said it more often with Dad, than Mom, and only once with Skyler. I clicked on my Mom's user-pic on the phone, and waited for her to answer.

"So, tell me, how's your weekend?"

After I said "I love you, Mom," it all came flooding out. I told her about Topher, and the fun I had skating with him. I told her about my upcoming date with Van. We talked about Pete's house, and the love I saw shared there. I talked about everything, but Dad, Kurt, and me.

"Well, J, how are your Dad and Kurt, doing?" From my sharp intake, and subsequent silence, she knew it wasn't a topic I was comfortable discussing. "J, dear, it's okay, I know more than they think I know. I've known for a while your Dad was bi. I also knew you were somewhere on the gay spectrum."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because I knew you wouldn't listen to your mom. Even when I did try, you brushed it off."

"I'm sorry, Mom."

"No need to be sorry. Listen J, sexuality is one of those topics I doubt we'll ever fully understand. I'm a professional for fuck's sake, and I don't know what to say to my own son. Some may even think I am being clinical, and dispassionate about my own husband, allowing him to have a man as his lover, while he still is loving me."

"That thought crossed my mind, Mom. Is it hard for you to see, or even think about? Does he still love you?"

"Seeing the love he has for Kurt, made it easier. It's hard for me to explain. I knew immediately that this love was different, yet just as strong as the feelings he still has for me."

"Mom, I get that. I didn't like it at first, but Kurt and Dad have a different chemistry when they are together." I thought for a second, again my hesitation was noted by my Mom, the professional.

"J, your Dad told me he mentioned my trips to New York. He said it's up to me to fill you in on the details." This time the silence was hers. I waited as she drew a breath, then continued. "Before I say anything, understand that even though I don't confess to know everything about sexuality, I believe it to be fluid. With that said, I'd like you to meet Joanne when she comes to Minnesota in a month."

"Wait... Just how long have you..." I couldn't complete my question.

"J, for about ten years."

"And you did nothing when I struggled with coming out, especially Dad's reaction to my coming out?"

"J, I tried, but you ignored what I said. It became obvious this was something you and your dad had to work through. I tried to work with him too, believe me I tried. Like Father, like Son, they say, and in your case, it might even be Like Son, like Father."

"Mom, I think you hit it on the head. I'm sometimes as hard headed as he is. Mom, as a professional, do you think my love for Dad is the reason why I like older men?"

"As a professional, who is too closely related to the subject, I think that is a question only you can answer. I can only say, I would eliminate the old cliché about an absent father in your case."

"Listen son, we've talked long enough. If I was stepping back into my professional shoes, I would only add one bit of advice. I'll steal from your Dad's rules and tell you to Be Ready for love, or sex, when it comes. And when it comes, Be Loving."

"Okay Mom, I will. You know, earlier today a friend of mine told me, I didn't realize how lucky I had it. I agreed with him, but thought he didn't know my whole story. I guess I do have it lucky, even if I don't know our whole story." I hesitated for emphasis. "Mom, I love you. I can't wait `til I have a man I love enough that I can share him with you."

"I can't either J. And I can't wait `til I can introduce you to Joanne."

I rocked back in my chair after our goodbyes, then opened my laptop. Like clockwork, I went to my "followed cams" page. Splooge was on, so I went to his page. Splooge was a cammer known for his equal parts of chat, and `bate. He'd be on cam, visible from nose to knees, and stroking an always turgid dick. He was the prototypical bear with a big, round, furry belly, and copious pre-cum from his thick, hard cock.

Usually I'd participate, but I laid back as Splooge turned his sights on one horny chatter. He'd stroke, moan and caress his body as if this man was directing his own porn scene. Splooge was an artist at connecting with his viewers.

Looking at Splooge, I realized he was about the same age as my Dad, but other than that, they had little in common. If Splooge was an artist on cam, in real life, his art came alive. He was among the first cammers that I had followed, who took me under his wing. I had his phone number, email, and most importantly, his confidence. We'd text each other about anything and everything. The pics he sent me ranged from lewd selfies, to paintings that were works in progress. Yep, Splooge was very different from my dad, yet something in his age, held an allure for me.

This time, I was unable to get pulled into the allure of his cam, and body. I didn't know how my upcoming "date" would go with Van, but true to my Mom's instructions, I wanted to Be Ready for love, and or sex. I smiled for a bit. I mean, what other twenty-one-year-old on the planet had such an understanding Mom and Dad when it came to a possible relationship with a man about 30 years his senior?

I was lost in thought when I felt Dad's hand on my shoulder. "Looks like you had enough time to talk to Mom. Did she tell you everything?"

I swiveled the chair around. "I don't know if it's everything, but she did tell me about Joanne. Dad, I'll Be Honest. I don't know if I will ever figure this all out. But I love you, and I love Mom, and I have loved one man. I guess, that makes me luckier than most people out there."

"So, sounds like you'll Be Ready when it comes time for you to fall in love." He grabbed the chair next to me, then put his hands on my knee. "You should also Be Ready for sex. I still have those Magnum Condoms just in case."

"Dad, you let your lover fuck me bareback, and now you are concerned about condoms?"

"J, we both have been tested. I wouldn't put my Son's health at risk."

We heard an extended chuckle coming from my laptop, Dad looked at the laptop screen. "Damn we missed it. Does he always shoot this much?"

I looked back as Splooge's prodigious gut was glistening in sweat and cum. "Yeah, that is a normal occurrence in his room."

"Sorry I deprived you of seeing your buddy shoot. Maybe you can make it up by getting the real thing tonight after your date."

I was about to scold Dad for suggesting that the two of us should have sex, but then I realized he was referring to my date, Van. "Speaking of date, I should get ready."

Dad leaned in and sniffed me. "You still smell shower-fresh from Pete and Kyle's place, Kurt and I, not so much."

"I wasn't gonna say a thing," I laughed. "The two of you deserve your privacy."

"I think after this weekend, we've moved beyond the need for privacy. But I can see there being a need in the future. What if you want to bring your date back here?"

"I don't know that much about my date, actually. He talked about meeting me at his place and then here, but texted me earlier and asked for me to meet him at his home. I'm going to put the address into my map app."

I really didn't know what to expect, so I sent him a GROWL.

"Hey stud, how should I dress?"

"Bit of a change in plans. Casual, but dressy. If you look like the third pic in your profile, we're good. If I see you looking like the fourth pic in your profile, later, even better."

"WOOF! But I'm a good cub who doesn't always put out on the first date."

"I said later, not later tonight. Chemistry is important to me, J. I like to connect with a guy first. Not that I'm a prude, mind you. In fact, far from it. It's just that with the right chemistry, sex can be very intense."

It was almost a split-second later I got the next message.

"Sometimes too intense for some."

I hesitated. It almost felt like Van was giving me a polite way to bow out. Topher had just commented about being "friend-zoned" and it seemed as if Van was already putting me in that category. Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained, I thought, and looked at my GROWLr profile pics. The third one featured me looking dapper in a plaid button-down shirt, and jeans. That part was easy.

The fourth pic, however, was of me, mimicking my favorite pose. THE POSE in fact. I first noticed THE POSE on Tumblr. Guys would take selfies of themselves, laying on their bellies. You'd see a quarter, half or full face shot. Some combo of shoulder, chest or back would be on display. Hopefully a furry butt would be seen, or at least hinted at. Some of the guys would have their knees bent, one or both legs in the air.

I spent a whole month posting my favorites of THE POSE on Tumblr. I doubled my followers that month. There was something universal in THE POSE and I ended the month, posting my own version of THE POSE. I lost count of how often that post got liked, and shared. It was well into the thousands the last time I checked it. In my version, you only catch a bit of my face. Just enough to see my slight smile, and recognize me if you knew me well, but anonymous enough for Tumblr.

I started to look through my drawer for an appropriate shirt. I could take the easy route and wear the one in profile pic #3, but I wanted to be more than a one-trick-pony. I settled on a tonal mini-check shirt and darker, athletic cut jeans. I wondered why Van liked my fourth profile pic, especially when I was showing my Wilson Dick to advantage in pic #5, so I sent him a quick message.

"Any reason why you picked pic #4?"

"It's the tension buddy. That sweet angelic smile, on that devilish body. You don't know how many times I've looked at that pic on Tumblr. I finally followed the person responsible for it, and realized he was right in my backyard. Took me a while to get up the nerve to ask you out, but I'm glad I did."

"Van, I'm about ready. Gotta say goodbye to Dad and his friend, so I'll be heading over soon."

"I'll be waiting. I have a great evening planned for us. Damn, J. This date is giving me butterflies."

Oddly, I was feeling the same way. I had never really been on a date with a man like this before. No one had ever planned an evening for me. No one had ever told me they had butterflies. I looked on my desk at the box of Magnum condoms. I grabbed a couple, and slid them into my jeans.

"Be Ready, huh?" I heard Dad and Kurt behind me. I turned to see them smiling. "J, you have a good time tonight, but remember that you have work and school tomorrow. Shit, I'm sounding like you're twelve, and not a responsible young man."

"Don't worry, J," Kurt said. "Little J will always be your son. It's just another way you show him that he must Be Loving."

Kurt didn't talk much, but when he did, it was always spot on. "Kurt's right you know, Dad. Don't worry about me though. I will be thinking of the 5-Be's tonight while I am with him."

"Text me a pic or two, if you can. I don't want you to be rude or anything, but a selfie of the two of you would be cool, J. Oh, Kurt and I want to check out the camming website together tonight. Can you hook us up, before you go?"

I gave them a swift tutorial, helped them create their own usernames, and set them up with a few of the regulars to follow. They were huddled in front of Kurt's laptop when I was finally ready to leave, so I gave them quick kisses, and said goodbye.

Dad threw me the keys to the Jeep. "Offer to drive. It will show him you are an independent young man."

I entered Van's address into the Jeep's GPS. He wasn't far away, close to Skyline Drive in fact. Following the on-screen navigation, I was taking my last turns in minutes. "No shit," I thought to myself as I took the small dead-end street up the hill towards the whitewashed chalet. It was impossible, but Van's home, was the virtual twin of Pete and Kyle's abode. Now I knew what Kyle was joking about when he said goodbye today.

I parked the Jeep, and walked towards the double door. In contrast to the orange double doors on Pete and Kyle's place, this one had anodized metal doors. I took stock of the similarities and differences between the home I was in earlier, and the one I was about to enter. I raised my hand to knock, but Van opened the door before I could.

"Welcome to my work in progress." Van gestured for me to enter. He looked at me quizzically. "You'll have to excuse some of the mess, but I'm trying to restore the Mid-Century architecture of this place." I was still speechless, so he continued. "Normally I would make dinner on a first date with a handsome young man like yourself. However, as you can see, the kitchen is off limits."

My mouth was wide open as he ushered me in. The living room especially was the mirror image of Pete and Kyle's place. The slate clad fireplace rose two stories to the tongue and groove wood ceiling. There was even an identical Eames lounge chair and ottoman. Sure, the other furnishings looked different, but it was the mirror image of the chalet I had visited earlier in the day.

"So, what do you think? You always are talkative on GROWLr. This isn't like you."

"Van, what can I say? It's like I have déjà vu. Are you familiar with Pete and Kyle?"

I sensed he understood my awe as I looked around. "That explains everything. They have an amazing house, don't they? I'm very familiar with it. I toured through it years ago, it's like time stood still in their house."

"Yes! Just like my grandparent's house. He was a developer and very proud of the house he built for his wife in the late 60's. Their place is still a time capsule." I stood there, looking around. "So Van, this seems like the same house, only reversed. Is everything the same?"

"If you are asking if I have a sauna, shower room and gym, the answer is no. C'mon, let's grab a glass of wine, then I'll take you on a tour. Remodeling this house has been like doing urban archeology, discovering the many layers of themed décor over the years."

Knowing Pete's house so well, I half expected to go downstairs to see the sauna, shower room, gym and rec. room. Van set me right. "The first thing I updated, were the stairs, J. The floating slate stairs, were like the backbone of the house. Can you believe they replaced them with conventional treads? I have the lower level the way I want it. Hopefully it will clue you into who I am, yet feel organic to the architecture."

Downstairs there was the long central hallway clad in slate, just like Pete's. Three doorways were off to the right, instead of left. Van led me to the first door. "Sorry to disappoint, but I have a wine cellar instead of a sauna."

I smiled as we entered. The walls were wood paneled horizontally in much the way that my friends' sauna was. Instead of tiers of sauna benches, there were wine racks which were about one quarter filled. Like the sauna, the wine cellar was climate controlled.

Van could see me shaking my head. "I know what you're thinking. It's the same exact space, but with an entirely different function. That's how they relax, I find relaxation, another way? White or Red?"

"What do you suggest? You know where we are going tonight."

"I'm thinking a nice Malbec." He walked right to the rack, and picked out a bottle, then to the table in the middle of the room. From below, he picked out two glasses, then a corkscrew. He opened the bottle, then poured the wine, giving me a glass. "To friendship, and more" he toasted.

I clicked his glass, then took my first sip. I don't know much about wines, but there was a warmth to it, that I liked. "C'mon, let's continue the tour." He led me out of the wine cellar, and into the next room, his office. "Not much to see here. Just a ton of technical books, drafting table, and my computer."

The next room was the surprise. "This is my studio. I've been pursuing painting in the last few years. When the economy took a downturn in 2008, I suddenly had some free time on my hands. It took me a while to convince people that there was value in hiring a residential architect. I was lucky my husband was gainfully employed. It smoothed over some rough spots `til..." Van became quiet. "I suppose that is a topic for another time."

I remembered that he had lost his husband. I didn't want to make him relive something that was painful, so I looked at his paintings. "The morning light here is amazing. I've started to schedule my clients later in the day, so I can take advantage of it. The windows in the studio, like the windows in Pete and Kyle's workout room, were set higher. Like in the workout room at Pete's place, Van made no attempt to hide the simple cement block wall. This allowed the paintings to speak for themselves.

The paintings reflected the vibrancy of Duluth is a somewhat abstract way. There were three or four canvasses leaning against the wall, I looked through them. "I rotate them out on my own Wall of Shame. This is all for me J. Something I turn to when I feel the need."

"Guess I need to see the Wall of Shame," I said.

I led the way, knowing where it would be. It too, was the perfect mirror image of Pete and Kyle's Wall of Shame. Instead of framed photos, it was layered with paintings from floor to ceiling. The rec. room itself, was a riot of vintage color, reflecting both the artwork, and the era of the home's construction. "This room had Southwest décor when I first saw it. Have a seat J, and I'll tell you about how I ended up buying this place."

I picked an orange womb chair, and sat down, placing my wine glass on the smoked Lucite end table. Van pulled up an ottoman, and sat beside me. "I first stepped into this place, about eighteen years ago." Van filled me in on his clients who owned the house at the time. "The kitchen was Tuscan, the rec. room was Southwest. They had sheet rocked over the tongue and groove ceiling and put stucco over the beams to give it character. Can you imagine that?"

I laughed, I felt very comfortable with Van, understanding him almost immediately. "The funny thing is, the wood of those beams is a cladding. It covers the steel I-beams that make this structure indestructible. They are also a conduit for a lot of the heating and cooling in the house. Quite ingenious when you think about it," Van said.

Van took a sip of his wine. "So, after I lost my husband, I was struggling for a while in our big old house. Everything in it, reminded me of him. One day I was driving along and saw a for sale sign on this house. I knew immediately it was the project that would be perfect for me. I could help it recapture its youth, by stripping away the years of bad decorating inflicted upon it."

"Looks like you are well on your way, Van," I said. The kitchen must be a challenge, and I haven't even seen the bedrooms."

"You might get lucky and see the master bedroom tonight," Van winked. "However, I thought I might take you on an architectural tour of my favorite homes in Duluth, then dinner."

"I'll drive, if that is okay," I said, remembering what my Dad had said.

"That'll be great. I'll navigate," Van said. "You go start your car, let me grab my jacket."

I was sitting in my Jeep when he started to walk towards my vehicle. I was so stunned at seeing his home, I really didn't pay attention to the man I would be sharing dinner with. He was tall, my height at least. His broad shoulders filled out the tweed sport coat he wore. A purple, blue and white, finely checked shirt, was untucked over tailored jeans which fit him perfectly. His full, ginger beard was streaked with silver flecks. Tortoise shell horned rimmed glasses completed the look.

"Like the Jeep," he smiled. "Doesn't seem to be affordable on a college student's budget."

"It's Dad's. He suggested I take it."

"Is your Dad okay with you going on a date with a guy who is probably about his age, if not older?"

"Well, if you would have asked me a month ago, I probably would have had a different answer. But right now, let's just say it's complicated." I used air quotes for the last part which caused Van to smile.

"Drive out here, and take a right. Half the houses on this hill were built by the same developer. Pete's house was an attempt to lure people out west. It didn't work, that is why Pete got such a great deal."

Van did his best to show me the common themes to the homes. Each had a soaring wall of windows that stretched to peaked roofs. The windows looked over Duluth, toward Lake Superior in the east. The natural wood siding on the homes, was complemented by fieldstone, slate or the local bluestone. Only Van's house was whitewashed, something he obviously regretted. "I don't know if I will ever be able to bring it back to its original finish, J. I love the warmth of wood, especially in the gray depths of winter."

He told me to take a side street which was filled with newer homes, and asked me to pick out the house on the block that he had designed. It was obvious to me almost immediately. I stopped the Jeep in front of it. "I pick this one. Am I right?"

He nodded then raise his eyebrow. "Why?"

"Van, these homes face the Lake. I've driven by them numerous times before, and saw how they embrace the view. This is the only one to fully address how guests will enter the home. Your home is the only welcoming one."

"Such a smart young man, I hope this old man is worthy of you, J." I smiled, then drove to the dead end. "Let's take Skyline through the Chester Creek neighborhood, then down to the restaurant." Van highlighted the homes on what he considered, his favorite block in Duluth. I enjoyed seeing them from an expert's viewpoint. I had long admired the homes on this street. I'd often drive it when I was feeling homesick, since it reminded me of some of the old neighborhoods in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

It wasn't long before we were at the restaurant. Located in an old market, the restaurant was a local favorite which featured seasonal dishes. After a weekend of gluttony, it offered lighter recipes that highlighted local ingredients. I couldn't always afford to eat there, but I had enjoyed my previous visits.

We were getting comfortable when the waiter stopped by. "Your usual, Van?" he asked.

Van looked me over, and raised an eyebrow. "Yes, I think J might enjoy the progression from the Malbec."

"I'll need to see J's ID, then," he responded. I fished out my wallet, opened to my ID. He smiled. "I See J is celebrating a birthday. I'll have dessert suggestions for him when you are ready."

After the waiter left, I addressed something that was puzzling me. "Van, I thought you wanted to check out a new place. Sounds like you're a regular here."

"J, I haven't gone on a date like this in a long time. I guess I needed something familiar. I hope you don't mind."

"No, this place is perfect. I've always liked the vibe." At that precise time, I felt my phone vibrate. I knew I'd have to check it later.

I got my chance when Van excused himself. I looked at my text from Dad.

"Future Son-in-law possibilities?"

Right then an older man, using a walker came toward me. I stealthily snapped a photo, then sent it to Dad.

"I dunno, he's older than I thought."

Dad and I kept up our humorous texts. I sent him pics of a five-year-old, a 60-something lesbian, and an aging Punk Rocker, all with the heading "Future Son-in-Law?" When I saw Van returning, I sent Dad a goodbye text, then hid my phone once again.

"J, I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberties of placing our orders for the night. You don't have any dietary restrictions or allergies I need to be aware of, do you?"

"I'm a gluten free, non-GMO, Vegan, every fourth Sunday. Luckily that was last week bb," I smiled.

"Good, because I broke all those rules. But tell me, what's with the bb crap?"

"Oh, just a little joke some of my camming friends laugh about." I felt at ease with Van, which was unexpected. Mentioning my camming friends might have felt out of place on another date, but I felt no need to censor myself with Van. We settled into a conversation about school and work which didn't go too deep. I could sense there was one topic which seemed off limits; his former husband. I didn't know if it was his reticence, or my own, I just didn't want to test the waters.

The waiter brought us the bottle of wine, uncorked it and offered a tasting to me. "I'm more attuned to local beers, than wine," I admitted. I took a sip. "However, I think this is perfect."

"Well maybe you need someone to educate you about wine," Van said. "It'll give you another excuse to come visit." Again, Van made me feel at ease. I never felt as if he was lecturing me, or being superior. He leaned back in his chair, his left arm on the windowsill. He scanned the dining room, then leaned in, peering over his glasses. "J, something about you is making this old man feel young. It's almost like I want to show you the world. I know I can't in one night, but it's why I took a chance and ordered our food."

I instantly knew why he changed his plans for our date. His home, the tour of homes, the quick tutorial in residential architecture, and even the homey aspect of the restaurant, were not meant to impress, but to make me feel welcomed. It was just like the entrance to the home he designed.

This sparked a long discussion about home design just as the Mexican Poutine arrived. The dish was clever. Poutine, a specialty of our neighbors to the north, was given a south of the border flavor with chorizo gravy and cilantro, in addition to the traditional hand-cut French fries and cheese curds of the original dish.

"Years ago, I attended Kyle and Pete's wedding at their house on the far west edge of Duluth, J. Rolf told the best story about shelter. That's in the back of my mind with every house I design, even if I no longer know the words."

"Oh, I've read that story. I didn't remember you being there."

Van blushed, then whispered. "You've read the stories? That dream of me is quite flattering. I'm glad he changed the names to protect the not so innocent."

"But how many red-headed, bearded, bespectacled, stud Architects live in Duluth?"

"Stud? You flatter me, J."

I stabbed a couple of fries, got some of the chorizo gravy and cheese curds, then put it in my mouth, savoring it as I ate. "You sir, are a stud. I'm sure of that. You are one fine man, who just happens to be an accomplished artist, and a sensitive architect."

Our waiter Shannon, cleared the poutine and delivered the next course, Moroccan Meatballs. Again, we shared the plate and conversation. "Tell me Van, why do people live in houses with themed décor, eat international cuisine, and never venture out into the real world?"

Van stabbed a meatball, and thrust it towards my face. "On the nose buddy. I hate Tuscan this and French Country that. However, no matter how far I travel for inspiration, if I am building in Duluth, I can get enough inspiration from my surroundings to build a home which is organic to its setting. Who needs faux anything when we have such rich textures and elements right here?"

He stopped for a moment, tasted the meatball, then continued. "Really, this is refreshing. I had stopped dating younger men because it seemed they were too caught up in their phones, and texting, and the apps and social media. One young guy I was with had taken and posted pics of every dish we ate. How distracting is that? And every guy my age seemed boring as hell, or already taken. Now I don't mind being the third wheel with a hot couple, but there is no future in that, is there?"

I was laughing at this point. "I know, right? I can't say I am innocent about the phone usage, but at least I have my phone turned off, and on vibrate. I like to keep my focus on the guy I am with."

"Oh, I heard the slight buzz of your phone vibrating. Don't worry, it's flattering that my date is so popular on GROWLr. Tell you what. I'm going to update Shannon on what our dessert will be if you'll excuse me. Please take this opportunity to update your suitors and kindly inform them that if I get my way, you'll be tied up for the rest of the evening."

Van excused himself, so I checked my phone. There were four messages from Topher on GROWLr, including one picture message. This time the picture showed him naked in the mirror, looking over his shoulder, with just the top part of his ass visible.

"Sup?"

"Bored to death?"

"Want some of this?"

"Thinking of you OBVS"

"Actually, I'm having a fun evening. This has been a great day, thanks to you. It might even get better."

"Gotta go, talk later, much later."

"K, don't be too much of a slut."

"Nice ass by the way."

I sent the last message, then shut off my phone. I was looking around the restaurant and spied Van talking to Shannon. He looked so damn sexy, I thought it needed to be recorded. I pulled out my phone again, focused on Van, and took one pic. I opened the text I had going with Dad, and sent the pic along with one last "Future Son-in-Law" heading, and sent it to him.

It took less than a minute to get a reply.

"Damn, that's Van. He's an architect we are considering for this and future projects. We are meeting with him in a week. It'd be great if you could help me influence his decision."

I was out of breath for a minute. I suddenly had the feeling that someone, or some-ones, were manipulating me.

"So, that's what I am to you, someone to help you negotiate a deal?"

I realized that I was pissed, but I sent it anyway. I was so over and done with my dad. I shut off the phone and shoved it in my pocket.

I didn't have much love for Van either at that moment. He sat. I am sure he could sense something was up. "The Vietnamese Short Ribs should be up soon, then we'll have the dessert." I gave him my best sullen look. "That is, if you want to," he finally stammered out.

"So, Van, tell me what you know about J Wilson Construction."

"They are a potential client. I've been working on a presentation for them. Why do you ask, J?" I could see things clicking in his mind. "Wait? J? As in J Wilson Construction? Damn, what a coincidence."

"Is it? Is that why you are lavishing me with all this food? Am I just another tax write off?"

"Listen J, I don't know what you are talking about. I took a chance and asked you on a date because A. it was your birthday weekend, and B. you didn't seem like every other infant I dated. For a while there tonight, I thought I was getting a true adult, but this little tantrum is telling me otherwise. I think it's best that I pay the bill, and you can then drop me off at home."

I was still seething, and my first instinct was to turn it up another notch. Then I remembered what Brent said about me.

"When you are twenty-one and it's your birthday, the earth revolves around you."

"Van, I'm sorry. Forgive me. I sometimes forget how lucky I have it. I was looking for issues that weren't there. Again, I hope you will forgive me."

Van didn't get a chance to address the situation right away, since the short ribs were served. We ate quietly for a bit, then he slowly started to talk. "I guess the fact that you're getting a degree in sports medicine, even though your dad is a successful developer, should tell me all I need to know about your need to be independent."

"It's partly that Van. But I gotta admit, as grown up and independent as I like to think myself to be, I am still my Dad's son. I'm twenty-one, going on thirty somedays, and acting like a kid moments later. I think I got it figured out, but something knocks me down. My Dad has given me some great ground rules, and I forget them and act like a child."

"There are some childlike things you should never outgrow, J. I hadn't painted for years. I was sure that my architecture was a sufficient creative outlet. But after I lost my husband," Van looked out the window, rested his chin on his hand.

"We'd always get this table. I'd always sit where you are, looking down the hill, towards the lake. We both had careers that relied on order, and structure. His order and structure, was the laws of the State. Mine were the laws of physics and math. He was a successful judge. I met him through mutual friends and business associates. He was a long-distance runner. One year, just before Grandma's Marathon, I took a chance and ran with him. He took me the distance, believe me."

I put my hand on his. "You don't need to relive it, I can tell it is still tough for you to talk about him."

"J, I know. I just want you to know one thing. He let me rediscover who I was, by allowing me to make mistakes. He was the one who saw some of my old paintings and suggested I should pursue it when business slowed down in 2008. What we do as architects is often too reliant on the order and structure. Through my paintings, I could introduce expression and vibrancy to my work. I was like a kid again."

"I get what you mean. I think that is the type of architecture I like. There is this one building here in Duluth. If it is still light enough when we leave, I'd like for you to see it."

"I'd like that. We only have the cupcakes left." Van looked up. "Speaking of..."

Shannon brought two cupcakes, one had a single candle in it. "Our dessert tonight features cold press local black beer, dark chocolate and Bailey's cream cheese frosting. Enjoy!"

"Make a wish, J! I know what mine is"

I smiled, then blew out the candle. The cupcake's flavor was complex with touches of coffee in addition to the dark chocolate and liqueur. "This has been a great day, Van. I spent time skating with a good, new friend, worked out and relaxed with some men who I consider as mentors, and now I am topping it off with a fantastic meal with a handsome man."

"This doesn't have to be the end," Van said.

I reached across the table one more time. "It isn't."

After paying the bill, Van and I got into Dad's Jeep. "So, where is this mystery building?" Van asked.

For a moment, I thought of Kyle's story of being blindfolded by Pete once when they went to dinner. I considered blindfolding Van, to throw him off the trail, but I knew that the remaining daylight, combined with the openness of the Jeep, would make that a risky proposition. "I'll take a circuitous route. Just trust me."

I went back to Skyline Drive, following it though Central Hillside and West Duluth. I pointed out a house that always intrigued me. It had a long series of stone stairs that curved up through terraces to the entrance of this Shingle Style home. I slowed as we drove bye.

"If this is the house you were talking about, I get it," Van said. "This house could be built nowhere else on earth. Look at those stairs, what an entrance."

"It's one of my faves, but this isn't it."

Van put his hand on my knees. "I just think it's great you know this house. Look how exuberant the stone work is."

"I know, right? There is one house down the hill, where the stone foundation and the house on it, look like they were just thrown together. It has somehow survived all these years."

I think I know the one you are talking about. The hillside is so steep there. That compounds the difficulty of designing and building a home. Yet the Italian immigrants that built it, built it to last."

We continued towards West Duluth taking the ever-curving Skyline Drive. Van took full advantage of the quiet drive to caress my leg. He even reached over and brushed his knuckles against my beard in much the same way my Dad had been doing. My young dick was responding, lengthening down the leg of my jeans. Van noticed this, how could he miss it? He caressed further on my thigh, rubbing my hard on.

I knew what I was feeling but I had difficulty putting it in words. I drove with one hand, then grasped his hand that was stroking my cock through my jeans. "Van, I'd love to stay the night, but I can't. My Dad is still in town and."

"And you need to hurry back, I get that."

"No, I have a self-imposed curfew. Van, I think I screwed up things with my Dad. When we get back to your place, I will need a moment or two of privacy to patch things up. I – I – I think we'll have some time for fun – you know – take care of this." I pushed his hand onto my throbbing dick.

He grabbed my hand, and hauled it over to his own bulge. "You're not the only one, buddy." I rubbed his bulge, feeling his thickness through the jeans. My own dick pulsed as I felt his. I considered making a U-turn, but we were so close to the building I wanted to share. The last few curves gave us a glimpse of the Oneota Cemetery, so at the stop sign I turned left and headed down the hill.

"Van, you know how you said that house could only be built in that single spot on earth. This building looks like it was a bland white industrial building that could be anywhere on earth. However, some brilliant mind dropped a black box on it, and elevated it."

"I had a feeling you were taking me there. It's a work of genius. The architect is a friend of mine. Everything he designs makes me understand him more. Have you ever been inside? Have you ever seen it from up close?"

"No, and to be honest I drove by it dozens of times without even noticing it. Then I saw it from the street this winter. You can really see how amazing it is when the trees are bare."

"Drive in and see it up close. It's Sunday. No one will be there." I took Van's advice and drove across the train tracks that were parallel to the building, into the parking lot. We got out, and walked around the building on foot. Van draped his arm over my shoulder to point out details.

The building shape itself was simple, something a grade schooler could replicate with LEGO. It was a long one story, white rectangle, with a black rectangle box placed perpendicularly on top. On the train track side, there was a cantilevered deck. The exposed wood structure for the deck and second level created a rhythm to the façade and added warmth to the black and white composition.

On the northeast and southwest facades of the black second floor, there were a series of windows cut into the black rectangle. On the parking lot side, triangular berms flanked the entrance to the building. From the side of the train tracks, the second floor looked like it was air-lifted into place. The exposed structure of the second floor appeared to be merely resting on the lower, white building. From the parking lot side, the black box looked integral to the original rectangular building.

Van's quick tutorial on the building, made me appreciate it even more. Of course, it helped that it was given by a sexy, fifty-something man who held me close as he pointed out details. The sun was beginning to set, and the warm for March temperature, was plunging.

We walked back to the Jeep and before getting in, Van pulled me into his arms and kissed me. "I don't think I've ever met a young man so perceptive as you. I'm going out on a limb, but I'd like you to spend the night. I understand if you can't, but."

"If you drive, maybe I can text my dad. My first clinical is at ten tomorrow."

"Are you sure? It's your dad's vehicle."

I reached into my pocket and gave Van the keys. I don't know what it was, but I started getting light headed as we drove up the hill to Skyline Parkway. We had paced ourselves on the one bottle of wine at the restaurant, so it couldn't be that. There was something in the intimacy that Van and I shared, that reminded me of what I had with Skyler. As we continued northeast on Skyline, I pulled out my phone and looked at the texts I had missed from my Dad. I had forgotten that my own last text accused him of using my date with Van, to get a contract.

"What???"

"Son, answer me, what are you talking about?"

"If you really think that, get your ass back here and say it to my face."

"I guess either I have a spineless son, or you have come to your senses. I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt, and vote for the second."

I had no option but to respond.

"Dad, sorry, I'm a brat at times. You should know that by now. I don't know why I keep thinking the worst, when you have always told me to Be Your Best."

I hit enter, then continued.

"Dad, I know you told me to Be Loving and Be Ready tonight. I can't say that I am totally ready for this. But I feel I need to spend the night with Van. I also know..."

I saw Dad's response before I could finish my text and send it.

"Calling you."

Dad's image flashed on my phone. I answered it quickly. "Hey."

"Before you say a thing. I've looked back at the text I sent. You've told me numerous times that you didn't want to be a part of the business. It was wrong of me to ask that of you. I raised you to be a man. And now, that you are acting like a man, I tried to manipulate you into being someone you are not."

"Dad, I didn't act like a man, I acted like a kid. So – what this man is trying to say is – is that I love you, and hope you understand if this man spends the night with a man he wants to get to know better."

I let the last words hang in the air, as I looked over at Van. He winked at me, then whispered "So do I."

I felt the urgency in his words. Dad's silence worried me, then he spoke. "I understand. I already told you Be Ready, Be Loving, but like I said earlier Be A Man. Maybe that is the other Be, J." He chuckled. "BJ, I crack myself up sometimes. You can do that too, or whatever you want to do, as long as you are safe."

"You're an adult. You know you have to deal with the consequences of your actions, as an adult. You and you alone must take into consideration your clinical shift tomorrow, and your shift at the store tomorrow night. Kurt and I must find our own ways to keep entertained."

Dad was laughing by now, and so was I. "I'm sure you'll find a way. So, we're good?" I asked.

"Yeah. I'd say don't do anything I wouldn't do, but that isn't as limiting now as it was before this weekend. Show that man you are with, what kind of lovers, us Wilson men are."

"Okay, Dad, see ya tomorrow." I said, winking at Van.

Van reached over and grasped my thigh. "I can't believe how open you are with your dad. Nothing like that would have happened when I was growing up. I even dated a few women through college to keep my family off the trail. It was only later that I regretted, leading the women on."

"I know, right? It's so much easier now that we can be honest about who we love – or at least want to have sex with."

Van spent the rest of the drive pointing out details on homes and buildings that he liked. It felt as though he needed to share his work with me, through these observations. It wasn't long before we were pulling into his driveway. Van shut off the engine and tried to get out of the Jeep, but I stopped him.

"You know how you said the house on Skyline Parkway could only be built on that spot on earth?"

"Yes, why do you ask that?"

"Van, tell me how your house, and Pete and Kyle's house, can feel like they are so much a part of their landscape, even though one is on top of a hill, and the other is in a low-lying area?"

Van thought about it for a bit, then answered. "J, When I first saw Pete and Kyle's home, I questioned that too. The design is so obviously meant to be built on a hill, either on the top, or part way up. Yet their home seemed more integrated into its landscape than this one did at the time. It goes back to what my friend Rolf said about shelter, at Pete and Kyle's wedding. Basically, he said that love provides the shelter. Their home is always welcoming. That is something I am working on."

He unlocked the doors, placed his hand on my knees, and looked at me. "C'mon. Let me see if I can provide some shelter." We got out of the Jeep, he came to my side. "I've been waiting to do this all night." Van's kiss and embrace was more passionate than earlier. Though the driveway was somewhat secluded, he didn't seem concerned about prying eyes. He broke the embrace, then led me to the front door.

Inside he embraced me again, slipping his hands into the waistband of my jeans. I felt his hands on the flesh of my ass. "God you've got a great ass, young man. I'd love to – but – we'll see where this goes." He walked us over to his couch where he picked up a remote control. "This isn't as private as Pete and Kyle's place," he said as he hit a button, causing drapes to cover the street level windows. "There, that should provide the needed privacy."

He threw his jacket over the sofa, then sat down, pulling me into his arms. "Damn, I need you J. It's been too long." We kissed as he slowly undid my shirt. I returned the favor to him. I was soon rubbing my fingers over the copper fur on his stomach. I couldn't get enough of his fur, or his gut. I continued to kiss him, rubbing his gut, tugging at his beard as I slowly pushed the shirt over his shoulders.

As the ambient light from outside faded, Van reached over and hit another switch, causing indirect light to bounce off the tongue and grooved ceiling. He then shucked his shirt off, and opened his arms to me, throwing his head back. His full beard moved, revealing something unexpected. Over his left chest was a tattoo of topographical map of Minnesota. Right where Duluth would be, was a gleaming stainless steel, nipple ring.

I hurriedly pulled off my own shirt, and dove down on that nipple. "Like that huh?" He moaned. "Just wait." While I nursed his nipple, and polished the ring with my tongue, we struggled to remove the remaining clothes. I don't know who lost the last garment, or who was responsible for removing it, but we were soon naked and rolling around on the couch.

I went back to kissing him as I stroked his cock. My eyes were closed as I traveled the length of it. Six or seven inches, maybe more, were in my grasp. I didn't care about the details, I was focused on the man I was loving. Be Loving my Dad said. Be Ready. I was ready for much more than I expected I'd be.

I started to tongue behind his red beard, down his neck, toward his chest, He pulled me away. "We have all night, J. No need to rush things." Van rolled me back to a sitting position, then stood. Seven inches of thick dick bobbed inches from my face. The head was a big mushroom, bisected by a wide piss-slit. "BRB J," he said.

He slipped downstairs. I looked over my shoulder at his furry ass as he disappeared into the lower level. I slowly stroked my dick, thinking about that butt. Hell, I didn't know if he was a top, bottom, middle or whatever. My dick was thinking for itself, but the twinge in my ass, and the thirst in my mouth, fought for supremacy.

When Van returned with two glasses of wine, I realized at least one thirst was going to be quenched. His dick, which was no longer hard, started to bob back to life. My hard-on was oozing pre-cum at the sight of this tattooed, pierced, bearded salt and ginger man, who was surely three decades older than me.

"You'll like this, it goes well with pre-cum" Van said, offering me a glass. His smirk was sexy. Every fucking thing about this man was sexy. I let him take a sip, took one myself and then placed our glasses on the side table, then pulled him forward. I sucked his growing dick into my mouth. I felt it harden as I let my tongue taste him.

After a few passes, he was fully hard. I let him pull out completely as he stood over me. I grabbed my wine glass, and took a gulp, then swallowed Van's dick again. "Oh, fuck that feels amazing," he groaned. Van grabbed his own wine and drank some while he pistoned in and out of my mouth. "Too amazing buddy, too soon," he said pulling his dick out.

He took another sip of wine while he stood in front of me His cock bobbed. A pearl of pre-cum formed at the tip. I held his dick then leaned forward, ready to taste that pearl. Then I saw it. "Oh damn. Your dick is pierced too."

He chuckled. "Yeah, I didn't want to freak you out all at once. I thought of leaving it in for the date, but decided against it. I almost considered putting it in after you played with my nipple rings so much, but I gotta warn you. It's a huge fucking PA, not for the faint of heart."

"Next time," I said, then tongued the precum away. I primed his dick again, trying to coax more pre-cum to the surface. I was rewarded when I saw that pre-cum was oozing from his dick-slit and his piercing. It was a tug of war between my tongue and his dick-head.

"Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck, buddy. Too soon. Just who have you been practicing on?

I had to think back. The last dicks I had sucked were Pete and Kyle's. Before that it was my Dad's. Sure, I wasn't going to try to get Van to be our architect, by seducing him. However, I wasn't going to jeopardize things by freaking him out either. I backed off of Van's dick and held it, appraising it. I shook my head. "Just inspired by an inspiring man, Van."

"If you want to be inspired, let's take this party up to my bedroom. The stars are coming out over the lake, right about now." Van smiled at me as he held his hand out. I let him pull me into his embrace then followed him upstairs.

I assumed it would be the mirror image of Pete and Kyle's place. I was thrown for a loop at the top of the stairs. Instead of doors to two bedrooms, a master suite, and one bathroom, I saw the bathroom to the left, a bedroom to the right, and straight ahead, double glass doors leading to an enlarged master suite.

Van was right. I could see through the glass doors to the ever-darkening sky. Stars were starting to glow. Van opened the doors, and flicked a switch. Defused light glowed from behind the headboard, casting shadows on the stacked slate chimney.

Van beckoned me in "Don't worry, the windows have a special treatment. At this light level no one can see in."

I had no worries. My phone was downstairs with my clothes. With my phone, was my contacts. My Dad, Mom, Kurt and even Topher were down there. I was with Van, alone. I put my wine glass on a bed side table, then laid back and looked at the stacked slate chimney.

Van took a sip, set down his own wine glass and joined me on the bed, looking up at the chimney. "J, When I was young, I'd spend the summer camping. We'd set up the tent on my cousin's property by the lake. Every night I go to bed I think back to those summers."

I saw what he meant. "I remembered camping with my Dad and saw how the campfire would send shadows on the pine trees. The sparks from the fire would climb to the stars."

It was an unexpected break from our frantic rutting earlier. Van put his arm over my shoulder and pulled me closer to him. "You surprise me young man." He then got on his hands and knees and straddled me, face to face. "Let's start this again."

He dipped his head down and kissed me gently. His full ginger beard meshed with mine as we explored each other. He twisted me around on the bed as we kissed, and soon I was laying on top of him. I was sure I was dead weight, but it felt so natural being skin to skin. I broke our kiss, hoisted my torso a bit, and looked in Van's eyes. "Can you believe I have a thing against redheads?"

He pushed me aside and grabbed his wine glass. "Where the fuck did that come from?"

I grabbed my own glass, took a sip, and came clean. I told him about my checklist, and how he ranked. We drank our wine, and joked with each other about the foolishness of a twenty-one-year-old having a checklist for possible suitors. I even fessed up to almost passing on him, due to him being a redhead.

"So, you made up the story about me being on the down-low as the reason that you were gonna ditch me, instead of being honest about the real reason. What are you, Ginger-phobic?"

"I'm a ginger-phobic, gluten free, non-GMO, Vegan, every fourth Sunday, bb," I joked, laughing as we rolled on the bed. Suddenly I felt natural. I had no need to impress him, and I felt the same from him. I didn't have to intellectualize the reason I liked a building, he didn't have to play to my check list.

We took the last few sips of wine, then embraced. The passion in our kisses returned. "I was worried that we were just gonna laugh and be foolish all night. I like this better," Van said. He took off his glasses, then got close. "You are gonna spend the night, and if I have any say, I am gonna fuck you."

This Van, was an 180-degree turn from the playful Van from minutes before.

He scooted up a bit, then leaned his nipple on at my mouth. "Tongue it. Get it primed," he growled. I contemplated his Minnesota tattoo, which was almost lost in his copper fur, then started to tug at his nipple ring.

"That's it boy, tug it, bite it, lick it. These are Daddy's nips, they can handle it."

I was turned on, yet hesitant at the same time. I had to put a kibosh to the "daddy" talk. "Only one Daddy," I sputtered out between tugs on his nips. "He's called J, too."

"Gotcha, but don't stop boy, is boy fine? Is my BOY gonna take care of his MAN?"

I bit his nipple, then tugged the ring sharply. "You, sir, are playing with a MAN. Don't forget it. Do you understand me."

Van reeled back. He looked at me incredulously, then refocused. A smile curled on his lips. "I understand you loud and clear." He punctuated that sentence by slapping his dick on my thigh for every syllable. Playful Van, met Horny Van.

He got close again, the focus was back. "Understand this. Since you are a MAN, playing with a MAN, you will take it like a MAN." I felt his dick on my stomach, it was rock hard. I was slightly intimidated, but I didn't let on. When I didn't respond, he got closer yet and whispered. "I am gonna seed you. Any reason why I can't?"

I breathed in looking for courage. I exhaled, then spoke. "I've only been fucked once. When guys see me, they usually want me to fuck them. I got tested last month, and I'm good to go and waiting on the go ahead for PrEP."

I told Van things I hadn't even shared with my Mom or Dad, no matter our closeness. I think he caught the hesitancy. He waited a moment, then ground his dick into my gut "Guess I am playing with a MAN, good. Since you've only been fucked once, I can make you more of a MAN."

Everything was stripped away. I no longer saw the glasses and blueprints of an architect, the shirt of a man with style, the wine of a connoisseur, and the canvases of an artist. A MAN was grinding his hard dick into my gut and expecting me to react like a MAN.

I caught the shimmer of starlight over the bay. I envisioned the campfire's sparks as they traveled up to the sky. I was camped out under a cloudless sky as Van inched forward. "Suck it," he said. "Get it ready."

He grabbed onto the stacked slate chimney as he jabbed his dick in my mouth. He was long dicking my throat. I conjured up as much spit as possible, coating his vein heavy dick.

In my head, Van's repeated emphasis of the word MAN, reminded me of Pete's adolescent rape story. I worried for a moment that what we were doing was getting close to rape. Then I remembered I had steered him this way, and could just as easily steer him another direction.

The forceful aspect of his skull-fuck was hot, but our playfulness earlier, was just as enjoyable. I needed to find the middle ground. If I was truly a MAN and not a Boy, I could do that.

I reached up, and twisted his nipples, HARD. "Not now J, NOT NOW," he moaned. "Too close."

He pulled out, allowing me to catch my breath. "I know," I coughed. I reached for his spit-soaked dick and held it. I looked at each vein. "You know, sometimes a Man just has to Be Ready, and Be Loving. To Be Honest, you were getting a bit too extreme for me. I might like that someday, but right now I'm just a man who finds you extremely attractive, and someone I want to make love to me. With this beautiful, rigid, sexy-assed dick." I leaned forward and deep-throated his dick under my own steam, then reached up and gently tugged his nipples.

He rested his hands on my head, then flicked his thumb behind my right ear. It was an outrageously intimate moment, totally unexpected switch from the previous pile-driving skull fuck.

"Be Loving, huh? I think I can do that," he smiled. He pulled his dick from my mouth then laid down beside me. "Still want me to fuck you?"

"Almost more than anything on earth."

"You need it that bad, huh? Tell me about your first time?"

"What can I say?" I said, contemplating the truth. "Nothing I guess. A friend convinced me that I'll only truly lose my virginity, when I get fucked by the man I love. Wanna be in the running?" I raised my eyebrow, Van smiled.

"So how do you want it?"

"You decide. My Dad always told me to Be Ready. I am. He also says, Be Loving, Be Honest, Be Yourself, and Be Your Best. Knowing that, you decide."

I could see the wheels moving in Van's head. He laid back and looked at the sky as he thought. "We'll start with Be Ready," he finally said.

He got up, and turned the ambient lighting down a notch. Then he went to the bedside table on my side of the bed. "I'll Be Honest, I like a spit-lubed fuck, but if you are still a virgin, that isn't always the best." He used air quotes for still a virgin, I had to laugh at that.

He leaned over and opened the drawer of the table. He pulled out a tube of lube. "Non-GMO, cruelty-free, Vegan lube, bb," he winked. "I actually dated a guy who required that. Glad he's out of the picture. The lube is not too bad, so there's that."

Van threw the tube onto the bed, then laid beside me. "So back to Be Ready. You say you are, but I'll be the judge of that." He kissed my nipples, then tongued his way up to my neck. The last few passes of his tongue sent shivers down my spine.

His beard brushed my earlobe as he whispered to me, "The best way to tell if a man's ass is ready is to taste it. Do we need to shower?"

I laid on my stomach. "I'm shower fresh. Have at it." I humped my ass a little bit, grinding my dick into the bed.

Van perked up, "Damn I want that. Bring it to the edge of the bed."

With the lack of curtains, I was hesitant. But Van stood without a care and went to the foot of the bed. I crawled back, leaving my ass hanging over the side of the bed. He got on his haunches, and positioned me. I felt his breath first, then his beard, then his tongue.

He licked my ass and swiped his beard along the crack. I had a hard time staying still, as his hands, lips, tongue and beard played with my butt. "I'd say 1996 is a great vintage for MAN-Ass. It's earthy with a hint of musk and cherry."

I couldn't help but giggle. "Just a hint of cherry?"

"For now, we'll find out later." The "later" trailed off as he playfully motorboated my ass. Seconds later he was seriously rimming my hole, opening me up with his tongue and fingers. His full beard leant a new sensation in between swipes with his tongue. It told me a MAN loved my MAN-Ass.

He swiped his beard one more time, then stood, holding onto my ass. I felt his dick against my hole, prodding. I pushed back, and he moved back with me, not entering me. "This is still the Be Ready part. You aren't."

He reached to the bed and grabbed the Non-GMO, Cruelty-Free, Vegan lube and squirted some onto his hands. I looked back as he prepared his fingers. When he saw me looking he exaggerated his actions, coating his entire hand. "Don't worry, m'boy, I mean m'MAN. We're only building up to this." He waved his rigid dick, then, while I was focused on that, a finger entered my ass.

"Oh yeah," I purred. I could tell that he was twisting it around in my butt as he thrust it in and out. He grabbed the lube, pulled out the finger, then generously coated two fingers. His thumb pulled one cheek aside as the two fingers invaded by butt.

"Yeah, still tight, but not Ready. But I can tell you are liking this." I humped back on his fingers, opening and closing my ass as much as I could. Damn J, you're a quick learner. You really want my dick, don't-cha?"

With his fingers still working my hole, he leaned forward. "But you're not ready yet. I'm not as big as you, but I am pretty damn thick." He withdrew his fingers, added another, then plunged them in.

He was frigging me actively with the three fingers, pushing them in and out, rotating them as he thrust. "Yeah, you're Ready, you're Ready, Aren't-cha?"

He withdrew the fingers, then grabbed the lube again. He squeezed some directly onto his dick, then slicked it up, leaving it kissing my butt. "Don't push back, J. I'm in control. What's the next rule J? Let me think on that."

He teased my hole with his dick, holding my ass so I couldn't push back. He'd slide his dick up and down my crack, letting me get used to the idea that his thick dick would be in my butt. He lined it up one last time and then said, "I got it, the next rule is Be Honest. We'll, I gotta Be Honest, no matter how ready you are, this might hurt. Just push back slowly."

I pushed back as his knob entered my ass. I was ready, I told him I was, so I pushed back harder. Unfortunately, he pushed forward at the same time. He was Honest, it hurt like a motherfucker. He anticipated the pain and stopped his thrust. "It's okay my MAN. You'll adjust. Just wait."

His voiced soothed the pain, so did the slow gyrations he was doing with his dick. The pain eased quickly. He continued. "Now listen to the voice of experience. Let me do the work for a bit here, I'll tell you when to take over."

Van was slowly working three inches of his dick in my ass. He hummed lightly as he rocked back and forth. I think he could sense my apprehension since I had no control. "You should see this, it's beautiful. You've got about five inches in there. Only a bit more to go and you got it all."

I looked back. "Give it to me, I got this." I pushed out, and he pushed in, bottoming out in my ass. I felt his balls slam against my butt. "So. Fucking. Full." I grunted out.

"And so fucking beautiful. Damn you have a nice ass, J. And it is only gonna get better as you mature." Van started to rock back and forth, riding my ass. I was enjoying the easy rhythm he had started. "What's rule is next, J?"

"Be Your Best." I grunted.

"You know they say it takes a good bottom, to make a good top. You've already told me that you've done your share of fucking. Maybe you'll Be Your Best at fucking, by learning how to be fucked." He slapped my ass, then took his dick out.

"On your back, J. Pull those legs back. The student has to see the teacher during this part.

Van leaned forward between my legs. His full beard rested on my gut. "Youth often appears to know everything. You seem to be the exception. You've read Kyle's stories. What is the common theme?"

"Other than a lot of fluffy towels in the sauna, and men discovering themselves, I am not sure."

Van straightened up and entered me, slowly. "I guess you got me there, but another one is that people are at their Best when then are Honest about themselves, and how they feel. It's like two of your Dad's rules in one. So if you want to be a good fucker, you have to listen to the man you are fucking, and vice versa."

"I just want you to lie there and let me do the work. I'm in control." Van held my thighs up, and started to rock his dick into my ass. I took him at his word and laid there. It felt good, if almost a bit monotonous, having him fuck me this way. He looked disinterested, sawing into my butt, I assumed he was masking his enjoyment, but after a bit, he looked almost bored.

On one jab, he hit my prostate, and I involuntarily clamped down on his dick. "Did I tell you to do that?" he asked.

"I couldn't help it, it felt good."

He smiled. "Lesson learned. Having a dick hit your prostate is great for the guy being fucked, but a nice tight ass clamping down on a dick is fantastic for the fucker. So, every time I make you feel good, you work that ass and make me feel good."

Van started to target my prostate, and I responded by flexing my ass muscles. He smiled widely as I started flexing, even when my prostate wasn't being prodded. "Going for extra credit huh?"

"You told me to Be Your Best. I think I remember this from one of Kyle's stories. Rolf said, "The Anus is a muscle." I'm just flexing mine."

"What's the next rule?"

"Be Yourself or Be Loving," I responded. "Your choice. The final one is Be Happy, that one's mine."

"Be Yourself, huh. If I was to Be Myself, it might frighten you. I think you got a taste earlier and somehow you're still here."

"Yep, and somehow I'm still here. Remember I told you that I wasn't a boy, I was a MAN. I think I have proven that."

"Yes, but MEN still have limits. I have had decades to explore my limits, you are just starting out." Van held my legs high as his dick rested in my stretched ass. I clenched my muscles to remind him he had already tested one of my limits. "Yes, J," he smiled. "You are a MAN, a MAN who is trying to please me. I bet you know one way to test my limits. Be Yourself, and test them."

It was a struggle from the position he had me in, but I arched my back, and using both hands, I twisted his nipple rings.

"Bingo!" he grunted, as he thrust in me. I was hesitant at first, but I soon saw the connection between our nipple play, and his fucking. "Sometimes it's okay to push the limits on love, J. Be Loving can be different depending on the man you are with."

I upped the ante on my assault on Van's nipples. I twisted, pulled, yanked, and pinched his nipples and nipple rings. He mirrored my assault on his nipples, with an assault on my prostate. My dick was leaking like a sonovabitch, painting the canvas of our bodies with precum, creating images as exuberant as those which hung downstairs.

I could feel the connection between my hands, his nipples, his dick and my prostate. The circuit was complete, or so I had thought, until he leaned forward and kissed me. It was so intense my leaking dick lurched forward, spraying us both. My anus clutched him, causing him to seed me. He collapsed almost immediately. My ass clamped down on him as his dick-head spurt out the last of his cum.

His breathing eased. I felt my own pulse slow down as he maneuvered us so he could spoon me. I felt him laugh, before I heard him. It became a full body laugh as his dick fell out of my ass. "Damn you brought me back, J. For a second I was sure Malcolm was with me, and we were making love for the first time. But you're alive. And you got him beat by a few inches in the height. But not length," he added.

Van broke free and rose from the bed, then offered me his hand. He yanked me into a hug, then walked with me into the master bathroom. Except for orientation, it looked exactly like Pete and Kyle's. He started the shower, then begged me to join him, as if I had an option. I already had shared a Bear-wash earlier in the day with Pete and Kyle, but this was more intimate.

After scrubbing my back, and rinsing me off, he looked me in my eyes. I saw his smile matched mine. "So, it looks like we've achieved the Be Happy stage," he said.

We toweled each other down, then went downstairs to retrieve clothing and phones. It was still early, but we went back upstairs, and laid down to watch the stars. Van snuggled against me and told me a camping story. He and a friend had ventured away from the camp, and had gone down to a secluded beach to watch the stars.

It was a hot August night in the dog days of summer. They took off their clothes and skinny dipped like boys often do. While they were in the water, they saw the Northern Lights off in the distance. Van and his friend slowly retreated from the lake, and laid on the sand to watch the light show. His friend leaned over to point to a section of the sky where the Northern Lights were particularly active. Van impulsively pulled him into a kiss.

"I was just a few years younger than you are now, J. I was in love with him, and from what I could sense, he was in love with me. I gave my first blow job on the beach that night. We were lovers those last two weeks before our senior year of high school. Then, during the school year, it was like he didn't know me."

Van started to tear up. "He went off to college, and got married. I faked being straight for a bit, but realized it wasn't me. At our twentieth-class reunion, he kept up the façade. At our twenty-fifth, he was single and looking to hook up with Malcolm and me. I knew it was too late."

"J, I guess what I am trying to say is that of all of your Dad's 5-Be's the most important is to Be Yourself. I was myself when I kissed him. He wasn't when he married a woman. But I have no regrets. I had my chance to Be Loving with Malcolm, and now possibly with you."

I held Van as he fell asleep. In the distance, I saw the lights of the city, meld with the stars in the sky. The ambient lighting on the slate chimney wall, still reminded me of how campfire light played off the tall pines at night. I loved how Van embraced me as he slept. With the tips of my fingers, I snatched my phone from the night stand, and snapped a selfie, sending it to Dad.

"Future Son-In-Law?" I texted, hit send, and turned off my phone.

********************

As always, I am looking for feedback on my stories. Email me @ BixMeister57@gmail.com

Check out my seasonal story  Santa and Tucker's Man-Card , or my long running series Snowplow in the Adult Friends section of Nifty.

Sooner or later all three of these stories will be interconnected.