Date: Fri, 6 Jul 2018 13:37:02 -0700
From: Ryan White <liciousryan@gmail.com>
Subject: Love Has No Gender ch 3

"Need a hand, mate?"

"Uhm...yeah sure thanks. This your way to get a free beer off me?"

"Nah, I'm aiming higher. I was thinking tickets to the United game."

"United? You mean Manchester United?"

"No, you idiot. I meant Take The Piss United. Of course I mean the mighty
red devils, mate. Ain't no better team."

"The blue half of Manchester won't be telling you that."

"Please. Half of the Man City players didn't even know the club existed
before the money took over. Besides...they can't say shit. TWENTY TIMES!"

"If you sing that song when we're at Old Trafford, I swear I'm taking a
free kick up your ass."

"Only if you score an own goal in my mouth."

"You're sick, you know that?"

"Oh yeah, I know."

Rooco took a sip of his beer while he finished up the seedlings, for the
task that his son Ryder needed to have finished for school the following
day. It turned out pretty terrific. However he'd be the first to admit that
Brad's help didn't go a waste. Seriously, he has been here every day after
he finished off at the consultation rooms, to try and help Ryder get as
good a mark as he possibly could for school. In turn, Rocco, called in a
favour at his job to provide fresh fruit for the task that Brad's son and
Rocco's best friend, Dave needed for his own presentation of show and
tell. Rocco reached into the coolbag behind him, grabbed a bottle of beer
and tossed it towards Brad, who caught it expertly. Rocco returned to
separate the seeds carefully from the soil when he saw a spider running
over his hand. A fear from those pesky little fuckers has been with him all
his life and before he could help himself, he let out a slight yelp and
snatched his hand away from the soil. What was a genuine fright and flight
reaction made Brad, who just swallowed a load of beer on that scorching hot
day, jump his guts out in his own shock and the cold liquid went down
completely the wrong way. The whole facade made Brad cough and choke on the
beer going down his throat. His eyes stated to water while he clutched at
his throat and his upper chest was wrecked with coughs. Rocco quickly got
over his own fear when he saw his best friend, and his apparent choking on
the beer. He rushed over to Brad and planted his open right hand on the
latter's back with a massive force. The glob of beer that was stuck in the
doctor's throat finally subsided and he was allowed to swallow what was
causing him discomfort. Brad continued to heave from fright and not being
able to breathe during his chokage. Even so...through all of that
unpleasantness...there was one thing he was preciously aware of. Rocco was
still holding him. Even more...he was still rubbing his back. It
felt...yeah...it felt pretty damn good.

"God. I'm so sorry. Brad? You okay, man? Talk to me, come on," he could
hear Rocco plead to him. The latter was still rubbing...nearly caressing
his back. It didn't stop. Didn't help that they were both shirtless. From
all their hard work in the afternoon, Rocco's hands was always gonna be
warm as hell. His breathing returned to normal. His chest stopped
heaving. Rocco's hand was still on his naked back. The caressing
stopped. Brad looked up at Rocco. His eyes were still red and there were a
few tears that came with all the coughing. As if in a dream, Rocco reached
out and gently wiped away the fluid leaking from Brad's eyes. The latter
closed his eyes as he felt nothing he ever did with his wife or anyone
before. If someone's fingers could talk or show emotion...the connection he
felt with this man was unreal. If it wasn't for the fact they were both
men...

Rocco cleared his throat and smiled. He finally took his hands from his
best friend.

"You okay?" He whispered. He was mesmerized by Brad's ocean blue eyes.

"Of course mate. Little coughing never killed anyone," Brad wheezed. He
couldn't take his eyes away from Rocco either.

Rocco slowly, reluctantly, stood up and went about gathering the garden
tools that they were using and started to put it inside the toolbox before
he saw Brad also getting up in his hindsight, but perhaps since the latter
was still a bit uneven from the narrow escape from choking in a slosh of
beer, he was still a little uneven on his feet. Rocco dropped everything he
was holding and grabbed Brad's arm to keep him from tripping over his own
feet. He steadied the man unfront of him. Brad opened his eyes and grabbed
hold of Rocco's hand, which was gripped tightly onto his arm. The sheer
velocity of electricity between them could have given power to a small
African nation. Both men felt it alright, they knew what it was called and
if one of them was female, things would be excalating to a bedroom by
now...although for obvious reasons, they didn't know what to do next or
what to think. Neither was gay. At all. Neither ever had a sexual thought
or fantasy about another male in their lives. Yet...why did it need to be
labeled? In the end of the day, weren't they just two people, humans if you
prefer, who were, at that moment severely attracted to another of their
kind? Regardless of gender?

That question would have to stay hidden and unanswred for another time, as
Teresa's car pulled up into the drive way. Brad removed his hand from
Rocco's so fast, as if it had burned him to a crisp.

"I can't be here, I gotta go. I'm.. I'll see you," he mumbled before
running towards and jumping over the wall that seperated the two
neighbours. And just like that, Rocco stood in his garden all alone. And
with a LOT of thoughts racking his brain. What the fuck just happened? ***

The next morning when Rocco arrived at school to drop Ryder off, he didn't
see Brad or Dave at all. Ryder reminded him that parents were allowed to
attend the Show and Tell presentations and that he really wanted him to be
there. Rocco really didn't wanna tell Ryder that there was a good chance
that he wouldn't make it. There was a staff meeting that was, as fate would
have it, only 10 minutes before the presentation at school would begin. He
couldn't afford to lose his job, not again. He hoped that he could try and
talk Teresa into going but she flat out refused and said she didn't have
time for shit. He left her at home without even replying. He didn't care
anymore about her. He really needed to see Brad. He needed to know Brad was
gonna be here incase he couldn't. At least that way Ryder wouldn't think
his dad had let him down. He waited for 20 more minutes. No sign of
Brad. Was there something wrong with Dave? Maybe he was sick and they
stayed at home this morning? Rocco shook his head. As the events of the
previous day replayed through his mind once more, he couldn't get this
niggling feeling out of his head that Brad not being here had something to
do with that. Rocco sighed. Great. He finally found someone to call a best
friend and he had to fuck it up.

Through the grace of God, the planned staff meeting was postponed to the
end of the work day and therefore Rocco arranged it to have 30 minutes off
of work. Luckily it was mid month, so the food emporium wasn't that busy
and the manager agreed providing he worked in the time. He arrived at
school and immediately saw Brad's car. Great, he made it. Hopefully they
could finally talk about what happened yesterday. He wasn't quite sure what
had happened himself, but he truly cared for and valued Brad's friendship
and he didn't wanna lose him. It. IT. He didn't wanna lose the
friendship. Yeah. That's what he meant. Of course he did.

As Rocco entered the classroom, Ryder saw him immediately and he waved to
his son. He looked around the room, searching near frantically for Brad,
but instead his gaze locked on Nicci. Brad's wife and Dave's
mother. Fucking hell. She was here and not him. What was wrong with Brad??
The two of them had worked so hard to ensure the boys were ready for today
and now he wasn't even there to see it? Nicci waved him over and invited
him to sit with her.

"Glad there is someone I know here! I don't normally get involved with the
school issues. That's more Brad's thing," she said, waving at her son at
the same time.

"Where is Brad?" Rocco asked nonchalantly.

"You know, I don't know what's up with him. He's been in a terrible mood
since yesterday. Complained of a sore throat and chest all morning. He's at
home, poor sod. Left him with a microwaved lasagne and some tea with
honey. Bless him, I hope he feels better, he's so looking forward to your
game on Saturday."

"I think its partly my fault where his sore throat is concerned. I got
startled in the garden yesterday as he took a sip of beer and kinda choked
a bit with the shock and all. Will he be home later? I feel really bad
now."

"Yeah sure, I have to work until five, but you go. God, he never stops
talking about you! Poor lad, I'm glad he has a guy friend he can hang out
with. He never really had one of those, not one he talked about all the
time like he does you...oh wait, they are starting!" Nicci whispered before
the first kid was called to deliver his Show and Tell. Rocco was so proud
of Ryder as he proudly showed the class how his dad and his Uncle Brad
helped his seedlings to blossom. He was just as proud of Dave as he showed
everyone how to make a fruit smoothie, just like Rocco had showed him. He
felt sorry for Brad...which was quickly replaced by anger. He should have
been here. He needed to see this. They were responsible for helping their
kids together. He needed to see Brad. This needed sorting. Today.

Later that afternoon he arrived back home and walked over next foor. He
knocked on the door twice before silence welcomed him. No answer. Fuck
this. He knew Brad was in there. He knocked once more, a little louder this
time. The fucker messed up, Rocco heard movement inside the house, followed
by a glass breaking. He smiled slyly.

"I guess I'd have to call the police and report that there is a burglar in
my neighbour's house...!" He said just loud enough so that Brad could hear
him. He saw a shadow freeze inside the house. Rocco was beginning to enjoy
this.

"I'm dialing the number... police will be here any minute...!"

The door viciously flung open. An exhausted Brad with an annoyed look on
his face stood infront of him. His eyes were bloodshot and it looked like
he had gotten next to nothing sleep.

"What do you want, Rocco?" Brad asked flatly. He wasn't angry or
anything. His voice was simply without emotion. It was like he had given up
on something. Or lost something. Either way, Rocco wasn't about to give
up. He needed his friend back.

"Ran into Nicci at the school. Told her I was gonna check on you. She told
me you're sick."

"Now you've seen me. You can go now," Brad said, but made absolutely no
attempt at closing the door.

"Jokes aside, pal. Can I please come in?"

"I don't... I don't think that's a good idea."

"Brad..."

"Look, stop it! I have been up all night with this! What
happened... Mate...it freaked me out to my fucking soul. What...what WAS
that yesterday?" Brad swallowed hard.

Rocco entered the house even though Brad said no. Gently he took the door
handle from Brad's numb and cold hand and closed it. He lifted up Brad's
head with his finger tips. There they were. Those blue, beautiful eyes. His
heart fluttered.

"What, you're having your friend over and you ain't offering him a cup of
your famous coffee?", Rocco said smilingly.

Brad choked back a smile himself but he failed miserably. He walked over to
the kitchen, with Rocco behind him. Brad switched on the kettle and for the
next few seconds both men were settled in silence. When the water was fully
boiled, Brad seemed to regain his old, playful demeanour.

"Sit down your ass in there. Two sugars, yeah?"

"You read my mind, bro".

When Brad returned to the living toom and each man had a steaming cup of
brew before him, Brad opened his mouth in desperate need to say something,
but Rocco stopped him.

"Me first. Okay. Here goes. I'm... I'm sorry for what happened. You choking
and everything. I know I had my hands all over you and that's because I was
trying to help you. So..."

"Shut up."

Rocco stared at Brad in confusion. Brad took a sip of coffee and leaned
forward, looking Rocco straight in the eyes.

"See, this is why I wanted to go first. Because I KNEW you would try and
hide what really happened with some bullshit story. Because for some reason
you think everything that is wrong in this world is your fault. And it's
not. You have such a fucking tendency to blame yourself for all the crap
that happens in your life. My God, am I the only one that really GETS you?"

Rocco was speechless. No one ever talked to him that way before. And for
the first time in his life...he knew Brad was right. He did blame
himself. For Teresa. For getting her pregnant. For her attitude towards him
and Ryder. For him not being able to find work for months. And
now...putting all the blame on himself for the sparks that was felt between
BOTH of them the previous day. Brad slowly reached out and placed his hand
on Rocco's knee, gently folding it into a fist.

"I didn't run away like a fucking coward because of what you did. I ran
away because if I had to stay there for one more minute, I would have
kis..."

Brad stopped talking. His fist on Rocco's knee trembled. Together they sat
in silence. Rocco took a deep breath.

"I wanted it too."

Brad's fist stopped shaking. He let out a sound of relief. He stood up and
nervously paced across the living room. Only to sit down at the opposite
couch to Rocco's.

"Mate! This is nuts! We're not gay! How did this happen?" He asked,
complete and utter astonishment on his tiresome face.

"Fuck me! I really don't know. From the beginning I felt this...this
feeling that I wanted to be near you. To be with you. Not...not that way
ofcourse, but I would be playing with Ryder or having coffee or just sell
some food at work and I'd wonder...what's Brad doing right now. Dude...I
don't like men sexually. Never have. There's nothing wrong with being gay,
I know that. But...I know I'm not. You're not. So to answer your damn
question...I don't know how this happened. I don't know, Brad."

The two men sat and looked at each other with lust and confusion at the
same time.

"I'm married..." Brad whispered.

"So am I," Rocco quickly replied.

"I meant happily married."

"If I was married to Nicci, I'd also be happy."

"You perving on my wife, you freak?"

"I thought you liked me now."

"Piss off, you fucker!" Brad laughed as he pounced on Rocco. The latter
literally had no where to run as Brad started fiercely tickling him. He
rolled up into a ball onto the couch as he curled and shouted with
hysterical laughter. He tried to grab Brad's hands to stop the relentless
attacks on his funny bones but it was futile. Brad had a gotten a little
bit of power over him right then and he wasn't letting it go just yet.

"Say sorry!"

"Never!"

"I'll keep tickling you!"

"Like I care!"

"Oh you don't care, do ya?"

Brad reached out to tickle his neighbour one more time, but Rocco was ready
for him. He grabbed both Brad's hands and held it tight. Both men were
aching with laughter. But eventually...it had to stop. Things got quiet,
and deadly serious. Brad, clearly still somewhat tired, leaned into
Rocco...who had no reason or need to try and stop him. Rocco slowly allowed
Brad's hands out of his own. His arms went around the slender guy on top of
him. They looked deeply into each other's eyes. Rocco's heart was beating
about twice the normal rate. He could feel the same situation happening
with Brad. Brad smiled softly and slowly laid down his head on Rocco's
chest. Rocco immediately held him as close as he could to his body. Both
men closed their eyes. Happiness flowed through both. This was insane. This
was like a dream. And yet...here it was. Here they were. Real, and
happening.

"I can feel your heart beating..." Brad said.

"Shut up," Rocco said, smiling down at his best friend.

"Mate, what are we doing?"

"Brad, I'm no expert. But...does this feel wrong to you?"

Rocco felt Brad sigh and felt his fingers gently placed against his own
chest. Brad was shaking. It was like he was stuck inside a walk in
freezer. Rocco caressed the doctor's back and shoulders the best he
could. That desperate need to make everything okay for him. Within a few
minutes, Brad had calmed down somewhat and he was breathing
normally. Silence once more filled the living room with two men, who met
and became friends, now suddenly have opened up their eyes, hearts and
feelings to what had been created between them.

"No."

Rocco frowned.

"What do you mean, no?"

Brad looked up from Rocco's chest. He gently moved forward and pressed his
forehead to Rocco's. Their noses touched. They felt each other's
warmth. Their desire. Both men closed their eyes. It was Brad who spoke
first.

"No...it doesn't feel wrong. I dunno how it can feel wrong."

Rocco responded with a broad smile and he held Brad's head in both his
hands. He wanted to shout it out to the entire fucking universe. How happy
he was. Brad playfully punched him in his gut and he doubled over in
laughter. He never felt anything like this with Teresa. Far from it.

A couple of minutes passed and with a startle, Rocco saw it was time to
fetch the kids from school.

"Nah, you stay here. I'll go," he said to Brad when the latter started
coughing.

"You sure?"

"Don't start."

"I'll finish."

"You're such a fucking moron!" Rocco said, pulling Brad towards him.

"True. But I think you like me anyway," Brad countered again.

"Says who?", Rocco played along.

"This..."

Rocco trembled as Brad's lips touched his own. It was quick, but powerful,
strong, passionate...slow. He watched as Brad pulled away. The barriers
between them had been broken, at last.

"You fucking make me crazy..." Rocco hissed. Determined to somehow control
his emotions.

"Get. Your. Butt. To. The. School."

Rocco walked out of his neighbour's house as if inside a bubble. For the
first time in his life, he wanted be ALIVE. To live. To breathe. Fuck
yeah. This was the life he craved. He only prayed they could make this
work. Whatever this was between him and Brad...he couldn't wait for more.



THANKS FOR READING!!!
Liked it?? Please shoot me an email if you did :)

liciousryan@gmail.com