Date: Thu, 30 May 2019 18:11:14 +0100 From: J. Forrester Subject: Do As You're Told - Epilogue Do As You're Told Epilogue: I Like It Here SATURDAY 8TH JUNE 2019 It wasn't early when Robin and Adam awoke the next morning but there was no rush to get up. It was already warm outside and shaping up to be a beautiful day. Robin was the first to stir and when he did he took the opportunity to watch Adam. Adam's face was relaxed; his hair a mess and he looked perfectly peaceful. Adam mumbled to himself a few times, his mouth barely moving. Robin closed his eyes and listened to Adam's breathing. He put a hand over Adam's heart and watched his lover slowly awaken. Adam's hand emerged to lie over the top of Robin's. "Hand on heart; this is how I want to start every day," Robin said. "That was really corny," Adam replied. They both loved the sentiment though and couldn't help but smile. "What were you dreaming about?" Robin asked; "You seemed far away just before you came back to me." Adam smiled contentedly. "I dreamt that I was old... and you were beside me," Adam replied. Robin was touched by the expression - ignored that it was also corny - and kissed Adam softly. They remained embraced and stayed in bed a little while longer. It was a glorious day when the boys emerged into the sun and they decided to spend the morning in the garden; sat on towels wearing just shorts and touching when they got the chance. Hand holding and kissing, little caresses and foot play - nothing overtly sexual, not in the back garden. They were soon persuaded - by incessant text messaging - to join "the gang" (as it was being called by Arthur) in the park for a picnic. Arthur: [Come and hang out with us.] Arthur: [Bring the boyfriend.] "We better do as we're told," Robin said when he read the messages on Adam's phone. Arthur: [Also bring crisps, Pepsi Max and chocolate.] In truth, the plan rather appealed to both of them - a nice way to start the summer and to let go of school, exams and everything in the past. "The gang" consisted of Cameron, Kieran, Arthur, Ben and Rupert (Ben's boyfriend) - Adam and Robin too, obviously. Adam and Robin were the last to arrive. "Isn't Arlene coming?" asked Adam. "She has a Saturday job," Arthur replied but was grateful for the attention paid to his love life. Runners. Dog walkers. Out for a stroll. Playing in the sun. They took a selfie of the group which Adam bemoaned; "I look constipated. I'm squinting." "You're just smiling with your eyes," Robin suggested. "Maybe you just need a big poo," Arthur helped. The boys laughed and ate and talked. The park was alive with activity and it was nice for them all to be together. Everyone in the gang seemed to have found something in the unity that they hadn't found in friendships or relationships before. It was going to be a fun summer. "Mummy, those boys are holding hands," said a squeaky little voice. Adam and Robin looked up to see an adorable five year old whose mum took his hand with an exasperated roll of her eyes but they smiled and waved goodbye with their free hands. She smiled kindly at them as she pulled the wee boy away. "This is like the final scene of the rom-com. It's all finally worked out and we know the protagonists are together..." Cameron started to say. Arthur took over and said; "And they all lived happily..." "Do not finish that sentence," Adam admonished with a snigger. "I thought everyone enjoyed a sentimental ending," Robin commented. "Also, nobody commented on me and Rupert holding hands," Ben said with a pout. "You could hold something else and see if those cute boys say anything," Rupert said cheekily. The cute boys in question were kicking a football around; all were wearing shorts and one was shirtless. The cute boys may not have been looking in their direction, but Cameron, Kieran, Robin, Adam, Ben and Rupert were certainly looking in their direction. "I'm feeling left out," Arthur said. "Do you want us to check out your ass?" asked Cameron. "I'd actually be fine with that," Arthur responded with a delighted smile. "How did we even get on to all this shallow objectification?" Robin asked. "Some people are so immature," Adam agreed facetiously. "We were talking about happy endings," Ben answered the question. Ben and Robin shared a fleeting glance - glad that the other had found someone to be happy with and glad they were still friends. Arthur lay back in the sun and closed his eyes against the luminary glowing in the sky. "I don't even know how it started," Rupert said. "Well, you see; a long time ago..." Cameron started to answer. "There's no such thing as a long time ago," said Adam and Robin together. The pair laughed softly and gazed lovingly at each other; the both knew that wasn't true, not anymore. The beginning of their story was a long time ago. The others in the group seemed lost to the significance of the phrase so Arthur interceded. "Ok, no more continuity references for you," warned Arthur. "A tale as old as time," Adam sang to Arthur - recalling how Arthur had said it at the beginning of their last week at school. "Ok, maybe one more," Arthur said, giving his friend a hug. "I don't think we're going to hear how it all started," said Ben. Ben addressed his comments to Rupert and Kieran because he knew they were as in the dark as he was. "Ok, how should a good story end?" Arthur asked no-one in particular. Arthur turned his head and squinted at the rest of the boys. No-one seemed to have an answer. Cameron chuckled; he wanted to say in bondage and with him on top but that would ruin the moment. Kieran mimed zipping his lips. Ben just smiled while Rupert leaned in to cuddle Ben without saying a word either. Adam raised his eyebrows questioningly at Robin who shrugged as if he thought the answer was self-evident. Robin lay on the grass beside Arthur who pointed his face back towards the sky, unperturbed by the lack of answer to his question. Adam lay down too, using Robin's warm thigh as a pillow. Robin played with Adam's hair and pondered over the question. He supposed it didn't matter how "the story" ended - there was no such thing as a neat and tidy ending. Life is like a messy bedroom, every time you tidy it up someone goes and makes a mess again. "Let's never finish our story," Robin said at last. Adam murmured his agreement. "Yea. Let's enjoy the sunshine and see what happens next," Adam said with a contented sigh. "It's been a long road getting here..." Robin repeated his own words from the night before. "A long road..." Adam agreed. Robin noticed Adam was smiling with his eyes again. It made him look beautiful and happy. "...But I like it here. I like it." Strange that a story should end with a beginning... It was the beginning of the summer holidays and the boys were relaxing in the summer sun beneath a clear blue sky. The weeks and months were stretched ahead of them and no-one knew what was about to happen, whose lives would change and the surprises life had in store for them. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** THE END I want to thank everyone who wrote to me while I published Do As You're Told. It was a huge project (the equivalent of four decent-sized novels) so I'm thrilled it is so appreciated. I know it was appreciated because I've replied to a hundreds emails with a many multiple correspondents. I'm very grateful so many individuals have loved this story so much. I loved it too but have no plans for a sequel; this story is done, I think. So what is next? I am already working on my next project but it won't be ready until autumn 2020; However, I will put some more details on my blog in due course. However, to whet your appetite, I think the title alone is quite titillating so here it is... A Series of Embarrassing Events If you love Nifty's erotica, remember to donate: http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html To contact me about the story as a whole, or the finale, email me: niftyencomiums@gmail.com Visit my blogspot - https://niftyencomiums.blogspot.com - for updates including chapter synopses and excerpts. Visit my newtumbl - https://niftyguy.newtumbl.com/archive - for short stories (tagged) or to see some beautiful people. If you are enjoying this story, I have also written: School Exhibitionism - http://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/highschool/school-exhibitionism The Symposium - http://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/authoritarian/the-symposium/ The Embarrassment of Riches - http://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/highschool/the-embarrassment-of-riches/