Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2019 18:11:15 +0000 From: J. Forrester Subject: Do As You're Told - Chapter Twenty Part 4 Do As You're Told Chapter Twenty: Groundhog Day If you need permission to read this story please obtain it first. This story is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real people, places and events is unintentional. This story is exclusively for entertainment purposes so please enjoy in safe and legal manner. Nifty could use your help - http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html For updates, synopses & excerpts, visit my blogspot - https://niftyencomiums.blogspot.com Prologue: Writing four CH-20's is a bit of a gimmick but today is Groundhog Day... SATURDAY 2ND FEBRUARY 2019 "...then put your little hand in mine, there ain't no hill or mountain we can't climb..." Robin sat up in bed slowly, squinting at the cloud-filtered light streaming through a gap in the curtains. It took a moment to recall that he was not in his own bedroom. Although the radio had woken him, he left it on in the background - the sound of music and the bantering hosts was a comfort in the otherwise quiet house. In his own home there was usually the sound of busses outside or neighbours shouting at each other, or squabbling kids, or rough teens about to get into a fight... Robin had been working at The Fourth on Friday night. He still stripped naked on stage on Fridays and/ or Saturdays but his days of participating in sessions in the parlour were over. When Robin - as Teen Titan - had first met Adam in the parlour it had been arranged by Mr Aziz - Adam's dad. It had been a contrivance to put them together and all three of them knew it hadn't worked out the way any of them imagined. Mr Aziz had half-heartedly suggested that Robin was welcome to continue participating in the parlour even if Adam was not his client anymore - Robin declined; Mr Aziz looked relieved and Robin felt guilty that the man might still be nursing the hope of him and Adam getting together. Not all, in fact not even most, performers who worked at The Fourth not only took their clothes off but also provided sexual services in private sessions. Adam had been Robin's first and only client. Robin would never have been comfortable selling himself to anyone who paid but he made excuses for the exception he made for Adam Mansouri. Besides which, Robin knew he still had feelings for Adam and now he was dating Ben... the bottom line was, he was in no position to prostitute himself. Anyway! Robin had been working at The Fourth on Friday night. It hadn't been the same since Adam stopped coming but Robin had plans to save up enough money to... To what? Move out of his dad's house? Run away? Escape his abusive father? That was the plan, but Robin knew he wasn't brave enough to actually do it. Then Adam found out about his dad and set things in motion so fast Robin thought he had whiplash. Adam took the problem to his dad and Robin, Adam and Mr Aziz had come up with a solution. Indeed, Robin recalled what Mr Aziz had said just a few weeks ago: "Let me know when you're ready... To tell me what's wrong. To let me help you." A part of Robin was embarrassed to have to rely on their help. "Nonsense," said Mr Aziz; "Everyone needs help sometimes. And sometimes people don't just need help. Help implies a person can do it for themselves... sometimes what people need is to be saved. There's no shame in that, Robin. There's no shame in not knowing how to deal with a problem." The conversation had started after Robin's show and Mr Aziz suggested Robin might feel better staying in a safe place and returning home in the morning only to collect his things and say goodbye to his dad. Robin was cajoled into going with Mr Aziz and taking the spare room - Adam it seemed had plans with Arthur and so was not home when Mr Aziz unlocked the door. "You seem to know how to deal with the problem," Robin said sheepishly. Mr Aziz smiled enigmatically. "Robin, I may seem mild-mannered but you know the kind of business I run. A nightclub, a strip club, sex... Mild-mannered doesn't keep businesses like that safe. Believe me, when I need to I can be a man's worst fucking nightmare," Mr Aziz' anger flared and dissipated just as fast. "I'm lucky to have your help. I'm grateful. I know how lucky I am too. There must be other kids who feel like they have no-where to turn," Robin said gloomily. "Tell a teacher. Tell a friend's mum or dad. Tell a police man. Tell the school nurse or your GP... I'm glad you told me. But there are other places to turn," Mr Aziz told him. "None that will deal with the problem the way you plan to," Robin muttered but not rudely. Mr Aziz smiled and said; "Well I promised to help, didn't I? And to put it mildly, anyone who fucks with my son or our friends had better watch out." It seemed rude to lie in bed thinking circular thoughts when he was a guest in someone else's home so Robin got out of bed - having borrowed something to sleep in (shorts and a t-shirt) from Adam's room - and went downstairs. It was nice wearing Adam's clothes, they were clean but felt like his and although Robin could not smell Adam on the t-shirt, he could imagine he could. Robin heard someone in the kitchen and sure enough it was Mr Aziz. "Good morning. Breakfast?" he asked. "Not hungry," Robin answered economically. The man didn't argue but he did pour a glass of milk and passed it to Robin. "Thanks." Mr Aziz hummed along to the radio before sitting down to tea and toast. "Thanks for everything." "You're welcome," Mr Aziz replied as he looked up at Robin with soulful eyes. "If I can do anything to make it up to you. To repay you..." Robin started to say. "No," Mr Aziz interrupted; "I'm not doing this to put you in my debt. I don't expect anything from you for it." It had crossed Robin's mind that he might have to make it up to Mr Aziz by agreeing to sell his body in the parlour. If Mr Aziz was offended by Robin's assumption, he didn't show it. "Robin, altruism is rare but it does exist. I've made no secret of my affection for you and I hoped you and Adam might resume the friendship you once shared," Mr Aziz said. Though in truth, Aziz had hoped for more than just friendship between his son and Robin. "But I'm doing this because you need it and that's all there is to it. No more bruises Robin, no more fear, no more broken skin," Mr Aziz said softly. Robin absently touched his temple where his most recent injury was starting to fade. "I think about all the times my dad has... last summer, no, the summer before... he woke up drunk and angry. It was nothing special and my dad has made an art of making excuses for himself. He woke up drunk and angry, came into my room and punched me in the head," Robin paused and Mr Aziz waited for the boy to continue. "I woke up and he just went mental at me. He punched and thumped me, I turned away and he just thundered his fists on my back until he got tired. Eventually he stopped, got up and went to my bedroom door and said "have a nice weekend," and then fell asleep on the sofa. He used to like saying that to me after hurting me." Mr Aziz stood up and embraced him; "It's going to be ok, son." Mr Aziz looked at Robin with gentle eyes and Robin knew he really would be safe. He took a sip of the milk but his stomach curdled with nerves. "Is it ok if I take a shower? Maybe borrow some clothes from Adam?" Robin asked, now keen to escape. "Towels are in the hall cupboard. You can let yourself into Adam's room. He should be home soon," Mr Aziz said quite cheerfully. Mr Aziz always seemed so mild-mannered - to use the man's own words - and cheerful. Robin wondered what he looked like when he was really angry. He suspected he wouldn't like Mr Aziz when he was angry. Robin's phone rang before he could turn on the shower so he sat to talk to his best friend with sense of foreboding. He felt guilty at all the things he had not shared with Cameron over the past weeks and months. His life was about to change and Robin suspected Cameron would feel hurt to not have been included or even aware it was happening. Was he a bad friend for keeping secrets and not telling his best friend about The Fourth, Adam or his impeding escape from tyranny? "Oh. Hi, Cameron," Robin said distractedly. "Are you in the middle of something?" Cameron asked suggestively. Robin did not want to say yes but the delay in his answer spoke volumes in itself. "Sort of," Robin said - sounding secretive vague and evasive. "Are you with Ben? Nudge, nudge, wink, wink?" Cameron asked brightly, trying to break the ice. Robin thought Cameron sounded like he was fishing for juicy details where there was none to be had. "No. I'm not in the middle of that," Robin answered with a laughed - substituting the word "that" for any number of sexual activities. "Have you guys done 'that' yet?" Cameron probed. Robin found it a relief to have some silly banter with his friend - it took the edge off his nerves and the seriousness of the day ahead. "No," Robin answered; "We've only really been going out for a few weeks." "Plus he's a good Christian boy," Cameron pointed out. Robin knew Cameron was a sceptic and cynic when it came to religion - but so was he. Cameron seemed to think that Ben's religion meant he was shy and retiring. Ben was shy and retiring but not because of his faith. "Yea, no sex before marriage," Robin said dryly, gently mocking Cameron's perspective of Ben. "Really? He said that?" Cameron sounded surprised which made Robin laugh. "No, stupid," Robin replied and then explained why he and Ben hadn't done "that" yet; "But apparently some people don't have sex on the first date." "How many dates have you guys had?" Cameron asked interestedly. Robin was right - his friend was after the juicy details. "Four I guess," Robin answered as a cloud came over him and the oppression of the day blotted out the sun as suddenly as it had cleared. "You sound thrilled about it," Cameron said before brightly adding; "Maybe you'll get some frottage after date number five?" "Maybe," Robin replied. Then, nervously; "Listen, I need to tell you something." He was nervous because he knew that if he told Cameron he was leaving home, he would need to answer more questions and secrets would be revealed. Would Cameron forgive him for not sharing something so big sooner? "Ok," Cameron said. "Things with my dad have kinda come to a head. I'll be dealing with it today," Robin said. "Do you need my help?" Cameron asked genuinely. "I... no... Look... I'll explain more later but I need to go," Robin said. Fear and panic was threatening to overwhelm him and Robin needed to hang up, get under a shower and hope the stains on his soul would be washed away. "Be careful," Cameron said. Robin was touched by his friend's concern. "Talk to you later, ok?" Robin said. "Ok. Happy birthday, buddy." Robin could have been forgiven for forgetting he was turning seventeen today. In the scheme of things, it didn't seem to matter. MEANWHILE "...And when I'm sad you're a clown, And if I get scared you're always around..." Robin had returned to the guest bedroom after his shower and found the radio playing the song again - this time he turned it off. Robin was towel clad and was about to start getting dressed when he saw a figure flit past the room. Robin suspected it was Adam and intended to go say "hi" - after all, he was a guest in Adam's home. Robin opened the door and stepped into the hall and he bumped straight into Adam. "Robin?" Adam said in surprise; "Morning, eh hilo, how're... hey." Hilo? Robin almost laughed at the sweet error. "Hi," Robin replied - now feeling a little awkward. Robin was aware that he was only also wearing a towel, his hair still damp from the shower, and Adam had the look of a boy who had been ambushed. Robin missed Adam's body but he resisted checking it out too keenly - he was trying to sort his life out, was still dealing with Adam's attitude change and of course he had a boyfriend now. Still, Robin grinned when he caught Adam ogling him. Adam flushed and lifted a hand to cover his eyes to restore Robin's modesty but succeeded in accidentally loosening his towel. Robin had to grin as Adam held the towel over his penis. "Nice to see you," Robin jested. "I need to, eh..." Adam said nervously. "Get naked," Robin quipped. "Shower," Adam finished simultaneously. They both chuckled, easing the tension and Adam fixed his towel before heading for bathroom at the end of the hall. Robin watched him go - Adam's smooth and strong back, nice legs and towel swaddled bum... Adam looked back and caught him so Robin guiltily stepped back into the spare bedroom and closed the door. Robin was wracked with nerves but felt oddly calm now that he'd seen Adam and knowing that his old friend would be with him. Adam had promised to be there for him and had delivered on his promise - though credit had to be given to Mr Aziz. While Adam got dressed, Mr Aziz introduced two big men who looked like bouncers or hitmen, whichever was the case they were not the kind of men a sensible person would want to challenge. "These are Mr Little and Mr Big," said Mr Aziz ironically as they were built like mountains; "Let's call them enforcers, shall we?" The enforcers were in a separate car while Mr Aziz drove and Adam kept him company. Adam seemed to have things on his mind too and it seemed unfair that other people should have problems that needed consolation when he was so busy dealing with his own messed up life. Robin tried to explain why he had put up with being bullied for so long and he knew he was talking as much about his father house-bound cruelty as he was about Adam's school-bound efforts. "I think at first I didn't understand why you were doing it and we'd been friends so I made excuses for you. And after a while I just let it go," there was a tear in Robin's eye that he wiped away silently. "Maybe I just didn't want to be the kind of boy who got bullied so I rose above it... or that's what I told myself." The car pulled up outside Robin's embarrassment of a house - rundown, oppressive and unkempt - which was swaddled in rain. Adam said nothing of it and a moment later Mr Aziz opened the car door, flanked by the enforcers. "Are you ready, Robin?" Mr Aziz asked. "As I'll ever be," Robin responded sullenly. Robin was aware of Mr Aziz leaning into the car to talk to his son, so he walked a little bit away and found himself at the foot of the concrete steps he'd 'accidentally' fallen down at least three times; when Robin looked back, it was to watch Adam driving away. "I don't think he should be here for this. I don't want my son to see me like this," Mr Aziz said with anger bubbling under as they went up the steps to the door. Robin nodded, unlocked the door and stepped inside. The hall light was off so the only illumination came from the threshold of the door - with Robin, Mr Aziz and two mountainous men in that threshold, the hall was black as night. "Are you packed?" Mr Aziz asked. "Mostly." Robin went to his room and retrieved a small case and two holdalls - his life ready to go. They appeared undisturbed so his dad hadn't been in his room. Mr Big took the three bags and took them outside while Robin, Mr Aziz and Mr Little moved into the living room. Robin felt like throwing up. The TV was on and his dad was sprawled on the sofa like he'd slept on it. Sometimes he did. "You didn't come home last night," said Robin's dad - not even bothering to look around. "No." His dad heaved a sigh. The kind of sigh that, from Robin's experience, signalled the old man counting to ten to try and contain his anger and giving up after three. He looked around at Robin but had to do a double - triple - take when he noticed his son was not alone. "Did he clype on me? It wisnae me," Robin's dad offered sarcastically to Mr Aziz, perhaps expecting a smile. "Do you have something to say?" Mr Aziz asked Robin, ignoring the man on the sofa. Mr Aziz voice was quiet and neutral but Robin recognised the voice of an angry man who was trying not to show it. Mr Aziz was very angry. "I'm leaving," Robin said succinctly. The first of two sentences Robin would say to his father. "The fuck you are," his dad replied as he stumbled to his feet. At that moment Robin heard Mr Big enter the room but didn't look around. He watched his dad looked between them all, unable to focus on any one person. "Your son and mine are friends, Mr Haldane," Mr Aziz said pleasantly; "Your son is a splendid young man. Who deserved better than this." Mr Aziz was not talking about the substandard housing - one cannot help the home they live in - it was quite clear that Aziz meant Mr Haldane himself. "He can't leave unless I say so. He needs parental permission..." "Robin is sixteen. No, seventeen," Mr Aziz interrupted and put a hand on Robin's shoulder. "So, no... he does not need your permission. He can't rent a flat or get a mortgage, but he has a generous benefactor for that. Besides we both know you won't protest or make a legal challenge." Mr Aziz remained quite calm - as if discussing the weather - which only made Robin's dad angrier. His blood was boiling. He wanted to challenge Mr Aziz. But he didn't want to get drawn into a war of words that he couldn't win. Mr Aziz was right, he would not - could not - protest. To do so would air his mistreatment of Robin that until this moment he believed was just between father and son. "Just fucking go then," his dad said spitefully. "Go. Fuck off, you an ungrateful little bastard. I gave you a home to live in and food to eat. And you go greetin' to your pimp?" "You're being very disrespectful," said Mr Little tonelessly while taking a half step forward. Half a step was more than enough - Mr Haldane stopped being disrespectful. It was the only thing Robin had heard either of the mountainous men say, but his voice was deep, refined and authoritative. Robin didn't look around at him, his eyes were fixed on his dad. His father's eyes returned to fix on him. "I'm the only thing you've got," Robin's dad said bitterly. Robin rather suspected it was the other way around. "Goodbye dad." It was the only other thing Robin had said to his father. Robin had indulged the fantasy of a rousing and denouncing speech but the finality of being so succinct stuck a more potent cord. Robin had nothing to say to his dad... so he said nothing. Robin reached the living room door, still cracked from where his head had hit it a few weeks ago, and paused to hear what Mr Aziz had to say. "You are not to contact you son. You are not to contact his mother - if you know where she is - nor his grandmother. Do not go to his school, do not go to his friends. You will stay away. Far away," Mr Aziz said serenely but the edge was back in his voice. "And if I don't?" Mr Haldane challenged. Robin somehow knew it was over. His dad was defeated. He looked defeated and sounded defeated. Robin wouldn't see him again but the man was proud and had to make a show of his ego - no matter how bruised it was by the gentle man in his living room. Mr Aziz took a step closer to Robin's dad, still composed and agreeable, and motioned to Mr Little and Mr Big. "These two gentlemen are going to stay and explain what will happen if you make any contact of any kind..." Mr Aziz said. Mr Aziz turned and moved swiftly towards Robin - this was their exit. As a parting shot Mr Aziz added: "...Have a nice weekend." In the car, Robin cried for half an hour. The rain was cold and wet by the time he stopped and for a moment Robin thought of Charlie Chaplin saying, "I like walking in the rain so no-one can see me crying." Half an hour after that, Robin felt restored and Mr Aziz ushered him towards a granite-faced building not far from the town centre. "Buses every twenty minutes for school... and getting to work," Mr Aziz said and he winked at Robin. Robin smiled weakly at the attempt to lighten the mood. "I would have been more than happy to put you up in my home," Mr Aziz said as they entered the main door; "But as nobody seems to know you and Adam are..." "Friends," Robin offered. Was that the right word for what he and Adam were? "Hmm. As nobody seems to know you and Adam are friends, staying in my home would have raised too many questions. And besides, you and Adam are still figuring things out, aren't you?" Mr Aziz asked rhetorically. They reached the first floor landing and Mr Aziz opened the door to Room 101. "You asked me once what was in room 101. I told you, you knew the answer already. The thing in room 101 is the worst thing in the world," Robin quoted. "Nonsense, its central heated and everything," Mr Aziz cut through the culture. This time Robin chuckled. The flat itself was sparse: the kitchen in a section off the main room, one bedroom and a small bathroom. But it was all Robin's and it was safe. "My brother owns this property. I have come to an arrangement with him," Mr Aziz explained; "So there will be no talk of how much you owe or any such thing. Consider it a gift." Robin was touched and nearly cried again. He knew Mr Aziz was not giving him a flat - once he finished school or he went to University, Robin would start to make his own way. What Mr Aziz was giving him was time. The man insisted on giving Robin a tour and took great pleasure in opening the bedroom window for some reason. It took a few seconds for the reason to become clear as a voice travelled through the window carrying a beautiful aria. "Clarice sings most days, on request if she likes you," Mr Aziz said. Robin looked across to a neighbouring flat and saw a very large woman dressed in red and singing beautiful operatic words in a language he didn't know. It sounded mournful and melancholy and just perfect for the kind of day he was having. "Have you thought about what you're going to tell people? I'll make appropriate arrangements with your school," Mr Aziz said - though school would be over in four months; "But what are you going to tell your friends?" "I dunno," Robin replied - he'd thought about it but still didn't know. "How do you feel about lying?" asked Mr Aziz. "Oh, I'm not very comfortable with that," Robin admitted. "Ok... how about telling people the truth?" Mr Aziz suggested. "So you had an idea about lying?" Robin corrected himself. Mr Aziz smiled and replied; "A little information goes a long way. You have good reasons for not going into detail, even with your closest friends. Less is more, ok?" "Yea, ok." "Do you want to be left alone for a while?" asked Mr Aziz. "Thanks," Robin replied - not really answering the question. Mr Aziz left, giving Robin a warm embrace before parting, and Robin was left with his own thoughts. Robin had been home alone lots of times - when his dad was working or when he didn't come home but alone in his own home felt... lonely. He unpacked - which took no time at all - and wandered around. Robin tried calling Cameron who didn't reply and then he called Ben. "Ben, can I come over for a bit?" Robin asked. "I guess so. Are you ok?" Ben asked. There may have been busses every twenty minutes but Robin still had to walk through the rain so by the time he reached Ben's house he was dripping wet. Ben opened the door before he had a chance to knock. "Robin, you're soaking wet. Come in," Ben invited him. Robin hung his jacket up on a coat stand in the hall but his jeans and t-shirt clung to him. "Ben? Who's that?" came a voice from somewhere in the house. A man, who was surely Ben's dad, appeared in the hall and smiled. "Dad, this is Robin. We go to school together," Ben said. Robin noticed the careful way in which Ben introduced him - neither calling him "boyfriend" - perhaps because his parents would disapprove - nor just "friend" - for they were more than just friends but Ben didn't want to lie. "I see. Well, same rule as your sisters... no boys in the bedroom," his dad said with a laugh. "Dad!" Ben said, embarrassed by the joke. Robin instantly liked the man. Ben's familial reticence regarding his homosexuality was clearly not an issue with his dad. "Will you be staying for dinner?" asked Ben's dad. "I'm just here to visit, thanks," Robin responded. "It's lasagne if you change your mind," he said as he turned to go back to watch TV; "Have fun, boys." "Don't tell mum," Ben replied. His dad laughed; "No shit, Ben." "He seems nice," Robin said once they were safely ensconced in Ben's room. "Yea he's ok," Ben asked but clearly held his dad in great affection. "He's ok with you being gay?" Robin asked. "Mum and dad took it better than I expected. Dad's been pretty cool about it but mum had to ask the minister... you've got that look again," Ben said admonishingly. "What look?" Robin protested "When I talk about the church you get a look like you think I'm a dope," Ben said placidly. "I don't believe what you believe. Faith means believing even though there's no proof... even if I could accept there's no proof... my dad did this to me," Robin said while pointing to his temple where his scar was still healing. Ben paused at the revelation that Robin's dad had caused the injury rather than a door but he recovered smoothly. "Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. You can blame god for that or blame your dad," Ben said diplomatically. "Yea ok," Robin said neutrally. "Just please don't tell me my suffering was all part of god's plan. Or to appreciate the light, you have to accept the dark too," Robin said with more cynicism than was his norm but he was having a bit of a day. "Oh I don't know, Robin," said Ben with a little smile; "My mum says that to light a candle is to cast a shadow." Robin stopped, breathing slowly, thinking slowly. "Sorry, I'm being an arse," Robin said. "I understand. You never told me, you're dad did this," Ben touched his fingers to the cut on Robin's head; "Do you want to talk about it?" "Not really. I moved out into a council flat. Long story," Robin replied. "Sometimes it helps to talk. Your dad..." Ben was talking like an amateur psychologist - or a pastor. "I really don't want to talk about it," Robin said calmly. "So why'd came here?" Ben wondered. "I just need some company," Robin answered. "You're still soaking wet," Ben said. Robin felt himself shiver and without asking he peeled off his t-shirt. Ben's eyes bulged at the sight of Robin's sculpted chest; Robin then slipped off his shoes and removed his damp socks and removed his jeans too. "I'll put them on the radiator," Ben said as he gathered up the moist pile of clothing. Ben was half hard just looking at Robin. Robin had not always been so comfortable being half naked but he was thinking about the loss of whatever it was he and Adam had and he realised that he wanted something more physical with Ben. "Do you masturbate?" Robin asked Ben with a bit of a glint in his eye. "Well one time I didn't masturbate for eleven years... then I turned twelve." Ben jested. They both giggled and Robin realised that he had asked a silly question. Robin stepped towards Ben and took the bottom of his shirt... "Wait," said Ben with a blush. "I don't look like you do." Ben sounded small and embarrassed but Robin didn't like Ben because he was a sexy Adonis; he liked Ben because he was kind and cute and kind. Robin leaned in and kissed Ben gently to reassure him that his body shape wasn't something to worry about. Robin lifted the t-shirt and exposed Ben's undefined little torso. His chest was hairless and there was no treasure trail, rather a smooth curve from his bellybutton to the waistband of his underwear. His jeans were low on his hips and Robin pushed them down too; once Ben had stepped out of them, both boys stood in just their tenting underwear. "You're so pretty," Robin whispered into Ben's ear before stooping to kiss a nipple. Ben sniggered in surprise and when Robin put his hands on Ben's hips to steer him towards the bed, his companion did not resist. They both lay on Ben's bed facing one another, pressing close so there was no space between their chests. It seemed Ben and Robin wouldn't need to wait until date number five to get to the frottage. They writhed together for a while, grinding hard cock against hard cock. Both penises began to leak, leaving messy trails of slime that seeped through to deposit dark spots on their underwear. "I've never done this before," Ben admitted breathlessly. "Can I touch your dick?" Robin asked. Ben wasn't sure he wanted that and he was a little put out that his comment had been glossed over. This was a big moment for him. He could feel his hard-on throb against Robin's and Robin was bigger than him. "I'm still a virgin. Are you a virgin?" Ben asked. Robin didn't want to get into his sexual history - with a bully who had mocked and teased and ridiculed him for years - but since he had never been penetrated, Robin was able to honestly admit he was still a virgin. "Yea. I've done some stuff, but I've never had a dick inside me," Robin said. The words sounded silly - not the kind of thing real people say - but it seemed to relax Ben who quickly felt less insecure. Ben guided Robin's hand towards his underwear and Robin pushed them down until Ben's dick popped out. Robin hitched the boxers under Ben's balls and gazed at the unveiled cock. It was a modest five and a half inches long but Robin would have liked nothing more than to put it in his mouth. Ben reciprocated by tugging at Robin's underwear until his penis was freed and Robin manoeuvred his thighs, calves and feet until they came off completely. Ben's eyes bulged at the sight of Robin's eight inch cock monster. "Can I touch it?" Ben asked. Robin nodded and Ben began to stroke it with a hand wrapped around it. Ben's hand only just wrapped around the entire shaft, such as its girth - or maybe he just had small hands. While Ben worked to jack off the biggest dick he'd ever seen - ok, the only other dick he'd ever seen - Robin got to work on Ben's. Ben's hands were moist with sweat and slippery with pre-cum, which had spilled over the head and down the shaft of Robin's throbbing member; pre-cum spread over Ben's hand and therefore up and down the length of Robin's cock. The tension that had preceded this moment ebbed away like a tide going out - it would come back in but at this moment, Robin was quite content. The sensation of being jerked off by Ben was quite unlike his sexual experiences with Adam. Adam was assured and experienced, Ben was gentle and excited and new. Ben's hand pumped on Robin's cock, stroking the head too and the feeling of Ben's hand slipping up and down the ridge of his cock head was just right to get Robin to the edge. "I'm going to cum in a second," Robin warned. Robin was aware Ben needed fair warning and that he couldn't be too loud with Ben's dad downstairs. Robin was on his back when he shot his load all over his chest and abdomen and Ben seemed pleased to have been the cause of the triumphant spill. Ben pumped for a little while after the orgasm was over until Robin's hand stilled him. Ben was happy with his own success but also the feeling of Robin still stroking his dick. In comparison to Robin, Ben felt quite inadequate but Robin treated his dick with such care and delight that it was obvious Robin had no such qualms. "Kneel up so you can cum on me too," Robin said to Ben. "Why?" Ben asked as if such a filthy thing would never occur to him. Robin had been spoiled by his past experiences. "Because I want to feel your hot cum on me," Robin replied. Robin was still stroking Ben's dick, and the boy slowly shifted until he was kneeling on the bed beside Robin's right hip. Robin let go and Ben took over the masturbation and closed his eyes. They had been closed a few seconds when Ben realised what he was missing and opened them again to look at Robin. Robin had the kind of body that Ben would drool over while looking at images of men online. Young and athletic and gorgeous; Ben took himself to the edge of sweet ecstasy and didn't stop at the edge. When he came, Ben aimed as Robin suggested - for Robin's chest and tummy. Ben squeezed every drop from his dick and could hardly believe Robin had let him cum all over his body. The blobs of cum pooled in milky spots against milky skin. Robin lay back in the bed, putting both hands behind his head, revealing more of his sculpted body that made Ben's dick ready again. Ben resisted and with the orgasms abated, Ben pulled his underwear back up and slipped his slippery cock inside. Robin pulled Ben closer until he toppled on top and they smooshed together in a contented cuddle. There was no space between their bare chests or abdomens - Robin's naked groin and Ben's cotton bundled crotch - but there was a film of cum slipping and sliding. Robin took great comfort in the close physical contact of the embrace; their chests and softening cocks and their legs intermingling. Ben slipped to one side and tucked himself into Robin's shoulder. "Oh, happy birthday," Ben said sleepily. "Oh yea, that," Robin replied. "How could you forget you're seventeenth birthday?" Ben asked naively. Robin didn't reply - he just kissed Ben's forehead. "I'm glad you were ready for this," Robin commented. "Sure as hell slipped the hand holding stage, huh?" Ben said with a giggle. Ben might have been a few months older then Robin, but he acted younger or maybe it just seemed that way. Ben's life seemed charmed in comparison to Robin's - life hadn't just given Robin lemons but lobbed them at him until they caused bruises. "Oh, sugar!" Ben suddenly exclaimed because he tried not to swear; "It's nearly dinner time." He rushed to get dressed, removing the congealing cum with a t-shirt and then putting on a clean one. Ben tossed Robin the same t-shirt to wipe himself up with. Robin too, more reluctantly, got dressed - his clothes more or less dry. They kissed again before leaving the safety of the bedroom - Ben's parents slowly accepting of his sexuality but not ready to see him actually kissing boys. "You don't need to bottle things up, by the way," Ben said, trying to be helpful; "When you're ready to talk about your dad, I'll be here to listen." At the foot of the stairs, as Robin put on his jacket, the two boys could hear Ben's mum and dad chatting in the kitchen. Robin hoped to sneak out but Mr McDonald came back to the hall to bid him farewell. They smiled and again Robin could see the likeness between father and son: the same blond hair and blue eyes, button nose and cute smoochy face. "Are you sure you don't want to stay for tea, Robin?" asked Mr McDonald "That's ok, I have to get going," Robin replied. Ben opened the door and his dad gave him a curious look. "Benjamin, is that a different t-shirt to the one you were wearing earlier?" his dad teased. Ben blushed but Robin had to laugh. All the way home, as rain continued to batter the bus, Robin wondered why he felt he had to get going. Where was he going except an empty flat that no-one knew about yet? And even when he did tell Ben and Cameron, he'd still need to fib about the finer details. Robin was wet again by the time he got into the flat - his flat - so he stripped naked and dropped his clothes into a hamper in the corner of his bedroom. It would have been interesting to lounge around naked but the flat was cold so Robin put on a pair of comfy bed shorts - cotton so soft he felt like he was being hugged - and a t-shirt. There were microwave dinners in the fridge which he ate without even putting on a plate because he was so hungry. While he ate, Robin watched the rain, which had slowed to a drizzle, and then he finished his homework and was starting to feel sleepy on the couch when the doorbell rang. Robin tentatively went to the door, peeked through the spy hole and smiled before opening the door. "Happy birthday," said Adam. Robin wanted to grab him, hug him and thank him but he didn't know by Adam's arrival made him feel so complete. Complete? Adam was standing on his doorstep with balloons and a smile. It was a touching gesture, one that made Robin feel guilty considering the progress he was making with Ben. Ben was a really special person but there was one thing he wasn't - he wasn't Adam Mansouri. Robin's feelings for Adam were so confusing - ranging from lust and desire and affection to foreboding. Foreboding that the last five and a half years had put so much water under the bridge, the bridge was unsafe. Robin smiled widely at the birthday balloons floating beside Adam - whatever his feelings for the boy, Robin appreciated the remembrance. "I'm impressed you remembered," Robin said. "Of course I remembered," Adam said gently; "I always remember." Robin felt exhaustion piled on top of stress piled on top of relief. He smiled wearily but with gratitude. "Do you want to come in?" Adam floated about nervously like he'd never been in a room before. "Do you wanna sit?" Robin asked as he took a seat himself. He crossed his bare legs, ankle on knee and slumped back in what he had already started to think of as his armchair. Adam left the balloons in the corner and sat on the two-seater opposite. "So... did you do anything interesting today?" Adam asked facetiously. Robin chuckled anyway and felt tears prickling the corners of his eyes - he was tired and emotional and the tears were filled with everything he had endured. "Thank you, Adam. Thank you," Robin said. Adam barely smiled, unsure what to say but glad that Robin was safe; glad Robin was grateful too for it was the first step towards Adam proving himself. Whatever that meant anymore. "So where do we go from here?" Adam asked nervously. "Time to move on," Robin replied. Adam looked disappointed. "Time to figure out... who we are. Together. Apart," Robin said. Adam didn't want to sound petty or boastful but he figured now was as good a time as any to confess. "I've met someone. It's new," Adam said. "Oh. Good," Robin replied. "Yea," Adam added. Curious that both boys had felt something just a few months ago - when Robin was Teen Titan and Adam didn't know it. But now that the truth had come out it had changed things. It hadn't brought them together as either had wanted or expected. But wasn't that Robin's fault? Adam had asked him out and Robin had said no. Because he wasn't ready? No, because he had forgiven Adam but not forgotten the years of abuse. Abuse like he had just escaped from his dad. Both boys were dating other people who they liked - so why were they both so miserable about it at this very moment? Why were they together rather than with their new beaus? They both knew the answer to that and neither was willing to admit it. "How're you going to explain this place?" Adam asked, getting them back on neutral territory. "I've told Cameron and Ben that I'm dealing with stuff today - stuff to do with my dad - but I'm still trying to think exactly how I'm going to explain all this," Robin admitted. "This flat is ex-council, maybe tell them that and miss out the ex- bit," Adam suggested. Robin just nodded; "That's what I told Ben." "Oh. Good," Adam replied, unable to hide is disappointment at the mention of Ben's name. "Are you guys dating then?" "It's early days," Robin said guardedly - no more keen to talk about it than Adam. There was still "something" between them that hadn't gone away but neither of them felt like they were in a position to talk about their feelings for the other. Paradoxically, when Robin finally took off his Teen Titan mask, he felt like he lost his capacity to be himself with Adam. For Adam, he felt he still had too much to prove to Robin. "It's been a crazy long day... I'm glad I only have to do it once, I couldn't do all over again," Robin admitted. "So, are Cameron and Ben coming over? For a house warming or birthday party?" Adam asked with a nervous laugh. "No. I'm not ready to have people in," Robin replied. "Oh. Do you want me to go?" Adam asked. "You're not people... I mean..." Robin stuttered but they both laughed; "You're always welcome, Adam. I'm glad you came." "It helps to have someone you can talk to. Someone who understands what it's like to feel alone," Adam responded. Robin thought about how, as gentle and nice as Ben was, his boyfriend did not understand him like Adam did. Ben wanted to talk about his dad, Adam got it that Robin did not want to talk about him. Ben assumed he was bottling it up, Adam understood there was no bottle. Adam understood that Robin's melancholy came from the fact he didn't know where to go from here rather than struggling to get away from the past. "I'm really tired," Robin said instead of really answering. "Goodnight then," said Adam. Adam stood up and crossed the room and then leaned over and kissed the top of Robin's head. "Goodnight," Robin replied. Adam showed himself out and Robin went to the bedroom. Tucked under the covers, Robin closed his eyes and could smell Adam's aftershave as if he were in the room. The presence comforted him and stayed until Robin fell asleep. I hope everyone enjoyed CH-20. It was a whopping 25,000+ words (3 three chapters worth in one week) so Do As You're Told will take a break next week. My only regret about writing a Groundhog Day story is not working in a Gobblers Knob joke but i just couldn't think of one... nope not even one pun to make about that... I'm always delighted to hear from readers. To contact me, email: niftyencomiums@gmail.com 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/