Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 14:35:13 -0700 From: Mike Masterson Subject: Another Door Opens The following story dipicts sexual acts and relationships between adult men. If you legally aren't allowed to read it, you should stop now. If you don't want to read it, you should leave now and refine whatever search terms got you here. This is completely fictional. In no way is this autobiographical, for those interested. One weekend, I was feeling sad, depressed, lonely, sappy, romantic, and horny. This story is the result. If you're looking to get your rocks off quick, This story might be a little long for that, but I still think parts are hot. If you love it, hate it, or just want to say hi, feel free to email me at mjstories78 at gmail dot com. "Shouldn't we call the police?" "Why?" "Why? For starters, there's a grown man, in a suit, standing in your backyard. On top of that, he's standing in a filled children's wading pool." Aaron said in hushed tones, hoping the stranger just outside wouldn't be able to hear. "He's not doing anything wrong. He's just standing there, and has been there for...half an hour. He was probably just hot." David replied matter-of-factly, staying quiet himself, but remaining perfectly calm. "Are you dense? He probably just got hot? David, this is not normal behavior. He's probably some escaped mental patient. And we don't know how long he's been out there. He could have been standing there for hours. He wouldn't even be in that pool if your nephew hadn't been visiting yesterday." Aaron crossed his arms and gave David a glare. "Aaron, you're my best friend, but you need to lighten up and have some compassion. I'll grant you that I'm not a psychologist, but escaped mental patients do not go wandering around enjoying the breeze in three piece suits and double windors. He probably just got laid off and had to go for a walk or something. This economy is hitting everyone hard." David said as he took a glass from the cabinet and filled it with water at the sink just beneath the window they were standing in front of. "I'm going to see if he's thirsty." David moved toward the door leading to the backyard and Aaron sighed "Ok, fine. You do that. Try not to let him kill you. I'm going to the store to get some things for tonight. I'll call you in a little while to make sure you're not dead or something." Aaron huffed and walked through the house to the front door. David heard it shut and shook his head. David opened the backdoor of his house and stepped onto his deck. The wading pool was just a few feet away from the bottom step. He took a few steps to the right and down the 3 feet or so to the yard itself, hoping to get a better look at the front of the stranger while maintaining a little distance. David wasn't completely stupid. The man in the suit looked like he was just a little younger than David, early thirties maybe. It was hard to tell, he had dark brown hair and a dark brown beard that could have been making him look older. His eyes were closed and his head was tilted up just a little. Each hand was holding something or just clenched at his sides, but his arms were otherwise relaxed. The man wasn't small. It was unclear from the suit just how big he was, but he probably had at least 30 or 40 lbs on David, who wasn't tiny at 195. David was a few inches taller at 6'2". The reach might be an advantage if necessary. The look on the man's face was serene, though. David could almost see him sway in the rare breeze that happened by. "Sir? What's your name?" There was no response. "My name is David. Do you know where you are? Do you need a Doctor?" The man's eyes opened slowly and he finally regarded David. There was something there, David thought but it wasn't anger or madness, something just empty. His eyes were blue or maybe grey; it was hard to tell from that distance and the bright light of the afternoon. David thought the man was handsome and almost boyish despite his age. He was just David's type from what he could see, but it wasn't the most ideal situation to get a date from. David was able to see the rims of a pair of glasses peaking out of the man's breast pocket. "I don't know what your name is, but you should get inside before you burn, ok?" David said taking a step forward and offering the glass to the stranger. "Here, are you thirsty?" The man frowned a moment, confused, and then saw the glass in David's hand and nodded. "Ok...I'll take that as a yes. Here, why don't you come out of there. Your feet will get all puckered and start to hurt if you don't." David said as he made his way up the stairs and toward the man. The man looked down at his feet, and pulled one out of the pool to shake it off. He set it down on the bottom step of the deck before doing the same to the other foot. He made his way slowly to David who escorted him inside the house. It was hot enough that the wet shoe prints were already drying by the time they got inside. David led the stranger into the kitchen, making a mental note that no knives were immediately available. "Please have a seat." He pulled a chair out from the table that was in the far corner of the kitchen next to an open window. The man sat down and began to stare out the window. David looked, but he didn't see anything out of the ordinary to look at. He set the glass of water in front of the man, and turned to switch on a nearby fan, hoping that the stranger wouldn't pass out in that suit. "Aren't you a little warm in that?" David thought out loud. From the sweat on his brow it was clear that the man was warm. "Matt." was all he said, still starring out of the window. "Your name is Matt?" David asked. The man nodded and brought his hands up and looked at them as if he were a baby, discovering them for the first time. He set the objects he was holding on the table and turned his attention back to the window. Curious, but not wanting to agitate Matt, David leaned a little closer to glance at what was on the table. He saw a ring and a crumpled up piece of paper. There was clearly some sort of printing and coloring on it, but he couldn't make it out. "I'm sorry." Matt said. It wasn't loud, but it might as well as been a car horn to David, who jumped a little. "Sorry for what?" David wanted as much information he could get about the person sitting at his table. "Just don't make me go back." Matt said, staying perfectly calm. He frowned a little again. This time the confusion on Matt's face was replaced by something David couldn't identify. "Go back where?" "The home." Matt said plainly. David was close enough that he could see Matt's eyes were red and puffy. He looked like had been crying at some point, but his eyes were perfectly dry now. "Oh shit." David thought to himself. "He really is a mental patient. Aaron was right. Fuck!" David turned his thoughts back to reality. "I won't make you go anywhere, Matt. Can I see what you've got there?" For someone who looked like they just discovered their hands, Matt deftly slid both items further away from himself toward David without taking his gaze from the window. David took that as an affirmative response and examined the ring first. He didn't pick it up or even reach for it, but it looked heavy. Based on color it was probably titanium with some sort of sliver, or maybe platinum inlay. It was a men's wedding band. David glanced and saw that Matt's left hand was resting on the table. Sure enough, there were creases and tan lines on his ring finger. David still couldn't make out anything on the piece of paper. Curiosity got the better of him and he gradually picked it up and tried to unravel it, making as little noise as he could. Matt sat impassively, eyes focused on thin air and responding to nothing. After a few minutes, David was finally able to make out what it was and read to himself "Still Waters Funeral Home." His heart sank as he put two and two together. That's terrible. His wife died and he wandered here? David continued scanning, "in loving memory of Allen Williamson." He was a little surprised and set the piece of paper next to the ring and was quiet for several minutes before speaking. "Is there anyone you want me to call for you?" Matt took a deep breath and exhaled it, but that was all the response David got. David felt his pocket vibrate. He remembered that Aaron said he would call. "Matt, hold on a second. I'll be right back." David went to the other side of the kitchen and stood in the doorway for some privacy, but made sure he still had a view of Matt. He answered the phone. "Hello?" "Oh good, you're still alive. I trust they hauled off the human statue to a padded cell by now?" Aaron's chided his friend, still annoyed with what he perceived as a lapse in judgment. "He's sitting at kitchen table." David replied, ignoring the scolding. "And now you're the one who needs a padded cell. Seriously, where is your head?" If Aaron had been merely annoyed, he was truly on his way to pissed now. "It's under control. I'll tell you about it later. I have to go now." David started to hear Aaron's response but hung up. He walked back into the kitchen and Matt didn't appear to have moved. "I'm sorry if I got you in trouble with your boyfriend." Matt said. "He's not my boyfriend and I can handle...hey, how did you know I was gay?" David said. A spark of life found its way into Matt's eyes as he turned and looked at David. The emptiness was still there but at least he looked fully human now. Matt shrugged. "The way you talked to your friend, the way he talked to you, the way you treated me. It wasn't conclusive evidence unless you know what to look for." The right corner of Matt's mouth turned up into. At best it was a weak grin, but it just made him look more disturbed. "You sound like you're feeling better." David said. Matt took another deep breath and looked away for a moment and then back at Matt. "A little, yes. I think you were right about the heat. I was kind of dazed. The water helped, too. Thank you." David noticed that the water glass was half empty. It must have happened while he was talking to Aaron. "It's no problem." David said and paused before continuing. "Hey. I'm..I'm really sorry for your loss." Matt nodded "Thank you." He absently wiped a tear a way from his cheek with practiced ease; he barely acknowledged the tear had happened at all. "Before I heard you both talking, I didn't know if you'd be the kind to kick my ass for being queer or not. After awhile I'm not sure I cared." "Hey you're welcome to sit and talk as much as you want or need to. I'm happy to listen, but is anyone going to miss you? Do you need the the phone or anything?" David asked, feeling a sudden need to take care of Matt. Matt's shoulders slumped. "Probably. Yes." He sounded defeated as he pulled a smart phone from inside his suit jacket and started flipping through screens. "Fifteen text messages and five missed calls with voice mails. I am in no mood for this shit today." "Do you want me to take care of that for you?" David said nodding to the phone. Matt's head jerked up the second he heard what David said and he was in a different place. "Do you want me to take care of that for you?" David's voice was replaced by someone else's. Matt wasn't even sure he knew who David was, and a moment later he didn't care. He smiled as he saw Allen, lying in bed next to him. Matt was hard and naked. A thin sheet covered one of his legs and his hard cock, making a tent. Allen's thick, strong hand took hold of the edge of the sheet and slowly ran it over Matt's erection. He knew Matt loved that, and Matt made a point of showing his appreciation by leaning over and nibbling on Allen's ear, playing with the few earrings he had. Matt rubbed his beard against Allen's before kissing and sucking at his neck. During this, Allen was taking his time with the sheet, making sure Matt's cock head got all the attention it needed. When he was finally out of cloth, Allen turned his attention to Matt's nipple. Nipple play was always intense for Matt, who had to stop kissing Allen's neck and threw his head back on his pillow gasping and squirming a little. Matt made no effort to stop Allen's playing, though. Matt looked into Allen's eyes and said, "Please." He always said please, it was only polite. Matt always wanted Allen to know that he was giving himself over completely. He always asked Allen to take him. "Please what? What do you want? Matt? You still with me? Do you want me to call someone?" David was back. More accurately, Matt was back. He wasn't sitting at the kitchen table. He was standing, facing David. He looked and saw that he was holding his phone. For a moment he didn't know where he was and then he remembered. He remembered everything. In just a few moments, Matt's mind tortured him with memories. He remembered the hospital call. He remembered getting there too late to say good bye. He remembered hearing the words "sudden stroke" and "idiopathic". He remembered calling Allen's parents. He remembered that he was truly alone for the first time in 12 years. He remembered all of it and it broke him. He launched into a wailing sob that wracked his body. David, shocked and still confused, rushed to Matt and hugged him, trying to say anything to calm him down. "It's ok. It's ok. Cry all you want." Matt's sobs shook both of them. He dropped his phone and it clattered on the kitchen floor. David put his hand at the back of Matt's head. Matt's crying grew softer eventually, and then he wasn't crying at all. David didn't notice when it started, but at some point he had started rocking Matt, trying to calm him. He stopped the rocking. "You're ok now." David said as he pulled back from their embrace. Matt suddenly looked older, or just exhausted, David wasn't sure which. "Here. Sit back down. I'll take care of the phone." David sat Matt down. He still had tears running down his cheeks freely, but no sobs came, just a look of hopelessness and despair. David retrieved the smart phone and looked at it. It hadn't locked back up yet, at least. He wouldn't be able to check the voice mails without a password, but he checked the text messages. Most of them were from the same person. Tina. "Are you ok? Where are you? Mom and Dad are worried about you. Please Matt, write something. We need to know you're ok." It went on like that. There a few other people offering sympathy. Condolences by text? David cringed with disgust at the thought. David found the last text from Tina, took a deep breath, took a chance, and replied to it. "I'm getting some air. I needed some space. I'll call you when I can. I'm fine for now. I'm sorry." It was a long text, but the new keyboards on these phones made it easy. David looked at the last few messages from Tina. Mom and Dad. "Is Tina your sister, Matt?" David asked, putting a hand on Matt's shoulder. Matt, who had buried his face in his hands, looked up and glanced at the hand on his shoulder. His voice cracked when he spoke. "Yes, she's my older sister." Matt took another deep breath and leaned back in the chair. David set the phone on the table and and went to the sink. He grabbed a clean washcloth from the drawer and got it damp. David knelt in front of Matt and showed him the washcloth. "I have an older sister, too. When I was a little kid she told me that I should wash my face when I was done crying because it will feel better." His voice was as gentle and warm as his touch when David started to wipe down Matt's face, cleaning it slowly. "Besides, the cool is bound to feel better on a day like today." David continued. Matt locked gazes with David, lunged and kissed David on the lightly on the lips. He sat back and covered his mouth. When he spoke, his words were muffled but David could still make them out. "ohh God! I'm so sorry. I don't know why I did that!" David was a little surprised but controlled himself. He grabbed Matt's hand to pull it away from his mouth. "It's ok Matt. You've had a loss and you're in shock. You didn't offend me or anyone else." Matt nodded, showing that he understood what David was saying, and he was trying to convince himself it was true. David noticed something then. One of Matt's eyes was beginning to turn in and cross. Then he remembered the glasses in Matt's pocket. "Matt, are those reading glasses or do you wear them all the time?" David asked. Matt looked confused for a moment and shook his head, putting things back in focus. He pulled the glasses out and put them on. They made his eyes look a little bigger, but it only made him more handsome, David thought. "Don't take this the wrong way, but you look better with the glasses on." David smiled. For the first time, Matt smiled too. "I had always heard the opposite." David didn't ask from whom Matt had heard that. It seemed obvious. "Do you want some more water?" David blurted. He noticed he had been lingering on Matt's face for a little too long. "Actually, I could use a stiff drink, if you got it." Matt said as he loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top button on his shirt. That attempt at comfort alone relieved David greatly. "Yeah. I've got a fair bit. I was going to have guests over. How about something cool? Would you like some vodka and cran?" David offered, opening the freezer. "I'm sorry. I should go. You've got company coming, and I've screwed enough things up today." Matt stammered as he put his things back in various pockets. David walked over and put a hand on Matt's as he was putting away his phone. "Hey, don't worry. I said I *was going* to have company over. I had to cancel, so everything's fine." David explained. Matt looked skeptical. "What came up?" "Something more important." David said as he removed the vodka from the freezer and cranberry juice from the frige. The cold fog from the freezer lingered in the air as he went to mix the drink at the counter. He mixed two identical drinks and offered one to Matt. David raised his glass to offer a toast. "To cold vodka on hot days when you need it the most." Matt looked down a moment and paused. David thought he might be offering his own silent toast, but wasn't about to ask. Matt looked up and clinked his glass against David's. They both drank deeply, letting cold run through their mouths, their throats, finally hitting their bellies. "You want me to hang up that jacket for you?" David offered. Matt set his drink down and took off his jacket. "Please." He said and stopped after the word left his mouth. David could see Matt's eyes get glassy again, but Matt blinked the tears back and shook his head, clearing it. Over the next few hours David called a very upset Aaron to cancel their dinner party plans, made dinner for Matt, and finally convinced him to call his sister to pick him up. When Tina arrived she looked both worried and upset with Matt. David took her aside, apologized and explained what happened. She looked less angry when they left, but it had obviously been a long, hard day for her. David went to bed, unable to sleep, worried about Matt and wishing he could be there for him. He tried to convince himself it was ridiculous. Matt had his own family, his own friends. David was just a stranger. He had done more than a lot of people would. He didn't even know Matt. Still, in the back of his head, barely at the level of conscious thought, David ached for Matt's loss and wanted to hold him and comfort him. The next morning, David was in the process of waking up and trying to convince himself that he couldn't do anything more for Matt when he opened the closet door to get a robe. He saw Matt's jacket from the night before hanging up and stood there, naked, looking at it. He touched the fabric and it reminded him of Matt's face when he put on his glasses. David felt his cock twitch and grow a little. "What the fuck is wrong with me?!" He exclaimed to his empty house, grabbed a robe and covered himself up. "His partner just died and I think he's hot? Hi, my name's David and I like widowers. How are you today?" David continued to mumble verbal lashings to himself as he showered and got ready for the day. Once he was showered, trimmed and generally set to start his weekend, David sat himself down at his kitchen table wondering what to do. He finally got up, got the jacket out of the closet, and looked through the pockets hoping to find Matt's phone. Maybe he could call him and drop off the jacket for him. He found the phone and became even more concerned when he also found Matt's wallet. "Crap. He'll need this more than his phone. Once he realizes it's gone, he'll start canceling cards and shit." David played with Matt's phone briefly but couldn't figure out the pattern to unlock the screen. He found Matt's driver's license in the wallet with his address. "Huh, so you're 32." David muttered to himself, doing the math based on the birth date on the license. Matt was only 3 years younger than he was. "Well, Fuck, here's hoping you didn't move recently and not update your info." David grabbed his keys and Matt's jacket, locked his door, and made his way to Matt's house. He didn't live that far away. The drive was quiet. No one wanted to be out, David guessed. It had rained during the night, but instead of cooling things off, it just made the morning air muggy as hell. David parked his car and wandered up the pathway to the front door. It was a cute little house, he thought, well-maintained. David steadied himself and rang the doorbell. There was no answer. He rang it again. When no answer came a third time, David became concerned and knocked on the door. "Take a hint, and Go! The Fuck! AWAY!" Matt yelled from inside. David tried to find a way to peer inside to make some sort of visual contact with Matt, but failed. "Matt? It's me, David, from yesterday. I made you dinner. You left your jacket at my house. It had your wallet in it so I thought I'd return it quickly when I saw it. After a few seconds the front door opened a little and Matt, looking somewhat scruffier stood in front of David, eying him warily. "I remember. Thank you. Please come in." Matt walked away from the door. David followed him and closed the door behind him. He neatly folded the suit jacked on a nearby chair. Matt was standing in the living room watching David. A few awkward moments passed. "Thanks for coming over. I didn't even remember leaving my jacket behind. Pardon the mess." David noticed two things right away. The first was that the house was immaculate despite Matt's apology. The second was that the only mess in the place was Matt. He looked like shit. It was obvious that he had been crying more and David guessed that he didn't get much sleep either. Matt continued by saying, "I was just going to make some breakfast. I'm know I'm awful company, but would you join me?" David Beamed. "That would be great. I haven't had anything to eat yet." Matt yawned and smiled back. "Nice smile. It's not something I've gotten a lot of lately." Breakfast was plain but good. They each enjoyed scrambled eggs and sausage with toast and orange juice. David also had coffee that had been brewing when we walked in. "You're not having any? You look like you could use a pick-me-up." David said, adding a little cream and sugar to his mug. Matt shook his head as he yawned again. "I hate coffee. I never drink it." "Then why make it?" David chuckled. Matt's smile faded to a shadow, "Habit." he said and paused, looking at the coffee maker. "It's good to use up the stuff anyway. You're doing me a favor." Matt shuffled his feet awkwardly under the table. "Hey man, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put my foot in my mouth like that." David waved him into silence. "You didn't. David, no matter what mood I seem to be in, I'm very grateful to you. For all I know, you saved my life yesterday. You could have easily found me sprawled on your deck, baking. And don't apologize if it seems like something reminds me of Allen." Matt's voice broke and his eyes were wet, but he regained control and continued. "Everything reminds me of him. Certain traffic lights, songs that he never listened to, every damn thing in this house. All of it reminds me of him. It's like someone ripped out half of my soul and is dangling it in front of me constantly, taunting me. I'm wearing *his* robe right now because I don't want to forget what he smells like." Matt couldn't stop the tears now, but he didn't break down. He swiftly found a tissue in the pocket of his robe and dried his face. "I wish I could something more to help you." David said meekly. "I won't lie, David, I wish you could too." They sat in silence for awhile. "I don't have any friends here, David." Matt finally said. "At least, no good friends. We moved here about 4 months ago and I've never been outgoing. Allen was always the one..who met people. I know I can't ask this of you, but I'm going to anyway. Would you..I don't even know what I'm saying." Matt became frustrated with himself and stopped talking. "Go ahead. it's ok." David said as an attempt to console the disheveled man sitting across from him. Matt focused on his breathing and tried again. "I don't know anyone here. I can't go through what I went through yesterday again. It would kill me. You helped me and saw. Would you be able to continue to check up on me, talk with me? that kind of thing." "Matt, are you asking me to be your friend?" David smiled and frowned, making the idea of asking such a question seem completely silly. "Well, yeah, I guess I am, but when you put it that way, it makes me sound like I'm 6." Matt said, feigning offense. David chuckled and sipped his coffee some more. "Ok then." and that was that. The next six weeks were terrible. Matt didn't want to tax a new friendship too much, but David offered him what comfort he could. Thankfully, Matt was able to receive a payout from Allen's life insurance policy. Otherwise bills would never have been paid. For awhile bills wouldn't have been paid regardless if it hadn't been for David reminding him that one came in the mail. The next six months weren't terrible, they were merely very bad. Matt had to take a leave of absence from work because he wasn't able to perform the way he should have. He mused one day that they never offer a class in college titled "What do you with yourself when your spouse drops dead on you suddenly at a young age." David suggested that they would, but the title wouldn't fit in the course catalog. "It doesn't stop, does it?" Matt asked aloud one day as they were walking in the park. Allen was handy and liked working outside, but he was never fond of walks. Parks and hiking trails were a few things on a short list of activities that didn't immediately cause Matt's chest to ache with sorrow. "Have another bad dream?" David hoped this wouldn't be one of those talks. Matt snorted."I did actually, but I didn't mean anything quite so melodramatic. I'm getting used to being miserable. It's the bills. The bills and phone calls never stop. Doctors, lawyers, insurance, funeral expenses. The money isn't even an issue really, at least not yet. I just can't get a break from thinking about everything." "Things should be slowing down by now. Didn't you have your last appointment with the lawyer and accountant yesterday?" David said, trying to offer an alternate perspective. "Supposedly. We'll see." Matt replied absently, gazing through a sun-lit tree line. David took the opportunity to shift topics slightly. "Matt. Do you think maybe it's time you saw someone about all this. A counselor, I mean. You shouldn't have to think of every day as 'getting used to being miserable.' And you're free to do whatever you feel is right, of course, but you might want to consider selling the house now that you have a little time and find a place that isn't.." "..A constant reminder of the sudden and tragic death of my dear husband." Matt said in slightly bitter tone. "I didn't mean anything quite so melodramatic, but yes." David answered, mimicking Matt's earlier statement and tone. Matt sighed. "You're right. Of course. On both counts. I met with a realtor yesterday. I've been putting off talking to a professional for awhile now." "Oh." "Oh no. Not one of those 'Oh's that you pull every time you think I need to do something. You're just going to nag me about this until I do it, aren't you?" Matt shoved David's shoulder with his own. David shoved Matt back. "Until you throw something at my head, yes." "It was a dish rag, and I was having a bad day!" Matt said, almost laughing. "It's not like I threw a lamp at you." "Yet." David grinned. Matt smiled and glared back. "So, what's new with you. Seeing anyone?" They had never talked about his love life before. It was a topic that David avoided mentioning. He was thrown off and his pace slowed. "Umm, it's ok I guess. Why the interest?" David asked, trying to feel out what was going on. "David you've been a fucking saint for the last 7 months. I have no idea what you get out of spending time with me, but I can at least offer to hear about your life. Besides, I'm tired and bored of feeling sorry for myself. And since my sex life is the definition of shit, I thought I'd ask about yours." Matt smiled sweetly, but the there was still an edge of bitterness. David thought he had done a good job of hiding any feelings he had for Matt, but this kind of talk might lead into other areas where his poker face might not work so well. "I see a few guys." Matt nodded sagely, "I see. Yes that does sound interesting." "Whatever. There's no one really special. I get in the mood and I take care of it." Matt let the sarcasm drop. "Ok, fair enough. What's your type?" David avoided saying "You, you asshole." Instead he said, "Over thirty, not too skinny and not too big, and being a little fuzzy doesn't hurt." Either Matt didn't make the connection that he fit the description or he side-stepped it. "Top or bottom?" He asked. "Wow, you don't waste time, do ya?" David said chuckling. "Umm..top, mostly, I guess. What about you?" David said, and he regretted the question immediately, getting an alarmed look on his face. Matt looked a little annoyed at the look David gave him."Oh stop. You didn't say anything wrong. Can't you tell? I've been told I should get 'Big Cuddly Bottom' tattooed on my forehead, but it would be redundant." "You're not that big." David countered. "But I do seem like a bottom?" Matt eyed David and chuckled at the uncomfortable reaction. "I have lost a little weight, I guess. The walks help. We can talk about something else. You look like you're going to throw up." David did not throw up, but they did change the conversation. The next six months were mostly bad, too. Matt continued to have some wild mood swings. There were a few good highlights, though. Matt saw a counselor regularly, and the calls and lawyer meetings stopped. And despite the awful housing market, he was able to sell his house quickly at a tiny profit. He moved into a smaller two bedroom apartment. Matt was looking forward to the year, surprisingly. He missed holidays. For the last year, he couldn't bring himself to really celebrate anything. David knocked on Matt's new apartment door and waited. The last year, or so, hadn't just been hard on Matt. David could feel he was getting closer to Matt each month. The strain of not telling Matt how he felt was causing regular pain, but he couldn't do that to Matt; he had been through enough. David waited at the door and grew mildly anxious and worried. Matt didn't usually take this long to respond. Before he was able to get too worried, Matt opened the door with wet hair and wearing a bathrobe. "Sorry! I was in the shower when you knocked." Matt said, seeming unusually perky. David glanced and noticed that Matt's robe was open and he was naked underneath. He couldn't force his eyes away and got glimpse of Matt's soft penis. It wasn't huge, but it wasn't small either. In fact, the entire effect was starting to cause an embarrassing reaction in David's pants. Matt saw David gawking and closed the robe. "Oops, sorry about that. Don't want the new neighbors to get a peek without having to work for it." He winked at David, who wasn't sure what that meant. David followed Matt into the apartment. Most everything seemed to be unpacked, the only things left that he could see were empty boxes. "You're in a good mood today." David commented. Matt grabbed a towel and dried his hair. "Yeah I guess I am." David smiled, standing behind a chair, willing his erection to go down. "Big plans for your birthday?" Matt looked surprised, "How did you know it was coming up?" "That first day I went to your house. I saw it on your license." "You little sneak. Well, maybe. I'm not sure yet." Matt said, deciding what to say and what not to say. "But speaking of birthdays...." Matt trailed off the sentence and went shuffling into another room. When he came back he was holding a brightly wrapped, small, package. "It suddenly occurred to me that in the time we've been friends, you've had at least one birthday, hopefully not two." David chuckled accepting the package. "No, just the one." "Good. I hope you like it. It's ok if you don't." "I'm sure I will." David felt stupid, but damn if he didn't have butterflies in his stomach. With a nod from Matt he opened the package. It was a plain white box. Inside the box was a pocket watch. David opened the watch read an inscription that was etched on the inside of the casing. "Because there's never enough time to say Thank You. Matt." He held the watch for what seemed like ages. Matt couldn't wait any longer. "Well?" David cleared his eyes and said, "It's beautiful. Thank you." "Good. Now the hard question" Matt's expression grew serious, which didn't do anything to reassure David. "I did a little birthday shopping for myself, and it got delivered yesterday. I was hoping you could help me with it." David was confused. "Sure. Help you with what? Did you get that exercise equipment you were looking at. I thought you said you don't have enough space in the second bedroom?" "I did say that and no, that's not what I got. David you know how I've been a little moodier than usual lately?" David wasn't going to saything, but he did. "Yeah a little I guess." "Ok, well, I was talking with Dr. Davis and I think I figured out why." "Good." David was glad to hear Matt was making progress. "We'll see about that. I think part of my problem is that I haven't had sex in over a year and I'm horny as hell." Matt stopped and tried to weigh David's reaction. David was floored. He and Matt had become more open about talking about sex, but the thought never crossed David's mind. "Ok, I guess that would make me moody too." David reasoned, trying to do something about that nervous look on Matt's face. "So I bought something." David waited patiently for more information. "Here. I feel funny doing this in the living room. It's in the bedroom." He followed Matt to the bedroom. Matt dug through his closet and presented a box to David, who became surprised, amused, and a little aroused. Matt was holding a box with a decent sized dildo inside. It was shaped like a typical cock might be, but it was a little large. It had a mushroom head and a slight curve to it. The hysterically funny thing that was forcing David to control his laughter was that it was painted with tiger stripes in black and neon green. "So...Tiger, what exactly can I help you with? I think the pointier end goes in first." David said through suppressed giggles. "Yeah I know, the stripes are stupid, but it was on clearance, and good quality dildos aren't cheap. Besides, I figured the stripes weren't really going anywhere I was going to see anyway. And it's a size I'm used to." Matt explained, hoping the joke would be over soon. David was left grinning from ear to ear and didn't fail to notice that his own cock was about that size when hard, "No, I don't suppose you would really be paying much attention to how it looks." Matt went on, "So here's the deal. I can't really reach..myself when I'm lying down. I could sit on it, I guess, but I kind of like to be on my back." Matt blushed, which got a twitch from David's gradually increasing hardon. "I'm just going to say this. David, you're my best friend, I was hoping that you'd fuck me with this dildo." David was stunned into silence. Eventually, when he regained his powers of speech, David said "This is not what I was expecting for brunch today." "Oh be serious, will you?" Matt pleaded. "Before everything happened, I got laid 5 or 6 times a week. My body's reaction to stress is getting more normal and I'm feeling the need again. And I don't trust anyone else to..." "...to rub your prostate with hard silicone?" "It's not like I'm asking you to do it yourself." Matt said, trying to make David feel better. It was David's turn to blush, and it was then that Matt noticed David's hard cock through his jeans. "Oh. I see." Matt looked a little sheepish. "David, are you attracted to me?" David was even-toned when he spoke, "It shouldn't be that much of a surprise. You're an attractive guy, Matt. Besides when a man, naked but for a bathrobe, shows you a dildo and practically begs you to use it on him, I think throwing a little wood is a pretty normal reaction." "Does that mean you will?" "What? Now?" David replied. "Well, yeah. We don't have to if you don't want to, of course, but that's part of the reason I was in the shower." David was still thinking things over when Matt went onto to say, "And I want to help you out too, buddy." He starred at David's crotch with a hungry look in his eyes that David had never seen there before. "And you're not going to feel weird or bad about this?" David inquired. "Why? Because of Allen? David, it's been over a year and Allen and I had an open relationship. We just made sure everything was ok with the other before something happened. And we always played safe." Matt looked off into the distance for a moment before focusing on David's face. "I just thought if we both needed some release, then we could both get a little." Matt cocked his head to one side and grinned, a gesture that made David want to tackle him right there. Instead David decided set some rules. "Alright, here's the deal. I want to stay just your friend. I don't think either of us can deal with a boyfriend right now. That means no using the 'l' word and no kissing on the mouth. It might not mean much to other people, but it's significant for me." The next words out of his mouth were a lie, but he had to say it, "I do love you Matt, but you're my friend, my best friend, and that's it. Oh, we're both free to do whatever we want to anyone else we want so long as protection is used. That's the way it's going to have to work if we do this." Matt was silent for a little while before answering but finally said, "I can live with that." He proceeded to open his robe and let it slip off, leaving him naked. David starred, watching as Matt's cock became fully erect. "It's been awhile for me, David, you're going to have to give me a little help here on what you want to have happen next." David grunted and closed the distance between them. He grabbed the back of Matt's head by the hair and pulled his head to the side, exposing his neck. David rubbed his beard against the base of Matt's neck before starting to kiss it roughly. At the same time he used his other hand and grabbed Matt's ass and pressing their two the bodies together. Matt felt is cock connect with David's through the jeans and moaned. "Oh fuck yes!" Matt hissed as David continued to grind his body against Matt's and bite the base of his neck lightly. Matt remembered he had hands and used them to untuck David's shirt and unbuckle his belt. "Been a little too long, stud?" Matt asked. David took a moment away from his work to admire Matt's chest, rubbing his hands through the light dusting of dark hair that covered his pecs and abdomen. "Long enough." He pushed Matt over, who landed on his back on the bed, hard cock sticking up. David took a second to ditch his shirt and take off his jeans, shoes and socks. He stood in front of Matt squeezing his own cock through his boxer briefs. Matt could see a tiny wet spot form and licked his lips. Matt stayed perfectly still as David climbed on top of him and ran his tongue over his left nipple before biting it softly. Matt practically convulsed from pleasure, but it looked more like a seizure to David. "Woah, you ok?" David said, alarmed. Matt smiled and slowly opened his eyes. "Yeah I should have warned you. My nipples are really sensitive. Playing with them is a good way to get me to agree to almost anything." David looked down at Matt's dick, which was practically flowing precum at this point and said, "Hell, I guess so. Where's your lube?" Matt scrambled and brought out a small bottle from his night stand. David put a small amount in his palm and lubed up his hands. "Do you trust me?" he asked Matt. The held each other's gaze for an agonizing few seconds before Matt nodded. David grabbed the base of Matt's cock and squeezed and shook it a little. Matt gasped and more precum flowed from his piss slit. He moved his legs further apart by instinct and needed no instruction from David, who started to gently tug and massage Matt's balls. David moved his way down past Matt's balls, moving two fingers in small, slow, circles downward, following the curve of Matt's body until he found that tight pucker where he stopped. David shook Matt's cock again, sending a few drops of clear fluid flying. "Please." was all Matt said and David knew from the tone of his voice that he had permission to do whatever he wanted to Matt. He started applying slow pressure to Matt's hole with one finger. With a gasp of delight from Matt, his ass practically devoured David's finger, sucking it in. David pushed his finger further in until he found what he was looking for. "Oh FUCK! Stop or I'll cum!" Matt's ass clamped down on David's finger. "You're so fucking tight. Sure you can take that thing?" David said, referring to the dildo that was still in its box on the bed. "I can take whatever you want to give me, buddy." Matt breathed, glanced at David's boxer briefs. David understood Matt's meaning and somehow managed to use one hand to remove his briefs while keeping one finger inside Matt's ass. The motion from his effort made Matt moan and clutch the bed a few times. Matt saw David's beautiful 9 in cock, hard and slick from precum and whispered, "Cum inside me, David." Part of David felt conflicted about how he was going to feel after this, but he wanted Matt too much to stop. "You have to tell me if I need to stop." "I will." Matt raised his legs and put them on David's shoulders. David removed his finger from Matt's ass and aimed his cock at Matt's hole. Matt could feel the distantly familiar feeling and relaxed some muscles. With just a little push, Matt's ass sucked in the head of David's cock, causing Matt's eyes to fly open and gasp." "You ok?" Matt smile and nodded. "Yeah, just give me a second to get used to it as you go in. Push a little at a time. My ass is more eager than I thought." It was hard to go as slow as he needed to. David felt the growing warmth of Matt's ass grip his cock and squeeze. Every part of him want to buck and pound the tight hole, but he controlled himself and maneuvered around Matt's ass until he was all the way in. David's cock throbbed and Matt chuckled. "Got to town." David didn't need to be told twice. He slowly pulled his cock out until just the head was lodged inside. He pushed it back in, sliding over Matt's prostate, making him groan and forcing more of David in. David picked up the pace, letting instinct take over. Before long, he worked up a faster steady rhythm. The bed creaked and Matt's breathing became more shallow. Matt turned his head and saw their reflection in the mirror that was over his dresser. "David. I'm coming!" Matt got out before spraying both his chest and David's with hot seamen. Some flew far enough to land on Matt's face and beard. The spasm caused by Matt's orgasm sent David over the edge. With one final, deep thrust, David sent wave after wave of his own spunk into Matt's ass. After a minute David was able to control his legs again and dislodged his still hard piece of meat from Matt's ass gently, making a plopping sound. Matt could feel a drizzle of cum mixed with lube escape his hole and he smiled, feeling sated. David collapsed on the bed next to Matt. It was Matt who finally broke the silence, "So yeah, I liked this way better than last week's brunch." They both started laughing uncontrollably for a few minutes until they came to their senses again. David ran his hand through Matt's chest, smearing cum as he went. "Is that something you'd like to do again?" He asked Matt gave him a confused look, "David, I think I'd be kind of pissed and disappointed if we didn't do that again. That and more." David's heart swelled, but he reminded himself about the rules he put in place himself. They both retired to the bathroom to clean up. A year and a half seemed to fly by. Matt was improving by leaps and bounds. He was able to get hired back on at his job quickly and was making friends both at work and through David. Matt was always honest with him about the occasional hook up, not knowing it broke David's heart a little each time it happened. David couldn't help but wonder if one day Matt would introduce him to his new boyfriend. Their time together, sexual and otherwise, continued. David met Matt's family when they came up to visit. David even kept a few clothes and bathroom items over at Matt's place for convenience. They had made a recent habit of getting together on Wednesday nights for 'hump day' as they jokingly called it. David was on his back on Matt's bed. Matt was lying on top of David, also on his back. Davids legs were prying Matt's apart as he fucked Matt's ass from behind. Matt held onto the headboard, and took some weight off of David by propping himself up with one leg and his other hand. David jerked off Matt with one hand and gently twisted a nipple with the other. He knew Matt couldn't last long like this. "David, oh God. I'm coming!" Matt exclaimed. Just before his cock pulsed, sending a huge load into the air, Matt practically yelled, "David I love you!" David's own orgasm followed swiftly, and Matt's admission made it all the more intense and shocking. He unloaded his own large load into Matt, silently with the exception of a few grunts. "David, are you ok?" Matt asked, sounding worried. "Yeah." "Are you going to say anything?" "I'm thinking." "You're thinking?! Really? That's what you have to say?" Matt pulled his ass off David's cock and extracted himself from David's hold. He stomped to the bathroom, clearly upset. "What do you want me to say?" David yelled from the bedroom. Matt returned, wiping his chest chest with a washcloth, cleaning the cum off. "Say whatever you want to say, David. It doesn't matter. I'm still the idiot." He stormed off again. David followed him to the bathroom. Matt's eyes were starting to get teary and red. He rinsed out the washcloth and cleaned his face with it. "See, you taught me that, but I can't say that I feel any better!" Matt threw the washcloth in the sink and pushed his way past David to back into the bedroom. David found Matt getting dressed hastily in the bedroom. "Matt. Matthew. Please stop." Matt stopped, he never remembered hearing David calling him anything other than 'Matt.' David took a deep breath and sat at the foot of the bed. "Remember when I came up with the rules, and we agreed about use of the word 'love'?" Matt became exasperated again. "Yeah, of course I do. But things change David. People and their feelings change." "Mine haven't." Matt sat himself angrily on the bed putting on a sock, "Oh I got that message loud and clear. It's really no big deal. I love you, you don't love me like that. I'm hurt and embarrassed. I feel like a jack ass for saying it, but I'll be fine!" David sighed again and got up to stand in front of Matt. He put his hand on Matt's cheek and ran a finger through his beard. "Don't." Matt got out before his voice cracked. "Matt" David said softly "Look at me." he put a finger under Matt's chin and moved his head up until Matt was starring at him with wet eyes. David leaned down and kissed Matt lightly on the lips at first and then increased pressure. Not knowing what else to do, Matt kissed him back. "But you said no kissing.." David stopped him from continuing. "I said my feelings haven't changed and that's true." Matt was so confused and frustrated he didn't know what to say, "David, first you tell me you don't love me like that and now.." "I never said that." "You did. You said your feelings for me haven't changed." "That's right, they haven't." Matt's eyes moved from one place to the other as he tried to make sense of everything. His eyes grew wide. "Are you saying that you've been in love with me all this time?" "I've been in love with you since we met, Matt." David leaned down kissed him again pushing him back on the bed. They kissed each other for several minutes. When they broke apart, they both signed contentedly. Matt gazed into David's eyes and then balled up his fist and punched David in shoulder, but not too hard. David chuckled, rubbing his shoulder. "I deserved that, did I?" "Yes, in fact, you did. Now come here and kiss me again." --END-- Copyright 2010 Mike Masterson.