Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2017 19:15:41 -0700 From: Ian Bridger Subject: London Calling Chapter 3 Readers Warning; The following story contains elements of sexual content and contact between young boys around the age of twelve. If the subject matter offends you, or is not to your taste, or if you are closed mined to such things, or if you are a minor under the age of eighteen; then you should probably not read any further. Thanks, and enjoy. Story Written and Posted by About A Boy "Young boys should never be sent to bed. Because they always wake up a day older." ( Quote from Finding Neverland ) Authors note: In writing, it is often times difficult to convey an accent, or certain colloquialisms. Accordingly, I have taken certain liberties with spelling and grammar, to convey a bit of British flavour to the story. Please allow me this, and go with the flow. Thanks for reading, and please enjoy... Chapter Three London Calling Excerpt Chapter Two** *Reaching out, he flicked off the bedroom light, and the boys pulled the sheet up over themselves. They each squirmed around a little, getting into comfortable positions to sleep in. It was close quarters, but none of them really seemed to mind. They settled in quite nicely in the darkness of the room, each feeling spent, and quite contented in the moment. Shay was feeling more at ease than he'd been in quite some time. Away from home, away from his father, resting comfortably with his two best mates. A minute or two passed quietly. "Um... Sorry guys...." Nate said unexpectedly into the darkened room. The other two boys cast looks at him in the darkness. "What for?" Asher whispered. The next sound was that of a contentiously long fart that seemed to boil from beneath the sheets... "Bloody hell..." Both Shay and Asher groaned and giggled at the same time. It was going to be a long night...** * * * * * * * The following morning Shay was the first to roll out of bed. He sat on the edge of it for a moment, yawning, then looked back at his bed mates, both of whom were still sawing logs. He smiled briefly, thinking back to the previous evening and the companionship of his two best friends. Standing up, and still naked he padded across the hall to the toilet to take care of his urgent need for a morning piss. Standing tiredly in front of the porcelain bowl, he finally coaxed his stream to start, and spill oddly into the toilet. It was a split stream at first, his opening momentarily glued askew with a remnant drop of semen from last night. Ah, the perils of masturbation. When he'd finished, Shay glanced in the mirror for a moment, then took up his toothbrush for a quick, but thorough cleaning. He finished by displaying an exaggerated grin, to examine his pearly whites in the mirror. With one final spit into the sink, Shay turned toward the shower, turning on the water and adjusting the temperature before stepping into the old tub. The warm stream felt nice against his skin, and he simply stood under it without moving for a good long minute or two before finally beginning to wash himself. A minute or so later the shower curtain opened slightly, and Nathan stuck his head in with a weary smile. "Mornin' mate." He offered. "Canna' ge' in?" He requested, as he was already stepping into the tub. Shay stepped back a little to allow him room. "Mmm... Yeah that's nice." Nate exclaimed, as he let the warm water flow soothingly over his shoulders. "Sleep well then?" he casually asked of Shay. "Yeah... Except for you passin' wind." Shay teased playfully, as he continued washing himself, and then he glanced down at Nate's backside. "Ohh man..." he tittered suddenly. "Wha..? Nathan replied, looking back. Shay reached down boldly and traced his fingertip over the still slightly reddish bruise imprinted on his friend's bottom. "It's a bit like a permanent tattoo isn't it." Shay giggled. He was referring to the slight outline of a soccer ball panel; a remnant of yesterdays 'bums up' game. "Yeah, thanks for tha'..." Nate grinned back. Shay grinned, then squeezed past his friend to stand under the showerhead and give himself a final good rinsing to finish up. "See ya then..." He remarked, as he pulled the curtain open a bit and stepped out of the tub, standing and dripping on the tiny white hexagon shaped tiles. He glanced about for one of the white linen towels, finally discovering them in a small side closet. He took one for himself, and quite thoughtfully another, which he set by the sink near the tub for Nathan. The boy dried himself thoroughly, then lay the towel on the wet floor near the tub where he'd dripped so much, before heading back across the hall to the bedroom. Stepping into the room he saw his friend Asher still lying on the bed, sleeping lightly with the sheet pulled down quite a ways, exposing most of his youthful, nude body. Shay stood for a long moment, his eyes wandering casually over his friend's nakedness, and though he'd seen Ash naked many, many times, Shay had never really studied his friend in this way before. He shivered slightly, surprisingly intrigued at just how nice he thought Asher really looked. The boy's skin was taut and smooth, virtually hairless but for the tight patch of soft pubes just above his slack penis. Shay swallowed tightly as he studied his friend's genitals, which in some way seemed to attract him now. Shay blinked rapidly several times, as if coming out of a stupor; suddenly embarrassed that he'd been ogling his friend this way, and embarrassed more so when he discovered that he himself had a partial erection because of it. He shook his head to clear it, then absently gave his partially stiffened boyhood a meaningful squeeze. 'What the hell...' he wondered to himself. Reaching into his backpack on the side chair, Shay found a pair of white briefs to slip into. He donned a tee shirt over that, and wandered back out into the hallway heading toward the front room. He could hear Nathan singing terribly off-key to himself in the shower as he passed by, and he smiled slightly. "You're such a dork..." He called out. The boy continued into the front room, suddenly remembering that it was Monday. They would be going back into London this afternoon, and that meant going home and facing his father. The thought dampened his spirits, wondering what frame of mind his old man would be in. Likely still mad, if not pissed that Shay had gone away for the weekend. Opening the front door, the boy stepped out onto the covered day porch, and he stood for a moment gazing down the hill at the sea. He hated his life. If not for his mates, how would he possibly get by? He shivered slightly in the coolness of the morning air, and noticing the porch swing to his right, he walked over to it and sat down. Shay drew his knees up near his chest, his bare feet resting softly on the bench, and he pulled the large tee-shirt over his bare legs and wrapped his arms around them for warmth, as he gazed out listlessly across the coastal sea. Several minutes passed, and Shay hadn't noticed Asher standing in the front doorway. Ash was watching him, and he smiled tenderly at him now, then walked over and sat closely alongside him on the porch swing. "Doin' aw'right?" Ash questioned softly, with genuine concern. Shay shrugged his shoulders. "I guess..." he mumbled, almost inaudibly. Asher sighed heavily, feeling badly for his best friend, and he reached his arm around Shay's shoulders holding him closely, securely. They sat there quietly for a minute or so. "It'll get beh'er." Ash whispered. Shay turned his head slightly to look at his friend. "You really think so?" He replied doubtfully. "I do mate. Yeah, I do..." Ash comforted, and Shay leaned his head to the side, resting it need-fully on Asher' shoulder as his eyes brimmed slightly with tears. "I hope so." Shay breathed. He felt Asher's arm tighten around him reassuringly. They sat in silence for several minutes, Shay needing nothing more but the comfort of his friend's presence. Nathan stepped out onto the porch and glanced at the two of them. For an instant, he considered cracking another joke, telling the two boys to 'get a room', but he held back, recognizing Shay's vulnerability. Stepping lightly, Nathan moved across and sat closely on the bench on the other side of Shay. He reached out and patted him gently on the leg, offering up an understanding smile. "Hang in there mate..." He said quietly, and Shay smiled timidly at him. "Love you guys." Shay offered sincerely; absolutely appreciating the support of his two best friends. "Yeah, yeah..." Nate said, "Let's not ge'h all mushy now..." And in an effort to lighten the mood he hopped up off the bench, reaching back to pull Shay up along with him. "Come on then, let's grab some tea and then head down the beach. The bus don't leave till half three, so we've time for a bi'a fun, yeah..." Ash rolled off the bench as well, and the three boys went back inside to finish getting dressed. When they had done so, they strolled back down the hill toward town center, to purchase some strawberry scones for breakfast. Asher's mobile rang at one point. It was his mum, letting him know that Mrs. Wixley would come round at three and run them back to Bournemouth to the bus station. So with plans in place, the three youngsters finished eating their treats, and headed back down to the seaside to spend their last free day on the beach. Making the most of their time, Shay put all thoughts of home out of his mind, and allowed himself to play with his friends, laughing and enjoying their company as they frolicked about both in and out of the chilly waters. Around two in the afternoon they made their way back up to the cottage, giving them time to get showered and changed, and by three they were ready, and had closed up the place, turning off the electrical, locking up and the like. Ash decided to leave the window shutters open, since it was essentially summertime, and his family would be coming back quite often. Mrs. Wixley pulled into the grass drive precisely at three, and the boys loaded up in her car, to make the short hop over to Bournemouth and the National Coach Line station. They thanked her quite graciously for helping out, and she surprised them with a bag of home made ginger bread biscuits; which of course they consumed on the bus trip home. The boys took seats near the front of the coach this time, with Asher and Shay on the right, and Nathan taking the aisle seat just across from them. They chatted for awhile, and eventually Shay nodded off in his seat. He'd not gotten a lot of sleep these past weeks, what with tensions rising steadily at home. He slumped gently against Ash's shoulder as he slept; causing Asher to smile slightly and then reach down to cover Shay's hand with his own, holding it in an endearing way, to offer a little human contact and friendship. Asher's motivations were pure, he loved his friend. Yet at the same time, being gay he also enjoyed the physical connection with his best mate, who, truth be told he'd had a somewhat secret crush on for the longest of times. Arriving at the conclusion that you are gay can be a trying time in a young boy's life. Knowing that you like other boys, yet are constantly having to be guarded about showing such feelings, and particularly with your best buddies, who you've known since early childhood. Though most of your good friends will surely understand and be accepting, a different dynamic can exist when you actually have feelings for one of them. Both Shay and Nathan had been totally accepting of Ash's coming out. Comfortable enough to joke about it. Comfortable enough not to feel awkward about sharing a hug, of even the occasional unexpected peck on the cheek. * * * "Come on then, wake up..." Ash prodded, giving Shay a gentle shake as the coach was pulling into the terminal in Victoria. The boy raised his head, then sat upright in his seat. "Sorry..." He offered softly, realizing that he'd been leaning against his friend. Ash smiled slightly at him and patted his thigh. "Nothin' ta be sorry about mate. I rather liked it actually..." He remarked innocently. Shay smiled back softly at his friend, as the boys stood, gathering their daypacks and inching out into the aisle. The three of them stepped down off the bus and walked across to the adjacent carpark to wait for their ride. It wasn't long till they saw Mr. Weatherby's car pull in at the South entrance, and they grabbed their bags again and hurried to meet him. "Hi dad..." Asher greeted his father warmly, as he slid into the front. Shay and Nate doing the same as they slid across the back seat. "Did you have fun then?" Mr. Weatherby (Samuel) queried of the boys. They were all quick to proclaim that they had, which seemed to please Samuel. "Thanks so much for lettin' us go out there." Shay added. "I really needed the time away." Mr. Weatherby nodded, glancing briefly at the boy in his rear view mirror as he tooled the car into traffic and headed for home. "Are you lads hungry?" Samuel asked. "Didn' have ta ask that question?" Nathan piped up with a grin. The boy was always ready to eat, and Samuel chuckled at his response. "Guess I should 'av known." He smiled. They took an alternate road, which ran past a McDonalds restaurant, which of course the boys were quick to agree upon; and they went in for a quick bite before heading home. Mr. Weatherby dropped Nathan off first, his house being the closest. "Thanks guys, that was a hoot." Nate quipped, as he was getting out of the car. "See ya in school tomorrow." The boys waved, as Nate shut the door and headed up the drive. Asher's dad pulled out and headed down the road toward Shay's. He glanced in the rear view mirror at the boy, and already he could see a change in the youngster's disposition. It was more than clear he was already apprehensive about returning home. Within minutes, the car pulled onto Burnaby Road, but Mr. Weatherby pulled in to the curb before they reached number 16, and he turned off the ignition. Twisting in his seat, Samuel turned to look back at Shay. "Shay, I talked with your father today. I told him we'd be bringing you home about now." Mr. Weatherby stated, studying the boy's expression. Shay glanced nervously at Asher, then back at Ash's dad. "So... Was he like, mad or anythin'?" The boy wondered. "No... No he... He seemed fine actually." "Well, what... Like, what did you say to him?" Shay asked, a bit concerned. "Shay it was all pretty casual really. I asked how he was doing. Told him you had a nice weekend at the sea, and that we'd have you home late this afternoon." "Is tha' all? I mean, for real?" Shay asked. Mr. Weatherby smiled a thin, almost sad smile, and sighed. "I also mentioned that I hoped that things would smooth out between the two of you. That you wanted things to get back the way they were. He seemed quite contrite about it really. I think he knows he's been more than a bit rough on you of late." Samuel stopped talking and looked at Shay. "You going to be aw'right son?" He asked. Shay looked at him stoically for a moment, then nodded in a noncommittal way. "You always have a safe place to stay with us." Samuel offered. "If things ever get tense again with your father... But, it's unacceptable for him get violent with you, and I won't stand by and allow him to do it. You understand?" "Yeah... Thanks Mr. Weatherby." Shay replied sincerely. He glanced at Asher with a timid smile. "Thanks for the weekend Ash. See ya in school." "Right. See ya mate... Ring me later." Asher said. "Want me to go in with you?" Samuel offered. "No, that's okay." Shay responded. "I'll be fine." He opened the car door and scooping up his backpack he stepped out to the sidewalk. With a casual wave the boy turned and walked up the street, stopping in front of number 16. He looked back at the car for a moment, and then with a sigh he hurried up the steps to go inside. "Do you think it'll be aw'right dad?" Asher wondered as he watched his friend slowly mount the steps. "I hope so son... I hope so." He started the car and they pulled away slowly as Shay headed in trough the front door. Asher turned and looked back out the window after his friend, and he sighed dejectedly. * * * * Shay closed the door behind him, tossing his key in the basket as he always did. He stood for a moment, with his heart beating quickly. "Dad..? Dad I'm home." He called out timidly; waiting for a reply. When none came, he crossed the entryway and glanced toward the front room. It was empty, and the telly was turned off. He looked into the kitchen. Empty. But he noticed several full bottles of beer in the rubbish bin. Curiously unopened. The boy turned and hurried up the stairs toward his bedroom. When he topped the landing he could see down the hall that his bedroom door was slightly open, and he approached it with some apprehension. As he reached the doorway, he could see his father inside, sitting on the edge of his bed. There was an unreadable expression on his face when he looked up to see his son. Shay froze for a moment, unsure, but he swallowed finally and stepped in. "Hey dad..." He greeted softly. His father looked him in the eyes. "Son." He replied. "Come and sit." he requested, patting the bed next to him. Shay swallowed again, and set his backpack on the chair as he walked tentatively over to the bed, then took a seat near his father. Graham looked at the floor for a long moment, then back at Shay. "Son... I'm... I'm sorry lad." A long pause. "I know I've been a right load of shite since yer mum died. It's been so hard. So hard on both of us... I've not 'andled things very well, ah know tha'. I jus' miss her so much boy. So very much... An I know I've not been much of a father to ya these past months, but... It's me drinkin' son... Shay looked at his dad, not sure how or what to feel. He was angry at his father; terribly angry for treating him the way he'd been. Still he loved his dad, and as he looked at him now, he saw a broken old man, and his eyes welled with tears. "Have ya stopped drinkin' then?" Shay asked, a tremor in his voice, least he provoke his fathers ire. Graham looked at him sadly. "I'm tryin' son. It's all I can do..." His father said. Shay swallowed back his tears. Emboldened and encouraged that things could get better. He stood and faced his father. "Ya need ta take yer job back as well dad. You've too much time ta feel sad and alone. We've goh'a get on with it dad..." Shay spoke wisely. Graham looked up at his son, tears welling up in his own eyes now. "I know son... I'll try. I promise ya tha', I'll try..." Shay Stepped forward then and put his arms around his father, hugging him for the first time in many months. For the first time in a long while he was hopeful. "I'll pu'h on some tea dad." The boy offered, and he helped his father stand from the bed, hugging him again. Graham slowly put his arms around his boy, a flicker of hope in his heart as well. Shay went downstairs to the kitchen to put on the kettle, and set out some snacks. He glanced at the rubbish bin, seeing the discarded full bottles of beer again. The boy took up the bin and went around thru the back door, where he emptied everything into the trash container in the alley. That would be the end of it, he hoped... The two spent the rest of the evening quietly watching the telly, chatting occasionally and sitting together on the divan. At bed time, Shay hugged his father once more, then went upstairs to make ready for bed. The boy took a nice comforting shower, then stood naked at the sink as he brushed his teeth, before scurrying back across the hall to his bedroom. Shay crawled into bed, not bothering to put anything on, and he stretched himself out under the covers, feeling hopeful as he thought about his dad. "Oh shite..." He suddenly recalled. Sitting up, he grabbed his mobile from the nightstand and called his friend Asher, who seemed quite relieved that Shay had finally rung him. The boys talked for nearly twenty minutes, with Shay relaying everything that had happened since he had gotten home. "Wow, I'm surprised." Asher concluded, "But it sounds promising, don't you think?" "I hope so." Shay replied tiredly. "Anyways, thanks Ash, for listening and stuff. And for, you know, caring about me." "Course." Ash responded. "You know how I feel about ya... G'night then mate." "G'night." Shay replied, and he ended the call. Putting his mobile down, Shay flicked off the bedside light, and spread himself out comfortably under the covers. He began thinking about Ash for a moment. Thinking about many of the things they'd done together, and the fun they had had this past weekend. He smiled then, thinking about the new experience of all three boys jerking off together, and how much Ash really seemed to care about him. He smiled once again, and just as suddenly, he realized that he was sporting a rather stout erection under the bed sheets. Closing his eyes in the darkness, Shay fingered his rigid wand. The silky smooth warmness of his of his adolescent boyhood brought him instant comfort, and he continued to fondle himself. The boy rubbed his palm up and down his shaft numerous times, then slid it farther down across his warm loose boy sack. In his mind's eye, he started picturing Ash and Nathan, reimagining the image of them jerking off alongside him. That had been so erotic, and his penis twitched now just from thinking about it. He pictured Ash, and then suddenly he remembered the warm wet kiss that Ash had planted on his cheek. It had felt rather nice, hadn't it... His penis twitched again, and he began fingering himself in earnest for several minutes... "Mmmm...." He breathed, his thoughts still oddly focused on the image of his friend, as the warm feelings began to build surprisingly quickly within him. Shay swallowed, and having already peeled his foreskin back, he ran his thumb in small circles over his moist purple knob. "Mmm, mmm.... Ash..." He whispered, quite unexpectedly as his boy parts tingled and went numb. Before he could even ready himself, his swollen boyhood erupted and flooded his tummy and pubic rise with several clearish, but milky spurts of sticky thick boy gizz... "Oh fuh.... Oh, oh fucccck..." he muttered, arching his head back deeply into his pillow with the intense pleasure of it. "Huuuh, huuh, huh..." His breathing came in steady panting huffs. He licked at his dry lips, and shuddered away the last of the divine tremors, before relaxing limply in his bed. "Oh man..." He whispered under his breath, then swallowed dryly again. He could feel the sticky wetness clinging to his thumb, and almost instinctively he brought his hand to his mouth and sucked it from his thumb knuckle, without really realizing he'd done it. His reached out his hand in the darkness, and pulled several tissues form the square Kleenex box on his nightstand, and he used them to wipe up the unseemly mess on his naked body. Wadding up the wet tissues, he dropped them over the side of his bed to the floor, and once again without thought, he sucked briefly on the fingertips of his forefinger and thumb; finally pulling the bed covers up around his chin, he let out a long slow breath, and closing his eyes again, it took only a few minuets for him to slip off to sleep. * * * * The following week went by with surprisingly little fanfare, and Graham seemed to be putting in a determined effort make some positive changes. He had apparently quit drinking, at least as far as Shay could tell, and he had even approached his former employer, saying that he would like to return to the job he'd quit five months earlier, a month after his beloved wife had died. There were no open positions at the moment, but he'd been a good employee for the twelve years he'd worked there as a dispatcher, and he was told that a position would likely be opening up in a month or so, when another employee was set to retire. School was close to wrapping up for summer holiday, and Shay was outwardly becoming more relaxed, what with the changes at home. He and his mates were out on the playfield alongside the school, during their physical education class. Since it was the last week of school, with exams already in the books, the boys were allowed to play out, choosing football for this more or less free period. The boys were having a good time, the low keyed game was all in fun, and Asher was in top form as he juked, then spun easily around one of the older boys, and sent a tidy little shot into the goal to end the game. The headmaster had just signaled for all the boys to come in, allowing for time in the showers before the next class, and Shay, Asher and Nate trotted off toward the school building and rolled into the lockers to get cleaned up. They stripped off their gym gear, and stepped across into the showers. In the open shower area the three boys stood, bathing and chatting idly about the upcoming summer holiday, when a voice rang out across from them. "Oye... What the fuck are you looking at?" Someone called out in angry tones. Of course everyone looked over to see what it was about, and Shay could see the older boy from year nine, Derrick, standing across and looking directly at Asher. He stepped a few paces closer. "Why were you lookin' at me ya bloody poof..." The boy challenged. Shay glanced at Asher, a bit confused, but Ash had a confused look on his face as well. "I said what were you starin' at ya fuckin' tosser..." Derrick barked, looming ever closer. Ash looked around, not even sure if the boy was really directing the comments at him. But as the older lad stepped forward it became clear that Ash was his target. "What..?" Ash questioned. "You must be a fruit, the way you was lookin' at me..." Derrick continued. "Piss off Derrick..." Shay stepped up in interference, "Yer just bent because Ash made you look silly out on the play field." "This don't concern you." Derrick spat, trying to look tough, as he turned his attention back to Asher. "What's yer' problem Derrick." Asher questioned, boldly confronting the larger boy. "You..." Derrick answered, giving Ash a little shove. "I seen you lookin' at me junk." "He was prob'ly stunned at how hard it was to see tha' tiny thing..." Nathan snarked, stepping up and giving Derrick a little shove backward. Derrick seemed about to take a swing at him, but before things could go any further, the PE teacher appeared and took the older boy by the arm. "What's the problem here lads?" The older boy glared, but refused to answer. "Go on about yer business then. We'll have no more a tha' rubbish, understand?" The older boy nodded defiantly, then walked away, giving Asher and his friends a dirty look as he did. "Finish up lads, before yer late to your next class." The teacher directed, and he walked off as well. The boys finished washing off, then went back to the lockers to get dressed. "Thanks for standin' up for me." Ash told his mates. "Derrick's always been such a prat..." "That's because he was held back a year." Nathan offered. "He's always being a dick to year eights. Next time I'll kick em in his lit'l crown jewels, small as they are..." he snorted. Shay chuckled slightly, and the boys finished dressing back into their school uniforms without another thought about it. When the school day ended, the boys met up out front to head home. It was a warm, sunny Friday afternoon, and being in no particular hurry they decided to walk, and perhaps stop by the local Prêt Cafe for milkshakes and some chips. But as the boys started across the grounds, Derrick and one of his year nine cronies suddenly came around the corner of the school buildings and confronted them. "Oh what the fuck now..." Nathan spouted, shaking his head irritably. "You ga'h a right smart mouth..." Derrick retorted, glaring at the younger boy. "This is between me an' the Nancy-boy Asher..." The larger boy sneered, giving Asher a firm shove. He balled up his fists, hoping for Asher to make a move; and then, just as he was about to throw a punch at Ash, everything changed. In the next instant with no fanfare whatever, Derrick was down on his knees howling in pain... Everyone turned to look at Nathan, who was standing right there with a knowing smirk on his face. "What..?" He said, "I tol' ya, next time I'd kick em in his jewels, didn' I..." Derrick's crony looked down at his buddy, then at the other three boys, and apparently deciding the dispute wasn't his, he turned and walked away. As did Asher and his mates, leaving Derrick on the ground holding both hands over his aching nuts. And that was the end of that. The three boys turned out onto the footpath, with both Shay and Asher grinning curiously at Nate. "Bloody hell..." Shay smirked, "I didn' see tha' comin." "Neither did Derrick." Asher remarked, and the three boys had a good chuckle as they continued on to the Prêt for their milkshakes. A short time later they were back in their own neighborhoods, and Nathan waved as he turned off as usual to head for home, leaving Shay and Asher to walk on alone. Shay chanced to glance at Ash and noticed a troubled look on his friend's face. "You okay?" He asked. "Is it that kid Derrick?" Ash shrugged dismissively. "Come on mate, don't give that twat another thought. He's an ignorant bully, an' nobody likes that prick anyway..." "I know..." Asher responded. "It's just... I think he knows I'm gay and all." Shay stopped and looked at his friend. "So? Why should you care wha' 'e thinks? He's not worth the sweat off yer balls mate! Anyway, there's always gonna' be bigoted twits like that. Piss on 'em then..." Shay quipped, and Ash smiled slightly back at him. "I'm glad yer me pal. Both you and Nate." Ash offered with a friendly grin. "Yeah... Specially Nate. He might kick you in your nards otherwise." And the two boys had a good laugh about that. "You wanna' stay the night at my place then?" Asher offered. "Yeah, I'm up for that. I'll need'ta pop home and check with me dad, an' I'll give you a ring." The boys split off at the corner, and Shay hurried home. There was more spring in his step these last days, with things seeming to be getting better. The boy jogged up the front steps, fishing for his key in his pocket; but when he put his hand on the front door handle it was already unlocked. He stepped in, frowning slightly. He glanced about as he set down his school bag and tossed his key on the side table. "Dad?" he called out, walking across the hallway. Shay glanced into the living room and instantly he noticed several empty beer bottles on the coffee table, and another overturned on the floor. Instantly his shoulders slumped, and he sighed. "Not again." he breathed. Walking slowly past the kitchen, the boy looked in to see an untidy mess on the breakfast table. Another empty bottle, an open loaf of sweet bread, with crumbs and scraps left about. Shay looked down the long hallway toward the bath and his father's bedroom, and he shook his head despairingly. At the end of the hall he stopped and listened at his father's door. He could hear a faint snoring beyond it. Shay rapped quietly on the wooden panel, then opened the door a bit. His father was lying on the bed with his legs dangling over the side, another mostly empty bottle of ale tipped in his hand and nearly spilling onto the bed covers. Shay sighed again, then walked into the room and took the bottle away, setting in on the nightstand. With some effort, Shay grabbed up his father's legs and hoisted them up onto the bed. Graham snorted then, opening his eyes slightly. "Uh-emm..." He cleared his throat groggily. "Guess I slipped up a lit'l..." He mumbled. "Dad ya promised..." Shay accused, shaking his head unhappily again. Then he pulled the bedspread over his father. "I'm spendin' the night at Asher's..." "Go on then..." Graham mumbled, already half passed out. Shay left his dad's room, and grabbing up his backpack from the hallway he hurried upstairs to his own room. The boy used his mobile to call Ash and tell him he was on his way; then he pulled his schoolbooks from his bag and stuffed a change of clothes into it instead. Hurrying back down the stairs, Shay paused for a moment at the front door. Glancing back, he set his daypack down and went into the living room where he scooped up the empty beer bottles and took them into the kitchen, dumping the bottles in the rubbish. He cleared off the breakfast table, straitening things a bit, and then at the last, he opened the fridge and removed several remaining bottles of beer. With some disgust, he took everything out to the trash bin in the alley and dumped it. Gathering his backpack and his key, Shay hurried out to the street, and feeling more than a little discouraged, he headed off to spend the night at his friend's house. This was not the turn of events he'd been hoping for. * * * * When he arrived at Asher's house, his friend could tell right away that Shay's mood had changed, but when he asked him about it Shay said that it was nothing, that he was just tired was all. It was a touch awkward then, when Ash's dad asked how things were going at home, referring directly to Shay's dad, and their relationship. Shay shrugged it off though, implying that things were 'better', but they still had a ways to go. Ash's mum told them that there was food in the fridge if the boys were hungry, since she and Ash's dad were just on their way out for the evening. They were going out to dinner and a live show in London's West End; something they enjoyed doing whenever they could. The moment they had gone however, Asher pretty much dragged Shay into the living room, sitting him on the sofa. "Aw'right mate, spill... What's goin' on?" "Nuthin..." Shay said at first. But Ash knew him far too well, and he put his hand up on his shoulder, looking him square in the eye. "What happened?" He persisted. Despite his best efforts to hide it, Shay's eyes welled up again. "Yer dad again." Ash proclaimed knowingly, and Shay looked down, nodding his head. "You must think I'm totally pathetic." Shay stumbled, as a tear spilled onto his cheek. "I mean, I keep cryin' like a stupid lit'l schoolgirl lately." "I'd never think tha' about you mate. Bloody hell, with all you've been goin' through." And once again he wrapped his arms warmly around his best friend and hugged him closely. They really didn't need to talk, and Shay slumped willingly against his friend and allowed himself to be comforted by the warmth of the meaningful embrace. Asher simply sat with him this way for many minutes, softly stroking his back and holding onto him, even rocking gently, like one's mother might do. At length, he gently kissed Shay on the forehead, and sat him upright. "Feelin' beh'er?" He asked softly. Shay wiped away the remnants of a tear on his cheek, then looked up into his friend's soft hazel eyes, and he nodded appreciatively. "Can'a ask ya somethin'? Somethin' real personal like?" Shay requested quietly. "Course..." Ash returned without hesitation. "Have ya... Have ya ever, you know, kissed another boy? I mean, you know, like, really kissed em, for real?" Asher blushed slightly, his eyebrows raising a little in surprise. "Well, no... No not really." He answered honestly, and Shay looked at him curiously. "Well, then... How'd ya know you were gay then?" Shay wondered; and his friend just smiled and looked at him tenderly. "I just know." Ash replied, with a timid smile. "Somehow ya just know..." Shay looked him in the eyes for a long moment, and then feeling oddly compelled he leaned forward and kissed Asher full on the lips. The warm kiss lingered for several seconds, until Shay pulled back a few inches, and he blushed. There was a long awkward silence, as Ash studied his friend's face. "I... I'm sorry..." Shay stuttered. "I don't know why I did tha'... I was just, just......" But his words were cut off as Asher leaned forward and returned the meaningful kiss. When finally they pulled apart, the two boys looked at each other in silence for a long moment. A slow smile broached Ash's lips as he studied Shay's soft blue eyes, and touched him gently on the arm. He could sense the other boy tremble, and his eyes flitted from Shay's eyes to his soft full lips. Shay swallowed tightly, a curiously shy and very boylike smile dusted his features. After another long moment, the boys leaned forward again, in unison this time, Shay tilting his head slightly to receive his friend's tender kiss. Their arms went around one another as they shared this, the first very real kiss between two boys. It lingered, with lips slightly parted as both lads shared and experienced the very first intimate exchange that either had ever had with anyone, boy or girl. When they broke the kiss this time, they held each other closely, with Shay's cheek nestled in the crook of Ash's neck, and likewise on the other side. Asher could feel Shay trembling slightly against him now, and he held him a bit tighter. Two young boys, one thirteen and the other only a few months behind on the cusp of adolescent change and curiosity. Each lost in newfound, and perhaps uncharted sexual waters, and both needing to find their way. Ash stood from the divan finally, looking curiously back at his best mate. "Only if you really want to..." He said quietly, and he left the living room, and hurried up the stairs. In his bedroom, Ash stood, taking a deep slow breath to calm himself. Behind him, he heard his bedroom door close softly, and he turned to see his best friend Shay, standing there with an innocent but determined look on his boyish face. He stepped closer to Asher and they stood face to face, looking at one another rather timidly. A brief but shy smile crossed his features. Shay reached out to rest his hand softly on his friends shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. Ash smiled in return, as his eyes wandered slowly across his friend's features; noting the gentle curve of his cheek, his boyishly small nose, and the dusty blue of his eyes. He smiled again as he reached out to brush aside the locks of soft brown hair that overshadowed Shay's forehead. Shay smiled an embarrassed little smile, and he blushed slightly. Bringing his hands up to his own neck, he hooked his fingertips into the collar of his tee shirt and pulled it up and over his head, removing it. He stood still then, looking into his friend's eyes. Ash responded in kind, removing his own tee shirt; and the boys stood, their hearts beating a little more urgently now. After a long moment Ash reached across, and with trembling fingers he undid the button of Shays trousers. Swallowing tightly, he zipped down the fly, and allowed Shay's pants to slide off of his hips and fall to the floor, pooling at his ankles. Another nervous smile, and Shay timidly returned the favor, undoing the fastenings of Ash's board shorts and letting them fall away. Both boys stood, nearly naked in their thin cotton briefs, both nearly lost in the enormity of the moment. "Are you really sure about this?" Asher questioned proffering a way out. Shay looked at him, swallowing once again. And then he pinched the waistband of his own underwear, and pulled them down from his hips. Ash instinctively glanced down at his naked friend's nearly soft protuberance. And without another thought, he hooked his thumbs under the elastic of his own briefs and peeled them down to the floor. Asher stepped forward from his little pile of discarded clothes, closing the space between him and Shay. "Are you sure?" He asked one last time. Shay answered by stepping forward, and the boys could feel the warmth of each other's skin with barely inches between them. Heaviness seemed to fill the air, breathing was strained, and in the next moment the two boys came together. Naked warm flesh, converging against warm flesh. Their lips engaged, chest to chest, boyhood to boyhood as they wrapped one another in a sexually charged, meaningful embrace. ~~ End Of Chapter Three ~~ Comments are always welcome at; ians.daydream@gmail.com Hope you are enjoying this coming of age tale. It is a Boy's duty, to explore, experiment, and enjoy with curious wonder, this precious time of adolescent change. Where every experience is new, and nothing is off the table. Enjoy it boys.... Also, stay tuned for more new stories from About A Boy I really appreciate your reading my stories, and offering up your comments... I truly hope that you continue to enjoy them, and just maybe, find something of your own similar boyhood memories mixed into it as well... Childhood was a wonderfully innocent time, wasn't it..........