Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2020 19:33:55 +0000 (UTC) From: Albert Collins Subject: You were there - Part 17 Disclaimer: This is a romantic love story about love between young adolescent boys. There are some explicit sex scenes in the story but they are not the main focus of the story. So if you are looking for a story with a lot of explicit sex action, you are in the wrong place. If you like to read a sappy romantic tory with occasional kinky sex scenes, then please sit back and enjoy! Thanks again to all those who wrote with comments and feedback! Of course, as usual, comments and constructive criticism are welcome! albert.c87@yahoo.com Oh, yeah, and please, donate to Nifty: donate.nifty.org *************************************** You were there -- Part 17 As Frank and Luke re-entered the clubhouse, Luke immediately saw Diego pacing nervously back and forth by the door. Diego looked up and his long eyelashes fluttered with worry. Luke gave him a reassuring wink. Frank nodded to Diego briefly and moved off. "Well?" Diego whispered to Luke urgently, leaning close. "Don't worry. It was mostly the puberty talk," Luke giggled. "Oh," Diego breathed sympathetically. "Yeah. I survived," Luke confirmed. "I'll tell you about it later." He looked around. The kids were all gathered up in their best attire, most counsellors were there as well, and car horns were beeping outside. "What's all the commotion?" Luke inquired. "It's Sunday, did you forget?" Diego explained. "Most everybody's going to church." "Oh, yeah, right ...," Luke mused, "god is having her dibs on the kids today." "Yeah ...," Diego added wistfully, looking at Rafael, who was getting ready to go to a Catholic service. Diego's gaze shifted to Luke. He opened his mouth as if wanting to say something but then shut it again. "Hey, Diego, what do ya say we get the horses and take a ride to the forest," Luke suggested. "Wouldn't that be fun?" "Yeah, sure, Luke," Diego agreed, "sounds like a great idea." Luke quickly texted to Frank explaining their plan and the boys left the clubhouse. A little while later they were in the barnyard, suiting up for their horse ride to the forest. They have already groomed and fed Summer and Gaia and were now putting on near identical pairs of cowboy riding boots that they got out of the closet. Diego got done faster than Luke, who was still sitting on a stool, slowly putting on fresh socks. "Come on, Luke, hurry up!" Diego encouraged. "We haven't got all day!" Diego leaned down and petted Amber's head, while she was laying on the ground, watching the boys. "Easy, tiger!" Luke chuckled. "Be with you in a sec." He started putting his right boot on. Diego sighed lightly and went into the stalls to get Summer. When he led her out, Luke was done and his booties were all zipped up. "See!" Luke said, elbowing Diego a little. Luke patted Summer's neck and went into the stalls for Gaia while Diego waited for him in the yard. A couple of minutes later Luke led out the large black horse. He looked at Diego standing next to Summer. Diego was becoming quite a good rider. He was lithe, agile and his natural athletic ability and rapport with Summer made the transition easier. Luke grinned at Diego appreciatively. Luke was getting ready to help Diego mount Summer, but Diego quickly got into the saddle himself and sat up. Luke's jaw dropped a bit, as he looked at Diego's trim silhouette on Summer's back, so straight, sure, in control. "My boy is growing up real quick!" Luke thought with pride. His heart suddenly ached. Diego moved and his face became visible gain. A sweet slightly bashful beautiful smile greeted Luke. "There's my Elf-prince! There's my Diego!" Luke exclaimed mentally, blinking against the sun. "What? Is something the matter?" Diego inquired, pulling the reins. "No, we're good," Luke grinned back. "You look great! Dashing!" Diego smiled and chuckled gently. Luke mounted Gaia and the boys slowly headed out of the barnyard. They decided to take the eastern route to the old willow. This way was longer but they figured they had plenty of time, the day being a Sunday. The boys rode at a leisurely pace, with Diego in front and Luke following closely behind. "Hey, Diego," Luke called quietly, as they neared the edge of the forest. "Yeah, Luke?" "About my talk with Mr Frank this morning," Luke continued, "it was a bit more than just about puberty." Diego stopped Summer. "Oh?" he queried. "Yeah," Luke added. "Turns out he sorta ... figured us out. He's pretty sharp, Mr Frank, and he's been paying attention. So he figured it out ... about you and me, I mean." Diego turned his house around to face Luke. "What does that mean now?" he asked anxiously, looking at Luke's face searchingly. "Nothing, Diego, babe, nothing, it's totally cool," Luke reassured, "Mr Frank, he's a good guy, you know that, right? He's totally cool with it. He's on our side. He's always had our back." Diego exhaled but his eyes still glistened. "Yeah, Luke, yeah, sure, you're right," Diego agreed. "What else did he say?" "Well," Luke smirked a bit, "that we shouldn't jump each other's bones in public. Although that's gonna be pretty hard!" Luke winked at Diego. Diego blushed a little. "Also," Luke continued, "that we should probably tell the other guys here about us soon. Before they figure out what's what themselves. Even Ritchie is not as dumb as he looks ..." "Wow," Diego blushed deeper, "I hadn't really thought of that yet. But I think Mr Frank is right. We should tell them ..." Diego turned Summer around and resumed riding forward. Luke pulled up and rode even next to him. "I'm glad you are so cool about this Diego," he commented, "not freaking out or anything." "Yeah ... I feel it'll be all right ... somehow," Diego said wistfully. "It will, Diego, it will, you'll see!" Luke assured emphatically. "They're all good guys here, Toby, Rafael, Rafiq, the twins, even Ritchie ..." Luke smirked a little. "Of course, there will be some jokes ... You know what Richie is like ... Bit it'll be all good, I swear ... Even Ritchie, he practically worships you now, he-he," Luke giggled. "Probably will be glad there's less competition now for girls ... That he won't have to worry about you stealing Breanna back." Luke giggled again. "Oh, god, I hope he keeps her!" Diego blushed bright pink and Luke rolled in laughter. The boys continued riding along the path, chatting happily. About an hour later they finally reached the old willow's clearing at the center of the forest. Diego and Luke dismounted and tied their horses to the trees at the edge of the meadow, leaving them enough room to roam and graze. They sat down and removed their boots and socks. "Ah! Feels good!" Luke exclaimed, standing on the grass, barefoot. Diego handed him a flask of water. Luke suddenly realized that he was quite thirsty and kind of tired. "Thanks, Diego," Luke replied, taking several long gulps. He yawned and stretched his shoulders. "Weird. Suddenly I feel all knackered out" "Let's go sit under the tree," Diego suggested. "Yeah, sure, sounds good," Luke answered. The boys walked to the old willow. Luke lay on the ground in its shade with his arms folded behind his head. Diego settled a few feet away, sitting down bow-legged. They silently savored the quiet coolness of the July afternoon, protected from the hot summer rays by the willow tree above them. Diego closed his eyes and put his right hand on the ground. He concentrated on the sensations around him. It had been a while since he listened to the forest, really listened to it, like he was trying to now. The sounds, the smells, the vibrations, they were all familiar and yet slightly different. There was also something else, something beyond the call of the birds, the chirping of the insects, the rustling of the leaves, the breathing of the pond. Something his normal senses could not quite describe or even catch. The feeling of something deep, and far, and wide. Quiet, peaceful, serene, almost aloof. Something ancient, timeless, changing very slowly, barely at all, but still changing. A leaf floated through the air and landed on Diego's hand. He opened his eyes and picked it up. Yes, a change was coming. He could feel it already. Diego sighed. He looked back at Luke lying under the willow tree and realized that Luke had fallen asleep. Diego moved closer to Luke and sat on his knees, next to Luke. Diego smiled, observing Luke's sleeping face. Luke's beloved face. Diego's heart ached. How was it possible that he didn't even know Luke two months ago? Well, that was another life. There's no life without Luke now. Diego glanced at Luke again. He reached his hand as if to touch Luke's arm. Suddenly the wind blew above and the light changed. Shadows of the dense leaves danced on Luke's face and for a moment his face changed too. It was Luke but not quite Luke, he looked different somehow. Almost a stranger. A strange beautiful boy with wavy brown hair sleeping under a tree. Diego sat back with a start. His heart thumped wildly. He looked back at Luke again. Yes, it was his Luke again, he was back. His nose, his eyes, his lips. Diego wanted to cry. "Please don't forget me, Luke," he prayed silently, "don't be a stranger. I can't live without you!" Diego sat next to Luke quietly, watching his face intently, waiting for him to wake up. When Luke opened his eyes, he saw Diego sitting next to him, staring at him with a weird soulful look. Luke sat up. "Wow. Can't believe it, I fell asleep!" Luke yawned. He looked up at the willow. "Guess it was my turn this time." "Yeah. You needed it," Diego replied quietly. "Guess I did, didn't I?" Luke agreed, flexing his shoulders and stretching his arms. "How long was I asleep?" "About 45 minutes, I think," Diego answered. "Wow," Luke wondered. He grinned at Diego. "You didn't try to wake me? With true love's first kiss?" He giggled lightly. "No," Diego replied laconically. Luke saw a tear glisten in Diego's eye. "Hey, Diego, babe, what's wrong?" Luke asked gently. "What's the matter?" He moved over next to Diego and threw his arm around Diego's shoulder. "Nothing," Diego looked down, "It's just ... As you were sleeping, just now ... And I've been thinking ... What if it's all a dream?!" "What?!" Luke uttered in shock. Diego looked up at Luke with tears now welling heaving in his brown eyes. He sighed and looked down again. "What if it's me that's been asleep all this time, like that Sleeping Beauty," Diego continued haltingly. "Dreaming ... What if I dreamt you up, Luke? What if you are just a dream ... and ... and when I wake up, you ... just ... disappear?" Diego swallowed hard and looked up at Luke again: "You brought me so much good, so much happiness ... If I were to lose you now, I'd ... I'd just ... Luke, tell me that you're not a dream. That you're really here. Please!" Diego looked up at Luke and tears were now falling freely from his huge brown eyes. Luke grabbed Diego and cradled him to his chest, rocking him gently. "Oh, what am I gonna do with you!" Luke sighed as he kissed the top of Diego's head. Luke lifted Diego's face and gently kissed away the tears from his cheeks. Diego gave him a tiny smile. "Diego, babe, maybe you did dream me up, I donno," Luke said, smiling at Diego tenderly, "and maybe I dreamt you up too. But I do know for sure that we are both awake now! You've already woken up, my silly Sleeping Beauty, you see!" Luke kissed Diego's lips softly. "And I'm not going away, fuck, no! And neither are you!" Diego sniffled one more time and smiled at Luke sweetly. Luke cradled him again and rocked him back and forth slowly. "Thanks, Luke," Diego whispered. "I'm such a moron, I know ..." "Yeah, but I still love you," Luke chuckled, continuing to rock Diego. About a minute passed. "So, Luke, are you gonna give god another chance now?" Diego finally broke the silence, lifting his face. "What? Whadya mean?" Luke wondered in surprise. "Well," Diego answered, "seeing how she's done a really really good job bringing us together," he paused, "maybe you could ... give her another chance, you know?" Diego looked at Luke quizzically with a slightly hopeful expression. Luke stared back blankly for a bit and then shook his head. "I donno, Diego, man," he said quietly. "It's not really my thing. It never was." Luke stoped and considered for a bit longer. "And although I'm happy beyond words that I found you, that we found each other," Luke took Diego's hand and pressed it to his chest, "apart from that, if god is really out there, she fucked me up real good. The bitch has got a lot to answer for ..." Diego sighed and caressed Luke's palm gently. "Yeah, speaking about that," Diego said slowly. "Luke, I really want you to tell me what happened with you and those ... those priests. Please?" Diego turned his head and silently stared Luke in the eyes. Eventually Luke averted his gaze and looked down. "Shit, Diego, you really know how to spoil the mood!" he exclaimed with exasperation. "Okay, okay, I'll tell you. But don't tell me I didn't warn you -- you'll really wish you hadn't asked me, I swear to fucking god!" Diego nodded silently. Luke stood up and moved further from the tree, into the open. He sat on the grass, hugging his knees. Diego sat right next to him. Luke gave Diego a sidelong glance and sighed deeply. "It was about two years ago," Luke began, looking down, "shortly after I turned 10. I was on my own for about a year then, after my folks died. In an out of juvvies, foster homes, mostly living in the streets. Slowly moving east." Luke picked up a piece of grass and started chewing on it. "This was already near the eastern border of Pennsylvania somewhere. Somehow, while I was trying to pick this vending machine at some fucking truck stop, I got busted by the cops. Very sloppy of me." Luke smirked. "By then I already was what they called a 'repeat offender', a real 'juvenile delinquent', he-he." Luke smirked again. Diego squeezed his arm gently. "Anyways," Luke continued, "this time the judge sent me to this special 'rehabilitation facility for endangered youth'." Luke spat on the ground in front of him. "Endangered?" Diego inquired. "Yeah," Luke added disdainfully. "I think it was mostly meant for street kids, like me. The real danger was inside, though." He gave Diego a watchful look before continuing: "Basically it was a juvie but this one was run by some Catholic monks. Benedictians, or some such fucking shit. St Anthony's Youth Center, it was called." Luke spat on the ground again. "Yeah, that's right," Diego confirmed, "Benedictians, that's an ancient Catholic order." Luke shot Diego an angry glare: "The fuck they are!" He paused and looked down again. "Anyways, I wasn't there long enough to figure out what was what. The guy in charge was some fat priest called Father Gilbert. The other fucks running the place, I think they were all monks, although fuck if I know the difference. Brother this and Brother that." "See, a priest, he is ordained by the ..., " Diego started explaining, but Luke waved him off. "The fucker processing the intake of new boys was Brother Peter. Ironic. Somebody somewhere sure has a sick sense of humor ..." Luke grimaced as if in pain. "Wait, Luke, is he the one who ..." Diego started asking. "Just listen Diego, listen," Luke interrupted. "Anyway, this Brother Peter, he was a big guy, well over six feet tall, maybe 'bout forty. Not fat, but wiry, and pale, like a vampire. I had a bad feeling about him right from the start, but couldn't quite say why ..." Luke stopped and dug his foot into the ground. Diego took Luke's hand and held it between his palms, caressing it lightly. Luke turned and gave Diego a small grateful smile. Luke took a deep breath and continued: "There were three new boys coming to St Anthony's that day, me and two other kids, both my age, our age, Diego. As we were standing in line, waiting, for our new clothes, toothbrushes and shit, Brother Peter, he caught me checking out one of those other boys. A real cute black boy. Nice arms. Never found out his name, though." Diego hemmed sympathetically and squeezed Luke's hand tighter. "Anyway, as I was ogling this cute black kid a bit," Luke carried on, "I saw Brother Peter looking straight at me. I knew I was cooked then. He didn't say nothing then but made a small thin nasty smile. And his eyes, like two cold icicles. I almost shit myself right then and there." "Oh, Luke!" Diego could not contain himself. "Yeah," Luke smirked. "Later that night, as we were getting ready for bed -- all the boys there slept in one big room on bunkbeds -- one of the other monks comes in and fetches me. I go with him and look around, see if there is a way for me to run, but no, no such luck. Brings me down to the basement." "No!" Diego covered his mouth with his hand. "Tells me that Brother Peter needs to talk to me," Luke continued, ignoring Diego's exclamation. "A matter of discipline and 'spiritual purity', he says. Pushes me past the big wooden door which says 'Boiler Room' on it." Luke finally stopped and lifted his gaze and looked at Diego. Diego, his mouth covered with his hand, was trembling now, looking at Luke with a terrified expression. Luke exhaled a sad sigh and looked down again. "I got in and sort of rolled down the stairs, landed on my ass," Luke started again. "Brother Peter was there, waiting for me. Locked the door, turned around and gave me a nice look over. I could see this real sick lust in his eyes, as they were following me ... But there was something else in them, worse than that, too. A lot more scary. A real nasty, cruel look. Gettin' ready for somethin'. I could feel it right off, the way he rubbed his hands as he locked the door. That's when I knew that this time I was truly fucked. Couldn't get out of this one." Luke stopped and dug the ground with his foot again. Diego realized that this was the first time, the only time he had seen such a defeated look on Luke's face. Luke's voice suddenly grew angry: "Of corse, that year I had my share of close calls. The streets, the juvvies ... There had been a few other sick fucks who tried to rape my ass ... But I was always too smart for them, too fast, they couldn't catch me ... Or else I'd just break their balls ..." Luke smirked and lifted his fists briefly. "Except this time. In the house of god ..." Luke added bitterly. He paused again. A bright yellow warbler flew overhead, singing sweetly, startling Diego from his terrified trance, as he was listening to Luke. Its beautiful call seemed like a mockery now. Luke looked up briefly and then looked down again. "Anyways, of course, I still tried to make a run for it," he continued. "To get away from him. Run around the boiler room, thrown some stuff at him. Didn't help, he caught me real quick. The fucker was strong, so strong. Wouldn't say just by looking at him. Bent me over, pinned me to the table, got my pants down. I was cursing, trying to hit him. I think I landed one or two punches in fact. Only got him angrier. 'You got the devil in you, boy!' the fucker screamed. 'I know what you really are! I'll get the Satan out of you!' Some shit like that. His fucking mouth getting closer and closer to my ear. He was chewing this minty chewing gum -- maybe he was trying to quit smoking or somethin' -- I still remember the smell, that sickening minty smell, even now." Luke made another pause, without looking up this time. By now Diego was desperately praying for Luke's tale to end, but was steeling himself for the worst to come. Luke sighed again and finally took the piece of grass he was chewing out of his mouth. He lowered his head further. "Then Brother Peter stopped for a moment and I thought maybe it was over," Luke continued in a flat quiet voice. "Fuck it was. He picked up this broom that was sitting next to us, in the corner, with a long wooden handle. I turned my head, saw what it was. Saw him smiling. Those cold grey eyes. I started screaming but it was too late. He covered my mouth and then he ... he ... stuck this broom handle in me ... stuck it deep inside me and twisted it real hard." "No, Luke, no!" Diego cried out, clutching Luke's arm. Luke patted Diego's hand briefly but didn't look up. "Yeah, that's when I passed out," he expounded in the same flat tone of voice. "Woke up the next morning in the infirmary. Shitted blood for a couple of days. Then, as soon as I got on my feet, I split off from that place." Luke finally finished talking. He lifted his head and looked up at Diego. Diego was weeping silently, holding on to Luke's arm. "Quite a sob story, eh?" Luke said, smiling weakly at Diego. "Oh my god, Luke!" Diego cried out. He threw his arms around Luke's neck and hugged him desperately, sobbing into Luke's chest. "I'm so sorry, Luke! I'm so, so sorry!" "Don't cry, Diego, babe, please, don't cry," Luke said gently, stroking Diego's hair. "That fucker, he is not worth crying over." "I know, Luke, I know," Diego sniffled into Luke's chest, "but you are." Luke cradled Diego tighter. Eventually Diego stopped crying and looked up. He caressed Luke's face tenderly. "You were really hurt bad ... Must have taken you days, maybe weeks to get better," Diego sniffled again. "Nah, I heal fast, like a dog," Luke shook his head. "A few days later I felt good as new." "But Luke ... you might still be hurt ... down there," Diego suggested gently. "Did any doctor ever ... check you there ... after?" "Well, I'm not sure," Luke shrugged. "I think there was some doctor or maybe a nurse in that fucking infirmary who must have looked at me ... I remember them saying 'indigestion, indigestion'. Fucking lying fucktards ..." "But not after?" Diego pressed. "Nah," Luke retorted. "But I'm fine now, Diego, honest. All healed up. It's been two years now ..." Diego slowly shook his head. He separated from Luke and sat next to him again. "Does Mr Frank know?" Diego asked softly. "Certainly not!" Luke looked at Diego sharply. "And you are not gonna tell him! Promise me Diego, you are not going to say anything! Promise me!" Luke gripped Diego's wrist tightly and stared desperately in Diego's eyes. Luke's pupils grew large with fear and he was breathing hard. Diego drew Luke close and held him is a gentle silent embrace. Luke's body was trembling, and Diego could feel cold sweat dripping down Luke's face. About a minute passed and Luke gradually relaxed. The boys broke their embrace. Diego looked at Luke earnestly and took both of Luke's hands in his. "Okay, I promise, I won't say anything to Mr Frank," Diego said slowly. "But I think you should. There are still some kids at St Anthony's whom this Brother Peter may be hurting. I think we need to help them, Luke." "I know you're right, Diego," Luke said, looking down. "But, whenever I think about that fucking basement, that boiler room ... About actually going back there ... I just can't do, it Diego. I don't know how." Luke hung his head even lower. "I'm a fucking coward. A fucking stinking coward!" "No, Luke, you are not! You are the bravest boy I know!" Diego exclaimed with conviction. He lifted Luke's chin with his finger and smiled at him warmly. Luke managed half a smile back through his tear-filled eyes. "But maybe it's like that thing I had with that car. And the music." Diego added. "Maybe you just need some help. And you got me now, Luke. You've got me! I'm here to help." Luke smiled wider at Diego and the boys hugged again. "Yah, you might be right, buddy," Luke uttered. He took a deep breath and looked at Diego gratefully. "I might just take you up on that, Diego. Thank you." Luke stared back at Diego a little longer and with a sudden movement grabbed Diego's face with both hands and locked his lips on Diego's in an urgent hungry kiss. Diego's eyes flew open in surprise but he quickly responded and kissed Luke back. Luke pulled Diego in a tight embrace and whispered: "I know there's love, Diego, and there's friendship. But for this thing here, I'm gonna need both." "Whatever you need, Luke, whatever I have, it's all yours," Diego whispered in Luke's chest. "My friendship, my heart and soul, my Cap and Bells ... everything ..." "Thanks, Diego, babe," Luke pulled Diego closer. "Thanks." Luke continued to hold Diego in his arms silently for a while. "And Diego, one more thing," Luke added gently, "I know it's been really eating at you lately that you haven't been to church ..." "Wait, you noticed?" Diego admitted guiltily. "Come on Diego, I'm not blind," Luke chuckled. "And I love you. Of course I noticed." "Oh." "Yeah." Luke sighed. "Anyway, I think you should do it. I mean go to church. It's okay." "What? Luke, after what you've just told me, how could you possibly say that?!" Diego recoiled in shock. "Listen, Diego, listen," Luke explained patiently. "I love you and of course I wanna be with you all the time but ... It's okay for us to be different people ... To do some different things ... Like, when the school starts, I really want you to do the choir. And the piano. If it makes you happy. Okay?" "Yeah, okay, Luke," Diego still sounded uncertain, "but music is one thing, and what you are talking about here is ..." Diego's voice trailed off. Luke shook his head and looked at Diego earnestly. He took Diego's hands into his and continued: "Diego, this church thing, well ... If it gives you peace to go there, to be there, then that's what I want you to do. Honest, I'm okay with that! ... And if you wanna talk to some fucki ... to some priests there, I'm okay with that too. Even if I may not wanna hear about it after." Luke giggled lightly. Diego considered for a while, with Luke still holding his hands. "Thanks, Luke. Thanks," he replied quietly. "I'm not sure if I'm ready for church yet ... especially after today ... but I do feel that I need it somehow. To get closer to mom and dad and Alyssa ..." "Well, when you do go to church ... Say hi to them for me," Luke chuckled softly. "I hope they approve." Diego chuckled with him. A broad happy smile grew on his face. "Have I told you today how much I love you?" Diego asked, throwing his arms around Luke's neck. "I donno, my memory isn't what it used to be," Luke joked. "Guess I'll have to remind you then," Diego replied as he leaned forward and kissed Luke tenderly. They heard the horses neighing impatiently by the edge of the field. The boys knew that it was time to start getting back to Green Oaks. They held each other, wanting to prolong this moment just a little bit longer ... ****************************************************************************