Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1998 06:46:37 +0900
From: Andrej Koymasky <andrejkoymasky@geocities.com>
Subject: epistolary-04

--------------------------

I started writing gay stories in 1985 and to now I wrote about 80 of
them. Being Italian, of course I wrote them in Italian. Now, many of my
friends asked me to translate them in English. But my English, also if
understandable, is surely not a "literary" one: I can't know all the
nuances and literary tricks I can use in Italian. I need somebody
revising my translation. Now, I found a person that is kindly helping me
with my stories. But I can't ask to one single person to help me with
all of my stories. So, if amongst you there is somebody (with a good
English style) that thinks this unpaid work worthy, and wants to help
me, I would be really happy. If such a person exists, can send me an
e-mail at:

andrejkoymasky@geocities.com

----------------------------

EPISTOLARY

by Andrej Koymasky (C) 1998

written the 10th of August, 1990

translated by the author

English text kindly revised by George.

-----------------------------

USUAL DISCLAIMER

"EPISTOLARY" is a gay story, with some parts containing graphic scenes
of sex between males. So, if in your land, religion, family, opinion and
so on this is not good for you, it will be better not to read this
story. But if you really want, or because YOU don't care, ore because
you think yo really want to read it, please be my welcomed guest.

-----------------------------

23 rd of December from the train for Salerno

Merry Christmas, my friend

How are you? Bad, I presume. Right? I'm really sorry. But just what I
feared has happened.

You, notwithstanding all your speeches, are different.  The fact you
don't want to talk about it personally, shows it.  In a letter. I would
have liked to talk about it at once. But as you prefer. I respect
your... inhibitions.

After what  happened, to sleep in the same bed  made things more
difficult. You said you felt self confident. That there was no danger.

I had to push you away. Being rather rough with you when you tried it.
But I did that for you, not for me. I would have made love with you
again. As you felt, I was aroused as you were. But if I said yes, then
you would have gone to tilt again.

Probably you are that way all the time, now. Probably it would have been
better if I'd followed my instinct, not my brain.

I desire you, Federico, it's useless to hide that.

And you desire me, don't you see?

What's making you so scared? Being a faggot? A queer, a gay, a sodomite?
I'm not scared at all. Those are just absurd labels. You are Federico. I
am Sebastiano. Nothing different. Why cannot we be ourselves? Why cannot
we love each other?

I feel it, I love you.

But not because you are a man, just because you are Federico.

You see, with Carla I'm OK. With her I fuck. Really more than
pleasurably. But to be sincere, I am not in love with her. I love her,
sure. But I'm not in love. That one with a capital L. Good sex and
affection. And stop.

On the contrary, I'm in love with you. Every  fiber of my body loves
you. That's why just being near you gives me hard ons. If I had hard ons
for any male, I could say: I'm a fag.  But I got hard ons just for you,
so I say: I'm in love.

Does that seem so strange to you?

And then, if to show you my love in a physical way I need to stick that
label on me, good! I stick it on me. On my forehead: "Sebastiano -
Faggot".

If it is the only one way, I'll say it to everybody: "I'm in love with a
man, Federico".

But that would probably just worsen things, no? You would run away. You
would be ashamed of me. You would  accept from me, just one part. An
aseptic friendship. Sterilized.

Better than nothing. I accept that. Knowing that you are not able to
accept nothing more from me. Just friends. "A sound virile friendship".
What nice words!

I would like to give you all of me. Give you so much of me that I was
ready to give you my body also. But you don't want it. Patience! If
someone doesn't want a gift, you cannot force him to take it. I prefer
being accepted as a friend for half a relationship than a lover refused
entirely.

Probably you will be annoyed by this letter. But I don't write letters
and then tear them to pieces.  Even at the risk of upsetting you, I send
them to you. And in the painted envelopes. Because I think that is a
sign of our friendship. And we are still friends.

Ciao Federico. Take care and try to feel ok

Sebastiano, a friend

---------------------------

Bologna, 26/12/86

Dear Sebastiano,

even if we are so far apart, I think a lot about you.

Thank you, you really are a friend and did right, the last night there
in Rome, to stop me: I was about to fail again in that, notwithstanding
I succeeded in controlling myself all the preceding nights.

It's all so strange.

In those days I did nothing but look at boys and girls: boys don't
appeal to me at all, girls on the contrary do, of course not all of
them, just the nice ones, but that means that I'm not a degenerate, I
function normally.

But then, what happens to me when I'm near you? Could the difference be
just the physical proximity?

So, I have to confess to you, that two nights ago I went to the
Minghetti, a park here in Bologna known as a meeting place for faggots.
I told myself: I have to try, so I can understand. After a while a guy
approached me and touched me down there and I almost ran away, but
decided to stop, to let him have his way, to test myself, and I wasn't
aroused, not even slightly. That guy continued for a while and I was
totally indifferent, so at the end he got tired and left. I was really
satisfied with the result of my experiment and went  home, much more
quiet and serene.

If it had been a girl that touched me in that spot, and with so much
insistence, I would have been aroused at once, and responded to her.

Forgive me if I talk about such intimate matters, but I know I can do
that with you. And just with you.

Did you spend a good Christmas with your family? For me, all was as
usual, listening to all my mother's kin about our relatives, the
comments of my father about the republic going to rack and ruin, but I'm
happy with that.

If I'm not wrong, you told me that your brother Ruggiero collects
ancient paper money, and here at my parents' home I've found some
Austro-Hungarian paper money that belonged to my granddad and, since my
parents don't care about it, I asked them to give it  to me for your
younger brother, and I enclose the bills in this letter, hoping they are
different from any he has.

I saw a really good movie, Woody Allen's "September". Do you like this
actor-conductor? I like him very much and as of now I haven't missed
even one of his movies. If you can, go see it, if not in Salerno,  they
will show it in Naples. When I buy a new videorecorder, the one I have
at home doesn't work and isn't  worth repairing, I'll look for all the
videos of his movies.

I'll be back in Rome on January the 3 rd, but I'll immediately leave
with Stefania to go to Campo Imperadore, hoping we can do some skiing.
Would you feel like coming also? Do you like to ski? If you decide to
join us, we will be at the Hotel just in front of the rope-way, you
cannot miss it, it is the only one  in front. I don't remember the name,
unhappily, because the vouchers are at home, in Rome.

We will be there to the 10 th of January, then we will be back home.

See you soon, anyway, my dear Sebastiano.

I embrace you

Federico

--------------------

Monday 29 th of December from Salerno

I will write you again. I hoped to receive a letter from you. Possibly
it's too early. It will probably come in next few days.

In my letter of two days before Christmas I was probably too harsh. But
I can only write things the way  I think. Can you understand? And I'm
not able to be ingratiating. I don't like euphemisms. I call a spade a
spade and a cock a cock.

But really our friendship is precious to me. So the next time I come to
Rome, I'll stay at a hotel or sleep on the couch in your living room.
You see, Federico, the next time it would probably be me who tries.
Because you are important to me. Because I like you. Because I'm really
and deeply falling in love with you. Because I desire you. But I don't
want problems with you.

And even now, just writing those words, I got a hard on.

See, now I am supposed to tear this letter up. Not to send it to you. 
But that would be absurd. It is exactly what I feel. What I never felt
before. For anyone. Not even for Carla.

But if I insist on pursuing you, I will lose you. And I don't want that.
And I don't want to make you feel bad. I want you to be happy. Even if
in spite of myself.

Between the two of us, I am probably the stronger. And the stronger has
to carry the biggest burden. It's a natural law.

So I will not tell you my feelings any more.. Unless you want me to. 
Near you I will behave, like a friend. As you preceive this word. A
straight friend. It will not be easy, But I'll do my best.

Well. Enough of that subject. It's time to change the music.

I've almost finished the first draft for your boss. After that, I'll
start the plates for our animation.

The first check from your firm arrived. Happily. This money arrives just
at the right time. It's not that I was completely broke. In fact Cettina
found a job. Francesco continues to help us. Even though  he is now
married. To pay for Ruggiero studies. So we can manage a living.

What did you get for Christmas?  I received a leather jacket from
Francesco, a nice sweater from Cettina and a LP from Ruggiero. You have
to see me with the leather jacket. I am a hunk! I look like an Armani
model. No, even more handsome!

Well, I stop here. Take care, my dear friend

Sebastiano

--------------------

Wednesday 7 of January from Salerno

Federico!

I received your letter from Bologna. Just 30 minutes ago. And I answer
you at once. I promised you to never again talk of such subjects. But
you force me to do it.

How can you write such bullshit? Sorry, but, that's real bullshit. And
also all in capital letters.

You went to the park to be groped by faggots. And no hard on. And you
are proud. You proved not to be a faggot. For the Holy Virgin of the
Carmel, triple hurrah!

But to whom did you prove it? To me? I didn't need it, I don't have this
problem. To yourself? But who are you fucking cheating? I too, in those
conditions would not get a hard on.. But not because one is not a
faggot. Just because you went there scared to death. And because who
knows who that guy was! To me, in your place, probably my cock would 
have fallen down, too!

I feel like saying: do you really want the experience? The real one? I
come to touch your basket. To finger your cock. Then, let's see if it
doesn't became hard like steel. If it's me that touches it.

And what am I, a girl, perhaps? I really don't think so. I have a cock
between my legs. And not a small one. I don't have boobs and on my chest
there is hair. I have two balls, very visible and working. I am a man.
And for me you got a good hard on. And even several times, as you wrote
me. Anyway I can say at least twice. And the first time we didn't even
touch.

Do you know what the real difference is between you and I?

You didn't think you could dig a male.

I didn't think I could dig a male.

You discovered that Sebastiano arouses you.

I discovered that Federico arouses me.

You ran, scared, crying to your mum.

I'm happy because I discovered I'm in love with you.

That's the difference.

And so, I'm a faggot but not you. By God!

But you did the experiment!

I don't need it. I'm not scared if one day I get a hard on for another
male. If it happens, do you know what I will do? I will ask him to  lets
fuck together, See? And I remain always the same Sebastiano, as usual.
And try to tell me it's not so!

Whoever gives me hard ons,  means they're my type. Male of female it
could be. Nothing more, nothing less. It means I feel horny so I can
fuck with her or him. Nothing more, nothing less. But if besides that
there is love, then yes it is different. Then this is the right person
for me. My "her" or my "him". Without tragedies. Without whimpering.
Without fears.

You have, instead, the ostrich technique. You hide your head in the
sand. And feel quiet. And if there is no sand, you even invent the sand.

But what are you afraid of?

You do prefer your Stefania. Regular as a Swiss watch. Without fantasy
and without love. That you feel tight like a new shoe. And even one size
under.

But she is a female.

She has this enormous quality.

And then, keep her well tight. Fuck her only on the odd Thursday,
between 9 and 10! Only after you put on the condom, and she takes the
pill and also the spiral and, be careful, use also the spermicide and
follow Ogino-Knauss and the thermometer system and even the interrupted
coitus! And she under, and you on top, or vice versa, you on top and she
beneath!

I'm tired of all that.

I don't want to play the "good" friend any more.

I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU. I want to fuck with you. I want to suck your cock
and give you my ass. I want you to suck my cock, and I want fuck your
ass. But I want to give you my love freely, and not just half of it.

So, you have just two choices. Or you chase me away shouting  "faggot!",
or... take care. Because as soon as we are alone, I'll jump on you and
grope you. And French kiss you. Because I love you. Even if you are so
fucking stupid.

If I wanted to just fuck, I have Carla. She is fantastic. I wouldn't
need you. But I'm in love with you. You made me fall in love with you.

I didn't want it. I didn't look for it. It just happened.

But I accepted it. With surprise, I didn't expect anything like it. But
I took it with joy.

I want to be yours.

So, you accept me, or you throw me away. But all of me. Not just one
half. Just the half that suits you.

I swear, as soon as we are alone, I'll open your trousers and start.

Take care, Federico. And think about it.

Sebastiano

P.S. Ruggiero is happy for your gift and thanks you. I'll bring to Rome
what you asked. I'm determined. I'm not joking. Be careful!

------------------

Roma, 12/1/87

Dear Sebastiano,

I was waiting for you in Rome, but you didn't  show up. What you wrote
me is all right, I'll wait for you here at  home, let me know by
telephone when are you coming.

You really helped me to think, with your thoughts, your ideas and I
thank you very much for telling me clearly and straight what you think,
what you feel and how you intend to behave. Right for that I hold you in
high esteem and admiration, for your sincerity even if it risks  being
unpleasant, but it really will never be that.  Remain always that way, I
pray you. I need to have a person like you near me, I feel that more and
more strongly.

I really am lucky to have met a person like you.

You say that I never want to talk personally about some subjects, but
just in a letter. So now I cut here: I'm waiting for you and we will
talk all you want, until we have said all we need to say.

Ciao, my dearest Sebastiano, see you soon

yours F.

****o****oOo****o****

Monday 19 of January from Roma

Federico, forgive me.

Tomorrow I'll came to the office but I'll try not to meet you.

I hope not to meet you.

I will give this letter to the janitor.

I wanted to go back to Salerno. Immediately, this evening, as I left
your home. But I cannot. I cannot afford losing the work. So I'm now in
a hotel. Not so far from your place.

When I left, slamming the door behind me, I was furious. In the most
fucking black mood. At first with you. Then with you and me. Now just
with me.

I'll try to explain you, if I'm able.

When you wrote me that letter, 7 days ago, I thought you received mine.
The second one, I mean. The one where I wrote you that I was determined
to make love with you. So your letter seemed to me that you were at last
telling me yes.

That's why today, as soon as we were at your place, I embraced and
kissed you. And probably you didn't understand immediately I was
embracing a lover, not a friend. And at first you reciprocated, and I
was so happy.

And of course I got an hard on, and you too were aroused. And I felt it.
And you didn't part from me.

So I groped your basket. I wanted to open your fly. As I did write you.
You tried to stop me, but quite without conviction, I felt. Like it was
just a game. So at first I thought you wanted to do it in your bed, not
there. But I wanted you immediately, there in the entrance. So I
insisted. Like an erotic play.

And we fell on the carpet, and we fought. I was playing, you for real.
But you were even more excited. And I too. So I continued without
worrying. And succeeded in pulling out your hard cock.

And you came, at once, into my hand.

I laughed, happy. I was not mocking you as you thought. I was happy.
Because I love you. And I thought you did remember that. You knew that.

But then you told me those evil things. And I suddenly understood you
were not joking. I felt hate in your voice. The intention to  hurt me.
And all crumbled in me.

I could have killed you, at that moment.

And then you started to cry. I was besides myself with rage. Now he's
playing  the victim, I thought. So I took my luggage and left.

Now the hash is made. If you had received my letter, this wouldn't have
happened. Possibly. Perhaps you wouldn't have called me in Rome. Or at
least wouldn't have asked me to come to your place. But you didn't
receive it, right? No, I think not. I must have guessed right. It is the
only possible explanation.

I don't know if we can really manage not to meet again. I'm afraid it
will be impossible. But I need this work, I'm sorry. But we will meet
just in the office. Formal contacts. Like civilized people.

I would like to apologize. But I can't, and that not for pride. But just
because if I was again alone with you, I'll do it again. Because I lost
my head for you. It's beautiful to lose one's head, when it's two doing
it. But alone, it's horrible. I feel like I'm going crazy.

While we were fighting you said: "But you aren't a woman." No, I'm not a
woman. I don't want to be. I'm happy being a male. I'm sorry for you.
All would be lot more simple, right? But I'm a male. Like you are.

I don't know if it will happen again any more. To fall in love with a
male, I mean. But I hope not, seeing this failure.

And if you were a female? I think I wouldn't like you. Because it is
Federico, like he is, that I love. Male included. That I'm madly in
love. Just as you are, I like you. Even if you are so full of shit.

Why don't you accept the fact you too want me? Why don't you surrender
to your true self?

And possibly now you are even disgusted with me. Because you came as
soon as I touched your cock. I'm your bad conscience. I'm sorry. I
wanted to make you happy. On the contrary I drowned you in a bad
situation..

Because, you see, I could even disappear. But what has happened, will
not. I'm sorry. For you, for me, I'm sorry.

But why aren't we both faggots? All would become so simple.

Farewell, Federico. Take care. I love you

Sebastiano

------------------

Roma, 20/1/87

Sebastiano,

This morning I got your letter, and as I don't know how to get this one
to you, I made two copies, one I will send to you in Salerno and the
other I will leave to with the janitor, hoping he will see you and give
it to you.

I'm sorry for what happened and for what I shouted at you, for all I
said. I didn't really mean those words that I said to you, and I don't
mean them now. But at that moment I was distraught, because, I have to
be honest, I was feeling that after all I liked the way you were
touching me and I was scared and wanted you to stop.

Yes, you are right, I didn't receive the second letter you are talking
about, I received just one letter from you, the other has not yet
arrived, perhaps I will find it today going back home and I can
understand better what happened and why.

Perhaps we will never again meet, and for that I would be very, very
sorry. Our friendship is really important to me. That's why I was
crying, and not to play the victim, please believe me. Now I am here in
my office writing to you and would like to say to you please come back,
to meet again, but after what happened I'm afraid of that.

Yes, it is right, I'm scared, but it is not you that scares me, it is I,
in fact I was fighting to make you stop but at the same time I was
hoping you didn't stop, I'm honest.

God, what a migraine I'm getting! It is not easy for me to write you
these things, to be so honest with you, but I feel I owe you that.

Until things are not as they are, that is until I am no more excited
being with you or you fall out of love with me, probably it will be
better if we don't meet, our work permitting. We both will feel bad.

But I would like to ask you one thing - let's at least continue to
communicate through letters.

When this morning the janitor gave me your envelope, I recognized
immediately your writing and felt at the same time happy and distressed.
Happy because you did write to me (I didn't yet know what you wrote me,
but you wrote!) and distressed because it was the first white envelope I
receive from you, not painted. God, how much that white envelop hurt me,
all white, so anonymous, impersonal, icy. But I want to keep this also,
hoping it will not be the last to put in my album.

I like you, Sebastiano, believe me. I feel a physical attraction towards
you and I fight against it because it seems wrong to me. You feel a
physical attraction towards me and you accept it and it seems beautiful
to you. I don't know which of us is right, but this is the situation. I
would like to be able to give you what you ask of me, but I'm not able.

I feel terribly sad.

Why can't we be two friends like many others? Or two gay men like many
others? It would be really so simple one way or the other!

If at least one of us could change, would all go as it should? It would
be enough if I learned to feel like you, or you like me... Or it would
be enough if that obsession that pushes one towards the other could
stop.

Write me, Sebastiano, I beseech you; if you don't want to meet me any
more, at least write me.

Waiting

Federico

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CONTINUES IN PART 5

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In my home page I've put some of my stories. If someone wants to read
them, the URL is

http://www.geocities.com/~andrejkoymasky/

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