Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 20:42:03 -0400
From: chris james <drmeta4@gmail.com>
Subject: Gene, Chapters 9 & 10

Dear Reader: If you are too young to read this then please don't. 18 seems
to be the magic age, but that's another story.

	My humble thanks to the vast number of readers that have responded
so positively to this story. Now I offer you some depth to the other
supporting characters in Gene's life and he gets something he's wanted for
a very long time.
	I have begun to think of this as your story, you the readers, those
who write me to say you laugh and you cry along with Gene. It means I must
be doing something right. As always, your comments welcome

	drmeta4@gmail.com

				Gene (M/B)

Chapter 9

      The school bells rang, sounding the release for nine hundred plus
kids at Southeast, but Ben was looking for only one. The number one
eighty-three bus stopped around the corner from the house but Ben didn't
want Gene on the school bus, well not just yet.

      Picking the boy up gave Gene a sense of security; an attachment he
felt would ease the changes in the kid's life. There was always that thrill
when he first saw the boy after being apart for the day. The suffused
warmth that spread through his body as Gene appeared, walking across the
lot with that ever present smile inflamed Ben's love for this singular
creature.

      Three days, that was the sum total of their time together and yet so
much had transpired between them. Gene was on his mind every second they
were apart. Oh God, he was in love with a seventeen year old boy and
nothing else mattered.

      Ben watched the kids play out their Friday afternoon emotions,
running and laughing as they headed off to a well deserved weekend. And
then he saw Gene, again he was accompanied by his brother and...the
wrestling coach, Brad. Oh well, it was bound to happen sooner or later.

      Ben got out of the car this time, feeling it necessary to meet the
man head to head. Gene performed the intros.

      "Ben this is...Mr. Wilson...the wrestling coach," Gene said.

      "It's Brad, nice to meet you, Ben." The man stuck out his hand and
they shook, a strong hardy grip, although Ben could sense a bit of
nervousness on Brad's part.

      "Yes," Ben said, "I suppose it was inevitable."

      Brad frowned a bit at the words he had chosen so Ben quickly
explained his thoughts.

      "I mean with us taking the boys on like this, well...I'm glad to
finally meet you."

      Now Brad smiled, and Ben watched as Dean quietly leaned a bit against
the man in support.

      "So...I told Brad about this dinner offer..." Dean said.

      "I'd like you both to come," Ben quickly added, "I think it's in the
best interests of both boys that we all sit down together for a meal."

      "Mr. Wilson...uh, Brad is a vegetarian," Gene blurted out. He seemed
to think that was funny.

      "Oh...I adapt as needed," Brad said.

      "Nonsense, vegetarianism is quite healthy, something I think both
boys ought to indulge in a bit more," Ben said. "Especially Gene here, he
needs a much better diet than what I've seen him eat these past few days. A
week of raw carrots ought to do him a world of good."

      Gene's eyes narrowed. "You must be joking."

      Brad picked right up on Ben's innuendo. "Probably some tofu and
broccoli too, lots of protein and vitamins there, great anti-oxidants."

      "Yeah, no more hamburgers and pizza," Dean said, adding his two
cents.

      "What the hell? Are you guy's crazy?" Gene almost yelled.

      Dean punched his brother's arm and laughed, Gene finally got the
joke.

      "Just messing with you," Ben said.

      Gene stuck out his tongue like a little kid. "Not funny..."

      "Way funny," Ben said. "So when do you guys have some free time?"

      "Would tonight be all right?" Brad asked. "We have a wrestling meet
tomorrow and Dean will need Sunday to rest up and do his homework."

      "Sounds fine, I have all kinds of goodies in the kitchen, I can whip
something up," Ben replied.

      He gave Brad one of his business cards and wrote his home address and
phone number on the back. They agreed on six thirty, Dean needed an early
evening if he was to be in top form for the meet the following morning. The
men shook hands and Ben gave Dean a pat on the back. He watched as Brad
laid a hand on the boy's shoulder while they walked away. It promised to be
an interesting evening, Ben thought.

      Gene was already in the car, he seemed pleased.

      "That went smooth," he said.

      "Oh, was there supposed to be a problem?" Ben asked.

      "No...I just thought, well you know. You thought Brad was doing
something bad with Dean."

      Ok, maybe now's a good time, Ben thought. "As I recall you were the
one who thought it was bad...I'm the gay guy, remember?"

      "You mean its ok for them to...well, you know."

      "In a gay relationship where the feelings are equal I suppose it is
inevitable. I would like a chance to get to know Brad a little better, get
a better feeling for what he thinks about your brother," Ben said.

      "Would that make you guy's friends?" Gene asked.

      "Oh I don't know...friends usually have a lot more in common."

      "Well he loves Dean and you love me...."

      "I do love you, that's for sure," Ben said. And he knew exactly where
Gene would take the conversation next. Was the boy that clever? Yup.

      "Does that mean if he has sex with Dean that you want to have sex
with me?"

      OK, he'd known it was coming but his heart still skipped a beat. It
was time to bare his soul.

      "When and if you're ready...yes," Ben said.

      Gene was silent after that and Ben concentrated on the road. Yeah,
the boy had something hard to think about now. It was lying at his feet;
all he had to do was decide what to do with it.

      Of course Ben knew he would have to set the conditions of any
encounter, Gene wouldn't know where to begin. But that didn't mean it would
happen tomorrow, he wanted the boy to grow a little wiser, to understand
that sex would bring a whole new dimension to their relationship.

      He turned on the CD player and punched the selection button at
random. The opening strains of 'Comfortably Numb' by Pink Floyd filled the
tiny passenger chamber of the Vette. Oh God, how appropriate, Ben thought.

      Joseph had introduced him to the fanciful British group way back
when. Ben thought it was the most awesome rock music on the planet, then
and now.

      And as the lyrics finally found his favorite verse, Ben sang along:

      When I was a child, I caught a fleeting glimpse, out of the corner of
my eye.
	I turned to look but it was gone, I cannot put my finger on it now,
	The child is grown, the dream is gone.
	I have become comfortably numb. (ŽEMI)

      And with those words all the fear he felt about falling in love with
Gene vanished, the guitar solo taking his mind to another place, one of awe
and imagination. A place where loving a boy was good and wonderful, where
two people in love could be whatever they wished...even comfortably numb.

      When the final strains of the music faded, Gene reached over and
pushed the off button.

      "I want to sleep with you tonight," he said.

      Ben whipped the car into the driveway and handed Gene the remote.

      "You won't give me an answer, will you?"

      "We're in the car, Gene...I can't sleep with you here. Open the
door."

      It was an incredible feeling...knowing the boy wanted to sleep with
him. Not that anything would happen; there were several things he wanted to
know first. But the act of sharing his bed was a giant leap for them both,
a chance to explore and touch, to share the warmth of their passion.

      At this point, Gene would be a terrible lover. Inexperience dictated
that much. It would be Ben's opportunity to demonstrate what was possible
and study what was not. Gene's feedback would be important and a good
education in making love might take months, preferably about three months
to be exact. But Ben wasn't stupid, things would go at the boy's pace, he
would have to be the one with patience.

      Gene wasn't sure if his offer had been accepted, Ben could tell the
moment they walked in the house. The kid was quiet and slowly walked up to
his room. Ben glanced at the clock, they had until six thirty. He would
have to start cooking by five. He followed the boy up the stairs.

      He poked his head in Gene's room. "How about a shower before you
change? Or better yet, how about a splash in my bathtub?"

      The boy looked at him, had he heard right? "You mean...together?"

      "Sure...it might be fun," Ben said.

      Yes, those walls had come down fast.

      Gene smiled, "I'll wash your back."

      "Hmm, sounds nice. Takes eight minutes to fill the tub, meet you
there," Ben said.

      He didn't recall Gene ever seeing him naked, no, he was sure the boy
hadn't. They were both uncut, that was part of the attraction on his part
Ben was sure. The boy probably had an inch on him when erect, that was even
sexier. Ben stripped and went in to fill the tub, turning on the faucets at
both ends. The elliptical shaped tub could hold four adults, there were
benches built in on both ends. The sound of the water masked Gene's
entrance.

      Suddenly Ben felt a hand on his back as the boy leaned over to watch
the water fill the tub. They stood up together and he saw Gene was wearing
only a towel. The boy looked down, his natural curiosity getting the best
of him.

      "Oh...you're just like me," he said, looking at Ben's uncut softness.

      "Foreskin can be fun, if you play it right," Ben replied. "You wash
down there, don't you?"

      "My dick, yeah, I suppose."

      "I mean you pull the skin back and wash all the way underneath the
skin to get that nasty gook out of there."

      "Yeah," Gene said. "Dean showed me about that when we were little. He
said it tasted bad if I didn't."

      Ben smiled at the boy's sudden blush. OK he wanted sex but talking
about it was embarrassing, go figure. The water was about a foot deep when
Ben turned off one of the faucets and stepped in. Gene dropped the towel
and joined him. The boy grinned, he had his wish...they were naked
together. Ben sat down on the bench and Gene took a seat beside him. When
the water was just about the right level Ben shut it off.

      "Ok, hit that green button over there," Ben said.

      Gene reached across and pushed the button. Immediately the pumps
kicked in with a low hum and the jets activated. The warm water swirled and
frothed, bubbling up around them and Gene giggled.

      "It tickles," he laughed. He stopped when he saw the look on Ben's
face. "What?"

      "You are the most beautiful creature in the world when you laugh...I
love to watch you laugh," Ben said.

      "And I love to watch you watch me," Gene said. "It gives me a feeling
like...like somebody cares about me."

      Ben leaned over and kissed Gene's cheek. "I do care...I love you,
there's no turning back now."

      And they kissed amidst the bubbles, lips and tongues searching and
finding the passion that needed to be shared. Gene's hands rubbed Ben's
chest and flanks, while Ben slid his fingers up and down the boy's
back. There was soon no doubt that they had the whole kissing thing down to
a science. Ben reached down and cupped the boy's ass cheeks, pulling him
close as he lay back against the sloped side of the tub.

      Gene slid himself on top, his lips never leaving Ben's, as their
cocks lay side by side, firm and ready for anything. Ben squeezed the boy's
small ass, kneading the flesh as he pulled them tighter together. Gene's
cock was pressed against his belly and Ben slowly began to pull the boy up
and release him to slide back down. The effect rubbed their cocks together
and Gene groaned with pleasure.

      Ben slipped his lips away from the boy's, moving his head to kiss
along Gene's jaw line and down the nape of his smooth slender neck. Gene
was rubbing his cock up and down on Ben's stomach, finally finding a rhythm
that felt good. Ben's lips sought out the boy's nipples and he licked at
first and then gently nibbled.

      "Oh God," Gene moaned, "don't stop that...Oh...Uhhhhhh."

      Ben slid a hand down off the boy?s ass and fondled his ball sac. Gene
arched his back, pressing his body down, feeling Ben's cock stab into his
belly. They both groaned and resumed kissing. Gene reached a hand down
between their bodies and began pinching Bens nipples. It wasn't a light
touch; Ben felt real pain and so much more pleasure.

      Ben resumed kissing and sucking on the boy's neck, careful to not
leave any unwanted marks. "Oh...Ben...Uhhh," Gene moaned, "you're
gonna...make me cum."

      "Not yet, sweetie...I wanna see you shoot," Ben said.

      Gene giggled and then groaned, his pace picking up, his cock
throbbing against Ben's flesh. "Soon..." He said.

      Ben lifted the boy up, coming to his knees in the tub. Gene clung to
his waist, thrusting ever harder. He lay Gene down on the tiles below the
window and slowly disengaged the legs wrapped around his waist. His hands
slid down, one grasping the boy's cock, the other going straight for the
sack of goodies.

      Gene moaned very loudly as he began to stroke, thrusting upwards into
Ben's hand.

      "Oh...oh God...don't stop...faster...I'm coming...oh...no." And Gene
arched his back as Ben felt the boy's cock throb in his hand. Gene was
almost screaming...and as his body twitched, long ropes of white cream shot
forth, splattering the walls and the window overhead. He came with such
force; Ben was stunned for a moment until Gene grasped the hand rubbing his
cock and urged it to go faster.

      More...there's more, Ben thought? Urged on by the boy, he rubbed
faster and Gene seemed to flop around a bit until another huge burst of
semen shot out, coating Ben's hand and splattering the boy's chest and
neck.

      A double orgasm, one on top of the other...Damn...had to envy
that. As expected Gene collapsed and Ben lifted him back into the bubbles,
hugging him tightly. Chest heaving from the effort, Gene grinned.

      "Oh...Ben, it was never like that before."

      "I'll bet, I didn't think it possible for one guy to shoot so much."

      "It was you...you made me do it," Gene said, reaching a hand up
behind Ben's neck and pulling them together in another round of kisses. The
water flowed around them as Gene laid his head on Ben's chest and
sighed. "That was awesome."

      Suddenly the boy sat up. "You didn't come...that's not fair."

      "It's ok, it was all I needed...I enjoyed watching you."

      Gene looked up at the streaks on the window and giggled. "I did
that?"

      "Yup...and a lot more."

      "Ew...you mean its all in the water around us?"

      "Nope, the filters got all of it. This water circulates real fast, it
didn't miss a drop."

      "I feel bad that you didn't come...you need to."

      "But we have all night now, don't we?" Ben asked. "I'll come for you
later."

      Gene seemed to brighten at the prospect. "Oh yeah, I am gonna make
you hit the ceiling."

      And Gene began to laugh. The infectious sound of his happiness filled
the room and soon had them both going. This is what I love, Ben thought, I
want to remember his laughter forever.

      But they had come here for a wash and finally that had to be
accomplished. Ben drained the tub and picked up the flexible shower
head. He soaped Gene's head with rich shampoo, soaped his body with soft
scented soap and rinsed the boy off. Gene stood quite still, enjoying Ben's
touch and attention.

      And then he insisted on doing the same for Ben, reaching for the
shampoo bottle. Move for move, Gene performed the same tasks and Ben basked
in the glow he felt at the boy's hands moving across his body. The kid
wanted to please him; he only lacked the knowledge of how to care for
someone. It might be a long cold winter ahead, but Ben felt only warmth in
his heart.

      It was getting on five o'clock when they emerged from the bath. They
dressed and bounded down the stairs to the kitchen. Ben had decided on a
chicken and wild rice dish, copious amounts of salad and some fresh
baguettes. If Brad stuck to his vegetarian diet he would find plenty to eat
at this meal. Ben knew from experience that boys would eat most anything if
it tasted good.

      Gene looked in the fridge and laughed. "Wow, you bought a ton of
stuff today...what's in the white box?"

      "That's a hands off to you, young man....it's a surprise," Ben said.

      "A surprise...for me?"

      "Yes, sweetie..."

      "Oh, Ben....what is it? You gonna tell me?"

      "No...you'll find out after dinner," Ben said. He almost laughed, the
boy was going to spend the whole night wondering. "But if you open the box
I will have to throw it away."

      "No you won't...would you?" Gene asked.

      "I might...you don't want to find out, do you?"

      "No...I won't touch it...I swear," Gene said.

      "Good boy...will you help me make the salad?" Ben asked.

      "Uh, I don't know how....oh, you mean cut the stuff up?"

      "Yup. That would be a big help."

      Gene cut up the tomatoes, cucumbers, spring onions and mushrooms. Ben
watched the boy carefully but he seemed to know what he was doing. For a
kid that didn't eat veggies, he seemed to be familiar with slicing
them. Ben tore the lettuce, three kinds, and washed it thoroughly. He let
Gene drop the goodies in on top and mix it all up. They covered it with
plastic wrap and made room for the bowl in the fridge.

      Ben washed and set the chicken to bake for an hour. The rice would
take half that time.

      "Shall we eat in the dining room or here in the kitchen?" Ben asked.

      "Uh...here, who uses the dining room?"

      "My parents did, but I guess Dean is family, nothing formal," Ben
said.

      "Hell no, you don't want to scare them do you?" Gene laughed.

      At twenty minutes after six the doorbell rang and Gene went to answer
it. Ben was taking the chicken and rice dish out of the oven when Brad
walked into the kitchen.

      "Aloha...you sure have a nice place here," he said.

      "Courtesy of my parents, they abandoned me and snuck off to Florida,"
Ben said with a smile.

      "Business must be good, couldn't handle this on a teacher's
salary. Oh, the boys are off upstairs somewhere."

      "Hope you came hungry," Ben said. "Still abiding those vegetarian
rules?"

      "I'll skip that tonight, the chicken smells great. I'm just your
basic bachelor cook these days; good thing Dean has a cast iron stomach."

      "Want something to drink before dinner? There's tea and soda, unless
you want something stronger," Ben said.

      "Tea will be just fine...glasses?"

      "Left of the sink, pull down four will you. Gene says we should eat
in here anyway."

      "That suits me fine," Brad said.

      Brad set the table while Ben set the food out and pulled the warm
baguettes from the oven. The smell of food brought the boys running down
the stairs.

      "Hi, Mr. Bradshaw...uh, Ben..." Dean said.

      "Good to see you too, Dean. You guys take a seat. Let's eat while
it's still hot."

      The meal went over well and the boys ate everything on their plates,
including the salad. Gene seemed to be enjoying the greens from the smiles
he gave Ben during the meal, or was he thinking about later? Brad managed
to keep the conversation focused away from his early life and steadily drew
Ben into answering questions about his childhood. It didn't matter. Ben
knew he would get quid pro quo when the boys were out of the room.

      And that's how it went when the meal was done. The boys went off to
play the PS2 while Brad helped police the kitchen. They sat down over a mug
of fresh coffee.

      "I guess Dean isn't familiar with much of your life before
Southeast," Ben said.

      "Sorry, was I that obvious?" Brad replied.

      "No, you dodged the issues gracefully, very sportsman like," Ben
chuckled.

      "Ok, I guess you deserve an overview," Brad said. "I graduated
college up in Baltimore and went looking for work in athletics. It was
fortunate that the first place I chose to apply just happened to be looking
for a wrestling coach and they accepted me. It was a junior college post,
nothing major, small town stuff. I worked during the day teaching health
classes, coached in the afternoons and was working on my Masters in night
school.

      "So I met this young lady in night school and the week after we both
graduated we got married. Yeah, I know, you didn't expect that of me," Brad
laughed.

      "No...not exactly," Ben agreed.

      "Well, I did, and it was foolish. I had only had a brief fling on the
gay side in my early college days, but nothing about that seemed appealing
for the long run. Debby was supportive, financially independent and a great
cook, but it only lasted three years.

      "I suppose I still had some lingering gay feelings and even the
thought of trying to see myself as bisexual didn't work out. She wanted
someone else and I was only too willing to oblige. I left the college job
and her, moving down here almost four years ago. I tried very hard to get
into one of the universities but they wanted more experience, so I went to
the school board. Southeast seemed like a good deal from the start...and
no, I wasn't thinking about being gay at the time either."

      "I had a nice chat with Simon Hanover the other day," Ben said. "It
seems that gay teachers are finding better acceptance these days."

      "Maybe in his field, but not in athletics. All those boys in jock
straps...never gonna happen. The male core of the department is still
sublimely ignorant and homophobic, that includes the students and the
coaches. And then I met Dean."

      Brad sighed. Ben could almost catch the change in the man's
demeanor. Dean affected Brad in so many ways; it must be quite a burden.

      "He showed up for wrestling when he was barely fifteen and I felt
there was something special about the kid, I just didn't know what. He was
the best looking boy in the freshman class and I felt an attraction to him,
but I didn't expect it to become sexual.

      "He had a good first year and started spending a lot of free time
working with me around the department. I got the usual 'teacher's pet'
ribbing from the other coaches when he hung around me so much but they
respected the kid's abilities on the mats. Dean is going all-state this
year, he's that good."

      "He must have a fine coach," Ben said.

      "But I tried to overlook the abusive clues when I first noticed
them. He tried to hide the bruises and the scratches. But slowly I learned
about his home life and that was a shocker. I took the only course I could
think of, I bribed his mother to let him live with me. I gave her all the
rationales, the extra coaching he would receive, the chance at an athletic
scholarship, but all she wanted was the cash. She said I could fuck him all
I wanted long as she got paid."

      "I've met her, but we had a slightly different outcome from our
discussion," Ben said.

      "Whatever you did was a blessing. Gene deserves to be away from her,
I felt so guilty that I couldn't afford to take both boys away from that
bitch."

      "If I have my way you may end up terminating your current payments to
her...she won't need the money where she's going," Ben said.

      "You...?"

      "Don't ask what I have in mind, ok?" Ben said.

      "No problems," Brad replied. "Dean doesn't ever want to see her
again."

      "And isn't that a sad testimony for a mother, but she deserves it. So
when did you and Dean first discover one another?"

      "During the second week of his sophomore year he invited himself over
to my house one afternoon after school. He'd become like a puppy dog,
following at my heels the whole first year at Southeast and I still didn't
understand what he was after. It had been so long since I'd had feelings
for another guy I didn't remember how it works. There hadn't been any kind
of emotional or physical love in my life for almost three years at that
point, half of that during the marriage to Debby.

      "So Dean comes to my house, sits down on my couch and proceeds to
tell me all about how he has this crush on a guy. It never occurred to me
that he was talking about this guy being his coach. But I tried to tell him
that it was ok to be gay, that gay people had the same feelings as anyone
else and that they were just as important."

      "Walked right into that one didn't you," Ben chuckled.

      "Naive doesn't begin to describe how dumb I was. But then Dean sat on
my lap and kissed me. It was the nicest feeling, and the scariest moment of
my life. I realized he wanted me, cared about me and it had to come at the
most vulnerable time of my life.

      "And he kept coming back, sometimes bringing Gene with him. We played
around and Dean even wanted Gene involved. I could tell that the boys had
sexual experience with one another, that was normal. But I also knew Gene
wasn't comfortable with me and I told Dean to stop trying to get his
brother involved.

      "It was the right choice because Dean admitted he was gay. That first
afternoon alone with him I remember thinking that he had won and I lost,
but now I know better...we're both winners."

      "The boy's age didn't deter you?" Ben asked.

      "Yes, it did. But Dean knew what he wanted. He was more aware of his
gay self at sixteen than I was...or still think I am. I know the whole
argument, it's illegal and all that, but I can't give him up, it's like an
addiction.

      "Look, I'm around attractive naked boys half of my work day but I
don't look at them in the same way, never have. I wouldn't be telling you
any of this except that Dean says I have to be honest with you, that you'll
understand. He's a most amazing creature Ben, wise beyond his seventeen
years of life."

      "I get that with Gene too," Ben said. "Except I gather that Dean is
the more mature of the two. Gene comes off a bit naive, but I believe he
only lacks experience. Once he knows something he runs with it and works
hard to better himself."

      "I don't want to pry, but Dean believes you guys are soon to be
lovers," Brad said.

      "He probably knows the exact date as well; I'm the one in the dark. I
work in the legal field, and I have been resisting the boy best as I
can...but I also know I'm failing miserably and it scares me."

      "They are both in need of such great amounts of love, it hurts me to
think about it," Brad said. "I need Dean almost as much as he needs me, and
we're both very careful who sees that need."

      "I noticed, but then I was looking for it. You both seem to have
developed quite a relationship, I envy that," Ben said.

      "You mean he demands and I give?" Brad laughed. "It was that way in
the beginning, now it's different, mellower...sincere."

      "Well Gene tried being subtle and that didn't get him anywhere," Ben
said with a laugh.

      "Dean is giving him advice. Sorry, maybe I shouldn't have said
anything."

      "They're plotting my demise? My capitulation? The little
bastards...it's about what I expected. But Gene is so...so fucking sexy; I
am already dead in his sights."

      "You just have to be careful. Does anyone else know about him living
with you?" Brad asked.

      "Uh, just about everyone that matters I'm afraid. But only my lawyer
and my office manager know I'm gay. They won't suspect anything else unless
Gene blows the whistle."

      "Then keep a lid on him, be the parent he never had, that's what I do
for Dean."

      "And very well I might add...you ready for dessert?" Ben asked.

      "Sure, a little something sweet might be nice," Brad replied.

      "Oh, we won't talk about what you and Dean have planned for later,"
Ben laughed. "I got Gene a birthday cake, the bitch never did."

      "You do love him...good for you," Brad said.

      They set up the cake, seventeen candles and all, lit them and called
the boys in from the game room. The minute Gene walked in the kitchen, Brad
and Ben started singing "Happy Birthday." The boy stood there stunned while
Dean joined in the singing and couldn't stop laughing. When the song was
done they urged Gene to blow out the candles which he promptly did in one
breath. Then he threw his arms around Ben's neck and cried.

      The room became silent except for Gene's sobbing. Ben looked up and
saw tears in Dean's eyes as well. The boy leaned over his brother's
shoulder and gave Ben a kiss on the cheek.

      "You're a good man," Dean said, and then he wrapped his arms around
Brad.

      "Oh...Ben, that...is....so ...sweet," Gene sobbed. "I...love...you."

      Brad smiled. "Welcome to the family, Ben."

      The cake was chocolate fudge marble swirl, the most outlandish pile
of calories Ben could find at the bakery. They managed to eat only a small
portion, it was so rich, the rest was wrapped and frozen. Christmas was
right around the corner and it would taste just as good for the holidays.

      But the evening ended early, the wrestling meet was at ten o'clock
and Dean needed to rest. Gene gave Brad a hug, while Dean did the same for
Ben.

      "You love my brother," Dean whispered in his ear.

      "Yes I do," Ben replied.

      "Then I love you too," Dean said, kissing him once again before
letting go.

      Brad and Ben hugged their good-byes and so did the boys.

      "Good luck at your meet tomorrow," Gene said.

      "You're gonna have to come watch me sometime, ya know," Dean
said. "Finals are in three weeks."

      "We'll be there, I promise." Ben said.

      After he closed the door, Gene just stood there looking at him.

      "What?" Ben said.

      Gene grinned, "Why are you so nice to me?"

      "Oh, I don't know," Ben said, going with the flow and remembering the
first time he had heard that question. "Maybe because...I love you so
much."

      "But it hasn't always been like that...why were you so nice to me
that first day?"

      "Because I saw something wonderful. There was this scared young boy
standing before me and I thought he was just so...so beautiful. Something
deep inside told me I had better take good care of him because he was going
to be so important in my life. And it's true; you are the most important
thing in my life. Does that answer your question?"

      "Yes, but I already knew the answer. Now Im ready to be the most
important thing in your bed...if you'll let me."

      Ben smiled. "I think you're ready."



Chapter 10

      Ben couldn't remember the last time he felt this good, this
excited. He knew it had to be with Joseph all those many years ago. But the
boy finally felt like he'd given the man he loved something worthwhile. And
oh...it had been amazing.

      It had been almost eight years, Ben thought, eight years since he had
felt the fulfillment of another body in concert with his. OK, it had only
been oral sex, but that was great, they didn't need to take it anywhere
else for the moment.

      But Ben had thrilled at the boy's desire to please him, and he didn't
feel the least bit guilty at the pleasure they both achieved. With his arms
wrapped around the boy it still felt like heaven.

      "Gene...?"

      "Hmm...what?"

      "It's taken you all of four days to get me in bed like this," Ben
laughed. "You were wonderful."

      "Hmm, thanks. Dean suggested we start off slow and simple...I've
sucked before."

      "You and Dean planned all this, didn't you? Little devils."

      "I had to ask him, Ben...I didn't want to make a fool of myself."

      "I would never think of you as a fool," Ben said. "You don't keep any
secrets from him, do you?"

      "I will if you want me to," Gene said.

      "No, sweetie. I envy the relationship you have with him...I don't
know what it means to be close to a brother like that...you're lucky."

      "You don't have any brothers or sisters?" Gene asked.

      "Nope...just me, and sometimes that was real hard."

      "But now you have me," Gene said.

      "Yes, sweetie, I do. Hmm, did I tell you we're going to Florida?"

      "Florida...the beach?"

      "Yup, we'll get to spend lots of time at the beach," Ben said.

      "Uh oh, your parents are in Florida...are we gonna stay with them?"

      "Yes we are."

      Ben felt the boy tense up and try to pull away.

      "I can't be goin there, Ben...you said we had to keep this to
ourselves."

      "They don't know I'm gay, sweetie...they won't know about us."

      "Uh...are you sure this is a good thing?" Gene asked.

      "I go there every Christmas; it would be odd if we didn't go. That
would seem suspicious. But I am your guardian...I want you there."

      Gene relaxed; he had to accept Ben's word on the subject.

      "You'll like my mom," Ben continued. "She's been everybody's mom for
as long as I can remember. All my friends used to come here after school
and they loved her...you will too."

      "And your Dad?"

      "My Dad can be a hard man, but he made me what I am today. I never
got a chance to get in trouble when I was growing up, he kept me busy doing
homework and chores. But he's a loving man too; I think he will like you
very much."

      "He is Tom's friend, right?" Gene asked.

      "For a very long time, Tom misses him very much."

      "If Tom likes him then I will too," Gene said, snuggling his face
into the side of Ben's neck.

      Ben smiled, knowing Gene had bonded with the big man and seemed to
trust his opinion. The boy had spent so much of his life doubting his own
abilities thanks to a couple of crappy parents. But putting his faith in
others, trusting when he probably should be fearful was just so...so
wonderfully sweet.

      He lay there for a while, feeling the boy's warm breath on his
shoulder. And finally the steady rhythm of that breath told him Gene had
fallen asleep. A wave of emotion swept through his thoughts. Oh the thrill,
the joy was finally his...and he was sticking his neck out a mile.

      The risk seemed minimal; Gene would never give them away. And it
wasn't like the boy didn't want to be involved; he had actually plotted
this course they were on. The boy felt secure and safe...safely sexy with
the man that he loved. From this vantage point it was hard to see anything
wrong about their love, they both wanted to be here.

      It was probably around dawn when Ben awoke. The boy had been cuddled
up close all night long, but now one slender leg draped across his
thigh. That need for contact had grown stronger; Gene was staking his claim
to Ben's affections.

      He turned his head and stared at the face of perfection. In his mind
there was nothing nobler than this boy's face, it was something he would
never forget. And he wondered what time would do to them. Wallowing in the
here and now was an adolescent feeling, adults planned ahead.

      It would be the most awesome feeling in the world to stand up for the
boy at graduation, he could see that. But he needed to instill a sense of
destiny in the boy, a sense of himself beyond tomorrow and into the
future. He was most worthy, aside from the beautiful face and body, there
was a genuine heart beating inside. Nothing would make me happier then to
watch him grow and succeed, Ben thought.

      Gene's mouth moved in his sleep, forming words that only filled a
conversation in his dreams. It was adorable to watch. A slight smile came
to the boy's lips and Ben knew he was finally at peace in his mind.

      He closed his eyes and drifted for what seemed like only a
moment. The boy's gentle touch brought him awake instantly.

      "Hey..." Gene whispered.

      "Hmm, Morning sweetie," Ben replied. "Are you awake?"

      "Yes...I've been watching you," Gene said. He kissed Ben's neck and
nibbled an earlobe.

      "Hmm, be careful...you'll start something," Ben said.

      "I...I really...really...really love you," Gene said. "It feels
amazing."

      Ben rolled on his side and ran his fingers through the boy's pillow
crushed hair. The smile on Gene's face gave proof to those thoughts.

      "And I am so lucky to love you too," Ben said.

      Gene giggled and climbed on top, laying his head on Ben's chest. He
could feel the boy's erection against his thigh and knew where this was all
going. Having a virile young man in his bed would prove to be the most
thrilling time in his life or the most exhausting. For the moment he was
hoping for the former.

      He took the boy's head in his hands and Gene scooted up until their
lips met. There was nothing subtle about that passionate kiss as their hard
cocks pressed into one another's stomachs. Ben's hands slid down to the
boy's bottom and pulled them tighter together. The rubbing of two excited
cocks seemed to expand until Ben felt himself thrusting up into the boy as
Gene pressed down.

      Gene was humping as the kissing seemed to expand the feelings they
both were having. The boy's moans caused Ben to grasp and pull at Gene's
butt cheeks. He spread them, inching a finger down the crack until it
centered on that little pink treasure. It must have been the right thing to
do because Gene groaned through their pressed lips and redoubled his
thrusting efforts.

      One or both of them was soon emitting copious amounts of fluid to
lubricate their sexual progress. Ben kept his finger pressed against the
boy's anus, rubbing gently and feeling the tense little muscle down there
begin to relax. Even without lubrication he managed to work his finger
inside to the first knuckle.

      "Oh Ben," Gene gasped, pulling his mouth away only to start kissing
Ben's neck instead.

      Ben raised the finger to his mouth and managed to cover it with spit
before returning it to Gene's butt hole. This time he wiggled it in to the
second knuckle and the boy went wild. Their cocks and bellies were soaked
in pre-cum, the rub off becoming even more frenzied. Ben knew he wouldn't
last much longer and with the way Gene had responded he was amazed the boy
hadn't exploded already.

      The finger wiggled and Ben felt the sphincter relax as the rest of
his finger slipped inside. And there it was...that little nub of fleshy
nerve he'd sought. And Gene squealed as Ben rubbed his prostate, his
sphincter gripping Ben's exploratory finger until it almost hurt. But the
boy was gasping and groaning now, his climax assured.

      "Oh...my...Ben...Ben...ahhhh, BEN..." Gene yelled.

      And Ben felt the boy's sphincter muscle turn to mush as the
contractions began. He pressed against the prostate, fingering Gene the
best he could from this angle. Gene kept squealing as his cock spurted
between them, covering them both with a massive flow of creamy juices. It
was enough to send Ben over the top and he relaxed as his seed joined
Gene's in a massive orgasmic concert.

      And for a fleeting moment Ben wondered...but he needn't have. Gene
kept pumping, working his way to that second high peak of ecstasy. The
boy's anus squeezed his finger and then relaxed. It was slippery in there
now as Gene's body secreted lubrication...inviting that finger to thrill
him even more.

      "Ahhh...ahhhh...oh...shit..." Gene screamed, and his second orgasm
hosed them down yet again.

      Ben slid his finger out as Gene collapsed, chest heaving and gasping
for breath. The boy certainly put everything into these sexual releases,
enough to make a grown man jealous, Ben thought. But here's where it
becomes difficult, they had a choice to make.

      "So you liked that...?" Ben asked.

      "Oh My God...what did you do to me?" Gene asked. "It never felt like
that before."

      "Now you know why Dean likes being fucked."

      Yeah it was blunt, but was there any other way to express what the
boy had just experienced? Gene braced his arms and pushed himself up. His
face was glowing with contentment as he stared down into Ben's face.

      "You want to fuck me." It wasn't a question. "I want you to fuck me
if that's how it feels."

      "Whoa, slow down sweetie. You know I'll do anything to please you,
but that little chore takes some preparation. This isn't some competition
for you to win against your brother, Gene. It has to be done the right way
or you can get hurt."

      Gene smiled down at him. "You wouldn't hurt me."

      "I don't want to hurt you...but I could. Don't ask me to rush onto
this; I want it as badly as you seem to. Let's take the time to do it the
right way, OK?"

      "You're the boss," Gene said. He looked down at the mess between them
and giggled. "Uh, we seem to be stuck together here."

      "Shower time," was all Ben had to say.

      All that hot water and the sight of a beautiful soap covered boy
almost made Ben feel horny again. At one point Gene bent over and ran an
exploratory finger around his anus.

      "What was it you did back there? Like you touched something inside of
me and I went crazy with the feelings."

      "Your prostate is like a little bundle of nerves up inside of you, I
told you about that before. Actually it's a gland that produces some of the
juice your sperm uses to surf around. When you have anal sex the penis rubs
up and down against it producing those awesome feelings. But it will only
feel that good if you are relaxed, so we have to teach your muscles how to
do that first."

      He'd watched the boy's eyes while delivering that information and saw
nothing but trust looking back at him. Or was it lust...no matter, it had
to be done the right way.

      "I want to make love to you, Gene."

      "So when's it gonna happen?"

      "When I think your body is ready...soon, ok?"

      Gene grinned; it was what he wanted to hear.

      The weekend produced no demands for anything further. They had oral
sex several times a day with Gene insisting Ben use his finger each time,
probably in hopes that this would contribute to the preparation he needed
for the big score.

      They ate, watched several movies and cleaned house, nothing beyond
Ben's normal weekend routine...well except for the glorious sex. While Gene
was in school on Monday, Ben visited the Arcadia Video store, probably the
only sex shop in town that one could enter without feeling like a shower
afterwards.

      He purchased some water based lube and looked at the assortment of
toys on the wall. The guy behind the tall counter gave him a look. Ben
almost felt the need to explain himself, or at least lie about it, but what
the fuck...it was none of the man's business.

      The rest of the week passed quietly. Gene's mother signed away her
rights five days after the boy walked out of her life. Ben filed the
documents with the county that very same day; Gene was in his care
now...and hopefully forever.

      Thursday night came and Ben took the boy out to dinner. The quiet
little restaurant fed them exquisite lasagna and didn't bat an eyelash when
Ben ordered the wine and two glasses. The waiter poured them both a glass
and Gene looked up at him in surprise, then he looked at Ben for an answer.

      Ben raised his glass. "Here's to the best thing that ever happened to
me...you."

      Gene blushed and they touched glasses. The boy took a sip and made a
sour face, but then he smiled as Ben reached across the table and took his
hand.

      "You don't have to drink it...this is just a symbol. One week ago a
beautiful boy said he loves me and I never want to forget that moment or
the feeling."

      Tears glittered in Gene's eyes as he raised the glass for another
sip. "I do love you," he said, his voice choked with emotion. Again with
the sour face upon tasting the wine.

      "You don't have to drink it, sweetie," Ben said.

      "I want to...I always want to remember what you've done for me," Gene
said. He sniffed and set the glass down on the table, wiping his eyes with
the napkin.

      "I got you something..." Ben said, producing a small black box from
under the table and placing it in front of the boy.

      Gene's face lit up with that endearing smile as he picked up the
present. His fingers trembled as he opened the lid and stared down at the
gold watch inside. It wasn't a Rolex, but the Swiss timepiece looked very
much like the one Ben wore himself. Gene looked up in amazement.

      "I had something inscribed on the back," Ben said.

      Gene turned the watch over and read. "For Gene, with all my love,
Ben."

      And now tears rolled down the boy's cheeks, but the smile never left
his face. It was a moment Ben would treasure in his heart as the boy
strapped the watch in place and gazed up with watery eyes.

      "You make me feel...I love you, Ben."

      And with that he picked up the wine glass and took another sip. The
sour face made them both laugh this time.