Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2006 09:41:57 +0100 From: A.K. <andrej@andrejkoymasky.com> Subject: The Odd Couple 07/14 (m+m - Beginnings) ---------------------------- THE ODD COUPLE by Andrej Koymasky (C) 2005 written on September 28th 1993 translated by the author English text kindly revised by Dave ----------------------------- USUAL DISCLAIMER "THE ODD COUPLE" 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, or because you think you really want to read it, please be my welcomed guest. ----------------------------- CHAPTER 7 - Taboo Tuesday evening Stefano was putting away groceries he had bought, leaving out just what he needed for supper, when the doorbell rang. He assumed it was Maurizio again and grew furious. Would he never be able to shake this boy off? He threw open the door, determined to end it with him once and for all. "Hi Steu!" Pigg" greeted him with a smile, but as soon as he saw Stefano's frown, his smile faded. Immediately Stefano brightened and said to him, "Oh, Pigg"! What a nice surprise! Come in..." Pigg" stayed at the door. "Am I botherin' ye?" he asked. "D'ye have company?" "No, no, come in. I was just fixing supper. Why don't you stay and have something to eat with me?" "Thank ye... sure... But ye had such a face, when ye opened th' door," the man said as he followed Stefano into the kitchen. "Oh, don't worry. It's nothing. I was just afraid it was Maurizio again." "Y' mean yer body guard?" "Yes, the very one!" "Why were ye afraid? If only he would come around my place, any time! I'd immediately welcome him with open arms... or rather, with open buttocks!" Pigg" said, giggling coyly. "He's a dream boy!" "Yes, he is, physically." "And it's apparent thet he cares a lot about ye." "In a certain way. He likes how I give him orgasms." "And he defended ye..." "Sure, but... he acted like I was his possession." "Well, t' judge by th' way he was lookin' at ye in th' pub, a little more than thet, I think." "No, I really don't think so. He is a strange boy..." "Strange?" Pigg" asked, while Stefano set the table for two. So Stefano told him everything, from the first night they spent together, to the night just past. Pigg" smiled and nodded. "Yes, I see yer point of view now. Y' might be right t' want t' get rid o' him. Even if it is such a pity..." Stefano served the food and they sat down to eat. Pigg" said, "Steu, I came t' ask ye somethin' - t' make ye a proposal. Would ye like t' come t' work with me at my pub? Six hours a day, ev'ry day, from eight in th' evenin' till two in th' mornin'? Ye'd hev Monday and Tuesday off, with the possibility t' swap Monday with another evening, if ye like. Twenty thousand lire an hour." "But, if I take a job, they'll cut my pension in half," Stefano objected. "Then we c'd do it under th' table." "But, isn't that dangerous for you?" "No. Ye don't have t' work at th' counter or in th' kitchen. Go into th' rooms, an' chat with people. Suggest games; create an atmosphere. This is what my pub needs t' be perfect. I do it a little, but just when there aren't many customers. Normally, I have t' stay at th' cash register, supervise th' cook and waiters, serve th' tables, talk with some clients. But you would just be in th' room. Even if th' law comes, ye would just look like another happy customer. Nobody will know I pay you, not even th' other customers. It shouldn't be any risk at all." "But, how can you justify spending over two and a half million each month?" "You're fast with th' figures! It's not hard t' type some checks lower - I know that well. It is easy. Would ye do it?" "Well, it does sound interesting, but how can I get into this type of work?" "At first, I'd introduce ye t' th' regular customers. Ye just have t' be a little forward when ye meet them th' second or third time. But soon they'll start looking for ye. They'll see ye every night in my pub... and soon they'll start t' tell their secrets. A barman, especially if he keeps his mouth shut, often becomes a kind of lay confessor. You're a former teacher; I think thet yer more than fit for thet. Would you accept?" "Well... we can try." Stefano said hesitantly. "Do ye feel like starting tomorrow?" "Sure. But, twenty per hour, isn't that too much?" "Are ye asking for a cut in pay instead of a raise?" the man laughed. "No. If ye do yer work well, ye'll help me earn much more than what I pay ye. People will stay longer, chat more - and eat and drink a lot more. T' me, hiring ye, will be a very good investment. And, what I'm asking ye t' do is really exhausting work. You have t' talk all night, remember all th' names, treat each customer just right. No, don't worry - ye'll earn every last lira of what I pay you." "Okay, but on one condition: If you realize that you don't really need me, you have to tell me." "That's okay. But th' same goes for ye - if there is something ye don't like, ye have t' tell me frankly." They shook hands then talked of other things. They sat in the living room, sipping bitters. Pigg" put his hand on Stefano's thigh and said in a soft tone, "Steu, do ye remember our short story?" "Sure, even though it was thirty years ago. I was eighteen and you were twenty-nine, right?" "Yes. It was short - but good, wasn't it?" "Yes - good in spite of all." "Well, I was into B&D then. And ye didn't like being a master." "It amused me for a while, but then... I got tired of it." "Right. And I didn't understand yer feelings then. But later, I gave it up as well. It didn't amuse me any more, either. But I... I really liked when ye fucked me... I'd like t' try it again, even if only once - just once, with ye..." Stefano smiled and shook his head slightly. "I don't know, Pigg" - so many years..." "Sure - I know I'm a little worn. M' body, was once... more appealing. I understand." "No, it's not that, believe me." "I can't compete with some of th' hunks thet are around. And, I think ye could have any one of 'em. Ye'd leave a trail o' hard-ons at th' pub." "No, Pigg", as I say, it is not that. Rather, it's that you're such a good friend that I don't think I could. In fact, you're my only friend, now." Pigg" nodded. "Yer right, forgive me. It was just a poor old man's daydreams," he sneered. "No, Pigg". You have absolutely nothing to apologize for. On the contrary, I'm flattered. And you are anything but a poor old man. You have your stable of conquests at your pub." The elder man smiled. "It's true, I can't complain. Renzo, th' cook, willingly comes into my bed quite often, and he's a real stallion. And from time t' time I have some extra adventures - a couple of times with Pino, who crouched under the counter t' give me head, ye know? There in th' pub, with all th' customers completely oblivious..." They laughed. "And Tony?" Stefano asked. "No, not him. He might not look like it on th' outside, but in bed, Tony is even more a queen than I am. Rather, how's yer bodyguard in bed?" "Who, Maurizio? He is the classical straight boy who stretches and says, 'Go on, suck it. Make me feel good'. Then he lies there, waiting to be serviced." "And yet, somehow, he seems t' have giv'n ye quite a tonic treatment..." "Yes, his cum. It is even tasty." "Besides thet, it won't do any harm. The first time I saw ye, ye were, how should I say, flat. After th' first night with him, I saw a light in yer eyes. Today, after a night with him, ye seem really born again! He must have something special, that straight hunk." "Yes, he has something special." Stefano admitted, "A part of him is just animal lust. But another part makes him one of the most tender, sweet, gentle people I have ever known. Unfortunately, the two parts are completely separate - a real Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde." "Are ye fallin' fer him?" "No, I don't think so; at least not yet. But sometimes he is so wonderfully tender - and so irresistibly sexy..." "Then girl, listen t' yer older sister. Play at love with whomever ye want, but not with that boy. From what I've seen, he is that kind of beauty that people like us cannot afford to be around. He'll break yer heart! He's stupid, and stupid people will break yer heart into smaller pieces than all th' clever people put together." Stefano looked at him, nodding. "Am I right, Steu?" The younger man nodded again as his smile died. "I'm afraid you are more than right, Pigg". But he is not stupid, he is innocent. Simple, naive..." "All the worse then. He is Dostoyevsky's Idiot - even more dangerous. He is an elephant squashing an ant, and he doesn't even know it. Without wickedness they simply don't even know that ants exist. Would ye promise me somethin'?" "If I can..." "If ye meet him again, each time ye fuck with him, soon after do it with at least two other people - even if not with me. Promise?" Stefano laughed. "Okay, Pigg", okay. But I don't intend to have sex with him again." "Good. But how many times so far?" Stefano raised four fingers. "Okay, and how many times with other people?" Stefano raised one finger. "I see. Therefore, before going again in bed with him, you have to fuck with at least seven other boys. Agreed?" Amused, Stefano nodded in agreement. "Take care, because I am serious." Pigg" said. "I know. And I also know that you are perfectly right." Later that evening, Stefano was at the Taboo, sitting at one of the interior tables and talking with Ugo and Gillo. He saw many eyes turn toward the door with evident interest. As he turned his head, he saw Maurizio. The boy looked at him hesitantly, in marked contrast to the self-assurance he always displayed when they were alone. This pleased Stefano. He waved at Maurizio to come in and the boy came nearer but didn't sit down. "Have you been here long?" Stefano asked. "Not very. Your friend at the bar told me you were here." "Why didn't you call to me? You stayed there at the door..." "I was waiting until you saw me..." "I'm sorry, my back was to the door..." Stefano murmured, then mentally chided himself for apologizing. He didn't owe anything to Maurizio. "He also said me that you come here every night and stay until 2 a.m. is that true?" the boy asked, with a faint tone of reproach in his voice. "Sure, I feel comfortable here. I like to pass the time with friends like them," Stefano answered, nodding towards Gillo and Ugo. "Right, you must feel okay here with these people... they are all... gay, aren't they?" the boy said, slightly sulky. "Yes, gay - like me. At least here, I feel like I'm on my own turf, with my own kind." "Gay - like the guy who beat you up?" the boy retorted with a challenging air. "Not as dangerous as one who would keep me cooped up. Gay me, gay them. At least we speak the same language." Stefano answered in a flat tone. Maurizio sat down beside Stefano and took his hand. "But you are not like... like all the others here. You are worth a million of them all together, in every way!" Stefano slipped his hand from those of the boy and carefully looked at Maurizio's intense face, studying him and trying to understand his thoughts. Then he said almost gently, "Maurizio... you have your life, I have mine. I don't like what you do with your friend. I think it is wrong. But I try to overlook it because if I thought about it, I absolutely couldn't stand you. Even your beautiful body would loose all its fascination for me. Your life with your friend is... perverted, immoral, dirty... in my opinion. But I try not to think about it and you know why? Because when you are with me, you become one of the most sweet, gentle, tender, delicious men I have ever met. Now am I asking you too much if I want you to let me live my own life? We are just not right together. Don't you think I have a right to ask this?" Maurizio looked in his eyes seriously. "Since I met you, I haven't been with any of those chicks. But, if you are here every night, when would we have time to be together, you and I? You're here even on Saturdays and Sundays..." "Well, if you cannot meet me, you'll go back to your friends and your... chicks." "No, I don't think so. Next Saturday and Sunday Renato says he has to go away with his family..." Stefano shrugged in surrender. "I'm not talking about next weekend or the one following. The fact is that sooner or later you will go back to your friend in the garage, and then you will continue to do what you always have." "And why?" "Because it is the life you have chosen. Because you cannot change it or change yourself..." "And who says..." Stefano and Maurizio were so absorbed in their conversation that they talked as if Ugo and Gillo were not even there - even as those two listened to them intently. Stefano shrugged his shoulders but continued to look Maurizio in the eye. "What are you saying? What you told me the last time we met - that if I continue to make you feel so good you will no longer need these girls? Is that it, Maurizio?" The boy brightened. "I think so. I think it would be right that way." Stefano lit a cigarette and studied the wisp of smoke rising from it. Even though Maurizio's reasoning was absurd, the man was touched by the boy's naivete. "It wouldn't work, Maurizio." "But why?" the boy insisted, unable to understand Stefano's certainty. "First, Renato would not allow you." "Renato doesn't tell me what to do." "Oh, really? But you told me that meeting Renato has been your greatest fortune. Before that you could barely find one girl a month - if you were lucky. With him, you can have even four per week. Isn't that it?" "And so?" "Would you be able to give all that up? And would Renato let you?" "Sure, if I want." "But Renato needs you to hold up your end of the bargain, right?" "What do you mean?" "Who paid to furnish the garage? Who pays the rent? Who pays for tickets and drinks for both of you and for the girls in the discos? Who buys the liquor and condoms and all the rest? You or Renato?" "Well... both..." "The truth, Maurizio. You told me that you never lie." "Well... Renato has some problems... He has three little brothers, and..." "In short, who pays - you or he?" "Well... But he knows how to hook, how to talk to the chicks, he is a good dancer. I couldn't... I would never hook them," Maurizio said, almost in despair. Stefano insisted. "You or he?" "Well, perhaps you are right, almost always I. But I help him one way and he helps me another. It's a loan. He keeps the notes... It was fair... it was..." "And you think that Renato would let you go? You, with your money? The one who pays for his sexual amusement? Someone who lends him money and he thinks he doesn't have to pay back a single lira? I'm sure this is this way it happens." "Anyway, if I want, everything is over." "But would you really want it? Renato will do whatever he must so that you will not stop. He would let you amuse yourself with me, so long as you put out the money you always have. Don't you understand?" "I will stay with you as long as I want to. What he wants doesn't matter". The boy repeated stubbornly. "Well, let's suppose that's true. But there is another point..." "What's that?" "Let's forget the problem with Renato for a moment. But what do I get if we continue to meet?" "What you have now, right?" the boy answered simply, as if astounded that Stefano could ask him such a question. "You like making me feel good at least as much as I like having you make me feel good. It is so simple..." "Once or twice, maybe even three times; but what then? What about next week or next month? How long do you think I can continue to give and give to you without getting even a tenth back of what I give? I'm only human, Maurizio! I like to be taken care of. I need for my partner to care and want to make me feel good, too. Otherwise, I might as well just jack off! How long do you presume I can continue to give, give, give without receiving something back... not even once?" Maurizio looked at him in amazement. "But, fucking hell, I told you - never in my life have I had sex with a male. Never. You are my first." "Anyway, could you give me even a little bit of what I give you? Would you be able to give me enjoyment, and not just have me beating my meat? Tell me." "I told you, friend," Maurizio answered shaking his head, "I never touched a cock besides mine, in all my life." "But if I asked you? If I insisted? If I needed it?" "I couldn't do it... no. I wouldn't." the boy admitted softly. "Right!" Stefano said crushing his cigarette in the ashtray. "That settles the question once and for all, it seems." "Listen, friend..." Maurizio started. Stefano interrupted him sharply. "I have a name. Do I ask too much if I want you to use it? It doesn't seem to me that you have so many problems saying Renato's name!" "No, listen..." the boy said patiently, "I know that you faggots are all somewhat odd birds - more like women than men. But I... I want to continue with you as long as you don't talk about weird stuff like your jealousy of Renato. I listened to you, so now listen to me. I am a male, right?" "Yes, sure. It's quite evident." Stefano answered, curious to see where the boy was going with his logic. "Well. And you fags... you gay... you like other males, right?" Stefano clarified. "Yes, I agree. But only some males, not just any male." "No matter - males," the boy continued, ignoring the clarification. Then with the patient tone a schoolteacher uses to explain to a slow-witted pupil, "It is simple. You like me, you like my build, and you like what I have under my clothes. And I like giving it to you. So, then, where is the problem? I come to see you, and you take care of what I have and you like. What is it that doesn't work? I'm not asking you to do things you don't like, right? Fucking shit, my friend, here it is crowded with people like you, who undress me with their eyes and who would line up to do to me anything I want, if I offered them what I'm offering you..." "Good, then make yourself comfortable, Maurizio. Offer yourself to them. But don't try to turn me on! I am not one of those who would get in line to make you feel good whenever you get horny! Do you understand that, or do I have to write it for you there on the wall? I am not your sex-slot machine! I am not just a hole where you can unload! I am a man... A man with feelings! Do you understand?" Stefano stopped, as he saw the boy's eyes widen with the beginnings of understanding. "I... I didn't want to say that..." Maurizio said haltingly. But Stefano interrupted him and continued. "I am a human being - angry, hurt, embittered, who has just come back to life, Maurizio, as you well know. But I am a living human being, with emotions, sentiments, desires, wanting to love and to be loved and not just to fuck. Or perhaps even just to fuck, but between peers. Certainly not to be used, but on the same level - as men - with honesty and conscience. These are things that you and even less your Renato, as well as any others of your kind seem to lack, or just suspect may exist. None of us is perfect. But at least, I know where I was wrong and how and why I was wrong. Therefore I have some hope. I am not a failure. Do you understand that? And moreover, I am not your cheap bitch. I am not your slave! Neither you nor those like you will ever trample on me. Is that clear?" And from the depth of his soul, again calm but icy, Stefano added: "And I swear to you, I despise anyone, straight or gay, taking advantage of a minor! Labels don't matter. It is just, lousy!" Stefano lighted another cigarette, took a deep breath, and continued, with a more neutral tone. "And now, get out of my life. Stay away from me. Leave this table. From now on you'll get just contempt and refusal from me." Maurizio stood up, stopped hesitantly, then said, "I just wanted to say to you..." "You have nothing more to tell me." "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry I hurt you. And thank you for... for what you did for me... and you said for me." Then he left. Stefano looked at Maurizio who was going away and felt a deep pain. God, how beautiful that boy was, so innocent in his desire to please him. After Maurizio left, Stefano covered his face with his hands. Gillo put his hand on Stefano's arm. Astonished and attentive, some of the other customers in the room, who heard that little speech, shouted "bravo!" and began to applaud. Sharply, Ugo said, "Stop it!" The usual buzz started up again in the room. Gillo whispered, "How are you, Stefano?" "Empty. Emptied, but alive. This too will pass." Just then Pigg" came into the room and bent down to Stefano, putting his hand on his friend's shoulder. "How are ye, Steu?" "Fine. Why?" "Yer bodyguard stopped at th' counter and told me thet ye flew off the handle at something he said t' ye, and thet ye gave him th' sack. Then he told me thet I was better to be near you, since he can't any more... He didn't want t' explain anything t' me, he just shot out like a rocket..." "Oh, fucking shit!" Stefano whined. "Is it possible that one can't even be fucking upset in peace?" "Well, it was kind on his part to worry about you after you kicked him in the ass. Do you think he is feeling sorry?" Ugo asked. "What do I know?" Stefano answered shaking his head. ----------------------------- CONTINUES IN CHAPTER 8 ----------------------------- In my home page I've put some more of my stories. If someone wants to read them, the URL is http://andrejkoymasky.com If you want to send me feed-back, or desire to help revising my English translations, so that I can put on-line more of my stories in English please e-mail at andrej@andrejkoymasky.com ---------------------------