Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2012 12:19:34 +0100
From: Adam Stewart <stewad26@gmail.com>
Subject: The Pink Retreat - part 7

This is a gay love story which is pure fiction and fantasy. None of the
characters portrayed relate to any known person.

Warning - it contains explicit m/m sex.

The Pink Retreat

7.

On the Saturday morning the sun was shining again much to Josh's delight
because it meant he and Jacek could finish off the new garden design. Once
they'd had breakfast they slipped on their shorts and set to work. Sex had
not been on the menu when they woke up having had quite sufficient the
night before but Jacek for one certainly hoped they would do so once the
work had been completed.

As Josh worked out where he wanted each shrub and plant, Jacek did the
planting. They were a good team and soon had the job completed by soon
after lunch despite having had a short break to eat the sandwiches that
Josh had made them.

When they'd finally finished clearing up and given the new shrubs and the
plants a good watering, they stood back and admired their handiwork.

"Brilliant" Jacek exclaimed, "you really are good at garden design Josh,
are you going to set up your own garden design firm to do this when you've
finished college?"

Josh had thought about doing this but wasn't sure if he should get some
commercial experience first.

"If you did, I'd be happy to work with you because we make a good team"
Jacek continued.

"We do" Josh replied as he pulled Jacek towards him and gave him a big
kiss. "If I do decide to do so then I will certainly give you the
opportunity to join me but in the meantime I may get some casual jobs so
you could help with them".

"Oh yes, brilliant" Jacek replied excitedly and pulled Josh into an embrace
during which he gave him a big long passionate kiss.

Josh just hoped that none of the neighbours were looking out of their
upstairs windows at the time!

"Will you fuck me again now?" Jacek whispered into Josh's ears, "I've got
lube and condom in my shorts" he added grinning.

Josh laughed at Jacek's ingenuity and led him into the garage. As much as
he would have liked to take him in the open it was a bit risky in
daylight. Once in the garage, Josh bent Jacek over the bonnet of his car,
pulled down his shorts along with his own and gave Jacek a good rimming
whilst his own cock stiffened. Once hard, he slipped on the condom,
lubricated Jacek and thrust himself into the inviting hole.

"Oh god that feels so good Josh" Jacek exclaimed but this time slightly
softer than he had done the previous night when they were in the same
position.

After several long hard thrusts, Josh pulled out and told Jacek to stand
up. As he did so, Josh stood on his shorts so that Jacek could step out of
them. Josh had already removed his own so they were now both stark
naked. He then led Jacek out of the garage and along the side into the
kitchen door. He knew nobody could see them here so being naked was not a
problem.

He then led Jacek upstairs to the bedroom and told him to lay face down on
the bed. As soon as Jacek was prostrate on the bed, Josh mounted him and
thrust his still hard cock straight into Jacek's arse.

"Fuck" Jacek yelled but clearly enjoying the roughness of it.

Josh then proceeded to give him the hardest fuck he'd ever experienced and
it continued for almost twenty minutes!

"Oh fuck that was brilliant, thank you so much Josh" Jacek said when Josh
had finally pulled out having for once shot his load inside the condom.

Josh just grinned as he pulled off his cum loaded rubber and held it up
high for Jacek to see.


Having had a shower, they went back downstairs and Jacek helped Josh
prepare their meal. When this had been eaten and cleared away, Josh again
asked Jacek if he'd like to go to a gay bar or a club. The answer was the
same as the previous evening.

"I'd rather stay in and have some more fun with you" Jacek grinned since he
knew this would probably be his last chance to have Josh on his own for a
long time, if ever.

Luke had phoned again as agreed and he and Josh chatted about what they had
both done during the day.

"So, what is he like?" Luke finally said once they'd filled each other in
with their day's events.

"Brilliant" Josh giggled, "will tell you all when you get back".

"Great, will look forward to that" Luke chuckled, "and I will want to know
every little detail" he added.

"And what about you? Did you find anyone to share your bed with last
night?" Josh asked.

"Sadly not although there were several rather nice guys in the bar but
tonight I thought I'd try the gay sauna. You don't mind do you?"

"Of course not and have fun" Josh replied. What else could he say when he
had a naked guy ready and waiting for him!


Josh and Jacek spent the evening doing much the same as they had done the
previous one. They went back on line and gave several more guys the joy of
watching them have sex before finally going back into the public area and
showing off their full nakedness to all who wanted to view them.

They ended up in bed and had more sex until it was finally time to settle
down for the night. They both knew that the following morning would be a
parting of the ways!


When Ann came home and saw the newly designed garden she just loved it. She
pulled Josh into a hug and gave him a kiss on his cheeks.

"It's just lovely Josh, thank you so much" she exclaimed as she walked
round it and looked at all the new shrubs he'd planted and the water
feature. "You really do have a talent Josh and I wouldn't mind betting that
once people see this they will want you to do the same for them."

Josh was pleased that Ann was happy with his efforts and he made a point of
saying how good Jacek had been as well in working with him.

"You make a good team you two" Ann commented as she looked yet again at the
finished product.


Shortly afterwards Luke phoned to say he would be at the station within
fifteen minutes so Josh drove off to collect him. He wanted to jump out and
take him into his arms right there and then but he could only stop long
enough for Luke to climb in before moving off.

"So how's things?" Josh asked as he drove back home.

"Brilliant" Luke replied excitedly, "it was really good fun, I enjoyed it".

Once they'd reached home and taken Luke's bag into the hallway, they fell
into each other's arms and kissed passionately.

"I've missed you" Josh said in between kisses.

"Yeah, missed you my love but at least you had the gorgeous Jacek to keep
you company"

"Mm, but I still missed you" Josh replied and was about to add "and a good
fuck" but just at that moment Ann came out to greet her son.

"Come and have a look at the brilliant job that Josh has done in the
garden" she told Luke excitedly.

Josh and Luke looked at each other and grinned as Ann led the way
outside. Luke was also very impressed and pulled his lover into his arms.

"You are such a clever little poof" he whispered although his mother heard
and chuckled.

"He certainly is and you're lucky to have him as your boyfriend young man"
she told Luke.

"I know, you don't have to tell me that" Luke replied giving Josh a big
passionate kiss right in front of his mother.


Later, when they were both upstairs on the second floor, Luke said he
wanted to hear all about Jacek and what sex they'd had together.

"I'll tell you provided you tell me what you got up to at the sauna" Josh
giggled.

"Deal, but you first" Luke chuckled.

Josh then told Luke what he and Jacek had got up to, well almost
everything! He did mention however the online live sex show they did
together which Luke found extremely interesting and wanted to know which
site they were on. He immediately looked it up and suggested he and Josh
set up a profile for doing something similar.

"Didn't realise you could do it without actually showing your face" Luke
said when he looked at several guys who only showed their torso and teasing
amounts of lower organs.

"So how about it, you want to do it?"

Josh said he was game so they agreed to set something up later. In the
meantime he wanted to hear all about the sauna trip.

"Well, having stripped off and placed a towel round me I explored the
place. I found a Jacuzzi which was quite small and there were already two
guys in it. When I climbed in they moved apart so I could sit between
them. It wasn't long before hands were all over my cock and I had a hand on
theirs. I was soon hard and when one guy got out leaving me with the other
guy, he moved even closer. After a while he asked if I'd like to go to one
of the private rooms. These were in darkness so it was very much a case of
feeling each other. I eventually fucked him."

"I hope you used a condom" Josh asked.

"Of course" Luke replied indignantly, "I trust you used one with Jacek".

"Of course" Josh replied in the same indignant tone, "Yours is the only
arse that my raw cock goes up" he then giggled.

"Anyhow, the guy loved being fucked so we must have spent a good half hour
or so together until I was pooped. We then went and had a coffee in the
small cafe area and after that I went into the steam room. There were
several guys in there busy sucking each other off and the guy I sat next to
played with my stiff cock. I then decided to explore some more and found a
dark room. There were several guys standing around feeling each other and
one or two others having more intimate action with each other! A guy then
put some lube up my arse and started fingering it. He whispered that he
wanted to fuck me."

"How big was his cock?"

"Huge and I wasn't sure if I could take it"

"What, bigger than mine?"

"Yeah, but anyhow I decided to give it a try so we went off to a private
room and he fucked me; with a condom before you ask!"

"Was it good?"

"Fucking brilliant"

"Once he'd shot his load he left so I went back to the Jacuzzi again and
two more guys were there. Very nice they were and they were both very
interested in me since I'd climbed in with a stiff cock!"

"I bet they were" Josh giggled, "even thinking about is making me hard".

"So, off we go again to another private room and this time I fuck one guy
whilst the other fucks me. It was awesome and we spent a good hour together
changing around and sucking each other off. By that time I was worn out and
it was nearly midnight so I decided to shower and go back to the hotel."

"You lucky bugger, it sounds brilliant" Josh grinned.

"Sure was and whatever happens we must go to one of the London saunas. One
guy I spoke to who knows London told me which is best because it's the
biggest and has two Jacuzzis, steam rooms, sauna rooms, dark rooms and
loads of private rooms. He said guys there are always up for it."

"Wow, can't wait" Josh said feeling his erection through his trousers.

"Don't think we've got time to deal with that now" Luke chuckled, "it will
have to wait till later".

Just then the intercom buzzed and Ann told them that the meal was ready so
having adjusted their clothes to try and hide their sexual excitement, they
made their way downstairs.


The weeks seemed to fly by. They were both busy with college work since
this was their final year. Josh was also being booked for orchestral events
and just before Christmas he was asked to do a piano solo and a clarinet
solo at a concert to be held at the Barbican. He'd never performed in front
of so many people before and was naturally nervous about it.

Ann, Jacek, Ryan, Simon and Tristan plus Luke of course, all said they
wanted to go so tickets were duly booked for the one night concert. Even
Hugh travelled up from Ditchling to join the party and stayed overnight
with them in Wimbledon. It was the gay orchestra's annual Christmas concert
and this was the first time they'd managed to get the Barbican to take them
on. The rehearsals were relentless and Josh had to practice and practice at
home since he had to know the pieces off by heart. His piano solo was
"Clair de Lune" by Debussy and his clarinet solo was the Mozart concerto in
A which is best known from the "Out of Afrika" film.

By the time the day arrived, he knew them off my heart and Luke had heard
each piece dozens of times. Even so, on the night when he heard his lover
play them from a stage in front of an audience of several hundred, he cried
with joy. The music really moved him and he noticed it did the same for
several others around him including his mum. After each solo, one of which
had been in the first half and the other in the second, the audience gave
him a standing ovation. Josh couldn't believe it and when the conductor
made him stand up and take a bow he was overcome with emotion. The thrill
and the buzz of performing in public made him realise that at last he was
being appreciated. He'd had so many years of being drummed down by his
father that he'd lost all confidence in himself but now he reckoned he
could achieve anything.

Fortunately the concert had been recorded so he was able to send a copy of
it to his mum in Cornwall. When she had listened to it she apparently cried
and then immediately phoned him up to congratulate him. He told her that it
was all her doing since it was her who always insisted on him practising
despite the negative comments made by his father.

"I'm so proud of you son" she told him, "and so are John and Pam".


Christmas came and went without too much excitement but they did invite
Jacek to stay over since he was not going home to Poland this year and when
Ann found out he'd be on his own she immediately said he must join
them. This time he did sleep on the sofa bed although on Christmas morning
they managed to have a kiss and a cuddle in Luke and Josh's bed!


The New Year also seemed to fly by and it was soon February. As Ann had
predicted, several of her friends loved her new garden layout so much that
they wanted Josh to redesign theirs. In the end, two said they would engage
Josh to do the work so he set to and worked out new designs for each
one. He then had to get prices of materials and decide what he was going to
charge. He did some research on the net and at various London garden design
companies to get the going rate. Having lowered it slightly since he was
still not qualified and had no overheads, he quoted his price. Each person
thought it was excellent value so they authorised him to commence work. He
needed to employ Jacek of course and when he heard the rate he would be
getting, which was higher than his normal gardening and odd job rate, he
was delighted. So once again they were working together but since it was
now February and the weather was cold, they were both well wrapped up. No
chance of doing these jobs in shorts and naked to the waist!

During this period, Ann was away for a couple of days so Luke and Josh
invited Jacek to stay over. They all slept in the double bed and had lots
of fun together! Jacek loved being fucked by both of them one after the
other and enjoyed being tied up when they did so. Luke and Josh had been
out and purchased handcuffs and various other restraint items so these were
used instead of the ties!


Luke and Josh did eventually get round to setting up a profile on the live
sex website and they purchased a better quality webcam with a tripod so
they could set it up at the end of their bed and have the laptop beside
them. It worked well and they had several hours of fun doing what guys
wanted.


Josh and Jacek had just about finished their garden design work by the time
Josh and Luke were due to go down to the Pink Retreat to see Hugh. They
were staying for two weeks and they were both looking forward to the rest
because they were now working like mad for their final exams in early June
so they would only have just over a month when they got back. Although they
took their laptops they didn't plan to do much work. Josh of course took
his clarinet since he knew Hugh would like to hear him play.

They drove down in Luke's car and when they arrived, Luke noticed that Hugh
was not his normal ebullient self. Later, when they were in the kitchen
alone Luke asked him if he was okay.

"Yeah, having problems with headaches at present" Hugh replied, "the doctor
is trying to work out what's causing them so I'm having to take pain
killers at the moment but I'm okay so don't you worry about me. Having you
two gorgeous guys stay for two weeks is a tonic in itself so everything is
fine".

Luke was not convinced. He'd spent summers with Hugh for almost ten years
and reckoned he knew him reasonably well. There was something he wasn't
telling Luke. Even Josh picked up on it and asked Luke what was wrong. Josh
could tell that Luke was worried and tried to tell him not to worry but he
knew Luke was too close to Hugh not to worry.

Even so they had an enjoyable two weeks together and on one night they all
got somewhat pissed and Hugh ended up sucking both of them off on the
living room floor in front of the fire, which in fact was a back boiler for
the central heating system. Luke and Josh then sucked him off! On another
evening, Hugh told Luke and Josh to have sex whilst he looked on as he
enjoyed watching `young bucks fuck' as he put it. This also took place on
the floor in front of the fire whilst Hugh lay back on the sofa wanking
himself off.


Eventually it was time to leave but Luke was not at all happy. He kept on
asking Hugh if he was having any tests to find out what was wrong but Hugh
just changed the subject each time. He mentioned it to his mother when they
got home and she tried to get some more information from Hugh but was not
much more successful.


The weeks leading up to their final exams were spent cramming more and more
information into their heads. Everything else went by the board, even sex
to some extent. By the time they fell into bed each night all they had the
energy to do was fondle each other but their love was sufficient to satisfy
their needs for the time being. There would be plenty of time for sex once
the finals were over!


The finals came and went and both Luke and Josh seemed happy with their
performance. Ann took them both out for a slap up meal once both had
finished their exams. The following weekend they went out with Ryan, Simon
and Tristan, who had all now become very close friends, and they had a
great time at a gay club. Fortunately Ann was away that weekend, yet again,
and it was in the early hours of the morning when they finally collapsed
into bed, with Ryan and Simon on the sofa bed and the other three in the
double bed!

The following day they had lots of sex and made up for lost time during
their exam period. Tristan was more than happy to be serviced by four guys
so enjoyed it even more!


A week after their nineteenth birthdays in early July, Luke and Josh came
home from having been out shopping to find Ann sitting in the living
room. Luke could tell immediately that something was wrong.

"What's wrong mum?" he asked as he walked in.

She asked for them both to sit down since she had something to tell
them. Luke wondered what on earth it could be.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news" Ann started saying, "Hugh has a virulent
brain tumour which it seems cannot be treated".

Luke gasped with shock before asking "Was this the cause of his headaches?"

"Apparently so"

"Oh my god" Luke cried out as he put his head into his hands.

"Have they said how long he has?" Josh asked having taken in the
implications of what Ann had told them.

"Two, possibly three months" Ann replied.

Luke was now crying into his hands. He was devastated. Hugh had been like a
father to him. He was always there when he needed a shoulder to cry on or
wanted advice. He just couldn't imagine what life would be without Hugh.

"Is he in hospital?" Josh then asked as he placed an arm round his lover to
try and console him.

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about" Ann continued, "At present he
is, but he wants to go home and he's asked if you two would go and stay and
look after him".

"How long has he been in hospital?" Luke asked having not really taken in
what his mother had said about going down.

"Three weeks"

"Three weeks? Did you know? Why wasn't I told?" Luke wailed.

"Hugh didn't want to say anything until your final exams were over. He
didn't want to worry you just when you needed to be at your best. I have
told him he can come here if he wants but he's said he wants to end his
days in the cottage with you two. I know it's a lot to ask of you both but
would you be willing to go down and look after him?"

"Of course we will" Josh replied for both of them since Luke was by now
crying his eyes out.

"Luke?" his mother asked wanting to have a positive response from him too.

"Yes, of course" he managed to say in between his tears.

"The hospital has said they will arrange for a District Nurse to come in
twice a week and Hugh's own GP will visit once a week. It's mainly to be
with Hugh and to be there just in case he needs help. You will also have to
do the shopping for him and any other jobs but otherwise he can cope with
everyday things at present" Ann explained, before asking "When could you
both go down?"

"We'll go first thing tomorrow" Luke replied as if that went without
question. He then looked at Josh realising he'd committed him as well.

"Yeah, of course, the sooner we can get him out of hospital the better"
Josh replied.

Luke took hold of Josh's hand and looked at him. Tears were still running
down his face but he knew he could manage if he had his love with him.

"Okay, I'll ring the hospital and say you'll be down there to collect Hugh
late morning. Mrs Roberts has also offered to get some provisions in for
you to start off with."


With that all agreed, Josh suggested he and Luke go upstairs to start
packing. Once they were in the bedroom Luke turned to Josh and fell into
his arms.

"Oh god" he wailed and more tears flooded down his face as Josh hugged him
and tried to console him. There was nothing he could say. He knew how close
Luke was with Hugh and losing him was going to be a massive blow. All he
could do was be there for his love and support him in whatever way he
could.

Finally Luke sat down on the bed and watched Josh get their holdalls out of
the cupboard to start packing. Since they had no idea how long they would
be down there, Josh decided to pack as if for a holiday since they could do
washing in the cottage. Having packed his own things he started on Luke's
but seeing Josh do this he then joined in and took over. They decided they
wanted their laptops with them so Josh packed them up along with his
clarinet and his music case. He looked at the piano and wondered whether he
could take that as well. Not being able to practice for several weeks would
affect his playing so he decided to ask Ann.

Finally they were packed and ready to set off early the following
morning. Whilst they were having their meal, Josh raised the matter of the
portable piano.

"Of course you must take it Josh if you can get it into the car. Hugh would
love to hear you play in any event" Ann told him.

Josh and Luke were fairly certain it would fit into Luke's car since the
backseat came down to open up the boot space. They decided to measure it
after their meal.

Ann told them she had spoken to the hospital and they would be expecting
Luke and Josh late morning. She also gave them the spare key to the cottage
that she held and told them to go to the cottage first and unpack and to
then use Hugh's car to collect him in.

"What the Jag?" Luke asked somewhat amazed.

"That's what he asked when I last spoke to him. He said you'd driven it
last summer" Ann replied and told them where they would find the keys.

"Wow, driving a Jag" Luke chuckled having now got over the initial shock of
it all.


The following morning they were up bright and early and Ann bade them
farewell saying that she would come down at the weekend to see them. That
gave them four days to get things organised. She had also agreed with Hugh
that she and Luke would have power of attorney in the event that Hugh
became totally incapable of making his own decisions towards the end.

"Hopefully it won't come to that" Ann had told Luke, "but Hugh wants to
have it in place so I have drawn up a suitable document for us all to sign
in the presence of his solicitor".

Luke didn't have much idea what `power of attorney' really meant but since
his mother was a lawyer he would leave it to her.


They left London at seven thirty to avoid the traffic so were soon on their
way.

"You okay driving?" Josh asked once they'd got going.

"Yeah, I'm fine thanks love" Luke replied and then after a few moments he
added, "I'm sorry about this Josh".

"Sorry about what?" Josh asked with amazement.

"About dragging you into this when really we should both now be getting
jobs having finished college."

"Don't be daft" Josh replied and patted Luke's thigh, "We're a couple so we
do things together whatever that is and wherever it takes us".

"Thanks love, I couldn't manage this without you."

They held each other's hand for a while as they drove along. The warmth and
the closeness made Luke feel he really could manage knowing he had Josh
with him.


They arrived at the cottage and unloaded their bags and stuff. It seemed
odd going into the cottage without Hugh there to greet them. Josh collected
together the pile of post that had gathered on the doormat and placed it
neatly on the table in the small hall. They found the car keys and went
outside to open up the garage. There inside was the gleaming Jaguar XJ that
Hugh had purchased just under a year ago. Luke had driven it last summer
for a short spin with Hugh but to be driving it now without him was
something else.

As he climbed in he had butterflies in his stomach. His mum had assured him
that Hugh had told her that Luke would be covered under the insurance but
even so he still had slight concerns. He adjusted the seat and the rear
view mirror and then turned the ignition. The engine sprang into life but
the noise was hardly noticeable. It just purred as he moved the automatic
gear lever into reverse and the car glided out of the garage as if it was
doing it on its own.

"Wow, this is some car" Josh exclaimed once Luke had reversed it fully out
and Josh had closed down the garage door.

Josh then climbed in and they set off to the hospital in Brighton to
collect Hugh. Fortunately they'd printed off a map before leaving home so
they knew exactly where to go. Having found a parking space in the car park
and made sure that they were not too close to anyone else, they made their
way into the central reception area. They soon found the ward where Hugh
was and within minutes they were being led by a nurse into his small
private ward.

As soon as Hugh saw them his face lit up.

"Oh my lovely Luke" he said beaming, "thank you so much for coming, I
really am grateful, and thank you too Josh, I'm so sorry to put you both
through all this".

Hugh stood up where he was sitting and took Luke into his arms. They hugged
for several minutes without saying anything. Josh could see tears running
down Luke's face so he put a hand on Luke's shoulder. Hugh then pulled Josh
into the hug and gave him a kiss as well.

Finally they moved apart and Hugh sat down again.

"Aren't I lucky to have two gorgeous young men to look after me nurse?"
Hugh said to the nurse who'd been standing there witnessing the emotional
greeting.

"You certainly are Hugh, you certainly are" the nurse replied smiling at
both Luke and Josh.


Once they'd gone through the medication that Hugh was taking and signed the
necessary paperwork for his release and got all the details they needed
about the District Nurse who would be attending, they were finally able to
leave. As usual the hospital insisted on using a wheelchair to take Hugh
from his room down to the reception area despite Hugh's protests but he
finally let them have their way.

Whilst Luke went off to fetch the car, to save Hugh having to walk to the
car park, Josh stayed with him in reception.

"I really am grateful Josh, I know I'm asking a lot of you guys" Hugh was
saying.

"It's no problem Hugh; we're both happy to be able to help however we can."

"You realise the doctors have no real idea how long I've got" Hugh then
said.

Josh nodded and then asked if he'd had a second opinion on whether anything
could be done. Hugh said he'd seen Harley Street specialists but they had
all said the same thing.

"It seems I have a particularly virulent tumour and it's taken over so to
remove it or do anything would cause even more problems with very little
chance of success."

"I'm so sorry Hugh" Josh replied tearfully.

"How's Luke taking it?" he then asked as he held Josh's hand.

Josh thought for a moment wondering how to respond. He knew Hugh would soon
realise Luke's real feelings so he decided to be honest.

"He's devastated but putting on a brave face" Josh eventually replied.

"Yeah, thought so, that's my Luke" Hugh replied thoughtfully, "and you
Josh?"

"I just feel so sorry for both you and Luke; it must have been a terrible
shock for you as well as him."

Hugh squeezed Josh's hand before answering.

"It was, but I knew I didn't want to die in a hospital ward; I just knew I
wanted to end my days in the place I've always loved and with my favourite
relative. And having his boyfriend there as well is an added bonus so thank
you Josh for looking after both of us because one thing is certain, it's
not going to be easy. Thanks."

Hugh gave Josh another squeeze and tears were beginning to form in Hugh's
eyes as well as Josh's. They sat there not saying any more. What was there
to be said?

Finally Josh saw Luke pull up outside and he helped Hugh out to the
car. Josh helped him climb in the front before he placed Hugh's bag in the
back with him.

"Okay, off we go" Hugh said as brightly as he could, knowing that he was
going home to die.

___________________________________________________________________________

The next chapter of 'The Pink Retreat' will be available shortly.
I welcome comments so feel free to do so by sending me an email.

Don't forget that Nifty needs donations to host stories like these. See the
Donate link to make your donation. Thanks.

Other stories by Adam Stewart:
Moving Forward
Love at Last
Gary's Story
Finding Ryan
The Advert
Number Twenty Five
Life After Ryan
The Tangled Web