Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 20:20:53 -0600
From: Roy <roynm@mac.com>
Subject: Leith - chapter 15 - Gay College section

This story is entirely fictional, and any resemblances to actual persons
are completely coincidental.  Actual locations are mentioned, and are used
for 'background' only.

This story happens during the period of time when my earlier story,
'Phalen,' ends.

Many of the character's names are Finnish.  For those who wish to know how
they are pronounced, read on.

Mikko - MEEK-ko
Paavo - PAW-vo
Joel - YOE-el
Halonen - HALL-oh-nen


Roy
roynm@mac.com



Leith - chapter 15



"That whole thing was intense."  Leith propped himself up on his elbows.
Both he and his father were still naked and were lying on the carpeted
floor of the unfurnished bedroom of Mikko's new loft.  His father was lying
on his back with his head cradled on his hands, staring at the ceiling,
seemingly lost in thought.

"That it was."  Mikko rolled his head to the right and looked at his son.
"Leith, we can't continue this."  Leith looked toward his father and raised
is eyebrows in silent inquiry.  "This," Mikko continued, making a vague
motion that encompassed the entire room.  "Since we got to Phoenix, I've
been coasting.  I have to start doing *something* to meet new people."  He
looked at his son with a serious expression on his face.

"This thing with Joel has got to stop.  I'm having a difficult time to not
think that we could go back to our college days when we spent all of our
time together.  I think Joel is having an even more difficult time of
handling things.  If we don't do something soon, someone's going to end up
being hurt.  I would much rather Joel and I be miserable than to have Susan
and the boys suffer."

"Can you really call it quits, Dad?  I mean, *really*?  If Joel comes to
you and you guys begin kissing it'll never stop."

Mikko gave a gusty sigh.  "You're right.  Maybe when we move, things will
be easier since he and I won't be around one another so much.  I've been
trying to spend more time at the new office, but there's nothing really for
me to do there other than watch the place get built.  I've gone out with
Larry for lunch a couple times, and it's during those times that I realize
how much I want the companionship of another guy my own age."  He paused a
moment and then amended himself.  "A guy my own age, other than my
brother."


----------


"Hey guys, what's happening?"  Kent was sprawled in one of the large chairs
in the living room, sitting sideways with his legs draped over one of the
chair's arms.  He was reading a book and smiled as his father gave him a
distracted smile and ruffled his hair before walking down the hall to his
office.  He heard the office door close and he turned to his brother who
had taken a seat across the room from him and was slouched down with his
feet resting on an ottoman.

Kent frowned slightly.  Something was wrong.  Brett never looked as
disheveled as he did now.  His hair looked like it had been combed by his
fingers and his shirt wasn't tucked in properly.  If it had been anyone
else, he would not have thought anything about it . . . but, it was unique
behavior for his brother.  Brett shoved himself out of the chair and gave
his brother an preoccupied grin as he walked headed toward his room.

"Wait, Brett!"  Kent quickly got up and followed his brother, pausing at
the door to his room.  None of the brothers entered one another's bedroom
unless invited.

"Brett, what's going on?"

"Huh?  With whom?"

"You, stupid.  You and Dad.  Something just happened and you're both
feeling weirded out.  Did you guys have an argument?"  Brett shook his head
and flopped back on the bed with a whoosh of air.

"Damn, I'm worn out."  He looked toward Kent and grinned.  "Well, don't
just stand there.  Come on in and close the door."  Kent slowly closed the
door and walked across the room, sitting in the same chair he had spoken to
his brother and Leith from, only days earlier.  "Now, what is it Kent?
What's bothering you?"

"Nothing's bothering, *me.* It's you and Dad that are bothered by
something.  What happened at Mikko and Leith's new place?  Did you guys
have a fight or something?  Why are you guys so quiet."  He looked at his
brother closely.

"You're acting sorta guilty, and Dad's all serious, and your shirt tail
isn't tucked in, and your hair looks like you didn't bother to comb it.
It's like you had to get dressed really fast or somethin."  His eyes got
large.  "Did Dad and Mikko catch you guys fooling around?"  Brett rolled
his head to the side and gave his brother a stern look.

"I'm not being a nosy little brother, Brett.  I'm bothered by whatever's
going on.  Can you make me feel better?"

Brett sighed and shook his head.  "I'm sorry, Kent.  I can't make you feel
better."

"You can't, or you won't?"

"Some of both, I think.  Please, Kent.  I don't know what else to say to
you.  Things are just tense, that's all.  I mean Mom is all freaked out
because I'm gay.  She thinks I'm going to turn you gay because you're
hanging around me like you didn't used to do."  He held out his hand when
Kent was about to speak.  "Kent, I love you hanging around.  In the past
few weeks I've gotten to know you better than I ever had before.  I think
you've also gotten to know me better.  Kent nodded and smiled.

"Mom's also jealous of Dad and Mikko.  I think she thinks they're too
close.  We both know how Mom likes to control stuff, well it's like things
are spinning out of her control.  First me and the gay thing. Then you
hanging around me, and Dad and Mikko liking to hang out together.  I
imagine she feels as if her house has been invaded by outsiders and that's
when everything started to happen.  Also, Dad doesn't spend the time with
her that he did before Mikko and Leith came to town.  It'll pass, but she
doesn't like it."

Kent sat back in his chair not really accepting the excuse his brother had
given him, but seeming to be aware that he wasn't going to get any more
information.  "Well, it seems as if everything boils down to Mom's feeling
left out.  If that's the case, she'll have to deal with it on her own,
huh?"

"Yeah, I guess," Brett, rolled his head to the side and looked at his
brother sitting close by for a couple moments.  He opened his mouth to say
something more but closed it.

"There's more to it than just Mom feeling insecure, isn't there?"  Brett
nodded and closed his eyes.

"Will Mikko and Leith be back tonight?  Did you leave them at their new
place?"

"Yeah, that's where we left them.  I'm sure they'll be back sometime."

"Are you gonna be moving like Glenn says?"  Brett shrugged.

"I want to, so I can be with Leith.  It's also closer to school, which is
cool, but Mom doesn't like the idea, and we all know what that's like."
Kent grinned and slowly nodded.

"I'll miss you, Brett.  I've gotten so I like our conversations."

"Well, Kent, I haven't moved yet, and it's nowhere near assured that I
*will* be moving, so don't get all serious on me, okay?"  Kent tried to
smile and nodded.  "If I *do* move, I'll miss you too.  I've always thought
of you as my little brother.  You still are, even though you're bigger than
me."  He grinned and stood, stripping out of his shirt and wadding it into
a ball which he tossed toward the clothes hamper as if he were playing
basketball.  "Now, you're more than my little brother.  You've become a
friend.  I like that."

Kent stood and spontaneously hugged his brother.  "That's the nicest thing
anyone's ever said to me, Brett.  Thanks for talking to me like I'm an
adult.  Mom never does.  Same for Glenn."  He looked at Brett curiously for
a moment, as if his thoughts had been interrupted.  "I don't like people
thinking I'm a kid who can't think."  He hugged Brett once again and then
kissed him on the cheek.  "I love you, Brett."  He backed up a step.

"Now," he said, suddenly becoming serious, "maybe you could tell me if this
stuff you've got in your hair is dried sperm."  He reached out and touched
Brett's hair and smiled.  "That's why your hair is all messed up and your
shirt tail was out when you got home.  You and Leith had sex!  This must be
his stuff in your hair."  Brett blushed and then slightly jerked his chin
up a bit before he shrugged and tried to smile.

Kent made a face and groped himself.  "Now I'm all sexed-up thinking about
you guys being naked.  Could I kiss you?  You're an awesome kisser." Brett
looked as if he might say no, so Kent jumped in before he could.  "I
promise I won't ask for anything more."  He held his hand up as if taking
an oath, all the while looking at his brother with sad eyes.  Finally,
Brett nodded.

"I like kissing you too, Kent."

"Awesome."  Kent whispered as he stepped close and took his brother in his
arms.  He looked Brett in the eyes and slightly smiled before he began to
run his tongue lightly over his brother's closed lips.  They could feel one
another tremble as they each opened their mouths, and the gentle kiss
became something much more passionate.  Kent pulled Brett closer and thrust
his hips forward pressing against his brother's rapidly stiffening penis
before he reluctantly stepped away.

"Shiiiit," he whispered.  "You're so good at that.  I could kiss you for
hours and not get tired."  Brett seemed slightly breathless, but smiled and
nodded.

"Same here."  He ran his fingers through his hair and smiled.  "Whew!  If
anyone had told me a few weeks ago that I would enjoy kissing my youngest
brother I'd have told them they were crazy."

"Cool."  Kent smiled brightly, and turned toward the bedroom door.
"Thanks, Brett.  You're awesome."  He smiled and waved as he closed the
bedroom door behind him.



----------


'Things are getting out of hand.'  Joel closed the door to his darkened
office and then slumped into an overstuffed chair, rubbing his forehead.
'It's one of those situations where you know you can't have what you want,
and not being able to have it makes you want it all the more.'

There was a gentle knock on his office door.  He made a slight face of
annoyance before inviting the person in.  Susan stuck her head in the door.
"Are you busy?"

"No, come on in.  I'm just thinking."  Susan closed the door and perched on
the arm of his chair, taking his hand.

"Do you want to talk?"  Joel inhaled deeply and then sighed.

"It's nothing serious.  I was just thinking about Mikko's new place.  It's
beautiful, by the way.  And all the things that brought him and Leith here.
I was thinking about the boys getting older, which is making me feel old."
He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it gently.  "I also was thinking
how lucky I am to have you at my side.  Just being maudlin, I guess."  He
quickly leaned forward and slapped his knees before he stood and held out
his hands to his wife.

"Enough of sitting alone in a dark room.  Let's go out to dinner.  Just us.
The boys can take care of their own dinner."  He swept her into an embrace,
pleased to hear her happy laughter.


----------


The sound of workers, power nailers, and other motorized equipment filled
the air, as did the sound of a radio blasting out a song mourning someone's
lost love.  Mikko shook his head and wondered why he needed to be present
to watch the workers build his new offices.  'I'm only in the way.  Hell, I
wouldn't know a door jamb from a . . . a . . . fire damper . . . even if
someone gave me a hint!'  He looked at his watch and smiled.  'Just about
quitting time.  I'm looking forward to a bit of quiet.'  He sighed, leaning
back against the wall of glass looking out onto downtown Phoenix.  The
temporary door to the office opened and Mikko looked up, thinking it might
be another delivery.  Larry smiled broadly, called his name, and motioned
for him to come closer.  Mikko smiled as he walked across the room,
brushing himself off as he went.

"Hey, Larry!  You're the bright spot in my day."  He shook Larry's hand and
patted him on the back, enjoying, as always, Larry's brilliant smile and
accompanying dimples.  "How's the lawyer business?"  Larry laughed and held
the door open for him.  The construction sound faded somewhat as they
closed the door.  They stepped into the elevator lobby, and into the
attentive gaze of the receptionists in Larry's office.  Mikko smiled a
distracted greeting at the man standing next to Larry and turned his back
to the receptionists.

"They try not to miss anything, don't they," Larry muttered, half to
himself before he smiled.

"Mikko, I'd like you to meet Andrew, a great friend of mine."  He turned to
Andrew and continued speaking.  "Andrew, this is Mikko.  He's overseeing
the construction of his new offices.  Mikko extended his hand to the tall
man and was immediately captivated by his pale brown eyes that seemed to
dance with amusement.  He was sure those eyes missed nothing.

Andrew's handshake was strong and warm.  He was a handsome man, in a rugged
sort of way.  His brown hair was streaked with blond highlights.  That and
the tan suggested he spent much of his time outdoors.  His voice was
slightly deeper than Larry's, and he had a beautiful smile that tilted
slightly to his right, giving him a rakish appearance.  Mikko could imagine
him in a plaid flannel shirt heading out for a hike in the wilderness.
Today though he was casually dressed in a pair of light-colored slacks and
a crisp white sports shirt which allowed some of his closely-clipped chest
hair to show at the neck.  Mikko chanced a brief glimpse at Larry, but all
he saw was Larry's Cheshire-cat smile.

"Andrew and I are going out for a drink and thought you might like to join
us."  Mikko glanced from Larry and then back to Andrew.  He cleared his
throat, not trusting his voice.  He noticed Andrew's eyes twinkle and his
grin widen.

"Um, sure, I'd love to join you."  Mikko hurried back into the noisy
construction site to grab his bag and tell the workers he was leaving.
Andrew looked away from Mikko's retreating back and turned to Larry and
smiled.

"Wow," he breathed, glancing into the construction site where Mikko was
speaking with one of the workers.  "I think I'm in love.  You think he
might be gay?"  Larry barely shrugged.

"*I* think so.  He's never said anything, so I really don't know.  I
jokingly told him one time that I was going to play matchmaker and pair him
up with one of the secretaries from work.  He grabbed my shoulder
. . . hard . . . and told me he didn't want to date a woman, no matter how
cute I thought she was.  Funny thing is, I never *said* she was cute."
They both turned and smiled as Mikko shouldered his bag and closed the
construction door behind him.

"I hope you guys don't mind me being a bit grimy."  He brushed at the front
of his pants, whisking away some stray flakes of sawdust.  "I'm glad I
don't work construction.  I hate being grubby."  He looked up, satisfied
that he was at least presentable, and smiled.  "I'm ready.  Let's go.  I'm
ready for a little enjoyment."  The three men were laughing as the elevator
arrived and the doors parted.

"I'm glad you've abandoned the idea of setting me up with one of your
secretaries, Larry.  That's all I need."  The elevator doors closed.

"You mean being set up, or being set up with a woman?"  Larry glanced at
Andrew and caught him rolling his eyes.  Mikko wasn't watching the two men
and missed the quick movement.

"Being set up with a woman, I guess."

"So, I set you up with a guy instead."  The elevator chimed as they reached
the building's lobby.  As the doors parted Larry laughed at the look both
Andrew and Mikko gave him, one of exasperation, the other puzzlement.
"Easy guys."  He looked at Mikko and smiled, flashing his dimples.  "I
thought you both could use a new friend, so here we are, going out for a
drink."

"So this isn't a set up?  You're not trying to make Andrew and me into a
couple?"  Mikko teased.

"Of course I am, but you have to be friends first . . . right?"  Andrew
tilted his head back and sighed.

"Larry, Larry, why don't you just throw me at the guy," he muttered.
Andrew tried a reassuring grin on Mikko at the same time he was giving
Larry a dirty look.  "Relax, Mikko.  Neither of us are going to jump you,
but if you'd rather not be seen with two gay guys, now's the time to bail."

Mikko shook his head, trying to sort out everything he'd just learned.
"So, Larry.  Is this your normal method of coming out to people you know?
Bring along an unsuspecting friend and out him at the same time?"  Larry
flashed his dimples and shrugged, totally unrepentant.  They crossed the
lobby and stepped into a wall of heat that was typical of a desert
afternoon.  "Why Andrew, Larry?  Why *me*?"  Larry shifted position, so
Mikko and Andrew would be walking next to one another.  He turned to his
right and smiled once again.

"Andrew because he's lonely."  Before Larry could continue, Andrew added in
sotto voce.

"And horny."  Mikko barked a laugh, liking Andrew's dry humor.

"He needs a nice guy, and I thought you might be the one . . .."  He paused
and looked at the two men who were walking next to him in silence.  Mikko
raised an eyebrow, silently requesting a further explanation.  "Okay, I
thought you'd look hot together."  The three men stopped at a crosswalk,
waiting to cross the street.  "And I was *right*!"

"Now's the time to bail, Mikko.  If you hang around, no telling what
Mr. Blabber-mouth is likely to suggest."  Mikko smiled, enjoying the
interaction between the two men, as well as the fact that he liked the idea
of making two new gay friends.

"I think I'll hang around and see how deep a hole he can dig for himself
before one of us pushes him in."  Andrew burst out laughing.  Larry merely
looked pleased.

"Why don't you two be a couple," Mikko asked as Larry opened the door to a
restaurant and motioned for them to enter.  "If looking good together is
the end goal, the both of you would easily qualify."

"We were a couple, for a while."  Larry waved to someone he knew as they
crossed the dining room, and ushered them to a back table.

"But then *he* fell in love."  Andrew playfully punched Larry's shoulder.
"With a handsome, *young* architect-guy, who has a beautiful smile, great
body, a wonderful personality, and I'm sure is sexy as hell in bed."
Andrew slowly shook his head.  Larry's grin faded slightly as he glanced
across the table.

"So, this architect-guy is better than Andrew?"  Mikko teased, winking when
Andrew suddenly looked up.  It was obvious to Mikko that all this talk
about once being a couple was disturbing to Andrew.

"No, he's not better.  He just happens to be the person I fell in love
with."  He glanced at Mikko as they each ordered a drink.  "I love Andrew
too, just in a different way.  I want to see him happy."

"And you think *I* can make him happy?  You don't even know if I'm into
guys."  Larry grinned at the waitress who brought their menus before
turning back to Mikko.

"You're right.  I *don't* know if you're into guys.  But."  He held up a
finger to make a point.  "Since you're sitting here with us, you're not
offended by the idea.  That's good."

"Men," Andrew said.

Larry quickly turned to look toward the restaurant's entry, causing Andrew
and Mikko to laugh.

"Sorry."  He bowed his head slightly, grinning to himself.

"I *meant* to say.  Men, let's stop talking about me like I'm not present.
Larry, you're making me feel as I'm a slab of beef to be auctioned off to
the highest bidder.  So stop, okay?  I can dig myself into my own hole."
He turned to Mikko with a serious expression on his face.

"Well, Mikko.  If you're not totally put off by all my ex-boyfriend's
couple-making efforts by now, would you like to go to dinner with me?  We
won't tell Larry where we're going.  I promise he won't be anywhere
nearby."  Larry snorted in the background, asking no one in particular if
*this* was the thanks he got for finding Mr. Right.  Mikko grinned at the
interplay between the two men and returned his attention to Andrew, who was
grinning at Larry's comments.  "I already know everything there is to know
about Larry, and though he *is* interesting, he is also committed."  He
turned to Larry and studied him for a moment before turning back to Mikko.
"Sometimes, I think he should *be* committed . . . but that's another
story."  Mikko grinned and glanced from one man to the other.

Andrew frowned slightly, and then continued in a more serious tone.  "I'm
sorry to say I don't know anything about you, such as if you already have
the perfect person in your life and all this talk about going to dinner is
going to put you in an uncomfortable position."  He took a sip of his drink
and made a slight face as he set the glass down.  "I guess I should have
asked that first about the perfect-person-in-your-life-thing."  He smiled
brightly.  "See, Larry, I don't need *you* around to embarrass me.  I'm
able to do a perfectly respectable job all by myself."  Larry reached out
and patted Andrew's hand with mock sympathy.

"Well, guys.  I'm not committed to anyone."  Andrew quickly sat back in his
chair and let out a long slow breath and then smiled.  "I can't say if I'm
a person who could make you happy, Andrew, but sure, I'd enjoy getting
together for dinner."  He leaned closer and spoke in a stage whisper.  "You
can tell me all the dirt about Larry."  He raised his eyebrows and smiled
when Larry suddenly looked thoughtful.

"The story's too long to tell in one sitting," Andrew warned.

"Good, then we'll have to go out a couple times so I can hear the entire
thing."  Andrew smiled and nodded, looking very pleased.

"Wonderful!"  Larry leaned back in his chair and looked smug for a moment
and then leaned close to Mikko and muttered.  "He's a great kisser."
Andrew ignored Mikko's laughter as he slowly shook his head.


----------


The twins looked up from their computers as their father knocked on the
door to their bedroom.

"Hey, Dad.  Did you win the lottery or something?  If I didn't know better
I'd swear you've either a big winner or you're in love."  Andrew laughed
and walked into the room and flopped back on the bed, his arms stretched
out to his sides.

"Guys, I think I *am* a winner, but I don't know if it's love."  He sat up
suddenly as if struck by a thought, and then fell back on the bed and
smiled, tilting his head up slightly to look at his sons, "but it certainly
could be defined as hard core lust.  Larry introduced me to a friend of his
. . . and he is one super sexy man.  I about dropped to my knees the first
time he smiled at me."

"Very cool, Dad.  So, I guess the mourning for your relationship with Larry
is over, huh?"  Andrew threw a pillow at Thian, who caught it in mid-air
and threw it back.  "Let's hear everything.  What's his name?  What's he
look like?  What's he do for a living?"

Kerin picked up where his brother left off.  "How well does he fill out his
pants?  Do you think he's a top or a bottom?"  This time the pillow found
its mark.

"He fills out his pants very well, I'd have to say.  He fills out his shirt
very well too."  Andrew sat up and ran his fingers through his hair.  "We
have a date to go out for dinner tomorrow evening."  He looked up at his
sons and laughed.  "I feel like a teenager before his first date."

"Too bad you're not a virgin."  Kerin held up his arms to fend off another
tossed pillow, but his father only nodded solemnly.  "I doubt *he* is
either.  Not with a butt like that."

"Name, Dad," Thian asked, prompting his father with a motion of his hand.

"Mikko, Mikko Halonen.  He's an attorney who has just moved here from
Chicago with his son, who's also gay.  They just moved into one of those
new loft buildings near the University.  Leith, that's his son, is going to
be a freshman at the University.  He is *so* good looking guys . . . Mikko,
not his son, though I imagine he is as well.  He's my height, and sort of
built like Larry, tall and lean, with narrow hips and wide shoulders.  His
hands are wonderful . . . so strong and warm."  Andrew lapsed into silence
until Kerin cleared his throat, urging him to continue the description.

"He's got curly black hair and green eyes with the darkest eyelashes.  He's
got a warm fuzzy voice and a wonderful carefree laugh.  He likes to tease,
and he doesn't mind being teased in return."  Andrew sighed.  "Either he
was half-hard the entire time I was with him, or he has one hell of a
dick."

"Don't worry Dad.  You can take it."  Andrew looked around for another
pillow.

"Watch that mouth, Kerin.  I'm bigger than you and I can still give you a
spanking that you'll remember."

"Ohhh, look at me," Kerin teased.  "I'm shaking in my boots."  He turned to
his brother.  "He always brings that, 'I'm bigger than you,' thing up.  I
*know* he's bigger than either of us, T.  It's just like those people who
have horse-dicks to go around bragging about them to everyone they meet."
Kerin lowered his voice.  "Hey buddy . . . wanna see my wanger?"  Andrew
snorted in the background, while Thian nodded agreement.

"Wanger," Andrew muttered, raising his eyebrows.  Thian shrugged and
grinned as his brother continued talking.

"And he keeps threatening to spank one of us, but does he ever *do* it?"
Thian shook his head, sadly.  "Nope.  Hell, I've been wanting a good
spanking since."  He thought a moment.  "Since forever, and all he does is
threaten."

"Maybe this Mikko guy will get Dad to spank *him.*"

"You think?"  Kerin frowned.  "Lucky guy."


----------


Leith sprawled on the large rug, propping himself up on his elbows as he
visited with his father who sat cross-legged nearby finishing his lunch.
The two men were resting on the floor of their, as yet unfurnished, living
room waiting for the next wave of delivery people to bring the furniture
for the rest of their new home.  During their meal, the brilliant sunlight
had gradually faded into the shade of early afternoon.  Both men welcomed
an opportunity to be alone, away from the prevailing tension of Joel and
Susan's house.  Brett was still asking to be given permission to leave
home, and had begun making veiled threats that if he wasn't given
permission, he'd take matters into his own hands.  While both men
appreciated the calm and quiet of their new loft, they missed the presence
of Joel and Brett who had remained at home in an attempt to calm Susan, who
had done her best not to cheer with the departure of her nephew and
brother-in-law.

"How are things between you and Brett?"  Leith tried to shrug and turned
onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow while he traced patterns in
the rug with the fingers of one hand.

"Things are good.  Since we've moved to the new place I feel as if I've
been exiled though."  He glanced around the large room.  "This place is so
cool, Dad, and I like being here with you . . . without Aunt Susan.  Things
get so tense around her sometimes.  But, I *do* miss Brett."

"I heard you call him Mr. Studly, the other day."  Leith grinned and nodded
absently.  "You also said you love him."  Mikko left the sentence hanging,
waiting for a response.

Leith shifted position once again, this time lying on his back with his
hands behind his head.  "I do."

"Is that it?  You do?"  Leith grinned and then ran his fingers through his
hair, a habit he'd had since childhood and grinned at his father.  Since
Mason's death, Leith and his father had grown close.  His father was now
treating him as an equal, rather than as his young son.

"Yes, I love him."  He paused a moment, closing his eyes as he thought.  "I
don't know *exactly* what that means though, and he's never said he loves
me."  Mikko waited for his son to continue.  "Who knows?  Maybe I use the
word love, too casually.  I don't know."

"Do you love him as a lover, as a person you want to spend the rest of your
life with?"  Mikko watched as his son stared at the ceiling for a few
moments before he answered.  Leith didn't usually say things without
thinking them through first.  That was why he was surprised to hear his son
tell Brett that he loved him.

"I don't know."  He shifted into yet another position, this time sitting
cross-legged facing his father.  "Dad, I truly don't know if I want to
spend the rest of my life with Brett.  I'm not even sure *Mason* was
someone I would have wanted to spend the rest of my life with.  If I don't
know that about *Mason,* I'm surely not going to be able to answer the
question about Brett."  He paused a long moment, staring across the room.
"I'd have to say that Brett and I are helping each other.  Right now we
need one another."

"I'm comfortable around Brett.  He listens to me, and jokes with me.  He's
funny."  Mikko raised his eyebrows, surprised at the description of his
serious and shy nephew, but didn't say anything.  "He *is* funny," Leith
repeated, glancing at his father and knowing what he was thinking.  "He
just needs to think more highly of himself.  When we're alone he laughs and
jokes a lot."

"Dad, I can't know exactly how serious I am about Brett.  Ya see, he's only
the second person I've ever had sex with, and he's so different than
Mason."  Leith looked embarrassed.  "I sorta think of him as fragile or
something.  He's never thought too highly of himself, that's why he went
into gymnastics, to help build his body up.  He thinks he's too short, too
light skinned, and that his dick is too small.  When he thinks of himself,
he's thinking of a person who is full of flaws.  He's taken with me right
now, maybe because I encourage him to believe in himself.  I tell him he's
cute, 'cause he is.  I tell him his dick's great.  It is.  I certainly
wouldn't want it to be any thicker!"  He laughed at himself and at his
father's expression.  "I don't know if he's serious about me, or me about
him.  I'm not anxious to go out and fool around with a lot of guys, but
until the two of us have reached some sort of understanding, I want the
freedom to be able to do that, and I want *him* to have the same freedom.
If we have an understanding, then we'll do whatever we've agreed to do."

"I also appreciate that he hasn't judged me or made fun of me because of my
feelings for Mason.  He's given me space to recover and a shoulder to cry
on.  You did that, Dad, but Brett is different.  Maybe it's because we're
the same age.  I don't know."  Leith bowed his head and thought for a
moment.  "Those things could make me *think* I love him when I really
don't."  He shrugged, picked up an unused paper napkin and began to toy
with it while he spoke.  "I think . . . I *hope*, both of us will know if
what we feel for each other isn't really love, and will be able to let the
other go if need be."  He looked up at his father and grinned.  "But right
now, I'm having fun with a person I *love* . . . and I *miss* him."  He
studied his father a moment and then changed the subject.

"Dad."  He paused for a long moment while his father quietly watched him.
"Sometime, can we have a talk about Mom and Mason . . . about how they
died?"  He took a ragged breath as he crumpled the napkin into a tight
ball.  "I'm not asking any questions now, other than if we can talk.  I
think . . . sometime . . . I'm gonna *have* to talk . . . when I'm ready,
that is.  If it's okay with you."

Mikko took a deep breath.  "Okay, Leith.  Sometime . . . when *both* of us
are ready.  The wound is too new for me to be able to say anything other
than what I've already said.  That doesn't mean there's more to tell.  It
just means, I . . . can't bring myself . . . to talk about the entire
incident right now.  Do you understand?"

Leith absently tossed the crumpled napkin ball from one hand to another and
nodded with a slight jerk of his head.  "I think I do."  He grinned a
crooked grin and snorted softly.  "Brett warned me not to ask questions if
I wasn't sure I was ready to hear the answers."  His voice trailed off.

"Brett's a smart young man.  I'm glad you're listening to him."



~ to be continued ~



Thank you for taking the time to read my work.  I've been amazed at how
many of you have contacted me about 'Leith' and my other story, 'Phalen.'
I *always* welcome your email and enjoy hearing your thoughts.  If you
would like me to send a pic of the character(s), please ask.

I have three other stories you may want to read.  'Phalen', 'and 'Chris'
are located in the Nifty College Section.  The third story is called
'Wesley', and is located in the Adult Relationships section.  I hope you
enjoy them all.

Best wishes,

Roy Reinikainen
roynm@mac.com
suomalainen_abq@mac.com