Date: Tue, 5 Jul 2016 21:11:27 -0700
From: Emri S. <tarzanacide@gmail.com>
Subject: Noah's Starship- 10

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+++ +++



+{Noah's Starship}+

-+-[Ch. 10- Noah's Day]-+-

~By Emri~

Since we had moved in together, Navid is almost always the last to wake up.
I usually pass out first and then wake up with the sun. I am the early
bird, He is the night owl.

I've always been that way so much so that my dad used to put the cereal and
bowls on a low shelf in the kitchen so I could help myself and watch
cartoons while he slept in. He'd pour little cups of milk into containers
with lids and leave them on a low shelf in the fridge. It was the first
chore he'd taught me, and I grew up respecting that other people needed to
sleep later.

Navid didn't like to wake up without me. I'd usually go use the guest
bathroom, wash my face, and brush my teeth before returning to his arms and
playing a quiet game on my phone to the melody of his snoring.

But this morning was different. He'd set an early alarm for himself and
slid me off his chest without waking me so he could surprise me.  He was so
stealthy about it that I didn't wake up until he kissed my lips and rubbed
my chest.

"Happy Birthday, Noah! I make breakfast for you," Navid said as I opened my
eyes. He was leaning over me looking down with a big, goofy smile. I wasn't
as surprised to see him up before me as I was that he'd said he had made
breakfast. Navid never cooked, well rarely. He would make some Persian
things every now and then and they were usually decent. But the kitchen in
our home was usually staffed only by me.

"You made breakfast?" I asked with caution wondering what he could have
prepared.

"Yes! Your favorite I make! Just for you special," Navid fumbled as he
hopped off the bed and went to grab the tray. He set it down next to me and
I knew instantly that Mike must have been awake and helped him out heavily.
It was two plates of smiley-face pancakes with whip cream for the smile and
strawberries for the eyes, nose and teeth.

"You did this all by yourself?" I asked and then thought maybe I should
have said something more appreciative.

"Mike assist me, but mostly me!" Navid's pride was unswayed by my
disbelief. He picked up a strawberry, swiped it through the cream, and
brought it to my lips. I sucked the cream off and then licked at the tart
fruit.

Navid and his friends had rented a house by the beach near Ventura for my
birthday weekend. Outside our window was a patio overlooking the sand dune
with a walkway that led from the lower porch to the open coast. The house
wasn't huge, but it had three bedrooms and a little side area off the
dining room that had bunk beds guests used for their kids. We were at the
end of a tiny road and our only neighbor was empty for the weekend so it
was like we had our own beach.

Navid and I were in the biggest room since it was my birthday, and Karim
and Mike were in the other upstairs bedroom. Downstairs Nasri shared a room
with Erik. Aram, Bashir, and Miguel shared the bunk beds. Miguel seemed
happy to squeeze in next to Bashir for the night. Aram was supposed to have
a friend showing up tonight who would share his bunk. I was just happy to
have everyone together.

Navid and I finished our pancakes on the little balcony off our bedroom and
watched the waves crash into the sand.

When everyone was awake and fed, we headed down to the beach. Navid and the
older guys set up a tarp canopy held by four metal poles so we could lay
out beach towels and the drinks and snacks away from the blazing February
sun. Southern California doesn't really get much of a winter and the sun
was out early that morning.

Navid had picked out matching blue swim shorts with a pattern of little
light blue palm trees for us online. We heard comments from everyone when
we came out in them with matching blue tank tops and flip flops. I blushed
a little, but Navid seemed to like it.

We didn't match for long though as we got down to the shore and Navid took
off his shirt to reveal his gym regimen of chest presses and sit-ups. I had
gotten pretty toned from yoga and daily use of the little gym in our condo
complex, but I could never compare to Navid. He seemed pleased that I kept
my shirt on, and gave me a kiss while slathering me up in sunblock.

Nasri was not to be outdone for attention, he slid off his shorts to show a
small white speedo that brought his almond skinned muscles to perfection.
He knelt down close to me while Navid was squirting sunblock on my
shoulders to tuck his shorts into his beach bag. His fat bulge was just
inches from me and it bounced as he stood up again to bring it to eye
level. Erik caught me looking and gave me a happy nod.

Navid was the first in the ocean. He loves swimming and we'd spent the last
few nights splashing around in the condo complex pool before getting ready
for bed. He grew up with a pool and is a very strong swimmer. I usually
just float around while he does laps.

Erik, Miguel, and I stayed back under the tent and caught up with each
other. Erik was working double time to fulfill Nasri's increasingly wild
sexual desires. He filled us in on the role playing Nasri liked, and
finding places to be together in public. I wasn't sure if he was telling
the truth or not. Erik had a history of exaggerating the truth past
recognition.

Erik was just starting to tell us how he was trying to find another guy
that looked just like him so Nasri could have two boys worshipping him when
Miguel punched him in the arm and looked up over my head.

"Baby, I told you to stop with that," Nasri said in an angry tone. I looked
up at him and he noted my stare with a guilty shift of his eyes. I looked
at his bulge to see if the white speedo had become transparent since he'd
been in the ocean. Sadly, it hadn't.

"Sorry, I was just..." Erik trailed off with a rare look of embarrassment.
I'd never known him to back down so easily.

"You talk too much, ok? We're here to have fun. I don't need Navid pissed
at me again. Keep it light," Nasri said and looked away from me.

I'd always wondered why he kept his distance from me. He rarely
acknowledged my presence. When they got there late last night, he'd just
given me a pat on the shoulder and said, "Happy Birthday, Noah."

Aram broke the awkwardness by shooting Nasri in the arm with a water gun.
Nasri gave Erik a soft kiss on the cheek and then yelled something angry in
Arabic or Persian before running off to fight Aram. Navid was out swimming
with Karim and Mike.

"What did he mean by that?" I asked. Erik and I didn't keep many secrets.

"Nothing, Noah. Just... well you know Navid has this whole thing about
keeping you pure. Nas just wants to avoid more trouble with Navid. He can
be kind of... intense when it comes to you," Erik explained.

"I think it's kind of sweet. It must be nice to have a guy who pays for
everything and can't get enough of you. It's like you get to be a kid for a
few more years. Sounds like a nice, easy life of leisure," Miguel said with
a sigh. He hadn't mentioned bringing a guy with him when I invited him. He
got a ride up here with Erik and Nasri and didn't object at all to sharing
a bunk with Bashir when I offered him one by himself.

"Easy! Yeah right!" I laughed. "Do you know how hard it is to go to school
and keep our house spotless for him... cook interesting meals for him twice
a day, keep his clothes and work suits ready to wear? Sometimes it's a lot
of pressure being the perfect boy that he wants."

"He doesn't help out at all?" Miguel asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Um... no... Plus he's super messy. I find his clothes and dishes in the
strangest places. He did offer to get a cleaning lady to come every week,
but I would feel too guilty about that. He works so hard so he doesn't have
to get financial help from his parents. He works all day and then comes
home to shower me with attention before putting in another few hours of
work while I drift off to sleep." I turned around to look for Navid. I felt
guilty admitting all of this, but they were my best friends. Luckily he was
still out in the water.

"Ugh! Take the maid, Noah. You're too young to stress yourself out with all
that," Erik said.

"It's like I'm doing my part to contribute by taking care of the home
though. And... I like how he depends on me. He grew up with a housekeeper and
mom so it makes him happy after living the last four years here with messy
roommates. He told me he finally feels like he is at home now that I'm
there. Plus he pays for everything; my tuition and books... nice clothes and
food. He insists that I wear nice things and never even blinks when paying
for it... I'm expensive now," I laughed.

"Yeah you've definitely turned into a designer label guy," Erik laughed and
then added, "You're actually a hot little guy now with the haircut and
better clothes."

"Uh thanks, I guess?" I wasn't sure how to take that.

"You know what I meant, Noah. You never used to care about that stuff. You
always kept things so simple. I think you had like four t-shirts you cycled
through and the same pair of shoes... Your life was just... so... simple," Erik
fumbled for words as he tried to correct himself.

"Navid says when you take pride in how you look and what you wear, people
take you seriously and expect better from you," I explained.

"Hey! You guys remember how we spent your last birthday, Noah?" Miguel
changed the topic. We all burst out laughing just thinking about it.

"Oh you mean his dad taking us to that awkward restaurant where they were
having the valentine's day special event for lonely singles and had all the
tables pushed together? That was freaky!" Erik snorted.

"Yeah my dad had no idea that was going on there! It was so awkward trying
to explain we didn't know about the event and were just there for my
birthday. But they did all sing happy birthday to me!" I laughed.

"And Noah's dad got three phone numbers!" Miguel clapped his hand on my
shoulder.

"Yeah he went out with one of them for almost a month!" I laughed.

"Hey I got one too! He was too old for me, but pretty cute!" Erik always
had to show us up.

"What do we laugh about?" A soaked Navid came up and reached over me to
grab his towel. Miguel took his hand off my shoulder pretty quickly.

"Just how different this birthday is from a year ago," I said as Navid
kissed my forehead. We filled him in on the details of my semi disastrous
birthday celebration the year before.

"I make special this one for you, No?" Navid bragged.

"You make every day special," I said softly to him with adoring eyes.

Navid responded by sinking down on the towel next to me and pulling me in
for a kiss. His chest soaked my shirt, but I didn't mind.

"You deserve everything your heart desire, my love," Navid whispered as he
massaged the back of my neck. I looked to see Erik give Miguel an eyeroll.
Navid was overly sappy sometimes.

Navid took me out to swim with him. I didn't like to go too deep, but he
let me hold onto his shoulders from behind while he pretended to be a
dolphin and dove in and out of the waves. He even made some weird little
noise that I guess dolphins make. I just liked holding onto him. He was
always a fun ride.

Aram and Bashir swam around with us and they were all talking and laughing
at something in Persian. I wasn't really in on the joke so I just held on
to Navid and tried to melt into the background. I looked back to see that
Erik and Miguel were splashing around with Nasri closer to shore.

I noticed Aram looking at me every few minutes like he was checking on me.
It reminded me of the Christmas break when he was my caretaker and we
accidentally got too close. He was filling in for Navid and we weren't
exactly sure where to draw the line on how much of Navid's duties Aram
should assume.

Navid and I went out away from the other guys, and he kept his hand in mine
as we went up the shore a little.

"Are you ready to go have time together? We can do however you like for
your special day," Navid whispered to me. The other guys were too far away
to hear us anyways, but he liked discretion.

"Can we do it here in the water?" I asked feeling adventurous.

"Noah! You joke to me? All of our friends are here to see it. Of course we
can not do that. No that is not good. We go to the room. Anything you want
to do in there we can do, ok?" Navid was not amused by my daring side. I
started to argue, but decided not to ruin the moment. I reached down to
feel that he was indeed ready for action.

+++ +++

"Is good you are not burned, just tiny bit red, but ok. This sunblock is
very strong. I put lot so you will not be dark like me," Navid said with an
approving nod as he watched me undress.

"I don't tan. I just kind of burn and peel. It's gross," I noted with a
grimace.

"I know, my princess is so delicate," Navid laughed and leaned in to kiss a
line across my right shoulder.

We got into the shower and soaped each other up. He always spent extra time
on my butt, rubbing and squeezing it before working a soapy finger inside
me.

"Uhh," I moaned as he wiggled inside me and started to bite on my ear. My
cock sprang to action and went straight up between our stomachs. His was
hard too, but so heavy that it hung down and brushed between my thighs.

Navid slid in deeper and started to wiggle his finger inside me as my body
went weak against his chest. He put his other arm around me and held me to
his firm, hairy torso. I buried my face against his shoulder and whined as
he cleaned me.

Satisfied that I was ready for him, he slid it out and wiped his hands on
the bar of soap. He rinsed the ocean off of me as I tugged his soapy cock
with my right hand.

We finished cleaning each other and then Navid hopped out to bring towels.
I was barely starting to dry myself when he pushed me up against the
counter and knelt behind me. I felt his tongue slide into my hole as his
hands roughly squeezed and massaged my ass.

I rubbed the towel over my wet hair and then braced myself with my hands
against the counter as I wiggled my ass on his tongue.

"That feels so good, Navi. Fuck yeah," I whined as I fought to keep my eyes
open against the waves of warm spasms he sent through me. I bucked a few
times and he held me up with his hands gripping my ass. I was gasping and
even slapped the counter a few times as he hit particularly sensitive
spots.

And then it stopped, he took his tongue back and my body was filled
instantly with loss. I whimpered and turned back to see him standing with a
smile.

"You are ready," he said and pressed his cock between my cheeks. He leaned
over me and reached under my chest to grab my nipples as he started to hot
dog my buns.

"I don't know where you learned how to do that, but uh... wow," I said,
recovering my breath. My throbbing cock laid against the cold, tile counter
as he pushed against me.

"Yes, I practice on the many sheep in my poor mountain village!" Navid said
with an extra foreign sounding accent. He slid his hands up my side and
started to tickle my armpits to let me know he was joking. I squealed and
squirmed under his hold. I hate being tickled and couldn't control the
laughing.

"What ever heart desires today for special birthday. How you want I take
you? What makes your heart desire?" Navid asked when he stopped playing
around.

"Anything?" I asked. Navid nodded.

"Can I play with your hole?" I asked knowing that was a no-touch zone.
Navid shook his head.

"Can I put my dick in your mouth?" I asked with a mischievous smile.

Navid gave a sudden look of horror. "Oh... well... That is what you want for
special day? You are sure?"

I thought about it for a minute. I'd wondered about it, but it just seemed
weird.

I didn't just love him for his heart or his handsome, strong body. I'd
realized that I loved him for being a man, an immutable wall of strength
and masculinity. I know we're supposed to switch off on certain things,
I've seen the order of a porn clip. But I didn't want that with him, it
would have made him seem weak to me.

"No, I don't want that," I admitted and turned to face him. He put his
hands to my hips and lowered his forehead to touch mine. I put my hands on
his strong pecs like we were about to slow dance.

"And why not, my love?" Navid's tone said that he already knew the answer.
I lowered my eyes.

"Is because I am your protector? I am your man?" Navid asked. I nodded.

"You like to be my princess? You like how I fill your needs and give you a
man's seed?" He asked.

I nodded, but he put a finger under my chin and lifted my head to face him.

"I will always be your protector, Noah. I will always give you my seed when
you need it. If I suck on my Noah, it does not change this. It does not
make me less of your man, weaker. If this is what you want, I can try it,
for no one else but you. Is something my baby desire?" Navid asked.

"No... no sir," I said.

"Then what your heart is desire? I need to know this to make your day
special," Navid wasn't letting this go. He rubbed my back soothingly as he
waited. His eyes were so intense as though searching mine for the truth.

"Can I ride you? Here in the bathroom?" I asked cautiously knowing he liked
to be in control.

Navid nodded as a wide smile spread across his lips. He kissed my forehead
and then put a hand to my chest to tell me to wait. He ran out into the
bedroom and came back with the bottle of lube.

He leaned against the counter and slicked up his cock as he watched me. He
put out a finger and beckoned me towards him.

"You are so beautiful," he noted as though it was fact. "Beautiful skin, so
light and soft. Every inch of you so perfect, my dream baby." I blushed and
he pulled me in between his legs. He squirted more lube on his fingers and
quickly pushed them into my hole. He wiggled them around inside me to make
sure I was ready for his throbbing snake.

I stood there feeling like a puppy at the vet's office as he loosened me up
and kissed on my neck while petting my hair. I whimpered and whined as he
worked me. I put my hands against his pecs as his legs wrapped around me. I
leaned in and kissed on his neck, felt that throbbing vein he had when
getting down to business.

"You are ready, I think. You want ride me? You want to sit on my cock,
princess?" Navid growled in a low voice.

"Yes sir," I said, panting for his touch.

"Ok boy, be careful what you wish for," Navid advised. It wasn't dirty
talk, it was a cautionary speech about going down on his thick cock too
quickly. It was not for beginners.

Navid slid his fingers out and wiped his hands on a towel. He gripped my
ass and squeezed the cheeks roughly as he leaned back against the counter
and lifted me up. I threw my arms around his shoulders and steadied myself
as he easily raised me. My knees pulled up into my chest and my feet found
the counter. I leveraged myself on the counter as he held onto my ass and
positioned it over his cock. I held onto him with my arms around him and my
face buried into his shoulder.

"You go slow, Noah. I own this hole and I take good care for it. Do not
damage my favorite prize in the world. Yes?" Navid warned as he slowly let
me lower down to his cock. I felt his tip against my hole. His hands
loosened so he wasn't forcing me, but just providing support so I wouldn't
fall.

I looked over his shoulder at my face in the mirror. I watched my eyes
whince as the tip pushed into me. He let me fall a little so I could slide
down on him, but then quickly caught my ass so I didn't take too much. He
didn't trust me with it, he knew my addiction was stronger than my
resistence.

"Ohhh," I whined and bit softly on his shoulder as I stared at myself in
the mirror from behind a thick wall of Persian muscles.

"Fuccckkk," Navid hissed as his cock sank into me. He kissed my neck and
lipped at my jaw as his cock found it's way home.

"You're so tight, Noah. Fuck! I love you. Fuck! So much!," Navid's
breathing went ragged as I sank down deeper on him. I watched my face screw
up, I was an ugly crier. I sniffled back the pain knowing how good it would
feel in a matter of seconds. I was so slick and squishy on his cock, but
just raw enough so his tip could do it's job of lighting up my runway, his
thick cock could fill my neediest parts.

"Uhhh, Navi, fuck me... feels so... Fuck... good," I whined as I started to
slowly rise. I raised up on his cock and felt a trail of pleasure wash over
me. I started to drop down again, but his hands caught my ass and he
rationed his cock to just what my hole could take.

"Careful to not take too much more you can handle. I am not fucking you.
You are fuck yourself on me so stay alert. Mind the gap," Navid whispered
to me as he bit and sucked on my ear.

"Oh yeah I'm not used to that," I breathed as I started to lightly bounce
on his lap. My cock drizzled precum all over his stomach every time it
scraped against his furry love trail. He kept catching my ass, admonishing
my greed, and then relenting to let me take more in.

I saw his phone on the counter and I reached for it and snapped a few
pictures of the mirror. I loved the way I looked from behind the dark,
rugged protector as I bounced on him. He didn't notice what I was doing so
I shot a quick video so he could be surprised later. I was bouncing and
whining, biting and gasping as I fucked myself on his man-sized member.

"Uhhh, my baby..." He praised and then changed his tone, "Remind me I need
deposit checks on way home at drive up bank, ok, Noah?" He said it as if we
were just having coffee together.

"Ok," I said, not sure why that needed to be brought up. I refocused and
felt my body go weak at the pleasure of riding his donkey.

"Uhhhh fuck so tight, so beautiful... my princess... my love," Navid hissed as
I sped up on his cock. "Oh and a man come next Tuesday to check fire alarms
and carbon monoxide too."

I stopped bouncing on him, getting weirded out by his mundane reminders.

"Am I boring you?" I asked, feeling hurt and self-conscious.

"No, no, NO! Oh my baby. I just..." Navid started. "Is that... well your hole
feel so tight on my cock. I just... I can't last long like this. Normal times
I am in control and I slow down or speed up for our pleasure. But today is
YOU day and special day for Noah treat. So I try to distract my mind to not
finish too soon. You are like explosion fantasy land when I enter you, and
now you go faster than I used to..." He explained.

"Oh!" I laughed and kissed his shoulder where my mouth had left a purple
mark.

I started to bounce again on him, this time going faster. My cock was
leaking and thumping every time it made contact with his rippled abs. I
whined and bucked in his arms as he held me firmly and kept whispering
praise in my ear.

"Navi? I think I left the oven on at home," I said.

"You? What? Why you do this? Whole house will burn!" Navid started to
panic.

"Just kidding. I need a few more minutes of that dick," I laughed and Navid
growled.

"Now you get it, my pranker!" Navid said in a threatening tone. He lifted
up off the counter and held me on his cock. He backed me against the wall
held onto my ass as I kept my arms around his neck. I wrapped my legs
around his back and he pressed me tightly against the wall.

He started to thrust into me fast and deep. I banged my head against the
wall and then leaned forward to bury it against his chest.

"Uhhhh fuck yeah, Naviiiii!" I squealed as he kept jabbing deeper into me
and banging me against the wall. My body went weak in his arms knowing a
strong soldier would hold it safely.

"Fuck... princess... baby... Noah... love... pussy... I cum!" Navid pushed deep into me
and I felt his body shake as his cock started to pump hot seed deep inside
me. It pushed me over the edge and my cock started to fire off thick ropes
of boy juice to coat his chest and stomach.

"Me too," I panted and heard an oddly high squeal come out of my throat.

"Fuck sound so good, my baby, finish for me," Navid encouraged as he pushed
his cock all the way up into me to send his swimmers off to a safe home.

My body twisted and shook as he steadied me against the wall. My legs were
tightly wrapped around him and my toes curled up in pleasure.

"Beautiful pussy I fill it up," Navid mumbled as he fucked the last drops
of his cum into me. I felt some of it leak out as his coated balls smacked
into my ass as he bottomed out inside me. I felt like a corn dog on his
stick it was shoved in me so deeply.

"Oh my baby love you," Navid breathed heavily against my neck. He rubbed
his cheek against mine and then put his lips to mine and kissed me. His
tongue slid inside me and danced around my mouth as our lips wrestled. I
whined on his tongue as his fat cock was still lodged firmly inside me. I
hoped it would soften a little before he pulled out.

We recovered there against the wall breathing together and kissing. He held
onto me as though the floor was made of lava. I relaxed into his arms and
kept my legs around his waist.

We piled back into the shower and washed the sex off of each other. He held
me up knowing I was exhausted and spent. I fought to keep my eyes open. He
never left me with any energy. We dried off and then laid on the bed
wrapped in each other's naked bodies. Navid pulled a blanket over us and I
drifted off to a badly needed nap.

+++ +++

We dressed together and joked about what the guys must think in our three
hours of absence.

"Is your birthday, Noah. They know the best present takes time," Navid
laughed.

He dressed in the clothes I had picked out for him in our online shopping
adventure. It was a short pair of gray shorts with little pink penguins
splayed in a pattern and a tight, light pink, v-neck shirt that was a size
too small and hugged every inch of his muscles. It was a different look on
him, more like something Nasri would wear. The shorts were small and showed
off his ample bulge while the shirt showcased his impressive muscles. He
gelled his hair back and put on the white deck shoes. He looked like a
slutty frat guy, an Abercrombie model.

"Damn," I said as he flexed for me to get approval for the outfit. I had a
similar look going on, but looser, more modest.

"You look like my perfect California boy," Navid said and hugged me with
approval. We headed downstairs and joined the others who were sitting
around the living room watching funny clips Aram had found online. He had
his phone somehow hooked to the TV.

By the time Karim and the guys fired up the grill to make dinner for
everyone, the older men had already gotten into the alcohol. Navid had
recently discovered craft beers and was so into it that he'd filled half a
shelf in our refrigerator at home. He had brought quite a few for others to
try and was currently tasting his way through the San Fernando Valley's
finest.

My dad showed up just before the food was ready. He had driven up to be
there for my birthday. He came in with a nicely wrapped gift that he put on
my growing pile of presents on a side table.

He noted Navid's tight outfit and gave his bicep a squeeze with an admiring
comment. Dad looked really good too. He'd gone back to the gym and was
getting in good shape now that he was freed from his primary parenting
responsibilities. He still didn't look like a man turning 40 soon. I was
happy to see that he'd been taking care of himself. We were all each other
had in this world.

"Wow Noah, I don't think I've seen a gift pile that big since your cousin
Gina's wedding. That's very nice of everyone. You be sure and thank
everyone," Dad commented with a proud smile.

I hadn't seen him as often since school was back for Spring semester and
being Navid's houseboy was a full time job. We still talked for at least
five minutes every day, but it wasn't the same as before when he was all I
had. We were transitioning and I could tell it was as hard on him as it was
on me. He held me a little tighter and a lot longer than usual. He kissed
my forehead before letting me go, but then kept me under one arm as he
greeted Navid.

Navid gave my dad a shorter hug, but then brought a beer for him to try. It
was yet another thing the two of them had bonded over. I guess I was lucky
that the two most important men in my life got along so well. Navid was the
strong, athletic, successful type of son I'm sure my father would have
wanted.

We sat and talked to my dad for awhile and he and Navid sampled the beers
Navid preferred. It was interesting watching Navid switch back to the
respectful mode he used when talking to my dad. He treated it like his most
important business relationship. My dad seemed to have no objections to
being charmed.

"Happy Birthday, Noah. I hope this year brings you everything you desire.
If not, then we can replace Navid with someone else for you," Karim joked
as everyone sat down to eat. He'd made huge plates of BBQ'ed chicken and
lamb with a big pile of fluffy pita bread from the good bakery in North
Hollywood. Mike had made all sorts of interesting salad items to go with
it.

"When I was Noah's age..." my dad started to say, but I cut him off.

"Aww dad, I don't think they want to hear this," I interrupted him. It was
his tradition. Every year he'd tell me about what he was doing when he was
my age and what he learned.

"I do. I want to hear this," Navid said and gave me a look that said I was
being rude. Several others encouraged my dad to continue.

"Thank you!" Dad said with a smile of vindication and reached for my hand.
"When I was Noah's age I was desperately trying to keep up with a very
energetic baby boy who was just starting to crawl around. Noah got into
everything and always seemed to find the one dangerous thing I'd forgotten
to fix or cover. Every night I held him against my chest and paced around
until he fell asleep and then I thanked god that I'd kept him alive for
another day. I had so many doubts and fears that year... So many family
members stepped in to show me how it worked... And I guess what I learned was
that you never know what life is going to drop in your lap, but trust that
it's there for a reason. You are the best kid I could have asked for, and
I'm really happy that I kept you alive."

Navid raised his bottle as if it had been a toast and the others followed
along. Everyone clinked and sipped happily.

"And what about you? What were you doing when you were my age?" I asked
Navid as everyone quieted down.

"Oh so long ago," he laughed as if he were that much older than I am. "I
was finishing with the army that year. I patrolled the border with
Pakistan. It was a quiet part usually. I did not shoot much."

"You shot a gun!?" I asked in disbelief. For some reason I thought of Navid
as always so peaceful, sweet and loving.

"Yes, sometimes just for warning. It's like shouting, `Hey we see you! Do
not sneak to harm my country!' It only was for real shooting very few
times." Navid said it so matter of factly like saying he'd seen an elk on
his way to the office. He took a swig of his beer as the plates of food
started to pass around.

"You hurt someone? I can't imagine you ever hurting someone. That's not who
you are," I said it like I needed to remind him.

"Noah! That's not something you ask someone," My dad shook his head in
embarrassment.

"Noah, that is not who I am with you, my love. I will never hurt you, but I
am soldier for many years when my country need me. I train hard and do what
is best to protect my family, my people. You cannot understand this living
in the world super power... I hope you never have to learn such awful things.
I would defend you with my life," Navid said in a somber tone and reached
for a plate of meat that was being passed his way.

"Did you kill someone?" I asked and Navid suddenly stiffened up. He set
down the plate of lamb he'd been handed.

"Noah!" My dad interrupted. "I didn't raise you to be rude. I'm sorry,
Navid. He has no concept of fighting like that."

"I'm sorry," I said and lowered my eyes to watch Navid's chest heave with a
heavy sigh.

"To take a life... Is not something you ever forget... even if is in dark
of night and you never see face. But we do what we must to keep our people
safe. There are people out there who do things that I hope you never have
to learn about... terrible things... act like animals... I do what it takes to
defend my people. Is not happy thing, or thing to boast for...  is survival.
I will always make sure the ones I love are safe no matter how unpleasant
it is for me," Navid explained.

I felt awful making him remember that. My mouth got ahead of my brain. I
picked up the tongs from the plate of roasted lamb and put some pieces on
Navid's plate and then put my hand over his and squeezed it. He interlaced
his fingers with mine, and held onto me. I kissed his cheek and leaned into
his side. He slid an arm around me and started to cut up the meat as I
reached for the plate of salad.

We all just kind of sat there quietly and dished out our servings.

"Well when I was Noah's age, I totaled my BMW doing stunts on Ventura, and
had to drive my mom's old Mercedes for two whole weeks. It only had a tape
deck and all her tapes were old Persian prayer songs," Karim broke the
tension with a laugh.

"That must have been a very dark time in your life. I'm glad you made it
out unscathed," Mike said with heavy sarcasm.

"And what did you learn? You're supposed to tell what you learned that
would be useful for me," I noted, happy that Karim was lightening the mood.

"Ah yes, young Noah," Karim looked at me as though he were ready to impart
something profound. "When one goes to purchase a luxury automobile... are you
going to write this down?"

"No," I shook my head. He looked at me with feigned annoyance but
continued.

"Well then listen carefully, young boy. When one goes to purchase a luxury
automobile or anything else for that matter, one must never skimp on the
things one truly wants lest it be regretted. So never settle. That's a
lesson, right?" Karim asked.

"That'll work," I assured him as Navid raise a piece of his meat to my
lips. I opened to let him put it in my mouth and then I sucked on his
finger as he withdrew it. I quickly remembered that my father was sitting
next to us. Luckily he was checking something on his phone though.

The rest of the meal went smoothly and my dad kept asking Navid questions
about his business. It gave Navid a chance to brag about all the hard work
he had put in and the success that was coming of it. Karim joined in too
saying that Navid had almost doubled his clients and would eventually
become his partner.

"I'm so proud of you," My dad said, "I knew you were smart and look how
well you've done."

"It is Noah who inspires me," Navid said and hugged me under his arm.
"Coming home to him makes everything worth it. He keeps the house beautiful
and there is always something good cooking when I get home. He is my best
support."

"He's a good kid," dad affirmed. He ruffled my hair and then turned the
conversation to me.

"And speaking of careers, I got a second email from the college. Did you
forget that they CC your advisory notices to your parent contact? You still
haven't decided on a major and you're already over your base credits. Have
you picked one yet? Last time you said you needed a few weeks to think
about it." Dad got serious as he finished his food.

"I know... I just don't know what I want to be yet. I'm not good at
anything," I said and felt suddenly anxious.

"You're good at everything when you work at it. You've always been so
smart. You just have to pick one," dad sighed. He wasn't going to let this
go.

"He likes to read and loves to write," Navid said as he shoved a forkful of
chicken into his mouth.

"That's not a career though. We worked so hard for good grades all these
years. I don't want Noah to struggle like I did." Dad took a swig of his
beer.

"Noah will never struggle. He will always have what he needs so long as I
am on the earth," Navid said, emboldened by his third beer.

"I appreciate that, but life doesn't always go as planned. I want him to
have a degree he can put to good use like yours in business," dad said with
a hint of authority as though Navid was out of line.

"I can't do business, that is so much math," I said as if someone was
paying attention to me.

"With respect, sir. You are his father, of course you will direct him.
Business shall be a useful degree for him. I agree. He can intern with me
when he graduate his program. We can grow my business together," Navid was
cautiously agreeing with my father though he'd never mentioned this to me.
The only times he had talked about what I'd do after college was to say
that he would enjoy me being home full time to take care of him.

"That's a great idea! He can learn to take care of himself while helping
you. Noah can email his advisor and then I'll stop getting notices," dad
laughed as though they had just solved something. They hadn't.

They just went on discussing what a bright future I would have as everyone
finished eating. I sat there getting angrier as I listened. I finally
exploded when Mike brought in a big chocolate cake with my name on it. He
set it on the table in front of me and took out a lighter to light the
candles.

"I don't like cake," I said softly. Mike listened.

"You don't like cake?" he asked.

"Noah don't be rude. They got you this. It has your name and everything!
He'll eat some. He will," my dad assured.

Mike shrugged and flicked the lighter towards the candles again.

"I said I don't want any cake. Excuse me, please," I started to slide my
chair back to get up. My dad grabbed my hand.

"Nik, are you not feeling well?" Dad always called me by my initials when
things were awkward.

"Please, Mr. Kinney, I'll get this," Navid said and my dad relented and let
me go. Navid followed me to the stairs and then put his hand in the center
of my back as I went up.

"What is wrong, my love?" he asked as he closed the bedroom door behind us.
I went to the corner and sank down to the floor and tried not to cry.

"You can't just decide my future. I don't want a business degree. I don't
want to do what you do," I said.

Navid sank down next to me and pulled me into his lap. He slid his arms
around me and rubbed my thighs.

"You don't have to study business. I just want that your dad does not
pressure you. Be artist, writer, or doctor for kitty cats if you want! You
not need to worry about this! I work for both of us. You are so young,
Noah. So much life ahead, this not for getting you upset. Is your
birthday!" Navid gave me that look like he always did when I worried about
something he thought was his responsibility.

"I'm 20, Navid. I'm not even a teenager anymore. I'm supposed to know what
I want. You always knew what you wanted, right?" I sniffled. "I'm supposed
to have a clue."

"When I was 20 all I think about is surviving the army so I could go and
study in America! My goal is to make money and provide for a family. You do
not need this goal same as me! You find your own passion and is ok to not
know right now." He kissed the back of my neck and rubbed a hand up my
chest.

"Noah?" I heard my dad's voice and saw the door crack open. He came in and
saw us on the floor. Navid didn't slide me off of his lap. He held me as if
to say he was there for support.

"Are you upset that I brought up your decision? I didn't mean to ruin your
birthday, I just don't see you as often and it's important." Dad came and
sat on the edge of the bed near where we were.

"That and I just don't know what I want to be. I thought about a writing
degree, but you said that wouldn't pay off," I said.

"I just don't want you to be left someday without options. You have a great
boyfriend, but what happens if his parents want him back in Iran and
married? I have to think of these things. I'm your dad," he said.

"I will take care of him, Sir. He has long time before he need worry for
career. I will provide for him," Navid insisted.

"You can't say that for sure. I welcomed you into our home and gave my
blessing, but your parents still don't even know who he is to you. I'm not
happy about that... You're a good man, Navid, don't get me wrong. But I have
to think of my son and his future. I've taken care of him since the minute
they handed him to me when he was born. I have to think of his best
interest," dad was getting annoyed.

"I will fix things. I will provide for him. I pledge to him long ago that
his happiness always come before my own. I promise you this!... Sir," Navid
started getting heated, but then remembered his manners.

"Stop it! Both of you!" I interrupted. "I'm right here, and I can speak for
myself, I can pick my own major, and I date who I choose!"

"Noah don't yell to your father, is disrespectful," Navid cautioned.

"And I can yell at my father!" I stood up from Navid's arms and faced them
both. "This is America and we yell at our fathers and we love who we want
and we find our own paths and make our own mistakes. A lot of people
marched and fought and died so we could do that and maybe I'll major in
that! I'm not sure yet!"

"Then do writing, Noah. Fine, we'll see what kinds of careers you can have
with that. Maybe it won't be too bad," dad said and reached for my hand. I
took his and squeezed it.

"And dad, I don't know if there's a time limit on this thing with Navid. I
really don't and it eats at me all the time, but I love him and this works.
I hope you can support that..." I said.

"Of course I can. I'll always support your happiness," dad assured.

"And if it all blows up and he goes back to Iran and gets married and has
twelve kids," I started, but Navid interrupted me.

"I not leaving you! You act to think Iran is some black hole that suck me
back against my will! Is not alien ship!" Navid got to his feet and I could
see the stress in his face.

"Well if the mother ship beams you back up, then I'll cry and fall apart
and come running home and I'll figure it out and eventually be ok... Look you
guys, I am so blessed to have two awesome and caring guys who love me
endlessly. But I also have a voice and I hope you can both learn to let me
use it sometimes. Ok?" I asked them. They both nodded.

"And I still don't want cake," I said after a few minutes of silence.

We went back down and found that the party had gone on without us. Mike had
served most of the cake and everyone was back to laughing and talking.

They did sing happy birthday to me and then I opened the pile of presents.
I got so many clothes, dvds, some new writing journals, and gift cards.
Erik made me a mix CD and a t-shirt with a picture of a unicorn with my
face on it. In rainbow letters it said, "Fear the Noahcorn." He was weird
like that, but I'd wear it. Miguel got me a book he said I would love.

"It's about a gay superhero and it's really good!" Miguel exclaimed.

I thanked everyone and helped clean up the pile of paper. Navid stacked my
gifts and carried them up to our room.

I made up the couch for my dad to sleep on. We were out of beds, but it was
too late for him to drive home. Navid gave him some clothes to sleep in.

+++ +++

"Did you have good birthday?" Navid asked when we finally curled up in bed
that night.

"I did! Thank you for making it perfect... and thank you for sticking up for
me. You always take care of me," I snuggled into his chest and he squeezed
my bottom.

"I meant it, Noah. I will always provide for you. You never have to worry
for that. I love you," Navid said.

"I love you too," I said while fighting a yawn.

+++ +++
Thanks for reading! :)
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