Chapter 10 
Fireworks And Rainbows

 

As far as Brad was concerned, at least for the first forty minutes, the day was just another day. He awoke in the morning, made himself a basic breakfast, took a shower and just as he was about to don his business suit, he remembered he was doing the second day of a special course he started the day before. It was all work oriented, instigated and paid for by the company and was about learning new systems and methodologies, which were soon to be implemented into company procedure.

 

Smiling because he had forgotten, Brad put his suit away and instead he put on a white Polo shirt, black jeans and comfortable black shoes. He picked up the file containing the documentation associated with what he was learning and then he was out the door, in the car and driving to the north of the city, where the course was taking place.

 

The day passed by relatively swiftly because it was like a day off, even though it was about work. The only real difference to time off was it was fundamentally boring and a little monotonous. Soon enough, though, Brad had arrived home and because the course finished early, it was only just approaching five o’clock. He parked in front of the garage like he most often did and then walked back down the driveway to check the mailbox.

 

There was a small stack of envelopes but he gathered them up and did not look at any of them, simply because he was distracted, excited by the fact it was Friday afternoon. He knew Jackson would be coming over soon enough and Brad was hoping tonight might be the night when he could say or do something. It had been five days since he had made his decision about what he wanted to do and he hoped, perhaps with a little magic, all the stars just might align.

 

As difficult as Monday had been, the conversation had filled him with a sense of closure, regardless of the fact there were still things left to be sorted out with Penny. After he left Hyde Park in the city and right up until today, he had felt like the entire world had slowed to practically unmoving. His life seemed reliant on Friday night and all he had to do was get there.

 

As he reached the steps to go up into the house, he turned and looked at the sun lowering in the western sky. As he considered Jackson’s arrival in association with the descending sun, he thought, “Maybe and hour, maybe two?” He smiled softly and his eyes were filled with hope. He had wanted to call or text and see Jackson, during every moment from the time he last looked at Theseus defeating the Minotaur.

 

It seemed like such a long week because Jackson was invariably all he could think about. He wanted to initiate but he was struggling with what seemed like Jackson’s withdrawal. It was the reason he waited for Friday to arrive. He wanted to pull back the veil immediately but the uncertainty caused by the change in Jackson, made Brad think he should rely on the comfort of their standard routine. He turned again and ascended the stairs and unlocked the door to enter his home.

 

When he walked in he tossed the mail into the bowl at the centre of the cabinet, which was against the wall that divided the living room from his bedroom. He noticed the flashing light on the answering machine, which sat beside the phone on the same cabinet but down at the end where the doorway led to his bedroom and bathroom.

 

After already turning off his mobile phone, Brad turned the machine off without checking his messages and pulled the phone plug out of the wall to avoid interruptions. He did not want anything to get in the way of tonight. His entire mindset was about nothing other than the night ahead with Jackson. With a smile, he walked straight to the kitchen and flicked the switch to boil the water in the jug.

 

Turning instantly, he went to his bedroom, stripped to his briefs and put on some old, knee-length, black shorts. He did not bother with a shirt because it had been a hot day, inside his home was very warm and he had yet to opened the back door to allow the circulation of fresh air to move throughout the house.

 

Deciding on the spot he should forego his coffee, instead he thought he should do a work-out. Opening the backdoor, he made his way into the backyard and opened the garage. By the time he lifted the first weight it was a quarter after five. He was clear and focused and for the next hour and a half, he pumped his weights with some serious intent.

 

Returning inside the house, Brad showered to wash away the day, as well as the extreme sweat from his intense work-out. Clean but wet and naked, droplets of water were still trickling over his skin, as he wiped his body while walking into his bedroom. About a metre to the left inside the bedroom door was a freestanding mirror. An ellipse or oval shape, it was a full-body display and as he wiped, he evaluated what he saw.

 

Satisfaction became his expression and his eyes acknowledged in agreement. He was not being vain, he simply wanted to look his best if the night turned into the ultimate night he was hoping for. He wanted to be everything he could be for Jackson.

 

Even though it still seemed like summer, autumn was underway and the sun was setting earlier. By the time he turned to decide what he would wear next, he noticed sunset had already come and gone. It was not quite dusk but it was on the approach. He took the few steps to the dresser against the wall at the bottom end of the bed and when he began opening the drawers, it was colours that decided the clothes he would wear.

 

He put on clean shorts, which were almost new and therefore bright white in colour. Still only thinking of Jackson, he briefly remembered Harley the other night and so he threw on a big, baggy, loose-fitting singlet, which was an eye-catching aqua. He looked in the mirror and his big shoulders and muscled arms looked even more tanned due to the colour of the material. Following the work-out, they also looked more defined. He then noticed the way the sides of his chest were revealed, being highlighted as they presented from beneath the flimsy material.

 

“I should wear baggy singlets in the summer more often, if this is how they make me look,” he thought.

 

The sleeveless holes were so large that almost a third of his pectoral muscles were sticking out the sides. He also noticed that part of his right nipple was revealed. He pulled the material to cover it but the opposite nipple popped out the other side as a consequence. He chuckled, decided to let the material fall as it may and then looked at his overall appearance. He could not have looked more casual but the striking colour set off his tan, his hair and his eyes. With everything in combination with the revealing display of his muscles, he knew he was looking pretty damned good for Jackson.

 

Finally, almost two hours after arriving home, Brad made the coffee he had wanted and sat on the lounge. He put his feet up on the coffee table and flicked on the television, to see if there was anything on free-to-air that was worth watching. He did not really care because Jackson was his primary concern but as he stared, he kind of fell into whatever was in front of his eyes, as he drifted into a type of television hypnosis and lost track of time.

 

“Mr Brad Courtney, this is the police, open the door before we break it down,” an incredibly deep voice yelled.

 

Almost jumping off the lounge in shock and wide eyed, Brad move with extreme haste to his front door and stopped and stared in disbelief. Jackson saw the expression on Brad’s face and as Brad looked at him, Jackson burst into laughter.

 

“You little shit. You just scared the living daylights out of me,” Brad said but as he looked at Jackson laughing, Brad’s entire expression changed from shock to amused.

 

“Mission accomplished, your smiling,” Jackson said.

 

“Why wouldn’t I be smiling?”

 

Reaching for the handle to open the door and realising it was locked, Jackson asked, “Am I banished from your house because of my little trick or are you going to let me in?”

 

Brad stepped forward and flicked the latch and pushed the screen door open. Jackson grabbed it, surreptitiously glanced at the painting wrapped in brown paper, which was leaning where he had placed it against the wall. He decided to leave it and surprise Brad when he thought the time was right. He stepped inside and closed the door. He then turned to look at the man, who made him think he should be wearing different clothes and walking along a beach in Tahiti.

 

“Look at you,” Jackson said, as he gazed at the bright white and dazzling aqua colours setting off Brad’s body more than usual.

 

His eyes captured, Jackson noticed three quarters of a huge, red nipple on a big, defined pectoral muscle and he wanted to reach out and touch it. While most men had little nipples, Jackson had always been intrigued by Brad’s nipples, simply because they had such a broad circumference and the nubs were thick and stood out. Irrespective, as he took in Brad’s entire appearance again, more than usual, he felt intense attraction and a subsequent heavy twitch in his shorts.

 

Looking down to see if he had spilled coffee on his singlet or shorts, Brad asked, “What’s wrong with me?”

 

“Nothing, you look amazing in that outfit.”

 

“Oh, you like it? It’s just something simple I threw on,” Brad said, even though he was pleased he was getting a reaction.

 

“That colour is amazing and it really makes your eyes and your tan stand out,” Jackson said.

 

“I’m glad you like it but Jackson, why were you trying to make me smile?

 

“Oh. Penny called Mum on Monday night and told her she’d broken up with you. I’ve been wanting to come and see you all week but things happen and nothing was working out. I’ve been sort of feeling a little guilty for not being here for you. Anyway, I really thought you’d probably be in a bad way and so I was trying to lighten your mood. Not that you look like you need your mood lightened.”

 

“Well, thank you, Jackson. Right at the moment, though, I’m feeling better than you could imagine. You wanna sit down?”

 

“Sure,” Jackson replied and they walked over to the lounge and took their usual places, Jackson on the far right and Brad on the far left.

 

Once again Jackson stared at the way Brad looked but his attention was refocused when Brad asked, “How are things, Jackson?”

 

“Pretty good. As you already know I’ve been working a lot more in recent weeks but it also seems I’ve been on the go more than usual as well. I’ve also been more tired than usual but that’s probably for those exact reasons. Either way, I really am good. I’ve also been sorting some stuff out internally and getting to know myself in a way that’s good for me.”

 

Brad had no clear idea about what Jackson meant specifically by his last statement but though he wanted to ask, a strange feeling suddenly came over him while he was looking at the young man’s face. He felt as if a tiny tornado, which was only big enough to surround his body, swooped down, picked him up, gave him a spin and then popped him back in position before it moved away.

 

It was a feeling of dizziness accompanying emotional desire. It made him want to shout out every feeling he had felt about Jackson over the past week, in a single word. The problem was there was no single word capable and Brad was yet to truly experience those feelings in a realistic way with Jackson.

 

He stared at Jackson in a way like never before. He was staring at a man, a young man though he may have been. It was a visual that was causing his heart to beat faster. He was looking at a very handsome face, thick and naturally blonde hair, incredible, clear blue eyes and what was now a fairly large and solid body. The sculpted body was surrounded by a tight, white t-shirt and blue-grey shorts.

 

His attraction in those few seconds was physical but as he gazed at the young man, he knew it was not just the wrapping but the whole package, inside and out, which held his undivided attention. He was yet to fully know the body, if he ever even got the opportunity, however, it was everything on the inside, which had brought him to the point of wanting the body in the first place. There was undoubtedly physical attraction but inside there was a person, a nature and his closest friend as well.

 

Brad knew for the most part who Jackson was. He knew his personality, he knew his sense of humour and he knew his thoughtfulness, his concern, his sensitivity and his heart. He was the friend that no one else had ever been. Brad was ninety-five percent certain he knew how much Jackson cared about him, however, his desire to learn that last five percent was suddenly at the core of his thoughts. As a consequence of the decision to collapse any wall between them, Brad could now see almost everything. It was like Jackson was sitting there waiting for someone to reach out and take the entire package into their life.

 

He was not hesitant to tell Jackson how he felt, he was just a little uncertain how to begin exactly. There was one thing that was stopping him, though. Today or perhaps it was just in the moments since he had arrived, Jackson seemed slightly different. It was not something physical or obvious, it was more a sense or feeling, however, Brad was unable to determine what had changed.

 

Jackson asked, “Why are you staring at me like that?”

 

“I don’t know, Jackson. You seem, um, different?”

 

“Different? Different how?”

 

“I don’t know. Everything about you looks the same, so I’m at a bit of a loss,” Brad said.

 

“Well, the only thing about me that seems different to me, is that I feel clearer in my mind and maybe a little more certain of myself. It’s something I want to talk to you about later. Maybe that’s what your noticing if that’s even possible but I’ve hardly said anything so I don’t know how that could be the case?”

 

“Who knows? Anyway, it doesn’t matter. You’re here now and that’s all that matters,” Brad said.

 

Jackson nodded but looked at Brad curiously and thought, “What the fuck is going on? If anyone is different, it’s him. The way he’s talking to me and looking at me, it’s weird.”

 

Brad asked, “Is there anything in particular you’d like to do tonight?”

 

“Anything you want to do will be fine with me, Brad.”

 

“You know, Jackson, as much as I like that side of you, particularly because I generally always get my way, I really think we need to change that about you.”

 

“Change what about me?”

 

“When we’re together, you always leave the decisions to me and I think that’s because you’re always so agreeable but I also think it’s because of how you’re always so concerned about me. Don’t get me wrong, Jackson, it’s great to have someone care about me as much as you do but I want to be able to show you that I care about you, too.”

 

“I already know how much you care about me, Brad. You’ve shown me for most of my life. This way I get to show you how much I care about you in return. You let me come here whenever I like, you’ve given me complete access to your garage and weights, you’ve always got an ear for me when I need it and I know you’ll support me no matter what. What I do for you, which is practically nothing, is just my way of saying thank you.”

 

“Jackson, you don’t seem to even understand how much you do for me. Do you think these Friday nights are a gift from me to you? Do you think our work-outs are me throwing you a bone? Do you think when I ask you to go somewhere with me or do something with me, it’s because I’m doing you a favour? Believe me, Jackson, in some ways it’s completely selfish on my part. It’s about me being able to be with you, too. In fact, right now I find it difficult to believe that it’s taken me so long to realise exactly how much you mean to me?”

 

Opening his mouth to respond, nothing came out because Jackson was taken aback. He knew his reaction was ridiculous because Brad was always open, honest and kind. There was just something about the tone in Brad’s voice and it brought a strange thought that the man beside him was a look-alike, a dead ringer or a clone. Jackson also wondered why he was thinking Brad was not allowed to say he was important in his life. It was something he always wanted to hear from Brad but in that moment, it felt confronting.

 

He stared at Brad and he knew he was being delusional. It was definitely Brad. He was as hot and handsome as Brad and he definitely sounded like Brad, however, in that moment, he felt like he was with someone else. Brad was being sincere and genuine, which was not unusual but what Brad said sounded like the purest, sweetest, natural honey being poured over a succulent dessert that was already piquant and moreish and exciting to the senses.

 

“Jackson, don’t look at me like I’m gilding the lilly. Now that I think about this, I remember on numerous occasions over the years, I’ve tried to make you understand you’re as important to me as I am to you. What else do I have to say to make you see it and believe it?

 

“Well the way you’re talking certainly does the trick,” Jackson replied.

 

“Good. It’s about time,” Brad said.

 

Feeling incredibly happy but also quite unsettled, Jackson hurriedly changed the subject and asked, “So, what happened with you and Penny and why are you so okay with a difficult situation like that?”

 

“Oh, Penny and I met up and we had a very revealing talk. We both had come to similar conclusions on what had taken place between us. We therefore had both decided that it would be for the best if we went our separate ways,” Brad explained.

 

“It must have been hard,” Jackson said.

 

“It was, for both of us, Jackson. The thing is, despite our long-term connection and how much we cared about each other, our time apart and all the thinking we did, showed us both that neither of us were on the correct paths that could lead us where we needed to go.”

 

“No wonder you said to me the other day that you didn’t know which way to turn, Brad. Your thoughts and feelings must have really been at odds with each other?”

 

“You have no idea, Jackson. At this point, though, I’m in a great place and a good state of mind.”

 

“Well, at least you’ve sorted it out and now you know which way to face and what will be best for you,” Jackson said.

 

Smiling, Brad said, “Well, I’m almost there. Just a few things left to sort out.”

 

“I’m happy for you, Brad.”

 

“Here’s hoping you’ll be even happier once I’m certain of the goal I have in mind,” Brad said enigmatically.

 

Looking at Brad with a degree of confusion, Jackson said, “As long as you get what you’re looking for, I’m sure I’ll be happy for you, Brad.”

 

“That’s the goal, Jackson. I’d like us both to be happy.”

 

Understanding but not following, Jackson redirected the conversation and said, “It’s funny but after Mum spoke to Penny, she was under the impression that Penny broke up with you. Listening to you, though, it sounds like it was a two-way street.”

 

“It was, Jackson. I mean I suppose from Penny’s perspective it could’ve seemed like that but in reality, we both approached that day with the same idea in mind. I admit she initiated the course of the conversation and even directed it for much of the time but the truth is we broke up agreeably. There were no harsh words or arguments.”

 

“I guess it doesn’t really matter who said what or when, as long as you both got what you wanted.”

 

“Yeah, that’s true. Now I’m hoping the trend of getting what I want continues,” Brad said.

 

Again curiosity filled Jackson’s eyes, as he felt the sense of hidden meaning behind Brad’s words.

 

“Anyway, Jackson, this is going to sound like an extreme change of subject but I’ve been thinking about you a lot and considering how close you and I have become. During the course of all that thinking, something occurred to me.”

 

“Like what?”

 

“Well, like wondering how well I really know you, Jackson.”

 

“How could you not know me? I’ve been inserting myself into your life since I was six-years-old. During that time I think we’ve talked about everything that two friends could talk about and I’m sure that’s why we both know each other as well as we do.”

 

“Sure, I agree with you about that but at the same time, Jackson, knowing you as well as I do, has made me realise there’s things I don’t know about you. Well, one thing, at least.”

 

Jackson asked, “Like what?”

 

“What I realised was that during all of the multiple conversations we’ve had over the years, there’s one part of you that you’ve never discussed with me. In a way I think I know why but I’m still not completely certain and so I was hoping to talk to you about that tonight; if it’s okay with you and if you’re in agreement that is,” Brad said.

 

“I’m happy to talk about anything with you,” Jackson said agreeably, not even stopping to question what that thing might be.

 

“Great. Well, in all these years, you’ve spoken to me about life and love but you’ve never talked to me about partners and sex.”

 

Jackson felt his lungs expand as he silently inhaled deeply. His entire body clenched and he felt sure the cushion of the lounge beneath him was being bitten by his arse-hole. This was the last thing he was expecting.

 

Ironically he was planning on coming out to Brad later that night, preferably shortly before he would go home, giving him the ability to escape if things did not go the way he hoped. He knew this conversation would lead to him coming out sooner, simply because he did not want to lie and his opinions about love and sex would involve him talking about men.

 

“What I’m saying, Jackson, is that you’ve never mentioned having a girlfriend…” he paused for a millisecond and then added, “…or a boyfriend or ever talked to me about sex.”

 

Instantly Jackson was thinking Brad had begun to question his sexuality and though he was not overly concerned, it was unexpected and he felt unsettled.

 

“Maybe it’s never been an easy conversation for you. I know some people struggle with talking about sex but whatever the case, you’ve always talked to me about everything, except for that. I want to remind you that you can talk to me about anything, Jackson. Anyway, realising that fact, it brought me to wonder why or what was stopping you?

 

“I mean I know you’re not even eighteen yet and life moves differently for different people so I’d understand if you’re taking your time and you’re still a virgin. Even so, I want you to understand that nothing about you is going to change how close we are and nothing you say to me is going to change my opinion about you. I’m only asking you about this because you know me well and I want to know you in a similar fashion. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to but…”

 

“Brad, stop.”

 

Not given the ability to finish, Brad feared he had overstepped a boundary. He wondered if raising the subject might have worked to his detriment.

 

As he stared at Brad the look on Jackson’s face was a mixture of disbelief and resignation. Brad had raised an issue that would lead him to talking about the exact thing he planned on talking about later. More than anything, though, Brad had said “Or boyfriend” and those words had changed everything. Resigned, Jackson decided it was time, even if the timing did not fit into how he had decided it would happen.

 

The one good thing was that after his consultation with Trevor and after all the thinking he had done since that night, as well as how things had gone when he came out to both his mother and his father, Jackson was feeling practically no apprehension at all. He knew saying the words and admitting the truth would be easy enough. The only thing that was concerning him was the whispering question deep in the back of his mind, “What if I’m wrong and Brad doesn’t accept me?”

 

With a practically unnoticeable shake of his head to dismiss that tiny doubt, Jackson looked into Brad’s eyes and said, “Brad, there are several reasons why I’ve never talked to you about those things but being uncomfortable talking about sex is not one of them. I’m also not a virgin. I admit I’ve been reticent about the subject but I think it was for good reason. It’s not only you who’s been thinking about this, Brad. I’ve been thinking about it as well. In fact, it’s really amazing that you brought it up because I was going to bring it up later tonight.

 

“As I said, there are several reasons why but I think the main one was how much I respect the incredible connection we have. I’m not willing to risk that connection for any reason or under any circumstance and that’s why I thought it was about time we talked about it.”

 

“I’m glad, Jackson. I also think the relationship we have deserves respect. It’s a large reason why I wanted to talk to you tonight as well.”

 

“It’s good to know we’re on the same page and you feel the same, Brad. Anyway, I don’t want to beat around the bush and so let’s just get straight into the guts of it.

 

Brad nodded.

 

“Up until recently, there was a reason why I chose not to discuss sex with you. I mean yes it made me feel uncomfortable but not because talking about sex makes me uncomfortable. Part of me was just scared of possible consequences.

 

“Anyway, due to the amount of thought I’ve put into the importance of our relationship, I came to the conclusion that being open about some things and closed about other things, wasn’t really respectful of you. I knew I trusted you and so I made the decision I needed to honour my respect for you by revealing what you need to hear and have every right to hear. So, here it is. Brad, I’m gay.”

 

The initial feeling Jackson felt following was relief. Not the entire secret but a huge part of it had finally been revealed. He studied Brad’s face to see if there would be any signs of negativity or hidden truth.

 

The immediate feeling Brad felt inside was relief as well. He had received his first answer. He only needed a few more answers but before he even posed those questions, he said, “Thank you, Jackson. Your honesty along with your respect for our friendship means the world to me.”

 

It was a formal reply and though Jackson believed it was an honest reply, he said, “Brad, I need to hear the words out loud and I need to know your true thoughts and feelings on the matter.”

 

“I have no problems with the diversity of sexuality, Jackson. As long as people who know themselves are true to themselves, as well as true to those they care about, then that’s all that matters. I have no problem with you being gay, no problem at all. I’m here for you and I hope I always will be, Jackson.”

 

Jackson’s smile was even more relieved but the silent words running through his mind were saying, “I knew he’d accept me. I knew I was right.”

 

Jackson’s was a bright, white smile and his eyes spoke volumes as they gazed at the man he loved so much. At the same time, though, the moment Brad saw the happy expression on Jackson’s face, he knew it was time for his final questions.

 

“Can I ask you something you might consider a very personal question, Jackson?”

 

“You can always ask me anything, Brad.”

 

“Do you have a boyfriend or a lover?”

 

“Not at the moment, Brad. I’ve never had a boyfriend but for a while I did have a lover, although, in reality he was just a really close friend and because we were both gay and basically innocent, we just sort of crossed that line and shared an initial journey.”

 

“I understand. We all have to start somewhere, Jackson. I’m glad there was someone for you to trust and to be there for you. So what are you looking for now? I mean, are you looking for a partner or are you a man who wants to fill his life with lots of sexual experiences?”

 

“That’s an interesting way to put it, Brad. I guess filling my life with sexual experiences would probably be a smart choice, at least to gain more knowledge and experience but in all honesty, what I really want is to be with one man. I want a partner.”

 

“Do you have anyone in your sights, Jackson?”

 

“There’s one man I’d give my left nut to be with but he’s straight and I’m sure that dream will never come true.”

 

Chuckling at the comment, “Give my left nut,” Brad looked deep into Jackson’s eyes as he considered the amusing reply. Brad felt certain that Jackson was speaking about him. Of course there was the chance he was letting his ego run wild but the truth was that hope was the largest portion of his thoughts and feelings in that moment.

 

“Well, Jackson, if I had any say in the matter, I’d see to it that your dream came true and many other dreams as well.”

 

Wondering if he was allowing his wishful heart to read into Brad’s reply, especially when his thoughts were screaming silently that Brad could make all of his dreams come true, Jackson allowed the words, which he was unaware were innuendo on Brad’s part, to lead him toward another subject.

 

“Can I ask you something unrelated, Brad?”

 

“Anything, Jackson.”

 

“A few weeks ago, the night following your blowup with Penny; um, do you remember coming home that night?”

 

Brad smiled as that distant subject finally came back to life. He looked at Jackson and replied, “Some of it, sort of, although only snippets and vague pictures, Jackson.”

 

“Do you remember that I was with you?”

 

“Yeah, I do but again, only vague memories. In fact, I keep thinking I should talk to you about that night. It was an unusual night for me in more ways than one and I was worried about how I might have treated you while I was drunk. You know I’m not a drinker but that day I was so frustrated by what happened, I made the choice to get drunk in an attempt to wash it all away. It was a foolish and pointless choice and almost all of the latter part of that night is lost to my memory.”

 

Looking at Brad with curiosity, Jackson asked, “Do you remember asking me if I’d go to Terrigal with you?”

 

“What? No. Why did I ask you that?”

 

“I’m not sure. It came pretty much out of nowhere and you told me your parents had a beach house up there and you wanted me to go and stay there with you,” Jackson said.

 

“Honestly, Jackson, I really don’t remember but I think it’s a great idea. Would you like to do that with me?”

 

“Sure. Maybe we could swing a weekend.”

 

“Maybe we could swing a week, Jackson. I know I wouldn’t mind taking some time off work and getting away.”

 

“Really? Well then, yeah. I’m sure I could talk Levi into a week off.”

 

“Sounds good to me, Jackson. We can sort it out later but for now, I need you to tell me if I did anything wrong in my drunken state where you were concerned on that night?”

 

“No, Brad. You were your usual charming self.”

 

“Did I say anything else?”

 

Jackson smiled and then replied, “You told me you thought you experienced fireworks and rainbows when you were twelve.”

 

Brad smirked and thought his hidden self had definitely been clawing its way to the surface. An admission like that, as well as an offer to go to the scene of the crime, all directed at Jackson; it was fairly obvious why his subconscious mind or drunken mind had made that choice.

 

“Well, yeah, I guess I did and I give you my word I’m going to tell you the truth about that but again, is there anything else that happened that night?”

 

Jackson looked at Brad with curiosity, considered the many things he could say and then said, “No, Brad, the whole situation was fairly vanilla. You were drunk, you could hardly walk or talk and so I helped you inside, put you to bed and I left as soon as you fell asleep.”

 

Recalling the few vague memories he could, Brad knew Jackson was protecting him and did not want to embarrass him. He wanted to continue the conversation but he thought it could wait. Brad was now conceptually sitting at ninety-nine percent certainty and one percent doubt, he was the man Jackson would give his left nut for. He now thought there was no other choice or course of action then to look Jackson in the eyes and say the words he was certain were true.

 

Jackson felt happy that Brad finally knew the truth about him and also that Brad’s reaction was accepting. Even so, strangely he was feeling uncomfortable in that moment. In his mind he felt like he was standing on the edge of a precipice. He was happy and yet, inside he felt unsettled, as if something were about to happen. As usual, he decided to change the subject. Instantly he remembered Brad’s birthday present was still on the front porch and he thought that would be a good distraction.

 

“Brad?”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“I need to give you something.”

 

“What?”

 

“Just give me a moment,” Jackson said, as he stood up and headed toward the front door.

 

A little shocked that Jackson had suddenly stopped a conversation, which seemed was only moments from everything being revealed, Brad stood up as well and watched with confusion as Jackson opened his front door and walked outside. Not certain of exactly what was going on, Brad began to follow but just as he was walking around the lounge, mere seconds later, Jackson was walking back inside but he was carrying something large in his hands. He rested it on the floor, closed the screen door and then turned and looked at Brad with a big smile.

 

“What’s that and where did it come from?”

 

“This is what I wanted to give you, Brad. I didn’t get you a birthday present last month because I had to wait for it to be finished. Sorry about the brown paper but it was the way it was when I went to pick it up this afternoon.”

 

“Jackson, you didn’t need to get me a present.”

 

“Of course I did. You’re one of the most important people in my life. Anyway, better late than never and so happy belated birthday, Brad,” he said, before he stepped forward, gave Brad a hug and then moved the gift between them and presented it to him.

 

Accepting the gift, Brad shook his head but smiled and said, “I’m guessing it’s a print?”

 

“The best way to find out is to open it,” Jackson said.

 

Turning the gift around so he could see where the wrapping was taped, Brad rested it on the floor and knelt down. He pulled each piece of tape and then dragged the brown paper away. Standing up again, he turned the frame, leaned it against the back of the lounge and then stepped back to look at the picture clearly. Jackson was standing off to the side, his eyes fixed on Brad’s face, as he tried to determine what Brad truly thought before he said anything.

 

“It’s an actual painting, Jackson.”

 

“Yeah, it is,” Jackson replied.

 

Brad took another couple of steps backward. He had known it was a picture from the dimensions but now that the boring, brown paper had been removed, he realised those dimensions were larger than he had initially thought. The picture was painted in panorama rather than portrait and was easily one hundred-fifty by ninety centimetres or five by four feet.

 

Deciding he wanted it lifted off the floor, Brad picked it up and placed it on top of the cabinet behind him and then took an even better look. Jackson watched his every move and was impatient to know what Brad thought of the gift.

 

The painting of Jackson’s idea, at it’s centre showed a man who could easily be associated with ancient tales, heroes and mystical creatures. Blue sky's were above, the green of nature surrounded and a vast blue ocean was off to the right. The man was clad only in a type of brown loin cloth. He was handsome, Herculean and his eyes were caramel. His hair was light brown and every inch of his body was deeply tanned.

 

The man’s right arm was extended upward and the hand held a double-edged sword, which he pointed at the sky. The edges were sharp but the point of the sword reflected the sunlight, causing a star-like explosion of rays of light. In the distance, flying away toward mountains in the background, dragons could be seen but the rays from his sword were burning their skin, causing them to fall from the sky. To the distant left on desert sands, naked, dead bodies were strewn, their demon faces contorted and the same burns as those the dragons were succumbing to, had caused their demise.

 

In the foreground, little children played, laughed and smiled in a celebration type situation, where men and women, as well as men and men and women and women, danced and laughed and made love beneath the sun. Throughout, many of the characters gestured, pointed and called reverently toward the man. Also, a smaller group sat nearby playing lyres and other ancient musical instruments in his honour. In the eyes of them all, both young and old, the man was a hero and was being celebrated by all.

 

It was a small, verdant, green hill covered in wild flowers of violet, indigo and amethyst, which the hero stood upon. A short distance to his left, another man, a younger man, with blonde hair and blue eyes, knelt on one knee, his left arm raised and gesturing to the hero, his eyes filled with adoration.

 

The hero was not a god or a demigod, even though the peoples reverence could have suggested he was. There was also no statues or symbols of any type and there was no sign of religion of any form. In essence, the man represented the best of humankind. Though the man knew of his victory and he knew of the praise he received as a consequence, he felt it was unwarranted and he was unworthy of the accolades.

 

Within that captured moment, the celebration and praise was not truly the hero’s concern. His left hand rested on his chest, directly above his heart and the hero’s eyes were cast down to his right, exactly to the spot where the young man acknowledged alone.

 

The hero’s hand on heart, the young man’s adoration and the connection between their eyes, made it pretty damned obvious what Jackson’s heart had been trying to convey. The final one percent evaporated, as Brad decided that he was the hero and Jackson was the young man off to the side.

 

“I love it, Jackson.”

 

“Really?”

 

“How in hell do you know me like you do, Jackson? How do you know that all of the things depicted, figuratively exist at the heart of who I am?”

 

“Of course I know, Brad. How could I not know? For twelve years you’ve been talking to me about everything. I think I know you better than anyone else in my life. Brad, there’s always a certain theme you like in the movies we watch. That theme also exists in the many stories you’ve told me about the books you’ve read throughout your life. At your core, there’s always a similar theme involved. You love it when good defeats evil, you love it when love defeats hate and you thrive on the idea of happy endings. You enjoy stories of fantasy, magic and quests but no matter the genre or type of story, you love an inevitable true love winning out in the end,” Jackson explained.

 

Brad shook his head and asked, “Do you ever not listen to what I say to you, Jackson?”

 

“Why would I do that?”

 

“I don’t know, maybe because what I say occasionally doesn’t matter?”

 

“It matters to me, Brad.”

 

Shaking his head again, Brad took a step, grabbed Jackson’s arm and pulled him across so they could look at the painting together. He swung his arm around Jackson’s shoulders and tightened it around him, holding him close.

 

“Tell me, Jackson, did you buy the painting off the wall, so to speak? I mean the scene portrayed, was it the artist’s idea?”

 

“No, it was mine and I asked if he could paint my idea,” Jackson replied.

 

“The man at the top of the hill? What does he represent, Jackson?”

 

“I guess anything anyone wants him to represent. Personally, I see a hero but though he’s a man, he’s not an average man,” Jackson replied.

 

“The world around your hero is a beautiful place where evil has been vanquished, where religions and gods have no voice, where goodness, strength, courage and determination bring peace, happiness and love unlimited. It bows to the honour of freedom and the right to live in truth.”

 

“Yeah, you’ve basically explained it, Brad.”

 

“Not quite, Jackson. What about the young man kneeling before his hero and the small distance he maintains to force himself to stand apart? Jackson, he and his hero are the only two characters in the entire piece that stand alone and yet, it seems very clear to me that both of them are consciously gazing at each other. I see silent knowledge between them but which of them will take the first step?”

 

Instantly Jackson’s eyes filled with shock. His head turned swiftly to look at Brad but Brad was already looking at him. Their eyes met and Jackson’s heart began thumping in his chest. He could not believe Brad had accurately interpreted what he had asked Rone Grayson to paint, at least where the hero and the young man were concerned.

 

In Jackson’s mind, he and Brad were the two main characters but he really did not think that Brad would catch on. It would have been easy enough to assume Brad was talking about possibilities between two random characters within a painting, however, something about the intimation in Brad’s voice and the look in Brad’s eyes, told him that Brad had deciphered who the characters were and he knew.

 

“What are you talking about, Brad? It’s just a painting.”

 

“So you’re telling me I’m reading more into the storyline of the portrayal than was actually intended to be expressed?”

 

“It’s just a birthday gift, Brad. I just, um, I was trying to um, I mean, I wanted to give you something special that I thought you could relate to,” Jackson said, stumbling over his words.

 

Even though Jackson was denying it, as Brad glanced at the painting again, it seemed as blatant to him as the difference between day and night. He glanced at Jackson’s eyes and what he saw was nothing short of irreconcilability. His pupils were sharp with fear but his irises were soft with hope. Jackson was nurturing a secret with such care, to make sure it would never see the light of day. Synchronously, though, another secret was imprisoned, deeply buried, which implored with silent screams, to be given a voice and a single chance.

 

Seeing the slightest sheen of perspiration across Jackson’s brow, Brad suddenly knew with absolute certainty, like he had at no other time. Jackson had been doing this for years - hiding and pretending all along. Like the painting suggested, Jackson literally worshipped him but always maintained his distance. In that single moment, Brad hoped that he could love Jackson with the same purity and devotion in return.

 

Though he was honoured, now that there was no doubt in his mind, Brad grinned at Jackson trying to hide his truth. The amount of energy it must have taken, surely must have been exhausting.

 

Jackson asked, “What are you grinning about?”

 

Brad’s fingers suddenly tightened on Jackson’s shoulder and then the strength of Brad’s left arm turned Jackson toward him, at the same time as he turned toward Jackson as well. A moment later they were chest-to-chest and then Brad lowered his head. Finally, twelve years after their relationship had begun and with not a drop of alcohol involved, Brad’s lips pressed against Jackson’s lips and both men’s eyes slid closed.

 

The warmth and firmness of Brad’s arms around him, in combination with the completely unexpected kiss, caused Jackson to shiver while at the same time, a high toned sound, passed from Jackson’s mouth into Brad’s mouth. It was a sound that reflected being lost between shock and desire and automatically, Jackson’s arms lifted and embraced in return.

 

For Brad, the touch of his lips to Jackson’s lips, seemed like being thrown back eighteen years in time. A million pieces suddenly fell into place and formed a reality that made perfect sense. Six important days had evolved into twelve exceptional years but this time, the person in his arms was even more important than the one who held that position so long ago.

 

For Jackson, as much as it was a dream come true, it was also the biggest shock of his life. Brad, his hero and the man of his ultimate dreams, was holding him against his body and he was kissing him with a warm and tender tongue. Instead of feeling euphoria, though, all Jackson could fathom was a massive battle between disbelief and total relief.

 

There were so many questioning thoughts Jackson should have been thinking, like Brad was straight, why was he kissing him, why was he hard and what the fuck was going on? However, Jackson was figuratively spinning and confused while passing through the best and most real dream he had ever had - except that he was awake.

 

Initially, as Brad began and continued the kiss, a thought ran through his mind that Jackson was not fighting the kiss or the embrace and in fact, Jackson seemed to be pushing into it. That simple thought told Brad that his decision and action were right. He wondered if this moment would lead where he hoped it would go.

 

Brad’s arms tightened around Jackson and held him so close and so tightly, each could feel the other’s heart beating. Jackson somehow managed to push even closer than seemed possible, into the flesh and muscle of Brad’s body. Subsequently, both men became even more aware of the tensile stiffness of each other’s cocks.

 

Jackson dragged at the rear of Brad’s singlet and slid his hands underneath. A moment later his open palms slid up Brad’s back, before he curled his fingers and dragged them down, allowing him to feel every muscle, tendon and sinew beneath the smooth, warm skin.

 

Brad’s tongue was still inside Jackson’s mouth and though both tongues were probing, it was Brad’s that dominated, emphasising his needful passion. Jackson, as a consequence, began to melt in Brad’s powerful arms. He could not deny the power of Brad’s physical assertiveness or the fact that without trying, the man was simply in control.

 

Amidst it all, though, for no apparent reason that Jackson could discern, what was happening began to change. Brad had been softly moaning but then the sound stopped abruptly. Brad’s kiss had been deep and consuming but then it softened and began to cool. Brad’s embrace, which had claimed Jackson like personal property, loosened and then his arms began to slide away.

 

In a simple action, which somehow seemed to shatter a part of Jackson’s soul, Brad pulled his lips and body away and he stepped back. He looked at Jackson and he shook his head like nothing made sense.

 

In the following moments, as he stared longingly at Brad, it seemed like he had watched the most glorious sunrise and then earth’s yellow star had been vaporised right in front of his eyes. Surely, from that moment onward, only coldness and darkness could remain.

 

The entire situation seemed unreal to Jackson from the start. Of course it was what he had always wanted but the reality was he had never believed it could ever be possible, not really. Even after the drunken encounter in Brad’s car and bedroom, deep down, Jackson had always believed it would remain an imagined picture in his mind. It was why on some level he argued internally and could never take a step he perceived as a risk.

 

He had no idea why Brad had even begun, let alone ended a kiss that was his dream, however, even though he believed he should expect nothing less, tentatively, Jackson asked, “What is it? What’s wrong? No, um, I mean, why did you kiss me?”

 

From the moment Brad had embraced and kissed Jackson to the moment he had pulled away, three exceptional minutes had ticked by. Those three minutes had evaporated inside the darkness of eyelids. Those three minutes had vanished as lips pressed and brushed and tongues made love with gentle offering movements. Those three minutes had disappeared as fingers dragged and clutched, as arms tightened and loosened and all while hands explored to learn the truth of the bodies they caressed.

 

Those three minutes were a physical delight, even if missing the sensual euphoria of nakedness. However, during those three minutes and amidst all the feelings they were feeling, Brad saw myriad colours behind his closed eyes. It was a rainbow of colours that cracked like unexpected thunder in his mind.

 

The colours spoke to his heart, which exploded inside his chest. Brad knew what it all meant immediately but it was such a shock, he broke all physical connection with Jackson in an attempt to try to comprehend his old truth was actually true.

 

Jackson’s eyes had shot open and Brad had seen the shock within them. The moment Jackson’s tentative voice asked him what was wrong and why he had kissed him, Brad knew he needed to explain.

 

“It’s you, Jackson. After all these years, it’s you.”

 

“What? What’s me? What did I do wrong?”

 

“No, Jackson, you don’t understand. After all these years and after I dismissed what I believed, suddenly I know it’s true and I know it’s you.”

 

“I’m not following, Brad. What are you saying?”

 

“The kiss, Jackson,” he said, as his eyes became knowing and he smiled. He then said, “There’s nothing wrong, Jackson. Nothing could be wrong because it’s all so right. Holy shit, all I need now is a horse, a horizon and a sunset.”

 

Jackson’s eyes lit up and suddenly earth’s yellow star was burning bright again.

 

Though Brad had not actually said the words Jackson had been begging to hear for years, still Jackson felt like Brad had said them. He wanted to believe so much that Brad was in love with him. The kiss in association with what Brad said suggested it, however, part of Jackson, a long existing part, struggled to believe it could be true.

 

What Brad had said had come from the silent man within. It was the pure truth of Brad’s soul. Jackson understood those final words because Brad had said them once before. Looking at Jackson, Brad smiled because he knew that Jackson understood.

 

“You were right, Brad. What you said to me all those years ago in the backyard, I can feel it. It’s just like you said because being kissed by you, my chest and my heart feel like they’re about to burst.”

 

Smiling at Jackson, as he realised the young man remembered what he had said years ago in the garden, he reached out, pulled Jackson against him and kissed him once more. He wanted it to continue and to evolve into so much more but there were other things he wanted to understand and to say.

 

Following that brief, second kiss, Brad’s arm gripped Jackson and turned him toward the painting and he asked, “Jackson, who painted this picture?”

 

“A client I massage. I see him outside of Body Ease independently. He called me up before I applied to work at the massage clinic, back when I first started advertising for clients. He asked if I could work on him at his home. When I arrived I discovered he was an artist. He paints mainly science fiction and fantasy scenes and he had drawings and paintings everywhere. I could see them as I was working on him. His name is Rone Grayson. He’s so creative and so good at what he does and I fell in love with so many of his pieces.

 

“While I was giving him his first massage, as I was looking at the many pieces leaning against walls around me, I thought of your birthday. That’s when the idea first came to me. Rone is constantly painting day and night, almost compulsively. As a consequence, he’s got an obsessive artist’s strained back. I told him the idea I had, asked him if he could transfer it onto canvas and he said yes.”

 

Looking into Jackson’s eyes deeply, Brad nodded and looked back at the painting again. He stared at it for some time and every now and then his fingers would tighten and loosen on Jackson’s shoulder, which let Jackson know Brad was thinking of him as he looked at the painting.

 

“I know that’s me and I know that’s you, Jackson, even though you denied it,” he said, as he pointed consecutively at the two main characters.

 

Slowly looking up into Brad’s eyes, Jackson silently nodded in agreement.

 

Brad said, “I’m no hero, Jackson.”

 

“You’re my hero, Brad,”

 

“You can’t say things like that, Jackson. That word is a huge word. I’ve never done anything for anyone, anywhere or at anytime that could be considered heroic. I’ve told you this before, Jackson. I’m just a man and I’m nothing special in this world or in this life we live in.

 

“Jackson, it really amazes me the way you perceive me but though I like it, you’re holding me up on some pedestal that I don’t deserve. I’m a human being on the blue planet just like you but you see me as some sort of superhero standing on the sun. I’m a man trying to do the best I can and trying to achieve the best I can. You, though, imagine me holding a sword and vanquishing demons and dragons.

 

“For you and just for you, Jackson, I wish I could be everything of the perception you have of me but if you continue to see me as something I’m not, in the long run you’re going to be disappointed.”

 

“Listen to me, Brad. You lifted me up into your arms and held me against your chest. You listened to me and you heard me. You understood me, you never turned away from me and you supported me. You told me I could always come back, you stood by me, you cared about me and you held me when I was down. You were the father I never really had, the brother I secretly wished for and the truest friend any guy could ever have or need.

 

“I was a dumb-arsed kid, a lost boy, and a confused teenager running in silent circles. Throughout it all, you never put me down, slapped me down or held me back. More than anyone in my life, I’m the man I am today because of you.

 

“Not a hero? Seriously, Brad, you’re the only hero I know and you’ll always be a hero to me.”

 

“Holy shit, it’s no wonder,” Brad said.

 

“What’s no wonder?”

 

“It’s no wonder I’m in love with you, Jackson.”

 

There they were, the words Jackson had needed to hear for so long. He stared, completely dumbstruck, saying nothing.

 

“Don’t look at me like that, you heard me, Jackson. A while ago you came out to me and now it’s my turn. Jackson, I’m gay, too.”

 

Now with the different, unexpected words, Jackson’s mouth literally dropped open.

 

“It’s true, Jackson. I realised I was gay, I’ve accepted I’m gay and now I know I’m in love with you.”

 

Only minutes before, the words, “A horse, a horizon and a sunset,” had filled him with hope but now, three statements from Brad’s mouth consecutively, had exploded the way Jackson viewed his own world. In that moment, more so than before, speaking had become a forgotten art.

 

“Jackson, for a long time I was fairly certain you loved me but now I’m sure you love me. Now that you know I love you too, I want you in my life, even more than you’ve been in my life over all the years gone by. Jackson, I want you to be with me.”

 

There was no doubt Jackson had been stunned by the kiss and lost in some confused dream come true, however, though the first three words had blown him away, the second three words seemed somehow unfathomable and the following statement made him feel like he needed to sit down because his legs were shaking. He looked at Brad with complete astonishment.

 

“Pinch me,” Jackson finally said.

 

The response told Brad of the extreme opinion Jackson held of him. Jackson saw him as some sort of unreachable star and Brad knew he needed to knock that attitude on its arse. Regardless, Brad laughed loudly at the cuteness of the insecure words and he replied, “You don’t need me to pinch you, Jackson. You just need to believe it’s true. I really love you, Jackson,” he said, before he pulled him to his body once more and kissed him with a passion that could not be denied.

 

Even though he was still stunned by the amazing turn of events, Jackson began to believe and accept and when the kiss ended, a huge smile crossed his face. Instantly, a sense of confidence and courage filled him and as he looked deeply into Brad’s eyes, he wanted nothing more than to move these moments forward. He had felt Brad’s embrace, he had tasted Brad’s kiss and he had heard Brad’s words and now, there seemed to be only one more step.

 

Changing the nature of everything that had happened and even the feeling in the room, Jackson’s whole demeanour altered and he said, “Brad, I know it’s not really your birthday but how about more presents and some very specific celebrations?”

 

Initially Brad looked at Jackson curiously, however, as the ambiguous tone of Jackson’s voice suddenly occurred to him, Brad looked at him with a growing smirk and said, “What exactly do you have in mind, young man?”

 

Confidently, Jackson turned his back on Brad and walked away from him. He headed through the doorway that led to Brad’s bedroom. Standing still, Brad watched him curiously and then moments later he followed him. When he walked into his room, Jackson was standing perfectly still between the bed and the window, gazing at him like a predator watching its prey, as he entered. Seconds later, the grin on Jackson’s face could not have become more cocky than it did.

 

Brad grinned at him and then Jackson said, “Happy birthday, Brad. To celebrate, how about a game? Have you ever played Strip Jackson Naked?”

 

Brad laughed, shook his head in amusement but then he suddenly realised he had never seen or heard this version of Jackson before. Jackson’s eyes were filled with determination but also, everything about Jackson seemed unbelievably confident. It was all so different and yet, Brad knew he wanted the young man in his arms even more.

 

The look in Brad’s eyes became intent. With equal intent, Brad moved across the room and around the bed, stopping right in front of the younger man. Brad knew exactly how to play the game and moments later, confidently, slowly and sensually, he removed every item of clothing from Jackson’s body, as he stared at the flesh and muscle with desire.

 

Without the roll of dice, immediately taking his turn, Jackson did the same to Brad. His hands unhitched Brad’s shorts and they slid down his legs to the floor. He moved his hands to the bottom seam of the singlet, his fingers inside and his thumbs outside and slowly, as his hands pressed against Brad’s skin, he lifted the singlet while his hands gently touched and brush against the muscled body.

 

When they finally were standing naked in front of each other, Jackson briefly looked at Brad’s erection, reached out and slid his fingertips along it’s length and then he glanced up into Brad’s eyes with a grin.

 

“Take me to bed, take me directly to bed, do not pass go and do not collect two hundred dollars,” Jackson said.

 

Brad laughed, his eyes became lascivious in their gaze and suddenly Jackson’s feet were no longer touching the ground. In the blink of an eye the young man was horizontal in Brad’s arms and a moment later, Jackson was laughing as he sailed through the air onto the bed. The next thing he knew, Brad was lying on top of him and they were kissing, touching and grinding, as they sighed and moaned with sounds of desire. Want and need combined in an ultimate collaboration, as they rolled and caressed and knew that all they had imagined, over respective periods of time, was true.

 

***

 

The sun rose on yet another beautiful day. From the start the sky was changing colour, as it turned from black to varying shades of blue, growing deeper with every hour that passed by. It was during the soft, early light, though, when Brad opened his eyes to the new day. He was lying on his side, his body curved slightly, with Jackson’s body form-fitting his.

 

His embracing arms surrounded Jackson, whose back pressed tightly to his chest. Jackson’s arse was snuggly positioned within the spoon of his crotch. Brad’s cock was hot and sweaty and so thick and stiff, as it nestled so perfectly, deep between the flesh pillows of Jackson’s arse.

 

As Brad noticed their legs were entwined like vines locking them together, almost instantly he felt - and if possible, heard - the silent voice of self, as each cell of his body in combination with the beating of his heart, along with the growing throbbing of his cock, spoke in unison to confirm what he now knew to be true.

 

Late the night before and deep into the early hours of a dark and quiet morning, they had made love with an intense obsession, which took Brad to a place he had never been before. Initially he had thrown Jackson onto the bed and proceeded to take him, however, minutes later, to his great surprise, Jackson had become a wild, young man; rolling him, diving on top of him and treating his body like it was his to control and to do with as he desired.

 

Jackson’s actions were like a desperate man. He touched him, he caressed him, he licked him and he kissed him. He squeezed Brad like a huge piece of fruit in his arms, like he was trying to get the last drops of juice into a glass. He kept repeating how much he loved Brad and then he was kissing him again, as if he was scared that time was running out.

 

Noticing, Brad kept telling Jackson it was okay and he was not going anywhere but Jackson would not let up. When Jackson went down on Brad, his actions seemed like a strange battle between tenderness and wildness. At a certain point Brad even wondered if Jackson wanted to bite off his cock and swallow it. Jackson seemed like an addict unable to control his need for another hit.

 

Brad felt like his body was an undiscovered continent and Jackson was the first to arrive. Jackson explored him visually from top to bottom, the tips of his fingers gliding over every millimetre of his naked body, touching him like he was taking mental photographs of every single pore of his skin.

 

Jackson licked his hairless sack and sucked his nuts but as he did, the young man was moaning with sounds of disbelief. It was so clear that Jackson could not fully believe he was in the position he was in. Moments after Brad’s cock was in Jackson’s mouth, not only were his lips sliding up and down but he was sighing with sounds of pleasure, long before Brad even came. It seemed as if the taste of Brad’s cock was the most exquisite thing Jackson’s tastebuds had ever experienced.

 

Jackson kissed Brad’s cock like a lover would kiss his lips and while Jackson’s hands moved over his body at the same time, it seemed Jackson’s need to know Brad’s body was so deeply sensual, all while Jackson’s sexual hunger continued to devour his manhood.

 

It did not take long before Brad was drowning in the tactile sensations of what Jackson was doing to him. It was nothing short of the worshipping of his throbbing cock and Brad was being sent crazy, as he fell deep into an uncontrollable and unfathomable climax. As much as it was the last thing he wanted to say, Brad heard the words crying out of his own mouth and into the night, “Stop, Jackson. Oh fuck, oh shit, uh, uh, I can’t, I can’t - oh fuck, I’m gonna come.”

 

At that point, only seconds before his body’s first spasm, even as his sensitive cock was sliding over Jackson’s tongue, Jackson growled with libidinous determination and then he was swallowing Brad’s seed like it was the nectar of everlasting life. The young man seemed almost animalistic and yet, Jackson’s wildness seemed like the ultimate display of love and devotion.

 

As Brad lay almost wasted from the orgasm that had his body quaking on the bed, suddenly Jackson was lifting his legs into the air and then Jackson’s tongue was inside of him. Already losing his mind, if it was not already lost, Brad felt caught between the impossible and the implausible, as Jackson took his mind and body to a place he had only ever imagined.

 

Following an experience that took Brad’s breath away, the next thing he knew, Jackson was on top of him, kissing his chest and licking his nipples and then he was kissing upward until his tongue was back in Brad’s mouth. Brad could feel and taste the remnants of his climax on Jackson’s tongue, however, that was only one of myriad thoughts, as Jackson held him and kissed him and loved him in a way that left him breathless once again.

 

Inside those thoughtful moments that followed, as Jackson continued to love him with every part of his being, somehow Brad managed to recover from Jackson’s onslaught. There had not been a moment his cock had gone soft because Jackson had simply managed to hold him in a place of complete desire.

 

The moment the point of recovery arrived, Brad threw his arms around Jackson, locked the young man tightly to his chest and he thrust Jackson onto his back. All he wanted was to be inside of Jackson, to make him one with him and hopefully, to satisfy Jackson and take him to a similar, exceptional place. He looked deep into Jackson’s eyes but before he even made a move, Jackson said, “Take me, Brad. I want all of you, inside of me.”

 

There had been no thought or feeling of a monster, as Jackson suddenly realised how much he wanted Brad inside of him. There was no anxiety and there was no fear. What was actually in existence was nothing less than need and desire, completely surrounded by a love so deep, emotionally he wanted to give his entire being to the man who finally loved him back.

 

What followed seemed like an endless passage of time, even though time was not even in Brad’s thoughts. It was a very slow beginning because Jackson told him in that department, he was a virgin. Irrespective, soon enough he was inside of Jackson but for a long time it was the ultimate expression of making love.

 

The act was deeply sensual and so loving, as they kissed and touched while Brad entered and retreated with measured and deliberate strokes. The initial uneasiness left Jackson’s face quickly, only to be replaced with eyes that idolised and words that repetitively requested more.

 

It had been the most passionate and most exhilarating sexual experience of Brad’s life and all of it was because of Jackson. When he came again, this time inside of Jackson, his second climax exceeded his first. Brad could not stop staring into the young man’s eyes, he could not stop kissing him again and again and for the entire time, he could not believe the joy he felt, each and every time Jackson revisited the words - “I love you.”

 

As the night wore on, they talked, they laughed and they also made love until they both were hard yet no longer able to come. They cuddled, they kissed and they continued to reinforce their hearts to each other with those all encompassing three words. It was hot, it was extreme and it was as intense as either had ever experienced but in the end, it was more than either had ever wished for.

 

Now, as the daylight was streaming into his bedroom, he thought he should let the young man sleep. The problem, if it could be called a problem, occurred when once again Brad noticed the warmth of Jackson against him, the scent of Jackson’s body and the feeling as the soft, smooth and all consuming touch of their skins, caused Brad to push and slide the profuse hardness of his cock between those firm, young cheeks.

 

“Good morning,” Jackson said softly and unexpectedly.

 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” Brad replied.

 

“With that big boy you’ve got down there, you’re welcome to wake me every morning,” Jackson said.

 

Definitely joking, Brad replied, “Didn’t you get enough last night?”

 

“I can’t imagine I’ll ever get enough of your big boy.”

 

“Did I not tell you this was a one-night-stand, Jackson?”

 

A soft snort followed by an amused chuckle occurred and as Jackson pushed his arse back against the raging stiffness, he said, “So, you’re telling me you were just throwing me a bone? Woof, woof.”

 

Laughing loudly, Brad replied like he was talking to a beloved dog, “Who’s an insatiable, bad boy?”

 

Forcibly pulling out of Brad’s embrace and then turning over so he could see him, Jackson’s eyes were bright and a huge smile was on his face. He lifted his right arm, gripped Brad’s left shoulder and then pushed him onto his back. He lowered his chest on top of Brad’s chest and as he pressed his lips to Brad’s lips, he held the man’s big biceps and squeezed them as he kissed him lovingly.

 

The moment Jackson lifted his head and gazed equally as lovingly into Brad’s eyes, Brad said, “You know you’ve done it now, don’t you?”

 

“Done what?”

 

“I’m never going to let you go, Jackson. The way you look at me, hold me, touch me and want me like no one else, the greedy man inside of me won’t ever be able to get enough. You’re mine, Jackson, for life,” Brad said.

 

“For life? Oh I think your expectations are more than you have to offer, Brad. I mean I could probably put up with you for a few days, maybe a week?”

 

Brad grinned and threw back the sheet that had covered their bodies. The night before, Jackson had said he could not resist the sight of him naked and erect. Turning his head and looking down, Jackson stared with hungry eyes at the naked body and the large cock bouncing in mid air.

 

“Oh well, I guess I’ll have to find a new masseur to service my stiff muscle,” Brad replied.

 

Turning his head abruptly to look into Brad’s eyes, Jackson said, “That’s cheating and bribery and downright unfair.”

 

Snickering happily and following on from an irresistible, smiling face, Brad replied, “I’m all yours, Little Man.”

 

The look in Jackson’s eyes was practically indescribable, as they softened to a deep display of emotion. The banter was over and all that remained was the man of his dreams, the love of his life and that long ago created name, which told him he belonged to Brad. His eyes became glassy and they spoke his thoughts to Brad in silence.

 

“I’ll never be able to live without the way you look at me, Jackson. You fill me up and make my day and how it took me this long to realise is unfathomable. You’re my little man and you’ll always be my little man, even though you’re now a young man and one hot and sexy stud.”

 

With an expression of both love and satisfaction, Jackson’s eyes changed momentarily, suggesting a new thought had entered his mind. As Brad looked at him and wondered what Jackson was thinking, Jackson leaned down, kissed Brad’s chest and then continued kissing down his body. In the process, Jackson moved until he was lying between Brad’s legs.

 

When his mouth was directly above Brad’s thick cock, he turned and looked up into Brad’s eyes. Brad smiled at him but then Jackson looked at his cock, looked back at Brad, looked at his cock again and then back into Brad’s eyes. As if he was trying to make a decision, finally with a cheeky grin, he gave his full attention to Brad’s cock and said, “My hero.” He stared at the smooth, bulging knob of the circumcised rod of man meat, before he wrapped his lips around it and moaned.

 

Amused by the supposed choice between him or his cock, Brad thought, “You cheeky little shit.”

 

As Jackson softly and sensually began making love to Brad, the big man stared up at the ceiling and sighed with a sound of absolute pleasure.

 

“I love you, Little Man,” he whispered.

 

***

 

The drive north to Terrigal two weeks later was only about an hour and a half. From the moment Brad reversed out of his driveway and began their journey from Sydney to the Central Coast, his left hand was only out of Jackson’s right hand when he needed it for certain aspects of driving.

 

The month of March had given way to April but even though they were well into autumn, with climate change and the extreme changes in the weather, the temperature seemed to have become stuck between twenty-seven and thirty-three degrees celsius. Even the nights, which should have been cool, were incredibly warm if not hot. Subsequently, as they headed down the road, all either man was wearing were shorts.

 

Over the previous two weeks since they had both discovered the full truth, their lives had completely changed. They had literally pledged their love to each other, they had agreed that soon they would be living with each other and all the while they had continued to sexually satisfy each other, every moment they had between the imperatives of daily life.

 

They also had sorted out everything that needed to be dealt with, specifically in regard to other people. Apart from Penny, who had picked up her first international shoot and was currently in Singapore, everyone who meant anything to either of them, now knew the truth about their love and their relationship, as well as what they hoped for and planned for in their joint future.

 

It had been a confronting time, as they faced their fears about how their world would be accepted. There had been moments before they told anyone, when it felt like a storm lay ahead but in each and every case, somehow the dark clouds parted and every reaction turned out to be what they hoped for.

 

If there had been any difficulties at all, it was the requirement of time spent apart. Jackson had to go home and pretend like nothing was happening and Brad had to spend time alone, which was the last thing he wanted to do. Jackson continuously slipped out of the house late at night, only to sneak back in during the early hours of the morning. These facts only confirmed they needed to reveal the truth. They also had to go to work and the days apart felt like weeks until they could be in each other’s arms every afternoon.

 

It was the following Friday as they lay naked in Brad’s bed during the late afternoon, they made the decision that on Saturday, they would reveal the truth to April and Frank. Work separation was one thing but unnecessary separation because of secrecy was another matter altogether. They assumed that once that big reveal was out of the way, every other reveal would be a walk in the park.

 

There was one thing Brad noticed during the first two weeks they spent together and that was a distinct change in Jackson. It was not something of any concern, it was just a display of openness or a more free self-expression. Jackson suddenly felt comfortable in his own skin and therefore in what he could say, in what he could do and how he could act.

 

No longer did Jackson feel the need to check himself or second-guess his thoughts, feelings and words. Subsequently, Brad discovered the young man really loved to play and joke and engage in varied types of banter. Jackson was still his old self; thoughtful, serious and genuine, however, with no need to hide in the manner he had done for years, suddenly a new and far more easy-going face appeared as well.

 

As the car pulled away from Brad’s driveway, Jackson turned and looked at Brad and said, “This has been the best two weeks of my life because of you. I’m so happy, I’m so in love with you and I feel like I’m floating on air. Now you’re going to make it even better by taking me to the beach house where you first knew you were gay.”

 

“It’s just another location, Jackson. What does it matter where we are as long as we’re together?”

 

“I want you to take me to the exact spot where you met Michael and when we’re there, as long as there’s no one around, I want you to hold me and kiss me and do to me whatever he did to you,” Jackson said.

 

“It was eighteen years ago, Jackson. I haven’t been there in years and I don’t know if the dunes are even still there.”

 

“I hope they are because I want to be able to see and remember the place that led you to me,” Jackson said.

 

Turning and glancing at Jackson, Brad grinned and softly shook his head at how everything about him was just so important to Jackson.

 

“The other reason why it’s important is because for the next week we don’t have to work or do anything we don’t want to. We’ll be alone, no one will be able to interrupt us and I’m not going to allow you to wear clothes. I’ll have you all to myself and I expect you to satisfy my every desire, every time I require it,” Jackson replied.

 

“Oh really? Do I not have any say in the matter?”

 

“No,” Jackson replied.

 

“What? What do you mean, no.”

 

“I mean that your purpose in life is to see to my needs. Anything else is irrelevant,” Jackson replied.

 

Briefly turning to look at Jackson, Brad discovered the younger man staring at his body, in the unfettered way he now did these days. Ever since the night their truths had been revealed, Jackson no longer felt a need to hide from Brad, what he thought, what he felt or what he desired. Jackson had also taken to joking about Brad being his sex slave. Brad shook his head.

 

Jackson said, “What?”

 

“You know, Jackson, sometimes I wonder if you really do love me or if it’s just the meat on my bones that you’re interested in? I mean I like that you’re attracted to me but you do know there’s a person inside of this body and I’m not just a side of tender beef for you to devour at your leisure.”

 

“Yes you are,” Jackson replied.

 

“Excuse me?”

 

“We’re together, Brad. You’re my partner, my boyfriend or my lover or whatever you want to call it. I’m totally in love with you and that won’t change. The thing is, I’m also completely obsessed with your body. It’s bad enough seeing your shoulders and arms when you’re wearing clothes but every time you show excessive skin like you’re doing right now, I just want to taste you. Right now, that big red nipple in my line of sight is looking succulent and very inviting.”

 

“You leave my nipple alone, Jackson, at least while I’m driving.”

 

“How about we pop your big cock out of your shorts as an alternative? No one will see me if I just lean down and give it a little lick,” Jackson said.

 

“You’re fully aware of the effect you have on me every time your mouth gets anywhere near my manhood. You know what you do to me when you go down on me, Jackson. Are you trying to kill us both in a car accident?”

 

“No but what a way to go. I can’t think of a better way to die than while I’m in the middle of devouring your juicy meat,” Jackson replied.

 

Shaking his head, Brad focused as he turned out of the second street from home and headed up another. He then turned and looked at Jackson again, who was now grinning with amusement, no doubt with more deviant thoughts running through his mind.

 

“Stop it, Jackson. We’re three streets from home and you’re already carrying on like this. We’ve still got ninety minutes before we even reach the beach house. I don’t want an uncomfortable erection all the way up the Pacific Highway and the freeway.”

 

“Don’t be dull. You should be more imaginative and less prosaic. We could make the drive more exciting,” Jackson said.

 

“I know what your idea of exciting is, Jackson.”

 

“It’s the weekend, Brad. We’ve been in bed day and night for the last two weekends in a row. You can’t just create a habit in me and then expect me to go cold turkey for hours. It’s cruel and unusual punishment.”

 

“It’s not as if we’re driving across the country, Jackson. We’ll be there in ninety minutes.”

 

“Well, how about we play a driving game instead? You know, to help pass time?”

 

Dubiously, Brad glanced at Jackson, saw the unruly look in his eyes and the mischievous grin and shook his head and said, “I know what your games are like.”

 

“No, Brad, this one is different.”

 

“Uh-huh,” Brad said doubtfully.

 

“No, really it is. In this game, you get to keep all of your cumbersome clothing on.”

 

“Jackson, I’m only wearing shorts.”

 

“I know. It’s so frustrating,” Jackson said.

 

“You’re incorrigible, Jackson.”

 

“Anyway, so in the game, I try to discover if I can keep you erect for the entire drive north?”

 

“You’re impossible,” Brad said and Jackson laughed loudly.

 

“I always thought that as a responsible adult, my daddy would see to it that his little man would be adequately fed with lots of protein. You, though, well, you just seem to not care if your innocent boy dies from starvation.”

 

“Starvation? Spare me your overt platitudes of hardship. Ever since our first night, you’ve been going down on me so much my cock is practically raw.”

 

“Oh, don’t try to put the blame on me. When I taste you, it’s gentle and tender with the greatest of care. You, though, when you forcibly bend me over a chair or the bathtub or aggressively throw me down onto the bed, the lounge or floor and then enter my frightened pucker, even as I’m crying out to anyone to save me from your wicked ways, still you continue to pound me and rip it up like a jackhammer on concrete.”

 

“Hah, yeah right. Jackson the virginal angel. On that first night I thought you were going to bite it off, chew it up and swallow it.”

 

“Stop trying to make me out to be some sort of sex-hungry man-slut. If you hadn’t spent my entire youth parading around in front of me half naked and with that big bulge constantly in my face, I probably would’ve turned out heterosexual. I might have been in a relationship right now with a sweet young girl who could’ve become my wife.”

 

“You! Straight! Convicted gay sex offenders would gasp in horror if they saw what you’re like, Jackson.”

 

“It’s all your fault and you’re entirely to blame. I refuse to accept any responsibility for you guiding me towards an outcome you secretly planned. Twelve years you nurtured me to become your unwilling sex slave and now you pretend to be the victim of my insignificant sex-drive?”

 

“Ha ha. My little man; a poor, defenceless child.”

 

“Too right. Who knows what you’ve got in store for my firm and tight little arse once you get me locked away in your beach dungeon.”

 

“Dungeon? Oh, no Jackson, you’ve got it all wrong. It’s a retreat. We’ll be listening to new age music and meditating on the dangers of anal sex. It’ll be a productive seven days and teach you the benefits of self-control.”

 

“Dull, as I said. Drop me off here. I’ll walk home,” Jackson said.

 

Brad laughed loudly but after a few quiet moments, he said, “I can’t believe how well everything worked out for us, Jackson.”

 

“Yeah, me too, although, I suppose I shouldn’t have been as surprised as I was that Mum took it as well as she did.”

 

“What really surprised me was Frank. I felt sure when we told them, Frank would want pistols at dawn in a duel against the man who contaminated his son’s honour?”

 

“Dad’s a major work in progress. Both Mum and I have been working on him since I came out and I think he’s coming along just fine. It was nice, though, in spite of the millions of questions that filled their faces, how they still were able to smile and accept what we were telling them,” Jackson replied.

 

“It was a bit like they already knew,” Brad said.

 

“I think Mum somehow did. I’m not sure how she knew but after I came out to her, she asked me if I was in love with you? There I was thinking she’d be shocked I was gay but instead, she already knew I was gay and on top of that, somehow she already had those suspicions about you. I think the only thing that really shocked her was your self-realisation that you were gay. Once you explained that to her, she took it all in her stride.”

 

“If that’s the case, I should’ve spoken to April, it might have helped me to approach you sooner rather than later,” Brad said.

 

“Let’s admit it, Brad. We were both fairly blind. In retrospect it’s clear now but back then, you seemed like the impossible dream. Well, apart from your drunken night when I really did wonder about my chances but other than that?”

 

“I still can’t believe what you’ve told me about that night. I mean I knew I was really drunk but I barely remember any of it. It makes me think that if you’d kissed me in the car or shaken me and woken me up in the bed and then ripped off both of our clothes, there’s little doubt in my mind I would’ve been open to the experience with you,” Brad said.

 

“Well it doesn’t matter now but I suppose we can thank Michael and Harley for the point you finally reached,” Jackson replied.

 

“Somewhat,” Brad said.

 

“I’m just glad it was me and not one of them you wanted.”

 

“There’s never been anyone like you, Jackson. No one else had a chance.”

 

“Saying things like that will keep me in your arms forever, Brad.”

 

“That’s the plan, Jackson.”

 

“I sort of felt sorry for Dad.”

 

“In all honesty, now that you’ve talked about him to me, I find him pretty impressive if everything you’ve said is true. For someone that inflexible to have come as far as he has, he deserves a pat on the back,” Brad said.

 

“I have to admit I’m fairly happy with the way things have changed,” Jackson said.

 

“I don’t blame you. I suspect it’ll be some time before my father comes around,” Brad replied.

 

“You know, it was a shame it couldn’t have worked out the same with your parents, at least as well as it did with mine,” Jackson said.

 

“My mother was okay with it, even though I think she had a problem dealing with your age,” Brad replied.

 

“Your mum was nice enough, even though she was a little standoffish,” Jackson said.

 

“She’s still coming to terms with it. Remember, she only found out the week before that I was gay. We really did put a lot of eggs in one basket for everyone to deal with. We threw everything at everyone all at once,” Brad replied.

 

“In retrospect, the way it all happened, it almost seems like it was meant to be, Brad.”

 

“I can’t argue with that and nor do I want to, Jackson. I may not believe in all that ethereal stuff that so many people in this world believe in, however, the idea that there was some sort of magic working to bring us together, I really do kind of like that thought.”

 

“Me too, Brad.”

 

“I know I’ve already told you this but I really like your four friends.”

 

“Well, really, only two of them are my friends but I like their partners and I really hope it all works out for them.”

 

Briefly glancing at Jackson, a thought came to Brad about getting Jackson back for calling him dull and prosaic. Though Jackson did not see it, Brad’s serious expression gave way to an evil grin.

 

“Saad’s really hot. He so exotic and sexy and yet so manly. I wouldn’t mind getting me a piece of that,” Brad said, as he stared at the road without any expression while attempting to make Jackson jealous.

 

“What?”

 

“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t make a move because he’s with Preston but if they ever break up…”

 

“What? Are you…”

 

“Am I what, Jackson?”

 

“You’re fucking with me, right?”

 

“I’m serious, Jackson. I don’t blame you for tapping that for as long as you did. Those eyes and that body and his killer smile, holy shit, the guys a keeper.”

 

“You’re serious.”

 

“What? Of course I’m serious, Jackson.”

 

“But you said there was no one for you but me?”

 

“Well, idealistically, yeah but…” He trailed off.

 

Silence followed, Jackson folded his arms and his body stiffened. He turned and stared out the passenger side window and said nothing more. Brad turned and looked at him and grinned, as he envisioned the mature version of the pout.

 

“What’s up?”

 

“Nothing,” Jackson mumbled.

 

“Little Man, you’re not jealous, are you?”

 

“Of course not,” he replied gruffly.

 

“Does Saad have a nice cock and is it bigger than yours?”

 

“What?”

 

Turning his head abruptly, Jackson instantly saw Brad looking at him with the “Gotcha” expression all over his face. Jackson’s expression changed immediately.

 

“You prick!”

 

“Aw, Little Man, Daddy loves you and no one else.”

 

“I can’t believe you just did that to me or that I fell for it so easily.”

 

“I guess it’s surprising coming from someone as dull and prosaic as me, Jackson.”

 

Realising the reason, Jackson said, “I was joking, Brad.”

 

“So was I, Jackson.”

 

“Yeah but I didn’t make something up… I mean I did but that was different.”

 

“Of course it was different. You weren’t the brunt of the joke. It’s always a lot more fun at someone else’s expense,” Brad replied.

 

Hearing Jackson huff, Brad turned and looked at him and laughed when he saw the pout.

 

Jackson glared at him and said, “When you least expect it, when you’re totally unprepared and in a way you won’t see it coming, I’m gonna get you back for that.”

 

“Damn. I love how much you love me but Jackson, your reaction, well, that was just extra sweet.”

 

Jackson’s eyes opened super wide before he said, “You’re a nasty man.”

 

Brad chuckled but then returned to what they had been talking about and said, “Jess is really nice and it looks like Casey is gonna be under the thumb. He agrees with everything she says and jumps every time she says he should.”

 

“Yeah, I noticed that too. Thing is, they’ve only just started dating and so we probably need to wait and see how they work as a couple. Who knows, they might not even work out. Same applies with Saad and Preston.”

 

“I suppose so, Jackson. I guess time will reveal all. Not everyone can be you and me.”

 

“You’re fairly certain of yourself, aren’t you? Remember, Brad, in this country we refer to that sort of attitude as cock-sure but consider this. If you want to maintain that attitude, you better lift your game if you’re hoping to hold onto me. I’m young, after all and youth has a lot of requirements.”

 

“Are you suggesting I’m an old man, Jackson?”

 

“Well…”

 

“Well what?”

 

“I need a lot more of you if you want to keep my eyes in one place.”

 

“That could be considered blackmail, Jackson.”

 

“Whatever works,” Jackson replied with a huge grin.

 

“What have I gotten myself into? Here I was thinking as a mature, old man, you were a sweet, innocent and loving young man but the truth is, you’re not the man I thought you were.”

 

“So, what are you going to do about it, Brad? Are you going to bed me more often?”

 

“I guess we could have more sex if you need it that badly but alternatively, I suppose I could slowly learn to accept you’re just with me for what’s between my legs and therefore I’ll leave my heart out of the equation. I won’t give you any love, no kisses and when we’re together, I’ll always be fully clothed and just leave my cock hanging out of my fly so you can satisfy yourself whenever you need to. I’ll also just bend you over a chair if I have any desire for sex with you.”

 

“Wow, romantic or what?”

 

“Don’t worry, once we’re at the beach house I promise to top you up, Jackson.”

 

“Top me up? I’m not a petrol tank, Brad.”

 

“Really? I guess I had the wrong idea about this gay thing. Are you telling me you want a husband whose going to love, honour and cherish you, as well as making deep, passionate love to you everyday and night?”

 

“If it’s not too much effort, Brad.”

 

“So I take it, Jackson, all this carry on about me being too old and not giving you enough sex, is really you just trying to manipulate me and strengthen your position in our relationship? Fundamentally, you want to be in control and make me jump when you snap your fingers, just like Jessie?”

 

“I should have chosen Saad,” Jackson mumbled under his breath.

 

Bursting into laughter, Brad slapped his hand on the steering wheel and said, “You’re still a laugh a minute.

 

“It’s nice to know I amuse you.”

 

“You always have and I figure you always will, in only the best way,” Little Man.

 

***

 

The view of the clean, soft-grained, white sands and the crystal nature of the water was stunning. The proximity to all the amenities like shops and restaurants were in walking distance and the beach house was quaint yet perfect for a quiet week away for two people in love. The moment Brad and Jackson were inside, though, Jackson closed and locked the door and pushed his shorts and briefs to the floor. Brad turned around and Jackson was standing still and just staring at him.

 

“Do I even get to put the bags down, Jackson?”

 

“Your conjugal duties are required post haste,” Jackson said.

 

“We’re not married and it should be a pleasure, not a duty, Jackson.”

 

“I promise you pleasure but if you don’t take those shorts off right now and perform with all the exceptional talent I’ve come to know and love, than I can’t promise what my reaction will be from here on.”

 

Brad laughed, dropped the bags, pushed his shorts and briefs down and in seconds Jackson was wrapped in his arms. He kissed Jackson like he always did and he listened as Jackson moaned like he always did as well. Barely a minute later they were falling onto a lounge, Jackson beneath and Brad on top and the passion exceeding lust proportions, as the extremes of male desire ignited.

 

Their kiss was hungry and desperate, as their bodies pushed and thrust while their fingers gripped and dragged. A few minutes later when the kiss briefly parted, Jackson made it known his intention was to have Brad in his mouth yet again. More than happy to submit, at least temporarily, their positions reversed and Jackson tasted his man from his lips all the way down to his cock, where he spent a long time making both of them very happy.

 

After yet another exceptional execution and rendering on Jackson’s behalf, their positions reversed again and Brad took Jackson to the place where the younger man constantly desired to go. Well over an hour later, naked, sweating and lip-locked, they remained tightly wrapped together, before falling into a reverie sleep that carried them through to the afternoon.

 

When they awoke, they showered together before Brad took Jackson for a walk. Unfortunately, in place of the dunes were buildings and infrastructure, causing a natural scene to be wiped from history. Brad was not overly concerned and though Jackson seemed pissed off for a while, after a pleasant dip and swim in the ocean and a relaxing time lying beneath the sun, nothing but being together seemed to matter.

 

When the sun finally began to set, they returned to the beach house and showered and dressed, before leaving again and going to a restaurant for dinner. The moment they returned, though, regardless of how early it was in the night, they went to bed and ravished each other with their usual love and desire.

 

The week at the beach house was a wonderful and relaxing time for both of them. Everyday was spent on the beach, just as Brad had suggested on the night he got drunk. In a way it was like a honeymoon and they got to know each other even better, whenever they were not getting to know each other more intimately. Making love was their main recreational activity but there was nothing they wanted more than to be as close as they could be and to learn everything they could, whether they were naked in each other’s arms or not.

 

It was a little disappointing when they had to return at the end of the week but still they left knowing they planned on coming back to the beach house regularly. For the most part life went back to normal, at least in it’s newly evolving form. Time, though, could not help but bring change and even though the changes were necessary, the changes only served to bring the men closer.

 

***

 

By the time Jackson’s eighteenth birthday came around, there was not a person who knew them or knew of them, who did not know they were gay, they were lovers and they were partners who lived together. After several long conversations concerning the pros and cons of what they wanted, they decided to keep the house and pay Penny out. They had been living there together anyway and deep in Brad’s heart, he loved his little home and did not want to let it go.

 

Less than a week after Penny returned from Singapore, she met someone else and ironically, a month later she was married. She met up with Brad alone again, worrying how he would react but when he sincerely congratulated her and was not concerned at all, only to then tell her he was gay and living with Jackson, any emotional feelings she had for him, seemed to immediately be lost. She told him it was fine and of no concern to her but it was obvious she was bothered. After that, other than contact regarding her money from the house, she disappeared out of Brad’s life and he never saw her again.

 

Having Jackson’s parents next-door seemed a little weird once they decided to reside in Brad’s house. Eventually, though, April and Frank’s presence became more enjoyable than problematic and they soon discovered that in a way they had not expected, family could also become friends.

 

As the years went by their world grew, evolved and changed but many things remained the same. New friends entered into their existence but the old ones always stayed a part of their inner circle as well.

 

Saad remained Jackson’s closest friend but though he and Preston stayed together for a while, a year after they had become partners, Preston decided he wanted to return to the United States, which was not something that Saad wanted to do. They split up, Preston went home and Saad became single again. It was around that time when Saad came out to his father and to his great happiness, his dad accepted him completely.

 

A few months later Saad’s father, Amir, returned to Australia. One day he went to see Saad at Body Ease, where his son had been employed by Levi as a consequence of sacking Brook and Jackson going away for the week with Brad. While Saad was working on a client, Amir sat with Levi in his office talking. During their conversation, Amir suggested to Levi that he should expand the business and open other clinics throughout the city, the state and the country. Being a highly successful businessman, Amir could see the potential and capabilities of what was already a successful business.

 

Though Levi liked the idea because he had often imagined it, he told Amir his financial position was not viable enough for one new clinic, let alone multiple. Amir smiled at him and told him he would back him if he was interested and Levi agreed after further discussions.

 

Once the men shook on it, Amir told Levi there was one condition; Saad was to hold a fifty percent share in the overall business, though not the original massage clinic because that would always be Levi’s baby. A week later, Levi agreed and a month later contracts were signed. Amir had seen to it that not only did Saad continue doing what he loved doing but his son would also be able to express his business acumen, giving him the ability to create a large and healthy business with Levi in partnership.

 

Within two months, Amir told Saad that Levi, his hard working and quiet partner, actually was alone and lonely and that if Saad was interested in the attractive, older man, he should ask him out and spend some time with him. Saad told his father he was wrong and that Levi was not gay but Amir raised his eyebrow, shook his head and walked away laughing.

 

One year later, new clinics had been opened to the north, west and south of Sydney and Saad and Levi had become partners in love as well as business. As a consequence, Jackson’s position at Body Ease was made as solid as stone and though he was offered a managerial role in one of the other clinics, Jackson was a man of simple requirements and continued to do what he did best, in the place he liked to do it.

 

One year after getting together, Jessie and Casey were married and together they took on one of the managerial roles in the clinic to the south of Sydney. They bought a house nearby, settled in for the long-term as husband, wife and business partners and though it was almost seven years later, Jessie became pregnant and soon a family began to grow.

 

The three friends, Jackson, Jessie and Saad became even closer and with their partners always at their sides, they often got together on weekends for backyard barbecues, picnics in any of the national parks or even just going out for a night on the town.

 

There was one thing that Brad was definitely aware of and that was though he was still working the same job and still living in the same house, with Jackson by his side, he was not only incredibly happy and in love but he was also now a more social man. He had numerous friends of varied ages and at no point did he ever feel is life was slow or boring.

 

One of the most interesting friends Brad had gained during the first year he and Jackson were together, was actually the husband of Jackson’s father’s best friend. Eventually Frank had truly come to terms with Davey, which was most likely because of Jackson. On the first night he invited Davey and his husband Kyle for dinner, April suggested he invite Brad and Jackson as well, as a way to make things go smoother. Over the course of the night, not only did everyone have a great evening but Frank repaired the distance in his friendship with Davey and Brad found a friend he really connected with in Kyle.

 

As the years continued to roll on by, there was one thing that always amazed Brad right down to the crux of his being. It just seemed that no matter what their circumstances, no matter if their road was smooth or rutted and in spite of the fact he was getting older, Jackson never stopped looking into his eyes like he was Thor wielding a hammer. Jackson just seemed to never stop adoring him and loving him and wanting him naked.

 

On the day of Jackson’s thirtieth birthday, Brad awoke to Jackson kissing his lips with such tender passion, it made him hard in seconds. The moment he opened his eyes, Jackson broke the kiss and said, “Two guesses what I want for my birthday?”

 

Brad shook his head and with a large grin he said, “A Ken doll and a GI Joe doll, both anatomically correct and with enormous erections, so you can make them fuck and learn about sex between men?”

 

Briefly surprised by the comical response, a moment later Jackson rolled his eyes, gripped Brad’s hard cock and said, “And your second guess would be?”

 

“Um, I’m not one hundred percent sure, Jackson. Does it have anything to do with what you’re holding under the sheet?”

 

“You bet your sweet arse it has something to do with that,” Jackson replied.

 

“Wow, it only took me two guesses,” Brad said with a smirk from ear to ear.

 

“Well? What are you waiting for, a gilded invitation?”

 

“Sorry if I’m a bit slow on the uptake, Jackson. What exactly do you want me to do with this big cock you suddenly seem so interested in?”

 

Jackson huffed and said, “This is not how I planned this would play out. It’s my birthday and a special one at that. You should be swooning over me, covering my naked body in kisses, pledging your undying love to me and then feeding me a huge, meaty breakfast in bed.”

 

“Oh,” Brad said, sounding like he was intellectually slow and was still putting the pieces together.

 

Jackson huffed again, threw himself back against the mattress and as he stared up at the ceiling with an ultimate pout, he said, “Twenty-four years and you still don’t get it.”

 

Brad burst into laughter, rolled onto his side toward Jackson, propped himself up so he could look down at the pouting love of his life and replied, “Aw, Little Man, I love playing with you because you always show me exactly how much you love me when I do.”

 

“You’re a shit,” Jackson mumbled.

 

“I’m the man who’s madly in love with you, Jackson.”

 

“You could’ve fooled me.”

 

“I did fool you, Little Man,” he said and laughed and winked at him.

 

“You always have to win with the last word, don’t you?”

 

With a huge smile, Brad wrapped his free arm around Jackson, rolled him onto his side and pulled him over and against his huge chest. He crushed him against him, kissed him deeply and then as he pulled back and looked into the besotted eyes, he said, “I love you more than I could ever explain but is there any chance my own personal masseur could give my stiff muscle a hot, wet massage to take away my throbbing pain?”

 

“Well, I wasn’t planning on working on my birthday but for you, okay. On your back,” Jackson said with a smile, “let me see what sort of service I can provide for you.”

 

“Oh, oh Jackson, oh yes,” Brad said moments later.

 

Jackson was smiling and laughing even though his mouth was full, as he listened to Brad’s indirect words of satisfied acknowledgement. He pulled back and said, “You like that?”

 

“It’s better than one of your bad jokes,” Brad replied.

 

“My jokes are good jokes I’ll have you know. Like this one…”

 

“Oh, someone kill me now. No, Little Man. Please don’t, I’m begging you.”

 

“Why did the squirrel swim on his back?”

 

“Little Man, if I ask the question, do you promise to finish what you started?”

 

“I promise, Brad.”

 

With a loud sigh of resignation, Brad asked, “I don’t know, why did the squirrel swim on his back?”

 

“To keep his nuts dry,” Jackson replied and roared with laughter.

 

Trying desperately hard, Brad could not control himself and he burst into laughter as well. When he finally pulled himself together, Jackson looked at him and said, “See, you always laugh. I don’t know why you don’t want to hear my jokes?”

 

With a huge grin, Brad shook his head and said, “Happy Birthday” and then he reached with his hand, firmly grabbed Jackson’s head and then pushed it down until his cock was back in his mouth.

 

“Enjoy your present, Little Man.”

 

Jackson moaned with delight and Brad looked out the window at another superlative day. In essence, this was there life. True love, hot sex, laughter, fun and a warm and inviting home where they could always be themselves and be happy.

 

Looking down at Jackson again, Jackson was looking up at him with those beautiful, blue eyes and somehow smiling as his mouth rose and fell. It all seemed so perfect to Brad and he thought, “I’ve got to be the luckiest man alive.”

 

As if he knew what Brad was thinking, Jackson winked at him and took him extra deep.

 

“Oh, Little Man,” he said amidst a moan and as Jackson’s eyes lifted and looked into his eyes again, Brad gazed at him with love and said, “I’m all yours, Little Man.”

 

 

The End.