It Happened One Spring: Chapter 1

It Happened One Spring

I was still in high school when I met him. I was on choir tour and we stopped off at some other high school to do an exchange. It's odd how high schools are all different and yet the same. I was sitting in a different and yet familiar desk, staring at the same old gray tiles in my own classroom. The same acoustic tile lined the walls and ceiling. Although we had a dry erase board at the front of the room instead of a chalkboard, it also had the staff lines permanently drawn to aid the music teachers.

My eyes wandered over the unfamiliar faces of the host choir, wondering vaguely who they were and what they thought of us. Their work was impressive, far better than the weepy romantic shit our choir director made us sing. We sounded like lovesick song birds. Their music had an edge with dancing rhythms. Needless to say by the end of their set I was impressed and wished I could be going to that school instead of my own.

The bell rang and the host director asked her students to introduce themselves to us and show us around the lunch areas since we were to eat along with them. I stood and picked up my bag, trying to step past a small gaggle of sopranos from both schools that seemed to make eager plans about some sort of dining experience.

The host baritones and tenors held back, not quite as outgoing as their female friends. I looked to my fellow baritones and they were equally apprehensive of getting to know a bunch of guys they didn't know. A few were dragged into the girl group by their girlfriends leaving a small handful of our limited male sections. It was going to be a long day.

“Hi, I'm Michael, and you are?” A guy with short dark hair greeted me, flashing his straight teeth in a toothy grin. He looked a bit Italian with his dark eyes and complexion.

“I'm Owen Baker… I'm a tenor…” It was stupid to say that. If he had been paying attention he would have known that I was the one of three tenors segregated from the baritones by our female sections. Our director was into sectionals in formation which looked to the outside crowd like a few guys standing next to a lot of girls and then another small clump of guys. Michael's choir was mixed so I really didn't know what part he was.

“Me too!” Michael grinned back at me. “Well, in honor choir I'm actually a bass, but I go both ways… wanna have lunch? I'll show you around campus…” His eyes glanced at the other guys in my group, none of which met his gaze and all shuffled nervously amongst themselves.

“Well… I'm hungry… I don't know about them.” I followed my gracious host out the door, behind the larger mass of both school's soprano and alto sections… and a few boyfriends.

“So where do you come from again? I don't think I've ever been there…”

My town really wasn't so impressive. We didn't have the money to go on some exotic choir tour to some far off corner of the world. We had to make due with a trip to a district only a few hours away by bus. But it was an overnight trip because that night there was supposed to be a concert at the host school. The next day there was a choir competition at some music event and then we would be headed home, all before dinner.

We spent the lunch period chatting about our respective towns. All too soon the school day ended and we were bussed off to the motel where we were to spend the night, properly chaperoned, of course. It was only time enough to check in and change for our concert.

The concert went well. Afterwards I found Michael in the reception area by the fruit punch bowl. “Well… Just one more day. We'll be seeing you at the competition tomorrow… but you're a nice guy.” I felt like an idiot. No one said such things to guys their own age. He was a nice guy but after tomorrow we would never meet again.

Behind us I heard someone mutter, “queer.” It caught me off guard. This was a rumor I faced at school which is why my fellow male sections didn't mind that I missed lunch with them. For once it was nice to be somewhere with people who didn't seem to talk about me behind my back. At school I often tended to hear words like, “fag” and “queer” as well as all the other words. Sometimes I wondered if it was my mind playing tricks on me. Why would I hear so many words like that? A glance at Michael told me he had heard the uttering, that it wasn't just my imagination. His face held a somewhat thoughtful look, staring over my shoulder at a few people behind me.

“Well… it was good meeting you… the bus will be going soon… goodbye.” I turned and left the reception as fast as I could, beating out all the other choir members to the bus. Even the bus driver wasn't there. I leaned against the cool metal and closed my eyes. My tux was bound to get dirty but I didn't care.

Was I gay? I wasn't really sure, to be honest. It started a few months before… the flip flops in my chest when I looked at certain guys. Flip flops didn't happen around girls. The fact that it only happened with guys terrified me because it meant I wasn't normal. I tried with rather disastrous results to date girls. I even took one to our Junior Ball… But it soon became obvious that she was far more interested in me than I was in her. The kissing and touching did absolutely nothing for me… her brother, on the other hand, happened upon us when I escorted her to the door. The quarterback for the school team, he was well built and my dick immediately responded when he looked at me. It was horrible. My date was aware that I suddenly sprang to life and it was because her brother was giving us a dirty look. After that the whispers of my sexuality started to circulate.

^.~

I somehow managed to be in the only boy's room without a bedmate. The other two guys in my room shared a queen sized and I was alone, contemplating my fate. I knew I had screwed things up with Michael. He was cute and certainly seemed interesting, but the rumors would chase him away. Who wants to be friends with a guy who may end up lusting after you?

^.~

I sat in the auditorium, my elbows on my knees with the program rolled up in my hand. Nervously my dress shoe tapped on the floor as I watched a seeming endless parade of tuxes and horrible matching gowns march across stage to sing and leave. My eyes scanned the audience, looking for any sign of the gowns I had seen the night before at the concert, wondering when Michael's school would arrive.

It seemed like hours and I knew our turn would be soon. I dreaded the thought of singing and leaving, never to see Michael again. I had checked the program from the night before to learn his last name, wondering what good it would do me since I would never be in this town again… he was a senior anyway and would most likely move to go to college. His name was Montecella… It was Italian, meaning something like Mountain Cell. I contemplated the odd name.

Something jabbed me in the shoulder and I looked up from my aisle seat at the tux that stood a stair above me. “Hey… here… gotta go!” Michael flashed me a toothy smile and then turned around to charge back up the stairs to join the rest of his choir. They filed around the room and marched on stage. The scatterings of my choir weren't paying much attention. A few followed Michael with their eyes and then looked to me with a disgusted look on their faces. But I, for once, paid it no mind. My eyes followed Michael around the auditorium and up onto that stage.

As they sang I watched intently, trying to pick out his voice. But they were well blended and no individual voices could be heard. I contented myself with watching him sing… amazed at the way his eyes intently stared at the conductor… or the way his lips moved against those teeth. Only when they were off stage did I look at what he had handed me. It was a small slip of paper and on it was a home address along with some words… “Owen, Write to me! Mike.”

Tucking the piece of paper safely away in my tux pocket I stood with the rest of my choir and filed around the room to make my entrance on stage. As I stood on the riser, waiting for our conductor, I looked out into the auditorium, unable to see anything with the bright stage lights. I wondered if he was out there, watching me as I had watched him. I wondered what he thought of me and why he had written down his address for me. Wasn't he afraid that I would “turn him” as many other guys around me seemed to fear? And when the conductor raised her baton to direct us, I sang those drippy love ballads with someone in mind.

Maybe I couldn't “turn him” but I certainly was elated that he at least was giving me a chance by giving me his address. We could be friends at least, even though he knew what I was.

^.~

A few weeks later I received his first letter. My own letter had been somewhat short, wondering if the address he gave me was legit. With his response my fears were put to rest. I nervously opened the envelope and pulled out the several binder sheets of paper with small handwriting.

He told me of his day and his classes… his hopes to get into college and what he planned to study. He told me of his family and their family business. It seemed Mike was a bit of an heir, but that didn't bother me, except in the realization that he would be expected to marry well and provide an heir of his own.

Our correspondence lasted after we both graduated and went into college. Of course we went to different colleges. He had the finances to get into a good school and I did not. He told me of his apartment. His parents had rented a penthouse for their beloved only son. He also told me of his classes.

One day he sent an invitation. “Why don't you come for a visit during your college break?”

I called him that night to accept, my heart excitedly doing flip flops as I listened to the phone ring endlessly. I worried that I had the wrong phone number. I didn't usually call because I was worried that he would find me to be a bit too presumptuous. Instead I kept our correspondence to letter writing with phone calls reserved for birthdays and holidays. But mostly I wrote. After all, there was no indication that he even liked me as much as I liked him.

The sound of his voice on the other end of the line made me nervous and I kept stumbling over my words. Eventually we managed to make plans for me to come later in the month. As I hung up I knew the month would lag by until my trip came.

It did, but I don't wish to go into the boring details. Instead I focused on the trip. It was far away enough to take a short flight and then take a taxi from the airport. I didn't tell him I was coming by plane. Would he have picked my up from the airport? How would we have greeted each other? Instead I opted to show up at his front door at the appointed day. It was raining.

The taxi navigated the narrow streets in the posh neighborhood as I stared out of window from the damp vinyl interior of the taxi. Finally it stopped before a massive apartment building and the driver told me that this was the address I had given him. Hastily I managed to pay the driver and get my things out of the taxi from the seat beside me before dragging my bag towards the shelter of the apartment complex entrance. There was no going back now as the taxi zoomed away. I looked to the list of names on the directory before punching in the code for Michael's apartment.

“Yes?”

“Michael… it's me. I'm here.”

“Come on up, Owen!” The door buzzed and I opened it with some difficulty. My things and I went to the elevators and I leaned against the steel walls, anxious to know my fate. Would it be college party boy? The elevator stopped and opened to reveal a door and I made my way to it to ring the bell. Nervously I used my fingers to comb the rain from my hair.

The door opened and Michael stood, smiling at me. He wore a college sweatshirt and jeans. “Owen, you made it. Did you drive?” Opening the door wider, he allowed me access to his apartment.

The dor wasn't what I expected. I expected a college bachelor pad with mismatched furniture, but the place was actually tastefully decorated. “No… I took a plane and a taxi.”

“Oh! How was the flight?” Michael took my jacket and some of my things, bringing them to another room before returning.

“It was fine… short but it cut off hours of travel time…” I looked around nervously, wondering what I was doing there and what he expected of me.

Michael stopped and looked around too, noticing my interest in his apartment. “Actually… this place is one of my parents' places. It just happens to be close to the college so it's mine for now. Come in and make yourself at home. Would you like something to drink? I have just about everything…” Quickly he wandered off into the kitchen and I followed him.

“No, not really…”

We spent the afternoon in the living room, watching the fire and listening to the rain as we caught up. It was odd being around him in person. I had only been near him those couple of days back in high school. Michael had grown a bit in the past couple of years. He looked older. I'm sure I looked the same.

Afternoon drifted into evening and he surprised me by cooking. It was an excellent dinner and there was wine. By the time dessert rolled around, I was more than a little drunk from the wine, food and his company. He was just as drunk and spent a great deal of time laughing as he lounged on the couch.

“Owen… this is one thing I've always wondered… and I hope you don't mind my asking.” Michael began, staring at his wine glass, twirling the contents and looking at it in the light.

“What is it, Mike?” I asked, sipping from my own glass… my brain more than a little warm and jumbled from the inebriation.

“Are you gay?”

His question startled me and I turned to blink at him for a long time. “Gay?” I echoed, unsure what he really wanted to know.

“Do you like guys?” Michael sat up and stared at me, seemingly focused despite his intoxication and it unnerved me.

“Why do you want to know about that? We're friends aren't we? What does it matter if I like guys… or girls… or space aliens…” I mused, trying to toss amusement into the situation.

“Owen, I'm serious.” Leaning towards me he grabbed my wrist. It was the first time he had ever touched me and the sensation sent tingles down my spine. “When we first met… the others… your classmates were all whispering about you… was what they said true?”

Memories of the reception came flooding back. They weren't really happy memories. I never felt more of an outcast than I did that night. Angrily I pushed his hand away. “I don't see how that's any of your business. Whether I like guys or not, it's not like I plan to jump every guy I meet…”

Michael blinked at me in surprise, obviously not expecting my reaction. “Oh…” With a bit of a sigh, he awkwardly got to his feet and bent to retrieve his glass. The spark had gone out of him and I really didn't know what to make of it. Was he disappointed or just hurt that I had snapped at him? Regretfully I got to my own feet and followed him into the kitchen, watching him load the dishwasher. “I was just curious…” His voice was low and hurt.

This guy was my friend… I had worked hard over the past couple of years to be a good friend because he excited me as no other person did. “I… honestly don't know. I don't date anybody, girl or guy.”

“Why not?” Michael continued to speak lowly.

“I don't know… no one ever really showed interest in me, I guess… that and… um… back in my junior year I took this girl to the ball and we kinda made out, but I really got nothing from it. Her brother met us at the door when I took her home and she could tell that I got all… excited seeing him. The next day the rumors started.” I leaned against the counter, my arms crossed over my chest.

“Was he… cute?” Michael whispered, holding a glass, paused in his dish loading.

“He was the quarterback of the football team… built like an athlete… yeah, I guess he was.” I stared at the glass and noticed Michael's hand was trembling as it quickly placed the glass in with the other dishes and shut the door to start the cycle.

“I guess we should go to bed then.” Michael regarded me resolutely.

The words immediately conjured images to my mind… images I had never even thought about except in my deepest, darkest fantasies. “Bed?”

Michael walked past me and led me to a bedroom. “Unfortunately I only have one bed…” He stopped and looked back at me, a look in his eyes that made me rather self conscious. My things were already at the foot of his bed from when I arrived. “The couch is somewhat uncomfortable… if you don't mind sharing.”

“I… um… no, I don't.” Those visions of going to bed repeated in my mind and I wondered in terror if he could actually read my thoughts.

“Do you think I'm cute, Owen?” His dark eyes held mine and I felt like he was grabbing the answer from within me, forcing it out.

“Yes…” I breathed without meaning to. Shock filled me and immediately I looked away, wondering what he must think, knowing I could possibly like men and that I thought he was cute. Would he demand that I sleep on the couch now that he knew?

“I think you're cute too… in fact I thought you were cute the moment I laid eyes on you in choir that one day. You looked so very nervous and embarrassed singing those stupid love ballads. They made you blush and I thought that was cute. I was glad to hear you didn't have a girlfriend… or a boyfriend as I later overheard at the reception. I thought I would be content just being friends, but overhearing that opened up new possibilities for me…” His words did nothing to help my nerves as I stood there, listening to his admission. “To hear that you still didn't have a companion… well… I'm glad.”

“You… are?” I blinked at him, rather aware that my body was reacting to him the same way I had reacted to that quarterback.

Michael's arms wrapped around me as he hugged me close and he kissed my cheek, which sent warm shivers down my spine. “I am… Time for bed…” Quickly he pulled away and turned towards the bed, pulling off his sweatshirt and jeans, leaving a pair of boxers.

I wondered what was to be expected of me. Did he really mean for me to toss off all my clothes as he had done and jump into bed with him? I turned off the light and began to undress. Wearing only my briefs, I got into his bed. Warm hands touched my chest, caressing my skin.

“Owen… whatever you're comfortable doing… I want…” His words were cautious, nervous. Really he didn't know that I liked him as much as I did. His hands were trying to ask me to touch him.

“I still have the note you gave me at the competition… the one with your address on it, even though you moved. I kept it along with all of your letters.” My hand rested on his, lacing our fingers together.

“I kept yours too… I have them in a box.” Michael leaned his head on my shoulder, even though he had two pillows. His hand continued to hold mine as we lay there, too scared to do much more than hold hands in bed together.

I turned my head towards his, placing a soft kiss on his forehead. His hand tightened on me and he gave a soft moan, his leg touching mine. It emboldened me and I reached out to touch his cheek, guiding his lips to my own. My heart raced in my ears as our lips met and opened. I could taste the wine on his tongue.

Michael's arms wrapped around me and he pulled me on top of his own body. We kissed and rubbed against each other. “Please… Owen I want to be close to you… as close as we can be.”

I reached down and pulled down his underwear, feeling something warm and hard flop against his belly. His own hands sought out the waistband of my own underwear, removing it. With a feral moan I rubbed against him, feeling our naked bodies come together. The excitement of being with the man I had lusted for the past few years got the better of me and I ejaculated on his belly.

Michael stopped his kisses and gave a bit of a giggle. “That excited, eh? Don't worry about it… we can change the sheets afterwards…” His lips again took mine.

I wanted to be close to him and fill his wish of being together. My legs straddled his pelvis and I reached down to smear some of my semen onto his tip. My touch made him writhe beneath me, but I managed to place it someplace.

Michael's body eagerly entered mine and it hurt. But the idea of him being a part of me made me try to relax and enjoy making love for the first time. His hands held my hips, helping me grind against him as he pushed up under me. After a few minutes, his hips stopped and he cried out, pulling my body closer. “Gods, Owen… I can't believe I just did that with you.”

The tone of his voice confused me. I thought he wanted to express his feelings for me. “Why can't you believe? Your dick is in MY ass and you can't believe?” I felt indignant that he didn't properly appreciate the monumental occasion this was. I just gave up my virginity to him.

“Owen… Relax. I just meant… I never imagined that within hours of you arriving here we would consummate our feelings for each other. I've always wondered what it would be like to make love to you… if you would even want to be with me… and now I know.”

I pulled off of him, feeling oddly like I was pulling away from something that was a part of me. I lay beside him, leaning on his shoulder as he had done me. “You could have asked…”

“But there was more chance for you to say that you weren't interested in me in THAT way.” Michael reasoned, holding me tightly around the shoulders. Stifling a yawn, his fingers slipped down to my ass, exploring where he had been. “Sorry… didn't get much sleep last night. I was too worried about today.”

“I'm tired too…” And yet I wanted to stay in his arms and make love to him. I had never had a lover before and now that someone wanted to sleep with me, it made me feel needed and horny.

“I'm… very horny right now…” Michael admitted, again echoing my thoughts. “I'm exhausted but horny… how's that for mixed feelings?” His body rolled over on top of mine. His lips kissed mine gently. “Do you want to enter me?”

“That's alright… I like feeling you inside of me.” I answered, laughing a bit nervously.

“We can take turns, Owen… switch back and forth. I want you to… please.” His lips pressed against mine as his hand reached down to fondle me. There was no need to do it because his kisses had already aroused me. His legs straddled mine and he eased down on me, taking me.

I watched in awe as he rode me. My hand stroked him, even though it was a bit gross. I liked watching him move, tight on me. It didn't take long before I felt the warmth of his semen squirt against my chest… the sensation surprising me and I too ejaculated in him.

“There…” Michael panted, lying down on top of me, making no move to pull off. “We are together… we've both made our marks in the other. Stay with me, Owen… Stay for as long as you can… I think I could love you very deeply.”

His words made me feel warm and happy as I held him. “I could love you too.”

“You were my first… in case you're wondering what sort of experience I've had. I've looked, but I never touched.” Michael whispered.

“I'm glad to know that. You were mine too. That makes me happy.” I nuzzled against him a moment, content in our intimacy.

“I know you have to go back to school. Your classes resume next week… as do mine. But let's not wait another couple of years to get together. Come to my college… or I'll go to yours. We can live together and sleep together.” His body was beginning to feel a bit heavy and I suppose he knew that because he rolled off of me and snuggled up against my warmth. “What do you say?”

What could I say? “I tried getting into your school, actually… but they wouldn't accept me.

“Then I'll go to yours.” Michael stated with a grin.

“No! This is the best school for the smartest students… you belong here with them. I have no right to take you away from your studies. You can be someone important… someone needed.”

“I chose my own life path… and I chose to walk it with you. If you can't join me then I will join you.” His lips kissed at me. It was amazing, knowing someone had such feelings for me as to give up their career for me.

“I can't let you do that, Michael… I can't hold you back like that. It would be horrible of me to accept it. What sort of lover would I be if I let you throw away your potential career?” I asked him, holding his hand. “And this isn't a way of me saying I don't want to be with you. I like you a lot. I've liked you since we first met and you showed me around your high school. I liked you when we flirted by the punch bowl… and I adored you when you handed me your address and I watched you sing.”

“Owen… you're too much.” Michael breathed, lying beside me. “You're right. What sort of person would you have been to selfishly allow me to throw away mum and dad's investment in my future?”

“That doesn't mean we have to give up our relationship… if you want… I'll still be your boyfriend or lover… or whatever.” I cuddled with him, feeling safe in his bed.

“I would like that very much…” His response was soft as he began to drift off. I quickly followed.

^.~

The girl blinked at me from the doorway, looking into the apartment over my shoulder. “Is this… Michael?” Her voice was soft and well mannered.

“Michael went off to the store. Are you a friend of his from school?” I asked, regarding the girl with interest.

“No… I'm a family… friend. May I come in?” Anxiously she looked around the foyer as if expecting monsters to pop out and attack her.

“Yes, of course…” I opened the door for her, allowing her to enter. Immediately she went for the couch and sat down. “May I offer you anything to drink?”

“No thank you…” The girl sighed and stared at her hands as if wondering what to do with them. “Are you Michael's friend from school?”

“You could say that… although we met in high school. I didn't go to any of Mike's schools.” I replied, sitting down on the other side of the couch, wondering why she was there and what she could possibly want.

The girl flinched a bit at the chummy form of Michael's name.

“Are you sure I can't get you anything?” I asked, my curiosity overwhelming me.

Michael entered the apartment at that moment, unaware that we had guests. “So… I got two cans of whip cream, I didn't know how up you were to licking and so… oh.” His eyes fell on the girl sitting on the couch with me. “Emily…”

Emily stood up and turned to face him. “Michael…”

I looked between the two, wondering who the girl was. Michael's eyes were filled with worry and fear. Emily's eyes looked hopefully and adoringly at Michael. “Emily is a friend of the family?” I prompted, wanting to know more.

“You could say that…” Michael breathed, clutching his grocery bag full of lick-able things we were going to experiment with that night. “She's… my…”

“Fianc” Emily stated, still looking at Michael.

I felt my heart bottom out and the world spin. “She's your fianc?”

“More like intended really… a match set up through our families.” Michael replied. “Emily… I… can't marry you.” It was blunt and somewhat harsh.

“Why not? We are engaged! Our parents have it all planned out. Once you graduate you'll go work for my father and marry me…” Emily didn't seem to care that I was in the same room. In fact she ignored me completely. What importance was a male school friend?

“Because… I want to be with someone else.” Michael admitted, staring down at his bag of things.

“Who? Who is she? What does she have that I don't have?” Emily demanded.

“A dick…” Michael sighed and set down his bag as Emily tried to work out what exactly he was saying. “Look… I'm sorry Emily… you're a great girl and all… but I like men.”

Her eyes glared at him. “YOU like men? You aren't just saying that? Can't you just stop liking men?”

“I can't… I've always liked them… and besides… I… we…” Michael glanced at me nervously.

Quite suddenly I felt fear, realizing he was about to drag me into this fury. “Oh no, Mike… don't bring me in on this… this is between you two, not me.”

Emily sounded out the nickname I had used for Michael and then turned to me as if seeing me for the first time. “It's YOU! You're the one he's hung up on. You're the dick he wants to be with.” Her eyes glared at me in righteous anger of a jilted bride.

“I… I didn't know he was engaged.” I raised my hands to protest her fury. “He's never spoken of you before and…”

“Never spoken of me? How could you never speak of me? Are you ashamed of me?” Her attention returned to Michael.

Michael scratched the back of his neck nervously. “Well, Emily… it's just never came up.”

Emily glared at him as if staring at some hateful insect and then she looked at me as if I was equally revolting. “Well… same sex marriages aren't allowed. You can still marry me and have a… fling or two. I'll only need you when we need to get pregnant.”

Michael paled and looked down at his feet. “You mean you won't call off the wedding?”

“Why should I?” Emily shrugged. “Everything has already been arranged by our parents… even the invitations are printed and ready to go out the day after you graduate. So… until then, my dearest…” She kissed his cheek before heading to the door. “Enjoy your indiscretions. You'll be expected to knock me up within the first few months.” Casually she left the apartment, not even sparing me one last look.

“Oh shit…” Michael breathed, watching the door close behind her. His eyes looked to me. “Owen… I'm so sorry…”

“You're engaged, Michael? Congratulations…” I walked across the room to him and gently kissed the cheek she hadn't. “I wish you the best then…”

“Please don't say that…” Michael whispered, his eyes on me… begging me. “Don't act like you're about to walk out on me.”

“What else can I do? You're going to be married… and I… can't marry you.” The thought broke my heart, imagining Michael standing at the altar, pledging his life to Emily when I could not.

“This is why I wanted to run away with you… I don't want this life… I don't want to marry her.” Michael took my hands and urgently looked into my eyes. “I don't care if it's not legally recognized… I want to be with YOU.”

“You can't run away from your life… This is the hand you've been given.” I stated. The look he gave me broke my heart but I had to be the strong one for the good of his life.

“No… No I don't. I want to be with you, Owen. I finally have you and I don't want this to all end because my stupid ass parents decided I needed to marry the daughter of their oldest friend. If you walk away now and never return… I'll regret it. I know I will. I'll never be happy.”

“But I have no right to intrude on your plans like this. We can be just friends, can't we?” I asked, desperately. “I really don't want to be your… mistress.”

“Don't be silly, Owen. The term for a male would be paramour.” Michael gave me a half smile and then a sad frown. “You are going to leave me, aren't you?”

“I don't think I have any choice… you're going to be married whether any of us like it or not. That is what's expected of you.” I whispered, feeling his hands on me. They pushed me against the back of the couch and the turned me around to take me from behind.

“If you're going to leave me… I want to make love tonight… all night… you can leave in the morning but give me tonight.” His body took me roughly as if he focused all his frustration and anger at my ass. It hurt but I could feel the heartache too.

I didn't want to leave him. I wanted to stay and be his boyfriend and laugh and talk with him. I wanted to make love to him whenever we felt like it. I wanted to be his… but he had another. I collapsed against the couch cushions, crying as he finished, clinging to me.

“Did I hurt you?” Michael whispered, hugging my back.

How could I explain to him that it wasn't the act… only the heartbreak? “No… I'm fine.” I replied, feeling the back of the couch press uncomfortably against my pelvis. “But can we do this in bed?”

“Of course.” Michael seemed happier now that he knew I wasn't planning on immediate departure. At least going to bed meant one more night with the man I had grown to love.

Afterwards I lay in his arms, wondering if fate will ever bring us together again. Soon he would have a wife and a family. What if he forgot about me and our few days of fun while we were in college?

“I think I'll get a new bed before the wedding. I can't be in this one… too many memories of us. Do you want it, Owen? You can have our bed and keep it for me.” Michael rolled over and looked at me.

Sorrow filled me and I burst into tears. The idea of sleeping in this bed night after night as the guy I loved slept with someone else hurt more than the idea of losing him. Michael gave me a hurt look and I knew he worried about the appropriateness of the gift. “Yes, yes of course I'll take the bed… but you being in another bed…”

“I'll come to this one as often as I can.” Michael promised.

“That doesn't make me feel any better… I know you'll be committing adultery with me.” I whispered.

“But… it's not adultery yet.”

“No… only when you marry someone else. That's when this will become a sin.” I rolled over grumpily with my back to him. His arms wrapped around me and his warm, solid body was against my back.

“Many people would consider this a sin anyway.” His warm breath sent shivers down my spine. “Two men lying together…”

“Yes… well you don't have to remind me.” I grumbled, rather annoyed at him.

“Owen, please don't leave in the morning. Stay with me for the week like you planned. Please… make this the best week in my life.” His lips kissed the back of my neck. “We'll play house and pretend to be a married couple… a lifetime crammed into the next four days.”

“That's somewhat cruel, isn't it? Only have four days together? And you're presuming a lot… to wish for me to be your husband for four days.” My hands touched his gently.

“Husband… Yes, I suppose it is rushing things a bit too fast. We only just met again… but we've been friends for several years. Some people get married after only a weekend.” His hands pulled away from mine and he pulled a ring from one of his fingers, placing it on my left ring finger. “I love you, Owen. Please take this… and know we belong together no matter who comes between us… in my heart I married you first.”

“Michael…” I sobbed, clutching his hands and feeling the weight of his ring on my own hand. His hands held me. The burden of his ring was upon me. I could feel it there… like his own presence in my life… constant. To know that this was his way of marrying me first made me joyful and yet sad… sad that it had to be this way. Soon he would be Emily's husband and father of her children. I would be the extra-marital relationship he had to keep secret from the rest of the world. But he loved me… loved me first.

^.~

It was the most bittersweet four days of my life. We didn't stray too far from the apartment, knowing our time together was limited. During the day we tried to include normal, droll things that married couples do and at night we made love.

The final day came and he drove me to the airport. We clung to each other for several minutes before I got up the nerve to open the door and leave. “Write to me!” Michael urged as I stood by the passenger door, looking in. “Don't forget to write to me, Owen. I love you.”

“I love you too.” I answered and closed the door, regaining my composer to lead my luggage into the airport. People were giving me odd looks, no doubt having witnessed our lengthy goodbye.

On the plane I protected my left ring finger with my right hand, feeling the simple band of gold with an imprint of some family symbol against my fingertips.

In a few short hours I was home… alone.

^.~

The wedding invitation arrived in the mail a few years later. I stared at the unfamiliar names. Opening it I found it was perfectly printed as Emily had said. They had been ready years before for the day Michael graduated from college and was able to take over the family business. For a while I mused with the idea of ignoring it and pretending I hadn't seen it… but I knew that was bad manners. I filled out the RSVP and checked “accept.” Yes, I would go to my beloved's wedding. I knew he needed me. I wouldn't be asked to be a groomsmen, that was too cruel and I appreciated that Michael knew that.

Not long after that delivery men showed up with Michael's bed. It took up most of the room in my bedroom, but I didn't care. It was mine… he gave it to me.

I arrived at the hotel near where the wedding was to be held a few days before the ceremony. Michael was staying at the hotel and had written that I should come join him. Knowing that being passionate with him a few days before his vows wasn't appropriate, I knocked on the door.

Michael answered with a grin. “You're here… glad you're here. You got my latest letter? I know you got the bed… and I was so elated that you accepted the invitation… but I know how hard it must be for you…” The chatter was nervous as he let me in and shut the door behind me, leading me into the main room. Turning to me, he gave me a look. “I'm so scared… terrified. I can't believe this is happening… I tried to call it off or delay it but she said the invitations already were printed and sent out. Owen, I'm scared.” His arms clung to me and I held his warm body against my own. The man I loved trembled. “I don't want this to happen… I don't want to marry Emily and go into business with her father… I want you…” His lips took me deeply. “But I know a great many people will be disappointed… and tell me that it's going to happen whether I want it to or not. I can't stop it.”

I held him tightly, not speaking, just being there for him as I knew he needed me to be.

“Let's run away… someplace they won't find us. Someplace we can be married and it will be legal…”

“They'll find you… and bring you back. You are the heir to the Montecella business fortune… they will find you, Mike.” Finally I spoke, my voice raw with the pain at seeing him like this.

Hungrily his lips took mine as he pulled me down onto his bed. “They'll find me… they'll find me and again force me…” His hands eagerly undressed me.

“Mike… you're about to get married. I'm here for your wedding to Emily. We can't do this right now.”

“But when will we, Owen? We leave for the honeymoon immediately after the wedding and we'll be gone for a month. I don't think I can last that long.” His eyes begged me.

“You lasted a couple of years.” I reminded him gently.

“But this time I'll be expected to fuck someone else. It's like throwing me to the lions. Please, Owen… at least once to hold me over?”

I kissed him, sad at seeing him so desperate. “I love you with all of my heart… but I won't do that to you a few nights before your wedding.” I lay down beside him on the bed. “I may be tempted to spend tonight with you… dressed and no sex.” I rounded his response before he even tried to say it.

“I would be grateful for you to spend the night at least. Emily won't be here until tomorrow.”

“I will at least do that for you.” Even though it wasn't yet night I climbed into bed with him, holding him in my arms. He had lost a bit of weight, but he was still handsome.

^.~

The day of the wedding came too quickly for my taste. I did actually give in to Michael's body and made love to him. I did the penetrating and he seemed to find that comforting… saying something about staking my claim on him. I found the idea to be somewhat disturbing and hated everyone for putting him through this.

I dressed in a nice suit, making sure to take extra care with my grooming… after all I was about to meet Michael's family for the first time. They didn't know that their son was mine or that I wore his ring on my finger. Would they find out? Perhaps…

I took my place on the groom's side and looked around at the large gathering of family and friends of the family. Vaguely I wondered who everyone was.

Michael took his place and his eyes were on me… a look of pure terror as his best man tried to keep him from edging away.

The music started and Emily appeared… lovely as ever. She swept down the aisle with a hard stare at me as she passed, sending chills down my spine.

Michael turned towards her, taking her hands. It seemed for a moment that he was about to pass out. The preacher went on with the ceremony. I couldn't help but feel a dark shroud cover us all. Michael was miserable and he was trapped like a rat in a shipwreck. My beloved was about to be sacrificed for his family honor… in a life he didn't want.

Suddenly I quite clearly heard the part about having objections. It was as if something else propelled me, but I stood. “I object.”

The congregation gasped and everyone stared at me. Michael looked awed and Emily wasn't very happy. “You have an objection, son?” the preacher asked, craning his neck, trying to get a better look at me.

“Yes… Michael can't marry Emily.”

“Why not?” The preacher asked of me, underscored by mutterings of the families around me who weren't too happy with this interruption.

“Because he's in love with me… and I know we can't be married… but that doesn't mean we can't be together. I love him. He… gave me his ring. It has a family crest on it. I don't know what that means but I know it was important to him so I cherish it.” I lifted my left hand to show off the band of gold. “Mike… you don't love her. If you marry her, you'll be living a lie.”

I heard the congregation begin to protest my words, scandalized that their Michael could have anything to do with me. After all I wasn't a spring bride. And after all we've done in bed I could never wear white down the aisle.

“Disown them, Mike… and come be with me. Be a part of my family. They'll accept you because you love me. You can be happy for a lifetime.” I smiled at him and felt relief when he smiled back.

“Owen…” His voice was nearly overwhelmed by the now chaos in the room but we only had eyes for each other. I could hear him and see him and knew he was touched by my words of love in front of his entire family… not to mention Emily's family.

Hands were upon me and I looked up to see an older man, trying to escort me out. “That's enough of that, young man. We don't need your foolishness in here.”

Terror filled me and I knew they meant to kick me out and resume the ceremony. I could still be reduced to being second place to Emily. I held my left hand up in the man's face. “Is THIS his family crest?”

The man stopped a moment, focusing on the ring. “I don't know how you got that, but…” His fingers reached to try and pry it from my hand.

“No! He gave it to me! Let go!” I struggled to keep my fist closed, keeping it on my finger. “Mike… Mike, help me…” The struggle seemed to last forever. Many pairs of hands were upon me, trying to pry away the gift Michael gave me… a token of his sincerity of love. None of them could reclaim what he gave.

I felt Michael's presence and his body pressed against mine as he came between his father and myself. Protectively he wrapped his arms around me and stared defiantly at the crowd of wedding guests. “Father… this is Owen… my beloved.” Then he kissed me… deeply. Everyone gasped, including me, feeling his tongue pushing down my throat. Finally he pulled back. “Are you alright, Owen? Did he hurt you?”

“No…” I leaned against him. “Don't marry her, Mike. I don't want to commit adultery to be with you. Don't forsake me.” My arms wrapped around his shoulders, clinging to him like a frightened child. “Let's run away. Now!” I pulled away and took his hand, starting to lead him towards the door.

“Excuse me, but we're trying to have a wedding. Think of your family, son and all we've given you.” Michael's father spoke, pleading with his son. “How can you throw away your family legacy to some… pervert? How can you give him the family ring? That's intended for your son…”

I turned around to look back at the man and reached out my hand to shake his, feeling a bit cheeky. “Hello, sir… nice to make your acquaintance. I'm Owen. I'm your son's beloved. The only person he wants to marry is me… and since it's not recognized, then I guess you can't have a wedding, can you? But perhaps we can adopt… or find a surrogate to have children someday. Then our child will be given the ring.” A woman approached and I smiled at her. “You must be Michael's mother… how nice to meet you too. I can see where he gets his dashing good looks. I promise I'll take good care of your son. I love him with my whole being. Please be happy for him.” Feeling a tug by Michael, I followed him out of the wedding.

We ran out of there and our dress shoes clattered along the echoing hallway. Halfway down Michael stopped, his hands on his knees, gasping for breath. “I… can't believe we just did that… I can't believe I just left my own wedding like that… They are going to be so pissed…” I placed my hand on his shoulder and he stood to face me. “Owen… thank you.” Breathlessly he kissed me, pushing me back against the wall, one hand groping down into my pants, touching me. “Thank you for rescuing me.”

“Michael…” I blushed, knowing anyone could have followed us and witness his touching me. “Mike we must wait… people can see.”

“Let them see… let them see how much I want you.” Michael grinned.

“I don't want them to see this.” I whimpered, holding Michael's shoulders so anyone watching wouldn't be able to tell right away what he was doing to me. I clung to him, my breathing heavy in his ear, feeling him stroke me. I gave a soft little cry that echoed in the hallway when I felt my orgasm come. There was some other sound in the hallway. I opened my eyes, no longer focused on Michael and his hand. Michael's father was watching us with a solemn look on his face and his arms crossed over his chest. “Mike… your father…” I tapped at his shoulder.

Michael gave a bit of a snort laugh, pulling his hand out of my pants and licking it clean. I scrambled to close the front of my pants as he turned around to stare at his father, his tongue still lingering on my fluids.

The fist came out of nowhere, slamming into the side of Michael's face and I reached for him before he could hit the floor. We fell together in a tangle of limbs but I managed to cradle his shoulders in my arms. “You… you freak… how DARE you do something like that? How dare you throw away your future for this… pervert.” Venom was in his eyes and it hurt to see him glaring down at us.

Michael was holding his jaw, pain etched in his face. “I don't love her… I never will. I love him.”

“You think any of this is about love? It's about making connections and doing what you must for the good of the family. We NEED this connection. So get your ass up off that floor and get back in there and make her your wife.” His yells echoed through the hallway and I cringed as the rung in my ears.

“Stop this!” I finally got up the nerve to yell back. “How can you be so cruel to him? He's your SON!” I held Michael tighter. “How can you force your son to marry against his will? He doesn't want this… he doesn't want her. He will be miserable for the rest of his life if you make him marry.” I gently touched Michael's jaw to check if it was broken. “If you force him… you'll lose him forever… because I'm quite sure he's desperate… you DO know what happens to desperate, hopeless people, don't you? Emily will be a widow at a very early age.”

“Are you threatening me?” Michael's father glared at me. “You think you can waltz into a wedding and break it up and grab the groom and then say that he may kill himself if he can't be with you? Like you have any control over his feelings? I think you have a pretty high opinion of yourself if you think MY son will be reduced to taking the coward's way out if he can't have you.”

Michael sat up a bit, laying his hand on my shoulder in a reassuring way. “I have told him that I couldn't live without him. And if I'm forced to be with Emily… I won't ever be happy again. The thought does depress me. Father… I'm in love with Owen. I have been ever since we met our senior year in high school. We understand each other. If you can't understand me then… then I won't be a member of your family.” His hand went to my hand and removed the ring, replacing it with another one he had. “I'm dead to you… fine… I'll be dead to you.” His hand flung the ring across the hall, and I could hear it clang against the floor. “Owen… you're my husband. I don't care if the world doesn't appreciate that. Let's go.” With some difficulty he got to his feet and took me hand, continuing with me down the hallway.

I looked back to see his father bend over to pick up the family ring, the one his son had cast away. “Michael… come back… please?” The man's tone took on a bit of desperation. “Don't do this. You're my only child. You're my heir. My fortune is yours when I die. How can you throw that away?”

“I can because you're forcing me to marry some bitch that your best friend raised. I don't want that!” Michael's words shocked me. I've never heard him use such negative terminology to describe someone. “I don't want to marry her and I sure as hell don't want to fuck her or have her pop out a couple of babies to keep the family tree going. I don't want to let a nanny raise the kids because neither of us wanted children to begin with… and I don't want Owen to be my secret lover.”

“Fine then… we'll work something out… delay the wedding for now until you get your priorities straight… or when you get tired of him.” Michael's father held out the ring. “I'm trying to compromise here, Michael. Just give us more time.”

Michael warily approached his father and took back the ring before handing it to me. “Owen gets it. If you have a problem with that we can just leave.”

“Owen can have it… for now.” Michael's father spoke through gritted teeth as he watched me place the ring on my right hand. “Please come back to see your family now. Emily's family is very upset and many of them have left already, including Emily with her parents. That just leaves our side.”

Michael took my hand as we followed his father into what would have been the reception room. We were greeted with many cold stares. Michael's mother rushed over and embraced her son. “Oh, Michael… I was so worried.” Her gaze fell on me from over Michael's shoulder. “This is…?”

“Mom, I want you to meet Owen… the guy I fell in love with. You remember my pen pal from high school?” Michael presented his mother to me.

I gave her a smile and gave her my hand. “Hello, ma'am.”

Michael's mother looked between us, sighing a bit. “Well I suppose this can't be helped for now. I know how excited you got whenever he wrote to you.”

Other family members grew curious and came closer to inspect me, Michael's choice for a lover. Their attention made me uncomfortable. I looked to Michael for guidance, but he also looked uncomfortable, trying to explain our relationship to various aunts and uncles. “Yes, he's my real boyfriend… We met in high school when he was on choir tour. No, he went to another college, but he did come visit me a couple of years ago.”

That night we were once again alone together in what should have been Michael's marriage bed. “Mom invited us to spend Christmas with them… and all the other holidays. Father says that he won't push the issue about not marrying Emily.”

“Will they ever forgive you for running away with me?” I asked from beneath the blankets, my mouth sucking on him. I worked hard to try and comfort the man I loved. Now that the crisis was over I could in good conscience give him physical reassurance that I loved him and that he hadn't made a mistake by choosing me.

“They'll never completely forgive me… but at least mom is making an effort to accept you as a part of my life. Father worries about his unborn future grandchildren who were destined to inherit the business from me.” Michael gave a soft grunt, his sex stiff at my touch and I crawled up his body.

“Do you want children, Mike?” I lay atop him, my legs straddling his.

“Yes… I think I do… someday. But how will we do it and with whom? Guys like us won't really be able to adopt. I could buy us one… or at least a surrogate woman to impregnate.” That was the upside to having money, the ability to buy what you wanted. But the principle behind it wasn't so nice.

“ I would like to raise children with you.” The idea didn't scare me. And yet I knew I didn't have to worry about it at that moment. Nothing we did together would bring children. “But I don't want to talk about it right now.” Our bodies came together. I was delighted to feel him inside me.

“This is… the true beginning…” His words were muffled by his moans. It sounded corny, but that's what it was… a beginning. No matter what any of his family said or did, it would always be that way. I made a sticky mess on his belly and he finished soon after me. We lay tangled together in what should have been his wedding bed, but now it was our wedding bed.

We had defied his family and now all we had was each other. Whatever the future had in store for us, we were together at that moment and that's all that mattered.

END