by Nelson
January 2004
Warnings: A little bit of sexual content in this one
Vic walked into the kitchen to the sound of music lilting from the CD player, his lover singing along. Ben was occupied at the counter making something to eat, and Vic smiled, watching his hips sway gently back and forth with the music, oblivious to his entry. Vic leaned against the doorframe and enjoyed the view of his lover from behind, careful not to announce his arrival, which would have likely ended the show. He smiled to himself and crossed his arms, listening as Ben sang along with Sarah McLachlan’s latest CD.
“Every time I look at you the world just melts away;
All my troubles, all my fear, dissolve in your affections.
You’ve seen me at my weakest, but you take me as I am,
And, when I fall you offer me a softer place to land.”
Ben’s voice rose higher as he launched into the chorus with her.
“You stay the course, you hold the line, you keep it all together.
You’re the one true thing I know I can believe in.
You’re all the things that I desire, you save me, you complete me,
You’re the one true thing I know I can believe.”
Vic continued to watch, drawn by his lover’s voice. He swelled with pride, contented to know that the voice and handsome body at the kitchen counter were his. He continued to listen as Ben sang along with the next verse and found the irony of the words he heard amusing, as they so applied to the man singing along.
“I get mad so easy, but you give me room to breathe,
No matter what I say or do ‘cause you’re too good to fight about it.
Even when I have to push just to see how far you’ll go,
You won’t stoop down to battle but you never turn to go.”
Not able to stand by any longer without a touch, Vic quietly sidled up behind Ben and slipped his hands around his waist, momentarily halting his song and gentle dance. He pressed against his young lover and started to rock his hips back and forth behind him, prompting him to continue with his performance. Vic whispered in his ear, “Don’t stop.”
Ben smiled and acknowledged the hint, humming and swaying to the music again. He felt Vic’s lips on his neck and bent his head to expose more skin, to let Vic know he was enjoying the attention, then picked up with the next verse as the chorus faded into the bridge.
“There are times I can’t decide, when I can’t tell up from down.
You make feel less crazy when otherwise, I’d drown.
But, you pick me up and brush me off and tell me I’m okay.
Sometimes that’s just what we need to get us through the day.”
He stopped singing in the middle of the next chorus and said to Vic, “You know, I always think of you when I hear this song. It could be from me to you.”
Vic’s lips moved over Ben’s neck in soft kisses, pausing only long enough to utter a response. “You think so?”
“Mmmhmm,” Ben responded, closing his eyes against the kisses. “Except for that one part.”
Vic said against his neck, “What part would that be?”
“The part about giving me room to breathe when I get angry. You never do that.”
Vic’s lips stretched into a smile and he leaned his head against the side of Ben’s as they kept time with the beat. Ben heard him speak next to his ear, “If I gave you room to breathe when you got angry, you’d use the air to fuel the fire and detonate, young man.”
“I don’t think that’s true,” he moaned softly. “You should try it sometime and see if you’re right or if I am.”
Vic returned to the job of tasting his neck and said against his skin, “I don’t have to test your theory. I know I’m right.”
“You think you’re always right,” Ben said, leaning back hard against his lover.
Vic paused to answer, “Well, I thought I was wrong once, but I found out later I was mistaken.”
Ben shook his head laughing at his partner. “Vic the Almighty. Where have you been this afternoon anyway?”
Vic’s lips found Ben’s ear and nibbled at the lobe. Ben felt his breath against his ear when Vic said, “Birthday shopping for the love of my life.”
Ben’s grin spread and he turned to face his partner, locking his arms around his waist. “And, who might that be?” he asked as Sarah continued to croon to them in the background.
Vic straightened up and pulled Ben close. “Well, it might be Russell Crowe, but it’s not.”
“Kurt Russell?” Ben guessed.
“Nope.”
“Mel Gibson?”
“Nooooo. Guess again,” Vic said with a playful grin.
“Let’s see. Ummmm…” Ben said, trying not to laugh.
Vic’s lips covered his and he pulled away to look at Ben. “I think you need a hint. He’s about 5’10”,” he said with his palm hovering at a point in the air that was level with the top of Ben’s head. “Oh, look at that. You’re about the same height.” He continued, “He’s handsome, sometimes mischievous…”
Ben shook his head. “Nope, no idea…”
“A bit of a brat at times, a little temper…”
“You got me. I don’t know who it is,” Ben said.
Vic grabbed Ben’s bottom with both hands. “Has a birthday tomorrow? Does that help?”
Ben smiled knowingly. “Oh, now I know who it is. It’s that guy you met a year or so ago, right? The one you defended for his awesome driving skills? What was his name…?”
“Benjamin Monroe,” Vic said and kissed him again. “Have you heard of him?” he asked with an eyebrow raised in inquiry.
“I think so. But, you described him all wrong. Except for the handsome part,” Ben teased.
“Is that right? Where did I go wrong?” Vic asked.
“Weeell, I’d describe him as totally rational, reasonable, but misunderstood. He only loses his temper when certain people don’t seem to understand him,” he said, then poked a forefinger against Vic’s chest, punctuating his words. “Right, Certain People?”
Vic laughed and kissed Ben deeply again. He looked back at his partner and said, “Certain People understand him, all right. And, Certain People want to make him happy on his birthday tomorrow.”
“Really?” he asked, eyes open in surprise. “What did Certain People buy for him?”
“Now, that’s a secret, isn’t it? Certain People wouldn’t want him to know until his birthday.”
“I won’t tell him,” Ben said. “I promise.”
Vic laughed as he shook his head, and looked over Ben’s shoulder to the counter. “What are you making?”
“A peanut butter and jelly foldover,” Ben said.
Vic smiled at Ben’s reference to his half-sandwich and eyed the single slice of bread folded onto itself with sandwich fixings inside. Vic asked, “A foldover, huh?”
“Yep,” Ben responded, picking up the half-sandwich and bringing it to his lips. He said around a mouthful of peanut butter and jelly, “Want a bite?”
Vic looked at the sandwich dangled in front of him and said, “Yes. But, I don’t want a foldover.” Ben grinned back at him and abandoned the sandwich and Sarah to follow Vic upstairs.
*****
Ben was still sleeping soundly when Vic came upstairs with coffee the next morning. He placed the steaming mug on the bedside table and leaned over to his sleeping lover, whispering in his ear. “Time to wake up, birthday boy.”
Ben’s eyes fluttered open and he turned over on his back to see his lover. He greeted him with a sleepy smile and stretched his arms overhead, coaxing his muscles and his body to wake up. “Morning.” Maggie stretched down on her front legs beside Ben in the bed, her butt in the air.
Vic kissed Ben and said, “Morning. Good morning to you, too, little girl.” He patted Maggie on the head in greeting.
“It’s my birthday,” Ben said with a gravelly morning voice.
“I know,” Vic responded with a wink. “I have your birthday breakfast ready.” Vic ran his hand over the dancing hair and tried futilely to lay it down.
“Can’t I skip breakfast since it’s my birthday?”
“Let me ask you a question,” Vic said, halting his efforts to straighten Ben’s hair. He focused his attention directly into Ben’s eyes. “Do you think the rules go out the window because it’s your birthday?”
Ben touted a well-practiced pout and he just looked at Vic. “You’re mean. You can’t even be nice on my birthday.”
Vic smiled at him and said while he stood, “That’s right. Now, don’t make me give you a birthday spanking.”
“Newsflash, Vic. I never MAKE you give me a spanking,” Ben reported, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. “Birthday or otherwise.”
“I’d argue that point, but I won’t…since it IS your birthday. Come downstairs. Breakfast is ready,” he said, patting Ben’s leg, still tangled in the sheet.
He reclaimed his coffee and left for the kitchen, leaving Ben to get up and use the bathroom. Minutes later, Ben followed him and was pleased to see two plates loaded with Vic’s French toast. “Yum,” he said. It was high praise coming from someone who was so picky about his food.
Ben pulled out a chair and Vic deposited a cup of coffee at Ben’s plate then sat down at his own place at the table. Ben squirted syrup on his French toast, coating it entirely. Cutting off a bite with the side of his fork, he asked, “What did you get me?”
“A birthday present,” Vic said with a smile.
“But, WHAT?” Ben asked anxiously. Vic shrugged nonchalantly. “Vic! Tell me. It’s my birthday now so you can.”
“Nope,” Vic answered stubbornly.
“Come ooooon…” Ben begged. “Pleaaaase?”
“Nope,” Vic said again.
After an aggravated huff, Ben asked, “Well, when do I get to open it then?”
“Open what?” Vic asked innocently.
“Vic!”
“Oh, your gift! I was thinking sometime tomorrow.” Vic put a bite of French toast in his mouth and chewed around a smile.
“Vic!!” Ben said with a soft stamp of his foot.
Vic laughed and said, “After breakfast. Is that soon enough?”
“I guess so,” Ben said, then hurried back to his plate, eating as fast as he could. Vic didn’t bother to correct him for it, knowing he was excited. Ben scraped the last of the meal off his plate and slipped the fork into his mouth. After swallowing he said, “I’m done. Where’s my present?”
“Dishes,” Vic said.
“Viiiic! You said after breakfast!”
“Beeeenn!” Vic mimicked then repeated firmly, “Dishes.” Ben sighed then picked up his plate, carrying it to the sink. He opened the dishwasher and Vic said from behind him, “No, Benji. There are only two plates, two forks and a pan left to wash. We’ll do them by hand.”
Ben’s mouth fell open in defiant shock. “But, that takes too long!”
“It won’t take ten minutes.” Vic kissed Ben’s cheek to soften the command then purposely ignored the look he was getting while he filled the sink. “Get the pan off the stove, please.”
Ben paused before obeying, but then stomped heavily to the stove, returning to Vic’s side with the pan. “Happy?” he asked, slipping it in the water.
Vic turned from the soapy water and looked at Ben, who locked eyes with Vic. “Let’s have a nice day, Benjamin. Don’t let your mouth get you into trouble. Not today.”
Not wanting the day to go sour, Ben pouted and admitted, “I just want my present and you won’t hurry up.”
“You’ll get it in a minute,” Vic said. Ben wasn’t sure if he meant he’d get his present in a minute or “it” in a minute.
Just in case, he said, “Sorry, Vic.”
“Grab a tea towel, Pumpkin, and dry so we can get to your present.” Ben turned to go to the drawer where they kept the towels and Vic added, “And, pull that lip in before you trip over it.”
Ben looked over his shoulder at Vic and said, “Very funny.” Vic laughed at his comment and hurried through the morning dishes.
****
Zach stumbled unhappily into the kitchen and plopped down at the table. Nelson couldn’t help but notice the bad mood surrounding his partner like an aura. “Good morning, Sweet Pea.
Zach leaned on the table with an audible groan. “Morning.”
“Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?”
Zach glanced at Nelson with his chin in his palm. “Any side of the bed is the wrong side to get up on today.”
“What’s the matter?” Nelson asked, fighting the urge to slip into doctor mode.
Zach sensed the concern in his voice and straightened up at the table. “Oh, nothing. I just don’t feel motivated today.”
“Maybe you’ll feel better after breakfast and a shower,” Nelson suggested. “That might help you feel more like facing the day. Eat your cereal.”
Zach looked at the bowl in front of him and at the cereal box disinterestedly. “Cereal isn’t going to help.” Despite his comment, he picked up the box and poured the cereal into his bowl. “I’d rather spend the day with you. Can’t you reschedule some appointments or something? We could snuggle all day.”
Nelson was shaking his head before Zach could finish voicing his thoughts. “You know I can’t do that, Zach. And, you have school.”
“I don’t have anything important today, Nelson,” he said, and added with a whine, “Pleeeeease?”
Nelson ignored the whine and said firmly, “Absolutely not. It’s important to me that you go, whether you think it is or not. Your education is important.”
“Vic doesn’t think it’s important. He let Benji stay home today,” Zach pointed out, trying to gently show his lover just how unreasonable he was being when compared to his friend.
“It’s Benji’s birthday. He got his assignments done ahead of time so he could take off with Vic.”
“That’s a minor detail…” Zach said.
“It doesn’t matter anyway,” Nelson said, standing to put his dishes in the sink. “I said ‘no’ and that’s the end of it. It’s important and I want you in class.”
Zach gave in for the moment and ate his breakfast while Nelson sat with him, chatting about other things. Zach sat back in his chair when he finished and ran his toe under Nelson’s pantleg. “Change your mind about today. Please?”
Nelson looked at Zach sternly and picked up Zach’s bowl to take it to the sink. Pushing away from the table, he said, “I told you ‘no’.”
Zach strategically planned another move and followed behind Nelson to the sink. He slipped behind Nelson, grinding himself into his hips while he hugged him tightly. “Other things are important, too.” He nuzzled at Nelson’s neck provocatively, vying for his attention.
Nelson turned around facing him and captured Zach’s lips. “Yes, they are,” he said, coming up for air. “But, they are things we can do later.”
“Is it later yet?” Zach asked, groping for Nelson’s lips again.
Nelson kissed him back quickly then pushed him away. “No,” he said, landing a swat to Zach’s butt lightly. “Nice try, but you’re going to class today.”
Zach sighed, reluctantly resigned to his fate. “Fine!” he said as he turned to leave the kitchen and Nelson called to him after the angry retort.
“Zachary!”
The summons was ignored and Zach continued on his way toward the stairs to approach the shower, grumbling to himself. Nelson heard him muttering as he walked away, “Just TRY to do something nice for some people...”
Nelson smiled and shook his head, following Zach out of the kitchen. Zach’s feet were landing heavily on the stairs, in stomp-like fashion, as he continued to complain and storm up the stairs. Nelson tried not to be amused at his lover’s obvious displeasure, and he bit back a grin, painting a determined look on his face. “Zachary!” he repeated firmly from the foot of the stairs.
Zach stopped stomping and turned on his heel, pausing on the risers. He glared at Nelson and said, “What NOW?”
Anything Nelson found humorous seconds before escaped him and he turned serious with Zach’s snappy response. He pointed to the floor in front of him. “Come here,” he instructed.
“It’s not polite to point,” Zach said petulantly, his arms folded.
Nelson snapped his fingers and returned his pointer finger to the same spot on the floor. “Now.”
Zach recognized the tone of Nelson’s voice and slowly meandered closer to him, but not quite making it to the place where Nelson pointed. Trying to sidestep his lover’s intentions, Zach said, “I need to shower or I’ll be late. You already made your feelings about that QUITE clear.”
Nelson looked at his angry brat, who still refused to stand where he indicated, and said simply, “One…” Zach sighed dramatically and hurried to the spot where Nelson pointed. He discreetly slipped his hands behind him to cover his butt.
Nelson appeared not to notice and said, “Okay. I know you don’t feel like going to class today. I’m sorry about that, but I expect you to go without giving me attitude when you disagree with my decision. Now, I want you to WALK back up the stairs. No stomping or grumbling. Got it?”
Zach turned away from him and said, “Yeah, I got it.” As if the sour response wasn’t bad enough, he made a point of stepping gingerly on each step as he headed toward the shower. He tried to switch to normal footsteps when he heard Nelson approaching from behind, but it was too late. He felt Nelson’s fingers wrap around his upper arm followed quickly by the other five, landing with his palm, against his pajama-covered behind. Nelson pulled him along up the stairs, “encouraging” him to hurry. Zach yelped and arched his back while trying to maintain his balance as he danced up the stairs. His hand groped for his butt, trying to deflect the falling swats.
Nelson stopped smacking Zach’s rear end when they got to the hallway, and he turned Zach to look at him. “That smart attitude has you about two seconds away from a spanking. Now, watch it,” he warned.
Zach’s hands found his bottom and rubbed at the sting. His lip popped out and he looked to Nelson for pity. Finding none, he said, “Okay! Okay, I’m sorry.”
“Shower,” Nelson said, and gently pushed him toward the door. He shook his head and watched Zach retreat, rubbing his butt as he walked away. His angry lover was in rare form this morning, clearly not happy that Ben got to stay at home and he didn’t. Nelson waited to hear the shower running before he went back downstairs to clean up the kitchen.
By the time he finished and was in the hallway pulling on his coat, he looked up to see Zach galloping down the steps two at a time. Zach glanced up in mid-prance, and saw Nelson looking at him. He immediately changed his gait to one riser at a time before Nelson reprimanded him for barreling down the stairs. He stopped on the last step from the bottom so he could be eye to eye with Nelson and asked, “Are you leaving already?”
“Yes,” Nelson answered and took Zach’s face in his hands, kissing him firmly. “Are you in a better mood?”
“No,” Zach replied honestly. Nelson narrowed his eyes at Zach, whose face he still held between his hands. Zach’s eyes opened innocently with his brows raised in surprise. “What? You don’t want me to LIE, do you?”
Nelson pecked his lips once more and said, “No. I want you to behave and go to class without grumbling about it.”
“I might have to go to class but I can’t promise it won’t happen without a grumble or two,” Zach said.
“As long as you don’t grumble to me,” Nelson said, reaching for his keys. “I have to go, babe.”
Zach jumped from the last step, landing solidly on both feet behind Nelson, who turned immediately to investigate the thud behind him. Seeing Zach on the floor, he knew exactly what had caused the noise. “Zachary, how many times do I have to tell you…”
“’Don’t jump off the stairs’?” Zach finished for him. “At least one more time, I guess.”
“Young man…” Nelson started to say, while wrapping his arms around Zach’s waist. He landed a soft swat to Zach’s behind under his hand.
Zach smiled a mischievous grin and asked, “What?”
“You KNOW what,” Nelson said.
“Can’t we please stay home today? Please? Pleeeeease??” Zach tried once more.
Nelson snatched a final kiss goodbye and said, “No.” Zach’s pleading blue eyes darkened into a frown with Nelson’s single word, and Nelson didn’t indulge the look. “Have a good day, Sweet Pea.”
Zach said to the door as it swung closed, “Yeah, right.”
*****
Ben sat on the sofa, still in his pajamas, when Vic came in bearing a two-foot wide box, covered in festive paper, with a big bow on top. Ben grinned at him, excited to see what he was getting for his birthday. Vic paused in the doorway and said, “You think we should get showered and dressed first?”
“VIC! Give it to me already,” Ben said with a hand outstretched to his lover.
“Are you sure you want it now, because we could…”
“QUIT it, Vic!” Ben commanded, smiling at his partner. He waggled his extended fingers at Vic motioning for him to bring the gift over. Maggie ran over in front of Vic and hurried to Ben’s side.
Vic laid the colorfully wrapped box on Ben’s knees and sat down beside him. He put his hand to Ben’s back and stroked him gently, watching him tear into the package. Maggie jumped down to investigate the big bow that Ben sent flying to the floor while he continued to work on the box. The paper split at Ben’s insistence and he folded it back to see what was hidden inside. Vic smiled when Ben’s mouth fell open wide, speechless. He looked at Vic then back at the box, then back at Vic again. “I can’t believe you…you didn’t…” he looked back at the box once again for confirmation and pulled some more paper out of the way. “You DID!” he exclaimed excitedly. He flung his arms around Vic and hugged him tight, almost dumping the box off his lap.
Vic wrapped his arms around Ben and said, “Air…I need air…”
Ben let go, still beaming from his gift. “Sorry. I LOVE it, Vic! I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it.” Ben looked in awe at the DVD recorder in his lap, nearly too excited to speak. Maggie balanced herself against Ben’s leg and sniffed at the box in his lap, her little nose barely able to reach.
“Why can’t you believe it? Nothing but the best for you, Benji,” Vic said, pulling his head to him and kissing his cheek. “Happy Birthday, Pumpkin.”
“Thank you SO much!” Ben turned his eyes to Vic and said, “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Vic said and looked toward the box. “Are you going to finish opening it?”
Without answering, Ben returned to the task of removing the wrapping. “I need a knife,” he said when he couldn’t pick the tape off the box under the paper.
“I’ll get something,” Vic said and got a boxcutter from the junk drawer. He quickly returned and ran the blade between the folds of the box so Ben could get to the gift inside. Ben pulled the instruction manual from the box and began absorbing the information there when the phone rang. Vic bristled slightly at the intrusion then got up from the sofa saying, “I’ll get it.” He found the cordless handset and punched the talk button. “Hello?” he inquired into the phone.
“Hi, Vic,” Zach said.
“Hi, Sweetheart. What’s going on today?” Vic asked. He saw Benji totally wrapped up in the owner’s manual as he neared the sofa.
“School. Thrill,” Zach responded.
“Speaking of which, why aren’t you there?”
Zach sensed Vic’s radar going up and he said quickly, “I was just on my way out the door when I remembered it was Ben’s birthday. I wanted to speak to him before I left.”
“Let me get him for you,” Vic said.
Ben looked up when he saw Vic approaching with the phone in his hand. “It’s Zach,” he said, handing the phone to Ben.
“Hello?” he said, still smiling over his gift.
“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Benjiiiii,” Zach sang, “Happy birthday to yooooou.”
Ben laughed at the birthday greeting and said, “Don’t give up your day job.”
“Hey, I sing pretty good,” Zach said with a verbal pat to his own back.
“Yeah, not bad,” Ben agreed. “Thanks for the birthday song.”
“No problem. Do you and Vic have big plans for the day?”
Ben looked over at his lover and placed his hand in Vic’s. “Nothing special. We’re just going to hang out together.” Vic squeezed the hand in his palm. “Are you on your way to school?”
“Where’s Vic?” he asked.
Ben veiled his response so Zach would know he was nearby. “Ummm,” he hedged.
“He’s right there?” Zach guessed.
“Yeah,” Ben responded. “Why?”
“I’m not going to school today. I just wondered if you and Vic will be together the whole day.”
“Yes, ALL day, and no, you aren’t invited over until later.” Vic glanced at Ben and put his arm around him. “I think it’s a better idea for you to go to school than hang out with us today,” Ben suggested, trying to warn Zach not to skip.
“No, I’m not going. Don’t you say anything either, blabbermouth,” Zach warned.
Ben laid his head against Vic’s arm behind his neck and said menacingly, “I don’t really think it’s a good idea for you to call me names. I might just have to tell Nelson.”
“Don’t threaten me, birthday boy. I’ll take your present back.”
“NO!” Ben exclaimed playfully. Vic was running his fingertips softly along Ben’s upper arm, then moved them to his hair. Ben looked over at him and slipped his free hand between Vic’s legs. “I have to go. Have fun in school,” Ben said, trying to cover for his friend.
Ben hung up the phone and slipped his arms around Vic’s chest and Vic pulled him in close. Vic said, “We need to shower and get dressed.”
“Well, we need a shower, but I don’t know about needing to get dressed.”
Vic laughed softly and said, “Come on, birthday brat. Let’s hit the showers.”
*****
A day off alone wasn’t nearly as much fun as Zach had anticipated. By lunch, he had done everything he wanted to do and wondered how he would kill the rest of the day. He stared out the restaurant window, eating his lunch alone, and noticed the movie theater across the street. With a quick look at his watch, he realized he should be able to make the early movie and at the matinee price. That would fill about two hours, then he should be safe to go home without worrying about running into Nelson on the off-chance he came home for lunch. Zach had repeatedly kicked himself for not noticing if Nelson had taken lunch with him that morning.
Zach had just settled down in the theater and was throwing a handful of popcorn in his mouth when he noticed the pungent odor of smoke. He looked away from the previews and tried to see in the darkness, but couldn’t tell if there was anything burning inside. He tried to convince himself it was something outside, when alarms shrieked around him. He clamped his hands to his ears and the figures on the movie screen disappeared, returning the screen to a basic blue. He nearly knocked the popcorn to the floor when the lights were turned on, and he blinked against the glare while his eyes protested the bright invasion. He turned around in time to see a worker coming down the aisle, ushering people down the ramp and to the main exit doors. Zach noticed the haze hanging in the theater and his heart began to thud as the smoke grew thicker. He jumped up to follow the employee when he was coaxed out of his seat.
“Hurry, please. Everyone just stay calm,” the obviously jittery employee implored. Zach looked around for flames but didn’t see any. The smoke was getting thicker still, and his throat began to burn from breathing it in. He hurried behind the guy who finally got the patrons to the exit door. He pushed against it and it stubbornly held firm. “Shit!” Mr. Usher exclaimed. He had pimples on his face and looked barely old enough to drive, but apparently he had what it took to be a manager, according to his name tag.
He pushed and pushed against the door, and the people around him started shifting and making nervous comments. Zach covered his mouth and nose trying not to breathe the smoke. Finally, the door gave way, and they stumbled into the daylight to the sound of sirens.
*****
Nelson came into the break room at the office for a late lunch, and went over to the refrigerator to get a drink and his sandwich. “Hi, Sandy. What’s on?” he asked while hanging in the fridge.
Sandy was looking intently at the television and she absently answered Nelson while she tried to listen to the news. “There’s a fire at the theater on Campbell. This is a special report.”
“Hmm,” Nelson said while he twisted the cap off his drink. “Is it bad?” he was asking when Sandy’s mouth fell open.
“Oh, my God. Nelson, is that Zach?”
Nelson frowned and quickly moved to where he could see the set. He saw Zach in the background behind the reporter who was speaking. “…And the fire could have gotten more out of hand. As it was, the flames spread quickly, catching moviegoers such as this unfortunate young man behind me by surprise. Some patrons have been taken to various area hospitals to be treated for smoke inhalation...”
Sandy watched as Zach shook his head irritably at the reporter and held up a hand when the reporter pushed the microphone in his face. Sandy started saying, “It doesn’t look like Zach wants to be in the lime-,” she paused, surprised to find the room empty, “light.” The only evidence that Nelson had been there at all was his recently opened drink and forgotten sandwich on the table.
******
“NO! I told you I’m fine,” Zach said firmly to the EMT.
“Are you sure you don’t want to be checked out? I’m sure you’re okay, but we’ll make sure you get to the hospital if you want to go.”
“I’m fine. Really.” Zach looked away from the EMT fussing over him and saw a familiar figure running toward him with his white coat flapping out behind him as he hurried over. He wasn’t sure if he was happy to see Nelson approaching or not. “Um, on second thought, how long do they keep you for smoke inhalation? A week or two?”
Before the EMT could answer, Nelson was at his side, and he rudely stepped between the EMT and Zach. His fingers explored Zach, framing his face, pulling his eyelids down, and pushing his hair back to check for charring. “Are you all right?” he asked anxiously after seeing no damage on a cursory review.
The EMT answered for him, squashing any chance for sanctuary in the hospital. “He’s fine, I think,” he said. “He was lucky to have been in one of the theaters away from the source of the fire. The smoke was just beginning to fill the other theaters when the customers were helped outside.”
Nelson nodded and pulled Zach to him by both arms, his own encircling him tightly. “Nelson?” Zach managed to squeak out. “You’re going to have to take me to the hospital for broken ribs.” Nelson never lessened his grip, clearly too relieved that Zach was okay to care about crushing him in a hug.
“God, you scared me to death, Sweet Pea,” Nelson said, finally releasing his prey.
The EMT cleared his throat to remind them he was there. Nelson looked at him to see what he wanted and the EMT looked a bit embarrassed. “Uh, sorry to interrupt, but you’re a doctor, right?” he guessed, judging from the coat.
“Yes, I can take care of him from here. Thank you,” Nelson said, extending a hand, but keeping a grip on Zach with the other. The EMT shook the outstretched hand then went to help others. Nelson pulled Zach into another hug and kissed him hard on the head. As the realization sunk in that his partner was in no danger and not harmed, other thoughts that Zach would prefer remain restrained began to flood Nelson’s mind. He slipped his hands to Zach’s upper arms and held him back to look at him. “Why were you here and not in class?”
It was not a conversation Zach wanted to have so he did the first thing that came to mind: he started to cough uncontrollably. He was looking around for the EMT, clawing at his throat, as he continued to cough. The EMT was close by, attending to another patient, and he looked over anxiously at Zach. Zach nodded hard at the guy to let him know he needed help while Nelson looked on, unamused. The EMT ran over and asked, “Are you okay?”
Zach said around the self-induced coughing, “I think
“He’s fine,” Nelson said to the EMT. His fingers dug a warning into Zach’s arm where one hand remained from before the coughing attack. He gave Zach a familiar glare and asked, “You’ll be all right, won’t you, Zach?”
Zach uttered one more cough for effect and swallowed hard, “Yeah, um, I think I’ll be okay. Maybe…” he added, knowing “okay” would be far from how he would be feeling after Nelson dealt with him for skipping school.
*****
Zach’s hand was firmly captured in Nelson’s grip as he was led through the waiting room of Nelson’s practice. Nelson slapped the heel of his palm against the swinging door separating the waiting room from the hallway to the examining rooms, and it obeyed his command, swinging open to let them through.
Sandy was in the hallway and looked up in surprise to see Zach in tow behind Nelson. “Zach! Oh, my God! Are you all right? We saw you on TV.”
She ran over and gave him a hard hug. Zach said, “I’ll live, I guess.” His eyes darted nervously toward Nelson then away again when they met the hard gaze.
Sandy asked, “Were you scared?”
“Only to DEATH,” he said, hoping to crack his lover. He looked to Nelson for pity, but found none in the eyes looking back at him. “I could have DIED.”
Sandy sighed with relief and said, “I’m so glad you’re all right.” She relaxed against the counter and folded her arms. “What will we do with you, Zach?” she asked laughing.
“Well, I can tell you what I’m going to do with him,” Nelson said. Zach’s eyes widened in surprise. He was fairly confident that he wouldn’t want others to know what Nelson had planned for him, even though Nelson hadn’t said exactly what he would be doing. He almost audibly sighed with relief when Nelson finished with, “I’m going to get him comfortable in my office until it’s time to go home. He should be safe in there and not find any more trouble.”
He wrapped his fingers around Zach’s hand again and led him to his office down the hallway. Before they got there, Daniel stepped out of an examining room. “Zach! You gave us all a scare. But, not as much of one as you gave the good doctor there. You’re all right?”
“I’m fine, thanks.”
“He’s just going to lie down in my office and rest a bit,” Nelson said, to hurry them along. Zach would rather have stayed in the hallway and talked all day, but Nelson had other plans. He tugged Zach into his office and closed the door, planting Zach on the sofa. Nelson pulled a chair over in front of Zach and took a seat facing him. He propped his elbows on the arms of the chair and folded his fingers in front of him. “Well?” he asked expectantly. Zach just looked back at him, not exactly sure what to say. “I’m ready to hear how you ended up at the movie theater when you should have been in class,” Nelson clarified.
“I don’t suppose you’d believe I was on a field trip, would you?” Nelson’s level glare said he wasn’t going for it. “I figured you wouldn’t,” Zach said, dissolving into the sofa cushions.
“Why were you there, Zachary?” Nelson persisted. “Why were you there after I specifically told you to go to class this morning?”
There was no other way to say it so Zach admitted, “I didn’t want to go to class today. I told you that. So…so, well, I…I…Ijustdidn’tgo.” He finished the last sentence quickly in one breath.
Nelson looked thoughtfully at him, saying nothing at first. Finally, he broke the silence and said, “In other words, you disobeyed me. Correct?”
Zach winced and said, “It depends on how you look at it.”
“That’s how I look at it,” Nelson said with finality. He stood with a glance at his watch, reaching for the chair. He put it back where it belonged, then stood in front of Zach with his hands on his hips. “I have patients to see. I want you to lie down and rest until time to go home.”
Zach looked at his own watch and complained, “That’s like THREE hours!”
“Not today,” Nelson explained. “I planned to leave early today, so that means you’re to rest for about two hours.”
“That’s still too long! I can’t sleep that long in the afternoon!”
“I didn’t say ‘sleep’, I said ‘rest’.”
“But, that’s boring!” Zach argued.
With little patience remaining after the fire scare, Nelson chose not to argue with him and said, “Okay, Zach, have it your way.” Nelson pulled Zach to his feet and grabbed the chair he just put back in front of the desk. He positioned it in the corner and seated Zach in it.
Zach turned in the seat to see his lover, with his arm draped over the back of the chair. “Nelson! Please don’t make me sit here for two hours!”
“You’ll sit there until I tell you otherwise. Face the corner and don’t say another word.”
Tears threatened and Zach said, “What if someone comes in?”
“No one will come in other than me, and you’d better be sitting right there when I do. Turn. Around.” Zach whipped around back toward the corner and folded his arms defiantly across his chest, his body language rippling with displeasure. Nelson asked calmly, “Do you want a spanking here before we get home? I wouldn’t want to do that but I will if you insist on it.”
Zach considered it and was positive he wouldn’t want that. “No, sir,” Zach said, relaxing into a more compliant posture. He heard the sound of Nelson’s footsteps fading away as he neared the door, then the distinct squeak of the door he had never noticed before. Nelson closed the door behind him with a click, leaving Zach to thoughts he’d rather not dwell on.
The next 45 minutes seemed like an eternity, and finally the door opened, again with the newly-discovered squeak. Zach risked looking back, worried that it might be someone other than Nelson. His eyes fell on his lover who was coming over to him so he turned back to his boring corner. Nelson asked from behind him, “Are you ready to lie down like I asked you to?”
Thoroughly bored with the sterile, white paint of Nelson’s office, Zach nodded his head. “Yes, sir.”
Nelson took his hand and urged him up out of the chair, and walked him back to the sofa. “Now, stretch out here and get some rest until I come get you up. We’ll be going home in a little while.” Zach stretched out full-length on the sofa and looked up apprehensively at Nelson. Nelson read the troubled look and took a seat on the edge of the couch with a heavy sigh. He pushed Zach’s hair back off his forehead, running a thumb across the creasing lines of worry in a vain attempt to smooth them out. “I’m glad you weren’t injured today, Zachary. I can’t tell you how much…how I was…God, I was scared to death when I saw you on the news and heard you were in a fire.” He paused and Zach looked away, seeing how much the incident had bothered Nelson. He continued, “But, that doesn’t mean I can ignore what you did. I’m still going to have to punish you when we get home. You disobeyed me and we need to deal with that so we can move on.”
“I can move on without dealing with this,” Zach said hopefully. Nelson just looked at him and shook his head “no”. “Well, I can,” Zach muttered. An idea struck him and he raised hopeful eyes to Nelson. “Are you sure it’s too late for me to go to the hospital to get checked out? I think I need to be admitted,” Zach said miserably.
“The only place you’re going to be admitted is to our house. We’ll take care of this and then we’re going to Ben’s birthday party.”
Zach had totally forgotten about the birthday party with all the excitement. He leaned up on his elbows with his mouth hanging open. Nelson held up a hand and said, “Don’t start, Zach. We’re leaving here at 4:00 and we don’t have to be at Vic’s until 6:30. That’s more than enough time to do what I need to do and for us to get ready.”
“But, I…” Zach protested.
“We’re going tonight, Zachary. End of discussion.” With that, Nelson got up and went to finish his day by seeing his last few patients.
*****
Vic pulled Ben on top of him and relaxed as Ben nipped at his neck. Vic’s hands found Ben’s butt and squeezed each cheek gently. He ran a hand between the cleft and fingered Ben’s hole. Ben moaned appreciatively and squirmed a bit against Vic’s finger, pressing into it. Vic slipped out from under Ben, leaving him face down on the bed. Vic lay on his side, propped with his head in his left hand, while his right continued to pay attention to Ben’s backside.
“You know what?” he asked Ben while gently massaging his cheeks.
“What?” Ben replied with his eyes closed.
He stopped massaging and gave Ben’s butt a pat. “I haven’t given you a birthday spanking today.”
Ben’s eyes opened and he smiled up at Vic. “I don’t think so. I shouldn’t get a spanking today at all because it’s my birthday. I should get a day off, even if you think I need it.”
“Is that right?”
“Yeah,” Ben said, his eyes closing again.
Vic slipped the covers down off of them far enough to expose Ben’s taut cheeks. He said, “I disagree.”
“You would,” Ben said, his head resting against his folded arms.
Vic sat up in the bed and pushed against the headboard, then dragged Ben across his lap. Ben started laughing and said, “Stop it!” His right hand went back to offer some protection against Vic.
Vic moved his hand out of the way with little, if any, protest. “I don’t think so. You have 22 licks coming,” Vic said as he situated his lover across his legs.
“How are you going to reach my butt with your tongue to lick me?”
Vic laughed and said, “Not those kinds of licks.” Ben leaned up on his elbows and looked over his shoulder at his lover. Vic looked back at him and winked.
He gently patted one exposed cheek and counted, “One,” then squeezed. He repeated the process on the other cheek and said, “Two.” The next pat was followed by a deep stroke, massaging down the cheek under Vic’s hand. Vic lightly smacked Ben’s butt five times quickly counting off as he did so, before giving him another squeeze.
“Mmmmm,” Ben moaned. “Why can’t all your spankings be like this?”
“Because this one is for pleasure.” Vic’s hands continued to “spank” Ben and he paused to coax Ben’s legs apart. Another soft swat was followed by a finger trailing down Ben’s cleft and to his balls. Vic ran his hand under Ben’s hips and grasped his penis, eliciting a satisfied gasp from Ben.
Ben said, “This is the first time I’ve ever thought of a spanking as pleasurable. I think we should always do it this way from now on. I like it much better.”
Vic started pulling Ben off his lap to situate him back on the bed. “Hey, you didn’t give me all 22,” Ben complained, sitting beside Vic.
“I’m not finished. Have you ever known me to spank you halfway?” Vic said with a twinkle in his eye.
“Unfortunately, no.”
“Roll onto your stomach. You have a full 22 swats coming, and you’re getting all of them.”
Ben feigned a pout and said, “Oh, all right.” He wriggled back down into the mattress and pulled the pillow under his head, smiling in anticipation. Vic straddled his legs on his knees, and Ben could feel his bare behind propped against his thighs. Vic grabbed a handful of Ben’s butt in both hands, lifting and squeezing them.
The massage stopped, and Vic’s hand came down softly several times while he uttered, “Fifteen, sixteen, seventeen” before he leaned down and kissed all around the spot he just smacked. He ran his tongue down Ben’s crack, teasingly while he reached for the lubricant. He paused long enough to coat his fingers then guided them between Ben’s cheeks, finding their target. Ben felt Vic’s finger enter him and start to move in and out, then another finger joined the first. While that hand was occupied, the other prepared to spank.
“Where was I?” Vic asked with a grin.
“Oh, God, Vic. Um, eighteen. It was eighteen next, I think.” He felt himself getting harder and he exhaled heavily when Vic’s finger tickled across his prostate.
“Eighteen…nineteen…twenty…twenty-one,” Vic said, alternating the swats between cheeks in a steady rhythm. The twenty-second swat was delivered, followed by another squeeze to Benji’s ass and Vic said, “And, that’s twenty-two.”
He slipped his fingers free and leaned over Ben, supporting his weight with his arms on either side of his lover. His gold necklace swung gently with his movement and he whispered in Benji’s ear, “And, let that be a lesson to you, mister.” Ben arched his back, pushing his butt against Vic, wanting more. “What do you want, Benji? Do you need one to grow on?” he asked.
“I’m already growing,” Ben said, slipping a hand underneath him to stroke himself. Vic laughed softly and sat back to lube himself before he carefully situated his cock inside Ben.
*****
“But, it’s Benji’s birthday! He should be the one getting a spanking, not me,” Zach complained, as he pulled against Nelson’s tug toward his lap.
“He didn’t ask for one; you did.” Nelson urged Zach closer and tipped him over his thighs.
“I DID not! I never…NO, Nelson!” Zach whimpered slightly when he felt his boxers being pulled down to join his jeans, thereby fully exposing his butt. He finished his sentence, saying defensively, “I never ‘ask’ for one! Ever!”
“You most certainly do and you did today, young man.” Zach wiggled futilely across Nelson’s lap and Nelson held him firmly around the waist. Zach flinched when he felt Nelson’s hand lying against his butt.
“When?!! When have I EVER asked you for one?”
“Zachary, you clearly asked for it by your actions. You knew better when you disobeyed me. Settle down,” Nelson said to his squirming lover.
Zach tried to still himself, knowing he wasn’t going anywhere anyway, and fell against the comforter with his arms tucked under him, his face in his hands. He muttered against his palms, “I didn’t expect you to find out, though.” Zach’s comment, while muffled, was still audible but it was met with silence - not at ALL like Nelson when he was punishing Zach. He twisted around, glancing warily over his shoulder to see Nelson’s face, and saw his eyebrows raised, his eyes looking back questioningly at Zach. Oops.
Nelson finally spoke and said, “Is that a fact? Do I need to sit you back on the bed while I get the paddle? I considered using it but decided not to. I’m thinking I made the wrong decision.”
Zach’s eyes widened and he said earnestly, “NO! No, sir. I just meant…I…I meant…”
Nelson offered his help to stop Zach from stumbling. “I know what you meant. You meant you thought it was okay to do what you wanted if I didn’t find out about it. Isn’t that right?”
“Well… I wouldn’t put it that way; not exactly.” Zach was grateful for the conversation as much as he hated discussions from this uncomfortable perspective. While it was a bit difficult to concentrate, it was postponing the inevitable.
“What ‘exactly’, then?” Nelson asked.
Zach turned his head back toward the comforter, not wanting to meet Nelson’s eyes any longer. It wasn’t just that he was withering under the glare; he was sure if he didn’t, he would have a crick in his neck later, on top of a sore behind. His voice tightened around pending tears and he said, “I just wanted to stay home with you.”
Nelson’s hand caressed Zach’s butt and down his leg in the short space between his buttocks and boxers. He asked, “And, what did I say?” Zach didn’t answer him so he asked again, patting Zach’s leg, “What did I say, Zachary?”
“But, Ben got to stay home!” Zach complained, his voice cracking slightly.
“What did *I* say, Zachary?” Nelson asked again, slowly. Zach knew without a doubt he was sunk, as he stared holes in the bedcovers. Nelson was stubbornly refusing to get off topic, continuing to focus on Zach’s disobedience. “Answer me, Zach.”
Zach said, barely above a whisper to the carpet, “You said ‘no’.”
“I said ‘no’,” Nelson agreed. “And, no means no, every time I say it. Is that understood?”
Zach nodded miserably and conceded, “Yes, sir.”
“I don’t expect you to disobey me when you don’t like my decisions. That won’t fly with me and you know it. Don’t you?”
“Yes, sir,” Zach said miserably.
Nelson said, “All right, then,” and his hand moved quickly from its resting place on Zach’s thigh, snapping into action against his butt. Zach grimaced against the sting that was given life against his rear end, and several matching swats later, he was crying. Nelson paid special attention to the underside of his butt, making sure he’d remember while he sat in class the next day that he should have been there the day before. Zach was squirming again involuntarily, his body reacting to the smacks landing on its backside. Nelson finally stopped when he was certain Zach wouldn’t be skipping class again anytime soon and he helped Zach to his feet. Zach’s hands automatically went back to comfort his hot skin and he gently tried to rub out the sting.
Nelson pulled him against his chest and laid Zach’s head, hot from the exertion, on his shoulder. Nelson ran his stinging hand down Zach’s back, stroking him gently, waiting out the worst of his sobs. He helped Zach out of his pants and sat down on the bed, drawing him into his lap.
When Zach was calm enough to hear him, he said, “No more skipping class, understood?”
He felt Zach’s head nod against his chest, then he sat up, turning his wet eyes to his lover. “But, why was it okay for Benji to do it?”
“Zach we discussed that to death before I ever put you across my lap, but I’ll say it again: Ben is not my responsibility; you are. Vic decided it was all right for Ben, I decided it was not all right for you. That’s all you needed to be concerned with. Stop focusing on Ben and start focusing on you. Is that perfectly clear?”
“I guess. Why do you care so much about whether or not I go to class?” Zach rubbed his fingers against his nose as he sniffed.
Nelson leaned over and pulled out a tissue from the box on the nightstand, handing it to Zach, who was still propped in his lap. “Because I do. I care about you more than anything in the world and that includes doing what’s best for you. There was absolutely no reason for you to blow off school today,” Nelson said. He pushed Zach’s hair off his face and kissed his forehead.
Zach leaned back into him and grumbled, “I don’t mind you caring about me, but do you have to care so… I don’t know…much?” He reached a hand around to his bare butt, strategically positioned between Nelson’s thighs, and touched a stinging cheek.
Nelson laughed softly and put his hand over Zach’s. “Sorry, Zach, but I do. And, I will continue to, so you’d better keep that in mind the next time you want to ditch class when I tell you not to.”
“Not fair,” Zach complained.
Nelson smiled and continued to hold him until the clock told him they would soon have to leave for Vic’s. “We need to get ready to go to Ben and Vic’s, Sweet Pea.”
Zach said, still sniffling, “I don’t want to go, now.”
“We’re going, and that’s the end of it. We aren’t going to let your ‘activities’ today ruin Ben’s birthday.” He coaxed Zach off his lap and took his hand, walking him toward the master bath. “Get in the shower and clean up. We need to leave shortly.”
“I don’t want to,” Zach repeated.
Nelson pushed him forward and gave his bottom a gentle pat. “Go on,” he said, refusing to argue about it. Zach looked at him over his shoulder and opened his mouth to protest. “No, Zach. Shower.”
*****
Ben ran to the door when he heard the bell ring, excited to see his friends. Maggie was yipping happily, dancing around Ben’s feet. Ben’s excitement was slightly deflated when he saw the look on Zach’s face when he opened the door. “Hi! Come on in,” he said, swinging the door wide so they could step through.
Nelson pushed Zach inside the door and kissed Ben’s head. “Happy Birthday, Benji.”
Ben smiled shyly and said, “Thanks, Nelson.”
Nelson gave Zach a hidden poke in the ribs to prompt him to speak up. Zach looked at him, knowing the purpose of the jab, and said, “I called him earlier and said ‘Happy Birthday’.”
Vic appeared behind Ben and put his hands to his shoulders. “Hi, guys. Did you have a good day?”
“Actually,” Nelson said, handing Ben his present and taking Zach’s hand, “we need a minute.”
Vic’s eyes flicked to Zach and he saw what he recognized to be a brooding brat. “Sure,” Vic said. “We’ll be in the living room. Take your time.”
Zach looked uncomfortably away and tried to drag his feet behind Nelson, even as he was being tugged along by the hand. Nelson took him into the downstairs bathroom and shut the door behind them, finally releasing Zach’s hand. Zach slumped against the counter at the sink, keeping his backside protected against it, just in case. His eyes were down and focused on his hands that were working with some unknown purpose against each other.
Nelson’s hand cupped his chin and Zach felt his face immediately tipped upward. “You WILL stop it and I mean now.”
“I didn’t do anything,” he said, willfully refusing to acknowledge his behavior.
“You are being rude and you know it. I won’t allow you to ruin Benji’s birthday.”
Zach’s face fell into a scowl and he said, “So, he’s more important than I am? His feelings come first? Fine.”
Nelson dropped Zach’s chin and his hands found their way to his hips. “Is this about attention, Zachary? Because if it is, I can give you more attention. I would have thought you’d had enough attention for one day.”
Zach looked away, the throb in his bottom still stubbornly making itself known. He said barely above a whisper, “I told you I didn’t want to come.”
“And, I told you we weren’t changing our plans simply because you got in trouble today.”
Zach’s head snapped up and he said, “I don’t feel like partying tonight. Can’t you understand that?”
“I understand that. I also understand you should be able to be nice despite the fact you’d rather not be here. And, that’s what I expect.” Zach merely looked back at him in response. “If you can’t handle that, I’ll bring you back in here, and if I do, you won’t like it. Do you understand?” Zach pursed his lips together at the threat and nodded his head in a single, short shake. “What did you say?” Nelson asked.
Zach knew the nod wouldn’t be enough to satisfy Nelson, but he refused to grant the verbal response until prompted. “Yes, sir.”
Nelson’s posture relaxed and he stepped forward, placing a hand to the back of Zach’s neck and drawing him close. He kissed his forehead and hugged him tight. “I want us to have a nice time tonight. Don’t ruin it.” Zach leaned into Nelson, despite the fact he made him so angry, causing him to want to both lash out at him and hug him at the same time. His anger began to dissipate in Nelson’s firm hold and he determined to himself he would try to be nice. The last thing he wanted was to have another episode with Nelson again, especially so soon after the last one.
“I’m sorry,” he mumbled, but Nelson heard it.
“Thank you, Sweet Pea. Are you ready to go out now?”
“Yes, sir,” he answered. Nelson gave him another kiss, this time on the lips, before reaching for the door handle.
Ben and Vic were huddled on the sofa in the living room, waiting as Vic had promised. Vic’s eyes found Nelson’s and he raised his eyebrows. Nelson’s expression answered the unspoken question by smiling and nodding. Zach went to the sofa and sat down gingerly beside Ben, while Nelson propped on the arm of the couch beside his partner.
Ben looked uneasily at his friend until Zach spoke. “What did you get for your birthday?”
He relaxed and smiled when he sensed Zach was warming up. “Wait until you see. Come on!” Ben jumped up from the sofa and ran toward the den with Maggie close behind him. He paused at the door and looked back for Zach. “Are you coming?”
“You can’t bring it?” Zach asked.
“No, you have to come.” Zach looked at Ben and hesitated, only long enough for Nelson to clear his throat, before he followed Ben out the door.
As soon as they left the room, Nelson moved to the more comfortable seat of the sofa. He propped his elbow on the arm of the couch, and leaned his head against his knuckles looking sideways at Vic.
Vic started laughing and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. Looking over at Nelson, he asked, “Want to tell me what’s going on with your brat?”
Nelson smiled and quipped, “No. Not particularly.” Vic grinned back at him and Nelson relinquished the short version of the story, “He’s upset because he got caught skipping school today after I told him not to.”
“Ah. I see,” Vic said.
“It’s more than that. A lot more. Did you happen to hear about the fire at the movie theater today?”
Vic’s unbelieving expression was looking back at Nelson. He said, “Don’t tell me…”
Nelson clicked his tongue and pointed at Vic, “And, you win the grand prize.”
“He didn’t start it, did he?” Vic asked when the thought occurred to him.
The question made Nelson realize things could have been a lot worse and he straightened up in response to the question. “No! No, no. He didn’t start it. He was just there when it happened.”
Vic began chuckling in spite of himself and got up with a pat to Nelson’s shoulder. “Come on, buddy. You look like a man who could use a drink.” Nelson sighed and followed Vic into the kitchen.
Nelson said as they passed through the kitchen door, “You know, I don’t see you laughing when it’s Ben who’s in trouble.”
“That’s because it’s not funny when it’s Benji and I have to deal with it.”
Nelson cut his eyes over at his friend who was still grinning like a Cheshire cat and tried to suppress a grin of his own. “I don’t find it funny now either.”
“That’s partly why it’s so funny. You’re so serious,” Vic said, laughing at Nelson. “I’m giving you a beer; is that payment enough for laughing?”
Nelson shook his head and said, “It’ll have to do. Who would laugh at me if something happened to you?”
Vic grinned and tossed a beer to Nelson who caught it with ease. “Have a beer. You’ll laugh yourself…later.”
“Much later,” Nelson said, and he twisted off the cap and scored with a toss of the lid into the trashcan.
*****
Later that evening, the four men gathered around the cake Vic had purchased for the occasion, and watched him light the 22 candles adorning the top. Zach leaned over the table on his elbow and poked a finger in the air toward the candles as he counted them off. “Eight, nine, ten, eleven…” he counted aloud softly.
“Zachary, sit down, please,” Nelson said with a hand to Zach’s back.
Zach grunted and looked back at Nelson. “You made me lose count.” He turned back to his task and started counting again, “One, two, three, four, fi- HEY!”
Nelson interrupted the count by tugging on the waistband of Zach’s jeans, urging him back into his seat. He said, “There are plenty of candles on the cake.”
“I’ll count them,” Ben said, beginning to rise to better see the candles.
Vic put one hand on his shoulder while he lit the last candle, pushing him back into his chair. “I counted them when I picked up the cake. There are 22.” He sat down and dragged the cake over directly in front of Ben. “All right, make a wish, Benji.”
Ben thought for a second and took a deep breath to blow out the candles when Zach shouted, “WAIT!”
Benji frowned and softly released the breath he was holding. He looked at Zach and asked, “What?”
“We didn’t sing.”
Ben groaned. “Don’t sing.”
“We have to,” Zach reported and he immediately broke into song. The others followed his lead and they sang through the four lines of the song while Ben blushed at the attention. Zach started another stanza, substituting the third and fourth lines with, “You look like a monkey and smell like one, too!”
“How mature,” Ben said.
“Zach…” Nelson said with a smile.
Zach looked across at Ben and said, “Well, I’m not as old as you are, so I’m allowed.”
“Not yet,” Vic said. “Your birthday will be here soon enough.” Ben repeated the deep breath and managed to blow out all the candles but one. A short breath later, it too was out. Vic started to cut the cake and dished up a large slice for the man of honor. He scooped out two spoonfuls of ice cream and put the dish in front of Ben.
“We’re going to pay for all this sugar later, you know,” Nelson said as he watched him dish up an equally large serving for Zach.
“I’m willing to make the sacrifice just this once. It’s a special occasion.”
“Remember that when it’s two in the morning and he can’t sleep,” Nelson said, indicating Ben. Vic looked over in time to see him shove a spoonful into his mouth, filled to maximum capacity with ice cream and cake.
“You wouldn’t do that to me, would you?” Vic asked Ben, who shook his head earnestly while he chewed.
Around a mouthful of cake, he promised, “Never.”
*****
Vic sighed and said in the dark, “Benjamin, lie still.” He pulled a tossing and turning Ben to him and secured him tightly against his chest. He glanced over at the clock, whose red numbers were glaring at him in the night: 1:55. Damn. Nelson was right.
“Sorry, Vic,” Ben mumbled against his chest.
Vic smiled in the darkness, knowing Ben meant it. He rubbed his back and said, “Did you have a good birthday today?”
“Mmmhmm,” Ben said, draping an arm heavily across Vic’s broad chest. “It was the best birthday ever.”
“Then I can do with a little tossing on your part.”
Ben said, “I can’t help it.”
“I know you can’t. Just close your eyes and try to relax.” Ben took a deep breath and concentrated on Vic’s hand moving up and down his spine.
He started to relax and mumbled a tired, “Thanks for everything today.”
“You’re very welcome, Pumpkin.”
“Let’s not wait another year to have a day like this. Okay?”
“We won’t,” Vic said and kissed the waves of hair beneath his chin.
“Promise?” Ben asked.
“Promise. Scout’s honor,” Vic committed.
“M’kay,” Benji said softly. His lids got heavier and they finally slipped closed for the night about ten minutes later. Vic felt Ben’s breathing change, signaling to him that sleep had finally overtaken his partner. He expelled a satisfied breath and went to sleep himself.
The end.