In this chapter, Noah and Shane explore the possibilities of bridging their five decades apart. Chapters one and two hold the keys to their journey. Please read those first if you need continuity. This chapter will be enjoyable as a stand alone...but it will probably leave some formerly written about questions unanswered here.
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"Oh, SHANE! Our guests are here!" SOB just rang my bell with the news that he's got nowhere else to live, except with me! His stuff is going to arrive in a few days. As much as I am glad that he's here...this is...I need more time!
"Hi, Shane. We brought some vino to share. Bill knows you only drink socially, so he figures these two bottles should get the four of us nice and loose: and maybe even set us up to cuddle...no homo!" Ryan has the look and swagger of a young Brad Pitt. He's a peach of a guy, a real sweetheart. Bill is one lucky husband.
"Get in here Ryan. Where's Bill?" Bill and Ryan are a perfect match. I have never heard them argue since they moved in about a year ago. Their temperaments seem to be synched up just right. I shoot a glance over to Noah; and wonder if he and I can ever be as tight as my renters are.
"Still getting ready. You know Bill. He has to look his best to meet..." He's holding out his hand to Noah, who has been standing one step behind me.
"Noah. It's nice to meet you, Ryan. Shane only has good things to say about you and Bill."
"What about me?" Bill is all smiles. He is also everything I wish I had been at his age, and younger. He is the quieter of the two, more in his head than Ryan, but still very, very open and loving to all. As he introduces himself to Noah, I watch as the three guys interact. My mind is starting to see parallels between the four of us. Ryan is Noah in so many ways...and Bill and I share a lot of similarities!
"It's nothing, sweetie." Ryan is placing a quick kiss on Bill's lips. I usher the four of us into the living room where we'll have some appetizers and drinks. We all sit for a minute and chat. I nudge Noah in the side.
"What?"
"I can use a hand setting out the food." He grins; and starts to clap. It's my old Noah all over again...and I love it. Ryan and Bill, half our ages, are laughing like they never heard this one before. One generation teaching another? I bet those two could teach Noah and I a few new things, as well. Noah and I get into the kitchen; and I take his shoulder and spin him to face me, placing a firm and loving kiss to his mouth. His smile is large, and his eyes are sparkling.
"Sir! I hardly know you!" Maybe grabbing his crotch like this will remind him just how good he really does know me. "Oh. Now I remember. You're the one who is letting me move in without paying any rent. Not in money, anyway." He is returning my kiss, with his hand at the back of my head.
"Oops, sorry. Thought I'd help with the glasses."
"Thanks, Bill. Hey Noah, if you'll take in this platter and keep Ryan busy, Bill and I will do the rest." Noah takes the platter and shoots me a curious stare. No. Nothing has ever happened between Bill, Ryan and me...and it will stay that way with Noah around. I swear it will. As we join them, we hear Ryan and Noah in deep intellectual conversation.
"How did you fuck him?" That's Noah. Ryan is using his hands to try and demonstrate to Noah the rather unique position that the husbands are fond of.
"Okay, you two. Knock it off. Here. Everyone take a glass. I have a toast." We're going to have a good night. I can tell.
"I thought you made ham?"
"You're a ham, Noah." I can see that Ryan and Bill are taken with Noah. They are hanging on his every word. He always was a good talker. He could convince me to do anything. He still can. "To all of the friends and lovers we have held dear in our memories, some longer than others (lots of eye rolls), and to all of the new and exciting adventures we can allow and enjoy today. Cheers!"
My couch is a very comfortable one, but its deep pillows tend to make standing up a little difficult sometimes. Noah is having an issue. Ryan is on his feet, and he's extending his hand to help. Those two have bonded already.
"Here you go. You can do it, Dad!" Ryan can be a teaser. But he's all smiles toward my Noah.
"Thanks, Son. Don't get any ideas...I'm with Shane!" Thankfully, it's all in fun; and we are all laughing as we take our seats at the table for dinner.
Table Talk -
"Ryan?...do you and Noah need to tell us something? Bill keeps the teasing going.
"Not yet, babe. It's still early."
"Guys. We can't eat if we keep cracking up like this. Truce. Though it's great that we all get along so well. Thanks for being here, you two." I'm always inspired by Ryan and Bill; and I see that Noah is, as well. There is something magnetic about their connection that raises one's level of joy to be in their presence.
"It's our pleasure, right, Bill?" Bill nods as he chops on his dinner. He gives the 'thumbs up'. What does Bill look like? A lot like a younger version of me. Maybe that's why I was so quick to rent to him. He and I met first, as Ryan was out of town for that week. We had an instant rapport between us. No Daddy/Son jokes, please. I have always had rather strict boundaries for my personal ethics regarding age compatibility. No shade to others. It's just...one of my many hang-ups.
"Another bottle?" Ryan doesn't wait for an answer; and he is pouring more wine for the four of us. This is starting to feel like a gay cruise dinner party. You know, where you sit with the same 'new' people for every meal. It's funny how eating together breaks down any and all barriers. It is with us!
"May I?" Ryan is standing, and wants to make a toast. I nod. "To our hosts. May God grant Bill and I the good fortune and grace to follow your path; and arrive at a similar beautiful and satisfying place in life." That was beautifully said, with sincerity. That neither Ryan nor Bill knows of the history between me and Noah is besides the point. I do feel that some kind of response is appropriate.
"Thanks, guys. That's really nice." I turn my gaze to Noah, who is looking a bit sheepish. "Noah and I both share your enthusiasm for what the future may hold." He is smiling at me. We all clink glasses; and I am starting to clear the dinner dishes, in preparation for dessert. but we'll space that out a bit; as I have an idea for a game that will be fun. The way the four of us are getting along, a good half hour of "Cards Against Humanity" will be perfect.
Bill is helping me with the dishes, while Ryan and Noah light a fire, and set up the game. "I hope you can fill us in on your history with Noah, Shane. I sense some...tension between you." He is a perceptive one.
"You're right, Bill. The two of us have a somewhat difficult history; and we are just starting to resolve and get past that. I love Noah with all my heart, Bill. It's a good story for a snowy night, when you and I are alone, okay?" He is nodding, knowingly. "I hope everyone likes cheesecake?"
"For sure we do."
"I know that Noah does, too. Let's set the table for later, and we can join them for the game."
The Game -
For all of you who have ever played "Cards Against Humanity", there is no need to explain its ability to keep a fun night going. The four of us have been roaring with belly quaking laughter for at least twenty minutes now. That, coupled with the fireplace, has heated us up quite a bit.
"Anyone mind if I take off my dress shirt? You guys are turning me on so much that I'm starting to perspire." Who do you think said that?
"Noah. We have guests. They can not possibly be as interested with your stunning body as I am." Laughter all around, even Noah.
"I have an undershirt on, Shane."
"Let the man breathe! Come on, Noah...give us a show!" Ryan is up tor this. "I'll join you, if Shane is okay with it. I'm getting hot, as well." I've seen Ryan shirtless before. Hot is putting it mildly. We gay men (I will speak for all of us) may be happy in a monogamous and loving relationship...but we will never, ever not drool at the sight of some other guy's smoking hot body. Hard wired for that!
"Go for it, you two. Just be aware of the effect it will have on Bill and me." Poor choice of words.
"Oh. So you and Bill are an item now? S-h-a-n-e...." Of course. That's my Noah!
"Hey. It's you and Ryan who are acting like twins tonight...not Bill and me." That said, I glance over at Bill, and he is giving me a look that is making me uncomfortable, to say the least.
"Time for dessert!" I hope that broke the spell. I can't correctly read the dynamic here. Are Ryan and Bill trying to get with Noah and me...or is it Noah who is egging them on?" I have zero intention of a foursome! No way, period.
"This is yummy. Thanks, Shane." Bill is leaning in to Ryan with a forkful of his dessert to feed it to his husband. I have to admit, it is a very innocent and very sexy looking thing to do.