This is a tale of two souls on an intersecting course. Sometimes intersections are gentle and beautiful events from which something new and perfect is born. Sometimes intersections are violent and disruptive leading to chaos. Most of the time, they are something in between the two.
Steven DeLong was born and raised in a small town in the Midwest with all of the trappings that went with it. Simple family life with bedrock beliefs rooted in faith, sports, working hard and earning what you get. Steven learned at an early age that he wasn’t like anyone else he knew. He wasn’t like the person his parents wanted him to be, so he made it his mission in life to be as quiet as he could…to escape notice…of anyone. You see, he had a secret and it was painfully clear to him that if his secret ever got out, his world would become an inescapable hell. His goal from the day he was old enough to formulate one was to escape. Then, he could be….what? Free? Himself?
Bryan Caulder was a city boy through and through. Raised by a single father, who instilled in his son the drive to achieve, Bryan learned to approach life as a series of challenges he was determined to master. He excelled at sports, was at or near the top of his class academically, dated the prettiest most popular girls. There was always one ellusive challenge which he could never quite identify and therefore could never quite surmount. Something deep inside that troubled him, and he knew one day he would need to turn his full attention to it. He both anticipated and dreaded that day.
Steven graduated from High School in the middle of the pack, unnoticed and unseen. He added extra hours to the job he held since he was a freshman and picked up a second job. In addition, he began taking business classes at the local Junior College. Within five years, he had managed to pick up an associates degree and save a considerable amount of money. One day, out of the blue, he packed his car with only the barest necessities, bid his bewildered parents goodbye, and escaped the clutches of small-town life forever. He had used his savings to purchase a failing pub in the center of the city’s financial district and fully intended to make a go of it. His dream, at last. His way out.
Bryan had to admit that work on the project was going well and the upper management at Diller-Harris were pleased with his efforts. His team had come together nicely and were working like a well-oiled machine, and now he was suggesting that they get together socially after work. He had the final blueprints for the customer presentation tomorrow in hand and wished to buy his team a drink to celebrate.
“Let’s try that new place everyone is talking about…Smith’s I think it’s called” suggested Callie. It was close-by and everyone agreed.
Steven looked up from the bar where he was busy drying glasses just as the group of sharply dressed young professionals entered. He smiled in welcome and thought to himself “Nice looking bunch…” then he saw the last person in the group enter. He was tall, 6’2″ or 6’3″ and obviously very athletic. He had jet-black hair and the most unusual aquamarine eyes that Steven had ever seen. He flashed a dazzling smile Steven’s way and there seemed to be an audible “click” in Steven’s head….something had just changed in a really profound way.
Within a matter of minutes, guests began filling the pub and soon, Steven was in high gear mixing drinks, and orders were flying back and forth between the kitchen and the common room. The atmosphere was festive and everyone was having a good time, with few complaints. By 10 PM, the crowds began to thin and Steven was finally able to take a break. By taking a break, it meant bussing tables and cleaning up which he began in earnest. As he rearranged the charis around the tables, he noticed two document tubes on the floor. “Uh-oh…someone will be calling after these…” he thought to himself. Taking them behind the bar, he tucked them underneath the register stand completely out of sight and safe.
Bryan arrived at the office in a complete panic. He had spent the morning tearing his apartments apart trying to find the missing blueprints and the customer presentation was at 11:00AM. Callie quickly reminded him that he had them with him when they all went to the bar last night.
“What was the name of that place?” he asked impatiently…
“Smith’s” she replied scarcely looking up from her desk. He quickly found the phone number and dialed it.
“Smith’s Pub…”a rich baritone voice answered.
“Hello…..I was wondering if you by any chance found a couple of document tubes with some blueprints left behind….” Bryan asked
“As a matter of fact, I found them last night….they are tucked away safe and sound…” the voice on the other end said with a hint of amusement.
“…if I start crying, please forgive me…” Bryan laughed…”I need those babies as soon as I can possibly get them. I will have to send a courier…”
“Don’t…..I’ll bring them to you. Is this Bryan?”
“Yes…How did you know….?” he started to ask.
“Your name is written on the tubes….You’re at Diller-Harris?”
“Yes, that’s correct…”
“I will be there in 15 minutes…” Steven said
“That’s really nice of you, Mr….?”
“Steven….Steven DeLong….Just call me Steven”
“Thanks again, Steven…if I give you my number, will you message me when you are close?”
“Certainly….” Steven smiled to himself. He thought he remembered which one Bryan was and if so….CLICK. That was unmistakable. After entering Bryan’s number into his phone, he ducked into the kitchen.
“Marco? Do we have any fresh Super-Snack boxes ready?”
“Of course, Mr. Steven…anything for you.” came the muffled reply and Marco emerged from the walk-in refrigerator with a box. He quickly wrapped up an assortment of home-made crackers and breads to go with the artisan cheeses and sausage, and a small bunch of grapes and some various berries for color and something sweet. He finished it with a pieces of Belgian Black Chocolate. Handing the wrapped box to Steven, with snacks and tubes in hand, he headed out the door.
Five blocks and ten short minutes later, Steven stood outside the Diller-Harris building sending a text message to Bryan, Within two minutes, a fresh-faced young man in an impeccable suit poked his head out the door…
“Steven?” he asked
Steven nodded in acknowledgement and the young man gestured him inside. “Mr. Caulder is waiting for you. We’ll just go directly to his office.” Bryan smirked to himself and dutifully followed. They stepped off of the elevator on the eleventh floor directly into a hub of activity. A large open room, divided by clusters of workstations and conference tables. small groups of young professional sorts gathered here and there and the level of noise was strikingly loud. the young man led Bryan to a glassed in office where he could plainly see Bryan pacing back and forth behind a sleek desk.
He looked up when the young man opened the door and stuck his head in….”Steven DeLong to see you, sir…”
“Thanks, William….Steven!!! please come in.”
Bryan remembered Steven alright, from the Honey blonde hair cut short, but managing to look messy anyway, to the liquid brown eyes and tanned skin. He was strong in appearance and build, contrasting with his own leanness and lankiness. He had made an impression on Bryan that night. Something deep inside had been awakened and he was hardly able to identify it.
Steven’s suspicions were confirmed. This was the CLICK guy alright, He knew he should dismiss the thoughts threatening to overwhelm him, because he and Bryan were obviously from two different worlds. What would Bryan Caulder possibly see in Steven DeLong?
He shook Bryan’s hand firmly and immediately handed over the two precious document tubes, to the obvious relief which washed over the young man’s face.
“You are an absolute life-saver and I don’t know where we would be without you, today….up shit creek, I’m pretty sure.”
“Glad I could help….” Steven said quietly. Then, as if remembering that he had it, he also offered Bryan the snack box. “You sounded so stressed on the phone….I’m guessing you haven’t eaten, so I brought you something to eat. You really shouldn’t do a big presentation on an empty stomach, you know…”
Steven saw a change come over Bryan’s face. A slight pucker of his brow, and a bit of moisture welling up in his eyes. Bryan blinked several times in the silence and started to speak, but no sound came forth. He was suddenly choked with emotion. He could scarcely remember when someone had offered such a caring gesture seemingly without wanting anything in return. He cleared his throat and tried again.
“Thank you, Steven…you’ve been more than kind….” he said softly. He felt a sudden urge to put his arms around Steven, a longing to feel contact with him. It overwhelmed him for a brief moment. “That’s insane, though. You don’t even know him.” he thought to himself. Bryan smiled broadly…”I don’t know how to repay you….”
Steven sensed that there had been a moment, but the moment had passed and smiled back….”You and your colleagues keep coming in to my little place to let off steam and we’ll do our best to help you enjoy.”
“Oh…so Smith’s is your place?”
“Yessir….you’re welcome any time. We rotate the grub menu every month with fresh locally sourced produce, and I am a certified mixologist always ready to ply you with your favorite exotic cocktails as well as inventing my own drink menu. We have 32 beers on tap and nearly a hundred more varieties in bottles.”
“I will see you Friday evening, then, with as many as I can convince to come with me…..”
Smiling to himself, Steven found his way out of the building and back to Smith’s to prepare for opening in just a few short hours.
Bryan and his team made a spectacularly successful presentation and the signatures were obtained on the spot. There would be some celebrations to be had and a lot more work to be done. regardless, his mind kept returning to Steven DeLong, and his honey blond hair, handsome face and strong frame. Why was he having these thoughts? Ultimately he was the one to suggest Smith’s for their celebration.
They needed to blow off steam and ave a good time and Smith’s accommodated in every way possible. Steven made up a brand new cocktail they christened “The Dotted Line” just for them, and the kitchen fed them well. Bryan fought a losing battle to keep his eyes off of Steven but it wasn’t working and Steven for his part flirted relentlessly.
The alcohol flowed and the more he drank, the more Bryan’s inhibitions disappeared. At one point in he evening, much to his own and everyone else’s surprise, he found himself dancing with Steven to a slow tune. They held each other gently and Steven felt as if he were under a spell and the slightest false move would break it all apart, but he felt so right with Bryan’s arms around him.
Then as if to confirm his worst fear, Bryan stepped away from him abruptly and looked around as if waking up from a trance, turning bright crimson he bolted. He literally ran from the bar leaving Steven and the few remaining partiers agape. A single tear rolled down Steven’s cheek and the sorrow in his eyes was unmistakable. The CLICK was the sound of a heart breaking. He picked up his forgotten bar towel and resumed collecting dirty glasses and wiping table tops.
Months passed and Bryan acted as if nothing had ever happened. There were whispered conversations and sideways glances his way, but they too died out after a time. If anything, he became even more relentless, throwing himself into his next project with abandon, working long hours, seemingly only sleeping for a few hours and coming right back to work. He frequently came into the office on weekends working more long hours completely on his own.
Steven, for his part returned to his cheerful exterior and Smith’s was enjoying unprecedented success. He wasn’t the same, though. Those that knew him, could see the sadness around the edges. Just enough to shield him from any kind of real joy. His close friends drew closer out of concern and love, but the sadness kept him isolated, even from them.
The Diller – Harris crew still enjoyed Smith’s to socialize and Bryan occasionally joined them. When he was there, Steven scrupulously avoided them. Bryan continued to steal glances at Steven, and Steven avoided. No one seemed to know the depth of Steven’s despair. Until he had enough. The Diller-Harris crew had been there Friday night, and Bryan had been downright surly and rude. Steven had stoically borne it, and made sure that they had a good time regardless. He was used to dealing with difficult customers, but there was a personal viciousness in Bryan’s jabs and comments that cut a little bit deeper with each new aside. His colleagues were even compelled to comment on what an unmitigated ass he was being ultimately opting to leave Bryan by himself.
Marco arrived at Smith’s on Saturday morning to find the front door padlocked, the windows boarded up and a sign indicating that the business was permanently closed. Not knowing what else to do, he began to call his coworkers to share the news, or learn what they knew. The only person he could not get an answer from was Steven. By the end of the week, news had traveled all across the city, Steven’s lawyer had settled with all of the employees for what they were owed, but was able to give them no information. Smith’s was now a thing of the past, and Steven, like a ghost, had vanished.
Bryan was visibly shaken when his colleagues told him that Smith’s had closed and the owner had disappeared, deliberately it seemed. His first impulse was to search his phone and he found Steven’s number from all those months previously and dialed. No answer, and no voicemail….but at least it rang. The phone was still working, and hopefully Steven still had it in his possession.
In his heart he knew that he was responsible for this. He knew he felt something very strong for Steven and it had been mutual. Not only had he spurned the other man, he had mocked him and taunted him…he had been deliberately cruel, and the more he thought about how he had treated Steven, he became physically sick to his stomach.
“What in the fuck is wrong with you….” he thought to himself. He began to examine himself and he was disgusted with what he had become. “I have to find him….I have to make this right…” he thought. Looking through his contacts once again, he located an acquaintance who was a private investigator, and made the call.
It was a little more than a week later when he got his first report. The P.I. had managed to gain access to Steven’s social media and there had been no activity since the day of his departure when he made the following post on Facebook:
There must be something fundamentally wrong with me. I have tried to understand what it is that I need to fix but I just can’t get a handle on it. I’m really wrecked this time and I don’t know if I can get over it. There was such contempt in the things he said to me, and for the life of me I don’t know why. It’s so toxic here, I can’t stay, so I’ll keep searching…if I don’t find it this life, maybe it’s time to start over.
Bryan read it, and then re-read it and wept.
The next breakthrough didn’t come for nearly a year, when the P.I. was able to report that he had definitely found where Steven had been living up until three months previously. He felt relatively confident that he would find him in short order, and true to his word, he located Steven in Corvalis, Oregon working at a little diner. Bryan packed a bag and left on the first available flight to Portland, renting a car and driving south to Corvalis where he found a clean room to stay.
He waited until after the lunch rush had dwindled to enter the diner and spotted Steven right away. He had traded his unkempt locks for a buzz-cut with a trimmed beard and mustache. He was even more devastating. Bryan paused at the door just taking him in, and feeling the freedom of being able to openly appreciate Steven’s handsome face and body knowing full well that he loved this man and wanted him desperately. No more self-denial, no self-delusion…he knew and was comfortable with the fact that he was a gay man. It was one gift Steven had given him.
The waitress behind the counter looked up at him…followed his gaze, and smiled knowingly….this may be small town, but she knew the score.
He sat in a booth with his back to Steven and gave her a conspiratorial wink….she whispered in Steven’s ear and disappeared behind the kitchen door, while Steven poured a glass of water and grabbed a place setting, heading for Bryan’s booth.
“Can I get you some Iced Tea or a soft drink to start?” he asked.
“Hello Steven…if that’s the name you’re going by these days…”
Steven’s eyes snapped up to finally register who was sitting at his booth. A storm of emotions crossed his face, none seeming to be able to establish a foothold. Finally he just sighed….”Hello Bryan…what are you doing here?”
“I came to find you…” Steven couldn’t keep the shock from his face.
“F-find me?”
“Yes…when can you take a break? We need to talk.”
Steven glanced at his watch, and turned without a word heading back into the kitchen. Soon, he reappeared with the waitress close on his heel. She gave him a reassuring look and squeezed his shoulder, and made herself busy in the tiny diner while he removed his apron and sat in the opposite seat to Bryan.
Bryan looked at his face long and intently, searched out and held his gaze. He wanted above all else for Steven to see him. The real Bryan.
“I have a lot to say to you, but let me start with telling you how very sorry I am that I hurt you, and I know I did. I was cruel and hateful and you didn’t deserve any of it. You are the kindest, gentlest person I’ve ever met….beautiful in every way, inside and out and that is the honest-to-god truth. There are a lot of reasons why I acted like I did, none of them having anything to do with you….that’s also why I need to thank you….you helped me see what a shit I was becoming and fortunately it wasn’t too late for me to change….So I work on it day by day….becoming a better person.”
He paused for a sip of water to wet his suddenly dry throat. “I don’t know what to say…” Steven began…
“Good…” Bryan smiled “I’m not done yet…I said I wasn’t going to talk about the reasons just yet, but I will say this…I think I fell in love with you the first time we walked into Smith’s and I saw you at the end of the bar, polishing glasses…it scared the fuck out of me and I dealt with it all wrong….I know you felt something too…that night you danced with me was magical for just a few minutes…until I wrecked it forever….I just want to know if there is another chance to be had? At least for you to get to know me, not the frightened asshole…..”
Steven chuckled. He was beginning to relax which was a good sign for Bryan.
“Well, I’ve kind of pulled up roots and moved on…that would make it kinda difficult, wouldn’t it?”
Bryan’s heart lurched, but he recovered quickly. He had thought of this already. “I took some precautions…” he said sheepishly
“What did you do???” Steven asked, slightly alarmed.
“I bought Smith’s and put it in a trust….all we have to do is sign it over to you and you’ve got your baby again…”
“You did that?…For me?”
“Think of it as an investment….I’m hoping and praying that one day it will be OUR future…if…well, you know…”
Steven thought for a moment. “I don’t have anyplace to live…the lease on my flat was optioned off a year ago….”
“Yeah….About that….” Bryan started…
“You didn’t….”
“I did…it has been gutted and refinished and it is ready for you to move into anytime….”
“Why would you do all this??” Steven looked amazed
“I did you a great wrong and I owe you…You rescued me and I owe you…You deserve it…Pick a reason, any reason….mostly because I love you and I would do anything for you…” Bryan reached across the table and took Steven’s hand. There was this cool current of electrical charge that passed between them at the contact. When it dawned on Bryan that Steven didn’t pull away from him despite having every reason in the world to hate him or in the least mistrust him, his eyes welled up with tears he couldn’t keep in check.
Steven glanced nervously at the waitress who smiled knowingly and nodded. “You’ve got nothing holding you here, sweetheart…” she said
“True…Want to come to the big city with me?” he asked her
“Don’t tease…” she said
“I could use a flat-mate and we’re going to need help getting the bar up and running again…”
“You’re serious???”
Bryan chuckled “You’re going to have to put up with a lot of me, though….” he said
“Honey, you’re so easy on the eyes, I’m sure I’ll live…” she replied, smartly.
“So what do you say?” Bryan asked Steven.
“I’m off at five…can you pick me up?”
“I ‘ll be here…” Bryan answered, and he felt his shoulders sink back into their correct position for the first time in months. He sighed happily. He had hope.
Steven was waiting when Bryan pulled up in front of the diner. He hopped into Bryan’s rental without a word and buckled up.
“Where would you like to go?” Bryan asked
Steven replied matter-of-factly “Your hotel…..”
Glancing at him long enough to see he was dead serious, Bryan hit the gas and within a few minutes pulled into the Hilton Garden Inn parking lot. His heart was racing like a virgin on her wedding night, and in many ways, he was exactly that. He fumbled with the key card and finally got the door open to the room and they stepped inside. He pulled the safety latch and turned to find Steven nearly on top of him…so close he could feel his breath on his cheek. Steven saw the look of trepidation in his eyes…
“What’s wrong???”
“I-I’ve never…uh….you know” he blushed furiously.
“Never?”
“Not with a man….”
Steven smiled warmly and wrapped his arms around Bryan. “Honey, you don’t need an instruction manual, and I’m sure as hell not here to judge….Just be with me…let yourself go….enjoy what feels good…if you don’t want to do something, just say ‘stop’ and I will….OK?” as he said the words, Steven drew closer and closer until his lips were brushing Bryan’s. Bryan thought he was going to pass out from the man’s touch. Then their lips fastened together and Steven’s tongue slid into Bryan’s mouth. A whimpering cry came from deep in Bryan’s throat and his arms snaked around Steven pulling him even closer as if trying to draw him inside of himself.
Their tongues engaged in a love duel and their hands sought to explore whatever they could reach. Bryan had ahold of Steven’s perfect ass, caressing and squeezing the fleshy globes and Steven ran his hands underneath Bryan’s shirt, combing his fingers through the hair covering his well-developed pecs, tweaking the nipples playfully. This elicited a groan of pleasure from Bryan.
Finally, their kiss broke. Bryan yanked Steven’s shirt off over his head and bent to kiss his neck and shoulders working his way down across the smooth muscled flesh to the pink nubs standing at full attention and he sucked and nibbled on them one at a time, alternating between the two drawing contented sighs and groans of pleasure from Steven. He smiled to himself, thrilled at his accomplishment.
Bryan knew full well what he wanted and swallowing hard, as if to swallow his reticence, he dropped to his knees. As he kissed and licked the surface of Steven’s rippling stomach muscles, he surprised even himself with the alacrity with which he unfastened the belt and unbuttoned the jeans, pulling them down until they dropped to Steven’s ankles where he kicked free of them. Bryan pressed his face against the hard cylinder outlined in the white briefs and inhaled deeply, taking in Steven’s masculine scent. It was like a shot of aphrodisiac straight to his brain.
He hooked his fingers in the waistband and pulled down, freeing Steven’s erection which sprang forth and slapped Bryan in the face leaving a gooey trail of pre-cum across his cheek. He gasped. It was the first time he had been so close to another man’s cock. Lovingly wrapping his fist around the base, he steered the drooling bulb to his mouth and began to lick it, tentatively at first, then with abandon as the sweet musky taste invaded his senses. He was filled with wonder as he looked up close at the heavily veined surface of the steel-hard shaft, and the purplish knob. Bryan realized his mouth was watering and he engulfed the head in his hungry orifice. Sliding down, he took about 5 or 6 inches in until the blunt head reached the back of his throat and held it there applying his tongue to the underside.
Steven was out of his mind with pleasure. He had never expected this, and he knew it would not take too much more to send him over the edge. His soft groans ran in counterpoint to his fingers in Bryan’s raven locks….gentle and encouraging. Bryan couldn’t believe he was sucking cock, nor how damned good it was. He knew this was where he belonged, and the puzzle pieces finally fit together. Driven on by his growing lust, he began to suck in earnest, cupping Steven’s substantial balls in one hand while the other loosened his own trousers and fished his aching erection out….a couple of strokes and he exploded onto Steven’s legs, shooting jet after jet of thick juice, but never once relenting from the task at hand.
Suddenly Steven’s eye’s rolled back in his head and he uttered a strangled cry. Bryan’s mouth was flooded with Steven’s load. He panicked for a moment before swallowing Steven’s creamy offering, only to be filled again. Bryan swallowed as fast as he could, still some leaked down his chin onto his chest. Long after Steven’s incredible climax had ceased he continued, milking every last drop out before relinquishing his prize….
Steven kissed him deeply, swabbing the inside of his mouth for the last vestiges of his load. Bryan’s cock had barely flagged and the kiss brought him back to full rigidity. Steven looked into Bryan’s lust glazed eyes. “You’re going to fuck me…” he said. “You’re going to fuck me hard and deep…” as if it were yesterday’s news. Bryan’s skin prickled with each word. Steven did something to him he couldn’t explain. He was more aroused than he had ever been.
Steven took him by the hand and led him to the bed. Making an educated guess, he located a bottle of lube in Bryan’s suitcase, and smiling wickedly, he began to slather it on the man’s cock. Bryan gasped at the pleasurable impulses racing through his body. Steven then applied some lube to the tips of his fingers and quickly prepared his hole. Mounting Bryan, he positioned the drooling head of the man’s erect cock at his opening and began to ease downward. they both held their breath until suddenly, Steven’s ring relaxed and the head of Bryan’s cock slid into the furnace-hot cavern.
“Fu-u-u-u-u-u-u-u-u-u-ck!!!” Steven uttered in a low shuddering moan. He kept the downward slide going until he felt the man’s pubes against his ass and knew he had all of him. Bryan just stared at Steven’s face, open-mouthed as he began to ride him vigorously. Bryan began to thrust upward to meet Steven and soon had completely taken over. Steven lowered himself to Bryan’s chest and let him thrust into him. Their lovemaking was slow and sensual, building in intensity. As Bryan maneuvered his cock nearly all of the way out of Steven’s hungry hole, only to slowly and languorously slide back in to the hilt. They shared deep kisses and long moments lost in each other’s eyes, their hands caressing and exploring.
Neither had ever felt so utterly close to another person as they did in those moments. Bryan reached down and cupped Steven’s ass-cheeks in his hands, his long fingers brushing over where his cock entered the other man’s body. That was enough to send Steven over the edge and he came without touching himself painting Bryan’s chest and stomach with long ribbons of thick cum.
The contractions Bryan felt along his cock were enough to push him over and he pumped a massive load into Steven’s ass, crying out his name ecstatically. Steven collapsed on his chest and kissed his face and lips softly.
It took them long minutes to return to earth and begin breathing normally. Steven whispered into Bryan’s ear…
“I do love you…just give me time.”
“You have all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere….and I’ll do whatever it takes to prove my love for you…” came Bryan’s reply.
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