Chapter Thirty-Five
Bernard
Saturday, December26–Thursday, December 31
BERNARD SPENT HIS days the next week at work and evenings with Rory. He would have Friday off for New Year’s Day but had to work New Year’s Eve.
He’d asked him to move in on Sunday, and Rory said yes. Rory still had to pay the rent for January, so that gave them time to move at their pace.
They introduced Mina to Ginger on Sunday so they could get used to each other. Bernard wanted to be there the whole time to see what would happen. It surprised them at how well Mina took to Ginger. Ginger always loved to play, but she’d never been around cats.
They chased each other through the house, playing tag. Bernard’s back fences were high, but he was still worried that Mina would get out. He’d hired a contractor who specialized in pet enclosures to build a ceiling in his backyard that would prevent Mina from escaping. In the meantime, he kept Ginger inside or outside but didn’t keep the doggy door open. They didn’t need Mina getting loose.
“Well, that was easy,” Bernard said. “I thought Ginger would try to eat her.”
“She’s feisty, but it seems they understand this is how it’s going to be and they should just get used to it.”
Every day, Rory went to his apartment to pack up as much as he could. Kelly and John helped when they weren’t working. It made the work easier.
Each night they went through boxes and sorted them. They reminisced about their childhoods. Rory had two picture albums full of photos of them in high school and when they were in their twenties.
“Look how muscular I used to be,” Bernard said. “Leaving the farm did a number on me.”
“I was always a chunky kid.”
Bernard looked at him and saw tears form in his eyes.
“What’s the matter?”
“It’s just…I was always the fat kid. I never fit in anywhere until I met you. You never made me feel bad about my weight. You were always my friend.”
“I didn’t see your weight as anything but part of you. I liked you for you.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m the one who pushed you away when I came out. Thinking you wouldn’t accept me, and here we are, boyfriends.”
“Boyfriends sounds so middle school,” Rory laughed. “What if I called you my partner?”
“I’d like that.”
They hugged.
“I’m sorry I pushed you away in grad school,” Rory said. “That wasn’t right of me.”
“I understand why. You did what you thought you had to. I’m just glad you came back to me.”
They continued to flip through the photos. Rory pointed out people he hadn’t seen since high school. They had a group of eight people who hung out together. Two moved away, leaving six in their early twenties. Bernard, Rory, and Sarah were the only ones who kept in touch. The other three stopped talking to Bernard when he came out. Although he thought he pushed them away like he did Rory. Sarah was the only one who refused to be pushed away. She became his rock. Bernard did not know where any of the others were.
Bernard walked into the spare room to see a dozen extra boxes stacked in the corners of the room.
“You have a lot more than I thought,” Bernard said.
“Well, I’ve collected things over the years,” Rory said, bringing another box into the room.
“It’s okay, we have the space.”
Bernard didn’t use his third bedroom. He stored a few things he didn’t use anymore, so Rory’s boxes could fit while they arranged them around the rest of the house.
“I’m so glad you said yes,” Bernard said. “I know it’s a big step.”
“We’ve known each other forever. I don’t see any reason not to move in.”
Bernard pulled him into an embrace. He inhaled Rory’s musk, his cologne lingering in his nostrils. Everything about Rory made him quiver.
“You’re everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner,” Bernard said, “and I’ll do anything to make you happy.”
“Can I set up a small work area here? I just need a portion. It won’t take up much space.”
“This is your room now, for all your work. We can set it up any way you want it.”
“Really?”
“Of course. I don’t use it for anything. I’ll get a storage shed for things I might want to keep but don’t use. We can put some things in there for you too, if you’d like.”
“That would be great.” Rory kissed him again.
Rory’s kisses were sweet, passionate, and everything he ever dreamed of.
“I want to make love to you,” Bernard said.
“Are you ready?”
They hadn’t had sex since Bernard’s dad passed away. And Rory had been distant since leaving his mother behind. His father and brother still talked to him, but his mother refused. They hadn’t been in the mood to have sex.
“Yes. I want to feel you inside me,” Bernard said.
Rory led Bernard into the bathroom and they showered. He laid Bernard on the bed and kissed him.
Rory’s tongue traced a path from his neck down to his erect dick. Rory took it all and sucked. Bernard shifted, the sensation echoing through his body.
Rory pulled Bernard to the edge of the bed. He lifted Bernard’s legs and ran his tongue around his entrance. Rory hadn’t done this to him before. Rory’s tongue entered and Bernard squirmed.
Bernard leaned down and lifted Rory’s head. They gazed into each other’s eyes.
“I want you to fuck me without a condom,” Bernard said. “I want you to fill me up.”
They’d gotten tested in October and both came back negative. They hadn’t had sex without condoms yet.
“Yeah, is that what you want?”
“Yes.”
Rory prepped Bernard with two fingers and lots of lube.
“You’re so tight,” Rory said.
“It’s tight for you,” Bernard said. “I want to feel my ass wrapped tight around that cock.”
“Are you ready for my cock?”
“Give it to me.”
Rory lubed up and placed Bernard’s legs on his shoulders and eased in. Bernard helped guide him. Rory was gentle with his entrance. Bernard knew he was afraid of hurting him, which made him an amazing top.
Bernard gripped the bed as Rory’s cock entered.
“Fuck,” Bernard said.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, it’s just so big.”
“You can take it, big guy. I know you can.”
Rory’s belly pushed against him and he moaned as his cock filled Bernard’s hole. Rory’s uncut cock eased inside his ass. Their bodies connected on a new level, without a condom to separate their flesh. He could lie here all day with Rory’s cock in his ass.
He breathed deep as Rory moved in and out, stretching his hole. Rory kept a slow pace.
“Fuck me,” Bernard said.
“You want it?” Rory said.
Rory had gained confidence in the bedroom and it excited Bernard. He moved his legs to wrap around Rory’s back and pulled him in.
“Okay,” Rory said.
He pounded into Bernard. Each thrust sent jolts from his ass to his cock. He grabbed the lube and dripped it on his cock and stroked it.
“I want you to come first,” Rory said. “I want to see you come.”
“You want me to come?”
“Yes, I want to see what I do to you.”
“Fuck, that’s hot.”
Bernard grabbed his balls in the other hand and pulled. He reared at the pressure.
“Keep going. I’m going to come,” Bernard growled.
“Come for me, baby.”
Bernard let out a groan and cum shot to his chest. Three more followed and hit his belly.
“Keep fucking me,” Bernard said. “I want to feel your cum inside me.”
Rory continued to pump, his dick swelling inside. He was close, and it was going to be explosive.
Rory let out a loud moan as he thrust one last time. Rory’s cock throbbed as cum shot out. Each pulse elevated Bernard’s ecstasy. Rory had come inside him.
Bernard squeezed his ass as Rory pulled out and rolled over next to him.
“Fuck, you’re good at that,” Bernard said.
“I just did what you taught me,” Rory said. “You showed me how.”
Bernard leaned in and kissed him. “Some of that is just you.”
“Well, I guess when you want to please someone, you learn.”
“Well, I’m glad you learned. I love it when you fuck me.”
“Next time, you top. I want to feel you fill me with your cum.”
“I’m happy to do whatever pleases you, sexy bear.”
“I love when you call me that.” Rory smiled.
“Then I will say it as often as you want me to, sexy bear.”
They kissed. Sweat mingled with the mint of the toothpaste. Bernard licked Rory’s lips and drank in the sweat.
They cleaned up and went to bed. Bernard still had to work, and Rory had more packing to do. Bernard fell asleep in Rory’s arms. This was how it would be from now on. He would never have to go to sleep alone.
*
BERNARD GOT OFF work early on Thursday due to the holiday. He drove over to Rory’s to help him pack.
They moved most of his furniture to a rental trailer to take to a donation center.
They donated Rory’s bed, dresser, and other furniture he didn’t need. He insisted on holding on to the nightstand his brother made him, so they set it up on his side of the bed. He wanted to keep a recliner his grandfather gave him. The chair fit perfectly in the corner.
They’d unloaded most of Rory’s apartment by Thursday evening.
Kelly, John, and Sarah joined them with little Mikey.
“Well, you guys have officially moved in together,” Kelly said.
“We have.” Bernard kissed Rory.
“How does it feel?” Sarah asked.
“It’ll take getting used to,” Rory said, “since I left home, I’ve lived alone. This will be a pleasant change.”
They watched Mikey run around with Ginger. She’d run and hide from him. When he found her under the table or a chair, she’d scoot off to another location.
“We’re having a party tonight,” Sarah said. “You’re welcome to join us.”
“What do you think?” Bernard asked Rory.
“I think I’m exhausted,” Rory said.
“I think we’re going to stay in tonight,” Bernard said. “We’ve had a lot happen over the last month.”
“I don’t blame you,” John said, “but if you change your mind, you’re more than welcome.”
“Thanks,” they both responded.
They said goodbyes, and both collapsed on the couch.
“I don’t feel like cooking,” Rory said.
“How about we order out?” Bernard said.
“Sounds good. What’s open?”
They ordered pizza and watched Naked Gun 33 ? on ABC.
“This movie is hilarious,” Rory said. “I mean, what’s better than a comedy?”
“I have to admit, I prefer romances, but this is great.”
Rory fell asleep in his arms. Bernard stroked his hair as the end credits of the movie ran. It was only ten-thirty. He turned off the TV and enjoyed the silence. He had his partner in his arms.
As midnight approached, Bernard shook Rory.
“Hey, sexy bear,” Bernard said. “It’s almost midnight.”
Rory got up and stretched.
“How long was I out?”
“About two hours,” Bernard said.
“You stayed there for two hours while I slept?”
“Yeah. I liked it.”
Bernard changed the channel to the countdown. They watched as the crowd in Times Square shouted down from ten.
Five…four…three…two…one…
“Happy New Year, sweetie,” Bernard said.
“Happy New Year, my love,” Rory said.
They kissed as the ball dropped.
This was the beginning of their life together. As a loving couple.