How Patrick Met Colton

Harry smiled. "You're three for three on anticipating my questions, and you've given me straight answers. I admire both your perceptiveness and your honesty. As well as your consideration in asking our permission."

"You're flattering the hell out of me."

Harry waved away his objection. "I'm telling you what I see. Do you intend things to go further than this one dinner?"

"I'd like them to, but that will be up to Colton. Understandably, he has a crush on me right now, so I could push things along, but I can see that he's emotionally fragile and I don't want to risk doing something that could hurt him. That's the last thing I would want. I'm going to let him guide the relationship."

Harry gazed intently at Patrick. "So this is more than attraction. You really care for him."

"Yes I do."

"But you've only known him for a few hours."

"Yes, and this is a first for me. I've never developed such warm feelings this quickly for anyone. But there's something so appealing about Colton, so engaging, that it draws me in and makes me want to treat him with extraordinary tenderness."

Harry put a hand on Patrick's shoulder. "I've been hoping that he would take up with someone like you."

"You are so giving me a swell head."

Harry laughed. "There's no danger of that, you're not the type. Most people would bask in the compliments and praise I've given you, but you rejected it all. You're remarkably free of egotism. Now is there anything else you want to tell me?"

"There is: When I checked Colton over I didn't see any obvious signs of a brain concussion, but he's been kicked in the head so he should be seen by a neurologist."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "You're an expert on brain concussions?"

"No, but my brother plays professional football and he gets slammed around a lot. I've learned to recognize the major signs."

"I see. Are there any red flags we should look for, anything that would say 'get him to an emergency room right away'?

"Yes. They're easy to recognize: Dizziness, disorientation, nausea, trouble concentrating or remembering, unusual mood swings. Any one of those things could mean big trouble."

"I think I read that you shouldn't let someone with a concussion fall asleep."

"That's what we used to be told, because there was a fear that it would develop into coma, but they've since found that sleep isn't dangerous, and in fact it's therapeutic."

"That's good to know."

"Having him examined for possible internal organ damage would also be worthwhile."

"Thank you for all the advice, we'll follow it. Anything else?"

"One more thing. You can see that I'm significantly older than Colton. I'm eight years older to be exact. Does that present a problem for you?"

"Not in your case. I don't know whether it will eventually bother Colton, that will depend on whether the two of you can find enough in common. You're not a full generation apart, but the gap between eighteen and twenty six is a lot greater than if he were, say, thirty five and you were forty three. Anything else?"

"That's everything."

"Any questions for me?"

"Just one. You said that noticing microexpressions is useful in your work. What is it you do?"

"I'm a forensic psychologist. Law enforcement agencies often call on me for help with criminal profiling and to participate in interrogations."

"Law enforcement. That's how you knew Colton's injuries were not consistent with a simple mugging."

"Right. Any other questions?"

"No, that's it for me."

"Then we'd better go rejoin the others or they'll think something happened to us. I'll tell Colton that he has our permission to take you to dinner."

Colton wanted to make the date for the following evening, but Patrick said no. "First things first: Your parents are going to have you checked out for hidden injuries during the next few days. If you get a clean bill of health, we can go out Saturday evening. That won't be a school night for you. Or do you need the weekend for study?"

Colton barely waited until Patrick had stopped speaking before he replied "Saturday would be perfect. I can get my homework done earlier in the day."

=======

The medical examinations confirmed that despite the ferocity of the attack, Colton had not sustained any significant injury. So that Saturday evening, Patrick picked Colton up and followed his directions to the restaurant. On the way, he glanced at the black patch that was covering Colton's healing black eye. "Very stylish" he remarked.

When they arrived at the restaurant and Patrick looked around, he said "This is an upscale place. I can't let you pay here, you're still in college."

Colton grinned and said "My dad is paying. He gave me his credit card to use tonight, and said to treat you well. He likes you a lot." Under his breath, he bashfully added "So do I."

After they had ordered and were waiting for their appetizers, Colton said: "I'm curious about something: Yesterday you told me that you asked if I was gay because you knew I probably was. Is that what they call gaydar?"

"I don't know, maybe it is. Or maybe gaydar just means being observant. I couldn't tell you exactly what the clues were, I just had an overall impression."

They chatted throughout the meal. Colton wanted to know about Patrick's work as a computer programming team leader, and Patrick was interested in Colton's studies. That took up most of the conversation, because although Patrick broached other topics, Colton didn't have much to say about those.

When Patrick pulled the car to the curb at Colton's house, he said: "Thank you for dinner, and thank your father for me. Now I hope you consider us even."

Colton put his hand on the door handle but made no immediate move to leave the car. Patrick could see that there was something on his mind. He waited. There was a minute of silence before Colton spoke.

"Thank you for spending time with me. I enjoyed your company. I'm sorry I don't have your wide knowledge of literature and the arts, I hope I wasn't too much of a drag."

Patrick had an impulse to put a reassuring hand on Colton's shoulder; but he didn't want to startle him. "You weren't a drag at all. Would you like to go out again next Saturday?"

A wide smile spread across Colton's face. "Yes."

"Good. My treat this time."

They began having dinner together every Saturday. Patrick always insisted on paying. When Colton tried to protest, he said: "You're in college and I'm making a hefty salary, so I'm paying."

Sitting in the car at Colton's house at the end of their fourth date, Patrick could see that Colton was uneasy. "What is it?" he asked.

Colton sat silently looking straight ahead, struggling with a decision. Then he turned to Patrick: "Can I kiss you?"

"I'd like that."

Colton leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Patrick's mouth.

Patrick was thrilled by the teenager's warm, soft lips. He wanted to return the kiss, but he remembered his promise, so instead he said: "Til next Saturday?"

"Don't you want to kiss me back?"

"I sure do" Patrick told him. "I didn't know whether it would spook you." Then he pulled Colton in for a kiss. It made Colton shiver with delight, and it made Patrick hard.

After that, they kissed at the end of every date. As the weeks went by, the kisses grew numerous and passionate, but as much as they aroused Patrick and tempted him to try for more, he kept to his promise and did nothing that Colton had not initiated or requested. The only liberty he took was to hold the back of Colton's head as they kissed.

When Patrick picked him up for their sixth date, a jubilant Colton told him: "I came out to my parents. I was a little scared, but they hugged me and said they've known for a long time. They didn't let on because they wanted me to tell them."

"I'm glad you did" Patrick replied. "I knew they would be fine with it. They love you very much."

Chapter 3

Patrick and Colton had been going out for two months when one evening on the way home from their date, Colton asked: "If my parents say it's ok, (a long pause) can I sleep at your house tonight?"

Patrick was elated. "Yes, I'd love to have you stay over. I'll wait in the car while you ask them."

As Colton was getting out of the car, Patrick said "Hey, I want them to know that I didn't push you into this. Explain that I said you're more than welcome to stay over but it was your idea. And let them know I have a guest room."

Within two minutes, Colton ran back to the car and jumped in, smiling broadly. "They said yes! Let's go. My father told me they were trading guesses about how long it would be before I asked."

Patrick laughed. "That's good, speedy, but where's your stuff? Or are you planning to stay in those clothes overnight and tomorrow?"

"Oh!" Colton shouted, "I was so excited I forgot! I'll be right back!" He bolted into the house and came running back out shortly afterward with a small suitcase. The corner of a shirt was sticking out of one side.

Patrick looked at the suitcase. "You didn't tuck in your shirt."

Colton ran his hand around his beltline and gave Patrick a quizzical look. Patrick pointed to the side of the suitcase, and Colton gave him a sheepish grin.

As they were walking toward the door of Patrick's house, Patrick suddenly stopped. "Colton, you're practically vibrating. You don't need to be nervous, this is an overnight visit, nothing more. There's no rush to do anything. Do you understand?"

"Yeah. Thanks" Colton answered, visibly relaxing.

"Have you ever dated anyone?"

"No."

"Or been with anyone? You know what I mean."

"Yes, I know what you're asking. No I haven't."

"That explains a lot."

They watched television for a while and then sat and chatted. When it got late, Patrick said: "I think we should both be getting to bed."

"Could we have a drink first?"

"Still nervous?"

"A little bit."

"Can you tell me what's troubling you?"

"I ... wanted to ask you something, and I think alcohol would help."

"I can't give you alcohol, you're not 21. But ask me anyway. I promise that I'll understand."

Colton sat uncertainly for a few moments before speaking. Then: "I want to sleep with you. Next to you I mean."

Patrick had misgivings. "I would love that, but I said to tell your parents about the guest room so they wouldn't think we were intending..."

"I know. All I want to do is sleep next to you."

Patrick smiled. "Alright."

Colton went to the guest room, where he undressed and put on pajamas. Even though Patrick had seen him naked, the thought still embarrassed him.

Arriving in the bedroom, he found Patrick in briefs. Patrick looked at him and said: "Oh. I'm sorry, I don't have pajamas, but if this would make you uncomfortable I can wear a sweat suit."

Colton barely heard; he was entranced: When Patrick was fully dressed, it was apparent that he had a good build. Now however, with his body more fully displayed, Colton could see just how good it was: Patrick was muscular, with well-defined biceps and pectorals, strong thighs, and well-formed feet. When he turned to get a sweat suit out of a drawer, his flat belly and curvaceous rear end completed the picture. Colton noticed for the first time too, how handsome he was. This vision of beautiful manhood reminded Colton of Michelangelo's classic statue, 'David'.

Colton was both captivated and disquieted by the prospect of having this breathtaking hunk of man lying beside him clad only in briefs. He had to make a decision quickly.

He did: "What you have on is fine."

Patrick got into bed on the side opposite Colton, leaving a wide space between them. He shut off the bedside lamp and pulled the blanket up.

A while later, he was roused from a light sleep by Colton's whispered question: "Are you awake?"

He was tempted to say 'I am now', but instead he answered "Yes."

"Would you hold me?"

"Nothing would make me happier" he replied, and opened his arms. Colton shifted over and sank into Patrick's embrace. Patrick kissed him on top of the head and whispered "Goodnight, sweet boy."

"Goodnight" Colton replied, and kissed Patrick's chest.

=======

Patrick awoke at dawn, and looked down at the boy who was sleeping quietly in his arms. "You're adorable" he whispered, as he ran his fingers through Colton's hair."

Colton opened his eyes, spent a moment in confusion, and then he remembered where he was. He turned and smiled up at Patrick, who smiled back at him, said "Good morning," and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

"It sure is" he murmured sleepily, snuggling up and kissing Patrick's neck.

They lay there drowsing for a while. Then Patrick suggested "How about breakfast?"

Colton groaned. "Can't we stay like this a while longer?" he pleaded, snuggling closer.

"Alright" Patrick agreed, but I'm getting hungry."

Colton just grinned, closed his eyes, and grunted contentedly.

=======

After breakfast, Colton asked: "Can I sleep over next Saturday?"

One look at Patrick's face and he knew the answer even before Patrick said: "I was hoping you would."

=======

As soon as they got into bed the following week, Colton started to speak: "Patrick, I'd ... like to ..."

He stopped.

"What is it? What would you like?"

"I'd like to ... go further with you, but ... " He stopped again.

"But you're scared."

Yeah. Kind of."

"I know, sweet boy" Patrick said, running a hand tenderly over Colton's cheek, "I know. Everyone is scared at first."

"Were you?"

"I was terrified. But you don't have to be. You're the one who's going to set the pace. Just follow your instincts and remember there's no rush. We won't do anything until you're ready."

"Patrick, you're the best."

"What do you want to do now?"

"... I don't know."

"Then we won't do anything more tonight." He held his arms out. Colton moved in and lay down with his head against Patrick's chest. Patrick stroked the back of Colton's head and said "I'm glad you're here again."

"So am I" Colton replied. He lay quiet for a few minutes, but then he began running his hands over Patrick's brawny back. "You feel nice."

"May I do that?" Patrick asked him.

"I would like it."

Patrick slipped his hands up inside the pajama shirt and onto Colton's baby-smooth skin. He caressed Colton's shoulders and then worked his way downward, stopping just above Colton's behind.

Colton too had gotten down that far but he didn't want to stop. When he reached the waistband of Patrick's briefs, he asked: "May I?"

Patrick gave him a soft kiss and answered "Of course."

Colton slid his hands inside the back of the briefs and explored the warm, firm cheeks. After a minute, he asked "Do you want to feel mine?"

"Very much" Patrick told him, sliding his hands into the back of the pajama pants and gently squeezing the two pliant mounds as he kissed Colton.

He chuckled silently when he became aware of something pushing on his belly. He looked down, and as he suspected, the head of Colton's solidly-erect penis was sticking out beyond the waistband of the pajama pants. His own penis was in the same state.

Colton rubbed his body against Patrick and murmured pleasurably as he began kneading Patrick's buttocks.

Suddenly he moaned and stopped.

Knowing what that indicated, Patrick said "Just let it happen."

Colton resumed, and within a minute Patrick felt the first warm blast of Colton's semen on his chest. It triggered his own ejaculation.

As they lay there afterward, Colton kissed him and said "That was great. Thank you for letting me cum."

"I loved feeling your warm cum landing on me" Patrick replied.

Colton nestled his head under Patrick's chin, and before long they both drifted off.

=======

Patrick awoke the next morning lying on his back, having turned in his sleep. Colton's head was now resting on Patrick's chest, but his hands were underneath Patrick, still holding those firm cheeks.

Patrick smiled tenderly and tried to decide what he could do today for this enchanting boy.

At breakfast, Colton seemed preoccupied. Patrick asked him what was troubling him. "Is it something I've said, or done?"

"Oh no" Colton answered. "It's not you, Patrick, you're wonderful.

"Then what is it?"

Colton -" ... I didn't really finish my homework. I mean I did finish, except for one calculus problem that I can't figure out. I didn't tell you because I was afraid you would cancel our date and insist that I stay home and work on it. One unsolved problem isn't that important, it's just ... it's bothering me I guess ."

"Can I help?"

"I don't think so. It's a problem in complex variables."

"They're putting complex variables into a sophomore-year course? What's the homework problem?"

Colton looked at him skeptically. "Ok. I have to calculate i raised to the power i."

"They shouldn't be giving you things like that yet. It's too advanced."

"This is the instructor's first year. I think he just got his PhD and he's never taught before."

"This isn't just inexperience; he's a schmuck with no judgment." And after standing in silent thought for a minute: "The answer to your homework problem is e to the minus pi over 2."

Colton looked at him in disbelief. "How do you get that?"

"By visualizing where i is in the complex plane. Here, I'll show you." He took a piece of paper, drew two axes, and showed Colton how he had done the calculation.

"Wow! Why didn't he teach us that method? And how do you know about complex variables, I thought you were a computer programmer."

"My undergraduate degree was in computer science but I got interested in number systems, so I went on to a master's in math. And he didn't teach you that approach because as I told you, he's a schmuck with no judgment. He shouldn't be in front of a class; he should be stuck away somewhere doing mathematical analyses."

Colton hugged him. "What other secret knowledge are you hiding?"

=======

The following Saturday, Patrick arrived a little earlier than usual and informed Colton that they were going ice skating.

Colton responded with a weak "Ok."

"Don't you like to ice skate?"

"I've never been on ice skates. Or any skates."

"Wouldn't you like to try it?"

"I guess so."

"What I'm hearing is: 'No but I'll do it if you want me to'."

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to be negative" Colton said, "It's just that ... I'm afraid of looking like a dork." Then, seeing how disappointed Patrick was, he thought for a moment and added: "But you know, I think it's time I stopped worrying about what people think. Yes I do want to go ice skating. So I'll be clumsy. So big deal."

"Bravo" Patrick said, putting an arm around him and giving his shoulder a quick squeeze.

At the rink, Colton was tense when they went out onto the ice, but Patrick held him steady for the first few circuits. Then he let go.

Left on his own, Colton was shaky. His balance and control improved each time he went around, but he fell frequently. Patrick stayed close so that each time, after laughing, he could pick Colton up and support him during the subsequent pass around the rink.

"You like it when I fall" Colton complained, though he was grinning.

"You do look particularly cute sprawled on the ice with your arms and legs flung wide" Patrick told him, "but what I really like is keeping you upright afterward. It's an excuse to hold you in public. Have you noticed that I hold you closer than necessary?"

That evening Patrick was about to get into bed when Colton went around to his side and asked "Please stay here a minute."

Patrick stood waiting, trying to anticipate what Colton might have mind.

Colton sank to his knees. He reached around and put his hands on Patrick's briefs-covered cheeks as he pressed his open mouth against the bulge at the front of the briefs. Feeling Patrick's penis growing rapidly under the cloth, he drew back and pulled at the waistband, slowly lowering it in front.