Camping Can Be Fun - 13. Chapter 13

Chapter 13

I awoke the next day, warm and content. I had been roused from my slumber with little kisses on my neck… I practically jumped out of the bed when I realised it wasn’t Adam.

“What the fuck are you doing Steven?” I asked him groggily.

“I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have… erm… Dan?” He nodded his head down towards my boxers that I now noticed were tented by my raging hard on, which was desperately trying to escape the confines of my underwear.

“Oh for fuck sake,” I said in embarrassment, covering myself up and pulling on my jeans. “This isn’t going to work Steven. No more sleeping in my bed. That was a one off.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, smiling and blushing.

“It’s not funny. Just stop. Jesus! Why do you have to keep pulling shit like this? I thought we agreed last night that we were going to try to get over each other?”

“I know, but I woke up and you were still in my arms and I... I didn’t even mean to wake you… I wasn’t trying anything; I just wanted to give you a kiss. I was saying thank you.”

“Thank you?”

“For letting me stay with you. I’ve got all this shit going on in my life and I feel like crying nearly all the time, but when I woke up this morning and you were there, I realised life isn’t all bad. I mean it’s not great just now, but you…” he started choking up and tears leaked from his eyes. “You’re here. You haven’t deserted me… I’m just so grateful that you…”

He lost his words to the tears and I knelt back on the bed to embrace him. He whimpered into my shoulder. This was going to be hard to get used to. I felt bad for popping at him like that.

“We need to stop crying Steven. I’m sorry ok? I misjudged the situation. I was just shocked. I guess I forgot you had slept in my bed. We need to man the fuck up though.”

He laughed a little. “Yeah I guess we do. I don’t feel like much of a man right now though. I feel like a freak.”

“There you go again. Stop putting yourself down! You’re not a freak; you’re not a bad person and you’re not a bad son. I know that’s how you must feel right now like you’ve failed your family, that somehow that you’ve let them down? But you can’t change who you are Steven. You didn’t ask to be gay, you didn’t choose it, and it wasn’t a mistake. You and me we were born this way. I accepted it years ago and you need to accept it now. You can’t change it; you just have to accept that it’s a part of you. As for your mum and dad… well, people are always afraid of the things they don’t understand. It’s been that way since forever. I think your parents will come round eventually. They love you and you don’t just stop loving people. And you know what Steven? Even if they don’t, it’s their loss. They will miss out on the rest of your amazing life. Because you’re going to meet someone Ste, you’re going to meet an amazing guy who loves you for you and you’re going to continue being the guy I’ve always admired. You deserve to be happy and you will find your happiness.”

I tightened my embrace and put my head on his shoulder as he did the same. He was sniffling, but he had stopped crying.

“Thanks, man. Good pep talk. You always know what to say. You’re a good friend.”

“I’m the best friend. Breakfast?”

“Sounds good.”

My mum was in her usual spot reading a book with her morning coffee.

“There are my two handsome boys. Come to eat me out of house and home no doubt. What are we having, bacon and eggs?”

She really was the perfect mum.

Steven perked up after breakfast and we didn’t really discuss his family issues much more that day. We spoke about what we were going to do with the rest of our summer before it was time to go back to college. I knew Steven needed an outlet for all his emotions and energy at the moment, so I suggested he go back to the dojo he used to train at when he was into his Karate.

“Nah, I’ve not been for ages, I’ve forgotten it all.”

“You looked pretty good to me when you were kicking Bryce’s ass the other day. Come on, man, it would be good for you. It might take your mind off things and you know you love fighting.”

Steven frowned at me. He’d been top of his class when he was training, but a couple of years ago, halfway through the big annual state tournament he’d been in a quarterfinal bout against someone from his own gym and had fought superbly. He was way up on points, but the other guy wasn’t giving up and started going crazy pulling all sorts of awesome moves on Steven. Steven had taken it in his stride blocking every attack, but an impressive spinning side kick caught him off guard and to prevent himself from a kick in the face Steven used an unorthodox block that was more or less a punch. He broke the guy’s ankle. Nobody blamed him for it, but he was hard on himself. It was even worse when the guy never came back to training. He still walks with a funny limp. He felt ashamed that he’d done that to someone from his own team and after it happened, his heart wasn’t in it anymore and he just stopped going. His scuffle with Bryce was the first time I’d seen him fight since.

“You know I don’t like it.”

“Oh come on Steven, it was years ago. It was an accident; it was his own fault for coming at you like that. Look, I’ll make a deal with you. If you agree to go back to Karate, I’ll join too. How does that sound?”

“You’ll go to karate?” he asked, raising his eyebrows in disbelief.

“Only if you go too.”

“This I’ve got to see. You’re on.”

And so I sealed my fate and for the sake of seeing Steven somewhat happy and occupied I’d be training twice a week, I mean getting beat up twice a week.

To my dismay, a quick check online confirmed that tonight was a training session and loaded with the incentive of embarrassing me Steven demanded we start immediately.

The adult class was from 7:30 to 9:00, but we turned up a little early and I got to see the end of the junior’s class. The oldest kid there was only about fifteen, but I’m pretty sure he could have kicked my ass without breaking a sweat. I immediately wanted to leave and tried to, but Steven literally dragged me back in.

The junior’s class finished and Steven bowed before entering the dojo. I followed his lead, bowing before entering and then copying the stretches he was currently doing to warm up. The class started filling up with other guys around our age. There were a few middle-aged men too, and one really old Japanese guy. Everyone was wearing white uniforms with their different coloured belts. I noticed quite a few wore black belts, including the one the Japanese guy was wearing who was now walking over to us. He looked me up and down and then addressed Steven.

“So you finally found your way back here did you?” he asked. His voice was thick with his oriental accent and age. He also gave off an aura of wisdom, almost as if he could see things I couldn’t.

“Osu Sensei!” replied Steven, almost military-like.

“Where is your gi?” asked the old man sternly.

“I no longer have one, Sensei!”

“Why?”

“I threw it away, Sensei!”

The old man pondered for a moment. He then turned to me.

“And you are?”

“I’m new.”

“New, that is a very interesting name.”

“No, I mean I’ve never done karate before. My name is Dan.”

“Well, Dan, from now on you will refer to me as your Sensei. You will bow before entering and exiting this dojo and you shall not leave unless I permit you to do so. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Sensei.”

“No boy, osu Sensei. You will learn much Japanese terminology under my training. Sean!” he called over to one of the guys around my age with red hair.

He ran over quickly. “Osu Sensei?”

“This is Dan; you will prepare him for his initiation which we will complete at the end of the session.”

“Osu Sensei.”

The old man then turned back to Steven. “You know what you have to do.”

“Osu Sensei.” said Steven, before sharply turning and walking back towards the entrance of the dojo.

At first I thought he was leaving, in which case I would be running after him like a frightened little kid, but he stopped at the door turned back towards the class and got on his hands and knees into a bowing position. I gave him a puzzled look, but he completely blanked me and stared at the sensei, a look of deep concentration and determination on his face.

“Come on then, I’ll show you the ropes. I’m Sean by the way.”

I turned to face Sean who was smiling warmly at me.

“Don’t worry,” he continued. “It’s not as bad as it sounds. Most of the guys will go easy on you.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, genuinely concerned.

“It’s tradition in our gym for the newcomer to battle everyone in the class, well try to anyway. I’ll teach you basic blocks and attacks and you will try to put them to use at the end of the class. He’ll make you fight the lowest ranked fighter first and if you manage to beat him you’ll move on to the next. Don’t worry, as I said most of the guys will go easy on you.”

“Who’s the lowest ranked fighter?”

“Jamie is only a purple belt,” Said Sean pointing out a younger kid. He looked around seventeen. “But, to be honest, he’s no pushover. Belts don’t mean everything. Jamie would probably have no problem with most of the junior black belts.”

“You’re not making me feel any better.”

“Hey, don’t worry, I’m a good teacher.”

He started putting me through my paces, teaching me a basic fighting stance and a good guard. Then it was onto basic blocks and punches. He also told me to be clever and if I could get in quick enough a sweeping technique was always a good way to gain an advantage over an opponent. I tried to take everything in. Sean was quite strict with me and I was sweating by the time the rest of the class were dismissed from training and asked to stand at the side of the dojo. I was then called forward to begin my initiation.

Jamie was called forward as predicted and we bowed to each other in the centre of the dojo. He was all over me in an instant and I desperately tried to block his attacks, but he was just too quick and I became disoriented, finally taking a punch to the stomach that made me double over winded.

I held my gut trying to compose myself. It was the first of three points. He had only scored one. He’d hurt me and now I was pissed off. We were both called back to the centre of the dojo to continue our fight and as soon as we bowed I went in for the sweep, hooking my foot around Jamie’s ankle and pulling him off balance. Jamie fell to the floor and I quickly followed up with a punch to take the second point.

Jamie did not look happy as he got to his feet. We again centred ourselves and bowed for the final time having reached the sudden death part of our exchange. He came at me so quickly that I couldn’t block his attacks but instead forced myself into a backwards skipping motion trying to keep away as best I could. He had me practically backed up into the wall when my instincts kicked in and I suddenly kicked out, breaking his guard and landing my blow square in his chest. The fight was quickly halted and, although quite dazed, I was declared the winner.

I looked over to Sean in utter surprise and he winked at me while still maintaining his military-like stance at the side of the dojo with his fellow fighters. I was then paired with a brown and white belt. My opponent was stern and several years older. He was also twice my size and towered over me. I felt very intimidated and he made short work of me. The fight lasted all of thirty seconds before he had scored his two points to claim victory.

The class was then dismissed and the Sensei approached me.

“Well done young Daniel. You did well to take the first fight. You learn quickly and you have a cool head for fighting. You didn’t let your anger get the better of you. That is important in karate, never fight from anger, for he who fights from anger has already lost the fight. I hope above all else you have enjoyed your encounter with karate today?”

“Yes...” he raised a stern eyebrow at me, “Osu Sensei. I’ve enjoyed it.”

“Then I hope to see you later on in the week to begin your training properly.”

“Definitely.”

The old man smiled at me and he actually looked like a pleasant person when he wasn’t scowling and shouting. I smiled back and turned to leave and found Steven was still bowed at the door. He’d been there for the whole class.

“Steven?” I asked him, thinking he was an idiot for still being there.”

“Leave him boy. Steven and I have much to discuss.”

I meandered out of the dojo very confused by the whole situation. I felt that Steven was in trouble, but he hadn’t done anything wrong. I took one last confused look back, only to see the door closing behind me.

I decided to wait for Steven outside and to my surprise I found Sean standing alone looking nervous and preoccupied.

“Hey!” he said, his face lighting up when he saw me.

“Hey,” I replied, smiling back.

It was the first time I realised that this guy was actually pretty cute. I don’t usually find guys with red hair all that attractive, but his was edging more towards blond. He had a really pretty face, peppered with freckles and when he smiled little dimples formed at the sides of his mouth. He was totally ripped too. I mean his body looked like it had been sculpted out of stone. He was solid. I could see through the gap in his uniform that he had rock hard pecs and a completely smooth chest. I bet he had a six pack hidden away under there somewhere too. He was hot in a really manly sort of way. A bit like Steven I guess, but Sean was more defined.

After the initial greeting, Sean instantly clammed up as if lost for words.

“You waiting for someone?” I asked.

“Ermm… yeah… sort of…well… you actually… haha.” He laughed and blushed at the same time.

I instantly realised, “Shit! This guy’s coming on to me.”

He continued. “Yeah… Erm… I just wanted to say well done and stuff, for you know, winning the first fight. You did really well. I’m proud of you.”

Now it was my turn to blush.

“Haha, yeah… erm, thanks. That’s really nice of you. What can I say… I had a good teacher.”

We both giggled nervously, then the atmosphere suddenly changed and Sean became a little tenser.

“It’s good to see Steven back here, I’ve... I mean… we’ve missed him. He’s a great fighter. How do you know each other?”

I could tell he was digging for information, but I couldn’t work out if he wanted to know if I were single or if Steven was.

“Me and Steven practically grew up together. We’ve been best friends since as long as I can remember. I was there watching when he hurt that kid in competition a couple of years ago.”

“Yeah? Me too. It was nasty. I was competing too, but I didn’t get as far as Steven,” he said in a tone of admiration.

“Hey, how come he had to kneel at the side all night? Why wasn’t he allowed to take part?” I asked trying to get to the bottom of things.

“Oh, that’s just tradition. Steven left without saying anything. He deserted the dojo and Sensei, so now he has to sort of beg his way back in. It’s not all that serious though. I’m sure the Sensei will let him back in, but he has to kneel and bow until the Sensei tells him otherwise. It’s a respect thing.

“Oh, right… that sort of sucks.”

“Nah, I’m sure Steven can handle it, he’s pretty hard-core. He used to take all this stuff really seriously. Anyway, I hope you both stick around. Maybe we could hang out sometime… you know, as friends?

He smiled expectantly at me trying to tease a response.

“Erm, sure. That would be cool.”

“Great, well I’ll see you later then.”

“Yeah, bye.”

He walked away and I got to see his sweet ass move from side to side in his uniform. He was fucking hot. I knew it was bad boyfriend behaviour, but come on! A guy can look can’t he?

Steven joined me just in time to see him walk off too. I turned to face him and he had a massive sexy grin on his face.

“You like something you see?” I teased him.

“What? That boy is fucking hot! Straight, but hot.”

I was shocked at his abruptness and he just laughed at my expression.

“Well, you’ve suddenly become a lot more open,” I said, frowning in thought.

“Well, I’m allowed to with you. You’re the only person in the world who knows everything about me. I don’t have to pretend around you anymore.”

“That’s cool I guess. By the way, I think you and Sean probably have more in common than you think.”

“What do you mean?” he asked, confused.

“I think he’s batting for our team. I’m pretty sure he was either hitting on me or trying to find out more about you, but I’m not greedy. I’ll share him with you.”

“What do you mean hitting on you?”

“I don’t know; he hung back to talk to me and he was all shy and complimentary. But he was more interested in how we know each other He was trying to find out if we are single. Funny thing is if he is gay, he probably thinks you’re straight too. Murphy’s law. Hell, he’s probably been crushing on you for years,” I teased.

“Oh shut up, Sean is not crushing on me.”

“No, but you’re definitely crushing on him. I think karate might turn out to be really interesting.”

We argued and teased each other all the way back home. When I got in me and Steven crashed on my bed. I was tired from all the exercise and was feeling rather out of practise and unfit. I lay there half asleep as Steven eventually confessed that he’s always had a soft spot for Sean. I let him sleep in my bed again, but thankfully this time there was no funny business. Perhaps he has someone new to lust over. Either way I was happier and was starting to feel more comfortable around him again.

Our next Karate session came around quick and with it came my first reply from Adam. I’d gone practically out of my mind waiting for his response, and seeing my name and address in his handwriting that morning nearly made me pass out with excitement. I didn’t want anyone to spoil the moment, so I rushed upstairs to my room to read the letter in private.

When I opened the letter, the first thing I noticed was the picture he had sent me. It was even more special than I thought it would be as it was of Adam, Joey and Karl. I felt a wave of emotion crash over me as I realised just how much I missed them all. I don’t know who was taking the picture, but neither of the boys looked like they wanted to be there and they were all smiling bashfully. It was so cute to see them all like that, especially Adam.

Next I moved on to the letter itself and I held my breath as I took in the first sentence.

Dear Dan,

I’m so happy you replied. I miss you so much it hurts. I didn’t think it would be this hard. The amount of times I’ve thought about jumping in my car and hunting you down is ridiculous, but I know that this will be good for us in the end. You can’t miss what you’ve not lost and letting you go has taught me just how much you mean to me.

I’m proud of you for being so brave and telling your folks, but I’m sorry your mum found out like that. I hope they have taken it well and accept you for you because you’re just an awesome person and they would be idiots to push you away.

Now to business. We’re taking this break for a reason Dan, and if you don’t weigh up your options properly, things won’t change. I told you already I can’t be in a relationship where I’m competing with someone else all the time. If you need to get this out of your system then please do it now and not later. You know what I’ve been through, please don’t be like the other guys I’ve dated, I don’t think I could take it.

Anyway, I don’t want this letter to be all doom and gloom because that’s not how I feel. I’m genuinely over the moon that you’ve written back to me. Everyone says hi by the way, and I think the guys miss you just as much as I do. Apparently I’m miserable without you and they’re sick of me moping around. They’re just being melodramatic. I’m not moping, but I can’t help but think about you and I guess that makes me distant from them.

I want to kiss you so much. I miss the taste of your lips and the touch of your skin on mine. I miss your tongue, I miss your voice, I miss your laugh, I miss your hands and your body, but I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you I want your cock again more than anything. I’ve never been so horny in my whole life and to know I can’t have it just makes it worse. I’m going insane. So when we meet again, just be prepared for me to sort of jump on you and… well, yeah…haha.

I really fucking miss you, Dan. I love you. I really do.

Please write back to me soon. I’ll be waiting. I mean literally staring at the mailbox ready to kill the mailman.

Love you.

Adam.

P.S. I hope you’ve noticed the photograph. I know we all look a bit cringe worthy. My mum took the photo and she was trying to get us to smile, but I wanted you to have one of all of us. If you could send me one of you, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks. Speak soon.

His letter had an instantaneous effect on me and I felt so much at once, but what stood out the most was how fucking horny I felt and my dick was in my hand before I’d realised I’d even taken it out. I utilised my moment of privacy and relieved some much needed tension. It felt pretty damn good!

Karate was quickly becoming a big highlight of both mine and Steven’s lives. Now that the idea of Sean was in his head, he’d become his loveable self again. He had a new object of affection and that was just fine with me.

It was only our third session, but Sean had started to become our friend and it was clear to me that he was interested in Steven, even if Steven denied it and blushed furiously every time I mentioned it.

We were leaving the dojo and Steven and I giggled as he blatantly checked Sean out from behind as he began his walk home. We were so preoccupied in our perverted endeavours that we didn’t see trouble until it was standing right in front of us. That trouble was in the form of Bryce, and he wasn’t alone.