The Dreamer - 10. Chapter 10 - First Time for Everything

Part 1 - Take Me To The Beach

The tension of the past few weeks had worn on both Manny and Robby, so when the idea of a weekend getaway to the beach came up, it felt like a breath of fresh air. They both needed a break from the pressures of school and the strain that had crept into their relationship. A few days away from it all—just the two of them—seemed like the perfect escape.

They left the city early on a Saturday morning, Robby driving them along the winding coastal roads, the ocean stretching out beside them like an endless ribbon of blue. The closer they got to their destination, the more the weight of their daily stresses seemed to lift. By the time they reached the small beach town, both were smiling, the fresh sea air invigorating them as they stepped out of the car.

The town was quaint, with colorful cottages lining the streets and small shops offering local crafts and seafood. Their hotel was a cozy beachfront inn, its whitewashed exterior and blue shutters giving it a charming, rustic feel. As they checked in, the sound of waves crashing against the shore filled the air, a soothing backdrop to their arrival.

Their room was simple but inviting, with a large window looking out onto the beach. The ocean was just a few steps away, its rhythmic waves beckoning them to unwind and release the stress they had carried with them. A king-sized bed, covered in soft white linens, was in the center of the room, and there was a small balcony where they could sit and watch the sunset.

“Wow,” Robby said, taking in the view from the window. “This is perfect. Exactly what we needed.”

Manny nodded, feeling a sense of peace settle over him. “Yeah, it’s beautiful.”

After dropping off their bags, they spent the day exploring the town, walking along the beach, and enjoying the local cuisine at a seaside café. They laughed more than they had in weeks, the playful banter and easy conversation reminding them of how much they enjoyed each other’s company. As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, they made their way back to the inn, their hands held tightly.

The atmosphere was different in their room—quieter, more intimate. The day's laughter faded into a comfortable silence as they stood on the small balcony, watching the last rays of sunlight dip below the horizon. The ocean glimmered under the fading light, its surface calm and inviting.

Robby turned to Manny, his expression softening as he reached out to brush a strand of hair from Manny’s forehead. “I’m really glad we did this,” he said, his voice gentle. “We needed it.”

Manny looked into Robby’s eyes, feeling a warmth spread through him. The tension that had plagued them seemed like a distant memory, replaced by the closeness they had always shared. “Me too,” Manny replied, his voice barely above a whisper. “It’s been a long time since we just… relaxed together.”

They stood there for a moment, the silence between them filled with unspoken understanding. Then, as if drawn together by an invisible force, Robby leaned in and kissed Manny—softly at first but with a growing intensity that took Manny’s breath away. Manny responded, his hands finding their way to Robby’s waist, pulling him closer.

The kiss deepened, their emotions pouring out in the way their lips moved together and the way their hands explored each other’s bodies. It was as if all the tension, stress, and doubts of the past weeks melted away, leaving only the two of them connected in a way that went beyond words.

Robby’s hands moved to the hem of Manny’s shirt, hesitating for just a moment before he lifted it over Manny’s head. Manny felt a shiver of anticipation run through him as Robby’s fingers brushed against his skin, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake. He reached for Robby’s shirt, tugging it off with a sense of urgency that surprised him.

They stood there, shirtless, looking at each other. Robby smiled at Manny, looking deep in his beautiful eyes as if to ask his permission. Standing there, he ran his hands through Manny’s soft hair and gently placed them on the back of his neck. As their foreheads touched, he could feel a shiver running down his spine.

Manny felt a surge of emotion that he could no longer hold back. He closed the distance between them in a heartbeat, his breath catching as he looked into Robby’s eyes—eyes that had seen him at his best and his worst, that held a depth of understanding no one else could reach. Without another word, Manny leaned in, cupping Robby’s face with trembling hands. He kissed him, not with the hesitation of a man unsure of his feelings, but with the fervor of someone who had just realized, all over again, how deeply he was in love. And he was in love.

The kiss was electric, filled with all the unspoken words, the fears, the hopes, and the promises that had built up between them. Manny’s heart pounded in his chest, the world narrowing to the feel of Robby’s lips against his, warm and familiar, yet always new. Robby responded with equal intensity, pulling Manny closer as if he couldn’t bear to let him go.

Time seemed to stop as they lost themselves in the kiss, the outside world fading away. In that moment, nothing else mattered—just the two of them, together, their love reaffirmed and stronger than ever.

Robby closed the door to the balcony, and as they stumbled toward the bed, their kisses growing more passionate, more desperate. Manny felt a rush of emotions—excitement, nervousness, and a deep, overwhelming love for the man beside him. This was different from anything he had ever experienced before. This was real, and it happened with someone he cared about.

For a moment, they paused, their breaths coming in shallow gasps as they looked at each other, the weight of the moment settling over them. Robby, looked into his lovers eyes, a silent question passing between them.

“Are you sure?” Robby asked, his voice soft, filled with concern.

Manny nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. “Yeah. I’m sure.”

For a moment, Manny felt the significance of those three words linger between them. Are you sure? Robby had always been like this—never pushing, always making sure Manny was comfortable, that he was ready. It was in the way Robby asked, that extra pause, that carefulness in his tone, as if he knew how important this was. It wasn’t just about the moment—it was about them. The reassurance Manny felt was part of what made him fall in love with Robby all those years ago. In every decision, Robby made sure they were in it together.

Manny smiled, feeling the warmth of that care wash over him, knowing that no matter what, Robby would always be there, waiting for him, with that same unwavering concern.

They undressed each other slowly, their movements gentle and deliberate, savoring the closeness. With every layer of clothing that fell away, the connection between them deepened, their touches becoming more tender, more intimate. Each caress, each brush of fingertips against skin, was a silent affirmation of the love they had nurtured over time. As the last barriers between them fell, they paused, taking in the sight of each other, vulnerable yet safe in the trust they shared.

As Robby’s lips traced along Manny’s neck, Manny let out a soft breath, his fingers resting on Robby’s bare shoulders. He could feel the slight tension and release in Robby’s muscles as he slowly moved lower, kissing along his collarbone. Manny’s hands instinctively slid upward, gently combing through Robby’s hair as he bowed his head, pressing warm kisses to his chest.

Robby’s body shifted, his knees bending slightly as he continued his descent, his lips now trailing over Manny’s stomach. Manny’s hands, which had once rested on Robby’s shoulders, slid down to his upper back, fingers skimming along the curve of Robby’s spine as Robby lowered himself. The air between them felt electric, charged with every soft touch and breath.

As Robby’s lips hovered over Manny’s abdomen, his body angled slightly, allowing him to steady himself. Manny's fingers flexed, tracing the contours of Robby's shoulder blades, feeling the heat radiating from his skin. When Robby’s kisses reached lower, Manny’s hands instinctively glided to Robby’s sides, seeking any point of contact as Robby knelt down, his lips continuing their slow, deliberate path.

Manny felt a tremor run through him as Robby’s touch grew more intimate, and he shifted his stance slightly to balance himself. His hands now rested at Robby’s neck and shoulders, fingers tenderly brushing over his skin, guiding him closer as every inch of Robby’s body responded to his own.

Robby stood up, and both gently lay down together on the bed. The warmth of their bodies pressed close, they shared a quiet moment, feeling the weight of their love in the stillness of the night. In the soft glow of the moonlight, their eyes met, communicating everything that words could not—gratitude, desire, a profound sense of belonging. They were no longer two individuals but a single entity, bound by something that transcended the physical.

They closed the distance between them, their bodies moving together in a dance that felt natural and new. The outside world faded away, leaving only the sound of their breathing, the feel of each other’s skin, and the connection they had built over the years. Each movement was a dialogue, every touch a promise, as they discovered the unspoken language that had always been there between them, waiting to be fully realized. In that moment, they weren’t just exploring each other—they were exploring the depths of their shared love, finding comfort and passion in the simple act of being together.

It wasn’t perfect—there were moments of hesitation, of uncertainty—but it was real. It was a culmination of everything they had shared, everything they had been through together. As they lay there afterward, wrapped in each other’s arms, the sound of the ocean lulling them into a peaceful stillness, Manny felt a deep sense of contentment.

Robby’s head rested on Manny’s chest, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on Manny’s skin. “I love you, Manny,” Robby whispered, his voice filled with a quiet intensity. Manny felt a rush of warmth flood through him as Robby whispered those words. There were no doubts in his voice, no hesitation. Robby was speaking from his heart. From his soul.

“I love you too,” Manny replied, his hand gently stroking Robby’s hair. “I always have.”

They lay there in the darkness, the moonlight filtering through the window and casting soft shadows across the room. The waves continued their steady rhythm outside, a comforting presence that mirrored the steady beat of Manny’s heart.

As they drifted to sleep, Manny knew this was just the beginning. Their relationship had entered a new phase, one that was more intimate, more vulnerable, but also more meaningful. As long as they had each other, he knew they could face whatever came next together.