Nick couldn’t stop smiling as he walked back towards his house. Everything around him felt different as if this night was the beginning of a whole new life. He felt younger, happier, and free, and he saw the whole world in a different light… everything just seemed more romantic and charming. If he could, he would pack all his things and move into Julian’s house instead. He wanted to be around the young man all the time, but he also just wanted to live in that little old house in the woods. He wanted the floors to squeak under his feet, he wanted the bed to be small and noisy, he wanted everything to look used and worn, so he could feel that others had lived in the house before. The more he thought about the imperfect house in the woods and the beautiful man who lived there, the less he wanted to go back home to his old perfect life. He wanted a life where he could just put on a pair of sweatpants and walk outside and no one would bat an eye at it, and where his whole existents weren’t built up around his work, and where he had no responsibility, but it would be that easy… at least not yet. He didn’t know Julian… he couldn’t leave his whole life behind for someone he didn’t even know. But he was allowed to dream.

He tried to imagine what Julian’s apartment would look like. It would be small, maybe a little messy but it would feel like a home, and Nick yearned for something like that. His own penthouse was cold and impersonal, just like the mansion he was forced to spent the next three weeks in. It didn’t feel like a home… it felt more like a luxury hotel room, and though everything looked beautiful and perfect, it wasn’t enough.

He walked through the front door and straight into the living room where Katie was sitting on the couch, reading a book. She closed the book and stared at her husband.

‘’Where were you?’’ She asked as she gestured for Nick to take a seat next to her. He tried his hardest to stop smiling, but it was difficult.

‘’I went over to check up on Julian.’’ He said as he bit his lip to stop grinning.

‘’Oh, is he okay?’’ She said with a worried look on her face, ‘’he disappeared so suddenly. Did we do something that offended him?’’

‘’No, not at all. He just had an idea and needed to write it down before it disappeared.’’ Nick shrugged. She smiled at him and leaned over to rest her head against his shoulder. He went rigid as he feared that she would be able to smell Julian on him, but she never commented on it.

‘’He’s a sweet boy,’’ she said as she nudged in closer, ‘’I don’t understand how his parents could throw him out like that!’’ Nick shook his head because he couldn’t understand it either. If he had a son, he would love him no matter who he chose to spend his life with.

‘’Me neither,’’ he sighed as he laid an arm around Katie’s shoulders. ‘’It shouldn’t matter to anyone who you choose to love.’’ He said.

‘’I agree,’’ she answered. ‘’I almost wanted to adopt him… just to give him a nice and secure home!’’

‘’He’s not a little child, Katie,’’ Nick mumbled.

‘’No, maybe not. But he is young, and he needs someone who’ll take care of him.’’ She shrugged. Nick knew that Julian was perfectly capable of taking care of himself, but Katie understood what Katie meant. Everyone needed someone to lean on, and Nick hoped Julian had that in his life. ‘’Will he be joining us for dinner again?’’

‘’I don’t know. I promised him to come by tomorrow to read some of his writings, maybe I could ask him then.’’ He lied as a little blush spread across his cheeks. There would be no time for reading or writing anything because he wanted Julian to have his full attention, just as he deserved. His heart was beating faster in his chest, and if he didn’t stop himself, then Katie would soon be able to hear it. He pulled away from her and faked a little yawn. ‘’I’m really tired, so I’ll be going to bed.’’ He said as he pushed himself off the couch.

‘’Do you think I could join you tomorrow?’’ She asked as she looked at him with big pleading eyes. He couldn’t bring her… not in a million years, because he was selfish. He needed Julian for himself. If she was there, then he wouldn’t be able to kiss him or hold him. No, it was only going to be him and Julian.

‘’He’s not keen on sharing it with that many people yet,’’ Nick lied as he faked a smile. ‘’He’s a little shy.’’ The disappointment in her eyes made his stomach ache, but he pushed the feeling aside and kept smiling. ‘’Will you come to bed?’’ He asked, but Katie just shook her head. He leaned down and kissed her cheek before walking up towards the bedroom.

Nick didn’t fall asleep right away. He just couldn’t stop thinking about the amazing kiss he’d just shared with the beautiful man, from the little house in the woods. He didn’t want to wake up… he just wanted to stay in the bed with a smile on his lips and Julian in his mind. He saw Julian’s beautiful face and strong body every time he closed his eyes, and he wished the young man was lying beside him. He could imagine what it would feel like to hold him close as they both fell asleep, how it would feel to have Julian’s naked skin pressed against his own, and how he would be swallowed whole by the fresh and mild scent of the young man.

His heart was beating fast in his chest and the more he imagined Julian’s body, the harder he got. He considered getting out of bed to take care of it in the bathroom, but Katie would ask too many questions… she probably thought he was already asleep.

He turned to his side as Katie entered the room, and though he was tired, it still took him a couple of hours to fall asleep.

A single sunbeam worked its way through the curtains, forming a little golden thread that attached itself to Nick’s face, gently waking him up.
He smiled as he turned around onto his back, as he smiled a little to himself. He was looking forward to seeing Julian again, and a warm feeling began spreading throughout his body, but it all felt weird. He wasn’t supposed to feel like this… not towards someone he didn’t even know, but whenever he tried to ignore the feelings that were flourished inside of him a buzzing feeling filled his head. He couldn’t ignore it, and the more he thought about it, the less he wanted to.

He sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes. He wanted to start the day so he could see Julian again.

He went down to the living room and realized that the whole house was empty, and as he entered the kitchen he found a note from Katie, telling him that she had to visit her sister and that she wouldn’t be back until the next morning. Nick smiled… if she was gone the whole day, then he could spend all his time with Julian without anyone asking any questions. He did feel bad for Katie since she had to spent so much time with her melodramatic sister, who always carved the attention of everyone. She knew that Katie was on a vacation, but she still couldn’t give her a break, and Katie was too kind to say no. But the thought of spending a whole day, and maybe even a night with Julian made the pity go away. He was free, just for one day.

At twelve he left the mansion and strolled down the dirt road towards the little house in the woods. He hoped that Julian was open and that he wanted Nick to visit, and the thought made him nervous, and the closer he got to the house, the worse it got.

As he stood in front of the door his mind started spinning, and as he knocked on the door it only got worse. What would he do if Julian didn’t want to see him? How should he even greet him? Should he just say hi, or should he kiss him? Was kissing him too much? What if Julian had regretted everything? So many thoughts ran through his head and he was impressed with how much he’d been able to think before the door finally opened. His hands were shaking as he looked and Julian, who was now standing in the door opening, wearing a pair of tight black jeans and nothing else. He swallowed loudly as he met Julian’s eyes. Nick wanted to kiss him, but he feared that Julian would think that it was too much, yet his mind went blank as Julian grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer before kissing his lips gently. Nick was a little surprised, but he leaned into the kiss almost immediately. Julian tasted freshly of mint as if he’d just brushed his teeth, and Nick wanted to taste more of him. Nick laid one hand on Julian’s waist as the other took a hold on the young man’s head to hold him in place. Feeling Julian’s naked skin against his palm was sending shivers down his spine.

Julian pulled away with a cheeky smile on his lips. Nick wanted to protest, but he kept quiet. ‘’Hey,’’ Julian said.

‘’Hey,’’ Nick said as he felt his cheeks heat up.

‘’I just woke up,’’ Julian explained a little awkwardly as he began biting his lip.

Nick eyed him up and down, ‘’I guessed,’’ Nick replied.

Julian blushed as he moved away from the door, allowing Nick to enter the house.

‘’Do you want some coffee?’’ Julian asked as Nick sat down on the squeaking. Nick looked at him and nodded. ‘’It’s nothing fancy though,’’ Julian said as he went over to the kitchen table and turned on the kettle, ‘’I only have instant coffee.’’

‘’It’s fine with me,’’ Nick said, and it was. He wanted things like that. He wanted to drink cheap coffee and beers, he wanted homecooked meals and mismatching plates and glasses. He just wanted everything this young man could offer him.

Julian sat down close next to him and handed Nick a cup of coffee. He laid a hand on Nick’s leg and caressed it gently. ‘’Are you okay with this?’’ Julian asked, and Nick looked questioning at him. ‘’With you and me, I mean.’’

‘’Yes,’’ Nick said honestly as he took Julian’s hand and entwined their fingers. ‘’I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.’’ He took Julian’s cup away from him and placed both of them on the little coffee table before stroking a hand through Julian’s hair and pulled him into a kiss.

It was deep and passionate, and pleasure ran through his body when he felt Julian’s tongue against his own. He pushed Julian down onto his back and crawled on top of him to lock their lips together one more. He ran his hand down Julian’s chest and stomach, feeling the hard abs and warm skin under his touch, and he felt himself get hard. As he reached Julian’s waistband, the young man moaned into his mouth. Julian grabbed him and turned them around, so Nick was now on his back, and the young man laid himself on top of him, pressing their groins together. He could feel the outline of Julian’s hardening cock against his own, and it was making him crazy, and when Julian began kissing and gently biting his neck he began to shiver from pleasure. He’d never thought that another man’s erection would make him as horny as he did, yet it happened, and Nick loved it. He wanted more, but he wasn’t ready for that… not yet at least. 
Julian pulled away before Nick got too nervous. They sat up, still close enough for their bodies to touch, and smiled shyly at each other. Julian’s lips looked even redder now, and Nick wanted to kiss him again. And again. And again.