Read Hard of hearing :: Online or IRL

Back at Ryan's place.

Ryan suddenly remembered that he had received another message earlier at the same time as the Award email. He retrieved his phone from the kitchen counter to check the message.

Opening his phone, he saw it was a Datemeapp connect request, his first one ever.

"Masarati_Man would like to connect. Would you like to accept his message request? Yes/No."

Ryan hesitated on "no" then pressed "yes."

Conversation on Datemeapp

Masarati_Man: Hi there, Bobth3build3r.

Bobth3build3r: Hi there, Masarati_Man.

Masarati_Man: So, tell me a bit about yourself; your profile is a little vague. I connected because you have gorgeous eyes, and I’d like to get to know the person hiding behind them.

Bobth3build3r: Uhm, I don’t really know what to say. This is my first connection other than with my best friend.

Masarati_Man: Well, tell me about you—your likes and dislikes, favorite foods, foods you hate, and things you want to do. I’d also love to know your pet peeves and loves. Basically, I want to know you.

Bobth3build3r: I like drawing and Bordeaux blend wines. I love sunrise more than the sunset, and I like the ocean but can’t swim. I don’t like mushrooms; they're creepy. Also, I’m an architect. Am I supposed to tell you my name?

Masarati_Man: Hmmm, there is a lot you like and only one thing you don’t. Does that mean you’re easygoing? And only if you feel comfortable telling me your name, I’ll tell you mine if you want.

Bobth3build3r: Oh, I’m not a fussy person. My best friend always says I’m like a leaf; I let the wind carry me. Ha-ha, but I don’t know if he was complimenting me or insulting me.

Masarati_Man: I’m sure it was a compliment.

Bobth3build3r: Will you really tell me your name?

Masarati_Man: Yes, my name is James. I’m in real estate, 36 years old, and I like everything you like, but I love me some creepy mushrooms. Ha-ha. Oh! And I love Italy.

Bobth3build3r: Really? I also love Italy, but I’ve never been. It would be amazing to go there, see the sights, and enjoy the atmosphere. But sadly, I’m only just starting out in my career. It will be years before I can do that. (I don’t feel comfortable telling him I won an all-expenses-paid vacation to Italy just yet—maybe later when I know him better.) Ryan thought silently.

Bobth3build3r: Nice to meet you, James. You can call me Taylor. (Just a precaution)

Masarati_Man: I like your name, Taylor. Would you visit me if you ever came to Italy?

Bobth3build3r: Woah! You live in Italy? (What a weird coincidence)He was very surprised.

Masarati_Man: Not exactly, but I’m in Italy right now. I’m in Milan, to be exact.

Bobth3build3r: Oh! WOW! I’d love to be there right now.

Masarati_Man: If you ever found yourself here, would you go on a date with me?

Bobth3build3r: (Lie, Ryan, lie) I won’t be there any time in the near future.

Masarati_Man: So why not just say yes?

Bobth3build3r: Uhm, yes, I would, although I’m a little shy in person.

Masarati_Man: I like shy; that means I could have you all to myself.

Bobth3build3r: Oh, you’re very forward, but in a good way.

Masarati_Man: Have you ever dated a guy before, Taylor?

Bobth3build3r: No, not really. I don’t like girls in that way, but I’m a bit skeptical about my sexual orientation. I wouldn’t know where to start. This is the most I’ve ever talked about dating, other than with my best friend. He is married to a guy.

Masarati_Man: So, are you interested in dating?

Bobth3build3r: I am and I am not. I’m afraid of what my family will say or do if they knew I preferred men.

Masarati_Man: Have you ever asked them?

Bobth3build3r: NO! I’m too scared of them rejecting me. I love my family. The only one that knows I’m gay is the friend I mentioned, and you. If I was an Omega it would be different but I'm just an average Beta, Betas don't have the same grace as Omegas and there are only a handful of male Omegas as they are super rare.

Masarati_Man: And would you tell them if you met your soulmate?

Bobth3build3r: Ha-ha, I don’t believe in that. Although my friend pretty much found his soulmate, he is an Omega, and I’m just ordinary.

Masarati_Man: There is nothing ordinary about the guy I’m talking to. I think you’re sweet.

Bobth3build3r: Oh! Thank you; you’re making me blush.

Masarati_Man: If I asked you for a selfie, would you send me one?

Bobth3build3r: Uhm, I don’t know. We only just met, and what if you’re a stalker or a serial killer?

Masarati_Man: Ha-ha, all good. I’ll send you one. (Sent photo) I love that your profile picture shows only your eyes, its intriguing.

Bobth3build3r: WOW! That’s impressive, but you don’t show your face? Like i said i'm on the shy side so a full face pic was out of the question.

Masarati_Man: You may imagine whatever face you like.

Bobth3build3r: Like a fantasy? I can’t just imagine anyone’s face!

Masarati_Man: Yeah! My body with the face you would like on it. (Ryan looked at the sexy body selfie and then imagined Jonathan Down’s face with it. He immediately got aroused; he shook his head, like a CFO of a multibillion-dollar company would be that fit.)

Bobth3build3r: James, do you exercise a lot?

Masarati_Man: I gym for about 2 hours a day. I get up at 4 am and exercise until 6:00-6:30 am, then have a shower and breakfast before starting my day.

Bobth3build3r: Wow, such willpower!

Masarati_Man: Do you exercise?

Bobth3build3r: Not so much. I’m a softie; no six packs here other than in the fridge.

Masarati_Man: Ha, Will you show me?

Bobth3build3r: Okay. (sent pic) Soft man body lol.

Masarati_Man: Hmm, I have to say this doesn’t look bad to me. In fact, you made me rock hard.

Ryan didn’t immediately reply; he sat staring at the message, blushing. Then slowly replied.

Bobth3build3r: I'm not sure what to reply, but i think thank you for flattering me.

Masarati_Man: Ha-ha, you’re cute.

Masarati_Man: Taylor?

Bobth3build3r: Yes, James.

Masarati_Man: Will you be my online boyfriend?

Bobth3build3r: Ha-ha, what?

Masarati_Man: Only chat with me and no other guys on here, and tell me about your day and share your thoughts with me, get to know me. And let me know you.

Bobth3build3r: I think I’d like that.

Masarati_Man: Me too.

Masarati_Man: I won’t chat with other guys on here either, and I won’t date IRL from today. You are my boyfriend even though we haven’t met IRL yet. I think we will.

Bobth3build3r: Okay, I don’t date IRL anyway, so we can definitely be online boyfriends. I’ll do the same, and if by chance we do meet one day, hopefully, by then, I have more guts. But you can let me know when you find an actual guy you want to date.

Masarati_Man: I actually already have.

Bobth3build3r: Oh, really? Then why online date me?

Masarati_Man: It’s you; I want to RL date you.

Bobth3build3r: Oh!

Masarati_Man: Ha-ha, too cute. But I’ll bide my time, Taylor. Maybe we will be together sooner than you think.

Bobth3build3r: Now that sounded ominous, James.

Masarati_Man: Don’t worry; it wasn’t meant in a bad way. Just remember you said if you're ever in Italy, you will go on a date with me.

Bobth3build3r: Yes, I did. (Never gonna happen)

Masarati_Man: Taylor, I have to go. I have a very important meeting in 10 minutes.

Bobth3build3r: Oh, okay. Chat again soon, James, and have a lovely day.

Masarati_Man: You too. xoxo

Bobth3build3r: LOL

Masarati_Man: You’re laughing, but you agreed to be my boyfriend.

Bobth3build3r: Yes, I did. xo

Masarati_Man: Bye-bye. XoXo

Ryan fell backward, flopping onto his bed.

"Damn, he is nice, and I didn’t tell him I’m deaf either. I also kept it a secret that I’m actually going to Italy this week. But I’m too skeptical and scared of meeting him."

Ryan decided it was time to cook some supper. He ventured into the kitchen to make sweet and sour pork with noodles, as he didn’t feel like cooking a big meal.

While he prepared his meal, he wondered if he should tell James that he had won an award and was coming to Italy. Maybe if he gathered his courage, he could meet up with James. But what if James was a thug? I would need to take precautions first.

After having his supper, he washed the few dishes he had used and went to take a hot shower.

Before getting into the shower, he took a quick look at the photo James had sent him: firm pecs and beautifully sculpted muscles, all covered in gorgeous tattoos from one end to the other. Only the bare minimum of untattooed space was left to make the images pop. Such a sexy body. Ryan got very aroused looking at the picture, but then Jonathan Down’s face popped into his mind, and he couldn’t calm down without relieving himself. He sat on the edge of his bed, stroking himself slowly, imagining it was Jonathan doing the actual stroking and remembering the passionate kiss they shared under the table. When Ryan imagined Jonathan's tongue in his mouth, his orgasm rocked through his body. He was spent and sticky. He quickly jogged to the bathroom, where he took the hot shower he had wanted so badly. While under the water, images of Jonathan and him in the throes of passion assailed his mind, and he had to bring himself to climax yet again just for his boner to go down.

Walking out with only a towel draped around his hips, he saw the light on his phone flicker and made a beeline for the bed where he had left it.

Masarati_Man: Hey there, did you miss me?

Bobth3build3r: Ha-ha, maybe…

Masarati_Man: Only maybe? You have bruised my fragile ego.

Bobth3build3r: Lol, listen, I want to tell you something, and you might change your opinion about me and meeting me.

Masarati_Man: Oooh, are you a girl? Sorry, not into girls, ha-ha.

Bobth3build3r: No, silly. Anyway, we can never call each other.

Masarati_Man: Okay, so I can’t hear how you sound? Are you that shy?

Bobth3build3r: No, it’s because I am deaf.

Masarati_Man: Oh! Is that all?

Bobth3build3r: What do you mean, is that all? We can’t communicate properly other than text.

Masarati_Man: Yes, for now. But if we meet, it will be no sweat. My mom is also deaf, so I’m fluent in sign language.