Mikey

Mikey had a secret. A big ball busting secret. A secret he shared with only his parents and one other.

Twenty years old, six foot tall and fit as a butcher’s dog he was in his second year at University studying English Medieval History and Archaeology. He was obsessed with staying fit and was a member of the university athletics club. His perfect V-shaped upper torso was complemented by the thickly muscled thighs and prominent bubble butt. To top it off he was blonde and blue eyed with full alluring lips, strong manly nose and a square jaw. He could and did silence a room when he entered it without saying a word. Women of all ages were affected by him. The older ones pretended they wanted to mother him when deep down all they really wanted to do was drag him to their beds and rape him. The younger ones either became tongue tied and shy in his presence or shamelessly flirted with him making it as obvious as was decently possible that all he had to do was click his fingers and they would drop their knickers for him. Men also found him irresistible wanting to be seen as his friend and would often vie with each other for his attention. Gay men fantasised about him, both tops and bottoms. Men who had never before questioned their heterosexuality wondered what it would be like to have sex with him.

Despite all this lustful adulation Mikey was a nice guy. He found the way some people reacted to him a little embarrassing and tried not to be affected by the almost celebrity status his good looks and animal sexuality afforded him. His parents were well educated, loving people who had instilled in him standards of respect and behaviour that many others could do to emulate. As a result he was polite, unassuming and carried himself with a quiet confidence that was never threatening or arrogant. People liked Mikey, sure many lusted after him but once they had got passed that emotion they found they enjoyed the company of this well-adjusted, intelligent and attractive young man.

As he mingled and made small talk with other people at the reception his eyes constantly scanned the room for the one face he never tired of.  

It had begun when he was sixteen and an upcoming star of his school track and field team. His natural athleticism and the advanced strength and power of his perfectly toned and exercised body set him head and shoulders above his peers. He was a startlingly fast sprinter and had recently won the school junior championship for the 100 and 200 meters, as well as anchoring his team home to his third gold medal in the 4 x 100 meters. The resulting furore that arose from his outstanding achievement had led to him being offered and accepting a place at a summer school run by Sport England for talented athletes. He found himself surrounded by other young people from fourteen to eighteen with similar talents and abilities to him. For the first time in his life he was being challenged and pushed because of what he could actually do not because he was pretty and attractive. People saw him as an athlete, not some would be poster boy. He loved it.

Upon arrival at the university being used for the summer camp all athletes had registered and been assigned rooms. Mikey found himself sharing with Bradley, a very talented runner from the East End, and the first black guy he had ever spent time with. A year older than Mikey, Bradley was on his way to becoming a tall, rangy yet muscular, loose limbed middle distance runner. At seventeen he had the defined and ripped body of a man five years older. He was also the first openly gay boy that Mikey had met, a point Bradley’s appearance made abundantly clear the first time he entered the room. Mikey was just finishing his unpacking when the door to his room flew open and a tall, powerful looking dark skinned youth flounced through it carrying two bright orange holdalls. He was a rainbow vision with his bright pink hair, strikingly bright blue very tight shorts, an orange vest and purple trainers. Mikey wondered if he glowed in the dark.

‘Hiya, I’m Bradley – don’t call me Brad. You must be the fast white kid we’ve all been reading about.’ Bradley dropped his bags in the centre of the room and held out his hand. Mikey shook it.

‘I don’t know about that,’ he said with his usual self-deprecation. ‘But yes, I’m Mikey – don’t call me Mike.’ Bradley scowled for a second before accepting Mikey’s reply was a joke and breaking into a wide friendly smile.

‘I think we’re going to get on Mikey – don’t call me Mike.’ The pair laughed. ‘So I’m guessing this is my bed?’ Bradley went over it and sat down. ‘Not as big as I’m used to but it’ll do. By the way Mikey I’m gay so if that’s a problem for you we need to deal with it now cause I am not spending the next four weeks rooming with a junior puff basher.’

Although taken aback by Bradley’s openness and slightly aggressive attitude, Mikey’s upbringing ensured the correct and honest reply.

‘Really? I’ve never met one before. A gay boy I mean. Wow. That’s cool.’ A hundred questions ran through his head but good manners forestalled his voicing any of them while at the same time he felt his pulse quicken. Bradley was surprised at Mikey’s response. Pleasantly surprised. He wondered if……..?

‘That’s okay then.’ The new friends smiled at each other again. ‘Just don’t go getting any ideas when I’m walking around in my pants will ya?’ Bradley flirtingly joked.

‘Um, I’ll er, I’ll try to control myself.’ Mikey stumbled over the words. He was thrown off balance by Bradley’s manner and found himself a little uncertain how to behave and what to say. Not a position he was used to. He was also confused as to why he found the prospect of sharing a room with an attractive gay man for four weeks exciting.

They both unpacked and when finished decided to head for the dining hall for some lunch before attending the welcome lecture in one of the large university lecture rooms. Mikey was in awe of the campus. It reinforced his determination to do as well as he could at school to be able to attend university when he was old enough. They sat together in the lecture hall and listened intently to the various coaches who explained why they were there and what they would be doing. Sessions would start the next day and a welcome dinner and general get together was planned for that evening. The boys returned to their room to shower and change. They were fortunate to be lodged in one of the new student accommodation blocks where every room had a bathroom with shower. No queueing for them to use over crowded communal facilities. Once back in their room Bradley immediately stripped off his clothes and headed for the bathroom. ‘I’ll not be long Mikey and I’ll try not to use all the water.’ Mikey turned as Bradley walked across the room naked. His mouth formed a silent ‘Oh’ when he saw his roommate in the altogether. His skin was flawless, his muscles were defined and sculptured and his buttocks were round, pert and looked to be rock hard as a result of all the running he did. Mikey was mesmerised by the physical beauty of him. Although only seventeen Bradley was well aware of the impact his perfect young body had on others and was pleased that the younger boy had been captivated by it. He stopped in the doorway to the bathroom and turned to look Mikey in the eyes. He casually scratched his small patch of curly pubic hair and played with his impressive cock and balls as he spoke. ‘If you like what you see you can come scrub my back for me.’ Then he spun on the spot and leaving the door open went in to the bathroom.

Mikey sat down heavily on the bed, confusion crowding into his head. What had just happened? He had seen boys naked before. He had compared his body and developing manhood with countless others in the changing rooms and showers but never had he felt as he had when he looked at Bradley. And that comment about scrubbing his back……. why couldn’t he get the thought of doing it out of his head?

His parents had ensured that he held no prejudices. He had been shown by example and by adult discussion that just because someone was different it didn’t mean they were wrong or bad. It was how people behaved and who they were that was important, not what they were. So Bradley being black and gay really wasn’t an issue for Mikey. So why was he feeling confused and unsettled?

He heard the sound of water flowing coming from the bathroom and was shocked when he realised it was Bradley taking a piss – and the door was open! He had been taught that you never left the door open when you used the toilet. But his surprise at Bradley’s lack of decorum was quickly smothered by the thought of what he was doing and what it must look like. He began to sweat, his breathing quickened and to his horror he felt his cock fill out to full erection. What was going on?

‘Scrubbing brush is on the side when you’re ready Mikey.’ He heard Bradley laughing as the shower was turned on and the older boy stepped under the warm water. ‘God I needed this.’ As he listened to the sound of his roommate showering he couldn’t get the image of his naked body out of his head and he wondered how it would look covered in soap and water. What would he feel like? Would his dark skin feel different to his pale, familiar body? What would it be like to feel him under his hands? What would his dick……? He jumped up and grabbed his jacket with the intention of running out of the door and going for a walk. His hand was reaching for the door handle when Bradley appeared drying himself and making no attempt to cover up his glistening body. ‘Going out? What about your shower?’

‘No. Um. I er was just um…………Yeah, I’ll go and wash.’ Mikey dropped his jacket on his bed and moved towards the bathroom trying hard not to look at his new friend who continued to unselfconsciously rub himself dry.

‘Aren’t you going to take your clothes off first?’

‘What?’ Mikey turned to look at Bradley just as he began to rub the towel over his cock and balls and underneath them to his arse crack. He gave Mikey a big smile as he did so. He knew something was happening in the white boys head, he’d seen boys at school react to his naked beauty many times and more often than not it had ended with them wanting sex with him so they could explore his glorious physique.  This white boy was stunningly good looking with a neat tidy body and unless he was seriously mistaken the guy was sporting a hard-on. He smiled to himself seeing the reaction he was getting as he gently flirted.

‘Are you okay Mikey? You’ve gone red in the face.’ Bradley knew exactly what was causing the hot flush but was having too much fun to stop his game now. Mikey was frozen to the spot, eyes wide, mouth open as he watched the young black stud drop his towel and take his thickening dick in his hand. Bradley heard a soft sigh escape Mikey’s lips as he rubbed his hand back and forth across the head of his now fully hard penis. He used his other hand to cup his balls and began to openly and seductively wank his tool. ‘Like it Mikey?’ He walked over to the frightened looking boy. ‘No need to be scared Mikey. I won’t bite.’ He stood directly in front of him, no more than a foot between them. ‘Do you want to touch me Mikey? It’s okay if you do.’

Mikey’s heart was in his mouth and his hands were trembling. He was a pretty much a virgin only ever having kissed a couple of girls and allowed two of them to suck his cock over the last year. Each time he had he wondered what all the fuss his mates were making was about. It was just a kiss.  Just a mouth on his cock. No fireworks had gone off. He had felt nothing special or particularly exciting. Not like he was feeling now. His pulse was racing and he knew that Bradley could see the clear outline of his hard cock straining against his track suit bottoms.

Bradley moved to turn away bringing Mikey out of his self-imposed trance. He reached out and put his hand on his arm, ‘Don’t. I mean I want to.’ A long pause followed, ‘I want to but…’ The admission was whispered and his chin fell to his chest as he felt tears pricking his eyes. A soft hand cupped his cheek and raised his head back up. He looked up and saw a softly smiling, gentle Bradley, his eyes full of concern. He didn’t move as the beautiful dark face moved towards him and tenderly kissed the end of his nose.

‘I’m sorry Mikey, I didn’t realise you hadn’t done this before. Go get showered and then we can talk if you want.’ He saw Mikey’s shoulders relax and a small smile touched the soft, full, pink lips. ‘That’s better mate.’ He leaned in to kiss his nose again but found his lips touching the mouth he had just been admiring. For Mikey, however small and gentle his first man on man kiss was it ignited a flame he had not experienced before. Kissing girls had never affected him. This was different. The tender brush of Bradley’s lips on his sent electric shocks through his body. He wanted more. His hands grabbed Bradley’s arms pulling the naked body against him. He heard himself groan as he pressed his lips firmly onto the older boy’s soft and soon yielding mouth. Their kiss was like nothing he had ever experienced. He wanted more. Much more. Bradley brought his hands to the younger boys shoulders and carefully pulled away. ‘Whoa boy. Slow it down mate.’ He smiled reassuringly at the now embarrassed boy. ‘That was nice Mikey. Really nice. But we need to get ready for dinner. Like I said mate, take your shower and then we can talk. Okay?’

Mikey took a deep breath and nodded. ‘Okay.’ Bradley stroked the side of the nervous boy’s face with the back of his fingers.

‘We’ll be good Mikey. I promise. We’re going to have a lot of fun.’ He felt himself relax as a huge smile filled the handsome boy’s face. ‘That’s better. Now go on. Shower.’

Over the next few days the two boys spent little time in each other’s company as they had different training schedules. They managed to have breakfast and dinner together and by the time it came to lights out they were both exhausted from their day’s activity. They talked and got to know each other as and when they could. They found they had things in common and enjoyed each other’s company. They were given Sunday as a day off to rest and it was then that they finally sat down and talked about what had happened between them. Although only twelve months older, Bradley had lived a much more independent life than Mikey and was far more street wise and mature when it came to the problems one faced. He had realised he was gay at twelve years old and had wasted no time in exploring his newly recognised sexuality finding two other boys at his school who were happy to play around. He always knew that the colour of his skin and the size of his rapidly developing cock had helped in his search for sexual adventures but only recently had he realised that he was a very attractive young man who oozed sex appeal. Mikey couldn’t have found a better person to help him come to terms with the feelings and hormones crowding his mind and body.

They spent the whole day together, going for a gentle jog in the morning that turned into a competitive outing as their natural instincts drove them on. Bradley found the run easier to handle than Mikey due to his speciality being distance running as opposed to his roommate who was concentrating on the sprint disciplines. They managed to talk as they jogged and by the time they got back to their lodgings Mikey had told Bradley how their brief kiss had affected him and that he wanted to take the next step but was afraid to. Not because of what people might think but simply because he had never thought of himself as gay, it had never crossed his mind. As they entered their room, Bradley closed the door and pulled Mikey into his arms.

‘Let’s try that kiss again shall we?’ They stood in the middle of the room hands on each other’s waists, lips gently pressed together. Mikey felt himself go instantly hard and his tented shorts pressed against Bradley’s own blooming erection. ‘Well I see someone likes you being kissed. How about we do it properly this time?’ He put a hand at the small of Mikey’s back and the other into his hair at the back of his head. ‘Now this Mikey is a kiss.’ His mouth took possession of Mikey’s, he prised the younger boy’s lips open with his insistent tongue and pushed it into the warm mouth. He explored every nook and cranny, nipping and nibbling at the soft full lips. He eventually allowed Mikey to push his invading tongue to one side so that he could enter Bradley’s mouth with his and try out some of the things Bradley was doing that were turning him on so much Over the next few minutes Mikey began to learn how to kiss another man, and he loved it. Their tongues fought and caressed each other. Their lips and teeth were used to bite and pull and suck. Their hands explored each other’s bodies and faces. Hair was pulled and stroked, and their hard, aching, confined erections were ground together. The air was filled with the erotic sounds of two sex filled teenagers making out at the beginning of an afternoon of exploration and discovery neither had expected or dared hoped for.

Bradley led his young lover through a wonderful, excitement filled gamut of the joys of gay sex. In the shower he washed him with soap lathered hands from top to toe. He showed him the immense pleasure to be gained from the simple act of running soap slicked hands over your partner and Mikey learned the intense pleasure to be felt as the recipient of such unselfish attention.  He discovered how the warm water cascading over him added further stimulation to his already sensitive and responsive body, and how by avoiding his cock, balls and arse and concentrating instead on his arms and legs, his back and shoulders, his chest, nipples, armpits, stomach, even his feet, Bradley brought him to such a fever pitch of anticipation that when he did bring his soft  and soapy hands to the centre of his sexually charged world the sensation was mind blowing. His cock and balls needed the slightest touch to send his eyes rolling in their sockets and a shout of intense pleasure to escape his lips. When a hand was pushed between the muscular cheeks of his arse and fingers began washing and playing with the virgin entrance to his boypussy his legs gave way beneath him and a stream of precum erupted from the eye of his iron hard penis. As Bradley  erotically washed the perfectly defined young athlete he kissed him with an increasing intensity that carried their love making to a higher plane. They were totally immersed in a world of passion and lust that only the two of them inhabited.

Mikey took over from Bradley and was completely taken aback by how much pleasure he got from doing to the beautiful black man what he had done to him. Time stood still as he explored every inch of the glorious body before him. For the first time he experienced a real desire to please his lover and completely subjugated his own physical demands to ensure the man he was with was pleasured and satisfied. Their lips were swollen and so tender from all the kisses they had exchanged that they were receiving massive sexual stimulation each time they brushed against each other. Every part of their bodies was super sensitive and responsive.

Eventually Bradley called a gentle but commanding halt to the shower and after drying each other off they moved back into the main room where he produced a bong filled with dope ready to smoke. At first Mikey was reluctant to try the drug afraid it would impair his athletic performance but once Bradley had allayed his fears by informing him that he had used it as a relaxant for several years and suffered no side effects,  he decided to take the plunge and give it a go. His first inhalation made him cough and choke but as he relaxed and got used to the sensation of inhaling something other than fresh air, he found this was another new experience he enjoyed.

The two finely muscled and handsome young men made a stunningly attractive picture as they lay on Bradley’s bed naked, stoned and quietly making out. Mikey couldn’t get enough of his lover’s lips and tongue touching, pressing and playing with his own. If nothing else were to happen today the very fact that he derived so much pleasure and emotional satisfaction from kissing another man proved to him beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was gay. Kissing girls had left him feeling uncomfortable and empty, kissing Bradley awakened every nerve in his body making him want more and more. His cock had never been harder or more sensitive. His balls were aching and felt fuller than they had at any other time that his dick had been erect. But what was completely blowing his mind was how super-responsive his body was to the slightest touch and how singularly happy he felt.

Bradley’s decision to pursue his hunk of a roommate was working out much better than he had thought possible given his younger lover’s inexperience. Like Mikey he was finding their kissing incredibly erotic and sensual but he knew he needed to move things forward. He began to pay more attention to Mikey’s cock and balls and moved himself so his warm lips could explore the teen’s chest. He bit and sucked on the hard nipples and ran his hands over his thighs and buttocks. His head moved lower as his tongue followed the faint line of Mikey’s soft downy treasure trail to the curly bush at the root of his throbbing penis. Bradley’s hands and mouth came together when they reached Mikey’s leaking fuck stick. His hands took hold of and began to gently massage his friend’s balls as his mouth opened wide and slipped down the impressive shaft till the helmet hit the back of his throat. He flicked and curled his tongue over the sensitive head and his teeth nipped and pulled at the tight foreskin. Mikey was completely lost in the sensations convulsing and twisting his body. His arms were above his head holding tightly to the headboard every muscle and sinew on them taught. His back arched upwards, pushing his groin further into Bradley’s face forcing him to take more of the thick, iron hard tumescence in his mouth and down his stretching throat. Precum coated the inside of Bradley’s mouth as he increased the pressure with which he was sucking the thrusting cock. Mikey’s juice tasted amazing – salty yet sweet – and Bradley guzzled and sucked for all he was worth to draw as much out of him as he could. Mikey could hold out no longer and his shout of ‘Oh Fuck’ was heard in the corridor and adjacent rooms.

Bradley had learned to love the taste of fresh hot boy spunk and swallowed almost every drop of nectar the young stud’s pulsing cock spat into his mouth. He kept his roommate’s tender penis in his mouth and gently rolled his tongue around the shaft occasionally catching the supersensitive helmet. It became too much for Mikey whose dick was uncomfortably reactive to everything Bradleys tongue and lips were doing. He reached down and using both hands pulled the other teen’s head up and away from his cock to his face where he drove his eager tongue into the cum flavoured warmth of his friends.

They lay next to each other as Mikey collected his thoughts and began to work though what had just happened. He had had two other blow jobs before from girls but given their inexperience and lack of understanding of what made a cock tick they hadn’t been particularly enjoyable. Bradley’s ministrations had been totally different. Skilled and well-practiced of course but the very fact that he had watched another boy sucking his dick, had thrilled to see his rock hard cock sliding in and out of the dark red lips of the beautiful black man. The pressure of the hard muscular athlete pressing against him had added to the excitement.

‘What are you thinking about Mikey?’ Bradley could sense something was on his young friends mind.

Mikey  took time to answer. ‘I was just thinking how much I loved what we, what you just did.’ He snuggled closer to the bigger black man, ‘I mean I really, really loved it Brad. It was the best thing I’ve ever felt.’

‘Hey don’t get carried away kid. But yeah it was pretty good wasn’t it?’ He released the bear hug Mikey had on him so that he could see is face. ‘And what’s with calling me Brad? I thought I told you about that?’ He was smiling and relaxed. Even so Mikey became a little concerned that his slip might spoil what they were both feeling.

‘God I did didn’t I? Sorry Bradley I wasn’t thinking.’

‘It’s ok Mikey. You can call me Brad. I like it.’ The youngster breathed out in relief.

‘Brad,’ he pecked him on the cheek. ‘Brad.’ He kissed his nose. ‘Brad,’ He kissed his chin. ‘Bra…..’

‘Okay, okay don’t wear it out in five minutes. Enough,’ Bradley playfully pushed Mikey away. There followed a gentle playfight as Mikey continued to repeat Brad’s name and tried to kiss him. They grappled, tickled, restrained and laughed. They laughed a lot. Two virile and happy young men who revelled in each other’s company. After a while they lay on their backs next to each other panting due their exertions. Mikey reached over and took Bradley’s still erect cock in his hand.

‘Can I do what you did?’ He turned on his side and raised himself up. He supported his head with his hand and he looked down at his tanned fingers working on the dark brown, purple crowned rock hard dick. ‘I want to suck you Brad. Can I?’ Bradley reached up and ran the back of his hand across Mikey’s cheek and jaw bone. His smile was all the answer Mikey needed. He scouted down the bed and brought his face close to his first cock. It was a little bigger than his own in both length and girth and where he had his foreskin to pull to and fro Bradley was cut. He ran a finger over the tightly scrunched balls and up the underside of the hot brown shaft. The colour fascinated him. Unlike his own pale tan coloured dick, the one he trailed his finger over looked solid. He could feel the thick vein under the polished skin but couldn’t see the myriad small blood vessels his own erection revealed. He heard himself groaning quietly with each breath he took. He watched mesmerised as a bead of clear, jewel-like precum formed at the eye of this most beautiful creation. Without thought he leaned forward and took the liquid diamond on the end of his tongue. His taste buds exploded as the essence of his lover filled his senses. ‘Mmmmm. Wow.’

He covered the fully stretched and shiny helmet with his lips and closed them round the ridge separating it from the thick, sturdy shaft that offered it to him. His tongue licked over it, Bradley squirmed under him his breathing fast and hard. He was rewarded with another drop of the athlete’s precious nectar and the taste and strength of it pushed him on to slide his warm wet mouth down the length of the pulsing rod till his nose felt the tickle of hair. The manly scent that invaded him was like nothing he had smelt before. He wanted more of the man he held. More of his cock, his lips, his hands……he wanted every little bit of him. He sucked and licked and fucked his mouth over and down and around the throbbing brown cock. It felt massive under his ministrations and as he sucked he ran his hands over the tense, straining body he knew he would never tire of. He pinched the big nipples on the perfectly shaped chest, each muscular mound a handful of masculinity topped off by hard, rubber like nubs that when pulled and twisted made the cock in his mouth jump and release more of the manly juice he so craved. Hands grabbed his head and pushed him down hard, the tip of the suddenly bigger and harder penis forced itself down his throat, he took the balls and root in his hands and felt the pulse and surge as the first stream of Bradley’s scorching cum filled his mouth. He revelled in the taste and texture of the thick salty yet sweet liquid. He marvelled at the way the head of the pleasure stick in his mouth grew harder and softer before and after each jet was pumped onto his tongue and splattered against the inside of his cheeks. He felt a wetness on his own leg and reached down to find he was cumming with out being touched. He was on a sexual plane to heaven. He savoured and swallowed every drop of the man juice Bradley gave him and when that was all gone he used his fingers to clean as much of his own spunk off his legs as he could and ate that too. He tasted differently to Bradley, different but nice. What was that term he had read once? Cum slag? No, now he remembered, ‘I’m a cum slut,’ he laughed. ‘Brad, I’m a cum slut. I fucking love it.’ A moment later he was in Bradley’s arms and they were kissing allowing both of them to enjoy the last of their juices as Bradley’s tongue sought out every drop hidden in every crevice.

They kissed and stroked each other back to earth as their climaxes abated and a feeling of supreme well being and comfort settled over them. The slept in each other’s arms until their stomachs woke them demanding to be fed. They were after all fit, healthy, active teenagers who needed regular sustenance to maintain their body’s metabolisms. No matter how much sex took out of them physically and mentally, they still needed food, and lots of it.

                                                                     -----------/----------

The reception for VIP athletes and the press had finished over an hour ago and Mikey was now seated at one of over a hundred twelve seat tables having just eaten a passable if somewhat bland dinner. The event was to celebrate the last year’s athletic achievements and he was there as the guest of someone due to receive an award for their outstanding contribution to British Athletics. Organised by one of the major TV channels the event was well attended, star studded and being screened live across various media. His companion for the evening sat next to him looking nervous. He had to give a speech and it wasn’t something he was used to doing.

The evening moved on quickly and before they knew it, it the moment they had come for arrived. The famous TV presenter explained they were about to announce the recipient of the Outstanding Sports Personality of the year award. He went on to explain that the winner had been voted for by a combination of a peoples vote and two hundred widely respected and knowledgeable experts from the sporting arena. The winner he said, had won three gold medals at that year’s Olympics and had swept the board at the previous year’s European Championships. At twenty one he was Britain’s youngest ever Olympic triple gold medallist on the athletics track, and on top of all his professional successes he had, with a close friend, set up a track and field sponsorship program to enable and empower disenfranchised youngsters to fulfil their potential. No one, he said, was better qualified  or deserving to receive such a prestigious award.

‘Your Royal Highness, Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome to the stage the winner of this year’s Outstanding Sports Personality award – Mr Bradley Marshall, OBE.’

The room erupted with a roar of pleasant surprise and excitement. The applause and whistles that accompanied Bradley as he made his way to the stage was deafening. A more popular choice could not have been made. Bradley accepted the gold and crystal statuette from the Prince of Wales, the second time he had met him in as many months having been presented to the Prince at Buckingham Palace when he received his OBE. He was ushered to the microphone  and he stood silent and smiling as he waiting for the applause and adulation to die down. He took a deep, calming breath and looking across the room locked eyes with the love of his life. They smiled at one another.

‘Your Highness, Ladies and Gentlemen.’ He paused and let his gaze travel round the room. ‘Thank you doesn’t cover it really does it? I am truly, truly honoured to have been chosen by my peers and the great British public to receive this award for doing a job I love.’ More applause, ‘I have had time to think about what I wanted to say tonight and have decided to be honest and truthful.’ There was a stir of anticipation and some unease in the room.

‘I grew up poor. My mum was a single parent and I can remember what it was like to see her eating a marmite sandwich for tea whilst I had meat and two veg. I know what it’s like to be picked on and bullied because I didn’t have a dad and because my mum cleaned the school toilets.’ He took a steadying breath to control his building emotions. ‘I know what it’s like to be spat at and kicked because of the colour of my skin but above all and what makes me who I am is I know what it’s like to be ostracised, beaten up, taunted and friendless because I am gay.’ There was an audible intake of breath from the audience. There was a scattering of encouraging applause that was slowly taken up by almost everyone in the room. Shouts of ‘Good on ya Brad’ could be heard and the dear old Prince of Wales was beaming from ear to ear. He nodded at Bradley, telling him to continue.

‘Wow, I didn’t expect that. If I’d known I’d be so well received I’d have come out years ago then the two homophobic Presidents who watched me beat the pants off their super-hetero muscle studs this year would’ve known it was a homo that did it, not just some jumped up nobody black boy from Stratford, East London.’ His disparaging reference to Trump and Putin brought the audience to it’s feet in a frenzy of agreement and acclimation. He gestured for everyone to sit down, stunned by the power his celebrity held.

‘So that was the first thing I wanted to say. The second is more personal and I hope you’ll all forgive me a little self-indulgence.’ Another deep breath and again he locked eyes with the one he lived his life for. ‘Ladies and Gentlemen – oh, and of course your highness,’ the room full of people chuckled. He had them in the palm of his hand. ‘I have a great life now. Not because I found my dad – I didn’t, so I guess I’ll always be a bastard,’ he paused as people laughed with him at his self-deprecating joke, ‘and not because I’m rich and famous and my mum can afford all the food she wants now and doesn’t clean toilets for a living anymore – not that there’s anything wrong with cleaning toilets.’ Another pause for more laughter and a smattering of applause. ‘No, I’m happy and wake up smiling every day because four years ago this month I met the love of my life and he’s been beside me pretty much everyday since then. He’s seen me through the bad times and the good. He was with me when I doubted myself and my ability to win, and he helped put me back on my feet. Without him I know, I really truly know I would not have received this award. So if it’s okay with you I’d like him to come up here to share this moment with me? He’s earned it too.’ Again the audience was on it’s feet and the noise of approval was incredible. Bradley motioned for Mikey to come up and be with him on stage. The TV and press cameras swung to get the first pictures of this special man who had helped create their latest hero.

Mikey walked slowly to the stage, shaking hands and receiving kisses of congratulations and good wishes as he moved through the crowd. Bradley held his hand out and pulled him up the steps to join him, giving him a big hug once there. He whispered in his lover’s ear, ‘I love you Mikey. Tonight’s for you.’ After the audience returned to their seats, Bradley continued with his speech. ‘This Ladies and Gentlemen – and Prince,’ his smile at the royal was returned joyfully, ‘is my man. The man I love and cherish above all things. Mr Mikey Bridges. Isn’t he beautiful?’ More applause and wolf whistles accompanied by a few ribald comments. He again had to wait for the adulation to abate. ‘To all you youngsters out there, black or white; gay or straight; man, woman or trans I just want to say this,’ he paused and looked directly into the camera, holding tightly to Mikey’s hand. ‘Be proud of who you are. What you are is your business, no one else’s. Be true to yourself. Be honest with the ones you love and with those who love you. Never apologise for being you.’ He took a moment to compose himself before continuing. And finally – I promise, this is the last thing I need to say and do right here and now – I have a very important question to ask.’ He turned to Mikey and took a small box out of his jacket pocket which when opened revealed two platinum engagement  rings, one for each of them. He fell to one knee and in front of the 1200 people in the room and the many millions watching on TV and social media, asked his question and blew Mikey’s secret out of the water once and for all.

‘Mikey……… My beautiful, beautiful Mikey. Please will you marry me?’ The room was silent, men and women had tears of joy rolling down their faces. Everyone held their breath waiting for Mikey’s response. There was no hesitation, nothing clever or witty was said. Just a simple –

‘Yes. I’d love to.’ They were in each other’s arms as the roof was lifted from the building by the roar of congratulations and the power and sound of absolute happiness that poured over them.

Mikey had had a secret. A big ball busting secret. No more. His secret joy and love, his reason for living was now something the world could share. And he couldn’t have been happier.