Nathan

Marco had arranged a lavish dinner for the evening, he knew of his best friends plans, so had asked Millie to do as she wished and create a beautiful menu. He´d instructed everyone to dress casually as it was going to be a relaxing evening.

Dusk was soon to arrive and Carlos was already on the terrace having a beer with Tex, and Marco was on his second glass of bubbles. All three looked magnificent. Tex´s white shirt showed of his hairy chest, as Marco could not keep his hands off it and Carlos had a skin-tight black Versace T-shirt with black shorts and loafers, even Tex couldn’t believe what a perfect specimen of an Alpha male Carlos was. Marco wore a flowing Kaftan with some of his African jewellery.

Jono was next to arrive, he was wearing his best skin-coloured shorts which left nothing to the imagination and a pale blue thin cotton shirt.

While the fashion show was going on Nathan was getting dressed. He wasn’t sure what to wear, but finally decided on a pair of white linen drawstring trousers with a matching linen shirt which was very shear and he left it hanging loosely so it blew in the evening breeze. He looked good; and he knew it which gave him a little tingle as he´d been so worried as wanted to make a good impression for Carlos tonight.  

He left the room and walked up the path to the terrace, as the sun made its final journey, he was lit from behind and his whole outfit glowed orange and became totally see through, he wasn’t aware, but all who watched him could see he was naked underneath.

Tex was the first to notice and Marco followed his eyes to where he was looking. Jono followed their gaze and Carlos was the last to notice his beautiful lover. Tex spoke first. “Carlos, you’re one lucky guy man, Nathan is truly beautiful” Nathe was unaware of their gaze and ran his fingers through his blonde hair causing his shirt to open exposing one of his nipples.

They all stared. Carlos eyes welled up; he was overwhelmed by the love he had for his boy. Nathan had now reached them and asked why they were all staring, Jono laughed and said,

“You aint wearing any knickers Nathe, and we could all see ya todger”. Everyone started to laugh and Marco changed the subject quickly by offering young Nathan a glass of bubbles which he took, more out of embarrassment than want.

Dinner was called and they were ushered to a large round table which was more suitable for an odd number of people. The meal was magnificent, a plain gazpacho soup to start with made from watermelon and then orange glazed duck with asparagus and sautéed potatoes. The meal was topped off with Nathan’s favourite dessert, wild fruits of the forest cheesecake.

After the meal, Marco made a speech and talked about becoming a mother late in his life, referring to Jono, who he’d taken under his wing and was now his official guardian. He talked about friendship and family not just being blood, but the deep bond between friends. He mentioned Tex, the new love of his life, who he hoped would be about much longer than just passing ship in the night. Lastly, he turned to his friend Carlos who he’d loved dearly for years and who had never seen happier since he met Nathan. He blew a kiss across the table and mouthed thank you to the boy, who immediately blushed.

After, they all raised their glasses to a toast to friendship, family and love.

There was a brief silence, then Carlos got up. He cleared his throat and stood there for what seemed like a millennium. He then spoke addressing everyone, but looked directly at his boy, “A while ago now, I decided to go out on a Saturday night, yes, I was looking for sex, but I got much more than that. I met a young guy called Nathan who changed my world. I didn’t try and bed him that night, he was much better than that. We a drink and chatted, he was shy, he was innocent, he was beautiful, he was thoughtful, he was the most wonderful creature I’d ever set my eyes on. This boy changed the course of my life. I fell in love when I least expected it. Nathan, I can’t explain in words what you’ve done, but I think you know what you mean to me, I love you more than life itself and I have this undying need to protect you and keep you safe”.

Carlos walked from the table and knelt on one knee before his boy. “Nathan James, will you please do me the honour of becoming my husband? I will love and protect you for the rest of our lives together and always remember Nathey, it doesn’t matter how old we get together, you will always be my boy”.

Marco was visibly sobbing, Tex was fighting back the tears and Jono was wiping his away with a napkin.

Nathan stood there with tears of happiness streaming down his face as Carlos pulled a box from his pocket, opened it and presented a ring to Nathan who said “Yes, yes, I’ll marry you, you’ve changed my life too. I’ve never felt loved and wanted before and at first, I struggled to accept it as I was worried it wouldn’t last and I’d blame myself, but your love got stronger as the days went past.”

Carlo placed the ring on Nathan’s finger and then kissed him softly on his lips. The others clapped as Tex opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate. They drank and paid their dues, then Carlos picked his boy up in his arms and carried him across the dew-soaked lawn to the guest house.

Nathan had never been happier, as Carlos lay him on the bed and then removed his Versace T. The lad stared up at his man in total awe. His heart was beating fast and he felt butterflies in his stomach. Carlos’s body was huge and was made perfect by dedication over the years. He was admired and wanted by many, but he only had eyes for one person on the planet, his soon to be husband, Nathan James.

He sat on the side of the bed and stroked his boys face and watched a single tear of joy run down his face. Carlos brushed it away with the pad of his thumb, leaned in and kissed Nathan softly. “I love you so much baby boy, I just want to be with you twenty-four seven"

Nathan ran his hands over his man’s chest, and that night the centurion made love to his boy tenderly until dawn, then falling asleep inside of him,  but always with one eye open to protect the most precious thing in his life. Nathan James.