Westerville, Ohio – September 1966

“Move to your left...no, your left!” Buddy shouted, trying to maneuver the leather couch into the hallway from the staircase.

“Oh...yeah, thats left...” Andy said, realizing he was turned the other way. He adjusted his arms and tugged – and the couch slipped around the last corner.

“Hey, this is going to be great!” Buddy said, falling down onto the couch as he tossed Andy a beer from the cooler on the floor as soon as they got the couch in place.

They had found the perfect apartment: large, in a good neighborhood, and no close neighbors since it was the upstairs of a row of shops in downtown Westerville. There was room for both a music studio and an office, plus two bedrooms, and it was almost sound-proof since it had been a dance studio in its former life. Most of the rest of the place was an open living room-dining room- kitchen that was comfortable to both men.

It had been a long search, or at least Andy felt like it was. He wanted to be all moved out by the time his parents came home because the thought of going to bed alone, without Buddy there to cuddle and love, was just unthinkable. So they had started their search the next day and now they were officially moved in and Andys folks were due home next Tuesday.

“Open the door!”

Buddy got up and ran over to open the door for Andys brother. He and a handful of their friends had helped to move all the furniture and boxes from the mens houses to the new apartment, and TC was the only one left. They had all gone on their way, full of beer and pizza and promises to visit Buddy and Andy in the near future.

“Thats the last box,” Andys brother said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “Everything set for you guys now?”

“Yep. We just need to get stuff put away. Thanks for all your help. You know I love you,” Andy said.

“Yeah, I love you, too. Call when you get it all put together and we can have dinner over here. I want to be your first guest, okay?”

“Of course. Bye, TC,” Andy said, hugging his brother. Buddy stepped over to give him a hug, too.

“Take care, I”ll see ya later - I want to get the truck back to cousin George.”

~ ~ ~ KB ~ ~ ~

Later that evening

“Its just us now,” Buddy said, lying back on the big couch, slipping his shoes off and stretching out. He patted the cushion next to him and Andy came over, sitting on the spot, then leaning down to plunge his tongue into Buddys willing mouth.

Ohhh...you taste like beer, honey,” Buddy said a few minutes later, licking his lips as Andy unbuttoned his shirt.

“I taste like beer or I taste like honey?” he asked, a little unclear.

“No...you taste like beer. I was calling you honey,” Buddy laughed.

“You taste like beer, too. And salty...like sweat,” he said, rolling his eyes.

“Ah, weve been moving furniture, Andy. What else did you expect?” Buddy asked, sitting up so Andy could take his shirt off.

“I like it when you smell like this,” Andy said, licking across Buddys neck and kissing him in the hollow by his jaw. Buddy practically purred.

“Your folks okay with you moving in with me? I mean, you never really said. I can go and talk to them...” Andy offered.

“No. Theyre fine with it. I think they were expecting me to move away a long time ago. Both mom and dad said to tell you hello,” Buddy mentioned. His folks were kind of laid-back. Very friendly, but not the type to get close.

“Do you think they suspect we, ah...how close we are?” Andy asked, wanting to know more but not sure how to say it.

“No. They think were rooming together to save money. Being an artist for an advertising company doesnt pay so much, so theyre happy I have help,” he said.

“Do you think that someday we can tell them?” Andy asked.

“No...probably not. But it doesnt matter. What we do here, together, isnt anyones business. We can be together forever,” Buddy said, his eyes sparkling. Andy smiled at the thought of being in love with Buddy for the rest of his life was enough to make him grin for hours at a time. It was the only true thing in his life, his love for the chestnut-haired man that he now got to live with. He was the luckiest man in the world.

“Race you to the shower,” Andy said playfully.

Buddy beat him there, and they rolled together on the floor before taking off all of their sweaty clothes and jumping under the warm water.

“Ah....that feels good,” Andy said as Buddy soaped up the washcloth again and scrubbed his back. Rinsing his lovers skin under the pounding water, Buddy slid his hands slowly over Andys chest as he kissed down his neck. He was rewarded with a sexy whine as Andys knees got weak.

“You like that, baby?” Buddy asked, his voice low and soft. His hands followed along Andys muscles, the tight abs, down to his muscular thighs.

“Yes, Buddy...yes,” Andy moaned, Buddys fingers curling around his erection. “Can you...?”

Buddy didnt need any more encouragement. He dropped to his knees and took Andy into his mouth, going down as far as he could without gagging. He swirled his tongue around Andys cock, rubbing and licking until he needed to suck. He sucked hard, cupping his balls and moaning his pleasure. He could feel Andys legs stiffen, his muscles taut as he got closer. Buddy hummed, closing his eyes to concentrate as he worked Andy closer to orgasm.

“Buddy!” Andy yelled, coming down his throat and trembling as he tried to maintain. Buddys arms were around him in a second, holding him. Protecting him. Loving him.

They quietly finished washed each other, shampooing their hair, and holding each other.

“This is too good to be true,” Buddy said as they dried off and spread the new sheets on the bed in Andys room. In record time they had it all ready and were laying in bed, looking out the window at the night sky.

“Nothing is too good when it comes to you, Buddy. All I want out of life is to share it with you,” he said, pulling his lover closer.

“Ditto.”

~ ~ ~ KB ~ ~ ~

The apartment was put together inside of a week. It was set up as if there were two bedrooms, one for each man so if anyone visiting were to look, they would never guess where Andy and Buddy slept. Buddys clothes were in his bedroom along with his dresser and things, but they actually lived in Andys room with its queen-sized bed and attached bath. The living room space was decorated mostly by Buddy, who enjoyed doing it and Andy was content to let him do so. Buddy did most of the cooking, although both men were excellent cooks.

Buddy worked for an advertising agency. He worked from home quite a bit and had his drafting board and things set up in the spacious office overlooking the park. He did some freelance artwork for a few companies to make a bit of extra cash. Next to the office/art room was the music studio where Andy wrote songs and played his instruments.

When they had been in the apartment a little over a year, Buddy found a second-hand piano and bought it for Andys birthday. To Buddys delight, Andy loved it and played everything he knew one night, never wanting to stop until Buddy gave him something else to think about.

For Buddys birthday, Andy gave him a dog. It was a huge mutt that Andy claimed was part St Bernard, part collie, and part Buick. His name was Buck, after the dog in Call of the Wild, and he went everywhere with Buddy.

It wasnt too long before Andys songs got some exposure. He sold one to a popular singer, and from there he sold two more and suddenly his name seemed to be on everyones lips. They loved his songs and his songs made them money. The only thing Andy was missing now was a record deal of his own, but he was content to stay in their apartment in Westerville with the man he loved.

~ ~ ~ KB ~ ~ ~

Westerville, Ohio - September 1967

“Can I open my eyes yet?” Andy asked, trying very hard not to peek.

“Just a second, Mr Impatience, Ill be right there,” Buddy called from the kitchen. He set the little blue candle in the cupcake and lit it, walking back into the living room to stand in front of his roommate. “Okay,” he breathed.

Andy opened his eyes, blinking at the bright light of the candle and grinned.

“For me? Thanks, but whats the occasion?” Andy asked. Buddy rolled his eyes and pushed Andy back down on the leather couch, careful of the lit candle.

“Make a wish and blow it out and Ill tell you,” he said. Andy closed his eyes tightly, then opened them and blew the fire out.

He looked over at Buddy, his face a puzzle.

“Oh, okay, I guess Ill have to tell you after all. Today is the one year anniversary of us moving in together,” Buddy said, a little disappointed that Andy hadnt remembered.

“Hey now, no long face, my love. You know, if you smile, I think I have something for you...” Andy promised, touching Buddys face. He put his hand in his jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope, handing it to the other man. Buddy took it, slit the top open and read the card.

His eyes got huge, looking from the card to Andys eyes and back.

“You...you pretended you didnt remember our anniversary just to mess with me!” Buddy shouted.

“Yep,” Andy said, pulling his lover into his arms and kissing him.

“So not fair!” Buddy complained.

“Nope.”

“Andy!!!!”

Andy grinned, kissing Buddy once more and taking his hand. He led him to the bedroom, then slowly removed all of his clothes, one piece at a time. He took his own off, kissing and touching Buddy in between buttons and zippers, until they were naked on the bed and tangled into each others arms.

“I could never forget our anniversary, Buddy...you know that. To be given this gift in life? I pray I never forget how lucky I am,” he said into his lovers skin as he kissed down his neck, watching the shivers run across his skin.

“Yeah, I know...”

“I was thinking...” Andy whispered, running his finger down Buddys cheek, tracing his lips before he kissed him once again.

“You were thinking?”

“There is something we have never done...and maybe we could try it in celebration of our anniversary?” Andy said, knowing Buddy would understand exactly what he was talking about.

“Weve talked about it...but, are you sure? Neither one of us has done it, and we keep putting it off,” he said, looking deep into Andys eyes to make sure he was suggesting it because he wanted it, not to just please Buddy. Andys eyes were beautiful, as always, his pupils big and the iris a clear hazel-brown the color of whiskey. His eyelashes were long, thick and he fluttered them without thought when he was nervous.

“Hey, Bambi,” Buddy said, a small smile breaking across his face.

“Bambi?”

“Your eyelashes, they make you look like Bambi,” Buddy laughed and leaned forward to tickle him.

Andy laughed, but it didnt last long as he rolled Buddy over on his back and lay down over him to kiss him senseless.

“Andy...?”

“Yes, my love?” Andy asked, rubbing along the ribs on his side as he kissed his throat.

“Andy...I am ready,” he said seriously. He was tired of wasting time and the fear they had built up from not knowing exactly how to do something was waning in the light of how much they wanted it.

“Ready?”

“Yes, Im ready now,” Buddy declared. His skin rippled and his muscles trembled because the decision was so new, and Andy kissed him to steady him, but he was not changing his mind this time.

“Okay...shall I be on top or do you want to first?”

“I want you to, Andy, is that okay?” Buddy asked, very soft and shy but the sparkle in his eyes said more.

“Sure...sure,” Andy agreed. Buddy smiled up at him and leaned up to kiss the corner of his mouth. Andy had never been so scared in all his life.

In the year they had spent together, the two men had been very intimate with each other, and the way they expressed their love grew from just the tentative, sweet kisses they shared in the beginning to fingers and tongues exploring anywhere they fit. It was common practice in the early 1960s for two gay men to have what they called a dry date: which meant they oiled up the inner thighs of their partner and imitated the sex act, but with no penetration. While it was anything but dry, it felt good and was ultimately satisfying in some ways.

“Buddy...we can start here, Ill lay down a blanket,” Andy offered, smoothing the old blanket down over the red chenille bedspread. He patted it, asking his lover to join him and Buddy sat down, a bit shy in the face of what he knew was going to happen. Andy was in no hurry, as much as he wanted to be inside Buddy, making him comfortable and able to enjoy the experience meant so much more. They lay down together, and it started like any evening – with quiet little words, shy kisses that traveled down muscles to forbidden spaces. Andy knew how to calm Buddy and he used all of his charms to do just that.

Buddy kissed Andy back, his hand lingering on Andys cock when he felt him getting hard. He stroked for a while, careful not to get him too aroused. Andys attention to Buddys own erection was distracting and Buddy didnt want this to end before it even began.

“Andy....its...oh...can we do it now?”

“Yes, just...ahhhh, let me warm the oil first, my love,” Andy said, pouring the mineral oil into his palm. He held it there, watching as Buddy squirmed closer, then turned his back and lay on his side. Andys hand went around his waist, cradling Buddys body and holding him close - kissing the little hairs on the nape of his neck as he slid his finger down to rest between his buttocks.

Buddy hummed, pushing his hips back to hurry his partner along. Andy massaged slowly, working the muscle open as he had read in the latest book Buddys friend, Devon, had given them. Andy had no idea where these gifts came from, but the elusive Devon had given Buddy several. This last one was a lot more informative than the previous ones.

“More...please, Andy...” Buddy asked, his voice so quiet that Andy almost didnt hear him – but he knew what he needed to do next and was as gentle as he knew how. Buddy swallowed, anxious to bring some moisture to his mouth after his panting breath dried it out. He surrendered to Andy, his skin feeling too thin and his body too open and vulnerable as the level of arousal crept up and up and up....

A while later, Buddy was as ready as he could possibly be and it was time. His voice was now only a begging whine, his head tending to toss back and forth on the pillow as his hand went down to hold himself from time to time, just to ease the pressure.

“Okay, Im going to....” Andy started to say, but words failed him as he brushed his oil-slickened cock across Buddys open entrance. He pressed there, and jumped as Buddy howled.

“Oh! Was it too much?” Andy asked, pulling back and looking intently at Buddys face.

“No...it was just, Ive been anticipating and it was so warm and soft and hard and....dont stop,” he begged, undone with the emotion of the night.

Andy moved back, gently rubbing Buddys soft skin, this time moving slower as he stroked his cock, feeling the need behind the arousal before introducing his firm erection to the hidden skin between his lovers cheeks. Buddy sighed as if a great burden had been removed from him, pushing his face into Andys neck to kiss and lick the salty skin to keep his mind at ease as he waited for what would come next.

As gentle as Andy could be, it was still the end of Buddys virginity and it was still more than he had ever had to stretch that muscle, so it was inevitably a little painful – but Buddy stood up to it and his craving for having Andy inside him overcame the uncomfortable parts and accentuated the pleasure.

“Andy...yes, there...there...dont stop...please....” Buddy threw words out without knowing what he was saying, just living on the sparks of pleasure and the emotional high of knowing that he was Andys and Andy was his...so he could not really be at fault when his orgasm was right in front of him and he could do nothing to stop it. He let himself go and the flowing lava of his senses made him stiffen his muscles, curling his toes as he gasped for air and came in great waves of heat and pleasure.

Andy was surprised, he had no real warning and suddenly it was like Buddys muscles were clutching and squeezing at him from all directions and the strong muscles spasmed in Buddys release – which triggered the same thing in Andy. He held on to Buddy, so tightly he left bruises on his arms, and tried to take a breath that wouldnt come. The mist came down over him and he couldnt see or hear, he just let it happen and the heat exploded in a way that dry fucking had never given him. This was real. He pushed himself to experience it all, the shock waves to the love he felt bursting forth for Buddy, and even though he never believed he could love him any more – suddenly he did.

An hour later, they lay on the bed, the window open to see the moonlight and the stars, still in each others arms.

“Andy? I didnt think I could ever love you more...but I do.”

“I love you, too.”

“And well be together forever, wont we?”

“Forever. Its always been forever for me.”