Chapter 2 - The best Christmas present
Amid the small living room of the newly acquired flat by the blond Paul Maddens, there reigned the happiness he was sharing with his neighbor Harry Kennedy on the Christmas eve. Few seconds ago they had kissed, right in front of the Christmas tree which together they had decorated that same evening. Both had enjoyed testing each other's lips with the desired kiss and both could still taste in their mouths the union of their lips, while they could not help stare at each other, eye contact in rapture, and they still continued embracing each other. The moment seemed almost magical, even more because it was adorned with all those Christmas lights in the background and the sound of some carols that were being sung in the bottom of the street, in unison and in harmony for the new Christmas.
But suddenly the expression of Paul Maddens began to become hesitant, it was as if he suddenly realizing what had happened and thus all his insecurities had returned to seize his senses while on the contrary, Harry Kennedy could stop not look at him tenderly, to feel him gently in his arms and excited with the great joy that assailed his chest by the fact that he had kissed the boy who had he had loved so much from the first moment of meeting him only a few weeks ago.
"What's wrong, Paul? Is everything okay?" asked the dark-haired while was embracing the little blond. But to his question, Paul had tried to sidestep further the look, a look that had passed from the fascination of the moment to anxiety and Harry could not explain why the sudden change in his attitude. Inevitably, Harry felt that maybe Paul had not liked too much that unexpected kiss, but otherwise he could not deny himself that Paul had completely corresponded to him, he could feel it and in addition Paul was still in his arms, who not seemed really want to run away from him or scold him for it. Then Harry dared to caress the cheek of Paul with the back of his hand in a brief subtle caress with the intention of doing so raise the face to him and make sure once that Paul did not regret.
"No, it's just..." he hesitated the blond, who continued trying hard not to look up because he was afraid to meet the blue eyes of Harry, and he did not want to, because he knew if he did he could not resist, he liked Harry too and this seemed to be too good to be true, and this seemed to be so good that Paul also feared ruin it. No doubt he was being prey to his own insecurities and he could not escape it even if he wanted. Gradually he began to feel internally paranoid.
"Paul...I like you a lot, and I really did not know how to say you" Harry whispered with quiet voice, and again caressed subtly the cheek of the small and timid blond.
"Harry... is that I did not think that you..." he sputtered the blond doubtfully and trembling in his intonation. Harry knew he had to broach the subject with caution, suddenly he could feel the small body of the blond shaking a little, but he was perfectly willing to express his feelings and everything what Paul had begun to cause him since that first day when they had met.
"It is that perhaps...do not you feel the same for me?" Harry asked, a little afraid to hear a rejection response from the blond.
"I... I like you, Harry, it's just I never thought you could reciprocate, I mean a man like you, so interesting and prepared, so professional and polite, so quiet and handsome. I never expected that you...well I really do not know if I can be a good…boyfriend for you," he confessed Paul struggling to express in a few words what Harry meant to him subjectively.
Harry was touched to hear it, because the way Paul spoke it, so self-consciously and so tremulous, made him realize that Paul was exalting his fragility much more, a fragility that fascinated him greatly. Paul seemed such a tender man who he wanted to protect, but at the same time all this sudden situation and listen to Paul expressing so, it made him feel fragile too, because really Harry feared his rejection, because Paul was the first guy he really felt in love.
"Do not say that Paul, you're lovely, you've got me fascinated from the first moment I met you and you're so interesting, witty, tender. I love spending time with you, and I'm falling in love with you every day more," said Harry looking at him with rapt at all times. Harry loved watching everything in him, he could never decide whether to focus his gaze on his beautiful gray eyes, his golden blond hair or his sweet pink lips for which he was looking forward to kiss again, all in Paul Maddens spellbound him and he could not resist.
Paul did not immediately respond to his words, at that time it seemed he could only express his eyes, shy, fearful gaze but which he was trying to say he really wanted to start a relationship with Harry, with this new neighbor so handsome dark-haired. Harry could decipher his eyes, he knew that Paul was fearful, insecure, he was too, but he was not about to miss this opportunity of a lifetime to conquest the first person who really made him fall in love for the first time in his four decades of life. Harry had the firm conviction that fate had brought his life to Paul in the midst of all those chances to combine them both accidentally in the same part of London, and if Paul was unsure of himself, Harry was willing to help him cope thereto.
Both returned to fix their gaze at each other and at that time, Harry decided to gently take the blond's face in his hands with the intention of bringing back his face to his and reunite their lips in a new kiss. Harry wished to return to taste the sweet taste of his mouth kissing his, demonstrating his growing love. Then their lips met again gradually, both had closed his eyes again hoping to get carried away by the moment. Harry could feel the trembling lips of Paul dubiously match his own who were going slowly, but finally the new kiss was inevitable and that way their mouths again were united as their bodies embraced with strength and emotion. This could be the pattern of the true beginning of their romance, but despite the mutual and inevitable attraction, everything could remain uncertain.
While his lips were united in a passionate kiss, Harry could feel it seemed that Paul wanted to be hold to him more, embracing his strong back, all shared feeling was wonderful, neither could remember how long ago had been the last time they had experienced such feelings with someone else, but now they could feel again fallen in love together.
"Harry, you're a wonderful man," whispered the blond shy when they finally finished kissing, while he was hugging him but while he spoke bypassed the look. Harry showed a wide smile at him, and he could realize that the blond had acquired a noticeable blush on his cheeks that made him look much lovelier than he already was. Harry was happy, this was the best Christmas present he'd had in years and certainly for Paul it meant the same thing. Sure this was a clear indication that his life would prosper very soon and he wanted to believe that Harry was the right person to share his life.
"You are wonderful Paul, I love you" said Harry whispery and provocatively and then he took the chin of the blond with his hand to make him lift his face back to him, to appreciate the flush on his cheeks that adorned his pretty face and set his pale blue gaze again at his beautiful gray eyes.
Paul could not help blushing even more to hear him say that; every time Harry spoke, with that provocative and masculine voice, fascinated him greatly, whenever Harry was talking to him made him feel a pleasant tingling sensation in the stomach as if a thousand butterflies flutter inside, but the fact that now that same sexy voice of Harry confessed his feelings for him that way made him feel so well that he could not even put it to himself, but it was something that he did not want to change.
"Harry... I do not know what should happen from now on, I do not know what we're supposed to ..." mumbled the blond a little hesitant, again struggling vainly to ignore the look to no longer meet the bluish gaze of the dark-haired because that incited him too much.
"Just let me woo you Paul ... I want to continue dating you, I want to continue to share many things with you. Every day we have been sharing in recent days, during dinner or other daily random activities all have been really enjoyable for me, and I want to have more of you in that way. I want to know more about you, you with me for longer than a day, I want to have much more good conversations knowing more about each other," confessed Harry with such a quiet voice that almost gave back to Paul tranquility to his insecurity for which he was being prey.
Harry would not stop looking at him in no time with the same warm smile that showed a lot of the love that the blond made him feel. And Paul could not stop posing his arms gently on the strong arms of Harry who continued hugging him, circling around his waist.
"That...means something like having a love relationship?" He asked the undecided blond in his question, not because he didn't want to but because he was filled with shame, this was still too good and unusual and it was hard to believe.
"Yes, I want to be with you Paul so, sharing moments with you, I want to hold your hand and..." Harry continued to express his intentions, as he began to slowly take the hand of the blond to interlacing with his, still looking at him with rapture at any time, and feeling for the first time Harry's hand gradually intertwined with his, Paul felt invaded by a great inner emotion that could not immediately understand, but it felt too good "I want to walk the streets taken from your hand, show the world how special you are to me, without fear of any prejudice...I want...to protect you and I want to feel protected with your company" finished expressing. Paul was stunned inside, but outside he was trying to unfazed, he knew he could not allow his nerves and senses betray him. But the words of Harry and the beautiful way he expressed made him to know perfectly that Harry was speaking with complete sincerity because although no too long ago they had met, just a few weeks ago, since then Paul had trusted Harry almost immediately. And in his gaze on him, Paul could also read all his affection.
"I ...I also love you Harry..." whispered the blond irresolute, nervous, vacillating the fingers that were intertwined with those of Harry, in just a few moments both began to feel the wetness of sweat from their hands together, it should be because of the nervousness and excitement of both.
"So you agree to date me?" he asked Harry smiling and cheerful, he was very excited because Paul was giving more signs of corresponding love, but he still continue quite fearful.
"Yes Harry, I accept ...I lov... ah...I...I like you" finally confessed the blond but with hesitation, avoiding the look again. Although internally still he was experiencing a stubborn duality in his feelings, because he was not too convinced to accept the unexpected request of Harry but on the other hand he also wanted it fervently.
"You really make me very happy, Paul. I never imagined that this could happen, much less I imagined that this could happen to me in Christmas" Harry said softly, looking at him with rapture and taking back Paul's face in his hands with the intention to kiss him, he knew that now no longer wanted to stop to do it.
"Harry, I never thought someone like you could have interest in me..." he confessed the blond quietly.
"The same thing happened on my mind Paul, because from the first moment I saw you, when you appeared for the first time in front of my flat while I was looking for my keys in my pocket I was captivated by your subtlety, I had never seen a guy so beautiful as you, endowed with all that sweetness and calm personality. And to hear your voice for the first time, asking politely if you could help me, I amazed. But thereafter also it was in me the doubt and uncertainty about whether despite your calm and sweet personality might be a chance that you were...I mean…you liked men like me," said Harry, shortly before his intonation pause his words had quieted a bit, and his eyes had become slightly elusive.
"If I was gay, that's what you mean. Well, I'm gay, but I did not know how to tell you. I thought it was best not to talk about it because seeing you so handsome and intellectual I thought it could be better no confess you my sexual orientation, perhaps you could have even mocked me" confessed Paul again hesitantly, he was relieved to confess but he also felt even more nervous.
"I would not do it, Paul, I said you're too interesting to me, and so cute, I had never met a man as sweet as you," said Harry softly, Paul felt even more excited by his words, it was the first time someone expressed something like that for him, "besides, I was afraid the same thing, I was afraid that you would reject me for being in love with you" Harry continued.
"Does that mean you..? Are you gay?" the blond asked at last though doubtfully
"Yes, that's the reason why I ended up walking away from my parents, because they have never fully accepted my sexual interests" explained Harry a little more serious.
Paul could not help but be filled with intrigue again to listen Harry revealing that, because somehow he thought that although even if just now Harry had interest in him, surely he was not the first guy Harry had to woo. Maybe Harry had dated many guys in the past, knowing Harry so charismatic and attractive, probably for at least the last two decades, surely he had had several relationships with other men and then his mind could not help but imagined the worst, Paul figured that if this relationship was not successful in a not too distant future Harry would rather end their relationship and dating someone else, as had happened with his former boyfriend who Paul knew nothing for years.
"Then, they have always known your preferences; that means probably they will not accept me so easy" the blond said very quietly, almost inaudibly, and dodge struggled look forward to the empty floor. But Harry could notice immediately his hesitation and was filled with fear, because he had his own insecurities and he could not help thinking suddenly that if he had not complete freedom, that could mean that Paul would not be really willing to accept having a relationship with him.
"Well, no matter what they say my parents, is my life. I am a 40 year old man in love with another man of 40, that's you and I want to be with you. You're the first man I fell in love for real. Please Paul let me try, let me try at least to woo you "he said the dark-haired stoically and then returned to sketch in his lips a languid smile full of affection for the blond who captivated him.
Paul could not fight at all with his internal duality and so it took a few seconds to respond to the request of Harry, as he couldn't help remembering the last words that his handsome neighbor had just said him "let me try". If Harry was willing to try to woo him even with all his insecurities, then he should do the same and give the opportunity to Harry, but also give the opportunity to himself. And then Paul decided in an instant that if something did not work at the end he should be firm and accept it, anyway this would not be the first time, several years ago someone had broken his heart and he had survived it.
"Yes, Harry, let's try, we shall date" he muttered the blond shyly but smiling again, raising his eyes to him, looking to meet with the penetrating bluish gaze of the dark haired.
Harry felt completely happy for his reply, he should take things calmly though his feelings were claiming to take every part of Paul for him, because Harry wanted to know much more about him, he wanted understand more about Paul's insecurities, about his past, about his purpose in life and deepen much more in the virtues that Paul had shown to him in the short time since they had met for the first time. Harry wanted to know really much more about Paul Maddens.
Harry smiled greatly at him and slowly their faces again approached to be in the vicinity of a kiss. Both closed their eyes, waiting for what would happen, while Harry again hold the face of the blond in his hands. His lips rubbed against each other, but this time both wanted to take things more slowly so that same subtle touch they stopped for a moment, perhaps because unconsciously they both wanted to experience this wonderful new feeling of touching lip with lip to start slowly open their mouths from the corner and gradually find their mouths fused again in a kiss.
"Well Paul, what do you say if now let's take a little night walk to see the beautiful Christmas lights in the city? Surely in the square must have still people particleboard cohabiting and asking for their good wishes, haha and maybe even still singing some carols, we even could join them" he suggested Harry suddenly and for Paul the idea did not sound too bad so immediately he nodded while was outlining a broad smile to his new boyfriend, because that was what Harry Jasper Kennedy had become for him in Christmas eve.
"Okay, let's Harry" whispered the blond sweetly and this time he was who ventured to take back Harry's hand in his and then both walk together to the exit of the flat not before stopping for a moment to wear the clothes they both had given to each other a few minutes ago.
….
The city lights beautifully decorated each of the houses and each of the buildings where they were placed. Background it could still hear several carols in the background, the Christmas party was at its peak in most houses and both Harry and Paul could perceive the full Christmas spirit of peace in the environment around them. And they were happy to be together, everything had happened so suddenly but neither could regret. The night was cold, even though the walk made them get a little heat they could not help but feel feet and face a little numb because of the cold temperature, and walking through the streets their hands continued united together. Neither could stop smiling, Harry smiled a lot more because it was characteristic of his personality do it all the time and because he felt fully joyful, Paul smiled shyly but with sincerity.
It did not matter if someone could dare to criticize them, Paul was convinced that now none of that could prevent him from enjoying the companionship of Harry that way, but sometimes he could not help but think of what his parents would say if they could see him that way holding hands with this man. Certainly when he was very young, in Coventry, Paul had told his parents that his true sexual preferences were different from what they expected, Paul had then revealed to them that he was attracted by the male company in sexual way and due to that he was homosexual and although his parents had taken some time to accept it at the end they had always wanted the best for their son, but since Paul had been unlucky in love certainly they had feared that at any moment he could again make the mistake of date a bad man again.
"Dad, mom, when you meet Harry you will see what good man he is" constantly Paul thought to himself as he continued enjoying the night walk that Christmas Eve, holding Harry's hand down street.
Paul could not help but admired his bearing, his usual enthusiastic smile and his attractive profile and while Harry was telling him some interesting things he had been reading that morning, because Harry could not stop being a bookworm even on Christmas eve and listen him saying all those interesting things greatly encouraged Paul and made him smile continuously. In addition among their pleasant chat, they talked other random things, and some jokes that made both laugh.
"Ah, is such a harmonious and romantic night, I love to enjoy this with you Paul," said Harry after stop laughing a little due to jokes that he and Paul had shared to a few seconds.
"The lights are so beautiful" Paul responded with calmly voice.
"Though not as beautiful as you," Harry said. Paul giggled at his gallant compliment, the provocative voice of Harry always intimidated him a lot and for that reason Paul could not help blushing, and then they stopped for a moment. Paul turned to Harry, and then the dark haired grabbed his waist and pulled him closer to his body, he really enjoyed feeling Paul's small body against his, while the blond raised his eyes to him. Then Harry leaned over and started kissing him slowly. Paul was carried away by the moment, to just a few hours he would not have imagined to enjoy kissing Harry's lips that way and now he was doing it for the fifth time, maybe, but perhaps at that time he had already lost count.
Paul Maddens did not know if he could get used to this, he had always been shy and scrupulous, but this nascent romance with Harry Kennedy was being wonderful and he was also willing to strive to give the best of him.
"Harry, you're always so...affectionate, you make me blush" the blond hesitated a little embarrassed, blush on his cheeks seemed to have increased after finishing pronounce this.
Harry approached the back of his hand to Paul's cheek to caress with subtle caress.
"I just like to express what I feel, Paul" muttered the dark-haired, smiling a great smile, "I can't stop thank you, you've given me the best Christmas gift to let me court you," he confessed.
Paul again felt his blush.
"Harry...you're my best Christmas gift" the timid blond hesitated.
"Paul, you're so cute and so small...like a hobbit" Harry said with a small giggle. Paul was embarrassed further by the analogy that Harry had just done but also he was delighted by the affectionate way Harry had called him.
"Haha really? Oh, Harry, do not tell me that you too are going to make fun of my short stature!" the blond protested jokingly to hide his blush.
"haha anything like that, I say it because to me you are a cute hobbit and that is precisely one of the things that made me fall in love with you," said the dark-haired smiling.
Both giggled again and then they approached once more time to give a quick shy kiss.
Thus, both men returned together to the building where their flats were. All the way neither ever wanted to stop holding hands, it was a feeling that made them feel complete and it also made them feel safe they were reciprocated each other. And during the rest of the way they also continued talking about random things, it was best to continue their entertaining talk that wonderful Christmas Eve. Although both still wanted to delve deeper into the past of the other, they could leave it for another time, they would have much longer to get to know about each other more slowly, meanwhile they only should continue enjoying their romance.
When they were finally in the building right in front of their homes, they decided to say goodbye to each go to rest in their beds, though in truth within the purposes of both the two had considered spending the night together under the same roof, but neither had dared to propose that before declaring their feelings for each other and therefore they would not, because now they had agreed to begin a courtship together and due to that now spend the night together in the same house might seem a little hasty. In addition each had their own reasons, Paul felt embarrassed to do so even for camaraderie and Harry for his part did not want to intimidate him more than what he had done.
Being right in front of the doors of the flats of both, which were contiguous to each other, both new boyfriends embraced for a moment after have eye contact and a friendly smile dedicated to the other.
"Goodnight Paul, sweet dreams, rest well," Harry wished him with sweet voice.
"Goodnight Harry, thank you very much for everything, for making this the best Christmas I've had so far in my life," said Paul in response, also wishing him a good rest.
"And thank you very much for giving me this scarf, this will become my favorite from now," he said Harry smiling.
"Haha well, it is not prettier than the jumper you gave me" happy Paul said.
And then Harry could not resist more to his joy and leaned over to kiss him slowly. Paul corresponded a little shy, with every touch, with every kiss, and with every nice word expressed by the sexy male voice of Harry, Paul always felt hypnotized. But the truth was at that hour of the night Paul was still asking himself if suddenly would wake up the beautiful dream or if it was a total reality. But Harry's lips kissing his again showed him it was all true, because those lips kissing his meekly but also recklessly made him feel alive as he hugged his strong back.
That was the first farewell they had as boyfriends. And then gradually they spread their hands until each one headed for their own home, wishing the morning came early to get back together again.
Neither stopped looking at the other until both had one foot inside their homes with the door half open, and then Harry dared to send him a kiss in the air and then returned to whisper to him a good night.
….
The night continued its course and now both was inside their respective homes. Paul could not help feeling a strange but pleasant feeling of a thousand butterflies fluttering in his stomach every time he remembered everything what had happened, and especially every time he remembered every kiss he had with Harry just that night. While in the living room, his eyes fell on that Christmas tree that Harry had bought and that the two had decorated that evening in which they did not expect to finish together that way and that same living room which had witnessed their first kiss together and their mutual love confession. But despite all the feelings that Paul had begun to develop by Harry for a long few weeks, he still could not convince himself of all that it were real love, he was afraid to even call it that way because he still did not know many aspects of Harry and their days together over the last few weeks since his arrival in London, which although pleasant, had been few for his consideration.
"Really...is this love?" he continually asked himself for the rest of the night, and the idea continued persistent in his mind until he was lying in his own bed after finishing cleaning the little mess that was left after their celebration, until sleep overcame him. But despite his concerns, as he fell rendered by the heaviness of sleep, his face outlined a big smile caused by his imminent happiness.
The next day, the blond woke thanks to the sound of the alarm clock that was on his desk. It was Christmas morning but he had forgotten to remove the same alarm woke him up every day, perhaps because he had been too distracted by thinking about Harry the night before. However, he could not immediately remember that this was a holiday and vaguely looked at the clock until finally perked up and remembered everything. The weather was cold, the blond yawned a few times before focusing his sight either to the appointed time for the alarm clock, he wished for a better time to stay a little longer in bed and keep himself warm, but just a few minutes later the blond opted best to sit up and get up once. He still could not perk up completely when he suddenly remembered that now he and Harry were dating, and that made him blush. It had not been just a dream after all. He was embarrassed to remember everything what had happened, and he felt as happy as a teenager living his first love.
Finally he got up from bed and digested into the bathroom to take a hot shower. Before taking breakfast Paul noticed that under his door it was a note and he bent to pick it up. Reading it, he was exhilarated, because it was a small message from Harry, brief but full of love.
"Merry Christmas, Paul" read the note which also was adorned with a happy smile drawn on the side. Paul thought it was a child detail but very tender, he could not help blushing more and outlined a smile. It was the first message that his boyfriend had sent him and he would treasure it well in some special place, but actually internally he also feel a little ridiculous for it.
"Ah, Harry, you're always so sweet," he muttered to himself and refolded the note to keep it in his bedroom. At that time Paul recalled that he had ever received any notice of a similar nature, but that was probably more than two decades ago when he was still in high school when he had his first boyfriend "but I am now a man of 40 years" he mumbled to himself, trying to grumble a little accompanied by a small wry laugh, as if he wanted berate himself for enjoy those corny things at his age.
But it was clear that this little detail from Harry had cheered him his morning overmuch.
Paul was quick to take his breakfast and then set out to clean up a little his home. During every moment he never stopped thinking about Harry, he considered many times that it might be best to go early to say him hello but also thought that maybe that could make him look like an immature to annoy his boyfriend so early in the morning on Christmas. Besides, Harry had not knocked on his door after a couple of hours of having sent that note under the door, Paul guessed Harry was maybe busy or perhaps absorbed in the interesting topics that he loved to read.
But it did not take long for Paul to be encouraged at last to leave his flat and go to the flat of his next-door neighbor who was now also his boyfriend, and being in front of the door, the blond knocked twice, though hesitantly and certainly nervous to meet face to face with Harry. Paul did not know what to expect to happen as Harry opened the door, but he supposed it should happen a good morning kiss between the two but he did not know how to act, he did not know if Harry would be who would take the initiative or whether he should dare to ask, intrigue was disturbing his mind.
Soon Harry opened the door, to meet face to face with Paul his eyes showed all the enthusiasm that caused him to see him again this morning, on Christmas.
"Paul!" he exclaimed the jubilant dark-haired, flashing a wide smile.
"Good morn..." he began babbling the blond embarrassed, but he could not finish saying his greeting because suddenly Harry leaned over to kiss him fleeting but eagerly.
"Good morning, pretty boy," Harry muttered smiling and provocative voice, after having surprised him with the sudden kiss. Paul had acquired a red color on his cheeks, though his face was trying to show the rigidity of his shyness, but he had fully reciprocated the kiss of his boyfriend.
"Good morning ...handsome neighbor," he said the brash blond, Harry suddenly had caused him to be more daring, but suddenly felt that it was not usual in him and felt ridiculous.
"I dreamed of you, Paul" suggestive Harry muttered, his masculine voice whispering managed unsettle even more the blond embarrassed, he had to get used to such a wonderful behave.
"Really? And what happened in your dream, huh?" He asked the blond flirtatiously.
Harry gave him a tempting and sexy look at his blond boyfriend and then circled his waist with his arms to begin to speak in a whisper.
"It was...a vision for the future of our lives together, a vision of the good times we are about to spend together in this relationship," Harry confessed provocative.
Paul was touched by his words but also felt even more ashamed and the blush color returned to his cheeks.
"Harry, you're always so romantic..." he murmured the shy blond, looking at him with tenderness and feeling still surrounded by his strong arms around his waist. Harry smiled more.
"Hobbit, I think we should better enter the house, I'm a little shy so stay in the hallway, and also I do not want to be impolite with you" said Harry giggling and Paul nodded.
They entered the flat of Harry and after closing the door they no longer contained kissing again, it was something that they already needed almost on impulse.
After ceased the kiss in the small corridor of Harry's flat, they sat on the couch that was in the middle of the living room.
"Harry, have you always been so...romantic, soulful?" the blond inquired softly. Harry smiled again and gently stroked his blond hair as his gaze rested on his tender face.
"I do not know Paul, I've never considered, I only express what I feel as I have said and you...all this what I do is because you provoke it in me, I cannot help it," said Harry calmly but inviting.
"Well, I...I must say I've always been a bit shy for these things, is not so easy to me to express well what I really feel," he started to say the blond hesitantly and slightly circumvented the look "but I've always been honest and being with you is really what I want to do but do I not know how to be more effusive" he said.
Harry returned to stroke his cheek, he felt thrilled that Paul opened his feelings gradually closer to him because from the beginning he realized that Paul had difficulty expressing his feelings, the shyness of Paul probably could not compare with his, Paul's shyness was something he was willing to dissipate with the help of his understanding and love.
"No problem, Paul, I trust your sincerity, as I said I knew you reciprocate my feelings and just as I know this is also something new for you and therefore this is not too easy to get used to night morning," Harry said calmly voice.
Paul smiled and patted his knee with some recklessness, he was relieved that Harry could also understand this, gradually things between them could go much better than they were before and that was really wonderful.
"Is that...in fact, I've never have dated too many people, this could sound ridiculous to my 40 years old," said the blond dubiously but trying to do another ironic chuckle.
"That's no problem, I am in the same situation I must say..." said Harry quietly, smiling a timid smile.
"Haha I do not believe you, you're probably an expert on relationships and surely you're even much more expert in bed," he joked Paul suddenly. Harry felt redden by the joke that his blond boyfriend had suddenly made, because he had not expected that of him to and because he despite being an extremely attractive man the truth was he almost always had remained celibate, because of his absorbent intellectuals interests and because of his bad luck to build relationships with someone before meeting Paul.
They both laughed sheepishly at the comment had said the blond and then the living room was silent for a few seconds. And in that moment Paul could how feel Harry's hand rested on his knee with intent to pet him a little recklessly.
But Paul had realized what he had said, and that had made him feel terribly ashamed. Now again he has a shy attitude because of his own joke.
"Oh, damn it, why the hell I had to mention something like that?" He blond thought berating himself. At that moment shame washed over him while he knew he could not look into Harry's eyes anymore, and now he just wanted to avoid Harry's gaze at all costs. Impetuously Harry felt embarrassed and giggled nervously with irony, but soon his smile became a little mischievous and then he noticed how the blond was self-conscious and nervous. Then Harry took a few strands of Paul's blond hair with his fingers.
"Well, actually I cannot be sure, but someday we could check it together," said the dark-haired with provocative and whispery voice. Paul felt even more embarrassed, blush on his cheeks had now almost all over his face flushed and although Harry would not admit it, he was enjoying seeing the adorable blond blushing because of his own joke.
"Oh yeah, I guess...someday," muttered Paul extremely embarrassed, avoiding even looking at him; his hands and legs were moving nerve between alternating intervals, and Harry continued gently stroking his fair hair as intended to intimidate him and make him turn to him to see him back face to face, but Paul would not allow that Harry noticed his blush.
Since then Paul could not remove from his mind the idea that being boyfriends it would be very logical and very likely that both ended sexually united in bed at some point. Quickly his mind devised the concept in which both would be involved in such a situation, he could imagine how the two would be together in bed making love, he could imagine their bodies moving together united in carnal pleasure. And to think all that made him blush even more and filled him with fear because he certainly was a man who had never had an active sex life and indeed the last time he'd been with someone had been over a decade ago.
Paul continued nervous and elusive inadvertently utter another word for what Harry thought it was the best to leave that topic aside for another time, he did not want to intimidate him at that time anymore.
"Errr...well, the truth is that I also have not dated too many people. Like I said, I have always been a bookworm, forever focused on my stuff, my hobbies, and more than that I am always lost in my affairs being nerd and you know that average people usually do not interest the nerds" repeated Harry, taking a little seriousness.
"Haha well you're very interesting for me even if you're a nerd" Paul said, trying to joke again although his face still was avoiding, his voice still sounded nervous. Harry had learned to notice immediately the nervousness of his new boyfriend, and that fascinated him and extolled and then he could not resist to put his arm behind the waist of the blond to come him near back to him and approach him to his body, to Harry it always was comforting to feel the warmth of Paul's body against his and now he wanted to have it more often.
"Haha I know and that's admirable, you are the first person who tells me that," Harry confessed. Paul smiled at him and then they kissed again, but this time the kiss was accompanied by some a little more intentional fondling, while the great Harry's hands began to caress the body of the blond with more purpose, because he wanted to feel him and know all of his body but still being only with subtle touches over his clothes, Harry was not willing to disrespect him and make him feel uncomfortable, but Paul was being of him increasingly though at that moment it had not happened even an entire day since they had begun their courtship.
Paul always was carried away, every touch of the strong body of Harry always made him feel protected in a way that had not experienced before or perhaps it was something he had long forgotten, anyway now all this really felt too good. And he did not want to stop learning more about this powerful body, he wanted to touch it, feel it with his own hands as they lips returned to be joined in a sweet kiss. Unexpectedly, this would be the beginning of their shared passion, which gradually would increase every time they were kissing on the same couch.
"Oh, Paul, you're so cute," said Harry after stopping a little the kiss, and Paul stroked his cheek that had been shaved that morning, it was wonderful for him to feel that way the tanned skin of the man he loved.
"I'm so lucky to have met you, Harry," he said the blond with a whisper, lost again in the blue sea of his eyes fixed on his. And they kissed again, slowly.
And while they were still embracing each other, both returned to have nice random chats of various things, although this time they tried not talk too much about their own previous experiences, because they preferred better to focus on this new romance now.
"Hey Paul, is almost over Christmas but would you like to read together a story of Dickens? Just I was reading some of his stories this morning just after I sent you that little note" Harry said a bit sheepishly. Paul smiled and this time it was he who dared to stroke Harry's knee reckless.
"Aww well, first I thank you very much for the nice note this morning , Harry, it really made me glad this morning and secondly of course I would love to! Sounds quite fun, plus it's always good to read some of Dickens no matter the time of year," said the excited the blond looking at him coquettishly.
"Ah, well, I'm so glad you liked my silly note, Paul, but then I thought maybe I had sent it to you too early and I really did not want to bother you. But hey, however I'm going for the books to my bedroom better, to start reading a little for you, my hobbit" said the dark-haired smiling and soon rose from the couch to go for books.
They were reading some of the stories of Dickens sitting together on the couch. Paul enjoyed listening the wonderful male voice of Harry reading just for him for the first time, which represented a complete delight to his ear because truly the male voice of Harry fascinated him too much. Later it was the turn of reading Paul, being a teacher he had an excellent diction to read and added that he had a melodious, sweet voice only he managed to captivated even more to Harry who almost felt that with each pronounced reading from the sweet voice of Paul made him fall in love even more with him. Neither could remember having spent good afternoon like that reading beside someone, and in the same way that had happened that day they wished strongly that those pleasant evenings were multiply.
Later, the two prepared dinner together and later enjoyed seeing the television curled up on the sofa both inside the flat of Paul. At night they returned to say goodbye with a goodnight kiss, this time under the doorway of Paul's flat, both waiting for a new day together.
Some days passed and soon everyone would receive the New Year, the new couple was looking forward to having a great prosperity for the coming year and meet together talking about all their good wishes. They could not be sure of what would happen in the future in their relationship, which increasingly was doing much better, but at least for the moment no one could take away the happiness that made them feel being together every day falling in love with each other even more.
And so, together they began to make preparations for the new year, perhaps they could soon take a step further.
…
Note: well, I always took an eternity to update because I have other fics to update but I hope you liked this new chapter even a little :v
I apologize if I made mistakes, I always try my best ;w;
Both characters are very shy, but neither can deny the attraction they feel for each other and the love growing which gradually makes them fall increasingly in love with each other uwu
It is a very romantic and sweet fic :'3 but I think soon there will be some drama in this story, and there are things that must be disclosed as the past of both ~
I hope to update soon :'v I thank you very much for all your comments and kudos owo
