Ted lay in bed, sound asleep, dreaming deeply when he awoke to something… or someone in his bed. His eyes fluttered open, hoping, and praying that it was Dougal and not Father Jack, after that one incident a few years back. As he turned behind him, he saw Dougal snuggled up into the curve of his back. The younger lad looked so peaceful, so calm. Ted loved that he could give that to him. He had to stop himself turning over and cupping Dougal's face. Instead, he reached over and turned the light on, squinting, letting his eyes adjust for a moment to the new light. Dougal was still sound asleep.
"Dougal," Ted whispered, prodding the young man on the shoulder. "Dougal, wake up."
Dougal stirred. "What is it, Ted?"
"Dougal, you have to go back to your own bed. We need to stay two meters apart."
"Oh, I know Ted, it's just… well…" Dougal looked sheepish and then looked down below the bed covers. "I had a problem."
On watching Dougal look beneath the duvet, Ted could guess the problem Dougal was referring to. "What problem?" he asked, cautiously.
"Well, when I have a bad dream, I get into your bed and the bad dreams go away. So, I thought when this happens…" said Dougal, throwing back the cover to reveal his huge erection. "I would just get into your bed and it would go away."
Ted sighed. "Dougal, I feel now is an excellent time to discuss Father Damo touching your willy."
"Oh right, Ted," replied Dougal. "But I don't think that's going to help this go away," he said, pointing to his crotch.
"Dougal, when did Father Damo first touch you?"
Dougal thought about it for a moment. "Probably when we started playing football together."
"So ever since you met then."
"I'd say so."
"Right," Ted nodded. "And do you like it when he touches you?"
"Oh yes, Ted," said Dougal, grinning madly. "I like it a lot. It feels really, really nice and then he lets me touch him."
"Does he ask you before he touches you?"
"He did at first but now we know we both like it, we don't really need to ask," explained Dougal.
"Well, that's good. But, Dougal, do you know that Catholic priests are celibate?" asked Ted.
Dougal thought about this for a moment again. "Yeah, we do it on Jesus's birthday."
Ted closed his eyes and wracked his brain for what Dougal could possibly mean. "No, Dougal, that's celebrate. We celebrate Jesus's birthday. Being celibate is different."
"Oh, is it now, Ted?"
"Yes, it means you won't have any sexual relations with anyone."
"Oh, that's fine. I don't have sexual relations."
"Dougal –,"
"No, I just have blood relations. Mammy… Daddy…" Dougal began counting on his fingers.
"Dougal," Ted stopped him. "Dougal – listen, you can't tell anyone what you and Father Damo get up to. You understand that don't you?"
"Father Damo always says we need to keep it a secret."
"Good."
"Which is why I told you, Ted. You're my best friend. I can't keep anything from you."
Ted's heart swelled for a moment. He wanted to gather up Dougal into his arms and hold him tightly. "That's lovely, Dougal. But don't tell anyone else."
Ted turned over, wanting to go back to sleep, but as he reached for the light, Dougal stirred next to him.
"Ted?"
"Yes, Dougal."
"What am I meant to do with this now?" he asked. Ted turned around and Dougal was gesturing to his crotch.
"Go back to your own bed and touch it till it feels better. Or wait for it to go away, your choice," explained Ted, turning off the light.
"Oh right," said Dougal, getting out of Ted's bed and wandering back to his own. Ted could feel the imprint behind him where Dougal's body had been. The bed felt empty without him.
He heard Dougal get into his own bed and turn over, then, after a few moments, a repetitive shuffle of the duvet and a few moans that had escaped Dougal's mouth.
"Dougal," Ted said, his voice loud and echoey in the silence.
"Yes, Ted," Dougal stuttered.
"Can you go and do that in the bathroom? I'm trying to sleep."
"Right so, Ted," said Dougal, getting up. "It feels so good, Ted," Dougal said walking towards the bedroom door. "I think I'm going to celebrate all night."