The Turning
by Londonboy
“Turn me, Stefano.”
“What did you say?”
“You heard me. Turn me. Please.”
“Derek, I have no idea what you are talking about.”
The two men looked at each other and it was obvious a line had been crossed – a line that was never even supposed to be acknowledged. Stefano tried to act normal, as he began to put things back into his gym bag. Derek moved in closer. Stefano could sense the other man’s heart beating hard in his chest, the sound deafening to his own ears.
“I know what you are. I’ve known for a long time. I also know how it affects you. You and I do the same workout routine, man, but look at the difference in our bodies. I want that, Stef. Please help me to get big like you. Besides, you know I’ve loved you forever. This would only connect us in a deeper way.”
“What are you babbling about Derek? Now, you’re beginning to scare me a little.”
“I doubt that. Nothing scares you, man, does it? Someone that has lived as long as you have doesn’t frighten easily. People that have seen what you’ve seen – they’re just different, aren’t they? I want to be different.”
“I really don’t know what you’re talking about, buddy.”
Stefano reached into his locker and pulled out the UCLA sweatshirt – triple x – and pulled it down over his head, tugging pretty hard to get the material to slide over his shoulders, arms, and chest. He kept his back to his friend, hoping it would give him time to think of something to say that would move the conversation in another direction. It seemed, however, that Derek would have none of that. The guy persisted.
“Do you love me Stef?”
“You know I do, man.”
“No, I mean really love me – like, for infinity.”
“Infinity is a really long time. I’m not sure I can say yes to that – I have a slight problem with commitment. You know that.”
The larger man was trying to make a joke, hoping to get his friend thinking about something else. It was a last ditch effort, but he had to try. Derek’s heart was pounding so hard it was clear to Stefano the man was wound up really tight – and nervous as hell. The thought of his cute workout partner’s heart pumping sweet blood throughout his tight gymnast body made Stefano’s eyes darken and his cock stiffen a little. If only Derek truly knew what he was asking.
“Why can’t you take me seriously, Stefano? Don’t I mean anything to you? Shit man, I’d give my life for you . . . and you can’t see it. I’m so in love with you I can’t focus on anything else. All you ever do is have one-night stands with guys and never even ask their last name. I know you’re not happy, Stef. It’s clear that you’re fucking lonely, but you won’t let me in. You can’t even consider the possibility of giving me what you have – so we could have a life together. Turn me, man!”
Stefano slowly faced his friend. His look was serious and he spoke purposefully – to emphasize his point. The hair on the backside of Derek’s neck stood up as he listened to his big friend.
“I don’t know what you are talking about, Derek. Now let’s drop this conversation.”
“I won’t drop it Stef. I’ve thought about this for a really long time. I’m tired of sitting on the sidelines and pining for you. Answer me this one question, then, sport. Like I said, you and I do the exact same workout routine. So how come you end up looking like some pumped-up bodybuilder and I’ve stayed put together like a really fit swimmer. What’s up with that?”
“It is just genetics.”
“Don’t bullshit me, Stefano. I know it’s more than that. Don’t treat me like some second grader. I know all about you. You think I don’t notice things, but I do. I’ve even seen your hidden fridge with all the packets.”
Stefano’s gaze focused quickly on his friend. Derek was nodding his head up and down. The two were once again dancing extremely close to an unspoken edge – and both men knew there was no turning back now. Derek moved in closer to the bigger man.
“I’ve also read your diary.”
“You had no right…”
“I know. It was wrong for me to read it, but I had to know Stef. I had to know why you are always so fucking private. I also had to know how you felt about me. I couldn’t stand the silence anymore – the pain of having to be around you all the time and constantly feeling inadequate, like there was something wrong with me.”
Derek took another step toward his friend – so their bodies were only inches apart. Without any warning, or probably any forethought, the smaller man reached up and grabbed both sides of Stefano’s head, pulling the guy toward him. Derek then pressed his wet, warm lips against Stef’s mouth. It was the kiss that both men had dreamed of for years. Derek’s hefty cock started to harden while the kiss had an even more powerful effect on Stefano. The larger man’s mind suddenly shifted from anything rational to one thought and one thought only – immediate gratification. Trying to deny that he had feelings for Derek became useless, for every fiber of Stefano’s being was on fire with lust – no it was something much more powerful than that – with a basic need that controlled the man completely. Stef’s expert mouth quickly responded to the kiss and that sent Derek into a sexual frenzy. The smaller man had never experienced something so potent as the pleasure he was receiving from the intense lip-lock. For a brief moment Derek was able to reward himself with a “I knew he liked me” moment, but then the thrill of Stefano’s brilliant tongue lashing and the feeling of the man’s gorgeous lips pressed into his was too much and he surrendered all consciousness to one thing and one thing only – the kiss to top all other kisses. Stefano was moaning loudly and his breathing was quite heavy. He threw his entire weight into Derek’s body and slammed his friend up against the lockers. Derek felt very little pain – that’s how focused he was on the utter bliss that was shooting through his body. Without really thinking about it, he spoke from the corner of his mouth.
“Oh, fuck yeah.”
Stefano slid his lips across the stubbly face of his friend, licking the dried sweat created from their recent workout. The guy loved the mixture of salt and the natural sweetness of a man. He had forgotten how unbelievable a guy could taste. He reached up with one of his big hands and pushed Derek’s head to the side, allowing his mouth to slide to the beautiful neck. Stefano continued to kiss and suck on Derek’s skin – savoring every drop and every second. As he widened his mouth and pressed his tongue into the inviting skin of his friend there came a moment where he completely lost control. It was some kind of tipping point where Stefano’s basic instincts took over and the only thing that mattered in the world was taking his friend completely. Stefano’s moans suddenly became more like growls, his eyes turned completely black, and the man’s body was tensed beyond belief.
“Fuck yeah, Stefano, turn me, man, turn me.”
These few words – whispered strongly by Derek - caused an immediate reaction in Stefano. The bigger man was able to hit a switch and instantly turn off the overpowering inner drive that dominated him completely. The desire that was previously ravaging his body was gone in a flash and the big man pushed away from Derek, turning his body and hanging his head as he walked to the lockers on the other side and leaned against them. He covered his head with his arms to help himself focus. He could still hear the thunderous beating of his friend’s heart and his own head was pounding with sudden intense pain.
“What’s your problem, Stefano?”
The echo of the question – screamed loudly – bounced around the locker room. Derek pounded on the lockers behind with his open palms to emphasize his frustration. Stefano let out a whimpering sound and leaned into the lockers even more. The larger man’s body was shaking. Derek thought his friend might be crying, but he didn’t care.
“Fuck, man, you were so close. Why did you stop? It’s what I want, Stef. It’s what I want!”
“You have not idea what you want and if you did, you would not ask this of me.”
Stefano spoke in a whisper. He was struggling hard to control his body – no, to control his urges. He could still sense the incredible need flowing through his being – and it was focused completely on Derek. His smaller friend laughed out loud, a sound that was completely out of place at this moment. Stefano dropped his arms and turned to look at his friend.
“You must think I’m a fool, Stef. I can’t believe you would assume I don’t know what you are. We’ve been best friends for years. Hell, we’d have been lovers a long time ago if you had been able to get beyond the idea that I was just some stupid guy with no feelings. I know you man, even better than you know yourself. I know why you haven’t had a partner for the twenty some odd years we’ve been friends. I also know what you do late at night – when you think no one is watching. Like I said, I also know about the fridge you have in the second bedroom at your place. I should also tell you that you talk in your sleep. All those times you’ve bunked on the sofa at my place I’ve been awakened at night by your pained cries and almost incoherent jabbering. At first I thought it was just nonsense, but I’ve come to understand you fully, man.”
Derek walked over to Stefano – he had a sudden need to be close to the larger man to emphasize a point. Derek’s eyes were filled with tears and he was visibly shaking. It was clear that the guy thought this was his last chance to say something important to his friend.
“And here’s the kicker, Stef. It makes me love you more. Yes, I love you Stefano Botali.”
These words seemed to pierce some invisible shield surrounding Stefano’s heart. It was only the second time in his life those words had been uttered to him in such a profound way. He stared into his friend’s eyes and didn’t say a word. Derek’s face was full of love and the kind of open honesty that Stefano had rarely noticed in grown men. The big guy started to waver in his staunch denial of everything Derek had been saying. There was a moment where the muscled Italian considered being completely honest – sharing his dark secret for only the second time in his long life. Thoughts of Blake suddenly came flooding into his mind – his first love, the man who had uttered the same three words all those years ago. Memories of Blake filled every part of Stefano’s brain and this gave him the strength to close his heart to the beautiful man standing in front of him. The resolve and determination that had existed earlier returned and the big man straightened to his full height, his shoulders again seeming as wide and powerful as a city block. He looked directly at his friend.
“You must be really confused, Derek. I seriously don’t know what you’re talking about, but I think it would be best for us to take a break from each other. This might help you to think more clearly. I gotta run, man. I have an appointment.”
Stefano stepped around his friend, grabbed his bag and a few other items from his locker and then left the room quickly. Derek slid onto the wooden bench beside him. He was overcome with sadness and tears continued to stream down his face. His body shook as he tried to stifle sobs. He immediately regretted confronting his friend. He knew he had crossed some important line and wondered if he and Stef would ever be able to return to their original close friendship.
Meanwhile, Stefano had moved out onto the busy street in front of the gym and found an unused doorway to step into and braced his body against the wall. He was shaking uncontrollably – distraught over what had just transpired. He had basically told his best and only friend in the entire world to go away. The pain was almost too intense to handle. He realized instantly that his love for Derek had been much deeper than he admitted to himself. He was drawn to his friend like a moth to the flame – something unnamed pulled his entire being into Derek’s life force. Intense cravings were old news to Stefano, but his desire for the other man was a surprise.
Logic quickly returned to Stefano’s thoughts and he began to see that taking a break from his friend was the only course of action. The big man needed time to gain control over his urges. Right now, however, his mind and body could only focus on one thing – finding gratification. It was clear that there was no turning back now. He had avoided any unwanted interaction with Derek, but every fiber of his muscled body desired release. Stefano knew the pupils in his eyes were now pitch black and twice their original size. He could also feel blood pumping into his massive arms, his bulging pecs, and his hardened cock. Something dark took over Stef’s mind. He turned away from the door and stepped back into the street, immediately looking out over the crowd. Since the man was about six foot four inches tall he could see over the heads of most people on the crowded street. He could also feel many people stealing quick glances in his direction, turned on by his packed body and good looks. Stef’s gaze instantly zoned in on a big blonde jock coming down the sidewalk. The large surfer-looking dude towered over the crowd, as well, and his body looked rock hard. An almost evil smile crept across Stefano’s face as the other big man locked eyes with him. That will do nicely, he thought. A powerful force permeated from the dark-haired man’s stare and the other guy was instantly snared. Stefano didn’t move. He stood in place and waited for the love-struck blonde to reach him.
“Follow me.”
That’s all Stefano said when the other man stood in front of him and then he turned and walked to an alley down the block. The big blonde followed like an obedient puppy.