Sam the Ham

Lost in the Dark

Chapter 1

The last few days were hectic for Xander. What had started out as a move of a hundred miles turned into a three-day odyssey. The moving truck broke down on the way which meant they arrived at an empty house with only the things they could fit in their cars. Between the three of them and a very grumpy cat, they ended up moving just a couple boxes of essentials each.

Xander hadn't exactly been thrilled about the move to begin with. Having his first night with just a sheet and a pillow – quickly purchased at Walmart – didn't exactly endear him to the new house. When the truck finally showed up the next day, it was all hands on deck for unloading and setting up. The pre-teen boy participated in the chore. However, his eyes kept drifting towards the town park literally in sight from his bedroom window. He'd wanted to go there ever since he saw it. It seemed he would never get the chance.

It was only the next morning that Xander managed to go there. The sultry weather made him decide to wear a tank top and loose shorts that were ideal for shooting hoops. The previous days, he had spotted a couple of kids around his age playing on the basketball court and hoped to get into a game. However, he was a bit too early for that. The closest thing to a kid he saw was in a stroller.

Casually dropping the ball to the free throw line, he put it up for an easy two points. Unfortunately the metal hoops didn't have nets to slow down the ball's fall and it went amok. Running towards the ball, Xander grabbed it before it bounced off the court. As he turned around, he saw someone was coming down the path from the road, a kid.

Trying not to appear too eager while simultaneously trying to appear cool, Xander ran the length of the court dribbling the ball the entire way and went up for a layup, making it look easy. He was tall for his age and had a gift for just about every sport he had ever tried. The kid was still a good twenty feet [5 m] away slowly gliding towards him on a skateboard. Xander turned his back dribbling the ball. He listened to the sound of the wheels spinning against the pavement. When they neared, he casually turned around.

The kid was a disappointment. He was a head shorter with long blond hair that extended down to his shoulders. He wore a shirt that had once had a design on it but had faded long time ago, obviously a hand-me-down. The shirt went down to his thighs. He had seen dresses shorter than that shirt was on him. His pants were cut off a few inches above his ankles.

The kid slowed down and eventually stopped to stare at Xander dribbling the ball. Xander realized the kid was looking. As the ball bounced onto the grass he glanced at the onlooker. "Hey."

The kid tilted his head and nodded. "Hey."

The opening greeting out of the way, Xander introduced himself. "I'm Xander. I just moved here."

"Ryder," the boy answered, stepping off of his skateboard.

At a loss for anything else to say, Xander held up the ball. "You want to play?"

He really wasn't interested in befriending this little kid but it was kind of hard not to be polite.

To Xander's relief, Ryder shook his head. "I'm meeting up with some friends," he said.

Xander nodded, grateful that the kid was leaving. Still, he didn't go back to playing basketball. The kid didn't seem intended on move either. Xander decided he didn't want to be rude. "I'm twelve."

"Eleven," Ryder said.

Xander squinted, wondering about that. The blond boy looked barely ten-years-old. If he was eleven he must've just had his birthday recently, like yesterday. "Cool, I just moved over there." Xander pointed to a house on a hill overlooking the park. "That one."

As Ryder turned to look at where he was pointing, he added. "I think it's the right one. Not used to staring at it from this angle yet!"

Ryder laughed and Xander's heart skipped a beat. The kid was pretty cute. That thought was immediately followed up by a bit of confusion. Puberty had been hitting him hard and his attraction to boys was still kind of new and disconcerting.

Slowly the other boy's smile faded. "I should get going," he announced.

"All right," Xander said reluctantly turning away. "Oh, wait."

He turned back around. Ryder was still standing there apparently not getting ready to move. "I thought I saw a pickup game here yesterday. Do you know anything about that?"

Ryder shrugged. He put his skateboard back down on the ground and climbed onto it. "A lot of people play basketball here."

Xander nodded. "Okay, thanks."

He went back to shooting free throws, resisting the urge to turn and watch the kid disappear down the path. His analytical mind wasn't so easy to control though. Since puberty had started to kick in about six months ago, he had begun noticing boys in a different light. Up until then, they had just been friends or at least that's how he had thought of them.

Now some of them were getting into his head. Whenever he masturbated, they invaded his mind. He wondered what made this boy or that boy more attractive. Why did he imagine his friends were there with him? Sometimes, they were jerking off with him, sometimes doing other things.

He wasn't ignorant of sex but when it came to gay sex it was a bit more blurry. He had suppressed his curiosity to look it up so far, partly because men didn't interest him. Yet, a certain fascination kept gnawing at him. He had seen some porn but not gay porn. Deep down, he knew he liked boys more than girls. That he couldn't deny.

While Xander played alone on the basketball court, two black boys showed up as his thoughts started to spiral. One was slightly taller than him. The other was shorter with broad shoulders. They were brothers, non-identical twins. Xander thought they looked good. They all talked for a bit before starting to play. It wasn't so much a game as just showing off to each other. The actual game started when a fourth boy who was white and around his height joined in. The paired up, each of them taking one of the brothers.

Other boys started to come by and even a girl. When it was decided they had to divide the into shirts and skins, one of the boy suggested she be one of the skins. To that she just flipped the guy off and Xander decided he liked her. The game settled into a bit of a circular roster with a few of them taking a break allowing others to play. Xander talked to most of the players. They were roughly around his age within a year or two. It helped that he was talented at basketball.

Over the next hour and a half, he learned that it was actually two groups of friends with a little overlap between the groups. There were seven in all. He made it an even eight. They broke for lunch and no one seemed intended to return. So Xander headed home. His mom was at work, her new job having started yesterday. His dad was on the computer, but he was able to spare a few minutes to ask about how everything went at the park. Xander gave his father a quick run-down concluding it went well. He then excused himself to go up to his room.

Xander's bedroom still felt alien to him. It was bigger than his last but things were different. The dresser was between two windows instead of next to the bed. The bed was up against the wall instead of being against the middle of the wall. No carpet, only hardwood. It didn't feel like his room.

It didn't take long before his mind drifted towards sex. He undid his shorts pulling them down along with his underwear. Absentmindedly, he started to play with his penis as he thought back on some of the people he'd met. He tried to think of the girl at first. Bethany was her name. Her blonde hair in a ponytail. He tried to picture her naked but couldn't get it up.

His mind started to flick through the boys he had seen that day. The shorter of the two brothers was cute. He imagined the black boy's lips around his older brother's dick sliding up and down. Then he thought of the kid with the dark curly hair. The boy had nice muscles. He had played as one of the skins. Xander had noticed the lack of hair under his armpits. Strangely, he wanted to stick his nose in there as he had seen sweat dribble down on the soft skin. Then there was this other kid he had noticed. He had been able to talk to him a bit. The boy was a little shorter and looked fairly good with his t-shirt clinging to him. There was something about him. Xander wished the boy was right there right now on his knees sucking him.

He continued jerking, feeling the pleasure rise and his balls tingle. Then, all of a sudden, the skater kid flashed into his mind. He recalled his name easily, Ryder. It was a different name, a cute name. He wondered how he looked naked. Xander tried to imagine him lying on his bed, one arm above his head, his legs spread, just waiting for it.

That was the image that pushed him over the edge. He arched his back feeling the small gushes of warm cum shoot out of his dick. He continued to jerk even after his climax still thinking about the little blond boy. He continued to jerk until it started to hurt and then stopped. For a moment, he laid there with the tiny puddles of cum on his nearly bald pubes as his breathing slowed down. Despite his haze, it was clear to him that there was really no chance he was straight.

***

Ryder put a foot back on the skateboard and used the other one to kick off. He kept his eyes locked on Xander's back as the older boy resumed playing basketball. The new boy was hot. He was sweaty and that made him even sexier. Then again, Ryder rarely saw a boy that he didn't think was cute. But that Xander was a 10. If he didn't already have cock waiting for him to suck, he surely wouldn't have minded spending a little more time with the new boy.

Then, his complete lack of talent at sports surfaced on his mind. Ryder knew he would not be able to compete. He knew that he was by no stretch of the imagination athletic. It wasn't just his size, but an inability to coordinate his movements. Without a doubt Xander would wipe the floor with him one-on-one. Hell, the boy probably could beat three of him. Unless Xander wanted to score some pot, the two of them would never be in the same orbit. Xander was one of those boys who was a sun and Ryder wouldn't even be a speck of dust in his Oort cloud.

The blond boy continued to push onward down the path, forgetting about Xander. The path branched out several times until he got to the sign that said 'jogging trail – no bikes, no skates, or skateboards'. He took off his helmet buckling the strap so he could carry it in the same hand he carried the skateboard.

He knew the path eventually curbed back towards the creek crossing into the woods over a bridge. The creek was half dry. Towards one bank there was some water flowing that was maybe knee-deep at the deepest parts, but for the most part it was just bare rock. He started down the bank and follow the water until he could see the bridge.

That's where his friends were waiting. He saw Brendan standing up in the middle of the creek one hand resting on the bridge as he leaned forward against it out of sight from any jogger from above. The boy was bigger than him in every aspect. He was thirteen but looked older, with broad shoulders, dark hair and a few extra pounds around his belly. The teen didn't wave at him, just smiled wickedly. Then, he saw his other friend. Kevin was a lot like Brendan being the same age and having the same dark hair, but he was lean as a fence post.

"Hey," Ryder said.

"Hey," Brendan said in return. "You're finally here. I've been wanting to get high for days!"

"My parents didn't bring much home lately," Ryder replied, dropping down to one knee and pulling out three joints from his sock.

"Nice," Kevin said, taking one and putting it in his shirt pocket. "Guess you've earned it," he grinned, showing off very white teeth.

Brendan laughed. "First I think he needs to strip. Then, this little cocksucker can get his load payment."

Ryder smiled. That line was unusually witty for Brendan. Neither of the two were very smart. Still the order sent a little thrill through him. His little dick started to stir. "All the way?"

"Yeah, all the way," Brendan said.

Ryder quickly obeyed the command, removing his dirty sneakers, tube socks and shirt. Before, he took off his pants, he glanced around making sure no one was looking, except Brendan and Kevin of course. Both teens giggled when he peeled them off. Then Ryder shed his briefs, baring completely his pale hairless body. It was thrilling to be naked outside. The bridge above them offered privacy. Still someone could come down the path and catch him. He would just pretend he was skinny dipping. That would be a good excuse.

Kneeling in the shallow water with his little dick hard, Ryder smiled at his friends. They advanced to him. Brendan took out his junk first. Kevin was always nervous and looked on for a while. Ryder grabbed Brendan's balls and stuck out his little tongue. Immediately, he licked the big orbs, watching intently the half-limp meat above it start to swell. As if in a trance, his face went to it. He kissed the hardening cock, gripped it and let his tongue dance around the crown of the head. Both older boys had nice cocks. But Ryder preferred Brendan's which was thick and circumcised.

"Ohhh yeah, sssuck it," Brendan hissed, tilting his head back.

Ryder opened wide, slipping the erection into his narrow mouth. He loved so much feeling his lips stretch around the big piece of adolescent flesh. It was all so exciting. His love of cock never seemed to dwindle. And if it only took stealing a few joints from his folks' medicinal cannabis business to get to relive it again, then it was well worth it.

Ryder bobbed his blond head with vigor, eliciting moans and whimpers from the teenager. He had reached a steady tempo, slurping again and again the older boy's cock. While he slobbered away and occasionally deep-throated it, Kevin was watching with interest, and decided he needed to get involved. The other teen pulled down his sports pants and boxers, presenting his cock to Ryder's face. The young boy responded by starting to switch between both teenagers, a cock in each hand as he alternated back and forth with his hungry mouth.

Both Brendan and Kevin grinned widely and glanced at each other before looking back at his servicing mouth going down their cocks. Ryder enjoyed being naked between the two, bringing one cock then the other to his mouth. He liked to make them happy and knew this would remain confidential. After all, they surely would never dare tell anyone they got their dicks sucked by an eleven-year-old boy.

"Shit, I'm gonna shoot," Brendan announced, grabbing the back of Ryder's head. "Quick! Take it!"

Ryder sank his face all the way down on his cock, smiling, holding the whole thing down his oral passage as he felt the first burst of hot cream strike his tonsils. Brendan squealed over and over while the huge ropes of cum erupted into his mouth. The first time, both teenagers had squirted on his face. But Ryder didn't like that. He favored gulping it down. It made less of a mess.

Ryder's mouth flooded with seed as he continued to deep throat the whole time, his lips clamping the pulsing cock in place.

"Yes!!!! Fuck yesss!!!" Brendan cheered out of control watching Ryder swallow what he could of the huge load, some spilling out of his mouth. The teen kept on trying to thrust throughout his orgasm, but there was nowhere for his cock to go – Ryder had his mouth over every inch.

As soon as Brendan was done, Kevin scooted closer, jerking his cock. "I'm ready too!"

Ryder welcomed the second cock down his throat. Siphoning with his cheeks hollow, he milked the teenage jizz out of Kevin's erection. The skinny teen didn't have a fat porker like his buddy, but he was a big producer. Ryder had to swallow three or four times to clear his oral cavity of all the cream.

Untouched throughout his own erection was stiff pointing up towards his chin. Ryder stared at it as he tried to catch his breath. Like the rest of him it was small and insignificant. Slowly his hand went towards it. There was no question of Brendan or Kevin returning the favor. He wasn't even sure if he wanted them too. When he started to jerk off the he looked up. Kevin had already retrieved the lighter from his hiding spot and had lit up. He was staring upstream not looking at him. Brendan was rolling the joint around in his hand. He was watching the show with an unreadable expression on his face.

Ryder looked back down suddenly feeling ashamed. His jerking motion starting to feel more painful than pleasurable and without finishing or saying a word he stopped starting to get dressed. When he looked back up yet seen Brendan laying back and smoking the lighter next to him. He went for it lit up his own joint.

The smoke filled his lungs and in a very short time it did what his hands couldn't. He felt his erection deflate as he lost the sense of shame. The three of them smoked in silence for a while until they were about halfway done Brendan broke the silence.

"We got to get into your butt?"

"Hu?" Kevin said slowly turning to look at them.

"Ryder," Brendan said clarifying. "I could take him from behind and you can taken him from the front. He could be are pig instead of cum bucket."

Ryder laughed.

"Yeah," Kevin said clearly having lost interest.

Brendan smiled which made Ryder laugh. Small part of his brain registered that it wasn't funny. It was a small animalistic part that was responsible for flight or flight. He didn't feel like dealing with that though at the moment.

The conversation died then and they were quiet. When the jogger ran over the bridge they'll found it extremely funny, but fortunately no one decided to check on what was so funny. At some point they started to drift away. They talked about something that wasn't important before they left. Ryder forgot his skateboard and had to go back for it when he was halfway home. He collapsed onto his bed and fell asleep waking up a few hours later when his parents came home.

Their house wasn't particularly big being all on one floor. His room was actually between the kitchen and living room. He stayed in bed for several minutes hearing them talk. They wouldn't check on him. If he didn't get out of bed they probably wouldn't even think of him Ryder thought to himself. Still, his mouth was dry and he needed a drink.

When he stepped out of his bedroom he saw his father and mother were sitting on the couch. He turned and smiled at him.

"Hey," his dad said.

"You have a good day?" his mother asked.

"Yeah," Ryder said wondering if he should add more. When either of his parents seem particularly inclined to continue the conversation he headed towards the kitchen. Both of his parents could be described as health nuts. His choices of drink was either a fruit smoothie or cold green tea. Choosing the former he headed back towards the living room plopping down in the chair.

He listen to his parents talk for a while as a nature documentary played and after a while he retreated back into his room. He didn't say he was going to bed, but his parents never checked on him so he guessed it didn't matter. Turning his head he stared at his far wall. There was a poster of the night sky done in florescent paint. He had bought it a year ago when they had gone to a science museum for school. He liked space.

Chapter 2

Ryder's stomach woke him around four in the morning reminding him that he had skipped dinner. He had fallen asleep with his clothing on and his crotch was damp with sweat. Knowing he wouldn't be going to go back to sleep he rolled out of bed and stripped. His clothing went in the hamper and make it through his dresser. Aside from his underwear everything hand-me-down from his older brother. His brother had been 13 when he was born that was when his parents started saving his clothing for him. Everything would be big on his little frame. He settled on a pair of cargo shorts and one of the smaller shirts that would only be two or three inches [5-7 cm] shorter on him than yesterday's.

In his dark room he summed up a little anger towards his parents. It wasn't like they didn't have the money to buy him new clothing. They just didn't have the desire. Even when he had not had his brother's hand-me-downs, it ought always been thrift store clothing. Why buy new when you could re-use. He knew his brother hadn't had to put up with this crap. Why did he?

By the time he was dressed he wasn't in the mood to be quiet in the kitchen not caring if he woke his parents. With a sandwich made and a cup of water he went back to his bedroom and picked up a book to read. It is about the space program and have lots of pictures. He made a mental note to go to the library today. After a few hours here his parents getting up and going off to work. He didn't emerge from his bedroom until they were gone.

It was just a little before 8:30 so he grabbed some of his money and start to make his way towards the convenience store. His parents wouldn't approve but just about every day he would go there and buy a candy bar or something else totally unhealthy. Today he was feeling particularly bad so when he got there he ordered a milkshake. The person behind the counter looked like a mother. She wasn't happy about making a milkshake this early in the morning and tried to talk him out of it. He did rise to any debate she put out. Taking his milkshake outside he sat on the outdoor picnic tables. Ryder's back rested against the tabletop, his feet resting on his skateboard slowly moving it back and forth as he sucked the thick shake through the straw.

He was almost done when something caught his eye. Crossing the street, was Xander. His eyes followed the boy as he crossed through the parking lot disappeared out of sight just before he entered the store. Ryder toyed with the idea of going back in and getting something else. He stopped himself though. Xander was cute, but all he would get is a look and a few more stored images for his masturbating fantasies. Still, his eyes stayed focused on where Xander had disappeared. When Xander suddenly appeared from around the corner he was startled.

Xander was carrying a bag under his arm and had a drink in his other hand. "Hey, you're Ryder right?" Xander said taking a seat at the far end of the bench.

Ryder nodded. "Yeah, um Xander right?" He look the other boy up and down. Xander was wearing a T-shirt and shorts again. This time he was close enough to tell the was no noticeable hair. He wondered if the boy had any around his dick yet. He smiled to himself. "Did you get to play basketball yesterday?"

"Yes, I did. I guess I got to meet some of my new classmates too. Did you have a good time with your friends?"

"I guess," Ryder said wondering if he should try to prolong the conversation.

After a few seconds of silence Xander continued. "My dad asked me to pick up some hot dog and hamburger rolls. He's having for barbecue tomorrow. That is assuming the storm decides not to ruin another day."

Ryder looked up at the sky. It was overcast. "Hope it doesn't rain on you."

"I got a text earlier from one of the people I played basketball with. I guess the games canceled for today. I guess I'll be playing Xbox One today. I just got it for my birthday actually. Only got around to actually playing it yesterday. Do you play video games?"

"I have an Xbox too," Ryder said thinking of the black box under his TV.

"360 or One?"

"One."

"Yeah, what games?"

Ryder listed the five titles he had and Xander only had one. Fortunately, it was when they both had in common. Xander was only about two hours in, but since the game was Fallout that meant virtually nothing.

Xander tilted his head back and finished off his drink Before letting out a sigh. "Well, guess I should get home."

Ryder nodded wishing there was some way to continue the conversation.

"You want to come back and watch me play for a bit?" Xander offer as he stood up.

"What?"

Xander didn't look at him as he twisted the bag around his wrist. "I mean, I could use some advice. I mean if you wanted too."

Ryder smiled. "Sure." He stood up maybe too fast he thought because Xander was looking at him.

"Should you text your parents or something?"

Ryder froze. He felt around for his phone not sure if he had taken with him or not. Finding it he pulled it out and pretended to text. "They're both working, so they won't care as long as I have my phone."

"Great, I could use some help building the stupid settlements."

Ryder started to explain as they walked. Maybe Xander wasn't so far out of his orbit. Then the pessimism the back of his head started to work on him. How long could a friendship based on a single videogame last? Ryder tried to shove that idea in a box before could swell the take over his brain. He just tried to enjoy the moment.

Xander's house was nice, two stories with a paved driveway. The door opened into a hallway and even before the door was closed an adult voice called out.

"Get everything Xander?"

"Yes. I brought a friend home too."

"His parents know?"

"He texted them. They're both working and he says it's okay."

"All right."

Ryder hesitated not thinking someone would be home with them. His half-baked notions of maybe a blow job or something deflated. "That your dad?"

"Yeah," Xander said kicking off his shoes. "He works from home. You can put your shoes over there."

Ryder watch Xander take off his shoes as he started to feel self-conscious. His sneakers were filthy. As he kicked one of his sneakers off he noticed a hole on the top of his sock over the big toe. He quickly removed the other one and hope Xander wouldn't notice. "What does your dad do?"

"He writes stuff for companies. Brochures, descriptions of products and stuff like that. He's even done a few articles for magazines. My mom works for Grassnol. What do your parents do?"

Ryder hesitated. Even with the legalization of marijuana not everybody liked the idea. "They own a shop in Denver." He figured that was a safe answer.

"Cool, come on it is in the basement."

Ryder followed Xander into the finished basement. He enjoyed the view from behind. He wasn't much for butts, but Xander had a nice one. He wondered what Xander might be packing up front. He smiled at that wondering how Xander would react if you just asked him outright. Would a straight guy turned down a blow job? He could only risk it in his fantasies.

The settle down on opposite ends of a large couch and Xander started up the game. Ryder explained a few things and made a few suggestions the whole time secure glances over at the other whenever he could. Xander had nice calf muscles. They were smooth and strong. Ryder wanted to touch them to see if they were as they look. However, his study of the other came short when he caught Xander looking at him.

Ryder did get Xander to laugh a few times and he liked the sound of Xander's laugh. Eventually Xander turned the game over to him. Some things were easier to show them talk about after all. As he was playing he heard Xander's phone go off. He looked over at Xander who was typing a message back.

"Everything okay?"

"Sure, just texting a friend."

Ryder put it out of his mind but only a few minutes later the doorbell rang and Xander excused himself. When he came back down he was with two others. Tony and Jordan the twins. Ryder pursed his lips as the two stopped seeing him.

"Hey, Ryder," Jordan the shorter of the two said. "Didn't know you were here."

"Oh, you know each other that's good," Xander said pushing past the other two.

"Yeah, he's in my class," Tony said shrugging it off and taking a seat.

Xander looked at the three of them and smiled. "Sorry Ryder, I didn't think you might be in the same grade as me." He seemed to realize what he had said and then added weekly. "I mean we didn't talk about school yet."

Ryder glanced at Xander. "Yeah, it's not exactly my favorite subject."

Both Xander and Jordan laughed. "True," Xander said sitting back on the couch living together to find their own seats.

As it turned out Xander had invited Jordan and Tony over the other day look at the game. Ryder realized he was the fifth wheel not the twins. It was hard to get a word as they talked. After he gave up the controller he waited five minutes before pretending got a message on his phone. No one was paying much attention to him and he simply said he had to go. At least that brought Xander's attention. He asked if they could trade numbers so they could text and Ryder agreed.

Quickly making his way up the stairs he headed down the hallway getting shoes on. He could hear it was raining outside but didn't care.

"Hey."

Ryder turned and looked into the living room seeing a man standing there a cup in his hand and standing by the window. He swallowed and nodded at Xander's father. "I got a text. Gotta go home."

The man nodded and glanced out the window again. "Let me give you a lift. It's pouring outside."

"I'm okay," Ryder said putting his other sinker on.

"I really don't feel comfortable letting you walk home in this," Xander's fathers said. "I can get Xander to come with us if that's what's wearing."

Ryder didn't know what to do. He just stood there wanting to leave but somehow feeling pinned. "Okay."

The man finished whatever was in his cup and gestured for Ryder to follow him. Reluctantly the the blonde followed picking his skateboard up and putting it under his arm. The car was in the garage so neither of them had to get wet. They reach the end of the driveway Xander's dad asked which way and Ryder told him.

"All right, here we go," Xander's father said turning into the street. "Does it always rain this bad around here?"

Ryder shrugged playing with one of the wheels on his skateboard. "It's a storm."

"Yeah, that it is. No I'm sorry I didn't get your name when you first came in. I was on the phone actually. Sorry."

"It's Ryder."

"Nice name. Well, I hope to see more of you. Nice to see Xander getting along so many new people."

Ryder had no idea what to say to that so he said nothing.

Xander's father was silent for a moment not saying anything when Ryder said he should turn. "That's my house."

Xander's father slowed the car rolling to a stop in front of it. "All right. Ryder before you go can I ask you something?" Ryder had unbuckled his seatbelt, but paused at the question. Xander's father seem to take that as a yes. "You got out of there shortly after Jordan and Tony arrived. Are they okay?"

"Yeah, they're just not my friends." With that said he hopped out of the car and ran for his front door. He had left the front door unlocked and quickly closed it behind him. After a few seconds he peered out the window to see the car pulling away. That was weird.

***

"You may not want to be friends with Ryder," Jordan announced as the basement door closed.

Xander glanced at the shorter of the two brothers. "What, why?"

"He hangs with a pretty bad crowd. He has these two older friends Brendan and Kevin. They moved up to the middle school this year but they use to like to pick on kids in the younger grades. I mean even younger than us sometimes."

"I don't think Kevin was much into that," Tony said. "I mean I never saw him do anything just always stood in the background."

"Really?" Xander tried to imagine Ryder out with people like that. He would've sworn the kid was younger than him. He was tiny. If Xander had to guess he would be more likely to be a victim of bullying then part of it.

"To be fair," Tony started. "I've never seen Ryder pick on anyone. We've just seen the three of them together around."

"Hum," Xander muttered as he blew a mercenaries head off. "I wouldn't have guessed."

"Ryder doesn't have much friends I think. I'm not in his class now but I have been," Tony said stretching. "I really don't know what's going on there."

"Maybe they're his bodyguards," Jordan said grinning. "He sucks their cock and they protect them from bullies."

"Don't be an ass," Tony scolded as he tried not to smile.

Xander tried to change the subject. "Yeah well, it looks like back to babies school for me. Six grade was in middle school at my old one." That move the conversation on.

The twins mother picked them up a few hours later. After Xander saw them off he wandered into the kitchen and grabbed a snack. Grabbing a can of soda he started to unwrap a brownie his father came in.

"Hey dad."

"Xander," his father nodded towards him pulling out a drink for himself. "Did you guys have a good time?"

His mouthful brownie Xander could only nod.

"Did you invite them to the barbecue tomorrow?" his dad asked leaning against the counter and taking a long swig from his can of soda.

"Yeah, but are you sure it's still on?" He looked out the window where the rain was still coming down.

"I checked the weather. This end around 3 o'clock. All sun tomorrow."

Xander nodded. Taking an unusually long sip from his can he looked up at his father and Wade if he should bring up a subject or not. "Do you have some time?" Xander had learned that just because his father worked from home didn't mean to be bothered at any time.

"Shoot."

"Well, you said I could invite some of the kids I met and tell them they can bring their parents."

"You're recapping what I already know," his father interrupted smiling.

Xander smiled. His father's humor was annoying at times. "Well, I was thinking of asking someone, but I'm not sure they get along with some one else I want to ask. So not sure if I should ask both of them."

"Not all of your friends have to get on with each other. You can have different groups of friends."

He resisted the to roll his eyes. "Well, yes I know that. It's just, well one person said the other person might not be nice. I'm worried about getting into something now choosing the wrong side."

Xander's father silence was his rebuttal.

Xander let out a sigh. "I know what you say. I should judge people as individuals. Respect other people's opinions but make my own. Things can be judged from different points of view. I know all of that. You've embedded it into my head."

"So?"

"So, I was hoping for some advice."

His father looked up tilting his head back and forth like he was having a conversation. "No, I think you covered it all. So what are you going to do?"

Xander finished off the brownie and angrily threw the wrapper away. "I'll invite both of them. You know I don't why I talk to you sometimes, you're already in my head." He picked his cannot walked out of the kitchen as his father called out from behind him.

"That's the sign of a good parent."

Xander didn't turn around but he did smile at that. He wasn't angry just had hoped there was another option out there. Sorry up the stairs to his room and down to his laptop. He could use his phone just as easily but the bigger screen did have its advantages. He watched a few videos periodically texting one of the people he intended to invite tomorrow. The twins had managed to do in person and he only had three numbers. The first two were easy to send out, when it came to Ryder he hesitated.

He couldn't imagine Jordan and Tony had been straight up lying about Ryder. Hanging out with some not nice people was different than actually being one. Maybe there was some unknown connection between them. Their parents could be friends or something like that. Xander you couldn't always pick the kids you hung out with. He had been on the All-Star team last year for baseball and wouldn't have been friends with his teammates outside of that.

His mind also dragged up another point. He was attracted to Ryder. From the spare bedroom in front of the house we could see part of the convenience store. That room was still held with some boxes and he had been looking for something he had spotted a blonde boy sitting at the picnic table. He hadn't been sure it was Ryder, but he had made an excuse to go. His dad had just added on a chore.

After purchasing the stuff he made his way to the picnic bench half hoping he was wrong. When he rounded the corner though he knew it was him. He had tried to play it as casual, a chance meeting. So much like the basketball game had been yesterday. There was a part of Xander wishing they would find nothing in common. Another part of him jumped at any possibility. Looking back now he couldn't believe how many of his assumptions had been wrong.

Yet as soon from writer Ryder's clothing that his family wasn't well-off. An Xbox in five games for it suggests otherwise. He assumed he was way younger but they were in the same grade. Ryder had been easy to talk too, he had like that. Too bad he had to leave. Xander had been trying not to too many glances.

The video he was watching ended stopped it from going to the next one. He looked at the search bar for a moment for turning down his speakers and typing words coming out. It was a search he had done a few times before. There was a few new videos.

Some of them were obviously gay in his opinion. Sorry, but if you dye your hair hot pink people make assumptions. The trouble was he actually found the boy with a hot pink care sort of cute. Some of the boys were fairly cute, but he didn't liked the overly feminized type. He was a boy and happy to have a dick. Although he did see if you transgender ones that probably aren't as happy about that fact. Then he came across a video the kid was even younger than himself. That struck a chord with them and he quickly text Ryder. He may not be ready to come out but he wasn't going to be shown by a little kid even if it was only in his mind.

Slamming his computer shut walked over to his bed and collapsed onto his bed and stared up at his phone. Looking at the time he realizes his mom would be getting home soon. He put his phone down and started to undo his pants. If he didn't do it now be a few hours before he could. Pulling his pants and underwear down he pulled his shirt up and started playing with himself.

His penis quickly sprung to life. He could feel his cock throbbed with heat. Closing his eyes he try to imagine to earlier. Tony and Jordan were standing in front of him. They were completely naked your hands behind their backs as he looked them up and down. He imagined with their cock would look like. His mind shifted to another thought. They jerk off together? They were twins, they must see each other naked.

Smiled as another thought occurred to him. Maybe they did a little more. He imagined them lay next to each other head to foot and then over. Thinking their brothers' erection in their mouth. The two of them sucking each other. Jordan would be on top, his butt would be high in the air. He had a nice butt. Xander then imagine standing over the scene Jordan is but waving in the air. Wanted to do something to that. Yes, he wanted to put his cock right up in there. Each other he would put it in thrusting back and forth.

With a rush Xander felt himself explode. The buildup lasted what felt like less than a second before the one fluid was shooting out of him. This time he stopped stroking as he felt the warm liquid coming contact with the skin. It was something satisfying about this orgasm. Swinging his legs out he shuffled toward to this desk where he kept the tissues. He felt to self-conscious keeping them by his bed. Like his parents knew what he was using them for.

Ryder didn't have the habit of taking his phone around everywhere. He knew it was better to have it with him than not, but it wasn't a habit yet. When the storm let up he went to the library, leaving his cell phone on his nightstand. He didn't think to check it until almost 8:00 that night, and that was only so he could consult the weather. The message from Xander caught him off guard.

'Having a BQ tomorrow at 12. You want to come? Parents can come to.'

The only invitations he had ever received was to birthday parties back at his old school when it had been customary to invite everyone of the same gender in your class. Those had dried up. So why was Xander inviting him?

He pursed his lips in thought. He supposed that he'd had a nice time when it had just been the two of them. Xander had needed some help with the game, and Ryder had already beaten it a few times. It would probably be a while before Xander got stuck on anything else like that. Of course, he did have four games Xander could borrow. That was something. This would be more of a party, though. There would be other people – Jordan and Tony for example. He didn't really like Jordan; he had been teamed up with him for more than a few projects at school.

Ryder had always found it hard to say anything when Jordan was there. He would talk over him all the time. A self-appointed leader, he loved being the center of attention. Ryder envisioned himself at the party just sitting, being talked over and ignored. A memory of a birthday party he had attended once flashed back to him. He had been sitting in the group when one kid wanted to show them something in his room. He had gotten up to follow only to find that he hadn't been invited. The kid pushed him out of the room.

Ryder sent a message back. 'Sorry, busy.' After he hit send he stared at his phone. The invitation had been sent several hours ago, so Xander had probably already assumed he wasn't coming. Putting the phone back down on his nightstand he lay back in his bed and stared up at the ceiling. There were only two days left of spring break and then he would be back at school. It would be Xander's first day, and he would probably have his friends by then. Turning down the party invitation would be Ryder's third strike, but it probably would've just been a miserable time, anyway. He really didn't understand how people like Xander could make friends so easily.

Ryder remembered that at one time he had had friends, when he was little. As he thought about it, he realized that school really wasn't a great place to make friends. You were stuck in classes most of the day, and if you were assigned a project that didn't exactly give you a lot of time to talk. There was lunch, of course, which was loud and uncomfortable. Recess was probably the best time. There was usually one game or another going on the big field he could join. Then again, maybe it was just him. Sometimes he felt like there was a big book of rules about how to deal with people, and he had never received his copy.

He reached for his phone and texted Brendan. 'Parents out tomorrow. Stop by, might have one, at least fun K 2.' He hadn't checked how much his parents had brought home recently. Brendan would probably come over just to be sucked, but maybe not Kevin. Then again Kevin was a follower to Brendan. He sent another text. 'After 12.' He hit send. Ryder should have at least have a little fun, if Xander was having his.

He was just about to put his phone back down when he received the message. He thought it would be from Brendan, but it was from Xander.

2 bad. If things change stop by.

Ryder stared at the message for a long time before powering down the phone. He sat up and started reading, trying to lose himself in the book, until his eyes were too tired to stay open.

The next morning he showered as his parents left for the day. It wasn't a workday for them, but they said they were going to visit some friends. That gave them a 50-50 chance of coming back at least buzzed. Sometimes they would take him along if they were going into Denver for something, but not usually. Ryder didn't care. As soon as his parents were gone he went into their bedroom and opened up the old tin they kept their stuff in. There were only five joints, with some loose marijuana, still in the container. He took a joint and went back to the living room and settled on the couch with his Xbox.

When the knocking came at the front door it was more of a pounding, and he jumped. He paused the game and ran to the door. He looked out the window and spotted Brendan and Kevin. He opened the door to let the two in.

Brendan looked around the house. "Thought you would have a nicer place."

"Brendan," Kevin said, following after his friend, "be nice."

"I didn't say it was bad, just not nice." Then he spotted something on the couch and walked over to it. "Shit, you got a new Xbox?" he said, holding up the controller. "I want to give this a try." He put the controller back down and stroked his crotch. "First things first."

Ryder smiled coyly, understanding where this was going.

"I betcha wanna see me naked," Brendan added. "You'd like that, huh?"

Ryder nodded. All the times he had sucked off the teenager he always wore his jeans and a tee-shirt. Ryder never got to see his body. The proposition enticed him.

"I knew you'd like that," Brendan said. "But if I do it, you're gonna be our bitch, okay?"

"Shit, don't be like that," Kevin butted in.

"Oh don't be a pussy, Kevin," Brendan countered. "You like this as much as me. Besides, he wants to do it. Right?"

"Yes," Ryder said, starting to feel excited.

"Okay then, strip and get down on your knees bitch … now!" Brendan ordered.

Ryder immediately obeyed, pulling his clothing off without hesitation. He knelt down completely naked, kneeling helplessly and getting more and more excited by the sudden turn of events.

"Hands on head and kneel up straight," Brendan said, circling around him with a wicked grin on his face. The teen grabbed the back of his blond hair and pulled. "Stay kneeling, bitch!" he bellowed, walking around him to stand directly in front.

Ryder grimaced as his hair was pulled. He didn't say anything, remaining still, waiting for the older boy to undress as he had said. But Brendan just bent over and took off his white tube socks. He looked at Ryder for a while and just grinned. "Kiss my feet, bitch."

Ryder hesitated. He looked down at Brendan's long teenage feet. The thought of kissing them humiliated him, but he wanted to do more so he bent down and kissed the left foot then the right.

"I didn't say stop. Keep going until I say stop," Brendan said.

Ryder continued kissing the left and right foot repeatedly. He felt totally humiliated and was surprised to notice his dick beginning to stand at attention. As he brought his lips down again and again, Brendan was slowly undressing, removing his tee-shirt and unzipping his jeans. The teen took everything off, and Ryder ogled at his nakedness. Brendan looked pretty good. He was carrying a few extra pounds, and had almost no hair except for around his crotch. There was still something masculine about him, though. As usual, Kevin stood there on the side, looking at the scene.

Brendan crouched down, his erection wobbling between his thighs. Ryder couldn't help but stare at it. He felt the teenager caress his butt, and then heard him say, "Kiss my cock. Show me how much you love it."

Right away, the blond boy approached with his lips and deposited wet kisses on the engorged flesh. He dove under the shaft and kissed the big dangling balls, too.

"I love your butt," Brendan said. "You have a girl's butt."

Ryder didn't give much attention to the comment. Kevin was coming closer, pulling his pants down to get in on the action.

"You wanna suck our cocks, bitch? Say it," Brendan commanded.

"Yes," Ryder said, going down to gobble up his cock. Within seconds, he was bobbing his head. As usual, Kevin thrust his boner at his face, but this time, the reserved boy seemed more aggressive and said, "Suck my cock too, bitch!"

The nasty remark took Ryder aback and almost made him giggle. He went down on Kevin's cock. Brendan gripped the back of his head and forcefully brought his little mouth back on his rigid member. "SUCK my cock, bitch!"

Ryder's eyes bulged as the teenager's stiff meat invaded his throat. For a good while, Brendan fucked his face roughly, watching the scene closely. "Shit! You're really getting into this!"

After a while, Brendan let go. Ryder went back to sucking both cocks leisurely, holding one in each hand. There was no denying he enjoyed stuffing his mouth with the hard meat. It wasn't just the physical sensation, but something else. He couldn't figure it out, and at the moment he didn't care. He pursed his lips on the big cockheads and slowly engulfed as much he could, siphoning all the juices. Then he did it faster, deep-throating both cocks right down until his nose was buried in the teen's bushy pubic hairs.

"Man, I gotta shoot!" Brendan announced out of the blue. "Oh damn! I'm cumming!"

Ryder pulled off of Kevin and went for Brendan. Brendan stopped him by grabbing a handful of his blond hair. He felt the hot gushes of cum splash across his face. Meanwhile, Kevin exhaled louder and groaned. More cum spurts started to land on his forehead, his nose and his lips. Ryder kept his eyes shut until both boys were done. It felt like his face was covered with jizz – which was the case.

Ryder felt the stuff slowly oozing down his face. It was warm, and he felt some start to slide down his nose towards his eye. He wiped it away as Brendan laughed. "It looks good on you."

Slowly, Ryder opened his other eye – the one that he knew nothing was near. Brendan was still standing there looking down at him. Kevin seemed in a hurry to get his pants back up. When Ryder tilted his head forward he realized the mistake he made, as some of his hair brushed over his face. He quickly reached up and brushed his hair back with both of his hands. As he did so he could feel that some of it was wet, which only caused Brendan to laugh more.

Despite everything he was starting to feel embarrassed. This was different than before. Without saying a word he stood up and moved towards the bathroom. Shutting the door behind him, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He paused and looked at himself. His face was covered. There was really no way to tell which was Brendan's and which was Kevin's jizz, although of the two there was more of Kevin. Some of the thick liquid was sliding down his face and landing on his shoulders, and one dripping spot going under his chin. He turned away from the mirror and climbed into the shower.

Tilting his face towards the water, he let it hit him. As the warm water slid down his thin body, he moved his hand towards his dick, which was still hard. He slowly started to jerk off and relive what just happened. In his mind it was different, less exciting somehow. Unlike last time, he did reach a climax, his body tensing at the sensation of a giant orgasm. He stayed in the shower a bit longer before his parent's shower timer turned the water off. If he stayed here for another ten minutes, he could get it started again, but as he ran his fingers through his now soaked hair he found he didn't want to.

Realizing he had forgotten to grab a towel, he just stood there for a while, the water dripping off of his body. He had a headache and wondered if it was from the hair pulling. He hadn't like that, and made up his mind to tell Brendan not do that again.

Ryder realized he needed to get high. Still naked, he climbed out of the shower, wiping some of the water off of his body before going back out to find his house empty. Brendan and Kevin had left and taken the joint with them. He briefly thought of stealing other one for himself, but his parents might notice that. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, and felt some water roll down his cheek.

***

Xander greeted Ryder's text message with a mixture of relief and disappointment. With what the twins had told him he was a little leery of trying to befriend Ryder. He had never been the new kid before and he wasn't sure how this new school worked. At least that's what he was trying to tell himself. He couldn't deny checking out Ryder. The boy was cute. He had small feet, which was a fact Xander had noticed when Ryder took his sneakers off. Why that fact was one of the things that stuck in his mind was also the same reason he was a bit relieved he'd received that message. The fact that he kept his phone in his hand for the next half hour hoping to receive another message from Ryder was weird.

When the next morning came around he ducked out to head off to the park. The game had a rough start time, but today only five people showed up. The game didn't last very long, breaking up after about 45 minutes. Xander was fine with that, as his parents had asked him to come home early, anyway. Setting up for the barbecue was fairly straightforward. They had an outdoor patio set, but with all the people coming it all needed to be set up and a few more chairs had to be brought out.

The first few guests that arrived held no interest for him. They were neighbors or people from his mom's work. The first one to show up that he actually cared about was Jesse, the girl from the basketball game. When he saw her he popped up from the couch and went over to greet them along with his mother. Jesse had come with her parents, along with – as she described it – a little growth attached to her mother's leg, that turned out to be her six-year-old brother. When her brother heard this description of himself he just giggled, and didn't detach himself from his mother. They were shown to the backyard where the other guests were mingling, but Jesse came back with him to wait for the other people he had invited.

"It's nice that your parents let you invite some of your friends," Jesse said, taking a seat on the opposite end of the couch to him.

"Not so much nice as convenient," Xander explained. "They like to at least know the parents of my friends."

Jesse smiled. "And you're already counting me among those?"

"Only for convenience's sake," Xander said, smiling back.

"Friend of convenience. I can do worse. So who else is coming?"

"Well I invited Mark, but he said he had something planned. RJ said his parents could stop by after 1 o'clock. Then there's Tony and Jordan. They said they would be coming." Xander hesitated, and then added, "I also invited Ryder, but he said he was busy. So I told him to stop by if things cleared up."

"Ohh, that's too bad," Jesse said surprising him. "It would be nice to see him outside of school."

"Ryder?" Xander asked, wanting to be sure.

Jesse nodded. "He's sweet. I always try to rope him into our group-projects group."

This being almost the opposite of what he'd heard from the twins interested Xander. "You have a crush on him or something?"

Jesse gave him a disgusted look. "What, I can't say nice things about a boy without having a crush on him?"

"Um… No, I'm… It's just…"

Jesse's expression softened and she waved it off. "No, I don't have a crush on him. If you must know he reminds me a lot of my brother. Shy and quiet. He's pretty smart, though, and can have some good ideas even if you have to pull them from him. If anything I think he brings out my big sister feelings. He's a pretty good guard for capture the flag." She paused for a second and then continued, "He's terrible at tag, though."

"You still play tag?" Xander said, questioningly.

"We sure do. All the cool kids do," Jesse said this with a straight face, holding it for a few seconds before she broke into a smile at Xander's confused look. "Okay, there is a bit of a story behind it."

"I bet there is."

Jesse stretched her legs before straightening on the couch. "Well, at the beginning of the school year they announced some new rules. One of them was that we could no longer play tag. Something about having people feel left behind because they're it. There was a small but brave group of students who didn't like this new rule, and decided they were going to play tag anyway, even when they were told not to continue to play. They were threatened with detention, and some wavered; but the rest were undaunted by the threat. This played out over a few days, you have to understand. A lot of kids were joining in, so the principal decided to pay attention to the -" she placed her fingers in vees and wagged them to form air quotes " – ringleaders. Some of these kids had never been in trouble before and when the parents came in there was a big fuss later, and the rule was forgotten about, along with the detentions. So yes, we still play tag, dammit!"

Xander listened to the story, smiling at the thought of both such a stupid rule and the student's reactions. "I'm guessing you were involved somewhere?"

Jesse looked innocent. "How could you tell?"

Xander laughed. He was really beginning to like Jesse.

Tony and Jordan showed up shortly afterwards, with parents in tow. The four of them went out back and grabbed hamburgers or hot dogs, depending on their personal preferences. It wasn't until RJ showed up that they moved to the front yard to play pickle. Even Jesse's little brother came out for that and Xander tried to be too hard on the little guy.

When they needed to take a break they went in the backyard to grab sodas, and the youngest member of the group reattached himself to his mother. With the backyard being pretty packed along with most of the first floor, they slipped out to the front yard again and sat in a circle.

Xander smiled to himself. The barbecue was turning out pretty good for him. RJ was a boy who looked really good with his sweatshirt tight against his body. Xander was getting to see that again now as he sat across from him. The boy seemed to have a thing for white shirts, which was currently doing a lot to show off his body.

The conversation wandered around stupid little things until RJ sent a question towards Xander. "Did they have dances at your old school?"

"There were two. One just before winter break and one at the end of the year. The seventh and eighth graders had more. Do you guys?"

"Just the one at the end of the year," Tony answered. "So, did you go?"

Xander shrugged. "My parents kind of made me. I just went with a group of friends. It was pretty boring. I think most of our parents just wanted to see us dressed up."

Jordan made a sound. "I can't wait for ours. I'm going to get me some."

"Fat chance of that happening," Tony said.

"Hey, remember what our cousin said?"

"He's all talk," Tony dismissed.

There were a few seconds of silence before Jesse spoke up. "What did your cousin say?"

"That he had sex after the dance."

"I think I'm with your brother here," Jesse said dismissively.

"She's right. Girls are interested in talking about which guys are cute, but not actually doing the stuff," RJ said.

"Now that's not true," Jesse said interrupting him. "We are interested; it's just different for us."

"How so?" Tony asked.

"You mean besides being labeled a slut?" she said, before taking a long swig from her can. "To a girl, who you lose your virginity to is more important than just losing it, like you guys."

Xander looked away from Jesse. It wasn't that he was uncomfortable discussing sex; it was just that he was doing it with an actual member of the opposite one here.

"So do you like try to picture guys naked?" Jordan asked.

"Probably as often as you do," Jesse answered, to a few nervous chuckles.

Jordan smiled. "Well, if you want I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

"Be naked?" Jesse asked.

Jordan's mouth quickly shot as he looked down. "No, you know just down there."

"I would be game for that," RJ said jumping back into the conversation.

Jesse didn't say anything for a few seconds. As it began to stretch into an uncomfortable time she finally spoke. "That could be interesting. What about you other two?"

Xander looked at Tony, who gave him a glance, and then shrugged. "Why not. What about you Xander?"

Xander couldn't say he had no interest in seeing what a girl looked like. Part of it was just simple curiosity, while there was another, smaller part that hoped it might spark something. At the same time it felt weird, but he didn't want to be the odd man out. "I guess. How would it work?"

"Well, first we would have to agree never to tell anyone about this," Jesse said. When everyone agreed to that she continued. "We could all do it at the same time. You know – 1-2-3, drop."

"That's not fair," Jordan complained. "There's four of us and one of you. We should get four times the amount of time to look at you."

"Actually I would say it's the opposite," Jesse immediately countered. "You're all going to be looking at me but I've got to look at all of you. I think I deserve more time."

"I think it should just be like a minute for all of us. What if someone chickens out though?" RJ said.

"Well, we are all friends. I don't think that's something we need to worry about," Tony said.

"We need a private spot," Jesse said, going to the practical side. "Any suggestions Xander?"

For some reason Xander hadn't thought it was something they were going to do right now. He had to think about it. He first thought of the basement, but there was no lock on the door. "I guess I could show you guys my room."

"Okay," Jesse said, tilting her head back and finishing her can of soda. "Come on boys."

Everybody finished their drinks or simply dumped the remains out, and stood. Xander led them back inside, feeling nervous. He could hear the voice of his father talking to someone. It took an effort for him to go up the stairs, his friends following behind. He led them to his room, holding the door open until the last one got through, and then closing it.

Everyone shuffled around, looking at different things in his room, before RJ brought them to their purpose. "I think we should dump all our phones on the bed. You know, just to be sure."

One at a time, each one of them put their phone on the bed. RJ picked his up and started to fiddle with it. "I've got a sort of a stopwatch. I can set it for a minute, and then it'll beep to tell us time's up."

"Give it a minute and 20 seconds," Tony said. "Gives us time to get ready."

"Who's gonna count down for the big reveal?" Jordan asked.

"I will," Jesse said. "If one of you chickens out and gets a free look I'm pulling up immediately, and everyone pull your shirt up a bit."

"And if you make her do that I'll kick your ass," RJ said.

There were a few nervous laughs at that, but at that moment Xander wished he wasn't there. Not wanting to chicken out though he got ready like everyone else. Everyone was wearing jeans or shorts. In short, everyone had something to unbutton and unzip before holding their pants up with their hands. He wondered if it had been a good idea to wear boxers today instead of his usual tighty-whities. What was everyone else wearing?

RJ said to get ready before dropping his phone on the bed and rushing to join them in the circle. Jesse started to count down, and Xander had to wet his lips. When she got to three they all dropped in almost perfect unison.

For what felt like ten seconds Xander just stared at a blank spot on his wall before consciously pulling his eyes towards Jesse. It was… different. She didn't have any hair, so it was just there. He stared at it for a few seconds more out of curiosity, but feeling nothing. Then, almost against his will, his eyes started to wander. The first male crotch he landed on was RJ's, and like Jesse's, he was bald too. His shaft had the extra skin, showing he wasn't circumcised. Xander was uncircumcised, too, so it wasn't unfamiliar. Still, he started to feel a sort of tingle in his balls and he felt himself start to become hard.

He bit his lip, moving on to Tony. He was cut with large balls and a spattering of hair. His thing looked a bit thicker than either Xander's or RJ's, and he wondered if that was because he was starting to get hard. As he watched it seemed to twitch a bit. Xander had a sudden urge to touch it, to squeeze it. As his shaft reached half-mast he pulled his eyes away towards the last member of the group. Jordan was erect. Showing possibly the biggest difference between them, he didn't have any hair. He was standing the closest to Xander, and his balls seem to stick out a bit more from his body. The smooth black orbs just looked like they needed a good squeezing. His eyes shot back toward RJ. That boy was starting to get hard too, the glans at the tip of his erection starting to peel back the foreskin. Xander decided he liked the clean look.

When the alarm went off there was a scramble to pull up, and Jesse even turned around. Xander looked down to make sure he didn't catch himself, and tried to hide the fact he had gotten hard. When he looked up though, he had the feeling that everybody knew. It was a few seconds before anyone spoke.

"Well, that was fun," Jesse said. "You tell anyone at school this happened and I'll kill you with a pitchfork."

"Is she joking?" Xander asked, to no one in particular.

"We've always found it best never to try her," RJ said, grinning and adjusting his pants.

Xander glanced over at Jesse, who was just smiling. "Right. Let's get back to the party."

Xander's first day of school was not starting out well. All the kids on the street were picked up on the corner. Unfortunately, none of his friends were there. In fact, he was pretty sure he was the only sixth-grader. As he got on the bus, he found out they had assigned seats. That meant he had to sit up front with a girl in third grade and apparently her little sister who was in the first. This was not going to be the highlight of his day.

The school was located on the outskirts of town. Xander had never been so happy to get to school. As the bus disgorged everyone, he mentally summoned the map the school had provided. The school was a three-story building and his classroom was on the top, two doors down from the staircase. As he walked up to the front door he heard his name called out.

"Xander!"

Turning around, he spotted RJ struggling through the crowd. Xander got out of the way of the crowd and waited for his friend to catch up. Sunday's basketball game had been a bit strange at first, at least for him. He couldn't stop trying to picture some of the boys naked. That was until Jesse stole the ball from him and he managed to get his head back in the game.

When RJ was closer Xander spoke up. "What's up?"

"Nothing," RJ said. "I just thought we could walk the class together."

"All right," Xander didn't think he needed it but it was a thoughtful gesture. He talked with RJ until they arrived at the classroom. The teacher was there and Xander introduced himself. She told him to call her Mrs. Q since her last name was hard to pronounce. After a little small talk she told him to sit in the back row near the window. RJ was on the far end of the room to him. A couple of other kids were there, most of them glancing over at him before settling into their own desks. Jordan and Jesse came in together. Jesse swung her backpack off on the desk a few seats away before walking up to him and saying "Hi". Retreating back to her seat she started talking to the girl next door. Ryder came in at the last moment with a few other kids. He took a seat two seats down from Xander. Unfortunately there was a boy between him and the view.

A bell rang, which quieted everyone down, and the teacher rose from behind her desk. She welcomed everyone back from break and then mentioned they had a new student. When she asked if Xander wanted to say anything, everyone turned to look at him. With butterflies in his stomach, he stood up and noticed that Ryder had not turned to look at him.

"Hi, I'm Xander. I just moved here a few days ago. I already have some friends here; it's nice to see you guys and girl," This caused Jesse to laugh. He sat back down feeling a bit embarrassed.

Mrs. Q smiled. "That's good that you've already met some of your classmates. Who do you know?"

"Um Jordan, Jesse, RJ and Ryder." He added the last name uncertain if he should. The thing was the more he thought about Ryder the more confused he was. Jordan and Tony had said some negative things about him, but Jesse had been all positive. When Xander said who he knew he noticed the blond hair flying around as Ryder quickly twisted his head to look at him. He wasn't sure what to make of that.

"That's great. If you have any questions about the school it looks like you have some excellent people to ask. Now, you all had a little vacation from school. I'm going to be pushing you twice as hard."

By the time lunch came around he had figured out that he was ahead in history but behind in science. He also found out that music wasn't an optional course yet. Lunch was familiar enough. The same type of trays, the same not terrible but not good food. He sat with Jordan and RJ, who had a little group of friends. He seemed okay. He casually looked around and found Jesse was sitting with a few girls. He looked a bit longer, and found Ryder was at the far end of the table by himself. Xander felt a strong desire to give him a hug.

One thing that was different from his old elementary school was that recess started when they were done with lunch. The cafeteria had doors that lead straight outside. He waited for everyone else to finish before following them out. Beyond the playground equipment was a large open field set aside for soccer and baseball. That was where he, for the first time in four years, started playing tag again. It was surprisingly fun.

The edge of the soccer field was one of the borders for the game. Xander had noticed that some kids would wait there for an opportune time to join the game, usually when the action was on the far side of the field. He saw Ryder standing there, and jogged up to him. "You joining?"

"You it?" Ryder questioned.

Xander shook his head. "It's the kid in the green shirt."

Ryder looked at him as he stepped over the line, joining the game. Something told Xander he was half expecting to be tagged right away by the guy. When it didn't happened he started to relax, and glanced towards the group, currently on the far side of the field. "I thought you were it."

"I wouldn't cheat like that," Xander said, watching as the kid in the green shirt tagged Jesse, who immediately turned and went after Jordan. "You know I think this is the first time I've seen you without your skateboard."

"Yeah. No reason to bring it," Ryder said. Xander tried to think of something else to say, but Ryder beat him to it. "How's your first day going?"

"So far not too bad. I didn't realize how much I missed recess."

"You didn't have recess at your old school?" Ryder asked.

Xander realized they'd never discussed the school before. "No, I'll tell you about it sometime if you want. Anyway, other than that I'm a little behind in science, but I seem to be caught up everywhere else."

Ryder hesitated for a second. "I'm good with science."

Xander was about to ask for help when Jordan, who had just been tagged, seem to notice them and started running towards them. They split, going in opposite directions, and Ryder was run down and tagged. They didn't get another chance to talk before recess ended.

The rest of the day was uneventful. The last class was English, and they were starting a new book. The teacher gave the class a few minutes to start the first two chapters, but called Xander up to her desk. They discussed the classwork, and Xander said that other than being a little behind in science he felt like he was either with or ahead of them. She offered for him to stay after one day so he could catch up, but Xander said it was fine. He then went back to his seat to read until the day ended.

When the bell rang Xander, like everyone else, threw his stuff into his backpack. As soon as he had it swung over his shoulders he was starting to go for the door, but stopped when he reached Ryder's desk. The blond boy was packing up a bit slower than everybody else. It took the blond a few seconds to look up.

"Hey," Xander started.

"Hey," Ryder answered pushing some of his long hair his eyes.

Xander briefly wondered what Ryder's hair would feel like. "You want to come over today? We could hang out, just the two of us."

Ryder took a long time to answer. "I guess."

Xander nodded. "Well, you know where I live. I'll be waiting," He stood there for a few seconds, not sure what to do before he nodded again. "I'll see you soon."

He turned and walked away, not entirely sure why he had asked that. He wasn't the type of person who asked a friend over every day. He hadn't really thought of it until that very moment. As he got onto his bus he realized he had noticed Ryder wherever he was that entire day. Was this what it was like to have a crush?

***

As Ryder walked down the street he tried to figure out his emotions. He could see why Xander would want to be his friend. It was for the games. His feelings were a bit harder to place. He thought back to what happened on Saturday. At the time he had found it exciting, but afterwards, well he had really needed to get high. What did he want from Xander? It was a question he didn't have an answer for by the time he arrived at Xander's house.

Xander answered the door and welcomed him inside. This time when he had to take off his shoes he wasn't embarrassed. He had made sure to check that none of his socks had holes today. For the rest of his appearance he couldn't do much else. They went downstairs again and started up the Xbox. He didn't mind watching Xander play. He was the type to jump around and get startled. It was fun.

They talked about the day and little random stuff. Ryder was happy with the situation. Occasionally he had to deflect the question, but Xander never seem to push. As Xander was wandering around in the game Ryder gave a warning.

"Don't go there. There's a bunch of super mutants, you'll get killed."

Xander's character hesitated but continued on. "I will just scope it out."

"You're going to die," Ryder said.

"I'll be careful," Xander said, bringing up the scope and scanning the area that was filled with large radio dishes. A second later there was a beeping heard. Xander dropped to scope and started running. The beeping out louder and louder. "No, No, No!" Xander muttered as he turned, trying to shoot at the super mutant who was chasing him.

"Shoot his arm. He will drop the bomb," Ryder said, starting to laugh.

Xander did just that and the supernatant dropped the bomb which immediately went off blowing Xander's character into the air – or at least most of him. His arms and legs went in different directions.

Ryder couldn't resist," I told you so."

"You told me to shoot his arm."

Ryder shrugged and looked over at Xander, who was on the opposite end of the couch. "It works if they're not right on top of you."

Xander's lips pursed and then with no warning he pounced on top of Ryder. He rolled into a ball right away, but the expected blows didn't come. Well, they did but they were more like taps. Realizing what was going on he tried to play along, kicking out trying to push Xander away. Unfortunately his leg was grabbed and he was pulled out from his protected ball and found himself on the carpeted floor.

Ryder was used to being manhandled, but a play fight with Xander was new. They rolled around a bit and each time Xander was going to pin him he found some way to wiggle away. Not that Xander ever really got the upper hand. Even though this wasn't sexual Ryder found himself starting to get hard. He liked feeling another body on top of him, and the hands touching.

He ended up on his stomach, thankful for his baggy clothing, with Xander sitting on his back. When Xander moved a bit Ryder tried to pull away, but being too close to the couch he had to turn. Before he could twist free, Xander sat back down on his hip, flipped him over so that Ryder was now on his back, his head against the couch. He swatted at Xander, who grabbed one of his wrists.

Ryder tried to pull it free but there was no hope of that. So he just tied to keep his other hand free. Pulling it away made Xander slide forward, and that made something rub against his stomach. At first Ryder didn't notice it. Xander was wearing jeans and the fabric was a little coarse; but when his hand was above his head Xander had to lean further forward, and Ryder knew what he was feeling then.

His hands swept back down and grabbed Xander's erection through his pants. "What's this?" Ryder said, giving it a squeeze. Even through the clothing there was no doubt what he held. Xander froze, and for second Ryder felt a thrill of exhilaration as he let his thumb slowly move up it. "Somebody's hard." When he looked up at Xander, though, the other boy's expression was blank.

The confidence he had felt just seconds ago fled Ryder. He had thought he had known where this was going, but now he wasn't sure. He let his fingers travel up and down the length of dick in his hand a few times before he pulled his hand away. Neither of them said anything. Ryder could still hear the game going in the background, the dead music playing. Slowly without saying a word, Xander slid off of him, kneeling down next to him.

He lay there for a few seconds, not looking at Xander, and then bolted upright. He didn't say a word as he ran up the stairs. He forced his feet into his sneakers, bending the backs of them. His vision was blurry as he pulled open the front door. He wiped away the tears from his eyes and started home. He stopped past a few houses away just to fix his sneakers. The entire time he had an inner monologue going.

Stupid. Stupid piece of shit. What were you thinking? You're stupid. Xander isn't messed up. You freaked him out because you're stupid.

When he got home, he kicked his shoes off, only to hear his phone go off. He had left it on the table by the entrance. At first he was going to ignore it, but then he wondered what the hell Brendan would want. Picking it up he found he didn't have one message but five and they were not from Brendan, but Xander.

He stared at the message for second before going through them one by one. 'Please come back,' Was the first. It was sent a few minutes ago. 'I'm sorry,' 'Ryder I'm sorry,' 'I didn't mean it,' 'Please say something!'

Part of Ryder noticed that Xander hadn't shortened anything. He toyed with the idea of not saying anything. The situation was already a mess, but as he thought about it – Xander was apologizing, but for what? He sent a message back. 'I'm here,' He decided not to shorten anything either

Xander's response came in less than a minute. 'Ryder, can we talk? Please.'

Ryder looked up at his phone's charge. 'My battery's dying. Come here if you want to talk. Your dad knows.'

This time the wait before Xander responded was longer, but the message was short. 'Coming.'

Ryder didn't respond, but took the phone to his bedroom and plugged it into the charger. Then he went to the front door and waited. Xander appeared a few minutes later. Ryder opened the door and stepped outside as Xander made his way up there path.

"Can we talk inside?" Xander said, even before Ryder had managed to shut the front door.

Ryder looked him up and down and then shrugged. "Whatever," He crossed his arms and waited in the living room as Xander closed the door behind him. Not knowing where this was going, he let Xander speak first.

Xander let out a long breath and Ryder noticed his cheeks were a bit red, as if he had run part of the way here. "Ryder, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean anything by it."

Ryder nodded, chewing on his lower lip, confused. "What do you mean?"

The taller boy hesitated. "Is anyone home?"

Ryder shook his head. "My parents are at work. What are you trying to say?"

"I wasn't trying to do anything. It just happened!"

"You were hard?" Ryder meant it as a statement but even to his own ears it came out as a question.

"Yeah I was, and I'm sorry. When we started wrestling that wasn't my plan it just happened. It's never happened before."

Ryder was starting to realize there were two different things going on here. "You've never gotten hard before?"

Xander looked down at the ground. "Well, yeah I have, but not like that," Xander lifted his hands to his head and squeezed them together. "Please don't tell anyone."

"I won't," Ryder said, thinking that was the end of it.

Xander continued. "I think I may like boys. That doesn't mean I was trying to do something with you. It just happened. When I noticed that I tried to stop, but well I…," He trailed off, squeezing his arms together to cover his face as he looked down.

Ryder stared at Xander. This was not what he had been expecting. He felt simultaneously afraid and excited. He could've stayed silent. Xander, though, was upset and something in him didn't like that. "So you like me?"

Xander let out a long loud sigh. "Well, I don't know. I mean. Damn."

Ryder let his arms fall to the side and take a step closer to the other boy. Xander was easily a head taller than him, which meant he would have to look up to look away from him now. "Do you like the way I look?" Ryder asked afraid of the answer.

"Yeah," Xander said, letting his arms fall staring at him.

Ryder smiled. Brendan and Kevin liked what he did not what he looked like. This was nice. "What do you like about the way I look?"

Xander looked at him, appraising him. "A lot of things."

"Name one."

Xander grimaced. "Well, your feet."

Ryder looked down at his feet. They were clad in white socks. "My feet?"

Xander nodded.

Ryder looked down at them again. They were small like the rest of him. Why would Xander like them? Why would Xander like anything about him? "You want to sit down?" Ryder suggested.

"Okay," Xander said.

They moved over to the couch, which was only a loveseat; bring them closer than when they were at Xander's house. On a whim Ryder brought his feet up, placing them between the two cushions that were between them. "So you like my feet?" Ryder said. He thought back to what Brendan had told him to do. What was so special about feet?

Xander was looking down at them. "Yeah."

Slowly Ryder moved his feet a little closer to Xander. His toes touched the others leg. "You want to touch them?"

Xander didn't move for a few seconds, and then his hand reached out and picked up one of Ryder's feet and placed it on his lap. After what felt like a very long time a finger slowly removed his sock. Ryder had never given much thought to his feet so he had no idea if they looked good or not. However, when Xander's hands slowly wrapped around his foot and started to massage it, he decided he liked this. After a few seconds Ryder brought up his other foot which received the same treatment. "You want to kiss them?"

Xander looked over at him, and Ryder stared back at him, not sure what he was doing. Slowly, Xander brought one of the feet up to his lips and kissed it. It was a weird sensation. Xander's lips kissed his arch, and he could feel the soft skin of Xander's lips touch his arch.

"Now what?" Xander asked.

Ryder's bravery was reaching its endpoint. "Whatever you want."

Xander didn't move for a second, but then slowly he twisted around, bringing his knees up, which caused Ryder to lean back. He was more than happy to spread his legs to either side. Xander started to pull him down a bit so his head rested on the cushion, his hair spreading out behind him. Ryder didn't resist when Xander grabbed his one wrist and brought it up to the top of his head. His other hand was placed over his wrist and Xander held them there one of his bigger hands.

"Anything?" Xander questioned.

Ryder nodded. "Yeah."

Xander kept his hand on Ryder's wrists, but with his free hand he slowly started to move Ryder's shirt up, showing off his stomach. Xander did it slowly, and because Ryder was on his back he had to help by rocking back and forth whenever the shirt became stuck. He felt a slight thrill as his chest was exposed, and as the shirt was pulled over his head he felt his hair being pulled back. Xander's hips moved forward, forcing Ryder's legs further apart. It was a little uncomfortable, so Ryder wrapped them around Xander's hips, locking his ankles together. The other boy didn't seem to complain the way he was staring at his chest, maybe he did notice.

Ryder was starting to get hard and it wasn't the half-mast from the earlier wrestling. He was excited. When he felt Xander's hands touch his ribs he closed his eyes as a finger slowly walked up his chest. Xander's fingertips moved from one rib to another. Ryder felt himself smiling. When he looked down between them he saw a lump. "You're hard again."

Xander stopped what he was doing and grimaced. "Yeah."

Ryder tightened his legs a bit, raising his hips up, and tried to push his own erection against Xander's. "I am too."

Xander thrust his hips down, pushing Ryder's butt into the couch. He felt the taller boy grind against him, and Ryder opened his mouth to let out a groan. Even through the jeans he could feel Xander's erection against his own. He opened his mouth and tilted his head back and forth as the other started to grind into him.

Ryder could feel his cheeks flush, and he tilted his head from one side to the other as he raised his hips to push against Xander's. He was used to having his mouth stuffed, he was used to being in a sort of control, but here it was all Xander. He was loud, and when he tried to move his arms Xander kept them pinned. That somehow made him feel even more excited. He felt his orgasm building, and his legs tightened around Xander, who was moving his hips up and down. Ryder's toes curled as he felt an orgasm explode from his crotch. It was dry, but sent a shiver throughout his entire body. Still Xander continued to grind against him, and even though the pressure of his legs slackened slightly he consciously tried to hold on, tightening them again, until Xander pushed against him one more time and let out a weird half gasp, half moan.

When their eyes met, Ryder could see Xander was flushed and he knew he must look similar. The silence between them started to stretch and was starting to be uncomfortable. So Ryder cracked a joke.

"Well that was fun."

Xander looked away and let out a throaty laugh. "Yeah."

"Hope you didn't make a mess," Ryder said, as Xander got off of him.

Xander looked down. "I did."

Ryder smiled when he got a look at Xander's crotch, though he couldn't see any wet spots. Not knowing what else to say, he straightened his shirt back, pulling it down. "Want to borrow a game?"

Xander left Ryder's house after receiving a text about coming home for dinner. Ryder walked him to the door, but they didn't kiss or anything. As he walked home Xander realized he was more confused than when he had first left his house. When Ryder had left his house so abruptly Xander wasn't sure what to think. He had been scared. He had wanted to explain to Ryder that it was just an accident. Ryder had taken control the conversation somehow. Xander wasn't sure how he had gotten around to outing himself.

In a way it had felt like a dream. The first time he had had Ryder over he remembered noticing his feet. Seeing the two of them there on his lap had been weirdly thrilling. He couldn't believe he had kissed one of them. He couldn't believe the other things he had done. Weirdest of all had been afterwards. Instead of talking about what had happened, they talked about video games.

Was Ryder gay too? Did the blonde boy think they were boyfriends? Did he even want a boyfriend? What had they done really? It wasn't sex like he knew it. What had it been?

By the time he arrived home he hadn't figured out any of those questions. He saw his mom's car in the driveway and when he opened the front door he was assaulted by the smell of vegetables cooking.

Dinner was almost ready, and instead of retreating to his room like he desperately wanted to do, he was roped into helping put out with the plates. As food was doled out his dad asked, "Did you make up with Ryder?"

Xander's guilty conscience first heard made out, but he was pretty sure he caught himself from looking too startled. "Yeah. It was a misunderstanding."

"Ryder?" His mom said thinking. "He wasn't at the barbecue was he? I would've thought I would remember a name like that."

"He wasn't able to make it. His parents own a store in Denver." Xander said trying to direct the conversation away from the argument he had told his dad he had with Ryder.

"Oh, what type?" His mom asked.

Xander tried to think back and smiled embarrassed. "You know, I never asked."

This caused his parents to laugh, which made Xander roll his eyes. Thankfully the conversation went on to other things. After dinner he excused himself to do his homework, retreating to his bedroom and closing the door behind him. The first hour or so was legitimately dedicated to homework. After that he decided to start his own personal research project.

He stared at the search engine for a long time before hesitantly typing in gay sex information. The last word was added in hopes of avoiding a cornucopia of porn sites. The first few websites were less than useful. It was Wikipedia that gave him his first solid information. As it turned out the thing he had done with Ryder did have a name: Frot. He guessed that meant he was no longer a virgin. Well, maybe. The more he read the more he realized that virginity, for at least male-male relationships, was more of a theory then a straight up definition. Strictly out of curiosity, he looked up what defined virginity and quickly discovered it was a flexible concept.

Turning his computer off, he poked at his cell, pulled it out of his pocket. He started to type a message to Ryder, but after several attempts he gave up. Asking if Ryder was gay or anything else at the moment just didn't seem right. Xander was pretty sure most people dated before they had any sex stuff going on. What exactly was he supposed to say? How did he get from here to the next step… or did he even want to go on?

Xander gave up for the night and plugged his phone into the charger. He headed downstairs to hang out with his parents. At the moment he just wanted to be around something he understood.

The next morning he got up early and decided to grab a shower before breakfast. As he stripped out of his sleepwear he looked down at his body. His stomach was flat and he could see his spattering pubic hair sticking out from him. He slowly ran his fingers through it. It felt rougher than the stuff on his head. He wrapped some of it around a finger and watched as he caught the light.

For the first 12 years of his life he hadn't thought too much about the spot between his legs. Now it seemed to be, well, not the center of his world, but certainly more predominant. He remembered back to the barbecue and seeing three of his friend's private parts. He had definitely preferred the ones without hair. He wondered if it was a gay thing or not. Thinking back on some of the porn he had seen, he guessed it could go either way.

His hand drifted down a little further, grabbing hold of his soft shaft. He pulled the skin down further before letting go, watching the skin retract backwards. He felt himself start to stiffen and climbed into the shower, turning on the water. The water smacked him in the chest and he lowered his head into the spray, watching the water snake down his body.

He wondered what Ryder would think of him. He thought back to yesterday. Ryder had been very willing. Xander closed his eyes and pictured Ryder's feet on his lap. They had been soft to the touch and sexy. In his mind he imagined doing more to them then he had. He imagined grabbing one to his face as he twisted around on the couch. As his shaft became hard he began to stroke it, leaning against the shower wall to hold himself up.

In his fantasies he kissed the small feet and even licked them. Xander could imagine how they could wiggle and Ryder would laugh at the sensation. Then he could push his knees back further until they were touching Ryder's chest. Xander thought he could hold both of Ryder's ankles in one hand, freeing his other one up to start pulling at the blonde boy's pants.

Ryder's skin was fair, and his butt cheeks had to be pale. Xander tried to picture what they would look like as he slowly revealed them. He pictured the pale cheeks being exposed, and then the slow exposure of Ryder's balls. They would be little like everything else. Then Xander started to have a problem. He liked to keep his fantasies realistic, and now he would either need to keep holding onto Ryder's ankles, or maybe Ryder could hold his legs there himself.

It would free up Xander's hands. That way he could spread those cute little cheeks and slide his erection into the boy's bottom. Xander imagined himself sliding into Ryder's small figure. He leaned down further, shower water hitting his back as he felt himself begin to climax. His cum shut out from his body and hit the shower's side before being washed away in the stream. Xander let out a gasp and stroked himself a few more times, feeling a little more dribble out onto his fingers. He stayed like that for a few seconds before straightening.

Looking down at his hand he saw some cum on his fingertip. It was almost like the color of milk when it was watered down. It made him think about blow jobs. He knew both boys and girls could give them; the idea of putting that stuff in his mouth was weird. He quickly moved his hand into the stream of water, letting it wash away, and trying to put the idea out of his mind.

The rest of Xander's shower concentrated on cleaning himself. Unfortunately, as he was drying off his fantasy came back to him, but in a different way. A feeling like guilt washed over him. It wasn't so much because he had been fantasizing about a boy, but it just seemed like such a bad fantasy. The sex scenes he had seen on TV and in movies had always shown kissing and hugging before the humping. His fantasy didn't have any of that. He felt more like he was using Ryder.

Then Xander realized he had. Ryder had been willing, but had only done what Xander wanted. He remembered pinning Ryder's little arms. He hadn't allowed the boy to do anything else. Xander felt like his stomach just dropped to his feet as he imagined trying to be in Ryder's place. He hadn't deserved that. As Xander thought about it, he realized Ryder hadn't texted him last night, and he hadn't sent one, either. That wasn't good.

***

Ryder liked quiet. As a consequence he hated the bus ride to school. He sat with two boys who were best friends with each other. They were nice enough and usually just ignored him. He managed to get to class earlier than usual. The class was mostly empty, which meant watching everyone come in. Xander entered alone and barely glanced at him. That hurt a bit, but Ryder just shrugged it off.

Class went on and he did his best to pay attention. He wasn't sure why. It was just easier to do what you were told then slack off. It's not like his parents cared about his grades. Well maybe his mom cared a bit. They never got onto him about it though. The only subject he actually found interesting was science. It was like learning about a different world. There were no gray areas. A+ B always equaled C.

When lunch came he bought his meal and took his usual spot at the end of the table. He could see Xander a little way down the table but the boy didn't look at him. For some reason, that hurt. He didn't know why. Ryder knew he wasn't expecting anything different. As far as he could tell the other boy didn't even glance at him. When he went out for recess he did join the game of tag going on.

The rest of the day offered little of interest. So the game of tag that was going on became capture the flag. Ryder hung back to guard the flag. Most of the boys were wearing shorts, which provided him with some eye candy. It was interesting to see how some boys had thick muscles in their legs, while others looked almost pencil thin. Not that his eye candy kept Ryder from keep doing his job. His flag was only captured twice and he was able to get it back. He could be fast over a short distance.

The rest of the day passed painfully slowly. At the end of the day they were given a few minutes to read the next chapter in the lesson. Ryder twisted in his seat, and instead of reading he looked out the window until the bell rang.

The bus ride home was uneventful. Ryder wasn't sure what he was doing when he got home. He had decided to start on his homework when his phone started to ring. He quickly picked it up, assuming it was his parents, who were the only ones who called them.

"Hello."

"Hi, Ryder?"

He frowned. The voice sounded familiar but he couldn't place it. "Yeah."

"This is Xander."

Ryder blinked. "Oh, you sound different over the phone."

Xander chuckled. "Yeah, you do too. I was calling to um… To see if you are doing anything."

"I'm free." Ryder said thinking of yesterday's experience. It had been different and exciting.

"Great." Xander said not sounding too excited. "You want to meet up at the convenience store? I can buy you a milkshake."

Ryder hesitated. He had been expecting Xander to ask to come over. "I guess."

"Okay, I'll be leaving now, so see you there. Okay?"

"Okay." Ryder said. He stayed on the phone for a few more seconds, hearing Xander still on the other end. "Well, bye."

"Yeah, bye."

Ryder didn't wait for Xander to hang up. He wasn't sure why Xander wanted to meet up someplace else first, but if Xander wanted to buy him a milkshake, he wasn't going to complain. When he headed back out he grabbed his skateboard and helmet. The convenience store wasn't that long a trip, but Xander was already outside waiting for him.

Xander waited until he got off the skateboard to greet him. "How long have you had that?"

Ryder shrugged. "I got this one for my birthday but I've been on one since I was six."

"Cool." Xander said nodding. "Let's go get that milkshake."

They went inside and Xander said he could order anything. He ordered a chocolate shake and so did Xander. After Xander paid for the both of them they went outside to sit at the picnic table, and sat on opposite sides. They both sipped for a while before Xander broke the silence.

"Sorry, I don't really know what I'm doing."

Ryder finished his sip. "What do you mean?"

Xander looked around to see if there was anyone nearby. "I've never done anything like this before."

"You never had a milkshake?"

Xander smiled. "No, you know what I mean."

"I really don't." Ryder said honestly. If Xander wanted to borrow a game he could've just asked, and if he wanted a blow job he should've picked a private place.

Xander let out a long sigh. "Well you know yesterday."

"What about it?"

Xander bowed his head before looking back up at him. "Do you want to go out? I mean, I was trying to figure it out. You seem to like the fact that I… I like you, but I don't know what to do from here. I mean I really do want to get to know you better."

Ryder stared at the other boy, stunned. Go out? The idea had never entered his head. He had sucked Brendan and Kevin's cock, but that was because he wanted to. Outside of that and smoking pot, he didn't really do anything else with them. "What do you mean by going out?"

Xander nodded. "Nothing too public. I mean like small stuff. We wouldn't have to hold hands or anything. We could keep it subtle just between the two of us. We would be friends to everyone else."

"I see." Ryder sipped on his milkshake. "I guess that would be okay."

Xander relaxed. "All right." Xander let out a long sigh and then smiled at him. "So are you any good with that skateboard?"

"I guess. There's a little skate park around here, but it's pretty far. It's behind some church."

"A church? That's weird."

"Yeah, I know. Something about reaching out to the community or something."

"I don't really know that much about skateboarding. Maybe you could show me a thing or two?"

Ryder shrugged. "Sure."

"Great, it's a date."

Ryder glared at Xander. "If you're going to make those types of jokes, we may have to break up."

Xander nodded exaggeratedly. "I'll never do it again. So is that the same skateboard you had when you were six?"

"No, that one wasn't a good one. That one got busted years ago. What about you? How long have you been playing basketball?"

They went back and forth, asking questions, until their milkshakes were finished. As they were getting up to leave Xander looked around. He gestured for Ryder to follow. "Come over here."

Ryder hesitated before following. Xander headed towards the back of the building. The area was closed off from prying eyes. "What is it?" Ryder asked.

"Well, this was a date I guess."

"I guess." Ryder echoed.

"Right, I figured we should kiss goodbye."

"Oh," Ryder said. "I've never kissed anyone before."

"Good, because I haven't either," Xander said, leaning down and pressing his lips against Ryder's.

Ryder was stunned at first, but after a second sort of pushed back a bit, his lips moving against Xander's. He tasted a bit like a chocolate.

They looked at each a second before Xander smiled. "We should have lunch tomorrow."

"Yeah." Ryder said smiling.

"I'll text you," Xander said, smiling back at him.

Ryder turned and watched Xander walk away. The other boy kept looking back over his shoulder before rounding the corner. Ryder stared after him before slowly raising his hand to his lips. His first kiss. It felt good.

Ryder started back home, and he didn't need his skateboard to feel like he was gliding. There had been something nice about that thing. Something he didn't understand. It was a feeling that lasted until he was almost home and noticed two people outside his front door. He let his skateboard slowly glide to a stop as Brendan and Kevin slowly walked towards him.

"Hey, we were just seeing if you were home." Brendan said slowly walking up him. "Got some free time?" His hand slowly drifted towards his crotch like he had an inch, but was too deliberate.

On any other given day Ryder would've been happy for the distraction. Today, though, he felt a vise clamp around his stomach. "I can't. I have a doctor's appointment."

"Not even for a quickie?" Brendan said, glancing back at Kevin.

Ryder had a flash of anger. "What, you want a quickie? Last time you two left and took my joint."

Brendan gave him a lopsided grin. "Yeah, Kevin started to lose his shit. He had to smoke half of it before he calmed down. Thought I was too rough on you."

"Shut up," Kevin said, weakly.

"Yeah, whatever." Ryder said going around the two. "My mom's going to be here soon."

"Fine." Brendan called out. "How about tomorrow?"

Ryder didn't turned around, but flipped him off. The moment he was in his house he locked the door and slowly sagged to the floor. "Crap."

Chapter 6

The third day of school should've felt like a routine Xander thought. For the most part it was. He met up with RJ and they talked as they walked to class. He sat at his seat and tried to pay attention. It wasn't routine though. He kept thinking about the boy two seats in front of him. If he glanced out the window he could see Ryder's reflection in profile. He was cute with his long blonde hair. A couple of times he tried looking over at someone else. He wondered why blonde hair looked so much better on Ryder than on a girl.

When lunch finally rolled around Xander did his best to get in front of the line. He hadn't discussed it with his usual group but today he sat at the very end of the table where there were usually a few empty spots. When RJ joined him a moment later he casually swung his leg up on the seat next to him.

"Why are we sitting here today?" RJ asked sitting across from him.

"I invited Ryder to join us today." Xander explained.

RJ just nodded and as everyone else joined them they asked the same question. As the table filled up, Xander started to wonder where Ryder was. Finally he spotted him coming down the almost empty lunch line. He waved at him as he started down the table and slid his leg down. Ryder approached but hesitated before taking the empty seat.

"What took you so long?" Xander asked as Ryder sat down next to him.

"Bathroom." Ryder answered opening his milk.

Xander nodded and went back to the conversation which was about which teams they might be joining soon. Apparently Xander would have a choice between baseball, basketball or soccer. Xander was interested to join. Jordan turned the conversation towards girls when he mentioned the soccer team would most likely have some girls on it.

Glancing over at Ryder, he noticed the blond boy remained silent for the entire conversation. He lowered his voice and asked. "You join any teams?"

"I don't do sports." Ryder answered.

"Really? Why not?"

Ryder shrugged and didn't elaborate.

Xander's mind cast around for another question to ask but his mind came up blank. Fortunately his uncomfortable silence didn't last long as people finished up lunch and headed out. That didn't provide much time talking, but Xander was able to think straight. When it came to dating he was a complete novice. Still, he was pretty sure he should try to find something more in common with Ryder beyond video games. The thing was the more he thought about Ryder the less he really knew. It wasn't until he started to think about it that he realized how invasive Ryder was. It seemed weird.

As the whistle blew to call them in from recess he caught up with Ryder. "What are you doing later today?"

"I don't know."

Ryder nodded and decided to dive in. "Well, you want to come over after school? You know just hang out for a bit."

"Yes."

Ryder had answered so quickly that Xander felt like a physical blow. When he looked over at the blond, there was something about him. Xander wasn't sure what but he smiled. "I'll be looking forward to it."

That wasn't an exaggeration. The rest of the day was fairly boring. He was glad when it ended and was happy to get home. When he got home, he took his shoes off and headed towards the kitchen. His dad was sitting there eating a sandwich.

"Late lunch?"

"I was in a zone." His dad replied. "How was school?"

"Fairly boring. I invited Ryder over by the way." Xander said as he opened the fridge and started looking around for a snack.

"Really? You must like him."

Xander had been reaching for the lemonade when those words froze him. Did his dad suspect? "What do you mean?"

"He's been over a lot." His dad said finishing off his sandwich.

Grateful his head was still buried in the fridge Xander took a few seconds to compose himself. "I guess. Is that a problem?"

His dad shrugged as he turned the water on to wash off the plate. "Not as long as you get your schoolwork done." His dad began wiping the plate down and turned around to look at him. "What did you two fight about the other day?"

"It was just a misunderstanding. Were good now."

"What sort of misunderstanding?" His dad asked.

"Why does it matter?" Xander said becoming annoyed.

His dad nodded and slowly put the plate down. "Xander, I just wanted bring something to your attention because you may not have noticed it. Ryder's clothes look like they are well-worn. I can't be certain that his family may not be as well-off as ours. He might be sensitive about that."

Xander thought back to Ryder's house. It had certainly been smaller but it had looked nice. Maybe it was a point to argue or maybe just take the easy out. "Okay dad."

Grateful that his dad occasionally missed the target Xander wandered to the front of the house and waited for Ryder. When he saw him coming up the street he opened the front door before he turned up the driveway.

"Hey." Xander said.

Ryder smiled at him and without thinking about it Xander smiled back.

"Hey. We going downstairs?" Ryder asked stopping at the front door.

"I was thinking I could show you my room first. You haven't seen it yet."

Ryder smiled widened. "All right."

They went upstairs and Xander showed Ryder his room. There wasn't all that much to it. He had a desk with a laptop on it, a bed and a dresser covered with trophies. The last things drew Ryder's attention.

"Wow, you're really into sports." Ryder said. "How many are there?"

"22 but most of them are just for participation." He moved a little closer and pointed to smaller ones. "I got that one last year. I was on the All-Star team for the week. We came in second." He pointed to another slightly larger one. "This one is actually for flag football. It's one of my older trophies from when I was seven. It was the first year any team went undefeated."

"What's that one for?" Ryder asked pointing to the largest.

"Basketball, two years ago we won a tournament. Most of the others are just participation stuff. I even have an academic one for showing up every day." He smiled to himself. He had one enough trophies to realize some have more value than others.

"If you play sports this year, you might need a bigger dresser." Ryder said.

"Yeah." Xander agreed. "So you were never on the team or anything?"

"My parents don't believe in sports."

"Oh, did you ever want to play a sport?"

Ryder shrugged. "I don't know. I'm not exactly built for it."

Xander looked over at Ryder. His clothes were baggy on him today but he could remember lifting the shirt up seeing his ribs. "I don't know. I used to have a friend who did wrestling. I don't think he was much bigger than you but he was pretty good at it. You're always matched up with someone in your weight class so you wouldn't have to worry about that."

"Maybe, but I said my parents don't like sports. Did you try wrestling?"

It was hard for Xander to wrap his head around parents so firmly putting their foot down on an activity like that. "I did for a few weeks. I quit."

"Why?"

Xander grimaced. "Well would you like to know the truth or what I told everyone?"

Ryder brushed the hair out of his eyes. "Both."

Xander sat down on his bed and Ryder sat next to him. "Well my official reason was it started interfering basketball. My unofficial one was I kept getting hard every time I would wrestle someone. I mean it wasn't bad for practices because I could hide it but for competitions you wear something that doesn't leave much to the imagination."

"So you quit because you were getting a Boner? Didn't you try to get rid of them beforehand?"

Xander let out a little sigh. "Wrestling tournaments can last for hours." He hesitated and then added. "It was the first time I started to suspect that I might be gay. I mean the tournaments sometimes practice you knew other people were getting them, but." He stopped himself and saying more. It was hard to explain and before Ryder could ask he posed a question to him. "I guess it's kinda stupid to ask but are you or do you think you're gay, bi or what?"

"Gay." Ryder said without hesitation. "I've always had crushes on boys."

Xander looked at Ryder. "So you always knew?"

"I guess."

"Do your parents know?"

Ryder's face went blank for a moment and then he just fell back onto the bed. "They don't care."

"You told them?" Xander asked twisting around so he could get a better look at Ryder.

"They don't care about… That stuff."

Xander nodded. "Yeah, I think my parents would be the same way."

***

When Xander had asked Ryder if he wanted to come over, it was the closest thing he had ever felt to divine intervention. Usually he was eager to set off Brendan and Kevin, but this thing with Xander was weird in a good way. He hadn't wanted to see the other two today and now he had a place to hide or at least a bit. Then when Xander had invited him to his room he figured the relationship developed along the same lines.

Then they had started talking. Xander had opened up to him. Ryder didn't know how to deal with that. He had almost said his parents don't care about him. He had just managed to catch himself.

Ryder realized Xander was looking at him. "What?"

"You zoned out."

"Sorry. Did you ask me something?"

"I was just saying it's weird having someone to talk about these things."

Ryder tilted his head forward letting his hair cover his eyes. "I guess."

"Speaking of parents my mom asked me a question about yours. What kind of store do they run?"

Ryder felt himself tense up. Unfortunately this time he didn't see a way around answering the question. He hoped Xander's family would support it. "They run a marijuana dispensary."

There was what felt like a very long pause before Xander responded. "Oh, I hear those are doing well."

"Yeah." Xander said looking down at his own clothing. His shirt which was maybe 3 inches [7 cm] above his knees and was frayed at the bottom.

"Are you okay with that?"

"I guess." Xander replied. "I mean it doesn't really matter."

Ryder relaxed a bit. "Good."

"Honestly, I never cared that much. I remember out my old school a while back they tried to have us discuss it. It doesn't affect me either way. Is it a problem sometimes?"

He hesitated and then nodded. "At first. People would joke that I could hook them up. It was annoying."

Xander was silent this time it looked like he was struggling with a question. "Is that why you don't have that many friends?"

Ryder thought of denying it at first but it was true enough. "Part of it I guess."

"What's the other part?"

Ryder felt himself smiling but it was a nervous smile. "I'm not sure. I… Have trouble sometimes. I don't know how to… you know I guess make friends."

"Well, I know Jessie seems to like you. She says you're great to have in a group."

Ryder shifted uncomfortable. "I'm good with school work."

"Well, I like you." Xander said smiling.

"That's because I let you kiss me." Ryder said smiling back.

"Hey, I kissed you like, once."

"That's not my fault." Ryder said turning towards Xander.

Xander started leaning towards him and Ryder met him halfway. Their lips met and Ryder enjoyed his second kiss. He turned his head slightly this time letting his lips move against Xander's, their noses touching side to side. When Xander started to push against him Ryder let him slide him back onto his bed.

Ryder felt Xander's arms come up to his shoulders, pushing him back until his head was resting on the mattress. Xander stared down at Ryder and slowly sat up on his knees. "What about your dad?" Ryder asked.

"He's working. Usually, I can hear him coming up the stairs and he knocks too." Xander said looking down at him.

Ryder smiled and slowly squirmed away so he could get to his feet. Taking a few steps away from the bed he turned around. "Would you like me to undress?"

Xander twisted around to watch. He slowly smiled and nodded.

Looking down at his feet, Ryder carefully put his heel over the tip of his sock and slowly pulled it off. He did the same for the other one. He was wearing shorts so his feet weren't obscured by pants. He slowly twisted them around. "You like these?"

"Yeah, they're nice."

Ryder didn't really understand that but whatever. He casually pulled his shirt off and let it drop to the side. He twisted around not sure if he was being sexy or not. Trying to jiggle his butt like he had seen on TV but he was pretty sure he failed at that.

"Take off your shorts." Xander said softly but loud enough for Ryder to feel the thrill of the words.

Unzipping his shorts, he hooked his fingers in the waistband making sure to get a hold of his underwear too. He turned around so his back would be to Xander and pulled them down. He stuck his butt out so Xander would get a good view of his butt. He bent over before standing up and turning around. He had sprung a boner when he turned around. He stood there waiting for Xander's next command.

To his surprise Xander got up off the bed and walked over to him. The difference in their height required Ryder to look up at him. He felt his long hair sliding down his head and when Xander lifted a hand to run his fingers through it, it sent a little tingle through him. When Xander's arms went around him and held him close Ryder felt things he had never felt before. It wasn't just physical but something else.

Ryder pushed his body against Xander's wanting to feel as much contact as possible. As he did, he could feel Xander's erection trapped by his clothing. He pressed his stomach against it wanting to see how it would feel and then slowly started to lower himself to his knees. Xander's hands stayed in contact with him slowly sliding upwards towards his shoulders as he slid down.

When he was on his knees, he started to work on Xander's clothing. The shorts were unzipped. Ryder pulled them down a bit but not all the way. Xander was wearing white underwear and his erection was clearly straining against it. He stared at the fabric covered erection. It didn't compare to Brendan and Kevin but it was nice. When his fingertips reached up and pulled the waistband down, he smiled at what he saw.

Slowly, he pressed his lips against Xander's ball sack than along the underside of his erection. He cracked his lips and let it slide into his mouth. It felt like forever since he last had one in there and while this one might not be as filling as others, it was okay. Gently, Ryder started to suck, grateful that Xander had some pubic hair. He slid his lips back and forth on Xander's dick inhaling something from his scarce patch of hair, a slight smell but such a pleasurable one. He continued to move his mouth back and forth. Xander was quiet at first but his breathing started to increase and the grip on his shoulders while not becoming too tight definitely became firmer.

"Ryder, going to cum."

Ryder forced down as far as he could and sucked all the air out. Xander lasted all of a few seconds after that. Ryder felt the warm liquid smack against the top of his mouth. He waited a few seconds but that seemed to be all that was coming and he slowly slid his mouth off. He swallowed the load and Xander stared down at him with his cheeks tinted red.

"Wow." Xander said after a minute breaking into a huge smile.

Ryder smiled up at him proudly. "I'm glad you're not a screamer."

Xander chuckled nervously taking half a step back and peering down between Ryder's legs. "I guess it's my turn."

"You don't have too." Ryder said starting to stand up but before he could Xander's hands stopped him. Ryder rolled onto his back while Xander knelt down.

The boy waited for a moment and just paused between his spread legs. It happened as if in slow-motion stop. He grasped Ryder's private parts. He fiddled with them for a bit rubbing them as Ryder moaned. Despite everything he had done, he had not really been touched there at all. Ryder couldn't remember the feeling of fingers caressing his privates. He rolled his head back staring at the world upside down as Xander's fingers explored new territory.

When Ryder felt two fingers on either side of his shaft, he rolled his head back to see what was going to happen, just in time to see Xander's mouth going over his dick. Xander was careful at first slowly sliding down. A couple of times, Ryder felt teeth but only briefly. Ryder swung his arms up to cover his eyes and his mouth. He moaned as Xander started to move up and down his shaft. He had never received anything like this before and Ryder wanted to close his legs, keeping Xander's head there forever, but he resisted.

When his orgasm came, Ryder opened his mouth and immediately filled it with his arm so the half gasp half moan was muffled. Afterwards when he took his arms away, uncovering his eyes he saw Xander looking at him and then slowly moved up and lay down next to Ryder on the floor.

"That was awesome." Xander announced.

"Yeah." Ryder agreed.

The stayed silent for a few seconds because Ryder really didn't care right now about time. Xander began to talk about what he always thought it would be like. He told Ryder how he always thought it was a bit disgusting, but when the time came and he looked down at Ryder's erection he hadn't been disgusted at all. Ryder didn't know what to say to that really.

When Xander's father called up that dinner would be ready soon, Ryder quickly got dressed as Xander fixed himself. They had been upstairs for about two hours having lost track of time. As they started down the stairs Xander's mother appeared at the bottom.

"Ryder, will you be staying for dinner?"

Ryder stepped on Xander's foot who was behind him and suddenly felt uncomfortable. "I should go."

Xander's mother nodded. "All right, but just remember you're always welcome too."

Ryder went to retrieve his shoes and Xander came next to him. With his parents being so close though they didn't feel comfortable talking nor did they kiss goodbye when Ryder left.

Ryder started down the street the sun still in the sky. He went to the convenience store and hung out. He bought himself a candy bar and very slowly ate it. His parents weren't reliable enough to come home at a set time and he didn't want to get there too fast in case Brendan and Kevin were hanging out there. When he knew that even his parents would be home that was when he left the convenience store. He realized now that he was trying to avoid the other two. He was going to have to do something about that.

Chapter 7

Over the last two weeks Ryder's life fell into a pattern. Most days he went over to Xander's house immediately after school and then hid out at the convenience store until his parents got home. Some nights he would eat dinner with Xander and his family which had been weird at first. Usually when Ryder ate with his parents there would be little conversation thrown his way and then his parents would get into something. They weren't arguing just talking about things Ryder didn't care about. Xander's parents included him in the conversation along with Ryder when he was there. It was weird, but in a good way.

There were times he almost dreaded going home. Now, he never looked forward to it, but that was partly due to Brendan. His text messages had gone from asking where he was to demanding to know where the hell he was. Kevin had even texted to say Brendan was pissed. Those messages had died off over the last week. There was a part of Ryder that missed the two older boys. Having two cocks had been thrilling. He loved it on some level. It wasn't that he wasn't satisfied with Xander. He liked Xander. It was fun getting him excited. He just wished Xander was more forceful sometimes.

"Three points!"

Ryder surfaced from his thoughts and went back to the basketball game in front of him. It was Saturday and his friends were playing a friendly game. He had become part of the group mostly for Xander pulling him along. During their weekend games it didn't take long for everyone to find out he sucked at basketball. It had actually been Ryder's idea to keep score so he didn't have to play and embarrass himself or Xander.

Adding three points he called out. "25 to 18 skins."

Looking back up at the game, he spotted Xander shirtless and flushed from exertion. He felt a little twinge of arousal at the sight. He couldn't wait for the game to be over so he could give Xander a blow job as a victory prize or a consolation prize. Ryder didn't really care.

This game was three on three with Xander, Tony and RJ as the skins and the rest on the other team. Bored, Ryder started to make up a fantasy. They were playing just for fun, the winning team got him. Ryder smiled thinking about that. He hadn't seen them but Xander told him what Tony and RJ looked like. Damn, he wished he had gone to that party.

In his head, the fantasy played on, Xander's team won and they all headed to his place to take a shower. Xander didn't mind sharing his prize. All four of them were cramped up in the shower stall. Ryder pictured himself, kneeling in the middle of the circle of athletic legs, starting up at the three boys' cocks, hard and throbbing.

He went for Xander's dick first, taking it in his mouth and sucking it hungrily. Meanwhile, Tony and RJ rubbed his butt and groped his crotch. The next moment he sucked RJ's dick then Tony's. All of them were getting more excited seeing how much he enjoyed pleasuring their hard cocks.

"So which one is your boyfriend?"

Ryder was startled by the familiar voice and twisted around to see Brendan standing behind him a few feet away from the bench. "What? What are you doing here?"

Brendan closed the distance between the two of them casually putting his foot on the bench to look at the game over Ryder's head. "I saw you here. Figured I'd check in on my little cock sucker. You seem to be avoiding me. Considering how much you enjoyed it, it must mean got a boyfriend. So which ones is it?"

"Two." Somebody shouted from the far end of the court.

Ryder used that as a distraction to get away from Brendan and change the score again. "Just go away would you."

"Are you going to suck me off?"

"Yeah sure, just go!"

"I don't believe that." Brendan said bending down to get close to his ear. "Monday after school by your place and you better be there or else we're going to tell all your little friends over there all the stuff you did. I'll tell them how much you love sucking cock."

"You wouldn't." Ryder snapped back.

"Why not? I never did anything gay. I just used you."

Those words caused Ryder to flinch. On some level he had known that. He had been okay with it.

"Ryder." Xander called out. Ryder's head snapped back towards the court. Xander was standing a few feet away the game having come to a stop. "Everything okay?"

He opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out.

Jessie detached herself from the rest of the group. "Brendan, why don't you get lost. Nobody wants any trouble."

"I could take you." Brendan shouted back.

"I'm sure you could beat up a younger girl." Jessie said to a few chuckles.

Brendan made a snorting sound. "Whatever."

As Brendan walked away he casually bumped into Ryder who winced at the contact. Ryder looked down at the pad of paper with all the numbers written on it.

"Ryder, you okay?" Xander said coming up to him.

He heard the words but they sounded like from very far away. It took a great deal of effort to look up at Xander. He could see some of the other standing behind him all looking at him. "Yeah."

Xander stared down at him. "What did he say?"

"Just some crap." Ryder said looking down at the paper but he had to add to one of the scores and that was a lot more difficult than it should've been. "25-20 … Skins."

Xander stared at him for a few more seconds before turning back and the game started back again. Ryder tried to watch the game but his mind was going off on tangents. Would Brendan tell? Ryder had never thought of that possibility. He had thought it was safe. Then again he never thought he would end it. The thing was the more time he spent with Xander the more he didn't like the stuff he had done. He liked being ordered around. If anything he wished Xander did it more. He like that it was more than physical. With Kevin and Brenda it had all been about sex and getting high.

As he watched the game he wondered why Xander liked him? Was it just for the sex stuff too? But then there was this, him sitting on the sidelines being useful. Maybe it was the same. Maybe he should just do Brendan Monday and forget about it. Just go on like normal. It wasn't like he hadn't sucked Brendan before. He settled on that.

As the game broke up Jessie came over to him. "Hey, Ryder everything okay?"

Ryder smiled. Jessie was always nice to him. "Yeah. You know Brendan, he is an ass."

She grinned. "Yeah, big ass."

Xander scrambled up next to her. "Hey, good game Jessie."

"Thanks." She said. "You want to get a milkshake at the convenience store? My treat."

Xander grinned. "Thanks, but my dad said we could have pizza for lunch when I got back."

Jessie nodded. "Well maybe some other time. She turned back to look at Ryder. Your birthday's coming up isn't it?"

Ryder blinked, surprised she remembered. "It's next week. Why do you know that?"

"Remember we did that history project at the beginning of the year? Find something that happened on your birthday. I remember yours because it's like two days after my brother's. Anyways if you have a party this year I hope I get an invite." She smiled and walked away.

Xander gave him a playful shove. "Your birthday's next week and you haven't told me?"

Ryder stood up and gave him a playful pushback. "It's not a big deal. Come on I'm hungry."

"Well what do you want?"

"What do you mean?" Ryder asked as they started walking.

"Like what should I get you for a present."

"A blow job would be nice."

Xander bumped into him. "Something I don't already give you."

Ryder shrugged. "I don't care."

"Ack, you sound like my mom." Xander pitched his voice high, "You don't have to get me anything dear."

"So do you get her anything?"

"Jewelry usually. I know she doesn't need that my dad tells me so. I used to be able to get her something from the dollar store though."

"Well I don't want jewelry."

"So what do you want?"

"Nothing."

"Fine. I'll just have to exercise my brain and think of something."

"That would be a first."

"Smartass." Xander muttered. "So did you see that half-court shot?"

Ryder actually had to think back. "I think so."

"Well don't sound more impressed."

"Is it?"

Xander rolled his eyes. "It's like hitting orbit with a homemade rocket."

"Oh." Ryder said impressed by the comparison.

When they got to Xander's place Xander ran off to tell his mom they were home. She was the home-cook type and they sat in the kitchen while the oven preheated. Xander gave a rundown of his game to his parents as they set up the dishes.

"And I learned it's Ryder's birthday next week and he didn't tell me." Xander finished.

"Oh, so you're finally turning twelve." Xander's dad said. "Any big plans?"

Ryder shrugged. "No."

"Will you be having a party?" Xander's mom asked.

Ryder shifted a little uncomfortable. "My parents will probably get me something." He kicked himself when he realized he slipped up.

Xander's parents shared a look that lasted only a second but Ryder saw it.

"If it's okay with your parents, maybe we could take you into Denver see a movie or we could take you to Dave and Busters. Have you ever been there?" Xander's dad said.

"You don't have too." Ryder said.

"See he's just as bad as you mom." Xander jumped in.

"Xander, when I say that I mean I want you to think about what I like and try to get something."

Xander put his head against the counter before quickly popping up. "Why do you people do this to me? Can't you just tell me what you want? I give everyone a list when they ask me!"

Xander's parents chuckled. "Well you don't do that for your friends do you?" His father asked.

"You better not have." His mother added looking stern.

"Well, no but still it's easier."

"So think. If Ryder had a day in Denver what do you think he would want?" Xander's mom said.

Xander let out a theatrical sigh. "Okay. Well assuming he hasn't already been there, I remember he went to this one Museum once for school. Planes and space stuff. Wings over rockets or something like that. He would probably like that. Maybe David and Busters for lunch and then maybe a movie before coming back. Oh, you probably like sleepover too. We haven't done that yet. You want to sleep over?"

Ryder had watched the entire conversation with a growing sense of unease. First it was just his reluctance to be the center of conversation. He had grown warm to Xander's parents fairly well and he suspected what was coming next.

"Well, Ryder how does that sound to you?" Xander's mother said turning full attention to him.

Ryder tried to swallow but it got stuck in his throat. He stared at Xander's mother but she looked a little out of focus. His heart started feel like it was pounding. He was a slut. He didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve any of this. Even if Xander's parents were just being nice to him because of Xander he didn't deserve it. His head started to hurt. He had to get out of there.

He stood up on his feet and felt like they weren't touching the floor as he made his way towards the front door. He had to remind himself to put shoes on but as he did he fumbled with them. Now that he was moving he was feeling a little better and he wanted to get out.

"Ryder? What's wrong?" Xander said coming down the hallway after him.

Ryder shoved his feet into his sneakers. He started to open the door when Xander's hand came over to push it shut.

"What's wrong?" Xander demanded.

Ryder just wanted to get out of there. He pushed Xander away. Xander grabbed his arm instead of the door and held onto it. Ryder tried to pull away but this time he was too strong. "Were not friends anymore!" Ryder snapped.

"What? We're friends." Xander said looking more confused than anything.

Wanting to be alone more than anything else at the moment, Ryder said the first thing that came to his mind. "Where only friends because I suck your cock!"

That made Xander let go before he could even think of the consequences. Ryder was out the door. He ran home. When he got there his parents weren't home. He stormed into their bedroom and pulled out their little stash. He needed to get high. He needed to get the world to stop spinning.

He lit up not even thinking they might notice or not. It took about half the joint for him to start calming down and realizing what a complete mess he had made.

Ryder was sure his parents most of known he was high. When they got home he had been curled up on the couch staring at the TV. One of them had told him to go to bed so it must've been late but Ryder's memory was a little fuzzy. He couldn't even remember if you put away their secret little stash or not. Not that he cared.

He stumbled into the kitchen grabbing a glass bottle full of green tea and downing it. Yesterday was a little fuzzy in his head He didn't think it was all because of pot. He remembered Brendan and going back to Xander's place, but everything else seemed unreal like he had been watching it rather than doing anything.

Ryder couldn't deny that he screwed Xander over. He regretted that but it was best that their relationship was over. He didn't deserve it. It had fun. Ryder had liked he could make Xander laugh and hanging out with his other friends had been fun some time. He had never fit. He was like a comet coming in from outside of the deep cold space blazing briefly and then leaving. He didn't deserve friends. He definitely didn't deserve Xander.

Glancing up at the clock he saw was fairly late so he went back to his room and changed before grabbing some money and starting to walk to the convenience store. He felt weird. He didn't know if he should be happy or sad or something else. What did you feel like when you broke up? According to TV he should feel sad but really he just felt numb.

At the convenience store he just bought a candy bar and decided to eat it on the way home. He was maybe a quarter of the way home and only on his second bite when he heard his name called.

"Ryder!"

Flinched at the sound of his name recognizing the voice. His first temptation was to break into a run, but he had this coming. Bracing himself he turned around getting ready to get hit.

Xander was sprinting towards him. The other boy only slowed in his last few steps come to stop maybe two away and bending over to catch his breath. When he did Xander looked back up at him . "I've been on the lookout for you all morning. How are you doing?"

Ryder stared at the taller boy having difficulty forming words. "Um… Fine."

"Good. You had us worried. My parents even called yours."

Ryder stomach clenched. Well, eventually they were going to find out he was a little cock sucker. It's not like they would do anything about it. "Yeah."

Xander smiled. "Can we go to your place or mine to finish this conversation? Preferably yours?"

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to talk about the stuff where anyone can hear."

His mind try to work around that. "Aren't you angry?"

Xander's face twisted into a grimace. "I just want to talk. Please."

Ryder considered but figured you that the Xander. "My parents are still home, but we can talk in the backyard."

"Fine." Xander said trying to walk toward Ryder's house.

Ryder followed silently no longer certain of what was going to happen. He finishes candy bar gambler wrapper into his pocket wondering why he was hiding it from his parents. When they got home he led Xander to the backyard. It was nothing special with the main feature being a stump from a tree that was cut down from before they were there. Not knowing what else to do Ryder made his way there and sat down Xander sitting next to him.

"Okay." Xander said as he sat down. "Are you really feeling okay?"

Ryder was about to lie by saying yes, but something changed his mind. "I don't. I am sorry."

Xander let out a little snort. "Yeah, well it wasn't exactly how I pictured coming out to my parents. Can't do anything about that now although."

Ryder winced feeling words like a blow. "Are you in a lot of trouble?"

"No." Xander let out a long sigh. "They were a little angry at first but then I got more embarrassing. Turns out my dad's bisexual. He wants to talk to you."

"What? Why?"

"Because of were going to be boyfriends there are some rules that have to be set down. Among other things."

Ryder jumped to his feet. "We are not boyfriends!"

"Why? Just because we had a little fight? I fight with my friends all the time."

Ryder squeezed his eyes shut gritting his teeth. "Where not boyfriends."

Xander didn't say anything. Time passed at a snail's pace before Ryder forced himself to open his eyes. Xander was just staring at him.

"Why?" Xander finally said.

Ryder felt a tightness in his chest. He knew it was coming. He couldn't hide it anymore. "Because you're normal. You have nice parents. They care about you. I'm messed up, broken, lost."

"No you're not." Xander said interrupting him and coming closer.

Ryder pushed him away and set up. "What do you know! You don't know me! You want to know me? Did you know my parents bring home pot and I steal from it? I was high last night. I bet you didn't know that? You want to know what. I didn't do it just for that. Brendan and Kevin I used to suck their cock all the time and then we would all get a little blessed. You weren't my first. You weren't even the biggest. I liked when they used boss me around. I liked it!" He slapped his fist against his chest emphasizing his point.

Ryder turned away after a second not being able to watch Xander look at him anymore. Walking over to the fence he put his arms up and rested his head against them. He could hear Xander stand up.

"Were we ever dating?"

He wanted to make this easy on Xander. He wanted to say no I was just using you, but he couldn't say that. "It was a mistake."

"Because I deserve someone better than you." Xander said.

Ryder winced. Those words hit him in a place he didn't even know he had. He thought that hearing them from Xander was different. He slowly sunk to the ground fighting back tears.

Xander took a few steps closer and Ryder could hear him standing right behind him. Then he felt Xander's hand on his back. "I didn't mean that, but your thinking something like that right?"

Ryder nodded.

The other boy let out a sigh. "Would you please come back to my place. My parents like you and are worried about you. They wanted me to tell you that you're not in trouble with them. My dad does want to talk to you though and then maybe her parents. He would prefer to talk to you first though."

Ryder took a deep breath and exhaled. He didn't know what to do. Xander was telling him though or that was what it felt like and he could do that. "Okay."

##################

Xander sat on the kitchen counter staring out into the backyard. Ryder and his dad were out back sitting into lawn chairs, backs trying to him. He couldn't make out what they were talking about but he knew some of it already.

"Get off the counter dear."

Xander's had twisted around to see his mother coming into the kitchen and he hopped off the counter. "Sorry." He looked down his face turning a little red still embarrassed about last night. After Ryder had ran out his parents had first come to the door to see if Ryder was still there and looked at him. His mother in particular seemed give him that you're in trouble look. Surprisingly the hammer had not fallen right away. They had just been as confused as he was. Being sent to his room is probably the worst thing that could happen that moment. He wanted to go after Ryder but at the same time he wasn't sure if it was to punch him in the face or make sure he was okay.

Later both of his parents had come up and grilled him. If he had had more time to think about it you might've tried to minimize the amount of stuff they had done but at that time so confused that the truth was just easier. He knew his parents had discuss that later, but then there attention had turned towards Ryder. He still couldn't figure out what it happened, but his dad had suggested it had been a panic attack. Somehow knowing that Ryder hadn't meant to out him to his parents made him feel better.

Then he had felt very uncomfortable and his mom left in his dad had sat down next to him to talk about sex. Knowing that his dad had a boyfriend and he hadn't been much over surprisingly not comforting. As was the safe sex talk that followed.

"I heard your phone going off when I was upstairs. Here." His mother said placing the phone next to him on the counter.

"Thanks." Xander said picking up is for the distraction. He smiled at the message that popped up. "Jessie's asking if I want a one-on-one game loser buys milkshakes." On any other day of the week he would've taken her up on that offer pretty quickly texted back family stuff today.

"Jessie, that the girl who was here right?" His mother asked and she started to put away some dishes.

"Yeah, she's pretty good at basketball." Xander said moving over to help his mother.

"And has she tried to get you long before?" His mother asked.

Xander had to think for a moment. "I guess. Why?"

His mother let out a sigh. "Xander, did it ever occur to you that she might have a crush on you?"

He let out a little laugh as he took a few dishes from her. "No way."

"Mmm, well keep it in mind. She doesn't know she doesn't have the necessary equipment to interest you."

Xander nearly dropped plates and shot a look at his mother who was smiled back wickedly. "It's not like that."

His mother shrugged. "I'm not surprised to people like you. You're a very handsome boy."

Xander felt himself starting to blush. "Mom please."

"All right, all right. I'm just saying."

Xander opened the cupboard and put the dishes away but his I fell again on Ryder in the yard. "Is he going to be okay?"

"I don't know for sure. Will try our best." His mom said coming up next to him and wrapping her arms around him. He melted into the club like he hadn't for a very long time.

"I like him." He knew those words had a lot more meaning now.

"I know. You got him here and I think that was good."

The stayed like that for a few seconds but when Xander saw his dad stand up and make his way towards the house he ran towards the back door and waited there. When his father came in Xander immediately blurted. "Well?"

His father gave him a weak smile. "Why don't you go talk to Ryder."

Without another word Xander was out the door, but instead of running right up to the chair he stopped a few feet away making sure Ryder would notice him first. Ryder was slumped in the chair leaning to one side and staring at the ground. It seemed to take him a while to realize someone was standing there but when he looked up his eyes were red like he had been crying.

"I have problems."

Xander bit his lip and nodded. "Okay."

Then Ryder smiled weakly. "Your dad's good at this. I think I know what a father-son chat is now."

Xander felt himself smiling as he dropped into the chair. "Yeah, he is."

There was a long pause that felt like a minute or more before Ryder spoke again. "I'm really sorry. I mean I'm really sorry about everything."

Inhale deeply he slowly let out a breath. "It's okay. I wish my parents had found out a different way about I don't know it's kind of a relief." He waited a few seconds before adding. "So what about us?"

Ryder shifted. "I definitely want to be your friend… If you want. Anything more… My head hurts. Can I get back to you?"

"Yeah." He thought of adding more to that but Xander decided to pull it back. He had never known talking could take so much out of someone. "So now what?"

"Your parents or call mine and they're going to talk. I don't know really. Your dad suggested some things but I don't know." Ryder slowly straightened in the chair. "I didn't lie earlier you know. All that stuff I told you it was true."

Xander shifted and looked at the far fence. "It's fine." He had actually tried not to think too much about that. It was weird.

"Brendan said if I didn't start doing it again he would tell everyone what I did."

A flash of anger shot through Xander and for a second he probably could've killed Brendan. "He's an asshole."

"Yeah, but probably not lying."

Xander wasn't sure what to say so he nodded. "Fine."

Ryder sink down into the chair curling up into a ball so he was laying in it. "I'm tired."

"You can lay down in my room if you want."

"Thanks, but they should be here soon." Ryder said sleepily.

Xander nodded, but he didn't say anything. He was pretty sure Ryder was asleep a few minutes but it was a good hour before his parents showed up or at least until they came out to the backyard. Xander made himself scarce. Is interactions with Ryder's parents have been very limited and he felt like strangers.

They woke Ryder up and even though they talked for a bit and he slowly circled around them to stand with his parents who were also out of earshot. Finally Ryder's family started towards them. Ryder was staring down at the ground but when they stopped and her dad shared some words with each other Ryder looked up and waved at him. Xander waved back.

He watched them go and he felt his dad's hand on his shoulder. Xander looked up. "What's going on?"

His dad smiled down at him and pulled him into a hug. "Well, about a year ago a contract to help rewrite some descriptions on the website. It was for a hospital… A mental one."

Xander felt his stomach clench. "Ryder's not crazy."

"No, no he isn't." Ryder's dad said kneeling down a little to look at him at eye level. "He does need help. He will also need friends when he gets out. The hospital had an opening today so there can take him right away."

"He will be okay though, right?"

His dad nodded. "I talked to some of the staff was rewriting their stuff. They all seemed very nice and it's supposed to be really good. So yeah I think you'll be okay."

Xander nodded.

"Good now let's have lunch."

Xander couldn't believe that everything that had happened was before lunch. He ate without noticing much. His thoughts were on Ryder and Brendan. It wasn't hard to see that everything had went bad after the basketball game. He wouldn't have even known that was Brendan except for he had asked everybody when he had seen him talking to Ryder. If he had known, he would've interrupted earlier.

He didn't know if Brendan would say anything about Ryder or not. He couldn't mention the marijuana stuff, but maybe the other stuff. His first thought of threatening to be the boy up if he did didn't seem like it would actually work. Maybe he could offer to take Ryder's place but the idea turned his stomach.

Then an idea occurred to him. It was crazy but he wanted to do something. He let his mind sleep on it, but in the morning it still seems like a good idea. As lunch approached the idea seemed a little less like a good idea, but Ryder's absence made it easier. He waited until the lunch line was empty and then he excused himself from his group and made his way towards the end of the table where there were a few empty seats. Waiting to make sure the lunch monitors were far enough away he stood up on the seat and raised his voice. "Quiet! Quiet please!"

For possibly the first time in lunchroom history he didn't have to repeat himself. Maybe because it was coming from a fellow student rather than a teacher but enough people looked over his way that others did too. This must be what a deafening silence sounded like. Trying to moderate his voice so he didn't lose it he continued. "My name is Xander. I'm in the sixth grade. I'm gay. If anyone here has a problem with that, please feel free to see me after school to have their butt kicked by me. That is all."

He jumped down and sat on the seat he had stood on his legs feeling like rubber. That was the beginning on the weirdest weeks in his life.

As it turned out disrupting the entire cafeteria was a reason to see the principle. That was actually a first for him. The fact that he didn't get a detention out of it was also surprising even if he couldn't explain why he felt the need to tell everyone at once. He ended up missing only half of rhesus. A couple of his friends came over to him when they saw him. Jesse and RJ among them. They seemed more interested in his possible detention than anything else. As they made their way to the tag field Jesse made made his mom right.

"I'm kind of glad. I was beginning to think you didn't like me."

The really weird stuff started at home. Around 4 o'clock that night he received a phone call and not just a text. It was Ryder. Apparently he was allowed to call out of the hospital but only two numbers his parents had approved and Xander had made the list. Xander didn't tell him about his little stunt in the cafeteria and instead they just talked about small things. The next day he received a similar call I went along the same lines. It was weird but nice just to hear his voice and in a way it reassured him. It wasn't until the fourth like that Ryder actually addressed the hospital he was in.

"So there's this boy here name Keith. He's had a lot of bad stuff happened to him. I told him I felt bad because my sub didn't seem like much compared to him and he flipped out. You know why he flipped out Xander?"

"I can't guess." Xander answered.

"He said despite everything he's been through at least he can tolerate people being nice to him."

Xander was silent. After a few seconds he finally said. "Okay."

Ryder took a deep breath. "Xander, I always thought there was a reason being nice to me. That you wanted something from me. I couldn't think of it any other way. Your parents are like that though and neither are you. I'm sorry."

"It's okay Ryder," Xander said his eyes weirdly becoming blurry.

To Xander's complete surprise by the time Saturday rolled around when Ryder called he said he was being released the next day. It seemed like a short visit but Ryder did sound better at least to Xander's ears from the last time he had seen him. As things worked out though he got home so late Sunday at the first day he saw him was Monday exactly one week after he had outed himself.

Xander sat at his desk wondering if Ryder was gonna make it in that day. The fact that he had come out a week ago was now old news hardly worth mentioning. So he casually talked to the kid sat across from him but kept an eye on the door.

Ryder came in walking fast and came right up to his desk. "You came out to the entire school?" Ryder announced loudly staring at him with something in his eyes Xander hadn't seen before.

Xander shifted surprisingly nervous. "It seemed like a good idea at the time."

"Yeah, well now were going to date I have to come out too!"