FIRST MONTH

FIRST MONTH

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Over the next few days, Asher found himself with Beau most of the time. It was almost two weeks they'd been together and Asher was beginning to get used to Beau's company.

Their schedules were monotonous: they'd go to class when they had the same course to offer, go to the cafeteria, and even spend the night in Asher's condo.

Asher hung out with Jay and Cara often. They were like one big family.

Asher found himself drawn more to Beau. His reactions to the ambassador remained the same: his heartbeat always increased and his dick got hard.

Just like this evening.

Beau had pushed the couch to the window facing the school's massive gate. Now, they settled on it, Asher in a lying position resting his head on Beau's laps, trying to suppress the arousal swarming his groin.

"The stars are so beautiful," Beau pointed out of the window to one of the glowing bodies in the sky. "Do you see that one? It seems to be the brightest."

"I prefer that one that keeps coming and going." Asher adjusted his head on Beau's crotch. "You seem to like stars a lot."

"It gives me this relaxing feeling... like everything is going to be okay. Sometimes, I feel like I am not alone. Isn't that weird?"

"Nah, it's not. Your life doesn't have to make sense to people. As long as it makes you happy, it's okay."

Beau looked down. "You make me happy," he murmured. "You always make me happy, Asher. I don't care if it makes sense to others."

Words again...

And every time, it made Asher feel butterflies in his stomach. Beau's words always seeped into him like air, cooling his nerves, and easing his fears.

"I am scared."

Beau frowned. He didn't like the low tone of Asher's voice. He leaned down so he could stare into Asher's eyes. "Are you in some sort of trouble? Are you okay?"

"No, not that kind of fear. I am fine. I am scared of... us."

It took Beau some seconds to process the information. "You're scared of people finding out about us? Is that what you mean?" he asked, voice low.

"Exactly." Asher stared back into Beau's eyes. The feeling of fear he had been trying to push back surfaced again. "Have I ever told you about my family?"

"No. What about them?"

"I am from a very religious family. I grew up seeing my father pick things and condemn them to hell. Even now, he is almost like a god in the house. He controls my mom, uses her, and verbally abuses her. And yet he claims to be serving God in truth and spirit. It's burdening."

Beau immediately put two and two together. He did not need Asher to complete the story. "From what you said about your dad, I know that is the reason you were initially pushing me off, right?" he asked softly. Asher nodded, his blue eyes already gathering tears. "Oh, Asher... I am so sorry. I didn't know about this at that time. I wouldn't have pressured you like that."

"No, it's okay. It's not about you."

"If I had known about this, I would have been more subtle. Does that mean your parents don't support you in relationships?"

"Well, my father never said a word when he discovered I was dating a girl. He pretended not to be aware, but I knew he was. I tried going into heterosexual relationships and all crumbled. The spark wasn't just there. I... I always got hard from thoughts of being with men, even touching myself to those fantasies. For a long time, I refused to believe that I am gay. I hated myself because my dad hates people like... people like me." The tears he had been trying to hold back escaped and fell to Beau's laps. Asher quickly wiped his face. "He is literally disgusted whenever he sees two men in any form of intimate contact."

Beau found himself getting angry. He wished he could grab onto Asher's father and pummel him to bits. Staring down into Asher's blue eyes was like staring at the surface of the sea at night: honest, silent waves, and a soothing wind that brought chills.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all that. So sorry."

Asher chuckled bitterly. "You make it sound like I am done with the suffering. Coming here was never in my plan. I wanted somewhere far. In fact, this choice of course isn't what I want. My father wants me to study business administration so I can take over the family's business and keep the rich heritage flowing from generation to generation."

Beau was dumbstruck. "What do you intend to study? I mean, what field did you have in mind before you were forced into this?"

"Pediatrics. I've always wanted to take care of children. My father would not hear of that."

Beau's arms twitched. His breathing became difficult. He couldn't explain the anger he felt towards Asher's father.

"You know what I think?"

Asher sat up and moved close to Beau. "What do you think?" he asked.

"I think you will make a great pediatrician."

"Thanks." Asher smiled as Beau wrapped his arm around him. "I feel like I am talking too much right now."

"No, you're not. I will never get tired of hearing you talk. You can always talk to me. I will always listen." He leaned close and kissed Asher on the lips. "Do you trust me?"

Asher did, and he could not tell why. He had this strange trust in Beau. He even felt safe around him. Asher had never divulged so much information about his life to someone before. The fact that he did that to Beau had him thinking if he wasn't getting too attached. But even at that, he could not pull back for fear of losing Beau.

Just like that, Asher realized that he was truly scared of losing the ambassador... Was he really getting attached?

"I trust you," Asher replied truthfully.

"Then trust me when I say that everything will be okay. You can still be a pediatrician like you want to. Do you believe me?"

For some strange reason, Asher believed him. "I... I believe you."

Beau leaned forward and gently captured his lips. His hands weaved around Asher's waist, pulling him close and caressing his skin. Before they got invested in themselves and became more intimate, Beau pulled back.

The displeasure was so evident on Asher's face that Beau started laughing.

"Please don't give me that face. I should be the one with that expression."

"No, I should be the one," Asher pouted. "You are the one who pulled back."

"Do you want to know why?" Beau gently grabbed Asher's palm and led it to his crotch. He watched Asher's face morph into confusion, then thought, then shock. With the speed of light, Asher jerked his hand back with a gasp. Beau almost fell off the couch as he laughed. "Do you know why now?" he teased.

Asher grew red. "I... I didn't know that you were also hard."

"Also?" Beau raised a brow. "So that means you are also hard?" Asher nodded, too embarrassed to speak. "Aww, aren't you cute?" He caressed Asher's cheeks. "Look at that blush on your face. So beautiful."

"Stop saying that," Asher said, blushing the more.

"Why? Cause it always makes you red?" Beau chuckled. "I actually like when you are all shy and innocent."

Asher buried his face in Beau's chest. "Stop!"

Beau laughed and hugged him. "But I can't! Okay fine, I won't tease you anymore. Let me see your face." His promise didn't sound very believable so Asher stayed buried in his chest.

Another reason Asher stayed put was the warmth and scent pouring out of Beau's pores. He took a whiff of Beau's scent. The coconut-and-flower scent went straight into his brain. Asher murmured something inaudible.

"Asher, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. You smell so nice." He did not see the pleasing smile stretched across Beau's face. "I feel like eating you right now."

"Well, I'm all yours. I think you may find it difficult to chew on my muscles though."

Asher scoffed. "Dude, I'm not seven. Do you think I still grow milk teeth?"

"Okay sir, what teeth do you grow?" Beau pulled Asher closer until the boy was plastered against his chest.

"More like adult teeth." Asher's voice sounded muffled because his face pressed into the muscles of Beau's chest. "Can we stop talking about eating you?"

"I was about to say that. It's giving me ideas."

Asher chuckled. "Gosh Beau, you are so rotten. Don't tell me even the slightest gesture gets you hard."

"Not gesture. There is this thing about you that always makes me hard."

Words again. Asher found himself getting hard just because Beau mentioned it. He cleared his throat and pulled back a bit.

"Hard? I thought I was the only one."

Beau's voice went low, slick. His lips grazed Asher's ears, his voice smooth and unintentionally gruff. "You shouldn't have said that."