“What’s the matter, doll? All this talk about my impending vagina boring you?”

Ryan, realizing he’d been fidgeting, looked up at Marcia, chagrined. “Er, no. I’m sorry! I’m interested.”

Marcia gave him a lopsided smile. “You never were very good at lying, doll. So, tell me: What’s more important than my bottom surgery?”

Flushing, Ryan shook his head. “Nothing! Really, I want to hear about your surgery. I really do!”

“Uh huh.” Marcia’s voice was skeptical. “I was just saying that you won’t recognize me the next time you see me. I’m going to a specialist who promises the best results.”

“Really? That’s fantastic!” Even to his ears, though, Ryan’s enthusiasm sounded forced.

Marcia raised an elegant eyebrow. “Oh, Ryan! Come on! Stop bullshitting me. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“It’s stupid,” Ryan replied, lowering his eyes to the table. He waited until their waiter had refilled the water glasses before continuing. “I’m just worried about Tanner.”

“What’s wrong, doll? The little pup isn’t cheating on you, is he?”

“No! No! He’s been more faithful to me than I’ve been to him, actually.” Marcia gave him a disapproving look as he continued, “Plus, I’ve checked his phone. He doesn’t use Grindr and his chat history is completely innocent. He seems hopelessly in love with me for some reason.”

“I wonder why?” Marcia muttered, causing Ryan to frown.

“Still…”

“Still, what? I tell you, doll, Ryan’s a good soul. I could see that the first time I met him.”

“He’s more than ten years younger than I am!”

“So? Just because he’s young doesn’t mean he’s shallow.” She continued under her breath, “Because you’ve just proven that yourself…”

“Marcia!” Ryan protested. “I’m not shallow!” His friend didn’t reply but her expression was eloquent. Ryan scowled at her. He paused for a moment before adding, “Tanner is only twenty-three and he’s a model. He’s surrounded by guys ten times hotter than I am all day long!”

Marcia’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, I see. You think that just because he’s young and hot and surrounded by pretty boys, he’s gonna cheat on you.”

“Yes.”

Sighing, his friend put her hand on top of his, giving it a brief squeeze. “Doll, I know this is the part of the conversation where I’m supposed to reassure you that Tanner would never cheat on you, that you can trust him, and that everything will be Ok.”

Ryan felt his pulse spike. “You mean you think that I’m right to worry?”

“No, but I don’t think that anything I say is going to convince you. And why is that?” she asked before answering her own question, “Because this isn’t really about Tanner. It’s about you.”

“Marcia…”

“Doll, sometimes it’s a friend’s job to say the things you don’t want to hear. This is one of those times. Listen to me, Ryan: You are gay and almost thirty-five years old.”

Ryan dropped his fork, stung. “I fucking know that!” Why did she have to keep harping on about his age?

Unphased, Marcia continued, “And you’re struggling with what it means to get older because you are convinced that getting old means losing your game.”

Ryan swallowed, staring down at the table. Sometimes he really hated Marcia.

Marcia’s mouth quirked. “And you will have to figure out which path you’re going to follow. Will you try to cling to your youth or will you decide to grow up as you grow older?”

“I am mature!” He wanted to make eye contact but couldn’t.

“Doll, you are not. As much as I hate to say it, you have a long way to go, though I admire the way that you’ve been handling your father’s death.”

Ryan’s shoulders hunched. “Thanks for poking at my wounds.”

“That’s what friends are for, doll. That’s what friends are for.”

***

Ryan left Marcia at the diner, his emotions roiling. Usually, spending time with his former boss turned closest friend helped soothe his nerves but Marcia had put her finger on a sore spot and it rattled him. Why did she have to be so wise all the time? He remembered back to when she had hired him and smiled despite his mood. Back then, he’d been intimidated by her–or him, since she had presented as male back then. Tall, imposing, and Harvard-educated, Michael (Marcia’s previous name) was the most handsome man that Ryan had ever met. The fact that he was black only added to the attraction and it had been difficult for him to prevent this from getting in the way of their professional relationship. Not until he was promoted and moved to a different department were they able to finally date…and the relationship had been a disaster. They broke up after a few weeks but had eventually become friends. Now it was clear why they were incompatible as lovers but back then it had taken Ryan a while to get over his hurt feelings.

He frowned as he walked back to his car, thoughts drifting back to Tanner.

Tanner.

Marcia was wrong! This wasn’t about his age at all. It wasn’t! He just wanted to make sure that Tanner continued to be attracted to him and didn’t get distracted by other men. He knew how relationships worked. Right now, both he and Tanner were in the infatuation phase but inevitably the passionate fire would wane and…then the downhill slide would begin. He knew–he just knew!–that soon Tanner would grow tired of him and his eyes would wander. Given the plenitude of gorgeous men surrounding him all day, this time was quickly approaching and Ryan had to figure out a plan. He had to make sure that Tanner always found him attractive. He had to!

Sighing, he plopped into the driver’s seat and started his car. Rush hour traffic was heavy and he had to wait several minutes before there was an opening for him. He glanced down at his phone and saw a message from Tanner. Sliding the lock screen, he felt a little charge of excitement when he saw that Tanner had sexted him a selfie. It was taken from behind and he was wearing a tiny, blue jock, bending over slightly and lifting a strap with his thumb. His beautiful mocha skin was flawlessly dusted with fine, black hairs and his bubble butt was beyond perfect. Tanner was half Korean and half white, a potently sexy combination. (Most of the time, though, people assumed he was Latino.)

Shit, Ryan had one fucking hot boyfriend, that was for sure! He adjusted himself in his shorts before a wave of familiar anxiety hit him. He had to get to the gym! He had to work out hard tonight! He had to make sure that he kept his body tight and hard and muscly if wanted to keep Tanner. Unconsciously, he clenched his abs and ran his hands down his washboard stomach. Was his belly a little softer than usual? He had overeaten at the restaurant? He’d just had a salad and a glass of water! He’d better get to the gym…

Shaking himself, he tried and failed to break out of the grip of the worry-spiral. He was barely able to fire off a quick, appreciative reply to Tanner before darting into traffic and speeding toward his gym downtown. He was going to pound it hard tonight. He had to if we was going to keep Tanner as a boyfriend…

***

“You missed the meeting tonight.” Tanner was sitting with his arms crossed on the couch scowling up at him.

Ryan swallowed, suddenly worried. He’d been so obsessed with his workout that he’d forgotten about the meeting of their bereavement group. “I did? Oh my god, I’m sorry, Tanner!” He walked over and dropped down on the couch next to his lover. Tanner pulled away when he tried to put his arm over his shoulder.

“That’s the second time, Ryan! Where the fuck were you?”

Should he lie? He tried to come up with a suitable one but nothing came. As the seconds stretched, he decided to tell the truth. “I…I…went to the gym.”

Tanner stared at him. “The gym? The fucking gym? You’ve got to be kidding!”

Ryan bridled. “Well, you know, Tanner, some of us don’t have five hours a day to work out. I have to squeeze in my gym time when I can find it!”

Tanner stood up, furious. “Real classy, dude. Belittle my career as a way to dodge the issue. You know what?” he asked rhetorically. “I’m going home. You know how important it is for us models to get our beauty sleep.”

Chest clenching, Ryan had to force himself not to leap up and plead with his boyfriend. The last thing he wanted was to fight with Tanner! Somehow, he managed to keep his voice calm as he replied, “Tanner, I’m…sorry. I fucked up. I can’t believe I forgot about the meeting again and you know how proud I am of your career.”

Tanner reached up and rubbed his jaw, glaring down at Ryan. He was dressed in a little tank top and a tight pair of shorts. A Detroit Tigers cap was tilted to the side of his face over the mop of his thick, black hair. His brown eyes softened as he stood there. Finally, he sighed and sat down on the edge of the sofa. Ryan felt his shoulders relax.

“Why do you keep missing the meetings?” Tanner asked in a low voice.

Ryan shrugged, uncomfortable. “I don’t know. I really don’t.”

“I think I do,” Tanner said, leaning over and letting Ryan place a hand on his leg. His leg was tan and muscular, perfect like the rest of him. When Ryan didn’t say anything, Tanner continued, “I really wish you had been there tonight. It’s…hard for me to go to those meetings. I could have used you.”

Ryan could hear his pulse in his ears. He wanted to say something reassuring. He wanted to tell Tanner how it was hard for him to go, too. He wanted badly to say even more than that. But he couldn’t. He couldn’t make his mouth work. In the end, he had to settle with pulling Tanner toward him and holding him close. Tanner’s body was shaking as he cuddled against Ryan.

***

“Tanner,” Ryan asked after they had made love. “Is there anything about the way I look that you don’t like?”

Tanner was nestled in the space under his arm. He made a funny little whine before opening his eyes and looking up at him. “What? Why?”

Ryan glanced down before staring off into the distance. “Oh, I was just wondering.”

“You’re crazy, dude! Crazy!” Tanner exclaimed, pulling himself up so he was shoulder to shoulder with his lover. “You’re the fucking hottest guy I’ve ever met! Everything about you is perfect!”

Rather than reassuring him, these words only heightened the anxiety brewing under the surface. He forced himself to exhale, trying to calm his nerves. Tanner loves you the way you are. Tanner loves you the way you are. Tanner loves you the way you are. He repeated the mantra over and over in his head but it didn’t help. He couldn’t help thinking that Tanner wasn’t telling him the truth, that he was just being nice. Rather than belabor it, though, he made himself smile wanly over at his lover.

When he spoke, he was surprised by the vehemence of his words. “I love you, Tanner! I love you so much.”

Tanner gave him a funny, perplexed look before replying fondly, “I love you, too, Ryan. I really do.”

***

“Yoohoo! Over here!”

Ryan looked up from the parking lot at work to see a petite African-American woman waving at him from a convertible. Wait, that car belonged to…

“Marcia? But how…?” His voice got stuck in his throat as he walked up to the car. The woman smiling up at him looked kind of like his friend and kind of not.

“I had my procedure, doll! What do you think?” Even her voice was different, higher and lighter with only a hint of its former throatiness.

Ryan stared. He didn’t know what to say. The woman in front of him was at least fifty pounds lighter and six inches shorter than he remembered. Her shoulders were narrower and her hips were curvier. Shit, even her hands were tiny!

Marcia was laughing, clearly delighted by his confusion. “Oh, doll! I told you that I found the best in the business! She’s amazing!”

His Adam’s apple worked up and down for a long time before he sputtered, “But I just saw you a few days ago! How did you have your surgery and heal so quickly! It’s fucking incredible!”

Winking, Marcia laughed. “I know, I know. I didn’t believe it was possible, either. But I changed my mind after after I saw what she was able to do for my friend, Sybil.” Her face glowed as she lifted up her dress, motioning for him to approach. “And today I’m finally a woman in every way. Look!”

Ryan leaned over and flushed. “Wow. That’s…wow. That’s a vagina alright.” She smoothed the hem of her skirt back down and squealed with laughter.

“Let’s go celebrate, doll. I’m buying martinis!” She pushed open the door of her convertible and, shaking his head, Ryan jumped in.

***

“Quid Pro Quo Solutions, LLC,” read the business card that had fallen out of Marcia’s purse. He picked it up and examined it. “We make your dreams come true! Inaya Baz, owner.” For some reason, Ryan slipped it in his pocket when Marcia slid into the driver’s seat next to him.

Over the next few days, he kept pulling the card out and reading it, sometimes forgetting what he was doing. He would catch himself staring off into space, daydreaming every time he looked at it. We make your dreams come true! Was this the place that Marcia had gone? If so, they really did make dreams come true. He still couldn’t get over his friend’s amazing transformation. It was nothing short of a miracle. God, if only they could give him something to make sure that Tanner always found him attractive…

Picking up his phone, he punched in the number. It only rang once before a woman answered in a cheerful voice.

“Quid Pro Quo, this is Inaya. How may I help you?”

There was a long pause before he managed to stammer. “Uh, um, I was wondering if you could help me.”

“I’m quite certain of that, my friend,” came her confident reply. “What do you need?”

Ryan felt his face grow hot. “I…I’d rather not talk about it over the phone. Can I make an appointment to meet with you in person?”

She laughed; it was a pleasant sound that helped to put him at ease. “Of course, of course! In fact, I insist upon it. I always work best when I meet my clients face to face. What time would you like to come in?”

Later that evening, he found himself standing in front of a nondescript apartment building on the edge of a not so nice part of town. “Quid Pro Quo Solutions” was emblazoned on the door in golden letters. At least he knew he was in the right place. He put his finger on the buzzer and let it ring for a polite amount of time. In a moment, he heard footsteps and then a short, young woman with flyaway hair was smiling up at him from the doorstep.

“Ryan Henley?” she asked.

He swallowed, nodding, and she motioned for him to follow her upstairs. The stairs were old and creaky but he was surprised to find himself standing in a large, modern apartment when she ushered him inside the door at the top.  Huge windows covered the entire western side of the building and offered a breathless view of the city below. The sun was obscured by clouds but its rosy glow illuminated the brushed steel furniture giving the place a cozy vibe.

He walked over to the windows to admire the view. Inaya came to stand beside him, still puffing slightly from the trip up the stairs.

“Wow,” he murmured. “Wow. The city actually looks beautiful from here.”

She laughed; it was deep, rich sound. “I know, right? Who would have thought? I like to think that there is beauty hiding in everything, though.”

When he remained silent, she turned to him. “Now, what can I help you with that you couldn’t talk to me about over the phone?”

Ryan looked down at his hands. “You…helped my friend, I think.”

“Quite possibly. And what did I help your friend with?”

God, this was so weird? What could he say? After a long time, he answered, “She is, er, was transgender and you helped her become fully a woman.”

Inaya sighed. “Oh, yes. Most probably. I have helped many people that way. Is that what you wish? Do you wish to be a woman?”

Ryan jumped, startled. “Me? No!” He stopped then, realizing how this sounded. “Not that I’m transphobic…or least I try not to be. I mean, you know, everyone is at least a bit transphobic…”

Inaya was watching him, a little smile on her face.

Flustered, he threw up this hands. “Oh, shit! Can I just start over?”

She nodded, reaching out to place a warm hand on his wrist. “Yes, go ahead. Tell me what you’re looking for.”

“This is going to sound stupid and I don’t even know if you can help me. It’s just when I saw what you did for Marcia, I couldn’t believe it. It was like…magic or something.” He stopped, realizing he was babbling again.

Inaya nodded encouragingly. “Go on. It’s true, you know. It is magic.”

“Huh?”

“Mr. Henley,” she started before catching herself. “Ryan, I mean. I work magic. There is no other word for it.”

Ryan stared at her, feeling the hair on his arms prickle. “Magic? You work magic?”

Inaya nodded. “Yes, though often I feel like it works me.”

“But…how? And can you make my boyfriend always find me attractive?”

She lifted an eyebrow. “How,” she began carefully, “is not possible to determine. Even I do not know how I do it.” She paused before continuing, “And as for your other question, that is tricky. Attraction…is so subjective. It’s not like changing gender. That is a simple matter of trading one body part for another.”

“You call that simple?” Ryan interrupted, incredulous.

Unperturbed, Inaya answered evenly, “Yes, from the standpoint of the magic at least. You see, my business is called ‘Quid Pro Quo’ for a reason: I work in trades. For your friend, I took her male anatomy in trade for another client’s female anatomy. It was a very basic transaction.”

This news made Ryan’s brain swim. “A…very…basic…transaction…?”

“I know it’s a lot to take on faith, Ryan.” Inaya lifted her hand off his arm and moved over to the couch. “But you have seen your friend with your own eyes. You know that the magic is real enough.” She motioned for him to be seated on the divan across from her. He walked on wooden legs over and sank down on the cushion. The sun peeked out from parting clouds just then, drenching them in vivid red light.

Once he was settled, Inaya leaned forward, saying, “But the fact that the magic is real doesn’t necessarily mean that it will work for you.”

Ryan couldn’t help it, he reached out and grabbed her hands, clasping them tightly. “It won’t? But it’s magic! It has to work!”

“I didn’t say it won’t work,” she answered, very gently extricating her hands from his and holding up a finger. “I just am not certain how it will work. And then there is the matter of the trade. What will you offer me? The quality of the thing you offer me will determine how well the magic works.”

“I…don’t understand. What do you want? I’ll give you anything if it means that Tanner always thinks I’m hot!”

Inaya shook her head. “It’s not what I want; it’s what you are willing to give up. The more precious the thing, the better. For a request of this nature, the item you trade has to be very dear to you.”

Reflexively, Ryan’s hand clenched over the ring in his pocket. He had kept it with him every day since his father died last winter. It was the most precious thing to him besides Tanner. Could he…?

Inaya’s gaze dropped down. “Your hand,” she murmured. “I see from the way you are holding it that whatever is in your pocket is valuable to you.”

Shaking, he reached into his pants and pulled out the ring, holding it carefully in the palm of his hand. It had been his mother’s; his father had given it to her when he proposed. The ruby gleamed brightly in the fading evening light.

He heard Inaya’s sharp intake of breath. “That…is filled with desire and love and…something else. Something important. I can tell it’s very precious.”

Ryan closed his eyes, feeling his heart begin to pound in his chest. This was crazy! Fucking crazy! There was no way that he could give up that ring! And there was no way this would work. Magic? No way. He should get up and walk out. He was being stupid. It was stupid of him to even be here. And even stupider to ask Inaya help him in this way. Tanner had told him over and over that he was the most attractive guy in the world. He should just believe him. He should just…

He dropped the ring into Inaya’s hand, saying, “It’s yours. Now give me the magic.”

***

Ryan had no trouble getting Tanner to drink the vial of liquid that Inaya gave him. It was Friday night and they met up for drinks at their favorite bistro. Ryan arrived first and ordered Tanner’s favorite drink, a Negroni, and spiked it before his boyfriend arrived. Tanner sat down and took a sip without a second thought, even commenting on the superb bitter flavor. Ryan smiled to himself as he raised his Old Fashioned and they clinked glasses.

“To endless attraction!” he toasted. Tanner gave him a funny look before drinking up.

***

Tanner dreamed about Ty early the next morning. The dream was so vivid, so real. He could even smell Ty’s fresh, salty scent. In the dream, Ty was well and strong, cancer-free and happy. Tanner was asleep in bed when Ty jumped on top of him, laughing.

“Come on, dude! Come watch me and Aaron play!”

Tanner groaned. Why couldn’t his twin ever just sleep in? It was fucking Saturday morning! But, no, Ty only thought about beach volleyball. He and his friend, Aaron, were the best in Southern California and they were going to try out for the Olympics.

“Ty, I’m tired and hungover,” he groaned. “Leave me alone. The last thing I want to do is sit on the beach in the hot sun.” He pulled a pillow over his head and burrowed deeper into the covers.

Ty was not so easily dissuaded. He flopped down on the bed and wormed his way under the blankets, snuggling up to his brother. They were identical twins and very close despite the fact that Ty was straight and Tanner was gay. Their parents sometimes worried about them but, while the boys’ intimacy might be of a closer sort than most brothers, it was mostly innocent and playful, only occasionally bordering on the mildly sexual. In fact, it was Ty who usually sought out physical contact with Tanner. Ty looked up to Tanner as his older brother despite the fact he was older by just a couple of hours.

“Tanner! Tanner! Tanner! Tanner!” Ty badgered. “Come on, come watch me!”

Tanner growled and tried to get away but Ty only snuggled closer.

“I need my big brother.”

“Fuck you.”

“Tanner, you know that I can only win when you’re there.”

“That’s not true! You guys win every time!”

“We won’t this morning if you don’t come with me.”

Harumphing, Tanner threw off the covers. Bright sunlight flooded over him and he was momentarily blinded. When his eyes adjusted, he saw Ty smiling at him, an eager look on his face. He was wearing a blue tank top and baggy shorts. His skin was tanned dark and his long body was bulging with muscles. He looked exactly as he had before he got sick.

Tanner was sitting there, staring at his brother, when he remembered.

Ty was dead.

He had died over a year ago.

This was just a dream.

Tanner closed his eyes, feeling the familiar emptiness smother him. The emptiness that was with him all the time and would be forever. Nothing would ever fill that place in his heart that his brother had occupied. It felt like Ty had been the other half of his soul. He swallowed, fighting back tears. Why couldn’t he just forget? It would be so much easier. So much better than this.

Opening his eyes, he jumped, exclaiming,  “Holy fucking shit!”

Ty was still there, sitting on the edge bed, an amused look on his face. “Come on, Tanner,” he said in a strange voice that wasn’t quite his own. “Let’s get going.”

Tanner shook himself. He was still dreaming! What a cruel fucking dream!

How do I wake up? How the fuck do I wake up? I’ve got to wake up! 

Somewhere, he’d read about lucid dreams, dreams in which the dreamer was aware that he was dreaming. He vaguely remembered something about lightswitches. Find the lightswitch and turn it on. Then look down at your feet. Come on Tanner, get out of bed and make this dream go away!

“What are you doing?” Ty asked as he stumbled out of bed and flicked on the lightswitch. The light went on over their heads. “It’s broad daylight. We don’t need the light on, silly.”

Tanner looked down at his feet then. They were there just like always. The little black hairs were on the tops of his toes and the big toenail on his left foot was deformed from where Ty had dropped the kayak on it when they were ten. This sure didn’t seem like a dream! He realized his heart was pounding in his chest and he tottered over to the edge of the bed, collapsing down and holding his head in his hands.

“What’s wrong, Tanner? Are you alright? Let’s go to the gym. It’ll make your hangover go away.”

Why did Ty’s voice sound like Ryan’s?

He lifted his head and looked across the bed and gaped.

It was the weirdest thing.

Ty’s face and body were changing. As he stared, aghast, his brother started to transform into Ryan. His dark features lightening and aging, slowly settling into the familiar pattern of his lover’s. In a minute, Ty was gone; he had been completely replaced by Ryan. Tanner couldn’t take it. He fell on the bed and sobbed.

***

“I’m here for you, Tanner. Don’t worry.”

Tanner took a shuddering breath and wiped his face with the back of his hand. Ryan was cradling his head in his lap, a look of such tenderness and concern on his face that it brought more tears to Tanner’s eyes. He chewed the inside of his cheek to distract himself. He was tired of crying. Crying didn’t bring Ty back. Nothing ever would.

He pushed himself up on his elbows. Ryan shifted away but kept his hand on Tanner’s arm. He squeezed his bicep, asking, “What happened? Did you have another nightmare?”

Tanner nodded, not feeling like talking about it. He wanted to forget about the whole weird-ass thing.

“I’m sorry, bud. I really am.”

“Thanks.”

Ryan sighed and stood up. Despite his mood, Tanner found himself studying his boyfriend. There was no doubt about it, Ryan was fucking hot. He had a ripped, lean body with even less bodyfat that Tanner. It was obvious that he spent a lot of time at the gym. He barely looked thirty years old, much less thirty-five. He was a wearing a fitted tank that accentuated his broad shoulders, tapered torso, and narrow waist. His skin was pleasingly sun-touched but the truth was that his mixed Spanish-British heritage meant that, even in the middle of the long Midwestern winters, he looked tan. His black hair was swept back, perfectly styled and shiny. The tops of his shaved pecs bulged through the open neck of his shirt. 

There was only one thing that detracted from the studly look: The near-constant tension that radiated out of him.

Ryan could never fucking relax.

His body was coiled tight and he always seemed ready to crawl out of his skin. Tanner knew him well enough to know that he was itching to workout. For some reason, Ryan always wanted to work out early on Saturday mornings. The dude would run and swim and then sign up for an hour on the stair-stepper because he was self-conscious about his little butt. And finally he would lift weights, pushing himself harder and harder. After several hours, he would return home only to immediately get swept into organizing his closet or cleaning the cupboards in his kitchen.

And that was how every Saturday was with Ryan. 

Every fucking Saturday.

It was frustrating, Tanner realized suddenly, completely forgetting his tears and sadness from moments ago. Shit, why the fuck couldn’t Ryan just hang out in bed for once on a Saturday and have sleepy weekend sex?

He’d barely finished the thought when he felt his stomach clench as a wave of nausea passed through him. It seemed like the room shifted. He closed his eyes then reopened them to look around. Everything looked the same. It must have just been his hangover.

Ryan gave him a fond smile and then stretched and yawned, saying, “You know what? Fuck it! Let’s just stay in bed and cuddle? We can go to the gym later.”

Tanner stared up at him.

Ryan stripped out of his gym clothes and crawled in next to Tanner, his cock already half erect. He had a nice cock, a bit longer than average even if it was a little on the thin side.

Tanner was so startled that he didn’t resist when Ryan got on top of him and lay down, pushing his erection into his stomach. Ryan’s lips found his and they tasted each other, savoring the morning flavor of their mouths. It was a long, slow, lazy kiss, so unlike their usual abrupt coming together that it really got Tanner going. Shit, Ryan was so fucking sexy when he was relaxed and horny!

They took their time, rolling over and over on top of each other, getting more and more turned on until Ryan surprised Tanner by saying, “Let’s take this into the shower, bud.”

They did. In a few minutes, Ryan was entering Tanner from behind as the hot, steamy water trickled over their hard bodies. Tanner let out a low moan, hardly able to believe his good fortune. Ryan had not only stayed home from the gym for him but was also indulging him by fucking him in the ass. Prior to this, it had almost always been Tanner who topped even though he found it tedious.

This was too good to be true! Maybe he was still dreaming?

Everything that Ryan did seemed to be perfectly calculated to hit Tanner’s sweet spots. His thrusts were timed just right and the angle of his cock felt amazing. Ryan was a few inches shorter than Tanner–Tanner was a tall guy at close to six foot four–but this was a situation in which their height differential worked to their advantage; Ryan could squat down and then get powerful leverage as his cock rammed deeper and deeper. Tanner cried out as his boyfriend’s fucking grew in intensity.

Shit, it had been a long time since he been able to coax Ryan to fuck him but it sure felt like his cock was even bigger and fatter than he remembered. Almost like it had grown over the past few months. But that wasn’t possible, he chided himself. Guys’ cocks didn’t grow bigger after puberty. He must just be extra turned on and drunk with the delirium of the moment.

Ryan hips bucked and he called out hoarsely as he drove deeper into Tannerr’s hole and then Tanner nearly passed out.

Fuck! He wasn’t imagining it! Ryan’s cock was either getting fatter and longer or his hole was contracting because he could feel his sphincter screaming out in delicious pain as it stretched wider and wider.

Head was swimming and butt was on fire, he grabbed the showerhead and yelled at the top of his voice. He could feel his knees begin to buckle as Ryan built to a massive finale. And then Tanner came in an explosive orgasm without even touching his own cock. Ryan laughed and slapped him hard on the butt as his cock pulsed and he shot his load in Tanner’s ass.

“My girl likes it from behind, huh?” His voice was deeper, more commanding. It sent chills down Tanner’s spine.

“Fuck yeah, she does!” Tanner exclaimed and then yelped in surprise and delight as Ryan pulled out and spun him around to devour his mouth in a delicious kiss. After a long time, he pulled away, leaving Tanner gasping for air.

Tanner held his boyfriend at arm’s length, admiring him. There was definitely something different about Ryan that he couldn’t quite identify but whatever it was, he liked it.

Then his eyes fell to the appendage dangling between his lover’s thighs and he almost fainted.

Ryan. Had. The. Fucking. Biggest. Tool.

Or at least it was a lot bigger than it had been. Fuck, that beast had to be longer than eight inches and it was only half hard. Tanner stared and stared, even reaching out to fondle it. It was heavy and plump in his hand, still pulsing from the afterglow of orgasm.

Shit. 

Ryan sighed and smiled up at him wolfishly before he leaned forward. His tongue darted out to lick the corner of Tanner’s mouth as he said, “Fuck, man! I can’t get enough of you this morning. Let’s fuck again!”

***

Tanner’s hole was raw and stretched before Ryan finally got done with him. He rinsed off and then collapsed on the bed, still dripping. He felt…great. God, he felt more than great. He couldn’t remember the last time Ryan had used him like that. Then he laughed. What was he thinking? Ryan had never done anything like that before. He was always too anxious, too stressed out, too wound up to fully let go and enjoy sex. His stomach growled then and he thought, ‘The perfect thing right now would be if Ryan took me out for brunch at that hip little restaurant in Boystown.’ But Ryan was too cheap and was probably eager to get to the gym. He never–NEVER–missed his Saturday workouts.

Ryan flopped down on top of him and ran his roughened hands over Tanner’s buttocks, letting his index finger drift down and caress his aching hole.

“I think you’ve got a boy pussy now, dude!”

Tanner giggled. “Fuck you, Ryan! It’s your fault!”

Ryan made a growling sound in the back of his throat. “By tomorrow, it will be so loose that you’ll have a genuine boy cunt.”

Tanner felt a shudder of pleasure rush through him and he clenched his hole, swallowing Ryan’s finger. Ryan wiggled it around before pulling it out and licking it.

“Yup, tastes like boy pussy alright.”

Tanner giggled again. God, Ryan was like a whole new man! A real man. It was unbelievable.

His lover rolled over onto his back next to Tanner and lay there, naked and exposed. His big cock was throbbing with life again, starting to push up past his belly button. Tanner flipped over onto his side and propped his head on his elbow, admiring his man. Ryan seemed completely at ease and unselfconscious lying there with his legs spread out and his huge cock on display.

Where had the old prudish Ryan gone?  Before, he never would have lain there naked and unconcerned. Hell, he was more than unconcerned, he was fucking confident in his studly prowess. Tanner shook his head, thinking back.  At the gym, Ryan would change under his towel. At home, he would go into the bathroom, close the door, and undress rather than let Tanner see him naked.  Just to push his buttons, Tanner would sometimes burst in and yank down his pants while Ryan shouted indignantly. It was always a lot of work to get Ryan naked.

But not now.

No, not now. With the haze of sex dissipated somewhat, Tanner realized that there something really weird going on. This wasn’t normal. Ryan’s decision to suddenly abandon his vaunted weekend workout in favor of sizzling sex was one thing but his growing a huge cock was quite another. Tanner was beginning to suspect something was up. Something very strange and…fun. 

What was the common thread here?

His pulse quickened as he figured it out.

He was the common thread.

He ticked through the morning events: The bizarre dream that merged into a waking nightmare of Ty slowly melting into Ryan, the skipped workout, the incredible fucking, Ryan’s unselfconsciousness and his newly huge cock. It was like everything he dreamed about or wished for, happened.

Almost like he had the power to…what? 

Change? 

Yeah, it was like he could change Ryan. He could remake his boyfriend to suit his desires.

But that was crazy.

That didn’t happen.

Because it wasn’t possible.

Right.

It was impossible.

But…

Maybe?

There was one way to test it.

“Hey, Ryan,” he asked innocently, “Wanna take me out to Drew’s for brunch?”

Ryan glanced over at him before pushing himself up on his knees. He shoved Tanner over onto his belly and, then straddled him, pushing his hard cock against his aching hole. Tanner gasped. “Yeah, sure,” he replied finally. “But only if I can fuck your hole again. I’m on a boy cunt mission here.”

***

Tanner had trouble sitting comfortably at the restaurant but he didn’t care. He was happier than he’d been in years. Shit, he’d spent the last three years either taking care of Ty or grieving Ty. It was past time for him to have a little fun. He was sick and tired of heaviness and the bleak realities of life. He wanted to fucking cut loose and have some fun with his man. Why couldn’t he just give up and be taken care of for once? Fuck, he felt like he’d spent his whole fucking life taking care of others. Now it was his turn!

Their waiter, a handsome young guy with a neatly trimmed beard and a twinkle in his eye, did a double take when he saw Tanner. “Hey, aren’t you…?”

Tanner looked down at the table, cheeks coloring. “Yes, I’m the guy on the billboards.” He’d recently posed for a lucrative underwear shoot and now he couldn’t go anywhere without seeing ads of himself wearing nearly transparent briefs. His face (and his package) towered over buildings all over Boystown and Andersonville, even adorning kiosks at the train stations.

The waiter gave him an approving nod. “You’re even hotter in person.”

Ryan stood up then, inserting himself between the waiter and Tanner. “He is. Trust me,” he said, puffing up and giving the waiter a challenging stare. 

The poor guy swallowed and raised his hands. “Ok, Ok! I got it!” His voice was almost shrill. “Can I, um, take your order?”

Ryan paused for a long moment before returning to his chair. He made a big show of settling down. “I think we need a few more minutes, dude.” He pulled out the menu and dismissed the waiter without looking at him. Tanner watched him in disbelief. This was so unlike Ryan!

“I wish you’d never posed for those fucking ads,” his boyfriend grumbled after the waiter stalked off.

Tanner was too taken aback to reply. This was…unexpected. Ryan stepping in and putting the waiter in his place was cool. It was really cool to have a boyfriend–a man!–stand up and defend him. He felt safe and protected. Like Ryan was looking out for him and he could relax and let him take charge. Even Ryan’s comment about the underwear ad was sweet. It was Ryan’s way of showing Tanner than he cared about his public persona. He didn’t want people assuming that they could take liberties with Tanner just because his mostly bare image was on display all over town.

He smiled across the table at Ryan but his lover didn’t look up from menu.

Wait.

What?

Ryan’s shoulders and arms looked bigger. His biceps bulged and his traps and delts were swollen. He looked like a fucking crossfit muscle stud, one of those guys who did kettlebell squats, pullups, and handstand pushups three times a day. His pecs were straining against the fabric of his tank top, pushing his rigid nipples conspicuously outward.

His boyfriend’s gaze flicked up then. “What?” he asked in a gruff voice.

For some reason, Tanner flushed and looked down at the table. “Um, nothing. I was just…admiring your arms. That’s all. You look great.”

Ryan’s mouth quirked and he stuck his chest out a little. “Thanks, babe. Thanks. You’re looking pretty sweet yourself. I kinda want to fuck you again…”

Tanner clenched, feeling his poor hole complain. His expression must have been eloquent because Ryan laughed. He winked and went back to studying his menu.

Shit. Tanner felt his cock begin to stir in his shorts and he forced himself to stop staring at his boyfriend. He was having trouble thinking about anything but getting fucked again.

To distract himself, he looked around the restaurant and noticed the two guys sitting at the table next to them. They were a gay couple of mixed ages like Ryan and Tanner. The younger one was probably a little younger than Tanner but the older guy was about ten years older than Ryan. He had chiseled features with graying hair, a square jaw, and a vaguely blue collar air about him. He looked like he was probably a construction worker or a firefighter. His bulky body was thick with muscles but he was also a bit chunky. He looked like an ex-jock whose glory days were behind him but somehow that only added to his attractiveness. Tanner admired his big muscles, his gut, and his brusque, no nonsense manner that was obvious just from the confident way he sat in his chair and stared at his menu. Inspired, Tanner imagined that he looked like a mature lion surveying his pride on the savannah. As he watched, entranced, the younger guy reached out to place a tender hand over the big man’s.

Sexy daddy alert! Tanner thought. Sexy fucking daddy at twelve o’clock!

Perhaps inevitably, he began to compare Ryan with the older man. Ryan was physically perfect but his perfection came at a cost: He was so neurotic about maintaining his body and keeping the fat off that he couldn’t ever fucking relax and hang out. In fact, even as Tanner admired him across the table, he could see that Ryan was looking at the salad side of the brunch menu. He was so predictable! He would order a small salad, a chicken breast, and a glass of water in the effort to save money and starve himself. Ryan made a sport out how much he could deny his body and its cravings. God, it was so tiresome! Why couldn’t they enjoy brunch and cocktails like the guys sitting next to them?

“Shit,” Ryan muttered just then, standing up awkwardly. “I gotta piss.”

Tanner raised an eyebrow. Why was Ryan suddenly acting so…masculine? It was like he had awakened a completely different person that morning. He shuddered then, remembering the dream that hadn’t been a dream. And Ty…

“Hey, can I get a Bloody Mary with extra vodka?” he called out abruptly.

The waiter, who had been about to breeze past, stopped and nodded. “You bet, hon. Anything for you.”

Tanner smiled to himself, consciously pushing all thoughts of Ty out of his head. He needed a fucking drink. He needed to get fucking smashed. He needed…

“Dude, does this shirt look like it’s fitting weird on me?”

Ryan had returned from the bathroom and was standing in front of him, staring down at his torso. Tanner glanced at him and choked, working furiously to school his features and not to gape. Shit! Ryan’s body was practically ready to burst out of his clothes. The shorts that normally were loose and baggy on him were, well, neither. His thighs were bulging and the outline of his big package was clearly visible in the crotch. Even more incredible was his stomach. His boyfriend had the start of a paunch! But how…? Ryan lifted his shirt a little and a roll of flab was clearly visible hanging down over his belt.

Tanner bit his tongue as he took it all in. Ryan was obsessed with shaving off all of his body hair, finding it disgusting and believing it made him look older. Now, however, his legs were carpeted with thick, black hair. A tempting treasure trail of dark hair drifted down his normally shaved tummy. Unbelievably, Ryan had left the top button of his shorts undone (probably because he could no longer close it comfortably) and a profusion of dense pubic hair poured out over the elastic band of his boxers. He had a fucking bush!

Realizing that Ryan was waiting for him to respond, he shook himself. “Uh, no, not at all,” he lied before adding truthfully, “You look great!”

Ryan reached out and pinched his hips, brow furrowing. “But…”

“Ryan,” Tanner stated forcefully, “You are fucking gorgeous.”

His boyfriend hesitated a moment before settling down in his chair. Tanner swallowed and stared at the curly hair creeping out around the neck of his shirt, climbing up to his shoulders. God, that hair! It was fucking sexy. And there was something else. Ryan was sitting differently than usual. Ryan always had impeccable table etiquette but now he was pushed back from the table, his knees spread wide. He slouched back against the back of his chair giving Tanner a good view of his fat cock. It had slid down the side of the leg of his shorts and his big balls rounded out the crotch. Tanner reached down and adjusted himself in his shorts; he was sporting an insistent hardon. Fuck, Ryan! What a fucking stud!

“Can I get you anything, sir?” the waiter asked as he placed Tanner’s Bloody Mary on the table, his hand casually brushing Tanner’s in the process.

Ryan scowled up at him. “I’ll take a whiskey on the rocks. And keep your fucking hands off my boyfriend, asshole!”

“Ryan!” Tanner exclaimed as the couple sitting next to them glanced over.

“What?” Ryan asked, a hint of steel in his voice. “No one touches you without my permission. Got it?”

The room fell silent.

Tanner felt his ears grow hot, his heart beating in his chest. The waiter raised his hands placatingly and backed away. The twink sitting next to Tanner perked up a little in his chair as his daddy friend’s eyes narrowed.

“Got it?” Ryan repeated, brown eyes boring into Tanner’s.

Tanner couldn’t help it. He dropped his gaze and stammered, “Yeah, I got it.”

Ryan huffed. “Good. Just don’t forget it.”

Shifting in his chair, Tanner noticed a dark spot forming in the crotch of his shorts and dropped his hands to cover it.

***

They were drunk off their asses and stuffed after gorging on pancakes, bacon, and sausages. Ryan alone had polished off four helpings and five whiskies. He leaned back in his chair and belched contentedly, rubbing his belly and giving Tanner a lusty stare.

Tanner’s vision was swimming and his head was spinning. He tried to focus on Ryan’s face but he had trouble getting his eyes to work properly. Maybe it hadn’t been a good idea to order a third Bloody Mary? Maybe…

Shit, was it his imagination or did Ryan look even hotter than he had when they sat down? He struggled to focus on his boyfriend. Yeah, actually, he did look different. His face was heavier, fuller, his features blocky and thick. Even his brow seemed more pronounced. And…

Fuck! Ryan had grey stubble on his face! And there were flecks of white hair on his head. But his hair had always been jet black without a trace of gray…

“That’s a nice looking boy you got there,” the man sitting next to them remarked to Ryan.

Tanner straightened up in his chair, suddenly alert. He felt his cheeks color as Ryan smirked, following the man’s gaze across the table to Tanner. The two older men indulged in a lecherous leer as Tanner squirmed. He wasn’t used to thinking of himself as Ryan’s boy, much less having another man comment on him like he was a possession. Still, it was kind of fun being lusted over by two hot daddies!

“Yours is pretty hot, too,” Ryan replied as their gaze shifted over to the boy sitting next to Tanner. It was boy’s turn to turn red. Tanner reached over and put a hand on his shoulder, giving him a brief squeeze. The kid flashed him a smile. Ryan was right; the boy was very cute, bordering on pretty, with longish blond hair and stunning blue eyes.

“Wanna head over to the steam room next door with us?”

Wait! Had the man just suggested…?! Tanner’s jaw dropped as he gaped at his boyfriend, wondering what Ryan would do. The old Ryan would never have considered going to a steam room and he certainly wouldn’t have consented to go with another couple. Ryan always said that the steam rooms and sex clubs in Boystown were for losers.

To his undying surprise, Tanner heard his boyfriend reply in a slightly slurred voice, “Why the fuck not?”

“Ryan!” he protested, feeling a thrilling charge run through his body.

Ryan lifted his lip in a sneer. “Did I give you permission to talk?”

Tanner lowered his head, cowed. His heart was pounding in his chest. Ryan was being so assertive! 

“Good,” the man commented to Ryan. “Gotta keep your boy under control. Show him who’s boss.”

The man folded his arms and leaned back in his chair, giving Tanner an appraising look and he felt his face go scarlet. His erection had returned with a vengeance and pushed almost painfully against the confines of his underwear. The man’s gaze devoured him for a long time before he turned his attention to his young lover.

“Stand up, boy,” the man ordered and the young guy stood up. “Let them get a good look at you.” The boy’s face turned red as the men stared at him.

Ryan raised his glass at Tanner. “Go on, boy. You get up, too. Stand next to him. I wanna compare.”

This isn’t really happening! This isn’t really happening! Tanner thought, both horrified and titillated. Nonetheless, he pushed himself unsteadily up from his chair and stood meekly, holding his hands in front of his crotch to cover his bulging erection.

“Now turn around.”

The boys exchanged sheepish glances before complying. Tanner felt his body begin to quiver with excitement as he heard the man say, “Oh, yeah, look at those asses. We’re gonna have some fun.”

Part 2

Tanner was quivering with excitement, rock hard in his shorts, as he stood next to the boy from the restaurant in the changing area of the private suite that Ryan had rented in the gay steam room. 

His lover looked so manly and hot with his extra pounds of muscle and paunch. His formerly raven-black hair was salt and pepper and his facial features were blocky and rugged. The silvery stubble on his face was rapidly thickening into a dense beard. There wasn’t even a trace of his old uncertainty and uptight behavior. The tiresome miasma of anxiety that used to emanate from him was completely gone. Rather than anxiety, Ryan exuded confidence, strength, and dominance. Really fucking sexy dominance! A thrill rippled through Tanner’s body as he noticed that Ryan was regarding him with the appraising stare of a drill sergeant. He was like a whole new man!

A whole new daddy! 

Tanner reached down and adjusted himself in his shorts. He was so excited to finally have a man to look after him. A man who would protect him and tell him what to do. He didn’t understand why or how Ryan had changed but he wasn’t about to complain. He couldn’t remember ever finding his lover more attractive. He was a fucking stud!

Ryan was slouched back in a chair on the other side of the room next to the big man from the restaurant. The two men sat with their legs spread wide, hairy arms crossed over their chests and their bellies pushed out proudly. They were two of the hottest daddies that Tanner had ever seen.

He exchanged a hungry glance with the boy next to him.

“Go on, boy,” the man urged his boy. “Introduce yourself. I give you permission.”

The blond-haired boy looked up from the floor and dazzled Tanner with the sweetest smile. He was porcelain-skinned and short, at least a foot shorter than Tanner. His hair was luxurious and long, swept back behind his ears. A stray lock slipped over his eye as he stammered, “H-h-hi, I’m Tad. I’m Mack’s boy.”

Tanner gave him an encouraging nod and Tad smiled again. His eyes were so blue and his teeth were so white! Tanner didn’t normally find guys like Tad attractive but he radiated a certain innocence and charm that he found immediately appealing. Tad was dressed conservatively in white slacks and a blue, cotton sweater. He was wearing dock shoes and a white, collared shirt under his sweater. The room was warm and Tanner wondered how he could stand to be so over-dressed. He was already pouring sweat and he was just wearing a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.

He extended his hand but Tad wouldn’t take it until Mack nodded. As Tanner’s hand closed around the youth’s slender fingers, he said, “My name is Tanner. Pleased to meet you.”

Ryan cleared his throat across the room. “You forgot something, boy.”

Tanner looked up and saw Ryan glowering at him. Mind racing, he finally realized his mistake and quickly added, “Oh! I’m sorry! I’m Tanner, Ryan’s boy.” 

It felt so good to say it. 

He was Ryan’s boy!

“There, that’s better,” Ryan grumbled. “And don’t you forget it!”

Mack chuckled. “Looks like you got some training to do with you boy there, Ryan. Tad never forgets that he’s mine.” His voice took on a distinct edge as he added, “Never.”

Tad looked down at the floor, dropping Tanner’s hand but not before Tanner noticed that a small smile on his lips.

“Let’s start by having Tad undress your boy,” Mack suggested as he poked Ryan slyly in the ribs. “I wanna see what he’s hiding in those shorts.”

Tad’s face went pale at this but Tanner was too preoccupied with the thrilling rush of adrenaline coursing through him to notice. Ryan smirked over at Mack, clearly enjoying the opportunity to display Tanner. “Sure,” he said, kneading his groin with a big hand, “My boy loves to show off.”

“So did mine,” Mack muttered cryptically. “Once.”

Ryan raised an eyebrow at this before motioning to Tanner. “Go on, boy. Let Mack’s boy undress you.”

Tanner felt his face, neck, and shoulders go scarlet as he turned to face Tad. Part of him couldn’t believe this was happening and part of him was reveling in it. Ryan had changed so radically that Tanner barely recognized him. 

But he liked it

He really liked it.

Tad was standing frozen, head down and hands clasped. When he didn’t move, Ryan looked over at Mack. “What’s wrong with him?”

Mack barked with laughter. “Oh, he knows what will happen if he touches your boy. It’s what happens every time he touches another boy: He gets punished.”

Ryan nodded, though he sounded confused when he asked, “But you just gave him permission?”

“Doesn’t matter. He knows the rules. Every time he touches a boy, he’s punished. But don’t worry, he likes his punishment. Don’t you, boy?”

Tad’s neck was red as he stared down at the floor, mute. After a long time, he nodded his head slightly.

Mack laughed. “See? He’s a dirty little slut. Just the way I like ‘em!”

Ryan cleared his throat, clearly aroused by the direction the conversation was taking. “What…is his punishment?”

“Oh, we’ll get to that later,” Mack said, leaning back in his chair and stretching. “Don’t worry. I like to show him off, too. I’m really proud of his punishments.” He turned back to Tad, commanding, “Come on, boy! We don’t have all day. Take his clothes off!”

Tanner watched as if from far away as Tad stood in front of him and very carefully lifted his shirt over his head. Dropping the shirt on the floor, Tad stared at Tanner’s lean, ripped body. As a top underwear model, Tanner knew he had to stay in prime condition or his career would topple. He couldn’t afford to have even a trace of fat and he was proud of how toned he was. Every sinew popped under his golden brown skin.

Tad eyed him hungrily, his cheeks rosy, and Tanner struck a beefcake pose, pleased to have his body appreciated so openly. After looking over to Mack for permission, Tad put a shaking hand out to touch Tanner’s shoulder. Tanner shivered at the contact and raised his head to see Ryan watching him intently, his huge erection plastered against his thigh, clearly outlined in his tight shorts. His lover’s expression was a complex mixture of pride, jealousy, and lust. Tanner locked eyes with him and ran his tongue over his lips.

“Ha!” Mack barked. “He’s a little rooster. Look at him strut!”

Tad lifted his other hand and placed it on Tanner’s neck before running both hands down his torso and stopping at the waistband of his cargos. Tanner’s cock was throbbing and he looked down to see his big eight-incher pushing the fabric of his shorts luridly outward.

“And hung, too,” Mack added as he reached over to massage Ryan’s knee. Tanner looked over Tad’s shoulder to see the big man slowly run his hand up his boyfriend’s thigh, pausing briefly as he popped the top bottom on Ryan’s shorts.

Whoa, was this really happening?

He couldn’t believe it!

Ryan was letting another guy touch him in front of Tanner! In a gay bath house!

And he was enjoying it!

Ryan’s stubbled face broke out in a slow smile as Mack reached into his shorts and extracted his thick cock, commencing to jack him leisurely. Ryan moaned and slung an arm over Mack’s shoulder as he reached around with his other hand to fiddle with the big man’s jeans. Soon he’d pulled out Mack’s fat member. He spit in his hand before pumping it up and down, eliciting a deep sigh from Mack.

“C’mon, Tanner,” Tad prompted after casting a glance back at the two men, “Let’s do this.”

His voice was soft, light, almost feminine, and his blue eyes were the most bewitching shade of aquamarine. On impulse, Tanner lowered his head and planted a tender kiss on the boy’s pouty lips.

Tad froze and Tanner briefly worried if he’d done something wrong but then the boy relaxed and parted his luscious lips to lick Tanner’s tongue. He had such a tiny, delicate mouth! Tanner felt like a huge brute in comparison. He wondered why he was so turned on by Tad because normally he didn’t find guys like him the least bit attractive…but…

…but now Ryan was watching. 

And he liked it when Ryan watched. 

It felt so transgressive. So wrong, so naughty. He laughed then and cupped the back of Tad’s head in his hands as he pulled him in for a devouring kiss. In response, Tad surprised him by slipping Tanner’s shorts and underwear off in one fluid motion.

Lights exploded in Tanner’s head as he felt his shorts settle around his ankles. He was standing bare-assed in front of everyone, making out with a hot young boy while Ryan watched! What the fuck was he thinking?

His big erection pressed into Tad’s belly as he hugged the boy against him tightly. He was so fucking turned on! He couldn’t remember ever feeling this way before. Christ, it was fun being with Ryan like this!

He started to lift Tad’s sweater up but the boy stopped his hands.

“No, Tanner, don’t…” he protested.

“Let him do it, boy!” Mack barked and Tad cringed. “Let ‘em see you. I want ‘em to see your body.”

Tad turned his mouth away from Tanner’s and nuzzled against his neck. Tanner put his hand over the back of the boy’s head and murmured soothingly in his ear. “It’s Ok, Tad. It’s Ok.” The boy’s slight body was shaking like a small animal’s.

“I’m a…freak,” Tad stammered. “You won’t like me.”

Tanner’s face creased with a tender smile. “You’re no more of a freak than I am, Tad. Let’s be freaks together. And I already like you. You’re beautiful. Fucking beautiful!”

“No, no…” Tad started to say but Tanner hushed him and lifted the dainty cotton sweater over the boy’s head.

God, he was so small and skinny! He couldn’t weigh more than a hundred twenty pounds. Tanner marveled at his ethereal beauty. Tad was unlike any boy he’d ever seen before. There was something about him…

“What the…?” he exclaimed as he tossed the sweater aside and started to unbutton Tad’s shirt.

There was something on the boy’s skin.

What was it?

Tentatively, he folded back Tad’s collar and gasped.

Tattoos.

Tad’s torso up to his neck was covered in tattoos. Tattoos that stopped just even with the neckline of his shirt.

Stunned, Tanner peeled his shirt back and surveyed the boy’s ravaged chest. “Cock Sucker” “Cum Soaker” “Slut Boy” “Daddy’s Cunt” “Filthy Cock Whore” and slogans far worse were etched in vivid colors and big letters all over Tad’s immaculate skin. His pure, smooth, unblemished skin…completely destroyed with the most vile and disgusting tattoos that Tanner had ever seen.

His mouth hung open as Tad lowered his head and started to shake. Tanner was so stunned that it took him a while before he heard the laughing. Laughter that was grating and harsh.

It was Ryan.

“Good one, man!” Ryan gasped in between gales of laughter. “You really know how to keep your boy in line. No chance he’ll forget what he is now. Love it!”

Tanner’s heart was in his throat. On the one hand he was appalled by Mack’s treatment of Tad but on the other, he was extremely turned on by it. To be permanently and irrevocably marked as your daddy’s property… He felt his cock spasm almost painfully with the thought. What would it be like if Ryan treated him the same way?

Tad hung his head bashfully but there was also a smile on his beautiful face. His eyes were downcast but he held his shoulders back, squared, as if part of him savored the way his daddy had marred his tender flesh. As he hadn’t before, Tanner now understood that he and Tad were alike, complicit partners, eager to be used and marked and utterly dominated by their men. His cock spasmed again and he stifled a moan of ecstasy.

“That’s part of his punishment,” Mack was saying proudly. “Every time another boy touches him, I tattoo him. I’ve got his whole body covered with ‘em except for his face and hands.”

Ryan let out a low whistle. “Where will you put the next one? I mean, you gotta mark him now that Tanner’s touched him.”

Mack was silent for a moment as he contemplated this. Finally, he replied, “I reckon it’s time I marked up his face. He’s too pretty. Need to make him uglier.” He turned to Ryan and added, “You need to make your boy ugly, too, man. A pretty boy will just get in trouble. Make him ugly and he’ll be forced to stick with you.”

Both Tanner and Tad stiffened with these words. Tad was the first to react with an agonized whimper, “No! Not my face! You said you wouldn’t tattoo my face! Do my hands instead!”

“Shut the fuck up, you little cunt!” Mack growled. “You’re my boy and I will do whatever the fuck I want with you.”

Tanner glanced over and saw tears sliding down Tad’s face. He looked like he was about to protest again but instead closed his mouth. When he looked over at Tanner, his gaze was hollow.

“Ryan…” Tanner started to say, feeling his stomach clench and his hands begin to sweat. There was no way that Ryan would listen to Mack and do something similar to him…or would he? He suddenly realized he didn’t know. He didn’t know what his man…his daddy…would do.

“Shut it, bitch!” came Ryan’s sharp retort. “I don’t remember saying you could talk.” 

His voice was so deep, so masculine, so commanding that it made Tanner jump. He felt like he’d been struck across the face even though Ryan hadn’t lifted a finger. He closed his mouth with a snap, feeling a wave of disorientation pass through him. What the fuck was going on? What had he gotten himself into? Did he really want Ryan to treat him like this?

As soon as he asked himself the question, he knew the answer.

Yes.

Yes.

YES!

HELL, YES!

He knew he would do whatever Ryan wanted him to do. He would be his bitch, his fuck toy, his servant, his whore in every way. He didn’t care how his man treated him. In fact, part of him longed to be abused and hurt and completely fucking transformed, disfigured, and destroyed until he was unrecognizable as long as Ryan was his daddy. 

He stood proudly, holding his head high. He was Ryan Henley’s property now and he would do whatever Ryan wanted. His old life and identity were quickly fading away and it was time for him to take on a new life. He was a whole new boy… Ryan’s boy.  His cock throbbed as looked over at his daddy and gave him a contented smile.

Ryan barely reacted, giving him only a slight nod but Tanner could feel his pride like a radiant glow and he basked in it. He was so glad he had big, strong, tough, macho Ryan to take care of him…and use him like a dirty slut.

Especially that.

He loved being Ryan’s dirty slut!

“Go on, boy, take his pants off,” Ryan urged as he resumed jacking Mack’s fat cock. The other man’s head was back, a lazy smile on his face.

“S’right,” Mack mumbled. “He’s got a surprise in there waiting for ya.”

Tanner faced Tad again, noting how the boy’s cheeks were still wet with tears. Very gently, he placed his hands on his narrow hips, marveling again at the profane tattoos covering his body. It was both grotesque and really fucking hot at the same time and he felt his cock react by plumping up so much that his fat glans head popped out of the confines of his foreskin.

Tad stared at his huge erection, mesmerized, and didn’t resist when Tanner popped the button on his pants and slowly pulled down his zipper. He held his breath when he saw that the boy was wearing only a delicate pair of pink briefs. They were so dainty that they almost looked like panties. 

No, they were panties.

Tad was wearing a pair of pink panties!

Tanner’s cock pulsed. He felt like he was about to cum right there and then. There was something unholy about the effect Tad had on him. The boy was so slender and slight and feminine–traits that normally did nothing for Tanner–but there was something so perverse, so profane, and yet so vulnerable and innocent and fucking delectable about him that it drove Tanner wild. He couldn’t wait to get the kid naked!

The contrast between the boy’s gaudy tattoos and sheer, pink underwear was too much and Tanner felt a spurt of precum shoot out of his cock. It splattered Tad’s flat belly and dribbled down to stain his panties. He didn’t look but he knew that Mack and Ryan were watching them adroitly and enjoying the spectacle of the two boys undressing each other. He could hear the slap, slap, slap as the men jacked each other off and it made him spurt again.

Tad ran a slender finger up the trail of Tanner’s cum and stuck it in his mouth, savoring the flavor. Tanner moaned.

This was too fucking much!

“Come on, Tanner,” Tad urged breathlessly. “Take ‘em off! Take off my panties!”

Tanner needed no more encouragement. A deep growl built in the back of his throat as he savagely tore off Tad’s white pants, leaving the boy standing in only his tiny pair of underpants. He was reaching out to tear off the panties when he paused, struck by a sortid admiration for Mack’s tattoo handiwork. 

It was true. 

Tad’s entire body, arms, and legs were covered in a lurid map of tattoos. 

Completely covered.

The effect was electric and Tanner ripped off the boy’s delicate undergarment with a quick swipe of his hand.

Tad was finally naked!

Finally…naked…?

Wait.

What?

Holy fucking shit!

Tanner gaped, unable to believe what he was seeing. In the background, he heard Ryan mutter something unintelligible and knew he was just as astounded. His skin grew prickly and he felt feverish as it slowly dawned on him what he was seeing. His testicles inadvertently clenched up in his sac.

Tad had no balls.

He’d been castrated.

Silence reigned in the room then as Tanner heard his heart pound in his ears. Finally, he realized he was holding his breath and exhaled slowly. He heard Mack guffaw behind him and knew the big man was delighting in his and Ryan’s shock.

As he was standing there frozen, he heard a small voice.

A very small, very fragile voice.

The voice of a damaged angel.

A fallen angel.

Fallen…

“Hold me, Tanner. Take me in your arms.”

Tanner shook himself and saw Tad staring up at him plaintively. He looked so forlorn standing there, naked and…ball-less…and covered in freaky tattoos that it almost broke Tanner’s heart. 

Almost.

Still he hesitated, unable to process what he was seeing.

Tad’s pubes were completely hairless and smooth. “Faggot Sissy Boi” was tattooed in a bright rainbow arc over his crotch and his little cock was barely more than a nub. A circumcised nub at that. Christ, the boy had barely more an inch of cock sticking out. Without balls, his tiny member appeared even more shrunken and pathetic and…

Huh?

Oh, shit.

No no no no no no

No!

There was a bright red biohazard symbol tattooed at the base of the boy’s dick.

Tad was HIV positive.

For some reason, seeing this broke through Tanner’s hesitation and he was cradling Tad in his arms before he even realized he had reached out. He smothered the boy’s naked body with his own, reveling in the exquisite tenderness of his satiny skin and the contrast between his huge, uncut monster pressing against the boy’s little pricklet. God, Tad was so fucking freaky and tragic and sexy that Tanner couldn’t stand it and he felt himself begin to orgasm.

He would have shot his load all over the boy if Tad hadn’t pulled back right then.

They stood there facing each other, breathless, faces at once flushed and pale. Tanner lost himself in Tad’s limpid gaze and blinked dazedly as the boy telegraphed something subtle and important to him. 

No words were needed. 

No words would have sufficed anyway.

He knew then that they were brothers and would always be brothers. They understood each other better than anyone else alive.

Brothers and sons.

Tad and Tanner.

Tad and Tanner.

Tad and Tanner…

“…And I was his coach back in high school. See his pic? This is what he looked like when he graduated.”

It was Mack’s voice. He was talking to Ryan.

Tanner hugged Tad closer to him, reaching back to cup his soft, full buttocks in his hands. The boy had the most amazing ass! Shit, it was perfect! So big and luscious and pillowy. God, what an ass!

“No shit!” Ryan exclaimed. “That’s what he looked like? God, he was such a fucking muscle stud!”

Tad wiggled his butt, encouraging Tanner to keep exploring and Tanner gasped as his fingers caressed the boy’s pucker.

“Yeah, I know, right?” Mack continued. “I took care of that right away. The night he graduated, we left town and I took him to my favorite fetish club in the city. That’s where I bred him with the biggest, meanest poz dude around. He was infected before morning.”

Tad’s hole was…generous…to say the least. Tanner couldn’t believe how stretched out it was. Shit, it felt big enough to take his whole…

“And then I circumcised him and cut his balls off.” Mack’s gruff voice was almost like a lullaby by then and Tanner felt suffused with a warm glow as he listened absently, his fingers probing Tad’s hole. 

“Yeah, did it myself in the garage,” the big man drawled. “He screamed bloody murder at the time but it was his idea. He wanted to prove to me that he was all mine. Daddy’s boy. Hehehe. Yup, daddy’s slutty sissy boy!”

Tanner inserted his forefinger into Tad’s ass and smiled as the boy moaned with pleasure. Tad put his lips up to Tanner’s ear and licked it before begging, “Fuck me, Tanner! I want your hot cock inside me!”

“After his balls were gone,” Mack bragged, “he lost all of his muscles and became like he is now. The perfect boy. A permanent boy with a tiny boy’s dick.”

Tad’s body became briefly rigid with these words but he quickly melted into Tanner’s embrace again. They twined together, mouths locked, and hands groping as a wanton lust gripped them. Soon, Tanner was turning Tad around, priming his asshole for his cock…

“Here, boy!” Mack shouted then. “Put on this condom unless your daddy here wants…”

Tanner paused then, waiting for Ryan’s command. 

His daddy’s command.

He could tell that his daddy was proud of him for his obedience. And Tanner knew he would do anything for Ryan, do anything Ryan told him to do. Even get infected with HIV. Anything. Anything for his daddy. His life belonged to Ryan.

He was Ryan’s boy.