THE RICHARD FILES
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Chapter 4
Christian had enjoyed the drawing, of course. In the end nothing more had happened and he had gone away happy, leaving Richard feeling somewhat embarrassed. It was only later that Richard had sat down to look at the drawing and thought it rather good. He even started to fill in the background around Christian, all the time trying to make the scene seem as innocuous as possible. Wasn't it fairly normal for students to act as models?
He was so absorbed in the drawing now that he hardly heard the phone ring.
"Hello, how are you? What exactly have you been up to these past days, Richard?"
It took him a few minutes to recognise the voice of his estranged wife, pointedly not in one of her better moods. Then suddenly he began to fit in the events that had just happened to him against any reaction from the outside world. The thought hit him that Christian had gone to the University Authorities and in a moment of horror he saw himself losing his job and career. But then he paused. How could Christian have contacted his ex-wife and why? He would have gone to his elders and betters in the University.
"I am fine, really and you sound pretty healthy too," he suggested.
There was a deep sigh at the other end of the line or was it mixed with an intake of breath for an onslaught?
"I was fine until I had a conversation with Michael recently. Yes, it was all very illuminating. You have been up to your tricks again. I thought that he was safely working away for a year but now I find that YOU have got involved again."
"Michael?" he answered in puzzlement. There was a long pause. He searched his mind to try and connect all these dots that just seemed to be making an amorphous mess.
"Yes, Michael. Your son, remember? I had hoped that while he was away for a year, he would concentrate on work and not get into any emotional entanglements and then I find that he is involved with a girl. But not only that, he said it was through YOU that he met her and he seemed very grateful."
Norma paused for dramatic effect and, of course, Richard realised, for a complete and unexpurgated answer.
"I have no idea what this is. What girl?" he demanded.
"You mean you don't know?" she blurted out. There was a pause again. "Rachel her name is and he said you introduced her," she answered.
Then a light flickered on in Richard's mind. It was the girl who had appeared with Christian a couple of months ago at the Open Day. Now he realised what had probably happened. He had sent Michael with Christian to look round the University and there, no doubt, he met Rachel and got friendly. In his relief that nothing more had happened he gave a shrug and told Norma that it was all ok, it was just a student who had come along to the Open Day. That didn't satisfy Norma much but he felt he could ride out that wave of anger.
Later that day the post arrived and he sat down with a lighter heart to read his correspondence. That was until he read the letter from the University Admin Office that appeared.
Richard Brown
Senior Lecturer
Earth Sciences
10 October 1980
Dear Mr. Brown,
Recently some details of an intimate nature have come to the attention of the University Regulatory Board responsible for the conduct of staff in the University. These involve yourself and certain students detailed in the attachment below. We would ask that you attend a hearing in the Administration Offices at 1030am on 7 December 1980.
The University takes the welfare of students and staff very seriously and takes all steps possible to listen to the concerns of both in any matters arising. However, the University will not tolerate any infringement of its rules that endangers the welfare of students studying here.
Yours
Hilda Todd
Student Relations Manager
Richard sat in the waiting room with a cup of coffee that tasted rather bitter. He had never had dealings with a disciplinary body at the University for it was usually completely out of the normal circles in which he worked. Neither had he wanted to seek advice from friends or trusted colleagues in the Department. Who knew what tales would fly round among the staff if he started to explain what this hearing was all about? On reflection, he didn't really know in detail what evidence he was going to be presented with. He was offered the opportunity of having a Union Representative in on the discussion but, again, thinking that on a need to know basis it would be best to help himself, he decided to wing it on his own.
He chuckled to himself in a sort of ironic way that the best preparation he could think of was to remember some of the juicier courtroom dramas he had seen on TV. Look them straight in the eye, neither smiling or laughing. Only answer what you have to from the questions that are put to you. Do not volunteer any information that is not required. He smiled to himself as he tried to recall a character in a movie that he could imitate. Perhaps the hapless Santiago in `A Few Good Men'. While he was smiling to himself, the office door opened and he was ushered into the interview room.
As he sat down there were three daunting faces opposite him. He vaguely recognised them in passing. Hilda Todd broke the ice and chatted a little. She seemed competent and well-prepared for the proceedings. Moreover, Richard felt, she had a tone of sympathy that surprised him and in no small measure reassured him as well. The other two he was not so sure about. He discovered more as the interview progressed. Stephen Forster was a lecturer in the Department of Education and Richard could recall that they had both attended a conference at the University of London about the financing of post-graduate study. Throughout the interview he smiled in a slightly lecherous way that disturbed him and when anything personal about Richard arose, he could be seen quietly taking notes. He seemed over eager to delve into Richard's private life and gloated over the more intimate questions that were put to him. Richard had thought the Union Rep might be needed for the tough questioning but now he wished he was here to block out this slimy character and his salacious attitude.
Dora Henderson was at least a more predictable character. She was some functionary in the Administrative Department and never smiled the whole time. In fact, she more or less stared at him which started to unnerve Richard. She had unlovely NHS type glasses and short hair which had clearly received very little styling. Her long career working away in some boring closet in the Admin Department Richard figured, had soured her against all humanity. She clearly was going to feel any kind of human relationships alien and he had her down as a lost cause to start.
As the interview proceeded, he realised that they were completely unaware of what had taken place in his flat. Trying to disguise his feeling of relief, he sensed the hand of his ex-wife in these proceedings. She was exacting revenge on him for what had happened with Michael. This made perfect sense to him for she had big influence in the Admin Department and clearly, Dora had been brought onside and had been perhaps the prime mover whom Norma used to enact this little charade acted out in the interview room. The interview centred around meeting students away from the campus in surroundings that were nothing to do with student life. Oh well, Richard would wait the outcome with bated breath but he was much relieved that nothing more serious was discussed.
Chapter 5
The following week there was a phone call from Christian.
"Look, I really don't want to talk." Richard tried to sound firm but polite. "There have been problems and I think it better if we don't see each other."
He was still waiting for news from the University Disciplinary Hearing and as time went on, he grew less and less sure that no sanctions were contemplated.
"I'm sorry, but it's not actually about me anyway," Christian replied.
"What exactly happened when you met Michael at the University, I really need to know?" Richard asked, not listening to Christian's remark.
"We just all met in one of the cafes in the central building. What is the problem?" asked Christian.
"It's maybe not a big problem. But just tell me exactly what happened there." Richard felt he was being heavy handed but he didn't want any more trouble.
"There's nothing to tell you. We had arranged for me to meet your son Michael, as you wanted and we had a good chat about the university in general. I think Rachel was there as well, so we all had a really nice time. As I recall, I had to leave for a lecture so I left Michael and Rachel to talk. Michael is a really nice guy, you know, we got on well." Christian started to feel flustered.
"I know that but, tell me, did you meet Michael again for," Richard hesitated to find the right word, "social reasons. Did you invite him up to your flat afterwards?"
"No, I didn't. What exactly are you implying? That I tried to seduce him? Of course not. He's not mature enough anyway."
Richard was going to challenge this as an insult but thought better of it, remembering the stony face of Dora and his wish never to see her again. He had a vague picture of what had happened and how events turned out the way they did. Reflecting on this he was glad that Michael had met someone who was known to him, at least.
"That's ok. I was just worried." He paused and relaxed in evident relief.
"So, what was that you said. You were phoning about something else?" Richard tried to return to his normal tone of voice.
"Yes, it's just that my friend Martin would like to meet you," he said.
As it happened, the day of the meeting with Martin he received a letter through the post from the Disciplinary Committee. He could read between the lines of the jargon and put some meaning on it. Hilda Todd, bless her, had seemed to realise that a dark hand had been behind the whole process. So, there was only a warning of possible future action, should events take a wrong turning. He thought it prudent not to test Hilda's goodwill, so he would be a good boy, or at least, keep clear of his ex-wife for a while.
Before the meeting, Richard sat down and thought about his sexuality. Was he becoming gay? How long was it since he had been in love? His whole life with Norma had been transactional, in a sense. They were just doing what normal people did. They had become a `family'. He recalled how his romantic life at that time was like a process moving along a conveyer belt in time – date, meet friends, get engaged, get married. They had never really spent time together after marriage before Michael came along. That was not to belittle his son for he thought the world of him.
But the encounter with Christian had precipitated all these thoughts. He could see where this was leading. What was the morality of sex just for fun? When he met Christian there was no thought of the future. He was almost going to enjoy himself for the first time. These thoughts were going through his head when the doorbell rang. He had decided to invite Martin to his flat also, since there was no question of risking a public place.
He relaxed deliberately before opening the door and determined to be pleasant.
But the visage that greeted him still gave him a shock. It was as if he had a sudden feeling of empathy with the young man standing there. He had the overwhelming thought that he was going through the same experiences as himself.
Richard thought that he was looking in a mirror at his younger self, but one that had yet to meet the stresses and strains of middle-aged life. Martin had appeared with only a t-shirt for his top, but something expensive that served to keep him warm while looking relaxed and modern. It was the sort of material that country shirts were made of and was an intriguing image. But having no other apparel, it revealed in a delicate way the muscles that lay underneath.
Martin had a slightly sallow complexion. It was a nice contrast to Christian, he thought. So too was his attitude for his expression spoke of a relaxed personality rather than the disguise that his taller friend had affected with a painted smile that couldn't be interpreted as anything more than a smirk.
Richard had reconciled himself to another erotic session with no reasonable purpose in sight but, looking at Martin, he was sure that he would enjoy it, but not in any lecherous way. After some ice-breaking chit-chat, he found it hard to turn the conversation round to setting the scene for another drawing.
"Do you have anything on under that t-shirt?" Richard politely asked.
Martin reached down and pulled the shirt off. Not just removed, for the act itself was an erotic dream in Richard's eyes as he teased the material over his head and upwards. Simultaneously, his rather firm chest was revealed flat as his hands stretched up and a slight impression of ribs was revealed. But it was only slight for the muscles in his arms were balanced by a firmness of torso that told of some weight training and athleticism. Martin's thick, jet black hair implied hairiness in other places and it revealed itself round his nipples. But this was the slight down of youth that had not yet formed itself into the rough chest of maturity. Just as this happened and his hair flopped down to resume its normal place, Richard's gaze wandered to Martin's armpits. He felt guilty at his fascination for here was revealed a thick bush under each arm that seemed to be a metaphor hinting at a secret, voluptuous forest elsewhere in Martin's body.
As Martin pulled off his trousers, Richard paused at the easel for the whole to be revealed. They looked at each other.
"I'm not taking this off today," Martin replied, noticing Richard's stare.
He was happy at that for there was enough stimulation generated in looking at his body to allow the imagination to soar at what might be underneath. Richard would draw him as is in his colourful boxer shorts. As he drew, he became more and more blasé about this process and almost wished it could be over and let him bring this rather diverting episode to a close. As time drifted past he was shaken by Martin's voice.
"Can I see, please?" Martin shook himself and stretched after what must have been almost twenty minutes sitting there.
"Sure," said Richard, "Have a look."
Martin carefully padded across to where he sat. Making to turn the picture for his viewing, Richard suddenly abandoned that idea when Martin circled behind him, enclosed his arms over his shoulders and lent so close that their hair brushed gently and almost became entangled. If Richard squinted discreetly, he could discern a shapely nose three inches away. Never had he desired the erotic touch of nose to nose more deeply. But more than that he could feel the steady, hot breath, light but distinct in his ear. Oh, and never had Richard imagined more clearly how he could turn that into something altogether deeper and more energetic. He felt a thrill of energy through his body and it was with a great effort of will that he stifled a deep sigh. Focus.
"So, what do you think?" he asked.
He hadn't thought they could get any closer but Martin turned ever so slightly towards him.
"It's brilliant. I'm amazed how anyone can imagine a picture and turn it into something recognisable with a few strokes of the pen."
"Well, it's not even finished yet," replied Richard. "But just a few splashes of colour with watercolours will make all the difference."
He took his pen and started touching up a few areas of the canvas in the hope that Martin would linger where he stood. As he worked, more life came to the scene and he felt a smile hover on Martin's face, something he didn't think was totally in his character but he enjoyed it nevertheless, feeling the artist's hold over the subject strengthen. They carried on like this for a while. Richard would draw and paint a portion and then his subject would come to inspect the progress. Eventually Richard called a halt and flopped in an easy chair after setting up cups of coffee.
"Christian said you were unsettled when you talked on the phone, what was the matter?" Martin probed after a while.
"Oh, it was nothing that concerned you. It's just that some people in the University are very touchy about what goes on after hours, as it were. But it's all sorted now, no need to worry."
Richard tried to look relaxed. He focused on Martin, sitting there with his legs crossed and almost revealing something enticing hidden under his smooth torso.
"So, tell me about yourself. You look the sporty type. What are you doing at a university studying?" he asked.
"You are right, in a way," he said. "I am doing both. I am studying Sport Science and hoping to be a physiotherapist when I graduate."
He sipped his coffee slowly and waited for a reply.
Chapter 6
They had chatted some more but Richard had made an excuse and ended the session for he hated feeling boxed in and wasn't ready for this to end the same way as his previous drawing exercise with Christian.
The scene now changes to the University Staff Club. Richard and Geoffrey are sitting in the lounge relaxing with a cappuccino and a pastry. It is a scene of domestic calm, with a few groups scattered round the tastefully decorated room in oak and chrome, miles away from the pressures of busy student corridors or intense tutorial sessions.
"You are still looking flushed," remarked Geoffrey. "Are you sure squash was a good idea?"
Richard groaned slightly and settled deeper into the chair, not sure how or when he would want to get up.
"It's alright, I've played before many times." He rubbed his sore arm. "Just not recently," he shifted in his chair and felt another twinge in his groin.
This was true but, he thought, he was in danger of saying things that were not quite up to the mark of exact description – a little short of actuality, being very defensive, trying to hide facts. Was this the sign of a mid-life crisis? Perhaps this was the reason he had asked Geoffrey to the Sports Hall this afternoon. His friend who worked in the Biology Department was a conduit for his usual everyday concerns about University work and he had always helped in the past, but now, he was apprehensive about unbelting about his latest escapades – `Hey, I'm dating a student. No, two students actually. No, not pretty in THAT sense, but I know one has a really nice cock'. Maybe a bridge too far for even Geoffrey.
"Still, this will definitely get you fit if you keep on. Squash is a great workout."
Geoffrey playfully ruffled Richard's hair, which was something he did NOT want for he had just had it carefully groomed at the barbers for a very expensive haircut.
"Hey, if you are seeing someone then that is just great. You should move on." Geoffrey wagged his finger at Richard. "You know, Norma has been hard on you. There's no need to take all this."
Richard directed a wan smile at him and took a deep draft of his coffee.
"Actually, I'm thinking of trying for promotion somewhere. I've been basically in the same job since I came to the University. I really feel that now is the time to move before I get stuck in a rut." He looked at his friend for acknowledgement.
"You know, carpe diem, and all that," Richard suggested.
Geoffrey smiled. "Yes, exactly. Good fellow. Seize the moment firmly by the balls." He slapped Richard again, perhaps not realizing that he might just take this idea literally.
Richard looked round the lounge at the crowd in today. He would be sorry to leave the university and not just because of the friends he had here. He and Geoffrey had been here almost from the start and he felt so lucky to enjoy the good life most of the time. Thinking of the times they had shared, there were so many, not least the great hikes in the hills between this campus and Pitwhin University. Although, he was still wary of wagging tongues among the staff. As in the way of these things, he saw the features of Dora Henderson, his nemesis from the interview behind every turned head of the more mature ladies on the campus.
As they left, he DID see a familiar face. Lurking near the door in a corner was what seemed obviously to him a husband and wife team. The man he did not recognise but as he opened the door with Geoffrey to leave, he recognised Hilda Todd, the woman he did not really mind seeing from the interview. She turned as he passed and, while not acknowledging him as a long-lost friend, smiled warmly and looked ever so pleased to see him. Richard felt confused.
The thought of more drawing did not inspire him today. Instead, he put on music. Some nice Mozart would sooth his nerves and relax him some more. Before Alfred Brendel could make it to the last movement of one of his favourite piano concertos, the phone rang.
"Christian..." Richard tried to sound enthusiastic, "what can I do for you?"
Instantly, Richard recognised a tone of contrition in Christian's voice that, he knew, was something that he had been waiting a while for, and more, actually longed to hear.
"It's just that, well, I spent so much time sitting for your picture that I never got to see the finished product."
Richard paused. "Yes, well, I suppose we can't let that happen. I'll leave my door unlocked this evening if you are in the neighbourhood."
There was a pause on the line. If Christian had been standing in front of him, he was sure there would have been a smile.
"Yes, thanks. I'll be there."
Chapter 7
It was almost the same picture as our previous victim, Martin, was seeing. Christian looked over Richard's shoulder at the picture – a delicate pastel picked out with charcoal on a white background. In the scene, he was relaxing on a sofa with tasteful decorations round about – a large swiss cheese plant and the suggestion of Victorian pots and ornaments.
"That is really nice," he remarked. "I like the colours and the intensity of the light and shade. But there is one thing different that doesn't match me."
Richard looked hurt. Looking round he questioned him to show him what was wrong. Christian smiled. He reached down and gently pulled down the zip on his jeans to reveal his trim boxer shorts pressing insistently into the gap opened up. They looked at each other. Christian unbuttoned his trousers and pulled the whole assemblage gently down over his thin thighs. The large dark brown and swelling tool sprang eagerly out and, released, shot up straight.
"This is different," he said.
Richard stared. His cock was an animal thing. A large reptilian beast that gave off a faint whiff of deodorant but also a vague man-smell of heat and power. It was straight but oh so long and his foreskin clung tight and thin over Christian's bulging cock head. Richard felt his own cock demanding release. Christian helped him out, reaching for Richard's belt and pulling his trousers and pants firmly to the floor.
Christian grabbed hold of the thick and swelling slug nestled in a dark sea of furry hair and massaged it gently. Richard groaned as it responded and their cocks met, hard and insistent against each other. It was just the merest kiss from Christian, but there was a brush of hair in each other's faces and a touch of their soft noses and the feel of mutual laboured breath that prompted them both to hastily strip off their t-shirt and clothes. They stood naked facing each other.
Richard, older and more mature hesitated. He had had no real experience of just having fun, playing around, making it up. There were no babies to think about here and no rules to follow. In the moment, Christian pulled him onto the sofa, man legs roughly entangled. As Christian kissed and kissed and explored the hairy chest, Richard's hands went instinctively to the small, white but tight cheeks of his bum. Oh, how they fitted nicely into his groping hands. Smooth with the slight firmness of muscle, he worked his way slowly into the hot, tight hole within.
Christian looked pleased but got up and lay Richard flat on the sofa. He knelt down and, looking up into Richard's brown eyes, he pushed tight lips over the throbbing gun that lay on Richard's chest, forcing his tight lips to part gently over the huge thickness and carefully force down, down, savouring the wetness and hot, hard feel of the stiffness disappear deep into his mouth. Richard moaned as his cock was sucked vigorously.
"My wife wouldn't do that. It feels really good," Richard moaned again.
"Mmmgghmmm ," groaned Christian.
Richard almost laughed. Instead he extracted himself and turned Christian's sleek body onto the sofa as his large cock swung crazily about. He fell on it with relish, feeling the instant heat of its long, firm skin. He explored slowly up and down, up and down until every part of it was glistening wet.
Richard took charge and they engaged in a long, slow session of mutual wanking, all the time exploring each other's bodies with their hands. It was the perfect release for him, kissing until he felt an explosion of ecstasy, careful to have their delicious orgasm together as they lay panting on the sofa.
After it was over, Richard gave the print to Christian as a present but suggested he put it somewhere secret and not on his wall.
Chapter 8
The next morning Richard felt dazed but, in truth, a bit more alive than before. The phone rang. He thought he could guess who. It was Martin
"Can I come and see you, there's something I want to talk about?" he asked.
Oh, news travels fast, he thought. But he didn't want to rile such a nice guy so he asked him to come round that evening as well.
If Richard had sounded a little apologetic when he phoned, then Martin had the look when he arrived. Richard thought he looked very cool in a fabric t-shirt and, of course, he tried not to look too closely at the muscles or anything else for fear of embarrassment.
"You've had a visit to the hairdresser," Richard added, trying not to sound too cheesy.
Martin smiled. His hair couldn't have been sexier if it had been painted on. That reminded Richard of the purpose of the visit.
"No, really, I just wanted to see you, nothing serious," said Martin.
So, ok, thought Richard, if this is going to be slow, he could charm him with a nice meal and maybe a nice bottle of wine. Eight o'clock drifted on to nine and ten, then when it got really dark, Richard forced the issue.
"I think I've missed the last bus," Martin apologised, again.
Richard hesitated. "Why not stay the night?" he suggested.
Martin blushed. "Where can I sleep?" He suddenly felt sober. Richard pointed to his bed. "It's big, it's a three-quarter size bed. There's plenty room."
Martin got up.
"I'm going to wash first."
The next morning, they got up a bit late. Conversation at the breakfast table was quiet. Then Richard remembered something.
"You actually DID say you wanted to talk about something," he said.
Martin reflected. "Yes, but it was just an idea."
"Ok, but tell me," said Richard.
"Well, you were thinking about promotion?"
Richard looked startled. "How does everyone seem to know my every thought?" he asked.
"I don't remember, maybe Christian mentioned it. But listen. There is an expansion happening next academic year at the University of Hillwich in the geography department. They are looking for a new Associate Professor. It's not just someone leaving, you understand. It's the chance to start from scratch and create your own little kingdom. It sounded very interesting," Martin added.
"Yes, I see. It's a long way away, of course, but I think I heard something on the grapevine. So how did you come to know about this?" he asked.
"Oh, I come from East Anglia. Actually, my family kept a flat there when we moved up to Scotland. We rent it out for student accommodation during term-time. The rest of the time I can go back and use it for holidays. It's nice, really. It has two good sized bedrooms. So maybe if you got the job, we could rent it to you instead while you settled down and found a place. And, of course, you could still allow me to come and stay?" Martin asked.
Richard's mind was far away, pondering. He snapped back to reality.
"Yes, yes, that sounds a really nice arrangement for us both," he said.
After Martin left, Richard could be seen feverishly searching the papers for the information about the job. He actually missed a tutorial with a couple of students but that day, it was the last thing on Richard's mind.
This is my first Nifty story. I would welcome (constructive) feedback. Where does this story go now? Do you want Martin's backstory or does Richard get the job? Or do you want more of Christian's slightly seamy life at uni? Let me know, thanks.
staropramen107@gmail.com