"This above all: To thine own self be true, for it must follow as dost the night the day, that canst not be false to any man." Shakespeare (Hamlet)
Though the theme of wrestling will be a key component in the early chapters and a continuing theme, the story is about relationships and being true to oneself. Thanks to TalonRider for assistance proofing the story.
Please do not distribute to other sites without permission of the author. Comments can be sent to firehosejoe@yahoo.com
From the previous chapter:
"Are ya quite sure what you're gettin' into, boy? I think we both need to be clear about how we'll do this thing. Agreed? We'll talk more tomorrow." Liam said then added, "In private, I usually wrestle in by shoes and a jock. Wear what you want. I'll see you tomorrow." With a handshake they parted company.
Chapter 24
Alejandro parked and waited at the front of Bears Den and waited in the warmth of his car. He was early by ten minutes. A few minutes after their agreed upon time, Alejandro got out, locked up, and walked to the front door to try the handle.
It opened and he went in to be greeted by Liam's "Mornin' lad!" Dressed in grey sweats, matching hoodie and wrestling shoes, Liam was stretching on the nearby mat.
"Morning, Liam. Where'd you park? I didn't see any cars nearby." Alejandro asked as he walked in.
"Around back, lad. Been coming since the place opened. Occasionally come by and do some minor repairs so I have my own key." Liam said as he leaned to his side continuing to stretch. "You dressed or do ya need to change?"
"I'm good. Just need to strip and change into my shoes." Alejandro said as he began to undress.
"`Sa bit cold but soon enough there'll be body heat to keep us both warm, right boy?" The last words were muffled as Liam, sitting, bent forward stretching his quads.
`Damn', Alejandro thought. He was impressed and knew he needed to stretch so he removed his outerwear and unbuttoned his shirt. On the mats, he began to limber up. He was surprised at the extent of Liam's stretching. For a muscled, compact man he seemed to have an impressive range of movement.
Completing his warm-up, Liam sat quietly, not in any rush, observing Alejandro. Finishing his stretching Alejandro sat.
"Liam, how's this going to work?" Alejandro asked.
"Simple boy-o. We're gonna strip, yur gonna get your arse beat and then I'm gonna get off." Liam said with a big grin. Even though he felt a ball of ice in his gut, Alejandro couldn't help but smile.
"Ok. That's the short version." Alejandro said with a bark of a laugh.
"Oh, so you think there's more to this, lad?" Liam said with a twinkle in his eye.
Alejandro felt himself blush not knowing how to continue. "Um, Liam. ah"
"Out with it boy-o. What's so hard to say?" The twinkle remained.
"Nicco told me I'd need to, um," Alejandro started.
Liam interrupted, the smile never leaving his face. "This has nothin' to do with Nicco, lad. It's between you and me. Understand?"
Marshalling a bit of false courage, Alejandro continued, "What I'm looking for is someone to train with, not someone to `beat my arse', as you said. Aren't those the particulars you said we'd talk about."
With an eyebrow raised, Liam considered him for a minute. "Ok lad, tell me what you want, other than a good arse beatin'. I know you've come to the club, and from what Nicco said it got your juices flowin'. Is that what this is all about?"
"Liam, I don't even know how to talk about this. So make all the fun of it you want but hear me out. Ok?" Alejandro said watching for reaction. Liam nodded for him to continue.
"Yes to your question about my visit to the club and what Nicco said. I'd never been anyplace like this or so turned on by wrestling. Everything I've done has been with my University Club or with a couple of other guys I've paid to train with."
Unconsciously biting his lip he continued, "Liam I feel like I'm making a fool of myself here." He paused then continued. "I stayed hard all night. When one guy offered to give me a match, I wanted to strip and hit the mats. I'm sorry I didn't. At least I wouldn't feel so awkward right now."
Liam cocked his head, the smile still playing around his lips. Alejandro continued, "After getting over my embarrassment, I told Nicco what I thought I wanted. That's why I'm here.
"Nicco worked me over pretty hard, or at least it seemed so to me. What I'm wondering about is whether, um, damn this sounds so weak." Alejandro looked down and quickly back up to meet Liam's gaze. "I'm wondering if I've got what it takes to face a guy on the mats without the rules that are assumed with college wrestling. Hell, I know I don't have what it takes right now. I'm getting bored with what I've been doing. I'm wondering if I'm getting in over my head here.
"What I saw last Saturday, well, I wanted to be in the middle of it. I wanted to be tied up with a guy, rolling on the mat, my dick hard, just letting it all go! Does any of this make sense to you?" Alejandro asked hoping he'd not further embarrassed himself.
Liam considered him for a moment as if wondering what to say. "First, Nicco wouldn't have bothered me if he thought you were a waste of time. Yeah, he did give you a bit of a goin' over but nothing like you could get from some guys I've fooked around with. There're some mean bastards out there who'd like nothing better than to take a pretty boy like you apart and leave you on the mat for dead.
"As I said last night, I don't workout, or train. I fight, or if you prefer, wrestle. It's the way I learned comin' up as a lad myself. Bein' a bit shorter than other lads I found more than a few times I was on the loosin' end of a fight. As I grew into some size and put on some muscle, I determined that I was going to learn to not only defend myself but thoroughly pummel anyone who mistakenly thought they could pick a fight with me to have a bit o' sport.
"That you've been a bit uneasy about this has been obvious. I remember the feelin' all too well. But it'll pass once your get a few fists to your gut." Liam said, laughing.
"So how did you learn to fight?" Alejandro asked.
"Well now, there were some young men I worked with when I was an apprentice brick layer. Nice lads and they seemed to like me even though they teased me from time to time about my size. They were big and tough. Occasionally, as we were workin' and on our lunch, I'd drop a few hints about learnin' to fight sayin' how tired I was of being the one who was the brunt of the jokes about my size. One of the lads, one I worked with most of the time, held me back at the end of the day and asked if I was serious.
"After I explained the situation and why I wanted to learn to fight, he said he'd take me on. For the better part of the summer, we'd get together once a week and do a bit of brawlin'. It was a mix of boxin' and wrestlin'. That's how it started for me and it's the only way I know how to teach you anything. So, there we are. Your choice lad, either strip down or get out of here."
Liam could see the determination in Alejandro's face and he smiled until Alejandro started to ask another question.
"One last thing I want to ask, Liam."
"Are you attemptin' to wear my ears off my head, boy? Either you're gonna' do this thing or not. Now let's get with it." Liam said with some irritation.
"No. I want an answer before we do anything." The voice was stern enough that Liam looked at him, waiting.
"I know Nicco isn't here and this is between you and me. What happens at the end when you've finished beating on me? I mean, um, do you plan, ah," Alejandro didn't know how to finish without thoroughly embarrassing himself.
Liam smiled broadly, knowing exactly what Alejandro was wondering. "Don't worry laddie, I'm no rapist. I'm not gonna fock your arse, that is unless that's what you want. Then I'll be more than happy to oblige. Nor am I gonna' rub all over ya' like some damn cat till we both cum.
"What I'm gonna do after I've beat you down, is straddle ya', pull out my meat and jack all over ya'. Mark you with my cum, that sort of thing." Liam said as he cupped his crotch with his hand.
"Now if you're done with your questions it's time for a bit of a tussle that is unless you've changed your mind." Liam said as he stood.
Feeling a healthy level of both fear and respect, Alejandro, slid off his pants and put on his wrestling shoes. Standing, he took off his shirt as he watched Liam strip off his sweats and hoodie.
Mesmerized, Alejandro looked at the man facing him. He realized, except for Nicco, he'd only wrestled boys before – well guys his own age. Liam was solid. His body wasn't shaped and toned; it was muscled from hard work. His neck was short, solid, and topped shoulders that were sloped rather than square. The muscles evident under the skin were substantial and rounded.
Liam's upper arms seemed to merge from the powerful mass of his shoulders. His bi and triceps were rounded and thick. The forearms bulged below the elbow as they tapered to his wrist. His hands were small but thick. His fingers short, almost stubby.
Covered with a moderate coat of reddish brown hair, Liam's torso was a mass of solid flesh. His pecs weren't gym-toned slabs of muscle; instead the muscles seemed mounded, almost bunched under the furry skin. His nipples were small, the nubs insubstantial.
Liam's abs showed no definition, though Alejandro was sure it was a solid wall of strength. His jock was full, though his cock appeared short and stubby due to the cold air. His legs were short, thick and powerful looking.
Watching Alejandro's visual appraisal Liam said, "I'm not pretty to look at like you are boy-o but I am man enough to beat ya' and mop up the mats with ya'. Now, enough talk. Let's fight!"
Liam began to circle with his hands raised. He was crouched like a spring ready to launch. There was deliberate intent with his speed and aggressive, offensive attitude. Alejandro matched him in stance and movement.
When Liam made his move, it seemed a blur to Alejandro. At first Liam's hand was raised, fingers spread as if in challenge. Alejandro was caught off guard when Liam dove toward his legs, grabbed Alejandro's thick hairy thighs, whipped him off his feet and slammed both their bodies to the mat.
"Ooooffff! The wind was force out of Alejandro as he hit the mat with Liam's weight atop him. His back muscles hurt as they smacked the floor. He felt a thrill and feeling of panic surge through him. The sound of their grunts and his back hitting the mat echoed through the empty room
With the speed and fierceness of a bulldog, Liam scrambled his legs to tie up Alejandro.
Growling, his chest filled with the lust for the fight, "Remember, ya asked for this!"
While securing Alejandro's head in a vice-tight head lock Liam pressed Alejandro's face into the middle of his chest. "Yeah, I could eat you for a snack you little fooker!"
"Ugghhhh!" Alejandro bridged explosively to no avail. He could feel the thickness of their muscles encased in Speedo and jock. As he concentrated on freeing himself, he felt fire building his gut. He might lose but he'd sure go down fighting.
Liam used the bridge to bring his legs up into a scissors around Alejandro's waist as he pressed their heaving chests together. "Got ya now ya little fooker!" It was so hot to have a well muscled piece of young meat to play with. Liam smiled as he tightened the scissors, "Yeahh, try and escape!"
Rolling both of them, Liam, on his back, was able to hammerlock Alejandro's arm. "Ah, ah, uhh!" Alejandro gasped as the pressure and pain on his arm and elbow increased.
Though everyone Alejandro had wrestled previously had been in good to great shape, Liam was like a force of nature, his own personal storm of masculine intent. He wondered if sex with Liam would be similar, forceful and demanding.
Rolling them partially to their sides, Liam pressed his hard chest into Alejandro's face, holding his head in place. "Ya like that lad? Like those man pits?"
Liam wanted to force Alejandro's face into his sweating pit and feel the boy's tongue digging into his pit hair. Freeing his hand from Alejandro's neck and reaching behind, he grabbed the wrist to maintain the hammerlock. Liam could feel his cock surge as he continued to dominate this pretty boy. "Fookin' yeah, you're getting' me hard boy-o!" Liam growled deep in his chest.
Liam continued to roll them and landed some quick hard punches to Alejandro's ribs. Lifting their bodies, Liam released his scissors and with his free hand hooked Alejandro's leg pulling him into a tight cradle.
Secure in his hold, Liam spread his legs for balance and rolled his weight on top of Alejandro. Liam reveled in the smell of the sweat as well as the feeling of slickness against his skin. "Damn it; get off me before you kill me!" Alejandro shouted as he wondered when his spine would snap so great was the pressure. His face grimaced, his chest straining for air, as he heard the low chuckle in Liam's chest.
"So what do ya' think laddie? Enjoy wrestling with a real man? Don't worry your head, I won't hurt ya' too bad." Liam laughed a deep chuckle realizing how turned on he was by this young piece.
"You've got all the strength Nicco said, but not much good it'll do ya'. I'm gonna wear ya' down while I play with ya' some. Then I'll finish ya' off." Liam said, the chuckle gone, replaced with a matter-of-fact voice.
Toeing up a portion of his solid bulk, Liam pushed forward increasing the pressure on Alejandro's furry chest. Beginning to see spots in his vision from lack of oxygen, Alejandro pushed hard against the building pressure. The blend of raw fear and growing anger taunted him.
Both men were sweaty. Liam pulled Alejandro's face into his pit rubbing the edge of it against Alejandro's face. "Don't worry lad, I'll generate some real man sweat for ya' before we're through." Liam imagined having the boy stretched out in his bed wanting to ravage him but knowing that would have to wait.
Liam slid his bulky, sweaty, thigh beneath Alejandro's outstretched leg and lifted it as he shifted his weight, effectively rolling Alejandro's body on top of itself. He continued to rest his weight on Alejandro's upturned body.
Liam watched Alejandro gasp as his face turned blood red from the pressure on his chest. He dropped Alejandro's legs and as they fell, Liam released one arm from the neck and drove an elbow into Alejandro's exposed plexus. The pressure against his lungs was undeniable. Alejandro felt his lungs explode as the air rushed out.
His body arched forward in its spasm of pain, Liam spun his thick legs across Alejandro's face. Grabbing a fist full of hair, Liam lifted and scissored Alejandro's neck and rolled him to his gut while pulling Alejandro's face fully into his mesh enclosed crotch. He dearly wanted to rip off his jock and feed this boy his man meat.
"Like that boy-o. Here's some real man meat for ya' to smell and feel. With that Liam grabbed two fists full of Alejandro's hair and lifted his face further up into his now bulging crotch.
"Bet you'd like to get a taste of that wouldn't ya' lad? Wouldn't ya!!" Liam growled loudly as he adjusted his scissors, pulling Alejandro's face in close and tight. Using the leverage of Alejandro's hair, Liam pulled himself up, contracting the mass of muscle in his abs. With his heels and his hands he manipulated Alejandro's head as he humped his face.
Alejandro responded viscerally. Opening his mouth he greedily broad-tongued the engorged mesh. At the same time his imagination played with him. He imagined he was in a maze, struggling for a way out while enjoying the seeming impossibility of escape. Alejandro knew he had to fight this somehow and began to try to stand. Getting his quads under him he finally had leverage to lift himself. Mid way up Liam twisted his powerful body and as Alejandro fell, Liam rolled atop him breaking the scissors hold while continuing to press his crotch into Alejandro's face. Turning quickly, Liam drove his fist into Alejandro's plexus and then into his gut as he rolled off Alejandro's sweaty, furry, heaving chest.
Standing over Alejandro, Liam squeezed his cock as he watched him recover. This was going to be fun. Too damned bad the boy hadn't said he enjoyed a good fuck. When this was done Liam knew he'd be in the mood to pound that piece of ass. Perhaps another day; but he knew he'd get some satisfaction at the end of this bit of sport.
When he regained his feet, Alejandro's mind was ravaged with a blood lust for revenge. He was more wary of the speed and strength of the man he faced. He knew that to wrestle aggressively he'd make mistakes and lose. If he maintained a careful defensive posture he'd likely lose. Smiling to himself, he admitted with grim humor he would certainly `get his arse beat' as Liam had promised.
For the better part of the next hour, Liam's attacks and punishing holds continued unabated save for brief periods of rest for Alejandro to recover and get some water. Their bodies were sweat slick. The aroma of their man scent filled the space around them. True to his word, Liam broke Alejandro down, punishing him systematically till he lay semi-curled up on the mat. Liam stood astride him looking down grinning as his chest heaved and sweat ran rivulets down his torso.
"Don't tell me you're throwin' in the towel now boy-o. We're just gettin' warmed up good." Liam toed Alejandro's chest and turned him to his back, feeling his lust rise in him. Alejandro's eyes were only slits as he gasped open-mouthed for air and quietly moaned with pain and fatigue. In a symbolic gesture of finality, Liam reached down grabbing a fist full of Alejandro's hair and pulled him to his feet. Hooking an arm high between his legs and around his neck, Liam picked him up and spun him several times before slamming his body to the mat.
Grabbing the waist of Alejandro's Speedo he stripped them down to his ankles. Kneeling astride his chest, Liam gave into his lust as he pulled out his turgid muscle. Throwing his head back he began to fist his meat roughly while twisting and pinching his nipple.
A moment later he leaned his body back as he felt his seed swell into his cock. With a succession of deep grunts, his abs and buttocks clinched driving the white, hot, man cream high to land on Alejandro's face and chest.
After his spasms eased, Liam squatted back letting his ass crack rest atop Alejandro's cock. Despite the beating, seeing Liam jacking his meat, knowing he was marking him made Alejandro's cock rock hard. Liam looked down with a leer thinking how much fun it would be to play with this boy the way he wanted.
Releasing the thought, with the back of a finger, he raked the cum off Alejandro's face and wiped it on the mesh of his jock.
Tapping Alejandro's face with his fingers, Liam watched the boy. Alejandro's eyes opened wider as he smiled at Liam. "The man's as good as his word." Alejandro said with a slight smirk amid gasps for air.
"Promised ya' didn't I?" Liam's head was cocked to the side as he watched Alejandro recover and his breathing beginning to ease. "You took a bit of a beatin' boy. You doin' Ok?" Alejandro smiled weakly and slightly nodded.
Mocking Liam's accent Alejandro said, his smile widening, "I'd be doin' a sight better if you'd get that fat Irish ass off o' me." Liam laughed loudly, cuffed Alejandro on the chin with his fist and rolled to the side, leaning on his elbow.
"I'm wonderin' if you'll be wantin' another beatin' anytime soon? This was more fun than I'd thought it would be and I'd give ya a rematch anytime you want." They talked for a few minutes longer then headed for the showers as their skin began to chill from the cool air in the room and their sweat.
As they talked about Liam's work, his growing up in a large first generation Irish family, they let the steam and hot water relax their tired muscles. Liam told of being on the road a good bit early on in his career with the contracting company he worked for.
"I learned quickly not to be shy about asking where the gay bars were in the larger cities. From there I found where the men's clubs were that catered to the kinds of things I enjoyed. Before long, I found wrestling clubs in places like New York, LA, San Francisco. That's where I learned most of what I know. Bein' stuck in a city for a while can be a drudge or a great opportunity.
"I chose to make it the latter. Once I became a Super, my time on the site began to stretch. I've been here nearly 5 years now workin' one job and then another that was commin' on its heels. I've gotten to know some great guys and the Bears Den has been a home away from home." Liam said.
Alejandro and Liam wrestled regularly on Saturday morning for the next several weeks. Alejandro found humor in being naked on a wrestling mat with another man's cum on his chest in the morning and at night spit-and-polished in a tuxedo at a formal reception. He'd never felt more alive. Slowly he was finding balance for both his personal and professional life and deriving increasing satisfaction from both.
Once during November, Charles accompanied him to Bears Den. By then Alejandro had visited two more times and had wrestled several men he met there. Charles found the entire scene surprisingly stimulating. That evening in bed they struggled and grappled with each other for the dominant position. Alejandro prevailed and lustily fucked Charles first, only to return the favor later.
From late November on through the New Year, weekend evenings were busy for Alejandro. At larger, public events Charles sometimes accompanied him. At more intimate gatherings he continued to be the sole representative of the family.
Alejandro had accepted two invitations out of town for the middle of December. The Board of the Metropolitan Art Museum in New York was having a gala reception and dinner to thank principle donors, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Board was giving a reception. Alejandro and Charles attended the New York event staying for the first time in an apartment Alejandro had purchased on the recommendation of his Real Estate Division.
He and Charles had made a buying trip to the city earlier in the fall to furnish it. Everything from kitchenware to linens for bath and bed were purchased in a whirlwind of morning shopping assisted by a professional shopper.
Armed with detailed dimensions of the apartment, the afternoon was given to case goods, upholstered furniture, bedding and accessories. A professional shopper and interior decorator from the store accompanied them helping to flesh out and finalize details regarding delivery and placement as they went along. Charles had returned several weeks later to ensure that all would be ready for their December trip.
Alejandro's secretary arranged with a catering firm to have the bar stocked as well as the fridge with some cold and ready to heat snacks. The pleasure they took in the new `digs' was most evident in bed. The poured concrete and heavily insulated exterior walls allowed them a freedom to enjoy their sexual exploits with no question as to the possible listening ears on the other side of a hotel wall. After a particularly vigorous session they padded nude across the thick carpet to the kitchen to explore the larder for a snack.
Alejandro decided he liked the arrangement and freedom offered by the apartment as compared to the hotel. Over a glass of white wine and crab stuffed mushrooms retrieved from the fridge and warmed in the oven, he and Charles pipe-dreamed about similar places where he and Alejandro had opportunity to travel.
It became a bit of a game with Alejandro. Working with the head of his Real Estate Division, Alejandro identified the major metropolitan areas where the family had interest and asked her to identify potential properties that would, over a defined period of time, offer a significant return on investment. Impressed with the result of her report, he shared it with Charles. The result was an expanded list of places where Algara money might be invested and that they would enjoy visiting.
It was a whim, Alejandro understood, but one that had its own logic. Real estate holdings in Europe and the UK had realized outstanding paper profits. Why wouldn't the same thing hold true in the States? Reminding himself of his determination to enjoy the benefits of his money while being a steward of that entrusted to him, it was easily defensible.
He was in no rush. As opportunities came available, he'd act on them, usually with Charles' input. It was nice simply having someone to share some of his life with. Though he knew an extended relationship was not something either wanted, they still enjoyed each other's company.
Winter soon melted into spring as Alejandro worked to complete the requirements for graduation. It was bittersweet. He was fulfilling the hope placed in him by two generations and neither would likely see it satisfied. His grandparents alive only in his memory, his father comatose in a bed in his room, Alejandro in a small way dreaded graduation. It would signify an ambiguous crossing of a threshold that provided no joy for him.
He'd determined not to attend the graduation ceremonies but Charles and Frederick had intervened and insisted. It was so good to have even a brief time to spend with Frederick that Alejandro agreed to participate in the day. Charles arranged a small dinner party for some of Alejandro's friends, Frederick and favorite professors as a graduation gift several days before the event.
Frederick was spending the week with Alejandro so he was at the house when Salvador died. It was mid morning. Alejandro was at his office. The nurse, knowing that he and Alejandro were good friends, came down and asked him if he wanted to alert Alejandro to his father's death.
Charles offered to cancel the dinner. Frederick offered to do whatever needed to be done. They were both upset. Alejandro oddly was the person comforting his two close friends.
He realized with some feelings of guilt that his father's death brought a sense of relief. Salvador's lingering had been fatiguing. Alejandro hated to admit it and said so only to Frederick as they quietly moved against each other's bodies in Alejandro's bed. For the first time in more than a year the house was now empty of staff and nurses. They talked long into the night. Frederick brought Alejandro to climax the second time and they slept intertwined against each other.
Alejandro refused to let his father's passing be a media event. He arranged for a quiet Mass celebrated by the Archbishop with a private interment following the service. Though the news had gotten out, Alejandro was relieved that it was not the circus he'd feared it might be. Numerous employees, some faculty, University administration and Board members attended. Alejandro greeted them all then went to the grave site with only Charles, Frederick and a few older senior employees who had know Salvador most of his life.
The next day, donning robe and cap, Alejandro moved through the graduation ceremonies partially numbed by the recent events. It was both an end and a beginning for him. Frederick spent the next few days with him. They roamed around the big old house, Alejandro telling tales of childhood and sharing memories with Frederick who knew with certainty that his good friend was finally beginning to process his grief.
As the days progressed, both Charles and Frederick kept close tabs on Alejandro, occasionally checking in with each other to compare notes. Alejandro returned to the comfortable and familiar, investing himself in work. The process of assuming control of the businesses in fact and in name occupied most of his time for the balance of the year.
Even with the staff trying to make Alejandro relaxed in his home, the house became more burden than refuge. His grandparent's bedroom and dressing areas had not changed save for the clothing being donated. His father's personal effects had never touched Alejandro in any meaningful way. Dealing with them was much easier.
One evening after the staff had departed while roaming through the house once again he began to understand that he was living in his own museum of sorts. The next day he asked his Real Estate representative to begin looking for a property similar to those in other cities; only this would become his permanent residence.
He steeled himself to the fact that there was nothing holding him or protecting him. The year was 1968. Change swirled around him. The predominant influence of his life was his grandparents who were molded by a completely different era. At 22 years of age, he stood alone at a threshold with his choices. It was freeing as well as frightening.
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