Divided Hearts

Chapter 2-1

Chapter 2

As the afternoon sun made shadows longer, Robert walked toward the cabin he and Nathaniel shared. They had begun building it shortly after their arrival in The Ohio Country and finished the main room just before winter had set in. Moving from the livery, they continued to work on expanding the structure as time permitted. Now two additions had been added, intended to serve as bedrooms for the men. As Robert approached the cabin, he could hear sounds that told him Nathaniel was working.

Robert found him in one of the room additions. He was filling the c****s between the logs with a mixture of clay and stone to seal out the cold and moisture. Robert stood and watched him from the doorway. What is going on in your mind? Robert thought. How are you going to respond to Jonathan’s words at the end of the letter?

Turning from his work, Nathaniel caught sight of him. He smiled and walked toward him. Robert handed him the letter. Nathaniel stood with his eyes downcast, looking at the paper in his hand. He looked back up into Robert’s face, placed a hand on his shoulder and gently squeezed. He then walked past the youth into the main room.

“Come, let us prepare dinner,” he called over his shoulder.

The men proceeded to lay a fire in the hearth and go about the business of preparing their evening meal. Usually they talked of the day: how the business of establishing a cooperage was going, what Robert was learning from McGee about smithing, or news of the arrival of settlers and the British threat to limit that activity. That night, however, they prepared and ate the meal in relative silence. Robert could tell Nathaniel was deep in thought.

After the dishes had been cleared away, Nathaniel came to Robert and placing both his hands on his shoulders, looked deeply into the young man’s eyes.

“Sleep in my bed tonight?”

Robert took a sharp breath. Releasing it slowly, though his heart was beginning to race, he replied, “If you wish me to?”

“Yes, I do wish it,” Nathaniel said, drawing Robert into an embrace. “I need to hold someone, be held by someone.”

Then, taking Robert by the hand, he led him into the one finished bedroom. “Lay a fire,” he requested.

As Robert placed the logs and lit the fire in the stone fireplace, he was aware that Nathaniel was undressing behind him. When his task was completed, he turned to find him in bed, lying on his side with the covers drawn to his waist. The light from the fire made the thick, dark hair on Nathaniel’s chest glow. He felt himself becoming aroused.

Robert undressed, aware that Nathaniel’s eyes were upon him. He walked to the side of the bed. Nathaniel smiled, letting his eyes roam Robert’s smooth well-muscled body. He lifted the cover, inviting him in. Shivering with emotion, Robert slid into the bed. Nathaniel drew him close and pressed his body against him, sighing deeply. Both men were fully erect, their p*****s pressing one against the other. Robert was unsure as to what to do next. He had never been with any man before, let alone the man he had loved for so long. Now here they were, naked, and aroused. Nathaniel pressed his head into the hollow of Robert’s neck.

“Just hold me,” Nathaniel whispered.

Robert nodded. He put his arms around the older man and allowed the feelings of arousal and love to flow through his body. He could tell that Nathaniel was responding to him. He somehow understood that Nathaniel’s need was not for passion, but for tender reassurance. Instinctively, the men began a slow undulation that caused their organs to rub against one another. As the intensity of the stimulation rose, so did Robert’s desire to kiss Nathaniel and let him know how he felt about him. He held back, not wanting to go farther than Nathaniel wanted or needed. He tried to control his response to being with this man, feeling his manhood, experiencing his maleness. Then, when he could hold it no longer, his semen erupted and he breathed Nathaniel’s name as his seed coated their abdomens. As his trembling began to subside, he felt Nathaniel tense, cease movement and press against him. He felt the warm fluid issue from his partner and join with his. He felt light headed as the reality of what was happening had its effect.

The men held each other for a time. Nathaniel then raised a hand to Robert’s cheek and stroked it. “Thank you,” was all he said.

“Of course,” Robert replied hoarsely. Then added inaudibly, “I love you.”

They slept.