After the passion wearing the harness and his complete surrender, Max found himself exorcising almost all the hurt from his school years. There remained the barrier of his parental strictures, lack of affection and demands for conformity, and a reluctance to open his ‘privacy’ to his colleagues in Chambers. As he lay awake in the early light filtering through the bedroom curtains listening to Leo’s steady breathing and feeling the warmth of his lover’s body, he realised that the rough ‘face fuck’ Leo had performed for him, had been more than cathartic.
It had expunged the shame he’d nursed ever since that final day in St Crimthan’s gym store, and confirmed what he’d actually been afraid to admit all these years — that he’d have offered it to any of the three had they asked. In a less repressed environment they’d all have been able to admit their sexuality. They’d not have needed to rape him. A smile spread on his face as he thought about the snippets of gossip he’d heard about the three. The former House Captain, now on his fourth messy divorce and the scandalous details of his sexual preferences invariably escaping the courtroom, was not welcome in many circles. He chuckled quietly. They made his own fetish and his experience the previous evening ‘vanilla’ — Leo had explained the term — by comparison.
The older of the two Prefects had caused a huge scandal a few years ago with a very public affair that had resulted in his ‘rustication’ to a remote part of Canada — as far as possible from London society as his family could arrange. He frowned, the third now lived in a County town somewhere in the Midlands and was a member of a law firm. Still unmarried, though there were rumours … and, now he really thought about it, the rumours didn’t include any liaison with women.
Beside him, Leo stirred, and Max took the opportunity to turn to face him, slipping an arm over his lover’s bare midriff.
“Did you sleep well, my love?” He asked, gently kissing Leo’s mouth. Smiling as Leo responded, he gave him a gentle hug. “Shall I make us some coffee and bring it to bed for you?”
“That’d be perfect, love.” Leo’s smile was radiant. “I can’t function without it.”
“Liar,” Max teased, his hand finding the rigid erection Leo now had. “This bit says otherwise.” Laughing, he kissed his companion. “Keep it warm, I’ll want a good dose of it as soon as I’ve made the coffee …”
Slipping out of the bed, his own erection stiff and proud, Max laughed again as Leo playfully slapped his butt and hurried to make the coffee. He returned with two mugs to find Leo waiting, a ribbon tied round his cock.
“I’ve a present for you, love.” Leo greeted him. “Put the coffee down and unwrap it.”
Laughing, Max untied the ribbon, then kissed the shapely glans.
“I think I’ve got one for you as well.” He tied a bow on his own erection. “Unwrap it and we can both enjoy our presents …”
“An invitation I really can’t refuse …”
Late in the morning they showered and dressed. At Leo’s suggestion, planning to get lunch in the Docklands, and visit the Museum of Docklands.
“Funny, I’ve lived in my flat on Thames Path since it was built,” Max remarked. “And I must have passed the museum hundreds of times. Definitely time I paid a visit.”
“Great, then we can explore it together.” Grabbing his keys, Leo asked, “Tube and DLR?”
“From here? Tube to Town, then the DLR.” Laughing, Max preceded his partner down to the street and waited while he locked the door. “Unless you know a shorter route.”
“You wish! Prepare to do some walking, my friend. This way to Mile End Station.”
As usual, the Tube was busy, and so was the Docklands Light Rail, but the restaurant on Heron Quays provided a superb lunch and the museum proved to be well worth the time. In fact, they were almost chased out at closing time, among the last to leave. Located in the original ‘rum’ warehouses of the old West India Docks, the creatively re-imagined buildings were the perfect setting for the displays of life in the docks and the surrounding area through the ages.
“Care to head to St Katherine’s Dock, love? We can get a decent glass of something there and think about what we want to do with the evening.”
“Great idea, there’s a good wine bar and lot’s of places we can get a snack supper.” Leo had noticed the term of endearment, from Max, as good, for moment, as a public declaration. “Did you notice the museum has held a Pride exhibition, love?”
“Yes, I did.” Max hesitated. “Have you ever been to a Pride event or whatever it is?”
Boarding the light rail train, Leo, grinned. “Once, as a student. Huge fun at the time. Maybe I’ll do it again — with the right person.”
St Katherine’s Dock area proved to be very crowded with sightseers, but the wine bar was quieter and they gratefully found somewhere to sit and enjoy their wine choices. Leo enjoyed watching Max relax and gradually lowering his guard. For his part, Max could not recall when last he’d enjoyed being able to simply forget having to keep up the careful and, he knew, very stiff facade he usually showed the world.
They returned to the flat in the late evening wonderfully relaxed, tired, happy and with Max now sure of his love for Leo and that it was reciprocated.
The system of spending alternate weekends at each other’s flats worked for them both. It was something to look forward too in their busy lives. It was slightly complicated by Leo’s need to schedule some of his photo shoots for a weekend, but Max offered to become his ‘assistant’ for these and worked around it. Their love deepened as the weeks sped by, Leo being incredibly patient with Max’s insecurity, something he found remarkable in a man who was proven such a competent and successful barrister. The answer, he soon realised lay in Max’s lack of family affection in his childhood and his less than pleasant experience at school.
Without making a great show of it, Leo began to soften the rather clinical decor of Max's luxurious flat. In subtle ways, he moved the furniture, made little additions, and turned it into a 'home'. Max noticed, and loved it, adding some touches of his own he thought Leo would like.
Summer faded into autumn and then an ‘Indian Summer’. Daily exchanges on What’sApp became frequent phone calls and the parting at the end of each weekend became harder. As Autumn returned bringing the first ‘winter’ rain and cold, Max finally made up his mind. Studying his naked image in the mirror, Max frowned. Mondays had never been a ‘thing’ for him, but now, it meant the start of five days without Leo. The weekends spent in each other’s flats had certainly deepened their relationship. The change in his attitude had been noticed in Chambers as well. Was it time to take the plunge? What would the senior partners reaction be? Did it matter? Did he in fact care? Leo had shown him a whole new world. Given him a whole new life! Still thinking about it, he left the bathroom and walked to where he’d laid out his clothes for the day. In his mind savouring the beautiful sex he’d enjoyed with his lover not twelve hours before. As he pulled on his ‘business’ boxers, he had a brainwave.
The week was busy, but Max couldn’t wait for Friday to welcome Leo into his own flat for the weekend and, he hoped, a new phase to their relationship. Having cleared his diary for Friday afternoon, he prepared everything. A light supper created, a carefully selected wine, the table laid for two with candles, fresh linen on the bed, fresh towels for his lover in the bathroom and even flowers for the coffee table.
Leo arrived promptly, as always, carrying a large and carefully wrapped framed canvas. Putting it down, he turned as Max closed the door, and met him in a tight embrace.
“Damn, I’ve missed you since Sunday, my love.” Leo’s mouth closed on Max’s in a kiss. “But your calls make it bearable.” He laughed as Max smiled. “At least the weather’s driven me to finish a couple of projects. How’s your week been?”
“Busy.” Max retorted, “and bloody lonely in the evenings.” His laugh was accompanied by a hug. “But at least I got all my briefs prepared. Next week’s going to be murder — and not just in court or meetings. I’ve made a decision — and asked for a meeting with the head of Chambers.” Linking arms with Leo, he asked, “What have you brought?”
“Aha, that’s for later. An early Christmas present for you.” Leo teased. “You’ve asked for a meeting? What do you plan to tell them?”
“That rather depends …” Linking arms with Leo, he guided him into the living room. “Would you like a drink? It’s a little early to eat yet, and I thought we could have a drink on the balcony first. It’s still quite pleasant out there.”
“What are you offering, my love? Wine? Or something else?” Leo smiled, sensing that this weekend was going to be different. He hoped he knew what Max wanted to say. “I’d like something soft to start, I think. Something cold perhaps?”
“Certainly. I’ve apple juice or orange juice, and of course, some cola, lemonade … Actually, I rather fancy an apple juice myself.”
“Then make it two.” Leo grinned, taking in the table and the flowers. “While you’re fetching them I’ll put my toothbrush in the bedroom.”
“Do that,” Max laughed, retrieving two tall glasses and the apple juice from his bar fridge. “Don’t be long though …”
With the glasses in hand, Max walked to the balcony, a large area, essentially an unenclosed extension to the living room. As it faced south it was sunny during the day, and now, in the early evening, was still warm, the roof giving shelter from above, and a wall screen between his flat and the neighbour ensured privacy. Leo joined him a few minutes later and accepted the proffered glass.
“What a view,” he declared, slipping an arm around Max. “I love it, but, don’t seem to have really take it in on my visits.” Squeezing his friend’s waist gently, he added, “I get a bit distracted I think.”
“I think we both do, my love.” Clinking glasses, Max laughed. “I seem to always have a rather gorgeous man making love to me …”
“Like this?” Leo teased, kissing Max on the cheek.
“Something like that, only a little more … intense.” Max planted a kiss on Leo’s mouth.
Seating themselves, they watched the river traffic while Max assembled what he wanted to say.
“Leo, I’ve something important to ask …”
“Ask, love, if it’s something I can help with, you’ve got it …”
“It’s a big ask …” Max took a deep breath. “Leo, I can’t keep hiding my love … I need … No, I’m making a mess of this.” Gulping a drink, he swallowed, then stood and knelt next to Leo. “Leo, what I’m trying to say is that I’d be deeply honoured if you’d consider sharing my life …”
“Is that all, love?” Leo’s voice was gentle. Bending forward he kissed Max on the forehead. “Max, my love, I’d be honoured to be your partner, lover, companion …” Their kiss lingered. “Is this why you’ve got a meeting with your Head of Chambers?”
Max nodded, unable to speak due to the emotion surging in his throat. Clearing his throat, he finally managed. “If it’s what you’d really like, if you’ll do me the honour of accepting my proposal that we share a home and our lives, my love … I will see ‘The Popham’ on Wednesday and tell him I’m entering a relationship with the man I love, and will find other Chambers if he and the seniors find themselves unable to accept it.” A sob shook him. “Leo, my love, I simply can’t live without you …”
Leo found himself on his knees with Max. Wrapping his lover in his arms, he kissed him, holding him tight as they both let their emotions take control. Finally, Leo drew back and smiled, his cheeks a little moist.
“Max, my beautiful lover, that’s the most beautiful proposal I’ve ever imagined.” Kissing his lover again, he added, “You’ve no idea how claustrophobic, how empty … my flat is when you’re not there. Yes, my darling man, I accept your proposal … I can’t even contemplate living without you in my life, inspiring me, keeping me from going mad and doing something completely stupid …”
“Leo …” Max struggled to regain control of his voice. “You make me so …” Kissing his lover, he finished, “happy …”
They both grinned like schoolboys as they stood, then resumed their seats, still holding hands and recovered their composure.
“I’ve never done this before …” Max began. “And I’m not sure how we should mark this … Do we exchange rings? Would you like to wear a ring as my … husband?”
“If you’ll wear one as MY husband, my love.” Leo laughed. “It depends on where you want me to wear it, of course.”
“Wear it ..?” Registering what Leo meant, Max bellowed with laughter. “I meant …” Holding up his left hand he showed his signet ring. “But if you insisted on … I dare say one could be made to fit … there.”
Still giggling about the question of where to wear their rings a half hour later, Max led Leo to the table, lit the candles and fetched the supper he’d prepared. Pouring the wine, he took his seat opposite his lover.
“To the most beautiful man in the world!” Max raised his glass and Leo responded.
“I’ll drink to that,” Leo laughed, “I’m looking at him and will be spending as much time as I can with him in future.”
