A delicate topic

Simon spoke softly “Ollie, do you want to come over so we can talk in person?” Oliver managed a “yeah”. Simon texted Oliver his address, and Oliver stubbed out his joint and started walking. Before long he came up to Simon’s apartment, arriving within a few minutes. He was surprisingly nervous; he’d hooked up with Simon how many times in the last week? Why was this different? He’d called Simon over to his house just this morning for casual sex.

Was it casual? The lines were getting blurred in his mind as Oliver pressed the intercom and was buzzed in. Climbing the three flights of stairs Oliver’s brain was wracked with indecision. He knocked on the door and was let in by an equally nervous-looking Simon. They stood there looking at each other, unsure of the appropriate greeting- should they hug? Kiss? In the end Simon just held the door open and motioned Oliver into the modest apartment.

The apartment was an extension of Simon’s vibrant personality, pure maximalism left not a single open inch of space unadorned with an eclectic array of belongings. A small kitchen space had a counter with two stools, and Simon sat in one, pouring a glass of wine for Oliver.

“Si, I” Oliver had no idea what he was going to say, “I wanted him to fuck me.” He was looking Simon dead in his beautiful hazel eyes “Could have done it too, been his latest boy toy for a couple weeks before he ditched me.” Simon looked at him intently “Ollie, I… why didn’t you?” “

“Because I didn’t want to hurt you and you’re way more important to me than some self-absorbed asshole!” Oliver blurted out, his face flushing. “Because you’re my friend, you were my friend before we started fucking and I want you to stay my friend now that we are fucking. I don’t want to hurt you and I don’t want to lose you.”

Simon stood and pulled Oliver into a tight hug “You’re a prince among fucking swine Ollie… I don’t deserve a friend like you. And I’m sorry I teased you so hard all these months, I know I pushed too far sometimes.” Oliver squeezed Simon back and chuckled wryly “never apologize for that, if it wasn’t for you God knows how much longer it would have been before I realized I’m bi? If anything, I should be thanking you.” Oliver pulled slightly back from the hug, placing a hand tenderly on Simon’s face, his thumb caressing the man’s cheek “Si, I want you as my friend, but I also want more than that- I want I- I- “