Love in the Courtyard: Chapter Three

The boys entered a room and lay down on benches made of marble. Food was delivered to them, fish, bread and olives. They drank wine. As they ate their food and drank their wine they began to talk about the nature of beauty and boys.1

“I suppose you’re in love with Cicero,” Damon suggested to Erasmus.2

“No, he hasn’t the soft cheeks, lips like blood and smooth face that attract me,” Erasmus lied. In all honesty he had no reason not to love Cicero, but his love was that of a brother. He was not attracted to Cicero. But he wanted not to seem to need Jerom as much as he did. 3

Jerom heard him, and turned with sorrow. “Are you sure those are the qualities you want in a lover?”4

Erasmus looked at Jerom, who was showing early sings of a beard, unsure if he could lie to him, “Yes, those are the qualities”5

Jerom became sad. How could he change? He had to choose between shaving, which would show loss of adulthood, and loss of Erasmus. It was at that moment he learned how much Erasmus meant to him. He lowered his gaze, trying not to look at Erasmus’ own posterior. 6

Damon, in contrast, felt excited. He had these qualities, and he felt sure that one day he would also have Erasmus.7