Love in the Courtyard: Chapter Four

That afternoon, Damon strolled to Erasmus,1

“What are you doing this evening?” he asked.2

“Nothing really, why?”3

“I wondered if I could eat at yours.”4

“Yes, of course,” smiled Erasmus, eying Jerom. “And maybe then we could wrestle, on my bed so we’d come to no real pain”5

Jerom felt instantly jealous as he watched Erasmus. So, Erasmus had shifted his attentions towards Damon? How could he shift them back? Yet, there was a part of those two together, making passionate love that appealed to his imagination. If only he could be there, too. 6

That evening Damon showed up at Erasmus’ house. He met Erasmus’ family and slaves and dined on fish in Erasmus’ dining room. But, Erasmus couldn’t keep his mind off Jerom.7

“Today was interesting wasn’t it?”8

“Yes,” Erasmus responded, “Jerom’s jokes were so funny. He’s a beautiful boy”9

The dinner proceeded like this, Erasmus making it clear that he did not love Damon as he loved Jerom. But Damon still insisted on wrestling with Erasmus in his bedroom. 10

They went upstairs to a room with a bed with a white blanket upon it. There were candles at the window and, unusually, Erasmus lit them. Erasmus usually preferred the darkness, for contemplation, but this was different. Candles seemed more romantic somehow.11

He climbed onto the bed and stripped down, so as to fight like an athlete. Damon also stripped down, and Erasmus admired his strong chest and slim stomach. He was certainly a beautiful boy. Damon reached over to attack Erasmus, pulling him down so as to achieve maximum position and victory. Erasmus refused to lie on the bed, bringing his stomach and chest closer to Damon’s to avoid this. He put his leg between Damon’s legs and started to kick him with the other one, gradually pulling at him until Damon was turned over. Damon pulled closer towards Erasmus, his fist punching Erasmus, first on the back and then inside his posterior. 12

“That’s against the rules!”13

“We’re not playing by any rules. We’re kicking, punching, touching each other’s genitals. This is just a fight to the finish.”14

“And what is the finish?” panted Erasmus, grabbing onto Damon’s arm. 15

“Exhaustion.”16

Erasmus turned Damon over and placed his hand in Damon’s posterior. Damon yelped in excitement and pleasure, for Erasmus had such strong and passion in lust. But Erasmus shut his eyes.17

“What were you thinking about?” asked Damon, as they stopped their passionate actions, in a state of exhaustion. Erasmus was almost asleep.18

“Jerom. I can’t help it, I love him,” admitted Erasmus. Damon stared at him. He understood, but it was still a cruel fate, in bed with the boy he loved so much, only to be told that his Erasmus loved someone else. But, he had known it all along.19

“You do know that I can’t be the only one you love, when you feel this way about someone else.” Damon said, slowly. There seemed almost a threat in his voice. Erasmus rested there, in a state of exhaustion, part sad part in love. It seemed everything he did now was part in love for Jerom. He fell asleep and into dreams of Jerom, as Damon lay on the bed, wondering what to do about this beloved of his lover.20