Eclipse Of The Moon ~ Book 1 of Aaron
Chapter 39
Happy Birthday, Menino

Friday 10 October 2003

A sudden bright light flashes before my closed eyelids, causing me to grunt in exasperation as I roll to my front and bury my face into my pillow. I'm tired; I could definitely use more sleep.

Apart from a bit more reviewing, I think I'm ready for the GED tests; I no longer have to get up at dawn to work as hard as I used to. So why the hell is Ivan trying to wake me up so early?

Seconds later, the gentle melody of a piano begins to resound, probably from the small CD player on my bedside table. Notes that I have heard quite a few times in the last few months since this band is one of Ivan's favorites – definitely not mine, much worse than Queen, and the source of many arguments when we want to listen to music in the same room. To be honest, I can actually bear with the beginning of this song, especially if Ivan's voice covers the singer's.

There is nothing boy that can stop my course
I will hold you tight never let you go
Tomorrow's party will never end
Like a bud in spring our love will bloom and grow

In fact, I can only smile at this, still hidden in my pillow, but that's until Jimmy Sommerville's shrilling voice gets louder and tries to kill my eardrums with his Youuuuuuuuu are my world.

No way. I just can't.

Extending my arm to the right, my fingers quickly find the stop button and the torture ends right away.

"Happy birthday!" Ivan shouts cheerfully, literally jumping on my bed and bouncing on the mattress like a kid.

His unexpected playfulness has me flick my eyes open and roll to my left side, and there he is in his gorgeous half-nakedness kneeling on my bed, only wearing pajama pants and showing off his tanned and taut chest. How the heck can this man be almost 40!? And why the fuck do I find him so attractive!? This doesn't excuse his attempt at destroying my ears so early in the morning.

"Hey! I said happy birthday!!" Ivan repeats, grinning at me.

Once again, I'm caught off-guard by his unusual behavior, but this time, the message seeps in, achieving to fully wake me up.

I'm fucking 18!!!!

I still can't drink alcohol or gamble in casinos, but... I'm an adult and I can vote, work full time, have sex with other people aged 18 or more, and I can even get married! Not that the latter would ever occur unless I go straight.

More accurately, I could cash my savings, get a tattoo and go clubbing as long as I don't drink alcohol.

And above all, I can at last live freely and openly, and use my ID because even if my parents look for me, they'll have no right to force me back home.

I could even have an affair with that sex god on my bed...

"Thanks..." I grunt, still bewildered by his exceptional cheerfulness.

"Come on, Menino! You're 18! You're an adult! You know what this means, right?" he laughs, switching the music back on.

"Argh no way!!!!" I groan, reaching for the plug and pulling it off the wall. "How can you wish me a happy birthday with such... crap?"

"It's not crap. And it's a fair revenge from all the times I have to bear with your crap music!"

"Yeah, yeah... whatever you say."

"Anyway, I've taken the day off and I've got plans for us," he continues, getting off the bed and picking a tray of food from the floor. "But first, breakfast in bed, Mister!"

"Wow... Thanks!" I reply as he settles back on the bed, cross-legged, and sets the tray between us. "Why so early, though?"

"Like I said, I've got plans for us today," he replies mysteriously, winking at me. "It's time to use your ID and register to the GED and at the driving school, so we'll do that this morning. Then we'll have lunch outside and go shopping in the afternoon. And... I've got three presents for you, but only one could come in a wrapping so..." he murmurs, tossing a wrapped square on my lap.

"Dang, Ivan!! I don't need presents... Don't you think you're already doing enough for me?" I exclaim, having a hard time swallowing down the delicious pancakes.

"We're not having that argument again, Aaron," he grunts. "Just open this one already."

Yeah, let's not start the day with another fight, right?

Overtly rolling my eyes, I easily tear the paper and find two CDs, one of which I was highly expecting. Meteora is one of the albums Joshua sent to me back in July, one that he had grown a bit tired of but which I would like to send back to him, and Ivan knew it, so now I have my own copy of it. The second CD is Queen's A Night At The Opera, one of Ivan's dear favorites, and also one I truly like because the beautiful Bohemian Rhapsody features on that album.

"Thanks so much, Ivan, these are great," I say with genuine gratefulness.

"See? There's a bit of crap and some little jewel to educate your ears," he teases.

"You're absolutely right, Meteora is definitely one fine jewel," I reply with nonchalance.

"I was talking about A Night At The Opera, you jerk."

"Linkin Park ain't no crap!" I huff.

"Come on, their songs are so dark. Not as dark as your Evane-shit, but..."

"No, no, no, no, no... You don't get to insult Amy Lee either," I warn him, scowling at his amused expression. "Let's change topics, we definitely don't agree about music."

"Wise decision, young man. Let's move on to some super-duper-mega-giant subject," he cheers, and I fear for my poor barely-awoken brain. "Your rights and duties as an adult! And..."

"Oh, pleeeeeeease!!! Don't start it! I know my rights and responsibilities," I interrupt him, earning a scowl, but I won't let him have it this time because the last thing I want on my birthday is a boring lecture from Senior Vargas. "I promise I won't buy cigarettes, drink alcohol or get involved with people younger than I am."

"Right..." he grunts. "All the same, I'll still remind you of a few liabilities..."

And there he goes telling me about what I can or can't do now that I'm 18, as if I didn't know already; as if I hadn't done my research a long time ago when I thought I'd have to wait for the age of majority before fleeing from my parents' household. Ivan insists a lot on the fact that, contrary to New Jersey, California set the age of consent at 18 – as if he hadn't told me before... – and that should I have sex with a minor, I could be convicted with statutory rape.

"Yeah... like Marek with me..." I chuckle.

"I could have totally reported him, indeed," Ivan deadpans, squinting at me, and I offer him the same treatment.

"But you didn't."

"Nope. As you see, I can be nice sometimes."

"Sometimes... Anyway, now I can have sex with old fogeys," I smirk.

"Do as you please, Menino, as long as you abide my rules."

"I'm 18 now, I can do what I want," I exclaim with mock offense.

"Our deal is still on, Aaron, and speaking of that, now that you're close to graduating, it'll be high time you start thinking about your future and how you want to pursue your studies."

"Ugh!!! Give me a break, it's my birthday."

"Sure, we can discuss this in the next few days. Let's talk about your second present."

"Ivan..." I grouse, not impressed by his dark look. "The CDs are more than enough."

"Can you please shut the fuck up and let me talk? Now that you're 18," he trails off, a glint of excitement filling his brown eyes, "you're officially legal to go clubbing, so I'm taking you to the Heaven Water for a huge celebration party!"

Dammit...

Ivan is probably expecting me to explode with joy after all these months I have been bugging him to take me to his nightclub, but unfortunately, I find myself frozen on my spot, a cold bead of sweat trickling down my bare back. There were two too many words in his offer, two words that can't be in the same sentence.

Ivan's wish for a happy birthday didn't seem to affect me; his present didn't make me uncomfortable if for the embarrassment to see him spend always more on me; but partying... Somehow, the decision that my childhood friends made and that Cam revealed to me ten days ago has quickly made its way inside my head. I never thought they could go that far into their resolutions, and deep down, even I think it's a bit silly, their anxiety has rubbed off on me in a way I hadn't foreseen.

How the fuck can I explain this to Ivan without revealing something I have kept secret so far?

"I... Err... What about we stay home and enjoy a quiet movie night instead? Just the two of us..." I suggest awkwardly. "We could go to the nightclub tomorrow?"

"But your birthday's today, Menino, why not party tonight?" Ivan argues, making me shudder.

"Because... I don't really want to," I sigh, folding my knees and pulling my legs to my chest.

"Is this about me being an old fogey you can't party with?" he then asks with mock pain.

"No, of course, not, you don't even look like you're almost a half century old," I deadpan playfully to loosen up the sudden tension, and it works.

"I'm not even 40, dumbass," he grunts, humorously punching my shoulder before he grabs the tray and cautiously rests it on the floor, and when he settles back on the bed, a more serious expression covers his face. "That's fine, Menino, I understand."

"What?"

"I guess it's about your friends not being here, I know how much you miss them. I really wish I'd been able to gather them here to celebrate your birthday, but they must have started their courses now, so it's not really possible. Fair enough, though. I can totally understand and it's fine if you're not in the mood to party tonight," he then adds with his softest voice, scooting closer to rest his warm hands over my knees.

Oh my goodness... I hate the slight disappointment in his voice, and it makes me feel terribly guilty, but I can't miss this opportunity to escape a conversation I don't want to have with him about certain events. In fact, he just gave me with the perfect alibi, so, playing along with his theory, I simply sigh with sadness.

"Listen, Aaron. I wanted to keep the best present for tonight, but," he lingers, offering me his warmest smile, "I think I should tell you now..."

"Jeez... Ivan..."

"Don't you start protesting," he scolds me. "It's not even really a present since it's a promise I made a long time ago, and I'm only making it more... official."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm offering you plane tickets to go and see your best friends."

"What!?" I squeal.

Fuck!! I literally squealed!

Despite my embarrassment for such a huge and expensive present, I just can't help picturing a reunion with Josh, Mark and Cam, because damn! Wouldn't it be fantastic to meet my best friends again, even if only for a couple of days? Of course, that would mean honoring the promise I made for more revelations, but I can deal with that.

"You heard me well, Menino. I'm offering you three round trips to see each of your dear friends, but that's only once you've taken the GED test."

"Wow, wow, wow," I breathe out, lucidity kicking back in. "That's far too much. How will I ever manage to reimburse all th..."

"Since when do people have to reimburse presents they receive?" he interrupts me. "Please just stop with the expensive bullshit. When I offered you to stay at my place, under my conditions, I made it clear that I'd support all charges related to your education, health and well-being. I had also promised I'd fly you to your friends as part of teaching you honesty, and finally, once you've graduated, I believe that this visit would make a nice reward for all the hard work you provided," he concludes with a bright smile.

"I know, but it's so much... I just wish I could thank you properly for all you've been doing, Ivan."

"Oh, you can totally do that, Menino. First, you graduate, and then, just enjoy a nice moment with your friends, have fun, and stay reasonable and safe. And by the way, it's all up to you and them. Either you visit each of them separately since they're all in different cities now or – and I think it'd be the best solution – you guys choose a destination and all meet there at the same time, in New York for instance, since that's where Mark is. In that case, I'd pay for your trip to New York as well as Camden's and Joshua's. How does that sound?"

"Dang... That'd be awesome," I reply dreamily, already imagining a group reunion. "I'm just not sure the guys will accept a present from you."

"It's your present, Aaron, tell them just that. I'm offering a way for you all to meet because you need this."

"Thank you, Ivan, you're really the best," I reply with much emotion, scooting forward to gauchely hug him.

"You're welcome, Menino, it's my pleasure," he replies, ruffling my hair. "I'll just make sure you pack enough condoms and lube when you go there."

"Ugh come on!!!" I exclaim as I disentangle from his hold, and he bursts out laughing.

"You guys will probably fuck like bunnies, so that's only fair."

"No way! It only happened once!" I retort, throwing him a pillow that he shoves back in my face.

"You never know, you're still a group of horny teenagers," he laughs out as I hurl two more pillows at him.

"Fick you..."

"Fick me? Is that a new word?"

"Yeah, and you know what it means, but since it's not the real world, you can't scold me," I tease, sticking my tongue out.

"It's the meaning that counts, you little creep," he growls playfully as he lunges forward and crushes me beneath his weight.

Our little banter ends up in a pillow and tickling fight that Ivan wins without much difficulty since he's still stronger than I am. I'm so glad to see him that playful though, that I don't mind. He has looked much less tired too in the last few days, and much less grumpy as a matter of fact, even if it hasn't meant less authority.

After the little incident with Marek last week, Ivan became stricter and more suspicious about my schedules. On Thursday, he worked from home until 6 pm and occasionally popped in the library, to supposedly grab a book he needed or check on stuff. Did he really think we would buy his lies? No way, he was just hoping to catch us in the middle of naughty activities. On Friday, he had important appointments at the club, but he surprisingly managed to call at 5:15, right at the moment I had begun to kiss Marek with the intention to make out. I can't complain, though, because he has been nice enough and the punishment I had earned on the Wednesday wasn't that hard.

By the last session I had with Marek on the following day, we had achieved the entire program of revisions that Ivan had set up, thus nearly a week before the actual due date, so after he spent most of our Sunday testing my knowledge in various subjects, Ivan declared that he was proud of the result and deemed me ready to take the GED test.

Since Marek was expected to leave on Wednesday morning, Ivan yielded when I asked to spend the following afternoons at my boyfriend's place, under the condition that I would keep reviewing my lessons in the mornings.

Marek and I knew that our relationship was coming to an end. It might have turned into something more serious with time, we might have fallen in love after a few more weeks or months, but with so much distance between us, we knew it wouldn't happen. Instead of brooding over our imminent break-up, we simply enjoyed our last days to the fullest, and by enjoy I mean that we used the entire pack of twelve condoms over six days, which gives a fair idea of how much I abused his little hole.

* * *

This Friday then truly goes in a blur.

Before we go, Ivan offers two options. The first one promises a fancy lunch followed by a long afternoon of shopping and the second one includes grabbing some sandwiches and going on a hike. There is no hesitation on my side. Option two it is! For one, I don't want to give him more opportunities to buy stuff for me, and then, the weather is so pleasant in Los Angeles at this time of year, with lower temperatures, that I know he will enjoy himself too in the wild.

It's barely 10 am when we leave the house, dressed in comfortable clothes and our first destination is the nearest training center where I sign up for the next available test session which turns out to be the week after next. Thoughtful as he is, Ivan had previously visited them to get the registration file and a list of all necessary documents, so it's a fairly easy formality that quickly leads us to our next stop, the driving school.

Like most American teenagers, I already took the theoretical test when I was 16. However, as it was the case for nearly everything I engaged in back then, I passed on a fluke, and the information didn't go unnoticed to Ivan since it was in my school reports, so he unsurprisingly insists that I retake the test. As far as driving is concerned, my parents never bothered to teach me to drive, so I'm a complete newbie in that domain.

They provide me with a bit of literature that I will have to read before I start the classroom lessons for the first part of the test, and we also schedule several driving lessons over the next few weeks so that I can get my driver's license as soon as possible. That's more stuff to learn, but I'm not complaining since it's far more exciting and I truly can't wait to drive.

Our final destination is the San Bernardino National Forest, about an hour east of Los Angeles, which is a huge park of 800 000 acres if I remember what Ivan told me, where we simply have a delightful afternoon walking and enjoying the wild nature. The funniest part occurs as we make our way back to the car in the dark and with only one flashlight, which foments quite a few stumbles and fits of laughter.

"Watch your step, Menino," Ivan chuckles, catching my elbow as I nearly trip on an umpteenth branch.

"You're keeping the light to yourself, how could I watch my step?" I deadpan.

"We should have headed back earlier perhaps."

We then continue walking in silence, side by side. It's getting darker and darker in the shadow of trees, and I love this eerie atmosphere, wood cracking beneath our hiking boots, owls hooting, little animals squeaking. Far from being scared, I'm enjoying this relaxing moment. It's been a wonderful day, one with basic pleasures, certainly the best birthday I have ever had, and I simply relish in Ivan's presence beside me.

Well that's until said presence suddenly disappears.

Ivan was right next to me, I could feel his warm body close to me, his arm brushing against mine, and the next second, I am alone in the darkness. If it weren't for his thunderous growl slightly fading on my right, I would have feared he had disappeared into thin air.

"IVAN!!!!!!"

Between his grunts, I get to hear sounds of shuffling leaves and breaking wooden sticks, so I look into that direction and try to peer into the darkness.

"IVAAAAAAAAAN!!!"

I realize that I am on the edge of what looks like a ravine, and just as I am about to run down the slope, the sound of a loud and uncontrollable laughter reaches my ears, a laughter I know very well despite its rareness and that I love so much. My eyes adjust to the darkness and soon enough, I see Ivan crawling up the small slope, struggling a bit to reach the edge due to his fit of laughter, and I end up grabbing the collar of his sweatshirt to pull him up.

"Fuck! You scared me!" I grouse as he flashes the flashlight in my face.

"I... just... slipped..."

His laughter is so contagious and he looks so dirty that I eventually join him in his frenzy, and we finish our hike on a truly funny note, giggling like two idiots until we reach the car. After a quick stop by a diner nearby to fill our stomachs with burgers and fries, the ride back home occurs in a joyful atmosphere as well, and we even have one of those memorable moments when Queen starts Bohemian Rhapsody.

We just can't help re-enacting that scene of Wayne's World, a movie that Ivan made me watch a few weeks ago and that I really liked, when the group of friends sing after that song in their car. After the hilarious parody of the Galileo part, there we are dancing and shaking our heads like hard-rock musicians would, only missing the long hair, as the rocking part kicks in. That's one moment that will forever be imprinted in my head.

"Thanks again for this wonderful day, Ivan," I sincerely say in his embrace a bit later, as we are about to part ways in the corridor upstairs.

"You're welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Now go get some sleep, Menino."

"Yeah, have a good night too."

Ivan breaks our hug and as he walks away, I step into my bathroom and quickly strip off my dirty clothes. While I brush my teeth, I replay what has been a very busy and very pleasant day. The early wake-up with breakfast in bed; the presents; the training center; the driving school; the entire afternoon and early evening in the forest.

Yes, it was really a great day. A beautiful birthday, and if it weren't for my childhood friends' absence, it would have been perfect. Having no service most of the day in the forest, I only got to text with them whenever the signal wasn't too weak, but I can't wait speak with them over the phone and break the news about Ivan's gift for plane tickets.

Stepping inside the shower stall, I can already imagine what our reunion will be like and quickly discard my anxiety regarding the revelations I will have to make. Instead, I focus on how good it will feel to be close to my best friends after a year away from them. I wonder if they have changed a lot... physically speaking. Probably not that much in only twelve months, but who knows? Aside of their looks, I know they are still the same guys I knew back then, just power horn-dog teenagers, and in the end, Ivan might be right.

Not that condoms will be necessary for none of us would bottom, but since we are all single – Josh having broken up with his recent boyfriend a week ago – it might end up in naughtiness. In memory of our dirty games back then. Holy crap... As images of all the times we indulged in hand jobs and blowjobs crowd my head, I realize that I have become hard as fuck and my fingers have wrapped around my erection. Closing my eyes, my right hand reaches for my balls, kneading them gently while the other one strokes my shaft.

I can imagine Mark's plump lips closing around my girth... or Joshua's tongue running along my cock... or just my hips thrusting back and forth as I face-fuck Camden...

Ngh...

So good...

I'm not sleeping with such a hard-on, so I quickly increase the pace of my strokes and it's barely two more minutes before I come all over the tiled wall of the shower, groaning like a beast in rut. My knees are wobbling a bit from the intensity of my orgasm and I have a hard time catching my breath. I recover while I clean up my mess and finish showering, then I'm lying on my bed, remembering once again what a beautiful day it was.

I'm glad that I chose the hiking option because I like these moments of complicity with Ivan, and being a nature lover, I'm pretty sure he enjoyed himself a lot. It's not because it was my birthday that I should be the only one having fun. I wanted to also please him and I hope I succeeded.

Yeah, you probably did, Ron... Except for tonight... It's only 10:30 and the man's already in bed when he could have enjoyed a night at his club... with you, for once...

I suddenly realize that I might have been a little ridiculous when I declined Ivan's offer to go clubbing tonight. It's not as if he had organized a huge party for a real birthday celebration, right? I assume I only got scared by the words he used this morning but now that I think about it, if it was just about him and me enjoying an evening at his discotheque, I guess I could have dealt with it. It's too late now, I can't go back on the alibi he forged for me, or it wouldn't make sense, but I'm still worried he might be upset.

The next minute – and once I have slipped on a pair of pajama pants – I am hovering in front of Ivan's door, trying to decide whether I should bother him or not because I also know he doesn't like me to invade his private spaces. What if he is asleep already? What if he's jacking off? I just want to make sure he's fine, though, so after a few more seconds of hesitation, I tentatively rise my hand to knock on his door.

"Just come in already, Aaron!"

The exasperated order comes before my fingers have made contact with the wood, causing me to startle a bit. As I walk in, I find Ivan sitting on the right side of his huge bed, his back resting against the headboard, and I just have time to see him put something that looks like a book beside him.

"Am I disturbing you?" I ask awkwardly as I near his bed and sit on the opposite side, cautiously avoiding his beautiful bare chest.

"No, I was just... reading."

"With a marker?" I deadpan when I notice the pen that's lying beneath what is a thick notebook in fact. "Jeez! Is that a diary? Do you write in a journal?" I tease him, trying to reach out for the black book, but he quickly snatches it away from me.

The sudden irritation displaying on his face makes me realize how wrong my gesture was. If that book is a diary, I would imagine that its contents are extremely private, and in his place, I would hate anyone to violate my intimacy.

"I'm sorry," I blurt out right away. "This was totally inappropriate and I apologize, Ivan."

"Fine," he grunts. "That's none of your business, indeed, and I'd value you respect things that should remain personal, alright?"

"Yes, I'm sorry."

"What did you want, by the way?" he asks in a softer tone.

"Oh... hmm... Just wanted to thank you again... for today... and... I just wanted to make sure you'd enjoyed yourself too..." I stutter as I unconsciously start digging my short nails into the palms of my hands.

"Hey, come here for a hug," Ivan whispers as he leans forward and pulls me to lie beside him, over the comforter. Resting my head over the front of his shoulder, I let him wrap an arm around my torso. "Of course I enjoyed myself. You know how I treasure those moments I spend around you."

"But wouldn't you have preferred we go out tonight?"

"No, it's fine. I can understand you weren't in a mood to go dancing tonight and we'll have other opportunities to do this in the future."

"Well, tomorrow we will, right? You said we could go tomorrow."

"We will, but I won't be able to stay with you, Menino, I'll have other... duties on Saturday evening."

"What!?" I exclaim, leaning up a bit to face him. "I thought you'd be with me?"

"We'll go early so that I can show you the club and backstage, but I won't be able to spend the evening with you, sorry. Do you want to go another night instead?"

"No, no, that's fine... Can't you cancel your other plans?"

"I can't cancel professional duties, Aaron," he chuckles lightly, pulling me back to his chest.

"Okay... That's fine... I'm sure I'll find some guys to hook up with on my own anyway."

"I trust you to. If I remember well, your first incursion in a nightclub was quite successful back in Aug..."

"Hey, don't need to remind me, okay?" I grunt as embarrassing memories of being caught by my guardian sucking on another guy's dick flood my head.

This makes him laugh – a weird laugh that doesn't match the sudden stiffness of his body – and he soon dismisses me after a few more minutes cuddling. Back in my bed, I have a hard time falling asleep. There are too many thoughts dancing in my head, too many exciting things coming my way, and it's past 2am when I eventually drift to sleep, impatient and eager to fast-forward to tomorrow evening.

Published on 1 April 2020

Well, I did try to make that chapter a little better, and it is better than the draft, but I wish I'd made it even better. That's what it is and it still makes for a pleasant birthday for Aaron who deserved some relief after his previous birthdays.

Now we're getting really close to the era most of the readers have been waiting for, but there are still three important events that need to happen beforehand, so you'll have to be a little more patient. Meanwhile, I'm taking you to the Heaven Water in the next chapter, so see you there!