Lost & Found

by Ashley John

  You're lucky, I'm usually the one doing the face fucking.

  “Did I get carried away?” Charlie smiled cheekily, blushing further.

  “Not at all,” Oliver whispered.

  “I think we should get on with the painting,” Charlie said, pushing Oliver away and reaching for the overalls.

  As he watched Charlie bend over and run his legs into the white garment, he clutched his still throbbing cock and stroked it gently.

  Don't worry, it won't be long.

  Chapter

  16

  “Keep your eyes closed,” Charlie said as he led his mother up her newly decorated pink staircase.

  “I am!” she said, “I'm so excited!”

  After spending the best part of the entire day revamping the apartment Charlie was exhausted. His arms ached from all of the rolling, and his backside hurt from the amount of times Oliver had cheekily spanked it every time he’d walked past him.

  “Open them,” Oliver cried after Charlie arranged his mother in the middle of the bright living room.

  With the last minutes of daylight pouring through the windows, it bounced off the white walls making the room look twice as big as it had done.

  “Are we in the right house?” she laughed, spinning around on the spot, observing her new home, “You did all of this in a day?”

  “We're a good team,” Oliver winked at Charlie.

  Charlie felt his skin start to blush, but he didn't want his mother to see so he scurried over to the bedrooms. Poppy's was a vibrant shade of pink and the other two the same white as the living area.

  “I really am lost for words boys,” she said as she clamped her hand over her smiling mouth, “It doesn't even look like the same place.”

  “I've put the left over paint under the sink in case you ever want to do touch ups Sarah,” Oliver said.

  “I don't even know how I can ever repay you,” she gushed.

  “When do you think you'll move in?” Oliver asked.

  “Tomorrow,” she smiled as she pulled Charlie into a hug, “I've asked my boss and he said I could have the day off to get everything sorted. I better get back to Aunt Evelyn's, she's cooking us a big dinner to say goodbye. Are you coming Charlie?”

  “Actually Sarah,” Oliver interrupted before Charlie had chance to say yes, “Charlie said he was going to help me out with something tonight.”

  “Oh, okay,” she said, looking from Oliver to Charlie, “well, I'll see you guys later. Charlie, keep hold of the keys and lock this place up when you're done.”

  Charlie had no idea what Oliver was up to, but he had 'that look' in his eye.

  “No problem mom,” Charlie smiled, not wanting to reveal to his mother that he had no idea what was to happen next, “see you later.”

  With that, she disappeared down the stairs and with a slam of the door, Charlie and Oliver were alone in the quickly darkening apartment. The limited light was casting shadows across Oliver's soft features, and the light dusting of dark stubble across his jaw line looked more prominent than usual. Slowly and gracefully, he walked over to Charlie and when he was inches from his face, Charlie felt like the pounding in his chest was echoing and ricocheting off the walls.

  “Are you ready for this date then?” Oliver whispered as his lips curled into an inviting smile.

  Charlie gulped and found himself nodding before he had time to worry about what Oliver had planned.

  Breathe Charlie, just breathe.

  ***

  “How did you get served for wine?” Charlie asked as Oliver ducked back into the car carrying a bag with bottles of wine and food.

  “My brother's friend Gary runs the store,” Oliver laughed starting up the car again, “he owes me a favor.”

  “Dare I ask?” Charlie said as he opened the bag and peered inside at the contents, “So where are we going?”

  Wouldn't you like to know Charlie Boy.

  “It's a surprise,” Oliver teased.

  As they drove through the dark roads and headed towards the edge of town, Charlie started to look more and more nervous. When the roads started to tilt, they headed up the cliff side road that was the only entrance and exit to Surf Bay.

  When they were at the right spot, Oliver parked up the car and jumped out, leaving Charlie to follow. He'd taken Charlie to a spot he'd been to many times on his own, but he'd never taken anyone else before. It was a small patch of land on the side of the road that had the most breath-taking view of Surf Bay Oliver had ever seen. Even as he stood and gazed over his town that he spent every day in, it nearly took his breath away.

  “This place,” Charlie gasped as he joined Oliver on the ledge, “it's phenomenal. Look at that view.”

  “I love it up here,” Oliver smiled softly, letting the cool night breeze lick against his cheeks.

  He ran over to the car and pulled out a blanket and a small picnic hamper that he'd stashed away for their date. He didn't know when they were going to do it, but it felt like the right time. Setting the blanket down on the patchy grass, he pulled out two glasses and poured them both a glass of wine.

  “Let's make a toast,” Oliver said as they sat on the blanket next to each other gazing out at the picturesque view.

  “To what?” Charlie asked.

  “To the start of something,” Oliver whispered, turning to look at Charlie's face through the dark.

  Even in the dark, he could see the blushing and the small smile that he was trying to suppress as he sipped the expensive wine Oliver had chosen.

  The night wore on and even though a small number of cars zoomed past them, Oliver felt like he was completely alone in the world with Charlie. No distractions, no painting or furniture, just the two of them.

  “How did you find this place?” Charlie asked as he dived into a huge bag of chips.

  “I'd had an argument with my parents and I was intent on going away and never coming back, but I stopped the car and just looked out of the window and the view knocked the wind out of my sails. I come here whenever the bullshit down there gets too much.”

  “Are they still pressuring you to go to Yale?” Charlie asked.

  “Like you wouldn't believe,” Oliver sighed, “I've told them I'm not going, but they just won't take no for an answer. I was meant to go and see the campus today but I bailed before they even woke up.”

  Oliver gulped down the wine not wanting to think about how furious his parents would have been to find his bed empty on their big day. He'd always known that going to Yale was their dream for their sons and even though Connor had gone through with it, he never thought they'd try so hard to get him there.

  “What are you going to do about it?”

  “I don't know. I want to get my own place, but I don't have enough money from the Surf Club saved up. I love Porter, but he under pays us.”

  “What about your trust fund?”

  Oliver laughed and took another sip of the wine.

  “And end up like my brother? Living off their money? I'd rather live on the streets with that money in my account than use it. I don't want to give them what they want. Until I find something really important to spend it on, it's staying where it is, gathering interest.”

  Breathing in the cool sea breeze, Oliver closed his eyes and tried to imagine what it would have been like if he'd had a family like Charlie. They might not have been stable, but they clearly loved and cared for each other.

  “You must be cleverer than you look if you can get into Yale,” Charlie laughed, punching Oliver softly on the arm.

  “That's the best part. I'm not. They'd just write a blank check and before you know it, I'd be in. No matter how stupid I was, I'd get in and probably come out with honors. Worked for my brother and you've met him.”

  “You're not like him by the way,” Charlie said, “you said you didn't want to be like him, and you aren't. When I first met you, I thought you were so arrogant and full of yourself but I've seen a different side to you recently.”

  “I
couldn't help it,” Oliver smiled, “the moment I saw you I wanted you. You're so beautiful.”

  “Shut up. I'm really not,” Charlie laughed trying to shrug Oliver's compliments off.

  “No, I mean it,” Oliver whispered, “there's something special about you.”

  Charlie set his glass inside of the picnic basket and shuffled slowly across the blanket and leaned into Oliver's side gently. Putting his arm around Charlie's shoulders, Oliver felt the same feeling in his chest that he'd felt in the apartment when he'd slipped up. The words were on the tip of his tongue trying to escape, but he was forcing them back.

  “You're not going to try and fuck me up here are you?” Charlie asked quietly, leaning his head into Oliver's chest, “I'm quite cold.”

  “Maybe on the second date,” Oliver laughed.

  “Well this is already the best date I've ever been on, so whatever you've got planned next needs to top this,” Charlie teased.

  Oliver gently rested his hand on Charlie's head and softly brushed his fingers through his dirty blonde hair. Sex was the furthest thing from what he wanted at that moment. The urge to say something he never thought he'd say was too strong.

  I love you Charlie.

  ***

  “Where the hell have you been?” Charlie's mother shrieked as he slowly crept into Evelyn's house.

  Charlie wasn't the type to stay out all night and not let his mother know where he was, but with Oliver, the time just seemed to escape him. They spent the entire night cuddling on the cliff, and before he knew it, the dark sky had turned from jet black to warm amber and they stayed up to watch the sun rise over the sleeping town.

  It was the most perfect moment Charlie had ever experienced, but daylight only meant that he'd been out all night.

  “I stayed at Oliver's,” Charlie lied, “It's no big deal mom.”

  “No big deal?” she sprung up from Aunt Evelyn's favorite chair, “I've been sat here all night waiting for you to come home. I was this close to calling the police to look for you.”

  “I didn't think. I would have called but I don't have a cellphone do I?” Charlie sighed, collapsing into the comfy sofa.

  As he desperately tried to fight the sleep back, he could hear his mother ranting, but the words didn't make it to his brain.

  “...and we're moving today. I can't move all of this stuff on my own,” she cried.

  “I'm here now!” Charlie sighed in exhaustion, slapping his knees and jumping up from the sofa, “Where's Poppy?”

  “In bed still. Do you even know what time it is? It's only 6am! If you stayed at Oliver's why are you back so early?” she demanded.

  “He had to go somewhere so I asked him to drop me off,” Charlie lied again.

  Lying wasn't something he did to his mother so he was sure she could see right through it.

  “Is there something you aren't telling me?” she raised an eyebrow suspiciously, “I feel like you're keeping something secret.”

  “There's nothing,” Charlie faked a smile, “I guess we better start packing then?”

  He breathed a deep sigh of relief when the suggestion of moving distracted his mother and the concerned look in her eyes turned to excitement.

  It took Charlie considerably less time to pack up the things that he'd unpacked into Aunt Evelyn's drawers, than he'd expected. As he stuffed the few clothes and possessions he had into his trusty bag that had moved him from place to place for years, he tiptoed up the first ladder of the bunk bed.

  At first glance, Poppy appeared to be asleep, but the slight flickering of her eyelids and the concealed smirk on her face told Charlie a different story.

  “Oi!” Charlie said, grabbing his sister’s feet, “Stop faking!”

  Poppy sprung up out of bed in her pink nightdress and dived across the bed at Charlie, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  “We're getting a house!” she shrieked in his ears.

  “We are, and if you don't get packed, we're going to leave you behind.”

  “No you wouldn't,” she laughed, jumping back onto the bed, which creaked under her small frame, “You can't have a castle without the princess.”

  “C'mon Princess Poppy, get your clothes packed.”

  Charlie had lost count of the times she'd had to pack her bags and move. For someone of 6, she'd seen far too much of the world. Like an excited puppy she sprung out of bed, taking the ladder two steps at a time and dashed straight over to the drawers under the window and started flinging her clothes out into a pile in the middle of the room.

  “Why didn't you sleep in here last night?” Poppy asked as she tried to cram a large pink bunny into a tiny backpack.

  “I stayed at Oliver's,” Charlie said casually.

  “Is Oliver your boyfriend?” Poppy asked.

  Charlie nearly choked on his breath.

  “What makes you say that?” Charlie laughed, feeling his skin burn bright red.

  “Oliver likes boys, and you're a boy,” she said throwing the bunny down and moving onto cramming as many clothes in as she could.

  If Poppy has noticed, does everyone know what is going on? Charlie didn't know what to say to his little sister. He didn't know if Oliver was his boyfriend, and he certainly didn't know if he was ready to start telling people, especially his little sister.

  “C'mon Poppy, hurry up,” Charlie said sternly, zipping up his bag with his shaky hands.

  Outside of the pink house, they gathered on the porch and as the cherry blossoms swayed in the breeze, casting down their never ending supply of pink petals, it reminded Charlie of the day they'd arrived in Surf Bay.

  The day I met Oliver.

  “Are you sure you have to go so soon?” Aunt Evelyn said as he dabbed the corner of her eye with a pink hanky, “It's been awfully nice having people around again.”

  “We're only going around the corner,” Charlie's mother laughed, wrapping her arms around her neck, “thank you for everything.”

  “Now don't you start all that. I've been more than happy having y'all here,” she smiled down at Poppy, “I'm going to miss our cake making.”

  Poppy wrapped her arms around Aunt Evelyn's waist, but Poppy didn't shed a tear. She'd become far too accustomed to saying goodbye. As Evelyn moved onto Charlie, he felt a strange sense of sadness wash over him. She'd been so kind to them, and they were about to leave the safety of her brightly colored house and start a new adventure.

  “Look after them,” she whispered in his ear.

  “Don't worry, I will,” Charlie whispered back.

  I have been doing for years.

  After dumping their few possessions in the back of the cab, it drove them across town and when they pulled up outside the ice cream parlor, Charlie could feel the fear of the unknown rattling around in his mind. For the first time in his life, getting into a cab with his bags hadn't resulted in them getting off at the train station and heading into the unknown.

  “Home sweet home,” his mother cried as she pushed the door open and struggled up the stairs carrying her bags.

  “It's pink,” Poppy screamed, running up behind her.

  After paying the cab driver, Charlie grabbed his bags and headed up the stairs to the apartment and dumped them on the kitchen table and collapsed into the old sofa.

  Home sweet home indeed.

  Cha

  pter 17

  The rest of the night went by quite quickly for Charlie. His mother hadn't quite worked out how to use the new oven so they ordered a Chinese takeaway with Charlie's first wage. He'd been so excited to get his first envelope full of cash, but he couldn't help but be disappointed when it turned out to be a lot of one dollar bills.

  He spent the majority of the night wishing he could see Oliver, and the other half telling himself that he didn't need to see Oliver all the time and that he could function without him. One of them was a lie, but he didn't want to admit either to himself.

  In the morning, after a few seconds of wondering where the top bunk and the
floral bedding had gone, Charlie adjusted to an empty apartment and assumed that his mother was at work and Poppy was at Evelyn's. As he sat in the living room staring at the walls wishing they'd asked Evelyn if they could take her antique television set, his mind naturally wandered to Oliver.

  Things had moved so fast and yet they were still taking things slow like he'd asked. He'd been in Surf Bay for under a month, but he'd discovered so much about himself in that time, he felt like a brand new person all together. Melissa and Alaska were distant memories.

  The afternoon wore on quickly, and with nothing to do, Charlie wished that he had a cellphone to call Oliver and arrange something. He had no way of contacting him, making him feel cut off from the world.

  Even being at work would be better than this. At least I'd be able to see him.

  Charlie grabbed his jacket from the back of the worn out sofa and the spare keys from the counter and decided to explore the rest of his new town. He reached the bottom of the stairs and pulled the door open to find Oliver standing there looking just as confused as he felt.

  “Well that was quick! I didn't even need to knock!” Oliver laughed.

  He was wearing a tight white vest top that made his bronze muscles pop. Charlie found himself not just envying them, but also lusting for them.

  “Oliver!” Charlie cried, “I was just heading out.”

  “Oh,” Oliver sighed, “I can go if you want?”

  “No!” Charlie said a little too quickly, “I was bored and was just about to go for a walk.”

  “I thought I'd just stop to see how you'd settled in. I was just passing through,” Oliver grinned, folding his solid arms and leaning against the flaky, wooden doorframe.

  “Where were you off to?”

  “Caught me!” Oliver said, pulling a hand out and holding it up, “I just wanted to see you.”

  “Good,” Charlie said, “because I wanted to see you too.”