chapter 8

"I'm sorry about that. They can be really annoying," James said with an exasperated sigh.

"I think it's nice you have a family that cares about you." Ashton smiled. "And your mom is right. Bigger is better." James blushed and sat on one of the beds in his bedroom.

"You can't mean that." He sighed. "I'm glad you're being so nice about all of this, but I can lose the weight. I know I can. I knew the weight I put on was obvious and that somebody was bound to say something--it's just embarrassing."

"I don't care. I--I like it." Ashton had never thought he'd say something like that out loud. But Ashton knew he liked it, so it wasn't lying to make James feel better. James laughed uneasily. It took a lot to make him feel embarrassed, but all Ashton had to do was say anything about his body and he'd chuckle like an idiot. "I do," Ashton protested as he sat next to James. His hand found James' belly.

"You...do?" Ashton smiled and nodded. James smiled too. A mutual understanding had developed between the pair.

Thanksgiving was a lot of fun for Ashton. It was the loudest, most talkative dinner he had ever experienced in his entire life. James ate a bit more freely and Mr. Bellefonte didn't mention anyone's weight at all.

Now the two days he'd be spending at home were finally here and it was a two hour drive to his house. That was the plan: two days with the Bellefonte's, two days with the Vandeviere's. They took off after lots of hugs and goodbyes.

Ashton pulled into the driveway and stopped. He turned to James. "If they--if they say something, just ignore it okay? We can talk about how much my family sucks when we're alone."

"I'm sure they can't be that bad, they're your family."

"Trust me. They can be." He parked the car in the garage and James grabbed both bags. Ashton felt sick.

Percy saw the boys approaching the house and opened the front door. Ashton smiled and ran up to him, hugging him tightly. "Hello Percy!" Ashton let go and James approached the two. "This is James," Ashton said. "And this is Percy." They exchanged greetings and entered the house.

James was amazed at how big Ashton's house was. His Great Aunt Doreen lived in the area before she died nine years ago. He and his siblings used to stay with her during the summer.

"Is that Ashton?" Ashton heard Don's voice and wanted to run to his room. "It is baby brother and guest." Don walked up to them near the front door and greeted both boys. He didn't know he'd be bringing a guest, only because Ashton had only told Percy.

"Mother has missed you pipsqueak, go and say hello."

"But I should really show James his room--." Don pushed Ashton towards the parlor a bit roughly and told James to follow him. He told Ashton he'd be fine and walked off with Don. He went to say hello, but she hadn't wanted to see him. She greeted him with a sharp hello and a disdainful, "How have you been?"

Ashton left as soon as the opportunity arose. He ran up the stairs and into the hallway in which James and Don were talking.

James looked a bit upset, but not the sad kind of upset--he was angry. Don smiled and walked past Ashton, down the stairs, and into the parlor.

"Do you want your own room--or do you want to room with me?" Ashton asked shyly.

"Can I stay with you?"

"Of course!" he exclaimed. They entered Ashton's bedroom. James looked around, impressed with the size of the room. He walked towards the bathroom, which was joined onto Ashton's room.

It was the fanciest bathroom he had ever seen in a home. The tub was Jacuzzi sized and there was a separate shower. The tiles were different shades of red and blue.

"Do you want to take a bath?" Ashton asked. His face reddened. "Not with me!" he added quickly.

"Do you want to take a bath together?" James smiled. "Because I certainly don't mind..."

"Okay," Ashton said as a tingly feeling began to rise inside of his stomach. James walked over to him and pressed his body against Ashton's. James kissed his forehead and then he kissed him softly on the lips.

Ashton kissed back for some time, but he pushed James away and walked over to the tub. He turned on the three separate faucets before removing his sweater. James pulled of his own hooded sweatshirt and unbuttoned his jeans. Ashton removed his pants as well.

The tub had filled with water and Ashton stood looking at James. Both boys were naked and it was incredibly silent. Ashton admired James imposing stature and James loved Ashton's slender frame.

James' large arms reached out for Ashton and held him tight against his meaty belly. They both enjoyed the feeling of skin against skin. Ashton was soft.

James moved his meaty fingers down his front making Ashton tingly. James touched his butt. Ashton blushed hard. James' breathing was heavy; Ash was barely breathing at all. They parted and sat in the water and bubbles in the tub.

"Your brother doesn't like me very much," James said as they sat in the bath.

"Glad you could join the club. He doesn't like me much either."

"He told me we weren't going to last, and that our relationship looks bad for both our families."

"Do you think that?" Ashton asked somewhat nervously. James looked at him and moved closer causing small waves to disturb the water.

"No, of course I don't." They kissed again.


The End!