Around the Pleasure Dome — season 1, episode 10 "Turnaround time" —

Turnaround time [season 1, episode 10]

Sunday before dawn — in Austin's bedroom

  Austin's relationship with Hawk was back to normal — if going to sleep after 2AM, at the end of an eight-course dinner, with a boyfriend carrying two baskets full of fresh lemon cream pastries, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies and a gallon of milk could be considered “normal”.

  Everything would be perfect if he didn't have to walk upstairs, dragging his feet all the way to his bed. Hawk was so tall, so large and strong. He could always carry him over the threshold in his arms, but the handsome black boy had grown quite a bit bigger, recently. And larger. And rounder. And heavier...

– “It's you or the food I bring to bed, Austin. Your choice.”

– “I know... Well, I'm in bed now. Bring it to me!”

– “Okay.”

  Hawk sat by the bed, with all the pastries on display.

– “How bad can you aim, big guy? Bring these straight to my mouth.”

– “I'll feed you and stuff you like a bad piglet.”

– “Did I ever claim to be a good pig?”

– “You should be a tasty pig, at least.”

– “Because these... Hmmmph... are so tasty?”

– “And you are what you eat. I should feed you bacon all day!”

– “Hmmmph... Why don't you? I want to feel fuller than Buckminster...”

– “There you go, mister.”

– “Hmmmph... Hmmmph...”

– “How fast can you eat, Austin?”

– “Don't you dare feed me fast food, Hawk... I'll always be faster!”

– “You'll get fat.”

– “Hmmmph... I want more! Hmmmph... Faster! More!”

– “You'll only grow fatter. And fatter...”

– “Hmmmph... Hmmmph... That's what I want.”

  Austin spent another hour devouring pastries, groaning and moaning with delight. When the last piece of cookie was gone, washed down with the last sip of milk, he let out a deep sigh. Then he thought about Ryan, who had spent all afternoon baking these treats, just for him. That dumb blond cook was his best friend for good reason... This late-night dessert feast meant countless hours of hard work during the day, cooking skills sharper than knives, unwavering dedication and a taste for self-sacrifice that was almost heroic.

– “Oooof... That was the best! And I thought I was full after dinner...”

  Hawk smiled as he rubbed his boyfriend's stretched out stomach.

– “You're really pushing for it, big boy.”

– “You could say that again. I mean... BUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRP!”

  Austin couldn't help it. He had to burp louder and longer than thunder.

– “Oooof... Should I feel sorry about it, or proud?”

– “You make me feel proud.”

– “Then I'm proud and happy. Would you rub my belly a bit harder?”

– “I should go careful on you, right now... You will only burp louder. Way to wake up your friends in the middle of the night!”

– “You don't know if they got to sleep... They have their own fun.”

– “Is this a way for you to tell our favorite cook to get up and go back to work on tomorrow's breakfast?”

– “Come on...” Austin moaned under his touch. “Don't be silly.”

– “How about you? Be honest.”

– “I guess I'm really taking advantage, here... Am I acting selfish?”

– “Take advantage... Take everything you need. Just eat and get fat!”

– “Hmmm...” Austin closed his eyes and thought about it. “Okay.”

– “You never share your food with anyone, anyway.”

– “That's true...” He moaned some more.

– “And you don't want Ryan to eat these pastries. He'll get fat!”

– “Oh! he's grown quite big, lately. He's massive...” 

– “He would only grow fatter.”

– “It's those snacks, shakes and sandwiches he has to consume all day. Doctor's orders. Every hour, on the hour.”

– “That's right.”

– “I wonder how he gets to catch his breath and go back to work, at this point, with such huge amounts of nutrient-dense protein foods he keeps cramming into his stomach. I know how it goes...”

– “You certainly do.” Hawk chuckled. “And you do it with carbs!”

– “It's just food...”

  Hawk kept rubbing his growing boyfriend's chest with massage oils.

– “Let him do his thing. You do your thing.”

– “That includes you.”

– “How so?”

– “I do my thing...” Austin rubbed his belly tentatively. “You do me.”

  The two men kissed again. Ryan's cooking didn't just whet his friends' appetite, fill their stomachs and satisfy their deepest hunger — it made them hungry for more, in the arms of their partners.

  Austin was stuffed so much, and they were both so hot for each other, they had terrific sex all over again — Hawk kept groaning like a bad wolf, while his younger partner was huffing and puffing... Just as he wished to be called a “bad piggy” again, Austin felt a bushy beard brush against his cheek and the magic words were whispered to his ear. 

  It didn't take much longer for them to climax and crash together.

  Feeling like a lump of lard, Austin kissed his boyfriend's chest.

– “It's so good that you get to stay for the whole night, Hawk...”

– “So I'm a night hawk, now?”

– “The best...” Austin moaned, falling asleep. “The one and only.”

– “I guess you're right. It's good to spend more time together.”

  Hawk didn't want to talk about the lighthouse... He was still furloughed, waiting to be heard by the city council's commitee about his professional behavior during the storm and the way he had handled the situation with his friends and neighbors at the Pleasure Dome.

  As bad as it was and he wished to go back to work, it was better for him to take care of his boyfriend, keep him comfortable and enjoy how these struggles made them feel closer every day.

  It would be another quiet night for them, while it was raining outside.

  At some point, Hawk felt the mattress move a little, on his boyfriend's side... Austin was no longer hogging the covers. Why would he get out of bed, when the sun was barely up? Hawk slowly opened his eyes.

– “Where are you going?”

– “Downstairs. Get some fresh air...”

– “There's plenty of air around here.”

– “I like milk and brownies with my air.”

  Austin closed the door behind him and went straight to the kitchen.

■ ■ ■

Sunday morning — in the kitchen 

  Ryan was cooking breakfast for his friends. He had eaten his first snack of the day at 4AM, then a second snack around 5AM — following doctor Arranoah's strict meal plan and schedule: big meatball sandwiches, large bowls full of cottage cheese mixed with fresh fruits and some special compound he was still working on. It was almost time for a third snack, then Guy would come to push him toward the gym, challenge him to lift heavier weights and coach him to work out harder... They would come back after an hour, to serve breakfast. 

  That was their way to start every new day. Somehow, interrupted sleep didn’t seem to bother him. Guy only joked about Ryan's “breakfast”. The dumb blond cook didn't even fast, at this point, so there wasn't much to break — except maybe a record number of protein or calories to be consumed and assimilated on a single day...

  Guy would go back to sleep with his boyfriend, after their big breakfast. He always made sure that Lou got to eat just a little more than he did.

  Chris was sitting at the table, when they came back from the gym, all sweaty and ready to eat again. He only took a look at Karen Leavett, the mayor's spokesperson, who was on TV.

  While the reporters had a lot of questions for her, she didn't have so many answers. Mayor Cochrane must have made another blunder during one of his interviews. Chris smiled. She was quite good at dodging those questions, and she kept talking... Austin joined his friends in the kitchen, as she appeared to be carefully reading from a prepared text.

– “What are you doing?” He asked his cousin.

– “Oh, just listening to Miss Information.”

– “You could say that again...” Guy mumbled over his cup of coffee.

  A lot of people around Pleasance were still dealing with the aftermath of the storm, a few months before. When the Pleasure Dome was swiftly turned into an improvised shelter for everyone to stay in, feel safe, enjoy generous helpings of tasty food, warm beds and much needed emotional support, mayor Cochrane was nowhere to be found. Most of the families had left the hotel, after a few days, to find their homes badly damaged or their farms completely wiped out, on the coast.

  The mayor's landslide victory was forgotten. His communication around the whole event was bad from the start, and getting worse by the day... His fellow citizens just wouldn't let it slide.

  Chris wasn't too surprised to hear from miss Leavett that the decision made at the Pleasure Dome to help all their neighbors, as a spontaneous act of kindness, was “just an act” and a “desperate attempt” at saving their failing business, not the farmers and families around them.

  Lou was sitting at the table, lazily bumping fists with his friends, when he heard her spew some more nonsense at them, from the other side of the TV screen... Being smart, and hungry, he had enough self-control not to spill his first mug of morning coffee. 

– “Everyone knows that the Pleasure Dome is nothing but a glossy and glittery, deeply flawed and weak attempt at concealing the failure of the old-fashioned hotel that stood in its place, before a team of young men, mostly foreigners of dubious moral fiber, took over. This called for a fair investigation of their actions and their characters. The City of Pleasance wants all the light to be shed on these events, and bring everyone guilty of a crime to justice... It is appalling to think that the same storm that has destroyed so many of our closest friends' homes would help put their hotel on the map.”

  Chris would only smirk at this. Lou was more sensitive. He didn't say a word, but it still hurt... He couldn't help thinking that people like mayor Cochrane considered their own children as “characters of dubious moral fiber”, just for being homosexuals. Guy was the love of his Life, and he had come out so courageously before his old man, with all the lackeys from the City council standing around them as reluctant witnesses, that there should be no doubt about his “moral fiber”.

  Austin could even suggest that “moral fiber” didn't run in the family. If the apple didn't fall far from the tree, or the bird out of his nest, this big and tall redhead bear had definitely run away from his father's den.

  Chris was still quite amused at the spokesperson's choice of words... Calling their business “glossy” and “glittery” was their own deeply flawed and weak attempt at not saying the word “gay” — all words starting with a G, but the whole subject was too sensitive for them.

– “Touchy subject...” Austin commented.

– “Too sensitive under the spotlights.” Lou agreed.

– “There's a G-spot these guys will never touch...”

  Hawk was standing by the door. He joined Austin for breakfast.

– “Are they still talking about that investigation?” 

– “They have set their minds on it.”

– “No surprise there.” Guy groaned. “That's how stubborn they are.”

– “If they keep blaming everyone for what they did...”

– “Not everyone...” Chris cocked his head. “Just everyone else.”

  Austin was devouring his breakfast. Guy had to remind his boyfriend to do the same — Lou was hungry, and he caught up with him in a matter of minutes. They both went through plate after plate of food. Chris drank his second mug of coffee with a cookie, while Hawk was eating his plate of scrambled eggs and bacon with a healthy appetite but no hurry.

  Guy's wristwatch beeped.

– “Ryan? Time for another bowl of Koast cottage cheese!”

– “Oh, it's already 9AM...”

  The blond cook started eating again, in a rush.

– “Don't forget your Koast fruit salad... And two bananas on the side.” 

– “Hmmmph... I know.” 

– “Back to the gym, as soon as you're done.” Guy insisted.

  Ryan only had time to get all the pies and cakes out of the oven. Once they were cut and set on the kitchen table, with cookies and cinnamon rolls for his friends to enjoy, he rushed to finish his thick cottage cheese mix with his fruit salad. Guy was also done with his breakfast... He put a hand on Ryan's shoulder and told him to get ready. 

  The dumb blond cook could eat his bananas on the way to the gym, or between two heavy duty exercises. They didn't have a moment to lose.

  Austin didn't even stop stuffing his face, pancake after pancake with a lot of jam and butter, when he heard a distant growling sound.

– “BUUUUUUURRRRRRRP...”

  Hawk and Chris exchanged a knowing look — and a brief smile. While they didn't agree on many things in their everyday Life, they both found Ryan's new diet rather entertaining. He didn't eat any of his own cooking but he looked full and bloated all the time, and it seemed to prompt him to cook more and more... He was getting better at this: there was more food than ever, at the Pleasure Dome!

  They had to be thinking the same: “There's a big bear in the making”.

  Chris raised his mug to it.

– “Here's to moral fiber.”

– “Hear, hear...”

  Lou was eating faster, showing more appetite with every new piece of cake or pie but he was still feeling a bit down, lost in his thoughts when Guy wasn't by his side... It was a shame that he didn't get to fully enjoy such a variety of delicious treats.

– “Clearly, we're not out of the woods yet.”

– “So what?” Hawk shrugged. “I'm a bear. Most of us are... Staying in the woods may be to our advantage. If they come after us, they'll have to fight on our ground. There are no rules to this game anyway.”

■ ■ ■

Sunday afternoon — in Lou's office

  Hawk would take a nap around 2PM, when Ryan and Guy spent another hour on the treadmill at the gym then worked around the hotel. Austin and Chris followed Lou upstairs. Guy spent most of his time coaching his friend, after they had run side by side to warm up — and he made sure that Ryan ate his snacks. After a cold shower, once he was done with his weight lifting and another big bowl of cottage cheese mix, he had work to do in the garden, in the laundry and in the hall... 

  Guy joined the team in his boyfriend's office, with a tray of coffee, tea and about a dozen pastries in his hands.  

  Lou and Chris were still talking about their current situation.

– “Whatever mayor Cochrane had, he's lost it.” 

– “Assuming he had it in the first place...”

  Austin's eyes lit up when he saw the pastries on the coffee table — he had just eaten a magnificent lunch, but it wouldn't take much of a push to convince him that he was hungry again.

– “It wouldn't be fair to say that this administration is losing credibility...” Lou nodded. “We're past that now. There's no credibility left.”

  The phone rang. Chris answered.

– “There's a young couple who would like to know if we host weddings.”

– “Well... We don't, but we could.”

– “How many guests?” Lou asked.

– “About thirty-five, thirty-six...”

– “Is this a gay couple, or would we have to go through another boring, run-of-the-mill traditional wedding?” Austin mockingly asked, still eating chocolate cupcakes and drinking chocolate milk.

– “Straight couple.” Chris smirked. “And, for your information, traditional weddings today aren't run-of-the-mill. More like run-from-the-aisle...”

– “And outrun everyone from both families, if you can.”

– “Come on, boys. We're talking serious business here.” Lou snapped.

– “What, marriage?”

– “Being good hosts.”

– “Okay...” Chris had more questions for their potential clients. “So you and your friends would like to stay over for a full week? Sauna and spa, dance floor, swimming pool... Buffets for breakfast, brunch and dinner.”

– “Sounds good to me.” Austin nodded.

– “You've heard about us... Of course, I understand.” Chris was listening to the groom, over the phone. “If you don't mind me asking... Aren't you a bit worried that the bride may no longer fit into her wedding dress, by the time you leave?”

  There was a short moment of silence. 

– “Oh! she's seven months pregnant? I see... Yes, you'll be fine.”

■ ■ ■

Wednesday morning — in the greenhouse

  Diego and Guy were sprinkling water over seedlings of some new kind of Cryptophyta Pachyntika Megalophagia. That marine organic compound was growing steadily under their care, like potted palm trees, with bright green leaves looking larger and more appetizing than ever. It was almost ready to be grown outside, in the fields, like salad or cabbage...

  The doctor was still doing research to increase the caloric density of his Koast products, and the magnifying effects they would have on nutrient-dense protein foods, soon to be tested by their friend Ryan. 

– “I thought I had found the perfect combination for my Koast compound with tahini. Ground sesame seeds and sunflower seeds provided a really good mix, but there was something missing...”

– “Wasn't it a bit too thick to go with full fat yogurt and cottage cheese?”

– “Yes. That's why we've experimented with all kinds of nuts and seeds, from cashew nuts to macadamia nuts, but the combination didn't always jell. Now I believe in a fine blend of pecans, walnuts and Brazil nuts, with coconut oil and linseed oil to add texture to Ryan's rich mix of quark and Greek yogurt. A few tablespoons of cocoa, peanut butter, almond butter, maple syrup and honey for flavor, with condensed milk, some fresh fruits and one or two bananas on the side. The more caloric, the better...”

– “How many calories are we talking here, exactly?”

  Diego pointed to the salad bowl on the table.

– “See this? You want to make sure that Ryan eats a nice bowl of Koast cottage cheese mix or drinks a tall glass of Koast milkshake. Every hour, on the hour! I insist... Keep him burning calories at the gym, as much as you can, then keep him stuffed.”

– “How much?”

– “Just full.”

– “No leftovers.”

– “Exactly. According to my projections, each serving should provide him with at least a thousand calories of the highest quality, which he should assimilate very quickly.”

– “By the end of the day, that would amount to...”

– “12.000kcal, maybe 15.000kcal? Enough to make him really grow.”

– “Oh! that should be more than enought.”

– “You want to see our blond friend bulk up, don't you?”

– “Well, yeah! He's a bear, like me. And it's cold out there...”

  Guy had to think about it a bit further.

– “If we keep this up, Ryan could grow really, really big.”

– “That's right. He should.”

– “And fat!”

– “I would feel so disappointed if he didn't...”

■ ■ ■

Sunday to Sunday — wedding party at the Pleasure Dome

  Even Chris was surprised with Austin's skills as a wedding planner.

  Hawk listened to his boyfriend's morning motivation talks for the team, with a knowing smile. Austin never failed to provide good advice — after breakfast. Hawk approved his suggestions, his choices and his decisions. He also secretly admired his attention to the most minute details.

  Considering Ryan's tight schedule, imposed by doctor Arranoah on any regular day, and Guy's insistence that they would stick to it, the team of cooking bears would remain in the kitchen. Austin always worked in the lobby to welcome their guests and supervise everyone's activity... Hawk could come and go as he pleased, like a security guard. Chris agreed to wait the tables in the dining all. He could charm his way into the hearts of couples, single women and single men better than anyone, around the bride and groom. Ryan would clean up the room during the night, once the party was over.

  Lou was ready to work as a bartender again, when Guy suggested that he could  also entertain everyone with his beautiful singing voice.

– “Oh... I'm not sure.”

– “Guy's right.” Chris loved the idea. “We've heard you sing.”

– “I didn't hear you sing...” Hawk protested.

– “You had to be there.” Chris teased him again.

  Guy wouldn't take no for an answer, but Lou wasn't convinced.

– “We don't have the right sound system for this at the Pleasure Dome.”

– “We have a piano in the French salon, you know.” Austin suggested.

– “We do? I had no idea...”

– “It may be out of tune, but we could call a guy in the book.”

– “No need!” Guy stood up. “I can tune it.”

– “You can...”

– “And I will play the piano when you sing.”

  Austin and Chris wrapped an arm around Lou's shoulders.

– “I had no idea that you could play music.”

– “Years of practice! I used to play a little acoustic guitar, but with these paws? I quickly moved on to the piano, bongos and drums... You know, percussion instruments.”

– “How many instruments per cushion?”

– “Percussions, Ryan...” Lou snapped, with a long “z” stuck between his teeth at the end of the word “percussions”.

  Their blond friend, easily distracted as he was sweeping and dusting in the hall, had not been listening too closely to the conversation.

  Guy's wristwatch beeped.

– “Time for another big bowl of Koast cottage cheese!”

– “Huh... Are you sure?” Ryan asked, wiping his forehead.

– “With a Koast cereals candy bar, and two bananas.”

– “I'm not feeling so hungry...”

– “When did you eat your last meatball sandwich?”

– “10AM, I guess.”

– “That's almost one hour ago. You're hungry. Eat up!”

– “Okay. Hmmmph...” 

  Ryan started eating again. Then he followed Guy to the gym and they both stuck to their schedule, almost a professional athlete and his coach, for the rest of the week.

  The weather wasn't so great, when the first guests arrived. Most of the party had to be moved indoors, but they were treated to such a feast, with such an abundance of the most delicious foods, that there were no complaints — as a matter of fact, after a few days at the Pleasure Dome, spent in an almost seamless succession of great meals and drinking games, more than a few friends of the married couple had forgotten why they were here. 

  They would just go back to the buffet to pile more food on their plates.

  When the piano was rolled into the dining hall, one evening, and Guy started playing, everyone sat down and turned to better listen to him... Lou joined him, and when was done singing his first song, there wasn't a dry eye in the room. 

  The whole week went by so quickly, like an enchantment.

  Late at night, the team would gather in the kitchen for a well-deserved mug of hot cocoa before going to sleep. Lou was praised again for his melliflous tenor voice, and Guy for his amazing skills at the keyboard.

  The stars of the evening couldn't stop blushing as they were holding each other in a tight embrace.

– “Trust me, guys... Lou can bring me to tears of pure bliss with so much more than his magical voice...”

– “And you can tickle so much more than ivories, with these bear paws.” 

  Chris was always there to tease them, in his own devilish way.

  When it was time for their guests to leave, Austin guessed that all their female guests had put on about five to eight pounds, easily, while none of their male guests had gained less than ten pounds. More likely twelve pounds, all in their well-fed beer bellies...

  From the way they looked back at the steps and the entrance, from the parking lot — more precisely at Ryan for quite a few men fidgetting with their belt buckles below their waists, or at Chris for the two bridesmaids waving at the team with broad cheerleader smiles — their memories of the whole week would be sparkling with joy and laughter, but mixed with a deeper feeling of nostalgia, longing to go back to the Pleasure Dome.

■ ■ ■

Tuesday afternoon — in the kitchen

  Ryan was working on his classic, silky smooth buttercream frosting for his triple layer chocolate fudge cake, with subtle notes of cinnamon and sweet almonds. It was so moist, so rich, and such a perfect match for his chocolate ganache, Austin claimed that each bite tasted like a recurring wet dream come true. You couldn't forget it if you tried... And he didn't want to forget — he wanted more! The greedy boy wouldn't let anyone come near this kind of cake, once he had grabbed the first bite... It was obviously meant just for him. 

  Austin wouldn't stop scarfing it down. He wouldn't even slow down until he had licked every last trace of chocolate or frosting off the plate. Ryan would have to bake another large cake for everyone else's breakfast.

– “I'm on it...”

  Lou had done the counts. He told the team about their latest profits.

– “All things considered, we did really well.”

– “It was a rather quaint party.”

– “I like it that way...” Austin said. “Nothing too strenuous.”

– “We didn't mean to host traditional weddings at the Pleasure Dome.”

  Chris didn't sound too pleased.

– “There's nothing wrong about a straight wedding. You said so yourself.”

– “I know. Of course, there's nothing wrong about being straight... It's the “traditional” part of it that bothers me. According to the Press, the Pleasure Dome is just a little, quaint and quiet old-fashioned hotel that is slowly dying. We should do something about it.”

– “Who says so, in the Press?”

– “Who cares? You know who's behind this.”

– “Why would mayor Cochrane attack us for being... traditional?”

– “That's the thing. It's a sneaky, backhanded move. He can't criticize us for being “cool”, for instance... He can't tell anyone that the Pleasure Dome is a place of debauchery and overindulgence, where secret orgies are planned every other week.”

– “I thought that was the plan...” Guy smiled like a tomcat, holding his mug of hot cocoa with both hands.

– “That's Marketing 101, Chris...” Hawk nodded. “Everyone knows bad breath is better than no breath.”

– “Or you could brush your teeth when you wake up.” Austin teased him.

– “More to the point, the mayor wants us to get out of breath.”

– “We can do that on our own...” Ryan wiped his forehead again, as he was baking more fluffy silver dollar pancakes.

– “Out of breath or out of steam... It's the same. Silent Death.”

– “Mayor Cochrane thinks he can say “Quiet, piggies!” and he expects us to roll down without a squeak, go to sleep  and fade away? Now way.”

  Lou thought about their new predicament.

– “The turnaround time for this Pleasure Dome project is certainly longer than we had anticipated. We should be running a serious business here.”

– “And we should be much bigger and fatter for it too...” Guy concurred, as he fed his boyfriend with another cookie dipped in chocolate milk.

– “I thought we would struggle with money, at first. We don't. It feels like we have to face the firing squad, every month...”

– “What can we do about it?”

– “First things first, boys.” Hawk let out a low growl. “You don't know the first thing about the mayor's accusations... Heck! I bet mayor Cochrane doesn't know either.”

– “What do you mean?”

– “Listen to what you said... Are we “traditional” at the Pleasure Dome? What traditions do we follow, uphold or celebrate? What ancient culture do you refer to? Then what do you know about it?”

– “You're right. That would be a good plan to fight back.”

– “Wait...” Austin cocked his head. “Is this about your Itsasorak stuff?”

– “Austin's right!” Guy put his mug on the table. “Our ancient traditions around Pleasance, in the mountains and by the shore, have everything to do with the Iturritik and the Itsasorak.”

– “And what do we know about those tribes?”

– “They're competitive.”

– “Okay. There's that...”

– “They've been in constant rivalry for centuries!” Hawk corrected.

– “Does anyone remember why?”

– “Not really... Even scholars can't agree on the cause for those wars.”

– “That's how you make it last for a few more centuries. Anything else?”

  Austin suddenly turned to his boyfriend.

– “How about that thing we did with your family, around Thanksgiving?”

  Hawk didn't wish to go back to that quarrel, but Austin insisted.

– “Your cousins made me eat, and eat, and eat so much... I thought I would burst like a sausage in the frying pan! What did you call it?”

– “The Gizentasunariko Oturuntza.”

– “That's it! I forgot. And it means...”

– “Roughly translated, the Gorging Feast?”

– “Or the Fattening Feast.” Guy corrected.

– “Interesting...” Chris smiled as he listened to them.

  Lou also remembered how he had been treated on that occasion.

– “And it's a tradition around here...”

– “Oh! definitely.”

– “It's the only one I know.”

  Hawk and Guy exchanged a puzzled look.

– “Someone should look into it...”

  Guy's wristwatch beeped.

– “Ryan? Time for another Koast meatball sandwich!”

  The blond cook was busy slicing and dicing vegetables, by the sink.

– “Honestly? I'm not really hungry.”

– “You're hungry.”

– “I'm not...”

– “How can you tell?”

– “I don't know...”

– “There you go. You're hungry. Eat up!”

  Ryan had his hands full with one of Diego's massive sandwiches again.

– “Come on, Guy...” He mumbled.

– “You come on board, big bear! Less talking, more eating.”

– “Okay. Hmmmph... Hmmmph...” 

  The dumb blond jock started eating at once, with his friend coaching him and encouraging him.

– “Don't forget your Koast milkshake, and dried apricots on the side...”

– “I know. Hmmmph... You wouldn't let me forget anyway.” 

– “Of course not. And eat faster! We have work to do...”

  Chris stood up, and folded the newspaper.

– “I agree! You do some research about those ancient traditions.”

– “Am I the only one who reads, in this team?” Ryan had to ask.

– “That's because you're still learning, little bear...” Chris whispered to him, with a gentle belly rub that didn't feel soft.

– “Then it's settled. You take a closer look at those Iturritik tribes...”

– “I'll go to the library as soon as I'm done with your next meals.”

  Guy reminded him that they also had to go back to the gym — spend some time on the treadmill and lift weights. His blond friend should look numb and dumb for a reason, coming back to the kitchen. Busy as they were, it was part of Ryan's daily routine by now to cook everyone's meal twice, in advance...

  All the men who worked at the Pleasure Dome got to eat their fill. 

■ ■ ■

Monday morning — at the Pleasure Dome's gym & spa

  It was time for the boys to get back on the scales. Their friend, doctor Tietsen-Nippels, didn't have to remind them by now... She had the whole team stand in line for their check-up with weigh-ins and measurements.

– “Who wants to go first, this time?”

  Chris stepped forward. Being the thinnest member of the group, he didn't mind standing in his briefs in front of his friends but he would rather put on a shirt and pants instead of catching a cold.

– “Okay! I'll go first.”

– “Here goes nothing...” Hawk mumbled.

– “Very well.” Doctor Tietsen-Nippels read his weight. “179lbs.”

  Since Chris wasn't actively overeating or trying to gain weight, there were no comments to be made about his results. It was also the case for Hawk, whose weight was up by a few more pounds again.

– “269lbs. Not bad.” Doctor Tietsen-Nippels commented.

– “I'll have to do better than this. Or you'll have to do better than this to convince me that it's not bad.”

– “It's more than okay...” Austin whispered.

  The handsome black young man was sitting on the bench — thinking about his tall boyfriend's weight: “Two hundred and sixty-nine pounds... Oh! two hungry men sixty-nine, all right.”

– “Your turn, Austin! I hope you've been eating a lot...”

– “I should have eaten even better!” He thumped his own belly with both hands. “Too bad we had so many guests, lately.”

– “Right...” Chris shrugged. “We should do something about it, or people will start thinking that we're actually trying to run a hotel here.”

  Right before breakfast, Austin was weighed in at 334lbs — he had only put on eight pounds since the doctor's previous visit. The tape measure made it clear, however, that he had stored all that added weight in the right place, with more than an inch added to his already widening waist.

– “This hotel business is good.” Austin protested. “I'm just saying, you know... We already have mouths to feed.”

– “How many mouths do you have?” The doctor asked, quite amused.

– “Just my own. So... it only counts as one, but a big one!”

– “You can say that again.” His cousin chuckled.

– “Obviously, big mouths also run in the family...” Hawk commented, with a broad smile on his face.

  Doctor Tietsen-Nippels looked up from her notepad.

– “Your turn, Guy?”

– “Okay...”

  The tall, redhead bear looked pretty much the same. Just a bit thicker.

– “Exactly 324lbs.” Doctor Tietsen-Nippels appreciated.

– “I don't even remember how much I weighed, last month.”

– “You've gained eight pounds, just as Austin.”

– “That's really not much... I should eat more!”

  Lou agreed, but he knew that his boyfriend's top priority was to keep him eating as much as he could, without forcefully stuffing him full. 

  Guy also spent a lot of time at the gym, coaching Ryan and monitoring his progress so closely as he could. Following an athletic young man who had to eat snacks and drink shakes all day proved to be quite beneficial for him. He looked confident, strong and nicely beefed up...

– “Your turn, Lou! Make me proud.”

  The handsome Asian young man stepped on the scales.

– “232lbs. Excellent! You've put on sixteen pounds again, this month.”

– “Sixteen?” Lou blushed a bit. “It does sound good...”

– “Sweet sixteen, for sure.” Chris almost applauded.  

– “It's awesome!” Guy gushed. “You've gained as much weight as we've been piling on together, Austin and I... Wow! I'm so proud of you.”

– “Come on... It's not a contest.”

– “It shouldn't be...” 

  Austin also praised him, with a wry smile.

– “How does it feel?” Chris asked, sounding a lot more sincere.

– “It feels just right... It's what I want. Getting fatter is good for me.”

– “I bet it's good for your singing voice too. Everyone loves a fat tenor...”

– “Oh! that's right.” Guy swooned. “You have to eat, Lou! I have to make sure that you eat, and eat, and eat...”

  Hawk came to hug his own boyfriend from behind, wrapping his mighty arms around his chest and leaning down to kiss the back of his neck.

– “See how some good boys get to do right by their boyfriends?” 

– “Please...” Austin protested. “Growing bigger is a full-time job.”

– “It's a full-bellied job, for sure!” His cousin teased him with a squeeze.

  Doctor Tietsen-Nippels looked around.

– “Where's Ryan?”

– “Still on the treadmill, I guess... Diego's with him right now.”

– “So we've saved the heavyweights for the big finish?” Hawk sneered.

– “Hey!” Austin protested. “I'm standing right here...”

  Hawk was certainly not wrong about it. Diego Arranoah, doctor Tietsen-Nippels's friend and colleague, was a big and tall bear of a man... There was no doubt that he outweighed Guy by ten pounds, maybe even more.

  As for Ryan, he was sweating and wiping his forehead with terry cloth after another brutal workout. Diego had brought one of his special Koast meatball sandwiches. It was massive, both appetizing and intimidating. His friend would have to wait for his snack, but only for a few minutes.

– “Ryan! you look full...” Guy commented, when he saw him.

– “I agree.” Austin only looked up for a second, whispering to Hawk who sat next to him on the bench. “This T-shirt is so tight, it looks almost so stuffed as his underwear...”

  As usual, the blond young man blushed but didn't say a word.

– “Where were you, exactly?”

– “On the elliptical trainer...”

  Chris turned to his friend's trainer, doctor Arranoah.

– “Funny... I did not think of you as “elliptical”, coach.”

– “More like “egg shaped”, I guess?” Diego thumped his own belly with both hands and a hearty laugh.

  Guy made them snap out of it.

– “Come on, we have stuff to do! While you girls keep talking trash, our friend here is only growing hungry.”

– “I'm really not hungry...” Ryan whispered, a bit confused.

– “You will be when we're done.”

– “That's right...” Austin roared. “On the scales!”

  Ryan did as he was told, standing straight and almost naked in front of his friends. There was a short moment of silence.

– “279lbs!” Doctor Tietsen-Nippels couldn't help adding a “Wow...”

  Everyone was staring at his well-fed, protruding ball belly, covered with a happy trail of blond chest hair that looked like the most welcoming doormat ever. Ryan knew that look. It made him feel uncomfortable, but no one could tell when he was already blushing...

  Hawk was the first member of the team to say it out loud.

– “Well done! Someone's been eating really well, for a change...”

– “Good job, Ryan!” His friends came to hug and congratulate him.

– “It's not fair...” Austin teased. “You had a snack like, one hour ago.”

– “You know I have to eat one regularly...”

– “And there's a snadwich waiting for you!” Diego flashed him a grin.

– “But you didn't get weighed on an empty stomach.”

– “Good luck catching him on an empty stomach!” Hawk shrugged.

– “It's not like he's been cheating, lately.” 

– “Please, for Ryan and me at the gym...” Guy laughed and rubbed his boyfriend's soft, bulging belly. “Every day is a cheat day!”

  Doctor Tietsen-Nippels looked so pleased. Her colleague was positively beaming. Ryan was no longer blushing, but he felt somewhat dizzy.

– “Do you guys think I shouldn't eat so much?”

– “No!”

  Their answer was unanimous — loud and clear, like public outcry.

– “I guess I needed this...” Ryan apologized, still sweating as he ran his fingers through his long, damp blond hair.

– “You deserve this.” Chris kissed him on the cheek.

– “And this!” Diego put the huge Koast meatball sandwich in his hands.

– “Oh... Okay.”

– “And two Koast cereals candy bars. And a Koast milkshake. Eat up!”

– “Hmmmph... Hmmmph...”

  As they were on their way out of the gym, Hawk waited by the door.

– “279lbs, big guy...” He thumped Ryan's belly, not too gently. “I'll have to keep in mind that you outweigh me by a full ten pounds of red meat!”

■ ■ ■

Thursday early morning — in the coffee corner, by the dining hall

  Lou and Chris enjoyed their first mug of coffee with pieces of cherry pie, when Austin was already scarfing down his first plate of scrambled eggs and bacon, in the kitchen. Guy and Ryan were still at the gym. This was a moment of pure quiet for them... The last thing they needed, right now, was listening to Austin's greedy chewing sounds or feeling Ryan's ponderous footsteps. 

  The last thing they expected was a phone call, at this hour.

  Chris took the receiver and answered.

– “I'm sorry. You said you want to talk to... you?”

  He looked like there was only static on the line. Lou found it a bit odd. His friends spent so much time on the phone — he should know how to deal with anyone in this situation.

  Hawk was coming down from Austin's bedroom, clean-shaven and fresh after his morning shower. 

– “Is there a problem?”

– “I can't make heads or tails of what she's saying...”

– “Who's on the phone?”

– “I don't know...”

– “You should ask.”

– “I didn't get the chance.”

– “Is she still there?”

  Chris tried to talk to whoever was at the other end of the line.

– “So... Who did you wish to talk to?” He put his hand over the speaker and whispered to his friends. “I don't get it... She keeps saying that she wants to talk to you.”

– “So she wants to talk to you... What's the problem?” Austin joined the group by the coffee table, with a large plate of pastries in his hands.

– “I don't think she wants to talk to me.”

– “Why would she tell you she wants to talk to you... if she doesn't want to talk to you?”

– “I don't know! You talk to her.”

– “I can't. I'm busy...”

– “You're eating a plate of cinnamon rolls.”

– “That's right, I'm eating. I'm busy eating. You talk to her...”

– “Okay!” Chris called out. “Anyone wants to talk to this mad woman?”

– “Who would ever want to talk to a mad woman?”

  Hawk finally had it.

– “Give me that phone... I swear, if the Nobel Committee creates a Prize for oustanding, mind-numbing achievements in the field of Ignorance, I'll send an application form to Stockholm with your family name on it.”

  As he grabbed the phone, Guy was coming back from the gym, joining his boyfriend and their friends for breakfast. Ryan followed him, grabbing bite after bite of another huge Koast sandwich with chicken breasts and slices of cheese.

– “Who's on the phone?” Guy asked.

– “I am... and some mystery woman, apparently.” Hawk tried to listen.

– “Okay. No need to be so jumpy about it...”

  Hawk looked just so puzzed as Chris, with the phone in his hand.

– “There's a woman on the phone who wants to... I don't understand... chew the fat with you?”

– “Chew the fat, really?” 

– “Oh?” Lou cocked his head. “No, that's my mother!”

– “How can you tell it's your mom?” Austin asked with his mouth full.

– “That's her name... Chŭ Zhào Fat (楚照發).”

– “Oh... Huh?”

– “Did I not tell you that my mother is Chinese?”

– “Let's say you did and we forgot.”

– “Chŭ... Zhào... Fat.” Chris repeated.

– “I know...”

– “Why did she want to talk to... “You”, or whatever? She knew it wasn't her son answering the phone.”

– “Of course, no. She wanted to talk to me.”

– “Why didn't she ask for you? I mean “Lou”? I would have called you.”

– “Of course! you can call him “You”, now that you know it's him.” Hawk teased Chris again, secretly delighted to rub it in.

  Lou put an end to that charade.

– “Guys... I guess you forgot that my first name is actually Yūichi (悠一). My mom used to call me Yū, when I was a child.”

– “You told us that your cousins call you Lou.”

– “They do...”

– “Why don't they call you, you know... Yū?”

– “Most of them are Chinese. That's why.”

– “But you just said that your mother's Chinese.”

– “She is...”

– “How can you make everything so complicated, when all the words in your vocabulary are one syllable long?”

– “I know...”

  They didn't understand a word from the conversation he started.

  Ryan gave a nod to Guy, who invited everyone to sit around the kitchen table for breakfast, and wait for their friend.

– “Lou's real name is... Yūichi?”

– “I guess he forgot to tell you.” Chris poured more coffee.

– “And I didn't think about it...” Guy sat down.

  Lou's plates were set on the table. Ryan covered them with tall stacks of silver dollar pancakes dripping with butter and maple syrup, a pile of his friend's favorite pastries with peanut butter and chocolate, next to a mountain of scrambled eggs, honey-glazed ham and juicy sausages. 

  They didn't have to wait much longer.

– “How did it go, with your mother?”

  The handsome Asian young man looked even more pale than usual — when he sat down and took a look at the abundance of food in front of him, he looked down and grabbed his belly with both hands.

– “I don't know if I can eat all this.”

– “You don't feel so hungry?” Ryan asked.

– “How can I eat so much?”

– “That's what you eat for breakfast, these days.” Chris put a hand on his friend's shoulder.

– “That's what it takes for you to get fat!” Austin proudly reminded him, between two greedy mouthfuls of pancakes. “Every morning. Every day. More and more, because you want more! Hmmmph...”

  Lou wasn't listening.

– “How did I let myself go like this...”

  Ryan slowly wrapped his arms around him, in a comforting embrace.

– “You didn't let yourself go. You've been eating well.”

– “And I've grown so plump...”

  Then Lou started crying. His beefy blond friend was there to keep him warm, in a tender bear hug. Ryan waited for a moment, without making a move, then he spoke to him so softly that the men sitting around them barely heard him.

– “It's okay, Lou... It's okay.”

  Lou calmed down, and wiped his tears.

– “I'm sorry, guys...”

– “It's okay. We've all been under a lot of stress.”

– “I don't feel so much stress.” Austin put his fork down.

– “You're fat. You don't feel any stress.” Chris laughed.

– “You only feel your boxer shorts stretch around your waist...” Hawk rubbed and fondled his boyfriend's lower back with a smile.

– “Guys...” Ryan made them stop teasing his friends.

  Right on cue, Guy tagged along to keep Lou in a loving embrace, while their blond cook came back to the kitchen sink... He had more work to do, but Chris and Hawk weren't quite done.

– “Well, it's true! We've all been under stress. Even you, Ryan.”

– “I guess I was too...”

– “Don't you remember how you almost collapsed, once?”

– “Oh! well...” Ryan shrugged. “I got fatter. It got better.” 

  The dumb jock didn't seem to mind when Guy's watch beeped again.

– “Oh, right... Time for another bowl of Koast cottage cheese for you!”

– “With Koast cereals candy bars and two bananas. I know...”

  Lou eventually smiled when he saw his friends eat so well.

– “Let me guess...” Chris paused. “Your mother is coming to visit.”

– “That's what she said.” 

  He didn't sound too pleased to see her again so soon.

– “Okay. When?”

– “Next week...”

– “Then we should follow our German-Russian associate's advice.”

– “Our... German-Russian associate?” Lou asked, tilting his head.

– “That's right... Mister Teicke-Wickov.”

  Chris managed to bring Lou to smile again.

– “I don't know... We should at least take a day off.” 

– “Even better.” Guy suggested. “We all go for a day out.” 

– “You mean, like.. hiking and stuff?” 

– “Hiking and stuffing... Sounds good to me!”

  Austin didn't seem to mind. Hawk was the outdoors type. Ryan was still eating cottage cheese, and he wasn't listening too closely, but he would certainly tag along... Chris had one last question.

– “Why didn't your mother call you until now?”

– “Maybe she tried...” Hawk suggested. “Only the numbnuts who always hang by the phone kept thinking that she wanted to call you boys, when she only meant to talk to Yū.” 

 – “Oh, shut up!” Austin and Chris snapped in unison.

■ ■ ■

Saturday morning — in the woods, around the Pleasure Dome

  It was the perfect day to go hiking in the hills. The sunlight was shining through the tallest trees. Hawk was in a good mood, taking deep breaths and humming a little tune as he was leading the pack.

– “That's what I call a forest.”

– “Do you, really...” 

  Chris groaned. His feet hurt after a thirty-minute walk.

– “I mean it. These grounds around your hotel are amazing.”

– “If only more people were interested in our little business.”

– “It will grow.”

– “It would, but it's taking its time.”

– “Sustraiak barrenago, zuhaitzak gorago.”

– “Huh... What does that mean?”

– “The deeper the roots, the taller the tree.”

  Lou suddenly asked his friends, out of the blue.

– “What if we cross path with, like... big, wild bears?”

– “You mean other big, wild bears?” Guy flashed him a grin.

  Hawk only shrugged in agreement.

  

– “We shouldn't find bears today. Not in this neck of the woods.”

– “What should we do if one of them wandered in the vicinity?”

– “Two things...”

– “Okay. What are they?”

– “The reasonable thing, first. Run.”

– “And the other thing?”

– “That's the unreasonable one. Fight.”

– “Of course...” Guy chuckled, and bumped fists with Hawk. “The Iturritik and the Itsasorak are natural born fighters...”

– “I bet you guys have some special word for it too.”

– “We do!” Hawk proudly claimed. “Lagungisa, burrustan taldeka.”

– “I should have bet on it...” Austin mumbled.

– “Okay... What does it mean?”

– “Fighting in a group, as friends.”

– “You do realize that...” Chris teased. “It spells LGBT.”

– “How queer!” Austin laughed just so loud as his cousin.

– “Very funny... We couldn't spell LGBTQ. There's no Q in Iturritik.”

– “Really?”

– “That's because we don't like to wait...” Guy patted his boyfriend on the back. “No queue.”

– “Huh... You don't say.”

  Ryan was following the group, a couple steps behind. He was a bit out of breath again — which made him look lost in those woods. Hawk took something in the front pocket of his jacket and threw it at him.

– “You look hungry. Why don't you have another Koast candy bar?”

  It fell in the grass. The blond jock had to stop and take it in his paws.

– “Hmmmph... Hmmmph...” He quickly grabbed a few bites.

– “No cue, no clue.” Hawk whispered to Guy, with a knowing smile.

– “Hmmmph... Don't wait for me. I'll be right behind you.” 

  The others were already turning to follow a shady path under the trees.

– “What river is this?”

– “It's only a stream...” Hawk told the group. “It's the Berdearin Erreka.”

– “What does it mean?”

– “Just Green Stream.” Guy answered. “Or Green River.”

– “Is that because there's nothing but forests around our hotel?”

– “I doubt that they named it after the Green River killer...”

– “That would be a scream.” Chris nodded at his cousin's suggestion.

  They kept walking deeper into the woods.

– “Did you guys say Eureka?” Ryan asked after a moment.

– “No, why? Don't tell me you've found something...”

– “Or you actually understood what those two were saying.”

– “Erreka.” Hawk corrected. “That's the word for a stream.”

– “Well...” Ryan looked around. “I don't know about you, but this looks like a pretty good spot to take a dive. I don't know, swim a little?”

  Everyone stopped and turned. The dumb blond jock had a point... He was always a few steps behind his friends — walking with a gallon jug of beer in each hand. He was also in charge of carrying all the snacks in his high-capacity backpack with multiple large compartments and adjustable straps stretched to the max. 

  They could take a break... As a matter of fact, they could set up camp. Hawk had brought some small wood, lighter fluid and a few fine logs in his own backpack to start a fire by sundown.

– “I guess it's fine to settle down here.”

– “Then it's settled.”

  Ryan put the jugs down on the rocks, by the river. Chris didn't waste a moment to tease him.

– “Be honest... You only wanted to take your shirt off!” 

– “You know I didn't want to put it on, in the first place.”

– “And how are you going to swim now?”

– “Don't tell me you wish to swim with your pants on.”

  Guy was already getting undressed. Lou admired him, but he took his time to do the same. Austin didn't mind following their example, but he needed Hawk's help to pull his tight T-shirt over his head. Chris smiled and went along.

– “Of course, you have your speedo ready for this.”

– “You know what?” Ryan stretched out his arms. “Just because you said this, I won't even consider wearing my speedo.”

– “Huh... Come again?”

– “Come on, guys... This is our property. There's really no one in sight. We're alone and we're free to do what we want.”

– “So...”

– “Two words: skinny dipping.”

  Chris leaned to the side to whisper at Lou.

– “Huh... Four words: not so skinny dipping.”

  Lou couldn't agree more — just as he couldn't take his eyes off Ryan's well-fed, round belly, bulging, bouncing and glistening under the sun.

  The blond young man was also the most athletic member of the team. He had already dived head first into the stream.

– “Isn't it cold?”

– “It is! It's great...”

– “How is that great?”

– “The colder, the better.”

  Austin turned to Hawk.

– “Okay, I'll admit it... You may be right about Ryan, sometimes.”

– “When I remind you that he's dumber than a golden retriever?”

– “No!” Austin snapped. Then he saw his best friend go wild, swim, jump and dive again, like a beast. “Oh! well, you wouldn't know the difference when he's playing in the water...”

  Guy had also taken off his clothes, and he had no intention of putting anything back on for the moment. He jumped in the stream and started fighting with his blond bear brother.

– “Okay.” Austin groaned. “Two can play at this game? There's no need to stop so soon. You guys watch me.”

  Hawk didn't insist. Austin always complained that his boxer shorts were too tight. He wouldn't be happy with the swimsuit he had taken from his drawer, in the morning... The big boy rubbed his round belly and looked for the right spot, deep enough to make a big splash — then he jumped like a cannonball. His boyfriend laughed and shouted at him.

– “It's you or the water in there, Austin!”

– “It's a river, dumbass! There's room enough for you too...”

– “Nuh huh... Someone needs to watch over you.”

  Chris was in no hurry to follow his friends... Standing on the shore with water only ankle deep, he was still testing the temperature and looking how deep the river was where he would go next. 

– “I only like it when the water is almost so shallow as I am...”

  Lou was coming back from the shadow with his swimsuit on. He looked even more uncertain than Chris about the whole thing. It looked like he was considering his boyfriend's swimming style, when Guy and Austin were just having fun — splashing around Ryan, and trying to jump on him or catch him when he would swim under water for a little while.

– “Hey, Lou... Come and have fun with us!”

  Austin started shouting “Lou! Lou! Lou!” to encourage him. Ryan joined him, but Guy could also see how uncomfortable his boyfriend was. Hawk stopped them with a simple question.

– “What's wrong, Lou? Did you never learn how to swim?”

– “Huh... Not much, I guess.” 

  The handsome Asian young man was still playing with the strings of his swimsuit. Guy slowly got out of the water to join him.

– “It's okay, Lou... We can still have a lot of fun together.”

– “Guy, you're naked.”

– “I know. I didn't mean that kind of fun...”

  The tall redhead bear reached out his hand.

– “How about we reenact our favorite scenes from The little Mermaid?”

– “Seriously?” Lou thought about it. “You're right. It would be fun...”

– “You can be prince Eric on the shore.”

– “Wouldn't that make you... Ariel?”

– “Hey! I'm the redhead one here...”

– “Okay. No argument there.”

  Guy invited his boyfriend to lie dow on the rocks, then he came close to him and they started kissing... Ryan, Chris and Austin went a bit further down the stream to keep playing together, and let those two play their own sexy game.

  After a few deep, wet kisses, Guy carried his dear, dark-haired prince in his arms and brought him to the river. Lou could definitely grow a taste for running water, if they kept it going...

– “Would you mind if I started calling you my prince, Lou?”

– “You want to call me Prince Eric?”

– “Not Eric! Prince Lou.”

– “Oh... I don't know.”

– “You're so much more clever than Eric... So much sexier!”

– “Sexier than a Disney prince, really?”

– “You're fatter. That makes you sexier.”

– “I'm not fat enough...”

– “You're fat enough for me. I only want to make you grow fatter.”

– “I want to grow much fatter! And even fatter... for you.”

– “And I want to grow fatter and fatter, as I fatten you up!”

  They kissed again, so passionately Guy would almost lose his balance.

– “You boys really put the “fat” in “infatuation”...” Hawk commented.

  Lou wouldn't stop kissing his big, tall and loving redhead bear.

– “Aren't you hungry?” He whispered. “I feel hungry, for some reason.”

– “Same for me... I wonder why.”

– “We should really eat something.”

– “Oh! we should eat a lot of things...”

– “We should just eat a lot, you and me.”

  They were still closely entwined, and stucked in an airtight liplock. Guy had kept his watch on his wrist to go swimming. It beeped again.

– “Ryan? Time for another big bowl of Koast cottage cheese!”

  His friend was still swimming. Being called back to his duties made him stop, while Austin was splashing and playing with his cousin.

– “Do I have to, so soon?”

– “I insist. And two Koast cereals candy bars. And two bananas!”

– “Okay. Okay...”

  The dumb blond jock reluctantly got back on the rocks, and wrapped himself in a large towel. Hawk and Chris came to sit next to him... Ryan opened his backpack, took his snacks and started eating again.

  Guy kept Lou in his arms. They were alone together.

– “You don't want your mother to see us at the Pleasure Dome?”

– “Honestly, I would like her to meet you... but I don't know if I'm ready for this. I didn't think about it until now.”

– “You don't want your world to be rocked that that.”

– “It's so selfish, I know... You meeting my mother? It would feel like the Past and the Present coming together, like a collision of planets.”

– “I get it.” Guy kissed him softly. “You don't want me to bump into her.”

– “Oh! I should feel like the “bumpy” one here...”

  Lou was slowly feeling a bit better, in his boyfriend's warm embrace.

– “Come on... We're not alone in this.”

– “You always told me it was You and I against the World.”

– “That was the Romantic in me talking...” Guy growled. “I never said it would be You and I against your mom. That's a fight I wouldn't pick.”

– “And it shows how wise you are...”

– “We can also ask the team for help.”

– “How?”

  Guy had a hunch that Lou's mother would be quite intimidating — he knew she was a businesswoman, so they should expect her to be bossy, ambitious, and strict. She may have something to say about their rather amateurish way to start a new business at the Pleasure Dome...

– “We'll work on this together.”

  Lou was shivering. Guy couldn't tell if he was nervous or just cold.

– “Let's get you dry and warm in the sun, Lou.”

– “Okay...”

– “Have a beer. It will do you good.”

– “It will get me good. I'm not much of a drinker.”

– “Drink! It will put hair on your chest.”

– “As long as it doesn't put hair on my back...” Lou sighed.

  He drank his bottle of beer in one long sip — then, as he felt like he was about to burp, they were both surprised to hear a deep, thunderous and almost roaring sound erupting from behind them.

– “BUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRP...”

  Ryan was done with his second banana, and the last scoops of his thick cottage cheese mix. He looked well-fed. Hawk patted his shoulder.

– “You're still hungry, big boy. Have another Koast cereals candy bar!”

  Guy was already taking one from his backpack. He unwrapped it, put it in Ryan's hand and offered him a bottle of Koast chocolate milkshake.

– “Okay... Hmmmph...” The blond beefcake started eating again.

■ ■ ■

Saturday night — around the camp fire, in the woods 

  The temperature dropped as soon as the sun had gone down behind the hills. Austin was sitting in Hawk's lap, nestled against his hairy chest. Lou was lying on the ground, wrapped in a comfortable blanket, with his head resting on his boyfriend's thigh. Guy, also sitting with a soft blanket around his shoulders, took advantage of that position to nurse him and feed him by hand: cupcakes, dried apricots, cinnamon rolls, chocolates, fresh grapes, marshmallows and so on.

– “BUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRP...”

– “Ryan!” Austin rolled his eyes.

– “Sorry...”

– “No more beer for you.”

– “I was drinking my milkshake. You know I don't drink beer.”

– “Right... I forgot. More for me, then. I'll have another!”

  Sitting around the fire with something to eat and drink, the boys were ready to share more than snacks. 

– “So, Lou... About your mother. What can you tell us?”

– “She's in her early forties. She's attending some business conference in Boston, right now.”

– “Then my hunch was right. Does she work in finance? Management?”

– “Oh, you name it and the answer will be “all of the above”, really...”

– “So she's good at this game.”

– “She's the best.”

– “She's your mom.”

– “That's why I say it fondly... Her competitors will say the same, but it would strike a much different tone.”

– “So when she called to visit you and spend a few days at the Pleasure Dome, your reaction was one of pure joy and fondness for her?”

  Hawk had a point. Lou let out a long sigh.

– “You're right, you don't know my mom. When it comes to managing an enterprise and following the money she has like... a sixth sense, or X-ray vision. She's such a businesswoman, she could sell glitter to a peacock.”

  His friends exchanged a puzzled look around the camp fire.

– “And now...” Lou straightened up. “I have so much to tell her.”

– “Starting with...” Chris hesitated for a second. “Coming out?”

– “That should be the first step, right?”

– “It would be a good step in the right direction.”

– “How did you guys get to tell your parents?”

  Guy hugged him a little bit tighter.

– “You know how it happened with my old man.”

– “But did you come out to your mom?”

– “Not yet.”

  Ryan was pouring more hot coffee for Hawk and Chris.

– “She knows, of course.” He softly said. “Your father must have told her, so he could tell everyone else to keep it a secret... but it doesn't count. You will tell her, in your own words.”

– “You're right, I will... I'll handle this just as you did, brother bear.”

– “I never told my parents I was gay.”

  Guy looked at his blond friend in amazement.

– “You didn't come out to your parents?”

– “I was ready to tell them. I just... didn't have time to do it.”

– “I don't get it. You didn't take the chance?”

– “My parents took themselves out. When I got expelled from school...”

– “From school?” Guy was even more puzzled than before.

– “Don't ask...” Chris whispered to him.

– “My parents were supposed to take me back. Home. There was a lot of traffic on the road, I guess. They were driving by night. You know how it goes... They never made it to Richmond.”

– “Your parents died in a car accident?”

  Guy and the other boys could hardly hear Ryan whisper “Yeah...”

– “...with my two brothers on the back seat.”

– “Ryan, I'm sorry...”

– “Don't be. It's ancient history, now... Who knows how they would have reacted? Who knows what they were ready to do?”

  The blond beefcake shrugged it off, looking at the fire. Lou and Austin didn't say a word. Hawk turned to Chris and asked him.

– “How did you tell your parents, Mister Master Communicator?”

  Chris smiled over his mug of coffee.

– “It's not the same. I never really had to tell my parents.”

– “Because you're bisexual?”

– “Does it make it twice as difficult, or does it cut the problem in half?”

– “You can cut the crap any way you like.” Chris snapped with a grin.

– “When did you know you were like... half-and-half?”

– “Back in high school, I guess I thought everyone was bisexual like me, until proven straight or gay. You know... It was just like being innocent until proven guilty.”

– “I hate to break it to you, but there's nothing innocent about being bi.”

– “There's nothing wrong about it either.”

– “Please, Chris...” Austin chuckled. “I remember how you saw every pretty girl or handsome boy around you as fair game.”

– “Fair game, fair play.”

– “Playing for both teams doesn't sound like playing fair, to be honest...” Guy couldn't help commenting.

– “And there was no need for you to come out to your parents...” Ryan agreed. “Dating girls up front, partying with boys in the back.”

– “It wasn't like that.” Chris half-heartedly protested.

– “I have to say, I'm with Chris on this one...” Hawk groaned. “You get to understand that dating a woman eventually means business. That's how parents think about our relationships... Get married. Build a house. Have more kids than you can hold in your arms.”

– “Is this what your parents had in mind for you?”

– “Of course...”

  Hawk sounded so hoarse, the younger men sitting around the camp fire didn't feel the need to ask further questions — while Chris didn't mind being at the center of attention.

– “I didn't date girls to keep my parents in the dark about my sexuality. I've never claimed to be straight. No one does, really. It's so boring...”

– “Come on, you only kept your boyfriends in the dark so your parents wouldn't find out about them.”

– “I don't know...” Chris shrugged. “I wasn't looking for anything serious. I only hooked up. Guys... Girls... Maybe I kept everyone in the dark.”

– “Why does it make me feel that you never did it with the lights on?”

– “I did!” Chris laughed at the thought. “Behind closed doors.”

– “That makes more sense...”

– “Honestly, guys! I didn't want my parents to know anything about it, but they weren't blind. I was a sexually active teenager, and that was it.”

– “So they wouldn't mind if they caught you kissing another boy?”

– “What I meant to say is that they would be just as shocked if they saw me kissing a girl. It could go both ways.”

– “You certainly did.”

– “There was no point in telling them anything. Back then, I didn't even know what it meant to “come out”. I was like “Hey everyone! come out and play”. I didn't tell my parents that I had a girlfriend to make them believe I wasn't gay. I could also invite a fellow student to my bedroom to let them guess that I wasn't quite straight... There was no cover story to be told.”

– “Oh! well... If all the action took place under the covers.”

  There was a short moment of silence.

– “Wasn't it like having your cake and eating it too?” Austin asked.

– “I guess it was, eventually...”

  Chris put a hand on his cousin's shoulder.

– “That's how you had to see it, of course... Literally.”

– “Please...” Austin smiled. “You bet I eat my cake. I know there's more where it came from. And keep them coming!”

  That last part was meant for Ryan, who opened another picnic basket for his friend. Just then, Guy's wristwatch beeped.

– “Ryan? Time for another bowl of Koast cottage cheese!”

– “Okay...” 

  The blond jock looked for it in his backpack and started eating again.

– “Oh well... Never mind coming out to my parents.” Lou sighed, looking at the stars. “I couldn't even tell my mother about... You know.”

– “About what?”

– “The “F” word.” Lou mumbled, as he rubbed his belly.

– “Fuck?”

– “The other “F” word.”

– “Fag?”

– “The other, other “F” word...”

– “Fat?”

  The pale young man nodded, his eyes still shining with tears.

– “For your information, Lou...” Guy teased him with playful, mischievous kisses. “The other “F” word is actually “Fab” — and the other, other “F” word is “Flab”. And I'm so grateful that you're such a flabby, fab fag...”

■ ■ ■

Sunday afternoon — in Lou's office

  Guy had called everyone in the team for an emergency meeting. Doctor Tietsen-Nippels was rather surprised when she was told that they would discuss “new management” at the Pleasure Dome.

  It was easier for doctor Arranoah to be present, since he already spent so much time working on his strange organic compounds on the grounds around the hotel... She understood right away that it had nothing to do with their regular appointments.

  She was used to work with Lou. She knew him well enough to trust him and offer to help, in her own capacity.

– “So I understand that your mother is a strong businesswoman.”

– “She could sell eyeliner to a racoon...” Chris joked.

  The doctor nodded.

– “And your business is only budding right now, am I right?”

– “Absolutely right.” Hawk insisted. “That's because they are still working together like a bunch of cuddle buddies.”

– “You think we should play tough?” 

– “Oh! you do. I think it would be tough for you to stop playing.”

– “Sorry, boys...” Doctor Tietsen-Nippels had a hunch that this would end up in some sort of sophomoric pissing game between them. “Is this just meant to be a cover-up operation or are we talking serious business?”

– “It's serious, of course.”

– “It's a cover-up.” Hawk shrugged. “Just go for it.”

  Lou could prove that they had been running a pretty tight ship for their first months at the Pleasure Dome, but this could be a profitable exercise with valuable lessons for everyone.

– “And you want your mother to feel proud of you.”

  As the only woman in the room, she could understand that goal.

– “It may be too much to ask... but that would help.”

– “So you can disappoint her by telling her the Truth.”

  She saw Hawk nodding — but he also had that look in his eyes. It told her to be more positive and encouraging. 

– “I mean... when you tell her that you have a boyfriend.”

– “It's not that simple. I couldn't be happier with Guy. I'm proud of him, and he makes me feel proud, but I haven't seen my mother for a while. And the last time I spoke to her, she was still asking questions about the choices in my career.”

– “Oh... I see.”

  Doctor Tietsen-Nippels had a flashback from her own teenage years. When she had been admitted to Medical School, her parents had stopped asking that kind of questions. Then they had stopped thinking about her and the problems that came up in her Life... She was a doctor. It meant stability and money. That was enough for them. 

  They kept printed copies of her diplomas, framed on the wall by her father's desk, at home — for a long time, she got to be secretly jealous of those pieces of paper, because he would look at them more often than he looked at her.

– “Okay, Lou... Count me in. Let's see what we can spin up together.”

– “Where should we start?” Diego asked her colleague.

– “At the top.”

  She took a look at Austin, who was eating a brownie.

– “You can be the CEO.” He shrugged. “I don't care...”

  Lou turned to Chris.

– “Would you be my assistant, then?”

– “Your assistant? My ass!” Chris scoffed, but he saw everyone giving him a rather funny look. “Lou... I doubt that your mother expects you to be at the top of the pyramid, when this hotel was on the map before you joined the team.”

– “Let's be honest, it was barely on the map.” Ryan commented.

– “Everyone knows we've been under new management... whatever that means.” Austin looked around. “This is what it should look like.”

  Hawk didn't look quite convinced.

– “Aren't you guys worried that a clever businesswoman would see right through your act?”

– “You're right.” Lou nodded. “We shouldn't stretch the truth too much.”

– “Yeah...” Austin agreed, slipping a thumb in the waistband of his tight jeans. “We already have to deal with too much stretching and stuff.”

– “No. Stretching is exactly what you boys should do...” Doctor Tietsen-Nippels told them. “You need to decide and make choices. Bold ones.”

– “Hard-boiled, like eggs in your sandwiches.” Diego agreed.

  The two of them drew an organizational chart.

– “So Lou will act as CEO. Chris should be CFO, and in charge of PR...” Diego wrote down. “Hawk can be your security officer, and Austin can be your staff manager.”

– “And Ryan would be... staff.”

  They took one look at the dumb blond jock, and checked that box.

– “There's a doctor in the house. Then what should I be?”

– “You're a nutritionist... Does this place need a nutritionist?”

– “Everyone needs a nutritionist!” Diego proudly claimed.

– “You're my nutritionist, coach.” Ryan nodded. “You can be our cook. I'll be your assistant in the kitchen.”

– “How about me?” Guy had to ask. “I thought I was your assistant.”

– “I'm sorry. I don't wish to be rude, but do we really want Lou's mother to believe that his boyfriend is the weak link at the very beginning of the food chain?”

  Doctor Tietsen-Nippels and doctor Arranoah shared a puzzled look... Then they saw Guy almost pounce on Ryan and give him a big bear hug.

– “What would I do without you, brother bear?”

– “Then it's settled. I'll be in charge of the kitchen.” Diego smiled. “What part should you play in this charade?”

– “Isn't it obvious? Guy is an entertainer. He's an artist.”

– “Lou's right.” The tall redhead bear blushed. “I can play the piano. Lou sings so well, and I can play along.”

– “Telling your mother that you're gay, and dating an artist...” Doctor Tietsen-Nippels tilted her head. “That's as bold as it gets.”

– “So we're good to go?”

– “Go where?” Hawk stopped them right there. “Aren't you all forgetting what makes a business successful?”

  There was a moment of silence, but Lou understood.

– “We need customers, of course.”

– “All we need is to make a few phone calls, send a few invitations with a special offer to the people we helped during the storm and when it was over.” Chris suggested. “We'll have a few families with children coming and going in the halls...”

– “I can also tell a few of my patients about this.” Doctor Tietsen-Nippels thought out loud. “I bet most of them would appreciate a breath of fresh air and hearty meals to fully get back to health.”

  She turned to Ryan.

– “And we know someone who can always call firemen, farmers or other single young men on short notice, to get more people in your sing-back chorus of satisfied customers.”

  The blond beefcake looked up.

– “Maybe I should go back to a more... regular diet?”

– “What do you mean?”

  Ryan looked rather embarrassed.

– “I think Diego's new Koast compound makes me really... burpy.”

– “Oh! you think?” Chris rolled his eyes.

– “You don't stop an experiment once it's started.” Diego protested.

– “Consider yourself lucky. You keep it almost clean. It could be worse...” Hawk nodded. “Austin is still on what you would call a “regular diet”, and he's gassy like a Diesel engine!”

– “Hey!” His boyfriend tapped him on the shoulder. “Honestly, guys... Farts wouldn't be the most revolting sounds you'd get to hear during the night, next to this guy.”

  Lou had to stop them right there.

– “Come on. We have to stick together, and stick to the plan.”

– “Okay...” Everyone mumbled in agreement.

  He turned to their blond friend again, who had not spoken.

– “Would that be fine by you, Ryan?”

– “Huh...”

  Having just taken a long sip of his rich chocolate milkshake, the dumb jock let out a short but deep and booming belch.

– “BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRP...”

– “Okay...” Lou chuckled. “Everyone in favor, let me hear it.”

  It didn't take much effort for the others to burp in an almost perfect, major chord, loud enough to cause an echo in the room.

– “BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRP...”

– “There we have it.” Lou concluded. “Motion passed!”

  As they were leaving Lou's office, Hawk and Austin went back to their bedroom, on the same floor.

– “Motion passed?” The grumpy, tall guy mumbled. “I've passed a kidney stone once, that was less grating than what I've just witnessed.”

– “Come on, big bear...” Austin hugged him. “It usually takes so much longer for us to make a decision about anything.”

– “I know... You've spent almost three hours arguing over which sauce tasted better on the fried chicken you were devouring, last night.”

– “Oh! but that was a topic of major importance. And delicious chicken.”

– “That's America for you. Fast food, slow motion...”

■ ■ ■

Monday morning — in the hall, at the Pleasure Dome

  From the moment they saw Lou's mother step inside the hotel, Austin and Chris understood just how intimidating a well-dressed petite woman with raven black hair and dark shades could be.

  Lou was there to welcome her on the steps, outside. It was impossible to tell if they were happy to see each other. She stood straight and she walked fast, with impeccable elegance and a stolid look on her doll face.

  Just as planned, there were boys and girls running in the hall with their parents calling and telling them to behave, couples or families having breakfast, coming and going to the buffet, single men and women by the piano bar — the Pleasure Dome was buzzing with activity like a beehive.

– “Clearly, this hive has found its new queen.” Chris joked to his cousin.

– “Jealous much. I bet you thought you were our Queen Bee...”

– “You know I will always be your Queen Bitch.”

  Lou was nervous. They could tell from the way he smiled.

– “And for an Asian boy, that's saying something...”

  Austin and Chris went back to the kitchen. Diego had certainly adopted the room as his new home, with Ryan working on a number of dishes for lunch. While he was considered as “hamburger helper”, the blond jock kept the food coming for their guests and his friends... He was shirtless and sweating again, with his long hair tied in a bun. No one could blame him when he had to stand such heat.

– “How are you holding up in there?”

– “Mostly okay...” Diego was cutting peaches and apricots in a big bowl. He looked at the clock on the wall. “It's almost time for someone to eat another big bowl of my special cottage cheese mix with his fruit salad.”

  Ryan only let out a low growl... The door was suddenly opened behind Chris. It felt like Lou and his mother were in the middle of an argument.

– “Come on, mom... We could sit down and have a cup of tee together. You always want to look into every room at once.”

– “Of course, I have to see how you are doing in your workplace. I'm your mother. That's part of the job.”

  She took one quick circular look at the room. The kitchen looked messy but it was the exact opposite of a mess, for someone with a trained eye. Unflappable as she was, Lou's mother could tell that this was the center of the maze, the heart of the operation.

  Chris admired her for this. She had infallible instincts.

– “Who's in charge of the kitchen?”

  Diego stepped forward, cleaning his hands with a towel.

– “I am. Diego Arranoah. Pleased to meet you. Welcome at the Pleasure Dome. And, huh.. this is my assistant, Ryan.”

  The two men almost bowed before her, while she was still standing and looking at them like a statue.

– “You must be pretty good at what you do.” She said.

  Diego and Ryan couldn't make heads or tails of such a compliment. Chris had a hunch that she meant to tell her son that “hiring fat cooks is good policy”... Even if she didn't say it out loud, that was the message they had all heard.

– “What kind of cooking style can you offer?”

– “Oh, well...” Diego was at a loss for words. “Any kind, really.”

  Looking at a dumb blond jock like Ryan for help had to be a desperate move, but the young man rose to the challenge.

– “Diego is still teaching me, but I have learned so much from him.”

– “Oh, really... It does look like you have.”

  There was no way to ignore that she was staring at his full belly.

– “What if we took a special order, and served you one of your favorite dishes?” He suggested, so politely as he could.

  This brought a thin smile to her face.

– “That would be nice. And I should be there when you prepare it, in the kitchen. It will be interesting to see how you cook.”

– “Come on, mom!” Lou faintly protested. “Don't be so nosy. You always want to take a look backstage...”

– “Of course, I take a look! I'm your mother. That's part of the job.”

– “This is none of our business. And you don't want to get in the weeds.”

– “Oh! no...” Ryan blushed. “We don't deal with weed.”

  Lou threw a dark look at him.

– “Don't mind my assistant...” Diego laughed out loud. “It took him long enough to understand that oregano doesn't come from Oregon!”

■ ■ ■

Thursday evening — in the dining hall, at the Pleasure Dome

  The next few days went by in a blur, with Lou's mother going through every room and shaking everyone's confidence like another storm they had not seen coming.

  Every evening, Guy would sit at the piano. Lou joined him to sing, and their musical numbers were met with rounds of applause from everyone in the dining hall. Chris saw Mrs Chŭ applaud too, but in a very cold and formal manner... Her attitude was just the one of any parent attending one of their children's piano recitals. He felt a bit sad for his friends.

  Austin was fidgetting with his pen and paper, in the lobby. He couldn't remember the last time he had to deal with so many customers, and all that fuss about Lou and their “special guest” made him quite irritable.

– “The turnaround time for urgent matters in a crisis is always prioritized over regular tasks.” Doctor Tietsen-Nippels had told them earlier. “We're only asking for a little patience.”

  At least Chris was there to listen to him and share his frustration.

– “Patience? What does that even mean?”

– “That's right, we're Americans! We don't know that word... Whatever it may be that we want, we want it now!”

  The two cousins let out a deep sigh, but they were smiling too.

– “Did she give you a hard time?”

– “Not really. She saw me at the desk, but she didn't ask questions.”

– “Lucky you...”

– “Why? Did she give you the third degree?”

– “I guess, but that's a degree I passed. With flying colors.”

– “Oh, really...”

– “She was looking for a natural-born working girl? Have you met me?”

– “I guess Lou's mom is a natural-born working girl...”

– “You can say that again! I bet she went to kindergarten with shoulder pads in her onesie.”

– “And you made a good impression on her?”

– “You bet I did!”

– “Oh, you know me... No dice.”

  Chris saw Lou and Hawk walking down the hall, going to the office on ground floor where Mrs Chŭ had set up shop — someone was about to be grilled, and he was curious to join that indoor barbecue party.

– “I've always considered myself like a male Susan Sarandon.”

– “More like a Lazy Susan saran wrap...” Austin mumbled.

  He let him get within earshot of that meeting behind closed doors.

– “Lou told me that you worked as a Coast Guard, in that lighthouse.”

– “I still do. I help around here, as a security officer and lifeguard.”

– “What training did you receive to be a lifeguard?”

– “Honestly, not much of a training. I have experience.”

– “Experience, yes. Your training was some years ago.”

  Hawk did his best not to take offense at that comment.

– “What do you do when you see a swimmer in distress?”

– “Give him CPR, I guess.”

  Chris smiled. What he had heard was enough to make his day.

– “If a guy's so desperate to be kissed, who am I to pass judgment?”

■ ■ ■

Saturday night — in the kitchen

  It was almost 1AM. Lou's mother was sleeping in her bedroom — the boys had decided to hold a secret meeting in their own “Decision room”, with coffee and milk, cherry pie, chocolate cupcakes and cinnamon rolls waiting for them at the “negociation table”... After another long day at work, they needed a break and some harmless fun.

  Ryan had done his homework. With little time to spare on his regular days at work to visit the library or bookshops in Pleasance, he had come back to the Pleasure Dome with a handful of books — an English-Iturritik dictionnary and three reference books about the culture and traditions in the land around them. He put the largest one on display.

– “According to the librarian, everything we need to know is in there.”

– “I would be shocked if it wasn't!” Chris only took one look at it.

  It was a really big book, about one thousand pages long, fully bound in black leather and bearing the formidable title, embossed in gold, Iturritik atsotitzak eta olerkiak. Ryan translated it as “Proverbs and poems taken from the source”. Of course, the Iturritik were the people who considered themselves “at the source” around Pleasance.

– “So... What's in there, exactly?”

– “Old wives tales, if you take the word Atsotitzak literally.”

– “Okay. What else, popular expressions? Idiomatic stuff?”

– “There's quite a collection of them, actually.”

  Ryan opened the book at the beginning and read one. 

– “Ez zuan kulunkatu beharrik loak hartzeko.”

– “Don't expect me to remember it... What does it mean?”

– “He didn't need to be rocked to fall asleep. That's a lullaby.”

– “And what does Hartzeko mean?”

– “It sounds like your Iturritik name, Hawk... Hartzko.”

– “I didn't hear anything about a bear in that lullaby thing.”

– “It means...” Ryan looked in the dictionnary. “To be taken.”

– “Of course!” Hawk laughed. “Hartzko men are quite a catch...”

  Both Chris and Austin rolled their eyes. 

– “Yeah, sure...”

– “Loak hartzeko...” Ryan corrected. “It means: to fall asleep.”

– “Of course!” Chris teased. “That's why you take such long naps.”

  Hawk let it pass with a low growl. Ryan flipped a few more pages.

– “There's like... poetry and songs, but these are big chunks of text.”

– “Poems like what?”

– “Huh... Let me see.” Ryan looked for a short one. “Okay...”

  The blond jock cleared his voice, and started reading it out loud.

                               How shall I make your belly grow?

                                     The bigger the better,

                                     thick like pancake batter

                                     glistening with butter...

        

                               Devour cakes and pies in a row!

                                     Drink a pint for each toast!

                                     Eat your weight in pot roast

                                     for you and me to boast...

                               How much more food until you blow?

                                     When your stomach feels flat,

                                     guzzle beer from the vat...

                                     I need you to get fat!

– “It goes on... There are dozens in this vein, but you get the picture.”

  Ryan was genuinely blushing, reading such things for his friends.

– “What kind of poem is that?”

– “It's a... “Love song” from the Iturritik tribes. Around 1650.”

– “Wow...”

  Austin's response was genuine. He was actually intrigued.

– “Okay...” Ran flipped through a few pages. “This is a “Song to welcome a worthy bridegroom in the family before a wedding”. Early 1620s.”

                                  Young man, you need to eat!

                                  Get ready for the feast:

                                  Stuff yourself full of meat

                                  and drink beer. You should treat

                                  yourself like a wild beast!

                                     Let yourself go... At least,

                                     don't get up from your seat.

                                  You were lost in the night,

                                  where men go mad and ride

                                  lean horses in twilight,

                                  until they're out of sight...

                                  Eat and grow round with pride!

                                     Make your tribe and your bride

                                     praise your lard and your might.

– “Oh! lard all-mighty...” 

  Austin grinned with his mouth full. He felt somewhat hungry again.

– “You know, huh...” Ryan was blushing even deeper. “It goes on.”

– “And we get the picture.”

  Lou had also been listening closely.

– “It's primitive poetry, no doubt about that. It feels Chinese to me.”

– “Why would it feel Chinese?”

– “It's not short and to the point, like Japanese poetry. It's very dense.”

– “And it lingers and goes on...” Hawk commented, with a touch of irony.

– “There must be some shorter poems in there.”

– “Of course.”

– “Why don't you read one of those?” Guy suggested.

– “Okay. How about... Nursery rhymes, from the eighteenth century?”

                                     Good pup — eat up!

                                     Good cat — get fat!

                                     Good pig — grow big!

                                     Fat trout — no doubt.

                                     Fat game — no shame.

                                     Fat beef — no grief...

                                     Good swine — drink wine!

                                     Good cow — just chow!

                                     Good chick — grow thick!

                                     Fat duck — good luck!

                                     Fat goose — stay loose.

                                     Fat sheep — good sleep...

  Hawk and Guy burst with unrestrained laughter.

– “Now, this is poetry I could remember!” Austin nodded.

■ ■ ■

Sunday before lunch — in the dining hall, at the Pleasure Dome

  Diego had more work to do in the greenhouse. He was also considering how to grow his new Koast kind of weed, the one that looked more and more like green salad, in a field somewhere on the hotel's grounds.

  Guy was coming back from the gym. He looked exhausted.

– “How's our subject doing, big guy?”

– “Honestly? Better than I do...”

– “You're only supposed to coach him, not carry him around.”

– “I couldn't do it without falling flat on the floor.”

– “Should I ask him to carry you around? Diego asked with a smile.

– “Oh! no... I'm not exactly a lightweight either.”

– “That would be pushing the categories in a big way!”

– “I swear... Ryan keeps walking more than fifteen thousand steps a day, as you requested. I don't know how he doesn't collapse before dinner.”

  The two men heard a distant, familiar sound.

– “BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRP...”

  It made Diego smile — the team of cooks had an important test to pass with Lou's mother, and he needed that kind of distraction... Their athletic dumb blond friend was about to join them. They could feel his footsteps in the floor, if they stood still and held their breath for a moment.

– “See, Guy? Your well-fed friend's doing so well!”

– “It's really hard to miss...”

– “Tell him it's time to eat.”

– “It's always time to eat, for him.”

– “So what? Remind him. Big time!”

– “Okay. Time to eat big.”

– “And keep him full... Keep him loaded like a gun!”

  Ryan was coming out of the shower, wiping his chest with a terry towel. Even after a freezing cold shower, he was sweating in the sun as he was stretching out his arms and slowly straightening up to go back to work.

  Opening his eyes and waving at his friends, with a rather hazy look on his face, he looked dumber than a truckload of hammers...

– “Honestly, Diego? I'm not sure that I could ever stuff him that much.”

– “I know...” The doctor also whispered. “Take a look at those guns!”

  They got ready to cook for Mrs Chŭ — and under close scrutiny... Diego wrapped an apron around Ryan's chest and back, but the young cook was still barefoot and with no pants on.

  Strangely enough, Lou's mother didn't seem to mind. She had brought a variety of ingredients, which Diego put on display in no particular order on the table. It looked like most of these had nothing to do together in a recipe, with spices and bottles of sauce that were certainly quite exotic.

– “Let me see how you prepare Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き).”

  Diego didn't know the first thing about it. Then he turned to Ryan, who looked ready to slice onions and mince herbs on the wooden plate, as usual — always a good place to start.

– “Okay, then... You cook it the way we've rehearsed together.” 

  The blond jock could have done this blindfolded — on the hot grid set before him, he started preparing a large savory pancake with wheat flour batter, grated nagaimo, scrambled eggs, spicy shrimp, mochi rice cakes, sliced mushrooms, green onions, shredded cabbage and cheese...

  Holding metal spatulas in his paws from the beginning, the fact that the result didn't look like a complete mess was already something.

  Austin and Chris had joined their friends to see how it was going.

– “Okonomiyaki means “As you like it, grilled” in Japanese... It is a good, traditional dish.” Mrs Chŭ told her son's friends. “And trickier to prepare than it would appear.”

– “It looks like a big pancake...” Austin commented.

– “It is a big pancake.” Lou wished for the best.

– “What matters most is how you deal with toppings, I guess?”

  Chris was right. Then he saw Lou's mother sit strangely straight. What was happening at the cooking table clearly caught her attention.

  There were a number of ingredients she had brought to the table just to confuse an amateur cook, but the blond guy at work didn't even take a look at them. He was clearly just following his instincts.

– “Oh! You did recognize Katsuobushi (鰹節)... Very good.”

– “What's that... cat so bushy?” Austin asked.

– “Katsuobushi.” Mrs Chŭ repeated. “Skipjack tuna.”

– “Oh... Okay.”

– “It is very tasty. And it also means “good luck”, according to tradition.”

  Ryan was pouring generous trickles of sauce on top of that very large dish. He had not said a word, only focused on what he was doing.

– “Well... Good luck with that.” Chris whispered.

  When she was served the completed Okonomiyaki, Lou's mother joined her hands — then she applauded like a little girl with her birthday cake. 

– “This is perfect! I have never seen such beautiful Okonomiyaki.”

  She stood up and shook hands with Ryan, then she turned to Diego.

– “You are a great cook... More people should come to visit, and spend some quality time at the Pleasure Dome.”

  Guy's wristwatch beeped, which made him feel suddenly out of place... Ryan had more work to do in the kitchen — and he would join him soon enough. Lou and his mother grabbed a bite. She praised the chef again.

– “You are a great cook, and a great teacher too!”

– “Oh, well...” Diego couldn't blush any deeper. 

– “I mean it. Your student did really well!” She lowered her voice. “And he doesn't look like the sharpest Ginsu knife in the kitchen drawer...”

  Lou was enjoying his share of that huge pancake dish, until his mother brought a forkful of it to his mouth.

– “Come on, mom... I can eat.”

– “I can see that. You've put on some serious weight too...”

  That hit a nerve.

– “You always treat me like a child... I'm not a child anymore.”

– “I'm still your mother. That's part of the job.”

  On their way to the kitchen with Chris, Austin had fun teasing Diego.

– “Congratulations! I've never seen a chef cook without using his hands.”

– “Some chef! And teacher...” Chris added. “Don't forget teacher.”

– “That's not teaching... That's cheating!”

■ ■ ■

Tuesday early morning — in Austin's bedroom

  Hawk couldn't believe what they had all heard in Lou's office.

– “So Lou's mother is staying for a few more days.” Austin stretched out his arms, lying on top of the covers and pillows. “What's the big deal?”

– “It's a few days now, then a few more days... She won't leave!”

– “Come on. She'll have to, at some point.”

– “I know how it goes. Parents can't wait for their children to leave home and start living their own lives. Then when everyone has settled down, they come to live with them like recycled teenagers.”

– “That's when mothers get to become grandmothers... I don't think Lou and Guy will put us at risk, for that matter.”

– “It's worse. It's “Second Motherhood” syndrome. Mrs Chŭ didn't reject Guy, but she will adopt him and treat him like her own son.”

– “That would make them brothers.” Austin chuckled. “Gross...”

– “I know, but it's a real thing. Trust me.”

– “What is this? Grumpy Grandpa Magazine, Special Daddy Issue?”

  The handsome black boy was rubbing his full belly in such a tantalizing way — he knew how to keep his boyfriend focused on what mattered the most, just for the two of them.

– “I guess you're right.”

– “I'm always right...”

– “What's wrong with me? I just can't wait for her to go away.”

– “You couldn't wait for us to be alone.”

– “Something like that...”

– “Well... We're alone, now.” Austin poked him. “You.. and me...”

  They kissed again, and spent the rest of the night in a tight embrace.

– “Woof...” Austin sighed with a smile. “Belly worship mode unlocked.”

– “And unbound!” Hawk teased him some more.

– “You're all hands, these days.”

– “Can you blame me? You're all belly...”

– “I've been eating really well.”

– “I wonder why...” Hawk squeezed his boyfriend's sides.

– “You know what? It was those songs.”

– “Lou and Guy serenading each other in front of everyone?”

– “No... I mean those ancient songs and poems.”

– “Oh?” This brought Hawk to smile. “You've enjoyed those.”

  Austin rolled to the side.

– “Promise me, you won't tell the others? I found them inspiring.”

– “They've inspired you to... what, eat more?”

– “Yeah! I think so.”

– “Well, well... What do you know?” 

  Hawk rubbed his greedy boyfriend's belly lovingly.

– “Did you know about these poems? Did you learn one by heart?”

– “Nuh huh... Never even heard of them.”

– “What if I asked you for a poem like that?”

– “I'm not a poet.”

– “I know... Boy! do I know...” Austin teased him with a smile.

– “You ask Ryan for one of those.”

– “No...” The plump, handsome black boy insisted. “I'm asking you.”

  Austin wouldn't take no for an answer. Hawk shrugged, and improvised some sort of limerick.

                             There was a young man from Texas

                             who stuffed himself to put on mass.

                                     He would burp and fart

                                     as some form of art —

                             wouldn't you spank such a fatass?

– “What kind of a love song is that?”

– “You asked for it.”

– “I did... Good thing I didn't offer you a penny for your thoughts.”

– “That's right. No refund.”

– “Well, I would like to call the manager.”

– “What do you mean?”

  Austin moved his hips to tease him a little more.

– “Didn't you just promise me a good spanking? I'm waiting...”

■ ■ ■

Thursday night — in Lou's bedroom

  Guy looked a bit concerned with what Lou had told the team.

– “Your mother has planned to meet some local elected officials?”

– “Yes... I don't even know what she means to do.”

– “I guess we'll find out soon enough?”

– “We should... but I'm beginning to feel like she's already outstayed her welcome with our friends at the Pleasure Dome.”

– “Lou, she's been with us for two weeks.”

– “When do you think Austin and Chris wish to see her leave?”

– “Last week.”

  Lou & Guy kept each other warm in a soft embrace, in bed.

– “She will catch a plane soon enough. She has work to do...”

– “Then we can go back to having some fun around here.”

– “It's not exactly been “all work and no play” for you, lately.”

– “What do you mean?”

– “I've seen you coach Ryan, at the gym. Don't tell me you're not having fun with Diego and him.”

– “Oh, sure! I bet it looks like we're baiting him like a bear... You try and follow him when he's running on that treadmill, or lifting weights.”

– “It sounds exhausting.”

– “It is... He's a wild beast! Coaching him is a lot of work.”

– “You really don't cut him any slacks.” 

– “We won't let him cut on snacks either!” Guy laughed.

– “I have something to tell you...”

  It sounded serious. Guy held his boyfriend close to his chest.

– “What is it?”

– “I have told mom. About you and me.”

– “You have... When? How?”

– “Earlier tonight, after dinner.”

– “Out of the blue?”

– “No. She commented on the way I sang It had to be you.”

– “Oh, you sing it so well...”

– “And I was looking at you, the whole time.”

– “Is that really... how you told her?”

– “According to her, I did. That's when she knew.”

– “That's what she told you...”

– “You know how she is. She said we put on quite a show. And there was such good chemistry between us. And it felt right to see us together...”

– “Wow! you weren't kidding about your mother's sixth sense.”

– “At that point, I felt compelled to tell her.”

– “How did she take it?”

– “She didn't say a word. She smiled.”

– “Okay, that's good.”

– “Then she told me about meeting... local officials, or something.”

– “Okay, that's strange. I guess it could be worse.”

  Guy kissed him again, in such a way that Lou's spider sense was ticked.

– “If you go back to South Korea, I'll follow you.”

– “Guy, you don't even speak Korean. Or Japanese.”

– “I can learn...”

– “Your whole Life is in Pleasance, with your family and your friends.”

– “Correction, Lou...” Guy kissed him passionately. “That's only what my Life had to offer, until I finally met you. Most people in my family feel like ghosts from my past. What we share with our friends will turn into happy memories. Only you are my future... I can't imagine Tomorrow without you. I have nowhere to go if you're not by my side.”

  Lou was too deeply moved to say a word to his lovesick boyfriend. They had sex again, all night — in a wild rush, feeling hungry for each other's body in ways they had never even considered, until then...

  Guy kept whispering to him so passionately.

– “Get fat for me, Lou...”

– “I will...”

– “Fatter and fatter...”

– “Oh, I'll eat so much, and get so fat! You'll have to sleep on top of me, because there won't be any room left on this bed...”

– “Now you're signing my song.” Guy groaned as he fondled his tummy.

– “I'll get fatter for you. I'll sing only for you...”

– “And I had no idea that you were such a perfect tenor.”

– “I'm not.” Lou chuckled, tickled by his loving redhead friend. 

– “Yes, you are. Actually... I had a hunch.” 

– “How?” 

– “Because. You've always been a perfect ten...”

■ ■ ■

Monday late night — in the Royal Suite, at the Pleasure Dome

  Chris couldn't believe what they had heard in Lou's office again.

– “So she's staying for a few more days. Aren't you getting used to it?”

  Ryan was rubbing his friend's back with a sponge after they had taken one of their long, hot showers together... Chris felt both clean and dirty, for good reason, in the most delicious way.

– “That's our problem. We shouldn't get used to keeping our parents around us... It's okay for a day or two. It's okay when it's a cousin, but I wouldn't let my mother stay in the kitchen and watch us have breakfast.”

– “How about your father?”

– “I wouldn't let his plane land in Pleasance Airport.”

– “Well... Lou isn't like you.”

– “Oh yeah? How is he doing with Mommie Dearest?”

  Chris felt his blond friend wrapping himself around him, like a massive teddy bear. He would whisper to him in such a soothing way.

– “You know... Mothers smother.”

– “This one doesn't! She's been bossing everyone around for weeks.”

– “She knows how to run a business.”

– “Please! She would run all over us at full speed.”

  Ryan moved to face him and kiss him again.

– “You're not being fair. We should have played a fair game with her... So you're here for window dressing. I'm here for salad dressing. What's it to you and me?”

– “No one got hurt, so I'll say it's been fun...”

– “Certainly more fun that what we expected.”

– “Like those crazy poems you've read to us, the other night.”

– “I guess they sounded a bit weird.”

– “And wild...”

– “I've read a few. I actually enjoyed them.”

– “That's because you're just so weird and wild.”

– “You know, according to tradition, they were improvised.”

– “No way... I couldn't do it.”

  Chris looked deep into Ryan's eyes, with an impish smile.

– “How about you?”

– “Huh...”

– “You give it a try. Tell me something I haven't heard before.”

– “What, a song?”

– “I know you can't sing. How about a poem?”

– “A poem about... Love?”

– “Why not? I don't care. And I won't tell anyone.”

– “You promise...”

– “Well... Unless it's really terrible. Then I have to share with the team.”

  Ryan held his friend at arm's length, and he closed his eyes.

                            Sleeping alone in your own bed

                            is a waste of time, a mistake —

                            lost in the mist, your dreams are dead,

                            drowned at the bottom of a lake —

                            they should rise like a naked snake,

                            a waterfall of lust and rain 

                            to flood your body and your brain.

“Fuck me...” Chris thought. “He's such a hopeless Romantic.”

  He let Ryan kiss him, and hug him like a teddy bear again.

– “How about you, Chris? Come on, two can play at this game.”

– “Huh... Okay, what the Hell? I'll just keep it short.”

– “Fine by me.”

  Chris slapped his friend's meaty butt, loud and clear.

                                   Good corn — do porn.

  That was it. Ryan couldn't help laughing.

– “What we do isn't porn, Chris...”

– “Oh, well... You can do me anyway.”

– “Right.”

– “Any way you like... You always do it right.”

  The two young men looked ready for another round. It was bedtime, of course, but it would have nothing to do with sleep.

– “I want you to get on top of me, and crush me.”

– “Come on, Chris. You know me. I don't like to rush anything.”

– “Not rush, Ryan... Crush me, with your body. With all your weight!”

– “What about my weight?”

– “Ryan, last time we've checked, you weighed 280lbs...” He grabbed his friend's sides, gave them an appreciative squeeze and kissed him harder than ever. “You outweigh me by a full hundred pounds of meat! That's...”

– “Huge?”

– “Please...” Chris whispered to his ear. “You've always been huge.”

– “Too much?”

– “And you've always been too much for me, bad boy...”

– “I have no doubt that I've put on more weight, lately.”

– “I bet you have, beefcake.”

– “Okay... Let's say I crush you flat out on this mattress...”

– “Yay!”

  Ryan was always so playful.

– “I only have one question for you...”

– “A question?” Chris raised an eyebrow.

– “What were you doing in New York City, last month?”

– “Oh...”

  Chris sighed. He had underestimated his friend... Ryan couldn't guess why he had gone all the way to Long Island to investigate, but he was such a sensitive guy — of course, he suspected something.

– “Oh, Ryan...”

– “Yes, Chris?”

– “Do you know what NYC really stands for?”

– “I have no idea...”

– “Not Your Concern.”

■ ■ ■

Thursday evening — in the dining hall, at the Pleasure Dome

  Lou didn't understand. His mother's guest was a woman. He had never met her before... They were sitting together, in the coffee corner. He had only seen her from the bar, where he was cleaning glasses, and it didn't feel like he was invited to their conversation.

  If she was an elected official, Lou couldn't guess in what capacity she served the City Council in Pleasance.

  Guy was coming back from the gym. He looked tired... As soon as he joined his boyfriend, however, he stood still. It also felt like every hair on his body suddenly raised, as if he had been struck by lightning and his whole body was electrified — then he let out a deep sigh that sounded like an exhausted groan.

– “What is she doing here?”

– “My mother invited her, obviously.”

– “Oh! God...”

– “Do you know her? Who is she?”

– “Of course, I know her. She's my mother.”

  That was enough to make Lou take a better look at her — that flaming red shade of hair should have given him a hint. Mrs Cochrane was a tall woman, whose impeccable clothes were a perfect match for Mrs Chŭ's.

– “What should we do?”

– “Come on. You sing, I play. We face the music...”

– “Right.”

  Resolute as they sounded to reassure each other, they didn't move.

  The women were served tea and biscuits by Chris, who had put on his best suit to wait their table. His instincts told him that this was a special occasion — and he wouldn't miss it for all the gold in Fort Knox...

  In his opinion, eavesdropping was the first quality of any good reporter. What was said between wolrd leaders behind closed doors would be lost for historians, if someone didn't take a peep through the keyhole.

  It felt like these two women had always known each other. There was something about the way they smiled and nodded in agreement, without saying much.

– “Gay sons...”

– “You're telling me... Boys will be boys.”

– “When did you know?”

– “Oh! when Guy was about six years old.”

– “Same for me. I had to tell quite a story to his father.”

– “I didn't have to. His father wouldn't listen.”

– “Your husband is the mayor in Pleasance.”

– “He's just been reelected. I thought a husband should have a hobby... but it's got to his head. He thinks he's actually in a position of power.”

  They both raised their cups of tea, as a toast to the ignorance of men. Mrs Chŭ waved at her son and his boyfriend.

– “Yū! Guy! Come over and have tea with us.”

  The two sons came to kiss their mothers on the cheek.

– “I swear, I wish we had better first names...” Guy blushed.

– “Yū is just short for Yūichi.”

– “My friends here call me Lou.”

– “How is that better? Lou was your father's family's name.”

– “It's... less confusing, I guess.”

  Mrs Chŭ turned to Mrs Cochrane.

– “Why did you name your son Guy?”

– “Oh? I didn't, actually.” 

– “Mom...” Lou protested, ready to defend his boyfriend.

– “Honestly?” Guy groaned. “I've always been curious to know.”

– “It was your father's choice, of course! I think he did it out of spite.”

– “Why?”

– “Because he didn't agree with the name I wanted for you.”

– “What was it?”

  Lou could almost hear Guy whispering to himself “Please, tell me you named me Hartzko... Please, tell me you named me Hartzko...” — which meant “Little bear” or “Bear cub”, as he had learned from Hawk.

– “Of course, I wanted to give him a traditional Iturritik name.”

– “What's Iturritik?” Lou's mother asked.

– “It's the name of our people, around Pleasance. For instance, my name isn't actually Sylvia...”

– “It's not?”

– “Certainly not. My parents named me Oihana.”

– “Why do people call you Sylvia, then?”

– “It's pretty much the same. Oihan is the Iturritik word for “forest”. The Christian name Sylvia refers to Silva, which is the Latin word for “forest”. It's meant to address the spirits of the woods.”

– “It doesn't sound very Christian...”

– “Who cares?” Guy's mother waved her hand. “Not every boy should be named Samson, Abraham or Ishmael.”

– “Those are actually Jewish names.”

– “I let Richard name his first born son, but I told him that our second son would be given an authentic, meaningful name.”

– “And he chose “Guy”... You'd think I was born on Father's Day.” Guy mumbled in a low growl.

– “So...” Lou grabbed his boyfriend's hand under the table. “What was your choice for your son?”

– “It was Urtzi.”

– “No... way...”

  Lou was still puzzled. Guy's eyes were wide opened and sparkling.

– “Urtzi... What does it mean?”

– “It does sound like Ursus, the Latin word for a bear.”

– “Oh...” Lou whispered in wonderment.

– “Urtzi is a major mythological figure in the Iturritik rites.” Guy's mother explained. “In a nutshell, the name refers to the all-mighty pagan God of the Sky and Thunder.”

  Guy could almost growl for good, at this point.

– “A God of the Sky... and Thunder?” Lou needed a moment to take it in. “Wait, wouldn't this make you like... Thor?”

  It made him smile to catch his big, bearish boyfriend blushing so deep.

– “The closeness is quite appealing, I guess...” Guy's mother nodded. “A professor in Pleasance once claimed that the Inuit God Torngarsuk, who looks like a large and mighty bear, was associated to Thor as a “well-grown Urtzi”, Þór ar Urtzik. Who knows? It may be true.”

– “And he is a master of bears?” 

– “He looks like a well-fed bear, but he's the master of whales and seals. He is listed as a demon in Colin de Plancy's famous Dictionnaire infernal, of course.”

– “Of course...”

  Guy looked lost in his own thoughts.

– “Mom, this brings back such strange memories. So many years ago... I remember you calling me Urtzi when you tucked me into bed... It was almost like a lullaby, like a whisper.” 

– “You're right, it was only a whisper. I wanted you to grow up like Urtzi. Big, large and strong!” 

– “I remember... I understand. Mom, I love you so much!”

  Mrs Cochrane and her son had to stand up and hug each other. Lou and his mother only smiled at each other.

– “And Urtzi?” Mrs Cochrane added. “I am so happy that you have found a fine, handsome young man like Yūichi to be your boyfriend.”

– “Please... Call me Lou.”

– “Okay!” Guy stretched out his arms for a group hug. “Oh! what's in a name? Love is Love, and I love you...”

  He kissed his mother on the cheek.

– “And you...”

  He kissed Mrs Chŭ on the cheek too.

– “And you, of course. It had to be Yū...”

  The two boyfriends kissed each other.

– “Did mayor Cochrane told you about us?” Lou had to ask.

– “Oh! he did. He couldn't keep it to himself. He had to make a scene, and blame me for giving birth to a gay son, one who would bring shame to the family...”

  Guy looked down, but Lou was there to keep him in a tight hug.

– “I told him that you were my Pride and Joy.”

– “You mean to say... You don't mind me being gay?”

– “I'm your mother. I would be worried if you weren't happy.”

– “That's part of the job.” Mrs Chŭ nodded.

– “But you are. I wish you the best with the man you love... I'm proud of you, and I'm happy for you.”

– “Mom...” Guy blushed like a child.

– “I can't thank you enough for your support, Mrs Cochrane.”

– “Please, Lou. Call me... you know? Call me Oihana.” 

– “Are you sure? It sounds like quite an honor.”

– “Make it a priviledge, it's yours...”

  It was Lou's turn to blush. He did feel priviledged, now.

– “We may need your help in the future... You know better than anyone in Pleasance how your husband, mayor Cochrane, keeps attacking us at the Pleasure Dome.” 

– “I know, I know. Being the worst is what he does best.”

– “That's an oxymoron.” Mrs Chŭ commented.

– “Well, my father is a toxic moron...”

■ ■ ■

Wednesday morning — in the greenhouse

  Diego and Guy were sprinkling water over more green leaves of some new seedlings of Koast plants, which looked healthy and almost so big as iceberg lettuce or cabbage.

  The doctor looked quite pleased with his fertilizing preparation. He was even more satisfied with his subject's latest results. Ryan had been very disciplined with his workout routine and his diet.

– “Where's our favorite dumb blond teddy bear?” 

– “In the shower. He's been swimming, and lifting weights...”

– “Good.” Diego nodded.

– “There he is.”

  Diego made Ryan stand straight in front of him, breathe in and out, flex and rest again. His measurements were the testimony of a job well done — neck: 18.5", shoulders: 56.5", chest: 55.5", arms: 21" (at rest) and 24.5" (flexed), forearms: 13", wrists: 6.5", belly: 53.5" (full), waist: 42", hips: 50.5", quads: 29.5", calves: 18.5", ankles: 10". 

  The doctor let out a deep, contented growl when he measured around his subject's well-shaped belly. He gently thumped it with the palm of his free hand. He couldn't resist the temptation, unethical as it may feel.

  The young man ran his fingers through his damp, long blond hair... He looked slow and short of breath, sweating profusely as he listened to his coach and nutritionist. It was only fair to say that he had grown — heavy and thick, like a beast!

– “Almost 54 inches around your belly... There's a big boy!”

– “Wow! Are you sure?”

– “Of course, I am.”

– “I have been growing bigger... and bigger.” Ryan couldn't help blushing as he rubbed his own belly with both hands. “I'm not blind. I could feel it when I walked from the gym, but... did I really gain that much?”

– “Believe it, you brute! These numbers don't lie.”

– “Let's not forget that...” Guy suggested. “You're full, right now.”

– “Big deal. I'm always full.”

– “It is a pretty big deal. You really are...”

– “So it doesn't count.” Diego snapped. “On the scales, jumbo!”

  With a boyish smile and some pep in his step, Ryan stood on the scales for his friends... It would always be too complicated for him to consider Diego and Guy as “Dr Arranoah and his research assistant”.

– “299lbs!” The doctor almost gushed.

– “No way...”

  Guy wished he had a chewing gum in his pocket, just to make sure that his jaw wouldn't drop.

– “Almost 300lbs, so... Not quite “All the way”, but still pretty good!”

– “I knew I had grown massive, but this is... Huh...”

  The well-fed, athletic young man was so overwhelmed that he looked a bit pale, dizzy and out of breath again, for no reason. It had to be quite a shock for him.

– “Ryan?” Guy asked, a bit concerned. “Are you feeling all right?”

– “I'm just... Huh...”

  The dumb blonde beast let out a deep, long and unrestrained belch.

– “BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRP...”

  Guy came behind him and patted his shoulder.

– “Feeling better, big brother bear?”

– “I guess... but wow!”

– “You've gained no less than twenty pounds! I'm proud of you, Ryan.”

– “Well... Thanks!”

  Diego's praise never failed to make the blond jock blush again.

– “What should I do now?”

– “I'm not sure.” The doctor tilted his head. “I do have plans for you.”

– “Please, just...”

– “What?”

– “Don't tell me it's time for another bowl of Koast cottage cheese.”

■ ■ ■

Friday morning — in the kitchen

  Lou's mother was ready to leave — he asked his friends for a moment alone with her, and they were surprisingly eager not to get in her way. It was quiet around them, with the sun slowly rising over the trees.

– “So... You always knew about it?”

– “Of course, I knew! I'm your mother. That's part of the job.”

– “Mom, I'm serious...” 

  She smiled at him — since they were alone, she didn't have to put on her “ice sculpture” act. 

– “It's not a guessing game for your parents, you know.”

– “I guess...”

– “I should ask you the same question, Yū. When did you know?”

  Lou had to think about it.

– “I can't remember a time when I wasn't curious about other boys...”

– “And you're not a boy anymore.” 

– “Moving to the Pleasure Dome has been a major turn in my Life.” 

– “I could see it from the moment I saw you wait for me on the steps.”

– “It's been more than eye-opening for me, mom. This is my Life now.”

– “I didn't expect you to have so many American friends.”

– “I know, I know...” Lou let out a sigh. “They say “dude!” and “yikes!” and “you bet!” a lot, but they're the best people in the World for me.”

– “And they eat a lot... And you get to eat a lot with them.”

– “Oh! yes, they do... And I do.”

  Mrs Chŭ didn't mind addressing the delicate but most important issues. Lou admired her for being always so straightforward and pragmatic.

– “I was actually worried about you, when I first called you. I was under the impression that you would keep doing your job at the company, with one financial audit after another, going through Life as a salaryman and following your father's wishes like those mindless drones I have to work with, in Seoul or Tokyo.”

– “Huh... I understand.”

– “That's not what I wanted for you.”

– “What did you want for me, mom?”

– “That's besides the point. I wanted you to find a place to live and work, and be among friends, find love and be happy.”

– “Mom...”

– “You were a very sensitive child, Yū... You have good instincts when it comes to understanding other people's needs, what makes them happy and what is good or bad for them. It's a rare talent.”

– “This may be my new job. I also got to know what I need, what's good for me and what makes me happy. Mom, I want to get fat.”

– “Then you should get fat. I have to say, it's a good look for you.”

– “So you don't mind?”

– “There is always time to turn around. You don't want to turn your back on what you did, what you are and what you want to do in the future. If getting fat and growing fatter makes you happy, I don't want to see you skinny and sad.”

– “Mom...”

– “Have another chocolate éclair.”

– “Okay.” 

  Lou started eating again.

– “I've had a good talk with Mrs Cochrane. She still has to deal with an even more problematic husband than your father ever was. Of course, husbands are dead weight for women like us.”

– “You make it sound like every woman should be a widow.”

– “Maybe not every woman, but when you let nature take its course...”

– “You get chaos. Nature is chaotic, cold and cruel.”

– “Then you should remember that your mother is more generous than Mother Nature. And better organized, if I may say so myself.”

– “Oh! I could never let this slip my mind...”

  Mrs Chŭ put another chocolate éclair on her son's plate.

– “Did Mrs Cochrane really call her husband... dead weight?”

– “Please! Don't tell your boyfriend, but she referred to his father as “the garbage in my garage”... Trust me, I can relate.”

– “Then you understand...”

– “Tell me something I wouldn't understand.”

– “We have to fight an old political figure who has an ironclad grip on his team of goons at the City council...”

– “...with a team of scantily clad young gays. Yes, I understand.”

  The plate on the table was almost empty. Theysmiled at each other.

– “Have another éclair, Lou. Don't make me remind you to eat well.”

– “You always remind me what I have to do.”

– “No, I don't.”

– “Yes, you do. That's because you always worry about me...”

– “Of course, I'm still worried. I'm your mother. That's part of the job.”

  Her wristwatch beeped — Lou felt like his boyfriend would call Ryan and tell him to eat another snack, but that wasn't it. Her mother's taxi would be there soon. The driver may be waiting for her, in their parking lot.

– “There you go, I have to go.”

  Lou felt quite emotional, for a second.

– “Mom...”

– “Yes, Yū?”

  She was already on her way to the main lobby.

– “Do you still love me?”

– “Of course, I love you. I'm your mother...”

– “That's part of the job.”

– “No...” She smiled. “Being your mother is an honor and a priviledge. You're a fine young man... You have good friends. You have a charming, strong and caring boyfriend. You deserve to be loved like this. I couldn't imagine not loving you, but I'm your mother. I'm also proud of you...”

■ ■ ■

Monday morning — in the main hall, at the Pleasure Dome

  Ryan kept coming and going to treat his friends with a delicious and hearty breakfast — cheese omelets with spicy mushrooms, sausages and bacon, mashed potato salad, fried onion rings, thick fluffy pancakes with maple syrup and buttermilk, rich chocolate mousse and fudge brownies, honey flan with candied fruits, crunchy caramelized pecan nuts, almonds and cashew nuts, apple cider, freshly squeezed orange juice and coffee...

  Austin could just kiss him on the lips for this.

– “Huh oh...”

  Hawk and Chris were going through the mail.

– “What's wrong, Hawk?”

– “It's official. They have assigned an inspector on my case.”

– “Does it say who will be investigating you?”

– “No. Does it matter?”

– “Well... You never know.” Chris threw a sideways glance at Ryan, who was busy squeezing more oranges for their jug of juice. “With a little bit of luck, it may be someone we know.”

– “I guess we'll find out...”

  Chris put the weekend edition of the newspaper on the table — opened at the double-page spread in the middle, devoted to local issues.

– “Okay, girls! Take a look at this...”

– “What is it?”

– “All about us. A full, double page article about the Pleasure Dome.”

– “Wow... Did you also write this one?” Lou asked.

– “Not a word! Ryan may have written this article, for all I know.”

– “Ryan?” Hawk frowned. “I had no idea that he could write...”

– “You still have to remind yourself that he can read.” Austin mumbled, wiping his lips and licking off jam from his pancakes.

  The boys took a look at the article. There was a picture of the hotel, and plenty of text with some of it presented in narrow columns.

– “Wait a second... That's a poem you've read to us, the other night.”

– “Precisely.” Chris flashed his friends with a grin.

  The title read, in bold print and massive font, “Breathing new spirit into ancient traditions — The Pleasure Dome brings new blood to the rites of the Iturritik and Itsasorak tribes.”

  Guy and Hawk took a wide-eyed look at the article, skimming through it and leeting out whistling sounds at some point.

– “Okay. Impressive, but... what's the point?”

– “Did you guys forget that Mayor Cochrane accused us of running an old-fashioned business, “traditional” and everything?”

– “And fading away...”

– “This doesn't look anything like fading away.”

– “Consider the demographic. Mayor Cochrane's voters are conservative, of course. Now, with his latest slanders against us, he has basically cut himself from his “traditional” base. The people who rooted for him during his campaign are all about those roots Hawk told us about.”

– “I see...” Lou had a hunch that Guy's mother and his own mother may have had a hand in this. “Then a political movement cut from its roots may find itself... rooted out soon.”

– “Who knew the past had such a bright future before him?”

  Chris sat at the kitchen table, and poured himself a mug of coffee. His friends agreed that this was good news, and a time to celebrate after so much toil.

– “I think we have found our company's policy, at the Pleasure Dome.”

■ ■ ■