Big Poppa

16.



It was Friday before Delwyn knew it. He had expected the week to drag along, as he was looking forward to the weekend, but once the car was painted there was so much to do, time flew by. Poppa asked him to help him with fiddly jobs all the time. It gave them the chance to sit close together, stealing little kisses while they were hidden behind the car. They were both feeling giddy and happy, having difficulty to keep their hands off each other.



“Almost time,” sighed Poppa at the end of the day.



“Yes… Too bad we have that barbeque first.” Delwyn focused on a wire, which was pretty hard with Poppa’s hand kneading his thigh.



“It’s not bad to eat first… We’ll go straight to the cabin afterwards.” They had already packed some things to bring along. “You didn’t invite some girls, did you?”



“And when would I have done that? You were with me all the time…”



“I was, wasn’t I,” smiled Poppa. “And I loved it…” He pulled Delwyn in for a longer kiss, quietly moaning.



Delwyn pulled back before they could get caught. The other men were suspicious enough already. “No matter how often you were with me, I’m still looking forward to our weekend at the lake,” he whispered with a sigh. “To laze about, naked… Mm…”



“Hell yeah. With our rods on the dock.” Poppa chuckled when Delwyn slapped him. “What! I meant our fishing rods! You, young man, have a dirty mind.”



“Mmhm, sure. It’s all me. Oh look, they’re bringing the grill behind…” Through the open doors, they could see men fussing about, unloading a few lorries. “It’s big, isn’t it?”



“Chapman loves the annual meetings,” nodded Poppa. He began to collect the tools, as they wouldn’t get much work done anymore. “You’ll meet his wife, she’s always present. She’s nice, you’ll see. And all the others will probably have their wives here, or in some cases their girlfriends.”



“Is everybody straight here?” Delwyn found it hard to believe. “Or are they just not open?”



“As far as I know, we’re the only gays. And I’m open about, it’s just that no one ever asked anything… I’m not walking with pink triangles, red ribbons or what have you.”



Delwyn stood up, to take the tools from Poppa and put them away. “So you wouldn’t mind if they knew it?”



“No. Why would I? I’m fucking proud to have you…”



“Well, we’re all secretive and stealth… I don’t know; I assumed you would like to keep it secret.”



“I like the tension,” grinned Poppa. “I enjoy secretly stolen kisses and fucking you in the stockroom.”



“I noticed,” laughed Delwyn. “You’re drooling at the thought. Get up… Let’s get this place cleaned up and grab a beer.”



“Oh, I love your ideas.” Poppa hoisted his large body up from his stool, groaning now his joints had to carry his weight again. “I could do with a firm piece of meat as well.”



Delwyn rolled his eyes, but didn’t respond to the innuendo. There would be enough time for that later.



The others were clearing up too, and Chapman came from his office to hurry them up. He indeed loved his meetings. The man was positively beaming. None of the mechanics had the heart to mutter about the obligation.

Just as they were all done, Delwyn saw a woman stepping in. She was large, with a lot of blond hair streaked with gray, and was welcomed like an old friend. This had to be Chapman’s wife. There was something disarming about her; something in her appearance took away all resistance. Men seemed to open up for her, like she was their mother. It had to be her soft face. It had ‘I’m listening to you’ written all over it.



“Love!” The woman had greeted all the men with a kiss on their cheek, and was now walking to Poppa. “You look marvelous! Have you lost some weight?”



“No,” grinned Poppa, accepting the kiss. “Have you?”



“Don’t be mad! Keeping my figure is a labor of love! Good food and plenty of sex is what keeps me so radiant, love!”



Poppa laughed a bit louder than appropriate, but apparently it wasn’t noticed. “I must remember that,” he chuckled. “This is Delwyn. Del, get over here. I’d like you to meet Mary, Chapman’s wife.”



Delwyn received a kiss on his cheek as well, and caught himself blushing a bit. “Hi,” he said shyly. “I’m Delwyn Llew.”



“What a beautiful name! And you’re a beautiful boy too! Are you the apprentice John mentioned? You’re the star of the garage, I’ve been told!”



“I am?” Delwyn blushed deeper at the compliments. “Thank you… I hope Mr. Chapman will tell me personally soon.”



“I’ll make sure of that.” Delwyn noticed that when Mary was sincere, she didn’t speak with exclamation marks. “So where are your girls?”



“Girls?” Delwyn looked at Poppa for assistance. The man winked at him, and shrugged. “Actually, we didn’t bring any. We’re both… single.” It felt bad to lie. Mary deserved the truth at all times, felt Delwyn.



“Aw! Well, if you feel lonely, come to me and I’ll be your lady for the evening!” With a beaming smile, the woman turned away, to go outside to the rest of the party. More women had arrived. Within moments, they were chattering like little birds.



“I didn’t know what to say!” whispered Delwyn urgently to Poppa. “I couldn’t tell her I’m with you, could I?”



“I think you did well,” assured Poppa. “Don’t feel bad now, pretty… I don’t mind you said we’re single, if that’s what’s bothering you. Come on; let’s have a beer. And you will stay with me, not with her. Alright? You won’t have to feel lonely.”



Big Poppa was welcomed by all the women, and they all kissed his cheeks. He was popular, amongst the ladies. Delwyn could understand that, as the man was obviously no threat to any of them. They treated him like a brother, not a man.



After the appropriate time, Delwyn took two bottles of beer and joined Poppa in the group. He was sorry immediately. All attention was for him, and he felt shy again.



“Delwyn! Oh, what a beautiful name. And you’re cute!”



No, remarks like that weren’t pleasant at all, when you were working in a garage with masculine men. He pressed against Poppa’s side for comfort.



“He has no lady!” Mary made it even worse. The women were suddenly even more intrigued. “How is that possible? Such a beautiful young man! Haven’t found the right woman in your life yet?”



“I’m happy the way my life is, at the moment,” tried Delwyn feebly. He knew women could be bad… “I have all the attention I need,” he added.



“I’m hungry,” rumbled Poppa. “Del, you get me a plate of those delicious steaks.”



Saved by the bell, thought Delwyn. He hurried over to the grill, leaving the women behind with Big Poppa.



The conversation didn’t end there. Delwyn couldn’t hear it, but the women were still talking about him when he left. And it got worse, when he brought the plate to Poppa.



“I’m no rabbit,” rumbled the bear. He had confiscated a quiet spot and a chair, and looked suspiciously at his plate. “What’s all that green stuff doing with my meat?”



“It’s good for you.” Delwyn pulled his chair closer, and sat down. He had less meat and more salad on his plate than Poppa, but he had given the man some lettuce as well. “With that green stuff, you’ll be able to fuck me longer,” he continued, lowering his voice so no one could hear him. “With every bite of lettuce, you’ll win one orgasm in your life. Worth considering, hm?”



Poppa looked up from his plate to Delwyn, and back again. “Really!” His eyes lit up. “I like that… Give me more then, hm? We’ll have a blast, this weekend. Hah!”



To his pleasure, Poppa pricked the salad on his fork, and ate it all. Of course Poppa knew it wasn’t true, but that didn’t bother either of them. He wanted the man to stay healthy.



Over to the other group, Mary pulled her husband aside. “They’re lovers,” she said, looking at Poppa and Delwyn.



“What?” Chapman blinked, and stared at his wife. “You’re crazy! Poppa is a real man… I’m willing to believe Delwyn is gay, but Poppa? No way.”



“They are too,” assured Mary. “Look at them… Poppa is eating lettuce, for Christ sake. Have you ever seen him eating anything else but meat? For what you’ve told and for what I just saw, I’m very confident. They’re lovers.”



“Nah,” Chapman didn’t believe it. “Sure, they didn’t bring anybody, but that doesn’t mean anything. I know Delwyn looks after Poppa a bit… He even gives him sweetener instead of sugar in his coffee. But that doesn’t have to mean anything.”



“They’re always together, hm? Keep your eye open. You’ll see, later… I bet they’ll give each other small tokens of affection. Like a pinch, or a quick cuddle… Believe me, John; those two are in love. I can see it in their eyes…”



“You’re crazy,” smirked Chapman. “Big Poppa is a real man.”



Real man or not, Poppa was looking at Delwyn with pure love in his eyes. They were sitting close together, quietly talking and chuckling at little jokes, eating and drinking together. They barely paid attention to anyone around them. Even when Chapman stood next to Poppa, all they did was glance up.



“Big Poppa, I would like you to meet someone,” said Chapman. “One of my lovely friends has arrived, and I want to introduce you to her.”



Poppa looked up, one eyebrow pulled up. “Why?” he asked, without making any attempt to stand up.



Chapman was taken aback by the blunt response. “Uh… Well, I uh… You’re my best mechanic, aren’t you?”



“If you say so… Bring her over and I’ll say hi.”



“I’m… Can’t you come with me? I’m sure Delwyn wouldn’t mind if you mingle a bit…”



“Delwyn is with me,” rumbled Poppa. “And I’m with Delwyn. Sure, we’ll mingle, when we’re done eating. Get me another plate, pretty. And plenty of that magical salad of yours, please…”



“Pretty.” Chapman watched Delwyn hurry off, and glanced at his wife, who was observing at a distance. “Why do you call him ‘pretty’ all the time, Poppa?”



“Because he is, of course.” Poppa leaned back in his chair, looking up at his boss. “John… Something is bothering you. Spit it out, man. Say it, if you dare.”



Chapman was clearly having difficulty with that. He broke out in a sweat, and shuffled his feet. “Mary said something,” he began. Easier to blame the wife. “She thinks you and Delwyn are… eh… lovers. Of course it’s not true!” he added quickly.



Poppa’s quiet observing forced Chapman to keep talking. “So maybe, to stop the gossip… You would like to be with my friend tonight, instead of… hanging out with…”



The bear was still silent, looking at his boss with a blank expression. The man stammered even more, filling the silence. “…Delwyn… He gave you a salad, and he’s with you all the time, and he’s… You’re going out for the weekend, just like last weekend, and you… eh…”



Poppa felt sorry for the man, and finally looked away. “Thank you, love,” he smiled at Delwyn, taking his plate.



Delwyn was blushing uneasily. He’d heard all the stammering, and sat down quietly, leaving it to Poppa to handle the situation.



“What John means,” came Mary to the rescue, standing beside her husband, “is that you two don’t need ladies to have a good time. Right?”



Poppa pointed with his fork, and winked. “Right.”



Delwyn saw Chapman turn pale, changing in a deep red in the blink of an eye. Poor man… He had no idea how to respond. With any other man, he would’ve been disgusted and disapproving, but this was Big Poppa… The man who splintered his desk when he dared to scold the apprentice.

“I still believe that you should meet our friend,” he said weakly.



“I’ll meet her later,” nodded Poppa. “After my meal. Did you bring me a beer, pretty?”



Delwyn handed the bottle, and sipped his own. He wasn’t hungry anymore, but definitely needed a drink. Chapman walked away, clearly confused. Mary stayed behind for a moment longer. “I don’t know, Rick,” she smiled. “But it seems to me you found yourself a wonderful boy. A real keeper, if you ask me.”



“He’s a gem,” grinned Poppa proudly. He reached out, and squeezed Delwyn’s knee. “My pretty boy. Aren’t you?”



Delwyn blushed deeply, and cleared his throat. “There’s no denial, is there?”



“I knew it!” Mary clapped her hands, beaming. “I love it when I’m right. Carry on, you two… But sweetie, if you would like to keep it a secret, you shouldn’t look up at Poppa with such adoring eyes. It’s a dead-giveaway.”



“I’ll keep that in mind,” mumbled Delwyn. He was happy to see her leave. “I blew it, didn’t I?”



“Oh yes… But just imagine, baby; when everybody knows, I can kiss you any given time. Won’t that be great?”



“Can we wait a bit longer with that, please?” Delwyn wouldn’t feel at ease, kissing in public. Perhaps no one would ever dare to touch Poppa, but he could be in danger, when he was alone… He hoped Mary wouldn’t blow the trumpet yet. They would instantly know they were the source of the two condoms in the bin, and he wouldn’t feel at ease at all. “Let’s wait for a bit longer,” he sighed.

Oh, Gods.



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