Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2022 21:19:27 +0100
From: Marin Giustinian <maringiustinian@gmail.com>
Subject: Eros

EROS
by Marin Giustinian

----------

Eros was the Greek god of love, or more precisely, of passionate
desire. Without warning, he selects his targets and forcefully strikes at
their hearts, bringing confusion and irrepressible feelings or, in the
words of Hesiod, he 'loosens the limbs and frees the mind'. Eros is most
often represented in Greek art as a carefree and beautiful youth, with
piercing eyes and an enigmatic smile.

----------

Rhodes, Greece, Nowadays

----------

Prologue

After having made his fortune in Canada and divorced from his third wife,
Dimitri Spyros retired back to his home town, Rhodes, on the Greek island
of the same name. He had the old family mansion restored and his very
elegant Nova Scotian schooner shipped over. The schooner's name was
Eros. She was the envy of many, and often photographed, either under sail
or moored in Mandraki Harbour.

The only child Dimitri knew about was his daughter named Helen. After high
school, she was admitted to study philosophy at the English University of
Cambridge. She fell pregnant after a party. In fact, it was a drunken night
of wild sex. Helen was enraptured by a gorgeous, unknown foreign student
that happened to be among the revellers. Her future motherhood didn't upset
Dimitri too much. He long suspected that he had unknown sons or daughters
out there somewhere.

Helen bore a son they named Jeremy Spyros. Dimitri paid the expenses for a
nursemaid to take care of Jeremy while Helen finished her PhD. When Jeremy
was three, Helen met a very successful barrister, Harold Cavendish. He was
eighteen years older than she, divorced, without children, and owner of an
elegant townhouse in Islington.

As a child and even more so as a teen, Jeremy was stunningly beautiful. As
he grew, he became a hopeless misfit for his stepfather and a genius for
his mother and grandfather. His major interests were reading and sailing. A
'serious' career' was never even thought of.

When Jeremy was eleven, his grandfather retired and moved back to
Rhodes. All of Jeremy's holidays were spent with his 'Daddy Dimitri'. They
sailed Eros together, often with one or another of his grandfather's
offbeat friends. Dimitri often held cocktail or poker parties with his
generally eccentric expat buddies, mostly British and American.

----------

The story

Dimitri Skyros was a chain smoker and an excessive drinker. That killed
him. On the morning of June 12, 2019, he was found dead in his bed, victim
of a massive heart attack. Helen and Jeremy flew to Rhodes for the
funeral. Jeremy was devastated. After the ceremony, they were requested to
attend the reading of the will three days later. Jeremy went down to the
Mandraki, stepped aboard Eros, and wept. Staying in the mansion without
Daddy Dimitri was something close to torture for him.

At the reading of the will, it was stipulated that a small part of
Dimitri's financial assets were bequeathed to his faithful house staff,
Thea and Jason. Helen received the mansion with everything in it along with
Dimitri's Mercedes roadster. Jeremy was bequeathed Eros, the ownership of
the mooring berth, and a trust fund for his basic living expenses and
upkeep of Eros. Helen decided to sell everything she could and donate the
rest to charity. As for Jeremy, he had no idea of what he was going to do
with his unique yacht.

Before leaving for London, Jeremy asked Jason to take care of Eros until he
returned. He had finished his bachelor's in English Literature but was
still undecided about his future and even more so concerning his new status
as the owner of a classic sailing yacht.

----------

During the flight back, Jeremy thought about his grandfather. He felt not
only love, but also a strong understanding of Dimitri, his fantasy, his
freedom of thought and action, his adventurous life in business ventures as
well as in his everyday love of life. For Jeremy, 'Daddy Dimitri' was a man
of sun, fun, and daring temerity. Jeremy's stepfather was excessively
boring and a terrible snob. His mother was loving and understanding, but
blindly in love with her stuffy old husband.

Jeremy's mind was both bleak and stormy. Looking out the window, he
imagined hearing his Daddy Dimitri whisper in his soul, "Go and do your
thing now, boy! Fuck the rest. You've now got money, you're smart, you're
beautiful, and remember, you've only got one life, so enjoy it."

Helen noticed the tear that was pearling in the corner of her bereaved
son's eye. She pulled him close, and softly told him, "You'll get over it,
dear..."

"Yes, Mum, I know I'll get over it. I'm just wondering how."

"Think about what your grandfather would expect of you."

With a nervous laugh, Jeremy quipped back, "That's exactly what I'm afraid
of, Mum!"

Helen simply returned a puzzled smile. Jeremy looked back out the
window. Sunlight glittered on the sea and the islands passing beneath
him. Suddenly, his decision was made. He would become a day charter captain
in the Aegean aboard Eros.

----------

London, June 21, 2019

Being a former sea cadet, Jeremy filed for and received his international
skipper licence. He spent time choosing among his personal belongings what
he wanted to sell or give away. Anything that he couldn't fit aboard Eros
had to go.

June 26, 2019

Jeremy called Jason to have him air out Eros, check the linens, and have
her fuel and fresh water supply filled. He was coming to live aboard.

June 28, 2019

Jeremy kissed his mother good-bye, passed security, and boarded the British
Airways direct flight back to Rhodes. Jason and Thea were happy to greet
him at the airport and accompany him to Eros. She was in perfect
shape. Even the brass was polished. Jeremy was more than happy. He felt a
joy he had never yet known. He didn't know how to name it. Was it
expectation, freedom, serenity? He didn't ponder the question more than
that and went to pay his respects to the Harbour Master, Christos Gravas.

Jeremy was greeted at the harbour office with open arms. "We all miss your
grandfather!" exclaimed Christos when Jeremy came in. Jeremy explained that
he was going to live aboard Eros and that he needed to find a crew mate to
sail with him on an extended cruise all the way to the Sporades. Christos
suggested he inquire at the Sailors Mission where there was a big turnover
of young fellows seeking jobs at sea.

That evening, Jeremy dined in the restaurant he had known every summer
since the age of eleven. It was owned and run by a gentleman called
Yannis. This would be his regular table. There too, he received a very
special welcome.

Once back aboard, a pang of grief hit him again but as he touched the teak
glowing in the lamplight of the cabin, listened to the laughter of passing
strollers in the night, Jeremy felt that his grandfather's spirit still
lingered there. He again imagined that Dimitri was whispering in his heart,
"Everything's going to be great. Relax and make it happen. You're fine and
you know I love you, boy. It's time for Eros to live other adventures than
ours! So be happy and sleep tight!"

Laying in bed, memories galore flooded back. The most vivid one was when he
was fifteen. He had enjoyed an 'almost' love affair with Rick, an American
lad his age. His family's yacht was moored in the Mandraki next to
Eros. Rick's parents would often go with friends and spend afternoons at a
private beach or gamble in the casino. Jeremy would join Rick aboard their
yacht, share a wank and a kiss in his cabin. After, they would go hang
around town a while before Jeremy returned to his grandfather's
mansion. Jeremy even invited Rick to come have dinner and sleep over with
him.

That was when 'Daddy Dimitri' told Jeremy, "I see how close you and your
gorgeous American friend are. You have good taste! He's got a certain class
and quite a lot of sex appeal for his age. I want you to know, Son, that
all men have their gay side. At least we Greeks admit it. You're half
Greek, so..."

Nothing more was said. Dimitri winked and caressed his grandson's velvet
cheek. Jeremy hugged him and that was it. When the American yacht sailed
away, Jeremy didn't weep. He was simply glad that what had happened had
happened.

He then thought about his love life later on. As a student, he had worked
part-time as a fashion model for Tom Smith. With the other models, he had
many opportunities to indulge in recreational sex, never committing himself
to anyone, never seeking to dominate nor being dominated. He was out for
naked fun and simple enjoyment of light, superficial sex with the most
beautiful girls or boys that fell under his charm.

He uttered to himself, "That was so futile... but I did have fun!"

He fell asleep with a faint smile on his lips.

----------

Jeremy felt at home in his new home, Eros. He barely felt the need to
personalise the interior. His Macbook Air, connected to the amplifier
aboard, diffused his favourite music. He took his time to completely
inspect and clean out every nook aboard, even the bilge. He took care of
anything that needed attention and little by little there was a new
atmosphere inside.

Helen came to handle the sale of the mansion. She congratulated Jeremy
about the state of Eros and asked him if he didn't want the
roadster. Jeremy said no. So she gave it to Jason. After the sale, Helen
insisted that Jeremy have a good cut of the money. It was obvious that she
didn't need the cash and wanted to spoil her son as much as she
could. Jeremy was momentarily and moderately a rather well-to-do young
man. He could almost feel his grandfather patting his back. God, did he
miss his Daddy Dimitri!

----------

When Jeremy arrived at the Sailors Mission, he was welcomed by a very kind
gentleman, Nikos Callas. When he said he was the grandson of Dimitri
Skyros, Nikos's face lit up and said, "Dimitri Skyros was a great friend of
the mission. We all miss him. I'm sure you do too, young man..."

Jeremy nodded, then he briefly explained his need of a young English
speaking crew mate for an extended cruise up to the Sporades with frequent
stopovers in the islands on the way. He planned to be gone for at least
three months.

"Let me see who's here now and could fit your needs for a minimum of three
months."

Nikos looked a long moment at his vintage computer's screen, then finally
said, "Listen, I have a young fellow with a Lithuanian passport from
Southampton. The lad's barely eighteen. He goes by the name of Anton
Ivanov. Nice boy. He was a cabin boy aboard the Kassandra, a super yacht
undergoing repairs here. The passenger attendants were put out of work. He
says he doesn't want to return to the UK... I wonder why... Anyhow, I'll
ask him if your offer interests him and promise to call you at the latest
this evening or tomorrow morning. Give me your phone number and the name of
your boat. Is Eros still moored in the Mandraki?"

Jeremy gave Nikos his card and replied, "Still by the windmills."

"I see. Do you need anything else?"

"No, I just want to make a contribution to your mission."

"Gladly! Every cent counts. Your grandfather always gave us his
contribution each year. Oh, by the way, please let me know if Anton gives
you satisfaction. He's rather special..."

"I shall, and thank you again. Good day, Mr. Callas."

"Good day, Mr. Skyros"

----------

At nine the following morning, Jeremy's phone rang. It was Nikos calling,
"Mr. Skyros, I've spoken with the lad I told you about. He's very
interested. Can I send him over now?"

"No problem. I'm aboard"

"By the way, Anton told me he was a former sea cadet and had experience in
sailing."

"Excellent reference! I'm expecting him, and thank you again."

Half an hour later, Jeremy heard a knock on the aft deck. He came out in
the cockpit. Standing on the quay, smiling at him was the most unbelievably
beautiful human he had ever seen.

"Anton Ivanov?"

"Yes, Sir"

"Please come aboard."

Anton's apparition hit Jeremy like a strike of lightning. He ushered the
young man into the cabin. Anton looked totally at ease.

"I like your boat a lot, Sir. She's extremely elegant and must be fast
under sail. I like how simple she is inside too. You are very fortunate to
own her."

"Yes, I am. Coffee? Tea?"

Anton's presence made Jeremy's heart beat stronger. It surprised him.

"Tea, please, Sir. Thank you."

While Anton looked around, Jeremy took a good look at the lad. There was
something both smooth and wild about him. He was eighteen but looked
sixteen. He was rather pale, but if he worked inside the yacht, he wasn't
often in the sun. He was wearing a casual pair of tight jeans and a grey
hoodie. Simple good taste. Jeremy liked that.  His medium long hair was
rather blondish and his complexion totally unblemished. Jeremy liked
Anton's moist smile. He also noticed Anton's hands. The nails were trimmed
and clean, his fingers, long and slim. He was becoming all over and well
proportioned, about five feet ten. For Jeremy, Anton was an icon of an
angel -- but beyond his looks, there was something more... something he
felt, but didn't know how to describe.

"Have a seat."

As Anton passed close by and sat, Jeremy said, "That's a nice scent you
have on."

The lad slightly blushed and replied, never lowering his bluish-grey eyes,
"I'm glad you like it, Sir. It's a fragrance I bought during a stopover in
Venice. It's called Dara. I wanted to make a good impression."

"You've succeeded. Sugar? Cream?"

"Neither, thank you," replied Anton, softly with that certain smile.

Not only Anton's presence unsettled him, but more than that, Jeremy was a
bit ill at ease playing the role of the employer hiring an
employee. Hearing a fellow only five years younger than himself calling him
'Sir' was something annoying for him.

"Uh... Well let's talk about the job offer. What did the director tell you
about it?" asked Jeremy, sitting down facing Anton.

"He said you required a crew mate for three months starting in a week. You
planned to sail north to other islands."

"That's right. I'm looking for an adequate, unspoiled island in order to
set up a day charter business with Eros."

"That's quite interesting, Sir," replied Anton with a sincere tone in his
voice.

In fact, to Jeremy's ears, Anton's voice sounded like music.

"Mr. Callas said you were a former sea cadet in Southampton?"

"Yes, I was, from the age of ten to sixteen."

"I was a sea cadet myself. Are you familiar with this kind of a boat?"

"Not yet, Sir. I've never sailed on a two masted schooner, but I've sailed
on a gaff pilot cutter. I don't think I'd have problems adapting."

"Very well," mumbled Jeremy, charmed even more by Anton.

Anton took the initiative to talk about money.

"Mr. Callas said that the work was all expenses paid, but didn't say how
much you're paying, Sir."  "I'm offering a flat £2500 in cash, all
expenses paid as you know, for the three months. I will insure you but I
cannot declare you as a regular seaman, therefore, no pay slip."

Anton looked at his hands on the table, and then replied "I'm tired of
being a simple errand boy for the arrogant clients on charter yachts. I
accept your offer. I suppose you want to try me out under sail."

"Yes, we'll sail over to Simi, spend the night there and return. For this,
no pay."

"That's normal."

"When we're back, we'll both decide if we want to continue together or
not."

"Very well, Sir. When do we leave for Simi?"

"Tomorrow if you want."

"What time?"

"10:00 AM. Will that do?"

"Yes, Sir"

"Fine. Now we have that settled. Could you tell me a bit more about
yourself?"

"Willingly, Sir, I am the second born of four brothers. My parents are
Russian but like many, they were born and raised in Klaipeda, Lithuania, a
ship building port city. In the Soviet Union, many Russians, like my
grandparents moved to Lithuania, but when the Soviet Union was dismantled,
we Russo-Lithuanians were ill treated. My father worked in the biggest
shipyard in Klaipeda. He found work in Southampton and we immigrated there
when I was three. I was in English schools from the age of four and left
high school when I turned sixteen."

"May I ask why?"

"Of course, Sir. I never participated in sports, I was never involved in
girls, I preferred reading and sailing. I had a good mate in the sea
cadets, my only friend, in fact. He moved to Canada when we were
fourteen. In school, I enjoyed studying but hated being bullied all the
time because of my effeminate looks."

"I understand. And for a first impression, do you think we can live
together aboard Eros for three months?"

"For me, I'm sure I can, Sir. You are a very pleasant person. I like the
way you talk, move, and respect me. I shall try to be a good seaman topside
and an agreeable companion underside."

Jeremy appreciated the well stated reply Anton gave. He sounded sincere.

"I have a good first impression of you as well, Anton. See you tomorrow at
ten."

"Count on me, Sir. Shall I bring my seabag?"

Jeremy thought an instant, smiled and replied, "Yes, you may."

----------

When Anton left the boat, Jeremy felt a sudden absence. Anton lingered on
his mind. The lightning he felt the first time he saw the lad had burnt its
trace in Jeremy. There was something about Anton that impressed, even
intrigued Jeremy. Was it only his looks? Not really, there was something
deeper, something mystical.

Whatever, Jeremy was really happy to know that Anton was coming back the
next day. It was a strange new feeling for him. Was he feeling an
attachment for someone? As the question dawned, Jeremy shrugged and mumbled
to himself, "And so what if I am!"

Jeremy busied himself with a few odd jobs aboard. After lunch, he noticed
that he didn't have a bedroll for Anton's berth.

He decided to go into town and buy one for his sailorboy. He thought that a
good sleeping bag that could be unzipped and opened would make a good cover
too. Passing in front of a perfume shop, he smiled, hesitated, then
entered. He asked if they had a fragrance called Dara. The saleslady smiled
and replied that she had never heard of it. Too bad.

He then went to shop for groceries for their trip. He found some extra
sandwich meats, canned stew, spaghetti sauce, a sack of tangerines, extra
eggs for breakfast, and finished with several bottles of wine, both white
and red, as well as a bottle of Jameson, his favourite whiskey.

That evening he returned to dine at Yannis's tavern and turned in early.

----------

Anton arrived at ten on the dot. He looked great in his sailor's smock and
sock cap with his seabag slung over his shoulder. He was beaming. Jeremy
had already prepared the sails and warmed up the motor.

"How do you feel this morning, Anton?"

"I'm good, Sir."

"Let's get one thing settled. From now on, you can leave out the 'Sir' and
just call me Jeremy. Okay? We'll be in close quarters and might as well be
less formal. Do you agree?"

"It's going to be strange for me, but why not!"

"Good. Now go put your bag on the watch berth and come back up to cast
off."

Anton moved on the deck like he had done the job for years. They eased out
of the Mandraki, and hoisted the sails. The morning breeze was steady,
perfect sailing weather. Jeremy cut off the motor and swung a bit
downwind. The sails immediately billowed. Anton flipped the sheet around
the winch and stiffened the foresail. Eros heeled a bit starboard and began
to split the wavelets as if she were laughing. Jeremy was beaming at the
tiller; Anton smiled and disappeared into the cabin. Several minutes later,
he reappeared in the cockpit with two mugs and a thermos full of fresh
coffee.

"That's great, Anton. Brilliant initiative!" exclaimed Jeremy watching
Anton pour him a cupful.

"It's only natural for a sailorboy to make coffee for his captain!"

"I'm beginning to like you a lot, sailorboy!" replied Jeremy.

"And I'm liking my captain even more!" quipped back Anton with a heart
melting smile as he poured his own cup.

They were well underway, clipping along at close to six knots. Wind hummed
in the riggings, from time to time, the spray of a wave slapped the bow
dampening the deck.

Jeremy shouted, "Port tack!"

Anton swiftly stood ready to release the sheets of the jib and
foresail. Jeremy pushed the tiller, Eros gently swerved. The sails
shivered. Anton released the sheets and grabbed the port sheet in hand. The
sails then fainted, and a second later they swung across. Anton swiftly
tightened the jib, then the foresail with the winch and secured them on
their cleats. Eros picked up speed. The manoeuvre was perfectly well done.

"Anton, come back here and take over. I want you to get the feel of the
tiller."

Anton held the tiller, vibrating as if alive, in his hand. Jeremy said,
"Steady as she goes," and went a bit forward to take a photo of his
extremely proud crew mate.

Simi was drawing close. Since the wind was steady, Jeremy said, "We're
going to Tilos... I know a secluded cove there where we'll be better at
anchor instead of the port of Simi."

"As you like! I'm happy to go wherever wills the wind!" stated Anton.

Jeremy headed due west on a broad reach. Anton adjusted his sheets. Eros
leaned a bit more and picked up speed. They were flying, clipping through
the swell. Eros hummed, her wake was gurgling, almost giggling. Jeremy and
Anton exchanged an appreciative smile and shook hands. They were happy as
swallows on wing.

"I suppose you're hungry, Anton."

"Happiness makes me hungry!"

"There's sliced meat and tomatoes in the galley," instructed Jeremy.

"And to drink?"

"There's beer in the fridge."

They enjoyed an excellent lunch on deck and took turns at the
tiller. Around about five thirty the breeze began to slacken. Jeremy
pointed at the cape of Tilos and announced, "Our cove is just behind."

They rounded the cape. Jeremy started the motor. Anton lowered and furled
the sails. They eased up not too far from a small, sandy beach and weighed
anchor. Eros was suspended in space, floating in water clear as air.

"What a day, Anton! You were great," complimented Jeremy as he hung the
swim ladder on the gunwale.

"You were too, Jeremy. Thank you!"

"Don't you think it's time for a dip before happy hour?"

"I don't have swimwear, Jeremy."

"All I wear is sunscreen, mate!" quipped back Jeremy, disappearing in the
cabin. He returned, nude with a bottle of lotion in hand.

"Get naked, Anton. I'll take care of your back."

Anton did as told. Jeremy began to slather Anton's shoulders with the
lotion. Anton shivered as he felt Jeremy's hands on his skin. He held
Anton's chest with his free hand and rubbed his back with the other. Anton
almost went limp. The sensation was wonderful!

Jeremy rubbed down to Anton's buttocks, making him shiver even more. Then
he did the legs. When Jeremy turned Anton around and stepped back, he
looked at the lad's perfect, uncut erection and elegant balls, topped with
a patch of amber pubic curls glistening with sweat and exclaimed, "You're a
splendour, a joy to admire."

Anton didn't know where to put himself...

 Jeremy handed the sunscreen to Anton, saying, "Now you can do my back."

It was Jeremy's turn to shiver a bit under Anton's delicate touch. Anton
imitated the way Jeremy had done. He massaged Jeremy's back, holding him
close with his free hand, the tip of his erection touching from time to
time Jeremy's thigh. Once Anton had finished the buttocks, Jeremy turned
around. He too was stiff as a hammer handle. Anton dared look at his
captain as well, with a shy but obvious smile on his lips.

"That'll do, the sun's really low now!" stated Jeremy. He grabbed Anton's
wrist and pulled him to the gunwale. Anton was laughing like mad. Then,
"One, two, three!" and they jumped overboard together in a big splash.

Anton immediately swam towards the beach. Jeremy inspected the underside of
Eros and then swam after Anton. Once ashore, they both admired Eros at
anchor.

"Beautiful," commented Jeremy.

"More than just beautiful. She and you are the best things that ever
happened to me, Jeremy. Thank you!"

Jeremy blushed and uttered, opening his arms, "You're good for me too,
Anton."

Anton beamed and fell into Jeremy's warm embrace. That elementary, natural
act was so full of meaning, overflowing with such bonding energy, that
tears brimmed in Anton's eyes. Jeremy too was deeply moved by having dared
surrender that way to the grace of that moment.

Two young men, standing naked on a deserted beach, in the middle of nowhere
hugged and the angels sang.

Then, breaking the rich silence between them, like school boys they both
darted off like mad, running in the shallows, splashing, then diving into
the water. They raced to Eros. Arriving exactly at the same time, they
laughed, scrambling to see who grabbed the ladder first.

Aboard, Anton inquired, "Where do you keep the towels, Jeremy?"

"Under the sink in the head."

Anton reappeared, tossed a towel to Jeremy, and began to dry himself as
well.

"Jeremy, I've got to dress. I feel like I'm roasting."

"I should get dressed myself; too much sun is never good."

"At least, not for me! Maybe once I'm tanned I can live naked!"

"What a dream!" replied Jeremy, then changing subjects, he said, "Anton,
listen, before I uncork the wine for an aperitif and then cook us a
mountain of spaghetti, could you tell me if I was too bold to hug you like
we did on the beach?"

"Not bold enough!" exclaimed Anton laughing.

They ran inside and dressed.

"Anton, you can furl the sails while I prepare the wine, cheese, and
crackers."

Jeremy busied himself in the galley, put the water on the gas cooker to
heat for the spaghetti, and plopped down on the bench just when Anton came
back down. The last rays of the setting sun had cast a golden light inside
the cabin. Both hushed. The silence, the shrill of a distant bird and the
ripples of the water against the hull were like music.

Jeremy filled their glasses with chilled retsina wine. Anton sat facing
Jeremy, took his glass, and leaned forward, lifting it for a toast. Jeremy
did the same and as their glasses touched, Anton said, "Long live us!"

Jeremy winked, nodded, and echoed, "Long live us!"

They drank. The wine helped releasing more personal topics of conversation
as they devoured the cheese, then later at dinner, the spaghetti.

Anton dared ask Jeremy about his parents, his studies, even his love
life. Jeremy did the same. They concluded that they both liked where they
came from, but at a distance. They both said they loved good literature,
and that they were not necessarily very tempted having a family.

Laughter often filled the cabin. Anton did the dishes. Jeremy unzipped the
sleeping bag to make a good deck blanket and tossed it out in the cockpit.

"When you finish, join me for some star gazing and whiskey sipping
topside."

Anton dimmed the lights in the cabin and came up. The moonless sky was
totally covered with stars. Jeremy was sitting on the cockpit floor, his
back on the bench. He patted the space beside him. Anton came and sat close
by him. Jeremy spread the duvet over their legs and then poured them each a
shot of Jameson.

Anton was shivering a bit. Jeremy pulled him a little bit closer. With
Jeremy's arm around his shoulder, Anton melted, his hand laying on Jeremy's
thigh. They shared a moment of silence. Then Anton asked Jeremy to tell him
about his project of day charter.

"Why do you want to know?"

"Just wondering..." hummed Anton.

"Inheriting my grandfather's yacht was at first a joy, then a burden, then
a blessing. On the plane returning to London, I imagined my grandfather
telling me to dare live and do what I really wanted to do. Then I realised
that I wanted to sail Eros and share the thrill of sailing her with
others. I could live comfortably aboard and receive up to eight paying
guests on deck and in the rare case of a sudden rain, there's room enough
inside for shelter..."

"Sounds like you have it all planned."

"Well, I have done a lot of thinking about the project. But there's one
problem. To make things perfect, I'd need a partner, a fellow like you to
attend to the guests' comfort and second me in the manoeuvres. But I can't
pay on a regular basis, sign a contract, pay the extras, etc. I need a
partner to work with on a percentage basis... but I'm not sure he would
like to live with me aboard, or me with him for that matter. I'll solve
that problem once I've found the right place to begin with. At first I
thought I'd work out of the Mandraki, but there's too many memories with my
grandfather there. Also, there's too much cheap competition for day cruises
in the Mandraki. That's why I'm looking for a more satisfactory island to
work from."

"I'd like to be your partner, Jeremy."

"What?"

"I said I'd like to be your partner and live with you on Eros. I'm more
than qualified for the job, and we do get along well together, don't we?"

"Well... yes... yes we do but..."

"But what?"

"Let's see how we feel about that a little later."

"Why?"

"We've just met. It's not reasonable to commit ourselves just now. Such a
decision has to be the result of careful consideration..."

"Do you really believe that?"

Jeremy was struck by the question. He realised that it was something his
stepfather would say. It was something you say in 'the other world', the
world he despised -- In Daddy Dimitri's world things were... were...

"I don't know, Anton, why I said that... Let's go down, wash up, and turn
in and let things happen the way they have to happen. Okay?"

"Okay"

The chill hit them when the duvet was lifted. Jeremy grabbed the glasses
with the bottle of Jameson; Anton took the duvet. Together they darted into
the cabin. They brushed their teeth at the sink, stripped and sponge bathed
each other. Jeremy stated, looking at their semi-erections, "You're right,
we really enjoy being together."

"That we do!" laughed Anton.

Without any further discussion, they headed directly to Jeremy's cabin and
crawled in the double bed. Anton's hand sought Jeremy's. They turned their
faces. The tips of their noses touched. They breathed each other's
breath. Anton rolled a bit over towards Jeremy. The tip of his moist cock
touched Jeremy's side. Jeremy reached over and caressed Anton's
cheek. Anton slid his leg between Jeremy's and their cocks met at the same
time they kissed.

Their feverish kisses became vagabond. Writhing, coiled together, they
kissed each other's neck, licked tits, nuzzled pits, their legs entangled,
their cocks pushing, drooling, seeking each other's flesh.

All reserve had vanished... What was happening had to happen. That's
all. The natural sweaty scent of male lust filled the cabin. They grabbed
each other's cock and pumped, kneaded, twisted, their mouths locked in a
famished kiss.

Anton was the first to gasp, then scream. With his head thrown back, he
convulsed as each surge of cum spewed out of his lovely cock. Jeremy
grunted, thrusting in Anton's iron grip. Suddenly, he too shot his liquid
lightning onto Anton's belly. Panting, spent, immobile, Anton began to
giggle. He smeared Jeremy's creamy semen and then licked the palm of his
hand. Jeremy too began to giggle. He sucked his own sticky fingers,
dripping with Anton's fresh cum. Seconds later, they were both locked in a
hug, rocking each other, as waves of gutsy, gleeful laughter filled the
cabin.

The silence of the night slowly returned. Still enlaced, Jeremy uttered,
"We are young, but our souls are old."

"That's why we're together, Jeremy. We were together long before we
met. Now that our flesh has found each other's, our souls are content,"
whispered Anton.

"Did you know that the instant you saw me?" uttered Jeremy.

"No, but I felt it without understanding."

"When I first saw you yesterday morning, I was dazzled. Your beauty struck
me like lightning... but seconds later I was no longer dazzled. Something
beyond, behind your looks was glowing and that something glowing was in me
too. God, am I glad that we found each other, Anton."

"Is it a beginning, Jeremy?"

"I feel it's the beginning of an old, old story, Anton."

Kissing the nape of Jeremy's neck, Anton whispered, "Are you sleepy?"

"Well... not really..."

That night, both discovered the joys of mutual fellatio, swallowing semen,
dozing between delights and finally sleeping in each other's embrace.

----------

Jeremy yawned, opened his eyes, the sun was already hot and high in the
summer sky. He slipped out of bed and went topside to piss. Gusty breezes
stirred the surface of the glittering waters of the cove. The sound of
breakers from the cape could be heard in the hiss of the wind.

"Good morning, matey!" sang Jeremy, kissing Anton's sleepy smile.

"Good morning to you too... I'll be right up."

"Meltem's blowing! We've got to get underway."

"Meltem?"

"That's a very strong north wind that blows here from time to time. It's
going to be rough going back."

Now fully awake, Anton sat up, fondled his balls, and crawled out of
bed. He too hurried out on deck, squeezing his penis, saying, "Be with you
in a second."

They indulged in a copious breakfast, washed up a bit and dressed.

"Take this," stated Jeremy handing Anton his slicker.

"Thanks!"

Then Jeremy slid into Daddy Dimitri's slicker, smiling as he realised the
symbolic impact of what he had just done.

Anton prepared the sails; Jeremy warmed up the motor and secured the
hatches. Jeremy shouted, "Okay! Weigh anchor, partner!"

Anton cranked the windlass, then suddenly realised that Jeremy had just
said, 'partner'. Smiling from ear to ear, Anton shouted back, "Anchor
aweigh, partner!"

Anton ran back to Jeremy, manning the tiller and stuttered, "You said
'partner'. Does that mean..."

"That's exactly what I mean, and you answered 'partner' back to me, so I
guess that's it."

"Correct! That's it!"

They stood together, shoulder to shoulder, as they motored out of the
cove. Just before rounding the cape, Anton hoisted the reduced
sails. Breakers were exploding on the rocks; foam was streaking off the
whitecaps. Entering the wind, Eros leaned, split the waves with a hissing
wake, and headed due east. The partners sat, cuddled together on the
tillerman's bench, beaming as they sped into the late morning light.

Six hours later, as the sun began to set, they entered the Mandraki,
drenched, exhausted, and elated. As they were tying up, two lads passing by
gave them a thumbs up, nodding their admiration. Anton felt like a prince.

They stripped and fell on the bed. Anton whispered, "Let's do it
tonight..."

Jeremy perfectly understood what Anton meant and replied, "We'll flip a
coin to see who does what first. Okay?"

"It's a deal!" exclaimed Anton. They grabbed each other in a conclusive
kiss. Jeremy teasingly tapped Anton's sweet little arse and asked,
"Hungry?"

"Famished!" was the immediate reply.

They quickly cleaned up, dressed and went into town. Yannis came over to
the table and complimented Jeremy on his handsome guest.

"Yannis, I'm glad to introduce you to Anton, my partner aboard Eros."

"The gods have smiled on you two! I'm sure your grandfather would bless you
both! What will it be tonight? Fish or meat?"

Jeremy looked at Anton.

"Meat for me," he replied, with a coy smile.

"Same for me, Yannis."

"I've got a fantastic lamb roast already waiting for you, with potatoes,
carrots, bread, olive oil. And for the wine, my young friends, red or
white?"

"Red!" replied Jeremy.

"Excellent for blood, and even more," quipped Yannis, winking at the two
'partners'.

The wine instantly appeared on the table with a small platter of nibbles to
whet their already voracious appetite.

As they savoured the meal, they discussed their partnership. It was as if
everything had been planned in advance. They chose a platter of grapes for
dessert. Yannis brought them the bill. Jeremy signed it. Yannis bade them
good night. There was a moment of warm silence. Anton whispered, "Are you
ready to go flip the coin?"

"More than ready," grinned Jeremy, standing.

The wine had left a purple smile on both their flushed faces as they walked
back to the Mandraki holding hand, their jeans moist in anticipation.

Once inside, Jeremy put the bottle of sunscreen beside the berth and dimmed
the lamp. Anton put the coin on the other side and slowly began to
undress. Nude, they crawled up on the covers and sat cross-legged, face to
face.

Their heartbeats hastened, their breathing was heavy. Jeremy reached over,
took the coin, and gave it to Anton.

Anton said, "Heads, you come in me; tails, I come in you. Okay?"

"Is the pun intended?"

"Yes!"

Jeremy laughed and said, "Okay, flip!"

The coin spun upwards and then fell between them. Tails. Anton mumbled, "I
didn't expect that..."

"Don't worry. I'll help you..."

"Okay, you'll help me!" proclaimed Anton, throwing himself on Jeremy.

They shared a long, deep kiss, rolling enlaced together in the
covers. Their foreplay was slow yet intense. At a certain point, Jeremy
uttered, turning over, face down, "Open me... with your fingers, your
tongue, your love, Anton."

Anton bent over and licked Jeremy's moist cleft. Then instinct overtook. He
tongued, then inserted his finger. He tongued some more and inserted two
fingers. Jeremy moaned, rediscovering a long forgotten bliss. Anton's cock
drooled transparent threads of slick as he brushed Jeremy's hole with the
tip of his glans.

"Slather your cock with the sunscreen and go for it, Anton."

Anton squirted the liquid on his throbbing erection, then into Jeremy's
anus. He hovered over Jeremy. Jeremy seized Anton's cock between his
fingers and directed it to his quivering hole. Anton dared push a
little. Jeremy shoved back. Jerermy's anus swallowed Anton's cock to the
hilt. Their bodies took over. Anton thrusted. Jeremy pushed back. They
began to fuck. Slow at first, then faster and deeper as they moved in
sync. Anton's sex danced inside Jeremy. Spinning in a whirlpool of
unbelievable bliss, Anton clawed Jeremy's shoulders, kissed the nape of his
neck. Their feet rubbed together as Anton fucked Jeremy with the grace of a
cat. His rump rolled and hunched, never pounding, his cock coaxing waves of
electric ecstasy out of Jeremy's amazed prostate. Their fucking became a
frenzy of sweat and saliva.

Like a sudden strike of lightning, lost in a scream, both their cocks
spewed, one into space, the other into flesh.

Afterwards, they just laid there, inert, trying to catch their breath. Then
Anton caressed Jeremy's cheek and whispered.

"Jeremy? Are you all right?"

"I'm in heaven. That was mind-blasting, Anton... And you?"

"I love you, Jeremy. You led me to know love. I love you. While I was in
you, I was lost and born at the same time. I need you in me too..."

"Anton, I have to lose myself in you too," uttered Jeremy, yawning, "but
right now, I'm totally spent. Let's get some sleep. I promise, with the
dawn, I'll fuck you as long and as deep as I can. I need it really bad
also."

"Oh, yesssss...with the dawn..." yawned Anton.

The night wind sang in the riggings as they kissed. They shared a contented
sigh and fell together deep asleep.

----------

As the day was breaking, Jeremy gently caressed Anton's thigh, kissed his
luscious moist lips. Nothing was said. Anton smiled. Jeremy delicately
kneaded and slid his hand into Anton's cleft. His fingers found the
precious opening. Anton hummed as Jeremy massaged the tight, twitching
hole.

Laying on his back, his legs sprawled, Anton gave Jeremy space. Time
trembled. Jeremy knelt. He draped Anton's legs over his shoulders and began
to open Anton. He licked, fingered, and tongued him. Anton began to moan,
to whimper, to slightly move, on the verge of going wild, shivering from
the need to be fucked. Jeremy ate him, then nibbled his balls, tormenting
his tits with the tip of his fingers. Jeremy's leaking cock brushed Anton's
arse as he leaned in a kiss. Anton's need was crucial. He grabbed his
buttocks and pulled them apart. He couldn't stand it a second more. Jeremy
jacked his cock with lotion and lifted Anton's rump by the hipbones. With
his drooling glans kissing Anton's pulsing hole, Jeremy pushed. Anton's
sphincter willingly yielded. Anton's burning flesh sucked Jeremy deep
inside. They writhed, rocked, clawing. They drooled, biting lips and ear
lobes. Wide-eyed, Anton moaned, whimpered, giggled, then clenching Jeremy
with his legs around the waist, he rolled him over, never disconnecting,
and rode him. Jeremy bucked and fucked as Anton bounced, ground, and
strangled the cock inside him with his deepest, intimate muscles.

Thus, they surfed on the waves of a god-given bliss, known to males alone.

Jeremy quaked and trembled, his mouth agape. Their fucking
accelerated. Anton became wild. They wept in ecstasy as Anton made Jeremy's
cock stir his entrails. They irradiated waves of orgasmic energy. Drops of
sweat gleamed on Anton's chest, streamed from his pits, fell from his face
like dying stars on Jeremy's face. Jeremy's lips snarled, his nostrils
flared, and then like distant thunder rolling in, a howl surged from the
depths of his surrender, his semen pumping into Anton, gush after
gush. Anton arched, snarling, screaming in the blast of a blinding orgasm,
his cum streaming into the air, falling on Jeremy's panting chest, his
lips, his hair.

They collapsed, both panting, attempting to return from that instant of
oblivion. Jeremy's spent cock slipped out of Anton as he rolled over on his
side. Then without warning, they grabbed each other, tickling, laughing,
slobbering on each other with their hungry kisses, licking each other's
salty skin. They were young and in love, crazy and alive. The world was
theirs to cherish and tame. Their combined energies were like the Meltem --
indomitible, powerful, and pure.

----------

As Anton sang in the shower, Jeremy's mind wandered as in a dream, his
fingers idly playing with Anton's semen puddled in his navel. He distinctly
heard his Daddy Dimitri laughing. He stretched.

"Time to get out of bed, lover man. The shower's yours; I'm going to make
us a breakfast to remember!"

"Can I borrow some of your Dara!"

"My pleasure! Coffee or tea?"

"What are you having?"

"Tea"

"Tea for two please!"

Anton giggled, listening to Jeremy sing off tune in the shower.

----------

That was how their story began.

----------

Epilogue

They sailed, avoiding the regular tourist circuits, seeking their ideal
home port. They ended up in the Sporades. They chose Skopelos. Jeremy put
his mooring space in the Mandraki up for rent.

In November, Helen came for a visit. She totally fell under Anton's unique
charm, saying that he was a blessing for her son.

They enjoyed the atmosphere, the beauty of the surrounding islands, the
natural marine park as well. They obtained the authorisations necessary for
day charter, and a perfect mooring space along the harbour sidewalk. They
put their flyers in the tourist office, the better hotels and restaurants
in town and their posters in the airport, and at the ferry landing. They
built a sandwich board sign to put on the quay at the foot of Eros. They
were ready for their first clients at the end of March.

Covid 19! All plans went astray.

They found refuge at anchor in Planitis Bay on the practically uninhabited,
wooded island of Kyra Panagia. They began to live on their own and enjoy
it. They fished, baked their bread, drew their water from the well. The two
other inhabitants were two monks living in their ancient monastery. Anton
and Jeremy helped out in the monestary garden and the monks gave them some
of their vegetables. Later on, they invited each other for dinner and tried
some conversation, the monks with their broken English and the horrible
Greek that Jeremy and Anton dared speaking. It was hilarious.

Later when other yachts came to anchor, they helped the holiday makers
respect the island. When they sailed over to Alonnisos Island to do a
little shopping, enjoy a meal at the tavern, chat with new friends. They
even considered doing a little day charter, later on... if they felt like
it.

They lived in a kind of 'out-of-this-world' way on their little island with
the monks and were perfectly happy. That's why they're still there.

----------