Alternative Medicine 📊

In one single night, Thomas had many firsts. His first time sneaking out of the house. His first unchaperoned party. His first beer. His first time being drunk. His first time making out with a girl. First time sleeping with one. His first time coming home well past curfew. His first time blacking out. It would be weeks before he discovered the final first; getting someone pregnant. Many months down the road, his first and only child was born. Little Gerald. And all before he had even graduated high school.

The mother was a stranger from another school who only carried the baby to term out of a moral obligation. Only then did she disown him, giving Thomas full custody. Apparently, an education at Princeton was more important than raising a child. An education that Thomas couldn't get himself. Not with a little one to care for. Instead, he found a job straight out of school, working long hours to earn a living. Having a healthy network of family to help raise his son in those early years certainly helped.

Ten years later, and he had a place to call his own, and a new job where he could work remotely so he didn't need to rely on anyone's help. It was just Gerald and Thomas against the world. Which could be a struggle at times. It didn't help that Gerald had been given an ADHD diagnosis, forced onto him by a "concerned individual" at school. He didn't believe in labeling kids with such absolutism. He's just a rambunctious, energetic boy. That's what boys are like. And now he was expected to medicate him to keep him in normal classes and not thrown into the special needs pit.

Thomas complied for the most part. Until he discovered a workaround that aligned with his views. It was all thanks to Josie's Home Life, one of the parenting podcasts he kept up with. She'd mentioned an all natural Asian herbal supplement that was perfect for ADHD afflicted kids. Granted, it wasn't designed with that in mind, but it improved attention spans and calmed busy minds without any of the nasty chemicals and medical mumbo jumbo those quack doctors wanted you to ingest. And best of all, it was available to buy on Henka's marketplace for a fraction of the price of his son's medication.

It was a no-brainer really. He'd been giving Gerald the supplements every day for the past four months, and the results spoke for themselves. He seemed more well behaved, less off-the-walls energetic, and he threw far less tantrums. He was even well disciplined and focused in school. Going to a parents evening where the teacher praised his improvement in classwork and didn't even once mention the words "dog in diapers" had Thomas feeling like the best parent the world.

There were off days, of course. Even that so-called medicine wasn't 100% effective at handling Gerald's peak energy times. So it wasn't the biggest betrayal when Henka's magic tablets couldn't get a grip on his son. Sometimes he considered upping the dose when that happened, but the peculiar side effects had him err on the side of caution. It sounded ludicrous, but he didn't want to tempt fate. They just had to wait it out a day and he'd be right as rain the following morning.

That is, until today. Thomas had invited everyone from work to attend a dinner party. This would be his first time meeting most of the team in person, so he had to get those first impressions just right. He'd even invited the boss, and this was his best chance to get in her good books. If all goes well, he could be looking at a healthy bonus. But if it went wrong? Well, he'd rather not think about it. 

With only 6 hours before guests arrived, a Gerald-cane had swept through the home. Paper and felt tip markers scattered across the dining room table, a drawing of Sonic left abandoned along with a half-eaten bowl of the soggiest Cornflakes caked in sugar. A pile of dirty laundry was dumped at the foot of the stairs instead of in a basket in the laundry room. Globs of failed cake batter painted the kitchen walls. And there in the center of the living room with the TV on full blast was Gerald surrounded by hundreds of LEGO bricks building a mismatched disaster of a castle, blissfully unaware of the chaos he'd brought about.

Control-Alt-Fix

PART TWO

 

Half an hour. I left him alone for half an hour. How could he cause so much trouble in only half an hour? I had my suspicions while I was waiting to collect the pizza, and there was chatter on the local forum about a strange prank. A guy dressed as a statue was scaring people in the statue garden, despite there being no such thing. But I passed it off as being a neighboring town. Then I thought something was wrong when I was held up in traffic due to animal control trying to subdue a bear that was digging through the trash, despite living nowhere near bear territory. But maybe it had escaped the zoo, what did I know? It wasn't until I came home to find my younger, unambitious roommate playing a game on my computer that my suspicions were actualized. Because I live alone. That young man used to be my girlfriend's son until he got his grubby hands all over my Neighborhood Creator...

I guess I can't completely blame Matty. I shouldn't have left him alone. I shouldn't have asked him to get the N64 from my study. I definitely should not have left that damned game running... How was he to know it was a reality altering device? That's not a normal thing to have access to. He was just having fun coming up with zany ideas. He's a creative kid. Was... Turning himself into my 26 year old co-worker and roommate was definitely a deliberate decision taken after learning the true potential of the game. It's just lucky that I arrived when I did. Who knows what else he could have done. Thank God I stepped in before his final adjustment to make us lovers could fully set in. That would have complicated matters. Dating both him and Kathy at the same time? Woof...

Neighborhood Creator causes nothing but trouble. Matty's a lot like Billy in a way. Creating chaos all in an attempt to forge a perfect life. Then one little misclick, and wham! You're stuck as a puppy, and your son's turned into a large, hairy man in his late thirties as a safeguard! Well, stuck isn't the correct word. I can quite easily turn him back into a man. I could turn myself back into a kid. I've mulled the decision over many a night, and I always come to the same conclusion - It's safer this way. If Billy were to ever regain his control over this game, there would be Hell to pay. Especially if he knows that I left him stuck in a permanently puppified state...

And to be honest, I've come to begrudgingly accept my manhood. I have an easy job, lots of money, and I'm pretty handsome if I do say so myself. I barely even remember being a kid. It literally feels like decades ago, thanks to the game's powerful reality altering effects. If I let my mind wander, I can forget my old life altogether and live in the moment. And that's how I feel whenever I'm with Kathy.

Reality Virtual

PART ONE 

Normally, if Matty's mom had suggested he spend time getting to know the latest man she was dating, he would have laughed in her face and refused. She was so adamant that he grow up with a father figure yet every guy she chose to date was basically the same. But now here he was, walking up the drive to Richard's home like it was no big deal.

Richard wasn't like the other dorks his mom had dated since his dad "went to the store for milk" and never came home. Sure, he had the dorky dad 'stache, and the dorky pet names, and the dorky clothes. But despite appearances, he was actually, dare he say, cool? For a potential stepdad, anyway. Unlike the other adults he knew, Richard actually listened when he wanted to talk about the latest anime or the current esports championships. And they could hold a conversation about it since he loved that kind of stuff as well. His house was full of super expensive LEGO sets, anime figurines straight from Japan, and an entire room full of pinball machines. He was clearly loaded, and it showed. But the absolute coolest thing about Richard was that he literally played video games for a living! Sure, he said it was a boring job, having to constantly replay sections to seek out bugs and glitches until he was sick of holding a controller. But obviously he was being modest. And even if he wasn't, he still freakin' plays video games for a living!

As Matty stepped into his new idol's home, he was quickly greeted by Billy, the most adorable, rambunctious puppy ever. He was always trying to play and cause trouble, but he was so cute that he could get away with anything. Matty gave him a good cuddle while Kathy greeted her boyfriend.

"Thanks for looking after him tonight, I can't take him to another of Lacey's recitals after the last time..."

"No problem, it's always a pleasure to catch up with the little champ." Richard bent down to ruffle Matty's hair with a chuckle. His pet name since he always beat the old man at Mario Kart. Then he lowered his voice to a hush. "I have a little surprise for him. I found that thing I was looking for..."

"Oh, well don't let me keep you. Make sure he eats something nutritious, and I'll be back in a few hours. Love you."

"Mmhmm, love you too honey," Richard replied before leaning in and giving her a soft kiss that left both of them chuckling. Matty, meanwhile turned away with a groan and pulled a disgusted face. What could be grosser than two adults kissing? The two guys waved her off before Richard closed the door and crossed his arms, a smirk on his face.

New Year, Same Me?

PART ONE

A warm sunbeam peeped through the partially closed curtains, causing Derryl to wake up and rub the sleep from his eyes. He sat up and looked around. He wasn't in his bedroom, it was the almost unfamiliar guest room of an increasingly familiar man who'd invited his family to spend New Years with him... He smiled slightly. Finally, it was New Year's Day. Which could only mean...

He jumped out of bed and ran towards an antique mirror in the corner of the room, only to halt mid-step with a confused "Wah...?" He stood face to face with a young teenager with floppy hair and acne-ridden skin. The same young teenager he'd been seeing for the last year in every single reflective surface. "But, but... We were supposed to... It was meant to... It's the new year!" He blustered before stomping his foot with a frustrated growl.

Derryl sulked out of his room and through the warm cabin. There he saw a young man in the open kitchen cooking some scrambled eggs, coffee in hand. He was needlessly shirtless, as if he were showing off his toned muscles. "Hey there, sport," he grinned as he set the eggs aside. "Happy New Year! We missed you at midnight. You just couldn't stay up an extra hour, could you?"

"Don't you 'Happy New Year' me, Asher!" Deryll replied in disgust. "Why haven't we swapped back? It's a new year! Those old resolutions should be null and void, and I should be your father again!"

"Well if you'd stayed up last night, you'd know I had this exact conversation with-"

"I don't care about your boyfriend! I only care about reclaiming what was once mine!"

"Okay, cool your temper and let me plate up some breakfast. Then we can discuss things a little further. We're mere hours into the new year, don't spoil it with those rancid vibes."

Deryll scraped a chair out from under the table and slumped into it with a scowl. "Stupid site, stupid magic, stupid life..." he grumbled under his breath as Asher prepared some bacon and eggs for him. "I spent weeks trying to get a response from that hackneyed group that wasn't just automated bullshit."

"Language..."

"Then when I finally got through to an actual person, they couldn't do anything but tell me to wait! All I've done for the past year is wait. Wait wait wait!"

"Well maybe if you worked on the entire reason we swapped... You know, our resolutions? Then maybe you'd feel more fulfilled with the way things have turned out."

A Christmas Carroll

Stan was back home for the holidays, and it felt good to be back in his childhood home. Sure, it had only been a few months since his last visit. But with him in his final months of college, he was getting fewer and fewer chances to make the journey out of state. With graduation drawing ever closer, he'd hoped to find a job somewhere closer to home, but all of his trawling job sites came up with nothing that would put his degree to good use. At least in the big cities, people were clamoring for child psychologists. As for now, he'd cherish every moment spent with his parents and sister while he could.

Which is why he felt a little disgruntled by his current task. His mom had given him a box of baked goods to deliver to someone in their apartment block. Some old guy called Geoffrey Carroll. He'd seen him a few times in the lobby over the years, but neither of them had ever said a single word to the other. Why would they? The man was as old as his grandparents. Older, even. His mom, however, knew every single person in the building by name, and almost every little thing about them. Apparently, he'd slipped on some ice outside the lobby recently, and fractured his hip. So she'd taken it upon herself to make him a treat, and asked Stan to offer any help in bringing some festive cheer. 

So he put on his best ugly festive sweater, stuffed a Santa hat on his head, and trekked up a flight of stairs to deliver the goods. He knocked at the door, and after a period just long enough to consider leaving the box on the floor and leaving, it was opened by a squat, elderly man with a bristly mustache and wispy, thinning hair. He had a pair of thick rimmed spectacles, and propped himself up with a steel medical cane. He looked him up and down with suspicion. "Wrong door," he grumbled. "I don't do that online stuff..."

"No Mr. Carroll, I'm Stan. I live on the floor below you. Uh, you know my mom, Betty Brooks? She heard about your accident, and asked me to give you these."

"Ah, Betty. A fine woman, she is. She's the only one who seems to check up on me nowadays..." Geoffrey stepped back from the door and added, "Well don't stand there like a lemon, come in!"

It was a little awkward to be invited inside given how he'd never said two words to the man up to now. But Stan pushed through the awkwardness and squeezed his way past the elderly man, being careful not to trip over his cane, and stepped into the living room. It looked much like his grandparent's house, smelled a little like it too. There were old photos of family members scattered around the room. He stopped in front of one which looked like a family reunion and asked, "Does your family not stop by? Seems like there's a lot of them..."

 "Of course they do!" Geoffrey sneered. "But they all moved away long ago. My youngest grandson's the closest, and he's still a good two hour drive. Everyone gets together for Thanksgiving, but Christmas? Bah! They're too old for that now, they have their own kids to coddle."

"No Christmas huh?" Stan felt a little disappointed by that sentiment. His family were Christmas mad. Like putting the Christmas tree up on Halloween mad. Looking around him now, there was no indication it was the middle of December. Not even a stray greeting card. "I guess that explains the lack of decorations..."

"My wife was the one who decorated for Christmas." Geoffrey sighed solemnly. "I haven't touched an ornament since she passed."

"Oh, I'm sorry..."

"Don't be, it was years ago," he said. "She was the sociable one, the one who enjoyed everything about Christmas. It doesn't feel right to celebrate without her..."

"Well I could put some decorations up," Stan suggested. "If you want, that is. Spruce the place up a bit."

"Bah, it'd only get in the way!" Geoffrey grumbled. "And all those lights and flashy nonsense would kick up my migraines!"

"I see," Stan said with a stroke of his chin. "You're a bit of a Scrooge."

"No I'm not!" Geoffrey huffed. "I can celebrate Christmas without the need for the frivolities. If anything, they get in the way of the true meaning of Christmas."

"Mmm, the presents."

"Jesus Christ!"

"I'm kidding, of course it's about spending time with loved ones."

"No, it's about the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Good gracious, what are they teaching you in school nowadays!?"

"Sir, I'm 22."

"That's no excuse for ignorance!"

Stan sighed. Was it the pain of his fractured hip or was this guy always so grouchy? Maybe he needed a little encouragement. With a sly smile, he said "I wish you could reflect on those Christmases Past. Maybe you'll get more into the Christmas spirit, Mr. Scrooge!" He slipped the Santa hat from his head and plopped it atop Geoffrey's balding pate. It slid down his head, and almost covered his eyes. It took plenty of willpower for Stan to not burst into laughter at the sight.

Unfortunately, Geoffrey didn't appear to see the bright side of things, his cheeks almost as red as the hat blocking his vision. "I wish you would reflect on all those Christmases Yet To Come, and understand how demeaning the entire blasted thing is!" He yanked the hat off his head and tossed it to the ground. "Yes, I've read A Christmas Carol, you fool-born lout! And keep that hooter of yours out of other's personal businesses!"

"Wow..."

Geoffrey seethed for a moment, allowing his temper to cool before exhaling a heavy sigh. "You know what? Do whatever you want. Decorate or don't. I don't care any more." Stan was surprised by the sudden change in demeanor. Was this that seasonal depression he'd heard about? Geoffrey shuffled past him, quietly sneering "I'll be sure to let you know if any ghosts visit." before entering his bedroom with a huff.

Maybe he shouldn't have given the lad free reign over his apartment, Geoffrey briefly wondered before a sharp pain shot through his body. He winced as he lowered himself onto his bed, and made himself comfortable. Christmas spirit indeed... "Bah!" He growled aloud once more. Maybe that kid was right, he was a Scrooge. But for good reason. Any love he had for Christmas died the instant his beloved Maria passed away. She did it all. The decorations, the gift wrapping, the hosting, the dinners, and all with a smile on her beautiful face. So tied to Christmas were his memories of her, he couldn't bare to celebrate the season once more. It didn't feel the same. He only felt empty at this time of year... He mumbled some nonsense to himself as he fell into a deep sleep, unaware that the pain in his hip was gradually dissipating.

 ---------

Stan stood by, box of treats in hand, for several minutes as he debated whether or not to leave. He didn't really want to stick around. But he knew if he told his mom what had happened, she'd implore him to go straight back and spread a little cheer. Maybe the decorations would remind the old guy of those times spent with his family, and he'd be less of a Scrooge. The hardest part happened to be the easiest, as he found the plastic tree and a box of decorations behind the first closet door he opened. Perhaps the old geezer was going to decorate after all before his accident. Whatever the reason, all that was left to do was set it up.

It was a handsome artificial tree that looked like it had seen a lot of use. He could only imagine the Christmases that had been spent with this tree in sight. The joys of gifts, cheer and merriment. He could even see Geoffrey sat in an armchair, a tiny smile cracking his hard veneer as his sons opened up their presents from Santa. Year after year as the tradition moved from sons to grandsons, all fueled up with sugar and cheer as they ripped into gift wrapped boxes filled with toys and clothes and the occasional toiletry gift set. This tree had seen it all.

Stan chuckled to himself, giving his face a much needed scratch. His beard felt peculiar yet inviting. He'd been trying to grow one for Decembeard, and those increasingly cold nights, but it still grew in patchy. Or rather, it did until this very moment. Now it had blossomed into a fluffy delight that spread from cheek to cheek with a density he'd never experienced in facial hair. It left him with an odd feeling in his chest. Did beards just grow like that? An odd itch and persistent chill proved that wasn't all that was furry. His belly was gaining its own soft pelt of hairs. Stan had noticed since it now extended out from beneath his sweater, pushing it upwards to display its breadth. He chuckled nervously as he gave it a stroke. "I guess there's more than one way to grow up," he sighed. Geoffrey wanted him to reflect on Christmases Yet To Come. It was an odd wish, but one that seemed to be having an effect on him. He'd heard magic was writhe this time of year...

Now his body was feeling warm and cramped. His clothes continued to tighten around him like they shrunk in the wash. He really didn't want to, but he found he had no choice. Stan slipped his sweater off and tossed it aside, followed by his jeans which had to be peeled off of his burgeoning buttocks and thick thighs. He marveled at how much hairier he had become. Swirls of dark hair swept across his torso in an uninterrupted blanket. Deep in his rational mind, he knew this was impossible, and something that should terrify him. But those initial qualms were quickly fading away as quick as his hairline. He felt a breeze across his head. Reaching up, he stroked the top of his bald scalp with a slight frown. It appeared that woolly coating he'd obtained had all just migrated south of his head for the Winter.

Despite the uneasiness in his stomach, Stan couldn't help but marvel at his changes. It almost felt right to be so thick and hairy and mature. "I'm growing up," he said aloud. "I'm getting old. It won't be long until I'm as old as..." He gulped at the thought, briefly coming back to his senses. He didn't want to be old, right? He was losing his hair, getting fat, getting achey. And most importantly, he was losing his youth. This should have been terrifying, or at least concerning. Instead, Stan felt rather flustered. Everything about his failing body was turning him on. His cock had gotten hard, and to his surprise, it looked less than adequate. Was it his growing fat folds or was it actually getting shorter? As he held it in the palm of his hand, he swore he could feel it shrinking within his grip. A lustful moan escaped his lips at the thought. What if Geoffrey came back out to find him stripped naked and feeling himself up? It'd be so humiliating... The thought alone made him even more horny... But now wasn't the time for games! He had to hold off until he'd finished decorating. Why if his beloved could see him now...

Stan jolted upwards at the thought and sapped any lingering horniness at the roots. His cock even softened in his grasp, not even half the length as it used to be. Since when was he in a relationship? He was a single man, not for lack of trying. Yet thinking about it, he could see himself as a family man. Sat in his armchair as he watches his little boys open their presents from "Santa" with a knowing smile. Years passing by, decades, all spent in that comfy armchair as the belief in Santa spread from son to grandson to great-grandson. His loving wife by his side as she takes a break from slaving over the oven to accept that lovely necklace she'd had her eye on, or the garish blouse her sister had insisted he bought her. Then the many, many Christmases spent without her by his side. It was almost enough to give up on the whole thing...

Looking around, Stan spotted his discarded Santa hat. He reached down to pick it up, wincing as he felt a cramp in his lower back. He paused, and crouched down, his knees creaking as he grabbed the hat and stood back up. Creaky joints and back pain were all a part of getting old, he sighed. But looking around at what he'd already achieved, he realized something. He was getting old, but that didn't mean he had to grow up. He didn't want to be one of those old people who seemed to lack any sense of whimsy or joy. He refused to lose that joy! It would be a dishonor to his beloved wife if he gave in to the loneliness. She'd want him to celebrate all there was to be had at Christmas. Starting with the decorations.

The thought of all those Christmases yet to come put him in a better mood. There wasn't long to go until that Geoffrey guy came back. Then the real festivities could begin. He grabbed another ornament from the box and searched for the perfect spot to place it.

--------- 

Geoffrey tossed and turned in his bed. The nerve of that kid, thinking he could just waltz in with a box of cookies and demand he decorate his house for Christmas. Not the Christmas he knew, oh no. The proper, respectable tradition of remembering the birth of the Beloved Son. No, he wanted to bring in that sickening commercialized nonsense with all the bells and whistles he loathed. The second that lad was out of his hair, he was packing the whole thing back up.

How he wished he could go back, back to when he was celebrating with his wife and kids. As he sat in his chair and opened the gifts Maria had picked out for them under the guise of Santa. How he'd be given the usual bottle of whiskey or a box of cigars that would mostly go to waste as he found fewer moments to celebrate those big milestones in life... Then again, he'd never smoke a cigar in the first place. Smoking had been thoroughly drilled into his head as a dangerous, unhealthy endeavor and was seriously uncool. Now vapes. He'd smoked a few of those out of curiosity... Since when did he know what a vape was...

He shook his head to clear it. What nonsense was he thinking of. He was trying to remember his Christmases sat beneath the tree while his parents watched on with those patient smiles as he ripped open his gifts from Santa. It took him far too long to discover the truth, embarrassingly long. But that didn't ruin those moments when he truly believed. He recalled telling his fiancée all about it when they first started dating, and she laughed and laughed. That was when he knew they were made for each other. Lately he'd been thinking of popping the question, he just needed a ring... Wait, hadn't he already... What was her... 

It was the strangest thing. He could recall his days of youth with vivid precision. But anything past college was a frightening blur of vague details. And those vivid memories couldn't be real. He recalled opening Batman LEGO and a Jake the Dog toy as a kid, and the excitement of receiving a Nintendo Switch with a steering wheel add-on for bouts of Mario Kart as a teenager. But he was far too old for that junk. How did he even know what an Adventure Time was? Concentrating, he tried to recall anything at all about his life post college. But it was no use. All he felt was the pang of loss. Like he was forgetting something important. Someone important...

Geoffrey awoke with a start. Back in the same old bedroom he'd fallen asleep in. Old being an understatement. It felt familiar and yet oddly distant. A stranger's room. He felt less than refreshed, his mind foggy. Whatever he was dreaming, it was lost to the aether. He scrambled beside him for his glasses, only to come empty-handed. Though it appeared he didn't need them. Did he develop 20-20 vision in his sleep? Everything seemed so sharp and vivid in ways he hadn't experienced in years. He rubbed his head in awed confusion, followed by a "huh?" Was his hair usually this thick? A flash of memory told him he was thinning up top, yet his fingers didn't lie. It must have been that dream... He grasped at the covers and threw them off, the cool air hitting his bare torso. Why was he only in his underwear? And more importantly, where had these toned muscles come from?

Confused, Geoffrey jumped up from the bed and winced slightly. His back still felt sore from that fall last week. He thought he'd broken something from the way he landed. Luckily, he'd only bruised the skin, and his ego. It had definitely improved since then. He could walk upright, for one. In another week, he knew he'd be good as rain. The benefits of youth, he mused as he wandered over to the mirror in the corner. 

There he saw a young man of 22. Why he thought he was anything less, he didn't know. He licked at his bare upper lip, not fully understanding why he expected to feel the bristles of a chevron mustache. He'd only tried growing his facial hair once, and it came in so sparse, he vowed to never attempt it again until his stubble had fully filled in. He gawked at his reflection, giving his pecs a light squeeze as if he'd never seen his body before. Something told him he'd never been this athletic in his entire life, which was clearly untrue. He was the star of his football team back in high school, and still an avid gym-head now he was in college. He tickled the few hairs in between the solid mounds, picturing a far denser carpet of hair covering them. Maybe in another decade, but for now, he was smooth as silk. Not like that Santa brute... Santa who now? Another forgotten aspect of his dream maybe. Waking up in an unfamiliar bedroom alone was messing with his mind...

Lost in thought, a curious sensation brought him back to his senses - a wondrous, familiar smell in the air of nutmeg and cream. His mouth salivated at the scent drifting in from beneath the closed door. It wafted in from the kitchen. Of course, that guy was still here. Dan or Steve or whatever... Though something told him he was supposed to be here. The last thing he remembered was telling someone he was going to take a nap... No, he was going to get ready. Ready for what? Looking around, he didn't see any clothes that could have been his own. And he didn't feel entirely comfortable heading out of the room in just his undies. Or did he? It had to be why he was in a stranger's home in the first place. Didn't he accept someone's invitation to...

Geoffrey could hear singing now, Last Christmas. Low and rumbling and courageously off-key. The curiosity got the better of him, as it always did, and he decided to follow his nose out of the bedroom and down the hallway. He opened the door into the living room where he came face to face with a big surprise. A Christmas tree stood proudly in the center of the room loaded with kitschy ornaments and multi-colored lights. Even more tinsel and wreaths surrounded the rest of the room, giving it a homely glow that it previously lacked. There, stood by the tree, was the mysterious stranger who'd shown up out of the blue and offered to provide some Christmas spirit. There was a proud grin across his cheeks as if he hadn't just butchered a Wham classic. "I hope you don't mind," The shaggy old man said with a satisfied smile. "I made some eggnog while I waited. So what do you think? Pretty festive huh?"

Geoffrey looked to the tree and decorations that now stood in the center of the room, then back to the hairy old man sipping from a ceramic mug, and asked the only question that came to mind. "Why the fuck are you naked!?"

"Technically, I'm not completely nude," Stan said with a point to the red hat on his head.

"You know what I mean!"

"What can I say? I've done a lot of growing up recently," he chuckled as he slapped a palm against his solid belly and gave it a shake. "Besides, the suit's for work only. I like the feeling of being au naturel when I'm in my own home. Feels good, you know?"

"No, this is my ho-" Geoffrey began to say before petering out. How could he be sure this was his home? Sure, he lived in this apartment building, but it wasn't this apartment. It was missing his own personal touches. It looked like the home of an old man, that was certain. And he wasn't old, was he? No, of course not. He was barely in his twenties, the prime of his life.

"You know, it'd be pretty nice if you joined me," Stan said with a nod of the head to Geoff's underwear. "This ain't my first rodeo, no need to be so modest. We can have a little fun before we get to the main event. Come on, I'll get you some eggnog."

Geoffrey hesitated before following him out to the kitchen where a small pot of eggnog sat steaming on the stove. The Santa look-a-like ladled a generous portion into a matching mug and passed it to him with a wink. He gave it a sniff, appreciating the vanilla spiced scent. He'd never been one of eggnog but this cup smelled almost nostalgic. He took a long, hard sip. It was warm, and creamy, and overwhelmingly alcoholic. He coughed as a stifling heat burned in his throat, and his head swam a little.

"It's my wife's recipe.  She used to make it every Christmas morn. It'll put some much needed hair on your chest. I used to look just like you before I met her," Stan chuckled to himself while Geoffrey steadied himself on the counter. "Pace yourself, there's no rush."

 "Heh, I guess..." Geoffrey chuckled uneasily. He didn't know why he thought he could drink such a boozy drink so steadfast. He'd only become of age just over a year ago, and most of his drinking consisted of cheap beer from the student bar. Clearly he'd overestimated his tolerance. Putting his cup aside for the time being, he tried to come up with some small talk. "So Mr. Carroll..." Geoffrey shivered briefly. Why did that feel wrong?  

"Huh?" Stan sputtered his sip of eggnog back into his cup and said, "No, that's your na..." He paused. "Uhm, my father's name. Please, call me Stanley. Or even better, call me Santa." He winked.

"Well, only if you call me Geoff," the younger man chuckled awkwardly. "So Stanley. Or, uh, Santa. What exactly are we doing here?"

"Isn't it obvious? You wanted an up-close and personal visit with Rudolph."

"I...What?" Geoff cocked his head as Stanley subtly nodded his head downwards. Geoff followed his gaze until he locked eyes with 'Rudolph', and the old man reached down and gave it a soft stroke. A memory flashed before his eyes, of receiving some dick pics on one of his dating apps. Since when did he use those, anyway? It all felt so unfamiliar to him. Still, he smiled politely. "Oh, he's smaller in real life."

"Isn't he just?" Stanley smirked "I'd like to say it's Jack Frost's doing, but it's not the cold nipping at my nose." He squeezed the small nub with a soft sigh and tugged on one of his nipple rings at the same time. Was he getting off to this, Geoff thought. He felt flustered watching the silver-haired bear more than triple his age play with himself without a single care. Maybe it was the eggnog talking, but he was getting into it himself. He squeezed at his own cock through his underwear, feeling it get rock hard in his grip. He hadn't been able to get an erection in years... No, maybe Stanley hadn't. But Geoff had morning wood almost every day, not to mention afternoon, evening, and night. He was brimming with hormones, and was always in need of release. And seeing this horny old polar bear trying to get it up, he couldn't help himself. He reached out to Stanley, leaned forward, and planted a kiss right on the lips. Then his mind cleared and he stepped back immediately, cheeks flushed red. "Oh, I'm so sorry I-"

Before he could finish his apology, Stanley grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him in for a far more passionate smooch. They stood lip to lip, arms bunched around the other. For Stanley, this was something he'd done many a time, and it showed. For Geoff, he was more focused on how the bear's bushy beard tickled his nose, how his hairy belly squished against his abs, and those nipple piercings chilling his own nipples. Eventually, the passion died down, and Stanley stepped back with a sigh. "I'm sorry, am I too forthcoming? I'm used to men with more experience. If I'm making you uncomfortable, we could-"

"No, no." Geoff stammered. He didn't know why this felt so peculiar. He'd kissed other men before. Even hairy bears like the man before him. Hell, he initiated the kiss in the first place! But this felt different, almost wrong... He rubbed the back of his neck and said, "I've had experience. Plenty of it. Although never with someone so... Uhm, more experienced."

"It's okay, you can say old," Stan said with a hearty chuckle. "I'm an old man. Far too old to be fooling around with men younger than my grandkids, really. But it's always like this at this time of year. Younger men looking to experiment over the holidays. It's why I keep the hat on, because they're seeking out a Santa Claus of their own to have a little fun with."

It was sort of true, Geoff thought to himself. He was visiting his folks for the holidays, and was a little bored of the festivities. So he checked his dating apps to see who was in the same boat, and looking for a little festive fun. He wasn't expecting to see grizzled old Stanley Carroll baring it all, and in a Santa suit no less. Of course, the curiosity got the best of him, and they arranged a visit. He was surprised when the old bear even answered the door as Santa. Apparently, he moonlighted as the legend at the mall during the holidays, which seemed like a conflict of interest. But what he did in his spare time was his business, he asserted during that first meeting. He couldn't believe he was this close to fucking tha old man.

He had to prove he was committed. Geoff took another swig of eggnog courage before reaching down to his underwear and finally yanking them down in a single swoop, his cock bobbing up and down from the motion. Stanley raised his eyebrows and beamed underneath his bushy beard. "Well, that's a mighty big present you have there. Looks like you'll be coming down my chimney after all."

Geoff blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. It was a little corny but he liked it. He tried to match the energy. "Uhm, I'll fill your stockings with all the presents you can handle?"

"Nice try," Stanley chuckled. He tugged on his little pecker as if he was surprised it had gathered the courage to show up. "Well ho, ho, ho, it's a Christmas miracle! Why don't we cut the pleasantries and get to the bedroom while I can still keep it up."  

Stanley took the young man by the hand and led him back through to the bedroom. He laid back on his disheveled bed with a mischievous grin as he rubbed his flabby, furry belly. He'd faced those Christmases Yet To Come, and discovered many new things about himself. He loved his family, he loved Christmas, and he loved sharing that love with others in exciting new ways. He just couldn't wait to get started. "You're been a naughty boy, young Geoff," Stanley growled in his deep, gravelly voice. "But Santa is feeling a little naughty himself... If you want to get back in my good books, you're going to have to prove yourself."

Geoff psyched himself up. He was about to have sex with a retired widower role-playing in his own apartment. He'd known the man almost his entire life, but up to this moment, they'd never a single word to each other. They didn't know each other, not really. But it was still a weird feeling. In fact, he'd felt weird for a while now. Ever since he woke up from that weird, fuzzy dream of Christmases Past... He'd never really been one for Christmas himself. It always felt too full of itself as a holiday. Although he could always come around to it, he was willing to open up to the Christmas spirit.

Despite his confliction, his cock was hard as ever. Geoff slipped a condom on, along with a bit of lube, and stepped up to the fat, elderly man he'd been so confused by. Stanley, meanwhile, had made himself comfortable on the edge of his bed as he lay on his back, readying himself for a good time. He spread his legs wide in a pose that could only be described as turkey-esque. Geoff stared down at his huge, flabby ass. He'd never seen a rear-end quite so hairy. He could tell it covered him all the way up his back. It should have been off-putting, but if anything, it left him eager for what was to come. He gripped both ass cheeks and spread them apart before aiming his rock hard cock for Santa's puckered asshole. He smirked as he felt the old man shudder and try to suppress a moan as he slowly slid his thick dick inside, pausing as he reached half-way. "You okay?" he asked.

"Never better," Stanley sighed. "Now why don't you be a good boy and show Santa just why I should consider putting you on the nice list."

Geoff smirked as he thrust his hips deep into the old man's ass, eliciting a welcome yelp in response. He pounded away smoothly, trying not to be so hard. He was worried about hurting the poor guy, not to mention the sore throb from his own bruised hip. But he could tell that Stanley was eager for something more punishing. Geoff was hypnotized by the way Stanley's belly bounced back and forth with the motion. "I've never fucked anyone so fat before," he said absent-mindedly before realizing he should probably zip his lips.

"I am fat," Stanley agreed. "I'm a fat and old and gray. I'm being fucked by a man younger than my grandkids..." He moaned aloud before insisting, "Berate me. Humiliate me. Please..."

Now this was a new experience to Geoff. "Uhm... You're so hairy, it's like you're wearing a sweater? Err... And your beard looks like you're compensating for your bald head... How long have you been bald? I bet it's longer than I've been alive. I bet it's even longer than my dad's been alive." 

"You'd be correct," Stanley said with a moan. "Bald before I turned thirty... I was so ashamed..." He sounded upset, but the way he played with his nipples and tugged on his tiny cock like his life depended on it let Geoff know he was on the right track with the teasing.

"How does it feel to be fucked by such a virile young man? Does it turn you on knowing I'm so much younger than you?" A nod and another moan. "I'm 22, I'm still in college. I have my whole life ahead of me while yours is nearing its end." He was starting to get cruel, and it felt good to talk smack to a man who was clearly getting off on it. "You look pathetic trying to get whatever pleasure you can from that nub you call a cock. It's been buried by decades of flab. You're so fat and out of shape. I bet you weren't even in shape when you were my age. Fat all your life... A thick musclehead like me shouldn't be degrading himself fucking a ancient freak like you. I'm only doing it out of pity. Cause nobody else is going to. Not to a senior citizen like you. Face it, you're never going to be young again, you'll never be as fit and agile as me. Your best days are long behind you. You grew up too fast, you've missed the prime of your life, and you'll never get to experience it ever again."

With a sudden and unexpected shudder, Stanley gasped and rolled his eyes back. His cock sputtered out watery ropes of cum across his belly before sinking back into a flaccid state. "Looks like... Santa came a little... Early..." He panted through ragged breaths that made Geoff come to a halt in his pounding. But Stanley tapped him on the arms and said "No, don't stop because of me. It happens when you get old, you get too excited and can't hold it back. It's embarrassing, isn't it?" There was a wild grin that suggested everything was going to plan.

"I... I guess..." Geoff didn't feel right continuing to fuck the man long after he'd finished. But he had to admit it did feel good. Besides, Stanley seemed to take it like a champ. He even stepped up his agility until, after a few minutes of sweaty action, he finally howled as he filled his condom to the brim. Satisfied with their coupling, they lay side by side, panting in the afterglow. Eventually, Geoff sat up and gave Stanley a small smile. "That sure was great, Mr. Claus. But I'm concerned you'll still put me on the naughty list." He trailed his fingers through the old man's white chest hair, pausing as he teased the rings on his nipples. "Do you think you have the stamina for a round two?"

Stanley snorted, and patted his hand away. "Ah, to have the endless stamina of a young man again! I just about made it through round one. Another go right now would kill me. Besides, I was lucky to get Rudolph to come out and play at all. I've run out of those blue pills, you see?" He sighed and ran a hand down to his crotch and gave himself a little squeeze. "See? Nothing. Don't get old, kid..."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Geoff said with an apologetic smile. He couldn't tell whether this was still a part of his humiliation kink or he was speaking sincerely. They sat in silence for a few moments, then he asked, "You know, there's always space for one more at my parents' place for Christmas. I'm sure my mom would love it if you visited."

"Woah now, bud," Stanley said. "I appreciate the gesture, but I'm not looking for a relationship here. I can't be meeting your parents, I've got a good fifty years on you, at least! This was a one time thing. What is it you kids say... A booty call? I don't have much time left, certainly not for a single person."

"Who said anything about a relationship?" Geoff chuckled. "I just thought you'd prefer some company that isn't trying to get into Santa's pants! Not that I'd object, of course. It must be hard being alone for the holidays."

"Well, it is tough not having my beloved Maria around any longer, especially at this time of year. She was Christmas nuts, and her enthusiasm rubbed off on me. It's what led me to become a mall Santa, so I can bring joy the way she brought to me... But life goes on. Christmas is up to the boys nowadays. My youngest grandson's handling things this year. He's had a new addition to the family and I can't wait to see his little face."

"Oh, so you're a great grandfather, huh?" Geoff said almost in surprise. "That must be exciting."

"One of three great-grandkids," Stanley smiled. "The eldest turned seven last month, if you can believe it! I still remember when he was about the size of my hand." He held it up to his face before dropping it down to give his shaggy beard a contemplative tug. "It's the best part of getting old. Your family getting bigger, the festivities getting more hectic. It keeps you on your toes."

"Huh, I suppose it does," Geoff smiled. If he were in Stanley's boots, he would've given Christmas the boot. But seeing him embrace and celebrate the memories of his loved ones made his heart grow three sizes that day. Maybe this was the Christmas spirit that he needed to embrace. "Christmas isn't the time to wallow in the past, wondering what could have been. Nor is it worrying about the future and what could happen. It's about the here and now, spending time with others. That's why it's the present."

"Ouch!" Stanley rubbed his jaw in a comical fashion. "I'm all for sentimentality but that was some tooth-aching corn!"

As the two men laughed together, Stanley took a look at the young man sat next to him. He had his whole life ahead of him. Not like himself. There was a sense of loss, as if he'd lost something precious to him, but he couldn't remember. That was happening far too often nowadays. Getting old wasn't all fun and games. But he wouldn't change it for the world. He'd lived a long and fruitful life with a loving wife, bore two sons who each bore two sons of their own. People come and go, but there was no time like the present.

He nodded to Geoff and said "I see you're still have some Christmas cheer to spread," nodding at the man's solidly erect penis. To still have a working cock... "Well, I may not be ready to receive another stocking stuffer, but there's more than one way to satiate a craving, and I am desperate to get a taste of your candy cane."

 Geoff rolled his eyes and chuckled at the barrage of puns. "Well, I can't say no to Santa, can I?" Stanley grinned as he shifted his weight down, spreading his lips wide as his white beard buried Geoff's Pole like a blanket of snow. He could tell there were going to be many opportunities to spread Christmas cheer this holiday. 

 

Plausible Deniability

PART ONE 

There had been a commotion at the Big Dipper. Nobody knew for sure what had happened. The queue and surrounding area had been evacuated suddenly, and roped off for over two hours now. Rumors were swirling, as they do when the public are left in the dark. Sensible, level-headed folk talked of water pump issues and bodily wastes in the pool. The more outlandish, and louder, folk claimed a young boy had gone down the slide and met an untimely end. He'd been launched off the water coaster by the powerful jets, and crashed into the nearby tanning spot. Or a crocodile had gotten loose and chomped him up as he came off the slide. Or even some dangerous chemical spilled into the water and liquified him to a fine paste. Why else would there be people in bio-hazard suits prowling the site? Whatever had happened, it was not a good day for Splashdown Adventure Park.

But as with all tragedies, the hype eventually died down as guests moved on with their vacation. Only half a dozen people still watched the action from the ice cream shop balcony, the only vantage point not closed off. "They're still testing the water," a guy said aloud as one of the suited men took another sample from the pool. "I wonder what they're trying to learn."

"Apparently, some experimental fertilizer got dumped into the pool, and the boy that went down the slide was exposed to it. Turned him into this huge, hairy adult with bulging muscles. Kinda like me. That's what I heard, anyway."

The guy cocked his head as he stared at the bald, brawny man a good decade older than him, before breaking out into a harsh cackle. "That's gotta be the stupidest thing I've heard this morning!" He brayed as he whacked the dismayed man on the back. "Oh thanks, pal. I needed a laugh like that. Literal magical bullshit turning a kid into a man, ha HAH!"

Miles frowned as the guy turned away, still chuckling to himself. "It's not stupid..." He mumbled under his breath. "Now being melted by chemicals, that's stupid..."

Take Your Pick

This was supposed to be a weekend of fun for the Cohen family. Little Rafael was supposed to be at home with his chill babysitter while his parents went on a romantic getaway to a special hotel for adults only. He was going to order takeout, and stay up all night watching the R rated films he wasn't allowed to. That is, until the babysitter got some severe food poisoning, and there wasn't anyone who could care for the young boy at the last minute. It was also too late to cancel the trip to get a refund. So here he was, bored out of his wits while his parents stood at the front desk doing everything they could to convince the hotel to let him stay.

After what felt like forever, they finally convinced the employee manning the front desk to take it up to the manager, who took one look at Rafael playing on his Switch Lite, and smirked. "Don't worry," he told his parents. "You're not the first couple to end up in this predicament here. We have a special procedure for moments like this." 

He then nodded to the concierge, who nodded back and left her post. The woman held a hand out to Rafael with a warm smile. "Come on," she said. "I'll take you to a super special room while your parents work out all the boring stuff."

Rafael followed her as she led them through an unmarked door. As they left, he heard the manager say, "how would you like an upgrade for your troubles? A cute couple like you should love our hon-" before the door closed on him.

A few twisty corridors later, and Rafael found himself inside a sterile room with dark walls, and modern furniture. Off to the side, he could see a small bathroom that was just as bland. It looked more like a doctor's office than a playroom. Why they thought this was a good place to wait was beyond him. At least the lobby had that cool water fountain and a few plants to brighten up the room.

The woman hadn't followed him inside, so he made himself uncomfortable on one of the dull chairs until she burst through the door carrying a cumbersome cardboard box. She stopped in the center and carefully tipped its contents out onto the floor. Rafael's eyes widened, it was a bunch of toys! A very weird selection of toys. Cuddly toys, action figures, board games, trading cards, even a few game consoles. He could feel his hands twitching as he wanted to rummage through himself, but the concierge lady stopped him.

"Ah-ah-ah," she chided. "You're only allowed to choose one toy. Then we'll begin the process."

Only one toy!? Rafael frowned. That was hardly fair when there were dozens to choose from. And he had to be the only kid at the resort, it wasn't like he had to share! Still, there was a sense that this was an important decision. He quickly discarded the girls toys like the plushies and the dolls from the equation, not wanting to even touch them. Then he reluctantly discarded the video game consoles, since there was no TV to connect them to. In the end, from the meager selection left, he reached out and grabbed a colorful 9x9 square cube. 

The woman nodded her head in approval. "Ah, the Rubik's Cube. An interesting choice. The most popular Christmas gift in 1980, if you didn't know. Not too old, but still a little retro." She ruffled his hair with a smile, and pointed back to the chairs. "Now go and sit down while the grown ups work out this little mess you've managed to put us in."

Resolution Change Initiative

Asher kicked his legs impatiently as he stared at his book. This was the fourth time he'd read the same sentence over, not even taking it in. This was so boring, how much more did he even have to read? He flipped to the end of the book. 217 pages. He flipped back to where he was. Page 14. He groaned and tossed the book aside. He could finish it later. And if not, there was always the film adaptation. Or he could even ask ChatGPT for a concise summary. Instead, he turned on his computer, opening Steam in the process.

"That doesn't sound like reading to me." As if by magic, his dad entered the room clutching a bundle of dirty laundry. "Come on, you said you were going to get a kickstart on your homework without leaving it to the last minute as usual."

"No, you said that," Asher grumbled. "And I basically read a whole chapter. They're not expecting us to do it all at once."

"What about your new year resolution? Abandoning your work for tomfoolery isn't exactly responsible."

Asher rolled his eyes. Big words coming from a man who's been divorced twice... But he wasn't wrong. There was a new year's resolution website that was trending in the weeks leading up to the new year, New You Resolution, and he wanted to join in. But he didn't want to do the usual lose weight, learn a language, daily assertions crap that all the adults did. In fact, he didn't want to commit to anything, he just wanted the clout from participating. So he chose a very simple goal - to be more responsible. It was an empty gesture, really. Something that sounded meaningful while also being easy to fulfil. He led such a slothful life that by cleaning his room every other week or washing the dishes every now and then, he'd already be on the road to success. If only he hadn't told his dad about the site...

"The year's barely started," Asher whined. "Cut me some slack! Or should I chastise you for not constantly following your resolution. What was it again, to be more chill and laid-back?"

"It was to relax. Stop and smell the roses, thank you very much. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a load of your dirty washing to put in the machine." He turned on his heel and left, muttering to himself.

Wish You Were Here?

Black Friday... Cyber Monday... Now there was Travel Tuesday? The capitalistic desire to invent commodified faux holidays to get people to buy junk was abysmal. And nevertheless, Eric's distaste didn't stop him from browsing the latest travel deals that kept cropping up in his feed. It wasn't like he could afford a vacation at the moment, nor did he have any strong desire to go anywhere. It'd be nice to have something to look forward to, aside from the annual family visit to the great lakes about 9 months away. Maybe he could find something amazing for Spring Break. Something more than the typical booze-laden trip to Vegas or Miami.

It was getting late, and nothing had caught his eye, when a bright ad interrupted his scrolling. "WISH YOU WERE HERE??" It declared in bold colours. It showed a woman in a dull grey home tapping on beachfront property on her phone, and now she was relaxing in the summer sun with a cocktail in hand. Nothing too groundbreaking. "TRAVEL TUESDAY EXCLUSIVE TRIAL!" Now that caught his eye. What would a trial entail? Curiousity got the better of him. 

The trial, it turned out, was a free "ticket" to be used on a limited selection of vacation properties around the world. "This is your ticket to far-flung destinations worldwide! You can really go places!" Yeah right, thought Eric as he scrolled through the website, which was more like a home listings site than a vacation rental destination. There were rentals in San Francisco, Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, Brisbane, Johannesburg, Lisbon. None of which were included in the introductory offer. Figures there'd be a catch. Even a free stay in Vegas seemed out of the question.

Eric barely flicked through what was included before deciding it was a dud. Except for one. A homely cabin in the middle of a forest, overlooking the Innvikfjorden in Norway. Unlike the other listings, it promised total immersion in the country, whatever that meant. Maybe it had to do with the owner of the property, a lonesome captain who guided tours around the nearby fjords and glaciers. Staying with a local certainly added a flair of authenticity to the affair, after all.

Eric had always fancied visiting Scandinavia one day, he had Viking blood according to an ancestry test his mom had done a few years prior. And spending the winter holidays surrounded by beautiful scenery and actual snow was tempting. It sure beat the eighty-odd degrees he was still experiencing in Arizona. But the price of travelling to Europe was a deterrant in itself. Wasn't Norway supposed to be one of the most expensive countries in the world? One the happiest too, apparently...

WISH YOU WERE HERE? The website silently declared next to the listing. He hovered his mouse over the YES button. Something about it made him hesitate. Did he really wish he was there? In the snow-capped mountain fjords? Well, it couldn't hurt to see where it led him. The second it asked for passport details or a credit card number, he could easily exit the page. Eric tapped that glowing button, and the screen was replaced by a cool toned loading screen. A whirring cog span in the center, while a progress bar slowly crept upwards. "LOADING - RECALIBRATING"

Cock-Up

The first mistake Richard made was drinking with his roommate, Johnny. He had moved in with the guy about 5 months ago, and they hadn't really bonded with each other until this moment. Richard was a very solitary man who kept to himself, while Johnny was an outgoing party animal who was out most nights. But he had wanted to get closer to him, if just to stave off the awkwardness whenever they were in the same room together. So when Johnny's plans fell through one night, he pushed himself to suggest binging a reality dating show together.

It started off casual. They chatted about their work, Richard worked in a deliveries warehouse, while Johnny worked in entertainment, shadowing an illustionist. He called himself a sorcerer's apprentice, but that was just the schmaltzy way of saying he did magic tricks. He even performed an impromptu show, making the dining room chairs and table hover and spin, which impressed Richard entirely. Although, he was a bit of a lightweight when it came to alcohol. He was already highly inebriated after his first beer. 

That was his second mistake. As his roommate moved on from the magic show, his focus drawn by a cheating scandal on TV, the conversation moved to sexual exploits. Johnny was quite boastful about his many soirées. Whereas, Richard was less than experienced. In fact, he couldn't stop himself from blurting out that he was still a virgin. The energy in the room changed as Johnny zoned in on his confession, asking how? Why? Why not? But Richard stayed evasive. Thankfully, all was forgotten as the fake tension of break-ups happened on the TV, but not entirely...

Over the next few days, Richard did his best to avoid Johnny, who seemed overly interested in him. Yeah, he was a virgin, but he didn't want to throw it away with just anyone. It's not like Johnny wasn't a hunk. He was a poster boy for good looks. But he was loud, abrasive, and far too into himself. Not to mention the laundry list of previous endeavours. No, he wanted his first time to be meaningful to both parties.

Finally, things came to a head one morning while Richard was mulling over Halloween costume ideas. Did he want to go as Joe Locke in Heartstoppers or Joe Locke in Agatha? As he shifted between his web browser tabs, Johnny stepped into his room with a confident rap on the door. "Dicky boy!" He declared with gusto. "I was thinking about your little V-card ish, and I have a proposition for ya."

It was the moment Richard had been dreading. He just had to rip off the band-aid. He cleared his throat and stumbled over his words as he tried to put him down gently. "Uhm, I'm flattered, but you're not exactly my type..."

Johnny broke into a broad grin. "Back atcha. I like a man with meat on his bones, and you're barely 120 pounds soaking wet." The lug broke into a boisterous laugh that Richard didn't join. He may not have wanted the attention, but could it have killed the guy to be less honest? Johnny wiped away a tear before continuing, "No, no. It sounds to me that you're not confident in your sexual prowess. So I figured we could practice a little."

"Meaning?"

"Well, if you had a better idea of how to do the do, then when it comes around, you'll know what to do."

It sounded ridiculous to Richard at first, although when he thought on it, it sort of made sense. He had the know-how, but it was all from watching porn. Without applying it practically, he might always psych up his first time into an impossibility. And he definitely didn't want that. So with a quiet sigh, he agreed to the peculiar idea. That was his final mistake.

No More!

PART ONE

It was the sunniest day of the summer. Folks were out and about enjoying the beaches and parks while they still could, because fall was just around the corner. School was due to start in a couple weeks, and kids of all ages wanted to squeeze every last piece of enjoyment out of it. Nobody wanted to sit inside playing video games at a time like this!

Well, nobody except for Phillip and Lee. Even now, they were cooped up in the play room, air conditioning blasting on max, music blaring from the speakers as they threw insults and banana peels at each other in a relatively friendly round of Mario Kart, the electricity bill creeping ever higher.

Well, I was having none of that. It may be just another day of summer vacation, a summer that was rapidly drawing to a close, but they shouldn't be wasting it on a stale racing game. Not on my watch.

I'd just stepped back into the house after a pleasant snooze in the warm sun, when I came across the sad mess. I walked into the play room, causing Phillip to scramble for the pause button, and I stepped dead center in front of the TV, resting against the shelving beneath it. "I don't get you boys," I said cheerfully. "It's a beautiful day outside, and you're cooped up inside playing your video games. You don't have long until you have to go back to school. You should be making the most of it!"

I wasn't expecting an outburst of eager cries declaring me the wisest person alive or anything, but I at least expected an answer. I'm afraid my words of encouragement fell on deaf ears. Phillip gaped at me, while Lee did his best not to look in my direction. Although I could tell he was covertly peeking at me through his fingers. Finally, Phillip groaned. "Oh my god, dad! Put some clothes on!"

I chuckled and scratched at the hairs across my pecs. I was only wearing a pair of gym shorts after all. "I've been outside, enjoying that glorious sun I just told you about. You've heard of the sun, right? Big ball of fire that provides warmth and life to the planet? When was the last time you saw that, huh?"

Daaaaaad!" Phillip moaned, which only made me grin harder. I did enjoy making him suffer from embarrassment from time to time. It made up for all the times he embarrassed me in similar situations. Lord knew the amount of times he'd walk around the house in his underwear when I had company round. "Just get out of the way, I'm so close to winning!"

"Not if my blue shell has anything to say about it," Lee chuckled, still trying to avoid looking in my general direction.

I stood up, stretching out my limbs with an exaggerated sigh. "Well, why don't I join you boys? I could play as the little dinosaur guy. What's he called again, Yogi?"

"Daaaad!" Phillip almost screamed. He knew I was joshing, and I knew that only made him more annoyed. I tried not to let myself grin too wide. Revenge is sweet after all. Phillip dropped his controller, stood up, and grabbed me by the arm, dragging me out of the room. "Why are you doing this? You know I had Lee over, there's no reason to parade your body and act out like this!".

"Hey, I'm just following your lead. At least I have shorts on. Remember the time Benny was here and you accidentally mooned him?"

"I'd rather forget... And that's different, I didn't know any better. You should know that no kid wants to see their friend's dad half naked" Phillip pinched the bridge of his nose, and grunted. "Look, we want to finish the tournament before Lee's mom picks him up. At least put some damn clothes on for her sake!"

Spectacular Hair Growing Miracle

James was a little worried about his son. He'd received a package in the mail, whereupon he immediately ran upstairs with it and to the bathroom. At his age, it was probably best not to ask any questions or interrupt under most circumstances. Boys will be boys, after all. But then he could hear him cussing out loud, even from downstairs. It sounded like whatever he'd bought, it wasn't going the way he wanted. It was probably another of those cheap doohickeys from that dumb online shopping app everyone seemed to be into these days. He didn't care for it, of course. A lot of the cheap tat on there was either faulty or fake. It's too good to be true, he always said, because there was always a reason for the price.

As James walked upstairs, he noticed that the bathroom door wasn't properly closed, there was a slither of a gap. Outside the bathroom, he could hear the shower running, his son groaning and cursing under his breath. He always tried to give his son some privacy, but he also had to make sure he wasn't in any trouble. So James rapped on the bathroom door. "You okay in there, Duncan?" he asked.

He heard him grunt in surprise, followed by the sound of scrambling hands and bottles. Eventually, Duncan yelled back, "everything's peachy! Don't come in!" Yet his voice sounded scratchy, gravelly even. As if he'd caught a cold. The shower turned off, and there was more of that whispered cussing that sounded unusually deep as it echoed around the bathroom walls. 

"I wasn't going to!" James replied. "But if there's something you want to talk about, you know I'm here." Even if it was embarrassing, he couldn't leave him injured or in pain.

There was a few seconds pause before Duncan finally replied, "Fine... Just don't look until I tell you to." James pushed the door open slowly, his hand covering his eyes, and stepped inside. He could see Duncan's feet as he stood in the shower entrance. But they looked bigger, swollen even. They led up to a pair of hair-covered legs that he couldn't remember his son ever having. A towel hung loose against his knees, flapping as it unfurled and assumedly wrapped around his waist. Duncan let out a heavy sigh. "Okay," he grunted. "You can look, but don't be mad..."

James uncovered his eyes, and jolted back in surprise, slamming his back into the now shut door. Instead of the husky, young teen he was expecting to see, he was faced with a burly, hirsute, middle-aged man.  There was a guilty look on his rounded face. Yet despite the salt and pepper beard, and the weathered skin, and the completely bald scalp, he could make out a strong familial resemblance. As if this man could have been his uncle. And yet, his gut told him otherwise.

 

 

"Okay, I know this looks bad," the man grumbled as he sheepishly rubbed his scalp. Which had to be the biggest understatement. It looked like his son had been replaced by a man far older, far hairier, and far huskier than even himself. The man could sense James' apprehension, and added, "Let me explain everything!"

The Ideal Valentine

The night was young, and Miles was getting frisky with his girlfriend, Jackie. The two had been together for three years now, and their Valentine's Day had only begun. After a wonderful night out, there was only one thing on the lovers' minds. However, as soon as their lovemaking entered the honeymoon suite they'd booked for the night, Jackie paused a rowdy Miles as she rummaged in her underwear drawer. "I wanted to do something extra special for tonight, so I got us these." She held out two little bottles of shimmering liquid, dropping one into his open hands. "Drink this while I get into something more comfortable, and we'll have a night to remember!"

With that, Jackie slipped into the bathroom to freshen up. However, Miles had a few Valentine's plans of his own. He left the vial on Jackie's vanity table, then reached under the bed to pull out a box of treasures. He sprinkled some rose petals on the bed, lit a few scented candles, and dug out the box of premium chocolates and champagne. Then came to the pièce de résistance; a pair of tearaway briefs with a heart-print pattern that cupped his junk just so. He had this Valentine's thing in the can.

Finally, Miles got around to the small bottle his girlfriend had given him. It was a vibrant purple, with a peculiar sparkle. He noticed that the vial had a sticker on the front, a circle sitting atop a cross. He cocked his head, it was the universal symbol for women, and femininity. Why did Jackie want him to drink this? Then again, she was somewhat into witchcraft in a cutesy, fashion way. It was probably some sort of aphrodisiac she'd found online, made to spice the evening up a little. A way to find his inner women, and better understand how to pleasure her, perhaps. He uncorked the vial, and sniffed the contents. Sweet notes, with a floral undertone. Well, bottoms up.

"AAAHHHHH!!"

My Desired Costume

Jack groaned as he rolled his head upright, heavy with a case of grogginess. He hadn't felt this bad after a night out in months. He wasn't even partying wild like his college days, it was only a few drinks with friends. He hadn't reached that age already, had he? But he couldn't remember any specifics. The whole night was a blur. Except for one moment. He left to use the restroom, when he bumped into someone he recognised. Someone that made him feel uneasy. Someone unwanted... But for the life of him, he couldn't remember anything. He gulped, he'd heard stories of people being drugged and assaulted. Was he another victim? Had this mystery person done something to him? Did they spike him? His heart sank at the thought. 

Yet as he tried to tried up to his face to rub the sleep from his eyes, he realised something most unsavory. He couldn't move his arms at all. The shock cleared his mind, allowing him to recognise the danger he was in. He was stood upright, his arms tired behind his back, his feet bound together and locked to the ground. He struggled to break free or even move from his spot, but it was no use. He was stuck. With a sigh, he looked around his environment uneasily. He wasn't just anywhere, he was in his own bedroom.

But who would drug and kidnap someone, only to leave them in their own home? There was only one way to find answers. Jack gulped and cleared his throat. "Hello?" He cried out, just loud enough for a would-be murderer to hear him. "Is anyone there? What's going on!?" There was a sudden bump in the room next door, followed by heavy footsteps that padded straight toward the bedroom door.

The First Night

PART ONE

This was it, the night of the full moon. Tonight's the night... I tried to distract myself with a cheesy movie, but I couldn't help but check the clock every 5 minutes, or glance at the closed curtains, fighting the urge to throw them open. When was it supposed to happen? Was it going to hurt? What if nothing happened, would I be okay with that? I groaned, and shoved my face into a pillow. Why can't things be easy!?

It was only a month ago when my roommate, and now closest confidante, inadvertently revealed his deepest secret to me, a month since I unwittingly put myself at risk, and a month since I was infected... That night was such a blur now. I remember Harry changing, obviously. How could I forget the moment he transformed before my very eyes, his body twisting, contorting, and growing into a full-blown weredad. I didn't even know they existed until that moment. But after that, I only had vague memories of our bodies intertwining in the moonlight, as he pounded my ass in the cold night... Then, I remember waking up the following morning, both of us still in that forest. Harry was young again, and it was clear that we both regretted our actions.

That first night after, I was questioning everything. I didn't feel any different. I didn't look any different. Harry called them residual days, where the moon still looked full, but was waning in its power. He himself still changed, but he didn't get as old as that first night. He was still daddy material, with a beefy dadbod, and salt & pepper streaks through his hair, but noticeably younger than before. Meanwhile, I was still myself. Maybe I was a little hairier, and thicker. But if I was, I couldn't tell. I began to think I was immune, which was a little disappointing. But Harry said it was all part of the process. Nevertheless, we spent those nights in the bedroom. He broke out his leather, genuinely pleased to have a use for them again, and I offered my body up to him once again. Maybe in the hopes another few rounds would increase my likelihood of gaining that weredad status.

All was forgotten as the moon continued its cycle from full to new and back again. That is until the past week. I noticed something peculiar. I was finding myself drawn to the smell of leather and fine tobacco. The taste of a rare steak, and a good brandy. I felt a desire to wear a suit and tie that I'd never consider outside of a wedding. And even stranger, I was beginning to think of men around my age as being boys, and far younger than myself. I wanted to guide them, and teach them in the ways of the flesh, as they submitted their bodies to me... Even now, I get the chills thinking about it. Surely it meant something. That I was preparing for the change. But I was too scared to ask Harry about it, in case it wasn't...

Affirmation

Loud pop music pumped through the packed streets of Roselake, doing its best to be heard over the crowds of people decked out in their loudest outfits. Pride was in full swing, gripping the usually laid-back town in its glittery grip for its annual weekend festival. Everywhere you looked was glamor, and color. Which made it easy to miss the short man wearing a bulky, black hoodie in the middle of summer. Not that Logan wanted to draw any kind of attention to himself. He kept his head down, sticking to the backstreets, and weaving through the throngs of people cheering on the drag act up on stage. Finally, he ducked around a corner towards the shopping plaza. About a dozen stalls were set up selling handcrafted merch, and providing help and advice for anyone interested. Still, he stuck to the covers until he finally stepped into the air-conditioned paradise that was his destination; Costume Plaza.

Almost immediately, Logan was caught off-guard by how quiet it was. Especially compared to the noise outside. He was expecting dozens of people looking for something to wear. In fact, he didn't see another customer at all. The only other person inside was a bored employee with his feet propped up on the counter, head in a book.

Logan gulped, thinking of leaving entirely. But he had to hold his ground. This was his only opportunity, all he had to do was ask... He shuffled up to the counter, and waited for the guy to notice him. He was a homely lad, with longish hair and a patchy beard. He had no name tag, but there was an ace flag sticker stuck to his shirt pocket. Logan found himself unconsciously scratching his own, beardless cheeks. He sighed, and finally gathered his courage. "Excuse me," he blurted, his voice catching in his throat at the last minute. He really hated being the center of attention, especially in current times. The quicker he could get through this interaction, the better. "Are you still open?"

"Mhm?" The guy looked up from his book, disgruntled by the interruption. "Of course we are."

"Uhm, sorry..." Logan gulped, embarrassed by the minor issue. "It's just so quiet. I thought you'd be jam-packed today, what with Pride and all."

"Anyone who needed a costume for Pride bought theirs in advance."

"Oh, right. Of course. Silly me..." Logan chuckled nervously. The man cocked an eyebrow, questioning whether he should get back to his book, until Logan dug his phone out from his pocket. He scrambled with his apps, saying aloud, "uh, I received this weird email the other day, and, you know, wanted to know more details...? Aha!" He found the email in his saved folders, and flipped his phone round to the employee.

The man took his phone, and mumble-read the contents to himself, before handing it back with a nod. "Right, the Pride Promo. I suppose they're targeting that stuff, huh. Feels like an invasion of privacy to me. But what do I know..."

"Cookies, and trackers, I guess... Heh..."

DILF Elixir

It was mid-morning, and Trent was still resting in bed. He had no work, no plans, no responsibilities, except for sleep. That is, until he was rudely awoken by the curtains in the room being thrown open, and his boisterous husband bouncing onto the bed beside him. "Get up, sleepyhead" Frank cooed with a sharp prod.

"Mmm, noooo," Trent mumbled. "Sleep..."

"Don't you know what day it is?"

"Sunday," he grumbled. "The day of rest... So let me rest!" He dug himself under the covers further.

"It's not just any old Sunday. It's..."

"I'unno... S'not my birthday... Not yours..." Suddenly, he jolted upwards. "Fuck, it's not our anniversary, is it? It can't be..."

"No, of course not." Frank laughed. "Bit worrying you forgot we married in the winter... No, it's Father's Day!"

"Father's Day? You woke me up for that!? Our dads suck, you know that!"

Trent chucked a pillow at Frank, who only laughed at his partner's tantrum. "Well, I suppose I should just get rid of this then," he said, dangling a small bottle just teasingly out of reach.

Trent stared at the vial, a little confused, until his eyes widened in recognition of the shimmering blueish contents within. "Oh shit," he muttered. "Is that...? You didn't..."

Tānetanga Beach

Louie grumbled to himself as he forked several banknotes over to the scruffy cashier in front of him. Sunscreen, bottled drinks, snacks, beach towels, even a tacky inflatable toy. His son had somehow forgotten to pack everything required for their visit to the beach. Then instead of staying with him, Sean decided to run off and find a spot on the beach while he paid for the lot. 

When he booked a getaway to New Zealand, Louie specifically chose a quiet looking town within the Bay of Plenty, wanting to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the bigger, more populated cities. However, it seemed the entire country had the same idea, as the summer vacation crowds became apparent. It was Sean's desire to visit Ōhope beach in particular. There had to be countless, beautiful coastal areas further afield. Yet here they were, mere yards from their hotel, in what appeared to be a locals hotspot.

As Louie left the gift shop, he swept his head left and right in search of his son. But it was no use, there were too many people. Thankfully, he'd stuck Sean's phone on a location tracking app, just for emergencies. He opened it up, and frowned. That couldn't be right. According to the little dot, Sean was on the other side of the forested headland west of the beach. Sure enough, as Louie approached the hill, there was a wooden pathway up and into the forest above. He climbed the stairs with a grumble. Why was Sean sending him on a wild goose chase? 

Following the directions on his phone, Louie came to an abrupt halt. The manmade path continued to the left, but a wilder, natural path led straight ahead. The only sign of civilisation were several signs stuck in the ground, and hammered to trees. They were grimy and faded, but the message was clear; don't pass this point. He looked at his app, and cringed. Sean was on the other side of those signs!

Rough Day

Matt had been having a rough day. He forgot his homework was due, getting him detention for the week. Then he lost his lunch money to a faulty vending machine. And to top it off, he tripped on his own shoelaces during gym, face-planting in a pile of mud. He had never felt so humiliated, he was already preparing to have a fake sick day to avoid going back the next day. 

So when he returned home after detention to discover his dad was already home, he was a little suspicious. His dad never left work early. He was in the kitchen, waiting beside two empty mugs. "You okay, little man?" he asked just as the kettle reached a boil.

"I guess," Matt mumbled as he dumped his backpack and jacket on the floor. "I just had a bad day at school..." 

His dad sighed, and grumbled. "I know the feeling..." He turned around and picked up a mug billowing with hot steam, and passed it to his son. "Maybe a good cup of tea will make you feel better."

Matt grabbed the mug and gave it a sniff. It smelt sweet and fruity, with a little hint of something smoky. He wasn't much of a tea drinker, or any hot beverage really. But after the day he had had, it was nice to have a little treatment.

One More Round

"fuck ur one hot dilf... i'd fcukin kll to b tat sexy at ur age. wanna get toggether some time??? i got a hard dock wiht ur nmae on it"

That was the message Isaac had sent while drunk last night, along with several embarrassing, innuendo-laden emojis. He couldn't stop cringing when he reread it the following morning. He had to stop drunk chatting up guys on his dating apps. He was barely able to type, and always came off as horny. Usually it led to nothing but being ghosted by potential hook-ups. Yet somehow, his drunk forwardness had brought him some luck. The DILF in question, a hunk by the name of AbrahamHarker1704, contacted him back.

"I would love to. See you tonite, handsome."

Since then, he'd been waiting impatiently all day. What if he was a catfish? What if he wasn't interested? What if he bailed? Finally, the doorbell rang. Isaac made a last minute mirror check, smoothing down his unruly curls, and straightening his shirt, before opening the door. He couldn't help but gasp as he saw the man on the other side. He really was a DILF. Stark silver hair, short scruff across his lantern jaw, and a beefy body just bursting out of his clothes. His bare arms were coated with silvery hairs, and the curls of chest hair peeking out from his shirt collar made him swoon.

"Hey there. You are Isaac, right?"

Isaac blushed, he realised he was simply staring. "Sorry, yes, hi. I guess I forgot how stunning you looked..."

"I've been told I have an alluring presence from time to time." He flashed a beautiful smile, and Isaac could have melted. The two stared until Abe coughed, and gestured inwards. "So... Can I come in?"

Isaac blushed once more, and stepped aside. "Of course, yeah!"

As Isaac closed the door behind him, he felt the man tug on his shoulder, spinning him around, and planting his lips directly on his own. Abe leaned back with a cheeky grin. "Mmm, you taste as good as I hoped you would..."