**Everyone in this story is well in excess of 18 years of age**
My name is Reese, and this is the story of how I realized the full spectrum of my sexuality. I am married with three kids, the youngest 16. Over the years, my wife and I experienced some medically induced sexual problems that presented a genuine challenge for us. Fortunately, surgery resolved the issue. Then, over the next five years, we made immense progress and are happier now than either of us thought possible. The story below factors into that happiness.
I should describe the people involved so you know what we look like. I, Reese, am now 44 and was 37 when this evolution started. I am 6'2, 290lb, with a military-style haircut and a bushy, black beard that has its share of white sprinkled throughout. I have heard my beard described as salt and pepper. I am also very hairy.
I am a big man with a broad chest, arms, and thick thighs. My cock, if you are curious, is about 6" long, reasonably thick, with a very pronounced head. I have balls that are heavy and perpetually full, and I usually shoot thick loads.
Mark is 37 now, 30 at the time. He is 190lbs, and has an athletic build with shaggy, dirty blonde hair. We have talked a few times over the last few months, but I describe us as more friendly than friends. We began working out together after helping each other a few times at the gym. There was never much talk as we both focused on the workout, but it was nice to have someone with a similar focus to bounce ideas off. Mark also has a great personality and is quick to laugh, which I find enjoyable. Positive people make the world a better place.
As we finished a mid-week workout, Mark asked if I would like to get a drink sometime. I am not much of a drinker, but socializing is something I am trying to do more of, so I said yes. We made plans and went our separate ways.
The appointed night arrived, and I headed to the restaurant. It wasn't fine dining, but it wasn't a dive bar either. I arrived first and secured a booth at the back of the dining room. I knew this place well, and conversing in the middle of everything was challenging. Some privacy away from most tables would be a good thing.
A few minutes later, Mark showed up. I had given the waiter a broad description of Mark. The waiter gestured to me; Mark smiled, waved, and was on his way. I slid out of the booth to shake his hand as he reached the table before we sat. We ordered a beer each as we looked over the menu.
"So, how was your day? Anything crazy happening?" Mark asked as he scanned his dinner choices.
"It was a good day. Closed a few projects I had been working on and started on another. As a reward, I am taking the day off tomorrow to make a long weekend. How was your day?" I responded.
Mark smiled and confirmed that he, too, had a good day. Mark was an administrator at a hospital focusing on human resources. He had previously said it could be a tough job, but he legitimately enjoyed it. I had heard from a familiar acquaintance that he was well thought of at work.
The waiter returned to the table and took our orders. I requested a medium-well 8-oz sirloin with all the vegetables, while Mark decided on roasted chicken with a similar assortment of veggies. We each ordered another beer.
After the waiter had left, Mark looked at me intently and said, "Reese, there is something I want to ask you. If I am offside, please tell me, and I will never mention it again." I took a long drink and gestured for him to continue.
"Since we met, I have enjoyed getting to know you. I like how we share interests and a similar sense of humour. I hope you consider me a friend or someone who could become a friend."
I could sense that Mark was anxious when he told me this. I smiled and nodded, silently acknowledging that I agreed with his perspective. My acknowledgement gave Mark some breathing room, and he relaxed visibly.
Mark continued, "I know we haven't discussed too much of our personal lives, but there is something I want to have out in the open. I'm gay."
I finished my beer and put the empty glass on the table. I looked Mark in the eye, smiled, and replied, "OK."
Mark looked confused, like a puppy that bit into cotton candy and couldn't figure out where it went. He responded, "That's it? OK?" He seemed flustered that I did not respond in the way he anticipated.
"Mark, I can tell that this is very important to you and that you may have been nervous before getting here tonight. I want to assure you that your sexual orientation has no impact on how I view you or our growing friendship. The math I do when meeting someone new does not include their sexual orientation. It's an absolute non-factor to me."
Mark considered my response, and the waiter returned with our entrees and replacement beverages. Once the presentation was complete, he departed with our empty glasses. Mark looked at me as he cut into his chicken. "You don't understand what I am saying," he offered quietly.
"That is distinctly possible, my friend. I am world-class at missing cues and conversational signposts that would benefit my understanding of a given situation. So, are you super gay? Like gay to the nth degree? What am I not understanding?" I asked with a smirk that I hoped showed I was attempting to be funny.
The humour landed, and Mark responded, "Well, I don't know if I am super gay, but I am pretty good at it." It was his turn to smirk.
I replied, "See, confidence goes a long way in most areas of life. Super gay or not, you are perfectly fine as you are." That finally deflated the overblown seriousness that he brought to the table. We dug into our meals and chatted easily, the tension wholly banished.
We finished our meal and settled the tab before heading to the parking lot. As we reached my car, Mark turned and took a more direct route than in the restaurant.
"Reese, I want it on the record that I think you are one of the hottest men I have ever met."
I was not expecting this declaration and looked at him for signs of humour. There were none, and he was being serious. A sincere and direct response was required.
"Mark, I am honoured. To have a gay man, not a super gay man but one who is pretty good at it, tell me that I am attractive is very flattering. You have made my evening. Seriously." He was looking for signs of sarcasm or insincerity, but there were none. I had been told in the past by gay guys that I fit very well the description of a "bear." That statement caused me to do some fascinating Google research. I decided there is absolutely nothing wrong with being told you are attractive.
Mark laughed softly, saying, "I had many different thoughts on tonight's outcome. I did not anticipate that you would be this relaxed and at ease. That makes you even sexier."
I teased him and said, "Well, Mark, that is what we studs do. Be sexy." Mark rolled his eyes in response.
I stated, "Well, it's time to head home to an empty house. My wife and kids left this afternoon for a week at her parents. Another reason to maximize my alone time with an extra day off tomorrow."
Mark asked if I had any plans for when I got home. I assured him there were none and that I would spend my evening half listening to the TV while I scrolled on my phone.
Mark offered, "I can't compete with that kind of excitement. However, you could come to my place and hang out."
I considered it briefly and said, "Sure, that sounds way better than my original plan. You lead the way, and I will follow in my car."
Twenty minutes later, Mark pulled into the driveway of a very nice, upscale home. I was suitably impressed as I pulled in beside his SUV. I got out, and he gestured to the house. "Welcome to my home. Come on in". I followed him to the front door, which he opened via security code. As we entered the foyer, his home automation turned the lights on throughout the downstairs.
Mark placed his shoes in the front closet and asked if I wanted another drink. I agreed, figuring I could leave my car at his house, Uber home, and retrieve it in the morning. Mark showed me into his living room and returned from the kitchen with two beers of the same brand we had enjoyed at the restaurant. We sat in chairs opposite one another, taking long sips of our drinks.
"Your home is gorgeous, Mark. Perhaps I should get into hospital administration?" I teased.
Mark smiled and responded, "It's a good gig. I am also fortunate that my family has done very well in business. I bought this place before I finished university. Cash."